Refocusing

[heirtothedragonsfire]

This time last year everyone was struggling to survive. This time last year she was getting an in-depth tour of the centre of the Nexus as reports came to her, sending her from one emergency to another. Last year most of her friends came out alive. They seem to have slowly been claimed by the Fates one at a time. Even now she waits to find out whether yet another close friend has been lost to warfare on his world. This time last year she was surrounded by danger, but she never felt as helpless as she did now. 

She was sick of it. Sick of being told what she couldn't do. 

Sitting with a coffee at a table in the Nexus, the air in a warm bubble around her (which explains how relaxed she is in a metal chair surrounded by snow), she decides to turn her attention to what she can do. To what she could do. Endless possibilities in a multiverse of endless possibilities.

With her deep red coat coming down as far as the skirt which stops past her knees, her crossed legs and her hair tied back without a strand out of place, her demeanour is still more that of a businesswoman than casual passer-by. Then again, when is Isidor Durant not on duty? 

Tilting her chin up and arching a sculpted eyebrow, she asks, "What are you in a relatively unique position to do?"

Comments

[turningcolors]

Gloved fingers fastidiously brush snow off of the empty seat across from Isidor. The woman who has stopped to heed Isidor's questioning can barely be identified from any other so bundled is she for being out in this weather. Her thigh length double-breasted pea coat is a particularly striking shade of roasted pumpkin in color, almost matching the stray bits of her hair that peak out from underneath her brown knit cap when she settles into the seat and adjusts her scarf so that it's no longer covering her mouth. Only her wind chapped cheeks offer any real color to her otherwise pale complexion.

Hazel exhales in a soft cloud of frosty air before looking Isidor Durant over.

"At present? If the weather turns worse I'll be able to get home safely. Though perhaps not in as much comfort as yourself." The corner of her mouth ticks upward ever so slightly.

"Does it take much out of you, to heat the air constantly?"

[heirtothedragonsfire]

There's something about the way the woman so calmly and comfortably takes the seat across from Isidor. As though they were friends who happened to come across each other and strike up a conversation.

"Doesn't that depend on how much worse the weather gets?" It's asked playfully, but there's a concern motivating her question. So many people were caught out last year. So many people thought they could get home only to find they couldn't.

Returning the stranger's smile, Isidor shakes her head gently. "Have you run before? There are techniques for a marathon, and tricks for a sprint. The same action with different approaches. Passive magic is a marathon. It's more trouble to start and stop big bursts of warmth than it is to keep an even, steady temperature."

[turningcolors]

There's a spark of life in the pale woman's green eyes. Approval perhaps. Amusement? Something positive at least. Already sitting still brings a nip to the air but it's nothing to concern herself about just yet. Hazel has dressed more than appropriately for her outing. Isidor's point is a fair one.

Not everyone forgets so easily, after all.

"I've come prepared, but your point is a good. I shouldn't linger here overlong." Even if she has less to worry about than most, not even Hazel is immune to the dangers. This isn't her season after all.

She doesn't bother to answer the question at the onset. It's rhetorical, for one. For two, Hazel is far more interested in the point Isidor is making rather than getting a word in. It's strange to see a human with magic. Stranger still for it to be so permanently bound to the wielder. As accustomed as the spirit is with her lot in life it's impossible not to wonder what it must be like when faced with the infinite possibility of the Nexus.

"But not simple." Hazel instead prompts. "It sounds as though it would require quite a deal of finesse and control."

[attackpatternbattista]

This time last year, Delia was showing everyone around her that there was a different side to the seemingly flirty, easygoing Orion. People, friends and new alike, got to see why she was conscripted by the Klingons. She was working intelligence, tactics. Taking notes, presenting reports on movement of friend and foe alike, to say nothing of helping with the convoy.

Today, however, she's much more like people know her. She appears relaxed. At ease with her surroundings enough to be tapping entries into a datapad as she's walking past when Isidor catches her attention.

Not having any magical skill to contend with the cold (and not being terribly fond of it by nature of genetics and living on starships most of her life besides), Delia's wearing a longcoat with a sweatshirt beneath, loose pants, and light leather boots.

"I suppose that depends on what you're asking, dear." Delia replies, tapping a command into the datapad, which beeps almost cheerily before powering off, allowing her to put it away in the heavy leather bag she's got slung over her shoulder. "I have a rather diverse set of skills, and access to a great deal of different things."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Being the self-appointed 'woman in charge' last year, and a frequenter of the Nexus, Isidor does recognise Delia. They haven't had much chance to interact, but she remembers the woman in charge of one of their scout parties. It wasn't a job to be taken lightly, and anyone who took on such a dangerous task gets respect from Isidor as a matter of course.

'Dear', though. That gets a raised eyebrow and a bemused quirk of her lips. "I'm asking what you have the advantage in. Socially, physically, philosophically." She shrugs and takes a sip of her coffee. "I'm not going to disapprove of something just because it's not in the right category. Whatever way you have a unique advantage or position or ability or perspective, I'd like to hear it."

[attackpatternbattista]

It's not hard to recognize her, either. The deep green skin and eyepatch together make her somewhat visually distinct as well. Delia tends to be of the mind that she won't send anyone on a task that she herself won't do. And there's plenty that she will do herself before sending anyone else.

The raises eyebrow and lip quirk earn a brief flash of a smile before her expression returns to being thoughtful as she moves to claim the seat across from Isidor, shrugging the bag off of her shoulder to set it down next to the chair, which she settles in easily, leaning back and crossing her legs.

Regardless of wherever she may be, Delia carries herself like a woman who's always in her element. One might compare her to a cat, in that sense. That said, Isidor is also likely observant enough to know that this is merely the surface. Delia's good eye is sharp. Constantly taking in details, making mental notes, keeping up with what's going on and similarly observing Isidor right back. Delia, incidentally, remembers her, and recalls seeing her briefly a few times at Kirk's wedding, as well, "There might not be any wrong answers, but sometimes it pays to ask to try to... narrow things down a little, since my skillset is kind of broad."

Then Delia taps her chin thoughtfully with a gloved finger as her eye narrows in thought, "But to give something of an idea, I'm a privateer in the employ of one of the greater powers in my reality, the Klingon Empire. But that's not all I do. I negotiate trade, a little bit of diplomacy since I've got the flair for it," and a much softer hand at it than your typical Klingon, although Delia doesn't directly state this, "I've also got skills in tactics, and you can pretty much drop me in the pilot seat of anything designed for a humanoid and I'll be able to fly-or-drive it for you within minutes. I'm also trained, both self and formally, in combat on the ground. Hand to hand and a number of weapons, although I tend to prefer using rifles, since it's usually just faster and smarter that way."

[dennis_murdoc]

"I can tell you what it's like to grow up believing your son is your older brother."

Dennis grins, his gaze intense and a bit creepy, but there should be a sense of truth about him. He's not lying, after all.

[heirtothedragonsfire]

"That is quite a unique experience," Isidor admits, a bit apprehensively as she tries to gauge the motivation behind the intense stare. "Would you say it's given you a very different perspective?"

[dennis_murdoc]

"Yes, one I'm not quite sure what to do with," Dennis admits, shrugging and giving a rueful laugh. "It's a bit awkward, to be honest, especially when he gets mad at me."

[iwillcatchup]

Peter is out and about in the Nexus, just trying to distract his mind from a million different thoughts. He is a little restless these days. But it really is due to the fact that he had kept himself to one place for all this time.

The question the woman asks catches his interest. And he frowns for a moment.

"After what I have seen since coming here... I wouldn't call anything I can do unique. Seems there is always a person who can do the same thing. Or something similar."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

"That is why I used the word 'relatively'," she says and takes a sip of her coffee.

[chiaro_oscuro]

Isidor isn't the only one interested in a cup of coffee.

The man once known as Kylo Ren found himself a chair and table and fit himself in it as best he can. He has a cup of his own beside him, one of the ways he's trying to calm his nerves here, and sips as he looks over the place. He listens to Isidor's question with some interest, deciding whether or not to answer it. Ben's been consciously trying not to draw too much attention to himself in the short time he's been here, but the question has his interest.

"Think," he says quietly, setting his mug down. "I have all the time and space I need to find peace here. With myself, with my past, maybe even find a future. Didn't think I had a future - don't deserve one." He doesn't go into detail, though Ben's body language and the way he avoids her eyes as he talks suggests guilt and shame. "Maybe I can do something useful with myself in this place, though I'm not sure what. But I need to think first."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Guilt and shame are her brother's forte. It's impossible not to recognise them, but she doesn't make any indication that she does. Remaining unwaveringly steady and confident is what she does.

Besides, a stranger, guilty or dangerous or not, doesn't pose a threat until they do. And until they do she isn't concerned. Otherwise she'd be avoiding half the Nexus. Or keeping her brother away from it, at least.

"That's one of the best uses for this place I've heard." Though her voice rises up a notch in wry amusement, she genuinely means it. "It's a good space to contemplate free of material ties. I hadn't thought of it that way before..."

"So." She sits back into her seat and folds her hands across her stomach. "Are you planning to think like a poet or like a pilgrim? Stay holed up in one spot or go searching for your enlightenment?"

[silverseamariner]

"Well, miss, that is a good question." skekSa the Mariner is a rare sight in the inhabited Nexus - she prefers the freedom of the Wilds - but even a pirate captain needs a cup of coffee every once in a while. "I'll put it this way - there are people in my home world I would rather avoid."

She can't stay away from her world indefinitely. As the Sifa clan's Captain and patron, her presence is necessary back in Thra, but the chance to get away from Emperor skekSo and his demands is worth it. She's spent more time here, though unfortunately she hasn't found a way to bring Vassa with her. Still, there is no shortage of places to see here.

"There's boundless land to explore here, a wonder for an old salt like myself." skekSa laughs, a birdlike, trilling sound, her blue feathers flaring up. "No Emperor, no tithes to the Castle, no rules. The Nexus is a paradise for someone like me. I am in a position to do what I've wanted to do for hundreds of trine - explore freely."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

After so long in the Nexus, Isidor has seen people of all shapes and sizes. That doesn't stop her from needing a moment to wrap her head around the foreign beings she finds herself speaking to. It's lucky then that this stranger takes time in giving her answer.

That also means that Isidor can take her time in replying in return. "Freedom is a beautiful thing," she says softly, slipping into thought as she catches a feeling slipping through her mind.

"Does it feel like freedom? Does it feel like you're free when there's nothing here for you to escape? With no castles or emperors, freedom is the status quo. Does it feel the same as freedom in a world where others are chained to obligations or social structures?"

[pathfromdarknesstogrey]

Clad in warmer, black, loose robes, with her lightsabers at her hips, Dia'ndria Starfall is definitely someone who tends to stand out in a crowd, when she's not trying to hide herself.

"I suppose that depends on whether or not you're asking for an Assassin." Isidor apparently caught her attention with an intriguing question. "Because that's largely what my 'unique' skillset is."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

"I'm asking for everyone," Isidor replies simply. Despite her casual reaction, she does lift her chin ever so slightly. It's convenient when someone identifies themselves as a potential threat, but that's no reason to assume they aren't dangerous. Some people can afford to be bold.

"Even among assassins there are those who are in better positions than others to do unique things."

[hyrokkinson]

"Usurp a kingdom, perhaps. Which I did. Well, it was mine by right, so is that still usurping? I wouldn't know. Maybe I can go and conquer a few more, to see what's the difference. Because I'm no longer alone now. My younger brother is with me, and one slightly older idiot that I met elsewhere, in Asgard. He's not my brother, that one, but he's so stupid he might as well be."

Hmm...

"But that's about the past. Right now, unique possition, ey? I guess I coulda be in a unique position to ask what brought"

He now sips his own coffee in the meantime, not caring if that's rude.

"What brought such a trifling question on."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Maybe it's in her genes, or maybe it's practice, but Isidor does a wonderful job of slowly raising an eyebrow and staring, still as a statue, while a familiar face speaks in an unfamiliar way.

Silence sits between them for a full minute before she ruins her statuesque illusion.

"Only the vacuous hear a question and think it trifling."

Then it's her turn to stop and take a slow sip of her coffee, taking her sweet time in setting it down again.

"I was curious how people defined themselves in a place like this," she says finally. "In a place where anyone could potentially find another version of themselves, or be surrounded by people far more skilled than them in their best talent. For instance, I've met one of your alternates before. To hear what you consider special about yourself is..." Her eyes flit over him and she put on a vacant smile. "Enlightening."

[pirateangelbaby]

Compared to the brisk chill of arctic Norway, the cold here in the Plaza doesn't seem quite so bad. Nevertheless, Thor is dressed warmly against the weather's bite, knit cap pulled down over braided hair, gloved hands hidden in his coat pockets - though he feels a little silly wearing one on his prosthetic hand, whose fingers fear no frostbite. He wears no scarf, his long beard more than enough to keep his neck warm, and his boots look fit for cold weather hiking though they're new enough it's doubtful they've seen any such thing.

No specific errand has brought him to the Nexus today. Just the usual lethargy that his therapist - who he's begun seeing at Eir's insistence only - insists he should fight by getting out and about, no matter how little he wants to. What's worse is it seems to work, to an extent.

The question that reaches his ears sounds like the sort of thing the Midgardian doctor would say, as well. Framing his people's misfortune in such a way that he's forced to think about more positive aspects of their plight, in terms of what they stand to gain rather than constant measuring against what they've lost. He stops, turning toward her, a thoughtful look in his good eye as he mulls that over. "Building a future for my people, I suppose. Not that they aren't helping or anything. But I guess I'm the one who... is going to have to shape it."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Excuse the narrowed eyes. This is the look of Isidor recognising someone but not quite, and not knowing where from. Although she's visited Runa while she was working in her charity, the patron never hung around too long. But he looks like he belongs around Runa, as one of her brothers-in-law if not hanging around asking for help. It's on the tip of her tongue and it's driving her mad!

And then he stops and speaks, banishing that frown with his answer. She knows exactly who he is, though he's not looking much like himself. Or, perhaps, his old self?

"Leadership is a special kind of burden, but an incredibly necessary one." She eyes him over slowly. "Would you hand it over, if you had the chance? You don't look very comfortable with your unique position."

[alittlehinky]

"G'morning, Miss Durant." Cricket looks less timid about her than he did last year, notably so. He approaches with his usual rocking limp, but he seems to have some boots manufactured to fit his leg braces, and that, too, is a sight better than this time last Winter.

"You mean here in the Nexus, or just in general, as a person? Because I ain't nothin' special as a person, but in the Nexus, seems like that's unique in and of itself."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

Now here's someone she hasn't seen in a while. Although she doesn't know him well, it doesn't take much to realise that Cricket's a steady sort of soul. What you see is what you get, and it's plain to see that he's a good man.

"Cricket." She grins. "Good morning."

"I'm not putting any restraints on the question. Here, in the Nexus, at home..." She hesitates, suddenly distracted by the coffee cup on the table for a minute before she looks at him again. "I... must admit, more than a few people were grateful for your unique, 'normal' experience last winter."

[desertdancer]

Khaishan didn't spend much time in the Nexus. Not with everything he had to do back home, everything on the line. But sometimes he needed a bell or two of time. Where it was just him without the pressure of everything he was expected to be. Where no one knew him, where he was just another face in the crowd instead of the repository of everyone's hopes.

So he was here, meandering slowly as he just enjoyed the moment, hands tucked in the pockets of his jacket. A slight limp, but an old ache was a small price to pay for some quiet time.

Which meant the sudden warmth as he drifted past a table brought him up short in time to hear that question, glowing gaze flicking towards the woman, spaded tail flicking behind him.

"Take a bad situation and make it worse." Would he have said as much if he were back home, even in private? No. It would destroy morale if people heard him talk like that. "And I'm not entirely sure what to do about it."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

The tail catches her eye first and then the answer. It's hard not to smirk at the reply, but she twists her mouth into a more neutral expression. Best not to accidentally offend a stranger too quickly.

"How do you manage that?"