slidesrightoff: (Oops)
Eddie Myers ([personal profile] slidesrightoff) wrote in [community profile] metalogs2022-03-08 09:26 pm

OPEN -- Golden retriever accidentally causes chaos wherever he goes

Who: Eddie Myers [personal profile] slidesrightoff & you
What: Eddie finds himself in some light hijinks
When: Early to mid March
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: None, will update if needed



01. Central City Park
[The day was just too beautiful to stay indoors. Wanting to take advantage of the weather, Eddie found a nice spot in the grass away from the general flow of the park crowds and was sitting on a towel, sketchbook in his lap, a small bag of art supplies next to him.

He hadn’t intended to stay long, just sketch a few things he saw before heading back to his hotel room, but once he started he quickly found himself lost in his art, alternating between staring out at the scenery in front of him, scribbling and erasing at the sketchbook page, and flipping to the next page. For the first time since he arrived, he forgot about all of his troubles, at least for a little while.

Try as he might to stay inconspicuous, he is a 6+ foot shiny blue robot man with a human head intensely staring out into a crowd, and that sort of thing sticks out.

Occasionally people peek over his shoulder, which he tries not to mind when he notices.

At one point in the day, one of the bystanders notices him sketching and takes offense, demanding to see and snatch his sketchbook. Eddie protests and clutches it to his chest, only causing the person’s objections to get louder. Every time the person grabs for him Eddie scoots away, but with the crowd forming it’s getting harder.
]



02. Central City Library

[All he wanted was a book. He wasn’t too picky about which one, really. Something with a neat cover and a fun-sounding title. Preferably something not too long. Just a good story he could lose some time in and not think about how he really needed to make a decision to avoid becoming homeless for a few hours.

Instead, he finds some big burly dude angrily poking him in the back like that would do anything but hurt the burly dude.

You think you're so good you're a metahuman that you gotta flaunt it in front of everyone?

Inwardly, Eddie sighs.
]

Not flaunting. Just living. It was sort of this or death, and I kind of like being alive.

[Unfortunately, dry humor failed to defuse the situation. In fact, it only seemed to make things worse, as the guy takes a few steps forward, all but punching Eddie’s metallic chest (probably because he realized that poking him would only break a finger). Eddie could easily overpower this asshole, but instead, he takes a step back every time the man advances, unwilling to rise to the bait.

This only serves to anger the guy who finally takes a swing for real. Eddie jerks back, more to protect the jerk’s hand than out of any sense of danger, and as his back connects with the metallic bookcase behind him, he’s realized that the situation has accidentally been escalated. It takes a second, but the creak of the bookcase tipping echoes across the mostly silent library.
]



03. Central City streets

[There is Eddie, holding a wallet out to an elderly person, waiting for them to take it. Rather than do that very normal thing, they are instead staring at it as if he were holding a live snake, and snakes were most definitely not their thing.

You stole my wallet?

Eddie blinks. The wallet is right there. In his hand. Very much not stolen.
]

Uh... no? You dropped it and I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last block.

[The person just... stares some more at the wallet in Eddie’s hand. Then they get angry.

I can’t believe you stole my wallet!

Seriously? Eddie just stares, nonplussed. It's still right there. It hasn’t gone anywhere.
]

If... If I wanted to take your wallet, I wouldn’t have chased after you... holding your wallet.

[That seems to fall on deaf ears as the person is wound up well and good now, and just going off on Eddie for the supposed theft. Eddie bites the inside of his lip to keep from saying anything or betraying his true feelings on his face. Apparently, years of people sneering “the Blackguard boy” at him as an insult taught him something about how to keep a blank face. Still not worth it.]



Closed to Balthier

One second!

[The sword didn’t want to fit in his closet, but Eddie managed to get it in there with one last shove before going to open the front door. He greets Balthier with a smile.]

Hey! I wasn’t expecting you. [He pauses.] Or was I? Did I forget something again?

[He really didn’t think he did, but this wouldn’t be the first time he’d been proven wrong on that front, so it never hurt to ask.]

What’s up?

[The closet takes this moment to finally give up its valiant fight, and the door creaks open, spilling out a truly spectacular array of useless shit—swords, sketchbooks, clothes, paints (thankfully sealed), a bag of something that suspiciously looks like cat food, motor oil, canvases... just things that don’t belong in a hotel closet.

He spins around and groans at the sudden junk avalanche.
]

Damn it.
portolan: (c h i t c h a t)

im balthier

[personal profile] portolan 2022-03-09 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Balthier knocks lightly on Eddie's door. He ought to have sought Eddie out sooner, but between all the joining protocols for the Society, searching for housing, Confluences, shadowing at the new job, and spending what time he could with David, he's been surprisingly busy. ]

No, you weren't expecting me -- I didn't get your number and finally asked the front desk for your room. I thought that was more polite than breaking in. [ He offers a smile; he's kidding. ]

I wanted to remedy the first problem and touch base with you before I move out tomorrow. I--

[ The cascade from the closet is truly impressive. Balthier likes to collect things, but nothing like that; maybe it was years living on an airship where everything had to be secured.

He moves automatically toward the mess to offer a hand.
]

You didn't tell me you were an artist.
portolan: (i s e e)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-03-11 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
I respect you far too much and don't know you intimately enough to break into your rooms.

[ At Eddie's shooing, he stops, but his eyes are looking over the mess, taking in new details about Eddie. ]

I am. We're all being dismissed shortly and I am a tad old and finicky to be roughing it. I took on with the Society -- I found my own rooms though. I wanted to see what your plans were.

[ The last bit catches his attention. ]

Recreations? Of what?
portolan: (u h h u h)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-03-11 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
Both sound reasonable to me.

[ He watches the tumble of supplies on the bed and pieces it with Eddie’s explanation. ]

Oil then? And figure drawing? Assuming you’re decent with foliage and architecture too. Clever business, not using recognizable ones.

You know the Society could place those skills. I’m taking over an antiques shop, they’ve let me get the sort of house I want, and they’re mostly leaving me be. I’m not singing their praises but it’s been a relief not to have to worry about those things.

[ He likes Eddie, and he doesn’t like Eddie not having plans after this. Old pirate habit; check on people because they may not have somewhere to go. ]

I don’t have a ship to offer you passage on any longer, but I should have a couch if you need it.
portolan: (u h h u h)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-03-14 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ Balthier chuckles because David had the same opinion of modern art. ]

I’m starting to wonder who the modern art fans are, but I suspect it’s wealthy collectors.

[ His attention shifts as Eddie places a sketchbook in his hand. There’s a privacy in sketchbooks that he certainly notes as he flips to the opening pages. Graphite tracing thoughts and observations. Poetry and drawing are, in his opinion, the closest someone can get to seeing into someone’s mind. ]

These are lovely. You’re a good deal better than I am — the construction in particular is deftly handled.

[ The irony is that Balthier has a more modernist style in the sense of Cezanne or Van Gogh and the post-impressionists but he doesn’t have those references yet. As to the society… ]

I have fine tastes and don’t know the social or legal details of this world. Staying independent would be significantly more work for little gain. I chose the Society over the Alliance because they seem to let members have more leeway without doing anything truly morally atrocious, and quite frankly I don’t trust anyone who claims to be an organization for justice. Also yes, the Alliance seems unlikely to smile on some of my skills.

[ It’s not lost on him that he’s romantically involved with a member of the Alliance, and one who seems to be very much alright with his particular moral code and skill set. But even David has places he’s unbending, and Balthier is loathe to join an organization where people in charge are likely to pressure his actions. ]
Edited 2022-03-14 04:04 (UTC)
portolan: (s m i r k)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-03-16 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ He smiles to himself at Eddie's explanation of art collection and removing any forgeries from art galleries. They have similar lines in who and what they will pull a con on, it seems, and it's refreshing to meet someone who respects art in the way he does. ]

A man after my own heart.

[ The comment applies to the sketchbook too. He recognizes the more traditional studies, but the cartoons are new -- and quite charming -- for him. He's going to comment on them but becomes distracted by the fashion sketches. He may not be familiar with the style, but man loves fashion and can recognize a good eye. ]

Well, well, these are stunning. Do you make them, or just imagine? My mother taught me; no real ambition in mind, just enjoyed doing it with her.

[ It was too painful to take lessons after he lost her. Maybe if he'd gone with her, he'd have ended up an artist, one way or another.

He notices Eddie's clarification on his Uncle's parenting, notes the defensiveness. But for now he doesn't comment. Instead--
]

Truth be told, I have never been in any situation for long where I wasn't asked to do something I didn't want to. I'm quite deft at half-truths and technicalities. I'd rather have the benefits if I'm going to deal with nonsense regardless. Though your point is well-taken. It was important to me that certain tasks be off the table.

[ If it were bad enough, he supposes he would walk. But he hasn't had any reason to believe that yet. And peace for a few weeks or months is still worth the membership. ]

portolan: (p i r a t e)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-03-29 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ Getting someone else to fabricate designs wasn't the most difficult task, and he quite liked these. The Society was very clear that they didn't really want him doing particularly magical or villainous things without a costume, unless he wanted to be fully public. ]

Regardless, they are beautiful. I may have a need of your mind at some point.

[ As to joining or not, he can understand the hesitance when there's a family history. ]

I certainly know about things looking great until they suddenly don't. Found myself an official of the empire at 16. Found out I didn't like murdering people. Was told no one ever left without being murdered themselves. Turns out they were wrong; I got out and wreaked havoc. I feel like I can probably do it again. Though I've been told I'm prone to gambler's fallacy, but alas, haven't learned my lesson.

[ What he means is, I respect your decision. ]

Regardless of your decision, I hope you'll keep in touch, and maybe send me a text next time you need a drawing partner.
portolan: (s e r i o u s)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-03-30 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
Not exactly. But I found myself in a situation last month where hiding my identity may have been helpful.

[ The Confluence, with Filter and the like. He'd gotten out alright but some people had ended up with their images and powers exposed. ]

You have to promise to tell me if my idea is terrible.

[ He is not confident about this superhero business and he'd rather Eddie laugh at him than the whole world. ]

You're probably right on the luck but, honestly, mine's been...quite good lately. [ That gets a brief dreamy smile. He might have spent an unbelievable 18 hours with an unbelievable man a few nights ago, who might have said I love you, who might be a substantial part of the reason he picked Excelsior over Central. Maybe. ]

But good to know I have a friend through my poorer life choices. I'm sure they'll swing back around sooner or later.
portolan: (w e l l   w e l l)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-03-31 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ That's a valid point. Balthier mostly just accepts whatever he sees here as normal, but it's been long enough that he has realizes he's only seen one person who looks like Eddie. And that's Eddie. ]

Alright. Here goes. I'm thinking a blank canvas theme, since my magic is largely illusion, and there would be nothing identifiable in that to trace back to my actual person. Which means anything gentleman or pirate is out. I also have to come up with an alias, which is absurd, but Canvas isn't terrible and it doesn't cringe to make me say it.

[ Please help him. He really does not understand this hero villain business, and he feels absolutely moronic participating.

But that discomfort slides right past him at the question about dating. For a moment, he actually looks his 23 years instead of some stately nobleman.
]

I won't bore you, but he's sweet and brilliant and patient and I have never met anyone like him. We met under an oversharing spell or I would never have had the audacity to be honest with him, which means I probably wouldn't have gotten the chance to fall in love with him, and I don't know why I'm telling you all of this but he's wonderful.

[ And then he laughs at himself. ] So there you go. I'm a romantic fool.
portolan: (c h i t c h a t)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-04-01 03:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I think, for once in my life, I don't want people to think too much about me. If I'm bothering to go out as a villain and not as myself, then I'm wanting anonymity. But your point is well-taken. I appreciate your insights.

[ It's good to know he can change these things. He also maybe should consider talking to his boyfriend about it at some point, but that makes him feel even more terribly awkward. ]

You know, for someone who is a decent poet and likes to act, this is...unfathomably difficult for me. It's one thing to make a character that's clearly a character and another to...have to wear it as part of my identity around other people that I presumably want to respect me. [ Hypocritical, yes, given Balthier isn't his birth name and the pirate-gentleman thing was a total construction. Except...he wanted those. They aren't costumes anymore. ]

Costume sounds easier and more approachable. Maybe you can help me with that, and keep workshopping the rest. [ It's really nice to think about doing things with friends and not alone. Though he's sorry for the people Eddie has left back home; it sounds like he had a good community.

That discomfort is gone and replaced by a mix of embarrassment and relief. Eddie's not teasing him. And it's nice to talk about this. He sighs, but that dreamy smile is back.
]

Have you met David? David Alleyne? Tall, gorgeous, very eager to help? Sometimes charmingly literal, sometimes quite poetic? He moved out earlier this week, but he's been here as long as we both have.
Edited (icons) 2022-04-01 15:08 (UTC)
portolan: (i s e e)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-04-08 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Is Eddie fucking with him? No, no he doesn't think so. Honestly he knows that from running cons, but still. A piece of fabric? Really? ]

Humans are utterly unfathomable and disappointing in their willful ignorance.

The leaving work at work advice is good though. I have lived by similar separations before.

[ It had been frightening, early on, especially while he was still discovering his new identity as Balthier, to be afraid the characters he ran in cons were part of him too. To not know what was him and what was just lines on a stage. He hasn't felt that disoriented in a long time, but Eddie's right, in a way, that having to think about this identity business has dredged up old memories. ]

White, my good fellow, is very easy to bleach. And I'm no good with literal. I'm more drawn to the endless possibilities of canvas, and the expectation that something will be created. And it's pretentious and artistic.

[ He chuckles, though, at Eddie's wording on the latter. ]

Your discretion is admirable, but I assure you I am not threatened that you or David is looking at the other with any interest. I am aware that I am both stunning and charming and enough to hold someone's attention, thank you.
portolan: (u h h u h)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-04-18 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ He knows all about people seeing what they want to believe. He's built a career on that. Been burned by it too. ]

For someone so kind you're impressively astute about human nature.

[ The mispronunciation and reference to his uncle make Balthier smile though. Eddie is so refreshingly straightforward. No calculating for power, no airheadedness. ]

I will happily defer to your input on all things villain costume. You are clearly more the expert than I am -- I would pay you, of course.

[ It's sweet and a little cute that he's being so careful about the boundary with someone else's man. He chuckles, shaking his head. ]

Eddie you are a better man than most. Would that I could have met you at home -- I would have loved someone like you on my crew.
portolan: (conversation 26)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-05-03 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
You have found me out. I am here to lure you away to villainy and crime with the promise of candy and free art supplies.

[ Eddie is sweet, but he doesn't seem that stupid to Balthier. That said, Balthier has been led into incredibly cruel situations for trusting the wrong people, so he can certainly respect the danger. ]

Sir, I learned never to 'piss off' my tailor the moment I started caring about looking good, which was around the age of six.

[ Their conversation is dragging on much past a door hello-goodbye, so Balthier goes to perch on the arm of the couch. And yes, he also assumes he said pirate at some point. ]

Sky pirate. We don't have ocean pirates. I cannot believe I have to clarify that here. Our main means of transport is airship. I generally looted tombs and ruins -- and before you judge me too harshly, the politics of our tombs are a lot less charged with colonization than the ones here -- and ran sabotage on the Archadian Empire. [ The latter because his father was deeply embedded in it, the former in part to keep said father from potentially dangerous tech or magick. ]
portolan: (conversation 9)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-05-11 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
If you mean second hand clothing, yes we have plenty of that. What we don't have is the ready-made clothing of this world.

[ He misses getting all of his clothing fitted, thanks. It's so much more pretentious here. Not that that's stopping him. It's just also hard to find clothing made that way. ]

Ah yes, missing an opportunity for ocean monsters to burn holes in the hulls or drag the entire vessel under water. Besides, the salt is bad for my skin.

Yes, yes, boats do exist. But air is safer. And preferable. Why would anyone want to stare at endless expanses of water when they could instead see changing clouds and the landscape below? And the sky doesn't smell.
portolan: (smirk 8)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-05-24 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He's doing his best not to full on laugh but he's definitely chuckling, and definitely charmed. ]

Oh? And what are proper pirates like? Do tell. And if you say anything about needing a boat, we cannot be friends anymore.

As to thrift stores, I think you're going to need to take me on this cultural excursion. I imagine I'll lack the nostalgia here for the experience to truly resonate, but I did enjoy flea markets at home. Don't worry, we had plenty of ways to trade and sell outside the government's clutches. Again. Pirate.
portolan: (smirk 20)

[personal profile] portolan 2022-06-02 03:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh gods. No thank you. [ Filter had put him under a brief curse that had made him exactly that: giant hat, eye patch, hook for an arm, terrible made-up slang. It was utterly embarrassing. ]

Why don't you be the sea pirate and I'll stay the sky pirate, thanks. [ But he's grinning, because it's nice to have a friend who can tease. ]
anthropophagite: situations (Normal - pic#13921649)

2

[personal profile] anthropophagite 2022-03-09 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ kaneki spends a lot of his time in libraries, enjoying the books this world has to offer. It's good to know that even if this place is so strange from what he is used to, there is at least this which is familiar.

What is not familiar is to see people fighting at a library, of all places.

Honestly? he doesn't want to be involved, but at the same time he is there and he is also a metahuman apparently, and this other person wasn't doing anything but minding his business. However, he doesn't have much time to intervene - the bookcase starts falling... and kaneki rushes to it, holding it back from falling with much ease thanks to his inhuman strenght.

he looks back at the big burly dude ]


Sir, this is a library. [ some respect, please. ]
anthropophagite: DEFAULT (Normal - pic#8442796)

[personal profile] anthropophagite 2022-03-11 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ why did he get involved? Now the man is targeting him as well ]

... even if you are mad, I don't think you'd be able to win this fight, though. [ now both his hands reach for the shelf again and Kaneki picks it up. Ghouls can lift a car, a shelf? It's the same wheelhouse, Kaneki feels. But mostly, he is just demonstrating his strength, before he puts it down once more ]

It's better to leave, we don't want any trouble. And everyone else is just trying to read the books. [ and hopefully the library employees will step in soon? Speak of the devil, Kaneki waves at one as if to silently ask for assistance ]
anthropophagite: By asdagfsd (DNS) (Normal - smile nervous 28)

[personal profile] anthropophagite 2022-03-17 10:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ well at least that is done with.

kaneki sighs in relief, clearly not used to situations like this, before he smiles a little back at Eddie ]


Oh- yeah. People should respect libraries more. [ but - ] Are you alright? Hopefully he didn't hurt you.
anthropophagite: situations (Normal - pic#13921662)

[personal profile] anthropophagite 2022-03-30 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Zarin-- [ kaneki is not that well versed in science, since he is a literature student, but he never heard of an element or any kind of metal called zarinium ]

Uhm- I don't think I ever heard of it.
anthropophagite: By asdagfsd (DNS) (Normal - pic#8264194)

[personal profile] anthropophagite 2022-04-02 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Alien metal...? [ Kaneki nods. He knows there are aliens and people from other worlds ]

Ah- hopefully nothing will happen. [ but if it does! ] Maybe they have something similar in this place?
anthropophagite: situations (Normal - smile 21)

[personal profile] anthropophagite 2022-04-10 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm... getting slow would be bad.

I think the network can help with that, all metas are there after all. [ most of them. So there is a big chance a science person would answer ] Someone would end up answering, right?
anthropophagite: By asdagfsd (DNS) (Normal - smile 32)

[personal profile] anthropophagite 2022-04-16 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[ kaneki smiles ]

Ah- are you the type to get into trouble? [ kaneki has the answer to that, actually. he did just stop a fight at a library, of all places, although he doesn't blame Eddie for that ]