abraxaslogs | An Evening Gathering

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An Evening Gathering

WHO: Anyone welcome to wander around Castle Thorne!
WHAT: A little roundtable-townhall-mingle, a space to share information and discuss the Situation
WHEN: post-Horizon, after the new arrivals turn up so they can join in
WHERE: Castle Thorne's Dining Hall
NOTES: A little like a group therapy session but not, all characters will be invited to share anything they would like about their experiences and ask each other questions. Afterwards the group are free to mingle and discuss freely (just reply to the post itself). Let's bond, learn, complain about our new body parts and swap the hot goss!

The invitation spreads easily enough among the Welcomed (and those of the formerly imprisoned who have since earned a pardon), thanks to the cheerful efforts of everyone's favourite bard and the ever-grinding rumour mill: tonight, anyone interested in participating is invited to remain in the dining hall after the evening meal to discuss recent events. Depending on how far along the game of telephone the invitation is by the time it reaches any one person, further details may be difficult to pin down. It is clear at least that this meeting isn't being organised by Ambrose or anyone else from Thorne, though there's no effort to keep it secret from the inhabitants of the castle either. A call to arms this is not. This is not the venue for plotting against the establishment— seditionist talk is best left to the privacy of the Horizon.

Anyone choosing to attend will find the evening meal proceeds as it usually does. As the plates are cleared, though, the table becomes the setting for something of an informal discovery session, a meeting of minds. Everyone here is welcome to take a turn to speak if they would like, and to ask any questions they hope someone else may be able to answer. As the imprisoned are unable to attend, a recording is being made. However, going on the record is optional. Anyone who would rather keep their thoughts transient and non-incriminating is welcome to speak up without fear of being caught on tape.

The meeting breaks up once everyone has had a chance to speak, leaving plenty of opportunity for less structured discussion. Hopefully everyone can go to bed tonight feeling a little more informed and a little less alone...

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[ Okay, true. Ronan's mouth tugs into a matching smirk as he casts a look around the room. ]

I don't get it. If he can keep summoning more, why doesn't he just toss out the losers? And why the hell is that thing running free now?

[ He means Coraline, indicating her with the slightest jerk of his chin in her direction. He nods toward Nero, too. ]

And that creepy dipshit.

Put yourself in his position.

[Which... admittedly might be a little easier for someone who's been Supreme Leader of the First Order and spent a lot of time dealing with all the power-grabbing squabbles that come part and parcel with life towards the top of the food chain. Kylo's expression slides back into its default position of generally directionless annoyance.]

It doesn't suit Ambrose's purpose to advertise any failures. This project of his doesn't have universal support even among his own people. He needs successes. And failing that, the appearance of success.

As for that thing and the creepy dipshit... [Kylo says, entirely straight-faced— which suggests it's entirely possible he knows how bizarre Ronan's particular vernacular might sound coming from his mouth] Elements like that are more easily controlled in the open, where they won't be able to resist exposing themselves.

[ A laugh bursts out of Ronan, louder than he means it to, with all his delight at Kylo's parroting his words back to him. It takes him a good minute to recover, his shoulders shaking with residual snickering. ]

Sure, but...

[ God, that was funny. ]

Lining up a bunch of public executions seems like a worse look than quietly taking out the trash.

[Kylo looks entirely too pleased with himself, watching Ronan dissolve into laughter. He waits, satisfied and patient, until Ronan's regained enough composure to continue.]

That depends on who the executions are for. Doesn't it. The intended audience. An execution can be an incredibly powerful message.

[ Ronan sobers a bit more as he watches Kylo, his expression suddenly very keen. He'd been sort of kidding. Sort of. He's not sure Kylo is, though. ]

Is that experience talking?

Your memories?

[Sasarai lifts his chin and sits back, more alert. His brow knits with thoughtful worry.]

You mean it took your memories of being there, I assume? What can you remember?

[Kylo sobers too, his gaze sliding into very sharp, very steady focus. By the time he speaks, Ronan probably already has his answer.]

I was the message.

[ Ronan hums a vague response and reaches up — completely heedless of their surroundings — to trace the scar down Kylo's cheek with the very tip of his finger. ]

[Ronan's response catches Kylo completely off-guard, stunned into silence as Ronan follows the angry line sliced through his face with featherlight touch. His heart slams viciously hard in the cage of his ribs. His lips part, but nothing but the sound of a hitched breath falls out.]

[ Fragile, after all. Ronan's hand drops away, though the rest of him doesn't retreat. ]

I think we should show Ambrose we're the only ones he needs.

Do you.

[It might be the only thing he can think of to say in the moment, honestly. A placeholder response while he gathers his scattered thoughts. He sucks in another breath that shudders at the very edges.]

Ambitious.

How many heroes can one kingdom really need?

[ And what do any of these people have to offer that Kylo and Ronan can't provide? It's not like anyone else stepped really forward with a compelling argument for their own usefulness. Anyway, two is a good number. Two is a perfect number. Even stronger than three. ]

I think Ambrose was trying for an even fifty.

[His lips quirk. Hero is not a title just about anyone would think to apply to Kylo Ren in the first place, let alone grant him in preference over any field of competitors. Still. Confidence is a good colour on Ronan, especially considering the mood Kylo had found him in just moments ago.]

But I'll listen to your plan, if you have one. Tell me, Ronan. How do you and I show the High Mage we're the ones he's been hoping for?

[She's peeking fast enough to catch his expression, and chooses to take amusement over offense. Not many from her neck of the woods among the uprooted, it's to be expected. Of more interest and no small amount of relief is his answer. She hasn't been back - too eager, she suspects. Too tense at the prospect of finding herself unable or the place somehow blocked. He's debunked at least the latter.

Grinning openly, she shakes her head.]

No. Fine enough folks, mostly, but I've got a lot more to hear than say and it's tapering off into the casual stuff. It's a good chance to see if I need to adjust technique here, anyway. Used to doing this- [she raises a hand, gesturing vaguely to herself to indicate meditation] in the woods. Wondering if maybe I'm just missing the bustle in the background. I haven't been back yet, myself.

Does it feel different there, without everyone visiting at once?

[ Part of her practice then, too, whatever that practice is. Something that's prepared her for easy and focused talk about other dimensions - does it feel different there? It's not the kind of question he thinks would come up with someone for whom feeling out for things doesn't come naturally.

He takes a moment to consider her question, gauge his response. ]

Yes and no. Knowing who you are when you arrive changes the feeling in itself. Having more to draw on than instinct changed my perception, so it's hard to say what else had really changed.

[ An innate ability to listen and learned skill for listening well are two different things, and the shift in his experience could've been down to either one. It's going to take more time to know what's what - which awareness is natural, which the hangover of a complementary skillset, and how much more can be learned fresh.

Though, on the topic of the Horizon and a difference in feeling when knowing who you are... his mouth quirks slightly, wry. ]

Though I don't think it's going to take long for the landscape to change, in case there were any landmarks you were particularly fond of.

[Kay's been listening attentively, holding back a whole cascade of questions. They're all forgotten by the end though, because Coraline has lost her with that last bit.]

Obviously I'm all for stealing people's secrets, but making weapons? Destroying people? That all sounds horrible! The Horizon is such a fun and limitless place... Using it as a weapon feels... Wrong.

Having spent her first month here down in the dungeons, Kay still hasn't quite acquainted herself with all of the honored guests just yet. However, while it's hard to be totally sure, she's like... Ninety percent certain she hasn't seen the short pointy eared one around at all until tonight.

She recognizes the significance of that pose coupled with the look on his face, valiant though his effort may be. That's the vaguely glassy-eyed expression of someone who is desperate to try and pay attention to some important information, but their brain just isn't engaged enough to stay awake without a fight. Kay recognizes this because she's worn that same expression herself many times before, sitting through math class, or trying to retain one of Mr. Edgeworth's long-winded legal explanations.

Poor guy. Maybe she should try and help wake him up? But... How to do that in a way that isn't totally disruptive?

Inspiration strikes when Kay glances over the dinner roll sitting on the table in front of her, something she has been slowly nibbling at throughout the entire meeting. She tears a chunk of the soft inner-bread off and starts mushing it into a little ball, trying to get it dense enough so that it can make its intended flight more easily. When just squashing it around doesn't seem to do the trick, she... Licks it. Gets the whole thing just a little bit moist so that it can retain its shape better.

Once the silver bullet has been crafted, the Great Thief takes aim from across the table, lining up her shot carefully. Flick. The yeasty spitball sails across the table, zipping directly at the sleepy hylian's forehead.

[ Mal's been fairly quiet during this meeting, choosing to listen rather than offer any information about his world. Mostly that's because a lot of what he'd have to say would involve speaking about Alina in some way, and probably the Darkling too, the latter of whom is probably lurking around. When it comes to Alina's power, it's something only she can talk about, not him.

He's definitely intrigued by what Ronan offers up. Although ley lines don't sound quite the same as amplifiers in his world, they both have the power to make someone stronger. Could the Singularity work as an amplifier for Alina?

After overhearing Jaskier's food request and trying not to look too amused by it, he approaches Ronan when he's alone. ]

Don't worry, I'm not about to request a dessert. [ He snorts, casting a glance at Jaskier before returning his gaze on Roman. ]

You don't think it's dangerous, advertising your power like that to everyone? [ If they were friends, he'd recommend he keep his power hidden, or at least downplay it, to protect him from those who might use him as a weapon. ]

[ Mal happens to be stood by Homelander at the back of the room. He's chosen not to share anything about his world because the more information he gives, the more dangerous it could be for Alina, but he is quietly gathering information from this meeting.

He won't join in poking fun at Jaskier because being bullied as a child has taught him better than that, but he does say: ]

He's entertaining, I'll give him that. [ The part about them putting aside their differences and working together leaves Mal frowning, though. He's good at holding grudges, at least towards people who've hurt Alina. ]

Are you going to take to the stage next?

[ Mal doesn't speak to Coraline when they have an audience, only approaching her when the meeting is mostly over. He hasn't publicly offered anything worthy of being recorded for safety reasons, thinking of Alina in the dungeons. ]

Little tree girl... [ He quotes her from earlier, taking a seat by her. ] Sad I missed that. [ Probably for the best. He likely would have been alarmed by her.

On a more serious note: ] Weaponizing the Horizon... [ He nods thoughtfully. ] Slightly worried that your mind thought of that first, but it's a strategic idea.

Quite the opposite. I mean that when we passed into that place that it became all we knew. We knew our names and our purpose there—to claim it—, but not where we had come from or what might have occurred to us before we arrived.

[Clean slates with which to make fools of themselves, he does not say, though it's clear from the stiff line of his put on smile and the grim not-really-humor that he harbors some revulsion over or resentment for the experience.]

You've had such dreams, haven't you? Where you are yourself, but then again are not.

[Luckily, Jaskier is well acquainted with the sort of expression that goes beyond "resting bitch face". Neither is it new to be met with such hostility but someone he's never met.

These things happen sometimes, when one is rich, and handsome, and successful. And obviously a fantastic host for a meeting he really hopes skirts away from suggestions of insurrection.

But he can feel Geralt would be very angry with him, should he make an enemy (even a playful one) with someone who offers to make "anything" (outside pierogi).

He frowns for a moment, playfulness gone for his question. This is a bit to take in. Not exist without magic... ah! Like some sort of fey?] Wait, you touched it? In the Horizon? And... and nothing happened, besides that feeling?

[He can't really blame him for not knowing how bad an idea that could possibly be considering the local Thornites dissolve upon getting to close to that thing, but... what the fuck. Even without memories, Jaskier had kept quite a distance away. All that exploring and he had never found himself wanting to get closer to it.

The extended question was: would the same thing happen if they touched it here, on this plane? And what did it mean that it existed in both?]

Yeah, I guess.

The ones where you know your own mind and nothing else but it doesn't matter...

[He lowers his gaze and folds his arms across his chest. Everyone has had dreams like that, but not everyone has had dreams like that where they were living through the memories of a crystal fused into their own bodies.

Sasarai is pretty certain he dreams like most people do, but at times the True Earth Rune makes things...complicated.]

If that's the sort of magic that place has then...

[A small grimace as he taps his face thoughtfully. It could mean the Singularity is erasing identities, or it could be that the dream-like state comes from being near a relic that is, supposedly, the only constant in all worlds.

He doesn't finish the sentence, but his brow creases slightly.]

[After his magnanimous speech, one may imagine Jaskier may be a little tired from the effort. Not at all. He's as bright-eyed and busy-tailed as ever, weaving his way through the gathered crowd. Though as a bard he's never been paid to lead any discussion -- that is, after all, what nobles and war generals are for -- it comes as naturally as anything; another performance that, unfortunately, he won't be paid for.

But he has learned some new things already. Not all is lost. And if he can make allies with the right people -- unfortunately a practice he knows well, when courts are involved -- he can get much-needed supplies for the Witcher. If he can procure a weapon for Geralt without raising suspicion or spending coin... that would certainly put them ahead.

And he is making sure there are no actual calls for insurrection nor rebellion; he's certainly not against the idea himself, but he also holds no stake in the idea. If he's to make a nuisance of himself, he'll only allow as much attention as he can brave right now.

So Jaskier is poking his head into conversations to make sure no options too defiant are being raised, willing to call a guard if the moment needs it. However, he's mostly just nosey... and also happy to answer any questions one may have. He may even show up with an offered glass of wine for any parched (attractive) guests, a smile on his face.]

It turned out to be a big of a long one, didn't it? Ah, well, these things happen with me. I hope you were able to learn something new, at any rate! Certainly I and my friend [Where he indicates the dark, sulky form of Kylo Ren, who probably doesn't look much appreciative of anything] appreciate your coming.

[Across the table, the man with the dark eyes tips his head in some universal sign of both curiosity and expectation. Oh?, it says. And, Go on. The death's head arcanum is clear in its stitching at his shoulder; that's meant to imply he has some measure of patience, doesn't it?]

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An Evening Gathering

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Jaskier | The Witcher | Mingling

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