[ It's no surprise that bringing this conversation to the facts of their situation rather than the emotions tied up in it is going to do a world of good for Urianger right now. That's certainly part of the reason that Thancred brought this up, but he also genuinely wants to get to the bottom of what's going on here.
Especially if there's a chance it might get worse.
At that question, Thancred thinks back. Himeka's tracking of the Xaela woman as she tainted the land's aether had taken place while he was either adrift in the Lifestream or expelled in the Dravanian Forelands, left to survive in the wilds. While he'd heard some of it after the fact, he suspects that Urianger had peppered her with far more questions than he did. ] I have a vague recollection, yes, though I would hardly refuse a refresher.
[ The drinks arrive then and he's quick to pick up his pint and takes a long swig from it, letting out a relieved exhale afterward. ]
I can't say for certain. [ Here, he leans in and lowers his voice. ] We know Himeka and her friends in Solvunn made a sacrifice to try and earn the attention of the old gods. [ Could they be considered responsible for this, or is there something deeper going on? It's difficult to say.
He rolls his eyes at Urianger's self-deprecating statement. ] Oh, come off it. You've only been gone a few days.
( Where Thancred takes a long pull of his ale Urianger's sip is more delicate β thoughtful, even β savoring the sweet flavour almost absently as he considers the implication of his friend's words. )
I confess, Himeka's foray into such magicks had quite slipped my mind.
( And it's a troubling reminder indeed. From what he gathered the sacrifice wasn't recent β but who knows how long it takes to rouse an old god into action? Had Himeka and her companions truly understood what it was they were attempting to do, or did they approach it with reckless abandon?
These are questions for the Warrior herself, not Thancred. Urianger can't deny that he has his suspicions. )
Thou hast not made mention of this to Himeka, I trust? 'Twould be wise to gather more evidence before bringing this to her β if 'tis not a conclusion at which she hath already arrived herself.
( But there's real concern creeping in around his edges β concern which will undoubtedly worm its way into his heart if left unchecked. Himeka has plenty of freinds in Solvunn, it's true, but Urianger cares for her as a sister, and he can't abide the idea of danger shadowing his dear friend while he puzzles over it from malms away. )
... Mayhap we should speak with her all the same.
( But there's a problem with that right now, isn't there. )
[ While Thancred can understand Urianger's concern about approaching Himeka regarding all of this, he doesn't believe that he can simply ignore it either. She's been trying to make contact with the old gods for some time now, and has escalated her methods accordingly. Of course, there are rumors of many other sacrifices being conducted in secret in Solvunn, so it's not as if this would all fall to her, Wanda, and Nero.
Even Urianger seems to renege on this as he gives it more thought. Thancred shakes his head at the question. ]
I haven't made an attempt to enter since the discovery made with Stephen, or that ominous dream that followed. It's unclear if the Horizon will grant us a reprieve from our traitorous senses or if it will only make things worse.
[ He sighs, rotating his pint along the wooden table as he weighs the pros and cons. ]
Ultimately, though, I do think it's important to check in with Himeka, so I may make an attempt before long. What do you plan to do?
[ There's plenty to concern themselves with in the waking world, after all, with the dead rising and food stores depleting. Urianger may have come to Nott to avoid him and the other Summoned, but he may have had another reason as well. ]
'Twas mine intent to make myself useful here. Castle Thorne boasts defenses lacking in Nott, and the people here hath already endured many hardships following the attacks.
( The fact that it put some distance between himself and the other Summoned? Well. Even Urianger can't claim it to have been pure coincidence, but he really had wanted to help. Sequestering himself among the bookshelves would be to undo the work he's done on himself since Moenbryda's death; he wants to take action, wants to support his friends and help those in need as actively as he can. )
If there is aught I might do to assist them, I would.
( He takes another sip of mead. )
To that end, I shall remain here in Nott.
( A beat. )
But I would ask thee to keep me abreast of the situation should thy attempt to reach Himeka prove fruitful.
[ Urianger's admittance doesn't surprise Thancred in the slightest. Long gone are the days when he would stay behind in the Waking Sands to perform research while the rest of them went out into the field. Even then he had supported the Scions, but he had hardly been living up to his full potential. It's been a pleasure to see the shift, to watch him shrug off that terrible cloak and step into the world anew.
Interesting, that he'd only truly managed that when all the way on the First. Now all of them, Urianger and Thancred and Himeka, are almost old hands when it comes to weathering time spent on another star. ]
I'd had a similar thought, and will likely stay here at least a day or so before braving the Horizon.
[ The entreaty to keep Urianger in the loop is met with a quick nod as Thancred continues to nurse his drink. ]
Naturally. All of your self-imposed concerns aside, there's little reason to keep things from each other here. [ Thancred hasn't once suspected that maybe Urianger is harboring some other secret. And, even if that were the case, he'd know it was for good reason. He's happy to make that clear to him yet again. He holds his pint up then, for a casual toast. ] As soon as you return from here, I'll be ready with a full report. How does that sound?
( It sounds good. In fact, everything about their meeting feels good in a way that highlights what a fool this place has made of him: Urianger doubted himself, doubted Thancred, allowed one moment of weakness to dictate his actions that led to his withdrawal. It would be more than pointless to waste any more time in feeling embarrassment over it all β far better to acknowledge it, learn from it, and move past it as best he can.
He lifts his own cup to join the toast and taps it against Thancred's, his smile a small, private thing that warms the space between them. )
Aye, that suits me well.
( Urianger takes another sip of his drink to complete the ritual of the toast, then places his cup down again before folding his hands together atop the table. )
Shouldst thou require assistance of any manner, I prithee, do not hesitate to call for aid.
( They may be living through curious times but this much, at least, is certain: Urianger would never deny Thancred his help. )
I would offer succor to Nott, but thy safety is ever my priority.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Especially if there's a chance it might get worse.
At that question, Thancred thinks back. Himeka's tracking of the Xaela woman as she tainted the land's aether had taken place while he was either adrift in the Lifestream or expelled in the Dravanian Forelands, left to survive in the wilds. While he'd heard some of it after the fact, he suspects that Urianger had peppered her with far more questions than he did. ] I have a vague recollection, yes, though I would hardly refuse a refresher.
[ The drinks arrive then and he's quick to pick up his pint and takes a long swig from it, letting out a relieved exhale afterward. ]
I can't say for certain. [ Here, he leans in and lowers his voice. ] We know Himeka and her friends in Solvunn made a sacrifice to try and earn the attention of the old gods. [ Could they be considered responsible for this, or is there something deeper going on? It's difficult to say.
He rolls his eyes at Urianger's self-deprecating statement. ] Oh, come off it. You've only been gone a few days.
no subject
( Where Thancred takes a long pull of his ale Urianger's sip is more delicate β thoughtful, even β savoring the sweet flavour almost absently as he considers the implication of his friend's words. )
I confess, Himeka's foray into such magicks had quite slipped my mind.
( And it's a troubling reminder indeed. From what he gathered the sacrifice wasn't recent β but who knows how long it takes to rouse an old god into action? Had Himeka and her companions truly understood what it was they were attempting to do, or did they approach it with reckless abandon?
These are questions for the Warrior herself, not Thancred. Urianger can't deny that he has his suspicions. )
Thou hast not made mention of this to Himeka, I trust? 'Twould be wise to gather more evidence before bringing this to her β if 'tis not a conclusion at which she hath already arrived herself.
( But there's real concern creeping in around his edges β concern which will undoubtedly worm its way into his heart if left unchecked. Himeka has plenty of freinds in Solvunn, it's true, but Urianger cares for her as a sister, and he can't abide the idea of danger shadowing his dear friend while he puzzles over it from malms away. )
... Mayhap we should speak with her all the same.
( But there's a problem with that right now, isn't there. )
How fares thy Horizon?
no subject
Even Urianger seems to renege on this as he gives it more thought. Thancred shakes his head at the question. ]
I haven't made an attempt to enter since the discovery made with Stephen, or that ominous dream that followed. It's unclear if the Horizon will grant us a reprieve from our traitorous senses or if it will only make things worse.
[ He sighs, rotating his pint along the wooden table as he weighs the pros and cons. ]
Ultimately, though, I do think it's important to check in with Himeka, so I may make an attempt before long. What do you plan to do?
[ There's plenty to concern themselves with in the waking world, after all, with the dead rising and food stores depleting. Urianger may have come to Nott to avoid him and the other Summoned, but he may have had another reason as well. ]
no subject
( Urianger offers a stiff nod. )
'Twas mine intent to make myself useful here. Castle Thorne boasts defenses lacking in Nott, and the people here hath already endured many hardships following the attacks.
( The fact that it put some distance between himself and the other Summoned? Well. Even Urianger can't claim it to have been pure coincidence, but he really had wanted to help. Sequestering himself among the bookshelves would be to undo the work he's done on himself since Moenbryda's death; he wants to take action, wants to support his friends and help those in need as actively as he can. )
If there is aught I might do to assist them, I would.
( He takes another sip of mead. )
To that end, I shall remain here in Nott.
( A beat. )
But I would ask thee to keep me abreast of the situation should thy attempt to reach Himeka prove fruitful.
no subject
Interesting, that he'd only truly managed that when all the way on the First. Now all of them, Urianger and Thancred and Himeka, are almost old hands when it comes to weathering time spent on another star. ]
I'd had a similar thought, and will likely stay here at least a day or so before braving the Horizon.
[ The entreaty to keep Urianger in the loop is met with a quick nod as Thancred continues to nurse his drink. ]
Naturally. All of your self-imposed concerns aside, there's little reason to keep things from each other here. [ Thancred hasn't once suspected that maybe Urianger is harboring some other secret. And, even if that were the case, he'd know it was for good reason. He's happy to make that clear to him yet again. He holds his pint up then, for a casual toast. ] As soon as you return from here, I'll be ready with a full report. How does that sound?
no subject
( It sounds good. In fact, everything about their meeting feels good in a way that highlights what a fool this place has made of him: Urianger doubted himself, doubted Thancred, allowed one moment of weakness to dictate his actions that led to his withdrawal. It would be more than pointless to waste any more time in feeling embarrassment over it all β far better to acknowledge it, learn from it, and move past it as best he can.
He lifts his own cup to join the toast and taps it against Thancred's, his smile a small, private thing that warms the space between them. )
Aye, that suits me well.
( Urianger takes another sip of his drink to complete the ritual of the toast, then places his cup down again before folding his hands together atop the table. )
Shouldst thou require assistance of any manner, I prithee, do not hesitate to call for aid.
( They may be living through curious times but this much, at least, is certain: Urianger would never deny Thancred his help. )
I would offer succor to Nott, but thy safety is ever my priority.