[OPEN] Solvunn Meet & Greet

[aquaveiled]

WHO: Anyone in Solvunn!
WHAT: Mingle Meet & Greet for new and old Solvunn Summoned!
WHEN: Early through Mid-August
WHERE: Primary Settlement: The Drunken Lamb and Gardsbruk Farm

[ ooc; This is an open log so feel free to jump in and make your own top-levels! You do not need to have CR with Himeka, Wanda, Nero, or Thor to stop by the farm, but you are free handwave a word of mouth to get your character there or to the tavern if needed. ]

i. The Drunken Lamb




If walls could talk, these certainly would. The Drunken Lamb, an old staple in the Primary Settlement is where many go to relax and chat after a long day's work. A cup of locally brewed ale and good conversation are a great way to pass the evening and some nights get livelier with heated arguments over local produce and game, and friendly contests over mead and cards. A few nights a week there may also be a musical performance by a bad or just an impromptu sing-along when someone gets the urge. Luckily if you're drunk enough knowing the words may not be necessary.

Don't forget to say hello to the there is an old ewe who hangs out by the front door, either outside or inside depending on the weather. Her name is Myrtle and if she spits on you it's considered good luck.

Though it is usually filled with locals, this evening has been set aside as a special gathering spot for the Summoned, old and new. A few locals will still be in attendance either out of habit or a curiosity about the commune's newest additions, but most of the patrons will be your fellow Summoned. As you enter the Tavern, you will be greeted by Wanda who hands you your very own "welcome goodie bag". (That is until the evening drags on. Later guests will find a table of bags with a sign that says "take one" because she can only handle so much.) In it you will find nice soaps from Wanda, a handwritten note that states, "Call upon Thor, the God of Thunder, and Nero, a slightly less mighty but still capable man, to move your heaviest objects about. Redeemable Once", a couple custom tea bags from Himeka, and an expertly drawn brochure explaining all you need to know about Solvunn in minimal detail, by the local acclaimed artist Nero. There is also one small slip of paper with a number on it. Be sure to keep it handy. Now you have been officially welcomed.

The atmosphere inside the tavern is warm, stone walls lit by torches and candles. Everyone is welcomed by the local tavern owner standing behind the counter. You're free to grab a drink or order dinner right away should you like. The tavern boasts some of the best mead and meat pies in the Primary Settlement. It's a great time to chat and get to know your new neighbors, but your hosts for the evening also have a few things planned.

If you want to try your hand at the tavern's beloved mead drinking contest, you are highly encouraged. Himeka has been the reigning champion for several months now, but Thor is a terrifying competitor in this own right. They will be facing off one another as well as taking on other Summoned who are also capable of making poor decisions. But worry not! If alcohol isn't your thing (or even if it is), there are a few card and dice games available for any patrons to take up and play with one another. There is also a knife throwing board on the far wall. Because you know knives and mead work well together. For the musically inclined, Wanda has created some simple instruments for anyone to give us an impromptu performance, or an instrument of choice upon request. Sing us a song, piano-man!

Towards the end of the evening, you'll find out that the number you received is actually a raffle ticket! You have a chance to win one of the following prizes...

• A gigantic wheel of cheese from the Gardsbruk farm.
  
• A bottle of ten year-aged ale, donated by the bartender.
  
• A "date" with Thor.
  
• A high-quality shawl by Wanda.
  
• A knife with a leather sheath, made from the local blacksmith

If you want to put your character in for the raffle, please reply to this comment and we will roll for winners!

ii. Gardsbruk Farm




On the roads between the Primary and Secondary Settlements sits Gardsbruk Farm. A once thriving homestead servicing the community and housing several generations of the Gardsbruk family had fallen into disarray. Left to the care of Maeve and Declan Gardsbruk, the twins had initially hesitantly allowed the help of local summoned in their efforts to restore the farm, but now they are active and grateful supporters of the Summoned in the community. In recent months the farm has been seeing a burst of activity and vitality in the surrounding farmland, finally looking more and more like it once had in generations past.

Green pastures in the height of summer are sprinkled with some brown grass during droughts, but these rarely last more than a day or two. A few crops may be planted for family use, but the main stock of this farm is sheep.

And there are sheep! You may be greeted by up to two dozen sheep when you enter the grounds, though not all of the livestock may welcome your presence. There are a few rowdy goats that are wandering about too, and a large brown goat named Eli seems to be particularly discerning of residents. Be careful you don't upset him.

But why head out to this farm at all? Well, the Gardsbruk Farm has put on something of a Farmer's Market! Though such things happen frequently in town as is the nature of the community, this one in particular shows off not just the Gardsbruk's specific wares, but that of the Summoned that have been helping them out as well. Sheep are their main livestock so there are huge piles of wool available for purchase or trade. Getting your garments ready for the coming winter is a must! And if you'd like you can learn how to shear a sheep or you can even learn to spin your own woolen thread. A few shawls, hats, and tunics are on display as well--local artisans who made garments from the Gardsbruk wool, just to show how pleasant and durable it is.

If you're looking for snacks and you're not lactose intolerant (or feeling adventurous), then you needn't look further than the array of cheeses made from the farm's sheep, goats, and single bovine resident named Agatha. If you ask Nero nicely he may introduce you to his favorite roommate. If you want something to snack on right now, there are a number of rustic hand and whole-pies available for purchase, made by Himeka. They come in savory meat, cheese, and root vegetable varieties as well as more sweet honey and seasonal fruit pies. She may throw in something extra if you praise her cooking but she wants your honest opinion.

Of course with all the goats roaming about, this wouldn't be complete without goat yoga! Yes, goat yoga. Wanda will be leading those who are interested in a series of different stretches that she saw once on YouTube that will inevitably be interrupted by baby goats who would rather sit on you. Some sheep may get in on the action as well.

For those who are less inclined to finding peace of mind and want to hit something, a sparring ring has been marked off closer to the fields. Thor will be watching (and judging) participants as they face off one another in friendly bouts of hand to hand wrestling or with wooden swords and sticks. No magical powers allowed here! Though Eli may look like he wants in on the action. Be careful.

As the day turns into evening, the market itself will close down as a large bonfire is lit. Everyone still on the farm will be welcome to gather around, share hot ciders and ale, as well as roast some tasty treats on sticks. Food is always better on a stick. A time to wind down, share stories, and thank everyone for joining and being a part of what Solvunn has to offer.

You know. Other than all the weird gods and cult stuff.

Comments

wanda maximoff · ota

[carmesi]

THE DRUNKEN LAMB

[what began as a joke suggestion by nero did, in fact, end up as a proper suggestion for wanda's role during the meet and greet for the newly summoned. clearly, the only reason she has agreed to the role of greeting others into the tavern was because of himeka's fantastic convincing skills (a delicious lunch kind of did the trick). with nothing left but wanting to kick this mood slump to the curb, A. wanda begrudgingly agrees to stand by the door, welcome goodie bags on a table at her side, ready to give them out—new or old summoned alike, everyone gets to take one with them.]

Welcome. [is all she says, handing one of the bags over to whoever goes through the door. should she be more enthused? offer a smile, maybe? this is the best the crowd will be getting.] There's food and drink inside. [—are you too young to be in a pub? her expression pinches if someone looks particularly — young.

eh, fuck it.] They don't check for ID.

[as the evening drags on, however, wanda will no longer be in her position as greeter. leaving a note behind to just take one bag per person, she relinquishes all responsibility for that situation. instead, she will be found further inside the tavern, near a small deck that claims to be a stage of sorts, using her magic—scarlet swathes rolling with ease from her hands, to B. create musical instruments. the first one has got to be an acoustic guitar, of course, which, unless she has anyone asking for anything else, she will stop to study the guitar—

and try to tune it properly, strumming a few chords as she does so.]

GARDSBRUK FARM

[wanda can't remember the last time the farm had been bustling with so much activity. it's almost a little annoying—for someone like her, who prioritizes silence over anything else—but notes that this is big and important for maeve and declan. so, she doesn't complain as she C. walks amidst the sheep, trying to fulfill one of the many chores in a day within the farm.

is grazing along with the sheep considered a task? for wanda, it is.

this might even mean that she encounters eli getting upset with some of the newcomers. that large, brown goat is always causing trouble for those he isn't familiar with, and the last thing they need are people getting chased out of the farm and market.]

Don't move.

[wanda approaches, to the rescue, a hand raised, fingers twitching in position, a twirl of her wrist allowing for scarlet magic to close in on the goat's mind; its eyes get consumed in red, and all signs of aggression are gone. eli even approaches the newcomer that offended him, head butting them lightly, before seeming to forget what it was doing here at all.]

—you okay?

[alternatively, her being D. in charge of goat yoga is one of the worst ideas wanda has heard of. she saw a video on youtube. once! and so, is it really any surprise that wanda ends up having to just grab at the baby goats to keep them from stomping on anyone brave enough to try out the exercises? holding three baby goats in her arms, this feels more like she is trying to corral the goats than anything else.

can she cancel the activity?

E. thankfully, there is a lull between activities (she bailed on them) where wanda can actually head towards the market stalls. one in particular catches her eye, the one that is selling all sorts of accessories—colorful bracelets with beads and precious stones, thinly cut wood medallions with esoteric symbols, and a variety of interesting looking rings over. some have an incredibly intricate design, made of wood and cut from stones, rugged and unpolished. not quite what she is looking for, but she can't deny one that's caught her eye.]

—billy kaplan /actualwizard.

[carmesi]

[day turns into evening, and the hosts of the farm invite anyone still around to stay for a while longer as the bonfire roars to live. there are drinks and food, stories to tell and introductions to be made. it is a small celebration, by all means.

wanda, on the other hand, does not feel compelled to join any celebration. her grief is still too close to her heart, just about having spent as much emotional energy as she had to spare throughout the day's activities. she finds thor, tells him she's turning in for the night, to let nero and himeka know in case they ask. she's not planning to leave the farm again—if that's of any concern—but she thinks it's prudent, to let someone know before she ditches on socializing.

with a sigh, she walks up the rest of the path up to the farm, thinking about a warm bath and her bed. however, she diverts her route, towards the barn, where a young man hovers by the door.

—he's the one whom she saw with a baby goat earlier in the day, wasn't he? all the kids were placed back inside the barn, and wanda wonders if he just wanted to check in on his chosen goat? she isn't sure what the status on goat-giving is.]

You'll have better luck checking in during the day. [for the baby goats. she motions over her shoulder with a hand.] You can join the rest for drinks and food, you know.

[wanda squints a little; it's getting darker and the lamps haven't been lit yet, in favor of the bonfire.]

Re: —billy kaplan /actualwizard.

[actualwizard]

[ He wasn’t trying to steal a goat. He would swear that if asked. And really he wasn’t, because where would he even put a goat? But he had bonded with one of the babies and he kind of wanted to see it again before he left.

He did not expect to get caught when everyone was supposed to be at the bonfire. ]

I just wanted to say good night. And now that I’ve said it out loud it sounds stupid. [ he squints at her, something about her feels familiar, yet he knows he’s never seen her before. It feels like if his magic was fully back it would be humming or reaching out to her. ]

Are you not joining them either? [ She looked like she was headed away from the loud group of people. ]

[carmesi]

[wanda raises an eyebrow at that, actually agreeing with how it sounds a little silly (not outright stupid) that he wanted to say good night. the cute farm animals sure have that kind of pull on people.

she answers his question with a bit of a shrug, holding her shawl closer around herself.]

I'm heading to bed.

[i live here, is what she doesn't say but it can be inferred.]

Pretty sure if you asked you could stay the night with the guys, and you can be here in the morning to look at — your goat? You were the one with the goat, right?

[actualwizard]

[ Billy nodded. ] Do you live here?

[ He tilted his head to the side. ]

Ah, yeah, I guess that was me with the goat. He was cute. You were the one teaching yoga right? [ Maybe that’s why she seemed familiar, although he had felt the tug then too. ]

I’m Billy, since I’m pretty sure we haven’t properly met.

[carmesi]

Teaching is debatable.

[it really is, debatable, as she was doing more in terms of carrying the goats around than anything else. regardless, wanda too feels some kind of familiarity here; she's putting it down as having seen him before, with the baby goats, but—

but it feels like there's something more here.

that weird sense of deja vu intensifies when he says his name.

her voice grows gradually colder.]

— I had a son called Billy. [—she isn't sure she— wants to have this conversation, right now. a little sternly,] You should go back with the rest.

[actualwizard]

[ As soon as she says that he knows. His eyes snap up to her face and he takes her in. She’s younger than his world’s version of her, but he sees it. His magic feels it. ] Mo- Wanda?

[ His voice is hesitant, he can tell there is a grief there, that’s evident in her voice and well, he knows her, sort of. She had a son named Billy…did the same thing happen in her world? ]

the drunken lamb; b, of course

[satanicpanics]

[ It’s definitely hard to miss the red vapor that emits from Wanda’s palms, and Eddie’s attention is drawn to it immediately from across the tavern. He can't question much anymore, but give him actual magic over the horrifying world beneath Hawkins any day. At least he’s not coasting towards a nervous breakdown by watching this, and he does watch with a keen interest and a genuine sense of wonder on his face as Wanda conjures up the guitar.

Finally, he thinks. He's been eying the stage area all evening, wondering if any sort of musician was going to show up--and looking forward to critiquing them, if he's being honest. He listens closely to the chords she strums, and then he calls to her: ]

Hey, uh...you’ve the tuning wrong. Your high E is sharp. You’re gonna blow everyone’s eardrums out if someone even tries to play Hotel California.

[ He hops off of his stool and approaches with an outstretched hand. If the metalhead hairstyle wasn’t your first guess, this is clearly a man who has some idea what he’s talking about. ]

May I?

it begins now

[carmesi]

[wanda, as if not expecting anyone to talk to her, starts a little when he hears his voice, a gentle push to a spontaneous approach, a sense that he's measuring his words before going straight into technical jargon.

guitar in hand, she looks the young man over, raising an eyebrow at his approach. that is a choice of hairstyle.]

I haven't touched a guitar in several years. [give her a break—the defensiveness of someone who considers themselves versed in the matter at hand.] I was just... Whatever.

[he does sound like he knows what he's talking about, and she offers him the guitar with a hint of a smile on her face.]

I didn't imagine anyone would mention a song I recognize out here.

[satanicpanics]

Yeah, well, don’t get it twisted. I didn’t say it was a song I liked.

[ Three guesses what type of music he likes, and your first guess is probably correct. He sets to work tuning the guitar to his incredibly high standards, plucking the strings every so often and leaning his ear close to the guitar’s neck to listen. ]

Why’d you stop playing?

[ When he’s satisfied, he picks out the opening bars to Hotel California (he basically promised, then pauses and looks around as a slow grin spreads across his face. ]

I don’t see anyone bleeding from the ears, so I’m gonna say we’re in tune.

[carmesi]

[wanda would hardly have to guess, what with his head seeming to be a thrum of all sorts of songs rolling back and forth of a specific ilk. he's loud—his thoughts, at least—but in an excitable kind of way.

she watches as he tunes the guitar, familiar and comfortable with it. she isn't quite sure if she wants to answer his question until he proves himself—in this weirdly competitive way—but then he does as promised and actually plays a pretty decent set of bars from hotel california.

hmph. showoff.]

Sort of became a fugitive. [is she joking? she makes something of a face, but then leans back against a nearby table.] Didn't think of bringing my guitar for the roadtrip.

—you can keep it if you like.

[satanicpanics]

Shit, me too! I mean, the FBI weren’t involved or anything, just the local police, but...you know, I’d call it a fugitive situation.

[ He seems to remember just a little too late that nothing about his situation was particularly funny, and this is not something that people should be bonding over. His eyebrows knit together, and he drops his gaze to his hands as he goes back to picking idly at the strings of the guitar.

The whole reason he was a fugitive in the first place is because a girl died, and even if he wasn’t guilty, he shouldn’t turn that into a joke. It’s just kind of nice to not feel like the only one. It doesn't even seem to occur to him that Wanda might not be quite as guiltless as he was. ]

That might have been a bit of oversharing, sorry. But, uh, thanks.

[ He tries to lighten the mood again with a smile. ]

I don’t have anything to repay you with, but I might consider a couple requests if there’s anything you’ve been dying to hear. Just...no Wham, and I might actually be sick if you ask for Air Supply.

[carmesi]

[wanda glances at him properly when he starts going on about also being a fugitive, interest piqued. she had meant her own situation as something of a joke—even if it was true—because it's such an unusual thing to say, it's almost unexpected. the unexpected bit now is how he reacts, with a similar story.

except with just the local police.

it also doesn't escape her how he seems to grow rather serious after saying as much, going back to the guitar and apologizing about oversharing.]

I— don't know what any of those are. Whatever you'd like to play would be great, though.

[except, actually, her interests lie elsewhere. she actually offers her hand to him.]

Wanda Maximoff. We fugitives have to stick together, don't we?

c;;

[postocular]

[ Getting the lay of the land and figuring out where things are located like the best course of action. He hasn't decided how he will spend his time- the man who had brought him to town explained there were options. He was young enough to attend school and get an education if he wanted, but old enough to be a little more hands-on in the community. Carl knows which one is more to his comfort level. The idea of school had seemed surreal when they came to Alexandria and he'd almost immediately opted out of that, too.

He was told he had time to decide, that whatever he chose would be encouraged. Instead of dwelling on what felt like a weighty decision, Carl wandered to Gardsbruk Farm. He's amazed by all the sheep and can't help but get friendly with them just.. wandering free like that. They seem pretty content for the most part as Carl pets them about the ears or pats their overly-fluffy coats.

Don't move. He freezes, not sure what he's done wrong, whipping around to look. He spots the large brown sheep a little too close for comfort and clearly agitated. Silently berating himself for not paying closer attention, he watches something weird happen as the sheep's eyes turn red. Not understanding what's going on, he's a little startled that only a gentle headbutt happens before it wanders off to do something else. ]

I-- uh. Yeah? I don't know what happened. [ He shakes his head, not quite sure how to word what he's thinking. ] How did you do that?

[carmesi]

[it is with some surprise that wanda notes that the person she's spared from whatever uncertain fate would befall him at the hooves of eli is much, much younger than the people she usually finds here. he is not a kid from the settlement—as he is old enough that wanda would have noticed him.

her heart squeezes at the idea, of why anyone would have brought him here into abraxas. as she approaches him, she can't help but look at him carefully, her expression softening.]

The goats can be a little aggressive sometimes. [she stops in front of him and, at his question, she offers a shrug.] I can do magic. [—which sounds a little condescending? but it's not untrue.] Here in Abraxas, it is more than normal.

[in any case, a question of her own—]

How old are you? I don't think I've seen anyone so young be summoned here before.

[postocular]

[ Carl watches the goat prance off to do whatever he was off to do and shrugs a shoulder. ] He's a goat, I'm kinda in his space.

[ That's not to say he isn't grateful for not being battered probably into next week by some impressive headbutting skills.

Magic, of course. Something that's taking some getting used to. Until recently, it's only ever been in stories or fairytales. He shouldn't really be too surprised, right? He was pulled out of the water alive and well, if not horribly confused. Or wondering if this was some kind of hell. He guesses that it's at least a little comforting to know it's not the afterlife. ]

That's cool..

[ Oh. Well, that's kind of a loaded question. Carl bites at his lip as he thinks about the question. There was a period of time that they didn't or couldn't keep track. ] ...Sixteen? I think.

[carmesi]

[sixteen—that's really young. out of all those summoned in solvunn, no one's been as young as this kid, but there's something about the way he carries himself that makes wanda wonder if there's more years to that number. she has come to learn that most life experience of the summoned isn't entirely the happiest.

wanda takes note of how he's got some makeshift cover for his eye. her expression pinches for a moment, until—]

We can get you something better. [she motions vaguely at her face, at her eyes—to imply his.] Is it some kind of injury that could be treated, or...?

[well, that's sure going to be an easy conversation if it anything similar to thor's case. wanda points at the path to the side, so that carl can follow her as she goes.]

My name's Wanda. I live in this farm, actually— with a couple of other Summoned.

[postocular]

[ There are a lot of people in Abraxas that probably had to grow up too soon or rise to an occasion they weren't prepared for. Fortune may favor the brave, but misfortune is indiscriminate. Carl's shoulders slump in disappointment when her attention is drawn to the impromptu work he'd done in covering his eye. He should be over it because yeah, who isn't going to comment about a kid missing half his face? The smile he offers doesn't quite reach his eye and he shakes his head a bit. ]

No, it's pretty much healed as much as it's gonna. I've had it a while.

[ He glances around the pasture and spots the path she points to. For a brief moment, Carl thinks about not joining her, but what other options does he have? She's nice, at least. Then again, the cannibals in Terminus had been nice at first, too.. ]

I'm Carl. I just got here not too long ago.

a, 👀

[evoque]

[ you know, if klaus had to end up in any new dimension after being blindly tossed, pulled and chucked from his own (again), he supposes there could be worse places to end up.

he's more or less certain now, at least, that he isn't dead, that he isn't burned away by a terrible non-father's plans, or by the kugelblitz or any of the other alternatives that he hadn't thought of yet.

point was — he was alive, he was alone, and his powers were there (mostly). his family was no where in sight and after several failed attempts at conjuring them, klaus had resolved to take this place, solvunn, in. shove the turmoil down somewhere beneath the rest of the mess, mask set firmly back in place.

it's a breath of fresh air. locals with gifts, for which klaus thanked them with a warm smile not unlike the one he'd given his little following back in 1960s texas and it seemed to work just as well here.

by the time he finds his way to the drunken lamb, seriously in need of at least a little drink, some airy shawl draped over lanky shoulders, he thinks this place could stand to grow on him. more or less and bit by bit.

his attention lands on the woman at the front door, who doesn't look terribly thrilled to be there, even as she hands out the little gift bag. he takes it without thinking, head tilting as he offers a small, lopsided grin, bag tossed between his hands, between the bold hello, goodbye tattoos across the palms. ] Oooh goodie bags! [ but, he also offers a small bit of sympathy, noting her expression. ] So — short end of the stick, huh?

you

[carmesi]

[wanda keeps thinking, the next person that arrives into the drunken lamb, they will be the last person she hands a welcome bag to. it's been a good thirty minutes now—more than what she anticipated being here—as it were, she reckons she deserves to step away.

and so a man traipses through, looking absolutely excited for the gift bag. with him taking it and tossing it between his hands, wanda steps off her stool, expecting nothing more of it—

except he must have caught on to her otherwise bored expression.]

Not really. [she raises an eyebrow, conjures up a piece of paper that reads take one, too uninspired to really write anything more; whatever creative line she had thought up before is long gone, especially when distracted by conversation.] I'm not really about— [she waves her hand about] this.

[setting the paper down with the gift bags, she looks back at him with some consideration.]

Nice tattoos.

C

[familysucks]

I'm fine.

[Michael picks himself up from the grass. Headbutted to the ground by a goat is a new low for him. In his defense, he's both not quite up to his usual prowess and not in the habit of assessing the threat posed by livestock. Also, he'd had his back turned.

He extends a hand to pre-empt the next attack, but Eli is docile this time around. The goat bumps his nose into his palm and then angles around it to nibble at his clothing. Michael lets his hand fall away and peers down at the animal, considering it.]

He reminds me of some of my siblings.

[The red eyes and horns call to mind one in particular, but picking ill-advised fights isn't the exclusive territory of archangels.

He raises his head and gives Wanda the same sort of analytical once-over.]

Useful talent. Does it work on whatever lives in the forest?

[carmesi]

[the comment catches off-guard. a goat reminds him of his siblings...? based on the accent with which he speaks, wanda can't help but imagine that he must be american. is it this some kind of americanism she is otherwise unfamiliar with?

hm.]

You must be the runt of the group. [an appropriate response? she doesn't know— anyway, she moves on, reaching to pat off some loose grass and dirt from his arm.] Though Eli likes to target practice with many unsuspecting victims.

[—anyway, here she thought this was going to be a rather easygoing conversation, not something directly pinpointing her powers.]

It works on whatever I want it to.

[she sighs and turns her gaze away, then back to him.]

You must be from the new batch of Summoned. I'm Wanda — been here almost six months myself.

[familysucks]

[The shift in his expression says that particular comment has not been well-received. Michael never looks especially happy, but there's an irritated crease between his brows. She's only half-wrong, if he takes the body into account. Adam is certainly the runt of the most recent generation of Winchesters. He takes offense to the implication that he is weak, however.

Maybe it's only fair, one offense for another. She'd used her powers openly, so he'd thought nothing of remarking on them. Being able to compel obedience is enviable. It would have served him well in Heaven a decade or so ago.]

No, simply burdened with siblings who have the judgement of farm animals.

[He follows the movement of her hand. When she finishes brushing away the stray grass, he takes his own turn to pat off and straighten his clothes. Points lost for calling him a runt, but points gained for playing to his liking for order and cleanliness.]

Michael. [Is six months a long time? Without Adam to consult with internally, it's sometimes difficult to get his mind around human timescales. He thinks it's long.] I take it I should expect this to be a longterm stay, then.

not me ""accidentally"" using the icons with the spn look

[carmesi]

[so it seems that her comment didn't land very well, but wanda is not one to feel intimidated into asking for forgiveness—even if all she's done is clock at his feelings on the matter. taking a step back, and then another, wanda continues to listen to him.

michael, then.]

Six months being a long time is relative. I haven't really felt it. Others have been here for about a year. [just in case his confusion with time prevails,] That's double to six months.

[walking up the path towards where the other sheep are, it is time to collect any strays that have circled out of the herd.]

Some people disappear without warning, so don't count your permanence as fact yet.

superb taste

[familysucks]

[He keeps step with her as they move along the path, though he isn't familiar with the task at hand and isn't keeping an eye out for sheep that've wandered off. Maintaining a flock didn't look quite like this when he was doing it.]

Fair enough.

[So much is relative when it comes to humans. He's come to accept it's just the way they are, but Michael misses the stark black-and-white certainty he'd once lived with.

It takes him a moment to note that she's answered a question he didn't ask. Adam is gone, but many of their interactions hadn't been spoken aloud. His native means of communication isn't vocal, either, but it's the norm in this body.

He looks aside at Wanda, suddenly suspicious, giving her a closer look. If she's anything other than human, he doesn't recognize it.]

Disappear of their own volition, or because our hosts will it?

[Rather than voicing his question, he thinks it.]