nexus_crossings | Speak With This One?

"Mmmm, strange is a nebulous notion, don't you think? After all, I just bore witness to a woman inhabiting the form of a woodland beast. And sometimes the Wilds contain myself as well!"

The statement, the voice genial and grandfatherly, comes from a nearby well. Or perhaps more accurately, the occupant of it. Arising from the depths is a serpent, eyes large and amber, teeth flat and plentiful, skin damp and reeking of moss. The creature's teeth clack and click with every word and work against one another even when not speaking, perhaps just out of habit.

"But I have glimpsed the comings and goings of many, some in the shape of things never before seen by one even so long-lived as I. Shall I go on?"

Kasa looked to the beast that was speaking to her. She felt her face pale somewhat. This creature was...interesting. Despite looking serpentine he had a troll-ish nose and a set of very human looking teeth that caused her to shiver. But despite the beast's appearance. She listened to him with great interest. His voice reminding her of an elder from her old village.

She couldn't help but smirk at how he pointed out her shifting from a beast to humanoid. Taking great pride in this skill. He mentioned creatures of strange shapes, this caught her interest and she nodded for him to continue. "Please, yes." She urged.

"Very good! Ah, then where shall I begin. You see, I spy many a creature from my vantage in the Wilds. There is a lake deep inside it, a cavern beneath its waters. From there, I watch and I listen. Taking in these new lands.

"A lake is a fine place to watch for animals and traveller alike, you may find, since a great many come to drink from it. I've seen as thou has said; deer and foxes, rabbits and birds. But there are others. Ah, but where to start, where to start."

He lowers his great head, perhaps in thought, looking back in his memories and collecting them. He also closes his eyes to aid with this process.

He stays like this quite a long while. Strange.

...Wait. Is he snoring?

Kasa listened to the large creature speak, pulling her legs up to sit cross legged. He mentioned how he lived in a lake in the Wilds. Maybe Kasa has been to the same lake and she didn't realize he was there?

...

Ok, that kind of gave her the shivers. But, moving on. She watched as he grumbled in thought of what beasts inhabited the woods. Slowly her excitement dying down at how long it took for him...Wait...He was snoring! Her brows furrowed somewhat, staring at the creepy serpent. Should...Should she wake him up? She wasn't too convinced she wanted to touch his slimy-looking skin. He smelled like the well he slithered out from.

"Um....Mister?" She called to him in an unsure tone.

The snoring continues. His teeth still clack occasionally as well, his jaw working in his sleep. Maybe he's already dreaming of eating!

Kasa couldn't help but laugh as the primordial-looking beast continued to snooze and doze like a grandfather in his favorite chair. "Mister?...Mister!" She called to him again, maybe with better luck.

The snoring suddenly gains a sharp snort and Frampt's eyes unevenly open once more. Raising his head, he stammers, "Ah? Hm? Oh! Don't mind an old serpent needing his time to collect his thoughts. Sometimes they do tend to scatter. It takes only a moment.

"Ah, but we spake upon what dwells in the Wilds! Yes. I have seen things both with and without form. Little spirits who gather in the branches and watch the living, their own souls now bound to the trees. I have seen a woman part deer and part person, though not in the same manner thou have proven to be. More a purple-skinned woman who's form takes the place of a deer's head, carrying herself upon those four hooves. I know not if she is a wanderer such as ourselves.

"And then the fearsome ones! They come only when the sun has set and there be no stars. Low and plodding, shaggy and snarling. You can be sure I kept my head beneath the waters when that creature comes to drink!"

She chuckled as he awoke with a snort, smiling warmly, she was slowly growing more and more accustomed to his gross appearance. In a way he was kinda goofy looking. "Apologies for this one being impatient, she is excite to hear his stories." She apologized to the old creature.

Soon he listed off all the odd beings he has seen. Her brows rising in surprise that there was something that made [i]him [i] nervous. "Woah. There are creatures that make Klesh nervous?" She asks with wonder.

"I have seen many an Age come and go and, in this time, you learn when to lower your head and merely...observe. Many a frightful horror lurks and shuffles in this and every other Age and I am just an old serpent! No match for those that live by tooth and bloody claw."

He could be downplaying whatever inherent power or strength he possesses. Or maybe he's just as old and feeble as he claims. Who knows!

She nods in understanding when he mentioned it's sometimes best to choose your battles and observe. Sometimes that is the best option. She chuckled amused as he pointed out his old age. "Well, how ever old Klesh is, this one knows she would not want to end up bitten by Klesh's teeth. Frightening, yes."

Frightening may have been playing down her words, but it was the easiest word she could think of in that moment.

"Klesh? A word I have not heard before, and I have heard many! Enlighten me as to its meaning." He doesn't think to address the comment about how terrible his bite could be. Maybe he's not the biting sort!

Kasa grinned amused as she listened to the inquisitive serpent; More than happy to answer his question. "Ah, Klesh is word in this one's language that means 'snake'. Klesh reminds this one of a wise serpent from her old stories and are known for being protectors of water." She explained while motioning to the well he creeped from, also in referance to how he spends time in a lake.

"Also he has yet to introduce himself to this one. So she is unsure what to call him" She said with a laugh. She then paused and grinned sheepishly, just realizing she has yet to give him her own name! "Ah, how could this one be so rude! Her name is Kasa. Good to meet." She introduced, going to hold her hand out to shake his out of habit when she realized quickly...He doesn't have hands. Or at least none that he's shown, and she rested her hands back on her lap, her cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment.

Edited 2016-05-23 20:42 (UTC)

"Ahh! How appropriate, how lovely. I am happy to be known as this 'klesh' then." And then when proper introductions have begun, the serpent lowers his head in a bow, eyes closing as well. Hopefully he won't doze off this time.

"Well met, Kasa. I am Kingseeker Frampt. Though more a traveller in this realm, much like all others who have found their way here."

Kasa smiled proudly as the one she called 'Klesh' accepted her nickname. She watched as he dipped his head down in a bow...Or was he sleeping again? Oh Spirits, please don't doze off again.

The Spirits must've heard her call cause instead of snoring, he answered. She smiled and returned the bow. "How did Klesh find his way here? This one was on hunt when suddenly...She was in city after following noise that sounded like large crowds."

"Ah, a great series of tunnels and underground rivers led me here. Matters were unsettled back in the realm I called home, so I had ample time to explore and perhaps ruminate on the state of things. And soon I brought my head up into a deep well and here I was! A brilliant discovery."

Kasa nodded in understanding. She pulled her legs up to sit crosslegged on the couch. "What is Klesh world like? Is it much different than this one?" She asked, curious to what kind of world supported a strange, yet good company beast like Kingseeker Frampt.

"My home is close to the Wilds. I've sketched more than a few interesting things wandering about the tall grasses and treelines."

Steve brushes his hair out of his face.

"I'd imagine it might be a bit dangerous though..."

Kasa leaned in closer to speak with Mr.Steve Rogers. Her expression showing great interest for any kind of tales he might regale to her. "Ah, this one is making her home in the Wilds. She wishes to get idea of what 'interesting things' make their home there as well. This one should know who her neighbors are." She explained with a smile. Eagerly awaiting any potential stories.

"You're living there?"

He sounds equal parts shocked and intrigued to hear this. After a moment of careful listening he retrieves a worn leather bound book from the inner pocket of his jacket and flips it open.

After a few pages of people--frequent faces int eh Nexus proper--there are several pages full of interesting and unsettling creatures living in the trees.

"I've never seen them up close before, but sometimes I can see them from my window at night."

Kasa nodded to the frail young man to confirm that she does live there. She gave him a proud smile, by the sound of how surprised and interested he was, perhaps it was something only a very few actually did.

She watched as he took out a leather bound book. She moved herself closer, closing the the space and probably popping his personal bubble to look at the drawings. "Wow...You are good artist" She mumbled to him as she admired his work.

When he reached the drawings of the interesting and strange beings, she tilted her head and leaned in to get a better look. "Wow. You have seen these creatures? That one looks eh...spooky, yes" She says and points to the drawing of the Phantump.

"Just practice." He assures Kasa, a humble smile on his face. He's nothing special at anything, really. If he can learn, so could anyone if they put the time into it.

"In the trees, yes. Usually at night, or just before dawn. I have a pair of binoculars so that I can watch birds, though admittedly they get more use now finding strange creatures in the wilds to study from the safety of my home."

Kasa grins and gives his back a bit of a pat. Careful not to put too much power behind the pat; Such a humble little human! "Do not be so modest. Have pride in work, yes." She says with a grin. Nothing is wrong with a little pride!

She nodded as she listened, looking over the drawings. "Hm...How would Yvwi like to join this one in Wilds for night to find close up of beasts?" She asked with a bit of a smirk. Going to toss her arm around his shoulders and pull him in closer to her if he'd allow. She had an idea he would say no. But she was curious how he'd react if given the option to camp out and look for odd creatures.

"Yih-vwee?" Steve tries to say the strange word Kasa had used, pointing at himself as he does so. "Is that..me? Is that a word for humans?"

He glances down at his sketchbook then back up to the hunter. He seems curious, but a bit hesitant. And for good reason. Steve Rogers looks like a stiff breeze could be the death of him, and she wants to take him hunting?

"Wouldn't that be dangerous?" He asks, giving Kasa a curious look. It's not a 'no'.

She smiles at him with pride, he catches on quick. She nodded in response,"Yes, very good guess, Yvwi" She praised an reached up to ruffle his hair.

She watched as he looked from the book, then to her. His face painted curious. She gave him a once over. He certainly was lacking in the strength department and he didn't even know magic. But she felt like if she wasn't his guide into the Wilds, he'd never get out there. Give him a bit of an adventure. The idea filled her with pride and determination. What if she could be an inspiration! She was more excited now.

She grinned knowingly and nodded. "Sure. It can be dangerous. But this one will protect." She stated simply, staring at him eagerly for an answer.

Steve makes an undignified squawk at his hair being messed up and tries uselessly to brush it back into place with his fingers. He gets mistaken for a child enough without attempting to look more like one with wild unruly hair.

Damn this body.

"It sounds like a lot of fun, actually." Steve starts to smile and holds out his hand. "My name is Steve Rogers, by the way."

Kasa couldn't help but giggle at the squawk little Rogers let out; Like a baby bird. Huh...How old was the boy anyway? He looked young but he was well mannered like an adult. She would figure it out later.

She smiled at hearing his interest in joining her on a little sleep over in the forest! While he didn't say he would, she was already planning out what she'd hunt and cook for the occasion, and he could sleep on the comfy patch of grass that she usually sleeps on. You have to be hospitable to your guest after all!

She looked to his hand and smiled warmly, taking his hand in hers and giving it a bit of a shake. Careful not to use the usual energy she has in her handshakes on the fragile looking human. "Steh-ve. Good to meet. This one is Kasa Yeenaaldlooshi." She introduced. "When would Steh-ve like to camp out this one? She is very excite, yes!" She exclaimed with energy.

Seeing a deer stroll happily into a crowded plaza is the kind of odd behavior that makes a man stop and stare. Felix was sort of wondering if it was a pet - or perhaps enthralled by someone looking for an easy hunt.

The Imperial's strolling ever-so-casually closer when the creature executes its change of form. He winces at the horrible crack of bone- and then gapes outright at the shapeshifted woman.

"Uh... oh. Yes! Certainly! All the time. Did... did you just change your form? Like..." Well, not like a were-beast. Not at all. That's part of why it's so shocking. As a mage he's impressed, and as a conjurer he's a little confused. "I mean, what sort of magic is that?"

He should probably answer her question first, but he's forgotten his manners in all the curiosity.

Kasa looked to the man who spoke to her. Her lips pulling into an amused smirk at his bewildered expression. It was funny seeing such shock on a tough-looking guys face. Before she answered she took out her canteen of water and took a sip.

Caping the canteen she shifted her silver-eyed attention to the strong jawed young man, her voice lilting with a giggle and foreign accent,"Yes, this one did just change her form. And it is skill of Skin-Walker. If this one has pelt of beast, she can turn into it." She answers with pride. Then rubs the scarred side of her neck somewhat. "This one is not sure how to answer what kind of magic. People of different places call it different things. Some people call it chaotic, demonic, illusion, enchantment. To this one it is uh...Skill of her people. Innate ability" She explains.

She rests her elbows on her knees and looks at him, a bit of her own curiosity sparking up. Waiting for if he'd answer her question till posing another. "Does Stranger come from place of magic? Or no?"

Edited 2016-05-22 04:06 (UTC)

"Innate." He nods slowly, flashes a slight smile. "Well, the other words certainly don't fit. Except the chaotic part, perhaps." It reminds him most of the myths told about the Wild Hunt of the Wood Elves, and he spends a minute racking his brains trying to remember exactly what he read about that before the woman's question snaps him back to the present.

"Ah- yes. I'm a mage myself, as it happens." It's the main reason he carries no weapon, despite the segmented leather armor he wears. "Though my talents lend themselves more to summonings and conjuration. Nothing quite so impressive as changing my shape, though... though it does take me out into the Wilds sometimes. Are you planning to go hunting out there?"

She seemed to relax more when he said he was a mage. Mages always seemed to be better at accepting the strange and...Well...Mystic, since that's what the work in. Rather than the warriors and zealots that would try to hunt her down.

Wait, did he say that he was a summoner? How interesting!

Kasa's eyes lit with interest and she immediately scooted herself over to sit closer with the Imperial. Despite him saying that it was not as impressive as her changing shape, she found great curiosity and excitement to learn more. Firing a flurry of questions in her enthusiasm, "Yvwi can make creatures show up? How does he make it work, yes? What kind of animals? Or are they strange beasts? Can this one see one day, yes?" She asks and asks...and asks.

Soon enough she calms herself to realize the mage had asked her a question. How rude of her to ignore it! She leaned back against her seat, giving him some space and chuckled, "Apologies, Yvwi has sparked much interest in this one! And yes, this one does plan to hunt. If Yvwi wishes to join this one, she would be happy for the company." She welcomed with a warm smile.

His smile returns at her excited reaction, wider and more genuine this time. He's quite used to people shying away from his own skills (at least back in Tamriel; here people really don't have the same fears). Felix settles down on the couch, letting his new companion get comfortable. It would take a much sterner soul than his not to be charmed by her enthusiasm.

"Well, conjuration is the art of reaching between planes and calling things between them." He cups his hand between them, an orb of purple light spinning into existence between them. At its center is a tiny black void, a portal.

"Nothing as simple as bears or deer. I call on daedric spirits from the planes of Oblivion- and I know saying it like that isn't much of an explanation. But I'd be happy to demonstrate my art for you." He grins outright. "I'll have to, if I'm to come hunting with you. I don't have much woodcraft in my own right, and I don't want to slow you down."

Kasa's brows rose with interest as he conjured up a swirling vortex of purple energy. Drawn in by the beautiful colors that capsuled the dark void inside. "Wow...Summon creatures through that? So small" She mumbles in amazement. Tilting her head this way and that like an intrigued animal to study it.

She peered up at him with some obvious confusion at the words 'Daedric' and 'Oblivion'. They were foreign to her. But chuckled at saying how he would need these skills or else he would slow her down. "Do not worry about slowing this one down. You would not." She stated simply. "How she could resist not asking such adorable face to join her anyway, yes?" She jests with a smirk. "What is name, Gahihohv? This one is Kasa." She introduced with a soft smile, being more genuine after messing with him slightly.

Edited 2016-05-24 23:59 (UTC)

"Careful with that charm. You'll make my beloved jealous," he teases back, though of course there's a quiet message behind the joke. Not that he doesn't appreciate said charm, naturally. But it's only courteous to gently establish where everyone stands.

"My name is Felix Caelus." It's not easy to bow much while sitting, but he makes a slight one. He wonders what 'Gahihohv' means but under the circumstances he's happy to assume it's a good thing. "A pleasure to meet you."

Kasa snickers somewhat at the response, she reaches up to give his hair a playful ruffle. "Ah, lucky lady~" She responds, her voice still holding playfulness in her tone, but there was also an understanding. An unspoken message received'.

She hummed somewhat after he introduced himself and nodded. "Pleasure to meet, yes." Sh says as she mimics his bow. She pauses, taking a moment to practice the pronunciation of his name. "Feh-licks....Fee-licks...Eh. She will learn." She grumbles with a chuckle. She leans back against the couch and crosses her arms. "How long it take Fell-ick to learn to summon?"

“Well, he’s one of those things,” Felix chuckles, despite his surprise at the hair ruffling. It seems they’ll both need to get used to each other’s cultures. He has to smile at her efforts to pronounce his name – gods know how his pronunciation of hers must sound.

“Fee-lix,” he corrects with a grin, before he pauses to think of how he should answer her question. “I’ve been learning since I was a child. As a matter of fact my father taught me my first summoning spell. With conjuration, though, the trick isn’t calling something up. It’s calling something without getting yourself killed in the process.”

Kasa chuckled at the surprised look he gave her. She still was not used to how most cultures were very strict on the interactions between classes and how something as simple as ruffling someone's hair could make them so bewildered. It was amusing to see the difference but also slightly disappointing in a way.

She listened closely to how he pronounced his name. She tried again this time, but slower. "Feee-Liix...Fee-lix." She repeated once, then twice for good measure; gaining a grin of pride for the simple achievement. She waited patiently for him to answer her next question. She smiled lightly when she received an answer. "Oh, so it is like taming animal. But animal from different world?" She asked to make sure she was on the same page.

In Felix's case, it might be less a matter of class and more of how recently they've met- but he's a pretty tactile sort of guy anyway, and doesn't really mind the contact. He relaxes quickly and gives her an encouraging nod as she picks up the pronunciation.

"Very different worlds," he confirms. "Worlds so different it's difficult for them to understand human- well, mortal minds. And just as hard for us to comprehend them. Sometimes it's like taming an animal, but often... it's better to think of it as negotiating with a stranger. A very old and strong-willed stranger."

She gives a long 'oh' in understanding. She pauses a moment then chuckles at some thought she had. She tries to withhold her smile but a smirk sneaks through. "This one could not help but draw comparison to how this one felt when she appeared here. She understands what it feel like to be summoned in strange new place." She explained where her laughter came from.

"What was it like when Felix appeared in this land?"

"Very confusing, I expect," Felix agrees with a grin. "I always think you can't really blame someone for being put out by a summons. At least it wasn't some silly boy summoning you to prove he could... was it?" He can't assume, really.

"My arrival wasn't very dramatic. I mean, I was thrilled, but... all I did was walk through a door. And I knew from the unpleasant people on the other side that it was a special sort of door."

She chuckled more, picturing the situation of a young summoner attempting to show off his skills. She shook her head in response to him asking if that's what happened to her. "No no, but that would be funny, yes." She said with another small giggle. "This one was in forest outside of city where she live to hunt something for something for her companions. In middle of woods she heard strange honking sounds and large crowds. Next thing she knew, she was in Nexus."

She paused in thought, then smiled lightly before speaking up again. "This one suppose it is not that dramatic of entry. But at time she felt such panic and confusion. And maybe little fear. Just little. Very little." She admitted with a bit of stubbornness.

"Good." He winks at her. "I feel better trusting a guide who's wise enough to be wary in strange places." Although that brings up another question, and he pauses. "Ah... forgive me if this is a delicate subject, but have you found a way back to your own realm?"

She couldn't help but smirk at the wink. He was charming, truly a shame that he was taken. She always found herself interested in the short-lived humans too. She chuckles somewhat to his response and nods, giving the scar that ran horizontally across the left side of her neck two short taps as she spoke. "Yes this one has learned to be on guard. This place is making her too relax though thanks to the ward that keep one from feeling violent."

She tilted her head as he apolagized, her brow perking. "Forgive me if this is a delicate subject," The human began, "But have you found a way back to your own realm?" He asked, her lips pulled into a small frown and she shook her head. "This one has not had that honor yet. She searches, but with no luck." Her hand goes into her bag, taking out what looks like a cheap, blue plastic watch. "This one has companions back home. One is scholar, and he always wish to have clock in his home since only elite have enough for one. But here, they sell clocks this one has never seen before! For so little, look how small it is! It can fit on wrist! She knows this will make Ansel feel like elite, yes." She grinned as she reminisced, not seeming to realize she was doing this.

She dug back in her bag, putting the watch back and taking out various packaged snacks. Seeming exictied to share with someone the things she's discovered. "And this one got different foods for Leyanin, he enjoys food and this one knows he has never seen foods like these. She cannot wait to have him try. Especially this one." She points to a black pouch labeled 'Pop Rocks!' "They explode in mouth! Yet it does not hurt! This one cannot wait to show to them" She exclaims with a giddy smile. While she was homesick for her familiar lands, she seemed to have found excitement in the things she discovered here. Like she was on a vacation.

Edited 2016-06-07 03:21 (UTC)

Felix glances curiously at the scar she bears, though he doesn’t ask about it yet. There’ll be time for that, he hopes.

If she’s trapped here, at least she’s making the most of it. Her enthusiasm has him smiling again despite his caution. “Oh, yes. The devices here are fantastic. And so is the food- at least the kind meant for humans. Have you tried the pizza yet? Or the bubbly drinks?” If she likes the popping rock candies, those ought to be right up her alley.

If Felix was extra observant, he may have notice a fainter scar that ran diagonally across the Skin-Walker's forehead.

She gave him an excitable nod as he praised the technology of this place. Glad to find someone who shared a similar fascination. She tilted her head at the mention of 'pizza' and 'bubbly drinks'. "This one has not tried them yet, what are they like?" She has probably seen the food and drinks before, just couldn't remember them. Since coming to this world she has tried to be very stingy with her money. Not wanting to spend all her money on goodies here, then return home with nothing.

He's really going to have to ask about those scars, once he's confident he has her trust. Wouldn't want to offend his new friend too quickly by publicly asking about something sensitive.

"The pizza is quite simple, actually - it's a sort of flat bread cooked with sauces and all kinds of meat and vegetables spread over the top. And the drinks... I think I'll simply have to buy you one. But both are very good," he promises. He's not going to spoil the surprise with the drinks.

Kasa pulled up her legs to sit cross legged; Resting her elbows on her knees as she listened with interest. Unaware of his apparent stares to the small fraction of old scars that where visible on her person.

She moves her hand to rest on her stomach as he describes 'pizza'. She licks her lips with interest. "Mm...Sound very good yes." She says, pausing to hear his description of the 'bubbly drinks'. Which...She would assume are bubbly. But he decides rather than telling her, he'd buy her one. She looks to him with a spark of happiness. "Fehlix will buy this one drink?" She asked excitedly. Happy to share an experience with a new-found friend.

Some things you have to experience for yourself, right? She still has more warning than he did before he got a noseful of fizzing bubbles.

"Of course! Consider it thanks for taking me along to hunt. I try to be a good guest, for all my faults."

Kasa chuckled as she let herself lay back in her seat ever-so casually. "Felix has been wonderful to speak to. She is happy to invite him on hunt." Her head tilted to the side somewhat with curiosity as she looked at him. "Speak of which, when would Felix like to join this one?"

Speak With This One?

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