[PUBLIC] Day 42

[dorkypantsuit]

I'll assume no one made my obligatory bring a buddy announcement while I wasn't here, so this is that warning.


Didya miss me?

[LABOR CHANNEL]

Mandatory check-in, whether I know you or not.

If anybody's been slacking tell me and I'll work out a proper punishment.

Comments

[dontpokethat]

Probably. Most of us have to be disguised, but, apparently, that's because humans aren't allowed in the, uh. Space Olympics.

[Yep, that's what it's called.]

[dorkypantsuit]

[He snorts out a laugh. And then when Ginko doesn't say anything else he asks incredulously:]

The what?

[dontpokethat]

The Space Olympics. Apparently, it's this big set of sports events being held in a spaceship over the planet's surface, and I don't know why it's called that.

[dorkypantsuit]

[He raises an eyebrow at that explanation.]

And only humans aren't allowed to compete?

[That was highly unusual.]

Don't tell me we've arrived at a universe humanity hasn't managed to creep into yet.

[dontpokethat]

Oh, there are other species banned too. Sorry, I just meant that there are... lots of humans here. [As Psi is probably very aware.] And that it's why I'm going to look different.

But, actually, it seems like just about every species in the Carnival - or, well, the planets they're from - is banned. Except trolls.

[dorkypantsuit]

[And that makes him stop short. Other trolls? It's been far and few between that he's seen any other trolls here at the carnival or on the worlds they visit. Probably because the Ringmaster knows exactly how destructive his species can be. He's always been appreciative of that fact. Knowing that she's brought them here though, somewhere trolls are apparently allowed, makes him worried. He looks down at his clothes, a bodysuit like he normally wears, with yellow accents. There's no symbol on it, or rather HIS symbol isn't on it, but it's still clearly shows his rank to any other trolls he meets.]

[For a moment he thinks of changing, but then realizes how stupid and weak a thought it is. He wears yellow on purpose. He likes the color, he's proud of his caste. If someone else wants to make something of it, that's on them, and he's more than capable of defending himself from any other trolls who might try and boss them around. It just... Might be kind of embarrassing in front of his boyfriend. His freckles dim, reflecting his discomfort.]

[And he realizes he stopped walking and that Ginko is probably looking at him wanting some kind of explanation. He wrinkles his nose, trying to think of what to say.]

Oh. Trolls, huh?

That's... Interesting...

[dontpokethat]

[Sure enough, Ginko stops and looks over his shoulder curiously at Psi. Then his ears lower and tilt back, guilt crossing his face as he remembers what little he’s heard about Psi’s home world. He didn’t mean to worry Psi, but… whoops.

He steps back toward him, setting a hand on his shoulder. He’d wanted to make this a surprise, but maybe this isn’t the best context for that.]

I haven’t seen much in the way of… ‘real’ trolls here. We just know they’re allowed because that’s, uh… how the Ringmaster disguised some of us from the carnival so we would be allowed in.

[dorkypantsuit]

[His small smile turns from one of discomfort to genuine as his eyes widen in pleasant surprise.]

You?

[He asks, feeling a small swell of excitement at the prospect.]

[dontpokethat]

Me.

[Ah, there it is. Man, he should have just told him from the beginning.]

I'd wanted to surprise you, but I... guess I didn't think that one through. Sorry.

[dorkypantsuit]

[Ginko as a troll. He cannot even imagine it, and he laughs at the idea of it suddenly pulling Ginko forward.]

Well, come on!

[dontpokethat]

[Well, soon he won't have to. Ginko snorts and follows Psi readily, his tail giving an amused flick as they go.

He'd really missed this.

When they reach the carnival's exit and step off of its grounds, there's the familiar flicker of glamors settling into place, hiding away wings and tails to give the appearance of a pair of definitely-totally-normal, non-magically-affected trolls.

Ginko looks over at Psi with a slight, tentative smile, tilting his head slightly. Now that they're actually here, he's kind of wondering if this isn't actually as exciting as he'd thought it might be, but there's no turning back now.] Hope you're not too disappointed.

[dorkypantsuit]

[Grubbin, still on his shoulder, doesn't change much. Apparently, strange worm creatures don't look too out of place here. Psi, of course, doesn't change much either, looking the way he did before he knew of the carnival's existence. His antennae and wings disappear along with anything else he's gained since joining. Ginko though suddenly appears before him with the grey skin and orange horns of a troll, and Psi stops, astounded. There's no way to describe it. It's like watching a movie in black and white and then watching it in color. It's the same, but completely different.]

[He steps forward, lifting a hand to run through Ginko's black hair. He notes the pointed ears, his horns from before basically the same except for the color. Ginko's eyes still look green, but now they are a very specific shade and the Psionic's mouth opens in surprise to see them.]

Jade...

[He murmurs, voice soft as he looks down more to see dark grey lips and fangs.]

Holy shit.

[He suddenly smiles wide, clearly delighted at the sight before him.]

Ginko, you're-! You-

[He cuts himself off, stumbling with his words in his excitement and he laughs.]

You're a jadeblood!

[dontpokethat]

[Ginko stands still, patient if a little nervous, as Psi looks him over, leaning unconsciously into the fingers in his hair. He lets out a quiet laugh himself.]

Am I? So, what's that... I don't know, mean?

[dorkypantsuit]

[Psi leans closer, his expression fond. It doesn't really mean anything, other than the magic made him look like a jade. But it fit. Jadebloods were patient, if not necessarily kinder, than the average troll. They had to be.]

It means you're exactly who I always thought you were.

[dontpokethat]

Thanks? I think.

[He hopes that's a good thing.]

[dorkypantsuit]

[Psi rolls his eyes, not that it's easy to tell.]

Well it's not like you're any different. It's just the typical jadeblood is... Patient. And caring. Attentive.

...Working all the time whether I want you to or not.

[He smiles down at Ginko, clearly teasing.]

[dontpokethat]

[Hearing how other people see him is often a little strange. Even when it's something he's heard before, implied or stated outright, it's hard to connect those words to himself.

Hearing Psi say it is even stranger.

He lets out a shaky laugh, ducking his head slightly.]

I'll take that as... mostly a compliment, then.

[dorkypantsuit]

Good.

It was supposed to be.

[It's another moment he wants to end with a kiss. He even briefly imagines it, grabbing Ginko by the horn to pull their mouths together. No, that would probably not be welcome. He doesn't even know how Ginko feels about horn grabbing. Still, it's an appealing image. He's also curious to see just how far this glamor extends. He glances slowly down and up Ginko's body, taking him all in before he even thinks to stop himself. Nope nope nope. That was a bad idea, a very bad idea. Still, once he thinks it, it's hard to rid himself of the thought.]

Are you going to get uncomfortable if I talk dirty to you?

[dontpokethat]

[A while back, that would have gotten a quick and easy answer - though one Ginko would probably feel a little bad for. But... hm. Now, the idea doesn't seem quite as weird as it used to.

Maybe it's that he's gotten more comfortable with him, or maybe he really did miss Psi just that much. Either way, at the moment... Ginko presses his lips together and looks away thoughtfully.]

If... we make sure nobody hears. Maybe not.

[He can't guarantee anything, but...]

[dorkypantsuit]

[No Psi's eyes are really widening in surprise.]

Maybe I should go away more often.

[dontpokethat]

I'd really rather you didn't.

[See, every so often Ginko can be honest about his feelings.]

[dorkypantsuit]

Yeah.

Being away is the worst.

[Being away from Ginko specifically, but he doesn't clarify. There's reasons he'd gone of course, important ones, not that he'd bothered trying to explain that to Ginko before he left.]

I am sorry. I know I already said that, but...

[He shrugs.]

[dontpokethat]

[Ginko snorts softly, and leans in to press a quick kiss - barely even a peck, really - to the end of Psi's nose.]

It's alright. You're back now, aren't you?

[That's about the most Ginko could ask for.]

[dorkypantsuit]

[He jolts at the kiss, surprised, before bringing a hand up to rub his nose. He smiles, amused by the gesture.]

Yeah. I am.

[And then, if you don't mind he would like an actual kiss, one on the lips, sir. He leans in to take one, unless Ginko objects, of course.]

Now are you going to show me around this junk-heap or do I have to give myself a tour?

[dontpokethat]

[He definitely doesn't object. Ginko tilts his head a little to accept the kiss, closing his eye just for the moment.

He opens it again when they break contact, and lets out a short laugh.]

Come on. You want to see more of the biodome, or get to the spacesuit rentals and head out?