arlenarkenstone | For Grimholdkeeper

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For Grimholdkeeper

The Nexus labs are kind of quieter than they used to be, but back on the old Nexus noticeboard there are still directions here with a weird little handwritten advertisement for a glassworks and alchemy supply. It also says to ask about specialty creations such as prosthetic organs. It's kind of a weird sign and also a little bit old but very pretty. It says to ask for Arlen Arkenstone. At the actual Laboratory complex entrance his name is on the map, and up the halls there is light and heat from where it is supposed to be even if the rooms around it are dusty now. The door is ajar.

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It's an endearing little piece of crockery, isn't it? He's going to buy it a tea cozy.

"It's winter where I live, yes, but I'm sure there are warmer dimensions, and there are warm places on my world. If you really wanted to go somewhere. But I'm happy to deliver, as well."

So maybe it is an excuse! But the way he was all wrapped up and huddled by the furnace is a sign.

He watches Balthazar petting his teapot. It likes petting. "I traveled for a very long time. It... has been nice to settle in somewhere, but perhaps... I should go out before I simply rust in place like some abandoned automaton..." He blinks and looks thoughtful because he's not usually that poetic.

Pat pat pat. Scritch scritch. He studies the surface of the teapot idly. "How warm does it need to be for you to be comfortable? Just for a short outing, I mean."

The advantage of PINpoints is one can go anywhere in the world for a short time, even without a passport.

"Anything an ordinary human being finds comfortable, really..." If it's cold enough they find it uncomfortable, he's not going to like it. "The Nexus itself is usually fine, but I don't trust the food."

Happy teapot! It's almost vibrating under the petting. It is kind of scratched up and maybe even a little dented, just a boring old metal teakettle apart from the being alive thing.

"Mmm." He rubs his chin. "I haven't been to Savannah in a while. It shouldn't be too chilly this time of year, and it's close to the water. Lots of fresh supplies."

Ohhh, it's a good little teapot, isn't it? Yes, it is! Pat pat. "My schedule is flexible, if you're not up for going out now..."

"What world is that in?" He tilts his head a little but he is warming up to the idea of getting out of the lab. "Will I be dressed appropriately? I assume gloves are in order."

It is mostly a good teapot except he has to keep it on a leash because it likes people so much it will go wandering otherwise.

"Earth. Late 20th century. I don't know the number designation offhand. Yes, I think gloves would be prudent, and the robe might get a few odd glances, but it's not too outlandish. Someone will just assume you're a monk." He shrugs.

Now he's scratching the base of the teapot's spout, since it seems to like attention. "Aodhan's a good name," he adds absently.

"It was named by a lady, Nuala." He puts down his teacup and pulls the robe off because he has a grey suit on underneath. The cut and the undershirt are a little weird but it's still a suit! "Would this do?"

The teapot would be purring if it could!

"Nuala...that's an old name," he glances up as he pulls off the robe, and nods approvingly at the suit. "That should be fine, yes. Do you want to go now?"

"Yes, I believe she was very long-lived. More so than myself." He takes another sip of tea and looks for his gloves, which are also grey. "I believe I am ready whenever you are."

Aodhan will miss them though.

Balthazar gives the teapot one last pat, then gets up and pulls back his sleeve to get to his PINpoint. He taps a few keys to set the coordinates, then places a hand on Arlen's shoulder before executing the transport. They land on a quiet street close to the water. The temperature is around seventy degrees, and it's sunny, with a strong breeze.

"Warm enough?" he asks, glancing at Arlen.

He has been PINpointed plenty before so he knows how this works and doesn't even look disoriented. He does look around though and breathes in. "Oh... this is... very pleasant." It has definitely been too long since he got out.

Balthazar looks pleased, nodding, and gets out his wallet, checking to see what he has in the way of cash. "I'm not sure where everything is just now. It's been years since I've been here. But I'm sure a grocery store will be easy enough to find. There are museums and libraries, too, of course."

"I like museums and libraries..." He is looking all around now, blinking a little bit while his dark eyes adjust. The sunlight feels so good though.

"Perhaps... I can return here when I do not have work to do..."

"Do you use a PINpoint? I can give you the coordinates easily enough." He walks down the alley toward a busier street, hoping for a cab.

"I do, thank you. I should be making more use of it." He looks all around but keeps up pretty well, even though he's not quite as tall.

"I had forgotten how good the sun feels."
He sort of wants to just find a flat rock and lay down, like a big lizard.

"Well, it's important to know where you're going when you use one. I think this world should be safe enough for you, though." Even out by the water as they are, there are a number of people milling about. Closer to the Nexus question area, in terms of crowds, than Arlen's own world.

Balthazar scans the street, but cabs don't run in Savannah quite as frequently as in Manhattan. They may have to keep walking a ways.

"There are only a few worlds I visit with any... regularity, now. And one of those is my own." He seems happy to walk, drinking in the sun and looking very quietly pleased about that. Arlen can walk a long way and won't complain.

"I mostly only cross worlds to visit friends. And I don't have a vast number of those." A gust of wind almost whips his hat off his head, so he takes it off and tucks it under his arm. Beneath, his hair is unruly and tangled.

"You mostly live in the Nexus, then?"

He nods a little but he is too slow to even try to catch his hat. It looks like he has it under control though. Arlen's hair is even longer than Balthazar's and it's very straight but with this wind it might not be for long.

"I visit my original sponsors that helped me to establish my place in the laboratories... yes. For now, I live there."

"I have three, just now. Four, technically, but one of them is the girlfriend of another, so they count as a set, I suppose." His legs are long, and he seems inclined to take big, rapid strides, but he's trying to be sensitive to his companion's pace.

"If you'd like to visit my shop some time, I think I would be willing to arrange an appointment," he adds.

Arlen is used to walking long distances but not quite this fast. He is mostly keeping up though. The sunlight and moving is getting him warmed up.

"What... sort of shop?" He's interested but also a little wary.

"Occult, supply, and antique. Most of what I have is enchanted, but I only sell the items that have minimal applications for nefarious purposes." He pauses at a corner, looking around.

"Here's a bus stop, but I don't know the time table. Shall we wait a moment?"

He nods and decides he is pretty sure he knows what a bus stop is from context. There's a sign on the pole anyway.

"That sounds very useful. I think I would like to visit, sometime in the future, if you don't mind? There is always equipment I am unable to make myself, and now that I have the laboratory I am accumulating books again..."

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