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

[gynvael]

[ His eyes flutter shut for a moment before he looks back up at her. The air is warm, but not as stifling as the desert heat he's starting to grow used to. He tilts up to meet her lips; swallows the breath that slips out of her.

He threads his finger through her hair. Her weight settles on him, and it isn't long before he's inside her with a heavy exhale. ]

[princessvegas]

[ When she sinks down, it's with a groan, a pant for breath. She presses her forehead to his, watching him with dark, shiny eyes. Her nails drag over his shoulder blade, her fingers flexing in rhythm with her movements, and her other hand runs a line up and down his chest. ]

Thank fuckin' god I moved. [ The murmur comes from deep in her throat, her eyes still locked on his face. Despite the fact that they've been fucking for months now, as great as Horizon sex is, there is something definitively more satisfying about actually... y'know, fucking. It's not the main reason she moved, but she won't say it didn't hold weight. Actual physical contact with someone (anyone) who wasn't one of the same four other people she saw every single day. ] So much better.

belated nsfw.

[gynvael]

[ His lips quirk, sliding his hand up her leg as she rocks atop him. Up her stomach and over her breast, where his thumb circles. ]

A benefit. [ It is better. He likes having her in the Horizon, but he likes her out here, too, as she is: less of that shine and shimmer that only the Horizon can grant, but still her. He likes seeing her without the extra step—that he can simply find her in the city, in her home. Or by the baths, as it were.

He may have already found her in a couple of places before the summit.

He shifts his hips, a curse catching on his breath. For a moment, he takes her in before he pulls her back down. ]

[princessvegas]

Just the one? [ She gets out a breathless laugh before he kisses her again, something she meets with fervor. Her hand covers his, holds it to her breast. She leans into him, knees slipping a bit on the random assortment of pillows under them.

Passing silhouettes catch the corner of her eye, dark on the canvas of the tent. She does a quick estimation in her head of how long they realistically can bank on the others following her false trails before they get tired or hungry enough to return. Another hour, maybe a little less. Nothing to worry about.

She kisses him again, hard, hips rolling. ]

[gynvael]

Mm, one— [ of several, is what he means to say, but then she kisses him hard and he finds little reason to finish.

His other arm goes around her—holding her close as much as steadying her. He can hear footsteps outside, the rustle of other tents nearby. No one ventures towards theirs, though. Can't say he's giving it too much thought right now.

Her lips are nearly bruising against his. He bites at them, dragging his teeth as he falls into the driving pace she sets. The cushions are inching on the floor, towards one end of the tent, and he shoves one out of the way so he stops sliding. It's good; it always is, but also—they've fucked often, the reasons varied, and this, these moments where they just want to, where there's no freshly bleeding wound either of them are pushing aside—it feels as if they deserve it, the short reprieve. ]

[princessvegas]

[ Illicitly moving from one faction to the other has presented Julie with a strange honeymoon phase of peace, which she is completely unaccustomed to, now. Her personal relationships are not in free-fall, no one she knows is on death's doorstep, she no longer has to spend all her time either working or losing herself in magic, and the world is not in complete chaos. It has been over two years since she had anything like that, and she's not sure if she can actually believe she deserves it. But she can take it, for sure. Who knows when it will end? Probably not next week.

When she pulls away to catch a breath, head thrown back and chest heaving, her grin is red and swollen from his teeth. She slows, grinds back and forth with an airy mewl, and glances around. From several feet away, one of the bottles of wine begins to float toward them; she accepts the bottle from her third hand and uncorks it, takes a parched drink, then offers it to him as she leans to scrape her teeth along his neck. ]

[gynvael]

[ The brief air of magic sends the lightest hum through his medallion. He lifts his hips, electric sparks thrumming through his veins.

He takes the bottle with a soft grunt, though he doesn't drink just yet, distracted by her teeth against his skin. There's a second, and then he tips his head back, propped up on one elbow as he swallows a healthy dose of wine. (Several.)

He stuffs the cork haphazardly back into the bottle. It's shoved between some pillows nearby, because he knows her invisible hand can reach it, and he turns for her to nip further at his throat. He drags his nails down her back—against the bumps of her spine. It's taken time and a hell of a lot of liquor, but he's finally really feeling that warm buzz that makes everything that much more pleasant. ]

[princessvegas]

[ She shivers at his nails, digs her own into his chest. She mouths up the side of his neck, the corner of his jaw, then presses her forehead to his temple. He presses up, further into her, and she gasps, writhes against him. Her head swims when she squeezes around him. ]

Fuck me now. [ Her voice is just a soft purr, low and thick like honey. She holds the other side of his face. ] Eventually, one of 'em's gonna pop up and surprise us, and the tavern's open, so it probably won't be Jaskier.

[ Neither of them have the luck to bet on four to one odds. ]

[gynvael]

[ His mouth makes its way to her earlobe. He sucks gently, seating himself well inside her as he does. There's a huff from him at the reminder, one that turns quickly into a sharp inhale.

Right. Limited time. (What's the etiquette for sealing a shared tent with yrden?)

A curse spills out of him. He holds her waist, fucking her steady, letting the tight curl build inside him. She's near enough he only needs to tilt his head up to catch her lips, and more flowers tumble free from his hair. ]

[princessvegas]

[ She balances on her knees, pants a soft ah as he kisses her again. There are flowers fucking everywhere by now, hers having come loose too, and the quiet jingle of all the bells on her picks up with his speed. It's not long before she's tiptoeing on the edge -- it never is when she gets wine drunk -- the knot in her stomach beginning to fray, and rapidly. Her lungs feel tight, and she has to break away, puts her face in the crook of his neck and sobs for breath against his chest.

When she rolls her hips once more, he hits just the right way, sends a solar flare up her spine and everything goes white behind her eyelids. He doesn't slow, and she convulses, keens until she doesn't have the air to make noise anymore. ]

[gynvael]

[ At some point, his arms just wrap around her. Her skin is warm and slick against his, soft, and he buries his fingers in her hair. He can feel her chest rise and fall, her pounding heart. How her entire body tenses around him.

He shifts the angle, the pace. He doesn't slow, not now or afterwards. Not until his own release floods him, sharp, and then all he can hear is the unsteady hitch of her breath. He bites down on her shoulder, not quite swallowing a groan.

He falls back on the pillows; probably bumps an elbow into the wine bottle, but he's hardly paying attention. The shuffle around them outside the summit grounds fades to a distant hum in the background. ]

[princessvegas]

[ She is still twitching when he falls and she goes with him, her vision slowly filtering back in as she wheezes. She stays atop him for the moment, unable to move from feeling like her bones are made of gelatin. She raises her head a little, tilting up to his face instead of down to his collarbone. One shaky hand lifts to gently brush a strand of hair off his face. ]

God bless that weird glitter varmint. Hope he slips through everyone's fingers. [ Couldn't have done it without you, little dude. ]

[gynvael]

[ He lets his hand rest lightly on her back, exhaling. His lips tilt at the corner. ] He's earned his mischief.

[ Though professional curiosity has him wanting to know what in the hell it even is.

He tucks an arm behind his head, content to let her stay atop him as she will. He does reach for the wine eventually, though, uncorking it with his teeth to take another drink before he offers the bottle to her. (The bottle, too, now holds a hint of shimmer from contact with the pillows alone.)

He'll start searching for where his clothes went soon. He just wants a minute before returning to the reality of this little retreat. ]

[princessvegas]

[ Julie just really wants to pet it, one time. It's a terrible idea and she knows it, but it's so cute and its defense mechanism doesn't appear to be dangerous, so it's probably worth a shot, right?

She stays where she is for a few minutes, until the thrumming electricity in all her nerves ebbs away, then shifts to the side with a sigh. The evening air is cool, feels dry against her skin, which is not just sticky but also now covered in glitter. Though, at this point, half the population of the summit must be wearing a fine coat of sparkles, so it probably doesn't matter very much. She pops her back with an arch and then takes the wine from him. After she takes a drink, she wedges the bottle back down in the pillows between them. ]

Did I show you what I learned how to do? [ She says it thoughtfully. It's not that it's just now occurred to her that she has yet to show him her ability to make one singular item; it's more that she has trouble convincing herself that anyone actually cares. It's so small, compared to what others can do, but it's so big to her.

She also doesn't know whether he has any idea what a pencil is, and suspects that he would think it stupid to just make random sticks. But she can make them in colors and patterns now, with erasers that don't fall off the ends, so it's slightly more impressive than it might otherwise be. ]

[gynvael]

[ Once she moves away, he sits up. He tugs the last few flowers out. The rest have scattered and crushed, and his braids have tumbled free; he shows no sign of bothering to tame the state of his hair beyond loosening the leather cord normally wrapped around it. He's stretched forward, fingers hooked in his trousers to pull them in, when she speaks up.

Geralt shakes his head. ] Show me.

[ He's keen to see, in the same way he likes to look in on what new concoctions Nadine has learned to brew or what else Jaskier has discovered he can do with his birds. Magic is complicated for some. Ciri in particular—before she hurt Jaskier, but especially ever since. And Geralt hasn't got the inclination for it; he's found his focus better served elsewhere, in the work he's already dedicated a century of his life towards.

It's good, that's all. To watch these small novel discoveries. A reminder, perhaps, that the world still has something to give. Not for him, exactly, but—for others. Where it matters most, he supposes. ]

[princessvegas]

[ She picks a few flower petals off her skin, rises to stand and retrieve her dress, long and gauzy. One thing she'll give Cadens is that some of their clothes are significantly more comfortable than the ones in Thorne. She's not exactly the biggest fan of any of it, but at least it's not layer after layer of pieces.

Clothed, she sits back down in the pillows, legs folded underneath her skirt. She holds her hands out, palms to the ground, then takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. In the silence, her hands begin to glow a soft blue, and under her fingers, light in the same shade begins to sparkle through the air, becoming more and more visible, turning into threads that thicken and almagamate. The energy seems to form a fluid mass, that stretches into a thin line before it starts to dull back out. As it darkens, it reveals itself to be a... sharpened stick, black paint dotted with metallic gold flecks. It's a pencil. There's a small white eraser on one end, and it even has a golden metal piece attaching them. And, assuming one knows what a pencil is, it's pretty perfect. It would look perfectly at home in any child's school desk.

Her breath comes a bit heavier from the exertion, though not by much. She picks up the pencil and offers it to him. ]

It's all I can make, but I can make 'em in different colors and patterns, though.

[ No, she does not realize that he has no concept of what a pencil is. ]

[gynvael]

[ He's tugging his shirt over his head when the magic begins to glow in her hand. At first, he thinks she might be making an arrow, something thin and narrow—but when it smooths out on one end, he realizes it's, hm.

He peers closer, then takes it. The tip is sharpened, and he tests the point like it might be especially sharp. It isn't. It leaves a faint blackened mark on his skin instead. His eyebrows go up. ]

You wrapped charcoal in wood? [ Is he sniffing it? He's sniffing it. Not quite charcoal; the mark it leaves behind is much less heavy and thick, and it doesn't smell of charcoal. But it's the closest thing in his mind.

And actually, not a bad concept. He can recognize the value of not having blackened stains on your fingers despite having seen approximately zero pencils in his life. It must be something from her world—and he's curious, suddenly, what that could mean. It's a small thing, but his time in and out of people's domains has told him there are a number of useful items this world does not have. Items he's never encountered before. Somehow, it hasn't occurred to him one could just learn to conjure it up, even though now that he thinks about it, that's only logical. It's no different than conjuring anything else. Maybe there are other things she could learn to bring to this place, in time.

He turns the wooden stick over in his hand. Likely for drawing, though the fine point of it suggests it could suffice for lettering, too. A writing implement. What is it, that Sam keeps asking for? Every time he gets yet more ink stains on his hands? The way Geralt says the word suggests he's making a haphazard guess at best. ] Is this...a pen?

[princessvegas]

[ If she looks slightly taken aback, it's only because it had not occurred to her that anyone might not know what a pencil is. It is such a ubiquitous, old concept in her world -- even people from many centuries earlier than Julie would recognize the basic idea, if not the exact modern representation.

Her eyebrows raise and then, oh, okay he is smelling it. She can honestly say it's the first time she's ever seen someone sniff a pencil, and that certainly reflects in her expression. ] Not charcoal. It's... well, we call it lead 'cause that's what it used to be, but the middle is made of graphite. It's a pencil.

[ She brings her bag over to herself with her invisible hand, digs through it. From the random assortment of (mostly stolen) trinkets inside, she surfaces a small notebook with Nott's sigil on the front cover, then gently takes the pencil back from him. On the first page of the notebook, she writes her own name, smooth script that matches her hand on the mental network they share. ] When the tip breaks or wears down, you can sharpen it again and keep usin' it. And it's not permanent like quills and ink pens. You can erase with it. [ She makes a mark, flips the pencil and erases it to show him. She offers the pencil back, looks up at him. ] Kids use 'em in school, especially for math or when they're just learnin' how to write. We make colored ones too, for art, but this is the kind people use more.

[gynvael]

[ Oh. A pencil. He tilts his head, watching her write. There's something fascinating about it, in part because he's used to being shown a variety of strange objects in the Horizon. But this is the first time someone's done it in the physical world.

When she says erase, a certain understanding comes over him. He brushes the remaining edge of her name. ] We use bread for that. To rub out charcoal.

[ He takes the pencil back, running his thumb over the smooth design on it. As foreign as the item is, he can tell the make of it is solid. That these are inexpensive tools in her world, manufactured in masses by a machine and disposed of without a second thought, does not cross his mind. To him, it's something of a crafted piece: carved from wood and neatly painted and put together. It shows in the careful way he handles it.

He writes his own name, experimental. She'll recognize it, too, of course—a script that carries the distinct edges of one who's learned to write based on ink and quill. He's noticed that amongst the Summoned, it isn't actually a common hand at all, appearing only with Ciri and Jaskier. Perhaps one or two others.

The pencil glides smoother, though. Interesting. ] I might have to keep this.

[princessvegas]

[ The idea of using bread as an eraser is clearly foreign to her, based on the way her brow furrows -- would that even work? It sounds mostly like a good way to make a big, crumby mess. It must be better than nothing, she supposes.

She watches him write, and it surprises her that she's actually never thought about him writing on just plain paper before. She's only ever seen his words scrawled on cobblestones and in woodgrain, all manner of places no one should be able to write at all.

Wait... wait, is this how she gets rid of all the fucking pencils she's accumulated? ] You can have it. You want more? It's the only thing I can make so far, so I got like eighty of 'em in a drawer at home.

[ She has also left them all over his place, too (and Sam's). At this point, she's akin to bird shedding feathers as she flits around, except it's pencils instead. She does not bring this fact up. ]

[gynvael]

[ More? How many has she...? Geralt blinks at her. Right. He supposes she naturally wouldn't be able to rid of them once she makes them. Now that she says it— ]

Can't see why not. [ He wasn't expecting a boon of writing implements, but he won't complain. He holds the one she gave him up. ] When you make ones that write in colour, let me know.

[ For its uses, in part, but also because he's simply interested in seeing them when she's learned to do so. Is it possible he'll be drowning in pencils in the near future? Perhaps, but he's equally been drowning in potted plants and potions so Geralt's accepted this is just the result of surrounding himself with people constantly learning magic. Doesn't bother him, really. No one in his household has much in possessions; Geralt only ever truly keeps with him what he can pack onto his horse. Her pencils will have a place to go. Save them the cost of ink at the same time.

The chase is probably starting to wind down for the night. He's expecting any one of the others to show up soon. They do still have a bottle to finish off, though—which he offers to Julie as he settles onto his side. ]

[princessvegas]

Sure. I'll make you the big Crayola box, like the rich kids. [ It's another joke she makes more for herself than him. She cannot explain the economic implications behind brand name school supply purchases without giving them both a headache.

She stretches out perpendicular to him, propped up with her head on her hand, and takes the bottle for another drink. Her legs cross at the ankle, her feet still bare. ]

I gotta find a job, though, so who knows when I'll figure it out. That's the one thing I'm jealous about Thorne. They just give 'em everythin' so they can sit around and study all day. My old boss, she was helpin' me, and she said I was learnin' faster than anyone she'd seen, but I had hours and hours a day to practice. I just helped her around the inn, worked a few nights at the tavern, and she didn't push me for much else. [ She pauses for another sip. ] That was like, the best part of life after the superflu. No more daily grind.

[gynvael]

[ Geralt knows better than to ask her to explain. He looks thoughtful. Steady employment is not a part of life he's ever experienced; before he could afford his gear for hunting proper, he simply cycled from one odd job to the next. Always someone willing to pay him a small amount to haul their shit as long as he asked no questions. ]

The innkeeper where you are, she tends to hire help. Sam likes her.

[ Could always start there. Enough of the Summoned have made their home in one of those rooms that the tavern downstairs is frequented by them more than anywhere else. And Sam never brings back anyone he doesn't like so—good folk, for the most part. As far as he can tell.

He tugs a pillow out from under him so he can lay back. His lips curve a hint. ] Or join me in the desert, if things grow dull. We'll catch scorpions.

[princessvegas]

[ It's much less that Julie is particularly inclined to regular work, but the world she knows how to navigate on the backs of others is not the world she lives in anymore. In her hometown, work was not exactly plentiful, but she'd moonlighted around, cashiering and cleaning and waitressing; her support network had been extensive and sufficient to ensure that she was never homeless, hungry or very late on bills. In Vegas, she had no reason to do any kind of real work, unless one counts occasionally acting as emcee for events. It wasn't until Nott that she experienced the need for continuous employment, and she understands why everyone hates it so much.

She nods slightly, mid-drink, when he mentions the innkeeper, but before she can actually respond, he carries on, clearly poking at her. She lightly slaps the back of her hand against his side. ] I'm gonna tell Sam you're tryin' to get me killed. Stung to death by devil cockroaches. I don't get close to anythin' with more'n four legs.

[gynvael]

[ When she smacks him, his smile only widens for a brief moment. He shifts his gaze towards her before it returns to the tent ceiling. ]

Mm. Never. [ Devil cockroaches is a far more interesting name for them than what they're actually called. Maybe he'll submit a suggestion to local academics to change it. ] We'll stand a solid distance away.

[ He's still only teasing; he has little interest in anyone being stung to pieces. (Anyone he likes, that is. He can think of one or two names he'd not mind.) Though the longer she remains in Cadens nearby, the more she might glimpse him carrying back a variety of multi-legged creatures and severed heads.

Not alive, though. Usually. ]