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

voice;

[gilgamess]

[ Gilgamesh is just... going to blithely ignore that talk of making new friends and leaving loneliness behind or whatever. ]

You have enriched these peasants with false expectations, Enkidu. The responsibility to undo this is upon your shoulders now.

[ he can refrain from one insulting epithet. maybe. but there will be others. zasshu gonna zasshu. ]

Accept from them whatever offerings they may present. In my generosity, even if it is some meager sum, only 10,000 gold coins, I shall count it as an acceptable tribute for the King, given as you you have adjusted expectations to a level that can only be called error.

I have matters to attend to. I must master all spells and gather all treasures within this world. This city must soon fall under my dominion. Continue your strange pranks if you insist, yet I shall say to you only that it is unkind of you towards these beings to elevate their ideas so falsely.

[ "do as you will" is a fair enough friendly attitude, yes? but he has Shit to Do and also a migraine now, and he can't be bothered. ]

voice;

[enkidoh]

Ah. They should not be made aware of your presence and your strength? That is quite unlike you, Gil. And I will not undo anything. I hope you haven't forgotten how stubborn I can be.

[A pause.]

I will not undo it.

[Enkidu hums a little and for a moment the connection falls away. When it returns Enkidu is chuckling softly.]

There is nothing false about the claims I have made. The responsibility to uphold my claims lie with you now, my king.

[gilgamess]

Hah. What is this, Enkidu? Do you dare accuse me of mere vanity?

[ there is no anger in his voice, but there is more than a hint of a challenge there.

if Enkidu insists on obstinacy, it would be well to remind them of mankind's oldest immovable ego.

in former days, this might well be the prelude to a conflict of epic proportions, one waged with a million swords and no smaller number of chains. in fact, Gilgamesh's voice has a tinge of pleasure to it beneath that stern tone, as though he were experiencing the rising thrill associated with future combat. because he is, of course. it comes as naturally as breathing, even if that sweet taste is denied to him for the moment. ]

I shall repeat myself for you in more explicit terms: to claim that "many sorts of friendships are possible" is inaccurate. Such a statement may apply to lesser entities. Yet it cannot be called true for me. You are well aware of this, my friend. Rescind these false hopes.

Or do not. It is no matter to me.

[ he shrugs slightly. if Enkidu wishes to lead these people towards some kind of fool's error, Gilgamesh will not go out of his way to prevent them from doing so. ultimately, there is no need: none can penetrate the King's ultimate decree, a promise made long before. ]

But be aware that no amount of willing a different outcome may produce it when I have already made up my mind. I would spare you the inevitable disappointment from this course of action.

[enkidoh]

[Oh, Enkidu recognizes that tone and a smile appears on their face. Their heart beats faster and there is that thrill. He is challenging them and really, not even ten Rathmores could stop them from accepting such a challenge.]

You? Vain? [There is a mischievous and somewhat cocky undertone in their voice.] Unheard of. You are modesty itself.

[It would be absolutely amazing to face him in such a way again and they can feel how their muscles tense up, as if they're ready to jump up and expect to feel the earth underneath them again. Still, all that happens is that their grip around the device tightens a little.]

I do not, Gil. Not now I dare to hope again. [Let them explain, their voice clearer than ever.] It is true that none of them is able to come close to you, but each and every one of them has something to offer. Whether it will be a good fight, a nice conversation, an entertaining story or just sheer kindness.

[They sigh.]

I do not ask for you to replace me. Or to break a promise. [Even though, in the end of all, if Gil would find another true friend, it would mean that he has managed to leave a certain past behind. Still, it would hurt.] I merely want to ask you, as your friend until the end of times, to give them a chance.

[ 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.

voice

[enkidoh]

[Enkidu watches him silently. The look on his face changes again. It becomes a little distant. And all they can do is patiently wait for him to respond and when he does they merely smile.]

One day we will part. I want to leave you behind knowing that there is a reason for you to look forward.

[It is difficult to explain to him why they want this. To be so selfish in the face of a king. To not trust the strength of his will and the exceptional way his soul could grow.]

Thank you for your generosity, my king. [Enkidu pauses and smiles.] And thank you for your kindness, my friend.

voice;

[gilgamess]

[ over the feed, Gilgamesh does laugh -- long and hard. ]

Once again, to speak of such nonsense, Enkidu! [ he clarifies, of course: ] Legends do not part! So long as those exist to remember us, we are always together, until the end of time and memory. There is no separation when you have the foundation to always return to, my friend.

[ Gil is a Big Picture Thinker in that sense. even after millennia of literal separation. ]