altimit | .:Oh shit it's November:.

I-I did. Use "Dark†Knight"...

[ Luckily, Ganymede probably can't hear the cross in it. That shame was known only to Hani and Sinclair... and each of them probably no longer remembers. It's impossible to feel relief at that, but...

He's about to answer Ganymede's other question when Ganymede trails off, something much darker crosses his face. He has so few memories left now, doesn't he? There's nothing good it could be, if it's what he saw behind Gorre's door. ]

It wasn't stupid—

[ He wants to expand on that thought, but unfortunately, he has to take combat with utmost seriousness now. No injury to Ganymede is allowable... and if he lands himself back in the infirmary experimenting with armor, he expects to get an earful from Miharu, if not others.

Mimics are non-elemental. But nothing is immune to the guaranteed critical hits of Be Not Afraid. Michel brings his sword down in an arc, the lightning crackling along his blade as he makes the best of the delay Ganymede bought him. ]

I was right. Knew it.

[ Ganymede is glad to know that he understands Michel well enough to potentially guess usernames, that helps kind of eat away at dealing with his own frustration with himself.

He hears Michel's aborted words, casting a glance at him, and then back at the monsters he's slaying. Critical hits means stunning happens and a quicker death than not. ]

...Why wouldn't it be?

[ If he has such few memories, shouldn't he have recalled faster?

Ganymede blinks as the Mimics all begin to summarily fall to the blade. Only one Mimic is left, to which he puts to sleep immediately. At least he will never get tired watching Michel kill things.

He doesn't tell Michel he imagines him stabbing to death their remaining two enemies too, though. The last mimic is put to sleep as soon as it looks like it's going to strike. Maybe he should have used his charm spell on some of these guys instead but he hardly ever takes advantage of it.

Not to mention, it's unnecessary with ~~archangel~~ Michel here. ]

[ If it were any monster more humanoid than a mimic, Michel might feel a little guilt at mercilessly striking it down. The most universally hated of RPG monsters...

Red Rose scythes through it, leaving the trail of crimson petals in its wake, the final damaging hits taking out the rest of its health. And then he glances sidelong back at Ganymede. He's playing his class excellently today, even more than usual — he wonders if there's a reason for Ganymede's focus on those buffs, on supporting him to set him up for attacks. Wouldn't be feel better venting some of his frustrations more directly? Or is this his wordless way of reminding Michel that he's more than strong enough to be relied on, and trying to make Michel feel less helpless after the series of disasterous fights? ]

...It's difficult to piece things together, when so many memories are missing. I felt the same when I was becoming Gorre. There are things you react to without knowing why, or things you wonder, and can only infer from the pieces you have...

[ So it isn't stupid to not be able to piece things together immediately, or to ask anyway. He knows, too, just how incorrect some of that extrapolated understanding could be. Too limited. ]

[ It'll be kind of hilarious if they had ever found a mimic properly posing as a treasure box in-game. But Ganymede just hates the way it looks on principle, so this is honestly, just. So true.

Hearing the way Michel talks, though, he's listening closely. Before, it hardly bothered him without the pieces, that's certain. But, it only is troublesome now because Ganymede is at least partially concerned with his own image.

That is something which still carries over. Not for everyone's approval, but for his own high standards. ]

...When you put it like that, I think I can get it now. [ ... ] And it makes me feel less foolish.

[ Before, Ganymede thinks even with those words, sound in logic, he would have not listen. He's...probably gotten less stubborn. And, well, he trusts Michel to say these things with as much truth as he can, being a logical-minded individual. Still, it does make him feel better, actually.

With the monsters defeated for this round, Ganymede steps closer, and just for those words, he steps on the tippytoes to give Michel a quick cheek kiss, before pointing ahead. ]

You aren't foolish. Or— [ Not quite true, is it? Michel's reflexive honesty catches up to him again and he amends, ] ...You aren't being foolsih about this.

[ That's better, he thinks. It's not a blanket reassurance, because if Ganymede were being ridiculous, he would tell him. He leans in to kiss Ganymede on the cheek in return.

He half wants to know what memory crossed through Ganymede's mind just then that had sunk his mood so precipitously. But, perhaps it's better to wait until they're out of the dungeon. ]

...Have you always been this bossy about dungeons?

[ He's fairly certain the answer is yes, actually. But he'll gladly take point again. ]

I should've known you would've said something about that...

[ Ganymede looks embarrassed, even if he is happy that Michel is saying that, so by the time he plants a cheek kiss, he can see the blush evident. ]

I have.

You just haven't noticed just yet. You don't mind, though. I'm right, aren't I?

[ Sticking his tongue out a little. Just up ahead are a trio of Spark Maidens, to really hammer in the thunderesque nature of this dungeon. But he is always ever glad to buff Michel for it, so he's doing exactly that...welcome to your physical strength buff! ]

[ What, Ganymede's foolishness? He can take that as a sign of Michel's slowly returning health, too. He's feeling well enough to tease him a little. The blush just gets a second, briefer kiss. ]

I see why Justy calls you "shot-caller"...

[ He doesn't mind, no.

Though the appearance of the Spark Maidens does make him regret, just a little, being unable to use his level 100 armor... What a waste of some very broken abilities, now lost to bad association. The tiny part of him that still feels a little affinity with games repents.

But he'll take that buff to deal out an Ani Revolver at all three, striking right for that elemental weakness. There's no feeling of showing off, when he knows he's doing a task Ganymede could and has managed for himself... but there's a comfortable rapport like this. ]

[ Michel is fortunate he doesn't steel his nose just then for that kind of reaction. How dare.

...But, no. He loves affection, and most of it, he cherishes and loves it from Michel. ]

To be honest, I was...kind of really happy he called me that.

[ Ganymede likes leading the charge on the battlefield, and delivering commands. Of course, it's also embarrassing to say that he enjoys strictly being dominated in the bedroom (look man he is a bottom there), it doesn't mean he doesn't prevent himself from being demanding there either. Anyway, he watches Michel take down the enemies with the strengthened blows, distracted by the way part of his shoulder peeks out at part of the armor, the power exhibited behind each swing.

The multiple slashes have the enemies stunlocked, just awaiting their deathblows in the face of attacking at the element weaknesses as well.

And Ganymede...? He's distracted. Sorry. ]

I'm not surprised. You enjoy being in charge.

[ For once, Michel isn't thinking of the bedroom at all. Just Ganymede's typical bossiness. The way he could command a space, how he draws himself up when he's feeling passionate about something... and he feels passionate about many things.

These enemies are simple enough, the flow of the fight going precisely as it should. Michel spins from one to the next to dispatch them, glancing over his (bare) shoulder back towards Ganymede as he does. ]

...Is something the matter?

You're distracting!

[ Ganymede's hands fly to his mouth as his face turns beet red. Muffled, he manages: ]

In a good way...I can't—I can't look away.

[ For once, he's the one who is in the position of being set off course by the way the other looks back. Or does anything (like, hello, does Michel not know how graceful he was doing that spin?! He has so much grace that imagining him as a professional dancer isn't a pipe dream. Even if he knows it'll REALLY take awhile...) ]

B-but I'm okay! We can carry on!

[ Michel blinks in surprise, pausing as the last Spark Maiden falls. He's... distracting Ganymede? Ganymede, the one who dances for all his moves? Whose shimmying hips are very much a distraction with his buffs? ]

You... like seeing me stab things?

[ That's how he's translating it.

Oh... is it an innuendo thing? That really wasn't what he was thinking when he chose his class, but... ]

[ Ganymede is in his very distraction era when Michel is now the one showing a bit more skin.

Though, the way Michel points that out gets him an embarrassed look. As if they have things to be embarrassed about with one another, considering what they've gotten up to (yes they do.) ]

...Well, yeah. I do like seeing you stab things.

But, it's more than that. You always look good to me, but I get to see a bit more of you, and you just...

[ ... ]

You just look really good in that armor, okay?!

[ Ganymede suddenly sprints ahead. It's embarrassing when what he says comes out in a flustered mess when he wants it to be a bit more smooth... ]

[ Oh. Oh. Well.

He'd been trying for a cool swordsman look when he drew this up, something mostly cribbed from another game that none of the others probably remember anymore. But... he hadn't really expected that result. Even though every time Ganymede parades a new outfit in front of him, he could just about walk into a wall.

He thinks... he likes this feeling. There's a little smug bounce in his step as he lengthens his stride to follow after Ganymede. ]

Do you want to design my armor next time...?

[ Although maybe the effect this time was mostly from the element of surprise? ]

[ Ganymede, in his extreme non-gamer hours, would never have seen such a design anywhere. Though, he did love fantasy stories and fairy tales...but, he's also not big on watching cartoons, either.

Still, if anyone asks him when memories return he'd say it's the pinnacle design of a fantasy swordsman. No criticism or differing opinions will be accepted.

Right now, for sure the tables are turned. Ganymede is going to be the one walking into walls. Or...enemies, given the three Ochimushas up ahead. ]

...Huh?! [ Oh. Right, a question. ] I-It'd be nice, actually. I'd always wondered what it'd be like to design something you'd wore.

The question is if you'd be prepared for that!?

[ He says that, throwing Michel a look with his cheeks red as a cherry. Ganymede isn't having ideas pop into his head with the other man looking the way he does. In fact, if he doesn't start looking forward again, he might just walk into one of the dungeon walls. ]

"Prepared"? Just... how much skin were you thinking of having me show?

[ The question is all the more imperative now that he's back in his own body... He's well aware that this outfit would have looked more striking on Winter, with his swordsman's muscles, than Michel's rangy build. Not that he has no definition, but, still...

If they actually did find a way out of this place, he might do something about that. In the future. When Ganymede comes perilously near to drifting into the wall, Michel reaches out to snag him around the waist with his free hand. The Ochimushas can wait another few seconds. ]

Is this what it's like to have a charm spell? But it only works on you.

.....

[ There's a small...telling silence to the question, because Ganymede has to gauge how much skin would that be. Is that considered a lot? Not to him, but would Michel consider it as much? He doesn't really know...and this doesn't help with the evading-walking-into walls problem.

Until his knight in shining armor reaches out to snag him neatly from it like Hercules rescuing Megara from Hades' machinations. What if he also just...leans into him a little bit too? ]

Maybe. But you're really charming...just, I get to see more of you in battle right now so it's like, amplified ten times more. Plus, the aesthetic is really not a bad choice fashion wise either.

[ Ganymede really wants to say it's not only because 'showing more skin' but that is part of the outfit/fashion design. So, like. That'd be a whole entire lie. ]

Edited 2023-12-08 22:08 (UTC)

[ Ganymede? That long silence is giving him cause for some concern... Just what is Ganymede picturing in that sunny little head of his? Midriff-baring? Shorts? He certainly isn't swinging a sword around in anything like Ganymede's swirling robes that would bare his legs and everything at one wrong move... ]

I'm glad it has your approval... I suppose this isn't a waste even if I haven't been able to test the armor effect.

[ He needs opponents that charm him, not the other way around. But if Ganymede is leaning in, Michel will lean too and give him a small and soft kiss on the cheek. They're almost done here already anyway. ]

[ With 'Winter's' avatar, some more impractical designs, and somewhat...well, less, maybe. It's fine. Even with Michel's appearance right now, Ganymede would be staring in either one of these outfits. He needs to think harder about this.

...At least flimsy robes are definitely out of the equation. He might have considered a form but for Michel ones that bare his body don't seem like they'd fit aesthetically (but apparently other clothing that shows a lot of skin does.) ]

Oh, right. You'd been hoping to...well, we've still got a lot of time on our hands too. Even if the effects test today was a bust. There's other days...

...And maybe you should consider a career in designing things.

[ Ganymede says, very serious because damn. Anyway, the kiss on his cheek makes him blink and his eyes soften before he returns it by leaning up. Then, pulling away reluctantly, he begins to head towards the three enemies in the distance. Though, not without giving Michel another physical attack buff one last time for the road. ]

Short dungeon runs like this shouldn't pose too much of a problem to do more of.

[ Is he relieved, or not? If the armor doesn't work... finding out by having to hurt Ganymede under a charm effect would do more mental damage than he's confident he could absorb right now. But if it doesn't work, he needs to find out before their next real confrontation...

He puts the thought aside for the next dungeon run. They have enough problems at the moment without him creating his own. ]

Designing? That's... not what Georges said, at all. Are you certain you aren't distorting your view of things with affection...?

[ Ganymede finds him attractive, so he's mistakenly decided the design is attractive? Something like that. But this can wait until the Ochimusha are dealt with. Even without the defensive boost of his other armor, a Thunder dungeon is a good compatibility for him. Ani Revolver, in combination with Ganymede's physical attack boosts, can stagger multiple Thunder opponents very nicely. ]

[ Giving a little nod to that, glad Michel is in agreement here. They still have time before the final day is upon them. With the two of them, they already make such a fantastic team, so...

He blinks at the question, though. ]

No way. My view is perfect.

...What did Georges say, anyway? That he was jealous of your potential?

[ He poses the question, putting his hands behind his head temporarily, and watching with a facial expression that is definitely, well. Saying that he is enjoying Michel kill the shit out of those monsters. Watching them be staggered is fun too. They don't stand a chance in hell, HP dwindling to mere singular digits. ]

...That is not how I would have put it, no.

[ What could be interpretted around the breathless, howling laughter, anyway.

Michel clears his throat and focuses himself on the task of stabbing monsters, where he aquits himself well, unlike artistic pursuits. It is flattering that Ganymede is so pleased with the results, though. Spending a little more time with Michel when he has the freedom to choose his outfits should disabuse him of any admiration in short order. ]

I really did just imitate something I'd seen before, and I let the system do the rest...

[ A custom armor set wouldn't make something truly hideous except by design? Probably? But this is nice to move in. Michel deflects a blade from the one monster that isn't stunned and steps in to briskly finish that one first. ]

How would you have put it?

[ Ganymede wonders really what kind of words and reaction has been given to make him say something like that. With that being said, he continues to enjoy Michel tearing the monstrosities before them a new one, and imagines Michel stabbing both Cubia and Harold just the same.

Violence is still sexy, including impressive counterattack manuevers. ]

You completely imitated it? There weren't any personal embellishments at all?

[ He's just a little bit skeptical of that, at least. Though, he keeps an eye on the stunned enemies who are continuously eating shit, including the one who just expired by the lightning (heh) blade of an expert swordsman. ]

I would have said that he and Didier laughed themselves sick...

[ Twerps. It's clear from the little wrinkle in Michel's nose, the wry quirk of his lips, that there's no real sting in the memory. Brothers being brothers... and it's not as though art was ever a dream of his, anyway.

Well. Not that it was any more impossible than any of his actual dreams. Although here and now he's aquiting himself well as a swordsman... His eight year old self would have been in raptures. He can't resist a showy little flick of the blade when he finishes off the last monster, flourishing it before he sheathes it.

Look. He might have quoted Man in the Iron Mask at Justy, but his heart still favors Three Musketeers. ]

...I don't know. My memory of the original wasn't that precise. Perhaps I did...? It wasn't... nearly as deliberate as you seem to be imagining.

[ If the system had had to work off of Michel's render for the design, well. The results would have been very different. ]

Really? It must have just been your first foray into the arts.

Kind of like a baby learning steps. But, it doesn't sound like you thought it was terribly bad. And, they must have stuff you could laugh about them too, right?

[ Drop the gossip on your brothers, Michel. Reveal their embarrassing, cringe moments alongside yours. It can be a whole entire tale of familial light-hearted memories committed to memory.

Incidentally, Ganymede's eyes slide along the little show-off maneuver of the blade flick, as well as the subsequent flourish. Unnecessary, perhaps, in practical words, but definitely not extraneous by his imagination. Oh no, it was definitely something needed.

He begins to walk ahead, to where treasure is awaiting them. ]

Hmm...okay, I can believe that. Still, as always, you're clearly a stickler for detail.

[ Turning to face Michel with an impish little smile, and then back on over to open the little box of goodies. ]

...It wasn't good, either. But I've made no secret of the fact that I don't understand what some people consider to be art. I've never really had any interest in it for its own sake... I just enjoyed it to pass the time with Georges.

[ Learning what different materials felt like, getting pastels or charcoal or chalk dust all over his fingers and making his mother gasp with indignation at how unladylike he was. The comfortable way a sculpting knife fit in his hand. Watching Georges mix paints and transform them into different colors, how brushstrokes could evoke a texture...

He has no desire to do those things. But he enjoyed watching his brother with his passions. Which in no way stops him from giving a malicious little chuckle at Ganymede's question as he follows. ]

Oh, there's no shortage of things. Didier is a meathead and Georges is ridiculous. I could beat either of them at chess by the time I was ten. [ And he teased them for it ruthlessly! ] Neither of them think before they act. Although, they might say the same about me...

[ Georges is whimsical, Didier is dense, and Michel is simply a hothead. WHen his temper gets the best of him... ah, well. ]

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ganymed - 2023-12-22 18:18 (UTC) - Expand