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[heavymetals]

erik lehnsherr — magneto
text — action

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—before going to the nether

[carmesi]

[gardsbruk farm in the primary settlement was wanda's first home, here in abraxas. deciding to move was something that had come with time, but with the oldest gardsbruk sibling getting married it only felt like it was the necessary course of action. they are good folk, though, happy to host the summoned whenever they stop by for things other than helping around.

wanda's talking with maeve, the younger sister, and tiril, the wife, by the front of the farmhouse, catching up with them while she waits for erik to arrive. the ladies bid her goodbye as they set off back to their business, wanda turning to the older man and meeting him down the path when he approaches.

it is a quiet procession further down the path, into the field proper, walking past goats and chickens, when they reach the place she had been aiming for.]

I used to live in this farm, [she explains, motioning for erik to take a seat wherever he wants] and no one usually makes it this far.

[only the rustle of the trees and the bleating goats nearby are their companions. wanda takes a seat across from him, hands pressed together, resting on her lap, shoulders and back straight.]

Reaching the Horizon is not a painful experience, but... have you heard about what happens when you first enter it?

[heavymetals]

[ Erik had noticed the farm before, but it's the first time he's come to visit. He's been considering his options, knows he needs to start helping out while he's here, and it's not like physical labor would be new to him.

He's not here for that today, but it's an opportunity to see the place up close for the first time. There's a quiet greeting as Wanda meets him on the path, then he follows after her, watching the surroundings until they reach the little nook she takes him to. ]

It's peaceful.

[ Everything seems to be, here. But he means this spot in particular, like a safe haven even more secluded and isolated from everything else.

He takes a seat, fingers threaded together, shifted just enough that he can face her. ]

I know about the memory loss, if that's what you mean. [ There is a reason why he asked her, of all people. He hasn't gotten to a place where he trusts anyone here, but if he had to choose... well. ] How does it work, exactly? Will I really forget everything?

[carmesi]

[wanda likes this specific spot. it her time here, months ago, they built this spot with the permission of the twins that run the farm. it's little projects like this that allowed them to make the most of their time, to add to the commune and feel part of it.

at least that's how wanda feels.

however, the situation at hand is about reaching the horizon.]

You will forget everything about yourself except for your name and the arcana you've been given when summoned. You will remember things of your world and about Abraxas, but not about your place and role in either of them. [she's quiet, pausing, to let him consider this further.] It is likely that your past experiences and memories, good and bad, will influence how the place is first shaped.

[it can be quite a jarring experience, and she doesn't know erik enough to know what baggage he carries.]

—in any case, it's like meditating. I'll hold onto you, you'll take a deep breath, and you have to let your mind wander. I'll guide you in — and then you'll be in the Horizon.

No matter what happens, though, I'll be there with you to drag you out.

[heavymetals]

[ Erik nods slowly. He can't say he likes the thought of forgetting everything he is, but then again, would anyone? Most of all, he's concerned about how much of himself he might show, how his experiences might bleed through in this process, when he doesn't have the same presence of mind to block them, keep them to himself.

But he has come this far. He wants to go to the Horizon, and he doesn't want to waste any time doing it. He's never been the type of person to back down from anything, and this is no different. ]

Very well. I'm ready. [ Or as ready as can be, in any case. He at least trusts her to bring him back out, when time comes. ]

[carmesi]

[that's unsurprising.]

I always heard Germans were very much about getting to the point. [standing up, she takes the few steps to reach his bench, sitting beside him. turned to face him, she puts a hand to his arm. her eyes meet his.] Like I said, close your eyes and take a deep breath.

[wanda waits for him to do as much]

And let yourself relax. Think of something that makes you feel calm. Some people think of themselves at the beach. [her voice lowers] I like to imagine a field with flowers, dancing in the breeze, the sun hitting my skin.

[and she'll wait for him to ease into the horizon, before joining him herself.]

[carmesi]

Hey. It’s Wanda.
Are you busy tomorrow?

[heavymetals]

Hello, Wanda.
I'm not. What's happening tomorrow?

[carmesi]

I've been here for about two years, and I've been counting days. So while it's not a perfect one-to-one, I think it's pretty reasonable to say it's December. I was thinking of lighting a candle... but I might feel less stupid about it if there's someone else who knows what it's for.

If you're okay with that?

[heavymetals]

[ Of all the things he thought she might say, that's certainly not one of them. It takes him a while to respond, if only because he needs a moment to let the thought sink in, and decide whether or not he's ready for it. ]

I'm alright with that.

I assume we'll meet at the treehouse? At what time do you want me there?

[carmesi]

An hour or two before the sun sets. I'm going to make some donuts with jam inside. Do you have a preference for jam, or one that you really hate, to avoid that?

[divinityfrompain]

[At the place Erik is residing is a nice pair of gloves that can keep out the cold and has an easy grip so he can use them outside. They smell distinctly of flowers which he might be able to identify as Julia even before the little note is seen.]

It only took me lighting a billion candles to get some money of my own! Happy Hanukkah!

[heavymetals]

[ Erik hadn't expected gifts, so this is a surprise. A nice one, but it's still odd. He can't remember the last time someone gave him a gift.

Anyway, a couple of days later Julia will get a little gift back, a miniature of a baby dragon (made of metal, of course), along with a neatly folded letter. ]

Dear Julia,

Congratulations on acquiring some currency. Please don't waste it all on clothes.

Thank you for your gift. Happy Holidays to you as well.

— Erik

official inbox

[divinityfrompain]

I spent it all on gifts for other people! It was worth it. I'll just keep rocking the Solvunn chic.

[heavymetals]

It's not as if you'll need the money in Solvunn, I suppose.

If anyone could manage that style, it would be you. Careful or the locals might start asking you for fashion advice.

[ At least no one comes ask him how to pull off the dirty lumberjack look. ]

mail delivery •

[carmesi]

[the package is handed over to the family that has taken erik in, one morning, when he's already left the treehouse. this is by design. hopefully he'll come around soon to see it. the family reassures her they'll put it in his room for when he comes back. inside, an amount of homemade goods have been stacked atop each other: candles, soaps, and moisturizing lotions.

something else lies wrapped, though, and once opened, it'll reveal itself to be a jacket, the perfect fit for him. it'll be useful for erik, and hopefully he'll wear it plenty.

a small note sits under the box.]

Happy Winter Solstice.
𝓦anda 𝓜aximoff

and to text—

[heavymetals]

[ He wasn't expecting gifts, not even from those few he's grown closer to here. So it is a little surprising to find those things waiting for him at the house, but more surprising than that is the note that she leaves, together with the gifts.

Any thoughts of returning the gift are currently set aside (later on, she will find a thick scarf made of werewolf fur, along with the metal figurine of a bird, wrapped up and left by the treehouse, addressed to her), but for now his attention zooms in on something else, and he contacts her almost immediately. ]

I've received your gifts. Thank you.
Your last name is Maximoff? I know a Maximoff. He's a mutant.

[carmesi]

Did I never tell you my last name?
It's apparently very common in some places.

It also seems to me that all those you do know are mutants.

[that last bit? a light tease.]

[heavymetals]

I don't think it has ever come up.
Maybe it is, I just found it curious.

Well, I've met a few humans. They don't always leave a good lasting impression.

[divinityfrompain]

Erik, I THINK something might have started working with Endrborrin. Are you available to go to the second settlement with me soon?

[heavymetals]

That's intriguing. I am available, yes. Just tell me when you want to go.

if it's okay to skip forward a little, we can do a way back if you want :)

[divinityfrompain]

[ Julia let the people she's staying with know that she was going to be gone for a bit, but they'd seen her shrine, they understood her reasons. It's one thing to see the butterflies in her little makeshift shrine, but she thinks it's important she goes to the real one. Soon enough spring will truly be happening and Endrborrin may be everywhere, but it's not quite yet. She tells Erik where to meet her, with some recommendations to pack a few things, and off they go.

The wagon at least is comfortable enough, having been used to this trip back and forth, and Julia brought with her some playing cards. She usually is on her own or with natives so it's nice to have a companion with her, although she refuses to explain what is going on in case she's wrong. The wagon driver is nice and seems pleased to be taking Summoned, so it's overall an easy enough trip.

Technically she's fairly certain she can teleport her way there almost as fast, and Erik can fly, but it'd be exhausting and they may as well do the old-fashioned way for now.

She hops off the wagon and tugs his arm, heading directly toward Endrborrin's shrine. The second settlement has her biggest and 'official' one so it's where Julia has been pouring her power into it every month. She's been tending the flowers and keeping them alive, dotting around the shrine, sprung up from where they should be hibernating.

When they make it to the shrine not only are her flowers still blooming, a variety of bright colors made up of all the spring ones that exist in Solvunn, but there are unique butterflies floating all around them. It is not butterfly or spring season so them along with the cascade of colors marks it as special. Julia's smile is as bright as the flowers and she throws her hands up in the air as if to say see!!!! at Erik. ]

It's real!

it is all good!

[heavymetals]

[ Long trips hardly bother Erik, even if he can be an impatient man at times. Age has served him well in this instance, at least; that, and the fact that there's no real urgency to their journey. He is curious to see what she'll be showing him, especially when it will be his first time visiting the shrine, but it's not like they're working against the clock.

So, he enjoys the trip, the quiet and the comfort, the idle conversation they share and the occasional card game. He is rather good at those, and he even manages one or two basic card tricks. Not great tricks, but he's sure she'll find them amusing if nothing else.

Once they arrive, he settles with following her lead. Erik has visited the Tertiary Settlement more than the Secondary, so he's not especially familiar with this location. He takes in every detail he can as they get to the shrine, slowing to a halt when he steps inside and it feels like he's just walked past a portal and into an entirely different reality.

It has to be, he thinks; flowers blooming, butterflies fluttering all around, as if the season's hardships don't touch this place. Awe overtakes him for a moment, impossible to deny, until his eyes settle on Julia when she speaks. He smiles. ]

I never doubted it was. [ Although maybe this is as much a way to prove to herself that it's real, by sharing it with someone else. ] It's... impressive.

sometime after feb. quest

[durge]

I wanted to apologize for my behavior, and ignoring your hesitancy and distress. I have... very little of my own to define myself by, and took the blow harder and less well than I would have liked.

[heavymetals]

You needn't apologize. My response may have not been the best at the time, but I understand. My own abilities are such an intrinsic part of me, I don't know who I'd be if they were to fail me in any capacity.

[durge]

This place has a very particular way of playing with one's own mind, I've decided. But thank you for your understanding -- it is appreciated. Still, I hadn't wished to cause you distress -- there are times I forget that necromancy in general isn't as common amongst the Summoned to begin with, let alone when it goes wrong. Though I still haven't figured out why.