i love love love the idea of gale being extremely mortal. he wants to be divine, was intimate with a goddess. i love the idea of his physicality reminding him he’s extremely mortal. no longer a twenty-something prodigy.
the man Tav falls in love with is someone different. body damaged by the orb—the circular mark at his sternum, tendrils swirling up the side of his neck, into the veins under his left eye. down to the right, across his ribs, hip, right leg. Damaged muscle in the right leg, mildly compromised mobility, pain, occasional neuropathy. A recovery body after being severely ill and in pain for a year.
he is broad, visibly strong, but not dehydrated, not aesthetically sculpted. Soft in places, padded with the warmth of someone who uses his body strenuously daily, but also enjoys the sensual pleasures of good food and wine. Naturally olive-toned, tan, solid and sturdy. Visible hair on his chest, lower abdomen, forearms; thick beard (kept extremely short, neat and trim through careful maintenance). Earthy. Present.
i love the idea of Gale being visibly human.