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So how is she in a fight? Do I need to be concerned?
[ Istredd is struggling on his end, just having found out something that is chilling him to his bones. ]
She is good in a fight but if she's outnumbered, she could be in real danger. I am concerned, although she would hate me for saying so.
She is good in a fight but if she's outnumbered, she could be in real danger. I am concerned, although she would hate me for saying so.
I was hardly planning on telling her.
I don't trust this, but I'm not about to leave her high and dry.
I sent her a telepathic warning, that something might be wrong. She wasn't able to reply yet.
[ Thus why his anxiety level is very high. ]
We can't take the chance, Stephen and I are going to do the cards here, it should be easy. Are you safe?
[ Thus why his anxiety level is very high. ]
We can't take the chance, Stephen and I are going to do the cards here, it should be easy. Are you safe?
I'm fine. I'll try and make sure everything out here goes accordingly.
Whatever you do whatever happens if that kid gets put into the dungeons get him out. They're not going to listen to me I can't do it myself and I'm afraid he's going to say something he shouldn't
What? Why would they put him in the dungeons? Where are you?
Because he's a terrible liar and he made a dumb mistake that they might treat as a crime and they might call him in because of me which is completely unrelated to what he's actually done
Oh by the way I'm basically on house arrest for three days
I'll check in with the boy and see if he's safe. I assume you will explain the rest.
Lucifer, what happens to you happens to me.
Yeah
Alright
I've earned a plus one so we'll see how your warding on the room is
Or there's always the Horizon, which frankly might be better. Regardless Lucifer returns to their room, makes fingerguns at his guard now on duty, and spins into the room like a rock star that quickly dissolves once the door is closed.
He just looks at Istredd and holds up his arms in the worst approximation of a shrug. "Ehhh. So that was fun."
Istredd really bristles under the appearance of a new guard although he is impeccably polite, understanding that it is hardly a soldier's problem what else is going on in the situation. He is surrounded with his notes currently, sitting cross-legged on his bed. His plans on going to the Singularity have gone up a step but this is annoying. All of the pages of his work are actually illusions to eyes outside of his, he's been somewhat secretive about it, even though there is nothing particular special about them.
"My wards are already very strong, if I add anything right now they'll suspect we are being particularly questionable. If we go into the Horizon, they'll also think you're hiding something."
It is his instinct, to protect them further from whatever is going on, but he knows it's unwise if Lucifer is under close watch at the moment. Anything additional will throw a flag, and they have to assume he is being watched by more than a guard. Istredd frowns and raises his eyebrows at him.
"We'll have to assume they hold. What in the world is happening?"
"My wards are already very strong, if I add anything right now they'll suspect we are being particularly questionable. If we go into the Horizon, they'll also think you're hiding something."
It is his instinct, to protect them further from whatever is going on, but he knows it's unwise if Lucifer is under close watch at the moment. Anything additional will throw a flag, and they have to assume he is being watched by more than a guard. Istredd frowns and raises his eyebrows at him.
"We'll have to assume they hold. What in the world is happening?"
"Apparently dragging another Summoned in distress through Thorne isn't a wise thing to do if you don't want anyone to ask questions," Lucifer says, with a touch of irritation because what else was he supposed to do? Just leave him?
Well.
Six months ago he would have, actually.
"And I may have ahhh... tweaked a nerve when they were questioning me about maybe if they had just given us actual information on the gods then maybe things like this wouldn't have happened." He knows that was a bad play. He is very much aware that the comment was what sealed his fate because in order to scramble back up out of it he had to go heavy-handed with the truth. He claps his hands together and presses them tightly, tapping them at his pursed lips. "Soooo I told them the complete and whole truth and now I'm on house arrest for three days with a guard outside."
Can he leave it at that? No, unlikely. Is he going to try? Yes. So sue him, okay. He isn't purposely trying to be difficult it's just not exactly easy for him and he's already had a lovely conversation with Wilhelm on the way here so he's just a tad off-balance on top of the interrogation. Getting back to their room is the first chance he's had to actually breathe and he still hasn't even done that, not really.
Well.
Six months ago he would have, actually.
"And I may have ahhh... tweaked a nerve when they were questioning me about maybe if they had just given us actual information on the gods then maybe things like this wouldn't have happened." He knows that was a bad play. He is very much aware that the comment was what sealed his fate because in order to scramble back up out of it he had to go heavy-handed with the truth. He claps his hands together and presses them tightly, tapping them at his pursed lips. "Soooo I told them the complete and whole truth and now I'm on house arrest for three days with a guard outside."
Can he leave it at that? No, unlikely. Is he going to try? Yes. So sue him, okay. He isn't purposely trying to be difficult it's just not exactly easy for him and he's already had a lovely conversation with Wilhelm on the way here so he's just a tad off-balance on top of the interrogation. Getting back to their room is the first chance he's had to actually breathe and he still hasn't even done that, not really.
"They're being extremely sensitive right now. Anything is suspicious."
Not only because of the start of the war but followed by the Heralds. Although he feels as if claiming the gods were to blame was reasonable enough of an excuse or any sort of odd behavior, it's not as if the Summoned alone experienced the effects. He puts his papers into a pile, in an order that only he really understands, and shrugs at Lucifer's confession.
"It may surprise you to know that back home I have a bit of a reputation for not shutting my mouth when frustrated by people in power spreading ignorance. My former mentor Stregobor really hates when I'm around to call him a liar in public."
Stregobor, who has been haunting him a great deal recently. Istredd means surprise in terms of him seeming so calm and centered at all times, and he mostly is. Especially in an unknown place surrounded by unknown people. He is playing the quiet game here.
"That being said, I do that in my home, surrounded by mages that I know. Not the precarious situation we find ourselves in. We're not going to get any information that way, Lucifer. The only way to get anywhere here is to suck up and earn their trust. Not something that I think either of us will excel at."
Not only because of the start of the war but followed by the Heralds. Although he feels as if claiming the gods were to blame was reasonable enough of an excuse or any sort of odd behavior, it's not as if the Summoned alone experienced the effects. He puts his papers into a pile, in an order that only he really understands, and shrugs at Lucifer's confession.
"It may surprise you to know that back home I have a bit of a reputation for not shutting my mouth when frustrated by people in power spreading ignorance. My former mentor Stregobor really hates when I'm around to call him a liar in public."
Stregobor, who has been haunting him a great deal recently. Istredd means surprise in terms of him seeming so calm and centered at all times, and he mostly is. Especially in an unknown place surrounded by unknown people. He is playing the quiet game here.
"That being said, I do that in my home, surrounded by mages that I know. Not the precarious situation we find ourselves in. We're not going to get any information that way, Lucifer. The only way to get anywhere here is to suck up and earn their trust. Not something that I think either of us will excel at."
Yes, thank you, Istredd.
"I am typically good at keeping my mouth shut when I know I need to!"
Apparently not when he's concerned with the safety of others. What's up with that? Why are people so up in arms about connections when it provides them with such weakness?
"Their new brand of sensitivity is why I'm worried. They might pull the kid in to corroborate our story and he definitely doesn't have a handle on his emotions on a normal day. He's got... Other things he needs to keep from them." A sharp look, reminiscent to when he talked to Wanda. Lucifer will not elaborate on that any further. "And I talked to him before I talked to you. For all his hatred for me, I think I got him to listen to what was important, which is to focus and lean into what I did."
And worst case throw Lucifer to the wolves. He gave that weapon to a timebomb and the kid might lob it off even if he doesn't need it. He likely should warn Istredd about that, but it must be better not to know. Safer for Istredd's reputation, anyway, right?
"I am typically good at keeping my mouth shut when I know I need to!"
Apparently not when he's concerned with the safety of others. What's up with that? Why are people so up in arms about connections when it provides them with such weakness?
"Their new brand of sensitivity is why I'm worried. They might pull the kid in to corroborate our story and he definitely doesn't have a handle on his emotions on a normal day. He's got... Other things he needs to keep from them." A sharp look, reminiscent to when he talked to Wanda. Lucifer will not elaborate on that any further. "And I talked to him before I talked to you. For all his hatred for me, I think I got him to listen to what was important, which is to focus and lean into what I did."
And worst case throw Lucifer to the wolves. He gave that weapon to a timebomb and the kid might lob it off even if he doesn't need it. He likely should warn Istredd about that, but it must be better not to know. Safer for Istredd's reputation, anyway, right?
Istredd sighs and gets to his feet, noticing the sharp look and mostly ignoring it because he doesn't care about stepping on toes. Whatever is going on, he will eventually get to the bottom of it, one way or another. For better or for worse they really are in each other's pockets and he has no intention of getting out of it.
"Lucifer. Listen to me."
He puts his hands together in an almost prayer gesture but he is not praying so much as really hoping he can get his friend to shut up for a few seconds. They are in a high-pressure situation but he seems as calm as ever. This is close to how he handled Wanda in an emotional state too.
"We are not going to let anything happen to the boy. If we can't help him, I will ask Yennefer and Stephen for help."
They have the power to do so and Istredd sounds very confident in his ability to get at least one or both to be willing. Yennefer is far more difficult to get, it's unlikely she'll stick out her neck, but he knows angles for that. Stephen is far more empathic. Either way, he is focused on calming his friend down.
"The Summoned will not sit there idly while they put one of our children into a dungeon. If the worst happens, we'll handle it."
"Lucifer. Listen to me."
He puts his hands together in an almost prayer gesture but he is not praying so much as really hoping he can get his friend to shut up for a few seconds. They are in a high-pressure situation but he seems as calm as ever. This is close to how he handled Wanda in an emotional state too.
"We are not going to let anything happen to the boy. If we can't help him, I will ask Yennefer and Stephen for help."
They have the power to do so and Istredd sounds very confident in his ability to get at least one or both to be willing. Yennefer is far more difficult to get, it's unlikely she'll stick out her neck, but he knows angles for that. Stephen is far more empathic. Either way, he is focused on calming his friend down.
"The Summoned will not sit there idly while they put one of our children into a dungeon. If the worst happens, we'll handle it."
Edited (OUR not YOUR jeez dee) 2022-12-01 22:44 (UTC)
Getting Lucifer to shut up is something that would usually take prayer of a high order. He puts his hands on his hips and very much looks like he wants to do anything other than shut up and listen, but the restraint is there, if barely.
At least one of them is calm, though he thinks he's only really seen Istredd out-of-sorts once. The growing number of people who have seen Lucifer out-of-sorts, more than once, is rising at an alarming, uncomfortable rate.
Yay Abraxas.
The boy is hopefully going to do the selfish thing and help himself before he gets thrown into the dungeons and then Lucifer is going to be the one who's screwed. He should have worded things a little differently so that he didn't also get himself shot in the foot in the process, but it isn't as though Wilhelm would use a kinder option.
Wanda can't split open reality to another of his cells when she's all the way in Solvunn.
"He'll be fine," Lucifer says, but he doesn't sound at all like he's successfully convincing himself.
He remembers Yennefer in her alchemy lab. He thinks of them as similar people. He thinks of how he would be, unchanged, significantly injured because of a defensive spell gone wrong. Doesn't matter that Wilhelm didn't mess it up on purpose. He would have previously let the kid rot for his it.
He'd like to think Yennefer wouldn't, but he's not so confident in that. Stephen was supposedly the kid's teacher; how does that failure reflect on him? Would he allow it to?
It's cute that Istredd thinks they'd come to the kid's aid but Lucifer is only beginning to have sparks of trust in others. Asking him to, what, bank on faith in others? To do the right thing? What a joke.
At least one of them is calm, though he thinks he's only really seen Istredd out-of-sorts once. The growing number of people who have seen Lucifer out-of-sorts, more than once, is rising at an alarming, uncomfortable rate.
Yay Abraxas.
The boy is hopefully going to do the selfish thing and help himself before he gets thrown into the dungeons and then Lucifer is going to be the one who's screwed. He should have worded things a little differently so that he didn't also get himself shot in the foot in the process, but it isn't as though Wilhelm would use a kinder option.
Wanda can't split open reality to another of his cells when she's all the way in Solvunn.
"He'll be fine," Lucifer says, but he doesn't sound at all like he's successfully convincing himself.
He remembers Yennefer in her alchemy lab. He thinks of them as similar people. He thinks of how he would be, unchanged, significantly injured because of a defensive spell gone wrong. Doesn't matter that Wilhelm didn't mess it up on purpose. He would have previously let the kid rot for his it.
He'd like to think Yennefer wouldn't, but he's not so confident in that. Stephen was supposedly the kid's teacher; how does that failure reflect on him? Would he allow it to?
It's cute that Istredd thinks they'd come to the kid's aid but Lucifer is only beginning to have sparks of trust in others. Asking him to, what, bank on faith in others? To do the right thing? What a joke.
Edited (don't ask) 2022-12-01 23:55 (UTC)
Lucifer is easier to read than he probably thinks. Istredd doesn't need to be a telepath or read minds to see through him. They may not know one another perfectly, but they do know one another a little. And like many quiet people, Istredd is very observant while keeping to himself. He understands it is a hard sell, but that is mostly because the Summoned are a small group, and they have been thrown in the dungeon before. Their influence no matter what the size is still that of outsiders.
"We'll figure it out. There is nothing we can do until we know if he is taken in or not. I sent him a message and will try to reassure him."
Istredd wonders if it would be best if he at least attempts to play the game at some point so he can have some sway. But it simply is not his best skill. Yennefer and Stephen are good at it, he can see that easily. So is Rhy. They have key people who are trying and succeeding. He has to focus his attention on where he believes it matters, the big picture. So most of this concern is on Lucifer's behalf.
"It would be helpful to know what he did outside of be upset in public, as that seems hardly a big enough deal for true difficulty." Lucifer did give him a look but Istredd does not actually care for looks in search of logical truth.
"We'll figure it out. There is nothing we can do until we know if he is taken in or not. I sent him a message and will try to reassure him."
Istredd wonders if it would be best if he at least attempts to play the game at some point so he can have some sway. But it simply is not his best skill. Yennefer and Stephen are good at it, he can see that easily. So is Rhy. They have key people who are trying and succeeding. He has to focus his attention on where he believes it matters, the big picture. So most of this concern is on Lucifer's behalf.
"It would be helpful to know what he did outside of be upset in public, as that seems hardly a big enough deal for true difficulty." Lucifer did give him a look but Istredd does not actually care for looks in search of logical truth.
He finally wanders fully into the room and thumps down on his bed, rubbing a hand over his face. The spelled logs have significantly improved his life, a comfort even now.
Is he really about to do this?
"I can't tell you that," he says, more to his hand than Istredd. He can't trust the warding that far. His hand slides away and he leans back and meets, and holds, Istredd's gaze. "But."
This might be a very bad idea. Whatever minds Istredd is used to actually dipping into, they still aren't the minds of an archangel.
But, he slightly reaches up and taps a hand to the side of his head in indication, continuing to maintain that eye contact. Lucifer knows exactly what he's offering.
Is he really about to do this?
"I can't tell you that," he says, more to his hand than Istredd. He can't trust the warding that far. His hand slides away and he leans back and meets, and holds, Istredd's gaze. "But."
This might be a very bad idea. Whatever minds Istredd is used to actually dipping into, they still aren't the minds of an archangel.
But, he slightly reaches up and taps a hand to the side of his head in indication, continuing to maintain that eye contact. Lucifer knows exactly what he's offering.
Istredd's eyes widen at the implication as this is a clear line they made between them and he has not crossed in the slightest. A sign of wary trust or at least understanding no matter what there are ears here. No one would be able to listen in on his telepathy, it is the most warded skill that he has. His mind is the toughest part about him.
He inclines his head in understanding and sits on his bed. Eye contact actually helps since it requires him moving past Lucifer's defenses and doing that through the eyes makes it very smooth. It's one of the very first magical lessons he had.
Depending on how Lucifer's mind conversations or telepathy has gone before, he'll find this is just as gentle as he would expect from the quiet mage. Gentle but strong at the same time, wielding it well, although he knows little of what he'd find, but Istredd is as steady as he seems.
What happened with Wilhelm?
He inclines his head in understanding and sits on his bed. Eye contact actually helps since it requires him moving past Lucifer's defenses and doing that through the eyes makes it very smooth. It's one of the very first magical lessons he had.
Depending on how Lucifer's mind conversations or telepathy has gone before, he'll find this is just as gentle as he would expect from the quiet mage. Gentle but strong at the same time, wielding it well, although he knows little of what he'd find, but Istredd is as steady as he seems.
What happened with Wilhelm?
It's through the static of Lucifer's basic protections that Istredd hears: "It's not so simple as that."
Because this is more of a show versus tell scenario and for Lucifer to do that he has to pull Istredd in; those memories are far too fortified for anything else.
It'll prove just how tough Istredd's mind is.
Considering the last person to root around in his head was Apocalypse Michael, this is way better at least on Lucifer's side.
Istredd though... The problem is there's too much there, even with Lucifer allowing this to happen. Drawing down his own mental defenses further than he would like, but the information Istredd needs is so ungodly layered that they have to crack through the membrane of his mind.
This is not something Lucifer would ever do under normal circumstances.
But Istredd's right, and those words? Cannot be spoken aloud, cannot be written down, and the Horizon is still too risky.
His usual obfuscating white noise rises up like thousands of insect wings buzzing before that layer draws away to impossibly molten heat, the white-hot fires of Hell crumpling to the ever-expanding, ever-twisting unholy nebula. Neurons firing off, sparking radiance, so much contained power and yet everything is just a little dim, like some of the lights had burned out.
He's so far from what he should be in power.
From there, after getting deep into the alien mind, the rest is easy. A memory swept out of a cosmos and brought forth in offering. Murky at first except for Thorne's gardens, the other figure blurred, but rapidly coming into focus as his irate mood grows with a fire Lucifer feels a kinship towards.
And then the memory becomes crystal clear. It plays through the scene, death threat and all, and breaks away after Kell says 'He lit it on fire, that's what happened to it' and then it too burns away from hellfire, quickly replaced with a clipped second one.
Istredd will be able to recognize Wanda easily standing before Lucifer. There's no more than a hum of exhausted thoughts directed towards her. But the man sitting in the background that Istredd would not recognize... he has dozens of unrealized, incomplete thoughts circling him.
'He did something. A mistake, but it's Thorne. Age doesn't matter to them. A Summoned is a Summoned. They'll destroy him.'
And that memory falls away, not on fire like the first, but simply fading, accompanied by the slow roll of distant thunder.
It's very clear that Lucifer has no belief that being seventeen and making a mistake will offer Wilhelm any protection, and that's emphasized by the last, also brief, memory.
This is a strange one, as it's Lucifer talking to Istredd himself, the simple sentence that's been fished out encapsulating all of Lucifer's... concerns: 'Thorne was looking for any excuse real or fabricated.'
They don't need much to hang a Summoned out.
All they need is a scapegoat, and a narrative to spin. Lucifer's favorite kind of story.
That memory remains as simply an echo between them as Lucifer pulls back into himself, the layers all packing in nicely. If Istredd doesn't take this unusual opportunity to "weigh in" Lucifer will pull around the final layer, that faint droning nothingness, and take to rubbing at his temple, quiet.
Because this is more of a show versus tell scenario and for Lucifer to do that he has to pull Istredd in; those memories are far too fortified for anything else.
It'll prove just how tough Istredd's mind is.
Considering the last person to root around in his head was Apocalypse Michael, this is way better at least on Lucifer's side.
Istredd though... The problem is there's too much there, even with Lucifer allowing this to happen. Drawing down his own mental defenses further than he would like, but the information Istredd needs is so ungodly layered that they have to crack through the membrane of his mind.
This is not something Lucifer would ever do under normal circumstances.
But Istredd's right, and those words? Cannot be spoken aloud, cannot be written down, and the Horizon is still too risky.
His usual obfuscating white noise rises up like thousands of insect wings buzzing before that layer draws away to impossibly molten heat, the white-hot fires of Hell crumpling to the ever-expanding, ever-twisting unholy nebula. Neurons firing off, sparking radiance, so much contained power and yet everything is just a little dim, like some of the lights had burned out.
He's so far from what he should be in power.
From there, after getting deep into the alien mind, the rest is easy. A memory swept out of a cosmos and brought forth in offering. Murky at first except for Thorne's gardens, the other figure blurred, but rapidly coming into focus as his irate mood grows with a fire Lucifer feels a kinship towards.
And then the memory becomes crystal clear. It plays through the scene, death threat and all, and breaks away after Kell says 'He lit it on fire, that's what happened to it' and then it too burns away from hellfire, quickly replaced with a clipped second one.
Istredd will be able to recognize Wanda easily standing before Lucifer. There's no more than a hum of exhausted thoughts directed towards her. But the man sitting in the background that Istredd would not recognize... he has dozens of unrealized, incomplete thoughts circling him.
'He did something. A mistake, but it's Thorne. Age doesn't matter to them. A Summoned is a Summoned. They'll destroy him.'
And that memory falls away, not on fire like the first, but simply fading, accompanied by the slow roll of distant thunder.
It's very clear that Lucifer has no belief that being seventeen and making a mistake will offer Wilhelm any protection, and that's emphasized by the last, also brief, memory.
This is a strange one, as it's Lucifer talking to Istredd himself, the simple sentence that's been fished out encapsulating all of Lucifer's... concerns: 'Thorne was looking for any excuse real or fabricated.'
They don't need much to hang a Summoned out.
All they need is a scapegoat, and a narrative to spin. Lucifer's favorite kind of story.
That memory remains as simply an echo between them as Lucifer pulls back into himself, the layers all packing in nicely. If Istredd doesn't take this unusual opportunity to "weigh in" Lucifer will pull around the final layer, that faint droning nothingness, and take to rubbing at his temple, quiet.
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