PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

[ricksybusiness]

INTRODUCTION. It's difficult to tell time without the presence of a sun or moon. There are no stars. The world is in constant blackness, the heavens barely visible from below and the only light artificial. It's been like this for months. Suddenly, those who expressed interest in observing the sun (or lack thereof) will all at once receive a text message on their ALASTAIR jewellery from 82736775: Get your shit and go look at the sky. Now's the time. If you need me, I'm around. It's time to get to work. OBSERVATION. Find the highest point you can and point the telescopes at the sky. Should be easy, right? Be mindful that there are still guards patrolling the city, looking for escaped prisoners, and some citizens would be very happy to tip them off to your presence. There are still animals in the forests to contend with, and there are still nosey citizens who may ask you too many questions. There are also your fellow ALASTAIR agents, who may not be very willing to share the spot they already staked out before you just showed up. People and animals aren't all you need to look out for, either. Seven hours after the observation starts, there is a lightning storm. It lasts for 30 minutes, bolts of electricity arcing across the sky. It might be a good idea to scurry down someplace lower when this happens -- you know what they say about lightning and height. 82736775 doesn't contact anyone after the initial text, so observers are free to give up whenever they decide they've been sitting out in the freezing dark for long enough. [ note: even if you didn't sign up, feel free to tag in! your character won't have a telescope but that doesn't mean they can't mingle. ]

[ previously: ic info | ooc info ]
[ direct questions here! ]

Comments

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh misinterprets the gesture, holding that hand to his cheek and leaning into her touch. At once he becomes docile and quiet; almost like considerate if not for the ignorance that got them this far in the first place. He presumes the blush to be one of pleasure and so continues to push his luck, undeterred.]

Then come to mine.

[Like this, he's handsome, and gentle, full of poise and grace. Hardly a man who forced himself upon others or demanded the unthinkable. He peers at her expectantly, as if hoping for something. Wanting to hear one answer in particular he'd been angling for all along.

For all that he'd deceived her, he was honest in at least one regard: the affection shown her was very real, indeed, if twisted by his own nature.]

Unless you've suddenly found yourself otherwise engaged...?

[beyourrock]

[If it were possible, steam would be escaping from her scarf by now. Her eyes meet his contrasting ones. Pale blue meeting deep blood red ones. How he held her hand like that. His eyes soft, causing her chest to flutter. Her breath is caught in her throat, not that she needs air to breathe anyways, but. None the less, Pearl is taken aback by the simple gesture. But it said a lot none the less.

Her eyes search his face, brows knitting in conflict yet again. He could get like this a lot. But he's known for being crafty. He had been before. Gilgamesh had a lot to make up for. Her fingers twitch against his temple, unsure of what to do with themselves in their new position.

She opens her mouth to speak but she bites the inside of her cheek in uncertainty. Pearl pulls her hand back, shaking her head.]

I can't. [She tries to offer him an apologetic smile.]

You have a lot to prove to me, Gilgamesh. These dances, these outings of affection... [The Gem glances down at her feet.]

While they are endearing, I just can't. Not after all we've been through. [And then her gaze narrows in realization, a frown pulling at her lips...]

And what you've been up to as of late. Especially during the holiday festivities.

[babbylon]

...?

[Gilgamesh looks confused. Realization that would dawn for most never comes for him; he just stands there, a bit put out, uncertain as to why she's bringing the matter up. A lot to prove? But he had nothing to prove. His mind struggles to twist around the logic but can't quite make the connection, other than that he's being refused. That much Gilgamesh can understand. That much he knows from experience.

And then she mentions what he's been up to and it slams into him all at once.]

Rin Tohsaka.

[Gilgamesh glances away. A fist forms at his side. Briefly, he sees red. And Pearl will know it, too, will feel it over the bond: he's quietly furious.]

She spoke to you once more. And that Servant of hers...

[Undoubtedly he'd been making the rounds by her order. No wonder it got around to her. There's simply no other way.]

Is that it, then? You took her word over mine? Without even bothering to clarify the truth?

[beyourrock]

[Pearl pulls from his hold and jabs a finger in his chest. She sees that flash of red, but she's not going to shy away from it. Not at all. Rin was obviously bothered by it. And Archer did come by to spar with Pearl. She was surprised he didn't take action against her.]

I know how forward you can get with people! Like you did with Kida when you two first met!

[She pulls her hand away and stares up at him, arms crossed over her chest as she raises her eyebrows high on her forehead.]

I'm not looking to start any conflicts here, Gilgamesh. And have yet to tell your side of the story.

[Pearl squares her shoulders.]

I'm willing to listen your side of the story.

[babbylon]

She disrespected me as her father did before her. I've no apologies to make to some bratty child who's incapable of holding her tongue in the presence of her batters and I will not offer explanations for every instance I draw breath, as it seems you would have me do.

[Gilgamesh isn't hurt so much as seriously offended. He's nearly bristling and now seems more than a bit paranoid, glancing over his shoulder and spreading his prana to verify he's not being listened in on here, as well. It brings a terrifying sort of light to eyes, that of a hunter, or of one who finds himself hunted.]

There is no continuing on like this. You jeopardize your own safety by continuing to communicate with those who would treat us as enemies.

[And he does realize he won't get through to her absent extremes, so he tells her, point blank:]

Archer would slit your throat given the opportunity; the girl would not shed a tear. You make misstep after misstep, Pearl, and it brings me shame.

[beyourrock]

[...it brings me shame.

It strikes something within the Gem. Flashes back to homeworld. Superior Gems looking down upon her with great distaste for not acting accordingly. Pearl lowers her gaze, her hands hanging limply at her sides. He had a point. What was the point in interacting with this Master and her Servant? She was being put to risk, by her own doing.

She lifts her branded gloved hand to her chest.]

B-But I can hold my own! I can defend myself, Gilgamesh! I've been around for nearly 6,000 years! I'm not going to let someone strike me down so easily! [While she tries to plead her case, the edge of her voice shakes with hesitation, his last comment having done its damage to her self confidence.

And just when she thought things were going alright too.]

[babbylon]

Together.

[Gilgamesh lets that word sink in for several moments, strong, critical, and sharp. Her ego may be hurt; her confidence may be shaken. So be it. She needs to hear this. This is a discussion they could no longer avoid. This is trap he refuses to fall into again and again.]

So defined by the contract, we act in tandem. United. Hiding these things from each other, concealing important information—it certainly makes us a pair. A pair of rats scurrying about blindly in the dark with vultures above us trying to pick at our bones.

[Gilgamesh shakes his head, allows himself to look withered. Worn about the edges. And this truly was tiring him out, faster than he ever would've anticipated.]

Strength has little to do with it. Servants do not obey the rules of decorum, Pearl. He will hunt you to get to me. You understand, don't you?

[But Gilgamesh was beginning to suspect she didn't. Not until just now.]

[beyourrock]

[She hunches her shoulders, almost flinching at his emphasizing. She brings her hands up to rub at her arms, head drooping as if she were a child being scolded. Like she had been told before, maybe she wasn't cut out for this. Being a Master to the King of Heroes. Then again, maybe she was going about this all wrong. Which was probably why she was being frowned upon by her own Servant.

She nods meekly, the weight of the situation settling in between her heavy shoulders. She speaks, barely above a whisper.]

Yes. I understand. I'm...

[...sorry. She bites her tongue. That was the last thing Gilgamesh would want to hear.]

I'll keep my distance from them.

[babbylon]

[And for the first time since arriving in this world, for the first time in years, Gilgamesh feels lonely. Faraway from the one person he was so certain he could trust, in a sea of enemies that now surrounded him—but maybe extending that trust had been where he'd gone wrong to begin with.

It would take only a few seconds to divest her of the Seals. He considers it. If it was such a mistake, then maybe...]

I can see that I have displeased you as well. I regret it.

[...maybe he can admit fault this time. Maybe it was for the best.]

I will return to my quarters, and so remain until you have cause to summon me. On my account... there will be no further trouble.

[He sounds utterly extinguished. In that much, there is earnestness.]

[beyourrock]

[No. No they couldn't part like this. Last time they parted ways, her heart felt warm, at peace. Now? Cold and brittle. This was her own fault. To see him so forlorn made her chest tighten in regret.

She shakes her head and steps forward, grabbing the lower part of his sleeve. Tightly, but doesn't tug on it. Not wanting to force anything. Pearl knows he could easily break away if need be but. The Gemouldn't part ways on a note like this. They had promised to be better to one another. To be a better Servant and Master. It was a team effort. They couldn't work like they were right now. This Gilgamesh here wasn't the same one the others knew. They weren't the same person, right? He wasn't planning to destroy humanity here.

Her grip loosens. Eyes glistening, staring down at her branded hand. Angry at herself.

What could she possibly say after all that?]

[babbylon]

[There's no need for her to say anything at all. Gilgamesh heeds her and smiles despite himself. He holds tight to her hand and brightens, reflects peace in his thoughts even if they are troubled and torn, because ultimately...]

I do not love you any less than before.

[...it hadn't been a lie after all. There is no farce in this; the affection for his little knight-in-training had always been genuine.]

[beyourrock]

[Tension leaves her shoulders, and entire body goes limp. All that built up anxiety, gone in an instant at the feel of their bond. His grip on her hand. His words. Her fingers thread with his. Her gaze can't meet his though. Not after seeing that exhausted expression on his face. On the verge of disappointment, even. After what she had done...

She sniffles. Letting out a weak chuckle.]

Some Master I am, huh?

[babbylon]

A sharper one than I could ever ask for, yes.

[Which is as close as he'll come to admitting he himself was at fault. If he hadn't been posturing around Rin, if he hadn't harassed Saber, if he hadn't pushed Archer, if he hadn't done so many things... but it was in his nature to be wild, to do as he pleased with little regard for everyone else. It was a lesson she would've had to learn sometime, same as the lesson instilled within the Gate. To command such power came with a serious price.

She commanded madness itself, and that was not an easy feat to manage for anyone, no matter how adept.

Gilgamesh leans forward and sneaks a kiss to her gem, quick and companionable.]

Rest without worry for now. I will consider alternative strategies. I will...

[It's not a mistake. It's not.]

...not allow this to happen again. You have my word.

[beyourrock]

[She blinks away the tears which sting the corners of her eyes. Her gem is warm to the touch, especially when Gilgamesh places a small kiss against it. She smiles, weak but considerably warmer.

But at his gesture, she returns one of her own. She lifts his hand up to herself, placing a small kiss against the back of it. Just as quick as his own to her gem. Eyes meet his yet again, a warm affectionate blue hue settling itself on her cheeks.]

And I will do better to communicate to you more often. It's not fair to you to be kept in the dark.

[babbylon]

[He wants to believe in it. In her kiss. In her faith. In her, in all that she is, all that she will ever be to him. But there's no erasing that earlier sting and it takes significant willpower not to ask do you even mean it this time? Then again, perhaps the same could be said for him. Perhaps he should've expected this ever since he showed the truth behind his own existence. Such was the path of the lonely king of all kings.

One Master drove him to ruin. Another would've tried. This he does not tell her as he himself cannot find the right words to speak of it.

Gilgamesh looks ready to say something else, but hesitates. He gives her hand one last squeeze then retreats to spirit form, sailing off into the darkness. True to his word, he will not be heard from by anyone for several days, sequestered in his melancholy—or something like it, that even the great Gilgamesh might suffer from.]