[ there's only so much any of them can do, really. sam's all too familiar with loss in the midst of action, how it feels to know you have to keep moving even when something like this happens.
sam swallows. nods to himself. reminds himself that this will be something else he'll want to check in on. ]
sam swallows. nods to himself. reminds himself that this will be something else he'll want to check in on. ]
NO, WE AREN'T
BUT WE'LL KEEP GOING AND WE'LL CHECK IN ON EACH OTHER
AND WE'LL GET EVERYONE OFF THIS MOUNTAIN
I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN WE GET BACK
HOW'RE THEY MAKING IT WORSE? DO YOU KNOW?
He's worried they're going to run off and rage and he'll have to chase them. As much as that'd be a distraction, it'd be a risk to their lives, after something already traumatic.
I told him to tell them he'd appreciate it if they could keep their shit together for him, but he said 'that's not how we do things.' If I was there I would take them off his hands. I'll try that once we get back, if they're still worrying him.
[ Jesper will always be the 'good son,' but he's also always the good friend, more empathic than any of his other friends. ]
Sam's quieter than Dean, softer. He could probably use an ear. After I distract the other two.
I told him to tell them he'd appreciate it if they could keep their shit together for him, but he said 'that's not how we do things.' If I was there I would take them off his hands. I'll try that once we get back, if they're still worrying him.
[ Jesper will always be the 'good son,' but he's also always the good friend, more empathic than any of his other friends. ]
Sam's quieter than Dean, softer. He could probably use an ear. After I distract the other two.
Do you feel like we have true allies in Cadens? Summoned aside. I trust our lot more than anyone else, no matter their faction.
[Because at least the Summoned all have at least one thing in common: None of them actually asked to be here, or fight a war that wasn't theirs.]
I DO
BUT โTRUE ALLIESโ IS COMPLICATED
I BELIEVE IN PEOPLE AND I BELIEVE IN PEOPLE HERE IN CADENS TOO
BUT I THAT ONLY GOES SO FAR
IT COMES DOWN TO THE LOGISTICS, THOUGH
HOW DO WE DO IT SAFELY?
HOW CAN IT HAPPEN WITHOUT PAINTING TARGETS ON ANYONES BACK?
AND WHERE?
Locals we deal with every day, I can find ways to trust. Mag has never given any reason not to, for example.
But the people in power? You think they actually see us as more than fodder for their war?
But the people in power? You think they actually see us as more than fodder for their war?
[He can't hear her little derisive laugh, but it's there as that last set comes in.]
Logistics, yes. That is... what all of you have said.
I suppose even if it were possible, there's no guarantee everyone would go. And I wouldn't suggest they have to.
Forcing people's hand is the opposite of what I want.
I suppose even if it were possible, there's no guarantee everyone would go. And I wouldn't suggest they have to.
Forcing people's hand is the opposite of what I want.
[Which is proof he isn't the only one she's said something about this to. But the circle of those she has included remains small. She's smarter than letting it go very far, and beyond anyone she truly feels she can trust.
It's just a little maddening when all of the adults in her life have the same thought process, even without knowing beforehand that she was discussing this with anyone else!]
NO, NOT THE PEOPLE IN POWER
I THINK THEY SEE US AS OUTSIDERS THAT CAN BE BENEFICIAL TO THEM
ESPECIALLY IN THIS UPCOMING WAR
BUT THATS NOTHING NEW
THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY, INDIVIDUALLY, YES I DO TRUST THEM
AND LISTEN, INEJ โ ITS A GOOD IDEA
AND IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE CAN WORK THE REST OF THIS OUT
IโM NOT SAYING ITS IMPOSSIBLE
ITโLL JUST TAKE SOME WORK
YOURE NOT GONNA BE TURNED DOWN BY WORK, ARE YOU?
As long as we're agreed on that.
Do you think... when it really comes to a head.... do you think Reiner will forcibly conscript the Summoned?
No, of course not. I've already started consider things Kyle and Wanda brought up to me. Food, housing, you can produce so much from... well, I know it's not literally from nothing, but... whatever it is exactly that powers the magic in exchange for creation.
Cassandra summoned bread to her room with one of the first spells she got while she was here. If we can do that... Jesper can make all sorts of fortified things on his own... If we study the right magics, I just think a lot of it could be handled a lot easier than people think.
Do you think... when it really comes to a head.... do you think Reiner will forcibly conscript the Summoned?
No, of course not. I've already started consider things Kyle and Wanda brought up to me. Food, housing, you can produce so much from... well, I know it's not literally from nothing, but... whatever it is exactly that powers the magic in exchange for creation.
Cassandra summoned bread to her room with one of the first spells she got while she was here. If we can do that... Jesper can make all sorts of fortified things on his own... If we study the right magics, I just think a lot of it could be handled a lot easier than people think.
[Sorry for all the words, dad, she has a lot of Feelingsโข about all this.]
I THINK IT'S UNLIKELY.
SHE'S NOT GOING TO RISK MAKING ENEMIES OF US, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW
BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE, EITHER.
SHE'S A WOMAN WHO TAKES HER JOB VERY SERIOUSLY
AND I DON'T SEE THERE BEING A LOT OF LINES SHE WON'T CROSS TO PROTECT HER PEOPLE
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND HER OPINION OF US TURNS, WELL.
THERE'S NOT A LOT SHE WOULDN'T DO
I DIDN'T THINK SO
AND YEAH- I THINK ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE ALL THE SUMMONED WORKING TOGETHER
THERE ISN'T A LOT WE CAN'T ACCOMPLISH
THESE POWERS AND THIS MAGIC THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN
PLUS THE MAGIC YOU CAN LEARN
IF YOU ADD THAT INTO THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE MOST ALREADY HAVE IT'S PRETTY AMAZING
BUT IT'S ALSO SOMETHING YOU'LL WANT TO DO RIGHT THE FIRST TIME
YOU WON'T GET A LOT OF CHANCES
It's something I fear. Maybe because of the state of things back in my world. I know how desperate it can get, and how quickly it can all go badly.
I realize I might not have that much support in it, I know a lot of people are perfectly fine where they are. And maybe there are more risks than people would be willing to take to separate ourselves.
But whatever may come, I promise I won't rush blindly into this, Sam.
I realize I might not have that much support in it, I know a lot of people are perfectly fine where they are. And maybe there are more risks than people would be willing to take to separate ourselves.
But whatever may come, I promise I won't rush blindly into this, Sam.
I'LL SUPPORT YOU HOWEVER I CAN, INEJ
YOU CAN BE SURE OF THAT
BECAUSE I DO THINK OUR TIME IN THE CITIES THE WAY WE KNOW IT IS LIMITED
AS LONG AS WE'RE IN A PLACE WHERE THEY SEE US AS OTHER, IT'S TOO EASY TO TURN
SO I WOULDN'T GET TOO DOWN ON THAT
WE'LL MAKE WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO, WORK
AND IF THAT'S MOVING SOMEWHERE ELSE OR JUST SUMMONED,
THEN WE'LL BE GLAD YOU'VE BEEN THINKING THIS FAR AHEAD.
GOOD
I'LL TAKE THAT
AND KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN WHILE YOU'RE LOOKING INTO ALL THIS TOO
I KNOW YOU WILL, BUT I HAVE TO SAY IT ANYWAY
Thank you. Sincerely. Iโm not sure what Iโd do in this place without you, Sam.
Castiel made a suggestion when I was talking to him about it that we should keep it in the Horizon, since itโs a Summoned-only space.
I think it could be a good start. Eventually. No need to rush it, of course.
Maybe you could help me head that up when it comes to? People like youโฆ they listen to youโฆ more than they would some teenager with fanciful ideasโฆ
I will, I promise.
Castiel made a suggestion when I was talking to him about it that we should keep it in the Horizon, since itโs a Summoned-only space.
I think it could be a good start. Eventually. No need to rush it, of course.
Maybe you could help me head that up when it comes to? People like youโฆ they listen to youโฆ more than they would some teenager with fanciful ideasโฆ
I will, I promise.
I'M JUST DOING MY PART FOR ALL OF US
BUT I'M GLAD TO HELP WHENEVER YOU NEED IT
WE CAN KEEP IT IN THE HORIZON AT FIRST, IF YOU WANT TO START THERE, YEAH
IT DOESN'T REALLY CHANGE ANYTHING BY KEEPING IT THERE, THOUGH
THE FACTIONS STILL HAVE US SEPARATED, PHYSICALLY
BUT NOT A BAD START
BUT WHATEVER YOU DO DECIDE TO START UP, I'LL BE HAPPY TO JUMP IN
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH PEOPLE REALLY LISTEN TO ME THESE DAYS
BUT THEY DEFINITELY RECOGNIZE ME
I'LL HELP HOWEVER I CAN
AND GOOD. THEN WE'RE IN AGREEMENT. :)
Sam. Tell me you're well. How are the conditions in your cities?
The things I've been fighting are worse than much of anything we saw a few moons past.
The things I've been fighting are worse than much of anything we saw a few moons past.
โ november | some time after the sarstina renovations
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
theidlemaiden
2023-11-03 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
[ Once the dust has (literally) settled after the renovations, Hilda makes a very serious point to book an appointment with Sam. Not that she's ever had to before or that he's the sort of person who needs to be seen with an appointment. In fact, she's certain that he'd hate it. It's not as if had a secretary of any sort and even if he did, she wouldn't have bothered making one anyway. But with all the paperwork and shoulder rubbing he'd been doing for their little Red Path restoration project lately she figures it'd be a fun little way to tease him while in a roundabout way, be respectful of his time.
Before she arrives she sends a Very Formal note to him via their helpful little mind message - ]
Before she arrives she sends a Very Formal note to him via their helpful little mind message - ]
๐๐ณ. ๐๐ช๐ญ๐ด๐ฐ๐ฏ,[ At exactly half past the hour a dainty little knock will signal her arrival at his door and when he opens the door, he'll see Hilda with a very large rectangular package floating gently behind her. Don't look too closely at her smile. There's absolutely nothing to be suspicious about. ]
๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ช๐ด ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐'๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐บ ๐ข๐ต ๐ข๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฐ๐น๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ๐ญ๐บ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐ง ๐ฑ๐ข๐ด๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ. ๐'๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ถ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ง๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด๐ฉ ๐ฃ๐ช๐ด๐ค๐ถ๐ช๐ต๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฆ๐ข ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ข๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐จ.
๐ ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ธ๐ข๐ณ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ.
- ๐๐ช๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ญ
[ sam has been pretty nonstop for the last few weeks. the renovations to the inn have taken a lot of his attention, and then with the paperwork and such to make sure the red path restoration gets to where it needs to be - it's good, it's been good. it's been a while since sam's had good busy to focus on.
but of course that also leaves room for those who know him, and have watched him jump around like a chicken with his head cut off, to poke all the fun they want. jesper's been a pretty every day sight, which has been a near-constant stream of jokes and sarcasm, but sam's known hilda wouldn't miss the chance to jump in too.
which is why when the extremely formal message crosses his vision, he's fairly certain hilda can hear his sigh wherever she is. of course it's fond, it always is, but still. ]
when the knock arrives, sam has just finished washing his hands, and still has the rag in hand when he opens the door. he smiles at her at first, and then his eyes make it on the package floating behind her. ]
That better be a really large biscuit, Hilda. [ with only a hint of parental suspicion, but he opens the door further to let her in all the same. ]
but of course that also leaves room for those who know him, and have watched him jump around like a chicken with his head cut off, to poke all the fun they want. jesper's been a pretty every day sight, which has been a near-constant stream of jokes and sarcasm, but sam's known hilda wouldn't miss the chance to jump in too.
which is why when the extremely formal message crosses his vision, he's fairly certain hilda can hear his sigh wherever she is. of course it's fond, it always is, but still. ]
I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR MEETING, MISS GONERIL.[ because truthfully, he needs to finish up this one project before that point and doesn't really have time to banter.
when the knock arrives, sam has just finished washing his hands, and still has the rag in hand when he opens the door. he smiles at her at first, and then his eyes make it on the package floating behind her. ]
That better be a really large biscuit, Hilda. [ with only a hint of parental suspicion, but he opens the door further to let her in all the same. ]
[ Oh, she definitely heard the sigh and she relished in it the minute she saw the exasperated words flash across the surface of her desk.
As she breezes (flounces really) into the room, she gives him a bit of a sniff. ]
If it were a biscuit I would have told you to come to the loft. Do you really think I would have risked transporting a biscuit this large through the streets of Cadens?
[ The implication is that she wouldn't do that for anyone and probably has a list of reasons why (logistics, the weight of it, the time it would take, what if it got cold?) - but the truth of the matter is that she'd probably do it for Sam if she really had to.
Speaking of biscuits - a floating tray carrying a teapot and a plate of fresh out of the oven biscuits follows after into the room settling itself gently on the table. Keeping up the Very Serious Act she motions towards the seat across from her waiting for him to sit before taking her own seat. The package still remains hovering innocently nearby. ]
Anyway - thank you for making the time to see me. I know how busy you are.
As she breezes (flounces really) into the room, she gives him a bit of a sniff. ]
If it were a biscuit I would have told you to come to the loft. Do you really think I would have risked transporting a biscuit this large through the streets of Cadens?
[ The implication is that she wouldn't do that for anyone and probably has a list of reasons why (logistics, the weight of it, the time it would take, what if it got cold?) - but the truth of the matter is that she'd probably do it for Sam if she really had to.
Speaking of biscuits - a floating tray carrying a teapot and a plate of fresh out of the oven biscuits follows after into the room settling itself gently on the table. Keeping up the Very Serious Act she motions towards the seat across from her waiting for him to sit before taking her own seat. The package still remains hovering innocently nearby. ]
Anyway - thank you for making the time to see me. I know how busy you are.
[ well shit, sam knows where this is going. ]
HOW LONG'S IT BEEN?[ and geralt knows that sam's been pretty neck-deep in the policies and paperwork lately. between what hilda and claude and sylvain are trying to get done with the red path, and mag's inn, sam's been making eyes at more paperwork than he has people lately. ]
AND DO THEY AT LEAST KNOW YOU'RE LEAVING?
AND YOU KNOW WHERE THIS'LL LEAD, RIGHT
CAUSE WE BOTH KNOW HOW THE CITIES FEEL ABOUT UNOFFICIAL PORTAL STONES
[ you know, for all that sam misses nat every single day since she's disappeared, there is a part of him that is very very glad hilda didn't have more time around her than she did. sam's not sure he would have survived the sheer power hilda would have had. ]
Yes, I do think you would. Just to prove a point. [ or if sam really needed her to. thankfully, he has no reason for a biscuit that large, and if he were gonna call in a favor, it definitely wouldn't be that one. still, he shuts the door behind her and follows her into his own living space.
hilda does seem intent on keeping up the air of a formal meeting, though, so sam holds back the sigh as she gestures to the seat across from her. sam does as he's gestured to do and settles, actually quite happy to be sitting for a little bit today. ]
Yeah, yeah. [ he says with a smile, waving at her continued formalities. he would argue with her if he had the energy, but the truth is, he has been busy and he knows he probably hasn't been as accessible lately. his eyes do shift over to the still hovering package behind her before returning to hilda with a smile. ] Are we gonna talk about the not-biscuit or...?
Yes, I do think you would. Just to prove a point. [ or if sam really needed her to. thankfully, he has no reason for a biscuit that large, and if he were gonna call in a favor, it definitely wouldn't be that one. still, he shuts the door behind her and follows her into his own living space.
hilda does seem intent on keeping up the air of a formal meeting, though, so sam holds back the sigh as she gestures to the seat across from her. sam does as he's gestured to do and settles, actually quite happy to be sitting for a little bit today. ]
Yeah, yeah. [ he says with a smile, waving at her continued formalities. he would argue with her if he had the energy, but the truth is, he has been busy and he knows he probably hasn't been as accessible lately. his eyes do shift over to the still hovering package behind her before returning to hilda with a smile. ] Are we gonna talk about the not-biscuit or...?
Long enough.
They know.
And I'm counting on it.
[ In a way. He won't complain if all this goes unnoticedโbut his plan does not revolve around not being caught. The only thing he cares about is that the Cities don't know where he went or why, something that's simpler to ensure if he occupies their attention. They'll want someone to question and blame; he imagines he'll suffice. ]
They know.
And I'm counting on it.
[ In a way. He won't complain if all this goes unnoticedโbut his plan does not revolve around not being caught. The only thing he cares about is that the Cities don't know where he went or why, something that's simpler to ensure if he occupies their attention. They'll want someone to question and blame; he imagines he'll suffice. ]
[ ...Well Sam has her clocked there. She absolutely would walk through the streets of Cadens with a giant biscuit if it was some part of an elaborate prank or joke.
Addressing the non-biscuit in the room breaks the serious air about her and something mischievous sparks in her. Her posture immediately relaxes even as she moves to pour the tea into both of their cups. ]
I thought you'd never ask. You can open it if you'd like! It's just a little gift from me. Think of it as a pre-thank you gift for all that paperwork you've done for us for the Red Path.
[ The package is rather unassuming as far as large rectangular boxes go. Well, save for the gigantic dark blue ribbon around it. Where she got a ribbon that large is anyone's guess but she has her ways, lots of time on her hands, and plenty of connections in the Old Public Hall's costume department to make something like that happen.
If he does open it then and there and manages to get through the carefully wrapped tissue paper surrounding the gift, he'll be greeted with a rather familiar face. Steve's face, drawn in a cartoonish style to be exact. Similar to the large cut out head that she had made of Sam when he had first been announced Conclave representative, it seems that she's made one of Steve. For Sam. ]
Addressing the non-biscuit in the room breaks the serious air about her and something mischievous sparks in her. Her posture immediately relaxes even as she moves to pour the tea into both of their cups. ]
I thought you'd never ask. You can open it if you'd like! It's just a little gift from me. Think of it as a pre-thank you gift for all that paperwork you've done for us for the Red Path.
[ The package is rather unassuming as far as large rectangular boxes go. Well, save for the gigantic dark blue ribbon around it. Where she got a ribbon that large is anyone's guess but she has her ways, lots of time on her hands, and plenty of connections in the Old Public Hall's costume department to make something like that happen.
If he does open it then and there and manages to get through the carefully wrapped tissue paper surrounding the gift, he'll be greeted with a rather familiar face. Steve's face, drawn in a cartoonish style to be exact. Similar to the large cut out head that she had made of Sam when he had first been announced Conclave representative, it seems that she's made one of Steve. For Sam. ]
Page 8 of 11