Mask Or Menace - IC Contact Post

[helpdesk_hero]

This is David Alleyne, I'm not available at the moment.
Please leave your name, contact information, and what this is regarding after the beep.

Comments

[goldtoxicity]

I'm pretty sure if you say "hi I'm an imPort and I want to do a thing" people will throw money at you.

[ he peels his hood back, canting his head and offering a lopsided smile. ]

This place kinda takes all the shit that'd stop you from being anybody at home and turns it into a positive, remember?

[helpdesk_hero]

It's so weird that it could be that easy.

[There we go. Not a real good smile, but still a smile. And that's what David needs.]

Are you suggesting that this world wouldn't discriminate against a queer black man?

[goldtoxicity]

Okay, point. But they're probably more likely to give you a show because, y'know, powers.

[helpdesk_hero]

Well, there is that.

[David smiles and downs more of his coffee before taking his phone out and sliding it over to Josh, tapping to bring up some results.]

There's a lot of places for sale right now. I think people are trying to leave imPort cities to try and last a little longer. Which means we've got a wealth of options.

[goldtoxicity]

Cool.

[ he pulls it over, sounding tired and looking moreso. ]

Pretty much all of these are in our budget. I mean, interest rate on the mortgage might suck but who cares nobody ever pays that off anyway.

[helpdesk_hero]

We probably won't pay it off, but the better question is what you like. This isn't going to be the end of the world, Josh, so we should make sure we LIKE what we choose.

[It's going to be their home, after all.]

[goldtoxicity]

Could be.

[ he scrubs a hand through his hair, skimming down the list. ]

Everybody's so sure this is gonna work out but in my experience it only works out because people make it work.

[helpdesk_hero]

I know. That's absolutely correct. And it's not like I can help and that's driving me mad. But... I'm choosing to have faith in the people I know who are fighting this.

[Because waking up in the morning would be impossible otherwise. Because there wouldn't be a reason to even TRY and live to see another day.]

So I'm trying to think long term. Because if I accept that the world is going to end soon, I might shoot myself.

[goldtoxicity]

That's a bad way to die.

[ blandly. he's out of energy to get Upset about it. ]

I just want a place to come back to if this works out... Because if I don't have it then j know I'm going to take off again.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Yeah, it is. David's been shot before, he didn't like it. Would rather not die that way.]

Then we make a place to come back to, Josh. We find ourselves a home, and you promise me that you come back to it after, because I'll make you a fucking feast. We'll invite Laurie, have a team party.

[Half of their team, but it's enough for him. So he smiles and taps his phone.]

So, pool or no pool?

[goldtoxicity]

[ he's quiet a moment longer than he should be, eyes fixed on the phone in front of him. he can't promise. because if push comes to shove -

Well David saw his shadow. And he's accepted that part of himself.

But he looks up, shoving all that darkness down with a slightly more convincing smile that he doesn't totally feel. ]

Pool. Definitely.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Make it back, Josh. David won't forgive you otherwise.]

Alright then. Pool it is. Maybe a little gardn. I could grow things. Plants and animals are literally the only things I can touch without potential repercussions at this point. And fresh produce sounds lovely, doesn't it?

[goldtoxicity]

So you want pets too? Guess we should aim for a decent sized yard.

[helpdesk_hero]

No, I don't want pets. I want plants. If I need to pet something, I'll hunt Marco down. He's a pretty good dog. Or Carol Danvers. She's got cat-telepathy.

[goldtoxicity]

You're so weird.

[ he laughs a little. ]

Okay, so pool, garden, extra bedrooms... Two bathrooms. Uh... Do we an office?

[helpdesk_hero]

Do you want an office? I mostly contain my work to my room at this point. Had more than a few years of no other options. Plus an office means we effectively need ANOTHER bedroom. That's what you turn into an office.

[goldtoxicity]

I probably should have one. The hospital can't stay closed forever.. or, I mean, if it does then I'll need to find another position at a different one.

[helpdesk_hero]

Alright then. A workspace for you, so you can hang up a metaphorical shingle while the hospital is rebuilt. Got it. That room gets tile.

[See, plans.]

We'll make bookshelves for you. So you can look doctorly.

[goldtoxicity]

I'm pretty sure I'm the least 'doctorly' looking guy ever.

[helpdesk_hero]

You're just more Dr. McDreamy than Dr. Phil.

[Yes, jokes are fair game here.]

[goldtoxicity]

Well, I am pretty dreamy.

[helpdesk_hero]

You really are, Josh. If I didn't know you, I'd hit on you.

[goldtoxicity]

Oh, so it's my personality that's the problem?

[ The smile is a touch more genuine, elbowing david lightly. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

Nah, it's being your brother that makes it awkward.

[But he smiles and finishes his coffee as he starts to reorganize his list.]

Any part of town you want to avoid? Or a specific bar or club I should keep us close to?

[goldtoxicity]

Point.

[ Honestly. He's closer to David than he ever was to his own flesh and blood brothers. ]

Nah. Goal number two is to go get a car. The world's gonna be my oyster.