nexus_crossings | 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?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Her guesses make him chuckle, then he takes a deep breath and smiles at her. It takes moment for him to admit the actual reason. For once it's not something he's ashamed to say. "I saved a man. When we were digging the ship out the ice cracked and he slipped into the water. I... couldn't bring myself to let him drown. Not when I didn't fear the ice or the cold." He lifts a hand, palm upwards, and then lets it drop. "So I cast aside my coat and went in after him. I had to ask the ice to part for us on the way up. They all knew then, if they hadn't suspected."

How often has he seen her this excited? So rarely. And about something in the future? She's planning something good for her future. Reynard's smile is bright and genuine, and it takes him a minute to answer her. "I'll... see if I can find some recipes for them."

He can't help but laugh at her immediate reaction, nodding with her as he chuckles. It's hard to imagine someone like Adia enduring something as undignified as lice.

The topic of her leaving, however, is not as easy to smile at. If he looks a little reluctant it's because he is. Nevertheless, he dips his head in acknowledgement and stands. "Let me walk you out the door, at the very least."

Any residual awkwardness from her earlier conversational sidestep is swept away in the wake of his reply, which leaves her wide-eyed in admiration. But those same eyes fill with distress as she considers the consequences of his altruistic act. "Oh, Reynard... what happened after that? Were they afraid of you? Did you have to leave immediately?"

What did she say to earn such a smile? He must be looking forward to her cooking. She hopes she can live up to his expectations. "You let me worry about that," she says, still bubbling with excitement. "I can do an internet search the next time I'm here."

There was a bad stretch on New Caprica where she was about as filthy as she'd ever been, and the thought of having lice on top of that is simply too much. At least Reynard is getting a good chuckle out of her reaction.

"Of course." She fusses a bit with the empty plates, stacking them, before finally standing and coming around the table to his side. "You'll be all right until I see you again?"

"They were afraid of me, yes. I can't blame them for it, either. In a few minutes I'd managed to defy all their experience." He pats her arm reassuringly. "It's all right, I'm used to being feared or hated, and I didn't have to leave immediately. They needed me, and they didn't know what to make of me. So I stayed with them until the end of the trip with the understanding that they would strike my name from the record."

Internet searches are a task he'll happily concede. Besides, it will be interesting to see what she comes up with. "Mm, I'm looking forward to it already."

The fussing surprises him a little. It makes her seem nervous, and he's not sure why that would be… Until she asks her question. He smiles gently and rests a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be fine, Adia, thank you." Hesitating, his grin turns cheeky. "Unless my saying otherwise would convince you to stay a little longer, or visit sooner."

She gives a small sigh of relief that he wasn't attacked, but she's sorry to hear that he is used to being feared and hated, especially in this case, as he did save a man's life. "I'm sorry," she says, perhaps on the behalf of the fearful humans. "At least you were able to finish the journey."

If he asked her in seriousness, it'd be that much harder for her to part company. As it is, she lets his hand stay her, making no move towards the door. "If I knew I wouldn't be missed on my ship, I'd stay for that much longer..." Her expression brightens. "But I can visit again as soon as you like. I'm taking care of Steve's pokemon so i'm here almost every day."

"It wasn't your fault," he says reassuringly. It wasn't kind or fair, but judging from his smile he didn't let it ruin the experience. "I was, and despite the reaction of the rest of the crew, I did enjoy it. As much as a voyage like that can be enjoyed."

The thought of meeting again soon gets a smile. He starts walking slowly to the door. She has to go, they both know it. It would be cruel of him to drag it out too long. "Pokémon? I've seen them around the Nexus. They're pets, aren't they? If you need any help with them let me know."

He probably doesn't get many opportunities like that anymore, she thinks as she lets him lead her to the door. And if he did anything extraordinary on a voyage now, it'd likely be filmed and go viral in a matter of hours. But there isn't anything she can do about that, so with a small nod, she lets the subject drop.

"Kind of... they're very intelligent. Steve thinks of them more as housemates than pets." She smiles at his offer of help. "Thanks. I'll bring them with me some time. They're very friendly... well, except for Bucky, don't take it personally if he doesn't warm up to you... oh, and Sarah is a fire-type pokémon, that won't bother you, will it? I've never seen her cast a flame, but she's always warm."

"Most kind owners do," he points out. How many cats and dogs are treated like family members by doting owners? In Reynard's opinion there's a line to be drawn, but it's one that very much depends on the intelligence of the beast. "I don't mind fire, I mind Summer fires. There's a difference."

If it weren't for the fact that he enjoys being polite for Adia he would be even more reluctant to hold the door open for her. Try as he might to slow the process, he can't keep her here forever. "I suppose I should let you get back home."

"That's true, but... well, you'll see for yourself when you meet them." She's pretty sure she's not assuming too much of their intelligence. Her smile turns to confusion. "What's a Summer fire? I think her fire is the regular kind. She has very good control of it, though."

Saying goodbye to a dear friend is hard, but at least Adia has a better, safer situation to return to. "I suppose so," she agrees, a wistful smile on her face. Would it be awkward to hug Reynard one more time, especially while he's holding the door open? She decides to anyway, but waits until after she's stepped outside and Reynard has joined her.

"Thanks again for the cake... I'll send you the recipes I pick ahead of time, okay? You can get the ingredients and let me know when to come over."

"A Summer fire is one that comes from a Summer place. Beltane fire is a Summer fire. Everything it represents… that's what makes a Summer fire." The explanation is lacking and he knows it. Reynard's hands lift as he tries to grasp onto decent wording and then fall with a sigh when he fails to find what he's looking for. "It's difficult to explain. You can feel it. You can know it, but saying what it is… that's difficult."

The hug isn't so much awkward for Reynard as unexpected. After his initial surprise, he hugs back and pats her gently. It's oddly nostalgic. How long has it been since he's been hugged like this by a friend?

"That sounds like a plan." He steps back and smiles at her, then gives her shoulder one final encouraging squeeze. "You take care of yourself." A wink. "And everyone else in your fleet."

It would probably help if Adia knew what Beltane was, or represented. The confused look stays on her face, but she smiles reassuringly anyway. "It's okay, I just didn't want to accidentally do anything to make you uncomfortable. I'll look it up online later." The internet is full of information on all sorts of allergies, there must be at least one wiki page devoted to Beltane fire.

She returns his smile and laughs at his little aside. "Sure, sure. I'll see you again soon." It's that small assurance that keeps her from stalling any longer before activating her PINpoint and teleporting back to her ship.

Cleaning up after chaos: A post Khan event question

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject