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 ]
[ Geralt almost never reaches out to anyone via this method, except when needed. He is not, however, keen on going in and out of the Horizon, waiting until circumstances line up just right so he can catch the person he needs to speak to. This is not a pressing matter, exactly. But it is a conversation he'd prefer to have sooner rather than later.
She will find a tidy, bold script shimmering where she next looks: ]
She will find a tidy, bold script shimmering where she next looks: ]
I'd like to talk.
[He possesses the unfortunate ailment of all newcomers to the Horizon, the inability to remember so much that would come to define him. Maybe that's a kind of freedom to some; a kind of clean slate in which to express emotion and curiosity freely, dependent upon the shape of their character prior. For Sephiroth, it only manifests as wandering, knowing something has gone missing but unaware and unable to know how or why. Lost, but seeking.
He finds a plaza of stone, illuminated by pink circular-like adornments. Ruins that he cannot hope to recognize linger in the distance, though he is certain that they did not exist before he set foot into this place. The centerpiece appears to be a large, hovering crystal, golden rings circling it lazily. That is a curiosity of its own, but it is the sound of singing and dancing that truly draws his green-eyed attention elsewhere: an assortment of… creatures at a distance, small with little bouncing pom-poms atop their heads.
Sephiroth ambles towards them, and shows no hesitation in bending down just enough to pick one up without preamble. He turns the wiggling little cat-like thing to face him, frowning.]
I’ve seen this before.
[Somewhere— where? A mog? Moogle? The images are far-away but present, gone hazy like that of a dream. But the look of this creature is very distinct, and he is sure his memory does not fail him here.]
He finds a plaza of stone, illuminated by pink circular-like adornments. Ruins that he cannot hope to recognize linger in the distance, though he is certain that they did not exist before he set foot into this place. The centerpiece appears to be a large, hovering crystal, golden rings circling it lazily. That is a curiosity of its own, but it is the sound of singing and dancing that truly draws his green-eyed attention elsewhere: an assortment of… creatures at a distance, small with little bouncing pom-poms atop their heads.
Sephiroth ambles towards them, and shows no hesitation in bending down just enough to pick one up without preamble. He turns the wiggling little cat-like thing to face him, frowning.]
I’ve seen this before.
[Somewhere— where? A mog? Moogle? The images are far-away but present, gone hazy like that of a dream. But the look of this creature is very distinct, and he is sure his memory does not fail him here.]
[ The first day of the Summit has just about come to an end, with booths packing up so that the vendors can find some rest themselves. Most of the Summoned are now headed off to the Neutral section to see what's on offer after hours, and while Thancred would normally be happy to join in, he needs to take care of something first.
The lack of a linkpearl is something he hadn't felt keenly until now, though he's aware that there's another method of instant communication in this world. It isn't quite what he's used to, but it will be faster than tracking down Himeka in person, at least for now.
Thus, he takes a moment to close his eyes and concentrate, mentally penning out a message meant for Himeka's eyes only. ]
The lack of a linkpearl is something he hadn't felt keenly until now, though he's aware that there's another method of instant communication in this world. It isn't quite what he's used to, but it will be faster than tracking down Himeka in person, at least for now.
Thus, he takes a moment to close his eyes and concentrate, mentally penning out a message meant for Himeka's eyes only. ]
Himeka, can you see this? It's Thancred.
[ A chat with Himeka is long overdue. The plan had always been for him to check in with her via the Horizon soon after his return to Castle Thorne, and yet so much more has happened than he ever could have anticipated in the last few suns. First, the mutual sharing of memories between Summoned which started only the day before. Second, the sudden appearance of Y'shtola, who he discovered upon returning to the castle.
He's been keeping Himeka up to date as best he can with their ability to mentally send messages to each other, yet it's hardly a substitute for a face-to-face conversation. Or as face-to-face as the Horizon allows, in any case.
Late into the evening he returns to his room (and gods, he has missed sleeping in a proper bed), sits cross-legged on his mattress, and slips into the Horizon. It's been three weeks since he's done this, but it comes back to him with little resistance, his domain appearing around him bit by bit.
It's the Wandering Stairs. A drink would be nice about now, even if it's not a "real" one.
Yet as Thancred looks around the area, he spots Himeka already there, seated at one of the tables with a plate of coffee biscuits in front of her. He blinks in mild surprise, but then moves over to join her. ]
Just invited yourself in, did you?
[ Yet despite the question, and his exasperated little sigh, his smile is fond. He has security measures in place, but of course Himeka is always welcome. Even if she had found herself in that set of alleyways, she would have been able to navigate her way through and to the rest of his domain with little trouble. ]
He's been keeping Himeka up to date as best he can with their ability to mentally send messages to each other, yet it's hardly a substitute for a face-to-face conversation. Or as face-to-face as the Horizon allows, in any case.
Late into the evening he returns to his room (and gods, he has missed sleeping in a proper bed), sits cross-legged on his mattress, and slips into the Horizon. It's been three weeks since he's done this, but it comes back to him with little resistance, his domain appearing around him bit by bit.
It's the Wandering Stairs. A drink would be nice about now, even if it's not a "real" one.
Yet as Thancred looks around the area, he spots Himeka already there, seated at one of the tables with a plate of coffee biscuits in front of her. He blinks in mild surprise, but then moves over to join her. ]
Just invited yourself in, did you?
[ Yet despite the question, and his exasperated little sigh, his smile is fond. He has security measures in place, but of course Himeka is always welcome. Even if she had found herself in that set of alleyways, she would have been able to navigate her way through and to the rest of his domain with little trouble. ]
[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.]
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?
[ 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.
[ Sent this way by Jayce's suggestion: ]
Hello. My name is Kyle. I've been curious about the gods of this world, and was told you might be a good person to talk to about them.
If you'd rather speak in Horizon, I have a temple there where we can meet.
Hello. My name is Kyle. I've been curious about the gods of this world, and was told you might be a good person to talk to about them.
If you'd rather speak in Horizon, I have a temple there where we can meet.
Himeka,
Is all well with you?
Urianger has been abducted and taken to some unknown place underground. We have made contact, but the messages are garbled. He did not mention your presence there, but please let me know that you are safe as soon as you can.
Is all well with you?
Urianger has been abducted and taken to some unknown place underground. We have made contact, but the messages are garbled. He did not mention your presence there, but please let me know that you are safe as soon as you can.
Hello, Himeka. We haven't met yet, but Sam mentioned you were a trustworthy person to speak to in Solvunn. My name is Natasha and Sam's delegated me to try and keep information flowing between the Summoned in different factions, so we all have access to all the information people are digging up on these disappearances.
Would you be willing to talk? If so, we can do it this way or meet in the Horizon, whichever is easier for you.
Would you be willing to talk? If so, we can do it this way or meet in the Horizon, whichever is easier for you.
[ The message that comes through is jumbled and disjointed, since the sender is still in the height of his fever and the vision that had blanked out everything else for its duration has left him shaken and disoriented. But he tries. ]
Himeka! They gave ù̸̹̻s̴͉̈̕ ̵̹̓̕s̷̻̕o̵͔̐m̴͓͒e̸̢̓ṫ̷͔͆ȟ̶̯̱̎i̴̗̓͐n̴̝͍̉g̵̗̦͑͒ ̷̧̻͂͠t̸̩́͑h̶̟̆̈ä̴̠̙́t̵͕̓̋ ̷̥͓̓g̷̪̫͆a̶̢̐̈́v̵̡͆̀ȩ̴̰̇̚ ̵̗͕̆u̴͚̓s̷͙͎̔ visions, after w̸̺͋ḥ̴̔͠ă̶̻̯̔t̶̜͈͐̇ ̶̟͔͗t̶̬̩̔̇h̵̼̾̚e̶͍̒̓y̵̛̲͔ ̷͇́d̶̢̙̑i̴̦͝͝d̵̫͕͂̎ ̵͍̜̏̅t̷͕̺̍o̴͈̗̓̃ ̵̱͚͐͆ṷ̵̈́͜s̸̟̐͛.̷͚̐ Others saw ̷̘͐s̷̨̕͜t̷̹̚r̶͖̺̆͝ă̷̩̲n̷̔̿ͅg̴̱̘͋ê̴̬̐ ̵̬͊͗t̴̙͂̅h̵̪̓i̷̯̠̒n̵̯̭̊g̸͔̏s̵̺̈̉,̴̖̉̆ ̸̣͆ẗ̶̠̗́̒o̵̝̘̓̀o̷͇͓͗,̸͔̇ ̷̙̟̿̋b̶͙̖̑ü̶̬̲̂ẗ̷͜ ̸̛̦̟́ I saw it. The maze! Where w̴͉̥̽͝ę̵̖̿ ̷̨͚̑͊w̴̢̘̓́e̷̥̝͝ṟ̷́e̵̗̽͜ trapped in the horizon! d̵̼̼͆́o̶̟͂̽ ̶͖̅ȳ̷͖o̷̦͑́u̵͈͌̆ remember? İ̴͔̪̽ ̸̙̳͛́t̵̙͕̅h̸͔̿̚i̷̟͖̒͝ň̴̹k̸̬̹̈͛ ̴̧̔͝i̵̝̙͐͠t̵͙͈̿ ̴̲̌͗m̶̗͑̑i̷͉̎g̶̮͑h̴̪͘t̸̛͈̃ ̵̗̾͝b̶̘͂ė̶̲̚ important.
Himeka! They gave ù̸̹̻s̴͉̈̕ ̵̹̓̕s̷̻̕o̵͔̐m̴͓͒e̸̢̓ṫ̷͔͆ȟ̶̯̱̎i̴̗̓͐n̴̝͍̉g̵̗̦͑͒ ̷̧̻͂͠t̸̩́͑h̶̟̆̈ä̴̠̙́t̵͕̓̋ ̷̥͓̓g̷̪̫͆a̶̢̐̈́v̵̡͆̀ȩ̴̰̇̚ ̵̗͕̆u̴͚̓s̷͙͎̔ visions, after w̸̺͋ḥ̴̔͠ă̶̻̯̔t̶̜͈͐̇ ̶̟͔͗t̶̬̩̔̇h̵̼̾̚e̶͍̒̓y̵̛̲͔ ̷͇́d̶̢̙̑i̴̦͝͝d̵̫͕͂̎ ̵͍̜̏̅t̷͕̺̍o̴͈̗̓̃ ̵̱͚͐͆ṷ̵̈́͜s̸̟̐͛.̷͚̐ Others saw ̷̘͐s̷̨̕͜t̷̹̚r̶͖̺̆͝ă̷̩̲n̷̔̿ͅg̴̱̘͋ê̴̬̐ ̵̬͊͗t̴̙͂̅h̵̪̓i̷̯̠̒n̵̯̭̊g̸͔̏s̵̺̈̉,̴̖̉̆ ̸̣͆ẗ̶̠̗́̒o̵̝̘̓̀o̷͇͓͗,̸͔̇ ̷̙̟̿̋b̶͙̖̑ü̶̬̲̂ẗ̷͜ ̸̛̦̟́ I saw it. The maze! Where w̴͉̥̽͝ę̵̖̿ ̷̨͚̑͊w̴̢̘̓́e̷̥̝͝ṟ̷́e̵̗̽͜ trapped in the horizon! d̵̼̼͆́o̶̟͂̽ ̶͖̅ȳ̷͖o̷̦͑́u̵͈͌̆ remember? İ̴͔̪̽ ̸̙̳͛́t̵̙͕̅h̸͔̿̚i̷̟͖̒͝ň̴̹k̸̬̹̈͛ ̴̧̔͝i̵̝̙͐͠t̵͙͈̿ ̴̲̌͗m̶̗͑̑i̷͉̎g̶̮͑h̴̪͘t̸̛͈̃ ̵̗̾͝b̶̘͂ė̶̲̚ important.
[ The bright light of the early autumn sun sparkles on the surface of the lake, mirror smooth in a rare windless day. Under the waters, the world is cast in a greenish blue tint, and a dragon kid is looking for water plants to sell, or anything else of note down here at the bottom of the lake. His horns and eyes glow faintly in the shadows between each shaft of light that slants down into the water, and his hair floats loose and long around him as he moves along the sand of the lakebed, careful not to disturb too much sediment and cloud his vision.
(His boots, and coat are safely kept in a basket hidden up in the overgrowth at the side of the lake, the leather not taking to having water removed from it as easily as the fabrics of his clothes.) Though his ears are plenty sensitive to sound, they don't have the same spatial awareness as auri horns, especially in the water. Y'all got the specialized sonar system, down here.
He's busy with a box of something that must have fallen off a boat at some point. The wood is old and has mostly degraded already; it crumbles under light pressure, and Dan Heng sends the fragments away in a small current of cloudhymn as he sifts through the remains. Ah, whatever was inside seems to have decomposed as well, and all that is left are two handfuls of polished bone pieces in different sizes. There were probably clothes in the box, years ago, but judging by the simple (if well made) button shapes, it was nothing special. Probably a lost shipment, and not smuggled goods from Thorne, certainly.
(Little Mermaid-ass situation.) ]
(His boots, and coat are safely kept in a basket hidden up in the overgrowth at the side of the lake, the leather not taking to having water removed from it as easily as the fabrics of his clothes.) Though his ears are plenty sensitive to sound, they don't have the same spatial awareness as auri horns, especially in the water. Y'all got the specialized sonar system, down here.
He's busy with a box of something that must have fallen off a boat at some point. The wood is old and has mostly degraded already; it crumbles under light pressure, and Dan Heng sends the fragments away in a small current of cloudhymn as he sifts through the remains. Ah, whatever was inside seems to have decomposed as well, and all that is left are two handfuls of polished bone pieces in different sizes. There were probably clothes in the box, years ago, but judging by the simple (if well made) button shapes, it was nothing special. Probably a lost shipment, and not smuggled goods from Thorne, certainly.
(Little Mermaid-ass situation.) ]
[ Sylvain seeks out Himeka in Nocwich early in December, handing over a very large picnic basket he'd smuggled through the portal, just for her. It's charmed to keep the food inside hot despite the temperature outside, although that will only work for so long. He's not worried about the food inside not getting eaten, however. He's seen what Himeka's appetite can tackle before.
Inside she'll find an arrangement of hearty and savory dishes popular in his homeworld - and in Faerghus specifically, since she'd expressed an interest. It had taken some creative ingredient hunting and some odd substitutions, but most of the dishes came out pretty close to how he remembered. And now she'll have a variety to taste for the next little while.
There are containers holding several types of meat pies, a stack of rabbit skewers and a specialty from his own home territory, Gautier cheese gratin. (Even though there was no real Gautier cheese to be found in the Free Cities, of course, but this was as close as he could get to it.) There's also a couple desserts, namely a fig and honey tart and some berry custard buns.
He hopes that will be enough to hold her over for a while. ;) ]
Inside she'll find an arrangement of hearty and savory dishes popular in his homeworld - and in Faerghus specifically, since she'd expressed an interest. It had taken some creative ingredient hunting and some odd substitutions, but most of the dishes came out pretty close to how he remembered. And now she'll have a variety to taste for the next little while.
There are containers holding several types of meat pies, a stack of rabbit skewers and a specialty from his own home territory, Gautier cheese gratin. (Even though there was no real Gautier cheese to be found in the Free Cities, of course, but this was as close as he could get to it.) There's also a couple desserts, namely a fig and honey tart and some berry custard buns.
He hopes that will be enough to hold her over for a while. ;) ]
[wanda sets the package neatly in himeka's room while the other woman takes a dip in the lake (isn't it too cold?), allowing her the perfect opportunity for secrecy. inside, an amount of homemade goods have been stacked atop each other: teas, soaps, and moisturizing lotions. these should be very familiar, as they are often seen around the treehouse.
something else lies wrapped, though, and once opened, it'll reveal itself to be a cooking apron, with a pattern of stitched lizards all over, in a minty green.
a small note sits under the box.]
something else lies wrapped, though, and once opened, it'll reveal itself to be a cooking apron, with a pattern of stitched lizards all over, in a minty green.
a small note sits under the box.]
Happy Winter Solstice.
𝓦anda 𝓜aximoff
Dearest Himeka
I hope this Dimming finds thee hale and hearty, as thou always seemest. I greatly miss thy company — almost as much as I miss thy cooking, which didst inspire this Dimming gift for thee. I hope it brings thee much joy in the kitchen, and that thou art able to share thine exquisite dishes with all who know thee.
Your friend,
Urianger
( Himeka's package contains a set of custom-made measuring cups, plated in something that looks a lot like gold. Is Urianger that ridiculous? Possibly! Happy Dimming! )
Himeka, I need your help. An artifact has been taken and they have a powerful ward on it, with a rune. I need to know if you recognize the rune. I'm asking Wanda too. Hold on I'll draw it.
[ooc: Istredd draws the rune he saw, you can probably ask the mods about this!]
[ooc: Istredd draws the rune he saw, you can probably ask the mods about this!]
[ With the storms raging all across the continent, it's no surprise that Thancred would reach out to check on Himeka. He does his best to keep up with her, even with both of them busy in their own territories. And there is quite a lot of work to be done in Nott right now.
But... this message isn't just about that. He's searched all over, even so far as checking in the Horizon — where he'd found Urianger's domain, indistinct and fading. ]
Himeka,
I hope dearly that I'm not adding more to an overflowing plate, but I felt I needed to let you know as soon as I confirmed it with certainty.
Urianger is no longer here.
[ Gone back to Etheirys, or so he hopes. ]
But... this message isn't just about that. He's searched all over, even so far as checking in the Horizon — where he'd found Urianger's domain, indistinct and fading. ]
Himeka,
I hope dearly that I'm not adding more to an overflowing plate, but I felt I needed to let you know as soon as I confirmed it with certainty.
Urianger is no longer here.
[ Gone back to Etheirys, or so he hopes. ]
[In the weeks following this post, Himeka will receive an embroidered badge, designating them part of Aloy’s monster hunting crew. There doesn’t seem to be anything special about it—it can be sewn anywhere the wearer likes, and appears to have been stitched with a practiced hand.
If the wearer is incapacitated, a spell woven into the threads by Haelva will activate, allowing the user to send an emergency message to another member of the group—use it wisely.]
If the wearer is incapacitated, a spell woven into the threads by Haelva will activate, allowing the user to send an emergency message to another member of the group—use it wisely.]
Azem,
I'm sure you've got no shortage of friends asking after you, but I hope you're well all the same.
Let's have a drink sometime. Dream or not, I owe you more than one.
~ Cid
[ Everyone in that crater had been in such a shock that it had been all too easy for various authority figures from the three territories to swoop it and escort them back to the portals. When everyone was adjusting to suddenly being so changed, or to reverting as some might perceive it, there wasn't much space to fight back.
Not that Thancred had necessarily wanted to be anywhere near the Singularity after it did all that.
He's ended up back in the flat that he shared with Urianger, having walked here almost in a trance. But seeing all of Urianger's well-worn items, a spike of anger runs through him at the idea that he could ever forget him.
Of course, realizing that is what started the process of "waking up." For both him and Himeka. ]
Himeka,
Are you all right? I feel a bit like my head is wrapped in cotton, if I'm honest. The fact that I had to briefly pause and stop myself from addressing you as Azem is utterly bizarre.
Not that Thancred had necessarily wanted to be anywhere near the Singularity after it did all that.
He's ended up back in the flat that he shared with Urianger, having walked here almost in a trance. But seeing all of Urianger's well-worn items, a spike of anger runs through him at the idea that he could ever forget him.
Of course, realizing that is what started the process of "waking up." For both him and Himeka. ]
Himeka,
Are you all right? I feel a bit like my head is wrapped in cotton, if I'm honest. The fact that I had to briefly pause and stop myself from addressing you as Azem is utterly bizarre.
Himeka,
Change is afoot in Thorne. I know only the scantest of details, but the throne is being seized tonight. I was warned ahead of time and advised to flee the castle.
I am fine, and will continue to be fine, but thought you should be made aware.
Change is afoot in Thorne. I know only the scantest of details, but the throne is being seized tonight. I was warned ahead of time and advised to flee the castle.
I am fine, and will continue to be fine, but thought you should be made aware.
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