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Flattery tends to work well in combination with incessant nagging, so Hythlodaeus was quite sure he'd get what he wanted eventually. He's still holding Emet's other hand, but he does look down and hum a pleased sound at the outfit.

"Perfect. We can bring my other clothes with us to the boat, that I can wear them again at a later date."

He pauses, before giving Emet a cheeky smile. "Now, where were we? I do believe you were showing me how a man of your stature dances?" It's amusing to him to think of Emet dancing, and yet the man pulled it off so well. "'Twould be a waste of perfectly good music to sit idle."

"I was doing nothing of the sort." Emet coaches his voice to sound delightfully mystified - He can be cheeky sometimes, too.

All while he helps Hythlodaeus put his hands in their proper place - one on his shoulder and the other clasped in his hand. It's the typical posture for traditional ballroom dancing when he had last delved into it some years past.

Hythlodaeus rolls his eyes, but smiles as he's moved into position. He gives the hand in his a fond squeeze, and waits for further instruction.

"No need to be shy. I won't tell anyone that the esteemed Emet-Selch dances if you won't."

He winks, rather enjoying himself. This is a side of Emet that he's unused to, but he supposes over the years the man would have changed slightly. He's still painfully Hades, and yet... the edge that he usually had to him seems to have softened slightly. Perhaps all that time missing Hythlodaeus means he appreciates his presence all the more.

"See that you don't," Emet says firmly.

He keeps his opposite hand in the proper placement on Hythlodaeus' back and uses it to begin to lead in a sweeping circular motion. The steps are kept slow and deliberate given the probable level of familiarity.

All the while he keeps his eyes on Hythlodaeus, a soft meaningful glance of gratitude that he has this moment to share. Hopefully, there would be many more moments in the future.

That look makes Hythlodaeus' heart flutter a little- he loves the way Emet meets his eyes, and he feels the gratitude in his gaze. The look is reciprocated, adoration written plain in his features, a small smile on his face that for once isn't the result of him being up to something.

He picks up the simpler steps easily enough, made easy by Emet leading so well. After a while he chuckles, moving slightly closer. "An excellent dancer and teacher besides. 'Tis as I expected, of course."

"I am no teacher or dancer." Bitter denial until the end, as it were. "What knowledge I happen to bestow inside this room can remain unknown to the rest of the world."

After one more set of circular steps, he loosens his grip to allow Hythlodaeus to swing out and away if he wishes.

"Although it is rather pleasing to know that this 'meets' your expectations. I would not dare do anything less." Emet adds simply to tease. Only meeting expectations? That's certainly not Emet-Selch's modus operandi.

Swinging outwards, when Hythlodaeus swings back in again he's laughing. He's having fun, and it makes him happy to think that Emet is having fun with him.

"Only because you understand that you'd never hear the end of it." Taken by affection for his dear friend, though, he rests his head on his shoulder to turn it into something more of a slower dance. He loves this man, as he loves Azem. Not a soul could convince him otherwise. And though the years have eaten away at this Emet's mind and soul, he's still in there. His best friend.

"You know of it now." Emet comes to rest the side of his face on the crown of Hythlodaeus' head. "So, as you can imagine, I am already ill-fated to never hear the end of it." The words sound something like a sigh.

His amicable smile slowly fades as he sways, staring at nothing in particular against the wall. Even with someone he cherished so highly in his arms, the desire to continue his work is still there silently digging at him. It had been so long with the same goal. Even when he has someone he wants it's so difficult to let go. "Are you sure this is suitable for you? This...place? It's nothing similar to our home." He asks.

Hythlodaeus can't help but feel that Emet is trying to test his resolve- he squeezes the hand in his own lazily. "It isn't, that is true. But you bid me stay, and I would see my promise to you unbroken."

Even if he's sure that by now, the Emet-Selch back home is going nuts trying to find him. A fact that hurts his heart, but he cannot please both men at the same time.

"Unless you would rather I found a way to leave...?" He looks up at his friend, searching his eyes with his own softly glowing ones. He can usually read Emet like an open book, and something tells him now that he's antsy over his 'duties'. But he cannot have both.

"Ere you mistake my intentions- I would go most anywhere so long as you were by my side. I stay not out of obligation, but because I want to be with you. Certainly alone I would search for a way home, but that isn't the case. Your presence changes everything, as it always has and always will."

The gaze would be met. Having him look for a way back is definitely not his aim in asking, and there is a touch of sinking concern as soon as Hythlodaeus mentions the possibility.

"I am not the only one who chose the lofty goal of returning the world to what it once was." Most of them were gone by now - and one has goals that are only aligned until there is no one left - but even if he were gone the goal would not change. Their goals may clash at some time in the future. Someone would still be there to cause the destruction of the shards. What would they do? Fight against it?

"You have not yet seen the world as it is. There is death, war, and despair at the hands of men. Sickness and death consume this world."

Hythlodaeus hums, lowering his gaze. "Mayhap there is. What are you trying to convince me of? Would you have me leave or stay?"

He moves his hand from Emet's shoulder and touches his cheek, glancing back up in earnest. "I understand that you are in a difficult position. But know that if you continue on this course, I cannot stay. I haven't the power to oppose you, as I'm sure you're keenly aware. But even if I should stay here... I cannot stay with you."

And that breaks his heart. He knows he's being a hypocrite, too. He was clearly fine with sacrificing himself along with half of the population for Zodiark to come into existence. He was also likely fine with the plan to sacrifice another half to bring new life back to Etheirys. And knowing that new life would eventually be purged to make way for those who were sacrificed... again, he was likely fine with it.

But it's different when it's just a theory, and when you haven't seen that life bustling around you. And he knows that the people here have every right to want to protect their homes, their families, their lives. And he can't help but feel hope when he looks around, because despite something as terrible as the Final Days happening, mankind has endured.

But perhaps witnessing the Final Days would change him. He hasn't seen the suffering Emet-Selch has, not yet. He hasn't watched buildings collapse, people devoured by beasts, flames that touch the clouds.

Emet tilts his head to one side in order to lean into Hythlodaeus' hand. "This world is not the one you knew. You'll find nothing of the pleasantries that once existed."

His words are laced with the grief he has experienced over so many years. "For years I have seen it; man willing to betray another man so that they avoid the most minor inconveniences, People ruining the world for the sake of perceived profit and power, Their only purpose to prolong their frail lives in any way they may."

With such a mentality, tearing shards apart with small nudges became an art. It just took turning people against other people to accomplish much of it and they bought into it each time. "I have tried to see this beauty you claim exists. All I've come to see is how empty the world has become."

His tone changes to be more pleasant. "I want you to stay. I want you to join me to fix this misguided world."

Hythlodaeus closes his eyes sadly, ruminating on the offer. "And of what help could I be, pray tell?" He opens his eyes again curiously. "My sole talent would be of little use to you, and I lack your conviction."

He rubs his thumb against Emet's cheek fondly. "I suppose you would be the expert on how this world has changed. But sometimes a fresh pair of eyes is necessary, hm?" Sighing, he drops his hand and instead rests his forehead against the other man's. "I simply... I don't know that I have the strength to do what you do."

Maybe that's the core of it. He isn't strong enough. To kill these beings who seem so much like themselves... to destroy worlds... it isn't in his nature. He can take apart mere creations with ease, he can fight whatever tries to hurt him or his friends, but these people seem like they just don't deserve it. They feel pain, they understand terror... how can he inflict that upon them?

Emet lets his eyes fall shut as they rest their heads against one another.

What kind of help could he be? Hythlodaeus was ever wanting for recognition of his own value and talents, for what reason Emet could never quite define. Others saw them. The Convocation saw them. His numerous amounts of friends saw them.

"You underestimate your importance." Emet presses his head forward to warmly underline his point. "And as one often subject to your sheer displays of obstinacy, you underestimate your resolve."

"I do not want for resolve when my mind is set on something, perhaps." He winds both arms around his friend's shoulders, nudging his nose with his own.

"I understand... I do. You just want our home back. Perhaps, had I lost you in the same manner, I would be the one in your shoes." It's admitted softly- oh, the things he would do to keep his friend close. "But as things stand right now, I simply can't."

Despite the admission that under the correct circumstances he would perhaps consider it, he knows these are not those circumstances. He isn't alone, mad with grief left to fester over thousands of years. Emet-Selch is here, in his arms, and that's enough. He could live comfortably anywhere as long as they were together.

"Please... just come back to the boat with me. We'll find the beauty in this world together, I'm sure of it."

"I'm not sure if it is beauty we will find," Such optimism he surely shared once. So long ago. Now he only knows of terrible things that await them and the atrocities that have yet to be discovered.

"but where you go, I have no choice but to follow. Who knows what would happen otherwise." Emet angles his head to one side, pausing there as if to ask permission to show any more sentiment than that. "I'd rather not find out."

Closeness such as this was typically not tolerated. Emet has always valued personal space and would carp about it if not provided, but Hythlodaeus has always been the exception to many rules. Feeling settled by having such a light by his side is welcome after so many years.

Knowing he's the exception to such a rule is the only reason Hythlodaeus is being affectionate in earnest. Though he's often more touchy feely than Emet-Selch ever was, he at the very least would value personal space if it was desired. Given how close the two of them are, though, the touchiness gets ramped up to eleven in a lot of cases. Azem is perhaps the only other person Hythlodaeus would act this way with, but Emet-Selch certainly bears the brunt of his affection.

It doesn't help that Emet-Selch is the only one to make him feel so impossibly giddy to be around. It's not just about the teasing, seeing Emet roll his eyes as he gives in to another ludicrous or inane request. It's about the nights spent sat together watching the stars. The long, easy conversations about anything and everything. The advice they can give each other, the fact that they will always have each other's backs should the need arise. Is it friendship or is it more? The lines have been blurred for a very long time.

Which is the only reason Hythlodaeus hesitates. "Should we truly find naught but chaos and pain... creations that are deemed unfit to be released in Elpis are purged, are they not? The ones who can only suffer, or cause suffering. If it would truly be a kindness..."

Like many ancients, Hythlodaeus sees his own kind as the superiors. He declines plenty of concepts, denies them existence on the basis that they would be unfit to be released in the bureau's opinion. This feels different somehow, but if he sees it as just another concept that didn't work out, then perhaps Emet-Selch would have a point? He's trying to see things from his perspective.

It still doesn't seem right, though. At this point mankind is well established here, it doesn't feel like their place to intervene. This isn't their world, not anymore. And he completely understands that they have every right to fight back tooth and nail. He wouldn't even be relenting if it wasn't Emet-Selch asking him, but he wants to at least give the people here the benefit of the doubt anyway. Maybe he can still convince Emet-Selch that the world is worth saving.

Emet pulls back. It's good progress that Hythlodaeus is, at least, considering his words on a deeper level. Understanding the logic behind it is key; it took him so long to reconcile with that. It could be difficult to detach one's feelings from something that looked like it lived and breathed. Someone such as Hythlodaeus would probably have the same difficulties.

"If that thought will ease your mind, I'm not suggesting unmaking them. I'm suggesting making them whole once again so that they can live their lives in peace." Unmaking anything has never been his desire. Even he, after so long of dirtying his hands with the business of death, could see the value in lives. Real lives.

"These people have become fractions of a soul. Their frailty spurs their actions as they try desperately struggle to survive. I want to end that." It's the greatest form of kindness.

He still seems hesitant- he lowers his hands as Emet pulls away, eyes wide with uncertainty. "Do you have certain proof that doing so will make them whole again? That it will restore Etheirys to its former glory?"

He feels so torn- on the one hand Emet makes some sense, on the other hand... even making them whole again means ending their current lives. And if they've struggled so hard to survive, who are they to undo that hard work? Especially with no guarantee that everything will go back its rightful place.

Eventually, he shakes his head. "I can't make this decision right now. Please understand, I am not dismissing you out of hand. I simply... it doesn't feel right." He steps back from Emet-Selch and goes to sit on the bed, looking oddly forlorn despite his usual boundless optimism. But this is a big deal- his best friend wants him to help end millions of lives, however sweetly he tries to spin it. Denying something's creation in the first place and snuffing out a living soul are two different things.

Emet stands in the center of the room and folds his arms. Now that Hythlodaeus has left his side, such warmth is noticeably missed.

The questions he poses, however, are reasonable. It's natural for someone of Hythlodaeus' station to inquire about the liability of such a plan. So Emet begins to explain: "Many years ago, when the world was first split, souls of people were decidedly dimmer than they are now. Since we have completed several Rejoinings their souls have become brighter - still meager but much improved. Which means that it's working as we intend."

It's an explanation offered with no expectation of a response. Hythlodaeus has said that he can't come to a decision now, so there would be no expectations of one.

Emet takes a few steps over to the window where he looks out on the view just beyond the glass. It's a bright blue ocean without an end, and a few ships setting sail out onto it. The view would be beautiful if he could see the beauty in it.

"There's no need to make a decision right now. I just ask that you... consider it as we begin to wander the world."

He doesn't deign to answer right away. He just looks mournfully down at his hands for a time, until the awkward silence threatens to drive him out of the room entirely. He stands, suddenly, and forces a smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

"I would see what this city has for food. I will return ere long." He doesn't blame Emet, not really. The man is suffering, has been suffering for thousands of years. Can he find it in himself to forgive him? Why, he already has. But that doesn't change what he's now being asked to do.

Striding out of the room, whether Emet follows him or not is up to him. It wouldn't be hard to follow Hythlodaeus' aetherial trail, or to find his soul amongst the dimmer ones here. Though, he does realise once he's walked out that he has no gil.

Well, let it never be said that he didn't try to earn his keep. He inquires about jobs at the innkeeper and is handed a few letters to deliver around town. If only he knew how to navigate this place... but he accepts with thanks, and hopes it doesn't take too long.

Where is 'Hawker's Alley' now...?

Quiet can speak volumes. In this case, it certainly did as much. When Hythlodaeus heads for the exit - giving that painfully forced smile - his own frown deepens. Emet has known him long enough to know that such a smile is not a happy one.

So he lets him go. On occasion, the best thing to do is give people space when they need to consider something important. Although the thought of him wandering the decks by himself is concerning (oh, so very concerning), Hythlodaeus is capable whether he would acknowledge this or not.

But as a few hours pass and the sun lowers over the ocean view, Hythlodaeus has not returned. Emet abandons the room with Hythlodaeus' spare clothing tucked under his arm (much to the obvious amusement of the Innkeeper, judging from the look they give) and makes to find him.

Emet heads through the entrance and past more dancers who are pedaling their frail flowers to someone else. They wave, and he narrows his eyes in response. They would get no warm regard from him. It's a stark contrast to how his companion perceives them.

He'll find Hythlodaeus sitting on a crate again by their boat, alone this time. There are fireworks in the distance, he wonders what they're celebrating. His gaze is distant, his mind wandering to the conversation with Emet-Selch as he tries to figure out what he wants to do.

He'd never abandon Emet to his devices so long as he's here, but more and more he wishes he could go back to Elpis. He knows this Emet needs him and he won't turn his back on him, but... what if there was a way to avert their Final Days? Could the answer be here? If he could return with that knowledge then Emet would never have to suffer. If it means the other worlds never exist, it's still kinder than snuffing them out after establishing themselves.

He sighs as he hears Emet step closer. "I apologise if I made you worry. I needed time to myself. I hope you understand."

"Next time, I would hope that you would consider telling me if that's what you need." The excuse for food was easy enough to read through, but the truth would be preferable to that. If Hythlodaeus needed time then he only need say so.

Emet steps up within a cautious distance of the crate. "Have you had enough time to yourself, or would you indulge me in a walk?"

"I did eat." He glances over at Emet before picking up a folded box off the crates beside him. "I saved some for you, assuming you haven't eaten yet."

It's half of a pizza, still somewhat warm. He hadn't eaten long ago, he'd needed to make the gil to buy the food first. "I will walk with you as long as you eat something first." Even now, his care for Emet-Selch shows through. He wouldn't leave him wanting for food- he'd intended to head back sooner, but time got away from him.

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