The lanky Raid King stretched out in front of his fire. Spring was here and that meant more time outside on the beach. With the granules scratching against his fur, he reached a paw forward to stoke the embers that crackled and spit out flames. Watching as the smoke and flicker of fire reached to the nighttime sky, he let out a content noise. It had been awhile since he had allowed himself to succumb to his drinking, but he felt as if all was at peace. At least lately it was. His family happy, the pack more than full, and not a threat to be seen. Having sent Urtur and Erish out on patrol that night so the others could also have a rest, Gil tilted back the bottle of booze he had taken from the stores.

Letting out a quiet hiccup, Gil settled further into the sand. An old piece of driftwood along his back to help support him as he stretched out his toes and leaned his face against the smooth piece of wood. His eyes close softly and he enjoys the noise of the ocean. Drifting in and out, the lapping of waves was relaxing. He preferred the sound and scents of the isle compared to the cave and he did not regret moving the pack out here. Their privacy was welcomed and Gil hoped the others agreed. As his mind lingered on random thoughts of those that followed him, he continues to drink the night away.

"speech"

CODE BY SHELBY

Though her surface wounds had largely healed, Jael still found herself limping by the end of a long day. Does she have a habit of overdoing things? Yes. The too much gene is common in her kind, and this is no different. Trying to conceal the stiffness, the pain, gets old though. As long as she's fairly sure she's alone, Jael allows the limp. There's no harm in it. She'd spent the bulk of the afternoon working on the last stages of scrubbing the empty pool clean, and it was looking just about ready for the livestock they didn't have yet. The work was tiring, and she'd needed a good roll around in the sea after, but it was fulfilling work. Jael thrives when she has a job, after all.

Still soaking wet and freshly (mostly) free of grime, Jael could smell something on the evening breeze. Campfire, predominantly. Gil too, along with something else. Something with a little more burn. Her head picking up, the girl made her way farther down the beach, following the source of the scent. Concealing the limp a bit better (though too tired to fight it off entirely), Jael can't help herself. A moth to a flame, or something like that. Her gaze gentle as she approaches, though her steps were quiet on the sand.

"Private party, or do you have space for me?" She approaches with a little smile, the orange glow of the fire reflecting in her opalescent gaze. Pausing just far enough away... though he could send her away, Jael hopes he wouldn't. Time alone is precious, especially for a man of his station. Still, she gives a little smile, a little tilt to her head. Maybe she really was a moth to flame.

Gil can see her small form from down the beach. Though shadowed by the flicker of fire light, he can tell its her. The way her gait is slightly off, her small stature, how her scent is just barely carried to him on the breeze. He doesn't move though. He can smell the salty water and it nearly burns his nose as she approaches. Had she gone for a swim? The notes of grime clinging to the edges of her fur solidifies his guess that she was washing off whatever muck lingered at the bottom of the concrete pools out back.

He returns her smile as she steps closer and asks if there is space for her. There is always space for her. At least now there is. He makes sure there is. "Of course," his rumbling tones are slightly garbled by the obvious note that he had been drinking rather heavily. Lifting a paw to wave it in her direction, he beckons her closer so that she can begin to dry off by the fire. Reaching for a bottle nearby, he rolls it in her direction and nods to it, essentially telling her to drink.

"How was your day?" Gil asks out of earnest curiosity and also... something protective. While he was busy with his own duties, he had not seen her since sunrise. Though Erish had confirmed she hadn't left the isle, he hadn't kept a full eye on her the entire time. A little bit of a leash for now at least to see how much he could trust the girl. Taking another swig of his booze, he awaits her response.

These days, it seemed the salt smell clung to nearly everything. Not just the salt, but something else. Something a little more wild. Him. It seemed ever-present in the back of her mind, and Jael loved it. Thrived on it. Different than what she's sued to, and for the first time different is good. Different, here he is, making space for her. A little glimmer between the light of the fire and her opalescent gaze where it lands on his face.

Jael settles beside the fire, beside Gilgamesh. Watching him curiously, though the slurred speech told her all she needed to know. Lifting the bottle and taking a long drink for herself, it's bracing. Jael doesn't flinch. A little smile, a little flush on her features, she allows her attention to settle back on the raid king. They were in public, she wouldn't curl up by his side-- though she perhaps wish she'd been so bold. The openness of the beach leaves her a little shy to the physicality of things, though she took another long sip from the bottle. Alcohol would do well to dissolve that barrier, or so Jael hoped. At least it would scare off any chill that could come from the combination of breeze and sea, right?

She knows she's being watched, though some days Jael can't tell by who. Usually Gil-- directly or indirectly. The weight of it is comforting. Maybe it would be hard for her to admit, but it draws her in ever-closer. Safety. Security. Jael can rely on him. Just in case, because sometimes it seemed like trouble was trying to find her. Today had been quiet, at least. "I got a lot done. We'll be prepared for livestock soon." Her tail wagged at her haunches, fanning the fire just a bit. Jael was proud of herself. She knows they don't have any livestock yet, but maybe if she dropped enough hints... a girl could dream.

"What did you get up to?" It feels like you've been hidden away all day. Not like Jael had noticed. Nope, shhh, not at all. Another sip from her bottle, why did it have to taste so good? The Raider hooch was dangerous. Real premium shit. Oh no.

Gil is proud that Jael doesn't flinch at the harshness of the hooch. While Avalon and Hallows alcohol may be refined and delicious, their drinks were tart and fiery. Brewed in the depths of pools that one would lift their lip to. It was the kind of good shit that made your belly prickle and your mind waver happily. Wolves didn't get angry on this shit, no they were joyous. At least, that was his opinion and it was clear on his face. That sloppy smile as he peered at Jael, a twinkle in his eye saved only for her and well, his wife. Can't forget that beauty either. Was he perhaps putting too much on his plate? To some, probably, but he didn't care. He had everything he'd ever wanted and more.

Pulled from his thoughts as her tail fans the fire, he lifts a brow with curiosity. Livestock? They were getting livestock? He blinks a few times and nods slowly. Fine, if that would keep her happy and more importantly safe, he'd find her some. Not from Avalon, but maybe... Heidinn or Ethne? Ethne would be an easier target. He wasn't ready to make enemies with the shadow yet. "And do I dare ask what kind of livestock you are hoping we obtain?" Gil asks carefully before taking another swig of his bottle. Really, it didn't matter what livestock she wanted, but he would need to know if he were to send someone searching for it.

But then she asks what he had been up to. His lips purse and he lets out a thoughtful rumble. "Busy work," he answers simply, his gaze turning to the fire. It wasn't a lie per say but it also wasn't the whole truth. There was a lot he had to tend to and not all he wanted to reveal yet. Between the two new... slaves, other members, the news revealed by Ig and Sparrow both respectfully, he had a lot on his plate in the regards of being an Alpha. Letting out a sigh, he reclines farther onto his side and lays his head down onto the sand by Jael.

"What would you do if one of your trusted," trusted was not necessarily the word others would agree, but fuck it, "confidants told you they found a litter of pups without a mother and they wanted to bring them home? The caveat being we have no room for the heathens," there was almost a groan in his voice as he closes his eyes. What the fuck was he to do about that? They needed to expand and sooner than he had anticipated, but maybe Jael would have another idea.

Gilgamesh doesn't argue her point, the one with the stock. Jael can't help but smile to herself-- something about getting what she wants, and he doesn't even complain. The glimmer in his eye doesn't escape her notice either. The girl was perhaps more aware than usual, about the way her heart pounded in her chest. The way she looks at him damn near scorches the walls, and Jael couldn't even be sorry for it. Maybe a bit more flustered than she'd let on, as her gaze drops back to her bottle. Right, nothing a little more booze wouldn't fix, right?

Her tail wagged lightly at her haunches. "Chickens, maybe goats too." She grinned, her gaze flickering to meet Gil's once more. Was she playing into the pleading look? Maybe a bit. Busy work, when asked what he'd been up to, but something told Jael that wasn't the whole truth. He was hiding something, but then, she would let the raid king keep his secrets for now. Jael was thoughtful as he spoke of his woes, the struggle on his plate.

Really, Gil sounded a bit exasperated. Pups... pups that couldn't be left alone out there, but pups the raiders didn't have room for. "The timing kinda sucks, doesn't it." Jael sighed softly, considering for a long moment. "Is there somewhere else they can go, just until we have room? We can't leave pups, but we can't suffer for them either." The girl sighed lightly, taking another long drink from her bottle. The headrush, the warmth-- maybe she's already a bit more intoxicated than she planned. While not necessarily a lightweight, it's also been a hot minute since she's had hooch like this. Discontent with the space between them, Jael shifted on her hip. A bit closer, not a lot. Subtle. She could be subtle, right?

Chickens and maybe even goats. Well, Ethne would definitely be a target. Gil may have heard through Haydee and the grapevine that wound through Boreas that she kept chickens. Nice and plump and fat. As long as Jael tended to them, he wouldn't mind a raid down into Auster. They'd have to avoid The Hallows for now. Gil was being tactical about all of this. After the raid from Armada on their doorstep, he didn't want to go pissing anyone off... yet. He would rather friendly fire than an all out war. That was how he liked it and that was how it would be.

Letting his gaze focus on the fire, he nods and takes a swig. Chickens and goats, that he could make happen. He wouldn't admit openly that he was doing it for her. No, it would be for the pack. The isle's natural resources would dwindle eventually and unless they obtained a wolf that enjoyed fishing, they had to find an answer. Maybe Jael was the answer he was looking for. Another time to think about that... right?

Instead, his brain switches to the next topic and he lets out a snort. A gruff noise as he swigs from the bottle again. The world around him dances and he lets out another sigh. Fucking Ignis. Man needed to learn to keep his dick in his pants. "I told 'im to stash the brats iin the archipelago until Deluge shoves off with Scald," his words are slurring and he doesn't notice Jael scooting closer. Or maybe he does, but he doesn't do anything about it. His hearing is still muffled by the way the booze clogs his ears so the shuffle of sand beneath her paws goes unnoticed. He doesn't mind though.

He seems to let sleeping chickens lay, or whatever the phrase was. Jael will count that as a victory for now. After trying to go swig for swig, mirroring the actions of the raid king quietly, she’s far more intoxicated than she initially realized. Giggly. Warm and not just from the fire (or Gilgamesh’s affection.)

Maybe that’s why the breeze off the sea feels so jarring. It rattles through her teeth, ruffles her coat. She shivers. Feeling exposed, curling her tail around herself. Brats, more brats. Gil and Modesty have brats. This mystery confidant had… found them. Hey wait a minute.

“The bratses, do they—“ she hiccuped. “They… look suspiciously like ‘im?” Another hiccup. Found them. Another shiver. Oh dear the booze was getting to her head. So was he. Fuck. Jael took another swig from her bottle, gave another giggle. “We’re gettin’ th’beach… I still wanna… live in the house okie?” The words are slurred, but her puppy dog gaze rests on his face.

He chuckles at her hiccup. Cute, wasn't it? Such a tiny thing letting out such a noise was adorable. No, no, he couldn't be thinking these things. Right? Ugh. Gil has to think though for a moment. Had he actually seen those pups yet? No, he had just taken Ignis' word and didn't question anything else. Why would the man lie to him? His brow furrows as he drunkenly thinks of this predicament. Well, fuck. What if they were his? Did it really matter at this point?

Another grumble. Then he notices. She shivers. She's staring up at him with those big eyes. Damn. Those glimmering eyes draw him. Gil leans over him, shifting so that he can hover closer. Not too close, not yet, no. A noise vibrates in his chest. She still wanted to live in the house? Did she think he was going to force her to leave the isle? Modesty might... Once she recovered... Probably wasn't going to be pleased with Jael on the top floor.

"Migh' haveta move rooms, but ya can stay in the house," he murmurs, his lids drooping and lips turning in a sloppy smile. He wanted to make her happy. Make Modesty happy. Make everyone happy. Was that not an option?

Hiccupping, hot under the collar. Warm, and cold all at once. Her head tosses, rolling on her side for just a moment. A heartbeat. "Y-you're sure you can trust him though," she just... checks in. Yeah, food for thought. Another hiccup around the start of her words, Jael grinning. If he was talking to her about one of his trusted confidants, what did that make her? That's maybe the one code she can't crack.

Move rooms? Jael keeps her gaze trained up on him, really leaning into the wide, puppy dog gaze. Doe eyed. Her heart beat in her chest, nervous. "I-in with you?" Hopeful, gaze bright. That's what she's gotten from what Gil has to say, at least. Tail wagging hopefully behind her, peering up at him with a bright, soft gaze. A brilliant little smile to match his, her heart warm. Boozy, she shivers once more against the harsh ocean breeze. Giggly and warm and very, very drunk. At this point, his answer is unlikely to matter. Jael hasn't been quite this intoxicated before, she probably won't remember in the morning.

Her question literally shocks him. Eyes widen, lips sputtering booze practically all over her. Does the girl not remember that he has a wife? His eyes then squint as he tries to figure it out. But the way she's staring at him with those big doe eyes, he can't help it. Part of him wants to say yes. She wouldn't take up much space, but fuck. No. Modesty. Yes. He gives his head a shake and gently places a paw on her head, scuffing her fur. "Silly girl, no. If you think Modesty is terrifying now, don't let her find out you suggested that," there is a seriousness in his tone even if he is almost as drunk as she is.

His eyes went wide, Jael giggled. She bats at him with a paw, pretending that her hope hadn't been genuine. When you're flirting with a cute girl and she gives you a just kidding haha... unless? Though Jael plays a dangerous game now, her drunken mind doesn't understand just how dangerous. She hadn't been serious (she had), of course not! (She was.) (Don't let her lie to you.)

Jael pretends she was kidding. It's a defense mechanism, flopped in the sand, giggling as she bats at Gilgamesh with one of her dainty little paws. Maybe she is a drunk fool in the moment, but she would still mask those sad feelings for the sake of her pride. "Shhh, I'm already... scared of her." Jael rests her head in the sand beside Gil's paw, gaze still on him. Drinking. Giggling. Sandy. Comfy by the fire.

He watches her as her paws bat at him. Those giggles filling his drunken ears. A delightful sound. One he hadn't heard in awhile. He can't help the smile as he takes another swig. They really should stop drinking soon. He can feel the wooziness begin to fill him up, but he's having fun. Letting loose. Forgetting about his responsibilities.

When she comes to still, head resting beside his paw, her words admitting to her fear, another chuckle leaves him. Bringing his muzzle closer to her own, he lays his eyes on hers. "The one you should be scared of is me," he whispers to her, eyes unblinking, daring her, giving her the chance. He won't do it, not unless she wants it. The idea that she is terrified of him, but wants him at the same time is enthralling. It causes his belly to flutter with butterflies, his insides to stir, forces him to shift into a more comfortable position.

They should be cutting themselves off, that's true. She knows better than to try to keep up with him, knows better than to try to match the man. Larger, more accustomed to drinking like a pirate, and had she eaten much today? Who knows. The way the alcohol soaks her system feels better than she cares to admit, and Jael will take the excuse it gives her. The excuse to lean in, the excuse to be... close.

Closer. He comes closer, barely a breath away. No stranger to intense eye contact, but what was that? Turns out a shiver down your spine and a thrill up it feel the same, it just depends on the context. Jael's chest aches, her heart racing. Was it Gilgamesh disarming her, or was it the alcohol? She's not sure she'd admit to either. The set of her ears, the look in her eyes, it's all fear.

Fear wasn't going to be strong enough to push her away. Jael is afraid, but she can't let him go. "I'm scared of you and... and I trust you." The words are soft, spoken only a breath away from him. In over her head-- hasn't she been from the very start? Not just want but need in her system. She needs him, chest and shoulders damn near aching as she leans in. Plied by the booze, she takes her chance.

Fire strikes as soon as she leans in. Lips pressed against each other and Gil is surprised. Surprised that she actually did it. Maybe it was the booze speaking, but he can't deny the obvious feeling in his chest. How his heart races. His insides twisting and turning. He presses back with a ferocity that he's sure might knock her over. Breathless, hot and panting as he pulls away, his eyes begging for more. "Jael," her name is a whisper on his liquor coated tongue. "We shouldn't be doing this," not exactly a regret, but definitely ashamed that he was continuing to make mistakes. As much as he wants to do it again, to relish in the sweet taste of her lips against his, he won't.

"We should turn in," his voice rumbles, eyes finally diverting away from her. Body shifting so they aren't nearly as close as they were.

The space between them ebbs away, and Jael feels as if the air has gone from her lungs. Head spinning. As if she never wants it to end-- a feeling that makes it no less stolen. Gilgamesh hasn't rebuked her, hasn't driven her away. Opal eyes wide as they rest on his face, a plea... it would be selfish to ask. She doesn't. She knows she can't.

It's too sweet, too fleeting, and she's weak to it. Want at odds with can't at odds with everything else. Heart throbbing in her chest, but she can't hear or feel over it. Feel. Hell, all Jael can do is feel. She's too drunk for this. He turns away, and Jael whimpers. It's as if it hurts her near-physically, though she'd intended to stifle the sound. "I... you're right." Her gaze drops from his face, and Jael makes to get to her feet.

As she does, the sand beneath her shifts. Jael tumbles, sprawling-- far more intoxicated than she intended or planned on being. While not usually a messy drunk, the Raider hooch was a bit stronger than she intended. Jael leans to place a shy, fleeting kiss on Gilgamesh's cheek before stumbling in her own direction. Towards bed. Unsure if she's feeling more flustered or guilty, but it doesn't matter. Jael isn't sure she'll be able to recall it in the morning.

--exit, unless stopped