[ It's strange. What Gorgug is saying is entirely right - if anything, that stupid maze they were made to do when he first showed up here felt the closest like something Aguefort would organize for them, but Gorgug hadn't been here with them back then - and yet Fabian never really stopped to think about it.
Maybe it's just that there's been so many other things to talk about that Fabian never even bothered to think about this. Especially when he never really stopped to talk to the others about dancing back home either. All of them had been busy with their own school work, after all. And none of them were in bard class. (Especially since Fig was skipping out on her own.)
It makes it a little awkward to put it into words now. Not.. bad.
Just new, making Fabian need a little bit more time. ]
It's about.. feelings. [ He starts - tries. He knows it's very different than Gorgug's artificing is, considering the way the other talks about it.. All the books and the work.. ] Ms. Skullcleaver says we have to focus on how dance is always right now. And that you have to pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you.
[ Another small pause, but then, almost as if encouraged just by finally talking about it for once rather than keeping it all to himself: ]
She-- uh. She said I have a special gift, did you know that? And that the world needs it. She said I'm going to change the world.
[ Gorgug listens, about as well as he can. Feelings, listening to your body- what is that in practice? What does that feel like? There's a part to artificing that's about intent: his intent and action is what unlocked his talents in artificing in the first place, that gave that spark of magic for him to use, and his studying thereafter allowing him a larger pool of knowledge. But dance and artificing are different: you have tools already made, you don't create in the moment the magic with your body, your music.
His mind doesn't get that far or deep into thinking about it. It's more something that Gorgug already acknowledges, this difference between their classes that he can't quite imagine. And Fabian's continuing, that mention of his teacher and her words, gets his brows to lift. Curiously, sincerely: ]
[ He lets out a slight huff of laughter at that statement. ]
Better. Don't you know, I'm already--
[ Fabian pauses, his entire body and mind seeming to come to a stop - if not just for a moment - at his sudden realization. Oh, right. Gorgug doesn't.. ]
You don't know. [ It's usually a little easier to remember with Riz that the other is from a while ago - the physical changes a little more apparent, especially on someone going through high school. With Gorgug it's easier to forget, especially with the natural mood they tend to fall into. ] I'm the Ora-cool of Dance now.
[ A very normal thing to say, right. He's saying it casually, yet with pride in his tone.
(Granted, it isn't that strange of a thing to say when you consider the world they come from..) ]
It is such a cool dance title--it even has cool in the name. And from anyone else, it might be purposely cringe, but Gorgug repeats, ] You're ora-cool [ with a certain amount of awe that shows that it's nothing but astonishment. His boyfriend is Ora-cool...! Of Dance!
How can anyone go up from there? Not that Gorgug knows nothing about this title and what it represents, he's now in a certain mode of thinking. And in that mode of thinking, eyes sparkling at Fabian, he asks: ] Am I an Ora-cool too? [ Not just an Ora-cool--! ] --of wizardry?
[ See? This is one of those good things about having a boyfriend. It means that there's always someone out there who is properly appreciating just how cool you are, and just how cool most things about you are. Fabian is practically preening as he's lying there with Gorgug, seeming more proud of himself with every single word that's leaving Gorgug's mouth.
Even the other's question is just kind of endearing, actually. After all, why couldn't Gorgug be, if he'd want to? He's pretty sure Fig would start organizing something right away, just to allow Gorgug to have this specific impression. Maybe Fabian will have to bring it up to her when he sees her again. Gorgug deserves a title too, especially for acknowledging how cool Fabian's is. ]
Well, it means you would have to do something for Adaine. She's the Oracle. That is how you get the title.
[ And.. also a wizard, huh. It might make Gorgug's out-wizarding her a little difficult, especially when Gorgug's wizard thing is a little more of a running joke, but.. ]
[ Wow, he could be an Ora-cool of Wizards. And Adaine's a wizard, so it would be doubly connected to Adaine. Gorgug knows how to connect the dots.
But what could he make for her? He's looking away, considering it. Something for Adaine, Oracle of All The People...
It takes him a moment, but: ] How about a metal servant to help her with her Oracle duties and day to day life? [ ... ] It could get her a soda when she wants one. Or carry her books.
[ Hey, that doesn't sound all that bad to Fabian. If there's anyone who knows how nice it is to have a servant, it's Fabian, after all!
.. though, the more he's thinking about it, the more he has to consider something.. Given that this is Gorgug.. And given what he has seen from Gorgug's creations so far.. ]
So what would that servant look like?
[ That might just be the most important part now. Another weird animal?? ]
[ What would they look like? Gorgug's now looking up as he considers this, in as much serious thought as he does whenever giving anything careful consideration. Adaine's got Boggy, and making another frog wouldn't be right. And she made the puppy before...
...
He answers after five seconds, straight and serious: ]
An owl wearing glasses.
[ His brain has calculated and come out with greatness. ]
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. ]
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[ It's strange. What Gorgug is saying is entirely right - if anything, that stupid maze they were made to do when he first showed up here felt the closest like something Aguefort would organize for them, but Gorgug hadn't been here with them back then - and yet Fabian never really stopped to think about it.
Maybe it's just that there's been so many other things to talk about that Fabian never even bothered to think about this. Especially when he never really stopped to talk to the others about dancing back home either. All of them had been busy with their own school work, after all. And none of them were in bard class. (Especially since Fig was skipping out on her own.)
It makes it a little awkward to put it into words now. Not.. bad.
Just new, making Fabian need a little bit more time. ]
It's about.. feelings. [ He starts - tries. He knows it's very different than Gorgug's artificing is, considering the way the other talks about it.. All the books and the work.. ] Ms. Skullcleaver says we have to focus on how dance is always right now. And that you have to pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you.
[ Another small pause, but then, almost as if encouraged just by finally talking about it for once rather than keeping it all to himself: ]
She-- uh. She said I have a special gift, did you know that? And that the world needs it. She said I'm going to change the world.
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His mind doesn't get that far or deep into thinking about it. It's more something that Gorgug already acknowledges, this difference between their classes that he can't quite imagine. And Fabian's continuing, that mention of his teacher and her words, gets his brows to lift. Curiously, sincerely: ]
You're gonna become the Master of Dance?
[ A title that surely exists? ]
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Better. Don't you know, I'm already--
[ Fabian pauses, his entire body and mind seeming to come to a stop - if not just for a moment - at his sudden realization. Oh, right. Gorgug doesn't.. ]
You don't know. [ It's usually a little easier to remember with Riz that the other is from a while ago - the physical changes a little more apparent, especially on someone going through high school. With Gorgug it's easier to forget, especially with the natural mood they tend to fall into. ] I'm the Ora-cool of Dance now.
[ A very normal thing to say, right. He's saying it casually, yet with pride in his tone.
(Granted, it isn't that strange of a thing to say when you consider the world they come from..) ]
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It is such a cool dance title--it even has cool in the name. And from anyone else, it might be purposely cringe, but Gorgug repeats, ] You're ora-cool [ with a certain amount of awe that shows that it's nothing but astonishment. His boyfriend is Ora-cool...! Of Dance!
How can anyone go up from there? Not that Gorgug knows nothing about this title and what it represents, he's now in a certain mode of thinking. And in that mode of thinking, eyes sparkling at Fabian, he asks: ] Am I an Ora-cool too? [ Not just an Ora-cool--! ] --of wizardry?
[ Fabian...! ]
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Even the other's question is just kind of endearing, actually. After all, why couldn't Gorgug be, if he'd want to? He's pretty sure Fig would start organizing something right away, just to allow Gorgug to have this specific impression. Maybe Fabian will have to bring it up to her when he sees her again. Gorgug deserves a title too, especially for acknowledging how cool Fabian's is. ]
Well, it means you would have to do something for Adaine. She's the Oracle. That is how you get the title.
[ And.. also a wizard, huh. It might make Gorgug's out-wizarding her a little difficult, especially when Gorgug's wizard thing is a little more of a running joke, but.. ]
Can you think of something you could do for her?
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But what could he make for her? He's looking away, considering it. Something for Adaine, Oracle of All The People...
It takes him a moment, but: ] How about a metal servant to help her with her Oracle duties and day to day life? [ ... ] It could get her a soda when she wants one. Or carry her books.
[ He's a genius. ]
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.. though, the more he's thinking about it, the more he has to consider something.. Given that this is Gorgug.. And given what he has seen from Gorgug's creations so far.. ]
So what would that servant look like?
[ That might just be the most important part now. Another weird animal?? ]
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...
He answers after five seconds, straight and serious: ]
An owl wearing glasses.
[ His brain has calculated and come out with greatness. ]
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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. ]