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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.

Hythlodaeus shakes his head. "Not once, sadly. I would very much like for my first time on the water to be with you."

His hand is still held out, a patient smile on his lips. Despite their earlier argument- if you could really call it that- he still looks at Emet-Selch like he holds far more possibility than the skies and the ocean ever could. That endless potential for life pales in comparison to the love he has for his friend.

A new pair of gloves that have been tailored to go with the clothes are slipped on. Then he finally takes Hythlodaeus' hand into his and stands.

"If you get seasick on me, I will be forced to promptly fling you overboard," Emet says flatly. Is he joking or not? It's difficult to say.

Even so, he makes towards the ship and only just lets Hythlodaeus' hand go as he puts distance between them. It was definitely not hurried.

"And ruin these nice clothes? I think not." He follows after Emet-Selch with a smile, picking up his clothing first so he can wear it another time.

Once back on the boat, he heads back inside to deposit the clothing in the bedroom, before coming back out to stand beside Emet. "So, where to?" His eyes scan the surface of the sea- there are souls even in the water, he realises. These creatures have been inhabiting the ocean for a very long time, it seems.

Dark is starting to fall on the city again. The coral color from the light reflects on the stones that build most of the city, giving it an odd sort of glow.

"Just outside the city should afford us some quiet and let us become more acclimated to sailing besides." He says wistfully while kneeling down to untie the rope that keeps the ship secured to the dock. It immediately starts drifting away into deeper water. "Airships are the preferred travel method in Garlemald, so I've not sailed in some time."

It's all very beautiful to Hythlodaeus, who leans against the edge of the boat with a smile as they start to sail.

"Then you've been missing out... look at this view." His eyes are bright as he stares at Limsa slowly getting further away from them. Then he turns to face Emet-Selch, elbows leaning against the sides of the boat. The sun behind him sets his eyes to glowing in the relative shadow of his face. "Come, look out upon the water with me."

The city gets further away and the sun sets completely, and Hythlodaeus feels a chill coming in from the sea. He hadn't anticipated that, but rather than bother Emet-Selch for more clothes he heads back inside for a blanket. When he comes back outside it's wrapped around him snugly, and he breathes in the crisp air contentedly. The stars above them, the sea below, and Emet-Selch at his side- what isn't to love?

Emet does as requested, opting to lean against the edge of the boat and watch the view instead of continuing to fret with the boat. It's just as well. They could slowly drift to sea rather than steer the boat with any sort of intent.

So he resigns to watch the city for a time. Occasionally, one could see some enthusiastic denizens of Limsa let loose their personal sparklers and light up the distance with their own manner of fireworks.

He would periodically look in Hythlodaeus' direction and silently pawn it off as taking interest in some far-off sight in a similar direction. How Hythlodaeus could be so happy for a view such as this one, he didn't know. Not that he's staring.

"They have a festival every summer such as this one," Emet says distantly. "It was started as an initiative to drive out an incursion of fiends that descend on the land but spun to be a celebration instead. To make it more palatable to the masses."

"Hm," he replies vaguely, stepping closer to Emet-Selch under the pretence of warming up a little. Then he offers up some of his blanket, silently hoping Emet takes it. "And so a tradition began."

He glances at Emet-Selch, catches him looking, and smirks a little. "Enjoying the view, friend?" He knows exactly what Emet was looking at, he'd be a fool not to. But he will feign ignorance if only for Emet-Selch's pride, just this once. Because if Emet gets grumpy about it, well... it might just ruin the moment.

Not to say he can't be a little cheeky about it, though.

"Have you seen all of the souls down below?" He leans over the side slightly. "Hundreds of thousands of them, like a sea of stars. I wonder what creatures await in the depths." Too bad he can't go look.

That comment earns a scowl that has caused many dignitaries to second guess their worth in the past. It's a silent challenge for him to say another disparaging word about what he was looking at. Thankfully, the subject is changed before he can ever speak of it. The look, however, is probably enough to confirm Hythlodaeus' suspicions of what Emet had been looking at.

"I have only seen them in passing," Emet fusses as he takes a corner of the blanket and throws it over his shoulder. His clothes are warmer and less susceptible to the cold, but he's not trying to warm himself in this case.

Emet looks over the side of the boat and past their reflections. There are little pinpricks of light down below, just as there are above them. They swim around lazily and erratically. "Most people are afraid of what creatures that dwell in the sea. They would sooner avoid them." He says somberly. "They are not beautiful concepts to be admired for these people. They are to be exploited or feared."

Hythlodaeus has no such reservations about saying what he thinks, even under that scornful gaze. He leans against his friend with a contented sigh, eyes on the water.

"Perhaps. Hermes would not be happy." Neither would Mitron, he wages. Not that he knows the man well, but as the Convocation's specialist on aquatic life he might have something to say about it.

"It's a good thing we are here to admire them in their stead, hmm?" He glances up at Emet coyly, watching him from behind his lashes. His hand finds Emet's under the sheet and he links their fingers together, before turning his gaze upwards this time to the stars. He says nothing for now, just enjoying their closeness and the silence.

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