out into the unknown (march catch-all)

[funbreaker]

Who: Thancred Waters & others
When: Throughout March
Where: Thorne & the Horizon
What: Eclipse stuff, quest stuff, Horizon stuff, anything and everything.
Warnings: Will add if something comes up.


[ Starters will be placed in comments below! If you'd like to do anything with Thancred this month, please reach out at demonology, demonology#1725 on Discord, or by PM. ]

Comments

for rhy (the eclipse; march 13)

[funbreaker]

[ It's close to pitch darkness when Thancred sets out from the castle, his gunblade at his back and the light-emitting ring from the summit on his left hand. Who would have thought when he got the silly consolation prize that it would actually turn out to be useful? Surely there are mages who can create light in other ways, but this is what he has to work with and he won't squander it.

The blackened sky overhead is far too close to the Final Days for comfort, and while there is not debris and hellfire raining from the sky, nor have there been any reports of people turning into blasphemies thus far, it's impossible to not feel as if it's all followed him, somehow.

Which is perhaps why he's determined to set out and help those people who are stranded. Regardless of his wariness toward the royal family and high mage of Thorne, the citizens should hardly be lumped into that suspicion, and he would like to provide any aid to them that he can. It helps him to take action in moments like this, to avoid any sort of unnecessary catastrophizing. He'll feel better if he can do something.

After dealing with the chaos that befell Thavnair in particular, he feels rather experienced in managing crises such as this.

Traversing outside the castle and the town in such darkness makes the travel slow-going, but he keeps his ears peeled for any sign of people in distress or calling for help. He's thankfully not alone either, having encountered another concerned Summoned back at the castle gates. It makes far more sense for them to work together and thus they decided to partner up. Thancred sends Rhy a glance, only barely able to make out his face in the darkness. ]

Bandits and monsters alike may take advantage of this situation. Keep your guard up.

[londonbound]

[ Rhy's practice with the fire has paid off. He holds out one hand in front of him to light his way, a swirling orb of orange flame floating above his off hand. As yet, he hasn't seen need to draw his blade -- but for once, he is armed, the gilded hilt of his sword glinting at his hip in the firelight. It's a precaution, more than anything. He isn't here to fight unless he has to.

The warning gets a stiff nod, though Rhy doesn't spare a glance for his companion over it; his eyes are scanning the shadows ahead, ears pricked for cries of distress and pleas for help, any sound of pain. ]

Then I hope you have more experience fighting monsters than I do. [ He remarks dryly, brows furrowing slightly as he considers this. He's here to offer aid to the civilians; the sorts of monsters that live on this world are still a very new concept for him. ]

[funbreaker]

[ That fire is certainly doing more to light their way than Thancred's ring, and he's grateful for it. There's always something almost comforting about working alongside a mage, given how many of his fellow Scions are adept at manipulating aether. It just felt right, even if this Rhy is a stranger to him.

They both want to help. Ultimately, that's what matters.

That remark of Rhy's earns a scoff of a laugh, and Thancred's smile is briefly visible in the flickering light of the flame. ]

I would say that it's a fair bet that I do. I've fought plenty.

[ Though before he can elaborate on that, he hears a distant call from deeper into the woods. Thancred skids to a halt and strains his ear. There it is, again. ]

[londonbound]

That's a relief.

[ It's difficult to tell if Rhy is joking. It sounds half-distracted, as his attention shifts just as quickly to the sound he thinks he hears. The second time, he definitely hears it.

A glance at his companion shows he's not alone, and without needing to ask, Rhy turns his fire toward the direction of the noise and begins to follow it. ]

I'm not sure if that was a person. [ This time, his voice is lower, hesitant. He strains to listen for it again, trying to catch any words. Had it been a scream or an animal cry? ]

[funbreaker]

Oftentimes it can be difficult to tell the difference.

[ Thancred means that genuinely. When someone is injured, desperate and in pain, their calls for help can sound like any other beast's. He knows better than to assume that they won't run into trouble and that there won't be ravenous beasts trying to prey on anyone who's in danger, so he strides ahead, purposefully putting himself in front of Rhy.

Frankly, it's something that comes naturally to him by now. Even among his closest companions, he is generally the ones who takes the lead, ready to accept the blows of any foes they encounter. Himeka, Urianger, or Alphinaud are always there to keep him healed up so that he can take those beatings, and it works like a charm. He won't have them to rely on here, but that isn't going to stop him.

After only a few minutes of walking, Thancred spots ahead of them what looks to be a merchant's wagon that's gotten stuck in a ditch on the forest path. He holds up a hand to indicate that Rhy should halt, allowing his ring to illuminate what's before them in the same motion. ]

It might be a trap. [ He whispers the words. ] Let me go first.

horizon!

[carmesi]

[imagine wanda's dismay when her venture into someone else's domain (an act out of sheer curiosity, having entirely nothing to do with any nefarious want from her behalf) consists of getting—mostly—lost in dark alleyways of the unfriendliest imagining. her feet are tired from how much she's walked the same cobblestone streets, unable to find the way further in nor the way out.

truth be told, she might be a little distressed about it.

wanda will not be found wandering about in the alleys. instead, she'll be quietly sitting on one of the steps, pressed against a wall, head leaning against it, growing small flowers with her magic on the bits of grass that grow between the stones. she is a little tired, and for all the discomfort that this situation may present, she is—regardless—welcoming this distancing from everything else. it almost feels like she could disappear, escape from the existential obligation outside of this rather unwelcoming place.]

[funbreaker]

[ As far as Thancred can tell, there's nothing that instantly alerts him when someone is in his domain. He doesn't particularly like the idea that people can wander in and out of his space without him knowing when he isn't even there, which is likely why the alleyways first came into existence, even if they'd been partly constructed while he had no memories. It seems that his need to stay hidden is an inherent part of him.

As soon as he does enter into the Horizon for what's become a daily visit to check in on things, however, he is struck with the sense that someone might be lurking around. He walks the cobbled streets with a certain sense of surety — he did make this place, after all — and as soon as he turns a corner and spots a figure seated in an alcove, he pauses and takes a moment to assess the situation.

It's a woman, who seems to have decided to pause here and take a rest. Possibly because she got lost. He feels kind of bad about it, honestly, but it's not like he asked anyone to come here without an invitation. Well... she's here now. ]

Could you not find your way back out? Sorry, I know it's a bit of a maze.

[ He takes a few more steps toward her and lifts his hand in a greeting, wanting to make it clear he means no harm.

Though... hmm. Where did those flowers come from? Where they there before? ]

[carmesi]

[—and it's not like wanda could not just blink her way out of the space, anyway, the horizon being composed of a similar ilk to astral projection. she could have done that, yes, but something has compelled her to stay: the eclipse and the omen it portends, the gravitas of the news of steve rogers having left. it bothers her the most that no one can give her clear answers of what happens to anyone who does leave.

are they safe, or are they otherwise in a state of unending suffering?

(she did not even get to say goodbye, again, just like with everyone else, something she had corrected with tommy and billy, but wished she didn't have to undergo ever again.)

wanda hardly reacts at the voice and question directed her way. she kind of expected it, for the owner of this place to come about eventually. the sound of his footsteps did give him away before his voice reached her, anyway.]

It did turn me around. [finally, she turns her head to him just in time to see his hand being raised in greeting. wanda brings herself up to stand, turning to face him. her visage strained with emotion she's keeping under the surface.] Sorry, I was curious. I suppose your entrance being like this means you don't like random visitors.

[funbreaker]

[ It's true that someone can will themselves to leave the Horizon at any time if they wish, and it doesn't pass Thancred's notice that this woman opted not to do that. Maybe she had needed a quiet place to think for a moment, a place where she was not likely to be bothered. As she stands and regards him, he does get the impression that she might be working through something, and this had apparently been the best place to do so.

In that sense, maybe he should be flattered? Hmm. ]

I suppose it's more the knowledge that people could wander around when I'm not here that led to the creation of this. To be honest, it first sprung up when I didn't remember a thing.

[ Which likely speaks for itself. He shrugs, almost embarrassed, before nodding ahead of them, down yet another narrow cobbled path. ]

It depends on the visitor, of course. [ The likes of Fandaniel and Emet-Selch, for instance, he has no interest in entertaining. He has much less reason to turn away a random Summoned. ] If you'd like a proper tour, I don't mind. [ There is something to be said for simply taking a walk in the Horizon to see what you can find. Thancred's certainly indulged in that himself a time or two. ]

[carmesi]

[suppose it would be something along those lines, of not liking when others wander about without his knowledge, especially when he is not in this space. at least he does not seem upset about it, and is even amicable enough to offer a 'proper tour'.

wanda tries to see if she can spot anything particularly threatening about it — or otherwise — but finds herself noting that perhaps he's just the type of guy who isn't all too bothered.]

If you're not too busy. [it would be nice to see where the maze ends.] I will feel foolish over how simple the solution to this maze will be.

[it is a bit of a joke, but there is no smile on her face.]

My name is Wanda.

[the least she can offer him is her name, after infiltrating his space.]

for stephen (horizon; march 8)

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred is the sort who will endeavor to keep his word if it was a promise made genuinely. In this case he might have found wiggle room given that he'd said the words while he didn't even have his memories, but the fact is that it was a genuine offer made to Stephen, despite everything. Thancred owes the man for showing him the Horizon and opening such an incredible resource up for him. Now that he has his wits about him and the Summit has come and gone, Thancred can truly appreciate the potential of this other plane.

Which is why when he'd run into Stephen in the castle, he'd been quick to follow up on his promise, setting up a time to meet within the Horizon once more. It's quite a different experience from when they last did this, of course, the details of his domain slowly building up around him as he enters, like strokes of paint being methodically added to a canvas.

While there are two places within his domain that they might find a drink, in this case he focuses in on the details of the Rising Stones specifically. It's a warm spot, cozy even despite the cold stone that makes up the floors and ceilings — if only because of everything that Thancred associates with this place: his friends and allies, the beliefs held by all the Scions, and that undeniable sensation of homecoming.

There's no telling if he will ever see this place again in reality, but his recreation of it is spot-on, given how much time he's spent here. As soon as Stephen joins him, Thancred nods in greeting with a welcoming smile. It's odd to play host in a space made by his own mind, but he may as well get used to it, and so he gestures Stephen over to the bar. ]

Help yourself.

[sorser]

[Thancred's domain is fantastical in Stephen's eyes, which is saying much for a man who once touted the title of Sorcerer Supreme. But a bar's a bar, as far as he can tell, and though his curiosity threatens to pull him from place to place that he might fly apart by its tugging, he manages to remain rooted to one spot once he sidles into a seat. He leans an elbow onto the bar top and a scarred hand taps its fingers against the cool surface.]

You've outdone yourself.

[That same hand then reaches out, gesturing lightly at a distant wine bottle; in the next moment, it floats over, and he clasps it by the neck, turning it around to view a label he wouldn't recognize, anyway. But it's of interest to Stephen, just like all things new and unusual, and he lifts a brow.]

You've got to at least start off with a recommendation. How's this one?

[funbreaker]

[ The compliment is one that Thancred takes with a brief smile and a shrug. He will admit he hadn't known how all of this creation "magick" (it can't truly be magick if he's capable of it, he knows) would work for him, but soon enough it all fell into place. It's almost uncanny how natural it had felt to do. He's done his best not to consider any deeper meaning to that, knowing what he does of his ancient ancestors. ]

I imagine it's easier if it's a place where you're intimately familiar with all the details.

[ Stephen's own domain had been impressive and on quite a large scale, from what Thancred can remember. A homey place like the Rising Stones doesn't seem as if it would compare.

When Stephen floats the bottle over, Thancred scoffs and shakes his head. ] Do you always do that? [ He could make a joke about how Stephen's going to go soft if he never uses his own two legs to fetch anything, but instead he takes the bottle and turns it over to study the label. ]

Ah, this was bottled in Wineport. As you can guess from the name, that means it will be high quality. La Noscea is known for their wines. [ He uncorks it without further instruction and pours them both a generous glass. ]

[sorser]

[He feigns at being unimpressed, the only thing betraying its insincerity being the upward quirk of his lips.]

One, don’t be jealous. Two, if you had the same ability, you’re telling me you wouldn’t will objects straight into your hands?

[He doesn’t believe you, sir. But he waits patiently as Thancred fills up a glass with a generous portion, appreciating the color. He takes it by its stem when he’s finished, holding it up against the warm light.]

La Noscea. Is that where you’re from?

[Is that where he’s sitting now? Or is Thancred’s domain a conglomeration of places, wrought from a man well-traveled? He likes to think that’s the impression he got, ironically, when the other had been purged of his memories. A fighter, wandering from place to place. Maybe he’s wrong.]

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred's jaw drops and he holds a hand against his chest, as if he's actually offended by the implication that he would be jealous of such an ability. He's seen Master Matoya do similar a number of times and he would be a liar if he said he hadn't considered the practical applications of such magicks. ]

Maybe here and there, but there's something to be said for carrying out a task with one's own two hands, wouldn't you say?

[ Granted, this entire place isn't entirely real, and that more or less ruins his point, but he may as well take his chance to give Stephen a hard time. His light teasing hasn't been received poorly thus far, so he plans to keep it up.

Stephen's question is an interesting one, and Thancred wears an inscrutable expression for a moment before he gives a non-committal shrug. ] I suppose it is. I grew up in a port city called Limsa Lominsa, the crown city-state of La Noscea. [ He leaves out the fact that he'd been a grubby orphan stealing from others to survive. ]

It's been years since I called that place home, however. Where we sit now is a headquarter of sorts, termed the Rising Stones. It's in a region called Mor Dhona.

[ He finds it comforting to speak of his home star, he will admit. Especially when its fate hangs in the balance, speaking of it reminds him of what he's fighting for at the end of the day. ]

for byleth (quest: after the spoonce; march 17)

[funbreaker]

[ Despite Thancred's insistence on finding odd jobs and work for himself, thus far it's more or less fallen into his lap. Granted, the work he did during the eclipse didn't earn him much beyond good will, but that has its own sort of value given how new he is to the castle and surrounding areas. This time, he had a panicked young mage approach him to hurriedly explain how he had bungled up the job of shepherding some fledging bird creatures of some sort.

That's as much as he was able to gather before he'd assured the young man that he would try to track down and capture one of the misplaced birds. It does sound like there are enough of the little creatures scattered around that this job will need to fall to multiple people, but Jeffrey also seems intent on appealing to as many of the Summoned as he can to fix his mistake.

Cleaning up a mess like this is something Himeka would have done without a moment of hesitation, and while Thancred has to admit that chasing down strange creatures had not gone well for them at the Summit, there's a chance for redemption now.

Recalling his chat with both Byleth and Edelgard, he opts to send the former a mental message (he's getting the hang of it, now) to suggest that they work together on this. Surely he could handle it on his own, and solo missions are nothing new to him, but it does seem like a good opportunity to see how Byleth works out in the field, so to speak.

This is all low stakes enough that he can't see it going horribly wrong, at least.

He asks her to meet him at the castle gates, which is where he can be found now, dressed for a hike. His gunblade sits against his back, though he would be shocked if he needed to use it in this particular instance. ]

[hegemonwings]

[ the offer was welcome enough, and he'd caught her at a good time. her acquaintanceship with thancred was promising so far, in many ways, but she believed she might just enjoy the man's company besides.

some might have said the job seemed a bit under her own pay grade, and the chase at the summit was still a somewhat embarrassing memory, but it was the kind of thing that might help ingratiate her to the right people—and the kind of thing she might find herself doing regardless, of her own initiative.

so she readies herself and makes her approach to the gates before long. simple black traveling leathers, reinforced on the knees, elbows, forearms and calves. a sword and a few knives hang at her waist. generally, she's come with less heavy armaments than the thing strapped to thancred's back, which draws a curious look right away. what in the world...? ]

Thancred. Ready to set off?

[funbreaker]

[ Oh, Thancred catches that look. He follows Byleth's gaze to his gunblade and lets out a little huff, almost in disbelief. ]

Is it that strange? Everyone seems to have that reaction.

[ Of all the things from Etheirys that he might have expected people to be baffled by, gunblades were not particularly high on the list. Granted, all of these skeptics might think differently about it once they see it in action. Not that he imagines there will be a chance for that today. ]

... Yes, I'm ready. [ He brushes off his half-mock offense at the judgment of his weapon and then presses ahead, across the drawbridge that will take them into the castle town and then beyond. ] We may need to ask around and see if any of the townsfolk has seen one of the things. Based on the description I was given, I would be surprised if they didn't stand out.

[hegemonwings]

I'm... not quite sure what it is. [ byleth finally admits that, clearly somewhat befuddled by it. she goes on: ] Portable guns are new to me.

[ and whatever that is, it just seems... odd. still, she nods and moves into step with him, slipping her hands into her coat pockets. ]

Sounds reasonable. There's an innkeep in town who owes me a favor, and there's not much the man doesn't hear about. [ when it comes to things on around this scale, anyway. she doubts he has his fingers on, say, the pulse of the politics within castle thorne. ] We can try our luck there?

[funbreaker]

It's called a gunblade. [ Which is quite straight-forward in explaining what it is, though someone could see that simply by looking at it. Thancred does make another note of the general level of technology of Byleth's world, however, and glances over to ask: ] Only turrets and cannons where you're from?

[ An innkeep sounds like a reasonable place to start, and so he gestures for Byleth to lead the way. He knows where the inns in the town are located, having mapped the place out a number of times by now, but he won't bother to guess at which one she's referencing. ] If that doesn't work, we can try the taverns. There's bound to be gossip there as well. [ And, because curiosity and information gathering go hand-in-hand, he also asks: ] — Why does he owe you a favor?

a horizon meeting! early march

[supersoldier]

[Sephiroth treads down darkened alleyways, cobblestone paths perpetuating soft echoes with each boot step. The breeze is bracing, playing at the length of his hair, but he walks steadily, undeterred by the unwelcoming night, the twist and turns of perpetual alleyways couched by foreign buildings.

They seem to go on forever. He’s lost track of how long he’s walked, given time’s malleable nature in the Horizon. But he’s stubborn, amongst other things, and something draws him forward, to continue walking in stalwart determination to find the heart of this place, or its owner.

Here, in this plane, he is always dressed in his SOLDIER’s uniform, though he has learned there’s no point in carrying around a recreated version of Masamune; not when can will it into existence with a very thought, something he has taken the time to practice with efficiency. For now, there is no need to keep the long curve of that blade by his side, because all threats—if they exist—remain unseen or otherwise indiscernible.

That is, until he spies what he thinks is the outline of a person at the mouth of a twisting alley. Sephiroth stops, the green of his eyes glowing dimly in the gloom, peering through shadow.]

Who’s there?

[A question commanding an answer — as though whoever is there may be the tresspasser, not the other way around.

[funbreaker]

[ It's unlikely that either man would find it that amusing that this means they have now each stubbornly pressed on through each other's domains despite their less than welcoming modes of entry. Thancred remains entirely unaware of who that impossibly high stairwell had belonged to, and would also maintain that his deterrent at least doesn't involve climbing.

This now marks the second person who's decided to simply wander through, and Thancred may need to adjust to the fact that it's normal and accepted for Summoned to visit others' domains without their express permission.

That is, of course, precisely why this place exists. If he is going to share things about himself, he does prefer that it's on his own terms.

Thus, when he gathers from a deeper part of his domain that someone has wandered in, he ventures out to collect them. He can't truly blame anyone for being curious — he's done much the same. It is what it is, and if people take umbrage with his layout, it's not as if they're required to visit.

It doesn't take him long to find the visitor, though when Thancred spots the tall figure across the dark alleyway, an accusation of sorts is immediately thrown his way. Quite self-important, this one.

Thancred strides forward and lifts one hand in greeting. ]
The person who created this domain, as a matter of fact. And who are you? [ He hasn't seen the man before, and he'd certainly remember such long, sleek hair. ]

[supersoldier]

[Sephiroth’s body language eases, if only fractionally. This man—not a face he recognizes—moves closer in a vaguely non-threatening way, and his shoulders relax incrementally. Though he still yet remains planted to the spot, unwilling to budge via request should it come. Self-important, indeed.]

A visitor. [He says it plainly, the hardened edges of his tone receding slightly, though still indelicate enough to betray his curiosity.]

Is this supposed to be a representation of your home?

[Maybe this is hypocritical since his own domain has a vast array of stairs that seemingly go on forever, trapping potential wayward wanderers in it as though to dissuade their presences there. But Sephiroth lacks that kind of self-awareness, and that he’s spent so much time wandering, getting nowhere, is an affront more egregious when he has to suffer through it.]

Endless alleys that lead to nowhere?

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred lets out a small chuckle at the question, realizing that it's a reasonable one. Yet if he's honest, there is some bit of home in these dark paths, as strange as they might seem at first glance. In any city he's visited, he has always made a point of exploring its dark, tucked-away corners, the places that weren't mean to be seen. It's the rogue in him, which will never quite leave him despite the fact that he has picked up the gunblade. ]

Some of them do resemble places from home, but I suppose it would make more sense to think of this as a security measure of sorts.

[ He takes a look around them, and as he does so some warm torchlight appears on the walls, glowing from sconces that had not been there a moment before. It does make the space slightly more inviting, though there still isn't much to see or do here, which is by design.

Thancred turns back to the stranger and then gestures down the alleyway past them. ] There is more to my domain than this. If you're curious. [ He doesn't mind bringing people in, so long as he is here to supervise. ]

[supersoldier]

[A security measure? His eyes trace along the alleyway's path, understanding this man's meaning in a disappointingly belated way. So, the endless walking and winding were purposeful, a clever way to dissuade those who arrive without an invitation. Much like Sephiroth himself. Where he thought he would make progress through stubbornness alone, he only wasted time gong nowhere at all.

His expression remains unimpressed as the torchlight adds warmth along the alley walls, chasing the particularly darkest corners away. He considers the invite--is that not what is, essentially?--and replies evenly.]

Do you have a name?

[If this is another Summoned, which it must be, it is not someone he recognizes. Sephiroth, in his own way, is pressing for an exchange of information -- or at least a passable introduction, his own bid at impressing some manner of control in a domain that's been pulling him this way and that, without any agency of exploration.

The way he steps forward, however, at least belies some interest. That yes, maybe he does want to see the rest.]