paramounts | Erku IC Inbox

[ Through his fluster he's secretly pleased by the attention, although his smile falters when she mentions her absent friends. ]

I'm sorry to hear about your friends. Your new ones seem very ... nice.

[ Although he and Lottie are like two goats butting heads on each occasion they meet. ]

Hmm, we were more business associates than anything, really. The Chthonic gods do not often intermingle with Olympians back home.

[It's a whole thing! Which also means it will probably be a very long time before she sees either of them again, but she's not going to dwell on that for too long!]

Oh, Lottie and Hilda? They are a delight. Did you have fun with our little game on the network? I should thank Beau for your participation.

[ Gods. Yeah, a big inward shrug instead of trying to unravel the mysteries of those layers. Maybe another time, hmm. ]

It was certainly unexpected.

[ Bathrooms should be sacred, is all he will think about that!! ]

Your friend Lottie, is she ... ? Is she alright? I've run into her a couple of times, she always seems unsettled by me.

[That's probably for the best. It would take a long time to explain all of the weird God things.]

What do you mean? Honestly, we only met the night of the party but we became fast friends. Perhaps you should use some of your charm on her.

[ He snorts at the idea of trying to charm Lottie. He would probably get another of those narrow suspicious looks. ]

I don't think that would work, somehow. She thinks I'm weird.

Perhaps she is from a world that men do not come so large and green.

[Said with a fond laugh.]

Have you done anything strange around her?

I didn't do anything strange! She was watching me on the beach when I got out of the water!

[ Because her eyes can't see far or something so she used a device, hokay!! ]

[Adorable...]

Is that all? Does it make you nervous to have someone watch you swim?

I wasn't swimming, I was getting out when I saw her watching. She was startled.

[ He's not the strange one here, huff. ]

Were you naked in the water?

[For scientific curiosity.]

Well, yeah. You don't wear clothes in the sea, when the Nein visited the beach at the Menagerie Coast we all stripped and dove straight in.

It makes sense to me, dearest.

[Says the goddess who is naked almost all the time. She hums, considering her words.]

Truly, I do not know much about Lottie, but in my experience some human cultures have some... odd values when it comes to modesty.

Before long everyone on this island will have seen what's beneath my clothes.

[ Grumpy halforc is grumpy. ]

Hmm, well for the record, the picture that Beau gifted to me has been kept for my eyes only.

[She doesn't know Lottie kept a copy!]

You have quite a nice everything, so I am surprised you do not flaunt it more.

[ He's shared so much of himself with Aphrodite already, it feels natural when he doesn't have to second-guess opening up a little more. ]

I was teased growing up, I didn't do it all at once like a human. Physically, I mean. They made fun of me. I don't really like being ... exposed.

I guess I still feel a little bit like that ugly kid.

[It's all fun and games but Fjord's admission is one that she's not expecting.]

Well, I do not know what the beauty standards are on Exandria, but if you are considered ugly I think I would like to go visit.

[Said with a small laugh but there's a somber tone to her voice. It sometimes feels strange, to have such a rift in life experiences between herself and others and sometimes it is hard to bridge that gap. Her voice turns more serious:]

Do you feel that way when you are with me?

I really was ugly, this isn't a "woe is me" thing. I had my knuckles drag on the floor for a year, my shoulders and head got bigger while my legs were still a child's. Orcs age rapidly but my other blood slowed the whole process down, here and there.

I know I look alright now, it's ... I'm fine.

[ Now he's paranoid that this sounds like a sob story, ugh. He doesn't want to be that person.

A soft laugh puffs free. ]

You've only ever made me feel good, I promise.

[She puts a hand over her mouth to hide a fond little smile. Oh no. She can't really imagine it, although picturing a little Fjord running around with too-long arms is charming.]

That sounds like... an awkward upbringing. It is hard for me to imagine, since I did not have any childhood at all.

[ lil green gorilla. ]

So fancy, being born straight out of the sea.

[ He likes to imagine she shot straight out of it like an arrow, heh. ]

Do you have any dominion over it?

From the sea foam, specifically. It is much better than to spring from the head of Lord Zeus or somesuch origin like that.

[No shade meant, Athena.]

Unfortunately, that is entirely the great oaf Poseidon's realm. And I mean that affectionately.

Well, next time I go paddling in the surf, I'll send a little prayer to you anyway.

[ Which makes him wonder, tilting his head ... ]

Could you hear me if I did that? Like ... could I Commune with you?

Mmm, it doesn't work quite like that here. It seems my powers have been dampened somewhat since I've arrived.

[It's like being blocked out from viewing Zagreus all over again.]

But I have not given it much thought. Try thinking of me now, dear and I'll tell you what I feel.

Okay, but if you hear me that's on you.

[ He laughs under his breath and thinks about her as asked to, her smile and laugh and the way she feels pressed up naked against him. Mmmm. ]

[There's a pause as she concentrates. Then:]

No specifics, but your heartbeat quickened. Were you thinking of something untoward, darling?

[ !! He always forgets she can read his heartbeat!! ]

There's nothing untoward about your beautiful face.

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