Spring socializing. ((Open to anyone.))

[chiron_survivor]

It has been a long winter, made longer by the fact that Adia could not reach any of her friends in the Nexus. When spring arrives and her PINpoint starts working again, she wastes little time in sending out a message.

Hello! This is Adia. Caspar and I were locked out of the Nexus until now. Please reply if you get this message and let me know how you're doing and if there's anything I can get you?

In the interest of efficiency, she sends it as a blind carbon copy to most of her Contact List.

((Feel free to tag once, play out a thread, or handwave your muse's reponse. Also, if you want me to know specifically that Adia can't/won't get a message, feel free to share. :) ))

Comments

[sweetcandygirl]

She gets an immediate response from Harley Quinn.

Glad to hear you are okay Adia. As weird as this is to read... sorta glad that you were locked out of the Nexus

How is my other Brother from another Mother? (Yes Caspar, I mean you)

[chiron_survivor]

Ah! Instant response! Adia nearly drops her PINpoint before hurriedly typing out a reply.

Harley! Are you okay??? Were you stuck in the Nexus? I know what you mean but I wish that I had been able to help somehow, too.

It is a huge relief to hear back so quickly from one of her closest friends. She shows Caspar the message and laughs a little when he predictably rolls his eyes, although he's obviously relieved, too.

He's fine. It was hard for us not to know how everyone was doing, though. Can we come see you? Or do you want to come here? If you stay in our cabin it should be okay.

[sweetcandygirl]

Okay is difficult to say with a straight face. Don't believe anyone who tells you they are okay.

I was stuck. And it was difficult. But I endured

Harley twirls her hair for a moment. You can. I might need a place to crash for a few nights. My apartment is in no condition to stay at right now...

[chiron_survivor]

You are very strong, Harley. I'm sorry you had to go through it.

She glances briefly at Caspar, who has gone back to sweeping up the cabin. Yes, she has definitely learned that "I'm okay" is one of the easiest lies in the world.

I stopped by your apartment and I saw the broken door. Was it looted? Caspar and I can help fix things up for you. We did that once for a friend of ours. Should we meet you there?

How is Mightyena? And Cricket? I haven't heard back from him yet.

[sweetcandygirl]

It was. And I am not really worried about fixing things up...

I am not going to stay there. Going to need a new place

Harley taps the side of her phone. Cricket kept Mightyena in his Pokeball during the winter. The best thing really. And Cricket... well... he was home the first time the apartment got broken into.

[hybriddino]

There's a response from the Indoraptor on Adia's phone. His grammar is a little worse - the buttons don't really agree with his claws.

I'm glad to hear youre ok. The winter was really bad. Im glad you missed it. How is Caspar?

[chiron_survivor]

It is a huge relief to hear back from Indoraptor. She had learned that the Wilds were the first to get hit by the storm, which made her especially worry over her dinosaur friend. The lack of apostrophes doesn't even register.

How are you??? Are you still cold? Every time I knitted something I thought of you. I am glad I missed it but also sad that I couldn't help anyone. Caspar is fine. Do you want us to bring you anything?

[coldsong]

Loki stares at the message on his PINpoint for a long while. Despite their pseudo-reconciliation after Yule, he's not quite sure how to respond. So much has happened. So much has changed.

There will be a nice long lull before she gets a response back from him:

Message received. I'm alive and in one piece. How fortunate that you and Caspar are the same!

Without his facial expression it's hard to tell if that's sarcasm or simply flowery phraseology.

It's been an eventful season. I hardly know where to begin, but I need nothing at this time.

[chiron_survivor]

She's already in the Nexus by the time she gets a response from him, back to her routine of checking out books at the Grand Library. Setting aside her latest stack, she reads over his message a few times, trying to get a feel for his mood.

It's hard. The flowery language obfuscates. And what's the deal with that exclamation point? But ultimately, she decides to take his message at face value.

I'm glad to hear that. It was very frustrating not being able to contact anyone. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to light a candle for you in Persephone's temple, but I did. A green one. Do you still like that color?

As for him not needing anything, she almost types "Are you sure?" but who is she to question a god? And what does she have to offer him, anyway, except more awkward conversation?

But, he did message her back. So maybe he'd like to talk to her, awkward or not. Tentatively, she types out another reply.

I'm in the Nexus right now, if you feel like sharing winter stories. Some stuff happened to me, too. I can do something new because of my moon rune, but it isn't magical.

[coldsong]

Persephone's temple? What an odd choice. Unless that's simply the main temple they have. Loki allows his mind to dwell for a moment on what a maiden goddess like that would think of someone like him. Probably about as much as Idunn does, at best.

Still, he can hardly object to a well-meant gesture on his behalf.

Green is still my favorite, yes. Thank you.

Winter stories. Good Norns, but he has winter stories. They're not nice ones, in particular, is the thing. He takes a long while to respond again.

Well, you've piqued my curiosity. Shall I come to where you are?

[chiron_survivor]

It's the goddess she was dedicated to, at birth, and of all the Lords of Kobol, Persephone probably knows best what it's like to be between worlds. She smiles, relieved and a little pleased with herself for getting the color right.

You're welcome.

The second text catches her on her way out of the library. It had been hard for her to concentrate on reading anything, waiting anxiously for her PINpoint to buzz. Although she's nervous about seeing Loki again, she can't help but grin at his wording. She is a little eager to tell someone about her new skill.

Okay! I'll be at the coffee shop by the Grand Library. I'll send you the coordinates.

He'll find her sitting outside at a café table for two, reading a book about dinosaurs, of all things, while she waits for him. The weather is pleasant enough that she's in a light blue windbreaker, the moonstone pendant visible on her neck. She also has a ring on her left ring finger that wasn't there before. The green and white awning of the coffee shop looks like a familiar Earth chain, although there's something different about the logo.

[coldsong]

I will be there shortly. My appearance has changed.

That's all the warning she'll get, unfortunately. But then she's seen him in his preferred female shape, so perhaps it won't be too shocking to her when he strides up to her table in his Jotun shape. He's no taller like this (not right now, anyway), but his skin is blue, eyes all red, and he's opted to lean into the appearance for this meeting, as if to test her, leaving his hair loose and arriving bare-chested, in a cloak, trousers, and leg armor, feet bare.

He sits at the table across from her with a small, tight smile.

"Green is still my favorite, but perhaps blue is beginning to grow on me," he tells her, without further greeting or preamble.

[rogueinladysclothing]

Amelia's relieved to receive a message from Adia now that Winter's finally ended. She pauses in her daily weapons practice to answer, a smile on her lips the whole time.

It's good to hear from you. I was in the Nexus all Winter, but managed to avoid the harshest parts of the storm. All I need is to know how you and Caspar held up on Atlantis. Any troubles there? Or did the mild weather hold the whole season?

[chiron_survivor]

It's a relief to hear from Amelia, and even more of a relief that she avoided the worst of the storm. She smiles at the message, then settles in her kitchen chair to write a reply. Anastasia immediately hops into her lap and she has to use a hand to keep those curious little forepaws from tapping out gibberish onto the PINpoint.

I'm glad you missed the worst of it! It sounds like it was pretty bad. The weather here was fine.

She pauses, fingers hovering over the screen. Amelia is only asking about the weather, but they weren't entirely free from trouble.

Remember that conversation we had about Caspar not telling me something? He finally did. One of his creators got in touch with him unexpectedly. It was kind of a mess. But we worked through it. I have some good news, too! We're engaged.

[rogueinladysclothing]

While it's difficult to hear about Caspar's troubles, Amelia is glad they seem to be over. She remembers how much Adia was struggling with her lover hiding something from her. Having all of that hardship behind her friends is the best kind of news.

Second to the news of their engagement, that is.

That's wonderful news! Congratulations! Will you two be available to tell me about it in person in the near future? I would love to celebrate with you both.

And find out customs on gift giving so she can start planning while she still has some time before their ceremony.

[chiron_survivor]

Despite it being a text and not even a congratulations in person, she can't help but blush a little and grin giddily to herself. It's terrible timing to bring up her engagement in the aftermath of a terrible winter, but she's excited to share the news, anyway.

Thanks! It was the perfect proposal. He got down on his knee and everything.

Never mind everything Caspar had to deal with to get to that point. He can share that struggle with Amelia, if he chooses.

Sure! We'll be in the Nexus later today if you want to meet up for lunch? You should pick the place, I don't know what's open for business.

[rogueinladysclothing]

Amelia quirks an eyebrow at her phone as she reads Adia's first message, but she quickly decides to wait to ask about that until they see each other in person. Explanations about customs always go better that way.

The place I took you for pizza a while ago is open. Meet me there whenever you're ready. I'll grab a more private booth near the back of the restaurant in about an hour and wait for you there.

True to her word, when Adia and Caspar arrive, the rogue will be quietly sipping on a ginger ale as she reads through a very large book on magic. She looks up and smiles when they approach, quickly getting to her feet to pull Adia into a hug.

"Congratulations again," she says with a warm smile. "I'm so glad you're both safe and happy."

[alittlehinky]

Hello, Adia! I was kind of worried. Glad you two are all right.

So, Cricket doesn't 100% type like he speaks. That's probably for the best.

I am recovering. It was very hard and I have to have Vitamin B12 shots for weeks now.

Also the globe you gave me got cracked and the water drained out because of the cold I think. I have the pieces. Do you think it can be fixed?

[chiron_survivor]

She's already heard from Harley that Cricket survived the Nexus winter, but it's still a tremendous relief to hear from him directly. She sets aside her library book and quickly types out a reply.

Hi Cricket! We were really worried, too. What's your recovery time looking like? Do you need anything that the hospital can't give you?

Damage to the sand globe is minor compared to his physical health, but the thought of the storm destroying her gift to him fills her with a sudden, surprising burst of anger. At least until she exhales and lets it go. Things can be replaced, people can't. Even if this storm was anything but natural.

I can take it back to the artist who made it. If she can't repair the glass, she can make a new globe. She's very talented. Do you want me to come get it? I'm at the Grand Library right now, I can swing by.

[alittlehinky]

I'm not sure about recovery time? They say I should rest as much as I can. But I am running the stills already and helping a couple people patch up their shops when I can, because that is good business.

And also just general kindness, but in this instance Cricket's primary motivations are practical. No one's going to be buying and reselling his products until their storefronts are restored. (He wouldn't turn away a request for help from a resident, either, it just might take him a little longer to get to it.)

Don't need much but if you run across a cheap pair of work gloves I would be much obliged.

Don't come to the house. It got broke into and is a mess. It would make you sad. I'll come to you.

[chiron_survivor]

I'd offer to help with the stills but I'd probably only slow you down. I have work gloves you can have! Caspar has an extra pair.

They're nice, too, because Caspar refuses to sacrifice quality even when he's doing manual labor. She's sure that he won't mind parting with him.

She's already sad about Harley's apartment, but he's right. Seeing it in person would only upset her. There's a moment of indecision over whether she should say that she already knows, but it feels weird not to. If he doesn't want to talk about the incident, she won't push it.

Harley told me about the robbers. I'm sorry. You can meet me in the lobby, they won't mind if we talk at a normal volume there.

[losthunter]

It is almost strange for Hunter that he has a message on his PINpoint. It had been so long since he had received anything from any of his Nexus friends.

Hi Adia. I was stuck in Jim's world. Signed up for Starfleet

[chiron_survivor]

After having limited success reaching her friends, it's a welcome surprise to get a return ping on her PINpoint.

I'm glad you weren't in the Nexus! The winter was really bad there. How is Jim, is he okay, too? Congratulations on Starfleet, are you in the same class as Faris and Chanath?

[losthunter]

Jim is quite busy with his duties aboard The Enterprise. Exploring new sights and new worlds. He is okay... just a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders.

We share some courses together.

[chiron_survivor]

That ellipsis says a lot to her. She's guessing that Hunter didn't get to see him much while he was on the Enterprise. It's easy to imagine how lonely that might have been for him.

It is a very busy job being captain of a starship. I'm glad he wasn't stuck in the Nexus, either. And I'm glad you got to see Faris and Chanath. We couldn't get in touch with anybody. It was very frustrating.

Have you been back to the Nexus yet? Would you like to get together? I have a new piece of jewelry I think you've seen before. ;)