maximumlegend | etraya ic inbox.

[ This call-out about Fabian never checking his calls.

It's a fair call-out though. It's an entirely true call-out. The only reason there's an exception right now is that Gorgug was definitely on that weird space station with them, and then he wasn't here back with them, and now there is a Gorgug call coming through his earpiece. ]

Gorgug!

[ Hence this. The ultra rare quick pick up of a call by Fabian Seacaster. ]

Are you here after all? You came back too?! [ A slight pause, just long enough to be semi-awkward, but just short enough that maybe Fabian is cutting the other off right as Gorgug may start to speak with-- ] Are you okay?!

[ Some things never change. ]

[ Finally, someone found a way for Fabian to answer his calls. ]

Yeah, I-- [ And, indeed, Fabian did cut off Gorgug there, but what's new about people cutting him off? But Gorgug only thinks about the question, looking down at himself and his current predicament.

... ]

I'm covered in slime. [ And he sounds so resigned to this fact. Fabian, he is covered in slime. This is his life. ] Am I meant to be covered in slime?

[ Actually, nevermind--he sounds close to whining. Fabian, why didn't you warn him about the slime, dude? :'( ]

[ Maybe Gorgug expects some sort of explanation for the slime. Perhaps even an apology for forgetting to warn him about the slime.

But rather than any of those - extremely helpful - options, he just gets to hear genuine confusion in Fabian's voice as he asks: ]

What slime?

[ Zero help.

At least he does sound concerned..? ]

Gorgug, why are you covered in slime?!

I don't know! [ Nevermind: Gorgug is now whining. So what if he got a towel for his troubles, it doesn't really help to de-slime you very well! Gorgug is allowed to whine!! ] I showed up and I was covered in slime!

You're not covered in slime?

[ As in, I'm the only one who gets covered in slime here????? (out of the two of them, or the bad kids as a whole.)

The injustice in the world! ]

Is it bad slime?!

[ Clearly not, because otherwise Gorgug would not be whining like he was just assigned way too much homework. There would be less whining and more sounds of an axe being swung around in the background.

And yet, despite that being the logical thought any normal person would have under these circumstances, it's not the one Fabian seems to have. ]

Does it hurt? Did someone do it to hurt you? I mean-- Just say the word, and I will be right over so we can deliver some righteous justice together!

No, [ comes sulkily, as if someone should sound huffy about slime not hurting...., ] it's just sticky, and-- do you have a place?

[ Finally, he's sighing as he asks that question, aligning with a more reasonable question. We guess. ] I want a shower. I really want a shower.

[ Please, Fabian....

(Asking for fresh clothes would be good too, but Gorgug isn't thinking about that. ...probably because none of his friends are exactly his size.) ]

[ Without any hesitation: ]

Yeah. Of course.

[ That's not even a duh sort of 'of course.' It's more the sort of 'of course' where Fabian is mostly saying it because he's starting to kind of feel bad for his friend. Only god knows that he'd be feeling like crap if he just showed up in this place, was confused about it and covered in slime. That just seems like a fate that's a little too cruel.

Besides, Fabian seriously doubts Riz is going to mind if he lets Gorgug shower over at their place. It might as well be a shared Bad Kids space anyway, were it not for the fact that Adaine is way too smart to be sharing an apartment with two boys. ]

Do you think you can find your way over here if I give you directions? Else I can come pick you up. But I don't have the Hangman here [ YET!!!!!! ] so it might take a bit longer.

I think so... [ Though he's not actually sure, looking about him, but, if Fabian wants to try and give him directions-- ] I'm outside Corrine's Café. You know where it is?

[ Because hopefully he does, so Gorgug isn't walking more than he needs to be. If only he didn't already feel like walking a lot is on his to-do list, because that would be his luck.

(Really, he's been through worse, but it's just one of those days, or whatever you want to call this whole experience.) ]

Hold on--

[ There's the background sound of some stuff being moved around. Riz, dude, sorry, but he's going to use one of your clue boards to try and determine the exact route from there to the apartment building to prevent him accidentally sending poor slime-covered Gorgug in the wrong direction..

It doesn't take too long though. Only a moment or two before Fabian seems to have figured it out. It helps that the apartment building is pretty prominent, so he gives the route, and then-- ]

It shouldn't be too far from there. You start walking, I'll let the others know too!

[ Sorry, Gorgug, did you not want all your friends to know about your little slime adventure?

It's too late. ]

[ Okay. Okay, cool, he's got a direction to go to, which...helps. Helps better than wandering awkwardly inside a café and then back out of it, accompanied by nothing but his own befuddlement. He was on a spaceship. Now he's on a street. In slime.

Just what is with this Etraya place. ]

Okay. [ Okay. He's already walking, and maybe he should hang up (should he?), except after a pause: ] --Did something happen to the ship?

[ Maybe that has something to do with the slime.....the slime that apparently he's cursed with and not Fabian......... ]

[ There's a slight delay in Fabian's answer - mostly because he was quickly setting up a group chat and firing off that message in it - but then he speaks up again. It's not like he wants to let Gorgug be confused all by himself, after all. ]

I guess this place pulled you back here from the ship. Though-- [ Another slight pause, where Fabian lets out a sound that almost sounds pained, by in that second-hand sort of way, like he just feels for Gorgug's slimy situation.. It's like he can imagine the sheer sensation of it, and he doesn't like it! ] I don't know what the slime has anything to do with that.

[ Seems like you just got bad luck, bro. :( ]

Honestly, a lot about this place is just really confusing. I stopped asking questions about half of it, because I felt like it was just going to drive me utterly insane. Maybe Riz has a few more intelligent answers about it than I do.

[ A slightly less pained and instead more exasperated groan, before-- ]

If not just because he is actively taking over our apartment here with clue boards with information.

[ Oh....so the slime isn't connected....

Except it might still be connected, but Gorgug can put that in the back for now, since Fabian mentioning Riz and him having the intelligent deductions to share does sound about right.

Instead, in his slimy walk, Gorgug can take in the important details. Such as: our apartment with clue boards. ]

Oh--what's the stuff he's said that sounds important?

[ Because we're not going to ask what do the clue boards say--no no no. We know what the clue boards say, and that's Too Much, so having a translator to even the stuff that Riz has shared verbally is an even better of source of information.

(That is: What has Riz said, to one dumb person to another?) ]

Well..

[ Just the way Fabian's voice trails off by itself says so much. If it was an easy thing to summarize, he would have been more direct about it, after all. Instead he just sounds kind of awkward over the earpieces right now. ]

I'm not sure any of it was really important. [ Maybe vaguely interesting, but Fabian doesn't think that Riz managed to crack some sort of grand mystery about this place, judging by the glimpses he got at all of it.. ] I think he was just having a.. moment.

[ Such a meaningful tone there.

Come on, Gorgug. You know what he means, right? A Riz moment. Like when he decides to tattoo himself all over with clues. That sort of Riz moment. ]

One of his clue boards just said 'are we real.' That sort of thing.

[ Gorgug actually does know what Fabian means, there. A Riz moment, definitely. He has a lot of those, probably (and that's okay; he's still their Riz). Gorgug is nodding to himself when he hears it, a small 'oh' that's knowing possible to be heard.

Though, when Fabian continues... ]

I think about that. [ Said in the most casual, oh, mood, me too type of tone. Because that's normal. ] What did he think? Did he think we're real?

[ This is a conversation that's happening, Fabian. ]

[ Fabian lets out a sigh. ]

It was a long story.

[ Most of which he tuned out. Not that he thought it was a super uninteresting topic, mind you, it was just.. an extremely long story. You wouldn't believe how long the story was, Gorgug. Fabian sounds like he's tired even just thinking back on it, like he can still picture it even now.

.. In fact, he's picturing it so hard that some other thought definitely is hitting his brain belatedly. ]

Wait, what do you mean, you think about that? [ So caught up in the memory of Riz's rambles that Gorgug's own statement almost slipped through the cracks.. ]

[ Gorgug's surprised to hear the wanted clarification come through, though, he guess he gets it? But about letting Fabian get it: ]

I showed up on a ship and nobody I knew was around and then I found out we have to make a case for saving our universes, and-- we get up to a lot of crazy things, but doesn't that seem like a different kind of crazy? All of this--

[ And he interrupts himself, when he remembers another thought. One remembered, which he might've already discussed with Fabian already, but- ]

And everyone kept saying that they only know about orcs or gnomes or elves from story books.

[ Which might not make a normal person start thinking 'am I not real', and it isn't exactly the cause to make him feel that way....

But it did certainly make him think about being in such a world. Briefly.

(A lot of his thoughts can be described as brief.) ]

You are real.

[ The reassurance comes relatively quickly. Like Fabian doesn't even have to think about it. Sure, even just thinking about whether you're real or not feels kind of dumb to him - maybe because Fabian goes by the thought that he's just real as long as he feels real - but it's not like he wants Gorgug to feel bad about it either.

.. though it seems like maybe Gorgug isn't even feeling bad about it? It's sometimes hard to tell with that tone he's always using. Maybe to Gorgug the idea of not being real isn't all that concerning.

Which is a concerning fact in and of itself. ]

Of course you are! We all are! The people who come from these all-human worlds are the weird ones. I mean-- Absolutely no offense to our dear friend Kristen and all, but can you imagine an entire world of only her? [ It's just a little bit too much.

A lot too much, in fact, if either of them would know about British Kristen. But they're still spared that for now. ]

[ There's a pause, because of course Gorgug is going to imagine it, since Fabian asked. ]

That would be a lot. I don't think she'd have a good time--all of hers.

[ It's said sympathetically, and not cruelly. Kristen always has a lot going on, and she gets caught up in her own head, and a Kristen running a world would need some help from friends, Gorgug thinks. But then, even as he thinks that, he does think to himself too that he believes in her--she always gets there in the end.

He doesn't voice it, instead, positively: ]

You're real too. I always think it doesn't matter what I am, anyway. Just that I try my best. It helps me.

[ And that's a thought he's had plenty of times, has had it come down to, to settle the doubts that used to be louder in him after dying the way he did.

Whatever this life is, whether it is life or not: it's all he has. ]

And having you all, [ he adds. Because he wants to, and it's a pleasant thought. Existence. Semi-or-dead-or-otherwise. ]

[ There's a very brief moment of quiet.

But when Fabian's voice rings out again, it's with a laugh. Nothing over the top. It doesn't even really have his usual bravado. If anything, it makes the laugh sound even more genuine in this moment. It's the sort of thing you can imagine his eye looking like it's twinkling a little over - just genuine amusement and fondness. ]

You know, I'm glad that you can find yourself in a situation like this, while covered in slime, and still look on the positive side of things.

[ Maybe even excessively positive. Who would expect anyone to show up here and go right into positive affirmations, not just for yourself, but also the people around you?

But that's just what Gorgug is like, right. He's so sweet, especially at the moments when you don't necessarily expect it. It's what managed to draw that bright laugh out of Fabian. It's that powerful. ]

.. though.. you know. [ Another slight pause.

This one is less surprise like the one that came before the laughter, but maybe more a bit of hesitation. Fabian may have shed off a whole lot of his old self, but sometimes it's still a little hard to be so openly emotional when that was drilled right out of him during his youth. ]

Even if it'd probably be better for you if you weren't here, I'm still glad you're here with us anyway, Gorgug.

[ On Gorgug's end, the laugh surprises him: not only its weight (though it isn't weighty at all--it's more like clouds. cloudy, Gorgug would say), but that it's there at all. Some of us don't realise the kind of things we're saying until they're pointed out to us.

But it does make him smile, all the same. All of Fabian's response, pleasant on the ears. And it's nice too, that he thinks he sees the building he's being directed to -- should be, unless the map is broken. ]

I don't know that anyone should be here, [ he admits. ] But, I'd want to be here if you were. [ And he catches himself, would point out that they would all want to be here, surely, Kristen and Fig too, except: ] --by the way, I'm outside the apartments?

[ That is a questioning voice of 'which way do i go, please'. ]

Oh-- hang on.

[ The connection is suddenly broken. Thankfully Gorgug doesn't have to wait all that long though before the door to the apartment building swings open to the familiar sight of Fabian. Sure, he's likely not wearing something Gorgug last saw him in - in fact, he's wearing an outfit Gorgug won't ever have seen on him before. And he definitely has a very noticable golden neck tattoo that won't ring familiar either.

But despite that - it's very much Fabian. Especially with the dumb, yet happy grin on his face as he approaches the other. ]

There you are again, Gorgug! For the record-- I am not not hugging you because I have something against hugging [ - look, some of us haven't forgotten hugging in that nightmare forest and then immediately hearing that you've never hugged them like that before!! - ] but because I'm not about that slime.

[ NO I PROMISE HE'LL EVENTUALLY NOTICE THE TATTOO ON THE SHIP, I HAVE IT IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD HONEY--

But right now, tattoos are not important--but clothes might be. And yet, even before those, it might be Gorgug's smile that's worth noting, though it's always his eyes that light up first with positive appreciation. The pull of his lips is small, soft, and who knows if it has anything to do with his protruding tusks or a more Gorgug-adjacent quirk, that makes it more gentle than bright.

Nevertheless, it's there as Fabian is there, and Gorgug stands listening before acting, curious in what Fabian has to say about hugs--before he then looks down at himself, reminded about his state.

Still, there seems to something even more important than that, just brought to his attention more. ]

I can get washed so you can hug me?

[ Is that what you want, Fabian? Is this the most important thing right now? Just give him the word, man. ]

[ HE NEVER WILL, IN THREE MISSIONS GORGUG WILL ONLY THEN SUDDENLY NOTICE IT AND I KNOW IT!!!

That answer, however, is so unexpected that it actually gets Fabian to laugh. Not pompously or dramatically, but a very genuine laugh - the sort of laugh you have when you get totally caught off guard by something. With a 'pfft' sound coming along with it and all. Fabian moves his hand up to cover his mouth for a moment, shaking his head in amusement.

Look, sometimes the way Gorgug seems on an entirely different wavelength than the rest of them can be a little annoying if they're in the middle of something important, but right now, when it doesn't matter? Fabian thinks it's kind of cute in a way. Or at least amusing. ]

Alright, so are you saying that because you want a hug, or because you think I want a hug?

[ Just clarifying. Gorgug's mind can work in mysterious ways.

Yes, yes, Fabian will get the other inside in a moment to get himself clean - but it's not like a lot of people are passing by to see Gorgug's slimy state anyway, and two minutes of stickiness more won't kill him when he's already had to make the entire trek over here. ]

[ but he's so stiiiickyyyy, fabiannnn - ]

I don't mind a hug, [ however, comes from Gorgug--who answers as Fabian begins to lead him, those few seconds needed to considering the question--like so many questions that Gorgug needs to consider than knowing the answer immediately--take in the start of their walk. He's slightly behind the other guy, and he can see the tattoo Fabian has (that he already knew about!!), as well as just taking his state of dress as it is now. Nothing different, unusual--

but things are a little weird, aren't they?

At least they're weird with a company Gorgug appreciates. He also doesn't think to inquire if Fabian wants a hug too--surely the other will tell him if he does, or maybe he has the courtesy to not ask it while they're walking. Truthfully, Gorgug's looking forward to getting his belongings off his back, to check for the gunk on them, touching at the sticky residue that isn't drying in his hair. Should he be happy about that?

He'll be happy once he gets a shower.

There's probably useful things he could be asking about anyway, questions to do with Etraya, where they came from, or other smart queries; but Gorgug isn't Riz, so he'll allow himself--unless Fabian decides to pipe up himself--to be led quietly to where it is he's being taken.

All the while glancing about where they move through, and how this is certainly not any apartments from Elmville. ]

[ Always the same with Gorgug, huh. Always the most unhelpful not-really-answers at all times. It seems to lean enough towards Gorgug wanting a hug - not minding, whatever! - that Fabian files into his mind that he'll just have to give the other one of those bro hugs later. You know, when Gorgug won't get the slime all over Fabian as well.

For now he instead leads Gorgug back to his and Riz's apartment. He opens the door, letting the other inside so he doesn't have to get goo all over the doorknob, and then closes the door again after Gorgug is inside.

The apartment looks.. pretty standard, honestly. It's not like the two boys have enough stuff from back home to really merit anything more recognize to Gorgug lingering around. There seems to be some sort of improvised home-made version of a battle sheet draped over the couch, and there's a half-filled clue board standing near one of the walls, both things at least betraying the fact that two very specific guys live here.

(There's also a life jacket hanging over one of the chairs..? Who even knows what that's doing there.)

Gorgug will definitely have a moment to look around while Fabian is closing the door and then moving throughout the main room of the apartment, heading towards a door and opening it. ]

The bathroom's here if you want to use the shower. You can drop the clothes on the floor in there for now, we can go get those cleaned after. [ He scratches his head, trying to figure out some of the logistics here.

The fact that the apartment is weirdly quiet - with no sounds of someone, you know, maybe spiraling over a theory somewhere or making any attempts to scale Gorgug's back like he's a skyscraper - betrays the fact that it's definitely just the two of them here right now though. Riz must be out. ]

I'll go look in my closet if I have anything that's long enough to reasonably fit you, then you can wear that until we can get your clothes cleaned and grab some new ones. You don't mind, right?

[ Don't you want to wear Fabian's fabulous clothes, Gorgug.. Is it not also entirely your style!! ]

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