(closed) | good old fashioned romance

[portolan]

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. ]

Comments

[helpdesk_hero]

Hold on.

[This one was harder to do, given the fact that his projections were only of golden light. Sure they were solid, but it wasn't easy to show the golden yellow of the dress against his skin because he could only show everything in yellow. It takes a bit for him to make the little golden form of himself wearing the dress and wings. In the end he wasn't satisfied with it.]

You can't see all the detail work, it's hard to show definition in projections like this. I'm not extremely good with them yet.

[portolan]

[ Balthier is still enchanted with the projection, and watching David work. That's as much of a treat as picturing him in the stunning ensemble. And Balthier is definitely/i> weak for a stunning man in a stunning dress. ]

Nothing is ever as good as the real thing, but I like having an idea of it. You look even more like a god. Your design?

And you know, if you want to make sure I am absolutely useless, wearing a dress will probably do the trick.

[helpdesk_hero]

I don't remember.

[It's a hole in his memory, one he doesn't want to touch right now.]

I was going for fairy tale. Guess it was for me. But I think I can probably do better than that with dresses. Already looking into it.

[portolan]

[ Balthier hears something raw in David's comment and doesn't push. ]

Fairy tale? I'm starting to connect the dots on why you fell for a romantic pirate. I look forward to whatever you come up with.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Smart man. Which is part of why David cares for him so easily.]

It wasn't my choice, but I kept with it. And it's not entirely my choice. It was the theme for a party I was going to, and I needed the attention that came with it. But I liked it enough to have it later as well.

[portolan]

It would certainly turn heads. Perfect for crashing aristocratic parties and absconding with your pirate boyfriend. Thank you for showing me.

[ He gives David a kiss on the head. He loves that he's being vulnerable, but he also doesn't want him sitting in the pain it's bringing. ]

You know, you'd mentioned a singer I'd like when we first met...Cher? And you should show me which version of Robin Hood to start with.

[ He wishes he had media from home to share back. He'll have to spend some time writing up what he can remember. Seeing if he can find any music or food like home. He wants to give David back what he's receiving. A give and take. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

It could be better of course.

[The kiss is a comfort though. It makes him feel better just for having this contact.]

I did mention Cher, let's see if I can't fish her out. Wonder if she's in this world. And typically I prefer the one from Men in Tights but that's a comedy musical so it's nto the best example.

[portolan]

We have thoroughly established that I enjoy comedy musicals and your taste, though. More wine?

[ Balthier does not know what to do with himself, or with making David feel better, and so he defaults to what he always does: playing host.

It will be nice to have an apartment if only to have a space he can control. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

I suppose we have. Hold on.

[He reaches for the laptop's mouse. it's a bit more difficult to look for Cher with the keyboard a distance away, and them mouse insufficient for inputting data.]

Dont' suppose I could ask for some water. I fear too much alcohol might make me misbehave. And if I have too much tea I might stay up too late. So, while you get that I think I'm going to get the Cher thing brought up.

[portolan]

Of course. Ice?

[ He's happy for a way to be helpful. He rises to get drinking glasses, pouring some for himself as well. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

Pass.

[He rises instead and starts to do some quick searches with the laptop. SOon he's got some videos of Cher up. Good to know she's here actually. He's ready and waiting when Balthier returns, and is happy to take his glass of water.]

Come on, let's see her.

[portolan]

[ Balthier settles back in beside David. It's amazing how natural and familiar that feels already. ]

Oh she is a delight. And is this a theatrical stagings of the music, or it it from some wider work? I'm not sensing a particularly strong narrative structure to the music.

[ He means music videos. }

[helpdesk_hero]

These are music videos. It's just musical entertainment. People make videos to music these days.

[He smiles and settles in to enjoy with his boyfriend A word that warms him.]

[portolan]

I am definitely a fan of the extended arts options on this world.

[ He interlaces his fingers in David's again. This, he thinks, might be the most magical and unbelievable. The quiet just being together. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Nothing quite so comforting as having their hands together, fingers tangled. Yes, he likes this, likes this a lot. Once more his head finds its way to Balthier's shoulder.]

There is so much you haven't even seen. LIke cartoons.

[portolan]

[ Balthier inclines his head against David’s, voice low. ]

Well then you’ll just have to show me cartoons too.

[helpdesk_hero]

I'll have to, yes. I'm looking forward to it, a lot. Each day we're together I will try and show you something new. Because we deserve that.

[The share and the pleasure of companionship, they matter.]

[portolan]

I’m looking forward, too. Quite a lot. And to finding ways to surprise you.

[ Balthier usually doesn’t preoccupy himself with ideas of what’s deserved and what isn’t. He’s a romantic, not naive, and justice is just as idealistic as romance. But tonight he believes it, needs to believe it. ]

We deserve the world. Together.

[helpdesk_hero]

I look forward to you finding ways to do so. In fact, I'm eager for all you will show me.

[Deserve the world. Together. His heart aches. It's just such a pure thing to believe, and it burns at him. ANd he wants it all the same.]

You might be too good of a man for me, Balthier.

[portolan]

You’re going to regret that wish when I have had too much whine and serenade you loudly and terribly. Maybe I’ll sing Cher.

[ He has too much self control for that to happen often, and he had voice lessons as a boy. For this scenario to arise he would have to be having a very good time and lose himself a bit. He thinks with David that’s very possible. Plus he’s absolutely feeling our a reaction. ]

I find that deeply difficult to believe, David. You are singularly wonderful.

[helpdesk_hero]

I understand the risk going forth from this moment. But I might be amused to see what happens.

[Difficult to believe. Daivd wants to laugh. He doesn't have the highest opinion of himself. Holding Balthier's attention is a wonder to him.]

You're still in the smitten phase.

[portolan]

[ Oh he’s poorly serenading David at some point. It’s on. ]

You, sir, can keep misusing that clever mind of yours to negate my affections, but I am clever and stubborn and painfully romantic and will just find louder and more creative ways to give them to you.

[helpdesk_hero]

Should I be worried about how public these louder, more creative ways could be?

[Still, he's a bit pleased at it all. To be told that he'd get what he deserved, and have that mean something positive was... it was a lot.]

I don't suppose I could ever stop you, so I shan't try.

[portolan]

Trembling in your boots. Though if there's anything you genuinely don't like, do let me know.

[ The goal is to make the man feel desired, not uncomfortable. ]

But you're absolutely right. There's nothing you can do to stop me from showering you with affection.

[ He kisses David's head and nuzzles against him. He likes the feeling of his hair on his cheek. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

My stylish but affordable boots.

[Nothing huh? That makes David smile just as much as the affectionate touches. But he's amused, more than anything, at Balthier's nuzzling.]

You sure you want to do that? It's not too rough, my hair? Some people are weird about it.