nexus_crossings | Cleaning up after chaos: A post Khan event question

Cleaning up after chaos: A post Khan event question

Not everyone who frequents the Nexus was unfortunate enough to be caught up in Khan's attack. Reynard had ended Winter in his own world and engaged in his usual annual seclusion that, as it always did, ended once he had run out of alcohol. The sight of an obliterated Nexus was not the pub crawling paradise he'd remembered it as. It seems that he's missed the action and stumbled into the aftermath. People are tired, disoriented, upset and in shock, or powering through their emotions by helping organise everyone else. Without much of a thought, Reynard falls into a group that is already working to set everything right again. Or as right as things can be set. As it turns out, an atmosphere of destruction and tragedy does wonders for a Spring-sick Winter spirit.

He looks as awful as he feels, and far more sober than he'd like to be. He's forgone his coat, but kept his gloves on and a makeshift mask for the work at hand. Reynard has volunteered for the grim task of working with the dead. In a shaded area he helps move bodies to rest side by side, covered in shrouds that have started to vary in colour as they run through their supplies. These are the ones who have not, or cannot, be identified.

It's been a long day, and it's been hard graft, and everything feels hotter than it is, especially with the cloth around his face. Reynard takes his gloves off, leans against the edge of a table, and pulls away the mask, revealing an unkempt beard. "What would you like to happen at your funeral?"

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Adia cringes in sympathy, both for Reynard being summoned against his will, and the poor clueless spirit-enthusiasts who paid the price for it. "Good thing I can text you if I need to get ahold of you. Then you can reply at your leisure."

His understanding takes the sting out of her failed attempt to contact Caspar. She even smiles wryly at his final comment. "The first in the whole multiverse? I doubt it..." Flaking off a bit of ganache with her fork, she spends a long moment preparing another bite of cake. "When I told Julia that a Five released me from the detention center, she was very surprised. It's not in their nature -- or programming, whatever -- to do that. She didn't know why he'd make an exception for me."

That gets a laugh out of him. It's lower, deeper than his usual bark. "Technology has its advantages, even for spirits."

That she grins makes him grin in turn, but he's equally happy to spend time taking small mouthfuls of cake in the silence. When Adia speaks up again, musing aloud, his eyes lift to meet hers. He watches her for a long minute and when he speaks it's with an earthiness, deep and honest but not disapproving. "I don't know what you want me to say." A second passes and he offers, "I could tell you that the people you call your enemies are still people, if you need to hear it aloud. That they think and feel like your people. But I think you knew that already. You always knew that."

She smiles around a sip of coffee, glad to hear him laugh. Truthfully, Reynard has been there for her when she's needed someone the most, but it's nice to know that he can be reached through modern means. "That reminds me, when did you want me to start teaching you about the sciences?"

Shaking her head, she swallows the bite of cake in her mouth. "No, I -- you're right, but that's not why I brought it up. I know that they're like us, but I... I don't think Julia does." She frowns, but it's without the fear, the grief that constantly dogged her musings about Cylons before. Time and distance have made her more thoughtful than afraid. "I don't think they understand themselves at all..."

The question makes him hum thoughtfully. "Good question..." His furrowed brow eases when he starts to rub his beard. "When I can make myself presentable again. A week, maybe two, then we can start."

He picks at his cake slowly as he considers this new thought, sparing a moment to feel grateful he doesn't have to explain uncomfortable notions to his friend. "Like children? Or 'teenagers' as they say. As though they gained their independence and rebelled against their parents without stopping to discover who they are or who their parents are."

"Okay, great." She beams, clearly excited for the opportunity, before tempering her enthusiasm and adding, "But take your time, of course. No rush."

The comparison has crossed her mind before, and she nods in agreement when he finishes. "Julia reminded me a a lot of a teenager, and not just because of that..." A pensive look crosses her face. "It'd be heresy to say back home, but I hope she's okay. I told Will what had happened, maybe he can pass that along to the military."

Her enthusiasm, while a treat to witness, is incredibly difficult for him to return at this point. Familiar as Spring's awful influence is, it grabs him with a melancholy that is troublesome to shake. Still, he tries to muster up some energy, lifting his brow and his voice. "Have you thought about where to start. I hear there's a science for everything. Well. Almost everything."

"The past is riddled with tales of naive children overthrowing their parents in fits of hubris. It wouldn't surprise me." A thin smile appears then. "The military taking your information into consideration, on the other hand. That would surprise me a great deal."

It's why she toned down her excitement, knowing that Reynard is still recovering. She's willing to wait until he feels ready. "I'd like to start with biology, if that's all right with you? It's what I know best. And chemistry is so closely related, I'll cover some of that as well."

"There's something... literally child-like about them, too," Adia remarks as she slices off another bite of cake. "The way they handle their emotions at times, or how hard it is to see things from someone else's point of view..." But that train of thought will have to wait, as Reynard's second comment has her blinking in surprise. "Really? Why?"

A grin curls a corner of his mouth. "I suppose you'll explain the infamous 'germs' that cause us so much trouble." He waves a hand, half shrugging as he does. "It makes no difference to me. I suspect biology might be my strongest area in science but that's not saying much."

The expression on Reynard's face is somewhere between surprise and amusement. "Because nobody wants the enemy to be relatable, to be 'human'. It's easier when they're not."

"Is that so? I knew there was a reason I liked you," Adia teases, although she's glad to hear that he has some knowledge in biology. "Just curious, but what do you know about germs?"

Her surprise turns to quiet dismay. "Oh... that's true, but I thought, um, that if the military knows that the Cylons don't all agree with one another... that, um, that at least one of them would kill another one to protect a human, then maybe they could use that information somehow..."

She trails off and take a bite of her cake, her cheeks tinged pink in embarrassment. Perhaps it was foolish of her to think that her little experience would make any difference to the military. Reynard was a soldier, he would know better than her.

Her smile encourages his own, but the question has him squinting in thought. "Not much. They're quite a modern concept. About a hundred years ago people stopped talking about poisonous air and started worrying about the tiny, invisible 'germs'. There's a lot of talk about them now. About how hygiene and chemicals can get rid of them. About how there are different kinds that cause different illnesses, which is why people get so many vaccines. Animals too. Different ones live in different places, don't they? Water or blood or air."

The amusement in his expression vanishes, becoming more apologetic. He shifts awkwardly in his seat as he sighs. "Ignore me, Adia. I'm old and cynical. I don't know what your people will do. Modern warfare is a different beast to the one I know."

"Only a hundred years," Adia remarks, more thoughtful than surprised. Reynard's Earth has limited space travel and uses fossil fuels, it makes sense that their understanding of germs is relatively recent, as well. "You know more than you give yourself credit for. And yes, different germs live in different places. That's true for all microorganisms, but it's especially important for germs because it determines how they're transmitted."

She looks ready to say more, but pauses and reaches for her coffee instead. Always ready for a good talk about germs, she'd rather not bombard Reynard with information just yet. "I'm going to see if I can find a microscope that I can borrow... or at least some quality photos. Part of the fun is seeing what these things actually look like."

That makes her feel a little better, even though she shakes her head at his self-assessment. "No, you're... you're experienced and wise. I don't know anything about fighting or strategy."

It's high praise to hear Adia's approval of his knowledge and he can't help but smile. Some things he might not understand, but he tries to keep up with what's relevant. "I talk to my fair share of farmers, and they're all too happy to share their worries."

"I've seen some of them before," he chimes in. The idea that he's more familiar with these things than he thought adds a touch of enthusiasm as he waves a fork and talks. "They're colourfull blobs with tiny hairs and eyes, and speckled skin. Some are roundish and some are long. I've seen them on posters in hospitals and doctors officers."

Her compliment gets a chuckle. "That is a much kinder perspective." Then he sighs and tries for an encouraging smile. "We can't know what will happen. We can only hope our actions will bring about some good."

"It'd make sense for them to worry about that, domestic animals are prone to so many diseases... how come you're talking to farmers? It is because of where you live?" She's rather proud of Reynard for trying to stay relevant, especially for things that might not affect him directly.

But it sounds like he'll still need some education on the subject, because... germs don't have eyes. Or color, really, or... what is he talking about? She listens in confusion until he mentions that he's seen these creatures on posters, and then his description clicks. "Um... I think what you saw were... cartoons, maybe? An artistic license. Germs don't look like that."

She feels a little bad breaking the news, not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm. That's kind of adorable, though. She doesn't think him any less wise, at least. She nods thoughtfully at his advice. "I feel like the future is even more uncertain for me now, but... not in a bad way, if that makes sense."

"I like farmers," he proclaims. "They hardly change, and if you know one then you'll know their family and the newer generation is easier to understand. Besides, land and animals are familiar topics."

It's true, Reynard deflates into a frown when she corrects him. Why would posters in a doctor's officebe wrong? He sighs and shakes his head. "Maybe they don't know what germs look like in my world."

He nods in understanding, eyes glazing over thoughtfully. "They say change is good. It's certainly not unwelcome sometimes. "

Based on his description, she can see why he likes them. "I never knew any farmers," she admits. "Most of our produce was grown on Aerilon." She looks at him thoughtfully. "Have you ever tried to grow anything?"

Aww, that's a shame, to see him lose his zest for the topic. "They probably do, but they want the posters to attract people's attention..." She sets aside her coffee mug and pats his arm encouragingly. "I can show you photos of microorganisms that are more complex than germs. Tardigrades are my favorite. They have eight little legs with claws on the end and they can live anywhere, even in space."

"I'll be curious to see how the Nexus rebuilds itself," she comments quietly, his comment on change making her think of the destruction outside. "The Nexus is always changing, but not usually so dramatically."

"Tried, yes, but I couldn't grow wild garlic if I had a host of it in a forest," he tells her with a wry grin. "I owned a farm once, but I ended up only raising animals. I'm good at working with animals. I took care of the village's horse when I had my farm, and I've been a shepherd more than once, but I can't grow plants."

They certainly caught his eye, but he almost prefers the idea that they don't know what germs look like in the first place. It soothes his ego. Adia's excited descriptions are a kind distraction. He gives her a look of utter scepticism. "How can something so small have so many legs and claws?"

He hums and follows her attention through the window to the trouble outside. "I think it will be all right. Time is strange here. The past might reappear suddenly, or the future. I have no idea what it will look like, but it will be all right."

"I find animals easier to care for than plants, too. Animals are much more vocal about their needs." It's easy to imagine Reynard as a shepherd, and she smiles at the thought. "I think I'd enjoy herding sheep, so long as they didn't stray too far. Did you play your flute for them?"

Rather than be put off by his skepticism, she's glad that he isn't taking her for her word. "There's an entire universe that's naked to the human eye, and that includes some very complex creatures. I'm really looking forward to showing it to you."

She blinks, then sighs and lets out a small laugh. "I had forgotten about that... it's too easy for me to forget that time isn't linear here."

"They wouldn't want to stray far if you were watching over them, my dear." The compliment is reflexive, a sure sign that he's getting a little better for her company. "I did play my flute for them on occasion, or sang. Perhaps that's why I had my fair share of strays. It's half the reason I'm such a good climber."

"I'm not sure how to feel about the thought of you showing me a whole world of miniature monsters," he admits lightly. More thoughtfully, he asks, "Do you ever get scared, knowing about the things you know? Tiny, invisible, clawed things running around everywhere sounds... unnerving, if nothing else."

He smiles, happy to hear her laugh. "It's easier for me. I've seen it, and felt it. It makes it harder to forget."

His charming compliment makes her giggle. "Good, because I'd do nothing but worry if they did." But rather than be further amused by him insulting his own singing, she shakes her head. "No, you have a lovely voice. Sheep are just... well, they aren't the brightest animals, but that's not their fault, they were bred to be like that. What's the farthest you had to go for a stray?"

It's not the first time she's been asked such a question, although usually it's from a germaphobe. "To be honest, I find it kind of comforting. The more I know about what's out there, the better I can protect myself, and others." She leans in reassuringly. "And they aren't all monsters. Most microorganisms are good for us, and the environment." A thought occurs to her and her mouth teases into another smile. "We wouldn't have fermentation without microbes, so you can thank them for that, at least."

She tilts her head a little, her fork poised over another bite of cake. "What does it feel like? I... I've noticed changes, but only when I'm absent for a few days. I've never seen it happen in front of me."

"You haven't heard my singing voice yet," he jokes back reflexively, before turning his attention onto her question. "How far?" He rumbles and rubs his jawline with a thumb. "It's difficult to tell. People measure differently as time passes... I've hiked for a few hours to get to strays before. They always find themselves in the trickiest places when they get lost."

It looks like she may have given him something to think about with that last point with the way he leans on one arm to consider it. In fact, the more he thinks, the further down the rabbit hole he goes. "The bad germs, the diseases, they don't think they're any worse than any of the others? Nature doesn't think they're any worse than any of the others, does it?"

"Personally I find it uncomfortable." Reynard's lips roll, his brow furrows, and his eyes glaze over as they look into the distance. "It feels like a part of the world twisting around and around, painfully tight, like wringing a cloth, or pinching a nerve. Then suddenly it pops into place, despite being very much out of place. It's so disorienting..." He looks at Adia again. "Have you ever been to somewhere that you only vaguely remember, perhaps from a dream or an early memory, and the nostalgia is so strong that it's sickening? You can almost smell it. You almost feel like you're a child again, but you also feel that you're not."

"I'll reserve judgement, then." She almost asks to hear it sometime, but she's worried that he'll ask her to make it a duet, the same way he got her to dance, and there is no way she is going to start singing in public. "Oh, that's a good point... that's probably why they end up lost, they get stuck somewhere and need help."

It'd be easy to answer that germs don't have nervous systems so they can't think at all, let alone consider their own morality, but that doesn't touch on the spirit of Reynard's question. "The only goal of a microorganism is to reproduce," she replies. "To keep passing along its genetic material. For some of them, that means sneaking into another living being and using it to make more of itself. We're just an environment... like a pond or a forest floor. It's all the same to them."

The analogy helps her to understand easily how uncomfortable such a change must be for him. She nods, a painful expression briefly passing over her face, one she hides with another bite of cake. "I felt that when I came here again after being away for three months. You remember that, right? The question I asked when we met via text. I still don't know if this is a different Nexus or the same one but at a different time... it doesn't really matter, anymore, but it was disconcerting for a while."

"It's like a magic trick, how easy it is for them to get onto a tiny crevice up high on the side of a cliff, and then for it to be impossible for them to get back down." He sighs and shakes his head, recalling past frustrations. Once he's done, he gives Adia a wry grin. "Now I only have to worry about people doing that. But they're much easier to direct."

Reynard settles into a thoughtful slouch to better rub his beard and sip at his coffee while he listens and thinks. Despite microorganisms being far from his mind throughout most of his life, he finds himself tentatively finding a level of understanding with them. "But they're essential to the way the world works? We couldn't live without them?"

The reminder of her predicament is met with a sympathetic cringe. "Mm, yes. That's what it feels like. To me, that is. It's… hm… unsettling. Fitting, really, since time is literally unsettled." His eyes and thoughts turn to Adia then. "Are you all right with this Nexus now? The change must have been upsetting."

She's not sure what he means at first, but then she remembers his mountain-climbing and laughs softly at the comparison. "My mom told me never to climb a tree that I can't get back out of, hopefully someone gave the same advice to the people you go climbing with."

Reynard is asking such good questions, she has to visibly hold back from going into full teaching mode. "They're a vital part of the ecosystem, for sure. For example, decomposition of matter is dependent on microbes. Without them, dead stuff would pile up... plant matter, especially. You could probably create a functioning artificial environment without microbes, but not a whole planet." She pauses thoughtfully and adds, "At least, that's how it works in my universe... and yours, too, probably. I can't speak for all realities."

It is comforting to know that he finds it just as disturbing as she does. "I'm fine with the Nexus... it's the friends I made that I miss the most." She looks down at her plate, mostly crumbs now, and sighs. "And I worry sometimes that it will happen again. That I'll show up one day and everyone I care about will be gone. It's already sort of happened... have you ever met Steve Rogers? He was badly injured during the invasion."

A finger appears to point and it wags at her alongside a nod. "I like that! I like that advice! I'm going to use it. Pass it on to all those climbers who think they're goats."

"Like the Seasons, then," he says quietly, reluctant to make any stupid observations. He shifts in his seat and rubs his chin. "Autumn must love them... Do they do well in Winter? It is the Season of death..."

Reynard nods along with her as she voices her fears. With everything she's been through, of course she'd fear losing her friends one way or another. Her mention of Steve makes him look at her to check her expression, to see all that it tells. It's not hard to tell that it's serious, and Reynard takes a slow, deep breath to prepare himself to walk a line. "I'm sorry to hear that, Adia. I've met him before, during Winter." Hesitantly he tries for an encouraging smile and offers, "You've met him, you know how sickly he is, and he refuses to submit to it. He might be the most stubborn man I've met."

"I can't promise they'll listen as well as I did," Adia says with another laugh, but she's obviously pleased that Reynard has put value to her mother's words. "Why do people climb mountains on your world? For fun?"

She gives him an encouraging smile. "Yes, like the seasons," she confirms. This is a new subject for him and she can see the way he carefully treads through it, trying to find his footing. "They aren't as active in the winter but microbes that live in the soil are always working. Many microorganisms do just fine in the cold, it's high heat that kills them."

As serious as a heart attack, or perhaps even worse, based on her downcast expression. She nods awkwardly when Reynard talks about meeting Steve, knowing how badly the blizzard must have affected his asthmatic lungs. But so far, no one has given her flak over being Reynard's friend, not even Blaze, so she doesn't dwell on the matter. She even smiles a little when Reynard comments on Steve's stubbornness. "If anyone can make a full recovery through sheer willpower, it's him," she agrees. "But it's happening on another world, with no way to contact him. I wish I could at least tell him that the rest of us are okay, and that I'm taking care of his pokemon..." And to find out if he's getting better. That would be nice, too.

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