real-time log
Who: Balthier and Basch fon Ronsenburg
When: today, around 6-7 pm
What: an escape from work
Warnings: mature situations

While it had been a tough day for everyone else in the class, Balthier found it to be quite a breeze. Of course, effort had to be put in but it was nothing that he couldn't handle. And because of such a hard work being accomplished, he told himself that he'd treat himself to something nice. What that would be, he hasn't really thought about. So he figured on browsing. At the Downtown SF Mall. Maybe some nice sleepwear. Maybe some dessert. Maybe some new gadget of some sort. But as soon as he went through those doors, he noticed a very familiar figure to him and approached it as soon as he recognized it. "Well well. Working hard, aren't we? Or hardly. Well met, captain."

This would be one of the few times Balthier would see such a look upon Basch's face. It was a look a pure loathing, not for the pirate, not for the universe, but simply for his job. He hated it..despised it with all his being. "Perhaps they would get better usage if they replaced me with a mannequin."

"Yes, but the mannequin is unable to do anything should any altercations occur. I'm more than sure that you're aware of it," Balthier said, obviously trying to make him feel better about his job. "And besides, a mannequin is expression-less. And unattractive. I'm quite positive that humes would rather look at another hume and not a mannequin, save that their minds are not sane." But of course, Balthier took note of Basch's current expression on his face. "And you are due for your obligatory hour, are you not?"

Basch glanced down at his watch. "More than likely, if not, I'm going to it take anyway." Grumbling he spoke into his walkietalkie and told (not informed) the other crew members that he was going on break. "Honestly, I wish something would happen so I could break out of this track of boredom this job seems to keep me on."

"Perhaps you would prefer that I take you out of said boredom, hmm?" Balthier wondered as they were now just strolling along the mall. Too bad he couldn't have Basch alone for the time being. But he knew that he could work on that later. "Anything that interest your palate, captain? Or shall I pick a venue for us today?"

Oh, if Balthier really wanted alone time, Basch could grant that. After all, he was working security in the mall, he knew all the "hideouts". "I've been to every place in this mall, so it doesn't really matter to me." All the food tasted the same to him. "As long as I don't have to eat at the City Wok."

"That's quite alright," Balthier answered. "Perhaps something out of this mall would be preferable, then." Because he had a lot of other options in mind. If they could go to the pier, they could. Even if it meant that Balthier was going to speed, he would. At least this time, he knows where all the cops are hiding. For the most part.

Of course, it didn't make much sense logistically to head out of the mall. "Whatever you want to do Balthier, I am game for anything to get me out of this hellhole." Basch did not like working in the mall. He did not like the teenyboppers or the annoying housewives.

And that was something that Basch was going to have to get used to. This is, after all, San Francisco. "Well... if you are not adverse to somewhat normal food, how do you feel about Denny's?" It was easy, fast, and it was right around the corner. That way, it would be a little more logistically sensible and they wouldn't have to waste time or gas.

"Sounds fine to me." Never mind the fact that he felt like an idiot in his uniform. That problem was easily fixed by Basch leaving the uniform shirt at the mall. Of course, that left him in a white wifebeater, but anything was better than looking like a Rent-a-Cop.

Balthier then led the way around the street, over to Mission, and into a Denny's that they went downstairs for. It was weird to Balthier to have to go downstairs to get into a restaurant, but it was someplace to eat, nonetheless. Balthier was greeted by a male host and asked for how many. He was also all smiles from seeing both Balthier and Basch. "Table for two, please," Balthier requested. So they were lead a private booth. How appropriate. As for drinks... "Iced tea, if you would please."

He raised an eyebrow at the waiter. They had been getting that reaction quite a bit lately and he found it rather strange. "Water, please." Basch was about eating healthy and it was best to have a large glass of water with dinner.

Early dinner in this case since it was a little after six. Balthier then opened up a menu and wondered what he was going to get. "I've said it once before, captain," Balthier remarked as he saw Basch raise an eyebrow at the waiter. Somehow, Balthier liked that they were getting this sort of attention. Both of them. Together. Then again, Balthier is some sort of an attention whore, though he'd never admit it. "Find anything suitable?" He flipped a page of the menu and kept looking, keeping in the back of his mind that he would have to get Basch's pant size and shirt size later tonight.

Why exactly would he need Basch's pant size? Of course, Basch wouldn't understand even if he was asked for them. "It is still a bit odd to get those looks. I can only sit and question for what reasons sometimes." It was honest, Basch never really considered himself attractive. He especially didn't consider himself attractive after the torture.

Even though Balthier did not know how Basch looked like before said torture, it was something attractive to look at nonetheless. Sadly for Basch, the rest of this city seems to be agreeing with Balthier. "I've already given you reasons why, captain. It would do you well to not question such things." Then, their waiter came back with their drinks and asked if they were ready to order. "Could you give us just a few more moments, please? I promise we'll be ready within a few minutes," Balthier answered to the waiter and gave him a smile. The waiter grew nervous as he left.

Basch shook his head at that. "Balthier, I believe you have scared our waiter." At least, in one way or another. Looking over the menu he decided that he would have breakfast for dinner. A nice stack of pancakes sounded rather nice right now.

"Nonsense, Basch." Balthier was going to add on that he was just nervous because of the proverbial flirting towards the waiter. Don't worry. Basch himself was next. But going through the menu, Balthier kept his eye on this southern heartland scramble slam thing. When the menu came back, he was a little nervous with an obvious blush on his face as Balthier gave his order.

Basch knew why the waiter was acting the way he was, it seemed to happen quite often with Balthier. Luckily, Basch wasn't a jealous man in that sense. Balthier could flirt and bat his eyes all he wanted, it was the moment that someone stepped into that physical space that Basch would step in. "I do believe he was quivering in his wee boots." Basch was going to tease now. "Seeing such an attractive man flirting with him, you're going to give him a heart attack."

"Perhaps it is because he isn't aware of how to handle such an attraction," Balthier explained after he took both of their orders. Thankfully, Balthier doesn't respond to every physical action that comes upon him. If they were dirty, he'd have to wash his hands five times. "Though, he will learn."

Basch laughed at that. "You keep saying that, but you know he could fancy you." Which was probably what was going on. "Sitting in the back having fantasies about the beautiful brunette in his section."

"Or perhaps not only said beautiful bruneete in his section, but the handsome strawberry blonde who happens to be with him," Balthier added and laughed a bit as well. Though, he wanted to be a little discreet about it. Just a bit. At the back, though, there came the sound of broken dishes. Hmm. I wonder what that could be.

"See. You're going to get us thrown out for distracting the waiter, Balthier." He leaned back again and stretched. " I think I'm going to call the mall and tell them I had an emergency."

Balthier then took out his cel phone and held it out for Basch to use. "Perhaps you may tell them that your brother is in trouble and is in need of your help," he suggested. Just then, a waitress came by to tell them that there would be a 5-minute delay in their meal. "No matter, miss. Tell our waiter that he may take his time. There is no need to rush." The waitress then left, in some sort of hurry.

"Maybe you should have told them that someone else should bring the food." He tooks the phone turning to the sid to make the call. A story about an emergency at his apartment building having a flood or the like, he closed the phone and handed it back to Balthier. "I hope to eat sometime soon."

Balthier graciously took the phone back and replied. "No worries, captain. Food shall be here soon." After all, they only said a 5-minute delay. And there it was. The same waiter that obviously dropped and broke the dish, or dishes. "Thank you very much," Balthier said to him.

Basch waited to see exactly what the waiter was gong to drop next. It was a bit like a train wreck, he just couldn't turn away for some reason. "At least it made it here in one piece."

"True enough," Balthier answered and dug in. Heartland scrambled eggs for the win. He actually liked this. Condiments aside, he was wondering how Basch liked his. "Mmm... This is quite good."

"I'm rather amazed. I've never really had food from here before." Because, frankly he didn't eat out very often. "I know it's a rather odd for someone to avoid restaurants....but, I tended to eat at home more often."

"Eating home saves money after all," Balthier said before taking another bite. But because Balthier tended to eat out quite a bit, he had a little morning regimen that he didn't tell many people about. "In fact, eating at home makes things more personal, wouldn't you say?"

"It does. It helps if you can cook better than I can as well." Because frankly, Basch cooked to survive not for taste so much. He really didn't mind it, but he really should learn to cook something outside of pasta.

"Perhaps we shall one night test this theory, Basch. I am not quite sure if my culinary skills are up to par, but I'd like to think they're at least better than decent," Balthier boasted before taking another bite. While it wasn't something he prided himself in doing, he knew he could cook several things.

"Mine are not." It was a warning to Basch. That there was no way he was going to cook for Balthier and have Balthier survive it. "I'd rather not kill you, so please donot expect a home cooked meal."

"Then perhaps I may do the honors." Balthier wouldn't mind doing it at all. And it'd be a good way for Basch to have a good home-cooked meal once in awhile. "Do let me know when you desire it, captain."

"You ask of me like I would have a specific day. I would personally not care as long as it was you." Meaning, whatever day Balthier decided to cook would be fine with Basch. "I will make time where needed."

"You are sure of this. You seem to like to keep your schedule open. Just for me, Basch," Balthier said, wondering if this was true or not. But whatever the case, Balther didn't always want to keep the options open. He liked specifics much better.

"I happen to like being able to roll with some of the punches. I've learned over the years that nothing goes as planned." He finished the last bit of his food and placed his fork down onto it. "But, if you want specifics, how about this weekend."

"That's quite fine," Balthier answered. That answer was better, but he had hoped to do it sooner. This weekend would mean 3 more days. 3 more days of Basch eating food without nourishment. "Though, I am willing to do accomplish this tomorrow." And Balthier wanted to test the 'a way to a man's heart is through his stomach' theory.

"If you wish. I told you that I am open to anything. I was simply giving you time to prepare." It was obvious Basch knew little to nothing about real cooking, but that was a horse of a different color.

"Alright," and Balthier kept that in mind. Several times, their waiter came to their table asking how they were doing, and Balthier would openly flirt with him, only giving him more blushes on his face as if he was ready to combust. But hey, Balthier was only being honest. Then their bill was given to Balthier and he put an American Express card in it before handing it back to the waiter.

"What exactly are you doing?" He questioned Balthier. He wasn't going to stand for the younger man paying for him again. At the least they should be splitting the cost. "Balthier...you do not need to pay for me yet again."

"And yet I was the one who seemed to have dragged you out of your workplace." A brief pause, then Balthier continued. "But if you insist, your bill was approximately $9.85." He did look at the receipt and Basch's was the cheaper of the two meals on there.

"I insist." He reached into his pocket and handed Balthier a ten dollar bill. "I am quite sure that you understand my plight. I'd prefer that I keep the amount that I owe you to a limit." It was another matter of honor for the captain.

"There are, however, some debts that are not payable by cash. And even others.... that I do not wish to be payed." And slowly, Balthier reached for Basch's hand and took it. Huh. He was warm. "It would do you well to remember that, captain."

He raised an eyebrow at that. "We'll have to speak upon those debts at a later time..." Balthier was a smooth customer when he wanted to be. "and I'll try to remember that...."

Before the waiter came back, Balthier let go of Basch's hand as if not to make their waiter jealous. He placed that bill in his pocket and the waiter returned just then with the slip for Balthier to sign. He did so and off they went as they were greeted by their hosts goodbye come again routine. "Well... that certainly was an adventurous meal, wouldn't you say?"

"Adventerous." That was one way to put it. Basch prefered to not think about wanting to gut the waiter. He knew the yonger man was getting all sort of ideas in his head. "I think that next time we'll go to a nice restaurant..." Not that he could afford it, but if he saved up it would be doable.

Or Balthier could be sly and prepay for it before they even get there. That way, there would be no way for Basch to refuse. "That, we can do," Balthier said, dusting himself off a bit. "Well then. Now that you have the night free, what do you propose we do?"

"I've thought about something..." It was a rather tough thing for him to do. "You...do you spend time at night clubs?" He was willing to try it, simply to see how it was. He knew there was a ninety percent chance that he wasn't going to enjoy it, but...

"Night clubs do not really seem to be your thing, captain," and Balthier already knew that. "You and I together seem to attract quite a bit of physical attention and I don't believe you will appreciate it." Aww, Balthier thinking of Basch's feelings?

He smirked at that. "You didn't answer my question, Balthier." If it was his thing or not was not the question of the moment. He wanted to know what Balthier enjoyed to do.

"I've been to night clubs, yes," Balthier then answered. "I've spent some time in them as well. yes." But he couldn't help but see that Basch has a certain curious side to him. "Would you like to possibly go to one, then? I imagine you had not yet have gone to one."

"I have not." Basch commented. "I just think it would be a rather...interesting situation." For the first ten seconds. He was decently sure that Balthier could keep him entertained for the rest of it.

But if Basch did not want to stay, then they didn't have to stay. He rather liked the fact that Basch liked to spend a lot of time with him. "Perhaps we should return home and get dressed." Because Balthier was not going to a club looking like this.

"I will have to...find something that will work for it." He wasn't sure what would work for a nightclub. He was decently sure he didn't have anything that work. "I think I will need to find something that is more suitable.:

"Depending on where we go," Balthier started, "we may only need to dress casually. Though... it may be better if we were to go to a club for 21 and older." No need to deal with immaturity. Not tonight, anyway.

Not ever, in Basch's mind. "I have no idea on which clubs are the best, so you may have to guide me in this endeavor." Hell, Basch didn't even know what he would wear to a club to begin with. He was a man of dress shirts and slacks.

"That's quite fine. But first, we must head for your living quarters," Balthier declared. "I shall see what attire can be fit to wear for you, hmm?" What? Balthier has a fashion sense? Of course he did.

"If you can find anything in my closet, I will be amazed." Unless Balthier was planning on doing something modufy his current clothes he was going to be sorely disappointed with the selection.

But that didn't matter. If Basch had slacks and a dress shirt, that would work. Sure he'd be plain, but he would have to make do. For now, they'd head over to Basch's place and see what they could actually find.