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inbox (abraxas)
action | text | horizon
action | text | horizon
Ah, I'd forgotten about that. What I used on you was the healing spells I'd learned, but there was probably a chance my Crest activated in our little scuffle. It works when it feels like it in comparison to the magic I can call so long as I remember the sigils.
[ A description he genuinely means involving any injuries and all the attention he's going to call to that given they've already discussed it, and all the more reason to breeze right on past. ]
Honestly, one of my first thoughts about being given that Arcana sign was that it was some form of Crests coming back to loom over everything here, too. There's much I don't understand about those signs, but none of us having to worry about that is a good thing.
[ A description he genuinely means involving any injuries and all the attention he's going to call to that given they've already discussed it, and all the more reason to breeze right on past. ]
Honestly, one of my first thoughts about being given that Arcana sign was that it was some form of Crests coming back to loom over everything here, too. There's much I don't understand about those signs, but none of us having to worry about that is a good thing.
So a Crest will just activate without your permission sometimes? I guess it's probably to help you out though, right?
[ Either way, it had to be kind of frustrating. ]
It feels like there's a lot we still don't understand about the arcana, or how we were assigned them. Even just the fact that we resonated with the monsters in that way, with that mental link.
[ Looks like Steve is going to address that so-called elephant in the room whether Claude likes it or not. ]
[ Either way, it had to be kind of frustrating. ]
It feels like there's a lot we still don't understand about the arcana, or how we were assigned them. Even just the fact that we resonated with the monsters in that way, with that mental link.
[ Looks like Steve is going to address that so-called elephant in the room whether Claude likes it or not. ]
So it seems, which is in keeping with the supposed gift part of them coming from bloodlines going way back.
[ He knew this was probably coming, but there's still a Sigh upon reading it. ]
I've often wondered that myself - about the assigning part, that is, since it seems to be referenced so often let alone it being all over us in the Horizon. One dangerous part of the Crests is that those without them can be exposed to crest stones resulting in them... transforming. The Demonic Beast that was over in Solvunn around the same time as our particular monster friend was a result of that.
[ And it's difficult to not think of their arcana as potentially leading to that, especially even more so after Steve's resonating. ]
[ He knew this was probably coming, but there's still a Sigh upon reading it. ]
I've often wondered that myself - about the assigning part, that is, since it seems to be referenced so often let alone it being all over us in the Horizon. One dangerous part of the Crests is that those without them can be exposed to crest stones resulting in them... transforming. The Demonic Beast that was over in Solvunn around the same time as our particular monster friend was a result of that.
[ And it's difficult to not think of their arcana as potentially leading to that, especially even more so after Steve's resonating. ]
You mean that if people who don't have Crests are exposed to them, they'll be mutated into a monster?
[ Steve didn't interact with the Demonic Beast here in Abraxas, but he's pretty sure he remembers seeing it in Claude's nightmare.
Having that additional context is unnerving, to say the least. ]
[ Steve didn't interact with the Demonic Beast here in Abraxas, but he's pretty sure he remembers seeing it in Claude's nightmare.
Having that additional context is unnerving, to say the least. ]
[ Oh - right. That's probably one of those horrifying things he shouldn't drop casually in conversation. ]
I do. There were... stones that were fragments of Crests, more or less, and they were used to turn either unsuspecting or supposedly willing people into the Demonic Beasts roaming about. That or more horrifyingly, if someone picked up a relic meant to be used by someone with that Crest, they could also turn that way. Unfortunately I witnessed the latter once.
I do. There were... stones that were fragments of Crests, more or less, and they were used to turn either unsuspecting or supposedly willing people into the Demonic Beasts roaming about. That or more horrifyingly, if someone picked up a relic meant to be used by someone with that Crest, they could also turn that way. Unfortunately I witnessed the latter once.
Geez.
[ The fact that this happened multiple times is the most unsettling part. ]
When you say used, you mean that some people were purposefully setting things up so that people transformed?
[ Well, maybe he shouldn't be shocked. Hasn't he seen this sort of atrocious villain behavior countless times himself? ]
[ The fact that this happened multiple times is the most unsettling part. ]
When you say used, you mean that some people were purposefully setting things up so that people transformed?
[ Well, maybe he shouldn't be shocked. Hasn't he seen this sort of atrocious villain behavior countless times himself? ]
Yes, among other things when it comes to the stones. The Relics were... it was a surprise when we saw one such transformation back when we were students. I've seen a lot in my life, both before and after it, but any of the darker sides to Crests and what can be done with them isn't the sort of thing you forget. Easily, or ever.
[ To say the least. ]
[ To say the least. ]
Yeah, that sounds like it was on another level. Sorry to have pressed you so much on it.
[ They've come a long way in this conversation from... tinting eyebrows. And Steve wonders if maybe he pressed a little too hard on an old wound.
What Claude describes sounds like the hell Bruce has had to live with as the Hulk (until he learned how to control it), except worse. ]
[ They've come a long way in this conversation from... tinting eyebrows. And Steve wonders if maybe he pressed a little too hard on an old wound.
What Claude describes sounds like the hell Bruce has had to live with as the Hulk (until he learned how to control it), except worse. ]
It's alright, Steve. If I didn't want to tell you, we wouldn't be talking about it. Sometimes I wonder if we shouldn't be talking about what the arcana symbols might mean if they hold some sort of weight in all of like what with happened with the monsters.
[ That comes without hesitation. If there's any chance of something else generating that apology, what he really wants is to wave it away. They only know what they know, and he certainly meant it about avoiding something he didn't want to share.
There's more he could add, but. Maybe it'd be best to talk about in person sometime amongst all the other topics they tend to cover. And they could probably use a bit of levity again, so - ]
Promise there's no secret magic in the eyebrow routine. Well, other than it being just that good.
[ That comes without hesitation. If there's any chance of something else generating that apology, what he really wants is to wave it away. They only know what they know, and he certainly meant it about avoiding something he didn't want to share.
There's more he could add, but. Maybe it'd be best to talk about in person sometime amongst all the other topics they tend to cover. And they could probably use a bit of levity again, so - ]
Promise there's no secret magic in the eyebrow routine. Well, other than it being just that good.
It does feel like there's more to the arcana symbols than we understand. The fact that they appear on us when we first go to the Horizon, the interaction between us and these monsters that came through the Rift... I agree that it would be good to look into it more.
[ The Singularity is the one that assigns the symbols to them, isn't it? It's the only thing that makes sense.
And Steve does appreciate the shift back to levity. It's true that Claude wouldn't have spoken of any of this if he wasn't willing to, but Steve still figures now is the time to circle back. ]
You're really talking it up. Well, I'll think about it.
[ The Singularity is the one that assigns the symbols to them, isn't it? It's the only thing that makes sense.
And Steve does appreciate the shift back to levity. It's true that Claude wouldn't have spoken of any of this if he wasn't willing to, but Steve still figures now is the time to circle back. ]
You're really talking it up. Well, I'll think about it.
Maybe there's another Summoned with a theory about it all we could ask sometime. I'd rather be ahead of knowing something than only finding out about it until it's too late.
[ Something he thinks Steve shares with him based on all their other past conversations and now this one, too. Istredd and Wanda are who come to mind with that, but: so many other Summoned have been here for some time now as they themselves are looking at a couple years' worth of time here in Abraxas coming up soon. There must be some other theories out there put together by those just as curious - and wary - as them.
But at least the latter adjective doesn't apply to Steve and the eyebrow treatment any longer. (Probably.) ]
I'll hold you to that if Hilda doesn't beat me to it first again.
[ Something he thinks Steve shares with him based on all their other past conversations and now this one, too. Istredd and Wanda are who come to mind with that, but: so many other Summoned have been here for some time now as they themselves are looking at a couple years' worth of time here in Abraxas coming up soon. There must be some other theories out there put together by those just as curious - and wary - as them.
But at least the latter adjective doesn't apply to Steve and the eyebrow treatment any longer. (Probably.) ]
I'll hold you to that if Hilda doesn't beat me to it first again.
I know Wanda has an interest in it and has been studying up on it. I know if she made any sort of breakthrough, she'd let me know, but there's no harm in asking around either.
[ Steve echoes Claude's thoughts about the whole thing without even realizing it. But Wanda tends to be his go-to person for anything magic-related. He would be fine with asking Stephen or Istredd too. ]
Sounds good. Thanks for the chat, Claude.
[ These kids are going to be the death of him someday... ]
[ Steve echoes Claude's thoughts about the whole thing without even realizing it. But Wanda tends to be his go-to person for anything magic-related. He would be fine with asking Stephen or Istredd too. ]
Sounds good. Thanks for the chat, Claude.
[ These kids are going to be the death of him someday... ]
[ This isn't the kind of text that Steve wants to receive pretty much ever. Especially not from Wanda, who's so far away.
It could be so many things. Someone disappeared, someone else died, something's going on with the god stuff in Solvunn. But Steve isn't one to let his mind jump to conclusions. ]
What is it? Are you alright?
It could be so many things. Someone disappeared, someone else died, something's going on with the god stuff in Solvunn. But Steve isn't one to let his mind jump to conclusions. ]
What is it? Are you alright?
[ It's taken him a few days since they'd returned back to Cadens to get his bearings. Mostly in the sense of that while it was easy enough to return to a routine for some level of normalcy, there's everything else to unpack to go along with it. Lots of contemplation to be done, and even more on his actions as a god.
Which brings him again and again on thinking what he'll say to Steve, what with his friend being someone he's never hesitated to reach out to before. Now's not an exception even if Claude feels a little lost on where to start, but - at least they all are, if everyone else he's spoken to is anything to go by. Either way, he doesn't let more than a couple of days go by before sending a message.
One step at a time. ]
Well. I suppose all of that will keep me from tempting the fates to unleash something new and complicated on us, won't it?
Which brings him again and again on thinking what he'll say to Steve, what with his friend being someone he's never hesitated to reach out to before. Now's not an exception even if Claude feels a little lost on where to start, but - at least they all are, if everyone else he's spoken to is anything to go by. Either way, he doesn't let more than a couple of days go by before sending a message.
One step at a time. ]
Well. I suppose all of that will keep me from tempting the fates to unleash something new and complicated on us, won't it?
[ The immediate response at least allows Steve to unclench slightly. Not that there is much he would be able to do all the way from Cadens, but if Wanda's reaching out to him, it must be because she thinks he can help.
But what she follows up with is unexpected. To say the least. ]
Peter?
Well, that's new. Does he look like him?
But what she follows up with is unexpected. To say the least. ]
Peter?
Well, that's new. Does he look like him?
[ Claude has definitely been on Steve's list of people to reach out to following their return from the crater and the end of the storm. The only reason he hasn't yet is because these conversations are pretty mentally exhausting and he's been doing his best to stagger them.
That, and with Claude in particular, it's more awkward. The kind of god Claude became didn't fit in with the person Steve has gotten to know these past two years, and while he knows he can't put any stock in it, he's been dwelling on how to approach it.
So when Claude is the one to reach out first, it's a weight off. ]
Yeah, this is definitely all your fault.
[ IT'S A JOKE. ]
This was on a whole other level compared to what we've been through before, though, wasn't it? You holding up okay after all that?
That, and with Claude in particular, it's more awkward. The kind of god Claude became didn't fit in with the person Steve has gotten to know these past two years, and while he knows he can't put any stock in it, he's been dwelling on how to approach it.
So when Claude is the one to reach out first, it's a weight off. ]
Yeah, this is definitely all your fault.
[ IT'S A JOKE. ]
This was on a whole other level compared to what we've been through before, though, wasn't it? You holding up okay after all that?
[ Yeah, he can somehow feel the disdain from here. Steve could be offended by the implication, but he isn't. He can gather how strange it must be for her. ]
What? You never mentioned this before.
Do you think this is another trick, then? Has this witch been summoned to Solvunn?
What? You never mentioned this before.
Do you think this is another trick, then? Has this witch been summoned to Solvunn?
( it only bothers her because it's wrong to think of her brother as anything but sokovian. at least they don't linger on that. )
( suck it, agatha. )
It wasn't a particularly happy moment for me.
No, I checked. This guy is different. Less mean and — he knows about a universe another Summoned was from. It seems unlikely Agatha would be able to handle that much complexity.
( suck it, agatha. )
So it's a multiverse thing, then. And this witch somehow tapped into that when she was trying to get into your head, maybe? It's the only way any of this makes sense.
[ That's low. Real low. But Steve won't dwell on it too much since as Wanda said, it's a bad memory. ]
What other Summoned?
[ That's low. Real low. But Steve won't dwell on it too much since as Wanda said, it's a bad memory. ]
What other Summoned?
There's a reason I asked you for a sketch of Pietro.
( because her memories were so muddled with what agatha showed her; she needed a real reminder of her brother, here. and it has helped her heal quite a lot. )
Erik. He would speak a lot about mutants.
Peter is a mutant, too. Knew the guy — felt really strongly about him, too.
And I'm glad I was able to give it to you.
[ Steve knows the feeling, not that it's with anyone quite as close as a twin. But he worries all the time that he's going to forget the faces of people who meant the world to him from his old life. The Commandos. Howard and Peggy. Even his mother.
At least there are photographs of most of them. Not that he has access to that kind of thing here. ]
I met him once. He told me about the mutants, and some sort of super-powered team like the Avengers. It seemed like our worlds had a lot in common, but I didn't think that would include your brother.
[ Steve knows the feeling, not that it's with anyone quite as close as a twin. But he worries all the time that he's going to forget the faces of people who meant the world to him from his old life. The Commandos. Howard and Peggy. Even his mother.
At least there are photographs of most of them. Not that he has access to that kind of thing here. ]
I met him once. He told me about the mutants, and some sort of super-powered team like the Avengers. It seemed like our worlds had a lot in common, but I didn't think that would include your brother.
( okay, there's a lot she can say about a lot of these things, but wanda focuses on one specific aspect of what steve just said. )
( it's not so much her trying to be stubborn about the notion, but perhaps there is a certain desperation and frustration mixed in with the sentiment. of all the people that could be brought in, of all the infinite multiverses and universes so close to their own, why is it never just her brother? first agatha, within the hex in westview, and now the summoning ritual. )
But it isn't my brother.
( it's not so much her trying to be stubborn about the notion, but perhaps there is a certain desperation and frustration mixed in with the sentiment. of all the people that could be brought in, of all the infinite multiverses and universes so close to their own, why is it never just her brother? first agatha, within the hex in westview, and now the summoning ritual. )
It isn't Pietro.
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