nexus_crossings | (no subject)

(no subject)

It is starting to dawn on Adia that this might not be the Nexus she remembers.

It is the first time in months that she has been able to leave New Caprica without risking awareness from either the Cylons or her fellow humans. She has never told anyone about the strange, wonderful place she stumbled upon, nor does she plan to. It won't be much help to the colonists, and it'd be a dangerous weapon in the hands of the Cylons.

But in the short time she has been sitting on a stone bench, reading an old paperback, she hasn't seen a single familiar face. And come to think of it, none of the landmarks look the same to her, either. True, the Nexus is always changing, but shouldn't she recognize at least some of it?

Curious, and a little nervous, she gets up and brushes off her dusty but serviceable coat, then walks over to a convenient Nexus computer terminal. That hasn't changed, at least.

How do you go about finding someone that you used to know? When is it not worth the risk to try and find them?

There is no giant blinking neon sign in her line of sight instructing her to ask a question, but she hopes someone answers anyway.

((ooc: Hey everybody, Adia is an OC from Battlestar Galactica, her timeline currently in the beginning of Season Three. I used to RP her at dear_multiverse on Livejournal, hence all the "not the same Nexus" references. She's a human with no special powers. Have fun!))

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One of my gods, yes. And the Nexus was invaded by an army of 'demons'. (Unhelpful term, I know, but they actually seem to call themselves that.) I wasn't present at the battle but a few survivors remained here. They come in many different forms but they seem to share some common characteristics the way disparate daedra do.

Talos was once a human, the founder of the present Empire before he died and ascended to godhood. The Thalmor claim it's blasphemous to call a mortal man divine, but I think they simply hate the idea of some lowly unwashed human having a place with 'their' Divines. 

You really needn't apologize. I think anyone who's had to tolerate a Thalmor representative strutting around feels the same way. I don't suppose her god values silent meditation? On occasion I've found adopting their language helps to parry their attentions.

I would be delighted to take up that offer. Perhaps we can exchange notes, since healing and alchemy are a large part of my studies these past months. The worst of our diseases tend to be acquired from beasts or undead, but even common ailments like ataxia and swamp fever are dangerous if you're far from aid.

I didn't know an invasion here was possible. I thought the anti-violence field was supposed to protect against that? She shifts in her seat uneasily. The Nexus is supposed to be her safe space. Compared to New Caprica, at least.

Our myths tell of heroes who were immortalized by the gods. Humans supposedly lived in a utopia with the gods on Kobol so I don't think it's such a stretch to imagine a human ascending into godhood. That's good advice. Usually I just tune her out when she gets too starry-eyed about her god. She's... not harmless, that's the wrong word, but she's easier to be around than some of the other Cylons, and she genuinely tries to get along with me. I'm just sick of all the fighting, I guess. It's easier to talk to her than ignore her. I'd like that! I haven't had a study session in a long time. There's just a matter of getting access to her lab's library and then finding a time to slip away undetected, but she's done it once before for a Nexus friend. I can't help you with the undead, unless it's caused by a virus, but ataxia and fever are usually symptoms of a bigger problem. There are a few things that can help, though. If you can avoid ill animals and their waste, that can also help.

The field has proven a bit unreliable the further you go from the central plaza. I have my own ideas as to how they were able to collapse it on that scale, but I haven't done much research on it. The invasion was repelled very quickly and I understand the anti-violence field returned once the demons' portal was sealed. (I happened to be working elsewhere that day.)

I'll say this much for your acquaintance, I've never met a Thalmor who tried to get along with anyone. It's usually a thin veneer over their disdain. Though I think the more zealous ones terrorize the others into following their example. I don't generally have the will to argue with them either. It isn't safe.

I am always willing to avoid sick beasts, I promise you. Where would you like to meet? If you don't find the plaza too noisy, I'm often on desk duty there, but I also know a few quiet establishments around the Nexus.

I see. I'll try to be careful where I go. Well, she's not exactly a religious zealot. But there are some Cylons who are very disdainful of humans. I avoid them when I can. I'm the only one in the lab who will talk to Julia as if she's a person and not a monster, so... I guess she appreciates that. Are any of the Thalmors priests? Do you have priests on your world? Desk duty? The plaza is fine. I haven't gone to any of the cafes or restaurants. I assume they take money, and my currency is worthless. The coffee in the plaza is free.

Oh, we have priests and priestesses, monks and nuns and so forth. The Thalmor must have a great many of them, but I've rarely met them. I suppose their people aren't very populous anyway, and perhaps they don't like traveling among the lesser races. Our priests are fine for the most part. A bit stuffy depending on who they serve, but they heal the sick and do what they can to tend to the people.

The Imperial Legion has a station here to keep watch over our portal and assist any of our citizens who end up here. As the newest recruit, I get to man it most days. It's not a bad post though. You'll know it by the giant red banner draped over the desk - the Imperial dragon is marked on it. If you'd prefer some wine or ale to coffee, I can bring those too.

Do your priests heal the sick with prayer? Our priests only perform religious duties, although some of them act as counsellors. One of the Cylon models was pretending to be a priest, that's why I asked if the Thalmor had any. They'd be most like him, I think.

Adia is surprised by Felix's answer, at first, but the more she thinks about it, the more it makes sense. His world is already aware of portals, so why not keep watch over the one leading to the Nexus? Sounds like a nice job, to be honest. I'll look for you the next time I'm here, or if you wanted to be a contact on my PINpoint, you could text me. That's a kind offer, but I very rarely drink in the Nexus. I have a low tolerance. She kind of wants to ask if he could bring some snacks instead, but doesn't want to impose.

((ooc: btw, that's a neat idea, to have a station from your character's home world in the Nexus. I can't remember anyone doing that back on dear_multiverse.))

They pray for divine aid, certainly, but they're also trained in ordinary healing magic and other techniques. I don't know if the Divines always lend their power to their priests but they certainly do sometimes. I've heard of lay people being cured simply by praying at their altars. It's funny to think of machines having priests but I suppose it makes sense if they have a god. What was the Cylon priest like? I assume he was pretending to serve your gods. That must have been strange.

Ah, that's sensible. I can keep you as a contact as well, then we can be sure not to miss one another.

He fiddles around with his phone a bit, but luckily he does remember how to save contacts. All his time spent communicating with space captains is paying off.

And I sympathize with your plight - I learned in the Nexus that I have no tolerance for coffee, so we'll be on equal footing.

He probably will bring food anyway, though, not least because good hospitality is an important part of making new friends in his book.

(( Thanks! Admittedly their 'consulate' is a bit off the books, but I figure the Imperial response to any door is to slap a checkpoint on it. :p Plus, considering how often people from their world seem to get lost in other planes, might as well set up a helpdesk to point them home! ))

That's impressive, what your priests can do. I would not give up modern medicine, but in your world, it sounds like you have the ultimate cure, so long as the Divines wish to help. He was pretending to serve our gods, yes. I never met him, he was a chaplain assigned to the military. People trusts priests with sensitive information, so he was probably trying to obtain military secrets, or look for weaknesses. His model is an older male, and I've been warned to avoid him, as he seems the most hateful towards humans. No tolerance for coffee? Is it the caffeine? That must have been unpleasant to discover. Adia will appreciate any sort of food Felix brings -- as abundant as hot drinks are in the Nexus, there isn't a lot of edible stuff that Adia has found to be free and not cursed.

Well, if they can. Their nature makes their power quite limited, but that's a long story.

That's disappointing. You would hope that getting to know people, tending to them that way, would give him more sympathy to them. Perhaps he's the sort who truly just sees vulnerabilities as weakness.

Caffeine- that's the word. I don't believe we have much of it in my world (alcohol, on the other hand, is plentiful). The first time I had coffee, I almost ended up dueling a knight after she lost patience with me.

I'd like to hear about it sometime. To be honest, it's kind of refreshing to meet someone who also isn't from Earth. I think you're right about how that particular model views vulnerabilities. Maybe that's why he hates humans so much, because he sees us as weak. Probably for the best that you avoid it, then! I've never done anything like that while intoxicated, but I wouldn't have any way of explaining myself when I return home.

They are prolific, aren't they? But yes, I'll add divine cosmology to our list of conversation topics.

I don't know how alike his kind are to humans, but it would be comforting to hope that he'll make himself as miserable as he makes everyone else.

We don't want to spoil our fun by having too much of it, hm? Of course in my case, the tribune knows only too well where I'm supplied.

He looks up and around at a deliberate cough from behind him, then sighs.

Duty calls, I'm afraid. But I hope I'll meet you here soon.

Good, I'm looking forward to it.

She doesn't comment on his assessment of the Cylon model known as One, but she can't help but agree, despite how uncharitable a thought it is. So long as One doesn't decide to take his misery out on the humans...

So long as you don't mind if I have some coffee. See you soon, Felix.

She closes the chat window, the last one she had open, and looks around one last time before pulling out her PINpoint. It wasn't the Nexus she remembered, but at least there were still other people kind enough to respond to her questions. A study session with a fellow non-Earthling was something to look forward to.

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