A Very Nexus Reception

[smartass_captain]

To all the friends of the happy grooms, PINpoint messages have already been sent weeks ago inviting them to expect quite the street party arranged in the commons of the Nexus. Guests have been invited to bring an appetite--both for food and for a social adventure. Nirnish weddings are public affairs, after all. While the ceremony has had to be somewhat sequestered for the sake of keeping the existence of Other Worlds a secret, neither Felix nor Jim would want to leave out their interdimensional friends entirely. Having a reception party arranged in the Nexus became the natural plan of action.

Overnight large sections of the Commons are transformed via diligent craftsmanship and quite a lot of magic from those who’ve volunteered. Lanterns representing the Divines are hung along every lamp post, bringing at least the idea of warmth even if the flames are too small to heat their surroundings alone. Bardic tunes carry in the air as readily as the scent of food and drink. Past banners of red and black, blue and white the people gather.

For both grooms this is nearly a continuation of the day before. They’ve had the chance to sleep off the nerves of their ceremony. Today is entirely for celebration--uninhibited celebration at that. No more minding what is said and isn’t. No more pretending to be anything other than who they are. Jim’s traded out his Nirnish finery for a suit and tie, garments he’s much more familiar with. Felix is staying with his native clothing; though he may have dressed down a little from his wedding clothes, the conjurer’s dressed in fitted breeches and his best fur-trimmed coat and boots, the soft hide dyed blue to match his tunic. By their side sits the conjurer’s spectral wolf familiar, ears pricked at the gathering.

As the guests find their ways over it will be easy to spot their friends amidst all the decor along with many other avenues with which to enjoy themselves….

Greetings
Food and Drink
Music and Dancing
Bonfire Entertainment
Party Games

((Links to all relevent wedding Prose can be found Here!))

Comments

[conjuredskies]

Well that cinches it- they know Jim, for certain. And yet Felix doesn't recall him mentioning any older guests from his world. He certainly wouldn't have invited any of his own relatives, which makes it all the more bewildering because the human man really looks...

"Ah, my idea, actually. Tiber Septim is... he was a very important emperor of my people." He gestures at the purring cat. Don't get a big head, you. "And he's almost the same color as the gold septims we use for currency, so... anyway, Jim hadn't told me his middle name up to that point. He sputtered a bit, to be sure."

Felix doesn't really understand why, still. Tiberius is a perfectly fine and sensible name.

"I am indeed." He bows a little, politely. When you don't know to whom you speak, be courteous. "I'm afraid my familiar has many nicknames, butn o single name. Ah- but you have the advantage of me. Are you... friends of Mr. Spock's?"

[conjuredskies]

"You people sound akin to our Nord neighbors," he says, pouring out some of the ale before he offers her the bottle. "Every Nord warrior -shieldmaidens included - aspires to an honorable death and a place at Shor's table in Sovngarde." Honor is immensely important to his people, of course, but it's not held as the paramount virtue in quite the same way.

Felix sips as he chooses his words. He understands now how she managed to coax his reticent brother into a theological correspondence: Runa's earnest pleasure in sharing what she knows is genuinely delightful. He's almost reluctant to speak further and risk spoiling it. "It seems much clearer, to hear it explained that way. But I wonder if there's something I'm missing yet. You see, I met a woman recently who claimed to be a Valkyrie herself, appointed by Loki. It seemed peculiar because she was certainly a mortal human herself, and I hadn't thought that was how it worked..." another sip, "and yet, she insisted on it."

[volurofthehearth]

Runa may have moved closer to share her faith and culture, but it looks now like it's so she can hang on Felix's every word. How similar are the Nords of Nirn to the Norsemen of Earth? Is Shor similar to the Thor to whom his name is so close? Or to Odin, who rules over Valhalla?

"That sounds very much like my people," she says breathlessly, reining in her overenthusiastic nature. "I'd like to hear more about those gods."

Yet what he says next isn't about his world at all. It's about Loki, and she has to take a moment to remind herself that there are many Lokis, not just the one she has befriended. It's about a human woman saying she has become a Valkyrie. Runa is quiet as her puzzled thoughts work themselves out across her face.

Finally she laughs, "But it's not?" She shakes her head. "Loki must be tricking her. Odin rules over the Valkyrie, and even Thor I would understand. But Loki? Of trickery and magic? And to name a human woman a Valkyrie?"

Maybe Felix is the confused on here. She presses her lips in a smile and tilts her head at him. "Are you sure she wasn't a ghost, or a spirit? Or raised by Valkyrie? You must be missing something to that story, or else she's been tricked. If she has been tricked, don't let her embarrass herself and say something like that to an actual Valkyrie, or to one of the gods. That would be awful!"

[smartass_captain]

"Still. I grabbed Han a drink. Seems only fair I get you one. Wait just a second, okay?" The groom gets right back up on his feet and wanders off toward the bar where a Very Ordinary barkeep seems to be struggling to get his hands on some fresh glasses. It won't take him but a minute--time enough for Leia and Han to exchange looks-- before he's back with a bright blue drink to hand over to her. "Moonlily wine. If you don't like it I won't be offended. I let the bartender recommend me something fit for royalty."

Jim gives both of them a long look as each speaks their piece about the other. At Leia's insistence he relax a bit the military posture does abscond from Jim's posture almost entirely. He's been on his toes for the last several days dealing with all the procedures in Felix's world. A chance to relax is one he'll take gratefully. Though he's stifling a grin at Han's remark. How often does anyone get the Corelian pilot to listen when he's of a mind not to?

"And yet here both of you are. Even from what little I know about your galaxy, that's not nothing." He's glad to see you, Han. Glader still to think you Might be in the process of making a friend. The smile he offers the princess is much more diplomatic.

"We didn't get along at first either. Guess we maybe had too much in common."

[rekindledtitan]

Tarana's expression doesn't waver as she stares him down, unyielding as the Wall she's sworn to defend. She's privately sympathetic to the desire to try something new and daring, to seize a rare opportunity like this. But she has to be responsible. "Not until you're sober, captain."

Thankfully he doesn't argue much. Tarana would regret it a little bit if she had to pick up one of the grooms and put him elsewhere. She watches him go with a nod, only turning a frown on Celann when the knight sighs in relief.

"That's sorted out, at least?" he says, and the Titan shakes her head. She's known a lot of Guardians, and she knows the look of a man she hasn't seen the last of.

[sweetcandygirl]

Happily energized after eating a lot of sugary treats, and having a few drinks, Harley bounces over to see what is going on near the safety barricades. She reads the note and grins.

"Jousting! I have never jousted before!"

She arches up on her tiptoes to look around to the other mounts. Oh look... someone has a hover bike! That means...

"My motorbike would be allowed? Right?"

[solobutnotalone]

“Thank you.” She accepted the wine graciously and sipped, it was unusual but not unpleasant, in fact it had a faintly honeysuckle taste that played sweetly over her tongue. It made her smile in pleased surprise. “No, this is quite nice actually, thank you again.” And she leaned a bit to raise her glass to the bartender in acknowledgement of a drink well chosen.

Han’s comment earned a single dark brow arching upward, was she pleased or insulted or vaguely amuse, hard to tell as she hid her expression before the rim of her glass and a well-timed slow sip. “Credit where it’s due, Han is an extraordinarily skilled pilot. I’m not sure we’d be here, or at least in one piece if not for him.”

Granted her urge to throttle him was always pushed to the edge when he got cocky in the pilots chair. But she’d had to learn to trust him. When she’d first laid eyes on the Falcon she’d been unsure it would fly, let alone out maneuver anything but the most busted of the imperial fleet. The cocky pilot had made her eat those words and she found herself unable to disparage at least that skill. “That’s made him invaluable to the Rebellion, if he was able to focus more on it we might have made more progress already.” And there’s the backhand to her compliment.

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus opens his mouth to ask if there aren't other raccoons who like to dance, but hesitates. Walking, talking raccoons like this seem more like something out of a Fae world than American countryside. Best not accidentally insult anyone.

Thankfully, the maybe-fae has a change of conversation Viatorus can get behind. He perks up visibly, nodding along. "I know. I-I understand, I mean. I, um, I like watching Runa, too. Not in a creepy way," he adds hastily. "Just... I like to see her having fun. Especially with new people. I'm not so good at that. It's good to see nothing's stopping her from making new friends."

[conjuredskies]

"So he says," Felix says with a chuckle. "His idea of 'old-fashioned' makes most wizards' houses look simple as a hunter's campfire." For a moment he feels the impulse to invite the couple in person- but it's Jim's home first, and one he knows his husband has mixed feelings about.

"Of course, we won't be able to spend much time there, living on the ship," he says instead. "But perhaps one of these days you could come and visit our home in Tamriel. If you'd like to, of course."

[mudblood_andproud]

"I just want to be the best Minister of Magic that I can be. So figuring things out is part of what helps me feel more prepared for the job ahead of me."

[rebelscumfather]

Han had never talked extensively about his ‘other’. Usually the conversations stopped suddenly when the mistake identities are discovered. He got the impression that the younger guy could travel through space and was renowned for something or another, but little more than that. Setting up bases was far more specific than anyone had ever been with him before and that was something of a surprise to him. His wife had come from a political-military family, but she had largely been a politician and the truth this Han was happier for that.

He’d come home from the Air Force, after serving, with more baggage than he ever expected. He certainly wouldn’t wish that on anyone else.

“Well ...” Han drawled, taking another sip. “... I have to believe working that closely with anyone takes its toll. All the more so during wartime.”

[conjuredskies]

Felix will gladly share what he understands of the Nordic pantheon- which isn't bad, considering that he grew up in the most Nord-influenced town in Cyrodiil and spent a couple of years travelling in Skyrim. But not just now- now, the game is afoot. The breeze ruffles his hair and for a moment he can taste smoke and blood in the air, feel the pounding of the bards' drums in his blood.

"Well, I wondered about that," he agrees, "but being a mortal mage I'm loathe to interfere with a god's plans, especially one I quite like." He has another sip, shaking his head at her questions- and swallowing fast at that last part. He has to wipe his mouth as politely as he can before he says anything.

"No, I'm quite sure she's a living mortal. I know a thing or two about spirits, myself. But she didn't seem to know much, herself, even though she insisted she was a real Valkyrie. I did try to warn her about that, you know, but I barely know the woman personally. It's not really my place to instruct her."

A small pause. "Of course, if you'd like to make sure yourself, I could point her out to you. I believe she's here at this very party."

[solobutnotalone]

“I suppose your right.” It had a sort of wisdom to it that her general tendency to snap would overlook. She’d file that away for later and maybe it might save Han some grief at some point.

“And you? You look well, look like you’ve done well for yourself.” Leia wouldn’t have thought the Han she knew had a chance to reach his age with his brash recklessness. But clearly this man had and had learned some along the way. She found, despite who he was, that she liked him. This version of him had the charm with less of the arrogance, some of those rough edges had been worn more smooth.

The music changed and a very energetic song played, she had no idea what it was but it was loud. She moved her chair to better be able to hear him over the rising volume of both music and revelers.

[rogueinladysclothing]

She's not the best at games of chance, even when she avoids partaking in any drinks, but losing her money is only ever a temporary problem. "If they happened to swindle me, I'd simply have to take my coin back." She says 'take', but Felix can be assured that she means 'steal'. No one would ever be able to prove one way or another if she didn't want them to.

Really, he should know by now that Amelia isn't one to give up what's hers to something like chance.

The music finally gives out after a last few spins, devolving into the clashing of songs that have no place together. Amelia laughs and steps off the dance floor to let the few brave souls around attempt to dance to the clamor while she debates what to test Felix with next.

"You brought in everyone you could, then," she observes with a smile. "I hope the space faring folk enjoy it here as much as your own countrymen. They're always a delight when they're not causing trouble the way you do." A little more teasing? But of course. With all the two of them have been through together over the years - and the strange places they've ended up as a result of one another's actions - a habit like this will never die. Wedding celebration be damned; Little brothers can always use a good metaphorical prodding.

[smartass_captain]

There's so many people here. Jim has never had reason to question or be concerned about this before but right now every stranger is an obstacle between him and the jousting competition that could be starting at this very moment without him! Him, of all people! It's an outrage. A travesty.

The injustice of Tarana's responsibility sustains the captain while he wanders past the dance floor, past the food and drinks, until he finds the man he's looking for standing next to a small table watching various card games being played. Hikaru Sulu hasn't yet met a vehicle he couldn't operate, a fact that Jim is willing to bet everything on in this moment.

"Sulu, just th'man I'm looking for. I need--I need your help."

"Sitting down?" The Enterprise's helmsman steps out of reach of Jim's unsteady grip but falls into step at his captain's side with the hints of an amused smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You've really outdone yourself this time, haven't you? What's on your mind, Jim?"

No need for formalities at a wedding. Moreover, Jim's not apt to remember this come morning.

"Jousting." The response once again proving that no one can predict what comes out of Jim Kirk's mouth. Hikaru almost spills his own drink by the laugh startled out of him. He raises a brow.

"Jousting."

"Yes." Fervent nodding.

"Okay...You had my interest. Now you have my attention. What about it?" Hikaru will have to steer Jim away from anything he might bump into while his captain explains the situation to him. By the time they come into view of the sign Hikaru steps ahead of Jim to approach the individuals taking volunteers himself. His captain is left to sway hover behind him and observe.

"Since the captain is in no condition to be participating in this event, I will sign on in his stead. The captain's offered to let me borrow his vehicle." He nods toward the Sparrows gathered off to one side. "It's not dissimilar to those over there, if that's allowed."

[volurofthehearth]

Anxious scepticism quickly gives way to a cool dread as she realises where this is headed. Felix may have known it wasn't right, but Runa knows why and how it isn't right. She also has a better chance of not offending gods by interrupting their schemes, or at least not having them retaliate so strongly against her. To offend a mortal woman is one thing, to get on the wrong side of five völur and a generational mage-priestess family is another thing entirely.

That all said, this isn't the first time a friend has volunteered her to break some bad news. As if her smile or sweetness protects her at all from a shrieking woman.

She sighs, resigned, and takes a sip of the bottle he offered earlier. Then, nods and sighs good-naturedly. "Go on, then. Point her out to me." Mid way through taking another sip she asks, "Do you know if she's involved with a Loki in the Nexus, or one from her world? I think there are a few around."

[heirtothedragonsfire]

So Isidor isn't entirely sober anymore, and it's Jim's wedding party. Runa has her eye on Viatorus, it's in the Nexus, and Lyall and T'Valan are on standby in case they need to be called. Initially she walks past the sign as she comes over to investigate, but then backs up again.

It's a competition.

She tries to ignore it. For all of two minutes, but then tells the squire not to start anything without her. By the time she returns she's in jet black armour with its scaled motif. She needs to break it in anyway. Her steed has already been acquainted with her, but they, too, need practice together. Its feathers are ivory and its rear is golden, as a lion's should be. The jet black rider atop the gryphon is certainly A Sight to see.

Thankfully Integrity is more than used to manoeuvring around a bustling area, and even more thankfully they aren't going flying anywhere. So Isidor eventually manages to find her way back to a squire again. It's with wide, eager eyes that she says, "Tell me where to set up."

[volurofthehearth]

The thing about Harrowheart and Runa is that they feed off of each other's excitement like a terrible feedback loop that is usually only tempered by the comparatively dour Durants. Without either nearby Runa is free to jump at Harrowheart's sudden appearance and laugh along with him until he gets to the mention of jousting.

"Jousting?!" That sounds amazing! That sounds like so much fun to watch!

She watches his hand go back and forth between them, her eyes going wide.

It could be way more fun to do.

Runa laughs again and then claps her hand over her mouth. "Us? Do you think I could do that? Do you think we could do that?"

[westfallcorndog]

Harrowheart flops his arm over Runa's shoulder and looks down at her with a broad, slightly inebriated smile. "Runa. Darling. You and me, we can do anything. We probably can't do it good, but we can do it."

He pats her, then disengages from their half-hug to look her up and down. "If you're gonna be the knight, you're gonna want some kinda armor. You ever wore armor before? You know, my set oughta fit you..."

There's only a foot's height difference between them, after all.

"And you know how to ride a horse?"

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow is all smiles and laughs at a surprisingly tipsy Jim. He's ready for a one-armed hug, mindful to leave room for Elune the plant. For Felix, a businesslike handshake.

"More official," he repeats with an approving smile. "When you put it that way you make it sound real good."

He nods at each of them, then, and hefts the plant in his arm. "Well, fellas. I think this is the part where I give y'all your gifts. Took me a real long time to figure out what I was gonna give ya. Somethin' you'd both like, I figured. But useful, too. Had to be magical, of course. And maybe a little experimental."

He offers the plant to Felix, who seems the most sober of them all. If he's not, he's faking it well, anyway.

"It's a magical sorta plant from my world. Grows well in the cold. Don't need too much tendin', 'cause it's a wild thing. It's got magical properties, like I said. A good alchemist can coax it into bringin' out all sorts of magical benefits. But... Instead of givin' y'all any recipes, I figured I'd just give you the plant and let y'all explore it together. Figure out what it does, how it works, and all."

With the plant out of his hands he's free to reach into his breast pocket, then, where he withdraws a few paper pouches. Each has been labeled with full suns, half suns, and moons, and varying numbers of water droplets. He shakes the pouches, and they rattle distinctly.

"And when you get bored with that plant, here's a few more. They're all from my world, they're all good for somethin' or other, and I... think none of 'em'll kill ya."

[volurofthehearth]

The affectionate, derpy reassurance sets her giggling all over again.

"I know how to ride a horse. I loved horses when I was a girl." She taps his chest with a big grin of her own. "But I don't know that your armour will fit me. You're much bigger and stronger than me. I'd be better off wearing a frying pan!"

[westfallcorndog]

"I loved horses when I was a little girl, too. You know, I think they're still my favorite animal."

At her last remark Harrow tosses his head back and cackles. "A fryin' pan! Maybe that'll be your weapon."

He takes in a deep breath of air and proudly reminds her, "My armor's enchanted! It changes shape when I turn into a worgen. Why wouldn't it change shape to fit you, too? Maybe the real question is..."

He rubs his chin as he considers the little would-be warrior. "You ready to inflict some carnage? You ready to obliterate the impious? Whatever that means. I heard Zandros say it once."

[volurofthehearth]

Careful, Harrowheart, Runa will be so busy laughing that she'll be unable to sit up and do any jousting at all!

"I'm ready to show everyone I'm not a little girl anymore," she tells him with a lazy smile. "Maybe I won't obliterate anyone, but I'll give them a good smack!"

Shoving his arm, she asks, "Do you think you can run in a straight line?"

[smartass_captain]

Hugs from one of his closest Nexus friends! Jim is laughing right along with Harrow though the reason why they're laughing has sailed right over his head. Clearly Harrow is just happy to see Jim. The captain is damn well ready to agree with this assessment. Jim doesn't quite stumble when he's let go. Felix is there with a hand on his arm to steady him.

"It is real good. We did it, we actually got away with it." This time Jim's laugh is full of nervous relief. One that tapers off when the plant is hefted up and brought out to face them both. In all the hurry Jim honestly hadn't paid it much attention until now. It's for them?? "Sweet! Felix loves eating random plants!" It's for science, Jim. For his alchemy? Well, it's not untrue in any case.

"That's a real--" Jim steadies himself and takes a breath. He wants to get this right. "Seriously. That's...thank you. We've been doing a lot of that together. I'd be happy to try my hand at learning somethin' new. Though Felix will probably have to take charge of it."

A gift they can enjoy together? Jim's honestly really touched. The emotion shows uninhibited on his face with how drunk he is, too. He grips Harrow's arm and gives it a couple pats before turning to see how Felix is taking this.

[rebelscumfather]

Considering nobody hears as good at his age as they do at hers, he would have had to close the distance between them a bit if she hadn’t done it first. That said, he’s not at all dissatisfied that they have to be close together and she’ll sense Han shifting his balance a little bit, so he can direct his voice a little closer to her ear.

She’ll feel his hand gently on her wrist before he tells her ...

“You’ll have to forgive me for not saying too much right away.” His hand, of course, is even more calloused than the Han she knows. With 30 or so more years of labor to their credit, it’s not very surprising. “I know I’m not exactly an older version of him, but all the same, somethings maybe shouldn’t be said, huh?”

He reaches for another sip of from the glass and then, leans a little closer to her. There’s a brief pause where he seems to be sorting his thoughts -or- looking at the way she’d exposed some of her neck by the way she had pinned her hair.

“I’m doing well. Hoping to retire soon. Spent a lot of time flying dozens of people where they needed to go is alright, but when you’ve been doing it as long as I have it gets tiring. Saw my share of fighting before that, though.”