( open ) mid-autumn in gisela

[hoasen]

Who: Anyone who wants to celebrate Mid Autumn Festival!
When: Roughly 11th September to 17th September.
Where: Gisela
What: A log for those who wish to use their tickets during Mid Autumn Festival! You can still use this log for visits outside of this week too (as a catch-all) but the script is for the festivities. Basically what you can do is hang out at the Inn, at Gisela, or check out the island's hot springs!
Rating: Probably PG only for if a lantern catches fire or something.


[Welcome to Gisela, the floating sky islands above Gresser! Known for its mystic scenery, hot springs, and the fact that you nearly died the one time you had a dungeon here, Gisela could be considered a popular vacation spot. Or at least it should be, because Vietnam invested good money into this inn.

Inn, you say? Yes, after the defeating the dungeon, Vietnam bought a business here, an inn near the hot springs, Dragon's Flight and Phoenix Dance. A normally quaint inn, it has transformed to offer more festivities. Staff will welcome you with elaborate fruit displays they will put in your room for you to admire (and eat). You may also like to sign up for mooncake making sessions, where you will be able to make mooncakes together with your friends and family! Share a moment with them, and then share the mooncake. Nice.

Lanterns are strung up, leading you out towards the gardens. The inn itself doesn't have a lot of space for A GREAT FESTIVAL, but on certain nights, there will be lion dancing and a few stalls opened up to sell souvenirs, all handcrafted thanks to Vietnam's instruction. Now, lion dancing usually consist of two or more people under a lion costume, however, some generous NPCs have lent them some tame magical lion beasts that look similar to the Asian mythological kind. However, Vietnam and Kija also found a pretty wild one that seems to be stuck eating some lion snacks, because they tried to wrangle it and before they could run, they were forced to commit. Kija named it Jae-ha.

Go further, and it seems like the hot springs that Vietnam has permission to use have also a bit of decoration themselves, with something heat and water proof, that is.

Should you just want to spend your time looking at the moon, darker, quieter areas of the gardens will let you do just that. Sit down and relax, of course.

If you don't really care about any of this at all, perhaps you'd just want to go sightseeing in Gisela!

And basically do whatever you want in this place, really. RELAX, HERO.]

Comments

[babbylon]

[None to fit, and yet...]

How did you lose your eye...?

[There's no insult meant by it. It just kind of falls out of his mouth before he can think to correct himself, and even then he probably wouldn't bother. Gilgamesh acts as he pleases, and whether this offends someone or not doesn't even remotely factor into the equation. He just wants to know, and therefore he must know, and Masamune must tell him.

Though he has gotten it into his mind that it is something of a legend. Such a daunting nickname couldn't have come about as the result of an accident, he feels.]

[wardance]

[ Oh, that.

If Masamune is offended by the topic, he doesn't show it. However, he almost seems to be unwilling to give full details without some effort made on the other's part, for whatever reason. ]

I pulled it out.

[ Is he even telling the truth, on top of making it more than asking a simple question to find out?

Anything's possible, really. ]

[babbylon]

[Trying to bullshit a bullshitter? Not happening. Gilgamesh scoffs; he's certainly willing to put in the extra effort for a better payoff, as it were.]

False. The shock of doing so alone would kill you.

[wardance]

[ Goodness, someone knows such things, does he? Way to ruin it !?

Masamune doesn't seem taken aback, though, his smile is quite catlike in response before he answers once again. ]

Well, if you really want the less cool version...

I was blind in that eye from an illness I almost didn't recover from when I was little. I was told one day that it was a glaring weakness to have that eye and its use was only to be a perfect target for an enemy to strike and take as a trophy.

I refused to be that weak and easy a target. So, I made Kojuro cut it out.

[ It sounds more badass that he did it himself but it doesn't work well when someone wants to throw facts around...!

Masamune smirks, giving a small shrug. ] By the time I ever stepped on the battlefield, I'd learned to do everything without it, including protect my blindside.

[ As for his nickname... Well, that comes from particularly more cruel and distasteful things, although he chose to embrace himself as a dragon long before it was ever conjured up by others. ]

See? Less cool.

[babbylon]

[On the surface, it sure seems that way. No harrowing recollection of battle, no narrow miss of a well-timed arrow not nor an assassin's blade. Not even the thrill of a friendly bar fight gone wrong. But undeniably it's more interesting on the basis of its implications—those being that of a child who must've been unwanted.

In Uruk, children who were afflicted were shunned at best and at worst granted a merciful death. In feudal Japan, he cannot surmise it would be much better. The father, if still present, could only express disappointment at a son who failed to live up to expectations, and the mother...

What mother would love someone so broken? So weak, as he described? Perhaps it was unwise to take action himself, but at the same time Gilgamesh could not rightly blame him.]

So it's like that...

[Gilgamesh gives the matter some thought, offers no clear opinion one way or another. He then leans over and reaches forward, tracing the shape of the eyepatch with the tip of his finger. Delicately, as not to jostle him. Even if the eye itself were gone, it was likely a tender area. Gilgamesh could operate under a small degree of manners, if inclined.]

Unfortunately, you are only half as handsome as you could be.

[The corners of his lips tip into a faint smile; the deformity has, apparently, been forgiven.]

I will excuse it. But do try to be "cooler" in my presence from now on.

[wardance]

[ The question of whether he was better off dying that night than only suffering blindness was often a debate. A debate not by him, but overheard often by the elders. Even upon removing the eye, it did little to improve things. While his father was satisfied, his mother was not to be pacified with her disgust of his deformity, whether the eye was there or not.

His mother was very beautiful and equally vain without including her instability.

He's well reminded of this fact when Gilgamesh comments on his looks being only half what they could be.

It's not wrong-- at least, Masamune thinks so. He's given up longing for his missing eye and the sight that was robbed from it, but he thinks little different.

He tolerates Gilgamesh's touch, but he is wary. The last tyrant that put fingers on his face did it fully armored and with intent to crush their finger into his remaining eye while choking the life out of him. That wasn't as long ago as he would have liked it to have been.

He smiles playfully towards the King of Heroes, regardless of cautions or concerns. ]

Haha! While I absolutely regret not being able to present myself in all my handsome glory potential to you as you only deserve the best... you are gracious and kind for offering such forgiveness. I'll do whatever I can to be considered 'cooler' in your presence.

[ Yes, he's being a little snarky but it's not out of negativity. He leans in to draw his face closer to Gilgamesh's. ]

Thank god this place is full of many lovely people to make up for my situation and treat you right, though. It really makes it easier for me to sleep at night, you know.

[ Maybe if he was trying to be noticed or court the king, the missing physical potential would be taken much more seriously or with concern, even, but Masamune simply finds the "forgiveness" as amusing as the claim.

He leans back to his original position, to create space between their faces once more, looking back up to the moon with renewed interest. ]

You know, it's said a dragon's power resides in their eyes. Without them, they're nothing more than giant beasts. Humans have long hunted in search of dragons to feast on them and gain their powers.

If I lost half my powers, that's really disappointing to think. But, better that than giving even a blind one to my enemy.

[ Although some tales of dragons state such things, he's just putting it all together in a spin that suits his situation. Overall, he takes this entire exhale in stride and without any negativity feelings lingering, if they are even created at all. He's become good at blocking things out that emotionally affect him when speaking their topic to others. ]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh knows humans. He knows their body language, knows their psychology, even better than they know themselves. That's why he knows Masamune bites back discomfort throughout the contact. He makes a quiet note to himself not to try again; Gilgamesh could toy with others if he so chose, but he did not take any pleasure from pointless cruelty. He would leave it alone from now on, assuming Masamune did not affront him.

And from the casual, comfortable way Masmaune speaks, it seemed they were to stay in good graces for some time to come. Masamune relaxes, so he relaxes too. As a being prone to showing affection—at least to those he liked, most never saw such a side from the tyrant—Gilgamesh responds affectionately to proximity. His eyes, always too red, always too scary, are warm upon Masamune when he draws near. Inviting, like candlelight flickering in the cold dark.

He laughs at the mention of lovely people, shrugging in a show of mock modesty... but even that's transparent.]

It is the generosity of a King you should slumber peacefully. Though it is a pity, your bed must be lonely.

[Gilgamesh lets the suggestive comment hang, then turning his attention to the moon as Masamune does.]

Mm... it is also said, in the West, that they are keepers of vast treasure. Fierce and unyielding, terrible foes that haunt the skies and bring ruin to the countryside. But in the East, they are wise and spiritual creatures, who protect nature and the elements. Beautiful, graceful, and beyond renown.

[Gilgamesh gives no indication to which he prefers, and instead asks:]

What kind of dragon do you wish to be, I wonder? You are very young for your species. You have much growing yet to do.

[wardance]

[ Masamune is glad for the response to his words, including the attempt at showing mock modesty that doesn't quite cut it. It seems very fitting a response coming from the other.

The suggestive comment goes right over his head, even with a candle-vigil invitation staring him in the form of Gilgamesh's eyes. That much is clear in the way he responds: AKA very very literally. ]

—No, actually. I am learning to keep it company. It is still a strange way to sleep, I still like futons most, but I'm getting better at it.

[ Aren't you happy he can offer you surprises like these, King of Heroes? One would have a hard time believing he really missed the real nature of such words, but he lets it roll so easily and slides from one subject to the next that it seems it would have to be true. Or excellent acting on Masamune's part to ignore what he doesn't like to publicly respond to.

His one good eye is paled blue in the night rather than the golden-brown it often turns in the midst of violence. It's a very human color—mostly, but perhaps would suit a fairer-haired person like Gilgamesh himself better. It is striking, nevertheless, a clear opposite to the fire that colors the King's own. Giving a small shake of his head, he lets his hair fall back into place, where his long bangs help cover the patch almost entirely. He learned it's a lot more natural looking to people and they concern themselves less when it's his hair hiding the handicap rather than the simply the obvious patch indicating full intention to conceal something. ]

Haa, I wonder if you'll ever find out. [ He speaks playfully, but his choice to stay quiet—in secret or in lacking a proper answer—is clear. He may be more receptive of the older man now than he was their first meeting, but Masamune does not trust easily. He is suspicious, at best, why that information would even be worth telling. Surely, Gilgamesh is only making small talk—he'll forget about what was said before parting ways this evening, anyway.

He can't imagine what actual interest the other would have to keep that information retained. Right now, small-talk gives Gilgamesh attention, and any attention seems to do when it comes to how picky the other is. At least, that's the impression the young warlord gets. ]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh chuckles behind his hand and waves a gentle dismissal.]

Oh, I think I've some inkling of understanding already.

[He'd presumed as much from their meeting on the battlefield, which could've turned nasty—but didn't. Gilgamesh had no apologies to offer for their turbulent introduction, would've delighted in pursuing him in much the same way, but then Masamune had to complicate matters and genuinely flatter him so maybe his fangs aren't quite as sharp anymore. Still present, undoubtedly, yet softer moments like these also had their merits. He could get used to it, in fact already was, thanks to the makeshift family he'd found there. Where Masamune fit into the family remained to be seen, though it was fair to say he'd made a positive impression on the fickle King. Not bad, all things considered.

Gilgamesh lets the matter go, however, and reaches into his pack for something. That something being a tasty mooncake emblazoned with a dragon. It's large enough for the both of them, and from it wafts a pleasant scent of salted pork. Gilgamesh preferred the sugary varieties, but...]

Here. As I recall, you favor savory over sweet, so I hope it is to your liking.

[It looks as though Gilgamesh is offering to share! Maybe it will be a romantic evening after all.]

don't say anything (& if you don't know what I'm referring to just keep it that way...)

[wardance]

[...Oh?

Masamune blinks at the smell and ends up tilting his head at the dragon-shaped design decorating its surface when he catches sight of it. It seems to take Gilgamesh's word for the young warlord to make the connection. His expression shifts, light up with surprise before being replaced, then, fascinated by the idea-- ]

...You made me one that isn't a sweet?

[ Masamune scoots closer, which means well into Gilgamesh's personal space, leaning against him him to get a better look at this item.

...Really??

The young warlord glances between the cake and then at Gilgamesh again.

???? ????

seems fake but ok??? willing to put it to the test. ]

seems fake but ok

[babbylon]

Well, I purchased it from one of the vendors. I am not quite artistic enough to bake a dragon into a cake, yet.

[Though he's getting there, slowly but surely. Gotta honor Adrasteius' legacy.

And with Masamune letting his guard down, Gilgamesh enact proper revenge: he bumps foreheads with him affectionately, as had been done to him on the battlefield, and grins. Tearing off a piece of the cake, he holds it out for Masamune to take. Or chomp, it's close enough to his mouth to snap right up.]

Let's see if I can please the little lord, hm? Go on.

[Gilgamesh appears confident he can win him over with just one bite. But of course, he's always that way over everything.]

[wardance]

[ Masamune is indeed taken off guard by the gesture, dumbfounded but before he can properly decide how he should feel about this, he's being offered the piece of cake. He could question that pleasing intent (surely the gesture is more than enough, regardless of the cake's taste-- besides, it would be a vendor's fault... Right!?) but doesn't. He is not used to anyone initiating affection themselves (that's what it is, right...??) towards him and that grin... well.

Well, he doesn't trust himself not to completely lose face by getting incredibly flustered, and so he does the only thing he can do to hopefully avoid that being a thing. Immediately, he takes the piece offered. Gilgamesh will only get the first word of his last sentence out before the young Date lord shoves the cake into the king's mouth.

Uhm!? ]

I'm more than pleased--!

[ Even though it averts a total vulnerability crisis Masamune still ends up with his cheeks pink in embarrassment from not being prepared.

Unexpected affection at such close ranges... Luckily his deflection isn't one that will likely make Gilgamesh choke from the force of the shove. Besides, feeding other person is considered affectionate by a lot of people, right, so it's not obvious it's a kneejerk reaction, is it.... ]

[babbylon]

[Oh.

This is fine.

He's okay with this.

He's perfectly alright with circumstances as they are unfolding at present.

No problems here.

Smooth sailing.

Wonderful.

Fantastic.

Great.]

Mmmrph.

[He's... not going to spit it out in Masamune's face, though he probably deserves it, though he does chew with a somewhat cross expression. Unlike Masamune, he refuses to show any signs of embarrassment; he just bores holes into him with an intense stare, suggesting that he may or may not be in for a lecture by the time he's through.

For now, he nom nom noms and otherwise remains completely still. This romantic evening may have turned into a battle, judging from the faint spark in his eyes.]

[wardance]

[ Okay, so in response to all that, the most he can offer is a rare sheepish expression because ah, well, that wasn't exactly as planned but at least Gilgamesh is taking it well so far. Saying anything just seems like a bad idea and so the little dragon doesn't actually shove foot in mouth, for once.

. . .

Well, not yet, anyway.

Ah heh.... why's the other gotta look at him like that? It's not like he went and made the King of Heroes take a full pie to the face or anything...!! ]

[babbylon]

[Chew, chew, chew...

He swallows, then speaks:]

Masamune.

[It... it sounds innocuous, it can't be that bad, right?]

[wardance]

[ Are you kidding? Kojuro is his retainer, this indicates nothing...!!! In fact, Masamune is actually even a little more concerned it might be pretty much the opposite from that. ]

Yes?

[babbylon]

[He doesn't even make it half a syllable in before Gilgamesh shoves cake straight in his mouth.]

[wardance]

[ —Well, it could be worse, he guesses and can't say he doesn't deserve it. Which is why the samurai takes the food with grace (as much as he can, anyway)—Gilgamesh best watch his fingers, though, as Masamune warns him with the usage of his tongue to pull whatever the other is still touching out of his fingers. Getting fingers licked better be enough should he need to move them still to avoid getting them chomped on.


Masamune will consider himself let off easy, chew it and swallow it. ]

Pretty good, yeah?

[ NBD... Complete Moe exposure breakdown totally averted. ]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh still doesn't say anything, his features schooled strictly neutral. Unreadable, unknowable.

After a moment or so more of staring him down, he holds out the cake again. This time, he seems a little more expectant. At first, he doesn't shy from Masamune's gaze, before those same eyes trail slowly away, off to the side... and then his mouth opens, a bit wider than it would solely for speech.

There's a couple of ways to read this, but all sign points to Gilgamesh accepting—and asking—that he be fed.]

[wardance]

[ Like Masamune feels a need to really think about the meaning here, even if he is feeling a need to be wary. There's better ways to handle this sort of stuff than think. Just try, right?

He reaches to take the cake from the other in order to tear a small piece off so that he can this time offer to feed it to him. ]

[babbylon]

[And after a dramatic pause of consideration...

Gilgamesh gobbles it up eagerly! Any lingering resentment of reluctance disappears on his face, replaced by pleasant docility. He eats his share of the cake, then tears off more for Masamune, extending it in exactly the same way. His smile looks a little mischievous, but if Masamune doesn't pull another trick on him, he's probably safe from any further indignities.

For now, anyway. Gilgamesh was always up to something even if he didn't immediately show it.]

[wardance]

[ He won't do anything, either... If only because he didn't mean to do anything prematurely to begin with. Shoving food down people's throats was usually a detour for unwanted affections.

It seems like even if he does need a stunt to get out of something, that one is now useless.

Damn it. (At least Gilgamesh is being fine mostly... a little unexpectedly considerate and remembering details but nevertheless—). The only thing he does do is once the cake is gone he reaches into the sleeves of his kimono before pulling out a small box as well as a clear wrapped set of three variant-colored moon cakes tied closed with an elegant gold ribbon. There aren't any carvings but the tops are very smooth and presented extremely well in their simplicity (and the colors help, too).

He first holds out the three moon cakes: ]

You like the sweet ones best, right?

[ Masamune looks away from Gilgamesh to the box itself before he finally also offers it to the other. ]

I wasn't quite sure how to thank you properly for last time, so... Crystals and stones help with mana and spells, right? [ there was some long detailed version the shop keeper gave to him but he dozed off after a minute and a half. He got basic meanings and something about them being beneficial for magic. ]. Since you are a treasure collector, maybe you know all there is to know about the crystals and their meanings?

[ opening the box reveals a pair of earrings. ]

I figured worst case you could sell them or give as a gift to another. [ so that probably means his feelings won't be hurt if he never sees you with them. It's the gesture that counts and he's not worried about it past that.

Really. What do you get a king that probably has everything in his treasure collection anyway?

{ gemstone info, the additional detail option, and this one. Gems: moonstone, diamonds, ruby. } ]

[babbylon]

[It is all very peaceful. Surprisingly so, considering how they got along at first, but now...

When Masamune pulls out the sweeter cakes, Gilgamesh doesn't think twice. Driven by instinct, he tears into the wrapping and devours them within a few bites, a fair bit faster than any human being should be capable of. Somehow, he also manages to look utterly composed while doing so. There's not a crumb out of place and the only real sign he's eaten anything is the subtle lick of his lips that follows. In reality, he could easily inhale twenty more and still hunger.

That alone would be enough to make this a more than hospitable evening. But then Masamune reveals something special: a gift of gems and of jewelry. It takes him aback a little—Masamune had no obligation to give him anything, at least not of this magnitude. At first, he is uncertain of how to react; pride and ego dictate he accept it all with a grin, but perhaps Masamune has managed the impossible and humbled Gilgamesh, if only slightly, as he pauses a moment to process the present.

Rather than thank him, Gilgamesh removes the studs in his ears and instructs Masamune:]

Put them in.

[This... this was intimate. Even more than sharing food had been.]

[wardance]

[ Masamune feels he does owe him such a thing, however. Maybe more. He is of course used to being told to take care and others recklessly going out of their way to protect him but they are his soldiers and the army will always value their commanding officer.

But, he is no such thing to Gilgamesh. Between this man and the dragon that both went out of their way to save him... he owes them more than a mere gift like this. He is not pretending to tolerate or like Gilgamesh's company or their interactions, but someone giving a shit whether he lives or dies enough to drag him out of it is someone that should be paid proper for their efforts.

The instructions are a little surprising, admittedly (he's not exactly familiar with dressing or accessorizing others), but he doesn't object and proceeds to do so. He's careful and a little slower than necessary, but he really would rather that than accidentally hurt the other, somehow. Gifts being given in appreciation moments are not the time to be injuring the other party.

...That's what every other moment is for. ]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh sits still throughout. He says nothing, he does nothing, other than to rest his head on Masamune's shoulder comfortably once he's through. He is not smiling, not even all that affectionate in truth, but perhaps that silence speaks volumes: he is quiet, comfortable, and happy with the tribute he's been given.

After a minute or so, his fingers may sneak to curl around Masamune's wrist. Not quite holding hands, but it seems he doesn't have to to get his message across.]