Cherubplay

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Tavros, unable to sleep well, woke rather early the next morning. Not wanting to wake Gamzee, he did not pull on his stockings or boots, but instead just quietly crawled out the tent and to the slumbering Jabberwocky. He sat down beside its flank, curling up with his arms crossed as he felt the warmth of the beast radiate against him. The moment would probably be better if Gamzee was around, holding him close and petting his hair. Tavros squirmed a little in his seat. He hadn't meant to become so reliant on Gamzee, but he was beginning to crave his attention.

2014-07-31 06:07:06
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Eridan was also unable to sleep, still grouchy, and slipped out of the other tent silently. He didn't really know what he'd initially intended; maybe just to pace around, or take a short walk to try and chill out before they kept going. He did pace a bit before he saw the petite brown blood by the side of the beast they'd taken up with. Sighing, he slouched over before remembering himself and straightening up as he approached, sitting a little way away from Tavros, not really wanting to encroach on the Jabberwocky's space in case it decided not to like him. He pretty much dropped his act seeing Alice. Such an honestly nice person, what would it matter if he put on his pompous tough guy act? "Hey Alice," actually now that he looked closer, the little copper blood didn't look to chipper either. "What's eatin' you?"

2014-07-31 13:07:12
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He had noticed Eridan, but did not outwardly reveal so. If the March Hare wished to speak to him, then he would on his own terms and Tavros wouldn't try to force anything, especially if what he needed was just some time to himself and some silence. But when Eridan spoke to him, he couldn't help but smile in a melancholy fashion, "I suppose there is little point in not admitting to what is obvious," He began quietly, "This entire journey, so far, has allowed me to meet some very fantastic people. But, when I think about my initial, uh, desire, which was to go home, I am conflicted." His eyes stared off at the seemingly endless expanse of blanched grass, "I do not think I will be able to leave Gamzee, and this swift bond between us frightens me." Shaking his head some in disbelief at even himself, he glanced to Eridan with furrowed brows, "And yourself?"

2014-07-31 13:38:30
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The sea dweller took all this in, nodding slightly. He didn't share immediately, too used to keeping things in, but sighed shortly after and essentially spilled his guts. "I'm frustrated because I don't know what I'm doing out here, the only relationship I've ever really had is all fucked up from all of this and I don't know what to do to fix it, and mostly because I can't talk to her about the other things I'm freaking out about, because any fucking sign of weakness she just picks on. Which is special now, but once we get around other landdwellers it's not going to be anymore, everyone's going to be automatically mean. Sorry Alice, but people just aren't nice like you all the time. ...also I miss the ocean," he finished, resting his chin on a knee.

2014-07-31 13:50:15
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It was pitiful just how many things were going wrong for the seatroll, and the sympathy was obvious on Tavros's face as he nodded in understanding. He knew that people would, on average, not even come close to the kindness he normally dished out, but Tavros knew that it was partly because he understood the discrimination and disparity between classes better than any highblood here. After a few moments of contemplation, he started, "Well...pardon me if I am imposing, but perhaps you are in need of an auspitice?" He was severely out of practice with that quadrant, -he couldn't remember if he had even tried it- though it seemed that Eridan and Vriska needed less of a balancing of physical infliction but a mediator of their emotions. "I really was never any good at black romance, but I am, uh, kind of under the impression that you should still be able to confide in your kismesis. It is still /romance,/ after all. It should not be purely critical or abusive."

2014-07-31 14:06:02
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The cold-blooded troll thought about this for a while. It sounded pretty nice, but he wasn't sure if that would actually be possible. "I think if that worked, it would be great, but I don't know if she'd go for that." It would be nice, to maintain a relationship with Vriska who he'd known for so long. But also..."do you think," he started hesitantly, not sure how Tavros would take it, "Do you think that, if that doesn't work out and if I maybe needed something a little paler, ...that Gamzee might be willing...?" he hugged his knees tightly to his chest. "You two are just so loving, it looks nice. I don't wanna horn in on your matespritship, goodness no, but...I wouldn't mind some softer sort of affection. And maybe we can at least relate a little, both 'violent violets' and all that shit." He was avoiding looking at Tavros, tracing patterns in the dirt dejectedly.

2014-07-31 14:22:41
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Prior to that moment, Tavros hadn't really considered what he and Gamzee had to be a matespritship. Sure, they were much closer than he would consider friends, but it was not a formal order between the two, so he was unsure if he was alright with the newfound title. Still, he did blush some and considered it. "I haven't any qualms with a pale relationship between the two of you," He consented, hoping that, perhaps, it would all work out between Vriska and Eridan, as well as Eridan and Gamzee, "And I doubt Gamzee would, either. I just suggest, uh, that you are quite blunt with him, considering..." Considering the fact that neither of them had outright said what they wanted even in their red quadrant, and Tavros highly doubted that his halfway-matesprit could notice any pale advances, "Considering the weird spot we are in now."

2014-07-31 14:32:23
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Of course Eridan had been assuming they had a full matespritship, from what he and Vriska had been signing at breakfast the morning before. "Weird spot?" he asked. "You two aren't having problems, are you?" Really Eridan didn't mind if it became a full moirailleagence or not, he just wanted a hug and some platonic cuddling if he needed it and someone to talk to who wouldn't judge him. He felt a bit better already.

Slowly Gamzee was waking up in the tent, subconsciously noticing an empty cold space where there had once been Tavros. The lack was niggling at his dormant thinkpan, which missed the warmth and friendliness of the other next to him. He curled up a little in the tent and tried opening his eyes a crack to make better sense of what was going on.

2014-07-31 14:49:09
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"No, no, not problems, necessarily, just..." He trailed off, unsure how he was to explain this. It wasn't that he and Gamzee were arguing and at each other's throat, and it was not as if there was some type of loss of passion or affection. It was just that they were still hanging between just friends and a solid relationship, and it bothered him that he couldn't make up his mind about what he wanted. "You can imagine why we have not ventured, a formal matespritship yet. There is a chance that I will not be able to stay, in Wonderland, when this journey ends, and I do not want to invest my time and love in someone that I know I will be inevitably separated from. Nor do I want Gamzee to experience the pain and heartache of separation, it would just be too much for either of us to bear. At first, I had tried, uh, to distance myself from him and cut short romantic advances, but I find it harder and harder to do so and I want nothing more than to be his real matesprit." He sighed heavily and leaned back against the Jabberwocky as he closed his eyes, "We are lingering in a strange place right now, somewhere between friends and lovers, and it bugs me that we are not one or the other."

2014-07-31 14:56:27
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Eridan took all this in. It explained the pair's awkwardness with each other. So they weren't attempting to keep their affections to themselves, more wondering if it was okay to feel that way in the first place. "Well, not that it's my place to say so, but you're pretty obviously fond of him, you say so yourself. And, well, it's pretty obvious that he's devoted to you. Don't think I've ever seen anyone so flushed. He might not even know how badly he feels that way. You might, um, as you said, have to be blunt with him about it. I don't know what he's gone through, really, but I doubt he ever expected to have any quadrants filled. So maybe if he does know how he feels, he'd be surprised you reciprocated?" He shrugged. "But I'm just shooting the breeze, assuming things maybe. But...won't it hurt anyway, if it happens, to loose a good friend? If you're going to hurt anyway, why not make the most of it?"

2014-07-31 15:10:15
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He hadn't ever really considered the friend aspect of it, and Tavros felt foolish for trying to keep his red feelings under wraps. Eridan was right, he was going to be in pain if he was forced to leave either way, and it would probably be worse off if Tavros kept wandering 'what if?' He could never live with himself if he never ventured anything truly fortified with Gamzee, and, with a newfound sense of determination, nodded and offered a smile to the Hare, "You are right. If I have to leave, regardless, then I may as well hurt to the fullest extent and experience all I can now." He stood up, watching as the sun rose higher into the sky, "Thank you, Eridan. I do hope, uh, that things start to look up for you and Vriska." And with that, he disappeared into his tent, gazing at Gamzee fondly and whispering, "Gamzee?"

2014-07-31 15:22:33
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It made Eridan feel a little better that he could help in some small way. He hoped things worked out well for those two. He got up away from the Jabberwocky, not returning to the other tent but just wandering around a little, watching the sun rise over the white field of grass.

Gamzee finally opened his eyes as Tavros entered again, smiling sleepily when he saw him. "Yea, Tavbro? What's got you up all early already?" He stretched and yawned a little, rubbing his eyes lightly. He settled back down onto the ground, just relaxing, in no danger of falling asleep again with Tavros wanting to talk to him, something he didn't want to miss.

2014-07-31 15:30:09
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Even if he had been excited with Eridan's reassurances, it didn't make the actual actions any better. Tavros sat on his knees beside Gamzee, his hands nervously pulling the ribbon from his hair so he could re-do it after a night of messy hair, "You see," He initiated, "I believe it is time that we come to a conclusion on the current state of our, um. Relationship."

Vriska, after a while, eventually left the tent. She was barefoot and her hair was pulled into a messy bun atop her head, her blanket still around her shoulders as she spotted Eridan. Confused, she headed towards him, asking, "What are you up so early for?" There was, surprisingly, no malice behind her voice at the current second but just curiosity.

2014-07-31 15:57:05
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The purple blood lying beside Tavros sat up across from him, legs crossed as he faced him. He ran a hand through his tangled curls nervously. "Okay Tav, well, I guess I'm up for whatever... I really like you," he blushed a little, knowing it was more than just that, "but I don't wanna pressure you none. You've got so many other things to worry about."

Eridan glanced over his shoulder when Vriska spoke, thinking it nice not to hear the negative emotion in her voice for once. "Couldn't sleep," he explained, "so I got up." He was trying to not be as defensive. He thought that might help a little, if she was receptive to it.

2014-07-31 16:05:39
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"That may be true, but," Tavros shimmied over, smiling bashfully at Gamzee as he took his hands in his own, "I will regret it forever if I do not at least /try/ with you. I have never, um. Felt this way about anyone before, and..." He bent his head, a dark blush blooming over his cheeks and settling against his skin, contrasting greatly, "And I do not want to just be friends, any longer."

"Why?" She asked, pulling the blanket over her shoulders closer to her. It was clear that she had always had a distaste for cold weather, and the biting breeze was doing little to make her feel comfortable. "Is it the journey we are on?" Vriska wasn't going to admit that she had listened in on Eridan and Tavros's conversation, and while she honestly did not think she was that much at fault, she guessed she could be a little more accommodating.

2014-07-31 16:23:31
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The sea dweller was a little confused by her...was that concern? "...yea...I've never been this far from the sea..." he replied haltingly. He was not sure how he felt about being more open with her, so started with something he figured wouldn't be all that mock-worthy. He wasn't really facing her, head just tilted toward her to show he was listening.

He took his hands, petting his thumbs over the back of Tavros's knuckles gently. He was blushing purple, smiling brightly at the fond words. Slowly he bent his head to Tavros's, touching foreheads gently, looking at him lovingly through thick lashes. "I don't think I'll be protesting to something more'n friends with you, Tav....I've been kinda hopin' maybe you'd like me that way...same as I feel about you." It was hard to get the words out initially, but he felt a little better, if not a tad nervous, now that he'd admitted his feelings, even if not terribly directly.

2014-07-31 16:54:09
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Purring softly, Tavros leaned forward and rubbed his nose against Gamzee's cheek, "I thought it was obvious that I, am flushed for you," He murmured, playfully adding, "I have only been flirting with you any chance I get!" It was easier to be up front with his emotions if he didn't think about how embarrassed he felt or the flustered nature to it all and just focused on how happy he was to have Gamzee actually reciprocating his feelings. Thinking that this was as formal a matespritship as they were going to get, -which was more than fine by him, at least it finally /happened/- Tavros purred again and whispered teasingly, "This is the part where you kiss me."

Vriska hopped from one foot to the other in an attempt to keep warm, a tiny frown on her face. It was difficult to be as concerned as she was when she really just wanted to sit back in their tent and try to generate some heat. "Surely it won't be that bad when we get to Undlegire," She said, a slight dismissive tone to her voice, "I suspect that we'll all be too busy to miss things like the sea or our lovely teas back in the Screechlands."

2014-07-31 17:20:11
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Leaning into the touches and purring back, Gamzee grinned at Tavros's words. He didn't say anything back to any of it, simply enjoying the affection he was being given by one so dear to him. It had been hard to believe that the other had been flirting with him at first, but eventually it got so frequent and obvious even he couldn't deny that it was going on. He nuzzled Tavros's cheek and chuckled lightly when he teased about kissing him. "Okay," the purple blood said, eyes drifting closed as he pressed their lips together tenderly.

Eridan turned back to her, watching her dance in the cold. "Sure, too distracted being gawked at," he headed toward her, passing by to open the tent flap. "You'll freeze your dainty little tea sipping fingers off if you don't get back inside," he said, slipping into the tent and waiting for her to join him.

2014-07-31 17:33:13
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The kiss was magical - everything he had ever wanted and more. It was sweet and almost too lovable, their lips molding together seamlessly as Tavros lifted a hand to hold Gamzee's shoulder. He purred against his mouth but pulled back before either party could get too involved. Last thing he needed was a full-scale make out session when they had to start making some serious leeway towards Undlegire. So, he pressed his forehead against Gamzee's, his hair wild from it not being in his ribbon, and he raised the hand on his shoulder to cup his cheek, "That was perfect," He murmured, his lips clumsily pressing to the purpleblood's in mock-kisses as he spoke.

"I am /not/ dainty!" She protested immediately, though she did follow after him into the warmth of the tent since it seemed they wouldn't be leaving any time soon. "If anyone is dainty, it's Alice." Vriska muttered, but even her mumbling couldn't disguise the fact that there was the tiniest inflection of kindness towards the copperblood's fragile nature.

2014-07-31 17:39:25
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Eridan nodded. "Indeed. But he can tame big things to fight for him, can't he? Won't have any problems with that Jabberwocky creature hanging about him like a barkbeast." He flopped down to relax while they waited for Alice to tell them it was time to shove off. He kind of side-eyed her, noting the little kind note in her voice.

When Tavros had moved on of his hands to his shoulder, Gamzee had delicately placed his own on the smaller troll's waist. It was wonderful, their kiss, and he felt himself give way to his inner affections with it. He'd been holding back some of how he felt, at least consciously, but couldn't deny how much he loved the other after that. He nodded at Tavros's words, smiling blissfully as he raised his hand from the copperblood's waist to thread through his hair, taming the messy strands as he purred more, pecking softly back.

2014-07-31 17:52:47
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Noticing the look that was presented to her, Vriska new she had made a mistake in letting herself even /appear/ to be somewhat sweet to Tavros. "Very true. But he'll probably keep the creature here, in the In-Between to keep it safe. Everyone will run for their hardiest weapon if they see a mashup of animals flying overhead," She scoffed, "He doesn't seem like much of a fighter though, on any accounts. He met even the /Jabberwocky/ with kindness, even after it injured him." There was no hiding the amazement in her voice, "It just makes me wonder when we all relied on violence and backstabbing to get what we want."

Leaning into his touch, Tavros purred deeply in his chest and made no immediate moves to leave his touch just yet, but he did tie the ribbon back into his hair. "We ought to get going," He said at last, looking disappointed to even suggest such a thing, "I want to get to Undlegire tonight, if at all possible." He glanced to his injured shoulder, hoping that it wouldn't pose much of an issue, "So quick breakfast first, and then off we go."

2014-07-31 18:04:57
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Gamzee nodded, giving Tavros another quick kiss before settling back to pick things up a little, packing things away for the day. He noticed Tavros looking at his shoulder. "Does it hurt? You need another of those mushrooms for the day? Maybe we should check it, change the dressing for the day." He started getting the medical supplies out to do just that.

Eridan didn't comment on the nicer tone, not really caring that much. If he started acting harshly towards her he figured he could kiss their more pleasant dealings, like this conversation, good bye. "That's true. He is very kind. I hope it keeps working out for him. Maybe because we don't expect it it works better than all the mean shit we pull; not knowing how to defend against it." He couldn't resist a gentle tease, though, "It seems he's even started getting to you with his niceness."

2014-07-31 18:17:38
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He nearly protested, but he figured that Gamzee knew what was best and held his tongue. He stayed in his seat but started to pull his stockings back on and his shoes, lacing up his boots. Tavros pulled the sweater off himself, revealing his hurt shoulder and how there was the faintest hint of blood starting to sink into the bandages. Tavros frowned, "Ah...I guess it was worse off than I had thought."

"Untrue," She immediately dismissed, searching through her things before finding the proper trousers and coat for the colder weather. Dressing inside the tent, and giving no mind that Eridan was around, he had seen her plenty as it were, Vriska continued, "I am just as coldhearted as ever. And no Alice will change that." A lie if she ever told one, but she had a reputation to uphold.

2014-07-31 18:28:14
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Quickly but gingerly Gamzee unwrapped the hurt shoulder, discarding the bandages and cleaning the blood away gently. It looked better than before, but he handed Tavros another of the mushrooms anyway to help. With a concentrated frown he put more of the salve from before on the wounds, gently as he could trying not to make Tavros flinch too much. He padded the bandages a little more this time to wick up excess blood, though it really shouldn't bleed too much more, he thought, wrapping it snugly again before sitting back and putting things away. "Should be all good for the day now, Tav," he smiled affectionately.

Eridan smirked a little, getting ready for the day himself. "Sure Hattie, whatever you say." He packed up the inside of the tent while she dressed, not paying much mind.

2014-07-31 18:42:22
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"Whatever," Vriska grumbled, taking care of her own things before throwing her pack just outside the tent. Eridan could believe what he wanted, /she/ wasn't going to be swayed so easily by Alice, not if it wasn't on her own terms.

It didn't really hurt as much as he had thought, but he figured he may as well eat the mushroom since he would have to shoulder his belongings soon. (His belongings that were meager and mostly just a couple sweaters and blankets from Gamzee's home.) Once he was wrapped up again, he thanked Gamzee with a kiss and gingerly pulled his sweater back on. "So, what is for breakfast?" He questioned, chipper as always as he wrapped his arms around Gamzee's neck loosely, rubbing noses with him, "Another egg, perhaps?"

2014-07-31 18:59:52