Aloy, Despite the Nora (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lightkeeping) wrote2022-06-08 09:57 am
lightkeeping) wrote2022-06-08 09:57 am
[ABRAXAS] INBOX
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Out of curiosity, do you know anything about the supply caravan coming out to deliver items to the Free Cities delegation?
- Ciri
- Ciri
I don't, sorry. They sent my group to meet the team from Thorne. Did something happen?
Edited 2022-10-10 21:24 (UTC)
I see. Best of luck on your mission.
[ Ciri's not exactly surprised they're sending someone out to meet Thornean representatives as well, but she hadn't actually heard of it until now. Interesting information to have. Considering Marlo's attack on what Ciri understands to be most of Thorne's crop for the winter, it makes sense. What remains to be seen is how long Solvunn will be able to keep up offering aid to both sides.
But that's not her concern at the moment. ]
I'm part of the caravan coming to get the Free Cities' supplies. I was mostly curious if Solvunn were sending any of the Summoned along to meet us as we're nearly to the agreed-upon locale.
However, we did encounter something strange not far from the border.
[ Ciri's not exactly surprised they're sending someone out to meet Thornean representatives as well, but she hadn't actually heard of it until now. Interesting information to have. Considering Marlo's attack on what Ciri understands to be most of Thorne's crop for the winter, it makes sense. What remains to be seen is how long Solvunn will be able to keep up offering aid to both sides.
But that's not her concern at the moment. ]
I'm part of the caravan coming to get the Free Cities' supplies. I was mostly curious if Solvunn were sending any of the Summoned along to meet us as we're nearly to the agreed-upon locale.
However, we did encounter something strange not far from the border.
We didn't have a choice--they assigned us a route. There's a group coming to meet you, though. They don't want to look like they're playing favorites.
[It's all very distasteful, of course. She doubts that Solvunn will remain neutral for long. Nothing she can do about any of that, however, so of course she's more interested in strange happenings.]
What kind of something?
[It's all very distasteful, of course. She doubts that Solvunn will remain neutral for long. Nothing she can do about any of that, however, so of course she's more interested in strange happenings.]
What kind of something?
Edited 2022-10-10 22:06 (UTC)
Well, I certainly hope someone's coming to meet us. We came all this way.
[ This may be humor. It doesn't translate all that well via mindtext. ]
I'm not sure. Something enormous.
We encountered a crack in the road, deep enough it'd take several seconds for a stone to drop to the bottom. It wasn't on the map.
There was something inside. All I could see was one of its eyes, but I'd wager it was the size of a wagon at least. Maybe a whole ship.
[ This may be humor. It doesn't translate all that well via mindtext. ]
I'm not sure. Something enormous.
We encountered a crack in the road, deep enough it'd take several seconds for a stone to drop to the bottom. It wasn't on the map.
There was something inside. All I could see was one of its eyes, but I'd wager it was the size of a wagon at least. Maybe a whole ship.
That...doesn't sound good.
[Probably an understatement!]
It didn't do anything to you? Just watched?
[Probably an understatement!]
It didn't do anything to you? Just watched?
I couldn't see it for long, and not more than an eye. It was deep in there, and possibly too well camouflaged. I can't be certain.
We avoided it. Found a away around the narrowest part of the ravine so that we could cross, and tried to keep from drawing its attention.
I take it you've never heard of such a beast near Solvunn?
We avoided it. Found a away around the narrowest part of the ravine so that we could cross, and tried to keep from drawing its attention.
I take it you've never heard of such a beast near Solvunn?
No, not that I've seen. I live out in the forest near the Primary Settlement--there are monsters, sure, but I haven't run into anything that big.
It's further toward the border. For now. I can show you on a map sometime, in the Horizon.
In case you go that way.
Be careful.
In case you go that way.
Be careful.
Thanks. I might take a trip out there.
Sorry we won't be meeting your group. I would've liked to see you in person.
Sorry we won't be meeting your group. I would've liked to see you in person.
I thought I'd see how you are doing.
I wondered if things are strange in Solvunn, after that display.
I wondered if things are strange in Solvunn, after that display.
Better. Thanks for checking in.
[But that doesn't necessarily mean good.]
The elders couldn't protect their people from someone like Josselyn. It's only a matter of time before it happens again.
[But that doesn't necessarily mean good.]
The elders couldn't protect their people from someone like Josselyn. It's only a matter of time before it happens again.
Considering what they fed with her body, it's like they're asking for it.
Do these entities they worship often show up in person around Solvunn?
Sorry, I know speaking like this can be annoying. Would you prefer meeting in the Horizon? I wanted to ask you some questions about
those dreams we saw.
If you're willing.
[ Considering the traumas surrounding all that, she'd been hesitant to ask any of her fellow captives sooner. But Aloy seems a practical sort.
It's not just that, of course. After the time they spent together both captive and surviving after escape, she feels the need to check on Aloy for personal reasons, too. Call her sentimental, but most of her other friends are actually in the Free Cities with her. Aloy isn't. And Ciri isn't entirely sure she's got anyone looking out for her in Solvunn, either. ]
Do these entities they worship often show up in person around Solvunn?
Sorry, I know speaking like this can be annoying. Would you prefer meeting in the Horizon? I wanted to ask you some questions about
those dreams we saw.
If you're willing.
[ Considering the traumas surrounding all that, she'd been hesitant to ask any of her fellow captives sooner. But Aloy seems a practical sort.
It's not just that, of course. After the time they spent together both captive and surviving after escape, she feels the need to check on Aloy for personal reasons, too. Call her sentimental, but most of her other friends are actually in the Free Cities with her. Aloy isn't. And Ciri isn't entirely sure she's got anyone looking out for her in Solvunn, either. ]
No, not usually. That was the first time I've seen something like that up close.
[And she'd rather not see it again, but something tells her it won't be the last time.]
Yeah, I'd like that. Let me know where I should meet you.
[And she'd rather not see it again, but something tells her it won't be the last time.]
Yeah, I'd like that. Let me know where I should meet you.
Edited 2023-05-22 23:52 (UTC)
Do you prefer to meet in your domain or elsewhere? I've a small house to sit and talk, or a training yard if you prefer outdoors. It is cold, though.
I can come to you. I don't mind the cold.
[And, as promised, Aloy makes her way to Ciri's domain as soon as she has a moment. Crossing the Horizon takes little more than a thought, sure, but Aloy prefers to actually travel. It helps that she can hitch a ride on any machine she likes--for these purposes she settles for a simple Charger, not wanting to take Ciri by surprise with something more complicated.
The house isn't hard to find, based on Ciri's description, and she's quick to dismount once she arrives, raising a hand in greeting.]
Thanks for the invitation. It's good to see you.
[And, as promised, Aloy makes her way to Ciri's domain as soon as she has a moment. Crossing the Horizon takes little more than a thought, sure, but Aloy prefers to actually travel. It helps that she can hitch a ride on any machine she likes--for these purposes she settles for a simple Charger, not wanting to take Ciri by surprise with something more complicated.
The house isn't hard to find, based on Ciri's description, and she's quick to dismount once she arrives, raising a hand in greeting.]
Thanks for the invitation. It's good to see you.
[ They are alike in that way; Ciri keeps her horse in Kaer Morhen's stable, takes care of it and rides it whenever she decides to visit the Horizon, sometimes only for that reason. Maybe it's ironing when she can literally teleport, but she enjoys the traveling.
First, Aloy will find the mountains, and then of course the Keep, but once she's in the courtyard, Ciri's stone cottage is easy to spot. It's nestled right up against one of the slopes, in a place where Kaer Morhen's outer walls have crumbled, resuming raggedly on either side.
Her door is open, and Ciri steps outside when Aloy arrives, greeting her in turn. ]
And you! It's much nicer to speak face to face, or at least with the illusion of it.
Do you want to sit inside? Or we can take a walk, if you prefer.
First, Aloy will find the mountains, and then of course the Keep, but once she's in the courtyard, Ciri's stone cottage is easy to spot. It's nestled right up against one of the slopes, in a place where Kaer Morhen's outer walls have crumbled, resuming raggedly on either side.
Her door is open, and Ciri steps outside when Aloy arrives, greeting her in turn. ]
And you! It's much nicer to speak face to face, or at least with the illusion of it.
Do you want to sit inside? Or we can take a walk, if you prefer.
Let's walk.
[Sitting in someone's house feels kind of intrusive, even if Ciri did invite her here (and even if the stone cottage is not real, in the strictest sense of the word). Besides, she might like a little tour of the surrounding domain--Aloy has always been the most comfortable on her own in the wilderness.
She'll wait for Ciri to make whatever preparations she needs, then gestures for her to lead the way.]
Is this somewhere from home?
[Sitting in someone's house feels kind of intrusive, even if Ciri did invite her here (and even if the stone cottage is not real, in the strictest sense of the word). Besides, she might like a little tour of the surrounding domain--Aloy has always been the most comfortable on her own in the wilderness.
She'll wait for Ciri to make whatever preparations she needs, then gestures for her to lead the way.]
Is this somewhere from home?
[ Luckily, Ciri's just as comfortable outside. She has no preparations to make; she just shuts the door and joins Aloy, gesturing out toward the training yard. The Keep isn't as large here as it is in real life, but there's still plenty of space to walk, the snow crunching beneath their booths as she leads Aloy up the path. ]
It is. [ She gestures up ahead to the parapets above, in disrepair the way they'd been back home. Bones of great beasts (and some men) can be seen buried and frozen beneath the hard snow, as if become part of the earth. It's an austere-looking place, but when Ciri smiles at it, it's with warmth and fondness. ]
This is Kaer Morhen, the fortress of the Witchers. Geralt made it, and when I arrived here too, I helped. It was a place I considered home when I was a child.
It is. [ She gestures up ahead to the parapets above, in disrepair the way they'd been back home. Bones of great beasts (and some men) can be seen buried and frozen beneath the hard snow, as if become part of the earth. It's an austere-looking place, but when Ciri smiles at it, it's with warmth and fondness. ]
This is Kaer Morhen, the fortress of the Witchers. Geralt made it, and when I arrived here too, I helped. It was a place I considered home when I was a child.
[Even for someone who has only seen the ruins of her Earth's civilization, Aloy can tell that the architecture is much more archaic, in comparison. She's known that, but seeing it in person is different.]
I like the mountains. [And the familiar crunch of snow beneath her boots.] I grew up there too.
[Different mountains. Similar enough for this conversation's purposes.]
I like the mountains. [And the familiar crunch of snow beneath her boots.] I grew up there too.
[Different mountains. Similar enough for this conversation's purposes.]
The desert's taken some getting used to. I miss the snow.
--though the last time we were in snowy mountains out in the physical realm, it wasn't quite as nice as it might've been with some supplies. [ She laughs, a bit dryly, and shrugs. She had some related questions to ask Aloy about their time together in the pit and after, but this is, for now, a simpler topic. And she's curious. ]
Is Solvunn closer in climate and landscape to your home? Cadens is very different from mine.
--though the last time we were in snowy mountains out in the physical realm, it wasn't quite as nice as it might've been with some supplies. [ She laughs, a bit dryly, and shrugs. She had some related questions to ask Aloy about their time together in the pit and after, but this is, for now, a simpler topic. And she's curious. ]
Is Solvunn closer in climate and landscape to your home? Cadens is very different from mine.
[Aloy's familiar with the desert too, though comparatively she's spent less time there. Maybe she'd fit in better in Cadens, with the people who make careers out of monster hunting, but there is something to be said for the quiet tranquility of Solvunn's forests.
She lets out a little laugh, the memory still fresh.]
I would have liked it better with some equipment, yeah.
[But they're all alive, and that's what matters.]
I've traveled a lot. Seen everything from mountains to deserts to forests to beaches.
She lets out a little laugh, the memory still fresh.]
I would have liked it better with some equipment, yeah.
[But they're all alive, and that's what matters.]
I've traveled a lot. Seen everything from mountains to deserts to forests to beaches.
[ This answers appears to please Ciri, who answers brightly in kind: ] Me too!
It's nice that we can make whatever landscapes we want here, but it's never quite the same. At least there's plenty to explore out there, and I can see real trees in Nocwich even if it's in the dark. We should go on a hunt there sometime again.
It's nice that we can make whatever landscapes we want here, but it's never quite the same. At least there's plenty to explore out there, and I can see real trees in Nocwich even if it's in the dark. We should go on a hunt there sometime again.
No, it's not the same.
[She dislikes the Horizon, in that it reminds her too strongly of what the Zeniths did--live out their immortal lives in simulations, doing and creating anything they liked and forgetting what it is to be human.
There's no replacement for experiences in the real world, and she's glad Ciri feels similarly.]
I'd like that.
[She dislikes the Horizon, in that it reminds her too strongly of what the Zeniths did--live out their immortal lives in simulations, doing and creating anything they liked and forgetting what it is to be human.
There's no replacement for experiences in the real world, and she's glad Ciri feels similarly.]
I'd like that.
[ Ciri smiles, pleased to show Aloy around. She points out the training ground, mentions she learned to use a sword here. Maybe she mentions Geralt too, if Aloy has met him, and it's no secret that Ciri considers him a father.
Once they've walked the perimeter, Ciri gestures toward the large double doors to the keep itself. ]
Want a drink?
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to ask you about... Those visions, in the cave.
Once they've walked the perimeter, Ciri gestures toward the large double doors to the keep itself. ]
Want a drink?
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to ask you about... Those visions, in the cave.
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