[Open] this doesn't look like a party

[widows_kiss]

Who: Natasha & anyone
When: end of November through the beginning of December
Where: Castle Thorne, Horizon, Nocwich
What: catch-all log for arrival shenanigans, tdm continuations, and other toplevels.
Warnings: will update as needed

Comments

[OTA] Thorne

[widows_kiss]

[ She's had a day or so to settle in now, although that hasn't made this entire experience any less weird. Granted, finding herself in this situation hadn't really been on any list of possibilities before being fished out of a pool of water, but she's taking it relatively well, all things considered.

Still, she's pacing herself in her exploration and getting her bearings, sticking mostly within the North Wing to start. Which is plenty, because even that wing alone is rather large with much to see. She soon becomes a regular sight within the Grand Library, often immersed in a book on history or geography and especially any magical texts she can find. And likely with several others stacked around her, waiting to be read next.

She spends nearly as much time observing in the magical study hall set aside for magical practice. Natasha's fascinated with the strangeness of the magic of this place and the understanding that it's something that can be learned, like any other skill. Although she seems a little hesitant to start experimenting on her own, she's not opposed to trying it out should someone be willing to walk her through the steps. Fortunately, she has a quick mind and is often swift to pick up new skills, even ones such as these that she's never had the ability to do before. It's clear she's inclined to learn all she can about this new mastery she's stumbled across.

When being cooped up inside ends up feeling a little too stifling, she can be found outside wandering the gardens and exploring the grounds around the castle. Anyone watching her might spot her greeting any of the servants or guards or even other mages she might come across, speaking with them for a time if they seem inclined to chat. Most of the conversations seem innocent and random and can easily be dismissed as small talk, although Natasha never seems to ask the same question twice. And if she seems to be wandering to certain out-of-the-way places, her expression thoughtful as she takes in the layouts both inside and outside the castle itself, well... there is a lot of ground to explore, after all.

Most evenings will find her lingering over her dinner or perhaps a glass of wine in the dining hall. Sometimes she's reading here, as well, but more often than not she's people-watching. Or perhaps she's approached an empty chair near where you're already seated, offering you a warm smile in greeting. ]

Hello, would you mid if I joined you?

[funbreaker]

[ As much as Thancred has found it a relief to not have to spend as much time in the castle, he does still visit on most days. Being self-sufficient to the point that he can pay his own rent (with Urianger's help) means that he feels much less suffocated when walking these halls — or through the gardens, in this case.

He's casual as he steps along the manicured paths, but his reason for coming here has to do with keeping abreast of the latest chatter and rumors. He promised he would be a point of contact and a well of information for Nott, and while he will soon need to get more aggressive in how he does that (if no less subtle), today is merely for hearing the subject of the day.

However, it seems that someone else has beaten him to it when it comes to chatting up the denizens of the castle. Not that Thancred couldn't wander elsewhere for his purposes — he's found himself making conversation with the overworked servants in the castle kitchen any number of times, and they seem to open up well to his charm.

Yet he finds himself curious about this woman with the red hair, and how she calmly strikes up conversation, all with the purpose of gathering information. At least one conclusion can be drawn.

When she finishes up her current chat and is left alone, he steps up and nods in greeting. ] Why, hello there. You're new. [ It's not a question. ]

[widows_kiss]

[ She's felt eyes on her for a few minutes now, even though she pretends as if she does not. Uncertain if it's an unfriendly gaze or not, she carries on as if she's just having a normal conversation with someone she happened to pass on her way to somewhere else. Which is technically true. Even if there's still a reason behind most of her questions, but she's skilled enough at this that most people won't pick up on that.

Still, when the servant scurries away back to their tasks, she turns to greet the stranger who approaches her, arching an eyebrow as she takes him in. And letting a smile play about her lips at the greeting he gives her. ]

Am I? [ She cocks her head to the side, bemused. ] What gave me away?

[funbreaker]

[ At least outwardly, she doesn't seem to find his approach bothersome. Or view it as a threat. Thancred remains friendly in turn. He's curious about her, and she doesn't seem like the sort who is easily overwhelmed, even if she is new. ]

Nothing in particular. It's more that if you spend enough time in this place, any new face is bound to stand out.

[ If she was a native of Abraxas who was simply visiting the castle, chances are that he would have heard tell of it already. She also wouldn't be asking so many questions.

He braces a hand on his hip and nods to her in greeting. ] Thancred Waters. I came out of the well some months ago.

[widows_kiss]

[ His answer just makes her smile as she crosses her arms over her chest and returns his nod with one of her own. ]

I suppose that's true enough. Of the Summoned, at least, there's not as many of us as there could be. [ And she's already committing the faces and names of the ones she encounters and hears of to memory. Although she doesn't think his name sounds familiar yet. ]

Natasha Romanoff. I came out of it only a few days ago. As you guessed.

[funbreaker]

True enough. They seem limited to how many of us they can bring in at a given time.

[ Thancred still hasn't uncovered the specifics of the summoning ritual, which he finds interesting. It's a method that Ambrose keeps close to the chest even though the two other factions have found their own ways of doing it.

He makes a note of her name, though it's not as if it means anything to him. It might in the coming days, if she's already on top of gathering information about her new strange set of circumstances. He crosses his arms and gives her a quick once-over. ]

You seem to be taking it all in stride. Not your first time far from home, perhaps?

[ Or maybe it's just her personality. Either way, it's intriguing. ]

[OTA] Horizon

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha had lost track of how long she spent in the Horizon that first time. It had all blurred together, after a while.

But returning a second time, later, had her finding the space she'd carved out for herself just as she'd left it. She can appreciate it more, this time, with her memories now fully intact. It's not a place she knows or anywhere she's ever been before, but she likes that. Likes that it's somewhere quiet and peaceful and has no memories attached to it already, whether good or bad. It's just... hers.

Should anyone find her here, she's perfectly happy to invite guests inside to join her or relax beside the lake a while. Or perhaps curl up inside in front of the fire. The place seems made to be welcoming and soothing to any who wander here.

And while she does spend some time there, perhaps tweaking a few details of what she'd created, or enjoying some of the more relaxing areas of her Domain, she's far more likely to be spotted wandering away from her own little area and setting out to explore the others around hers. Should something strike her as familiar, she might head in that direction to investigate, but even the unfamiliar won't really dim her curiosity any. And she figures if anyone didn't want trespassers in their Domain, they probably would have made that fairly evident. Although she's still careful not to intrude too deeply into clearly personal spaces and is sure to leave everything just as she found it.

Although you might spot her still investigating your space, should you happen to pop in while she's still sating her curiosity. ]

[carmesi]

[there is nothing for natasha to explore in wanda's space because it is just that: a labyrinthine forest. there is no real rhyme or reason to the paths on the ground, and whenever she starts thinking she's getting somewhere, it leads to a dead end or more seemingly endless green.

then a raven swoops in, landing on a branch near her. it croons at her, waits to be noticed, and then it hops onto another branch.

a little raven friend.

it looks back, at her, sees that she is following, and continues hopping onto another branch, and then another. once it has made sure that natasha is following along, it starts gliding through the terrain, until it leads the woman to a bridge, and then to a set of stairs that lead to a house by an incline.

wanda stands by the porch, raises a hand in a wave hello, as the raven swoops up to wait for natasha at the top of the stairs.]

[widows_kiss]

[ She actually hadn't realized it was Wanda's space. At least, not until the persistent raven finds her and she pauses, recalling Wanda's words. Not bothering to hide a bemused smile at finding out that comment had been quite literal, she follows the creature, letting it lead her through the forest and to... somewhere, she hopes?

Or this could just be a random bird and Natasha is about to become even more lost than when she started.

Fortunately, however, a house eventually comes into view and a familiar figure waits by the porch. Lifting her hand in a return wave, she climbs the stairs to join Wanda, casting her a crooked grin as she approaches. ]

You know, I don't think you made it secluded enough. I think you need a few more acres of woods, at the very least. Maybe an actual maze. A yeti or two?

[carmesi]

[wanda expects the comments, snarky but without bite. it's all that prepares her to hold back on her own smile.]

There might be a Bigfoot somewhere there. [it's a joke—from an inside joke. who knows what happens in the forest, wanda certainly doesn't go through it a lot.

the raven that guided natasha through caws at them, hopping ever closer to them over the railing.

these ravens of hers are very particular. it's never the same one helping out strangers who get lost with purpose, and they're always hoping for a reward.] He's looking for a name, if you feel like giving him one.

[the caw that follows is quieter, head turning to wanda, as if agreeing. but natasha doesn't need to do that straight away. instead, wanda motions towards the front door, leading the other woman inside, into a home that features all seeming aspects of a hectic eastern european home—clutter and bookshelves spilling with baubles and tchotchkes, patterned rugs that lay atop each other, narrow spiral stairs and even narrower hallways, the walls a canvas for framed portraits and paintings of nothing quite in particular.]

I know I said that the Horizon is like a dream, but... [she points up the stairs] I have tea.

[widows_kiss]

He doesn't have one?

[ Natasha holds out a hand to the curious raven and lets him hop over to perch there, smiling when the raven ruffles and then preens from his new perch. He's lighter than she expected and she strokes a finger down the dark feathers with a smile.

Since he seems content to remain there for the moment, she carries him inside, following Wanda and letting her gaze sweep over the interior of her home here, drinking in the sights and the cozy atmosphere of home that seems to emanate from everything. ]

Some tea would be nice, thank you. At least, I think it would be. I'm assuming we can still taste things even if we're... not really here?

[OTA] Nocwich

[widows_kiss]

[ It doesn't take her long to figure out that she might like Nocwich a little better than Thorne's Castle itself. Maybe it has to do with the fact that it feels more open and less restrictive here. Maybe it's the fact that she's far more likely to stumble across a familiar face here.

Maybe it's because there's far less stress and worry over an impending war being whispered about here and the inhabitants don't look all that inclined to make you declare for Team Edward or Team Jacob.

Whatever the reason, she is taking full advantage of the freedom while it lasts and can be spotted enjoying herself in various places. Although she seems to be drawn the most to the Marketplace and the sights to see there. After a rather lucrative stop in the gambling dens, she can be found meandering through the shops and stalls although she's mostly window shopping. And, once again, people watching. She seems almost as interested in searching out other Summoned as she is in taking in the sights this place has to offer.

But before she heads back to the Castle, she does make sure to swing by the hot springs and spa before heading back to Thorne. While the bathing chambers back at the castle are perfectly comfortable, this goes a step further and she's happy to indulge herself here, stripping down and slipping into the steaming springs with a contented groan of pleasure.

She's had a hell of a week, this is definitely necessary. ]

hot springs.

[gynvael]

[ Aside from the taverns, the springs are the easiest place to find Geralt. Frankly, the Square might be bustling and full of things to look at, but at the end of the night? Merely a Square. Not particularly large. For a man who isn't prone to indulging in entertainment, there simply isn't a hell of a lot elsewhere for him to go. 

He still prefers this to Cadens' dry desert air. The chill is familiar, refreshing. He doesn't need much. An hour or two in the water where he needn't think about what else might fall apart is all he wants.

He's brought a drink with him, of course. What's the point in indulging sober? A dark brew with a heavy flavour he's come to enjoy. He's only just uncorked it when an unfamiliar face—a woman—glides into the same waters. He catches her eyes. His gaze doesn't linger long, but it does linger enough in a way that isn't accidental before he tips the bottle back.

It's not quite an invitation for company, but it isn't discouraging of one, either. ]

[widows_kiss]

[ She hadn't been sure what to expect when she'd been told of the hot springs here. But she does enjoy the fact that at this time of evening, the place is fairly quiet and empty, something she takes advantage of as she wades into steaming water with nothing but a towel wrapped around her. She would have dropped that outside at the edge as well, but she'd spotted someone else in the water as she approached and she wasn't quite comfortable enough among the strangers of this place to completely forgo modesty.

Although she does unwind it once she's settled on a rock ledge with the dark water covering enough of her to be 'safe'. Sighing contentedly, she lays her head back and allows herself to relax - something she was honestly in dire need of. Although a peek a few moments later might give her a glimpse of that linger before he goes back to his drink.

Her lips quirk as she rests there, looking completely at ease. ] You came more prepared for this than I did, it seems. Although I'm not sure mixing alcohol and hot springs is all that wise.

[ She's pretty sure that just made the alcohol hit you much harder much faster. ]

[gynvael]

[ The pendant she wears tells him she isn't of Nocwich, matching the one they've all been given. Another of the so-called Summoned? They do trickle in from time to time. Seems this is another one of those periods.

He looks back over at her, the faintest gold shine to his eyes under the moonlight. True. If you're human. ] Wisdom has its place, and it isn't here.

[ Here is strictly for forgetting the day's (the year's) worries. He stretches his arm across the distance between them, offering her the bottle. His eyebrow lifts—an offer. ]

When did you arrive?

[widows_kiss]

[ His words get a quiet laugh from her, because she can't really argue them. Or at least she doesn't know enough of this place yet to offer a differing opinion.

But she smiles as she reaches out and accepts the bottle, tipping it towards him silently before taking a long swallow, relishing the burn of it, before passing it back to him. ]

Dare I ask what should be here in its place? And thank you.

[ She settles back against the rocks once more, comfortable and bemused as she takes him in, intrigued. At his question, she gives a thoughtful hum. ]

Three days ago. [ A glance at the sky, which had been nighttime the entire time she'd been in Nocwich so far. ] Or perhaps four, by now. It's a little hard to tell without the sun. My internal clock hasn't quite caught up to this world's sense of time yet.

shops n stalls

[techmaturgy]

[Any opportunity to leave Cadens is a good one, especially when given the convenience of a portal. Travel is not necessarily easy for him--even going between Cadens and Aquila the old-fashioned way is somewhat taxing, so he's always quick to seize on alternative travel. He certainly hasn't explored all of what Nocwich has to offer, so he fully plans to use these excursions to his advantage.

Another advantage, of course, is being able to meet with other Summoned in person, whether he's seen them before or not. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he's perusing the various tonics and elixirs being sold in the marketplace, though his attention is on the woman nearby.]

I believe that's recreational.

[Referring to the bottle she's examining. But it's not about any of that, really.]

Are you interested?

[widows_kiss]

In recreational potions?

[ There's a hint of amusement in her voice as she turns to regard the stranger who'd spoken to her at the merchant's stand. She doesn't look as if she minds the interruption at all, a smile playing about her lips as her gaze flits from him back to the bottle she'd been inspecting. ]

Actually, I've never tried something quite like this before, so I'm not actually sure. Back home my answer would have been a resounding no, but I've just been magically kidnapped across the universe [ and been brought conveniently back to life ] so maybe it's not a bad thing to consider living a little and trying something new.

[ Which has her glancing back at him with a curious look. ] Have you tried it before?

[techmaturgy]

Or…any of this.

[He gestures broadly to the marketplace with his free hand. Viktor is always searching out like-minded individuals who might be mechanically implied, though he believes any Summoned is worth getting to know. Wanda isn’t an engineer, but she was able to show him a television all the same.

Natasha confirms her status quickly enough, and that has Viktor a little self-satisfied, that he was able to pinpoint another of their number (not that it’s particularly difficult).]

Me? No, not yet. [He has certain issues, of course, that might make wanton experimentation with various substances a bad idea.] But there is a fair amount of, eh. Placebo, if you aren’t careful.

[widows_kiss]

I'm aware of the effect. [ Although the thought of that has her laughing softly as she sets the bottle back down and gives a nod to the (disappointed) merchant behind his stand ]

Honestly, I'm more interested in what there is to find here, rather than trying to sample it all firsthand. Everything here is just different enough to be a curiosity. Although I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do.

[ Stepping a little away from the stand, she angles herself towards him as she offers him a smile. ] I'm Natasha.

[Closed] For Stephen

[widows_kiss]

[ After learning of who was here - and where - from Wanda and some of the others, Natasha returns from Nocwich a woman on a mission. Although she has to guess where to start since she's never once gotten the opportunity to meet Stephen Strange. She hadn't really known he existed, for one, and then he got snapped, and then... well. She wasn't really around for whatever came next so she was just sort of handwaving that whole complication off as unimportant at the moment.

Still, looking for the Sorcerer Supreme seemed a simple enough thing in her mind. She headed to the place in the castle where people studied magic since that seemed as likely a place to start as any. Fortunately, she can recall what he looks like since she'd spent days before arriving here plotting to "borrow" his time stone from the past. And he had a very distinctive look. She's pretty sure she wouldn't have that hard a time picking him out of a crowd.

So she starts in the study areas, with plans to head to the library and then spread out from there if her first two stops don't reveal her quarry. And maybe asking nearby mages if they've seen him, if worse comes to worst. Of course, she has no idea how many of them know who Stephen Strange is, so that might not help her as much as she hopes. Maybe she'll be lucky and he'll hear his name on the aether or something. Magic works like that, right? ]

[sorser]

[It seems that the name Stephen Strange carries some recognition around the castle, especially as she wanders closer to his usual haunts, which have certain mages raising their eyebrows and nodding their heads when she asks. They tell her that he can usually be found doing research—though some of the areas are restricted, and she’ll just have to wait for him—or if not there, the library. Beyond that, he’s probably gone to find somewhere to meditate.

One of the younger mages shakes his head. No, I think I saw him at the stables just a moment ago.

Seems a strange place (no pun intended) to stumble across the ex-Sorcerer Supreme, but one might assume he has urgent business that brings him there. And should Natasha trek just outside the castle, where a few free-standing, smaller buildings exist within its walls, she will find one neurosurgeon-turned-sorcerer riding a large mare back to the stable entrance — he’s hard to miss, with grey streaks at his temples and a red cloak at his back. A stablehand walks up to him, taking the horse by the reins as he dismounts.

His boots hit the ground and he grimaces, bent over with his hands on his knees. Getting used to it yet? the stablehand muses with a vague grin, leading the horse back within.]

My ass still hurts so, no. I’m going to say probably not just yet.

[He calls back, wry as ever, not having recognized anyone else approaching just yet.]

[widows_kiss]

[ So the wild goose chase to locate the Sorcerer Supreme did, in fact, take far longer than Natasha anticipated. Still, she got to see parts of the castle she hadn't yet gotten to poke her nose into and met a variety of mages in the process, some more chatty than others. So it wasn't a complete loss.

And it was also completely worth it to get to witness this spectacle, although she does her best to stifle a laugh behind her hand as she approaches, amusement glinting in her gaze. ]

Tough learning curve, I take it?

[sorser]

[His attention is dragged towards that voice — not quite familiar enough to be wholly familiar, but just surprising enough to widen his eyes. Stephen flicks his gaze up, spotting Natasha approaching with amusement barely hidden behind a hand. The sorcerer’s mind whirs a mile a minute, seeking a clever reply as he straightens with a frown, rolling his shoulders back.]

I was told I wasn’t a true rider until I started walking bowlegged.

[You know, like something out of a western, despite their very medieval fantasy setting.]

Rogers told me you were here.

[He would be a lot more surprised, otherwise, probably left gawking for a few seconds, slower to recover. Stephen’s glad he was spared that embarrassment, too, since it’s not like her first impression of him here in Abraxas was particularly eloquent as he complained about a sore backside.

Stephen walks forward to close the space in between them, willing (unsuccessfully) the stiffness in his gait away.]

I was going to go looking for you, but it seems like you found me first. Taking in the sights?

[widows_kiss]

I'm not sure that skill level's a worthwhile trade, if that's the case. [ Her eyes gives a pointed drop down to his lower half before meeting his gaze again with a faint smirk. ]

Steve always was terrible at keeping secrets. [ And he's still a terrible liar, at least as far as she knows. But she's grinning as she props her hands on her hips and lets him come to her. ] I was looking for you, actually. Steve told me you were here, but so did everyone else I ran into, so I thought it wiser to seek you out sooner rather than later.

[ She spares a glance around their surroundings before giving him a knowing look. ] There's a lot I need to catch up on, it seems. Both here and elsewhere. Care to help me with that?

[ Which really is an understatement. She's so far out of her element in this place already that it's laughable. Or it would be, if it weren't her new reality. And considering she's arrived with the Factions already impatient for war, from what she hears, she has little time to waste. ]