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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.

Emet arches an eyebrow. He hadn't eaten all day. Over time it had become easy to forget to do such a thing, and it's been some time since someone cared enough to remind him.

He approaches the box and picks it up with one hand, setting down the things he's brought with him in the other. What he sets down are the clothes that Hythlodaeus had left but also some additional items he'd picked up on the way here.

The box is opened and he peers inside at the food he's been given. "Where did you come by the coin for this?"

"The innkeeper needed some letters delivered and promised payment. It took me some time to find everyone, but I think I can navigate the city better for my troubles."

He scoots over on the crate to allow Emet room to sit down. "Come, sit." His smile is more genuine this time, his eyes sliding over to study what Emet has brought with him.

"What's this?" He gestures to the items, looking back up at his friend curiously.

"Your clothes," Emet says flatly as he makes to sit down.

He scoots onto the crate. The box of food is set in his lap for the moment. Instead of eating it outright, he chooses to remove his gloves so he can eat it neatly since he's forced to use his hands. People have called him a monster in the past but at least he didn't have monstrous manners.

"I'd also bought you a satchel with some Gil in case you have the desire to wander unaccompanied in the future, but it seems my efforts were entirely unnecessary." Emet takes a bite of food.

There is also a small crystal flower that he picked up in the marketplace slipped in with the coin, but he entirely neglects to mention it.

Hythlodaeus makes to pick up the satchel so that he can deposit the small amount he had left over inside, and finds the flower in the process. His lips turn upwards again, and he leans against Emet-Selch lightly while he eats.

"Your efforts are appreciated nonetheless." He rubs his thumb over the flower fondly before placing it back into the satchel.

He's quiet while Emet is busy with his food, but it's a far more comfortable silence this time. Eventually though, Hythlodaeus huffs a little and sits up.

"Your clothing makes things so difficult..." Referring to the decoration on the shoulders, that is. How is he supposed to lean on his friend comfortably when those are in the way? His eyes meet Emet's again where possible, glowing in the near dark. "I hope you have a different outfit you enjoy wearing, because this one simply won't do- as dashing as it makes you look."

"What's so bothersome about my clothes?" Emet says with a scowl. Granted that they were something he's worn for months on end, but they are well made and distinguished. Even if the typical Garlemald attire for cold weather does stand out against such a sunny ocean venue.

"How am I supposed to lean on these?" He smiles softly at Emet's indignation. "Aren't you overly warm, besides?" He plucks at the fur, not quite giggling to his usual standard but at least managing a soft "heh".

"I'm not suggesting you should get rid of these entirely, you know. But please think of your dear friend who must rest his head on your epaulettes."

If there is a way to eat pizza and have the action convey griping, Emet would accomplish just that in his silent response to Hythlodaeus' request. Changing the clothes of others is fine, but doing so for him is such a hassle.

Emet rolls his eyes to the side, lifts a hand, and snaps his fingers. The clothing he wears glow white and shift into something else completely within the blink of an eye. This outfit is a dark gray with layers of white underneath. It has ornate silver accents in the form of trimming and an ornate silver broach. Of course - and most importantly - the shoulders are smooth and covered in soft gray fur. The clothing still has a significant amount of bulk to them compared to what someone might normally wear in summery Limsa, but at least he's complying with the request.

He continues to eat pizza. Spitefully.

Humming, pleased, Hythlodaeus proceeds to rest his head on Emet's shoulder and sighs. "That's better."

He closes his eyes and keeps quiet after that, letting Emet eat in peace. One could almost assume he fell asleep just by looking at him, but his fingers remain curled around the satchel with the crystal flower in it.

And when he senses that his friend is done eating, he stands. "You wanted me to indulge you in a walk?" He wonders if Emet-Selch has something else on his mind that he wants to talk to him about, or if he just wanted to spend the time with him. Either way, Hythlodaeus is amenable to the offer.

The pizza is gradually picked at while Hythlodaeus rests comfortably on his decidedly 'captive cushion'. Emet plays his part and stays as still as possible to let him rest. The occasional fireworks over the sea could be their entertainment as continually pop overhead.

Soon, his food is finished and sets the box down beside him on the crate. It's fortunate that it's not daytime or hungry sea birds may have not let them eat in such peace.

"We hadn't yet explored much of what the port has to offer," Emet explains. "Although, I suspect you have some of your bearings now with delivering letters."

"That is true." He offers Emet-Selch a hand anyway, smiling. "Our other option is to retire to our home... perhaps we can go for a little sail?"

He's never steered a boat before, but he's sure Emet has that covered.

"The sky is certainly beautiful tonight, after all. Dark cobalt skies glittering with all kinds of possibilities, if Hermes is to be believed." He still doesn't understand how Emet sees no beauty here, but he's determined to show him.

All kinds of possibilities. It sounds so poetic - or perhaps painfully optimistic - when put in that light. Looking at the sky had only provided him with vast loneliness over so many years.

"Have you sailed before?" Emet asks by way of answering. They could go out onto the water, far beyond where the bustle of the city could be heard. That sounds peaceful.

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