nexus_crossings | +1 confused teenage boy

+1 confused teenage boy

If anyone's around the plaza area, they'll probably bump into Djem; he's not exactly anything extraordinary, but he is new. At a first glance, he's a tall, sightly lanky teenage boy with a level of scruffiness that's been finely tuned over the years to annoy his parents. He has no idea where he is, but as far as he can tell, he's certainly not in Kansas anymore.

Well, California technically, but the point's still there.

If he was to ask a question, it would probably be the usual; 'where am I? where is this place? am I dreaming?' but for the time being, he's curious enough to begin to wander, taking a note of where he first found himself and which door apparently leads back to his room.

(ooc: hey all - Sophie/Grace mun here, with a new OC offering; this is Djem, he's 18 and is your usual run-of-the-mill teenaged nerd who also happens to be completely Deaf (he's not oral and isn't great at lip reading, but is fluent in ASL). I look forward to flinging him head first into this place :) )

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There's several people in the Nexus who look perfectly content with the weirdness that is this multiversal hub. People chatting with anthropomorphic animals and aliens and creatures of all shapes and sizes. Though human seems to be the primary species around here.

A certain blonde in a gold and black uniform has been watching the newcomer wander around for a while now. After the third time the kid has passed by a particular landmark he takes his feet off the coffee table they'd been on (rude) and saunters over to the kid.

"New here?" He gestures around the Nexus when he talks, unaware that probably wont work too well.

Yeah, the more he wanders, the more surreal this place is becoming. It's definitely a change from his neighbourhood, that he can say for sure. How he got here or how he'll get back are both questions for future!him. Right now he's trying to process it and absorb everything all at once.

It isn't Jim's gesturing that catches his attention first, but rather his uniform. A cosplayer, maybe? A very good one, given how much he looks like Captain Kirk..

He's assuming the guy said something to him, so out comes his phone, held out for Jim to read a few seconds later.

Sorry, did you say something?

Jim peers at the kid, eyebrows furrowing in confusion when the kid goes for his phone, though understanding flickers across his face after a moment. He reaches out to take the phone and types out a response on it before handing it back.

Are you new here? Also, I know some sign language. Not sure it'll be the same as what you use but worth a shot, right?

It'd probably help if he was wearing his hearing aids. Those are usually the biggest clue. Unfortunately, he often forgets them - though whether that's accidental or not is left to be discovered.

I guess I must be, since I have no clue where 'here' is. If it's American, then you'd be good to go. If not, it's cool.

Jim gives a nod at the message on the phone. He licks at his lower lip, obviously trying to remember something before he tries signing to the teen.

I had a friend who was deaf but I haven't seen him in a while. Sorry if I'm a bit out of practice.

His efforts earn him an appreciative smile. He's not bad for someone who's out of practice, but Djem is still careful to sign a little slower than normal, especially when signing his name.

No problem, looks fine so far - I'm D-J-E-M by the way

Okay, good. He's clearly not failing entirely at this. There was a pretty legitimate concern that he'd just be producing gibberish to this kid. The sign language he learned is pretty relevant to 2015 Earth--not so much other worlds.

Nice to meet you. My name is J-I-M. Are you lost?

He's had people do that in the past, though usually that was to make fun of him. When people actually make an effort, it gives them major plus points in his book.

His smile picks up a little; no way is his name actually Jim. Because there's no way this is who Djem thinks he is.

Not that that wouldn't be pretty much the coolest thing to happen to him this decade or anything.

I was in my parent's house, and then I found myself here. I don't know if that counts as 'lost' or just 'hallucinating'.

Sorry, random question, but your last name isn't 'Kirk', is it?

Not hallucinating, though I can see why you'd think so.

Jim chuckles a bit at that, smile widening on his face. He stops signing for a few moments to bring a hand up and cover his mouth while he laughs. He'd had the same concerns when he'd first ended up here.

Wow. That's a first. Yes. That would be me. What year is it in your home?

The kid doesn't look like he comes form jim's time, but he's been wrong about this sort of thing before.

Right..okay. Just gonna let that process

He probably should be less calm; maybe a little panicked. But oddly, a worst he's a bit bewildered. His life is pretty monotonous at the best of times - maybe this is a cosmic reward for putting up with it.

2-0-1-6, and that's kind of amazing. That you're here, and I'm meeting you.

In theory, signing should take a level of awkward out of this conversation, but let it be known that awkward is Djem's middle name.

Sorry..big fan

You're into the fleet then or--

Jim stops signing, eyebrows furrowing for a moment. 2016? How could this kid know about him hundreds of years before he exists? Okay, sure, Kirk's been to 2015 New York City before, but he'd managed to keep himself off the news at the time.

Wow. The Nexus really does bring all kinds.

I'm guessing alternate reality? I've run into those before. Sorry. I'm from a while in the future yet, so it seems weird you'd know me. But, thank you.

For being a fan, Jim means.

The urge to repeat Jim's birthday to him to show him that yes, he does know exactly how much 'a while in the future' really is, is quickly suppressed. He already seems confused by the fact that Djem knows who he is; better not drive that nail in harder.

Yeah, he's gonna have to rein it in. Just a little.

Must be - and you're welcome.

Be cool, be cool. I guess technically I only know of you, so it's not as weird? - and with a pause - How long have you been here?

I've been here a little over a year now. Though I still work on the ship. I come and go from here in my free time.

What little of it there is, anyway. Side effect of being a Type A personality who buries themselves in work.

So, if you know of me, was your version a military guy or what? I can't imagine what I'd be doing if I wasn't in space.

That sounds like the best of both worlds to him, although he can't imagine wanting to leave the Enterprise. You'd probably have to drag him kicking and signing.

He frowns a little at the question; The version I know is still Captain of the Enterprise, still in space and everything.

How do you say 'I haven't seen your latest movie, but last I checked you were fighting Khan!' without sounding like an idiot or without making everything even more confusing? Answer; Djem has no idea.

The Enterprise is indeed home, but roughly one year into their five year deep space mission, Jim would tell Djem that sometimes it's nice to breathe non-recycled air or eat something that isn't replicated.

Okay so that's....weird. Jim's pretty sure space travel is still in its infancy in the 2000s. Starting to look like Djem's Earth is much different than his own.

Really? Good. That's where any version of me belongs.

He laughs a little at that. He couldn't imagine himself anywhere else.

Wendla happens to be nearby when Djem enters, reading a book quietly. When she looks up for a second from her reading (it's a biology textbook and she's kind of enthralled by it, honestly), she waves a silent hello.

You see, Wendla? She's deaf too. What a coincidence!

[ooc: Wendla is German, but is fluent in ASL, pretty much only because she's a character from an American musical, lol. :D]

He notices Wendla a few seconds before she looks up, and almost glances away when she does; until she waves at him. After a brief, awkward pause, he waves back with a small smile.

Well, it'd be rude not to, right?

(ooc: oohh, okay! which musical is she from?)

She grins, excited. It's someone new!

Forgetting her ever-handy notebook and pen for a moment, she reverts to signing:

Hello! Are you new?

[ooc: She's from the Deaf West production of Spring Awakening, which actually ended up on Broadway for a limited run earlier this year!]

He has no idea where this place is or how he got here, but being greeted in sign by someone who isn't his sibling is a very pleasant surprise. He may or may not be terrible at hiding just how surprised he is, though it quickly becomes a wider smile.

Yeah, I guess? What is this place?

(ooc: Ohh!! I just googled it - it looks amazing! I've never seen SA but Ive heard very good things)

It's a place--

She pauses a moment, trying to figure out how best to explain the Nexus to a newcomer.

It is a very interesting place between worlds! I can come and go as I please, but not everyone can.

Wendla's noticed that there are some people here that, well, seem stuck.

[ooc: it is super great imo! :D]

Between worlds?

He repeats the signs, his expression a good mix of complete confusion, and excitement. While he has no doubt he'll need to go home at some point, right now? This is amazing. An adventure, even.

'Interesting' is a pretty good word to use..what do you do here? Just..hang around?

I like to read! And watch the people here. If they know how to sign, I can learn about where they're from and what they do.

She holds up her notebook and pen.

I use this for those who don't know how to sign.

That's cool - I like reading too, and drawing. I usually end up using my phone if people can't sign; I can type almost as fast

It's good to know some other people here might know sign; he can count the number of people he interacts with on a daily basis who know ASL on one hand.

She grins.

What do you draw?

Wendla kind of wants to see.

While she grins, he blushes a little; such is the way of an awkward ~~potato~~ teenager who doesn't really interact with girls all that often.

People mostly - I like drawing faces a lot, expressions are always really interesting to try and put on paper.

If he had his sketchbook on him, he might show her, but alas he does not.

What kind of books do you read?

People are always interesting! And I like all kinds of books. Anything I can read and learn from.

She shows him a book from her little shoulder bag she carries with her--it's a high school biology textbook, simple enough, but Wendla is clearly enthralled by it.

This one is good.

She remembers something suddenly.

I have a notebook! Would you want to show me your drawing in that?

At least that means you're not hard to buy books for! I like fantasy, sci-fi, that kind of thing.

While he's surprised that it's a textbook she shows him and not a work of fiction, he doesn't comment on it. He doesn't really get how you can want to read a textbook for fun, but if she enjoys it, who's he to tell her otherwise?

When she offers her notebook to him, his brows rise in hesitation, but he finds himself nodding before he can say 'no'.

Yeah, okay - is there anywhere round here we can sit down? That might be easier

Fantasy? Like fairy tales? She's never met a boy who likes that sort of thing; Wendla is a little surprised.

She nods and points to a nearby bench, next to a small tree.

There!

Kind of - like 'The Lord of the Rings', that sort of thing

He follows her look to the bench and nods, walking with her towards it. He already knows what he's going to draw, but he can't say whether it'll be good. He's used to drawing when he's alone in his room, not when someone's watching.

I haven't read that book. Is it good?

She sits down on the bench, looking up at him expectantly.

So good, it's a classic. If I can get back home, I'll let you borrow my copy if you want?

Sitting next to her, he takes the notebook, expression asking permission before he does so. The drawing doesn't take very long - only about ten minutes or so, in fact - and when it's done he gives it a final check before he turns the page round for Wendla to see properly. The second his hands aren't occupied though, he's quickly putting in a disclaimer.

That's probably terrible - I mean, I can do much better, but you know...that gives you an idea.

Oh God why didn't he draw the tree?

Wendla's mouth kind of falls into a little "O" shape when she sees the drawing, and she stares at it a moment before putting the notebook down and signing back.

It's lovely! I love it! It's amazing!

She grins.

You're a real artist!

Thank you - and you're welcome.

Oh no, he's definitely blushing now, only this time it's joined with a bashful grin of his own.

You have a gift! You should continue to draw.

She's blushing a little as well--with pride.

I want to! I want to do it at college, maybe make comics or movies or something like that.

That seems like a long way off; for now he's just happy drawing what he likes and not being in heinous amounts of debt.

What do you do? What you in school or anything?

I'm in school! It's all right. We do a lot of reading--my favorite subject is science.

Wendla's developed a particular fondness for biology--how plants and animals work, that sort of thing.

What's your favorite subject?

Waylon was wondering around too, he just bought the perfect place for a vacation home and now decides to see what else the Nexus had to offer that he can show first thing to Hank Jr and Willie(well the second thing really, he wants to show them the ranch place he bought first). He spots someone looking around and being the friendly guy he is decides to say hi.

Obviously Waylon wouldn't know right away that the other guy couldn't really talk, "Hello, I take it you're new here?"

All Djem really catches from his greeting is 'hello'; the rest is sadly lost on him. Still, he gives the stranger a - slightly awkward - smile to be polite, before digging his phone out of his pocket and typing something for the guy to read a moment later.

Sorry, didn't catch that - would you mind typing it out? These are only decorative

'These' referring to his ears, which he gestures to.

Waylon was only momentarily confused, seeing the other guy reach into his pocket, but caught on to what he meant when he pointed to his ears, he probably can't hear. He read the message on the phone and non verbally indicated that it would be more than fine with him. He has a phone too in his vest that he can use.

It was a futuristic looking one that he usually uses to keep in contact with his companions if he went off by himself through time and space. He knows its most likely more advance then the one the other guy had and he reckons that fact would most likely raise questions, but it'll get the job done. He types his reply out and shows it to him woth a friendly smile.

'My apologies, I was wondering if you was new here? I'm still kinda new here myself'

Ohh, okay that makes sense.

I guess I am, yeah. Where is this?

Because honestly, while he should really be freaked out, this actually isn't terrible. He's away from his parents, there's a whole new place to explore...the only way he can see this going badly is later on when he has nowhere to sleep.

But that's a problem for future!Djem.

Waylon read the question and it didn't take too long to reply.

'The Nexus, it's a meeting place for all sorts of universes and worlds to come together and meet up so to speak in one place. Lots of people from different universe can come here and meet up with one another' Waylon's text reply explains. He also took out a little brochure about the Nexus out of his vest to hand over should the other person want to glance at it.

'I was given a pamphlet explaining it if you want to read it. My name is the Balladeer but you can use Waylon' The next paragraph read.

(OOC: Where do you go to give some text a different font? I figure it may be easier if I put the text stuff to the same font.)

Edited 2016-09-24 20:52 (UTC)

(ooc: the html is <*tt><*big> and then at the end of the text - but obvs without the asterisks! :))

This makes no sense at all to him. He's not panicked by any means, but it definitely doesn't make sense. Perhaps he was hallucinating. He's never been high and has no inclination to be, but that's the only answer that makes sense right now. He doesn't remember falling asleep either.

He takes the pamphlet from Waylon, brown eyes flicking over it before they return to the other man.

Thanks - I'll give it a read. And I'm Djem, it's nice to meet you. This place sounds...interesting. More interesting than my neighbourhood anyway

Edited 2016-09-24 22:05 (UTC)

Waylon chuckles at the last line of text. He was sure his neighborhood was also interesting in some way or another. He finds everywhere on Earth in general an interesting place in their own respect.

You're welcome and nice to meet you too Djem. It is, you can go anywhere you want here or buy a place here if you're inclined to. I actually just bought a ranch place as a vacation home.

He can guess by the look of his clothes that he might've came from a time a bit further from the 80's. Well that and the fact that Djem seems to have a smartphone, something that definitely wasn't around during the 80s.

The idea of buying an apartment or house just yet seems funny to him, if only because he's barely been here two hours. That, and like the rest of his generation, he's resigned himself to the fact he'll probably never own a house.

Maybe the economy and housing market in the Nexus is way more stable? Here's hoping.

That sounds awesome - I don't have a lot of money though. I could probably buy a really good sleeping bag and claim one of the couch's back there as my own

[Candela is, unfortunately, not paying much attention to her surroundings. She's distracted between a recently acquired notebook and the fluffy, fox-like Pokemon at her feet. So, without much warning, she's the one who bumps into Djem on accident, sending the notebook in her hands onto the ground.]

"Sorry! Normally I'm not this scatterbrained...Are you okay? Not hurt in any way?" [She's giving Djem a look-over, not even caring about her dropped item or Flareon, who's just looking up at the teenager curiously.]

[To be honest, he's probably distracted enough that he would have done the same thing. Turning towards the person who bumped into him, he goes to pick up the notebook for her when he notices Flareon.

~~Holy snap dragons~~.

His surprise is clear as day - and the notebook is still on the ground - but the pokemon definitely has his attention. It's only after a few seconds of processing this that he realises the stranger's probably said something to him by now, and all he's done is stare at her companion like an idiot. Quickly pulling out his phone, he types something out and holds it out for her a second later]

Sorry! Didn't mean to ignore you! Did you say something?

[Candela takes a quick glance at the cell phone and is able to figure out the situation relatively quickly. Flareon is one step ahead, already offering his trainer the notebook she dropped earlier, even if it is in his mouth.]

"Thanks, partner." [She finds a pen in her jacket, flips open the first page and begins writing.]

I was just apologizing for bumping into you. Are you okay?

[He holds his reply out a moment later with a grin]

Oh yeah, I'm fine - I'm usually the one bumping into people and things!

[Would it be weird to ask if he could say hi to Flareon? Would it be rude? Because he really, really wants to. He's probably hallucinating right now, because pokemon don't exist outside of his phone.

But so far he's really not minding all that much.]

I think we've all done it before, so no worries!

[Flareon is already intrigued by this new human, his black nose is in the air, sniffing around Djem's shoes and clothes. Finally, after a few seconds of scouting, the Pokemon sits on his hind legs, chirping happily up at the boy.]

It looks like Blaze has already warmed up to you. [She's always happy to see her pokemon getting along with other people.] I'm Candela and this is Blaze the Flareon. Nice to meet you.

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+1 confused teenage boy

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Sorry for taking so long!

No worries i was buried in work this week

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You have earned +1 five minute sketch :'D

fjdskfd IT'S SO CUTE OMG ;_;

pfft thank you!

:D

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I'm sorry this is so late - I just won an award for being the most forgetful tagger.

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Sorry this is so late! D:

No worries at all!

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(i apologize for the delay on my end D:)