nexus_crossings | (no subject)

(no subject)

There's a new addition to the nexus; a young woman in her early twenties with a small duffel bag slung over one shoulder, wearing a completely bewildered expression as well as pointe shoes, tights, and an oversized jumper over a black leotard.

She was expecting to leave her class and end up in the main theatre for rehearsal; instead, she's God knows where. After walking a little, she stops and looks around again, trying casually not to panic in a way that only the British are able; usually this involves a couple of deep breaths and muttering to yourself, but is subject to change.

"This is fine. Totally fine. I'm just completely lost in a place I've worked for years. Totally normal."

and then, at normal speaking volume;

"If there's anyone here, I'd really appreciate a hand. Anyone?"

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Reynard is still trying to charm Madeline (who is remaining persistently stern with him) when Grace comes back down. The woman smiles kindly when Grace hands the key over. "Thank you. I'm open at all hours at reasonable rates if you ever need somewhere to stay."

"Right now she has a whole big multiverse to explore," Reynard chimes in, pushing off of the counter and straightening.

Madeline blinks. "It's your first time here?"

"It certainly is, and you have made an excellent first impression, I'm sure," Reynard tells her as he goes to open the door for Grace.

"Keep your eye on him," Madeline tells Grace. "He's a troublemaker. But I'm sure you can have a good time despite that."

"I'm sure I will; this place looks..interesting"

Before she follows Reynard to the door, Grace thanks Madeline again. If she's going to be here a while, she may well have to take her up on her offer.

As she steps outside once more, she turns to her companion with a smirk.

"So, she seems fond of you. Have you known her long?"

"A few weeks..." He shrugs and then admits, "Maybe months..."

A skip jumps into his step and he turns to her, suddenly bouncing and beaming brightly at her. "So, my dear, what sort of things do you like to see? This is Plaza, the centre, where most people come into the Nexus. There's Downtown, which has most of the shops, bars, that sort of thing... And, my personal favourite, the Wilds."

Grace raises a brow at the jump between 'weeks' and 'months', but just as quickly, the subject's changed once more.

She wants to ask about the possibility of there being a dance shop, or even a studio or theatre - but the sound of Reynard's 'personal favourite' catches her attention.

"The Wilds..?"

Her interest brings a pleased curl to the edge of his smile. "Mm, the Wilds. Mostly parkland, but there's plenty to explore and quite the sights to see. If you're one for nature, that is..."

"Sounds very mysterious - but as it happens, I am"

Whenever she'd visit her parent's house, being close to woodlands and fields was always a wonderful change. London was brilliant in many ways, but when you've been raised in the countryside, there's nothing like it.

With a theatrical sigh, she pushes her free hand into the pocket of her jeans, while the other remains clasped to her bag strap.

"If only I had someone to explore with me. What a shame."

Taking off his hat, he uses it to accentuate a sweeping bow and then places it over his heart as he straightens again. "My lady, if you would allow me, I am a guide by trade and entertaining company." He dips again, offering a gloved hand. "It would be my honour if I could show you."

She touches her fingertips to her chest in mock surprise, an oh-so ladylike gasp of delight closely following.

"How could anyone say no to such an offer?"

She can't keep it up for long, her expression soon crumbling into a laugh.

"But no, that'd be great - I love exploring outside"

Grinning, he sets his hat back on his head and offers her an elbow before they start to walk.

"While we're getting there, perhaps you could tell me a bit about yourself. Where do you come from? Are you a professional dancer?"

There's a little hesitation before she takes his arm - but only a moment or so.

"Well, I was born in a town called Guildford, but for most of my life I've lived and worked in London. When I was eleven, I enrolled at the first of two Ballet schools, and when I turned sixteen I auditioned for the Royal Ballet Company and got a place in the Corps. I've been dancing with them ever since."

It hasn't been all that long since she joined, but in ballet years, she's already been there half a lifetime.

"What about you? What do you do?"

Grace's story is received with raised eyebrows. "That is incredibly impressive. Especially for someone so young. You must be as talented and determined as you are beautiful."

"I am truly a guide," he tells her. As they walk he makes sure his lazy strides match her in speed so that he doesn't pull or drag her as they move. "I make sure people have a good time outside. Mostly hiking, rock and mountain climbing. Canoeing, kayaking, canyoning, camping... Anything you can think of, I can provide."

"That's lovely of you to say; if I manage to find somewhere to dance, you're welcome to watch sometime."

Grace couldn't stop herself blushing at the compliments even if she wanted to, but what he says about her determination is very true. She's been fortunate in her career, but helped mostly by how much she's sacrificed for it.

She's pleasantly surprised to hear that he actually works as an outdoor guide; she'd assumed he'd been kidding around.

"That's so cool - I love hiking and camping, but I haven't tried rock climbing before. I don't really have a lot of time to myself"

"It would be my pleasure. If I find somewhere for you, I'll make sure to sing your praises."

Her enthusiasm gives Reynard more of a boost and he finds himself perking up even more.

"You'd be well suited to rock climbing, my dear. It shares a lot with dancing. The strength and control of your body is exactly what makes a good rock climber." He leans in a little closer. "Some people find that time moves slower in their own world while they're here. If you find that's the case with you, you should let me take you climbing one day."

"I'd like that a lot" she says sincerely, "and I'm hoping that's the case. Or better yet, that time's stopped at home completely. I know that sounds selfish, but the idea of going back and knowing everything's moved on is just.."

She shakes her head, as if trying to nip that line of thought in the bud.

"Anyway. How did you get into being a guide? Was it something you were always interested in - I could see why"

He sets a hand on her arm and assures her, "Everything will be fine, Grace."

Then it's back to beaming. It helps that they seem to have moved from paved streets to a path through a park-like area. Grass, trees, flowers and benches soon surround them.

"I have a talent for it. Learning paths, knowing when somewhere is safe and when it's not, judging the weather and timing... It all comes fairly naturally to me. And you never know who you're going to meet, or what sights you're going to see. It keeps life interesting."

His assurance is appreciated, though she's not sure she entirely believes him, however much she wants to. Still, she smiles back at him all the same.

"You're very lucky, getting to be outside so much - It sounds like an amazing job to have."

That is a downside to what she does; being outdoors is something she often misses out on. During show season - this one included - she'll sometimes have weeks where she's outside only to walk to work and back again. The studio becomes her home, and her colleagues her family.

With a thoughtful exhale, she glances over at him again. "What's your absolute favourite thing to do from that list?"

"It is, except when the rain starts," he points out with a grin.

Her question is a good one and he lifts his head, staring out with a long, slow inhale as he considers it. The silence has just about settled when he decides. "Getting up early, before dawn when it's still dark, and hiking up a mountain. A challenging one, not a saunter. When it's cold and the wind howls harder the higher I climb. It's tough, and sore, but eventually... eventually you reach the top. The highest peak in a range. Just in time for the dawn to break."

Turning to her, he beams. "It's quite a reward, to sit on top of the world and watch the sunrise."

The image his description brings to mind is a familiar one to Grace. Pushing yourself physically to your limit makes reaping the reward at the end so much better, whether that's on stage or, in this case, on top of a mountain. Sadly, London was sorely lacking any of it's own.

"That sounds beautiful - the next time you find yourself wanting to go, let me know?"

"I will." Though his response is immediate, her enthusiasm still has him off-guard. He considers her thoughtfully for a moment and then grins. "I guess I don't need to warn you that hikes like that aren't too easy going."

No sooner has he said this than something catches his eye and he brightens again. "Ah! This was what I was going to show you!" He steers her through the parkland to get a closer look at the floating ammonites that roam about the Wilds. He'll take her lead, however, and if she seems reluctant to get closer, he'll slow for her. "They're very friendly, if not too bright."

She matches his grin with a smirk of her own. "Oh, I'm not worried about that; I'm always up for a challenge"

Eyes flicking from him to whatever has caught his attention, Grace soon sees what it is - or rather, they are.

She's never seen anything like them, and while she's not scared of them, she's not eager to get too close at first either.

"...What are they?"

Once her attention has been seized, he takes time to enjoy her reaction and savour it.

"Ammonites. Or something very similar." When he speaks his voice is low, almost conspiratorial, even though there's no chance of scaring the creatures away. "On Earth ammonites existed two hundred million years ago, back when there was only one big land mass, and the whole planet was coming out of an Ice Age. They're molluscs, I think, like muscles or snails. These are from alternate reality, or alien world, most likely, but still close to them."

She glances from one to the other as he explains a little more about them. They're a strange sight, but Grace's getting the feeling they won't be the strangest she'll see whilst she's here. She lets go of Reynard's arm and steps closer to them, her tone curious but hesitant.

"Can I touch them? They don't sting or anything..?"

Maybe a silly question given that she's just been told they're similar to snails, but better safe than sorry.

Instead of answering immediately, he spins on the spot, scanning the plant life around them. He walks over to a tree nearby and plucks an apple from it, which he brings over to Grace, holding it out for her.

"You can feed them." An encouraging smile and he tells her, "They're harmless." More cheekily he adds, "And I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

She's so busy watching the ammonites that she doesn't notice that her guide has stepped away. Not until he hands her an apple, anyway. Giving him a look in return for his cheekiness, she turns the fruit in her hands a couple of times as she approaches one of the creatures.

As it bobs closer to her, she holds the apple up to it and letting it grab up the offering with it's tentacles. Before it goes out of reach, she manages to gently touch it's shell, looking back at Reynard with a smile as she does so.

"This is easily the coolest and oddest thing I've done this year"

At this stage, many of the regular visitors and residents have already gotten to know him, and it hasn't been difficult for Reynard to gain a Reputation. It's a refreshing change to spend time with someone who only knows what they've seen of him in the past hour or thereabouts.

Hand over his heart, he bends in that echo of chivalry he likes to tap into. "I aim to please."