[avalon] IC Inbox

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If you were directed here by Hythlodaeus, kindly inform him that any messes he creates are his responsibility to clean up.
If this is Hythlodaeus: Please act like a bureau chief for once in your life and stop referring complaints to me.
(A place for private network messages or overflow threads from Isle of Avalon!)
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He hopes no-one is watching. He feels like expiring right here, right now, out of embarrassment.
i want you to know i facepalmed irl at his spoon idea
The suspicious stare is particularly amusing, and Hythlodaeus can't help grinning at it, pretty much flaunting his enjoyment of embarrassing his friend.
"Why that look, Agesandros? Is the food not to your liking?"
He withdraws the spoon, at first content with intending to place it down... but then another idea occurs to him, and, ooh, this one is so much more fun. Instead of putting it down, he takes the spoon into his own mouth, as though to lick off the little crumbs and the smidgen of cream left on it, keeping his eyes on Hades the whole time, eagerly awaiting his reaction.
Hyth you're lucky he loves you
"No. 'Tis quite good actually. You ought to try it yourself."
He debates returning the favour, but he cannot think of a gesture which Hyth would not shamelessly embrace. Perhaps he ought to let his friend have this round. There would be plenty of other opportunities to get him back.
So he simply nudges one of the black rose-flavoured chocolate pieces on to a spoon and wordlessly offers it to the other man.
god hes shameless. i hate him.
"I know. I know you dislike overly sweet things, but the baker here tends to go for more natural flavours. I like that the strawberry adds a hint of tartness - 'tis sometimes too boring to have a mixture of things that are too similar."
The slight hesitation before Hades returns the gesture does not escape Hythlodaeus, either, and he gives himself a mark for besting his friend once again. He leans forward to accept the chocolate, a content smile on his face, but he takes the treat into his mouth slowly, closing his eyes before drawing back and fixing Hades with a mischievous look as he lets the chocolate melt on his tongue. He offers no further comment, simply keeping eye contact.
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"...I still do not enjoy sweet foods, but I have grown fond of sampling new things. Mayhap, once we secure more regular income, we could make these outings a more regular practice," he suggests tentatively.
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"I would love that. There is much and more to discover about this city... and we needn't limit ourselves only to the dining establishments! As long as we are here, I would want to learn more of this world, with how 'tis simultaneously alike and different from ours. There may be knowledge to take back, too."
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He hesitates. The achievements of the fragmented races, with that limited capacity for aether, would likely have been of interest to their more academically-minded populace once upon a time. That knowledge alone would give their researchers something to ponder for centuries. But much of said knowledge had its roots in weaponry and warfare.
Sighing quietly, he sets his now-empty mug down. "I have overseen some twelve millennia of innovation and development by various nations," he says in a muted tone. "If I could but make a crystal record of it, mayhap you would be able to use the knowledge to save our people."
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He watches Hades carefully for a time, trying to decide what to say. He isn't stupid in the least, whatever anyone might say, and the wording does not escape him. Though it looms in his mind, Hythlodaeus has not yet given much thought as to what might happen after their task here is complete - what might happen to Hades. As he understood it, his friend is both alive and dead, twelve thousand years ahead of Hythlodaeus himself, and where would he have to go once this is over?
All heavy thoughts and ones that require careful discussion. No, they do not know enough about this world yet, about what it is they must do to save their own. It would likely be foolish in addition to disheartening to bring it up now.
"I would love to see such a record, indeed. I wonder if there are any crystals fitting for the purpose here... They seem to use these tomestones for storing and transferring information as well, but I do not have a firm grasp on the principles yet. It seems to be done more... manually than what we are used to. I must needs confess I find my wrists a little sore from the typing at times."
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Hades toys with the remnants of his cake. "That said, I should think crystals with the ideal composition for record-keeping can be found more easily here than in the prior world I found myself in. That world knew nothing of the existence of magic. This one, however, must surely be brimming with it to have such diverse disciplines. I suspect you could apply your cognitive magic to it and record memories that way with enough practice."
emet will live to regret those words once beetle happens
"That may be possible indeed. After all, if one of the applications is being able to transfer my thoughts to others, same must be possible with other suitable vessels. In fact, I do wonder about the aetheric composition of objects here - would it be the same as in our world, or different somehow? 'Tis truly a curse not to have the Sight anymore. I never realized how much I took it for granted."
He sighs, finishing the last of his tea.
"But surely the construction of an appropriate vessel must fall to you, the alchemist. Have you had much success in the discipline yet, by the way?"
hyth is just Regrets Central
"No. The idea did not come to me until just now." He leans back, hands clasped in his lap. "I'm sure 'twill be a simple incantation. Finding the raw ingredients will be the tricky part. We must needs find some sort of aetherically charged lode if we don't wish to spend the coin to buy one. I shall have to ask around."
someone: why do you like him; emet, putting a ring on hyth's finger: i do not
"You've the right of it. Not to mention, we've yet to secure a proper source of income, and if we are to experiment we are likely to need a large amount of raw material. I also wonder whether 'tis possible to solicit help from these 'fae'... As I understand it, they are the peoples of this world most attuned to aether, their skills on par with ours."
emet, kissing Hyth passionately in bed: I hate him actually
He vents a sigh and closes his eyes briefly. "Before asking favours of them, we will have to prepare adequate compensation."
i fully expect that to actually happen at one point
"But if I hadn't gotten in debt, would we still be here like this? I'd like to think 'twas my ingenuity that brought us together."
with Felih watching and grinning madly
"Regardless," he says crisply, "take more care when making deals with the fae. I am not going to bail you out of trouble every time."
Glancing at the remains of their meal, he sees they're both done. "Did you have further plans for today?"
hades denies it afterwards
"Aside from spending time with you? Not particularly. We may as well head back - I imagine you must needs be eager to get back in bed."
Just a reference to his penchant for napping and naught more.
bites Hyth and leaves a hickey - see? he hates him
Once they've settled the bill, he holds out his hand for Hythlodaeus to hold as they walk back.
THAT IS NOT HOW THAT WORKS
Something about Agesandros offering him his hand, though, makes Hythlodaeus's heart swell with warmth. Being together with his friend, so different and yet undeniably the same, despite the tumult of both their future and past... it feels like a miracle in its way. He takes Hades's hand, entwining their fingers together, as though hoping to transfer his affection through the simple touch.
He's uncharacteristically silent on their way back, lost in his thoughts. The knowledge that they might never get to experience aught like this back in their own world weighs on him again, and a small part of Hythlodaeus wonders whether this was a good idea at all. What would he do if they failed here? How would he be expected to deal with his own fate, with that which awaits Hades? Admitting his feelings only made Hythlodaeus all the more terrified of losing his friend--an unworthy thought, perhaps, given the selfish nature of such fear, but he, too, is only a man. Love is both a foible and a blessing not so easily shaken off.
He finds himself stealing brief glances at Hades as they walk, as though studying his appearance, the differences and similarities between his features and those of Hades he knows.
"...Why did you choose that body?"
IT IS NOW (also headcanon ahoy)
It doesn't occur to him that the matter weighs so heavily upon Hythlodaeus. The man used to make light of serious issues all the time - although, thinking back, nothing they ever debated is truly more serious than what faces them now.
The minutes pass by in silence until Hythlodaeus speaks up. Hades glances at him then, then down, brow furrowing.
"...The man whose visage I took, Solus sas Galvus, was from a respected military family. He showed promise and ambition, but most importantly he commanded respect amongst his peers. He was perfectly suited to rise through the ranks and command legions. Such was the admiration the Garlean people gave him that they elected to make him emperor of their own will."
A snort and shakes of his head. "Of course, 'twas all my doing. My contrivances, attached to his name, which spurred his and Garlemald's rise to power. I took him over when he was young - roughly the age you see me as now. I made sure to snuff out his soul quickly and painlessly when I did."
its good headcanon and delicious angst :9
"...A cruel and sad thing to do."
His voice is quiet, sorrowful. It's true that his friend has always helped the souls to cross into the Underworld, but there is a difference between doing so for those who are ready to cross and those who are not. Though he fully believes that Hades would not make the man suffer, the thought of it is still unpleasant and almost chilling. Like killing an animal meant for food.
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Eventually, he releases Hythlodaeus' hand and shoves both his own in his pockets. The contented glow from earlier fades, leaving him with the chill of the winter day.
Honestly, the heavy silence speaks more than words ever can.
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He sighs quietly, picking over words in his mind. Is there anything he can say? He does not know nearly enough to offer anything other than his direct reaction to the fact. At the same time, heavens know what kind of things his friend will imagine if he offers no response for too long.
"Would you speak of it with me, Hades?"
Hythlodaeus turns his head to look at his friend at the question. Eye contact is the least he owes to the severity of the matter.
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Rather than wait for that inevitable cut-off, he lashes out pre-emptively.
"Speak of what?" he snaps. "Of how I fought in wars and killed men and women with my own two hands? Of how I ordered the deaths of thousands upon thousands many more to expand Garlemald's might and territory? Of turning a blind eye to the abuse and discrimination 'twixt Garlean and conquered peoples because I wanted rebellion, I wanted instability? Everything I involve myself in turns to dust, Hythlodaeus. Whether that's nations, lovers, or even the children I sire. All fades away. All perish - and someday, I, too, will join them. Even if I do not deserve it."
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It's a lot to take in, a lot to think about, all the more difficult because of being unable to distance himself from the situation emotionally. Hythlodaeus exhales deeply, stays silent for a time, hands curling into fists uncertainly. What is he meant to do here?
But despite Hades's protestations, Hythlodaeus refuses to see his friend as someone willing to watch all such things dispassionately. If he had changed that much, Hythlodaeus would have noticed. Wouldn't he?..
In contrast to the other man, he raises his head to look up at the sky, finally finding his voice. His words are quiet but firm - if Hades means to be stubborn in his defeatism, Hythlodaeus has more than enough stubborness to go in the opposite direction. Ever they would balance each other...
"I have not faded away yet. I have not perished yet. It may be different in your time, but here and now, I am alive."
Putting it into words like that makes something twist in his chest. Hythlodaeus sucks in a deep breath, turns abruptly to grab Hades by the shoulders, his grip almost painful.
"So don't you dare."
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"You've done a fine job of attempting to woo me, Hythlodaeus, but it won't last. We both know this. Or are you telling me you're happy to be seen in the company of one who has sent so many to their deaths?"
The last bit is said loudly enough to draw a few eyes, but thankfully they seem to think better than to interject, instead hurrying on past the apparently-quarrelling couple.
Hades glares up at his friend meanwhile. "I'm only indulging this," he says past gritted teeth, "because 'twill mean nothing in the end. There is nothing waiting for me past this moment. I have been craving death for centuries and thought I had found it, only to be resurrected to play out some farcical, sexual fantasy in an obscene city! And now-- now you're here. As if the fates hadn't been cruel enough already."
He balls up his fists, nails digging hard enough into his palm to almost draw blood. "What point is there to a romance that will last a year, if that?" he hisses. "I might as well die now and save us both the heartbreak."
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theyre gonna be the gayest flowers, get ready emet
he's not Ready
well i guess we know what we're doing for avalon springtime when they get flowers again :)
emet: one fear
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I somehow missed the word 'underclothes' in that last tag gj self
IT'S OK SOMETIMES I MISUSE WORDS COMPLETELY AND THEN DIE TEN TIMES OVER
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EMET IS SO FUCKING STUPID IM HOWLING
is he stupid tho or is he playing ;)
let's be real it's both, mr "so you want to soulfuck me??". also hmmmm tempting conditional there--
u know u want him Hyth
yeah but emet is objectively way hornier
give it time .3.
fine, i guess i can give it (checks hand) the 20 minutes it took me to write this tag
/smugwillywonka.gif
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i hate hyth hes an embarrassment
you're banished to the corner of shame Hyth
theyre both banished
corner of shame then becomes horny corner--
shameless corner, if you will
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sends hyth to horny jail
locks him inside and throws away the key
READ MY PORN NOVEL I GUESS
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