He's not laughing at you, Gorgug, he promises! .. okay, maybe he is, just a little bit. But he's mostly just amused at the other arriving at that after a few moments of thought. Fabian could indeed see that match Adaine, but.. ]
Why is it so often birds?
[ He's seen you make so many birds at this point, Gorgug! What's up with that? Is this some Gorgug thing Fabian is only finding out about now? ]
[ Wow, bro?? Gorgug doesn't know what's so funny, looking at Fabian so blankly, not even offended by his laugh. He's only confused, both by that and even the question. ]
Why not? Birds are cool. [ And an owl feels very Adaine-like...!! ]
What animal would you pick? That's not a frog. Or a dog.
[ He seems to give it a moment of consideration, but then-- ]
A hedgehog.
[ Fabian sounds so confident about that. Yet there's no elaboration or anything, despite the confidence in his tone. No, instead he glances over at Gorgug, asking: ]
Gorgug is staring at the ceiling with that, with the most hard-at-work face, eyes on full squint. A hedgehog? They're so.............small.
He doesn't even want to answer Fabian with how much he wants to focus on the idea of a hedgehog, but he will, reluctantly, slowly explaining: ] They can fly. They can swoop in from great distances, and-- don't you think it's cool when they sit on your arm, or your shoulder? You would look cool with a bird. Like an eagle.
[ The bridge of Fabian's nose wrinkles a little bit as he's thinking about it. Not even Gorgug's initial spiel about birds, but more the thing he's saying at the end there.
Because even though he's never really thought about whether birds by themselves are cool or not, of course Fabian has opinions about Owlbears. He's the captain of the team, he's got to have opinions even on their mascot! ]
Isn't the bear part supposed to be the cool part of an owlbear?
[ Yes, yes, Gorgug. He gets the idea. And Fabian even understands the appeal of a big hug - why date a half-orc if you aren't appreciating the good big hugs of it all!! - there's still a very obvious problem to him here. ]
We're talking about coolness, Gorgug! Coolness!
[ Only Fabian Seacaster could get this worked up in a bed without even having sex.. ]
What's cooler, an owlbear hugging someone or one ripping someone to shreds? What is it you think we do on the field?!
R-rip and tear? [ O-oh no, Fabian's getting worked up! Gotta sound more confident about this! ] We rip and tear! We knock their heads off!
[ Or maybe Gorgug is remembering the time he decapitated the team mascot's head off... but surely Gorgug is just getting into the same spirit Fabian is demanding of him!
[ .. okay, maybe that isn't really what they do on the field, but it's in the spirit of what they do on the field. To Fabian. Bloodrush has to be made to sound as cool as possible at all times.
Even when it's just the two of them, and it's not like there's anyone else around they have to convince. But this is just to make sure Gorgug says the right thing to the other people in this place too. Imagine if he would call an owlbear cuddly to anyone here.. It would ruin their reputation!! ]
Now you've got the right idea. Make sure to tell that to anyone else if they ask about owlbears or Bloodrush, alright? Emphasize how cool they are, and how cool we are!
O-okay. I'll talk about bloodrush just so I can tell them how cool it is.
[ Granted, he can't even remember the last time he talked about bloodrush with anyone but Fabian, and he's usually the one to bring it up. There doesn't seem like much point, not to Gorgug, though Fabian misses it. Considering he's actually always been into it, compared to Gorgug.
...
But maybe he'll bring it up to someone random, just because Fabian wants him to. That's not hard, right? ]
Do you talk to anyone about it anyway? I don't think sports has come up since we were in Moorecroft, for me...
[ And that's because they had those P.E classes. ]
Of course. [ He says it so naturally - despite what Gorgug is saying about it not really having come up for him.
Fabian shifts a little as he's laying there. ]
I talk to people about it all the time. [ Maybe as expected of Fabian, considering how much he seems into the sport.. ] Especially when other people bring up sports. I don't know what exactly they are playing out there in other worlds, but none of it ever sounds as cool. I seriously think we are playing the toughest sport out there.
I think a lot of people are softer in other worlds. What they tell me-- it's all humans and they don't...do adventuring. Some worlds just have that superhero stuff.
[ Which will forever remain a bizarre alternative to Gorgug, considering there seems to be no training. And they all have such weird 'villains'. ]
Do you know they get bad guys with weird names too? It's not just them-- one guy told me about Condiment Man. What does that even mean? Are they okay?
[ There's a slight pause, like Fabian is contemplating this Condiment Man. Considering how he doesn't reply right away, it's likely that he hasn't heard this story the way Gorgug has..
Then he says, very plainly: ]
Maybe it's like the corn.
[ Look, he doesn't like reminding Gorgug of Gorgug's very own No Good Not Great Day, but.
Condiment Man does kind of sound like an offshoot of sentient aggressive corn in the lunchroom, doesn't it. ]
Gorgug is the one who goes silent now, his gaze dropping as he remembers the corn cuties. So strong... so many... ]
They were so strong... and filled with starch.
[ His voice has dropped a note, a solemn note to it. He can't act better than the corn cuties, except for the fact that they're still dead and he isn't. ]
[ Och no, look at Gorgug.. Overwhelmed by the thought of the power of the corn..
At least Fabian knows a fix to that. As much as he loves absorbing compliments from Gorgug, it's not like he can't do the same in return. He shifts a little bit, just enough so he can wriggle himself in a position where he can plant a kiss on Gorgug's cheek before adding: ]
You're stronger.
[ Gorgug could easily squish a corn cutie by now. Fabian has faith in you, bro!!!! ]
[ Gorgug lifts his gaze back onto Fabian when he pecks his cheek, listening as he comments on his strength. There's a second, but he nods, some confidence returning! ]
I could tear them in half. [ Not just tear them-- ] I could shove my entire fist up their corn holes and pull out their corn parts.
[ It would sound so much edgier or darker...if not coming from the equivalent of a shaking chihuahua trying to prove how big and strong it is (in the body of a st bernard). Tell him he's right, Fabian!! ]
[ Considering this is the exact sort of thing Fabian has heard his beloved papa say all the time ever since he was a toddler who could first understand speech, he doesn't do as much as blink in the face of the shaking chihuahua-spirited Great Dane right here with him.
It's about Gorgug's confidence here, after all. Who cares about the details. He has to get Gorgug confident enough that he can be a regular chihuahua instead of a shaking one. ]
Exactly! Do you think those things could even touch you anymore if they ever appeared again? They would flee in fear of you!
[ That's what you are, Gorgug!! You're tough! You're scary to corn cuties!!! ]
He tugs an arm around Fabian's waist, snuggling him closer without squeezing him close. ]
Let's talk about something fun we can do now that we're back. [ ... ] Something better than corn shrimps.
[ Maybe he will never stop having complicated feelings about animated corn, no matter his or anyone else's best attempts. But you know what? He put in the effort! And being scary to a bunch of corn sounds about as cool as being killed by said animated corn...
They definitely need another subject. A nicer subject before they sleep, so Gorgug doesn't dream about starch. ]
Maybe he needs to turn his brain into another direction all of a sudden, and he needs a second to do so. Maybe he needs to think of what to bring up here.
Or maybe - it's this one, actually - he's just being devious. It's all over his tone when he speaks up. ]
What, do you want something nice to dream of?
[ At least it doesn't sound fully sexy. It more just sounds like general light teasing. ]
Yeah. [ Devious as Fabian might be, Gorgug answers honestly, whether this is a good thing or not. ] A nice dream would be-- nice. Or, we're all together now. You, me, Riz-- but we could do date things. Dating things?
[ Those are nice things. And what's also nice, despite the earlier threat of corn cuties, is being cuddled up with Fabian right now. Looking at him, being close. Fabian has a lot of opinions on everything, and this is a time where he wants to know what Fabian thinks.
What might come with that cheeky, fun look he's giving him. ]
It's kind of hard to think of date thing right after Gorgug mentions Riz too - since it's not like he wants to leave the other out. But it's not like Fabian can't think of more general things here. ]
Maybe we will have a mission one day where we can have a ship. [ Instead of a stupid TRAIN!!! Who even likes trains? Who would pick to transport themselves by train when you can get on a ship, which is COOLER? ]
And not one we have to share with all the others here. Our own ship. We could go sailing with the three of us, even if it means ignoring everything else that would be going on. That sounds like it would be fun, right? [ Captain Fabian and DA GREEN BOYZ!!! ]
[ Wow, a...ship. In the future. Which Gorgug thinks about, and it's not that the idea of being on a mission together on a ship isn't fun, but what about the now? Or the now that is tomorrow? ]
Do you want to get a boat now and ride it on the big lake...?
[ There's a little bit more sulk in that compared to his relative excitement from a moment ago, but it's not enough to sour the energy here entirely. He's still trying to provide Gorgug with nice thoughts, after all. He hasn't forgotten that mission. ]
Even if it is a big lake, it's still a lake. To have some true seafaring adventures, you need to be out at sea. [ .. a slight pause, and then Fabian exhales a little tiredly into the darkness. ] You will understand once you experience it, Gorgug. It's great. I promise.
[ Of course it's different. Gorgug knows that, and while it's then an activity they can't find a way to do any time soon themselves, he can appreciate what Fabian is sharing with him. A dream, a desire of his own. It's nice enough, he thinks, to talk about before sleep. Better than thinking about corn cuties. ]
Can we sit on the deck at night and look at the stars?
[ He's not that much of a star person, but if they're talking about ships, and adventures... well, they still need something intimate for them, right? ] We can listen to tunes, [ he adds, since--it's still them, which means it's still Gorgug.
Of course. [ Granted, the main reason Fabian is agreeing so easily is that he has a hard time denying Gorgug anything.
... A hard time doing that as long as they are being sweet together like this, anyway. In other contexts this might have had the potential to get very dumb and very teenage boy-y, but in this moment? Fabian is definitely willing to give Gorgug a whole lot to make sure he has something nice to think about.
They all need nice stuff to think about in this dumb, crappy place. ]
It's like being a pirate. You can do what you want, you know? [ That's how it works, Gorgug! Welcome to the pirate life, especially if you've got the privilege of being in a relationship with the captain! ] If you want to see the stars and listen to music, you just go ahead and do that. It's that easy.
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He's not laughing at you, Gorgug, he promises! .. okay, maybe he is, just a little bit. But he's mostly just amused at the other arriving at that after a few moments of thought. Fabian could indeed see that match Adaine, but.. ]
Why is it so often birds?
[ He's seen you make so many birds at this point, Gorgug! What's up with that? Is this some Gorgug thing Fabian is only finding out about now? ]
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Why not? Birds are cool. [ And an owl feels very Adaine-like...!! ]
What animal would you pick? That's not a frog. Or a dog.
[ Because those are her animal familiars!! ]
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A hedgehog.
[ Fabian sounds so confident about that. Yet there's no elaboration or anything, despite the confidence in his tone. No, instead he glances over at Gorgug, asking: ]
Why do you think birds are cool?
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....
Gorgug is staring at the ceiling with that, with the most hard-at-work face, eyes on full squint. A hedgehog? They're so.............small.
He doesn't even want to answer Fabian with how much he wants to focus on the idea of a hedgehog, but he will, reluctantly, slowly explaining: ] They can fly. They can swoop in from great distances, and-- don't you think it's cool when they sit on your arm, or your shoulder? You would look cool with a bird. Like an eagle.
[ He pauses, and now looks at Fabian. ]
An owlbear's a bird.
[ This means something, obviously. Hoot growl. ]
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Because even though he's never really thought about whether birds by themselves are cool or not, of course Fabian has opinions about Owlbears. He's the captain of the team, he's got to have opinions even on their mascot! ]
Isn't the bear part supposed to be the cool part of an owlbear?
[ This always felt pretty obvious to him!!! ]
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[ They're so cuddly, Fabian. Gorgug is calling the mascot of their team cuddly. ]
Big big arms warm to the hug, [ he adds, as if Fabian needs help to imagine the coziness of an owlbear. ]
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We're talking about coolness, Gorgug! Coolness!
[ Only Fabian Seacaster could get this worked up in a bed without even having sex.. ]
What's cooler, an owlbear hugging someone or one ripping someone to shreds? What is it you think we do on the field?!
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[ Or maybe Gorgug is remembering the time he decapitated the team mascot's head off... but surely Gorgug is just getting into the same spirit Fabian is demanding of him!
Rip and tear!!! ]
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[ .. okay, maybe that isn't really what they do on the field, but it's in the spirit of what they do on the field. To Fabian. Bloodrush has to be made to sound as cool as possible at all times.
Even when it's just the two of them, and it's not like there's anyone else around they have to convince. But this is just to make sure Gorgug says the right thing to the other people in this place too. Imagine if he would call an owlbear cuddly to anyone here.. It would ruin their reputation!! ]
Now you've got the right idea. Make sure to tell that to anyone else if they ask about owlbears or Bloodrush, alright? Emphasize how cool they are, and how cool we are!
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[ Granted, he can't even remember the last time he talked about bloodrush with anyone but Fabian, and he's usually the one to bring it up. There doesn't seem like much point, not to Gorgug, though Fabian misses it. Considering he's actually always been into it, compared to Gorgug.
...
But maybe he'll bring it up to someone random, just because Fabian wants him to. That's not hard, right? ]
Do you talk to anyone about it anyway? I don't think sports has come up since we were in Moorecroft, for me...
[ And that's because they had those P.E classes. ]
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Fabian shifts a little as he's laying there. ]
I talk to people about it all the time. [ Maybe as expected of Fabian, considering how much he seems into the sport.. ] Especially when other people bring up sports. I don't know what exactly they are playing out there in other worlds, but none of it ever sounds as cool. I seriously think we are playing the toughest sport out there.
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[ Which will forever remain a bizarre alternative to Gorgug, considering there seems to be no training. And they all have such weird 'villains'. ]
Do you know they get bad guys with weird names too? It's not just them-- one guy told me about Condiment Man. What does that even mean? Are they okay?
[ No one is okay. ]
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Then he says, very plainly: ]
Maybe it's like the corn.
[ Look, he doesn't like reminding Gorgug of Gorgug's very own No Good Not Great Day, but.
Condiment Man does kind of sound like an offshoot of sentient aggressive corn in the lunchroom, doesn't it. ]
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Gorgug is the one who goes silent now, his gaze dropping as he remembers the corn cuties. So strong... so many... ]
They were so strong... and filled with starch.
[ His voice has dropped a note, a solemn note to it. He can't act better than the corn cuties, except for the fact that they're still dead and he isn't. ]
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At least Fabian knows a fix to that. As much as he loves absorbing compliments from Gorgug, it's not like he can't do the same in return. He shifts a little bit, just enough so he can wriggle himself in a position where he can plant a kiss on Gorgug's cheek before adding: ]
You're stronger.
[ Gorgug could easily squish a corn cutie by now. Fabian has faith in you, bro!!!! ]
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I could tear them in half. [ Not just tear them-- ] I could shove my entire fist up their corn holes and pull out their corn parts.
[ It would sound so much edgier or darker...if not coming from the equivalent of a shaking chihuahua trying to prove how big and strong it is (in the body of a st bernard). Tell him he's right, Fabian!! ]
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It's about Gorgug's confidence here, after all. Who cares about the details. He has to get Gorgug confident enough that he can be a regular chihuahua instead of a shaking one. ]
Exactly! Do you think those things could even touch you anymore if they ever appeared again? They would flee in fear of you!
[ That's what you are, Gorgug!! You're tough! You're scary to corn cuties!!! ]
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[ He could be so powerful--!!
...
He tugs an arm around Fabian's waist, snuggling him closer without squeezing him close. ]
Let's talk about something fun we can do now that we're back. [ ... ] Something better than corn shrimps.
[ Maybe he will never stop having complicated feelings about animated corn, no matter his or anyone else's best attempts. But you know what? He put in the effort! And being scary to a bunch of corn sounds about as cool as being killed by said animated corn...
They definitely need another subject. A nicer subject before they sleep, so Gorgug doesn't dream about starch. ]
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Maybe he needs to turn his brain into another direction all of a sudden, and he needs a second to do so. Maybe he needs to think of what to bring up here.
Or maybe - it's this one, actually - he's just being devious. It's all over his tone when he speaks up. ]
What, do you want something nice to dream of?
[ At least it doesn't sound fully sexy. It more just sounds like general light teasing. ]
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[ Those are nice things. And what's also nice, despite the earlier threat of corn cuties, is being cuddled up with Fabian right now. Looking at him, being close. Fabian has a lot of opinions on everything, and this is a time where he wants to know what Fabian thinks.
What might come with that cheeky, fun look he's giving him. ]
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It's kind of hard to think of date thing right after Gorgug mentions Riz too - since it's not like he wants to leave the other out. But it's not like Fabian can't think of more general things here. ]
Maybe we will have a mission one day where we can have a ship. [ Instead of a stupid TRAIN!!! Who even likes trains? Who would pick to transport themselves by train when you can get on a ship, which is COOLER? ]
And not one we have to share with all the others here. Our own ship. We could go sailing with the three of us, even if it means ignoring everything else that would be going on. That sounds like it would be fun, right? [ Captain Fabian and DA GREEN BOYZ!!! ]
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Do you want to get a boat now and ride it on the big lake...?
[ Does Fabian want to be one with water.
They probably have the points for it? ]
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It's not the same.
[ There's a little bit more sulk in that compared to his relative excitement from a moment ago, but it's not enough to sour the energy here entirely. He's still trying to provide Gorgug with nice thoughts, after all. He hasn't forgotten that mission. ]
Even if it is a big lake, it's still a lake. To have some true seafaring adventures, you need to be out at sea. [ .. a slight pause, and then Fabian exhales a little tiredly into the darkness. ] You will understand once you experience it, Gorgug. It's great. I promise.
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Can we sit on the deck at night and look at the stars?
[ He's not that much of a star person, but if they're talking about ships, and adventures... well, they still need something intimate for them, right? ] We can listen to tunes, [ he adds, since--it's still them, which means it's still Gorgug.
And listening to music always sounds cool. ]
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... A hard time doing that as long as they are being sweet together like this, anyway. In other contexts this might have had the potential to get very dumb and very teenage boy-y, but in this moment? Fabian is definitely willing to give Gorgug a whole lot to make sure he has something nice to think about.
They all need nice stuff to think about in this dumb, crappy place. ]
It's like being a pirate. You can do what you want, you know? [ That's how it works, Gorgug! Welcome to the pirate life, especially if you've got the privilege of being in a relationship with the captain! ] If you want to see the stars and listen to music, you just go ahead and do that. It's that easy.
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