𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐤𝐚 "ate 12 sandwiches & napped" 𝐬𝐮𝐢 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
aquaveiled) wrote2021-06-10 12:41 pm
aquaveiled) wrote2021-06-10 12:41 pm
Abraxas IC Inbox
[ Letters | Network | Domain | Action ]
[ Letters | Network | Domain | Action ]
[ The shift in Himeka's choice of drink would be difficult to miss, yet it's not as if Thancred can blame her. This sudden bout of memory sharing between the Summoned would be a lot to handle even without the added pressure that Himeka's heaping on herself, regardless of what he might say. He does hope she'll take his words to heart, but he also understand it's easier said than done.
Simply put, he knows a thing or two about guilt and how it eats at you.
Her use of the term "eyeball dream" does bring a small huff of a laugh out of him, mainly because it's so her. ] Yes, that's yet another hint that the Singularity is at the center of all this. We'll need to do more research on the eclipse, it seems. [ Which is not his area of expertise, but he can work with Y'shtola on it.
He'd rather not dwell on this subject overly long, not wanting to make Himeka too uncomfortable, and there's plenty more for them to discuss. ]
Is there aught else I should know of that took place over the course of my trip?
[ It had been three weeks, after all, and while the two of them kept up with each other, it was more checking in than full reports. He has much to tell her as well, but you know what they say. Ladies first. ]
Simply put, he knows a thing or two about guilt and how it eats at you.
Her use of the term "eyeball dream" does bring a small huff of a laugh out of him, mainly because it's so her. ] Yes, that's yet another hint that the Singularity is at the center of all this. We'll need to do more research on the eclipse, it seems. [ Which is not his area of expertise, but he can work with Y'shtola on it.
He'd rather not dwell on this subject overly long, not wanting to make Himeka too uncomfortable, and there's plenty more for them to discuss. ]
Is there aught else I should know of that took place over the course of my trip?
[ It had been three weeks, after all, and while the two of them kept up with each other, it was more checking in than full reports. He has much to tell her as well, but you know what they say. Ladies first. ]
[ She nods in agreement with that. Though she's far from the best notetaker, she does try to wrack her brain if she's seen anything like that before, both in the Horizon and without. But she comes up with nothing to shake out any relevant memories. ]
I don't think I'd seen anything like it before. Though...eyeballs...eclipses--they do kind of look like the same thing, don't they?
[ She looks up from her drink then like she's assuming Thancred will concur. ]
You know...large. Balls that can be hidden by other things?
[ Makes perfect sense right? ]
Ah...I went on somethin of a trip myself.
[ That topic puts her in something of a better mood. ]
The caskets that we'd retrieve in the winter-- [ She had won one herself from Thorne and brought it back to the Commune. ] --myself and another were tasked with delivering it to a shrine in the forest.
I don't think I'd seen anything like it before. Though...eyeballs...eclipses--they do kind of look like the same thing, don't they?
[ She looks up from her drink then like she's assuming Thancred will concur. ]
You know...large. Balls that can be hidden by other things?
[ Makes perfect sense right? ]
Ah...I went on somethin of a trip myself.
[ That topic puts her in something of a better mood. ]
The caskets that we'd retrieve in the winter-- [ She had won one herself from Thorne and brought it back to the Commune. ] --myself and another were tasked with delivering it to a shrine in the forest.
[ Thancred braces his elbow on the table and then rests his chin in his open palm, easing up slightly with the drink and the less fraught conversation. ]
I assumed the term 'eye' was more a nickname of sorts for the eclipse, given how it does look a bit like one, yes.
[ As in, they probably shouldn't read into that word too much. Or mayhap they should? But it struck him as a term that the people of Abraxas used for the eclipse, rather than having some deeper meaning.
Again, though, that will require further research. He sees a trip to Thorne's library in his future — one wherein he'll be fetching loads of books for Y'shtola.
Himeka had mentioned her own trip during their correspondence, though she had shied away from including too many details. Which had been the right choice, of course. Thancred's glad that she's picked up on some of his lessons by now. ]
A shrine, eh? To one of the old gods, I'd wager. [ Though there's something he's still confused about, he'll admit. ] What is the significance of these caskets, exactly? I had heard that Summoned squared up against each other to claim them, but what makes them so desirable?
I assumed the term 'eye' was more a nickname of sorts for the eclipse, given how it does look a bit like one, yes.
[ As in, they probably shouldn't read into that word too much. Or mayhap they should? But it struck him as a term that the people of Abraxas used for the eclipse, rather than having some deeper meaning.
Again, though, that will require further research. He sees a trip to Thorne's library in his future — one wherein he'll be fetching loads of books for Y'shtola.
Himeka had mentioned her own trip during their correspondence, though she had shied away from including too many details. Which had been the right choice, of course. Thancred's glad that she's picked up on some of his lessons by now. ]
A shrine, eh? To one of the old gods, I'd wager. [ Though there's something he's still confused about, he'll admit. ] What is the significance of these caskets, exactly? I had heard that Summoned squared up against each other to claim them, but what makes them so desirable?
[ She nods several times in succession. Theorizing is the sort of thing she's always preferred to leave up to the other Scions, chiming in only when prompted. But when it was only her and Estinien--arguably two of the absolute worst at it--she's tried to step up to the plate. ]
I can't shake the feeling that it's like...like the Singularity is watching us somehow. That's silly, right?
[ Please tell her that's silly, Thancred.
She takes a moment to take a drink from her tankard before going into the details of her journey. Her nerves are arguably more calmed after moving away from the subject of the Echo. ]
I'm not entirely certain, but I imagine if Y'shtola was close to one she would find something interesting. Even I can sense the aether is different.
[ While naturally sensitive to aether given her proclivity to manipulating it to her will, no one has the sort of aether insight as Y'sthola at this point. All Himeka can feel is that it's special, even if she can't discern why. ]
They came from Thorne. The Council in Solvunn said that they couldn't be trusted with Thorne or the Free Cities. Given the history with Thorne and the reputation of the Free Cities, Estinien and I actually agreed on that point. But...we did so knowing that we would be entrusting this strange energy to the Council.
[ People that have thus far been kind, but truthfully Himeka doesn't know too well. She's used to bumping elbows with nation leaders at this point, so it's a work in progress. ]
They said they would be kept safe and part of me hoped that would be the end of it. Just keep it secret and safe? But when the opportunity came up to transport them...
[ She was curious but also felt responsible given that she had helped deliver some of those caskets to Solvunn. ]
The shrine was remote, Thancred. There are many shrines and altars in the towns proper, but they really sent us out and away from everyone else.
I can't shake the feeling that it's like...like the Singularity is watching us somehow. That's silly, right?
[ Please tell her that's silly, Thancred.
She takes a moment to take a drink from her tankard before going into the details of her journey. Her nerves are arguably more calmed after moving away from the subject of the Echo. ]
I'm not entirely certain, but I imagine if Y'shtola was close to one she would find something interesting. Even I can sense the aether is different.
[ While naturally sensitive to aether given her proclivity to manipulating it to her will, no one has the sort of aether insight as Y'sthola at this point. All Himeka can feel is that it's special, even if she can't discern why. ]
They came from Thorne. The Council in Solvunn said that they couldn't be trusted with Thorne or the Free Cities. Given the history with Thorne and the reputation of the Free Cities, Estinien and I actually agreed on that point. But...we did so knowing that we would be entrusting this strange energy to the Council.
[ People that have thus far been kind, but truthfully Himeka doesn't know too well. She's used to bumping elbows with nation leaders at this point, so it's a work in progress. ]
They said they would be kept safe and part of me hoped that would be the end of it. Just keep it secret and safe? But when the opportunity came up to transport them...
[ She was curious but also felt responsible given that she had helped deliver some of those caskets to Solvunn. ]
The shrine was remote, Thancred. There are many shrines and altars in the towns proper, but they really sent us out and away from everyone else.
[ While Himeka might want some manner of reassurance on the point of the Singularity, Thancred isn't in a place to offer that. He instead lifts his eyebrows and gives a noncommittal little shrug. It very well could be watching them, particularly their actions within the Horizon. The Singularity being sentient in some way doesn't strike him as particularly farfetched, after all they've seen.
Look at Eden, for example.
The explanation of the caskets that Himeka gives still manages to be rather vague, but Thancred gathers that they are a great source of energy. Naturally he thinks to the large caches of crystals that would be gathered by anyone wishing to perform a primal summoning back home. No, none of this sounds good. His rests both his elbows on the table, lacing his fingers together in front of his face.
Perhaps he could learn more of these caskets from within Thorne, if that is where they originated. Thancred can understand why Himeka would have wanted to take power out of Thorne's hands, having gone through what she did at their whims, but where the casket ended up doesn't sound particularly reassuring either. ]
It's not often that leaders of any nation make a bid for a power source and don't eventually plan to do something with it. [ And so Himeka had felt a personal responsibility to see things through, to know where her actions in taking the casket would lead.
The shrine was remote. He frowns, hands falling away as he straightens and heaves out a sigh. ] They wanted it taken to that particular shrine, then. Or are you implying that they chose that location to ensure the safety of their people? [ Himeka has always wanted to see the best in people, and he is here to temper that. ]
Look at Eden, for example.
The explanation of the caskets that Himeka gives still manages to be rather vague, but Thancred gathers that they are a great source of energy. Naturally he thinks to the large caches of crystals that would be gathered by anyone wishing to perform a primal summoning back home. No, none of this sounds good. His rests both his elbows on the table, lacing his fingers together in front of his face.
Perhaps he could learn more of these caskets from within Thorne, if that is where they originated. Thancred can understand why Himeka would have wanted to take power out of Thorne's hands, having gone through what she did at their whims, but where the casket ended up doesn't sound particularly reassuring either. ]
It's not often that leaders of any nation make a bid for a power source and don't eventually plan to do something with it. [ And so Himeka had felt a personal responsibility to see things through, to know where her actions in taking the casket would lead.
The shrine was remote. He frowns, hands falling away as he straightens and heaves out a sigh. ] They wanted it taken to that particular shrine, then. Or are you implying that they chose that location to ensure the safety of their people? [ Himeka has always wanted to see the best in people, and he is here to temper that. ]
[after taking stock of her inventory—what she has and hasn't sent, or hasn't otherwise given away to family in solvunn—she is left with a fair amount of items that she could very well... give away. she has no desire to keep them anywhere, nor to have a stock of them.
not when magic comes so easily to her.
and so, himeka will find a couple of things waiting for her at the farm. the first are candles, then soaps, and several bottles with scents and lotions and all the hair care a gal could want. additionally, there is a recipe box with her own food additions, that of food found in solvunn, and several blank cards for her to fill in with her own ideas.
there is no sender nor letter to explain the package, but it's probably not necessary. if himeka had been paying attention the past few weeks, she would have known that wanda had been working on this little side project on her own anyway.]
not when magic comes so easily to her.
and so, himeka will find a couple of things waiting for her at the farm. the first are candles, then soaps, and several bottles with scents and lotions and all the hair care a gal could want. additionally, there is a recipe box with her own food additions, that of food found in solvunn, and several blank cards for her to fill in with her own ideas.
there is no sender nor letter to explain the package, but it's probably not necessary. if himeka had been paying attention the past few weeks, she would have known that wanda had been working on this little side project on her own anyway.]
[ Wanda will find that when she comes home the following evening, Himeka is making a meal for everyone from one of the little recipe cards from the box. Out of everything, that is unsurprisingly her favorite, knowing that care has been put into writing all that down, remembering the ingredients...
Cooking is an act of love as far as she's concerned. And she wants to return it in kind.
(Her hair may also start to smell like the new tonics over the weeks. And the lotion really helps her scales!) ]
Cooking is an act of love as far as she's concerned. And she wants to return it in kind.
(Her hair may also start to smell like the new tonics over the weeks. And the lotion really helps her scales!) ]
We have another Scion in our midst.
I came upon Urianger in the communal baths yesterday evening.
I came upon Urianger in the communal baths yesterday evening.
Whatever Himeka is doing at the moment is suddenly interrupted by Inej reaching out to her– hopefully her handwriting is familiar enough that Himeka knows who's contacting her.
Are you busy?
[ Wh-what? ]
υяιαηgεя?
gσ∂s! ιт's вεεη αgεs, нσω ιs нε ∂σιηg?
ωαιт, ωαs нε ∂яσωηιηg?
υяιαηgεя?
gσ∂s! ιт's вεεη αgεs, нσω ιs нε ∂σιηg?
ωαιт, ωαs нε ∂яσωηιηg?
No, not this time.
[ Yet it's a fair question. Thancred doubts that any of them will soon forget the walking-on-water incident.]
He's doing well, all things considered. I'm taking care to ensure he settles in, and I already made him aware of your presence here.
It's interesting that Thorne in particular seems so eager to bring us Scions in.
[ Yet it's a fair question. Thancred doubts that any of them will soon forget the walking-on-water incident.]
He's doing well, all things considered. I'm taking care to ensure he settles in, and I already made him aware of your presence here.
It's interesting that Thorne in particular seems so eager to bring us Scions in.
[ It certainly is! Himeka happens to be on the road just outside of the Primary Settlement, heading back to the farm she lives at. So she does pause to respond. ]
ιηεנ! ησρε, ι'м נυsт нεα∂ιηg вαcк нσмε. ιs αυgнт αмιss?
ιηεנ! ησρε, ι'м נυsт нεα∂ιηg вαcк нσмε. ιs αυgнт αмιss?
Everything's fine. I was just wondering- how much have you looked into the Old Gods there in Solvunn?
ιт's вεεη α вιт σғ αη σηgσιηg ρяσנεcт σғ мιηε ғσя α ωнιℓε. вυт sσмε sεcяεтs αяε cℓσsεℓү кερт, ιт sεεмs. ι vεηтυяε∂ συт тσ α sняιηε α ғεω мσσηs вαcк.
ιт ωσυℓ∂ sεεм sσ! ι'ℓℓ α∂мιт ι'м α ℓιттℓε נεαℓσυs...
[ She misses her friends, okay? ]
ℓεт мε кησω αs sσση αs нε's яεα∂ү тσ cнαт ιη нσяιzση, тнσυgн. ι αssυмε үσυ'яε gσιηg тσ вε тαкιηg нιм ση нιs ғιяsт נσυяηεү?
[ She misses her friends, okay? ]
ℓεт мε кησω αs sσση αs нε's яεα∂ү тσ cнαт ιη нσяιzση, тнσυgн. ι αssυмε үσυ'яε gσιηg тσ вε тαкιηg нιм ση нιs ғιяsт נσυяηεү?
I thought so. Anything interesting in the shrine?
I can't recall, but did I ever tell you about the cryptic note I found when I was researching in the library when I was still in Solvunn?
I can't recall, but did I ever tell you about the cryptic note I found when I was researching in the library when I was still in Solvunn?
[ Thancred does at times wish they could all be in the same place. They can only hope that another opportunity to meet presents itself sooner rather than later. ]
Yes, I suspect so. I have already told him about its existence and the very concept was overwhelming enough in its possibilities that he requested time to think it all over. As you can imagine, he's eager to learn as much as he can about this place as quickly as feasibly possible.
Yes, I suspect so. I have already told him about its existence and the very concept was overwhelming enough in its possibilities that he requested time to think it all over. As you can imagine, he's eager to learn as much as he can about this place as quickly as feasibly possible.
[ It's almost too much to process, all at once. The shift from a nice time spent at a luxurious ball to the potential threat had been one thing, and Thancred had made his choice, opting to help Hythlodaeus (and by proxy, Himeka) rather than see to the message from Thorne.
Then, he returned to the castle only to be ushered into the Throne Room and hear a speech from Queen Ellya that is the polar of what she'd uttered at the Summit. Thancred watches her anger, how she spits it out with each word, how her eyes flash with it — so irrational that the danger is clear even before the threat is literally shown to them. Grigory is dead, and Thancred knows that he was even closer to the Queen than most would believe, but he still isn't ready for her to show them a vision of her rage given form, as meteors relentlessly rain down on a desert city.
Which could very well be Cadens.
It feels like the Final Days all over again. He can practically feel the heat of Vanaspati, can almost smell the smoke of burning flesh despite the comforts of the castle.
More than that, Yennefer is hurt and that is at least partially his fault. He sends out a string of mental messages to her first, with no reply, and it's at that point that he pushes through the crowd of Summoned and castle residents alike until he can find a quiet spot in an unattended hallway to catch his breath.
Everyone he knows in the Free Cities (and more) may be ash, but before he faces that, he needs to find out if his choice had been worth it.
He focuses on sending a missive to Himeka. He prays that she responds. His writing as it appears is hastily scribbled. ]
Himeka.
Are you all right?
Thorne's delegate was injured. Please check in as soon as you are able.
Then, he returned to the castle only to be ushered into the Throne Room and hear a speech from Queen Ellya that is the polar of what she'd uttered at the Summit. Thancred watches her anger, how she spits it out with each word, how her eyes flash with it — so irrational that the danger is clear even before the threat is literally shown to them. Grigory is dead, and Thancred knows that he was even closer to the Queen than most would believe, but he still isn't ready for her to show them a vision of her rage given form, as meteors relentlessly rain down on a desert city.
Which could very well be Cadens.
It feels like the Final Days all over again. He can practically feel the heat of Vanaspati, can almost smell the smoke of burning flesh despite the comforts of the castle.
More than that, Yennefer is hurt and that is at least partially his fault. He sends out a string of mental messages to her first, with no reply, and it's at that point that he pushes through the crowd of Summoned and castle residents alike until he can find a quiet spot in an unattended hallway to catch his breath.
Everyone he knows in the Free Cities (and more) may be ash, but before he faces that, he needs to find out if his choice had been worth it.
He focuses on sending a missive to Himeka. He prays that she responds. His writing as it appears is hastily scribbled. ]
Himeka.
Are you all right?
Thorne's delegate was injured. Please check in as soon as you are able.
[ Truth be told, she's escaped the most unscathed, and as a healer it almost doesn't seem fair. The only HP that matters is the last, after all.
The mood in the Commune is...interesting. That she should benefit from the support of others is something that she won't soon forget, but as much as she cares for and feels a part of the community, she doesn't fully trust it's leadership. Ominous energies exist in the world around them and as intertwined with the natural world as the Commune is, she can't believe they exist outside one another.
Still, she's on the mend quickly. And she's never the sort to sit idly, even if she's still recovering. ]
I'm fine.
[ Which is probably the exact answer Thancred anticipated. ]
I know the others were attacked. Yennefer?
[ Both Yennefer and Jaskier were in the carriage with her--she knows who else was sent to ply for their faction. ]
The mood in the Commune is...interesting. That she should benefit from the support of others is something that she won't soon forget, but as much as she cares for and feels a part of the community, she doesn't fully trust it's leadership. Ominous energies exist in the world around them and as intertwined with the natural world as the Commune is, she can't believe they exist outside one another.
Still, she's on the mend quickly. And she's never the sort to sit idly, even if she's still recovering. ]
I'm fine.
[ Which is probably the exact answer Thancred anticipated. ]
I know the others were attacked. Yennefer?
[ Both Yennefer and Jaskier were in the carriage with her--she knows who else was sent to ply for their faction. ]
[ The relief of seeing her handwriting appear on the opposite wall has Thancred falling into a seat at one of the benches inlaid into the castle corridor. Himeka's fine, and while that doesn't give him a sense for her injuries, she is at least conscious. The same cannot be said for Yennefer.
There's still many questions left answered, but this was the most important one. He takes a moment, dragging his hands down his face and then up again, through his hair. ]
She isn't awake yet, but she should recover.
I have no idea about Jaskier. The queen just attacked the Free Cities with fire and brimstone.
[ There's no easy way to break that news. Thancred knows that Jaskier and Himeka were friends, and he can only hope and pray that he survived. ]
There's still many questions left answered, but this was the most important one. He takes a moment, dragging his hands down his face and then up again, through his hair. ]
She isn't awake yet, but she should recover.
I have no idea about Jaskier. The queen just attacked the Free Cities with fire and brimstone.
[ There's no easy way to break that news. Thancred knows that Jaskier and Himeka were friends, and he can only hope and pray that he survived. ]
[ She doesn't know Yennefer all that well, but she does know that she's been something of a friend or at least adventuring companion to Thancred. That in and of itself makes it all the more important.
He's lost plenty. He doesn't need to lose another one. ]
You probably have the best healing magicks there in Thorne. I can reach out to Jaskier...
[ Trying to be helpful? Hopeful?
But that second part...that bodes ill.]
...Literal fire and brimstone?
He's lost plenty. He doesn't need to lose another one. ]
You probably have the best healing magicks there in Thorne. I can reach out to Jaskier...
[ Trying to be helpful? Hopeful?
But that second part...that bodes ill.]
...Literal fire and brimstone?
Yes. She made us watch through some manner of portal, much like the way that G'raha used to watch us through the Crystal Tower. I witnessed massive fireballs raining down on one of the cities there.
[ It's hard not to assume it's Cadens, though he doesn't know for certain. ]
Hopefully we hear word from the Summoned there soon. I would rather not assume the worst, but...
[ He's also trying to be realistic. ]
[ It's hard not to assume it's Cadens, though he doesn't know for certain. ]
Hopefully we hear word from the Summoned there soon. I would rather not assume the worst, but...
[ He's also trying to be realistic. ]
[ Goodness. Though she supposes it was only a matter of time given the nature of the relationship between the Free Cities and Thorne from what she's gathered, it does bring it all to home, doesn't it? This war that's been ongoing with the frontlines being more metaphorical than literal. Someone would eventually make the first move. ]
The Free Cities have the best military on the star, don't they? Surely they would be prepared...
The Free Cities have the best military on the star, don't they? Surely they would be prepared...
One would certainly hope. Based on what I was able to see, however, it didn't look promising. There were no shields or reinforcements to keep the attack at bay.
[ Of course he doesn't want to deliver Himeka such awful news. But this is the reality of the situation, and there's no point in trying to downplay it. It's unfortunately nothing they haven't seen before. ]
[ Of course he doesn't want to deliver Himeka such awful news. But this is the reality of the situation, and there's no point in trying to downplay it. It's unfortunately nothing they haven't seen before. ]
And we've heard nothing...?
[ Okay, yes. She's definitely worried. And it isn't as if gossip in Solvunn is regular about the outside world. ]
Surely someone has heard something. I'll go out.
[ Bed rest? Nah. ]
[ Okay, yes. She's definitely worried. And it isn't as if gossip in Solvunn is regular about the outside world. ]
Surely someone has heard something. I'll go out.
[ Bed rest? Nah. ]
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