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

Blaze-37 and Ghost

[rekindledtitan]

An event like this shouldn't need any real security. Nevertheless, there's a robot in plate armor leaning against the cafe wall, out of the way while she keeps an eye on the crowd. This is a friendly sort of gathering, so she's dressed down accordingly - which is to say she's only visibly carrying a sidearm at her hip, and she's left her helmet off. Her arms are folded comfortably, her posture relaxed, but she's ready to spring into action if there is any trouble. She doesn't think you can take chances with any occasion round here.

Beside her floats a much smaller robot, the points of his silver shell fluttering as he keeps watch with a single blue optic. If anything, he's more alert than his partner, and unlike her he's not shy about watching any children who turn up. He's not straying far from her side, either.

For the time being, all seems well and harmless. The pair aren't here to mingle, but the bigger robot has a friendly nod for those who catch her optic, and she's willing enough to talk or lend a hand to anyone who stops by.

[juststeverogers]

"Nat's got this place wired from top to bottom, keeping an eye and ear out for trouble."

Steve has a mug of coffee in hand, glancing around the plaza. He looks casual but Ghost and Blaze know him better than that. He's got his crystalline shield stashed someplace close by and his gaze doesn't stop moving despite his light hearted tones for the two bots.

"Good to see you two."

[rekindledtitan]

"Should have figured you'd be two steps ahead." Blaze snorts, but the look she gives Steve is warm as ever. She doesn't think she needs to guess which Steve this is. Nor does Ghost, who flits right down to say hello. "Glad to know you've got us covered." If something does go awry, Natasha's bound to spot it faster than anyone. Blaze doesn't know much about spy work, but she figures reading a crowd has to be part of it.

"How have you been, Steve?"

[juststeverogers]

"Let's just say I'm ready for some no trouble gatherings for a while. If this is what it takes to ensure them, then I think it's worth it. We don't mind, either. Much less so when I see a friendly couple of faces here."

Steve reaches up with one finger and gives Ghost a tiny boop to one of his points with a soft smile. He feels a lot better seeing the two of them here together.

"I've been good, Ghost. How goes the hunt on your ends?"

[rekindledtitan]

"Standing around doesn't suit me, but Suou deserves to have this go off without a hitch." Or at least, without a hitch getting very far. "He's put a lot of effort into welcoming all these people."

"Better and better." He glances at Blaze before whispering, "Mr. Stark is making progress."

Blaze doesn't look down from the crowd as she adds, "As soon as he's finished, Mercury. We'll find the Sunbreakers there."

[juststeverogers]

"Well, don't think of it as standing around then."

Steve leans over and bumps into Blaze's shoulder none too gently. The Exo can more than handle his bulk and Steve knows it. Cheer up, Guardian. You'll make your Ghost sad at this rate.

"Natasha's been keeping me up to date. Glad to hear it's going well. I reached out to Sam about...well, the other side of it. He sent me some things you might want to look at." Steve's talking to Ghost now more than Blaze, but he looks back at her then. "Both of you."

Must feel good for Blaze to have a goal in mind and at least more or less the steps needed to see it through. Must also be frustrating though. She hasn't ever been all that patient.

[rekindledtitan]

He gets a snort out of her, and a return bump (better watch that coffee, Steve) so he knows she's not really grumpy. "All right. Standing guard."

It all comes to the same thing, in her mind. But she can survive a little guard duty. Must have pulled enough of it, back in the day. She's the one who chose to come here, to make sure that if anything happens she won't be absent this time.

"What kind of things?" Blaze does look back at him now, and she almost looks... wary?. Even having had a chance for Ghost to relay Steve's suggestion properly, she's been noticeably less enthusiastic about this side of her - at this point, 'therapy' is an accurate word. Ghost's privately debating how much of it is discomfort with the more personal issues involved, and how much an impatient aversion to less immediate solutions. She's set on getting fixed and getting to the forge as soon as possible now.

"That's great! We can get started on that while we wait for Stark." Right, Guardian?

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley recognizes security when she sees it. And that makes her glad that she decides to wear a concealed weapon, underneath the bright pink dress. Hopefully she is the picture of 'not trouble' today.

"Ohhhh!" Her attention drifts to the smaller robot. She is basically a child in spirit after all. "You are shiny!"

[rekindledtitan]

She sure doesn't look like any trouble Blaze has encountered before, so she gets a polite nod when she gets close. Ghost spins nervously when addressed, however, and his Guardian's gaze falls on the young woman once again. The little bot is shy by nature, and he's been especially so in recent months.

"Uh... thank you."

[sweetcandygirl]

"Are you both keeping an eye on things?" She smiles brightly.

[rekindledtitan]

"That's right, miss." It's Blaze who speaks up, for both of them. "We're just here to make sure nothing stops you all from having a good time. Wouldn't want any trouble, after all." She maybe needs to work on her reassurances, but the spirit is there.

[sweetcandygirl]

"That is good. I think we had enough of fun events turning into not-fun events." Though Harley has handled herself well enough in the past.

"I'm Harley." She sticks out a hand. "Don't think we met before!"

[rekindledtitan]

Ah, handshakes. Blaze is willing enough to offer her hand, though her grip is careful and might carry some static charge. The inner side of her gauntlet is flexible and a little warm.

"Blaze-37. The little guy is my Ghost. It's good to meet you, Harley." She'd definitely remember this girl, even if she didn't always recall faces.

Re: Blaze-37 and Ghost

[houmaprotector]

Alec isn't the most social creature either. Even with other beings who look different. Still, there's something comforting about more people who are burdened with glorious abilities then himself.

This is what he needs. It's a reminder. So he can have one foot in this and one foot in the world he feels far more at home in.

When he spots Blaze and the little ghost he approaches cautiously, pleasantly, "It's good to see you back so soon."

[rekindledtitan]

"Hey, big and leafy!" Even here, a towering figure of leaf and vine stands out in the crowd, but Blaze waits until he approaches to lift a hand in greeting. Ghost, too, gives a little spin as he turns his full attention to Alec. "Good to see you here. How've you been? The green treating you okay?"

[houmaprotector]

"Well enough." which isn't well at all, but that's beside the point. He's having a hard time navigating his growing abilities and bringing people into his life, no matter how or what or who, is needed, "It's good to see you. I didn't think you'd be back so soon. You seemed ready to embark on a...quest."

[rekindledtitan]

"Soon." She nods, and the glow of her optics burns brighter. "I'm going to find the solar fire and take it up. Just have some things I need to get straightened out, first." She taps the side of her head. "And I think we've finally found a man who can help me do that. As soon as I can trust my own processors, I'm heading for Mercury."

The excitement is starting to brim under her metal exterior, and it shows in the way she shifts her weight. Excitement for the promise of what waits out there, and for a kind of healing she never really hoped to find.

[houmaprotector]

"Mercury." He's been to other planets. (His predecessor. Never forget Alec.)

"...Congratulations are in order. can I do something for you? In exchange?"

[rekindledtitan]

"Yeah, it- used to be a garden world. Before the darkness took it." It's a strange and twisted place now. Maybe that's why her estranged brethren have hidden there, beyond the sight of other Guardians. Or maybe it's as simple as proximity to the sun they call on. There's no better place for communion with the flame.

"Don't congratulate me 'til I survive." It's half a joke though, said with a happy chuckle before she tilts her head at him. "I appreciate the thought, though. And the offer, although I'm not sure what you mean by exchange."

[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.

!!!

[rekindledtitan]

She may be here to keep watch, but Blaze's attention is on the crowd at large. She has zero concern about anyone approaching her. He gets pretty close before the familiar profile of that hat draws a sideways flicker of her optics- a lightning-fast turn of her head- and there he is, lopsided smile and smoke scent and all.

He gets about a second to say hi, and then she's pulling him off his feet for a hug. "Jesse!"

"Blaze! Careful!" She's stronger than she was last they met, and that's to say nothing of the static charge Jesse's getting. But she's mindful enough not to squash him, and her optics are bright and fierce when she lets him go.

"You're alive! Uh. Uh, you know what I mean. Not that I doubted you'd make it, I just didn't expect to see you here! How've you been?"

"Hello, Jesse." Does Ghost sound amused? Because he's amused.

[notalldead]

When Blaze's head whips around towards him, Jesse jolts and has a fraction of a second to worry that she's about to lay into him. Not that he wouldn't take a knock on the jaw like a champ, and not like he would fault her for it. He just...was gone. One day, he hopped down the stairs of that subway station and never came back up. No other Rotten were present either, not lurking around the stairs, not poking about in the shops. Nothing. They were here and then they were not.

A few weeks after that, and the portal stopped working. The subway stairs remained, all grimy with graffiti and rusted chains. But the hallway that would have otherwise led to their underground hideout now? One could walk for ages down that dark chamber that was only intermittently lit by a guttering lightbulb behind some crash bars. But it never went anywhere. No matter how far you walked, you would just turn around and still be able to distantly see the stairs leading back up to the Nexus proper.

But any chastisement or insults or right hooks that Jesse was braced for are blown away by the powerful hug he gets instead! He makes a small "oof!" when he's scooped up and has several seconds of looking surprised and dazed before he smiles as well. The look's rather apologetic, but sincere. He doesn't even mind the static pops and fuzz he's feeling from the direct contact.

"I didn't mean t'just up and vanish on y'all. Things got hot in Spokane and me and my posse had t'pull up the stakes and get our wagon train movin', toot sweet. I shouldn'ta ghosted on y'all like I did, though. Er, no offense, Ghost." Jesse gives the littler bot an apologetic smile as well.

[rekindledtitan]

"None taken. I am good at hiding when I need to."

People disappear. Blaze is used to that. They walk out into the wild and they drop off the radar. Maybe they like working alone, maybe they want time to think, maybe they're caught up pursuing their own quests. Maybe they've made a stumble or a wrong turn and found jaws waiting in the darkness. Eventually they'll come back, be it weeks or hours or years later. Sometimes they don't. It's cause to celebrate every time one runs into a friend, be it on a smoking battlefield or in a Tower bar.

If Jesse had been another Guardian, that would have been all there was to it and perhaps she wouldn't even have been concerned. But the Rotten were more vulnerable, and the fact that all of them seemed to have gone presented some unsettling possibilities. It wasn't patience that kept her from dwelling on them, just the inability to handle things she could neither verify nor change.

She chose not to expect the worst. But as the months passed, at some point the possibility had been taken out and placed on a shelf in the back of her mind. Just in case she needed it.

And now she doesn't need it. Neither is she going to dwell on the last time they spoke, or (yet) how much has happened in the interim. It's not like the changes are visible, anyway. She has slightly heavier armor, and instead of a brightly embroidered mark there's a heavy bundle of stained and moldered cloth at her hip. Everything else looks the same when she steps back and takes another look at him.

"I won't pretend you didn't have us worried. Angel said you hadn't called on her- had to hope that was a good sign and not the other kind. You're all right, though? How's your gang?"

[notalldead]

"Ahh, yeah. I try and not call her to the homestead. Enough rough 'n wild happenin's and everyone still tryna understand why the world did what it did. Last thing prolly any of us need is seein' one of the host of heaven showing up t'do battle or cast miracles. The Last Judgement gang alone would start raisin' Cain if they saw her and they're already crazier than a peach orchard boar." Ah, Jesse. Ever a font of folksy euphemisms.

"But yeah, so far as the gang goes. Shoot, I ain't even able to remember the last time we talked an' what I was last doin' afore I split. Did I tell y'all we ran the Government out on a rail after they were tryna snatch up me and mine? Tryna use us fer guinea pigs, figure out how we tick an' how they can weaponize it. Infect their own dang soldiers on purpose to be like us. I know I just said Last Judgement's got a few buttons off their shirt, but after hearin' the plans the Govt. had fer their own army men? That's real crazy right there. Just goldang crazy." Jesse shakes his head as he frowns, but it isn't long before he perks up again.

"But like I was sayin', we chased 'em clear outta town after so long! Got some help from another gang who's been moppin' up the Spokane area, tryna get it safe fer ALL of us. I got to drive a tank! Lemme say that that's some real funny drivin' right there, but once you get the basics down, hoowhee! Ain't that a kick! And things were good fer a spell after the Govt. was outta the picture. That other gang, y'know they're a good bunch cuz they even took in one of my own; fella wanted to go help them out instead in thanks for bustin' him outta the hoosegow after he got snatched by the Govt. Christopher, their gang leader, he ain't even care that Chuck's skin was green, he let him come aboard with arms wide open! Christopher's a good egg like that."

Perhaps aware that he's been talking for quite some time now, Jesse pauses to shrug and pull another cigar from the inside pocket of his duster. He's allowed to have a third; he's back together with friends! That's a great excuse as far as he's concerned. "That ain't even gettin' into how we had to eventually pack up and roll out, but I've been yackin' yer ear off for a dog's age now. Lemme hear some news on yer end for a switch, huh? Y'all been fightin' the good fight?"

[rekindledtitan]

"I wouldn't have thought of that, but you're probably right." That's Jesse though, always mindful of other people. It's good to have him back. Though she needs to talk to him about Angel, once they've caught up a little...

And Jesse has a tale to tell. Blaze nods grimly as soon as he mentions the Government. Experimentation and unethical human augmentation... and the picture doesn't get any prettier the more he describes. Well. Not until the bit with the tank. Her intent look is cracked by synthetic laughter.

"Now I'm sorry I missed it. Wouldn't have minded seeing you take that treadcrawler for a spin." And found some sound allies into the bargain. She does want to hear what made them clear out in such a hurry, but since he's asked, well, what has happened...?

"You know us: we never stop fighting. Hmm. Well, our system was invaded by a dark god of the Hive and his armies last year. Oryx, the Taken King. I'm told he was sorta furious about some Guardians destroying his son, heh. Our people put an end to the king too, but some of his creatures survived. We're still finding their blight all across our planets.

"And then the Nexus got invaded again. You hear about that yet? Some genetically engineered supersoldier with a pack of followers and a grudge against Captain Kirk. He got his hands on a magic artifact and tore this place apart. Hurt and killed a lot of civilians. Hnh. We taught him the same lesson the demons learned. Attack the Nexus, and the whole damned Nexus fights back. Everyone was out there fighting. There were some honest-to-the-Light dragons out blasting him, and hell if I didn't get a hard time from the Vanguards about that. It still makes me angry to think about, but I can't deny the battle was amazing.

"Of course we took him down. There'd be nothing for you to come back to if we hadn't. Only Steve- you remember Steve Rogers, don't you? He took a direct hit from an energy blast while he was running decoy duty for us. I honestly thought he was a dead man- and not the kind that's good company. But Steve came back! He's, uh, just a little different now, if you see him." A second's pause. "And there are two of him, but that's a recent development. Nexus crap. Nothing to worry about. Oh, and the last Halloween party turned into a shitshow when some guy's psychic power... exploded? Still not clear about that. Trapped a bunch of people in their worst nightmares anyway. I think one of the magic types got us all out." This last story is the shortest because it involves no punching and for no other reason at all.

Blaze snorts then. "All that and I'm leaving out all the best bits. I've got to tell you these stories properly sometime."