"thus will babel fall, and the phoenix be reborn."

[scholar-in-red]

"Hm. How the court moves and shifts... intriguing."

Greetings.

You may call me, "The Scholar". Xey/xem, if you please.

I reside within the halls of the King in Yellow--but assume not, I am no disciple. I bow to no one. I simply seek knowledge.

The King in Yellow offers me no intellectual stimulation. Thus, I have opened the floor for questions.

There is only so much one can do from inside a golden cage, after all.

ooc segment!

welcome to my kiyverse askblog! mod goes by he/him, ooc posts will be tagged and colored yellow/orange!

i am a busy guy irl, so don't expect this blog to always be active, but i will make an effort to answer asks and interact with my fellow rp buddies!

tag list:

#caws of the caged bird - thoughts and one-off posts

#intellectual discussion - asks and long interactions

#alter ego - ooc tag

#fire in white - lore tag!

#warden of knowledge - posts related to the king in yellow

#the royal court - posts related to the other members of the kiyverse

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

... forgive me my absence. and my poor behavior.

alcohol does not agree with this body.

what a frivolous thing, do you not think so? the desperate actions mortals take to avoid the real world. quite funny, really.

~ @scholar-in-red

extremely funny indeed.

most everything they do is amusing in some way.

[scholar-in-red]

and yet you deal with them. we deal with them. yes, quite amusing.

though, can you truly say you don’t have vices, hastur? i have met no one of our caliber who can truly be called ‘pure’.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

it would depend upon what the standard for purity is.

could you detail it completely?

[scholar-in-red]

perhaps not completely, but mostly.

the absence of sin or vice. the presence of virtue. beliefs. but they are fluid, i suppose.

i have no beliefs in that vein. thus, i have no preference for which ‘purity’ is correct.

i should hope that we are above that.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

why, yes.

we most certainly are.

beliefs are small and insignificant in that way. as are virtures and vices.

[scholar-in-red]

indeed.

hmph. when was the last time you agreed with me? and you didn’t object to my use of your name… it seems time has made you soft, hastur.

it would be sweet, if i were not so disgusted by it.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

would you prefer i begin to peel your skin from your flesh?

[scholar-in-red]

you won’t.

if you wanted me dead, i would be dead already. i have my own goals which tether me here, but…

you want my presence in carcosa, do you not?

tell me, hastur. what are you planning?

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

i am sure you would love to know.

[scholar-in-red]

i would.

hah. i very much doubt it’s out of care. not that i would want to be cared for by you—look how that poor girl turned out.

i do think i could make my way from the city gates and you’d be none the wiser. it would be a world of pain for me, but the look on your face… oh, it would be priceless.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

you think many such silly things.

i would not recommend reckless behavior. i would recommend sitting quietly and doing as you’re told.

[scholar-in-red]

in your dreams, hastur.

perhaps, just for that, i will make good on my promise.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

... forgive me my absence. and my poor behavior.

alcohol does not agree with this body.

what a frivolous thing, do you not think so? the desperate actions mortals take to avoid the real world. quite funny, really.

~ @scholar-in-red

extremely funny indeed.

most everything they do is amusing in some way.

[scholar-in-red]

and yet you deal with them. we deal with them. yes, quite amusing.

though, can you truly say you don’t have vices, hastur? i have met no one of our caliber who can truly be called ‘pure’.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

it would depend upon what the standard for purity is.

could you detail it completely?

[scholar-in-red]

perhaps not completely, but mostly.

the absence of sin or vice. the presence of virtue. beliefs. but they are fluid, i suppose.

i have no beliefs in that vein. thus, i have no preference for which ‘purity’ is correct.

i should hope that we are above that.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

why, yes.

we most certainly are.

beliefs are small and insignificant in that way. as are virtures and vices.

[scholar-in-red]

indeed.

hmph. when was the last time you agreed with me? and you didn’t object to my use of your name… it seems time has made you soft, hastur.

it would be sweet, if i were not so disgusted by it.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

would you prefer i begin to peel your skin from your flesh?

[scholar-in-red]

you won’t.

if you wanted me dead, i would be dead already. i have my own goals which tether me here, but…

you want my presence in carcosa, do you not?

tell me, hastur. what are you planning?

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

i am sure you would love to know.

[scholar-in-red]

i would.

hah. i very much doubt it’s out of care. not that i would want to be cared for by you—look how that poor girl turned out.

i do think i could make my way from the city gates and you’d be none the wiser. it would be a world of pain for me, but the look on your face… oh, it would be priceless.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

... forgive me my absence. and my poor behavior.

alcohol does not agree with this body.

what a frivolous thing, do you not think so? the desperate actions mortals take to avoid the real world. quite funny, really.

~ @scholar-in-red

extremely funny indeed.

most everything they do is amusing in some way.

[scholar-in-red]

and yet you deal with them. we deal with them. yes, quite amusing.

though, can you truly say you don’t have vices, hastur? i have met no one of our caliber who can truly be called ‘pure’.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

it would depend upon what the standard for purity is.

could you detail it completely?

[scholar-in-red]

perhaps not completely, but mostly.

the absence of sin or vice. the presence of virtue. beliefs. but they are fluid, i suppose.

i have no beliefs in that vein. thus, i have no preference for which ‘purity’ is correct.

i should hope that we are above that.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

why, yes.

we most certainly are.

beliefs are small and insignificant in that way. as are virtures and vices.

[scholar-in-red]

indeed.

hmph. when was the last time you agreed with me? and you didn’t object to my use of your name… it seems time has made you soft, hastur.

it would be sweet, if i were not so disgusted by it.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

would you prefer i begin to peel your skin from your flesh?

[scholar-in-red]

you won’t.

if you wanted me dead, i would be dead already. i have my own goals which tether me here, but…

you want my presence in carcosa, do you not?

tell me, hastur. what are you planning?

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

... forgive me my absence. and my poor behavior.

alcohol does not agree with this body.

what a frivolous thing, do you not think so? the desperate actions mortals take to avoid the real world. quite funny, really.

~ @scholar-in-red

extremely funny indeed.

most everything they do is amusing in some way.

[scholar-in-red]

and yet you deal with them. we deal with them. yes, quite amusing.

though, can you truly say you don’t have vices, hastur? i have met no one of our caliber who can truly be called ‘pure’.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

it would depend upon what the standard for purity is.

could you detail it completely?

[scholar-in-red]

perhaps not completely, but mostly.

the absence of sin or vice. the presence of virtue. beliefs. but they are fluid, i suppose.

i have no beliefs in that vein. thus, i have no preference for which ‘purity’ is correct.

i should hope that we are above that.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

why, yes.

we most certainly are.

beliefs are small and insignificant in that way. as are virtures and vices.

[scholar-in-red]

indeed.

hmph. when was the last time you agreed with me? and you didn’t object to my use of your name… it seems time has made you soft, hastur.

it would be sweet, if i were not so disgusted by it.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

... forgive me my absence. and my poor behavior.

alcohol does not agree with this body.

what a frivolous thing, do you not think so? the desperate actions mortals take to avoid the real world. quite funny, really.

~ @scholar-in-red

extremely funny indeed.

most everything they do is amusing in some way.

[scholar-in-red]

and yet you deal with them. we deal with them. yes, quite amusing.

though, can you truly say you don’t have vices, hastur? i have met no one of our caliber who can truly be called ‘pure’.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

it would depend upon what the standard for purity is.

could you detail it completely?

[scholar-in-red]

perhaps not completely, but mostly.

the absence of sin or vice. the presence of virtue. beliefs. but they are fluid, i suppose.

i have no beliefs in that vein. thus, i have no preference for which ‘purity’ is correct.

i should hope that we are above that.

[scholar-in-red]

Say... Scholar...

do you... fuck- happen to know...

how to treat- shit ow- fuck,

a stab wound?

@the-golden-artist

—moea—what happened?

did he do this?

is there no end to your foolishness… stay still. apply pressure to it. calm your breathing, and there will be less… blood.

please, don’t stain…

[the-golden-artist]

my-

not

he

my

brother-

[scholar-in-red]

…who?

avery?

talk to me, moea. stay conscious. here, let us lower you to the ground. something here should serve as a tourniquet…

[crocell swallows back a gag, sickened by the sight of so much blood. xey quickly find a piece of xeir robe to rip off and press to moea’s wound.]

…really, moea, you could have gone to anyone else… do not bleed on any scripture, or i will be quite—gk—incensed.

[the-golden-artist]

n... ot

avery

my

brother-

he's supposed

to be

dead-

she coughs, but tries to stay still. Surprisingly not as stubborn as she would normally be about an injury.

[scholar-in-red]

i know not of this man…

that’s it, lie down. keep talking. focus on me, if it helps.

[xey gently hold her, helping her apply pressure. there’s an odd lump in xeir throat… xey don’t like the feeling.]

tell me about him. why did he do this? why is he alive?

[the-golden-artist]

Moea gives a soft whine chirped out under her breath as the pressure is applied.

he

died

years ag...o

how-

Moea tries to steady her breathing, she seemed slightly panicked, but was atleast trying to focus on xem.

he-

shouldnt

be

[scholar-in-red]

that’s it. steady. take deep breaths, moea. i…

[there is no needle or thread around. the only things passing as bandages are the bloodsoaked scraps of crocell’s clothing.

however, there is a candle.

xey swallow.]

i am going to cauterize your wound. it will hurt, but it will stop the bleeding.

stay calm.

[as if. crocell reaches up to take the candle from its sconce.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

... forgive me my absence. and my poor behavior.

alcohol does not agree with this body.

what a frivolous thing, do you not think so? the desperate actions mortals take to avoid the real world. quite funny, really.

~ @scholar-in-red

extremely funny indeed.

most everything they do is amusing in some way.

[scholar-in-red]

and yet you deal with them. we deal with them. yes, quite amusing.

though, can you truly say you don’t have vices, hastur? i have met no one of our caliber who can truly be called ‘pure’.

[scholar-in-red]

Say... Scholar...

do you... fuck- happen to know...

how to treat- shit ow- fuck,

a stab wound?

@the-golden-artist

—moea—what happened?

did he do this?

is there no end to your foolishness… stay still. apply pressure to it. calm your breathing, and there will be less… blood.

please, don’t stain…

[the-golden-artist]

my-

not

he

my

brother-

[scholar-in-red]

…who?

avery?

talk to me, moea. stay conscious. here, let us lower you to the ground. something here should serve as a tourniquet…

[crocell swallows back a gag, sickened by the sight of so much blood. xey quickly find a piece of xeir robe to rip off and press to moea’s wound.]

…really, moea, you could have gone to anyone else… do not bleed on any scripture, or i will be quite—gk—incensed.

[the-golden-artist]

n... ot

avery

my

brother-

he's supposed

to be

dead-

she coughs, but tries to stay still. Surprisingly not as stubborn as she would normally be about an injury.

[scholar-in-red]

i know not of this man…

that’s it, lie down. keep talking. focus on me, if it helps.

[xey gently hold her, helping her apply pressure. there’s an odd lump in xeir throat… xey don’t like the feeling.]

tell me about him. why did he do this? why is he alive?

[scholar-in-red]

I have been ordered to make the king gayer. *poofs a yellow maid dress and cat ears onto you*

i like not this ugly color. it doesn’t suit this body. get it off.

[scholar-in-red]

Say... Scholar...

do you... fuck- happen to know...

how to treat- shit ow- fuck,

a stab wound?

@the-golden-artist

—moea—what happened?

did he do this?

is there no end to your foolishness… stay still. apply pressure to it. calm your breathing, and there will be less… blood.

please, don’t stain…

[the-golden-artist]

my-

not

he

my

brother-

[scholar-in-red]

…who?

avery?

talk to me, moea. stay conscious. here, let us lower you to the ground. something here should serve as a tourniquet…

[crocell swallows back a gag, sickened by the sight of so much blood. xey quickly find a piece of xeir robe to rip off and press to moea’s wound.]

…really, moea, you could have gone to anyone else… do not bleed on any scripture, or i will be quite—gk—incensed.

[scholar-in-red]

Say... Scholar...

do you... fuck- happen to know...

how to treat- shit ow- fuck,

a stab wound?

@the-golden-artist

—moea—what happened?

did he do this?

is there no end to your foolishness… stay still. apply pressure to it. calm your breathing, and there will be less… blood.

please, don’t stain…

[scholar-in-red]

hey!! i don’t think i’ve met you yet, i’m Avery :]

- @avery-the-most-mayo

avery.

i have heard of you. you are incredibly foolish… and incredibly brave.

what do you want?

[avery-the-most-mayo]

i’ve heard of you a bunch so i wanted to meet you :]

and also my friend keeps saying something about how you have a homoerotic relationship with the king..???

[scholar-in-red]

…

false. false and slanderous.utterly untrue. who told you this? i could never feel more for him than contempt.

put that behind you. ahem.

i marvel at why you haven’t left yet. you have no reason to stay.

i… suppose it is nice to meet you while i can.

[scholar-in-red]

hey!! i don’t think i’ve met you yet, i’m Avery :]

- @avery-the-most-mayo

avery.

i have heard of you. you are incredibly foolish… and incredibly brave.

what do you want?

[scholar-in-red]

Hurry, we've found the King's true weakness: scritches!

ah?

...scritches?

[crocell can't help it. xey giggle. to think, what xey've been searching for for so long is so... simple?]

@ask-the-king-in-yellow is this true?

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

njo.

[scholar-in-red]

hm.

i do believe you're lying. maybe i should...

[xey reach out to give the king a little pat. just a light one.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

[he gives a light twitch and not much else.]

njotweak

vvery struong

[scholar-in-red]

hm? what does this mean?

you seem quite... preoccupied.

ha. i could come to enjoy this.

[xey scratch a little firmer now, under the king’s chin. or what xey assume is its chin. in this state, he seems to have no self preservation. the thought of taking advantage of that… it’s smirk-worthy.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

meanmesnemanemanmeanmeanemanemeanmeanmeanmrnamrwn

meantome

[a hand balls into a fist and pounds against the floor like a dog’s tail would.]

[scholar-in-red]

now that’s a stretch, isn’t it? here, shshsh…

[crocell gently gathers the king closer, hoping to stop the racket. he slots strangely nicely against xeir torso. crocell rests xeir chin on him, but stops short of a true embrace.]

there, no harm done, mm? yes…

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

mmmmmrrrrrrrrrrr…

mmmmmgggggeerrrrrrr

harmarharmmahramtonmemeantome

[the king scrabbles and scratches against the air, grumbling and wriggling angrily. like an annoyed snake.]

[scholar-in-red]

agh… be still. you’ll catch my robes.

i am not hurting you.

[crocell keeps still, letting out a huff at this inane behavior. to think the king would crack so easily… xey wonder if he would have come to xem on his own, if he’d have sought whatever he’s getting from xem.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

gweh

megghghmgmgssdnvvvsmmmbbb

[he repeatedly butts his head into xeir chest, trying to hurt them or to escape from the comfortable hold.]

ememhhgggsddttuuudbbbmmmenh

[it almost sounds like it’s attempting to form words.]

[scholar-in-red]

hey—calm down!

[the king easily manages to knock crocell over—not the first time, likely won’t be the last. xey huff. how does he manage to constantly walk all over xem?]

calling me stupid, mm? i am no less stupid than you are.. and definitely more well-read.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

udontnenedtoreadbwcsuseialrwafyjbowabdiknowthatuoiatebadandmeantome

mean

[he scrambles over xem and backs into a corner, grumbling.]

[scholar-in-red]

[crocell sits up, gently brushing off xeir robes. those inky splotches better wash off… hmph. what a pompous thing.]

i do think you’re forgetting what you’ve done to me. the pain you’ve visited upon me. i only stay in your clutches to alleviate it. i could have hurt you ten times over by now, but have i? no.

[xey cross xeir arms, regarding the king sternly.]

you have no reason to sulk so.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

yorufaultyourfaultyourtfault

notme

[he curls into a ball, hiding from crocell.]

[scholar-in-red]

ugh, you…

you are pathetic.

[crocell simply stares at the curled up king for a while. he really poses no threat in this form. sad little thing. crocell doesn’t want to call it guilt, but a certain little instinct bubbles up, and xey decide to follow it.

xey scoot over to the king, and lie down next to him. a wall on one side, and warm scholar on the other. crocell hesitates to call it a peace offering.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

mmmmrrrrggg.

[the king flops onto xeir lap. he is heavy.]

[scholar-in-red]

[crocell sighs. the king is heavy—it knocked the air out of them—but the weight is comforting. to think crocell would need comfort… well. perhaps xey catch xemself wanting it. sometimes.

xey absentmindedly stroke the king’s fluff.]

i suppose.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

stupdiyou

[he gets heavier.]

[scholar-in-red]

stop being antagonistic. and lying.

[crocell wheezes a bit, but doesn’t let go. the king is unexpectedly soft. xeir fingers sink into him like a viscous slime or putty. it’s quite tempting to let xeir guard down, but it is still the king.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

pppppppfffgghhhhhbbbbttt

yosuarevsrrystopdi

ppppbbbbtttt

[scholar-in-red]

shush up.

[xey pet him a little harder. his idiocy is seeming sweeter by the moment. perhaps the best part is the satisfaction of having the upper hand.

... xey want to kiss him. and smash his head in. both? the feeling is... odd.]

stop insulting me, or i will have to...

[xey cant help xemself. xey plant a kiss on the king's 'forehead'.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

[the king squeaks like a rubber chicken. he shoves his head against crocell’s chest.]

mmmmrrrhhhhhgggimthenkingmormeormemoemoremoremoremroemtoemore

[scholar-in-red]

...greedy.

[crocell gives the king another kiss. and another. this is... nice.]

you better not hold this against me.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

nonononyourefodijngverugoodverynicies

mremormeormeormoremoremoremoremroemroemroemoremoremore

[the king keeps shoving against crocell. he’s very greedy indeed.]

[scholar-in-red]

fine, fine.

...you changed your attitude quick.

[crocell gifts attention and affection as it's requested. is this xeir life now? perhaps. the king should stay like this, he's more manageable. crocell settles xeir head against his. yes. this is nice.]

how long will you keep me like this?

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

everavenedaverandveverandeveranwvdeveransveber

froeeberandeeverandwver

isaidMOEEMORENROEMROEMOREMORE

[scholar-in-red]

well, i cannot do forever--be gentle, you! gentle, or you get nothing!

[xey push the king a few inches back, but can only manage to hold him for a few moments before xey're exhausted. since when was he this... touchy!? the last time they touched like this was with inky, slimy tentacles and nothing but antagonism... the king is changing before xeir eyes, crocell thinks.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

ppphhhhlllleeeeepp

[the king squishes in annoyance, melting down into a slime like substance.]

[scholar-in-red]

[crocell waits for a moment. it's punishment enough; xey pull the king back before he can run away and sulk.]

see? that's what you get. be good, now, and i shall give you what you want.

[xey gently embrace the goop, stroking the king's back.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

mmmrrrrrrkkk

nnnnnnnnno

yougouououoyouyouyouyoubegoodmeanie

[despite this, the king reforms, curling completely into xeir lap. he’s much lighter now.]

[scholar-in-red]

there you are. you’re fine.

[crocell’s voice takes on an uncharacteristically soothing tone. xey lean back, resuming xeir soft pets. the king’s purring vibrates through xem, as if xey were part of some grand engine—it’s nice. against xeir wishes, crocell finds xemself genuinely calming down.]

that’s nice, isn’t it?

[scholar-in-red]

Hurry, we've found the King's true weakness: scritches!

ah?

...scritches?

[crocell can't help it. xey giggle. to think, what xey've been searching for for so long is so... simple?]

@ask-the-king-in-yellow is this true?

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

njo.

[scholar-in-red]

hm.

i do believe you're lying. maybe i should...

[xey reach out to give the king a little pat. just a light one.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

[he gives a light twitch and not much else.]

njotweak

vvery struong

[scholar-in-red]

hm? what does this mean?

you seem quite... preoccupied.

ha. i could come to enjoy this.

[xey scratch a little firmer now, under the king’s chin. or what xey assume is its chin. in this state, he seems to have no self preservation. the thought of taking advantage of that… it’s smirk-worthy.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

meanmesnemanemanmeanmeanemanemeanmeanmeanmrnamrwn

meantome

[a hand balls into a fist and pounds against the floor like a dog’s tail would.]

[scholar-in-red]

now that’s a stretch, isn’t it? here, shshsh…

[crocell gently gathers the king closer, hoping to stop the racket. he slots strangely nicely against xeir torso. crocell rests xeir chin on him, but stops short of a true embrace.]

there, no harm done, mm? yes…

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

mmmmmrrrrrrrrrrr…

mmmmmgggggeerrrrrrr

harmarharmmahramtonmemeantome

[the king scrabbles and scratches against the air, grumbling and wriggling angrily. like an annoyed snake.]

[scholar-in-red]

agh… be still. you’ll catch my robes.

i am not hurting you.

[crocell keeps still, letting out a huff at this inane behavior. to think the king would crack so easily… xey wonder if he would have come to xem on his own, if he’d have sought whatever he’s getting from xem.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

gweh

megghghmgmgssdnvvvsmmmbbb

[he repeatedly butts his head into xeir chest, trying to hurt them or to escape from the comfortable hold.]

ememhhgggsddttuuudbbbmmmenh

[it almost sounds like it’s attempting to form words.]

[scholar-in-red]

hey—calm down!

[the king easily manages to knock crocell over—not the first time, likely won’t be the last. xey huff. how does he manage to constantly walk all over xem?]

calling me stupid, mm? i am no less stupid than you are.. and definitely more well-read.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

udontnenedtoreadbwcsuseialrwafyjbowabdiknowthatuoiatebadandmeantome

mean

[he scrambles over xem and backs into a corner, grumbling.]

[scholar-in-red]

[crocell sits up, gently brushing off xeir robes. those inky splotches better wash off… hmph. what a pompous thing.]

i do think you’re forgetting what you’ve done to me. the pain you’ve visited upon me. i only stay in your clutches to alleviate it. i could have hurt you ten times over by now, but have i? no.

[xey cross xeir arms, regarding the king sternly.]

you have no reason to sulk so.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

yorufaultyourfaultyourtfault

notme

[he curls into a ball, hiding from crocell.]

[scholar-in-red]

ugh, you…

you are pathetic.

[crocell simply stares at the curled up king for a while. he really poses no threat in this form. sad little thing. crocell doesn’t want to call it guilt, but a certain little instinct bubbles up, and xey decide to follow it.

xey scoot over to the king, and lie down next to him. a wall on one side, and warm scholar on the other. crocell hesitates to call it a peace offering.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

mmmmrrrrggg.

[the king flops onto xeir lap. he is heavy.]

[scholar-in-red]

[crocell sighs. the king is heavy—it knocked the air out of them—but the weight is comforting. to think crocell would need comfort… well. perhaps xey catch xemself wanting it. sometimes.

xey absentmindedly stroke the king’s fluff.]

i suppose.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

stupdiyou

[he gets heavier.]

[scholar-in-red]

stop being antagonistic. and lying.

[crocell wheezes a bit, but doesn’t let go. the king is unexpectedly soft. xeir fingers sink into him like a viscous slime or putty. it’s quite tempting to let xeir guard down, but it is still the king.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

pppppppfffgghhhhhbbbbttt

yosuarevsrrystopdi

ppppbbbbtttt

[scholar-in-red]

shush up.

[xey pet him a little harder. his idiocy is seeming sweeter by the moment. perhaps the best part is the satisfaction of having the upper hand.

... xey want to kiss him. and smash his head in. both? the feeling is... odd.]

stop insulting me, or i will have to...

[xey cant help xemself. xey plant a kiss on the king's 'forehead'.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

[the king squeaks like a rubber chicken. he shoves his head against crocell’s chest.]

mmmmrrrhhhhhgggimthenkingmormeormemoemoremoremoremroemtoemore

[scholar-in-red]

...greedy.

[crocell gives the king another kiss. and another. this is... nice.]

you better not hold this against me.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

nonononyourefodijngverugoodverynicies

mremormeormeormoremoremoremoremroemroemroemoremoremore

[the king keeps shoving against crocell. he’s very greedy indeed.]

[scholar-in-red]

fine, fine.

...you changed your attitude quick.

[crocell gifts attention and affection as it's requested. is this xeir life now? perhaps. the king should stay like this, he's more manageable. crocell settles xeir head against his. yes. this is nice.]

how long will you keep me like this?

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

everavenedaverandveverandeveranwvdeveransveber

froeeberandeeverandwver

isaidMOEEMORENROEMROEMOREMORE

[scholar-in-red]

well, i cannot do forever--be gentle, you! gentle, or you get nothing!

[xey push the king a few inches back, but can only manage to hold him for a few moments before xey're exhausted. since when was he this... touchy!? the last time they touched like this was with inky, slimy tentacles and nothing but antagonism... the king is changing before xeir eyes, crocell thinks.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

ppphhhhlllleeeeepp

[the king squishes in annoyance, melting down into a slime like substance.]

[scholar-in-red]

[crocell waits for a moment. it's punishment enough; xey pull the king back before he can run away and sulk.]

see? that's what you get. be good, now, and i shall give you what you want.

[xey gently embrace the goop, stroking the king's back.]

[scholar-in-red]

Hurry, we've found the King's true weakness: scritches!

ah?

...scritches?

[crocell can't help it. xey giggle. to think, what xey've been searching for for so long is so... simple?]

@ask-the-king-in-yellow is this true?

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

njo.

[scholar-in-red]

hm.

i do believe you're lying. maybe i should...

[xey reach out to give the king a little pat. just a light one.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

[he gives a light twitch and not much else.]

njotweak

vvery struong

[scholar-in-red]

hm? what does this mean?

you seem quite... preoccupied.

ha. i could come to enjoy this.

[xey scratch a little firmer now, under the king’s chin. or what xey assume is its chin. in this state, he seems to have no self preservation. the thought of taking advantage of that… it’s smirk-worthy.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

meanmesnemanemanmeanmeanemanemeanmeanmeanmrnamrwn

meantome

[a hand balls into a fist and pounds against the floor like a dog’s tail would.]

[scholar-in-red]

now that’s a stretch, isn’t it? here, shshsh…

[crocell gently gathers the king closer, hoping to stop the racket. he slots strangely nicely against xeir torso. crocell rests xeir chin on him, but stops short of a true embrace.]

there, no harm done, mm? yes…

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

mmmmmrrrrrrrrrrr…

mmmmmgggggeerrrrrrr

harmarharmmahramtonmemeantome

[the king scrabbles and scratches against the air, grumbling and wriggling angrily. like an annoyed snake.]

[scholar-in-red]

agh… be still. you’ll catch my robes.

i am not hurting you.

[crocell keeps still, letting out a huff at this inane behavior. to think the king would crack so easily… xey wonder if he would have come to xem on his own, if he’d have sought whatever he’s getting from xem.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

gweh

megghghmgmgssdnvvvsmmmbbb

[he repeatedly butts his head into xeir chest, trying to hurt them or to escape from the comfortable hold.]

ememhhgggsddttuuudbbbmmmenh

[it almost sounds like it’s attempting to form words.]

[scholar-in-red]

hey—calm down!

[the king easily manages to knock crocell over—not the first time, likely won’t be the last. xey huff. how does he manage to constantly walk all over xem?]

calling me stupid, mm? i am no less stupid than you are.. and definitely more well-read.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

udontnenedtoreadbwcsuseialrwafyjbowabdiknowthatuoiatebadandmeantome

mean

[he scrambles over xem and backs into a corner, grumbling.]

[scholar-in-red]

[crocell sits up, gently brushing off xeir robes. those inky splotches better wash off… hmph. what a pompous thing.]

i do think you’re forgetting what you’ve done to me. the pain you’ve visited upon me. i only stay in your clutches to alleviate it. i could have hurt you ten times over by now, but have i? no.

[xey cross xeir arms, regarding the king sternly.]

you have no reason to sulk so.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

yorufaultyourfaultyourtfault

notme

[he curls into a ball, hiding from crocell.]

[scholar-in-red]

ugh, you…

you are pathetic.

[crocell simply stares at the curled up king for a while. he really poses no threat in this form. sad little thing. crocell doesn’t want to call it guilt, but a certain little instinct bubbles up, and xey decide to follow it.

xey scoot over to the king, and lie down next to him. a wall on one side, and warm scholar on the other. crocell hesitates to call it a peace offering.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

mmmmrrrrggg.

[the king flops onto xeir lap. he is heavy.]

[scholar-in-red]

[crocell sighs. the king is heavy—it knocked the air out of them—but the weight is comforting. to think crocell would need comfort… well. perhaps xey catch xemself wanting it. sometimes.

xey absentmindedly stroke the king’s fluff.]

i suppose.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

stupdiyou

[he gets heavier.]

[scholar-in-red]

stop being antagonistic. and lying.

[crocell wheezes a bit, but doesn’t let go. the king is unexpectedly soft. xeir fingers sink into him like a viscous slime or putty. it’s quite tempting to let xeir guard down, but it is still the king.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

pppppppfffgghhhhhbbbbttt

yosuarevsrrystopdi

ppppbbbbtttt

[scholar-in-red]

shush up.

[xey pet him a little harder. his idiocy is seeming sweeter by the moment. perhaps the best part is the satisfaction of having the upper hand.

... xey want to kiss him. and smash his head in. both? the feeling is... odd.]

stop insulting me, or i will have to...

[xey cant help xemself. xey plant a kiss on the king's 'forehead'.]

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

[the king squeaks like a rubber chicken. he shoves his head against crocell’s chest.]

mmmmrrrhhhhhgggimthenkingmormeormemoemoremoremoremroemtoemore

[scholar-in-red]

...greedy.

[crocell gives the king another kiss. and another. this is... nice.]

you better not hold this against me.

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

nonononyourefodijngverugoodverynicies

mremormeormeormoremoremoremoremroemroemroemoremoremore

[the king keeps shoving against crocell. he’s very greedy indeed.]

[scholar-in-red]

fine, fine.

...you changed your attitude quick.

[crocell gifts attention and affection as it's requested. is this xeir life now? perhaps. the king should stay like this, he's more manageable. crocell settles xeir head against his. yes. this is nice.]

how long will you keep me like this?

[ask-the-king-in-yellow]

everavenedaverandveverandeveranwvdeveransveber

froeeberandeeverandwver

isaidMOEEMORENROEMROEMOREMORE

[scholar-in-red]

well, i cannot do forever--be gentle, you! gentle, or you get nothing!

[xey push the king a few inches back, but can only manage to hold him for a few moments before xey're exhausted. since when was he this... touchy!? the last time they touched like this was with inky, slimy tentacles and nothing but antagonism... the king is changing before xeir eyes, crocell thinks.]