kingslayer_ (kingslayer_) wrote in angellogs, @ 2021-01-29 00:36:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !what if plot, alec vael, balthier, basch fon ronsenberg, noah fon ronsenburg |
Who: Balthier, Basch, Noah, Alec Vael
When: (During the mixed up lives thing)
Where: Balthier's house
What: Balthier's baking, and invited people over to eat and chat, since the weather was foul.
Rating/Warnings: Vague discussion of imperfect parents, faint spoilers for Balthier, Noah, and Basch's past in FFXII, faint spoilers for Sebastian Vael's Dragon Age plotline
Status: Complete
Balthier was cooking a batch of muffins for the usual Vael conversation and tea (not to mention the "secret" chronic conditions group that usually met in the library,) and it was a miserable day out. Sleeting and blowing, and a good day to stay in. So he sent an invitation out to see who'd be interested in coming over for dinner or lunch.
It was honestly hard to tell what was going on with everything right now, but Basch was glad of some constants, like Balthier, which made the whole thing more interesting than it should be. So he was heading around to meet him,hoping to possibly sort some things, but if not,well, it could be worse, probably.
Balthier waved him in. "Hello there. Noah's in the shower. He just got off work, and there was an incident with lavender oil." He was wearing an apron over what looked like a dark waistcoat and one of his white shirts that almost looked like what he liked wearing at home. "What's your opinion on dates? The dried sort, though we haven't done one in a while."
“That sounds like...something.” Basch snorts a little, goes to run his hand through his hair and realizes it’s still cut shorter than he remembers and stops. “Both sorts of dates are fine. The other sort we should attempt,when things are less...all over the place.”
"I think we're still - things are still us, right?" Balthier dumps some chopped dates into what he's stirring up, and leans to start filling the muffin cases. "How are you?"
“As in together? Indeed.” Basch smiles. “And a bit strange, but not terrible. Different scars, different memories but everything between those of us here seems much the same. I can’t mind that part. You?”
"It was nice having you around back then, even if you had to see my dad." Balthier made a face. "And I think Noah feels like you understand more, what it was like, and is guilty about it, but - well - he'd likely feel guilty either way. He does that."
Basch makes one too. “I hate knowing what he was like for you. I mean in more than words. It makes me worry a bit more about what all you three dealt with. But…” He nods. “Noah...that part did help. I didn’t quite understand the social structure for one. Or that the judges and officers and magisters all sort of... “ He frowns. “I didn’t understand, from what I had seen how any of them were close because it never seemed like it before. But...yes, that seems Noah’s...thing. He worries and feels guilty over things that are not his fault.” At least Basch knows his own guilty for the past was...deserved.
"Help me get these in? And we can sit and have tea. We built a breakfast nook, and the cat adores it, but I think she'll share." Balthier had worked on it with Courfeyrac over a couple of weekends, making sure the table would hold up to Courfeyrac's energy. He was pretty sure Courfeyrac was gone for a while, since he'd sent him off with a pack of dinners for Courfeyrac's terrified boyfriend who seemed to not want to meet people away from his adopted dad.
“Sounds promising.” Basch moved around to do that. “What shall I do then? Point me in a direction.” he added. Whatever else was going on, it was nice to take this moment. “And I’ll be sure to ask her nicely.”
"These need to go in, and I need to wipe down the counter? I've got cake to ice, and some rolls rising, but the cake has to cool, and the rolls have to rise. They're slow with the cold." Balthier put the kettle on and brought the pot and cups to the table. "Oh, you never told me. Do you like glass for tea? Russian esque style? Tony said he got a batch in that he thinks are Moroccan, but could be used that way. I was down there helping out yesterday."
Basch went to grab the counter after getting the oven door open for him. “That sounds as if it would be promising. I’d like to go and see. It was nice trying those out that way. We could use our own set later on I’m sure.” Which had him smiling at the thought of. The eventual idea was quite nice.
"I could head down there with you at some point." Balthier got a "brup" noise as he sat down in the breakfast nook. "Yes, dear. I am here."
Basch laughed a little. “She’s sweet.” he said, “You need to get that on tape, I swear. The internet would love it.”
"Would love what?" Noah had emerged from the bath, and was just buttoning up a shirt. "Ah, I thought I heard you, brother. Sorry I wasn't there when you got in. We spilled some lavender oil at work, and I smelled like a field in summer."
“Balthier’s conversations with the cat.” Basch said, nodding toward Noah. “It’s good to see you here. He’d mentioned a little. THAT must have been quite a lot all at once to smell.”
"I thought it'd be more sociable to be less flagrantly floral." Noah brought over a box to the table and took a seat with them. "How have you two been?"
“Not bad on my end. Confused but…” Basch’s smile grew a little more. “I think the important things in that life were hit on early enough for them to be all right.”
"I miss Ellie," Noah admitted. "But - at least everything seems all right with the Vaels. Aedan's been doing all right."
“That IS odd.” Basch noded slowly. “I think...a few people are actually gone. The good thing is, this will be over fairly soon, the way things here happen to work. It’s not a GOOD thing, but…” He paused. “That’s...a grey warden thing, right? She was born in a future or other reality where Sebastian remained able to ah…”He paused, wiggling his fingers to substitute for the obvious.
"He seems happy though," Noah said. "Maybe some worse dreams, but well - he hasn't seemed upset by me being his husband."
"I suspect he'd be happy under any circumstance," Balthier said. "He seemed happy with you."
“Very true.” Basch nods. ‘The trajectory here seems relatively the same, right? He met you when we turned up. He just has...other skills. “ And, given his understanding of those games, and being a grey warden, it means he’s one day going to go underground to fight zombies until he dies or becomes one. But he’s not talking about that one with his brother.
"Exactly. I doubt the differences will come up before we have things change." Noah scrubs his face. "Just yell at me if I'm stupid, brother. I'd hate - I don't want to hurt Aedan or something."
“I can do that.” Basch nods. “He seems better, recently. Calmer at least.” Which, for Aedan, well, that says quite a lot in general. “Not exactly happy but...like he has found a lot of peace. Admittedly, his current future plans seem a bit forced and somewhat unnecessary since they got Meghan declared alive and her titles restored, without there having to be a marriage, which was the initial intent from what I understood, but..maybe there’s something to marrying a friend you’re close to. Provided they aren’t still in school and don’t have a father who’d destroy you for that sort of timing. But...it’s good she’s happier, having that made official. And since she doesn’t want to rule Starkhaven as much as be part of the group…”
He shakes his head a bit.
"I think sometimes she's working by the rules of Starkhaven, which makes me feel very -" Noah sighed. "I'm not from their culture, or their place, and I definitely feel like a stubborn child when I'm confronted by that lack. It is my own problem."
Basch nods. “It’s hard to understand how much it means, but then I also wasn’t born with that as a part of who I am. I never internalized a title as my identity itself. I think I’ll always in some way be a Captain but...I didn’t grow up with that in my head.” He looks thoughtful. “Speaking of. I’ve no idea how what’s happening now is happening but...it’s been good, understanding and remembering where you’ve come from.”
"I just hope you didn't have that winter before you joined up," Noah said quietly. "I can't entirely remember it."
“Perhaps it was better because the two of us were there.” Basch says. “More chances to get work in, hmm? “ He hopes he was able to help more with his presence in that universe. This one? He’s not sure entirely.
Noah leans to sip his tea, and smiles at them. "And well, it matters not. We are here now, and we're making our lives. It's a good thing."
“It is good.” Basch nods. “And good to know that, well. Even if my choice had changed, we would be in much the same place in the end. It...helps with knowing what I did choose...that it did not cause as much damage as I sometimes fear.”
"Fear of change makes sense. I definitely have that." Noah looks thoughtful. "A common interview thing is asking why I still bake. It's comfortable, and it's honest work."
“It does seem to happen to many.” Basch nods. “But, no for me...I often ask myself all the time...if I could have made things better, by staying. That sort of thing. It’s comforting to know we managed, either universe, to end up together again. And as for baking...you ARE good, as well.”
Noah laughs. "I'm content, you know, if I wasn't? If I was just following recipes. It's work that doesn't mind that I stay up late sometimes."
"Sort of like my jewelry, though I've got more schedules when I do plays." Balthier perks up. "I was asked to do some designs for another theater. It's an interesting idea, I think. Sketching set designs and ideas for how to do them."
“That makes sense.” Basch can see how that works for them. “And that sounds really interesting. Worth involving Courfeyrac in, perhaps too. He’d probably love it. How is he in all of this? Anything interesting?”
"His boyfriend's dad is missing, so he's planning on a sleepover, last I heard." Balthier sighs. "I told him to be careful, and to talk with my siblings about how to arrange things. They'll be more ruthless on making sure he treats things sensibly. I sent him with some meals to take over."
“I think they can make sure he doesn’t…” Basch considers how to put it. “Rush things anyway. Isannah did say they were all right in Paris and didn’t attempt much of anything. He’s smart.” he says firmly. “He’ll be all right. He knows what he wants and doesn’t want, I think. More sensible than that other time you mentioned.”
"I trust him to be careful. He's really desperate to be loved though, so that could make issues for him, but the best cure is to give him the childhood he should have had." Balthier leans to take a cookie from the box. "I'm just worrying."
“It seems like you’re managing it so far.” Basch says, smiling a bit. “He seems less anxious these days. And he’s happier and calmer with you, I know. I think worrying shows you care.” he adds. “He’s a good kid. You’re good for him.” He pauses. “Given...us...I ought to do something with him sometime, you know? Would that be a thing to think about?”
"I don't think that's a bad idea. It might be good to talk about what you see us getting married being like with him, and see if he's got questions. I told him things won't change much, but he might be worried about it." Balthier watched the cat pick her way over to carefully snuggle between Noah and Basch.
“Sounds like a plan.” Basch looks thoughtful for a moment.. “If nothing else, there’s always swords as an ice breaker. He’s more finesse, like you, but it’s not as though I’ve not done fighting in that area. And he’s good, for a hobbyist.”
Basch at least has had interesting conversations across a practice field. Most of the good ones with people he doesn’t know well take on some form of training, after all. It’s easier to get started when there’s more going on. “You could tell that a few years ago, in that french play and in the pirate opera. He knew what he was doing and when to pull back for others. That sort of control shows skill. Takes it too. I’d be comfortable enough talking to him over swords. Without it being a duel situation. Otherwise…” he winces. “His blades may be lighter and HE may be lighter, but he’s also taller and faster. I’d also be afraid to fight a boxer, in the same vein. Not terrified but...wary.”
"He's quite skilled. I've been working on teaching him how to be enthusiastic but also having control." Balthier smiles. "I'm impressed with him though. It can't hurt to tell him that."
“Certainly not.” Basch nods. “The set of memories this week, too...is it strange to say it makes me miss training my soldiers, no matter where they might be? Not the fighting exactly, but the making them ready, teaching them. It’s a good feeling when they learn. And when they seem to enjoy the learning or are proud of themselves.”
"I know that there was curiosity about how I fight," Noah said slowly. "Maybe we could do a bit of teaching? I feel uncomfortable with some things, but it might be easier, together."
“I would like to do that.” Basch nods. “Perhaps if we started small, and among people we know who won’t go out and run wild with that sort of knowledge. That’s...the green knight fellow, with the gold threaded braids? He’s mentioned being involved in some sort of re-enactment community. His involves a smaller subset of reenactors who also are some type of pagan worshippers, but connected to a bigger group that’s not simply about praying in nature. Not that there is anything WRONG with that, but it hardly lends itself to fight practice, religion. Unless your god encouraged battle in their name.” He adds. “That may be a place to look later, if it took off. But for now, perhaps…” He looks thoughtful.
“Courfeyrac, of course, but maybe his poet friend from his future. He would likely more want to observe, but would enjoy asking questions. Apparently he’s some aficionado of the Middle Ages.”
"I'm sure there's internal politics, but well - we've had plenty of that. Smaller stakes mean louder people, but it's still smaller stakes." Noah leans for more tea. "Perhaps we could all do a bit. I know Calum does sort of - historical music. There might be some contacts we could find that way."
“And with his studies too…” Basch muses. “Celtic language groups most likely have SOME connection to those who handle the past. Of course with Edinburgh that’s likely Jacobite reenacting and, I don’t know, fans of the genre of books he and Iomhar are revising. The first draft was decent, incidentally. A little overdone for my taste...how much peril can one family find themselves in over a period of twenty years? I don’t think they need a fire, AND a kidnapping and being lost at sea all in the first book, but…”
“You’ve forgotten the horse riding accident.” There’s Alec, his expression a little wry as he pops into the room. “And overcoming the evil governess who tried to poison the princess and replace her with her lookalike daughter. Good afternoon, everyone. It’s good to see you again, Balthier, Basch.”
“That did not ha…” Basch’s eyes widen. “Is there a new draft? I thought this was loosely based on family history.”
“Ah, very LOOSELY based.” Alec rolls his eyes. “You’d not think two someones as practical as the pair of them could write that, would you? What’s that saying here about still waters running deep? Or in this case, verra deep.”
"There's tea and cookies, if you're interested. The muffins in the oven will be done soon." Balthier checks his watch.
“Tea’d be pleasant, thank you.” Alec’s glad to see a set up already there. “Sebastian sends his regards and an apology he’ll be a wee bit later than he’d thought. Something with the campaign manager needing to reschedule based on all the current madness. She’s got children she didn’t ken existed until whatever this is all hit and wanted to do a BIT of experiencing what that’s like. Seems today it included volunteering for a project at the wean’s school so the meeting had to be pushed around. He’ll be around an hour later than he’d thought and understands if not everyone can make it.”
Then Alec looks at each of them in turn. “...is it odd to say you each feel as though you’d been through something different than before? The weight of experience is...it sits differently on you now. Like a different cut of cloak.”
"I don't think it's - entirely different," Noah said slowly. "But at the same time, it's been good to see it that way. My brother ended up in the same forces I did, just stationed out on the edges. Balthier and his siblings figured it out, and got us in the same area." Noah tapped the bracelet. "We'd been wearing our colors since then, to differentiate us."
“Aye it’s a similar feel but…” Alec pauses. “The cut of the cloth or the color or something’s different but it serves the same purpose, still makes the pair of you who you are. It’s no sae different as our Sebastian feels to me. There’s a bit more confidence to him. Even more than you bring him, Noah. There’s less of him with a need to prove things. But the pair of you…” He squints a little.
“You seem easier in each other’s presence. Less sad.”
"I did not betray my brother and try to make him fail his chosen role," Noah said. "We still were in Archades in a bad time to be in Archades, but we had less of that."
“And we were together through it all.” Basch’s nod was firm. “I have always been a twin, but in this timeline, I was never a twin alone. There are less layers to push through, to get to each other. I think I’d like to keep the outcome if we can, by remembering it later.”
“And I forced my nephews out of Starkhaven with Meghan and Iomhar’s partner and his wife.” Alec nods. “Calum says as much, and that he listened. That sense of relief can be palpable, that the right thing happened. I’ll assume for my peace of mind that Goran was still out of the city at the time, same as Hari’s account of the events. It may not have been my timeline but hearing of it’s enough I feel better about a thing I couldna control myself.”
"It's good that they had options." Noah grimaces. "It took a while for Sebastian to say that things were not perfect instead of telling me that he was not perfect."
“It is” Alec agrees. “And that sounds like Sebastian. My brother and his wife were...good at ruling. Verra good at keeping the city at peace and calm, with everyone getting along. They made it near perfect as you can get it with people, but that was at the expense of the family. “ He shakes his head a bit.
“It was efficient and pleasant and entirely depressing to watch. Benneit was good at many things. And it meant his family fell to the wayside, and were given little choice about it. And I think for many years they didn’t, from what it sounds, have the sense of security and comfort to be able to voice it. When my athair was alive, even when he was Prince Emeritus and became Lay Brother Aonghus, he made certain it was different. After it...it was only about a year and a half after that I came to you...the path downward had started. Perfection and pretending at it took over.”
Alec’s got the feeling something like that happened to Balthier and his siblings too, but he doesn’t voice it yet, even if he watches them carefully sometimes. He knows the man’s father was terrible, especially to him, but he won’t demand his suspicions be given proof when it’s not his place. “I’m that glad to see they’ve no longer got a hold on things.”
"Aye," Noah agreed. "Sebastian wondered a few times what it would've been like, if I could've gone to his home and courted him, but I suspect it would've been - very strange for all of us. Ignoring the rank issues."
Balthier never talked much about his family at home. He and his siblings moved in a unit, but they acted like they hadn't had a lot of time together, since it still seemed novel to have that option. He said his father wasn't sane, and his mother was ill and went home. Noah talked more about it, when Alec got there, giving a bare bones account of political turmoil, an arrest of Balthier, and Noah also being arrested. The game said a slightly different story.
Perhaps with Noah and Basch there, they had seen more of Balthier's father's madness.
“Aye that would have been. Thedas is…” Alec isn’t sure how to put the differences exactly. “It sounds verra different from any of what you’ve said to start with. Starkhaven is its own weird world, too. Easily the most beautiful of city states, but I’d say a little too Orlesian when I was there. I think it’d make you uncomfortable, for one. They mean well, in Orlais but it’s all a bit..much.”
"From the sound of it, Orlais is a bit - fancy and formal, but not as cut throat as Archades," Balthier says. "So I've done a little of that."
"I had the advantage of armor." Noah smiles. "People didn't expect you to dance much, in it, or to wear much else."
“Oh not the last one by far.” Alec says, grinning wryly. “They call it The Game. If you’re a good player, you go far. Best player I’ve ever known was a mage attached to one of the households. Lady Vivienne was TERRIFYING.” He shudders, but in an admiring way, clearly. “She was SOMETHING.”
"I've had quite enough of that. I prefer my stages, painted by my own hands," Balthier says as he gets up to pull out the muffins. "Rolls still aren't quite ready. Is anyone hungry for more than cookies?"
“Your stages ARE better for the fact they have a beginning and an end.” Alec nods. “I can wait a bit. Need a hand with anything?”
"Even Archades had strict rules that you let someone have their space to themselves." Balthier gestured. "The game on all the time would be - uh - a princess in a tower? Under the glass? I don't know the metaphor."
"In practice, a Judge was not permitted much of that, but what I had was fiercely defended. It was nice, once you realized we were twins. We could spend time together." Noah smiles. "I liked that. It was a less lonely life."
“That does sound like it could be a good thing, being together.” Alec nods. “Good memories, to be certain.”
"Even with my father being my father, it was good memories," Balthier agrees. "It's nice to have something weird happen that's merely different versus aliens in a garden or clowns in the woods."
“Those DID sound...intense.” Alec frowns. “For once it sounds as if the oddity wasn’t so bad here. The others…” He shakes his head. “It makes me nervous I’ll say that.”