nexus_crossings | We Aren't On Arrakis Anymore

"Good question, kid. How about explore everywhere and always ask questions about everything. This always works for me. As for anything else a visitor should know? Expect the unexpected because this place is like Wonderland. Hope you brought a mirror, Alice."

Tony was dressed in t-shirt and jeans which were flecked with grease and oil because he'd recently been tinkering on a suit design as he always did. Workshop stuff. These were his go to clothes when he wasn't donned up in his Iron-Man suit flying around the Nexus or attending fancy dress parties and the like.

"Tony Stark by the way."

The engineer held out a hand for the kid to shake if he wanted.

Tony will find the teenager looking up a him from his perch beside the fountain, analyzing him as if deciding whether he can be trusted. If the pamphlets were right, physical harm was more difficult here - if not impossible, but Paul has plenty of reasons to be careful with his identity.

There are things that are easy to identify. Clearly a mechanic and engineer, and it's always a good idea to have one of those as an ally. So Paul decides to trust Tony. Not with everything, obviously, but enough to return the handshake and give some basic information.

"I'm Paul." Still a little suspicious, but polite and not unfriendly.

The woman who was walking up to the fountain to relax is tiny, short, under five feet. She's wearing a long dress in layers with full sleeves, much like what would be expected from a desert people. Her long black hair is everywhere but as she smiles up at the young man the pointed teeth become apparent.

"I do not know you well enough to make a suggestion. What do you like to do at home?" The second questions takes more consideration before she notices what he has with him. "Not everyone here is as they appear, more kindness than expected but many come carrying great burdens."

"I was already making plans to visit the Grand Library. It will be...useful to me." This woman doesn't seem threatening, and the desert clothes catch his attention so Paul gives a little more information to her. Still careful about exact details, since he doesn't know who she is, but she's loosened his tongue some.

"I need to learn about this place. I'm fully aware of what you mean. I am one of those people you're discussing, so it wouldn't surprise me at all that there are others. This is the kind of place that would appeal to people in need of somewhere to rest."

"There are many libraries here and those who have seen uncountable ages pass. If you seek knowledge then you will find it pleasant here."

She's soft spoken and not currently dangerous but she is strong and very old. She smiled up at the man. "It is common for others to rest here but I am not among those who seek rest. I am happy to show you around if you want to share your interests so I can direct us to the things you would most want to see."

"I know about the Grand Library. The pamphlets mentioned it." Paul noticeably perks up at the promise of other libraries.

"Tell me more about them."

She smiled at the perking of his presence. "My church has a small library but other beings keep private libraries. I have found they are amiable peoples and may have collections that stretch back many long years."

She shifted on her feet. "Perhaps, some would not be friendly in most worlds but I think most that come here are pleasant."

Haralel had been meandering through the plaza after her and Belnan had gone to the market. She had a large tote bag in hand with some vegetables among other things. Her Warder had gone off, but she could tell that he wasn't very far and would most likely return shortly.

She cut a graceful figure as she moved among the benches; with long black hair loose down her back. She wore a simple dress of wools and linen with embroidery along the sleeves, collar and hem. Since it was getting chillier these days, she wore her traveling boots rather than her sandals. The most distinctive item of clothing she wore was the large shawl draped over her shoulders. It was the color of dark chocolate, and embroidered with swirling green vines and leaves along the border. A long lighter brown fringe swayed along its edge and a white upward pointing tear drop shape was visible beneath her hair on the shawl in the middle of her back. Like one half of the 'yin yang' symbol.

Spotting the youth sitting on the edge of one of the fountains, she approached at his question; studying him with tilted dark eyes as she lowered the bag to her feet.

"I highly recommend a visit to the Grand Library. It has a wealth of information." She gestured towards the large stone building off of the plaza, the fringe of her shawl swaying with the movement. She saw that he had some pamphlets - which was a good start. "I also advise to avoid the Wilds outside the city. It is very dangerous there."

Haralel will see the young man's eyes visibly light up with excitement. "The Grand Library. Yes, I know about that. They have books from other worlds there?"

Well, somebody's going to pay the Grand Library a visit in the very near future.

"The Wilds. Where the Eliksni live." Paul clearly has done some research on the contents of the pamphlets. "The pamphlets say they agreed to leave markers, so it's easy to stay out of their way. Besides them, is there anything else I should know about?" Wild animals are a different problem, but he's got no intention of going out there without both protection and a good reason. The strange magics that protect people from harm aren't so strong there, and it's a bad idea to be reckless.

Seeing the youth's eyes light up at the mention of the library, Haralel smiled. "Apparently so, just like the strange nature of this place. I have only been there a few times and it is so large, there is no way I can explore it all in one sitting. I have never seen such a gathering of knowledge. There must be information from all the Ages there." Judging from the sparkle in her dark eyes, she too loved libraries.

The Aes Sedai moved to sit next to the boy, flicking the edge of her shawl across her lap as she settled with her bag at her feet. "Ah, the Eliksni. Large four armed creatures from another world." She turned her head to look at him. "I hear the ones living in the Wilds are dangerous, yes, but have been living under truce." Her dark brows rose at the question and nodded somberly.

"There are many creatures that live there that are dangerous. But it's not just the animals to look out for. My Warder was nearly killed by one of the plants!" She crossed her arms at the memory, repressing the shiver. "We were very new here and I was...foolish enough to investigate some of the local flora. The plant revealed itself to be of enormous size with prehensile vines and thorns big enough to kill a man." She made a face, before schooling her features into calm - not wanting to disturb the newcomer. "My Warder survived, though nearly just. We were assisted by another traveler that came by."

"Truce will do." It's better than worrying about being attacked, though it is a little disconcerting having an armed, dangerous alien species so close by. But if these Eliksni are honorable enough to keep their word there shouldn't be any trouble. "Their terms are easy enough to follow. We stay off their land and don't interfere with their operations here."

There's a stare, though not a disturbed one so much as someone who's listening to the story and taking notes. Not just on who this stranger is, what the term "Warder" means, and that she didn't come alone, though that will come up later. So, the plants can kill people too - not just through poisons, but through active predation. The Nexus is more dangerous than it looks.

"Who helped you?" Somebody it's best to be aware of, in case a reason to enter the Wilds ever comes up and a guide is needed. Paul is not defenseless by any stretch but is not about to take risks with Eliksni or carnivorous plants. He has too much of a part to play back in his world to be someone's breakfast.

"Her name is Katiri." Haralel said after a moment. "She called herself a 'Guardian' and used powers that is both familiar and not, to me." The blue skinned, glowing woman also used tools and weaponry that neither her, nor Belnan had ever seen before. "She was able to get my Warder and I to safety." Recalling something, the Aes Sedai straightened. "In fact, the Eliksni come from the same world and Age that she does. I must warn you, that one of her friends is an Eliksni scholar that sometimes lives here in the city. He came over to Katiri's for tea once when I was there. Variks told me that he is not of the same House as the Eliksni in the Wilds. He wears colors of dark green and gold, so if you see him, do not be alarmed. He will not harm you."

She felt the satisfaction of returning the favor for a friend who had helped her. Katiri seemed to be very concerned about her friend's well being so she was only too happy to spread the word that this Variks was friendly. Considering her and Belnan's reaction upon meeting the Scribe without even knowing the full story from Katiri was testimony enough that passing along this news was needed.

"Ah forgive me for rambling on and forgetting manners. What is your name?" She gestured. "I am Haralel."

Edited 2021-11-25 02:22 (UTC)

"Where can I find Variks, if you know?"

These Guardians sound like some sort of protectors, or the closest thing to them that a lawless place like this has. Paul intends to try and stay beneath notice, which is better for him and for this place, but the Guardians and the Eliksni And this rogue Eliksni, Variks...he might represent a chance to learn about them safely.

Paul will go to find him one day. There are other priorities, now, but meeting Variks is on the list of things to do here.

He considers how to answer the question. He avoids giving truly identifying information in a place like this, especially to people he doesn't know well, because who knows what ears it might reach.

"I'm Paul."

Haralel shook her head. "I do not know where he lives when he is here in the Nexus." She admitted. It was the truth. She was bound by Oath to the White Tower and couldn't speak an untruth. "If you truly wish to speak to him, I would seek out the Guardian Katiri. She is seen around here regularly and well, she's very easy to spot. She has blue hair and skin of a violet shade. And she glows." She smiled a little when the youth gave her his name. Though she didn't get a chance to respond.

"I leave you for five minutes and you are already making friends?" Came a warm male voice.

Haralel huffed a soft sigh, eyeing the man that had approached. "It was closer to ten."

The man placed down the bags he was carrying in one hand, and offered a tray with a couple of drinks in foam cups. "Your mocha milady?" Haralel offered an actual smirk before taking her drink in hand. She looked over at Paul and gestured at the man who was sitting down next to her and sipping his own drink. "This is Belnan, my Warder." She looked at her companion. "Our friend here is Paul. He is new here."

"Ah...say no more. This place is as strange as anything and I've seen strange." Belnan nodded in complete understanding and good humor. He had a long featured face with high cheekbones and steel grey colored eyes that seemed to always be taking in the environment around them. His hair was long and dark with hints of auburn and woven in twin braids that were decorated with small silver bells. He had a neatly trimmed beard that framed his chin and jaw, but no mustache. It was also obvious the man was armed; and had twin swords sheathed on his back with the hilts poking up behind each shoulder. The most curious thing about him was the cloak that he wore. It appeared to shift color and trick the eye like a kind of camouflage.

"Well met, Paul." Belnan continued after another sip of his drink. "We haven't been here that long ourselves. What..a month?" He glanced at Haralel who offered a tilt of his head. "Perhaps a month and a half. Time flows strangely in this place. If it has a Wheel - it's definitely broken." The Warder concluded.

Isamu and Minoru just happened to be crossing paths in the plaza when they both heard the teenager’s question. They turned and looked, almost at the same time, and given how similar they looked, it certainly had the makings of an amusing coincidence.

Isamu was on his way home from IRIS to continue the day’s research, but stopped to pick up something rather than cook. Minoru, on the other hand, was on his way to work, albeit in no hurry, and was munching on a muffin as he walked. Their clothes matched their professions, Isamu in a lab coat and Minoru in comfortable scrubs.

“Oh! You’re new? Welcome!” Minoru smiled. “First thing you’re probably gonna want to do is get yourself a PINpoint from the vending machines over there.”

“The devices are used for making calls, taking pictures, performing basic daily organizational tasks and traveling between various dimensions that connect to the Nexus.” Isamu nodded. “The instructional pamphlets are very thorough, though not a particularly engaging read.”

“Why am I not surprised you read the manual…” Minoru snickered, shaking his head. “I’m Minoru, and this is my brother Isamu. We’ve lived here for a little over a year now.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” Isamu nodded politely.

There's a startled blink from Paul. "It's...unusual that people read these manuals?" It seems like basic common sense when you find yourself in unfamiliar territory. It's not light reading, but it wasn't difficult and the information was important - to know how the Nexus worked and the benefits and dangers of a place like this seem incredibly obvious. And these PINpoints seem lke the lifeblood of the Nexus.

Which means Paul is getting his hands on one, and very soon.

"If these PINpoints come with manuals, I'd like to get a copy of one." To learn how it works, pick it apart and back together, lock it properly from prying fingers, and possibly to customize it or even improve the model.

“Thank you.” Isamu nodded, raising an eyebrow to his brother. “See? Not everyone relies on trial, error and ‘oooh, what does this button do?”

Minoru shrugged. “Most of it was pretty self-explanatory. They come in all kinds. A lot look like phones and other gadgets from different worlds. Which makes it pretty easy to know what to do. And they’re cheap too. So if you break it, it’s not hard to get a new one.”

“And how many times have you had to do that?”

“…five.” He answered sheepishly. “But not because I used it wrong. Sometimes you drop things. Or land on things…”

Isamu turned his attention back to Paul. “The manuals come with them. And not accidentally teleporting yourself to the Dimension of Shrimp is worth the time spent, in my opinion.”

“For the record, I’ve never actually done that.” Minoru felt the need to point out. “That’s just an example.”

"Dimension of Shrimp." Completely deadpan, as if Paul is asking himself what kind of madcap place he's stumbled into. Well, these PINpoints are something he's already imagining that he can use to his advantage, even if at the moment it's nothing much more ambitious than slithering into the nearest tavern when he needs a breather and to listen to the latest news.

Alcohol loosens tongues, and people don't take a fifteen-year-old seriously. Or imagine that he's listening to the intricacies of Nexus politics and taking notes, learning how this place works. What factions there are, where to go if there's something you want or need.

"If there's a chance that you could be sent to..." Paul shrugs, not even trying to imagine what a shrimp dimension would look like. Not his concern, since he has no intention of going there. "Somewhere like that, or worse, I would think poking around without a good idea of what you're doing would be a terrible idea."

Isamu's smart, and sensible. Someone whoknows how this place works. There could be a lot to learn from associating with him.

“One would think.” Isamu repeated.

Because yes, that is the sensible and responsible thing to do. As far as other dimensions went, some were just absurd. Of course, there were pleasant ones - Minoru had literally visited Sesame Street at one point. There were not-so-pleasant ones - apocalyptic wastelands like Jack’s world of Hunger City. And there were worlds that were so similar to their own, that upon first glance the twins would have thought they were back there.

“Then again, you are speaking with someone who thinks scaling skyscrapers is fun. So his perception of risk may be a slightly flawed.”

Minoru shook his head, rolling his eyes slightly at his brother.

“I’m a freerunner. Parkour. American Ninja Warrior. That sort of thing.” He explained. “The Nexus is a great place for it. Haven’t been arrested or even stopped here. Everyone’s pretty friendly and laid back.”

"I don't think there are any laws here," Paul points out. "At least none that people can enforce."

Paul already had that impression of the Nexus. The people here are for the most part pleasant, well-meaning, and trusting. It suits his needs perfectly for people not to ask too many questions about newcomers and let him explore freely. He intends to keep his head down, learn what he can from the people, and then decide how to apply the Nexus and what it offers to his needs.

Enough that he walked into a restaurant and was handed a kid's meal and a squeaky toy. It was the first time in a long while that he was treated like his actual age. He didn't even protest when he was handed the baggie and patted on the head.

Minoru's friendly enough, but he's decided that he likes Isamu better.

“A notable observation, but it depends entirely on the context.” Isamu remarked. “Behavior is rarely an issue because the worst offenses are kept in check by the anti-violence field. Murder, even serious injury, cannot occur unless both parties consent to the act. And you would be hard-pressed to find someone willing to consent to their own homicide. There are general societal rules that goods and services are exchanged for money or comparable goods and services. But disputes are handled amongst people themselves. And sometimes by friendly bystanders.”

The fact that many residents here sought refuge from oppressive worlds likely added to the willingness to create a better, more peaceful life.

“However, there are other instances where rules are very strongly enforced. The application process for a research grant at IRIS and the necessary background check took months. There are very strict policies and procedures that I must continue to adhere to. Lines I cannot cross.”

"Wouldn't be a very useful place to hide if people could still kill each other." The rules and limitations are being listened to and made note of. This seems to be a useful place in many ways Paul intends to return - not often, but enough to make use of the services and resources it offers. "Has this...anti-violence field...ever been broken?"

Paul's approach to learning about the Nexus is systematic. Ask a question, gather information, and if applicble see how it works yourself, with all the deliberation of a velociraptor testing an electric fence. And security concerns are an important issue to touch on, because it has implications for how careful you have to be.

"And this IRIS is...?" A leading question.

“The whole reason we came here.” Minoru nodded to his brother.

“Indeed. A traditional Ph.D. program in our world could not compare with the chance to study at the Institute for Research and Interdimensional Studies.” Which was what the acronym stood for, he explained. “I am free to pursue my own scientific research in topics of interest. My work is primarily biochemical, but there are others who focus on other disciplines, even what some refer to as magical studies.”

“Every once and a while something goes wonky that even Isamu can’t explain.” Minoru added. “You get too close to the wilds and that field has holes. Sometimes other weird things just happen.”

“For as much research as has been done, there are parts of the Nexus that are still not fully understood.”

“Or you get someone like that Coyote causing trouble by granting everybody’s wishes…”

“The less said about that incident, the better.” Isamu quickly countered.

"I'm...not the kind of person who would join IRIS," Paul tells Isamu, "but I am interested in the kind of research it does, if it looks into the way this place works. If there's a way for me to get a copy of the work done there, I'd appreciate it."

Another reason to avoid the Wilds, if magical protections are weaker or flat-out don't exist. Paul intends to come here to get away from that kind of thing for a little while.

"There are factions in place here, but this Coyote sounds like he's working alone." Paul adds Coyote to the mental list of people to be careful around. The Eliksni have rules that are easy enough to obey, but Coyote sounds like another matter. "Is it common that people cause trouble here?"

“There are published works that are available to the public. Copies of many IRIS-backed studies can be obtained through the Grand Library. And yes, before you jest, it does indeed deserve that descriptor.” Isamu noted.

Without the proper security clearance, that was all that Paul was going to be able to obtain. And all that Isamu would be able to provide. Though if he did venture to the Grand Library, he’d probably run into Isamu there quite frequently.

“Cause trouble?” Minoru shrugged. “Not usually THAT kind of trouble. I think the last real serious threat happened around the time we were moving in. I still don’t know the whole story.”

“And the incident in which we were all mysteriously transformed into our Halloween costumes last year. But that wore off in a matter of hours. And there were no lasting detrimental effects.”

"Oh, I already know about the Library. It was actually going to be one of my first stops, and where I'm going to spend a lot of my time here."

Well, it was worth learning what's within casual reach. Paul has too much on his platter to consider visiting IRIS for any length of time, let along going through clearance, but publicly available research is worth browsing through. He wants to learn whatever he can about the Nexus and that seems like the best option.

The Grand Library is the kind of place Paul would be drawn to even if it wasn't for the promise of learning about the multierse. It's the kind of place he'll have to force himself to leave.

"What do you two know about this, ah, last real serious threat?" Coyote and the Halloween party incident seem like nuisances, nothing more than that, and he's willing to grit his teeth and deal with nuisances in whatever form they take since the benefits outweigh them. Still, it would be better to stay out of the way.

Isamu had to admit that his knowledge of the event was limited at best, though he tried to provide relevant details about the witch, the dimension she came from, the things she had apparently done, etc.

“As I understand it, the portal to her world of origin was destroyed, from the other side, most likely by the witch herself.” He added. “No one has been able to access that particular world, or visit from it, since that incident. No one from that world was stranded here at the time. Whether that is fortunate or not depends entirely on whom you ask. Many people lost friends. One individual lost their fiancé.”

Compared to that Coyote really was just a nuisance.

[ooc: which all happened right before I joined the Nexus as a player, so I honestly don’t know much about the original plot. Sorry.]

A nod of assessment. It sounds complicated, and from the description of the being involed it was an incident Paul was frankly relieved to have missed. It's worth noting, though, that this place isn't entirely a sanctuary from danger so as not to let his guard down completely.

No such thing as a perfect shelter.

"I suppose I'll be seeing you at the Grand Library, then, Isamu. Thank you both for the assistance - as a new arrival, I'll find your advice very useful." An eyebrow is raised. "So...some people come and go as I would like to, but some stay permanently?"

“Likewise.” He nodded, smiling. Isamu had no doubt they would probably run into each other there from time to time. If he wasn’t at IRIS or at home, he was probably at the Grand Library. (Or One of the angels’ libraries…) “If you uncover anything of interest, please do share.”

He nodded again. “And yes, precisely. Whether you set up residence or simply come and go via PINpoint is almost always your choice.”

As the events surrounding the witch suggested, there were sometimes factors outside of someone’s control that took away that choice. But for the most part, it was true.

We Aren't On Arrakis Anymore

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