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[portolan]

"I'm only here to see how the story unfolds."

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[text] Two Days Post Love Potion #9

[helpdesk_hero]

So, if it's possible to hire a professional pirate, I might have a task I could use your help on. If you're interested, meet me at the Chai House in Excelsior. And dress in an attention grabbing way.

Re: [text] Two Days Post Love Potion #9

[portolan]

Attention grabbing as in circus performer or attention grabbing as in best dressed at the gala?

[helpdesk_hero]

Unless you were an acrobat, you'd be wasted a circus.

And gala, but a step down. Still suitable for public, but the sort of thing that would make people go 'oh I'm paying attention to him and not the more understated company who is probably doing something vaguely questionable'

Letter Exchange: The Poem (Don't judge him, he's self-conscious)

[helpdesk_hero]

Said the moon one night
To the candle alight
See how I envy you so

For in a dark room
Or in deeper gloom
People gather to your glow.

I see your alarm,
You think I but charm,
Quick you are to deflect

You say bright do I shine
But this light is not mine
I can do naught but reflect.

All that you can see
The sun has given to me
Nothing I give do I make

I've learned not to be proud
When easily hidden by cloud
And know what I give I first take.

I beg you listen to me
For from here I can see
The true wonder between us two

If only somehow I could learn
To be like you and to burn
So I could be a touch more like you.

The way that you give
The way that you live
Each moment shining so bright

Would that you could see dear
What I see from up here
That I can but only envy your light.

Re: Letter Exchange: The Poem (Don't judge him, he's self-conscious)

[portolan]

[ Balthier arrives back at his room from a trip into town to buy stationary and a decent pen to find the poem under the door.

The first time he reads it, he finds himself pressing his hand to a widening smile, a laugh of disbelief escaping him. He reads it a few more times, his cheeks growing warmer and his smile only widening.

He sits between the bed and the small end table and pens his response, reading the poem a few more times as he writes. When he gets up to deliver the letter, he folds the poem and places it in his wallet, which goes into his coat's inner pocket. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[A few days after receiving the first letter, the doorman of the Diadem will stop Balthier upon returning one day, advising him of a package. He would be given a small box, to the top of which was tied a letter by means of rich golden ribbon. And inside the box a candle in a rose patterned tea cup, complete with saucer. The letter itself was written in an even hand clearly working at trying to get used to writing with a fountain pen. There are a few mistakes and blots on it, but how minimal the errors are, it might well have not been the first attempt.]

Dearest Won Light,

I fear I have known too many who could see into the future, and touched too much on fates that would come to be for they already had for me to not believe in it. Which goes without mentioning angering one of the goddesses of the concept itself. That said, I believe there are fates and there are ℱ𝒶𝓉ℯ𝓈. I think if there is any greater hand at play in our meeting, it falls more to the former than to the latter. And thus is a far kinder controlling of the path of my life than any I've known before. For that soft will, I am grateful.

Yet even if there is no power guiding me, I find excitement racing in my heart when I see you, when I remember your voice, and now, when I see your words on paper. A few days now I've considered this, your letter always in my pocket, close to my skin where I can feel it and remember the words and how they made me feel. So many ways I've learned to fight, armed or otherwise, yet no fight this has led me to has left me half so off balance as you do. And I've no regret to know the vulnerability I find in myself.

You should know, though, that were you a piece in a game, I'd say take relief in the idea that it might be as a pawn. What other piece, upon reaching the end of the line before them, can so transform themselves? Have you not walked a path you were not meant to follow, transformed after all you had seen? And yes, I too think I would walk the path that was laid before me, if it meant a chance to walk close to your side for even a few more paces.

Would that I knew this word of your friend's, for it feels right. Here on Earth there is a language called Japanese that has something near enough to how I have felt since we sat to tea together. 'Koi No Yokan'. I suppose we shall see if it will be as that feeling told me.

Until then, a gift to help remind you of your own light,

David

LOKIOFASGARD: audio

[ikols]

Hello, Balthier! I call bearing good will and happy tidings having recently learned of your involvement with one of my former team-mates, David Alleyne.

Re: LOKIOFASGARD: audio

[portolan]

Should I presume David gave you my number or be concerned and intimidated that you're keeping tabs on me?

[ikols]

He did not give me your number.

David is enamoured of you and as someone who is invested in his happiness, I will keep this simple and friendly: do not hurt my friend or I will have something happen to hurt you.

Oh! You are invited to my housewarming party, by the way.

@drsstrange, backdated to ~sometime in march~ for powers experimentation

[rehandle]

[ They'd settled on today some time in advance, but not knowing what state his house would be in by the time the agreed-upon day rolled around he'd opted to keep the location a question mark and decide closer to the time.

Well, the time is now, and Stephen's just finished clearing out another enchantment from the walls of his borrowed manor, so he fires off a text. ]

Ready to get started. Your place or mine?

Re: @drsstrange, backdated to ~sometime in march~ for powers experimentation

[portolan]

If you don’t mind the commute, mine may be easier. If I exhaust myself again I’ll appreciate having my bed at hand.

[rehandle]

Yours it is.

[ And so, no more than three minutes later, there's a knock at the door. ]

A Hand Written Card, Delivered in a Basket of Campfire Treats

[helpdesk_hero]

You are invited to join

David Alleyne

in the wonder of the outdoors!

All camping arrangements to be handled by Mr. Alleyne

Please RSVP Soon to reserve your dates

Re: A Hand Written Card, Delivered in a Basket of Campfire Treats

[portolan]

[ Balthier genuinely laughs in delight when he receives the package, beaming as he reads the card. It will get tucked in the corner of the frame in his room where the poem hangs.

After such a heavy few weeks this is so profoundly light and heartfelt. And while he's no longer worrying that they are in danger of breaking, it still feels healing to see the effort and playfulness extended to him.

Some time away, just with David, could not sound better. ]

Your beautiful package deserves a hand-written reply, but I admit I'm too eager to schedule to wait for the post. I shall just have to make it up to you.

[helpdesk_hero]

I'm glad, I would hate to be delayed in my planning.

But seriously, would you be down for it? I can rent us an RV or Camper of some sort, take us up somewhere private, and we can take some time to heal together. And talk? I feel like we need to share more of ourselves. So we don't fall again.

@hawkeye

[fledges]

hey, it's kate.
you've been here a while, right?

Re: @hawkeye

[portolan]

January, yes.

[fledges]

got any good gossip for me?

[She's info-gathering.]

action;

[tinglesense]

After arranging to come and see Balthier, Peter shows up at his place. No one else is around, which is what he'd wanted. He feels a little awkward about it, but that's all internalised. It seems like a weird thing to confess to joining the villain side, especially since Peter is very loud about not being a villain.

Well, it's Balthier, right? He'll understand. Or tease about it. Or both!

When Balthier lets him in, he goes and settles (as much as he ever "settles") on the couch.

"Hey. Man, it feels like it's been forever since I hung out with you."

okay my head is doing better

[portolan]

Balthier was delighted Peter reached out, honestly, even if he immediately worries something is wrong given how little they see each other.

He clears his schedule that day and even buys some of the (disgusting) snacks Peter likes as a peace offering, which he has set out on the coffee table.

As Peter settles (nervously perches) on the couch, he takes one of the chairs. "You're welcome anytime. It's good to see you."

[text]

[doctopoda]

[Assuming that Balthier's been in his home world for two full weeks, this text probably displays as having been sent...pretty much two weeks ago, actually. Nonetheless!]

I don't know if you'll see this, but I want to thank you again for that healing potion.
It saved my life today.

Re: [text]

[portolan]

[ Balthier does, in fact, miss this until he returns. ]

Oh, gods, Otto my apologies. I was off world.

Is everything alright?

Also I hope you know I'm now obligated to provide you dinner while you tell me this story.

[Christmas Gift]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Among all the other smaller gifts of clothes and teas and other delights is the true high grade gift: a silver pocket watch with the date they met engraved in it. The cover of the watch is engraved with their horoscope constellations, and a moon in the middle.]

[helpdesk_hero]

You would not believe who just showed back up.

[portolan]

Oh?

[ That's...encouraging, in some ways. There are those he misses, even if he is glad some found home. ]

Do we need to ready the guest room?