[ Open ] This is What I Brought You

[portolan]

Who: Balthier portolan and you
What: Tarot Reading, return from off-world, open post
When: Mid to late November
Where: Excelsior, his shop, around town
Content Warnings: None so far



OOC: As always, will match prose or brackets.

I. Sign of the Times

[ Business has been...odd...since the near world-ending, since everyone started leaving town, since the guilds have cracked down. It's all the more important he keep the shop safe, but he's that much more wary of people wandering in. So far, the normal folk don't seem to suspect the shop is anything more than a beautiful man with beautiful objects.

But he's been getting restless. So he puts a message out on Our Powers; stop by, guild discounts (either side) and also he's reading tarot.

There's an antique table and two comfortable antique chairs. There are a few decks to choose from. ]

You have a question in mind? You don't have to tell me, but you should think about it while you shuffle.

II. No Place Like Home

[ It's not like Balthier to be low or keep to himself. But between the world almost ending, and then his friends slowly moving our of Excelsior, the anti-meta sentiment threatening the safety of he and his loved ones. He honestly hadn't noticed it eroding his energy.

But after two weeks home, both relieved that his loved ones there are safe and buffeted by the pain of being away from them, he's trying to make a better effort.

So he's reached out, invited people over for tea or dinner, trying to keep this house full and warm as the need to just jump on a ship and go steadily increases. ]

You know this is the longest I've spent tied to one location. There's something enchanting about watching the weather change.

[ He sets out a tray of tea and snacks, all in beautiful antiques. Honestly, eleven months ago, he'd never have expected to get this much comfort out of being so domestic, but here he is. ]

III. Wildcard / Catch-All

[ All your Balthier needs ]

Comments

II

[helpdesk_hero]

[David was, of course, happy to be a frequent guest, be it for tea or dinner or even 'sleepovers' as he playfully called them. What mattered was that Balthier's home was warm and cozy and a home as opposed to David's apartment which was starting to feel... barren in anticipation. He hated that fact a lot actually.

So he was happy to take his hot cup of tea and curl up under a blanket on the couch, listening to his boyfriend talk.]

I'm actually sort of happy winter is just about upon us. I have goals for it, and being in one place will help with that.

II

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth isn't used to being invited to people's homes. Even Loki more often visits him than the other way around. Frankly, Sephiroth has had more experience with being whisked away to unfamiliar dimensions than with accepting a simple invitation to tea.

This is probably made very obvious by the fact that he's still standing not very far from where he entered the room. He looks over the tray like he's analyzing an alien device.]

...I suppose it is nice to have the freedom to appreciate it.

I

[codicies]

[ Dylan had come to Excelsior on a whim, just... needing a change of scenery for a while. The anti-Meta sentiment was dangerous, but as long as he didn't use his powers, he should be okay.

When Dylan spots the antique store, he heads in to poke around for vintage records... maybe some vintage clothes, too. But the sign advertising Tarot readings catches his eye, and he keeps sneaking little glances at the table and chairs.

Back home, he'd never messed around with magic or occult stuff — mostly out of circumstance, as his devout Catholic grandpa would have had an aneurysm if he'd tried. But knowing Hunter was into it, and seeing how cool Dr. Strange's stuff was... his curiosity is a little piqued.

Besides, he's feeling pretty lost, too. Maybe some guidance from an outside perspective can't hurt.

Looks like the decision is made for him, though; The Shopkeeper addresses him directly, his question making it very clear that Dylan had not been very subtle with his glances in that direction. He smiles sheepishly and heads to the table, sitting down as the man shuffles the cards. ]

...Maybe. I'm not sure.

I guess there's a lot of stuff on my mind. I don't know how to boil it all down to one question.

( i )

[exasperation]

[ er. ]

Well, the big one is . . . what's all this?