Johnny Alpha (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
strontiumdog) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
nexus_crossings2017-01-21 12:30 pm
strontiumdog) wrote in nexus_crossings2017-01-21 12:30 pm
Strange Awakening
He was supposed to be dead. Not wherever he is now.
Not even moments ago he was on a hopeless mission, standing in the ruins of the parliamentary chambers surrounded by dead guards and the quailing politicians who'd spent years spitting and stamping on people like him. In his hand, he clutched the explosive that would bring the whole corrupt system crashing down on all of them.
He knew he was on a suicide mission from the instant the tide of battle turned against his forces and had no choice but to turn to panicked flight into the countryside. But he'd stayed. Despite the danger, the scattered executions and volleys of gunfire echoing across the field, it was his only chance. They were so close, and they would never get this opportunity ever again. This all had to be for something.
He had glared at the chamber with his white eyes, one hand still on his blaster. Wounded, vicious, victorious - He'd clicked it, and then... nothing.
Or it should have been.
He felt the wave of fire flash up his arm, then was left blinking and disorientated when he found himself lying on the edge of a small pond, waves lapping gently at his wounds. And more importantly, alive.
He stared at his hands, and then his surroundings. Just a quiet copse of trees, birds chirping sweetly around him. No stench of smoke and blood in the distance. Just a peaceful, forest setting. There was even a picturesque cobblestone path set into the ground, winding its way into the distance. Climbing painfully to his feet, completely lost for words, he only managed to whisper out -
"What the sneck is going on?"
Not even moments ago he was on a hopeless mission, standing in the ruins of the parliamentary chambers surrounded by dead guards and the quailing politicians who'd spent years spitting and stamping on people like him. In his hand, he clutched the explosive that would bring the whole corrupt system crashing down on all of them.
He knew he was on a suicide mission from the instant the tide of battle turned against his forces and had no choice but to turn to panicked flight into the countryside. But he'd stayed. Despite the danger, the scattered executions and volleys of gunfire echoing across the field, it was his only chance. They were so close, and they would never get this opportunity ever again. This all had to be for something.
He had glared at the chamber with his white eyes, one hand still on his blaster. Wounded, vicious, victorious - He'd clicked it, and then... nothing.
Or it should have been.
He felt the wave of fire flash up his arm, then was left blinking and disorientated when he found himself lying on the edge of a small pond, waves lapping gently at his wounds. And more importantly, alive.
He stared at his hands, and then his surroundings. Just a quiet copse of trees, birds chirping sweetly around him. No stench of smoke and blood in the distance. Just a peaceful, forest setting. There was even a picturesque cobblestone path set into the ground, winding its way into the distance. Climbing painfully to his feet, completely lost for words, he only managed to whisper out -
"What the sneck is going on?"
no subject
Reynard follows Johnny's gesture to the trail behind them with only one set of footprints. He hesitates before smiling at Johnny. "Snow likes me. It's very obliging."
Moving swiftly on he asks, "Are you looking for a new start then? The Nexus is a good place for it."
no subject
He notices the caginess and decides not to press further. He can respect Reynard's desire for privacy - whatever his reasons are - as he knows the feeling. It's not his right to know.
"I think it might be for the best," he replies, after some thinking. "I've done enough damage. So eaten up with hate I couldn't see anything but revenge. I shouldn't even be alive in the first place, did you know?" He huffs and looks at the woods with a fresh perspective. "I tried to settle down in a place like this before, but it didn't end well. Maybe this time it'll be different. If this is an afterlife, it's a pretty nice one."
One that he doesn't deserve, probably.
no subject
With a reputation like his it's unlikely he'll remain a mysterious figure for long, so he like to enjoy it where and when he can. Which is why he doesn't elaborate when Johnny doesn't look for more.
"The Nexus is more of a new life than an afterlife. Most of the people are almost bizarrely friendly, but you'll get used to it, in time. You won't be the only one who's made this place your home."
no subject
It does feel good against his skin though. Points for Reynard for the unconventional solution.
"Bizarrely friendly, huh?" Reynard certainly was that, to be sure. "Sounds good to me. Is this place your home too?" The more he thinks about it, the more appealing the prospect is. But he can't quite shake the feeling that the rug is about to be pulled out from under him, like there's a catch somewhere. A completely fresh start would be a dream come true, and he hasn't even died yet. He'll reserve his judgement until he sees more of the place, but he's already visibly fallen in love with his surroundings.
no subject
"You could call it my holiday home. You can be who you like here… as long as you get along with others," he adds with a wry smile. "Adventure around every corner, peace and quiet around every other."
As Reynard talks the scenery around them begins to change from trees to buildings. The occasional drink stand or bench appears and where they were once alone they now find themselves in a crowd that gets thicker the further in they move. Reynard likes to keep to the edges, skirting around until he can find his way downtown. Around them is a sea of people of all shapes and sizes. Humans, aliens, animals, creatures only mentioned once in a cave in prehistoric paintings.
no subject
Johnny takes note of the increasing signs of civilization when they leave the wooded area, but is unperturbed by the menagerie of strange people and creatures that comes with it. He's had plenty of experience on alien trade worlds and ports, and so doesn't gawk. He's much more interested in watching Reynard, and seeing how deftly he navigates this place. He hopes he can't see him looking, but generally it's hard to see exactly where Johnny is looking, considering his eyes are entirely white.
He's more unsettled when people brush up against him, but tries not to show it. A hand strays to ghost over his holster, but he forces it back to his side. It's hard not to think about a knife slipping under his ribs, or a squad of Kreelers parting the crowd. He appreciates Reynard's maintained distance from the thickest of the crowd all the same. "I can get along alright with people. It's just that I'd prefer to live in the woods. Peace and quiet sounds nice." He looks back in the direction of the forest. "I'd probably have to get used to the weather first, though. Not used to snow this heavy."
no subject
Even if he could notice Johnny's attention, which he can't, he wouldn't blame him. A guide's demeanor is particularly telling and a good thing to imitate when you're trying to blend in. It works in Reynard's favour that the occasional passerby will give him a wide berth. He's not entirely unknown in this place, but hopefully it will take Johnny later rather than sooner to realise his reputation isn't an overly good one.
At the mention of living in the woods Reynard laughs. "A man after my own heart! I live by mountains on my world for my peace and quiet. The weather though..." He stops and puts his hands on his hips. "I like the weather here perfectly." Then he waves a hand to several of the buildings around them to show off the shops, clubs, hotels... "Somewhere for everyone. Take your pick of places, work out a deal if you don't have any money." He sets his hand on his hip again. "Most people are very accommodating. There are too many currencies to be picky about accepting just one."
no subject
"The weather is something I could get used to. I'm more used to plains and prairies myself." Johnny shrugs his shoulders. "It's nice though. Different. Maybe when I get settled here, I can buy you a drink. It's the least I can do after all this."
He looks at the storefronts, evaluating his options. The bar or club looks promising. Even if there aren't any bounties here, he'll make for an overqualified bouncer at the very least. Or he could learn something new. That would be nice, a marked change from the rest of his skillset. But once he gets set up, then he can start thinking about that cabin in the woods. "Thanks for the tip. I'm sure I can work something out." Sensing their time together coming to an end, he takes a second to look at Reynard as sincerely as he can and sticks out his hand. "Thanks. For everything. For helping me along on my second chance. If you ever need anything, I'll be there for you." It's not a promise that Johnny makes lightly.
no subject
Reynard waits patiently, watching his new acquaintance take in his surroundings while the spirit takes in what he can of Johnny. The eyes are different, and the man has certainly been through a rough time, or several. The life of a criminal, the life of violence, the life of trial after trial... he can understand, as a mortal and a spirit.
The offer of a hand gets a raised eyebrow, but ultimately Reynard takes it to give it a shake. His hands are burning cold to the touch, like ice straight from the Arctic. "You're welcome. If you need me, look around. I'm here a lot these days."
no subject
He looks at Reynard with something approaching respect, but not quite. Someplace in-between hurt and caution. He nods curtly one last time, and steps back. "I'll see you around then, Reynard. Offer still stands." And with that, he sets off on his own, disappearing as a solitary figure through the crowd.