Hythlodaeus, right? That's a rhetorical question, don't answer it unless you have other names to go by. I'm here about your comrade or whatever, Solus?
Let's call me his coworker.
More directly, you can call me Dirk.
I wanted to talk.
Let's call me his coworker.
More directly, you can call me Dirk.
I wanted to talk.
Oh, look at that splash of color. I hadn't even considered the possibilities!
[Needless to say the weekend was...a nightmare. Literally, seeing as there was a very horrific one that went down, that turned the weekend from something frustrating to something arguably traumatizing. Re-traumatizing? Whatever.
Regardless, he's exhausted, and while falling asleep betrayed him before, he can't very well fight off his exhaustion any longer. Which is why, when he returns to his apartment, he lets himself just collapse on his broken bed (he'll fix that later, maybe). He barely gets out of his clothes, and honestly is still in his frock before exhaustion takes him. The rest of his clothes are discarded on the ground, or still on the bed.
Just...wherever they landed, it didn't matter. Nothing really did, other than sleeping. And sleep he does, that is, until he hears the apartment door open. His eyes snapping open, but he remains still, listening...wondering if it might be any residual worry from what he had endured, his mind playing tricks on him, perhaps?
But there's light coming in from the door, because of course there is, why would he be able to get any rest whatsoever?! Sitting up, he glares over at what he can see of the person entering—till he realizes who it is.]
...Finally decided I was worthy of your presence, hm? Well, who's to say I feel the same about you.
[Someone's a little salty!]
Regardless, he's exhausted, and while falling asleep betrayed him before, he can't very well fight off his exhaustion any longer. Which is why, when he returns to his apartment, he lets himself just collapse on his broken bed (he'll fix that later, maybe). He barely gets out of his clothes, and honestly is still in his frock before exhaustion takes him. The rest of his clothes are discarded on the ground, or still on the bed.
Just...wherever they landed, it didn't matter. Nothing really did, other than sleeping. And sleep he does, that is, until he hears the apartment door open. His eyes snapping open, but he remains still, listening...wondering if it might be any residual worry from what he had endured, his mind playing tricks on him, perhaps?
But there's light coming in from the door, because of course there is, why would he be able to get any rest whatsoever?! Sitting up, he glares over at what he can see of the person entering—till he realizes who it is.]
...Finally decided I was worthy of your presence, hm? Well, who's to say I feel the same about you.
[Someone's a little salty!]
Edited 2020-06-30 05:30 (UTC)
[Hythlodaeus sighs as he ducks into the doorway, securing the door behind him. He has a shopping bag with him that he sets on the counter before he approaches. That bed is just so depressing looking being broken like that, but there's nowhere else to go.]
[And what a terrible weekend it was. Perhaps not... quite as terrible? Well, besides being unable to ignore being dead and a Creation in his truest state.]
I'm sorry.
[A beat, as he tries to quell the guilt that wracks him.]
Is it alright if I stay?
[And what a terrible weekend it was. Perhaps not... quite as terrible? Well, besides being unable to ignore being dead and a Creation in his truest state.]
I'm sorry.
[A beat, as he tries to quell the guilt that wracks him.]
Is it alright if I stay?
[A few days after the Fourth Wall, Dirk sends a number of images; he has constructed a soft poseable doll of Hythlodaeus' created horseman, and has taken several photographs of the thing in various poses and positions. He has created tiny, fitted leather(?) tack--blinders and a bridle and reins. Also a harness.
Some of the shots are what might be considered "candid," or else purely aesthetic--one is set amidst against the backdrop of a gorgeous sunrise, with carefully selected stones and a mossy ground to change the sense of scale.
Others are posed or positioned in more suggestive ways.]
Some of the shots are what might be considered "candid," or else purely aesthetic--one is set amidst against the backdrop of a gorgeous sunrise, with carefully selected stones and a mossy ground to change the sense of scale.
Others are posed or positioned in more suggestive ways.]
[24 hours after Hythlodaeus' truly inspired decision to carve a musclehorse into a carrot, his inbox contains a photo of that same extravagantly ripped horseman drawn in a red condiment, apparently on a napkin.
There's a footnote:
Referencing a historical art movement from the planet original known as 'Earth,' those works of which are also known as 'memes.']
There's a footnote:
Referencing a historical art movement from the planet original known as 'Earth,' those works of which are also known as 'memes.']
[Tired, ready for a shower and then sleep, Estinien heads back towards home, Iceheart trotting at his heels--he doesn't know who is even still at the house, at least the half that has been given over to him, Ziva, and Urianger for their use, though he's hoping it's not anyone.
Not that he dislikes the other two, he's just in the mood for quiet.
As he turns the corner onto their street, though, he sees a flash of long white hair ahead. Hythlodaeus...sitting outside, in the heat. Just because he wants to?
Sigh. Well, he has something for him anyway, but he had hoped to catch him in the morning. Or otherwise not in this moment.]
Hythlodaeus.
[He offers a nod in further greeting, Iceheart trotting up to the other man to poke him with her nose and ask for pets.]
Not that he dislikes the other two, he's just in the mood for quiet.
As he turns the corner onto their street, though, he sees a flash of long white hair ahead. Hythlodaeus...sitting outside, in the heat. Just because he wants to?
Sigh. Well, he has something for him anyway, but he had hoped to catch him in the morning. Or otherwise not in this moment.]
Hythlodaeus.
[He offers a nod in further greeting, Iceheart trotting up to the other man to poke him with her nose and ask for pets.]
[He looks up. The flash of white hair is the most flattering thing, probably.]
[As he's wearing just his speedo from the beach.]
[Hythlodaeus looks up, excited and anticipatory.]
Oh! Estinien! Where did you come from?
[As he's wearing just his speedo from the beach.]
[Hythlodaeus looks up, excited and anticipatory.]
Oh! Estinien! Where did you come from?
[Honestly, he's not exactly feeling better about all of this, but he's had a chance to cool off. And, well...admittedly, it did result into some beneficial things for him and Dirk. However, he can't allow Hythlodaeus to know this, because it would only further fuel his meddling, and he really does not want to deal with more than what he must.
He does not contact him over the gear, does not announce that he'll be home. He actually expects for Hythlodaeus to possibly be hanging around nearby, or he might be away at an onsen. He did seem to favor them.
So, he isn't entirely surprised when he doesn't see Hythlodaeus loitering around the front, but he is when he hears something, or rather someone in the garden. Shrugging his bolero off, and hanging it up on the coat rack, he likewise takes off his boots and makes his way through the kitchen and lounge to the garden—freezing for a moment when he sees Hythlodaeus with his Cutieflies.
It's like the smoldering coals of his anger is freshly ignited at the sight of him, but he has more control over himself than he did on the beach.]
Have you nothing to say for yourself? For your sake, you better.
He does not contact him over the gear, does not announce that he'll be home. He actually expects for Hythlodaeus to possibly be hanging around nearby, or he might be away at an onsen. He did seem to favor them.
So, he isn't entirely surprised when he doesn't see Hythlodaeus loitering around the front, but he is when he hears something, or rather someone in the garden. Shrugging his bolero off, and hanging it up on the coat rack, he likewise takes off his boots and makes his way through the kitchen and lounge to the garden—freezing for a moment when he sees Hythlodaeus with his Cutieflies.
It's like the smoldering coals of his anger is freshly ignited at the sight of him, but he has more control over himself than he did on the beach.]
Have you nothing to say for yourself? For your sake, you better.
Estinien let me in. I can go if you wish.
[ Did he miscalculate how long, how hot his anger would burn? ]
[ He walks towards Hades, ducking under the doorway to approach him. He pulls Hades in against his chest, squeezing him firmly. ]
I’m sorry for hurting you. Will you ever forgive me?
[ Did he miscalculate how long, how hot his anger would burn? ]
[ He walks towards Hades, ducking under the doorway to approach him. He pulls Hades in against his chest, squeezing him firmly. ]
I’m sorry for hurting you. Will you ever forgive me?
The morning after his treaty with Solus is signed, Steven forces himself to wake up by half-past seven. Hythlodaeus probably doesn't realize what great sacrifices Steven's making to be awake at such a ungodly hour--the man himself wakes with the dawn and goes to sleep with the sun--but since Steven actually does value this weird friendship (mentoring?) that they've got going it, he'll wake early for their baking lesson.
Jack, the lucky duck, is still asleep when Steven slips out of bed and quietly dresses, just in time to greet Hythlodaeus at the door.
"Cookies today, right?" he says in greeting.
Jack, the lucky duck, is still asleep when Steven slips out of bed and quietly dresses, just in time to greet Hythlodaeus at the door.
"Cookies today, right?" he says in greeting.
His smile spreads when the door is opened for him. He has an armful of ingredients in his good arm, the other still tucked against his chest in a sling and his cutieflies tucked into his hair.
"That's right," he says, eyes crinkling a little. "Two kinds. An easy one and one more suited to an occasion."
Hythlodaeus is pleased that he has somewhere to go on mornings like these. He had left the house with Hades, and enjoyed getting to walk him to work. So he's already in a good mood by the time he shows up.
"That's right," he says, eyes crinkling a little. "Two kinds. An easy one and one more suited to an occasion."
Hythlodaeus is pleased that he has somewhere to go on mornings like these. He had left the house with Hades, and enjoyed getting to walk him to work. So he's already in a good mood by the time he shows up.
[Text, probably a week or more after the Tyler situation]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wonderland_vogue
2020-08-05 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
You know, it's always such a shame when I have to tell someone to kindly stay the fuck out of my establishment if they can't play nice. And yet it seems you've gone and given me a reason for it, I'm sure you can take a wild guess as to why I might be reacting like this.
Other than your obvious connections, but that's not what I'm holding against you here.
But I am benevolent when I feel like it, so do give me a reason for why this might be the wrong idea.
Other than your obvious connections, but that's not what I'm holding against you here.
But I am benevolent when I feel like it, so do give me a reason for why this might be the wrong idea.
[And when she messages him, his wrist is still sprained. If he wants to reply in kind...]
is this sone s ort of insult to injury thijg
yo ure angry becawse heinj ured h imself and them me?
is this sone s ort of insult to injury thijg
yo ure angry becawse heinj ured h imself and them me?
[Yo this is a gravlr message so NSFW all the way down probably]
plays_despacito
2020-08-05 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[How many hits have you already gotten today, Hythlo? What's one more? Of course the username is pretty generic and a string of random characters because someone hasn't been remotely feeling inspired about it.]
Is that seriously not some creative use of lighting or perspective? Because holy shit, dude.
Is that seriously not some creative use of lighting or perspective? Because holy shit, dude.
[ Well that’s certainly one of the more interesting messages he’s gotten today. The hours he keeps does prevent him from actually having real time conversations with most others. ]
An artist, I see. Though I assure you, ‘tis not all perspective or tricks of the light. I do pride myself on a well composed image, however.
*Someone* really shouldn't be drunk texting anyone.
[What follows are screencaps of this entire conversation.]
[What follows are screencaps of this entire conversation.]
Oh dear, I've really troubled him now, haven't I?
What were the terms of your ceasefire, as it were?
...I suppose I should go roast the coffee beans. He'll be hung over, surely.
[Each message is sent about thirty seconds apart. Rather long for the quick witted, deft-fingered Hythlodaeus.]
[Even if he speaks slowly.]
What were the terms of your ceasefire, as it were?
...I suppose I should go roast the coffee beans. He'll be hung over, surely.
[Each message is sent about thirty seconds apart. Rather long for the quick witted, deft-fingered Hythlodaeus.]
[Even if he speaks slowly.]
Oh boy, I just love how Hades feels so free to constantly verbally shit on me, treaty or no treaty, and then dares to say he's abiding by the spirit of it. I really do.
[Steven's got a wide grin on his face when Hythlodaeus accepts his call. He's standing outside of a very large flower shop.]
Hey! They ended up taking us on a special one day field trip to Floaroma Town and I really wish you were here with me, because you'd eat this shit up with a spoon. There's so much plant stuff going on and there's honey and bee-shaped pokemon everywhere and oh yeah, there's even going to be a class on how to make these bun-shaped treats for pokemon called Poffins. They're made from berries.
Anyway, I thought I could show you the inside of the garden store and if there's anything you particularly want, I'll see if I can get them to ship it to Goldenrod and you can pay me back with free Gloom Juice.
Hey! They ended up taking us on a special one day field trip to Floaroma Town and I really wish you were here with me, because you'd eat this shit up with a spoon. There's so much plant stuff going on and there's honey and bee-shaped pokemon everywhere and oh yeah, there's even going to be a class on how to make these bun-shaped treats for pokemon called Poffins. They're made from berries.
Anyway, I thought I could show you the inside of the garden store and if there's anything you particularly want, I'll see if I can get them to ship it to Goldenrod and you can pay me back with free Gloom Juice.
Do show me the inside of the garden store.As much as you can reasonably carry. Not in quantity, but spread. I would like to see what I can recreate among the grass-type curatives.
[He grins back before he looks on in wonder at the shop behind him.]
Attend the class and take good notes, Steven. I expect a proper demonstration upon your arrival. If they have recipe books, so you should buy one.
[He grins back before he looks on in wonder at the shop behind him.]
Attend the class and take good notes, Steven. I expect a proper demonstration upon your arrival. If they have recipe books, so you should buy one.
[Honestly, Hades barely wants to have this conversation, but there's no getting around it. Not if things are going to continue peacefully. Not if things are going to continue at all. He isn't fully sure what he's expecting to come of this, Hythlodaeus isn't an entirely unreasonable sort, but he has also been acting rather unpredictable.
Not that...Hythlodaeus is ever truly predictable, but even this is off its usual course.
So, while Hythlodaeus is out tending to his Cutiefly in the garden, Hades takes it upon himself to approach him. At the very least, he's far less lethargic than before, but who knows how long that will persist. Dressed in his house robe, though it is pointedly tied shut, concealing that newly acquired scar, he lights up a cigarette as he leans against the door frame as he watches Hythlodaeus.
Taking a puff, he blows it out smoothly and to the side, his gaze fixated on his currently intermittent lover.]
...Have you an explanation for yourself, or should I cut right to the chase with what I have to say?
Not that...Hythlodaeus is ever truly predictable, but even this is off its usual course.
So, while Hythlodaeus is out tending to his Cutiefly in the garden, Hades takes it upon himself to approach him. At the very least, he's far less lethargic than before, but who knows how long that will persist. Dressed in his house robe, though it is pointedly tied shut, concealing that newly acquired scar, he lights up a cigarette as he leans against the door frame as he watches Hythlodaeus.
Taking a puff, he blows it out smoothly and to the side, his gaze fixated on his currently intermittent lover.]
...Have you an explanation for yourself, or should I cut right to the chase with what I have to say?
[Hythlodaeus doesn't look up from his cutiefly work, dutifully taking down exhaustive notes on each one. He seems to have organized them by sight with little drawings accompanying each.]
It would be more efficient for me to provide my rebuttal after your opening remarks, don't you think?
[It is not cold or unkind, but his thoughts are clearly occupying him in part.]
He's left, I assume, by your smoking.
It would be more efficient for me to provide my rebuttal after your opening remarks, don't you think?
[It is not cold or unkind, but his thoughts are clearly occupying him in part.]
He's left, I assume, by your smoking.
A few days after the return from Sinnoh finds Steven at the door of the house of Hades one morning, after said house's owner has already left for his work at the Rocket Base--but a handful of hours before Steven himself is due at work. Following alongside is the Golurk that he'd picked up nearly two months previously--which seems to have a number of packages in his arms.
"Hey, Hythlo," he'll say when his friend opens the door. "I figure I'd bring over everyone's souvenirs when I could do it while still avoiding your ex-."
"Hey, Hythlo," he'll say when his friend opens the door. "I figure I'd bring over everyone's souvenirs when I could do it while still avoiding your ex-."
"Oh, Steven! Where has time gone? Come in, come in. I have some coffee chilling and a fresh pie," he says, looking sleepier than usual. He's dressed in his now usual summer clothes consisting of a cheap, cotton yukata and a pair of sandals. On the way to the kitchen is a very sad looking Tropius laying flat on the floor.
He looks to be in good health otherwise at first glance, but it likely won't take Steven long to notice that his bananas are missing.
He looks to be in good health otherwise at first glance, but it likely won't take Steven long to notice that his bananas are missing.
[Well, he cannot avoid it any longer, and he knows he shouldn't. Yet the red hot ire he feels about the whole thing has not lessened with sleep. Nor even speaking with Steven, not that he had thought it would, nor hoped.
Regardless, this must needs be settled, and while his heart is still heavy and tired from how his date with Dirk ended (not being the only thing that did that night), he presses on. Dressed in a house robe, he looks about how he feels, and does little to hide it as he approaches Hythlodaeus while he's in the garden, tending to his Cutiefly as per usual.
The image should stoke warm affection in his bosom.
It doesn't.]
What irony that we would again need to talk and find ourselves in this familiar scene.
[He doesn't let Hythlodaeus say anything before he adds sharply:]
I know the truth.
Regardless, this must needs be settled, and while his heart is still heavy and tired from how his date with Dirk ended (not being the only thing that did that night), he presses on. Dressed in a house robe, he looks about how he feels, and does little to hide it as he approaches Hythlodaeus while he's in the garden, tending to his Cutiefly as per usual.
The image should stoke warm affection in his bosom.
It doesn't.]
What irony that we would again need to talk and find ourselves in this familiar scene.
[He doesn't let Hythlodaeus say anything before he adds sharply:]
I know the truth.
Edited 2020-09-12 04:45 (UTC)
[ Were he wired differently, it would be ice cold dread flushing through his mind and hands. His own irritation of being robbed the control does well in him. But then comes the fear in a less instinctual manner.]
[Well. Fuck. He takes a steadying breath as he looks at the bug in his hand. This was too big to give up so easily, without confirmation. Even if Hades’ demeanor could have been enough. He sets his eyes back down at the cutiefly in his hand as he speaks.]
...And how did you learn it?
[Well. Fuck. He takes a steadying breath as he looks at the bug in his hand. This was too big to give up so easily, without confirmation. Even if Hades’ demeanor could have been enough. He sets his eyes back down at the cutiefly in his hand as he speaks.]
...And how did you learn it?
Edited 2020-09-12 04:59 (UTC)
How long has it been since he's felt something akin to nervousness. It's not that he was lacking such emotions, in fact, Hades typically had emotions to spare! However, with everything he's endured, everything he's experienced, there was precious little that could make him feel nervous.
Yet, here he was. Two glasses of wine in, the house practically spotless (thanks to his nitpicking and directing of the Yamask with their cleaning), and any minute now the vegetarian moussaka he's prepared will be ready. It would only be right for them to have a warm meal to enjoy upon coming home after their long journey.
There's much on his mind, too much perhaps, and that's why he's sitting at the kitchen table, face resting against his palm as he stares off at nothing in particular. The Yamask have all returned their masks to the mask rack upon the wall, and the Rotom were behaving themselves, and while he could stay in the front room watching for them, he's found letting himself zone out lost to his thoughts a better comfort.
Generous though it is to call it that.
As for the house itself, it's a bit of a duplex really, with the entrance opening to a long hallway that goes past his bedroom, before opening up to the kitchen on the left, and leading to the bathroom on the right, just beyond the stairs that lead to the second floor. Beyond the kitchen and the living room attached to it is the garden, where once was a young maple that was cruelly killed by Hythldaeus' Tropius. A shame, really. The house itself is modestly adorned with small floral decorations, and traditional oil paintings hanging throughout, some decorative pottery here and there as well. All of it keeping to the very Hingan style of the older building.
It's quaint, yet artistic. And for that Hades likes it quite a lot.
Yet, for all he enjoys it, there is little that can quell the anticipation in his bosom as he waits for his company to arrive. Absently sipping his wine, and finishing off his third glass already. Oops.
Yet, here he was. Two glasses of wine in, the house practically spotless (thanks to his nitpicking and directing of the Yamask with their cleaning), and any minute now the vegetarian moussaka he's prepared will be ready. It would only be right for them to have a warm meal to enjoy upon coming home after their long journey.
There's much on his mind, too much perhaps, and that's why he's sitting at the kitchen table, face resting against his palm as he stares off at nothing in particular. The Yamask have all returned their masks to the mask rack upon the wall, and the Rotom were behaving themselves, and while he could stay in the front room watching for them, he's found letting himself zone out lost to his thoughts a better comfort.
Generous though it is to call it that.
As for the house itself, it's a bit of a duplex really, with the entrance opening to a long hallway that goes past his bedroom, before opening up to the kitchen on the left, and leading to the bathroom on the right, just beyond the stairs that lead to the second floor. Beyond the kitchen and the living room attached to it is the garden, where once was a young maple that was cruelly killed by Hythldaeus' Tropius. A shame, really. The house itself is modestly adorned with small floral decorations, and traditional oil paintings hanging throughout, some decorative pottery here and there as well. All of it keeping to the very Hingan style of the older building.
It's quaint, yet artistic. And for that Hades likes it quite a lot.
Yet, for all he enjoys it, there is little that can quell the anticipation in his bosom as he waits for his company to arrive. Absently sipping his wine, and finishing off his third glass already. Oops.
It is soon after Hades finishes his third glass when Hythlodaeus’s Tropius lands in the garden with a thud and an indignant out crying of hundreds of displaced cutiefly.
Hythlodaeus calls out a “We’re home!” as if that wasn’t already so abundantly clear.
He leads Elidibus in as Tropius squeezes his body into the living room, trailing behind in clear want of treats. Hythlodaeus rubs him under the chin, noticing that the bananas were finally growing back in properly. Hopefully they would stay that way.
Once they are all in the same room, he looks between them and smiles. He almost feels bad about his part in all of it, but not really. He has no difficult feelings about his choices, though he knows that in and of itself is what most others find difficult with him.
“...Oh! Do I smell moussaka?”
Tropius gets ahead of Hythlodaeus, setting his head on the table and looking up at Hades with big, watery eyes.
[Steven finds himself texting Hythlodaeus in the midst of this conversation with Armin.]
Fuck. I think Jack might have driven his daughter to suicide.
Fuck. I think Jack might have driven his daughter to suicide.
[Oh dear. Where to start--]
And what brought about this terrible revelation?
And what brought about this terrible revelation?
I've got a friend I'd like to bring with me on Wednesday, if I can, to talk to you or Hades. I think you'd like him. He's a good man and from a very different world and species than any of us--and his people don't have any notion of mental healthcare, you see, and I told him about how you're my therapist.
But of course. Assuming you are familiar with his eating habits, What sort of menu shall we prepare?
And tell me about him as well, I suppose.
And tell me about him as well, I suppose.
Hey, so, Scorpia ended up in your garden due to weird weekend geography and she loves your cutieflies so much. We were wondering if it's okay for her to take one of the wild ones home?
(You can come meet her if you need to judge her fitness for cutiefly parent. She's really a sweet girl, though.)
(You can come meet her if you need to judge her fitness for cutiefly parent. She's really a sweet girl, though.)
Also Day One of the Fourth Wall: Dreamwalking for NSFW Ends
fingersandteeth
2020-11-21 07:39 am (UTC)(link)
So it turned out that Hythlodaeus, Hades, and Dirk had all been very busy all day, using their godlike powers to rebuild the city of Amaurot in the ocean outside Goldenrod--because why the fuck not? It's the weird fucking weekend. Go wild.
And then Hythlo had decided to smuggle Steven and Charley in to see it by hiding them in the hood of his robe and then dressing them up as two little Amaurotine kids... which seemed to consist of giving them human-sized robes and masks and letting the specters that haunt the city make their own inferences.
Steven recognized the place right away, of course. How could he not, when he'd seen Hades' dreams of the city being destroyed?
That had seemed so very long ago.
He was glad they were rebuilding it, if only for the weekend. It really was beautiful. The kind of city he'd be happy to live in someday. Even Charley agreed and she was much less of an intrinsically urban person as Steven was.
Hythlo had said they should stay the night, that they could sleep with him in his dormitory room--there'd be plenty of sleeping space for them due to their smaller size. And there had been, more or less.
And that was-- good, actually. Because it gave Steven the chance to do something that he'd been thinking about doing ever since he'd realized from talking to Hythlo about his Grindr adventures that he, himself, was... not unattracted to Hythlodaeus.
Of course, this was nothing he'd planned to do in the flesh. Not without Hythlo propositioning Jack for a threesome or some kind of fun voyuerism thing where Hythlo would watch the two of them fuck in front of him. Steven knew how jealous Jack was.
Steven was also kind of tired of a lot of Jack's shit. And yes, fine, this was mostly because of the whole Angel thing knocking Jack off his pedestal and maybe also because he still was quietly bitter about the whole rejecting Dia thing... but honestly, he'd be lying to himself if he hadn't sometimes fantasized about using oneiromancy to have dream sex with people who he was terribly attracted to, but wasn't dating.
And now he and Hythlo were sleeping in the same room. It was perfect. And so very, very easy to step from his own dream into Hythlodaeus'.
And then Hythlo had decided to smuggle Steven and Charley in to see it by hiding them in the hood of his robe and then dressing them up as two little Amaurotine kids... which seemed to consist of giving them human-sized robes and masks and letting the specters that haunt the city make their own inferences.
Steven recognized the place right away, of course. How could he not, when he'd seen Hades' dreams of the city being destroyed?
That had seemed so very long ago.
He was glad they were rebuilding it, if only for the weekend. It really was beautiful. The kind of city he'd be happy to live in someday. Even Charley agreed and she was much less of an intrinsically urban person as Steven was.
Hythlo had said they should stay the night, that they could sleep with him in his dormitory room--there'd be plenty of sleeping space for them due to their smaller size. And there had been, more or less.
And that was-- good, actually. Because it gave Steven the chance to do something that he'd been thinking about doing ever since he'd realized from talking to Hythlo about his Grindr adventures that he, himself, was... not unattracted to Hythlodaeus.
Of course, this was nothing he'd planned to do in the flesh. Not without Hythlo propositioning Jack for a threesome or some kind of fun voyuerism thing where Hythlo would watch the two of them fuck in front of him. Steven knew how jealous Jack was.
Steven was also kind of tired of a lot of Jack's shit. And yes, fine, this was mostly because of the whole Angel thing knocking Jack off his pedestal and maybe also because he still was quietly bitter about the whole rejecting Dia thing... but honestly, he'd be lying to himself if he hadn't sometimes fantasized about using oneiromancy to have dream sex with people who he was terribly attracted to, but wasn't dating.
And now he and Hythlo were sleeping in the same room. It was perfect. And so very, very easy to step from his own dream into Hythlodaeus'.
Hythlodaeus' dorm room was thankfully quite large— in comparison to Steven and Thorne, at least. It was otherwise quite cluttered with papers, concept crystals, paperweight souvenirs...
He had conjured Thorne her own fancy apartment within his own, gorgeously outfitted with any amenity she could possibly want and more. He hoped that Hades would notice the draw on his magic, as little as it was in comparison to his capacity.
He'd stayed up with Steven, filling him in on little stories from his past, the sorts of things that had happened in this room, the stories behind the artifacts... and at some point they had fallen asleep, Hythlodaues holding him like a little doll tucked under his hand.
Hythlodaeus, as Steven would soon find, was an uncannily lucid dreamer. When Steven steps into his dream, he will find Hythlodaeus in his office, playing with designing some sort of half-horse half-centipede.
Steven will find himself not too small for the room, and neither too small for Hythlodaeus. Hythlodaeus smiles as Steven enters, tilting his masked head at him.
"How bold, coming in here without an appointment."
He had conjured Thorne her own fancy apartment within his own, gorgeously outfitted with any amenity she could possibly want and more. He hoped that Hades would notice the draw on his magic, as little as it was in comparison to his capacity.
He'd stayed up with Steven, filling him in on little stories from his past, the sorts of things that had happened in this room, the stories behind the artifacts... and at some point they had fallen asleep, Hythlodaues holding him like a little doll tucked under his hand.
Hythlodaeus, as Steven would soon find, was an uncannily lucid dreamer. When Steven steps into his dream, he will find Hythlodaeus in his office, playing with designing some sort of half-horse half-centipede.
Steven will find himself not too small for the room, and neither too small for Hythlodaeus. Hythlodaeus smiles as Steven enters, tilting his masked head at him.
"How bold, coming in here without an appointment."
11/21 (late at night) - cw: child abuse, suicide, the works
fingersandteeth
2020-11-22 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Armin got Angel's permission to tell me the whole story.
He did drive her to suicide. After her mother died, he isolated and imprisoned her for the rest of her life. And then he drugged/poisoned her, to enhance her powers, so that he could use them to his own ends. Which, as far as I know, were to get inside a Vault and use the things he found in there.
I'm leaving him. Armin says I can stay here with him a little while until I figure out how *to* get out safely. Tyler says I can stay at his flat after I go, since he's at Lydia's house every night anyway. I'm probably going to fake the Sleep of Going Home to buy me a week's more time.
I feel like such a fool, Hythlo. I really do.
He did drive her to suicide. After her mother died, he isolated and imprisoned her for the rest of her life. And then he drugged/poisoned her, to enhance her powers, so that he could use them to his own ends. Which, as far as I know, were to get inside a Vault and use the things he found in there.
I'm leaving him. Armin says I can stay here with him a little while until I figure out how *to* get out safely. Tyler says I can stay at his flat after I go, since he's at Lydia's house every night anyway. I'm probably going to fake the Sleep of Going Home to buy me a week's more time.
I feel like such a fool, Hythlo. I really do.
Welp. Guess who actually went home a day into faking the Sleep of Going Home?
Honestly, this is just a little ridiculous. Especially since evidently *Jack* disappeared two days ago
On the other hand, my time home has given me a little time to sort out-- well, at lot of things. And even though I didn't have you to help me get my head on straight back in my world, I seem to have figured out a few things on my own and with the help of a man who I am proud to call a mentor.
That said... I'll be back in Goldenrod by Wednesday evening and I'm feeling somewhat spiteful at my vanished ex-. I don't know about any repeats, but if you'd *like* an evening between my thighs...
Honestly, this is just a little ridiculous. Especially since evidently *Jack* disappeared two days ago
On the other hand, my time home has given me a little time to sort out-- well, at lot of things. And even though I didn't have you to help me get my head on straight back in my world, I seem to have figured out a few things on my own and with the help of a man who I am proud to call a mentor.
That said... I'll be back in Goldenrod by Wednesday evening and I'm feeling somewhat spiteful at my vanished ex-. I don't know about any repeats, but if you'd *like* an evening between my thighs...
Curiously, I am quite busy for the next few days as I pull a scheme together... Yet not too busy for a touch of stress relief between script writing and hand stitching.
It seems you've had quite a strange time yourself, however. So... he's gone? Without a trace?
It seems you've had quite a strange time yourself, however. So... he's gone? Without a trace?
Dirk knows exactly what time Hythlodaeus wakes up, what time he starts breakfast, what time he showers and for exactly how long. He knows Hythlodaeus' schedule down to the detail. He can practically pinpoint exactly when Hythlodaeus will take a shit. And he knows all of this for the purpose of avoiding him, whenever and wherever he feels like doing so.
This morning, however, at exactly 5 o'clock sharp, Dirk drops silently down the skylight, finds Hythlodaeus doing his pushups, and issues... well. A challenge or an invitation, depending on interpretation.
He walks up without a word--then stops, points one finger directly at Hythlodaeus, arm fully extended, before jerking his thumb and head to the right in tandem.
Meet me outside.
Then he leaves the way he came, up and out through the garden and onto the roof.
This morning, however, at exactly 5 o'clock sharp, Dirk drops silently down the skylight, finds Hythlodaeus doing his pushups, and issues... well. A challenge or an invitation, depending on interpretation.
He walks up without a word--then stops, points one finger directly at Hythlodaeus, arm fully extended, before jerking his thumb and head to the right in tandem.
Meet me outside.
Then he leaves the way he came, up and out through the garden and onto the roof.
Hythlodaeus, nearing the end of his exercise regimen and about to go to the showers is suddenly knocked from his thoughts as a shadow casts into his vision of the floor boards. He looks up, raising his brows as beads of sweat roll down the sides of his hairline to his chin.
It is hard to tell with someone like him if this is an invitation or a threat. It is a confrontation in either case, one that the residents of the second floor will be more privy to. His curiosity almost outweighs his innate desire to follow through with his routine. Almost.
He peeks into the fridge, catching sight of a jug of apple juice. It must belong to the newest resident. ...Surely he wouldn't mind if he borrowed it. He sets it into a pan with some cinnamon, brown sugar, and a bag of orange spice tea, instructing the rotom to monitor it as he washed and dressed.
Exactly twelve minutes later, from the direction of the front of the house, there is the distinct sound of movement before a hand extends up over the roof line with two mugs. He sets them down, then pushes them away from the edge as he seats his gloved palms on the roof and lifts himself up with steady arms and graceful movement. He gets his boots underneath himself before he retrieves the mugs and releases a hot breath into the frigid morning air. It's still dark now at this time of year, though the city lights against the snow do plenty to illuminate the scene.
"...Good morning." He stops a few feet away, looking down at the other before extending the mug towards him. He takes a seat on the roof to even their lines of sight. Even under the reflected light, it is clear that his hair is still damp, though he's pulled a beanie over his head and his hood over that.
It is hard to tell with someone like him if this is an invitation or a threat. It is a confrontation in either case, one that the residents of the second floor will be more privy to. His curiosity almost outweighs his innate desire to follow through with his routine. Almost.
He peeks into the fridge, catching sight of a jug of apple juice. It must belong to the newest resident. ...Surely he wouldn't mind if he borrowed it. He sets it into a pan with some cinnamon, brown sugar, and a bag of orange spice tea, instructing the rotom to monitor it as he washed and dressed.
Exactly twelve minutes later, from the direction of the front of the house, there is the distinct sound of movement before a hand extends up over the roof line with two mugs. He sets them down, then pushes them away from the edge as he seats his gloved palms on the roof and lifts himself up with steady arms and graceful movement. He gets his boots underneath himself before he retrieves the mugs and releases a hot breath into the frigid morning air. It's still dark now at this time of year, though the city lights against the snow do plenty to illuminate the scene.
"...Good morning." He stops a few feet away, looking down at the other before extending the mug towards him. He takes a seat on the roof to even their lines of sight. Even under the reflected light, it is clear that his hair is still damp, though he's pulled a beanie over his head and his hood over that.
I've various items that fill that description! Including literal seeds. You may peruse my wares in person if you desire it.
However, I also have a non-physical shop front on Gravlr. You merely need to provide a mailing address.
However, I also have a non-physical shop front on Gravlr. You merely need to provide a mailing address.
Hythlo? What the hell does it mean that I can tell Runaan I'm not human anymore and it doesn't feel wrong when I say it?
That usually indicates that it is true. Perhaps your preconceptions on what it means to be a human or not a human have changed. The baseline for worth, merely having humanity, has long been an idea that you have leaned upon while trying to make sense of the world.
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