nexus_crossings | Return of the Mage

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Return of the Mage

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?"

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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?"

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."

"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.

"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."

"A name is a proper noun in form only! I stand by my assertion, young man." And for good measure, Naugus wraps his tail around one of his own legs. You know, for safe keeping.

"I've always been assured its uncommon, but twice since my arrival seems excessive. Were there casualties?" He doesn't even think to pick up or comment on the statement that this fine young fellow doesn't seem to mind some chaos now and again.

"Won't fight you anymore regarding the topic, Mr...? Yeah, I have no idea how you want to be addressed." His attention is no longer on Ixis's tail, thankfully.

"Plenty. The guy was on a warpath, killing anyone who stood in his way or didn't have any useful information to give up. I didn't get it at the time, but this Khan fellow has a ring that gave him some crazy powers." His eyes now drift towards the chaos emerald sitting atop Ixis's staff. "How many people have tried to steal it? The gemstone you're carrying around? Not like I'm implying I'll do it, just curious, that's all."

"Naugus. Ixis Naugus, sorcerer supreme and master of the elements." Even with his tail curled close, he still manages a flourished, if quick, bow.

"A ring? What manner of ring? They're quite powerful artifacts back where I'm from." No comment either on the loss of life, and not just because he's distracted by the sudden inquiry about his property. "None. No one is so foolish as to try. You can try if you're eager to discover why, however."

"Naugus. Got it. Hope you don't mind me dropping the formalities for simplicity." Because mainly, Josh knows he'll butcher the title or forget it at some point in the future. Mentally, he just tells himself to not call the wizard something offensive. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"A power ring. Yes, it's literally called that. Cliche, but fitting, since the thing comes from an outer space comic." He can't help but laugh at the given answer. "No way. I can only imagine how many ways you'd torture someone for even attempt to touch it. Sorry, but I'm not going to give you a reason to kill me. It's my job to come up with stuff like that."

"I do mind the lack of formality, but so it goes. And yes, I'm always a pleasure."

He drums his fingers on the haft of his staff, listening to the rambling, eyebrows raising when the use of a power ring is confirmed. "I may very well have to investigate this Khan and his acquisition of a power ring. I would dearly love to know where I can do the same."

A pause. "...Are you an executioner, then? Or something more unsavoury."

"I guess if the title means that much to you, I'll do my best to remember it then."

Josh can't help but notice Ixis's fingers moving, clearly unable to ignore such small, meaningless movements. "Well, if you've got the free time, just head down to the Commercial District and stop off at one of the comic stores located there. Just ask them for anything regarding Green Lantern and you're good to go." It's a start, at least, since he has no idea where to actually find a power ring.

"I take pride in what I do, so I'm not like those types of people. My job is something way better." He clearly fails at being modest, sounding overly confident, brimming with energy. "I'm a game show host!"

Cue up those Nexus crickets anytime today.

"Your best will have to suffice."

The mention of comic books catches Naugus off-guard, ears doing a confused twist or two. "Beg pardon? I know nothing of lanterns, green or otherwise, having anything to do with the manifestation of power rings. I was expecting something more along the lines of a lake that generates them, or a device that can pull them from the elemental ether, as that's the methods I've known previously."

The confirmation of what Josh's job is only makes those ears do one last confused switch in positioning. "...I see." He doesn't see.

"A lake? Not this particular one, but I can see where you'd draw that guess from. European lore always have a lot of tales involving mystical artifacts and large bodies of water." Although he's starting to wonder if showing physical proof is better than trying to describe fictional powers via conversation. "I guess if you've got nothing better to do, I can take you somewhere that's abundant with the information you want regarding the ring."

That look is one Josh is familiar with, and he can't help but sigh and act generally disheartened. "Ouch. Your reaction reminds me of my mom. Trust me when I say the job is much more exciting and fulfilling than you might think."

"If you're going to take me someplace that peddles in pointless picture books, I must decline. I'm a busy man and I have no time for such frivolities. Besides, my schedule is presently booked solid. Research, you see.

"Your mother might have the right idea. While I can appreciate a good display of showmanship and bombast, this still sounds spectacularly pointless. Do you busy yourself exclusively with funny books and needless trivia?"

"Fair enough. Although, if something fictional can become real here in the Nexus, nothing really can be left up to chance, am I right? The good thing about any sort of research is that you can stop and move onto something else at any time." Wait. He quickly corrects himself. "I'm not devaluing your research, by the way."

"I spend my time reading up about lots of different things: geography, science, pop culture. Whatever catches my interest is worth looking into." He's deliberately ignoring the comment about his mother, as thinking about her doesn't put him in the best of moods. "Knowing lots of things is pretty important if I want to test the knowledge and worth of society."

"You clearly don't dedicate yourself to research overmuch, do you? When in the grasp of breakthrough, there IS no stopping or moving on. The only time moving on comes into play is when you've been stopped by abject failure and Ixis Naugus does NOT fail." His tail, no longer coiled around one leg, thumps onto the ground once with emphasis.

"Worth of society isn't necessarily something that needs to be tested, at least when you're one such as myself." The mage takes a moment to buff his claw against his chest. "But simply because everyone else is beneath you doesn't mean they're without USES."

"Well, I was mainly implying that research you found useless could be ignored, but it sounds like something you'd never do anyways." That tail gets his attention, but not in a spooked way. "Failure. Wow. That's, um...pretty good if you can do things without fail...yeah..."

Someone clearly has started reflecting on his own mistakes upon hearing how perfect Ixis is. Does he really want to give Ixis more questions that he can brag about? By accident, yes. "So, what kind of uses are you referring to? Do you kidnap people and have them do things for you? Siphon knowledge and power?"

"No research is entirely without value. Even if things are stalled or in a dead end, they can be cannibalized piecemeal into OTHER efforts eventually." Naugus is probably one of those people who doesn't throw away any paper document ever.

"Kidnapping? Vale's Bones, I've never done something so passé. What an inelegant and thuggish practice. No, the only way to get people to do what you want is to never let them know you're using them in the first place. Better yet, make them think it was their idea to begin with. They'll never think to question the order of things if you maintain this secret status quo."

The fact Naugus has yet to pick up on all these red flags about Josh is probably saying a lot about either his bluster, his lack of observation or just being that focused on himself.

"Wait a second...You just told me that comics are useless, yet you won't give up on any type of research? Me thinks you're a walking contradiction." Don't worry, Naugus, everyone has a little hoarder quirk. This dummy stores jars of blood, which is probably worse than collecting newspapers.

"Does that really work? Aren't people smart enough to avoid getting themselves into questionable deals?" He can't help but give a skeptical look, arms crossed over his chest. "It sounds like a twisted form of slavery." Not like he objects to that concept either.

Naugus frowns and sputters. "No research is without merit, assuming you start from somewhere with value! Besides, I barely want to know about fictional depictions of residents here. It all seems so...intrusive. Gauche." This might be for the best, or the mobian might someday find comics on the shelf depicting the Quickster and what a disaster THAT'D be. ~~Good thing the comics are probably cancelled now, womp womp.~~

"Of course it works! You require a degree of subtlety and finesse, of course. Willingness to work for the long term rather than the short. And a great deal of cleverness to put the pieces in place." He grins and plants a hand on his chest, beaming in pride. "Thankfully, I have all that and MORE in abundance. And it's hardly slavery if you're overall working things into angles that benefit EVERYONE. It's just with you at the top, pulling the strings."

"Important for getting into the minds of potential victims?" He says that with a smile, but quickly eases off the conversation. If he could at least get his point across without completely enraging Mr. Bat-Lobster-Rhino man, he's done his job.

"Alright, prove it to me then." Clearly this man has no fear or really just wants to see Ixis's skill at coercion. "Let's go find someone to trick right now. That is, of course, if you're up to the challenge? The way you talk, it doesn't seem like you'd have any trouble at all getting someone under your thumb."

"...Maybe. If it is someone I have absolute CONVICTION about besting or destroying, then maybe. Otherwise, the idea of idly browsing someone's entire history, usually with uncomfortably lingering emphasis on their sex and trauma? Intensely profane. No thank you very much, please. I am not a voyeur."

Naugus scoffs at the urging for demonstration. "You act as those this is some kind of parlour trick! I can't just meet a person and bend them to my will with the bat of an eye, if that's what you're imagining. What I do requires time and patience! And a great deal of cunning and foresight. If you're eager to rush these things, you've already failed at it. Instant gratification is ruining the youth. Honestly."

"Voyeurism is overrated. Once someone has seen uncouth acts, it's really hard to be taken off-guard again. Not saying I've done anything that questionable...I just find it to be insignificant." Really, he's only out to test the intelligence of people. Stalking helps with the kidnapping, but he doesn't delve into the sexual preferences of his murder victims. The less he knows, the better.

"I figured you were powerful enough to just snap your fingers, er...claw and get whatever you wanted. Magic and hypnotism must not have any ties together like I thought they would." He can't help but laugh at Ixis regarding his choice of words. "I'm the type of person who wants results quickly, no room for error in my field if I give people lots of time. So that's a flaw I'll happily embrace to the end."

"Do you make a habit of peeping? This is why I don't allow transparent windows in my tower. Who knows what you maniacs would try to do when I'm trying to get some privacy.

"And no, while hypnosis is not part of my repertoire, I have better methods. More elegant." The mention of Josh's line of work again gets an ear to twitch. "So...timed games? What do you offer as prizes?"

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Return of the Mage

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