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 Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2019 11:48 am
December's inventory was full of useless things, for certain. Items he crafted that had no value other than checking off a list, pieces of gear that meant nothing at this point in the game. But here and there were more than a few things that could be worth millions.
And all of which he more than willingly gave over to Nat. He only needed one hand to click on things, the other was more than happy to keep holding onto his companions. hand. After a few moments, he turned his hand around in Nat's, lacing their fingers together.
"There! That should be plenty. I think you will be good for some time... When the next update comes out, I'll make you something even better!"
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2019 9:58 am
He watched silently, attention on December's screen at first, before gliding down to their interlocked fingers. They were not that close, as far as Nataniel reasoned. Even if they had known of each other for a span of weeks, it wasn't the same as a connection that would form being with someone, in person... Being next to them, learning them... But they were next to each other now, and Nataniel only rarely found fault with the brush of someone else's skin against his.
His gaze raised back to the screen. Names of items meant nothing to him. He wasn't a hoarder and kept little in his own inventory outside of what would be directly beneficial, and he wasn't quite at the point of dedication where he would invest knowledge into what could be gained outside of the limited skills he was working with.
December, at least, seemed to have an idea.
"Thank you," Nataniel murmured in an almost whisper, unsure why December would pile this much on him without some kind of compensation. He suppose he could justify it as being worthwhile to both of them, as they did often undertake difficult dungeons together, and Gudren's gear needed to be adequate to handle the challenge... But it should still be expected of him to manage this on his own time, with his own skills.
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2019 10:22 am
Dessy never cared about 'raiding', nor keeping his inventory clean. He knew quite well that the end game for FFXIV was clearly fashion, and he secretly loved making his little Lalafel as cute as possible.
With all the items sent, he took his eyes off the screen and back to Nat. Smiling at him came easy. For once, it really felt like he did well this time.
"Alright, you're all set! Did you want to change your equipment now? I always loved seeing those numbers go up when you get something new!"
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Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 8:53 am
So peculiar, Nataniel thought, attention back on his own screen and head canted ever-so-slightly to the side, in December's direction. He wasn't bad at the game, but he still preferred Overwatch and only played this one when December was available to join him. He hadn't amassed the skill the other boy had, and his commitment to gaining knowledge of classes and equipment was obviously beneath what December had.
He clicked through his inventory to equip the items he'd been given and did have to admit he liked watching his stats increase so notably. Gudren was kind of a mess without December's help... A mishmash of armors and accessories based only on what Nat could read immediately on his screen, rather than the care he gave toward Monster Hunter or ESO...
"I do not like to be handed something for nothing," Nataniel admitted quietly. Or rather, he didn't trust that that was how anything would work out.
But he didn't know what he could do to even the tipped scales. December had paid for snacks and surrendered so much of his character's equipment, and they had only met once, even. Why did December care to do any of this for him?
This whole meeting was barely more than an experiment to Nataniel, curious as he could be over 'why' things happened as they did, and he had no answer for this.
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Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 9:29 am
"Nah, I don't think it's something for nothing!" Dessy insisted, turning to face Nataniel full on and grasping the hand he held between both of his own.
"I wanna say it a thank you. You spend time with me, play games with me, and just have been with me since the very beginning of this game journey. It means alot to me to have a friend like you who hasn't left me in the game because of dumb mistakes, and if I can be of any help at all in the game, I'm happy to be! It's my way of thanks! So... Thank you, Nataniel!"
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Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 9:25 am
Dark crimson irises flicked down to linger on his hand clasped between both of December's. There were very few things in existence, Nataniel supposed, that were 'simple.' Few things, if any, that had worth based on more than just perception, and another's 'perception' when combined with his own or anyone else it may affect, certainly lent itself to complication. He was here at all because he saw benefit in it. The 'norm' of their routine appealed to him, even when it drove him to leave the comfort of his home. It was additional work, certainly, but somehow, despite his typical preferences, the negatives didn't outweigh the positives...
"...I see," Nataniel murmured lowly, raising his free hand to skate fingertips lightly along the back of December's palm. "It pleases me also, to have this time with you. I am not accustomed to those I game with living in near enough proximity to ever meet in person." It probably didn't merit mentioning that this wasn't anything that bothered him.
Still. "It is nice."
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Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 9:56 pm
”It does? Then I feel like I completed my goal! It was a simple one, really, just to make sure you’d having a good time with me, and if you are then I’d love to hang out with you again. Hearing another person’s voice not through a mic is really nice... Oh geesh, was that weird? That’s weird, isn’t it?” Rather than getting worried or upset over his own words, December laughed at himself.
How strange it was that he could be so at ease around a stranger so quickly! And how warm those hands felt against his own. How naturally they fit together.
A genuine sort of joy started bubbling up in the pit of his stomach, and he found himself craving more of this time they spent together.
Would that be okay? Would Nataniel enjoy that too...?
“Anytime you want to meet up again, I’ll be sure to make myself free for you.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 7:44 am
"Hm." He did enjoy having a good time, as most people did, but Nataniel supposed he wouldn't have imagined there would be much to appreciate from this encounter beyond that it felt like something he had to do. He was almost helplessly compelled to keep to routine, and if that meant meeting December at some cafe, then that was just what needed to be done.
That didn't say much for why December wanted to ensure that Nat was having a good time, and Nataniel did pride himself on understanding the reasoning behind things. His dark gaze fell from their fingers and onto the floor.
But... did the 'why' matter at this moment? It did please him that December tried for him. Most people didn't because they had no reason to, and Nat didn't think that bothered him, but this was nice... It was nice for someone to want to make him happy, and he didn't imagine December capable of any in-depth manipulations. He was too... innocent for that. An unasked for heat crawled to his cheeks as he watched ground, hidden by the dark color of his skin.
"I would like to hang out with you again," Nataniel acquiesced in a quiet murmur. And even if it was truth, it still felt... awkward and foreign to admit.
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Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 11:41 am
"Then whenever you'd like to, I'll be there, as best I can! Though if we plan things out, I bet that would be easier. " Unfortunately, even December couldn't be so optimistic to say he could always come running when Nataniel wanted him to. His General still had the majority of his time.
But he'd still do his best! After all, Nataniel was already here and willing to be with him, and wanted to too. That was the most important part.
There was no way he could pick up on the heat of the other man's face, but even if he did, he wouldn't say a thing. Especially since his own face was turning a nice rosy color from his own happiness.
"Since I know you really like to keep your schedule, would this work? Meeting here? Or maybe somewhere else? If we don't want to always play the game, I'm happy to do something else you'd like to."
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Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 1:53 pm
It would be easier, and Nataniel preferred some kind of plan to none at all. He didn't see himself trying to summon December on a moment's notice ever, as he couldn't fathom a reason why he'd need to. He knew what and when he liked things done, so hopefully they could... endeavor to forge some kind of routine...
But not here.
"No," Nataniel retorted, tone a bit more stiff as his attention roved back to the building and then down to his chinchilla packed in her carrier beneath the computer desk. "It is not my preference to meet here again." Certainly not with Dusk in tow. She didn't need to be out and about in the public eye often. "But I can give you my number, and I will text you where we might be able to meet again."
It had seemed reasonable of him before, to not want to give December such personal information. He didn't need this kid texting him nonstop when it would be better to just use an app he could ignore. But if they were to be meeting, again... Perhaps it would be easier to call, sometimes, to arrange dates- Plans. And if it became consistent, Nataniel of course knew that he would be far more comfortable in his own home.
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Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 2:18 pm
December followed the gaze after receiving such a curt no, and found it resting on the carrier.
"Oh! Yes, of course not! I'm sorry I was just kinda wrapped up in the excitement in seeing you again! I uh... Sure! Phone numbers would be great! And I'm sorry for not thinking about Dusk! Her comfort comes first!" He wouldn't dream of leaving the poor cutie to be all sad and confined!
"Here, you can put it in here, if you want." he pulled out a small, pathetic flip phone, one of the kind that could be tossed at any time, a burner, and slid it over to Nat. "I'll upgrade to a new one, as soon as I get a bit more money!"
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Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 8:54 am
The phone was handed to him, and Nataniel took only a second to passively scrutinize it. He didn't have to pay for his phone plan and hadn't even purchased his own phone. All of that had been taken care of by his mother, on the expectation that if she didn't, she likely wouldn't hear from Nataniel very often, if at all. He wasn't big on calling or texting or communicating, in general, and typically used his iPhone for more of a distraction than anything else...
But it seemed like there couldn't possibly not be an option just as cheap and better than what December had just handed to him, even on one of those no-contract type plans. Nataniel somehow doubted December had done enough research to make a choice that was the 'most bang for his buck,' so to speak.
But this was not Nataniel's problem to deal with.
So he said nothing beyond a muted, "I see..." before typing his number into December's phone and handing it back to him. There probably wouldn't be a point in trying to contact him through any apps, then. Not with something like that. "I will text you when I decide on a good time."
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Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 6:48 am
If Nataniel was judging him, December thought nothing of it. When the phone was handed back to him, he sent a test text message of a "hi!", and seemed satisfied.
More than satisfied. He was thrilled!.
"Okay! Then I'll wait for your text! For now, we can keep gaming until you have to go. I got some maps to do! We can get lots of gold that way, to fund more of your crafting!"
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2019 2:04 am
The dull ’vrr. Vrrrr.’ of his phone vibrating is his pocket alerted him to the success of December’s text. At least such a pitiful device could manage that much... But it wasn’t Natanirl’s problem to dwell on. Instead, he returned his attention to the game at the younger man’s suggestion, and they managed to spend the better part of another hour completing NPC assignments to harvest gold and materials.
But at some point, Dusk has begun scraping at one of the hems of her carry case, softly and only at several-minute intervals, at first, and then quite a bit more viciously after a few minutes of being ignored.
Nataniel leaned down to slide the pack from underneath the desk and toward him. He rubbed a thumb against a spot of mesh and received another round of insistent scratching in response. “My Angel is growing impatient with me...” He tumbled gently in her direction before his gaze wandered slowly back to December. “That probably means it’s about time to leave,” he admitted.
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 12:09 pm
Once they got back to gaming, December got into the zone fairly quickly. And it all went smoothly for a time, until the sudden intense scratching caused the young man to turn and peek at the forgotten mesh case.
Oh... That's right... He had brought his pet along. It was sad, in a way. Having to part so soon, and he wondered briefly how long they could have stayed together if Dusk wasn't there.
... Who was he kidding? Dusk deserved to be brought everywhere. She was too precious to be left behind!
"Sure thing! Here, you get yourself situated, I'll clean up a bit and meet you outside, okay?" Before Nataniel could answer, December already began to shut down his game, gathering the empty snacks and drinks. He'd have to check them out too, to make sure they knew the computers were cleared, but that wouldn't take long.
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