to all;

[righteously]

Okay, look. We need to talk.

What the hell is going on around here? That whole 'make the summoned run around like trained jackasses' thing? Not kosher.

Before I say anything else, I'll be the first to admit, I didn't let the bug loose. It was a bad call, somebody got hurt, and I'm sorry. I really am. If I could go back knowing what it did, I'd have let it out in a heartbeat.

But that's the thing, isn't it? I mean, seriously. Let's break this whole thing down.

Those douchebags running the Free Cities (or Thorne, or Solvunn) drag us in from wherever we were, without asking, against our will.

A highly reclusive nation decides to let us come hang out for a Disney vacation in their deeply secretive community as a gesture of good faith.

At a time when Summoned from all three factions coincidentally happen to be hanging out in the same reclusive ass place, something mysterious and terrible happens. I don't know about the rest of you, but I, for one, am shocked it didn't go as planned.

Instead of sending guards, the Free Cities sends us freaking couriers with the most useless note in the history of the goddamn planet telling us to release a device we know nothing about, without telling us what it does, just that we need to be real friggin sketchy about it.

When not everybody obeys without question like good little soldiers, one of our own gets hurt, and they shake the shame finger at us like it's our own fault? Are you kidding me?

First of all, if they can send couriers they can send their own friggin guards to handle crap like this. Or, hell, have the damn couriers release the things, they have hands, they could've prepped the packages their own damn selves instead of foisting it off onto the people who didn't even ask to be here in the first place.

Second of all, even if they COULDN'T, how about they slap in a goddamn paragraph or two on what the thing is? If everything's all hunky dory, and all that little bitch does is provide a protective shield, who CARES if a note that was gonna SELF-DESTRUCT ANYWAY gets read over somebody's shoulder?

This whole thing reeks of grooming us to start following orders without full intel. Surely nothing will come of that. Except, oh wait, Libertas just got friggin' bombed. The continent's going to war, and we're getting played.

And here's the other thing: I'm pretty sure Free Cities kids weren't the only ones running around doing sketchy crap during the happy fun werewolf party. Thorne, Solvunn, you two wanna weigh in here? Bueller? Anyone?

( threadjacking is highly encouraged, so long as whoever you're jumping in with is cool with it! hit me at paingravy if you need me! )

Comments

[hextechhead]

I encouraged Dean to take one of the bugs for us to study, I know you just said you don't hold it against people, but I still apologize for putting you at risk.

[cointosser]

If I don't blame you, why do you think I'd want to hear an apology?

[hextechhead]

It sounds as if your injuries are being handled, but if you ever need anything, Ciri can attest that I have strong healing magic.

private.

[cointosser]

[Hmph. He'll let it go, if only because Jayce seems to want to.]

I do appreciate the offer, but I doubt Marlo will release her delegate with even a bruise on his face. I'm already on the mend. However, if you could do me one favor...

After my meeting with the delegate, I believe the Free Cities will be gaining a new resource. A type of metal, I believe. If you could procure some for me, I would be most obliged. Of course, I can repay you once I'm sprung free.

private.

[hextechhead]

[ Jaskier has no idea how much of a relief it is to hear back and a request that he can actually do. Something distracting. ]

Yes, I would be happy to do that. You don't need to pay me. Is there anything you want to be made from it, or you just want the metal?

[cointosser]

Some sort of bracelet, if you can manage them. They needn't be very complicated. Three of them. Reinforced, if you can? I was told it's a bit fragile on its own.

[hextechhead]

I am certain I will have access to it as soon as it gets here and I will do that for you once I am certain the alloy I use with it will stabilize them. I'll send them to your home once they are done.

[cointosser]

Wonderful. Thank you. I truly do appreciate it. Hopefully they will, with some testing, help prevent something... similar... from repeating itself.

[hextechhead]

I hope so. Geralt asked me to work on enchantments and I received a high level Thorne book of academic spells during the visit to Nocwich. I have been training for a few months, I can possibly add some protections if you want.

[cointosser]

Oh, have you? I'd love to take a look at it myself. Considering I intend for these to be used for protection, I would be amiss not to request further reinforcement, if you're so capable.

[hextechhead]

Absolutely. My friend Kell brought two books to Nocwich from Thorne, advanced enchantment spells and a book on fundamental alchemy. You're welcome to look through them if they interest you. So far my enchantments have gone well, but I'm still training.

[cointosser]

Oh, yes, I've met Kell! I would be delighted to take a peek at such volumes when they're available, if only to satisfy my own curiosities. I'm likely to never be skilled in such things, but one must keep teir mind open to new potential magicks.

I mean, I assume. I never had formal training.

[hextechhead]

I've always been desperate to learn magic so I've been leaning into it a lot. I'm sure you can do anything you put your mind to. You have great discipline as a skilled musician, that sort of focus is easy to transfer to another art.

[cointosser]

Certainly your enthusiasm for it is inspiring. A never-ending fount, it feels like.

Hah, I appreciate it. I like to think so as well. After all, no bard before me has ever been able to turn into a bird. I mean. As far as I know.

[hextechhead]

I think I would let down my younger self if I ever get so used to magic that it's not the most incredible thing I've ever seen anymore.

It must be amazing to fly. Is that your favorite part?

[cointosser]

I am not surprised to hear you've been fascinated since a child.

Ah... yes. Er. Flying. Funny you should bring it up, because... I haven't quite made it to that point yet.

[hextechhead]

My mother and I were saved by a mage when we were stranded during a blizzard. He teleported us to safety and I wanted to be like him ever since, but you have to be born with it. It's been amazing to have that chance here.

Well it's a new skill, right? That always takes practice. Plus it must be so intense to suddenly shapeshift into an animal. It is literally an out of body experience.

[cointosser]

Ah. Then surely you're working with portal magic?

It is... very concerning, even at this point. Especially because I have not considered how large the world feels when one is very small.

[hextechhead]

Not yet, I started with healing which I'm very strong in now, and I started studying enchantments for Geralt. Honestly I'm like a kid in a candy store, I want to learn all the magic I can.

That would be unsettling. Have you been practicing in the Horizon? It makes everything a lot easier. Every time I come out of it after practicing, I feel stronger.

[cointosser]

Fortuitous, then, considering we seem to keep running into those who need healing. I do understand, however. I, too, would love to learn as much as I can, now I have been gifted the chance to.

I have attempted a few times, but it is... different, to me, with this sort of magic. It's too easy in the Horizon, if that makes sense. And considering how things have occurred, I may not practice for some time.

But it's all right. At least I can say I have never lost what I have learned so far.

[hextechhead]

Yes, honestly when I used to dream about being a mage, healing wasn't top of my list of interests, but it turns out it's really natural. What types of magic are you interested in?

I understand. You'll have time to learn, it doesn't have to be now. Was that a Horizon gift?

[cointosser]

A Horizon gift! You know, you're the first I've heard to put it into such words, but that's how I think of it. A strange, unforeseen gift from the Singularity.

It is. It is not a magic I practiced. Where I'm from, only the most powerful sorcerers are capable of such a thing, and most of it sounds like myth. That I was given the ability without training feels as much as a cheat as it feels a bit like a curse.

But I manage.

My other talent is with plants, which I indulge in more successfully. Another gift, I suppose, but I have made it my own over time. Birds and plants... I appear to be running with a bit of a theme.

[hextechhead]

Yeah I wasn't really sure how else to put it, since it's an unexpected power. Maybe a Singularity gift, but I don't know if we have assurances that is what we're getting it from.

Any gift can also be a curse, depending on what it is. But I'm an optimist, just because it doesn't fit right now, doesn't mean you won't find your way to embracing it later. You're an amazing singer and birds have songs of their own.

Plants, now that is very helpful. Have you been helping Nadine get herbs and things for her poultices? I think it's nice, plants and birds. You're connected to things with a lot of life in them.

[cointosser]

I can only assume, with how many have assured me that the Singularity is a living, thinking thing.

Oh, I don't think optimism is necessary. I do think of it fondly, no matter how strange it may feel in the moment. It's not something to be used for ill, after all.

I do, actually. I have had great fortune in growing a variety of herbs, and in my spare time I run a small plant stand in the Cadens market. Though... perhaps I suppose I shall shutter it up for the time being.

[hextechhead]

I admit, that's really outside of my wheelhouse and then some. If people more knowledgeable than me in those areas say so, I believe them.

Have you been able to make trees? I was just thinking the other day it would be nice to have more trees here. Although that's probably impossible without real roots to grow them in.

[ It's a wistful idea. He's not a desert person. ]

Are you going to be well enough to go to Libertas when they open the portals? I'm sure they could use a lot of medicinal herbs.