[No, Gyro can tend to be the same, and often he stops thinking about people as attractive at all until he knows them more intimately. He has some partners here sure, but he's not the sort to get winded by someone at first glance, not as much now anyway, maybe when he was younger. The right clothes and that can certainly get ones attention though and that's the point of the suit. Henry specifically got him to wear them more to get attention, to appeal, and thus help business for the clinic. People needed to see him as well dressed, see him as a professional, and Gyro looking good in a suit as well helped too, so yeah, it's a little tighter, but he tends to go for tighter clothes anyway, he wears it well.]
[Not that he really likes it... but he's gotten a lot more used to dress clothes like this now, especially when Henry was right and the shift to Gyro's appearance did show to improve business. The world's a shallow place, especially this one. He couldn't blame Percy for getting distracted either, especially when Gyro was pretty confident in his looks AND sexual content's been plaguing the poor kid. He won't show that he's at all aware of it now though, cocking his hips in his usual exaggerate fashion as he gives Percy a curious look.]
[He's about to ask him if he's okay when Percy says he needs to talk about something, all right. So he's nervous about whatever he has to ask him? Gyro's takes a breath and hops down the steps into the small, outdoor court yard outside of his clinic. The courtyard is technically indoors with an open ceiling, so it's walled in except for a wide doorway that leads into the main area of Hyaline proper, the city being nearly 100% indoors.]
Yeah, sure. Follow me home then? I need to check on Valkyrie, we can talk about whatever it is when we get there.
(Gyro definitely looked a good deal better in a suit than either his doctor's coat or his traditional cowboy get-ups. Not that either of the latter were particularly bad looking on him. The suit simply made Gyro another creature altogether and one that Percy was hyper aware of. He does wear it well and even his hair looks nice tied up. Percy didn't really think he would ever go for a dude with long hair but here he was.
When Gyro doesn't instantly crack a joke or refuse him, Percy relaxes significantly. At the mention of Valkyrie, his eyes pop a bit in remembrance and he swings his backpack around from behind him and pulls open the zipper. He digs into the bag, a few things jostling around, and tugs out an entire bag of dates.)
In speaking of Valkyrie, I got him and Blackjack some dates. They both love them and I figure since Blackjack's spending so much time with Valkyrie...
(Percy shrugs. It really wasn't pity to him. It just made sense. Whenever Gyro got the chance to go see Valkyrie, Blackjack was likely nearby or even outside the stable to talk to Valkyrie as best as he could. His pegasus really did enjoy the company of Gyro's horse and Blackjack was a natural chatterbox. Hell, he probably even visited Gyro on his own time because he thought of the man as a friend as well he did his horse. Blackjack was just kind of like that.)
But yeah, sure. I'll follow you home.
(He zips his backpack back up and throws it back around. This time he loops his other arm through the strap and starts to walk. As he walks, he looks a bit more blatantly at Gyro but this time it seems very intentional.)
You really clean up nice. I wasn't expecting that. Didn't think someone like you could pull off a suit but man, you look good.
[Some people can just pull certain things off, like long hair or a beard. Gyro did pretty well with his long hair and with it tied up like this you sort of get the best of both worlds depending on the angle. He will notice Percy glances over a bit more than usual right now too, but he'll chalk it up to the suit. He knows he looks pretty different like this, and he knows most people prefer it on him.]
[He turns his head when Percy offers the dates and can't help but give a wide, gold smile. He doesn't like hand outs, but far be it from him to not accept them when they're for Valkyrie, he knows the horse would happily accept. Plus it'd be nice to have enough to treat Blackjack as well, considering he does actually see quite a lot of the pegasus. It meant a lot to him that Blackjack waited around to see Valkyrie, and that Blackjack trusted Gyro enough to come by on his own. The two steeds really did get along well, probably helped that Valkyrie was a chatterbox too.]
He'll be happy to see it, as long as you don't bring him carrots, he farts more than ever, turns him into a WMD.
[A weapon of mass destruction. He chuckles a little at his joke but he's serious, the farts are unending, carrots and Valkyrie don't so well, sad because of course the horse loves those too.]
Hear that a lot. But hey, I'm Italian, we're known for suits. [He smirks a little, glancing back to him and sticking his butt out a little.]
Makes my hind quarters nice too, right? I get that a lot as well. Whatever... [Shrug, looking ahead again.]
The look makes people take me seriously, sounds like bullshit, but that's how it is. Normally I don't care but for the clinic I'll make a few sacrifices.
[Oh no poor him, looking good in a suit to get business. He really doesn't like dressing like this though. Anything one might consider 'pompous' he's just not into. There's a reason he hates his real name so much.]
(Percy is glad to be spared of any rants about how Gyro didn't need hand-outs. It was kind of Percy's way of repaying him for giving Blackjack a friend and a place to visit and so frankly, he didn't want to hear any of it. In any case, it wasn't just for Valkyrie so he felt like there wasn't much for Gyro to protest about in the first place.
At the mention of carrots, Percy outright laughs, his shoulders shaking and any of that leftover tension completely broke out of him. This was Gyro. There was literally nothing to worry about. Percy would fumble, sound like an idiot, meet his own personal status quota of being an embarrassing person, and that was that. Who cared?)
Noted. No carrots.
(Percy quirked a brow and rolled his eyes at the same exact time. Then he glanced down to where Gyro had jutted his ass out and gave a bigger snort.)
Uh, sure dude, whatever makes you happy. I thought it complimented your shoulders more but whatever.
(On guys like Gyro, he wasn't paying too much attention to the ass. It was a lot more the rest of the body and display of muscles. There weren't many guys Percy met that were bigger than him. For a sixteen year old, he was impressive enough on his own. Standing six foot even and weighing in impressively on pure muscle - he was a good sized kid all things considered. Kid wasn't scrappy. His arms were thick though not rippling and his abdomen could grill some burgers. Though the clothes he wore weren't flashy, they fit him which wound up complimenting the natural cuts of his body. This suit of Gyro's? It complimented the cuts of his body too. And he was bigger than Percy by a good deal. It was....
It was attractive.
Percy shrugs at the explanation. He had no idea what was or wasn't professional. He had seen some seriously gaudy suits in his life time that people believed were "professional". Gyro does look nice though and he supposed as long as that was the case then it was professional enough. Percy himself has literally never worn a suit in his life. The Greek demigods, if forced to partake in formal events, usually had to wear actual Greek robes. They were always baggy, awful, and unflattering on literally everyone.
Maybe one day someone would throw him into a suit.)
The healers at our camp are all Apollo's kids and they mostly just wear ripped jeans and sneakers but I guess they're not exactly running a business either so it doesn't matter as much.
(Well okay, sometimes they wore scrubs during serious procedures but for the most part, it was real casual.)
[Should Percy really try shoving pity Gyro's way, that's when he'll get some well deserved lectures but this? This doesn't feel like pity and it'll be nice every time he can treat the two horses with a date, it'll happen more often now. Even if it was just for Valkyrie he'd still accept it, though he'd accept it a little less enthusiastically. Percy giving him something to use for Valkyrie and Blackjack both was veeeery clever.]
[Gyro laughs along with him at the joke that's not even really a joke Valkyrie farts a bunch from carrots, but he's happy it diffused some tension there. Gyro might not be good with emotions a lot of the time, but that doesn't mean he's not empathetic. He could feel it in the air, around Percy, so it's good to know some laughing helped calm him down a little. I mean, farts ARE pretty funny, especially horse farts. Certainly doesn't spice up the mood though, granted Gyro's suit seems to make up for that.]
[He sighs with a shrug, shoulders going up.... aaaand down.]
Compliments it all, sort of the point of a suit. [As well as to make him look like some stiff, someone well organized by a system and does everything with a pen in his hand and piles of paper work. Ugh. But it did highlight masculine angles very well, especially on a man with a distinct frame like himself. He wasn't huge but he had a good shape, and for some reason being from the world he was meant his proportions were even more distinct than they normally were on people. The dip in of his waist, the curve to his back and chest, everything was pronounced just enough more to really get your eye on them and to make his poses far more dramatic. And again, the suit certainly helped accent things further. He'd really like a more gaudy suit though. Something in bright colours and prints and shit that shines, yeah definitely. If he was going to choose to wear a suit he'd go for something god awful. We're talking the yellow suit in the Mask movie awful. Awful but great.]
Yeah you can work in whatever you want but it's true... the clothes make the man, even if it's bullshit. Especially a Mongrel, people just see you different so you have to make effort where you normally wouldn't bother. [Sigh.]
(Percy could be especially clever at times. Whenever he was clever, it was always subtle enough that most people didn't even realize it. Most people kept on thinking that he was just some dumb, hyperactive kid who couldn't stop fidgeting for three seconds.
Fart jokes weren't really that funny to Percy. He was more of a puns kind of guy and wordplay person but the abruptness of the joke had caught him off guard enough to crack up over it. As for setting the mood? Well, it was a good thing that at the present moment, he wasn't really trying to get anyone going. Walking along in this place wasn't exactly the best place to start that kind of thing, was it?)
No duh. Same thing with dresses. Fancy clothes usually are meant to do that. (Percy snorts. Might as well say 'and water is wet'. Some clothes flattered the body. He was poor but he also grew up in New York City. He actually understood fashion pretty well even if his own was lacking. At least his own taste in fashion was more reserved and simple than tragic and embarrassing. Unlike someone. Ahem. Whoever said bold colors was complimentary to anyone was a liar. Percy still couldn't decide if Gyro liked gaudy things genuinely or for the irony of it all. Or a little bit of both. Maybe both. I mean really, who even wore grills? Not that he'd tell Gyro not to wear those kinds of things but man, you look funny as hell.)
Yeah...That does suck. But I guess it's the same thing as back home, right? People get all weird about people with tattoos and stuff who want to work even if they're like, a super genius and super capable.
(Percy didn't like judgemental things like that. He had stood up to enough bullies in his life that he disliked it so much and had gotten into so many physical altercations as a kid- well before he realized he was a demigod even. This kid didn't take judgement laying down. Even if it wasn't judgement aimed at him specifically. And it wasn't like Percy wasn't above judging others. Sure he was. It was practically human nature. The difference was he wasn't going to treat someone differently based on petty things. He might think Gyro looks ridiculous with grills but he wasn't about to treat the man lesser because of it, make fun of him seriously, or think he made for an incompetent doctor just cause he wore grills. He wouldn't think that even if he wore a bright yellow, zebra striped jumpsuit with flared legs and a lime green cow boy hat. He might not be able to keep a straight face around Gyro but at least he'd still respect the guy as a capable doctor.)
Yeah, yeah, you look great.
(They went over this, didn't they?)
So besides groping yourself all day long, how was your day?
(It was a bland question, sure, and most people asked it to fill the silence. Percy managed to ask it in such a way that it was evident he genuinely cared about Gyro's day. Was it good? Bad? Did he have to deal with any crap? Let Percy know. He actually gave a damn. Especially now that he really did consider them friends.)
[His sense of style was pretty genuine too, he really wasn't the sort to go for irony, he just liked gaudier things, things that some how bridged the gap between western and hip hop, but that isn't to say that sometimes he didn't make a call that fit him in everyone else's eyes too. Just... most of the time it was him liking something and nearly everyone else like... Gyro, but why.]
[But like he cares.]
Tattoos? Yeah, and piercings, you think you're used to that? We barely had any of these options back where I'm from, a guy with his ears pierced was even pretty weird.
[Not to mention tattoos and piercings. Coloured hair? Any of that? Good luck in 1890. People looked a little on in his world anyway, but there were still social norms in place there. Gyro wasn't the sort to truly judge a man on his appearance either, but he'd still make fun of someone if they looked stupid. It was the kid in him. A stupid shirt, pants, whatever, he'll poke fun, point and laugh, but it won't actually stop him from opening up to them or befriending them, he just had a weird sense of humour. He wasn't the type to completely bias whether he'll deal with someone on looks alone.]
Tiring, but- not bad. Less home calls today, figure that's why you're catching me earlier rather than later. I had a guy who got a carrot stuck up his nose though, drunk as a skuuuunk and it was just 2pm! Nyo-hoho!
That is sure a style to have then. Percy doesn't mind it. Even if at times one may wish to own a pair of sunglasses around Gyro. Dude was his own person and Percy could dig that.
You do you, Gyro. Even if you is kind of horrifying with bold prints. It's whatever.)
Oh jeez, I could imagine. I live in NYC and there's sooo many people with so many piercings and tattoos and colored hair. It's pretty wild but kind of cool too.
(Percy wasn't really against the idea of tattoos at all. He himself wouldn't want to be covered in them but some people seriously made it work. Piercings weren't his personal thing at all but again, some people totally made it work. He could only imagine what it was like back in Gyro's days though. Percy could respect that enough. He knew the difference between bullying and teasing enough to realize Gyro totally wasn't an actual dickhead. Dude was harmless and just had a funky sense of humor.
But overall, he thought Gyro meant well. If he didn't, he wouldn't be friends with him. Simple as that. Percy didn't befriend assholes.)
Wait seriously? But how.....I mean...was it like....A full....You know what? Never mind. That sounds so freaky.
(Who even did that? See Gyro, you're making it sound more and more like Percy should never ever get drunk in his entire life.)
Gods, that sounds so stupid. Remind me to never start drinking. Jeez. I bet you have done stupid stuff while you're drunk too.
[One day you'll see him in tight, zebra print jeans, maybe then you'll talk to him, maybe... But he'll still pretty much always dress how ever he wants. Makes him happy, so who cares. A handful of people even like it too. It really only matters about what you think yourself though, except when you're purposely trying to get some sort of approval... like uh, the reason why he's in this suit at all right now.]
Nothing wrong with them, sometimes they look pretty cool... I got a piercing even. [Said with a small laugh, shrugging a shoulder up.]
Metal feels greeeat. [Which he'll embellish upon by sliiiiding his tongue over the metal of his grills. Mmm, metal.]
Yeah! Seriously! I get some weirdos in there! Especially all the sex stuff. No matter where you go, someone is sticking something in somewhere. [Sure is Amoi for ya. He laughs though, used to it by now, even if it can lead to some tiring days.]
Drinking's fun though, but it's up to you when you want to give it a try. Nyeh-heee, I do some stupid stuff, yeah. But it's brilliant when I think of it. Have a looot of fun too. [He just wishes he didn't get so easily lost when he drank. That never ends up well.]
(Percy's eyes flick to the tongue sliding over his teeth and his brows hike up. He hadn't known Gyro had any piercings.)
Did you get that here?
(He means Amoi of course. It didn't seem too likely that Gyro had gotten it back in the 1800s but Percy could be wrong. He's never had any experience with metal tongue rings. Seeing much of them or otherwise. After a delayed moment, Percy shows an earnestly confused expression.)
Feel great? What, like, when you eat?
(Asked in such a naive voice. Poor kid. This world really was going to eat him alive. If he was significantly smaller and weaker, he probably would have already been thoroughly screwed. Literally and otherwise.
As for the idea of people winding up at a clinic because of sex stuff? Percy visibly shudders. Gods, why? Why him? Oh right. Probably because it is him.)
Whatever makes you happy, dude.
(His mother would faint if she knew he was drinking underage. The sex thing was at least a little more natural. Not that she'd want to know about that either but still.)
The one I have, yeah... I got it here, a sort for 'friendship bracelets' thing, we all got navel piercings.
[Not a tongue ring, he was just referring to his grills, which are indeed metal too and feel great too.]
Yeah? And in general, against skin, touching them. I like wearing these- [Said as he makes a chomp gesture.] -Because they look really cool and make chewing and biting feel nice. It's like every tooth is being hugged in my mouth.
That's right, whatever makes me happy, words to live by. Whatever I need to do to get there.
[Though 'happy' is very broad. His goals, what he wants, what he sees as good, moral, it all falls under that and he means to come in first place every time when achieving them.]
No piercings for you? Do gods do that kind of thing? They get piercings though right? Or did you're parents say no way to that one?
(Naval piercings. Percy was trying very hard to keep a straight face. Didn't only girls get naval piercings? Not that he was judging but he was kind of judging in terms of wanting to laugh pretty badly.)
Like. A belly button piercing?
(He reaches out and pokes said stomach. Though not where there would be a piercing. Percy wasn't that dumb. At the mention of grills, Percy does outright laugh.)
I don't know if 'cool' is the right word. Also I keep picturing you wearing grills as an old man and it's very hard to look at you right now because of it. Just an old dude in grills.
(He grits his own teeth and points to them with both of his fingers.)
Yeah, dude. Happiness is key.
(Which Percy could certainly agree with. He himself lately was...well. Money has never mattered to him. He wasn't struggling anymore but that didn't mean much of anything by way of being happy. The kid just wasn't thinking about it much. Trying not to, anyway, or else he'd just get angry or upset.)
Nope. I'm a clean slate. Piercings have never really held much interest to me anyway. The gods? No. Not really? Not that I know of anyway. They uh-
(How to describe the gods' fashion sense?)
They kind of just dress like....old people?
('Old' to Percy is anywhere above thirty, mind.)
Like Hermes approached me in a jogger's outfit. Aphrodite was just wearing a dress. But like, when I met Athena for five seconds, she was just in pants and a shirt. I'm sure if they wanted to, they would get piercings, but I think they mostly just want to stay unnoticed when they decide to appear as humans in the regular world and not draw much attention to themselves. So they sorta just look like plain old people.
My mom probably wouldn't say no to piercings or tattoos. I think she'd just want me to be sure about them.
[See, the thing is Gyro never heard of a belly button piercing until he came here and he's seen a good majority of both males and females with such a piercing so he was never taught to gender it. To him it's a piercing that's not in the way and will look good accenting his manscaped pubic hair designs. So Percy's held back laughter gets a frown from him, what's so funny?]
Yeah? So? I'm not using my belly button for anything else, am I?
[Snaps back a little before that poke to his stomach surprises him. Percy will feel him tense up under his finger though the muscles there were pretty sculpted underneath to begin with. He'll follow with a hearty pat to his own stomach, right over his belly, seemingly this piercing must be healed then. He makes no efforts to dodge hitting it but isn't about to show it off right now.]
They're definitely cool, and who says I'll wear them when get old? I'll just get gold dentures, nyo-ho!
[Said with another wide grin. Well HE think's they're cool, who's standards are they even going by anyway? Society's? Fuck society, especially this one.
[Gyro shrugs, taking a turn. His place isn't much further though they soon walk to another outdoor part of Hyaline, a tiled path leads out to several private residences, Percy knows the one though, and even if he didn't, it's the one with a small open lot and a personal stable built next to it.]
Ooold people, really? I know plenty of well dressed old people, maybe they just try to be boring to make up for how crazy everything else is. [Shrugs.]
My guess is everyone from your world just about 'dressed down', judging from how you do. But don't worry about it, most off worlders here are like that seems like, the fashion of natives is more've what I'm used to. [Kind of anyway. The fashion of amoi is out there and his own world could be too, of course with a sprinkling of western wear considering where he was then.]
[He pauses and then, on a limb, he decides to comment on that.]
Your mom sounds great. A great lady. I bet you never thought she dressed like an 'old person.' [Smile.]
(That made plenty sense and really, Percy didn't fully gender it. It was just hard not to when all he ever had known about the piercing were that people like Britney Spears and the daughters of Aphrodite wore them. He clears his throat and winds up nodding very seriously. He would have to see the thing before he thought much about it, honestly. Right now he was just picturing a pink heart gem.)
No, yeah. Nothing's wrong with it, man. Good on you.
(He at least means that. It's cool that Gyro's comfortable with himself or whatever. Percy had only really dodged the belly button cause the kid knew jackshit about piercings. He wasn't about to pretend to and potentially mess anything up. Basic respect.)
Oh my gods. Please get golden dentures that would be so great.
(Hilarious and somehow vastly cooler than grills. Maybe it was just because the idea of any old man attempting something like that sounded incredible. Percy was just picturing a bunch of old geezers smirking at each other with their golden dentures and idly threatening each other with their walking canes. What a great life.
He does know the one and the stable is enough to make him grin, excited to see Valkyrie. It isn't too surprising to see that Blackjack is standing next to it, talking adamantly to Valkyrie.)
I wouldn't say they were poorly dressed. Just that they were dressed in plain old clothes.
(So, boring kind of. Though Percy didn't exactly have a slamming style sense himself. He also didn't claim to. He was too poor to afford anything more than clearance rack Walmart shirts and pants. He had updated a bit here though. Not hugely but his wardrobe was a little more full of slightly higher quality clothes. He knew his mom would have wanted to get him better things had she the chance.
He looks over at Gyro and is instantly warmed by the comment about his mother. Fondness fills his face and he smiles a soft sort of smile.)
She's literally the best person in the entire world.
(He sighs as he says this, missing his mother something awful.)
Oh, gods no. She has a bit of gray in her hair and I still think she looks perfect. She's super naturally pretty. She's so nice. She's never once lost her temper with me. I have no clue how. I was really difficult growing up but she's never yelled at me or been disappointed.
(His jaw clenches and he stares ahead, feeling a bit pained from how badly he wanted to speak to her again. And just to make sure that she was doing okay, that she wasn't worried sick over him. The inability to do so had been the worst part about Amoi so far. But then his face smooths out and he grins over at Gyro, eyes bright. It hurt to talk about his mom, but it hurt way more to not talk about her.)
What are your parents like? If that's cool to ask.
(He knew very, very well familial things could be very complicated. After all, he had just met Luke's mother and that....That was something else entirely.)
Right??? I'm definitely getting gold plated ones when I have to!
[Ah... there is a depressing undertone to this, one Gyro isn't aware of though. So he's just excited. Hell yes gold dentures.]
[Closer still, Gyro's fancy italian make shoes with their long toes tap on the smooth stone step by step. There is some scattered hay here and there but he keeps it clean around here for the most part. The stable doors will be opened after a series of locks are opened and he smiles and greats Valkyrie just as the horse makes a whinny in excitement and nods his head. Heeey hey there pal! Gyro will let the horse out a bit to stretch his legs, changing his food and water, and doing some minor tending to the stable as they talk. He'll get to cleaning it more later when he's not still in this suit.]
[Valkyrie will first push his head up against Gyro and receive some attention before he heads over to Percy happily and lifts his head to nip and groom lightly against Percy's shirt. It won't be enough to tear it or anything though.]
Yeah?
[A smile, small but there, as he glances back to Percy at that comment. You can really tell Percy looks up to and cares about his mom. Even if his words weren't being so blatant of this fondness, his tone gave him away, his expression. The way he feels isn't... like that. It almost doesn't seem right even talking about his parents when he hears how much love Percy has for his mother.]
[And it wasn't that he didn't love his parents he just... well he was never allowed to even say he did when he was there. His father was a big reason why he never spoke about himself, why showing true emotion and desire and love for another person openly was so difficult to him. His father cared, he took care of his family, tended to them, saw they got on well and taught Gyro everything he knows but... He treated family like this obligation and not something spiritual, the sort of man that valued the honour in family and the duty of his role as a father, but never hugged any of his children or allowed them to have close friends.]
[It was a different sort of family he's sure, than what Percy knows, than what a lot of people do, and there's a big reason he's never old anyone here.]
They're parents. My dad works, my mom cooks.
[Is all he'll really say, shrugging a shoulder. Gyro shows no bitterness or anger in his tone. Instead it's rather serious, blank, calm.]
(Percy and a few other of the campers had run the stables back at Camp Half-Blood and he knew better than most that keeping stables completely immaculate was almost impossible. There was no judgement here. Especially not with how obvious it was that Valkyrie really was well cared for. He grins as Valkyrie greets Gyro properly and then smiles in delight as the horse turns his attention onto Percy himself.)
Hey there, big guy. How's it hanging?
(He laughs as he's 'groomed' and man, even if his clothes had been torn, he wouldn't have given a solid damn. So worth it for horse affection. Now that Valkyrie was out of the stables, Blackjack could properly talk to the horse and did exactly that, walking up on the horse's other side and reaching over to happily nose at Valkyrie's neck.
Percy steps aside to make room for the horses and glances over at Gyro.)
Do you need any help? I'm good around a stable.
(He really was too. Didn't really even need direction. He would have just done but he also didn't want to step on Gyro's toes. Some people were very dedicated to being the only one who took care of their animals and Percy respected that enough to not just make the assumption of helping. Gyro was an independent guy.)
Yeah. I swear I'm only alive because of her to this day.
(Which actually wasn't far off from the truth. It had been his mom more than anyone who had saved him that day when he was twelve. She'd sacrificed herself so that he could make it to camp. The gods be good that she hadn't actually died but she had been more than willing to when she did what she did. Percy likely wouldn't have been so lucky as to merely been frozen in the Underworld.
Percy was many kinds of oblivious. He was oblivious to girls, he was oblivious even to boys, he was oblivious to plenty of social things but he wasn't oblivious to the things that genuinely mattered. He could read tone, infliction, and body language better than most and while Gyro didn't seem like he'd had a cruel childhood by any means, he definitely clearly didn't want to talk much about it and Percy wasn't about to pry. That kind of things sometimes needed to be naturally brought up, not pulled and poked at. So Percy smiles at Gyro easily and gives a nod.)
That's cool, man.
(Which is a pretty general statement. He wasn't going to say more than that. He wasn't one of those people who just because he had a good relationship with his mother didn't mean he didn't understand not everyone else did. He knew plenty who had awful relationships and he never made the assumption people were lucky. That was just dumb.)
I forgot, do you have any siblings?
(Had they talked about it before? If they did, he didn't remember. It was a chance at a gradual subject change though.)
[Hanging as good as ever, Percy. He'll get the long winded Australian rattle from the horse before he can't help but turn to Blackjack and reciprocate the greeting. It's quickly that he turns his head and brushes the side of it against Blackjack's, flicking his ears and tail excitedly as he speaks to the other animal. I'd say catching up, but they see eachother frequently enough that it's less small talk and becoming more of the banter between good friends.]
[At Percy's question Gyro pauses and then chuckles to himself, moving to smoothly shell his suit jacket from himself and loosen his tie.]
Yeah, it'll make it faster, then I don't have to do it later either.
[He'll take that help, he's sure Percy knows the work too so he won't need to direct him. Gyro will first ask to hang his jacket near where his saddle is hanging and then begins to get to work as he continues to speak to him. He'll have to press and clean this suit anyway, what's a little more hay and musk.]
Owing your life's a big responsibility. The right people'd say you owe it to your parents anyway.
[He's not sure if he was, though, 'the right people' was definitely his father. He had that ingrained respect and duty for his family too though, even if his first thoughts weren't exactly loving ones. At most he felt bitter, but he did care for them. He appreciates too that Percy isn't the prying sort. Maybe it'll come out another time, maybe not, but it definitely had to naturally.]
Yeah, four. Three brothers and a sister, I'm the oldest though. [Something he'd be a little unhappy about if he ever thought it over, but he's always just accepted what being the eldest meant.]
(Percy is already setting his bag on a hook Gyro indicates to and pulling off his hoodie to do the same. He was honestly probably just going to do it anyway regardless if they were going to be out here. He does know the work, took care of several pegasi and horses back at camp and doesn't need to be told much of anything except maybe where Gyro kept his supplies.
Percy finds a pair of rubber gloves and a pronged pitchfork. After making sure of where Gyro kept his muck bucket, he began to turn out the dirty hay in the stall.)
Yeah, well, everyone is alive because of parents but that doesn't mean you owe your life to them.
(Some parents were awful people. Some parents didn't even want children and wound up with them anyway. That statement was a bit stupid, in his opinion. Sometimes gratitude towards parents wasn't warranted and even having a good relationship with his mom, it didn't leave him blind to the truth of it.)
But I really mean it with my mom. Kind of literally. If she hadn't driven me to the camp, I would have probably died. She almost did die.
(He murmurs that bit softly, frowning to himself. She hadn't died though. That's all that did matter. Percy glances around.)
Do you have water in here? I could do a deep clean of the floor if you do.
(And real quick, obviously.
He won't pry, no. Figures if Gyro wants to tell him, he'll tell him. Until then, Percy will ask lighter, different questions. He gives a nod and grins even.)
That's cool, man. I have a half-brother myself. I'm older than him. I think? I'm pretty sure.
(He has no idea how old Tyson is but he has always felt like he was the older brother of the two of them. Once the dirty hay is in the bucket, he sweeps up anything remaining and it's evident that his work is thorough when he bothers to actually try at it.)
[It won't take long for them to clean up the small stable, especially if Percy's going to use those powers of his to do a deep clean. Gyro's happy to agree to it after he realizes how easy it'd be for the kid, so please, man, do. Doing that himself didn't take nearly as long as it would for any normal guy, considering his own abilities. But literally controlling water would make it even faster. The mess and any lingering smells are gone in no time and it's not long before they're both heading inside, leaving Valkyrie and Blackjack to eachother's company.]
No way, sometimes they're jerks, then you treat them like jerks. Even if you're taught otherwise, it's what they have coming.
[Not really resent, that's not what he's trying to say, just, people get what they're due is all.]
[He'll log away what Percy says about his mom and can't help but hating the fact that he's forgotten his own mom's name now... her face too. He makes a mental note too to tell Percy about the memory issue more in detail soon. Considering how important it sounded, how important she was, he knew the kid wouldn't want to forget her. Better let him know so he can start recording all he remembers of her.]
You think? Different mom, right? [Considering that pantheon he's a part of.] So you're pretty used to people being polyamory then? Makes this place waaay easier.
[He'll toss his coat down on the rustic looking couch in his very western aesthetic living room. After that he undoes his hair and moves to go start up the AC unit. It's a pretty nice one, one a mongrel's pension sure didn't buy. Seems like this place was furbished by someone other than a mongrel too. Nothing really extravagant, but it definitely has more decorations than a man as poor as Gyro could afford.]
[He rolls up his sleeves, heading to the kitchen.]
(So far, Percy didn't know much about any memory problems. There had been extremely vague mentions of it but it had never really sounded like anything but the individuals just honestly forgetting something rather than something to raise red flags in his mind. It would mean a lot to him for sure if Gyro would tell him.)
Yeah. He's a cyclops so the age thing is a little weird. (He shrugs but then at the suggestion that he's 'used' to people being polygamous gets a bit of a look, head tilt, and a quirked brow.) Uh....How does me having a half-brother correlate to being used to polyamory? I mean, people can do what they want I guess, but I'm definitely not used to that? I mean with the gods it's not really polyamory so much as actual cheating. My dad's technical 'wife' kind of hates me. I'm a product of an affair, dude. The gods weren't polygamous, they just...slept around a lot. There were affairs, not multiple relationships- I mean maybe in some stories and with some marriages, sure, but it was more- affairs. I think. Why do you think there's so much fighting among them and the mortals and monsters?
And considering I didn't grow up in that sort of environment, no, I'm not used to it. I grew up in the regular mortal world in modern day society where polyamory is typically not a thing. It's cool if people want that but I'm monogamous myself. It doesn't help that my fatal flaw is loyalty so I'm even more monogamous than usual, probably. Not that I've ever really dated to know but I feel like I would be. It's cool what other people want to do but it's....not been any easier for me to adjust here, no.
(Percy wasn't angry, just confused as to how he'd be okay with that. No one would really be okay with that when they were being killed because God A decided they had to sleep with God B/Mortal A. Hell, it was because of that that the gorgon Medusa was even created and she hated Percy as a result of his father doing what he did to her. Polyamory? That didn't have a lot to do with it. Gods were too petty.
It definitely didn't help his situation. It was hard for him to actually 'sleep around'. He knew it wasn't easy to avoid and he was trying hard to adjust but so far, he wasn't doing brilliantly.
And that's precisely why he was even here in the first place to talk to Gyro about. Now that he was remembering that, he fell quiet and a bit serious. He set his bag down on the ground by the door and removed his shoes before stepping inside. He doesn't take much notice of his surroundings because now he was too preoccupied with...what he had wanted to talk to Gyro about.)
Uh, neither.
(He was fine enough. He follows Gyro into the kitchen and plays with the drawstrings of his hoodie. He stays by the door way and stares at the floor.)
Hey. In speaking of getting used to this place, that's actually kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.
Yeah a cyclops, right, I remember you saying that- [A glance over from in the kitchen before he's going to the fridge.]
How am I supposed to know? Maybe your group of those gods finally worked it out, how was I supposed to know they were just as dysfunctional as the ones I was taught about back home?
[Jesus though, Percy that's a lot of words. He doesn't mind a lecture, he's used to them, but the kid was really blowing steam here.]
With all that, good luck. And anyway, who ever said that sleeping around went against 'loyalties'? As long as you and who ever your with talk about it, what's it matter?
Guess that's a pretty new thing, I dunno, makes sense after you've been here a while. [Stepping to the table as Percy walks into the kitchen. He has a beer in hand and pops open it's tab, taking a drink, before he sets it on the table surface and leans against it.]
Good luck with that.
[The whole being monogamous thing. He supposes he is too... but no one's ever put in interest in having him under some title like boyfriend or what have you. Seemed like things just went as they were here. Sure he could be jealous, but he was also a private person. If someone he liked was with someone else in whatever way, he'd pull back or just let it be, if he knew it was the sort of thing to let be. It was about being empathetic. He wasn't about to let his jealousy of someone get in the way of them doing what they wanted either...
it was why he kept losing people here he'd guess, if he ever bothered thinking about. It felt like nearly every person he really got close to sort of just disappeared. Maybe that's why the whole 'titles/boyfriend' thing never happened.]
All right, what is? Adjusting? Why not hanging so well?
(Percy shrugged. As stated before, he really wasn't angry. He was mostly just confused and wound up rambling. It wasn't really him blowing steam. He was a teenager trying to understand his own weird family dynamics and he just so happened to be understanding them verbally. Gyro wasn't in the wrong - no one was. Percy could talk a bit firmly at times though.
He shrugs.)
I'd pay to see the day gods worked anything out.
(Percy frowns at Gyro and seriously, man. This kid hasn't ever even dated or so much as dipped his toes into romance. He's just a normal kid. You really think he's going to have the sense to understand certain complexities like figuring out a way to be with someone in a city like this that didn't involve the only form of dating he really knew about?
Giving him way too much credit. He shrugs.)
I don't know man. I'm not used to it. It's not an excuse, I know, but I'm just- not. And I'm trying to be, I really am.
(And he really was. But so far it seemed like everyone thought he was miles behind where he should be and well- hell. That wasn't his problem. He was trying to be good about it. He had feelings for someone and it wasn't like he was forcing anything on the guy. He wasn't even trying to get in the way of his happiness. Zero expectations. But shit, he was only human and wasn't used to this sort of culture. It's a culture shock and it wasn't going to be one he'd get used to in a month. It was hard enough actually messing around with people. The only saving grace was that he was a teenage boy filled with hormones and had been broken in with aphrodisiac encounters.
Percy wasn't really jealous per say. But if someone he liked liked someone else, he'd feel a little hurt but also back off. That's all there was to it. There'd be no tantrums or fights. Just a quiet sort of acceptance. It didn't help with people vanishing either though- no. Percy could understand that. But really, he also figured that in the real world back home, anyone could die at any time. So was it really so different?
He grows quiet and he doesn't really know how to go about this. He licks his lips and looks down at his feet, brows furrowed together.)
Uh. Well. I guess- no. Not really adjusting. I mean it is a little weird adjusting, I can't even lie to that, but it's more. I feel kind of like I don't really know what I'm doing half the time? I tried to watch porn but it made me feel weird and not the good kind of weird just awkward and I uh. It's just. I just maybe need some - I don't know.
[No idea on the frown, what's that face for? You think HE knows anything about romance? He barely understands familial love, he's never even said that word before, to anyone ever.]
It takes some time, I'm not even used to everything here yet... and you know what? I don't want to be, there's things we shouldn't get used to.
[But he's not at all talking about the sex or relationships there, he's talking more about the horrible consent issues this place lacks, this WORLD lacks. It pisses him right the hell off, especially that feeling of helplessness that couples with it much of the time.]
[The more serious topic aside though, he's thrown a little off guard by what Percy finally implies. His brows go up, pauses as he stares down at him curiously.]
(Pfffff no definitely not. Percy was just expressing his self-aimed despair obviously. Well damn, neither has Percy and it'd probably be a long while before he did. If he ever did. Odds were no.)
Well no, I don't want to be either.
(But some things were impossible to avoid. He would agree on the consent front. Not that he's fully wrapped his mind around it yet but technically his first few times messing around hadn't fully been his idea but the work of aphrodisiacs. The trees had been extremely potent for Percy as the aphrodisiacs there weren't even water based. He had zero defenses against them. Sex pollen. Percy Jackson's ultimate weakness.
Gyro's expression unnerves Percy some and maybe he shouldn't have said anything at all. But Percy was used to making dumb choices so he takes a slow, steadying breath and plows onward.)
Yeah.
(He slips his hands into his pockets and looks a bit sheepish, shrugging his shoulders up high.)
I know it's kind of weird but I don't know. I trust you. You're really the only actual adult I know here and...I kind of just feel like an idiot every time I'm with a guy without aphrodisiacs but I really, really don't want to really be on aphrodisiacs if I'm going to be doing this stuff.
(And he doesn't bring up girls because he still hasn't messed around with a girl yet. That was a daunting field that he still felt anxious about. One issue at a time.)
Like I don't even....I've never even....
(He makes awkward gestures, feeling embarrassed a bit because the poor kid couldn't even really dirty talk.)
Uh- um. Guys have- like. Ugh. Wanted to do things with my...
(He gestures vaguely behind him.)
But I've no..idea...okay. I'm going to shut up now.
(He had only idly been fingered. One finger and the shallowest of fingering but he had been nervous and uncertain. Even if it had wound up feeling good it still felt like territory he had no idea what to do with. And what if a guy wanted to put his cock up there? It was bound to happen, right?)
[Gyro really isn't the sort to dwell on the unfortunate things in his life. Usually when he has a desire for something, or to do something, he just goes at it, doing his best to achieve it in whatever way possible, no matter how futile it might seem. Sometimes though he felt it, that helplessness mentioned before, but it was a pretty rare thing for him, something this place was getting him more familiar with though. Any shift in his expressing showing those feelings isn't meant to be directed at Percy, not that Percy can know that exactly. And really, what he said before about relationships and sex was just his usual sort of blunt way of trying to help. He wasn't the sort to sugar coat his opinions.]
[As for what Percy's bringing up now, he's feeling a little awkward himself as the kid starts to talk more about it. It's flattering he's coming to him about it, yeah. And he feels a little bad too that Percy both doesn't have many other adults in his life, or people to help him, and that it sounds like he hasn't gotten close to any ladies. But on the women bit, Gyro didn't always get along with them either, though intimately they were a lot easier for him. It helped that he was pretty playful though, and when he messed around with girls when he was Percy's age, girls tended to like the playfulness. Sometimes they did now too.]
[With a sigh through his nose he moves to slide a hand through his hair again, feeling a little bit hotter under the collar with every word. Was it all right to uh... talk to Percy about this? They never, you know... but it seemed like Percy was having even more of an issue himself with his questions. The kid still managed to come all this way to talk about it though, so Gyro makes an effort to keep calm as he listens, taking another drink of his beer before he responds.]
You want some help then, is that it? I don't play 'that end' much. [Because of his own insecurities he is nooott going t get into, but-]
I can help you get a feel for it, sure. I know my way around girls and guys. [He'll offer a smile, a calm one, doing his best to show Percy he's not offended by the implications, though Gyro's assuming a bit more than Percy is probably meaning for him too.]
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[Not that he really likes it... but he's gotten a lot more used to dress clothes like this now, especially when Henry was right and the shift to Gyro's appearance did show to improve business. The world's a shallow place, especially this one. He couldn't blame Percy for getting distracted either, especially when Gyro was pretty confident in his looks AND sexual content's been plaguing the poor kid. He won't show that he's at all aware of it now though, cocking his hips in his usual exaggerate fashion as he gives Percy a curious look.]
[He's about to ask him if he's okay when Percy says he needs to talk about something, all right. So he's nervous about whatever he has to ask him? Gyro's takes a breath and hops down the steps into the small, outdoor court yard outside of his clinic. The courtyard is technically indoors with an open ceiling, so it's walled in except for a wide doorway that leads into the main area of Hyaline proper, the city being nearly 100% indoors.]
Yeah, sure. Follow me home then? I need to check on Valkyrie, we can talk about whatever it is when we get there.
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When Gyro doesn't instantly crack a joke or refuse him, Percy relaxes significantly. At the mention of Valkyrie, his eyes pop a bit in remembrance and he swings his backpack around from behind him and pulls open the zipper. He digs into the bag, a few things jostling around, and tugs out an entire bag of dates.)
In speaking of Valkyrie, I got him and Blackjack some dates. They both love them and I figure since Blackjack's spending so much time with Valkyrie...
(Percy shrugs. It really wasn't pity to him. It just made sense. Whenever Gyro got the chance to go see Valkyrie, Blackjack was likely nearby or even outside the stable to talk to Valkyrie as best as he could. His pegasus really did enjoy the company of Gyro's horse and Blackjack was a natural chatterbox. Hell, he probably even visited Gyro on his own time because he thought of the man as a friend as well he did his horse. Blackjack was just kind of like that.)
But yeah, sure. I'll follow you home.
(He zips his backpack back up and throws it back around. This time he loops his other arm through the strap and starts to walk. As he walks, he looks a bit more blatantly at Gyro but this time it seems very intentional.)
You really clean up nice. I wasn't expecting that. Didn't think someone like you could pull off a suit but man, you look good.
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[He turns his head when Percy offers the dates and can't help but give a wide, gold smile. He doesn't like hand outs, but far be it from him to not accept them when they're for Valkyrie, he knows the horse would happily accept. Plus it'd be nice to have enough to treat Blackjack as well, considering he does actually see quite a lot of the pegasus. It meant a lot to him that Blackjack waited around to see Valkyrie, and that Blackjack trusted Gyro enough to come by on his own. The two steeds really did get along well, probably helped that Valkyrie was a chatterbox too.]
He'll be happy to see it, as long as you don't bring him carrots, he farts more than ever, turns him into a WMD.
[A weapon of mass destruction. He chuckles a little at his joke but he's serious, the farts are unending, carrots and Valkyrie don't so well, sad because of course the horse loves those too.]
Hear that a lot. But hey, I'm Italian, we're known for suits. [He smirks a little, glancing back to him and sticking his butt out a little.]
Makes my hind quarters nice too, right? I get that a lot as well. Whatever... [Shrug, looking ahead again.]
The look makes people take me seriously, sounds like bullshit, but that's how it is. Normally I don't care but for the clinic I'll make a few sacrifices.
[Oh no poor him, looking good in a suit to get business. He really doesn't like dressing like this though. Anything one might consider 'pompous' he's just not into. There's a reason he hates his real name so much.]
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At the mention of carrots, Percy outright laughs, his shoulders shaking and any of that leftover tension completely broke out of him. This was Gyro. There was literally nothing to worry about. Percy would fumble, sound like an idiot, meet his own personal status quota of being an embarrassing person, and that was that. Who cared?)
Noted. No carrots.
(Percy quirked a brow and rolled his eyes at the same exact time. Then he glanced down to where Gyro had jutted his ass out and gave a bigger snort.)
Uh, sure dude, whatever makes you happy. I thought it complimented your shoulders more but whatever.
(On guys like Gyro, he wasn't paying too much attention to the ass. It was a lot more the rest of the body and display of muscles. There weren't many guys Percy met that were bigger than him. For a sixteen year old, he was impressive enough on his own. Standing six foot even and weighing in impressively on pure muscle - he was a good sized kid all things considered. Kid wasn't scrappy. His arms were thick though not rippling and his abdomen could grill some burgers. Though the clothes he wore weren't flashy, they fit him which wound up complimenting the natural cuts of his body. This suit of Gyro's? It complimented the cuts of his body too. And he was bigger than Percy by a good deal. It was....
It was attractive.
Percy shrugs at the explanation. He had no idea what was or wasn't professional. He had seen some seriously gaudy suits in his life time that people believed were "professional". Gyro does look nice though and he supposed as long as that was the case then it was professional enough. Percy himself has literally never worn a suit in his life. The Greek demigods, if forced to partake in formal events, usually had to wear actual Greek robes. They were always baggy, awful, and unflattering on literally everyone.
Maybe one day someone would throw him into a suit.)
The healers at our camp are all Apollo's kids and they mostly just wear ripped jeans and sneakers but I guess they're not exactly running a business either so it doesn't matter as much.
(Well okay, sometimes they wore scrubs during serious procedures but for the most part, it was real casual.)
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[Gyro laughs along with him at the joke that's not even really a joke Valkyrie farts a bunch from carrots, but he's happy it diffused some tension there. Gyro might not be good with emotions a lot of the time, but that doesn't mean he's not empathetic. He could feel it in the air, around Percy, so it's good to know some laughing helped calm him down a little. I mean, farts ARE pretty funny, especially horse farts. Certainly doesn't spice up the mood though, granted Gyro's suit seems to make up for that.]
[He sighs with a shrug, shoulders going up.... aaaand down.]
Compliments it all, sort of the point of a suit. [As well as to make him look like some stiff, someone well organized by a system and does everything with a pen in his hand and piles of paper work. Ugh. But it did highlight masculine angles very well, especially on a man with a distinct frame like himself. He wasn't huge but he had a good shape, and for some reason being from the world he was meant his proportions were even more distinct than they normally were on people. The dip in of his waist, the curve to his back and chest, everything was pronounced just enough more to really get your eye on them and to make his poses far more dramatic. And again, the suit certainly helped accent things further. He'd really like a more gaudy suit though. Something in bright colours and prints and shit that shines, yeah definitely. If he was going to choose to wear a suit he'd go for something god awful. We're talking the yellow suit in the Mask movie awful. Awful but great.]
Yeah you can work in whatever you want but it's true... the clothes make the man, even if it's bullshit. Especially a Mongrel, people just see you different so you have to make effort where you normally wouldn't bother. [Sigh.]
At least I look daaaamn good.
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Fart jokes weren't really that funny to Percy. He was more of a puns kind of guy and wordplay person but the abruptness of the joke had caught him off guard enough to crack up over it. As for setting the mood? Well, it was a good thing that at the present moment, he wasn't really trying to get anyone going. Walking along in this place wasn't exactly the best place to start that kind of thing, was it?)
No duh. Same thing with dresses. Fancy clothes usually are meant to do that. (Percy snorts. Might as well say 'and water is wet'. Some clothes flattered the body. He was poor but he also grew up in New York City. He actually understood fashion pretty well even if his own was lacking. At least his own taste in fashion was more reserved and simple than tragic and embarrassing. Unlike someone. Ahem. Whoever said bold colors was complimentary to anyone was a liar. Percy still couldn't decide if Gyro liked gaudy things genuinely or for the irony of it all. Or a little bit of both. Maybe both. I mean really, who even wore grills? Not that he'd tell Gyro not to wear those kinds of things but man, you look funny as hell.)
Yeah...That does suck. But I guess it's the same thing as back home, right? People get all weird about people with tattoos and stuff who want to work even if they're like, a super genius and super capable.
(Percy didn't like judgemental things like that. He had stood up to enough bullies in his life that he disliked it so much and had gotten into so many physical altercations as a kid- well before he realized he was a demigod even. This kid didn't take judgement laying down. Even if it wasn't judgement aimed at him specifically. And it wasn't like Percy wasn't above judging others. Sure he was. It was practically human nature. The difference was he wasn't going to treat someone differently based on petty things. He might think Gyro looks ridiculous with grills but he wasn't about to treat the man lesser because of it, make fun of him seriously, or think he made for an incompetent doctor just cause he wore grills. He wouldn't think that even if he wore a bright yellow, zebra striped jumpsuit with flared legs and a lime green cow boy hat. He might not be able to keep a straight face around Gyro but at least he'd still respect the guy as a capable doctor.)
Yeah, yeah, you look great.
(They went over this, didn't they?)
So besides groping yourself all day long, how was your day?
(It was a bland question, sure, and most people asked it to fill the silence. Percy managed to ask it in such a way that it was evident he genuinely cared about Gyro's day. Was it good? Bad? Did he have to deal with any crap? Let Percy know. He actually gave a damn. Especially now that he really did consider them friends.)
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He loves his grills, completely, unironically.]
[His sense of style was pretty genuine too, he really wasn't the sort to go for irony, he just liked gaudier things, things that some how bridged the gap between western and hip hop, but that isn't to say that sometimes he didn't make a call that fit him in everyone else's eyes too. Just... most of the time it was him liking something and nearly everyone else like... Gyro, but why.]
[But like he cares.]
Tattoos? Yeah, and piercings, you think you're used to that? We barely had any of these options back where I'm from, a guy with his ears pierced was even pretty weird.
[Not to mention tattoos and piercings. Coloured hair? Any of that? Good luck in 1890. People looked a little on in his world anyway, but there were still social norms in place there. Gyro wasn't the sort to truly judge a man on his appearance either, but he'd still make fun of someone if they looked stupid. It was the kid in him. A stupid shirt, pants, whatever, he'll poke fun, point and laugh, but it won't actually stop him from opening up to them or befriending them, he just had a weird sense of humour. He wasn't the type to completely bias whether he'll deal with someone on looks alone.]
Tiring, but- not bad. Less home calls today, figure that's why you're catching me earlier rather than later. I had a guy who got a carrot stuck up his nose though, drunk as a skuuuunk and it was just 2pm! Nyo-hoho!
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That is sure a style to have then. Percy doesn't mind it. Even if at times one may wish to own a pair of sunglasses around Gyro. Dude was his own person and Percy could dig that.
You do you, Gyro. Even if you is kind of horrifying with bold prints. It's whatever.)
Oh jeez, I could imagine. I live in NYC and there's sooo many people with so many piercings and tattoos and colored hair. It's pretty wild but kind of cool too.
(Percy wasn't really against the idea of tattoos at all. He himself wouldn't want to be covered in them but some people seriously made it work. Piercings weren't his personal thing at all but again, some people totally made it work. He could only imagine what it was like back in Gyro's days though. Percy could respect that enough. He knew the difference between bullying and teasing enough to realize Gyro totally wasn't an actual dickhead. Dude was harmless and just had a funky sense of humor.
But overall, he thought Gyro meant well. If he didn't, he wouldn't be friends with him. Simple as that. Percy didn't befriend assholes.)
Wait seriously? But how.....I mean...was it like....A full....You know what? Never mind. That sounds so freaky.
(Who even did that? See Gyro, you're making it sound more and more like Percy should never ever get drunk in his entire life.)
Gods, that sounds so stupid. Remind me to never start drinking. Jeez. I bet you have done stupid stuff while you're drunk too.
(Said with a coy grin.)
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Nothing wrong with them, sometimes they look pretty cool... I got a piercing even. [Said with a small laugh, shrugging a shoulder up.]
Metal feels greeeat. [Which he'll embellish upon by sliiiiding his tongue over the metal of his grills. Mmm, metal.]
Yeah! Seriously! I get some weirdos in there! Especially all the sex stuff. No matter where you go, someone is sticking something in somewhere. [Sure is Amoi for ya. He laughs though, used to it by now, even if it can lead to some tiring days.]
Drinking's fun though, but it's up to you when you want to give it a try. Nyeh-heee, I do some stupid stuff, yeah. But it's brilliant when I think of it. Have a looot of fun too. [He just wishes he didn't get so easily lost when he drank. That never ends up well.]
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Did you get that here?
(He means Amoi of course. It didn't seem too likely that Gyro had gotten it back in the 1800s but Percy could be wrong. He's never had any experience with metal tongue rings. Seeing much of them or otherwise. After a delayed moment, Percy shows an earnestly confused expression.)
Feel great? What, like, when you eat?
(Asked in such a naive voice. Poor kid. This world really was going to eat him alive. If he was significantly smaller and weaker, he probably would have already been thoroughly screwed. Literally and otherwise.
As for the idea of people winding up at a clinic because of sex stuff? Percy visibly shudders. Gods, why? Why him? Oh right. Probably because it is him.)
Whatever makes you happy, dude.
(His mother would faint if she knew he was drinking underage. The sex thing was at least a little more natural. Not that she'd want to know about that either but still.)
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[Not a tongue ring, he was just referring to his grills, which are indeed metal too and feel great too.]
Yeah? And in general, against skin, touching them. I like wearing these- [Said as he makes a chomp gesture.] -Because they look really cool and make chewing and biting feel nice. It's like every tooth is being hugged in my mouth.
That's right, whatever makes me happy, words to live by. Whatever I need to do to get there.
[Though 'happy' is very broad. His goals, what he wants, what he sees as good, moral, it all falls under that and he means to come in first place every time when achieving them.]
No piercings for you? Do gods do that kind of thing? They get piercings though right? Or did you're parents say no way to that one?
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Like. A belly button piercing?
(He reaches out and pokes said stomach. Though not where there would be a piercing. Percy wasn't that dumb. At the mention of grills, Percy does outright laugh.)
I don't know if 'cool' is the right word. Also I keep picturing you wearing grills as an old man and it's very hard to look at you right now because of it. Just an old dude in grills.
(He grits his own teeth and points to them with both of his fingers.)
Yeah, dude. Happiness is key.
(Which Percy could certainly agree with. He himself lately was...well. Money has never mattered to him. He wasn't struggling anymore but that didn't mean much of anything by way of being happy. The kid just wasn't thinking about it much. Trying not to, anyway, or else he'd just get angry or upset.)
Nope. I'm a clean slate. Piercings have never really held much interest to me anyway. The gods? No. Not really? Not that I know of anyway. They uh-
(How to describe the gods' fashion sense?)
They kind of just dress like....old people?
('Old' to Percy is anywhere above thirty, mind.)
Like Hermes approached me in a jogger's outfit. Aphrodite was just wearing a dress. But like, when I met Athena for five seconds, she was just in pants and a shirt. I'm sure if they wanted to, they would get piercings, but I think they mostly just want to stay unnoticed when they decide to appear as humans in the regular world and not draw much attention to themselves. So they sorta just look like plain old people.
My mom probably wouldn't say no to piercings or tattoos. I think she'd just want me to be sure about them.
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Yeah? So? I'm not using my belly button for anything else, am I?
[Snaps back a little before that poke to his stomach surprises him. Percy will feel him tense up under his finger though the muscles there were pretty sculpted underneath to begin with. He'll follow with a hearty pat to his own stomach, right over his belly, seemingly this piercing must be healed then. He makes no efforts to dodge hitting it but isn't about to show it off right now.]
They're definitely cool, and who says I'll wear them when get old? I'll just get gold dentures, nyo-ho!
[Said with another wide grin. Well HE think's they're cool, who's standards are they even going by anyway? Society's? Fuck society, especially this one.
[Gyro shrugs, taking a turn. His place isn't much further though they soon walk to another outdoor part of Hyaline, a tiled path leads out to several private residences, Percy knows the one though, and even if he didn't, it's the one with a small open lot and a personal stable built next to it.]
Ooold people, really? I know plenty of well dressed old people, maybe they just try to be boring to make up for how crazy everything else is. [Shrugs.]
My guess is everyone from your world just about 'dressed down', judging from how you do. But don't worry about it, most off worlders here are like that seems like, the fashion of natives is more've what I'm used to. [Kind of anyway. The fashion of amoi is out there and his own world could be too, of course with a sprinkling of western wear considering where he was then.]
[He pauses and then, on a limb, he decides to comment on that.]
Your mom sounds great. A great lady. I bet you never thought she dressed like an 'old person.' [Smile.]
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No, yeah. Nothing's wrong with it, man. Good on you.
(He at least means that. It's cool that Gyro's comfortable with himself or whatever. Percy had only really dodged the belly button cause the kid knew jackshit about piercings. He wasn't about to pretend to and potentially mess anything up. Basic respect.)
Oh my gods. Please get golden dentures that would be so great.
(Hilarious and somehow vastly cooler than grills. Maybe it was just because the idea of any old man attempting something like that sounded incredible. Percy was just picturing a bunch of old geezers smirking at each other with their golden dentures and idly threatening each other with their walking canes. What a great life.
He does know the one and the stable is enough to make him grin, excited to see Valkyrie. It isn't too surprising to see that Blackjack is standing next to it, talking adamantly to Valkyrie.)
I wouldn't say they were poorly dressed. Just that they were dressed in plain old clothes.
(So, boring kind of. Though Percy didn't exactly have a slamming style sense himself. He also didn't claim to. He was too poor to afford anything more than clearance rack Walmart shirts and pants. He had updated a bit here though. Not hugely but his wardrobe was a little more full of slightly higher quality clothes. He knew his mom would have wanted to get him better things had she the chance.
He looks over at Gyro and is instantly warmed by the comment about his mother. Fondness fills his face and he smiles a soft sort of smile.)
She's literally the best person in the entire world.
(He sighs as he says this, missing his mother something awful.)
Oh, gods no. She has a bit of gray in her hair and I still think she looks perfect. She's super naturally pretty. She's so nice. She's never once lost her temper with me. I have no clue how. I was really difficult growing up but she's never yelled at me or been disappointed.
(His jaw clenches and he stares ahead, feeling a bit pained from how badly he wanted to speak to her again. And just to make sure that she was doing okay, that she wasn't worried sick over him. The inability to do so had been the worst part about Amoi so far. But then his face smooths out and he grins over at Gyro, eyes bright. It hurt to talk about his mom, but it hurt way more to not talk about her.)
What are your parents like? If that's cool to ask.
(He knew very, very well familial things could be very complicated. After all, he had just met Luke's mother and that....That was something else entirely.)
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[Ah... there is a depressing undertone to this, one Gyro isn't aware of though. So he's just excited. Hell yes gold dentures.]
[Closer still, Gyro's fancy italian make shoes with their long toes tap on the smooth stone step by step. There is some scattered hay here and there but he keeps it clean around here for the most part. The stable doors will be opened after a series of locks are opened and he smiles and greats Valkyrie just as the horse makes a whinny in excitement and nods his head. Heeey hey there pal! Gyro will let the horse out a bit to stretch his legs, changing his food and water, and doing some minor tending to the stable as they talk. He'll get to cleaning it more later when he's not still in this suit.]
[Valkyrie will first push his head up against Gyro and receive some attention before he heads over to Percy happily and lifts his head to nip and groom lightly against Percy's shirt. It won't be enough to tear it or anything though.]
Yeah?
[A smile, small but there, as he glances back to Percy at that comment. You can really tell Percy looks up to and cares about his mom. Even if his words weren't being so blatant of this fondness, his tone gave him away, his expression. The way he feels isn't... like that. It almost doesn't seem right even talking about his parents when he hears how much love Percy has for his mother.]
[And it wasn't that he didn't love his parents he just... well he was never allowed to even say he did when he was there. His father was a big reason why he never spoke about himself, why showing true emotion and desire and love for another person openly was so difficult to him. His father cared, he took care of his family, tended to them, saw they got on well and taught Gyro everything he knows but... He treated family like this obligation and not something spiritual, the sort of man that valued the honour in family and the duty of his role as a father, but never hugged any of his children or allowed them to have close friends.]
[It was a different sort of family he's sure, than what Percy knows, than what a lot of people do, and there's a big reason he's never old anyone here.]
They're parents. My dad works, my mom cooks.
[Is all he'll really say, shrugging a shoulder. Gyro shows no bitterness or anger in his tone. Instead it's rather serious, blank, calm.]
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Hey there, big guy. How's it hanging?
(He laughs as he's 'groomed' and man, even if his clothes had been torn, he wouldn't have given a solid damn. So worth it for horse affection. Now that Valkyrie was out of the stables, Blackjack could properly talk to the horse and did exactly that, walking up on the horse's other side and reaching over to happily nose at Valkyrie's neck.
Percy steps aside to make room for the horses and glances over at Gyro.)
Do you need any help? I'm good around a stable.
(He really was too. Didn't really even need direction. He would have just done but he also didn't want to step on Gyro's toes. Some people were very dedicated to being the only one who took care of their animals and Percy respected that enough to not just make the assumption of helping. Gyro was an independent guy.)
Yeah. I swear I'm only alive because of her to this day.
(Which actually wasn't far off from the truth. It had been his mom more than anyone who had saved him that day when he was twelve. She'd sacrificed herself so that he could make it to camp. The gods be good that she hadn't actually died but she had been more than willing to when she did what she did. Percy likely wouldn't have been so lucky as to merely been frozen in the Underworld.
Percy was many kinds of oblivious. He was oblivious to girls, he was oblivious even to boys, he was oblivious to plenty of social things but he wasn't oblivious to the things that genuinely mattered. He could read tone, infliction, and body language better than most and while Gyro didn't seem like he'd had a cruel childhood by any means, he definitely clearly didn't want to talk much about it and Percy wasn't about to pry. That kind of things sometimes needed to be naturally brought up, not pulled and poked at. So Percy smiles at Gyro easily and gives a nod.)
That's cool, man.
(Which is a pretty general statement. He wasn't going to say more than that. He wasn't one of those people who just because he had a good relationship with his mother didn't mean he didn't understand not everyone else did. He knew plenty who had awful relationships and he never made the assumption people were lucky. That was just dumb.)
I forgot, do you have any siblings?
(Had they talked about it before? If they did, he didn't remember. It was a chance at a gradual subject change though.)
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[At Percy's question Gyro pauses and then chuckles to himself, moving to smoothly shell his suit jacket from himself and loosen his tie.]
Yeah, it'll make it faster, then I don't have to do it later either.
[He'll take that help, he's sure Percy knows the work too so he won't need to direct him. Gyro will first ask to hang his jacket near where his saddle is hanging and then begins to get to work as he continues to speak to him. He'll have to press and clean this suit anyway, what's a little more hay and musk.]
Owing your life's a big responsibility. The right people'd say you owe it to your parents anyway.
[He's not sure if he was, though, 'the right people' was definitely his father. He had that ingrained respect and duty for his family too though, even if his first thoughts weren't exactly loving ones. At most he felt bitter, but he did care for them. He appreciates too that Percy isn't the prying sort. Maybe it'll come out another time, maybe not, but it definitely had to naturally.]
Yeah, four. Three brothers and a sister, I'm the oldest though. [Something he'd be a little unhappy about if he ever thought it over, but he's always just accepted what being the eldest meant.]
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Percy finds a pair of rubber gloves and a pronged pitchfork. After making sure of where Gyro kept his muck bucket, he began to turn out the dirty hay in the stall.)
Yeah, well, everyone is alive because of parents but that doesn't mean you owe your life to them.
(Some parents were awful people. Some parents didn't even want children and wound up with them anyway. That statement was a bit stupid, in his opinion. Sometimes gratitude towards parents wasn't warranted and even having a good relationship with his mom, it didn't leave him blind to the truth of it.)
But I really mean it with my mom. Kind of literally. If she hadn't driven me to the camp, I would have probably died. She almost did die.
(He murmurs that bit softly, frowning to himself. She hadn't died though. That's all that did matter. Percy glances around.)
Do you have water in here? I could do a deep clean of the floor if you do.
(And real quick, obviously.
He won't pry, no. Figures if Gyro wants to tell him, he'll tell him. Until then, Percy will ask lighter, different questions. He gives a nod and grins even.)
That's cool, man. I have a half-brother myself. I'm older than him. I think? I'm pretty sure.
(He has no idea how old Tyson is but he has always felt like he was the older brother of the two of them. Once the dirty hay is in the bucket, he sweeps up anything remaining and it's evident that his work is thorough when he bothers to actually try at it.)
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No way, sometimes they're jerks, then you treat them like jerks. Even if you're taught otherwise, it's what they have coming.
[Not really resent, that's not what he's trying to say, just, people get what they're due is all.]
[He'll log away what Percy says about his mom and can't help but hating the fact that he's forgotten his own mom's name now... her face too. He makes a mental note too to tell Percy about the memory issue more in detail soon. Considering how important it sounded, how important she was, he knew the kid wouldn't want to forget her. Better let him know so he can start recording all he remembers of her.]
You think? Different mom, right? [Considering that pantheon he's a part of.] So you're pretty used to people being polyamory then? Makes this place waaay easier.
[He'll toss his coat down on the rustic looking couch in his very western aesthetic living room. After that he undoes his hair and moves to go start up the AC unit. It's a pretty nice one, one a mongrel's pension sure didn't buy. Seems like this place was furbished by someone other than a mongrel too. Nothing really extravagant, but it definitely has more decorations than a man as poor as Gyro could afford.]
[He rolls up his sleeves, heading to the kitchen.]
Tea, coffee?
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Yeah. He's a cyclops so the age thing is a little weird. (He shrugs but then at the suggestion that he's 'used' to people being polygamous gets a bit of a look, head tilt, and a quirked brow.) Uh....How does me having a half-brother correlate to being used to polyamory? I mean, people can do what they want I guess, but I'm definitely not used to that? I mean with the gods it's not really polyamory so much as actual cheating. My dad's technical 'wife' kind of hates me. I'm a product of an affair, dude. The gods weren't polygamous, they just...slept around a lot. There were affairs, not multiple relationships- I mean maybe in some stories and with some marriages, sure, but it was more- affairs. I think. Why do you think there's so much fighting among them and the mortals and monsters?
And considering I didn't grow up in that sort of environment, no, I'm not used to it. I grew up in the regular mortal world in modern day society where polyamory is typically not a thing. It's cool if people want that but I'm monogamous myself. It doesn't help that my fatal flaw is loyalty so I'm even more monogamous than usual, probably. Not that I've ever really dated to know but I feel like I would be. It's cool what other people want to do but it's....not been any easier for me to adjust here, no.
(Percy wasn't angry, just confused as to how he'd be okay with that. No one would really be okay with that when they were being killed because God A decided they had to sleep with God B/Mortal A. Hell, it was because of that that the gorgon Medusa was even created and she hated Percy as a result of his father doing what he did to her. Polyamory? That didn't have a lot to do with it. Gods were too petty.
It definitely didn't help his situation. It was hard for him to actually 'sleep around'. He knew it wasn't easy to avoid and he was trying hard to adjust but so far, he wasn't doing brilliantly.
And that's precisely why he was even here in the first place to talk to Gyro about. Now that he was remembering that, he fell quiet and a bit serious. He set his bag down on the ground by the door and removed his shoes before stepping inside. He doesn't take much notice of his surroundings because now he was too preoccupied with...what he had wanted to talk to Gyro about.)
Uh, neither.
(He was fine enough. He follows Gyro into the kitchen and plays with the drawstrings of his hoodie. He stays by the door way and stares at the floor.)
Hey. In speaking of getting used to this place, that's actually kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.
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How am I supposed to know? Maybe your group of those gods finally worked it out, how was I supposed to know they were just as dysfunctional as the ones I was taught about back home?
[Jesus though, Percy that's a lot of words. He doesn't mind a lecture, he's used to them, but the kid was really blowing steam here.]
With all that, good luck. And anyway, who ever said that sleeping around went against 'loyalties'? As long as you and who ever your with talk about it, what's it matter?
Guess that's a pretty new thing, I dunno, makes sense after you've been here a while. [Stepping to the table as Percy walks into the kitchen. He has a beer in hand and pops open it's tab, taking a drink, before he sets it on the table surface and leans against it.]
Good luck with that.
[The whole being monogamous thing. He supposes he is too... but no one's ever put in interest in having him under some title like boyfriend or what have you. Seemed like things just went as they were here. Sure he could be jealous, but he was also a private person. If someone he liked was with someone else in whatever way, he'd pull back or just let it be, if he knew it was the sort of thing to let be. It was about being empathetic. He wasn't about to let his jealousy of someone get in the way of them doing what they wanted either...
it was why he kept losing people here he'd guess, if he ever bothered thinking about. It felt like nearly every person he really got close to sort of just disappeared. Maybe that's why the whole 'titles/boyfriend' thing never happened.]
All right, what is? Adjusting? Why not hanging so well?
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He shrugs.)
I'd pay to see the day gods worked anything out.
(Percy frowns at Gyro and seriously, man. This kid hasn't ever even dated or so much as dipped his toes into romance. He's just a normal kid. You really think he's going to have the sense to understand certain complexities like figuring out a way to be with someone in a city like this that didn't involve the only form of dating he really knew about?
Giving him way too much credit. He shrugs.)
I don't know man. I'm not used to it. It's not an excuse, I know, but I'm just- not. And I'm trying to be, I really am.
(And he really was. But so far it seemed like everyone thought he was miles behind where he should be and well- hell. That wasn't his problem. He was trying to be good about it. He had feelings for someone and it wasn't like he was forcing anything on the guy. He wasn't even trying to get in the way of his happiness. Zero expectations. But shit, he was only human and wasn't used to this sort of culture. It's a culture shock and it wasn't going to be one he'd get used to in a month. It was hard enough actually messing around with people. The only saving grace was that he was a teenage boy filled with hormones and had been broken in with aphrodisiac encounters.
Percy wasn't really jealous per say. But if someone he liked liked someone else, he'd feel a little hurt but also back off. That's all there was to it. There'd be no tantrums or fights. Just a quiet sort of acceptance. It didn't help with people vanishing either though- no. Percy could understand that. But really, he also figured that in the real world back home, anyone could die at any time. So was it really so different?
He grows quiet and he doesn't really know how to go about this. He licks his lips and looks down at his feet, brows furrowed together.)
Uh. Well. I guess- no. Not really adjusting. I mean it is a little weird adjusting, I can't even lie to that, but it's more. I feel kind of like I don't really know what I'm doing half the time? I tried to watch porn but it made me feel weird and not the good kind of weird just awkward and I uh. It's just. I just maybe need some - I don't know.
Uh....Direction?
(Great, Percy. Smoooooth.)
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It takes some time, I'm not even used to everything here yet... and you know what? I don't want to be, there's things we shouldn't get used to.
[But he's not at all talking about the sex or relationships there, he's talking more about the horrible consent issues this place lacks, this WORLD lacks. It pisses him right the hell off, especially that feeling of helplessness that couples with it much of the time.]
[The more serious topic aside though, he's thrown a little off guard by what Percy finally implies. His brows go up, pauses as he stares down at him curiously.]
Like with...
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Well no, I don't want to be either.
(But some things were impossible to avoid. He would agree on the consent front. Not that he's fully wrapped his mind around it yet but technically his first few times messing around hadn't fully been his idea but the work of aphrodisiacs. The trees had been extremely potent for Percy as the aphrodisiacs there weren't even water based. He had zero defenses against them. Sex pollen. Percy Jackson's ultimate weakness.
Gyro's expression unnerves Percy some and maybe he shouldn't have said anything at all. But Percy was used to making dumb choices so he takes a slow, steadying breath and plows onward.)
Yeah.
(He slips his hands into his pockets and looks a bit sheepish, shrugging his shoulders up high.)
I know it's kind of weird but I don't know. I trust you. You're really the only actual adult I know here and...I kind of just feel like an idiot every time I'm with a guy without aphrodisiacs but I really, really don't want to really be on aphrodisiacs if I'm going to be doing this stuff.
(And he doesn't bring up girls because he still hasn't messed around with a girl yet. That was a daunting field that he still felt anxious about. One issue at a time.)
Like I don't even....I've never even....
(He makes awkward gestures, feeling embarrassed a bit because the poor kid couldn't even really dirty talk.)
Uh- um. Guys have- like. Ugh. Wanted to do things with my...
(He gestures vaguely behind him.)
But I've no..idea...okay. I'm going to shut up now.
(He had only idly been fingered. One finger and the shallowest of fingering but he had been nervous and uncertain. Even if it had wound up feeling good it still felt like territory he had no idea what to do with. And what if a guy wanted to put his cock up there? It was bound to happen, right?)
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[As for what Percy's bringing up now, he's feeling a little awkward himself as the kid starts to talk more about it. It's flattering he's coming to him about it, yeah. And he feels a little bad too that Percy both doesn't have many other adults in his life, or people to help him, and that it sounds like he hasn't gotten close to any ladies. But on the women bit, Gyro didn't always get along with them either, though intimately they were a lot easier for him. It helped that he was pretty playful though, and when he messed around with girls when he was Percy's age, girls tended to like the playfulness. Sometimes they did now too.]
[With a sigh through his nose he moves to slide a hand through his hair again, feeling a little bit hotter under the collar with every word. Was it all right to uh... talk to Percy about this? They never, you know... but it seemed like Percy was having even more of an issue himself with his questions. The kid still managed to come all this way to talk about it though, so Gyro makes an effort to keep calm as he listens, taking another drink of his beer before he responds.]
You want some help then, is that it? I don't play 'that end' much. [Because of his own insecurities he is nooott going t get into, but-]
I can help you get a feel for it, sure. I know my way around girls and guys. [He'll offer a smile, a calm one, doing his best to show Percy he's not offended by the implications, though Gyro's assuming a bit more than Percy is probably meaning for him too.]
Helps that you're not an asshole too.
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