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inbox (abraxas)
action | text | horizon
action | text | horizon
IF HER DOMAIN IS STILL THERE THEN SHE'S STILL HERE
IN ABRAXAS, I MEAN
BUT WHERE ON THE CONTINENT IS THE QUESTION
THOR THIS IS A LONGSHOT BUT HAS THERE BEEN ANYTHING WEIRD AROUND SOLVUNN, EITHER?
WE'VE HAD ISSUES WITH OTHER FACTIONS KIDNAPPING SUMMONED BEFORE
NOT THAT SHE'D GO EASILY, BUT IT CAN HAPPEN
STEVE AND I WILL KEEP AN EYE ON THE HORIZON YEAH
BUT UH
WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN BY 'MANIFEST'?
IS SOMETHING GOING ON OVER THERE?
[she really thinks an apology should be necessary, but there is just so much she can capture out of a moment through these mental messages. it's the same pitfalls as text messaging—incredibly difficult to tell how things are meant.
it's steve, though. he wouldn't lie to her or manipulate her just to be petty. (and it's wanda, with a stack of guilt and baggage in her mind.)]
it's steve, though. he wouldn't lie to her or manipulate her just to be petty. (and it's wanda, with a stack of guilt and baggage in her mind.)]
Okay.
Bye, Steve.
[ It's abrupt and Steve isn't sure if he said the wrong thing or if Wanda's uncomfortable and not willing to accept his forgiveness. This is the worst way to try and have this conversation, and it's frustrating that she's all the way in Solvunn and he can't just track her down. ]
Hey, listen. You know where to find me if you ever need to talk, all right? I'm here.
And I'll make sure something's done for Peter.
Hey, listen. You know where to find me if you ever need to talk, all right? I'm here.
And I'll make sure something's done for Peter.
SHE HAS NOT BEEN MORE STRANGE THAN USUAL.
SOLVUNN IS USUALLY, AS NERO WOULD PUT IT, "WEIRD AND CULTY." WE WENT INTO THE FOREST TO COMMUNE WITH THE LOCAL DEITIES A FEW DAYS HENCE, BUT THUS FAR IT HAS YIELDED NAUGHT BUT MORE MYSTERY. I DO NOT THINK THESE PEOPLE HAVE THE MEANS TO SUBDUE ONE SUCH AS HER.
WHEN THE NIGHTMARES CAME, WANDA AND I SHARED ONE. SHE IS FEARFUL OF A FUTURE SHE DOES NOT THINK SHE CAN CONTROL OR ESCAPE. I CANNOT SAY I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT FEELING.
I DO NOT THINK SHE WOULD INTENTIONALLY CAUSE YOU -- EITHER OF YOU -- HARM, BUT THAT IS ALL THE MORE REASON NOT TO PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION WHERE SHE MAY DO SO, SHOULD SHE LOSE CONTROL.
[ It takes him a moment to parse all of what Sam has written. Hastily, he adds: ]
--WHAT DO YOU MEAN, OTHER FACTIONS KIDNAPPING SUMMONED?
SOLVUNN IS USUALLY, AS NERO WOULD PUT IT, "WEIRD AND CULTY." WE WENT INTO THE FOREST TO COMMUNE WITH THE LOCAL DEITIES A FEW DAYS HENCE, BUT THUS FAR IT HAS YIELDED NAUGHT BUT MORE MYSTERY. I DO NOT THINK THESE PEOPLE HAVE THE MEANS TO SUBDUE ONE SUCH AS HER.
WHEN THE NIGHTMARES CAME, WANDA AND I SHARED ONE. SHE IS FEARFUL OF A FUTURE SHE DOES NOT THINK SHE CAN CONTROL OR ESCAPE. I CANNOT SAY I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT FEELING.
I DO NOT THINK SHE WOULD INTENTIONALLY CAUSE YOU -- EITHER OF YOU -- HARM, BUT THAT IS ALL THE MORE REASON NOT TO PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION WHERE SHE MAY DO SO, SHOULD SHE LOSE CONTROL.
[ It takes him a moment to parse all of what Sam has written. Hastily, he adds: ]
--WHAT DO YOU MEAN, OTHER FACTIONS KIDNAPPING SUMMONED?
Is it possible that one of those deities came to take her after your chat?
[ That would be a level of power beyond that even Wanda herself could combat, potentially. Steve can't believe he's openly discussing the potential of gods, but given that it's the God of Thunder himself he's talking to, it more or less checks out. He's long past the point of dismissing such possibilities. ]
And yeah, I saw one of her nightmares too. But if living through those wasn't enough to send her off the grid, I'm not sure what would.
[ It's extremely concerning, to say the least. ]
[ That would be a level of power beyond that even Wanda herself could combat, potentially. Steve can't believe he's openly discussing the potential of gods, but given that it's the God of Thunder himself he's talking to, it more or less checks out. He's long past the point of dismissing such possibilities. ]
And yeah, I saw one of her nightmares too. But if living through those wasn't enough to send her off the grid, I'm not sure what would.
[ It's extremely concerning, to say the least. ]
[ there is a whole lot here that is throwing up red flags that sam doesn't want to see. 'subdue' and 'control' and 'intentionally' ]
BACK A FEW MONTHS AGO THERE WAS AN INCIDENT
SOMEONE FROM THE FREE CITIES GOT TAKEN WHILE OUT IN THE BADLANDS
AKA THE AREA BETWEEN FACTIONS
THEY WERE TAKEN TO THORNE AND TORTURE AND THEN HAD TO ESCAPE
IT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE BUT IT'S POSSIBLE
BUT WAIT
SORRY
I MISSED OUT ON THE WHOLE NIGHTMARE PARTY
WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE ABOUT HER NOT BEING IN CONTROL?
DID SOMETHING HAPPEN TO WANDA?
[Sometime shortly after their business on Sylvcres is concluded, Steve will receive a text imprint from Petra— she had wavered back and forth a bit on reaching out, but had ultimately decided that what she had overheard might be something he would know more about, or at least have a vested interest in.]
Hello, this is Petra.
I was wondering if you were having a few minutes to talk? There is something that has been nagging at me since our time on the island.
Hello, this is Petra.
I was wondering if you were having a few minutes to talk? There is something that has been nagging at me since our time on the island.
[ Steve's not expecting Petra of all people to reach out given that the two of them haven't spoken much in recent months, but he's glad to hear from her. Much like the others from her world, Petra strikes him as a dedicated young woman who wants to help those around her, and there's little reason to turn down her request.
Is there something she heard, while on the island? Something she saw? ]
Petra. It's good to hear from you.
Sure, we can talk. Where do you want to meet?
Is there something she heard, while on the island? Something she saw? ]
Petra. It's good to hear from you.
Sure, we can talk. Where do you want to meet?
[She's glad to hear he's so open to her request; while they are not particularly close, she knows him to be a reliable and dedicated individual who is not only trustworthy on the battlefield, but has a good heart.]
Somewhere we are not being overheard. Perhaps the city outskirts?
We are both being familiar enough with the area that we would not be in any danger. The south road that merchants take to the outpost?
Somewhere we are not being overheard. Perhaps the city outskirts?
We are both being familiar enough with the area that we would not be in any danger. The south road that merchants take to the outpost?
[ Then it is something that's sensitive enough that they need to be in a private place. Steve finds it interesting that she doesn't suggest the Horizon. He'd rather not have to enter that other plane unless it's necessary to speak to someone in another faction, so this works just fine for him. ]
Yeah, that road is well-traveled enough that it isn't often attacked by bandits. [ Or, you know, desert monsters. ] Let's meet a little down the road, at the first signpost.
Yeah, that road is well-traveled enough that it isn't often attacked by bandits. [ Or, you know, desert monsters. ] Let's meet a little down the road, at the first signpost.
That is perfect. I will see you there.
[Good to her word, Petra is already waiting there when he arrives— spotting his approach when the time comes, she raises a hand in greeting, even giving him a smile despite the potentially serious nature of her request.]
Thank you for meeting with me.
[Good to her word, Petra is already waiting there when he arrives— spotting his approach when the time comes, she raises a hand in greeting, even giving him a smile despite the potentially serious nature of her request.]
Thank you for meeting with me.
[ The weather isn't as horrible out here now that it's getting into winter, but Steve's still in short sleeves in hopes of staving off the heat. Plenty of sand has been kicked up along the well-trafficked road, though, and he's squinting against that and the bright sun as he approaches, waving to Petra.
It's good to see that smile. It means her reason for asking to see him can't be anything too awful. ]
Sure thing. It's nice to get out of the city from time to time.
[ He moves away from the road, headed toward a small sand dune nearby. ]
How can I help?
It's good to see that smile. It means her reason for asking to see him can't be anything too awful. ]
Sure thing. It's nice to get out of the city from time to time.
[ He moves away from the road, headed toward a small sand dune nearby. ]
How can I help?
You are not seeing enough of the desert on various jobs?
[Her remark is half-teasing, her smile pulling to one side as she joins him in heading towards the dune. They don't need to go far off the road, but it's not a bad idea to distance themselves from it just a bit to ensure privacy.
One there, she fixes her gaze on him, her smile fading just a touch— though not so much as to be alarming.]
I was hearing something interesting about business in Thorne while we were on Sylvecres Island. I have already told Claude and the others, to see how it might be of use to us here in the Free Cities, but... I was remembering you are having friends in Thorne. I thought it might be useful to you.
[Her remark is half-teasing, her smile pulling to one side as she joins him in heading towards the dune. They don't need to go far off the road, but it's not a bad idea to distance themselves from it just a bit to ensure privacy.
One there, she fixes her gaze on him, her smile fading just a touch— though not so much as to be alarming.]
I was hearing something interesting about business in Thorne while we were on Sylvecres Island. I have already told Claude and the others, to see how it might be of use to us here in the Free Cities, but... I was remembering you are having friends in Thorne. I thought it might be useful to you.
[ Steve returns Petra's teasing smile with a crooked one of his own. It's true that the jobs he picks up bring him out here fairly often, but all the same, he'll take the chance to stretch his legs when the opportunity presents itself.
Once they reach the dune, he doesn't hesitate to sit down on the warm sand. It's not so heated up that it actually burns, not like it would at the height of summer.
News about Thorne, is it? Claude had already reached out to Steve with his own information, and Steve has to admit it's been a benefit, having Claude and his friends willing to tell him what they've picked up here and there. He doesn't intend to abuse or betray that trust, either.
He nods, his thoughts immediately turning to Natasha and to Strange. It's considerate of Petra to have remembered that at all. ] I can tell you what I overheard too, though maybe Claude already passed it on. What sort of business?
Once they reach the dune, he doesn't hesitate to sit down on the warm sand. It's not so heated up that it actually burns, not like it would at the height of summer.
News about Thorne, is it? Claude had already reached out to Steve with his own information, and Steve has to admit it's been a benefit, having Claude and his friends willing to tell him what they've picked up here and there. He doesn't intend to abuse or betray that trust, either.
He nods, his thoughts immediately turning to Natasha and to Strange. It's considerate of Petra to have remembered that at all. ] I can tell you what I overheard too, though maybe Claude already passed it on. What sort of business?
[She seats herself on the sand beside him, stretching her legs out before her as she rests her weight on her hands. It makes sense that Claude had already reached out to him, and while she does trust Claude to pass on anything of note to the rest of them, she's interested to hear what Steve has to say for herself.]
That is a fair exchange, I am thinking.
[That is how trust is built and maintained, after all.]
I was hearing that someone named Mace Hemmet was escorted to the castle and has been spending a great deal of time with the Queen. Have you— heard anything about the Thorne dungeons filling up?
[It's a rumor she's heard in passing, though she doesn't know what to make of it.]
That is a fair exchange, I am thinking.
[That is how trust is built and maintained, after all.]
I was hearing that someone named Mace Hemmet was escorted to the castle and has been spending a great deal of time with the Queen. Have you— heard anything about the Thorne dungeons filling up?
[It's a rumor she's heard in passing, though she doesn't know what to make of it.]
[ Mace Hemmet? The name doesn't mean much to Steve, but then again, neither had Grigory Jannus — until he became the reason for the Queen to bomb Libertas. At least, that's how he's heard it, given that she'd only flown into a rage following news of her subordinate's death. Clearly there had been more to the relationship.
Was this Mace Hemmet meant to be a replacement? ]
I know they've been filled before, by Summoned. And I've heard things here and there about people ending up in the dungeons now, if they express any kind of dissent about the Queen.
[ It's so different from the Free Cities, where the Prime Minister has stayed pretty hands-off with them. Steve doesn't envy any of the people in Thorne, but he knows Natasha will be able to handle herself there. It doesn't mean he has to like it, though. He pulls a face, his gaze shifting to one side for a moment. ]
... She was so upset about Grigory that she bombed a city, but then she replaced him just like that?
[ Does it mean something isn't adding up, or is the Queen just that awful? ]
Was this Mace Hemmet meant to be a replacement? ]
I know they've been filled before, by Summoned. And I've heard things here and there about people ending up in the dungeons now, if they express any kind of dissent about the Queen.
[ It's so different from the Free Cities, where the Prime Minister has stayed pretty hands-off with them. Steve doesn't envy any of the people in Thorne, but he knows Natasha will be able to handle herself there. It doesn't mean he has to like it, though. He pulls a face, his gaze shifting to one side for a moment. ]
... She was so upset about Grigory that she bombed a city, but then she replaced him just like that?
[ Does it mean something isn't adding up, or is the Queen just that awful? ]
Edited 2023-01-28 04:54 (UTC)
[Her expression darkens considerably as Steve shares what he's heard of the dungeons in the past. She feels a point of tension beginning to build between her shoulderblades; what sort of Queen is this woman meant to be, anyway?
She grits her teeth, shaking her head.]
A Queen who reacts so rashly has no right to be calling herself such.
[Spoken as a queen-to-be herself.]
She has been sending this man into the dungeons frequently, as well, though I am not knowing what he does there. Given her past behavior, I think we can be assuming it is nothing good.
[She doubts the people held there are being treated with any sort of civility, let alone kindness.]
She grits her teeth, shaking her head.]
A Queen who reacts so rashly has no right to be calling herself such.
[Spoken as a queen-to-be herself.]
She has been sending this man into the dungeons frequently, as well, though I am not knowing what he does there. Given her past behavior, I think we can be assuming it is nothing good.
[She doubts the people held there are being treated with any sort of civility, let alone kindness.]
[ With the way that Petra says those words, with such steely certainty, Steve almost wonders if there's something more to it. Granted, it doesn't have to be personal for her to hate the Queen's actions, but maybe she's seen poor rulership in the past?
Steve ponders on that for a moment before what Petra says next sinks in. This Mace Hemmet person has been making frequent visits to the dungeons. No, it can't be good. ]
I think it's safe to assume it's for interrogations, but to what level those go is the question. [ There's no real point in talking around it, as far as he's concerned, and so he takes a moment to rub at his eyes before coming out with what he means. ]
It's one thing for her to carelessly attack the so-called enemy, but is she really torturing her own people?
[ He pauses then, before sending Petra a more resolved look. ]
I have a friend there who could look into it. I'll let her know all of this, if that's okay with you.
[ Assuming Natasha doesn't already know... ]
Steve ponders on that for a moment before what Petra says next sinks in. This Mace Hemmet person has been making frequent visits to the dungeons. No, it can't be good. ]
I think it's safe to assume it's for interrogations, but to what level those go is the question. [ There's no real point in talking around it, as far as he's concerned, and so he takes a moment to rub at his eyes before coming out with what he means. ]
It's one thing for her to carelessly attack the so-called enemy, but is she really torturing her own people?
[ He pauses then, before sending Petra a more resolved look. ]
I have a friend there who could look into it. I'll let her know all of this, if that's okay with you.
[ Assuming Natasha doesn't already know... ]
[She nods grimly in agreement— those had been her thoughts as well, even if she hadn't wanted to voice them immediately.]
I was thinking the very same thing. It seems a terrible thing to be assuming, but given what we know... I do not believe it is outside of the realm of possibility.
[She is, at least in this moment, grateful to have been summoned into the Free Cities. At his request, she gives another nod, not quite so tight as the first.]
If you are trusting her, then it is fine with me. Someone who is there to see it for themselves should know, so they are knowing what to look for.
I was thinking the very same thing. It seems a terrible thing to be assuming, but given what we know... I do not believe it is outside of the realm of possibility.
[She is, at least in this moment, grateful to have been summoned into the Free Cities. At his request, she gives another nod, not quite so tight as the first.]
If you are trusting her, then it is fine with me. Someone who is there to see it for themselves should know, so they are knowing what to look for.
[she's checked up on some of the others, and so far everyone's responded to her. she knows matt is not around, and that leaves—]
[if he is also gone, then she hopes that this is getting through. if it doesn't, she will try again a couple minutes later.]
[and again and again, until he does see her message.]
Steve?
[if he is also gone, then she hopes that this is getting through. if it doesn't, she will try again a couple minutes later.]
Steve, are you okay?
[and again and again, until he does see her message.]
Edited 2023-02-24 19:03 (UTC)
[ Steve's been in touch with Sam and Natasha already. He's talked to Matt here in the pit. Sam mentioned Stephen's safe in Thorne, that Wanda also seems to have been untouched. Still, it's good to hear from her, even if it takes a while for the message to actually come through.
He hates that they can barely talk, that even Horizon chats can last for little more than a few minutes. But most of them are out there, and he can withstand being in here. ]
Ẅ̶̨̧̛̗͓̙̘̤̝̹̫̰̭̲͙͕̈́̄͌̊̒̀͠ã̵̡̯͂̚̚n̴̡̛̳̳̝̰̈́̇͑̒͋̊̃̍͑͛̓͊̿̍̍͝d̷͍͚̺̄̾͑͋̀͜a̴̰̙̜͓̳̣͇̞̰̪̟̔̿̈́̾͊̅͛̍͝,̶̨̜͇̝͓̝̬͇̮͓̺͎͕̓̌ͅ ̷̬̰̗̣͖͉̾̇̈́̏̕h̵̢̛̰̫̲̟̼͗͆͆͐̽͆̉̿̆̒̽͒͘͘͘͝ȅ̸̺̼̯̹̩͚̫͋̈́̿̍̅̑͛̕͠ŷ̴̧̧̟͙̖̪̗̭̯͙͎̣̼̗̼̊͌͑͐̀͜͜.̶̣̟̟̖̟̠̽͌͆̿́̌͗̃͜ Y̴̨̛͍̣̭̰̝̮͕̲̭̻̞͚͇̜͋̑́͗̈́͘ȅ̴̢̝̤̺͎̪̥̦̣̪̘̳̘͓̠͖̜͂̈́̀͋̈́̈́́̀̉͐́͊̚͘͠͝a̷̛̹̪̘͔͓̰͍̗͇̳͋͂̒̈̐̑̈́̉́͂̕̚͜h̸͙̞̬̲͇̼̲́,̴̛̫̫͎̥̭͉̠̼͙̝͑̊͋̒̾̚ ̴̧̝̖̮̪͍̜̖͙̳̮̟̯̈̀͐́͛̆̂͒͠ͅI̶͓̫͓̦̪̥̩̹̺̰̋͂̽̾̅'̶̛̻́m̷̠̝̯̱̺̮͍̈̌͊͂͐̿́̓̔̏̈́͂ all right.
Don't worry, İ̴̯͔̻͔̫̮͍̞͓͉͍̖̌͗͜͝͝'̸̛̭̠͍̤̇̅͆̀̄͛͛́̔͂̄̕͝͝l̸̨͉͖̲̩̫̜̘͓̙͈̭̳̦͍͒͘ͅl̸̬̂̌͂̅̉́́̔͘͝͝ ̵̡̛͕̹̬̥͚̮̤̫̠̫̠͖̾̌͌̿͆̂͒̿͂̋̆̕͜l̵̘̦͍̺̬̯͗͐̅͋͜o̸̳͍̪̹̠̤̿̌̏̀̈́̓́̿͘͠͝ǫ̷̭̞̫̺̥̰͈̺̮̀̾͆͗͝k̶̫̳̞̭͕̭̊͒̈́́̍̂̉̃̀̏̍̔͘͜͝ ̵͇̪̫̗̤͕̳̲̪͍͓̘͎͎͎̬͐̈́ͅa̷̬̣̬̤͈̟̮͕͍͂́̚͜f̵̧̟̲̬̠̖͍͎̫͈̅̔͒̈̆͆t̴̢̺̻͔̦͍̘̣̦̝͓̟̺̝̿̈́̍͛͋̊̽̔͋̌͒͌͋͑̈́͜e̸͓͕̼̓̿r̴̡͈̗̠͚͈̘̩̝̝̣͈̲͓̣̓̉̈́̎̑̃ Matt.
He hates that they can barely talk, that even Horizon chats can last for little more than a few minutes. But most of them are out there, and he can withstand being in here. ]
Ẅ̶̨̧̛̗͓̙̘̤̝̹̫̰̭̲͙͕̈́̄͌̊̒̀͠ã̵̡̯͂̚̚n̴̡̛̳̳̝̰̈́̇͑̒͋̊̃̍͑͛̓͊̿̍̍͝d̷͍͚̺̄̾͑͋̀͜a̴̰̙̜͓̳̣͇̞̰̪̟̔̿̈́̾͊̅͛̍͝,̶̨̜͇̝͓̝̬͇̮͓̺͎͕̓̌ͅ ̷̬̰̗̣͖͉̾̇̈́̏̕h̵̢̛̰̫̲̟̼͗͆͆͐̽͆̉̿̆̒̽͒͘͘͘͝ȅ̸̺̼̯̹̩͚̫͋̈́̿̍̅̑͛̕͠ŷ̴̧̧̟͙̖̪̗̭̯͙͎̣̼̗̼̊͌͑͐̀͜͜.̶̣̟̟̖̟̠̽͌͆̿́̌͗̃͜ Y̴̨̛͍̣̭̰̝̮͕̲̭̻̞͚͇̜͋̑́͗̈́͘ȅ̴̢̝̤̺͎̪̥̦̣̪̘̳̘͓̠͖̜͂̈́̀͋̈́̈́́̀̉͐́͊̚͘͠͝a̷̛̹̪̘͔͓̰͍̗͇̳͋͂̒̈̐̑̈́̉́͂̕̚͜h̸͙̞̬̲͇̼̲́,̴̛̫̫͎̥̭͉̠̼͙̝͑̊͋̒̾̚ ̴̧̝̖̮̪͍̜̖͙̳̮̟̯̈̀͐́͛̆̂͒͠ͅI̶͓̫͓̦̪̥̩̹̺̰̋͂̽̾̅'̶̛̻́m̷̠̝̯̱̺̮͍̈̌͊͂͐̿́̓̔̏̈́͂ all right.
Don't worry, İ̴̯͔̻͔̫̮͍̞͓͉͍̖̌͗͜͝͝'̸̛̭̠͍̤̇̅͆̀̄͛͛́̔͂̄̕͝͝l̸̨͉͖̲̩̫̜̘͓̙͈̭̳̦͍͒͘ͅl̸̬̂̌͂̅̉́́̔͘͝͝ ̵̡̛͕̹̬̥͚̮̤̫̠̫̠͖̾̌͌̿͆̂͒̿͂̋̆̕͜l̵̘̦͍̺̬̯͗͐̅͋͜o̸̳͍̪̹̠̤̿̌̏̀̈́̓́̿͘͠͝ǫ̷̭̞̫̺̥̰͈̺̮̀̾͆͗͝k̶̫̳̞̭͕̭̊͒̈́́̍̂̉̃̀̏̍̔͘͜͝ ̵͇̪̫̗̤͕̳̲̪͍͓̘͎͎͎̬͐̈́ͅa̷̬̣̬̤͈̟̮͕͍͂́̚͜f̵̧̟̲̬̠̖͍͎̫͈̅̔͒̈̆͆t̴̢̺̻͔̦͍̘̣̦̝͓̟̺̝̿̈́̍͛͋̊̽̔͋̌͒͌͋͑̈́͜e̸͓͕̼̓̿r̴̡͈̗̠͚͈̘̩̝̝̣͈̲͓̣̓̉̈́̎̑̃ Matt.
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