nexus_sages | Will accept character sheets

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Will accept character sheets

A multiversal plane is not an every day occurrence. Aliens, zombies, sentient robots... they're not a familiar sight either. Despite all of this, Isidor Briar Durant strides into this unfamiliar territory chin up, tailored suit, heels clicking against the ground, as if she owns the place. Viatorus follows nervously behind her, offering her answers whenever the smallest spark of confusion appears in her eyes as she scans area. She takes her time about putting names and terms to the things around her. It is important. She needs to be more than just informed about the Nexus, she needs to be familiar with it.

And then, when she decides she's ready, her intense examination changes with a blink. Isidor clasps her hands together and smiles, becoming the picture of a friendly stranger. "Hello. This is an exciting place, isn't it? Full of interesting people, I'm certain. I'd very much like to get to know you. Your name, a little bit about you and where you come from, maybe."

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Hold on. Is someone else stepping into the Nexus and immediately trying to gather intelligence? Because a certain intelligence officer is going to need to have a conversation with the one posing the questions.

"Well, then, haven't seen you around here before." The man in the blue military uniform, glasses, and a bright smile seems very upbeat as he approaches. His statement is directed at the woman in front of him, though he makes note of and nods to the shy man behind her. While he may not have spoken to Viatorus, the military man certainly knows who the Dreamwalker is.

"Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes," he offers after a beat. A hand is also extended in greeting. "It's nice to make your acquaintance, miss...?" That slight downward tilt of his head as he asks suggests he's looking for more than just her name, if she's any good at drawing conclusions from subtle hints.

Uniforms should be more intimidating, especially when they're unfamiliar, but, although Isidor is no intelligence officer, she does find they provide a certain amount of information in themselves. None of which concern her, and knowing more is always reassuring. Not for her brother, unfortunately, who returns the stranger's nod with a hesitant one of his own.

"Isidor Durant." She accepts the hand with a firm grip like she's done a thousand times before. "I am new here. My brother, Viatorus..." She releases her hand to gesture to Viatorus with an open palm. "... is already acquainted with the Nexus. He's showing me around, bringing me to see the sights. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lt. Colonel Hughes." She tilts her head at him, a little confused and more than a little curious. "Are you... part of a Nexus organisation?"

What? You think she wasn't going to focus on getting more information than she gives?

Subtle, Isidor, but there's no fooling someone whose job is to not only gather but also process huge amounts of information on a daily basis. No need to worry, though - Hughes is happy to play along for now (with a few caveats, of course).

"Nexus organization?" He chuckles and shakes his head. "Nothing of the sort. I don't think there's any real organizations here, at least in the manner I suspect you're thinking of. People do have a tendency to gather and form small groups for various reasons, of course." He smiles politely then gives her a nod. "I gather you're more than just your brother's administrative assistant? Given your commanding presence and keen eyes, that is."

Yes, this back and forth is going to be very interesting. And possibly very dry for poor Viatorus. Sorry, bud.

She laughs in turn. "Worse! I'm my brother's older sister. I have to make sure he's not doing anything dangerous. It's my job to protect him." Understatement right there. "Where are you from, Lt Colonel?"

These are not the kind of games Viatorus likes to play, though he knows how his sister hates it when he interferes. He would much rather just tell Hughes everything honestly and hope for the same in return.

Hughes is all for telling the truth. In fact, he's going to do just that.

Just not all of it at once.

"A world very different from the one most people seem to be from," he answers with a smile. "It's not any variation of Earth and doesn't really have a name in its own right. We always just called it 'the world' - unless someone's changed it while I wasn't looking." He chuckles at his own joke.

"What about the two of you?" Of course he's not going to let things linger on himself for very long. Of course. "From your dress and general appearance, I'm guessing your from Earth, but you have a different accent than I've heard before. Where does it come from?" He's walking that fine line between interrogation and subtle questioning really carefully right now.

"Our accents might be a bit muddled, but we're from England. Living in London, the country's capital." Here, Hughes, have information she doesn't care all that much about. "Can I ask, are you... military? Police? It's not often we see such interesting uniforms."

Information she may not care about, but something very useful to Hughes. He's still learning about Earth and every shred of information helps.

"Of course you may ask." He smiles easily, but his eyes belie a little something between mischief and excitement.. "I'm part of my country's military." Beat. "Intelligence division, in fact. It's my job to know everything."

Now things get interesting.

Oh Hughes, be her best friend, let her sift through your files...

Her brow rises and falls, then she gives him a respectful nod. "Very impressive. I don't imagine that's a very easy task in the Nexus. Even attempting such a thing here must be... dizzying."

"Do you... Do you know about magic?" Viatorus glances between Hughes, Isidor and his hands a few times. 'Everything' includes magic, after all.

Only if Isidor will let him do the same in return...

"Honestly, I've been keeping the Nexus to myself. There's enough unrest at home right now to keep everyone there busy for a lifetime." That's a bit of an understatement. Sure, he's hoping it all settles out sooner than that, but he's much too practical to be sure of it getting better in a relatively short period of time. "I, of course, have files on things I've learned in the Nexus, but I make sure they stay in my hands only."

Viatorus' question gets a small shrug from Hughes. "Only a little. My world doesn't have magic, at least not like I've seen around here. What I know of real magic I've picked up from here." He pauses for a brief moment, as if debating something internally before continuing. "My world does have something outsiders might think is magic, based on what I've heard from others - we've developed alchemy into a real, functioning science. But don't ask me to do any tricks for you - I'm afraid I'm as normal as they come."

The mention of files gets a a small smirk from Isidor. Naturally he has notes. Naturally she would like to see them, but... one thing at a time. "I'd better hope we don't give you anything bad to put on your files. It would be terrible if the local intelligence officer thought we were trouble."

"Tricks?" Isidor and Viatorus glance at each other and then back to Hughes where Isidor continues, "What sort of things do you do with alchemy?"

"No, no Trouble in my files, but there's about to be an Isidor and an updated Viatorus..." Oh god. The dad joke. And he's chuckling at it. Well, that should give away something about him if either of them know family members who give in to the desire to tell dad jokes at all.

"Lots of things, actually. The whole concept is that an alchemist can take something, deconstruct it, and then reconstruct it into something of equal value. There's rules that govern what someone can and can't be do, such as forbidding the practice of changing lead into gold, but most mundane uses are allowed. I'm afraid I don't know the specifics about that, or of how or why it works." He gives them a small, apologetic smile for that.

That half-cringe, half-groan is a pretty standard reaction to that sort of joke, but they haven't had much exposure to punny dad figures. Isidor tries to reign in her reaction while Viatorus just blinks.

Wait a second... Isidor peers at him. "An 'updated' Viatorus?" She glances between the two men. "I didn't think you'd met."

"We hadn't, not officially, but anything I hear or see I take notes on." And, really, did Viatorus think he had gone completely unnoticed in the Nexus? "Sometimes I'm too busy to stop and answer someone's question out in the Forum, but that doesn't stop me from making note of them and listening for what came of it - and anything else people might be saying." 'Rumor' is an ugly word around here, so he's going to avoid saying it, but it's plainly obvious it's what he means.

"I always take the time to circle back and verify any information I hear, though. Sometimes with other denizens of the Nexus, sometimes with the person in question. I hadn't had the chance to speak with Viatorus yet, though." Another apologetic smile, though perhaps a little less so this time around. It's difficult to apologize for doing your job.

Viatorus was sort of hoping he had, yes.

Suspicious protector sister is suspicious. "So what do you have on Viatorus exactly?"

"I'm sure it doesn't matter," Viatorus says softly. He really doesn't want to talk about himself, and he thinks the intelligence officer would probably like to avoid the conversation too. "You know everything that I've done here anyway."

Isidor, however, is not swayed quite that easily. "Never underestimate the power of reputation. It's important to know what impression you've left behind. Or what strangers are writing about you."

No one escapes from at least some kind of file in Hughes' arsenal. He wouldn't be much of an intelligence officer if that was the case.

"Nothing bad and really only the basics." He puts a hand to his chin thoughtfully as he recalls the details. "Viatorus Atlas Durant, also known as the 'Dreamwalker.' Mage with the specialty of dreamwalking. Also has the ability to create a portal to and from his world at will. On good terms with everyone he meets. Close friends with Verity Willis - they've been seen together in public and at the Samhain ball, often looking very cozy together. Has a tendency to speak slowly, almost with a stutter, in front of large groups of people. Personality: Shy, below average confidence in public, generous, kind. Overall impression: Favorable, not dangerous."

There's a few more taps on his chin before he nods. "That should be everything."

The colour in Viatorus' cheeks is directly proportional to the amount Hughes talks about him. He should probably feel complimented but he looks mortified.

"What do you meant 'very cozy together'?"

No, wait, now he looks mortified. He quickly tries to stammer up a defence. "V-V-Verity's very nice, i-i-isn't she, Mr. Lt. Colonel? Sh-She's probably as cozy with lots of people as she is with me."

Sorry, Viatorus, but this isn't an answer you're going to like hearing.

He looks almost stern as he answers, due to that fathering side of him coming out on this kind of subject. His attention focuses on Viatorus when he speaks. "Holding hands, hugging, being generally much closer physically than many friends are with each other. Verity is a person who likes physical contact with her friends, yes, but she looks at you differently, Viatorus. And before you ask: her brothers get a pass on this one. Family is a completely separate manner in such areas."

That small speech delivered, he turns to Isidor. "I can't confirm or deny any feelings that may be involved, of course, but intuition tells me there's more than meets the eye going on here."

Brothers...? His momentary confusion is quickly distracted. This, after his recent conversation with Isidor, is not a good thing. He tries his best to convince them. "We're best friends. That's why. It's not... We're... We're best friends. I'm not even that good at it."

Isidor is quiet, eyes flicking between Hughes and her brother and back again. "Thank you, Lt. Colonel. It would be... problematic if their relationship took that turn. I'll have a talk with Viatorus-."

"We're just best friends, Isidor..."

"- but I would appreciate any updates you could offer."

This is a serious matter, but there's a hint of excitement in his eyes as he nods in agreement with Isidor. "I'd be glad to help. Perhaps we could come to some sort of arrangement for the foreseeable future? I have plenty of files already prepared that I could share. And in return, you could let me know if you hear anything of interest?"

What would make for "anything of interest" is obviously open to interpretation, but Hughes is hoping he can reel Isidor in with the offer and then work out the details from there.

Open to interpretation means that Isidor has a chance to benefit more than she loses. That's a chance she just isn't going to pass up. Especially with an intelligence officer scouting the very place she's trying to get to grips with.

For the first time since Viatorus' file recitation, the hint of a smile appears on her face. "That sounds like a very reasonable arrangement. Is there a subject of particular importance you're looking to know more about?"

If she thinks for a second that she's actually going to get more out of this than him, she's far off the mark. Her definition of "getting more" doesn't take into account that his world is far less technologically advanced - and he's going to keep it that way. If someone believes they have the upper hand, they often disclose more than they should.

"Given that you're responsible for your brother's safety, it's my assumption that you're going to set up quite the security and information network here in the Nexus. I'd like to keep apprised of anything they learn. I'd also like to know more about the mundane things in your world: basic technology, cultures, belief systems." He pauses and smiles briefly. "With all of the worlds connected to this place, I'm trying to get a better handle on what to expect. The best way for me to do that is to learn more about worlds that aren't my own. No intimate details of you or your family are required, of course - just general information would be sufficient."

It's a lot to ask, and he's willing to negotiate terms, but the question becomes how much Isidor is willing to part with to get what she wants.

She's quite possibly not, but that doesn't mean she isn't going to try. In reality, if she gets a few gems she'll be pleased. The change from monetary and asset based dealing is nice too. The fact that now it's exchanging knowledge is another bonus. Her family is familiar with that, which is going to make the reports much easier, if nothing else.

"In exchange for alerting me to anything of note in the Nexus, I will do the same for you. For access to your files and for information about your world, I'll offer you general information about our world."

"We're in agreement regarding information on the Nexus, then." He punctuates the statement with a nod. "However, I can't offer very much information about my world at the moment. Things are changing rapidly right now, making much of what I have obsolete. Perhaps we can start in small doses: I can offer books on the basics of alchemy, taking into consideration your family's business," he didn't mention he figured that out yet, did he? "in exchange for information on basic technology of your world: transportation, computing, household, general industrial, those kinds of things. Information about magic has little use in a world that has none."

Tit for tat, Isidor.

"W-Wouldn't that risk altering the course of your world's history?" Viatorus looks between the two of them nervously. The idea clearly isn't stopping Isidor from considering it, judging by the intrigued glint in her eyes.

"I'm not suggesting I put it into practice. I want to know more about all of the worlds I've come into contact with, even indirectly through the people I've met here. It's unlikely that any of them mean harm to other worlds, but it can't hurt to be safe."

Hughes shakes his head at Viatorus. The young man has a point, but it's not something Hughes is worried about. "Besides, didn't I say I'm keeping everything I've learned here in the Nexus to myself? My world is going through enough without having to worry about the fact that this place exists."

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Sorry for the obscenely slow tags D:

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Thank you!! <3

<3!

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