[Nexus] Mallside III

[happyturtle]

MagMart - BackRoom

Missy is about to ask if he thinks the rats and the drow business are related, when he distracts her with the other question. She seems to take it seriously, shaking her head. "No, I'm not really patient or even-tempered enough to be a Jedi, and I never had a strong connection to the Force." She chews on her lower lip a bit. "And I kill. I don't like to do it, but I do."

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart - BackRoom

Magtok nods, still peering at the door, but focusing his attention elsewhere, blankly staring off into space in front of it.

"Alright. So the Yoda thing, that's...what's that, then? You didn't get sucked into the Nexus from Tatooine or something, did you?"

It's entirely possible. In fact, Magtok's surprised he doesn't see more Star Warsy stuff in the Nexus. I dunno, maybe it's just too mainstream for the mystical forces commanding the ebb and flow of the Nexus, or maybe the power level's just too iffy. Force levitation tricks alone could do an awful lot of damage in the hands of someone clever, and that Jedi Mind Trick thing would be absolutely vicious if Maggy ever figured out how to get it to work.

[happyturtle]

MagMart - Backroom

"Oh, I'm a lapsed Orthodox Arnaudin," Missy says, trying to make it sound like it's something completely inconsequential, rather than it being the core of conflict with herself. "Yoda is one of our prophets. He taught about the importance of non-violence and not giving into your emotions."

[AmberVael]

[Food Court]

"Point taken," Integrity says in return, "Still though, it sounds like it would be amazing to create an entire working of magic on our own. I'll most certainly help, if i can."

[Food Court]

"I'd appreciate that. Really though, it's just idle musing at the moment, I haven't begun to formulate any serious plans." Grace turns to her sandwich and begins eating it, letting the topic lapse for the moment.

[Halae]

[Food Court]

Integrity is a bit unsure of what sort of topic to carry forward at this point. on top of that, she's already eaten her lunch, and it would feel rude to stand up and get more when Grace probably wants to speak more. So for now, she just sits quietly.

[AmberVael]

[Food Court]

Grace, meanwhile, was hoping to get Integrity talking a bit more, so once she's swallowed her latest bite, she picks up a topic to try and move towards that end. "So, did you just come to Nexus? Are you very familiar with it yet?"

[Halae]

[Food Court]

Integrity shakes her head, "Not familiar, I'd say. I've been here for about two months now, but no more."

[AmberVael]

[Food Court]

"What have you been doing for work up until now then?" Grace asks curiously.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Aurora Fountain]

Astra's brow furrows, "Uh, Nexus? That's... a word that means crossroads, right? What sort of place is one called crossroads?"

Aurora Fountain

Essaila looks worried. Unlike her brother, she has a vague inkling of what the word universe means. Something in her past... maybe one of her oft cursed tutors? She frowns in thought... it's supposed to mean everything, if she remembers right, but the way the robot lady is talking, there's more than one of them.

Whatever it means, it can't be good news for them.

Astra, if you got us trapped in another universe, I will give you such a bite that you won't be able to sit down for weeks!

Of course, she doesn't really mean that, but she's feeling a bit emotional right now. Wherever this place is, it's certainly better than the hive, or at least it has been.

[Aurora Fountain]

"A crossroads, is the type of place they call crossroads. Through really Nexus is more 'joining' or 'center', and that certainly applies here too. It's an interuniversal hub. For example, I've never heard of hive worlds until now, before or after my death, and I'd bet you're unfamiliar with elements of where I'm from, too. Ever heard of Cryx? How about Menoth? Steamjacks?"

[Halae]

[Food Court]

"I haven't been working, actually. the past couple of months I've been living off of the money I had from selling a few things I owned, most of which related to the cult." Integrity says.

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart - Backroom

"Ah."

Explains a lot, I guess. Magtok will have to look at Wikipedia or whatever the Nexus equivalent is, to get a better idea of where she's coming from with this sort of stuff. For now, he tries to avoid imagining a goofy Last Supper painting with Yoda thrown in it, sitting in a children's booster seat. Additionally, since Missy hasn't offered to leave yet, Magtok leans against a large stack of boxes, figuring that her plan is to stay here for a little while longer.

"And Arnaud himself? Religious reformer sort of guy?"

[happyturtle]

MagMart - Backroom

"Arnold Cunningham was the prophet of the Great Synthesis, who brought all of our teachings together into one book," Missy says, growing a little uncomfortable, because talking about religion is AWKWARD. "Fungus rats? That sounds horrible?" Oh come on, that wasn't even a little bit subtle.

Missy doesn't really have a plan. She's waiting for Magtok to tell her what's going on in the casino before she decides whether or not he's safe.

[AmberVael]

[Food Court]

So she probably really did need this job. Hm. Grace finishes up her lunch, then stands. "I need to get back to work, but it was very nice to meet you, Integrity. I'll give you a call about an interview some time this week- if I don't, you can contact me by following the instructions on my business card." She retrieves one and hands it over to Integrity.

[Halae]

[Food Court]

Integrity smiles, taking the business card, "Thank you for considering me, then. I hope to see you again soon." Unless stopped, Integrity will smile, nod, and begin to walk away, giving a little wave back to Grace. The day was going well, wasn't it?

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart - Backroom

"Cordyceps. They take control of insects and then do hell with their insides and brains. Someone on the MagCave security staff happens to be a sort of ant-lady, so you can imagine how absolutely terrible that could've been."

He peers at his wrist, in even more of a hurry to get the both of them off that subject.

"The drow seem to be clearing out now. Probably headed to the BDD later, given that it's a drow bar these days and such. Nutcase is one faction, Xar'Cha house the other. Latter group is much, much more drowish, and doesn't seem to like nutcase, but there's no telling how convoluted and elaborate these guys can be."

[The Bushranger]

[Erin's Emporium]

Dorota can't help but beam with pride as well. I did. It wasn't easy, she says as she sits down and begins eating what stew is left. Crissy helped, of course.

"Oh? You know about alchemy too, Crissy?" Syela looks at Crissy curiously. She kneels on a chair, leaning over the table and looking all around enthusiastic.

Crissy blushes, shaking her head. "Um, like, no, not at all. It's just totally a kinda, um, life-force-sharing-thing or something like that. But I did help however I could."
And Crissy gives Dorota a beautific smile.

[Morty]

[Erin's Emporium]

Dorota smiles, but her cheeks get somewhat flushed as well.
Well, yes. I created Sizewell, but it took both of us to animate him. I'll explain it to you later, when you begin your studies.

[happyturtle]

MagMart - Back Room

While Magtok looks at his wrist, Missy tries to sneakily look to see if he's wearing the friendship bracelet she'd given him.

"So, they're wanting you to jump in the middle of Underdark politics? Do they think you're stupid?" She shakes her head. "No, that doesn't make sense. And why did he bring an army to the surface? Wouldn't that just weaken his position in Menzowhatsit? Bluh. This is way over my pay grade. I'm dumping this whole thing in the Commander's lap and letting her sort it out. I'm no diplomat."

[Gullara]

[Erin's Emporium]

"Oh, alright." Syela loks back and forth between them. They're sure acting odd. But speaking of her studies. "What sort of thing will I be learning about first?"

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart - Back Room

Still wearing it, yes. Lately some MagClones in positions of power have taken to celebrating their differences, rather than violently enforcing the similarities. Polyjester's no different.

"Best as I can tell, Vasquez's decision is going to be something along the lines of 'stand back and wait for the drow to finish killing each other'. If this situation had nothing to do with me, I'd probably go with exactly that."

He pushes the door out of the back room open, quietly venturing into the public part of the store. He takes care to do so when the cameras confirm that nobody is in this section of the store or looking in his direction, for Missy's sake. Gods know he's no stranger to perverse rumors and gossip, but Missy has a career to think about, and slipping out of a MagMart backroom with the cyborg supervillain would probably not help her any.

[happyturtle]

MagMart - No longer the backroom

"So how are you going to handle it? Or shouldn't I know?" Missy asks. She's isn't even thinking of potential scandal fodder as she follows Magtok out of the back room. The Remnant rumour mill is far too imaginative to need anything approaching evidence.

Instead, her mind is busy with, He actually put it on. What does that mean? That he still thinks there's a chance? Or maybe it means he's okay with the 'just friends' stuff? and similar anxious wonderings.

[Morty]

[Erin's Emporium]

"Oh, alright." Syela loks back and forth between them. They're sure acting odd. But speaking of her studies. "What sort of thing will I be learning about first?"

You'll need some grounding in chemistry first, so we'll start with that. Once you're familiar with the basic reactions and processes, you can learn your first, basic alchemical formulas.

[Gullara]

[Erin's Emporium]

"Chemistry... right." Syela is getting the feeling this is going to be more complicated than she thought. Oh well, it'll be interesting too though. "Where do you work? Here in the store?"

[Morty]

[Erin's Emporium]

Dorota nods, pushing away her empty plate. Yes, I have a laboratory in the back of the store where I work. It's more than enough for the two of us.

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart

"The worst the Baen're guy can do to me is turn his armies on my MagCave, or commit some awful deed in my name that upsets everyone. Even then, I've got you and the MaGLoG cameras and such as witnesses to my reluctance to have him under me, and the Cave security is more than enough to keep him from getting in."

Magtok shrugs, grabs an anti-pimple cream from one of the aisles, comes to a complete stop to peer at the thing, and then puts it right back where he found it before moving on again towards the front of the store..

"He's a zit, Missy. Poking him is just going to elevate the stakes, and trying to crush him between my fingers will make an ugly, icky mess everywhere. Best just to ignore it and wait for him to go away."

[Gullara]

[Erin's Emporium - Back]

"Can I see it?" Syela asks eagerly, her eyes lighting up. She was never allowed inside that other alchemist's lab, and it was one of few places she couldn't talk anyone into letting her inside of.

[The Bushranger]

[Erin's Emporium]

Spoiler

Show

Dorota smiles, but her cheeks get somewhat flushed as well.
Well, yes. I created Sizewell, but it took both of us to animate him. I'll explain it to you later, when you begin your studies.

[Erin's Emporium]

"Oh, alright." Syela loks back and forth between them. They're sure acting odd. But speaking of her studies. "What sort of thing will I be learning about first?"

You'll need some grounding in chemistry first, so we'll start with that. Once you're familiar with the basic reactions and processes, you can learn your first, basic alchemical formulas.

[Erin's Emporium]

"Chemistry... right." Syela is getting the feeling this is going to be more complicated than she thought. Oh well, it'll be interesting too though. "Where do you work? Here in the store?"

[Erin's Emporium]

Dorota nods, pushing away her empty plate. Yes, I have a laboratory in the back of the store where I work. It's more than enough for the two of us.

[Erin's Emporium - Back]

"Can I see it?" Syela asks eagerly, her eyes lighting up. She was never allowed inside that other alchemist's lab, and it was one of few places she couldn't talk anyone into letting her inside of.

Crissy grins at Syela's enthuiasm, and stands, leaning over to give Dorota's cheek a kiss before setting about clearing the table. "I think somebody's totally eager to see it."

[Morty]

[Erin's Emporium]

Dorota blushes a little when her cheek is kissed and turns to Syela with a smile. Sure. Follow me. She will get up from the table and lead the girl to the back of the store.

[Gullara]

[Erin's Emporium]

Syela... looks quite honestly confused by the cheek kiss. She's not really sure what to think of it, so it'll go uncommented on for now. But for more pressing matters. The girl follows Dorota. Crissy is correct, she is eager.

[Morty]

[Erin's Emporium]

Poor Syela.
Dorota will enter a door at the end of the store and motion the fey girl to follow. Beyond the door is a large laboratory, with tables and shelves lining the walls, all of them stacked with various tools, containers and apparatuses. In the middle of the room is a large stove with plates and ovens in various sizes. A sterile lab smell pervades the room.
Well, here it is. How do you like it?