godshattering | abraxas inbox + horizon contact

I've just heard about the attack on Libertas.
Are you alright?
-Kyle

[ His concern after what he saw, at least, is honest. He's seeking information, but he also genuinely likes Claude. ]

[ It's a short message, a simple request to answer, but Claude stares at it in his vision until it fades. He had been considering reaching out to Kyle himself, given that he knows the other is in Thorne, and - well. Best to not get ahead of himself and answer. ]

I'm alright. Cadens is fine, relative to... what it could be, since you've heard about it.

The Free Cities hasn't said much to us other than that we aren't allowed to go there to assist. For now, anyway. Has anything happened in Thorne?

We were told about the attack as it was happening. There haven't been any orders yet.

[ Though he imagines there will be, sooner rather than later. ]

I think I've realized that I've been hoping destruction on that level somehow couldn't be possible here.

[ He's not easily shaken. But this has him a bit rattled. ]

[ No orders. That's interesting. Claude would've been willing to bet that Thorne's attack on Libertas was the first step in asking (or "asking") their Summoned to take action. That it wasn't - or nothing else has been said to them, apparently - he's not sure he likes what that could mean about the attack.

The latter part, however, he relates to quite well. ]

You and me both. War's been brewing for far longer than I've been here, or any of us have been here, from what I've been told. It would seem they've finally found an excuse to push things forward.

Excuse being the operative word in that sentence. I doubt either side isn't planning their next move as we speak, and that it'll bring worse.

[ It's not the most subtle fishing he's ever done, but given what the situation is? In this case, Claude's willing to float a sliver of his actual sentiments in return for seeing what it might bring. ]

[ It's his turn to take a moment longer than normal to respond, mulling over his response with extra care: ]

Thorne's protections failed during the attack, someone in the Castle was assassinated. The Queen blames the Free Cities. I don't know enough about her to tell you that she can or cannot be reasoned with over time, but her anger seemed hard to fake. Wherever the blame for the attack lies, the tinder's already lit.

I would expect your leaders will retaliate. I don't blame them. But I've also known leaders who were willing to sacrifice entire cities, including those where their own people live, to get what they want.

There will be more innocent people caught in the crossfire soon. That's where my concern, as things stand.

[ If Claude can read between those lines. He doesn't trust Thorne, he doesn't trust the Free Cities. If he has any loyalties, it's to preserving as many lives as possible.

Speaking like this in Thorne as things are could get him in a lot of trouble. ]

Edited 2022-08-31 23:01 (UTC)

[ There's weight in those words, both in what's said and the potential cost of sharing them. While Claude might lack any understanding of Thorne beyond what other Summoned in the Free Cities have shared, he's not ignorant to what's been an obvious extension of an offering back here. ]

My only concern is that other innocent civilians don't get caught up in whatever happens. [ Or, well, that's not quite accurate - ] And that Summoned don't, either. Our delegate was also injured due to something failing in a task that we didn't have many details for before it had to be completed.

A curfew has been imposed on Cadens. It doesn't apply to us, supposedly, but I have yet to test whether they mean that. If the military here is planning something, keeping everyone inside all night would be a convenient way to prevent any word of it from being sent elsewhere. Not to mention they're the only ones allowed in Libertas for now, seeing Gods know what.

[ There's a significant pause between that message and his next one. If Kyle thought all he'd had to say was what was already sent, Claude wouldn't be surprised. ]

I've lived through an attack like what was unleashed before. Or more accurately, we were warned with just enough time to spare so that our fate was, somehow, not what happened there. The devastation that was left behind - I don't have a way to describe it. We'd best hope that doesn't come to pass. Again.

[ From that response, he feels like he made the right decision to speak to Claude. It takes some of the weight from his shoulders, despite the situation. ]

This was an attack that happened in your home world?

[ The question is almost tentative, though it can hardly come across as such over handwritten message. But after that other thing that Claude mentioned in the woods, he's curious. ]

My abilities are limited in Thorne thanks to all the wards around the castle, but if we hear anything more about the Queen's plans to move on the Free Cities, I will share what I can if it might help save lives.

[ Although he doubts she plans to keep them in the loop. And there are others here, fellow Summoned, that he doesn't entirely trust either. They are just as unlikely to tip their hand in any noticeable way. ]

[ There is a part of him that thinks that, just perhaps, it's not the wisest idea to share not only parts of his past (incredibly vague when as deeply out of context as they are now) with someone he doesn't know, but someone in Thorne. It's very quickly overridden by his greater desire for information: both to share what he does know and have it shared with him in return. ]

Yes and no. What we were almost struck by - what the fort we were in was struck by instead - wasn't fire, it was light. It came straight from the sky without any warning.

[ Something that seems all too familiar now. All the more reason he plans on going to Libertas as soon as they're allowed to leave Cadens, though that thought in tandem with Kyle's words, plus what he's heard about Thorne before - ]

I take it you're all still esteemed guests of the castle more so than ever now? I can't help but imagine it's extra delightful there now. [ Does sarcasm translate over mind handwriting? Let's find out! ] I've heard some things from others who once lived there. My point being: don't do anything to put yourself at risk. If they're willing to strike us that quickly, the same logic they used could easily turn on all of you for being much closer and able to talk to us when they can't.

There's not much to report from Cadens right now but I'll share what I can, including what we find out about Libertas.

Like god's fury.

[ If he weren't already curious... but he senses from the vague description that he won't get much more out of Claude about that topic right now. ]

Their anger is fixed on the Free Cities, they haven't turned it toward us as of yet. Most people here seem smart enough not to outright poke that bear...

[ And then there's Lucifer, who is both stick and bear. ]

I appreciate the concern, though. I'll be careful. Please do the same, and keep in touch. Even if there's not much to report back.

[ Just to know that he's well. ]

Edited 2022-09-02 20:38 (UTC)

Something like that. There was another part of the continent that was supposedly leveled by the Goddess's wrath ages ago as it's still smoldering today, but.

[ Perhaps it's better to leave that thought unfinished. His own thoughts on religion - of what he grew up with and of Fodlan's - lean heavily towards less than flattering, which isn't always a popular sentiment. Or maybe that's better saved for the Horizon sometime with less chance of misreading, literally and otherwise. ]

I'd be worried that it's only a matter of time until it turns towards all of you. If things are still volatile, it could be something as simple as asking about a plan or why Libertas was struck. If those questions come hopefully it will be farther down the road with a little more time to settle things, if they ever do.

[ Something Kyle likely already knows given the qualifier of 'most' which leaves room open for interpretation about someone or someones potentially agitating for... their own gain? Just because, or something else? All concerning, and useful to know. He's sure the same can be said about the Free Cities as news spreads here. ]

I'll do the same if anything comes up here that might bring harm to all of you there. If something comes up you want to talk about in the meantime, you know where to find me. Once we're able to visit Libertas I'll let you know what I find out.

[ Can't hurt for someone in Thorne to have even more information about what exactly occurred, after all. ]

[ That description. If there wasn't so much else going on right now...

They're on the same page, though. He won't hold up any more of his time, there are likely others Claude will want to speak to in his own faction, if he's not managing to do so already (he doesn't know how anyone else is able to handle multiple conversations this way, it makes his head spin). But he does add: ]

We should try to meet in Horizon to speak next time. Messaging like this is less conspicuous but it'll be easier to talk there, I think. I'd like to hear more about the world you've come from. And I can tell you more about mine. If there's time.

[ There's overlap, and he's too faithful to believe in coincidence. ]

[ Claude would be lying to himself if he said that response didn't intrigue him. It does, for many reasons, too many of which to narrow down right in this specific moment. Then again, each question it brings might be worth getting answers to when the time comes. Better to save them for later. ]

Meeting in the Horizon's a good plan. I get what you mean: even if no one can overhear us here there's a benefit to hearing a voice behind the words which can't be had with merely reading alone.

I'll make time regardless. If it works, I can let you know when we reach Libertas so we can check in. If things aren't dire in Thorne once we've had some time to see what's going on there, we can meet up in the Horizon afterwards. How does that sound?

That should work.

I haven't had to seek out someone else's Domain yet. Mine is a black and white tower flanked by two large statues.

It borders a gas station.

[ If it's easier for Claude to find him instead of the other way around.

The gas station isn't part of his Domain, but it's the closest landmark. ]

[ A tower surrounded by two statues - that should be easy enough to find, he thinks, though the next point of reference... has him drawing a blank. ]

A gas station? I can't say I know what that is since I'm guessing it's something my world doesn't have. But don't worry, I've taken to walking around the Horizon - well, before this - so that just means I haven't come across it yet. I'm sure it'll stand out.

[ If whatever the gas station is doesn't, then the tower certainly will. It probably wouldn't hurt to provide a set of sort of reverse directions as it is, as a backup. ]

Mine is roughly based on the city where I used to live. If you come across what looks like a neighborhood set on canals, you've found me.

Or if all else fails - you can look for the giant monastery looming behind it that belongs to my friend. It's pretty easy to spot, I've found.

[ His own giant landmark to use, even if it's not technically his. Close enough. ]

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