Call it an unfortunate coincidence that they end up in a district that is noticeably chilly compared to all the rest. Even if Emet-Selch happens to be dressed for the occasion in his regal Garlean attire, it doesn't mean that he enjoys the chill in the air - only that he feels its impacts less than he may otherwise.
The intent today is to explore their new surroundings. At least that is what they agreed on superficially, but the chance to spend the day in one another's company is his true intention.
They come to a bridge with a stream running underneath it. Countless crystalline lilypads dance over the surface and serve as shelter for some strange cold-water creatures underneath them. Emet-Selch glances over the railing to try and get a better look at them but can't quite make out more than shadows. Hm.
"The mark is not important." He sighs, pausing at the railing to gaze over at the creatures under it. "I have one, yes, but why does it matter where or what it is? It is of no great import."
Hythlodaeus walks close to his friend, wondering why he's unwilling to tell him his mark. The critters under the lily pads distract him for a mere moment before he rounds on Emet-Selch again.
"I am only curious. Everybody else has been quite forthcoming with theirs... but the more you hide yours, the more I wonder."
He reaches out to idly fix a stray piece of hair on his friend's head. A fond gesture that he thinks nothing of.
The gesture forces him to meet his friends gaze. Others seldom showed such affection to him; none dared to and with good reason considering how he would rebuff them. Not in this case. Emet-Selch offers a good-natured hum as though giving momentary thought to answering the question, even if he has no intention of doing so.
"All the more reason to treat them with discretion." He says by way of refusing the request. "Although, I suspect that in your case, the mystery is more alluring than being given the answer."
"If your concern is me telling others about your mark, you needn't worry. Though I don't see what the issue is, truly... many of us have already shared ours."
He pouts a little.
"So why keep it from me, your dearest friend? What did we not share in the days of eld? Why must that change?"
Looking down at the crystal lilypads again, he idly waves a hand and flips one over. Well, he can't very well look at what is under them otherwise. The revealed creatures all dart underneath the nearest shelter quickly, but there is precious little that Hythlodaeus' eyes don't catch.
"To stoke your undying curiosity, of course." He says breezily enough, admitting to do so purely for the sake of petty inconvenience.
Speaking of curiosity. He trails peers over Hythlodaeus shoulder at the creatures swimming about in the water. They look like beings constructed from precious jewels; Crystal Lilly pads, fish with scales that look like precious stones, and other beings that look like gems given life. Intriguing indeed.
"Yes, frogs. Don't tell me you're going to try and catch one." He gripes. Why else would he care to look at them so closely?
"Why would I want to catch one? I merely wished to know what they were."
Nothing besides the crystalline nature of the frogs had caught his eye.
"If they had, say, five extra limbs and razor sharp teeth, perhaps. But no, they are just regular frogs... beautiful, but all too familiar. Unless they have some manner of powers that you're privy to?"
Extra limbs or teeth? One could not fault his friend for being remarkably consistent in manners of taste, eccentric and questionable as though it may be. "I've just arrived here, same as you. I am privy to nothing that you cannot observe yourself."
It's then when something in the water catches his eye. What he assumed to be a rock appears to move ever-so-slightly when one of the frogs scampers across it in an effort to get away. The 'rock' is colorful as the crystal that surrounds it but bigger and sturdier, but whatever it is, half of it is buried in the mud of the riverbank. Emet-Selch narrows his eyes. "What is that?" His tone is skeptical and wary.
He frowns down at the lumbering creature that now stomps about in the grass. It is colorful, he would concede that much, but nothing about it seems any more fantastical than anything else.
"This one has no extra limbs or teeth. What makes it a 'fine specimen' whereas all the others are so unworthy of your attention?" Emet-Selch feels the creature ram gently against his foot and he peers at it quite unimpressed. What does it want?
"I think he can tell you're being unkind," Hythlodaeus laughs as the critter rams into Emet-Selch's foot. "As for why... call it my Chief's intuition!"
Basically, it's because he can.
"I didn't see many variations of tortoise, admittedly. They weren't nearly as popular as aquatic life. Perhaps it is just the novelty, but I rather think that this fellow is a breath of fresh air."
Unkind? If he wanted to be unkind, then he would tip the bloody thing over onto its back and leave it to its fate. Instead, he walks off and lets the creature have its space.
Emet-Selch takes a few steps away at first with the intent to leave the creatures as they found them. Surely, they would find something more interesting elsewhere?
"I'm sure you would find it coming into fashion sooner or later. Each creature seemed to have their turn at it. ..For better or worse." Days spent talking about the newest concept over lunch were some of his most fond memories of daily life in Amaurot. All the intriguing concepts and all of the poorly drafted ones. One day, they could resume their creating.
"Perhaps, had we been given the time. They were woefully overlooked."
Emet-Selch makes to walk away but Hythlodaeus seems very fond of the creature. Especially when he reaches to scratch its shell and it starts to rock from side to side. He laughs, delighted.
"What an adorable little dance. Come, Emet-Selch, are we truly going to just leave it here?"
He knows that taking creatures from their habitat is frowned upon but what wouldn't he give to study this one further!
"Yes, just as we leave all wild beasties to their own devices." He turns around and folds his arms disapprovingly.
"Don't tell me you're thinking of bringing it with us?" Though he gets the inclination that's exactly the case. Really! They had just arrived here and have little knowledge of their surroundings. Taking an animal with their to uncertain dwellings and even more uncertain circumstances is a poor choice.
There's a moment of hesitation as he looks longingly at the creature. Responsible decisions? He was never any good at those.
"It has been an age since I last studied a creature," he turns to look at Emet-Selch mournfully. "And one as intriguing as this, besides!"
Yes, they left creatures to nature... but they created a good chunk of nature, did they not? They may not be stewards of this star, but Hythlodaeus certainly still feels a need to do something familiar... studying a new creature might well be what he needs.
"It is still small. Perhaps it will remain small, perhaps not. But I should like to find out. If it becomes too large, then I will release it."
"No you won't." Emet-Selch says with a knowing drawl in his voice. "You would just make a bigger enclosure for it to live in." Or rather, he would given he would feel guilty that Hythlodaeus would give up his little pet. The bone-weary Ascian lifts a hand and rubs at the corner of his eyes and sighs. It serves as a quiet moment of frustration and acceptance as now they will have the company of this creature at their side.
He starts off in earnest. "Come on then. If you're going to bring the accursed thing with us, we might as well find a place to put it." Hythlodaeus gets one flat look over his shoulder. "But under no circumstances am I carrying it."
He says nothing to counter Emet-Selch's statements- yes, he probably would just make Emet-Selch make it a new enclosure. Not that Hythlodaeus gets attached to creatures easily, but this one has caught his interest, and that is the beginning of a slippery slope.
Luckily, it is still small enough that carrying it isn't an issue. He scoops it up in his hands and jogs to catch up with Emet-Selch, smiling.
"A productive day out, I should think. I'm eager to study it further."
The creature, small as it is, is strong. Hythlodaeus chuckles as it tries to climb up his front, digging muddy little claws into his chest.
"Better to take it home and assess the space we have."
Emet-Selch looks at the thing and sneers. It's dirty little feet are busily smearing mud all over Hythlodaeus' clothes. "You couldn't clean it off first?" There was a stream right there that could have served such a purpose.
He flits his wrist at it with disgust at the creature. "Ugh, At least clean it off first before bringing it inside. I'll not have it trouncing around making a mess."
"I did clean it off. I suppose there was mud caked in its little feet."
Which, really, he can't do much about. Not that he tried very hard.
"I can take it straight into the bathroom. And I suppose I should wash my robe while I'm at it."
It doesn't take long to cross into District 7, and even less time to get back to the apartment given Diligence has its hold over the area. Hythlodaeus is pleased to get inside and away from the manic hustle and bustle of the city, and into their relaxed home.
"Come now little one, let's bath you. You must be cold."
Emet-Selch is quite content in being back to their peaceful little domicile. Inside is quiet and free from all the city noise.
He takes off his coat and tosses it over the back of a nearby chair before plopping down and sighing. They didn't take an afternoon walk with the intention of finding some creature. Where in the world are they going to put the little beast where it won't get in the way? Emet-Selch grumbles, "Hopefully this won't become a habit..."
The sound of water becomes apparent from the nearby bathroom. After a few moments, He closes his eyes and begins to drift off against his will.
With the bath shallowly filled and the tortoise placed gently into it, where it proceeds to stomp around and warm up, Hythlodaeus peeks into the room where Emet-Selch is falling asleep.
With a grin, he stealthily creeps up behind him, and then casually sits himself directly on Emet-Selch's lap and grabs his cheeks with wet hands.
"Oh, my beloved friend! I have been overcome with affection!" At least his hands are only wet now and not muddy. In any case, he's sliding them all over his friend's face to be annoying.
It takes a few moments for him to groggily piece together what is happening given that he's half asleep. The first thing to become extremely apparent is the swampy smell from the residual mud and water, which he recoils from more than the offensive pawing.
"Ugh, you smell like a wet mongrel." Emet-Selch tiredly gripes. He leans away and bats at his friends hands in the most undignified fashion. It's playful in its own way. "Begone, you foul beast. Return to the depths whence you came."
Laughing, Hythlodaeus pats Emet-Selch lightly on the cheek.
"Come now, no time for falling asleep. We have to find somewhere to put this new friend of ours! I'm thinking perhaps in my bedroom. I don't have much in there for now. Won't you help me?"
He's all smiles, getting to his feet and idly unfastening his robe after he realises it's covered in mud.
"I'll need to wash this as well, and make sure the creature remains warm." He tosses his robe over Emet-Selch's head with a smirk, before heading back into the bathroom to check on the tortoise. It looks up at him, and he reaches down to idly splash warm water over the shell. What a beautiful specimen it is! Its shell glistens all manner of colours. He could watch it all day.
The smelly garb is tossed out of sight with a grumble.
He finds himself looking in Hythlodaeus' direction and holding his glance for a few seconds longer than normal. If he's going to be presented with such attractiveness on display, he might as well look. A small glance of admiration can't hurt.
"Friend of yours. Not mine." He corrects with a sigh before standing and making way to the bathroom along with. It's not to help with the creature, but to wash his face off now that it had that smell all over it. He turns the faucet on and splashes water on his face.
"And where in your room do you plan on putting it?"
If he catches sight of Emet-Selch's stare, he doesn't say anything. Though he might feel a little smug about it.
"Well, I was rather hoping you'd make a little cabinet for me to place a home upon."
He turns to look at Emet-Selch over his shoulder, before standing again and facing him properly.
"It will need adequate lighting, most importantly. Do you recall the artificial suns in Ktisis Hyperboreia? Something on a much smaller scale would serve well. For a substrate, I should imagine a dirt much like the mud we found it wallowing in would suffice, only much drier. Food will be easy enough, a fresh supply of foliage will make it happy."
He's asking for a great deal, but maybe if he offers up doe eyes at his friend, he'll get his way.
Emet-Selch turns and meets the doe-eyed look with a knowing glance of his own. Oh, he can imagine that the entirety of what Hythlodaeus listed are items that he expects to be conjured for the sake of this little creature. And he intends to help but...he doesn't intend to do so easily.
A little teasing then.
"That sounds like quite the list." Emet-Selch peels off his own shirt and folds it over his arm. "Good luck finding it all. I'm sure you have the task well in hand." And he leaves the room to find something new to wear.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Pride/Humility
The intent today is to explore their new surroundings. At least that is what they agreed on superficially, but the chance to spend the day in one another's company is his true intention.
They come to a bridge with a stream running underneath it. Countless crystalline lilypads dance over the surface and serve as shelter for some strange cold-water creatures underneath them. Emet-Selch glances over the railing to try and get a better look at them but can't quite make out more than shadows. Hm.
"The mark is not important." He sighs, pausing at the railing to gaze over at the creatures under it. "I have one, yes, but why does it matter where or what it is? It is of no great import."
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"I am only curious. Everybody else has been quite forthcoming with theirs... but the more you hide yours, the more I wonder."
He reaches out to idly fix a stray piece of hair on his friend's head. A fond gesture that he thinks nothing of.
"The marks may very well be important."
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"All the more reason to treat them with discretion." He says by way of refusing the request. "Although, I suspect that in your case, the mystery is more alluring than being given the answer."
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He pouts a little.
"So why keep it from me, your dearest friend? What did we not share in the days of eld? Why must that change?"
Looking down at the crystal lilypads again, he idly waves a hand and flips one over. Well, he can't very well look at what is under them otherwise. The revealed creatures all dart underneath the nearest shelter quickly, but there is precious little that Hythlodaeus' eyes don't catch.
"Frogs of some description."
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Speaking of curiosity. He trails peers over Hythlodaeus shoulder at the creatures swimming about in the water. They look like beings constructed from precious jewels; Crystal Lilly pads, fish with scales that look like precious stones, and other beings that look like gems given life. Intriguing indeed.
"Yes, frogs. Don't tell me you're going to try and catch one." He gripes. Why else would he care to look at them so closely?
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Nothing besides the crystalline nature of the frogs had caught his eye.
"If they had, say, five extra limbs and razor sharp teeth, perhaps. But no, they are just regular frogs... beautiful, but all too familiar. Unless they have some manner of powers that you're privy to?"
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It's then when something in the water catches his eye. What he assumed to be a rock appears to move ever-so-slightly when one of the frogs scampers across it in an effort to get away. The 'rock' is colorful as the crystal that surrounds it but bigger and sturdier, but whatever it is, half of it is buried in the mud of the riverbank. Emet-Selch narrows his eyes. "What is that?" His tone is skeptical and wary.
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"A tortoise, and what a fine specimen it is. I've never seen one quite like it."
He rinses his hands in the water to better get the dirt off the tortoise, revealing a stunning opalescent shell.
"Ah, he was stuck in the mud. A good thing you spotted him, Emet-Selch."
He's quick to lift the tortoise out of the shallow water and up into the grass, where it begins to idly graze.
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"This one has no extra limbs or teeth. What makes it a 'fine specimen' whereas all the others are so unworthy of your attention?" Emet-Selch feels the creature ram gently against his foot and he peers at it quite unimpressed. What does it want?
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Basically, it's because he can.
"I didn't see many variations of tortoise, admittedly. They weren't nearly as popular as aquatic life. Perhaps it is just the novelty, but I rather think that this fellow is a breath of fresh air."
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Emet-Selch takes a few steps away at first with the intent to leave the creatures as they found them. Surely, they would find something more interesting elsewhere?
"I'm sure you would find it coming into fashion sooner or later. Each creature seemed to have their turn at it. ..For better or worse." Days spent talking about the newest concept over lunch were some of his most fond memories of daily life in Amaurot. All the intriguing concepts and all of the poorly drafted ones. One day, they could resume their creating.
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Emet-Selch makes to walk away but Hythlodaeus seems very fond of the creature. Especially when he reaches to scratch its shell and it starts to rock from side to side. He laughs, delighted.
"What an adorable little dance. Come, Emet-Selch, are we truly going to just leave it here?"
He knows that taking creatures from their habitat is frowned upon but what wouldn't he give to study this one further!
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"Don't tell me you're thinking of bringing it with us?" Though he gets the inclination that's exactly the case. Really! They had just arrived here and have little knowledge of their surroundings. Taking an animal with their to uncertain dwellings and even more uncertain circumstances is a poor choice.
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"It has been an age since I last studied a creature," he turns to look at Emet-Selch mournfully. "And one as intriguing as this, besides!"
Yes, they left creatures to nature... but they created a good chunk of nature, did they not? They may not be stewards of this star, but Hythlodaeus certainly still feels a need to do something familiar... studying a new creature might well be what he needs.
"It is still small. Perhaps it will remain small, perhaps not. But I should like to find out. If it becomes too large, then I will release it."
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"No you won't." Emet-Selch says with a knowing drawl in his voice. "You would just make a bigger enclosure for it to live in." Or rather, he would given he would feel guilty that Hythlodaeus would give up his little pet. The bone-weary Ascian lifts a hand and rubs at the corner of his eyes and sighs. It serves as a quiet moment of frustration and acceptance as now they will have the company of this creature at their side.
He starts off in earnest. "Come on then. If you're going to bring the accursed thing with us, we might as well find a place to put it." Hythlodaeus gets one flat look over his shoulder. "But under no circumstances am I carrying it."
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Luckily, it is still small enough that carrying it isn't an issue. He scoops it up in his hands and jogs to catch up with Emet-Selch, smiling.
"A productive day out, I should think. I'm eager to study it further."
The creature, small as it is, is strong. Hythlodaeus chuckles as it tries to climb up his front, digging muddy little claws into his chest.
"Better to take it home and assess the space we have."
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He flits his wrist at it with disgust at the creature. "Ugh, At least clean it off first before bringing it inside. I'll not have it trouncing around making a mess."
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Which, really, he can't do much about. Not that he tried very hard.
"I can take it straight into the bathroom. And I suppose I should wash my robe while I'm at it."
It doesn't take long to cross into District 7, and even less time to get back to the apartment given Diligence has its hold over the area. Hythlodaeus is pleased to get inside and away from the manic hustle and bustle of the city, and into their relaxed home.
"Come now little one, let's bath you. You must be cold."
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He takes off his coat and tosses it over the back of a nearby chair before plopping down and sighing. They didn't take an afternoon walk with the intention of finding some creature. Where in the world are they going to put the little beast where it won't get in the way? Emet-Selch grumbles, "Hopefully this won't become a habit..."
The sound of water becomes apparent from the nearby bathroom. After a few moments, He closes his eyes and begins to drift off against his will.
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With a grin, he stealthily creeps up behind him, and then casually sits himself directly on Emet-Selch's lap and grabs his cheeks with wet hands.
"Oh, my beloved friend! I have been overcome with affection!" At least his hands are only wet now and not muddy. In any case, he's sliding them all over his friend's face to be annoying.
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"Ugh, you smell like a wet mongrel." Emet-Selch tiredly gripes. He leans away and bats at his friends hands in the most undignified fashion. It's playful in its own way. "Begone, you foul beast. Return to the depths whence you came."
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"Come now, no time for falling asleep. We have to find somewhere to put this new friend of ours! I'm thinking perhaps in my bedroom. I don't have much in there for now. Won't you help me?"
He's all smiles, getting to his feet and idly unfastening his robe after he realises it's covered in mud.
"I'll need to wash this as well, and make sure the creature remains warm." He tosses his robe over Emet-Selch's head with a smirk, before heading back into the bathroom to check on the tortoise. It looks up at him, and he reaches down to idly splash warm water over the shell. What a beautiful specimen it is! Its shell glistens all manner of colours. He could watch it all day.
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He finds himself looking in Hythlodaeus' direction and holding his glance for a few seconds longer than normal. If he's going to be presented with such attractiveness on display, he might as well look. A small glance of admiration can't hurt.
"Friend of yours. Not mine." He corrects with a sigh before standing and making way to the bathroom along with. It's not to help with the creature, but to wash his face off now that it had that smell all over it. He turns the faucet on and splashes water on his face.
"And where in your room do you plan on putting it?"
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"Well, I was rather hoping you'd make a little cabinet for me to place a home upon."
He turns to look at Emet-Selch over his shoulder, before standing again and facing him properly.
"It will need adequate lighting, most importantly. Do you recall the artificial suns in Ktisis Hyperboreia? Something on a much smaller scale would serve well. For a substrate, I should imagine a dirt much like the mud we found it wallowing in would suffice, only much drier. Food will be easy enough, a fresh supply of foliage will make it happy."
He's asking for a great deal, but maybe if he offers up doe eyes at his friend, he'll get his way.
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A little teasing then.
"That sounds like quite the list." Emet-Selch peels off his own shirt and folds it over his arm. "Good luck finding it all. I'm sure you have the task well in hand." And he leaves the room to find something new to wear.
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