He listens without interruption, letting Hythlodaeus take his arm. His friend's words take him back to a gentler time. Long hours spent immersing himself in the study of creation, philosophy, rhetoric, and other subjects which caught his interest. Days where the only irritant would be Hythlodaeus' physical presence, if that.
He doesn't remember the day his friend describes though. It had been but another part of their daily routine. Another memory faded through the passage of time. What had he found aggravating about the lecture? Things like that feel so inconsequential in the wake of everything which has occurred hence. But it had been a pivotal moment in Hythlodaeus' memories and he doesn't have the heart to admit that he cannot recall it.
As the other man goes on, he finds he cannot tear his gaze away. Hythlodaeus describes a younger, more aspiring man: one who had looked at their star, had known he had the talent to make it better, and had sought to do so. He had never intended for that change to come under his tenure as Emet-Selch, but it had - and look where that has brought them now...
He swallows thickly and sets his jaw, feeling his chest tighten. This is wrong. What positive changes has he wrought since that day? What about the world is so wondrous now? There's nothing. Nothing--
His grip tightens. If only he still wore a mask. He has a feeling the flash of anguish on his face is writ clearly for Hythlodaeus to see but he quickly assembles a wry smile in its place.
Don't grow too attached. He doesn't know yet.
"Alas. The art of rhetoric was ever ineffective against you. You would defeat soundly crafted arguments with statements of illogical whimsy. I think half our debates ended with us straying so far from the main topic that I forgot what we were initially debating." Hades' smile falters and he looks away, towards the museum, and sighs. "I wish I could name a similar moment on my part. I...always took your presence for granted. I knew you would be there, whether I wanted it or no. I suppose I grew accustomed to that, for when you were gone, I realised I was at a loss as to what to do."
He looks as though he's about to say more but he presses his lips together tightly. This all feels wrong. He doesn't deserve this. What is he doing here, why--?
Taking a deep breath, he looks back towards Hythlodaeus with the smile once more in place. "But here you are now - and as irritating as I recall. I suppose I can tolerate you being more permanently by my side."
throws money at screen
He doesn't remember the day his friend describes though. It had been but another part of their daily routine. Another memory faded through the passage of time. What had he found aggravating about the lecture? Things like that feel so inconsequential in the wake of everything which has occurred hence. But it had been a pivotal moment in Hythlodaeus' memories and he doesn't have the heart to admit that he cannot recall it.
As the other man goes on, he finds he cannot tear his gaze away. Hythlodaeus describes a younger, more aspiring man: one who had looked at their star, had known he had the talent to make it better, and had sought to do so. He had never intended for that change to come under his tenure as Emet-Selch, but it had - and look where that has brought them now...
He swallows thickly and sets his jaw, feeling his chest tighten. This is wrong. What positive changes has he wrought since that day? What about the world is so wondrous now? There's nothing. Nothing--
His grip tightens. If only he still wore a mask. He has a feeling the flash of anguish on his face is writ clearly for Hythlodaeus to see but he quickly assembles a wry smile in its place.
Don't grow too attached. He doesn't know yet.
"Alas. The art of rhetoric was ever ineffective against you. You would defeat soundly crafted arguments with statements of illogical whimsy. I think half our debates ended with us straying so far from the main topic that I forgot what we were initially debating." Hades' smile falters and he looks away, towards the museum, and sighs. "I wish I could name a similar moment on my part. I...always took your presence for granted. I knew you would be there, whether I wanted it or no. I suppose I grew accustomed to that, for when you were gone, I realised I was at a loss as to what to do."
He looks as though he's about to say more but he presses his lips together tightly. This all feels wrong. He doesn't deserve this. What is he doing here, why--?
Taking a deep breath, he looks back towards Hythlodaeus with the smile once more in place. "But here you are now - and as irritating as I recall. I suppose I can tolerate you being more permanently by my side."