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

[sorser]

WHO: Stephen and various
WHAT: A catch-all for misc. things!
WHERE: In and around Castle Thorne, maybe the Horizon
WHEN: Throughout the month
WARNINGS: Will add as they come up!

(( closed starters and assorted things below! feel free to PM me if you wanted something specific with Stephen, or if you wanted to plot! ))

Comments

[sorser]

[If Jasper thinks watered down summaries of old movies are strange, then he’d get a kick out of Stephen’s retelling of real-life experiences. For now, he peers over his shoulder to make certain both men are secure behind him—on horse and in cloak alike—before securing his own boots into the stirrups and grabbing hold of the reins.]

Yeah. You’re a lot of fun. Unsurprising.

[S a r c a s m. He nudges his horse forward, in the direction of the forest’s exit where they can find the road again.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper refuses to look back - believing his bounty is secure - and guides his mare across soil and stone. He mourns little for his captive and rejoices in his indignant position. His speed increases a tad - forcing the man's cheek to bounce and rub against leathery hide.

He continues pushing ahead till he rides side by side beside his companion. The man is somewhat taller. How he hates it.

The idea of biting back is appealing. Except he also finds pleasure in silence and chooses to say nothing.]

[sorser]

[He has zero qualms with the silence. Occasionally, it's interrupted by a pained groan from a bandit, or another long string of curses, or the desperate attempts to strike a deal to let them go, but Stephen is practiced in ignoring superfluous natterings and has nothing to say to them.

And so the ride back is quieter than the first, until the silhouette of the castle becomes more defined in the winter haze.]

The mages are always needing something gathered out here. [Beyond the castle walls. In case Jasper wants to play armed escort again, his fervent way of dealing with bandits notwithstanding.] If you're looking to keep busy.

[leitstern]

[The castle is a welcome sight. Groans and mumbles disturb the peace; the last attempt of a captive to earn his freedom. He laughs to himself at the fact he might share anything in common with his companion. His utter lack of desire for chatter. The blunt attitude many would consider rude.

His ride back feels as eventful as that towards their destination. He needs to lean forward to keep himself focused - until he stretches back in his saddle after a while. Now he can consider Stephen's advice.]

That I am. Only an armed escort is an inadequate solution.

[He slackens the reins and looks around the land. How strange to feel for its safety.]

People deserve to gather without fear. In the grand scheme of things better we prevent criminals than control them.

[It would be more productive to purge the vermin. But somehow he thinks Stephen would not approve.]

[sorser]

[On paper, it's not a bad ideal to aspire to, a land without criminals roaming amongst the population or hiding in the forests to surprise travelers. But Stephen does not believe it'll ever be so easy -- in this world, or an infinite number of others.]

Criminals are bound to exist no matter the world, no matter the society. Preventing's harder than controlling. Not impossible, but Thorne's going to have to implement more systematic changes for that, and I think they have a little more on their minds right now.

[He was never a street-level hero, dealing with petty crime on the regular, but he's fairly confident it takes more than rounding bandits up with zealous abandon.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper stares towards the castle; thoughts flying forward into his future. Perhaps he is fortunate to be living here a good while. His circumstances force him to care about this kingdom becoming his home away from home.

It makes him need to learn and understand his place. He has more important people on his mind right now - one man in particular - but he does listen to those who offer information.]

The Singularity? Some mages remarked about that.

[sorser]

Singularity's the reason why we're here in the first place.

[He may only be regurgitating information that Jasper already knows, but he might as well fill the air with some conversation of import while they take the gently winding road down to the castle gates.]

And the reason why this world's practically on the precipice of war.

[leitstern]

[One appreciate murmur is all Jasper offers on the matter. He has waged enough war and witnessed enough destruction that he knows the end result. His head shakes in disbelief; unlike now his motivations had been deeply personal. What ought be his motivation here?]

The lure of power seems as great in this world as any other.

[Power? That is reason alone to act. Still, he sounds skeptical of being dragged into another's war.]

I would hope our hosts intend not to drag us into conflict. But I find myself without much to hope for these days.

[sorser]

[He scoffs, unable to help himself.]

Less dragging us into conflict, and more of a strong suggestion that we all pull our weight.

[Stephen doesn’t think it’s cynicism, more than simply looking at all the red flags and making an educated guess at where political tensions are headed.]

They didn’t perfect an inter-dimensional summoning spell just for the sake of adding a few extra citizens to their kingdom. Thorne, at least, has made it clear that we’re here to help with the monolith problem.

[leitstern]

[Jasper finds his understanding of this world changing under his feet. His grasp of governance improves by the second as he listens between the lines - learning about politics and fraught diplomacy. He doesn't feel as much interest for the people who share this earth.]

Many hands make light work. Should the danger extends to every universe, I suppose that provides a coherent argument for collaboration.

[Which is to say...]

Only friendship matters not. The monolith offers power. Each nation is certainly thinking about betraying the other.

[sorser]

[That’s not a point Stephen will argue, nor one that he wishes to. Some things never change, no matter the universe.]

Each nation doesn’t even know what it’s dealing with. Thorne thinks it has the best idea, but there are still too many unknowns.

[He sighs, his horse ambling down the path closer to the castle.]

I’d like to say that the Summoned are the outside perspective that a world like his needs, but even we’re prone to our own biases. Here’s hoping there are more people concerned about figuring out the crux of the issue than going to war over it.

[That is to say: maybe you, too, Jasper, should try to see the big picture and not fall into factional politicking.]

[leitstern]

[Hooves beat into earth. The sound grinds his ears. The voice of his travelling companion becomes an extra annoyance, prompting him to lean forward in the saddle. He sighs in frustration - but aims it towards people outside their immediate circle.]

I would expect the worst outcome. Or do you predict every soul here will be benevolent?

[His reasons for waging war have always been personal. What motive could possibly drive him here when he has barely settled in? Perhaps making a name for himself?]

[sorser]

No.

[No, Stephen is not so idealistic, or optimistic, to think that'll come to pass. He already knows that there are some who'd prefer war in this place. Those who are pushing for it as they speak.]

Because that'd be too easy, wouldn't it? I don't expect anything. But I hope there will be enough who'll take into consideration the consequences the Singularity could have on our worlds and decide what to do from there, instead of taking what our hosts say at face value.

[leitstern]

People are easily fooled. Most shall follow this conflict towards its bitter end without consideration.

[It is a simple matter to share his opinion about their situation. Less simple to admit he had fooled his closest friend for over a decade; a man without a shred of guile. The guilt weighs down his shoulders - a stone inside his chest.

He holds his breath a moment. Exhales and makes an observation.]

It seems that bothers you.

[It should upset him. It doesn't.]

[sorser]

[The reply is easy, a little challenging, keen to push out certain opinions in those who would rather hold onto them too tightly.]

It doesn’t bother you?

[leitstern]

[Jasper wrinkles his nose and seizes the reins when questioned; an interrogation that is both obvious and unwelcome. Knuckles whiten and he braces in the saddle. He sits looking at human hands with a human temper and anger. It is an image that steals his attention for one second.]

It is what it is. I doubt crying over the matter helps anyone.

[His reply, too, is easy, refusing to reveal much emotion for an issue that affects him deeply.]

[sorser]

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.

[leitstern]

[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.

[sorser]

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.]

[leitstern]

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.

[sorser]

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.

[leitstern]

[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.

[sorser]

Guess so.

[The castle gates are before them now. Stephen urges his horse into a faster gait, eager to deposit their bags of herbs with the mages within, and warm himself by the nearest fire.]

One way or another, change is on the Horizon. We’ll see what happens sooner rather than later.

[But as for more mundane outings-]

I’m going to assume you’re up for more guardwork if I need to head out again?

[leitstern]

[Jasper visibly relaxes as they approach the great gate; impatient to remove his boots and change into clean tunic and trousers. His stinking, swetting skin demands a bath - to remove dirt and grime and the foul odour of his horse if nothing else.]

If needs must. I hardly have other arrangements to endure at this moment.

[That would be yes, long as his acquitance refuses to make a habit out of it.]