New York I love You (But You're Bringing Me Down) - OTA

[pecked_by_birds]

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)

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[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."

[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.

[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.

[miss_ives]

"This is an impressive collection," Vanessa stated when he came back, still looking at the books before turning around to join him.

[pecked_by_birds]

"Well, I've had a very long time to amass it," the titan smiled.

[miss_ives]

"That hardly takes away from its quality," Vanessa assured him, coming to sit where he had brought the tea.

[pecked_by_birds]

"No, I suppose not," the titan agreed, sitting down and sinking easily into the sofa.

[miss_ives]

Vanessa took her seat in an armchair across from him. "Is your shop much like this one, in New York?" she inquired, nodding her thanks as he offered her a cup of tea.

[pecked_by_birds]

"More focused, but still full of very old things," the titan admitted. "Though I used to get new books in from time to time. Pulp novels, cheep and cheerful paperbacks..."

[miss_ives]

"Cheerful?" Vanessa asked, lips tilted at the corner. "And here I was hoping you might have a hidden stock of penny dreadfuls somewhere."

[pecked_by_birds]

"Those too," he smiled. "I lived in that shop for ages. Before the flappers came through, and until world war two... I think. Time sometimes gets away from me."

[miss_ives]

"If you've any in need of restoring, I'd welcome a next project after your journals," Vanessa told him with a small smile. It was no secret to anyone who knew her that her favourite era was Victorian times.

[pecked_by_birds]

"I'll gladly bring some back with me for you to look at," he smiled. "They deserve to be viewed, not tucked away in boxes."

[miss_ives]

"That would be very kind of you," she stated with a thankful smile.

[pecked_by_birds]

"Not kind, completely selfish. Your smiles are rare and worth the minor effort of an extra suitcase," the titan assured her.

[miss_ives]

Were they that rare? Vanessa supposed so, yes. "An entire suitcase, you spoil me."

[pecked_by_birds]

"I'd promise you two, but I'd only end up losing one," he smiled, sipping his tea and leaning back in his seat. "I'm often losing things lately."

[miss_ives]

"Nothing of too much importance, I hope?" Vanessa inquired, erring on the side of caution and letting the tea cool a little longer for now.

[pecked_by_birds]

"I don't think so, though I could be forgetting things I've lost," the titan confessed. "This head isn't as good as the last one. It's scattered. ...It's sad."

[miss_ives]

"I'm sorry to hear that," Vanessa told him quietly, her frown one of sympathy. "I don't suppose my liking it would be of much comfort." She had only known two iterations of Prometheus, but she had been very fond of both.

[pecked_by_birds]

"That's very kind," the titan smiled. "Though it's much easier to like when you're unaware of what's going on inside it," he assured her, tapping the side of his head as he spoke.

[miss_ives]

"I might say the same of mine," Vanessa pointed out simply. It was a simple statement of fact, and she blew on her tea gently before taking a tentative sip. Hmm. Perfect, and her enjoyment was visible. She set the cup back down on the saucer, and let her fingers drift to the pendant half hidden between the lapels of her blouse. "You've helped me reach some amount of peace. I do wish that I could return the favour."

[pecked_by_birds]

"This mind is old and broken, well beyond repair," the titan smiled sadly. "Zeus saw to that long before your time, but I'm glad I could bring some peace to yours. I only wish I could offer more, but some knowledge is out of even my reach."

[miss_ives]

"You've done a lot," Vanessa assured him. "More than anyone else. If I can ever help, in any way, beyond the restoration of your journals..." He only need ask.

[pecked_by_birds]

"Well, there is one thing, actually," the titan admitted. "Though I'd understand if you were too busy..."