nexus_crossings | Time for a big ol' Nexus Block party

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!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She bobs her head in acknowledgement. "I've known several scientists in my time. Unfortunately, some of them took their work to a very cerebral place. They lost sight of compassion in the process."

And ethics. But Ana's not ready to stir that pot.

"Bounty hunters are always on the clock. No telling when you might stumble across your mark." There's the hint of a smile in her voice.

Moira's disapproval of intellectual focus being described as 'unfortunate' is swiftly interrupted. The other's answer could be an attempt at humour, or to panic the scientist into some kind of admission of guilt, or simply an honest answer. All of that said, Moira is a legitimate minister, not a criminal on the run. Right now her greatest enemies are ambitious peers, unless she's gotten on someone else's radar...

"I'm curious. How do you do your work in a place such as this? It doesn't allow for violence. That seems problematic for a bounty hunter."

The other woman shrugs. "Plenty of patience."

She leans forward, resting an elbow on her knee, as if she's sharing some proprietary knowledge. "Even at home, there's no use taking someone down in a public space. Causes too much of a fuss. Better to tail them to a more private location. Or in this case, outside of that anti-violence field's influence."

"A sensible method," Moira concedes. If only it gave her more of a clue about this figure. The more the stranger talks the more she's certain she knows that voice.

True, she's not getting any straight answers, but perhaps looking for the right words is the wrong way to go about this. Her eyes drift over the figure. "Your equipment must help you a great deal. It looks quite advanced. May I take a closer look?"

The request gives Ana pause. Angela Ziegler's biotic tech is probably unmistakable, but being cagey will arouse similar suspicion. She pulls her rifle around and props it on her knee for Moira's inspection.

"Be my guest."

The moment she sees the weapon everything slots into place so quickly that it takes a second for her to realise the conclusion she's come to. That weapon is unmistakable. She may not have made the rifle herself, but how could she forget applying her research to bullet doses and formulas suitable for grenades?

She doesn't even need to touch it to know. Straightening, she presses her lips together and nods. "Impressive. And whose name is currently on your bounty?"

"Why? Are you worried it might be yours, dear?" she says with a chuckle, slinging her rifle back over her shoulder. Moira isn't a bounty, strictly speaking. Tracking down Reyes, Lacroix, and the rest of Talon -- it's not a job. It's a moral obligation.

"My bounties are small fry. They pay the bills." And if she's lucky, they surface more Talon intel, or their apprehension fractures their network.

For half a second she considers saying that she would be more worried for the person who came after her, but decides against it. There's no need to antagonise old comrades.

Moira raises a single eyebrow. "Pay the bills, allowing you to enjoy your free time mingling with the local populace, I see."

"And why shouldn't I? Like you said, there are so many interesting people." Ana has been watching the small changes in the other woman's demeanor. She leans her head back for a moment, watching all of the far less tense conversations happening nearby, then slowly turns back to Moira. "This is supposed to be a friendly event, but I can't help but feel I've set you on edge."

"A masked figure with a rifle like yours doesn't quite suit the cordial atmosphere," Moira points out. "Perhaps if you abandoned both you would be treated more like a casual picnicker at a community gathering."

"Fair enough. I hate to be rude." No point in keeping up the masquerade -- Moira certainly isn't stupid, and Gabriel would simply confirm her suspicions later. After a moment, she finally raises a hand and disengages the mask with a click.

"I'm afraid the rifle will have to stay," she says, stashing the mask in her coat with a mirthless smile. "Half-way to a 'casual picnicker,' at least."

On the whole, Moira is exceptionally good at keeping her expression neutral even in tense situations. This, however, has her mouth pulling thin as she resists looking anything more than disapproving. It really is Ana then. How irritating.

"You're even more casual about dying. Are you sure you're still able to shoot in your condition?"

"One lucky shot isn't enough to take me out." Ana's smile persists, and she nods her head at the rifle. "You think I carry this around for show?"

Her eye flicks over Moira's distinct outfit. "You look like you've been doing well for yourself. Oasis, right? A natural fit for someone with your disregard for pesky things like ethics."

"Your disdain for my 'disregard of ethics' is more than a little ironic. Your expertise are undeniable." Moira looks to the rifle and then back to Ana. "But efficiency was more important than ethics in the design of your weapon. Overwatch was as ethical as the blind eye they turned so that Blackwatch could give them results."

Ana's tone tightens as if she's become an officer again, fielding questions at a press conference. "Anti-terrorist operations need to be quiet. Surgical. Fast. Blackwatch couldn't be hindered by red tape if they were to be an effective weapon against Talon. You should know that. But it was never our intention to allow the division carte blanche when it came to procedures."

Her eye lands firmly on Moira. "We put faith in Reyes' judgment, and he betrayed that trust."

Time for a big ol' Nexus Block party

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