nexus_crossings | We're all gonna get in a fight! [EVENT: FITE NITE][Warning: Violence and Blood]

We're all gonna get in a fight! [EVENT: FITE NITE][Warning: Violence and Blood]

People have been disappearing in the Nexus.

Going missing from work, from their homes, from the Plaza.

Locals are staying in their homes, shutting their doors. Even the more shut-in of Nexus goers will be able to tell that something is amiss around here. The Plaza is strangely sparse as far as foot traffic; many of the shops downtown are closing early.

Word is spreading in the Industrial District of an anomaly in the anti-violence field. Easy money for betting in cage fighting. Less easy money but larger amounts for competing in said cage matches. One on one, matches with and without weapons. Rounds go until someone surrenders, is knocked out, or dies. Who would set up such a thing? It's becoming very popular and many a coin is being generated. Are so many people really signing up for this?

Some are. Others are captured and drugged, thrown into the ring against their will with the ultimatum: Fight and get free, or die.

What do you do?

Are you looking to bet your wages? Sign up for a chance at riches? Are you one of the unwilling laying in a dark room?

Or.

Are you going to stand for this if not?

((Please view this OOC post to chat with other players before you jump into a fight! All fights must be agreed upon by participants ahead of time for severity of injuries. Outcomes can be agreed upon or will be decided by a coinflip by myself. Please do not come into this expecting to clean sweep someone without sustaining injuries unless you and your fight partner have agreed ahead of time that would be hilarious. If there are questins, concerns, or complaints PM me. TL:DR Have fun and don't be a dick!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ice Bear doesn't need to be one of the lucky ones. He does what he wants.

The bear has been busy entertaining some of the most predominant guests near the lounge and might have had a hand in the creation of some of the food offered this evening. Once Red seems to be not so busy entertaining guests, he'll take a seat in an expensive-looking leather chair next to him. No one seems the give him a second glance, given he's all dressed up to the nines.]

"Ice Bear could get used to this."

"As you should, my friend!" Red takes two flutes of some kind of sparkling wine from who knows where from the tray of a passing waitress and offers one to Ice Bear with a broad smile. After a silent toast and clink of their glasses, he raises the glass to his lips and takes a small sip. Mmmm. Strange, different, but exquisite. Oh, he's going to enjoy this day far too much.

With no one else asking for his immediate attention, Red takes the chance to sit himself down next to the bear. "It's been far too long, my friend. How have you been? What have you been up to? Besides enjoying yourself here, that is." He's certain they've both been busy, but that doesn't mean Red can't fret about not having seen his friend in so long.

"Red." [He takes the offered wine, examining the glass, before taking a small drink. It's definitely unlike any other alcohol from back home, but all the more reason to enjoy it. He gives their surroundings another glance over, making sure no one is trying to listen in on their conversation, before speaking up.]

"...Ice Bear has been busy with family. With Nexus things. Ice Bear has been doing good." [His eyes rest on Red now, calm and neutral like always. Honestly, the bear doesn't expect his questions to be answered directly, given Red's secret nature.] "What has Red been up to since February? Ice Bear is still trying to comprehend the kiss."

Red gives a good natured chuckle around his flute. "There's nothing to comprehend, my friend. Sometimes, one simply must share one's affection for their friends in an open, unabashed way." He gives the bear a wide grin and takes another sip of his wine before he returns to the first question.

"As for me, I've been taking care of some rather... unpleasant business back home." There's a hint of uneasiness to his smile, but he doesn't linger on it. "Keeps me nice and busy though, which is why I've been so scarce here as of late. I hope you didn't think I don't care, because I can assure you that's far from the truth."

"...Ice Bear will let it slide this time. Don't use it as material against Ice Bear." [He trusts Red enough to not share his secrets, given the professional respect going on between bear and human currently. The comment about going home gets Ice's attention, his ears perking up, gaze resting only on Red.]

"Did it go well? How did you get back?" [The bear shakes his head calmly.] "No. Ice Bear didn't think Red was being evasive intentionally. Ice Bear knows what it's like to get busy."

"No need to worry, my friend - I have no need for the photo as anything but a reminder of your friendship." He seems sincere enough, but it's always hard to tell with someone who lies for a living. In reality, though, Red doesn't plan to show the picture to anyone. Outside of the Nexus, no one would believe him about the unlikely friendship. In the Nexus, people know the bear well enough to know if Red was lying about him.

"It's not over yet, sadly." A small shrug of his shoulders and he's moving on from the subject. "And I was able to make it back by simply trying to step back through the door I originally came through again after numerous tries. Something about 'seeing myself back in the moment' I came from." He chuckles, because it sounds as unbelievable as it likely is. "Honestly, I think the Nexus simply got annoyed with my rather colorful language after a while and let me go back home." An option no less plausible in a place like the Nexus than his original suggestion.

[The topic of the photo is dropped, as Ice has either lost interest in the topic or merely has no more need to discuss it. Instead, he moves onward, interested in Red's explanation about how he got home.] "Time was as you left it? Ice Bear doesn't miss much time either."

[He resists asking Red about his personal matters, choosing to focus on the current moment. Instead, one paw goes into his vest and procures a flash drive of some sort. The electronic storage device is pushed towards Red when no one is looking.]

"Ice Bear thinks this will make Red happy."

"Some small amount of time had passed, but it wasn't anything significant. A few hours at most, I think." Two hours and forty-seven minutes, actually, but who's counting?

"Oh?" The small device gets a raised eyebrow before Red sets aside his drink to retrieve it. "What's so special about this flash drive in particular?" He turns it over in his fingers a few times before looking back at Ice Bear, his curiosity obvious.

"Very similar to Ice Bear's portal then." [He's about to ask more details, if Red has shown anyone the portal here just.] "Where is the portal at, if you don't mind Ice Bear asking."

[As for that flash drive, the bear takes a small sip from his drink before continuing on with the conversation.] "Ice Bear puts some computer pictures on it. Scenic ones of different worlds and people. Red will get good use out of those backgrounds." [He just nods his head calmly.] "Ice Bear has done his research...on taking photos."

"Around." It's changed positions a few times, but he's always able to find his way back to it.

"Different worlds, you say?" He can't help the small grin that settles on his lips. "They wouldn't happen to be labeled, would they?" Just how much effort has the bear taken on his behalf, he wonders.

"Does Red ever worry about someone finding the portal?" [A honest question that stems from Ice Bear's personal concerns. For now, he's perfectly content with just sitting here and having some fun.]

"Ice Bear labeled them with specific numbers and letters. Only Red can understand the importance of a good name." [And by names, he's clearly hinting at bank account or transaction numbers. It seems that a certain fluffy polar bear has been busy getting information from the people here tonight.]

"Only a fool wouldn't worry about something like that." A terrific non-answer.

Red suddenly stops turning over the flash drive in his fingers to give Ice Bear his full attention, big grin and all. "That's very generous of you. I don't know how I could ever repay such a gift." Does Ice Bear realize this has become a subtle negotiation for price? Because that is definitely where Red has it going.

"Ice Bear trusts that Red has the situation taken care of."

[The bear tries to pay it off in a very modest fashion, except for the fact that his little ears are twitching. He thinks long and hard about his decision before speaking up once more.]

"...Ice Bear wants to learn how to dance. Not hip hop or modern. Something nice."

The answer honestly surprises Red, but he's more than happy to oblige. "Like ballroom dancing?" he asks, wanting a little clarification. "Things like the waltz, foxtrot, and so forth?"

It's an idea that almost makes Red chuckle, but he manages to keep his composure by reminding himself that this bear is far more capable than many of the people he's met in his lifetime. If ever there were a bear who could learn the art of ballroom dancing, it would be the one seated next to him.

"I'm certain I could arrange that. I'd even offer to be your partner, if you'd like."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

We're all gonna get in a fight! [EVENT: FITE NITE][Warning: Violence and Blood]

completely supportive of this idea

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