He says, "Oh, baby girl, don't get cut on my edges;

[halfblaked]

WHO: DAVID BLAKE and YOU!
WHERE: Around!
WHEN: This week!
WHAT: New import adjusts to the new world!
WARNINGS: TBA!


[A. Heropa Bookshop + Downtown ]

[ The professor looked remarkably normal, shopping in downtown Heropa. Dressed in a bargain-bin leather jacket, comfortable and worn, a plain shirt and jeans, he...actually didn't look very professorial at the moment. What gave it away was the fact that he was in a bookstore. It was a small one, lots of high, dingy shelves, plenty of old things. And here was Dr. David Blake, reaching to the top shelf, a stretch -- to grab the book.

It was just out of reach, and the book came crashing down, to hit him square on the head. ] Fuck.

[ Also not professorial. He stooped to pick it up, before he hadded it to a stack. Rinse, repeat. The shopkeeper actually looked used to it, before he stumbled out of the shop with a stack of books, before -- He crashed into someone, right on the way out. ]

Oh -- Sorry.


[B. Heropa Bar ]

[ It was a quiet bar that the professor tended to frequent. Not quite what he would have frequented back home, but... well, he'd had plenty of that recently, and something a little more sedate was necessary. He was in the same casual clothing, and a glass in front of him. He looked...comfortable, hunched over a drink, a book, and a basket of chips that his fingers dipped into frequently. The book, of course, was ostensibly greek to everyone else. Pale eyes skimmed back and forth as he read the book, one page after another. Sure, he may have said that his power was to know all the myths of his world, but they could change, right?

Above, the television shifted from some sports nonsense (it was all nonsense, in David's opinion) to the news. His eyes flicked up when he caught the subject. Pantheon members -- some 40/40 exposé about the results from concerts with 'magic singers' -- ah, there was h -- is world companions. The screen flashed with portraits of each member that had been in the area so far. Inana, Persephone, Lucifer... The other one flashed, but Blake went back to his book and his drink, ostensibly to ignore the rest of the programming, although...

'After all that shit last month, I can't believe they're taling about that shit right now!' said the batender, as he served another drink, and David looked up, an arched eyebrow. ]

Excuse me? What "shit"?

[ Someone fill the poor guy in? ]


[C. Maurtia Falls - Late ]

[ He shouldn't be out here this late. Particularly in the mood he was in. Annoyed? Was that a way to describe it? The idea of a nine to five lifestyle, of actually teaching was something David hadn't done in so long. He wanted to do something else, maybe party? Do drugs? No, he had school in the morning, and therefore, he couldn't just stay out until the odd hours of the morning, and he... needed the work.

Oh, not the money. He had plenty, of course. He needed the recognition. How else was he supposed to be writing books if nobody knew the name David Blake?

He probably should have been paying attention, shouldn't he? He didn't realize it until he'd started to turn down the alley that it was occupied. By a woman, a man, and a gun between them. She held out her purse, hands shaking, and the mugger looked up to see the man in the alleyway, and David... David took a step back. ]

Sorry, I was looking for the loo... [ He said, his tone disarming. ] You want some privacy, or...?

[ His hands were up, but in one hand was what looked like a fidget cube. ] Please don't shoot me, I won't -- [ Too late, the man was on the approach, and David looked behind and above him, trying to find some kind of help. ]

[D. WILDCARD. ]

[ Legit? Tag me with anything! Feel free to go wild! We don't have to have previous CR, and he doesn't necessarily need to be in Heropa! If you want to plot something, feel free to hit me up at hundreds! ]

Comments

a is for....................ass

[h2no]

Ah-- shit! [archie jumps back out of reflex (only too late, they've already walked into each other) and holds his hands up, before slowly bending down to pick up one of the books.] Fuck. Sorry, uh--

--Oh. It's... Blane, right?

[halfblaked]

Blake. [ David's tone was dry, a touch acrid. He was already stooped, picking up a few of his books. ] Doctor Blake? Aren't you the person...

[ He looked thoughtful, like he was trying to put it together. His hands were still busy stacking the books back up. ] I should have put them in the bag -- [ He mumbled. ]

You're the one who's from that game, right?

[ Purely innocent. Not a biting cut at forgetting his name, surely. ]

[h2no]

Blake, sorry.

[he makes a face.]

Hey, you could be from a game too! Maybe ya just don't know it yet!

[he holds one of the books out.]

[halfblaked]

It could be!

[ He said, innocently. He smiled at him, a faint twist of his lips. ] Oh, thank you very much.

[ He took the book -- the spine read something about Isaac, and Binding. ]

Sorry about that, I don't think I actually caught your name the first time we spoke. [ He straightened, and held out a hand. ]

[h2no]

Oh-- of course, sorry. I got so caught up thinkin' about back home... Archie.

[he takes blake's hand briefly.]

Are you settlin' in okay?

[halfblaked]

A pleasure, Archie.

[ He looked down at his stack of books, before he shifted them into a bag this time. No need for a repeat performance. ]

I'm doing well enough, thank you. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of this, and I still haven't really seen anyone from my world, but...

[ A shrug. ] That's not unusual. [ The lot of them are celebrities, after all. Not him. ]

@ b

[violetnce]

[Betsy is drinking something that is definitely not the watered down stuff that Americans pretend to call beer.]

Being new here myself, I missed all the 'fun', but, according to someone from my world who's been here a few months, apparently.. [Starts the violet-haired, violet-irised woman. Her accent is one from Maldon, England.] ..people buggered up the Porter, and the nanites went mad and caused a lot of power and general health issues. I assume that is the 'shit' being referred to.

[halfblaked]

And it had to do with the kids where I come from?

[ David asked, turning, before he paused. Not at all what he expected. There's a casualness to his motions, an arm over the back of his chair when he turned. ]

Or, just a general...instance of oddities? [ David turned away from the screen, to focus completely on her. From behind, the screen showed a screaming Persephone, before switching to another shot from another concert. ]

I know I read...a lot of things happen here. Constantly, almost. That was easy enough to read up on.

C

[bindsthedead]

[Sabriel's never been one for banter or colorful costumes or dissembling when she could avoid it.

She's also not one for abandoning people when they need help. So after she stops and realizes what's going on, she doesn't talk, or make much noise.

Instead she darts over to the mugger, her fingertips tracing out two symbols- the marks for silence and immobility- on the back of his neck and he freezes mid-turn. Then she turns her attention to the other two, her manner concerned but brisk.]

Are both of you all right?

[halfblaked]

[ David, his hands still in the air, stilled.

Was he in danger? Well, his heartrate had picked up, breathing increased, but...

David's hands lowered, shaking, and he slipped one into his pocket, presumably to steel himself, and he looked at the other would-be mugee. She looked a lot more worse for wear, and David watched her, breathing heavy for a moment, before he breathed a sigh of relief. ]

Thank you -- Will -- What did you do to him?

[bindsthedead]

Oh- I just told him to hold still. He's not hurt, or in any pain. It's a spell, and it won't wear off quickly. You're safe. [Sabriel's tone is mild. She gives David and the woman a reassuring smile.]

He's also fully aware of everything that's happening. [If someone was still and silent, it could be a little too easy to forget they could still listen.]

[halfblaked]

That's horrifying.

[ David, his hands in his jacket, relaxed, slightly, as if the fact that he didn't pose a threat to him meant he could at least not show terror.

The slight shift of his jacket could show the slight 'unsettled' that glowed from his wrist. The other woman had no such mark. ]

Thank you. For saving me. I... don't know what was going to happen, if you hadn't been here.

[bindsthedead]

Well, he was pointing a deadly weapon at you. [Sabriel shifts, revealing the 'registered' on her own wrist.]

Do you want to call the police? [Even if police in the city were often indifferent or corrupt, some of them weren't. And this wasn't an infestation of the walking dead or killer robots- ordinary crime was what they were supposed to be dealing with.]

[halfblaked]

Erm -- yes.

[ David paused, and started patting his pockets, looking for his phone. ]

Ah, sorry, I'm still a little... [ on edge. The woman was slowly relaxing, but David finally pulled a comm out, and the screen lit up as he looked at it, before he started to dial. ]

Nine-one-one, yes? Do you, ah, do this often?

D!!! bc now the bookshop is in Maurtia Falls

[fauxmarth]

[David's luck is better at this shop: no stray paperbacks pummeling his head today. in the aisle opposite his, however, seems to be having some problems.

there's a little squeak!, following with the thunk of several books crashing on the floor.]

[halfblaked]

[ David wasn't getting pummeled by any books, but his stack was quite a bit smaller, and his need wasn't quite so great. Getting the basic references was necessary -- to check facts -- or more accurately: make sure to always have a reference -- but... now he was going for obscurity.

Or he had been, when he heard a squeak, and for a moment -- just a brief one -- he considered minding his own business.

But, far be it from him to resist the temptation to help out a woman in trouble. He peeked around the corner, and paused, mouth open for a moment in... what was likely several expressions at once. ]

Are you alright? Do you -- need help?

[ He crouched down to start picking up books. These likely weren't all ones she wanted, right? ]

[fauxmarth]

[several and more, depending on any attention to details like hot pink dresses, hideous brooches, and incredibly out-of-place swords...to say nothing of the person wearing it all, who seems the sort who ought to know better. maybe. there is a weird tiara involved in all of this, so who even knows at this point.

all the same, she'd done her bunny-hop out of harm's way and was still pressed back against the shelf opposite the spill, pink-faced from the embarrassing little surprise. she goes a little redder when David comes to the rescue.]

Oh! Ah, forgive me, I... [even if she wants to dismiss the help, he's already at it.] ...Thank you, that's. Kind of you, though...I was the disruptive one...

[halfblaked]

Oh, it's no bother.

[ The clipped, soft tone -- oozing an older generation of British politeness -- was magnanimous. He offered her a smile. ]

I was browsing, anyway. This is at least something I can do to help, which is much better than spending my money.

[fauxmarth]

[his smile somewhat mollifies her worry, and she relents.] I suppose if you're seeking to be frugal, then maybe I've done a little to distract, and that's a fair exchange for causing a fuss.

[but still, Lucina being Lucina, she has to at least pick up one of the books he's already gathered up and put it away herself. after doing so, she gives the man a curious look.]

But...if you were not meaning to purchase anything...wouldn't being here at all be counterproductive? It'd only tempt you more.

[halfblaked]

[ David laughed, and shook his head. ] I was looking for...rare books. Things I haven't purchased yet, that are out of circulation or difficult to find. Sometimes small bookstores can locate them far more quickly than scouring through the internet.

[ A twitch of his lips. ] But I hadn't found anything yet. I only just arrived, so... buying books is a luxury I shouldn't be indulging in.

I can't help myself, honestly. [ He picked up another book. ] Were you looking to purchase these, or is this fallout? I can help you put them away.

wildcard; heropa

[vanto]

[Eli isn't looking where he is going. His eyes are on the display of this department store: sheets, pillows and other interior decors.

He's looking to purchase something, obviously by the way he keeps pacing back and forth between one and another.

And then he walks into—]

Kriff, sorry!

[—he reaches over to grab the unfortunate victim of his distraction by the upper arm to keep them from falling over.]

[halfblaked]

[ David was watching where he was going, and he'd been wondering if the man would recognize him, when he walked by. The fact that he hadn't lifted his head, hadn't paid attention at all, up until the moment he hit him confirmed a lot for the professor.

He stumbled, but let Eli hold him up, before he struggled, and tried to straighten himself. ]

Goodness! Sorry, I wasn't paying attention!

[vanto]

[Eli lets go the moment he's certain David won't fall over. He withdraws abruptly — it has nothing to do with David personally; Eli just didn't feel very comfortable in general and it is evident in his avoidance of touch.]

No, no, it's fine I was too distracted trying to figure out what to buy. I wish they just had something standard and simple rather than all these patterns and.

Anyway, I'm sorry. I didn't hurt you, right?

[halfblaked]

Oh, no, I'm happy to say that I'm heartier than I look.

[ His eyes tracked to the window, and then back to Eli, to offer him a slight, almost hesitant smile. ] Housewares shopping?

[ A part of him wants to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. No more than a month ago, this man had been nothing more than a horse under his thighs, a creature that was completely under his control, and didn't want anything more than to stay under his control.

He was, however, not that, right now, so he only offered another smile, and a shrug. ]

I've found that the bargain sections always have the "plain" options, that you're likely looking for.

[vanto]

[Eli is cheerful but not brimming the eagerness he did when Woden was around — the way he would angle his body towards Woden while talking, or tilt his head slightly as if every spoken word was significant and ought to be committed to memory.]

Yeah? Thank you, I wasn't sure. Too plain would get boring though, right? There needs to be a middle option, preferably with some orange.

[Eli turns to look at the sheets in question.]

These though are just too bright.

[Sigh. He'll just have to keep looking.]