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

[becarefulwhatyouwish]

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.]

Comments

[boldygoing]

This time, it's Jim's turn to get tugged along, like there's an invisible elastic connecting him to Hunter. His boots scrape against the pavement as he tries to brace himself, but the intangible force is more than he can fight.

"Did we...?" He glances around. Nobody else seems to have trouble getting away from each other. On the table, Zunar meows, looking agitated.

[losthunter]

Hunter also glances around, and frowns. He thinks for a moment. There seems to be something off about this whole situation. He does not know much about magic, except his own. But this feels magical. He sits down, when something hits him as a reminder.

"Son of a bitch..."

"He said we would find 'the chance to be very close to each other'. Fuck. I think I screwed us up, Jim. I think I asked for this."

[boldygoing]

Jim takes a step closer to Hunter, and several more when he sees they're not being held apart, too. He reaches for Hunter's hand, scooting his chair closer so he can also sit down. "Explain," he asks, frowning but not angry. Not at Hunter, especially. "Who did this?"

[losthunter]

"I bumped into this.. talking wolf in a suit... when I left the book store. He asked what I most desired at that moment." Talking animals is not new for Hunter, after being in the Nexus for a while. But as a city-boy, wolf is the closest animal he can identify the man in question.

"I didn't even think anything about the question." Hunter runs his free hand over the top of his head. "And I said that I wanted to spend more time with you."

"When I left, he said that we would have the chance to be close to each other soon."

[boldygoing]

"Shit." Can they not just have one normal, peaceful outing without something hanging over their heads? Just one date! Jim looks pissed, but one look at Hunter and his expression softens a tad, giving his boyfriend's hand a squeeze. "I don't know if I would've thought twice about it either. People ask that sort of thing all the time."

[losthunter]

Hunter is silent for a moment. And is glad that Jim doesn't seem to be upset at him.

"I think... it will be a literal closeness... for a while. Judging from the fact that it is a struggle to walk away from you right now."

[boldygoing]

Jim's silent for a long moment, processing that. Finally he gives Hunter's hand a squeeze before letting go to run both hands through his hair, letting out a sigh. "Well... I guess as far as these things go, it could've been way worse." This is a problem, yes, especially if it lasts for more than a few hours. But having to spend time with his boyfriend after three years of long distance dating? That's... not so bad, really.

Zunar meows and rubs up against Hunter's hand.

[losthunter]

Especially with the chaos that other people are facing right now... Hunter would be glad that they have only this to deal with.

"At least I am not forced to not see you... that would be worse."

[boldygoing]

"Shh, god, don't jinx anything." Jim's only slightly joking. With their history with LOLs so far, just the idea of giving this place any other opening to fuck with them sits poorly with him.

"You're okay though, right? Nothing else going on I should know about?"

Zunar nudges a little more insistently at Hunter's hands, pushing his way into the man's lap. It's not the first time the kneazle has offered comfort during stressful times, of course.

[losthunter]

"I had a good chat with your altered dimension self, the other Jim. And while there is still a part of me upset about feeling so helpless... when the news covered what happened. I know that there is a whole unknown world out there waiting for you to explore and I can't control what will be dangerous."

"I just... I wanted to just be by your side. And I guess this is part of that..."

Hunter pets Zunar with a small smile. "I would feel better if I could be by your side. Even if there is nothing I could do... at least I could hold your hand."

[boldygoing]

Well, even if this is a wish gone wrong, that's one of the sweetest things Jim's heard in a while. "Hey," he says softly, reaching over to put his hand on Hunter's. "There are way worse things this could've done to you. Us."

"Can't say I don't get it. I wish you were out there with me too. But you're on your way."

[losthunter]

"Well... until this wish wears off... I think you are stuck with me. And I you." Hunter chuckles a little. All in all, definitely not the worst thing that could have been done.