A Talk with Variks (for housejudgement)

[desertpowered]

Paul has done his due diligence on researching the Nexus: the unique qualities, the hazards, the various factions that call the place home.

There's one piece of research that eludes him, however - he's never been able to learn about the resident Eliksni faction. There are good reasons for this. The pamphlets made it clear that they're both secretive and bitterly hostile to species that aren't their own, especially humans. Paul is human. He figures they'd never let him get close based on that alone, and the fact that he's a neutral party in their own war wouldn't make much difference.

And he has work to do in his home universe that can't be disrupted by his being shot or beheaded or whatever it is the Eliksni do to people they deem enemies. And they certainly won't answer Paul's questions - and why should they? He can perfectly understand why they wouldn't. He wouldn't in their position, and doesn't. The number of Nexus residents he's given serious information to so far can be counted on one hand.

Thankfully, one of the conversations on his first day tipped him off to an alternative method. So he seeks out the elusive Variks, the one Eliksni he's been told about who isn't a member of House Winter and wouldn't shoot him on sight.

With the information he was given, and with some effort, he was able to track Variks to where he lived.

Comments

[housejudgement]

Variks had been a visitor and resident long enough in the Nexus that he had gotten a small apartment with Katiri's help in the same building that Ben Solo resided in. He still spent a lot of time in his own universe, assisting Eliksni wanting to flee to House Light. But at least it was nice to know he had a place to go to call his own where he was relatively safe. Katiri and her fireteam were still valued allies and friends; bringing him any ether he needed and other supplies as well as news.

It was the Dawning back home among the humans of Earth and Katiri had recently brought over some cookies she had baked for him along with some tea that he liked. A small glittery decoration the warlock had made out of ice like stasis, hung from a lamp nearby. It was shaped like a snowflake and emitted small rainbows when light shone through it. Variks' apartment was small and simple. With a single bedroom and bathroom, a main living area and small kitchenette. The Judgement Scribe didn't have much in the way of furniture, but what he did have made a cozy space. A woven rug was on the floor in the living area along with a low table covered in books, a cozy chair and a lamp. A writing desk was in the corner with his journals and calligraphy supplies. One of the journals lay open and the pages were covered in flowing Eliksni script. A small table was by the kitchenette with a couple of chairs. The scent of chai tea filled the air as a pot sat steeping on the stove. Katiri had gotten him on that flavor in particular. It had a spicy taste that he enjoyed.

The knock on his door caused the Scribe to look up in surprise from the book he was reading. Perhaps it was Ben coming to visit. It was a good thing he had enough tea made to share. Variks unfolded his tall thin body from the chair and strode towards the door, leaving his spear leaning against the wall. Peeking one of his four eyes through the peep hole, he saw that it wasn't Ben, but a human that he didn't recognize. He wasn't good at recognizing age in humans, but he realized that this was a youngling. Not as young as a hatchling but not as mature as a full adult. How curious.

Warily, Variks hunched down low and cracked open the door, keeping most of his form hidden behind the door. "Yesss?" He uttered, clicking querulously.

[desertpowered]

Paul is a strange one, even by the standards of a strange place like the Nexus. He looks like and is a fifteen year old boy, but is mature and intelligent for his age, even beyond it. He isn't above acting like his age, though, in the right situation - he's discovered it's a good way to convince adults to sympathize with him and give him what he needs or wants.

So this is an Eliksni. He's never actually seen one, only heard whispers of stories from the Long Winter and seen pictures of the House Winter banners in the pamphlets, but the startled reaction isn't what he expected from what in all descriptions seems to be a rather violent warrior race. But Variks isn't a member of House Winter, and isn't affiliated with the more traditionalist clan who makes their home away from the larger Nexus. The alien seems to be covered in armor, with four glowing blue eyes. There's something arthropod in the shape, maybe insect and maybe crab, perhaps a touch of both. With the four limbs and formidable size, an Eliksni would be a dangerous opponent even to an adult human. Paul has been trained to fight since childhood, but he knows he wouldn't stand a chance against one alone.

"Don't worry. I'm a friend." Stranger, more like, but Paul wants to let this particular Eliksni know that he means no harm. He does his best to seem inoffensive and nonthreatening to the alien, even leaving his dagger back at the shelter he built for himself to live in the downtown area. Humans and Eliksni are old enemies, even in a place like this where more people set old grudges aside, but he was reassured that this one doesn't share the prejudices of most. "You're Variks? I was looking for you."