For @adairable-dirks, Fabian & Gorgug friendship
Gorgug kind of hates Fabian’s house, a little.
It’s very big, and he doesn’t hit his head, which is very nice. But he also doesn’t hit his head at school, and school has more signs of being lived in than Fabian’s place.
They’re practicing some of Fabian’s new flourishes--multiclassing or class changes require a lot more study, something that Gorgug is discovering now that he has to play catch-up in all his artificer classes. Hallariel is giving harsh-but-helpful critiques of Fabian’s foot movements, and Gorgug is doing his best to attack without actually hurting his friend.
“Very good, Fabian,” Hallariel says after what feels like a minute and a year. Rage makes time go a little funny. “You’ve earned a full ration today.”
“What?” Gorgug says.
“Of kippers,” Fabian says. “Not of food. Don’t worry.”
“Okay,” Gorgug says. He’s not great at reading people, but Fabian’s shoulders are relaxed, even after all the combat practice, and that’s usually a good sign. He, Riz, and Ayda have talked about it.
“Gorgug, grab whatever you like,” Hallariel says. “I’m not sure what you like...?”
“Mostly normal food,” Gorgug says. “Like, ants on a log and stuff.”
“I don’t know what that is,” Hallariel says. “Bugs? I wasn’t aware that was part of gnomish cuisine in Solace?”
“No, it’s raisins, peanut butter, and celery,” Gorgug explains. He’d explained the same thing to Fabian, sure, but also to Cassandra, a few weeks ago, when they were all hanging out and their giant, star-glass eye looked in the window and went
What is that?
in a voice that boomed and soothed all at once. Kristen had been too busy listening to sad music from her crystal about Tracker to answer properly, so Gorgug had, then elaborated for Ayda, then convinced Aelwyn to try it.
“Hm,” Hallariel says. “We have cantaloupe?”
“Cantaloupe sounds nice, thank you,” Gorgug says, all in one breath, in a rush. That happens sometimes, too.
“Gorgug,” Fabian calls from down the hallway.
But anyway, Fabian’s house. It’s all plain white walls and gilded things that don’t need to be gilded and one or two pirate barrels in each room. Kristen disdainfully called it minimalism once.
“Your house is quiet,” Gorgug says.
“Is yours not?”
“No,” Gorgug says. “My parents are usually working on something or listening to music or just talking.”
“So do my mother and Gilear, it’s big enough that we have some peace,” Fabian says.
Gorgug frowns. He’s not quite explaining what he means, but now he’s not sure how to without being rude.
“It takes awhile to get to the kitchen,” Gorgug adds.
“The one con of a big house,” Fabian says. “Now, I’m not sure if we actually have any more cantaloupe, but I also know you’ll know what’s happening in the kitchen more than my mother will.”
“Aw, I like cantaloupe,” Gorgug says.
“I’ll ask Scurvy Pete about it,” Fabian says, as though that’s not a buckwild thing to say. “Are you alright? You’re not still in a rage, are you?”
“No!” Gorgug shakes his head. “I don’t know. Weird mood.”
It’s not that he hates big houses, actually. He likes Mordred Manor, and that one has cobwebs (not a big deal) and ghosts (bad, remind him of Hell) and all his friends (good, sometimes overwhelming).
This house is just boring.
“So, which fridge has the fruit?” Gorgug asks. Fabian shrugs, so Gorgug keeps opening different fridges. Juices, exorbitant amounts of yogurt, seafood... “This can’t be a healthy diet. How do you play sports?”
“I’ve never had any problems,” Fabian says. “What do you eat, steaks? I know Ragh eats steaks.”
“I mean, sometimes.”
They eat food at a solid white table with seats that aren’t quite steady under them.
“Next time, let’s practice at my place,” Gorgug says. Nailed it.
“Why?” Fabian says.
Fuck.
“My parents can help,” Gorgug says. C’mon, think, you’re not dumb, you got through the forest... “They can set up, like. Practice combat. With inventions.”
“True,” Fabian says.
“Also,” Gorgug says, because now he feels like he’s being dishonest and the guilt will eat him alive if he doesn’t admit to it immediately. “I kind of think your house is uncomfortable.”
Gorgug braces for Fabian to be upset, but he just laughs. “You, too? My mother and Gilear are moving things around. It’s strange without all of Papa’s treasure. They’re just making sure it doesn’t have dragon madness.”
“Oh,” Gorgug says. “Okay, good.”
“Besides,” Fabian says. “I’ll try the ant thing again.”
“We can make other things, Fabian.”
“No, I’ll survive.”
“Better than kippers.”
“How dare you? Out of my house, the disrespect--”
