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[The touch of his hand coming to rest atop her own, to move along with her steady, gentle ministrations causes a pleasant flutter in stomach, her gaze heated as she meets his own before bending to press a soft kiss against his jaw, followed by another to his neck. There is none of the frantic or needful force of the night before— though she certainly has no complaints about any of that— but the warm haze of sleep still lingers slightly for the both of them, lending itself well to comfortable, lazy affection.]
Well, I'll admit, it isn't entirely selfless.
[She chuckles warmly against the smooth curve of his neck, eyelids lowering as she inhales the scent of him again and feels her pulse quicken ever so slightly. It's almost criminal, she thinks, how easy it is to touch him, to fixate on him— and potentially very bad for any plans she may have had for productivity.
She turns her face into his touch, her lips puckering against the pad of his thumb as she trails a finger quite deliberately along the underside of his cock from base to tip.]
Maybe I'd just like to make the most of waking up beside you.
Well, I'll admit, it isn't entirely selfless.
[She chuckles warmly against the smooth curve of his neck, eyelids lowering as she inhales the scent of him again and feels her pulse quicken ever so slightly. It's almost criminal, she thinks, how easy it is to touch him, to fixate on him— and potentially very bad for any plans she may have had for productivity.
She turns her face into his touch, her lips puckering against the pad of his thumb as she trails a finger quite deliberately along the underside of his cock from base to tip.]
Maybe I'd just like to make the most of waking up beside you.
[How can he possibly doubt, when Hythlodaeus believes in him so completely? It is not enough to set his anxious heart entirely at ease, but the grief and guilt that have done their best to constrict it loosen their hold, ever so slightly, and he cannot help but lean into that tender kiss, his own lips parting as though they've a mind of their own, eager to taste and drink in the comfort offered.
Of that, too, he is certain he is undeserving— but that is not his choice to make.]
If anything I do makes any difference, it will be because you are here.
[Without him, he does not know that he would even have the will to try— but he does not say so. It is too much, too great a burden to put on one so close to his heart, and he tangles his own fingers in the dampened strands of his lover's hair as he closes the hair's breadth of distance between them for another kiss, heartfelt and needful, his heart's own request for succor.]
I will do as I can. I only ask that you help me to remember the importance of this new purpose.
[Because though it remains unspoken, they both know. He owes it— and to do otherwise would be to flagrantly disregard this gift they have both been offered, whether he wanted it or not.]
Of that, too, he is certain he is undeserving— but that is not his choice to make.]
If anything I do makes any difference, it will be because you are here.
[Without him, he does not know that he would even have the will to try— but he does not say so. It is too much, too great a burden to put on one so close to his heart, and he tangles his own fingers in the dampened strands of his lover's hair as he closes the hair's breadth of distance between them for another kiss, heartfelt and needful, his heart's own request for succor.]
I will do as I can. I only ask that you help me to remember the importance of this new purpose.
[Because though it remains unspoken, they both know. He owes it— and to do otherwise would be to flagrantly disregard this gift they have both been offered, whether he wanted it or not.]
[ He gives a quiet hum in thought at that, leaning forward until he can prop his elbows on his knees, tapping one fingertip thoughtfully against his chin. ]
Which part of his work? His studies here in Elpis? His experimentation with Meteion, perhaps? Or were you thinking this strange esoteric topic of dynamis?
Which part of his work? His studies here in Elpis? His experimentation with Meteion, perhaps? Or were you thinking this strange esoteric topic of dynamis?
Fortunately for you, it's already brewed.
[ He knows Emet-Selch well enough to anticipate most of what he'd want upon coming home.
But he just grins to himself as he goes to pour them both a cup, humming softly under his breath as he does so. ]
And are you sure about that? Someone needs to look after you.
[ He knows Emet-Selch well enough to anticipate most of what he'd want upon coming home.
But he just grins to himself as he goes to pour them both a cup, humming softly under his breath as he does so. ]
And are you sure about that? Someone needs to look after you.
All of the above, perhaps.
[She frowns, clasping her hands together between her knees as she leans forward, considering.]
I had never heard of 'dynamis' before he mentioned it, at least not by that name— but I'm certain I've seen it in action. The crisis my home is currently facing... it does seem to be intrinsically linked to emotion. Negative ones, in particular— fear, despair.
[She frowns, clasping her hands together between her knees as she leans forward, considering.]
I had never heard of 'dynamis' before he mentioned it, at least not by that name— but I'm certain I've seen it in action. The crisis my home is currently facing... it does seem to be intrinsically linked to emotion. Negative ones, in particular— fear, despair.
[That, he certainly should have expected, and some of the tension that he's been carrying eases from his broad shoulders— just the smallest bit, but even so, it is something.]
Thank you.
[The words are terse, but not unkind, and he stiffly sinks into a seat as he allows Hythlodaeus to do what he will, leaning his head back and letting out a long, slow exhale of breath.]
But yes, I'm quite certain. [He is a grown man, and then some.] Sit yourself down.
[He'll allow the pouring of tea, but nothing else.]
Thank you.
[The words are terse, but not unkind, and he stiffly sinks into a seat as he allows Hythlodaeus to do what he will, leaning his head back and letting out a long, slow exhale of breath.]
But yes, I'm quite certain. [He is a grown man, and then some.] Sit yourself down.
[He'll allow the pouring of tea, but nothing else.]
[ He can understand how those emotions could be prevalent, with the world ending.
So he fixes her with an intent gaze, watching the expressions play out on her face. ]
What can I do to aid you, my dear?
So he fixes her with an intent gaze, watching the expressions play out on her face. ]
What can I do to aid you, my dear?
[ He hides a laugh behind an exasperated sigh but, after pouring them both a cup of tea, he does sink down in the chair next to Emet-Selch, turning so he's angled to face the man at his side. His normal seat might be across the table but right now... even that felt too far away. ]
Better?
[ His tone is sardonic as he lifts the cup of tea, one eyebrow arching as he takes a deliberate sip, his eyes on his companion's face. ]
Better?
[ His tone is sardonic as he lifts the cup of tea, one eyebrow arching as he takes a deliberate sip, his eyes on his companion's face. ]
I wish I knew.
[It's an earnest question, one she wishes desperately to have a more direct answer for.]
You know this place far better than I do. If there's anything that seems amiss as we go about our business in the coming days, anything that stands out as being unusual, don't hesitate to say so. The source of the crisis my own world is facing is the same as the source of the Ancients' Final Days— and even to Emet-Selch, after millennia of walking the star, it remains unknown.
[That doesn't bode particularly well for them.]
If he couldn't discover the cause, I find it hard to believe that I can— but Hydaelyn thought this place to be significant, and I believe that Elidibus chose this specific time for a reason. He must have known the two of you would be here— and Venat.
[It's an earnest question, one she wishes desperately to have a more direct answer for.]
You know this place far better than I do. If there's anything that seems amiss as we go about our business in the coming days, anything that stands out as being unusual, don't hesitate to say so. The source of the crisis my own world is facing is the same as the source of the Ancients' Final Days— and even to Emet-Selch, after millennia of walking the star, it remains unknown.
[That doesn't bode particularly well for them.]
If he couldn't discover the cause, I find it hard to believe that I can— but Hydaelyn thought this place to be significant, and I believe that Elidibus chose this specific time for a reason. He must have known the two of you would be here— and Venat.
Could he have found knowledge that Emet-Selch lacked?
[ That seemed... hard to believe. But the picture she'd painted of her future sounded little like the world - and companions - he knows.
Shaking his head, he gives a thoughtful hum. ]
Their reasons are hard to predict, especially with so little context. But I will dig into the studies here and Hermes' particular fields of study. If there is ought to be found here, you can be sure we will do our best to uncover it.
[ Even if Emet-Selch isn't aware he's being recruited just yet. It's fine, he'll get over it. ]
[ That seemed... hard to believe. But the picture she'd painted of her future sounded little like the world - and companions - he knows.
Shaking his head, he gives a thoughtful hum. ]
Their reasons are hard to predict, especially with so little context. But I will dig into the studies here and Hermes' particular fields of study. If there is ought to be found here, you can be sure we will do our best to uncover it.
[ Even if Emet-Selch isn't aware he's being recruited just yet. It's fine, he'll get over it. ]
[Never let it be said that the Hero of Etheirys is the picture of grace and decorum. She is neither; wanderlust calls to her as surely as it does any other adventurer, and she is eager to share the sights that have come to reside so fondly in her memory. Looking back over her shoulder, her smile pulls wider as the scene brings a sense of wide-eyed wonder to his expression— him, who is certainly as worldly as any Scion, having gone all over in the name of serving Sharlayan.]
It's quite something, isn't it? You should see it at dawn.
[Hear it at dawn, when so many of the tribes across the Steppe sing for the rising sun.]
Reunion isn't far from here, but we can take our time getting there, if we like. It's early, yet.
It's quite something, isn't it? You should see it at dawn.
[Hear it at dawn, when so many of the tribes across the Steppe sing for the rising sun.]
Reunion isn't far from here, but we can take our time getting there, if we like. It's early, yet.
[Though he may be disagreeable even at the best of times, Emet-Selch is not about to discourage his companion from sitting next to him— as a matter of fact, it seems to dissolve a bit more of the tension in the air, and he exhales as he takes his own cup, raising an eyebrow in turn.]
Much.
[He'll consider that as much as a victory as he's going to earn, at this point.]
And you? Am I sufficiently relaxed?
[Hardly, he knows, but he is away from the office, away from work that he truly can do nothing more for. That is undoubtedly a victory for Hythlodaeus, this night.]
Much.
[He'll consider that as much as a victory as he's going to earn, at this point.]
And you? Am I sufficiently relaxed?
[Hardly, he knows, but he is away from the office, away from work that he truly can do nothing more for. That is undoubtedly a victory for Hythlodaeus, this night.]
If he has, I don't believe it to be intentional. Hermes himself seems an earnest sort.
[If he had discovered something he thought to be dangerous, surely he would share it— though the fact that whatever hidden cause they may find here is likely known to none makes their chances all the more slim.
Still. Failure is not an option.
Some of the tension eases from her shoulders, and she offers him a truly grateful smile.]
Thank you. I'm glad to have your aid— and to have had the chance to meet you, like this.
[Because while they have met before, on more than one occasion, this is something entirely different, an opportunity they never would have had otherwise.]
[If he had discovered something he thought to be dangerous, surely he would share it— though the fact that whatever hidden cause they may find here is likely known to none makes their chances all the more slim.
Still. Failure is not an option.
Some of the tension eases from her shoulders, and she offers him a truly grateful smile.]
Thank you. I'm glad to have your aid— and to have had the chance to meet you, like this.
[Because while they have met before, on more than one occasion, this is something entirely different, an opportunity they never would have had otherwise.]
[Far, far in the future, there may come a day when Erenville no longer feels wonder at the vastness of the world. On that day, he's promised himself he will recognize it is time to retire. Worldliness is no excuse for complacency.]
Well, unless you intend to rush me about and magically complete my tasks in the space of bells, we will be here for several sunrises.
[He looks east, though the sun has long since passed the horizon and sits in a sky of deep blue with only faint wisps of clouds to interrupt it. Again he tries to take it all in, and can't quite: the soft wind stirring the long grass, the sound of a nearby stream, the necessity of turning himself physically to see anything close to the whole place. At times, things like this make his island home seem impossibly small.
More recently, he's been beset by the terrible knowledge that they might have lost all this. Permanently. It would have become a pale memory, at best.
Erenville shrugs up his pack again and takes a few steps down the gently worn path leading out of the pass.]
Were it not for my understanding of the dangers of the local fauna, I would be content to let my feet take me where they will for some time.
Well, unless you intend to rush me about and magically complete my tasks in the space of bells, we will be here for several sunrises.
[He looks east, though the sun has long since passed the horizon and sits in a sky of deep blue with only faint wisps of clouds to interrupt it. Again he tries to take it all in, and can't quite: the soft wind stirring the long grass, the sound of a nearby stream, the necessity of turning himself physically to see anything close to the whole place. At times, things like this make his island home seem impossibly small.
More recently, he's been beset by the terrible knowledge that they might have lost all this. Permanently. It would have become a pale memory, at best.
Erenville shrugs up his pack again and takes a few steps down the gently worn path leading out of the pass.]
Were it not for my understanding of the dangers of the local fauna, I would be content to let my feet take me where they will for some time.
Not in the least.
[ Hythlodaeus' tone is deceptively cheerful as he shoots the other man a Look over the rim of his teacup, taking a slow sip. ]
But it is a start, I suppose. At the very least, I've gotten you this far. [ Which he'd halfway expected to be a much more difficult challenge. He's pleasantly relieved that it is not.
Angling himself a little more towards Emet-Selch, he tips his head to the side to study him a moment longer before reaching out, brushing a stray lock of pale, silvery hair away from the other man's face. His fingertips brush lightly against his cheek at the action, a whisper of a caress. ]
You have earned yourself a quiet evening, Emet-Selch. One night to relax, to breathe. No matter our actions from this day forward, things will change. [ There's a subdued sort of acceptance in his voice as he meets and holds the man's gaze beside him. ] We have done all we can to brace for that change - you more than most, I am well aware. But I am afraid I am far too selfish to let this, this last night of before, pass without celebrating what is.
[ Hythlodaeus' tone is deceptively cheerful as he shoots the other man a Look over the rim of his teacup, taking a slow sip. ]
But it is a start, I suppose. At the very least, I've gotten you this far. [ Which he'd halfway expected to be a much more difficult challenge. He's pleasantly relieved that it is not.
Angling himself a little more towards Emet-Selch, he tips his head to the side to study him a moment longer before reaching out, brushing a stray lock of pale, silvery hair away from the other man's face. His fingertips brush lightly against his cheek at the action, a whisper of a caress. ]
You have earned yourself a quiet evening, Emet-Selch. One night to relax, to breathe. No matter our actions from this day forward, things will change. [ There's a subdued sort of acceptance in his voice as he meets and holds the man's gaze beside him. ] We have done all we can to brace for that change - you more than most, I am well aware. But I am afraid I am far too selfish to let this, this last night of before, pass without celebrating what is.
[ He arches an eyebrow slightly at her wording. He knows there is much she did not say - the summary she'd given was already full of information they needed, all of it overwhelming. And while she had mentioned his shade, in the casting Emet-Selch had done to grip close his memories, he's still not entirely certain of her meaning. ]
'Like this'? Was I so different, in Emet-Selch's memories?
[ He wonders at that. At how his friend remembered him. Saw him. Sees him. How would it differ from who he was? ]
'Like this'? Was I so different, in Emet-Selch's memories?
[ He wonders at that. At how his friend remembered him. Saw him. Sees him. How would it differ from who he was? ]
[It is the first time in many long millennia that she has not been simply watching, waiting. The star, now safely delivered, is in the hands of those who walk its surface, her children to continue serving as its stewards, and in her heart, there is as much weariness as there is peace. Her strength is largely spent, but she has not faded away completely, the heart of the star itself still standing after all this time.
Her strength has faded, yes, but her intuition has not. She does not look towards the little bird that joins her, but she recognizes her all the same, and her lips curl into a faint smile as she bows her head in acknowledgement.]
I was wondering if we might chance to see one another again.
[It had seemed inevitable— but she does not seem troubled by this meeting in the least.]
Her strength has faded, yes, but her intuition has not. She does not look towards the little bird that joins her, but she recognizes her all the same, and her lips curl into a faint smile as she bows her head in acknowledgement.]
I was wondering if we might chance to see one another again.
[It had seemed inevitable— but she does not seem troubled by this meeting in the least.]
[Well, where to begin with that?]
I never had the chance to see your face, for one.
[And not only because of his mask— perhaps it was that sundered souls could not perceive those who came before them, or the nature of the shades themselves, but when she had encountered his very soul on the moon, it had been much the same.]
And hear your voice. I could understand before, but it wasn't the same as having a conversation the way we are now. The nature of magic and souls, perhaps— but you were still as kind and generous as you've shown yourself to be here.
I never had the chance to see your face, for one.
[And not only because of his mask— perhaps it was that sundered souls could not perceive those who came before them, or the nature of the shades themselves, but when she had encountered his very soul on the moon, it had been much the same.]
And hear your voice. I could understand before, but it wasn't the same as having a conversation the way we are now. The nature of magic and souls, perhaps— but you were still as kind and generous as you've shown yourself to be here.
[Had he the energy to resist, it may have well been— but with such things often being performative in their own right, and knowing full well that his ability to truly resist Hythlodaeus' wishes is meager at best, it was only the work and its importance that had given him pause.
He exhales, slowly, and it is a release rather than a sigh. He reaches up to lightly catch Hythlodaeus' wrist as his touch brushes against his cheek, stilling him, though not discouraging.]
That has ever been your way. Focused on the present moment.
[A weakness of Hades', to be certain. One of many ways in which they complemented one another quite well.]
... I do appreciate the reminder.
He exhales, slowly, and it is a release rather than a sigh. He reaches up to lightly catch Hythlodaeus' wrist as his touch brushes against his cheek, stilling him, though not discouraging.]
That has ever been your way. Focused on the present moment.
[A weakness of Hades', to be certain. One of many ways in which they complemented one another quite well.]
... I do appreciate the reminder.
Ahh, I'm pleased to have made such a positive impression, at least.
[ He chuckles softly at that, and then reaches out to playfully tug on a stray lock of hair that curls against one of her shoulders. ]
From the sound of it, though, you and Emet-Selch butted heads a great deal, I take it?
[ He chuckles softly at that, and then reaches out to playfully tug on a stray lock of hair that curls against one of her shoulders. ]
From the sound of it, though, you and Emet-Selch butted heads a great deal, I take it?
One of us really ought to be.
[ There's a quirk of his lips as Emet-Selch catches his wrist, but he doesn't tug away. Merely stretches his fingers until he can cup his palm against the other man's cheek. ]
That is what I am here for, is it not? Otherwise, I suspect you'd forget all about food and slumber outside your work.
[ The words are a light quip, but there's a pinch of concern between his brows that belie a deeper worry. ]
[ There's a quirk of his lips as Emet-Selch catches his wrist, but he doesn't tug away. Merely stretches his fingers until he can cup his palm against the other man's cheek. ]
That is what I am here for, is it not? Otherwise, I suspect you'd forget all about food and slumber outside your work.
[ The words are a light quip, but there's a pinch of concern between his brows that belie a deeper worry. ]
You were a friend from the moment we met.
[This version of him was also notably more affectionate, though she supposes that may have simply been lost in translation— not to mention the circumstances of their previous meetings hardly lended themselves well to such things, being what they were.
She gives him a soft, affectionate smile of her own as he reaches over to tug on her hair, offering no protest.]
'Butting heads' would be... putting it gently, I think. [At that, her smile falters.] In the end, only one of us could remain standing. I wish it could have been otherwise. That we could have reasoned with one another.
[This version of him was also notably more affectionate, though she supposes that may have simply been lost in translation— not to mention the circumstances of their previous meetings hardly lended themselves well to such things, being what they were.
She gives him a soft, affectionate smile of her own as he reaches over to tug on her hair, offering no protest.]
'Butting heads' would be... putting it gently, I think. [At that, her smile falters.] In the end, only one of us could remain standing. I wish it could have been otherwise. That we could have reasoned with one another.
[Well. He's certainly not wrong.]
I very well might. How fortunate, then, that I have you.
[Though it is faint and weary, a smile does tug slightly at the corner of his mouth.]
Thank you.
I very well might. How fortunate, then, that I have you.
[Though it is faint and weary, a smile does tug slightly at the corner of his mouth.]
Thank you.
I'm in absolutely no hurry.
[There are far worse things than an extended stay on the Steppe, and while she's here to offer him her assistance in whatever way she can, she's not about to rush him through his business. It is best, really, that they take their time and enjoy the sights and experiences this place has to offer.
She falls into step beside him easily, her own bag of supplies slung over one shoulder.]
Well, you do have something of an advantage in that department— if you'd like to wander, I'm more than capable of ensuring you don't come to harm.
[Not that she believes gleaners to be slouches in their own right. They're a capable sort.]
We can go wherever you like.
[There are far worse things than an extended stay on the Steppe, and while she's here to offer him her assistance in whatever way she can, she's not about to rush him through his business. It is best, really, that they take their time and enjoy the sights and experiences this place has to offer.
She falls into step beside him easily, her own bag of supplies slung over one shoulder.]
Well, you do have something of an advantage in that department— if you'd like to wander, I'm more than capable of ensuring you don't come to harm.
[Not that she believes gleaners to be slouches in their own right. They're a capable sort.]
We can go wherever you like.
[ the greeting is far more cordial and warm than meteion had expected and for a moment the entelechy simply basks in that warmth. her head bows and her eyes slide closed for just a few moments. how long has it been since she felt this? did she ever truly...? hermes had cared for her as best he could, but with the sadness and oftentimes anger she sensed in him, he could not offer her this. by the time she and her sisters had come into being, hope had become an illusion for him, this kindness something she had almost forgotten.
but now comes the hard part: how does she respond? she could simply speak with her mind, as she had always been best at, but somehow that feels... wrong. as though she owes more to this woman who had suffered so because of her misguided attempts to free etheirys.
and so, with her eyes still closed, she returns to her other form in a swirl of blue light. so small she is that her feet don't even touch the ground, so she leans forward a little, gripping the edges of the bench by her knees for support. her tail curls around her body, flush against one leg, as though it might offer some comfort. her eyes finally open once more and she glances sideways, trying to feel what may be swirling around in venat's mind and bracing against anything negative that might bubble to the surface.
she could say so many things, but the words ring hollow in her mind. so she takes a small breath and offers one small thing: ] Etheirys is beautiful, isn't it?
[ no mention of how sorry she is to nearly have caused its destruction, no mention of regrets. just one simple statement. etheirys is beautiful and for the first time, she can see it.
but of course, being who she is, unaccustomed to politeness when speaking to people, she adds on, ] I thought you had returned to the star.
[ and it's rather a large event that she had said "returned to the star" rather than "died." not that venat had been around for that originally, but meteion is... trying. she's not good at it, but she's trying. ]
but now comes the hard part: how does she respond? she could simply speak with her mind, as she had always been best at, but somehow that feels... wrong. as though she owes more to this woman who had suffered so because of her misguided attempts to free etheirys.
and so, with her eyes still closed, she returns to her other form in a swirl of blue light. so small she is that her feet don't even touch the ground, so she leans forward a little, gripping the edges of the bench by her knees for support. her tail curls around her body, flush against one leg, as though it might offer some comfort. her eyes finally open once more and she glances sideways, trying to feel what may be swirling around in venat's mind and bracing against anything negative that might bubble to the surface.
she could say so many things, but the words ring hollow in her mind. so she takes a small breath and offers one small thing: ] Etheirys is beautiful, isn't it?
[ no mention of how sorry she is to nearly have caused its destruction, no mention of regrets. just one simple statement. etheirys is beautiful and for the first time, she can see it.
but of course, being who she is, unaccustomed to politeness when speaking to people, she adds on, ] I thought you had returned to the star.
[ and it's rather a large event that she had said "returned to the star" rather than "died." not that venat had been around for that originally, but meteion is... trying. she's not good at it, but she's trying. ]
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