2020 June Summer Solstice Plot - Catch All!

[tramitem]

Who: Anyone and everyone in Trames - Please use this as a catach all for all your Summer Solstice Plot fun!
What: Exploring a whole knew world
When: Anytime between June 20 - July 4
Where: Around Krajina Božstiev
Rating/Warnings: Please add warnings to your top-levels/threads as needed


The streets of Krajina Božstiev are dusty and crowded. So many people on their way to live their lives. Markets, taverns, the Temple, the Palace. What do you look at first? What do you buy? Where to do you find yourself exploring?

Take a moment to appreciate the shine of the Temple. The beauty of the Palace gardens. The quiet serenity of the Library. The simplistic, but filling food in the taverns. Or the peaceful quaintness of the hills. A new world has opened up and somehow it all just seems simpler over here. People seem happy (mostly) in this existence.

Maybe...

Watch out for the occasional person going into a rage on the other side of the street or tavern. That can't mean anything...

Comments

[bearshermark]

Palace Gardens

The gardens draw him in- an oasis of peace, tranquility, and inviting green. Maybe there's something to be said for only having the one job, if it gives him the time to come through and enjoy this other world.

..Not that he should be, if the portals really could close at any given time, but how could he resist the lure of a new world? Just a little break from city life in a universe he feels strangely comfortable in despite growing up in a more modern world.

In spite of the risks, Elliott pops through almost every day and spends an hour or two walking around the gardens or resting by the ponds, chatting up locals until he spots another one of the Different happen by.

He can't help but grin and wave a little. "I see you got Mr. Martin's invitation, too."


The Temple

The moment he hears the word 'temple', Elliott's curiosity is piqued. To his dismay, it's a gaudy thing that appears to pay more homage to wealth than faith. Still, it's something of a holy place and he makes an effort to look past the gilded opulence to the root of whatever mysterious deity is said to be attributed there.

"Well, I guess gold is a rock," he muses, turning over the stone he'd received from a painted egg, then stands on his toes and cranes to see the altar.

"...Maybe it's considered to be especially magical?"


A Tavern

When he asks for a drink, he doesn't expect it to be alcoholic. Almost says something in fact, before catching himself. He'd been old enough to drink in his past life, and who else had to know? ..Well, maybe the smile he tries to stifle into the tankard isn't particularly subtle. It's sweet, almost honeyed, and Elliott decides that he likes it. Paired with some tavern fare, it all actually goes down a treat.

"Mmn, I am coming here every time I'm in town."

tavern;

[traceofeffort]

"Tell me about it," Lisa says without looking over her shoulder; she's at a table just behind him, not far enough to have to raise her voice. "I wish there were a place like this on our side!"

She's in a strange enough place that she maintains just enough decorum not to stand out too much - that is, she twists slightly in her chair instead of bending back over it. "Hey, Elliott." There's a tankard and a plate in front of her, too; she looks a little windswept, so she's probably been on this side for a bit today. She takes a pull from the tankard, looking... perhaps not as unhappy as Elliott might have expected given the other day. Just curious, and maybe a little more neutral than usual.

Re: tavern;

[bearshermark]

Elliott turns fully in his seat, surprise lighting up his face in a mixture of joy and belated apprehension.

"Hey, Lisa!" He looks her over and tips his head, deciding she looks a little tired. "How, uh.. how are you?"

...Surely she wouldn't rat him out, right?

[traceofeffort]

"I'm..." She stops, mouth working absently for a moment. This is apparently a more loaded question than she was expecting, and she wilts a bit, though she keeps a small smile. "I'm okay. It's been a long couple weeks. Between memories, and the Bureau being what it is, and, well... worrying. But I'm excited to explore this place! Especially since, y'know. If Mr. Martin tells me not to do something..."

[bearshermark]

Elliott nods, flashing a quick grin.

"Yeah, this place is pretty cool. Sorry to hear you've been having a rough time, though. Hope I haven't worried you too much."

He's been texting her every day he works as promised, but it still might weigh on her. "If um, you need someone to talk to, though.."

[traceofeffort]

Lisa shakes her head, with a more genuine smile. "I appreciate that. And I'm trying not to worry too much, just. It's how I am. It'll never truly go away, but I can live with it. I... never want to get to a point I don't worry, y'know? It feels like it means I don't care anymore."

She does her best to soften her expression; if he's already checking on her, she's probably wearing her heart on her sleeve again. Or, well, showing more of it than she'd entirely wanted. "Thank you for putting up with my clinginess. And for still being willing to talk to me after I melted down on you. Um, again."

[bearshermark]

Elliott props his arms on the back of his chair.

"Nah. It was my fault, so.. sorry about that. I'm the one that's glad you're still talking to me."

And it's true. He thanks the stars every day that Lisa didn't just decide to write him off there and then. His argument with Anthony still rings between his ears when he thinks about it too long.

"You know I'll do anything I can to help you if you need it."

[traceofeffort]

Lisa sighs. "You know, Elliott, I've had that thought more than a couple times already, and we haven't even known each other that long. Like I said at the time, it'll take a lot more than that to get rid of me." Her smile turns a little lopsided. "I don't want to need more help. I already feel like a whiny, over-emotional piece of work. So... I want us to be friends again, without any of the other stuff in the way. Stuff happens. We'll deal it when it comes up, and until then, let's just... be. Yeah?"

Ugh, even this feels too heavy for how she'd wanted this conversation to go. But it's the best she feels like she'll do on short notice.

[bearshermark]

His heart drops. Maybe he shouldn't have been acting so casually, so certain they'd already come to that agreement.

"Yeah." He shifts a bit in his chair. "But um, you should know I never thought you were a whiny, over-emotional mess. You're a talented musician that I really admire. Sorry if I sound like a broke record by offering to help all the time. I'm.. just an idiot that's trying not to mess everything up too badly. "

[traceofeffort]

Lisa laughs, a little half-heartedly. "I know you didn't. That's probably just me. I appreciate the compliment, though." She's going to choose not to read into the admiration thing because he clearly doesn't mean it that way. There's no way. "And you're not an idiot. You're just an optimist and an idealist. Those aren't bad things. I like that you're trying to help. I just hate that I keep needing it."

[bearshermark]

An optimist and an idealist. He's pretty sure there's a decent percentage of people that would consider him an idiot based on those qualifications alone. Not that he doesn't understand there are risks, but that they're worth taking.

"You're too hard on yourself," he says finally. "But I guess we have that in common. We all need help sometimes, though- and that's okay. You know I was supposed to be some world-saving hero in my memories? I had like at least 6 other people to rely on."

Elliott tips his head onto his arms with a smile. "So really, you should be glad there aren't five more of me."

[traceofeffort]

Her laugh is a lot brighter this time. "I can barely handle one! I don't know what I'd do with more of you! But hey, we have at least one world that needs saving, right? From Lord Asshole, if nothing else."

Her gaze turns a little inquisitive. "Mind if I join you? This feels kinda..." Impersonal, but also her back is starting to hurt.

[bearshermark]

He grins, heart settling. "Yeah, sure, definitely. I wanted to ask earlier actually, but didn't want to intrude on you."

Elliot twists back around and finally remembers his drink. He takes another long pull from his mug while Lisa comes around to his table, then hums a contented note.

"I mean I get we probably shouldn't interfere with places like this, but it really is cool just to be able to check it out a little."

[traceofeffort]

Lisa quirks an eyebrow as she scoops up her things and shuffles over. "I'm not sure that's the kind of place we're in anyway, y'know? This seems like a lot more of a community place. And anyway-" As she sets her plate down and drinks from her own mug before letting it join the plate, she grins. "You wouldn't be intruding. I don't think any of the Different would be intruding, but you in particular. Not after everything."

That thought of non-interference makes her pause for a second, though. "Hmm... Well, on the surface, this is just a vacation, right? I don't know if interference is the right word. We haven't done anything like that."

[bearshermark]

Him, in particular. The thought warms him, even as he's not quite sure what that means exactly.

"Yeah, not yet," he agrees with a smile. "Bureau can shove it for now. It's been pretty fun so far. What have you been up to?"

[traceofeffort]

"The Bureau can shove it in general," Lisa says pointedly. "But no, I've been spending time in the markets, because I'm predictable and cheap." She chuckles lightly, shaking her head. "Enjoying the festival. Taking deep breaths. Feeling my cholesterol go up a few points. Why did it have to be eggs?"

[bearshermark]

He laughs, shrugging.

"It is getting a bit much, right? Eggs are great and all, but I don't think I'm going to willingly make them for breakfast for at least a few months once this whole thing is over."

[traceofeffort]

"Hey, don't forget about all the other things you're givin' up if you do that. Going without eggs will be a real shame. Although, by that token..." Lisa pulls the obsidian she'd gotten from the market that morning out of her bag, examining it. "For all the eggs, these are the things that are supposed to be important, right?"

Tavern, a little while after Elliot and Lisa's first thread

[smilingarmor]

The moment Emberto entered the tavern, his blue button down shirt and brightly patterned blazer had him standing out like a peacock amid a flock of sparrows. This was a fairly usual state of affairs for him, even in New York, but here, amid mostly earth-tones, it was especially prominent. Though that did make it rather easy to pick out the other two visitors from his world in the tavern.

"There you are, Elliott darling," he said as he approached the table where Elliot and Lisa were siting. "I see you and your lovely young friend decided to sneak off under Mr. Martin's nose too. I hope you two haven't been getting into too much mischief without me."

[bearshermark]

"Sylv!" Elliott grinned, then faltered. "S-sorry. Emberto, I mean."

God, how long was that going to be awkward?

"This is uh, Lisa. I dunno know if you've met yet? Lisa, this is Emberto. He's someone from my memories."

As for trouble, well... he still had some of that honeyed mead.

[traceofeffort]

Lisa's initial impression is of loudness - not in volume but in presence. Which isn't a bad thing, mind you, but it makes her wonder how long Elliott's known this person. The stumble on his name amplifies that significantly. But when he gets around to that second name, she feels like a lot of that is explained in a single breath.

"Oh, Emberto! Yes, we met on the network, but this is the first time in person. Good to see you." She grins like an idiot at his caution. "Mischief? Well, I never! Which is to say, not yet."

[smilingarmor]

Emberto chuckled. "You know, you can just call me 'Sylv' if you like," he told Elliot. "I suspect that it'll save a great deal of time in the long run." The boy did look adorable when flustered, though Emberto had more than enough tact not to tell him so in front of a girl.

"And it's good to meet you in person, Lisa. Though I'll admit that I wasn't expecting our first encounter to happen in a tavern." Mostly because in their own world, he suspected that neither of them would even be allowed in.

"In any case, it's clear that you two youngsters need a responsible adult to be your chaperone. Both to keep you from getting into too much mischief and to make certain you get home safely." No, he hadn't missed their drinks. "I'll go order up something for myself, then be right back."

[bearshermark]

Elliott colored, but at least Sylvando didn't seem inclined to lecture them or forbid them from indulging any further.

"Ah.. okay," he said, watching him go before turning to Lisa and vaguely apologetic. "Well it shouldn't be too bad having him along.."

[traceofeffort]

"Eh, it's fine," Lisa answerrd, waving Elliott off. "I shouldn't monopolize your time anyway. I'm okay in the background, y'know? Just spending time with my friends is enough, and I've imposed on you a lot already with, uh. Earlier." She had the grace to flush just a tiny bit.

[smilingarmor]

It didn't take long for Emberto to return with his own honeyed mead in hand and an order of stew on the way. "Alright then," he said as he sat down with them. "Now, I hope I'm not being too much of a party pooper, imposing myself on the two of you like this, but you're the first other 'Different' I've run into here. So tell me, how have you two been enjoying your visit to another universe? I know I'm having a wonderful time, especially since we were lucky enough to come into town just in time for a festival."