filikos | Inbox

Doubtful that Hythlodaeus would want to participate in confronting the so-called 'warrior of darkness' and her comrades. He would have to take leave for a time.

"The Source." He informs. Limsa Lominsa would be ideal - being one of the farthest outposts away from Garlemald. Less likely for those lot to have picked up a history book at some time in the past and notice any resemblance. Not that it would matter too much even if they had. Once more, surely it would be of interest to Hythlodaeus that he be able to watch ships that would come and go all hours of the day.

Emet puts a hand on Hythlodaeus' arm. More for the practical purpose of being able to teleport them both with ease than any obviously affectionate gesture. "You've made it clear that you would rather not participate in the tasks I must attend to, so I should take your leave for some small amount of time. Do try and keep the mischief to a minimum while I'm gone."

Hythlodaeus searches Emet's eyes with his own, before sighing. Ah, this business again... he places his own hand on top of Emet's, the one on his arm.

"Don't go." He doesn't want Emet-Selch to go running off to do nefarious things- he just wants to keep an eye on his friend. "Please? Stay with me. Come to this 'Source' and we can see the sights together."

His grip on Emet's hand tightens, just a little. Will he come back? Truly? And if he does, how will Hythlodaeus feel knowing his best friend is trying to destroy this world still?

"I would like nothing more than to do that." It's what he's wanted for so long now. Ironic that he would consider forfeiting the chance in order to continue his unhappy work.

"But if I do, then what of the world we used to have?" He asks quietly. "I don't do this because I enjoy such unpleasantness. I do this for you." Those words are quickly amended by, "And so many others we've known."

He squeezes Hythlodaeus's arm, but only just.

Hythlodaeus catches the slip and smiles, warm. "What if I told you I'd be content anywhere so long as we were together?" He leans in, earnest. "Mayhap we cannot have everything we once had. But you don't have to be alone any more."

He knows it's wrong of him to promise such a thing. It effectively means leaving his old life behind. He doesn't even know if the world will right itself one day and send him back whether he wants to go or not. But if it means Emet-Selch will cease this madness... if it will save so many lives, he will do it.

"Is that truly not enough?"

Emet fixes his gaze on Hythlodaeus' hand. That would mean having to live in a world that he had spent so long trying to dismantle. Every existing problem, every imbalance that he had a hand in would have to be faced if they decided to stay in the world as it is.

Who even knew how long the magic keeping him here would last? Could he be forgiven once Hythlodaeus sees this world as it is?

"Does that mean you intend to stay?" Such is the implication.

Nodding slowly, he offers an internal "forgive me" to the Emet back home. He had never intended to stay here- but if he can do something good for these people and ease the suffering of the Emet-Selch here... if can do something worthwhile, for once in his life...

"If you'll have me, friend. But no more death and despair... please." His expression settles on something somewhat hopeful as he continues. "Do you recall how you would help people all over Etheirys? If Azem needed assistance in solving someone's problems, you would help... however begrudgingly you did it."

Chuckling quietly, he recalls Emet-Selch helping the charybdis to fly. He won't remember it... but Hythlodaeus does. He remembers the look of contentment on Emet's face. No, this skulking around in the shadows to bring ruin upon people doesn't suit him.

"'Tis why you became Emet-Selch to begin with, is it not? Those of us who praised the venerable Hades did so because of his outstanding character, his wont to help others."

That seems like such a long time ago now. The only thing he'd been 'praised' for in recent times is for his wild ambition to expand an empire. Usually in textbooks, funnily enough. The commendations in person were usually so painfully insincere.

"Despite my inabilities to recall the same details you do, I have not forgotten the responsibilities and procurement of my name." He could have changed his name at any time. Who would be there to remember? But he has held onto it, as he has many other things.

He shoots Hythlodaeus a look. "I have not forgotten Azem jumping headlong into dangerous situations that she had no business handling alone, either." A frustrated sigh. "I've scarcely have known anyone so reckless." It sounds dangerously akin to a complaint, but there's an obvious fondness in his eyes. No matter how many times he had to swoop in to address a new and dangerous situation, he felt better when seeing the people's appreciative faces after the fact.

"And you had always supported such behavior." He scolds.

He smiles back impishly at the accusation. "Why, I would support my friends in almost anything they did." But not the destruction of entire worlds.

"Azem knew what she was doing, and as far as I'm concerned it would be remiss of me not to believe in her after the capability she's known previously." He hums, amused. "Ill-advised as many of her adventures may have been, you cannot deny she always got the job done."

He realises he's still holding onto Emet-Selch's hand, and squeezes it. "I know you long for those days. But... perhaps we could consider this a new chapter in our lives. There are new adventures to be had, and I for one am eager to get started."

"Those days are all that has motivated me over the centuries," Emet admits wistfully.

He looks up at the ceiling as he recalls. "When Etheirys was rent asunder, I woke up to a different world. It was devoid of everything I once considered important." It's difficult to remember what he did during that time - memories bled into one another. "I can never forget the emptiness when I realized that all that awaited me were an endless procession of days."

Everything since then had been in the service of getting back what he had before in order to quell that feeling "Taking it back seemed like the only way forward. Never did I consider I would have the option of traveling with you otherwise."

"And now that option has, miraculously, presented itself." He wants to move closer, hold his friend and comfort him. He hates the thought of the emptiness he must have felt. The pain of losing everything.

"Consider what we can do together now. We can find somewhere quiet, away from people, to make a home. We can travel when it strikes our fancy. We can help others, build a reputation again." He looks positively starry-eyed as he considers the options. A new world is at least nothing short of interesting.

"We will want for nothing- not adventure nor company."

There's a half-smile that tugs at the corner of his mouth, even if he resigns to shaking his head instead of indulging in any happy emotion.

Emet lets out a loud and extremely melodramatic sigh. "You've got that look on your face that says I'm in for a world of inconvenience." He lifts a hand and lefts it fall heavily to his side as if to say 'oh well'. "And where would you have us start with this grand plan of yours?"

"Well, you wanted to leave me at the Source. I suggest you come with me instead and show me around. You know this world better than I, and we'll need to scout out suitable locations to take up residence in."

As much as he enjoys the beauty of this world... well, perhaps they could have a home in all of the shards. The ones that aren't uninhabitable, anyway. The thought is nice.

"So, where would you have us go first?"

The two of them are surrounded by wisps of darkness in place of a reply. Once the dark coils fade, they reveal a dock overlooking the ocean. It's night and the moon shows brightly in the sky, providing a dim light in the absence of plentiful lanterns.

Emet lets his grasp on Hythlodaeus cease for the moment as he takes a few steps out on the creaky wooden dock. "I thought an ocean view might be desirable given all the possible options." The decks on Limsa Lominsa are quite the sight at night with their docked boats and ocean view. Although it's a place he has not visited in some time. "This is Limsa Lominsa, a port on the southern coast of Vylbrand. It's said to be blessed by the 'goddess of navigation' herself."

What better omen to one trying to find a new way forward.

The scenery and fresh sea breeze make Hythlodaeus smile, and he wanders along the dock curiously. "Yes... I daresay this will do nicely."

Turning to face Emet-Selch from a few paces away, he gestures around them. "I'm particularly fond of the view. You know me so well."

There's obvious affection in his voice as he glances back to the sea. "I bet it gets busy here during the daytime. We'll want somewhere inconspicuous, but not too far from the water." He thinks, his eyes falling on a boat. His head tilts. "...A boathouse... nobody would notice another boat docked on the water, and we could use it to travel besides."

Grinning, he looks back to Emet-Selch. "What do you think?"

"It's not a terrible idea." He says noncommittally, taking a few steps in Hythlodaeus' direction.

The idea of living somewhere so quaint while not pursuing the Rejoining of worlds is still a dizzying idea. It's been such a long-desired goal - his only goal - that just giving it one day seems illusory.

"Are you sure you want to commit to such a place without seeing what else this world has to offer?" Emet looks across the ocean where such places exist. "Forests littered with Sylph, mountains in the highlands, long-forgotten ruins, and so much more. There's a number of things to choose from."

"Who said I was committing?" Smirking, Hythlodaeus keeps his eyes on the water. "We could have many homes. As many as we desire... though such lofty aspirations have never been my inclination, I fail to see why we couldn't."

His point being, the world is their oyster right now. There's nobody to tell them otherwise. "For now, however, something on the ocean... well, I so rarely get the chance to see it, what with most of my time spent in the bureau."

Not to mention they could easily pick up jobs here, and supplies. It seems practical.

Edited 2021-12-30 17:09 (UTC)

Talking about traveling and seeing the world fills him with a fondness that has been all but lost to time. He hasn't looked forward to seeing the world in a long time. Now, it seems like it could be colored with good memories.

Emet steps up to Hythlodaeus' side and cants his head as if trying to picture their supposed new dwellings out there on the water.

"And what should this supposed 'ship' of yours look like?"

Hythlodaeus brings his fingers to his lips, thinking. "Hm... stylish, but cosy. Somewhere we can retreat to when the world gets to be too much. Mundane on the outside, but on the inside is what matters."

Turning to face Emet-Selch again, he places his hand on his hip and smiles. "I realise you need no assistance, but I would ask you to allow me to help anyway. We can make it together." It seems... fitting, somehow. "I will leave the interior decorating up to you, however."

"How terribly charitable of you." He comments with a half-joking exasperation. Although if Hythlodaeus doesn't intend on helping with that, he would have to deal with the consequences of whatever he chose to use as decoration.

Emet then holds his hand out in offering. "Then perhaps you would care to lend me your assistance in this endeavor, Hythlodaeus?" If they could intertwine their aether in tandem, it is the quickest way to achieve the desired result.

Reaching out to take Emet-Selch's hand, he closes his eyes and focuses on what he wants to create. He'll focus more on the exterior this time, taking inspiration from the boats nearby. Squeezing the hand in his own to signal that he's ready, he takes a slow breath.

"I put my faith in you, Emet-Selch." There's a coy little smile on his lips, but his eyes are still closed. He's... expecting something a little grandiose. It's Emet-Selch, after all. But he's sure he will love it, no matter what.

Emet closes his eyes as he draws the necessary aether. Funny, how the aether from each person has a different feeling to it, making it uniquely a part of them. This aether feels so reassuring if a little unwieldy. How very like Hythlodaeus himself.

And with the snap of his fingers, there is a flash of white that pours over the entire area like a momentary glimmer of sun. A shallow surge of water pours over the lip of the dock they are standing on as the newly-created boat displaces a significant amount of the surf.

He opens his eyes to see a boat tied to the dock where none had been before. It's a rich mahogany boat with gold trimming and a carving of some sort of beast at the bow. Pleats of lavender fabric are tied up in places in the place of flags. It's not exactly the definition of 'unassuming' given the bright colors and ornate detail, but it does look very fitting somehow.

"I hope this lives up to your lofty expectations?" He says so nonchalant, as if this task was not difficult in the least.

Hythlodaeus opens his eyes and can't help the giggle that escapes him. "Hardly unassuming, is it?" But he seems happy despite that, and tugs on the hand still in his to lead Emet to the boat.

"I adore it. But let's see what you've done with the inside, hmm?" If it's half as magnificent as the outside, he feels he'll be in for a treat.

Stepping onto the boat, Hythlodaeus leads the way down below. Despite there being few obvious traces of his own involvement in the boat, he seems quite at home. He always does feel that way with Emet-Selch, though.

There's a grunt of displeasure as he's pulled in the direction of the boat, but it isn't followed by any verbal protest.

Inside the ship serves as a contrast to the exterior. Each place meant for a trinket of some kind is left bare; the furnishings are enough to be comfortable with cushions and pillows but overall minimal; and there is hardly an embellishment insight, save for a few boxes of purple blooms where sunlight would reach during the day. It is by all accounts a barren ship on the inside, albeit with an extremely well-crafted base.

"It's none too impressive right now." He explains. "I thought I would require the space for the treasures you'll inevitably collect on our travels. I'm certain you will find some questionable items to bring back along the way." One could only imagine what kind of things he would consider worthy of bringing home.

"It's my understanding that such things make a domicile into a 'home'." It seems more fitting to decorate with what they find as they explore the world, not merely conjuring things into existence to fill space, or having one of their taste overly represented.

He thinks for a moment, before nodding and letting go of Emet's hand for now. He approaches one of the bare surfaces, and closes his eyes. With a flourish of his hand, what should he bring into creation but... well, an Elpis flower.

He smiles at the flower in his hands, before setting it in the small, slender vase he created to go with it.

"Do you recall the Elpis flower? I suppose not. An entelechy, it responds to dynamis. The aether here may overpower it currently, but I hope to soon see it shine with the colours of hope, and love. Yes... that would make me very happy." And as far as he's concerned, they might well have taken an Elpis flower back with them anyway- Hythlodaeus was certainly interested in them.

"Consider this the first of many in the collection we'll amass."

Emet arches an eyebrow. "Elpis flower?" He asks with skepticism in his voice. "I know of the concept, but not that it possessed any special properties beyond that of a normal flower." Elpis was never a place he visited frequently enough to become acquainted with everything they produced.

"You're saying it responds to something in spite of aether?" He approaches the flower and delicately brushes the stem with his fingertips. Soft black flecks begin to engulf the edge of the petals and spill into the air just above it, threatening to consume the entire flower.

Interesting.

open post

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject