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. ]

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[ At the opening song, Balthier laughs at the costumes. ]

Oh no, everyone is wearing a terrible version of my wardrobe.

[ They get through the first song and into the first scene. ]

Oh, fascinating. The tone is lighter than an opera, and there's speaking. We have a similar style but it's mostly popular with common people.

[David is left snickering at the statement. Yes, he'd noticed that too.]

Yeah, we have very specific concepts of what a pirate should look like. You look like a gentleman pirate, far more elegant than this. And far more elegant than true pirates. But less colorful.

[He nods along as he refills Balthier's plate with samples of the different entrees. And of course, pours him a glass of the cherry blossom wine at last.]

This is sort of a romanticized version of piracy in my world.

[ Some day he'll have to show David his clothes from home, but not tonight. He is picturing David in a very low cut pirate shirt, though. Not his style, but he could absolutely make it work. There's also something sweet to the idea of David wearing something of Balthier's. ]

I'm far more elegant than most sky pirates, too. Comes with being a leading man, though this lad is not very elegant. And all piracy is romantics on some level. Or it's horrid tragic bottom scrapings of the human condition.

[ He lifts his glass of wine. ]

I believe a toast is in order. To the radiant harvest moon, bringer of knowledge, purveyor of fine foods, and lover of beauty and romanticism.

[Things that might please Balthier to see him in, well, David would try it, just for his companion.]

I can believe it. But I think it probably comes from the aristocratic background you were raised from, and not necessarily as the captivating, leading man. But you're free to research pirates for yourself. I suggest looking into the history of piracy near China. I think you would approve of the Pirate Queen from there.

[He smiles and raises his own glass to the toast.]

And to the companionship provided by charming leading men?

You're as bad as Fran.

[ He says it with a smile, and it's nice to bring someone up from home for pleasant purposes. ]

May my companionship ever bring you pleasure, fair moon.

He clinks his glass into David's, but before he drinks, he plants a quick peck on David's lips. ]

Oh, this is divine. I don't think I've had it before.

[Fran. He's going to guess that is either the friend or the queen he speaks of. Sounds like a woman's name after all. And that must be a good thing, and it makes him smile.]

I can't imagine it failing to do so, lovely light.

[The kiss is a lovely one, and he laughs at the comment. What a line.]

Do you mean the kiss, or the wine? Because I doubt your skills if the former is what you're getting at.

[ That gets a laugh back from Balthier, and a second kiss. This one is still light, but it's a little deeper, a little longer. He breaks it off before it crosses into more sensuous territory, but the implication is there. ]

I certainly haven't had anyone quite like you.

[ In the background, the musical progresses. The phrase "pirate king" catches Balthier's attention. ]

Oh I didn't know pirate king was an option. I think I have a new ambition.

[The longest kiss they've had actually, and David's heart is racing. That shouldn't be so amazing, what the hell? Why was he so flustered over so simple a thing?

Perhaps his heart truly is already gone for this man, after little more than a week.]

There aren't other people like me, so that's not so shocking.

[A new ambition for when he goes home perhaps? Or for here?]

I think you should save that one. Pirate kings can't really abscond with the hearts of gentlemen like me.

There certainly aren't.

[ He has the urge to just hold David's face, press their noses together. Laugh at the absurdity and wonder that this is all so lovely. But that may lead to territory he's not sure he's ready for yet. ]

Why ever not? I am a pirate and therefore can already do what I want, but if I am a king I can even insist others obey my whims.

[ Has he already absconded with David's heart? The amount he hopes so gives him that feeling again, the one of being moorless in the skies. ]

There aren't pirates like that these days, Balthier. Not anymore. Those that do exist prey on people who can't help themselves. They take people captive and ransom them, and hurt them. They aren't your sort of men, Balthier.

[David sips his drink again, enjoying the fruity taste of it on his tongue.]

[ Balthier sighs. ]

It probably wouldn't go over all that well at home either -- I'd get called into some sort of war or government structure. This is obviously why the arts are superior to actual life.

[ But the protectiveness and insistence that there's a line between what Balthier does and what others do is appreciated. It's that feeling of being seen. ]

Alright I understand there's some issue with his age, but I'm not getting the joke.

Joke? I wish I was joking. Pirates on ships taking things, they are vile, violent men these days. They aren't like you. You are what people wish to think of pirates being. Beautiful and suave and sophisticated. Someone people would wish to have lead them.

You're an ideal that doesn't exist in this world.

[ At this Balthier takes David's closer hand, interlacing their fingers he pulls David's hand onto his leg. ]

I believe you entirely, and I'm increasingly surprised that when I introduced myself as a pirate, you stuck around to hear the rest. I'm also not sure your opinion of me isn't entirely too high, but I will certainly do my best to live up to so high a compliment.

All that said, I was in truth commenting on the play. I don't understand the apprenticeship joke -- they don't have airships. Does pilot just mean the steersman?

[HIs hand on Balthier's leg is, in David's mind, a bit more racy than Balthier's hand on his own. Why would that be? He didn't know. But he liked the warmth that he could feel in his fingers.]

You're clearly not cut of the same cloth. And I had to investigate those fireworks. I had to know. I still find myself wondering. But my opinion of you is measured by what I have seen of you until now. Though I suppose, with invitation, I could make it of what you know of yourself. But that seems... far too forward.

[But he smiles at the suggestion and nods.]

Yes, pilots basically control the way the ship sails. It takes a lot of work to plot routes and hte like. But the joke of his apprenticeship is very much in how it's worded, Balthier. Remember the line. His twenty-first birthday.

[ David’s comment has Balthier thinking about the phrase he used in his letter, a premonition of falling in love. Maybe that’s what the fireworks were. A prophecy of potential. Or maybe they were nothing and the two of them just got extremely lucky in meeting. His mind keeps running through it too. ]

I think some day I’ll let you do that and compare notes, but for now let me maintain the illusion of being suave and charming.

[ It’s not like he has deep dark secrets. It’s just…vulnerable. A lot of poor decisions. A lot of loneliness. Grief he hasn’t processed. ]

Alright important line noted and committed to memory.

[Well, David's not going to ask the goddess of Fate he intended to meet later on. No, he had other things to recover first.]

It's no illusion when I look on you. So I think it's alright. You truly are charming.

[David, finished with his light selection of entrees, puts his plate on the table and then moves to sit a bit closer to Balthier again, so their bodies could touch along the line of their legs.]

I know you'll enjoy the joke.

[ Given the chance, Balthier wouldn’t want to know. Maybe some of that is still fear, that he’s not in the steering position for his own life, but some of it has shifted to protectiveness. This is his and David’s and it’s precious and private. ]

You know you’re probably the person I’ve been most honest with, besides maybe Fran, but that took a few years and seeing me in some very unflattering situations.

[ David sidling up against his side sends Balthier’s heart racing in a way it hasn’t yet tonight. He put his own finished plate down and takes David’s hand again. ]

[And lord knew that David needed more people to protect him. Which wasn't even sarcastic. Though he'd hardly admit to the need. Because he did need it, people to care about him. Because while he gave so much of himself, he wasn't very good at accepting people caring about him and protecting him.]

Well then, I feel rather special. To earn so much so soon... I don't know that I've given enough for the privilege though.

[Still, the hand in his makes him feel damn fucking special. So he just accepts it with a smile. And maybe leans a little more of his weight against Balthier.]

But I feel the honor of what you show me, and try to live up to it.

You ate that ridiculous cake and came and touched me when I was under enough of a spell to take a leap. And then you caught me. Over and over again, long after that silly oversharing spell was gone. I think that's more than entitled you to my honesty.

[ The truth is, he's not entirely sure what he's done to earn that acceptance, and maybe that's the point -- that it's given, not earned. That maybe chasing the affections of people who want to give them, who value what you value, is a better way to build support, and lord knows Balthier needs that love and support too. ]

One more piece of honesty: I still can't quite believe you're real.

I date that ridiculous cake, yes. But touching you was a random choice. We both ultimately took the leap, and caught each other. And have yet to let go I think. Which is for the best. I think I might start floundering if you were suddenly out of reach.

[The comment about not believing he's real actually earns a chuckle from David, and a contented sigh as he rests his head on Balthier's shoulder.]

Oh, my life has been pretty unrealistic, but here I am, am I not. Should I pinch you so you can be certain you're awake?

[ David's head on his shoulder sends a pleasant mixture of nerves and warmth through his stomach and up his spine. He sighs contentedly, leaning his head against David's. ]

Me as well. Maybe you shouldn't pinch me. Just in case I wake up.

[Yeah, this is great. But no one should ever say that David doesn't know how to break the tension of a moment. He hums to himself in consideration, then reaches and pinches Balthier's leg.

He's a little punk sometimes. You gonna be mad at him?]

[ Mad? Balthier lets out a hearty laugh, swatting non-committaly at David's hand. ]

You, sir, are terrible. But good news. I'm still here and so are you.

[David pretended to be pained by this, taking his hand back and blowing on where it was swatted at like that would make it better. Then he held it up toward Balthier's lips.]

That hurt. Kiss it and make it better?

[ He takes David's hand with his, pulling the knuckles to his lips. He kisses them slowly, eyes on David's. ]

How is it now?

[ His voice is low and he still has the hand close to his lips. ]

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