rekindledtitan | Excerpt 011: Recalibration

"Ah - Blaze, Ghost. The Swimmer told me that you were given troubles by a trickster spirit of some sort. It's good to see things are going a little better for the both of you. I wanted to thank you for helping us spread the message to my crew. The Sifa are grateful. So I felt we had to catch up with and thank you and your people."

There's a large skeksis approaching, a Mystic by her side. It's rare to see the two halves so close together, but the Nexus is nothing else but a place of wonders. The skeksis bows her head, and the Mystic mimics the gesture. skekSa isn't carrying her weapons, a sign of peaceful intent.

"Is there any seafood here? I'm rather partial to it myself, lass."

The Ghosts seem pretty occupied, but Blaze waves the two of them over to the more open area by the bar. "urSan, skekSa!"

(The bartender takes one look at this pair and goes looking for larger glasses.)

"We're not out of trouble yet, but it's good to see you two in one piece." She nods to skekSa. "The Ghosts got something called scampi, so you could try that. Want a drink with it?"

The two aliens come over, noticing the way the bartender runs to get larger glasses. skekSa finds humans charming creatures, really. "Scampi. I'll give some a try."

"Why, yes, I would too." urSan smiles a little. She's not vegetarian like most Mystics, but it's rare that she go out in public like this.

"My crew's all right. Nobody had an encounter with any dog-headed strangers, though Deet bumped into him. That was probably hard to miss. I found her in the Wilds. She's safe, though she had a scare. Far as I can tell he interprets people's words in a way that'll give them trouble."

"Deet... don't think I- oh, wait, she wasn't the giant I heard about out there?" Blaze holds up two fingers to the bartender. "Two rounds of scampi, over here. And, uh, beer? I don't know what you girls drink."

Blaze? She's got her battery pack there to 'slug' from, lifting it to touch the two contacts to the insides of her mouth.

"Yeah, we think it's some kind of wish magic. Use people's desires to change reality and feed off it. Dangerous stuff. We've got off pretty light so far, but... we've gotta track him down and fix all this."

"Beer works," says urSan with a wink to skekSa. Mystics aren't usually the drinking kind. "Thank you."

skekSa nods. "The giant? That was Deethra. She found me out in the Wilds, dreadfully upset, and that's how I learned what was going on. She said a stranger had asked her to make a wish, and she asked to be closer to the size of her lover - one of the angels and a size-shifter. That sounds like what urSan said happened to you two."

skekSa has consulted Captain Fenth and her first mate to make sure the Sifa stay in the tavern until the situation is resolved. She's irritated with these antics, though she usually has no ill will for tricksters - Deet and Ghost are considered friends.

"We'll help you if we can and if you would like us to. Magic, especially that kind of magic, is dangerous. I'm glad no one's gotten seriously hurt, only inconvenienced."

"...Huh. Sounds like a complicated love life." Lucky for her she doesn't have anything like that to worry about. "I hope she's doing okay out there. Is someone with her?"

She pulls from her battery again. "Think you can undo this kind of magic? I mean- guessing not, or you'd have done it for Deet, right?"

"I don't know Thnisko well, but they love each other. I can't comment, since I have a complicated love life of my own. Imperator Furiosa." The Mariner clucks. "Remarkable woman. As for Deet, she's all right. The Heretic and the Wanderer are looking after her animals and I trust Thnisko to make sure she's safe."

The Mariner shakes her head, and then the Swimmer does the same. "I have herbal remedies in my quarters, but they're for healing disease and poisons, not magic. That wouldn't help here. So there's nothing we can do but hope this is temporary, unless you think the offender could be talked into reversing it if we find him - which I doubt. Spirits are elusive."

"Furiosa? Light, there's a hell of a catch. Congratulations." Okay, so she's definitely puzzling over how that works, for the three seconds before she decides it's neither her problem nor her business. "Glad everyone's okay. I guess when you're the size of a building you don't really have to worry about much... except maybe getting enough to eat."

She nods glumly at their verdict. "Figured, but I hadta ask. Plan A is to track him down, all right. We'll get him sooner or later. Spirits might be good at hiding, but they've got one big weakness, from what I've seen. They can't resist putting on a show."

This probably speaks more to the specific spirits she's had run-ins with, but Blaze doesn't think she's wrong in this instance.

"That's why we're both hoping this is over quickly." skekSa grimaces a little. "Grottans are cave-dwellers by habit, so it's not exactly comfortable for her. It was a mean trick. All the wishes I've heard he granted were interpreted in a way that hurt or inconvenienced people - so it's certainly not innocent and I'm not opposed to teaching him a lesson."

skekSa hasn't known any spirits, but she's thinking over Blaze's comment. The stranger strikes her as a bit of a showman.

"That's a good plan, and one I'd be willing to volunteer our help with if you'd have us. Tricksters are a sneaky lot, but they can't always resist a bit of gloating over their handiwork. We have a good idea of who to look for at this point. He probably knows he's made some dangerous people angry at him, so I expect he's lurking somewhere he has a good view of his chaos but can't be seen."

"Wishes always come with a price. Seems like that's true here just like in my universe." And considering what became of the wish-dragons there... Blaze isn't going to argue with doing whatever's needed to stop this trickster. Even if he seems less lethal than the Ahamkara... so far.

She grunts, gives them both a nod. "Unless the Hunters turn up his trail tonight, looks like we'll be regrouping in the morning. I can give you a call when we've got something." She gives urSan another glance. "Might be more skekSa's kind of job, no offense."

"As is the case in most universes, it seems. What's the Earth saying? No such thing as a free lunch." skekSa sighs. "Oh, he's probably having a right laugh at the expense of us all. I can't say I've seen a dog-headed man like you described before, and I've been here for a while, so my guess is he's a recent arrival. Best way to get away with mischief, if no one knows who you are."

"Oh, none taken. That's the sort of work my other half does best. Mystics aren't violent creatures. It's against our nature. I was only coming out for a little walk - didn't expect all the trouble." urSan returns the nod. "I wish all of you the best of luck in teaching him a lesson."

"And if he's anything like Loki, I bet he could disguise himself too," Blaze grumbles. A server has come back with beer and a couple plates of scampi and dips for her two organic companions, wishing them a good meal and asking if they'd like anything else before she heads back to work. Blaze just shakes her head when asked.

"We'll take care of it. Don't know how long it'll last, considering the Nexus seems to love screwing with people, but- hnh. One battle at a time, right?"

"Hm. Everyone we met gave us the same basic description - dog-headed man in a suit - though it wouldn't surprise me if he can turn invisible or change his shape." urSan examines the scampi and dips. "Thank you."

skekSa samples some of the scampi, giving a toothy grin in approval.

"Ach. That it does. Like a sea serpent at its worst, this Nexus is - friendly and smiling at first, but with teeth behind it. I wasn't here for any of the truly unpleasant business this place tosses at people, thank goodness for that, but I've heard stories. One battle at a time's the way to go."

Disguises and tricks. Not the kind of fight Blaze is good with, and not the kind she wishes this was. Or maybe she should be glad it's like this. If Coyote had wanted Ghost dead, the Exo is pretty certain he'd have gotten his way.

But there are things she'd rather talk about. "You ever seen a sea serpent? Are they real on your planet?"

skekSa doesn't think Coyote wanted to kill people so much as humiliate and disorient them - granted, both she and her other worry he wouldn't have cared that much what happened once he pulled his prank, or if one of them turned deadly.

"Aye, Thra has sea monsters of many sorts. We call them Behemoths - vast and rare. My ship, Vassa, is one of them. The Mondo Levidian is a creature so huge that stories say it has a thriving ecosystem within its bowels, the descendants of animals and people it consumed. And there are the sea serpents, long and shimmering and filled with teeth."

"Light, I wish we had those. You hear stories about the outer planets sometimes, but maybe that's all they are." She frowns over her drink. "Sorry, you said your ship is a sea monster? What's she look like?"

"Vassa?" The Mariner takes another bite of scampi. Her manners are good, for a skeksis. "She looks rather like one of the Earth's turtles, except far, far bigger. The size of an island. I've never seen a creature like her anywhere else. I can't moor her here without reliable access to the sea."

"This is a terrible idea." Steve doesn't move from where he's sat down holding on to a few tools for Blaze to keep within easy reach. It's surprising how used to having someone on hand for this kind of thing a Guardian gets....up until their Ghost is no longer around or free to assist as they normally do. He's trying to keep his voice down lest he bother any of the Ghosts all crowding around their large companion to talk over each other asking him to describe the little nibble of cheese.

"I mean sure, it's fine now but half of that stuff doesn't go together. And if he doesn't know when to Stop eating he's liable to make himself sick." Steve's all too aware who's going to be in charge of helping Ghost with the facilities ~~again~~ when this is all over with later.

That's why Siri has been expressly instructed to stay with the gaggle of Ghosts with some bismuth-based stomach medicine just a transmat away. Just in case. The little Ghost complained loudly about having to sit and participate in this but at Steve's request has taken up position at Ghost's shoulder just to keep an eye on the proceedings. Unlike her Guardian she's welcome at the table to join in on this Science Experiment in Progress.

"Might be." Blaze can't argue with that- Steve isn't the only one of them who knows how human stomachs can be, but he has much, much more experience with it. "But he's got to find out some limits for himself. Kinda hard to know what full means when you've never felt it before. Here, pass the pliers. Thanks."

She starts twisting the contacts into place as she talks. "Besides. Might as well get some fun out of being human for a day. If it keeps his mind off the rest of it..."

"I mean...oh. Here."

Steve's sighing from where he's settled in. His shoulders sag as a chorus of "Wiggly dessert!" erupts from the table where all the Ghosts are gathered around their organic brethren as they nudge a flan closer for snackrification.

"I don't want to be a killjoy either." Steve's trying and failing not to smile down at the varnished wood to himself. "I just don't want him to suffer. Figure it's not great to just leave him with no guidance and let him find out the hard way what indigestion or worse is."

Blaze has a point though. Ghost deserves a chance to take a load off. If it stops him from panicking over everything he's lost...

"I'm just...worried. I guess."

"...Me too," Blaze admits. She glances over her shoulder to catch the look on Ghost's face as he pokes the jiggling dessert with his fork. He's... skeptical. "He's handling it better than I'd- than I'd have expected. So far, at least. But... this stuff is unpredictable. Anything that helps him adjust, helps him keep his head straight-"

She shakes her head. Is she just projecting, assuming Ghost will find it as hard as she did, when he has none of the same issues weighing him down?

"He's more cautious than I ever was. But if he makes himself sick, I'll take care of him. You don't have to handle all the messy parts."

Steve can't help himself. He's bringing a hand to hide the smile spreading across his face at the grimace Ghost is giving the dessert after a testing prod with the fork. It's really damn cute to see all of the Traveler's Children getting so excited about this. And then there's Siri--perched over Ghost's shoulder as if he were her own charge, so protective as she watches over him.

"I mean, I can't even imagine waking up as not-human, so I get it. If I suddenly woke up as a Ghost, I'd probably be freaking out a lot more than he did. Limbs are kinda a big deal and all."

It's not until Steve talks about their friend getting sick that he looks back to Blaze.

"I mean, you don't have to Blaze. I want to help to. For the first time since I got up I feel like I'm the expert in the room. It's...not a bad place to be even if the risk is holding a guy while he pukes into a toilet."

Edited 2021-06-28 15:12 (UTC)

It's really a good thing Ghost has his brothers and sisters cheering him on, else he might not have the nerve to try some of these things. He never minded before, when it was something to watch humans deal with. But now it's his turn, Ghost can see why Blaze advised him not to think about the whole idea of food while he's eating. It's really hard not to have Opinions while he mushes the flan around in his mouth, though.

Blaze touches the battery contacts to her mouth, watching Steve keep an eye on Ghost. Blinking when he makes his own point. Maybe it will be good for Steve, something he can take the lead on. A challenge he knows he can handle.

"I appreciate it," she says. "He does, too. Especially considering he's so shy. We're lucky he's got someone he trusts completely. Someone who knows what the hell you do with a human body. I can't- well, you know. Help him the same way."

"I'll appreciate the help if he's sick when it's my turn to sleep though." Steve murmurs back with a soft chuckle. It's really hard some days to keep up with Blaze and Nike. He's the only one that seems to need to take care of himself on the regular and boy does the rookie feel it. Steve's done his best to keep up anyway, though it means running himself a bit harder than is probably wise.

"I mean, he trusts You completely." It'd be stupid to think otherwise. These two are closer than most. Steve really respects how well they work together. "But I want to do my best too. He's part of the team. Deserves to feel like it when he needs us for a change."

She chuckles herself. "Deal. You want to tell him he's got to do that too now or will I?"

For all Steve pushes himself to keep up with her, she's always been a bit jealous that Ghost doesn't need to sleep at all. And she's perfectly willing to be a hypocrite about insisting her team take care of themselves, at least when she remembers they need to.

"...Yeah, he does. Deserve it, I mean." She pokes at the contacts on the battery she's nursing. "I'd do anything for Ghost, but I'm glad he's got more than just me. Especially right now. Just wish I could do more to take care of him - to fix this. He's always taken care of me when the Nexus..." She makes an irritable gesture at the air. "Pulls this kinda crap."

"Well, he might take that particular sentiment better from me than you, it's true." Steve hasn't been allowed to be privy to many of the Exo and Ghost's little fussings-over each other but even he's aware by now that Blaze is pretty singular even for an Exo. And that Ghost is pretty doting. They're still Steve's team. He wouldn't have this any other way.

"Are you kidding?" Steve stops watching the table of little bots erupting into questions when Ghost pushes the flan away. He raises an eyebrow Blaze's way instead. "You took Nike and went off the second you knew you had backup to look after him. You've just agreed upon a schedule to take care of him. He's got clothes, we've got a place all set up for him back at the outpost. That's all you. You are taking care of him. He never just...poofed everything back to better then the Nexus did this to you, right? He looked after you. Like you're doing for him right now."

"...Thanks, Steve." She probably needed to hear that laid out. A reminder that not being able to undo the problem isn't the same as being useless. "I just- hnh."

She lifts the battery to her mouth for a minute before she admits, "He's so much better at it than me. Planning, knowing what to say. Me... I can't tell if he needs me here watching over him or out there making things right."

Seems like she's had a lot more of those choices lately, where neither answer feels good enough. She snorts. "Guess we're both lucky you're around. You and Siri."

"Just because he's better at it doesn't mean you're not also useful. And..." He falters then, remembering the emotional distress Ghost was in when Blaze left the first time. It doesn't feel Right to speak of it for Ghost. Doesn't feel right not bringing it up at all either.

"So talk to Him when we're done. Ask him. If you don't know what I'm thinking or what I want you always holler at me until I give you an opinion. Hell, I couldn't tell you what Siri's thinking eighty percent of the time, no one's expecting you to Know what's going on in Ghost's shell."

Beat.

"Head--I guess, at the moment. Point still stands."

The Exo's eyes glow brighter as she looks up at him sideways. Her brow plates shift up for a second, then she laughs over her 'drink'.

"All right, that sounds a lot like sense to me." Quit the guesswork, just ask him. Try to remember it, even if she feels vaguely like she ought to just know what to do. "Besides..." she looks over at the table - Ghost is being compelled to eat another bite of flan - and her voice softens fondly, "he's still my Ghost, whatever shape he's stuck in. I oughta treat him like it."

Steve taps his fingers gently against the tools he's still holding, though Blaze no longer seems to need them for the moment. Back over at the table Siri hovers next to Ghost quietly asking him if he needs the stomach medicine she's obtained for him yet or not. He must still be fine because she floats on back to her vantage point right after.

"He is." Steve confirms. "I told him if he started to feel like he didn't want to eat anymore to stop, and if he started to feel uncomfortable to Definitely stop. So far they've been giving him pretty small samples so he should be good. In that body he's gotta eat something else he's going to end up miserable."

Steve glances at Blaze then but chooses not to say anything else on the matter. Hopefully Coyote didn't give him allergies to worry about or anything like that. Siri's been briefed and she's keeping a close optic on him. It should be enough to hopefully stay ahead of trouble.

"No kidding. She's nodding along with his advice approvingly" "He's never even felt hungry before. Not sure I want to know what happens if he's starving. Assuming he doesn't just fall over. The way they're doing it isn't exactly natural, but I kinda have to appreciate the brute-force method. 'Least we'll find out fast what he likes and what he can stand to ingest."

Blaze pauses, glances at Steve in return. She is trying to get better at making sure her team-mates are taken care of. "How about you? Did you eat yet?"

"I'm sure tomorrow morning 'round breakfast time he'll be banging my door down asking about it." Steve doesn't figure they're going to want to take Ghost back to the Tower like this. Trying to explain it to anyone Official seems like it'd be difficult and incredibly awkward. Besides, someone might get Too Curious about poor Ghost and that wouldn't do. He's too shy to be a research volunteer.

Luckily, the Guardian Outpost seems to have rooms kitted out for a fireteam to spend the night comfortably. Several could honestly stay there if they didn't mind using cots or bedrolls on the floor, honestly.

He's not expecting Blaze's next question though. Steve turns to look back over to Ghost's table before lifting a shoulder in a shrug.

"Sorta planned on nibbling at whatever Ghost doesn't like for now. We're paying for that many orders, might as well not let 'em go to waste. If I still need something I can grab a sandwich back at the outpost later."

Blaze has come to the view that their superiors are best informed of small-scale Nexus shenanigans after everything is wrapped up into a report. In any case, keeping the Vanguard happy is officially Tarana's job, not hers so much.

And she wants to be nearby, if Ghost does need her.

"Guessing we won't be short of leftovers," she agrees. "Just make sure you get enough. Don't want Siri getting her shell in a spin." The charge on the battery contacts feels weaker; she might need another one soon. Thinking of the tools Steve's holding, though, she grabs her helm from the counter beside her and turns it over thoughtfully with one hand.

"Have you been over installing comm and HUD elements yet? Might be a good time to go through it. Ain't too complicated if you're using City-standard components, but the basics hold even if you want to patch in a Golden-Age sensor unit."

On the off, off, off chance it could affect anyone else it's possible Ghost wouldn't even be allowed back into the Tower. And that's a bad feeling none of them want. Steve told Siri not to bring it up with the others unless Blaze pushed to have them go back and since his fireteam leader seems pleased enough to stay here he doesn't see any need to upset them without reason.

"Well, they're small servings. Still, he's bound to not like everything or just get plain full and Siri knows she can send whatever he's had enough of to me. Er, Mr. Suou was adamant to send us out with some basic supplies for food at the outpost too. So there's no worries about being ready to handle a couple days' worth of meals." Might be the same meal a couple of times but hey--better than ration bars.

Steve's caught offguard at the change in topic though he's quick to turn back around so he can focus on Blaze's helm in between them on the counter. "We haven't, no. My issued gear hasn't had any problems and well. Ghost's almost always got that kind of thing handled before I even hear about it out in the field."

Steve was mercifully oblivious to the disaster as it first unfolded. Part of him is upset about it; he still wants to be on the front lines, so to speak. To help, to contribute. But even at his serum-dosed peak, there wasn't a lot he could do against magic. It's probably all for the best that he missed it.

At this point, he's only heard the most basic details, and at least half of his motivation for socializing in a pub is the hope of picking up more gossip. He's got his sketchbook and watercolors, regardless. Worst comes to worst, he'll have something to eat and some time to practice his craft.

He wasn't expecting the scene he's walked in on, and it doesn't make a lot of sense to him. A lot of little Ghosts encouraging some poor guy to eat, like it's some kind of fraternity ritual? Weird. Kind of funny, but weird.

He's just going to...quietly find himself a seat, while pretending he's not watching this. He's not that subtle.

Every new item of food has to be followed by a discussion as the man at the center of the noisy gathering explains what the taste and texture are like. Ghost looks a little embarrassed to be the focus of all this attention, but he's obediently munching on a piece of breaded shrimp as Steve finds himself a vantage point.

...At least, until Ghost catches sight of him peeking from the other table. It's like glimpsing an old memory wandering by; he's not prepared for the way his human lungs try to snatch a breath right when he's trying to swallow. He chokes, splutters, pushing away from the table as he tries to cough out the food. The other Ghosts are in a tizzy, calling advice or dipping in to see if they can help. Blaze is on her feet in a heartbeat, but she's got to cross most of the room to reach him.

Okay, so it's not a frat ritual, it's more like a symposium on What Food is Like for the gathered Ghosts. That's no less weird, really, but it's kind of cute. At least, it's cute until the guy doing taste tests catches sight of him and chokes. Steve isn't sure if it was looking his way that made that happen--and he's going to feel bad about it later, if it is--but the why matters far less than the coughing fit he's going into.

He's on his feet without a second thought, and hastens over, ducking under one of the hovering Ghosts to thump the man on the back. "Easy, pal--can you breathe?"

He's had first aid classes. If it looks like it's needed, he's not above performing the heimlich maneuver, but it's a risky thing if the airway isn't actually cut off. Also, he's been terrified, in the past, to try it on anything human, because serum-strength could've meant a shattered rib cage if he did it wrong.

But that definitely won't be an issue any more!

He's doubled over, wheezing in a very undignified fashion. On top of everything else- Ghost has felt panic, but he's never experienced anything like a biological body realizing it can't breathe. His heart's pounding, his lungs working overtime as the pounding on his back helps clear his airway. After a moment or two (that feels entirely too long) he's able to nod, his breaths slowing as he catches himself.

"Y-yes, sorry-" He can't cringe yet, at what he just did. He's not thinking of it, but at least he has a good excuse for why his face is so red. "Not... not sure what I did."

One of the others runs a scan over him, confirming he's not about to expire. Someone else calls, "I got water!" and transmats a plastic cup onto the table in front of him. Ghost looks up, and catches Blaze's eye.

The Exo's frozen a few feet away, her gaze shifting from Ghost (he's okay, he's recovering, they're helping him) to the man who's rushed to his assistance. A face they both know- one they haven't seen in years, and Ghost knows all the fears crowding his partner's head in this moment. He gives her a deliberate nod - a slow bob of his head, reassuring. He's real.

"It's all right," he says to her. Braces himself and looks back at Steve. "I'm all right- thank you."

"Ehh, sometimes shrimp try to get you before you can get them," he says, which is entirely a joke, so hopefully the other Ghosts won't take it as gospel. He gives him a lighter pat on the shoulder and moves back a little to let him recover. Only then does he notice Blaze approaching. Well, with all the Ghosts around, he should have expected that...

The look they exchange makes something click. He doesn't recognize Ghost by a long shot, but the mutual glances tell him Blaze and this stranger do recognize him. That's...probably why the poor guy choked, huh? He must have known the Guardian Steve, before he died at least, possibly even before Project Rebirth.

He gives a quiet sigh and shoves his hands in his pockets, self-conscious and inexplicably a little sad now. "Do I need to start wearing a warning label?"

Edited (clarity) 2021-06-28 15:29 (UTC)

Ghost coughs a little bit of a laugh at the joke, even if he's a bit lost for words to return it. Not that it's really the time, considering the awkward moment that hangs between them as all three reach their own conclusions. Fortunately, Blaze has neither breath to catch nor any hesitation in speaking up.

"Hey, ignore me. I just- uh-" A sideways glance, this time, at all the gossipy Ghosts milling about, urging hers to drink the water or actively watching the conversation. "Needed a second. Wanted to make sure Ghost's okay. Thanks for stepping in, there." Blaze is... not quite on the same page as the other two, in this moment, trying to backtrack and shake the moment of fear that her mind was playing a very vivid trick on her.

By this point Ghost is staring at Steve, a little bit- he doesn't mean to, but when you're a palm-sized eyebot you get used to watching people with impunity. And he can't quite put words to the feeling in his stomach he gets, the man's expression and the resignation in his voice. "I- sorry, really, it's- it's nice to see you. Again? I think we might have met already."

There's something ironic in the fact that they're both causing people to have these moments, these responses varying from startled to haunted. Steve expected to get a lot of questions and probably some unwanted pity. He didn't expect to give people near-flashbacks. But if the other guy has to put up with it--and a lot more of it, he's guessing--it's only fair he take it like a man, too.

"It's all good," he tells Blaze, calm and earnest now. He has no idea what her response means, but he remembers the confusion when he first appeared in the Nexus. "Par for the course in this place, right?"

Wanted to make sure Ghost's okay... He looks back at the guy he just helped, and listens to what he says--and the voice, which is sort of familiar--and then takes a breath, comprehension dawning on his face. "I didn't recognize you, uh...for obvious reasons. You got caught up in shenanigans, huh?"

Well, that all makes sense, now. At least, it makes as much sense as the Nexus ever makes.

It doesn't help that Blaze is already mildly buzzed, on top of her own Issues. She's more than willing to nod emphatically, rubbing awkwardly at one antenna. "Right. Too damned typical."

"Unfortunately, yes," Ghost confirms. He looks down - seeing himself like that is just bizarre, still. "Hopefully not for long, but- well, I've been trying to learn my way around... all of this. Not that I have to tell you what it's like, I guess."

He's getting good enough he can sort of wave at the table beside him. "Um, would you- are you hungry? They keep talking about more food and I don't want it all to be wasted..."

"Look, we may have a very limited window for data collection, here," Penny points out from across the table. She's just sent two of the other Ghosts transmatting off with fresh orders. "We can't afford to waste any time."

"Nice to see you, Blaze," he says, then adds wryly, "And sorry if I'm a...surprise. Some things happened back home."

He smiles at Ghost, and it's small and uncertain, but the hand of friendship being extended is much appreciated. Especially considering it comes from someone who isn't used to having hands. "Yeah, I do kind of get the disorientation of a sudden change in body type."

"I mean, I was thinking about dinner anyway. Not sure I should take your food, but I'd be happy to sit and join you for a while." Why the hell not? Even now that he knows what's going on, and feels a little bad for Ghost, this is pretty entertaining.

"Just don't make him sick," he tells Penny with mild amusement. "Human stomachs only have a limited capacity."

"Well, you kinda caught me off-guard, but Siri warned us you were around," Blaze admits. "I should've realized. Changes or not." 'Some things happened' is such an obvious understatement she could almost chuckle, if it wasn't a version of Steve Rogers saying it. Last time 'things happened' in one of those universes, well... it wasn't at all funny. So she shakes herself and just adds, honestly, "It's good to see you still on your feet."

Steve's smile coaxes an equally tentative one from Ghost. Being front and center in social situations is almost as hard as the biological functions (and the not tripping over his own feet). "Well, grab a seat. I am trying not to eat too much of anything. Although I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to tell, yet."

"Don't worry," Penny says confidently, studying her long, long list of food items. "If you evacuate your stomach contents, I calculate you'll free up a substantial percentage of volume for further testing." The little machine glances sideways at that, as if she's waiting for the Look that Ghost manages to give her. And as a bonus, she gets one from Blaze, snapping the Exo out of her awkward hovering.

"Penny, you make my Ghost sick, you're going to clean it up," Blaze warns. She eyes the little bot for a minute before she sighs, looks back at the two humans. "I'm gonna get another drink. You want anything, Steve?"

He should've figured that. That Siri would give them a heads-up. It's still probably more visceral seeing someone than hearing that they exist. He gives a shrug, and smiles at her. "They have yet to find something to make me stay down, apparently."

That's true of more than one universe, no less. "Shoulder's a little messed up, still, but I'm fine."

Sitting next to Ghost, he rests his hands on the table and has to bite his lip to keep from laughing at Penny's suggestion. "Definitely don't recommend that M.O.," he tells them.

"If you're tasting liquids, you can do it like a wine tasting, though," he suggests. "Put a little in your mouth and swish it around and spit it back out." Obviously he'd need a spare glass for that.

Glancing back at Blaze, he hesitates for a second, reluctant to ask her to get him anything, but after a moment he relents. "I could go for apple juice," he says. "Lots of ice. I don't really do alcohol right now."

"People do that?" Ghost asks, surprise breaking the obvious worried look he's giving Steve. "It sounds... messy." Don't humans have all kinds of microbes in their- Oh, Light. Does he have microbes? Humans need those, don't they? Siri would have said, if he didn't.

"I've seen it done," he's assured by a Ghost with a larger, bronze-colored shell. Penny is making an audible note about liquids being more efficient as they confer.

Blaze, meanwhile, gives Steve a thumbs-up. "Heh, that makes three of us. Be right back."

"Ooh, wait! Ice! Get ice!" one of the more excitable Ghosts calls after her. The consensus is that dips are next on the list, and they are busily arranging a small array of little bowls as well as a basket of 'potato sticks' in front of the two humans.

Steve might catch a glimpse of a familiar shell on one of the Ghosts hovering around their humanoid brethren while he watches from his table. Siri's been keeping a close eye on their afflicted fireteam member as best she can while all the proceedings have gone on. He'll have time to himself to eat and poke in at his sketchbooks.

Eventually there's a shimmer and a soft hiss of transmat at the side of his table. It's a carefully unfolded napkin with a small drawing on it in pen. A little cartoon Titan in gear with a simplified approximation of Siri's shell both waving to a slim man sitting at a table earnestly but a bit awkwardly with a little tiny 'hi' speech bubble over the large figure.

At the far side of the pub, sitting at the corner of the bar, a dressed down titan lifts one hand slowly if his gaze is met before giving a little half wave. Siri, meanwhile, hovers a bit above Steve's little table.

"He's been waffling for about ten minutes if he should come talk to you so I took this over."

He's not as used to transmats as his counterpart, and the shimmer and hiss makes him pause and blink, bemused. As soon as he sees what it is, though, he breaks into a grin. God, it's just like passing notes in class.

He waves back, and glances up at Siri. "Yeah? I mean, I think he'd better. Sketching is easier from closer up. Hold on a sec."

He has a charcoal pencil, which would only tear up the napkin, so he flips to a page in the back of the book, where a messy row of watercolor swatches indicates he'd been testing colors. A few quick lines later and he tears out the sheet, holding it up for Siri. It's not as tidy as the pen drawing--different medium--but the gesture sketch shows the smaller man with a fishing rod, with which he appears to have hooked the Titan. Siri hovers nearby; he wasn't sure how to make her look longsuffering and resigned, aside from a little cloud beside her as if to indicate a sigh.

'Just get over here' says the text bubble.

"I'm so sorry you have to deal with two of us," he tells her.

Siri had dipped down to watch the second that sketchbook flips open and Steve will hear her little 'oh!' before she has to stifle a noise that definitely was amusement lest it get out that she's anything other than fed up with these two. Whether this one is just humoring her titan or genuinely Understands this awkward form of exchange is impossible to say for sure but she knows her ward will get a laugh out of this.

"That's alright," she replies fondly as the paper seems to tingle in Steve's hand before it vanishes into thin air after a quick scan of the Ghost's optic. "I shouldn't leave Ghost alone for long anyway." She turns when a startled laugh picks up before twirling slowly once around the smaller man with a smug little drift. Job well done.

Steve ducks his head with a little nod his alternate's way as he drags the chair across out to settle into. The sketchbook page is held carefully in one hand.

"Still a bit weird." He admits as he's scooting his chair in. "But I was happy to see a familiar face." Above their table, Siri makes a sound not unlike a snort. Steve shoots a sharp look her way before shaking his head a little. "You know what I mean."

Siri is a little more transparent than she thinks she is. Steve smiles at the noise of her stifling a laugh, but he kind of gets it. It's the same kind of thing his ma used to do when he and Bucky got up to shenanigans.

"Yeah, he seems a little outnumbered," he says of Ghost, glancing over to the collection of robots circulating around the newly-transformed human. "Definitely needs backup. I thought it was some kind of hazing ritual when I walked in."

It's clearly all in good fun, though.

When his counterpart comes over, he gives him a welcoming nod and moves a couple things aside to make space on the tabletop. "It was weird before, too. You learn to sort of Alice-in-Wonderland it, after a while in the Nexus, and just let the madness float by without questioning too much."

"Here," he opens the sketchbook to a blank page and turns it toward the other Steve. "You wanna try my watercolor set? The pigments are really strong; I was impressed."

It's a small, portable set of twelve little half-pans, and he's been using his water glass to clean the brushes. Someone in the kitchen might not be thrilled about that when the go to wash the dishes, but oh well.

"A campfire story? Or a book?" He's not quite sure what Alice in Wonderland is, but the context of it seems apt enough. He glances up when Siri flits over his head back toward the table where Ghost is at.

"You two have fun. I'll be back later." Better go make sure her (hopefully) temporarily organic comrade has some of that stomach medicine nearby after this long playing guinea pig for all the other Ghosts' curiosity.

Steve almost turns to watch her go but when his alternate slides over the sketchbook Steve's curiosity wins out almsot immediately. A notebook Made for art is a rather new idea to him, as are watercolors in general. He glances up at his alternate after gently brushing the tips of his fingers over the paper to feel how different its texture is to the kinds of loose scrap or notepads he's sketched in up till now.

"I've...never painted before." He warns. Steve's a little worried he'll disappoint his alternate where talent's concerned. but his gaze is hungry as it takes in Steve's setup here. He thinks of the simple drawings they've done so far and then smiles to himself.

"I should go get my pen...make a sketch first." Something he can color in with the paint set once he's got an idea down to paper.

Vanadis-4 had intended to help keep half an eye on the proceedings, but the Warlock has gotten herself quite buried in a book in one corner of the bar, leaving her Ghost to occasionally flit back and forth to check on her.

Athena hovers near the human Ghost's shoulder, twisting her shell this way and that. "You should eat something healthy," she suggests, her optic flickering over the dishes on offer. "That one - the bread with the seeds in it."

Edited 2021-06-28 04:41 (UTC)

"Well, hopefully I won't be like this long enough for it to matter if-" Ghost starts to comment, but he's interrupted by one of the Hunters' Ghosts, Tuuli, calling out in excited agreement.

"Yes! Crunchy bread!" A few of them cheer, enthused by this idea. Tarana's Ghost Khurshid, who has one of the biggest shells, dips in to slide the bread over. And honestly, it's one of the least intimidating things on the table, so Ghost doesn't need much persuading to pull off a bit and munch on it.

"You can't assume that," Athena tells him, not quite scolding, but her tone clear she will be accepting no nonsense on this particular subject. "You have to nourish this body, or else it will become weak."

She bobs a little, dipping just slightly closer so she can watch him nibble on the bread. "...and I want to know why they make such a fuss about the healthy stuff."

What... what tone of voice is that? Is... is this what it's like for a Guardian to get told off? Sure, Blaze gives him orders sometimes but... Ghost stares up at his kin, slightly affronted and a bit shell-shocked before he acquiesces. "I suppose you're right..."

Hm. This is odd. There's so much texture. The seeds are startling for how they grind but his teeth crunch through them easily despite his hesitation. Ghost munches, frowns as he tries to work out how he feels about it.

"It's-" oh, his mouth is dry, he needs the water. "It's drier than the other foods. And it's weird to crunch the seeds - it's like grinding sand between your plates, except it's kind of satisfying." He's tearing off another piece to figure this out. "The inside tastes better - it's softer, and less... bitter."

"Of course I am," she responds primly, as though it was never in doubt. "You're organic now, you have to take care of yourself. It's proper maintenance."

She's probably watching a little too closely as he chews, maybe edging just slightly into his personal space bubble. But it's just so fascinating! How is she supposed to view this from a distance? "The outside is bitter? That's supposed to be unpleasant, I think. Is it?" She spins a little in place, thinking. "Do you feel more nourished? Is it like accessing a power grid?"

"Well, I don't like the out- um, the crust, as much as the inside. Although the crunch is kind of satisfying..." He frowns thoughtfully as he pulls off one last piece to munch, though his eyes dart up to Athena stealing closer. Hmmm... speaking of experiments...

"It's not really that instantaneous, but I do feel less weak than before we started. I don't think this body is good at detecting exactly how much I've consumed. I mean, I don't think humans are usually good at estimating the nutritional content of their food anyway-" a little girl who subsisted primarily on crumpets and jam comes to mind- "but some of these foods definitely have a different... sensation, when they're ingested. The bread feels more solid than the dessert, for example. I don't know if I can actually feel it in my stomach or if that's a psychological effect."

"Really? That seems like a terrible design flaw!" Who made this decision? Athena would like to have a word with them. It's not humans' faults they don't have a progress bar or readouts, but surely this is just a terrible oversight not to be able to tell at all.

She drifts over the little samples in front of him, turning this way and that, searching for something specific. Where is it? She could've sworn there was something similar here... ah!

The Ghost swoops down and nudges a tiny pie plate with a bite of cake on it. "What about this? It seems to have similar properties to the bread. But... oh, that is a lot of sucrose."

Ben looks at Blaze, who he recognizes, and Ghost, who he doesn't. Then something clicks, and then he groans as he realizes what must have happened.

"Don't tell me he got to you too." The young man's teeth noticeably grit. "I was helping Cricket earlier. He made a wish, and whoever he made it to took his ability to walk away. He told me about a man with the head of a coyote - now, I'm not a human from Earth, but I understand that's an animal somewhere between a dog and a wolf."

"I wanted to go looking for him, but he's probably in the wind now." He breathes in heavily, almost slumping on the table. "I need a drink, if you have one."

"Bmm?" Oh, wait. Ghost's mouth is full. He takes a minute to swallow before he gives the young man a concerned look. "Ben? Are you all right? The wolf- um, coyote man did get us. Me. But we're working on finding him." He looks over at the bar across the room, where Blaze is keeping an eye on things.

"I only have water, but I'm sure you can get a drink." He looks up at one of the other Ghosts.

"I'll get a server." The little bot zips off, not without a slightly envious look from Ghost.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I didn't see him myself, which is a very good thing, but all the trouble he caused was hard to miss. When I found Cricket after his wish, I could tell strong magic was involved. Whatever he is, he's powerful and ancient and has a very questionable sense of humor. A trickster who isn't Loki and a spirit who isn't one of the seasonal ones."

Ben isn't completely humorless, but he has little patience for Coyote's brand of pranks. He's frankly amazed, as far as he knows, that no one's been seriously hurt. What he saw happened to Cricket didn't give him much of a good impression.

"Are you all right, Ghost? I imagine being organic is disorienting." Ben nods in thanks to the other Ghost. "I hope it wears off soon for both of your sakes, and I'm all for this coyote-man being taught a lesson. A drink and a meal will do for now, though."

"Cricket?" How he wishes he could pull up his files now. He's very sure the other Ghosts in earshot are checking theirs. "The young human?" He kept watch duty during the Winter Storm, Ghost thinks, and had some valuable advice for stretching their food supplies.

"I hope he's all right," he says with genuine concern. At least he can move around, he just needs to get used to how. "I'm... I'll be fine. I just need to learn how to use this body long enough for Blaze and the others to fix all of this. But Steve and his Ghost have been looking after me."

With most of the place empty, a server is quick to appear for Ben's order. If anything, she seems glad to see someone ordering a normal meal.

"That's the one. He's a friend of mine, so when I found him hurt I was about ready to turn this coyote into a rug. Which...probably wouldn't be the best idea." Ben scratches the back of his neck, embarrassed. "I'll leave that kind of thing to your people. Messing with spirits is dangerous. I don't trust them. Cricket said he only told the coyote he wanted to sit down. Figure you've got a similar story."

Ben isn't exactly normal, by human standards, but the kind of thing he eats is. He asks the server for a sandwich and some wine to drink, then returns to conversation as he waits for the meal to arrive.

"I think he will be. Now, how we'll fix this I have no idea - whether we have to let it wear off on its own like last Halloween or whether we have to convince this stranger to take it away. I was lucky enough not to bump into him, but a lot of people weren't. The Plaza was a mess when I came for my usual visit."

Excerpt 011: Recalibration | OTA

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