EVENT #24: RESOLUTION - IC LOG

[abraxasmods]

Event #24 - Resolution

OOC Event Log

News of the increasing tremors across Abraxas soon reached the minor territories. Though Nocwich, the Feywilds, and the Nether are more insulated from the effects of the Singularity, they'll feel it, too: intermittent quakes that knock books off of shelves, cracked foundations in old buildings, and large tidal waves that swallow ships and boats into the ocean, destroying coastal buildings.

By APRIL 16, it's clear that something worse is coming. The air in the crater hums with electricity, the ground shaking. For weeks, quakes have spread throughout the region, all emanating from the ancient relic. As dawn breaks on APRIL 18, the sun rises behind the solid stone structure, a shadow of a shadow stretching long across the desert.

As the territories struggle to maintain order, the very fabric of reality itself begins to shatter.

If you have any questions about specifics for this event, please don't hesitate to ask. Because the world of Abraxas is so large, and because so many of you have had your unique plotlines, we are not able to provide every possible detail all in one post - but that doesn't mean we don't have those details to share!

Part 1: Convergence

Within minutes, Abraxas watches the world peel away like old paint. A vendor in Aquilla falls through a shard beneath their feet that reflects the deep ocean of Earth; a Royal Guard in Thorne is swept up into the vacuum of space. What doesn't fall into the shards falls through them, dropping landmarks, creatures, and familiar faces onto a quickly unraveling Abraxas.

Between the fragments of Abraxas's reality, a dark fleshy substance presses through. A raw, meaty film stretches across a myriad of undulating limbs, wet with a thick milky goo. It pulses with the beat of a racing heart, eager to break free but unable to squeeze through. Where it can manage, bone-like tendrils sprout up and wide in any direction, appearing like blackened trees after a devastating fire. Through them, the pulse of life can be felt and seen as the "bark" shakes with each heartbeat.

Veins slither forward from the pieces of reality and encase the Singularity. One by one, multiple shards, large and growing - the source of all things - appear around the Singularity. Through them peer the reflections of another world, turned upside-down but most certainly recognizable to those once torn from their homes: a glimpse of a great modern city, the interior of a spaceship, the stretches of an ancient dark road.

While smaller shards can appear and disappear across Abraxas, catching unaware Abraxans in their wake, the primary "canon world" shards are only in the crater. These are the ones that must be closed, which only the Summoned can reach.

Return

Across these shards, the Singularity's tendrils stretch beyond imagination. No mages are required this time to break down these barriers. Instead, the shards themselves can be seen from the other side, too, frightening passersby as they glimpse another realm amid destruction.

Regular people cannot survive going through the shard. If anyone is curious enough to try and enter Abraxas, they will disintegrate immediately. But the previously Summoned are different. They can willingly enter if they choose. And, in cases where they don't, the Singularity's instability might force them through regardless, opening a shard up at their feet and dropping them back into a world they thought they had left.

Returning Summoned will only remember they were once in Abraxas after the shards breach their canon world. Once the veil has dropped, the memories will come flooding back - and they will realize that the place they temporarily called home, however long or brief, is now in trouble...along with those they left behind.

Because each Summoned is unique, please don't hesitate to ask us about your character's return if you're unsure how it might work for them!

Converging Realities

The reflections of another world are not the only thing breaching the fabric of reality. You realize, with dawning horror, that the pieces of a previous reality entirely shaped by your mind - the Horizon - are pushing through into the physical world...and some of them belong to you. A friendly sheep you created as a friend might bound out of the crater toward you. A monster you trapped in your psychic basement tears through a small village. Pools of lava from your special corner in the Horizon set fire to a flowering shrine.

But that isn't all. Some of you who have been here longest might recognize the portion of an enormous stone labyrinth that emerges through cracked shards the desert. As the light hits them, the walls of the maze shift between gritty granite and glass, flashing iridescent colors. Should anyone approach the reflection, they will find themselves at the entrance of the maze or lost somewhere within it.

Others of you will recall the same sickly-sweet smelling goo that shrouds a tower of oddly stacked containers. Bits of the substance leak out of the shards, staining the sand they land on.

Long ago, you might've suspected that these were the domains of the Gods. Now it's clear that that's exactly what they are: sections of the Horizon, just like yours, belonging to those who carry the potential to ascend.

Across Abraxas

All across Abraxas, particularly throughout the major territories, chaos reigns. Officials struggle to retain control of their population, no longer able to effectively direct their citizens as panic sets in and destruction is wrought over the land.

Kingdom of Thorne

In desperation, the forces of Thorne are attempting to siphon off magical energy in hopes of at least slowing the encroaching threat. While the artifacts and spells they have on hand were not designed for this particular purpose, they are making do.

The real push comes not from Thorne's castle but from Nott. The current High Mage, Mace Hemmet, is inexperienced in the face of such an unprecedented crisis. As a result, Ambrose Rhett steps back onto the stage, once again. He knows more about the Singularity than any mage. It's time for the former High Mage to come out of hiding.

Lord Veda fully supports Ambrose, lending the strength of Nott's forces behind him and offering whatever is needed. Even shelter and supplies for castle mages sent to battle the rifts and a promise to work hand in hand with the castle's forces. Meanwhile, King Rudolph Sidwell - himself more of a soldier than a scholar - returns to Borrel to be with his men. Against his advisor's counsel, he travels out to sea in one of Thorne's warships to rescue sailors trapped under the roiling and shaking ocean at great risk to himself. Queen Lia is thus in charge, and she sees the value in inviting both Ambrose and Lyle Veda back to Castle Thorne.

The Free Cities

Already mistrustful of magic, citizens in the Free Cities are gripped by a multiplying fear. Some believe Thorne is responsible for what's happening, while others grow angry that the end has now arrived due to Marlo's inaction against the Singularity as promised.

Prime Minister Marlo Reiner is in a frenzy. The only thing keeping her from utilizing every resource at the Free Cities' disposal - tested or not - is the calmer head of Quilleth Kaur. It's no secret among the upper authorities of the desert region that the two are closer than simply friends or fellow politicians, and Quilleth remains close by Marlo's side in Portam Hall to present a united front.

Curfew is reinstated. Massive generators are carted to stations along the outsides of the walls to defend them against unknown threats from beyond this reality. The cacophony permeates the desert - a loud grinding of mechanisms and the crackle of New Magic that drowns out everything else. Soldiers patrol at all hours, a rotation of everybody available and able. Outposts and mining operations are treated the same, ringed, and defended as best as possible. Trade and travel between the cities halts.

All the while, the Free Cities' population becomes increasingly restless. They expected to be better protected by their advanced technology and armies - and it's clear that their government and soldiers have let them down.

Solvunn

The normally placid Commune is more divided than ever. Having fostered a deep devotion to the Gods for centuries, extremists and fanatics sing the praises of the end times. Some take to proselytizing the centers of towns and villages or along roads about how the end of this world will bring them together with the gods. Fervent prayer is common no matter the level of faith, and the oldest shrines see an increase in pilgrimages. Some people scatter themselves in earnest, while others hide away in their homes.

As reality crumbles, the most fervent believers begin to throw their most prized possessions into the reflections to be one with the Gods, whether it be material goods or loved ones. Fights break out between families and neighbors, clashing over true devotees and fear for the safety of others. The Elders try to mitigate, torn between their duties to the Gods and their fellow man.

Isar Hart is rumored to be a true believer, but he stands beside his friend and current Head of Council Rowan March. They call for all Solvunnites to return to the Primary Settlement to "take this hallowing moment in reverence. Meanwhile, without a direct call to action on the Gods' behalf, Edda Hagen, despite her recent appointment, is scarce - though some report seeing her on the roads late at night.

The Commune is in chaos.

Part 2: Doorways

As reality splinters further, it becomes clear that the answer lies in the epicenter of the Singularity's crater. Unlike previous crises, there are no officials or territory leaders that will guide the Summoned or make requests of them. Instead, it's up to you to figure out what to do. Logic dictates that one should approach the Singularity to determine the next steps.

A certain God will chime in - and he might be worth listening to.

Due to the thinning veil between the mortal realm and the domain of the Gods, the Summoned can now communicate with the Gods through the Network. Using the information they learned from the minor territories last month, plus the knowledge they've gained regarding Abraxan magic throughout their time here, characters can come up with a solution.

We'll outline the solution for players to know OOC, but this does not mean characters can't have doubts or concerns. However, for the sake of moving the endgame plot to its conclusion, the majority of characters should believe it's their best chance to prevent further destruction despite the risks.

RESPOND TO THE GODS HERE.

Coming to Terms

As you work together to gather what you know, it becomes clear that the only way to stop the Singularity from overwhelming not only Abraxas but all worlds, is to permanently seal the shattered rifts - which, according to what you know, will require at least some of you to remain on the other side of the rifts while others stay behind.

The spell must be performed during the lunar eclipse taking place tomorrow night. Everyone will have a brief 30-minute window to perform and complete the spell using various runes learned from the Gods, the Fey, and Solvunn. You're told that you may need to channel an immense amount of energy, so much so that the process could leave irreparable, lasting effects upon you and your soul.

You cannot receive assurance of the outcome. While all sources indicate that this method grants you and the universe the highest chance of survival, it's unclear what the impact will be on you and your friends. You'll have to take that risk if you want any hope of seeing the next sunrise.

A few Gods may fill in the gaps for rifts that do not have a Summoned willing to go to that canon world. For some of you, it would be possible to stay in Abraxas while one of the Gods takes your place. Remember, too, that the person stepping into a canon world does not need to originate from that world. The process only needs someone on the other side.

Defining Fate

You and the Summoned gather into the crater, now expanded many miles in all directions. It's evident that the crater is safest: here, the quakes do not affect you, and though the rifts continue to fracture and shatter, the creatures emerging do not seem interested in attacking anyone within the crater - only outside of it.

Having learned you must wait for the arrival of the lunar eclipse, there is little else to do except spend time together. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise. You have time to make your decision. You can say your goodbyes. After all, even if this works as intended, some of you may not be with each other tomorrow. And, if it doesn't go as planned...you'll want to get anything off your chest you haven't yet shared.

Things will be relatively quiet at the Singularity's crater to allow characters to have any final moments they wish to have together. They may use the Network to communicate or speak to each other in person! Once the lunar eclipse arrives and they proceed with the plan, there will be no turning back and no time for long discussions.

When the lunar eclipse arrives, you must act quickly, each of you locating the correct rift. You'll have had time to identify each rift the night before, so navigating there should be easy, to a degree. As the eclipse takes over the sky, you begin to experience a powerful rush of energy from the Singularity that makes it difficult to breathe and blurs your vision. While you can fight through this, it'll take all of your strength - and relying on your gifts from the Singularity will help.

◎ The spell itself is simple: you copy the runes from the research you've done, drawing them around the rift itself. How you do so depends on the power you possess. You can paint it, etch it with a weapon, use a magical design in the air, mark it using a floral pattern, or so forth. You're drawn naturally to the method that feels most intuitive to you and the power you wield.

◎ Once drawn, you must reach into yourself and channel the power that connects you to the Singularity. Physically, you may experience the following symptoms: a splitting headache; feeling as though you're torn in half or your soul is rendered; an overwhelming rush of emotions; or all of the above. You might feel you can sense the very universe crying out.

◎ The longer you persist, the less certain you are that you will survive the process unscathed. You can try to stop, of course...but at a certain point, you'll be too late and the power continues to flow from you regardless.

Closure

Flashes of light pulse with the closure of each shard. You hear the crackle of glass as the rifts are crushed and reformed. The ground shifts and shakes in every territory, the night air vibrating with chaotic power. This could be everything...or it could be the end. For a terrifying moment, you don't know which.

Your body is suspended in an abyss, a reminder of your entrance to Abraxas. You feel once more a light and the oppressive water around you. As the world stitches back together, the veins on the scorched trees shrivel and crumble to dust. The trees turn to ash.

The eclipse passes. The night is calm. Most significantly, the relic that cast its shadow over Abraxas for thousands of years has vanished. The crater is empty. There is no more Singularity. Yet, Abraxas still stands.

As for you - that's another matter. In your quest to restore the universe, what has become of you?

Comments

[cryptsleeper]

It's one of the few things that remained clear. That and a few of my dalliances. [Alucard frowns at that.] That makes me think that for all the falsehood, the discussion and information shared were genuine. So I feel safest working with that.

[The dhampir exhales slowly and leans forward.]

They might not know. Or it might be due to all the tears that the circumstances have changed.

What ever came of your work on that device to store memories?

[cryptsleeper]

My father knew information humanity had forgotten five times over. He was a genius. His death was a loss. Only he knew how that collection of information was organized.

[Himeka how are you afraid of books? Is it because it's dead cows holding dead trees together?]

I wasn't in here much. It was his space, and a much more private one.

[cryptsleeper]

Much better answer than you'd had given me four years ago.

[Alucard's grin is smug, then he goes about uncorking the bottle. Using his fingernail isn't great, but to hell with it. He offers the bottle back to Geralt, pocketing the cork for himself.]

No, your home sounds like a nightmare. And it is clear that the threats that touch Ciri there don't exist here. For greater safety and planning, your choice makes sense.

[Morally, it is also in alignment with all Alucard knows of the Witcher. Ciri is the priority. Everything else is secondary.]

Will you keep your current address here?

[inventure]

Deep inside, Iris feels a flicker of fear at Wilhelm's admission. It's a small, reflexive thing; fear responding to fear, or fear simply begetting more. Were he any lesser, he might protest — If you're scared, and I'm scared, then who's driving the bus? — but he has had a lot of opportunity to grow, both here and back home. And here too, specifically, with Wilhelm. He's got much more growing to do, that much he knows, but already he can feel how the Iris now is so much more different than the Iris that had first crawled out of the waters in Thorne's summoning. And maybe that in itself is just enough for now.

"That's okay," he says, with enough certainty he hopes it's comforting. "I think it's supposed to be scary, so you're already right on track."

His smile is weak, but only because that attempt at levity is weak. He shrugs, squeezing Wilhelm's hand so there isn't even a milimeter of space between them.

"This place... It's been a home to you for a while now. But you did that. Not Thorne, not Abraxas." A poignant pause. "Not even Kyle."

Iris likes Kyle. He likes Viktor too. But he wants to make sure the consideration of following them isn't based on something that might hold Wilhelm back, but rather something that'll propel him forward. There's comfort, in following after someone who has led you along this whole time, and kept you steady. It's all fine so long as it's comfort, and not dependence. (That's reserved for Iris, thankyouverymuch.)

"Wherever we go, we can make a new home again. And maybe you can finally meet Penny, too."

That's right, he still hasn't given up on his sorta-sentient mechanical hand bestie. How could he?

jumps right on in here.

[falcony]

[ it's been a long time coming - after his conversation with steve and nat, after nat returned again right here in the end of it, after they all seemed to figure out what was going on and how it is they need to go about fixing this, saving abraxas and all of their homes with it (so they hope)-

sam's been quiet, these last few days. weeks. however long it's been. it's a hard thing to come to terms with, even when he knows it's the only decision he could make. he's had his time here, his chance to do what he could for these people, his people, but knowing there is actually (possibly) a way to get home-

it's something he's come to terms with. something he's settled on. there's always going to be a bit of that anxiety, after making a plan and now having the time to wait before it can be put into motion, but- it's going to happen. and that means for all the rest, all those who can't convince to come back with him...

goodbyes are never easy, but sam's had too many forced goodbyes and too many who he never got to say it to that he pushes through whatever discomfort, whatever awkwardness, and makes his rounds. they take a while, too long in a lot of instances, but he doesn't want to rush them. which may or may not be why it feels so late in the game that sam goes searching for geralt - having lost track of steve too, somewhere through the night.

the moon creeps closer with each passing second, but they do still have a little time before they need to get into place. he finds both geralt and steve around a fire, chatting, and somehow it feels... right. he approaches them from the other side, clapping a hand on geralt's shoulder as he moves to take the seat on geralt's other side. ]

Hope you boys didn't start all the crying without me.

[techmaturgy]

"I understand."

This is not what Viktor expected for himself, but now that he's finally been given his choice, he knows that he's not able to let Kyle go, either. He's the lucky one, in that sense, because he doesn't have to say goodbye--not yet.

He'll try to do right by Istredd, regardless.

"I'll take care of them. Or, at least, deliver them back to you in one piece."

[techmaturgy]

"I'm sure you will."

Whether Viktor believes that or not is immaterial, at this point, because they're all about to part ways. Though he's sure it won't be without its growing pains, he trusts that Jesper and Cid will build something good, here.

And if he's at peace with not returning home, so much the better. That's all Viktor ever wanted to see--the Summoned choosing for themselves.

"I don't know if it will be ever after, but...for now, it's enough."

[techmaturgy]

If I can find a way, I'll do it.

[Even if it's only to send a message. This is already an impossible achievement--what's one more? He studies Alucard for another moment, watching him interact with Rio, who continues to be very pleased by the attention.]

You don't need my permission to go or stay. You should do what you want.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor doesn't need it to be said, at this point. He knows, and holding that secret within him is almost indescribably warm. If this is the end, at least they can be content. But it's not, and that's just as exciting. The thought of losing their Singularity-given ability to speak the same language hasn't occurred to him, but after a moment he decides it's not something to worry about.]

I'm not concerned.

[His head falls against Kyle's shoulder. Of course he's interested in learning more Basawar words, but they're connected in a deeper way, now, something he reminds them both of when he touches his splayed fingers to Kyle's shirt, reminding him of the silvery marks underneath the fabric.]

I'll be able to understand you. And I'll make sure you can understand me, too.

[Soon, they won't need the Singularity at all.]

[satanicpanics]

[ It’s funny. Mere hours ago, Eddie’s head was filled with worries of home—what would happen when he got there, if he’d even get there at all. But home is the furthest thought from his head right now. He no longer has to worry if he’ll crumble to dust or if the world will still view him as a guilty man.

But now—the portal is closed. Robin isn’t coming back. Dustin isn’t coming back. He isn’t going home and no one is coming back for him, and he doesn’t know what steps he’s meant to take to continue his life here. It's strange (and probably unhealthy) to hang so much of his life on another person, but he and Steve had truly been together every step of the way. They arrived together, roomed together from the start without even questioning it, and stayed that way for three years—plus centuries. The only way this story should have ended is that they’d go home together, whatever that may have meant in the end—but that didn’t happen, and Eddie feels as though he’s lost a significant part of himself.

His shoulders shake as that broken laughter ebbs into silent sobs, and he’s only dimly aware of Teddy’s voice through the static—apologizing, as if they had anything to do with it. Apologizing, as though that will bring him back. Apologizing. Apologizing. It feels…pointless. And even in his half-stupor, he knows Teddy means nothing poorly by it, and there are only so many words to be said. He still recalls hearing “I’m sorry” and “my condolences” countless times when his mother passed away, but it’s just—noise.

He’s cold to the bone and beginning to grow painfully aware of his discomfort. The chattering of his teeth, the stiffness in his legs from hours without movement, the aching in his chest when he tries to breathe but just can’t. He isn’t terribly reciprocative to Teddy’s embrace, but he doesn’t push them away and slowly, he does lean in closer. Nothing can really help right now, but knowing that someone is still here softens the pain a little bit.

You’re gonna freeze, he hears eventually. ]

Okay.

[ His response is a mere acknowledgment in a soft, strained voice. He doesn’t fight or argue, but it’s clear that he would just be content to sit here and freeze if that’s the hand fate should choose to deal. His tongue fairly is useless beyond that, and all he can do is repeat: ]

Okay.

omg so sorry this took so long to get to

[satanicpanics]

Mat was one of the very first people Eddie met in Abraxas; a fellow musician with a frankly fantastic sense of humor if you ask someone with a similar sense of humor. He’d still regularly been using the instrument Mat had made him until factions shifted and he was forced to leave it behind, and while their interactions sine have been far and few between, Eddie would never forgive himself if he left without wishing him well.

“Hey, man.”

Eddie is clearly full of nerves as he approaches. He’s terrified of going home, and of what it might mean if and when he gets there, but he’s planning on following Steve and Robin as far as fate allows, and he does his best to grin and extend his hand to Mat.

“Long time no see. What’s the plan?”

[gynvael]

[ The possibility that any one of his closest friends (and how strange, to have close friends who are neither his brothers nor a certain bard) would one day depart has never strayed far from his mind. Between the Summoned who vanish and the dangers of this world, it's truthfully a bit of a miracle that Sam hasn't disappeared long before now.

But perhaps that's part of the reason why he has started to take the other man's presence for granted, despite himself. Steve, too, somewhat, among others. More than he could've expected when he first landed on this sphere. Still, he knows he's luckier than most to have his family with him in the final hour. Though he worries what could happen between now and then. They are, at best, estimating the outcome.

Geralt has the chance to acknowledge Steve over the crackling fire before Sam appears a few steps away. He, too, is not especially good at this—but Sam's remark makes him huff before he points at Steve. ]

Only him. [ He shakes a jug of mead at the two of them that he must've pilfered from somewhere. ] Drink?

[cryptsleeper]

Do you think you might stumble into more than one lifetime to do so?

[The question is not as impossible as it seems. If Viktor is already in this new form, then who is to say what his lifespan is. How it might extend, or how his work might lead to even further extensions.]

Permission, no. Opinions, those I welcome and value. Otherwise I'll get saccharine and start shoving old workshop drawings at you.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt huffs, but says nothing further. Truthfully, there are aspects of the Continent he misses, his Witchers being amongst them. The freedom to go where he pleases another. But frankly, after all that has happened here—the destruction currently snaking across the land—Geralt hasn't any intention of returning to the borders they want.

If they wish for him and his to return, they can come find him.

He shakes his head. ] Someplace with a few more trees. Perhaps even some snow.

[ As much as he's acclimated to the desert, he's grown tired of the same sandy landscape staring back at him. ]

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred, meanwhile, can't say he's surprised to see that so many of the Summoned have dedicated their last days here to helping with the commune. It will set his mind at ease, at least, to know that those who have chosen to remain behind will have a place here that's all their own, if that's what they want. It feels almost too perfect, how it all worked out, but he'll try not to spoil the whole thing with his realism for once.

He's on hand to help Himeka with any setup or serving of the food that she might need, but she knows that, and so for the moment he keeps his attention on Cid.

And then immediately regrets that, pulling a face as Cid makes a certain insinuation about things he might want from Himeka. That's not anything he wants to hear about his dear friend, and, yes, his sister by this point.

With a groan, he replies: ] Well, thank you for leaving me with that final thought.

[ Though at the mention of recipes, he does shoot a glance in Himeka's direction. ] Did you and Alucard ever finish that cookbook? [ It would take some of the sting away, were she to leave something like that behind.

Then Thancred returns his attention to Cid, arms lifting to cross at his chest. ] Oh, we keep busy. That's the way of a Scion. We might actually get a few moments to catch our breath, but I'm certain it won't be long before there's another adventure on the Horizon, eh Himeka?

🌊 annabeth

[funbreaker]

[ There's something about this entire situation that feels all too familiar to Thancred, and while he's often thought of when he and Himeka left the First, there's something else too. A half-remembered dream — or rather, nightmare. The massive doors, the only means of leaving the Underworld — why does this moment feel so similar?

It does remind him that he'll need to say goodbye to Annabeth before it's too late, and so the night before the eclipse, he makes certain to wander the crater in search of her. People are chatting in different corners, whether it's by looking up at the shards scattered over the Singularity or patrolling the outskirts in search of more creatures that might disrupt the peace.

Thancred finds Annabeth on patrol, her gaze as sharp as always, like she's ready for the calm to break — for a storm to start, for another fight. He can understand the feeling. ]

There you are.

[ He steps forward as he greets her, looking her up and down before he states what feels like the obvious. ] It seems like you've made up your mind.

[a_better_man]

"Eddie!"

Mat offers a tired grin. He grasps the hand and claps the other young man on the shoulder. Perhaps they didn't speak often, or spend as much time together as with others, but he's still a friend.

"Well, Light willing, we fix this mess and once the dust settles, my two fellows are going to make an honest man out of me." A beat, and the grin widens. "Or as honest as I can ever be!"

But the implication is clear. Mat's sticking around.

"What about you?"

[cryptsleeper]

You could go live with your identical twin in Luna.

[He's made the comment before. It will never not be funny. Besides, the place seems like it would suit Geralt well enough aside from the perpetual darkness.]

The ones setting up a space for the Summoned in the Feywilds are...not wrong to take the space, I don't think, but I'd feel strange moving into a place so pointedly vacated in the face of destruction. It'd be like living among ruins rather than making a home for me.

[sophos]

[ she looks up when she sees and hears thancred approach, offering a smile that's both glad to see him and a little sad - but that undercurrent of sad is par for the course with the cacophony of farewells happening here. ]

Yeah. I'm going home with Percy. [ it was pretty easy, all things considered. their conversation about it had been short, which in retrospect is not a surprise either. all it took was a mention of his mother's name. ]

We always wanted to get back. Not that it's all bad here, but... [ she shakes her head. ] What about you? You've been here so long.

[ she supposes her time in abraxas does pale in comparison to others. maybe that made it easier too. ]

I think we can do a final wrap here! What a good duo.

[itookashot]

Jesper is at peace about moving on here rather than going back. It helps that there was no door open to his world as far as he could tell, but he guesses that Nikolai and Zoya would likely volunteer for their own people so it'd work out. Either way, this is his home now after three years and a hell of a lot of adventures, both good and bad. And they have a future, one he wants. All he can do is hope that Viktor gets the same.

"Don't do anything I would do." He flashes a sunny smile. "Make good trouble and be happy."

[gynvael]

[ His eyebrow quirks upward. ] I'd hate to confuse myself in the mornings.

[ Mm-hm. He's met Sten, yes. And yes, he does, in fact, see some resemblance. He isn't certain he'll thrive in the perpetual darkness, however. As much as he enjoys Nocwich, the ever-present night is not his preference. He likes to watch the sunrise, after all.

Perhaps the northern wilds above the Nether would not go amiss. He imagines they would not say no to a Summoned after how closely they have worked together.

He glances over with a small shrug as he sips his drink. A fair point. The Continent is simply built on places of that nature, homes turned to rubble and rebuilt by force. If the Fey willingly vacated it, he doesn't give it much more thought beyond that. ] I suppose I was raised in ruins.

[ancunin]

Ah, no one truly appreciates my opinions the way you do, Adrian...

[ There's a casual air to his tone, and genuine affection again too. A part of him is angry to have had the memory of this companionship ripped away from him (add it to the list). But - he's learned to temper himself better these days, he's become less prone to letting his emotions flare dangerously. It's not worth raging against, in the end, when they have this time now.

However long it may last. ]

Oh, I will. Of course you know I will! [ Astarion's favorite subject is himself, after all... everyone knows that. But his expression shifts, serious and uncharacteristically hesitant for a moment. ]

I don't suppose - you haven't heard of Haelva returning? [ He guesses not, considering the surprise with which Alucard received him just now. ]

yells loudly

[falcony]

[ the concept that people could be returning brings a weird kind of sensation back to sam. it's kept his eyes on steve more often than he's care to admit, this feeling that people who they had lost, who they had moved on from, could be back. sam was more than willing to help with the welcomes, recognizing more of them than he realized he would, but that doesn't explain them all.

thor returns, but so do others, and sam finds himself keeping his eyes out for more than just a couple of familiar call signs on the network, faces in the horizon.

somehow, nat's status update request wasn't one of them. or, rather, maybe nat was one of the few sam didn't want to expect, just in case she didn't come back through. steve had been just as taken off-guard, the two of them wondering if this was even real, or another moment of the singularity playing tricks on them, the fact the horizon is catching up to them, peeking through...

but then comes the suggestion of the inn, their casual meetup, and that had been that.

sam and steve sit across from each other at a table that at one point had been a staple, and sam feels a little out of place. or, rather, not out of place exactly, but suddenly very old. like entire lifetimes has passed them by since the last time they sat here. he ends up watching steve bounce a bit in his own nerves, tear apart a napkin, and something about it calms sam enough that he isn't doing the same despite his own nerves bubbling away at him.

steve sighs, and sam ends up smiling, just a little. ]

Didn't expect anything less. [ a beat, and then sam leans forward - takes steve's hand and effectively cutting off his fidgeting. sam squeezes it, gently. ] It's okay. She'll be here.

[techmaturgy]

Did you?

[Viktor only has a second after catch to adjust his crutch so that he has two free hands, but to his credit he doesn't fumble the little charm (though it certainly helps that Cid floats it over). Viktor turns it over and smiles.

Of course Cid made it himself, even if he doesn't say as much.]

I'll take good care of it, and send a message back.

[That's the least he can do, though of course one other thing occurs to him. He gets the sense that Cid is thinking of it, as well.]

It isn't too late for you to come with us.

🌊 yennefer

[funbreaker]

[ It's late into the night now, and Thancred suspects that there won't be much time left tomorrow for this sort of conversation. He'd told himself again and again that he would find Yennefer before the end, and yet if he's entirely honest with himself, he's avoided this conversation. Which is counterintuitive when their time is so limited now, but the goodbye won't feel real until it happens.

He'd known this moment would come ever since his first day in Abraxas. He'd always been committed to going home, and despite all the time that has passed and the links that have been forged, that hasn't changed.

He still has to find his way back to Ryne, and Etheirys still needs them.

It's impossible not to get close to people after years spent in a place, and he's gone through this all before when they'd the left the First. This won't be as difficult as saying farewell to his daughter, so...

Best to be on with it, then.

He finds Yennefer further afield from the Singularity. She seems to be checking something with her potions or some other magical materials. He's already asked her to check the enchantments on the items they're using to carry their memories of Abraxas, so there's no business left, just...

A final goodbye. ]

There you are.

[ He steps up to her, his smile easy, as if it were any other day. He doesn't want to make this more painful than it needs to be. ]