OPEN

[dragonmount]

WHO: Rand & you!
WHAT: Event aftermath
WHERE: Greentruth and Godsblood
WHEN: Late Soviseri to early Firaseri
WARNINGS: Will add as needed

GODSBLOOD

[ he lays low.

after vaeka's execution is prevented, after things start to quiet, he risks one trip to the building where he'd been living. he isn't there long: enough to check on eleanor (and dodge questions about the fading bruises on his face), enough to speak to the person he rents from, and enough to vacate his apartment. he doesn't return there. he doesn't visit any of his usual haunts, before or after the kenoma leave the city, nor any of the handful of places that'd gotten used to giving him odd jobs. the idea is to effectively vanish, and he does a decent job of that.

if asked, he isn't totally unavailable, especially to fellow aions. he's avoiding the kenoma, yes, but he's just as much avoiding the godsblood locals who know him. so: if asked, he'll admit he can be found at ernesto's. and he's not unwilling to meet people in the city, either, so long as they avoid some of the more populated areas at busy times. caution isn't his native language, but it's one even he can use sometimes. ]

GREENTRUTH

[ once things settle further, once the kenoma envoy finally leaves godsblood, he starts chancing trips back to greentruth. carefully, of course; after however vaeka was found out, they have to tread carefully. and the safe haven in the forest is more important than ever, now that the regent has seen fit to remind them that godsblood is technically under their domain. he'd never do anything to jeopardize it.

more saliently, after getting stabbed in the leg by a surprisingly strong girl and her huge magic scythe, getting around isn't as easy as it usually would be, even with healing. those with an ability to use or see magic predating their arrival in horos might notice, at moments, the faint glow of a weave wrapped around his bad leg. he only uses it while standing still, mostly — the logistics of getting this small magic to move with him when he walks aren't currently in his skillset — but it helps him be more stable on his feet than he really is. and he's here, after all, to work.

he still offers instruction in archery and related skills, can be easily found carving bows and fletching arrows (sitting, usually) or else correcting stances and generally providing advice for anyone who wants to learn. his own lessons in swordplay unfortunately likely have to wait till he's better, but that doesn't mean he never wanders over to borrow a training blade and...you know, start getting ideas. recent experiences in godsblood might have made the prospect of becoming a swordsman more painful, but not enough to stop him.

but maybe the real difference is that now, not infrequently, he practices channeling. usually some safe distance from more populated areas, but not impossible to find, he'll find somewhere to sit and — those aforementioned with an ability to see the Power will be able to notice a swirl of light and darkness around him. those who can't will only be able to see the effects of his channeling. he likely looks strange, often frowning at his hands before,

an orb of light appears between them, floating through thin air,

or a gust of wind blows around the area, (though hopefully not too violently? but also: no promises. weirdly, no matter how violent the gust, his hair and clothes stay completely unruffled),

or thunder seems to rumble overhead, briefly,

or, just maybe, he accidentally shoots off a fireball in your direction.

in any of the more dangerous cases, he'll scramble to his feet hastily, wincing, and dispel the magic with frantic apologies. see: ]

Sorry! I'm sorry. I didn't see you there.

WILDCARD

[ hmu if you'd like to plan something! the intent is for this post to be a catch-all for the month of august. ]

Comments

[warmare]

[Hayame would prefer it to look as if she were just here for more arrows.

She would also prefer if no one asks her about her injuries, which the dark look she shoots to anyone who looks her way might be taking care of. Her approach is slow and measured, limping on a left foreleg with a swollen shoulder and heavy bruising that her dun coat is not dark enough to disguise. Her left shoulder (the other one) is likewise stiff, and uncharacteristically she is wearing a sleeved shirt. No amount of fabric would disguise the deep cut on her haunch, though- probably from a sword, judging by the length. A wound that still weeps, because each step disturbs flesh attempting to scab over and heal.

Never mind that.

Beside Rand, Hayame carefully drops her depleted quiver (disgraceful, but she can’t bend well to place it gently), followed by two of the feathered lizards that roamed the forests of Greentruth. Fletching. An offering.

She opens her mouth to ask him… how he was. What happened in Godsblood. If he was hale. What comes out is-]

Did you know that your apprentice is trying to present himself as able to make arrows under your name?

[/Nailed it.]

[dragonmount]

[ hayame gets one of her wishes, at least.

though he winces at the state of her, he remembers how she'd looked after getting back from venera the first time. and at least in this case, he has an idea of what might've happened to her — she all but announced she'd been killing achamites on communion, and there were of course a swarm of kenoma aions who'd descended on venera, looking to fight this time. but he doesn't have any healing to offer her, nor a certainty in how to suggest she get healing without potentially raising her hackles, so he lets the matter rest.

he opens his own mouth to thank her, as he reaches for the lizards, but he pauses with his arm partway extended at her question. ]

My what?

[warmare]

[At least this time... her shoulders and lower spine haven't gone bony with the beginnings of starvation. Each limp, swelling, bruise, and cut comes from something intentional and earned- indeed, from the many Kenoma aions who had come to Venera to hunt rebels only to find themselves hunted instead.

Carefully, she tries to... No, she isn't going to be able to get to her belly without displaying too much of her weakness, without making herself vulnerable and unable to get back to her feet quick enough in response to a threat.

Instead, she pulls her bow from her shoulder, carefully beginning to undo the bowstring.]

Your apprentice?

[Why did he sound confused?]

Black hair... no topknot... dark eyes... not good at talking?

[... Says Hayame.]

He said he learned how to fix arrows from you.

[dragon_rider]

[ Hiccup found himself antsy and restless. How could he not? There's a part of him, a rather large part of him, that reminds him the best answer is to disengage - run away. But he can't do that now, won't do it. And so he finds himself simply growing more and more restless. He's stayed in Greentruth, asking after anything he can help with. Shoring defenses, supply lines - anything - and it's not enough.

He finds the only thing that's enough to clear his mind, even temporarily, is flight. He'd always joked about needing his own pair of wings and now that he had them it's convenient - Maybe he could fly away if he really wanted to (he doesn't). It's hours later after surveing from the top canopies of the trees and the skies itself -nothing abnormal is out there - he's tired enough to come down.

Thankfully, he still has enough of his senses to dodge a sudden fireball that makes him look in its direction sharply — a dragon? No, he'll have to change that association of fireballs equaling dragons, he thinks. His smile doesn't reach his eyes as he touches back down with a shrug: ]

Yeah, well, I don't think most people are looking up when they're shooting those things off... Actually, maybe they should given we're in a forest. [ His comment is less sarcastic than it usually is as he brushes down his clothes to avoid looking at the other: ] Just practicing or...?

[dragonmount]

[ well, not not a dragon actually — but hiccup's forgiven for not knowing that. rand's told precious few people about the whole dragon reborn thing, and anyway at the end of the day he's still very much human.

that said. he nearly does jump out of his skin when hiccup appears from above, winged and (understandably) disgruntled. he hadn't thought to consider the possibility of anyone flying above at all. still, his surprise quickly cedes to embarrassment. ]

I'll be more careful. I really am sorry. [ l i g h t help him. ] Yeah, practicing. I,

[ there's a brief falter as he considers how to explain himself. hiccup hasn't accused him of anything, but he does feel strange after offering services in distinctly non-magical areas multiple times now. ]

don't have much experience with it.

[ should he ask about the wings?? is it rude to ask about the wings??? he's torn, before finally settling on, ]

Are you often flying out here?

[dragon_rider]

Don't worry about it. It's not the first time I was almost lit on fire, definitely won't be the last.

[ He's literally a dragon person. He's not afraid of it so much as surprised, but at the very least he seems unbothered by it. Now safely on the ground, Hiccup begins the mental work of changing back from the more dragon-esque shape for flight (thankfully, with practice, it's come much easier). ]

Yeah? Well, if you need more practice with aiming, I'm sure we can set you up an obstacle course. I've made my fair share of those it wouldn't take long. [ There's no accusation in his voice that might imply he thinks Rand is incapable - it's genuine willingness to help. He needs more things to do and they all need more practice, things would only get worse from here.

The question doesn't fully catch him off guard but he does hesitate before nodding, swinging his arms back and forth: ] Yeah. Yeah, a lot of the time actually — It helps me think.

greentruth;

[emblazer]

[ The fireball is easy enough to absorb when it bounces his way, his shield rising to take the brunt of the pyro damage. He'd mostly been taking a walk to clear his head and hadn't expected to catch Rand mid-casting, but he is happy to see him safe and in one piece. Relatively. He'd been worried about those who had been trying to take care of things in Godsblood and had caught enough of their distress through their unified link to know they didn't have any easier of a time than they did in Venera.

Aside from being banged up and briefly imprisoned with Ryunosuke, Thoma isn't too banged himself –just a few scrapes, burns, and bruises. Nothing that won't go away with time, but the fact that he can still walk is probably proof enough he's not in too bad of a state.

He lifts a hand to wave to Rand once he's in view before quickening his steps to join him. His other hand rises, a bit of fire gathering in his palm as he gives Rand a half-smile. ]

Did you drop this? You should be careful where you toss them. Anyone else would be missing a few strands of hair by now.

[ More importantly– ]

...How was... everything? Are you all right?

[dragonmount]

[ despite his mortification, he brightens when he sees thoma.

he's been similarly worried about how those in venera fared, and in light of — everything, it's so good to see friendly faces, and alive and well. not uninjured, maybe, but not too badly injured; and, light, aren't they all injured, whether they were in godsblood or venera? the regent wanted a more ferocious fight, and they got one. the bruising on his own face is fainter now, the rest not so obvious as long as he doesn't try to move or walk too quickly.

smiling, he waves back. answers, ruefully, ]

I'm lucky it was you. The last thing anyone needs now is some trouble with friendly fire. [ wheeze. and, as for the question, ] Vaeka's safe now. There was no execution.

[ one of the most critical things. rand had his own stint with miserable captivity after accidentally killing a man, is admittedly sitting because the wound he picked up from the fight to save vaeka is still healing, but — none of that is so important. ]

And I got out all right. What about you?

[emblazer]

[ It's still harrowing that the Kenoma reached Godsblood so easily and had caused so much trouble. Thoma's worried what might happen once they infiltrate Greentruth. They're rapidly running out of places to station themselves in if they don't want to be dragged to Achamoth.

His eyes rake over Rand more slowly once he's close enough as he nods. Even if Rand is downplaying it, he can tell he didn't escape entirely unscathed. ]

I'm all right, too. I don't think I got hit as badly as the others in Venera.

[ He knows Kaeya isn't one of theirs, but it still ached to see the only other person from his homeland be brutalized like that. Even though it had to be done, his stomach still twists into knots when he thinks about it.

He's quick to shake himself out of it and focus back on the topic at hand. ]

I don't have any healing magic, but I can prepare a few salves to help numb some of the pain or fix some warm fish stew for you? You had to have worked up an appetite by now with all that fire practice.

Greentruth

[chronosynthesis]

Whoa! [Syrlya staggers out of the way to put as much distance between himself and the incoming fireball, watching it sail by. It wasn't exactly close, but... rather not take the chance.

He stalls a bit to ensure it didn't ignite anything. Then he turns back to Rand to continue approaching, and holds up a hand.] You're fine. Practicing your aim?

accidental man on plant violence,,,,

[dragonmount]

[ rand reaches out with the Power to dispel the fire by spreading it thin and throwing it high in the air — though, functionally, it'll just look like the flames winked out. ]

I'm sorry, [ he says again, leaning back against the tree trunk to steady himself. moving that quickly had hurt, but mostly he's embarrassed about nearly roasting an ally. ] Practicing in general. [ admitted. ] Channeling is still new to me.

Almost had some roast veggies

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya comes to a stop at a respectful talking distance, dropping his hand.]

Is it really? [He's actually openly surprised about that.] You were very bold with it against the Kenoma, I hadn't even realized. [Does he pick up quickly, or were they just lucky.] You're some form of Elementalist?

it’s greentruth again........

[passio]

[ dextera has not interacted with rand. he knows of rand, in the distant way he’s observed every one of his fellow pleroma, but the only words they’ve ever actually exchanged have been in ephemeral ink and one curt sentence from the man himself. dextera had seen fit from that point on not to approach rand despite some budding desire to apologize, and it had served him fine until now.

now, a war has truly broken out. dextera has chosen sides, too, as much as someone like him is capable of choosing. he shouldn’t stay on unhappy terms with any of the people around him, especially considering… well, especially considering all he’s seen and heard of rand since the regent’s address to them all. ]

…

[ that’s his plan, anyway, but what happens in practice is that he stands silently, obscured from afar, watching rand go through his various forms of channeling until the sound of thunder draws a flinch and what can only be termed as a whimper from his throat. ]

these ellipses like the other prompt isn't mostly just flavortext

[dragonmount]

[ the whimper is how he knows he isn't alone.

and that doesn't alarm him, really, this is greentruth, and there are more deserted areas he could've chosen for this task. he'd been focused on trying to shape the weave in his hands, remember how he'd done it before so that he can do it again. there are things that have and haven't come back to him outside of combat situations: the tricks with fire have been easier, but the wall he'd created to separate gray from vaeka and syrlya is now a complete mystery, which is proving to be an annoyance. the lightning is taking some time to puzzle out, but he can feel the weave coming together appropriately, sense the clouds darkening overhead, when

you know, the sound.

so he dispels the weave (a little regretfully) and looks up to see dextera. he hesitates, then says, ]

Sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.

[passio]

[ dextera shakes his head. he hadn’t meant to interrupt, which is why he ducks his head with some guilt, but he doesn’t run away since the whole thing has already been thrown off. somehow, it seems worse to him to show up, distract rand, and then leave in the same instant as if nothing happened.

he steps a little further out of his hiding spot instead and moves his eyes from rand up to the sky, palm held out like he’s anticipating a rainstorm. ]

…?

[ it’s hard to say whether he thinks it’s actually coming, or if he’s just inquiring about the status of the spell now that it’s been dissipated. ]

[goldendeceiver]

[ That Rand wanted to go back to his apartment at all made Ernesto someone nervous, given the fact that Kenoma had him imprisoned not long ago, but long run it's smarter to let him. There are loose ends to tie up there, and it's smarter if Rand goes solo so that he draws less attention and raises less questions than he would if Ernesto went too.

But he's wishing he had as he sits on his couch, tapping his finger against the cloth covered arm while trying and failing to maintain any sort of aura of calm. He does better when eyes are on him, and he feels more pressure to perform. Keeping up the act when he's all alone can feel stifling, because without anyone to talk to his own thoughts really start to eat at him.

His ears perk up when he hears the door being unlocked, and straightens up his back as he cranes his head around to look towards it. ]

[dragonmount]

[ the truth is, it's a little hard to look at ernesto nowadays.

there's a similar sense of — maybe not safety, in keeping a friend close. but this is now a second time that there are kenoma in godsblood, and despite the prevention of vaeka's execution, there's nothing really stopping them from returning, from lingering now. is there? rand knows so well how easy it can be for aions with the kenoma to blend in and pretend to be ordinary people of this world. see if he ever trusts a stranger again.

but, it's just. grateful as he is for what akua and ernesto did for him, and of course he is, the light knows how much the idea of being carted to achamoth had terrified him, still does, haunts his dreams — he can't help feeling guilty about that broken arm. he would have anyway. but knowing it'd happened for his sake, after ciel's warning about what can happen to the people around him...

not that there's any relief in going back to his apartment, dread weighing heavy on his heart, until he sees eleanor. alive and almost well, cheerfully talking about an accident, but it's not so bad, don't make that face, and what did happen to him recently? and when is he next coming to dinner? — had been so unbearable as to strengthen his resolve to leave. she'd been confused by his apology, by the hug he couldn't stop himself from giving, by his departure, but. it's for the best. it's for the best.

is coming back here such a good idea? but the least he can do, he reminds himself, is help ernesto while he's recovering. it is the smallest of decencies to try to balance the scales. he owes his friend that much right now.

and what comes later, will be a problem for later. ]

It's me,

[ he calls as he opens the door, shuts and locks it behind him. he doesn't have much, all told; a bag with a couple of sets of clothes, some money he's saved, odds and ends. the place he'd stayed was small (but still the largest space he's ever had to himself), and he'd never been the type to need much. he approaches, dropping the bag near the couch, and leans against one of the arms. even taking that much weight off his leg is a relief; unthinkingly, he spins the same small weave around it that he's done now and again recently, supporting himself better. ]

It was fine. No one was there.

[ no one was waiting there for him, that is. a real danger with ciel — and anyone she's told — knowing as much as she does about his life here. ]

Greentruth~

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke is already up for some early morning target practice when Rand makes his way over to the archery range. This right here is a potential clue in and of itself that he's not doing so well; Ryunosuke infamously likes to sleep in whenever he can get away with it, and the fact that he's out here this early on seems to imply that he just... Didn't sleep at all, most likely.

There are much bigger, much more obvious clues than that, though. To say he looks 'different' would be a pretty gross understatement, because he's up three entire new limbs since Rand will have last seen him: a long, scaly tail, and two feathered wings, pure white in an echo of the Entity that marked him. There are other more minor changes as well; a smattering of scales, across some patches of skin, fingers that have become clawed, and larger ears that look almost more like a deer's than anything else.

The latter are a particular point of vexation, because there's an issue Ryunosuke has always had with his archery that he'd only just begun to get over, via a combination of Rand's instruction and regular practice. And it demonstrates itself now, because Ryunosuke doesn't see Rand walk up; he's focused on the target, bow drawn and ready, arrow in place.

He lets fly. The bowstring goes twhip, snapping forward, annnnd... It nicks his ear, making him jolt in surprise. It throws off his aim at the very last millisecond, and so the arrow misses the target, flying wide and thudding into one of the tree trunks behind the range. Ryunosuke makes an aggrieved face and lifts a hand to rub at his poor, stinging ear, grumbling under his breath.]

[dragonmount]

[ from a distance, rand doesn't actually recognize him.

and that leaves him wary. yes, this is greentruth; yes, there are natives of horos with animal features, and he's learned to get used to that. sort of. yes, he doesn't necessarily know every single person who lives in the forests. but the wings in particular aren't like anything else he's ever seen, and

in truth, it's nothing rational. at a glance, ryunosuke looks like a stranger. anyone rand doesn't immediately recognize could very well be an enemy. it's happened once before, it's happened twice before, and even if godsblood isn't safe (but was it ever, really?), greentruth is meant to be. but his sense of safety's been rattled, and what he really thinks is that he was better before allowing himself that kind of complacency.

horos is dangerous. they're at war.

so he approaches ryunosuke warily, a little slowly, the Power raging in him, and...then he's close enough to see that familiar error. clocks that familiar face. and oh, oh, alright. it's only a friend, if one who's — struggling. ]

Try holding the bow a little more to the left. You almost had it.

[ is offered, presently, with a faint smile. ]

Greentruth

[superbshot]

[Well! That sure was a fireball! Fortunately, Caitlyn had seen it coming and ducked out of the way. Even more fortunately, she was feeling...much tougher...than before. Really, she's just kind of laughing this off.]

Quite alright. No harm done.

[Well, okay, since Moiraine isn't here to lecture.]

But perhaps we should find you a practice ground, Rand?

[dragonmount]

Are you sure?

[ not that he doesn't believe caitlyn, of course, but wow this was incredibly mortifying. it's not like he has any skill for healing either, if anything had happened.

in any case. he breathes out, rueful, leaning back against the tree trunk. ]

That's a good idea. I don't want to risk hurting anyone.

greentruth

[wolof]

[ There's something to be said for a truly impressive spellcaster.

Akua was one such sort, of course, but watching Rand, she could swear she could almost see the potential in him. It's there, in the way when he "channels", as he calls it, how the wind almost kicks up violently, but he's still within, like he's creating a vortex by simply using his power. Akua doesn't even blink when there's an errant fireball, but instead...

Well, it's instant, the way the fireball ricochets off a shield she'd put into place in the space of a breath. Not even the kind of weave that would require high arcana. She's so fast, no hand movements, if Rand notices, that it's clear that Akua's former motions -- false things that she'd used to show she was like the rest of them... they were gone.

Getting killed by the "Wizard Howl" was something that had reminded her of the folly of her pride. Akua's Folly, they called it in Calernia. ]

I see you're practicing.

[ She says, in lieu of greeting. ]

[dragonmount]

— Sorry.

[ one last apology for the road, though he's more impressed than horrified, in this case. it seems so impossible that he could hurt akua, even though — even though, so recently, he had cradled her shard so carefully in his hands and waited for her to come back at the sovereign shrine.

but also, there's the part of him that thinks, if he had even a fraction of her skill, things would've gone so differently at that prison in godsblood. which brings him to, ]

I said I would.

greentruth

[coerthantorment]

Estinien spends much of his time in those unpopulated places, easy enough to travel to but far enough to avoid damaging anything important. He moves on wing, theoretically scouting, but... increasingly, he finds himself flying without particular aim. Instead, it has become a way to pass the time between immediate tasks, where stillness has become too abrasive to stand.

He should rest, he knows. He just can't stand the silence.

As so, when he hears thunder crackle overhead and the wind picks up, he finds himself startled out of his malaise. His luminous, seraphic form glides downward, his six wings stretching and folding as he angles to land safely. He's forced to fold them in swiftly, like a man trying to avoid being pulled along by his umbrella. He holds out a hand, as if expecting to feel raindrops. He sees Rand, very suddenly, out here in the wood with him.

"A storm is brewing," he says, having no idea he is speaking to the man responsible. "I would head towards shelter while you can."

[dragonmount]

Admittedly, it's startling when Estinien lands near him.

Rand hasn't seen much of him in recent days, and in retrospect he'll realize that this is why. But he double takes, almost losing his focus on maintaining the lightning weave, before he recognizes the man. He's aware that Estinien has had his ongoing struggles with the Innocence entity, but Light...he's never seen anything like this before.

But that initial reaction is done by the time Estinien speaks to him, so it may be easy to miss — especially with the storm seemingly about to break right over their heads.. Rand looks from him to the sky, briefly, before...ah. He grins, unable to help it.

"There's no need."

He drops his hands, dismissing the weave. The wind dies down immediately, as does the thunder; and, more slowly, the clouds start to disperse.