EVENT #21: SPECTER - IC LOG

[abraxasmods]

Event #21 - Specter

OOC Event Log ⦁ Nocwich

In light of the odd happenings throughout September, it might take a few days or longer for you to notice that yet more is going on. Perhaps you catch your neighbor walking out of their house in a daze at midnight, or the bartender tells you his wife went missing two days ago. Maybe the fisherman claims he found his friend staring into the lake in horror before wading into the water and nearly drowning.

Whether you investigate further or dismiss the stories, you soon find yourself confronting some hauntings of your own.

Participating in the hauntings is optional! For players who wish to opt-out, characters can help others or attend the Eifstide festivities. You may also play with the onset aspects only. The hauntings do not need to escalate beyond the onset stage.

Haunting Echoes

For some of you, the incidents don't stop with your neighbors. They begin to impact you, as well. Indeed, after the eerie effects of the Heralds, you might even think they've returned. However, you realize this appears to go beyond Gods or spells. Instead, it's as if the land itself is crying out...the echoes of which you are absorbing.

How affected you are depends on how vulnerable you might be to such specters, the number of regrets or fears you have, and how much of your past follows you into the world of Abraxas.

Onset

Whether it begins while you're awake or asleep, or both, the effects are subtle at the start. You might shake it off as a lack of sleep or a trick of the light before you understand what's truly going on.

◎ Waking Visions

If awake, you'll notice it first in shadows and reflections. Mirrors and windows are common sources, but it can be anything where you might glimpse yourself in its surface: the blade of your sword, a polished dinner plate, or the side of some steel machinery.

What do you see? Is it the face of a terrible monster? Your own corrupted features? Someone you lost who's returned? It might not be a person at all. You might catch a splatter of blood across the sawblade you're using that isn't there. You may see your eyes bleeding when brushing your hair in the mirror or spiders crawling from the ceiling.

Alternatively, your glimpses might be surprisingly pleasing rather than frightening. As you apply your makeup, you find it looks incredibly nice - a surprise when you normally struggle to like how you appear. Of course, as you walk by a shop window later, you realize, to your confusion, that your lipstick is smeared, as though applied wrong. How could that happen? What's your real image? You may need to ask someone to discern the reality.

None of these tricks will last long. They could be accompanied by whispers or be solely visual.

◎ Lucid Dreams

While dark and frightening imagery can occur in your dreams, other aspects may be involved. For instance:

If you often have trouble sleeping, you'll notice that while you've more easily started falling asleep, you also dream immediately. You may find it difficult to tell when you're awake or not. You "dream" of sitting down to read a book...then discover that the pages are bleeding or the ghost of someone you lost appears over your shoulder. When you jolt awake, you're right where you dozed off on the same couch, book in hand. Everything is normal once more.

If you're prone to nightmares, you might experience something unusual: your dreams begin to take on some oddly cheerful aspects. Bright flowers bloom where you usually dream of corpses, or your stormy skies become sunny. The incongruous images might cause the scene to feel more unsettling. They can either overtake the dream or appear in subtler ways.

Most significantly, regardless of your experiences when asleep, they are strangely vivid. Further, you have to wonder, are you seeing glimpses of someone else's dreams overlapping with yours? Like ink bleeding through a page, the imagery creeping into your dreams could belong to another Summoned and vice versa. As the days continue, you might even see that person for brief periods.

Escalation

As the hauntings grow stronger, the effects equally increase in frequency and intensity.

◎ Whether they're visions or dreams, the brief and unusual flashes grow more frequent, last longer, or increase in intensity. Soon, you begin to see things that aren't there. You start to question reality. You find yourself in places you don't remember traveling to. Perhaps you end up at the market stalls with no memory of how you got there...or somewhere more dangerous, like the ocean or the forest. It may be that you're sleepwalking, or you could simply be following a nonexistent figure without realizing it.

◎ Other Summoned begin to see what you do. Eventually, they become drawn into your visions or dreams - or you into theirs. Your visions start to blend into a surrealist experience and you become trapped in the scene. You realize that danger lurks nearby, but your ability to affect or control your environment is limited. After all, you don't know that this is a dream. It feels so very real, though you may recognize that some of what's happening shouldn't be possible. You'll have to rely on each other and your wits to make it.

When inside a waking vision or lucid dream, characters will not know that it's an illusion regardless of how impossible the scenario or events might be. They'll behave as if the stakes are real.

Players can write the dreams and visions however they wish. The danger can be genuinely serious or something lighthearted that characters treat solemnly. For example, characters could be attacked by a monster or they could be fleeing from a giant chihuahua that's a manifestation of somebody's fear of dogs. The atmosphere of the thread is entirely up to you!

Dispelling

As you navigate the illusion you're trapped in, you eventually stumble across an Arcana sign. By now, you're familiar with the symbols. The one you see depends on what choice you made during the previous event: it may belong to you, it may belong to the person you're with, or it might be that of Justice - the Arcanum of Zorne, the Herald of Last Blood.

It'll appear anywhere: floating in the air, hidden in a vault that needs to be cracked, or held in the mouth of a dangerous animal. Regardless, you understand instinctively that you must retrieve it and that it's the only thing that'll help you. There could be multiple Arcana signs if the others with you manifest their own, but only you can activate yours.

There won't be any doubt which one is yours, either. The symbol's shape will carry an identifying mark somewhere on it or around it that you know inherently belongs to you, such as runes in your native tongue, your family crest, or equivalent.

The moment you reach for it, it begins to heat up until you can hardly stand it. Then it shatters, leaving behind the very thing you need to break free of this vision or dream once and for all.

See the Plotting Post for an OOC explanation of how the dispelling mechanic works and the impact of previous choices.

Eifstide

Although the incidents can be disturbing, the majority of Abraxas is either unaffected or only mildly affected. Most are preoccupied with the upcoming Eifstide celebration. Additionally, Nocwich has opened its doors for the Summoned to enjoy their version of Eifstide. They intend to provide a brief haven for any who want to get away from the troubles of war for a bit.

Of course, this doesn't mean everyone's safe. If you catch your neighbor walking off in a daze, you should probably try to help. You might also hear about a child who's run off and gone missing or somebody operating dangerous magical equipment at the lumber mill.

For aiding locals, players are free to come up with scenarios on their own. Situations may occur in the major three territories or Nocwich. If you have any questions or require further details, just ask!

Eifstide in the Major Territories

Thorne

Throughout THORNE, the cities and towns turn red and orange with decorations befitting the season, with garlands hanging between lampposts and awnings. Carved gourds are placed on windowsills and in entranceways of homes and businesses alike, with the gentle flickering of magical flames inviting family and friends to come in and enjoy a cup of warm cider. Eifstide is a happy fare, a time to gather and share in the company of the people you care about the most and share what you have with strangers.

Children run around in cobbled-together costumes of old clothing and hats, mimicking the university students of Hayle or the scarecrows that now stand as décor throughout the town. This year, though, they may ask for something from you to add to their costume: your trusty hammer, a feathered hat, or your scarf. They'll also Roam from house to shop to market, asking for Blessings in the form of treats and toys from anyone they see. The most popular blessing is the dolls, whose outfits and designs change year to year. Possessing the prettiest or best-made doll is a sure status symbol in the following months.

The spirit of the season peaks during the street fair on the final night. A plethora of seasonal goods like pastries and sugared nuts, jars of preserves and pickled vegetables, and crafts made from natural materials are sold for cheap so that patrons of all classes can enjoy them. Shop to your heart's content! The night concludes with the releasing of the lanterns into the sky, a symbol of carrying the light of summer into the darkness of the incoming winter.

In Nott and Borrel, the festivities are nearly the same as that by Castle Thorne, if with a more nautical flair. There's far more seafood available, and popular costumes include sailors and mermaids. They send their lanterns over the sea, and it's common to give little strands of unsellable pearls as a blessing.

Additionally, Queen Lia is rumored to be visiting Nott this year, but without the usual royal fanfare or her husband. She can be spotted in town, dressed plainly and giving Blessings to the children or encouraging her own children to explore the sights. Nonetheless, as the Queen of Thorne, she's followed by a few guards wherever she goes. While they do their best not to intrude, they're not difficult to pick out.

The Free Cities

In THE FREE CITIES, the weeks leading up to Eifstide provide a boost in local trade and commerce. Even with the unprecedented inflation due to recent conflicts, the markets are full and lively as citizens of every standing buy up all the party supplies that they can. Dark costumes depicting older periods in history are always popular while the grim decorations often contain a touch of humor like smiling skulls or signs that cheekily say "wish you were here" over a tombstone. Despite the dark and mysterious energy, Eifstide is undeniably a celebratory affair in the Free Cities. Locals may ask for assistance in hanging decorations or carrying supplies from the markets and storehouses. Just don't be surprised if a few good-natured pranks happen along the way. Usually, this involves children jumping out of bushes in "frightening" costumes or making scary noises from behind the trees.

Recent incidents aside, local museums continue with their plans to host macabre exhibits and art walks. If you have your own pieces to contribute, donations are highly encouraged. This year also includes a ghost tour in each city. The tour in Cadens follows the final path of a platoon defending the outskirts, Aquila's tour follows the exploits of a charming con man who met his end fleeing from authorities, and the tour in Libertas follows the sad story of a starving artist who famously cut off their drawing hand to force themselves to paint in a new way. Tours are scheduled regularly and can be joined at any time with only a small donation!

Parties held in individual homes are also popular. They frequently spill out into the streets and strangers are usually invited inside - including the Summoned. Laughter can be heard from dusk until dawn. Seances and spirit boards are common. Ironically, the spirit boards are twice as popular this year due to the eerie phenomenon that occurred last month. It seems all the frights and rumors have only made people more eager than ever to try their luck, hoping that it means they'll be able to contact a real ghost for once. You might be asked to join as an observer or direct participant.

Solvunn

In SOLVUNN, Eifstide is a somber occasion. In contrast to the festivities of Thorne and The Free Cities, the end of the harvest is when death walks amongst the living. The lighthearted attitude about getting the work done before noon is almost gone, its residents working harder and longer hours as if a fire was being lit under their feet. Children may take time from lessons to help and any volunteers from the Summoned are welcome and almost expected. Whether it be harvesting crops, turning the earth, delivering goods, or tending to livestock, everyone must do their part before proper preparations can begin.

In the days leading into Eifstide, wreaths of branches and bone are carefully crafted and hung upon the doors and walkways about houses and any buildings where animals sleep. Lines of salt or soot are placed in front of the door and the hearth. The work can be done by any family member or friend but a Summoned's hand is considered blessed, so your involvement would be pivotal to the particularly pious.

Daylight hours are spent in small groups with family and neighbors in quiet contemplation and reverence. The elders ask for Summoned volunteers to assist with warding rituals. You can decline if you wish, but locals will doubtlessly feel more secure seeing you smudge with sage around the Settlements. At night, all stay indoors and don the masks they created the days prior. This is to confuse any gods and spirits should they not be deterred by the wards on the doorways.

On the night of Eifstide, all gather at the center of the Primary Settlement where the Council members perform sacrifices of small animals born the week prior, each doing their ritual for the safety and prosperity of their settlement as well as for those who reside there.

Eifstide in Nocwich

Eifstide isn't as large of a celebration in Nocwich as Wintertide, but the Lunae and Ikorrans still observe a few traditions. For the werewolves of Luna, Eifstide is about hunting, while for the vampires of Ikorr, Eifstide is about memories.

Oleuni Square

Traditions in Oleuni Square are tailored for visitors rather than the culture of either Luna or Ikorr. As a result, you'll find a wide array of treats, drinks, and decorations not unlike what's available in your home territory with the usual Nocwich twist: glowing flowers, decorative bottles of blood wine, and appropriately spooky "dolls" knit from yarn spun using werewolf fur.

Tattoo artists will also offer discount prices for their unique glowing tattoos with set designs themed for the holiday season. If you pass by one of their booths, you'll be coaxed to take a look and consider getting a piece!

Taverns, inns, and gambling dens will also offer themed specially themed cocktails, including a delicious apple cider and spiced wine. All in all, the Square is bustling with tourists eager to leave behind the troubles of war and spend a few days enjoying themselves.

Luna

To prepare for the upcoming winter, hunting is an important part of fall. Thus, Eifstide in Luna has been structured around this need. The werewolves demonstrate their connection to Solvunn by also donning masks made of bone and antler during this period. However, rather than for any ceremonial reason, the masks are worn by hunting parties instead. They're seen as a symbol of good luck.

If you're interested in joining a hunting party, the Lunae will be happy to have you along. You'll be warned that it can be dangerous and that they won't slow down or stop if you fall behind. If you can keep up, though, you'll get the chance to hunt a variety of beasts in several forests around Luna. The most popular animal to hunt is the Fisceime. Wildly populous and destructive to the environment in large numbers, hunting them is an important aspect of maintaining the ecosystem.

Should you not be the hunting type, you can instead visit the Trail of Unseen Eyes. Here, masks from previous hunting parties over the years are displayed along a path that winds around all of Luna. Following this trail will take you to some beautiful views and popular spots in which you can dine or shop.

If you're the collector type, you can obtain a small booklet containing lovely sketches of specific masks and a small hint as to where they might be. Participating shops and inns will stamp your booklet if you can locate the shop displaying the mask matching the one in your booklet. Earn enough stamps and you'll receive a modest gift basket filled with cured meats, cheeses, and jams!

Ikorr

Due to the long-lived nature of vampires, typical concepts of spirits and the dead are not a part of Eifstide. Instead, Ikorrans revisit the past by sharing old memories. Many will use the opportunity to visit a friend they haven't seen recently or recreate an important event in their history. Couples might dine at a restaurant where they had their first date or a group of friends might dress in the same outfits they wore to a memorable party years ago.

Though your memories may not be as from long ago, you're invited to do the same. Why not recreate a fond memory with a friend?

You can also honor old memories by weaving a wreath of flowers using the unique glowing blooms that grow in Ikorr. Use colors and florals that remind you of someone or something important. You're encouraged to describe what you're making. It's considered not only polite to provide an answer when asked, but it's also courteous to ask others in return about what they're making.

Once your wreath is complete, you can take it home or gift it to someone. Those who carry a wreath in Ikorr will receive tokens from shops and stalls they visit. The tokens consist of small samples of desserts, miniature bottles of wine, beautiful colored crystals, and scented candles.

---

Comments

[magike]

Dean.

( it's like she knows what he's planning, reading between the lines of his stubbornness and just his name carries such a weight to it )

If I can banish my own haunting... I may be able to do the same for yours.

( you can't salt and burn these ones )

Though I'd need to know something about it to do so.

( and she maybe wants to make sure he's okay too. he has castiel but... she worries )

[righteously]

( Damn it. It takes actual effort not to wince when she says his name like that, calling him out without calling him out. He heaves a resigned sigh, shoulders slumping slightly into a body language that's just a hint more tired than he'd been carrying himself until now. )

Look, don't worry about it, alright? I'm not sure mine's the kind you can throw off with salt and iron sigils.

( Because they're sprinkled all around his big, empty house these days and he's still been seeing it.

He knows she's not gonna be satisfied until she gets at least something more specific, so at length, he wearily volunteers: )

Myself. I've just been seeing myself.

( With black eyes. With blood spatter. With the First Blade gripped in his hand white-knuckle tight. )

But you can't save me from me, so how about let's focus on the lion that's actually in the room. Haunting or not, Lucifer does exist. We should probably talk precautions.

[magike]

( the gesture on his arm is a signal that she's not done with this even if she'll let it drop for the moment. don't forget, dean: magic can do anything. she'll find a way.

but the thought is quickly lost when dean shifts back to her, a little tension slipping into her and whilst she's all to aware of the devil-- )

I thought you had a truce. Or has that changed?

( not that she believes the truce is enough to save her. she wasn't here when it was made and her fight with lucifer is not the same as dean's. she doesn't intend to start anything but she can't say the same for what will happen if the devil finds her. or what he'd do.

so no, whilst rowena does know that dean believes in the truce, the peace they'd had... she also knows that he's right to talk about precautions )

[righteously]

Yeah, there's a truce, but I'm not living in fantasy land over here. ( A pause — and then an amendment. ) Well, I guess technically we are- but anyway, that's not the point.

( An impatient, sweepy hand gesture waves the momentary sidetracking away, even though it was literally only himself that did it. )

It's not me I'm worried about. If whatever we've got going doesn't extend to you, I wanna make sure you've got a little defense lined up. Nocwich is small. You're gonna run into him for real eventually.

[magike]

( rowena doesn't look up at him but she does nod, accepting what he says and acknowledging that he's right )

I doubt the spells that I used on him before would work.

( especially when she doesn't have gabriel to help her by drugging his drink first. that had been key, that was why it had worked. and even with her power... well, she didn't have that now )

My magic... isn't as strong as it was.

( which pains her to admit but this is dean, dean who is trying to help keep her safe. he needs to know all of the cards )

I don't know it it's because I was dead or it's still returning... each day I'm stronger but it's taking time.

( and she's only getting stronger because she's practicing, communing, being one with magic etc. she's pulling her power back to her and learning the nature if this world )

[righteously]

( His lips press into an unhappy line. He hadn't known this, hadn't guessed. That first week after the Summoning, everybody's a little weak. They almost always recover; he'd been assuming she would, too. )

Same thing happened to Lucifer and Cas. I'm starting to think maybe the Singularity's got some kinda power cap, or something. I don't know.

( He doubts they'll ever really figure it out. The big magic rock ain't exactly talking. Better to focus on what they can actually do with the power she does have. )

You still remember the angel warding and banishing sigils, right? How to draw 'em, how to use 'em?

( That's the most basic step, obviously, but it's always good to check off the fundamentals first. Say what you want, but Dean's nothing if not absolutely thorough when it comes to this stuff. )

[magike]

( she looks up at him for a moment, her expression more concerned. he wasn't thinking weak enough. but she didn't want to verbalise that, especially not so publicly )

I do... though I'm not getting them tattooed onto me.

( rowena knows that he hadn't been suggesting that even with his anti-possession tattoo but she didn't know the solution for nocwich, even if she did draw those around where she was staying. carrying one with her just in case like with her hex bags?

that was an idea. if she created a demon killing spell maybe she could create a hex bag for angelic repulsion )

[righteously]

( It's on the tip of his tongue to offer to have Cas carve them onto her ribs instead, but it'd mostly be a joke, and it wouldn't help keep her from running smack into him face to face anyway. Drawing them around where she's staying is a good start, and finding a way to cart around a ready-to-go banishing sigil wouldn't be a bad move either — even though he has no idea what it'll actually do here in Abraxas. It hasn't come up, they haven't tried. Would he just get punted back to Castle Thorne, or what?

Hopefully they never have to find out. )

I know there are amulets here, somewhere. I ran into one before, I gave it to Jo, before she-

( He falters.
And then presses on. )

They protect you from a single killing blow. It's not a great solution, but it's something. I'll try and track one down. We can get you a little in-case-of-emergency holy oil in the meantime, I think we've still got some left from the whole Hellhound situation a few years back.

[magike]

( there's a raise of her eyebrows. whilst dean had told her many things that had happened over the years whilst they'd been drinking that first day there were clearly still gaps, though after having been in this world for several years it's understandable: she can't learn everything in one night )

There is also my resurrection sachet.

( something which rowena had made a priority in finding the ingredients for. no chances. she just hadn't found the last thing yet )

Though of course I'd have to die before it would work... not sonething I'm interested in happening again.

( her final death had been enough. two others by lucifer she'd said no to. she's not dying again )

On the chances that you can't locate an amulet... you're certain that Lucifer's weakened power means they'll still affect him?

( she didn't want to doubt his expertise on angels but this was lucifer. she had to be 10000% certain. and he managed to always find loopholes )

[righteously]

( Three years is a lot of gaps to fill, and Dean has a tendency to avoid talking about himself. Or, more accurately, he has a tendency to layer on only superficial details to make it seem like he's talked about himself a fair amount, while obfuscating the bigger things, the things that he feels strongly about. The things that hurt. Jo falls into that category, and if she'd been mentioned at all, it would've only been in passing on the list of people who have come and gone from this place before Rowena.

He scrubs a hand over his face. )

I don't know if the resurrection sachet's gonna work exactly here, the way the Singularity is... the way I understand it, if you die, your tether gets cut. The magic might not work. I don't know.

( He just knows that when he'd gone demon, when he finally succumbed to the mark, he never did actually fully die. He would drown to the cusp of death on repeat, though that could be because the Demon kicked in that first time and couldn't actually be killed subsequent times. It's not exactly like he can test the theory.

But then they move on to the sigils, and-

Bluntly, he responds: )

No. I'm not. He's been in another faction, so it hasn't been an issue he's had the chance to push, but it's the only thing we've got to go by right now. The few times we've fought have been in places I didn't have time to ward in advance.

( Which, frankly, the fact that Dean's fought him at all and he's still alive to talk about it is probably significant. )

[magike]

( there are so many things that dean says that gives her pause, particularly about her resurrection sachet and death, but he manages to distract her from that thought with one more concerning thing )

I'm sorry... you fought Lucifer? And didn't die?

( fuck. because bollocks isn't strong enough in this instance. honestly, she's glad that he's still alive though rowena doesn't know whether that says more about dean himself or lucifer's power. but the fact that they'd actually fought... )

I'm not going to ask what set it off but... how are you still alive?

( especially when he didn't have the place warded in advance. honestly, she's a little impressed, dean. but also very worried and concerned. for you. for herself )

[righteously]

( Yeah, there are... a few other details he didn't tell her yet. A few things he'd sort of put off with the intent to wade into. )

It was a couple things. First off, I had backup. I'll introduce you sometime.

( To Geralt, that is. Jo's obviously long gone, but Geralt's still a fixture, as permanent and unchanging as ever. Given that she's one of Dean's people, her meeting him is inevitable. He tends to bring the staple relationships in his life together, and Geralt's right up there with Sam and Cas now, for him.

If it doesn't happen in Nocwich, he'll grab 'em both at the Roadhouse or in the bunker sometime.

But anyway, the second part... )

The other thing is, uh... the Singularity, it... changes people. Gives them gifts, or power, whether they want it or not. The longer you're here, the more you get, and I'm pushin' on my third anniversary sooner rather than later, so...

( There's a grimace, and then he rips off the band-aid for a little visual demonstration.

Rippling from his back, with the sound of ruffling feathers and flapping wings that goes hand-in-hand with angels, Dean's own pair come into view. Thick, white, enormous — far more visible and far more tangible than the metaphysical other-wavelength wings real angels sport.

He's not really all that human himself, these days. He's still got some pretty... mixed feelings about all that. )

[magike]

( when he stops walking she lets go of his arm, turning to him and that concern for his well-being is evident in her expression. fighting lucifer, gifts, three years here...

but then he shows her.

she hears the sound first, the flapping she knows from lucifer, from jack, from michael, but to see wings sprout from his back leaves her speechless. this is the first time she's actually seen wings, usually seeing only the shadow of them but these seem visible in a way that she could touch them.

it takes her a moment to form words, and at least her brand of speechless is just wide eyes, cogs slowly starting to turn as she pulls back together )

You're not an angel. ( she's hosted one and even though it wasn't for long at all... this is something she feels certain about, even if she tries to never think of those memories )

You were just... given wings? ( by this singularity. bollocks. bollocks ) What else is there, Dean?

( give her it all at once. cards on the table. and... even with how concerning this is it actually helps her feel a little more protected )

[righteously]

( They'd been headed somewhere — a bar, probably, judging by the absent path Rowena had been leading him. That goal is momentarily forgotten, standing there in a relatively quiet avenue in a town of eternal nightfall, the two of them displaced from their world and their time period and their lives.

He's had nightmares of this. Of showing off all the ways he's been changed, being forced to confess them. Not to Rowena, but to his father, who would determine him not human, who would call him a monster, who would label him something worth hunting.

He's had some... time, to come to terms with that. To work it out, with some support from Cas, from Sam, from Geralt, but it still sits there in his sternum, low and uncomfortable, self-conscious, at odds with the closed-minded man he'd once been in his much younger years. )

There's a lot.

( He admits grimly, reaching out to press a hand to her chest — safely, just beneath the neck, by the collarbone. The white, impossible glow of grace illuminates him, sparking and brilliant from within, and flows from him into her.

It's not so much a healing as it is a restoration, and while it won't stop her haunting, it does come with a flood of soothing warmth, of comfort, an energizing refresh of pure and brilliant energy.

The glow of grace fades, and he drops his hand again. )

To tell you the truth, I don't even know if I know about all of it, but... I know I can hear 'em. Angel radio, I mean. And I know I can- blast things, and-

( And with the flick of his wrist, his empty hand manifests an angel blade that was not there before. He gives it a little wave, and then stuffs it irreverently into an empty sheath at his hip meant for a far larger sword. )

You get the picture. There's been a theme with most of mine. I get the feeling the longer I'm here, the less of a difference there's gonna be between me and... them.

[magike]

( she flinches a little when the light manifests from his hand, and though the effect is a little soothing it takes her a moment to relax into that feeling, too used to expecting something painful or terrible from an angelic power. but it's dean, in her heart rowena knows that dean wouldn't actually hurt her. not without warning.

and then it's gone, the warmth of his touch lingering with her as his hand retreats and dean speaks again, explaining more of his powers, how much like an angel he is without truly being an angel. he doesn't feel it, he feels different to castiel when she senses his power even with the similarities, granted powers but not changed. interesting )

Well... that's certainly not an ending that anyone could have foreseen.

( though no one would have foreseen that rowena would once sacrifice her life to help some hunters out. or save the word )

Do most granted powers follow some theme like yours?

[righteously]

( Her little comment about an unexpected ending earns a soft scoff from him, a barely-audible mumble yeah, no kidding. All that time spent being a demon, all that time resisting Michael and Heaven's influence. His initial disbelief in angels, which over time became suspicion, mistrust, disdain at times. Apparently the Singularity's either got a wicked sense of humor, or a cruel appreciation for irony.

But things never really go how you expect 'em to, do they?

He shrugs helplessly at her question. )

I think it varies from person to person. Some people- seems like maybe they get more of what they already had, or- more of who they are. Other people, the pattern seems more random. If you want good answers, you're gonna wanna hit up somebody like Istredd. He studied the thing, I just kill monsters.

( Although, he will admit to being pretty curious about what it's likely to give her. )

[magike]

( she doesn't yet know that it's istredd who's involved with lucifer, won’t discover that until she runs into castiel later, so she takes the name under advisement for when she decides what exactly she wishes to know )

You've always done more than just kill monsters.

( ignoring the other people here and thinking of home: sam might have been the more dedicated researcher but dean knew a lot. and she'd caught him by the books before doing his own research )

Though a magical entity is different from monster lore, I'll grant you that.

[righteously]

( He'd feel a little worse directing Rowena to Istredd if it weren't for a few facts. First of all, he really is probably the leading expert on that giant ass rock tethering them all here. Second, it's a small community of Summoned, and Istredd is proactive in it. She's going to meet him eventually. And, lastly, Istredd knows who he's partnered with. He knows Lucifer is the type to make enemies — lots of them. He's smart enough to manage his own relationships while not ostracizing new Summoned.

Hopefully it works out. And... if Rowena happens to stumble upon some information that she can use as a safety net, without Dean violating the truce within the confines of his own conscience by providing that weapon himself directly, well, bonus. Silver lining. Win win.

Her gentle fluffing of his ego earns her a small, appreciative smile — but he isn't here to fish for compliments right now. He knows his limits at least in regards to the Singularity and its obscure ass lore. He knows some, but he's not an expert the way Istredd is. )

Whenever you get around to exploring the Horizon a little, swing by his place. It's open to the public. Even if you don't find him there, you'll probably wanna take a look around. It's a massive library, a huge compendium of knowledge from all the Summoned. You might find something useful there, who knows.

[magike]

( dean, you should have led with the magic library part, you know this woman, you know what she likes getting her hands on. so it's certainly no surprise that she looks quite interested when dean mentions that part, wondering to herself how many days she'd get lost there before someone came looking for her.

she would definitely find something useful there, that wasn't even a question, though useful to rowena macleod and useful in general terms were often two very different things )

I've been in... briefly.

( she hadn't yet gone back, hadn't yet put her place together but that she'd figure out after the nightmares. and before dean invites her to the bunker. it was a process )

Are those spaces just publicly available for anyone to walk into?

( for a woman who greatly valued her privacy she didn't like that idea. locked doors and curses, that's what she liked hiding behind )

[righteously]

Some of 'em are, by design. Istredd's got a library, I've got a bar. There's even a friggin' gas station.

( The Roadhouse has an open door, open bar policy even when he's not there to serve. )

Other parts can be locked down. The Bunker's under the bar, it's closed to the general public. Only people that can get in there are the ones I let. So far, at least.

( He thinks the interior of Kaer Morhen might be similarly private, when the Horizon isn't acting up and throwing people into trauma-induced torture dungeons or whatever.

Anyway, his lips quirk up knowingly. )

Why, you got somethin' to hide?

( Of course she does. They've met. He remembers her boobytrapped apartment. He's just teasing. )

[magike]

( she simply smiles at that question, knowing just how well he knows her that the answer is a big yes. though what exactly she wishes to hide this time... well, that's the same as normal )

If the Horizon can create anything as you have-- ( a bar and the bunker, for example, the ones they're familiar with ) then there may be much to keep hidden.

( all of that magical knowledge of hers, for once. and even herself. it sounds like a nice comfort and somewhere to hide as needed )

But I do always value my privacy... having people wander in uninvited wouldn't be particularly desired.

[righteously]

( There may be much to keep hidden earns an appraising, vaguely suspicious look, but you know what? He's not gonna ask. He remembers how guarded her secret apartment stash was, how feral those other witches were to break into it. Ignorance is bliss, he's way happier not knowing. If it's not in his brain, it's not on his conscience, and therefor he doesn't have to feel an undue sense of responsibility for it.

He's got enough to stress over right now, thanks. )

Uh-huh. Well, maybe just consider getting you a couple good locks and a guard dog or seven. Anyway...

( Their stroll comes to a stop at the place she's staying, his escort duties largely accomplished now that she's safely back under the watchful gaze of the public eye, where Lucifer's less likely to risk pulling some shit if he does happen to show up. )

Like I said, I'll do some digging for that amulet. In the meantime, you keep yourself safe, okay?