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

[chiron_survivor]

The hug is most welcome, Adia returning it warmly. She lets Amelia keep hold of her hand, tucking her other into her jacket pocket. With the bonfire's help, it's warm enough that she can forgo gloves, but it's impossible not to notice the change in seasons, either.

"It has been busy," she agrees. "It feels like my own wedding was ages ago, and now Felix and Jim have finally tied the knot." She smiles, although her thoughts are bittersweet. There has been loss, too, most notably Steve, which she knows hit Amelia especially hard. "How's Asvera doing? It must be beautiful there."

The question about Atlantis lightens her smile. "Yeah, it's great. Harvest season is over so there's not much left to do but prepare for the Solstice." When Amelia looks around, she's quick to point out Caspar over by the bar. "He'd probably tell you that he's only here as my plus one. He doesn't know Felix and Jim as well as I do. He promised me a dance but the music keeps changing." Which is awfully weird, now that she thinks about it. "Maybe it's for the best. Even our wedding dance was off in the woods."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"Both were a long time coming," Amelia teases lightly. As if Caspar wasn't going to ask Adia to marry him the second he had the chance. Anyone who saw the Cylon speak of Adia knew better than that. "I hope everything went well on your wedding day. Weather can be a fickle thing in the Spring."

The rogue coughs into her hand to keep from laughing when Adia brings up the ever changing music. Oops. "I've seen people paying off the bards to have their choice of songs played. If they don't calm down, I'm happy to offer them a few coins to play something for the two of you. It would be a good excuse to stretch my legs with a partner as well." Felix will come around for his dance eventually and she should definitely make sure she's warmed up for that. The mage had quite the mischievous look on his face and Amelia knows that means to be ready for anything.

[chiron_survivor]

"It was perfect," Adia says with a starry-eyed smile and a happy sigh. "We had it right at the end of tulip season. Maggie planned the entire reception. It was a little like this -- on a much smaller scale, of course. But, you know, if you have good food, friends, and some nice music, that's all you need, really." Of course, that's easy to say when you aren't the one who actually sweats over the nitty-gritty details, but she's endlessly grateful to Maggie for putting everything together.

"I'll show you pictures later, if you want to see. Caspar found an amazing tailor in the Nexus. Everything else was handled locally."

Adia knows Amelia well enough by now that her disguised laugh does not go unnoticed. "People paying off the bards?" she repeats in amusement. "Well, if you think you can get them to stick to an entire song -- preferably a slow one -- then I know Caspar will appreciate it."

"Appreciate what?" Caspar has made his way over by now, a cup of something warm and fragrant in each hand. He hands one to Adia, who takes it with her free hand, still holding onto Amelia's for as long as the rogue likes. "Hey, Amelia. Good to see you."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"I would love to see pictures, and to meet your tailor. If he can keep pace with mine, I might have to give Alex a little competition to work against." It would certainly make it easier to get him to adjust to her whims when she decides it's time for a change. A woman in mourning should never have to fight for black the way she did with Alex a few months ago.

"Appreciate a slow song so you can dance with your wife," she explains. "Adia tells me you've had some trouble with the bards I might be able to help with." Okay, she can't help but laugh a little as she says that. This little distraction of her has been a lot of fun.

"It's good to see you as well, Caspar. I know the two of you were married months ago now, but I want to offer an in person congratulations to you both." It feels better to do so in person. "Adia's been telling me about how well things have been going on Atlantis. Has everything been up to your standards as well?" The Cylon can be quite outspoken when given the chance to vent, and a party where they're surrounded by many people and loud music seems a good time for it.

[chiron_survivor]

"Alex?" Adia blinks at the name. "Dark-haired guy, very excitable about color?" Is it possible that they have the same tailor? Wouldn't that be a funny coincidence! "Caspar still goes to him for suits every time the season changes."

It's something to ask Caspar, now that he's here, but first there's the matter of the bards. "Yeah, they can't seem to get their act together," he grouses, before raising an eyebrow at Amelia's laughter. Okay, yeah, he can kind of see how that's funny, like messing with a jukebox to play the same song a dozen times in a row, but he was looking forward to dancing with his wife, and he can't do that with the seemingly random tempo changes. "If you can do something about that, I'd appreciate it."

Adia smiles at the congratulations, giving her friend's hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Amelia. I wish we could have had you there."

Caspar shrugs at the question, which is a sign of how content he is on Atlantis, not feeling out the need to bust out a litany of complaints. "We're still a year out from being able to harvest our coffee plants, but it's fine, otherwise. How's the library gig? You have to throw anyone out yet?" Because that's clearly the most potentially interesting aspect of her job.

[rogueinladysclothing]

Wait, did Alex get to Caspar before Amelia could introduce them? She's going to punch that man in the arm if it's true. "Impeccably dressed, thinks of every detail down to the thread color and how to compliment one's environment. Does that sound like your tailor?" Oh he's in so much trouble when Amelia gets her hands on him...

"Let me make up for not being there by getting the bards in order when you're ready." She smiles warmly at the couple, completely earnest with the offer. Being with her friends on their wedding day would have been wonderful, but it's more important that Caspar and Adia got to have the day than it being perfect in every way possible. There's always time to celebrate with friends and loved ones who don't live on Atlantis, as the party going on around them now showcases.

"At least there's coffee here for you when you can get away," she laughs. Amelia definitely understands the importance of the daily caffeine intake ritual. When asked about the library, she shrugs and carefully takes her hand back from Adia. "It's fine, but I haven't spent much time there lately. I've been in Asvera more often than even my own apartment most days." She hesitates for a moment, steadying herself with a silent breath. "I needed a place to go where I could feel useful. Asvera has come a long way since the Asgardians settled there, but there's always work to be done." It's something Amelia appreciates, even now when she's feeling better months after Steve's death.

She exhales a small sigh, then manages a smile for her friends. "To be honest, I simply like spending time there. It's the one place I've been since coming to the Nexus that feels like where I came from. The technology is still far beyond what I grew up with, but the place itself..." Her smile becomes a touch dreamy as she thinks about standing on the cliffs above the sea. "I feel calm there in a way I haven't in a very long time."

[chiron_survivor]

Caspar catches the tail-end of the conversation. "Oh, yeah, that's Alex," he says, lifting up an arm to show off the cut of his blazer and the expert stitching. "His most recent work for me. It's nice, isn't it?"

If Adia were the type to facepalm, she'd be doing so right now. "We'd appreciate it," she says to Amelia, switching the conversation back to the subject of bards. "And you're planning to take a turn on the dance floor, too?" She hasn't forgotten that lesson Amelia gave her at the Halloween party years ago.

"We still visit Farel's shop on a regular basis," Caspar remarks, but otherwise stays quiet as Amelia talks about her time on Asvera. Adia is silent as well, sipping her drink and watching her friend, that dreamy smile so familiar to her. She's certain that she's worn it herself, when settling on Atlantis. "That's a wonderful feeling," she says. "I'm glad that you have it there. It's a special place that reminds us of home in the best of ways."

[rogueinladysclothing]

Amelia rolls her eyes briefly when Caspar confirms they now have the same tailor. Alex is getting a serious talking to later, though she will have to confirm that his work on Caspar's blazer is excellent. "The man knows his way around fabric, and it shows in work like we're all wearing tonight." She motions to her own gown and cloak with a wry smile. Even if she's upset with the tailor, she can't deny the beauty of his work.

"At some point, yes. Felix owes me a dance before we spend a little time catching up. I'm waiting patiently for him to finish greeting everyone, though." She laughs softly as she motions to the line of people still waiting their turn to wish the happy couple the best. "I might dance with a few others as well, but for now I've been enjoying the music." Or the chaos, as it were.

She nods, clasping her hands together in front of her to give them something to do. "It's been a while since I've felt it. Atlantis was similar in many ways, but Asvera is so much... more." She means no disrespect; Atlantis is beautiful and has much to offer, from what little Amelia saw of it when she visited her friends. Asvera carries with it such a sense of home, though, that the rogue would choose it over any other place in the multiverse when given the chance.

[chiron_survivor]

Caspar smirks, finally cluing into Amelia's irritation. "He beat you to the punch," he notes with amusement. "Can't say I'm sorry, though. I'd still be shopping off-the-rack, and Adia wouldn't have the wedding dress of her dreams."

"Our dreams," Adia adds in amusement, causing the Cylon to blush. She takes a sip of her warm drink, then pulls out her PINpoint so that she can show Amelia a few photos from their wedding. Might as well, since they're on the subject. It's obvious that Alex intended for the bride to shine, although Caspar looks very smart in his suit. "My hair, though? That was all Caspar."

"Learned from the best." Caspar nods his head at Amelia.

Adia peeks over at the reception line. "He's going to be busy for a while," she agrees. "I feel like half the Nexus wants to congratulate them. They deserve it, though." After everything they've been through, is the unspoken addition to her sentence.

It's enough to know that Atlantis brought Amelia a little of that feeling. "Hold onto that, if you can," she advises her friend. "It's not often that we get to experience that."

[rogueinladysclothing]

Amelia steps closer when Adia moves to show off her pictures. For all her grumbling about Alex finding the couple before she could introduce them, she can't deny it's for the best that he did. Both Adia and Caspar look amazing in their wedding clothes. "The clothes are perfect for both of you," she says softly, smiling as they scroll through the pictures together. "Your hair isn't half bad either, Adia." The rogue looks up to wink at Caspar before returning her gaze to the PINpoint to make sure she doesn't miss any of the very lovely photos.

"Those two are always busy," she notes offhandedly. It feels if every time she sees either Felix or Jim something is actively happening or about to. Those rare moments of quiet always seem to happen away from the goings on of the Nexus for the couple. Amelia's shoulders rise and fall in a half-hearted shrug. "If they weren't busy, I would probably be worried."

She smiles at Adia and nods. "I'm trying, but I don't want to seem overbearing when I ask to spend time there. There's always things to do and tasks that I can put my hands to, but it's not actually my home. If I'm ever underfoot, I'd rather know so I can avoid upsetting anyone." Perhaps it's not something that would ever happen, but Amelia realizes it could. Her friends' homes aren't things she can pick up or drop as she pleases; What time she spends there should have purpose.

[chiron_survivor]

Caspar blatantly preens at the compliment while Adia giggles. "He used about a million hairpins, I was finding them in my hair days later." Amelia will recognize in the photos the shared yard space of Adia and Caspar's property, where the reception was held. Someone had the bright idea to take a few photos of them in the apple orchard, the trees blooming with tiny pinkish-white flowers.

"I know that Jim has had to process a bunch of paperwork so that Felix can join him on the Enterprise," Adia notes thoughtfully. "I'll bet that took quite a bit of time." She'd agree on the quiet moments happening away from the Nexus. The same holds true for her and Caspar, whose life on Atlantis is perfectly mundane.

"You? Overbearing?" Caspar says. It's his turn to wink at Amelia, before his expression sobers. "Do you think you'd ever want to move there? I still don't understand why anyone would want to live in the Nexus if there's a better option elsewhere. This place is nuts."

"I'm sure Thor appreciates everything you're doing," Adia adds. "And he's very much 'the more, the merrier' type. He's lost a lot of loved ones. Having a friend live with his people would likely mean a lot to him."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"A good look sometimes requires sacrifices," Amelia teases. She's suffered for the sake of other people's (mostly Alex's) art at times, but the end result is usually worth it. A little discomfort for looking better than your best is a small price to pay.

At the question of her choosing to stay in Asvera, the rogue diverts her gaze from Adia's PINpoint and shakes her head. This is something she's thought about a great deal in the past. To start again on a real world and to make her way from there would be so much better than the act she lives out in the Nexus. It would mean the chance to build a full life again, one that could involve the Nexus without revolving around it. But her thoughts on the matter always end the same.

"I..." She exhales a short sigh and shakes her head once more before looking back up at her friends with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "It's not my place to ask. It's someone else's home. I am a welcome guest there, and I don't need to be something more to be satisfied with the amount of time I spend there."

It's almost true. Amelia would give a lot to live in a place like Asvera for the rest of her life. Thor is making a home for himself and his people, though, and if she steps in to disrupt that by changing the balance? She'd never forgive herself.

It's best, as it always is, to let go of a dream that might someday come back to hurt her or the people she cares about most. There are other, better ways to spend her energy.

[chiron_survivor]

That gets a smirk out of Caspar in agreement. "At least I now know Adia's limits for sitting still," he notes, bringing out a small blush in his wife. When it comes to elaborate braids, it's not Caspar's skill that is the limiting factor.

As Amelia thinks over Caspar's question, she puts away her PINpoint, a sympathetic expression on her face. Though her situation was not the same, she knows what it's like to long for a place to call home and yet put the needs of others before her own. Still, it breaks her heart a little to see Amelia reject the possibility when she has no doubt that Thor would be happy to have her. Maybe she can put a word into the god's ear?

Ooh, that's definitely meddling, which she doesn't like doing, but she wants Amelia to be happy, and Asvera definitely makes her happy. Not just happy, but at peace. She worries her lower lip a little and files the thought away for later.

It's Caspar who finally speaks after a laconic shrug of his shoulders. "Suit yourself. Now that I think about it, Thor's world has the Avengers in it, so that place is bound to be as crazy as the Nexus." Superheroes, aliens, and magic? No thanks. And the one robot on the team died, so they don't even have that going for them anymore.

[rogueinladysclothing]

The distraction is welcome, as it gives Amelia a chance to focus on anything but the gnawing feeling of coveting something she doesn't think she'll ever have again. Caspar's flair for presentation certainly helps add to how easy it is for the rogue to focus on it over darker subjects.

"Not everyone can have a home as quiet and peaceful as Atlantis," she teases. "Where the biggest scandal among the local populace is how terrible the coffee is compared to what one can get here." Which makes Amelia wonder... "What are you going to do if the coffee is worse than here in the Nexus? Burn the crop and try again with fresh seeds from the Nexus?" Curious and coffee-focused minds simply must know.

[chiron_survivor]

"Hey, it's not just the coffee. We don't have any chocolate yet, either. Adia has the day the cacao trees finally get harvested marked on her calendar." He grins at his wife, who rolls her eyes fondly at the teasing. The truth is, there are problems and squabbles in Atlantis as there are anywhere, and Caspar still gets the occasional wary look when he's in the town center, but the days of war and destruction are long past.

Amelia's question makes him frown in a not entirely affected expression of dread. "If anything goes sour with this crop, I'm flying a shuttle to the other continent myself and starting fresh, no matter what the Quorum says. I still think they're being ridiculously conservative about this in the first place."

"There are mature coffee trees on Earth," Adia explains for Amelia's benefit. "But they're not on Atlantis and there are native people there who will see a spaceship, Caspar, you know that's why we can't do that."

Caspar grimaces. "It's not like we're invading on anything. What's the worst that can happen?"

"Starting a new religion and completely disrupting their cultural beliefs?" Adia counters. She looks at Amelia for help. "It's the same reason we keep the Nexus a secret. We won't have that peace and quiet anymore."

[rogueinladysclothing]

She frowns softly as she listens to the couple go back and forth. It's the sort of thing she understands very well, even as she doesn't have access to her world anymore. Dreams, it's the very reason she chose to cut off her world from the Nexus entirely. Adia's worries get a solemn nod, because she will always choose the path of avoidance in this case.

"You could probably find a new variety of seeds if something goes wrong," she comments, hoping to ease the gap between the two sides. "It would still take a few years to resow everything and might not take if the soil is the issue, but it would be worth a try."

As she thinks about it a little longer, though, an idea comes to her. "Or maybe you could send someone stealthy over at night to grab seeds from the local trees? If they're thriving elsewhere, starting with seeds from those trees could be what you need to get the trees growing properly."

[chiron_survivor]

"You never realize how long it takes stuff like this to grow until have to start all over," Adia says with a sigh. She hates to sound ungrateful or not up to the challenge, but it is hard sometimes, remembering how things used to be. At least it's something small, like coffee. It doesn't ping her grief over the Lost Colonies in quite the same way.

Caspar listens to Amelia's second suggestion with a hint of a smile on his face. "Are you offering?" he asks, before holding up a hand. "Kidding. Kidding. But yeah, that's not a bad idea. We can at least put a contingency plan in place in case this crop fails." He rolls his eyes. "The Quorum doesn't consider it a vital resource. Bunch of tea-drinking early-to-bed folks, if you ask me."

"At least all the other crops we harvested are doing well," Adia chimes in brightly. "And we have a proper mill now. That means enough flour for baking. Things are really coming together, Amelia. We should give you another tour."

[rogueinladysclothing]

It's for the best that Caspar cuts off Amelia before she can confirm she's offering. Of course she'd do something reckless and stupid for her friends. She's probably done worse than stealing seeds from a coffee tree from an island with unknown local inhabitants.

"I'd love to see your home again," she agrees. "Maybe once you're able to make baked goods with the wheat I can come? If it would help, I can come later in the day to avoid any issues of your neighbors or other townsfolk seeing me."

[chiron_survivor]

Caspar knows Amelia well enough that he doesn't doubt it. Adia shared with him her offer of picking apples in their orchard at night to avoid being spotted. It's similar to the kinds of reckless things he'd do for someone he truly cared about (although he's far more punchy than rogue-y).

"It'll be a challenge to bake with a wood stove, but I'll text you once I get the hang of it," Adia promises. "I'm sure we can find a time that wouldn't be disruptive. It's the benefit of living away from the city center."

She finishes off the last of her drink. Caspar takes it without her asking and sets it aside. "If you feel like getting the musicians under control now," he says to Amelia. "I think I'm ready to take my wife for a spin on the dance floor."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"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.

[chiron_survivor]

"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.)