Building from the ground up.

[amnesiacagent]

A place where all sorts of beings can co-exist. A place where she is expected to ask questions. New arrival Agent 8 is both awed and overwhelmed by the Nexus, already.

She shifts her weight from foot to foot, trying to everything in. Life has been a whirlwind of new beginnings for her, lately: starting with waking up in the Deepsea Metro with no memories, then finally making it to the surface, and then - so soon after, before she could even begin to adjust to life up there - being here in the Nexus. A welcome pamphlet is clutched in one of her long-fingered hands. She's lucky that this place came with some sort of guidebook, at least.

The nameless Octoling clears her throat before speaking up, asking her question in a small voice. "What kind of things are fun?"

Comments

[betashiftblues]

A small voice coming from a quiet nonhuman seemingly lost in this ocean of contradictory places and peoples is exactly the sort of person another quiet non-human would make sure to take notice of. Norn's a relatively new face to the Nexus himself but any help he can offer to a fellow adrift soul.

Especially one that isn't human.

"I suppose that depends on your personality, Miss. I enjoy translating works in other languages personally. Or..." He drops his own voice as he looks around a sea of potentially judging faces. "Reading in general."

[amnesiacagent]

Agent 8 tilts her head to the side at this answer, as well as at the way it's delivered. She's not really sure she's figured out her own personality yet - she keeps getting thrown into such abnormal situations, after all.

But for now, she looks around and stands up on her toes to get closer Norn. "Is reading a bad thing here?"

[betashiftblues]

The Andorian gives a nervous chuckle, really little more than a stuttered breath as he rubs at the back of his neck. His antennae twitch ever so slightly with his nerves.

"No, no. Not at all. But...I realized it might seem a bit boring."

[amnesiacagent]

Agent 8 offers up a smile. "I don't think that's something to be ashamed of," she assures him. After all, as an Octoling, she certainly understands shame. "It's always good to learn more about new things, right?"

[betashiftblues]

"My sincerest apologies. I haven't even properly introduced myself."

Norn is hesitant but very deliberate when he extends a hand toward the Octoling. Ready to explain the gesture as one of peace and greeting if she doesn't understand it. It's a bit of an occupational habit considering he meets with many varied people in his line of work.

"My name is Kav Norn. It's...it's nice to meet you Miss."

[amnesiacagent]

Agent 8 takes his hand, understanding that much, at least. But her smile fades away as she remembers she has no actual name to offer Norn in exchange for his own.

"You don't have to apologize, especially since I... Well, I can't properly introduce myself. But it's nice to meet you, too, Sir."

[betashiftblues]

Sir. Sir!

She's so polite and so reserved. It eases the tension that always seems to be present in his posture. She isn't nearly as intimidating as most of the people he's met here. Nor does he seem particularly bothered that she can't return the introduction. There could be many cultural reasons to prevent this after all.

"Ah...no need to use mine if such a thing would make you uncomfortable. Do you prefer a moniker? ....Viih, perhaps? It means 'pink' in my native tongue. Or...how does Standard say it... Rose?"

[amnesiacagent]

Her hands are clasped together as her smile returns. Norn seems quite kind, just based on what little conversation they've shared already, but... He's different from most of the other kind souls she'd met back home. He's like her - quiet. Maybe a little timid, even.

"Oh, no... It's not that. I just - I haven't been able to remember my name for a long time, now." Agent 8 pauses, though, then nods her head. "I like Viih, though. It's pretty."

[betashiftblues]

Oh, now that is a rather alarming bit of news. Being forbidden to share an identity is one thing. Having one robbed from your mind? That's an altogether more unfortunate affair. Norn tries not to let his shock show too much, though his smile has faltered right off of his face without him realizing it.

He wants to apologize, but he doesn't want her to feel worse about it.

"...Then, until you can return it to me, would you like me to call you Viih?" He tries to fish that smile back. "And you may call me Norn."

[ottershawastronomer]

Ogilvy's intrigued by the stranger, and he figures it would be a good idea to give her a warm greeting. It's always nice to see new faces in the Nexus, and as time goes on he's become more and more used to the environment here. In some ways, it's preferable to Surrey - at the very least he and his eccentriciies don't stick out the way they used to.

"I'm partial to stargazing and exploring nature, or reading a book in our Library. The Nexus is so large that it's a scientist's dream."

He reaches into his satchel, pulling out a dogeared astronomy text from his own collection.

"Honestly, most of what I do here in the Nexus is read. It's a wonderful place for that."

[amnesiacagent]

Agent 8 smiles a little, glancing up. It's not night yet, but all the same... "I like stars," she whispers. "But I've never - "

Well, no, that's not right. She'd been about to say she's never read a book, but that's probably untrue, as she knows how to read. But any specific books she's ever read are beyond her memory.

"...Could you show me the library?"

[ottershawastronomer]

Ogilvy is always happy to meet someone else who enjoys looking at the stars the way he does, and sympathizes with the stranger's curiosity. He'll help her if he can. Besides, he always likes visiting the Library as a scholar at heart.

What kind of world did she come from? He doesn't ask, but he is curious.

"Of course. I can take you there if you'd like."

[amnesiacagent]

"Thank you, Sir. I'd like it very much," she responds, her smile growing. She's not even sure there were any libraries up on the surface. She hadn't had much time to explore it, after all...

[ottershawastronomer]

Ogilvy can't help but smile, impressed by this kid's enthusiasm. Honestly, it reminded him of himself when he was just a boy. "Come right this way. My name's Gavin Ogilvy. Pleasure to meet you."

[chiron_survivor]

Quiet though it is, the question catches Adia's attention as she passes through the Plaza, Specifically, the way it is worded, as if the girl has never had a chance to have fun before.

"Um..." She smiles at the girl in greeting, a little shy herself. "Well, it depends on what your definition of fun is. I like anything that lets me relax and enjoy myself. I'll go to the library, or I'll get a cup of coffee and people-watch, or I'll take a walk in the forest and look for animals. What helps you relax?"

[amnesiacagent]

Agent 8's expression becomes slightly uncomfortable at the mention of animals, not as if she's afraid of them, but as if she's not sure what to say in response to that. After all, as an Octoling, she's sort of an animal, herself. So she just... Ignores that, and nods.

"A library sounds nice. So does coffee, although I'm not sure what people-watching means," she admits. As for what helps her relax... "Oh, um... I don't really know? I haven't had a lot of chances to relax. Not that I can remember, anyway."

[chiron_survivor]

Adia notices the discomfort, and though she doesn't know the reason behind it, she makes a mental note not to bring up animals again. Which is too bad, because animals (and animal videos) are pretty much her main go-to, especially when the Nexus is full of such interesting creatures.

That answer says something not great about wherever this girl came from. Adia tugs a little at the end of her scarf, a soft floral cotton draped around her neck to ward off the cool breeze that creeps into the Plaza as the seasons change. "People-watching is when you sit somewhere and look at the people who go by," she explains. She smiles tentatively. "Not to, um... I'm not judging anybody or anything, it's just interesting to me to think about where they might be going, or what their lives might be like... and everybody here is so different, so it makes it especially interesting..."

[to_the_wolves]

Questions about having fun seem to resonate with Marie, as her entire career is about letting everyone else have fun, rarely any time for herself. So when the female Octoling presents her question, she gives an answer without hesitation.

"Music. Games. Doing something relaxing." It might be hard to believe that she can have fun, based on her serious-looking wardrobe, but there's a spark of youth somewhere within. She's visibly tired, however, this newcomer needs help and Marie is willing to offer it.

"Finding things that fit your personality is a good start. Like if you want to do something in a quiet or loud place. Ask yourself those kind of questions and the possibilities are endless."

[amnesiacagent]

"I like music!" Agent 8 exclaims, her voice suddenly a bit louder. "I don't know why I didn't think of it already! And... Thank you, for the advice. I think my trouble is that I haven't had much chance to remember who I am; my personality. But I guess now I have a lot of time for that."

[to_the_wolves]

"Me too. Music is the best. What kind of songs do you like?"

Marie has a smile on her face as she nods her head, taking in what Agent 8 has to say. Not knowing who you are sounds frustrating and she's determined to help the Octoling as much as she can.

"Time helps with those things. You're in a good place to explore and learn, as the Nexus is a melting pot of cultures from so many different places." She pauses, realizing that this is an instance where showing might be easier than telling. "You want to go somewhere to listen to music?"

[eumenis]

Furiosa is more or less a mother bear in the guise of a hardened warrior, especially these days. Regardless of the actual age of the new arrival, regardless of species or capability, she immediately sees and processes her as a shy-voiced girl-child in a strange place. That's bound to awaken what are, frankly, some of her better instincts.

She wanders over with a gentle smile, letting her metal prosthesis rest at her side lest it look too much like a weapon. "That's a question that's going to get you a wide range of answers," she says. "Personally, I've always liked tinkering with engines and machinery, working in the gardens, and storytelling."

Okay, so generally War Boy and Vuvalini storytelling involve sitting and drinking liquor around a fire, which is probably not the thing to suggest for a younger person. The stories themselves ought to be all right, though.