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 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?

[hegemonwings]

[ well, that's... a name, all right. she's still not sure how it works, looking at it, but no need to get sidetracked with that. ] Cannons. I've only seen them once in person—the Almyrans to our east use them on ships. I've read about them, and I'm familiar with powder bombs. But... [ she furrows her brow. she knows that word, but not to describe guns. ] Turrets. That's... a defensive firing platform? We call some fortifications for covering fire by that name, but manned with archers or ballistae.

[ she nods at the followup suggestion. it's all very reasonable, and basically in line with what she'd been thinking. the question's not unexpected, either, though she's not sure what she ought to say. ]

There are certain parties very insistent he sell. I... persuaded some of them to try their luck with other ventures. [ idly, she cracks the knuckles on her left hand. ] People appreciate having space to breathe.

[funbreaker]

[ Byleth has only seen a cannon in use once? It's a strange thing to try and imagine, Thancred will admit, particularly given that he grew up in Limsa Lominsa where firearms and gunpowder had been quite run-of-the-mill. The Garlean empire's creations only took it all a step further. He's willing to show her how the gunblade works at some point, though in the Horizon might be the better option so that he can conserve ammunition. ]

A turret's similar to what you're imagining, but it fires bullets instead of arrows. It usually has to be manned by someone as well, though I suppose there are automated versions.

[ He's not yet sure if any of Abraxas' nations have developed something similar. If any one of them has, he's certain it would be the Free Cities. Thorne seems to believe their magicks are enough to handle anything Cadens might throw at them, if war does break out.

Still, that is a problem for the future. For now, they are questioning an innkeeper. Byleth finds a careful way to tell him that she'd essentially chased off some ruffians who'd been trying to rob the innkeep. Thancred's beginning to realize that she's quite deliberate with her words. Not a bad trait to have, to be sure. ]

That was kind of you. Hopefully he appreciates it enough to give us some useful intel.

[ As they turn a corner, a cozy inn awaits them. A creaky sign hangs from the eaves, inviting them in. ] Is that it?

[hegemonwings]

[ byleth's blunt to a fault, really, in what comes naturally. but she's one to speak deliberately in most circumstances regardless, partly for fear of being seen as something strange or other. spending so much time around the emperor—forthright and direct by nature but forced to learn subterfuge and deception—and her people has given her better insight into how to play a part this way. still, she nods at the explanation, a glimmer of interest in her eyes. the technology she's witnessed and heard of since coming here utterly fascinates her. ]

I'd thought as much. [ magic may have given the empire an edge to take down the mechanical dolls fielded by its monsters—those standing in the light or skulking in the darkness alike—but she couldn't help but doubt it would be enough even in a land such as this, against a fully mechanized army. ]

I'm sure he will. We've a rapport. [ she nods at the question once they see the sign.

the baroness inn & tavern
est. 19987

byleth steps through the door, a bell chiming as she does so. at this time of day the ground floor tavern has decent traffic but it's not raucous, with those drinking largely doing so in relative silence. conversation is scattered here and there, all the same. along the further two walls from the entrance a shop for sundries, the bar and the check-in desk are spaced out, with business areas clearly further back and a staircase leading up.

one of the men behind the bar glances up at the sound and instantly perks up at the sight of her, even if he doesn't seem immediately sure what to make of thancred. a stocky older man, tawny-skinned and bespectacled with rolled-up sleeves, perhaps in his early fifties. seems like the owner's decided to pour drinks for the afternoon. ]

There you are! Welcome back, welcome! I see you've brought a friend along. First round's on me for both of you, after last time.

Ewann! [ byleth flashes an easy smile, shoulders relaxing as she approaches the bar. she takes a seat, asking for just a cup of weak wine for now. the sort of drink for someone more used to ale or wine being safer than water in the cities. it's in her hand quickly enough, and she downs at least half of it in a few gulps. ] We can't stay. This is Thancred— [ and she gestures towards her acquaintance ] he and I are doing a favor for someone at the university. The Flamewing Spoonce migration was disrupted, and they ended up scattered here. Little firebirds about... [ and she lifts her hand about yea-high above the bar, indicating the size they were told to expect. ]

You've not heard anything, by chance?

[ recognition sparks in ewann's eyes, and he nods, placing his hands flat on the bar and leaning forward. ]

If I take you rightly, I heard about two of the things two streets over, not a quarter past. Was over at... [ ewann frowns, looking past the two of them to a passing member of the staff. ]

Lucienne, was it Gunther's? With the firebirds about? [ confirmation comes, so ewann snaps his fingers once. ] Right then. They were by the green grocer's on Ridge. Can't miss it.

[funbreaker]

[ This tavern must be well-established and well-loved, given how long it's been around. That's the first detail that Thancred notices, and as they step inside they're welcomed by a warm greeting from the owner. Or Byleth is welcomed in such a manner, at least. Thancred is a new face here, and while there's already proof that the owner is hospitable toward summoned, chances are that he'll need to prove himself first.

He is offered a free drink, and Thancred steps up alongside Byleth, smiling and nodding in greeting as he's introduced. Seeing how she takes a drink, he accepts one as well, not wanting anything too strong himself. A light ale should do the trick, and it's served up in due course, allowing him to take a few sips as Byleth explains the situation.

As it turns out, Byleth's instincts had been correct, and they're promptly given a lead on their search. ]

Gunther's, was it? We appreciate the help, friend. The young man we're helping was quite worked up, so the sooner we can bring in the firebirds, the better.

[ He takes another swig of his drink, seeming quite comfortable at enjoying a cold one even while in a hurry. ]

Here's hoping they haven't strayed too far in the meantime.

[ Though if that's the case, they'll simply have to keep asking around. Those birds are bound to stand out, and Thancred is no stranger to approaching people to ask for information. ]