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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His eyebrows lift and a moment later he bows. "If you like."

Mid-turn to leave, however, he stops and smiles, facing to her again. "But if you find yourself needing me, I will be around the corner in a quaint little bar that does hearty meals. Or you can seek out Madeline, if you remember how to reach her."

It's another hour before she gives up.

Only now, while she's irritated with herself about not being able to get home, she also feels bad for how she spoke to Reynard. She hadn't meant to be rude, and she hopes that he didn't take it that way, but the longer she'd been alone the less she'd liked it.

Remembering where he'd said he'd be, thankfully - surprisingly - it doesn't take long for Grace to find the bar. Once she's spotted him, she approaches his table and sinks into the seat opposite. She looks frustrated still, but not as she did earlier. Now, she's resigned.

"So..that was time I'm never getting back"

It will take a bit more than a frustrated huff to offend Reynard. The Winter spirit has a nice seat in a corner where he can keep an eye on who comes in and out. Which, incidentally, makes him easy to find. A plate sits to one side, nothing but crumbs remaining, and a large glass of beer is slowly being worked through.

When Grace sits, he straightens slightly, leaving a cautious silence before venturing, "Did you try the vending machine devices?"

As he straightens, Grace seems to wilt, folding her arms on the table and resting her forehead down for the duration of the silence between them.

A moment later, she moves her face and peeks up at him, and shakes her head.

"I'll try them sometime later, I think...right now I need to remind myself that this isn't the worst possible thing that could have happened." another pause, "...I could've fallen into a black hole...gotten hit by a bus..instead I've wound up in a place with floating fossil-snails that eat fruit..."

He listens to her convince herself not to panic, or cry, or be upset. When she fades off, he waves to a waiter who has a few too many eyes. "Get this lady a drink, would you?"

"You look like you could use one," he tells her with a nod and he takes a sip from his own glass.

Shaking her head again, she pushes herself up, conjuring a smile from the part of her that still wants to be optimistic. She addresses the waiter first, and does a stellar job of not overtly staring at his additional eyes.

"Just water, please"

And then, she looks to Reynard again.

"I'm okay. Just need to tell myself that I shouldn't worry about things I can't necessarily control-" she pauses as the glass is set down a minute later, turning it between her hands. "...Thank you for showing me around. Well, showing me the Wilds anyway. I'm getting the feeling this place is much bigger than I first thought"

He mirrors his smile with a stronger one of his own. "It was my pleasure."

Then, shifting his eyes to take a look around, he leans in closer and watches her carefully. "But there are a few things you should know if you're going to be staying here for a while."

"Firstly, there is an anti-violence field here to keep people safe. No one can be harmed unless they give permission, including by trying to be violent themselves. But this field... The further out from the Plaza, here, you go, the more unreliable it becomes. Which leads me on to my next point..." He sighs and straightens a bit to look at her better. "Don't accept food or drink from anyone you don't trust. Don't make deals with anyone unless you are certain you don't have any other choice."

Her expression becomes a tad more serious when he leans forward; just his tone is enough to make her pay attention.

For the most part, it's good information to know - the anti-violence field is certainly reassuring for her. But it's the warning that worries her. She doesn't make a habit of making deals with strangers on a regular basis, but the fact that it needs to be said makes her wonder what other kinds of people reside here.

"I'll bear that in mind...is there anything else I should know?"

Grace is glad she met Reynard when she did; providing he's one of the trustworthy people here (which she really hopes he is), he's so far proven to be an invaluable source of information. She just hopes she'll be able to repay him somehow for being so helpful to her.

"Not that I can think of off the top of my head." His moustache rolls as he sifts through what might be useful to know. "As long as you keep in mind that all kinds of people from all kinds of places pass through here."

"Keep your wits about you," he decides to settle on as he relaxes back into his seat. "You'll do fine."

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