#heroicum

     Even Femto, with all his might and former power, had not been able to understand the effects of the bug bite -- before it was too late. As soon as Valentine's Day had struck and he'd fallen prey to the small vermin, he'd been filled with thoughts of... powerful affection, to say the least. More specifically, feelings towards a particular blond -- as though they'd already maintained a far deeper bond than mere companionship.

    It all felt too natural for him to doubt.

    Thus Griffith had been sure to dress nicely, buying a bouquet of red roses along the way. It was.. almost cliché, in a way -- not that he really minded. His intentions remained evident just the same, mind clear of all former manipulation. Almost as though he'd entirely forgotten why he'd approached Snow in the first place.

    ..But it seemed he'd forgotten his keys to the apartment. Smiling faintly to himself, the king reached to knock -- before recalling the doorbell, which he promptly rang. Once. Then twice. He couldn't recall the last time he'd felt such a giddy sense of excitement, as though he'd gone back in years.. Well, everything seemed far more simple in Hive City. There was something to be appreciated about that.

     The door opened, and Griffith smiled wide, thrilling happiness surging through his veins at the thought of the flowers. Yes, they truly were a wonderful surprise.

     ❝Happy Valentine's Day!❞

     Naturally, he stepped forward and embraced the taller man, wrapping paper rustling slightly around the bouquet -- but not before Snow received a light kiss on the cheek.

        That mop of blond hair, that tall build. Black clothes. As soon as the man had passed by through the throng of citizens, Griffith knew they'd crossed paths once again. Regardless of the time that transpired since their last meeting, he hadn't forgotten about Snow. Everything had been going so very smoothly during their last moments together; surely the traumatic events of their past meeting had secured further attachment.

        Griffith intended to take full advantage of it all.

        His pale blue eyes remained trained on the man, a soft breeze rustling the God Hand's hair as he stared at the blond with eerie concentration. But just as easily as it had come, the moment seemed to pass as a warm smile seeped to Griffith's features. Swiftly, he approached his former companion.

        ❝Snow!❞

        Gaze cheery with happiness at their long-awaited reunion, the God Hand couldn't help but feel a true sense of satisfaction at seeing the man again. While he had his own hoard of resources remaining within his kingdom -- demons and humans alike -- Snow struck a rather familiar note within his mind -- reminding him of a distant friend made enemy. But no; Villiers would surely serve as something far better than a mere replacement. It would all take patience, and, fortunately, Griffith had sufficient time on his hands.

QUEST NAME: Spring of Youth DATE LISTED: 7/27 QUEST LEVEL: ★ REWARD: 1x youth potion / completion

Rumor has it that buried deep within the Fairy Woodlands exists a spring that can return one’s youth. Embark on a quest to find it… just don’t fall in, else you might be re-experiencing your childhood in one of the most dangerous of places! Note that any age regression will be temporary!

       He'd taken note of the many quests available, speaking with various citizens upon his small exploration of this.. new Hive City. There was one task in particular that had caught Griffith's eye, regarding a "spring of youth." He'd heard of it from one of the villagers -- a mere NPC, yet they provided the God Hand with sufficient information, nonetheless: where to find the spring, recent rumors on what it was.. and so forth.

       Thus Griffith had ventured to Snow's apartment with the intention of drawing him out.

       Surely the man was up to nothing else, as it was.

       Knocking on the door, Griffith reached to adjust his attire, white cape drawn close. He'd chosen to don his.. more traditional clothing, seeing as it appeared to fit the overall setting far more than what the scientists had given him at the start of it all. As far as this endeavor went, he, naturally, had an ulterior motive in mind. If all went well, Snow would accidentally slip in.. and find himself regressed to the state of a mere child. Griffith did not intend to let this opportunity escape.

       If anything, it was at least worth a try.

Their favourite gemstone?

Opal; "Regarded as a stone strongly associated with the emotions, including love, passion and spontaneity. Opal is said to aid in visualization, imagination, and dreams."

Hot or lukewarm shower?

Hot, typically, though he's rarely had much of an option, having to bathe in streams and such.

That one thing that will cheer them up no matter what?

Pre-eclipse Griffith is cheered fairly easily. Seeing his colleagues happy makes him happy. As for post-eclipse Griffith.. that's another matter entirely. One may argue he's incapable of feeling true happiness.

Do they wash their hair or their body first?

Surely there was something to be gained from that.

Recollections of his nightmare had spun within his mind as he'd hurried along, not entirely sure of where to go, or who to go to -- Griffith didn't want to see anyone. Not only was his tongue somehow gone, yet there were scars and burns all across his back, burdening him with each move he made. Yet it was the sight of a familiar trail that brought some form of recognition, and, with it, relief, to the young man's mind.

Immediately, he set forth, moving through the trees, and, finally, to his vacation home.

No one would be there. At least that would give him the chance to rest and try to understand all that had happened, perhaps contact someone within Kairos.. as well as how he'd gotten to Paralia to begin with.

Thankfully, a spare key was always kept safe under one of the near flowerpots, Griffith quickly lifting it from beneath the clay structure before hurrying to the door.

It didn't make sense. None of it did.

Upon entering, the familiar scent of the house filled him with calming recollections. Trying his best not to focus on how empty his mouth felt, the white-haired youth pulled off his shoes, putting the key down before walking into the living room. However, as soon as he stepped inside, a cold sense of frightful dread shocked through his system. It seemed that he hadn't been the only person to think of stopping by his house; upon the living room couch sat Snow, himself.

Pale blue eyes wide, Griffith came to a grinding halt, brows knitting as his right hand curled into a tense fist. No. Of all people to find him, of course it had to be Snow.. but he couldn't let the blond see, he couldn't let him know what had happened -- he didn't want to face such a reality. Without any further hesitation, Griffith immediately turned on one heel, moving straight for the entrance door.

The workplace was hardly an unfamiliar setting for Griffith. He didn't fit in with the other people there in the slightest, small-built, attire formal, for the most part, and, well-- he remained entirely clean. Yet he often stopped by to speak with Snow, knowing that that was usually where he could find the blond on most days. It had become even a welcome place of respite, regardless of how strange of a newcomer he seemed to be to the other workers.

Hurrying in, the smell of oil and various other grimy substances hit his senses, Griffith's nose wrinkling slightly as he gazed about.. before peering under various cars.

❝Ah--❞

Swiftly, he knelt beside the appropriate car, pink flower in hand. Cocking his head, the smaller male caught a glimpse of his companion, working as usual.