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Entry tags:
[open] jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock.
Who: Gilgamesh and everyone! A group holiday party for the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" job.
When: Forward dated to December 7th or so.
Where: Heaven's Feel, Caissa
What: Gilgamesh and friends are getting into the holiday spirit, and you're invited! Join for gifts, grog, mistletoe and more.
Rating: There will probably be drunken shenanigans going on, thus PG-13 to be safe.
Happy Holidays!
[The holidays are in full swing at Heaven's Feel! Brightly lit trees and ornaments litter the store, with warm fires blazing, gentle music playing and mistletoe strung from every available spot on the ceiling. The ostentatious host stands at the ready to attend every need and ensure everyone has a match of their very own this holiday season—including you!
Generous portions of hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies, and wine are being offered free of charge to all guests. These delights are enchanted to fill you with an extra dose of courage, so be bold! Go after your crush, engage a complete stranger, or just do something really crazy to celebrate the joyous occasion. 'tis the season to be jolly, after all.
The sprigs of mistletoe have been charmed by Gilgamesh to encourage smooching. The urge to pucker up beneath them will be strong, so watch where you stand! If you look beneath the big tree in the center of the store, you'll find a gift addressed to you. It could be an article of clothing, a ticket for free services, or even something more personal!
Naturally, Heaven's Feel matchmaking services are always available, so feel free to fill out a card while you're here or just get cozy by the fireplace. Merry Cherima, everyone!]
When: Forward dated to December 7th or so.
Where: Heaven's Feel, Caissa
What: Gilgamesh and friends are getting into the holiday spirit, and you're invited! Join for gifts, grog, mistletoe and more.
Rating: There will probably be drunken shenanigans going on, thus PG-13 to be safe.
[The holidays are in full swing at Heaven's Feel! Brightly lit trees and ornaments litter the store, with warm fires blazing, gentle music playing and mistletoe strung from every available spot on the ceiling. The ostentatious host stands at the ready to attend every need and ensure everyone has a match of their very own this holiday season—including you!
Generous portions of hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies, and wine are being offered free of charge to all guests. These delights are enchanted to fill you with an extra dose of courage, so be bold! Go after your crush, engage a complete stranger, or just do something really crazy to celebrate the joyous occasion. 'tis the season to be jolly, after all.
The sprigs of mistletoe have been charmed by Gilgamesh to encourage smooching. The urge to pucker up beneath them will be strong, so watch where you stand! If you look beneath the big tree in the center of the store, you'll find a gift addressed to you. It could be an article of clothing, a ticket for free services, or even something more personal!
Naturally, Heaven's Feel matchmaking services are always available, so feel free to fill out a card while you're here or just get cozy by the fireplace. Merry Cherima, everyone!]
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As reticent and withdrawn as Archer has been, most of his behavior has been due to events that happened here and, of course, his own various and sundry issues. He doesn't trust easily, and even though he doesn't actually consider Gilgamesh an enemy here, he is reluctant to share anything of himself with anyone.
Archer is, of course, savvy enough to recognize that he's being offered a sort of grace here, but he doesn't really know how to accept it. Or even if he should.
Still and quiet, Archer's expression sobers, and he wrestles silently with how to answer. ]
...honor is something I do not have.
[ Again, the poor self-esteem shows itself. Still- ]
I do not consider you my enemy here.
[ And he hasn't for a while. ]
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Then sit. Warm yourself by the fire and be at ease; tonight is an eve for celebrating.
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Logically, he knows the answer ("tis the season", after all), but Archer doesn't particularly favor these sorts of parties or even know how to behave in them. Gilgamesh didn't really twist his arm, but he felt obligated to come and, if nothing else, keep his promise. He's done his best to push the curse he experienced aside, and while he is better, some hurts can only ever fade with time.
Of course, a man who wants for nothing and rarely ever feels anything like joy or happiness is an awkward sort of person to invite to a party.
Regardless, Archer does sit as he's bid and neatly packs the coat back into its box. He seems pensive, withdrawn, and...maybe even a little bit unhappy. He's been invited to a party, given a gift, and still, he doesn't know how to properly enjoy it. There's always been something wrong with him, he's know that for a long time, but it's never discouraged him quite as much as it does in this moment. Efforts are being made to reach out to him, and he doesn't have the slightest clue how to answer them. ]
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[Gilgamesh for the save. Or no, wait, the embarrassingly unnecessary acknowledgment of the elephant in the room. He laughs a little though it's good-natured rather than ringing of its usual condescension; without being invited, because Gilgamesh never needs an invitation for anything, he scoots closer to his companion and sets a hand on his knee.]
I entertained such company once—a bland, humorless man who was the very definition of a bore. However, you are not quite that forgone, so rejoice.
[He'll just conveniently forget to mention the man was also his Master... anyway, he gives Archer an encouraging pat.]
And your presence is not undesired, or else I would not have bothered gracing you with my invitation. Take heart in yourself before you depress even me.
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Archer doesn't bristle when the man scoots closer and lays a hand on his knee, though he certainly would have not so long ago. It's an invasion of his space, but at the moment, he's distracted enough by his own morose thoughts that it doesn't even seem to register.
The rest of it does, though, and he lets out a soft huff despite himself. "Rejoice", indeed. ]
I'm not, am I?
[ He isn't quite like Kirei, but...certain parallels come to mind, as vile as the comparison might be. ]
I'm uncertain why you bother.
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[And while it may not be as easy without his usual powers, it could be done. Queens were slouches on the physical end, but when it came to magic, he could destroy Archer's conscious mind in a matter of seconds. In fact, he'd already practiced with this before. The man simply did not possess the defenses to prevent Gilgamesh from killing him if he so chose.
There is no logical reason to show Archer such favor, but maybe it was simply a matter of logic never entering the equation at all.]
Still, I cannot shake that dream of mine, of the man in red who defended me on the cliffs. You might say I've become invested in his survival.
[Gilgamesh grins, slyly.]
You might say I've become interested in him, so much so that in this present time I have no choice but to chart his progress for as long as it lasts.
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The rest of it isn't so bad, but again- the shitty self-esteem factor is difficult to break through. ]
You sound like someone else I know.
[ Caren has also expressed interest in his "development" such as it is, but he isn't really sure what either of them are looking for. Of course, he doesn't really know what he's looking for here, either. He eats, he sleeps, he takes care of business such as it is in this world. He experiments and tries to learn new things. He has no ultimate goal for his life here, however, and that is problematic for someone who's operated with a specific purpose for hundreds of years.
He suppresses a sigh. ]
A dream is all that vision is.
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[Gilgamesh points directly up.]
Look.
[And there, right above his head—all this time, in fact—hangs a single sprig of mistletoe. For a man on avoiding it, it only could've been missed for one feasible reason: his guard was let down sufficiently that it may as well have been invisible to his senses. Awkward, out of place, and even a bit unhappy, the defenses of the indomitable Archer nonetheless eased in the presence of this man he declared no longer an enemy. The appropriate word here may be comfortable, even with all those spines.
Really, Gilgamesh could consider it a victory for himself, too, but he'll let Archer have the credit this time.]
Am I still dreaming? Or perhaps, are you...?
[There is no coercion laced into this sprig... but tradition is tradition, and Gilgamesh looks expectant.]
no subject
His mouth drawing into a thin line, Archer releases a disgruntled huff. ]
Dreams are supposed to be pleasant, aren't they?
[ Aside from the fact that the only dreams he usually has are nightmares, there's a strong note of skepticism if not a little suspicion in his tone.
His association with this sort of thing isn't exactly positive, at the moment. ]
no subject
He's long since learned that a night with him will have to be earned the hard way. So be it.]
Do you find me unpleasant, Archer?
[Gilgamesh sips at his wine with unaccusing eyes. He's neither teasing nor being altogether too serious; just testing him a little, as is customary.]
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A kiss is a small, harmless thing, but Gilgamesh will want more, if not now, than later.
Declining the offer of wine, Archer takes hot chocolate instead. ]
I don't find the idea of sharing this "tradition" with you pleasant.
[ A tight-lipped answer, which is actually better than his reaction might have been even a few weeks ago. Things between them have largely settled, but one point is still rather sore.
Intimacy of any kind is something he avoids like the plague. ]
no subject
[They would've hand to confront this issue again eventually. If not now, then later.]
You believe I would take, rather than ask...?
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I don't know.
[ The lack of trust and not knowing, of course, is only part of what bothers him. ]
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[Given his past record, his history, and his very own claims to doing whatever he pleased, however he pleased, with whomever he pleased... however, it seems Gilgamesh anticipated this sort of response, as he just laughs quietly under his breath.]
But for you, I am making an exception. Therefore, if your question is "would you ask", then I offer you the rare answer of "indeed I would".
[Because ultimately, he recognizes, a little bit of patience as opposed to a lot of pressure will get him what he wants.]
no subject
On the other hand, Gilgamesh is still Gilgamesh, by his own admission. And Archer still eschews the very notion of intimacy - not because he's a blushing virgin but rather because he isn't.
Sex is personal. Sex is a form of intimacy. Intimacy leads to heightened emotions and other things he simply doesn't want to deal with.
In that respect, his reticence isn't simply about Gilgamesh. It's that he rejects the idea of sharing that sort of closeness altogether.
And yet...it is just a kiss.
Archer doesn't say anything for a long moment. Then, finally- ]
You want it that much?
[ It's not a 'yes', but it isn't a 'no', either. ]
YES OR NO WHICH IS IT MAN
[Because really, what sort of answer did Archer even expect?]
:V
The comment isn't necessarily surprising, but it has him making a face, regardless. ]
Then there's no reason to bore you with something common, is there?
[ ...that sounds a little bit more like a 'no'. ]
no subject
By now you've been elevated slightly above the status of common rabble. Which I would've presumed to be obvious, but...
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Archer huffs quietly and sips on his cocoa. ]
I'm honored, I'm sure.
[ The sarcasm runs deep in this one...
And yet- ]
I reserve the right to punish you if I dislike it.
[ You get one chance, Gilgamesh. Just one. ]
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[Because punishment takes on a very, very different connotation for this man. Regardless, Gilgamesh concedes with a shrug.]
But if you insist. I would be the last to ruin such a warm-hearted holiday for you.
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[ The connotations they attach to "punishment" are clearly quite different.
Again, he takes a sip of his hot chocolate. ]
If you want to try, you might as well get on with it.
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[That's putting it lightly. Still, his expression turns to one that's slightly... abashed? No, that can't be right. Maybe silly's a better word for it. At the very least, he's encouraging Archer to lighten up rather than see it as something so regrettable, something he must suffer through instead of enjoy.
That and it's kind of hard to attach any ulterior motives to this when he's in that stupid Santa suit.]
Secondly, relax. I would not want to upset her, either, behaving so untoward in a public space. Surely I've curried a small amount of favor yet.
no subject
Not all of us were hedonists in life.
[ Just sayin'.
He drains the rest of his cocoa and sets it aside. ]
If you hadn't curried any, we wouldn't be discussing this.
no subject
[That striking lack of hedonism or that everlasting sass, he does not specify.
But Gilgamesh opts for the straightforward approach, now, and makes no further parade of it. Emptying his own glass, he uses Archer's knee as leverage and leans forward and up—in doing so, he catches the man's lips and kisses him. It is neither particularly chaste, as Gilgamesh could never truly be, nor inappropriately lewd, as he's well-aware of what Archer really meant by "punishment". It simply is, an expression of affectionate pleasure from one person to another. Nothing more, nothing less.
Of course, kissing Gilgamesh is rather like taming a resting bull. Even if he seems docile at first, that is bound to change.]
no subject
Stiffening slightly when Gilgamesh leans over, Archer doesn't fuss or try to push the other man away. He did agree to indulge in this particular tradition (with a stubborn caveat) so it's a little late for over-reactions. It's just a kiss, and it'll be over before he knows it.
Warm lips press against his, and while part of him does shy away from it instinctively, Archer holds himself steady and...accepts it. He doesn't take it like a stoic man who wants nothing more than to get away from this situation (which he does), but rather, he does give Gilgamesh the chance, at least, to please him.
He expects a more forceful, domineering gesture, but there's warmth to it that engages rather than threatens. That coaxes rather than demands.
A light flush tinges his cheeks, and Archer returns the kiss tentatively - politely. He doesn't give a thought to taking things any further than this. ]
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