Jan/Feb Catch-All Log for Neal Shenanigans, and a Network Post

[conning]

Who: Neal Caffrey, OTA
Username: johnrobie
When: Jan/Feb
Where: ALL AROUND, and on the Network
Summary: Neal poses a question about housing to the off-world folks, offers help with money management, and invites them to a house warming party. And tangles with the TDM prompts from January and February (tba). ...Also, he proposes to Malcolm. And invites Rue and Hob on a double date.

Warnings: N/A at the moment other than Neal and Malcolm probably being gross.


NETWORK POST (post-reboot) - UN: johnrobie

Question for the assembled:

If you could have any kind of living space, ADI sponsored or not, what would it be? Asking for a couple of reasons. One being that I've been here for almost a year and a half and while communal living is nice and everything, a genuinely private space is--to me--preferable.

I've been thinking about the people who came here from other places and have ended up staying long-term. Where they live, why they live there, what the trade-offs are. And whether or not it could be worth it to invest in ourselves independently to create some housing that's, y'know, ours.

And to that end: House warming party on the 31st, bring a favorite dish or drink. Standing invite to anyone who can see this. If you're one of us, you're welcome to come. Alcohol is also welcome. (Non-alcoholic beverages will be available and people can bring whatever else they want.)

Oh, and: if people want to talk at any point about how I was able to buy a house, I'm happy help with financial advice. I only started out a thief in a past life.

[Insert address and time here.]

[PROMPTS BELOW]

Comments

JANUARY TDM/GENERAL PROMPTS

[conning]

That Thing That Tim Was Nervous About (Jan 22, closed to Malcolm)

[conning]

The outfit that Rue and Neal discussed, the one Rue put together with a flawless accuracy Neal helped finish off with careful, intricate paint work, hangs in a dressing room of the theater where Neal and Malcolm had the start of their first actual date. Neal hasn't done anything as extravagant as renting the place out--there's no play tonight, and just about everyone involved with maintaining the building and the company that inhabits it were unsurprisingly taken with Neal's request when he approached them about it. He couldn't have afforded to rent the place, but use it with permission for a romantic gesture after hours? Absolutely.

Neal keeps Malcolm's blindfold on all the way to the stage from the back doors, guiding the other man carefully, grinning a little at the occasional guess as to where they are while Malcolm somehow manages to find every uneven bit of floor to trip over.

When they're at the stage, he draws the blindfold off. There's a small dinner table, set with paper plates and plasticware and a checkered tablecloth. A middling-nice bottle of wine stands in the center, flanked by red solo cups. The food itself is still in little freshly-reheated tupperware containers, contents hard to see from this angle. It's an assortment of Malcolm's favorites that Neal has found over the past year, in portion sizes that aren't overwhelming. The whole thing is lit by candles. Most fake, to satisfy the paranoia of the theater owners, but the ones on the table are real.

Just behind the table, on the opposite side from the empty ranks of audience seating, is a white arch woven with colorful paper vines and flowers.

Neal leans forward from behind Malcolm to kiss his cheek. "Happy anniversary."

[abrightboy]

Malcolm blinks against the sudden light, but then stares. He knew Neal had something planned; he told him so when he got the Lonely’s artifact out of his arm. Malcolm had lost days and was unprepared. Neal didn’t care about that. Malcolm was not expecting something this elaborate.

He looks around at the otherwise empty theatre, then looks over his shoulder at Neal. He almost protests ‘But I didn’t get you anything’ again, but his mouth opens, then snaps shut, then he says “Happy Anniversary”.

A fraction of this much trouble would have been more trouble than anyone had ever gone to for him. He doesn’t know what to do with it all.

“I… can’t believe it’s been a year.”

He’s never been with anyone for a whole year before.

Misplaced. Backdated to 1/??

[sneakery]

[Some days have passed since the Lonely artifact was shattered, and still splinters are trickling in at ADI headquarters. Hob is, in fact, just leaving the investigations department after having dropped off a small container of shards. His partner for the day is taking a break, and he finds himself at a loose end with little to do. It's that quiet time of day when the halls are all but empty, field agents out making themselves useful while the researchers are holed up doing what they do best.

Perhaps security will have a need for him. He slips out into the hall on feet far quieter than a being of his size has any right to be, and closes the door to investigations softly behind him. With his mind preoccupied and his natural line of sight somewhere around the seven foot mark, it's only natural that he accidentally shoulder-checks (elbow-checks?) someone passing by.]

Oh! I'm sorry, beg pardon, I wasn't paying attention. Are you alright?

[conning]

[Neal isn't helping with how distracted he is. He can feel the little shard in its tupperware container, its power gnawing at him, even through the plastic and winter gloves. Apathy, the peace of absence.

The possibility of feeding the Lonely.

When he gets checked, he drops the container, and the cheap lid--already loosened from his fiddling--pops of and spills its contents on the floor. Neal jerks back to himself, looking the foot up at Hob in surprise. It's not a usual angle for him--he's six feet himself--but the disorientation isn't just the angle.] Oh, sorry, I...

[They're both apologizing. Neal smiles sheepishly, trying not to look back at the spot near the join between wall and floor where he knows the shard landed.] Yeah. I'm fine. Are you?

FEBRUARY TDM/GENERAL PROMPTS

[conning]

tba

un: rue, text [1/2]

[ruevealing]

To be most perfectly honest, I would be pleased with any space so long as it was more suitable to my height and build. The apartment I've been assigned to is lovely enough, certainly, but everything is built with human sizes in mind.

The layout, the ceiling height, the furnishings: none of it is exactly owlbear friendly. I am not used to living in such small quarters, where I'm unable to even properly stretch my wings.

[2/2]

[ruevealing]

[wait WAIT]

A housewarming party? My dear Neal, do you need any help in planning such an event? I'd be most happy to lend a hand.

[or just like casually take it over completely. either or.]

[conning]

That's part of what got me thinking about this, seeing how cramped the average ADI apartment must be for you. Between that and getting our own place, it made me wonder.

I'd love your help!

[He doesn't NEED it, but what could be more fun than planning a party with someone else who likes planning parties??

Plus if he doesn't have to do the coordination all himself so much the better ok...]

un: hickey

[friendsfordinner]

You know I've rarely had a place of my own?
Before arriving here, I bunked in a hammock in a ship's berth along with thirty or so other men. Before that, I lived in a sharehouse where my room was barely the size of a bed.
Here I've got an actual kitchen. Sure I have to share it with a few other people, but it's only one or two. I don't know what I'd even do if I had a whole house to myself.

[conning]

[ AH, IT'S THE WEIRD GUY WHO WAS FOLLOWING HIM, Neal remembers that name. ...Unless it's someone who just likes making out, which is also a possibility, but with a population size as small as theirs it doesn't seem likely--anyway, beside the point. ]

That's another good point.

Though I'll be honest, I can't imagine happily sharing space with thirty other men.

[Having a private cell in a crowded prison was uncomfortable enough thanks.]

I understand about not being sure what to do with all the space, though. It's strange and a little intimidating. I've never owned a house, and I'm not even going to be in it alone.

[friendsfordinner]

I never said I happily shared the space.

[ too many people too close to him!!! not fun in Hickey's mind. ]

I'd be tempted to fill up all that space myself. But I know if I did, then I'd just end up with too much stuff and it'd be a pain to move around.

Video; un: Not a Koan

[lobster_bib]

I'm used to sharing space but there's a lot to be said for not having to fight over whose paintings get put up or who gets to have the nice blanket for the night.

I'm good at building, if that's how people want to go, in happy to help put up houses.

video;

[conning]

[Neal's brain needs a moment to reset to actually hear what this guy is saying after the face appears on screen and the voice starts producing words in conjunction with mannerisms and an attitude that are patently unfamiliar except in moments of less-than-pleasant altered psychology on Malcolm's part.]

Ah. Yeah. My. Malcolm and I, were-- [Right okay focus pull it together building houses the guy is saying.] That might be an interesting way to go. If we can find the right kind of land for it. Pool resources. That kind of. Thing.

[He's not going to ask, he's not going to say it, he's not going to ask or to say it--]

Re: video;

[lobster_bib]

[It's okay. He sees that question. He's been getting it a lot.]

I'm Jesus. Not the guy from the Bible. Malcolm is like a younger me who grew up wealthy but still with a bad father and a mother who means well. Alternate realities, maybe?

text | un: username

[canofmanji]

i dont give a shit where i live. i just want to be back in the right time i came from.

omfg his username is username p l s

[conning]

Also fair. But given that isn't our current situation, what would you like in the mean time?

this 17th centruy Japanese man is struggling with tech - you don't want to know his password

[canofmanji]

i really dont give a shit. im fine in the woods or in these swanky rooms. the fridges are pretty nice though. i think ill miss that

[video] un: cupkate

[bossyboiler]

Is there anything special you'd like me to bake for your housewarming?

As it stands, I'm content with my living situation. I mean, I wish I had more counterspace in the kitchen. Don't get me wrong but I've checked out the rent prices in Gloucester. They are too high.

video;

[conning]

What are you inclined toward? Anything is fine, really, though if you know of anything that's easy on the stomach that can be served in small portions, that's ideal.

[Which isn't 'anything is fine' but shhh shhh.]

That's part of why I'm thinking about this. We're stuck between ADI and Bonnie's which feel like transitionary spaces at best and college dorms at worst, sometimes. It would be nice for those of us who don't have anywhere else to go to... have a choice in at least our most immediate surroundings.

[bossyboiler]

If you know of a sweet that Malcolm can eat please let me know. I can make anything. Maybe meringue cookies? I can make those fairly small. Maybe mini cupcakes?

[ Just tell her, please. What can the boy eat? ]

Are you going to become like Bonnie's? Another flophouse for people to stay in?

text ⌬ @stark;

[fightinginfinity]

I guess I'm supposed to say multimillion $ penthouse right
Not really feeling those digs anymore though
Think I'd prefer someplace more lowkey nowadays

No kidding about the communal living thing lol
Not that I don't love my roomies & appreciate the eye candy
A genuinely private space sounds great
All the better to set up shop in yknow

Re: text ⌬ @stark;

[conning]

'Supposed to'? I take it you're from a certain level of society back in more familiar worlds?

Yeah, I do love the people I've roomed with. But it's also

A lot of them disappeared. And it wears you down.

text | un: punchgirl

[lesbeau]

i dunno about ideal space existing here. hard to beat a wizard tower hidden in a pocket dimension with big cats that'll give you massages and a hot tub. but i guess that wasn't really mine in the first place.

you bought a house though? you really think you're gonna be here years more?

[conning]

...You can't just drop that description on a guy and not elaborate. Big cats? Like house-cat-cats or lions-tigers-cats??

I did, yeah. I don't know if we will be. I don't know if I want to be. But it's not about that, really.

[He considers leaving it at that, then decides to try and be more like Malcolm for once. Be more open. Be honest.]

It's a promise to myself that we're not going to let anything bad happen to this place. That I'm not going to live like I don't belong here, even if I get to go home in a day or a week or a year.