nexus_crossings | The Start of the Storm

Entry tags:

event

The Start of the Storm

The god hosted Yule party left the Nexus in the state of beautiful Winter Wonderland. With the snow falling softly and steadily, and the beautiful festive lights twinkling in the darkness, the Nexus is left with a sense of serene nostalgia hanging in the cold air. This peace and joy clings to the streets for several weeks, buoying everyone’s mood as they look back on the past year and forward to ringing in the new one.

It starts in the Wilds, and the outskirts. The cold air suddenly feels like it freezes everything it touches in an instant. Light doesn’t quite pierce the gloom. Gentle snowfall becomes thick and falls hard. One or two people looking for shelter from their uninhabitable homes isn’t too noticeable. People can still enjoy their pretty Winter, blissfully unaware. Pipes freeze solid, paths become impassable, power cuts out, simple walks become baffling in the poor visibility. Soon it’s not one or two people, it’s many, it’s families. There are people coming in, bloody, bruised and scared, saying they were chased. Eventually the kindness of friends and strangers becomes strained. Spare rooms are packed to the brim and the storm that stays just shy of the bizarre torches somehow seems to have a slow, but unmistakable march closer towards a point where the Plaza, Industrial sector and Downtown meet. On top of that, people are complaining about PINpoints acting up or portals freezing over.

Streets are becoming packed full of people with far more problems than solutions. Huddling together and whispering about ghosts and monsters moving about in the shadows. In a place with no government, no organisation, no collaborative emergency services, chaos and confusion reigns supreme. And with chaos, comes panic. With confusion, comes frustration and anger. The Nexus is a powder keg waiting to blow.

That’s certainly how one Durant sees it. As a manager, Isidor is keen on organisation and order. Both things that are lacking in the Nexus at the moment. Groups pop up to help, but struggle to communicate effectively, or work together. Some people get free food twice, some people are still waiting for some at all. It’s madness, and Isidor can’t stand it. Particularly because she, her brother and sister-in-law are stuck here. So, when nobody else takes the mantle, Isidor Durant takes it upon herself to inject some order into this scrum.

In her fur hat and long coat, leather gloves and thick boots, Isidor can be seen directing people this way and that. There’s something about a confident person taking charge that means people instinctively defer to them. She becomes the point of contact quite easily, with people soon taking her direction regardless of whether or not they know her. Under her instruction, people are directed to a building that has tables set up, queues in front of them, and volunteers behind them taking names and telling people where to go. It might still be chaos, but at least now it’s organised chaos.

The question is: Where will your character go?

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((Below are comments for each desk. Tag any of them, threadhop, or post with your own character. I suggest putting your character’s name in the subject to help keep things clear. Comments marked with a snowflake ( ❅ ) have been coordinated with the mods and I as official event comments. The OOC Post is here! If you have any questions, feel free to message me or one of the mods!))

Threads of Note
Medicine/Illness | Shelter/Heat | Food | Security/Crime | Lost items/people | Misc resources/Donations | Volunteers | Expeditions | Planning Table/The woman in charge | Drulb's Deelz | A Ship in the Outskirts

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Behind one of the busier desks sits Runa (

volurofthehearth), wrapped up warm in a thick wool jumper, her hair in a loose braid, as she smiles brightly to each person she talks to. Viatorus sits behind her, puzzling over how to make what looks like a bad tennis racket. In between writing down names and details, Runa makes more complete looking snowshoes, barely needing to look down at her craft as her hands move.

At the arrival of the next person in line, Runa beams. "Hello! Are you looking for medical help, or here to volunteer some medical help?"

A strong smell of drying wood comes from this area. In front of piles of lumber, piles of sleeping bags, blankets, and other supplies is a folding table with several different clip boards laid out on its surface. Behind the table Katsuya Suou (

sumarusfinest) does his best to efficiently organize refugees onto lists of viable places already designated as shelters by Isidor. He looks up from his lists and offers a businesslike nod to the next person in line.

"Are you looking for a place to stay or trying to set up a shelter for those in need?"

Edited 2019-01-03 11:14 (UTC)

There is a humanoid creature sitting at the table for food. It looks more machine than organic, however, with only the tiniest patches of pale, wrinkled skin peeking out between a brass exoskeleton. Its joints hiss slightly when it moves, and parts of the armour move as if connected by cogs and wheels. The helmet gives no indication of what the being is, either, being a normal shape, but having a dark glass visor covering its eyes.

“Greetings.” The translator offers a bold, masculine voice. “Here is where you may offer food to the stores, or request to be assigned rations. Please state your name and intentions.”

A few people might recognise the surly, greying man sitting behind the security desk. The frown creases in the Durant bodyguard’s brow are as deep as the few visible scars on the bare skin that peeks out from his dark, futuristic clothing. For those who can tell - Lyall has a concealed gun in a body holster. The ambiguous devices on his wrists and belt are a bit harder to discern the purpose of. He has the expression of a man who wants to say he’s not getting paid enough for this, but can’t because he most definitely is.

Lyall starts each conversation with each new person with the same gruff greeting. “Are you here to volunteer, or report a security issue?”

Right next to the security table is another with a crow-person manning it. Dressed in blue, draping clothes, with a strip of purple cloth around its arm, it tilts its head at the people who approach it.

Instead of the harsh caw of a crow coming from its open beak, its speaking is oddly human. Almost like the recording of a young man. “Hello! Are you here to report a missing person-or-item? Or to turn one in?”

There's a mess of recycled mechanical junk piling up around a rather low-sitting table for two. Behind it is a large-eyed, pink-haired gnomish woman about half the size of the one-armed human man in a tall stool next to her. A few might know her as Dr. Tamminy Photovolt, but the rest can read her very helpful stick-on nametag. The grouchy-looking, tired man beside her ('Lawrence - Helper') looks anything but. (

weathering_it)

Tamminy turns now and then to rifle through the pieces of equipment she's already been given, while every few minutes Lawrence cups his hand near his mouth and calls, "Lookin' for spare parts! Mechanical parts! Resources, donations, things that need fixed!"

A pleasant looking female figure whose joints give her a mannequin-esque look. With each new person approaching her, her appearance changes, morphing ever so slightly to something more closely resembling the other person. Everyone is greeted with the exact same smile, followed by the exact same look of sympathetic concern.

When your turn comes, her smile is wide, her voice soft and cheerful, her words automatic. “Hello! May I take your name and a list of skills you might be able to volunteer?”

A lot of bustle is going on at one end of the building. Maps and charts (and lists, of course) litter this table and are tacked up on the wall behind it. There are already some red Xs marked on the maps of known largescale portals that have stopped working and their relative locations. Marking anything down in the Nexus can be a tricky thing but that's why there's more than a couple maps laid out. There's also a surprising number of shoulder bags packed with gear, empty satchels, and so so much rope. A box of short-range radios sits next to a similar container of batteries. Captain James T. Kirk (

smartass_captain) is decked out in his all weather gear and has a tablet looking device in one hand while he paces back and forth from behind his table.

"We're looking for more experienced folk willing to do supply runs. Are you in or are you here to report another portal failure?"

Edited 2019-01-03 11:04 (UTC)

At the end of the room Isidor (

heirtothedragonsfire)stands over a table covered in sheets of paper filled with lists. Of people, or items, of fuel and electricity numbers. It's been a long time since she needed to manage this much. Right now she's sorely missing the managers at her company.

Even indoors she sports a fur shawl over her thick wool dress, her hair tied up intricately to keep it out of her face as she ponders her decisions. Occasionally people come up to her and she marks down something, then sends them off on another task. Other than those small interactions, however, she's oblivious to the world.

Outside the building filled with desks and buzzing with organisation, there is a stall piled high with crates. Underneath a worn looking canopy that might have been colourful once, a cauldron bubbles over a fire, sending a rich, meaty aroma wafting through the air.

A short, green creatures with pronounced features and a sharp-toothed grin, stands on top of a crate, waving and yelling in a grating voice. "C'mon, gather round! I got food, I got water, I got blankets big 'n' small! I got it all! At Drulb's Deelz!"

Perhaps the only reason nobody has shoved a sock in his mouth is the hulking mass of armoured fur standing beside him. Its sour, ape-ish face staring off sleepily into the distance as its mace hangs by its side from a lax arm.

Not too far away someone has set up a table of their own- and a comfortable chair draped with furs. Set out on the table is an assortment of glass bottles in various shapes and sizes, the liquids inside colored deep blue and shadowy green and softly glowing red. Most of them, however, look the same: dull green bottles with strips of teal paper bound around them.

Behind all this is a dark-haired Imperial mage, bundled up warmly in his chair. He seems pensive, but breaks into an easy smile for anyone who draws near. While his fiance is throwing his energy and skills into aiding the relief efforts and planning expeditions, Felix's useful talents are more limited in this situation. But he's also not above taking advantage of the skills he does have, so anyone approaching him will hear one thing:

"Good day, there! Are you interested in bartering for potions?"

When the cold started setting in, Hermione's first decision was to ensure that CJ -- her kneazle and familiar -- stayed at home. Where he would be safe.

A wise decision in her opinion, especially now that her PINpoint is acting up. And now that the weather is getting colder and colder.

The witch is dressed warmly for the weather, lots of layers. And she has her trusted enchanted clutch close by. The chaos of the Nexus right now reminds her a lot of how her world was during the Second Wizarding War. And Hermione knows the importance of being prepared when chaos starts to set in.

She approaches where Isidor stands, her eyes glancing over all the papers.

"Can I help?"

Edited 2019-01-03 14:11 (UTC)

When the cold first started to set in the Nexus, Harley took action to ensure that her greenhouse was properly insulated. She already had a full house, with the Wayward Boys, so it was important that they were provided with a safe place to stay during whatever happened.

This reminded her a lot of the time Mr. Freeze froze Gotham. And she doesn't like it. She does know how to dress for the weather... gone are the fishnets, and too-short glittery shorts and torn T-shirt. She is dressed warmly, with a very bright pink jacket still keeping her very colorful despite the situation.

She is also decked out with many of her weapons, because in this chaos -- best to have a weapon close at hand. She has her weapon belt, which includes her bat, a new dagger, a slingshot, and several weaponized yo-yos. She has a large sword sheath on her back, which houses her fire sword.

Harley recognizes the good Captain. And she smiles a little.

"Whatcha kind of supply runs?"

Hermione remembers Felix, for the brief time they worked together during that particular Halloween now two seasons past. And so she approaches his table, to survey the glass bottles that are placed there.

"I am." Hermione gives him a bright smile. "Perhaps, you can tell me what your potions do?"

Have weapons, will travel.

Frankly, Harley Quinn looks like she's carrying a hell of a lot of stuff around with her already. Jim nearly double takes when he spies her in front of his table before setting the PADD down and moving back in front of the collection of maps he has laid out in front of him. There's a steel to his gaze that isn't usually present in his dealings with the Nexus denizens. He's not here as a friendly face today, he's here as a Starfleet Captain working to protect as many people as he can.

"Anything and everything you'd need in a survival situation. Everything from firewood, to medical supplies, to food. The Nexus always had plenty to go around, but right now getting to anywhere is dangerous. I've seen a few people come in injured already, it's looking like the AV field just can't handle all of this. Right now I'm organizing. You a combat specialist?"

She's certainly geared like one.

"Well you are in luck... I am very handy at getting anywhere dangerous." Harley gives him a bright smile. Yes -- she knows this is a serious situation. And yes -- she knows that people need protecting. But she can still do that with a smile.

"I have been in several combat situations. Survival situations. And damn... how the hell did you walk away from that... situations."

"I am also good at going where I am needed and getting the job done."

"So... whatcha job do you want me to do?"

There are so many numbers, lists of names, and vague scrawlings of diagrams that it's difficult to tell what is what. It's simplest to tell that there is a lot of information here, and even with the piles Isidor has arranged, it's all a bit of a mess. One the Durant is trying hard to work through.

A voice interrupts her thoughts and she raises an eyebrow at the young woman. Pauses, and then points to each desk in turn. "Medicine, shelter and heat, food, security, lost things, donations, volunteers, and expeditions. That's where you help or look for help."

She turns back to pore over the documents, then. "Unless you're offering anything different that I, personally, should be aware of..."

"I...have space," Steve says. "The electric died already but I have--"

Pause. Steve is well-meaning and deep down he wants to believe the best of everyone and everything, but he's not an idiot. If he goes around announcing he has a generator and a couple propane stoves in public, he won't have them for long. "A couple alternative ways to keep the place warm," he finishes definitively, nodding. "At least for a while."

And a decent stockpile of non-perishable foods, too, but that's not what was asked. Although: "I have some spare sweaters and coats and socks I could lend or give away, too, but I wasn't sure where to bring them."

"I am offering to help you with your paperwork. I deal with a lot of important documents all the time at the Ministry of Magic. And can offer a very efficient system so you can access the information you need quickly and efficiently." Hermione explains.

"Once I assess the information available... I can also create an Arthimancy matrix... to help coordinate the volunteers to where they would be best suited."

"Experienced with what?" Furiosa looks a lot different dressed for the cold. She's not used to it and she doesn't actually like it, but she's been quick to figure out a system that works for her: camelhair tunic over her usual clothing, then the Vuvalini shawl over that, with some of her belts buckled over it to hold it on against the wind. She's got tinted goggles for the sand back home, though, and they work pretty well against bright snow, too.

Some special attention seems to have been paid to covering her prosthesis with its own knit armor. It runs on hydraulic tubes, and it'll be dead weight if those freeze, so she's fitted some paper insulation and piecemeal scarves over it in such away as to inhibit motion as little as possible while protecting it from the chill.

"How are you carrying supplies? Vehicles, sleds, or human-power?"

There's a long moment of silence while Katsuya, who is frankly underdressed compared to many others gathered here, stares up at Steve Rogers. He's only in his usual charcoal grey suit though the strap of his shoulder holster will be just visible when he reaches out a hand for the other to shake. He knows what you aren't saying and he's in the same situation.

"You might be better off saving those for the folks who end up using your space. Or bartering for...fuel. Or food." He keeps his voice low, just above a whisper before he pulls away taking his hand and his advice with him. Louder now, Katsuya clears his throat.

"Rough estimate of how many can be housed? What's the security like? How far's the trek? Injured and elderly can't go far in this weather."

Edited 2019-01-03 17:15 (UTC)

Harley isn't imagining the flicker of relief that passes Jim's face. If things weren't such a complete and total shit show right now, he might even return that smile. Later, perhaps. He nods toward Harley before leading her over toward the larger of the Nexus maps laid down across much of the table in front of the captain.

"More than likely I'm going to need you on security detail for our supply runs. Is there an area of the Nexus you're more familiar with than others? Also, what's your tolerance for the cold? Some of these treks will be further than others. I've got a guy who's been scouting things out who should be back any minute with a preliminary report."

Well, this is the kind of situation Joseph Kinner was made for. He's been on polar expeditions in the past, and even though his expedition ended poorly he still has the skills and training necessary to help out if needed. In fact, he feels like he could help out in a pretty big way. The skinny cook comes forward, clearing his throat.

"If you need anyone on an expedition," he says, jabbing a thumb to his backpack, "I'll do what I can. I have served on an expedition team before, in a support role, and I've spent the past few weeks getting ready for somethin' like this. It is winter, after all. I can help find survivors if you need me to, and I'm a cook, so I can prepare food for them, too. I'll do anything you need me for."

Edited 2019-01-03 17:37 (UTC)

"Cold weather tracking, hauling cargo, security detail. You name it, we need it."

Jim looks up from the PADD and in a way it's the first time they're meeting again. Furiosa is a friend, and an old one, but Jim's never seen her looking like this. Likewise, Jim's almost never on the job around here. He leads her gaze over to the map that's covering up a large portion of the table.

"We're still trying to track down any kind of vehicle that will run in this weather. Right now, I'm planning on manpower and sleds for whatever's too heavy to carry manually. There's not many vehicles in general around the Nexus and the few there are don't go too well in the snow. I've got a scout that's got a pretty unique kind of speeder that hovers above the snow, but it won't carry cargo. Probably won't carry more than two people before it weighs down."

She carefully studies the maps. And looks up at him, blue eyes meeting blue eyes.

"I been in deep freeze situations before, so I am dressed for the situation. I would imagine that my tolerance for cold is better than most other people..." She glances around.

She drops her voice, as not to be too braggy, and not to let too many people know about her abilities. "I gotta a hell of a recovery factor. And the endurance and agility to make it worth our time for you to send me on the treks you think might not be suited for other people."

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 40

The Start of the Storm

❅ Medicine/Illness

❅ Shelter/Heat

❅ Food

❅ Security - Crime

❅ Lost items/people

❅ Misc resources/Donations

❅ Volunteers

❅ Expeditions

❅ Planning Table/The woman in charge

❅ Drulb's Deelz

Felix Caelus - Potion barter

Hermione Granger -- Loves A Good Plan

Harley Quinn -- Experience? We Don't Need No Stinking Experience

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Kinner

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