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

He’s glad she disagreed since he’s not actually concerned with making any happy new memories at all. He doesn’t need to when that is a task left for his sister, who will make them in his place. His eyes flutter shut as he slinks gracefully into the seat opposite her. When he looks up, it’s with a fond, pleased, happy smile.

“Normally, I’d keep busy with classes, work, or volunteering. This summer has left me with more free time than usual, though. I’m not really used to it.” One’s days turn endlessly boring once you’ve turned yourself into a living ghost. He never imagined he would one day have to deal with boredom. Such a common, human emotion. He tilts his head, interested. “What about you? Is there something special you enjoy while waiting for the Fall? Maybe you can give me some ideas.”

"You could always find something like that here, you know."

Hazel gestures around them both to the Nexus at large. Until recently all her time out of season was spent working festivals and events for other seasons back in her own world. That all changed when she found one of her own she could lend her skills toward instead. But it does leave a person with rather much more free time than she's used to anymore.

"I've been helping my house mate renovate his home this year. He's adopting a child soon and wanted to make a room for her in his small house. Mostly it's been selecting paints and shopping for furniture and the like." Hazel is not emotionally invested in whoever this girl is so it matters little to her. But Reynard's wishes are things she does want to help with. And so here they are.

"Usually I try to keep myself as busy as possible right up until the beginning of my season so I'm not pacing like a caged animal waiting for My Time."

Johan brightens at the mention of a child. He loves children, even if he also doesn’t really care if they throw themselves from off the top of high places.

“I can’t think of a better way to stay busy than helping your housemate prepare to adopt a child,” he says, voice soft but emphatic. “It’s such an important decision. I used to work with orphaned children and can tell you what a difference adoption makes. Children need to be in a safe, stable environment with someone who loves them.”

But when those basic needs are lacking, children often turn very troubled in response. They have to in order to survive and protect themselves. Are Hazel and her housemate prepared for the kind of patience and understanding that may soon be asked of them?

“Your housemate. Is that the Winter spirit you’ve mentioned before?” he asks, now curious about this story.

"I don't think he realizes how important the decision is. I've worked with orphaned children on and off for years, but it's been many a Season since he's had someone to look after."

Hazel nods at Johan's guess. She does indeed share a home with the Winter Spirit she met here in the Nexus. At first out of a kind offer, and then out of concern for his well being, and now...? Because it feels a bit like a home.

"She's from a very dangerous world and has been forced to look after herself for much of her life. He wants her to have somewhere safe to put up her feet, someone to be looking after her. I don't think he realizes she will likely treat him like a father figure. I've not met her yet, personally. He talks about her when we're working on the cabin."

“It sounds like his heart is in the right place. He just doesn’t remember what children are like. How they need not only safety and someone to look after them, but also family.”

Forgive him, but he doubts spirits gifted with a clear and singular purpose could ever truly understand the hopelessness of a life that was not wanted. That serves no purpose beyond survival. Modern worlds may be forgetting the seasons, but thousands of years of experience can’t be compared with the innocence of a child whose only way of making sense of evil is to blame itself. It’s a despair he’s seen again and again. He channels his own understanding of their plight into a facsimile of worry. His brows draw together, eyes narrowing in what’s meant as concern before slackening into a questioning gaze that he directs toward Hazel.

“What will happen to her during the Winter? She won’t be able to understand why he’s gone. All she’ll see is that she is comparatively unimportant to him. Children are so impressionable. They take every rejection as a reflection of their personal worth.”

"She's...who knows. Twelve or thirteen. Old enough to understand that Reynard and myself aren't normal humans. She's gone winters without him before, they've apparently known one another for some time now. Since before I arrived in this place, at least."

It would be unfortunate if Tina did not trust Hazel to watch over her in Reynard's stead when he's busy with his season, but she doesn't feel much need to worry about it overmuch when they haven't been introduced yet. The girl might be quite friendly and attach herself to Hazel too. The Autumn spirit does not mind raising and protecting. Such things are in her nature, after all.

"I will watch her during Winter. Reynard mentioned she had other people in the Nexus she got along with, I'm certain they will want to see her too. I'll have to bring them round and introduce you once I'm able to."

“I was hoping you would say that. I won’t worry, then.” He really won’t. As much as he likes children and genuinely believes they should be protected, he also is one of the things they need protecting from. Being at best a wonderful tutor but generally pernicious influence.

His cheerful smile returns. “I hope that you will. I’d like to meet them. Reynard, as well as the girl.”

He means it. For one so introverted and solitary, Johan has always sought the company of others. Sometimes as part of a plan, sometimes to use as teachers and tutors, sometimes for no ulterior reason at all. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. Before or after she moves in. I don’t have much experience with carpentry or building, but I know quite a lot about painting. Walls, murals...”

Beautiful landscapes. Renaissance forgeries. Messages on water towers.

"I thought about painting her something. A fireworks scene. She's rather fond of them." Well she's fond of explosions regardless of scale, color, or size, but these are at least more appropriate to have hanging in a child's bedroom.

Hazel gives a small chuckle and shake of her head.

"I've been watching tutorials online but all I was ever taught how to paint were still life watercolors. Making fireworks has proven to be a bit of a challenge."

Time for a big ol' Nexus Block party

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