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

Faris and Chanath

[poetwarrior]

Free food and a promise of good company is an excellent lure for a K'da and his Shontin, though the dangers of such gatherings are not forgotten. A warrior must always be vigilant, and Faris' head rises up from Chanath's shoulder to visually sweep the area like a living periscope. And to get a better look at the foods being offered, of course.

Chanath absently shifts her posture to accommodate the extra weight on her shoulder, moving closer to the tables to claim a plate and load it with sausages and some fruit-filled pastries. One would certainly be forgiven for assuming they are some strange two-headed alien as Chanath offers her symbiont a sausage.

[losthunter]

"Hi Faris! Hi Chanath!" Hunter greets the two familiar aliens with a bright smile. The artist is wearing a laid-back outfit today. Jeans and a short-sleeved shirt.

"Can I help carry a plate for you?"

[poetwarrior]

Chanath turns to greet him, and opens her mouth in a smile of appreciation at his offer. "Hunter, greetings! I do not need assistance at this time, thank you."

Faris' mouth is full of sausage, so it takes him a moment before he is able to respond, his two-dimensional body sliding across the Shontin's torso to align with the movement of his head. "You are looking well, my friend."

[losthunter]

"Thank you." Hunter grins at Faris. "It is good to see you too."

"I am glad to see you both out at this event."

[poetwarrior]

It is not in her nature to be selfish or greedy, so Chanath does not hesitate to offer the human a pastry from her plate. "There are many good-smelling foods here today. These are my favorite I have tried." She does not know what a peach is, but the fruit filling is sweet and soft, satisfying in both taste and texture.

[losthunter]

"Thank you." Hunter grabs a napkin for the pastry that she offered.

"Peach. I love peaches."

[poetwarrior]

"Peach," Chanath repeats to herself softly, and bites into another one. Quite delicious. "Do you know what this event is celebrating? I have not seen festive decorations."

[losthunter]

"We should find you an actual peach sometime."

Hunter glances around the area. "I do not think this is a specific event. It is a meet-and-greet. A chance for people to meet someone they haven't before."

"And enjoy the food prepared by the Crossroads Cafe."

[poetwarrior]

"A social festival," Faris says thoughtfully, his ears pitched forward in interest. So many gatherings commemorate events or seasonal changes, but one devoted solely to meeting new people is certainly his type of gathering.

Chanath considers that also, savoring the flavors on her tongue as she thinks. "It is still permitted to speak with friends, yes?"

[losthunter]

"Of course." Hunter chuckles lightly. "Sometimes the best part of a meet-and-greet is catching up with friends."

[poetwarrior]

"Then we are fortunate you have caught us," Chanath decides with a Shontin smile. "There are many foods to sample; perhaps you will join us?"

[losthunter]

"Always happy to join you both." Hunter smiles.

"How has the transition to a new dimension been going, so far?"

[poetwarrior]

"Excellent. We are pleased to have you in our company also," Chanath tells him, and moves closer to the buffet table to investigate its many offerings with their human friend.

"It has been going well," Faris answers, as his host examines a frosted, fried, circular dough with colorful flakes on top. "While our diplomats are in negotiations with the Federation ambassadors, many of our peoples have been permitted to visit the surface of Earth in the presence of local guides. The forests of California have drawn much interest from the fleet," he adds with a K'da grin. "Particularly the large trees growing there called sequoia."

[losthunter]

"That is a donut. It is really sugary." Hunter tells Chanath about her discovery.

"California is a very beautiful location to explore."

[poetwarrior]

Humans must love sugar, Chanath decides. So many of their foods are sweet in one way or another, even those that are not heavy with fruit. "Do you enjoy these donuts?"

In his time with Hunter, Faris was able to see at least a little of Earth, though mostly in a city setting rather than the wilds. California had not been on the list, but his ears perk up when he hears that his friend has been there. "We are told there are many preserved landscapes on your home continent, both forests and other types of land."

Re: Faris and Chanath

[houmaprotector]

"Chanath."

He no longer runs over to say hello or smiles easily but he has his own way of expressing pleasures. Small vines creep up the tables and startle a few guests as the air fills with the scent of flowers and earth. The warrior and her partner are two of his favorite people he's met so far.

"I brought you both a gift."

[poetwarrior]

"Greetings, Alec Holland," Chanath replies, smiling in her peoples' way at the sight of him and the beautiful greenery he inspires around him. And oh, the smells... she closes her eyes a moment, just inhaling the sweet scents of flowers and fertile dirt.

Faris is also pleased to see their green friend, the two-dimensional part of his body shifting across Chanath's torso to accommodate the turning of his head. "It is good to see you again," the K'da greets him also.

Chanath has missed out on many gift-givings that Faris was present for, during his times here without her, so she is quite curious. "A gift?"

[houmaprotector]

"My favorite fruit from my home." He produces 3 dragonfruit from seeming nowhere, "It's a ...a wonderful opportunity to share such things...with so many different people."

Buried deep beneath his green exterior is a hopeless man who's a bit of a flirt. People who are kind to him earn his kindness in return.

[poetwarrior]

"Oh, they are beautiful," Chanath says, taking one of the colorful fruits in her hands to investigate it, lifting it to her face to take in its scent. The color reminds her somewhat of her K'da companion, its texture evocative of scales. "What is its name? How is it eaten?" she asks, eager to learn, and share in this new experience.

[houmaprotector]

"It's called a dragon fruit." He taps the surface and the fruit opens, "...Normally you'd cut it in half and eat it but most fruits and vegetables want to be eaten. When you've tried that, both of you-" He points, "If you'd like, try mango next. The two flavors taste...delicious."

He remembers. Even now he remembers. It's funny, what beings remember.

[poetwarrior]

A dragon fruit... a fine name for such a fruit that bears such striking resemblance to her companion. Though the insides, perhaps not as much, almost fluffy white with specks of black. Chanath offers the first bite to her symbiont, holding the fruit up for him, before taking some herself, both carefully tasting its flavors.

"Interesting," Faris concludes, tongue licking at the corners of his mouth to clean it. "Soft, yet subtle. A whisper of sweetness on the wind."

"One could eat many before being sated," Chanath agrees, and though she wishes to eat more of the fruit, she would not wish to be unable to eat this mango Alec Holland has also spoke of. Better to save room, and eat both. "I would very much like to try your mango also."

[houmaprotector]

Alec smiles at that. Offering unusual treats to other beings makes him feel happy.

It's unusual. He produces a mango and hesitates, glancing around the table, "There's a spice you can put on that one." He frowns, "I can't remember what it's called. If it comes to me I'll find you again but try this now."

He turns back, focused, "How are you both?"

[poetwarrior]

Faris is an adventurous eater, for a K'da, and he visibly perks up at the mention of spice being added to fruit. More complex flavors are his favorite, though they sometimes include things most other sentients would not consider edible. Still, even without such a seasoning, he is interested by the strangely pine-like scent of the mango that wafts his way as the fruit is opened.

"We are both well," Chanath answers gladly. "Our peoples have been given opportunities to visit Earth with local guides while our diplomats are in negotiations. Faris and I recently visited a forest of very large trees in Cal-ih-for-nyah," she adds, carefully pronouncing the name of the place, still foreign on her tongue. "They are very impressive; many seem taller than the length of our smallest warship."

[houmaprotector]

"...California? Do you mean - redwoods?" Alec could grin. He's almost willing to try and smile even if the corners of his mouth might hurt. He tries it. Fuck it.

"...They're beautiful. And old. Beautiful trees." The love in his voice is palpable, "Redwoods are some of my favorite. Ask to go to Louisiana, to see the swamp land. It's beautiful."

[poetwarrior]

Ah, excellent! He has heard of it. Chanath's mouth cannot bend in a human style smile either, but she shows her pleasure in her own peoples' way. "Yes, the Red Wood," she agrees happily. "I have never seen trees so large, and the scent of the forest is like none other."

He had mentioned Louisiana before, she remembers. The land of his home. "We shall. Earth has many natural wonders; it is difficult to decide which to visit first."