Enkidu has never been in a place like THIS before! After all, Salons definitely did NOT exist in ancient Mesopotamia, and naturally, not Uruk.
...Just kidding! It's locked, but Enkidu jiggles the handle relentlessly, before pressing their face up against the window. ]
Hmmmm...why keep a nice looking place like this locked away? Such a shame, I'm not even sure what it's for?
[ They are considering trying to break a rule (again, it's been five seconds from their last technical rule infraction!! they're a menace) in order to get in, though. ]
[Something as luxurious as a salon could never exist back home on Aionios. There was precious little time to spend on pampering and personal care, so Noah couldn't help but be curious about what goes on in such an establishment. He could do with a trim, but...
Ah. Closed, is it? The long, green-haired person molding themselves to the unyielding door suggests as much. Noah approaches them and peers into the salon, a candle faintly burning within, but it seems they're out of luck. No hair treatments for our longhaired pretty boys today.]
Are you not worried about what they might do if they catch you trying to jimmy the door open?
[If Noah had hair well past his ass, he might be desperate enough to try to break into a salon too.]
If you need help untangling your hair, I don't mind lending a hand.
Is that so? I wouldn't have taken you for a fighter.
[But that's a pleasant surprise, knowing he's in the company of someone who can and will defend themselves if push comes to shove. That's one less thing for Noah to worry about.]
Let's find somewhere to sit first. With hair that long, we've got our work cut out for us.
[Noah walks them to a nearby bench and motions for Enkidu to join him.]
I don't have a brush on hand, unfortunately. I hope you don't mind me using my fingers.
I am. Those who made me what I am today took care to ensure I could defend myself.
[ They happily come on over to the bench Noah points out and they come closer to the bench before sitting down.
They nod at Noah's words, because it truly is a long-haired person problem. ]
I don't mind; I am used to making do, and we're bound to run into more hiccups since we're no longer home, right? After you're done with mine, I'll do the same for you, alright?
Really? It sounds like you've got good friends. I'm glad.
[Once Enkidu has sat down, it becomes even more obvious how long their hair is. Noah can think of a couple people who'd be jealous of their ability to grow and maintain such long, healthy hair.
Noah pulls the ends of their hair onto his lap and starts at the bottom, combing his fingers through those long strands and gently working out any knots he comes across.]
You don't need to go to all that trouble, but I wouldn't mind it. [A beat.] You're Enkidu, right? I saw your plaque.
[ Enkidu thinks of Gilgamesh and brightens with a smile.
They lightly kick their feet, but not so much to disturb Noah's work. ]
It's not much trouble; we do have a lot of time on our hands.
[ Simply said! Not a big deal. People who help each other deserve a hand in turn. They hum a little something that isn't exactly a song, but it's not the opposite of a melody either. ]
That's right, I am Enkidu. You're Noah, aren't you? It said on your plaque you play the flute. Are you a musician back home?
No, don't worry about it. Everyone's had their belongings taken from them, haven't they? You've no need to feel bad.
[Talking about his inspiration, his passion for Offseeing, is a more comfortable subject... at least, it should be.]
I think... someone taught me.
[Crys did more than teach Noah. He inspired him to become an Offseer, to contribute something valuable to the world, but he can't seem to recall him. Straining against the gap in his memory, Noah stares down at his hands.]
I guess that's been taken from me too, the memory of the one who taught me. Sorry.
[ Enkidu had been hoping for much. But even that seems difficult, given the tangled web of forgotten memories and other things taken away with a cruel hand. ]
No, you have no need to apologize. It is not your fault for the missing pieces.
[ They have to wonder...someone mentioned a Snowfield to him, and seemed to recognize him. Yet they did not recognize the name of that place, nor that person. At the time, they discarded the conversation, but now with this conversation, they can't help but think of it again. ]
I believe that something similar may have occurred to me as well, in fact. But, I am not certain if that is the case.
[His fingers tense in Enkidu's hair, wanting so badly to ball into tight fists, but Noah restrains himself. There's nothing to be gained by getting frustrated over their situation and his forgotten memories. He need only focus on what comes next, difficult as that is.]
It sounds like a lot of us have missing memories. If you're uncertain, perhaps that means your memories haven't been tampered with?
[ When they feel those fingers tense, they can't help but do the same. Even if it is only momentarily. ]
Maybe.
[ Enkidu feels a little unsettled themselves, and strangely off-balance, but they don't like it, so. They feel an urge to shake their head, before letting out a sigh, alongside a wry smile. Even they can't evade feeling some sort of pressure, hm? ]
...Still, whatever's happened to us, we're always be ourselves. We can lose things that make up the whole, but we can reclaim them too; on our own terms. Without falling into someone else's carefully laid plans.
Though, if people do...that may be just a fate that can't be resisted based upon the nature of an individual.
[Enkidu's words are gentle and kind, something about them so very soothing. Fate, huh? Noah would like to think fate isn't a definite thing, but something that can be acted upon if one just pushes hard enough, but that may be his ego talking. Enkidu's words, as soft as they are, hold a lot of truth in them.]
We're quite alike in the way we think. Living life on one's own terms... No matter what happens, we can't afford to give that up.
[ Enkidu isn't exactly the kind of person to face things in a purely optimistic view, but they don't believe they should consign themselves to the worst either.
That's right. We've got a lot in common, it seems.
[Including long hair! And speaking of which, Noah has finished his arduous work combing through Enkidu's luscious blades of grass hair, gently folding it back over their shoulder so they can see his handiwork.]
We do. It's not all that common I relate to others much, so it's nice.
[ But! After Noah is done, they smile widely at him as they also carefully comb through their own hair, and stand upright to spin around to let it flow knot-free. ]
Thank you. It's your turn now, Noah.
[ SINCE THIS TAG IS LATE WE CAN JUST...handwave them doing the same for Noah or something, it's fine. ]
Anyway, this week has been a time, passing through as swift as can be. But, they are fortunate enough to eventually find Noah at the Spa; ironically, a place Enkidu has been heading to a lot of the time.
[Well well, if it isn't his buddy Enkidu! Noah's settled on a lounger beside the bath. He's settled in and comfortable, a robe loosely tied over his swimsuit, and when Enkidu approaches, Noah waves them over.]
Were you now? I'm not hard to find these days.
[If he isn't Harvest Mooning it up on the farm, he's here taking a load off. Not a bad life, all things considered... even if he'd rather be home than here.]
[Noah nods, just a touch sheepish. It's hard to justify spending this much time relaxing, but when he's run out of productive things to do, what else is left? His brows raise curiously when Enkidu mentions having something for him.]
[Oh? A tasty treat for him? How thoughtful! The fact that they went out of their way to cook something for him makes the gesture all the sweeter, and Noah smiles as he puts out his hands to accept their gift.]
You went to all this trouble for me? That's very kind of you, Enkidu. Ah... Now I wish I were a better chef myself. I'd love to return the favor.
[ Enkidu is happy to see that he even goes ahead to accept the gift at all. If he enjoys it, that means they are still a useful tool in different ways. ]
I'm not an originally good baker, but someone got me a baking book so I followed the directions carefully.
[ Smashcut to the past where Enkidu basically made a bunch of errors and might have had to explain themselves about the mess they made in their cottage but it's fine. They worked hard for this one. ]
What do you usually end up cooking? I'm not really a picky eater, so I'd be alright with anything.
[Practice is practice! Noah is blissfully unaware of the mess they'd made in order to create this pie, but if he knew, he'd still encourage Enkidu to keep on going. Practice does, after all, eventually make perfect.]
I handle a lot of the prepwork, myself. A friend of mine does the bulk of the cooking. Having a real chef at the helm does a lot to boost morale.
[Sorry to disappoint, Enkiboo... Noah smiles apologetically, motioning for Enkidu to follow him to a nearby table. The gift of a meal is one best shared with friends, no?]
Her name's Manana. She takes pride in her cooking skills, though... she'd call that an understatement, I'd imagine. The best meals I've ever had were cooked by her.
[we're just gonna pretend they've conveniently got utensils and silverware here dw dw]
All of my friends are like that. They've all got things they're passionate about and care deeply about. That's what makes life living, I think. Having a purpose and a reason to carry on.
[He cuts a piece of pie for Enkidu first, plating it and sliding it over to them, before cutting one for himself.]
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week 1, post-meeting
Enkidu has never been in a place like THIS before! After all, Salons definitely did NOT exist in ancient Mesopotamia, and naturally, not Uruk.
...Just kidding! It's locked, but Enkidu jiggles the handle relentlessly, before pressing their face up against the window. ]
Hmmmm...why keep a nice looking place like this locked away? Such a shame, I'm not even sure what it's for?
[ They are considering trying to break a rule (again, it's been five seconds from their last technical rule infraction!! they're a menace) in order to get in, though. ]
no subject
Ah. Closed, is it? The long, green-haired person molding themselves to the unyielding door suggests as much. Noah approaches them and peers into the salon, a candle faintly burning within, but it seems they're out of luck. No hair treatments for our longhaired pretty boys today.]
Are you not worried about what they might do if they catch you trying to jimmy the door open?
[If Noah had hair well past his ass, he might be desperate enough to try to break into a salon too.]
If you need help untangling your hair, I don't mind lending a hand.
no subject
They take their attention away from the door and the nearby window to face Noah, though, movements light and a bit graceful. ]
I'm not worried at all.
If they try anything, I won't go down without a fight.
[ It sounds like words that shouldn't be spoken so effortlessly carefree and light, but somehow Enkidu manages that. ]
That said, I would enjoy taking you up on the offer. Where would we start?
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[But that's a pleasant surprise, knowing he's in the company of someone who can and will defend themselves if push comes to shove. That's one less thing for Noah to worry about.]
Let's find somewhere to sit first. With hair that long, we've got our work cut out for us.
[Noah walks them to a nearby bench and motions for Enkidu to join him.]
I don't have a brush on hand, unfortunately. I hope you don't mind me using my fingers.
no subject
[ They happily come on over to the bench Noah points out and they come closer to the bench before sitting down.
They nod at Noah's words, because it truly is a long-haired person problem. ]
I don't mind; I am used to making do, and we're bound to run into more hiccups since we're no longer home, right? After you're done with mine, I'll do the same for you, alright?
no subject
[Once Enkidu has sat down, it becomes even more obvious how long their hair is. Noah can think of a couple people who'd be jealous of their ability to grow and maintain such long, healthy hair.
Noah pulls the ends of their hair onto his lap and starts at the bottom, combing his fingers through those long strands and gently working out any knots he comes across.]
You don't need to go to all that trouble, but I wouldn't mind it. [A beat.] You're Enkidu, right? I saw your plaque.
no subject
They lightly kick their feet, but not so much to disturb Noah's work. ]
It's not much trouble; we do have a lot of time on our hands.
[ Simply said! Not a big deal. People who help each other deserve a hand in turn. They hum a little something that isn't exactly a song, but it's not the opposite of a melody either. ]
That's right, I am Enkidu. You're Noah, aren't you? It said on your plaque you play the flute. Are you a musician back home?
no subject
Ah, but his flute... There's a delay in Noah's answer, just a few seconds, but—]
More or less. I'm an Offseer, someone who sets the souls of the dead to rest. Unfortunately, my flute's been taken from me.
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They notice the delay. They also figure it must be because Noah lost his flute. ]
...It must be rather important to you, then. I'm sorry you don't have it anymore.
But, that must be a tough job as well, even if I understand the importance as well. Can you tell me what inspired you to do it?
no subject
No, don't worry about it. Everyone's had their belongings taken from them, haven't they? You've no need to feel bad.
[Talking about his inspiration, his passion for Offseeing, is a more comfortable subject... at least, it should be.]
I think... someone taught me.
[Crys did more than teach Noah. He inspired him to become an Offseer, to contribute something valuable to the world, but he can't seem to recall him. Straining against the gap in his memory, Noah stares down at his hands.]
I guess that's been taken from me too, the memory of the one who taught me. Sorry.
no subject
No, you have no need to apologize. It is not your fault for the missing pieces.
[ They have to wonder...someone mentioned a Snowfield to him, and seemed to recognize him. Yet they did not recognize the name of that place, nor that person. At the time, they discarded the conversation, but now with this conversation, they can't help but think of it again. ]
I believe that something similar may have occurred to me as well, in fact. But, I am not certain if that is the case.
no subject
It sounds like a lot of us have missing memories. If you're uncertain, perhaps that means your memories haven't been tampered with?
no subject
Maybe.
[ Enkidu feels a little unsettled themselves, and strangely off-balance, but they don't like it, so. They feel an urge to shake their head, before letting out a sigh, alongside a wry smile. Even they can't evade feeling some sort of pressure, hm? ]
...Still, whatever's happened to us, we're always be ourselves. We can lose things that make up the whole, but we can reclaim them too; on our own terms. Without falling into someone else's carefully laid plans.
Though, if people do...that may be just a fate that can't be resisted based upon the nature of an individual.
no subject
We're quite alike in the way we think. Living life on one's own terms... No matter what happens, we can't afford to give that up.
no subject
No, we can't.
Otherwise, we'll lose sight of who we are.
[ Enkidu isn't exactly the kind of person to face things in a purely optimistic view, but they don't believe they should consign themselves to the worst either.
There are multiple ways forward, after all. ]
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[Including long hair! And speaking of which, Noah has finished his arduous work combing through Enkidu's
luscious blades of grasshair, gently folding it back over their shoulder so they can see his handiwork.]There we go. No knot left untangled.
no subject
[ But! After Noah is done, they smile widely at him as they also carefully comb through their own hair, and stand upright to spin around to let it flow knot-free. ]
Thank you. It's your turn now, Noah.
[ SINCE THIS TAG IS LATE WE CAN JUST...handwave them doing the same for Noah or something, it's fine. ]
wednesday week 2, spa
Anyway, this week has been a time, passing through as swift as can be. But, they are fortunate enough to eventually find Noah at the Spa; ironically, a place Enkidu has been heading to a lot of the time.
They have a bundle in their hands too, though. ]
Noah! I was looking for you.
[ What is he up to, btw? ]
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Were you now? I'm not hard to find these days.
[If he isn't Harvest Mooning it up on the farm, he's here taking a load off. Not a bad life, all things considered... even if he'd rather be home than here.]
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Oh, I suppose that's true. You really have taking a liking to this place, have you?
[ The green-haired male seems happy about that factoid; maybe because they simply understand, though. ]
...I wanted to also give you something.
no subject
Oh? What's that?
no subject
Enkidu unwraps the object to present an apple pie! ]
It said you liked a different kind of pie, but I don't know how to make that, so I made this instead. I hope you like it?
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You went to all this trouble for me? That's very kind of you, Enkidu. Ah... Now I wish I were a better chef myself. I'd love to return the favor.
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I'm not an originally good baker, but someone got me a baking book so I followed the directions carefully.
[ Smashcut to the past where Enkidu basically made a bunch of errors and might have had to explain themselves about the mess they made in their cottage but it's fine. They worked hard for this one. ]
What do you usually end up cooking? I'm not really a picky eater, so I'd be alright with anything.
no subject
I handle a lot of the prepwork, myself. A friend of mine does the bulk of the cooking. Having a real chef at the helm does a lot to boost morale.
no subject
[ ...drat.
They were hoping to learn some pointers from him. ]
But, it sounds like you're good at the other important aspects of preparing a meal.
Who is this friend of yours?
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Her name's Manana. She takes pride in her cooking skills, though... she'd call that an understatement, I'd imagine. The best meals I've ever had were cooked by her.
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She sounds like an incredible chef. I find that people really are able to do the best when they are doing something they enjoy.
no subject
[we're just gonna pretend they've conveniently got utensils and silverware here dw dw]
All of my friends are like that. They've all got things they're passionate about and care deeply about. That's what makes life living, I think. Having a purpose and a reason to carry on.
[He cuts a piece of pie for Enkidu first, plating it and sliding it over to them, before cutting one for himself.]