(open) | Making My Way Downtown

[portolan]

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. ]

Comments

[portolan]

“I’m not complaining, just making decisions,” he assures him. “You know, there’s something about having you occupied that makes this feel more substantial. Besides, I’m looking forward to the fruits of your labors.”

He has no doubt he’ll get more focused attention later in the evening and really, he doesn’t mind. There’s something tangible about a future when he can see David working and setting boundaries and having his attention split.

“But right now you’re mine.” He wraps his legs up around David’s, enjoying having the other man tangled in him. It makes his heart race, but it also brings a deep sense of calm over him.

[helpdesk_hero]

FEel more substantial? David opens his eyes and looks up at his love. What?

"I'm not used to being effectively praised for the fact that I'm not giving them all of my attention. I think I like that. But please, please tell me if I'm doing it too much."

With that he smiles and rests more of his weight on the other man.

"This is good. I could sleep like this. We'd both be osore in the morning though."

[portolan]

He doesn’t see David’s face so doesn’t register the confusion.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love captivating your attention too. But there’s something intimate about feeling comfortable to focus elsewhere.” Or picturing being in the same space doing their own mundane life things.

“I will let you know if I need more though,” he promises. And that is something he needs to work on, even if it’s not an issue tonight.

He smiles at David settling in more, adjusting slightly so their bodies fit together better. “I’m not the one who protested the bed,” he teases lightly. He would not make it through the night like this, but he’d cling as long as he could.

[helpdesk_hero]

"Intimacy through domesticity?" David suggested in response to the other man's observation. Maybe that was something they could have. Something David never expected to have.

"Who said I protested the bed?"

[portolan]

“That’s a good way to put it,” Balthier says. He feels shy about it, but doesn’t let him quiet that this time.

He absently trails his hand from David’s head back to David’s chest, finding the hand that isn’t holding tea.

“If it wasn’t up to your standards,” Balthier chuckles.

[helpdesk_hero]

Don't be shy about loving the situation you're in. David wouldn't like that as much. He wants them both to embrace it.

"Yes, that is true, I haven't tested it yet. So tell me, are you a man who loves super firm or super soft mattresses, or something in between?"

[portolan]

He's learning that's okay -- encouraged -- with David, but these things take time. He'll get back in his rhythm, forget to be calculating and self-conscious. He already has a few times tonight. Seeing David's enthusiasm helps.

"In between, on the firmer side," he says. "Does this make us horribly incompatible? Have we found the challenge we can't surmount?" And it's so good he can make a joke like that.

[helpdesk_hero]

"I mean, I typically prefer a memory foam mattress, but I haven't been able to afford more than what the guild pre-furnished for me. I'm going to need to save up for what I want."

[portolan]

"I don't know what foam is, but I'm assuming it's not the froth one can produce with milk. Though if you told me someone had some power to make a mattress out of seafoam and that was your preference I'd probably believe you."

[helpdesk_hero]

David smiles and already he's got an order form up. Online he purchases a memory foam pillow and puts Balthier's address on it.

"In about three to five business days you'll understand what I mean, promise. Basically it's a material created that conforms to your body, and can then expand back out to its original shape. It's like being cradle in wonderful peace."

[portolan]

Balthier isn't sure how he feels about having his bed curl around him while he sleeps, but David's pleasure at it certainly makes him interested to try.

"I hope you'll get that mattress sooner rather than later," he says. "A good bed makes everything else better. Tonight you'll have to settle for down pillows."

That still gives him a thrill to say. Tonight. Planning for togetherness. He leans down and kisses David's forehead.

[helpdesk_hero]

He'd be happy to show the man.

"I will, and you'll be welcome to try it. But right now, I'll be happy to enjoy you, even if the pillows aren't amazing. But since it's you, I assume they are."

The kiss earns a hum of pleasure. This? This is a delight.

"Balthier? I love you."

[portolan]

"I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing that," he admits.

This -- David in his arms, tea in his hand, a fire burning in a house he likes -- he could stay in this life and be happy. For a long time.

"I want you to tell me more about cooking. When did you start? Why duck today? What single thing could I do poorly in the kitchen to make you banish me to the dining room forever?"

[helpdesk_hero]

"Oh boy, that's a lot of story right there. But let's see. I didn't really choose to start. One of the first things my powers gave me was knowledge my parents. I didn't realize it until later. But I thought when my dad was around, I'd help more around the house. He was often stressed after work, given he was a professional chef. But I came to like it, contributing to my family's well being."

ANd when he had gained all of that knowledge for all of the time, it had been nice to just, well, do that. Take care of others.

"I did duck because this i going to come out tasty and beautiful and impressive, but I didn't want to go full on insane impressive like a beef wellington or something. I wanted to show a combination of skill, consideration to something you might have had similar food to with your background, and also something I enjoy eating."

The last question makes him laugh. It's actually two fold.

"Improperly sanitizing work spaces after handling meat, and a lack of knife safety and respect."

[portolan]

"I love your caregiving heart. And that calculating mind." He would have been happy with anything, but the considerations to his palette and sense of home are welcome kindnesses. And he loves that David always includes himself in those calculations too.

He's pleased to get the laugh, pleased he knows how to amuse and surprise David. "I shall survive another day in the kitchen; I know both how to sanitize and how to use a knife."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I do love calculations," he agreed, smirking. What, he's making jokes about his mind, and he likes that too.

"Blessings on that. I'll even accept burnt food and horrible food creations, provided I haven't set an expensive ingredient aside for a project. But even when I do that, I label it."

[portolan]

"David, you're terribly pragmatic and accommodating. I'm not sure how I'm going to survive."

[helpdesk_hero]

"By letting me love you," David answered quite pragmatically. "It would be oh so accommodating if you did."

[portolan]

He wonders if the sense of thrill when David makes comments like that will ever dull. He loves it, loves being caught off guard by it, loves being surprised by the depth of his desire.

"I can do that," he says, and it is a promise and an aspiration. "But only if you let me love you back."

[helpdesk_hero]

"If you feel like loving me, I second that emotion," he said, but the sing song way he said it clearly made it a quote. And now he had a song in his head.

[portolan]

“Oh you sing. Well some night when you accept more than one glass of wine, I’m going to have to encourage this. Maybe I’ll teach you Ivalician pub songs and we can merrily shout them together.” Less fun than an entire room joining in, but enjoyable nonetheless.

“You know it’s so disorienting. There’s so much I want to show you from home, even as I’m not sure I want to go back. And sometimes I have these moments of realizing I’m the only one on this world with some of the knowledge I have.”

[helpdesk_hero]

"I'm not great at it, though your voice seems suited in my opnion," David admits. But the quality of his voice doesn't affect his ability to shout pub songs, so he would absolutely do that. And then teach others.

But this? He gets this.

"It's the cultural weight of it. Even if you aren't there, your homeland, your traditions, the things you saw and touched and did, they all shape who you are. They're the pieces your sum comes from. Even away from them, you would care."

[portolan]

“I wouldn’t consider singing one of my talents but I have basic training.” Enough that his voice is pleasant and he can match a tune. Enough that were he interested in soothing his partner after a nightmare or a rough day, he probably could. And he’d be fun to take to karaoke once he knew a few more songs here. Or for shouting pub songs.

“People warned me about that feeling when i became a pirate. It’s not that I never felt it, but I always had a way back or others who knew what I was talking about. It’s new to really be cut off.” It’s good David understands, at least in the general shape of it. “This isn’t the first world you’ve been pulled to, correct? Was the last one like home or entirely different?”

[helpdesk_hero]

So definitely better at singing than David is. Not that he probably can't carry a tune, but, well, again, creativity. Karaoke he could do though. That was always fun.

"We have a term for it. Culture shock. But yeah, not my first rodeo. The last world that kidnapped me was very similar. And any other dimension I have been to has been close to my own, though some have been close and VERY different."

[portolan]

“How many worlds and dimensions have you been to?” Balthier asks. His voice stays light but it’s one of those moments he feels like a candle to the breadth of David’s experiences.

Though of course at home he was better traveled and with more robust experiences than anyone he’d met except maybe Fran.