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

[Oh, David had absolutely researched to make sure that being out wasn't going to be an issue here. It had been a relief. But that didn't mean that there were deep traditions yet.]

I'd be glad to know what reminds you of home. Mostly because the small things, like how people decorate themselves, can speak to culture and history. As for your earrings, well, they look nice.

[He wants to suggest that Balthier would probably be well served with asking his guild handler about some sort of cultural crash course. But that's for another time. He takes the arm and curls around it again.]

You know, it's a good thing I chose a sweater. Makes me seem a touch slighter. People would absolutely look at us weird over a guy built like me just snuggling up to you. This Earth clearly has some of the whole toxic masculinity mine does.

[ With the right teacher Balthier would be happy for culture and history courses. He’s going to enjoy YouTube when he figures it out. ]

My thanks. I’m certainly no stranger to typing and social scripts. Their loss. You’re exquisite and I prefer a solidly built gentleman. I’m also completely confident that we look dashing together. [ He could not care what others think but he is sensitive to harassment or discomfort of others. He doesn’t want David to feel uncomfortable especially if they are going to continue…whatever they seem to be doing. ]

[Just remember not to fall down the hole of 'build your own house with no tools' youtube, Balthier. It is deep and hard to get out of.]

Keep talking like that and I'll think you've put thought into how we look together.

[Time to go in. He puts on a calm persona and pauses at the door. There is every reason to expect Balthier, or the role he's playing, to be the gentleman here.]

[ It’s Balthier’s turn for a silent decision. He’s going to take David out properly. And be explicit about what he’s doing.

He of course gets the door and launches straight in. ]

I just think you’d be happier with something more unique. Classics are so easy to make look cheap in amateur hands.

[IT was a moment of resolve that at least one of them had come to. The resolve David had was for the work, and it slid into place before they opened the door. The line was just too easy to follow up with, and he knew the role to play. A lot less confident, a lot more likely to get along with the sales clerks, and trying to be placating so they wouldn't look at him as much as at the 'hassle' customer. So when he spoke it was as if to try and relax Balthier some.]

They're classics for a reason, and this shop isn't supposed to be cheap.

[And right away a sales associate zeroed in on them, greeting them cheerfully.]

Of course not. I wouldn't go anywhere that didn't have at least some recommendations attached. Ah, wonderful. We have a stone we want to have reset. Dear, let them size you. I'm not certain that last place performed it correctly.

Ww're looking for something modern, but still classic. Unique but not so loud. One of a kind but not gaudy. Maybe regional, but not quaint. Dear, do let me know if if you see anything. [ All obnoxious customers give contradictory artistic requests. ]

[The gentleman smiled at Balthier like he hadn't just spewed the most maddening series of requests in the world. Some of it was possible, of course, and the store did enjoy trying to 'modern re-imagining of classic looks' approach, but come on!

David did his part by giving the man a pitying smile, like he knew how Balthier was being, then moved to the sales clerk as they pulled out the loops for the ring sizing. While the man sorted, David laid his hand on the case itself, trying to will his awareness down through the case and into any electronics.

Truthfully he wasn't surprised to find nothing as the man offered him loop after loop to try on.]

All I know is that silver won't look good on me.

[That line was for Balthier of course. Because really, David was a guy for gold accents. Oh, who was he kidding, gold was the primary, everything else was an accent.]

No, you're warm toned, and the gold matches my hair. [ He's still in character but none of that is fabrication. He's noticed David's yellow accents; man has an eye for shape and color. ] It's too bad citrine is so cheap -- the color is so good on you. Alas. When my buyer gets those orange sapphires, we'll get you something else made. [ Probably should have checked on stones types before using them, but if the metals are similar, he's willing to take the risk.

He sees David pull his hands back. ]

I don't think any of these are right. [ He moves on to the next case, pulling David with him. They didn't look done sizing the rings, so hopefully that will buy them time for a second case.

He wonders passingly what kind of jewelry David actually likes. He hasn't seen any on him. ]

[The yellow association definitely wasn't David's doing. It had been given to him, and he'd learned to work with it over the years, even growing fond of it as he'd come to know and understand fashion. Though really he liked that Balthier was working this angle rather well.

Mostly, though, he has to work not to giggle over the way the sales clerk looks put upon to have to follow after David's hand when he's pulled away from Balthier. This was almost making him giddy, the way that Balthier commanded the space so effortlessly, especially as the sale clerk's coworker was definitely watching Balthier now. At least the sales clerk was trying his hardest to get David more ring sizes to try, accidentally having fumbled to the side of too large rather than too small now, and the man tried to offer some suggestions.]

We do have some lovely chocolate diamonds we could offer. They would go well to accent sir's eyes.

[And that's where David wished he had true telepathy, so he could try and warn Balthier off of agreeing. If Balthier was going to play someone so picky as to refuse citrine, then he might well know enough as a buyer to know that 'chocolate diamonds' was just the latest in decades worth of marketing ploys to sell bog standard brown diamonds at a mark up. Browns were usually the sort of off-color diamonds used for industrial purposes, and 'chocolate' diamonds were just the latest in a long line of names like cognac and whiskey diamonds to sell browns as jewelry quality.]

Wouldn't brown seem pale against my skin?

[It was David's best attempt to warn Balthier off as his hand settled on another case. Dammit that wasn't working either.]

[ David's protest is enough to tip Balthier to reject the offer. It helps that every rejection is an excuse to move to another case. Plus he isn't really expecting to purchase unless David signals otherwise. ]

Not enough contrast, no, plus if you don't care for it there's no point. Maybe fire opal? The color would be good though I'm worried about the softness of the stone.

[ Balthier is delighted the stone knowledge seems to cross over, though he steers away from any magical stone names. He'd be fascinated to hear about market issues. He has so much to catch up on. ]

Hmm. A lot of silver in this case too. [ He steps over again, trying to keep the cases in some semblance of order for David. ] I was told you had some very special pieces. I'm not sure I'm seeing any yet. This really needs to be a special ring.

[Something in how the female clerk looked at Balthier told David that the act was going well. He knew that a lot of jewelry store employees worked on a mixture of wage and commission, and so she was seeing the bucks rolling up the more Balthier talked, and was envious of the clerk that had finally made a pleased noise over finding David's ring size. As for David, he had to play his role so he demurred as he set his hand on a third case. Still no luck. Damn, they weren't going to get in through the security system.]

It's not that special of a ring. Though I guess nothing here looks as good as the one you showed me the picture of.

[The ring they were supposedly here to have a stone reset from.]

Perhaps instead of focusing on something we already have finished, we should talk about how to make something that will be truly special for you both. Tell me what sort of stone this reset piece is, we can bring up examples of it in our specialized preview software and use it to help us make something just for you. Consider it bringing modern technology to one of the oldest of businesses, to make every future memory with the finished piece its own marvel.

[ Oh, they're good. William von Hombold is absolutely the pompous idiot who would fall for this attention. But Balthier needs to get David to another case -- although maybe a preview speaks to a computer? ]

What do you think, dear, do you want to look at prototypes or would you prefer the physical?

[ He's considering which stone to say they have. Something expensive, of course, but he's also curious what color David may actually like. ]

Is the design software easy? I mean, do we have to talk you through it all, or can we play with settings too?

[Clearly it was what David wanted. A guaranteed in road.]

Well, normally we prefer to do the driving, so to speak, but clearly you are discerning men, and I'm happy to talk you through the system if you'd like.

[Bingo. David turned his attention to Balthier with a soft, curious look.]

Could it hurt to try?

[ It's incredibly amusing to see David asking questions about technology rather than giving a rapid-fire lecture on it. Balthier's impressed. ]

Of course. I want you to be exceptionally happy with it. The main stone is an emerald, though we're willing to add some smaller accent stones if it suits the setting.

[ Balthier follows the salesclerk to a computer terminal. It looks...less sleek than Balthier's phone, but he doesn't question. ] Dear, step up here. You should be the one deciding.

[Given three seconds alone with the computer David could have it singing show tunes. But he knew how to play the role. The man did guide them to the computer at that point, asking some questions related to size and cut of the stone before he let David take over the controls.

And once he had them, David wanted to kiss someone. The display terminal was old and dreadfully unsecure for a store of this quality. Made sense, in a way. While everything else was cutting edge, there was no security need for a better system. It didn't even have it's network settings turned on before David, playing at slowly looking through things with the mouse, started playing with deeper settings without them up on the monitor (of course he first had to dummy that there was a second monitor, but no one would notice.

And all the while he was slowly putting together an emerald ring in a gold setting. When he was done he looked to Balthier and sighed.]

I just don't know. This seems like so much to do for me. Are you really sure? I mean, you said the thing's been in your family for years.

[Time for the slowly pulling free exit.]

Anything for you, dear. But I want you to wear it. The stone is stunning.

You could always try the way it's set now, and we can come back when you're feeling more confident on what you want. I don't want to have to rest it twice. [ Showering gifts, but a royal arse.

He tucks David's arm back on his, pulling toward the exit. ] Thank you. We'll be back, hopefully shortly. [ He lowers his voice, though not enough to not be overheard. ] Really, we talked about this. It's my ring, and the old one is hideous. I'd rather you reset it, but if you prefer to wear it that way...

[ They exit the store and get a bit down the block before Balthier drops William. There's an easy grin on it's face, and it's his turn to feel giddy. A good con is fun, and it's that much better with a good partner. ]

You're going to give me a run for my money. I almost didn't recognize you in there.

[The clerks nod and say their goodbyes and David wonders if the pair even realize they never got a name from Balthier or his companion. As it was, they got away and he had to chuckle when they dropped the act.]

Gotta say, I'm not used to having that much fun. But geez you pull of 'pompous ass' so fucking well. Channeling all those people you grew up around? That disdain for citrines? Beautiful.

And one of the women in charge back home, on my island, she's a shapeshift. Mystique is one of the queens of disguise and deception. I was just doing my best to make her proud, even if she would laugh to think of someone like emulating her. For the Jewelry, well, I had a teacher who was super high class family who went off to make her own life, joined one of those secret societies that tries to control things, actually took more or less control of it, and did I mention she could turn into living diamond? Emma had opinions about jewelry and how to treat people in jewelry stores, and she's one of the people I have a LOT from.

I cannot tell you how many times I heard a classmate complain about a jewelry gift, or what they would break off an engagement too. The worse part was the parents often were louder and more viscous about it. I actually quite like citrines. Good color. Most people who wear them aren’t pretentious arses.

[ He had a pair of citrine earrings at home that were his mothers. He’d hid them from his father, broken in to get them after he’d become a pirate. Pity they were still on the Strahl. Maybe Fran would take them. ]

You have had quite the colorful set of companions. I’m beginning to suspect I’m the least magical person you know. I’m flattered.

Are you kidding me? Even 'cheap' jewelry that would be given in the sorts of circles you must have run with would be rather expensive. I don't even get it.

[Gifts were gifts, provided they were given as a kindness or fondness rather than an attempt to force reciprocation.]

Mutants are, well, we're colorful. But you're far from the least magical person. Most mutants don't work with true magics, which means you're a lot more magical than most people I know.

You don't have to tell me. I wasn't one of them even when I was. Pirates -- you got the ones that just coveted the most expensive item, but most of them had taste, something they liked because they liked it. And we all knew what it was to not have enough. I like my physical comforts, but I don't like people who have always had them. [ He thinks to Vaan and Penelo, and even Basch and Ashe. Fran, of course. There was a reason he'd been able to serve in that crew. ] I think that's why I like antiques, too. I like the story. I like the idea that something survived or was preserved because someone cared for it.

Fascinating. Do you consider your abilities to be magical? Mine in Ivalice certainly were. Too early to tell here.

The more you talk, the more you sound like a true romantic.

[David appreciated it too, the romance of all Balthier was saying. Liking a thing because of the story. And so, after a moment, he decided to offer something he'd previously said he wasn't going to do anymore.]

If you ever want to have a reading of the history of an object, I suppose I could be convinced. Since you seem like someone who would enjoy it for the story's own sake, not for the nosiness that people watched my show for.

[His abilities, magic? Hardly.]

I see my abilities as genetic. The psychomimetry I was born with, and the others I could suppress in the other world with a device, which was true something that could happen back home too. And if it was properly magic, Loki would have told me. He's good at sensing that stuff.

You're not the first person that's accused me of that. [ He'd been self-conscious about it in his youth. He was taken less seriously, seen as childish. But it's been something he's learned to be proud of; most people let go of their convictions. His have just deepened. ]

I'll keep that in mind. I'm sure I'll come across something -- it tends to happen. [ He makes a note, though, not to share Ashe's ring with David. It's still on his finger. More as a reminder not to make the same mistakes he made with her.

Loki was that fellow Balthier had shared drinks with when they were powerless in Little Love, and briefly seen the night he went out to the bars. So he knew a lot about magick. And these two knew each other. Interesting. ]

How does Loki differentiate between magick and the genetic -- I presume on this world that's considered more science? They're more blended on my world. [ Maybe his magick became science here. He briefly thought that without the Mist there wasn't magick, but it seems like others have it. ]

It's not an accusation, it's a commendation. There's something good about still being able to be a romantic with what you've been through.

[Oh dear, Loki question. David shouldn't have opened that door, and he sighs.]

Back where I'm from, Loki's a god. Of magic, and stories, and lies. One of his specialties is actually illusions, and if you hadn't been up to today, he would have been my second choice for things. He's not from Earth, though, he's from Asgard [because it seems best to leave out Jotunheim] and a lot of people there are magic in one way or another.

[ That compliment hits deeper. Fran had been right, as she always was, about letting people see what he actually was. ] Honestly I think it's made me more of a romantic. I'm not sure anything besides love and convictions could have gotten me through the worst of it. The other things burned away. [ That's true here, too, he realizes. He's been reaching for the things he loves most. And connection. He needs to care. ]

Your gods must be more agreeable than ours, if you're on speaking terms and he isn't busy trying to control the fate of mankind. I suppose I can't begrudge a man magic, stories, and lies -- sounds like we have a thing or two in common. [ Balthier is flattered he was chosen over a god, though also respects David's discretion. God is a lot of power, even if Loki was pleasant when he met him. He could be a good person to ask about his magick, though, once he spends some more time with it. Faster than batting around in the dark. ]

[David has... opinions on gods. A lot of opinions on gods. In fact, he feels like he can probably share this secret with Balthier and mostly only earn a laugh for it.]

One of my good friends is married to a man who is, and this is a fun one to wrap your brain around, one day going to ascend to godhood, and through the force of his powers echoing backwards through time, create all of existence on my planet. The reason I say this is that I once may have made some moves on said good friend, before they were married and basically when I thought I was going to die, and yeah, I immediately regretted it. But I basically was told later that if I ever tried something like that again, he'd make it so I had never even existed, and I knew it was something he could do.

Gods in my world are complicated like that. But he's also a nerd that loves comic books and super heroes, whereas Loki's a god of mischief and can be amazingly soft, so they're definitely strange. Which doesn't go to say that all gods don't try and control the fate of their people.

[Balthier was chosen because David and Loki have enough complexity between them as it was. And that David had wanted to talk to Balthier again. And because Loki might not be pleased that David was distracting himself with this when he was supposed to be helping Loki get David's memories back.]

You're a touch more approachable than he is, and you don't bite my head off for some very David eccentricities.

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