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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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."

"But even just having it, knowing about it..." Still uncertain, he looks to Isidor, the persistent concern drawing her to slowly meet his gaze. "Isidor, I don't know if this is a good idea."

There is a sly edge to the smile that spreads across her lips and she shrugs. "Supra omnem, scientiam..."

That gets a frown. "No... Familia supra omnes."

This time, her shrug is dismissive. "Sometimes it's the same thing." She turns her attention back to Hughes and nods. "I believe we are in agreement. One that may change as we look for different information from each other, I'm sure."

Latin must be something their worlds have in common, because he's heard those phrases before. Best not to mention it, though.

"I agree that, as the situation develops, we should keep a close eye on our arrangement. As new information is uncovered, negotiations will be expected to determine how to disseminate it." He holds out a hand to Isidor, a confident smile on his face. "Shall we shake to seal the deal?"

The first things anyone ever learns about the Durants are the importance and regard with which they hold both family and knowledge. If she really wanted to confuse Hughes, she'd mix up three of her known languages. She's done it before and Viatorus can understand. He hates it though, complaining that it makes grammar impossible.

She hesitates, considering the deal before her, but then nods and takes his hand in a firm grip to shake it. "I hope this deal works out for both of us, Lt. Colonel."

Despite the fact that the leader of his country has the title of Führer, he'll only be able to follow in two of those languages. ~~His mun, however, will be able to follow in all of them.~~

"As do I, Ms. Durant." The firm shake is returned in kind. This is going to be the start of a fantastic working relationship.

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Will accept character sheets

<3!

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