Cherubplay

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Gamzee was careful to avoid Tavros's toes as they waltzed. He liked listening to Tavros humming, especially since he sang so nicely. Once he got the tune down he accompanied in a much deeper voice whenever he wasn't giggling with a slight misstep. He couldn't help his smile even though he was mostly watching their feet as he became accustomed to their pace, glancing every so often at Tavros's face.

Much to their surprise, music did start drifting up from the back of the shop. The Bibliosaurus had quite the store of everything, so had put on some waltzing music on her phonograph after hearing Tavros's call to cue the music.

2014-06-27 17:16:02
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Tavros, having been so invested in both his work and dancing with Gamzee, had forgotten that he was even in the Bibliosaurus's business and it slipped his mind that she was still /there./ Evidenced by this was the blush forming on his cheeks, he called a 'thank you' to her as he listened to the music and adjusted himself to be on time with the beats.

Gamzee, actually, was a better dancer than Tavros had thought, and was glad that his toes had not suffered any stompings while they moved. It registered gradually that, obviously, he and Gamzee were actually /touching./ They were holding hands, chests nearly flushed against each other, a stronger, larger palm pressed against his back and keeping him secure. It would have been embarrassing had he not been focused on keeping time with the music and avoiding pieces of furniture.

The song soon came to and end, and Tavros stopped, though his body was still in Gamzee's grasp and the other was in his. He lowered the hands that were up high, but did not release him, not yet; he wished to see just how long they could hover between friendliness and flirtatiousness.

2014-06-27 17:38:17
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Gamzee dropped his hand from Tavros's back, but made no move to extricate his other hand from where it was held and holding. He had been quieter since the music started, mostly because Tavros's blush was distracting some of his attention.

He realized this might constitute more than just friendliness between them, but he was still a little taken aback by Tavros's general niceness, so tried not to think about it lest he get too attached. His new friend wanted to go home, after all, and while Gamzee could follow him around Wonderland he wasn't sure he could follow into the other's world. That didn't keep him from enjoying the feeling of Tavros's hand on his shoulder, though, or their dancing in general.

2014-06-27 17:56:02
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A few long seconds passed, and Tavros, abruptly, released Gamzee's shoulder and hand and clapped his own in a semi-nervous delight, "Well! It seems that you are able to join me, after all," He smiled, but there was a lilt of embarrassment to his voice that he could not entirely disguise, "Quite fancy, uh, footwork you have there, Gamzee. You are much better at dancing, and leading, that I had anticipated."

He hoped that general conversation would start to build their boundary back up. Tavros, inwardly, reminded himself that he should not get too involved. He still wanted to go back home, didn't he? That was the logical answer but Tavros was not so sure. Life in his world was still hard and difficult, still bent against him because of his blood color, but here, he could get nearly anything he wanted. In spite of that, all the riches in the world wouldn't make him happy if he knew others were suffering the same way he did in Alternia. If he could not change Alternia, perhaps he could transform Wonderland? Then, if he had no choice but to leave, at least Gamzee and all the colderblooded trolls in his land could have a more balanced way of living in comparison to the outrageously wealthy warmbloods.

2014-06-27 18:05:14
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Gamzee backed up a step when Tavros let him go. "Heh, I'm glad I passed. I'm just as surprised I didn't trample you..." He lowered his gaze and clasped his hands behind his back nervously, shuffling his feet a little. "...so, what's next on your trip agenda?" he asked, trying to get then through the awkward patch.

Gamzee had no idea what the point of Tavros's quest could be. Sure there was a disparity between the classes on the hemospectrum, but he figured that's just the way life was. Certainly even if there was more equality, he wouldn't be a part of it, not with the historical stigma left over from the war times. He had only ever seen one other troll of his color anyway; right before they had been executed in the city centre. But that had been before the ban on executions was put in place, by the most recent royal family, when he was only a child and it was easier to hide. He wasn't going to bother Tavros with any of that if he could help it, though.

2014-06-27 18:30:03
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"Um. I actually have not a clue," He admitted with a sheepish smile, returning to his seat as he curled up in it and reviewed his notes, "We have one riddle down, thankfully, so we are safe in going to The Screechlands. However, I believe that we still have- Oh!" Suddenly, he gasped, a hand splayed over his chest as he looked up at his companion in disbelief at his own assumptions, "How rude of me! I just...I just kind of thought you were coming along with me. I, uh, do not blame you if you would wish to stay here." How could he find fault in that? Tavros doubted that he would want to go on a similar mission of sorts with someone he barely knew.

In fact, even /Tavros/ did not want to go, not entirely. He felt a bit more hopeful about it, now that he had some help when it came to the maps and the notes and a deciphered riddle, but that did not mean he wished to go on it for a result that he was not sure would be beneficial to anyone. At this point, he wasn't even sure if he wanted to go home anymore. Nothing spectacular or promising was awaiting him back in Alternia. A few sparse acquaintances, yes, but his friends had all but dissipated as they moved on with their lives, and Tavros was stuck in the rut of the gardener, forever gazing at the beautiful palace but never being a part of it.

2014-06-27 18:38:13
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"Of course I'll go with you. You can't go all alone, something might hurt you, even with your fancy statistics," Gamzee sat back down too. "You're not being all up and rude, Tavbro. You haven't really been that rude at all," he reassured. Hell, Gamzee never did anything this special, why not go along? Being with Tavros was worlds better than being alone all the time, and he felt comfortable around him; even if he did make his blood pusher flutter occasionally.

"Before we set of on any bitchtits adventures, though, we should probably go back to my place to get more supplies for a proper journey. ...if that's alright with you, of course."

2014-06-27 19:02:41
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Tavros figured that Gamzee would be going, especially after the whole situation before, but he had assumed that the other male knew that it was flirting and he agreed to do so on that basis. Still, it was just a joke at any rate and couldn't be taken /that/ seriously, so his relief was well-warranted when Gamzee agreed.

"Absolutely," He smiled up at him, "But if you find anything else to sell, back at your hive, then please, allow me to do the honors, if you do not mind." Tavros had seen first hand that his blood color warranted extras and kinder behavior, and perhaps he could milk out a couple more coins with a glance of his browning eyes or a soft blush dusting his round cheeks.

2014-06-27 19:09:29
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"...Sure, but I don't have much besides for the mushrooms. Maybe some fruit? We should probably keep some of that, though; can't eat metal, after all," he smiled.

"Should we go then? Or maybe figure out some more riddles first? You don't think you have to rush, do you? Could take little breaks between each trip. What are you even supposed to be doing on these trips; do you know?" Gamzee was full of questions and hardly any suggestions. He was too chill to mind much what they did, and he figured Tavros's decisions mattered most as it was his quest anyways.

2014-06-27 19:23:37
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"No idea," He answered, but he did not seem very bothered by his lack of knowledge. Tavros assumed that it would be something he could just go with the flow on; there was no manual for journeying, no book on quests that he could refer to. It was all on a whim and it could, perhaps, turn out to be for the better.

Giving a shrug, he began folding the map carefully, as well as his notes and slipped them all into the cloth pouch. then made sure the gold coins were in his apron pocket before he moved to sit on one of the couches. The piece of furniture was much more comfortable than the wooden chair he was formerly in, and Tavros sighed in quiet content, "Let's relax a little, maybe? We can foil the plots of those dastardly riddles, later. I think we have some time." Even if he did feel rushed in the back of his mind, they still had to go all the way back to Gamzee's hive and gather a few things, and Tavros wanted to stay out of his shoes for as long as possible.

2014-06-27 19:39:24
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"Sure." Gamzee rolled up the map scroll, leaving it on the desk in case it was needed later. He also carefully placed the two containers of cake confections in his bag before settling a friendly distance away on the couch.

He had slipped his own shoes off next to Tavros's before coming over, and sat with one leg under him, half facing Tavros and leaning against the back of the couch comfortably. He'd brought the book he had been reading but felt slightly too awkward to start reading when his friend didn't have something. Instead he held it in his lap and rested his head against the back of the couch, letting his mind wander a little.

2014-06-27 20:01:16
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He hummed quietly to himself, fiddling with his socks and simply enjoying the presence of the other male, then, struck with an idea, he sat on his knees and turned to Gamzee completely.

"Hey, Gamzee? Would you like to play a game, with me?" Tavros questioned, and there was excitement clear in his eyes, glee splayed on his lips if the smile spreading on them was anything to go by. "It is much like a book, I would like to think. Sort of," He giggled, glancing down somewhat bashfully to smooth wrinkles out of his dress, "Or, um. I could leave you to your actual book, if you would like."

2014-06-27 20:10:04
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Gamzee's eyes had been half-lidded in relaxation, but focused on Tavros when he started talking. "Sure, I'll play. How's the game go, Tavbro?" he smiled at the rhyme.

Setting the book down, he brought his other leg under him and scooted to face Tavros fully, figuring this was how the game was supposed to be played. He wondered what it was if it made the other giggle. He felt a niggling of trepidation, but like hell he wasn't going to pay a game with Tavros when he was so excited looking about it. He could read whenever he wanted, pretty much; this was special.

2014-06-27 20:24:48
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"Well, basically, one of us will start a story. You know, like 'on an island somewhere' or 'once upon a time' or something like that. But, we stop in the middle of a sentence. So, uh, for instance," He paused for a couple seconds, trying to think of how to start the story that they were going to create before he found the opening words, " 'There once was a lion in...' And, see, I stopped in the middle of a sentence, and now you have to finish my sentence, and add one of your own that you stop in the middle of, thus creating a story, of ours." They would just go back and forth in that sentence, stop in the middle of a sentence pattern until they reached a conclusion.

His fingers fiddled with the lace and ruffles of his dress as he peered up at Gamzee from below his thick, dark lashes, "I used to play the game a lot, uh, back at home, when I was little. I really miss it, as I have not found anyone else to play it with."

2014-06-27 20:34:41
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Gamzee listened carefully to the parameters of the game. It sounded pretty cool to him, though he'd never heard of it before...or many other games really. It sounded like it could take a while, to, like something they could do while traveling. "That sounds like fun; okay, let me think of something..."

He didn't really want too admit it to himself but Tavros was quite cute, especially when he was just doing little things like fiddling with something, or smiling in such a way. He had to stop thinking about that and getting distracted though. It wouldn't come to anything, anyway, he thought. "Okay, so... "There once was a lion in...a cave. One morning he stuck his head out and...""he trailed of so Tavros could continue.

2014-06-27 20:52:51
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"Saw a barkbeast! One morning he stuck his head out and saw a barkbeast, hehe," He directed his soft laugh down at his lap, partially embarrassed by his own excitement, "The barkbeast ran around in circles and..." His gaze came up to look at Gamzee expectantly, wondering how much the other would get into the game.

Tavros remembered that when he was a wriggler, the game would get quite involved; he and other wriggler friends would do hand movements and poses, even going so far as to involve costumes and props for their favorite, memorized stories. It was like some kind of instantaneous theatre that he could wholeheartedly enjoy because it was all silly fun and there were no stage directions or pulling curtains; it was the poor's version of acting, it seemed.

2014-06-27 21:03:40
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Gamzee smiled at Tavros's enthusiasm; it was terribly endearing. He looked towards the ceiling in thought, "The barkbeast ran around in circles and ...chased it's tail outside his den. The lion was confused, but..." He felt pretty lame, and didn't feel like he was really contributing anything as interesting as Tavros was.

Growing up alone except for when he was really little hadn't given him many opportunities for playing. Most of the time he'd just dug around outside or read books. Sometimes when he was very small the person he supposed had been his lusus had played small games with him, and occasionally a rare other child or two, but it had been a while.

2014-06-27 21:23:51
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Immediately, he hopped up, skirts rustling around him as he was standing again on the hard wood of the flooring, his hair beginning to fall into his face as he was animated and lively once more, "The lion was confused, but decided to initiate a game of tag. The gigantic beast gently patted the barkbeast and then he..." To enunciate his story, and give it some life, Tavros formed a paw with his hand, -which was really just him refusing to use individual fingers as he cupped his palm- and patted Gamzee repeatedly on his shoulders, a childish grin gracing his round features.

Now that there was some action involved, and an invitation for Gamzee to join him, perhaps he could give Gamzee the kind of wrigglerhood he deserved. Granted, Tavros did not know much about his past, if at all, but from his somewhat boring responses, it seemed that he was new to imagination. Tt was fun to act like he was little again, like there were no inhibitions or responsibilities tied to him; he felt light as a feather and as enthused as ever.

2014-06-27 21:32:09
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He felt a bit shy; Tavros's enthusiasm was a little overwhelming, but he would make the best of it and try to keep up. "The gigantic beast gently patted the barkbeast ant then he...leaped back, swishing his tail and waiting. The barkbeast caught on to the game, and..." at this point Gamzee got up too, looking at the other to see what he, as the barkbeast, was going to do in their story.

There was at least enough room to be a little active, though not so much that they could really run around. Gamzee was also slightly worried about people coming in, or looking through the sparse openings in the windows, but hoped he was just worrying too much. It wasn't as if Tavros couldn't explain, and the Bibliosaurus could be a terror when she wanted to be. He let himself relax a little, knowing he was safe here.

2014-06-27 21:59:58
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"The barkbeast caught on to the game, and raced off, hoping the mighty lion would follow." And with that, Tavros skipped off, -not exactly raced, as his horns would probably hit stacks of books and make a mess of the entire library in the process- and shimmied his little body underneath a desk once he crouched down. "Since he was so small, the barkbeast hid expertly as the lion..."

This was probably the most fun he had had in a long time, moreso with the responsibility of being Alice thrust upon him. Here, he was not even Tavros, he was just a little barkbeast that was enjoying himself thoroughly with a lion that was, admittedly, rather cute.

2014-06-27 22:27:56
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Gamzee traipsed after Tavros, lengthening his strides and trying to be regal like a lion might be. He paced around the desk as he spoke, stopping where his feet could not be seen by Tavros, "Since he was so small, the barkbeast hid expertly as the lion followed quickly after. The lion searched for his camouflaged friend by following his smell, but..." Gamzee leaned on the desk top, craning his neck upside-down to smile at Tavros underneath, gently sniffing the air a couple times to act out the lion part. His wild hair flopped forward, cascading away from his face as it hung upside-down.

2014-06-27 22:44:24
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Shrinking further underneath the desk, he tried stifling any soft giggles as he saw Gamzee's crazy hair all over the place. He honestly did look like a lion, what with his wild locks that were probably so soft to the touch...

Before he could continue that train of thought, or even begin a new sentence to their story when the bell above the door sounded and someone new was in the building. Tavros, somewhat alarmed, peered from underneath the desk; he could see the new guest, but from where he was, they could not see them. He, however, could not say the same for Gamzee.

2014-06-27 23:02:36
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Gamzee visibly stiffened, face losing all expression. He made like he had been picking something up off the floor, and grabbed a book nearby before standing to put it up somewhere better, not looking behind him yet. He could hear the Bibliosaurus moving around closer, so at least she was close by.

He turned to look over his shoulder at the interloper, disappointed that their game had been interrupted right as he was getting more into it. He was also freaking out a little, but tried not to show it, maintaining a blank expression as usual. He stayed by the desk, hoping they hadn't seen Tavros hunkered under the desk...that would look bad.

2014-06-27 23:09:25
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It was another copperblood, looking and searching far and wide for some rare book or another. When his back turned some to look around the store, Tavros scrambled from underneath the desk and stood beside the desk, though it was difficult to look like what society expected him to when he was without his shoes.

Gesturing for Gamzee to follow him, Tavros slunk further into the store of sorts, making sure to hide as effectively as possible from the customer. The last thing he wanted was for the other brownblood to see him, or, worse, strike up conversation about things he was probably not aware of. If there was a cultural difference over a /pen./ he could only imagine what mass differences there were in higher society.

2014-06-27 23:15:41
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Gamzee followed Tavros further in, indicating some of the more hidden routes he knew through the store from his many time here silently as they proceeded. He wanted to hide, too, for different reasons, so it was helpful Tavros wasn't in the mood for socializing with others either. He was glad the new comer hadn't bothered noticing him.

The Bibliosaurus passed them as they went by to help the other patron and to cover for them somewhat. Most of the other copper bloods she had met were spoiled enough not to really care that greatly about societal differences, thinking they could hardly exist, or were conceited enough not to even think lesser classes were worth their time unless they needed something from them. But, there were always rotten apples in a bunch. That being said the opposite was also true, and there were some who were decent.

2014-06-27 23:26:46