Vinyl is Better (For stark_ravingmad)

[ziggyplayedguitar]

[Continued from here]

It was late in the evening when Tony finally sent a message back. Ziggy didn't mind. He didn't sleep and even if he did, right now he probably wouldn't. They talk records mostly as they walk the short distance toward his home which is on the very outskirts of the plaza but not as far as his parents live from the center. The The first floor townhouse he lives in, which is a converted office space, is easy to spot with its teal facade and golden disk over the gold framed door. The inside is very Ziggy with tall the bright colors and open layout.

There are two cats that come running. One is a pretty normal black cat with white paws. The other is orange with teal tabby stripes and red wings. Ziggy greets both of them before turning to Tony.

"Make yourself at home." He smiles and sets the vinyls down to put away soon. "Do you want a drink?"

He didn't necessarily mean alcoholic since he knew Tony was recovering. "The vinyls are in the living room if you want to put something on."

In the area where most people would have a TV, Ziggy has a record player with nice speakers. A side cabinet, almost like a kitchen pantry, with a glass door holds the several hundred records Ziggy has with him. There are a wide variety of genres; rock, soul, blues, disco, punk, early new wave. From Tony's perspective there's nothing in the collection past his own 1983 and some of the dates don't make sense. Records he knows from the 70s have recorded dates in the 80s or even early 90s.

Comments

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Getting Thomas to leave the house makes everyone feel like Sisyphus." Ziggy jokes but it was true. Only his father was stubborn enough to shoo the old Anthean out the door.

Ziggy shrugs at the question. "A little of everything. I design my costumes and stage gear. I help dad with his NASA projects and mom with her botany research. I write and read. I could probably call sex a hobby at this point but that's more living where no one accepts you and it's a safer form of contact." Even here things got strange and people didn't understand.

"Um.. I can pilot a few different kind of spacecraft. I produce and direct my music videos, paint. I dabble in most of the arts, fashion too." Ziggy was definitely one to try just about anything.

[stark_ravingmad]

The Anthean was certainly talented as Tony raised a curious brow at all the things he was interested in. As for sex being a hobby? That got a quirk of the engineer's lips but he knew what Ziggy meant. Hey, if it soothed the guy then who was he to argue about that? Sex was a good inducer of good feelings with the rush of endorphins flooding the body. Also it felt fucking amazing.

"You're a talented guy, Ziggy. What sort of spacecraft have you piloted? Call it a tech nerds fantasy as such. Also, painting and fashion? Those are decent skills to have too. Fancy designing a suit with me one day? I mean, we could create a totally awesome piece of hardware."

It was a light hearted gesture but none the less Tony was being serious if Ziggy did wish to join him in his workshop one day. The guy had skills and was obviously seriously creative. The space part must come from Tom and also his wife but Tony guessed Ziggy had his own take on things too. There was more to the man behind the guitar it seemed.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Mostly those piloted with the mind. My mother's ship and.... wellnmy partner was the spirit that inhabited a war ship but could manifest physically. He used to let me take his ship out."

If it was sane to let a coked out rockstar pilot a warship was questionable but it was something he loved doing.

Ziggy smiles. "I'd love to design something for you. I can make reasonable clothing instead if what I usually wear."

The truth was that Ziggy's IQ and intelligence was far past a human but he was still very young by his species standards... barely in his mid teens.

[stark_ravingmad]

Tony was genuinely surprised that Ziggy could actually pilot a ship with his mind. Antheans' mental abilities must be strong if one of them could pull off such a thing. Holy crap but it was impressive for sure. Even Tony didn't even know how such a thing could be achieved except for AI.

"You piloted a ship with your mind? That's some seriously cool shit right there, Hot-Pants. I've only used AI to pilot my suits with my voice and visual interface."

Was he impressed? Hell yeah. As for designing with Ziggy? The temptation was too much for someone like Tony Stark, who was always tinkering. Was it an obsession? Yes, it was.

"Hey, you know what? Go wild, Ziggy. Maybe allowing your creativity to lead you might help you heal. It's known to happen when I've been feeling like crap. I won't be offended if you want to design a bright pink suit with weird stuff on it."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Most Anthean technology works directly with our mind or uses elemental configuration in molecules." Ziggy stood up and went over by the record player, motioning for Tony to join him. There's a glass dome on something that looks like a pyramid that Ziggy takes the glass off of. "This is our equivalent of a record player."

He held out a tray of what looked like large colored marbles. "The molecular configurations inside these holds the music."

He smiles and nods. Maybe Tony is right. "Come back in a few days and I'll start working on something for you."

[stark_ravingmad]

"So you guys are big on the whole mind control thing? Huh. I guess that could come in useful if you don't want to get up from the couch. Just look towards it and go fuck it, turn on. Awesome."

Tony was trying to get to grips with the whole alien thing but in a light and playful way to try and cheer Ziggy up. It was fascinating though. Totally. The engineer bending closer to see what Ziggy was telling him. It was impressive.

"Jesus. This is hot shit right here, pal. There's nothing like this even remotely on Earth right now."

He shot his host a smile and then heard the doorbell go. Pizzas had arrived it seemed. As for coming back in a few days? Hell yeah. Tony was excited to see what Ziggy might come up with.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"No. Mind control's considered offensive." Ziggy starts laughing. "I'm telepathic, not telekinetic. I can't throw shit around like a sith."

Ziggy thought what he was describing sounds a lot like a Sith, perhaps because some of it would be considered evil by an Anthean.

"I can hear what's on them when I touch them." He tells Tony but then's distracted by the food arriving. He let Tony go for the food and then went to the kitchen to get plates, napkins and silverware. Antheans did not use anything disposable. It was the outcome of coming from a world with very little resources. On Earth wasting resources really bothered them too.

[stark_ravingmad]

"Sure. Sorry, I need to get my telepathy and telekinesis correct. I guess I'd make a pretty lousy Anthean."

Smirking slightly he wondered what else Ziggy could do with such a mind. The possibilities were endless, yet Tony was more interested in the creative nature of the alien's mind. He could paint, create and design. Those were useful qualities inded.

Walking towards the door, Tony opened it and paid for the pizzas and fries. It wasn't much and so what if it was? This was their night and Ziggy deserved whatever he wanted right now for feeling like shit. Bringing the pizzas into the kitchen, Tony slid them onto the plates and noticed the silverware and napkins. The guy liked his comforts.

"These are going to taste great. Oh--the fries, here."

He tipped a huge pile onto two plates as he helped carry them into the living room, placing them onto the table close by the chairs.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Telekinesis is the ability to move objects with the mind." Ziggy clarifies. "Telepathy is the ability to read and send thoughts. I'm also empathetic. I can sense the emotions of others and share mine." He left out the fact that he couldn't always control it.

Ziggy grabs the vinegar out of the cabinet while stealing a fry off the plate as it passes. Ziggy also brewed a small pot of coffee to bring along for them to drink. Ziggy sets the things on the table and stares at the food. His stomach is rumbling as he takes the plate. He's going to eat, and eat a lot. There was a reason why he asked for two.

[stark_ravingmad]

"Yeah, I should know this since we have this girl back home called Wanda who is good with her mental abilities. She uses telekinesis mostly and has some mind control abilities too."

Tony kenw only too well of what Wanda Maximoff, or Scarlet Witch as she was known, could do and it was downright terrifying to know she could move buildings with that mind of hers. HYDRA wanted to use her and her brother for their own gains. It was a good thing the Avengers had her on their team now. Tony hoped that Ziggy was able to control his thoughts and emotions when he wanted to. Taking a mug and filling it via the pot of freshly brewed coffee, Tony takes a deep gulp and then placed his own pizza onto his plate. Just watching Ziggy eat would be interesting. The poor guy must be starving.

"Eat. No need to wait for me. You must be starving."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"For us it is an extension of our senses. We us it like others use their hearing." Ziggy shrugs. "Our typical senses are far beyond human senses as well."

For Ziggy , the lack of control from the blend of species more than something typically Anthean. He poured some more coffee too and then began to eat. It was dainty how he ate using a fork and knife and not touching the food overly much but he would continue to eat at least one of the pizzas, if not the second too while they spoke.

"My species can go months without experiencing hunger or thirst the way a human does after only a few hours."

[stark_ravingmad]

"That makes sense. Decent skill to have."

Even though Tony was still new to Antheans in general and getting to know Ziggy, he was finding the whole experience to be very enlightening and he felt privileged to learn more about the rock star. Not wanting to be rude by watching his host eat, Tony began tucking into his own pizza, but without knife and fork since he was an American and they often used hands for pizza. The lack of etiquette very visible compared to Ziggy's more refined way of eating.

"Excuse the rude American here. Just this is---good."

Tony ate more just enjoying the taste whilst popping a few fries into his mouth as he went. Was he hungry? Hell yeah. The whole thing about Anthean's and their ability to go months without food? Yeah. That was pretty awesome.

"You guys are pretty awesome, did you know that? Must be useful when there's no food or water around. As for me? I'd soon order a whole box of Dunkin' Donuts after around a day of not eating."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"It can be. Other times it is a detriment." Ziggy knew that was true, especially for his empathy.

"Eating with your hands?" He knew that was probably the reference from his father. "It's not a big deal. I've got to watch for microbes. It's worse here in the Nexus. Everyone has potential pathogens. I've got medication to take after interacting with people to help my immune system."

Ziggy paused in his binge eating. "Our planet has been dying for the past 12 thousand years. Genetics has changed us to be able to survive the scarcity."

[stark_ravingmad]

It made sense for someone like Ziggy to be extra careful when being an alien on another planet, scared for infecting himself unnecessarily. Tony thought it wise of him to err on the side of caution. The poor guy must be living on a knife edge regarding that side of things.

"Microbes? Ah I get you. That must suck having to watch for them all the time. I do agree with your methods though to keep safe."

Tony placed a piece of pizza inside his mouth and chewed. His face becoming more serious as Ziggy spoke of his home planet dying for so long. Shit. The guy has been through it all. Antheans really were survivors and that was impressive in Tony's eyes.

"I'm sorry you have to go through all this shit, Ziggy. It must be hard and I'm here for you if the shit gets too much. You know?"

Swallowing, Tony drank some coffee and placed a comforting hand on Ziggy's leg, just trying to reassure the guy.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Don't worry." He tells Tony. "I've taken enough medication to protect me for the night. I knew there'd be a lot of species around at the festival."

He was always thinking about his health and the concept of hiding his alienness, though that wasn't as important in the Nexus.

"The planetary collapse started when my mother was a child." Ziggy sighs. "I've only been to Anthea once. I grew up on a ship mostly."

His blue eyes drop down to look at Tony's hand and then up into the engineer's eyes, questioning. After a moment he breaks into a smile. "I suppose if you're going to start getting touchy with me we should talk about some things... unless you like surprises?"

[stark_ravingmad]

Tony nodded whilst eating the rest of his pizza. He was hungry and didn't feel the need to stop whilst Ziggy was practically inhaling his anyway. The guy was hungry and there was a reason why he was eating so fast. It made complete sense to Tony though.

"Uh--I usually get touchy feely with my buddies who are down. I mean, this isn't a problem, right?"

Oh crap. Had he somewhere blew it? Yet, Ziggy was smiling so that was a good sign. The last thing he'd want to do was offend the guy by touching his leg. Surprises though? Now that had Tony's eyebrow raised in mild fascination.

"What sort of surprises are we talking about here?"

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"My species thrives on touch." Ziggy tells him with a smile and actually pauses in eating. "Touch and telepathy are used more than speech because water was rare on Anthea."

He took a drink of coffee and turned his attention completely to the engineer. "I like contact and touch, invite it even from anyone I like."

Ziggy starts laughing and pats Tony's hand on his leg. "I'm half alien and He isn't exactly right though I use that to hide on Earth."

[stark_ravingmad]

"Is that right? Are we talking a kiss on the cheek here or grab of the ass kind of touch?"

Tony was just testing the waters here as he finished off the remains of his pizza, wiping his mouth with his napkin while putting the box in the cardboard recycling bin. He wanted to be a gracious guest in Ziggy's home. The hand on his leg got him staring at the rock star's hand though resting on it.

"Half alien? That's still cool. I've known aliens, gods, all kinds of creatures. Most have been awesome except a few."

Mostly those who's egos were too big for their helmets so to speak. As for right now? Tony wasn't sure where this would lead but was open if Ziggy wanted to pursue touch.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy takes a moment to really look at Tony but his mind is on the angel. "Are you serious with that angel of yours?"

He has to ask because Ziggy has been around all kinds of relationships and his mind is on that right now. Though he does smile. "I'm open to either."

Ziggy had managed to down nearly both of the pizzas and a good amount of fries. He could eat and eat a lot when he got his mind into it.

"None like me." He says, rather sure of himself. Though his brow raises in question long before he speaks. "What you need to know depends on what you're looking to get into here."

That was a serious point because Ziggy has given everyone here in the Nexus fair warning about his less human side, something he can't do at home and wouldn't be needed in all circumstances even here.

[stark_ravingmad]

A good and fair question regarding Tony's status with Lucifer. What was their actual relationship? All that he knew was that his heart missed a beat when the name Lucifer was mentioned or that everytime he saw the devil he swooned. Was he in love?

Oh, he was in love.

"To be honest? I'm in love. Plain and simple as that. He is everything to me and I love him. Yet, I think you're a cool guy and wouldn't mind getting to know you better. If that makes sense. I guess you've heard the term friends with benefits? I mean it doesn't have to be....if you're uncomfortable with that and everything."

Was he talking too much? Maybe. He just didn't want to wreck what he had with Lucifer but not offend Ziggy at the same time. It was more let's see where this goes and if it doesn't work out then Tony would accept that. Would Lucifer mind if he slept with Ziggy? Crap. Because he didn't want to piss off the devil. But then he seemed an open kind of guy having Balthazar as his sitting king and fiance. So, Tony wondered if it would indeed work somehow.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"I'm glad for both of you." Ziggy truly is. Having been in love there's a sense inside of him that everyone deserves it and to feel it even if the pain at the end is devastating. All the rest was worth it.

"I have." Ziggy smiles a bit more. "Is that what you're looking for?"

The question is open and free of judgement. He's just trying to nail things down so there aren't any misunderstandings. The blow up between him and Minoru had left him over compensating and questioning long before there could be a problem.

Ziggy picked up his coffee to sip and then laughs. "Just so you know what you're trying to get into... I'm a male human but also a female alien. I'm not exactly the same as a human."

[stark_ravingmad]

"Thanks, pal. It means a lot."

Tony's own hand sliding onto Ziggy's knee squeezing it softly. What did he want? Something that didn't interfere with what he had already got with Lucifer since that was precious to him. Yet, having a cheap fling with Ziggy felt rude considering the man's predicament and feelings. A close friend with benefits? That sounded a little more appropriate.

"Oh, I've been known to get into all kinds of weird stuff when I was younger. As for your alien biology? That's totally cool with me."

In fact, Tony was curious as to how it all worked. How he and Hiroki, well---had it off. Did he have a cock and female genitals inside somehow? The engineer's mind boggled for a moment.

"Yeah...I guess it is what I'm looking for but not at the expense of anyone's feelings, you know? Yours...Lucifer's. I just want you to be ok."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy winces a little at the squeeze even if it is gentle. His joints were still sensitive in the gravity though nothing so bad as Newton's.

That gets a little laugh. "I'm reminding you of that if any of it gets weird to you later."

There had been some awkwardness but they had figured things out over time. Nothing that couldn't be dealt with through a long talk and patience in the bedroom.

"I've always had multiple partners." Ziggy was comfortable there, needed it in many ways to stay sane. He had way too much energy and time for any one person to deal with. It was something that Rondo jokingly told him but he now understood and believed it to be true. "Lucifer is open too? In your relationship with him?"

Ziggy had met the devil and suspected it was true but things change and that had been months ago. Also, he knew well from his own relationship that things weren't always uniform. He had been open, Hiroki had been monogamous, but it did take talking to work out those logistics and set boundaries. He had no idea about Tony.

[stark_ravingmad]

Tony didn't catch the wince but instead moved his hand to slide on Ziggy's shoulder instead, a few fingers coming out to brush against the end of the man's red hair. It was an impressive mullet and Tony was jealous that even he couldn't pull off such a rock hairstyle even during the 80's. Ziggy had style in droves. His serious questions were poignant though.

"If it gets weird later than I'll deal. It'll be fine, Hot-Pants. Don't worry, I'm a big boy."

He sighed, thinking about Lucifer and his relationship with Balthazar. They were destined to be married and the angel was his king so it was a strong bond indeed.

"Lucifer is joined with Balthazar, his angel and king. They're destined to be married since Balthazar is his fiancé. It's all fine with me as long as Lucifer is cool with dating a tech nerd like me. As for open? As far as I know it's just me and Balthazar warming his bed. We're like a threesome but not. If that makes any sense."

Tony knew that Lucifer was more a choose your partner carefully kind of guy and wasn't like the open to everyone as Ziggy was. At least that's the vibe he got from his devil lover.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

The touch is nice and he lets it happen. There's no reason to pull away and he craves it after isolation and heartache.

"I'm a big boy too." Ziggy tosses the comment back but the tone is lewd and flirtatious.

His attention focuses though as Tony talks about his relationships and he gets a small nod. "My partner and I were like that. He and I were going to get married but I had.. still have interest in several other people. Honesty is important running in relationships like that one."

Ziggy understood well enough what the relationship he described was like. It relaxed the Anthean as they spoke. He never wanted to hurt anyone with his behavior.