nexus_crossings | Mother always told me to never give away a story for free

Mother always told me to never give away a story for free

"Honestly, all this bare chest and he hits home right in the fabric..."

Did the demonic looking purple stranger look at all put out by the new locale? Not really, they'd been given a pamphlet that was currently tucked into their belt to be reviewed later. Their attention more focused on the bloody hole in their rather ostentatious coat, lips quirking on a frown as they fingered the damaged fabric lightly, tail twitching behind them in a clear hint of their annoyance.

Really, they're looking rather calm for someone that bloody. When they hear someone coming near they glance up with a jingle of jewelry both in skin and decorating their curved horns, red eyes brightening as their mouth spreads to a cheerfully hopeful smile.

"Well then!" They straighten, something of a showmanship in the shift from grumpy contemplation to sunny disposition but at the same time that shift didn't seem dishonest either. "Hello there darling, please tell me there's some manner of tailor to be found here? As you can likely see I'm in dire need of one."

Clearly this was some manner of weird afterlife, but Mollymauk would be dipped in Fuck No if anyone expected them to wander around with their coat in tatters.

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"Oh! Not entirely unlike a scrying glass then. I can relate, those can get pricey so I can only imagine how expensive one of those televisions get." It's sweet though, that Mick is so focused on getting one for his parents, Molly smiling fondly at that admission. "And I'm sure your parents will be over the moon at such a lovely gift."

Molly has no clue what electricity or an amp is in this situation, clear enough in the utter lack of recognition, but he's much more interested in that offer of more music, smile brightening. "I will never ever say no to another song from such a wonderful talent."

"A scrying glass? Is that sort of like a looking glass type thing? All magic, like?"

Did those things still exist? More to the point did they even work? Molly seemed to think so and Mick wasn't about to dispute the man's belief in such instruments. It was obvious that he was from a different world than the guitarist which was half the fun learning about new cultures and races. That blue though---it was a striking colour. Mick rather liked the hue.

"Yeah, they'll love it since they don't really have much money. Now I'm in a rock band I can afford stuff like that. Ok---now for another song."

Mick got to adjusting his guitar on his shoulder as he began picking out another of Ziggy's songs.

"Got it in one." Molly agreed with a grin. "Miles more useful than a Messenger spell, but definitely more expensive, especially if it's gonna be used by non-magic folk. Needs all the activations and controls baked in with that sort."

Mick was definitely talented. Molly had no real skill with music, but even he could recognize talent when he saw it. If the rest of his band was even a quarter as talented and showy as this man was, it was no surprise they were doing so well. As it was, the tiefling was quite happy to listen, swaying in time to the beat, tail flicking after the rhythm in clear enjoyment, as if the grin he wore wasn't hint enough.

The music was clear and precise as he finished off the song with his usual display of emotion and character by strumming all the way up the neck of the guitar with his pick. Mick loved performing and meeting Molly had lit another spark of creativity within his being. It was nice to be appreciated. That tail though---that was something as his green eyes followed it for a moment or two.

"Glad you like it. I've got more songs but how about I hear a bit more about you, mate? You can do magic?"

This was all sort of fairy-tale to Mick, who came from a world where magic was done by magicians but most didn't really believe it. People favoured science over the ancient magic arts and the sort. Who was Molly and what was a tiefling?

Molly would be pleased to hear that the meeting chance as it was, seemed to be just as good for Mick as it was him. He did his best to leave places better than he found them, and putting a smile on someone's face, or sparking some extra creativity certainly counted in that!

"I can indeed!" He tilted his head, considering his options. "Most of my spells tend towards the martial, I'm no wizard or sorcerer or anything of that sort but there is one I can do that's not quite as 'attack-focused' to show off a bit."

And it wasn't something like enthrall or charm person which he was loathe to go using if he didn't need to, especially on someone he was already friendly with. and given Mick had been so very generous with his own talents, he didn't mind burning a spell in exchange. He gripped the handle of the scimitar strapped against his back, a showy thing with a gold handle and red stones mimicking the shape of a flower before there was a swirl of silvery mist that enveloped the tiefling, mist and Molly disappearing into thin air. Another swirl appearing several feet back where he seemed to just reappear, releasing the blade's hilt to spread his hands in a showman's display. "Tadah!"

"Martial as in martial arts? You'll have to forgive me, mate. I'm a bit lost on all this magic lark."

Lost would be an understatement as the guitarist was now witnessing some real magic being shown by Molly. Nothing wrong with showing off if you've got the moves and creativity to go with it and back it all up. The sword though---that got the blond staring now wide-eyed. It looked sharp and deadly but also beautiful with a decorated flower handle made out of red stones. It was very pretty.

Then, Molly was gone.

"What?---"

Looking around, Mick wondered where the creature had gone to but it was then revealed quite quickly to the blond. He used the sword as a magic wand of sorts. Mick clapped, clearly impressed by the dazzling display. Real magic at it's best. Molly had clear talent.

"That was amazing! You'd do well at a circus or show, mate. People would love it."

Molly's grin widened at the applause, quite willing to take a bow for the guitarist.

"Funny enough I spent a couple years before I joined up with the Nein in a travelling carnival!" He shrugged, brows lifting in a playfully exaggerated 'can you imagine?' sort of way as he walked back to Mick.

"But martial as in martial arts, basically. Figured you'd rather see something not quite as messy." The magic was interesting to be sure, but given most was fueled by spilling his blood? Definitely could be off-putting which wasn't his goal here.

"You did? Well, fancy that. I wasn't that far off now, was I? That sword of yours---it looks impressive. It's sort of magic, isn't it? The way it made you disappear."

Mick was pretty much surprised and in awe of Molly's talents. No wonder he performed at a travelling carnival. The guitarist guessed that he earned quite a bit from doing his disappearing act. Molly's actual appearance would cause a stir too since he was also interesting to look at.

"Yeah, I'd rather not see messy. How about another song? This one's a good favourite of mine too. It's about Ziggy coming to earth."

Getting ready to play his guitar once more, Mick offered Molly a smile as he started playing the tune "Starman."

"Got it in one, you are sharp. Sword lets me cast that lovely little spell. A bit limited in amounts per day but that's not so bad, another trick up my sleeve when needed."

Amusingly enough he didn't even have a show at the carnival- he'd been one of the people sent out to tempt and coax villagers and townsfolk to come pay for a ticket or two to see the show, maybe coaxing some extra money for himself with his tarot. But he would certainly be flattered that Mick thought he was so talented.

"I could listen to you play all day." And it was definitely honest- the musical style was new to him, Mick was damn talented, and if he were back on Molly's world well, he wouldn't be surprised to see the man playing for nobility and kings if he didn't travel the world like some famous bards liked to do.

"Thanks, mate. Yeah, I like to be on my game and it seems you do too. Glad you like the songs. I can show you a long riff I did once while performing on stage if you like? It's called "Width of a Circle" and it's another Ziggy song."

Mick would gush about Ziggy all day since he was biased being in love with his alien. Yet, guitar was a big passion for him much like magic was for Molly. He adjusted his leather guitar strap on his neck and plucked a few strings. If he wanted to listen then who was he to deny his new blue friend some music?

"I love playing all day. That and arranging songs and doing some mixing back at the recording studio in Ziggy's townhouse. To be honest I'm still pretty new to this Nexus, having been here for over a month or so. Ok---next song."

Here, Molly, check this one out.

"Everyone likes to be on their game, even if some people like to pretend they're not playing." Molly points out in mild amusement.

And he definitely picked up on that affection in Mick's voice, the enthusiasm he spoke about this 'Ziggy' person with. It was sweet, that they'd found each other. Not Molly's thing, commitment and actual honest emotion like that enthusiasm spoke of made him nervous, but he could appreciate the joy of it for other people and be happy for them.

"My friend you are incredible. If just you're this talented I'm clearly going to have to get myself one of these 'televisions' to catch one of your shows with the whole band. Bet it'll really blow up my curls."

"You're right, mate. I never go out on stage unless I know I'm going to perform at my best. The same for Ziggy and the other lads too."

Mick took his music career very seriously and loved entertaining the crowd with his guitar skills. It was also nice when the audience really appreciated what was going on. Smiling at Molly, he nodded. The bloke clearly needed a television. Did they even sell them here in the Nexus?

"I've got another song. This is one of Ziggy's first songs he wrote and it's about Major Tom, Ziggy's father going up in space."

Readying his strings, Mick began playing Space Oddity.

"Into space?" Molly repeated, brows lifting in surprise.

The music was of course skilled. It seemed like Mick truly loved his craft, as did this Ziggy person. He hadn't met him, but he could only imagine what a good match they made if the music they created together was any hint.

"You are a delight, really you are." The tiefling smiled. "Come on. Let's find ourselves a bar, get a drink or two and I'll pull a card or two for you. A proper Tealeaf special for your generosity with your musical talents."

"Yeah. He went up in space a while back when he was younger. Ziggy knows more about it than me but he's bloody brave to go up there."

Molly loved the guitarist's music though and this pleased him. It was nice to have people around that actually appreciated his riffs and sound board work.

"Thanks, mate. Oh, a bar? Sounds like a plan. Any preference to where we go? I'm not bothered."

Mick knew there were a few places they could sit and relax at whilst getting a decent drink. The angel bar or the one run by the big, blue bird woman. He'd heard about the Viper's Pit too from others. He raised a curious eyebrow about the cards though. What did Molly mean?

"What do you mean you'll pull a card or two?"

Edited 2021-03-23 19:15 (UTC)

"Brave indeed, that sounds like one hell of an adventure." It certainly sounded impressive, like the old stories of heroes and explorers crossing Planes to face the perilous unknown.

"I'm not too picky, we can just meander until we find a place, hm?" Molly offered, holding an arm out in invitation for his companion to take it in playful gallantry. "As for the cards..."

His other hand flicked, a quick bit of sleight of hand having a sudden fan of cards in his grasp, blue and gold leaf on the back. "I tell fortunes."

"Bloody brave bloke and I respect him a lot and not just because he's my girlfriend's dad either."

Mick found space to be slightly terrifying and awe-inspiring at the same time because both Ziggy, Tommy and Aletayria had come from Anthea and landed on Earth. What or who else was out there? It just made the guitarist's mind boggle and he'd rather focus on his music for now. Glancing at the friendly arm outstretched, Mick smiled and slowly took it seeing no harm in it.

"Fortunes, eh? Sort of like gypsy fortune telling, like? I once went to someone at a fun fair. A lady in a tent and she had these cards out. Not sure if she were real or not though."

Mick walked up to the nearest bar and pushed the doors open, walking in with his blue friend. It was the Angel's Retreat. Balthazar's bar. Sliding up to the bar, Mick sat on the stool wondering what Molly would like to drink. He waved over the angel who was talking to another patron.

"What can I get you, mate?"

Nothing wrong at all. It made the amble to the bar almost like a pleasant little stroll as the cards were whisked away as quickly as they'd appeared.

"Oh it's as real as you want it to be. Some will say otherwise but," He gave a light wave of his hand. "They're usually trying to sell you something. Or actual Seers which is a whole 'nother ball of wax."

Molly seems quite content to follow Mick's lead, settling easily on the stool at his side as he glanced around at their surroundings. An angel-run bar, now wasn't that something! "Whisky sounds about perfect. Something that'll really put a kink in my tail if you would be so kind."

Mick didn't really believe in hocus pocus and all that when he was younger because he was rather naïve and just loved playing on his guitar. Was he still sceptical now that he was in the Nexus? After what he'd seen he couldn't really doubt that magic didn't exist at all. Molly seemed good with his tricks and maybe magic actually was real in the Nexus, who knew?

"I'm interested in these cards you've got."

Two whiskeys were slid along the bar top as Balthazar offered Mick a friendly smile, since the angel was Ziggy's brother's partner. They knew each other well. Waving towards the blue patron, the angel was then moving to serve someone else who had arrived. It was a busy bar.

"The angel here is the owner and partner of Ziggy's brother. We're all family, really."

He took a sip of whiskey and eyed up Molly carefully, wondering if he was about to have his fortune taken for real. Adjusting his guitar carefully on his lap, Mick kept his eyes on the tiefling's hands.

"Going to tell me my fortune, mate?"

Molly thanked Balthazar warmly for the drinks before he was off on another task. A barkeep's work was endless after all.

"Sounds like you're all getting along rather well here." And honestly it made him feel a bit better about this strange place that others were prospering, that even those who were not 'specifically normal' enough seemed to be doing well made him confident in his own ability to carve out a life here if he decided to.

He took a drink of his own whiskey, a softly exclaimed delight at the burn in quiet Infernal uttered as he brought the cards out again at that question with a grin, shuffling them easily between long fingers.

"Sure will. Lets do single pulls for now, see what happens from there. Got any questions you want to fling out to the Fates to see what they make of it, now's the time." He tended to stick with normal readings. 'Cold reading' like anyone could learn to do. Sometimes though something real slipped through, and it was hard to tell which it would be until he had the card picked in hand.

"Yeah, I've been here for a month or two now and Ziggy's really made me feel at home. At first I was scared and nervous because of all the aliens, robots and other creatures around. But now? I am slowly getting used to the strangeness of it all."

There was always something new around every corner and Mick loved the mystery of it all. That and the fact he could play guitar to everyone he met, no matter who or what they were. Sipping his drink, he pulled out a pack of his favourite smokes and offered one to Molly. Did tieflings smoke? Well, he was about to find out as Mick liked to share things with friends.

"Uh---I don't know, mate. How about you surprise me, eh?"

He had no idea what to even ask so just lit his smoke and exhaled a line of smoke above his head.

"Well I'm weird and you're doing just fine with me so I'm gonna say you're coming along real well." It might be lightly joking, but at the same time it was a genuine enough sort of compliment. Not everyone could deal with Weird. It was why so many people drifted to the carnival to find a home.

He wasn't entirely familiar with this sort of setup, but the smell of tobacco was familiar enough that Molly didn't even have to ask what he was being offered, gently slipping a cigarette from the wrapper with a hum of appreciation once he'd finished shuffling the cards, popping it between his lips to find a match to light it with before turning his attention back to the cards, fanning them in one hand to hold out to Mick, backs up.

"Alright a general peek at the future to start then! Pick a card and turn it over and let's see where you're at, my friend!"

"You're not so bad, mate. I've got a friend who's actually called Weird. That's his name. Our bassist."

The black long-haired bassist being part of the Spiders from Mars and Mick's close friend. They had auditioned together along with Gilly, their loud-mouthed bitchy drummer. They all liked each other really. Mick, now glanced down at Molly's hand, wondering what card he'd pick out first. Inhaling softly, he slowly picked one and turned it over.

"Ok---here goes. What did I get?"

He was partly afraid it might be the Grim bloody Reaper or something.

"Oh I'm not meaning that weird is bad. Just that a lot of people don't know what to make of it. Makes them antsy." He tilts his head, brows lifting. "But that's his name? Goodness, I'll have to meet him some day, bet he's good fun."

Molly settled in as Mick took his time, red gaze turning to the card the guitarist had selected, the surface painted with a deep navy sky, a silvery moon on the face.

"The Moon! Light without the harsh burn of sunlight, while still preserving the softer edges of the Dark it finds itself in unity with. A balance there, and it's that same harmony I see you walking towards on your midnight path," Molly mused, reaching to lightly take the card, turning it back and forth lightly to let the light reflect off the silver paint. "Given her domain, the harmony you're working towards is both a thing within yourself as well as in your romantic life."

"The Spiders will hopefully come into the Nexus one day and I'll be sure to introduce Weird to you once they do."

It would be a culture shock but they needed to know about the whole alien aspect first before stepping through the portal. Two men from the 1970's would be blown away once they did set foot into the Nexus much like Mick. The blond's eyes were soon back on Molly and what card he was dishing out.

"The Moon? Oh---is that good? Well, it talks about me and Ziggy and says it's romantic so---yeah, that sounds about right."

He smiled and wondered what other cards he would draw. Molly seemed to be skilled at what he did and Mick did wonder if it would all come true. So far so good. He sipped his drink and swallowed.

"What's the next card say?"

"I will absolutely look forward to meeting your bandmates then." Molly hummed, taking a drag of his cigarette to blow out a few smoke rings above their heads.

"The cards aren't technically straight good or bad. There's positives and negatives to each, it's just a matter of interpreting the card drawn and the person it's drawn for. A detail picked for one draw might be different than the same card drawn again even for the same person," Molly clarified, not wanting Mick to worry about his fortune turning out terribly. "Yours seems to be positive so far, but even the negative reading can be... well bad things happen. Bad things happen to people and they happen to good people which is shitty and unfair, but it's also a chance to learn something. About yourself, about the world, about your place in it. All up to the person what they take from it."

The cards always do make him feel a bit more introspective, and he huffs a soft laugh fanning them towards Mick as before. "But a second card? Sure, pick one and let's see where things meander from here."

Mother always told me to never give away a story for free

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