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

[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.

[chiron_survivor]

Oh no! Did he get hurt? No wonder you don't want to move back there. I'm sorry for assuming.

She waves Caspar over so he can read Harley's message, too. He frowns darkly, not liking the idea of looters violating the home and safety of two people he actually likes. "If it was a crazy witch who did it, we're not going back to the Nexus," he says flatly.

I wish I had the space to put you both up. Cricket likes the beach.

[sweetcandygirl]

He had to shoot someone. That always has an effect on someone... Harley knows best.

We should talk in person. There is something you should know

[chiron_survivor]

Adia bites her lip when she reads the news. That's not something she's experienced personally, but she knows that's not something most people can easily shake off.

I'm sorry it had to come to that. I hope he gets in touch with me soon. Is he okay talking about it? I don't want to bring up any painful memories.

Caspar narrows his eyes a little at the second text. Well, that's not ominous or anything. Before he can throw in his two cents, Adia types out a reply.

Sure. We were headed for the Nexus soon, anyway. Do you want to meet at Crossroads? They're serving food again.

[sweetcandygirl]

Let him address it. I hope he gets in touch with you soon.

The Crossroads it is. You won't miss me Not with her new homemade jacket made from parade tape and police tape.

[chiron_survivor]

See you then, Harley.

It doesn't take any convincing to talk Caspar into leaving right away. Spring cleaning can wait, this is far more important.

They arrive at the Crossroads Café, Caspar in one of his spring suits, and Adia in jeans and an oversized sweater. There's a ring on her finger, but Harley might only get a glimpse of it, because as soon as Adia spots her friend, she's getting a huge, sweater-y hug.

[sweetcandygirl]

"Adia!" Harley returns the hug. Grinning brightly. "Be a little careful. I still got one rib working itself back in place..."

Is she serious? She sounds serious.

In addition to the new jacket. They both might note that she is missing bright pink and bright blue color in her hair. It is just her 'normal' white. In ponytails.

"Caspar... Looking sharp."

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh! Sorry!" She lets go, holding her friend at arm's length instead, her fingers tickled by the jacket's parade tape. She looks her over more carefully, noting the lack of color in her hair. "I just really missed you. We both did."

Caspar smiles a little at the compliment, although his hazel eyes remain serious. He's only heard bits and pieces of what transpired over the winter, but if Harley is still healing, it must have been even worse than he's imagining. "Thanks. That jacket is very you. Musta been one hell of a parade."

"Can I get you anything?" Adia asks, her eyebrows pulling upward into a doe-eyed expression. Give her something to do to feel useful, please.

[sweetcandygirl]

"I missed you both too."

"Gotta have a parade to celebrate just getting back home again." Harley nods, a little sadness in her baby blue eyes.

"Food would be great. We were all put on rations." And she will gladly accept the offer of free food.

[chiron_survivor]

Food rations reminds Adia of her time spent in space, supplies dwindling as they made that last push towards the end of the war. It's easy to remember that relentless gnaw of hunger that kept everyone on edge.

"I'll handle the ordering while you ladies grab a table," he suggests before heading up to the counter. It might be a few minutes, there's already a line.

Adia snags a table in the corner, somewhere that has a little privacy. She hasn't forgotten that Harley wants to share something important with them. "I have some good news," she says to Harley, while she takes her seat. "is it okay if I share it while we wait?"

[sweetcandygirl]

"Good news is always welcome." Especially since there is bad news to share, later.

[chiron_survivor]

It's not like her to show off, especially not in the wake of a tragic event, but she can't keep herself from smiling. She holds out her left hand, letting Harley get a good look at her ring.

"Caspar proposed."

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley carefully takes Adia hand to get a really good at the ring. She beams brightly. "He did! That is awesome!"

[chiron_survivor]

"It is," she agrees, her smile shining as brightly as the ring. "It was very romantic, too. I never thought I was the type of girl who needed that sort of gesture, but..." Her gaze drops to the ring, her smile softening. "It meant a lot to me."

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley smiled. She has lost her sense of romance once upon a time. But to see Adia so happy, gives her hope.

"I am so glad he made it special. I would have knocked him around if he screwed it up." She teases slightly.

[chiron_survivor]

She giggles softly in response to the teasing. "There's no way he could have screwed it up," she replies honestly, defending her fiancé. And though she wishes he hadn't needed to go through such emotional turmoil to get there, she's glad that he waited until he had the confidence to ask.

Caspar returns to the table with a tray of coffee drinks and a small basket of pastries. "I ordered ramen, too," he informs Harley, before catching sight of the way Adia is holding her hand out to her, showing off the ring. His lips pull into a smug grin. "Guess she already broke the news that she's finally making me an honest man."

[sweetcandygirl]

"Like you would have ever been unhonest around her." Harley teases him. Even during those times when Caspar struggled to tell Adia something... he got there. It is something she admired about their relationship.

"Have you set a date yet?"

[chiron_survivor]

Caspar shrugs a shoulder, his proud smile tempered with remorse over what might have happened had he not finally owned up to his emotions. "I couldn't, even if I tried. She knows me too well."

He sits down next to Adia, who leans over and kisses his cheek once he's settled. "No, but it won't be any later than mid-May," she tells Harley. "That's when tulip season ends."

[sweetcandygirl]

"Tulip season huh? Must be a low-key wedding, to be able to pull it off in a month." Harley grins. "If you need any help... do let me know."

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh, it's going to be low-key," Caspar replies, smiling at Adia sidelong. "The lowest of keys."

"Neither of us are much for big parties," Adia confesses. "It'll be a simple temple ceremony, and then a small reception. Nothing extravagant."

Caspar picks up his cup of coffee. "But if you have any suggestions for a honeymoon location, I'm all ears. I'm thinking a nice hotel with a high thread count and excellent room service." He winks at Adia, who giggles and reaches for her own cup. It's really nice having Caspar back to his usual self around her.

It's unfortunate that her bright mood can't last. "Harley?" Her smile falters, a little worry creeping in. "There was something you wanted to tell us, right?"

[sweetcandygirl]

"You have access to the Nexus. You could go to a place no one else goes. Lots of your friends have good worlds you could visit." Harley suggests. Note she doesn't suggest her world. It is not the best place for a romantic get-away.

Harley picks up her cup of coffee. A serious look on her face. "The Winter was hard on all of us. People couldn't get back to their worlds. And some of us were strong enough to go on expeditions to get supplies..."

"In our last mission... we were sent to bring back much-needed food. And it was challenging. We were attacked..."

She taps her coffee cup for a moment. "Not everyone who went on the mission came back. And I don't know if they will be coming back..."

"Blaze. Ghost. Josh. I don't know what happened to them."

[chiron_survivor]

"Plenty of options, is what you're saying." He smirks briefly, but lets the subject drop. He hasn't forgotten that she wanted to tell them something important, and based on the serious look on Harley's face, shit's about to get real.

Blaze and Ghost. He's surprised to hear their names. But it is the mention of Josh that has his face go slack, no expression as he takes a few seconds to process the news.

It's not like the Guardian and her companion to drop out of contact, but they can take care of themselves. Josh, on the other hand, drops out of contact all the time. But to go missing in the middle of the storm...

"...shit." He looks away, trying to hide how hard he's been shaken. "Shit, that sucks."

"But, they're only missing, right?" Fighting off that sinking pit of worry in her stomach as best she can, she looks at Harley imploringly. "They might be trapped outside the Nexus, like we were. Or -- or I don't know, something other than..."

She can't even say the word dead. That would make it too real.

[sweetcandygirl]

"No one could use their PINpoints. And where would they disappear to..." Harley frowned deeply. "We were in the middle of a battle."

"A battle that seriously injured all of us."

"Adia… I am still looking myself. For answers."

[chiron_survivor]

"If Blaze got herself blown up, Ghost would be busy putting her back together," Caspar points out, his voice even. "I don't know why he wouldn't let anybody know, but trust me, it takes a lot to put a robot down permanently."

As for Josh, there's nothing he can say that wouldn't be false hope. Harley's right. The chance of him having survived is slim to none.

"Well... I'm here, now," Adia replies, hands flat on the table. "I can look, too. People disappear from the Nexus all the time. I disappeared once."

The more confident she tries to sound, the harder her voice shakes. Caspar reaches out and takes one of her hands. Inside, he's struggling with the loss of his friends, but he keeps that locked down, focusing on Adia instead.

"We'll look," he tells her softly. Calmly. He shifts his gaze to Harley. "Have you checked the battlefield yet? Any clues?"