![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
Dying for a bit of change
The Nexus has a weird way of dragging people into it, yet alone choosing weird people to introduce to it. Olivia was heading to lunch when this whole ‘magical dimensional portal’ appeared in the supply closet. This must be a common thing, because there seemed to be a lot of other confused people looking for their doors when she exited hers. Instead of making the situation worse, she’s going to live with it for now.
It doesn’t take long for her to figure out basic locations in the Nexus, such as the Grand Library, but she’s sticking to the shopping district this time around. It’s impossible to keep track of time here and after spending money on interesting used books and having a surprisingly authentic bowl of Japanese ramen, she’s now doing what any responsible adult would do: taking it easy instead of trying to find a way home.
In front of one of the shopping district's furniture stores, she’s laying on a clean display mattress, oddly positioned like a dead corpse. Hands over her chest, legs compacted together as if she’s trying to look ominous. Her choice of attire, a three piece suit pulled straight from Don Draper’s 1950’s closet, only adds to this creepy pose she’s decided is comfortable. Her hair is pulled back nice and neat, and occasionally she lowers her hand to make sure that the large assortment of shopping bags she’s been carrying around aren’t gone.
It’s apparent that she’s either paid the owner to let her do this, or maybe vice versa in a strange twist of fate. What better way to advertise an excellent mattress for sleep than to make puns about sleeping peacefully like the dead.
“Okay, the whole Multiverse concept is intriguing, but I have to wonder...how does time work here? Am I going to go back home and find I don’t have a job because an hour here is ten days in my world?” As if to emphasize her point, she pulls back one sleeve to reveal her watch has stopped working. “It’s strange because I’m able to use my credit card on interdimensional purchases without anyone giving me issues, but my phone clock and watch all bit the dust when I got here. Is that normal?”
There’s a tiny hint of concern in her voice, but the comforting mattress and relaxing nature of the Nexus makes being stressed nigh impossible. For now, at least.
no subject
Olivia is approached by a young man in black clothes and hair that matches it. There's a gloomy look to him, even though his expression isn't particularly dark. He thinks over her question, a free hand tousling that thick black hair.
"I can't answer completely, since it doesn't work the same way for everyone. I know people who come and go regularly - and they've told me that barely any time passes between when they come and when they go. They can spend a month here and when they come home barely any time's passed at all. It's very interesting, really. The Nexus is my home, but I've noticed that time passes differently in the worlds I have friends from."
no subject
She realizes how rude it is to be laying down while someone is talking to her, so sitting up on the bed is the first course of action. The second is spent looking over this newcomer curiously, and thankfully she's unaware of any Star Wars lore at home because he just seems like a normal guy to her.
"Apologies if I came off as rude in any way. I didn't think anyone was around to hear my random thoughts." She extends one hand to him politely. "Olivia Moore. Nice to meet you, sir."
As for his statement about time, it's definitely reassuring to know her odds of going back to an upset boss are very unlikely. "Good information to file away, in the event I end back up here. Exciting as the place is, I couldn't live here, not when I have commitments back home to attend to."
no subject
"I'm a permanent resident to the Nexus. Not by choice, but, well, it's an improvement over being dead back home." Ben laughs, with a hint of bitterness to it. He accepts the offered hand, trying to brighten a little. "Ben Solo. You can call me Ben. I spend most of my time in the downtown area, but I do go shopping sometimes."
Everyone needs to shop, even former darksiders. Ben's not as awkward in public as he was when he first came, thankfully, and he's grown used to the Nexus over time. It's a change that people here aren't scared of him. Granted, he's trying very hard to give them no reason to be.
"The Nexus isn't a bad place to live, but it's very, ah, exciting. And unpredictable. I've only been here for almost a year, and it's certainly something else. It sounds as if this is your first visit, Olivia."
no subject
"Would you prefer to be called Ben or Mr. Solo?" There's nothing scary about him, and lord knows she's seen much more alarming things on a daily basis. Although hearing the specific sentence 'better than being dead' has caught her attention. "Are you implying that this place defies death? That's illogical unless there's some sort of supernatural effect that essentially 'cheats death'."
She does seem alert to her surroundings, mainly towards other people, as despite this so-called anti-violence field existing, there are probably other ways to inflict harm. "You would be correct with that assessment. I was at work and when I opened the supply closet, I was brought here."
no subject
It's awkward, being dead, though Ben's not the only person here who died in his world. It's happened to a few people. He has a few theories about his own particular case - maybe the Force decided to give him a second chance, maybe the fact that Rey was still alive and their bond still existed tethered him to existence - but he can't confirm any of them.
"Not...exactly. People have died in their home worlds and come back here. I'm one of them. No one knows how it works, but this isn't any kind of afterlife, since other people can come and leave freely. All I know is that when I died in my home world, next thing I know I'm flat on my back in the Wilds, injuries healed."
no subject
"This goes beyond my area of expertise then. I've studied death for years now, established my career around it, and within seconds the Nexus challenges my line of thinking." She's not mad, just confused at not having a direct way to explain the process. Seems like a lot of time will be spent at the Grand Library researching this.
"I suppose many people ask how to get home as well?"
no subject
Ben finds himself drawn into the conversation, too.
"You study death, then? It's certainly one of life's great mysteries, and one that everyone's been touched by. I would have said it's one of the things that everyone and everything who's ever lived has had in common, but there are immortals here." Ben's familiar with death, both as a dealer of it and as someone who's died. "That rule doesn't apply to them for obvious reasons."
no subject
There's a sense of pride around Olivia as she talks about death, as this subject is also something values greatly.
"I'm a mortician, so my role is to ensure burial procedures are respected and the griefing are treated with care." Immortals, huh? Well, that's another thing she needs to get used to in due time. "This place doesn't seem like it'll bore me for a long time, which I approve of. What other interesting things can I find in the Nexus?"
no subject
Ben nimbly reaches into his robes and pulls out his own, showing it to . It's a slightly older model, and he's had no need to replace it.
"The Nexus is anything but boring. There's a lot of businesses here that offer services to visitors and residents - mechanics, hospitals, restaurants, lodging. There's a villa where the fallen angels live. You'll probably bump into them eventually. There's also the Wilds, which is good for sightseeing, but you have to be more careful there. The anti-violence field isn't so strong, and there's dangerous wildlife."
no subject
Ah, that must be it! She nods to herself, comparing the two devices before tucking hers away in a pocket once more. Good to know that she has an essential tool for navigating this place.
"Good, then maybe I'll find the answers I'm looking for here. The Grand Library seems like a nice place where I can spend hours on end." She has no unique superpowers or abilities, so staying close to civilization is probably her best bet. "Makes you wonder which is worse, the monsters living in the woods or the ones inside of us."
no subject
Not that there haven't been bumps, and obviously not everyone gets along, but the whole system comes together more smoothly than expected. It's in everyone's interest, mostly, for the society here to work.
"That's a good question. Sometimes people are called monsters because that's what they look like. The Nexus has plenty of those. And other times monsters are what people become, and those are both more dangerous and harder to spot." Ben still considers himself a monster, but one that's trying to be less monstrous. "The Grand Library's a good place to visit. I go there often, and you have a good chance of finding what you're looking for."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
"Um... it's been a long time since I came here via portal and not PINpoint, but I've found it's usually the other way around, that time here passes faster relative to your world. But you probably shouldn't stay here for too long, as portals disappear sometimes."
She doesn't want to scare Olivia, who seems to be handling her first trip to the Nexus with aplomb, but she'd hate for her to get stuck, either.
no subject
"Apologies if I startled you." She takes a moment to adjust the tie around her neck, nodding in agreement to Adia.
"That's probably for the best, but I'll need to figure out which door or portal ties back to my world. There has to be a logical way to discern which one is my own." She's a woman who tries to use science first, but the Nexus is pretty good at challenging those ideals.
"You mentioned being here a long time...Would it be alright if I ask a few questions regarding the Nexus?"
no subject
Her brows draw together a little in concern over the fact that Olivia needs to find her portal. "Well, um... I can help with that, if you'd like. You know, when you're ready to go back. I've helped a couple people find their portals before." Adia wouldn't go so far as to say she's an expert or anything, but she'd feel bad if she didn't at least offer. "Sure, ask away."
no subject
"Seems like you're reading my mind, as I was going to ask if you have any advice for locating certain portals. If it won't be an inconvenience, then may I politely ask for your assistance? I will be certain to offer compensation for your time and your knowledge." She extends one hand calmly to Adia next. "Olivia Moore. A pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
While she does have other questions, they can wait for now.
no subject
"Adia Costas," she replies, shaking Olivia's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Olivia. Just Adia is fine." Despite now being over thirty, Adia is unused to being referred to as ma'am, and there's no need to be so formal in the Nexus, anyway. "And honestly, I'm more than happy to help you find your portal, you don't need to compensate me for anything."
no subject
Taking up her bags in one hand, Olivia gestures for Adia to lead the way. "The Nexus seems like a nice place to visit in passing...It reminds me of old trading posts and bazaars from different countries."
no subject
The direction Adia takes is towards the Plaza, as that seems a good place to start their search. "It reminds me of that, too. I guess with people from so many different realities interacting, it's kind of inevitable. What's your world like? Are you from Earth?"
She's curious what Olivia does for a living, too. The woman is dressed so well and speaks so formally that she must be some sort of professional.
no subject
In comparison to the shopping district, there's certainly a higher traffic volume of people walking around, most stopping to chat along the way. Reminiscent of New York's Grand Central Station, Olivia makes sure to keep an eye on her belongings, in case someone or something tries to steal from her.
"Yes, I'm from Earth, specifically North America. From there, I live in the United States in a small Midwestern state known as Missouri." As for what her world is like, Olivia simply tells it as she sees it. "It's laid back, full of normal people. The geographical area is a lot of flatlands where livestock, farming, and dairy are the common product for trade."
no subject
Adia does not seem as concerned about theft, the cross-strap of her messenger bag leaving her hands free. As they pass the vending machines, she points them out and says, "If you want to visit the Nexus again and don't want to rely on a portal, I'd recommend getting a PINpoint. It's a little teleportation device so you can travel between universes."
Olivia's description of her home state might be considered a little too cut and dry for some, but it makes Adia smile with something akin to nostalgia. "You know, when I first came to the Nexus, I did a lot of research on Earth. I was fascinated by how so many cultures and environments could exist on just one planet. When I read about the Midwest in the United States, it reminded me a lot of my home... I don't remember reading about Missouri specifically, but what you just described sounds an awful lot like Leonis."
no subject
Adia's reaction certainly is intriguing, most people would be bored with her direct ways of holding a conversation. It gets a small smile out of Olivia, but she retrains herself from going on another long-winded chat. "Where is Leonis? That location is unfamiliar to me. As for other worlds, it's still taking me a bit to wrap my brain around other dimensions existing."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
She does pause when spoken to, though, and gives her a curious look. It's hard to imagine more of a contrast in dress style between the two of them. Furiosa is dust-worn and sun-brown, in stained and patched clothing, with a left-arm prosthesis that's nothing short of a dieselpunk monstrosity.
"I don't think there's any solid formula. Time in my own world runs about the same as here, but a lot of other people I've run into find it's faster here, and I've known at least one or two who have time in their own world stand still while they visit this place. You may not know until you go back and return again."
no subject
"I should've assumed that time has very little meaning in a place like this, but eventually I'll try to find the way back home." She's gotten used to her idle question being addressed by everyone, as like many others, Olivia is off the bed once more.
"You seem to know a lot about this place. Do you have any good words of wisdom for a newcomer like myself?"
no subject
"Time seems to move forward in a linear fashion for nearly everyone," she says wryly. "But aside from that, I wouldn't count on anything."
"I've been coming here for trade for several years." She looks thoughtful. "Probably the best advice I could give is don't take anything for granted. Not people, not the place itself. It looks calm and orderly right now, but it can turn into something else in the blink of an eye."
"And with people, you never know if you're talking to a human or a six-billion-year-old god from a galaxy you've never heard of. That's always a fun surprise." She rolls her left shoulder in a shrug. "I'm getting tea; if you want to come with and talk, I'm game."
no subject
"The vibe around this place seems to exude caution, despite an anti-violence field being present. Then again, there's probably a ton of different ways to circumvent that with ease." She'll just have to play her cards very carefully in such a place. "Gods, demons, and humans alike...this place truly is a multiverse of cultures."
"Tea sounds wonderful. I won't turn down the offer to chat with you more."