nexus_crossings | Welcome Committee

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Welcome Committee

There's been so many fresh faces to the Nexus recently, and more than a few of them have been children. Questions about finding a way home, about trying to decide if they want to go home. People wondering what to do now...

There are a few tables set out this morning in the Plaza in front of a small cafe loaded with several caraffes of coffee, breakfast pastries from more than a few different worlds and cultures, and a large pan of eggs and sausage kept warm over a chafing dish. On either end of the table are disposable plates, cups, and cutlery as well as a few welcome pamphlets in a small container. Along the front of the tables is a hand made banner.

"Meet and Greet"

Manning the tables is Katsuya Suou, red apron on and a cup of coffee in hand. He looks far too cheerful for how early in the morning it is.

"Right then, is anyone hungry? Have any questions about the nexus?"

((OOC: Feel free to mingle and threadjump in this thread. I'm trying to get people who have yet to meet to interact, so do not feel obligated to only reply to me!))

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Katherine is nearby, having just woken up and come outside to get some fresh air, and of course she would love some breakfast. But like the lady she is, she doesn't quite rush up to grab some food.

Instead, she daintily walks over, smiling at the man she hasn't met yet.

"What is the occasion?" she asks.

Said unmet man is a tall and rather slim Japanese man in a grey suit with a red button up shirt underneath and tinted sunglasses. Though, the suit is currently being partially covered by a red apron.

"I've noticed a lot of new people here, and thought perhaps a gathering would help people create bonds and learn about the Nexus together."

He's certainly not also promoting his cafe. That would be good business sense and lord knows Katsuya doesn't have that.

"Oh! That's a lovely idea," she replies. "I see you have quite a lot of food."

She's eyeing a croissant.

"My name is Katherine Howard," she says, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "What's yours?"

"Please, help yourself to the food."

He's the last person who would try to stop her from loading up on delicious pastries considering he's the one who's made all of them.

"Katsuya Suou. It's a pleasure, Miss Katherine." He offers a small bow of his head in way of greeting, but is ready to shake hands should she offer hers. He's gotten used to Western customs over the years.

Instead of shaking hands with him--it'd be unladylike--she curtsies, grinning.

"And you, sir. May I please have that croissant?" Katherine's practically already reaching for it.

She has questions about him--his strange name, where in the world he might come from--but doesn't ask them. Not yet, at least.

"The almond or the chocolate one?"

Whichever the lady chooses, Officer Suou is happy to place it on her plate. There's a variety of find drinks prepared as well, thanks to Ice Bear. Plus coffee and hot water for tea.

"Have you been finding everything alright in the Nexus thus far?" She's a newer face around here if he's remembering correctly, and half the reason for throwing this gathering was to make the newcomers feel welcome.

"The almond one, please," she replies, looking eager. "And yes, I have. Everyone here is so very helpful. I appreciate it so much."

She looks over at the tea--Katherine hadn't seen it there right away, and of course a good English girl appreciates a fine cup of tea.

"Oh, tea! I'd like some of that as well, please."

With her plate properly loaded Katsuya will take one of the cups and disappear into the cafe a moment before coming back with a cup of hot water so that the young lady can have a good cup of tea to go with her breakfast.

"I'm afraid I'm not familiar with most of the blends preferring green tea myself. But please do feel free to help yourself to whichever one strikes your fancy."

"Green tea?" she looks at him, curious. "I don't think I've ever had green tea. Perhaps I'll try it."

She smiles and examines the various tea packets.

"I'm still getting used to being here," Katherine admits, choosing a tea and unwrapping it to put in the cup. "Everyone and everything seems so--foreign to me. I don't think that's bad, though."

"It's a milder tea than the black teas favored in the West."

The officer points out the matcha powder and another green tea blend out of the selection for Katherine to see.

"I had a similar experience my first time here. The culture shock can take some time to get past. I hope the experience has been overall a positive one."

"Ah, I see," Katherine nods and looks over at the green tea, eyebrow raised quizzically.

"And yes, it has been pleasant so far," she admits, smiling once again. "Everyone here is kind, and it would seem there is none of the--the nastiness one sees at court."

Back home, she means.

"But there is also so much to explore! Where do I start?" She giggles, amused by the idea of herself as some sort of intrepid adventurer.

The court? Katsuya shifts slightly and gives Miss Katherine another polite bow of his head. She's certainly no royalty from his world, but it doesn't diminish her import form her own. Not that he could get much more polite and proper than he already is.

"Well, for starters there's quite a large gala this weekend to celebrate Samhaim, Halloween to most, that will be held right here. It's going to be a costume party and the entire Nexus is invited."

She smiles at his little bow--it's appreciated, even if she's not really anyone important here. Katherine sort of likes to think she is, though. It's more fun that way!

"Oh, a costume party! I do so love those," she says, her smile broadening into a silly grin. "I must think up a good disguise, then."

She looks like she's already pondering it.

If the lady finds herself eyeing any out-of-reach pastries, there's a fellow in terribly old-fashioned (if well-polished) armor who'll be quick to offer her the plate. Stratos is the kind of man who feels it his duty to make sure anyone younger than himself gets a good meal inside them. (He's also quick to scold them if they do anything foolish, but it's all for their own good.) Katherine might not recognize his clothes, but he certainly looks like a soldier of some kind.

"I'm not certain what sort of nuts are in these, but I do recommend them."

She looks at him and smiles, eyeing the pastries he's pointed out to her.

"They do look delicious," she agrees. "There's so much here! I do so love a feast."

She knows it's not really a proper feast--no dancing or fancy dresses, after all--but Katherine likes that she's getting to mingle. She was always a bit of a socialite, back home.

"My name is Katherine." She curtsies politely.

"It is pleasant to see so many people gathered to share it," he agrees with a smile. It may be more informal (and much shorter) than most of the feasts he's been to, but he has missed communal meals since he's been posted away from a large garrison. There's a happy atmosphere here that he hasn't felt in some time. "Our host is a wise man, I think - both our hosts." One of them is a bear, of course.

He bows in reply to her curtsy, warmed a little by her familiar manners. Perhaps her homeland is more like Tamriel than most. "It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I am Stratos Caelus, tribune in the Imperial Legion of Tamriel." He carries no sword or helmet, that said, just a blue-green hood draped around his shoulders.

She's noticed the bear, certainly--Katherine just thought it was some sort of a puppet at first.

"Oh! It's wonderful to meet you, sir," she replies, a grin on her face. "I am lately come from England."

She has no clue where Tamriel is, and she's not sure if he expects her to or not. Sometimes Katherine can be a bit of a, well, blonde.

"I've not met many people here yet, but those I have met have been very kind. I like to see that."

It makes her feel less alone.

He lifts his eyebrows when she mentions her homeland, genuinely curious. There's a place he's heard little of - and that from some interesting people.

"I'm glad that you've found such a pleasant reception. Are you a visitor to the Nexus or a more... long-term resident, if you don't mind my asking?"

"I'm here permanently," she replies. "But I don't mind it. People are pleasant enough, and if we have gatherings like these often--well, then I can't complain at all, can I?"

It's been an adjustment, certainly, but Katherine's starting to realize that the Nexus can very well be a home for her.

"I try to be grateful for what I do have."

She tilts her head, curious about him.

"Are you stuck here too?"

"We could stand to have them more often, perhaps. Though there is a popular holiday here called Halloween, and I'm told our hosts will be holding a true party to mark the occasion." It may not be the life of a royal court, but Katherine might find more than enough chances - and reasons - to celebrate, with some luck.

He shakes his head a little at her question. "Thankfully, no - the doorway to my home realm is stable, though it opens into a rather lawless and frozen part of our Empire. Keeping the passage safe from intruders and lost wanderers is one of the matters I come here to oversee. My particular skill is as a mage, so any problems involving magic tend to fall to me."

"Oh, I would love to attend such a party!" She claps her hands together, in a rather stereotypically girlish expression of glee. Katherine adores socializing--it's probably one of the few things she's genuinely talented at.

"You perform magic?" Her mouth falls open a little. Is this man a wizard?

"I have no doubt you'd be welcome." He can't help but smile at her innocent excitement. "It's customary for many people to wear costumes or disguises for these events, though by no means required." Of course he says that. He has no intention of coming in costume and nobody challenged him last year.

"Indeed. In Tamriel many people are born with a talent for magic, though few are able to make a good study of the art." He holds out a hand and closes his fingers: there's an odd little snap as he opens them, and a little ball of brilliant, shimmering light appears to float a few inches above his palm.

She's about to say something about choosing a costume, but when she sees his magic, Katherine's left speechless.

"My God," she says, after she's come back from stupefied awe. "That is remarkable."

And also punishable by death, where she's from. But Katherine's quickly learning that in the Nexus, things are different.

He bows a little. "I have no doubt you'll see a great deal more, in the Nexus. Though I, for one, try to ensure such power is used responsibly by those under my command."

'Try' being the operative word, especially where his little brother is concerned. Stratos flicks his fingers and lets the little orb of light drift up to float about somewhere over their heads. It's quite harmless if Katherine wants to try and touch it, and in any case will dissipate shortly.

"I fear my magic tends more to the demands of the battlefield than to amusing demonstrations," he explains, a little apologetically.

SHe watches the orb float above them for a moment, mesmerized.

"You use your magic to fight?" Katherine can only imagine how deadly that could end up being, and she frowns. "I would much rather--if I had your powers--use it for fun and games."

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