For Grimholdkeeper

[arlenarkenstone]

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.

Comments

[grimholdkeeper]

"I'm not in a rush. I suppose the artifact itself will have to dictate the timeline. And I'm willing to pay whatever fee you feel is fair, in money or goods."

He glances at the teapot, stifling a smile.

[arlenarkenstone]

"I will take either. I suppose that I am low on food..." He opens a couple of tins before he finds the right tea, and pours water into both cups. The teapot wriggles when he sets it down on the edge of the table and tries to hop closer toward Balthazar.

"It could take hours or days or weeks. It is... harder to analyze something you can't take apart."

[grimholdkeeper]

"I have weeks. I probably have decades. How low are you? I could do a grocery run for you, if you want."

He takes the liberty of sitting and smiles at the teapot. "Yes, thank you, I'm looking forward to drinking it." He talks this way to animals, too.

[arlenarkenstone]

"I will try not to take decades." He sounds completely serious, like it just might have been a possibility. He is a very serious person.

He also puts his bare hand on the teakettle for just a minute, to check the temperature and maybe to calm it down a little. "I would not touch it, if I were you. I... have soup...? I think..." He blinks and adjusts his glasses.

[grimholdkeeper]

Balthazar nods slightly. "Appreciated. And I'll...wait a minute to pat it on the head."

He straightens and removes his hat, like it's just occurred to him. "Food is not hard to get where I come from. I'm happy to fetch things, if you want."

[arlenarkenstone]

"Nexus food is unsafe. I have... not ventured out, in too long." He sits down again but he seems more alive and awake then he did when Balthazar first came in. "But if you get food for me, I can focus on the sword."

[grimholdkeeper]

"I can pay you in money, too," he says, and pats his pockets, getting out a piece of scrap paper and a stub of pencil. "What do you need, as far as groceries? Do you have cold storage?"

[arlenarkenstone]

"I have less need for money." He holds his cup in both hands and sips, and walks back toward a corner of the room to look in an old cupboard. "Tinned goods. Soup. Bread. Cheese. Foods that do not spoil easily." The cupboard he opens is close to empty and he frowns at the bare shelves. "I have a small electric refrigerator."

[grimholdkeeper]

"Have you considered preservation spells? Fresh fruit and vegetables aren't hard for me to come by, but there's pretty perishable." He's taking notes, attentive.

[arlenarkenstone]

"I am... no longer as skilled in magic... as I was." He frowns at the pantry and then lifts one hand and frowns at it a little, then comes back to the long tables and chairs there. He has very sturdy chairs. His still creaks a little when he sits down. "But fruit and vegetables would be nice."

[grimholdkeeper]

"Oh? For preservation, ritual circles can be effective. Or I could help." Watching the gesture, he thinks he gets what Arlen means.

"All right. Do you eat meat, eggs, or drink milk?" He assumes he's not a vegan; he mentioned cheese already.

[arlenarkenstone]

Arlen does not have glass hands just because they are pretty.

"Yes, any of the above. I am not selective." He sips his tea and adds, "I'm low on tea, as well."

[grimholdkeeper]

"Fair enough." He scribbles on the list. "Any non-food items? Soap or laundry detergent? Paper products?"

The teapot is cooler now, so he reaches out to pet it.

[arlenarkenstone]

The teapot kind of cuddles up to his hand. It's still very warm.

Arlen thinks for a minute. "No... I believe I'm all right on those. My assistant brings things, sometimes." Not food usually though, because maybe he just doesn't think of it.

"Perhaps I should simply go out, but it... seems to be winter in most dimensions, and I do not do well in the cold."

[grimholdkeeper]

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."

[arlenarkenstone]

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.

[grimholdkeeper]

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.

[arlenarkenstone]

"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.

[grimholdkeeper]

"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..."

[arlenarkenstone]

"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.

[grimholdkeeper]

"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.

[arlenarkenstone]

"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!

[grimholdkeeper]

"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?"

[arlenarkenstone]

"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.

[grimholdkeeper]

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.