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[poetwarrior]

At first glance, it's fairly obvious that this particular patron of the cafe is not human. A gray-striped figure sits at one of the tables, a hot mug of something that smells like burnt oranges held in her four-fingered hands, slit-pupil eyes curiously watching the other customers. Her choice of clothing is somewhat odd, her lower half clothed in a long flowing skirt, sturdy footwear enclosing digitigrade feet. A shawl sits around her shoulders, more out of deference to the cold than any need for modesty, but in the relative warmth of the cafe it's been pushed away from her chest to expose a pattern of gold and red scales wrapped around her torso like a cummerbund. The life-sized tattoo may be familiar to some, its dragonlike head positioned across the flat plane of her left pectoral. Every now and then, it shifts slightly on the surface of the gray alien's skin, the end of a whiplike tail occasionally rising high enough above the waistband of the skirt to be seen.

"Drastic change is often frightening, but sometimes also necessary," the alien says, her voice high and melodic like a songbird's. "What is the greatest change you have faced in your life? How did you overcome its challenges? And would you do it again, if given the same choices?"

Comments

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione is visiting the Nexus café too. She has a pile of paperwork on her desk. And a small orange kitten that is playing with a quill, that lays unused at the moment.

The question by the new arrival catches her attention. As does the unique appearance of the gray alien. Hermione does also recognize that life-sized tattoo, and smiles.

"My greatest change? Hmmmm...." Hermione picks up the quill. Letting it run across the table to allow CJ to chase after it. "I lived through a war. That was quite drastic."

"But I expect some challenges ahead of me. Since I have entered my name into a politic office."

[poetwarrior]

Oh, a small animal! Chanath watches the little creature as it scrambles after the feather, tiny paws reaching out to pounce on the fluttering thing. It behaves so much like young K'da cubs that for a moment, she wonders if it is this human's symbiont.

The Shontin's gaze returns to the larger of the two creatures, marveling at how alien this one appears, despite some superficial similarities to her own kind. The brown tendrils on the human's head are of the greatest interest, a great deal longer than the yellower fur that the human captain she has met displayed. And lacking the facial fur, as well, save for the two small stripes above the eyes. Perhaps this is a different human subspecies? Chanath does not have nearly the amount of experience or knowledge needed to tell, but it is an interesting observation nonetheless.

"I regret that you have endured war also," she says sympathetically, a low whistle of understanding. Yes, she certainly knows what that is like. "This political office... do you seek leadership in the course of the war?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"I seek leadership of the Ministry of Magic, which is the governing office for witches and wizards in my world." Hermione explains. "The war has ended, but our country is still trying to recover. And many of my colleagues have encouraged me to put my name into the upcoming election."

"I'm Hermione Jean Granger." She introduces herself. "And this is CJ, my familiar."

"I am from a world that has a magical community, and belong to that community."

[poetwarrior]

Ah, so her Ministry is similar to the Council, then. Perhaps the Council as it could be once the Valahgua are no longer a threat, if her war is truly over. Chanath blinks her eyes in understanding, giving this human a friendly, open-mouthed look, an expression that the Shontine have long since adapted from the K'da smile.

"I am Chanath," she responds, tapping her own chin with two fingers, before tapping her chest. "I believe you have met Faris, my symbiont?"

"She has," a familiar voice answers from her chest, and the K'da's head flows from the Shontine's skin, giving the appearance of Chanath having suddenly grown a second head from her breastbone. "Hello, Hermione. It is good to see you again."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Hello Faris. I thought I recognized the tattoo pattern." Hermione smiles.

"It is very nice to meet you Chanath. Faris has spoken of you fondly."

CJ sits up, now interested in Chanath and Faris, instead of the quill.

[red_room]

Natasha's no stranger to non-human life considering her time spend in employ of the Avengers until semi recently. She rather is a stranger to that non-human life sitting and enjoying a mug of sort-of-tea instead of trying to destroy the Nexus any number of other nefarious wants.

The spy is turning away from the register at the cafe, watching the new face with cautious interest.

"I went from taking lives to protecting them." Sometimes by also taking lives but that's besides the point right now. It was the single biggest change in her life and that's what's being discussed right now. The last part of the query gives her the most pause. Would she make the same decision now, knowing what she does? What it would mean for her and her future?

"I'd like to hope I would."

[poetwarrior]

Ah, another human. There are quite a few of them around, and Chanath is still somewhat enthralled by how exotic they look to Shontine eyes. Look, this one has bright red head tendrils! So many colors and patterns, and never two exactly alike, not that she has seen anyway.

The answer is an interesting one, and already she has questions. What lives was this human taking, and for what reasons? Does defending others not also require killing sometimes? And are these questions appropriate in human etiquette? Chanath tilts her head back, chin raised slightly. "Have you found this change in role to be difficult?" she asks instead.

Natasha would certainly be forgiven if she thinks that the green eye of the dragon tattoo on the alien's chest is watching her, mostly because it is. Faris is content to stay where he is for now, resting against his host's skin, passively listening to the conversation until his input is warranted. Besides, it is good for Chanath to learn to interact with humans also, as he has.

[red_room]

"It was, at first. The man who recruited me had been sent to kill me. He made a different call. We worked together after that, he was the only one who trusted me for a long time. But the more work I did, the more my intentions became clear to others."

The spy may not be staring outright but she does notice that watchful gaze. She and the K'da have not spent time together more than just in passing as Nexus frequents. His abilities are thus not something she's aware of.

"Now it's almost alarming how much I've changed without realizing it."

[poetwarrior]

Chanath's smile might not be recognizable as such, her mouth open slightly in the K'da fashion. "The growth of crops is slow to be seen until the harvest, but that is when we reap the most." She may not have ever had the opportunity to be a farmer, as her people once were, but cultural analogies are slow to be lost from the language, particularly when one hopes to someday return to such ways.

Soon, perhaps that dream will be realized.

"Are you a security officer?" Chanath asks, curious. "Or a guard?"

[red_room]

"I'm a spy. But these days I've been doing more guard work than espionage. I've got a lot of wrongs in my past to try and atone for."

The petite human woman tucks a lock of her hair out of her face. It's not the first time she's heard words of wisdom like these, but it's refreshing to hear them from non-humans. Helps to put her just the smallest bits more at ease. Natasha's loathe to trust anyone but she's making an effort to be more social.

"What about you? What's your story?"

[chiron_survivor]

It's taking some time, but Adia is getting braver about visiting the Nexus again. It helps that she's in a familiar café, and not alone, either. There is a large bird standing by her side, tall enough to tower over her where she sits. There is a hot drink in front of her -- fragrant like flowers -- and a small bowl of berries that she occasionally offers to her feathered companion.

But she doesn't look brave. Her nervous gaze keeps darting to the door, as if anticipating something terrible walking through. Every so often she scans the crowd around her, restless, startling every time there's the sound of dropped silverware or a laugh that's a little too loud.

The alien's question has her immediate attention, hers and the bird's, who gives the woman a curious stare, but not nearly so suspicious as he would others. "Oh... well, trying to find a new home, I suppose. This, um... this place helped a lot when things got too tense or unpleasant. I... well, I'd rather that I hadn't lost my home in the first place, but I don't regret the choices I've made since then."

She takes a closer look at the alien woman. Wow, that tattoo looks awfully familiar. If she weren't so anxious, she'd probably make the connection immediately. As it is, she gives her a shy smile and says, "I like your tattoo."

[poetwarrior]

Chanath looks curiously at the giant avian in return, much larger than any she has seen before. Beautiful feathers and a noble bearing, yet displaying sharp talons and beak. Beauty and danger together, much like the beloved K'da wrapped resting on her skin. This Nexus truly is a place of strange wonders indeed.

The human's answer is, of course, a familiar one, and the Shontin lets out a quiet, sympathetic whistle. "My sorrow for the loss of your home. It is a fate that none should know."

The sound of a familiar voice rouses Faris from a light doze, and he peers outward, glad to see that he does indeed recognize the speaker. After his conversation with Caspar, the K'da had worried about his human friend, and it is good to see she is accompanied by a strong protector, to guard against the betrayer. "Thank you," he says, his voice emanating from the host's chest. Against her gray skin, the two-dimensional tattoo moves, its jaw opening in that familiar K'da smile. "I am fond of you also."

[chiron_survivor]

Both bird and human startle when the tattoo moves, although Bucky settles almost immediately, recognizing the alien who reminds him of a dragon pokémon. Adia's reaction is less blasé, her smile growing into pleasant surprise. "Oh, Faris! I thought you looked familiar. And that means you're..." Her gaze turns up to the alien woman's face. "His host, right? Chanath? It's so nice to finally meet you. My name's Adia Costas, I'm the one who passed on all those notes about relocating to a new universe. So... well, you probably know how similar our situations were for a while there."

She gives another quick glance at the door, but seems far less anxious overall. "Is it all right if we join you? Oh, this is Bucky. He's keeping an eye out for me while I'm in the Nexus. He's wary of strangers, but he's already met Faris once, so it should be all right."

[poetwarrior]

So this is Adia Costas! Chanath was already interested, but now she is even moreso, tilting her head back slightly in surprise. No wonder her answer had been so similar. And what an unexpected convenience for Chanath to not need to introduce herself. "It is good to meet you also. Faris has told me much of you and your people. Warrior's luck that you have found your new home! We must hope that our peoples may all be so fortunate."

The human's request to join them is a welcome one, and Chanath holds out a hand, palm-up, a gesture of invitation. "Certainly. You are both welcome to join us."

[chiron_survivor]

"Is that why you were asking about change?" she asks while she gathers up her belongings. She crosses over to the other table, taking a seat opposite Chanath. Bucky hops along right behind her, settling next to her chair and keeping an unblinking gaze on the rest of the café.

She sets down her tea and berries, but when she sets down her messenger bag at her feet, she's surprised to see it rustle. She bends down to open it, and gasps in surprise when a small furry kitten head pokes out. "Mew?" it says, looking up at her with big orange eyes.

"Anastasia, how did you get here? Did you sneak into my bag?" Her tone is more amused than scolding, and she scoops up the tiny kitten into her arms. Bucky leans in to give the new addition a curious stare. That's the smallest meowth he's ever seen!

[losthunter]

Hunter visited the cafe today to gather some baking supplies. He made his purchase, but stopped in his way out when he noticed the gray-striped alien. And that very familiar tattoo -- that at one time adorned his own skin.

The question makes Hunter smile sadly.

"My greatest change... was the best thing that happened to me. I gained a new appreciation for myself because of it."

[poetwarrior]

Chanath is surprised to feel Faris' weight push against her chest within moments of this human speaking, as the K'da leaps off her chest. "Hunter, it is good to see you," Faris tells him, pleased to see his former temporary host. Hunter appears to be dealing with the loss of his father well enough, but the comfort of a friend should always be welcome, and Faris is more than willing to offer such a thing.

Hunter? Chanath's gaze returns to the tattooed human, easily able to recognize him from her symbiont's description, confirmed by his mutual recognition of the man. "You speak of your... curse?" The word feels odd on her tongue, but Faris had explained the magic to her, and how it had affected this man.

[losthunter]

"Hello Faris." Hunter has a smile for his friend. It is a comfort to see him.

Hunter nods. "What I once called a curse. It changed my appearance... but had a greater effect on my entire life. It allowed me to change and mature."

[poetwarrior]

"Faris has told me some of the tale," Chanath admits, and holds out a hand, palm-up, a silent invitation for him to join them, if he wishes. "Your change was sudden and unwelcome, yet served to make you value more than your appearance, yes?"

[losthunter]

Hunter gladly accepts the silent invitation. And pulls out a chair, where he can sit down, and set down his groceries.

"It made me value the people in my life. The people who were there for me."

[shardofwinter]

"I have faced a lot of change in my life. All of it seemed drastic to me, even when I could see it coming from a distance. Trying to pick one or… even two is difficult." He goes quiet, turning thoughtful. It wouldn't do to leave her with such a poor answer, after all.

"Perhaps when civilisation became too much to ignore. Becoming a part of that world was… a trial, but necessary, like you say. Perhaps when the Great War came and turned rolling hills into pockmarked wastelands. I'd never experienced a war like that before. It changed so much so quickly. Cities were changed, people were changed, the world was changed." His eyes, which had gone distant as he talked, focused on her again. "Or perhaps when I had to choose between committing to my mortal life and upholding a spirit's ways all year round."

He breathes an apologetic laugh and shrugs, setting his hands on his hips. "I'm not sure whether you're thinking about things that happened to a person or because of a choice they made."

[poetwarrior]

Chanath does not know anything about this Great War, but the overarching concept is quite familiar, and she listens attentively, head slightly tilted to one side. The mention of mortals and spirits puzzles her a little - this person seems solid enough to her. But perhaps it is simply another part of the strangeness here.

"I am considering both," she answers, blinking at him in a manner her people consider friendly. "There are times when the cause is not simply one or the other; my peoples face such a change. We too have endured a war that has changed us."

[shardofwinter]

One of the benefits of referring to it as the Great War is that it makes for a simple description as well as a name. Besides, it's always been difficult for Reynard to change his understanding of something once he had one.

Reynard tilts his head at the stranger. "And you're looking to learn from the experiences of others?"

[poetwarrior]

"Of course. It is far easier to harvest what another has already grown." Chanath's smile is somewhat different than a human's, her mouth open with no upturned corners. "The easiest way to learn is to ask questions, and to see a problem from another's eyes."

[shardofwinter]

"Wise," he tells her with a respectful dip of his head. "I have seen a lot of wars in my time from many different perspectives. I have been with those who invaded, and those who were invaded. I have been a soldier, a civilian, and a prisoner on all sides, as well as an opportunist. So many big wars feel like the end of the world, the end of life as humanity knew it, but people continue to live and grow and fight. Even when it changes everything. What kind of change has your people endured?"