metalogs | (closed) | good old fashioned romance

Entry tags:

(closed) | good old fashioned romance

Who: Balthier

portolan and David

helpdesk_hero
What: a series of dates following the Love Potion #9 event
When: Feb 9, 12
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: N/A

Tabbard Winery

[ The Tabbard Winery sits in an old 19th-century building in Central City. The walls are rich wooden panels imported from Europe and the furniture is heavily tufted leather. Oil paintings and chandeliers decorate the space, punctuated with antiques and exquisite plants. It reminds Balthier of some of the modern luxury spaces at home, and he remembered that David mentioned an affinity for wood panels.

He's seated in a big leather chair in a back corner near a multi-paned window that looks onto a snowy patio. He's dressed more modestly today -- an admittedly pirate-esque white shirt and fitted black pants.

He doesn't quite have the habit of checking his phone obsessively yet, but he's doing the mental equivalent, spinning the ring on his little finger. While he has his gaze fixed on a painting across the room, his head tilts involuntarily every time he hears the door open.

Scions he's giddy and nervous as a schoolboy. He chooses a bottle of wine, though he doesn't recognize the makes or locations. He asks for something full-body, for David's coffee tastes. Given three options, he chooses the one that has a ship on the label. Everyone here seems to think that's what pirate means. He finds that amusing. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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. ]

[And here David was, used to things being put off and put off until they crashed together. Something that built slowly, like fire carefuly spreading through kindling, was so refreshing and wonderful. And to make Balthier choke like that was enough for a knowing smile.]

I assure you, you're quite suave at all times.

[The 'hot for teacher' effective comment did earn a bark of laughter from David.]

All my years of teaching and guidance, that's never been one where I was on the teacher side of it. Thank you, for a new experience. Now come here and let's both forego the innuendo of putting plugs into ports while we get these electronics set up. I need to teach you the maddening way of how USBs have only two sides but you need to rotate them about twenty times before you figure out how to get them in.

[ Balthier cocks an eyebrow. It wouldn't really surprise him if David were into older men with some authority. Balthier has one of those things. Not that he wants that kind of power imbalance between them in any real way, but he's an actor, and teasing is so easy. ]

I'm certain there are things I can teach you, should you prefer the other role. Or we can be true gentleman and trade back and forth.

[ He laughs at the port comment though. ]

Skies above, I don't even know what to say to that other than, of course that's a standard innuendo. Next you're going to tell me USB is universal sex dialect or something of the sort. Teach away, dashing instructor.

[Older men with authority? No, not really. He had been into the woman ho had brought him to Xavier's though. Not that Dani had been too much older than him.]

I think I like the idea of trade. It does make the world go round. And seems to work for us I think. And no, this is a USB.

[He holds up the cable that will connect the laptop to the external hard drive. He shows off that and the HDMI cable and explains how to connect those in to external and television respectively, and of course there is some clumsy cable work from him before undoing them all and having Balthier take over connecting things.]

So, what's your opinion on opera and musical theater?

[ Don't mind Balthier he's projecting some of his own poor decisions.

He agrees, though, that he likes the back and forth that is already settling into a rhythm between them.

The cables aren't too complicated, especially since the shapes are generally 1:1 fits. He is glad for the demonstration and insistence he do it himself. That's a much faster way to learn. ]

Opera we have. I quite like some of them; the poor quality ones are painfully long. I am assuming musical theater is plays that have a musical component but different structure than operas. Which sounds up my alley.

[That's fair. Bad decisions were a thing that life did from time to time.]

Well, there's some light opera you might like. Gilbert and Sullivan may speak to you. But yes Musical Theater is different. It's stage performances that are also musical ones. So it's acting and singing and music.

[ David stop are you going to make him watch a pirate musical? He will protest loudly about piracy and enjoy every minute of it. ]

We have some forms like that, but they're generally considered lower brow; not that that's ever stopped anything from being excellent entertainment.

[Yes, he is totally going to make the man watch a pirate musical if he is willing. They can laugh together over it. He's also got Erol Flynn on this external. And plenty of other things along the theme. Including Muppet Treasure Island. Sure there are other things too, like political intrigue things, and sci-fi, but that one vein was there every now and then.]

Lower brow? That can bite me. Fun is fun, nd anything else is silly. In fact, muscials are getting a resurgence back home. Operas are considered very high end though.

I like anything good, and a good deal that’s not, regardless of classification. It’s one of my moral and mental failings, according to my schooling, my father, and most of the aristocracy.

[ He grins. David has of course thought about every detail of the evening. ]

I take it you have one in mind?

I expect your aristocracy would find me to be low brow as well.

[David grins and nods, then gives Balthier the wireless mouse, directing him to plug in the USB. With that a knock comes at the door, and David nods for Balthier to head back to the couch.]

I'll get it. My order, my tip.

[With that he goes to the door to answer it. Soon he's coming back with two brown bags of food that he starts to arrange the cartons on the table. And of course the soy sauce and fortune cookies go on the side too.]

Let's serve up and I'll show you how to access the external. We'll get things ready and watch our operetta.

They never were good judges of anything meaningful. I think their disapproval may be the best endorsement you could receive. Though I would be delighted to have you on my arm at one of those parties.

[ Balthier returns to the couch and helps unwrap things as much as he can. ]

This smells divine. I suppose I should have gotten more serving spoons.

Oh god, high class parties are not my most fun idea, unless it's for a charity or fundraiser. I don't like the little 'you are only valuable for elbow rubbing' mood. It displeases me. I am worth so much more than that.

[David smirks and reaches into the take out bag for the plastic forks.]

I suppose these will have to do. Tah-dah! Plastic. Hane of the world, and also very useful.

[ Balthier grins at that protest, because there’s something endearing about seeing David adamantly against something, and because he deeply understands that feeling. ]

To be clear we would be crashing. As pirates. Or maybe I’d plant myself in the room and you could come steal me away. After we destroy some sensibilities and swipe some treasure.

[ But his hand finds David’s shoulder. Of course he’s worth more than that. ]

Ah yes a question I still desire an answer on. Plastic etymologically means malleable but I’m sensing it’s a hard material used for a variety of shapes — highly moldable. And nonporous so good for containers. You say bane — something is problematic about it. Dirty to produce? Unethical ingredients?

Crashing I would be down for. And I do like the idea of stealing you away and scandalizing people. That sounds like the right kind of eyes on us.

[Damn but Balthier makes leaps so quickly. David is just beaming. This is why the man compels him so. He bet if he left bread crumbs the man would chase them down so quickly. What a wonder.]

Yes, highly moldable, nonporous. In fact, it's more than all of that. There's lots of colors for it, it's sort of cheap, you can make multiple versions, some of it is recyclable. But the process of making it is dirty, the origin of it is destructive, the processes related to plastics creation are highly unethical and dirty and horrible. And slowly destroying our planet. And, on top of it all, it's lasting. Paper, wood, they break down. Stone, metal, whatever if they're in the wild. PLastic? It doesn't go away.

[ Balthier will be occupied with that fantasy when he’s replaying tonight later this week. Right now he is absolutely basking in David’s grin at his plastic commentary. ]

Sounds like my father and his friends would have loved the stuff. What a horrific way to be immortal. I’ll have to amend my desire for infamous legacy to “does not destroy the planet in the process.”

[ Actually that had probably been on there since the destruction from the nethecite. ]

[Maybe they should find a charity fundraiser to crash, for after David gets some dresses.]

You're a wiser man than your world seems to give you credit for. Some people are trying to engineer bacteria that can eat plastics, to try and make them biodegradable. Which is, you know, scary in its own way.

[ Balthier can get a cape and appear in a window. And probably win some points with the guild. That would be very fun. As would be seeing David show off his dress. ]

It’s certainly a nice change to have someone who appreciates my talents. Ah, David, your mind is just as intoxicating as your heroically good looks. I’m still in disbelief ive has this much good conversation in the span of a week.

[Oh dear, wouldn't that be a scene? David would love the romance of the moment. Maybe one of these days they should arrange a nice little play where they both look better in the eyes of their guilds. But that would be in the future.]

See, I can't even imagine why you're complimenting my mind when yours is sharp as a razor.

[Yeah, compliments are just the way they seem to show affection, so that's a value for both of them. A lot of value actually.]

Your talents keep making me smile and making me feel like I'm not alone in the world.

[ That</> would be an enjoyable con.

At David’s deflection and additional admission, Balthier reaches over to cup the side of his face. He pulls David’s head toward him, kissing his forehead. ]

Good. Now what are we eating?

[Oh. Oh that's nice. David closes his eyes in contentment for a moment, enjoying the contact. It's... It's heaven.]

I think we should start with appetizers. Mostly, I want you to try a little of everything. When you're socializing with natives or other people that you want to hide your arrival status from, being able to make confident orders and enjoy your meals when doing different types of take out is important. So I figured we'd share things. And, when we've had a little bit of everything, you can go back for what you liked the taste of. So first, we're sharing a spring roll.

[David fetches one out and cuts it in half, putting one half on each plate. Along with it goes a packet of the spicy mustard to try, and the sweet and sour sauce. Then he settles out small portions of other appetizers.]

Alright. Here's the starting sampler.

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