About a day after the last time you saw him, you receive the following text message: I am about to arrive back in town. Care to meet for coffee at the house? About to arrive in town? From where, Mars? Maybe...
     All the windows and the doors to 315 Uxbridge Road are open, to usher in the mildness of spring. There is the smell of coffee. It is fresh, courtesy of the French Press, made conventionally (though he doesn't have to).
     As you well know...
     There is music playing -- it's not his own, or yours, or Reggie's for that matter. It's an old band, The Clientele, the mellow low-fi sounds a perfect backdrop to a perfectly affable London spring day...
     Wearing chino trousers, a kind of camel color, and a light knit scarlet pullover, Balthazar sips ethereal coffee from a material cup as he sits slightly sprawled on the sofa. The air is golden around him for those who can see it, and it is fragrant -- a combination of honey and amber. His complexion, still darkened from his travels, has lightened slightly, toning back to a rich caramel.
     A decision has been made. Like it or not, Loki will have a best friend here on earth. Well, in addition to Preston West...

     If he's awake, he's checking his messages. (No doubt if a method ever arises to check email and text messages in his sleep, Loki will be the first to sign up for the beta.) The answering I'll be right by came within seconds, and now, in the amount of time it takes to get from his father's flat to yours through public transportation, he's strolling through the open door with his hands stuffed into the pockets of a loose buff coat. There is nothing ruffled about his hair or clothing, crisp from head to toe, but he has the sleepy-eyed air about him of someone who's only rolled out of bed very recently.
     "How was the trip?" he asks, courteous enough to do that before heading towards the smell of more coffee. "Or is this just a break here before heading back?"

     Balthazar smiles as he takes a swallow of the coffee. "It was good. Only one lecture. There is coffee in the kitchen if you want the conventional French press. If you want to try my mother's Turkish blend, I can make other arrangements." Maybe it's the opened windows that makes him seem so alight, and the scents from a nearby garden, surely.
     His smile tempers only somewhat as he sits forward and sets his cup on the coffee table. "I am sorry for leaving so abruptly. I hope I didn't send you into shock. My entrances and exits need a little work, I think." Balthazar sits back. "It's been ... what... a day, right? Was that yesterday? I had the benefit of contemplation, and ... realized that I could have been more helpful. You're my friend, so I really should start acting like it more. At any rate, if there's anything else you want to know, or if my uncles get on your nerves, let me know. I am here to help you, Loki. It's what friends do," that was said quietly and seriously.
     "Ah... no, I'm here for the duration. Well, I go back and forth, but you'll hardly notice it. Half a day here and there. I am planning a trip soon, however...since we are in writing mode anyway..."

     Perfectly ordinary French press, or unearthly coffee magicked up from who knows where. If Loki were less busy being unnerved by other things, he might be worried by how little that set of options is unnerving him right now. "I'd like to try your mother's Turkish blend, as long as it's available."
     Besides, it's rude to turn down an offer of someone's mother's cooking.
     "About a day." He settles down near you, no smiles yet, but friendly enough in contemplation of you and that glow. "There's no need to apologize, though I'd been meaning to ask you about your uncles, or if you'd seen them while you were home. Gwilym, specifically. None of them stopped by in my dreams last night."
     He's still bemused to be saying that out loud, shaking off his own wondering with a shake of his head. "I need to get used to seeing that sort of thing, so why should I be bothered if you want to travel that way? Is it really as easy as just...opening up the air and taking a walk? That must make those trips easier."

     "Once you know how, it's not so bad. Maybe I can show you," he mentions, only slightly conspiratorial. After all, you're not his chosen disciple. There is a quirk of a smile and then a large Turkish vessel appears with a small Turkish coffee cup beside it. There is also a hazelnut infused cream -- actual cream and actual hazelnuts -- and honey if you require sweetening. None of the modern processed sugar. "Help yourself. It's strong, I will warn you..."
     It is potent, both in aroma and in ounce-for-ounce punch.
     Balthazar shakes his head slightly as he takes up his cup again, sipping as he sits back. "No, I haven't seen them. They... Gwilym, Bran and Aeron... they watch over the shadows as well, the sort of fringe territories, if you will. All sorts of monstrous beasts there, Old Fears and New Fears alike. They might be embroiled in such. Or," his mouth twitches, "...they could be here right now. From the shadows, they can see everything. It's a bit disconcerting."
     But he doesn't seem troubled by it. Perhaps one gets used to such things. Balthazar nods as he looks to you over coffee. "Well, it's a lot to get used to," he says with quiet understanding. He sets his cup down again. "It does make traveling a bit easier, but there have to be... sort of known ways and avenues. I can't just teleport to ... say... Oahu. I still had to fly commercially. But now that I have been there, it will be easier to find the way to get there. I'm going to be going to America in a few weeks. I'll have to catch a flight for that, too. But... I have money. At least I can travel comfortably."

     Of course you're his best friend in London. After all, you keep providing him with coffee... Loki pours himself a cup, mixing in honey with careful concentration to not leave any sticky spots in unwanted places. "I try not to think about the voyeurism aspect. Disconcerting is one word for it. Or creepy... But since I can't tell if they are or not, it's pointless to start worrying about it."
     He sits back with his cup, watching you in turn over his first sip. "Is it a skill, or a talent?" A frown flickers across his face. "Lousy way of putting it. Let me try that again. Is that something you learned how to do, or an ability you have because of who you are? The walking between worlds, and through other paths than most people can use. I'm pretty sure the only skill related to flying commercially is that of being able to wave a credit card at the right person."

     Balthazar ponders on that a moment, sipping at the hazelnut and honey infused coffee, rich and sweet. "I think it is probably a combination. It is definitely a skill," he notes with a nod, "...but being an ethereal being has to help." He smiles suddenly, his cinnamon eyes glinting with little amber sparks. "I'm not sure, actually. I know I had to learn. But I don't know if you would be able to do such without my or one of my uncles being present. That is a good question to ask them. They are far more knowledgeable than I on how such things work."
     Full lips twist in his own grim amusement. "Believe me... I've already been the victim of it. One of my uncles witnessed -- and with tremendous amusement, I might add -- a failed... amorous attempt on my part. It's bad enough when things don't work out as planned. It's another for someone to bring it up over the dinner table. But... you are right... it is pointless to worry. Primarily because it's not going to keep them from doing it."
     The coffee is fragrant, steaming from the fresh pour. With a look bordering on ecstasy, Balthazar sits back, bringing the Turkish Delight with him. While the wings do not unfurl, he does not temper the energy around him -- buzzing electricity, the light, the scent of honey and amber. "Are you planning on attending Maddie's graduation? I would imagine it is a big family affair. You are as good as family. You know," he smiles at you, "...you are to the West family what Laurie was to the Marches of Little Women. Hmmm... that just occurred to me. I've decided to go. That's the trip -- I'll stop beating around the bushes and just tell you. I want to be there for her. It's a big day..."

     Loki looks appalled at the idea of someone observing a failed amorous attempt, and then bringing it up over dinner, right up until he covers his expression with a sudden intense interest in his cup of coffee. Excellent coffee. Not at all creepy or unsettling. "I hadn't been planning on heading back for that. After all, I didn't make it there for Pres's graduation."
     He looks up again, with a not entirely covert glance over that energy around you. "But that was back when I was slouching around Europe being excessively sullen. If she tosses me an invite, I'll come along. Maybe keep Pres out of your hair a while longer. I've never read Little Women, but I'll assume the character you're referencing was the good family friend type."

     "He was," Balthazar nods. "That's how I learned about mortal history, really. Just reading books. Literature, poetry, history. I have a lot of gaps, however. I'm not as well versed as perhaps I should be. Well... when I was trying to convince Gillian to go out with me, I did have to spend a lot more time studying. I came away thinking I was ... not too bright." He winks at that. It isn't true, of course; Balthazar is quite intelligent. Just not an intellectual. Slight semantic difference there.
     "You should come, but... not just to keep Pres out of my hair," he chuckles. "I mean.... I don't know what he knows, or how much, so every little bit is helpful. I'm not going to wave off assistance offered. Though, a certain amount of sneaking is hereditary in my family. It would be nice to have another friendly face in a foreign land. I have no idea what it's like in Boston. I take it that it looks nothing like Oahu...?"
     Sipping on the coffee, he looks to you. "Why were you excessively sullen? I mean, a certain amount of that seems to come with the territory. But was it due to something specific?" Balthazar wonders quietly, suddenly. "If it's none of my business," he smiles, "...feel free to say so. It won't hurt my feelings."

     "Boston and--no. Nothing like Oahu." The amusement runs through Loki's voice for a moment. "It's about as much like Oahu as London is. But it has its good parts. You can pick up on all sorts of interesting US history there, if you happen to feel like it. Which can be very useful if you want to do some sneaking around. The last time I was in Boston, I got plenty of mileage about running off with Pres to see 'historical sites' and hitting bars instead."
     He stirs the honey through his coffee, eyes dropping. "Sullen came from a few different things. My dad had one plan for my life, I had another one, and then something came up with--well. The details don't really matter, but it was horrible and messy, and instead of actually telling my dad that I was going to do what I wanted, I just sort of ran for anywhere that wasn't home to get away from the mess."
     He shrugs twitchily. "You've probably heard that old story. A wise man sits outside a city, and travelers come up and ask what the people are like inside. He asks them what people were like where they came from. Whatever they describe, he tells them the people in the city ahead are like that. Point is, you can't get away from problems by dropping geographical distance in there. So I spent more than a year being sullen and useless, until I hit London again and started looking to actually do I wanted. Instead of just not doing what my dad wanted."
     A deep swig of coffee, and he looks up with a fractional smile. "What I wanted to do was join a good band. That part is actually working out pretty well for me."

     He is quiet for a sip-filled moment, and there is the clarity of understanding in his eyes. "You have to follow your own head and heart. It's hard, though. Ultimately, they want what's best. But you're the one who has to make that happen. You're right, though. As has been explained to me," he snorts a laugh as it tips his cup for the last sip. "... recently even. I've tried to run a few times myself," he notes, his mouth slants a little. "But... I never get far. My destiny was written before I was born. I don't have the same kind of choices, but the same impetus? Definitely."
     Balthazar looks to you a moment. "Now those destinies seem to be tied together, yours and mine. We might as well enjoy it a bit. You father... is that the one in California, or the one here?"

     "The one in California," Loki says. "He has this vision for the future, and it includes me on the board of directors, and eventually taking over his place when he retires, not playing drums as a full-time career. My London father's easier to deal with. He wasn't the one who wanted kids, so he doesn't have any high expectations of me."
     He quirks a thin smile back at you. "Was that what your lecture was on? Destiny and responsibility? I'm enjoying the connection to your destiny, if this band is part of it, more than the one that was planned for me."

     "Something like that, yes," Balthazar notes quietly. He shares a smile in it, and a camaraderie. "And remembering that I am not put here for myself. Mainly it was about faith and trust. I ... keep myself, my nature, sort of private. All people usually see is the stage persona here... or There, a prince and future chamberlain to the High King. I never have taken many people into confidence, as friends. I have such a large family, for one, and for another thing... well, when you are in a political world, as a prince it's a bit hard to just ...be oneself. I'm learning how to do that. It's not easy. So... it was basically...that. And... right, Destiny and Responsibility."
     He sits forward to pour another cup. "It's addictive," he murmurs. "I should have mentioned that," comes the low tease. "The expectations of fathers is hard to avoid. Particularly if you have more than one." He grins to you. As we both do. "And I'm glad you're connected to it. I think... now that we know one another better, that we will be able to create something... pretty amazing, Loki. You'll know the energy for what it is now. Inspiration. I am... sort of like Inspiration in physical form. My mother whispered our destiny at the moment of conception, so the story goes. My brother Gruffydd," sounds like Griffith, "... was Vision, I was Inspiration, my brother Anierin is Innovation."

     If I'm going to be addicted to anything, it might as well be coffee. I'll never notice the difference. "Abstract, but specific. Inspiration goes perfectly with music, so that makes sense." Loki pours himself more coffee as well, and does not follow that with anything like in a shocking change of pace from the usual lately. Even if it does cross his mind. "Innovation I think I get, but what does Vision mean for that brother of yours?"

     "What my father's father built... and my father expanded, he now has to have the vision, the creativity, the foresight to increase it, to make it better, to expand what is already immense and to do so while encouraging each kingdom to aspire to its greatest good. That will take tremendous vision -- to see how things are...and What They Can Become. He is ...quite brilliant. A bit intimidating." He smiles at that. "He doesn't speak much, but when he does it is usually on the mark. He is taller, more beautiful, and far smarter than I," Balthazar chuckles, cupping his coffee to his mouth for an amused sip.
     "Anierin is only seven," there is tremendous warmth in his face and in his voice for his youngest brother. "But already he is a sharp-minded businessman and an inventor. He made my guitar. Did I tell you that already? Anyway, that is his creation. It modulates from electric to acoustic and can mimic the sound of a twelve-string. He will be inheriting my father's shipping businesses both Here and There. At least, I think that is the plan. My one father doesn't speak of plans much. I'm not sure what they actually have in mind for Ani."

     "I'm beginning to believe that families with multiple children end up with whole sets of paragons from all that sibling competition," Loki says, back to faint amusement. "Between you and the Wests..." He shakes his head, and tilts back his coffee cup to try more. There's no danger yet of familiarity breeding contempt on that.

     Balthazar smirks as he sips. "I suppose it has to be good for something..."

Posted by rowan at April 19, 2009 02:17 AM