What's this???

[burlapbibliothecary]

The sky was brighter than 3 had ever seen. It was likely dumb luck that they hadn't been stepped on as they just stood staring up dumbfounded, given the little doll-creature stood maybe six inches at best. It was so blue! They had seen paintings that showed the color but there was something different in the color of fading, weather-cracked paints and the real thing. They likely would have stood there all day, lens-like eyes flickering as they cataloged the sky, the clouds that drifted across, the birds, the change of color as day shifted to evening, then to night-

But the little doll was distracted by someone walking a bit too close for comfort, sending them scurrying for the cover offered by a nearby bench, nonexistent heart in their throat as they stopped to watch with no small amount of amazement as people were passing through the plaza.

They should be cautious. They should avoid people they should find somewhere safe to hide. That would be the thing 1 would want them to do, the thing that he claimed was the smart thing to do.

They were very bad at doing what 1 said though.

They spent the next hour or so just skittering along paths and around corners, staying close to walls and fences to help keep out from underfoot as they just watched the people and animals that moved through this strange new place. Another half an hour spent following the progress of a ladybug through a bush.

It took some time to get up the courage to actually approach anyone, but curiosity over something near them that was just out of the little stitchpunk's field of vision encouraged them to creep close enough to reach out, and whoever they'd happened to come across would feel a light tug against their pant leg. If they happened to look they'd see the little doll creature offering a uncertain little grin and wave by way of greeting, before their gaze skipped towards the object of their curiosity, a little hop and point that they hoped got their point across following.

They want to see! Help them up?

Did they know what they were trying to get a better look at? Nope! Hope it's not someone's lunch, because this was one little stitchpunk who did't ascribe to the wisdom of 'look don't touch.'

Comments

[yipyipmartians]

The Martians have never seen a creature like this before. Its frame is like an Earth person's, very vaguely, but it's not made of the things Earth people are. They're curious, approaching and shivering with excitement. They like this little whatever-it-is already. A kindred spirit.

"Hello!" says Pink, waving. "Greetings! Welcome! Nexus. Yip-yips." It points a tentacle at itself and then Blue.

The strange little creature seems friendly, and it's not often that they run into somebody closer to their size. The Martians flip through their Nexus book to find out what kind of animal or person 3 is. Not like anything they've encountered before. Some kind of...living doll? That's not something they've seen on Sesame Street, or on Mars. And there are a lot of strange people there.

"Ooooh," says Blue, reaching out to gently poke the little person with a velvety tentacle. "Doll. Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh. Doll! Alive! Yip yip yip."

[burlapbibliothecary]

3 had no idea what they were. But they were so very brightly colored that it brought a beaming smile to their face, eye-lenses already flickering a bit as they skittered around them in eager curiosity.

Stopping abruptly when spoken to, straightening to give them an enthusiastic wave in return. Yip-Yips? They'd never heard of those. But that one was called Blue. 3 tapped the number printed on their chest, hoping the strange creatures would get the idea.

And if their curiosity just amped up another few hundred percent, well that book was definitely something they wanted to look at. Maybe they would let the little doll take a peek?

But the stitchpunk was absolutely distracted from that by Blue's assessment, nodding their agreement enthusiastically. Hope you didn't need that tentacle for a few moments there Blue, because 3 would be grasping it to study curiously, gently turning and bending it before indulging in just flinging tiny arms around it to hug. Rash perhaps, but apparently Yip-Yips were soft. Softer than anything that 3 had ever seen in person and well they couldn't help themselves.

[yipyipmartians]

"Number. Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh. Three?"

"Three. Yep. Uh-huh. Number three. Hello, Three. Welcome!"

The yip-yips are initially startled when the strange creature's eyes glow. What kind of person is this? Because they're clearly a person, and they're curious. Blue doesn't mind their tentacle being grabbed, or the hug. They're very huggy creatures themselves, and they're happy to meet a kindred spirit. Pink watches with first confusion then happiness and excitement. The strange creature's friendly. The yip-yips quiver, thrilled at the experience.

"Three? Friend?" It doesn't take long for Pink to decide that the odd doll was being friendly, so they return the favor. And for two creatures interested in knowledge, the Martians have an idea of what they can do for 3 as a welcome.

"Book." Blue puts down the Nexus book in front of 3. "Nexus book. Yip yip yip yip. Borrow. Study. Learn?" It contains information on all the creatures and people who live in the Nexus, so they think 3 will definitely want to take a look at it.

[burlapbibliothecary]

Oh Yip-Yips. You know the way to 3's heart is absolutely through sharing your book. They were already nodding in agreement at the idea of being friends- they knew what that was! Friends were good! But the offer of the book just had the little stitchpunk literally dancing in delighted excitement, metal fingers reaching to gently touch the cover, eyes already click-clicking away as they pulled the book open, eager to see just what it was about.

And really that it was about seemingly everything? Well clearly these Yip-Yips were 3's sort of people. Aliens? Whatever, they were friends and they were nice and shared books so they were good in 3's mind.

[yipyipmartians]

"Nexus book! Astaroth gave it to us!" Blue explains the book some to 3. "It has all the animals in the Nexus in it. All the people, too!" The book's been one of the most valuable things they have here. By magic, a page mentioning 3, with a picture of them, appeared on one of the pages in the book. The Martians are impressed by how quickly Astaroth's magic worked. Clearly the angel's power is very strong. They're glad he's their friend!

The Martians allow 3 to handle the book. He's a friend, and friends share things with each other. So they're happy to allow the nice little doll to poke around it. There's a lot to learn. They'll probably be busy for a while.

[thewiselion]

It was no pant leg that got tugged... it was the leg of a large creature. Aslan, the Great Lion, looked down at the little doll with interest. And lowered his head slightly...

"You wish to be higher? Climb aboard young one..."

[burlapbibliothecary]

Oh.

Oh that was a lion. But seeing them in a book did not prepare 3 for seeing one in person, the stitchpunk skittering back a step or two in surprise before it also hit them that the lion?

Was talking.

The books didn't say they could talk!

And they weren't about to look a gift-horse (gift-lion?) in the mouth- the offer of a lift up had them nodding their agreement, creeping closer to climb up, the fur offering plenty of hand-holds for the enterprising climber. And if they stopped a couple times to watch the way light washed over fur, or the way the fur fluffed under metal fingers, well this was all very new to them.

[thewiselion]

Aslan waited patiently as the young doll climbed his mane. His fur was exceptionally soft. And it radiated a sense of calmness and peace.

"If you are unable to speak... just allow me to sense your thoughts, little one."

[burlapbibliothecary]

As tiny as they were, they literally disappeared in his mane at one point before they managed to poke their head out again, face scrunching with thought at the concept that the lion offered.

I didn't know lions could read thoughts! Or that they could talk none of the books said anything about talking, or that they might live in cities around people is that because you're a special lion? Are all lions as soft as you are? I'm 3 do you have a name? Do lions have names or do they have some other way of telling each other apart, some birds I read about use different bird calls to-

Welcome to the train of thought of a overenthusiastic stitchpunk, Aslan.

[thewiselion]

"I am a special Lion. My name is Aslan. King of the Beasts." Aslan sits still so that 3 can get his bearings first.

"I can communicate with all animals and all birds. So yes... we do have a way of telling ech other apart."

[scavengingsackdoll]

2 hasn't been in the Nexus for long at all. Like 3, his instincts are to keep out of sight, though he's curious. There are humans here, living humans, and so many strange objects and materials to tinker with. Still, he's used to keeping out of sight. Since there's no sign of dangers, though, he's started to venture into the open a little more

He's relieved to see a familiar face, though. One of the twins, from the look of it, somehow separated from the other and wandering through this odd place.

"3? You're here, too?"

[burlapbibliothecary]

That was a familiar form. A familiar face and a familiar voice, and 3 perked at the sound of it, freezing for a long moment as they watched 2, eyes shuttering and flashing a couple times almost like a startled blink before they seemed to shake off that surprise.

Hope 2 had his balance because 3 was just sprinting to fling themselves right at him, arms flying around him because 2, oh Scientist 2, they missed you so much-

[scavengingsackdoll]

2's glad to see them, too. He's wondered if there are other scientists here, because he might have services to offer - even if he's probably smaller than the other people they have on staff, there might be a place for a stitchpunk on something like the IRIS team, or in the observatory.

But he's too busy being bowled over by 3 to think about that too much. He returns the hug gratefully. "I missed you, too, 3. Sorry I didn't find you earlier. I was exploring this place - it's called the Nexus. Did you see the humans? There are so many of them! And the air is clear. Remarkable!"

[burlapbibliothecary]

3 is just going to cling tight to 2 and never let go. That's what's happening here, one hand skittering over burlap as if to check and make sure that their friend was alright, really okay, as they nodded their acceptance of the apology.

They had seen humans! There were so many! Also did you see the sky 2? Look at it! There's clouds and birds and it's so very blue! Don't mind 3 pointing enthusiastically at it to emphasize because it's Very Important that 2 sees how great the sky is.

[scavengingsackdoll]

2 looks up eagerly. There are, in fact, birds - and not all of those birds are modern Earth birds. Some of them are...odd-looking. But 2 knows things and people find their way here from all over the universe. Or universes, as the case may be.

"Maybe we'll get to meet some of those humans at some point. Won't that be incredible! So many humans - the world must've looked something like this once. Before the machines. There's so much to do here, so much to study and learn-"

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy hadn't been in the Nexus long so everything was still startling and of interest. There were so many things he had yet to see and experience, just in the humanoid beings. Today, he was out and about in an incredibly loud colored jumpsuit with his red guitar slung over his back. Though male, he appeared neither male or female to most. Tall, with bone white skin and near elfin features of high cheekbones and large blue eyes. All in contrast to his outrageously red hair and the golden disk of color on his forehead.

His presence as much as his appearance attracted attention. He's naturally magnetic and gives off a gentle acceptance in presence. It makes him approachable for even the most timid. He was staring curiously at a clothing display in a window trying to imagine just what kind of being would fit the attire. It seemed oddly proportioned.

His thoughts are interrupted by a brush to the leg. He's half expecting to see some stray cat, so his eyes are wide when he looks down at the being pulling on his clothing. A genuinely bright smile spreads in his features as he squats down to see the seemingly living doll a little better. Ziggy, himself is an alien, so he simply waves back to them before looking where they point. From all he can tell it is a flower pot on a table, maybe? The direction is rather a vague waving.

"You need help to get on the table?" His voice is soft and kind like his features.

[burlapbibliothecary]

3 had never seen a person like this in the books or films! Not even in the paintings that they knew could be imagination! He was so tall and brightly colored, and the smile turned the doll's way was kind enough that they didn't feel at all intimidated when the stranger crouched down to be more on their level. Or as close as one so tall could get

Their gaze flickered with a rapid little click-click-click- before they nodded enthusiastically in response to the question with a bright happy smile of their own.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy is delighted to see their smile and enthusiasm. "I can take you."

He lays out his hand near the ground for the little being to crawl into his hand. His fingers are longer than a human's and the skin cooler to the touch, if these beings can feel it. There's worry that the little, obviously sentient, being would get trampled by the people not paying attention. "You don't talk much?"

[burlapbibliothecary]

Oh! What a nice person!

The hand being settled near was obviously to climb into but 3 was distracted at first- they had no frame of reference for what an alive person's temperature was, but the springy skin and long fingers caught their attention, and they grasped one of Ziggy's fingertips lightly in their metal ones, gently bending it, eye lenses clicking away to capture the way the digit moved-

They were drawn from their examination by the question, peeking up with a sheepish grin as they remembered themselves- be polite before you go poking someone! and shook their head as they gingerly climbed up onto the offered palm.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Examining his hand 3 will discover his nails are polished in shimmery gold. There are also scars on the back of the hand; thin white lines with dots down either side where Ziggy had reconstructive surgery on his hand and wrist. The alien isn't perturbed at all by the inspection. The universe only knew how often he wanted to do the same with objects and people sometimes.

"I don't mind." He laughed warmly at the expression. "Everything here is strange."

[auspex_caelo]

The riffling of papers from the desk above and the small scratching sounds pause before Stratos leans over to see the tiny creature tugging at his sock.

"Ah... hello, there." The human man stares at him in astonishment - mage or not, some things he just isn't expecting when he sits down to work. Even in the Nexus, manning the Imperial Legion desk in front of their doorway is typically uneventful work. Still, the little doll's gesticulations get through to him after a few seconds, and his puzzled frown softens.

"Up here, is it?" He leaves his quill aside and reaches down carefully to offer the little fellow a hand up to the desk. He's making notes on a set of draft recruitment posters, just now: Have you got the brains for wizardry? The guts for battle? The Imperial Legion needs mages! and so forth, in big stylish letters.

[burlapbibliothecary]

Oh! A human!

They assume a human anyways. He looks like one! And more importantly he's an alive human! 3 can't help but be delighted at all of the life in this place- they'll have to bring their twin to see at some point.

The soft question was met with a smile and an enthusiastic nod, the hand climbed into, patted with careful but clearly excited curiosity as Stratos lifted the little doll up to the level of the desk.

The items aren't unfamiliar- 6 has many papers, and while his quilltip fingers are what he usually uses to draw, 3 has seen pictures of feather quills in their books too. Even has a couple hidden away in the library that they and their twin had made out of old scraggly pigeon feathers.

And unfortunately recruitment posters were a familiar thing as well, the little doll's 'brows' drawing slightly as they were studying the posters, worrying fingers together as they glanced from the posters to Stratos, uncertain.

[auspex_caelo]

With surprise out of the way, he's quite charmed by the little creature. Surely some type of magical construct, he would think, although he is of course biased. Stratos isn't too worried about letting his new acquaintance look at the various things laid out on the desk. He might have to intervene if 3 takes too much interest in the inkpot, but the doll seems fairly intelligent as he looks it all over.

"Ah, what's that?" he interprets, from the uneasy way the doll looks up at him. He's aware he might be a little intimidating in the segmented armor of his uniform, so the tribune softens his voice accordingly, leaning on the desk to point at the posters.

"I've been given a job to find people who know magic, to come and help my people," he explains. The little one's mannerisms (and really, his sweet demeanor) give him the impression of a child, even if that might be misleading. It seems best to explain that way. "These are messages we can put up so that wizards who want to help will know to come and find us."

[burlapbibliothecary]

Help. 3 understands helping. But they can't help but be worried still, trying to figure out how to explain what was causing their concern, hands wringing before them as they crept closer to one of the mockups, leaning across to reach out and brush fingers across the word 'battle' before drawing their hand back, peering up at Stratos with a concerned little pout.

They'd seen what comes of fighting and were very afraid suddenly for this human with the kind voice, as well as the humans in his home.

[andshesaid_i_amnotapuppet]

Lena pauses. Now, this is a slightly strange sight, even for her, and she's had to deal with Shadow Magic her whole life.

She looks down. Yeah. This really seems to be a doll of some sorts, a living one.

She might be a bit freaked out, but she's till curious. Besides, maybe a living doll won't freak out at Lena's being a duck. (These 'humans' that she's met in Nexus often freak out in some small way at least. Weird.)

"Hey, there," she greets. "Need some help?"