Crashing a (tea) party

[bitterguardian]

It's funny how quickly Balthazar and Horvath have become fast friends again. They were almost brothers, once upon a time, and without the nasty complication of being on opposite sides, or Balthazar being insane, they've fallen straight back into old ways.

So it's not all that unusual for Horvath to be visiting the Arcana Cabana, leaning casually against a counter and playing with a little stone statue of a bird while Balthazar rummages in a stack of cardboard boxes nearby, regaling him with stories of his travels, punctuated by the occasional sneeze from the dust he's stirring up. Horvath's hat and coat are still on, but only because he's just gotten there a few minutes ago, and they haven't moved to the back room for tea yet. Both the old sorcerers are looking forward to a peaceful afternoon of nostalgia, tea, and cookies.

Comments

[grimholdkeeper]

"Boiled shrimp, yes. Or so I've heard. I've never been there." It sounds ridiculous, actually, but then again the Nexus is ridiculous, so why not?

He's watching Dave giving the PINpoint a once-over though, and finds the absent-minded interest strangely familiar. Is it Merlin that reminds him of, or possibly himself? Maybe both.

He gives a little shake of his head. "Good point, though, Max. I'll go fetch the manual." He steps very carefully out of the circle and heads for the stairs.

[bitterguardian]

With Balthazar off and away up the stairs, Horvath keeps a closer eye on the boy. "Just... don't press any of the buttons." It's almost as if he doesn't trust Dave not to whisk himself off to another dimension through sheer clumsiness!

"At least not without leaving us a few more hairs to track you by."

[merlinian]

Dave cannot possibly imagine why Horvath wouldn't trust him to accidentally get lost in the void. It's not like his finger was hovering over one of the buttons, or anything...

(It totally was, actually.)

Some tension returns to his shoulders when he realizes Balthazar is gone. Horvath's word choice doesn't help, either—Dave lifts his gaze from the device in his hands and glances over at the older sorcerer, one eyebrow quirking upward. "Track me?"

[bitterguardian]

"Well we wouldn't want to abandon you in a sea of solid shrimp..." He smirks, then notes Dave's expression and sighs. "It was a joke... never mind." His customary frown is slipping back into place, an expression born of worry and a serious nature, not anger. He limps a few paces away to lean against a sturdy old table, heaped with boxes of who-knows-what.

"The other me...?" He seems unable to finish the question, and shakes his head a little.

((She said to skip Balthazar for a round since he's out of the room.))

[merlinian]

(EMOTIONAL WHIPLASH BETWEEN THREADS.)

"I don't even like shrimp." Dave shudders at the thought. He's not a seafood kinda guy. He doesn't even like going in the ocean, let alone taking things out and eating them...

But, we digress.

He notes the look on Horvath's face, and some guilt pangs deep in his chest. "I'm sorry. It's—yeah, it's that. Him. Not you."

[bitterguardian]

Horvath studies the cobwebbed ceiling absently, rather than give Dave any further looks that inspire him to foot-shuffling stammering guilt. He's bothered, but he's making an effort not to take it personally.

"Yes, I've... gathered. The version of me in this world is much the same as what you know, I believe. Balthazar's told me he's safely locked away in the Grimhold for the time being." His gaze drops, and he focuses on the dragonheaded cane. There's no talisman there, it's a necessary crutch, rather than a weapon.

"I can't say I don't understand why he'd be bitter. So am I. But my responsibility and love for my fellow apprentices was stronger than that, and always will be. He has much to answer to for betraying that. Balthazar and Veronica were my family."