abraxaslogs | The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things.

Entry tags:

The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things.

Who: Istredd and the Thorne Summoned
What: Istredd called everyone to a meeting
Where: Istredd's Horizon
When: Friday, January 13th, midnight (technically therefore the 14th too)
Warnings: Discussion of Thorne's set up so paranoia, discussion of war, possibly some treason, who knows, it'll be fun.

HORIZON AND SET UP

The Tower was described by Istredd in detail so people would know where to go, and once they arrive the door automatically opens. After the meeting starts and he feels most of the Thorne Summoned are there, it will be locked to any outsiders. Istredd has tight control of his domain so it will also be shielded magically and sound-proofed so they cannot be eavesdropped upon. They get enough of that at Thorne! His domain is unique for being essentially a tower of books. Shelves upon shelves of books and multiple floors. The only other detail before the talk starts is that there are five ravens who will be curiously watching everyone from a perch nearby.

The main floor has been turned into a meeting hall of a sort, although mostly in terms of having a large space full of chairs and a long table if people wish to sit there. A key note about Istredd's domain is that people can easily morph chairs or create them in whatever form they'd want, so if you want them to have their childhood chair, go ahead. If they want a gaming chair, it'll show up automatically for them. His space is very intuitive. People can choose to speak either from the back of the room, as Istredd will do, or from where they sit/stand.

Attendants may notice that Kyle, Lucifer, and Kell come and go a few times, their intention to be visible to anyone watching so it doesn't seem obvious that there is anything suspicious going on.

After the initial formal talk and information gathering, people should feel free to explore the tower if they want. If you're a bookworm, go nuts. People will find that if they open a book it will appear to be empty at first, but if they think about their favorite book, the pages will fill in. It is entirely based on their recollection of the book so may not be entirely complete, but if their subconscious mind has memorized much of it, they will see what they need to in there. They may also find that was they move through the floors, a 'reading nook' may appear in the corner that will instinctively know what they would feel comfortable sitting to read with. If they would like to stay here, they can.

Istredd's domain is open when he is not there, so people can come back if they want later on.

ISTREDD'S SPEECH

Istredd will wait until it appears everyone has arrived or most people have and he will clear his throat to get their attention if they are already chatting with other people. He appears as he often does in Thorne, with very plain clothes in a dark shade of blue, serious and calm. None of his actual nerves show, although on the inside he is anxious about so much attention being on him. Even if he asked for it. He stands straight-backed, hands clasped behind his back. Istredd speaks in a very clear and calm way.

"Please sit or stand as you feel comfortable. If you want, you can create any chair you wish to sit in. I will say my piece here, but I would appreciate it if afterward others are willing to share their own information and thoughts. I know some of us are information gatherers and may know the history of Thorne Summoned, so whatever I don't cover, it would be helpful to fill in any blanks.

Whether you are new or have been here for some time, the facts are very clear: we are trapped in Thorne Castle. The other factions have a great deal more freedom. They can create their own businesses, live in their own housing, wander the streets or go on trips, and while they do have their own struggles, few are constantly afraid that a single wrong word spoken out loud will get them interrogated. Because of that, we are in a much more precarious situation.

We have to assume that Thorne is always listening, the castle has ears and magic everywhere, and they have already questioned anyone for showing the slightest bit of disagreement with the royalty.

Here is a quick current history of Thorne and the Summoned that I gathered, although people here who know more or who were there should add, as this is a summary. I assume there are some new people who have no idea that this happened. Thorne first Summoned people a year and a half ago, and when they did, they threw many of the Summoned into prison immediately. They were not told exactly why. They planned on executing one of the Summoned in a public place, and during that event, two unknown people appeared and froze all the Thorne mages. They gave the Summoned the option to flee to Free Cities and Solvunn. This was the first time any Summoned went to those locations, and the majority of them did leave. Eventually, as we know, Free Cities and Solvunn used the spell for themselves.

It should be noted that thousands of years ago, Summoning in Thorne happened, but it went poorly and the High Mage at the time was exiled. He ended up founding Solvunn. We know nothing else about that, but it is interesting that after all this time, they began again.

While Thorne has not thrown any new people into the dungeon, as far as we know, there are those of you who have been questioned recently about the situation with Yennefer in Nocwich or loyalty toward the royalty here. Suffice to say, we're not that far away from the potential of some of us going back into prison. I was made aware by Kyle that early on, a Summoned was taken and experimented on. Their attempt was to see if they could take a Summoned's connection to the Singularity and put it onto one of their own. It didn't succeed, so as far as we know it hasn't happened again, but that is not to say it won't. It's clear they are not above doing this.

I am sorry that this is all very alarming, and some of you may not have been aware of how tense of a situation we are in right now. But it's important that everyone is informed so you are not going into this blind. My reason for declaring this meeting is for people to share what they know, because knowledge is power, and being ignorant here is dangerous. I also would like to take this opportunity to encourage us to do the one thing we can to make this situation better: unify.

The more they can isolate us from one another, the weaker we are. If we are ignorant, ill-prepared, and disconnected, they can take advantage of us. And we have the power to change that for ourselves.

I'm teaching magic classes to beginners and offered the same to the Summoned. Stephen and Yennefer are also magic users who teach. My roommate Lucifer has volunteered to teach others basic combat skills, and I believe there are others in this group who have those abilities. Obviously, as I've said, it is dangerous to make us stand out too much, so I recommend offering it to anyone and the Summoned signing up, or to come into the Horizon and train here. If you have other abilities you can share with people, please consider offering them to the group. If everyone can feel confident in their ability to use magic and defend themselves, we will be better for it.

It's possible that by doing this I've opened us up to danger. It is possible someone here is willing to sell us out to Thorne, and if that happens, I'm the ringleader, so I hope the danger will fall on me. But please understand that they do not have any loyalty to us. We are all one bad day away from the queen deciding to imprison us again. As you've seen from the attack on Libertas, she can't be trusted. We can only count on ourselves and one another from now on.

I will open the floor up now to anyone who wishes to speak. You can share your information, experience, or thoughts and concerns. If you're willing to train others in your skills, please say so. There is a big book open on the table where you can write your information down. Everyone is welcome to stay here as long as they like if you'd like to take the opportunity to speak to anyone here without fear of being overheard in Thorne.

Thank you for coming. I apologize if this was long and boring. We scholars have a tendency to always sound like we're lecturing."

OOC NOTES

Hey everyone, it's Dee! I am so sorry for the tl;dr. I have the headers below: Speeches (information sharing/tl;dr like mine), Offers to Train (in whatever), and then everything else can be a Mingle.

If you want your character to speak/offer information but don't want follow-up questions, you can put 'OTA' or 'no follow-up' to indicate what your preference is here. If you put OTA people can reply with a sort of Q&A option, but the no follow-up idea is so that people can share information but not need to commit to that unless they feel like it.

The same goes for Offers to Train, you can make a 'OTA' to people who can reply to your character asking more or setting that up, or simply make it a statement. I want everyone to feel like they can play as much as they want here or just share.

And from there, mingle to your heart's content! Your characters can talk afterward, before, go explore the library, whatever you want, I support it. You can plan closed or open starters, follow your heart.

Jay reminded me that it may be relevant to read the game history page. Your character can have asked around for the pre-game history portion and know details about it.

If nothing else, I want people to take from this mingle that their character can hear any of this information and have it from now on for your RP purposes, and also have the opportunity to get them to learn skills from other Summoned/build CR that way. Do as much or as little as you want! If you have any comments/concerns, please message me on plurk.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Do the locks keeping any wandering individuals from coming in go away if you check out? Because you could just leave. You did your part--everyone else can quite literally mingle, or just go to bed."

Istredd made an actual public library and he's used to other people coming and going. This is no different; he's just making it more difficult for himself for no reason, far as Lucifer can tell.

"It's quiet so far. I don't think Kyle and Kell have ran into any problems either. The benefit of the nightly hour."

"It's better now that I don't have to do the talking. I like listening to other people." And if they want to engage Istredd in conversation from here, at least it'll be on topics that he doesn't mind talking about. He feels like a lot has been accomplished tonight, exactly as he hoped. Tomorrow it will feel like a great triumph, once he doesn't feel drained.

Lucifer. They were attempting not to use their bond that much during the event, and he knows that Lucifer intentionally was trying not to distract him when he was speaking. Istredd smiles and reaches out to touch his arm gently. Briefly, only a few seconds, before dropping it away. Thank you. For the support, for coming, for ... a lot of sentimental things you don't want to hear. Just ... thanks.

A lot of sentimental things he doesn't want to hear is in fact accurate.

You may've in fact put a target on your back, he says instead. So it's the least I can do.

... That and making his position extremely obvious about where he stands when it comes to Istredd to anyone looking on during the speech. Istredd may be seen as the ringleader, but Lucifer was still shadowed in the background, watching each and every attendant like he would and could very well kill one of them if this backfires on them.

Little things like that, nothing to see here, nothing to worry about.

Hey, Istredd knows his audience. The truth is that for all his serious logic, Istredd is unfortunately a very sentimental person, he just only has it internally and unshared. He knows better than to suck other people into it. Especially the two people he cares about the most.

On both of our backs. I doubt I'm the only one they would take in. Lucifer standing behind him looking foreboding didn't help that situation, it is clear the two of them are a unit these days. I am confident about this group. There may have been more loyalists in the past, but not now. Yenna would have warned him. She was mad at him sending Lucifer after her, but that hasn't changed what they share with each other.

Did you look at Natasha's notes yet? There are a lot of details in there, it was surprising. Not because of her, but she is new to Thorne and yet gathered a great deal all at once.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

The rumors around them aren't going to go away, he already pointed that out on the boat. So he may as well use them to some advantage. If Thorne or whoever else thinks they can take one of them down without consequences, they've got another thing coming. If they think they can wrangle both of them, they're playing a dangerous game.

I've started to skim them. But he's mostly been floating, not entirely engaging people, but just around. Kell thought there was something 'off' about her when she arrived and was at Rhy's mingle. He's got a good eye.

There is power in a partnership like theirs, and while it had been accidental more or less, it is very real now. Perhaps Istredd is being a little more reckless than he ordinarily would since he has someone to balance him out.

He shakes his head. No, she's trustworthy, she's a close friend of Wanda's from home. Istredd doesn't even question it more than that. Wanda is her friend therefore she is within the circle of trust. They have reached that point with each other, and he knows Wanda has only a few people she is like that with. But I don't think she's only a ... superhero, or whatever they are called.

'Off' doesn't have to mean untrustworthy, he says, though his follow-up might sound that way, she's like me, I think--presents a particular image, but a lot going on underneath.

He likes his masks okay. That's why Sannleikr had been such a blow.

Oh, cool, so if she doesn't trust my identity, she can just verify with Wanda. Lucifer's not entirely sure if Natasha isn't just humoring him, but she's dealt with a handful of Norse gods, so the devil can't be that hard to come to terms with.

And then at the mention of 'superheroes' or whatever he just. Blanks.

...

...

...

"... I'm sorry, what?"

That I would agree with. She is very charming and engaging but clearly very watchful as well. Istredd has been teaching her in beginner's magic and she has been a star pupil, incredibly quick to learn and determined. He can't deny she has a way about her that puts him at ease, which has a way of making him uneasy as well. Paranoia.

"I don't know the right term, they work together and try to do good and have supernatural abilities, but not all of it is magic." Heroes is a pretty strong word but Istredd genuinely doesn't have the right term to use. He just knows that Wanda is rare in her world as a mage, so whatever else people do, it isn't magic.

"That sounds terrible," says Lucifer, the villain of his story. If the Winchesters and their lame gang of Team Free Will ever call themselves superheroes, Lucifer is going to implode.

... Wait, they'd probably use that to their advantage. Well. It's not like he purposefully seeks out conversation with Dean anyway. Why'd he get stuck in this world with Dean, not Sam? So, so cruel, Abraxas.

So wait... is Natasha a so-called superhero, or Wanda, or both? Because his feelings are going to get real complicated on his dislike of the term if Wanda had it as a title.

Natasha said she had no access to magic in her world and few were born with it. Not unlike his own world where there was a handful. She said they found Wanda but I have no idea what that means precisely. Wanda did share that she had no one to guide her, which makes sense, her power is immense. She may be literally one of a kind. He can think of no more truth than that.

That may be a question only Wanda can answer. It may be only superpowered individuals as the term and not heroes. But he does think that is the term. He doesn't know anyone who would call themselves heroes, but it could also be something put upon them. I don't think Wanda would see herself that way.

His thoughts chill slightly when he thinks of Wanda on the beach, her power alive at her fingertips, a familiar soul calling out to him, too much the same. Villains both, thrashing out at the world. That darkness with no reprieve.

Her voice trips through their conjoined thoughts. Shaky, shallow, eerie. And his single, impossibly weighty, response:

Would you rather die than return to your cage?
Yes.

Mmmm.

No, his response his quiet, for once not using an airy thought to chase away or hide what he very much knows just happened, but he's still hardly going to acknowledge it, She absolutely does not see herself that way.

The truth is that though their bond is open both ways, Lucifer has more bleed over than he does, especially with memories. His mind works this way, and Istredd likes that about it. It gives him full pictures, rather than slivers. He has to relinquish some of his personal control to do the same. Such as his longing to reach out, to comfort, to fix something that can't be fixed, and how he struggles to hold back.

If there is a way to anchor you here, I'll find it, so you never have to go back.

Istredd knows he can't get to the spell that brought them here, they have kept it hidden well, although the fact the other two nations had it in their pocket, it must be somewhere within reach. But perhaps finding a different angle will help. Anchoring him here would make it more difficult for the Singularity to toss him. Or would it? The promise is genuine at least and Istredd will try.

He doesn't say anything but the gratitude is rolling off of him, so much that it might be staggering when it's replaced with an odd blankness. Lucifer instantaneously flits back to his "perch" and carefully selects one of the books from under a stack.

It's relatively thin, looking more like a journal than anything. The notes inside are meticulously written, not pulled forth from the mind, and without any emotion in the rundown. All strictly-stated facts.

Lucifer reappears by Istredd, hands him the book, and takes his seat again.

"Reading material," he explains.

The contents are about the Mark of Cain. It's what Lucifer has told Geralt, including further, minor details here and there, including a drawing of the Mark itself.

If Istredd looks, Lucifer's name is on that first page and might explain his sudden blank thoughts.

It is very startling when it goes from sincere gratitude to nothing and Istredd's thrown, although he assumes at first that it's because Lucifer is trying to stop sharing feelings. He does have a moment when he thinks Lucifer simply didn't want to engage anymore and poofed off, but luckily he returns and hands a book over.

He takes the book curiously and opens it. That's the Mark you talked about. The one Dean Winchester has. That conversation was an intense one for them, when Istredd said he would protect him, and Istredd decided not to mess with his enemy to keep him out of the middle. He mentioned the 'Father of Murder' and corruption, and what Dean was capable of.

His thumb gently caresses Lucifer's name on the page, seeing it on the list for what it is. It was on your arm, wasn't it? Istredd's noticed him touch it subconsciously. Not that this is of great importance to me but ... will he have to give it to someone else? Will it just keep moving through other people?

Istredd has some invested interest in Free Cities. Geralt and Ciri in particular.

His eyes shift to his arm, the only indication to confirm Istredd's question. Doesn't matter his true form or how many vessels he's occupied since. It's burned through in memory.

I'm sure he won't try to pawn it off on anyone. He'll suffer with it and then get past the point of no return, and then he won't even think to try and put it on someone else. I'll go along with the idea that there might be some way to remove it from all the Abraxas and multiverse knowledge that didn't exist in our world. Wouldn't that be something. I had said I'd help, anyway.

Well, that is immediate confirmation. Istredd reminds himself to never accidentally touch that part of that arm, it probably is a sensitive spot to him, considering.

It's possible. We're not in the same world, the same rules don't apply. There is a chance. Istredd obviously can't be the one to help them find what the loophole could be. His eyebrows shoot up at that last part and he frowns. This started because Istredd said he would protect Lucifer from Dean. He hasn't forgotten that or changed his mind. As long as you physically stay away from him.

This started because Istredd's an overprotective fool.

Now he can't just go with his secondary plan of hoping Geralt could keep Dean on a leash and ugh actually trying to find a way to dispose of the Mark that Lucifer himself wanted nothing to do with after a point and why should Dean get an out a second time?

I have a middle man. As much as he could rely on Geralt for that much, but it's better than Castiel, and he doesn't have any other options. Trust me, I have no desire for tête-à-tête with Dean, and I'm sure he'd agree.

He doesn't mind not knowing the middle man. It is probably for the best. Although amusing since he would be very surprised. Istredd does know Geralt cares for Yennefer and Cirilla, but he doesn't typically seem like he bonds with other people easily. Then again, Lucifer seemed that way too.

I suppose my own first step would be to see if there is a spell here. Banishing probably wouldn't be a good option since that is for living creatures, not a magical mark. They could try to burn it off his skin, dig in under it and peel the flesh away. That is unlikely to work if this is more than just a mark on his arm. It is probably through his entire arm to the bone. He wants to help, if only to keep protecting Lucifer from the future. You don't know how to remove it other than pass it on to someone else?

The Mark is just as much soul-deep as skin-deep. I know they did manage to remove it the first time, but I didn't particularly pay too much attention to the how of it. It was too much of an annoyance for him, and besides, he was free from his Cage again and snug into a "new" vessel. Mark was gone, they had other things to deal with.

I mean, we'll either figure it out, or Dean kills everyone in Free Cities and keeps on trekking. I think throwing him at the Singularity outside of the Dimming could be a fun experiment, but I suppose that would keep you from getting your Best Friends Forever bracelet from your rock.

But it might be the only way to really kill him, Lucifer's just not sure how to get Dean there.

"You should make Strange do Rhy's next banquet. You'll still be recovering from this, after all."

He's only mostly joking... about both comments.

Istredd studies him for a moment. How deeply do you think the corruption of the Mark had to do with your actions? It isn't to say Lucifer would not have done those things, but it is an interesting question. Could losing the Mark be part of why he was able to be rational, for better or for worse?

All it would do is bring him to the Horizon, which is a place where he can't do any permanent damage, so it isn't a terrible idea. I don't know how people get out of the crater. Meaning they could throw Dean's body into it but how they would get it back out again is a question mark. Supposedly someone could go in too and drag him out? Unknown. What if he was killed and then immediately resuscitated? If his heart stops beating, would the Mark leave him?

This isn't Istredd's problem, obviously, but it is a problem, and getting rid of the Mark will also protect Lucifer from the murderous rage. So he is willing to go into idea mode.

"He's busier than I am. I don't know when the next group of Summoned will get here, I'll deal with it."

It just made me more of what I already was.

It feels like he's parroting the words, and Istredd may recall hearing another voice saying them when they were fighting.

He's circled back and forth and in and out and has done jumping jacks to wonder how much of the Mark influenced him. Just another thing to blame other than himself. And he'll use it as an excuse in his own mind, but to Istredd asking? He doesn't have much of a concrete answer.

In theory he shouldn't be able to die, but if the Singularity is to blame for it than it might be the solution. I don't think he'll make it to the next Dimming to take advantage of that. Do you know if anyone has ever had their minds trapped in the Horizon--for more than a few hours? Yes, he's thinking of the worse-case options, because he does know Geralt will accept those when the others won't.

Bullshit, Istredd replies sharply. His eyes are bright as they narrow at him, not that they should be having an argument where they currently are, but that's what having this connection means. No one is the wiser. I'm not asking whoever said that to you, I'm asking you. He does remember that mousey, high voice. Istredd forgets very little.

He assumes it's God since that's where all of Lucifer and Michael's bullshit comes from. And he thought he had issues from Stregobor, it's still less than a century of it. Those two have millions of years.

In the memory Jack shared on the mental images, with Rhy and a young woman. He said they were stuck there a long time. It is possible it was Horizon time so it wasn't the same thing, but it did strike him as strange. It didn't seem intentional though. I suppose there is logic to trying to trap his mind here and find a solution.

How's your moment of a breather away from everyone going, huh, Istredd? Really rocking that solitude when you're grappling with a celestial being's self-loathing.

Regardless, he doesn't have an answer. He know it changed a lot about him, pressed in deep. But he may have still gone down the same road, may have still turned his back to Michael, with or without the Mark.

I got a few lines in and then promptly ignored that. Very much a TL;DR moment.

At least dealing with Lucifer is familiar now. He would rather be coping with his drama over getting in the midst of someone else's. Istredd isn't concerned with the meeting though, it appears that people are talking amongst themselves and signing up for training, as he had hoped. Perhaps it was a success after all.

He knows he is intentionally avoiding the question now which means Istredd is going to let it go. He doubts this is the last time they will discuss it, but it doesn't have to be now.

It was very long and ill-advised, he revealed personal memories from Rhy and whoever the woman was without asking. But it also said that Rhy was stuck in the Horizon. It appears to be a rare situation though, and we know he has a unique relationship with the Singularity. Dean likely doesn't have that.

It is a puzzle to work out for certain, but Istredd is willing to work with theories to keep them both safe from the Mark's inevitable murder spree. He would reach out to Geralt to warn him, but that is really not their type of connection. Little does he know how aware of it he is. Is giving it to someone else the only option to get rid of it? The rules could be different here.

So I guess he took the excess twenty-four percent dickishness from me and used it for himself. The sarcasm comes in waves before it eases into annoyed understanding. He's in his own world most of the time; likely didn't even see it as something to be construed as malicious.

He doesn't like Jack and generally he doesn't even understand what the guy is, and he may appear harmless, but he's something else entirely.

But that act sounds like something Lucifer would be capable of doing, and Jack is not like him.

"I don't know," he says it out loud because it sounds better than rattling around in his head. I imagine his tag-alongs are trying any common-sense method they can manage. Find a way to change the rules. I did warm Michael, so he's also aware.

The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

And can probably wrap here. They're nerds.