nexus_crossings | It's a Beautiful Day in the Nexus, and You are a Horrible Coyote: Part 1

Perhaps you're browsing the open market, easing through a crowd of strangers of all shapes and sizes and colors, looking for a shiny new trinket or vital supplies to bring home. Perhaps you're taking a stroll through the park near the Plaza, following the walking path around the pond, enjoying the quiet sounds of nature or carrying a pocketful of bread crumbs for the turtleducks. Perhaps you're just after a cup of coffee and you don't plan to stay, or you're looking for work to keep busy, avoiding some task you really don't want to do. Whatever the case, everyone in the Nexus is here for a reason. For a purpose. Everyone is looking for something, whether it's a physical object, a friend, or maybe simple peace of mind.

Wherever you are, you're not alone.

You won't have seen him before he speaks, nor heard his approach. But there he is, as if he has come from nowhere. Perhaps he has. Coyote's suit is immaculately pressed, a pleasant smile pulling his lips back from his teeth. Wherever you are, so is he, looking to you in greeting.

"Hello, friend!" he says, ears perked forward attentively, his furred hands clasped in front of himself. "A question, if I may. What's the one thing you desire most right at this exact moment?"

[OOC: Please READ BEFORE REPLYING! This is part one of a mod-sanctioned event in which your character will have a wish temporarily granted. However, rather than granting the spirit of the wish as intended, Coyote will twist the wording into something your character finds genuinely distressing a la The Monkey's Paw. Please message me to arrange consequences for your character and (if needed) to set boundaries! While your character will not have fun, participating players absolutely should. For those who want to participate but don't want their character in distress, stay tuned for part two. You're also welcome to tag into threads after Coyote has worked his magic and left, though please ask the target player first.]

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Jake doesn't wait for anything more elaborate. He scoops up Harley in his arms bridal-style as if she weighs next to nothing, and legs it toward the Plaza. "If you hear anything, punch me in the chest," he tells her, not looking down to see if she's responding. If she'll be his ears, he can be the eyes and the feet to get them back to the Plaza.

Harley gives him the thumbs up. At the very least she can watch out for anything weird in the Wilds too, as he runs towards the Plaza. And as strange as it sounds... she can defend herself being carried bridal style.

Luckily nothing in the Wilds wants to cause any trouble today. And with his speed, it won't take them long to get to the Plaza. As soon as Harley spots a Stationary Store, where she can purchase paper, she gives him a tap on the shoulder to stop.

Jake comes to a halt, tail still lashing in agitation, but he sets her down on her feet, careful not to let go until he's sure she's stable. Here in the Plaza, there's much less chance of being jumped by something hostile, but he can't help but keep turning to watch in every direction he can. It's so strange to get no audible feedback whatsoever from his surroundings, and spending years in the forests of Pandora has taught him to be vigilant.

Especially if that jerk is still hanging around somewhere.

Harley uses some mime actions to gesture to Jake she is just going inside the stationary store. (And she is pretty good at mime. Uses her fingers to do a little walking person. Mimes out purchasing some paper. Mimes writing on said paper). And then heads inside for her purchase.

She returns with a good stack of paper and some new pens. (So she doesn't use up all her colored markers).

And finds a place to sit, while he remains slightly on guard. And writes him a long note.

His name is Coyote. I have only met him a few times before. Why are you looking for him?

It's fortunate that the writing only has to happen one way, as the pens and paper are a bit too small for his giant hands. But he waits for her message, crouched down low to be closer to her level, even as he warily eyes every passerby.

"He showed up while I was out hunting. Asked me what I wanted, I told him to buzz off. Then..." Jake mimes an explosion next to his ear. "Nothing."

Harley taps her pencil against the paper, and then writes. Is it absolute nothing? Or is there a slight buzzing...?

He did tell Coyoye to buzz off. She is just trying to figure out if his wording has anything to do with his situation.

Jake looks utterly baffled for a moment. "Uh...? No, it's nothing. I didn't... it's just a saying. I didn't say anything about buzzing."

What did he say? He'd been distracted and flippant, and Jake has to wrack his brain to remember exactly what he'd said. "I just wanted some peace and quiet, that's all."

Harley taps her pencil a few times again. And then writes. You asked for peace and quiet... and now you can not hear a thing.

This could be a Nexus LOL. Have you ever suffered one before?

Harley doesn't want to place all the blame on Coyote right now, because she knows how it feels to have blame just pushed on you. But this does seem strange. And considering the fact that she ended up with all those tea bricks after talking to Coyote... it might be connected.

She just wishes she knew more, so she could help Jake.

Jake shakes his head, watching her closely. She looks like she's thinking about something, and that's either a very good or a very bad sign. "No. Heard of 'em though."

The sucky thing is that I am not sure how long this will last for you. Harley writes another note.

I can take you to one of my Nexus safehouses, where you would be safe. At least until this all over. She hands the note to him, with a soft smile.

Waiting for her to write her messages shouldn't make him feel so impatient, but Jake is edgy, his tail continually twitching. It's not her fault. He reaches up and snaps his fingers by his ear while he waits, straining to hear it. To hear anything.

Her offer is both generous and kind, and he feels slightly guilty for refusing, shaking his head with a troubled frown on his face. "I, uh, don't do well being cooped up. You got a ceiling tall enough for me anyway?" Maybe she's got tall friends, who knows. The Nexus takes all kinds.

Harley grins. And nods. She writes again.

I actually do. I am a gymnast, and so I have one place that has very big room, with tall tall ceilings. So that I could practice my aerial arts there, if I want to. You are welcome to stay there.

The bed is in a loft, so it might feel like being in a tree, in a way.

Just the idea of a human-built space having that much room in it is mindboggling to Jake, and it shows on his face, a startled disbelief that borders on morbid curiosity. "Really?"

Normally he'd probably leap at the offer, just to see. He still might accept, though part of him isn't eager to hole up someplace instead of trying to do something. But he's paying attention, anyway. "What if this lasts a while?"

Harley can understand his desire to want to do something. She writes a reply first.

It is one of many Nexus safehouses. So I do not have to be there, if your stay needs to be extended for a while.

I just want you to feel safe, while you figure out how to adapt without sound.

Jake's tail twitches from side to side as he thinks. "If this ain't better by nightfall," he decides. "Uh... how can I reach you?"

Damn good question, Jake. Maybe you should figure that out sooner rather than later.

Harley slides over a business card to him. It has magical print on it, with large titles switching on the top part of the card. Her name, Harley Quinn, and her PINpoint address is at the bottom.

And she slides over a note. This is the best way to reach me.

It's a Beautiful Day in the Nexus, and You are a Horrible Coyote: Part 1

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