nexus_crossings | What's a God to a non-believer?

What's a God to a non-believer?

There are some parts of the woods, especially lately, that have been overgrown and - to be frank - dangerous. When certain people have gone deep into the woods, to some of the more serious hiking paths, they've found them overgrown with crazy plants and vines. The entire place has repelled people and Alec hasn't been seen.

He's been thinking. Thinking about Metropolis, thinking about how he almost killed people. Thinking about how he probably did. Then thinking about that mugger and that...that hero doing their job.

He was a monster. He is a monster and the green of his world is far more encouraging in those pursuits. The Avatar needs no one.

It's the Nexus's green, it's web of life, that's intervened, bringing him out of his impassible woods and trails, pulling him towards civilization. Inch by inch. Mile by mile. It'd be hard to see him however, he's keeping to the shadows. Hiding in the woods nearest to those concerned before an unnatural, inhuman voice speaks.

"What keeps you human when you don't have to be?"

Superman gave him an answer, but it's far easier for him. He can be normal.

He has control.

Trying to get at him is pretty impossible, currently. There's a massive tangle of vines and creepers and trees. He could be anywhere. Be any one of them. Tread cautiously.

He is a monster after all.

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Jacob's been exploring this fantastic place with as much enthusiasm as he can contain, which is quite frankly, quite a lot. Also he's got the excuse of trying to put together a little something for the Library, writing papers was one of his favorite pastimes (besides getting into bar brawls). At this point he has material for an entire field guide.

His travels take him to the woods, trying to find a way through the hiking paths and, well, he's not exactly expecting to be addressed by a non-existent entity. It happened sometimes, sure, enough that he's not entirely surprised, and enough times for him to be immediately on his guard.

It's not the first time the trees have spoken to him. As an enlightening experience as that was, it was also existentially terrifying. Of course, it could be someone inside the woods, but the sound of the voice said otherwise. Didn't mean the person wasn't once human, because clearly they were hinting to that.

He's spooked, but not enough to run away. Curiosity anchors his feet.

"...on the off-chance it happens, my friends."

Edited 2018-07-26 05:53 (UTC)

Everyone says friends. These beings say friends. Like it's easy. Like anyone would want to talk to him after what he did. Except for the Green. The Green is his friend, his eternal friend. The Avatar needs no one except for us. You are our champion Alec Holland. You have ascended.

The trees and plants around him rustle.

"What if you had no one." The green possesses the cruel nature of all living things. A desire to survive that leads them to entrap, lie, abuse. Consequently when the trees speak at first, they sound as human as Alec can manage.

His next words however sound...different. Slightly mocking but if Jacob listens closely he might hear more then one voice..

"What if it was just you, only you, and your friends used you, lied to you, left you alone? Human beings are so social, you define the existence of who you are through the presence of others. What if you had none of that? If it was taken away? If it was just you, your sad little red pathetic self curled up against the fire in the dark..."

There's a slight rumble through the air. It's quick and quiet and it's just the one (one? one.) voice again.

"How could any human being hope to understand what I'm going through?"

He looks around worriedly when the trees and plants rustle, when he hears more than one voice in that moment. Should he run? It didn't seem like he was in danger--and when it came down to it, he was never in any real danger from the trees, but still--he's wary, and it's not like his friends would know where to find him if he was taken again.

"Then that doesn't sound like they were your friends in the first place." He keeps his voice neutral, his accent lending a softness to his easy-going tone. He glances around, unsure exactly where to address the person? Being? But he holds his hands up in a placating gesture.

"I'm guessin' you used to be human."

Used to be.

"There's a quote from Zhuang Zhou that applies here. Am I a butterfly who dreamed he was a man? Or a man who dreamed he was a butterfly?"

He has a mind to speak to his predecessor about it, a predecessor who is rolling his eyes at Alec's behavior. How can a plant be more human then a man? Didn't he know how lucky he was to simply have that humanity?

The trees above Jacob grow closer together. Blocking out the light.

Then they retract. When the single voice speaks it's full of pain.

"...I miss being human."

Jacob looks up at the trees growing closer together, swallowing nervously.

But then--

...I miss being human.

He's not sure if this is to do with magic or technology, considering some of the things he's seen in the Nexus, but he gets it. He's seen what magic can do to people, what it's done to him, he's wary of it to the point of being terrified of what it can do, and there's little he can do to escape it in his line of work.

"Zhuang Zhou also said, flow with whatever is happening and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing."

Advice he himself needs to take sometimes.

He offers a wan smile to the trees in front of him. "I'd miss being human too. But maybe you can start something new. The future ain't written yet. What...are you, exactly?"

It's so easy to say "start something new" but it's also painful. The green has no wisdom persay beyond it's survival and trees and plants are violent but ...but ...

Boring?

He can't shake his humanity as much as he wants to. As much as his predecessor held onto his. His borrowed humanity.

Still there could be more to it then that. The green wrested control from him so violently...

Alec says nothing and instead rears out of the darkness. A man shaped briar patch. Gone is the soft green swamp. He's made entirely of thorny vines today.

"Hello."

Jacob would like to say that he didn't show any surprise, that he played it cool, because he's just so experienced at dealing with the impossible and it's no big deal, but that'd be a lie. His eyes are wide and his mouth drops open a little.

"Uh, hello."

Shock aside, introductions should be in order.

"Yeah. I'm uh...I'm Jacob Stone. What's your name?"

To be fair, it wouldn't be the first time he'd been abducted by vines, so he could claim that as to his reaction, and for a split second he's ready to run, but he stands his ground. He was honestly expecting something like a forest spirit or a grove of sentient, whispering trees.

"Alec Holland."
It's such a normal, if slightly cavalier name. His mother used to say she named him after a hero in a romance novel. He'd wrinkled his nose and hugged her.

He no longer has a nose. His features are those of a zombie, a plant zombie.

"Most people call me swamp thing." He's trying to be helpful. Really. Some days though swimming in the green makes him forget humanity and today is one of those days.

This is the 'new' Jacob. Still think he has a shot?

"Well. Nice to meet you, Alec Holland. Question is, do you wanna be called swamp thing? Did you want...this?" He gestures to him, the plants. "Any of this?"

He's seen enough in his life to think he's still got a shot. Depends on the world, too. Might have an easier time here, in this place.

But still, the man missed being human and he gets that, too. Still, maybe he can help out a little here.

Edited 2018-07-26 21:33 (UTC)

"...It's what I am."

He pauses, "Plant elemental...is also acceptable. I didn't want this but I chose it to save someone I love."

He'll always love her. She's beyond his reach but he will always, always love her.

"Supposedly I was destined to do it? I'm never sure."

"Ah."

Not wanting something like this, but doing it to save someone you loved...he gets that, too, and his heart goes out to the guy--planet elemental.

"Life has a funny way of turning out in ways we don't expect." He crosses his arms, looking down a moment.

"I've seen destiny thwarted before, and I've seen prophecies come to pass in front of my eyes. I've been part of it. Sometimes it don't sit right--fate, destiny, what have you. I mean, if you want a way out, there could be a way out. Look where we are. This place is incredible, there's gotta be some world out there, or someone with the knowledge that can help you. Hell, even my world might."

He's not exactly supposed to talk about the Library, but they make exceptions all the time. It's a problem.

Truthfully, Alec never considered the idea that there might be a way out of his destiny.

That thought alone gives him pause. The Parliament said he'd never be human again, emphasis on never. Except in this case, the parliament's not here. If he were human again-

He could go find Abby. Be for her what she was for him and for those who came before him all those years. Be with her, this mysterious woman he'd never met but was willing to kiss, to love, to die for...

"I'm dead." he pauses, "Well. My body is dead. It's...this is...A body I inhabit. Even with that there might still be a way?"

Oh the green is screaming. He'd accepted it, it's destiny, that one day he'd take his place, root himself, become fully of the green.

Please pardon the big green thing. Sitting, Alec looks like a small hill as he studies him.

"...I'm not saying yes or no, but is it possible?"

Jacob has to think about that for a long time before answering. He doesn't want to give the guy false hope. And being dead, or at least his original body being dead, that would definitely complicate things.

And it would need magic, at least in his world.

"I wouldn't rule anything out. Not in this place," he says finally, looking back up at him. "I've seen the impossible, done the impossible, but magic..." he's reluctant to put magic in a positive light, he's been wary of it for so long. "Magic is dangerous, unpredictable, and it corrupts. But I've used it as a last resort, and so have my friends. Doesn't mean it was necessarily the right thing to do, or that it was in any way safe. You might have better luck here with...the technology or somethin'."

To save a life, though, by using magic? He's done it before, it's terrified him. He's suddenly well-aware of the remnants of the magic tattoo on his arm, hidden under his sleeve.

Edited 2018-07-27 04:50 (UTC)

Technology. He's thought about that but something about it makes him itch. The creature tilts it's head to look at Jacob. He's a creature made of magic. That's what animates him.

"At least you understand. Magic is dangerous and unpredictable. It's also the font of most living things in my world. Including...me."

He sighs, "...I accepted this burden, even if I didn't think about it. It's just...it's harder then I thought."

He nods--it makes sense, for magic to be what's caused this, what's powering this guy. He's not like Cassie, jumping at any chance to do magic, knowing so much about it, what spells to use and when. Even Ezekiel's far more open about using magic coupled with technology. So much magic. Look what it does, look what it does to people.

"I accepted a burden a little while ago--didn't think what it would cost, either. It's been amazing, but also terrifying and dangerous and makes you realize the world's a lot more fragile than you'd think. But I have friends that share it with me...if I didn't, I'd be lonely as hell. The guy who did the job before me and the others--he was alone in it for a long, long time and he didn't realize how important it was to have friends, a team you could rely on. Or...or someone to just talk to about stuff. Well, I mean, he probably did talk a lot with his flying sword--" Jacob waves a hand dismissively.

"Anyway. What I'm tryin' to say is...if you wanna talk it out with somebody, I think that might help. Carrying a burden ain't easy."

Alec is standing in front of him, imposing, god-like, regal. Kingly even. When Jacob starts talking about burdens and the need for a team however he relaxes, and relaxes and the vines around him slowly, slowly bloom. The thorns are covered by moss and a few flowers poke out from his shoulder as he sits, listening.

Before he stares at his hands, then holds them out. Delicate stems grow out of his palm in a slow ballet, leaves sprouting from the figure of a woman done in exquisite detail.

"I had someone. I loved her. Then it turned out she's in the same boat I am. Given a duty. Made into...something else. I became this for her. Willingly gave up my humanity at the time but now that she's not with me..."

The little stem figure wilts and dissolves.

"i'm sorry. I just miss her. She'd know what to say when I hurt that man. How tragic is that?

She'd probably tell me to pull myself together. To be strong." his predecessor would say the same, "No one needs absolute power over any piece of anything. As if it weren't clear."

Oh man, that's...incredible. The flowers randomly blooming were amazing already. The figure of the woman he created is a treasure, and Jacob's clearly entranced. It's a kind of art he's never seen before, and his face falls slightly when the stem figure wilts away.

"I understand. You...you uh, hurt someone?" Not that he's judging, it just seemed kind of inevitable with what he's gleaning here from who and what he is, his laments about trying to hold onto his humanity.

"Do you have absolute power over plants? Nature?"

"I am nature."

Pause.

"I am nature's...avatar. Absolute power over the green. The earth. I was a human being until I was...chosen for this occupation. I said no until the-until Abby was in danger. Then I had to be this. For her. If that makes sense."

If he were still human he'd be scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"Here. Have a seat."

Did you expect a chair to grow out behind you? an elegant bench covered in little yellow daises? That's what happens as Alec paces away and returns, "I was a scientist who died. The first time my memories and consciousness were imprinted on a plant. He...took over being me. Did a really good job of it. Then I was brought back to life when he died. Then I took over the job."

When he sighs, it's almost like all the trees sigh, the oxygen fills the air and there's a heavy scent of earth around him, "He was a plant pretending to be a man-and he turned out to be a better man then I am. I'm a man pretending to be a plant and I suck at it."

It's odd--he expects him to say as much, and yet when he does, it's still surprising to hear it said out loud. That's...yeah, a lot of power. A lot of responsibility. Definitely a burden.

"Yeah, that does makes sense." He takes a seat on the bench--he can't hide the grin that ghosts across his face because that's just the coolest thing--as he turns serious again, when he sits and listens.

"I don't know, you're doin' a pretty good job at being a plant to me," he points to the bench with a smile, even though he knows that what he means runs deeper than that. It's still a fascinating story, and he can't help but think about how much Flynn would have loved this.

"I think...well, my opinion don't mean much but if it means anythin' to you, I think you got a second chance here. And it's...incredible? What you can do, what you have to do...yeah, it's a burden and it's...far from humanity. I get that. It ain't easy."

He pauses, not sure if he should tell him, but it might help. It'd also come pretty close to letting people know he was a Librarian, but at this point, especially being in the Nexus, it might not be so bad if it got out. Maybe.

"In my world, I got--uh, sorta roped into being an ambassador for the trees. They've been tryin' to contact humanity for years, but never found anybody that could translate for them. Until they found me, since I'm a linguist." And a Librarian, probably. "And to translate, I was...uh, kinda--" Part of a tree-- "Part of the forest for a little while."

Interesting.

Alec hasn't been paying attention but he looks now. Truly looks. It might be a bit unnerving, a big green creature just staring for far longer then normal.

There. The faintest tinge of yet another green.

"...Yes." his voice is soft, "Yes. Faint but still there. So you...understand. How sometimes they can be...direct. Forceful. Dangerous but also...boring."

He can't roll his eyes but he does sit, "I find soil, neutrients, all of that is fascinating to me - far more then it used to be - but it doesn't hold my attention for as long as they wish. You are the first human with a connection to the green I've seen who wasn't...a season. A being with duties."

"So you understand."

Jacob's not sure what he means by faint but still there and he's been wary of magic long enough that it's a little worrisome, but he nods because that's exactly what it was like.

"Yeah. Direct, forceful, and dangerous. A lot of people got taken by the forest before they found me. And yeah...boring." Being stuck literally in a tree while waiting for his friends to show up was both terrifying and seemed like forever, even if it hadn't been all that long. Not forever to the trees, of course. "But they needed help badly, and while...it would have been great if they asked first...they didn't have a way of communication. I was glad to help. Their language is...different. Almost alien. But if that forest was cut down, all forests in our world would die."

But out of his friends, none of the Librarians had any frame of reference for the experience, and he was usually closed off about things--especially magical things--so he'd been reluctant to talk about it. It was weird to talk about it out loud, but more importantly--to someone else who understood.

"Really? Guess...it's not common here either." He's not sure if he should be worried or flattered. The life of a Librarian, pretty much. "But yeah. I understand."

"I was a botanist." his voice is soft, "I would have given my right eye to understand plants the way I do now. Their language can be pretty alien and when you encounter other greens from other planets..."

"I'm grateful to have someone who understands. How did you end up learning of our language in such a way Mr..."

"A botanist, wow. I can imagine..." That made sense, of course, they'd choose a botanist. He balks at the thought of alien plants--as amazing as that is, in his world aliens are one of the few myths that have stayed actual myths and not been reality. Though clearly alternate universes, or places like the Nexus, that was not the case.

"Jacob Stone." He offers a smile, even if he can't help a lot, every little bit counts. "Well, it's a funny story. Not funny, funny, just...unexpected. I was at a team-building camp...thing...with my friends. We work together. Anyway people were encroaching onto the forest, like how the camp was built, and I randomly got a splinter--or not so randomly, I guess. I started hearin'...uh, voices? Voices sayin' help us. And when I was with...another friend, out in the woods, vines came out and grabbed me. Next thing I knew, I was part of the forest, sorta...part of a tree. In the tree. That's how they could speak through me, we could speak together, to warn people--and my friends who found me, about what would happen if the forest was cut down, and how it needs to be protected. We were given the Zero Seed, which could reconstitute the forest if it was ever destroyed. Then...they let me go."

It was now or never, and it would give context to how he'd even been in that situation in the first place. "See, I'm a linguist, a historian, but I'm also a Librarian." A slightly dramatic pause. "In my world, we're the ones who protect people from magic and magical artifacts, we go out and collect them so that they won't fall into the wrong hands. The Zero Seed was safest with us."

"That sort of thing leaves an imprint on a person. The green remembers those who it likes." At the mention of Zero seed he can only assume it's an artifact important to his world's green.

This makes him an ally. When he discusses being a linguist and historian he nods, and the notion of a librarian makes him nod. It's amazing what I'm taking in stride.

"And you keep it safe from other human beings and beings that would use it against us?"

He pauses, "Against the green. Use against the green."

Jacob nods, he's understanding now what he truly means by the green.

"Yeah, it was...an experience, that's for sure. And there's no safer place for it than the Library. It'll be kept safe...pretty much forever, in there."

He glances back up at him.

"The government--our government's also protecting the forest, so hopefully it won't ever have to come to actually using it."

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