been waiting for the glory ((open, nexus_crossings))

[tryingitall]

Balthazar's vessel was an artist. Not a famous one, certainly not a wealthy one, but one of those sorts who cannot help but do what he does. Every now and again, he searches the Nexus' galleries and museums on the off-chance there is some world where the man succeeded and earned the recognition the angel feels he was due.

The human soul is within him, still, sleeping, waiting for a well-earned Heavenly reward. He'd wake it up to see if he found his work somewhere.

No such luck today, but the angel has found a sculpture he admires and bought it for one of his safehouses back in his own world. It will be shipped later in the week, and for now he's taking a break, sipping a margarita on the patio of a Tex-Mex restaurant that bears the sign 'Nacho Mama's' in bright pink neon.

He's not interested in the food, but a really good margarita is nothing to be missed. This is his third, and the staff is starting to look deeply concerned by the volume of tequila he has consumed this afternoon.

"It's all right," he tells the waitress as she comes by to check on him, and there is no hint he's even tipsy. "I'm just very fond of lime."

"You, um, must have a high tolerance," she says. "The bartender keeps asking me if he should cut you off."

"Oh, I see. Tell him I could clear out every bit of liquor in the place and still keep my feet. It takes real work to get an angel drunk."

"That explains it," she says weakly, and leaves him be, although it really doesn't explain it, because since when do angels get drunk??

The Nexus is rough on people, ontologically.

Comments

[iwillcatchup]

Balthazar PINpoint alerts him to a message, that just was sent.

Been anywhere exciting recently? Do you have pictures? .... Peter

[tryingitall]

Oh it's you! Hello!

Well I spent a week in Monte Carlo last month. The only photos I have of it are a few selfies. It's mostly just me in the shot, but here.

Three photos follow, one of a shirtless Balthazar by a glimmering infinity pool on some hotel roof, one of him on a beach, with a ridiculous sun hat, and then one that is obviously in a hotel room, in a fluffy bathrobe, lounging in a chair with several sets of clothes draped over the back. Some of those clothes are very clearly not his own, so he must have had company.

There is no shame in this angel, Peter, sorry.

[iwillcatchup]

The selfies do make Peter laugh a little, a good feeling even though it still hurts deep in the pit of his stomach.

Monte Carlo. Nice.

Well this is my current status quo

Peter sends over a picture of him wrapped up in a blanket burrito. His bed head one of the many signs that he has been in the bed for a lot of time.

[tryingitall]

Balthazar would actually be happy to just ramble about his vacation a bit (perhaps discuss the company in his hotel room in more detail), but the picture Peter sends him brings him up short.

Oh dear. Are you sick? Where are you, I'll bring you some grapes or something.

[iwillcatchup]

I just haven't had the energy to move out of bed... And Peter deletes whatever came after that sentence deciding that he could not explain the details over texting.

I am in the Nexus. At a friend's safehouse.

[tryingitall]

Oh, love. Balthazar flirts with everyone, and he probably means that endearment with affection, even if he's well aware Peter has his eye on someone else.
That doesn't mean they can't be friends-with-flirting, though.

Then you're probably filthy, too. Say my name out loud, I'll come find you. You don't even have to pray.

[iwillcatchup]

Endearments help, honestly right now. It is such sweetness that has Peter sending a slightly flirty message back.

Well maybe you can help me shower for the first time in... weeks

He lays back on the bed for a moment. His voice is hoarse and tender from the lack of use in the past few days. But he is able to whisper the name, softly. "Balthazar."

[tryingitall]

That can probably be arranged, although I have simpler methods.

[One of the more low-key useful angelic powers Balthazar and his ilk have is the ability to just clean things up with a flick of the wrist. Peter won't have to get up if he doesn't want to.

Although, a warm bath can be comforting, too.

There's a lull of a few minutes after he whispers his name, but then Balthazar appears in the room close by him, with a bag of takeout in his hand. No margarita in it, not for a sick man, but there are some tacos, beans and rice, and some sopapillas stuffed with strawberries and dusted with sugar.]

[iwillcatchup]

[The room is dark, with the blinds pulled and only a little light shining in from underneath the door. There is definitely a stale smell in the room, with a little hint of sweat and tears. But nothing terribly offensive, since Peter has been in the presence of mind to attend to basic bathroom needs.]

[Peter had his head out of the blankets, so he was aware when Balthazar appeared in the room. The shape of his body a presence in the shadows of the room.]

[He sits up a little, moving to turn on the light on the side table, to cast a little more brightness in the room. Peter blinks, trying to focus his eyes properly. He doesn't have a shirt on right now, but the sweatpants he is wearing seems to be a few sizes too big, since he is thinner than normal. He is paler than normal too.]

That actually worked? [His voice is soft. There is a dryness in his throat, that makes it sound like he is older]

[readvondaniken]

"You can drink yourself a river and never get drunk, huh?" A familiar voice drawls. Palmer's leaning against the bar, holding a tequila and listening to the conversation with some interest. "What I wouldn't give to be able to do that." He smiles as he observes Balthazar over the tequila.

He bows slightly before sipping his drink. Despite his snarky attitude, he's clearly pleased to see Balthazar again, and his toothy grin makes that clear. The mechanic comes forward, cup in one hand as he reintroduces himself.

"I'm James Palmer. We met once, at Thor's Yule party, before everything went to hell. Feels like it's been ages since then. How've you been?"

[tryingitall]

"It's less fun than you'd think," he says, glancing over at Palmer and smirking as he recognizes him. "It takes a concentrated effort to get more than a bit buzzed. And the expense? Don't get me started. On the whole, it's better to be a lightweight and be able to get as sloshed as you want on a sip of champagne."

Although, it's nice to be able to try a wide variety of liquors and appreciate the flavors.

"I remember you, but yes, it's been a while. I'm all right. There's always some disaster imminent in my world, but I've escaped the worst thus far. And you? Join me, if you like. Tequila goes well with company."

[readvondaniken]

"I'm somewhere in the middle. I'm pretty lightly built, but I can drink a good bit before it starts hitting me hard. Maybe that's just as well. I usually ain't much of a drinker - you've seen my poison of choice."

Palmer nods when Balthazar comments that he recognizes him. Even if he's a little snarky, Palmer's glad to see him, too.

"I've been doing pretty well. We had a rough winter, but you've probably heard all about that from people who aren't me." Palmer smiles as he comes forward. "Don't mind if I take you up on that offer. I like drinking with company. Your world sounds like a rough kinda place. But then again, so's mine - though I'm guessing it's a different flavor of disaster."

[tryingitall]

"Indeed. Actually, I'd heard you were selling a wider variety now. Remind me to drop by later."

Balthazar doesn't really make a habit of smoking marijuana, but he does enjoy it from time to time, and it's always good to keep tabs on one's dealer.

"I was shut out all winter, but I think I'm just as glad I missed it. I'm not a tremendous fan of the cold. It doesn't hurt me, but it just isn't comfortable."

He laughs. "We've dodged the Apocalypse once in my world. I suppose we'll see how many times we can get lucky."

It's not the happiest of laughs, actually, and he downs the rest of his margarita in a gulp afterward, but his smile is still pleasant enough.

[readvondaniken]

"You've heard correctly. I've expanded my business since you met me. Thirty-five strains of weed on sale, and I'm working with one of the Lokis to add magic into the mix."

Palmer laughs as he sips his own drink. He wants to make it last, himself. He's one to savor his alcohol rather than gulp it down.

"Don't mind if you do stop by one of these days. Tell you what, 'cause you're a friend of mine, I'll give you a discount next time you stop by. Half off."

Palmer knows a good customer when he sees one, and besides, he's taken a genuine liking to Balthazar. It pays to keep your allies close in a place like the Nexus, which is always shifting and uncertain by nature. He's a businessman, but he tries to balance business and friendship carefully.

"Tell me about it. The cold was far from the worst part, actually - you don't work in an Antarctic research station without getting used to snow and ice." Turning serious for a moment, Palmer shows Balthazar the patched-up tears the Fallen left on his clothes. "The cold didn't do this."

[tryingitall]

"One of the Lokis. Good lord, there shouldn't be more than one of those in any one place, I'm sure." He looks thoughtful. "I'm going to have to check up on that. My brother was using that identity as an alias for the longest time."

None of the Nexus Lokis are Gabriel, sadly for Balthazar. He'll be disappointed, but he has to check, at least.

He smiles at the discount offer. "Aren't you sweet! I'll be sure to visit, then."

He cranes his neck to get a look at the rips in Palmer's clothing. "Oh dear. Did something bite you?" He's being a bit facetious.

[readvondaniken]

"We've got three of them, at least, by my counting. None of them are your brother, I'm pretty sure, 'cause they've already had a brother named Thor. Though they are tricky people, and I wouldn't put using an alias anywhere past them."

Palmer's mood brightens again when Balthazar accepts his offer. He reckons he's got himself a repeat customer now, and it's a good idea to keep an eye on those.

"Don't mind if you stop by. I'll have my freshest stock for you."

"Not bitten, scratched. There were unfriendly aliens who took advantage of the winter - they robbed anything they could, and wounded or killed anybody in their way. We have a ceasefire now, but they attacked me when I was on a salvaging mission."

[tryingitall]

The angel laughs a little. "No, no, my brother would have been using Loki's identity as cover. He was very clever. I'm not sure you'd be able to know the difference. I'm not sure I would, in fact, unless he told me himself. The other archangels never found him in that guise."

He grins at the offer. "Isn't is supposed to be the dankest stock? Mind you, I'm not clear on what the definition of dankness is, but I know what I like."

"Ah, yes. The Fallen or whatever they call themselves. I did hear about that." He frowns a little. Had he been here in the Winter, he would have fought them on principle, but a cease-fire is probably the best thing right now.

[outpostcook]

"Another visitor, huh?"

Kinner's in his summer clothes, hanging by the bar for a drink while he's taking some time off from work. He's worked up thirst, not to mention an appetite. He notices the stranger when he's in the middle of a cup of margarita. Putting the drink down, he decides to talk instead.

"Hello there. Reckon you're new here, or at least I haven't seen you around before. My name's Joseph Kinner - of Kinner's Kippers. Fish place down in the Plaza. Pleasure to meet you." His eyes briefly look to the other's drink. "You like the margaritas here, too? You have good taste. They're good." As if to mark his point, the little cook drains his cup.

[tryingitall]

"Well, it's the Nexus. There's always another visitor," Balthazar quips mildly, looking the stranger over.

His own outfit is surprisingly prosaic. Blue v-neck tee, black jeans, black blazer. They all look like they might be designer labels, but they're still pretty normal, nothing flashy.

"I'm not precisely new, just a rare visitor," he says. "I've been around off and on since last fall."

[outpostcook]

"That's true," says the cook, setting down his empty glass. "I know, I know. Anything can happen here. I oughta be used to that by now."

Kinner's a bit more showy than he usually is, mostly because of the Hawaiian shirt he's wearing. He's not usually one for bright colors, but he made an exception for today, since he's out on the town.

"Well, I don't think I've met you before, sir. It's a pleasure. I'm a regular here, not by choice, mind, so I reckon you'll probably see a lot of me."

[tryingitall]

"When you say a regular, do you mean in the Nexus, or at this establishment in particular?" Balthazar asks with a little smirk. "Because if there's something in the tequila that draws people compulsively, I'd like to know before it's too late."

It's probably already too late, if that were the case. He's been here several times before.

"I'm Balthazar, by the way. Please to make your acquaintance."

[outpostcook]

Kinner smirks back. "Both. I'm a regular here in the Nexus, 'cause I died back in my home world. As for why, well...it's kind of a long story that involves Antarctica, aliens, and cows. I'm a regular 'round most of the dining establishments. I'm a cook. It pays to keep an eye on the competition."

That's why he does it. Really. It doesn't have to do with the fact that today Kinner felt like getting drunk.

"Don't think there's anything funny in the tequila." Kinner offers Balthazar a hand. "Pleasure to meet you, too. This is actually my third time here in Nacho Mama's. Not my first time trying Mexican food, either. Little more showy than I'm used to, though."

[tryingitall]

"I'm sorry you died," he says mildly, in much the same way a person would say 'sorry you have a sore throat'. Death is just a transition, after all, for anyone with a soul. "I hope it wasn't too painful."

He shakes hands, careful not to do any damage with his celestial strength. "I've had their tacos, as well. It's hard to get a bad taco anywhere, but theirs are quite good, I think."

[outpostcook]

Kinner shrugs - death isn't a sore throat for him, but things could've been a lot worse for him than winding up in the Nexus for the rest of eternity. At least here he's alive, which he likes, and he's found things to do with his time, so he isn't bored.

"Can't say it was pleasant, for me, at least. At least the Thing had the decency to put me to sleep first before it set to work, though I think it would've spoiled its lunch if I was still alive and struggling when it digested me."

[tryingitall]

Balthazar could tell Kinner all about how Heaven works on his world. It's very pleasant for the souls, of course, sending eternity reliving their best memories from their own lives. It's not precisely equitable, though, given how some people have better memories than others. On the whole, the chance to change things for yourself, like you have in the Nexus, may be a better deal.

But then, Heaven may be different where Kinner comes from, too. Balthazar can only assume he'd merit an eternal reward; that's courteous and he senses no corruption in his soul.

"It could have been worse, then. Some monsters find the terror and pain of their prey a kind of seasoning. But perhaps we should talk of nicer things? Tell me your favorite fish recipe, since you've got a place. What wine goes with seafood? Usually a white, isn't it?"