nexus_crossings | how long has it been

how long has it been

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."

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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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

Adia giggles at Hunter's remark on trade agreements. "Yes, that you do. That's the great thing about having some real world experience."

"Yes, one of his children. What's Zunar like? Ana is very friendly, but she's not as rambunctious as Tiber." Anastasia rubs against Hunter's leg, then spots a bit of fluff by one of the nearby couches and bounds over to it to investigate. "Most of the time, anyway."

It shows how easily Adia has always accepted Hunter's appearance and demeanor, that she looks genuinely confused for a moment by his remark. Then she remembers his struggles with self-acceptance, in particular the memories that Sterope showed her and Jim in the Observatory. It was still hard for her to believe that Hunter was ever so arrogant and superficial, but she knows how powerful a journey of self-acceptance can be.

"I think you always had it within you to change, but the Nexus does have a powerful way of speeding those changes along."

"He can be very rambunctious. But at the same time... it is almost like he knows he is the first Kneazle on a space mission or something. He is just very intelligent and can be quite dignified at times." Hunter chuckles as Ana bounds over to investigate the bit of fluff.

"I found so much inspiration here for my art too. And of course Jim.... even though it is hard not to have a lot of time to spend with him, since he can't go missing off the ship for too long."

"He is bonded to Jim, so that makes sense." She watches Ana with a soft smile. "I can't read her mind or anything like that, but I understand her so well at times. I'll always be grateful to Hermione and Crookshanks for introducing her into our lives."

She draws her gaze back up to Hunter. "I remember what that was like," she says with a soft sigh. "Not being able to leave my ship for long, I mean. And I was only a researcher, he's the captain. How's he doing, by the way?"

"He has a lot of people to be responsible for. And the mission they are on keeps him busy. We find ways to talk to each other. But it is still hard not being with him."

"But I can't just show up on the ship..."

"Yeah, that's hard. I've never tried having a long-distance relationship." She'd make it work with Caspar, somehow, but she knows that they both would be miserable about it. "I guess that's even more incentive to be assigned to his ship."

"It will be definitely a challenge. Because even if I am assigned to his ship, there will that line of being crew, and being his boyfriend, that we would have to respect."

"So long as it's allowed, I think you'll both find a way to make it work. But yeah, that is a challenge. You can't expect any sort of preferential treatment... what's your area of study currently?"

"Diplomacy. Also cultural artifacts. Made the most of my interest in art." He smiled.

Adia returns the smile, pleasantly surprised. "Oh, wow, that's really neat. Are you getting to see examples of art in alien culture?"

"I am. It is really interesting."

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how long has it been

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