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

[helpdesk_hero]

White's out, but he can accept that. Hospitals weren't fun for him either.

"Well, we don't want that. But, uh... how wed are you to this particular color scheme?"

[pinkxeno]

Mina looks around, wondering about that.

Well, not this particular color scheme, no. "I guess we can add orange somewhere."You dug this hole, David.

[helpdesk_hero]

He doesn't even bother to hide the way that makes him cringe.

"Yeah, I think that would make it all better for you, but, uh, it would also make the space less comfortable for me than it already is."

There. He's said it.

"I guess I'm saying part of the reasons I haven't been hanging out in these rooms has been that it's really uncomfortable for me. The colors are too intense."

[pinkxeno]

Mina looks at David... and then looks around. And she looks pretty confused.

"Colors make you uncomfortable?" what? Is that like... a disease? A condition? She quickly points at herself (Mina is pink, after all) "Is pink uncomfortable?" it's true she has a watch that can make her look like most people, but she likes her pink very much and didn't think it would leave others uncomfortable.

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh god, she's taking this wrong. That isn't what he meant. This is just... He sighs, fingers coming up to rub his temples.

"That isn't what I mean, Mina. I mean what you find to be pleasing colors and patterns aren't always going to be pleasing to other people. Sometimes it will be really displeasing."

[pinkxeno]

Ohhhhhhh.

She honestly still doesn't fully get what he means but SHE IS TRYING. Mina looks around at the colorful accessories and then at the walls, and eventually it clicks:

"Oh, you mean you don't like purple with orange and green?" yeah Mina, maybe that.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Yes, and I don't really like zebra stripes either. But I can respect that you do like those things. I'm just wondering if there might be something we can do to make the living room more of a middle ground. Something that can make us both happy."

He can touch on the kitchen after that. People were often happy to give you a LOT of leeway with kitchen design when you cooked for them, or at least let them have a portion of what you cooked for yourself.

[pinkxeno]

"Oh!! You can paint it over, I don't mind." Mina REALLY doesn't. She loves colors, her room is hot pink and purple and black and she has all sort of animal patterns. But the rest of her house and the dorms where she used to live in her world were pretty bland and normal and she was absolutely fine with it.

"It's normal paint, and it comes off with water too." water-based, that's what they called it. It also comes off with acid with low acidity too, which is easy to make if you are Mina.

But suddenly she gasps "Whaaa!!! Why didn't you tell me before if you didn't like it?!?!" she is not a mind reader, she didn't know! And he never complained!

[helpdesk_hero]

Water based. That's... not supposed to be a thing when people say water based. But now he feels bad for not telling her. Geez, how did he explain?

"I'm sorry, I just... I'm not a fan of confronting people over things like this. It seems so silly, I know, but that is just how I feel about things I guess. Like I want to keep a peaceful feeling in the apartment, and telling you that 'your style here doesn't suit me' is basically saying 'my feelings are more important than yours', which isn't fair?"

David Alleyne: overthinker.

[pinkxeno]

An overthinker indeed! Mina doesn't care about ANY of that, truthfully, so it does confuse her a little why anyone would think that hard over colors.

"It's just colors, tho." sure, the pink is important to her, but specifically her pink skin. She doesn't care about colors on the wall that much, and sure the white makes it all feel like a hospital, but if that's something that makes David feel better, then she doesn't care.

"I can buy white paint tomorrow and just paint it over." no big deal for her, really.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Oh white would be horrible," David answered, shaking his head. "Maybe we could figure out something more interesting and colorful, but together? I mean, I could definitely accept some tastefully picked purple, and with an accent wall. And have bits of other colors to pop and add character is always good too."

He can make this work for them both, make it a comfortable space, but more... cohesive.

[pinkxeno]

At least he agrees that white isn't like... the most appealing. Mina hums, tapping her chin. "If ya want, we can pick some colors then? There is a store nearby that sells paint! Also, I still got the brushes and stuff from last time, so we don't have to buy those - but we gotta get newspaper not to paint the floor!"

She is excited (of course she is), this is literally the first activity she has ever done with her housemate, and to her that will be A LOT of fun!

[helpdesk_hero]

"That sounds like a good idea. I've heard that it can help, sometimes, to get some samples. And you put them up in different parts of the room you're painting, and see what it looks like at different times of day. Then you can figure out which looks best the most time."

Actually, this could be a pretty good activity to do together, to get to know each other. David could see some great value in that And with his powers, they can even do edges super well. It would look good.

And once the living room was done, since the kitchen wasn't repainted, he'd ask if she cared a lot if he bought appliances and cookware. Honestly, he wasn't picky on dishes or silverware, or decoration in the kitchen. Just the things he would actually use.

"We could go now. I have some money to work with from work, they pay me well enough, so please let me pay for this, since I'm the one looking for a change."

[pinkxeno]

"Samples!!" Mina raises her arms excitedly "Let's get all of them!" she knows the super-colorful colors are no good, but she still would like to see the samples they have - maybe she can paint her room again, who knows! Not that she dislikes the way it looks right now, but in any case, she wants to get some samples. 

The suggestion of going now is met with another excited gasp and Mina tries not to bounce in place. "Yeah, yeah, let's go now!" and her homework goes completely forgotten, but let's face it, this break might help her to feel less frustrated about it too. "I don't mind paying tho, i get an allowance from the Guild, so it doesn't make a difference, right?" sure, she likes nice things, but Mina doesn't have a lot to spend money on (mostly it goes for teenager things since as clothes and make-up, but she still has enough money). 

[helpdesk_hero]

Now works. He grins and nods.

"Just, you know, let me change into something that doesn't make me look like I'm on my way to a corporate meeting? I'm so tired of this outfit. And unlike you, I have a means of income beyond the Guild, so please let me do this. You're probably not working a job too, so you need your money for things you want, rather than things I want."

[pinkxeno]

Mina quickly nods, reaching for her books to set them to the side for now. Despite the mess that is Mina's fashion style, she is actually tidy and doesn't leave her things around the house untenanted. "Alright, alright, you can pay then." she won't fight that.

"Go change, I'm waiting, I'm waiting!" and very bouncy about it, too. She will wait by the door, with a purse that is very much her, with glasses to match. Yeah. Her fashion is. Loud.

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah, he's been really relieved that she's a neat person. He'd probably go truly mad otherwise. He nods and heads off to his own room. When he returns it's in nothing more complicated than jeans, a tight yellow t-shirt for a band, and some comfortable shoes. And, of course, his own glasses, with their large yellow lenses. But hey, those are just his way of living.

"Come on. If it takes a while, I'm gonna get hungry and I'll have to buy a burger."

[pinkxeno]

Once david is back, Mina immediately opens the door, way too excited about this. "We should go for burguers even if you don't get hungry!" because there is always time for burgers, she things. Mina trains plenty so she doesn't particularly care about eating too much, and thus she is always ready for a snack.

As they head out, Mina reaches for her phone to check the map function where to head next - that way she never gets lost around the city. "Hmm-- what is your job? A salaryman?" she is asking because he was all dressed up today.

[helpdesk_hero]

"I mean, if you want burgers, we can bring some back for you. I don't have the highest metabolism."

So he'd have to work extra to get it back off. But he made some damn good lentil burgers.

"I make technology to help people with disabilities."

[pinkxeno]

Mina nods. "I'm pretty active, so I'm eating all the time." mostly snacks, but burgers are kinda a snack, he figures. So that means she probably will pass by a food place and something for herself.

But technology - Mina tilts her head curiously. "That's really cool! Is your quirk technopathy or something like that?" they are rare in Mina's world, but that's because that sort of quirk only started showing up after humans developed technology. After all, you can't be a technopath if there is no technology. 

[helpdesk_hero]

"Sounds like a speedster or super-soldier right now," David answered with a grin. Still, he knew how to think for the food needs of the young and the enhanced. He'll make sure there are more high-energy snacks around.

"Yes, that's one of my abilities. Strange that you call it a quirk though. That reminds me of this guy I met in the last world I was in. He was a teacher in a world that talked about powers as 'quirks'."

But clearly she wouldn't know All-Might, right?

[pinkxeno]

"Ehehe, no way!" Mina laughs "One of my friends makes things from her fat, you should see how much she eats!" Momo is truly the one person who eats A LOT, despite being so small and skinny. But she uses all those calories up for her quirk, after all.

Mina looks back at David, however she doesn't think too much about it. In her world, of course they were called quirks, and in fact, she'd imagine that's how it'd be in most worlds (because Mina is a airhead and doesn't cross her mind "superpowers" is less specific than "quirk", a word that has a special background at that) ]

Yeah, we call them quirks. Not really "superpowers" - that sounds weird. Bet that's what most places call it, too!

[helpdesk_hero]

"From my experience, most places call them different things," David answered with a shrug. "In my world it depends a lot on the how of your powers. Mutants versus mutates versus other things."

[pinkxeno]

Mina leaves her hands behind her head as she walks, humming a little. "I guess. Everyone in my world has quirks tho, so it's easier to just call it one thing."

it probably varies from country to country, though. Different languages and all.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Mutants are less common in my world, and of course, people get jealous of what we are, or hate us for what we are. So a different term was definitely something we came to accept and embrace."

You had to turn the identity back to your own use.