Inbox for Expiation

[emet_sulk]

Your call is answered by a deep, put-upon sigh.

"Yes? What is it?

Comments

Video

[beshackled]

[The video function of these charms feels much akin to the crystals upon which memories are transcribed. That they are able to convey messages as well reminds him of the very one which Yuja had brought and had questions about.

As such, he's taken to using the video function quite naturally.]

Emet-Selch. I would... like to consult with you on a matter. If you would hear it, I will explain.

[His expression is serious, the earnest man having a weight upon his mind.]

[emet_sulk]

Aye? What is it?

[ He sounds tired. He's always tired these days. But he is making an effort to at least hear his kin out. ]

[beshackled]

I chanced across a message from one here with designs to experiment on the creatures they call fairies.

As you may be well aware, given the place in which we met, these fairies have been granting blessings to restore the forest. She... wishes to dissect them.

Though she claims she will restore them in body after, 'tis an act I cannot abide. I aim to frustrate her efforts to capture them, to which end I would ask of you, you having been here longer than I... what manner of thorned flora have you encountered here, and where might I find them?

[emet_sulk]

[ He stares in muted surprise. Emet-Selch hadn't even bothered to think about the well-being of the fairies. To him, nothing and no-one matters more than the restoration of his star and his long-lost people.

As such, it takes him a good minute to recover and actually come up with a suggestion. ]

Roses. Brambles. There is a family of ivy which can leave stinging marks upon contact with bare skin.

[beshackled]

[The response is, as he expected, one well-thought.

Lifting a hand to his chin, Erichthonios considers how implement the suggestions.]

Brambles and roses... Yes, I think those could work. And the ivy could be worked in after the framework of brambles is set up...

By what mechanism does the ivy sting? By spine, or secretions?

[emet_sulk]

I believe it is some manner of secretion on the surface of the plant. Simply brushing against it causes a rash and blisters.

Its harmless appearance would also serve as a hidden trap for those determined to gain ingress.

[beshackled]

Such an irritant may prove a useful deterrent against burning as well...

[Satisfied, he lifts his head with a smile.]

I shall take these ideas to heart. You have my thanks.

text

[expi]

DIRECTED TO: EMET-SELCH
LISTED CRIME: MASS GENOCIDE

The Council has selected you for sentencing to atone for the above listed crimes. You are directed to turn yourself in within two (2) hours of receiving this message, or you will be forcibly detained. You are to meet the Council's representative outside of City Hall in order to respond to this summons.

Respectfully,
Jerry

action

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch does not respond directly to the missive. He doesn't think there is a need to. But he does stare at the message in silent contemplation for a while, wondering whether there is any merit to trying to evade their 'representative'.

In the end he does present himself to City Hall. Some five minutes before the deadline.

(At least he showed up.)

He isn't sure who he's supposed to report to so he loiters nearby, looking around for someone important. ]

[expi]

[And Emet-Selch will eventually find Jerry, standing near the front doors of City Hall. He raises an eyebrow at him for a moment, before motioning.]

Come. This won't take long.

[Before he gets an answer, he'll be turning on his heel and walking into the building.]

[emet_sulk]

[ "Won't take long," they say? Emet-Selch frowns a little. He had thought that the punishment would be final. But he mentally shrugs and follows the representative inside. ]

So you really do intend to punish us for our 'crimes'.

[ It's more a probing statement than a question. ]

[expi]

The goal of this world is to rehabilitate criminals.

[It's a simple answer, as he walks to a door and opens it. Inside, it looks like a pretty typical meeting room... but it's empty.]

After you.

[emet_sulk]

[ Well, that's a delightful non-answer. He hesitates but then enters the room cautiously, wondering if the empty space is enchanted somehow. It certainly looks more like an actual cell than the world outside. ]

moving in 😇

[weenwoon]

It should probably come as no surprise that after Aldrip returns to normal (well, mostly normal) it takes Hythlodaeus very little time to gather what few belongings he has at the inn... and show up on the doorstep of Hades's house. He'll knock if the door is locked, but if it's not... well, he definitely has the right to just waltz in, right?

[emet_sulk]

Hades has most certainly been keeping the door locked. Can't be too careful with all the supposed criminals after all. Still, he isn't the least bit surprised when he opens the door and sees Hythlodaeus on his doorstep.

Heart fluttering (and immediately feeling self-conscious about it), he steps aside to let his friend in. "You certainly wasted no time..."

[weenwoon]

"I suppose I could have waited until you come to persuade me to move, yes," Hythlodaeus laughs in response. "But I thought to save you the worrying. Besides, it has been such a long time since we last shared lodgings! Not since we were children, I believe."

He sets his bag down on the floor, looking around with interest.

"So, where shall I be staying?"

... Yes, he's going to very blatantly and purposefully ignore the fact that there is only one bedroom, and only one bed.

[emet_sulk]

"You can take the bed," he says quickly as he shuts the door. "I will sleep on the floor."

He can create a futon or bedroll to sleep in temporarily, he thinks. He's used to sleeping 'rough', as it were.

"You do realise you could have asked for your own dwelling, don't you?"

[weenwoon]

"But you would worry if I was all alone, right?" Hythlodaeus replies cheerily. He sits down on the aforementioned bed, bouncing a little as though to test it for springiness.

"But I hope you will only sleep on the floor as long as it takes to make a bigger bed. I would imagine your poor aged back would complain otherwise! Not to mention I would feel quite bad about it."

[emet_sulk]

A bigger bed...? Hades flushes at the implication. Apparently the thought that they would sleep separately has never crossed Hythlodaeus' mind. Well, he supposes it's a fair assumption given that they have confirmed their mutual affection.

"You would be surprised how comfortable a bedroll can be. But...fine. I do receive regular income so a larger bed is not out of the question."

[weenwoon]

After the events in Rumpitur, getting to usher in a new year and see their new house built is a welcome break - one that gives Hythlodaeus more time to think, and more time to observe his friend... his partner.

He's still Hades, of course; there is no doubt about that, even with the strands of Zodiark's aether mingling with his own. It's a strange thought, almost embarrassing if Hythlodaeus lets himself dwell on it: after all, if Hythlodaeus himself is part of Zodiark, does that not mean that he is now, also, always a part of Hades? It's even more embarrassing when he thinks about the fact that it happened before they could get around to it properly.

But apart from that, there is more tiredness in his friend (and no wonder), more vulnerability. Hades does not sleep well during the nights, and then does not want to wake in the morning. He's more irritable, but also more desperate whenever he seems to feel that Hythlodaeus might drift away from him. In fact, that seems to be his biggest fear now: the fear of solitude, not just of Hythlodaeus being gone but others leaving, too. If he's left alone or with nothing to do for too long a time, Hades sinks into gloom more easily than usual, and it's much darker and deeper than ever before. Of course, Hythlodaeus does his best to soothe those worries and distract his friend; as time passes, he realizes more and more that what he wants most is for Hades to be happy, to allow himself to smile again.

Like now...

"Hmmmmmmmmm~"

Hythlodaeus hums overly loudly, thoughtfully inspecting the several softly glowing gems in his hand. Going to the cave for protective crystals seems a good idea in general, what with the growing corruption around, but of course Hythlodaeus is going to put his own spin on things.

"Hades, can you come over here? I need some help."

[emet_sulk]

The house is yet sparse, containing the barest minimum of furniture needed to mark out the identity of its individual rooms. Hades still doesn't really have a mind for decorating a place to make it feel 'homely' - he has realised that all such trappings come from the people around him rather than himself. Accordingly, it's Hythlodaeus who truly makes the house feel like a home in the casual mess he leaves behind.

Hades feels that old, familiar reluctance to humour his friend in whatever project it is they've found interest in but he drags his feet over regardless. He won't ever make the same mistake of dismissing Hythlodaeus' companionship again.

"What is it?" He peers at the crystals on the table. "Where did you get those? Are they the crystals the whole place is in a furore over?"

[weenwoon]

"The very same!" Hythlodaeus replies, cheery as ever. "I thought there was no such thing as too safe, so I decided to acquire some of these. Apparently, they can be made into protective amulets..."

He picks out a gem from the little pile, turns and holds it up, squinting as though measuring something against Hades.

"Hmmm..."

[emet_sulk]

"...If you're intending to pass them off to someone to make into amulets then let them decide which stone is best. You know I don't care for appearances."

It's not entirely the truth any more since Hades does give a little more thought to his personal appearance these days. Not to the point of vanity however.

Something as practical as a protective amulet, though? He couldn't care less what form it is as long as it doesn't get in the way. Thinking the matter done with, Hades starts to turn away.

[weenwoon]

"Hades, wait~"

Hythlodaeus certainly isn't going to let him go, reaching out to grab his friend's hand.

"I've already picked yours out. This one is for me, and I need you here to get it right. Look at me, now."

He holds up the gem again, confident that Hades will obey. Hades may realize that the gem is, in fact, quite a bright shade of yellow.

[emet_sulk]

He halts of course. He doesn't understand why it matters so much but it apparently does matter to Hythlodaeus if he's telling him to wait. As his friend compares the crystal to Hades, he finds himself scrutinising the colour. Why yellow...?

The mage has never considered his own personal looks as worthy of being imitated in any form of art. Even Solus' portrait had simply been another tool of propaganda.

"Why do you need me to choose the colour of a rock? Do you want me to critique the colour? The clarity or hue?"