metalogs | (open) | Making My Way Downtown

Entry tags:

(open) | Making My Way Downtown

Who: Balthier

portolan, David

helpdesk_hero, Otto

doctopoda, MCU Peter

tinglsense, Diana

monomachy, Bucky

sinistral, and anyone else who wants to play
What: House guests, dates, work, shopping, idk he’s learning to be a person here
When: Late March / Early April
Where: Excelsior, mostly Balthier’s house and place of work
Content Warnings: Will update as needed

[ OOC: I’m happy to match brackets or prose and have no actual preference. Will match your top-level style. ]

I. Purveyor of Fine and Rare Goods | OPEN | The Antique Store

[ The shop is majestic, with antique wooden floors covered in antique Persian and Navajo rugs. You can find anything here from Revolutionary War Era candlestick holders to a 500-year-old desk to legitimate medieval earrings. There are also less…traditional goods, if you know how to ask. Magical items. Strange technology from other universes. Whether you’re just browsing the collection or looking for something specific, Balthier will gladly greet you, probably in something antique or outlandish himself.

Between customers, he can usually be found drinking tea, doing work on his laptop, drawing, or occasionally playing with tarot cards. He might also wander across the shared hallway to the contemporary art gallery next door, which sells Warhols and Lichtensteins on the regular.

This is a long established Society shop, so it’s also not uncommon for guild members to stop by. ]

II. Finally Some Peace and Quiet | Closed to David | Balthier’s House

[ It’s a little strange, having the house empty with none of Eddie or Peter’s things downstairs. He’s maybe a little glad Eddie is staying longer, a little sad Peter’s gone. It’s nice in the evenings to chat with them, to always have some sort of life in the house.

But it’s nice, too, with everything tidied and quiet and something he’s brought into the space. There’s already a fire started in the living room, the heat turned down low in anticipation of tonight’s fire filling the house, as it was designed to do 130 years before.

He gets antsy in the hour leading up to David’s arrival. The house is already clean, so he brings down a sketchbook, but mostly finds himself pacing to check that he has everything: tea, wine, his room in order, music, supplies for the fire.

Scions, this is the most nervous he’s been to see David since this all started. ]

III. Oh No, Not Again | Closed to Bucky | A Park in Excelsior

[ Last time Bucky and Balthier tried to get hot beverages and go to a park, they ran into a man who could command birds to attack people. That had been a nightmare to sort out, and they’d agreed to try hot beverages again. One way or another a month had passed, but here they were.

Coffee and tea in hand, they make their way again to a local park. The weather is a lovely 55, the sun is shining, they’re just getting settled in conversation when a giant, pink, stuffed jackalope the size of an SUV comes hurdling onto the scene. ]

You have to be joking.

[ He’s had, like, a quarter of his tea. Come on. ]

IV. Science Dad | Closed to Otto | Balthier’s House

[ Otto was kind enough to come spend the afternoon looking at Balthier’s bike in the garage downstairs. Sufficiently tired from their efforts, the two retreat upstairs for some tea.

The main level of the house has a galley kitchen next to a formal dining room, which sports a regal antique table and a China cabinet. Balthier puts the kettle on then retrieves two teacups out of the China cabinet from a set that’s white porcelain trimmed in gold. ]

Caffeine or no? And are you hungry?

[ Hosting is as natural to him as speaking. It’s honestly nice to have an excuse to do it with someone new. Peter and Eddie are both out this afternoon. ]

V. Junk Food and Feelings | Closed to MCU Peter | Balthier’s House

[ Balthier had noticed Peter’s absence regarding the haunted house incident and had shown up to try to save the kid. He wasn’t the one who found Peter, but he was glad someone got him out, and that much more relieved he’d taken Balthier up on crashing with him for a few weeks.

But he hadn’t quite been himself since the incident. So when Peter discovered one day that Balthier has literally never tried junk food and was insisting Balthier had to remedy that, he gave Peter a wad of cash and told him to go buy a spread (with every intention of making Peter keep the extra cash).

So now they’re in the living room as Balthier is investigating the brightly colored packaging with an increasingly perplexed expression on his face. It makes terrible noises when touched and all of the snacks smell slightly chemical. ]

This is standard fare here?

VI. Get In, We’re Going Shopping | Closed to Diana | The Mall TM

[ The third or fourth time it comes up that Balthier doesn’t actually own casual clothes, he decides maybe it’s time to fix that. His boyfriend has been busy, and he doesn’t particularly want to go alone, so he texts his only other friend who is not remotely from this time to go shopping.

So now they’re at some huge mall in Excelsior, boba tea in hand, trying to decide where to go next. ]

I have been here three months and I still do not understand why casual clothing is so beloved on this world.

[ Look, yes, it’s comfortable, but Scions above he can’t tell half of it apart from pajamas. He just wants to go to a formal party. A gala. A musical performance. Somewhere that he isn’t aggressively the best dressed person. ]

VII. User Error | Closed to Stephen | Balthier’s House

[ A few minutes after Balthier sends an affirmative text, there’s a knock on the door. He abandons the notes and computer work he was doing upstairs to answer. He was not expecting Strange to be on the other side, though now that he considers what he knows about the man, he should have. ]

I see traffic was terrible.

[ He steps back, inviting Stephen into a restored 19th century townhouse mostly furnished with antiques. There are some pillows on the couch because Peter has been staying here for a few weeks, but it’s otherwise extremely tidy and quiet, like stepping back in time.]

VIII. Wildcard | Open

[ Feel free to top level something unrelated, or hit me up here or on plurk (

portolan) to chat. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

“Delicious, am I?” He teases. He’s pleased David likes it — he’s done some trial runs at work but hasn’t worn anything like this around David yet. It took some fiddling to preserve the clean lines but make it feel like himself. David, of course, picked up on why. The shoes were a good find. “I’m glad to keep your eye delighted and surprised. This way.”

The opening to the house is a small area with a coat rack and an antique table holding mail and keys and some decorative things. Original wood floors lead to a stair case on the left, a living room on the right, and straight forward down a narrow hallway to a galley kitchen. It’s the only part of the house that’s been significantly renovated.

Balthier sets his bag on the counter then turns to David. “I can take your night things upstairs, but first let me look at you without all those bags.”

The place has character. In a good way, unlike David's apartment in transition. But his eyes quickly leave off evaluations of the space to watch Balthier.

"As delicious as a brownie, I assure you," he assured the other. Then he was following a Balthier's example in putting the bags down where there were good surfaces, and holding his arms out to be inspected. He of course wore the normal glasses and watch, and his ring flashed on his finger as it ever did when around Balthier. And tonight it was a reasonable accent.

"Do I pass muster?"

That gets a laugh from Balthier, and a warmness in his heart, to reference that memory. “I hope you’ll indulge in me more often,” he says even as David presents himself.

He makes a show of scrutinizing for a moment then sighs dramatically. “I’m afraid you are radiant and that scarf and jacket are particularly stunning. You are always so good with shape and flat colors. Come here,” and this time he does embrace his love, lingering in his warmth and the freshness of his smell. “I like seeing that ring on you too.”

"I want to," David admits, his voice soft and longing. He really wanted this, wanted Balthier. And their distance had clearly made them both shy.

Mostly he was happy to be seen though. Especially with the way that Balthier looks at him and is clearly pleased. Then he's wrapping his arms around Balthier, happy to hold him.

"I wear it whenever I can. I got a chain to wear it on when I'm at work. Can't wear it when working on devices."

Shyness that is making Balthier both happy to hear David’s longing and all the more confused as to how and why they drifted. But he’s not focusing on that now. He has David in his arms and he’s not letting himself wonder how long it will be in between again, if he’s just falling into old dating patterns.

The ring comment gets a smile and calms a little of the worry. He likes that David wears it, likes that David put effort into keeping it close. He ignores the worry that it’s a lie to seduce him — that was Wilhere, not David.

“I’m thrilled you like it.” He could just stand here holding David, but he feels shy about that too. So he steps back — not that it’s far in the narrow kitchen. “Tour now or later? And can I get you anything to drink? Tea? Wine? Water?”

Seduce? Hardly. David was actually nervous that tonight was going to be an attempt to seduce him, and was worried that maybe he wasn't ready for that yet.

"Tour now, tea after," David suggested. "And then I'll explain why you haven't been over to my place yet. You'll laugh."

He wasn't sure he was ready for that yet either, and thus had hesitate to tell David he wanted him to stay the night for fear of what it might imply. But he also wasn't sure that he wasn't ready for it, and so he was just avoiding thinking about it.

A tour he could handle. "Back that way then," he says, leading David to the small entranceway (but no wallpaper). "May I take your coat?" He wants to make a teasing comment about the story, but to be honest, it's something he's worried over too long to make light of. He wishes he'd asked, but now he's buried under the discomfort.

"Of course," David said with a smile, shedding his coat and offering it, and the scarf over. The house was a bit more chill than he was expecting, but that wasn't a bad thing. They had a fire they were going to enjoy after all.

Balthier arranges the coat and scarf deftly but delicately on the coat rack. “So, row houses were common upper middle class housing in the 19th and 20th centuries in the US, though more common on the East Coast. Usually trade money. This one is largely restored to original wood and decorative elements, except the kitchen and bathrooms.”

He doesn’t even notice himself gesturing to the living room instead of taking David’s hand. He’s so nervous he’s falling back on his dashing aristocrat mannerisms.

"Yeah, I'd expect something like this more in Boston or New York. But here you are, you found a brownstone in Washington, and damn, it's beautiful. Was it restored before you found it, or has this been work for you?"

That said, he steps forward at the gesture, catching Balthier's hand to hold it.

"Do people have styles like this where you're from?"

"Some of the elite who moved west brought the styles with them. They're less common, but they're here."

He's momentarily distracted by David's hand in his, but he grips back firmly, relaxing a little for the gesture.

"Not exactly, but it's closer. The materials are more similar, primarily wood and stone and hand craftsmanship. I also have an affinity for tighter spaces after years in apartments and ships.

"This one was mostly already in good shape, though I had a little work done in February before I moved in. I don't have the patience for restoration work myself. Still, it was a lot of effort finding it. David, you wouldn't believe how many people gut these historical buildings to slap in absolutely repulsive updates."

The living room is square with a door coming off the entry and open double doors leading to the dining room. A rich antique carpet sits under a sofa and two leather chairs, with a regal coffee table. Behind it are bookshelves and plants. One of the small tables sports an actual gramophone record player. Natural light comes in from a bay window. All of it is arranged to face a handsome antique fireplace.

"Haven't done much in the way of art yet, but looking forward to it," he admits. He's not deep enough into his research to know what he wants or what he likes, but he keeps an eye on the pieces that come through.

"Oh, I would. They do it because they think they can make more money doing that, when there are people that would give an arm and a leg to live in something so beautiful as what you've found. The only improvements I ever emotionally agree with in these places are better kitchens and bathrooms, and even then I feel like improvements should be subtle to still keep the character of hte location."

But oh, he loves what Balthier has done with the place. It looks so warm and welcoming.

"The fireplace," he says, grinning. "And oh the bookshelves. I would love to see these filled, and curl up to read. The carpet is divine. You've got amazing taste in furnishing too, my love. I'm glad to see it."

Their thinking overlaps so often; he’s forgotten that but it brings a smile to his face. “Well I have good news then,” he chuckles. Man needs a comfortable shower. And bath tub.

And he’s pleased with the compliments and approval. “Did you doubt me?” He teases. He doubted himself a little, sharing his space and his tastes especially in a place where he was still learning. “You’ll have to come back and read with me,” he agrees though.

He pulls David toward the dining room. An antique table with four seats at it, four more around the room and a leaf available. One wall has a stately buffet with antique candlestick holders, and the other has a fine China cabinet with a set of white porcelain lined in gold.

Balthier is used to having to secure everything so he’s reached for things with drawers.

A man needs more than a comfortable shower and tub. They need one that is comfortable and not a pain to clean. And in a kitchen David's needs are even greater.

"Clothing fashion doesn't always lead to good home sense, my dear. But yes, I think I shall have to do that. I enjoy reading, even if I don't give myself excuses to do it nearly enough."

He steps into the dining room and makes a pleased noise. Now he lets go of Balthier's hand so he can instead move to touch the table. It's interesting to consider, letting his power thrum through it. How interesting.

"I've wanted to do something like this before. To see whether the table considers itself changed every time the leaf is there or not. Gotta say, I'm surprised. It considers the leaf... I don't know. Like I'd consider a cousin. Part of yourself, but distant."

No disagreements there. He’s been immensely happy to have a real tub after two months at the Diadem. And one big enough for a tall man.

“I’d be a poor salesman if I had no eye for furniture,” he teases. He’s out of practice just taking the compliment. “And I do recall you offered to read to me sometime.”

As David pulls away to examine the table Balthier smiles. “I love how you use that power, dear one, and that’s fascinating.”

Oh, he would enjoy reading to Balthier. Maybe he even could this evening. Who knew, maybe that would be the direction the table took.

"It's got some history to it," he continued, "but nothing dramatic. It was owned, before it came into your hands, by an older couple. They never had call for the leaf. By the time it was acquired, there was no one to share dinners with. It's lonely..."

HE looks back over his shoulder at his beloved star and smiles.

"The table knows it's beautiful, and can do more. It should get the chance for it. Especially since beyond your possession, it hasn't been used for a while. May we eat here tonight? I shall be happy to make a meal to impress you and it both."

"I must admit, I am so deeply pleased to learn another layer of the history of things through your eyes, and I like the idea of the things I own being pleased at how I use them. I was already planning to use the table for dinner, but I think now we must. And possibly host some fine gatherings at it in the future." He loves a dinner party okay. Even if he only wants David tonight.

Wait, really? David grins.

"Are you suggesting a dinner party, mon bijou? Because I've never done one of those. Sounds fun."

If he was invited. He'd adore being invited. And sharing that either as a guest or co-host to it. But for now, they could move on, he could go through other things later.

"So, is the kitchen the natural transition from here, or do we bypass that until it's needed?"

HE returns to Balthier and, just to reinforce that he's not going anywhere, and that he's hoping he can take the texts from earlier in the week seriously, he takes the man's arm.

"You surprise me, love. I should think you a very natural fit for dinner parties. We will have to remedy that. I've been wanting to have one." The only way David not being a part of it even crosses his mind is if they have for some reason gone their separate ways. So he doesn't think to say anything regarding invitation.

"We may as well loop through." Oh, but David's taking his arm, and his heart is happy for it. "You always look lovely, my dear, but I admit I like seeing you in this setting. You have different taste than me, but I like how they go together." He likes how they go together.

He pulls David into the kitchen through a door at the back of both rooms. It's narrow but the space is used well with lots of natural light. There's a built in rack for wine, and the stove is gas; electric was off-putting so he was happy for that.

"Id' be happy to assist, if you were to ask," David smiles. But he would love to work on that together. It would make him feel better, to have something they're doing together.

"Seeing me in this setting? You mean comfortable in your home? How could I not, when you are here."

The kitchen is more narrow than David would like, and lacking tools and appliances he'd prefer, but this wasn't his domain, so that's fine. For now he smiles at it.

"And here is the canvas I love most," he said, looking around, happily moving to check over the stove. It works well, which is perfect for him. "Oh yes, I can work with this. But I also love the use of space above the fridge and the like, but with the doors opening up. Someone was thinking hard when they did that, bless them. And with your cabinet in the other room, it's possible to only need to store practical plates in here, in smaller quanta, and still have space for so much more."

He's clearly itching to poke around, to explore this place deeper. Here David almost radiated an eager energy on par with at the museum. In excess of it.

"I would ask," Balthier assures him this time. "And for guests; I'm rather fond of mixing people who don't already know one another." And he hasn't gotten to meet any of David's people; that housewarming party never happened, or at least he assumes it didn't because no follow up ever came.

He's glad David feels comfortable in his home, at least. That feels good. And here he can -- and does -- picture David on the Strahl with him. That's a fantasy he'll never get to make good on, but he still likes considering it. Though they'd never really get privacy there, unless Balthier kicked everyone out. Which he very well might have done.

He's grinning after David as the other man comes alive at the kitchen. "Good layouts are vital in small spaces," he agrees. It was a reason he'd liked this house. No wasted space. No poor angles. "Yes, I'm happy with the cabinet space; the other room has more in the drawers below. Truth be told, though, I use the China more often than my daywear; habit, I supposed." He doesn't entirely trust the dishwasher but Peter and Eddie prefer it. And it's good for the drinking glasses and mugs at least.

"Shall I let you get started? Or do you want to see upstairs first?" There's no rush. They'll end up moving that way eventually, and he feels like he's properly invited David in now. It was strange to have had him come by but never really come inside.

"From what I've been given to understand, half the fun of a dinner party is a variety of guests who don't know each other so they can talk amongst themselves and make new friends," he said. But inviting people Balthier doesn't know and David does would be good too.

"Habit that I have no problem with. I'll admit it, I've never eaten off of china, fine or otherwise. This will be interesting."

There's no rush indeed, and while he has plans for appetizers, they can wait. So he instead pushes Balthier toward the counter in the kitchen. Pushes him right up against it so he can pin him there for a kiss. It's still light for now, but it's sure as hell a kiss.

"It is indeed," Balthier agrees. "And getting everyone to show off. If this space were big enough for a piano I'd consider getting one. You never know who will just start playing."

He's going to have such fun surrounding David with nice things. Assuming they keep--

His breath comes sharply as David pushes him against the counter and presses their lips together. His heart forgets to beat for a moment and he'd be hard pressed to say with a straight face that pinning him wasn't a turn on. And damn, it's a kiss. Warm and firm and so, so welcome.

As it breaks, he rubs his nose against David's, arms around the other man's neck to hold him there a minute.

"I'm so glad you came today," today he admits. So glad things are okay. So glad you still want me.

He'd comment that music wouldn't be coming from him unless he wanted unemotional, though flawlessly, performed pieces. Balthier deserved better than that. Like this kiss. It was better than that, by a good measure.

"I'm glad too," he answered, his voice soft. "But there you have it, you sound a bit more... engaged. We agreed we still want this, so don't hide your light from me. Please. I might break if we keep spending today scared. So honesty time."

He pulls away and takes out his phone, opening up a picture. Of the living room where he lives. The walls still painted in zebra stripes over electric green walls. And on top of that, vividly colored everything.

"I wasn't the first person to arrive there. My teenage housemate got there a bit before me, decided there being four separate rooms and labs in a guild provided housing unit meant she was going to live alone, and made the common rooms a bit... much. We've talked about it."

And it will get better. But oh god, trying to have romantic moments in a space like that would have broken his mind.

That gets a laugh from Balthier, both out of comprehension of the situation and at the validity of David's plea to be more honest.

"Oh, dear. That's a bit loud even for me. Sweetheart, I'm so sorry." He assumes David is a good deal less tolerant of it than Balthier would be. Though Balthier would have started bringing his own absurdities to it. Or just repainted it. "I do wish you'd told me sooner. I--" Honestly, not distance. "I should have asked, too, when I started feeling worried. I don't care if your apartment looks like, well, a circus disaster. I just want to see you.

"Though I'm guilty too. I didn't expect Eddie and Peter to both take me up on my offer to stay, and I felt strange having you over with someone constantly in the living room; even if they were out, their things were all about, and maybe I shouldn't have cared about that."

He puts his forehead against David's. Something he hasn't done in awhile, now. "Forgive me, too, because sometimes I am just a coward, and I was so afraid I'd spent my window for being interesting to you. I'll stop speaking of sad things after this; you're here, and I'm happy, but there's my honesty. Late, but yours." Needed to be shaken off before he could properly shine.

Re: It is important to reassert dibs from time to time

Re: It is important to reassert dibs from time to time

Re: It is important to reassert dibs from time to time

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