.:First Party Run, Recreational Runs & More:. [closed]

[ganymed]

Who ⬤ Ganymede and Co.
What ⬤ Dungeon-crawlin', exploring, talking with people. What can go wrong?
Now featuring some potentially cw-worthy memshares, or content involving that.
When ⬤ Following first meetings, and anything related to the below subjects.
Where ⬤ Coiling Friend's Tiny Beast, ΔHidden Forbidden Holy Ground, Root Towns
Content Warnings ⬤ Mentions of drunken behavior.
Further mentions and displays of captivity, kidnapping, stalking, and subjects relating to suicide.


[ Following some enlightening discussions that have more or less blossomed into actual plans, an unlikely band of four adventurers assemble!

Names added to friends' lists, details hashed out, which means one thing and one thing only, that the next point some adventuring is happening. Though, given that it is everyone's (probable?) first time, it seems that there is no way for anybody to choose specific places or areas they might like!

Thankfully, that's what the random Area Exploration mechanic is for.

Ganymede steps forward, and just decides to select a perfect set of coordinates for everyone...



...Not! As if even he can be decisive at this point. He lets everyone know that these are the keywords they'll be working with. "Coiling Friend's Tiny Beast", that is.

So once the Chaos Gate is utilized for them to all cross over...

Welcome to the wonderful location of Coiling Friend's Tiny Beast! Apparently it's an area that has a rocky desert-like appearance that stretches out for miles on end. Not to mention, there is a wonderful-looking flesh wall that is the proper beginning of the dungeon crawling, and entry point into the actual dungeon that is bound to be teeming with treasure and creatures.

But, they're not inside that wall as of yet. ]

RESULTS: Can be viewed here, for our reference!

Comments

[userunfriendly]

[ How would he answer Ganymede's first question, if he felt like answering? "Yes"?

What hope is there, if not hope in people? "Fate" is too abstract for faith, and not worth either trust or disappointment. You can only have hope in people. ]

...Mm.

[ The ambiguous noise is the best compromise Michel can make with the guilt already creeping up in his chest. He can't tell Ganymede not to have hope. He doesn't want to do that. And he should know better than anyone how seductive those words can sound from someone with even a sliver of commonality in their circumstances.

For that, alone, he owes him a proper answer. ]

I doubt it's an answer that will satisfy you. But I'll attempt to.

[ Although he says that, the ensuing pause is long. Maybe... it's fine, if it's just curiosity. If Ganymede isn't putting any particular weight on his answer. ]

When I saw you standing at the fringes of the party, I thought perhaps we had a little in common. The more we talk, the more obvious it becomes that that isn't the case. We're opposites.

[ But Michel's stoic tone has a soft rising lift to it, a note of positivity despite the words. He doesn't dislike that about Ganymede at all. ]

1/2

[ganymed]

[ MAKING THIS FACE AT A DODGE OF AN ANSWER because he knows one when he hears it!!

But it's fine, just think of a momentary angry look a hamster might make when throwing a small tantrum. ]

Mm??

2/2

[ganymed]

[ ...But, he does focus on the rest. ]

We have long hair and are the youngest siblings! [ He can't resist pointing out. Yet, with Michel's tone, and his heart a bit warmed by it, he sounds like he might be trying to hold back laughter instead. RIP. ] Anyway, it appears to me that you don't mind. That we do have our differences—moreso than you originally thought was the case.

So, it seems we have the same opinion on the matter?

[ Ganymede asks with a pleased tone of his own...as he really meant the comment about it being good that they are their own separate people—made in mind considering their differences, despite apparent similarities. ]

[userunfriendly]

You don't know if I look the least bit like my avatar.

[ Michel can't keep himself from nitpicking that supposed similarity, possibly because he can all but hear that suppressed laughter. But if Ganymede suspects that he doesn't look quite as grumpy as usual... he's not wrong either.

Still. He rolls his eyes just for the form of it, not caring how immature that makes him look for a moment. ]

Unfortunately, yes. You have a genius for talking someone in circles until you get your way.

[ Hopefully Ganymede is polite enough to ignore the momentary flicker of an almost-smile. ]

[ganymed]

Am I wrong, though? Do you have long hair or not?

[ Meanwhile, Ganymede thinks he's super clever by making a statement and then slipping in a question like this (it probably really isn't all that smooth, though. He's not a mastermind type.)

When he sees the eye-rolling he counts that as a victory in this prolonged war (war of...what, exactly?) ]

So, what you're saying is that I'm actually clever as well?

[ Ganymede asks, thinking he's certainly going to get away with that maybe because he notices the possible-smile-that-does-not-quite-happen. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ Michel, perhaps weighing the fact that he already has a candid photo of Ganymede, can afford to be a little generous. Ganymede can consider that the reward for his successful scheming. ]

Long. Not as long as this.

[ If Ganymede wants to make a guessing game of it, perhaps he won't stop him. That curiosity could easily leave him feeling uneasy and suspicious. But right now, on a subject like this? It's a little charming. ]

Is that what it sounded like I said?

[ Maybe. Maybe he won't actually tell him no. ]

[ganymed]

[ A CANDID PHOTO OF HIM WITHOUT LOOKING HIS BEST!! Oh, the humanity... ]

Is it as long as mine? Or still shorter?

[ Maybe this little bit of carefree messing around is good for the soul. Getting his mind off of more, well, difficult matters, let us say.

Anyway, he gets up suddenly, maybe uh. Rocking the boat a little as he turns to show the other with hair going down to his waist. ]

And yes, it did!

[userunfriendly]

[ Congratulations to Ganymede for his dancer's grace: he might be fine with the rocking boat, but Winter grabs for the side in mild surprise. His alarm isn't quite enough to get him to take his eyes off of Ganymede, though.

It's an easy question. He could answer. But in a moment of impulsiveness: ]

Guess.

[ They're being silly, aren't they? Lighthearted. This is how people do that... probably. Was he always such a serious child, that he can't even remember that? ]

[ganymed]

[ His grace in dancing is truly saving the day! It's probably the reason the boat doesn't continue to rock; he's subconsciously able to keep his sudden movements to a minimum while standing on a precarious vessel. ]

It's a little shorter than mine.

Well? Do I have it right?

[ Turning around with a flourish that lifts his hair a bit, light clothes practically dancing in the wind with the elegant movement. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ The look on Ganymede's face is almost enough to pull a smile from Michel in return. How can he look like that, so soon after everything that just happened? ]

Wrong.

[ A pause, just to let himself enjoy that. Or because he's watching Ganymede all but dance on a boat. ]

It's about the same. But I'm taller.

[ And therefore, on a technicality, his must be longer. ]

[ganymed]

[ How can he indeed? Maybe it's the magic of the moment that allows this rare instance. Cherish it while it lasts.

He puts his hands on his hips when he says 'wrong', waiting for the right answer. ]

...I should've gone with my first thought.

[ He almost mutters, but not quite. ]

So, you're as tall as you look, long hair...and same color eyes?

[userunfriendly]

[ Ganymede had a "first" thought on this? He's considered it at all? Michel blinks at him in bemusement, not quite flustering. ]

...Yes. [ technically "red" eyes are the light shining through very pale blue, but Fatamoru doesn't acknowledge that so neither will I ] Not what you were expecting?

[ He should reciprocate the question, but he's thinking of that selfie. He remembers the color of Ganymede's eyes. ]

[ganymed]

Maybe it was?

[ Ganymede expected the tall-ness from their conversation and got long-hair vibes. But the eye color being the same? Nope! Probably because he might be basing this on how he went about creating his avatar, which, you know, he understands not everyone used the same logic. But, sometimes they think alike...ish?

Yeah he's got nothing. ]

People like us sometimes think along the same way, in certain matters. If you know what I mean.

[userunfriendly]

[ Michel could lean into the logic of his actual appearance being fantastical enough. But... actually, he's looking increasingly a little flustered, as that guilty conscience is catching up with him.

"If you know what I mean." Ganymede is definitely hinting at what he thinks he's hinting at. ]

I-I didn't ask your cousin for that picture!

[ Sorry to Hani but he's throwing them promptly under the bus. ]

[ganymed]

[ ...The most hilarious thing about all of this is that Ganymede has no idea, he was just strictly referring to thought processes.

There's silence after Michel's sudden, flustered outburst. His avatar's blue eyes blink slowly. More awkward quiet. Maybe that's a moment of silence for Michel's temporary loss of dignity? He kind of thinks it's cute, though.

But, he supposes the response means Michel knows what he looks like already. He'll have to talk to him about it later (and despair he was Not looking his best in it.) ]

...Were you really that entranced over it? A picture of me?

[ He asks, you know, innocently. Totally. He just had a mild, inexplicable urge to present the question like this, it's fine. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ Entranced? Entranced? It wasn't like he had stared. He looked once. Reassuring himself that Ganymede really did appear well. Curiously comparing him to his avatar, surprised by the degree of resemblance except for the color of his eyes...

...Maybe that added up to more than once. That didn't make it anything untoward, even if he were sneaking glances at a picture taken and shared without someone else's knowledge — ugh, no that sounds so much worse even in his own head. He needs a save. Something casual. Lighthearted— ]

...It was much more amusing than I expected. I didn't think the pictures I sent you originally would be so accurate.

[ He means the hamster. Or maybe the kitten in the sleeve. He's not really sure which he means right now, actually. ]

[ganymed]

[ ...And here he thought he could get him to sputter or something. It isn't like he aims to joke around too often, it's just. Could he really have passed up the chance?

But now he sees it's rapidly backfiring?! ]

Hey! That's not what you said before!

[ Ganymede pointing an accusing finger at him, even if actually Michel didn't offer much explicit comment on the picture before this statement; he's just flustered himself so something nonsensical came out. He can't believe this is happening to him. It isn't like he's a reincarnation of Hamtaro! ]

Besides, what do you mean by 'so accurate'?!

[userunfriendly]

[ Sorry Ganymede, it's a coin toss every time. And knowing that his target (sometimes) (hopefully) has lower defense than he does puts Michel on the offensive... apparently with some success this time. ]

...Guess.

[ What hint does Ganymede want to infer from that little smile? The more Ganymede flusters, the more Michel can picture him like a kitten, fluffing up in aggression. ]

Did you need to check them for reference? I'll wait.

1/2

[ganymed]

[ HE REFUSES!! Ganymede is not taking this lying down. ]

You...

[ Okay he's got nothing but he starts forward, thinking of grabbing his nose, or something like that. The thing is, it's with a bit too much force, enough to make him get off-balance.

And then... ]

2/2

[ganymed]

...!

[ He goes stumbling, right, and straight into Michel. Potentially falling into him or onto him, or bumping him, who knows. The possibilities are endless.

Point is, how good is Michel's luck today? ]

[userunfriendly]

[ Luckily for Ganymede, you saw that noble 14.

Michel startles, but his arms move on some scrambled reflex to catch Ganymede before he can faceplant. Or worse — land in the water. Although even Michel himself looks surprised to not find himself stumbling overboard as well.

As a result he stands there frozen for a moment, one arm around Ganymede's waist, the other hand holding Ganymede's slender upper arm. He's showing no signs of releasing him yet, or even trying to say something clever, just blinking down at Ganymede from a suddenly very close distance. ]

[ganymed]

[ What a wonderful, beautiful 14. Oh, well. He figured he might be tasting some of that river water right about now.

People back at the theatre would be having a field day to know he stumbled around like that. But smaller boats are a bit more of a precarious situation when one isn't minding their steps. Also, he has definitely ensured that his hands gripped onto the other, fingers somewhere on the front (chest) of the other male to continue holding on.

His stupid mind unhelpfully supplements it's like a ridiculous scene out of a movie. But, you know, the last time he was this close to Michel, the other had leaned over, and ... ]

...You caught me.

[ That was such a stupid and obvious comment. Yet it came out like that anyway. ]

[userunfriendly]

You tripped.

[ Said as though he thinks he needs to provide a justification for why he did that. What should he do now? Ordinarily he could easily make another dismissive joke of it. Open his arms and let Ganymede catch himself, or fall. But... ]

Are you really well enough to be out here?

[ He's not a considerate person, but he's not unaware that Ganymede just got out of the hospital. And after having seen him collapse just a day ago... unthinkingly, Michel tightens his hold a little.

It's strange. It's — not quite comfortable. He's never held anyone like this. He's never felt strong enough to catch anyone before. It isn't real, he knows that; but just for a moment he wonders if this is what he was hoping for when he joined this game. To feel like this kind of person, even just once. ]

[ganymed]

[ Oh, he doesn't know if he is. But, well, he certainly is unwell enough to be held in the other man's arms.

...He kicks his stupid brain before he says something like that outloud.

Ganymede scrunches his nose up. No, he's feeling exactly fine. It's exactly the point as to why he's hanging around here in the first place. And yet, he finds the idea of being held like this not entirely abhorrent. He even is finding that he likes it. His mind is being entirely traitorous right now. ]

I'm fine. My head's clear and all that.

...You know, in retrospect, if I had to be caught by someone, I'd really rather it be someone thoughtful enough to be concerned about me.

[ There. The statement is him being honest, even as the boat's finally making its way to the other side of the river. But he's just going to remain cozy, just like this. In Michel's secure, warm emb—grah. Anyway. ]

Just try not to make any sudden movements, or we'll both be pitched into the river for sure.

[userunfriendly]

[ It's not as though he's never looked at Ganymede before. Him looking at that silly candid picture is precisely the cause of this current contretemps. But he's never looked quite this closely, with the warm Mac Anu light brightening those delicate features and wide blue eyes, the ridiculous expression scrunching the wave markings on Ganymede's face. Irrationally, he finds himself wishing that Ganymede had left his eyes unchanged. They were beautiful as they were.

...Where on earth are his thoughts at? Perhaps he'd been awake more often than he realized, checking the messages compulsively for any response. He's practically sleepwalking still. ]

Who said anything about concern? I just had no intention of joining you in the water.

[ Which explains his transparent worry in no way. Is it excusable to tell himself his thoughts are scrambled by the feeling of Ganymede's lithe waist still held securely by his arm? It's "Winter's" build and not his, but even so... he chose this design thinking only of the possibilities within easy reach. To see if those tiny changes affected in the slightest — anything at all. ]

...How long should I stand here, holding you?

[ He means it to come out with a note of amusement, but something in his own tone brings a hint of heat to his face, and he goes very taut in self-restraint. If he jerks back now because he's embarrassed, it'll be the river for them for sure. ]