EVENT #6: PEACE ON THE HORIZON

[abraxasmods]

Event #6 - EVENT INFO

go to the OOC event info and plotting post

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Those that agree to attend the Summit will travel via portals to the designated location, which is out in the open in neutral territory. Plenty of pretty mountains and flowers. A magic field is erected over this area. Characters can only enter and exit at designated portals. It is not possible to leave this encircled area, which will also negate teleportation and portal spells. Plus, you don't want to embarrass your faction by sneaking out of bounds!

Before entering, all will be given a pin that designates what faction they belong to. This pin is not only color-coded but enchanted so that even should the appearance change, mages from any faction can identify who is who. The Summoned will be required to wear this pin at all times during the Summit.

The Summoned will be offered a comfortable tent to stay in during the 3-day Summit period! There's also a communal bath and a lounge to enjoy. A simple but tasty complimentary breakfast is provided for everyone, and additional meals can be bought from the faction booths or at the lounge. See the Neutral Section detailed below for more.

As noted, CHARACTERS MAY CHANGE FACTIONS USING THIS EVENT. To switch factions, please reply to the comment here. See the OOC post (link above) for details or questions!

The "Peace" Summit

An open plain flanked by mountains to the north and south, a large circular area has been fenced off. Large poles embedded into the earth are connected with magical rings, drooping heavy in the middle as if the ethereal chains have real weight. The area is divided into thirds, each section a mass of colorful tents and booths. In the center is a large wooden stage. All attendees must sit through this keynote speech. It's only polite.

The Prime Minister of the Free Cities begins the opening address. In formal military regalia she's the first to address the crowd, raising her arms high to command attention. She's smiling.

+ Marlo's Speech

"We'd like to start by welcoming all of you. For those that don't know me, I'm Marlo Renier, Prime Minister of the Free Cities. With me are Councilwoman Winifred Bordeaux of the Solvunn Communities and Queen Ellya Gladwin of the Kingdom of Thorne. We come together today in the spirit of good will. We may be divided by borders but we're all neighbors. We all share this continent. We may not always share the same opinions or agree on everything but who does? There's one thing we do agree on though - nobody is looking to start trouble. That's about the last thing anybody needs right now. That's why we're all here today. A show of good faith, a display of trust, and hopefully the first step on a long road of diplomacy and mutual understanding. And we all expect everybody on their best behavior and to conduct themselves in the spirit of this Summit.

I'm going to turn things over to Councilwoman Bordeaux now. Thank you, and you all should come check out what the Free Cities has to offer! Councilwoman?"

Marlo steps aside for the representative of Solvunn to take center stage.

+ Winifred's Speech

Winifred steps forward, nodding hear head to Marlo before turning her attention to the gathered crowd. Her own attire is modest, a dress of ivory and forest green adorned with hundreds of embroidered flowers and a velvet bodice in a deep wine red.

"Thank you, Prime Minister. Some of you are likely only to know of Solvunn due to the terrible circumstances surrounding Eifstide, for which we must humbly apologize. It was not our intention to cause such pain and happened merely by accident. While that does not take away what has occurred, we do hope that we can move forward together to create a brighter, more connected continent. All of us has something to share with each other, and it is my sincerest hope that we may learn from you, as well.

The Gods smile upon the unification of our mighty communities! May we be blessed with a friendship of longevity and prosperity!. For those of you curious as to what Solvunn can do for you, look no further than this Summit's festivities. It is my pleasure to let Queen Ellya of Thorne conclude todays formalities."

+ Queen Ellya's Speech

When it's Queen Ellya's turn to speak, she addresses the crowd with hands folded. For this occassion she's worn an elaborate gown of bright blue shot through with silver that seems to shift and move through the fabric.

"Such inspiring words, truly. I can only echo the sentiments put forth before me. I hope that this Summit shows to one and all that Thorne intends no aggression toward our fellow kingdoms. Certainly, through collaborative efforts such as this, understanding can be found. Tensions can be resolved. Even between such opposite minded cultures. I am confident that these few days will be very illuminating for each and every one of you. I urge you to go forth with eyes and ears open, to ensure all that can be learned is. Enjoy yourselves. Indulge yourselves. Educate yourselves. The festivities will now commence!"

Spreading her hands towards the audience, Queen Ellya slowly steps back to her place with the others.

From here on out, the festivities commence! Characters are encouraged to freely explore each faction's section as they please - and of course, to be respectful of their neighbors. They're all friends here, after all.

Mingle & Activities

Every faction has their own setup of booths and displays that feature a variety of activities and items. Booths open in the morning and close a couple hours after sundown in the evenings. Attendants at each place will be friendly, although some may notice that while the Summoned wander more freely, there is very little intermingling among the locals of each faction. The occasional dirty look may be exchanged when no one's looking and those with keen eyes might find evidence of petty bits of vandalism.

Click to expand the sections below for a description of each area.

Thorne Section

Each booth in Thorne's section are adorned with opulent fabrics in the same blues and silvers of the Queen's dress. Magically lit lanterns are strewn on the fronts and within tents and will change colors throughout the day and over the course of the weekend. Regardless of the weather, being beneath the awnings is always pleasant as if indoors in a properly warmed and ventilated room. Nothing is left wanting. Luxury and ease through the use of magic is emphasized.

Though not calling out any who wander the aisle, any who approach a booth will be greeted with a pleasant smile. Mages are eager to show off their magicks by the use of spells, staves, wands, and magical enchantments from ancient tomes. A booth from Hayle University gives demonstrations and short lectures on the hour every hour, letting the Summoned know that with enough practice they, too, can become a Master of Magicks.

For those who came with a full coin purse, there are fine wines, expensive tapestries and fabrics, sparkling accessories and more available for purchase. If you're feeling hungry, it is highly suggested that you try the decadent and delicately dressed dishes comparable to what's served in Castle Thorne itself.

Along with magic shows, the most popular booth is that of the Pondering Orb. Form an orderly line and wait for your turn to approach the orb. All will be allotted five whole minutes to think their deepest thoughts as they lay their hands upon the orb and ponder. The little bit of tingling that you feel and the faint glow that grows the longer you touch it just means that it's working.

Free Cities Section

The Free Cities area can be heard from nearly all the other sections, alive with sound and activity. There's a state of carefully balanced chaos between the different booths and lanterns are connected by long wires, powered by generators placed proudly out in front - in almost direct competition to the magical light show that Thorne has been putting on. It's just a bit of friendly rivalry, of course. There's nothing wrong with having such a strong reliance on magic, even if it seems rather outdated.

Attendants are eager to show off all their grand innovations, including meals in a can (main course and dessert all in one dubious goop can!) and a small variety of old-style guns. They are the only faction displaying these weapons. In addition, they'll talk about the impressive level of productivity their workers provide in the name of progress. Naturally, no one is forced to work overtime. It's only that their people are so dedicated to their work, even a common factory worker will go out of their way to help science and innovation. The Summoned are encouraged to consider joining a nation with such a high level of ambition, and there's always room for everyone in their powerful military.

To commemorate the event, those participating can stamp their bronze with a fancy gear pattern. It takes about fifteen seconds to press and renders the bronze worthless to spend, but what's more valuable than a souvenir? There is a sign that says No refunds if you aren't happy with the result, although if the machine happens to swallow your coin, you will be given a new bronze to stamp free of charge. Isn't that generous?

Solvunn Section

Solvunn's booths are covered with handmade tablecloths in various styles - quilted, patchwork, crochet, and intricate embroidery. Enchanted candles of all shapes and sizes float and illuminate the area, some changing color as the day goes on. When the sun sets, all the candles take on a shade that imitates moonlight.

Those who are running booths will call out to anyone who approaches, ushering them to the booths in order to ply them with friendly conversation and small samples of their wares. For the right price, there are specialty honeys, cheeses, candies, and all other manner of goat-based products. A few booths also have goat's milk soaps, lotions, and candles. Ask a Solvunnite about what good a goat is and they'll tell you everything. The mages are equally more than happy to show off their mastery, though not just in flashy elemental magic. Mages fond of divination, tealeaf readings, and interpreting tarot will offer one-on-one demonstrations, especially if you've some coin to spare.

This year, Solvunn has decided to extend its Spring Equinox celebration to the other Abraxans at the Summit! Everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities as now is the time for observing the balance of day and night. This celebration is devoted to new life - new community members, additions to their flocks, and the bringing of goodwill for the year's crops. A maypole is erected at the center of the celebration and if it stays upright until the following festival, it's taken as a sign that the community's harvest will be bountiful.

Additionally, the shrine of Lyfbringr has been erected with paintings and several small statues depicting an androgynous god that appears as an amalgamation of man, flora, and fauna. The shrine is enclosed in a tent that is half bright cheery colors and darker monochromatic shades.

Representatives of Solvunn stand by to weave colorful ribbons or rings of flowers into people's hair or tie small bells onto their wrists. There are many baby goats frolicking in a temporary paddock that guests are free to mill about in. The Summoned are invited to consider a life among a peaceful neighborly commune where help and friendship are right at your doorstep!

Neutral Section

This area is meant for everyone to mingle, but the Summoned will find they're mostly the only ones here as the locals prefer to stay within their factions. It's lightly decorated with no particular colors or emblems of any one faction. Ample ambient lighting gives the place a warm glow once the sun goes down. Wooden benches are placed sporadically between the different designated areas, making sure that no one has to go far to find a place to rest their feet.

The Lounge Tavern is open at noon for 2 hours for lunch, and then again at sunset in the evenings, where anyone can come to have a drink or a meal. Beneath the protection of a large, open air tent, seating is provided in the form of more wooden benches and long shared tables, as well as a few stools. Vintages, ales, and meads from each of the factions are available to enjoy. A few recreational activities are available, as well, such as darts and dice games. The tables and seats are placed close together, to encourage mingling and talk among each other. Though the bar is staffed by NPC volunteers, all are expected to bus their own tables when they leave.

The Sleeping Tents are where the Summoned will return to for the night to sleep. Each tent has large number of pillows, throws, and a few large mats that can be arranged as desired for optimal comfort. The ground itself is lined in animal pelts, mostly sheep and goat, making it soft and inviting. They are indeed shared, but there's plenty of room for everyone. Each tent can fit about 8-10 people - or more, if you cozy up.

The Communal Baths open in both the evenings and in the mornings for a few hours each, which is effectively an open bathhouse pool. The pool is dug into the ground itself and lined with special tile manufactured from the Free Cities, hailed for its ability to hold water without the use of special sealant. The waters are magically warmed to the ideal temperature using enchanted stones from Thorne that create a natural border around the edges, and soap (made of goat's milk, courtesy of Solvunn) and towels are provided. Here, those attending can bathe as well as use it as a mingle.

Summit Events

Meant to be a "collaboration" between the factions, the Summit also offers activities that take place on the main stage where the speeches were initially given.

Raffle

The Summoned will be provided a single courtesy raffle ticket, which they can use to enter the raffle contest. Additional tickets will cost an extra 5 bronze coins. To enter the raffle contest, fill out the comment here and we will RNG your prizes!

Regardless of luck, all those who enter will receive all 3 (one of each) of the following consolation prizes:

• Inkless Quill: Provided by Thorne, this is a magical quill that never runs out of ink...sort of. It'll work for about a month of heavy use before it runs out of juice. The Thorne sigil will automatically watermark any pages that this quill is used to write on.
• Tote Bag & Charm: Provided by Solvunn, this soft woven tote bag comes with a small handmade charm depicting a sigil of one of the old gods. If asked what the god or sigil means, the only answer is that you will know when your time comes.
• Glow Ring: Provided by the Free Cities, this ring will adjust to fit any finger size. It comes with a round orb instead of a jewel that can light up on command and act as a powerful torch or flashlight. Very powerful. People have gone blind by looking directly into it for too long.

An Escaped Creature

On the second day of the event, rumor has it a small creature has gone loose! The offender in question is this little fellow, who is the size of a small poodle. The Summoned are asked to help find and catch him, if at all possible. He's noted to be harmless if mischievous, but all those in the area are warned to be careful for if he's startled, the animal will eject a magical plume from his quills that can cause one of the following temporary effects: excessive sneezing, a change in hair color, glitter bombed, or to emit a constant glowing aura.

No one knows where he came from or who brought him, but ask any of the faction attendants and they'll be liable to start pointing fingers at the other side. Nonetheless, all those who make an effort to help catch him will be thanked and available mages may attempt to help with the side effects.

If you want your character to make a real attempt at catching him, reply to the comment here by Feb 20th and we'll RNG who eventually catches him. If your character fails, however, they must take one of its side effects for the rest of the day. The choice as to which one is yours! The winner will be rewarded with a token bottle of wine for their troubles or a very fancy dessert if they don't drink.

Comments

[cryptsleeper]

Strange.

[But when Alucard breathes the word out, there's a little note of curiosity as well. If the matter is memory, then the question of why it isn't there is the only question that matters.

Or maybe it isn't. The event came to pass, and there is multiple attestation to the events as they have unfolded. Alucard's curiosity isn't worth picking at. Not with Geralt acting as he is, and that's the point here and now.

There's really no more words left in Alucard, beyond what he knows are platitudes. He wouldn't offer them, normally. But there seems to be a need for at least a few.] And worse. I'm sorry that it happened, and that it adds to the load you currently balance.

[subhuman]

[ Dante is a simple man of simple needs--those needs being right now a spot on the very cozy fuzzy rug that Jasper is selfishly hoarding. Does this man have no sense of justice?

--That is, until Jasper shares that little tidbit of information. ]

Ahhhh, I see, I see.

[ He gives the place another look over but with a new perspective. ]

Trying to create a little "love shack" here, eh?

[subhuman]

[ A valid question considering the circumstances. Dante nods as he crosses his arms. ]

Born and raised. Assuming you are too unless Six Flags has really expanded it's empire.

[ Which...he's not really opposed to. Definitely wouldn't be the worst export from good old Earth. ]

Oohh, just got dragged out of the well a few weeks ago. Hoping it's just my face since I thought I washed out that standing water stench before I came.

[ Confirmed: Dante has bathed at least once. ]

This an old hat for you?

[techmaturgy]

Likewise, I'm sure.

[He can appreciate a little rule-breaking and general disruption in the name of science. The good news is that nobody seems to have noticed their plotting against the orb, not that he's really interested in it anymore now that there's an actual mage to interrogate.

Or, ask questions. Politely.]

Something like that. Until fairly recently, magic was considered...dangerous. Unpredictable. [Something of an understatement, but it sounds like she gets the idea.] We were able to change some minds, fortunately, though it took some doing.

[That is, they had to prove that the applications were both stable and profitable.]

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor will concede that point, and he offers a little wince and a shrug, indicating that he knows he's speaking from a place of relative indoor plumbing privilege. Still, it's not all good.]

Industry has a human cost. Pollution. Unsafe working conditions. Environmental degradation, illness. [Things he knows intimately, given the place where he grew up and the afflictions he's suffering from now, even after years on the other side of the river.] All things I was working to eliminate.

[There is, however, a defeated quality to his voice, a tacit admission that he wasn't really getting anywhere, or is maybe disappointed that he's been pulled away from his research (it's both).]

[itookashot]

[ Jesper takes the flowers gratefully and pulls petals apart until there's a whole collection of the colorful pieces in front of him. He has excellent control over his hands so he starts setting petals in between his slender fingers, tightly keeping them there in a line between the knuckles. He whistles at the children to get their attention and they immediately look his way as he then cups his hands around the loose pile.

He seems to squish the pile between his palms, cupping them, and he grins conspiratorially at them. Jesper tosses them up in the air and at the same time he snaps his fingers so that the petals along them flip even higher and farther, creating a full waterfall of colorful petals flying over their heads. They seem to hover for just a moment in the air, a half of a second longer than they should be still, before they come down on top of the laughing kids. A few of them drop on him and Geralt too and he apologetically smiles with a shrug. It was an area effect, some things can't be helped. ]

I'm really good when I have the right weapon, but guns are hard to get here for individuals. I might have to just try my luck out there. It's usually with me, about sixty percent of the time.

[ It's more like forty percent of the time but he's rounding up. Jesper absolutely will go out there and put himself in harm's way to get to his goal. He's brave and reckless. Even if it'll get him eaten. ]

Any advice?

[subhuman]

[ He raises a slight brow at that. From a distance it doesn't appear to be much, but that it can be seen from this far away is enough indication of just how massive the structure itself must be. ]

People in the--

[ Dante glances at the pin. ]

--...Free Cities a little less friendly to their Summoned neighbors?

[petcromancer]

I'm sure he'd be delighted to show you.

[A peacock loves to preen, and a bard loves to peacock.]

I'm probably due for a trim anyways. I suppose I could just... do more than a trim.

[It's an option to keep in mind, at least.]

[aquaveiled]

[ Unfamiliar with mead? Surely the natives of Solvunn would gasp, but Himeka can understand--she hadn't had any access to it in her village so she wouldn't assume that everyone has been as fortunate to try it. It's a good thing that Solvunn really does put forth the effort in their spirits. ]

Mead comes from fermenting honey, so it tends to be a little sweet to begin with. Would you like to try?

[ She is more than ready to order a round.

Ah yes, he really is asking the good questions. ]

The strongest?

[ Himeka taps her chin. ]

Well...the strongest I've ever had isn't here, but I'm sure we can ask from what's available. You probably won't go wrong with any of Solvunn's liquors, they tend to...ferment them very wholly.

[ Maximum alcoholic content. ]

[aquaveiled]

[ That is certainly something she can understand. She's seen a number of atrocities in her own time and does her best to try and prevent future catastrophes from happening, but it does little to undo what has already been done. She nods, offering Nadine a sympathetic smile. ]

Sometimes being the ones to carry on feels heavier.

[ Survivors guilt is difficult, as is seeing a world you once loved having been eradicated. ]

My village often went through cycles of disease. It's never easy.

[ But she can certainly understanding not wanting to poke at old wounds. Some of those can never fully heal. Best shift the topic for Nadine's sake, at least. ]

--It's a refreshing thing to see then, a god that's meant to bring life, right?

[petcromancer]

[Hector takes the creature with hands practiced in scooping up pets- gentle, but careful to hold them in a way to prevent escape. He lifts it to eye level and peers at its face.]

Hmm, so likely not a herbivore. A creature this size... maybe it feeds on insects?

[He takes a look at the paws next, assessing the claws. Not the large, curved claws of a dedicated burrower. Defensive, maybe?]

Have you tried offering it anything living yet?

every time you write "kombat" i chuckle and i love it

[aquaveiled]

Himeka isn't exactly surprised that he doesn't share her outlook on their situation, but she is a little disappointed by it all the same. Mayhaps she gave the wrong impression given how readily she dove into ckombat herself, but rather than a desire to beat her fellowed Summoned she was excited at the idea to finally be able to stretch her magicks in ways she hasn't in months.

She...misses it. More than she thought she would.

"Isn't it? We did beat you."

But she wouldn't want it at expense of others who are also just trying to find their way and save their stars as well.

It's a fair question. Himeka purses her lips slightly before she speaks.

"Well...we are all here for the same purpose, aren't we? To protect our home?"

[petcromancer]

['Bluebird' shouldn't, logically, be any better or worse than 'blueberry', but birds are pets and somehow that helps. He's not blushing. shut up.

He looks away as Jaskier plays with his hair.]

It looks ridiculous. Who'd take me seriously like this?

[It's not dignified like Jaskier's silver fox look.]

[falcony]

[ the next few moments happen both for the first time, and for whatever number time this is they've met. amos takes sam's hand, returns the hug, and is looking back when they pull away. it's both brand new and familiar, and wrapped up somewhere in it all is a kind of relief. if there's anything sam has taken away from this festival, it's that for all the magic and opportunities that the horizon presents - the real thing? will always be better.

( that lodges somewhere in his ribs - this idea that the horizon will never really be the same. that he's going to know the difference, now, more than ever. )

sam can't stop smiling, not that he really needs to stop for any reason, but it's a kind of giddy bouancy that keeps him going, no matter how exhausted he might be. he shakes off whatever words that follows amos' eyes turning down to his drink. ]

No- it's good, really. [ because he might be a little tired of whatever mead he's been drinking all weekend. or maybe he just worries about passing out if he starts drinking - the exhaustion catching up with him, and all. and the last thing he wants right now is to cut time short, already too aware of the deadline looming.

( that lodges something else up next to that first feeling, of something between his ribs. information, knowledge, of saying goodbyes. ) ]

Yeah? Anything catch your eye from there? [ from where he lives. but sam knows that's not why amos was there, of course he does, but that doesn't mean he stops thinking about it, either. ] Some of those presentations were kind of wild. How close they are and also...not.

[gynvael]

[ It does. This entire display feels like horseshit, and it isn't only to do with the queen. ] Prime Minister's not much better.

[ They both have ties to the military, which subsequently means the support of the army. That's always where it lies—whether or not your soldiers will stay loyal to you. It's why Cintra held firm for so long. Whether Calanthe was a good queen or not is highly debatable, but she was undeniably an effective commander. Solvunn's Council head is the only one without open links to any fighting force. Not that it grants any comfort. There's a reason Solvunn has been included in these gestures of peace—and it's because both Thorne and the Free Cities consider their little commune enough of a potential threat they can't be ignored.

He shifts his gaze over. Julie had asked him the same. He appreciates the concern, he does. It's just. ]

Mmh. [ Sure. For the most part. He's ventured about, he's held that damn orb because why the fuck not, he's got far too much goat cheese as a result of inadvertently attending to Solvunn's children by letting them pull on his hair for few hours. He's fine. (He's also slept a total of four hours since they arrived.) He came here for a reason and he intends to see it through. ] I spoke to Amos. About Yennefer, if she were to...

[ Go there. If. Not when. Because she's yet to make any official move. He knows if she had, she would have come to tell him. But she hasn't, and she still wears Thorne's sigil every time he glimpses her. He's alluded only vaguely to this, has not told Sam exactly what happened between them. What she did. It feels so fucking impossible to get into, even if he were to want to. ]

[cryptsleeper]

[It...very much is not all good. That much is apparent as Alucard lets out soft noise of not quite disappointment, but a near enough thing. Illness hits the hardest for reasons he categorically refuses to unpack right now.

But eliminate. That's a particular word choice.]

Through wedding magic and technology, to...[What was the word, what was the word...] automate most of the things with human cost?

[cryptsleeper]

Not so much. [There's a shrug of Alucard's shoulders. He realizes his phrasing might be better.]

It is easier to blend into a crowd when there's a population of thousands and a whole city. I imagine Thorne's friendlier lodgings tend to keep things more tight knit - am I incorrect?

[cryptsleeper]

I'm just relieved he's in good enough spirits to do so.

[Sad bard was upsetting and very confusing and--

--Alucard's eyebrows shoot up. As someone with All The Hair he can't even imagine--]

And be rid of the work it took to have your hair at a good length? You could always just dye it until the natural color returns.

[funbreaker]

"Somewhat lacking" is a gross understatement as far as Thancred's concerned. While he does think he would be able to choke it all down if left with no other choice, he had to put up with enough nutrition-and-efficiency-over-taste food in Sharlayan to have had his fill of it, thank you very much.

He nods to Edelgard as she tosses the can away, and he doesn't particularly care if the booth vendors are upset that she wasted food. They need good feedback if they want to improve on their product, do they not? Thus, he merely shrugs at them and shakes his head to indicate he would rather not try one of the cans himself.

Having spoken to Byleth not so long ago and learned of her connection to Edelgard and their positions back home, Thancred doesn't feel as if he can just press on like he doesn't know. And he will get to it in due time, but he's not about to forget his manners either.

"Well enough," he responds as he moves close enough to Edelgard that they can converse without having to yell over the din of the crowds. "Have either of the other factions caught your interest enough that you might consider defecting? Not that a few stalls and demonstrations are much to go on."

Better than nothing, of course.

solvunn section! belatedly....! wheeze

[lackingtalent]

[Hythlodaeus was not a man interested in gods. For multiple reasons actually- the most prominent of which being that he saw them as constructs, first and foremost. He saw no reason for idolatry, no reason for Solvunn's customs or Solvunn's most solemn reverence to Lyfbringr- his entire curiosity had been what the god himself did for them, why he was so venerated.

...Needless to say, it is not a question with an answer that satisfies. Nor does he find value, mirth, or even fun in pointing out his reservations to any that would ask him what he thinks. Put simply, it may strike him as foolish to worship something so minor. Yet it is far from his place to judge.

So. For the time being, he had elected to spend his time on far more fun persuits than staring an effigy dead in the eye and feigning the appropriate amount of adoration. He turns his back and makes to leave, and-]

Oh.

[There's something small that comes into his preternatural sight- something tiny. Insignificant, almost. Something (Someone?) that could have been alive once, and now is in a strange state of neither alive nor dead. It (He?) is something familiar. Yet something strangely unfamiliar- something he has neither had the pleasure of being particularly close to, nor anything he knew, but something he'd glanced, maybe once or twice, so long ago, and-

It's someone all right. But oh, it's so small.
Surrounded in a lack of... anything. A void, practically. Of scarring and oh, such damage, and another soul? One stronger, one hale, one alive and well and-

And it is just over there.

By the shrine?
Is it that effigy, or is it the man that stands in front of it?]

Oh, how considerate. But I must confess... [His voice lowers.] I'm far from one of this fellow's devoted. I only came because I thought I recognized something and-

[A pause. And his face, eyebrows furrowed, his gaze distant, suddenly changes into a smile- his eyes forming crescents.]

Oh! Forgive me my rudeness, but I am quite certain I've glanced upon you before! Himeka's friend, I believe? The one which was pulled from the Underworld, yet bemoaned a lack of visible scarring for the experience?

[Oh, he's so short up close!]

[leitstern]

[The sentiment is humourous: words shared without disgust or malice. Jasper has little insight to realise it and bristles on the spot. His comfortable bed boils beneath his feet. The world becomes uncomfortable. He crosses his arms before leaning forward - where he finds himself forced onto his knees.

He stands in a manner that would have made even his men uncomfortable. Even worse, his feelings churn his stomach. Worse yet, they are hardly soothed by his anger, because there is fondness amidst his old jealousy and rage.

He speaks in a cold tone.]

Your insinuations are unwarranted.

[a_better_man]

Yeah, long bows. Everyone in the Two Rivers knows how to use a bow.

[And Mat likes to think he's quite good at it. He's been using one since he was a tiny thing, and there's been plenty of seasons where his bow was the only thing putting food on the table.

He shrugs at the description of the Free Cities and how they aren't drafting any of their Summoned. Doesn't make any sense to him, either, but that seems to be the way of it.]

Thorne doesn't make us do anything, either. Except stay in the castle and the city around it. They give us nice rooms, too. Big beds, feather mattress. It's a comfortable place to be kept, if nothing else. And the castle has its appeal.

[The luxury, for one. The food. And the company. Mat cannot complain about the company, all things considered.]

Better than barracks, I'd wager.

[gynvael]

[ That's. Certainly a trick. Leaves him covered in petals, to which Geralt appears equal parts exasperated and resigned. It's fine. He signed up for this by coming here. At least they're plying him with goat cheese. Which is truthfully nice goat cheese. Imports into the desert city aren't near as fresh. He takes what small pleasures he can get; there isn't a lot these days.

He picks a petal clinging to his hair and lets it flutter to the ground. ]

If you need advice, you shouldn't be out there.

[ Said casually, a simple statement of fact. Only a small handful of them make a full living from hunting: Ciri, Dean, himself. It's more than the ability to wield a weapon. It's also how well you can handle tracking through the middle of nowhere, in the desert, for a week or so at a time. Longer, if you haven't got a horse. There's a reason Geralt is found inside the city proper only a handful of days out of the month. And he isn't exactly here to encourage people who haven't got a fucking clue what they're doing traversing the wilderness, trying their luck. ]

[petcromancer]

[Hector nods. That's probably true, much as Hector hates it. He'd much rather be left the fuck alone.]

I get trying to lure us in with magic or science, but this? [He says as if he didn't show up to buy armfuls of food from the Solvunn stand. It's actually the most positively he's ever regarded the farmer cultist commune. So, um, maybe they're on the money.]

Think anyone will actually switch sides after all this?

[a_better_man]

Yeah? I've heard lots of bits of second hand gossip, but mostly folks just say 'get out'.

[Except those who are already in Thorne, who have...all sorts of things to say, and little of it helpful or encouraging.]

But they haven't done anything threatening, and they aren't making anyone do anything. I'm left to my own devices, have been since they first hauled me out.

[Which contradicts the warnings he's heard about being used by them. And Rhy confirmed it, he'd been there months and no one in power asked anything of him. Mostly it's giving Mat a headache and he can't tell who's got their feet firmer on the truth.]

You're damned right about that, though.