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abraxaslogs2021-12-11 04:25 pm
The Festival of Enlightenment - The Free Cities
In the Free Cities, Enlightenment has come once more.
In each major hub, lanterns and lights of every kind are being hung everywhere. On every storefront, every sidewalk, every home and every fence. From elaborate custom made lanterns with color changing lights to simple hand carved candle lanterns and everything in between. By the time Enlightenment proper rolls around, the three major cities are bedecked in lights..
Lanterns and elaborate candle holders and artfully carved candles are going on sale everywhere. Flyers are being plastered on walls announcing The Annual Circus of The Sciences! The latest and most impressive inventions from every corner of the Free Cities! Hosted by Prime Minister Reiner herself!
This is a time to celebrate technology. Free from a dependency on magic, The Free Cities thrive in this time of literal and metaphorical darkness. The phrase ‘lights for Enlightenment!’ is on every citizen’s lips. In the evenings, night markets pop up in the streets. Vendors offering little mechanical toys and decorations set up, as well as the latest street cuisines, and light up jewelry to celebrate the holiday. Pendants, earrings, headpieces, bracelets... some of them glow due to naturally occurring substances, some have chemical reactions activated with the press of a button that make them light up and twinkle.
In Cadens the focus is on inventions and the latest technological advancements, the buzz about this year’s Circus of The Sciences spreading through the city. On Enlightenment Day, in front of Portham Hall, the greatest inventors from all over the Free Cities gather to show off their greatest inventions, each vying to win the coveted prize of government funding. All inventions are on display to the public - there’s a great deal of talk about an engine powered entirely by steam! - and judged by a team of Ministry officials.
Yet none judge quite as harshly as the infamous Head Judge, Aleksander G. Klingel. Known not only for his own contributions to Cadens innovations and technological milestones, but for his biting commentary during the competition itself. Some of the less technologically minded have even made it a point to attend just to see what the winning insult will be this year...
"I wouldn't trust you running a bath let alone a hydroplane."
"Are you a stuffed puppet? Because your head must be filled with felt to come up with something this inane."
"This is really a tough decision... because you're all crap."
And even the summoned have a role to play, if they so choose. Aleksander is more than happy to compensate any of the Summoned for their time... if they’d just participate in a teeny little holiday experiment. All they need to do is hold a metal rod for a few minutes. Aleksander promises it’s not dangerous, that little tingle is perfectly normal...
In Libertas and Aquila, new plays and performances are debuting - and all seem to have a common theme: the power and superiority of technology over magic. Even overheard conversations may espouse the same ideals - how strange that the other kingdoms still rely on magic, it’s just irrational! The theme of technology and light are found even in the newest fashion collections, unveiled for the season, utilizing reflective fabric and metals.
Should anyone ask a local how long, exactly, this holiday is celebrated for, they’ll be told that in honor of the light of technology triumphing over the dim, the festivities last all day and all night. Come the day, the street markets open in the morning and stay open until the next morning. There’s singing and drinking in the streets, everyone trying to stay up until dawn to show that the spirit of the Free Cities will never go dark. Starting with The Circus of The Sciences, kicked off by a speech from Prime Minister Marlo.
Standing on the steps of Portham Hall, wearing her formal military garb, is Prime Minister Marlo Reiner. She holds up her hands for silence from the crowds.
"Welcome, once again, to another celebration of the Enlightenment! We’re gathered together to celebrate and illuminate all the hard work that each and every one of you do, every day, to make our Free Cities what they are! We’ve cut ties with relying on magic to do everything for us and we thrive! Even now, in the darkest part of the year when the rest of the world struggles, we thrive! Because we rely on ourselves! Your minds are more powerful than magic and nothing can dim your light!
"So let’s have a good time! Starting with the Circus of The Sciences! Enjoy the best of what the human mind has accomplished, and if you see something you really like, I don’t think a single one of our inventors would refuse a donation. Judges will be making the rounds soon.
"Here’s to another year of changing the world!"
With a thunderous roar of applause, The Day of Enlightenment officially begins!
(Coming soon! The events of December 21st and beyond will depend on player actions...)
i mean ARE WE
Oh, I did it my first night here, after our mmm, run in. [You were harshing his angst out there with your dick, buddy.] It helped, although that assistance was only temporary.
[Howling is absolutely screaming in the right circumstances, like Alucard's. He highly recommends it.]
Then how fortunate for you you're all but swimming in drama. It just seems he stands like a rock in a storm among it though. [Rather than drowning, which is Alucard's general approach. Very healthy.]
I think only one glass. Anything else is ill advised, I've learned. It encourages a little too much indulgence in a mood.
probably???? what's a problem alcohol doesn't fix
[It might be more than that. He's only counting two. And don't you dare say it's any more than two, Alucard. He's never embarrassed himself in similar fashion in front of anyone, ever. At any time in his life.]
It's probably terribly unhealthy for him. [If there is a pointed look following that, it doesn't particularly mean anything. What is more important is the idea of drink. But. One? One? How does Alucard expect him to live off that?] I'm afraid I only know about indulgences, not restraint. I think the solution is we go somewhere that more than one class will not lead to terrible outcomes. [He gives him a question in raise of his brows. Alucard has not been there in some time. Not since... really, the first time they met. When Jaskier had drank with him, and talked, and offered Alucard a bit of blood, if he wanted it.
To think of it now, not much has changed, has it? Except he knows Alucard all the more. Now, he thinks he understands him. The biggest change is he is no longer simply a man in a caravan. He has more to show him.] Are you adverse to the Horizon? I have something to show you there. And quite good wine.
alcoholism?
[He means it, Jaskier. Totally not trying. Your dick just keeps flopping around by accident here, and Alucard's very much not interested in looking.]
Mm, he seems to be doing fine, excluding present physical circumstances. [Which he still hasn't asked for the details of. Pointedly so.
The dhampir is all set to ask what the best compromise might be, if indulgence and temperance at to butt heads, but the bard's solution is better than he could have ever thought of. There's a faint nod, affirming that he likes this plan very much.]
Not at all. And so long as what you're showing me isn't another cactus, I'll be happy to meet you there in moments.
you got me there
Though maybe not as much after this... newly unlocked backstory.)]
Gods, stop. No more cacti! Ever! I've sworn off cacti. There's only going to be flowers and the occasional vegetable. Which cacti are not. [And he does, in fact, fill the void as they find a peaceful place to slip into the Horizon with, er, continued assurance he's done with cacti. The big ones. He still likes the round ones.
As he pulls Alucard along with him, they step into his domain: a perfect sunny day, gentle breeze, the grape leaves crafting a perfect, soft shuffle with their movements. The grapes are supple and firm, a bright shade of purple. The trellises have been cleaned of weeds and dead leaves, though there's still the natural occurrence of a few caterpillars munching on them. He makes sure Moglad is elsewhere, figuring Alucard would not appreciate his company, though his bonded, decorated horses graze nearby, one reaching up to pull an apple from a tree. Hector's bird remains perched upon the tool shed that holds all the bits and bobs for manual care of the grapes, as well as a wine cellar underneath.
It's quiet and open. And luckily, a pair of comfortable chairs and a table are waiting for them, nearly like the first time.] Well? What do you think?
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This is not the caravan. Alucard knows why he was so drawn to that caravan now (he thought it was Speakers. Sypha. He wanted someone he knew, without any memories of anger to complicate the matter.) But what has sprouted in it's place is stunning.
The brightness and greenery are welcome indeed, but what catches him most is the smell of it all. A proper, working vineyard. Overturned earth, grasses, the faintest hint of horse (not Roach), all of it is.
While not all the tension in Alucard is gone, some of it is lifted. Sitting isn't anything he's interested in right now. His eyes are trying to pick a direction to gaze in, drinking the whole of the scenery in.]
Rarely I've wanted someone's domain to manifest into reality. [There's a little bit of awe in such a simple, breathless declaration.]
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Most of all, because the vineyard sprouted from the single plant Alucard gave him.
His heart holds a breath, waiting for him to speak. And then... a soft exhale.]
Thanks to you and your gift from so many months ago. [He steps past Alucard, indicating the farthest plant in the front, clinging to the edge of the trellis. A few leaves are tipped in gold to mark it, though it flakes off easily if touched.] Here the old chap is. The original. [The leaves shift with the wind, as if to wave hello.] When I was growing up, my family owned a vineyard we would visit in the summer. It's something I think I would have settled down to do myself if I wasn't a bard. And if I knew how to settle.
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Alucard's actually ready to just fuck off and walk among the grapes at this point, wine in hand or not. It is tempting, but the source? He helped cause this? That gives him very literal pause. There's no looking over to the grapes that started it all, there's only the expression of going through too many emotions at once on Alucard's face.
In the end, there's a very small, fragile smile there.] I hadn't thought it might lead to this. [His voice is faint, but there's a soft noise of disbelief.] All of this from me mistaking your caravan for Sypha's people.
[Never mind that he's still unsure where he stands with Sypha these days. There's a little bit more volume to his voice next, feelings apparently starting to stabilize.]
You could just hire someone to do the hard work for you, then get to write your own sales song.
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Ah, that woman at the theatre! [The one who knew about the cactus. He's not bringing it up only because Alucard is so clearly enjoying himself, and those moments appear to be so terribly rare. Besides, it's. Funny. Looking back. Sometimes.] I had no idea that's who you'd imagined.
[He'd have to track her down and ask her about it. Out of mere curiousity, of course. Of someone who was from Alucard's world and... well, spoken about a bit more admirably than Hector.]
True. I could. I'm what you call a bit of a control freak, I suppose. I like doing the work myself. [And here, he can do it as long as he wants. He doesn't get tired or sunburnt. The grapes don't rot. There's no plague of locusts that may come in and destroy the plants.] Here, go on! Go wherever you'd like. Sample a few. I have plenty of bottles ready when you wish to drink.
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--of course Jaskier met Sypha. Of course.]
Her people are nomadic, caravans are their primary means of getting around. I...I'll leave you to inquire further details with that.
[Look Jaskier, if he was honest about Hector, you two would break up. Alucard would rather not be the cause of that, thank you. Hector seems on balance a little bit better due to you.]
--You'd want to be in the vineyard all day, getting dirty, and just wrestling grapes? [Alucard glances over his shoulder, eyebrows raised. What can he say, this sounds fake Jaskier.] I...admit, I can't see that.
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He doesn't mind going after her for the story. After all, she's. You know. Adorable.
Jaskier sees where this is going. He puts his hands on his hips, his eyes narrowing a little.] Yes. Why not? Do you think constantly traveling an entire continent, performing, avoiding certain death at every turn, and swallowing down weather-dictated hand pain is easy? I don't know where you lot get off thinking being a bard is a walk in the park! Also, I have slept on the ground more times than you have, I would bet. I have no issue with getting dirty.
[It's the bath afterwards that's the important part, not sitting around and soaking in sweat and grease and blood and dirt, like certain people do. One arm drops down, and he scoffs, but it's. Soft. He's not trying to take offense. He knows how he comes off, with his oiled hair and colognes. His rich doublets, the rings on his fingers.
His fingers, he would insist, that are covered with callouses.]
If I was not talented with music, if the muses did not speak to me... I would have to find some other profession in this world. Er. My world. Any world. And making something that people use to find joy, or solace, or comfort in -- that they use for the most lovely celebrations, or their deepest mournings -- yes, I would find pride and happiness in that work, thank you.
[Translation: I like wine. Also, constant supply of his own wine. Definitely not a downside.]
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Apologies, I genuinely did not mean to degrade your work or the associated works thereof. [He's still thinking of the Speakers with that. Alucard has no idea how much Sypha has or hasn't shared, admittedly.]
I only meant to draw the point that farmwork is a very, very different skillset - nothing more or less.
[FUCK.]
--Can we drink and wander then?
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He waves a hand. What he doesn't mean to do is embarrass his friend. He's had an emotionally-draining day as it is.]
Don't worry, my friend. A common misconception, I'm sure.
[It is a different skillset. And if he were not a bard, he would've trained at it.
He gives him a smile, and instead of offering his hand as he normally would, he gives a flourish with it as if to clear the very air itself.] Yes, of course! I even have the horses, if you'd like to ride. They're very mild-mannered, but cannot stand to be alone, so I'm afraid both must be taken. [Which is not a reflection on their creator, at all, in any way.] We may run into Moglad, my apprentice, who I assure you is perfectly kind, if not a bit... noisy.
[DEFINITELY not a reflection on his master. Jaskier tips his head and leads the way towards the standing shed, which he shuffles inside. With a few clangs and several bootstomps, he returns bearing two glasses of wine, deep red in color.] Now, don't laugh. I named this vintage Heartsblood. The original name was Vampire's Kiss, but, you know, I thought it a bit too on the nose.
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--Thank you. [For the grace and forgiveness. It is very much what sets all of this to rights, as is that wave of the air. It dismisses absolutely everything, and for it, Alucard breathes a little easier.]
Am I correct in assuming they won't startle either? [He tilts his head, just a little concerned.] Some animals will startle around me. Unless they're vampire horses, which rather negates the issue all together.
[He already knows he'll have to explain vampire horses, but never mind.] Noisy is fine. I'll probably hear him first.
[But to the shed. And moreover, to the wine. What Jaskier presents is a beautiful ruby color, and Alucard can't help himself. He sniffs it first, unsure what to anticipate. Red wines are always more complex, but all of the thoughts and tasting notes go away immediately at the name.
The stare is flat. Unimpressed.] I dare say you're smarter for that. Heartsblood is more evocative and doesn't set the imagination along any one particular track.
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[He's going to die if he doesn't see a vampire horse, basically.
Jaskier laughs at his expression. He can look unimpressed all he likes; Jaskier has already taken a mental snapshot of how he looked when he first saw the vines. That's enough for him to survive off forever.] I accepted that not everyone is so eager to offer a pint or two to every pretty vampire they come across, all right? So. With your approval, Heartsblood it is.
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But Alucard gets the point. He offers out his left hand, and in a little whisp of smoke is what the horses in his father's stable once looked like. They're wicked looking, teeth out at all the wrong angles, ears that become horns, red eyes and dark coats. Not the gentlest horse out there. There isn't even a Fat Pony version.
So, horse in one hand, wine in the other, Alucard does take a sip.]
And how many vampires have you actually run across, in your time? I don't count, I'm only half.
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[Look, he could change it to night if needed, but. Oh. No, he's getting palm horses instead. He doesn't know why it is universal that men like making small horses, but he completely respects the impulse considering Jaskier has now gifted two palm-sized horses to two different people.
He peers down at them, stroking one down its back.
Do they... also drink blood? Because that must be very annoying to deal with, sharing food with a bloody horse.]
Er. [He takes a sip.] At least two. Maybe three. I'm pretty sure Aleksy -- a lad in my second year of geometry -- was one. Or, you know, some sort of undead. One was a vampiress who tried killing Geralt several times. Lovely lass. My grandfather was a bit of a bloodsucker, does that count?
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Also because a) small horses are excellent and b)something in Alucard says that Jaskier would not appreciate suddenly seeing these things at full size. The good news is that because the horse isn't fully formed and it is a construct by Alucard, it does not try to get a nip of blood from Jaskier's fingers. Yet.]
Last one does not, although now you've wandered into what are vampires actually like where you're from, because Ciri keeps being surprised that I get annoyed at assumptions. And that I can embroider.
[Gonna just. Take a loooong sip.] This is very robust. I would have anticipated more tanins in it though, based on the name.
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[Which leaves him implying that the association of horses somehow cancels out the vampire part. So... if they can't go out in the sun, they. They definitely drink blood, don't they?
(What came first? The vampire or the horse?)]
Ciri's met a vampire? I... I suppose that shouldn't surprise me. [He grimaces a little. There's so much he doesn't know about her still. She's probably hunted a vampire before, hasn't she? Well. Maybe not. They're quite rare. The only reason Geralt went for the vampiress was she was eating her subjects, so.
Feels pretty fair.]
But you like it? [He smiles.] I craft the flavor around its intended recipient, if that tells you anything. [Yes, Alucard, you got your own personal vintage from Chateau Jaskier.]
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[Or no horses! That's the ruless, Alucard can't change nature. Even in the Horizon.]
I did not ask how she knew specifics. She may just be well versed in lore? I assume your Witchers are like other monster hunters I've met and have an extremely detailed library. [That Alucard is thankfully not in charge of and likely does not hold extremely good ways to commit dhampir-specific homicide.]
I do, yes. The terroir of it is interesting, since in theory this place has both any and none at the same time. It's a fascina-- [Oh.
Alucard's actually going to turn red this time, which on his pale skin looks more as if he's turned the color of a rosé. Well done, Jaskier. You are winning in making the dhampir feel every feeling department tonight.] Thank you for not calling it grave rose then.
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Jaskier turns to him with a smile. It's convenient that, at that moment, the sun begins to accelerate its descent. The sky shifts towards twilight, and the red of the sky only leaves the color on Alucard's cheeks looking darker.]
Please! I have more imagination than that. Which is why I didn't go for the first name; you've yet to kiss me, so I have no experience to base the taste off. [He's teasing, and he makes it show with the grin that follows. The moon begins to rise, replacing where the sun once shone. It is a testament to his curiousity that he's shifted from daylight; a feat which has never occurred in his domain to date.] Now, you must show me these beasties at their full size. I imagine they would not be terribly helpful at the size of a hand.
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No matter. As day speeds into night, Alucard downs the rest of his wine glass. It is just enough time for the sky to shift to what he knows to be safe for the horses. He's all set to start summoning them up but--
--low hanging fruit comes first.] You'd give it the wrong name anyway. Alucard is what the people of Wallachia call me. My parents named me Adrian.
[With that, horses. Alucard doesn't linger to drink in Jaskier's reaction either. He instead focuses on creation, because it has been some time since he's seen the beasts that his father held in the stables.
Two. They start as dark shapes, vaguely horse like. Red eyes are filled in first. Then their ears that twist into horns. Teeth that are too sharp for horses come next, the shape of the bodies refined as Alucard conjures them from memory. The coats are not pitch black night, they are deep twilight purples. It is the saddles that are black, accented with sharp silver because sometimes, to be contrary to lore is satisfying.
There.]
Radu is on the left, Dănești is on the right.
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[Alucard -- Adrian -- is doing this on purpose, he suspects. Dropping a nugget of knowledge and then immediately distracting him with... possibly the most terrifying horses he's ever seen in his life. Compared to Roach, for sure.
Terrifying, and beautiful, with the combination being equivalent to a candle flame to Jaskier's moth. Judging by the teeth, they definitely are not gentle grass grazers. Yet he trusts Alucard fully, so he approaches a horse -- Radu -- and offers a hand under its nose.] The effect is slightly different when they are, ah, closer to twenty hands than one hand high, I admit. [He allows the horse to snuffle around his hand, up his arm. It seems particularly interested in the magic scar there.] Julian is the one my parents gave me. Rather fun, isn't it? We're only a syllable off.
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Radu is the smarter horse to pick anyway. Radu Bey is the thing's namesake, because something about naming the horse after a ruler whose moniker was the handsome seemed like it would appeal to the bard.
Alucard allows for some space though, letting Radu sniff at Jaskier carefully. He didn't invent their natures, sometimes things need to figure out their own way.]
Is that a name I ought to play close to my chest? [It is a genuine question. Jaskier's got a career, after all.]
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The horse, finding him sufficient, gives a huff. Jaskier takes it as acceptance, petting down his nose with slow, even movements.
He's learned, in the years with Roach, what spooks a horse. Even a horse calmed with Axii.]
No. It's only a name. Come to think of it, when we first met, I don't think I ever properly introduced myself. [Which was only fair, because he barely knew who he was. He gives Radu some space, turning to Adrian so he could, quite properly, give him a bow.] Julian Alfred Pankratz, Viscount of Lettenhove, at your eternal service. Adrian. [Ah, Alucard's the first to get the full title, too. In a funny turn of events, he's somehow gotten used to not being known, when he'd never had to introduce himself before.] I should ask the same of yours.
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What follows is a soft hiss from the dhampir, translating as not for drinking in vampire horse speech. Radu ceases, letting out a low snort before his red eyes wander elsewhere.
Dănești is a far more cynical looking thing as Alucard approaches, but there's no resistence. Alucard just hops right on up, because a) these are his imaginary horses and b) he knows how to deal with vampire things.
Immediately though, at Jaskier's own little revelation, he leans forward, eyebrows raised.] Viscount? [This explains a few passing comments, but mostly why joking about bard life choices hit such a nerve. Noted, and then letting it pass.] I think that it'll just confuse everyone else. Sypha's the only other person who knows my full name, and even she calls me Alucard.
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