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[emet_sulk]

(original artist)

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(ONE message, Hythlodaeus. Azem.)

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[emet_sulk]

Despite appearances, Rhea'li has insatiable curiosity. In as unconventional a way as yours.

I thought it would behoove him to learn of our acts of creation, and of our people.

[starshepard]

so you gave him the tour every child gets when they first visit the capitol

[emet_sulk]

[ ... ]

Azem, he is barely a score and ten years of age. He is a child compared to us.

[starshepard]

compared to us sure
but hes not
you should have taken him to one of the bars we would frequent when i returned from a trip
or the park you were so fond of taking naps in

[emet_sulk]

Unlike you, Azem, I don't derive pleasure from getting drunk.

[ Quite the opposite. ]

I don't believe he would have found it interesting to watch me nap either.

[starshepard]

and yet you still drank with us
the park is lovely
i didnt say you needed to nap

[emet_sulk]

I enjoyed your and Hythlodaeus' company more than the drink.

If there is a next time then I will show them our parks and other recreational facilities. Happy?

[starshepard]

i would be if you were telling me the truth

[emet_sulk]

I beg your pardon?

[starshepard]

rheali told me you showed him elpis
and you tell me you showed him amaurot
im curious why im being lied to about this trip

1/2

[emet_sulk]

[ Oh fuck, oh shite--

He stares at his phone for a while, frozen, reading those three simple sentences and not knowing what half-truths he can pull out to mitigate this pending disaster. ]

2/2

[emet_sulk]

What did he say exactly?

[starshepard]

twould be easier to simply show you the conversation

[emet_sulk]

[ Oh. Oh, that means...meeting in person, right? That's going to make it harder to lie. ]

How much did he say that you cannot simply rewrite it here?

[starshepard]

[ That's part of their plan. ]

quite a bit

[emet_sulk]

[ ............ ]

Fine. Where shall I meet you?

[starshepard]

where im staying

[emet_sulk]

Very well.

[ It takes a little while for him to arrive though. Perhaps longer than one might expect if he was simply walking from his own lodgings to Azem's. He needs the time to think - and time to message Rhea'li in panic.

Once he has composed himself, he knocks on their door and waits. ]

[starshepard]

I was beginning to wonder if I'd have to track you down. [ Something that would normally be said in jest is said in a serious tone for once.

They step back and motion for him to enter. Once he's inside they bring up the conversation with Rhea'li and pass their device to him to read. ]

[emet_sulk]

[ 'If I say I will come then I will come,' he wants to retort. But he holds his tongue as he steps inside. Silently, he takes the device and reads Azem's and Rhea'li's conversation with a sinking heart. Although Hades has no striking recollection of the concepts Rhea'li is referring to, it's enough to be proof that they were there during the span of time Hermes' Kairos would eventually erase.

His thoughts rapidly turn. He can't deny Rhea'li's account. That would be more suspicious. He can't claim Rhea'li went with someone else because the boy explicitly mentioned travelling with him. So...

He lowers the device, careful to keep his expression neutral as he composes his next words. ]

Ah, I forgot. I brought him there and let him wander amongst the researchers. It has been a long time since I saw Elpis. Can you blame me for wanting some time alone?

[starshepard]

[ Azem waits in silence, arms crossed and watching him closely.

His response is met with a scrutinizing expression. Azem remembers clearly that they were told they would need to remain in contact with the person they traveled with. ]

You forgot? And you wanted time alone? If I recall correctly we were told we would need an anchor, some form of contact with those we traveled with. How is it you could have been alone on the trip?

[emet_sulk]

[ Ah, he forgot that too. Seeing as he never actually had the chance to go on the trip. He fidgets. Then clenches his fist. ]

I... Surely an aetherial tether is sufficient? They never said it must be a physical anchor.

[ He hates that he has to make it sound like a question to avoid the outright lie. He's certain Azem is sharp enough to pick up on it. ]

[starshepard]

[ Azem supposes an aetherial tether would suffice but the way he says it is suspicious. ]

You don't sound so convinced of that.

[emet_sulk]

[ He decides that a touch of annoyance is warranted here. ]

Aye, well... I'm not sure why you're making such a fuss over a lapse in memory, Azem. Why am I here, really?

[starshepard]

[ They roll their head back and let out a breath before turning their attention to him once more. ]

Because this is more than a lapse in memory. For a while now I've had this feeling that I'm not being told everything. Things that aren't quite adding up. Like how you knew so much about Bahamut, a creature from Rhea'li's world. How that city in your dream was the future of our world but the people were so different. That everything should change so much...

I don't doubt that Rhea'li has been to Elpis but I don't believe that he traveled there with you.