metalogs | Closed | Watching On The Wires

Entry tags:

Closed | Watching On The Wires

Who: David Alleyne

helpdesk_hero, Bart Allen

kid_flash_found, Balthier

portolan, Peter Parker

kindofamazing
What: Technopath Investigation of Excelsior
When: February 15th
Where: Excelsior City Streets, The Chai House
Content Warnings: N/A

I. The Initial Investigation | Closed to Bart

Picking where to live in a world like this is always something to be cautious about, and no one could honesty say that David wasn't a cautious person. He had to figure out what he wanted after all, and privacy was an important thing for him.

Which would be doubly true if he really was going to live here in this world as a hero. To finally have a chance to choose the life or not, and get to have the shocking chance to have an actual secret identity was strange. So he wanted to be able to protect it, and the people he loved, the best he could. Which was the purpose of being here today. From the little he'd learned of Excelsior, it was a perfect choice for him. Which of course made him all the more suspicious. Good thing he had backup for investigations.

"Here," he said to Bart, offering his friend his hand to hold now that they'd arrived. Not that it was his hand that he wanted to give Bart so much as the earwig in his hand. The best way to stay in contact with Bart without actually talking about what he's talking about.

"This place looks amazing," he said aloud as they moved through the streets.

II. A More Targeted Approach | Closed to Balthier (and a hint of Bart at the start)

First phase of the plan completed, David had to admit to himself that there was as a need for a whole different kind of assistance, and he thought he had an idea of who might serve for it. Sure, Bart could work in a pinch, but a specialist might be better. So he sent the text invitation and hoped for the man to agree to join him.

So he sat in the tea house, sipping a cup of the rose black that of course reminded him of the person he was hoping to get some help from. Still, he sort of twitched in his seat, anxious to see if he'd get the support he'd thought.

More than anything, though, he needed a specialist, and Balthier didn't show up, David might have to ask another favor of Loki.

As he looks up from his latest check of his phone he catches sight of Bart looking at him.

"What's that look for?"

III. Crossing A Hero | Closed to Peter (TASM)

Of course even after Balthier, David realized he still had other things to do. It wasn't intentional, but he'd been passing by the local police station by accident and... Well, he got to thinking. Not like anyone would notice him if he got onto the roof, right? And up there he could easily run into all sorts of wires and antenna and other methods that he could access a system out of sight. And since he'd gone with a very tech world look of dark brown slacks and a warm black sweater, all he had to do was stuff his yellow scarf into his pocket to be a bit less obvious. He circled the building casually, waited until there was a moment where no one was looking and he could see he was in a camera blind spot, and then he moved.

Climbing up the side of older concrete buildings like the police station wasn't hard when he could use his energy projection to form climbing claws on his palms. These helped him easily scale the side of the building, quickly and safely, until he lifted himself quietly onto the roof to look for some sort of access point for his technopathy.

Always helped to know what the local PD was working with.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ So David likes his fashion sense but is thinking about what he may look like elsewise. Balthier is pleased with himself, all the more because David clearly has an eye for both detail and style. ]

Well it's fortunate your difficult, arrogant, and slightly idiotic wealthy client just happens to be in the market for technology he doesn't quite understand and is going to need to ask a lot of questions and see a lot of demonstrations. [ The technology may be different here, but people aren't. He knows how to be a difficult aristocratic arse, and how to feign wanting but not understanding what he's trying to buy. Not that he entirely understands, but that will just make the con stronger. ]

I won't know what you're specifically targeting and there isn't time for me to learn, but I can default to keeping the staff occupied. How will you signal me if we're defaulting to purchase?

Also I have an idea on getting access to secure locations but I haven't tried it yet. Do we have a few minutes? I can see if it works on you or someone else here.

[David likes that he has fashion sense. And he's doing his best not to touch the coat to learn about it. He's usually got more self control on the urge to use the psychometry. But he's intrigued. Still, he chuckles at the picture Balthier paints of himself.]

Yeah, there's a reason I decided to ask you for assistance on this. Seemed like something you can do. AS for how, it really comes down to how you want to play my presence. Two people coincidentally present, a tired friend or...

[Oh dear, he's about to say this.]

I'm wondering if you have anything like the concept of a sugar daddy. Because if you're going with difficult, arrogant, slightly idiotic, then sugar daddy and baby isn't a bad play. Not like I look that far off from you in age, and it's not unheard of for an attractive younger man to have that kept sort of partner, even when he looks like he could get anything he wanted.

[An idea of accessing more secure locations? David raises an eyebrow at that, and it goes well over the frame of his glasses.]

We have time if you need it. What's the idea?

[ Some day David will have to touch Balthier's clothes from home. He hasn't even had them cleaned. They're packed away carefully in his security box -- first thing he got after some new clothes. Something about them feels like his only connection home.

Balthier laughs pleasantly at the term "sugar daddy". ] We call it something else but I'm quite familiar. Wouldn't you be the one selecting the purchases in that case? Or are you trying to rein me in? [ In all honesty, it would be easier to run the con with Balthier playing a cantankerous employer of some sort, as it wouldn't require any sense of established relationship beyond obliviousness and mild contempt, but David's suggestion sounds exceedingly more fun. And Balthier is aware he's game for the flirtations attention, even if it's partially fabricated. ]

My magick changed when I came through. I haven't worked all of it out yet, but [ He pulls the wallet from his pocket and slides out his ID card. ] I should be able to change the appearance of credentials, given I know what they ought to say. [ He reaches for the Mist, knowing he won't reach it but will activate the spell. If he's done it right, his ID card should change from saying 'Balthier Fontaine' to "David Smith" and his photograph to switch to an image of David. ]

[Perhaps he would, but such things would have so much history to them, so much import, they could be rather intense for him to experience. But since there is no overt suggestion of it (how could there be), he smiles at hte laughter.]

I think reining you in if you get too excessive. Leaves me with an excuse to look all wide eyed and in awe at the higher end places, and more embarrassed to pull you out with 'that's good enough' if it comes to needing to buy something. If I don't pull for that, you can decide whatever we're seeing isn't 'good enough' and haul me out that way. But if that doesn't work for you, we could find another play for it. I want what will work and you'll be comfortable with.

[Wait, his magic changed? David's intrigued by this reveal. And when he sees what's been done he looks impressed. In fact, he could see a way to make that work, if he had eyes to see what he'd need.]

There are definitely options there. And here I was going to suggest showing off the general interior of the first store I want to look at, but I can't do that here. Too many eyes. Somewhere else quiet and out of the way I could give you a run down of what I've put together of the interior layouts of three of the four places I want to look at.

[it had been easy enough earlier, to pick out targets while walking with bart and get rough ideas by glancing through windows. Really, he was far too suited to a life of crime, were it to ever move him.]

Alright. So to make sure we have the same story. I'm trying to buy something for you, but I don't quite know what it is I want. You're more or less leaving me to my devices, partly out of modest embarrassment, but reining me in if I'm too vigorous. To be clear, if you suggest something is good enough to buy, we purchase. If not, I decide nothing is good enough. How will you signal you're ready to go?

[ Balthier lets the spell go. There's no need to hold it, but he's relieved to see the smaller illusion doesn't give him any sort of physical strain. ] Lead the way, my attractive young object of affection.

That's a good summary. I think the best idea for signalling wanting to leave would be, if it's alright with you, coming over and touching your arm in some manner. Pretty to the point but doesn't require verbal reinforcement.

[Attractive young object of affection? He smirks and finishes his tea before standing.]

We'll need an affectionate diminutive or other affectation. So you can call me something to get my attention if you must.

[ Balthier appreciates the consistency with which David checks if things are alright. That's not something he's had a lot of in his life outside of Fran.

He also is very quietly charmed that the gesture of touching his arm is, arguably, how they met. ]

That seems both efficient and natural. Fits your character as well.

[ He finishes his own tea and matches David's rise from the table. With the chairs as close as they were, his elbow briefly grazes David's arm. He gets a small jolt from the touch. Scions, he's more smitten than he realized. It's nice. ]

Where are you feeling on the scale of melodramatic to sweet? We have Light of my Life, Darling, Love, Starlight, Rosebud, Chocobo. I suppose I could also call you baby, as the youth here do, but I'm not entirely sure I can pull that off with a straight face.

[See, David isn't even thinking of the parallel to their meeting. It's just the best method he can think of to speak without speaking. With Bart it had been the earwig. With Balthier, more behind on the times and technology in this world, he wanted something that was less likely to be jarring.]

I am known for good plans. It's just what I do.

[The brushing of elbows earns a little smirk from David, and hell, if they're going for this, they're going for this. After a moment of hesitation he reaches out to take Balthier's arm, as if that was always the plan. Hopefully the guy doesn't shrug this off.]

Chocobo? What hell does that mean? You know what, let's sip the really over the top melodramatic. Doesn't fit the con. Go sweet, or maybe slightly bossy. Babe wouldn't be bad, but if you can't keep a straight face, we'll need something else. If you had a slightly less 'pass as british' accent, I'd give you a foreign term of endearment to sell 'stranger' more, but that's not going to work. Maybe darling? Sounds a bit over sweet for the ploy, but it could work.

[ Balthier has actually used earpieces before, they've just been connected to an internal comm system on a ship. Still, it's a good consideration -- he might not be familiar with the style here. ]

Chocobo? Large semi-flightless bird used for hauling goods and crossing long distances or as steeds in war? Mean buggers, make a strange noise?

[ Balthier accepts being arm-in-arm smoothly. That's partially muscle memory -- he is a trained aristocrat -- and partially how natural it feels. He wonders if David is a long-walks-in-the-garden sort of fellow. ]

Babe I may be able to pull off. Bossy is a good call. If I call you darling I'm going to be too genuinely sweet. Dear might be better -- good for passive aggression and possessiveness.

You'll have to explain to me what British is some other time, if it's what people are going to mistake my accent for.

[Didn't help that while David knew precisely how to fit one for Bart, he didn't know how to fit it for Balthier. Maybe one day he'd make the man an earpiece, but would he really want David whispering in his ear?]

That sounds like an ostrich, except we didn't use them for war. Hold on.

[He settles in comfortably next to the other man, which is actually surprising for David. He's not used to being with a man who is of a height with him, or this sort of holding on to each other. But it's good position to be in with fishing out his phone, his mind already sending a command to have it pull up a picture of a chocobo.]

Largest extant flightless bird we have on this world. And yeah, dear works too.

[Genuinely sweet? David's intrigued by that. You could tell a bit about a person by the types of affectionate terms they used. Darling ranked Balthier in an interesting level of affectionate.]

I'll send you plenty of videos, if you want. Me, you saw that Central City place. That's actually a good bit like where I was born, but just out in the suburbs of it. Here, on this earth, Chicago is around. But I guess there's nothing there to inspire me to visit.

[ Balthier adjusts David’s arm slightly to a more comfortable position, presumably for both of them. It’s absent-minded and gentle. ]

Please, send me any pertinent materials I have. Or impertinent if you think they’ll amuse me, dear.

[ He rolls it around. It’s not quite him but he can definitely work with it today. More affectionate is more his style, though this often surprises people. Amazing what folks will miss when it’s right under their nose. ]

[It's easy is what it is. Echoes the spell? Or just that David's used to the casualness of people hanging off of him? He doesn't know. He doesn't care. What he cares about is the work he's got to do.]

Oh I think the first thing I'll send you for amusement is probably some Robin Hood adaptations. You might laugh.

[He encourages them outside, and then down a back road that is mostly abandoned. Then David's phone goes back into his pocket and his freehand is held in the air before them. Over it forms a little box of glowing yellow light. It matches the color of David's scarf exactly actually. And looking 'into' the box displays a little diorama of a store.]

I'm starting middle of the road for us, get a feel for this. It's a place that sells ready to go computers. Not great stuff, but if we need to buy something, I've always got use for these, and I can pay you back.

Adaptations -- famous story then? How old, compared to now? [ Literature nerd, not that he uses that word. Theater is even better.

He's intrigued by the model in David's hand. It reads like magick to him, but it's much more crafted and specific than he's used to magick being. And of course, no Mist.

He nearly says not to worry about the cost but stops himself. That, for some reason, feels too forward. And he doesn't want to explain where his funds are coming from; he doesn't think David has any qualm with moral decisions, but he's heard some heated discussion about the guilds. ]

Lead the way, babe. [ Oh that's aggressively not him, but it certainly sells the idea that he's some eccentric from this time period better. ] And please, pick something nice. I don't want anyone thinking I don't care of my boy.

The various legends related to Robin Hood are old, but not so old as compared to Arthurian legends, or classical mythos. Not that I really see them as fully myths because, well, when you meet the gods they talk about it's hard to think of them that way anymore.

[David's well aware that their money, for the moment, comes from the guild's pockets. But the guilds are also the ones that are basically forcing him to make a decision about how to live his life, so he didn't mind using the money for now.]

You're adapting well. Glad the projection didn't make you flinch. So far as I can tell most of what they have on display are probably what I'd call 'air gapped'. Means they won't be set up to interface with wi-fi and other networks, and even if they are, they might not relate to the store stuff. It's going to take a bit for me to find one that I can use as my in point. You willing to put up the charm while I move between them, just claiming I'm trying to figure out what keyboard feels good?

I'm going to have quite a running list of stories to research. [ Not that he minds. ] And you have a slew of stories to regale me with.

[ He appreciates the tech explanations; he doesn't have everything down yet but he's piecing it together. ] David, dear, I've been a pirate for seven years and an actor for twelve. I have my role and I have your back. You find that perfect keyboard. And don't skimp -- only the best. [ Honestly the thrill of a simple con completely in his skillset is a welcome change from...everything that's happened the last few months. ]

Oh quite a bit. The world is full of stories. It's a human process, creating stories, wanting to hear things. wanting to see something in the world beyond what we already know. And you're coming in with no cultural capital for this world. Catching up won't be easy.

[Still, Balthier's confidence is a relief for him, and he smiles. And there, turning back out onto the main street, was the small computer boutique. That's how good David was at planning routes even. He leans in more toward Balthier like he can't be close enough. This was a lot closer than he normally got with people out of private spaces, but they knew their jobs, and so he didn't mind going right on into the store and smiling a little at the sales clerk that was clearly in charge here. He needed to play his role too, which for now was him smiling at Balthier and whispering just enough to be overheard.]

Are you sure about this?

Dearest, when am I ever unsure of a decision? More importantly, when am I ever wrong? That ancient machine isn't doing anyone any favors. Ah, wonderful, ma'am, we need some assistance. My beau here needs a new machine. Nothing cheap. [ Balthier squeezes David's arm possessively with the arm he isn't escorting him on. There were a lot of people like this in Archadia -- vapid and demanding. He knows the role well. ]

[Yeah, David had dealt with someone just like this for work, so yes, he definitely thought the act was a good one. One that had the employee coming over to talk them through what they wanted. David made sure to demure at all of the up selling that she did once he outlined a very basic machine, because she was taking the 'nothing cheap' seriously. And David? Well, he was happy to, once he could look at his 'beau' in concern over how much it was being marked up and up, excused himself for a moment. The timing was perfect really, at this point the talk was toward the high end gaming laptops, and David mumbled about needing to get a feel for keyboards.

Only then did he pull away from Balthier, after squeezing his hand lightly in what should seem an affectionate gesture. It was what he needed though, an excuse to run his fingers over a good many computers until he found one in the back corner that one of the employees had been naughty and set onto the store's secure internal wifi.

Jackpot. Another few moments, he just needs some time. Once he's got his little bug into the system David returns to Balthier and the conversation, looking vaguely uncomfortable as he curled back around Balthier's arm a little.]

I don't know. This all seems so much.

[ While David peruses "keyboards" Balthier asks a series of inane questions, focusing on concern over only the best. He can tell the salesperson is a combination of exasperated but hoping for a good sale; he's almost guilty they won't be buying.

When David slides back in, he pats his hand gently. ]

We can discuss it over dinner. I wasn't that impressed with this establishment anyway. [ He leads David out the store, saying not-so-under-his-breath ] We really ought to get you something nice that you can use. There's no reason to be modest. You're an excellent designer and you need the right tools.

[He is, and honestly this was all rather amusing for him as they left. Yes, he felt bad, but he'd make sure that he'd find out if they worked on commission here once he went into the systems, and then he would do a large order through the store for delivery and credit it to the woman.

But that was for later. For now he was heading outside with Balthier, still looking nervous, until he had led them from sight of the shop. Only then did he laugh.]

Funny thing is, I am a good designer in some areas. But damn, if you ever came somewhere I was working, I'd want to slap you.

I’m a charming and considerate gentleman. William von Hombolt is a royal arse who should have been sent to boarding school. [ He grins. ] And if I were visiting you at work, annoyance wouldn’t be my objective.

You got what you needed? [ It’s disorienting not having the information to lead the mission. The impulse is there — how could it not be. But it’s pleasant too. Frans the only competent partner he’s had, really, and he’s surprised how much working with David reminds him of that. They don’t have the easy wordless exchange or synergy, but it took months with Fran to become fluid even.

He briefly wonders how she’s doing but banishes the thought. Those aren’t feeling he can do anything about so may as well keep them aside. ]

Remind me not to spend too much time around Willian von Hombolt unless I really have to. He should still be sent to a boarding school. One where they take away your favorite hunting falcon or something.

[As for the getting what he needed, David nodded.]

I buried my door so deep that no virus scanners should catch it. And if they do, that will also teach me a lot. I'm going to have a lot of work to do tonight, just curled up in my hotel room, trying not to fight with my roommate, working my way through all this.

If we could send insufferable adults to boarding school, we could fix a lot of the world's problems -- regardless of which world.

When you aren't on a short timeline, you'll have to show me how some of this works. You've got me quite curious. Also, if you're at the Diadem, you're always welcome to work in my room, at least until my roommate demands sleep. [ Balthier realizes after it's out of his mouth that he's invited David to his room but lets it stand. David doesn't have to accept, and Balthier is going to respect a deadline. ] Truly, he's a gentle soul -- young thing. Don't think he's put together that I'm an actual pirate.

[David chuckled at the idea of a second high school phase, where people had to learn to be nice. And then stopped. Reeducation camps sounded, well, like a similar enough thing and he should probably let it go.

Mostly though his head snapped up at the offer. That was unexpected, and he might have to consider that. Him and Matthew were... not getting along.]

I'm at the Diadem, I haven't bothered to sign on with either group yet, clearly. And I'm very happy to teach you some tech stuff if you want. I'm used to teaching if I'm being honest. More complicated history from home, that. But really, inviting me into your space without checking with your roommate, sounds like an invitation for drama. For all you know I know the kid and maybe he was a high school bully of mine. Which I doubt it because if Julian Keller was here, I'd know.

[ Balthier raises an eyebrow. ] Well, lucky I have a magickal box that allows me to contact people remotely. [ He pulls out his phone and uses the talk to text feature -- he's a very slow typer. ] Would it be alright if someone came by the room for a few hours?

There, conscious cleared. Also I cannot imagine a reality where this boy was a bully. [ Peter was worried enough about the secret carnival suit business that he doesn't offer his roommate's name.

He could skip over that he's joined the Society -- he's skipped over it with David already. But he's finding himself leaning more into coyness today, while wanting the openness of their conversation from the tea shop. Part of him worries that it was the Valentine's spell after all, but he also knows he was being more forthcoming. That, at least, he can control. ]

I joined with the Society. That's what I had to leave for the other day. I don't see myself as particularly villainous, but I don't like others telling me what's right and wrong, or refusing criticism of their own methods.

And I have my fine tastes to support. [ He had to join one of the groups. There was no way he was going to try to make it from nothing here -- again, but without any cultural capital. ]

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