nexus_crossings | Finally, a place stranger than his office!

Strange things happening around an office filled with magical beings is the norm in Mordred's life. Every day he deals with with magic users, vampires, and landlines in a bag (that call God, no less), so opening a door and finding something unexpected on the other side isn't really a shock. Or it shouldn't be, but a multi-dimensional hub is far outside even the young man's definition of "normal".

Instead of stepping into an unused office supposedly filled with the missing supplies he needs, he finds himself stepping out onto a chilly street along the Plaza. Mordred blinks a few times as he takes in his surroundings (including a-- Captain America PSA?), silently thanks the Goddess he's actually wearing a sweater while he looks around the area, and then makes his way over to the pamphlets to check one out. It's not the most helpful reading material, but it's enough that he looks slightly less nervous once he's worked up the nerve to ask a question as instructed.

"So, I-- This might not be the best first question to ask of strangers, but..." The druid's cheeks flush as he tugs at the bottom of his sweater, his fingers worrying the hem as he gathers his thoughts. "My fiancé and I are getting married soon, and a-a friend of ours-- his sister, actually... Well, she's planning everything-- for us, but I feel like I should contribute something." He frowns thoughtfully for a moment, then sighs heavily. "If you could add-- anything you wanted to a wedding, what would it be? Anything I should-- avoid, at the very least?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That makes perfect sense to Adia, especially considering that magical users are such a small minority of the general population. "So it was more of a networking situation," she says with an amused look. "I guess some things stay the same whether magic is involved or not. I got my position on the research vessel the Chiron because my former thesis advisor knew one of the project coordinators. Nobody had to twist my arm, though, I had always wanted to work in space."

Which is how she managed to meet Caspar and also not end up dead like most of the human population... She sighs, still thinking about the role fate has played in her life. "I think I'd feel differently about things if I didn't have so much survivor's guilt," she admits with a small shrug of her shoulders. "But thanks, I appreciate that. I hope the same for you. If you don't mind a little more advice, don't forget to actually enjoy yourself at your own wedding. Otherwise it'll all pass by in a blur."

"Space? As in..." Mordred points up toward the sky and then makes an expanding motion with his hands. "Outer space? On a ship up there?" That's a bit beyond current technology where the druid comes from, but it's incredible to think such a thing is possible for humans. "What sorts of things do you research when up in space?"

It's pretty easy to tell Adia's not keen on the sad parts of her own story, and Mordred is happy to move on from dreary subjects. Her ability to give advice he didn't realize he needed helps a lot to that end. "I'll try," he laughs. "There's so much more involved with weddings than I thought there would be. I can't even imagine how hectic the day is going to be."

Adia can't help but giggle a little at Mordred's question. "Yes, in a ship in outer space. I'm originally from multi-planetary system, we used spaceships to travel between colonies. People study all sorts of things up there, but my research vessel was specifically for infectious diseases. I'm a microbiologist."

Hopefully he knows what that is. Aside from the magic, robots, and space travel, there seems to be a significant enough overlap between their worlds.

"Yeah, it's a lot," she agrees. "But it should be fun. I mean, it's a celebration, and there's cake. Everyone can make time to enjoy cake."

Mordred's not the most knowledgeable about studying things that affect humans at large, but it makes sense to study diseases far away from big population centers. He can't imagine doing it in space, but the idea is pretty exciting. He'll always be a 'feet on the ground' type of person himself, but he loves that people would want so badly to go to space that they'd make it happen.

"That sounds like a very important job to have. I hope your research went well while you were on your ship, and that you're finding success with it now, too." He smiles brightly at Adia. "It sounds like you and your husband have built a wonderful life together. I'm glad the two of you made it through everything to be where you are now, even if it's a bit selfish because of your great advice." Which the druid is not embarrassed about admitting at all. Adia's been a great help to him, and he can't wait to share all of this with Galeas when he gets home.

The fact that Mordred understands the reasoning behind an isolated infectious disease lab would be good enough for Adia. Based on his expression, he seems to understand what she does for a living, although she brushes off his compliment with a wave of her hand and a modest smile.

"At the time all my research was much earlier in the pipeline of research to potential cure or vaccine, but thanks. I think we've done a lot of good since we settled on Earth."

She laughs a little at his comment on being selfish. "Hey, if I can give advice that's actually helpful, then I'm happy, too. Here, um..." She digs through her messenger bag for a small notepad and a pen, jotting down what looks like a phone number and handing Mordred a ripped off page. "At some point, if you want to keep visiting the Nexus, you should get yourself a PINpoint, it'll let you teleport here and also keep in touch with other people. That's my PINpoint number, you can text me whenever if you think of any other wedding questions you want to ask."

It's unexpected for a new acquaintance to want to keep in touch so easily, but Mordred is very excited by the idea. He smiles brightly as he accepts the paper from Adia, nodding as he looks over the number and then folds it up store in one of his pockets.

"Thank you. Thank you, I'll add-- your number once I get one of those PINpoint things." They seem to be important, given the information he's gotten since arriving, so he'll definitely pick one up before going back home. He smiles again as he adds a few more notes to his mental list. "I'll send you a message soon as I've figured out the device. I appreciate everything you've done for me today, Adia. I hope to return the favor again someday, likely with my future-- husband's help." And what a wonderful, happy day that will be!

Adia is not normally so bold about keeping in touch, but she likes Mordred and he seems like the sort of person she'd want to spend more time with, if given the opportunity. Besides, he might want more wedding advice.

"It's no trouble," she says sincerely, then laughs a little nervously at the idea of Mordred and his emissary-of-God fiancé somehow returning any favors. She hopes it's a mundane sort of favor, if at all, as opposed to divine. The last thing she needs is another deity taking notice of her. "Well, I look forward to hearing how things go, regardless. It was nice to meet you, Mordred. I'll see you around."

Finally, a place stranger than his office!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject