New Year, New Trials

[auspex_caelo]

Stratos hasn’t been in the Nexus since Halloween, but today the Imperial tribune is standing in the middle of the plaza rather than at his people’s desk. Both his steel-plated boots and the red cloak draped from his shoulders are spattered with mud. He cradles his crested helmet under one arm, running a hand through his untidy hair.

It’s been a rough few months for him, but he’s refusing to show it. Especially since the first days of the new year have brought yet another emergency for him. Another very personal emergency.

“Good day. Does anyone here have information on the whereabouts of Captain James T. Kirk? Alternatively, a method to contact him aside from use of a PINpoint?” He glances down at his pocket, urgency creeping into his voice despite himself. “Preferably before anyone does something… reckless in pursuit of him.”

Comments

[chiron_survivor]

She isn't gone long, but it's a relief that when she does, there's no sign of that money pouch. She's still getting to know Felix's older, quieter brother, but she'd like to count him as a friend. And friends buy one another hot drinks, especially when they finally have the means to do so.

"Here you go," she says, offering him a to-go cup of something steaming and fragrant. "It's the café's winter blend. I figured it'd be good for you while you're standing around in the Plaza." Of course, he probably has a heat spell to keep himself toasty despite the skirt armor, but it's the thought that counts.

setting this part after his meeting with the other Jim so they can share some relief ;)

[auspex_caelo]

"Thank you, Adia." There's a small smile for her when he lifts the cup in salute and inclines his head. Though she was quick, the tribune's posture seems like it's eased a little. He's quick to repay her kindness with good news, too.

"It seems Jim may be safe after all. Felix arrived to say he'd received a message, although he couldn't decipher it. He and..." here he gets a little stuck, but he soldiers gamely on, "another man who claims to be Jim Kirk as well, have gone to examine it. I know that sounds very strange, but- ah, in any case, I'm just waiting for word that they have found him."

[chiron_survivor]

"You're welcome," she says warmly, picking up on his change in mood. When he shares the good news, she sighs in relief, a hand over her chest. "Oh, thank goodness." Somehow Jim got through to Felix after all, and better yet, he's taking the other Jim with him as back-up. If there was anyone else more concerned than Felix about Jim's welfare, it's his alternate for sure. "I'm glad he's helping Felix. He and I were searching for Jim's portal for hours yesterday."

Wait a minute. 'Man who claims'? "You didn't know about Jim's alternate? The one with the beard?" Jim has been around for months now... not everyone knows everyone, Adia is well aware of that, but she's surprised that he doesn't.

[auspex_caelo]

"The one which leads to the ship? Ah, yes, that's closed." He's making a judicious choice not to detail what's left. Adia needn't know. He'll just sip that much-needed tea, not minding how hot it is. Small perks of being an alteration mage.

It's a move that happens to hide his pause just afterward. He stares into the steaming tea for a second. Adia knows the man? Jim knows him? Does everyone but he, the tribune supposedly watching over this place, know about Jim Kirk's doppelganger?

Ah, well. Nothing to do but admit it and pretend you don't care at all, Stratos.

"Aside from a visit at Halloween, I haven't been in the Nexus recently," he says, expression deliberately composed. "Felix is usually the one who notices new arrivals - and I assume this other captain hasn't spoken to any of my subordinates, since they would certainly have mentioned him to me."

And there's Nekomata, of course. But the tribune's scarcity aside, she's been busy watching over his brother... and, of course, Adia.

[chiron_survivor]

He doesn't have to elaborate; she sighs softly and drops her gaze. The ship must have been destroyed. Why else would the portal close and the PINpoint coordinates no longer exist? Poor Jim...

But he's alive. He's alive and Felix and the other Jim are going to find him. The thought lifts her spirits, although she doesn't miss that pause, that quiet change in tone when Stratos speaks again. "Oh, of course," she replies quickly, feeling a little guilty that she had pointed out a gap in his knowledge. Especially because she can easily guess why he's been scarce since Halloween. "Honestly, I-- I'm more surprised that Jim didn't say anything to you, but... well, he's been occupied, too..."

Ugh, awkward. She almost wishes they were back to the coin purse conundrum. Maybe it would help if she caught him up to speed on recent events? "I, um... I guess you weren't at the holiday party, either." A pause, and then she blurts out, "I have a boyfriend now."

Yes, because that's exactly the kind of information he cares about. She brings up her hands to hide her blush and murmurs, "Sorry. I'm sure that's not important to you, just that -- that you might see him around..."

[auspex_caelo]

He shakes his head in answer to her remark about the party, all set to comment on how pleasant the tea is when she changes the subject for him. He looks up and tries not to look amused at how she's blushing.

"Oh?" This he has heard a little about, actually, but he pretends a tiny bit of surprise. "It's nice to hear such good news for a change. I'm glad for you, Adia. Is the lucky fellow someone I might know, or...?"

[chiron_survivor]

She fusses with the loop of scarf wrapped around her neck, embarrassed at sharing her relationship status with zero prompting, although his pleasant congratulations go a long way to ease her social nervousness. "Thanks." A smile peeks out from above the blue, thick-knit fabric. "No, um, probably not.."

Gosh, how to explain? She's told him a little about Caspar, in the context of her stalker no less. Oh, well. She did bring him up, best to tell him enough to avoid any awkwardness later on. "He's Caspar, the Five who was a sleeper agent on my ship. I, um... I thought he had died, but he had survived somehow. We reconciled, and... yeah."

Not the most eloquent, but she's still a little flustered. There's a shine in her eyes, though, that no verbal stumbling can hide. "I told him about the Nexus. He's getting used to it... to a lot, actually, so he can seem a little standoffish. But I think you'll like him when you meet him. He's very professional."

[auspex_caelo]

Now his surprise is more genuine, even forewarned about part of that. Stratos knows well enough it wasn't his war and Adia already had feelings for this particular Cylon - Mara knows it wouldn't be the first time lovers were caught on opposite sides of a war. But his own circumstances do color his feelings, all the same, and he finds it hard to imagine being in love with someone from an enemy faction.

"Then I look forward to meeting him," he says, recovering his courtesy. "I'm sure that neither you nor your people would show him such great trust unless he was worthy of it."

[chiron_survivor]

There's that look she was expecting. At least he keeps it to surprise, although she doesn't miss the subtext in his additional comment. "The Quorum pardoned him," she says. "And I forgave him." She laughs softly. "I trust him with my heart, of course I trust him with the Nexus."

The thought, as simple and sweet as it is, reminds her of something unpleasant. "By the way, I don't know if this is useful information or not, but, um... the Cylons never knew about the Nexus. So whoever was stalking me... it wasn't one of them."

It's comforting and it isn't. She wouldn't want an enemy Cylon knowing about the Nexus, but then who could possibly be obsessed with her enough to do such terrible things?

[auspex_caelo]

Young love, hm? There's nothing to do but smile, though he's glad it's not solely down to her judgment whether the man can be trusted. Love can fool the best judges of character, and Adia has enough dangerous men in her life. Case in point...

"That's a relief to know," he says. "Aside from anything else, I'd rather not have to tackle an opponent with their technological skills. Unfortunately that leaves all our questions still unanswered. When this mess is over I must give more attention to the problem- but you've been safe, still?"

[chiron_survivor]

Adia unfortunately gets enough flak on Atlantis for letting Caspar beck into her life, which is why she's quick to mention the Quorum. She hates that she needs to use that as additional proof that Caspar has reformed, but what else is there to do? Who would truly understand those shared moments between them, the heartfelt confessions, the insight she has gained from everything she has been through?

Not Stratos. Or, well, she doesn't know him well enough yet to say. Hence mentioning the Quorum. It's not like she wants him to worry. Her stalker already gives him enough concern.

His comment on technology makes her smile a touch, despite the seriousness of the conversation. "I have been, yes. Caspar is with me more often than not. Bucky as well. And you... well, the very fact you've been looking into it means a lot to me, Stratos. Thank you."