londoncallingrpg | New York I love You (But You're Bringing Me Down)

Honestly, he couldn't say why, but sometimes it wasn't the madness or the pain that drove Prometheus to travel. It was just a itch, a need he had to fulfil. Lately it had been clawing at him again, and though he'd done his best to put it off... New York was calling to him. He needed to go. He'd return to London, of course, he always did after all. Though to ensure he returned sooner rather than later this time, he'd hung a 'Help Wanted' sign in the window of his shop. With any luck he'd find someone to run it in his absence.

Soft music filled the shop, and as usual the titan was behind one of his canvases. Paint tinted the tips of his fingers and was splattered all over his jeans as he neared completion on his latest piece. He'd taken a sharp turn back into realism lately, and dark hues and clear lines presented an image of a ratty looking bookshop on a corner in New York.

(OTA! This is Prometheus' last post until he returns next year, so if you need a chat, now's the time. <3)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

pecked_by_birds

"One of my favourites," Prometheus nodded. "That shop is nearly as old as the city itself. ...I lived there many times."

He was silent for a moment, then frowned. "It's been in my dreams lately. I intend to return to it for a while."

From:

miss_ives

"You're leaving us," Vanessa acknowledged, unable to help a small pinch of sorrow. Prometheus owed her nothing, but he was one of the few to really see her, she felt. Perhaps because his own history was so much more complex. Perhaps because he didn't fit in, either.

She smiled, still, a smile that reached her eyes. It was his choice, of course, and she was happy if he, at least, knew what he wanted, what he needed to go forward. "Will you leave a forwarding address? Or shall I sit on the rest of your journals until you return?"

She hoped that he would, but what was time to someone who had lived as long as he had? A mortal life must seem so short to him.

From:

pecked_by_birds

The titan looked thoughtful for a moment, then hummed.

"I can do better than an address," he decided, moving to the counter and pulling a spare key from the drawer. He studied it, then held it out in offering. "I'm hoping to find someone to run this shop while I'm away. Incentive to come back sooner rather than later," he explained. "Even if I don't manage to find someone for the job, however, you're welcome to come and go as you like. I'm sure there are things in the basement I've not laid eyes on in eons that you might find interesting. ...Or useful."

He paused again, then added. "Though if you'd like an address as well, I can provide you with one."

From:

miss_ives

Vanessa paused for a moment, then took the offered key with a grateful nod, and met his gaze, her own quietly hopeful. "I'm a terribly old-fashioned person. I like to write letters." That was to say, she would like to write to him, in his absence.

From:

pecked_by_birds

Prometheus nodded in understanding, then smiled, returning to the counter again and digging around a little.

It took time, but eventually he procured a very old looking business card for a shop called, 'The Gift Of Knowledge'.

"Here," he smiled. "The address remains unchanged."

From:

miss_ives

"Thank you," Vanessa told him, meeting his smile with one of her own as she took the card. She studied it, then looked up at him again. "And for the key, as well."

For so much more than that, beside.

From:

pecked_by_birds

Prometheus smiled faintly, then nodded. "Thank you. I'll look forward to your letters."

From:

miss_ives

"I can only promise that they will be lengthy, and hope that they will not be tedious," Vanessa told him, poking fun at herself.

From:

pecked_by_birds

"I doubt you're capable of being tedious," he assured her. "And it's been far too long since anyone bothered to write me."

From:

miss_ives

"Then I shall be glad to break that dry spell," Vanessa told him, and put card and key away in her purse.

From:

pecked_by_birds

"In the meantime, perhaps I can tempt you with some tea?" he offered.

From:

miss_ives

"That is a temptation I would be loathe to resist," Vanessa's smile warmed. She turned to the briefcase to pull the volumes carefully out, laying them out on the counter. "If I'm not interrupting you in your work," she added, meaning the painting.

From:

pecked_by_birds

"Not at all. The painting can wait," he promised. "There will always be paint, your company is much more rare and precious."

From:

miss_ives

"And here I thought inspiration to be a fickle mistress," Vanessa remarked playfully as she kept setting the volumes down.

From:

pecked_by_birds

"She can be," the titan admitted with a faint smile. "She courts me often though lately. I'll be alright."

From:

miss_ives

"Good," Vanessa stated with sentiment. She closed the briefcase and set it down on the floor, then walked over to the Titan with a smile. "I'd hate to stifle your art."

From:

pecked_by_birds

"I find it impossible to believe you've ever stifled a soul," the titan replied.

From:

miss_ives

Vanessa's smile turned sad, then faded. "I think you know better."

From:

pecked_by_birds

Prometheus cocked his head, watching her.

"I think you are nothing short of inspiration and intrigued personified," he assured her.

From:

miss_ives

"That's hardly contrary to stifling anything," Vanessa remarked, but was quick to change the subject, with a brief smile. "Now. How about that tea?"

From:

pecked_by_birds

Prometheus nodded, letting it be and moving to lock up before gesturing for her to follow him up to his flat upstairs.

His flat was modest, full of things old and new alike, the walls covered with his art and every shelf filled with books and trinkets.

"Please, make yourself at home."

From:

miss_ives

"Thank you," Vanessa told him, setting her purse down by a chair, and her light jacket on its back. But instead of sitting down herself, she looked around the place, stepping closer to a bookshelf to look through the titles.

From:

pecked_by_birds

Most of the titles were very old and worn, in a multitude of languages. Though there were some modern novels as well.

Prometheus returned with a tray, filled with tea, milk, sugar, and honey- Along with a few small cakes, clearly home made. He forgot he liked to bake, often right up until the moment he remembered.