Action, 20th-22nd

[askypirate]

Closed to Kahlan Amnell; Event Day 1 (20th)
It was a typical afternoon, honestly. He'd finished the project to which he'd been assigned at work and had promptly returned to his apartment for a shower. He loved the feel of tools in his hands, for using them for repairs, figuring out a problem and working to a solution. It wasn't the excitement he was used to, and it certainly wasn't the thrill of the hunt, but it was something.

At least until something went oddly wrong. He'd just stepped out of his shower and grabbed a towel to dry his hair, not bothering to make himself decent before doing so. He lived alone and the apartments in Nova City were all heated rather nicely. He slid his eyes closed for a moment, and in that instant two things became suddenly clear. The floor beneath his feet was suddenly not tile, and it was markedly colder. Also, the scent of soap and the lingering, humid haze of his shower were gone.

At least he was still holding his towel?

Closed to Satsuki Kiryuin, Event Day 1 (20th)
It had been a trying afternoon. After the awkwardness that was getting randomly teleported to Fayren due to…something, whatever was wrong with Genessia itself, he'd made the slow and arduous trek back to Nova City, to his home, and had spent a quiet night reading and hoping he didn't randomly wind up anywhere else. Everything seemed to be just fine as he slid into a pair of loose pants and laid himself down to sleep.

That was the problem, really. Everything seemed fine.

Open to Anyone, Anytime!
Balthier, much to his occasional chagrin, has fallen into quite a routine. During a typical day, he can be found either at the engine shop in Nova City, at a small café, walking to and from several locations around the city, at the local bar (he does enjoy his wine), or enjoying a quiet evening at home. Feel free to drop in on him (literally if that's your fancy)!

[OOC: I'm open to prose or brackets! Whatever you like!]

Comments

Anytime

[namemeansbeauty]

Belle hadn't really been expecting anything when she was going to bed with a good few books was to find herself elsewhere, in her nightdress, which was pretty short to say the least.

As she looked with her books scattered around her it was dawning on her that she was in someone else place. Well that was not good. So she moved to gather up her books and started to wonder where exactly the owner was so she could apologize.

[askypirate]

Balthier stopped and he entered his bedroom, shirtless and wearing only loose-fitting pants. While he wasn't wearing his bracelets or rings, his earrings were still well and truly in place. He blinked, his brow knitted ever so slightly.

"Well, now. Is it my birthday, then?"

[namemeansbeauty]

Well speak of the devil. She figured out slowly whose place she was in as she moved to get up, moving to grab what books had fallen to the floor.

"I am so sorry, I was just walking to my bed and suddenly, I'm here. I guess something if obviously going on in the city."

[askypirate]

One had slid closer to Balthier's feet and he bent to retrieve it, then offered it to her, smiling slightly.

"I understand. I can assure you, this is much less awkward than my own experience." He moved his eyes over what she was wearing, then flicked his gaze toward his holographic clock. He hadn't even needed that thing. He'd simply seen it in a local shop and decided he wanted it. There was something to be said for holding down a steady job, after all.

"It's far too cold to go out in that, I'm afraid."

[namemeansbeauty]

She smiled slightly, going to grab a hold of the book. She was grateful that he was so helpful in picking up another of her books before placing it safely in her arms. Though at the remark, she had to wonder what could be worse that he was use to. It was odd.

"Ah, I guess it is still winter after all.... Though what would you suggest I do?"

[askypirate]

"Well, I suppose there are two options before you. I could lone you clothes and a coat to keep you warm for your trek back. Or," and a smile teased the corners of his mouth as he continued, "you could always stay the night and do the same in the morning."

[namemeansbeauty]

"Would you even have clothes in my size?" She didn't know if he lived with someone, but he was pretty sure they were not the same size. But the second suggestion made her feel a little awkward. But if he didn't have clothes her size, she knew that well... there would be no time to get any.

"I guess I'll have to do the second choice and get some clothes in the morning."

[askypirate]

Unless he's 6 feet tall, she'd be right about that assessment. He frowns, crossing his arms across his bare check, tilting his head to the side. "Well, I suppose our only option is to wait for the shops to open in the morning, isn't it?"

He shrugs nonchalantly, moving to his bed to retrieve a pillow before heading toward the door. "Unannounced as you were, you're welcome to the bed."

[namemeansbeauty]

"I believe that is the case. But I'll be fine on the sofa. If you have a sofa of course." She didn't know why she felt the need to ask if he did, she was pretty sure most people did. But with those words she soon followed behind for a moment, she felt like she interfered so it only seemed right that she slept on the sofa.

Event Day 1

[hidden_truths]

Kahlan had been in the room she shared with Richard. Richard was out looking for work while Kahlan once more went over their finances. She was quickly getting used to the value of those red dollars and helping Richard extract a fair price for the freelance work he did. There was only so much that Kahlan could do but she had begun to look for work as well; much to Richard's annoyance. Luckily winter was receding and earthquakes aside they would have a chance to do more. Her pen moved across the paper making light scratches when she felt someone else in the room. It was sudden and in Kahlan's haste she reached for her dagger; only to pause.

It was nice that he had a towel but he was currently using it to dry his hair which meant it did nothing to cover up the fact that he was naked. Kahlan lowered her dagger and easily managed to keep her eyes locked with his. This wasn't the first time she'd seen a naked man and despite her surprise she didn't want to give Balthier any ammunition. So her mask was very calm when she spoke.

"I wasn't expecting you." She looked down at her work and released a breath. Her thoughts raced maddeningly praying with all her might that Richard didn't come in at that exact moment. "Please put some clothes on." She was trying her best to sound impartial but if Balthier looked close enough he might see that Kahlan was blushing.

[askypirate]

"Neither was I." While outwardly, his demeanor remained mostly unchanged from his casual, flippant norm, inwardly he was feeling more than a little awkward. First impressions spoke for a lot, after all, and this was hardly the way he would have had himself introduce to Miss Amnell. More troubling, though, was the way in which he'd arrived in the first place. He hadn't even felt a tug, as was typical with magicite teleportation. Could the hole in the sky be to blame?

He could take that particular mental quandary after he'd found a pair of pants, of course. He did have the decency to take the aforementioned towel and wrap it about his waist before actually looking over to Kahlan, nonplussed at her expression, at least. He was used to making girls blush, after all. "And I would love to, but I seem to have left my pants...with my other pants."

[hidden_truths]

With the towel wrapped around his waist all hints of embarrassment left Kahlan's features. Apparently that was all she needed for her to feel comfortable being in the same room with him. Not that she's a stranger to the sight but she hadn't been prepared for it.

She rose and walked over towards Richard's pack to see if there was anything suitable for Balthier to wear. She didn't know how she was going to explain this situation but she knew that Richard probably wouldn't mind since the alternative is Balthier remaining naked. After a moment of searching Kahlan's suspicions were proven correct.

"Richard only has one pair of clothes." Which he's wearing."Stay put and I'll get you something."

Kahlan's eyes then roamed over Balthier's body. She didn't look ashamed but she was trying to judge his size and build. She was pretty sure that the landlady might have something to spare and if not she'd run across town. Balthier would just have to wait.

[askypirate]

Balthier was slightly taller than Richard in any case, but that wasn't what caught his attention about the exchange. Who only had one pair of clothes aside from street urchins? Richard, the boy in the video he'd initially met Kahlan through, hadn't struck him as such. He was also slightly confused at her reaction. He'd received several different reactions to his appearance, but never quite this one.

Perhaps men weren't Kahlan's preference. That would explain that, at least.

"You are too kind." He didn't actually like the idea of the woman running off to find him clothing, but he didn't have much of a choice. He'd come to terms with the fact that he'd somehow ended up in Fayren, but that meant Nova City, and his clothes with it, were not one, but two cities away. He'd have to rely on the kindness of others. "I'll certainly provide compensation."

[hidden_truths]

Balthier's build has caught Kahlan's attention and if she was any other confessor she might considering him as a mate however Kahlan's heart, devotion and love belonged to one man and that was never going to change. She found it impossible to think of anyone else in that manner even though she knew that one day she'd have to take a mate.

She nodded her head, her fingers rising nervously to her lips for a moment. She didn't think lingering in the room with Balthier would be the best idea. At least not with him in this state of dress.

"Thank you. I don't need to tell you to stay put." She flashed him a light teasing smile before turning towards the door. She wouldn't be long but she would have to run out and back so Balthier had at least a half hour sitting alone and mostly naked him Kahlan and Richards hotel room.

[askypirate]

She certainly did not, and while he appreciated the stone walls and quaint architecture of the inn Kahlan left him in, it was cold. The only source of warmth seemed to be the fireplace in the far wall, nothing but smoldering embers now, but he still saw fit to make his way to the low bench before it and take a seat there. While low, the fireplace offered more heat than he'd expected and it allowed him to think, though he left an ear bent toward the door and the hallway beyond, listening for anyone coming, whether it was Kahlan returning from whatever errand she'd left on, or Richard, which would prove to be a most awkward conversation.

He'd much rather it be Kahlan returning. Regardless, he thought back over his time here, and how odd it was to be randomly teleported somewhere, but more than anything, he pondered the implications of it. A hole in the sky over Genessia city suggested what was above their heads might not be a clear barrier after all. His mind started making connections between it and the data screens back home on Ivalice.

He didn't have much more time to speculate before Kahlan returned.

[hidden_truths]

Kahlan tried to be as quick as possible and when she returned she did so with a smile. Seeing Balthier in front of the fire made her feel a little bit bad for him. It was cold and the fire was the only source of heat in the room. There were the blankets on the bed and floor but he hadn't moved them, most likely because he considered this to be someone else's space.

She might have begun to respect him a little bit more.

Kahlan walked over and handed him a pair of trousers and a light top. She also had boots and a jacket that she purchased not wanting him to get cold on his trek back towards Nova City. Once she passed off the items she tosses another log on the fire.

"I'm sure it's so cold in here." With that done she pointed towards the bathroom. "You can change in there if you want." If he wanted to change out here, she'd just respectfully look away. Though she's already seen all there was to see. Plus knowing that he would soon be clothed made it a little easier to keep a professional demeanor around him.

[askypirate]

The sky pirate was no common thief and was certainly above rifling through a woman's things without her permission. He set, content to enjoy what remained of their fire, and even stoked the flames a bit while he awaited her return. He wasn't a complete stranger of using a fire for warmth, after all. Normally, though, he was better clothed.

The inn was quiet, as was the rest of Fayren in comparison to the other cities. There were no machines to fill the emptiness with white noise. It was a pleasant reprieve from the city, but again, he'd rather it be on different terms.

"Indeed." He nods his thanks at the clothing, simple as it was. It was only to keep him decent, after all. "One would almost think it to be winter out there." He rose, making certain his towel stayed in place before facing her. "You will be repaid, I assure you, and you have my thanks." And he made his way to the bathroom, surprised to see spigots. He wouldn't have expected running water in a place like this.

Changing didn't take long and he was out before long, nodding his thanks once again. "They fit well. I apologize for the intrusion."

[weavemyownfate]

Toward the later half of the month Satsuki had decided to take a break from pretty much everything; something like a pilgrimage to get herself together. Rather than stay at home (and having to deal with a headache named Nui), she instead chose to immerse herself in familiar culture in the form of the Amagi Inn.

All that aside Satsuki knows all about today being a trying day, and she couldn't even fully enjoy the hot springs which she had returned from just a few minutes ago and is adorn in a simple colored yukata and sandals with her hair wrapped and pinned up.

She was particularly careful once she went to bed, and finally dozed off. What she didn't take into account for was being teleported once she rolled over from the left side of the bed to the right, and that very moment may make it quite apparent to Balthier that he has unexpected company what with the abrupt additional weight to his bed.

The abrupt shift in mattress temperature is what causes her eyes to suddenly snap open as she reaches under her pillow, facing away from her company at the moment. She'll be quite disappointed to find her sword isn't there.

[askypirate]

Surprised, yes. The sky pirate if pretty gifted at taking surprises in stride, though, and this odd teleportation wasn't completely unexpected, either. He'd been a victim himself just earlier the same day. He could ponder into infinity what might be causing it, but the result was the same. Awkward situations were bound to arise in the wake of it.

He did, however, turn to face this new addition to his bed, elevating his head by cradling it in his hand. Though this, obvious, woman had her back to him at the moment, it wasn't going to stop him from making things more awkward. Whenever a situation was intense, after all, Balthier's first response was witty cynicisms.

"You know, if you wanted into my bed to badly, there are more subtle methods, you know."

[weavemyownfate]

It's disorienting. Not as disorienting as earlier, however, so Satsuki does find herself able to process the situation and react a bit faster.

This is obviously not her bed, so her sword isn't here, and she's likely in someone else's house. A male voice is behind her, and probably innocent. Conclusion: Choke him out anyway -> Ask questions later.

Balthier may not have gotten father than 'into my' in his sentence before the raven-haired woman slips into action by trying to roll over him for back positioning and hook her arm under his chin in the process. The end result would be a rear naked chokehold.

And while her heart is pounding a mile a minute, it certainly isn't because of his charm!

[askypirate]

Thankfully, Balthier's reflexes are nothing to sneeze and and his first instinct is to curl into a ball to eliminate several points on his person that were left vulnerable. After that, he rolls toward the foot of the bed, hoping to hit the floor and come up on his feet. His weapons were too far from him to be practical, but he's a decent hand-to-hand combatant, so he readies his fists as he prepares for a continued attack.

"Is that how you greet all men? That's a shame."

[weavemyownfate]

With the miss, Satsuki does smoothly continue her motion to slip off the bed and stand at the side of it with her fists raised as well- it probably isn't any sort of recognizable stance seeing as she's primarily a swordswoman, but after a few seconds that doesn't much matter.

She recognizes the man after all, "Balthier." While her heart is still pounding and her cheeks flush red, the young lady's stance becomes more relaxed- to signify that she no longer considers him a threat. "Apologies; my experience in waking in someone else's bedroom is lacking. It seemed a wise idea to knock you out."

Beat. He's certainly oddly calm, isn't he?

".. Or was that not a serious question?"

[askypirate]

He can't help smirking at her awkwardness, shaking his head. "No, it most certainly was not." He shrugged, though, helpless to make the situation appear any better than it was.

"I admit, this isn't the first time I've been attacked in my bedroom, though it is the first time since arriving here. That may be a record."

[weavemyownfate]

It may be dark but she thinks she sees a smirk and it makes her scowl in return.

"Well I am glad that one of us finds this amusing." Of course she doesn't really. In her attempt to appear unflustered, her stance straightens further- but perhaps it ends up coming off as trying too hard. ".. That sounds like an interesting story but I would like you to direct me toward someplace.. less personal. And clarify where I am exactly."

[askypirate]

Balthier nods, the smirk not fading from his face, as he grabs a short bed coat from the back of a chair nearby and motions toward the door leading into the rest of his apartment. "After you."

The apartment itself is ultra-modern, being in Nova City, and in the living room, the sounds of the club below can be heard only vaguely. They've come to be a comforting sound to him.