[Crossing his arms over his chest, he levels a glare at Hythlodaeus, and for a long moment it seems like he's not going to answer him. Or, that the silence itself is the answer. But then he sighs, as he often does, and shakes his head.]
...Fine.
[He uncrosses his arms, running a hand through his messy hair.]
I am still cross with you, do not mistake me. But...I will not cast you aside, like you did me.
[He crosses the room in just a few steps. Man this place is small, huh. As he gets closer, Hythlodaeus pulls the mask from his face, giving Emet-Selch a sad look as he sits on the other side of the bed.]
I can explain myself.
[His hand finds Hades' in the bedding as he stares down into his lap.]
I thought... I thought that it might only upset you to see me, as I was.
[He can't get around this forever... But. Maybe just giving him a bit of it now... a bit later? Ugh. This wasn't easy.]
[That surprises him. Surprises him enough that he does not pull his hand away when he feels Hythlodaeus' own, which he certainly planned to do. Instead, he allows him to take it, eyeing his friend with an uncertain stare.]
...Why would I be upset? Why did you not merely tell me so? I do not need you making such decisions for me, as if you know me better than I know myself!
[He does not withdraw from him, but he looks bewildered—but then he realizes what Hythlodaeus might mean...that, well...he's dead. So, perhaps he lost his mortal form here, perhaps he was...
Silently, he leans against him, stifling his irritation as much as he can.]
...I'll consider it.
[Which is his way of saying he's too frustrated to verbally accept his apology, but he does nonetheless.]
But know that whatever wretched form you take, I will never regard you poorly for it—I cannot. I...I could have used your company much sooner...
[His voice breaks a little towards the end of that, but he sucks in a breath to steady himself.]
There were...incidents. Ones I had not expected, though I likely should have.
Nevermind, 'tis naught to worry about. I handled them both fine enough, little do I need you to fret over it.
[Which is just his way of downplaying how he indeed wants to talk about it, but he can't go spilling it so readily. Besides, Hythlodaeus owes him a bit of a chase, after the chase he gave Hades over the weekend.
He might even be glancing at him a little expectantly.]
Well, there is certainly naught you can do to fix either.
[He retorts with a huff, though he puts little effort in resisting Hythlodaeus' pull to his chest. Letting himself rest against it well enough, enjoying the contact and the comfort it affords him. Maybe even idly resting his hand upon his chest, idly stroking him with his fingers.]
One was more troublesome than the other, that much I can say plainly. Our dragoon friend somehow got himself possessed by a shade that should have long since passed on. While the encounter was...taxing, I was given a glimpse of past tragedies—both of the dragon's whose shade did claim his body, and of Estinien.
Little did I wish to glean such vulnerable information, not when I had so much on my hands already...
[Like the other incident that he's dancing around.]
[God damn it, please. You so clearly want to talk about the other thing.]
[He manages not to detail with a comment about "shades long passed on". It would be far too unhelpful.]
That sounds like the sort of information that you would enjoy— Perhaps not in a visceral sense. But it sounds terribly exciting. Tell me of what ruined your mood so.
...You are right, I suppose I will look back on it with far more fondness than I do at present, but so soon after—
[Yes, it seems there's no more dancing around it. He glowers at nothing in particular, looking not at Hythlodaeus, but off elsewhere as he recalls what happened. As if it ever left his mind to begin with.]
I was not the only one who reclaimed my power, you know. Others did as well—Dirk did, which was fine. Tyler did, which was also fine. But Steven.
[He nearly hisses the name with contempt.]
That fool of a man, nothing though he is, he did strike when I was unawares. Somehow, he found a means to root himself inside of my mind, inside of my dreams, and while dreams are dreams—well, memories are far more precious. Far more...striking.
He did not merely give me a horrid dream for the sake of mischief, no. He preyed upon something far more specific, he tread where no mortal—let alone anyone—should. He forced me to relive the Final Days.
...As you know, ever have I been a vivid dreamer, and should I let myself fully succumb to slumber, 'tis far too easy to get lost within such fantasies...often have I relied upon them for comfort...companionship, pitiful though it may sound.
[Though he smiles, little can Hythldaues see it, it is one both wry and self-deprecating. As he continues on, his voice is quiet, pained, and angry.]
That he would dare tread upon such, that he would have the arrogance to believe for a moment he could have any true power over me.
[Closing his eyes, that smile long since faded, he lets out a slow and steady breath. After a moment, his eyes open once more, fixing upon a spot on the wall.]
'Tis no matter. What's done is done.
[Yet it's clear he's shaken from the matter, even if he's been so well practiced at keeping his shit together over the eons. He knows how to stuff that shit down, how to keep it contained so that he can remain in control of himself, even as it tears him apart from the inside.]
[He holds him tight and close, stroking his hair as he listens. His heart begins to beat quicker as an energy unlike anything he's ever felt begins to flood him with adrenaline.]
...Is that so? Did you manage to give him a piece of your mind, then?
[He stills himself, listening, trying to feel whatever Hades was feeling by what paltry stimuli he could glean.]
And now we are all powerless again for several more moons, if I have the right of it.
As fate would have it...I happened upon a different him. One that was older—one that had no recollection of such an event. Such is my luck.
[He hears his heart, and it's...worrying. Hythlodaeus was not one to be impacted by much, even during the Final Days he seemed better collected than Hades was! He distinctly remembers that much, remembers how it made him truly feel like the second choice he was for Emet-Selch.
A feeling he would never share with Hythlodaeus, of course.]
But worry not, I need not my powers to contend with that man. His time will come, you can be certain of that.
[He focuses on the feeling of Hythlodaeus' fingers stroking through his hair for a moment, relaxing in the comfort of it, the calm it brings his thrumming heart. Yet, it contends with the sound of Hythlodaeus' own and the unease it gives him.
Steady breathing only slightly calming the tempo of his heart.]
I will slowly and insidiously bring about his ruin. He will not know true peace, so long as I can help it.
[He pauses a moment, and then lets out a wry chuckle.]
Not that a single mortal is worthy of such adoring attention, mind you, but things add up over time, and mortals are ever fragile beings. I care not to cause lasting suffering if I can help it—this you know—but he must needs be punished, and I cannot simply dispose of him any other way.
Should I act in a means that would incriminate me, he is likely to retaliate, and so on. As such, I plan not to leave a single trace nor trail to follow. Misery will find him, and I will be sure of it.
Isn’t there another way? [ His own voice sounds distant to him as he holds Hades close.]
Besides, punishment in this way... well. You would know more about mortals than I would, but their attention spans and understanding are so shallow at times. I wonder if he will understand that he is receiving discipline.
[But part of him is delighted that Emet-Selch will exact revenge. And this bothers him too. ]
Yet, if I leave it alone he will think he can do as he wishes without opposition. They must needs be trained, Hythlodaeus.
[As if they were nothing but beasts. And maybe that's exactly what they are, Steven is only helping to affirm such notions.]
Clearly my leaving him and his alone did naught, so perhaps I simply must keep him engaged, enriched, because he has not enough misery on his own, that he seeks to inspire it in others.
I'm consistently surprised by the flimsy construction of all of the objects here. I may be one of the only people this tall here, but there are plenty of beasts of greather height and weight.
[He peers over the edge.]
...I could just pull the mattress onto the floor for you. I could probably fix the frame, but it would surely break again.
Oh, I'm sorry. I did not realize that I was to blame for your bucking into me with the fervor of a rutting beast! How churlish of me to hold you accountable for your actions! I shall take the blame at once.
[Hades rolls his eyes, not that Hythlodaeus can see it.]
As we both know...mortals are ever a pale imitation to aught we can do, so it only makes sense that their craftsmanship is utterly lacking. I suppose we could do away with the frame. Lay the mattress on the floor...
[He does not sound like this is what he wants, but...this is really uncomfortable.]
[And then he's squawking in surprise and...folded up in the mattress like he's the filling of a bed taco or some shit. He really is not in the mood for this crap, Hythlo! He considers thrashing to get out of it, but honestly at this point he's so exhausted...he just accepts this fate.]
[He grouses, looking over at the bed frame for a moment before letting himself get properly tucked against Hythlodaeus' chest. He's still mad, still annoyed with him, but he can't deny how good it feels after everything...to be in Hythlodaeus' hold. The warmth of his body against him, the feel of his face against his hair.
Oh how he has missed this, how it makes his heart ache and soar all at once.]
Mayhap I'll see about getting a place that better accommodates you... And the others, besides. If I am to be their keeper, and suchlike...
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...Fine.
[He uncrosses his arms, running a hand through his messy hair.]
I am still cross with you, do not mistake me. But...I will not cast you aside, like you did me.
[Okay, that's just petty.]
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I can explain myself.
[His hand finds Hades' in the bedding as he stares down into his lap.]
I thought... I thought that it might only upset you to see me, as I was.
[He can't get around this forever... But. Maybe just giving him a bit of it now... a bit later? Ugh. This wasn't easy.]
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...Why would I be upset? Why did you not merely tell me so? I do not need you making such decisions for me, as if you know me better than I know myself!
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[He leans in, eyes watering a little as he places his forehead against the top of Hades' head.]
...Forgive me.
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Silently, he leans against him, stifling his irritation as much as he can.]
...I'll consider it.
[Which is his way of saying he's too frustrated to verbally accept his apology, but he does nonetheless.]
But know that whatever wretched form you take, I will never regard you poorly for it—I cannot. I...I could have used your company much sooner...
[His voice breaks a little towards the end of that, but he sucks in a breath to steady himself.]
There were...incidents. Ones I had not expected, though I likely should have.
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Incidents. [He repeats, and then shifts to look at him. Uh oh. No wonder he was so angry.]
What manner of incidents?
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Nevermind, 'tis naught to worry about. I handled them both fine enough, little do I need you to fret over it.
[Which is just his way of downplaying how he indeed wants to talk about it, but he can't go spilling it so readily. Besides, Hythlodaeus owes him a bit of a chase, after the chase he gave Hades over the weekend.
He might even be glancing at him a little expectantly.]
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And yet I cannot help but busy myself with your affairs. Come now, Hades. I would hear of what troubled you so.
[He speaks low and quiet, letting his voice reverberate in his chest against Hades.]
And hear if there is aught that I might do to fix it.
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[He retorts with a huff, though he puts little effort in resisting Hythlodaeus' pull to his chest. Letting himself rest against it well enough, enjoying the contact and the comfort it affords him. Maybe even idly resting his hand upon his chest, idly stroking him with his fingers.]
One was more troublesome than the other, that much I can say plainly. Our dragoon friend somehow got himself possessed by a shade that should have long since passed on. While the encounter was...taxing, I was given a glimpse of past tragedies—both of the dragon's whose shade did claim his body, and of Estinien.
Little did I wish to glean such vulnerable information, not when I had so much on my hands already...
[Like the other incident that he's dancing around.]
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[He manages not to detail with a comment about "shades long passed on". It would be far too unhelpful.]
That sounds like the sort of information that you would enjoy— Perhaps not in a visceral sense. But it sounds terribly exciting. Tell me of what ruined your mood so.
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[Yes, it seems there's no more dancing around it. He glowers at nothing in particular, looking not at Hythlodaeus, but off elsewhere as he recalls what happened. As if it ever left his mind to begin with.]
I was not the only one who reclaimed my power, you know. Others did as well—Dirk did, which was fine. Tyler did, which was also fine. But Steven.
[He nearly hisses the name with contempt.]
That fool of a man, nothing though he is, he did strike when I was unawares. Somehow, he found a means to root himself inside of my mind, inside of my dreams, and while dreams are dreams—well, memories are far more precious. Far more...striking.
He did not merely give me a horrid dream for the sake of mischief, no. He preyed upon something far more specific, he tread where no mortal—let alone anyone—should. He forced me to relive the Final Days.
...As you know, ever have I been a vivid dreamer, and should I let myself fully succumb to slumber, 'tis far too easy to get lost within such fantasies...often have I relied upon them for comfort...companionship, pitiful though it may sound.
[Though he smiles, little can Hythldaues see it, it is one both wry and self-deprecating. As he continues on, his voice is quiet, pained, and angry.]
That he would dare tread upon such, that he would have the arrogance to believe for a moment he could have any true power over me.
[Closing his eyes, that smile long since faded, he lets out a slow and steady breath. After a moment, his eyes open once more, fixing upon a spot on the wall.]
'Tis no matter. What's done is done.
[Yet it's clear he's shaken from the matter, even if he's been so well practiced at keeping his shit together over the eons. He knows how to stuff that shit down, how to keep it contained so that he can remain in control of himself, even as it tears him apart from the inside.]
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...Is that so? Did you manage to give him a piece of your mind, then?
[He stills himself, listening, trying to feel whatever Hades was feeling by what paltry stimuli he could glean.]
And now we are all powerless again for several more moons, if I have the right of it.
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[He hears his heart, and it's...worrying. Hythlodaeus was not one to be impacted by much, even during the Final Days he seemed better collected than Hades was! He distinctly remembers that much, remembers how it made him truly feel like the second choice he was for Emet-Selch.
A feeling he would never share with Hythlodaeus, of course.]
But worry not, I need not my powers to contend with that man. His time will come, you can be certain of that.
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And it will, won't it? What are your plans for him?
[He steadies his breathing as he closes his eyes tightly, continuing to pull his fingers through his hair.]
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Steady breathing only slightly calming the tempo of his heart.]
I will slowly and insidiously bring about his ruin. He will not know true peace, so long as I can help it.
[He pauses a moment, and then lets out a wry chuckle.]
Not that a single mortal is worthy of such adoring attention, mind you, but things add up over time, and mortals are ever fragile beings. I care not to cause lasting suffering if I can help it—this you know—but he must needs be punished, and I cannot simply dispose of him any other way.
Should I act in a means that would incriminate me, he is likely to retaliate, and so on. As such, I plan not to leave a single trace nor trail to follow. Misery will find him, and I will be sure of it.
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Besides, punishment in this way... well. You would know more about mortals than I would, but their attention spans and understanding are so shallow at times. I wonder if he will understand that he is receiving discipline.
[But part of him is delighted that Emet-Selch will exact revenge. And this bothers him too. ]
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[As if they were nothing but beasts. And maybe that's exactly what they are, Steven is only helping to affirm such notions.]
Clearly my leaving him and his alone did naught, so perhaps I simply must keep him engaged, enriched, because he has not enough misery on his own, that he seeks to inspire it in others.
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...True. He could perhaps be kept busier.
[A pause]
Are you comfortable on this broken bed?
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At Hythlodaeus' question, there's further pause. And then, hesitantly:]
...No, but 'tis not as if I could snap my fingers and fix it. Was far more comfortable ere you broke it.
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I'm consistently surprised by the flimsy construction of all of the objects here. I may be one of the only people this tall here, but there are plenty of beasts of greather height and weight.
[He peers over the edge.]
...I could just pull the mattress onto the floor for you. I could probably fix the frame, but it would surely break again.
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[Hades rolls his eyes, not that Hythlodaeus can see it.]
As we both know...mortals are ever a pale imitation to aught we can do, so it only makes sense that their craftsmanship is utterly lacking. I suppose we could do away with the frame. Lay the mattress on the floor...
[He does not sound like this is what he wants, but...this is really uncomfortable.]
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[He climbs off the bed and snags the mattress, folding it and pulling it off the frame. ]
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[And then he's squawking in surprise and...folded up in the mattress like he's the filling of a bed taco or some shit. He really is not in the mood for this crap, Hythlo! He considers thrashing to get out of it, but honestly at this point he's so exhausted...he just accepts this fate.]
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Much better.
[He casually scoops Hades towards his body and tucks his face into his hair. Even curled up he kinda hangs off the edge. ]
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[He grouses, looking over at the bed frame for a moment before letting himself get properly tucked against Hythlodaeus' chest. He's still mad, still annoyed with him, but he can't deny how good it feels after everything...to be in Hythlodaeus' hold. The warmth of his body against him, the feel of his face against his hair.
Oh how he has missed this, how it makes his heart ache and soar all at once.]
Mayhap I'll see about getting a place that better accommodates you... And the others, besides. If I am to be their keeper, and suchlike...
[And Hythldoaeus' on top of it.]
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