abraxaslogs | I'm on my way from misery to happiness today

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I'm on my way from misery to happiness today

WHO: Jesper Fahey, Ciri, Claude von Riegan, and Gideon Nav
WHAT: It's Quest Time Baby
WHERE: Throughout the journey to Solvunn's Supply Run
WHEN: September
WARNINGS: Eventual violence!

With Solvunn providing aid, the leaders of Thorne and the Free Cities have asked some of their trusted Summoned to travel to an agreed-upon meeting point to retrieve the supplies, check them, and bring everything back safely. This will take two weeks out of Cadens to do. While portals will be utilized to cut down on travel time, they will still need to cover the remaining distance of some miles to reach their final destination each way.

The Free Cities will ask the Summoned to accompany some soldiers to help guard the supply transport. They will be taking the southern trail (shown by the dotted lines) across the desert, traveling west to the forest that sits between the Solvunn and Free Cities border. While a portal will take the transport team as close as possible, characters will still need to make the rest of the journey by horse, ensuring the wagons come through the portal safely. They will also need to watch for the usual beasts and bandits, as well as take into account weather, terrain, and other hazards. To complete the assignment, they must successfully bring the supplies back to the waiting portal and into Cadens.

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Jesper has already made the soldiers laugh once, which startles them as much as it usually does anyone else not used to his particular brand of charm. So he knows he's going to have fun with them, or as much fun as anyone can under the circumstances. The only question mark is the Summoned and he gets one of those answers with a familiar voice.

"Well, well, well right back at you, Claude." That's definitely a face he wouldn't mind seeing for several weeks, so far it's looking very good. He knows they singled out some people for this and it's interesting to find him one of them. Not bad, he's just new, so it is a little impressive.

"I was told they're assigning two more of us but I don't know who." He grins. "I know, me not knowing something, how rare." Jesper likes having all the answers but sometimes it's the spin of the wheel.

"You good with horses?"

They're leaning toward the tail end of this conversation when Gideon rocks up. She makes a motion toward the soldiers gathered nearby, something like a half-assed and sloppy salute. Then her gaze - hidden between dark glass lenses - skims over the two Summoned, and she cracks a grin. It's raw-edged somehow, shows signs of something worn and strained compared with her usual, careless ease, but it's genuine enough.

"Yo, wingman," she says, finger-guns pointed in Jesper's direction, "you decided you wanna come out to play after all?"

She still remembers it, him saying he'd likely end up broken by something large and grizzly if he strayed out into the desert. Quietly admires the fact that he's here, doing it anyway. And they should be out here, shouldn't they, if there's anything they can do to help after the shit that just went down. Lord Undying knows she's spent every waking moment since pouring her efforts into assisting in any way she can. Part desperate need to do something, to help in some way, part busywork to relegate the big, aching source of her loss to the far corners of herself.

She hefts the longsword strapped to her back, hikes a thumb towards Claude. Crooked smile still in evidence.

"And who's this?"

He's about to ask Jesper something else, more idle chitchat to pass the time until it's clearer when the transport will be leaving, and as he opens his mouth another voice beats him to calling out. Claude turns in the direction of that cheerful greeting to Jesper and puts on an automatic easy-going smile as someone unknown to him walks up.

Claude's not one to interrupt what feels like a reunion of friends despite a chance to get to (potentially) know someone new in the process, so if they chat for a bit he'll use the chance to study Gideon out of purely friendly curiosity. He likes Jesper based on their talks, so anyone that Jesper's fond of? Likely also all good with him. At her gesture his direction that's the level of casualness he prefers in everything, the grin that crosses his face is much closer to a genuine one.

"Claude von Riegan," he offers alongside holding a hand out for a handshake. He's picked up this is the preferred greeting of most Summoned based on wherever they're from so he's defaulting to that here, but won't hesitate to learn yet another way of saying hello if there is one or take any offense if it's declined. "I don't believe we've met before, but it's certainly nice to meet you now. I take it you've been out on one of these trips before?"

Or maybe close to it; he's heard a bit here and there about the lands sprawling beyond the edges of Cadens but hasn't been out very far beyond the city's borders himself due to a lack of weapons until rather recently. This expedition will certainly change that, though.

When Ciri had been stopped one day at the gate by one of the soldiers, the last thing she'd expected was them to actually ask for her help, of all things. What she does is not a secret; in fact, Ciri's done decently well advertising it enough that she's rarely low on work. It's not a surprise the military's taken notice. If they offered to hire her on another occasion, she might have politely refused, but in this case, the work seems too important. And the request genuine. Cadens and Libertas are not so far apart; many of the people here had family and friends there, or still do. Ciri has no intention of picking up her sword for the sake of the Free Cities military, but providing an escort to make sure much-needed supplies and medicines make it to their destination is a different story.

She'd agreed. When time comes to meet the transport, Ciri is fully prepared, practically dressed, armed and stocked up on potions from Nadine, along with her usual hunting tools and supplies packed up in the saddlebags. It's easy to spot the waiting group of wagons and soldiers. And the small cluster of familiar Summoned faces nearby, whom Ciri did not at all expect.

Would you look at that? They've given her a whole gaggle of amateurs.

"Great. Now that we're all friends," Ciri cuts in, having caught the tail end of the conversation, mostly encompassing Claude and Gideon's introductions. "All of you are going to need horses. Wagons will be full on the way back. No free rides."

She herself is leading her speckled gray mare, Nixie, and they both stop before the group of three Summoned, mare and owner somehow managing matching expressions of vague annoyance. Ciri's eyes linger on Jesper, then Claude, before finally settling on Gideon. Of the three, she's only seen one of them hold her own against monsters -- and only sort of, considering she'd been lucky Ciri was around to lend a sword.

"The army will provide mounts. Please tell me you all know how to ride, at the very least."

"Gids!" Jesper's smile is bright for her, high wattage, and he gives her the finger guns right back. Claude introduces himself and Jesper waves a hand between the two of them. "Claude, this is Gideon Nav, she's exactly the type of person one would want on an adventure -- I mean mission." She's funny, energetic, dangerous, and he thinks they're going to end up having quite a lark together. This trip is looking more and more fun, and maybe he shouldn't be having fun considering everything, but whatever. He's going to anyway.

He starts to say more but glances over to find the fourth of their crew has arrived. Ooooh this is a different type of fun. Jesper laughs on the inside because he can only imagine Ciri's internal monologue at this point.

"Annnnd this is Ciri." Why not finish up the introductions since she didn't think to do it herself? He actually assumes Gideon already knows her, it's not like they have a huge group here in Cadens, but Claude is new enough that he might not have. "Hunter extraordinaire." He knows Claude is skilled in his own world, but Ciri knows these deserts better than all three of them.

Maybe they won't die after all! (Hey, it was always a possibility.)

He salutes her. "Course I do." Okay maybe it's been many years, but whatever.

"Will it make you feel any better if I tell you I learned to ride almost as soon as I can walk?" That answer aimed Ciri's way for her Concern over possibly everything about this, but especially their mode of transportation, might be a little too amused for his own good. It's all valid though - and Claude is just going to pretend their last interaction didn't feature him getting slightly injured. Or rather, he's not planning on mentioning it. Just minor details, clearly. Ones he's pretty sure there's a very good chance are at the forefront of Ciri's mind as she eyes them each in turn, which is fair.

Still, he can and will very much respect someone stepping forward to take lead, and that respect only doubles with a clear plan and experience behind it. Since he's (mostly) not one to cause trouble when it's unwarranted - like at the beginning of a journey with enough unknowns involved - all the more reason he'll give a nod of acknowledgement to a polite soldier who has overheard them talking and mentions they'd be happy to escort them to where the horses wait.

All in good time. Until then, Claude shifts his grip on his bag with a slight grin. "Sounds like based on Jesper's endorsement, I'm the odd one out for not having been on any grand adventures -" he's lumping what everyone's done into this, don't mind him - "when it comes to being here in the Free Cities, since home's a different story."

A long one, and not necessarily the best for introduction purposes. If anyone has a lighter story or two, it'd be a much better topic. And to multitask with that chatter, he'll nod in the direction of where horses await for those without them if everyone's ready to go.

She's on the verge of adding in her own confirmation, letting Claude know that she hunts these deserts on the reg, when Ciri makes her entrance. Her usual spirit may be a touch dampened and worn by the loss of Harrowhark and the abrupt, blazing suddenness of so much death, but even Gideon sparks just a little now their group is shaping up. Wingman-- check. Hot badass gal pal-- check. New dude-- if he's pals with Jesper then surely he's a decent sort. She isn't out here to enjoy herself, but that doesn't mean it has to suck. Right now it doesn't look as though it's going to.

She keeps Claude's mention of adventures at home in her back pocket for later; she's been here a good while now, her cramped, dark world has expanded significantly, but that doesn't mean she's grown tired of tales of guts and glory. For now though, she turns with a flutter of her ragged cloak - long and dusty-sand coloured, her usual black attire ditched for something more desert-practical - and follows the soldier toward their waiting horses.

"I can ride," she chips in as their boots crunch over the dusty ground, "and a flesh and blood horse has gotta be easier than a construct, right? Less devastating on the ass."

Jesper and Claude get a nod each; Gideon gets a weird look, but Ciri decides not to ask what she could possibly mean. She has a suspicion that anyone who isn't used to riding long distances is going to be ass-devastated either way, but doesn't bother pointing this out. They'll either find out in a day or two, or they won't.

She's not in a good mood. Having spent the last week amidst the destruction in Libertas, trying to help people and fighting off shitty looters, having Dean trying to shove himself in harm's way for her like an idiot, Ciri is short on patience these days.

Jesper's introduction sounds more tongue-in-cheek to her than genuine. Her shoulders stiffen, like she'd be bristling a little if she could, but ultimately, Ciri decides it's not worth picking a fight. They'll be spending a few weeks together, it seems. And she's already agreed to help. That includes making sure no one gets eaten, to the best of her ability, Jesper included.

"Good." In general, regarding the subject of horses. When the soldier leads them to the mounts, Ciri follows a few paces behind, mostly because they'll probably all be mounting and heading out very soon. She introduces herself to the soldier as well while they walk, confirming the length of time expected on the way there and the rendezvous with Solvunn's transport, and hanging back to continue her conversation while the others choose their horses.

"Wait, you had a horse that wasn't made of flesh and blood? That is so creepy and I want to hear everything about it." Jesper is not aware that it would be poking at the Harrow situation because he can be pretty oblivious. And frankly, how can someone not comment on a horse made of bone? Sorry, that is a story he needs, and now they have several days ahead of them to trade some.

Ciri definitely seems short on patience at the moment, or maybe she's just in serious hunter mode. Jesper doesn't consider that his description could be taken as anything other than genuine because that's just who he is as a person. No second guessing. Rolling with his assumptions. Besides, she's always been prickly with him.

The soldiers do seem to indicate they should get on their horses and head out, no dilly dallying. Which is a shame as he is both a dillier and a dallier. "Okay, team, guess we'll have plenty of time to talk about weird horses." Jesper is a team player at his heart, he prefers working with others. He wiggles fingers at Claude and Gideon and follows over to his horse.

She's a nice gray and white horse that he decides to name Pebbles despite what she may actually be called, swinging up into the saddle easily. Sorry, everyone, his chipperness is terminal.

"I second what Jesper said in terms of wanting to hear all about it. Mostly because it would be the first I've heard of someone here riding other than a horse around. Well - maybe I should say other than the standard horses we're about to get on." Is he missing his wyvern right about now? Yes. Terribly so; not just for not sweltering in the desert at horseback level and horse pace, but also for the convenience of being able to fly in routes going beyond the standard routes and what might come on them.

However, Claude's commentary is dutifully called out over one shoulder so as to not stall while he also goes to retrieve a horse, and he can't help a grin (to himself, this time) over Jesper's comment. For himself he selects a chestnut horse with a white nose, and as the horse snuffles him curiously and helpfully tries to take a bite of his cloak, Claude just pats her patiently. In this, he'll admit being politely chewed on by a horse is vastly preferable to wyvern teeth.

Rusty as he might be in terms of how long it's been since he last rode a horse, Claude also swings himself up into his saddle with one practiced motion borne of muscle memory after securing his belongings to the saddle. All that's left is to adjust the straps to his bow holder and quiver to make sure that weapon's at the ready if or when it's needed, as is the collapsible sword tucked away in his waist sash. While doing so, he casts a glance to each of his teammates in turn.

"Nothing ahead of us but open roads now. Everyone all set?"

"Man, you never saw it? I'd have thought that thing was pretty hard to miss. Although I guess we did kiiiinda make an effort not to just parade it around the streets or anything. You know. In case we got some funny looks," or scared the shit out of innocent passers-by.

"It's gone now, though. Obviously," she says a touch more darkly, something achy and raw entering her voice. Quickly, she diverts her attention to eyeing the horses, her gaze swiftly sliding toward a large, black mare so deep in colour she almost appears as an absence of light. That one. That's the horse for her, and she's quick enough to approach her, to tentatively pat her side - look, her experience with real, live animals is still somewhat limited - before sliding a foot into a stirrup and swinging herself into the saddle. It's clearly a move she's undertaken before-- but this horse shifts slightly beneath her as she takes the reigns, and there's the hot, strange, animal stink of her, the slow expand and contract of living ribs.

"Whoa it's like, really breathing and shit. This is weird," the words are half-muttered, and she sounds just a touch apprehensive, but she sits astride the beast as though she has some experience at least.

"All set," she confirms, ready to head out with the rest.

While everyone else is getting their horses, Ciri checks her saddlebags, helps some of the soldiers finish packing up theirs as needed, and finally runs back to the group as Gideon's hauling herself onto her mare. Ciri gives her a look, watching the animal shift her weight and flick her ears. Gideon's lucky these are rigorously well-trained horses that don't spook easily, and that her mare will likely plod along with the caravan no matter what Gideon does.

Ciri is the last to mount, waiting until they're right about to start moving. They'll probably ride out a bit past the city, where the portal is waiting, and have to lead the horses through. Ciri's a lot more used to riding the whole way, not using the portals at all, but it will cut down significantly on travel time. She makes a mental note to sit with one of the soldiers who has a map later this evening and get the exact route. For now, they'll all simply follow instructions.

She pulls up alongside Gideon, keeping Nixie's reins short so she doesn't try to pick any fights.

"Hm. If you think breathing is weird," Ciri remarks dryly, "Wait until it has to take a shit."

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I'm on my way from misery to happiness today

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