abraxaslogs | EVENT #6: PEACE ON THE HORIZON

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EVENT #6: PEACE ON THE HORIZON

Event #6 - EVENT INFO

go to the OOC event info and plotting post

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Can't say I've ever seen anything like it in my own world, either.

[Even the pool in the caves that the Wisdom tends is just...a pool in a cave. No eerie effigies or statues to be seen. Not even a wall etching. Mat can't think of any actual depiction of a god anywhere in the Two Rivers. Huh. He's never given that any thought.]

I don't know anything about Eifstide. They are treating us fine, and I do enjoy nice clothes and a comfortable bed, but not as much when I don't yet know the price. Might not be one I want to pay. What do they ask of you, the people who rule in the Free Cities?

[He wonders if it's the same, no outright orders or requests, but a heavily implied sense of 'you owe us'.]

Do they have you do anything for them?

Eifstide was batshit crazy. They raised the ghosts of every dead person in the world and they started attackin' us. Didn't matter where you were. They come out the next day sayin' that some mage down there just said the wrong word in a spell.

[ Her brow knits, like she cannot wrap her mind around why someone would actually play into the hands of Thorne. By process of elimination, that's where he must be. She wonders how it's even possible to look at them and not see the embodiment of evil. ]

Uh, yeah, I don't do anythin' for any of these dickheads. That's... not exactly how my time in Abraxas panned out. I think the new people that get brought to the Free Cities are kinda pushed to join the military, but they don't have to. You don't have to, either. And I strongly suggest you don't stay in the palm of their hands, because they'll crush you to dust when they close that fist.

Edited 2022-02-21 02:53 (UTC)

Oh I've no intention of being their hound.

[Mat shakes his head with a look of distaste. He's no fool, he doesn't trust the people that have brought him here. And he sure as hell doesn't believe the pretty nonsense they'd told him at the start. Even Moiraine hadn't tried to butter him up when she'd rode into town to haul them all off to the White Tower. She'd had that much respect, at least.

But interesting. This other country wasn't leading with requests or orders, either.]

I know how these stories go, it ends badly for the handsome young man that puts his trust in the wrong places. But as a stranger in this world with no chance to make my own way, I'll take the things they give me for the time being. Let's go back to that mention of angry ghosts rising up? That actually happened?

[He can't ignore the possibility he's having his leg pulled. He wouldn't even be upset, that's a tried and true tradition in all places. Have a bit of fun with the new folk. He's done it himself, with the occasional peddler that rolled into Emund's Field.

All things considered, he rather hopes that's the case. Trollocs and Fades were bad enough, the vengeful dead? That's end of the age, breaking of the world madness.]

Yeah, you can do that, but I don't wanna hear cryin' when you get imprisoned or tortured. Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas.

[ In Nott or Hayle? Sure, she can get behind that, seeing as how it's exactly what she did. But in Thorne proper? Oh no, there's no reason to ever be close enough to the Queen to feel her knife in your back. Metaphorically, if not literally.

Julie snorts and rolls her eyes. Honestly, Eifstide feels like a million years ago at this point, little more than an odd story to mention every so often. ] Uh-huh. Like I said, everywhere in Abraxas. They were gone come mornin'. I threw the best fuckin' party this world had ever seen, and then the night was ruined with that shit.

I don't have much choice, they don't let us leave. Or give us any money. Or make it easy to make much money.

[And Mat knows why. Keeping them dependent, it makes sense to him. But he sure as hell doesn't like it. Less so, at the mention of torture and all that. What does someone have to do to earn that?

Something tells him probably not much. He knows what people in power are like. In a general sense, anyhow. They don't give a damn about anyone who can't help them in some way. And they'll get what they want however they can, fuck the rest.]

Blood and ashes. Hell of a way to spoil a party, sorry yours was ruined by fucking ghosts. And I sincerely hope this is the one and only time I ever have to express that particular sentiment. On that note, consider me impressed that you survived. Doubt I would have.

[Even his luck only goes so far. Really, it's a miracle he's made it through the last few months. But fuck it all, is this just his life now? It had seemed like maybe in this world, he could at least rest from the danger and madness and threat of war.]

There are ways around all that. [ Still petting the sleeping goat, she doesn't elaborate, but it's clear that she isn't just spitballing the idea. She knows. He doesn't have to get out of the dungeon -- he's already on the easy part.

He mentions surviving the Eifstide incident, and she looks actually confused, like she can't figure out why he would say that. ] Uh, thanks? [ There's another awkward beat before it clicks for her, what he actually means. Because he doesn't know that vengeful spirits are genuinely the least of what she's suffered. ]

Ohh. Yeah, no, it wasn't that bad. Mostly just annoying. I've been through worse.

Perhaps I'll find one of them.

[Depending on how great the risk. But as it is, Mat's without much in the way in resources or knowledge of this world. That's alright, he knows the value of waiting for stars to align properly. He can bide his time.]

Worse? Fuck me, how dangerous is this world! I thought my own harbored enough horrors...

[He shakes his head, both in sympathy and vague concern for what he might have to deal with while here.]

Well, I hope nothing dire crosses your path at this festival. You seem a pleasant person that ought have a pleasant time.

Thanks. I mean, the worse stuff wasn't here, it was back home, but this place is really only better in some basic ways. [ Like it not being plague-ridden, or close to human extinction, or exploded with a nuclear bomb. ] But for like, everythin' else? Major downgrade.

[ By this point of her stay in Abraxas, she's learned how to pretty quickly discern what kind of world the others come from, based purely on their manner of speech and general comfort with the whole thing. People from modern worlds always stick out to her, so clearly baffled and frustrated by the limitations.

This man is definitely not from a modern world. He might as well have a neon sign on, to her. ]

Let me guess. Upgrade for you?

It is certainly an improvement over my prior circumstances. Dawning of the end times is, I believe, nearing the very bottom of the barrel of circumstances.

[Those were...not good times. Broke, no horse, no food, alone on the road with no idea how to get home, and possibly a key instrument to the destruction of the world. Likely a very stupid move to strike out alone, as far as self preservation went, but better than the alternative. Too much death had visited the people that mattered to him already, he wasn't going to bring more.

And while he knows he comes from humble, to put it mildly, origins, it's difficult to imagine this world somehow being a worse change. Aside from the glaringly obvious kidnapping bit.]

You come from a world even grander and more comfortable than this one? I cannot begin to imagine such a place.

End of times really ain't as bad as they usually make it out to be. [ She waves a hand dismissively. ] I mean, don't get me wrong, every single part of it sucks crazy hard, but like, there's not the whole "rainin' meteors of fire, ground crackin' open" thing

[ So that attitude kind of sums up how her world ended up. Either way, she wrinkles her nose with thought. ]

I wouldn't say grander, everythin' in this world is more fancy and... pompous. But more comfortable for sure. Y'know what I didn't know I'd miss quite so much? Air conditioning. Air conditioning and central heat.

They do talk a lot about the world literally breaking - they say it did before. Sort of a cycle. But so far it's been more a rotting darkness swallowing the land. They call it the Blight. Only in one corner of the world, but...

[Mat shrugs. Up until a handful of months ago, it was all stories and ideas and things that were happening far away and had nothing to do with him. The Dark One was something to scare one another with, little thought given to the fact he was real - he was sealed away, after all. Only not so deep as to be unable to poison the land, apparently.

Well, it's all in better hands than his, now.]

I...don't quite know either of those things. What in the world can you condition air to do?

Oh, sure, we had a buncha different doomsdays that coulda happened. Some of 'em were basically inevitable. But at the end, it wasn't the super dramatic Bibical apocalypse scene either time. Rotting darkness, we went through that one a few million years before I was born.

[ She is, of course, assuming darkness to mean an ice age. Not literal darkness, that isn't possible, not if the planet already had day and night, right? Julie is aware that she's dealing with magic and time travel and whatever else sci-fi-fantasy that can be crammed into this living nightmare. But if light and dark both existed for his world, then science dictates that one can't just take over. Those concepts are not sentient.

Right??

She waves her hand, as if to shoo that idea away. ]

No, no, it's not like that. Imagine you can go into any room and decide the exact temperature you want it to be. Any temperature you like. Heating and air conditioning are what make it happen, they heat or cool air down and then force it out around the house, to keep the temperature you want.

Yeah?

[Mat seems a bit heartened by that.]

Makes sense, wouldn't it? If the world...breaks and heals to break again, the poison can't stay in the land. I think it's a poison, anyhow. Don't know what else could make everything living rot by touching it. Oh, fuck if I know, I am not that learned a man.

[Not in those matters, at least. He knows the woods, he knows how to pick a pocket, he knows odds. He doesn't know much of what's typically handled by Aes Sedai and the kings and queens of the world.

And currently, at least, it very much isn't his problem. It's in the hands of the Aes Sedai. And Rand, he supposes, but he can't imagine even Moiraine throwing Rand into the thick of all of that.

Right now he's at a festival talking to a very pleasant woman, that's what he'd rather think about.]

...How? Is it some manner of channeling? Ah, pardon, magic I mean? We call it channeling where I come from.

There's plenty of stuff that kills whatever it touches. Most of it comes from humans, but there's a billion ways any world could end. Just seems like it's usually a quieter end than you'd think.

[ And Julie has no real desire to discuss yet another apocalypse. She's been through enough of them to last her a lifetime, and unless another one is about to happen in Abraxas, she doesn't have the space in her mind for it.

She laughs a little, and it's not at him so much as the idea that basic temperature control could be magic. She knows that some modern things seem like magic, but in worlds where they actually have magic? ]

No, it's machines. They'd suck up air from outside, then either heat it or cool it, and then they'd blow it into the house from vents in the walls or floors. Where I'm from, we had a lot of machines, technology, but no magic. We never had real magic.

Really? Machines?

[Mat makes a little humming noise of thought.]

They say in the last great age, in my world, humans made all sorts of machines that did all sorts of things. But that was thousands of years ago, and they're all gone. A peddler once said there's the remains of...something, out in the deserts, some giant metal husk left over. Dunno if it's true or not, though. But I'd like to see something like that, I think.

[It's more impressive to him than channeling. Yes, yes, Aes Sedai can do some damned impressive things. But all it takes is a special gift and thinking. It's not like making something, inventing something. Now that's something worth writing songs and stories about.]

Honestly, speaking as a fellow who comes from a world that relies heavily on channeling...I think it can make folks too comfortable and lazy. Why learn to do a thing, if you can just wave your hands instead, or have someone do it for you?

Uh, did somethin' happen to your world? Why would technology go backward? [ She looks like she honestly cannot understand how such a thing could happen without the complete erasure of humanity. ] A car? A plane, maybe? [ The entire conversation is just beginning to baffle her, and she wonders if she had too much to drink at lunch. She probably did, but she doesn't think that's what's causing the disconnect. ] Have you been to the Horizon? Plenty of people got modern stuff to look at. Most of us, people from worlds more like mine, are happy to show things and make things for y'all.

[ She shakes her head a little. She has three of them that she does it for all the time. It's actually one of her hobbies. She hasn't met another modern person yet who doesn't share their advancements. ]

But most inventions come from an idea of somethin' that can't happen for whatever reason, or a need. Magic is gonna be the most efficient way to do anythin'. Why would you want all the extra trouble, the steps, the pollution?

Yeah. Like I said, it's a cycle. Every age ends in a cataclysm and it starts over again. The Wheel keeps turning, each spoke of it a different age, and all things come to pass then fade and eventually come to pass again.

[It's said with a rote that clearly says he's repeating what he hears all too often. It's what he's always been taught and Mat has no reason to question it. These aren't philosophies or guesses, they're things humanity knows. But he's been here long enough to know what goes for his world doesn't go for others.]

The old machines are relics of the last age. Most of the stories and history from then is gone, little bits surviving as legends. But I just think people ought to learn to rely on themselves before magic. Learn to do a thing, light a fire, wash a shirt, mend a boot, shoot a bow...They're handy skills.

[Particularly in this day and age, when there are more and more places where channeling will get a person killed.]

The Horizon? Yeah, I went once, friend took me. Eerie experience. He promised I wouldn't lose myself the next time, but I confess it's made me a bit shy of returning on my own.

Oh, dude, no. I mean, my world has been through "the end of the world" a bunch of times, but most of 'em, humans weren't around for. And the ones we were, it didn't like... erase everythin'. Except maybe Noah and the flood, but there wasn't that much to erase back then anyway. Sorry, guy, your shit's probably super fucked.

[ It's not said cruelly, it's said with genuine bemusement. When she's spoken about apocalypses with other people, it's never been with the idea that it happens at regular intervals for no apparent reason. Every person she's talked to about it has had the same basic understanding that, when the world ends, it's a freak cataclysmic event, not something predictable that completely resets reality.

The idea that having access to magic might also preclude people from knowing how to light fires and shoot bows and tie their shoes is also extremely confusing to her -- she's now met plenty of people from plenty of worlds with natural magic, and it doesn't seem to be an issue for them. ] Well, take it from someone whose world didn't have magic at all. It's way better to have it than not. Mine would probably still be standin' if we'd had magic.

[ Instead, because they didn't, humanity is a generation or two from extinction, and demons invaded to fuck everyone up. Cool.

Another goat kid, brown with a white tuft on its forehead, climbs into her lap, atop the still-snoozing Speckle, and bleats at her for attention as she clucks her tongue affectionately, scratching both sides of its neck. She speaks with a casualness that doesn't address this distraction. ]

Yeah, that's only the first time, you'll be fine. Plus, you lose your memory that first time, but then you get a power or somethin' outta it. Figured yours out yet?

Edited 2022-02-24 14:09 (UTC)

[That gets a laugh from Mat.]

Oh yes, my world's likely very fucked indeed. But it's in the hands of those that know a great deal more about it than I, and I'm happy to leave it to'em.

[He'd been even before he came here, doing all he could to put distance between himself and his little group of companions. And now it doesn't matter, does it? He isn't even in his world...which may be the best and safest thing for everyone involved.]

I suppose they both have their advantages and disadvantages, magic and machines.

[With a small sigh, Mat slides down to sit against the fence, eyes once more drifting to the kids cavorting about the pen. He really doesn't feel like having another conversation attempting to explain why he would rather not have any gifts or abilities, thank you very much, because it always ended up with him trying to explain the taint on the One Power and everything he's ever been taught. It's a concept that he's found isn't easily understood.]

Eh, nothing yet, but I'm not giving it much thought. Had a bad run in recently with some nasty magic, not my finest moment. Best I recover from it before I start mucking about with anything else beyond the realm of my understanding. What about you? Were you blessed with any gifts from the dreamworld?

[ She watches him, though she scoffs a little at the idea of a Singularity-given power being "mucking around". Julie's not entirely sure anything could be less mucky than something that weird stupid rock gave them. Worst case scenario, he just gets a tail or something.

The sound Julie makes is just a quiet mm-hm as she continues doting on the little attention hog in her lap, who keeps trying to step on the sleepy one. As she does, she reaches with her third hand, taps first his left, then his right shoulder. She finishes with a gentle boop on his nose. ]

[Mat almost says something more, fearing that he's been summarily dismissed...and then he feels the touch on his shoulder. And his other shoulder... he twists around in amused confusion, reaching for whatever's touching him. Blood and ashes, she's doing it!

He's never heard of channeling being used like that. It's all calling down lightning and healing dire wounds and things like that.]

Ha! Now that's a more clever trick than I've seen an Aes Sedai do. Can you push things, with it? Knock'em over?

[...Now that would be useful.]

[ Well, lucky Mat, because while Julie may be capable of making lightning, she is also terrified of it and will only make it very small. And she has no idea how to heal anything, really. Also, she just prefers slightly more frivolous magic as a general rule.

The hand disappears from his person for a moment, and a yellow dandelion suddenly begins to pull from the ground of its own accord as she plucks it. She tucks it behind his ear and then the hand is gone for real. ]

It's exactly like my other hands. [ She raises one, waves a little. ] Does everything I can do with the original two. Only difference is you can't see it and it's on a longer arm.

Now I bet that's got all kinds of uses, both practical and simply fun.

[And that's all Mat will say, otherwise he's likely to say something that could be taken as rude, and he'd rather not offend this woman. But he can think of all sorts of very fun uses for that particular sort of ability.]

Channeling...it's all taken very, very seriously. Aes Sedai take oaths to only use it for the benefit of mankind, though in my limited experience that's a very flexible concept.

[Which he should be thankful for, he knows. If it weren't for Moiraine Sedai's healing, he'd still be in the grips of Shadar Logoth's curse.]

It's been strange, seeing so many people just...doing it for whatever reason they please. My roommate blew up some pots to show me what he could do. But Thorne has hundreds of pots, so I do not feel bad.

Yeah, it does.

[ Is she confirming his allusion? Absolutely. You cannot give someone like Julie Lawry a third hand and expect her to not test the bounds of how it can be incorporated into all sorts of activities, of varying levels of naughtiness.

She scoffs again and rolls her eyes as she gently pushes the goat that's awake off her lap and toward him, prancing with a little bleat for emphasis. ]

Don't ever feel bad for Thorne for any reason. Every native in that city could get spontaneous diarrhea all at once, and it would still be better'n what they deserve. [ She has no qualms saying this, firmly and with venom. ] Only place in the whole kingdom worth a goddamn copper is the one place they won't tell you about. Like I said before, if you had half a brain, you'd get outta the castle quick. And I don't wanna hear about how they don't give you gold. When I left, I was way worse off than you'd ever be, and I made it anyway.

[Mat glances around casually and lowers his voice as he leans in closer.]

S'not just money. I've learned the hard way the folly of setting out in winter with nothing and not knowing where you're going or who can be trusted.

[Hell, even knowing where to go. He and Rand had known where they were going, and still nearly froze to death hiding in bushes and hay piles in fields. And it hadn't even been full winter, it was beginning to turn to spring.]

I appreciate your effort to keep me out of an unfavorable situation, but I am a man who is very good at...spotting his opportunities. Got that little sense that says 'this is right' or 'this is wrong'. I'm not enough of an idiot to trust those people, or think they give a damn about me, but it's not the right time.

[His ta'veren luck might not always help him, or help him in any big ways, but he's certain that should the right opportunity, the right time come along...it'll get him where he needs to get safely. That's about all it's good for, really.]

I've survived Trollocs and Fades and a terrible literal curse that by all rights I should not have survived. I can survive the castle for a time, it's one of my few skills. I am a practiced master of not actually dying.

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princessvegas - 2022-02-27 22:28 (UTC) - Expand

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