Visit to the Arcana Cabana (for Connor and Kairos)

[grimholdkeeper]

The sign on the door of the Arcana Cabana says 'by appointment only', but Connor and his friend more or less have a standing invitation. It's just a matter of whether the door is unlocked

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[1stmacleod]

Even now, even in another world, coming to Manhattan makes Connor edgy. Knowing he's only a few blocks from where his shop once stood (and was blown up) in some alternate reality doesn't help. He follows the PINpoint coordinates Balthazar's sent, though, landing himself and Kairos in the nearby alley. He's told her he's met the man in the Nexus a few times, that he's a sorcerer and he seems all right. As always, what Connor doesn't say is pretty significant, because he visits the Nexus but it's rare for him to meet anybody he takes enough of a liking to that he tells her about them, let alone brings her along for a visit. Apart from this sorcerer, he's only mentioned some vampiric cop, and of course Jelani who he gives sword lessons to and she's already met

[kairos_aether]

((Many, many apologies! I procrastinate like crazy on top of being busy! Forgive me?))

Kairos, being Kairos really, holds on to Connor's arm mostly because she knows she calms him down. She's been to her version of NYC before, so she's a little familiar with the area ... but not this place. It feels a little different to her. The magic's different, she guesses.

She sees the gargoyles.
She grins up at them.
And waves before turning the smile back to Connor with a "thank you!" as she steps inside.

[grimholdkeeper]

((No problem. I know the feeling. I'll be slow, too, because the real world is mean to me of late

[1stmacleod]

Even Connor, who would never identify himself as magic-sensitive, is a little distracted by the aura of the place. He's also in the habit of scanning any new place as he steps into it, scoping out exits and entrances and defensive points. Kairos might be stepping in first, but the height difference is so extreme he can see over her head easily to take in the place.

Hopefully he's reminded her not to float, at least on the street, here.

When Balthazar starts to move and curses, he tenses just a little, but the apology leaves him looking mildly amused. No harm, no foul. "We could go out and come back in again...?"

[kairos_aether]

Connor's lucky she's remembered shoes. Floating usually means no shoes, and no shoes means..

well, thankfully, she's remembered little strappy sandals that barely adds any height to Her Tininess at all.

"Sanctuary!" she chirps, resisting a chuckle at the flailing. "And can we go back out? Those gargoyles were adorable!"

[grimholdkeeper]

He blinks, then smiles faintly, returning from around the counter. "Ah, the triplets. I'm sure they'd be happy to have company."

They're not actually the living-creature kind, although he's known some of them. But they're very lifelike sculptures. "I put ribbons on them at Christmas."

He dusts his hands off and offers the lady a handshake. "Balthazar Blake. You must be Kairos." He smiles at Connor. "And you should know better than to startle someone paranoid. How are things?"

[1stmacleod]

Considering Kai still lets him live in jeans, t-shirts and sneakers, Connor has nothing to say about her choice of wardrobe. She always looks elegantly dressed to him, even barefoot. Of course, he doesn't care if she floats once they're inside, so if the sandals aren't enough to remind her later, he won't be commenting on that, either.
He knows they make a contrast, Kairos sunny and smiling and full of all the cheer and friendliness Connor himself lacks.

"Should I? What are you trying to say about me?" His voice rasps as it rises in a teasing tone, and Connor cracks a faint grin. "Okay so far." That's all he counts on, really. So far.

[kairos_aether]

"Ribbons? That's so adorable!" Some of that cheer and friendliness bubbles up to the surface and she can't resist a little float - she barely realizes she does it, honestly. It's just one of those things she does when she's happy.

Like shaking Balthazar's hand exuberantly. "Great to meetcha!"

"...And it's been great." She doesn't know exactly all the two men are talking about, but she fully believes any and all time with Connor is great. Perfect, even.

[grimholdkeeper]

"I thought about doing a wreath last year, but it seemed too kitschy." He shrugs, smiling. The floating only gives him a moment's pause, because he's too caught up in wondering how these two got together, between Connor's surliness and Kairos' easy sociability. Clearly it's a case of opposites attracting.

"Likewise," he gives a slight bow over her hand before letting go, chivalrous but careful not to make any moves that would awaken protective or jealous instincts in Connor. "Can I get coffee for you? Lemonade?"

He has stronger stuff, too, but he's not sure what time of day it is, distracted from the destructive client.

[1stmacleod]

Kairos definitely has what Connor lacks in sociability, and then some. It's a good balance.

"Coffee would be good..." Connor's gaze is still roaming the shop, lighting on swords and other artifacts. He's interested both as a former antiques dealer and as somebody who's seen a lot of world history. This place is like a cave of wonders, and it's got him both curious and oddly at ease due to the familiarity. It reminds him a little of his old rotunda room, cluttered and crammed with personal mementos.

[kairos_aether]

"Lemonade for me, please. I don't think anyone wants to see me on coffee when I'm already way awake." Kairos is looking around, too, and mentally comparing it to Mr. H's place in Sanctuary. Mr. H's place is more clinical than Balthazar's, which.. is a little shocking, to be quite honest.

[grimholdkeeper]

Clinical is the last term most would use to describe Balthazar. Pedantic, maybe, but he has a fondness for clutter and art and chaos that precludes any real organizational skill. If they ever come in and find the place clean, they'll know something's terribly wrong. He smiles at them both and nods, "The blue sofa and the brown chairs are safe to sit on. Don't get on the red divan; it has an unsavory history. Oh, and I wouldn't touch the big Chinese urn. It's new, and the stories I've heard are...well, just don't touch it. I'll tell you in a minute."

He retreats to the back to get snacks, leaving them to potentially wonder what the hell he's talking about.

[1stmacleod]

Connor's traveling gaze roves over to the red divan, and he raises an eyebrow, then gives Kairos a look. Whatever this guy says he probably means it, but that doesn't mean Connor's not curious, now. He'll just let Kai figure out where they're sitting and follow her.

With Balthazar out of the room, he gives a nod at a unicorn skull hanging on the wall. "Think that's real? Do they have them in your world?" If they've got sylphs, who knows...

[kairos_aether]

Kairos just eyes the Chinese urn. "What do you think will happen if one does touch it?" she asks curiously. "It might've been a better idea to let us know what will happen instead of saying 'don't'. Now I have the urge to be contrary."

But she won't. She's a little crazy, not stupid.

Her gaze goes to the unicorn skull. "Sure we do! They're anti-social sorts, though. Bad tempers if you get 'em riled."

[grimholdkeeper]

"Some legends say they can't be caught alive." Balthazar returns with a tray of drinks, a plate of gingersnaps, and a bowl of green grapes. "I didn't have anything to do with killing that one. The skull's been passed around between noble families in Eastern Europe since the 14th century. Just horns are easier to find, since they're used to purify poisons, but to find one with the head still attached...well, it's gruesome, but unique."

He sets the tray on a battered end table and sits on one of the chairs. "Help yourself to whatever. I probably have more substantial food, too, upstairs."

[1stmacleod]

"Yeah. People say that about me." Connor quips in a mutter to Kairos, but his eyes are bright with amusement. Knowing there's real unicorns somewhere in her world is fascinating, like a little fragment of hope.

"There's still artifacts around made of human skulls, if that evens the score any." He makes a little gesture for Kairos to sit and take some snacks first, because he really is a gentleman under the scruffiness and unsociability.