text, @TARANTO, day after the saloon fire

[heavyhitter]

hey guys guess what: blankets!!! me and TF to the fucking rescue, we rustled up like 40 of these bad boys
super cozy, some nice patterns. one of them has a robot wolf on it
it was also all entirely legal

they're ALMOST free, all you gotta do is tell me a story then come get one (i'm by those spiky ass fat plants that bleed if you knock them over)

also since i have 40 and there's more than 40 of us, i guess also pick someone to get cozy with

Comments

[heelies]

If you are not yet pleased by this the story I weave, wait then until you have heard the conclusion.

Hephaestus was furious to learn that his dear wife had made of him a cuckold, and thus he set this devious plan: he would forge a net of bronze, unbreakable by even the strong arms of war-loving Ares, and this he would fasten to the posts of his marriage bed. Then he bid fair Aphrodite farewell, with the lie that he was to journey to Lemnos for a while - but in truth, he would go nowhere.

Aphrodite was quick to send for her lover Ares, that they might lie together in her husband's bed while he was so far away. As soon as they fell into one another's embrace, however, they found themselves ensnared in the trap that the famous craftsman had set! In the morn Hephaestus returned and brought with him a host of gods, that they might see Aphrodite and Ares in their shame and thus ridicule them.

The lame-footed god of the forge next flew to Olympus to demand from Zeus almighty the return of the bride price he had paid. But the son of devious-minded Chronus would listen not to his entreaties, for the matter was a private dispute between man and wife, and thus he judged Hephaestus a fool for making a spectacle of it. In the end, he would keep his wife, but this came with the price of submitting himself to the humiliation of cuckoldry forever more.

[What a good story, is it not?]

[heavyhitter]

[ yeah.... definitely a great story........ she allows herself one single sigh for having put up with it. ]

I feel for Aphrodite, she got a shitty lot. I mean, not only does she have to spend her life with a guy she's not that into, but when she does get with a guy she actually likes, her husband fucking ties 'em up and invites everyone over to laugh about it. Then she's still gotta be with him, after he pulled that. No one wins in that fucking marriage.

...Except Zeus, I guess.

[heelies]

Worry not after laughter-loving Aphrodite, for she has since then claimed for her lover countless more men, divine and mortal alike. The bonds of fidelity which mark most marriages hinder not her. Thus save your pity for Hephaestus who delights in the love of no woman but for his own mother, jealous Hera, wife of Zeus.

Yet I can see plainly upon your countenance that you delight not in such a story as this. That of which I tell happened so long ago - why then furrows your brow and curls your lip?

[heavyhitter]

Hephaestus is whiny. Maybe the ladies would like him more if he'd sit his wife down and fucking talk to her instead of doing her up in a net, who knows.

Anyway, doesn't matter, it was a good story. Come get your blanket.

[heelies]

[He cares not to argue with her over a story of the gods, and thus he allows her to take this point. Far more pressing matters weight upon his shoulders at present.]

Very well, daughter of Jolanda. And where am I to find you amid this camp we must claim for our home?

[heavyhitter]

Spiky plants, blanket pile, me as king of the hill — you can't miss it.

( action )

[heelies]

Then I shall see you soon.

[And so he does, finding her easily once he sets to looking. Although he wears not his native garb, all of which was lost to the insatiable flames, he is as unmistakable as ever in denim and red flannel, both of which are stained still with yesterday's soot. As he draws near he gives greeting.]

What a trove of prizes you have seized, Ramir, daughter of Jolanda!

[heavyhitter]

[ ooh mr achilles, lookin good. She whistles appreciatively, sitting up a little on her blanket throne with a grin. ]

I know, right? It's almost a shame to give 'em all out. [ Except it's not, because she likes these people. (Most of them.) ] Alright, what color do you want? I'll find you a good one.

[heelies]

I should find it to my liking to possess one woven in purple or red such that a rich man might wear upon his body or bear upon the masts of his ships, for these are the finest colors.

[Which in his estimation has everything to do with how difficult to obtain are the dyes with which the wool is stained. No mere peasant can come by something so precious, and thus the richness of color becomes another means by which a man may flaunt his worth.]

[heavyhitter]

[ That answer really, really didn't need to be that long. But if she's learned anything about Achilles, it's that it doesn't do any good to point that out to him. So she just pulls herself up to start digging, and... a few seconds later, straightens up with a generally red blanket, with purple geometric shapes woven into it. ]

Hey, what about this? Best of both worlds, right? I dunno that you'd wear it, but I'm not gonna judge you if you make it a cape.

[heelies]

[He takes the proffered blanket and wraps it around his shoulders - not for her comment, but for the cold that draws around him.]

You have chosen finely indeed, Ramir. For this kindness you have done unto me I thank you. It seems moreover that you and Klim's son shall have no trouble keeping warm, especially if few have worthy stories to share.

[heavyhitter]

Oh, yeah, don't you fucking worry, we're always nice and toasty. [ She almost adds finger guns, but there's no way he gets finger guns. Would he get a wink? She goes for it anyway, what the hell. And just in case: ] If you know what I mean.

[heelies]

[There once was a time when he might have chided her for so immodest a tongue, yet he has long since grown accustomed to and made room for her idiosyncrasies. Thus, despite the dark cloud that lingers over his heart, he cannot help but laugh.]

Indeed! How fortunate Sigma is to have by his side so passionate a woman.

[No mention of her keeping warm his bed or other assorted misogynistic turns of phrase!]

Rest assured that I too shall keep warm through this bitter cold-- [Wait for it...] If indeed you follow that which I intend.

[heavyhitter]

[ Okay, that's a laugh. ]

Yeah, thanks, I think I follow what you intend. [ She's going to steal that and use it one day. If indeed you follow that which I intend. This guy's a goldmine. Anyway: ] Lucky guy. She's hot, sweet, and super useful, huh?

[heelies]

[As when a cloud passes before the sun and thus casts its shadow across the fields below, so too darken Achilles' features. How unusual it is for one as forthright as he to avoid eye contact, yet at present he casts his gaze away from Ramir, looking instead upon the pile of blankets behind her.]

If it Olivia upon whom you heap such praise, then I must tell you of how my heart is heavy with regrets, for she wishes no longer to stay by my side as my wife.

[heavyhitter]

[ Whoa, there's not a reaction she'd expected. Ramir blinks, looking him over suddenly more attentively. ]

Wait, what? Hang on — what happened?

pretend i didn't miss a word up there

[heelies]

[He draws the blanket more tightly around his shoulders ere he speaks.]

Fortune, with its many twists and turns, shall always take a man by surprise. Since I awakened yesterday morn, I have been bestowed with benison such that I never thought possible, and so too have I been dealt dark sorrow that weakens my joy as shadows weaken the warmth of sunlight. My dearest companion, the glorious son of Menoetius, walks now among this crew with life restored to his limbs and breath upon his lips, just as he appears in all my fond memories. Yet for this, I have lost Olivia, she whom I love as my wife. No matter that my heart swells with love for both - for her, no reassurance was enough, and so she fled.

[He has discernment enough, at least, to realize that Ramir will not likely appreciate his argument that the love a man has for his brother in arms and that which he has for a woman are separate matters, hardly in competition within his heart.]

i will do no such thing, face your sins

[heavyhitter]

[ Oh, ouch. She winces, but: ]

Hang on, let me see if I got this right. So you and your guy, uh, son of Menoetius, he's the guy you used to date? [ While he was alive, she gets that part, but opts not to say it. It seems a little cruel. ] And now he's here?

slaps on a scarlet letter and climbs the scaffold

[heelies]

[His brow wrinkles in bemusement, as if Ramir has just said something strange.]

Men do not court one another - who ever heard of a man taking for his bride one of his own sex and bringing him to live in his father's house? How is he to have strong sons and beautiful daughters borne for him but for by a woman?

Great-hearted Patroclus I love as I do my own life, however, and indeed you have heard true: although Fate once stole him from my side, he the best of the Myrmidons who are under my command, he has now returned to me as never he did that day I bade him defend the ships.

[Translation: Yes.]

[heavyhitter]

[ Okay, hang on, she's got to put her sympathy on hold for a second while she works through the finer points here. Why else would Olivia be upset unless they were dating, right?

She'll have to phrase this delicately. ]

Wait, so — okay, Patroclus, right — you and Patroclus, were you guys fucking? I mean, are you fucking, I guess, since he's here.

[ Just kidding, what does delicately mean. ]

[heelies]

It may be best to speak outright, but still there is no need for speech so crude - although it is true that we have shared in love-sweet kisses and the devout union of thighs countless times over.

[You can thank Aeschylus for that turn of phrase. To better help her understand, he adds to this:]

There is no title yet invented by men that encompasses all that he is to me, neither friend, nor kin, nor brother in arms, nor lover - nor words to properly express my love, but for to say that he is my second self.

[heavyhitter]

[ Love-sweet kisses, end her. She doesn't even want more explanation on devout union of thighs, thanks so much for that one Achilles. ]

Okay, got it. [ And she's pretty sure she does. They were totally dating. Back to the sympathy again, and her expression shifts toward sorry. ] Jesus, there's a dilemma for you. I guess Olivia's not into sharing, huh?

[ And she can't blame her, really. There are a couple things you never want sprung on you, and polygamy is pretty high on the list. ]

[heelies]

[His anguish is plain upon his countenance as he makes his answer.]

She could not see that she need not share, for there is room enough in my heart for her as well as Menoetius' son, and my love for him diminishes not my love for her. How can one replace the other, when he is like the roots that hold steady a tree and she the branches that bear its sweet fruit?

[His words now whip raw from his tongue, the wound still so fresh and tender. Yet from this heightened pitch he sinks, his thoughts coming more slowly as he tries to shape them from the incoherent fog.]

But I too could not see - I saw not that what is natural among the Achaeans must be strange to other races of men. I meant not to hurt her, yet in my joy to receive worthy Patroclus and in the bliss she and I together shared, I was blinded.

[heavyhitter]

[ Her face falls sympathetically. Not that she agrees with his take on it, but she can see where he's coming from — and that the regret is genuine. That's worth something.

That's mainly why she moves forward, reaching up to sling arms around his neck and pull him down into a hug. Even if this is something she's gotta yell at him for, at least he deserves this much. ]

[heelies]

[He is surprised to be caught in her embrace, yet at once he welcomes this comfort, receiving her with his hands mindful upon her waist and his cheek pressed to her hair. While the blanket begins to slip from his shoulders, the warmth of her arms offers recompense.]

Ramir...

[He lets silence drape them for a moment ere he softly sighs.]

For all that I am joyed to welcome my dear companion back to the country of the living, I long for my lovely-haired Olivia even so.