metalogs | (closed) | good old fashioned romance

[ David will have to explain that he set the computer up specifically for Balthier or he’s just going to think all computers are like this and be very confused later. He’ll recognize the background image though. How could he forget it?

He’s showered and changed in the time since the last text. He doesn’t keep the sound on so limits himself to checking only every so often as he works on some organization and by-hand scheduling for his own guild operations. When he can’t focus, he puts the notebook away and pulls out paper to begin scratching at a poem for David. ]

By all means. I’ll ask room service for some glasses.

[ A thing he knows how to do because Peter showed him when he was recovering from the migraine. And he gets to host a little in his own room. ]

[In the time between texts David made it back up to his room and had the laptop open, his headphones on, and was ignoring anything that was even a glimmer of his roommate as he worked on programs while using his superior rig to load a wide variety of pirated movies, television shows, recorded stage productions, music, and of course audio books onto an external. He was nothing if not bountiful in his lessons. Maybe, he thought, he should make Vidana a care package like this too, so Balthier didn't think David was trying to spoil him with gifts. A 'welcome to the information age' bundle. Oh, and he put in the message to the desk to find the particular cherry blossom wine he wanted.]

Way to think ahead. You might want plates and tableware too. Take out Chinese comes in waxed paper cartons and sometimes plastic containers. Very chill but also somewhat messy for sampler eating.

[ Spoil away. It's giving him ideas -- and boldness -- for gifts of his own.

Balthier isn't going to quite appreciate the full range of David's particularity in decision-making yet, given he has little context to ground it in, but he is going to love piecing it together. It will also make him enjoy pleasing David's tastes all the more. ]

Will do. What is plastic?

It is all around you, beautiful. We'll over that too. Now, looks like I am due over in half an hour. I'm going to put you down and go shower and change. See you at six, promise.

[And, sure enough, David was knocking on the door at six, all ready for the evening. In his messenger bag was the laptop, external, and all the important parts including a cable to connect it all to the room's television. That was the entertainment. Also with those items was the bottle of cherry blossom wine, though no corkscrew. The food he would order once they were more settled.

And then of course there was David. Casual had meant casual. None of the more dress clothes style he has used before. Just him in a slightly too large to the point of attractively baggy yellow sweater, black leggings so tight that they did nothing to hide how strongly muscled his legs were (though the length of the sweater did hide the sheer wonder of his ass), and some simple black canvas shoes. Oh, and a hint of makeup because he was still trying to impress, and it took nothing to get a bit of gold over the eyes and a faint dusting of it over his cheekbones and the visible parts of his collar bone.

Flirty casual was absolutely a thing.]

[ Balthier practically springs up at the knock on the door. He forces himself to walk heel-toe to the door. Whatever lines he'd been composing fall out of his head when he opens the door to see David standing there, golden powder glimmering in the overhead lights. He hasn't even gotten to the rest. ]

Well I'm going to have an even harder time looking away from your face tonight. Here, let me.

[ He reaches for some of the things in David's hands, keeping the door open with his foot as he steps out of the way for David to enter.

He did follow instructions tonight. He's wearing black harem pants and a fitted but comfortable tan sweater. The latter shows off his slim but fit torso, further accented by the looseness of the pants. His earrings, per usual, glint on his ears.

On the coffee table behind him, two settings are laid out expertly, with the tea cup candle in the middle. ]

[Cue puns about David being a treasure fit to steal? Or perhaps another time. For now David lets himself be freed of baggage as he smiled at the compliment. Smiling and being pleased was a good cover for trying to figure how how to greet Balthier. He wasn't the sort to take the man's hand and kiss his knuckles, but it felt too soon for a kiss hello, even on the cheek. So he just offers the smile and steps in.]

Looks much like I remember it. Brighter though. An almost radiant space. Careful with the bag, literally everything but the cords are some form of fragile.

[He revises down some of his intentions on ordering for dinner, just based on the size of the table. But that is for later. For now he looks at the candle and smiles. Further confirmation. He doesn't comment, though. No, he would rather let it be an unspoken sign of affection between them.]

[ For Balthier, on the other hand, a kiss on the cheek is a fairly standard greeting from home. He'd had every intention of doing so before he got distracted by David's face. ]

David, you wound me. I am an exceptional connoisseur of rare and delicate items in circumstances much more precarious than this.

[ He sets the bag gently on the table. Then, hands freed, turns to David. He takes both his hands and gives him a quick peck on the cheek -- nothing more than greeting, but definitely the warm greeting of someone he already knows and enjoys the company off. ]

Also, hello, it's wonderful to see you.

[ He releases David and gestures to the table. ]

Also, is this to your standards? Peter insisted the table and couch was a more appropriate set-up for a, ah, 'flicks and chill' date. Also I have a kettle on if you'd like tea.

[ He only has the bland white coffee cups from room service and some disposable tea filters, but he found a black and rose blend at a local market that's closer to the one he likes from home. ]

[The kiss on the cheek earns a light blush from David. Yes, he knows it's a normal form of greeting, but from Balthier it's more sweet than that. At least it is in his heart.]

IT looks good, and tea would be lovely. Though I'm going to roll my eyes at this Peter for assuming an 'and chill' date. That has a whole connotation that I doubt we'll be reaching toward. We're going to be a bit more focused than that.

[He toes off his shoes to leave by the door before heading to the couch to take his bag and start pulling things out.]

[ Don't worry, David. It's more sweet than that in Balthier's heart too. He hasn't greeted anyone else on Earth that way.

Balthier raises an eyebrow, although he now has a firm idea what that meant. ]

Shall I ask you or Peter to elaborate? I think he may squirm more, which may be more fun. That said, I think we can trust he won't come home early.

[ While David starts disassembling the bag, Balthier goes to the counter to check the kettle and spoon tea into the tea bags. Steaming cups in hand, he turns back, pausing a moment to just look at David, here, in his room. Looking absolutely stunning. The sweater is color is gorgeous against his skin, and the opaque tights show off his very fit legs.

He sets the cups on the coffee table. ]

Tea for the handsome gentleman. You know, if you weren't already here, I might have to think about stealing you away.

Oh trust me, if he thought this is an 'and chill' he won't be coming home early at all. It's a euphemism. I don't know WHY it turned into a euphemism. But it basically means 'inviting someone over to watch something, but you both understand that the point isn't watching anything'.

[He nods his approval at the tea as he takes out an extension cord and runs it to a plug before plugging in the laptop so he can show Balthier about the tech.]

I'm glad I meet with your approval. I wanted to go casual comfy, but pajamas seemed a bit too relaxed. Hope you can forgive my leggings though. Usually they're marketed to women, but fuck that. They're comfortable and don't inhibit movement too much.

[ Balthier doesn't think Peter would be doing this to mess with him. He's mildly amused at the boy's implicit endorsement. He will absolutely follow up on that conversation though, just to see what Peter does.

Balthier takes a seat on the couch, eyes taking in the pieces David has. Cord is the same as the way the electric lights work; that makes sense. And he does recognize the laptop structure now that he sees it. ]

Nothing to forgive. You're comfortable, I'm having a hard time keeping my eyes off you; everyone wins.

As to being women's clothing, well, you already know my opinion on that. I may have to ask you where to find a pair.

If by 'everyone' you mean me and you, then yes. We do win. And yes, I do know your opinion. I got these online and I'll show you how to do online orders. As for the other more feminine clothing styles...

[David gives Balthier a shy smile. He may already have been making inroads on that.]

Well, we might have answers there soon enough. Now because of how small the screen is and the fact that I want to start with actually handling the technology, you're going to have to sit close to me, okay?

[He could link the thing to the TV in the room already, but he wants Balthier to understand the technology as he would most normally work with it.]

Does anyone else matter?

[ He's partly joking and also entirely sincere. ]

I enjoy you in any presentation, but you certainly have me curious about what you're up to.

[ He does not mind needing to be patient; he's still savoring the promise of more meetings, of getting to know each other more deeply, and he enjoys a good bout of anticipation.

He slides closer to David, their legs touching. He's happy to be invited, and he feels comfortable enough tonight to tease. ]

Somehow I doubt that with your expansive technological capabilities that there was no solution that involved our sitting like strangers.

[ He briefly squeeze David's leg just above the knee. It's affectionate, but not particularly suggestive. He's very happy to spend time in this light but touching space. ]

I hope it is abundantly clear that I am not complaining.

In this moment and this place? No. Not even remotely.

[He has other people he loves, people he cares for, people that matter. But here and now? No. Only Balthier.

The teasing earns a smile.]

Oh trust me, there are other ways I could do this, but the thing is that some of what we're doing, I want your hands on it. Now here.

[He places the laptop in Balthier's lap.]

Let's show you how to do this.

[And with that he takes up his tea cup to sip it before launching into a slow, careful explanation of all of the parts of the laptop, well before they're being used. For now it's the simple explanation of power buttons and what the keys are for, and how to use the tracpad as an initial method of the mouse. Got to start there.]

[ Having other loved ones is both wonderful and vital. Balthier conceptually agrees, but right now his loved ones are inaccessible and therefore far from his mind for pure self preservation. Also, he's only really concerned about here and now tonight.

Balthier accepts the laptop and follows the lessons decently -- he does have a mind for machines. The track pad is awkward but he'll get the hang of it. ]

I'm impressed how well this is laid out for the size of hands, though I will say, it's a good thing I don't have a delicate ego and a deep need to be competent at tasks or I would be immensely frustrated with the childish way I operate this.

[ Yeah. The pride is going to be an obstacle to learning. ]

[It's just the early steps, but that's okay. Seemed like Balthier had a young roommate to help him, and David intended to be available for questions too.]

Honestly, it's laid out for the very idea of multiple sorts of users, but if you become adept at this in the future, we can get custom things made for you, things to help you have comfort. I prefer properly sized computers over laptops, because I like larger keyboards. But that's a matter for another time. And honestly? I expect you're going to learn this well, Balthier. There is nothing about you that hasn't made me come to believe you'll adapt to this like a dream. Now, let me show you how to log in and how to access the internet. We're going to start with search engines and video services that can have tutorials to help you learn more things at your own pace.

[And of course there's the whole slow process for getting through all of that. First was the password for the computer, which David had made 'Strahl' to help make it easy to remember, though he did talk about importance of difficult passwords in the future because of people that might get in for that. And, once he had the internet browser up he taught Balthier how to search by directing him in searching for the name of the chinese restaurant he was going to order from. Once that page was up David smiled.]

Okay, this is where we order. I chose a restaurant that has pictures of the dishes online, so we're going to figure out what we want, and I'll teach you how to place orders online. What I teach you here will absolutely reflect a lot of how the internet ordering systems will work.

[He doesn't bother talking about making guest accounts or e-mail addresses. Those can wait. And hell, he doesn't need to warn Balthier over tracking software yet, he wrote the guy an amazing anti-tracking software and set him up with a year of a good VPN.]

[ David is an encouraging and helpful teacher. Balthier lets him explain even things he already has some grasp on, because why not make sure he has it throughly? ]

I can certainly see the infinite applications of being more dextrous with technology. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited to explore, and that I didn't like some challenge.

[ The concept of access codes is not foreign at all, so that's easy enough. He'll change it once he's more comfortable, though he expects anything on this computer will be accessible to David. He's too good of a pirate not to think through what others can do, especially to him. Now he doesn't expect David to violate his privacy but there will be some things he'll keep in a notebook thank you. Or order on someone else's machine if he wants to be doubly sure it's a surprise.

Searching isn't bad either. He knew how to navigate the equivalent of the Dewey Decimal system in the libraries at home, as well as how to use an index. He's also already had Peter show him basic search functions, but tips are helpful, as is the idea of which websites provide which sorts of information. Because that's really what he needs: a mental map of what information goes where and how they connect. Balthier can navigate anything once he understands how the information is ordered. He'll keep at it until he can.

He does type like an old person, though. The arrangement of the letters makes no sense to him. ]

Who decided the keyboard layout? Are all keyboards the same?

[ He asks as he follows the ordering steps. This is extremely easy, which is encouraging. Honestly, none of it has been terrible. It's just a lot of new information to get used to. Doing actual tasks like ordering will help learn faster; he's already quite facile with the maps app.

It's kind of David to try to spare him any worry, but tracking was literally the first question he asked Peter before he was willing to use his phone. ]

This connects to a central network, because I have to submit my information. That presumably means someone could track me or my behavior back, doesn't it? I don't particularly care if anyone knows I am ordering Chinese food, but I can think of situations I would want information to be more secure. I also know everyone uses these. Have we accepted an all-seeing overlord, or are there ways to work around that?

[Security minded was a very good choice actually. David would be ashamed of Balthier if he didn't think of needing to keep some stuff private, and not completely trusting electronics when there's a technopath around. But hte keyboard comment makes David laugh.]

It's called the QWERTY system, based on the first six letters on the keyboard. It was actually developed during the days of typewriters. The system was developed deliberately to slow typing down, because if you typed too fast, keys on a fully mechanical typewriter could hit each other and get stuck. They had to develop something slower to make the hand need to move more for common keys to make everything go a bit slower. There are more efficient ones, like DVORAK, and honestly I could reprogram your keyboard to do anything you like, and then rekey it myself. Though for typing, there are actually games that can help you learn how to type better, though most of them are based on qwerty keyboard layouts.

[He's definitely impressed by Balthier's approach with that question, even as he's making a list mentally of what he wants.]

Okay, you're beyond bright. Yes, you're completely correct. A general rule of thumb on the internet is 'if you can't tell what they're selling, the answer is you'. Most sites, search engines, and yes, ordering systems, track what you purchase and make a sort of profile for you, to target ads and the like. It's horrible. But...

[He taps the screen and the indicator of two add-ons running in the corner]

This button shows you that a VPN is live. We'll talk about that later. Basically it allows you to mask what country you're from, by accessing things through servers in another country. It's a low end thing that acts similarly to how hackers behave for safety and to throw people off. Think of it like having credentials on a ship that claim you're from a whole other nation. It also means you can access versions of sites available only in other nations. Meanwhile this one here, this is a combination ad-blocker and privacy app. This one I coded just for you. Basically you'll do what you want, and when you conclude your transactions on a site and close it, this thing goes through a process first of scrubbing what are called 'cookies'. Things that track your behavior and all that stuff. It also, when you first go to a site, finds any settings it has that tell them 'no you can't keep my information thanks' and toggles them immediately on.

Over time, I'll try and make you something a bit less quickly thrown together, for security purposes. That will include things like encryption cyphers and the like. And that's going on before I teach you about media piracy.

How ubiquitous is this layout? It's the same as my phone, right? If it's the one I'm going to use most often I might as well learn it.

[ The more he learns about computers the more he can see both the value of David's powers and the potential for danger should he ever lose or cross the man. It's nothing personal. Balthier quite honestly doesn't like acknowledging that possibility, but he's been betrayed before. So yes, he's security minded.

The sourness of the thought is balanced by David's enthusiasm for his questions. Balthier knows he's bright, but having a literal genius compliment his mind is up there with the thrill of chaste kisses and feeling seen. ]

Selling people's behavior and information -- I can't say I'm actually surprised. It's not a far step from what already goes on in my society. Though I'm curious what research potential there is for mass recorded points of human behavior. The potential to understand how people learn or make choices seems enormous as well, provided that information is taken in a way that divorces it from tracing back to individuals and making them vulnerable.

[ Okay if he had been born here there's a non-zero chance he'd have ended up in programming or data science or social psychology. ]

Look at me, hiding in plain sight from the comfort of my home. I would make a joke about doesn't that make you the modern pirate, with your dashing clothes and roguish smokescreens to fool the clawing hands of those in power of the flow of information, but I'm guessing by the phrase "media piracy" that has another connotation.

I think one of the strangest parts about being here is speaking the language and yet often missing half the meaning. And I live for subtext. Woe that I ever complained I was getting bored in Ivalice.

[ He's honestly loving all the challenge and learning, as much as he's been a little hesitant to start. It's why he loves conning and treasure.

He turns his attention to the pictures on the menu. ]

The pork buns, seaweed salad, and spicy tripe all look excellent, though really there's nothing on here I wouldn't eat. I think I have had some similar dishes but not exactly the same.

It's the most common form of layout in this country.

[Oh dear, smarter and smarter. David nods at Balthier's conclusions about studying people.]

Back home there are whole ad campaigns based around this sort of understanding of human behavior. An app on your phone might show a few thousand people the same ad multiple times, with the tiniest tweaks, to determine which gets the most response. ANd guess what? Now ads from that company are more likely to follow that format, no matter what it's selling. It's horrible and manipulative. You already see the scary things about the computer age. I think you'll adapt well with practice.

[And damn if Balthier doesn't earn a wider smile and a kiss on the cheek for the whole 'fool the clawing hands of those in power' comment. What a man.]

Modern piracy has many forms, and the whole clawing hands thing, that's more hacktivists. People who are activists and their main tool for it is hacking, which is breaking into other people's systems, or organizations' systems to get at their data to either stop them or reveal what they're hiding. Media piracy, which is mostly just called 'pirating' is basically getting media content without paying for it. I feel like it's a complex crime that is, in some cases, rather victimless. And most of those cases are against major media moguls, or frankly television companies because of how shitty they are these days. Though you're not wrong about language. Hold on.

[He directs Balthier through opening another tab to search for this world's equivalent of Urban Dictionary.]

This here? This is a dictionary for phrases, online and in social situations, that may help you understand different terms. The other place to check is Wikipedia. Between those two, you can get general understanding of a lot of language that makes less sense. So plenty of resources to learn with. But we can come back to that. Menu first.

I think what I want to do with the dinner is ordering a lot of small things. What we don't eat that you like or neither of us care about as much I can live here. If you're living with a young man, he'll be a bottomless pit, and free food never hurt anyone. If not, I can pass it off to Bart.

I'll see how I fare on my own, but games are excellent for accelerated learning of repetitive tasks -- why you have so many war strategy ones. I may loop back and ask you for those.

[ Balthier listens to the explanation of adaptive ads. He sighs at David's tale. ]

And here I thought in another corner of the universe humans might not use something with unlimited potential for good to simply manipulate and profit. That damn romantic heart again.

[ He does not dislike this about himself. He dislikes constantly finding people disappointing.

David's quick kiss, on the other hand, is both surprising and very satisfying. Being called intelligent by someone who knows, and getting affection for it? Yes, thank you. ]

I may make you repeat the resource list so I can write it down -- something to consult while I practice.

That sounds excellent for dinner. I'll defer to your suggestions.

[ He chuckles at the bottomless pit comment. He's not very many years past that in his own life. ]

I'll be happy to help you find them.

[Romantic hearts were sadly poorly suited to this world. Idealism and romanticism and hope weren't as common as they should be.]

I'll be happy to do so. NOw, let's get to this ordering.

[He samples his tea and works through the large order with Balthier, getting them appetizers, various entrees, and of course sides. Plus a nice dessert. Once the order is in, he shows Balthier how to put in the card information and delivery information to make sure it shows up for them. And once that's done, he takes a moment to just breathe.]

Okay, now do you want to keep working on this stuff before the food arrives, or would you like to see the entertainment care package I made for you? Using, of course, piracy. I figured it would please you more.

[ They weren't well suited to his last world either, and that hasn't stopped him yet. It's nice to have a space where he doesn't have to be as worried about that being a liability.

He follows the rest of David's instruction, sipping at tea himself. It's so intimate and normal to be making domestic purchases in lounge clothes in a private apartment. Not that that's a life he's ever had before. He thinks he understands the appeal.

The piracy comment gets a hearty laugh from him. ]

Sir, are you trying to seduce me with your wit and good looks? Because it is working.

[ And the thoughtfulness. The humor. The kindness. The attentive listening. ]

I think I'd like to have enough cognitive energy to react to the entertainment, and now you have me curious about both piracy and this care package.

[There is an intimacy in how close they are to each other in this place and time. And fuck, he wanted to have more of this. Little domestic moments of warmth. But he knows that's too much to seek too soon.]

Sir, I am certain I've already seduced you with my wit and good looks, and merely have not consummated the seduction.

[As he said it, he leaned into almost whisper in Balthier's ear, as if he intends to earn that consummation now. And instead he stands up, taking the laptop with him.]

Alright, we're going to hook this up to the television. Come on, new lesson.

[He's also a tease.]

[ Time may not always be the friend of romance, but it is the happy companion of slower, deeper things. Balthier has had that with friendship, but never with love. He's unfamiliar with this desire for domestic warmth. But it's there.

Those thoughts immediately derail with David's hot breath on his ear and teasing comment. Balthier was completely unprepared for that change in tone and actually chokes on his tea, which turns into a laughing cough as he tries to clear his lungs. The next response is between gasps as he tries to clear his throat. ]

Well now you've seen me be about as suave as a dying cat.

[ When David does decide to seduce Balthier, he is going to be absolutely helpless. He can at least recover his dignity by teasing back a little. And starting to think about how to get David to be speechless on a future date. He hadn't let himself think about that too much, sink too much into plans that may not materialize, but he's finally discarding the 'ifs.' So long as he can help it, they'll keep seeing each other. ]

You know I never was the kind of student who pictured getting together with the professor, but tonight I'm understanding the appeal.

[ His throat is mostly clear, but his eyes are still a little red from coughing. He sets down the tea and goes to join David. ]

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