We're not in Republic City anymore.

[avatar_state]

She sat, cross-legged, meditating. One day, she'd find a way to reconnect with her past selves. All the previous avatars, stretching back through time. But the meditation itself never hurt. To think just a few years before how bad she'd been at it. So hotheaded, so rash. She'd been tempered. By hard experience, but also by wonderful people.

So she smiled when she felt the breeze stir her hair. It was a reminder, to her, of so much. But then she heard the creaking of a door.

Her eyes opened, and she stood. There weren't any doors here, not out in the wilds beyond Republic City. But there was one, in the face of a boulder near to her, grass swirling in front of it like it had always been there, just a part of the scenery. She stepped forward.

She didn't remember taking hold of the handle. All she remembered was the flash, and then there was...another city. One she didn't recognize, with strange smells, and strange sounds. She turned in a small circle, eyes wide and mouth open.

"How does my life keep on getting stranger?"

Comments

[death_calling]

"One might say your life is affected by fate, but I don't believe in such a thing. Everyone seems to come here in different ways, willing or not."

She's polite and calm when talking to Korra, approaching in a friendly manner. Her appearance could easily be confused or taken for a denizen of Republic City, wearing a suit and tie. Unfortunately no bending skills here, but even as a normal human, she feels safe approaching the Avatar.

"Sorry I couldn't be of more help in answering your question, but if you want any assistance on navigating this place, I'm happy to share that. I was actually in the area for lunch, so I can show you around."

[avatar_state]

[She's not the dangerous sort, all things said and done. She nods, in appreciation.]

We may differ on fate, but an answer is an answer, even if it's not your answer. And, well, where I am would be a good start.

[death_calling]

"Sounds like you have a different experience towards fate than I do. I'd be eager to learn about that in due time."

[She happens to have one of the many brochures that get left around this place, offering it to Korra politely.]

"Welcome to a place called the Nexus. It's a connection point between many worlds and people. I'm not sure how it came to be, but it exists and life thrives here. Most people come here from different portals or doorways at random, so it's important to remember where you came from."

[She nods calmly, gesturing to the vast assortment around them.] "Violence is strictly prohibited here, unless both parties consent, so it's a rather safe place."

[avatar_state]

[She shrugs, eloquently, with a half smile.]

When you're the latest in a long line of reincarnations with a constant purpose, it may have formed my opinion a little. But, oh, thank you.

[She takes the brochure which, frankly, is the weirdest part of all, so far.]

Between many worlds...with no violence at all?

[Skeptical, but intrigued.]

[dragonsflew]

"It sounds as if you're new here. So am I. I'm Gorbash."

Korra is approached by a large green dragon, who's well aware that he'll likely register as "strange". Gorbash is curious, coming in to land - while he doesn't fit well in the city, he's not a stranger to it, either. It's more a matter of size - he is a giant reptile - than any personal discomfort on the part of him or other people. Gorbash was raised with human help and gets along well with them.

"If you think your life is strange, I can't say it'll get any less stranger here. Where did you come from?"

[avatar_state]

"Oh, hello, spirit."

She held her hands together, bowing slightly in greeting. The dragon part was, surprisingly, not surprising to her. She's met dragons, and she's met creatures from the Spirit Realm. To her mind, he's one or the other.

"But yes, I am. I'm Korra. The Avatar?" The last ventured hopefully. "And if it got less strange, I'd be very surprised."

[dragonsflew]

"A spirit? No, I'm not a spirit, at least not the kind you're probably thinking of, but thank you anyway. I'm a dragon."

Gorbash bows his own head slightly. He knows what a spirit is, vaguely - some kind of ghost? - and is pretty sure he isn't one. Korra looks human, but he isn't about to make assumptions, especially when she called herself the Avatar.

"But I've never heard of an Avatar before. It's good to meet you, too, Avatar Korra."

[oldmanfive]

Five had just happened to be walking by when he noticed a young woman looking around with a bewildered expression on her face. He'd definitely been there before with more than just the Nexus.

"I ask myself that everyday." He replied, even though he knew she wasn't talking to him specifically. "After a while the strangeness just gets to be more normal than what is actually considered normal." He offered up as even though he looked like a kid, he was way older and had lived through a lot of strangeness in his lifetime.

[avatar_state]

So had she, all things said and done.

"I don't know if it'll ever be normal - but this is a different sort of strange," she replied.

[oldmanfive]

"All things considered, this place is pretty benign. So if you are going to end up in a random place, it's not so bad here." He said with a slight chuckle. "You could probably do worse."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"My life was never exactly what you'd call normal, even by the standards of my home universe. But this place is actually an improvement for me. I think you'll like it here"

Ben was looking through some papers when he heard the question, curiously turning to Korra. He smiles slightly, pleased to see newcomers. This place has changed and grown even over the short time since he came to live here, and Ben Solo knows a lot about change.

"I figure this is your first visit to the Nexus? My name's Ben - I was on a coffee break, and I figure I ought to say hello."

[avatar_state]

"Um, hi," she says, a look of bemused disbelief on her face.

"You make it sound like a vacation spot, rather than...a whole other realm. And I'm Korra."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"Hello, Korra." Ben smiles a little, trying to be reassuring.

"I live here. It depends on who you are, and your situation. Some people live in the Nexus permanently, while others come and go depending on their universe and what they need."

[lets_play_pounce]

“There is no 'strange',” says the small cat-sized creature who has just become visible. It's what she does. Wander around invisible, until she sees somebody to talk to. Keeta looks up at the lady, interested in all the new people she's meeting lately.

“Only other peoples 'normal'.”

She blinks. Has she got that right? “Or something like that... Are you lost?”

[avatar_state]

She looks down, blinking a few times with a grin on her face.

"Now you have to be from the Spirit Realm," she said, crouching down and coming to rest in a comfortable position with her legs tucked under her. "To have such interesting wisdom to share."

And then she looks around.

"Seems that way. It sure isn't Republic City."

[lets_play_pounce]

“Oh no, Not a spirit. A Familiar.”

Keeta is stupidly happy that somebody thinks she has wisdom. However, she doesn't preen or put on airs, she only attempts to live up to what she thinks is now an expectation.

“This is the Nexus,” She tells the nice lady, and gently butts her leg with her head - taking care not to let her little antlers cause any damage. “I'm new here myself, as is my Rah'Sool. I'm Keeta, what's your name?”

[malcolmeffect]

Ian is out walking because his doctor demanded he do so as part of his rehab. He's still walking with a cane and it was painful but it was worth a try.

The confused looking young woman spinning around in the plaza looks like a good excuse to stop. He leans heavily on the cane while lifting his foot off the ground as he speaks.

"Everyone's life is getting stranger. It's the nature of the universe and Chaos."

[avatar_state]

"Um," she replies, scrunching her features as she considers that. "Are you talking the idea of Chaos, or is this some sort of embodied force?"

She looks a bit weary at the thought.

"Please tell me you've never heard the name 'Vaatu.'"

[malcolmeffect]

"Uh... the scientific principle of Chaos. It is a universal force."

At least that is his understanding of the principle.

"No, I haven't. What is it?"

[itmeanstruth]

“To keep things from getting too boring. Probably.”

The cheerful voice came from above. A young man was walking, very well-balanced, on the edge of the rooftop of a single-story shop. When he reached the edge, he hopped down. He caught the flagpole in his hands, and swung on it before leaping the rest of the way.

“Hi, I’m Minoru. Nice to meet you!”

Clearly, Minoru was not a fan of boring.

[avatar_state]

"Well, boring hasn't ever been too much of an issue for me, thankfully. And good landing."

She held out a hand.

"I'm Korra."

[itmeanstruth]

“Thanks.” Minoru shook her hand, though still nodded his head in a bow.

“That’s good!” He smiled. He hadn't seen her around the Nexus lately, so he suspected she was either new or simply visiting. “What is it like, where you’re from?”

[angelic_asshole]

"I often ask myself that, love. Especially after waking up in the morning after a wild night out. The usual chink of empty glass bottles at my feet as I shift out of my favourite chair."

Balthazar offered the young woman a smile and wondered if she was a new arrival. The angel dressed in his usual grey v-neck t-shirt and black jacket and blue faded jeans. His blue eyes crinkling into a fond smile at her question. That's what he enjoyed about meeting new residents, as they always had a new story to tell.

"Have you just arrived here? The Nexus can be an odd place but I assure you we're a friendly bunch."

[avatar_state]

His accent was strange, but...kind of delightful. She tilted her head, just listening to it for a bit.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, I did. And glad to hear it. I'm way too good at making enemies wherever I go."

[angelic_asshole]

His accent is rather strange since it's a mix of French, Scottish and English. Mostly the latter since Balthazar's vessel was an English gentleman by the name of Seth. As for making enemies? The angel could relate to that all too well.

"Oh, I have quite a few of those back home too. Many who wish to plunge a dagger into my back and be done with me."

There was no harm in telling the newcomer the truth since he had nothing to hide. Not while he was within the Nexus. Those who sought to kill the angel would have to bide their time a little longer.

"What's your name, love? I'm Balthazar. Angel and bar owner of the Angel's Retreat up on the Plaza. It sells non-alcoholic beverages if you're interested in trying anything."

Since she seemed rather young.