how long has it been

[losthunter]

It has been quite a few months since Hunter was last seen around the Nexus. His Starfleet studies have kept the tattooed man quite busy in that time. And with exams now out of the way, he needed to get back to a place that felt like home. To see the friends that he missed. And of course, distract himself from still being somewhat separated from his boyfriend.

Hunter sets up an artist pedestal, and places a white canvas on it.

"I have had an interesting time in the past while... learning about peacekeeping and diplomacy efforts. And having the chance to interact with other species from other worlds."

"It makes me realize the opportunity that the Nexus gives us... to learn from other worlds and cultures and species. And to give and get advice from those who visit this place."

"Who have you met that meant the most to you?" Hunter asks his question. "Also... I am accepting commissions again. So if you have someone in mind that you want a drawing off... let me know."

Comments

[yipyipmartians]

Talk of learning has drawn the attention of two fuzzy, friendly aliens. The yip-yips approach Hunter in their strange hovering way, observing Hunter himself and his artist's canvas.

"Yip yip yip yip. Hello." Blue waves a felty blue tentacle in greeting to the stranger. "Earth person. Art?" It doesn't need the Nexus book to identify art, though it doesn't know what kind of art Hunter is going to make. What they do know about Earth art, and probably Nexus art, too, is that there are many different kinds They intend to hang around a while to see.

"Hello," says Pink, coming to join Blue as it observes Hunter. "Art. Uh-huh. Yip yip yip."

[losthunter]

Just when you think you have figured out the Nexus.... two fuzzy, friendly hovering aliens comes towards you.

"I am an Artist. This isn't art yet..." Hunter gestures to the blank canvas.

[yipyipmartians]

"Artist. Uh-huh. Yip yip yip yip."

The Martians look from the canvas to Hunter. So, he's an artist, and he's going to make art.

"Blue," says the blue Martian to introduce itself, then points to the pink one. "Pink. From Mars. Visit Nexus. Learn. Yip yip yip."

[losthunter]

"I am Hunter. Have you been learning a lot about the Nexus?"

[yipyipmartians]

"Hun-ter. Hello! Greetings!" The Martians excitedly float up and down. "Uh-huh. Learning a lot in the Nexus." They show Hunter the Nexus Book they were given with clear pride.

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

"Her name was Natasha Romanoff." The answer comes from a young man in a suit, his eyes hidden by wine-red glasses, a white cane in his hands. Matt Murdock has little need for drawings and paintings, despite the cover story he'd once used to fish for information in an art gallery, but the question is one that seems like it's important to answer.

"I didn't know her long, but she was a kindred soul, of sorts. She always seemed to know the right thing to say or do, and she was handy in a fight in a way I've rarely seen before. More than that, she cared about people more than herself."

[losthunter]

"I knew Natasha." Hunter acknowledges softly. "She really had that special quality about her. That she just could understand me, better than others did."

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

"I'm glad she was with us during the winter," Matt admits freely, and figures he has little need to specify which winter he means. "I miss her, but I know that she's gone on to a better place, saving people to the last."

[losthunter]

"She truly stood by my side during a difficult time for me. I am sorry I wasn't around to say my goodbyes."

"But it totally sounds like her. Saving lives."

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

"Me too." Matt hadn't known what had happened until Thor had arrived to deliver the news, and pass on Natasha's energy batons to Matt in accordance with her final wishes. Part of him wishes he'd been there to help fight, but another part of him knows that it's probably for the better that he hadn't been.

Matt smiles a little in Hunter's direction, sad but at peace about it. "I'm Matt Murdock."

[outpostcook]

"Furiosa," Kinner says, a little shyly. "She saved my life in winter when one of those people out in the Wilds knocked me off the convoy. Bravest thing I ever saw, and I'd have been..." He swallows hard. "If she hadn't pulled me back. She's a brave fighter and I figured I oughta give her somethin' as a thank-you. She's...important to me. A good friend and someone real useful to have by your side in a fight."

It's been a while since Kinner saw Furiosa, but he wonders sometimes about what's going on in her world and whether the fish are okay. How her people are doing. He misses her.

[losthunter]

"I could draw something for her, if you were looking for a gift to give her. Something that shows how much you are thankful. You could even help... if you wanted."

[outpostcook]

"Yeah...I'd like that." Kinner smiles in approval when he's given the idea. "I'd be happy to help. After all, it was my idea, and I figure I could use some brainstormin on what to draw. I've got a few thoughts."

[losthunter]

"Let's start with your thoughts. I can help with the base... but for the gift to come from you... you should do as much as you can."

[outpostcook]

"I was thinkin' a painting of her, if that would be possible. Have you met her in person? If not that, maybe some kinda handcrafted gift."

[tryingitall]

The sight of a canvas set up in the sunshine draws an angel out of the woodwork. Balthazar watches from a distance for a moment or two, then feels a frantic tug on his attention from the inside. Levi wants out.

His vessel asks for so little, and gives so much in return. He supposes it's natural that an artist would get excited to see another artist. He nips into a nearby shop and grab a couple bottles of water, then quietly turns over the body he shares to the human that was born into it.

Levi looks around with wide blue eyes and breaks into a little grin, briefly exhilarated by the opportunity to be out and about. He approaches Hunter a bit shyly, but with a look of genuine friendliness, and offers him one of the unopened bottles. "Morning! What's your medium? I used to do oils but there are so many paints available these days, it's lovely. I just got some shimmery acrylics and I don't know what to do with them but they're gorgeous."

He comes across as very enthusiastic, and very-probably-gay.

[losthunter]

Hunter is a little surprised to see the offered bottle of water. And smiles as he takes it. Immediately he knows he is speaking with another artist.

"When I do portraits, I prefer penciled crayons. But I also dabble in acrylics for landscapes and have introduced rose petals into my work for my abstract pieces."

"I also started creating metal jewelry and have my own pottery studio."

"I am a man of many mediums at times." He chuckles.

[tryingitall]

Takes one to know one, perhaps? Levi has only barely registered the marks and tattoos on Hunter, oddly enough. He's too pleasantly caught up in the idea of comparing notes.

"I used to do portraits in charcoal," he says thoughtfully. "Rose petals though, really? Do you dry them first? It sounds lovely but I imagine it could be messy if they decomposed on the surface of the painting..."

Which would be meaningful and artistic in its own way, but a bit more ephemeral than preserving them first would be. "I've never turned pottery on a wheel, but I've done some sculpting in clay. I'd love to give glassblowing a shot sometime."

"...sorry, I got excited there. I'm Levi, charmed to meet you." He offers a handshake.

[losthunter]

"I actually soak the rose petals in an acrylic paint, a little embalming fluid and rose water solution, so they don't decompose on the surface. Or I use them in my jewelry itself too."

Hunter extends his hand and smiles. "I am Hunter."

[tryingitall]

"Embalming fluid? That's terribly Gothic," he muses. "Not in a bad way; I just never thought of it myself. I used to to a lot of murals. I don't think anyone would have noticed if I'd sneaked in a petal or two."

His handclasp is firm. "Hello, Hunter! I'm afraid I'm a bit new to the place. I take it you've been visiting the Nexus for a while?"

[chiron_survivor]

The change in seasons has already put Adia into a good mood, but the smile on her face brightens significantly when she sees Hunter. She heads over, but she isn't alone -- there is a small orange tabby accompanying her, trotting at her heels.

"Hi, Hunter. How are things going at the academy?" Gosh, it feels like it's been forever since she's seen him. "That's a tough question, I've met so many people here who matter to me, and I'm definitely a better person for it." Although the talk of diplomacy does bring her mind down a specific path...

"I guess... well, I haven't seen him in years, but one of the first people I met in the Nexus was a robot. This was -- well, it was right after the second Cylon war started, so my fear of any artificial lifeforms was through the roof. His patience with me helped me a lot... I don't think I would have been able to handle everything that happened as well as I did if not for our friendship."

[losthunter]

"Things are going good. It shouldn't be long before I will be able to get my own assignments. Maybe apply to be on Jim's ship once it returns."

"That is really interesting. That you met someone who helped you face those fears."

[chiron_survivor]

"That's fantastic. What sorts of assignments do they start you off on?" She glances at the blank canvas in front of him and smiles. "I'm glad to hear that you continue to have time for your art."

The tabby next to Adia meows and sniffs at Hunter's shoes. "Oh, sorry. Hunter, this is Anastasia, Zunar's sister. Caspar is finally more comfortable with letting her accompany us in the Nexus. He's very protective of her..." She looks down at Ana and smiles wryly. "Although to be fair, she had a bad habit of getting into places she wasn't supposed to when she was a kitten."

She crosses her arms around herself loosely, expression thoughtful. "I think the Nexus is good for that. You inevitably meet others that are different from you, sometimes even in a frightening way, but then you learn that you have something in common with them... and that helps." She sighs softly. "Oceanglide was from a war-torn world, just as I was. Opposing factions trying their best to get along. When some of the Cylons rebelled and needed to work with us, I took the lessons he taught me to heart. I wish he still visited the Nexus... I think he'd be happy to know that things worked out as well as they did."

[losthunter]

"Well there were a lot of different classes. And I had to adjust to using technology I have never seen before. But when it comes to diplomacy and trade agreements, at least I know how to make a fair deal for both sides." Hunter grins.

Hunter grins down at the kitty. "Ah. One of Crookshanks kittens? I took care of him for a while for Hermione. And of course Zunar is all over me whenever I do visit Jim."

"I really accepted myself for who I am and what happened to me, due to the great friendships I made in the Nexus. I really can't imagine how things would have turned out if things had gone differently."

Ki ki ki, ma ma ma!

[mrhix]

Jason stomps over to the painting eisil and slashes it to splinters with his machete.

There is no declaration, no blustering, only him and the look of murderous intent on his face as he now sees nothing but a victim in front of him.

A being he has declared worthy of his full attentions.

This place had denied him everything so far but he was not one to surrender and he had all the endless eons to find ways around the Nexus' mysterious ability to stop him.
He did take some satisfaction, small though it was, in the knowledge that objects were under no such protection.

If he had to tear this place down board by board then he would.