smartass_captain | A Very Nexus Reception

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A Very Nexus Reception

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!))

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Thor notices her discomfort, though he's not really sure what its cause is. He certainly doesn't seem to be judging her skill, if that helps at all. His own smile is broad and warm, giving her a friendly pat to her shoulder. "That's the sort of dance that usually comes after everyone's had a few too many cups," he tells her with a chuckle. "I'm sure you'll do fine."

"I missed all the action. When I turned up, things were winding down. Between the two of us, I hope we've heard the last of those varmints. But we oughta talk of happier things. We're at a party."

Van cracks his knuckles. This will be an experience for him, he muses as he listens to Kaolin's explanation of the rules. He casually picks up the dice, examining them in his hand.

"Never played a game from your world, poker's more familiar to me, but Eric Van Wall's nothing if not adventurous." The pilot smiles, settling back. "You take the first turn and show me how it works."

Van's the most abrasive member of his old crew next to Connant (and his tongue is sharper than the physicist's), but he's got nothing but respect for the Guardians. He's heard stories of Blaze's bravery in the Nexus, and he's grateful for a peacekeeping force of sorts.

"I don't actually come 'round too often, but I've got friends here who I like to keep tabs on. You might see 'em one of these days. Good people." He'd have harsher words for Blair, but this is a lighthearted time and Blair's suffered enough. "Thanks for explaining things. I think I've got a sense of the rules. We've got dice games back in the States."

"Most likely," he echoes softly, his expression mild, but his eyes saying he doesn't believe a bit of it. There's no threat in his face or voice, though, the brief fit of pique smoothing over into something else that's trickier to read.

"You say that you reconsider now because you have less to lose, protected by the blessings of so many gods. To that I say no, I think that you have found that you have something to gain, else there would be no point in interrupting the status quo as you found it."

He clasps his hands behind his back, and rocks on his toes for a second, thinking, looking more like a professor considering whether to allow a student an extension on turning in his assignment, than a god. "Still, why should I quarrel with your gain, if it comes with a gain to me, as well?"

"What would you have me know of this deity, then? I assume speaking their name again will only draw excessive attention from them." If, indeed, they have not already drawn this god's eyes.

"Oh! You're Norn," Adia says, before catching herself and adding quickly, "Jim mentioned you when he was talking about which members of his crew were here. It's nice to meet you."

Now she understands why Jim assumed they'd get along. And also perhaps why Caspar might be intimidating to someone of Norn's temperament. She glances over at him briefly, a telepathic-like message of be nice that spouses get very good at sending one another.

Her attention returns to Norn at his suggestion to sit down somewhere. "Good idea," she agrees, for much the same reasons. The last thing she wants to do is block buffet traffic. "I think I have enough on my plate, I'll find us a table."

There's one not too far away. Caspar claims it, setting down his drink. He long since got rid of his plate, as he's already sampled just about all he cares to eat. Adia waits for Norn to join them before picking up their conversation.

"Felix was one of the first people I talked to in the Nexus," she tells him. "Well, the second time around, anyway. It's complicated. I'm glad he helped you get back to your world. People can get really lost here. You have a PINpoint now, right?" He must. She doesn't think there are any more active portals to Jim's universe, but maybe something else has popped up since the one on the Enterprise was destroyed.

That's... a reminder Crowley didn't really need right now. Luckily he's got mead in one hand and Aziraphale on his other arm, so this is as comfortable a place to think about the fact that he got thrown out of Heaven for having the audacity of asking a question.

"Yes, She's proven that one quite well over the years. Mostly in The Beginning, but I don't see Her turning around to let people like me back in any time soon."

...well, mostly comfortable. It still pinches a bit when Crowley thinks on it too hard. God not listening to him when he asks for forgiveness is kind of tiresome after trying for thousands of years.

"Still," he says suddenly, cutting off any pouting or sad looks from the angel, "I think that shows that you're just fine, angel. And that humanity's likely to be alright for a while until Heaven or Hell decide to stir things up again." Here he gives Aziraphale a soft, poignant look. "We'll be there when they do, to help out."

"Let me know if you need any tips. I'm certain at least a few of the tricks my mother taught me with our stove could come in handy." Amelia never thought she'd be able to offer this kind of advice to friends who come from worlds far more advanced than her own, so if she can help her friends out now? She'll certain do her best.

Caspar's smooth transition in conversation earns a small laugh. "Go take your places, and I'll work some magic by the time you're ready." She winks at her friends and then steps off toward the bards. "I'll be waiting for your message!" she calls back over her shoulder.

The scene with the bards is a comedic one, with plenty of squabbles and shouting and loudly played melodies as they fight to fulfill the rogue's request of 'something slow and romantic'. In the end she picks a song she hopes will be to her friends' taste, then steps aside to let the bards play and the couples assembled dance. It's not much of an offering for them and the bards will inevitably devolve into more fighting when the song is done, but there will be peace enough for everyone for a few minutes while the soft melody fills the air.

Amelia's too absorbed in the sensation of her fingers feeling like they extend further and react better to do more than jump when Felix's voice sounds so close to her ear. She exhales a surprised breath and grips at the fabric of her dress over her chest, her fingers lingering a bit longer than necessary as she notices how different this feels than it has in the past.

"Someone rather fetching got them for me," she jokes. A smirk tugs at her lips as she turns and holds out her hands in front of her. "There's something... different about these gloves. I don't know what it is though." A beat as she turns her hands over a few times and then looks back up at Felix. "Magic of some sort?" It's not the same kind of magic her tailor uses to make clothes, but there is something more to them than what she can see with her eyes.

The easy acceptance and gentle touch to her shoulder make Amelia's smile more genuine. As terrible as she is about being touched, friends as good as Thor have somehow made it pleasant for her.

"Good, then no one will notice I'm still learning," she laughs. "I look forward to being a part of the celebration. If there's anything I can bring or do to help, please let me know." There will be gifts either way, but at least with an offer like this, the rogue won't feel quite so out of place when she arrives with full arms and bags.

There's a bated pause before Jim offers both gentlemen a soft nod.

"In my reality, yes. So far as we've found. But Mister Crowley does have a point. Your cosmos might be much different than mine. I've got a pretty good hunch my husband's greater solar system can't even be glimpsed in any way I know how to traverse it. It's planetary map seems impossible and that's before..." Jim realizes he's getting into the weeds more than a bit and reins himself back in. Reaches up to adjust his tie while he clears his throat.

"Plenty of other sentient life though. There's nearly two hundred species represented by my galaxy's Federation of Planets. Many more we've yet to meet or treaty with."

One mistake, and you're banished forever? "That's a little harsh." How many second chances has Thor gotten? How many did Loki have? How much worse would it have been if their first error had been enough to doom them?

Thor shakes his head incredulously, and nearly falls over as his head spins dizzily. Right, maybe that's enough to drink. "You'll be fine," he agrees, making an honest effort to pat Aziraphale on the shoulder. "Anyway, I should... go sit down. Good talking with you two! Enjoy the mead; it's good."

The generosity of the people Thor has met in the Nexus will never cease to amaze him. If there is anyone Asgard owes more than anyone else, it's this place. And after being given so much already, being offered still more? No conquering race could ever hope to match such a tribute.

"You don't need to bring anything more than yourself," he says, but neither does he turn her down. "But if you want to bring more chocolates, or some other treats to share, I'm sure the children wouldn't mind."

"Our cosmos is much different," Aziraphale replies plainly. "Crowley here designed some of it, as a matter of fact. But humans have only been so far as the moon, and if there are any aliens, they haven't bothered to say hello, so we were looking forward to visiting a populated Alpha Centauri."

He'd like to see the stars that his demon made, too, but that's a different sort of journey. He smiles up at Crowley reassuringly. "Yes, perhaps. I'll ask him later. And if not, we'll think of something else. As Jim here says, there are all sorts of worlds out there. I'm sure we can find one where space travel and the divine co-exist."

He returns his attention to Jim, existential concerns shunted off for the time being. This is the man's wedding reception, after all, it's important to keep the conversation light. "Ah, that's so many! How are you all able to get along?" An idea occurs to him and he asks animatedly, "A universal translator, perhaps? Humans did so well before the Tower of Babel fell, didn't they, Crowley?"

Edited 2020-02-09 02:52 (UTC)

There's an entire play's worth of emotion that flits across Aziraphale's face when Crowley comments on God's lack of forgiveness. Oh, what a foolish little angel he's been, prattling on about his own worries when Crowley's already been through the worst of it. "Yes, of course," he replies quickly. He doesn't just mean humanity's side, although he'll help them as best he can, but sticking by Crowley's side, no matter God's or anyone else's opinion of him.

Thank goodness Thor says something to distract Aziraphale. Or rather, that shoulder pat that more or less meets its mark. It jostles him a little back to the present. "Hmm? Oh... all right, Thor." He gives the deity a smile. "It was good to see you again. Thank you for recommending the mead."

Amelia smiles brightly at the suggestion. "I'm not certain I can match the treats offered here tonight, but I'll certainly bring a few of my favorite chocolates to share."

And some clothes from Alex for the children. And some fresh vegetable seeds she found for the greenhouse. ...and probably a box of small toys of some sort for the youngest Asgardians to divide amongst themselves. She's grown very fond of Asvera and its people and that limits the rogue's ability to be practical when it comes to the amount of gifts she buys for those she cares about. Besides, they're going to let her come celebrate with them and she has a lot more money than she'll ever be able to spend; Why shouldn't she spend it in this way? ~~There is no reason and Amelia will reject any offer of one.~~

Now that they've stepped off the dance floor, the bards have started up again with their clamoring as they fight over what music to play next. Amelia realizes now she's taken up much of Thor's time, but she has a feeling the man is as easygoing about it as she is. "Thank you for the dances, my friend." She takes Thor's hands in her own for a moment to give them a gentle squeeze and smiles up at him. "Save a few for me on Yule, all right? I want everyone to be jealous of me for my partner that night."

The Andorian is a lot less bothered about other people having to wait a minute to stuff their faces than he is having more people approaching him to engage in any kind of social interaction. Two new people is more than enough for this introvert for the moment. Friends of the captain's as well as Felix by Adia's remarks. Caspar doesn't seem like much of a talker, and that suits this Andorian more than fine. (Nor much of an Eater. That is much more vexing. If he's not interested in finding a common point in food this is going to be harder. Keep it in mind, Kav.)

He lingers at the buffet a bit longer to finish plating up a shredded and sauteed root vegetable dish onto the last free corner of his dish before moving to join Adia and her husband at the table.

"He's good at that. Finding new people, I mean." Though people who aren't familiar with the Nexus must stick out like sore thumbs Norn supposes. It's quite a bit of a shock to anyone's cultural system given what this place is. "Though I didn't know he was...that magic was a thing when I got here. Is that something your world has at all?" He's going to be nibbling at his selections while he listens to them. All of this food is certainly not about to go to waste.

"PINpoints have been a blessing. I can go any direction I want now and always go back to the same starting point if I get too lost."

Even with one match underneath his belt her opponent isn't much better on his ride than Runa is going to be. Crucially his is also incredibly less intimidating than a woman in a full set of shimmering other worldly armor sitting atop a giant...wolf? Man wolf? Are the old stories about wolfmen reality in the Nexus? What the actual hell????

Even with descriptions of Jim's Nexus friends somewhat fresh in his mind neither Runa or Harrowheart are going to look anything like the people that have been described to him right now. Unlike Runa's bubbly demeanor, her opponent stifles his nerves by squaring his shoulders and staring down his foe from behind his protective helm. This is all supposed to be just for fun, but Hikaru is definitely feeling a bit of better judgement trying to urge him to throw in the towel before he has to face a charging knight and her hulking humanoid wold mount.

"Best of luck." He calls out to them both with a steady voice he doesn't exactly feel.

Sulu's had control of the ship through worse, probably. This shouldn't be actually life threatening! It'll be fine. He hates Jim Kirk just a little bit in this moment. It feels like both no time at all and eons before they're urged to opposite ends of the field. Sulu shifts his lance a couple of times while they're waiting to try and ease his nerves.

"Sure," Adia replies with a grateful smile. She'd point out the fact that it's her turn to need help with a stove, but she doesn't want Amelia to feel like she owes her anything for helping her with the modern appliance in her apartment.

Caspar loops his arm through Adia's and leads her to the dance floor, although he does keep an eye on Amelia and the bards. It is an amusing sight; Caspar does enjoy a bit of drama now and then, when he's not personally involved. The song they settle on meets with his approval, and he gives the rogue a small nod in thanks before taking Adia into his arms and leading her in a simple, slow dance, one they both enjoy.

(At least until the bards start arguing again.)

Ime's ready for the shock of the impact this time, half the reason she doesn't lose her seat when the other lance glances along her ribs. She rocks to the side but regains her poise as she swings her bike around. The layers of spinfoil and sapphire wire in her armor deflected the brunt of the force, but she winces when she shifts her lance up to inspect it. The tip's crumpled and broken off, as promised, sparing Sulu the worst of it, but she's glad the man was well-armored.

While a knight comes over to replace her lance, one of the squires is running to help Sulu to his feet. The crowd is cheering- or at least, shouting about the result as the Ghosts put it on display.

"Sir! Are you hurt?" The young man dusts grass off his gear carefully. A couple of his fellow squires, a girl and a boy, have run to fetch the bike... although they stop short and approach the growling machine rather nervously. It'll take these medieval teens a few minutes to gingerly prop it up, talking to each other as quietly as the noise allows.

The squire helping Sulu relaxes when he sees the man standing all right. There's a moment of hesitation, but then he leans closer and whispers a couple of tips about how to handle the weight of the lance. He's a trainee when it comes to jousting himself, after all. And Sulu is a friend of Sir Celann's friends, so...

Isidor cuts an imposing figure with her polished black armor and predatory mount, but she's not the only one who got all dressed up for this. Trotting up to the opposite marker is a knight clad in sleek gold and green armor, glittering in the sunlight. The grey destrier she rides seems remarkably calm facing the giant bird across the field, though he does toss his head and snort at the smell, his green caparison fluttering.

The squires announce: "Lady Isidor Durant against Sir Yolande Hawkwood of Glenumbra." Across from her, the knight's crested helm tilts as she inclines her head and lifts her lance in salute. They're far too distant to see the way Yolande's narrowed eyes take in the gryphon and her rider, or the sharp curve of the smile she wears. This is a match like none in Tamriel, and she's a woman who's always had a lot to prove. No less so on the jousting field.

As soon as the banner drops, she's spurring her war horse into a charge. He springs forward readily, hooves thundering towards Isidor- and that lance lowering into a deadly threat.

There's no finesse in what Blaze is doing here. She cut her metaphorical teeth as a Striker Titan: charging in and hitting things hard is what she knows best. And that's exactly what she does. It's not precise or thought-out, but the lance hits on target. The tip shatters against Dia's chest armor and delivers enough force to unseat the smaller assassin. Her own lance clips Blaze's shoulder and slides into her collar a fraction of a second later, driven off-course by the impact.

The top-heavy Exo sways in her seat, but she's still on the Sparrow as she swings it to a halt with a cheerful whoop, engine rumbling. The squires are already hurrying to see if Dia needs any help and replace any damaged gear.

"You okay there, Dia?" she yells over, craning her head over the barrier toward her opponent. The Titan tosses her broken lance on the ground and rubs at her dented collar. Over to the side Ghost is doing a mid-air twirl in celebration for his Guardian. "Ready for another round?"

Another round, now that the assassin knows much better how she moves...

Felix shoots the older Jim an interested look, ears perking up almost as visibly as his familiar's. What's caught his attention, he doesn't immediately voice, but he does cast half a smile at Spock.

"I've already learned that I'll need to exercise cunning to convince him to rest at all. But I am a conjurer. I have my ways. Though he intends us to go straight back to the voyage tomorrow, I must admit. Duty's already gotten its way on that." And he does need to spend some time squaring away his duties after all the time this wedding has taken up. "Fortunately, my familiar appears and vanishes at my will; wherever I go, he can." His polite smile turns mischievous then. "Which I'm sure his crew won't be expecting. I'm looking forward to that part."

...They get to make fun of his misadventures in IT. It's only fair.

However. While they're on the subject, he fixes Jim with an inquisitive look. "Pardon me, though- but what do you mean by 'honeymoons'?"

This is a new word, and it suggests he might be missing out on something. Time to investigate.

These days, Thor can think of no better way to fill his time than by spending it with friends. It's not always possible, so he treasures those moments when they arrive, and feels no great pressure to find something more important to do with his time. What else could there be, anyway?

"You're very welcome, my lady." He squeezes her hands in return, and smiles at her, glad for both the dance and the company. "I'll look forward to seeing you there."

"Something a little... sly-fingered, perhaps?" Felix is looking about as smug as the imp who got the sweetroll. It's a rare occasion when he manages to catch Amelia by surprise. It's all the more satisfying to see how entranced she is by the gift, even before she knows quite what it is.

"I asked my cousin to enchant them with a spell to enhance one's skill as a pickpocket," he adds, covering his mouth as he leans closer to her ear. The conjurer winks as he straightens back. "She had a few words for me about what sort of business I thought she was running. But I talked her around."

A curious rogue is one who can be easily distracted by shiny things. Or things that are very out of the ordinary and therefore quite valuable.

Amelia's grin is irrepressibly devious as Felix talks her through the specifics. "These are going to be my most valuable piece of clothing when I'm working," she murmurs. Something like this will be invaluable on any number of jobs she picks up in the future. She laughs brightly as she looks the gloves over again.

"You know, if you weren't a married man, this would be a moment where someone might say you've earned a kiss." She winks in her friend's direction. "Alas, you'll simply have to take my undying gratitude as payment."

"No kisses for me? If only Jim knew the sacrifices I make for love," he sighs. His grin is impish then. "Then again, I'm sure the undying gratitude of a master rogue might come in very useful one day. Just as I'm sure those gloves will be put to very profitable use indeed."

He holds out a hand to her. "But in the meantime- maybe you'd grant me one more dance before I see what my husband is up to?"

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A Very Nexus Reception

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