throwmoreswords: (to see what it's done)
gilgamesh ([personal profile] throwmoreswords) wrote in [community profile] kaisou2025-01-21 09:16 am

[treasure 8] it's black and white, this message is for you

WHO: Gilgamesh, Sampo Koski, and you
WHERE: Gemini
WHEN: endish of January
WHAT: in which Gilgamesh is only so good at waiting before his temper snaps and a few executive decisions need to be made. Payments arranged. Favors compensated. Please help.
WARNINGS: n/a

one. voice; un: AUO - to whom it may concern (and it should concern you)

in which a king needs to buy stuff like rocks and labor
[ Gil's tone is... strange. neither of his usual emotions--bored or smug--seem to be present in the tension that he speaks with, and he's trying to sound... neutral. overwhelmingly so. he is pulling a facade of calm into his voice that feels like it doesn't quite fit right. ]

I am quite tired of waiting for the pieces of a puzzle to fall into place, and so, I will see them seized for myself.

I need material ore. Whether it's tin, copper, gold, silver, tungsten, platinum, cobalt, or diamond itself--or some unknown to me magical panacea rock that exists only in an anomalous riftgate, I am in the market to purchase ore or information regarding ore.

If you know a deposit that can be pulled up, or have the means to put together a mining expedition if only you had the currency, I am paying for your services. If you need someone to keep beasts at bay while you collect the ore, I am available for the work, or I will fund your hirelings. Hook or crook, I simply need a stockpile of materials and I need it a month ago.

My. [ and that neutral, authoritative tone falters here; he takes in a breath, digs his teeth into his tongue and steadies himself again, though there's a noticeable shift and an unease in his attempt to sound like the boss of you. ] My partner has a crystal growing in his skin and the symptoms are getting worse. It glows constantly and he's lost the ability to differentiate temperature. He has a forgemaster on retainer, but they need materials to find one that can contain whatever the hell it is-- [ oops, that's an emotion, can't have those.

swallow it down. go back to neutral, even though it's cracked and his temper is beginning to show through. he's shifted to a sort of... resolved, unflinchingly firm calm. ]
I will not lose him a second time. I don't care what it costs. I don't care if you think to bleed me dry. I'm available at the Auguries of Innocence during the day, and if I'm not there in the evenings, the Vogue.

[ a long pause. another slow breath. ]

I do not know what I will do if he's taken from me again. Therefore, I will not entertain the possibility. You may respond to this solicitation, or to me directly.

[ that's not a threat.

that's a promise.

a King does not break his promises.

and then, soft and so very, very tired. ]


... please.


two. action - with lightning in my heels and my heart on fire

cash for gold. or silver. or titanium. or rainbow magic rock.

[ and as he promised, if you have stuff to sell, Gilgamesh is outside of his teapot and ready to pull out his fancy golden wallet. he's given to the masculine urge to perch on the roof, standing on the Auguries bundled up in many, many layers of expensive winterwear because he was still born in a dry, desert climate, and this sucks, but he needs fresh air and to not be near people unless they're doing his bidding.

if you'd prefer a Vogue introduction, there's a certain particularly gothic corner of the party palace that he's sitting adjacently to, nursing a glass of wine and trying not to look like he wants to explode. the look on his face is dire--anger, concern, constipation. he's bottling things and it's fine; one day, like all proud rich and powerful men, he'll do enough cocaine about it that he'll probably explode and die. ]




three. closed to Sampo and close CR - and oh, I am so tired

when i'm alone, i fall apart

[ and when he's not brooding and hovering over his phone, waiting for someone to come through with something, Gil is doing a surprisingly good job at avoiding the people who might be coming to see him just for him. he's running on a few anxious months of watching things get worse while Sampo laughs that it'll be all right, just let ol' Bladie work and then here it is.

not all right.

Sampo's skin freezing cold to the touch because he stood in an icy, unheated shower for thirty minutes, unaware that he'd forgotten to put the heat on. he's angry, he's tired, he's scared and he's digging his teeth into his lip until he tastes blood as he runs through a hundred different contingency plans and keeps coming back around to what happens if the worst happens.

the King may have fallen apart in his grief for Enkidu

but Gilgamesh has mourned Samuel Kouvac once before, so all he has left is to get angry about it and that... feels like it won't end well for anyone.

so he does his level best to avoid the people who know him best. including Sampo. especially Sampo. ]


anyprice: (pic#17649598)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-01-24 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
Knowing you, you could source anything that I asked for. [ gil was a man who truly could move heaven and earth if it pleased him, honestly. But Sampo had never cared for the heavens or earth to be moved. He liked it comfortable, where it was, and... he's still getting used to the fact that he doesn't have to do everything alone, now.

he likes to chase his frivolities because he needs to. he needs to chase entertainment, for the god that laughs behind his eyelids. and it's difficult to explain that. now's not the time--not when the god is deadly silent. ]


Ah, that's why my phone's been going wild. I'm sure they were--haha--delighted to hear about the fact that I didn't ask them right away, huh. [ he really thought that he could find something. it's not like he wasn't looking himself; and noctis had brought him a few things. nothing that'd worked yet, but...

he flexes his fingers when gil finally touches him. and he could feel the pressure of the other holding him. the skin on skin sensation was still there--but it wasn't as sensitive as it used to be.

he presses a little closer, as if to steal more of gil's heat--but the truth was, he couldn't tell. he couldn't tell how warm gil's hands were, or how chilly he still was, despite the fact that he'd spent a half hour curled up in a blanket pile in an attempt to soothe the chill. ]


Should I go back to bed? [ he asks--because he has to ask--gil's holding him so tightly, that a small tug to try to free himself got absolutely nowhere. ] I could uh. Heat up a hot water bottle, or maybe doordash a heating pad... [ he lifts his head to gaze at gil a little. ]
anyprice: (pic#17649533)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-01-24 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
I'm--well. I'm not okay, that much is pret-ty apparent, but. I don't feel sick or anything, just. Can't feel temperature or pain! It's.
I'm going to--

[ the words 'be okay, probably' due to POKEgo probably being on board to save one of its members are the words he WANTS to speak, but. he's getting hefted in the next moment and he has to close his mouth to stop himself from biting his tongue on the way up. Wwwagh, huh!? what's-- ]

G, gil!? [ he lets out a startled, jumpy noise as he's potato'd over gil's shoulder, and he moves his hands to try to hold on, even if he logically knows there's no need. ]

What're you--where're we goin'?? I know you're still mad, but-!
anyprice: (pic#17649534)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-01-24 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
Don't throw me out?
anyprice: (pic#17649547)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-01-24 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
I've been thinking of other things! You know. Like. Finding something that can work as this 'inhibitor ore' Zelly talked about, but...

[ he's in his cozy PJs, the fuzzy ones with the pink and navy blue tiger stripes on them. they're hideous and perfect, and he'd rather not get them soaking wet.

he seems a little less panicked when he realises that they're not going outside to the ponds, but rather to the bathroom. the truth of what's happening slowly starts to click into place, and he kicks off the pair of snowy-looking slippers he'd been wearing, a hand moving to unbutton his shirt, quickly.

He does indeed side-eye the door gil had KICKED IN, noting that he'd taken it slightly off its hinges, some of the screws having come loose in the needless violence done to the thing... ]


You broke the door. [ he points out a little dumbly as he drops the shirt to the floor first--that bright blue crystal settled between the bones of his clavicle, like a necklace with no string.

He's starting to get an idea of what gil's planning to do. welp. ]
anyprice: (pic#17649469)

1/3

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-01-25 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
You could have just--!

[ opened it with a hand, you had an extra one, potato-sacking Sam wasn't that hard!!
that's about all the words he gets out though, as Gil turns to face him and once again he's up.

It's really startling how strong gil is. ]
anyprice: (pic#17649540)

2/3

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-01-25 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ especially when you know you're a BIG man and suddenly you're up like a misbehaving cat and

...there's a bubble of laughter just behind his ears as Aha laughs for the first time in a week. ]


[ and then the next moment he's hitting the tub like aforementioned sack of potatoes, water going absolutely everywhere--sampo's arms flailing as he struggles to sit up as he's suddenly plopped into water--again--and while he can't tell the temperature of the water, he will take note of his skin almost immediately starting to turn pink. ]
anyprice: (pic#17649558)

3/3

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-01-25 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
G--gil!

[ that's all he gets out
before he's starting to
uproariously laugh. ]
anyprice: (pic#17657752)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-01-31 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not fighting, I'm not fighting--!

[ he's laughing while trying to straighten himself up--his legs are akimbo as he looks... over at gil, who's sitting next to the tub. Just... looking exhausted, despite how he handled Sampo like a bundle of sticks. ]

...You're really lucky I didn't have my phone on me.
I'm just--
You.

...This is not what I expected you to do.
You are... delightfully insane. Funny.
Edited 2025-01-31 05:51 (UTC)
anyprice: (pic#17657765)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-02-04 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ to his credit, after a moment, he'll go still. letting himself sink down into the water what's temperature he couldn't tell--but given how pink his skin is turning, he has an idea. It's weird being in water with his PJ pants on--but it's not like he can really feel the sensation of them sticking to him, so it's easy enough to ignore as the pressure on his arm becomes apparent.

His eyes soften by a degree and he looks at the other as Gil rests his head against him, and he'll be brave enough to raise a hand to drag fingers through gil's hair, not caring how wet his fingers is as he trails them through golden hair that turns darker as water soaks into the strands. ]


I can't help it. I'm used to being able to understand what people are thinking or doing at any given time. I've --yanno. Had t'do it. For years. To be able to sus out who I could trust and whatnot.

With you, you're just--such a complete mystery, It's just.
Exciting, being near you.
Fun, being around you.

Little ol' me isn't trying to assume how you feel, but uh.
It gets real confusing when you act angry and grousy at me when I do something you don't like. Complete with telling me to get out of your house or that I'm not allowed t'call you my boyfriend.
But then get all soft and gentle on me like this. And I.
Yanno.

Come on, I don't have much to work with here.
anyprice: (pic#17657763)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-02-04 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ he pulls his fingers back with a little yelp noise, making a face as Gil scolds him yet again. The odd feeling of guilt swirling and pitching down in his gut as he looks away, averting his eyes from the sharp red gaze as it nearly feels like it could pierce him. ]

The absolute endpoint of the matter is that you're pissed at me, and yet you're going the whole nine miles to get me help when I failed to get it myself.

[ it's a complete and utter contridiction and he's still trying to figure out what's going on!!!! Aha is cackling in the back of his mind and it's *exhausting.* ]

I didn't mean to get it stuck.
How was I supposed to know a rock was actually a parasite.
anyprice: (pic#17657761)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-02-04 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ the stare from the king is hard, relentless and honestly, in a way, painful. It made him feel somewhat warm in his chest to see gil fighting for him hard--knowing that for the first time in years, he has someone in his corner that he could rely on without paranoia that it was just a trick to corner him. But now as Gil stares him down like this and calls him cruel... that warmth is quickly fading and he finds himself feeling very small, very sore. He knows what he did was stupid and he isn't unaware of how this situation is making Gil feel. To have him back after losing him once was a joy, but the fear of losing him again is what's driving the gilded man's actions and words, but.

As he slows down a little, lying, half dressed, in a pool of water that was certainly too hot on a normal day, Sampo gives Gil a look that can truly only be described as hurt. ]


You think I wanted this?
To live freely for the first time In a decade, with you no less, is a crazy fever dream come true. I haven't been this happy in years.

You think I'd do something to put that at risk casually? On purpose??

[ forest green eyes focus hard on ruby red ones. ]

Nothing about this is easy. Or casual. Or anything you're thinking.
This is terrifying, Gil.
I'm Scared. I can't sleep, I hate eating, and now the one good thing in my life is being turned upside down in a way that makes me aware that I've fucked up again so irreversibly that--if it's ever fixed, all I can look forward to is being thrown out on my ass for making a mistake.

What I want more than anything else right now is comfort from my partner. From you.
I want to be held and told I'm going to be okay.
Not thrown into a vat of boiling water and called a cruel idiot.
anyprice: (pic#17657740)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-02-04 03:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he cannot feel the sharpness of gils finger as it pokes and presses against his heart, but the pressure is there, the pressure of his gaze the only thing heavier than the prodding finger as his voice rumbles in anger, shouting down at him with his frustrations and absolutions like the great cedar tree he claims to be.

He's not used to being shouted at like this. Certainly he's angered people before with his pranks or his cons; but that'd all been the shouts of people who'd fallen for his tricks and schemes. this was different; it was the anger and grief of someone who is skirting the edges of losing someone--something precious to them and coming to terms with the fact that all the money in the world might not be enough to see that thing saved.

Sam is scared. But so is Gilgamesh.
A gentle sound escapes his throat when the man joins him in his boiling hot vat of water, and much like the prodding, even if he can't feel the sensation of the hug, the pressure is heavy and crushing--and through everything, this is all he'd wanted.

And his shoulders shake as his resolve and calm finally breaks, and Samuel Kovac finally allows himself to cry; arms moving around gil to lock the man against him, despite how he's fully clothed and now slowly going to get soaking wet alongside him.

He buries his face into his neck and the tears that fall from his eyes are nearly as hot as the water itself, stinging his eyes and forcing them to close even if he can't feel the sensation of the sting itself. ]


I would stand in the pouring rain and let it soak me down to the bone if it mean the cedar tree would reach its branches out to hold me.

[ please understand him this time. ]
anyprice: (pic#17649560)

[personal profile] anyprice 2025-02-05 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
Then don't be a tree.

[ said as if it was so easy--maybe because he wanted it to be easy. because he wants gil to meet him down on the ground instead of stretching high over his head. He knows it's selfish, but if he's allowed to have desires, than this is his. He can't feel the gentle brush of gil's hair against his cheek but he knows it's there. it's soft under his fingers as he curls his hand up the back of the others' neck, to hold him solidly as he's being held, without any intention of letting go, anytime soon.

he and gil were together plenty--lounging on one another during the day or curled together at night--but it was always something lazy, casual. being held like this, the pressure of gil pressing his lips against his temple--it makes his eyes flicker closed again as a fresh streak of tears warmly draw down his cheeks as he wishes, so dearly, that he could feel the others' grip fully. as this was the sort of comfort he's been needing. wanting. hungry for. ]


Thank you.
That's what ol' Samuel wanted to hear.

I might not believe in much in this world, as most of it IS a joke.

But I think you're the easiest thing to believe in.
The one thing I can always believe in.
Edited 2025-02-06 00:27 (UTC)