abraxaslogs | When I'm near the end and I just ain't got the time

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When I'm near the end and I just ain't got the time

WHO: Istredd and some people!
WHAT: Istredd is held with Kyle in the dungeons for a bit and questioned, and then let out.
WHERE: Imprisoned and then back out in Thorne
WHEN: July
WARNINGS: Nothing!

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[Please message me on plurk in my latest game chat before replying! Just trying to keep it reasonable number.

His inbox is open to anyone who wants to chat that way!]

Edited 2024-07-01 18:28 (UTC)

Istredd is let go thirteen days later and while he is distraught to have to leave Kyle behind, he reluctantly is led away. People may spot him on the way back to his room, where he immediately takes some time to breathe and adjust to having his Chaos and bond back. If someone spots him and wants to check in right after leaving, they can, he looks the most outwardly upset than most people have ever seen him. The situation has broken some of his outward calm for the obvious reason.

A day later Istredd is back out and about in the castle like nothing happened. He has his classes to teach as they have not taken that away from him yet and checks in with the library to take stock and see if anything is out of place. It's enough time since the attack everything is in order, but it does him good to get back to his natural way of being. He can be seen in the dining hall or bathing and he is approachable if anyone would like to check in.

Edited 2024-07-03 19:00 (UTC)

While Istredd is still in the dungeons, he pops into the Horizon to distract himself from his stagnant situation. While he outwardly attempts to seem like none of that is phasing him, that they aren't scaring him, his anxiety is slightly more obvious in the lighthouse. The library never goes away so anyone can use it, but his nerves show in the creatures within.

The leosylphs seem to have the permanent zoomies, running around and making trilling distraught noises. The ravens will fly down closer to people than usual and flap their wings at them, in a mood. This is when Istredd is there or when he is not, their mood connected to their creator. When he is in there though he is not in the open area because he is not in a good place to randomly come upon anyone. Yet people who know him will understand that if they call his name in the library he will come to them or create a specific path to lead them to where he is.

After the thirteen days in the dungeon though, he shows up in the main hall, scribbling in one of his notebooks to update the history of the Summoned he had put together. He hasn't had the chance to put in details about the coup or any subsequent information he has about the attack, so now is the time to do it. He's available for all visitors like normal then.

Edited 2024-07-03 18:59 (UTC)

Apprehensive of what might await him at the castle, Wilhelm lingers in Nott the night of the coronation. He's managed to save up enough of his courier wages — despite treating himself to frequent snacks and drinks, and the occasional new piece of clothing or accessory — that a stay at the inn is no problem. Hearing no rumbles of trouble for those who skipped the coronation, he slinks back to the castle the next day as afternoon slants into evening.

This is when he learns that Kyle and Istredd have both been imprisoned in the dungeons, and his stomach plunges into dread. He knows he should avoid drawing any attention to himself right now; he should lie low, go with the flow of the new regime.

He's always had a hard time sticking to the rules, especially where royal decorum is involved. Wilhelm lasts a day before he slips down to the dungeons to see if he can find his teachers. Spotting their familiar figures between the bars, he draws closer with an expression knotted in concern.

"Istredd...Kyle... What the hell happened?" he asks softly. His fingers wrap around the bars, knuckles pale.

Edited 2024-07-03 02:55 (UTC)

Istredd is genuinely glad that they didn't end up paraded around because he's fairly certain that the response to that from the Summoned would be provoked. Instead it was a polite enough encounter and the two of them went without argument, sending last minute messages to people on the way there. Istredd was relieved when they ended up in the same place so he can keep an eye on Kyle's safety in person. Plus, it's never great to be isolated, especially without Lucifer's voice in his head.

The dungeons themselves are not in terrible condition. They're good enough, with beds and regular food deliveries. Istredd already misses a notebook in his hands so he might ask about allowing one in. The hardest part of all of this is his magic is simply gone. He hasn't felt this disconnect to it since the Pit and it brings up bad feelings because of it. For someone so connected to Chaos, it's an extreme detachment. And then there's the fractured bond between him and Lucifer. Overall, not ideal.

The reality that he went to the coronation and Kyle did not and they still ended up here means the prior warning turned out to be accurate. Istredd gets up when he sees Wilhelm approaching.

"We're fine, Wilhelm." A glance over to Kyle. "They just have some questions for us since we had attachments to the previous regime."

Kyle and Istredd were taken the day after the coronation, which only drove home that the warning was accurate, because Istredd was not spared for his show of support. The dungeons are not particularly bad compared to ones he's seen before, and it is with no small amount of dry amusement that he recognizes the ones that he helped make wards in some time ago.

That means the sudden lack of magic is not a surprise to him, but it still is deeply uncomfortable. Cutting him off from Chaos is worse than losing a limb to someone used to it always being there. It makes him restless, and the loss of his constant connection to Lucifer doesn't make it any better.

Over the course of his time in there his mood shifts a few times. Some days he's restless and paces around, no doubt annoying Kyle in the process, especially the first day of Nocwich when Yennefer finds out where he is. Some days he is quiet and reflective, either in the Horizon enjoying his freedom there or going over thoughts in his head.

Either way, Istredd is there for thirteen days, and a small amount of people are allowed to visit.

[ooc: message me and Jay if you'd like a threeway (lol) convo, otherwise we'll come up with a reason the other one isn't there.]

So you loop this here, and now it's your hands.

[ There is quite a lot of down time for the two of them, and while books have been procured and the Horizon is always an option (within reason), some of it truly is the two of them sitting in a room with not much to do. It's when Istredd decides to teach Kyle Cat's Cradle, a game he and Lucifer often play together when things are quiet or they want something to do with their hands while passing time. ]

I know it's very simple, but it's cathartic too.

[ Istredd doesn't know many games otherwise he might have suggested cards, and neither of them are truly the gaming type to start with. It is not easy to make Istredd bored. He is fully capable of staring off into space, making lists in his head or meditating, and that in particular is necessary given he is completely shut off from Chaos. It makes his skin want to crawl. Chaos has been his constant since childhood, since before he can remember, it is as natural a part of him as every cell in his body. As easy as breathing.

Being cut off from so much is going to start to get to him, eventually. It hasn't stopped him from answering the questions he got with no small amount of salt. Istredd no longer feels in active danger, but he does feel like he's going to be rude and make things worse

Better to play Cat's Cradle. ]

Have you spoken to anyone? [ This in their minds. ]

Edited 2024-07-16 15:48 (UTC)

It's not been long since he warned Lucifer about being taken in, glad that his partner wasn't physically there as he might have instinctively wanted to stop it. It was a polite affair instead, since Istredd went along with it and didn't cause any waves. The dungeon is one they both know well having put wards on them long ago, and it's decent compared to others he's seen. It doesn't make the situation any better, though.

Kyle is currently visiting the Horizon although the guards may think that he is napping instead. They don't go in at the same time just in case it seems suspicious. It leaves Istredd to pace around the area. Seeing Lucifer is a great relief and it shows, his heart leaping since the lack of feeling him has been the worst part.

"Please bring me more books so I don't have to lower myself to Jack's fiction. I have a stack being held in the library, they'll do."

This is said with a strained smile, although they both know it is also true that he would rather die than touch what Jack brought. What he reads would probably be incredibly boring to Kyle, but he'll offer to share. His books on magic and history aren't for everyone, although he does currently have a few naval ones he got from Borrel that he would say is interesting.

I miss your mind. He says over the network, the only place they can currently talk without the guards. I've never been this distant from Chaos. As far back as he remembers, it's the only thing he's had, his magic.

Edited 2024-07-16 15:56 (UTC)

Edited 2024-07-03 19:00 (UTC)

Kahlil has been held in worse conditions before - when he was young and had done something to particularly anger Dayyid, the priest would lock him in a small dark space, warded so that he could not reach the Gray Space to escape and with no sense of when he might be released. There is much more room to move down here, though there had been a chill that ran down his spine when he could no longer sense the grain of the Gray Space in that same way, not just blocked on all sides, but cut off entirely, as though he's suddenly been robbed of a sense like sight or touch.

He focuses on Istredd's presence, sometimes the guards. He's experienced with spending long swaths of time alone, sometimes from behind the veil of the Gray Space. Before, he would not have said he was lonely during that decade spent isolated, but things are different now. He might've struggled more this time.

The approach of footsteps has him standing, though he doesn't approach until it's clear that Wilhelm is the one arriving. His gaze shifts from Istredd to Wilhelm, and he nods to him, then gives a small shrug.

"This is how it goes."

When power shifts. He doesn't know if Istredd had warned Wilhelm that night of the coup. Kahlil had not, and unfortunately he had not yet messaged Wilhelm when they were both taken. He's been struggling to reassure people via messages already.

Wilhelm flicks a look to the guards stationed on either side of the cell, each a few paces away, sharply aware that he should be mindful of what he says in their earshot. Maybe it would have been smarter to message Kyle and Istredd in turn, but he wanted to see them and make sure they're okay.

Fortunately, they are. It doesn't look like Sidwell had his men rough them up or anything. Listen, his imagination sort of consumed him all last night once he figured out where they'd gone — he couldn't stop thinking about the guards that Sidwell had quietly rounded up and summarily executed in the days after the coup. The sudden absences that populate the castle.

"So...they're going to let you go after you answer all their questions?"

And what if the new regime doesn't like their answers?

The truth is neither of them have any idea what they're in for. If it's only questioning. If more dangerous tactics will be taken against them. Istredd sincerely doubts execution is on the table, Sidwell isn't going to risk them in their position, but they don't know for absolute certain. Istredd is very much getting tired of being held captive in some way. Back home and here.

"Yes, that is what we were told." Istredd glances toward the guards and then he taps his head to the both of them. They can't very well all go into the Horizon together, but it's clear no conversation can be had when they're being watched. A moment later his network handwriting can be seen in front of their eyes.

We don't know for certain, Wilhelm. We were warned to leave shortly before the coup and chose not to, knowing this was possible.

He doesn't know how much Lucifer has told him since this went down, because he's been cut off from him. It might explain to Wilhelm though why the two of them and not anyone else ended up here.

"We don't want any of you to worry."

He says this while reading Istredd's message, not wanting to leave odd gaps in the conversation for those outside listening. After a second he adds to the floating text.

They aren't mishandling us. There are some guards still left - like Sergeant Ward, who you can try going to if anything changes.

He doesn't exactly expect Ward to be able to do anything, not when he has his own family to look out for, but hopefully a name will soothe some of Wilhelm's concern for the future.

Edited 2024-07-09 19:52 (UTC)

It's a little confusing to try to listen and read at the same time, to respond verbally so that the guards don't get suspicious of the silence and simultaneously think about his reply to the message. Flustered, Wilhelm stammers for a second before adjusting to the rhythm of their double conversation. He swallows and nods.

"Okay..." He'll try not to worry too much. He'll hold onto Sergeant Ward's name. His eyes move between Kyle and Istredd. "I'll keep up with my training routine. And I'll practice my magic."

Things that he once begrudged, or outright avoided, but now they keep him balanced. They keep him pointed forward. His grip loosens from the bars, fingers falling to the wooden brooch pinned to his tunic, as he adds:

I figured Lucifer knew something was happening. That's why he gave me this right before the coup. He's not going to get in trouble too, is he?

Edited 2024-07-09 23:10 (UTC)

"Good, try to make the others remember to do that too, alright? Good training never really ends." Istredd is partly saying this out loud to seem like the conversation is going on, and also because he means it, because he still is Wilhelm's teacher at the end of the day.

A lot of his teaching has gone by the wayside between them being missing for three weeks, his slow adjustment to returning, and now this. A regular schedule is hard to maintain, it might be he just has to solo tutor for a time, so people's time isn't wasted. A problem for another time.

Istredd knew the wooden brooch on sight obviously, and if he saw what Kell was wearing, he'd recognize that even better. No, he's fine. He had no positive ties to the former regime. He actually gets along well with Mace, our new High Mage.

Trying to kill Ambrose that one time probably worked in his favor.

Kahlil adds nothing else to the verbal component of the conversation this time, seeing as they might be winding down. His gaze settles on the brooch, though, with a curious look as Wille points it out.

[ Nocwich is behind them when Istredd finally gets out of jail and he isn't allowed to visit Nott at all, so he cannot go and see her there, nor would it be wise to while attention is still on him. So the best he can do is send her a message to meet him in 'their place' in the Horizon. Only Yennefer has access to the basement floor of the library which is made to look identical to where they used to rendezvous as youths. He has made it less stark and uncomfortable than it used to be, all stone and darkness, with blankets and comfortable seating. Nothing to fully change the ambiance of what is a fond memory to him though.

He knows she's angry at him and Istredd is less resistant now to confrontation than he was even a year or so ago. This place has changed him in many ways, and being able to take accountability for his choices is one of them. She knows that he doesn't regret keeping her in the dark, so that's not something he will apologize for, but he can take a little anger directed his way over it. Istredd will take any of her bad mood in exchange for seeing her again.

That has been the most difficult part of all of this for him. Not the fear in the dungeon, not the adjustment of living in their new situation, but the fact he can't just go to her room any time he wants. They can't meet in the halls, he can't kiss her in her study. Istredd got very spoiled with how constant their time together became. After decades apart, he experienced what life might have been, if they did stay together and become a power duo. And now it's lost to them. Unfortunately necessary but he isn't made of stone. He misses her.

He's only out a day when he messages her, fourteen in total, and he had to leave Kyle behind which was more difficult than being there. Istredd is sitting in their space, his back against one of the sturdy stones, writing notes in a journal. He has to plan for his meeting with Mace. ]

Edited 2024-07-20 21:16 (UTC)

As it's been a while since he had a formal lesson with Istredd, he makes sure to stretch out his magic at least a little bit every day. Idle tricks when he's bored or anxious happen more often than actual concerted practice, but it's better than letting it sit inside him. He has learned the hard way that magic, or at least the kind of magic he possesses, finds a way out on its own if you don't provide the channel for it.

"Sure, I'll keep everyone in line."

A thin smile accompanies the half-joke.

So what you're saying is Lucifer is probably the Summoned with the most power right now. As far as influence goes. His eyebrows lift at the somewhat ironic turn of events, Satan on somebody's good side. That's good, right?

Wilhelm rocks a half-step back from the row of iron bars, eyes flitting between the guards again, before continuing aloud, "Well, I'll be sure to visit you so you don't go crazy down here."

In the Horizon next time, so he can stay longer.

[ Istredd waits patiently until his time under examination is over after being let out to politely request a meeting with Mace. It is as quick as he thinks is reasonable, because it is imperative he gets a read on the man quickly. The coup has set many things spinning off into the unknown, but Istredd's comfort with Ambrose meant he got complacent. Something he and the Summoned cannot afford now. Sidwell was right there and he didn't attempt to bridge the gap just in case; foolish. Short-sighted. He won't make that mistake again.

Istredd is known in the castle even now for his academic nature and deep research, but he has no idea how much Mace knows about his visits to the Singularity or what Ambrose had more awareness about with his priorities. Now is the time to try and share. He is going into this with an open mind, assuming nothing about the young mage. He didn't take Mace seriously before and that was stupid.

He knocks on the door and waits until he's allowed in, his expression difficult to read as usual but not cold. ]

Edited 2024-08-05 00:16 (UTC)

Let's just hope he wields it wisely.

A concern for all of them otherwise, but Istredd has faith in Lucifer. He always has and he always will. He's come a long way from the angry rebel he once was, it's obviously true given that he hasn't already banged open the dungeon in a fury.

"If you could tell Lucifer to bring me my notebook and books, I'd appreciate it. When you check in with him." Implying that it would be good for both of them if Wilhelm did, and it gives him something to do so he feels like he's accomplishing something. Also it gets Istredd what he needs because he sure as hell is not going to read Jack's weird fiction novels.

[ she hasn't seen him since the coronation.

river only went to accompany istredd; she would've much rather been in nott with cassian and yennefer, far away from these new royals and their blood-soaked crowns. but she was afraid of what the sidwells might do to him as someone with ties to the former sovereignty - and lo, her fears were founded, as they took istredd away barely a day after taking the throne, even though he stayed in the castle and attended their shameful ceremony unlike most of the other summoned.

he should've fled with yennefer and the others. river knew it right away and this is proof, undeniable proof that they were right. it's not safe here. not for anyone, but least of all for the people river cares about the most.

at least they're letting people visit them. river is abjectly terrified as she's escorted to the dungeons, unconvinced they won't throw her into one of these cages too someday. istredd said they haven't been hurting them but she can't believe it until she sees them, and when she finally does, she can't help but run straight for him. ]

Istredd!

[ river almost reaches through the bars of the cell in her desperation, but one of the guards immediately scolds her so she flinches away instead, tucking her hands to her chest and looking around frantically. ]

Are you okay? Where's Kyle? Are they hurting you? Why can't I hear you?

[ maybe that's the worst of it all; even being right next to him, there's a silence in her mind, an absence of something she didn't realize she had gotten used to over the last six months or eight-hundred years. even when they were far apart, there was always a connection between them. now there's an empty space where istredd's voice used to be, and it leaves river feeling stricken.

can they really just take him away forever if they wanted to? ]

[ Kahlil has a tendency to get competitive, so any cooperative game is probably best. As much as he is sure they'll have difficulty truly annoying each other, they're still cooped up in a relatively small space for an uncertain amount of time, so, best not to tempt new problems.

He seems genuinely interested, at least, when Istredd proposes his string game. It's not one he's played before, but it's simple enough to learn, and he understands the calming nature of repetitive action well enough from his own training. ]

Did you learn this when you were a boy? [ He asks his question as he loops his fingers on each side and pulls them from underneath the 'cradle' as instructed, taking the strings and stretching them into a new shape. He answers the same way: ]

Viktor, Wanda, some others in the Free Cities. [ then, with a small frown ] The Singularity still reaches for me in Horizon.

The Horizon has never had a huge appeal to Ciri; she used to visit more often, out of curiosity, but considering the latest happenings with the long, shared dream and all of that, she's been a bit more avoidant of the place than usual. It makes her think too much of being lost, of getting stuck in a place that isn't real. For a space where she can change and make everything within her piece of it, Ciri always feels like the Horizon is something too far out of her control.

Still, it has its uses.

She's made an 'appointment' with Istredd. Seems like he's got nothing better to do, what with being imprisoned and all.

At least his domain isn't that damned monolith anymore.

"How're the Castle Thorne dungeons? Just as dank and dreary as I remember them?"

[ Istredd was raised in a competitive culture growing up and it made him go the opposite way, despising that feeling even in something as simple as a game, although it does depend on the opponent. But cooperation is much more comfortable for him, and he figured of all people, Kyle would understand the soothing nature of this. He's never lived with someone for an extended period outside of Lucifer but he's truthfully unconcerned. It's Kyle. ]

No, Lucifer taught me. I don't know where he learned, but he does it when he's stressed. And now, when I'm stressed.

[ A little detail that Kyle may notice if he spots Lucifer with the strings, or if he even sees him making a pattern with his fingers from memory, as if imagining the strands there between his fingers. He won't mind Kyle being let in on that fact though. Istredd would say maybe he learned when he was trapped in the cage for so long, but he's fairly certain he had no access to anything that would have made that experience better.

Istredd appears as calm as ever, but it is a nod to the fact that internally, he's more conflicted. He doesn't like their situation, but it's good he's not alone. His mind would get ahead of him, imagining the worst. ]

An unexpectedly dramatic beginning to a cross-territory relationship. A coup, a biological attack, and then a detainment.

[ That is said dryly. Kyle has already indicated to him that things worked out with his conversation with Viktor, so he assumes it's fine for him to tease him a little about it. The Singularity is a slightly more sour topic for him, but he's still interested.]

Rhy said it does that with those it favors. Have you answered it?

Istredd changed his domain for the first time so she wouldn't have to see the monolith, and then it got changed again after the Thanedd coup. He doesn't mind that much what it looks like on the outside, since it stays the same internally, and the lighthouse it is now fits in its own way. He thought it was a good idea to create something that had no emotional significance to any of them. Less likely to be triggering.

The path opens for Ciri when she gets there and while his leosylphs seem to fit in well with the area, the robot dog that sits at his feet stands out a bit. It keeps following him around so he's gotten used to it. It beeps at Ciri when she comes in.

"Yes, I doubt they've updated them in the past few years." They did update the wards, something he himself assisted with, which is grimly humorous. He smiles though, genuinely glad to see her. "I actually didn't know you've been here that long. So you were one of the group that fled to Cadens?"

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When I'm near the end and I just ain't got the time

In Prison!

OTA Post-Release

OTA Horizon

feat. kyle

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Open to people

Kyle - let's say day 6ish

Lucifer

River

cw: reference to past abuse

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can wrap this one for individual threads if you guys cool with it

Yennefer

ok

NPC Mace Thread

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