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]

David nods. It's the best he can do.

"There's more stories. There are always more stories. But not from me today. I've let out all I can."

[portolan]

"I think I would stop you today. There's a limit to how much hurt the heart can handle before it shuts down. I'm glad you're keeping an eye on that.

"Why don't you go put your laundry in. Then let me read to you, or tell you stories, or we can watch something or take a walk. I want to keep your mind occupied, and I want to keep you in my arms."

I want to keep that darkness at bay.

[helpdesk_hero]

"I'm trying to be different. i'm trying not to shut down," David answered.

But the statement earns a nod and David rises.

"Stories I think. Happy ones. I'm going to head upstairs and fetch the clothes. I hope you're okay with maybe ordering food. I don't think cooking is in my power tonight."

[portolan]

“David,” he says, in a way that’s meant to get attention, alert the other man that he’s being serious. “It wasn’t easy to come see me today, or to share. I’m proud of you for trying to change those old habits.” He feels so corny saying it, maybe even condescending, but it’s the thing he often needs to hear when he tries, so he hopes it will be welcome.

“Stories and take out sounds lovely.” Really, David, he wouldn’t dream of asking for your labor today. Not unless it was soothing to the other man. “Anything in mind or shall I just make a decision?”

[helpdesk_hero]

Proud of him. Well, David thinks he can be proud of himself too. So he smiles. Yeah, proud.

"Thanks for reminding me."

Still, he supposes he should have an opinion.

"I'm going to ask for something unimpressive. IHop does surprisingly good comfort food."

[portolan]

Balthier grins at an old script of theirs he's had decreasing occasion to use.

"I'm afraid I don't know what that is, so you'll have to tell me what you want or be the one to order."

And, yeah, he's glad the proud comment went over well.

[helpdesk_hero]

One has to hope that the script will play out less. He deserves to have a boyfriend who listens to him after all. But sometimes you still have to say the words.

"Oh man, I'll bring up the menu on my phone for you. It's just hearty."

[portolan]

“Alright. Give me that and go move your laundry and then come back to me.”

While David goes to do that he peruses a menu that is truly American and still mostly foreign to him. But there are some things he recognizes.

[helpdesk_hero]

David nodded, pulled it all up, and was happy to hand it over. He already knew what he wanted. The most decadent pancakes he could get. Fuck his diet tonight.

Decision made he moves to go upstairs, acquire the clothes, and take them down. Once that's all in he returns to Balthier.

"Hey, no more caffeine for me tonight. Or wine?"

[portolan]

Balthier picks something savory with eggs and potatoes. He doesn’t have a sweet tooth and after some things Peter and Eddie have brought home he does not trust sweet here. Yes, he is a snob. But he’s going to make sure David has what he wants.

“Mint tea has no caffeine. I also have camomile, water, and mango juice if you prefer.” But he does get up and put the wine with the other liquor. On his way back he pulls a throw blanket off one of the chairs and tosses it to David.

“Curl up with me.”

[helpdesk_hero]

David, when he returns, gets some pancakes that claim to be cinnamon rolls too. What can he say, sugar is a comfort to him.

"Mango juice sounds like an amazing choice. And yeah, of course I will. Your arms are doing a lot to keep me together right now."

[portolan]

Balthier produces said mango juice, bringing the rest of it to set on the table; once he's settled in, he'd like to stay until the food arrives.

He settles onto the couch and holds open his arms, beckoning. "Happy to do so."

[helpdesk_hero]

Well, that's great, the way he just wants to hold David together. It's wonderful, to have someone who wants to do that for him.

"SO, is mango juice in your world too?

[portolan]

"Something quite similar. It's not from my region -- Archades, I think, is similar to Turkey here. There's a tropical region called the Golmore Jungle that produces similar fruits. I had imported ones as a child, but there's nothing quite like having them fresh. Though the best are in the jungle, and that usually requires fighting off monsters to reach them."

[helpdesk_hero]

Well, that's something to consider.

"I'll keep 'enjoys something like Mango' on my list of things to cook."

Because David wants to give him things he likes.

[portolan]

"Cooked with something spicy is one of my favorites." It's nice to share that. Nice to set these unspecific plans and know that many will bloom into more time together, more memories.

"Now I owe you stories, dear one. What would you like? Adventure? Nonsense from my youth? Thefts? Or I could show you pieces of Ivalice."

[helpdesk_hero]

Mangos and spicy?

"Well I've never tried something like that before. I'm a bit excited."

He'll have to figure it out and that pleases him. A new exciting concept to work with.

"Adventure I think."

[portolan]

He's pleased to give David something new, and something he quite likes. "I hadn't had it until I traveled," he agrees. "One of my favorite pieces of travel."

Adventure. Let's see.

"My world, Hydaelyn, is to some extent in an earlier time than yours, but also more advanced. Part of that is that we have had multiple cycles of civilization and collapse. I told you I was 2000 years earlier than someone else I met. There are civilizations two, four, six thousands years older than mine -- some we understand, some we've lost.

"This is relevant only because my world is truly littered with ruins. Many have been looted, but a surprising number have not."

Cue pirate.

"When I first joined up with sky pirates, I was sixteen and quite frankly a naive imbecile. But I had court style magic and I was clever. So they took me along into a series of tombs in the Estersands. Nothing that hadn't been combed a thousand times, but I daresay my eye even at 16 was more attune to the historical and magical elements than the average pirate." Which was why they'd taken him in; his piracy skills hadn't been much to speak of.

[helpdesk_hero]

World cycles like that are clearly far more intense than the ones David would have experienced and known. Which is very interesting. He almost wished he was there to study it. Better that he wasn't though. This story was far more exciting anyway.

"Court style magic?"

[portolan]

"I think I mentioned we were trained in school from a young age -- anyone can learn, but there are people who only focus on one type or don't get to higher level spells. Someone who went to the academies is likely to have a proficiency for all types -- red, white, green, black, arcane -- and be able to pick up additional spells. I also had the proper licenses to use many, which made me less of a risk in the event we did need to use them in front of others."

Really, his world was intensely classist.

"And I had the affect, accent, and bravado to insist I was where I ought to be. I was quite an asset."

[helpdesk_hero]

Licenses? Oh, he's going to pry into that later. But now he wants to hear about this place.

"Did you find something new in your ruins trip?"

[portolan]

"Well it wouldn't be much of an adventure story if I didn't.

"There's an old tunnel that runs between an opening in the sands and an old fortress, which is currently a fairly horrific prison. Been in there a few times, though you'd think they'd up security when I keep getting out.

"Regardless. The tunnel is old, two or three civilizations ago, before airships. Or I suppose after the fall of the old ones.

"People walk that tunnel every day. There should not have been anything new. But the first few tombs we looked in were bust. There's a mural in the passage that's famous -- been considered a treasure map for a long time but no one had found anything.

"I recognized it from a play I liked, which had been written when the fortress was still open. It had part of a line in it, but misquoted. Which essentially said to mirror the instructions. It took us a few tries, but rotating and mirroring the map pointed to a different spot in the desert.

"Sure enough, we reached it, searched a small outcropping of rocks, and found an untouched entrance.

"Scions, it was so hot that day, and we were all delirious from the heat and the excitement."

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh god, David now puts 'give Balthier books about famous prison escapes' on his list. The man should be amused.

Well that's quite amusing. He smiles to hear it.

"My brilliant star, solving a centuries old puzzle."

[portolan]

He's forming a better picture himself of how intelligent David is, and how much knowledge he has access to. Which makes his love finding him brilliant in return all the more pleasing. And as much as it is fun to run circles around others, it is more fun to be well-matched.

"Brilliant minds need hard puzzles or they tend to get themselves into trouble." Or both at the same time, which was really more how his life went.

"It was, of course, filled with traps and protectives. Monsters had gotten inside as well. They always do. I suppose the Mist has something to do with it. So we spent the next, scions, two days? Slowly pushing in. I have never been hit by so many poison spells. Restoratives take it off alright, but it leaves you with a residual headache and dry mouth like you wouldn't believe. And I couldn't taste correctly for a week.

"It was well worth it. There were stunning statues and mosaics in the inner chamber, and quite a cache of jewelry. The clothing had sadly mostly decayed, but these were from that tomb." His finger goes to a pair of earrings he always wears. "We had a ... questionable structure for dividing spoils, but it was my first large pay out. Gave me enough to have some choice in my jobs, got me interested in that particular era. I made sure to seal the tomb back after; no sense ruining the art.

"After that I got asked on permanently. Spent a few years with that group of pirates."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Puzzles were never really my talent, if I'm honest. I figure them out if I bang my head against them enough sometimes, but unless they're logic puzzles, they can be hard."

So there were things that Balthier had an edge on him with. Which was nice. But listening about the adventure made him smile.

"I do really love the earrings you have. To know they have some history to them is a delight. And I'm guessing you left that group because you got your own ship at that point?"