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[hythlodaeus]

[After waking up in a bed three times too small and experiencing an absolutely baffling exchange, Hythlodaeus finds himself in the company of a Tropius that manages to be taller than he is. Which is quite the feat at eight feet tall. He looks through his things and finds what is clearly a communicator. A face, obscured by a white mask and black hood comes onto the feed. His voice is alien to himself as he speaks; a rich mid-alto spoken slowly.]

Good... evening, everyone. [He both hopes that there is and is not an "everyone".] This is an effort, I suppose, to see if I am alone in this... simulation. Which, by the by, seems to have been given little oversight by my measure. Though on further examination, I doubt that an authentic experience was the goal.

[He's rambling, but he doesn't seem self-conscious about this.]

Well... There's only one direction to go, so I may as well start walking, hm?

[He shakes his head a little.]

Oh, my apologies. The oddity of this situation seems to have robbed me of my manners. My name is Hythlodaeus.

Comments

[amaure]

[That first question gets a roll of his eyes, but the second catches him. It shouldn't, this is just like Hythlodaeus to go prying into his personal life like this, but perhaps the fact it's such a familiar trait of his, the nostalgia of it painfully stabs him in the heart.]

I've my share of allies, yes. [Allies, not bedfellows.] None you need to worry yourself over.

[hythlodaeus]

[That earns him a giggle.]

Oh, did I imply jealousy? I'm not worried about anyone you might spend your time with.

[Well. He will once he meets them. He feels greedy for the light hearted conversation now. And the teasing. He wants to watch Hades get playfully irrate with him.] I did look at my map and noticed a hot springs. That might be just the thing after a few weary days of walking.

[amaure]

Nay, I know you are far from the jealous sort, to your detriment.

[More so he meant he didn't need to go nosing around in his personal affairs! But at the mention of the hot spring, his eyebrow raises a fraction.]

Ready to pamper yourself already, are you? Is the mere thought of travel proving itself taxing?

[hythlodaeus]

To my detriment, hmm? Perhaps I should reconsider my approach.

[He gives him another grin.]

Why not enjoy the journey? I haven't known relaxation in quite some time. You remember how busy they kept me, or you would if they hadn't kept you even busier!

[amaure]

I'm hard pressed to believe you could change aught about your nature, even if you tried.

[He waves him on. It's passing strange to act so natural like this, like his heart isn't thrumming like a painful tempest in his bosom, but he's not about to let that show at the moment.]

Yet here you are thinking more of the destination than the journey itself! Mayhap I would have traveled and relaxed more if I did not have to take up the position you turned down.

[Mayhap a lot...would have been different had he not taken the position he turned down. Not that he holds Hythlodaeus accountable or anything that came after taking up the role of Emet-Selch, but...one does wonder.]

[hythlodaeus]

[He frowns a little sadly at that. He had burdened his dearest friend with an awful lot, hadn't he?]

I still beleive that you are and were the better candidate. Surely the other convocation members were buoyed and reassured to have you by their sides.

[Tropius comes back into frame to lick Hythlodaeus' cheek.]

Oh, I'm alright, Banania. Don't you fret.

[He turns back to the camera, wishing he could make true eye contact in this moment.]

I cannot make it up to you, nor can I try to help what fate has wrought... But I hope you will allow me to try.

[amaure]

[Augh, he hadn't meant to lash out at him or make him feel guilty with that comment, but...well, too late now.

At least he has some strange beast or comfort, though he's certain it pales in comparison to that of what he might offer were they not separated by weeks of travel...]

Yes, yes. Well do I know you have convinced yourself you were unfit for the role—but I do not need you making aught up to me. 'Twas not you who brought about our doom. 'Twas not you who dissented, who summoned Her.

I need not your guilt ladened concessions. All I need is for you to get to Goldenrod as swiftly as you can. Aught more would be selfish.

[hythlodaeus]

Oh, my dearest Hades... Ever the stalwart servant. [It is said with as much reverance as it is a tease.] Don't worry, I'm hardly one to burden myself with that which I did not cause. [Unlike some people.]

I'm on my way even now! I've barely been here for an hour. ... I won't get too distracted, I promise. But... Is there some reason you cannot meet me in the middle? I can barely wait to see you.

[amaure]

[He lets out an annoyed sigh at the first part of that, dismissing it utterly. But he's glad to hear that Hythlodaeus seems fit to not take on blame that is not his to carry. There's a lot of emotions that Hades carries in regard to Hythlodaeus, but resentment is not one of them.

Never will be.

As for his question, however, he hesitates. Then is quick to make up for that all too telling pause.]

I am currently nursing an injury—naught to be overly concerned with, but I fear if I were to travel in this state, I would only worsen my hurts. If not for that, I would not have sent Estinien in my stead.

[That much is true, the other part is that he can't just ditch his work so easily. And if he's to make headway in his projects, he cannot just take a couple weeks off for a personal matter.]

[hythlodaeus]

[He said not to worry and yet, and yet. ]

Injured! How did that happen?

[This reality really... was so much worse than Amaurot, wasn’t it? Even the sundered world had magic.]

I’d wondered if I’d be permanently left without my magics...but it seems that you, too, are unable to act within your full power.

[He can’t help but fret.] Do you have someone to care for you while you’re in such a state?

[amaure]

[Hasn't he dealt with Elidibus' worrying enough?? He does not need Hythlodaeus's!]

I had a fall.

[After a push, but that's a needless detail.]

I was still adjusting to this body, being without my senses, my power. 'Twas a bit of carelessness on my end, that's all. I have faired much better since, so you need not worry.

But you are right to presume we may yet be without our powers somewhat indefinitely--save for one weekend where there's some manner of blip in this world's laws. From what I hear, all are returned to their natural state, but only for that weekend.

[Pointedly he ignores the question about whether or not he has someone taking care of him...]

[hythlodaeus]

Oh dear... I’ll be sure to catch you next time then, hmm?

[Hythlodaeus understands that avoidance as a “no”. But this news of being temporarily restored fills him with... terror, maybe. Will he become himself or simply the simulacrum? What will Hades be capable of then? His goals may be fulfilled so much sooner than later. ]

And do we know when this weekend might be?

[amaure]

I will not make such a fall again, so that will not be necessary.

[The terror that fills his friend's heart goes unnoticed, something that might not otherwise if not or...the slew of reasons disconnecting them from one another.]

Nay, 'tis entirely random. It could be the next, could be a summer from now. There really is no telling.

[hythlodaeus]

[That earns an eyebrow raise, not that Hades can see it. But he does not wish to tarry too long in these feelings lest they reveal themselves of their own accord. Changing and focusing topics, then.]

... What, it wasn't an accident? How would you go about guarding against that?

[amaure]

[There's a strange look to his features, one of almost guilt, that Hythlodaeus can see, but it's gone in an instant. He shrugs, waving him on dismissively.]

It was an accident, after a fashion. My point is, what made such a fall possible was my ill-adjustment with this form at the time, and the limitations of my abilities. I was still adapting when such transpired, and I have since calibrated to this frail body.

So you need not worry. I am prepared to guard against any loss of balance, or other foolery, now that I am better acquainted with my true limitations.

[hythlodaeus]

[... What's that guilty look about, Hades? It's a shame your dear friend isn't less perceptive.]

What interesting wording you've chosen, and you know very well that I find it hard not to pry!

[He chuckles slightly as his eyes narrow.]

Or do you mean for me to go find out on my own?

[amaure]

[He has no problem lying to basically anyone else, but lying to Hythlodaeus actually makes him feel guilty...and it's hard to hide it.]

Sleuth all you wish, I have told you all the relevant information regarding it.

[Accusingly:] Do you not trust me?

[hythlodaeus]

[He laughs off the accusation.]

Ah, but relevance is in the eye of the beholder. You should know this well! In curating the information you have given me, you have already made judgments that are invisible to me.

[He grins.]

...So... Perhaps it was embarrassing? Were you inebriated? It seems that it has not been terribly long since you have last imbibed, either.

[amaure]

[Well, if Hythlodaeus was going to give him such an easy out...]

...Indeed, I have made a habit of drinking every so often, at times, such has lead to my detriment.

[He rubs at the back of his neck, gloved fingers running up the shaved part of his hair as he glances away.]

And I do suppose I wear such a fact plainly, if you can pick up that I had a few too many the night before.

[hythlodaeus]

I know what you look like when you are simply tired or overworked... And I know what you look like when you've had a bit too much.

[He smiles a little sadly. So much time had passed since... Had some poor part of him forgotten how thoroughly he knew the other? His next words inspire so many complex emotions in him. Ones that he cannot fully engage with here and now. A drinking habit was one thing, plenty of people in Amaurot enjoyed their wine with dinner or while sharing ideas. But a lonely man like his dear Hades... ]

[Also the easy out was a trap.]

Now that you understand your body's limits and since you assure me that you won't be falling like that again... Well, one man might say that it would make sense that you've quit your habit, but... you've admitted to a habit as recently as the night before...

[He chuckles.]

My path of thought leads me to wonder if you've sworn off stairs ere alcohol, then.

[amaure]

[Hythlodaeus he is going to strangle you when you get here, he swears to Zodiark!]

Neither! [He nearly squawks, his hands gesture with exasperation, so too does his expression follow.] As I explained I have since adjusted, that 'tis all I need! I am nary avoiding alcohol nor stairs!

Enough of this foolishness, make for Cherrygrove, find Estinien, and get yourself to Goldenrod! If you've aught else to ask me, do so quickly, for you try my patience!

[He says, as if he'd truly hang up on Hythlodaeus. Or, even if he did, he would likely answer if the other called him back...maybe even call him back himself.]

[hythlodaeus]

[Hythlodaeus laughs, full and unbridled at this.]

Of course. I've a hundred questions, but only one that nags me at this moment... How tall are you? In comparison to say... The average doorway in this place.

[amaure]

[His mourning and longing both must have painted Hythlodaeus in the most rosey tint there is, because he seems to have forgotten how irritating the man can be. Well, he didn't truly forget, but remembering, and being faced with it were two different beasts altogether.

The question, however, gives him pause. Right, Hythlodaeus should be close to twenty fulms in height, and he...decidedly is not. For a moment, he glances around his apartment, imagining a full-height Hythlodaeus trying to fit inside...before his gaze goes back to his friend.]

I am six fulms, four ilms. [He answers a little flatly.] As such, I fit in doorways fairly easily. What of you?

[hythlodaeus]

[He blows air out of his nose as he laughs.]

I'm not properly sure how tall I am, but I am the tallest person I have seen thus far... And I would fit in a doorway with a bit of trouble... but only if I also didn't have a head.

[amaure]

[Well, that's not nearly the height he had thought he might be, but that will still be...a problem. Hm.]

By my reckoning...that would put you nearly eight fulms high. By Zodiark, that will be troublesome.

[Hythlodaeus has always been a spindly sort, but eight fulms is eight fulms...perhaps he must needs look into getting a bigger place sooner than later...]