filikos | Duplicity Inbox

No apology needed, I think it's a wonderful idea.

[He waves it off, beaming.]

Where do you have in mind?

[Taking Hermes by the arm, he waits for him to lead them to their destination.]

_{[It's only fair, Hermes thinks, that he ought to make the attempt to hang out with his friends once in awhile, rather than simply leaving it up to them to drag him along. Taking the initiative once in awhile only seemed right. As Hythlodaeus takes his arm he can't help but feel his heart flutter at the sight of his smile.]}

There is an ice cream shop not far from here. I was thinking we could try what they have to offer.

Mm, I admit I haven't had much in the way of ice cream here! I do love sweet things...

[Perhaps not as much as Hermes loves his candied apples- he eats real food more often than sweets. But he still enjoys a good dessert!]

It is the weather for it, I suppose.

Precisely.

_{[Hot weather means one should cool off...so why not do so with a sweet treat? Leading the two of them out of the apartments, it doesn't take long to arrive at the ice cream parlor. They've plenty of flavours and toppings to choose from.]}

Is there anything that catches your eye?

Oh, all of it. But since I cannot sample every flavour here in one sitting, I'll choose... this one.

[He points to pistachio ice cream- he likes the look of it, he's never tried it otherwise though.]

What about you?

_{[That gets a chuckle out of Hermes as he looks at the list himself. He too would like to try all the flavours but for now he'll restrict himself to one. Unsurprisingly, it's a fruit flavour.]}

I think I would like to try strawberry. Surely one cannot go wrong with that. _{[Now comes the other part.]} Shall we have it in a cup or with a cone?

Well... a cone may be messy, in this heat. Surely it would melt too quickly. At the very least in a cup, we can take our time.

[He smiles to Hermes, before looking around.]

Shall we eat it here or take it elsewhere?

[It's admittedly cooler in the store, but they could eat it anywhere they like.]

I fear if we take it elsewhere it will melt.

_{[It is rather hot outside still.]}

Mayhap we should finish it here? The establishment does seem rather quaint.

_{[It's pleasant enough!]}

It does indeed. Very well, we shall eat it here.

[He's quick to order his own ice cream and sit down at a table, smiling wide at Hermes as he approaches after ordering his own.]

Thank you for inviting me out today, Hermes. I'm glad to spend the day with you.

_{[It doesn't take long for Hermes to receive his order, cup of ice cream and spoon in hand as he takes the seat opposite Hythlodaeus. He gives his friend a sheepish smile as he's thanked, not expecting it.]}

Ah...there is no need to thank me Hythlodaeus. As you know I am always happy to have your company. It only felt right that I take the initiative to spend time with you.

[Chuckling to himself, he digs his spoon into his ice cream.]

It feels right to thank you, regardless. I do appreciate the gesture.

[Trying his ice cream, he perks up as the taste of the pistachio hits his tongue.]

Oh my, but this is delightful. Why had I never come here, again?

[He tries to go as many places as he can, but this little shop simply didn't catch his eye for whatever reason. And what a shame! He would have been missing out had Hermes not brought it to his attention.]

I am always happy to treat you.

_{[He can't help but smile, relieved that Hythlodaeus is enjoying himself. He'd worried, unsurprisingly, that it wouldn't be to his liking...but then again who didn't like ice cream?]}

I find there are many places here that are easy to overlook.

Always? Heheh... I will hold you to that.

[He winks, then goes back to his ice cream.]

Indeed- I try to explore as much as possible, but it would be quite the feat to enter every store in the Up, wouldn't it?

[Spooning up some more ice cream, he extends his arm out so that his spoon is close to Hermes' lips.]

Come, try some.

Always, yes.

_{[He means it too. There are few in the city that he feels close to - Hythlodaeus was certainly the person he felt he could be open with the most. Why wouldn't he want to treat him?

As the ice cream is held out in front of him to take he sheepishly parts his lips to try it. It's cool and sweet on his tongue with a pleasant flavour.]}

It's delicious.

[Hythlodaeus offers up a genuine smile to his friend, taking the spoon back. He scoops more up and eats it, not bothered by the fact that they're essentially feeding each other now. It's fine.]

It is- I should like to come back here again some time to try some of the other flavours on offer. Would you join me then?

Of course! I would love to.

_{[He means it when he said that he would always be happy to spend time with Hythlodaeus. The man rarely has to do much to convince him to accompany him.

And since it only seems fair...he scoops a bit of strawberry into his spoon, holding it out for his friend to try.]}

Here you are.

Oh-

[He accepts the treat, catching Hermes' eye as he takes it from the spoon and grinning as he pulls back. He ponders the flavour for a good moment, then nods.]

It's good- perfect for a summer's day such as this.

[Though he still rather likes the one he picked out.]

_{[This man truly will be the end of him someday, Hermes can't help but think, especially with the way he makes his heart race.]}

It is quite sweet...but refreshing. I quite enjoy it.

_{[What he would enjoy even more, he thinks, is the taste of Hythlodaeus' lips, cool and sweet from the ice cream. But he won't act upon that thought, even if he can't stop thinking about it.]}

And that is what is important- that we are enjoying ourselves!

[Which he is, especially given the way Hermes is looking at him.]

Something on your mind, my friend?

You are quite right.

_{[Even though it's a novel concept for him to embrace, especially when many of their people denied themselves self enjoyment for the so-called betterment of the star. The question catches Hermes off guard, forcing him to sit up straight, self conscious. Had he been staring too hard? Did Hythlodaeus notice? (He always noticed everything...)]}

Ah, no. Nothing in particular...my mind was simply wandering.

[The reaction tells him all he needs to know, and he chuckles.]

Wandering, you say? Where was it wandering to, pray tell?

[He rests an elbow on the table, grinning.]

Or are such thoughts best left unsaid in such a public space?

My mind wanders often...

_{[The answer is clearly yes, what with the way his tan cheeks seems to tinge a rosy shade at being called out, his bright eyes averting slightly.]}

Mayhap they are best left unsaid for now.

_{[Oh Hythlodaeus, why do you always tease him so. It's also unfair, especially when he knows his friend could see the way his soul jitters at the sight of him.]}

[Lowering his voice, Hythlodaeus leans in slightly over his cup of ice cream.]

Then be sure to tell me all about it once we are in private, yes?

[He can't help the smirk on his face, nor can he help how delighted he feels to see that blush on his friend's cheeks.]

Ah...of course. I would not wish to keep secrets from you.

_{[His smile is clumsy as he meets those brilliant eyes, unable to help the way his heart hammers in his chest at the sight of his smirk. How deadly Hythlodaeus could be...much like a beautiful petalouda.]}

Good.

[He's clearly very happy with himself as he goes back to his food. Soon enough he's finished it, and he sighs happily and smiles over at his friend.]

I feel suitably refreshed, I think. What would you like to do now?

un: soulseer

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