abraxaslogs | ( catch-all ) sailin' away on the crest of a wave

[He’ll have to take his word for it — but admittedly, beyond giving each other shades of sarcastic grief, Stephen’s first impressions about an individual are often correct, or so he believes. Thancred seems to have a good head on his shoulders, paired with an innate desire to fill the voids in his knowledge. Generally, a favorable combination.

Stephen straightens, recalling the times when he was the one new to mediation. How the other sorcerers, more advanced than him (everyone was more advanced than him, back then) would have to speak plainly during their bouts of guided meditation to avoid a prodding, questioning remark from the stubborn neurosurgeon.

Finding himself on the other side of the equation is odd — often, he leaves such lessons to those more suited to it. Or Wong.]

Ever meditated before? Close your eyes and relax.

[A beat. Then—]

Should warn you about one thing, though.

[Telling someone to relax, followed by a warning, describes just how often Stephen takes up a mentoring role: not very often.]

Good for them. [Clearly, he’s not as impressed as she wants him to be. But that’s just Stephen Strange for you, stubbornness flaring when he thinks it’s deserved.

An oni, and one with her reputation, using her powers so flippantly in the vicinity of the unwitting? She may only have earned an apple for her efforts just now, but this is a disaster waiting to happen within the castle walls; the whimsy of a spirit, or a demon, is never to be underestimated, and she slots neatly into both categories.]

But I don’t care. You know what you’re doing, playing up manipulation as flirtation. Keep on this path, and you’re just asking for trouble.

[ Shrugging petulantly, Shuten turns her gaze away from him as she takes another bite of her apple. ]

I just wanna know what I'm working with here. After being summoned, my powers were a little too faint for my liking.

[ She'd just call it stretching her wings and such, that's all, honest! (It's testing the boundaries, seeing what she can get away with, with no Master or other Servants to keep her in check).

The oni gives a sideways glance towards Stephen; on the surface, she appears lazy and indolent and yet... ]

I'm not that foolish; I know when the cards are stacked against me and as far as I can tell, I'm behaving quite well for a demon.

... Though when it comes to trouble... [ Her lips move into a slight curve. ]

Are you promising me a good time? Doctor?

Edited 2022-02-18 21:31 (UTC)

[ Thancred hasn't meditated himself, but he does understand the basic tenets behind it. He does as he's told, letting his eyes fall shut as he tries to will the natural tension out of his neck and shoulders and then takes in a deep breath. There's something about breathing deep into your center, isn't there? And...

Ah. Nevermind.

One of his eyes flicks open. ]

I suppose I should have expected that.

[ It's rare for there to not be a catch, in his experience. ]

What is it?

[There is, indeed, always a catch. But it’s a lenient one, all things considered, applying only to the first visit.]

Once you’re there, you won’t remember who you are, or any of your life experiences. Effectively, you’ll be a clean slate and spend most of the time wandering and wondering. And then you’ll want to create.

[But it’s worth it. The Horizon is an invaluable resource for them all — not one that should be turned away because of one instance of inconvenient amnesia.]

That only happens during the first visit. The subsequent ones will be normal. But you should know before we go in.

[Just in case. His brow arches again, waiting for Thancred to approve.]

[ Thancred's not certain what he had been expecting, but a temporary loss of his memory, his selfhood, wasn't it. He frowns, staring at his fingers gripped around one knee as he considers what it might be like. Of course, he won't have any frame of reference, but for someone like him who's at times in his life been rather close to rock bottom, there is something appealing about the lightening of that burden.

That thought in and of itself is a weak one, he knows, and so he gives a quick shake of his head. He's seen variations of this, people reborn again and again with no recollection of the life that came before. Not only the Ascians, but Ryne as well. It doesn't make for an easy existence.

This, however, is nothing quite so permanent. After that moment to consider, he glances up to Stephen with a quirked smile and a twinkle in his eye. ]

In that case, I can only apologize for anything I may say or do while I do not remember myself.

[ There are some worrisome implications about this first visit and what it does to them, but Thancred has to agree that it's worth the risk. So with that he steels himself again, closing his eyes and resuming deep breathing exercises. In and out, in and out, as he awaits any further instruction. ]

[Stephen makes a noise at the back of his throat, affecting at unimpressed.]

Mm. You think you're so funny.

[Hardly any real offense, though, only giving as good as he gets. Stephen closes his eyes, exhales, and begins his instruction.]

Relax, focus on your breathing. Steady inhale, slow exhale. Be aware of your breath flowing in and out of your body.

[Meditation is a slow cycle of unrooting the mind from distraction, but it is also a process of release; releasing wayward thoughts, releasing emotion, shearing away everything that is not simple, peaceable existing. Stephen continues to guide Thancred through simple instructions until settled into a proper meditative state -- mind and spirit open to the connection they've inherited in this world: the tether to the Singularity.

Then and only then-]

Focus on that connection, and when you're ready, take my hand.

[He extends his hand, and when Thancred takes it, their transference to their Horizon is swift and wholly complete.

Opening his eyes, Stephen now stands with his companion by his side amid his own domain. Behind them, the Sanctum Sanctorum awaits; at a distance, mountainous terrain lumbers along the horizon line, situated below a clear blue sky. It's cool here, the breeze ushered in by the Himalayas always bracing to all who wander in.

He glances askance at Thancred, lifting his eyebrows. This is the first time he's escorted a first-timer to the Horizon, and while he knows the man's now wiped-free of all memories of import, it doesn't mean he knows how to conjure up a proper introduction.]

...Hello.

[Nailed it.]

[ He does think he's so funny, thank you very much.

For all that, though, Thancred does settle in and focus after that, listening to Stephen's instructions and doing his very best to follow them. It is not in his nature to simply let all of the weight he's taken onto his shoulders fall away, and so it might take him longer than most to find that clear-minded, meditative state that they're searching for. Stephen's steady voice and instructions do help, and as Thancred sinks deeper into the rhythmic in and out of his breathing, he feels himself tethering to something as well. Or, it might be more accurate to say that he becomes aware of that connection for the first time.

There is some great font of power out there in the great unknown, and yes, he is bound to it. He can feel it thrumming and pulsing.

When you're ready, take my hand.

It feels almost as if he's moving in slow motion as he lifts one hand from his knee and reaches out, blind yet sure, to let his fingers brush over Stephen's.

And then, here he is. Thancred finds himself surrounded by unknown buildings, with mountains carved out in the distance and a stranger addressing him. He himself wears a dark coat with a hood that for the moment casts some of his features in shadow. The coat, for all that it's meant to obscure, nonetheless has white trim, and left of his collarbone is a patch with the symbol for Strength etched into it.

Not knowing where he is or who's addressing him is disorienting, to say the least, and he immediately tenses and bends his knees, halfway to adopting a battle stance before he realizes that he should not show immediate aggression in a situation where he understands so little.

His fingers twitch, as if itching for something to grip onto, but he straightens and focuses instead on studying the man before him. He bears the symbol for Death, a comforting symbol despite its name. ]

Hello. [ He responds reflexively, nodding his head as he attempts to ground himself in this unknown locale. It's all rather picturesque, and the nipping breeze is somehow familiar, but he knows he does not recognize it. His complete lack of knowledge is something he finds distinctly uncomfortable, but he would rather not let onto that so immediately. ]

If I may ask... what is this place? [ His hands reach up to adjust his hood around his face, and then he realizes he is also wearing gauntlets. Dressed for travel... or for battle? ]

[There's something revealing about a man who's been diluted into a clean-slate state. All that's left are the pillars of an individual, crystallized pieces that are too ingrained to be swept away by a temporary loss of memory. Parts that might not be so evident at first, now plain as day: Thancred's propensity to fight, evident by a tensing battle stance, or the gauntlets that now adorn his hands. Stephen wonders at how much conflict he's encountered throughout his life, that this should shine through the haze of confusion, but for now, he keeps a casual, non-threatening stance. A hand sweeps out to indicate their surroundings.]

This is Kamar-Taj, or at least the one I've built for myself. It's where sorcerers train. Behind you is the Sanctum Sanctorum, my home.

["Home", amongst other things. But he'll not get into the details, unwilling to throw a myriad of them at Thancred, who needs to get his bearings first and foremost.]

But overall? This is the Horizon, a place where you can build whatever you put your mind to. There are others here, somewhere out that way. [Now, Stephen motions beyond Kamar-Taj's training grounds; though it looks like nothing but mountainous terrain, that much is misleading. There is a boundary to his domain, like anyone else's, and if Thancred should wander in that direction, he would find it.] You're new here, so if it all just sounds confusing to you, that's all right.

Edited 2022-02-20 07:24 (UTC)

It should bother you.

[Plain and simple. He feels as though this needn’t even be a discussion, but is unsurprised to be having it.]

The outcome of a war will affect everyone, and not just in this world. Many worlds beyond it. Your own, even.

This is beyond the scope of one nation vying for power over the other. People who boil it down to that alone are being willfully blind.

[Good behavior or not, it is no less comforting. Though Stephen supposes if she must point her lazy interest somewhere, it may as well be in his direction — he has handled worse than an oni with a penchant for eating human flesh.]

That depends on your definition.

[Which is not necessarily an open-armed invitation, mind.]

I warned you, didn’t I? The first day you arrived here. Be careful about biting off more then you can chew.

Hee. I'd need a bigger mouth to take huge bites.

[It isn't just her usual scent that is amplified and utilized to throw off aggressors. This version of Shuten-Douji is a small woman, someone who looked as if she could barely lift a twig. She may not be a giant and imposing monster, but there is a reason why she was one of the calamities of Japan. Shuten stands up from her seat, putting the apple down.]

You sound like you're constantly vigilant... I don't blame you.

[Shuten looks at him. Her violet eyes shimmer, accentuated by her painted eyelids. Her gaze is locked onto his as she takes two steps towards Stephen.]

If you're gonna keep an eye on me, well... Feel free to keep looking.

[After all, isn't Shuten-Douji lovely? There is something to her visage as a young woman. Pale smooth skin, slim shoulders, the sway of her hips, shining sleek hair, and again, that look in her eyes that signal some sort of enticing invitation. And even more so, her voice...]

I like to eat and drink, but I love it more when the ones I want feel as pleasant as I do.

[Low.]

Isn't it better when your mind and body want the same thing?

[Sensual.]

If you're worried about me devouring others, it would be much better if you kept looking at me right now.

[She is a pure poison that invades the senses.]

[ That is a lot of information to try and process all at once when Thancred is already so disoriented. He breaks it down piece by piece, to make it easier.

Kamar-Taj. He does not know the name, he is certain of that. Given that his surroundings are so foreign, that isn't much of a surprise.

The stranger built this place for himself. That seems impossible, that one person could create such an impressive complex of structures, and so Thancred assumes that it is not meant literally.

It's a place where sorcerers train. Something like a guild, then? He's familiar with the idea, a place where like-minded people meet and learn and train together, and it is a comfort to find at least one thing here that he can wrap his head around.

He risks a glance to the other building behind him, one which appears to be out of place among the others, but his attention is quickly reset on the man as he explains more about this place. The Horizon. That feels correct, somehow, and Thancred nods. Yet the idea of simply being able to build things with his mind sounds like the subject of fiction. ]

And how did I come to be here? It's all rather hazy.

[ He glances down at his hands, already wondering what he might be able to build, or if he'll even be capable of it. ]

[The man assumes his world is as fraught as anyone's - and he personally knows that is the case for him. It would be much too stress. His concern is less for the chaos that will ensue as the fact his master would expect him to wage war against everyone to secure that power.

It takes a second before he visibly falters and corrects himself. His master who had cast him aside for one failure.

He shakes his head. Better not think about that.]

Blind? I assume they wish to avoid the stress.

[Hands grasp the reins as he elaborates.]

Enjoy a warm beach somewhere. You must comprehend people want comfortable lives.

[That’s a question with a complicated answer to it, but Stephen won’t waste his breath with an over-explanation. Not when Thancred will benefit from less details, not more.]

That’s a long story. Basically, you asked me to take you here, and so I did.

[It’s technically true.]

Don’t worry about that for now. You can stay as long as you like, but first-timers like to wander and explore. I won’t be offended as a host if you do.

There's a difference between wanting a comfortable life versus burying your head in the sand and saying 'it'll turn out fine on its own.' Reality doesn't change just because some people prefer complacency.

[But Jasper is speaking to a man with heroic tendencies, as some may describe him. As some may describe many from his world, several of which reside in Abraxas, too.]

I beg to differ. Reality veers off course because people cannot bother themselves to notice others changing before their eyes.

[Carnelian had changed before his own; he had changed over time in similar fashion. Nobody had noticed the deception.]

Humanity can watch the world crumble and remain entirely indifferent.

[ He asked him? When and how, if he has no memory of this man or any previous conversation with him? Thancred studies the stranger's face more closely, searching for some indication that he is lying or deceiving him, but finds none.

And if nothing else, he knows that he trust his own judgment with such things.

Yet there is one undeniable fact in all this: the man is right that he feels an urge to explore this area, to see more and perhaps to test whether or not the ability to create is something he truly possesses. ]

And if I wish to leave this place, what then?

[ If nothing else, he'd like to have some sort of exit strategy. Nothing here feels unsafe, but he can't ensure that will remain the case moving forward, particularly if he gives into his wanderlust. ]

[He should like to think that he is strong of mind — if through stubbornness alone. But even Stephen will admit that his eyes remain fixed on her form, as though encouraged to stay there by the lull of her voice, the subtle sway of her movements. It is not so much seduction as it feels like he’s… off, off-balance, off-kilter, and a hand comes up briefly to his head, eyes closing.]

You’d like that, wouldn’t…

[Words trail off. Wouldn’t you? But they stick on his tongue, which suddenly feels more sluggish, or like words are as heavy as stones.

He is aware, at least, enough of what’s happening here. That this is an outside influence, hers, an attempt to achieve the same with him as she did with that guard moments ago.]

Stop.

Ufufu. Don't tell me I took all the fight out of you now.

[As his words trail off, she's taken the opportunity to close the gap between them. Her voice and gaze are absolutely hypnotic at this range. Shuten can tell that Stephen hasn't completely fallen under her sway though. Weaker-minded men and beasts find themselves dumbfounded and unable to move when she fixes her focus on them.

So she pushes and pokes a little further, just a bit more, just to see if she can get this handsome face to tremble beneath her.]

You are entirely too serious, Doctor.

[Her voice is a whisper and dripping with honey. Her presence is like stepping into a pool only to realize you're swimming in a fog of sweetness and death.]

But I do like playing around with serious-minded and brave humans. They look the most lovely when they're distracted...

[One finger reaches out to stroke the base of his neck, tracing it until she caresses his chin.]

So just let your thoughts melt away already.

[It would be so easy to just give in to that warm feeling, that temptation of losing oneself into nothingness — no worry, no rigidity, only the dizzyingly anchoring presence of her gazing upon him. Her touch is electric despite her sudden nearness, and he drops his hand, looking at Shuten as though—

As though he is fighting it, jaw tense and the line of a frown deep across his expression. Strong-willed and impossibly stubborn.]

I said stop.

[A scarred hand reaches out, pressing against her sternum, and magic ebbs through his fingertips. Suddenly, a burst of magical force casts outward from his palm, enough to push her back, granting space with his other hand to flick a few gestures mid-air.

Her influence dispels. The cloying presence that had sought to subsume him lifts like a cloud, and Stephen inhales sharply as if allowed to breathe again, looking at her stark disapproval.]

I told you. You’ll have to try harder than that with me.

[It’s a very reasonable question. No one can be hurt in his plane—well, not permanently, anyway—so the threat is not as looming in the same degree as the unexplored unknown. But there’s no point in trying to explain that to a newcomer, who treads upon uncertain ground with every step.]

Everything in this place revolves around will and intent. You want to leave, just focus inward and will yourself away.

[Maybe it sounds so simple that it’s esoteric, but there really is no better way to explain it. Alternately-]

Or come find me again. I led you here, and I can bring you back. [Hm, maybe a second introduction is in order.] My name’s Stephen Strange, by the way.

And you're saying that things turn out for the worst with a healthy dose of complacency. [He rolls his eyes, reaching a point where he can't help himself.] Not exactly disproving my point.

[His own eyes narrow, refusing to roll in similar fashion. His mood remains fraught and ridden with nerves gripped as tightly as the reins within his fists. Though he is confident in his point he is also exceptionally stubborn when it comes to accepting others.]

Then perhaps you and I hold exceptionally different interpretations of reality.

[ Focus inward? Will himself? Thancred does not quite understand, but maybe it is something that might become clear in time. If he can leave this place by his own means at any time, that does make him somewhat less wary about exploring.

And he is rather curious to see more of this strange realm that the sorcerer before him has explained. ]

Stephen Strange? Well, that's fitting. [ Thancred did not get his chance to make a comment about that last name the first time they met, the time he does not remember, but here it is now. After a pause, he remembers himself. ] ... No offense meant, but you can't deny that that is entire situation is, well, strange.

[ He continues to feel no ill will from this man, however, and can't shake the sense that Stephen's done him a kindness. ] That being said, you provided me with safe passage here, is that right? Then it stands to reason I owe you a debt.

( catch-all ) sailin' away on the crest of a wave

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