PLATONIC FRIENDS NEEDED!

[enkidoh]

Name: un: enkidu
Date: 11th
Format: text

[It takes a lot of time tapping this message with less fingers but Enkidu manages.]

recently my truest friend has been summoned from the mirrors but for now he lacks platonic friends to spend time with. he has been living a solitary life as a king and i do not want him to be alone anymore.

his name is gilgamesh. he is very fond of his treasures and also knows the greatest stories about them. he enjoys wine as well. he is great to spar with and likes to go on adventures. his favorite color is gold. once he introduced me to beer and bread and allowed me to eat and drink everything i wanted.

would people like to become his platonic friend? or another sort of friend? as i know that many sorts of friendships are possible.

let me know if you have questions or want to meet him. he can be a bit fussy at first but please do not let it get to you. he has been alone. for a long time.

Comments

[ video ]

[gilgamess]

[ look, Papyrus, people a lot less furry than you get the mongrel treatment, okok. you learn not to take the Gilgamesh-isms personally eventually.

being Gilgamesh's Only Friend would indeed carry the potential for a sort of implicit burden. unfortunately, Gilgamesh tends not to look at things that way, or even to consider the weight he may have placed on Enkidu's shoulders. or if he does consider it, he takes for granted that Enkidu manages without consequence.

but anyway -- ]

Tch, it seems that it is very important to my friend that I engage in this so-called "small talk."

[ he can completely and absolutely do this. ]

Therefore, I suppose I deign to exchange legends with you, O skinless one. Indeed, I ventured to the Underworld myself, that Kur. Such a journey I undertook more than once. I became greatly acquainted with that abysmal place.

And the netherworld goddess, Ereshkigal... during my lively pleasures within my palace, she once knocked upon the ground from below and threatened to have the abyss consume me. Displeased at the sounds of my revelry! Of all women, I simply cannot countenance goddesses.

[ he laughs. ]

Yet, what Underworld is it that created a being such as yourself? Were you a Hassan, you should know it. Yet to my eyes you look somewhat solid for a ghost.

Of what use is that fur when you are without a need for warmth? You would do well to shave it and sell it for a good quantity of money. I am indeed an expert in all manner of finding ways to master monetary systems and financial rewards; it is my Golden Rule, or the AUO Money is Power System.

[sealeted]

I can't say I've never heard that before.

Hopefully we'll come to understand each other more, the more we get to know one another.

hehe ♥️

[oathkeeper]

wow you must really like beer! but yeah, i did manage to help him. he was really sick so i was glad i was able to do something. i just wish i could do more for him. he's kinda stubborn about things sometimes.

but for a first day here it was a good day.

ahahah but i meant cool meaning you're awesome! not that i think you're cold! but if you're cold you should definitely keep that wool shirt snug!

[seemstressed]

That sounds amazing. I would love to hear some of your stories sometime.

You can ask him, sure! But I want to know what your favourite is. Or, if picking one is too difficult, perhaps a few of your favourites?

Making new memories with those you care for is always exciting.

text; alomar

[partnerinheels]

Solitary by choice?

un: enkidu

[enkidoh]

yes. it is one of the sacrifices he has made in order to protect humanity's future.

[partnerinheels]

That can't be easy on the social skills. How did him having no friends for an extended period of time protect humanity?

[omnicrafter]

Or maybe I'm just reckless. Either works. Though I don't doubt he'll drive off more than a few of your offers here...

What, then, is his perspective? Have we done something to him in turn, perhaps? That's usually the way of it.

You say you are a weapon, but it would seem you are one who would sooner protect him than draw blood for him on demand.

[scatmaam]

That is all, they say... [ A small huff. ]

Well all that aside, regardless of my opinion of that man, so long you're happy, I'll tolerate his presence.

But I am definitely not going to be his friend.

[recklessbelief]

sure! i can even help you teach him if u want

[akko has no idea. none idea.]

[enkidoh]

gil is a king. a king can choose a life of solitude but still aim to protect the future of the people who serve him.

[With being an absolute tyrant.]

have you ever heard of his legend? it must be known to humans

[gilgamess]

Aha, quite bold, aren't you? "Amusement is its own value." Indeed, you speak truly.

[ needless to say, he seems to have calmed down considerably.

it is almost like Enkidu was right about how he is much more personable once you get past that initial spiky attitude. maybe. but Gilgamesh is very contradictory by nature. ]

It seems that it is very important to my friend that I entertain the masses, so very well, I shall heed your request. But do not presume it means that Enkidu's words about me befriending others are accurate. [ you know, he still feels the need to put this disclaimer out there!! ] I am simply a King who enjoys idle pleasures from time to time. I suppose there is no harm in my doing so here.

As for what I should ask were I to win ... if you have no immediate answer, then my answer is obvious: a favor, to be called upon at another time. As the King, I charge only according to how one's talents should enrich me, and a favor according to one's abilities is what intrigues me the most.

[ and as for what that could be, he has no idea, because he has no idea of the full scope of her abilities, or when he might wish to call upon them. ]

And should you win, you may ask the same of me.

[ video ]

[gilgamess]

Ah... a simple question, you call it... yet it is both simple and complex, and accordingly, so is the answer.

[ he punctuates with a short, contemplative sound. hm. ]

Let us begin with the simple answer. I think it obvious, but I shall say it anyway: each person must act according to one's abilities. To comprehend and resist so dangerous a foe, you must understand your own talents and strengthen those.

Though this business about magic is not exactly to my tastes, it obviously affords you new opportunities for self-discovery.

Moreover, you must also imagine the worst possible outcome. Once you have done so, there is nothing to fear, because you have already considered the bleakest scenario. Either it comes to pass, and there is nothingness, or there is a better outcome than that. To take on the burden of fighting for humanity is essentially to face the world one on one. Such an exclusive burden is for the King alone.

[ you know, not really, but. that is how he sees things. ]

For all others, you must rely on cooperation, and that necessarily means specialization.

What that specialization shall be, even I cannot say unless I were to know each of you as though you were my people. That much you will have to answer, and that is where the complexity lies.

I, of course, shall not remain idle, but shall seek answers as to how to overcome and hold back this infection. Whatever I find, if it should concern all citizens, I shall make it known.

[gilgamess]

Hm. Do you mean to say that these Rathmores had spells to remove others' magic?

[ that puts an entirely different perspective on what apparently happened. ]

To cut to the heart of the matter, I still have not learned why they committed this grave offense. It seems I missed some manner of hostilities between the natives here and the Mirrorbound, yet the assumption seems to be that this violence is a matter of the past.

[ well, no one has explicitly said so, but Enkidu and others have explicitly tried to urge Gilgamesh away from holding onto a vengeful attitude, which would include assuming the worst of any other natives. ]

[ video ]

[getting_better]

[Ah, clearly the legends of told from his world don't reflect what he's just heard. King Gilgamesh...interesting.

At the very least the two of them seem to be on the same page, and his intentions however colored in pride, are good. He notices that he didn't mention the Parliament and he wonders why? Did he see himself above them, or were they none of his concern to begin with? Or does he already suspect them of a hidden agenda but is keeping it to himself?

Probing him for an answer might be..."above his station", so he should just keep a tab on that. Maybe in the future if or when he earns the kings good graces.]

Truly your wisdom is worth more than gold, oh king. Many thanks, I shall endeavor to follow them and I can only hope that one day my humble skills will be of service to you.

[ video ]

[gilgamess]

[ actually... he just has not had time to poke into the Parliament yet because he has been too busy having Wilde adventures and such, but don't worry, that is a soon-to-be agenda item, and they can discuss it more when the time comes.

Oldest King Grapples With (Semi-)Democracy 2020 and all that. ]

Your reception satisfies. [ genuinely enough. ] And what is your name, who would endeavor to be of assistance to me?

[ video ]

[getting_better]

I am called Bishop, your majesty. A former soldier, now a...mercenary.

[Hitman or assassin would be more accurate. But mercenaries get paid to do some unsavory things too so, his definition isn't too far off.]

text

[enkidoh]

i have no reason to. i have no intentions to find a wife.

it is true that there is nothing wrong with your body. i am quite fond of it myself. but perhaps you can try to be more kind. the way you are kind to me.

[enkidoh]

most of all i wish to understand what gil means to you.

i truly hope you will call him a friend one day.

we are partners, aren't we?

[enkidoh]

no. most of all i wish to surprise him.

you can teach me.

[sealeted]

Tell you what; if you ever get him to a position where he'll allow it, I'll say it as many times as you'd like.

[Hakuno, that's defeating the point...]

We are! But that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to learn, still.

[partnerinheels]

Anyone can choose a life of solitude for whatever reason they like.

Stories are stories. I try not to judge a person until I meet them.

You didn't answer the question.

[hippocarnival]

Well, the Rathmore's violence is, anyway. [But haha he still doesn't like thinking about how they're all executed!!] There's been--conflict. And I don't think the hostility with Mirrorbound is over, but... it was way beyond what most people would have wanted to happen. The Rathmores were... hateful.

[ video ]

[gilgamess]

[ Gilgamesh's face on the video gradually seems to relax in its severity.

As the conversation progresses, his expression becomes flat. Disarmingly flat.

And yet Enkidu would recognize that as the countenance of the King withdrawing into himself, as though he were again gazing upon the distant future of humanity. His thoughts appear to grow much farther away. ]

To think that this is so important to you.

[ while the words fall short of surprise, they are murmured with the most subtle undercurrent of awe.

just why has Enkidu become so preoccupied with this strange whim? they know his strength and his resolve. they know perfectly well that Gilgamesh of all beings does not require those small day to day expressions of emotional output that other, lesser individuals do. the king who loves only treasure and sheds neither tears nor blood requires no further companionship. yet.

he shakes his head, though slightly. ]

I shall consent to be entertained and amused.

[ the words are dry, though the tone is far less flinty than before, and when he speaks again, it is with all the formality and clarity of a decree -- ]

For a King, his people may gratify him thusly. If that is what you wish, then as your friend, I grant this much. But no more.

[thejoyrider]

Much better once he was allowed to play again, thank you for asking!

[Even if the reminder of what happened just last month was still painful]

I shall be fine! I have never not met someone’s standards, I believe!