+ 1 fun loving Cloudstrider!

[lovesneomuna]

[[ooc: Here is a Visual Reference! Nimbus is at least 10 feet tall, and they are non-binary with they/them pronouns. :)

I’m going to have this post be two options that folks can choose to respond to. The first option is spoiler free. The second option under the cut involves a major Destiny 2 Lightfall campaign spoiler.]]


Option 1

An exploring Cloudstrider was hard to miss. The tall, muscular figure glittered silver as they streaked through the air while perched on the edge of an angular metallic board that appeared to be the same material that lined their darker caramel skin. They wove among the buildings of downtown, before skirting the trees of the park, looping around and jumping down into the plaza while catching the skyboard in a hand.

The nature of this place had already been explained to them by a Guardian friend of theirs, and they were thrilled at the idea of being able to relax and enjoy the Nexus while they and their home was safe in some kind of time stasis. It certainly put their mind at ease, for their very existence was to protect that home with their life. In any other circumstance, they couldn’t afford to leave Neomuna unguarded while a war was being waged around it.

The board shifted into a more portable size and Nimbus affixed it to its place behind their right shoulder as they strode through the plaza, looking around with a wide curious gaze set in a surprisingly youthful face.

“This place is amazing!” They couldn’t help but exclaim, lifting up a handful of pamphlets they had collected. Waggling the slips of paper, the Cloudstrider grinned almost mischievously. “So what does everyone do around here for fun?”

—

Option 2

OOC note: Destiny players! Here there be spoilers if you haven't played through Lightfall's main campaign!

A quieter and more subdued Nimbus had retreated to the wooded park, not far from the plaza, to be alone with their thoughts. The air had a warmth that held the promise of spring and birds were singing in the trees. It was peaceful, which the Cloudstrider appreciated. Though with peaceful times like this where combat or survival wasn’t at the forefront, thoughts and the emotions that came with them tended to bubble up.

The loudest one was about Rohan. His mentor and friend was gone. The first Cloudstrider to die in the line of duty before his tenth year expiration date. Like all Cloudstriders, Nimbus was trained to accept death and they didn’t fear it. But…they hadn’t been prepared to deal with the sudden loss of someone so important to them in their life.

It hurt immensely.

Could they have done anything to produce a different outcome? Rationally they knew that there was nothing they could have done. The elder Cloudstrider had chosen a warrior’s death. A single sacrifice to save many. That knowledge still didn’t make it any easier though.

Nimbus sighed. They were sitting on the ground with their back against a large tree. A knee was drawn up and an arm was draped casually over their knee as they gazed over the smooth water of a pond. It really was a beautiful spot. Paths wound through the park, and one was just on the other side of the tree that led back towards the plaza.

Looking down at the pamphlets they were still holding, Nimbus figured here was as good as any to ask a question.

“How do you deal with the loss, when you lose someone very important to you? When they leave such a huge void behind?”

Comments

Option 1;

[stark_ravingmad]

"That depends on your definition of fun."

Tony had been flying high above the Plaza as he often did and had been testing another feature of his newest suit; altitude control as well as durability of the outer casing armoured shell. Last time he'd made a mistake with the firing thrusters and ended up crashing into the ground breaking a few ribs along the way. Not cool. It was lucky Lucifer was on hand to heal him up.

Iron-Man now circling above the Plaza, honing in on the newcomer's voice and admiring the armour. That was some sweet tech right there. Alien? It had to be. The engineer's radio blasting out from his right arm playing Paranoid by Black Sabbath as he landed with a soft thump onto the Plaza ground.

"What's a hot looking person like you doing in a place like this?"

This was Classic Tony Stark of course. He flirted with anything on two, three or even four legs.

[lovesneomuna]

It was the music and the sound of thrusters firing that caught Nimbus's attention. They looked up and spotted the metallic figure circling in the air above the plaza, tracking their movements with reflective silver eyes. They were unable to help but grin as the smaller figure came in for a landing while answering their question.

Nimbus laughed at the obvious flirt, planting a hand on a hip while shifting their weight onto a shiny high heeled foot. "Just checking it out." They pointed a finger at the metal man and winked playfully. "Awesome entrance by the way." Leaning down a little to get a closer look they let out a low whistle. "Impressive hardware. Kinda reminds me of the Exo light-bearers I've seen back home..." A little primitive compared to Neomuni standards but hey, Nimbus was still a tech nerd even after becoming a Cloudstrider.

Option 1

[coldsong]

"Are you wearing heels? You are, aren't you? There are heels on those boots." Loki approaches with hands on his hips, clearly looking the newcomer over. One might think from his phraseology he's scolding, but one glance at his face says he's being playful.

"That's hardly fair to the rest of us, you could at least give us the extra few inches."

In his normal Aesir form, Loki is all of 6'2" and the stranger towers over him, but his immediate impression from the attitude and the question he's been asked is that he's looking at someone who's first and foremost a big kid at heart. He is anything but intimidated, but after a moment's thought, he drops the glamour that covers him and shifts his mass, transforming into his Jotun shape and growing to full height.

He's still a little shorter, nine feet and some change to the Cloudstrider's ten or more, but it's a notable difference. "At this height, you may have trouble fitting into some of the establishments, actually. Although, the arcade has made considerable adaptations, I think you could play anything there except Dance Dance Revolution."

[lovesneomuna]

Nimbus twitched and turned around at the voice, silver eyebrows raising. Seeing the playful expression on the man's face, they spread their hands and grinned. "Pretty sweet huh?" A chuckle slipped out at the 'hardly fair' comment. "Hey I don't mind getting lower so it's ---!!!"

If they had been fresh out of the Sidereal they probably would have fallen flat on their ass in surprise as the man changed shape and got taller. Caught flatfooted, the Cloud Strider actually stumbled back a step and nearly tripped on a bench; quickly glancing to make sure no one was behind them. What a first impression that would make. They were so surprised, that they didn't realize at first that the man answered their question.

"Founders!!" They sputtered in both surprise and admiration, staring at the now 9 foot something figure. "You're about as big as a Cabal!" Straightening, they quickly resumed their casual pose. Nothing to see here folks. "Changing size at will? Wow....I wish I could do that outside of the Cloud Ark."

That's when the answer registered. Arcade? Their silver eyes lit up. "Did you say Arcade?"

[coldsong]

Loki is delighted by this reaction, laughing and offering a shallow bow. "I do actually like the aesthetic, though I don't think it would suit me."

"My kind have a talent for shapeshifting, and I've taken it to the extreme. I spend most of my time at a lesser size, as you first saw me, but this appearance is closer to the form I was born into. Colloquially, they call my species Frost Giants. I'm on the runty side, even like this." But that doesn't bother him any longer; progress has been made.

"For the record, I can also turn into a few different animals and mimic other people. Hello, by the way, I'm Loki."

"Yes, there's an arcade. They know me because I bring my children there, and lose at skeeball on a regular basis, to a friend. Shall I show you?" He means show them the arcade, not show them how to lose at skeeball, of course.

[lovesneomuna]

Nimbus tilted their head as they regarded the man while they spoke; clearly both impressed and curious. Okay...maybe a teeny bit envious because damn powers like that sounded really cool. After their silver eyes darted down and up in a cursory once over, they offered a little shrug and a grin.

"I think heels might suit ya." They admitted cheerfully. "Nothing wrong with giving it a shot sometime!" The Cloud Strider shook their head a little, planting a hand on a hip. "Shape-shifting huh? That sounds awesome. Must come in handy too." The Watch Tower on Neomuna had facilities that were adapted for Cloud Striders, but the majority of the city was regular human sized. Though higher ceilings and open areas were common.

"I wasn't always like this. I started off like any human. It's the augmentations that made me this size." They whistled. "You can turn into animals too??" They waved a hand. "Okay I, Cloud Strider Nimbus, am officially impressed!" Since Loki introduced himself, they might as well return the favor.

After a dramatic pause, they relaxed their pose and offered a hand to shake. "Nice to meetcha." Their grin widened, and their eyes twinkled in good humor. "And yes. I would love to see the arcade."

[coldsong]

He's visibly surprised to hear the stranger is human. He didn't think it possible at that size. "Really? I had no idea. I assume there's a purpose to such augmentation?"

Hopefully he's not looking at another Captain America, here. But it sounds like at least Nimbus isn't the only one of their kind. "Well met, Nimbus. A fitting name. My brother's the god of thunder, you ought to meet him some time."

His handshake is firm, and he nods with enthusiasm. "I have a few hours until my children get out of classes. Follow me, I'll show you where it is."

[lovesneomuna]

Nimbus nods. "Yeah! To be a Cloud Strider is a huge honor and a sacrifice. What we put our bodies through is all to protect Neomuna, the city on Neptune where one of the last pockets of humanity live. There's a lot of dangers out there, especially these days. So there's never a dull moment, let me tell ya. Our duty is to protect and to fight for our home, so the rest of the citizen's don't have to."

They already liked this fellow, and grinned when Loki returned the handshake. "Lead the way, friend!" They would easily fall into step with Loki, looking forward to seeing the Arcade. "So, your brother is the god of thunder? As in god, god? Does he change size too? Can he even shoot lightning like.." They gestured with their fingers, "...Zzaaap kaboom, even?"

[coldsong]

So, a little like Captain America, then. But less experimental. Well, as long as Loki doesn't go attacking Neptune that should be all right, he supposes. "That's an extraordinary ask, really, altering your entire body. But I'm glad you find joy in the work. Sometimes being needed is more important than anything else."

A sentiment he might not have expressed before adopting children.

He chuckles a little at the questions. "Thor cannot change size magically, no. He might be able to bulk up with enough protein, but he hardly needs to. He can shoot lightning with his hands, but he normally doesn't channel it that way. Mostly he just calls and it answers, but it makes his eye glow impressively."

There was also a time he would have balked at discussing Thor in such glowing (haha) terms, but he's gone from jealous of his brother to absurdly proud of him. "But he's also a fertility god, and he's been focusing on growing things of late, which is less flashy but I think it might be more satisfying to him."

[lovesneomuna]

"Yeah, it really is." Nimbus agreed as Loki spoke of being needed. "Being a Cloud Strider is all about giving up your previous life to be in service to others." There was just something fulfilling about that. Even with all the risk.

They happily walked alongside Loki as they listened to him talk about their brother. At the mention of them using lightning and the eye glowing, the Cloud Strider uttered a low chuckle and a murmur of 'bad ass'. "That must be a sight to see. Wow they're good with plants too? They'd be a hit in the Hydroponics department." They added after a moment.

They shrugged spreading their hands. "Well the two of you win in the cool powers department in my books." They grinned with a laugh. "You know, I actually know some folks with powers too. Just recently, Guardians came to Neomuna chasing after the Shadow Legion." They waved a hand. "Ugh. Long story. Anyway - they are rockin' some pretty great abilities shooting lightning, throwing fireballs and jumping almost as high as a building...real crazy stuff. Get this.." They leaned a little closer as they walked, silver eyes wide. "They have these little mechanical Ghost companions that bring them back somehow when they die. These people could get blown up or something and then get back in the fight."

Yep, they were totally fan-gushing.