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

[supersoldier]

[The argument to be made against that is clear: if this peace summit is just a thinly veiled farce, then everyone will be affected by the conflict brewing over their heads like a storm, regardless of one's willingness to fight. But Sephiroth is not here to argue. He has little to no investment in who chooses to fight and for what cause. If she opts to turn a blind eye, then that's her decision.]

Then for your sake, I hope this peace summit achieves what all the speeches make it out to be.

[As for persuasion-]

I won't make that mistake again. [(He probably will.)]

[sorser]

[He stills a little at the joke, knowing that she's kidding, but it strikes a little close to home, given all that Peter had told him recently. But the thought is brushed aside--unless the young man had told her, she wouldn't know anything about instances of, ah, memory wiping--and he shakes his head.

He opts for a brow raise, instead.]

That'd imply there was a conflict to begin with. I'd like to think this is just me being nice. Surprising, I know, but it's been known to happen.

[carmesi]

[true.

perhaps the cynicism is all in her head. her smile cools down after his comment, until it all but disappears, a tight line on her face. that's when she decides to keep her hands to herself, a slight shrug of her shoulders.]

A sorcerer and his magical quilt. [she tilts her head.] It fits. I would not want to take it from you.

[wanda is okay without owing anyone any favors, even if this transactional outlook is from her perception alone.]

[carmesi]

[as he says that, the baby goats baa enthusiastically, and one even bonks its head against sephiroth's leg. wanda does her best to keep a straight face, keep herself from laughing at how insignificant was her attempt to persuade the baby goats away.

the simply seem to like sephiroth too much. one even starts at his hair, now that he's crouched down.

—wanda pulls that one goat away, because clearly his hair matters to him to have it grow so long.]

Shall we escape from these bullies?

[princessvegas]

[ She has no way to know just deeply her question is affecting him, though she can tell it's something clearly much heavier than he must be used to. The whole concept of there being some greater power that can be manipulated by man at all is so new to her, still so foreign, that she has never had the time to question things like this, like whether she experiences it the same as others. It wasn't until Julie tried to explain to Nadine how she felt magic (chaos, the Force, it seems to have endless names and she's not sure whether they're all really the same thing) that she began to understand how different it was for so many others. That they didn't feel it all the time.

She'd sort of known, through the Horizon, that her ability to manipulate the plane wasn't the same as theirs -- that most of them couldn't control it like she could, constantly change and manipulate it. She's met few others who have people in their domains, and she's met no one else that she knows of who is able to fully control those people. Their actions and appearances, their interactions with other Summoned. Even more unique is her bartender, who she named Steven because that's what he felt like to her, a creation able to act as an extension of both herself and the Horizon's magic, with only a minimum effort or amount on her part. He caters and serves, knows the favorite drink of anyone he meets and makes it perfectly, appears without warning to replenish at only the perfect times. She can sense things through him, she's realized, usually that someone new has entered her domain, but also when there's an issue that needs her attention. And most of it was all created subconsciously, when she first visited, as though the Horizon, the Singularity, knew already that she could direct it.

But there is understanding on her face when Kylo explains. She could never have understood without being here, because none of this existed for her before; magic didn't hum in the air in Kansas, her emotions didn't have the outlet to be able to lash out like she's learned they can. When she finally met someone who really could do magic, someone from a different world, she didn't have the context to really understand -- she'd always assumed it was something inherent only within Flagg, that she couldn't have. It's only been a few months that she's understood that she can have it, because even when she first came to Abraxas, she still assumed it was not something within her reach. But she'd spent her whole life feeling out of place and overlooked, like she was missing something she was supposed to have, and then...

Now she opens her hand, places it palm up on the table. Above it, small flames lick into existence, one by one, until there is a ball, no more than an inch across. She twitches her hand slightly and it reshapes into a butterfly that flutters across the table to rest on the handle of his fork, wings slowly opening and closing a few times before it evaporates again. There's no spell, no hand placements, nothing that's prescribed in the textbooks Nadine endlessly reads. And it's not effortless -- though it's nowhere near the massive expenditure of energy it was at the beginning for her, now it is just a sharp, concentrated exercise happening within her mind.

Her voice is soft when she speaks. ]

Like it talks back, without words. It's alive.

oh my god what a deLIGHT

[piqure]

Wanda? [ peter pivots on the ball of his foot towards the sound of his name, a fast motion, spindling awareness along the vertebrae of his spine as he spots the glow of her magic first, watches her glide in from the sky. a small flare of concern, at the grave seriousness of her expression first, ] What — umm — [ wait. there's...so much glitter. on her. ] — are you okay??

[ he's albeit jogging up to her to close the distance, brows drawn into a little frown and trying, adamantly, to keep a serious face despite the literal sparkle following her motion. she's not injured, that he can tell, so this is...this is fine? did she lose some sort of competition? some glitter lands on his sleeve. ] — What's - [ throat is cleared. ] — what's the problem, exactly?

[carmesi]

[he asks if she's okay, but wanda does not answer; there is only that stern look on her face to indicate that something has incredibly annoyed her just now and that she is seething under the surface. the sparkle that follows her might just make her seem a little more ridiculous despite her angry front.]

There is a creature running around. It has done this to me.

[surely she is not only fueled by anger...?]

How is it that you fly around in your spider suit?

[itookashot]

[ Jesper smiles and laughs with him, glad to see he didn't make a misstep so soon into an interesting conversation. He flirts as he breathes, but he does respond well to reading other people, and while this man seems fairly easy-going about it, he has no action to back up his words currently. ]

Well there is quite a lot to compliment about you, you're very pretty, but it's harmless I assure you. I have a boyfriend ... as much as one can when we are literally separated into different universes at the moment.

[ Wylan would be more startled if Jesper didn't flirt with every person he saw, so he wouldn't mind that. It is strange to think about the fact he might never see any of the others again. It's too new to really let it sink in to the point of him deciding whether or not moving on is an option. For now, it's not, and that's enough for him. A few months from now he might reassess. But that doesn't matter to the current situation.

Jesper can't sit down but instead of squirming he is running his fingers through the water, feeling the droplets sticking to his skin. He isn't intentionally trying to draw them with his abilities, but it's soothing in a way, grounding. It helps him actually focus on conversations. ]

Yes, Inej. She told me another friend of ours was here, but I haven't been able to find him. [ He frowns. ] The impossible part of that is he's very dead back home. So. Not sure what to make of that.

[ It isn't a complaint! If he does find Matthias (he won't, he's gone, they just don't know), he'll be delighted to see the giant grump breathing. But it seems impossible and odd and Jesper can only hope certain bodies stay where they're supposed to be. It would be his luck to have an enemy crawl out here rather than anyone else.

He pauses at the rural part and taps his fingers on his knees, considering. It's different here than Ketterdam, so he's reframing his life, his image. ]

I was raised on a farm, actually. And ran off to the big city the moment I could, so that's where I've stayed.

neutral zone!

[carmesi]

[it is not something that wanda herself is being intentional about, but as the summit progresses, she keeps finding herself looking for more familiar faces while staying in the neutral zone. many of these faces don't have a name she can place on yet, but it brings her more comfort than the over-enthusiastic magicians of thorne and the cold weaponry of the free cities.

she sits on the same bench as emet-selch, where the man with fancy robes reads a book.

wanda catches sight of the tome, then leans back a little, stretching her legs forward.]

Waiting for something to happen?

[the sun is setting, lowering into the horizon; although its golden warmth is still felt, it really is almost impossible to read anything with how dark the shadows are.]

[petcromancer]

[Hector follows, due to his curiosity and also his somewhat embarrassing inclination to let himself be bossed around. Whatever the reason, he's perfectly willing to serve as the Byat Khuu's chauffeur.]

Yes, and it shouldn't take much digging to turn up an earthworm or two.

[Which would be easier, at least for a human without any supernatural speed or physical ability, to catch than a tiny flying target. Although...]

Do you know if this one is a baby, or an adult of a smaller subspecies? I wonder if we can count on it to hunt for itself.

[petcromancer]

[Hector nods. Good. His admission goes by unquestioned. That is a relief.]

If that's his intent, now's a good chance to barter from seeds from the culti...the Solvunns. They certainly have wider variety than the Free Cities.

[Of course, those might require different environmental conditions than their desert city could afford, but Hector's seen Dracula's conservatory and has some ideas how to recreate it. Or how to pester Alucard into recreating it.]

[petcromancer]

[More evidence to support that Sasarai has a decent head on his shoulders, and Hector does not.]

Yes, a woman called Samus. So rest assured it is no longer at liberty. But, they gave her a miniature one in recognition, so there are apparently others about that might turn up and make a nuisance of themselves.

[Which, in spite of his grumblings, Hector would still like to see. He wants to study the creature, damn it!]

[petcromancer]

[Hector would be open to travel, so long as he could bring along his pets and some books... and some tools, and of course, his notes. They, uh, might end up needing a wagon like the ones in Jaskier's horizon.

He stifles a snort of laughter.]

Oh, is that so, Narcissus?

[That's a myth he'll have to tell Jaskier about eventually, but for now, it's a teasing pet name that he finds highly amusing.]

We could argue about luck all day, or we could agree we're both lucky.

Neutral zone i.

[sealingpower]

[Zelda is also quite curious about the other Summoned, but that is not what she's up to now. Zelda just so happened to have the same idea as the man sitting on the bench, or so she thinks.

She meanders over to the bench and politely addresses him, holding her own book between two hands.]

Please excuse my intrusion, but might I sit?

Free Cities

[sealingpower]

Zelda is also intrigued by the steam engine. She wonders if it's some kind of magic similar to the Divine Beasts or something else entirely. When she sees the other woman also examining it, she decides to speak up. After all, they were to become acquainted with one another, right?

"It's absolutely incredible, isn't it?" She comments, smiling lightly.

[petcromancer]

[Hector's probably in the minority about being much more comfortable with casket fights than a peace summit. He shrugs.]

I assume they'll keep finding more ways to snipe at one another until one takes power.

[He pauses.]

Huh. I hadn't considered that. Renting a stable. I don't know that my room in Cadens could hold another pet.

[He's slowly been building up an undead menagerie, but so far the largest creature is a fox.]

[petcromancer]

[It's true that making new things is more interesting, but that doesn't mean there isn't value in recycling the old.]

They make ideal pets. They don't require food to live, I could compel their obedience if needed, and... it gives them a second chance at life.

[Hector's first pets had been wretched creatures that had been abused or abandoned. They'd been much happier in their second lives than in their first.]

[itookashot]

[ Jesper follows without any hesitation, always glad to make an ally, and one that seems to have info and a very clear mind. She's being up front and he likes that in a person, albeit with the knowledge there's plenty not being said too. It'd be weird if that wasn't the case, but he's getting more info than others have offered, so it's all good. ]

So they bring us, and the Singularity chooses who stays and who goes? Interesting. They really can't control it then, it's like throwing a bunch of darts at a board and hoping a few stick.

[ That must be frustrating for the higher-ups here. He likes that. He doesn't even know them and he likes it. Jesper is in no way above petty delights, like the powerful getting knocked down a peg. ]

That's a bit unfortunate though, that we can't control it either. A friend of mine was here and he's dead back home. I've looked everywhere for him, but I think he's gone.

[ Jesper didn't get to see Matthias at all, actually. Inej told him to look for the grumpy former enemy soldier, and he went everywhere in the city, asked questions, tried to find him. Nothing. He's accepted he's probably gone before a reunion happened, and maybe in a selfish way that's for the best. It stung enough the first time, no one wants to lose someone twice.

Though he also wonders now if there is a way to convince them to bring specific people too. On some level he wants that, but hoping his boyfriend gets stolen to another universe is not very selfless. So he's not going to ask. Just low key hope.

She is right about making a target when you have a gun, but he has his ways of masking, and it also means he'll be a target that can take care of himself. She's smart though, very smart. He can tell that straight away.]

My bullets don't stray, but you make a very good point. Though the art of being a good sharpshooter is not having to shoot bullets, just keep the threat of them ever-present. Keeps people from acting stupid.

[ Sometimes the threat is enough. He follows her into the tent and glances around, an immediate quick swipe of his eyes, looking for threats to either of them. If there was one, he would step between her and it, strangers though they may be, it's an instinct. But it doesn't seem that way here, luckily. He'd like to have a drink. ]

I'm alive, that seems lucky enough. I know it's a low bar, but it's one I always value.

[itookashot]

"Eh, if it's both of us here or you alone here, you know what I'd pick." Jesper's strong loyalty to people is one of the best qualities about him. There is no question that if he knew Inej was alone in a strange place, he'd be one of the first to volunteer to join her. She needs someone to watch her back, even if the Wraith is very capable of taking care of herself. She was about to go to sea last time he saw her, but she did have people at her back, she assured him she had all kinds of plans. Otherwise he would've followed her out to sea too, despite really not loving boats.

They step out of the tavern, which is too bad as it also is the place with drinks, but he probably should have a clear head. There's some quiet space between there and the tents for them to talk though, sharp eyes looking around them to be certain no one is looking at them twice. And they aren't. Plenty else to see here, at least.

Jesper sighs and turns to face her, his expression serious. "I'm sorry, Inej. I looked everywhere in the city and barracks, I asked everyone I could, but ... if Matthias was here before, he's not anymore." That could mean he went somewhere else, but he doesn't know. He was told people disappear every day.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt sits back on one hand, watching her and goat alike. Removed from the context of this whole charade, he can acknowledge it's. Peaceful. The Solvunn presentation.

Not that he's tempted. He's suited to neither large bustling cities nor small village communes. Doesn't matter where he goes. He'll always be a step out of place. ]

You've been here awhile?

[ He hasn't seen her, but Solvunn is elusive as a whole. He knows of two people he keeps in regular contact. The rest have either vanished or he's simply never come across them. ]

[gynvael]

[ He registers the fondness there, and takes note. ]

I was taken hostage by unrelenting brats.

[ It's not an answer, but it is. He does have someone. Several—and it's complicated. There's frankly no way for him to answer that question in a straightforward manner. It requires explaining how Jaskier, Yennefer, and Ciri slot into place. A headache no one needs.

He does, however, hold out his hand in expectation of the flask again. If they're going to talk, he'll take another drink. ]

[yeshou]

[With a childish energy, he perks up immediately at Wanda's answer. New information and a better understanding of the different kingdoms just by talking to someone who has seen a different place.]

Well, messing with necromantic methods is never a good idea. I can see why everyone would be upset.

[But.]

But the others might have done the same. They're all playing with these summoning powers, after all. Who knows what could go wrong next? We shouldn't judge anyone over the other.

[And for the Summoned maybe all of them are in a similar situation no matter where they ended up. He's just not sure yet that any of the three groups is more trustworthy than the others.]

I am a follower of a martial sect. I came here with the grandmaster, so he already has claim to my loyalty first. You don't have martial sects where you are from, miss? I thought you looked like a trained hero.

[gynvael]

[ That's a non-answer if he's ever heard one. Geralt sighs. There's no edge to his words, but the bluntness is as present as ever. ]

You want answers, talk to me without your vague horseshit. Otherwise, don't waste my time.

[ Ask him about when he was snatched and tortured, you can at least cough up a name without all the coyness of a blushing maiden, and toss in a worthwhile reason for why he should say a damn word. He's got better things to do than entertain the whims of a stranger. ]

[endcaller]

Shock? Really?

[He dances closer to Thancred and gestures around them.]

As you yourself pointed out we are not on Etheirys nor any of her shards. Perhaps the custodians of this star simply do not see us Ascians as monsters.

[yeshou]

[ That gets a full laugh out of Wen Kexing as he hands Geralt the flask. The blunt way he describes humoring children are words that could have come from Zhou Zishu himself, and his natural appreciation for the aloof, unimpressed attitude earns the Witcher his respect. ]

You use hard words, but I think your tough skin holds something softer inside. They say the sternest people actually have gentle souls.

[ Is he wrong? He might be, but it hardly matters. Wen Kexing runs mainly on instinct. ]

Have you been here long? You seem already well-versed in the kingdoms and their customs.