uber_marionettist: (Haunted by something he cannot define)
Dirk Strider (Ultimate) ([personal profile] uber_marionettist) wrote in [community profile] victory_road2020-08-10 12:35 am

This road is going nowhere [Closed]

Who: Dirk Strider and Hythlodaeus.... Emet-Selch shows up around comment #80
Where: Goldenrod, XIVhaus Garden
When: August 15th shhh this is forward dated
Summary: Can't believe Dirk is the one cornering someone else for acting weird for once tbh
Rating: PG except for swears? [EDIT] ....convo got nsfw around comment #70

Hours after Dirk finally slept (and then woke up again) while Emet did not, Emet himself falls asleep (the natural way) and Dirk is left... free. Free to wander the house on his own. Free to track down some answers. Or rather, to lie in wait for the source of his questions and then ambush him for said answers.

Hythlodaeus has generously yielded all the clues he needs to establish the location; a sad, dead excuse for a withered 'garden,' comprised though it is of a single dead tree and an open sky, with sunlight streaming from overhead and soft, gently buzzing fuzzbugs by the dozens. No special preparations are required for this--though he does take the time to let Salome out of her Pokeball to circle the sky overhead, it's for his convenience and not out of any desire to threaten the eight-foot neurotic with a jealous magical bird. (In fact, it's for the lack of that desire that he sends her spiralling up and out of human line of sight.)

Then, he just has to wait.
hythlodaeus: (48)

[personal profile] hythlodaeus 2020-08-28 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
"It is still a terribly peculiar detour these souls make. Not that I believe that it needs to make sense, as the rules of this universe are merely enforced yet not explainable..."

But now the topic was changing to one a little more relevant here. "...Very well. He seems ill-inclined to stir up trouble either right now. The conversation must have been very tiring for him, and I hadn't realized he was quite so sensitive. No matter, I do have table manners. I will allow you two peace."

Hythlodaeus then turns his attention to the food and serves each of them a slice.

Back in the garden, Banania makes a throaty warble with the petting. And in response, he grabs a mouthful of the back of Dirk's shirt, bananas softly bapping him in the back of the head as he swings him onto his back and takes flight with a few beats of his leafy wings.
amaure: (554)

[personal profile] amaure 2020-08-28 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
For now, he'll let the discussion of Pokémon souls slip to the wayside, particularly when Afanis puts his little ghostly hands, both of them, onto Hades' palm. Looking up at him with those yellow eyes of his. This earns him a smirk, but then his attention is grabbed by Hythlodaeus. Turning his hand, he pats the ghost on his head, before making his way over to take a seat at the table properly.

"See that you do. I will not hesitate to remind you of this allowance should I find you slipping." He gripes as he looks over his slice, before looking out towards the garden a moment later when he hears—is that the beating of wings?

"...Say, Hythlodaeus, what exactly is your creature doing?" He cannot see that the tree-fused-reptile is making off with Dirk, what with the quick ascent, so he's a little less concerned than he probably should be.

Actually, with the large creature out of the way, he notices something else! He springs from his seat, nearly knocking into Afanis who chose to linger behind Hades with idle curiosity. Jabbing a finger at the offensive sight, he scowls.

"Nevermind your creature, what pray tell happened to my maple!?"

So much for peace...
hythlodaeus: (93)

[personal profile] hythlodaeus 2020-08-28 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
"...in the Hall of Halmarut, they call it interspecific competition. Proper sunlight is awfully hard to come by in a city, after all."

He's not even trying to be an asshole.

"Speaking of, where did Banania go? I saw him sunbathing just a moment ago..."
amaure: (23)

[personal profile] amaure 2020-08-28 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
"...And in the Hall of Halmarut, you will also find that it is the duty of the gardener to ensure the survival of all plants within their care. With your experience in horticulture, I would have suspected you would not be so sloppy!"

There's that irritated squeak to his tone as he rambles at Hythlodaeus, but his agitated scowl is interrupted when he hears that thump from above. Did the—

"It took to the air, and it may very well be on the roof. Really. With how much you covet for control, you certainly have very little of it over your monster." Instead of taking his seat again, Hades starts for the garden, after all, Dirk was out there. Maybe he knows what's going on.
hythlodaeus: (103)

[personal profile] hythlodaeus 2020-08-28 06:28 am (UTC)(link)
Whatever Hythlodaeus is about to say is cut off by the sound of Tropius K.O.ing 126 cutiefly simultaneously. Hythlodaeus' jaw drops as he pats himself down for Tropius' Pokéball. Which is thankfully actually on his person. He recalls his fainted Tropius, and just regards the adorable carnage for a moment.

"... I don't believe we have enough grocery bags. Strip the bedding of the pillow cases, would you?"
Edited 2020-08-28 06:29 (UTC)
amaure: (357)

[personal profile] amaure 2020-08-28 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
Hades stops in his tracks when he hears the impact of the Pokémon, and then he stares on in disbelief as he sees Tropius smash into the garden—and apparently 126 Cutiefly. What a pitiful cacophony of cries.

Then Dirk walks in. Hades knows not what to even do at the moment he is struck with such utter disbelief. So, instead of doing as Hythlodaeus asks, he merely looks at Dirk, his expression otherwise blank if not for how tired it looks.

Then, he walks to the table. Takes a seat. Rests his elbows on the table, and braces his forehead against his hands.

He needs a moment.
Edited 2020-08-28 06:34 (UTC)
hythlodaeus: (28)

[personal profile] hythlodaeus 2020-08-29 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
Hythlodaeus sighs as he walks towards the bedroom to get a sheet, overhearing Dirk in the process of course. The corner of his mouth pulls into a smirk.

He walks over the to the knife block and pulls out the cleaver.

"Luckily for you, I don't tolerate poorly made materials." He spins the cleaver to catch it by the flat of the blade and offers it to Hades.

"Should only take three passes, maybe two with Hades' shoulders. One if you're lucky!"
Edited 2020-08-29 03:20 (UTC)
amaure: (591)

[personal profile] amaure 2020-08-29 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
Hades barely gets the chance to fully process what Dirk's said before Hythlodaeus is offering him a knife, and his own commentary. Really, what is even going on? Did he leave and come back to some distorted version of the world he was already trapped within?

It's...ridiculous. Utterly. Completely. Thoroughly.

Yet, this absurdity as he regards the cleaver in his hand, his eyes trailing along its blade as his expression wears his bafflement for both to behold, tickles his brain just right or something. Because after a moment, he laughs. Bringing his free hand to cover his mouth as he does so, shaking with laughter. It's...not entirely humorless, in fact, there's something genuine to it, but it is tired.

Placing the cleaver down on the table, as he shakes his head and looks between Dirk and Hythlodaeus, there's something grateful about his expression. For all the chaos that has happened within the span of minutes, their fatuity complement each other so well, that it nearly makes up for the tension ere all of this.

Makes him...appreciate their presence all the more, even if they were driving him to the edge of sanity.

"...Little do I think making more of a mess will help aught, but I do so appreciate the offer, and your assistance Hythlodaeus. I am afraid I will have to decline, perhaps joining me properly will have to do." He says pleasantly enough, before looking to Hythlodaeus. "How are your vilekin? Do they need immediate attention? These beasts are rather resilient, and I would hate for our food to get cold."

Honestly, he knows they can't die. Knows they'll probably be fine, and he just wants to enjoy a meal with the two of them and not worry about those chaotic beasts for a few minutes.
Edited 2020-08-29 04:09 (UTC)
hythlodaeus: (49)

[personal profile] hythlodaeus 2020-08-29 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, there's nothing broken. No blood or any such. They're all unconscious, of course..."

It was a normal enough thing in this world for these creatures to be unconscious for quite a while at a time, wasn't it?

"... I suppose I could go to the corner store for revives rather than transporting all of them. It should only take me a few minutes." He turns to Dirk.

"...Though it may be a bit more than I have on me."
hythlodaeus: (30)

[personal profile] hythlodaeus 2020-08-29 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
Hythlodaeus' poker face would be more impressive if he had a true concept of what earning money around here is like, or what things that aren't inexpensive cotton clothes or cups of tea at the café cost.

"Ah, this should certainly cover the expense. Thank you, Dirk," he gives him a smile slight enough to be genuine. "I'll hurry back before it gets cold."

And with a quick shuffling of his sandals onto his feet, he ducks out into the world. The shop is thankfully just down the street, an inconsequential distance, especially for a man with his stride. He may purchase their entire stock, but he isn't too worried about that.
amaure: (463)

[personal profile] amaure 2020-08-29 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
As that exchange happened, Hades was content in merely watching the two interact...peacefully. Honestly, it was like night and day, and he could not be more glad for it. Watching as Hythlodaeus leaves, his eyes flick over to Dirk as he gives him a soft and curious smile.

"Come, have a seat." He says as he gestures to the chair besides him, where a plate is set. "Though, I cannot help but wonder: how much did you bequeath him with? Awful kind of you, really."
amaure: (597)

[personal profile] amaure 2020-08-29 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
While not an amount, Hades' expression is one of surprise all the same. If he remembered correctly, that was...a lot of money. Far more than one might need for the measure of revives he'd need for his creatures.

"...That is quite a sum of money, is it not?" There's clear disbelief in his tone, but he doesn't seem upset or anything. As he's looking Dirk over, he does notice at least a little bit of redness to his shoulder, and how he's leaning quite a bit on his elbow. Perhaps he'll wait a moment to ask about it.

In the meantime, he'll busy himself with serving Dirk some of the breakfast that Hythlodaeus has prepared for them, though keeping an eye on him all the same.
Edited 2020-08-29 05:40 (UTC)
amaure: (270)

[personal profile] amaure 2020-08-29 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
That makes Hades pause before placing the slice he's cut for Dirk onto his plate. Staring at him a little owlishly as he blinks in the selfsame manner. But then he picks back up where he left off, plating the piece and then busying himself a moment with pouring Dirk a glass of the grapefruit juice.

"Nay, you are not wrong. You need not be stingy in such a manner, however..." he pours himself a glass as well, picking it up once he places the pitcher back down. Settling his gaze at Dirk as he takes a drink. The act almost like a punctuation for his thinking.

As he pulls the glass away, swallowing, he opens his mouth to speak. Closes it. Squints for a moment. Then smiles affectionately.

"It does seem a touch excessive. There is such a thing as being too generous, but little do I want you to think I'm criticizing you. More...Hythlodaeus is not quite skilled with handling money. But it is no matter, I will handle it once he returns. You have my gratitude all the same, my dear."
Edited 2020-08-29 06:02 (UTC)
amaure: (374)

[personal profile] amaure 2020-08-29 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
He certainly catches that. How couldn't he? Dirk is subtle, but Hades is observant. That grim line that his mouth forms would be telling enough on its own. As such, Hades offers him his own apologetic frown, but so too does he reach for Dirk's hand, slipping his hand into his if he'd tolerate it.

"Well, your sincerity is ever appreciated, truly, pray do not think otherwise. Mayhap it was uncouth of me to air my concern, forgive me. I suppose I may be a little off from...well, everything."

He does really appreciate Dirk trying, and he does not wish to diminish his efforts. However, he also doesn't want Dirk to be taken advantage of in his attempts, either.
hythlodaeus: (28)

[personal profile] hythlodaeus 2020-08-29 06:57 am (UTC)(link)
At the shop, the clerk decides to sell him unopened flats from the back. Even with the absurd quantity, Hythlodaeus can’t help but notice that the total is far, far less than the amount sent. He somehow doubted that he only accidentally sent those two extra zeroes.

...Was this a true hearted apology? Done without pomp or parade.

He smiles at it before he loads himself up and maneuvers very carefully out of the shop.

He wasn’t kidding about how quick it would be, even with the absurd quantity. With five boxes stacked on top of one another and needing to stoop over just to enter, he is the picture of absurdity. He sets down the enormous haul in the plain view of the kitchen and whistles.

Twenty or so yamask wake from their slumber, pulling their masks off the walls and lining up. He explains their task in quick, efficient sign. They sign back in unison before they get to it. It is adorable. Hythlodaeus releases a breath as he rejoins his companions.

“There’s quite a bit of change,” he starts. “I’ve never sent currency before... where might I find the option?”
Edited 2020-08-29 07:54 (UTC)
amaure: (26)

[personal profile] amaure 2020-08-29 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
The lack of an immediate draw back from Hades' hand is a small comfort, especially feeling his hand close around his. It's almost comical when one thinks about it, really. Sardonic, moody, condescending Hades openly showing care and concern for someone like this. Then again, most the people who had proven themselves worthy of his affection often times were the ones smothering him, while Dirk requires the proper kind of coaxing and show of affection.

Really, Dirk draws out his more nurturing and affectionate side just with how he is.

He's about to contest the notion of not worrying about it, but then Hythlodaeus comes in. Dirk pulls his hand away. The platoon of Yamask set off to work, and the moment is lost. Silently he watches Hythlodaeus and Dirk interact, settling in his seat and taking to his juice to keep himself busy as he mulls over the interaction prior, relieved that Hythlodaeus intended to return the unused amount—but he nearly chokes on his drink when Dirk starts making suggestions for what to do with the money.

Partially because it's all rather absurd and humor in that regard, but also because Hythlodaeus might very well do exactly that. Of course, the comment about 'whatever gets you hard' does little to help the situation, either! Roughly swallowing his drink down in lieu of spitting it on Dirk, he raises his eyebrows as he looks between the both of them with bewildered amusement.

"Or, perchance, we could come up with a far more practical use for it." Really, he hopes Hythlodaeus will let that ending comment from Dirk go, but he knows he is not one to be so lucky.

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