nexus_crossings | Time for a big ol' Nexus Block party

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

“Johan Liebert.” He graciously accepts the handshake. “Viatorus,” he repeats. It's quite the name. From the Latin word viator?

Viatoris.

He doesn’t ask. Instead, he withdraws his hand, letting it come to a rest atop the books once more. His attention however stays fixed on Viatorus. “It’s been quite a while since I met someone so passionate about books.” He maintains the same friendly, conversational tone. “Are you aware of how your face lights up when you talk about them? Your whole countenance changes. It makes me feel less strange for so often choosing the company of books over other people myself.”

It’s funny. How shy, nervous people react when given personal attention. However, what’s really interesting about Viatorus is just as he said. That fleeting look of open joy that crossed his face when talking about the library. It’s given him an impression — though who knows if it’s accurate, it’s just an impression — of innocence.

"It's nice to meet you." The sentiment is an earnest one. By all appearances Johan seems to be a pleasant new acquaintance. Such a Germanic name is reasonably unusual in the Nexus, too, and Viatorus can't help but find a little comfort in the weak association with his mother's homeland.

Almost as if instructed by Johan's expectations, his words bring some colour to Viatorus' cheeks and without thinking he reflexively says, "Sorry."

The moment it's spoken he knows he shouldn't have said it, which explains the sheepish cringe. Tucking his journal properly under his arm, he wraps his fingers around his cup to give them something to do. "I mean-! Not for you feeling less strange. That's good. I-I just didn't mean to sound so fanatical."

"It's hard not to love books, though," he adds, a smile risking a return. "They're as good as people sometimes. Except that they can't listen. Which… I suppose only matters if you have a need to be heard."

“Fanatical? Oh no...” His smile fades as his glance flickers, sparing Viatorus the indignity of being stared at while he regains his footing. “Fanatical would imply zealotry,” he offers consolingly. “There’s nothing wrong with simply loving books. As you said, they’re easy to love. Even if they can only speak and never listen.”

Yes, a book could both erase someone and create them anew. Being with others accomplished much the same, except people were stories in flux. They could listen; they could be influenced. Johan’s eyes flick back to Viatorus’ face, not judging, merely curious about his thoughts. “Do you think there’s anyone who doesn’t need to be heard?”

He tilts his head, gaze falling first to the sketchbook and then the empty cup. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you.” He shows a soft, slightly self-effacing smile. Not a polite dismissal but an intended segue into inviting Viatorus to sit down at the table with him. Before or after Viatorus has gotten his tea re-fill, assuming there’s nothing more pressing he needs to attend to this morning.

That's a question that gets a thoughtful frown. Viatorus hums, struggling to put his thoughts into words. "It's not that. It's... Some people don't have a need to be heard. They don't want to be. Some people prefer to listen. Some people prefer being quiet."

Keep him? Viatorus blinks at Johan before following his gaze to the cup in his hands. Having it occupy his hands evidently wasn't enough for him to remember what he had been doing before the books caught his eye. He smiles back at his new friend. "It's alright. You're not keeping me. I've had enough tea today anyway."

That said, it doesn't seem right to keep standing here, but nor is it easy for him to invite himself to join Johan at the table. His eyes flit between Johan and a spare chair a few times before he manages to stutter, "D-Do you mind i-if I join you?"

“There are many different ways of communicating. Talking is only one.” He nods, acknowledging the validity of it, though he himself is not among the ‘some people’ Viatorus has described. But if he considers it obliquely enough he thinks maybe he could be. At least, it gives him an angle for how to relate to Viatorus, as long as he ignores the last part. He is aware he is generally considered quiet, especially when compared to the boisterous crowd that surrounds them, but not from any real preference to be anything.

His expression goes a little unfocused as Viatorus flounders, though his expression brightens once Viatorus’ voice snaps him back to reality. Being in the Nexus still has him largely on autopilot. “Join me? I was hoping you would.” His smile reaches his eyes now. It’s as though some mild burden has been lifted, and he bows his head humbly. “Forgive me, I should have invited you sooner. Events like this are always a little overwhelming for me.” Although he doesn’t look particularly overwhelmed. “I’d be really happy to talk more about books or anything else.”

First he puts down his cup and book before taking a seat, hiding a smile behind these small actions. Overwhelmed by social events. That's a familiar concept. He truly means it when he says, "It's alright, I understand."

Turning his attention back to Johan's books, he takes a moment to consider the titles he spotted. His fingers twitch so he folds his hands. One thing at a time. It would be rude to start reading instead of holding a conversation, and it would be presumptuous of him to go picking up and rifling through another person's books.

"That's an interesting assortment of books you have with you. They look to be mostly fiction, too. Do you prefer books that tell stories over factual ones?"

“Oh, I’ll read anything. I like to learn as much as I can about the world.” Out of curiosity, but from a pessimistic perspective. The world being such as it is, namely awful. Not that he’s not nonchalant about it. He blinks, affecting a less intellectual, more personally fond smile. “I have always been drawn to fiction, though.”

He slides the books over to Viatorus, who is free to rifle through them as much as he likes. They’re not that important to Johan.

“Do you prefer factual ones?”

"I'm not sure. I haven't read much fiction." Without thinking, he gravitates towards Aristotle, carefully taking the book so that he can gently flit through the pages. "I had a strict reading list as a child. Mostly journals and studies. They were very enjoyable, of course, but sometimes I heard bits of poetry and found myself astounded by such beautiful combinations of words."

For a minute he's silent, his eyes shuffling back and forth until he finishes a verse, his mouth pinching into a smile which he turns to Johan. "Do you have a favourite work of fiction?"

“A favorite?” A measured silence. The Nexus combined with the summer heat and a headache have him in an odd mood. One he’ll indulge by alluding to a book that is not his favorite but will always come to mind whenever anybody asks.

“There was an old Czech storybook I read again and again when I was a boy. It feels like that should probably be my favorite, but...” His eyes flick back to Viatorus. He offers a small, apologetic smile, unable to say more. “I like so many. It’s hard to pick only one. Ah, are you interested in reading more literature?”

Czech. He hasn't read many Czech works. It would help if he knew the language. Something else to work on some day, perhaps...

Johan's question is met with a breathless laugh. "Always. I'm always reading. Reading, working, or writing for work. I only wish I had the time to read more. There's too much and too little at the same time. Too much to get through and always too little of the works I love."

“A shame there aren’t more hours in the day. What sort of work is it that’s always keeping you so busy? You must be quite dedicated to stay so focused.”

He’s been wondering. He’d guess either academia or self-employment.

"Oh." He wishes they wouldn't, but his cheeks turn ever so slightly red. Preemptive embarrassment for a reaction he isn't sure is coming yet. There's always the possibility that Johan comes from a world filled with magic and won't be perturbed at all. Of course, he might also come from a world that fears it. There's no way to find out except by simply saying.

"I... I'm a scholar." He flattens out his shirt with a palm. "And a magical consultant."

“So you use your expertise to advise others in the use of magic.” His expression doesn’t change at all, but in this instance he won’t leave Viatorus to anguish. “It sounds like a valuable service. I won’t pretend to know much about magic, but my understanding is that it can be dangerous if the practitioner doesn’t have the necessary knowledge or experience.”

Magic. It may or may not exist in his world. It doesn’t matter. This world is not that world, and in any case — reality is malleable. What’s “real” is less important than what’s perceived. Things learned from experiencing psychedelic drugs as a child.

Johan continues talking to him as if he'd said he was a librarian and Viatorus visibly relaxes, his shoulders dropping and his smile returning. This isn't going to be one of those occasions where he's treated with suspicion for his heritage.

"It can be," he admits softly but hurries to add, "But that's the same as so many things. That's why people go to a consultant."

Closing the book in his hands, he runs his thumb along the spine. "My speciality is dreams. So people come to me with more than just magical problems, sometimes."

That makes him consider Viatorus in a different light. He allows his brow to raise, expression mildly quizzical but no less pleasant. “And what all does that entail? A specialization in dreams.”

For one thing, it would seem to suggest a level of insight and influence beyond technical matters of the occult. Or maybe, at its heart, the occult is nothing but that. Matters of insight and influence. Either way, dreams he can at least intuitively understand as reflections of the depths of the psyche. Something more interesting than the finer points of a field of study that doesn’t exist in his world, except perhaps in old and obscure texts.

The change in Johan's expression gives Viatorus a reason to hesitate, momentarily distracted with wondering what thought it's betraying. Is this getting too strange for his new acquaintance? The other man hasn't made his excuses to leave yet, though, so for now he's alright.

"A few different things. Sometimes people just need to be listened to. A lot of the time they just need an opportunity to listen to what their subconscious is already trying to tell them."

He fidgets, watching Johan carefully for any sign he's becoming too bizarre for polite conversation. "Most people come to me because they want me to fix their dreams. I can use magic to do that. To change a nightmare into a dream. Almost everyone wants me to do that, because they think it's easier. It's not. Doing it that way is like constantly going to a doctor to medicate a damaged liver and then turning around and continuing to drink copious amounts of alcohol."

“Viatorus.” He noticed the other’s anxiety and is silent for a moment, hands folded on the table in front of him, leaning forward slightly as he stares thoughtfully off to the side. “I want you to know,” he begins with his own feigned hesitancy, “I’m not judging you for knowing magic. It just doesn’t exist in my world. Or if it does, its users keep themselves hidden away. And with good reason.” His voice is relentlessly calm. “My world is full of horrible monsters, who exist only to destroy whoever and whatever.”

Some life returns to his eyes as he blinks once, shaking his head and redirecting his focus back toward Viatorus. “You have a gift. Am I correct in understanding you were a prodigy? You must know more about dreams than I can imagine. And you’re using your knowledge to help people. Nothing you’ve said sounds anything less than admirable. You don’t have to worry about scaring me off.”

His mouth drops open and he gapes, a breathless half sound escaping him as he blanches in the face of this man being so forward. It's as though his thoughts were spread out on a plate in front of Johan for him to discuss openly. No matter how reserved he's been, Johan seems to understand him like an open book. It takes him completely by surprise.

When he realises his mouth is still open, he closes it again and swallows, looking down at the journal in his hand to hide the colour in his cheeks. "I think..." He feels a fresh flush run through his skin. "I think sometimes people think I'm a monster when I tell them. Not always, but... When I fix people's dreams... I do it by dreamwalking. I step into their dreams, and I can change it. That scares some people, and the last thing I want to do is scare anyone."

He tries for a smile, but it flutters nervously. "I know I'm not a monster, but... honestly, I can't understand how people can be scared of dreamwalking, either."

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

He absolutely did, but only because what Viatorus said before was so vague compared to what he’s saying now. Johan prefers to at least have a general idea of who he’s talking to, especially here. Not that someone’s special powers or magical abilities are any of his business, no. Obviously not. But Viatorus seems so earnest and forthcoming now that the conversation has veered off script. In contrast, his own expression hardly changes except for a few sympathetic nods.

“People are at their most vulnerable when they’re asleep.” His tone is meant to be consoling rather than combative. “It must take some trust — or maybe desperation — for someone to allow you to not only glimpse but alter their dreams. It challenges the idea that all of us are solitary minds trapped inside our own respective cages. That’s a frightening prospect for the type of person who feels safest when they’re alone.”

It’s just rote armchair theorizing. But he does understand why people would be wary of Viatorus’ magic. Not that he’s judging him for it.

“Dreamwalking. Stepping into someone else’s nightmare. You’ve really never been afraid of it?” He raises an eyebrow with an open and genial, slightly admiring smile. Lest Viatorus doubt this is a perfectly normal, casual conversation.

Edited 2018-08-23 03:47 (UTC)

"It's alright," he says reflexively, smiling for added effect. The last thing he should be doing is suggesting that Johan did anything wrong. That might be rude.

Truthfully, Johan was right. People are vulnerable when they're asleep. It makes sense that they would be hesitant to have a stranger around them while they slept, let alone to have one in their dreams. It makes sense, but yet Viatorus still doesn't quite understand it. Grasping this simple concept seems just slightly out of reach.

Still, he smiles and shakes his head. "Not since I was a child. I feel the dreamer's fear, but it's not mine. Not really. It just makes me want to help them. And as an outsider it's usually easier for me to get a calming perspective on it."

“I think I can understand then. I’ve always been interested in dreams myself.”

A lie, but only a little one. He doesn’t think much of dreams at all, at least not in the way so many others do. Years spent asleep having robbed them of any mystery or charm. And now he has nothing but more sleep to look forward to. Perhaps he should consult with Viatorus to arrange for some pleasant, detailed dreams about the Nexus library? A childishly amusing thought.

“I’m sure everyone is, at least to some extent. It’s actually a little surprising more people aren’t intrigued rather than simply scared of dreamwalking. It sounds useful, as well as fun.” Viatorus seems so serious-minded, but he can imagine it would be. “As long as the risk of anyone being hurt by it is low or non-existent.”

The risk... There's a risk with everything, isn't there? But with dreams it's so low, so slight. Why bother bringing it up at all? Viatorus doesn't, reaffirming his smile instead.

Then he blinks and laughs awkwardly. "Here I am rambling about myself and I haven't given you a moment to speak! What is it you do, Mr. Liebert?"

A soft, slightly indulgent smile in the face of such unerring politeness. “I’m in my last year of law school.” So mundane, but his world is one of neither magic, nor superpowers. Just monsters, many monsters.

“I also have a job working with children at a local orphanage. Reading to them, helping them with their homework, taking them to the park and such.”

Though he knows very little of the trials of normal college life, the reputation of difficult courses such as law are hard to miss. He might know nothing about the subjects Johan might be studying, but he can certainly respect the amount of dedication the young man is putting into his work. The job in the orphanage only impresses him further, and it's plastered across his face.

"That sounds so busy! No wonder you took time to sit down somewhere nice. I..." He hesitates, caught between asking three different questions. His eyes flit back and forth before settling on Johan again. "Can I ask why you went into law? Was it to help children?"

His smile turns more genuine. Less placid, more amused -- brow rising slightly, but only for a moment. He quickly softens the expression into one of a pleased, personal fondness. Like Viatorus’ inquiry about his studies has somehow made him happy.

“Anyone can help children. That alone wouldn’t be a good reason to be a lawyer,” he says softly.

“It takes five years of school plus a two year apprenticeship to even be eligible for Germany’s version of the bar exam. In order to stay focused all those years, one has to be really interested in learning law.”

Time for a big ol' Nexus Block party

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)