"You have reached Solus zos Galvus. I fear I am unavailable at the moment, but should your query be of an urgent nature, pray leave a message. I shall endeavor to return it anon."
Oh, is that it? Well, whatever happened back there certainly restored your confidence.
[Not that Hythlodaeus was exactly lacking in that, but he certainly had...some issues going on, but now he's acting more like his usual self which is refreshing.
With a shake of his head, he stands up and gestures for Hythlodaeus to follow him as he makes his way out of the room and into the kitchen.]
Come, I have Spanakopita in the oven, it should be ready here shortly. I had assumed you would awaken within the hour, seems I couldn't have timed it better.
[He hums, pleased, as he follows Hades out to the kitchen. He would have been able to smell it, of course, but there's no reason to let him off the hook so easily.]
That it did. There I was able to see much, put certain pieces together, and understand my intrinsic worth yet again. I will not be discarding that again so easily.
[He's listening, even as they arrive in the kitchen and Hades peers through the oven's glass door at the Spanokopita inside. He lets Hythlodaeus' response hang in the air, much like the heavenly aroma of the baking dish, though far less certain of its pleasantness.
Finally, he turns his attention back to Hythlodaeus, eyeing him curiously, uncertainly. He's certainly glad, in a way, that Hythlodaeus has regained his confidence—fake or no, it was unsettling to see Hythlodaeus act like that. However, he can only wonder what exactly he means by that, and what further it might mean for their shared time here.]
And what pieces were they? Speak plain—there is little reason to keep the truth from me at this point.
I found the memory crystals you made and finished the work you could not. I carried on your will— and made my new old friend promise the same. It was easy enough to divert him from following Elidibus too soon. A couple crystals here and there... winding down to an empty street. I entrusted them to him. Surely that is what you wanted.
[ He folds his hands as he takes a seat at the table, simply watching Hades. ]
And I suppose I had some time to languish in the ways we are enmeshed. Some time to think by myself... to think upon myself. Even if our dear “hero” could not remember my name.
Cut me a big piece. I do feel as though I haven’t eaten in a week.
[Hades remains silent as Hythlodaeus explains, tending to the food as the timer nearly goes off (he stops it before then), situating it on the counter to be divvied up. He stops himself at Hythlodaeus' request for a larger slice, aiming at first to cut it all equally, but obliges the request. Still he remains silent as he brings them their plates, mulling the information over in his mind.
The soul stones... Elidibus... The "hero"...
Wearing a distanced and thoughtful expression on his face as he pours them both a glass of Pomeg Berry juice, he finally settles himself down at the table. It's then that he seems to snap out of his deeper thinking, realizing once more that he exists not in a vacuum, leveling a curious, yet slightly amused expression at Hythlodaeus.]
...Well, I know not what you expect from a mortal that cannot remember his own name, let alone his rightful title. But then again, I do suppose that is scarcely his fault.
[Lifting his fork, he cuts out a politely sized piece of the pie, pausing before bringing it to his lips.]
—wait, do you mean to tell me he did not find them on his own? That you had to—
[Closing his eyes for a moment, he lowers his fork and with his free hand he pinches the bridge of his now.]
...perhaps it is my fault for assuming he might be more curious of the city I erected for himself and I—that he might explore the capitol building upon felling me.
[Lowering his hand, he looks at Hythlodaeus with a tired, if not appreciative expression.]
I suppose I should thank you for yet again bequeathing him with the very tools he needed to complete his task.
[ Hythlodaeus smiles as he has to stop what he’s doing to make a stupid accommodation. He very well could have just taken two or three pieces, but where’s the fun in that? ]
[ Certainly it was baked with love, but Hades’ suppressed ire is the true secret ingredient. ]
... I gave him plenty of time before I solved the “puzzle” for him, as it were. Besides, dear Elidibus kept him quite busy with his machinations, not to mention what other demands his friends must have made of him.
...He isn’t looking quite as haggard as the first time I met the little fellow. Poor thing.
Speaking of bequeathments, I would like to propose an idea. I would never consider such a thing back on the First, but here...
I know this much to be true in my mind and heart— He would have wanted you to accept me as the genuine article in his place.
[ He waits for him to take a bite to make interrupting him more awkward. ]
And now that we are both shades- well.
You, imminently so. Yet close enough. [ He turns his hand over in a “But you get it” gesture as he picks up the piping hot spanakopita with his napkin and gingerly takes a bite from the corner. ]
[See, he was listening to all of that, and for the most part in agreement with what there was to agree with. Getting the little bits to fill in what Elidibus couldn't was helpful too, but right as he's taking a bite, right as the food is irrevocably in his mouth, Hythlodaeus says what he does.
And Hades nearly chokes.
First of all, there is so much wrong about that statement—or, potentially wrong—and second of all...well, no it's mainly the first thing. Quickly, he takes a drink of juice to wash down that bite so that he might not truly choke before he can say his own thoughts on the matter.]
—I will hardly be a shade, Hythlodaeus!
[Of course, that's said with a distinct wheeze to his words, a frazzled upward squeak to them too. With another generous gulp of juice, he finds himself better able to speak.]
Even with my demise, there is a marked difference between you and I. You are lacking your soul, I will not be. You are a construct, I am not.
[There's a heavy, momentary pause...and then his gaze falls to his plate, his brow furrowing a little with, not annoyance, but perhaps uncertainty.]
...At least, the me who has been been laid low is not. I cannot truly speak for myself—the one presently here. Though I know I have a soul—at least my eyes had revealed such to me, I cannot be certain that it isn't merely by this world's design that I would be lead to believe such. That what I saw was truly that, and not something else.
You should have seen the size of the hole they punched through your very being.
You’ll be not much more than cloak tatters and shreds of aether by the time you’re resting in the shallows. Do that a couple more times and we’ll be on equal footing.
[ He’s joking, of course, and happy to get a rise out of him. Take him down a peg or three. ]
... But this much is true. I was there to watch— there was no moment that I saw you physically stolen away, no abnormalities aside from all those events that surely did not occur before that moment. Perhaps you have been transposed. I doubt not that there is some manner of belief built into how our powers function. How else would the space-llama keep track of all of these details otherwise?
[ He takes a bite out of the pastry and chews thoughtfully. ]
... And I see that you are not denying me my reclamation of selfhood. Good.
[He says quietly, a little bitterly. The commentary on his state of self back in their world, the tattered mess that his soul may have very well become—even knowing it's necessary and what he wanted, it's a half-hollow victory. After all, even if someone wishes to die, it isn't often they want to hear about the mangled state of their body thereafter.
The rest of what Hythlodaeus says does get considered, and he does not raise his gaze. Hythlodaeus' high spirits do little for his own, but he does not wish to merely mope, either.]
There is much to consider about this world and our place within it. What it is that we are, what it is that our limited powers mean. As I said, I have seen my soul, and those of others, but perhaps within this strange creature's world what we see is not truly what it is. The soul I saw could have been naught more than any other aether, but since that creature is the god of this world, I am unable to see the truth which he wishes to hide.
[Finally, he takes another forkful of the Spanakopita, but doesn't yet eat it. Likewise, his gaze focuses on Hythlodaeus again.]
You are still not the man I lost, but for all I know, I am likewise not the man who created you. I have much to think on.
[ He’s not going to give you the peace. He had to see all that without a proper commiserator. ]
I am not the man you lost, no. But I am the vessel for all of his thoughts and feelings— and some of yours, may I add.
... Handle me like you might a living urn, then. Or a relic left in my will. Though it sounds as if your own mind cannot help its ceaseless machinations even now. I am sure that you will come to a proper conclusion.
[ He eats the spanakopita as quickly as the heat will allow him to, then dabs the crumbs off the napkin with his tongue. ]
You do realize I would not take an urn to bed, yes?
[He offers with a touch more humor than he previously had. It's hard, with all this information, the uncertainty of everything...the complexities that are brought on by their individual circumstances, and his romantic feelings for Dirk.
How foolish he's been, but this is merely the state of things.
However, he takes that bite, not quite scarfing down his own food like Hythlodaeus. He shouldn't blame him, his body had laid dormant and unfed for a week, and well did he know the emptiness of hunger upon waking...
But he can't help the slightly put-off expression as he watches him.]
I feel like I've just finished and performed my dissertation...
[He was hardly one to neglect his own needs nor be pressured by others. He had his own dissertation in the bag. Yet he also had scores of uncalled favors that came to bite him in the ass, cashed in all in the same last week possible. After this he promised himself to not exchange any sort of IOU for a favor. He would prefer the kindly person would just forget.]
...As well as everyone else's.
[He stands, emptying a row of spanakopita directly onto his plate. He snags a bottle of wine, one that is definitely not his, and sits back down with a smile.]
What is this about bed? Has there been some... Drastic change between you and your boy while I slept?
I certainly have heard more enthralling dissertations, if that were truly one.
[He offers unhelpfully, dismissing it in a playful tone. But at the question, he quirks an eyebrow, then squints.]
...Well, more of the same as when you fell into your slumber, I suppose. Though he and I did have a...talk of sorts.
[With a wave of his fork and a shake of his head, he moves along.]
But that is not what we are speaking of, nay, rather I was referring to your designs, and well do I know you seek for them to end with bedding me once more—eventually.
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no subject
Oh, is that it? Well, whatever happened back there certainly restored your confidence.
[Not that Hythlodaeus was exactly lacking in that, but he certainly had...some issues going on, but now he's acting more like his usual self which is refreshing.
With a shake of his head, he stands up and gestures for Hythlodaeus to follow him as he makes his way out of the room and into the kitchen.]
Come, I have Spanakopita in the oven, it should be ready here shortly. I had assumed you would awaken within the hour, seems I couldn't have timed it better.
no subject
[He hums, pleased, as he follows Hades out to the kitchen. He would have been able to smell it, of course, but there's no reason to let him off the hook so easily.]
That it did. There I was able to see much, put certain pieces together, and understand my intrinsic worth yet again. I will not be discarding that again so easily.
no subject
Finally, he turns his attention back to Hythlodaeus, eyeing him curiously, uncertainly. He's certainly glad, in a way, that Hythlodaeus has regained his confidence—fake or no, it was unsettling to see Hythlodaeus act like that. However, he can only wonder what exactly he means by that, and what further it might mean for their shared time here.]
And what pieces were they? Speak plain—there is little reason to keep the truth from me at this point.
no subject
[ He folds his hands as he takes a seat at the table, simply watching Hades. ]
And I suppose I had some time to languish in the ways we are enmeshed. Some time to think by myself... to think upon myself. Even if our dear “hero” could not remember my name.
Cut me a big piece. I do feel as though I haven’t eaten in a week.
no subject
The soul stones... Elidibus... The "hero"...
Wearing a distanced and thoughtful expression on his face as he pours them both a glass of Pomeg Berry juice, he finally settles himself down at the table. It's then that he seems to snap out of his deeper thinking, realizing once more that he exists not in a vacuum, leveling a curious, yet slightly amused expression at Hythlodaeus.]
...Well, I know not what you expect from a mortal that cannot remember his own name, let alone his rightful title. But then again, I do suppose that is scarcely his fault.
[Lifting his fork, he cuts out a politely sized piece of the pie, pausing before bringing it to his lips.]
—wait, do you mean to tell me he did not find them on his own? That you had to—
[Closing his eyes for a moment, he lowers his fork and with his free hand he pinches the bridge of his now.]
...perhaps it is my fault for assuming he might be more curious of the city I erected for himself and I—that he might explore the capitol building upon felling me.
[Lowering his hand, he looks at Hythlodaeus with a tired, if not appreciative expression.]
I suppose I should thank you for yet again bequeathing him with the very tools he needed to complete his task.
no subject
[ Certainly it was baked with love, but Hades’ suppressed ire is the true secret ingredient. ]
... I gave him plenty of time before I solved the “puzzle” for him, as it were. Besides, dear Elidibus kept him quite busy with his machinations, not to mention what other demands his friends must have made of him.
...He isn’t looking quite as haggard as the first time I met the little fellow. Poor thing.
Speaking of bequeathments, I would like to propose an idea. I would never consider such a thing back on the First, but here...
I know this much to be true in my mind and heart— He would have wanted you to accept me as the genuine article in his place.
[ He waits for him to take a bite to make interrupting him more awkward. ]
And now that we are both shades- well.
You, imminently so. Yet close enough. [ He turns his hand over in a “But you get it” gesture as he picks up the piping hot spanakopita with his napkin and gingerly takes a bite from the corner. ]
no subject
And Hades nearly chokes.
First of all, there is so much wrong about that statement—or, potentially wrong—and second of all...well, no it's mainly the first thing. Quickly, he takes a drink of juice to wash down that bite so that he might not truly choke before he can say his own thoughts on the matter.]
—I will hardly be a shade, Hythlodaeus!
[Of course, that's said with a distinct wheeze to his words, a frazzled upward squeak to them too. With another generous gulp of juice, he finds himself better able to speak.]
Even with my demise, there is a marked difference between you and I. You are lacking your soul, I will not be. You are a construct, I am not.
[There's a heavy, momentary pause...and then his gaze falls to his plate, his brow furrowing a little with, not annoyance, but perhaps uncertainty.]
...At least, the me who has been been laid low is not. I cannot truly speak for myself—the one presently here. Though I know I have a soul—at least my eyes had revealed such to me, I cannot be certain that it isn't merely by this world's design that I would be lead to believe such. That what I saw was truly that, and not something else.
no subject
You’ll be not much more than cloak tatters and shreds of aether by the time you’re resting in the shallows. Do that a couple more times and we’ll be on equal footing.
[ He’s joking, of course, and happy to get a rise out of him. Take him down a peg or three. ]
... But this much is true. I was there to watch— there was no moment that I saw you physically stolen away, no abnormalities aside from all those events that surely did not occur before that moment. Perhaps you have been transposed. I doubt not that there is some manner of belief built into how our powers function. How else would the space-llama keep track of all of these details otherwise?
[ He takes a bite out of the pastry and chews thoughtfully. ]
... And I see that you are not denying me my reclamation of selfhood. Good.
no subject
[He says quietly, a little bitterly. The commentary on his state of self back in their world, the tattered mess that his soul may have very well become—even knowing it's necessary and what he wanted, it's a half-hollow victory. After all, even if someone wishes to die, it isn't often they want to hear about the mangled state of their body thereafter.
The rest of what Hythlodaeus says does get considered, and he does not raise his gaze. Hythlodaeus' high spirits do little for his own, but he does not wish to merely mope, either.]
There is much to consider about this world and our place within it. What it is that we are, what it is that our limited powers mean. As I said, I have seen my soul, and those of others, but perhaps within this strange creature's world what we see is not truly what it is. The soul I saw could have been naught more than any other aether, but since that creature is the god of this world, I am unable to see the truth which he wishes to hide.
[Finally, he takes another forkful of the Spanakopita, but doesn't yet eat it. Likewise, his gaze focuses on Hythlodaeus again.]
You are still not the man I lost, but for all I know, I am likewise not the man who created you. I have much to think on.
no subject
I am not the man you lost, no. But I am the vessel for all of his thoughts and feelings— and some of yours, may I add.
... Handle me like you might a living urn, then. Or a relic left in my will. Though it sounds as if your own mind cannot help its ceaseless machinations even now. I am sure that you will come to a proper conclusion.
[ He eats the spanakopita as quickly as the heat will allow him to, then dabs the crumbs off the napkin with his tongue. ]
no subject
[He offers with a touch more humor than he previously had. It's hard, with all this information, the uncertainty of everything...the complexities that are brought on by their individual circumstances, and his romantic feelings for Dirk.
How foolish he's been, but this is merely the state of things.
However, he takes that bite, not quite scarfing down his own food like Hythlodaeus. He shouldn't blame him, his body had laid dormant and unfed for a week, and well did he know the emptiness of hunger upon waking...
But he can't help the slightly put-off expression as he watches him.]
no subject
[He was hardly one to neglect his own needs nor be pressured by others. He had his own dissertation in the bag. Yet he also had scores of uncalled favors that came to bite him in the ass, cashed in all in the same last week possible. After this he promised himself to not exchange any sort of IOU for a favor. He would prefer the kindly person would just forget.]
...As well as everyone else's.
[He stands, emptying a row of spanakopita directly onto his plate. He snags a bottle of wine, one that is definitely not his, and sits back down with a smile.]
What is this about bed? Has there been some... Drastic change between you and your boy while I slept?
no subject
[He offers unhelpfully, dismissing it in a playful tone. But at the question, he quirks an eyebrow, then squints.]
...Well, more of the same as when you fell into your slumber, I suppose. Though he and I did have a...talk of sorts.
[With a wave of his fork and a shake of his head, he moves along.]
But that is not what we are speaking of, nay, rather I was referring to your designs, and well do I know you seek for them to end with bedding me once more—eventually.