OPEN | Paint Yourself A New Life

[helpdesk_hero]

Who: David Alleyne helpdesk_hero, Mina Ashido pinkxeno, Harry Osborn nepotis, Bucky Barnes sinistral
What: David Has Many Meetings (Including Open Post)
When: [Forward Dated] April 1st through 5th
Where: Excelsior - Guild Housing #1, Excelsior - Connoisseur Coffee,
Content Warnings: Only in Thread Labeled V - Seeking Comfort: discussion of murder of children, attempted suicide, David's death, hate crimes

I. A Home Of Clashing Styles | Closed to Mina Ashido | Excelsior - Guild Housing #1
David had been living in the guild apartment for a month now, or just a shade over, and all that time he'd been holding his tongue. Beyond introducing himself to Mina when he'd first moved in at the start of March, he had not engaged with the young woman much, and definitely didn't stay long in the public spaces of their shared home. How could he when he was faced with the absolute disaster of the appearance? A living room painted electric green with zebra stripes? Horrid. A kitchen filled with insanely colorful and not always matching touches and appliances? Oh god. Even the small touches of decoration in the public spaces made David try not to wince.

Honestly, he hadn't even invited his boyfriend over because of the state of things. Most days he just came home from work or other things, walked in the door, visibly winced, and went right to his room or attached lab. But today, as he came back from the office in full business wear, vest and long sleeve shirt and tie and all of that. And walking in like that, with his back pack and a bag of groceries for him to cook dinner, he just couldn't take it anymore.

"Just... do it like an adult," he told himself before lifting his voice, hoping it would carry to wherever his housemate was.

"Mina, can we talk for a moment?"


II. Looking At The Moving Pieces | Closed to Bucky | Excelsior - Guild Housing #1
The weekend. David made a hard and fast rule to not go into the office on weekends, which made it the perfect sort of time for outside consultations. Today was one of those instances. After a previously successful first meeting with one Bucky Barnes (because of course David had recognized the man for who he had to be) back in March, today was going to be the first full check over, for the two of them to determine if David would be a good emergency tech for the man.

David waited in the living room for the knock at the door, knowing he'd have to let the former Winter Soldier choose his own pace at being comfortable with his arrival. What what little first hand knowledge that had been shared with him by people back home, he imagined the man would be... nervous. But David couldn't be certain. He'd met people from other versions of his world, and they didn't always line up personality wise.

But he was going to do his best to support the guy, and try and hide that he might have pre-formed opinions based on a whole other man. So he kept himself quiet and patient until he heard the knock at the door. David rose quickly and moved to it, opening the door to meet the other man.

"Mister Barnes, good afternoon. Come on in. Would you like any refreshments before I guide you back to my work room?"

He had no intention of calling it a lab. Not with a man no doubt tormented by his universe's Hydra.


III. The Coffee Conundrum | Closed to Harry Osborn | Excelsior - Connoisseur Coffee
Coffee. It was something that mattered to David, quite a bit actually. Caffeine was part of his diet, perhaps more than it should be. And, until he had the money to properly kit his kitchen out with a good brewing set up, David found a local coffee shop to indulge his needs. The world had blessed him with a great coffee shop between the apartment and his office, and it was here that David appeared multiple times a day. A quick stop in first thing for a coffee on the way to work, a trip in the evening for a cup to take home, and of course this, his lunch break.

David was currently settled in the cafe as he was most afternoons, in a table near a wall that normally wasn't the most desirable area of the care. His back was to the wall, and in front of him on the smaller table was a laptop. The other chair at the table was taken up by a back pack, and taking up the rest of the room on the table was another laptop, sitting closed, which was a weird thing, unless one knew David. Truth was the two laptops were interfaced, and he was using his technopathy to boost the processing of the one he was currently working on.

Thing was most days David did this, and it wasn't a problem. But today? Today there was a convention in town, something David wasn't aware of, and the cafe had packed to almost bursting when David wasn't aware of it. He'd been too engrossed in his current design project, his attention flicking back and forth between his typing and the medical journal at his side, opened to a recent article about a new study on regenerative rates of the nervous system. Truly, he had no idea how rude he was being taking up a table that could be used by others, especially after he'd finished his packed punch and coffee just a few minutes ago.

Perhaps someone should go and shuffle the man out of the space.


IV. Wildcard | Open to all
[OOC: I'm open to anything here, giving David a chance to hang out with his standing CR or meet new people. My only rule is that interactions would happen in Excelsior. If you have an idea that the above open post doesn't allow for, either private message this account or hit me up on plurk at churbooseanon or discord at Churby#4290. OR throw your own starter out in here. I'm happy to do many things.

IF you're looking for things that may be good hooks, David's a technopath, associated with a company that makes prosethetics and assistive technology, an accomplished chef that will be hitting up stores around the city for quality food and cookware/appliances, a technopath that will be around many computer shops, and honestly? He's a hockey nerd so you might find him at sports bars sometimes. Other than that, he'll likely often be out reading books in parks, or even just scientific journals. Guy has a spread of interests and we can talk it out to figure what might best hook a character into paying attention to him or coming over to say hi.]

Comments

iii.

[nepotis]

Harry knows his free meal ticket is coming to a close. He has less than a month to move out of the Diadem and decide whether he'll stay on the guilds' dime or break out on his own. He isn't sure that staying in Central City will be the best move for him, long-term, and like hell is he living in Magicville or Bumfuck Nowhere, Kansas. So, he decides to visit Excelsior and do some apartment shopping. He gets a late start, and so is only arriving at the coffee shop for breakfast during what appears to be the lunch rush. He orders, pays, takes his americano and breakfast sandwich from the server, and turns to look out over the packed coffee house, eyes searching to find an unoccupied seat.

There's one table, over by the wall, with only one guy sitting at it... Harry approaches to get a better look, at which point he sees that the free chair is occupied by a backpack, and there's a second laptop taking up the free half of the table.

"Jesus Christ, is the circus in town or something? Look, if this isn't your bag and you're waiting for your friend to come back from the restroom, feel free to tell me to fuck off, but... Is this seat taken?"

[helpdesk_hero]

Some speaks, and it's near enough that David actually looks up. He wasn't expecting to be engaged, he's been treated with courteous privacy before. For a while he stares at the other man in confusion, before his eyes dart around.

"Oh, it got busy," he said,clearly shocked. "Hold on, let me clear that space for you."

He was immediately on his feet, straightening out his light sweater reflexively before he moved to collect the backpack. This he tucked under his seat, and he considered the other laptop for a moment. With a sigh, because he really wasn't done, he raised the laptop he had open, slid the other one under it to give the stranger room, and then settled his work laptop back down before sitting.

"It was rather empty when I first got here, and I was taking a long lunch. Guess I got lost in my reading. I'm sorry."

[nepotis]

"Cheers."

Harry slides into the seat once it's been freed of the backpack, setting the plate with his breakfast sandwich on the table and sipping from his cup before setting that down too.

"What're you reading? It must be pretty engrossing."

[helpdesk_hero]

Ah, but what he's reading would be boring. Still, the man asked, and David had been unintentionally rude so he would answer. Because what harm was it to do so?

"Recent publication on a new study on the regenerative rates of nerves," he answered. "I need to keep up with that sort of thing in my line of work."

[nepotis]

Believe it or not, that topic actually does pique Harry's interest. Mostly because his own nerves could use some increased regeneration.

"Are you a doctor? Or... a neuroscientist?"

awwyes

[pinkxeno]

Honestly, Mina barely thinks about how the house looks like (because it looks awesome). She started living there before David, therefor she and Harleen did their own thing to Mina's room, as well living room and parts of the kitchen, but honestly? Mina did not expect to get a housemate when she decided to paint the place. In the hindsight, it was probably not the right thing to do, but David did not complain when he started living there, so Mina just assumed it was an accepted (and awesome) style and both were happy enough with the whole thing.

Mina is currently in the living room, where she tried to study but eventually gave up due to how complicated everything sounds (She truly misses Mom's explanations, she made everything sound so easy and simple...); she is laying on a carpet she bought at surprisingly low price (it's not that surprising, actually), groaning while she covers her face with one of the white pillows that came with the place when she first moved in (one of the few white items still left in the apartment).

That means David caught her at the best of times, clearly.

When she hears her housemate's voice, Mina stops her groaning and pulls the pillow away, quickly sitting up. "Oh- hey!!" She and David barely spoke, which is a shame, although she kind of gets it - she is a kid and he is an adult with a job. Naturally she didn't expect them to become best-friends-forever but she'd still like to get to know him.

"What's up?" she is quick to offer him a big smile while she hugs the pillow.

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh god the rug. He absolutely cannot handle it every time he sees it. That said, he shouldn't have let this go on so long. But no, he was trying not to rock the boat when he lived with what amounted to a teen who probably should have had a proper guardian and home. But hey, he had been an advocate for letting young heroes try and take care of themselves, but he hadn't expected to, you know, live with one.

"Going to say those terrible adult thing and say 'we need to talk'. But Gotta ask first, you look frustrated. Homework stuff?"

[pinkxeno]

Leave the rug alone, it only cost her 10$!! (He can guess why)

Mina shakes her head, before her grin becomes a tiffany bit more forced. Ugh school. "Just figuring out stuff- it got confusing so I'm taking a break." It's true that Mina is an airhead and she isn't school-smart. But she does try very hard and studies, even if it doesn't work out well. And sometimes she gets a bit frustrated that it's not working out, so it's best to take a break and eat snacks.

"I will get back to it after a bit!"

[helpdesk_hero]

(He really can.)

But he takes a deep breath. He can do this.

"Alright. You should know you could come to me for help, by the way. I used to do tutoring work."

And he likely understands everything but history better than most people she could find. Or get her in touch with other tutors. Maybe send some work Five's way.

But for now he gestures around them. At the apartment.

"So, what you did with the place... I want to talk about that."

[pinkxeno]

The problem is that Mina does NOT understand it, and that might make things a but hard to explain. But she is fine moving from that conversation, it's a bit embarrassing to look dumb in front of David like that.

She does look around at the gesture. "The house? Oh! Harleen and I painted it together once I moved in- we spent a couple of days trying out colors." she laughs because that was a real fun time.

ii;

[sinistral]

The first meeting had been brief but positive; Bucky left with a good enough impression to agree to a further consultation. That alone probably spoke volumes. But from what Bucky had been able to discover thus far, HYDRA didn't exist here. The potential for other organizations did of course, not to mention individuals, but the lack of that particular spectre of Bucky's past made a huge difference.

Still, it was no small thing to let anyone do any kind of exam, and he still wasn't sure exactly how much he'd feel comfortable with David exploring. He supposed he'd find out.

"Bucky," he corrected when David opened the door; he'd made it this far. And he couldn't fault David for the role of charismatic host, he knew. Good bedside manner, or something akin to it, maybe. He didn't know. "Don't need to put you out of your way."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Of course," David said, and that choice of name did a lot to further solidify David's theory on who exactly this man was. He wasn't going to be certain until he let himself sink into the tech, though. But only technopathically. If this really was the Winter Soldier, even if of another world, the psychometric feedback from his arm could be traumatizing for David.

"So, I really need a big cup of coffee. If it's okay with you, let me guide you back to the work room first, then I'll go fetch it."

The best way to handle a potentially shy animal? Make sure they can explore their surroundings and determine their safety for themself. He doubted Bucky would want to break into the computers in there, so he'd just have to trust the guy either way.

"Come on, the work room is through my bedroom, and that's off of the living room."

Which still had the bright zebra stripes in black and green but he didn't cringe because there were test colors painted up in different parts of the room now. He moved quickly to his bedroom door, complete with name tag, then through it. And immediately turned to open the door to the lab. He'd disabled the electronic locks on it for today, and wedged the door open with a rubber stopper. The more comfortable he can make Bucky, the better.

"Choose whichever is more comfortable for you in there, the stool or the spinny chair. I'm gonna grab that coffee."

[sinistral]

"Sure thing." David probably could have gotten his coffee before Bucky arrived but he wasn't gonna question the guy. (Admittedly he almost questioned the living room paint scheme but decided that no, he didn't want to know.) At least the riot of color calmed down as they moved closer to the workroom, which helped. And it didn't give off the appearance of sterile surgical suite, which also helped.

"Thanks," he said as David moved off, still thinking it weird. But whatever; at least the space seemed clean and organized. He moved inside and just stood there for a moment, waiting. It actually felt good to stand, in the way of having been cooped up sitting for the entirety of the trip here. Of course he gave the equipment a cursory once over but nothing more; he'd resolved to try taking this interaction at its face value. And he needed to know if David could be a potential maintenance and repair resource.

On hearing David's footsteps returning he finally moved toward the stool, leaning against it more than sitting on it.

[helpdesk_hero]

Hey, he was happy just to give the guy some time to settle. He looks a bit settled when David comes in what is clearly a custom printed mug reading '#1 Techie'.

"Well then," he says as he pulls over the rolling chair and sits. Once the cup was down he gestured to Bucky's arm. "I'd like to inspect that technopathically. To 'speak' to it, as it were, and understand the functions. If I look uncomfortable, please ignore it."

Honestly, this was Bucky fucking Barnes. And with the arm, he could extrapolate as to what that arm has seen and been through. The chances of high emotion memories that might mess with his psychometry as he dives in could be high.

[sinistral]

Bucky appreciated the space even if the practical side of him couldn't help silently commenting about the apparent lack of safety consideration therein. After all, what if he was, say, an assassin?

(Realistically he acknowledged that David didn't seem naive enough to let just anyone go traipsing about his home, but he still found himself evaluating his surroundings for advantages and possible ambushes.)

David's return came with a once-over, a simple head to toe scan that was force of habit now. Bucky's lips quirked slightly at the mug and at the easy way David navigated the space. Compared to scientists who looked at his arm with the glee of a child given a new toy, the casual ease was welcome.

"Functions as an arm," he replied, though the joke fell a little flat. Truly Bucky didn't try too hard for levity, too busy studying the other man for a clue behind his words. "What do you mean, uncomfortable?"

I'll take Questions I Should Have Asked Before This Meeting for $200, Alex.

iv.

[the_caped_crusader]

[ bruce has been busy. not accepting the alliance's offer was a conscious decision that left him at a severe disadvantage, but it was nothing he couldn't work through in time; patience was one of his best virtues. so, david will see the maybe recognizable man across the three cities throughout the month, but always seemingly walking with a purpose of some kind.

whether that's buying cheap groceries to hold him over-- cans of tuna, cereal, soup, bread, yogurt, etc., or buying more esoteric items from dollar stores or cheap specialty shops like rope, spray paint, ammonia, and bleach. today, he's buying a pre-paid android phone, despite still having the one provided to him after the first confluence, and a raspberry pi. afterward, he only stops into connoisseur to sit for a large black coffee and a croissant. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[It's been weird to see all of this. Just the same man in passing, time on and time off in Excelsior. He's just someone that keeps pinging off of David's attention and he doesn't know why. David, he's just busy getting a quick coffee fix, and then there's the man, behind him.

How do you even talk to a stranger in this sort of situation? He wants... He wants to sigh. None of this is easy. Oh well, he might as well try. Could get him punched for invading someone's privacy but...]

Bulk rice and dried beans.

[the_caped_crusader]

[ the rice, courtesy of the asian grocer. it was large and would last for months. a bell pepper, a few chilies, some clearance, near sell-by date ground beef... bruce was looking at the menu when david turned to him. ]

Cheap. It gets the job done.

[helpdesk_hero]

No, I'm... I'm saying bulk rice and dried beans. They'll do a lot of heavy lifting together, and you can get giant sacs of the latter, which don't go bad, for pennies on the dollar compared to canned or smaller amounts. It's not going to be great, but it's going to make things stretch further.

[the_caped_crusader]

It's one banana. How much could it really cost? Ten dollars?

[ he's heard the reference before, but he dryly pokes back. he's like thirty-seven, david. it hurts his pride to get advice from someone how much younger? ten years? more??? to a more sobering note, he's had to get used to taking care of himself after leaving the manor. after alfred. ]

I know. But it's good advice anyway.

V - Seeking Comfort - Closed to Balthier

[helpdesk_hero]

[OOC: After the Loki Plotting Party.]

Balthier had offered him shelter, and once David stepped through the portal to leave Loki's apartment, he went seeking it out. He stopped at a wine shop first, acquiring a bottle of port, and then he was off through the streets to the residence. Didn't even wait to knock, just subtly slipped the hidden key out, unlocked the door, replaced the key, and then went inside.

"Please be here, Balthier," he mumbled as he started moving through the space. "Hello?!"

Re: V - Seeking Comfort - Closed to Balthier

[portolan]

It had gotten late. Balthier had left a light on in the entry but retired upstairs to keep himself distracted at his desk. He hears the door open and stands, coming down the stairs as David calls.

It takes him a minute, but then he’s there, embracing David firmly. “I’ve got you, dear one.”

[helpdesk_hero]

The arms around him are important, and finally David breaks down. It goes from silent crying to soft sobbing into Balthier's shirt in very little time at all, even as his knees go weak and he starts to go toward the floor. Hopefully Balthier will just lower down with him.

He doesn't cry often, but this? This is the sort of situation that forces it for him.

[portolan]

He holds firmly and lets the other man cry. When David’s legs start to buckle, he eases them both to the ground, gently pulling back toward the staircase so he can lean them against it. He keeps his grip firm on David but lets one hand rub gentle circles on his back.

Whatever this is, it’s deep. Sometimes the best thing to do is just let the waves come. He suspects there’s more under it, pressure that’s been built over time. That’s the only thing that makes him cry that way, anyway.

“I know,” he says periodically. “I’ve got you. You’re alright.”

[helpdesk_hero]

It is nice, to trust the arms around him. To want to be held like this. To be given this support. When he has himself more under control he whispers against Balthier's shirt.

"I failed the kid, and I think I broke something with Josh."