Return of the Mage

[ixis]

The stone tower has remained in its distant reaches of the Nexus, a constant looming landmark at the border of the Wilds. But its owner and inhabitant has been silent and missing for so long now, hasn't he? The only reassurance that he's not dead is the family that has made their home on the outskirts of the tower, tending to the chao and rebuilding their own life after fleeing Azeroth's Westfall. Only they have been graced with rare glimpses of the Mobian mage, who otherwise has locked himself inside, working obsessively on...something.

So the sudden pillar of smoke that rises from the landmark might be cause for notice, if not alarm. It swirls and grows, soon gathering itself into a singular column of dense smog and streaking towards the central plaza. And there in the middle does it descend, pulling its billowing shape into something more solid. The gruesome form it ends up taking is none other than the long-absent Ixis Naugus, jeweled staff in hand, cape pulled around his shoulders with his claw.

He casts a surveying look around, taking in the usual views and the present people. After doing so, his face splits into a toothy grin and he poses his question:

"Well? What have I missed?"

Comments

[mynameisnotbrad]

“That depends on how long you’ve been gone.”

It’s hard for Josh to not notice the smoke billowing into the Nexus, along with the sudden change that’s quickly overcoming the population of the Nexus. People in the area whisper to themselves, many of them start to leave, not wanting to stay within a few feet of the Ixian mage. Instead of being scared away, he’s intrigued by Ixis, more than happy to strike up a conversation.

“I guess recapping recent events isn’t too difficult. Let’s see...Covfefe became the newest buzz word. Rompers are suddenly a fashion trend…don’t know how I feel about that just yet.” His tone of voice is too happy, and paired with his wardrobe choice consisting of a pink polo / tan capris, one has to wonder if this guy isn’t secretly a woman in disguise. “Oh! Probably the most exciting bit of news is that the Nexus got completely invaded a few weeks ago.”

He sighs and smiles. “That incident got resolved way too quickly, alas."

[ixis]

Hey, a guy can be peppy and rock pink and not be presumed femme. If anything, he's just dressed like the average country club goer. Just throw in a sweater tied around his shoulders by the sleeves and a gin and tonic and it's flawless.

Naugus listens to the guy, nodding and frowning along with his points. Only when Brad Josh pauses does the mage start to tick things off on his fingers.

"One of those things you said isn't a real word. Rompers in the sense of jumpsuits are perfectly valid on the grounds of being utilitarian. Give me more details about this invasion. Another one of demonic nature, perhaps?"

[mynameisnotbrad]

Don't give him any ideas Ixis, he's already the type of guy that goes to Sunday brunches and spends his free time growing flowers. To be fair, 'Josh' has to resist staring at any of Ixis's unique features, like his lobster claw and large bat ears.

"That can be argued. You ever seen a teenager wearing a one-piece jumper adorned with a large pineapple? It's terrifying." For such a sad event, he's over-joyed to be discussing it. "Benedict Cumberbatch, although he was calling himself Khan, came into the Nexus and disabled the anti-violence field. Brought in a whole army of androids and was looking for Jim Kirk."

He shakes his head. "I heard a group of 'heroes' took him down though. Sad, really. That man's beautiful blue eyes were taken from this world too soon."

[ixis]

"Jim Kirk? Really? What's that complete ass done now? Plenty, if he's got a maniac with robots coming after him. How disappointing. Couldn't even make better enemies than the usual madman who plays with machines. Also, you're still making up words. A cumberbatch isn't a real thing in any reality. I'd stake my own tail on it." A dangerous gambit, even in jest. There's a lot of realities out there.

"And the anti-violence has failed yet again? Colour me increasingly unimpressed with whatever maintains it. I've arrived just in time once again, it seems." Even though he missed the actual invasion.

[mynameisnotbrad]

"Got me. I didn't bother to ask, and to be fair, I had my own personal business to attend to." He just shrugs his shoulders. "It's the name of an actor where I'm from, so..." He's already glancing down at Ixis's tail with a smirk on his face. "I'll take you up on that offer if I can sell it for re-tail price? Ha! I'm just kidding with you."

The second comment gets a curious stare from Josh. "I'm guessing this is a common occurrence? Maybe the hamsters aren't getting paid enough to run on the wheels powering the shield thingy? I have no clue, but I'm okay with it going out every so often."

[chiron_survivor]

Adia has not yet had the pleasure of meeting Naugus, but she has been to his tower (for a pokemon playdate, of all things), so it is with extreme nervousness that she watches the plume of smog heading towards the Plaza. It only alleviates slightly when it coalesces into a... man? He has a tail...

And speaking of pokemon, there are three of them in her company. The dog-like one wags her tail and sniffs the air, curious about the newcomer, while the dinosaur-like one at her feet barely lifts her head. The bird on her shoulder (who is a little too big to be perched there) glares at him like it's his job.

"Um... there was an invasion. The anti-violence field fell." She unconsciously glances in the direction of the Underbelly, the skyline of which is still a complete mess. "They were stopped, though, and the anti-violence field is working again, so things are getting back to normal... for the Nexus, anyway."

[ixis]

Adia speaking up gets Naugus to, naturally, notice her and he immediately strides with grins and confidence in her direction. Though her little poképals get an appraising look, one after another. "Interesting familiars. Though it's more traditional to keep it to just one. I favour the bird, personally."

When she explains about the invasion, Naugus nods along. "Yes, I've heard of that. Something to do with yet another fool who thinks robots are the bleeding edge of conquest. How dull. Anyway, any indicator of what caused the field to fall?"

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh, no, they aren't familiars. Or mine, actually... their owner was hurt during the invasion." Very badly, if her expression is any indication. "I'm taking care of them until he returns."

The rufflet does not ease up on his creepy bird stare. Flattery will get you nowhere, buddy. Adia sighs and reaches up to settle his feathers. "Sorry, Bucky's wary of strangers. Sarah and Ethel are friendly, though." Sarah wags her tail again as if to demonstrate.

"Robots?" That's news to Adia. It makes her fidget anxiously with the ends of her scarf. "I thought Khan's soldiers were only genetically enhanced..." She frowns and shakes her head. "No, unfortunately... Blaze thinks that Khan's powers were causing some sort of warping of the laws of physics... maybe that's what did it."

[ixis]

If Naugus saw that pained expression, he doesn't acknowledge it. Instead, he's more fixated on that bird giving him the stink-eye. His eventual response is to quickly stick his tongue out at it before turning his full attention back to Adia.

"I was told that the man brought some manner of cyborgs or robots with him to aid in this attempt at takeover. My mistake. Or more the mistake of the one who gave me inaccurate information. Shame on them. In any case, physics aren't exactly my realm of expertise. Were it a matter more magical, it would be a different story entirely. Perhaps I will investigate with it regardless."

[heirtothearcane]

"Naugus!" The sudden appearance of the mage catches Viatorus by surprise. Other than a brief glimpse of him at his own tower, the scholar hasn't seen him in what feels like an age. Is that because he's been hiding away doing his research, or because Naugus has been hiding away doing research? It's hard to tell.

"I... You've missed quite a lot." Thinking on it, Viatorus isn't sure where to begin, or what to mention and what to leave out. Instead of answering, he looks at Naugus, worried despite the certainty that Naugus won't appreciate it. "Have you been all right? You... You didn't stay away because of anything we talked about, did you?"

[ixis]

"Ah, Viatorus! Good to see you once more, boy." Ixis Naugus even switches his staff to his claw so he can offer his hand for shaking! That's how special you are, kiddo. "I've been fine! Smashing! I've simply been tied up in a rather ambitious project. I tend to get a slight case of tunnel vision when research is reaching a fever pace." Right, because it's 'slight' when it makes you lock the door and allow no guests for months on the end.

"Nothing to do with you or what you've seen or said, of course not. In fact, I've barely spared it a thought since I had my initial breakthrough that allowed for great strides in my work! No issues to speak of. Dreams are dreams and have little to do with my work when awake."

[heirtothearcane]

The intoxication of a breakthrough in an academic's studies is a phenomenon Viatorus knows all too well. The majority of his family will lock themselves away and come up for air only briefly, babbling nonsense that only they can understand. However, Viatorus is suspicious of the handshake, which is why he's nervous in slowly accepting it, hoping it will be light and gentle.

"I'm glad to hear it." Suspicious, but glad. "You must be happy to have Harrowheart's family around to take care of everything for you. It's always a relief to be able to focus on research."

[ixis]

It's sadly not a gentle shake, but at least the grip is out of eagerness and not intimidation. He grins and gives Viatorus' hand several hearty pumps before finally releasing it. He might have some marks from how tight his fingers were clamped.

"Oh yes, Harrowheart's family was a profoundly unexpected boon! To ensure that the chao were contained and fed was certainly good, as they eventually entered portions of my research and it would have been vexing to have left my tower and found them all vanished or starved."

[smartass_captain]

Of. Fucking. Course.

Leave it to the resident supposed 'master of all things magical and blah blah king wizard bignuts' to only show up after the blood has been spilt and dead buried for this fiasco. Captain Kirk rolls his eyes at the showy display the wizard makes of his return, though when he does speak up it's with remarkably more reservation than he usually has toward the other.

Look, it's been weird ever since they swapped bodies, and maybe the Caelus mage is having some sort of proper influence on Jim and his respect for the arcane masters.

"Quite a bit, but nothing near where you're staying, so I'm not surprised you've not heard already." A pause, ebfore he ventures forth with a query of his own. "Is Harrow doing alright lately...?" He hasn't seen his friend since everything went down in the underbelly.

[ixis]

"Of course nothing near ME. No one in their right mind would think to challenge me properly. It was likely part of this man's gambit; he struck while I was indisposed and unaware. He never would have caused the damage he had were I present.

"Besides, someone says that he was here terrorizing the Nexus population in an attempt to locate YOU. What had you done and have you considered how you're going to bequeath reparations? Oh, and Harrowheart seems fine. Last I saw him, he had a woman with him who looked a great deal like him. Which is to say dead. Good for him, making a ladyfriend."

[smartass_captain]

"If I remember correctly, the only reason you live here is because an arch nemesis of yours banished you here and you've been unable to return."

Both of the captain's eyebrows are raised now, but he's not arguing that everything that happened in the Underbelly is ultimately his own fault. James Kirk knows very well he was the one who argued for Khan to be put back under with the rest of his crew instead of executed. All of the bloodshed spilled here is because of that decision.

"He was very much an enemy of mine, seeking revenge for imagined slights. I stopped him from committing mass genocide of My Earth and presenting a danger to all Federation species."

Jim T. Kirk not taking any of Naugus' bait? The mage supreme must have missed more than he knows. Jim is being downright civil here! Is this still the Jim Kirk Naugus once resided in? It is Bizarro Jim? Naug may never know.

"Good. That's...I'm glad to hear it." He smiles just slightly at hearing Harrowheart is well. The resident undead of the Nexus (Harrow and Jesse both) are some of Jim's oldest friends since coming here. He cares deeply for them.

[ixis]

"If I remember correctly, you're a little pissant, but you didn't hear me bringing that up, did you? Anyhow, you angered a man of great power and didn't take proper measures to contain or destroy him? This is why mercy is such a wasted effort. Am I to step in for this as well? I can easily make a prison with little hope of escape. Or has the man already been crushed like a grape? Please impress me for once, Jim."

[longclawed]

Just whom he wasn't expecting to see after he made his return to the Nexus, Jon lifts his head up as he holds the reins of his horse in order to keep it from running in horror at the sight of Naugus. The war horse gives a hard yank on the reins and neighs in displeasure at being kept there. And the black horse follows it up with a loud snort.

Jon just looks at the display and he rolls his eyes. "Seems like we've both missed what happened. But from the looks of things, there appears that there was quite the fight." Between what Lord Snow doesn't quite know.

"I take it you wanted to be here to help defend the Nexus."

[ixis]

The horse gets about the same reaction as the dire wolf last time these two met. Ixis Naugus squints as if in disbelief and suspicion at the sight of it. "Your pasha looks...bizarre. Grotesque even." You know, in case you didn't notice. You're welcome.

"And of course I wished to be here to defend the Nexus! It is my home now, for better or worse! Who else is better equipped or qualified to be its greatest line of defense? However, fret not, Sir Snow. I shall be putting all my energy towards investigating the reasons the anti-violence fields fails and shore up whatever issue it seems to be having."

[longclawed]

Ghost is hunting out in the wilds without any supervision from Jon, as if the dire wolf has done so before countless times back home. And who is Jon to deny the wolf the right to hunt. But the horse's nostrils flare, ears flatten back, and yank on the reins again.

"He'll be fine, Naugus. He just never saw anything like you before, and well he is a horse. They get spooked by someone who farted real loud, or if he saw his own shadow." Jon tries to keep the horse calm, but after another tug on the reins and he simply lets it go and the horse goes running off with some of Jon's gear.

At least it is summer here, or it feels like summer. "The anti-violence field failed? That must have been some impressive magic that would have caused that to happen. I've been a bit busy back home. But I'm here for now, but I'm not exactly sure how I can help." He tries to smile, as he looks up and he takes a good look around him to take in the plaza.

"I'm not a wizard."

[ixis]

"A horse? No, no. Horses are people. A race of Mobian. This is like a streaking pasha who's somehow been grafted with the face of one. How profoundly unsettling. Send this monstrosity away." He's gratified indeed when that ends up being the situation whether it was for his sake or not.

"Good on you for recognizing your shortcomings either way. Perhaps I will have need of a hapless yet strapping young Overlander to...carry things. Test things. Tell me, have you ever been a sorcerer's assistant?"

Run now. This can go nowhere good.

[conjuredskies]

"Oh, the usual. Invasions, theatrics, clever schemes run amok." Of course Felix followed the smoke trail to its end, but he's affecting a casual lean against the nearest sofa. Just happened to be wandering away from his post, don't you know. The Imperial looks as though he hasn't been quite getting the sleep he needs, but his smile is as quick as ever. He bows slightly. "Welcome back."

[ixis]

"Clever schemes and theatrics are MY lot. Good thing I've returned just in time to reclaim these trappings, or at least show these pups how it's done." He flashes a wide, toothy grin to the other man.

"How have you fared, Felix? You look tired, boy! Burning the midnight oil in your own research? You know, I still have the book I procured from your world about these Daedra of yours. I should return to my notes on that and ask you questions on their natures. I found a select few intriguing, especially after having met one of them myself last we saw one another."

[conjuredskies]

"No doubt. I've had some fun with them myself - remind me to tell you about our new sheriff - but things will be much more interesting with your return."

Felix glances around casually when Naugus brings up their daedric encounter. People here don't know enough to care, of course, but he's less inclined to advertise his work than the master sorcerer.

"It would be a pleasure to discuss them with you, of course. I'm curious as to which caught your interest, and your perspective on them." He never gets to talk conjuration shop with other people these days, and Naugus - besides being vastly more experienced a mage - has already proven he has an affinity for one Prince. "I've been busy myself, indeed. Between my brother demanding I study war magic and events here..." A light shrug, but something in his smile sharpens for a moment. "I've had some incentive to see what happens if I stretch my capabilities."

[ixis]

Naugus puffs up with pride when he's assured his return will only have interesting results. Exactly what he likes to hear!

He notes the lower of voices and the glances about and at least follows the cue, realizing this isn't something everyone openly talks about. "There's one that's been mentioned as being a hoarder of knowledge. Mora or something like that. What is his domain? How does one curry favour or gain audience? I can't imagine what one could learn spending a few years in this being's halls." If only Naugus knew what kind of forces he's looking to flirt with...