Dying for a bit of change

[death_calling]

 

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.  

Comments

[chiaro_oscuro]

"I see. It is a beautiful watch." Ben nods, dropping the topic. He's not usually a sentimental man with objects, but there are things he values for sentimental reasons as much as practical. "I'm not particularly fussy, but you can call me Ben." He's not picky either way, but he's grown used to the sound of his real first name the longer he's lived here. It feels good, and it's something he's grown used to. It's been years since he was regularly called by his real name by strangers.

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."

[death_calling]

"Indeed it is." Quickly, she slips her sleeve back over the timepiece, not saying anymore about it. Her attention is affixed to this discussion regarding life and death, a very personal topic near and dear to Olivia's heart.

"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?"

[chiaro_oscuro]

"You'd be right, especially on their first visit. Usually it's a matter of finding the way you came in - people often pack up a PINpoint to come and go more easily. Even though I can't return to my home universe, I have friends and contacts who live in other worlds, so they still have their uses."

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."

[death_calling]

"PINpoint? I think I did get one of those earlier, some vendor was selling a new model for a cheap price." She checks her pockets until a cell-phone like device is pulled out. PINpoints must be like any electronic device, a new one comes out and the old one gets retired. "Other worlds? I don't think I'm ready for that. Getting back to Kansas City should be my first goal, then I can try to wrap my brain around this place."

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?"

[chiaro_oscuro]

"A worthy thing to do. I don't travel often, but there are some worlds I find myself in to help some of my friends. In the Nexus and out of it. There are angels and gods proper, living here. The Guardians of the Last City can come back from death so long as their Ghosts are still intact."

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."

[death_calling]

"You really think so? Okay, now I know the Nexus is more accepting than my own world. Then again if angels, devils, and other non-humans are here, I should probably expect more people to be understanding towards death."

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."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"The Nexus probably is more accepting. It has to be, and not just towards death. Many different species and cultures are represented here, and somehow we make it work. I'm impressed, honestly."

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."

[death_calling]

"Interesting indeed, as the definition of the word 'Nexus' is often summarized as a link or connection between people and groups. This place could easily exist for the sole purpose of creating those links in a mutual way, given the anti-violence field encourages conversation over violence." Instinctively, she raises one hand and tries 'knocking' on the invisible barriers, getting no response at all. It must be triggered directly when confronting another being.

Damnit. She's on a long-winded train of thought now, upon realizing how boring this must sound to Ben. "Tell me more about these monsters, if you would please? Knowing what to look for will help me avoid troubling situations, should I return to the Nexus in the future." Olivia has a good sense for trouble, at least the ability to not put her full trust in humans. Other species will take some getting used to in due time as well.

[chiaro_oscuro]

"It does. The anti-violence field isn't foolproof, though, so I wouldn't get too reliant on it. People who've really wanted to hurt other people have gotten creative and found ways around it. Still, it's one of the reasons why we manage to get along here, mostly." Ben hasn't seen it happen, but he's heard about it and he's not the kind of person who lets down his guard. He hasn't tested it, but he's had an otherwise killing blow deflected more than once.

"There's always the risk that someone from another world will come in to cause trouble. If you see a big man with a hockey mask, or meet someone named Honerva, I'd suggest avoiding them. There are also the Eliksni, insect-like aliens who live in the Wilds but visit our part of the Nexus sometimes. While they aren't exactly friendlypeople, they won't be a threat so long as their territory rights in the Wilds are respected. That's it, as far as I know."

[death_calling]

"Somehow I'm not surprised that a system meant to prevent violence has faults." Listening to Ben's description of people to avoid, she mentally takes note of the information. Hockey mask? Well, that sounds familiar and intriguing. "So even horror movie icons like Jason Voorhees end up here?"

That shouldn't be so fascinating, but now she'll need to read up on the Wilds in the future.

[chiaro_oscuro]

"That's the one. I fought him, kind of - it was more trying to distract him from harassing people. He can't kill anyone here and he isn't very happy about that. Stomps around and breaks things, generally making a pest of himself. Persistent, though, I'll have to give him that. I can fight, so I try and stand up for the ones who can't."

Ben shrugs a little. "Most anyone can end up here. Most of the people mean well, though."

[death_calling]

"It sounds like he lives up to the reputation established in my world." The movies always depicted Jason as a merciless killer with a tragic past. It's highly doubtful anyone could ever get through to such a mindless murderer, and yet...it would be interesting to see him. She won't share that thought with Ben.

"I've seen a few non-humans walking around that were rather polite. I don't know how long I'll be here passing through, but the environment is good enough for me."