Closed | Watching On The Wires

[helpdesk_hero]

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.

Comments

[portolan]

We can test that another time. Here, put your weight on me. [ He's supported Fran a few times after a bad run. David's bulkier, but their heights are similar, and Balthier is strong. He's gentle helping David lean against him.

He reaches for the decoy spell again. Nothing specific, just a sense of very normal, boring people no one will notice. That seemed to work before; he can drop it when they get farther away, or when the headache gets too bad. ] Is that good? I can always carry you but I'm not sure you want your dignity affronted. [ His voice has changed -- softened. He's only really used that voice with Fran, and the occasional terrified child. He doesn't notice. ] Easy. There you go.

[helpdesk_hero]

[What he needs right now is Josh to clear up his migraine. Or pain pills. He should know better than to use Josh as a healing battery. He swore he would never do that to his friend, and migraines were old familiar things to him.]

Bold of you to assume I have dignity when my head hurts. But we'll be less noticeable like this. Can... can I ask what happened in there?

[portolan]

[ Balthier is relieved he's both lucid and walking. ] I have a spell up, if you need more assistance just ask.

I'm not entirely sure. I saw you go down. I went for a combat spell. Habit. They don't work the same here. Big flash. I threw a decoy spell to make the electronics look dark after -- nothing actually turned off, at least I don't think so. I don't think my magick does anything real. Just changes what people see.

[ He might be a bleeding idiot for offering this. He only had a half dozen come through with him, and he's already used one. ] I have some healing potions back at Diadem. I know they work because I used one the other night. I don't know the full effect here, but essentially should clear up any wounds, injuries, or discomfort -- I felt really perky and well-rested after I took mine. You're welcome to it. [ He feels like he's talking too much. He wants to just pick David up and take him to the Strahl until he knows what's wrong. That's not exactly an option. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

It's just an absolutely splitting headache that makes me want to shoot myself in the foot. You know, it's a day ending in y.

[David is definitely hurting from all of this, but the idea of healing potions... No, that's precious. Too precious.]

I can get through all of the pain, Balthier. Promise. Please, I'm not worth wasting something so precious as that on. I just, you know, need to down some pain killers and hate the world and be in darkness for a while. WHich of course means I need to find a dark room.

[portolan]

[ He had a friend in school who used to suffer these. They didn't call them migraines, but he's sure it was the same ailment. It was one of the first things Balthier had practiced Cure magick on. Looking back, he's not sure why the boy's family wasn't seeing a medical magick-user, but the skill stands. ]

If there's somewhere specific you want, tell me, otherwise I'll get us back to the Diadem. I can run to the pharmacy and get you pain killers.

I can also try a Cure spell. Not nearly as precious as the potion, but at home they take care of this sort of thing.

[helpdesk_hero]

If my head wasn't hurting so bad, I'd hack the pharmacy's database and make sure I've got some high end pain pills waiting for pick up,but that would actually be wrong.

[Still, a cure spell might not be bad. He's been magically cured before...]

You sure your magic would even work on something like this?

[portolan]

[ Balthier has absolutely no concept of the American medical system and would probably just offer to pay more money until the pharmacy gave them medication and be flustered when that didn't work, but the Cure spell seems more expedient. ]

It does at home. Headaches, colds, broken limbs. Technically you can cheat death if you're quick enough. It's part of the reason it's one of the first magicks we learn. There are magickal ailments that are resistant, and people do build resistance [ This does not matter right now-- ] We can dive into that when you feel more yourself. The important thing is that I think it will work.

[helpdesk_hero]

[David wants to make a comment that Balthier himself had said his magic was being a bit strange, but... But he hurts enough that he almost stumbles over his feet.]

If you want to try, I won't stop you.

[portolan]

[ Balthier notices the unevenness of David's step. He guides them to an empty back street and eases David against the wall. He doesn't need touch at home to cast cure, and there shouldn't be side effects, but just in case he keeps a steadying hold on David.

He pulls for the cure spell. It's not the Mist, but it's there and ready. Normally he would just generally send it toward a target, but given how other things are working, he focuses his attention on David, and his head specifically. There's a gentle glow around David's head. Good to know it's not stealthy here and--

Balthier lets out a guttural cry of pain as he crumples to the ground. He falls mostly into David's legs, or he might have hit his head, which is now splitting and he's utterly nauseous.

David, on the other hand, is entirely migraine free. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[David's a smart man. A very smart man. It takes nothing for him to put the sudden freedom from pain together with Balthier crumpling up. He curses, putting his arms around Balthier to rub at his bad. Shit, this was bad.

When he spoke it was at the softest whisper to try and make things a bit easier.]

Close your eyes, keep your head low. If you'll let me, I'd like to take your scarf and wrap it around your eyes. If I'm right then direct sunlight is going to be a bitch.

[portolan]

[ Balthier inclines his head slightly and lets out something between an affirmative sound and a groan. He appreciates the softer tone of David's voice -- when this is over, he'll remember that about migraines, and the light issue. Right now, he's doing all he can to stay upright and not vomit. Thoughts try to form on how to undo this, but he's in too much pain to follow them out very far. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Yeah, this wasn't good. David's got to find a good way to get Balthier home. He takes the scarf with gentle fingers, ignoring his how fingers brush Balthier's neck. That isn't important. He folds and then ties the thing loosely around Balthier's eyes.]

Where's your teleport coin? I need to get you back to the diadem.

[portolan]

[ The decrease in light helps a little. ]

Inner pocket. [ Inner pocket of the outer coat. It's going to have to be enough. He tries fumbling for it but about loses his balance and has to return to his previous crouched position. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

As your physician, I'm going to have to ask you to stay still.

[David is gentle as he reaches into the coat, searching for an interior pocket and fetching it out. This he pushes into Balthier's hand before reaching to get his own out as well. He clasps his hand against Balthier's to hold the tokens together.]

I'm going to count softly. Going to need you to activate it when I say go, okay? It will be three, two, one, go. Understood? From there I'll be there when you are, and I can help get you to your room.

[portolan]

[ Balthier feels the token slide into his hand. It's smooth with a few little ridges -- something he can focus on, for a moment. The hand around his helps. So do the instructions. ]

Yes.

[ It takes all of his willpower to focus on David's count and get out the activation word. He's a moment slow, causing him to slide forward a bit before he teleports. He lurches as he arrives, sending his stomach turning again. He whimpers. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Even that brief moment of delay makes David panic, in the split second between his arrival and Balthier appearing. He catches the man easily in his arms, wanting to hold him up.]

it's okay. I've got you. Tell me which floor you're on. We'll get there. I'm going to take care of you.

[He owed it to Balthier, because either the spell to cure David had gone wrong and hurt Balthier, or... Or he'd just taken David's migraine into himself. And that would be even worse. David was good at playing through the particular pain of the things, given how his powers had been changed. But Balthier likely wasn't.]

[portolan]

[ If Balthier doesn't let David catch and guide him so much as he has no choice. It's taking everything to stay up right. But he's glad David is here to help. That feels comforting, and the instructions keep him moving. ]

Sixteenth. [ He wants to black out. He fleetingly thinks to the potions, but they aren't here and he doesn't have the capacity to get them or explain to David how to get them. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Well, there's that. Good to hear too.]

I'm going to pick you up now, Balthier, I don't trust you on your feet. Can you promise to try not to lose your lunch on me? That tea was rather pricey, and probably wouldn't be as pleasant the second time."

[portolan]

[ Balthier manages a tiny smile and a breathy yes that might have been a chuckle if he was feeling better.

He doesn't resist as David picks him up. He's not used to the one being on the receiving end of this, but it's a relief to stop worrying about his balance. His stomach isn't great, but at least he can focus on that. He tries to count his breathing -- his mother had taught him that. It helps some with the discomfort of the additional jostling. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[It's easy enough to pick up Balthier. For all that the man would never have seen it, David was extremely fit under his clothes, and carrying even a man his own size wasn't the trouble it could have been. To be considerate of his head David went for a more stable bridal style carry, and took them right to the door of the hotel and through the sliding doors. Didn't even wait for help from anyone, just marched right to the elevator and jabbed the up button with his elbow.

And, once it opened up, he glared at anyone who tried to board with them. Balthier didn't need more noise. Once the door was closed and the button for the sixteenth floor hit, he finally spoke again. Of course, with how he held Balthier it meant a quiet whisper almost right into his ear.]

Where's your room card? And what's the chance that your roommate is in?

[portolan]

[ As he's carried, Balthier curls his head against David's chest. It's more stable. There's also some part of him that feels like a child -- that may have been the last time someone carried him. He'd gotten sick -- his mother -- the memories are blurry.

David's voice cuts through them. It's both welcome and sets new pain in his head. ] Other inner pocket. Low. [ Peter's been staying out til after dinner, mostly. It's still afternoon. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[So many pockets.]

I envy your coat. When I get to the door I'll have to see about that. For now, just stay still and quiet, okay? We'll get you better.

[He was happy to just carry Balthier, and when the elevator stopped he carried Balthier with him off and into the hall. And, even though two arms were wrapped around Balthier, something else was messing with Balthier's coat, seeking that other pocket.]

Just me. Don't freak.

[It was another glowing projection, a little created lizard moving through Balthier's coat to find the card. It climbed out after a moment to drop the card on Balthier's chest. There it was. David stopped in front of a door. The right one he hoped.]

The door is in front of us, on your left. Take the card in your hand and try and get it in the slot. i can't create something to do that.

[portolan]

[ Balthier wouldn't have noticed that there were too many hands -- or lizards. Every step feels like his skull is digging into his brain. The texture of his clothing makes his skin crawl. He wants to implode in on himself.

Being able to trust David and not walk gives him a little mental space back, at least. He focuses on the instructions and takes a few steadying breaths before groping for the key. That's easy enough. The scarf is still over his eyes and he can't see. He moves his hand vaguely to the left, banging the card into the doorknob.

If he were more lucid he would comment that they looked like drunk students doing some sort of hazing and/or courtship ritual. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Perhaps they were. But the RFID chip in the card let the door open without David having to test his technopathy again, and he was able to awkwardly lever the door open and slip in. To a room that was rather bright because of the open curtains. David sighed at that.]

Okay, we need a dark place. I'm going to set you down on a bed and get all the curtains, and turn the lights out, okay? Once I've got it dark, I'll start some other things. Is the bed nearer or further from the door yours?

[portolan]

[ It's quieter up here than it was in the lobby or on the street, and that's already a relief. So is the AC. His coat and vest ensemble is warm inside. ]

Further. [ He feels David lower him to the bed. He reaches to take the coat off, but it's too much movement. He moans slightly before curling into a ball on his side. ]