Levi Open Post ((for nexus_crossings))

[tryingitall]

The angel Balthazar spends most of his time at Lucifer's villa these days, to no one's surprise. He hasn't let go of his apartment, though. He's only rearranged it for Levi's comfort. The sleek modern furniture has been replaced with antique reproductions, and the plain walls covered with art that matches the painter's tastes. Levi's very fond of copper, and shades of deep blue. The art studio that used to be dedicated to one small room has now expanded to encompass all but the bed and bathroom of the place. There are shelves of supplies, several paintings in progress, books and references, sculpting supplies, and in one room there is even a workspace dedicated to glass. Nothing bigger than jewelry or small vessels can be made there--there simply isn't enough space, but Levi relishes the opportunity to experiment.

It's weird having a time-share situation with his own body, but he can't deny that he's never had this much encouragement for his art before, neither in the way of supplies provided or financial support. If only Bart could have seen this!

Well, maybe he will, some day.

In the the meantime, even with all the opportunity surrounding him, sometimes when the angel retreats to let him play, all he wants to do is drink coffee and sketch and watch the world go by. That's what he's up to today, sitting on the veranda outside the lobby of the apartment building. It's late afternoon, and he's watching the tawny sky darken over the Nexus, listening to music of various ages and styles and planets drift from open windows in the apartment building above him. He's got an open sketchbook, a pile of charcoal pencils and tortillons he's stuffed into an empty dopp kit bag, and on the table at his elbow is a very foamy caramel-coffee drink, and a half-eaten plate of cheese fries.

It's hard to tell what he's drawing at a glance. It's a subtle swirl of gray, but if you sit with him long enough, a picture may emerge...

Comments

[chiaro_oscuro]

Ben's something of an artist himself, progressing from calligraphy to full-blown sketches. It's something he dips into as one of several strategies to help himself settle and calm, someone so agitated on the inside needs all the relaxing hobbies he can get, but outside of his talk with Hunter in the Plaza he hasn't met that many artists himself. It's not often that he ventures into the public spaces of the Nexus unless it's on business matters or he's hawking his wares, but he wanders the apartments.

That's how he's connected with Mantis, among others. It never hurts to get to know your neighbors. While he has very mixed feelings on how naive many Nexus inhabitants seem to be, he's in no position to complain about it and he's built some sturdy connections in this place.

"Mind if I make myself a cup?" While he doesn't have his grandfather's caf addiction, Ben will admit to a taste for it. He's convinced himself that it's good for his nerves, and in limited amounts it won't interact with his powers. "I see you're working on something. One of these days I'll have to show you a couple of my pieces. But maybe I'm being hasty - haven't even introduced myself. My name's Ben."

[tryingitall]

"Mm?" Levi's absorbed in smudging his lines carefully, blowing dust off the surface of the paper in between strokes of his paper stump. He gives Ben a mild nod when he approaches, but it takes him a minute to process the question he's being asked.

"Oh! I got mine from the cafe down the street, but there's always a regular coffee pot on in the lobby. Help yourself." The door behind him is propped half open, and the coffee counter is easily visible from where Ben stands. "Don't use the powdered creamer, it's shit. The little cups are okay, though. They got French Vanilla."

He has a strange accent, a blend of London, France, and Brooklyn. To people who've heard Balthazar speak, he sounds distinctly different, but since Ben is not one of those as of yet, he may not notice. "I'm Levi. Levi Gilman. Sit with me, if you wanna. I'd offer to share my fries but they got charcoal all over 'em now."

[chiaro_oscuro]

Oh, to be able to distract yourself in your work that easily. Ben wonders what Balthazar is working on, but it's not clear right now. "Thank you." There's a quick, barking laugh. "Once I come back with my cup, I'll join you. Interested to see what you're working on. I'll take your advice and pass on the fries. Besides, I had my fill of those not so long ago."

He's just glad to have those ridiculous clothes from the Cafe 80s off and replaced with something more appropriate. Still, he likes to think he handled his first Nexus LOL with some dignity. He only destroyed one arcade machine and Polybius deserved it.

Ben fixes himself a cup from the lobby - French Vanilla, as Levi suggested - and quickly returns. As invited, he takes a seat besides Levi and watches him work. "Art is a hobby of mine. Calligraphy's a skill I learned as a younger man, Mr. Gilman, and it's a step from that to drawing. I sometimes sell my better pieces in the Plaza sometimes."

[tryingitall]

"Sure, I don't mind company." He gives Ben a friendly nod, and, reminded that his fries are now less than edible, gets up to throw them out.

When they both return to their seats, he listens to the younger man's explanation and nods his understanding. "Calligraphy isn't my thing, but I always thought it was underrated. What's your medium? I haven't tried to sell anything yet. I'm not sure I'm ready for that life again."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"Paper. I sketch, sometimes in the Plaza and sometimes in the safer parts of the Wilds. I try not to get too far in. Easy to get lost there. Ben takes a sample drink of coffee, testing to see how it's cooled. "You were right, Levi. This is good."

Ben doesn't have his grandfather's caf addiction, but he's fond of the stuff. Food and drink from Earth are very alien to him, so he samples what he can out of curiosity. "It's a rare skill, where I'm from. Not to brag." This said with a small cocky smile.