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'. ]
[ 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. ]
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!! ]
[ Gorgug is indeed checking out the space as he enters it, though also taking the time--once they're in the main living space--to remove his axe's holster, the same one that Fabian gave him; and then he has his backpack, and then his tool strap to work his way through as the offer of clothes is given-- ]
Yeah, okay-- [ He might be distracted, as each item (particularly, the axe and Gorgug's school backpack) gets lowered and placed by some out of the way wall with a heavy thunk. The tool strap comes off, joins them, and then he can finally take off his dirtied hoodie, only catching afterwards his goggles from his head as they peel off with his clothing.
He sets the goggles with his things, but keeps a hold of the hoodie, looking back finally over to Fabian. ... and actually looking at Fabian, from his legs, to the hoodie in his own hand. ]
...are you sure you'll have anything that'll fit me?
[ Fabian lets out one of his usual overconfident huffs.
The sort of huffs that usually end up in disaster - yet disaster that he apparently never quite seems to learn from. ]
Of course!
[ Like it's natural for him to have something in half-orc sizes. When Fabian is definitely more compact than Gorgug, despite getting closer build-wise than most of the other Bad Kids. ]
Don't you worry about it! You just go ahead and shower, and I'll go look in my closet and get some clothes ready for you while you're in there. [ He's even waving his hands a little, trying to direct his friend in the direction of the bathroom without touching him and getting slime all over his own hands too. ] I got this!
[ Do you want to believe this, Gorgug? Or do you perhaps want to press X to doubt? ]
He was gently pressing it when he asked the question in the first place, with concerns about leg wear visible in his mind's eyes. And it should continue to persist, really...
But there's something about Fabian's confidence that--doesn't entirely dismiss Gorgug's worry, but that makes it hard for Gorgug to argue, to maybe suggest they figure out the clothes situation first and then he goes for a shower. There must be something, even if it turns out to be a little tight, Gorgug can handle it until alternatives come along. ]
...Okay.
[ And so, despite any logic (and that note of doubt that one might be able to glean from his tone), Gorgug concedes without any more protest. A frown and furrow on his face, and he follows the direction of the shower, letting his concerns stay on the pout of his lower lip.
But he should trust in his friend, right? Fabian wouldn't let him down. So he can undress, and get washed up knowing that there'll be some options out there. Maybe some kind of baggy trouser, even if it doesn't reach all the way down his calves!
At least he doesn't have to worry about his underwear situation, and once he does come out from the shower, washed and refreshed and with a towel over his shoulders (just because he feels a little too naked since--he is), it won't be butt naked. ]
[ Don't worry, Gorgug. While you are showering, your loyal and dependable friend Fabian has been diving right into his closet to get something out of there that will make you look fashionable in this new place.
So when the half-orc comes out of the shower, Fabian is already waiting there. He's sitting on the couch, seemingly looking something up on his earpiece, but turning his head and attention to Gorgug the moment he hears the other guy and halting all of that. ]
Great timing! I put an outfit for you right over there on the table.
[ He gestures in its direction.
And it's-- well, it sure is an outfit Fabian would wear, that might be the first impression here. At least it seems that he was thoughtful enough to grab a wide and loose shirt by Fabian standards, since he realized his crop tops would maybe cover up maybe only the very top of Gorgug's chest, though the shirt does not leave a whole lot to the imagination either with that deep cut neckline..
The pants, however, are unfortunately just skinny jeans.
[ With the way it's laid out, the shirt is actually surprising for how baggy it does look, from first glance. He's not as wide as some half-orcs, not like Ragh, and so when Gorgug turns to it in Fabian's gesture, his guard is low, his hope of something...decent enough for a day (or a few hours) being kindled as his eyes go down to the pants....
And this was always his concern, wasn't it. Why did he let that guard down to now let the worry set back in.
No, he should better investigate. Gorgug approaches the clothes with a sealed mouth, picking up the shirt and-- there's a tie, so that actually really works? And he thinks it shouldn't be much of a problem; and it's so much of the lesser problem that he would rather keep looking at it than eventually turning over to the actual problem that are the jeans. ]
...
[ He continues to say nothing. Instead, Gorgug puts down the jeans and also takes the towel off from around his shoulders, letting his zajiri tattoos and the the flower that blooms in metallic symbolism on his shoulder become visible, for the time he undoes the shirt and gets it on; tying it back up, fiddling with the cuffs as they don't manage to reach all the way down his arms. Bothersome, but fine--expected, even, and Gorgug doesn't mess with that so much beyond some failed attempts to make them lower more, but it's all a distraction from the larger problem.
Slimmer problem, even. The jeans that Gorgug pick up next, staring down at them with the zip undone and with the legs next to his. He glances over at Fabian, a 'are you sure?' in his throat, but-- he'll try it. That's where this will lead, won't it?
Gorgug gets his leg and foot stuck immediately. ]
Shit. [ Okay, okay, just-- pull out, pull out. Give it a wiggle, and, um, don't lose balance, just shake it-- ] Shit!
[ And in a flash of immediate emotion, Gorgug gets his foot to go through to the other side: by ripping the leg of the pant on either side, a heavy bang as his foot hits against the ground in that flash of rage. ]
[ Fabian is mostly trying to look away. Not like he hasn't seen Gorgug get dressed before - please, they're Bloodrush teammates, he's pretty sure he has seen Gorgug getting dressed more than anyone else in the world at this point - but he can imagine the other might like a little bit more privacy when they're not in the showers after a game. When being dropped into this place is its own entirely confusing and overwhelming thing, and with Fabian there wasn't even slime involved.
But.. it's hard to notice the sounds of what's going on.
Especially the sound of an audible rip.
Fabian gasps like he doesn't have four other sets of the exact same pair of pants, and he immediately turns his head into his friend's direction to see what's going on. ]
Did you rip it?!
[ He sounds more shocked than offended, at least.
Though it's mostly because it's his instinctive reaction. Fabian isn't really thinking. If he was, maybe he'd be a touch more delicate on the topic of Gorgug breaking stuff, but-- he likes those pants, okay!!
And it's more the volume of the delivery than specific emotion put behind it, although alarm has its own connotations to inspire in a person. A person ready to be panicked, like a half-orc who has been caught invoking sounds that he shouldn't be, and the response to that is-- ]
No! [ The most anguished, caught red-handed no that one could say, right before they start struggling against their pants again. But instead of doing the smart thing, like taking his leg out of the pant leg, Gorgug is, at first, attempting to pull it up higher up his calf, which only causes it to struggle and to tear further. And there might be room here where Fabian could speak up, think to or try to intervene as Gorgug is doing nothing but practically yanking at these jeans. But, alas, it's already too late: Gorgug is far too gone in paying attention to more than his current predicament.
Because with a whine suited for a teen, he pulls the jeans with enough force and emotion to do more than just tear at the stitching, but to rip the upper portion of the jean apart in his hands.
And now Gorgug is standing there, jeans partially on one leg and jean material in both hands, looking like he's about to cry. ]
[ Fabian tries to intervene the moment he realizes where all of this is going. But-- alas, getting up from his seat and trying to rush over to Gorgug is just not happening in time. Not before the half-orc already pulls on the pants even harder, completely ripping them to shreds.
Which is a pretty devastating sight, but there's not much time to linger on that when Gorgug is already speaking up again with a whine that Fabian may have heard from the other before, but which sure isn't a very common thing. Somehow it makes Fabian go into a panic panic even more than everything that happened before now, like there's the immediate instinct to solve the whining. (And dodge the accusations.)
And instinct sometimes makes someone do the most simple thing. Which - in this case - means that Fabian is latching onto Gorgug's hand, either compressing the jean material in it or forcing the other to drop it, and without saying a word he's starting to tug the other along through the apartment. Even while Gorgug is wearing nothing but a shirt and the most partial pants in the whole world. Short shorts would probably cover more of one's lower half than the amount of jeans Gorgug has on right now.
Thankfully it's not like Fabian has to tug the other all that far, given that it's just a small apartment. So there's hardly any time for Gorgug to protect or say more before they're already standing in Fabian's walk in closet.
Which.. truly is a walk in closet. Probably nothing compared to what the half-elf is used to having back home, but for any normal apartment's standards it's impressive. Not to mention there's so many clothes here, despite Fabian not even having been in this place all that long. ]
Well, come on, then! Grab something that does fit you!
[ A quick glance around may reveal that Fabian did at least make a good pick for the top, considering there are so many tops in this closet that would absolutely not fit Gorgug. So many tight shirts and crop tops. It's like a half-orc's nightmare.
But it's also true that.. it doesn't seem like there's a lot of pants that fit Gorgug. Most of it seems similar to the jeans he just ruined, and some just are short shorts...
M-Maybe if you look around hard enough you can find a wider set of pajama pants, Gorgug? Maybe one of those wide jogging pants?? Time to explore, buddy.. Explore the wonderful world of Fabian's walk-in wardrobe with its sparkly clothes in neon colors everywhere.. ]
[ sometimes GORGUG gets to be the pathetic meow meow, and this moment is that time.
There's still some upset going through Gorgug when Fabian takes a hold of him--he feels like the big baby that he is, he wants this horror of his own making to stop--but he follows, even if walking makes him all the more aware of the ripped jeans that are half-hanging off his calves. Into a wondrous world of...everything that Gorgug is not: fashionable, dazzling, bold and tantalising. He has been brought into the centre of choice that may very well lead him further into his current predicament, and--
--and he doesn't want to continue to be a big baby about this, glancing at Fabian with the kind of expression that isn't really sure (but also that doesn't know if this is a trap). There's an embarrassing dark shade across his cheeks, but Gorgug will...do it. He can do this.
With half-ripped jeans (and the pieces in his hands, which--he tucks inside the useless pockets of the useless jeans he wears) he goes to the trousers section of the wardrobe, sheepishly pushing along the different...various styles of jean until he finds a wider pant leg. The kind that Fabian started to wear more as he got into dancing...
At least the fabric seems stretchier, and he takes off a pair from the rack, that at least look better than the jeans, feel safer than that style of fabric. He glances at Fabian and then down at what he's wearing, then, just...uses some orcish strength to grab at what's left of them and to tear them off, destroying what was left of them. ]
Sorry. Thank you.
[ 💦
And now this time, Gorgug turns to put on these trousers with an embarrassment that wasn't there previous, and manages to get them to fit. They don't get all the way down his leg, but they do fit, and that's the main thing for Gorgug right now. They don't even clash too much with the shirt that he's wearing, even if the length of exposed leg Gorgug's showing doesn't help any, but.
But Gorgug has calmed down, and he's now dressed. Standing in a bro's walk-in closet, with nothing left to say but- ]
[ It's okay. Sometimes a homie is allowed to be a big baby. Fabian is the big baby so often that Gorgug has earned this one. He's trading in his full stamp card right now.
So Fabian just waits there patiently while Gorgug looks for a set of pants that won't immediately burst at the slightest touch of his strong half-orc legs, not seeming worked up in any way at all. Sure, he's a little bummed about the now mostly ripped pair of pants, but his friend's feelings matter way more to him than one pair of pants.
In fact, he waits all the way until Gorgug has not only selected a pair, but also managed to put it on without any ripping going on. Sure, there's the sad reminder of the ripped pieces of jeans on the floor as to what happened here, but Fabian opts to ignore them for now.
Instead he ignores them. Fabian steps over the pieces of fabric, right over to Gorgug until he's right next to the other. Even though the half-orc has calmed down, it's clear that he's still a little bit upset, or maybe just embarrassed about the whole deal - and that's the last thing Fabian wants the other to feel right now.
He smiles at Gorgug, and when he's close enough he reaches out with both of his hands, putting them on the other's green cheeks. Fabian is probably pulling him down just a little in the process because of the height difference, but he continues to have that same sweet, supportive smile on his face the entire time. ]
Has anyone told you that you look real good in that outfit?
[ .. clearly not, since Fabian is the only one seeing it right now, but that doesn't matter. Let a bro lightly joke around while boosting a bro's confidence. And maybe making his day a little better after the slime disaster and then the pants disaster. ]
Because Gorgug might be experiencing it in this moment. Yes, he was feeling pouty (still), but he wasn't expecting Fabian to try and do anything about it. This next part after him getting dressed is meant to involve them leaving the walk-in closet, and maybe Gorgug realising and trying to fix those jeans with a mending spell (can anything truly help the jeans at this point? probably not).
But Fabian has other plans. He has other ideas, none of which Gorgug has any expectation or suspicion for, even as he comes over to him, as opposed to out of the closet so that Gorgug can step out, too. It's only as the hands come to reach for his cheeks that a confusion starts to trickle over him, though Gorgug doesn't resist, despite the small worry that this is somehow going to turn out bad for him (is Fabian mad about the jeans? he's probably mad about the jeans).
The worry he did have, however, isn't the direction that he should have gone in. Instead, the confusion that had trickled in is now a flood--one that freezes on his face like a deer in headlights, the warmth perhaps instant against Fabian's hands. His eyes are on Fabian's singular, and they're what manage to regain movement again when they look down, Gorgug not pulling away still from an otherwise gentle hold. He doesn't think he must look very good, really, and he knows Fabian is just being nice, but--he can still appreciate the sentiment all the same.
Even if, shyly: ]
...Thank you.
[ Being called beautiful is a lot, and from anyone else it would sound like a tease, a cruel one, than something fun and kind. A kindness that can make him putty in his best friend's hands as the warmth from his face has reached his ears. ]
[ His hands rest on the other's face for another moment before Fabian slowly lowers them - but continues to smile in that same way the entire time.
It does look like that managed to elevate Gorgug's mood a little bit, after all. And that's the important part. That's all Fabian wanted to do here. Not that he was lying, since he does genuinely think that wearing something other than a hoodie for once does look really nice on Gorgug, but.. if that compliment managed to help make the other feel better about this entire situation, that's great.
He steps back, giving the other also room to step out of the closet, instead of lingering in there all day. ]
Now, is there anything you need?
[ It's not like he knows how Gorgug came out of that mission, especially when he didn't arrive here back with them at the exact same time. And when he arrived slimed. ]
Are you perhaps hungry? Thirsty? Or I could show you around the place! Like the clothes store, so you don't have to continue only wearing my clothes. [ He winks, clearly joking as he adds: ] Unless you want to.
[ He knows you don't want to, Gorgug. That fit is nice on you, but also just a little bit too small. Fabian may not be short, but he's no half-orc. ]
[ W-was there something else Gorgug was meant to be doing? You mean he isn't just going to stand there and listen to Fabian's every word?
Oh.
He pinches at the shirt he's wearing when Fabian talks about wearing more of his clothes, looking down at it, the state of himself, and other clothes would be better, but-- ]
I'd like something to eat. Riz wanted me to get a sample of the stuff I had on me--I should get some of that off my bag. [ Or axe, or wherever else there is slime. ] Do the shops close soon?
[ He has stepped out of the closet too, now that they're moving again. Maybe loitering for a moment or so in place if Fabian isn't leading him around, but also taking the initiative to head back into the main living room area.
But that last question is asked to check on what's the better option: sit around and eat, or head straight to the shops? ]
[ So eating first it is! Fabian doesn't even comment anything on Riz wanting a sample of the slime, because-- of course Riz would want that. Fabian doesn't even want to think about touching that gross stuff, but hey, if anyone could find some sort of clue in the sample, it sure would the The Ball of all people. He's smart like that. He can do the slime touching.
Fabian, in the meantime, will help in his own way-- by taking care of Gorgug's hunger! He's already moving towards the kitchen of the apartment, looking through the cupboards and in the fridge..
.. and slowly realizing he doesn't exactly have the skills to make anything substantial for his friend. ]
Uh-- Would some cereal be alright?
[ H-He can do that!! Gorgug, you really want some cereal, right?! ]
[ While Fabian heads to the kitchen, Gorgug's going over to his things he left against a wall and is...staring at them. They're still slimy, and he knows he needs to take the gunk off, but he didn't think yet about the best way to do that. By putting it in a container? Should he find a container?
He'll find a container. Fabian talks before he can start doing anything about that though, and Gorgug turns away from his belongings and looks towards the kitchen.
Such a meaningful pause, especially when you combine it with the knowledge of the tone Fabian uses when he finally speaks up again. It sounds so much like he's sweating. Like he's so uncertain about the answer he's giving here, even though he doesn't want to sound that way. ]
.. yes?
[ A-Are you judging him, Gorgug?! Is that's what is happening here?
Of course Fabian can't help but immediately get a little defensive at the idea. There's hardly even time for him to breathe between that uncertain little 'yes?' and him immediately moving into: ]
Is there anything wrong with cereal?
[ Bro, you can't do this to him right now. Bro!! ]
[ BRO, WHY ARE YOU GETTING DEFENSIVE ABOUT CEREAL!!! Even if Gorgug isn't taking it quite as--the way Fabian is; it's defensive, yes, but is there a reason for it? Is it because: ]
You can't get anything else here? Do you have to earn it?
[ Is that what this is, Fabian? Can you only afford cereal? Why else would you only have cereal available? ]
[ That's such a hesitant, drawn-out answer. It's the sort of answer Fabian always gives when there is something up that he doesn't want to talk about, or just desperately wants to cover up.
Because he knows he can't lie and say Gorgug's guess is right, since he'd soon discover that's not the case at all. So he has to quickly think of something else here. ]
It is just that.. [ ...
His mind feels so blank right now. ]
C-- Cereal is great! [ Says the rich kid who has in the past often been incredibly picky about food in front of his friends.
Clearly this is the best lie he could have made up. ]
I just love eating cereal! There is nothing wrong with that, is there? Nothing wrong with me wanting share my love of cereal with my good friend Gorgug!
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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.
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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'. ]
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[ 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.
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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. ]
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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. ]
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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. ]
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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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Yeah, okay-- [ He might be distracted, as each item (particularly, the axe and Gorgug's school backpack) gets lowered and placed by some out of the way wall with a heavy thunk. The tool strap comes off, joins them, and then he can finally take off his dirtied hoodie, only catching afterwards his goggles from his head as they peel off with his clothing.
He sets the goggles with his things, but keeps a hold of the hoodie, looking back finally over to Fabian. ... and actually looking at Fabian, from his legs, to the hoodie in his own hand. ]
...are you sure you'll have anything that'll fit me?
[ Because he, uh,
feels like there might be a problem here. ]
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The sort of huffs that usually end up in disaster - yet disaster that he apparently never quite seems to learn from. ]
Of course!
[ Like it's natural for him to have something in half-orc sizes. When Fabian is definitely more compact than Gorgug, despite getting closer build-wise than most of the other Bad Kids. ]
Don't you worry about it! You just go ahead and shower, and I'll go look in my closet and get some clothes ready for you while you're in there. [ He's even waving his hands a little, trying to direct his friend in the direction of the bathroom without touching him and getting slime all over his own hands too. ] I got this!
[ Do you want to believe this, Gorgug? Or do you perhaps want to press X to doubt? ]
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He was gently pressing it when he asked the question in the first place, with concerns about leg wear visible in his mind's eyes. And it should continue to persist, really...
But there's something about Fabian's confidence that--doesn't entirely dismiss Gorgug's worry, but that makes it hard for Gorgug to argue, to maybe suggest they figure out the clothes situation first and then he goes for a shower. There must be something, even if it turns out to be a little tight, Gorgug can handle it until alternatives come along. ]
...Okay.
[ And so, despite any logic (and that note of doubt that one might be able to glean from his tone), Gorgug concedes without any more protest. A frown and furrow on his face, and he follows the direction of the shower, letting his concerns stay on the pout of his lower lip.
But he should trust in his friend, right? Fabian wouldn't let him down. So he can undress, and get washed up knowing that there'll be some options out there. Maybe some kind of baggy trouser, even if it doesn't reach all the way down his calves!
At least he doesn't have to worry about his underwear situation, and once he does come out from the shower, washed and refreshed and with a towel over his shoulders (just because he feels a little too naked since--he is), it won't be butt naked. ]
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So when the half-orc comes out of the shower, Fabian is already waiting there. He's sitting on the couch, seemingly looking something up on his earpiece, but turning his head and attention to Gorgug the moment he hears the other guy and halting all of that. ]
Great timing! I put an outfit for you right over there on the table.
[ He gestures in its direction.
And it's-- well, it sure is an outfit Fabian would wear, that might be the first impression here. At least it seems that he was thoughtful enough to grab a wide and loose shirt by Fabian standards, since he realized his crop tops would maybe cover up maybe only the very top of Gorgug's chest, though the shirt does not leave a whole lot to the imagination either with that deep cut neckline..
The pants, however, are unfortunately just skinny jeans.
Good luck with that one, Gorgug. ]
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And this was always his concern, wasn't it. Why did he let that guard down to now let the worry set back in.
No, he should better investigate. Gorgug approaches the clothes with a sealed mouth, picking up the shirt and-- there's a tie, so that actually really works? And he thinks it shouldn't be much of a problem; and it's so much of the lesser problem that he would rather keep looking at it than eventually turning over to the actual problem that are the jeans. ]
...
[ He continues to say nothing. Instead, Gorgug puts down the jeans and also takes the towel off from around his shoulders, letting his zajiri tattoos and the the flower that blooms in metallic symbolism on his shoulder become visible, for the time he undoes the shirt and gets it on; tying it back up, fiddling with the cuffs as they don't manage to reach all the way down his arms. Bothersome, but fine--expected, even, and Gorgug doesn't mess with that so much beyond some failed attempts to make them lower more, but it's all a distraction from the larger problem.
Slimmer problem, even. The jeans that Gorgug pick up next, staring down at them with the zip undone and with the legs next to his. He glances over at Fabian, a 'are you sure?' in his throat, but-- he'll try it. That's where this will lead, won't it?
Gorgug gets his leg and foot stuck immediately. ]
Shit. [ Okay, okay, just-- pull out, pull out. Give it a wiggle, and, um, don't lose balance, just shake it-- ] Shit!
[ And in a flash of immediate emotion, Gorgug gets his foot to go through to the other side: by ripping the leg of the pant on either side, a heavy bang as his foot hits against the ground in that flash of rage. ]
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But.. it's hard to notice the sounds of what's going on.
Especially the sound of an audible rip.
Fabian gasps like he doesn't have four other sets of the exact same pair of pants, and he immediately turns his head into his friend's direction to see what's going on. ]
Did you rip it?!
[ He sounds more shocked than offended, at least.
Though it's mostly because it's his instinctive reaction. Fabian isn't really thinking. If he was, maybe he'd be a touch more delicate on the topic of Gorgug breaking stuff, but-- he likes those pants, okay!!
Gorgug, did you rip his nice pants?! ]
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Fabian is upset.
And it's more the volume of the delivery than specific emotion put behind it, although alarm has its own connotations to inspire in a person. A person ready to be panicked, like a half-orc who has been caught invoking sounds that he shouldn't be, and the response to that is-- ]
No! [ The most anguished, caught red-handed no that one could say, right before they start struggling against their pants again. But instead of doing the smart thing, like taking his leg out of the pant leg, Gorgug is, at first, attempting to pull it up higher up his calf, which only causes it to struggle and to tear further. And there might be room here where Fabian could speak up, think to or try to intervene as Gorgug is doing nothing but practically yanking at these jeans. But, alas, it's already too late: Gorgug is far too gone in paying attention to more than his current predicament.
Because with a whine suited for a teen, he pulls the jeans with enough force and emotion to do more than just tear at the stitching, but to rip the upper portion of the jean apart in his hands.
And now Gorgug is standing there, jeans partially on one leg and jean material in both hands, looking like he's about to cry. ]
They don't fit!! You said you got this!
[ 😭 😭 😭 😭 ]
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Which is a pretty devastating sight, but there's not much time to linger on that when Gorgug is already speaking up again with a whine that Fabian may have heard from the other before, but which sure isn't a very common thing. Somehow it makes Fabian
go into a panicpanic even more than everything that happened before now, like there's the immediate instinct to solve the whining. (And dodge the accusations.)And instinct sometimes makes someone do the most simple thing. Which - in this case - means that Fabian is latching onto Gorgug's hand, either compressing the jean material in it or forcing the other to drop it, and without saying a word he's starting to tug the other along through the apartment. Even while Gorgug is wearing nothing but a shirt and the most partial pants in the whole world. Short shorts would probably cover more of one's lower half than the amount of jeans Gorgug has on right now.
Thankfully it's not like Fabian has to tug the other all that far, given that it's just a small apartment. So there's hardly any time for Gorgug to protect or say more before they're already standing in Fabian's walk in closet.
Which.. truly is a walk in closet. Probably nothing compared to what the half-elf is used to having back home, but for any normal apartment's standards it's impressive. Not to mention there's so many clothes here, despite Fabian not even having been in this place all that long. ]
Well, come on, then! Grab something that does fit you!
[ A quick glance around may reveal that Fabian did at least make a good pick for the top, considering there are so many tops in this closet that would absolutely not fit Gorgug. So many tight shirts and crop tops. It's like a half-orc's nightmare.
But it's also true that.. it doesn't seem like there's a lot of pants that fit Gorgug. Most of it seems similar to the jeans he just ruined, and some just are short shorts...
M-Maybe if you look around hard enough you can find a wider set of pajama pants, Gorgug? Maybe one of those wide jogging pants?? Time to explore, buddy.. Explore the wonderful world of Fabian's walk-in wardrobe with its sparkly clothes in neon colors everywhere.. ]
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There's still some upset going through Gorgug when Fabian takes a hold of him--he feels like the big baby that he is, he wants this horror of his own making to stop--but he follows, even if walking makes him all the more aware of the ripped jeans that are half-hanging off his calves. Into a wondrous world of...everything that Gorgug is not: fashionable, dazzling, bold and tantalising. He has been brought into the centre of choice that may very well lead him further into his current predicament, and--
--and he doesn't want to continue to be a big baby about this, glancing at Fabian with the kind of expression that isn't really sure (but also that doesn't know if this is a trap). There's an embarrassing dark shade across his cheeks, but Gorgug will...do it. He can do this.
With half-ripped jeans (and the pieces in his hands, which--he tucks inside the useless pockets of the useless jeans he wears) he goes to the trousers section of the wardrobe, sheepishly pushing along the different...various styles of jean until he finds a wider pant leg. The kind that Fabian started to wear more as he got into dancing...
At least the fabric seems stretchier, and he takes off a pair from the rack, that at least look better than the jeans, feel safer than that style of fabric. He glances at Fabian and then down at what he's wearing, then, just...uses some orcish strength to grab at what's left of them and to tear them off, destroying what was left of them. ]
Sorry. Thank you.
[ 💦
And now this time, Gorgug turns to put on these trousers with an embarrassment that wasn't there previous, and manages to get them to fit. They don't get all the way down his leg, but they do fit, and that's the main thing for Gorgug right now. They don't even clash too much with the shirt that he's wearing, even if the length of exposed leg Gorgug's showing doesn't help any, but.
But Gorgug has calmed down, and he's now dressed. Standing in a bro's walk-in closet, with nothing left to say but- ]
Okay.
[ Okay. He's dressed. ]
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So Fabian just waits there patiently while Gorgug looks for a set of pants that won't immediately burst at the slightest touch of his strong half-orc legs, not seeming worked up in any way at all. Sure, he's a little bummed about the now mostly ripped pair of pants, but his friend's feelings matter way more to him than one pair of pants.
In fact, he waits all the way until Gorgug has not only selected a pair, but also managed to put it on without any ripping going on. Sure, there's the sad reminder of the ripped pieces of jeans on the floor as to what happened here, but Fabian opts to ignore them for now.
Instead he ignores them. Fabian steps over the pieces of fabric, right over to Gorgug until he's right next to the other. Even though the half-orc has calmed down, it's clear that he's still a little bit upset, or maybe just embarrassed about the whole deal - and that's the last thing Fabian wants the other to feel right now.
He smiles at Gorgug, and when he's close enough he reaches out with both of his hands, putting them on the other's green cheeks. Fabian is probably pulling him down just a little in the process because of the height difference, but he continues to have that same sweet, supportive smile on his face the entire time. ]
Has anyone told you that you look real good in that outfit?
[ .. clearly not, since Fabian is the only one seeing it right now, but that doesn't matter. Let a bro lightly joke around while boosting a bro's confidence. And maybe making his day a little better after the slime disaster and then the pants disaster. ]
Because you're looking beautiful right now.
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Because Gorgug might be experiencing it in this moment. Yes, he was feeling pouty (still), but he wasn't expecting Fabian to try and do anything about it. This next part after him getting dressed is meant to involve them leaving the walk-in closet, and maybe Gorgug realising and trying to fix those jeans with a mending spell (can anything truly help the jeans at this point? probably not).
But Fabian has other plans. He has other ideas, none of which Gorgug has any expectation or suspicion for, even as he comes over to him, as opposed to out of the closet so that Gorgug can step out, too. It's only as the hands come to reach for his cheeks that a confusion starts to trickle over him, though Gorgug doesn't resist, despite the small worry that this is somehow going to turn out bad for him (is Fabian mad about the jeans? he's probably mad about the jeans).
The worry he did have, however, isn't the direction that he should have gone in. Instead, the confusion that had trickled in is now a flood--one that freezes on his face like a deer in headlights, the warmth perhaps instant against Fabian's hands. His eyes are on Fabian's singular, and they're what manage to regain movement again when they look down, Gorgug not pulling away still from an otherwise gentle hold. He doesn't think he must look very good, really, and he knows Fabian is just being nice, but--he can still appreciate the sentiment all the same.
Even if, shyly: ]
...Thank you.
[ Being called beautiful is a lot, and from anyone else it would sound like a tease, a cruel one, than something fun and kind. A kindness that can make him putty in his best friend's hands as the warmth from his face has reached his ears. ]
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It does look like that managed to elevate Gorgug's mood a little bit, after all. And that's the important part. That's all Fabian wanted to do here. Not that he was lying, since he does genuinely think that wearing something other than a hoodie for once does look really nice on Gorgug, but.. if that compliment managed to help make the other feel better about this entire situation, that's great.
He steps back, giving the other also room to step out of the closet, instead of lingering in there all day. ]
Now, is there anything you need?
[ It's not like he knows how Gorgug came out of that mission, especially when he didn't arrive here back with them at the exact same time. And when he arrived slimed. ]
Are you perhaps hungry? Thirsty? Or I could show you around the place! Like the clothes store, so you don't have to continue only wearing my clothes. [ He winks, clearly joking as he adds: ] Unless you want to.
[ He knows you don't want to, Gorgug. That fit is nice on you, but also just a little bit too small. Fabian may not be short, but he's no half-orc. ]
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Oh.
He pinches at the shirt he's wearing when Fabian talks about wearing more of his clothes, looking down at it, the state of himself, and other clothes would be better, but-- ]
I'd like something to eat. Riz wanted me to get a sample of the stuff I had on me--I should get some of that off my bag. [ Or axe, or wherever else there is slime. ] Do the shops close soon?
[ He has stepped out of the closet too, now that they're moving again. Maybe loitering for a moment or so in place if Fabian isn't leading him around, but also taking the initiative to head back into the main living room area.
But that last question is asked to check on what's the better option: sit around and eat, or head straight to the shops? ]
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[ So eating first it is! Fabian doesn't even comment anything on Riz wanting a sample of the slime, because-- of course Riz would want that. Fabian doesn't even want to think about touching that gross stuff, but hey, if anyone could find some sort of clue in the sample, it sure would the The Ball of all people. He's smart like that. He can do the slime touching.
Fabian, in the meantime, will help in his own way-- by taking care of Gorgug's hunger! He's already moving towards the kitchen of the apartment, looking through the cupboards and in the fridge..
.. and slowly realizing he doesn't exactly have the skills to make anything substantial for his friend. ]
Uh-- Would some cereal be alright?
[ H-He can do that!! Gorgug, you really want some cereal, right?! ]
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He'll find a container. Fabian talks before he can start doing anything about that though, and Gorgug turns away from his belongings and looks towards the kitchen.
Cereal??? ]
You just have cereal?
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[ There's a pause.
Such a meaningful pause, especially when you combine it with the knowledge of the tone Fabian uses when he finally speaks up again. It sounds so much like he's sweating. Like he's so uncertain about the answer he's giving here, even though he doesn't want to sound that way. ]
.. yes?
[ A-Are you judging him, Gorgug?! Is that's what is happening here?
Of course Fabian can't help but immediately get a little defensive at the idea. There's hardly even time for him to breathe between that uncertain little 'yes?' and him immediately moving into: ]
Is there anything wrong with cereal?
[ Bro, you can't do this to him right now. Bro!! ]
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You can't get anything else here? Do you have to earn it?
[ Is that what this is, Fabian? Can you only afford cereal? Why else would you only have cereal available? ]
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[ That's such a hesitant, drawn-out answer. It's the sort of answer Fabian always gives when there is something up that he doesn't want to talk about, or just desperately wants to cover up.
Because he knows he can't lie and say Gorgug's guess is right, since he'd soon discover that's not the case at all. So he has to quickly think of something else here. ]
It is just that.. [ ...
His mind feels so blank right now. ]
C-- Cereal is great! [ Says the rich kid who has in the past often been incredibly picky about food in front of his friends.
Clearly this is the best lie he could have made up. ]
I just love eating cereal! There is nothing wrong with that, is there? Nothing wrong with me wanting share my love of cereal with my good friend Gorgug!
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