nexus_crossings | Happy Naberus! [Party post]

There's a chill in the air and a distant howl, and the sun is nowhere to be seen. On the outskirts of the Plaza, grinning faces carved into squashes tempt passersby to follow their lighted path, leading visitors down twists and turns through darkened streets, fog swirling around their feet. Did you already pass this way before? Are you going in circles, lost forever? Doubling back on yourself will lead to much the same result. And you don't remember when or how, but your clothes have somehow become a costume - whether funny, horrific, or downright bizarre.

Eventually, you find yourself in a small street carnival, tucked away far beyond the beaten path. Lights and lanterns run the length of a darkened street, the smells of fried and baked treats in the air, a light haze of smoke gathering under the awnings of food stalls. Beyond the food stalls, a haunted house beckons the brave to venture into its dark, cramped corridors, the sounds of distant screams coming from deep within. To the other side, a mountain of pumpkins waits to be carved, scoops and wicked-looking knives laid out on a tall table. Further still, wooden washtubs full of dark red wine host a small flotilla of apples to be bobbed, leaving all participants with deep red stains running down their necks from trying.

But before you can investigate the many wonders this strange little celebration has to offer, you must first be confronted by the host.

What looks for all the world like a fleshy flower writhes in the entryway to the festival, already towering over most visitors at fifteen feet high. But then that flower opens, unfolding into the form of an even larger young woman, bloody handprints painted on her exposed skin and shards of glass seemingly jammed directly into her head, and papercraft severed limbs hang in a necklace around her throat. She grins at you with unrestrained glee. "Couldn't resist, right? This is the happiest time of the entire year! Happy Naberus! You do know what that is? The Orokin festival of death, darkness, and deviance." She peers down at those in her presence. "We're all equal on Naberus night now, under our masks. Who's to know who's powerful and who isn't?"

She straightens up and laughs, waving her arms towards the carnival behind her. "Don't say I didn't warn you!"

[ooc: Happy Naberus, Nexus-goers! This is a party post, so feel free to tag around under the activity tags or just with each other! And remember, everyone must have a costume to participate! You can make it as mundane or as terrifying as you like. If you are open to spooky and/or horrifying events happening to your character, please also contact me through DMs here or to Ael on Discord so we can plan it together beforehand. The horror side of this event is opt-in, and threads containing such content should be tagged in the subject line.]

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Eido turned her hooded head to look over at the tall human who spoke to her. All four eyes blinked at seeing the eye patch. It was hard enough for her to imagine being able to see with two eyes, and this fellow was only using one! His food suggestion elicited a soft chuckle and she inclined her head a little.

"Ah thank you, it certainly smells delicious. Everything does." She said in perfect English as she gestured with one of her hands. Even the quiet sound of amusement behind her mask sounded human enough. She paused a moment, lower hands rummaging around at the satchel at her waist. "What sort of payment does the food require?" She didn't have coins, but she did have a common form of payment in the Last City: some glittering cubes of glimmer.

Even with only the one eye, it's pretty obvious to see that no matter how well this young lady speaks human languages, she's certainly not one. Thor's never met one with four arms, and that's just the most obvious hint. Her species is less interesting than the subtle implication she's new here, however.

"Whatever you can barter," he assures her with a small nod. "A meeting of worlds makes it impossible to standardize a currency, especially on this sort of scale. I paid a jar of homemade jam for this," he adds, lightly gesturing with the box of ribs.

"Ah, wonderful. One moment..." She went off to the table serving the ribs, and paid for a serving with some glimmer, pleased that they accepted it. It wasn't long before she returned holding a box of the roasted meat in two of her hands.

"Thanks again for your recommendation ah..." She tilted her head. "What is your name? I am called Eido." Part of her was wondering what a jar of homemade jam was. "I am from House Light."

The difference in how she introduces herself is subtle, not quite Asgardian, but close enough to relate. "I am Thor, of the house of Odin." He nods in greeting, and lifts a hand to wave a little. Eido might have mistaken the black metal of his left arm for part of his costume, blending in with shiny leather, but once his hand is raised raised it's clear that this is a prosthetic of some kind, well articulated and expertly crafted.

"I have not seen this celebration before," Thor adds, nodding toward the carnival beyond the food vendors. "It's not one of yours, is it?"

"Well met, Thor of the house of Odin." She said pleasantly as she traditionally honored his house by name. She noted the prosthetic arm as Thor lifted it in a wave. Fascinating. It appeared to be a better make than the ones that Variks had. Her lower hands opened and held the take out box while she considered his question.

"It's similar to the Festival of the Lost the humans celebrate, but it's not the same. It appears....darker perhaps. I have heard it called 'Naberus'. Do you know what that means?" With an upper hand, she pulled down the mask covering her mouth so she could eat one of the ribs, bone and all with a muffled crunch. She didn't really reveal her full face to people that often. Most found the toothy mandibled mouth of her kind somewhat frightening to their aesthetic tastes. "Oh! This is flavorful." She hummed, pleased as she reached for another rib. "The meat is so tender. I also like the sauce." Good thing she had more glimmer so she could try more kinds of food.

"What is your favorite food to eat?"

Festival of the Lost? That rings a vague bell for Thor, though he can't quite put his finger on it. "No more than what she said," he answers, gesturing vaguely toward the giant fleshy flower lady at the entryway. "My people celebrate Lithasblot at this time of year, and it's nothing like this either."

He doesn't flinch at the reveal of her face behind the mask, only displaying mild curiosity at the mask itself. It can't be purely for atmospheric reasons, since she can clearly breathe without it. Administering medicine, maybe? Or simply survival gear, ensuring she has easy access to food and water?

He still has some ribs left of his own, and tilts his head a little toward a picnic table in silent question whether she'd like to sit. She looks like she's got legs made for sitting, anyway. She may have the benefit of an extra set of arms, but he only has the two - one, if you don't count the prosthesis. "In my opinion, you can't beat a good hearty stew. Especially if it's thick enough to clean up with a soft bread. I haven't found a recipe yet that makes it just like home, but I've come close."

Happy Naberus! [Party post]

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