we do our time like pennies in a jar

[dugdowndeep]

It's been more than a little while since Jack has graced Stigmata with his presence. He's been... indisposed, shall we say, in ways that apparently involve high volumes of dirt and a distinct lack of fancy suits. The camouflage pants, t-shirt and light jacket he has on now are probably the most casual things he's ever warn to the Nexus, which

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[ciddimisin]

Alex Atalay (face it Jack, if the people you meet here don't look alike, they will at least have similar names) comes and goes as he pleases where this Nexus is concerned, usually avoiding the places where people congregate. It's not that he doesn't like people or has a thing about crowds; he happens to live in L.A. and it's a crowded town so when he's here, he's looking for green space and wildlife and air not laden with smog. Except for today.

Today he wanders into Stigmata and assesses it for what the place happens to be: a bar. Of course, he's also soaking up the environment itself and like most of the Nexus it returns to him a rather bland feeling. The AVF. It's nice to not have to worry about certain things while poking at the odd (sometimes amazingly so) crossroads. No danger here, at least of the imminent kind that tends to end people.

There is a wonderful series of smells coming from that way, back there, behind the bar and beyond that set of doors. Someone's cooking. Alex considers this a double bonus. A BOGO of sorts. If there's food being prepared, there's someone preparing it. Being curious and always willing to eat, he heads that way and calls out in a friendly but somewhat cautious tone, "Hello?"

[dugdowndeep]

Jack could share a thing or two about crowded cities, considering the sheer population density of Shiloh, but lately he's been in the polar opposite manner of surroundings -- caves and tents in the middle of the woods, miles from civilization in any direction and surrounded by people who may or may not want him dead. The Nexus' mass crowds of strangers are practically comforting by comparison.

And speaking of strangers, Jack peeks his head out from around the door frame to affirm that he does not, in fact, know that voice. "Hi. Sorry, I'm--" Doing something complicated back here, apparently, "Not to be a pain, but could I borrow one of your hands?" Perfectly normal request, that. (Well, at least it is when you've only got one functional hand to start with.)

[ciddimisin]

Alex gives the guy a wary smile but waves in a manner not unlike making jazz hands in answer to the request. "Right or left and do I get it back?" Experience has taught him to ask for clarification especially where strangers were concerned. More so when concerning strangers in the Nexus. He pretty well enjoys having two hands which is understandable. Hopefully.

Walking into the kitchen to actually offer up the use of the hand in question, "What are we doing?" Yes, we. He'll jump right in.

[dugdowndeep]

Jack figures jazz hands are always a good sign. "Whichever is your best, and you can even keep it attached to your body." He is so generous. And also appears to have a legitimate excuse for the request, as four of the fingers on his right hand are thoroughly immobilized in splints. Not that that stopped him from making a ridiculous amount of food in here.

"I'm just trying to check this last steak, if you could man the fork." He motions to said fork, which is already stuck in the steak in question, but while Jack has managed to brace many a utensil between his bandages and functional thumb, he can only keep that up for so long before his thumb muscles start to rebel. And you have no idea how difficult it us to cut something you can't even hold still.

[ciddimisin]

Alex isn't even going to hazard a guess as to how the other man acquired his injuries--hopefully not cooking as that wouldn't bode too well with the task of helping Fingers here out with his forking skills. "Yeah, sure. Fork, I can do that."

Reaching for the utensil and eying the slab of beef with not a little appreciation, he decides an introduction would be prudent. After all, they are undertaking the ritualistic man-hobby of messing with fire and dead animal here. "I'm Alex, by the way."

[dugdowndeep]

It's best no one ask about those lest he have to make up some creative lie, because 'torture, lol' just isn't a subject to bring up over good food. "Good man." He nods thanks and gets to cutting.

"Jack. Pleased to meet you, and apologies in advance if I stick you with some terrible nickname in the near future -- I know too many Alex's." Alright, he knows one other Alex, but considering which Alex it is, he gets dibs on the name.

Anyway. Success, medium-rare steak! "Are you hungry? Because I'm...clearly not going to finish all this myself." A beat. "I promise it's not poisoned."