abraxaslogs | [ CLOSED ] I've been tryna catch a fever dream

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[ CLOSED ] I've been tryna catch a fever dream

Who: Ciri and Viktor; later, Jayce
When: early June
Where: the desert outside Cadens, the crater around the Singularity, the ocean!!, Aquila, Cadens again
What: it's an adventure!!!! that nobody asked for!!
Warnings: blood, violence (mostly against monsters, probably)

[ When Viktor reached out to her to ask if Ciri would be willing to go with him outside Cadens soon, she hadn't thought much of it. Viktor had always seemed so curious when she would come back with supplies for him, or specimens to study; and she loves talking about her work, and would often share details while he took notes, or answer question after question when he showed particular interest. It is perfectly expected, then, that he should want to explore on his own sometime -- or, rather, not on his own but with her accompaniment, considering he might have a difficult time by himself.

But Ciri doesn't ask questions. She helps find and rent a horse for the trip -- "probably just a few hours, back before nightfall," she tells the stable -- and meets Viktor at his workshop in the morning, upon the agreed time. It's early, barely sunrise, while the cool air still lingers and dew clings to the sparse vegetation.

Ciri walks up leading Nixie on one side, while her mare shoots dirty looks at the dun gelding she's picked out for Viktor, chosen for his easy temperament and the stable's promises that he's perfect for first-time riders.

Nixie's tail flicks impatiently. Ciri stops in front of the workshop, nudging her with a shoulder to push the two horses further apart. ]

You are being such a pest. [ The horse. Not Viktor.

Viktor gets a smile and a greeting. ]

Ready to go?

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[ Ciri laughs, charmed by how much Viktor seems to enjoy petting the horse. ]

I can see that. You're already getting along! I'm told his name is Pancake, by the way.

[ As soon as Ciri's sure Viktor is secure in his saddle, she gives him a couple of simple pointers -- how to turn, how to stop, how to not dig your heels in and make the horse bolt or rear, not that it's a big concern with Pancake. ]

He'll probably follow Nixie without much instruction from you, according to the stable hand. He's an old horse, used to traveling in a caravan.

I'll stay a bit ahead of you, since Nixie doesn't like other horses much. Don't want her trying to take a bite. Not fun.

Ah. Because of the color.

[He actually does laugh at that, because it's endearing (and despite his usual demeanor, Viktor really does like animals, and doing new things. This is both). After that, it's only another few minutes of getting situated, and then they're off.

It's about as bumpy as he expects--he'd gone into this knowing that riding on horseback is probably not great for him long-term, but again. This is just a day trip.

Ciri knows what she's doing so he lets her take the lead, offering Pancake some encouragement--though it seems she was right in that the horse appears used to it. When he realizes he's not going to have to do much to manage the animal, he decides some conversation might be in order as they make their way out of the city.]

I did want to thank you, for making the arrangements on such short notice. I came to Cadens shortly after arriving at the barracks, and haven't left since.

[For obvious reasons. Not everyone is cut out for escorting merchants, or monster hunts.]

[ Ciri glances back at him a few times to make sure he's handling the ride so far -- mostly, all he has to do is sit there and loosely hold the reins -- and leads them out of the city through the familiar main road leading out in the direction of Aquila. It's well-traveled, which means the road itself is even enough, and though there are plenty of others along it, there's also plenty of room. She keeps Nixie a short distance in front, despite her mare's impatient tail-twitching, so that no one has to shout to hold a conversation. Once they're past the gates and the crowds disperse some, it's only a matter of raising one's voice slightly. ]

Think nothing of it. It was no trouble at all.

I was waiting for you to ask, one of these days. You always seemed so interested.

[ It's clear why he'd be cautious about it, with the brace and his poor health, but Ciri's confident in her abilities and knowledge of the area. This sort of thing is easy. ]

How's your first time on a horse? You're taking to it more easily than Sephiroth did.

[ Yes, she is aware of Pigeon Lore. No, she won't give Sephiroth the benefit of adding that the poor man had been trying to keep her half-conscious body upright while learning to ride for the first time, rather than just taking an easy stroll, so he'd really been at a disadvantage. ]

It’s a learning opportunity. Besides, we might find something I want to bring home.

[An interesting specimen, or something similar. They both know there’s something unsaid here, something along the lines of thanks for taking me even though I’ll most assuredly slow you down and also be useless in the event of a monster attack, but he keeps that to himself. No need to state the obvious, especially when this is meant to be an entirely controlled experience. Wilderness, but just enough of it. Not too far from the city, just in case anything goes wrong.]

Not as smooth as something with wheels, but that’s to be expected. [He doesn’t say that he’ll certainly be feeling it tomorrow, instead laughing a little at the mental image of Sephiroth on a horse.] I’ve always liked animals, though. Maybe they found him less agreeable.

[Horses are supposed to pick up on that sort of thing, after all.]

Edited 2022-05-19 00:47 (UTC)

Can you believe it? His world doesn't even have horses!

[ A horrifying thought. Horses are like. so good!! ]

Is there anything in particular you had in mind for research purposes? It'll give me an idea of where to show you. Most of it is dirt and rocks, but there are some rock formations. Basilisks usually stay underground during daylight hours, so we shouldn't have any surprises.

A world without horses? Unbelievable.

[Says the guy who has never ridden a horse--and it's not like they're all that common in Piltover, but at least he knows what a horse is. He vaguely wonders if Sephiroth would be a little miffed to find out they're gossiping about him, but ultimately decides that's not his problem.

What is his problem is deciding what they're going to do (maybe he should have thought a little harder about that). Luckily, there's no shortage of interesting things to talk about, as far as the desert is concerned.]

Any kind of alchemical sample. Plants, interesting minerals-- [Jayce would probably like a cool rock, his mind automatically supplies, before the part of him that's angry at Jayce pushes the thought out of his head.] --monster remains. As long as we're certain they're dead.

Edited 2022-05-19 03:51 (UTC)

[ Ciri snickers. As expected. She brings him bits and pieces already, but maybe he wants to see the entire remains. ]

I could make certain a monster is dead, even if it doesn't start out that way.

I am aware of some rock formations further out that seemed... a different color? I'm not sure it means much, but there were striations I hadn't noticed before. That sort of thing?

I wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger on my account.

[More than she already is, anyway. Read: if they happen upon some remains, that will be good enough. Geology is not necessarily his specialty, but he's content enough just to get out of the city--anything they find along the way is just a bonus.]

Yes, that would be--I'd like to see that.

[ Ciri looks back at him, brows raised. ]

I do this all the time. Remember?

[ It's Viktor who's in the most danger, honestly. But he accepts that, and she doesn't bother to point it out when it's so obvious. ]

All right. Let's go find some weird rocks.

It's about an hour's ride, at this pace.

[ Viktor probably can't handle anything more than a semi-quick walk. Sorry, Viktor. ]

Yes, you're the expert.

[He laughs a little, trying to downplay his unnecessary worrying. He's in good hands, that much he knows, so when she gives him a time estimate, he nods agreeable and they set off.

Viktor does his best to be good company, along the way--pointedly avoiding discussion of the memories they shared, and instead commenting on their surroundings, fielding questions about his current projects, and other mundane sorts of things. He's starting to regret the horse riding, at this point, but he knows they're taking it slow for his benefit. Luckily, it's not long before he sees the formation in question rising in the distance.]

Is that it?

[ It's not a difficult ride, the packed dirt mostly flat with the occasional gentle hill. Once Nixie seems to have accepted Pancake will simply be here, near her, for the foreseeable future, Ciri slows down a bit to ride beside him now that they have plenty of room to spread out, still out of reach but easier to have a conversation with.

She's genuinely interested in his projects, eagerly asking questions and follow-ups, curious about what he's been doing with the various bits and things she's bringing from her outings. Whenever she brings up Jayce or asks a question related to his projects, Ciri notices that Viktor somehow manages to change the subject entirely, but she catches on quick; after the second time, she stays away from the subject and doesn't pry further. Whatever his reasons, it's Viktor's business.

Occasionally, she gives him pointers on his riding, going into more detail on other gaits even though they won't be going faster. And since he seems interested in horses, she tells him about some of Nixie's little quirks, about Roach (and how they can't be stabled too close), about how Geralt talks to his horse (affectionate).

They crest a hill at one point, and Ciri nods, grinning widely as she turns to watch Viktor observe it, curious to see his reaction. The late morning sun illuminates the waves of bright red and white rocks rolling up from the desert, the sky behind them a vivid blue with wispy clouds lazily swirled at haphazard intervals across. It had been an accidental discovery, but the place is so beautiful, Ciri likes to ride out here on her own to watch the sunrise sometimes, just for fun. ]

This is it! Isn't it great?

[It's a good distraction, all things considered--everything he hoped it would be, when he asked Ciri to take him out of the city. Viktor gets to see some of the wilderness outside Cadens, talk about his projects, listen to Ciri talk about her travels, and take his mind off of everything. Almost everything. It's inevitable that Jayce comes up, and he doesn't necessarily get upset at the mention of his name, rather, briskly moves the conversation on. He's enjoying himself. He's not about to bog himself down in thoughts of his own problems.

They make their way up the hill and his expression brightens. Viktor allows himself a moment to take it in--he's only ever seen something like this in books.]

I never did travel much, back home.

[The Undercity didn't provide any opportunity, and then of course there was the Academy, and Hextech, and his failing health. It seems a shame, now. Missed opportunities.]

Always too busy.

[ Maybe Ciri senses the regret. Maybe it's something in his eyes, while she watches him take in the vista. She slows to a stop beside him (keeping Nixie tightly reined so she doesn't ruin the moment with her petty horse squabbles), and gives them both a moment to just look. Enjoy it. ]

Back on the Continent, in my sphere... [ she confesses, quietly. ]

All I did was roam. Going from one place to another, never stopping long. [ She was running, not exactly traveling, not the way he means it. Still, though. ]

I rarely got a chance to explore one place so thoroughly. To become part of it, in a way I haven't been since-- [ Her home was ravaged and her people were massacred. ] I was very young.

You know... I used to hate the desert.

[It doesn't really matter to him that this is barely a trip, in the sense that Ciri takes trips--that it's only an hour or so on horseback outside the city, and that a particularly intrepid person could probably walk it in less than half a day. He finds himself surprised at how much he needed this, even if it's just a few quiet moments outside of the city, looking at a particularly interesting rock formation.

And Ciri is talking about her own experiences, which he has no plans to interrupt. They're friendly of course. Maybe even friends, at this point, but he still knows very little about her and the place she comes from.]

There's very little to like about it.

[Jayce has always referred to his time in Shurima as miserable, and generally speaking, Viktor is inclined to agree, even though he's only been in Cadens for a few months.]

The heat, the sun. Sand, everywhere. [He lets out an exhale that might be a laugh, as if he's realizing he should probably walk it back, gesturing vaguely at the rock formations in front of them.] Panoramic views. What changed your mind?

[ Ciri laughs too, shaking her head. ]

Never said I liked the heat. Got used to the sand, I suppose. And the views.

[ It's not so much that she changed her mind, as it is that the circumstances themselves changed. Very much.

She shrugs. ]

It's not the desert, really.

More... the freedom.

[That gets a little smile out of him--yes, he understands. It's less the actual place and more what it represents. For someone who spent his entire life in one of two cities, the wilderness is foreign and possibly hostile. Even in a controlled outing like this, however, the appeal is fairly evident. He's never just saddled up a horse and ridden somewhere, but he can imagine the sense of freedom it gives someone, if they're able to do it regularly.]

Yes, that makes sense.

[He might like it, too, if not for his own limitations and his illness keeping him from this sort of thing. He'll enjoy it for now, especially as they make their way to the rock formation, which is even more impressive the closer they get.]

I can see why you enjoy this.

[ Ciri shoots him a smile, and nudges her horse forward again, starting the walk down toward the sloping, striated rocks. Pancake will follow, plodding along whether or not Viktor applies his heels. ]

Right. Having fun?

"Fun" is relative. But yes, I'm having fun. This is a nice change of pace.

[He's going to feel it in the morning, but she doesn't need to know that. Not that he has much to compare it to, but he supposes that as far as horses go, Pancake is a good one, making the ride as smooth as possible (relatively speaking). He nudges the horse down alongside one of the formations, close enough that he can run his hand against the smooth stone--there's a striated rock on a ledge, smaller than palm-sized, which he inspects briefly before pocketing it.

This little detour brings him slightly further behind and away from Ciri than he's been riding, but surely that won't be a problem. Surely everything here is. Totally safe.]

[ Ciri rolls her eyes, exaggerated. ]

Oh, don't be such a wet blanket. You're either having fun or you're not! It's okay to admit it.

[ She leads the way down into the basin up ahead, where the rock formations jut out at intervals, with regular sand and rocks and sparse little desert shrubs between. ]

Come on. Let's go find a weird rock for you to look at. Maybe you'll get lucky and we'll find a weird cactus too.

[ Laughing at her own joke, Ciri goes on ahead to look around the basin, noticing that Viktor has decided to do some exploring of his own and lingering back. Since they're out here to do exactly that, she doesn't loop back; she has no intention of hovering and annoying both of them. He can enjoy looking around the desert all he likes. They have plenty of daylight.

In the meantime, Ciri decides to dismount and do some scouting of her own. She leaves Nixie grazing on some spindly shrubs, having looped her reins around a bit of rock jutting out nearby; Nixie probably wouldn't wander off, but it's a reminder in case she tries. After doing a quick walk around the basin, Ciri returns to feed her horse an apple from her bag for a few minutes, all the while just keeping an eye on Viktor nearby. Everything seems quiet. The desert during the day tends to be that way.

It's Pancake who notices first. His ears swivel quickly, and he raises his head up high, showing his teeth and beginning to dance in place anxiously, hooves lifting and stamping down. Ciri looks over in surprise at the sound, following the angle of the horse's ears. It takes her a moment to spot it, camouflaged against the red-striped shadows on a rounded slope of solid rock above Viktor. The beast is hunched low, holding perfectly still, until a twitch of its long tail grabs her attention.

With slow, measured movements, Ciri begins pulling her sword free of its straps on Nixie's saddle. She takes advantage of their silent method of communication, concentrating on Viktor. ]

You need to calm Pancake down and walk toward me. Slowly. Keep his reins short, but don't yank. Don't let him turn his head.

Edited 2022-06-06 22:39 (UTC)

I don’t suppose I could trouble you for a weird soil sample, while we’re at it?

[That’s an actual joke (he is not going to make Ciri mess around in the dirt), which he indicates by actually laughing, probably enough evidence that he is actually having fun. He appreciates the fact that Ciri doesn’t hover, letting him explore on his own, even if he stays on the horse for now (it’s simply too much effort to dismount and re-mount). He doesn’t realize how far he’s strayed until Pancake seemingly objects to something.

Even though he has no experience riding, it’s easy to tell that his horse is suddenly anxious. That’s…probably not great, and he finds himself looking around for Ciri, for instruction—when the words appear along the striated wall.

All of this sounds not good, but Viktor doesn’t waste time. He nods, whether she can see him or not, then wraps the reins around his hand while leaning forward to stroke Pancake’s neck. He’s not sure if it’s going to work, but he nudges a heel into the horse’s flank, hoping to slowly guide him back towards Ciri.]

[ Sword now in her hands, Ciri makes her way closer with the same slow, even movements, watching the creature out of her periphery and avoiding eye contact. She's never encountered one of these before, but despite her research and frequent exploration, the desert is vast; it's not much of a shock, even if it is an inconvenience. It looks to be some sort of large cat, and she's encountered other similar species. For now, it appears to be watching, but it's impossible to know if that's because it is guarding its den, hunting, or simply curious; the goal is to avoid aggravating the situation by triggering the beast's desire to pounce or chase. Hence, no sudden movements. Noise might anger it just as likely as scare it, so no loud sounds either.

Thankfully, Viktor's got a good head on his shoulders; he listens to her immediately. Ciri moves closer, wanting to get him behind her so she can better evaluate whether to try to scare away or attack the beast.

Unfortunately, Pancake's head is less cool than his rider's. He's just an old trail horse, used to quiet days and monotonous roads. The present danger is something he has no intention of sticking around for, despite Viktor's best attempts at soothing his little horse nerves. He snorts, tossing his head, and though he does turn at the pressure from Viktor's heel -- instead of walking slowly, Pancake lurches forward suddenly and tries to bolt. ]

Shit. Viktor!

[ So much for attempting to avoid the cat's attention. ]

Edited 2022-06-07 21:01 (UTC)

[He can be as calm and level-headed as he likes--it doesn't change the fact that this is his first time on a horse, and he's not as in tune with their unpredictability as someone like Ciri. Viktor does, at least, know that he's in danger, even if he can't see the threat. The horse knows it's there, though, and no amount of trying to calm the animal can stop what happens next.

The horse lurches forward, and Viktor's first instinct is to pull harder on the reins. It's not the right move, and it's only exacerbated by the appearance of the monster that's stalking them, making the situation entirely unsalvageable.

So, the inevitable happens. Pancake rears back in an attempt to escape the cat-like creature making a lunge for them, and Viktor, caught off-guard, can't balance quickly enough. The reins slip out of his grasp and he careens backwards, barely able to shout as it happens almost too quickly to process as the animal throws him and bolts.]

[ Ciri's already running, but there's a lot of distance to cover. She watches, swearing again, as Pancake rears and Viktor slides off; turns out it would have been too lucky to get an exceptionally calm horse, no matter how well-trained he was supposed to be. There's no accounting for panic in the face of a predator.

Speaking of which. The cat lands in a crouch beside Viktor, lips curling to show its long, yellow teeth. Its tail lashes back and forth, claws digging into the dirt. The horse might have been its original intent, but now there is new prey, smaller and weaker and easier to pick off.

And Ciri is definitely still too far away. ]

[Viktor is tougher than he looks--a testament to his upbringing, and a lifelong refusal to simply lie down and take it. He has some survival instincts, it seems, at least when it comes to not freezing up in the face of immediate danger.

That said, he's never been thrown off a horse. He's never had to fight a monster in the middle of the desert. It hurts, that's certain. He hits the ground and the wind is immediately knocked out of him, leaving him little time to scrabble into a more advantageous position.

He curses, loudly, and rolls over, seemingly more frustrated by this turn of events than actually frightened, though his wide eyes betray that, slightly. Viktor's first instinct is to reach for his crutch, perhaps in an attempt to use it as a deterrent--jamming it into its mouth or simply using it to put more distance between himself and the cat-like creature is probably the best course of action. Unfortunately, everything is long-gone with the horse.

The next best thing is to try and kick at it. If the monster is going to attempt to maul him, it might as well get a face full of metal boot for its efforts.]

Edited 2022-06-09 03:53 (UTC)

[ There's no time. The cat snarls, lunging at its flailing prey, and its jaws close around Viktor's leg.

Even the seconds it'll take Ciri to sprint the rest of the way are too many, she thinks. Viktor is unarmed. She's not going to let him get fucking eaten on her watch.

She raises her sword, concentrating on the space right beside him, on her blade in the beast's side.

She closes the gap in an instant, blinking out of existence and reappearing immediately. Not in the position she intended. Her blasted powers still unreliable, after all her practice, when it actually fucking matters--

Ciri falls from thin air about three feet above the space she'd been aiming for, and right on top of Viktor. Her sword stabs into the dirt just shy of catching his ribs. The cat lets go with a startled hiss, taking a swipe with one large paw at the back of Ciri's shoulder before she can right herself. ]

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