INTRO LOG #2

[abraxasmods]

Intro Log #2

It has been two months now since the initial group of summonings first took place. Castle Thorne, or at least the part above ground, is buzzing with a vibrant air of hope following the 'success' at the Singularity. Eager smiles and excited chattering are to be found in nearly every corner of the castle and surrounding town. The honored guests may find grateful looks turned their way more often than not. A new and brighter day seems to be dawning on the kingdom.

In the dungeons it's a different story entirely. The mood is somber and uneasy. The prisoner taken for trial has yet to return, and no word has come regarding her or her fate. There has been no mention of any further trials as of yet and guards seem to have little patience for unruly behavior or even conversation. Some seem to not even look at or acknowledge the prisoners at all.

[ Feel free to continue threads from the TDM here or start your own! As cell and room assignments will be short-lived due to this month's event, you're free to assume whichever cellmates and roommates you like instead of officially signing up as long as there are ICly no more than four people in a cell or room at once. ]

Comments

[wiedzminka]

[ Alina's guess is a good one; Ciri hadn't spoken to anyone when she came back for a reason, and would have been content to curl up under her sparse covers and try to forget about the world for a few hours if possible. But it hasn't worked out that way, her mind and heartbeat too restless for sleep, too preoccupied for hunger.

It's unusual that she allows anyone to sneak up on her, but Alina's voice nearby seems to surprise Ciri. She starts, sniffling and shifting, quickly wiping her tears on the corner of the thin pillow before she responds. For now, she remains facing away from her cellmate, struggling to summon up the energy to sit up when it feels like her lumpy mattress currently has the gravitational pull of a small planet, weighing her down. ]

I'm fine.

[ Her voice sounds tight, scratchy. ]

What is it?

[solmate]

[ Oh, Alina has tried that before. The I'm fine forced out through a tight throat. Sometimes she even believes it herself, or tries to at least. Like if she says it aloud she can make it true because it has to be. It's essential to survival.

So, she does not press on that particular lie. Alina might be new at this saint thing, but she can definitely be merciful. She makes only a thin noise of acknowledgement. ]

Have you even eaten today?

[ She understands the impulse to skip it. She had a sickly childhood full of those when it didn't seem worth it. Even now it's a chore to make sure she's taking care of herself in this prison. As best as she can manage at least. ]

[wiedzminka]

...mm.

[ Ciri seems to consider this. She turns over at last, scrubbing her forearm across her eyes as she does, the scratchy sleeve of her shirt smearing dirt into the tear streaks on her cheeks. The arm stays there, draped across the top half of her face. ]

No. Not hungry.

Have it if you wish. You've been here longer than I. Could use it more.

[solmate]

That's kind of you, but not true.

[ Not the being here longer part. Obviously that part is true. Actually, given her pale, thin, and tired appearance the other part doesn't really seem debatable either. But it's hard to want to feel like eating when a part of you has been stolen, snuffed out by the insufferable mages (minus Jolene, of course).

She pauses, unsure what to do next. Of course, every time she was in this state she wanted to be left alone. Then again, no one had ever really been around to offer a kind and compassionate shoulder.

And Ciri sort of seems like she'd have no problem telling her to piss off if her presence really is unwelcome. ]

Talking might make you feel better about it.

[ Whatever it is. ]

[wiedzminka]

[ Ciri is silent for a moment, without moving, turning the offer over in her mind. Finally, she moves her arm off her face and sits up, slouching as she does to keep from hitting her head on the rough ceiling.

She considers Alina, peeking over the edge of her bunk, and finally just shrugs. ]

Perhaps.

[ There's nothing to be done about the situation. Talking won't help. But maybe it'll do something to loosen that suffocatingly tight feeling in her chest.

She scoots forward, gesturing at Alina to make room so she can haul herself over the edge of the bed. It's not that high up; she just jumps down, without using the ladder. ]

Have you encountered others from your own sphere in this place?

[solmate]

[ She pauses, surprised at the invitation but does not hesitate long before accepting. Alina hasn't been many people's confidant, and even now she is hesitant, burnt from how she had trusted those at the Little Palace to carry her letters, her secrets. Ciri need not fear devious women here with Alina at least as she settles on her bunk next to her. ]

Mhm. [ It's a soft, purposefully nondescript noise of agreement. ] One a friend and one...

[ She squints, picking at a thread on the mattress. An enemy feels like an oddly empty way of describing Kirigan. ]

And one not. [ She leans back against the stone wall behind them. Cautiously, she looks over trying to probe at a delicate matter. In hushed tones, she asks: ] Is there someone here that hurt you?

[wiedzminka]

[ Ciri hops down, and when Alina sits on her bed, Ciri joins her. She rests her elbows on her knees, leaning forward without looking at her at first--

Until that question surprises her into turning, blinking as it takes her off guard. ]

Ah? N-no, it's nothing like that. [ Well, at least that shocked her out of her dour brooding a little bit. Ciri lets out a breath that's almost a laugh, a dry sort of amusement. ]

No, it's... quite the opposite, in fact.

[ Though it's not untrue to say she's hurt, it isn't Geralt's fault or through his intention in the slightest. Ciri shakes her head. ]

See, I found someone here who I've been looking for... for a long time. Someone important to me.

Only problem is: he doesn't remember. Hasn't even met me yet.

...it's a lot to take in.

[solmate]

[ Alina's briefly thankful for the fact that it isn't someone intentionally trying to hurt Ciri. There's enough difficulty to contend with here for everyone without those types of added complications.

Still, that doesn't make the reality that Ciri describes any less painful to come face-to-face with. ]

Oh no—

[ Her breath is soft. Quiet. Immediately, Alina thinks what would happen if for some reason Mal was here but couldn't remember her. It'd be worse than just being here alone. Her expression shifts to something pained but sympathetic. ]

Maybe... it'll come back to him? [ Alina winces. For someone that carries the sun inside of her, she's hardly the optimist. It's difficult for her to comfort others into believing the best case scenario when she can't do it for herself. ] My friend Mal told me about something from home that must have happened, but I don't remember it yet... Maybe they did something to his memory.

[wiedzminka]

...maybe.

[ She doesn't believe that. And she's quite sure it's not that they've done something to his memory, considering he looks different. No, she knows what the problem is. And that makes it even harder.

Ciri shifts, tucking the leg closer to Alina up to turn to face her more squarely on the bed. ]

But your friend Mal-- he doesn't seem different?

[solmate]

[ Alina's mouth pulls into a sympathetic frown. It feels hallow, but there is little more she can offer. She shakes her head at Ciri's question.

No... he looks the same and he acts the same. She tips her head, running through her memory to see if anything else is off. He had told her that they had left Kirigan to die in the Fold.

But Kirigan is here, so... someone has to be misremembering one way or the other. ]

Who is it?

[ Alina is only half certain Ciri will actually tell her. That's fine. She keeps her own secrets closely guarded. ]

[wiedzminka]

My...

[ She hesitates. Not out of caution, so much as... sadness. It's difficult to explain the breadth of her dismay and grief to search for someone so important for so long only to find him here, before he ever even found her. It's all twisted up. Wrong.

She can't explain what Geralt is to her, not without explaining everything. So she settles on the one word that feels right to put in perspective how lost this makes her feel. It is more than that, and more complicated too, but Alina doesn't need the details. Family is family. ]

My father.

[solmate]

[ Her chest tightens, an invisible hand squeezing her heart. She takes a quick breath in, surprised, sorrowful and something else.

Jealousy. It's jealousy.

It passes quickly, and Alina is quick to have felt guilty over having felt it at all. Having someone so close but simultaneously not is a profound sort of pain that hurts to imagine. It is far easier to come to a disappointing but true reconciliation of facts to be separated than for fate to cooperate but time not.

She swallows her own hurt. This isn't about Alina. ]

I'm sorry.

[wiedzminka]

Thanks.

[ Even if it doesn't do much, Ciri appreciates that Alina is trying to provide what comfort she can. It's kind of her to listen and show sympathy. Right now, it's the most any of them can do.

Ciri looks up again, not feeling necessarily any lighter, but even just getting out of bed is a start. Alina was right about her needing to eat. She has to keep her strength up; they're not given much to begin with. ]

Appreciate you listening. And letting me know about your friend. It may be that my situation isn't that uncommon among our fellows. Though, for their sakes, I don't wish it.