[You are greeted with the sound of randomly disrupted static, at the end of which three melodic beeping signals are heard. Yep, that's your cue to leave a message!]
Hades: I suppose I have no one else to blame but myself. Hades: But complications have moved up the time table. Hades: If you are willing, I would like to speak with you on the events of our past.
[This is probably after enough that Hardy and Levity figured out how to break the bond tether, otherwise Emet would have to explain this to the boyfriend as well.]
Accomplice: Complications? Accomplice: I don't mind discussing it. I'm doing a little better.
[Levity is lucky enough that he's not made of glass so he can probably resolve the bond by fucking. As you do.]
Accomplice: Alright.
[And he does show up there! Looking a little tired and subdued, but that's not surprising, given everything that's been happening. Also probably wearing WC-style regular jeans and jacket over a shirt. Sitting down by Emet!]
Is that the 'jeans' I have heard so much about? Are they comfortable?
[He pauses for a few moments trying to figure out where to start.]
I was viewing the profiles and noticed a few familiar faces. And you have been patient about getting your answer about what I have been so reluctant to tell you. I would rather you heard the tale from me, so here I am. Offering.
I had thought to show it to you, but I think you've been through enough.
[He leans forward, placing his arms between his knees.]
You remember Amaurot. Her beauty. Her spires. How she gleamed in the sun and night sky alike. 'Twas truly a utopia. Not perfect, but what bound us together was more powerful than our differences.
Until it was faced with a crisis. Unprecedented, terrifying. Civilization found itself perched upon a precipice, staring into oblivion. The Final Days.
[Even though he's gathered this much, that something terrible befell their world, that he himself might be dead--it still makes his stomach churn with anxiety as he comes to realize he's about to have it all confirmed. Levity pulls up a leg to his chest, resting his chin on the knee, staring at the pond.]
The land buckled. The cities burned. The waters ran red with blood.
Without decisive sacrifice, our star would surely perish. We saw we had to weave its laws anew. And through sacrifice of half of our people, we did imbue the star with a will of its own. A means to halt the great calamity. Zodiark was His name.
Levity - Hythlodaeus - stares ahead of himself, caught in the half-formed memories and the deep, cold emptiness opening up within him. He doesn't want to believe this, he wants to think that their home is as he remembers, a peaceful, familiar place for them to return to, but the sinking feeling of inevitability weakens him, leaving him unable to even say anything.]
[He pauses to take his hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss the knuckles softly.]
As terrible as this tale is, remember that we are still here. That the reason why we endure these games, this Production, is because we have a chance to prevent all this. To restore what was lost.
[This is quite the reaction. Not that he doesn't expect this from Hythlodeaus, but usually speaking of such events the reaction is detached interest or neutrality at best. Certainly no one has cried about it in as far as he can remember.
So while he should have expected it, he's a little dumbfounded.
But just for a moment. He'll pull him completely into his lap and stroke his hair.]
[Even though he's taller, with the way he hunches up, weighed down with tears, Levity actually looks smaller than his friend as he hides in his embrace, letting himself cry quietly. It's not even the full story, he knows, but even knowing that once their home had gone through that is too much.
And there is another matter, so small in the grand scheme of things, one that he's almost accepted already, yet still no less important.]
Was... W-Was that how... How I--
[But it's so hard to ask, so hard, and he breaks off, biting at his lip, body tense and shivering, silent tears streaming down his face.]
[He kisses his forehead and the corners of his eyes, brushing back the tears with the back of his hand as he holds him tightly with the other.]
[Canon doesn't say concretely so he remains vague.]
Volunteers each and every one of them. Never would we force such a request on anyone. Would I not be needed for the actual Summoning, I would have volunteered as well. Half our of people gave their lives to save the other half. I haven't found any star here that comes close to that.
[That might be nostalgia talking. Who knows if he really would have back then.]
Some part of Levity feels better at that--knowing that the sacrifices made were voluntary. But even so, the fact that they had to make such a choice... It reminds him too much of the recent game as well. Deciding who must die so that the others must live...
He stays silent for a time, hiding in Emet's embrace, before he can finally speak again.]
As much as I wish it, saying it will simply not make it so. But all is not lost. Lahabrea and I work tirelessly to save all that gave their lives and all that came after. And you are here, living and breathing and very much alive. A second chance given.
And I will do all that I can to ensure that fateful day never comes to pass.
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Day 350 or after
Hades: I suppose I have no one else to blame but myself.
Hades: But complications have moved up the time table.
Hades: If you are willing, I would like to speak with you on the events of our past.
Re: Day 350 or after
Accomplice: Complications?
Accomplice: I don't mind discussing it. I'm doing a little better.
Day 351
Hades: Only if you feel up to it. And I will explain that as well.
Hades: But if you do meet me in the park in an hour.
[He gives an address of a nice bench overlooking a pond.]
Re: Day 351
Accomplice: Alright.
[And he does show up there! Looking a little tired and subdued, but that's not surprising, given everything that's been happening. Also probably wearing WC-style regular jeans and jacket over a shirt. Sitting down by Emet!]
Hey.
Re: Day 351
[He puts an arm around his shoulders.]
Is that the 'jeans' I have heard so much about? Are they comfortable?
[He pauses for a few moments trying to figure out where to start.]
I was viewing the profiles and noticed a few familiar faces. And you have been patient about getting your answer about what I have been so reluctant to tell you. I would rather you heard the tale from me, so here I am. Offering.
Re: Day 351
Levity smiles at the half-hug, then pats his own leg in demonstration.]
Mm. Luther got them for me. They're quite nice.
[He listens to the explanation, which--probably does not explain too much, yet.]
...Well. I'm listening.
Re: Day 351
[He leans forward, placing his arms between his knees.]
You remember Amaurot. Her beauty. Her spires. How she gleamed in the sun and night sky alike. 'Twas truly a utopia. Not perfect, but what bound us together was more powerful than our differences.
Until it was faced with a crisis. Unprecedented, terrifying. Civilization found itself perched upon a precipice, staring into oblivion. The Final Days.
Re: Day 351
The Final Days...
Re: Day 351
Without decisive sacrifice, our star would surely perish. We saw we had to weave its laws anew. And through sacrifice of half of our people, we did imbue the star with a will of its own. A means to halt the great calamity. Zodiark was His name.
Re: Day 351
Levity - Hythlodaeus - stares ahead of himself, caught in the half-formed memories and the deep, cold emptiness opening up within him. He doesn't want to believe this, he wants to think that their home is as he remembers, a peaceful, familiar place for them to return to, but the sinking feeling of inevitability weakens him, leaving him unable to even say anything.]
Re: Day 351
As terrible as this tale is, remember that we are still here. That the reason why we endure these games, this Production, is because we have a chance to prevent all this. To restore what was lost.
There is yet hope.
Re: Day 351
In a couple of minutes he'll be able to accept that, but right now his mind is too full of half-forgotten fear and grief.
Levity makes a small noise, shifting closer to Alexander to wrap his arms around his friend and hide his face in his shoulder.]
Hades...
Re: Day 351
So while he should have expected it, he's a little dumbfounded.
But just for a moment. He'll pull him completely into his lap and stroke his hair.]
'Tis the past. Not all is lost. Not yet.
Re: Day 351
And there is another matter, so small in the grand scheme of things, one that he's almost accepted already, yet still no less important.]
Was... W-Was that how... How I--
[But it's so hard to ask, so hard, and he breaks off, biting at his lip, body tense and shivering, silent tears streaming down his face.]
Re: Day 351
[Canon doesn't say concretely so he remains vague.]
Volunteers each and every one of them. Never would we force such a request on anyone. Would I not be needed for the actual Summoning, I would have volunteered as well. Half our of people gave their lives to save the other half. I haven't found any star here that comes close to that.
[That might be nostalgia talking. Who knows if he really would have back then.]
Re: Day 351
Some part of Levity feels better at that--knowing that the sacrifices made were voluntary. But even so, the fact that they had to make such a choice... It reminds him too much of the recent game as well. Deciding who must die so that the others must live...
He stays silent for a time, hiding in Emet's embrace, before he can finally speak again.]
Did we... save our star?
Re: Day 351
[He hold him back. Resting his head atop Levity's.]
Re: Day 351
Then?..
Re: Day 351
I'm not sure I can.
Usually I do not get such emotional responses.
Re: Day 351
He stays in place for a time, silent.]
...Perhaps it's because some part of me does remember. I just... did not know it...
Re: Day 351
Re: Day 351
Hades, I... I don't want to die...
Re: Day 351
As much as I wish it, saying it will simply not make it so. But all is not lost. Lahabrea and I work tirelessly to save all that gave their lives and all that came after. And you are here, living and breathing and very much alive. A second chance given.
And I will do all that I can to ensure that fateful day never comes to pass.
Re: Day 351
Eventually he emerges from the hellscape of grief and fear, pulling away a little to look Emet in the eye.]
You mean to make use of a wish?
Re: Day 351
And time travel is not unheard of on our star. If we can go back far enough we can prevent it altogether.
But I did not want you hearing it from others. For there are those who wish to leave things as they are.
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