(no subject)

[tryingitall]

Who: Balthazar (or Mirror!Balthazar), and OPEN
Where: the gardens
When: Wednesday-ish
Rating: PG-13-ish?
Summary: Balthazar is just having a nice little booze picnic. The Mirror version is looking for information.



Armed with a blanket from his room, a cooler of beer and bourbon, and a set of sidewalk chalk he retrieved from his closet, Balthazar has found a place to settle, amidst the garden he first stumbled through when he arrived. Now he's in a better state to appreciate the beauty. They may all be in a prison, but at least it's a pretty prison, and well-stocked with comforts.

Anyone who comes upon him will be offered a drink, of course. The later in the day he's found, the more elaborate will be the chalk design he's sketching onto the brick path. It's not recognizable as any specific person or item, just a tangle of color and repeating patterns. Maybe it means something to him.





Leviazar is not interested in alcohol, except as a tool to lubricate social interactions and get others' guards down. He's even less interested in chalk art. Today, he's stayed inside, despite having seen his real depart for the open air. There are other people to watch, on both sides of the mirrors. But a close observer on the realside may catch him tracing Enochian sigils in steamed-up glass, with the tip of one finger.

Comments

[ex_alighthouse135]

"Thank you."

Elizabeth crouches down next to an empty space and reaches for a piece of blue chalk. "I like to draw or paint sometimes. It's a nice way to distracting yourself from your troubles. Or just a way to kill time."

[tryingitall]

"Do you? I'm not actually any good at art, but I'm an appreciative observer. Do you have a sketchbook or anything?" He's wrapping up the tail end of a zigzag pattern in shades of green, and sits up, dusting his hands off on the edge of the picnic blanket.

"I have cold beer, as well, if you're thirsty. And about a fifth of bourbon left, but I'm not sure how refreshing that would be."

that icon /fans self XD

[ex_alighthouse135]

"Not here, but I did back.. home." The word home is used a little tentatively.

"I also had an easel and so many different colors to paint with."

When she draws on the bricks its with confidence and a practiced hand. The offer of a drink earns a sheepish look. "That's probably a bad idea. I've never had one before."

I like this one better. ;D

[tryingitall]

"You can get supplies here, you know." He's instantly enthusiastic. He likes artists. "From the closet, for certain, but there's a market, as well. Do you prefer watercolors or oils?"

He's retrieving a drink for himself, but pauses with a guilty smile. "Definitely not the bourbon, then. No, I wouldn't want to get you tipsy in the hot sun. If I'd expected you, I'd have brought lemonade."

oooo~

[ex_alighthouse135]

"I got a couple things from the closet. It feels strange to ask it for things all the time, though." She doesn't want to be greedy or anything. "How would I pay for something in the market? I don't have anything of value."

The girl smiles, "Well, I enjoy both, but I was practicing more with oils before I came here."

She doesn't mind at all that he didn't bring anything lighter, and he's welcome to help himself to drinks. "Another time, then. I'm Elizabeth."

[tryingitall]

"I get the impression it's a bit of a Goblin Market, too," he admits thoughtfully. "If they take favors and memories as currency. If you'd like, I could buy things for you and you could do a painting for me in return. But I don't want to be too forward."

He does have a bit of money in his wallet, at least.

"I'm Balthazar. Pleased to meet you, Elizabeth." He opens his bottle, smiling at her, and takes a casual sip.

[ex_alighthouse135]

"I wouldn't want you to exchange something important in the market." Turning over memories or owing people favors might not be such a good idea.

"If you'd like a painting, I wouldn't mind doing one for you. You wouldn't have to pay me. It'll be something to occupy me."

[tryingitall]

"Oh, well, I have ordinary money, too. But I won't press. Just keep it in mind." He shrugs lightly, perking up at the offer of a painting.

"Would you? I don't have anything specific in mind. Whatever moves you. I only wish I could paint, myself."

[ex_alighthouse135]

Elizabeth is more than happy to have an excuse to paint something, so she won't charge him a thing. Besides, it will somehow make her feel a bit useful.

"I mostly paint places I've always wanted to go to. Don't sell yourself short. I like the work you've done here." She gestures at the swirl of colors in chalk.

[tryingitall]

"That's interesting. A bit like Henri Rousseau? I suppose you wouldn't have painted this place." He teases gently, but looks a little sheepish at the compliment.

"You think so? I wouldn't call it art, myself, but I've enjoyed making it."

[ex_alighthouse135]

"Sometimes colors by themselves are art, too. If it makes you feel something, then it's served its purpose. When I look at what you made, I feel.. warm. Happy. It makes me smile."

And that makes it art in her opinion.

"I never could've imagined a place like this one. Maybe I should try painting it sometime. But are you sure you don't have a request? A place or a person? You don't strike me as a 'bowl of fruit' type." She's just teasing, though. "Do you like the ocean? Mountains? Sunsets?"

[tryingitall]

He's not sure art is that simple, but what she says is downright touching. He rewards her with a sincere smile. "I'm glad, then. I suppose it's worth sharing."

"I like the ocean," he adds. "Storms over the water. I used to watch them when I could, as a sort of retreat."

[ex_alighthouse135]

Elizabeth smiles and nods. "I can paint something like that for you." It shouldn't be too hard at all. And this place does give her a little inspiration to work with, too. "It'll take a little time, but I'll make it as good as I can."

[tryingitall]

Balthazar's been down to the waterside, but he has yet to see any storms there. That may actually be for the best in this place, though.

"You're too kind. Take your time; there's no hurry." He smiles. "So tell me, where do you come from? Have you been stuck here long?"

[ex_alighthouse135]

Elizabeth is determined to do a good job with the painting. She's never had the chance to paint for someone else before. Hopefully he likes the final product.

"I come from Columbia. It's a city that floats in the sky in the year 1912." So far she hasn't met anyone who knows of it aside from herself and Booker. "I've been here a few weeks now."

"What about you?"

[tryingitall]

His eyebrows go up at that description. "A city that floats in the sky? That sounds remarkable. I'm dead positive we didn't have any of those where I came from."

He shakes his head. "Of late, I'm from Chicago. I had a gallery there, briefly. I miss it. But I'm an angel. An Ofan. So I'm originally from Heaven, technically. Which is not, by the way, a city that floats in the sky, so I'm envious."

[ex_alighthouse135]

There's some slight confusion.

"You're an angel? You mean like an angel from heaven who serves God?"

Now she looks a little more stunned. Is he telling the truth? But why would he lie to her?

[tryingitall]

"That kind of angel, yes." He smiles lopsidedly. "It's not as glamorous as it sounds, trust me. Particularly not in my world. I hope you're not terribly religious; it seems to be unsettling to people who are, and I hate to challenge anyone's faith."

[ex_alighthouse135]

"I'm not particularly, but I'm not really sure. I've given it some thought." But she isn't really versed enough in faith to decide if she believes or not. And yet, this man is telling her he's an angel, which means there is a God after all.

"Where I come from, people are very religious. Our city is ruled by a man who calls himself a prophet. I'm not sure I believe that, either, but he's accomplished some really amazing things."

[tryingitall]

"I've known prophets. They tend to lead short, intense, unhappy lives. Honestly, I feel bad for them. But I don't know the gentleman you're referring to, so I can't make any judgment on whether he's the real thing or not."

He shakes his head apologetically. "I was a soldier. Most of us were. But my work is done, now, for good or bad."

[ex_alighthouse135]

Elizabeth supposes she should reserve her judgements. She doesn't know the prophet personally, but she knows of him and what he's done to the people of Columbia. People support him though, so maybe she's in the minority.

"And now you're an artist. That sounds like a splendid career change."

[tryingitall]

"You know, I think I agree with you there." He smiles. "I do wish it had come about differently, though. But that's too long a story for a pretty day."

After a moment's thought, he adds: "The other evening in the bar, I was talking with a young woman who seemed to think this place could use a bit more culture. I was thinking of setting up a little gallery or studio or something. Shall I invite you when it's done?"

[ex_alighthouse135]

"A gallery? Oh I'd love that!" She would definitely like to see a place like that here. A place where many people could display her art. And certainly, she'd be willing to contribute if needed.

[tryingitall]

"Perhaps when you finish your painting for me, I could put it there, too," he suggests. "But I don't even have the room set up yet, so there's no rush."

[ex_alighthouse135]

"I'd be honored. I'll work on it every day." The painting will probably be done before the gallery is, but Balthazar can just hang it in his room for the time being or something.