Chapter Text
G’raha will admit somewhat sheepishly that he has always had a weakness for chocolate ...ever since, as a child, he had received a large box of them from Krile on valentione's day. After the first taste of bliss, he was overwhelmed with pleasure, and even though he was already quite full from eating dinner, he had helplessly stuffed himself with the rich treats, finishing them all in one sitting, and nearly making himself ill in the process...
After finding out that he liked it so much, Krile would sneak him chocolate candy and snacks as often as she could... trying to show some kindness to the poor lonely boy that her grandfather had taken in. He had arrived from famine stricken Corvos as a small, frail little thing, but all those sweets and treats quickly fattened him up, and he spent much of his childhood as an adorably chubby little kitty.
As an adolescent, he had taken up archery and martial training alongside his scholarly pursuits, so he was able to slim down and maintain a trim, lithe, and athletic figure as he reached adulthood. But, his cheeks remained soft and plump no matter what he did, stubbornly clinging to their baby fat. G'raha's cute appearance belied his strength.
As the Crystal exarch, G'raha had become accustomed to denying himself physical comforts: food, sleep, even touch as he held himself mysterious and aloof. The one occasion that he let this restraint slip was when lord Vauthry had invited him to a banquet in Eulmore celebrating his recent inauguration as mayor.
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"Please, eat plenty!" Vauthry encouraged him loudly. "I am sure that you could use a good meal, after scraping by for so long in the meager environment of Lakeland... I will feel my hospitality has been insulted if you aren't in need of loosening your belt by the end of our meal." The enormous man ended his statement with a hearty laugh, clapping a hand warmly over his much smaller guest's shoulder.
The Exarch responded with a quiet chuckle. “I must admit, I am unused to such bounty but I shall try my best..." he said, somewhat hesitantly taking his seat as guest of honor at his jovial host's side.
After Vauthry's insistence that the he join in the merriment, Exarch had taken what he thought to be a modest portion of food for himself and upon finishing it had attempted to decline any further offerings.
Of course, his host would have none of that nonsense... Vauthry proceeded to relentlessly ply him with enough food and drink to ground an amaro. Not wishing to cause an incident, the Exarch reluctantly gave in and made an effort to greatfully accept whatever was offered him...
In spite of his best attempts at moderation, Exarch found the food to be overwhelmingly delicious and after the first few dishes took to the meal with greater enthusiasm. This seemed to please lord Vauthry immensely. Exarch found that he was actually able to eat a great deal more than he thought he would have been able to... his crystal augmented form surprisingly resilient. There were heaps of sweet, freshly baked breads, bowls of rich stew, platters overflowing with glistening fruits of all sorts... a staggering assortment of cheeses, and pies both savoury and sweet. The centerpiece seemed to be a whole roasted Gulgnu, its massive body sizzling, dripping fat, and basted a golden brown...
Exarch tried to keep up... really, he did... but, whenever he cleared a spot on his plate, a servant was there to heap something else upon it... and soon enough, the heavy fullness in his belly became unpleasant, his loose robes gradually feeling tighter... Indeed he found himself contemplating whether or not he could loosen his belt, for it was beginning to dig into his sides and lower belly rather painfully. He rubbed at his stomach through the many draped layers of his robe.
Goodness! he had thouroughly overindulged... he can't recall ever having eaten so much. He was absolutely stuffed! His aching stomach swollen with hearty portions of rich delicacies and sloshing with many, many generously poured goblets of fine wine. He feared he would need to employ a glamour upon return to the crystarium so as to not raise any eyebrows at his unusually round appearance...
And rounder and rounder he became as the Tower (unbeknownst to him) rapidly processed and stored the surplus energy as a layer of soft fat, gradually smoothing out the harsh angles of his lean form.
Eventually he felt he had eaten more than enough not to have slighted Vauthry's hospitality. He had every intention to leave at this point... he was so full that he'd be lucky if he could make his exit with any kind of dignity... likely the best he could manage would be a slow waddle which he might disguise as a hobbling gait ...leaning upon his staff for balance. He was well over a century old after all. He rested a hand on his belly... feeling it groaning and gurgling around the heavy contents he had crammed into it.. completely unaccustomed to the strange feeling of being so utterly full.
After binding himself to the Crystal Tower, the Exarch had found that he no longer required food or sleep in order to function... While he could still partake of both, they were not necessities any longer. He had eaten little in his time here on the First, putting the needs of others ahead of his own.
Before that, he had slumbered in stasis for 200 years... kept alive, but ever so slowly growing weaker as the Crystal Tower's aether ebbed in the stagnant world poisoned by Black Rose. By the time the Ironworks crew managed to awaken him from his stasis, he had become quite frail... During his time spent in the bleak future on the doomed source, the people of the Ironworks settlement did their best to fatten him up and strengthen him for the daunting journey that lay ahead of him. Unfortunately, though heartfelt, the best they could offer him were meager scraps. After initially protesting the special treatment and receiving a stern lecture or two, he meekly accepted what they offered with solemn gratitude, aware and ashamed that they were giving him more food than anyone else... that his barely full belly meant that several people were going hungry each day... but they did it gladly, for he was their hope... Though never accused of any fault by the people of the doomed timeline, he still carried a sense of guilt heavy in his heart. Exarch's habitual abstinence... a long self imposed penance for this sin of forgiven gluttony.
Before even that. He was a busy Sharlyan scholar with little coin to his name preferring to spend what he could spare on books rather than food... If it weren't for Krile's sisterly fussing over him, ensuring that he actually ate on occasion, he would likely have dwindled down to nought but skin, bones, and youthful enthusiasm...
His wandering mind was brought back to the present by an announcement that desserts would be served shortly. He nearly panicked at the prospect of being expected to eat anything else. However, as full as he was, when they laid a silver tray heaped with plump, cream filled chocolate bonbons in front of him, he couldn't help himself (having already thrown his restraint to the wind for the evening) and eagerly ate the lot of them as if he were starving rather than stuffed full fit to burst.
Vauthry was delighted with the Exarch's thorough enjoyment of the feast... and fascinated with his rapidly softening figure... Vauthry was certain that his mysterious guest had not been nearly so plump when he had arrived... in fact, he distinctly recalled noting how the man's trim waist had contrasted strikingly with his broad shoulders and muscular limbs... but now one would scarcely recognize him as the same person... As expected, his belly was full and round from feasting, obvious even through the billowy drapes of his robes, but aside from that, it seemed he was quickly becoming rather chubby all over... his arms, legs, chest, even what little was visible of his face appeared to be growing softer by the second... right in front of Vauthry's eyes. The Exarch didn't seem to notice at first, but when he did, he seemed as surprised as Vauthry was. The Exarch dismissed his host's concern that he might be suffering from an allergic reaction of some sort... grumbling something about this likely being a fairy prank... he claimed to have recently visited the kingdom of il Mheg and the fay had been displeased with the brevity of his visit... satisfied that his guest was in danger of nothing more severe than a belly ache, Vauthry suddenly scooped the smaller man up into his arms, and carried him across the room to flop down languidly into a deep nest of pillows. Joining the groups of guests already lounging about.
The very surprised Exarch squirmed and stammered in flustered shock at the sudden and unexpected manhandling... blushing as red as the crimson cloth of his robe. Vauthry held him tightly enough to keep him from getting away, but not tight enough to injure him. Calming down once it was apparent that his handsy host meant no harm he stopped struggling. The Exarch shuddered involuntarily when Vauthry ran enormous hands over his body, curiously squeezing and prodding him here and there... None of the other guests so much as batted an eyelash at Vauthry's behaviour, such was Eulmore's permissive attitude.
"How charming you look now, so petite and plump.. and what a delightful contrast between the feel of soft flesh and the small patches of unyielding crystal. I had heard stories of you my whole life and I must say meeting you in person has been a surprising pleasure. You seem much younger than I imagined you would... young and beautiful, but with wisdom and poise beyond your apparent years... haha but I see some of that cold and rigid poise has softened this evening. What a treat it has been to see you so flustered. You are quite adorable with a rosey blush on your cherubic cheeks. Ah, what I wouldn't give to gaze upon the whole of your angelic face. Why do you so carefully hide such a doubtlessly beautiful visage? Perhaps... is it an attempt to avoid breaking an endless string of hearts? You dare not return the feelings of another knowing they will all too soon wither away and die, left behind... dust upon the road you tread eternal as a lonely immortal.
Since I was born a miraculous amalgam of man and sineater both, I understand how it feels to be so exceptionally different from those around you. A wholly unique existence, a single shining jewel in a pile of dull pebbles. You and I have a duty, nay... a destiny to lead, and protect the poor frightened souls around us, and while I have only just begun my role as the Ruler of Eulmore, you have been lord of the Crystarium for near on a century! And it has done naught but grow and flourish under your care. Even in the hardest of times, you stood steadfast alongside your people, doing whatever you could to help them through it. It would honor me beyond anything if you would count me as a friend. I would benefit from your experience, knowledge, and wisdom as a Ruler."
The Exarch had eventually stopped struggling and settled down into Vauthry's hedonistic embrace. He had grudgingly tolerated the petting and prodding because he honestly had little choice in the matter. Vauthry was enormous! Taller and broader than the largest Galdjent... a true force to be reckoned with. The Exarch was fairly strong for his size and his bond with the tower lent his body a certain durability and resilience greater than a living being's should be, but being this far from the Tower had strained the connection somewhat, and he was beginning to feel rather weak... although it could simply be him settling into a food coma. In any case, it was high time for him to leave... Vauthry's wandering hands were starting to make him feel quite uncomfortable... and all his talk of being a unique and superior being, divinely ordained to rule was causing warning bells to ring sour notes in his mind... He regretted that he was far too muzzy from food and wine to come up with a reply that sounded anywhere near as eloquent as he had hoped but he tried his best. He straightened up as best he could still cradled snugly like a favourite toy and looked up into the clear blue eyes of the large but strangely childlike man that held him.
"Lord Vauthry, I am thankful for your hospitality and generosity in inviting me here into your home... but I really must take my leave... I can't stay too long away from the Tower... Please do not ask me to explain... and kindly release me... I know you have questions about me but I thank you for respecting my privacy and hope you will continue to do so. As for your overture of friendship, I would gladly accept it, but I must correct you on one point up front... I have never ruled the Crystarium... My people are free to choose their own path. I simply have tried to make the way easier for them, to keep them safe. They often ask me for my council, but are free to disregard it with impunity... and if I may offer you some... friendly advice: You, as an elected official, mayor... not king... should endeavor to do likewise. Do not view yourself as more important than the people whom you serve. For that is a dire path that leads to tyranny and oppression... ah, I see by your scowl that you disagree... you are free to do so... but I must say... some of the worst things ever done were committed by those who had quite thouroughly convinced themselves that what they were doing was righteous. Now now, haha, don't look at me so... One doesn't cherish a wise friend because they expect their agreement on every matter. In any case, I feel I have left you with ample food for thought, not nearly as plentiful or palatable as the feast you presented to me, but I pray that you ruminate upon my words, and if you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to write me a letter... Now, to dispell this fairy trickery."
He disentangled himself from Vauthry's embrace and stood somewhat awkwardly, his body's unfamiliar weight distribution making him a bit clumsy. He then collected his mage staff, tapped it firmly to the floor, and made an elaborate hand gesture above his head causing a colorful cascade of sparkling light to shower down upon him. While he was putting on a show of "dispelling" the fairy glamour, he was in truth casting one of his own.
Vauthry, not to be fooled by such an obvious trick, laughed to himself as the Exarch, appearing slender once again, bowed politely and turned to make his exit...
Perhaps he is not so wise as I thought... Vauthry mused. The man was secretive and disingenuous, but somehow the weakest liar he had ever met... But, he supposed... that weakness spoke well of the man's ultimately honest nature. In any case he was an undeniably powerful mage and for that alone would be a worthy person with which to curry favor, or, failing that, keep tabs on at least. Needless to say. He would soon be sending the mysterious lord of the Crystarium many missives accompanied by lavish care baskets packed with enough goodies to leave the Exarch plump and once again in need of weaving a glamour. However, the notoriously selfless Exarch would probably be more like to share the gifts with his people than to keep them for himself. He struck Vauthry as being anything but greedy... except possibly... where chocolate was concerned. The Exarch's weakness for the rich confection did seem particularly strong. Perhaps Vauthry would simply send nothing but chocolates to test the Exarch's mettle. He chuckled darkly, imagining the small man helplessly gorging himself on sweets... growing softer and chubbier with every bite. Vauthry sighed as his nerves were lit with pleasant tingles at the thought... a new one to add to his long list of perverse fancies.
>>2 more chapters coming soon ^__‐