Time for a big ol' Nexus Block party

[sumarusfinest]

On a sleepy summer morning a wonderful smell begins to waft throughout the Nexus. For those familiar with this place there can only be one explanation but for those new faces to the nexus this may be a strange thing: seeing so many people flocking toward the sweet and savory scents perfuming the Nexus.

There are a few tables set out this morning in the Plaza in front of a small cafe loaded with several carafes of coffee, a myriad of pastries from more than a few different worlds and cultures, and a large pan of eggs and sausage kept warm over a chafing dish. On either end of the table are disposable plates, cups, and cutlery as well as a few welcome pamphlets in a small container. Along the front of the tables is a hand made banner.

Meet and Greet

Manning the tables is Katsuya Suou, red apron on and a cup of coffee in hand. He looks far too cheerful for how early in the morning it is. It's always satisfying to put one of these on and see the throngs of different people stuck in line together to get their food and find a place to sit among the tables and couches nearby.

"Right then, is anyone hungry? I've got more than enough here for everyone so please mingle among yourselves or feel free to ask me anything you'd like."


((OOC: This thread is ALL ABOUT threadjacking and hopping. I encourage folks to tag on each other's comments and mingle rather than to reply only to me. This is a huge opportunity to have your characters interact with people they wouldn't have talked to before. Branch out! Meet new people! Scheme new schemes! Steal the last chocolate croissant!))

Comments

[the_two_bare_bears]

"N-No! Everyone has been looking for you. We've been worried sick!" Panda has been doing all the drawings for the missing posters, while Ice Bear and Grizz have been talking with Nexus residents for the past few weeks, trying to locate the teenager.

Thank goodness Ice Bear's table is within sight. The polar bear looks up from serving a person some pancakes, then noticeably gasps upon seeing Josh. He's dropping everything to come see his lost friend...

[rekindledtitan]

"And I didn't ask. Relax." She clasps his hand, her own grip less careful than usual. She doubts she needs to worry about crushing his hand. The inside of her gauntlet is lined with a flexible mesh that's faintly warm and crawling with a bit of residual static. "Blaze-37. Everyone just calls me Blaze. I'm a Guardian of the Last City on my Earth, and the little guy here is my Ghost. It's a pleasure, Dr. Holland."

'Swamp thing' is an odd one- it doesn't sound polite, yet he names himself that? Regardless, it's his humanity he's trying to reinforce, so his human name is the one she'll use.

[heirtothedragonsfire]

It's hard to keep her eyebrows from reaching up to her hairline. Jim isn't holding back, and, to her surprise, neither is Zandros. There was certainly no doubt that Jim had taken every possibly cue and doubled his efforts to help her out. In the process he'd actively pit himself against Zandros and the paladin wasn't backing down in the slightest.

Uncertain what to make of all this, Isidor laughs lightly. "We met when I first came to the Nexus. He was one of the first people to greet me. That was a few years ago now." She looks to Jim with a crooked, but sincere grin. "He's turned out to be more than reliable. A truly good friend to Viatorus and I."

[nochtann_an_fhirinne]

There are a great many people from an infinite number of different worlds and cultures. Some have been familiar while others are entirely foreign. However, none have rung any bells quite as much as this figure. There's something about them. The material of their clothing, the styling of the mask...

When in doubt, it's always better to find out yourself. So Moira approaches until she's within an appropriate conversational distance. "Are you looking for someone in particular?"

[nanabooster]

Ana's jaw unconsciously clenches at the mere sight of Moira O'Deorain. She forces herself to take a long, calming breath when the woman moves closer. If she isn't recognized -- as she suspects -- this is a valuable opportunity that she can't afford to lose.

"No. Just trying to understand the lay of the land," she says carefully, the mask muffling her voice. "What about yourself?"

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus nods. He's all too used to dealing with Isidor's list of requirements, so he isn't bothered by Jim taking out a pinpoint to message his sister or take notes.

"She'll want to know where I am, and how dangerous it is. Not just how dangerous the people are, but environmental dangers as well. And if I'll catch anything that might be detrimental to my health. Those are her main concerns, usually."

[houmaprotector]

"...The next question I want to ask might come off - rude. And I apologize." He pauses, "...You know an awful lot about changes between states - human and otherwise. Do you know someone that happened to? That this...this happened to?"

He puts a hand on his chest.

Re: Moira O'Deorain

[houmaprotector]

Look out for Swamp Thing who's decided to make a few changes, growing trees for shade over a few people who offer him thumbs up when he raises saplings up behind him. Great big leafy trees.

He nods to people as he goes, nodding to Moira. He's pretty gosh darn happy.

[alittlehinky]

In point of fact, it's an old Scotch-Irish legend that Cricket's ancestors brought to Appalachia with them when they settled. He has no way of knowing that, himself, given his rather tenuous connection to family and history, but he does imagine it has about the same credence as Jack Tales and fairy stories. It means something, just maybe not what it says it means.

"Well, I never saw anything good or bad come from it, sir," he says with a smile. "But I guess when you tell a kid the neighbors' trees are alive and watchin', they mind themselves more around 'em. We didn't have no orchard, just some berry bushes in the yard."

"My name's Cricket, by the way. Thank you for the fruit."

[reine_ether_paradis]

"Your attire is breathtaking, my dear."

It seems as if Moira's dress has caught the attention of another powerful woman who's lingering along the sidelines, carefully holding a drink in her hand as well. Lusamine calmly gestures to the droves of people walking by, a hint of curiosity and disdain.

"I take it these gatherings are a typical thing in this Nexus place?"

[alittlehinky]

Cricket blinks slowly, because that's a lot of titles to track. Being a Lion must be more complicated than he'd thought. Or maybe just being this particular Lion is complicated. "Aslan?" he repeats, and nods, latching onto the implication that they're friends now. "Yes sir, I'll remember."

"We don't have no kings and queens where I come from," he says. "Well, not in my country. Other countries still have 'em. If I do something wrong you'll tell me, right? 'Cause I wouldn't know. But you seem real kind."

[thewiselion]

"You have no need to worry. You are not from my world, so I do not expect you to know the customs or traditions. You can not misstep around me."

Aslan chuckles. He places one of his giant paws forward. "I am very real."

[houmaprotector]

"Of course. Anyone who treats the green with such respect as you describe deserves the same in return. Plants do not always talk, but we do listen."

He pauses, "What brings you here to this place?"

[hapless_scholar]

By the cafe door is a curious lantern hanging from a small metal post decorated with bells, and while it is normally only surrounded by the messengers of the Dream, lately there has been a strange man lingering about it too. On this day he's seated next to it, cross-legged, watching the hustle and bustle of the party with wide and curious eyes. His outfit might appear familiar to those who know of a certain head-caged madman, seeing as it's more or less identical in design, with the biggest difference being that this fellow's clothes are clean, and his shoes are tied.

He doesn't appear interested in the food or in finding a proper seat, instead he seems content with watching customers come and go. Still, some might take issue with the fact that he is kinda blatantly staring at people, sometimes even making eye contact while maintaining a straight face. Sometimes he just watches them eat too! What's his deal?

[notalldead]

He's been skulking behind some handy topiary (it's shaped like a bear! That's fun) furtively smoking a cigar (the second since he got here) and trying to think of what to say. He's rehearsed dozens of things in his head so far.

'Long time no see.'
'You won't believe what's been going on back home.'
'You look great!'
'I know I disappeared on you and everyone else...'
'I can explain.'
'I hope you're not mad at me.'
'I wish I'd told you sooner before I left.'
'I missed you.'

Nothing sounds right. Or if it does, he talks himself out of it a few minutes later. Everything's either too chummy, too flippant, too familiar, too whiny, too lame, too casual, too weird, too-...Okay. So rather than let himself agonize over word choices until it's too late and the shinding's wrapping up, the zed tells himself that by the time this cigar's spent, he has to go. He has to approach Blaze and just say whatever he's decided on.

He finds that he starts smoking it much slower once he's screwed himself to this particular sticking point. And doesn't stop until he hears the soft hiss of the embers meeting the skin of his fingers. Barely even anything left to qualify as a butt. He looks at the burn on his fingers, then the spent stogie in turn. Then sighs. Drops it on the ground, grinds it out underneath one boot.

Okay, partner, time to cowboy up. One foot in front of the other. Try and not overthink each step. Just look casual. Normal. Natural. Good thing he doesn't have a heartbeat or it'd be jumping out of his chest by now. Same goes for working up a sweat.

When Jesse's finally in conversational distance from Blaze and Ghost, hands in his jean pockets, hat tilted back, he gives her a lopsided, gap-toothed smile and says, "Howdy."

...Then kicks himself internally that that's all he's got. Howdy? Howdy!? He's such an idiot.

[rumormonger_nya]

"Lookin' for a bigger meal, nya?"

A pair of golden yellow eyes peer down at the robed man from atop a thin brick wall where a catlike creature sits perched with her hands dangling down in front of her. While this strange man has been watching the people come and go somewhere along the way he's picked up a watcher of his own.

"The funny color-shades man will incinerate you where you stand if to try to take even a nibble, yanno. Or is this one of your human social constructamajigs where you try to study what they do and why? It's fruitless mya. Humans make no Beldr-damned sense."

Jesse!

[notalldead]

Is there alcohol? This zed has come to realize that, nope, there isn't. Which makes him glad he came prepared! Not that he's gonna make a big show of it, of course. Maybe this just isn't that kind of party. So between bites of a pretty tasty corn muffin, Jesse takes furtive swigs from a hip flask. He's discreet about it, at least! Also, always standing at least 2-3 feet away from the food tables. He knows how it is; not everyone wants a dead person too close to the foodstuffs. Same goes for not getting near to any clusters of other folks chatting and laughing amongst themselves.

As of right now, Jesse's sitting on an overturned milk crate, back against the café's brick wall, muffin in one hand, chewing and just feeling content to people watch. It's been a LONG time since he's done this and the novelty is back in a powerful way. He missed this.

[hapless_scholar]

When he hears a voice possibly addressing him, Darion turns his body to look quickly, getting into a crouching position. When he sees the source of the voice up on the wall, he furrows his brows slightly, looking her over. After a moment his posture relaxes from being tense, and he sits back down.

"I am not studying humans specifically. It's more that nothing here makes sense to me. But, I should like to at least try to understand some of this place and its inhabitants." He has a gentle voice and speaks in a solemn tone, and he seems to have a light British accent.

"Are you from this place?"

[magnetite_plz]

Is it...? Could it be?

The demon bound to both Blaze and Jesse looks much different than the last time they met. She looks to have been completely adorned in gear from Blaze's world, clad in cloth armor and combat boots that hang an inch or so above the ground while she flutters down in front of the cowboy.

At her hip and across her back are a pistol of some kind and a rifle respectively.

"Sir Jesse?" As though Nike could mistake the bond there between herself and the undead. But it has been such a long time so she is cautious. Unsure if he will want to see her at all.

Palmer

[readvondaniken]

Palmer immediately perks up at the offer of food, surveying his options and having trouble choosing something to eat first. Decisions, decisions. Everything around him makes his mouth water, and he is starving. He grabs a few of the pastries, taking a casual bite. He smiles. Pretty good, if you ask him.

He speaks with his mouth full, never great with manners. "Gotta say, these are delicious." He swallows, a little embarrassed. "Anythin' in particular any of you think I should try?" He figures asking around for advice wouldn't hurt, and he feels up for a friendly chat anyway, even if he isn't used to large groups of people.

[heirtothearcane]

"We might not have the biggest population, but we do have plenty of subdivisions. Perhaps too many..." He tilts his head. "Why don't you consult with non-magical people anymore?"

[volurofthehearth]

That sounds familiar... Runa gives Katsuya a soft, understanding smile when he talks about his mother. "I started baking as a way to get to know my mother after she'd passed away too... What a wonderful idea to ask people to show you how to bake, though! Have many people shown you different recipes?"

[nochtann_an_fhirinne]

That voice, that mask... she feels like she's heard and seen them before... but where?

"It's the perfect opportunity to make new acquaintances, and get a sense of the kinds of people who frequent this multiverse. Some of the people here come from worlds that are completely alien to me, others are from worlds with more similarities than differences."

[smartass_captain]

There's an awful lot Jim will do to protect his friends regardless of what kind of enemies he makes along the way. Though, in this case, Jim would do it anyway. His dislike for the paladin is palpable and alarmingly more severe than you'd think for people who've only spoken together like what? Once before?

What the heck did Isidor miss out on? Jim's diplomatic smile widens at Zandros calling Isidor's company pleasant, but he doesn't say anything to the contrary. Maybe Zandros should stick around then, considering he doesn't know Isidor very well at all.

"You know, I wouldn't have thought when we first met I'd be spending more time with you than your brother." Jim breaks Zandros' gaze to slide a glance the elder Durant sibling's way along with a bit of a grin. It turns a wee bit sharper when he looks back at Zandros. Is he baiting the paladin on at this point? A bit! "I'm honored you think so, Isidor. God knows when the going gets rough you can count on a Durant. Especially yourself."

[rumormonger_nya]

Smart cookie.

The officer would incinerate her in even less time if she so much as laid a finger on anyone here. He's safe with both the AV field and Officer Suou watching over the place. It's racism against demons is what it is, ignoring Nekomata's very real track record of trying to charm and eat people.

"Nothing making sense is how you hyumans are, nya. How's your world so different from here then?" It's curious that he's not even a little intimidated by her. He should be! At least, Neko certainly thinks so. She doesn't huff, but those eyes narrow.

"Nyot originally. I live here permanently now though, mya. There was no way to move up in my own world."