nexus_sages | Stories and hobbies and other ways to pass the time

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Stories and hobbies and other ways to pass the time

Verity's in her favorite seat in the forum, drinking coffee and trying to read a book that's frustrating her. It isn't long before she puts it down with a scowl aimed at the cover (or possibly the concept of books). "Does anyone understand Norse mythology? Is that a thing? Because I do not get it."

"Alternately, any suggestions for hobbies for someone with lots of time and few skills? Preferably things that aren't group activities."

((A note about Verity: she's got a magic spell stuck in her that lets her always know when someone is lying to her. Please respect this; if your character is trying to lie to her, please make that known so she can react appropriately.))

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"That tends to happen here...." Katsuya's mind drifts for a moment, his expression turning somewhat sad. He can relate to shutting oneself up to the world, that's been his life for many years.

"I made a lot of trustworthy friends here, years ago. Some of them are even still alive." He gives her a small smile. "I befriended some special forces from America last time I was here. Colorado, I believe it was." He waves his hand briefly. "You will find many allies here in the Nexus if you allow yourself to. But....you may also make some terrifying enemies."

Maybe they've gravitated toward each other because they each recognize a familiar type of loneliness in the other.

She's not as fond of sad stories, but they need to be told--and heard. Still, the references to allies and enemies makes her wonder what kind of a life he leads, or thinks she does. (She has no clue about the Colorado reference. Nextwave never made it onto the news much.) "I don't think I'm important enough to be anyone's enemy."

"Forgive me. I did not intend to turn the conversation this way. There was...an incident. Concerning an outbreak in Raccoon City, Colorado. I was one of the Nexus volunteers to help...." He gestures vaguely. "I have a very specific skillset, and it proved useful. I lost touch with those friends when I lost my way into the Nexus."

No lies, not exactly, but there's an awful lot to this story he's not telling, a lot of secrets and skeletons left safely closeted. It is the truth though.

"The point I wanted to make, is that you may find friends here worth becoming someone's enemy for. While intriguing, this place can be quite dangerous."

"It's okay. I don't mind listening." She still doesn't understand entirely, but she can piece together enough to know it must have been terrible. And she knows a little about losing track of friends, so she can offer more empathy than usual in this situation. "Maybe now that you're back you can find your friends again."

That's about all the hope she can offer anyone, so. Moving on. "It wouldn't be the first time I made an enemy. I know I don't come across as particularly capable, but I've got a little bit of a bonus when it comes to finding the people who are worthwhile."

"I appreciate it." Katsuya looks grateful. It's more than he's told almost anyone else about the subject, so he clearly thinks Verity is the trustworthy sort. "Maybe...later. Somewhere less public, I'll talk more about it. If you want to hear."

He looks thoughtful a moment before shaking his head. "You seem quite capable. You're collected, organized. Well connected. I don't see why you'd think less of yourself." When a police officer tells you you're okay, you're probably not burning kittens, at the very least.

Fortunately, he's not wrong about her being trustworthy. Or at least, good at keeping other people's secrets, which is almost the same thing. "When you're ready to talk about it, just let me know."

She's definitely not a kitten-burner. She did help with a jailbreak once, but it was for a very good cause. "Where I come from, there are people will all kinds of incredible powers. There's aliens, androids, people who've evolved a gene that gives them all kinds of abilities, magic, science... and I'm not really any of that."

It's not a lack of self-esteem that drives these feelings about herself; it's the cold truth that her world is really fucked up and she's pretty much helpless.

"I mean, I guess for regular people I'm good at things. But I'm never going to be an Avenger."

"It's not all it's cracked up to be. I ended up cursed? Gifted? With a projection of my soul that basically shoots fire to help destroy demons attacking my city." Katusya shrugs, and despite every word that he has just said, it's the truest most honest statement he's made all day.

"I get more done with my badge and my gun, most days." Katsuya snorts and shakes his head. "Being ordinary can make you extraordinary, if you apply yourself."

"I'm not really good at applying myself," she admits. Hiding has usually been a priority for her. "I have a gift-curse too, a spell that lets me see through lies. The only thing it helps me destroy is friendships."

This is not technically true. It helped her destroy her parents' marriage too, but she tries not to think about that. Too much truth is a terrible burden.

She's going to sit quietly now, watching him out of the corner of her eye. Demons, she's learned, are one thing; truth is another. She won't blame him if he decides he doesn't want to deal with it.

"Really." There it is, that look that can so easily be misinterpreted as judgement, as withdrawing in so many ways. But Katsuya nods thoughtfully a moment later and snorts. "Could have used your help a long time ago, Ms. Willis. That's a mighty powerful gift you've got there."

Everything he'd swore he never thought about others. How he felt about...ah, well. It would be a rather rough skill to have, too. To know how often people lie every day, even without meaning to.

"I can see why it would be burdensome."

Overall, it's far from the worst reaction she's ever had, but she's not going to relax quite yet. With nerves worn as raw as hers, relaxing doesn't come easy, but there's a little smile again when he seems to understand.

"It is. I thought you should know before you decide if you're going to confide in me."

"I appreciate the warning." It's a good thing to keep in mind at least, and something to ponder. She's right, of course. If he did decide to open up to Ms. Willis now or in the future he would need to do so openly.

It's not a task he's up to for the moment, he suspects. But that doesn't mean the officer is wary of her.

"I'm pretty good at telling when people are lying too, but that comes with the job, not magic." Katsuya flips his badge dismissively as though it explains everything, and maybe it does.

The badge explains enough. Cops are a peculiar lot, in her experience, self-righteous and self-assured and lying to themselves so they can sleep at night. He seems a lot nicer than the other cops she's known.

"Your job must give you a lot of practice. Do you enjoy it? They always make it look so exciting on tv, but I suspect there's a lot more paperwork involved and probably less shouting catchphrases."

"...Yes." No.

Katsuya clears his throat, wincing. "I mean...It's a job that needs doing, and I'm proud to do it." Truth. "But I can't say I enjoy..." Murder. Rape. Beaurocracy. Politics. Paperwork. "What I have to do."

She's glad he didn't try to let the lie stand, because although she had managed to bite her tongue before she said anything about it, she couldn't stop her eyebrow. That painfully familiar expression just popped out.

"Thank you for doing it. You're a lot braver than I am."

"You shouldn't put yourself down so much." Always eager to change the subject away form himself. Katsuya repeats this advice quietly.

"Let me know how you like the recipes. There's more where they came from."

((Mun is too old to remember how to link things so if interested/curious i'd be happy to share the treat ideas he gives for nerd reasons))

That's another tactic they have in common. But when she's called out on something directly she'll usually reply. "Maybe not. But I don't feel brave. I didn't even try to fight registration." And yes, she thinks there's something deeply wrong with that.

Talking about baking is much more interesting. "I will, thank you. Maybe next time I'll bring you some recipes too."

((This page'll show you. And I'd love to know the deets!))

(( This playlist is my go-to for Japanese inspired desserts ))

((Oh my. Definitely going to be trying some of those. That French toast looks really good! That matcha creme brulee is on my list too.))

(( The Matcha roll cake is really good, and probably the one Katsuya would recommend /nerd nerd))

((Ooh. I love a good roll cake... with some homemade jelly.))

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