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Emet starts in on his own food, picking away neatly at it. Perhaps it's a bit different than how he used to approach food the last time they shared a meal together, but it's become a habit over the course of many dreary formal gatherings during his tenure in Garlemald to eat like a refined diplomat.

"Is the food here truly so perplexing?" He asks in the midst of disassembling a piece of flaky pastry with a knife and fork. Though being able to see his line of sight in looking out at the rest of the room he couldn't imagine what exactly the comment could be referencing.

Chuckling, Hythlodaeus shakes his head. "Not the food, the people. Tails and horns and furry little ears... however did that happen?" He picks up some bread from the table to dunk in his soup and mulls it over.

"They make me recall Meteion's avian features, almost." Of course, not knowing that Meteion is the cause of the Final Days, he says it quite fondly. The familiar grew on him a lot while he was in Elpis.

His expression shifts to a look of confusion. Who? It's been so long and the encounter with her so brief, that the name doesn't so much as ring a bell.

The general question itself is addressed instead. "It has never been my area of focus, but I've found them more common as the worlds were remade in each Umbral age." Why bother with incomplete beings that he saw to improve upon by the rejoining? "You can find many fascinating theories about their origin here in the library, if it interests you. Each book is full of more exuberant myth than the last."

"I may have to peruse those books sometime... assuming I get the chance." It's just a hint of a reminder that he will have to leave, and his eyes take in Emet-Selch's features to gauge his reaction.

As it happens, Hythlodaeus eats carefully but quickly, because he often had more pressing matters than to enjoy his food. That holds true even now, despite not really having anywhere to be. He finishes his soup and pulls some fish towards him. He can put away a lot of food when he wants to, as well.

Assuming he gets the chance? The thought is enough to put a sobering look back on Emet's face.

He stops eating mid-bite. Both eating utensils are slowly set on the table and stacks one hand on top of the other. It's an important subject and he doesn't want to detract from the topic.

"You can stay here, you know." He says, knowing full well the problems that could create. Is it selfish to try and hold onto someone that reminds him of the sense of happiness he's long forgotten? To try and avoid the unfortunate future he knows will happen for this one important person. "It would afford you every chance to read books, and make countless new discoveries."

Hythlodaeus sighs, his ever-present smile fading a little. "Would that I could. But you know that if I stay here, the Emet-Selch of the past will never stop looking for me. Not to mention all the anomalies it could cause should I disappear. I don't even know if I could stay of my own volition."

He picks at his fish, his appetite waning. "I would much rather you came back with me... though who knows what I would do with two of you." He smiles sadly up at his friend. "And who knows what issues such a situation would cause besides."

As funny as that thought is, it doesn't do so much as coax the faintest hint of a smile. If anything his demeanor seems to dim even more.

"My going there would change nothing of our futures." Time would proceed as it has and he would only succeed in the experience of losing everything a second time. Then would come the crushing procession of time. Eons passing.

His expression and tone turn painfully sincere. "You may not know of what awaits you in the future but I do, and I am begging you not to return that place. Please."

Closing his eyes, Hythlodaeus weighs Emet-Selch's words in his mind. I am begging you not to return to that place. He exhales, and fixes Emet with a resigned smile.

"You make it very hard to say no, my friend. But what of the other Emet-Selch?"

There's no way to bring that Emet back here, or even tell him where Hythlodaeus has gone. He couldn't do that to his friend, but... if he leaves this Emet-Selch behind, he's making him miserable instead. It's a tough position to be in. "I can't please you both, nor split myself in two. It may very well turn out that I cannot leave here after all, but if the opportunity presents itself I will have to make a very hard decision, it seems."

He wants to reach out and hug him again. To tell him that he won't leave, that he will stay. But he can't very well make a promise he isn't yet sure he can keep.

Emet looks on in earnest.

"I'm aware of the ...complications that could arise." Time is such a tricky topic in both concept and in magical application. Who knows what this conversation itself could change.

"But I have no doubt that the 'me' of the past would agree that it would be better if you stayed." He can't imagine any incarnation of himself that would agree to send Hythlodaeus to his death. No. He might have changed considerably over the years but that would remain the same.

He sighs. He doesn't want to leave Emet-Selch here... alone. He can't help but feel that it's why his friend is so adamant he stays.

"What would we do? Where would we go?" He meets Emet's gaze. "I refuse to hurt anyone, I'll have you know." None of this 'rejoining' business with Elidibus. Their lives as they knew them are over. Though Hythlodaeus wanted to try to save his star, it obviously failed, and now all they can do is try to move on. His expression softens again, though.

"I understand that you miss your home, your friends. 'Tis only natural. But surely you can see the potential in this world, too? It isn't our world, it isn't our home- but it is beautiful in it's own way, is it not?"

It occurs to him then, that by staying he could save lives. Could he do that in the past? He isn't good at much, but he can talk Emet-Selch into doing almost anything. That particular talent was never a matter of life or death before now, but perhaps...

His eyes narrow, only just. "This world is a ruined husk of what used to be." The words are articulated just enough to make them sound sharp.

"I have spent ages trying to see the potential in these 'people'. I have spent time with them only to find their so-called 'potential' wanting in every way." He's told the last group of 'heroes' as much after they failed to meet his exacting expectations. "This world has its undeniable beauty, but it falls so far short of what could be."

Hythlodaeus looks around at their surroundings again. "That's truly what you see? A ruined husk? Look. There's life here... perhaps the lives these people live aren't as idyllic as our own but that makes them no less important."

The souls are dim yes, but they're still there. He looks to Emet-Selch again with an almost disappointed expression. "Oh, what has grief done to you, my friend?"

He never thought he would find himself feeling sorry for Emet-Selch of all people. He was a good man, held in high esteem by countless others, willing to help anyone- provided you pestered him a little first. Who is this man so twisted by sorrow that he would destroy entire worlds to get his home back? Hythlodaeus knew Emet-Selch was sentimental- the shade of himself in Amaurot tickled him- but this is going too far.

It's reasoning he's heard so many times before from people in far-flung shards and he meets it with the same rehearsed response, albeit it with a twinge of discomfort that this time it's being directed toward such a dear friend. "It has steeled my determination to fix what is broken." He says flippantly.

"These 'people' are not alive, sparing them would not yield anything worthwhile. I know it can be difficult to see in the diminutive, but I'm trying to help them." Emet leans back in his chair and folds his arms.

Hythlodaues just sighs, looking down at his food with a grim expression. There seems to be nothing he can say to change his friend's mind, but he knows it ends with Emet-Selch's demise. Returning to the star is supposed to be a beautiful and joyous event, but is it still joyous if you still had things left to do? Only when they've fulfilled their respective purposes are they supposed to go on that journey together.

"I won't be a part of it." He glances up again. "I would sooner return to the star myself than bring about more sorrow and pain." Zodiark's sacrifices were likely different. It seems as though the ancients there chose to sacrifice themselves. These people have done no such thing.

Standing suddenly, Hythlodaeus walks away from the table and stands with his back to Emet-Selch. He forgives him, of course. He could never truly leave his friend behind, no matter what atrocities he committed. But... he's unhappy to think that he's been reduced to this. And it's hard to continue such a conversation.

Having his dear friend say that he'd rather die than help him feels something akin to a physical blow, and having them get up and leave the table fuels a moment of alarm that Hythlodaues would leave him.

Emet takes a breath in order to help the feeling subside. "Then I won't ask for your help. There is no need for both of us to dirty our hands with such work." Scarcely could he imagine Hythlodaues being capable of some of the choices that had become necessary to get where they are.

"I will, however, ask you to sit and indulge me in further conversation." He motions to the abandoned chair with a hand. "Please, Hythlodaues?"

He looks back, torn between not wanting to oblige his request and wanting to go to him. His words imply he will continue his work no matter what Hythlodaeus has to say about it. Perhaps it would take more time to convince him to change his course.

After a moment, he turns and sits back down, though he pushes the food away with a frown, his appetite all but lost. "Very well. What would you discuss?"

He looks up at Emet-Selch reproachfully, but inside he aches and it's plain to see to someone like Emet who knows him so well. His usual smile is gone, his lips pursed in a narrow, disapproving line.

Both unspoken actions are more telling than he would care to admit. He is so used to Hythlodaeus having some sort of incomprehensible optimism in spite of miserable circumstances. To see such a frown gives him a good idea of how much the situation fairs on the side of disapproval.

Emet picks up his utensils and resumes eating, it's a small attempt at breaking the obvious tension. "If you're curious about some of the new concepts that this world contains, we may visit their library after this. Perhaps that will give you some idea of subjects that you could explore further during your stay."

He motions to the abandoned plate with a fork. "Although might I recommend you continue eating first? It's quite a walk from here and the light is very oppressive."

The concepts here do interest him, it's true. The amaro are but one creature, and there are so many others he could see. He sighs, expression shifting more to one of resignation. It will do him no good to pursue their previous conversation right now.

"Yes, perhaps." He eyes the fish, decides it would be a waste to leave it, and pulls it back towards himself. His bites are small though, and it's obvious the food has lost its savour. "Do you have a particular concept that appeals to you here?"

Emet-Selch had seemed to enjoy the amaro too, in his own way.

"A particular concept?" Emet considers the possibilities. Such a line of thought is one he doesn't dare delve into often. Appreciating something with the intent to see it potentially destroyed is a path best not treaded.

In any case, There are concepts specific to each world; what would be the most interesting of this one? "I find Il Mheg quite intriguing. The fae folk who live there are intelligent and have a... beguiling way of using their skills."

The description is left intentionally vague. The thought of watching Hythlodaeus navigate the intricacies of pixie magic - and frequent tricks - would be delightful to watch.

"The fae folk? Interesting. I should like to meet them." He thinks on it, his sour expression lifting ever so slightly- he finds it hard to stay mad at Emet-Selch.

As for the tricks, Emet might want to keep an eye on Hythlodaeus, lest he pick up a few new tricks for himself.

"If nothing else, seeing the sights of this world wouldn't be such a terrible thing. I could learn something." Something to take back with him, he might have said, but they don't need to have that conversation again.

See it while it lasts, considering its hero and savior is well on their way to becoming the person who brings it to its demise. This, he keeps to himself.

"There are also other shards with concepts unique to them. I'm sure you would find something to your liking with a considerable amount of time and patience." Emet observes quite aware of the 'type' of things that could be potentially learned from fae creatures in particular.

It may also be a ploy to convince him to stay and explore for as long as he can.

"Shards... the other stars, yes?" He furrows his brow- he thinks that's what the gist of it was. There was a lot to take in, after all. "You have a means to travel between them?"

Finishing his fish, he eyes the table before taking a cup with some tea and a cookie. Sipping at the drink, he lets out a sigh- though this one is more contented. It's good tea.

"Which shard are we currently on?"

Emet gives a nod to confirm the assumption - shards mean 'other stars', yes. Though, if there's anything he takes away from the inquiry, it's that Hythlodaeus is eating again and curious enough to ask questions. A good sign.

"You don't think I would have spent all this time confined to one single shard, do you?" He motions vaguely to the heavens. "I've wandered between shards as long as they've existed. The one that we're currently on is known as 'The First', it being the first reflection of The Source."

Some of the terminologies might need an explanation, he realizes.

Hythlodaeus muses on that for a moment, nibbling at his cookie. "When Venat- Hydaelyn, that is- defeated Zodiark, she shattered both Him and Etheirys into fourteen shards, yes? Or... one 'source' and thirteen reflections. And with it, our people... save for you, Lahabrea and Elidibus."

He's conflicted about all of this, honestly. He hates that his friends must fight. But they're too deep into this, now. There's no resolving it.

"As for myself... I hear I'm trapped on the Source's moon for the many years that come after His sundering." He smiles wryly. "Denied my return to the star until Zodiark is banished."

There's a soft sadness in his eyes as he considers it. Venat would become a goddess, Emet-Selch would become a grief-stricken shadow of his former self, Hythlodaeus would be sacrificed and trapped with the god he died to help create, and Azem would become sundered and forget her past life. He realises he should have cherished the moments he had with his friends more. He makes a vow to himself to do so once he finds his way back.

There's a purposeful blink as the information is recited back to him, it's all information Hythlodaeus reasonably shouldn't know. However, it's all accurate - even containing parts he didn't know about - but it's so unexpected when he had all but prepared to explain it all.

Emet's expression dims as he quietly considers the words. His tone turns soft. "That is the sum of it, yes."

All this time and his dear friend had been on the moon. One step into that monstrous Garlean-built contraption and he could have had a conversation at any time. It certainly makes nights he'd spent on his own sting all the more, and the weight he feels in not saving Hythlodaeus feel even heavier. "Then I owe you a considerable apology, Hythlodaeus. I was never aware that you resided on the moon with Zodiark. If I had only known, then I would have traveled there as often as I could."

Gone there. Spoken to him. Though seeing him like that would only fortify his resolve.

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