[open; July adventures]

[cryptsleeper]

Who: Alucard and open
When: July
Where: Aquila, Cadens, Ikorr
What: Closed text thread; some exploring in Ikorr; and delving into the aftermath of the Free Cities
Warnings: Added as needed

Comments

IKORR | Open

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard is, in fact, in Ikorr with purpose. He's received information about another little cult that decided to kidnap the Summoned a year and change ago, and it isn't in a far flung place he can't access due to territorial alignment. Ikorr is open to all, and he needs to at least look as if he's a tourist for a bit rather than skulking around.

Part of being a tourist means taking another opportunity to stock up on blood wine, considering he cannot tell when the tension in the air will snap and destroy trade between the Free Cities and Nocwich. Some of the supply is intended for himself, but...

...well, it's nice to be a resource to a friend. That's all that needs to be said.

But more than anything though, Alucard is happy enough to sit in the perpetual night, his eyes upwards and everywhere taking in the architecture. There are parts that would look at home on his father's castle. There are ideas he wants to incorporate in to his own work. There is simply so much that it is inevitable that he walks into someone.

Otherwise it is just as inevitable that he might be found tucking himself against a building, a tiny sketchbook in hand as he tries to scribble down some particular architectural detail. Should someone be in his way, the dhampir is not subtle in trying to look around them from one direction, then the other, before letting out an annoyed huff.]

Could you move to the right just a little--?

[sophos]

[ the ikorr part of nocwich hadn't been open the last time, so naturally, annabeth decides to take a peek. she'd tried to learn more about it preemptively, doing little bits of research, asking some of the people she's come to know a little better. she feels... semi prepared. and she recognizes the vampires here are nothing like what she might find back home. ]

[ the part that fascinates her most is always what draws her in first anywhere she goes: the design, the buildings, the architecture. she spends about an hour just wanting and studying them, though not without keeping her bearings in vampire land. ]

[ annabeth turns at a familiar sounding voice asking her to move, frowning because she had a great angle of her own, but then she sees alucard with a sketchbook and tries to steal a glance from afar even as she steps a few paces to the side. she hadn't brought her own notebooks along, but there's recognition towards his sketchy actions. ]

What are you drawing? [ she pauses. ] Sorry. Hello again.

[cryptsleeper]

[--Ah. A very friendly face.

Alucard gestures Annabeth over, closer to the angle he is looking at. The pen he is using is a good enough guide for the eye upwards, his attention focused on an arched window.]

The wrought iron details on that window and how it sets the glass into different curves and sweeps is something I haven't seen before, and quite frankly, find interesting. It isn't something I think I can use in the near future, but I don't wish to forget it either.

slight wildcard, handwaving arriving together

[ancunin]

[ Months ago, Astarion would've avoided Ikorr like the plague. Nocwich itself was unavoidable, it is the only place he can meet with Haelva. The city of vampires, however - there would have been little cause for him to step foot in the heart of their territory.

Now, he arrives with Alucard, caught between his anxieties and deja vu. They had spent much time here, in that other life. Of all the cities in Abraxas, Ikorr was slow to change - almost as slow as the Fey. He lets Alucard lead for now, having no particular site he wishes to visit, hyperaware of the attention they draw as outsiders among their own 'kind'. ]

Seen enough yet, darling?

[ They've been here ten minutes. The question comes out in a drawl, the body language of someone already bored - but up close it's easy enough to spot the tension in his expression. ]

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard was surprised that Astarion was game to even come through the portal with him. He was always aware of the vampire's discomfort with others, for reasons he at first had no idea about but chalked up to the usual vampire territorialness. Knowing the real reason meant that the dhampir tried to be thoughtful about those interactions. They did not have the same experiences, but there were enough parallels that made thinking something through Astarion's perspective very easy.

So here. Now. Ikorr, with Alucard's eyes everywhere trying to drink in the details of architecture and the daily life in the streets, rather than the chaotic party atmosphere of just a few months before. It is not quite night and day, but it feels subdued in the same way his home always felt subdued. Some of it was from the building, the rest was knowing that overly powerful vampires lurked around corners. Or in the case of Ikorr, were walking down the street going about their business.

It is impossible to mistake Astarion's expression, especially compared to Alucard's more sedate nature.

He makes a point of not looking overly concerned to anyone else. The question he responds with is all too casual, but it's meant as a genuine concern.]

Bored already?

[familysucks]

[Michael doesn't give way any more than a wall would, but he is at least a softer surface to bump into. Alucard might feel it's a warm wall of feathers he collides with, never actually making contact with the other man's back. He turns on him, a flash of anger in his eyes as if ready for a fight—

Oh. It's this guy. Alucard didn't strike him as a particularly violent man when they met, so he's quick to chalk the collision up to a misstep. The anger gives way to Michael's habitual impassive expression.]

I suppose it's no surprise to meet you here. Looking for inspiration for your domain?

[Of course the half-vampire would be spending time in Ikorr, he thinks, but motivations are usually more complex than species alone. Since he first met him rearranging the small home in his domain and he's an admitted artist, he guesses the opportunity to examine the architecture a little more closely is at least part of what brought him here.]

[cryptsleeper]

Not so much these days.

[Alucard has decided to categorically ignore the sensation of something feathery. He is Not Engaging with that right now. The stresses of an arts sector threatening to bottom out are enough, thank you. Ikorr is for himself before it goes to hell.

And even then, he's actually here with purpose. But Michael has no need to know that.]

Am I that much of a stereotype?

[The question comes with a small lilt, making it clear that, at the very least, he can take a small joke right now.]

CLOSED | Threadjacking encouraged

[cryptsleeper]

[The following private message is sent to: Thancred; Himeka; Wanda; Yennefer; Jaskier; Geralt; Viktor; Kyle]

This message regards the truth of those responsible for the Nocwich attack upon Summoned delegates some years ago, and it is information revealed by accident rather than intentional investigation. Given the moment, I am not sure how useful it is, but you have a right to know. I will be direct; the cult of the Inverted Page of Pentacles led by Josselyn Creed is responsible.

This information was discovered at a former meeting site in Ikorr, which I was directed to by extended correspondence and conversation with Sten, of Luna. At the meeting location, which is clearly abandoned, I located a pamphlet that had a clear sign of someone writing on another sheet of paper over it. The information from that page was an outline of a New Magic device meant to look as if it was created by the Free Cities. The deception's purpose should be obvious.

I have kept the notebook in my possession. The information has been shared with both Luna and Ikorr.

For those of you who have found other instances of this cult promoting the so-called New Day, I ask that you just keep an eye on things. Given that the branch deep in Old Emberwoods village in Thorne and the branch elsewhere in Solvunn seem to have continued to function without being associated with Josselyn, there may still be a benign strain out there that could become rotten given the right circumstances.

The final question I have is for all of you: do you advise sharing this discovery outward to other Summoned? I would defer to the three of you who were directly impacted by this.

[ushiri]

I think it would be worth sharing. Many of us suspected a fourth party involved. I think there are some that still carry guilt for what occurred, and might want to know.

PRIVATE to Alucard;

Thorne detained me for questioning a few days ago. I thought you should know, since we've been sharing sensitive information like this.

[cryptsleeper]

Noted. I don't know if this has any additional weight in Thorne given the circumstances.

PRIVATE

Yes, thank you for telling me. Would you like to explain wh you were questioned and what they were asking after?

[techmaturgy]

I don't see why we should keep this secret. The Summoned deserve to know.

I'll take a look at the plans, too. It's possible they were only reproducing the design, but if this cult has real knowledge of New Magic, we should be prepared.

[cryptsleeper]

I have them with me. Pick a time and secure place.

[aquaveiled]

Do you think it might be something that the Cadens military is using?

[aquaveiled]

It was Josselyn all along? I suppose that makes sense, given how long she's been slowly building up her base and resources.

Though I have to wonder what she wanted. Was it just to stir things up? Mayhaps direct attention away from any disappearances that may have ramped up in the moons that followed?

I agree with the others thus far, this is worth telling everyone. So many people were impacted what Josselyn did later... and I have no issues pulling up those memories of the attack, though I was the one who came out mostly unscathed.

There have been better attempts on my life anyway.

That being said, the village that Wanda and I have been watching has been carrying on none the wiser. They seem to like us well enough so I don't think they will have any problems with us continuing to visit.

[cryptsleeper]

Maybe it was just testing the waters? Seeing what was possible, before settling upon a larger plan. That's my best guess anyway. The knowledge died with her.

If everyone is in agreement, Thancred and I can share the information. But I'll wait to hear from the other two.

Please continue to visit them. I don't think they'll be a problem. If Josselyn wasn't able to pull them into her schemes then and turn their branch, then what threat do they pose now?

[carmesi]

I don't think it comes as a big surprise that they were involved in so much from even before they started abducting people. Suppose that puts one mystery to rest, at least.

Alucard. Like Himeka said, we will continue to attend their rites when possible. Keeping an eye on things, as you'd say. Perhaps without Josselyn's "direction" in her schemes and goals, they have simply reverted to communing with one another and the land as they used to. I wouldn't put it past Josselyn manipulating their gullibility and well-meaning intentions to suit her plans.

[funbreaker]

Who would have thought this was how you would come across the answer to that mystery which has been plaguing us for well over a year now?

I am certain the rest of the Summoned who remember that night would be glad for the closure. [ He can't imagine that Himeka, Yennefer, or Jaskier would protest. ]

As for the Old Emberwoods, I can certainly try to keep an eye on things, especially now that I'm a permanent resident of Nott. Mayhap I can even get them to warm up to me.

[cryptsleeper]

Look, at least we figured it out.

It seems like Himeka and Wanda managed, so you should as well.

The move is official?

here but not.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt is not saying anything, as usual, but you can rest assured he's seen and read the information exchanged. ]

AQUILA | Open

[cryptsleeper]

[There’s no question what Alucard’s current priorities are. For all that being over-identified with architecture to the point of deification has given him pause with his own work, none if it applies to those impacted by the disaster in Aquila. He is working to put whatever can be done in motion. He’s due in Libertas later today to meet about budgeting and what open spots in Libertas can be offered to those in need of work in Aquila, but for right now, he’s focused on considerations of space.

Specifically, how can space and resources be pooled?

He feels a special kind of rude-as-hell in taking up two cafe tables and only having a single, sad cup of coffee to show for it. The tables are covered with notebooks, drafts of paper pinned down by extra cups (that he’s paid to borrow), and every so often, he lets out an unhappy noise.]

[aquilus]

[It doesn't occur to Altaïr at all that it might be rude to order only one cup. A purchase is a purchase, a table is there to be used. So that isn't why he purchases two cups and places one of the tables before Alucard — albeit with some hesitation.]

Are you unhappy with what you've come up with, or unhappy because you can't come up with enough?

[cryptsleeper]

Both, probably.

[Alucard doesn't look up until he hears the clatter of cups on his table. The scent of coffee is good. Strong. There's....what, cardamom in there? Something.

When he meets Altaïr's eyes, there's no denying that the dhampir looks worried beyond compare.]

Thank you. I...have not gotten up in a bit.

CADENS | Open

[cryptsleeper]

Respectfully, that doesn’t smell like proper nutmeg.

[It feels like tap dancing while the world ends - going out and buying spices. Alucard meant to do it the week that everyone was forced into the bunkers, and the immediate aftermath had delayed him. So he was here. In Cadens. Unsurprised to find ground spices were dominating the market and that they were the domain of hucksters.

He frowns deeply at the market stall manager, handing back the simple.]

It is mostly wood shavings. If you’re buying from someone else, I can check the rest of your inventory, otherwi--[The dhampir pauses for only a moment, but that’s enough for the seller to launch into a tirade of Are you accusing me of fraud you wispy, lanky little fuck?! The arrogance of---]

VIKTOR'S WORKSHOP | closed

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard arrives at the workshop in the evening, as promised. He carries with him a messenger bag of his own notes and scribblings for budgeting with the issue of arts and tourism, and he uses it to hide his more sensitive notes.

He also has brought along snacking food in the form of some nuts and dried fruit, because cooking has taken a second seat lately and he is, admittedly, hungry.

He's not sure where Viktor is. Alucard simply picks a spot at a mostly clean work bench, drops his bag on top, and then announces himself.]

I'm at the table over by the file storage.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor is in little mood for more unpleasant revelations, though of course none of this is Alucard’s fault. He meets with River in Nocwich and then retreats back to the workshop with the pieces of the device to stew over them and decide what he wants to do next. For as much as he feels the slightest bit of trust lost between them because of their various recent disagreements, he knows he needs to tell Alucard about this. He needs his advice, when it comes to moving forward.

If they can determine whether or not Josselyn’s cult has real knowledge of and access to New Magic while they’re at it, the better.

The little bell rings when Alucard enters, and Viktor looks up to the series of mirrors he has fixed to the walls and corners, letting him see who is at the door without having to get up from his bench. For this, however, he’ll rise and meet Alucard where he is. Viktor has his own folio in hand.]

I wish you had better news. [But hypocritically, Viktor has awful news.] Let’s see.