nexus_crossings | Young Dogs, New Tricks

Young Dogs, New Tricks

Ben's in the Plaza this time - still wearing all black, even now that it's summer. He doesn't seem too bothered by the heat, though he brushes sweat off his brow and occasionally takes a drink of cool water from the flask at his side. In this weather, it doesn't pay to take chances with the heat.

But even though his appearance is dark, in other ways he's uncharacteristically cheery. There's a grin on his features as he stands beside a pile of home-drawn sketches, of landscapes and creatures he observed in the Wilds. Even his voice sounds more excited than usual. Ben Solo is visibly happy. And smiling. There's a brightness in his hazel eyes that wasn't there before now.

He won't say what it is to a stranger, but something happened recently involving two people close to him and a "borrowed" PINpoint that put him in a very good mood. He's here for business as well as pleasure, though. Prices are listed beside the samples - he's here to hawk art as well as chat. While most of his earnings come from his repair business, his sketches don't do badly. It took practice, but he reapplied his knowledge of calligraphy and an eye for detail. Art's the quiet, restful hobby he's been looking for.

After he's finished setting up his stall and equipment, he stands beside it with his arms folded, watching the crowd. When someone approaches him, he poses a question.

"What hobbies do you have in the Nexus, or things that help you relax?" He's taking notes from any answers he receives. No harm in trying something new. "Anything you've learned to do here that you couldn't try back home?"

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Aziraphale's pleasant smile dissolves at the mention of a cannibalistic angel. "Oh, that must have been Moloch," he says with a sigh and roll of his eyes. "Terribly sorry about that, he's under a curse, although that's no certainly no excuse. Would you like me to say something to him? Which friend of yours was this, if I may ask?"

It really isn't his business, of course, but he's grown... well, fond is not the right word, but he can't think of a better one. He thinks that Moloch has been dealt a terrible hand, and with the right sort of encouragement, could become more than his curse dictates. But he won't get very far if he's attacking Nexus denizens.

"I suppose I ought to inform you that I am also an angel, not of the fallen variety, and not from Lucifer's world," he adds, his smile returning. "You can set it aside and I'll take it once I've made the muffins. Shall we exchange contact information so I know where to bring them?"

"That's the one. The person who was attacked was Sir Galahad, but I was assured the situation was dealt with by the other angels. I think it would be best if I stayed out of Moloch's way. He has to eat intelligent animals under the curse's terms, I'm guessing - so a quick trip to Lord of the Fries or the butcher's shop wouldn't do."

Ben sighs. He's not sure where the curse ends or begins, or how much of an excuse it is for Moloch's behavior. His own evil actions were committed under his free will, so he's not sure he is in any position to judge, even if the idea of being preyed on makes him instinctively queasy.

"You're an angel, too? You're the first I've met who isn't from Lucifer's group. He told me that the celestial angels from his universe are unpleasant, so I'm guessing your world's different in that respect." Ben rummages for his PINpoint, offering it to the angel. "And I wouldn't mind if we swapped information at all. I live downtown, near the industrial area."

Aziraphale shuts his eyes briefly at that, pinching the bridge of his nose as if trying to ward off a headache. "It's a little more complicated than that," he murmurs wearily. "But yes, I imagine that situation has been resolved. Lucifer does his best to keep Moloch's darkest impulses under control."

He drops his hand, smoothing out his expression. No need to saddle Ben with celestial drama. "Well -- hmm. I would not necessarily call my fellow angels unpleasant. Dogmatic, perhaps. A bit too paternalistic towards humans. And a few can be a little heavy-handed when it comes to smiting. But the celestial angels on Lucifer's world, at least as he describes them to me, are far more rigid and controlling. I'm, ah, semi-retired, actually, due to some philosophical differences with Heaven."

Aziraphale sets down his bubble tea (now mostly ice and a few stray pearls) so that he can pull out his own PINpoint. He enters his contact information into Ben's PINpoint and then hands it back with is own so that Ben can do the same. "Oh, splendid. I can come by tomorrow, if that's all right with you."

"I try and avoid Moloch," Ben admits, "so I don't know the details of his curse. I'm afraid I'd find myself on the menu. But I would assume the other angels have their reasons for letting him come here. I was told that the best thing to do if I meet him is to be brave, and not seem like prey."

He considers the description of celestial angels. "That was the impression he gave me. That, and there's a good number of them that think humanity ought to be wiped out on principle." Ben gives Aziraphale a knowing look. "You know, there's a certain benefit to being on neither side in an ideological debate. That's a lesson I learned, too." He puts in his address for Aziraphale.

"It'll be a pleasure to do business with you. I'll have the sketch properly wrapped and sealed for you. My deal's open for any drawings you might like in the future, too. Pastries for art."

"That's unfortunately a possibility," Aziraphale replies. "And yes, Lucifer has his reasons. A healthy respect for what Moloch is capable of is the best way to approach him." And a calm, unflagging optimism in Aziraphale's case.

Ben's observation makes Aziraphale wince a bit and worry his lip. "On my world, both the angels and the fallen were itching for a rematch, and Earth unfortunately would have been caught in the middle, but I wouldn't call it maliciousness, per se..." That would imply that Gabriel and the others actually thought about humans as anything other than points in a long-standing competition for souls. "Angels love humans, but only in a vague, general sort of way. I can't speak to the angels in Lucifer's world, I'm not personally inclined to meet any of them."

With a small huff, he retrieves his bubble tea, then tugs down the hem of his waistcoat. "And how did you learn that lesson, Ben? I imagine you learned it a lot faster than I did." His smile returns and he adds, "A fair trade indeed." He'll throw in a little blessing, too, as he often does with merchants and shopkeepers.

"I've met a few of them. There's Lucifer himself, of course. I've talked to Belial, and I'm a good friend of Lord Beelzebub and Sir Galahad. There are so many fallen angels that it's difficult to keep them straight. I know there are more I haven't met yet."

Ben listens to Aziraphale's description of the war between Heaven and Hell curiously. "Not as fast as I should have." His expression flickers with guilt, and his eyes look down for a few moments. It's clear he did things in his home world that he's not proud of at all. "But mistakes, even very serious mistakes, can be learned from. I'm human, of course, not an angel. Your people live so much longer than we do. I imagine immortals and mortals see the world differently. More time to learn, and more experiences."

He knows that there are other immortals in the Nexus: gods, other angels, and the seasonal spirits. He's met a fair few even in his relatively recent time here. It's been an interesting experience, even if some of them unsettle him.

"I haven't met any of the celestial angels," Aziraphale clarifies. "I've met most of Lucifer's Court. Belial is a good angel to know, he's very responsible." The most responsible one of the lot, in Aziraphale's opinion. "Beelzebub is a handful, but I cherish his friendship a great deal. We have a Beelzebub back home, you know. They aren't nearly so affable."

Oh, that's some guilt right here. Aziraphale tilts his head curiously, wondering if the young man has also been through a war. He gives Ben a compassionate smile. "One can also say that immortals have many more years to become entrenched in their beliefs. I've always admired how humans are able to adapt, admit where they've been wrong and change their behaviors accordingly. Living longer does not necessarily make one wiser."

"I imagine if you're immortal, there's more time to become set in your ways. I'm only thirty, but I've met people here anywhere from thousands of years old to billions. People like Lucifer and Reynard, and now you. By that standard, I'm very young." Belial is one of the angels Ben likes the most, but he's also close to Beelzebub. "The one here's rough around the edges, like me. But we've been training. I've never studied under an angel before."

Ben nods in response to Aziraphale's smile, giving a smaller one of his own. "I've met people here who've made similar mistakes. It's not pleasant to see. But I'm willing to talk to people about my past, if it will help them. I believe people can change, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't, but they have to be in the right place first. Angry, bitter people are not good listeners."

"I'm only in my thousands," Aziraphale says, as if that isn't much time at all. "But it is possible for an old dog to learn new tricks. I've had the benefit of living among humans all this time, that helps. Are you a warrior, Ben? Is that why Beelzebub is teaching you?"

The angel makes a small sound of agreement, absently fidgeting with the straw of his bubble tea. "It can take an awful lot to get through to someone. Patience is good, if you can afford it. I know that I was very stubborn about some of my beliefs... in denial, one might even say. I was very fortunate to have a dear friend who stuck by me all those years, offering up a counter point of view, but never pushing me too hard. Is that how it was for you?"

"I am, though there isn't much fighting to be had here. I think that's for the best. I've visited other worlds, though, and killed monsters who would prey on people. Using my skills to do what good I can. If there's ever battle in the Nexus, I'll be ready for it." As ready as one can be in such an unpredictable place.

He considers Aziraphale's question, then slowly answers. "Yes. There was a person like that in my life. She told me no when it was what I needed to hear, though I didn't realize that at the time. It took me far longer than it should have, I was in a terrible place for a very long time, but she got through to me in the end. Her and my parents." It was all of them together, he knows. Rey, Han, and Leia.

"No, this place is rather peaceful, overall. But I'm glad there are people prepared to defend it, just in case."

Aziraphale smiles softly at the admission. "We're not always able to hear what others tell us, in the moment. What matters is that you did listen, eventually, and presumably some good came of it."

"I would imagine the anti-violence field helps with that," Ben says, "but it's gone down before. That's why I don't want to get too dependent on it."

Ben has told Aziraphale more than he tells most people, but he's decided he trusts the angel. "We had to fight someone very dangerous and powerful together, and while we won it took all we had. While I was badly hurt she was dying. I decided to give her my life so she could make it back home to her friends. So I died, and woke up again in this place."

"Yes, I've been warned about that. It doesn't seem like something to rely on, especially not out in the Wilds. And with all these portals about, it feels like anything can pop on through. I've made it a point to heavily ward mine. Not only because of that, of course... it's at the back of a pub in London, I wouldn't want some poor drunken fool to wander through while they were looking for the lavatory."

Aziraphale has that effect on others, although he tries not to take advantage of that ability. "That was very noble of you," he says kindly, without sounding pitying. "I'm sure she'd be happy to know that you've been given another chance here."

"I consider it lucky that I'm able to live again here, even if I can't go home to my world. It's a second chance I don't want to waste." Ben isn't surprised that the portals associated with angels are guarded. Lucifer had mentioned his was warded, too. "We've had unpleasant things come through the portals in the past. Though there's no way to really prevent that, it's a good idea to keep track of our doors. That's why I stay in practice, so I can fight if I have to."

"She does," Ben says. Aziraphale might see his expression soften. "She comes by to visit sometimes. You might see her one day if you're lucky. We're still in contact. She doesn't live here the way I do, though. People like me, Force-users, are rare here, though our numbers are growing."

"I'm surprised anyone bothers with them, if they have access to a PINpoint. It's much more convenient to pop on over than trek through a rundown pub." At least for himself and Crowley. He suspects that Toby doesn't mind the diversion. "Reminds me a bit of my own miracles, but I'm told that it runs on extremely advanced technology, and not magic."

Aziraphale is not surprised that Ben is friends with Galahad. There is something knight-like about the young man, the way he's determined to protect the Nexus from danger.

"I'm glad you're still in contact," he says with a smile, picking up on that softness. "What is a Force-user?"

"I use PINpoints, mostly. They're much more convenient and it's easier to find my way back. Not that I'm that seasoned a dimensional traveller." Ben spends most of his time in the Nexus, not jumping between different dimensions. He's adopted the Nexus as where he lives from now on, and only partly because he can't return home. "Not that I'm opposed to a little exploring."

Ben's never had a chance to protect the Nexus, and he hopes he doesn't have to. Still, he wants to be prepared in case that time ever comes. He's been warned that things have gone wrong in the past.

"The Force is...it's hard to explain. It's unique to my universe and other universes connected to it. It's the energy found in all living things. Some people, like myself, are very closely in tune with it, and that gives us special abilities."

"I've only been to a couple of other worlds," Aziraphale admits. "Between my own world and the Nexus, I have more than enough to keep me occupied. But I'm not opposed to a little exploring! So long as nothing interferes with my angelic powers." He's not interested in 'roughing it', as it were.

If Aziraphale were more hip to pop culture references, Ben's explanation would be unnecessary. But the angel wouldn't know a star war if it smacked him in the face, so he listens with a furrowed brow, trying to fit such a concept with what he already knows. "How intriguing... and what might those abilities be, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Angelic powers? Are your powers similar to Lucifer and his group?" It's a little hard for Ben to keep the various groups of angels straight. "I've dealt with them enough to know they're extremely powerful. I wouldn't want to be on any angel's bad side." He's already died once. It's not an experience he's in any hurry to repeat anytime soon.

Ben's explained the Force to people before, though the Doctor already knew what he was talking about, which made it much easier. "It's a mixture of abilities - telepathy, mind-reading, healing, among others. Someone I met here described some of them as telekinesis. I can do a demonstration, if you like."

"Er, not quite. Lucifer and the other angels are much higher ranking than I am, in terms of absolute power. I'm a principality, my purpose is to oversee humanity. It's why I was stationed on Earth as opposed to working in Heaven. I can perform miracles and blessings, but I can't create anything out of thin air." He gives Ben a kind smile. "It is extremely difficult to get on my bad side, dear boy. I wouldn't worry around me."

This is the first that Aziraphale has ever heard of the Force, and he looks very curious. "Oh, yes, please do. Ah -- not the mind-reading. I have no idea how that would go for you."

"I figured. There are a lot of powerful people here in the Nexus, and they're probably the most powerful of all. It's a good thing the angels, especially his group, are well-meaning for the most part." There are still angels Ben is cautious around, just for safety's sake, but they seem to have moved in well enough. "The ones I've met are friendly enough, but you're the first angel I've met who isn't a fallen one."

"All right. All I need is for you to place a small object on the table and keep a close eye on it. I'll show you what I can do." Ben figures there are minds it's better not to read for a variety of reasons, either sheer power or some other kind of risk to the reader.

"I dare say you might be right. I've met other gods in the Nexus, but Lucifer is significantly older than all of them." It's nice of Ben to acknowledge that Aziraphale is not fallen, and he wiggles his shoulders a little in response. "It's just me and one other in the Nexus, so far as I know."

The only humans with paranormal powers on Aziraphale's world are witches, and so far as he's aware, none of them are capable of telekinesis, so he's eager to see Ben demonstrate. He pulls out a deck of cards that he keeps with him in case he gets the opportunity to perform a magic trick, and places it on the table.

"I've heard him mentioned, though I never actually met him. He's the one Lucifer's in a relationship with, just like Beelzebub and my friend Galahad are in love. Romance is in the air this summer, presumably." Coming from the man who's still in an uncharacteristically good mood because he recently kissed his dyad partner.

Ben can't resist showing off a little, now Aziraphale is giving him the opportunity to demonstrate. He waves a hand, drawing the top card of the deck and placing it in front of him without touching it. He leans back, arms folded. "Hmm. Three of spades."

"Yes, that's Balthazar. He's a good friend of mine -- I have more in common with him than I do with the angels on my respective worlds."

Ben's comment on romance gets a confused look. "Both of those couples have been together longer than this summer," he notes with a furrowed brow. "Although it's true that Beelzebub has taken some time to realize his own feelings..." Not that he can fault him for that, it took Aziraphale several centuries (and a karaoke night in the Nexus) to realize that his feelings for Crowley were much more than platonic.

The angel jumps a little at the telekinesis. "My goodness! And you did that using the Force?"

"Most of what I know comes from talking with the angels themselves. I've never met Balthazar, but I imagine since I'm living here our bumping into one another is inevitable eventually." Ben's met many of the Nexus angels, but far from all. "I'm not surprised that they've been together before summer."

Aziraphale and most of the angels Ben's actually met have been friendly. Beelzebub has an intimidating side but he's been helpful. "Moloch seems to be the only really dangerous angel, as far as I know. All the others have been pleasant, Beelzebub included, though I was warned he can be a bit on the possessive side."

"Yes." Ben explains a little more. "That was the Force - one of my more mundane uses for it, true, but you can see now what my abilities are like."

"That's probably for the best. There has been a lot written about angels over the millennia, but much of it is hearsay. At least in my universe, our direct interactions with humans are very limited."

Aziraphale considers this assessment of Beelzebub. It's not a side he's seen, although he has yet to be introduced to Galahad, so that's probably part of it. "I haven't witnessed that myself, but I don't think you have anything to worry about." Ben does not strike him as the flirty type.

"Indeed. Quite remarkable, Ben. Even the witches on my world are not capable of telekinesis." He picks up his deck of cards, absently shuffling them before returning them to his pocket. "And how does one tap into the Force? Are you born with the ability, or can anyone learn to do so if given the proper training?"

Young Dogs, New Tricks

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