He asks that, but he already knows they are. People like them can see the true form of things and beyond. He straightens a little and tilts his head up, reaching towards the antlers to feel along their velvety surface.
Hythlodaeus inclines his head with a smile to give his friend better access.
"My, my. What do you think, most eminent Emet-Selch?"
It occurs to him that earlier Hades was rather insistent about being referred to by his title only, and that's another mystery - for as long as Hythlodaeus has known him as the Architect, his friend has been rather grudging to accept the title. His head is full of questions, but perhaps they ought to wait - at least until they are out of this strange public's eye.
Certifiably real. He lowers his hand and his gaze this time meets Hythlodaeus' own.
"Most others here have some manner of physical trait. Yet I appear to have gained nothing but sharper nails." He hasn't yet looked into a reflective surface. "Do you see anything different about me?"
Ah. Where does he start... Hythlodaeus hums briefly, in a way that's both thoughtful and perhaps a little befuddled.
"You... look quite different from how I remember you already. Your soul, of course, is unmistakable, but..." He pauses, as though unsure how to bring up an awkward matter. "'Tis not entirely unchanged. Touched by darkness, mayhap."
His hand lifts and hovers above his breast. He has known from the beginning that his soul had turned that day they summoned Zodiark: his and all the other members of the Convocation save for the late Azem.
"I lost my physical body the day our world was sundered into fourteen parts," he replies quietly. "Though He is bound, Zodiark has been a constant presence. Guiding me, reminding me of my purpose, safeguarding me from His enemies' Light." He smiles tiredly up at his old friend. "Whenever I began to doubt our course, I would immerse myself in His darkness and recall what it was you and all the rest gave up your lives for."
The look on Hythlodaeus's face is that of... disbelief, perhaps, or worried confusion. Though Hades speaks of these things as though they are natural, they are very unsettling to Hythlodaeus himself: in his own time the world still stands unsundered and prosperous. To hear his friend speak of doom and sacrifice, to see him changed... It's more than worrying, it's frightening.
"... What do you speak of, Hades? Naught has happened to our world. We are safe, as ever."
He gazes silently at Hythlodaeus for a time. Then shakes his head.
"Nevermind. I apologise for frightening you earlier. And for attempting to tamper with your soul." He puts on a smile. It looks benign enough. If Hythlodaeus doesn't know what he's speaking of then all the better. He can use his friend's ignorance.
He plucks at Hythlodaeus' outfit. "Did you make this? It seems...poorer than your usual."
Hythlodaeus does not quite feel happy about the sudden dodging, but he can leave the matter alone - for now. After all, Hades's agitation and the things he has already spoken of - not to mention the reason for his appearance right now - are rather too hard to forget.
"It does, does it not? It seems as though my powers have been somewhat... reduced. I assure you I did not intend to look like this."
"Oh? I thought everything you did was intentional." He...cannot quite recall everything his friend has done to warrant his ire in the past. Such fond memories are dim now, tarred with a mourning brush.
Reaching up, he carefully touches the mask. "I think you would be better served changing back into our given outfit and using this shoddy robe to make a cloth mask."
He laughs quietly. "Ah, but were this on purpose, I would have made rather more of a show of it, merely to aggravate you. And I should point out I am still wearing the clothes I found myself in here, merely underneath the robes."
Hythlodaeus pats his own chest in indication, but does not move to remove the robe yet.
"But, ah... were I to make a mask of these, would I not need something to cut out the eyeholes? I would leave the creation of such a tool to you, my friend. I fear you would only panic were I to handle any manner of a sharp object."
Hythlodaeus turns to look at the diner as well, studying the sign with curiosity. It looks exactly like the kind of thing he would have come up with (and Hades would have hated).
"Oh, that may be prudent. And will you be accompanying me on the journey?"
He raises a questioning - maybe slightly accusatory - eyebrow at Hythlodaeus. Does he need to keep an eye on you to make sure you don't cause mischief??
Hythlodaeus counters that eyebrow with his trademark grin.
"Why, I would not object to company! 'Tis merely unexpected you would wish to go anywhere with me. I would have expected you to merely wave me away and mutter something about not returning until I look presentable?"
"Not danger as such but an annoyance that will drive them to throttle you, my dear friend," he replies lightly. "That is unless you have reformed yourself lately?"
Ah... I see. My apologies, then. I fear there is naught I can do about my Sight, but if you wish to refrain from speaking about it I shall abide by your wishes.
[still kind of curious tho LIKE WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO YOU... SIR....]
... A dark mass. Akin to a mire, mayhap. Suppurating, or mayhap simply curdling. Within... 'tis as though dead matter is trying to come alive. I hope you understand why I was concerned.
Oh, not quite so! Though of course the creation of a soul lies beyond even my people's abilities, 'tis still possible to influence its state. After all, even a soul is a conglomeration of aether, and with careful enough work it may be able to clear yours up somewhat.
[so not only can he SEE your trash heap of a soul, he can get his metaphorical nasty normie fingers in it too.]
Oh, 'tis certainly not simple! But quite an intriguing challenge by that same virtue. I cannot say what effect it may have, though... I would imagine 'tis rather unlikely it should pose a danger to me, unless your soul lashes out somehow.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
INTRO POST
Emet-Selch
Fortunately, embarrassment is still alien to Hythlodaeus, and he only laughs softly as he keeps up the petting.
"Ah, one day I shall come up with a concept that even you would not dismiss as foolish! But I fear these were not my creation. I awoke with them."
no subject
He asks that, but he already knows they are. People like them can see the true form of things and beyond. He straightens a little and tilts his head up, reaching towards the antlers to feel along their velvety surface.
no subject
"My, my. What do you think, most eminent Emet-Selch?"
It occurs to him that earlier Hades was rather insistent about being referred to by his title only, and that's another mystery - for as long as Hythlodaeus has known him as the Architect, his friend has been rather grudging to accept the title. His head is full of questions, but perhaps they ought to wait - at least until they are out of this strange public's eye.
no subject
"Most others here have some manner of physical trait. Yet I appear to have gained nothing but sharper nails." He hasn't yet looked into a reflective surface. "Do you see anything different about me?"
no subject
"You... look quite different from how I remember you already. Your soul, of course, is unmistakable, but..." He pauses, as though unsure how to bring up an awkward matter. "'Tis not entirely unchanged. Touched by darkness, mayhap."
no subject
"I lost my physical body the day our world was sundered into fourteen parts," he replies quietly. "Though He is bound, Zodiark has been a constant presence. Guiding me, reminding me of my purpose, safeguarding me from His enemies' Light." He smiles tiredly up at his old friend. "Whenever I began to doubt our course, I would immerse myself in His darkness and recall what it was you and all the rest gave up your lives for."
no subject
"... What do you speak of, Hades? Naught has happened to our world. We are safe, as ever."
no subject
"Nevermind. I apologise for frightening you earlier. And for attempting to tamper with your soul." He puts on a smile. It looks benign enough. If Hythlodaeus doesn't know what he's speaking of then all the better. He can use his friend's ignorance.
He plucks at Hythlodaeus' outfit. "Did you make this? It seems...poorer than your usual."
no subject
"It does, does it not? It seems as though my powers have been somewhat... reduced. I assure you I did not intend to look like this."
no subject
Reaching up, he carefully touches the mask. "I think you would be better served changing back into our given outfit and using this shoddy robe to make a cloth mask."
no subject
Hythlodaeus pats his own chest in indication, but does not move to remove the robe yet.
"But, ah... were I to make a mask of these, would I not need something to cut out the eyeholes? I would leave the creation of such a tool to you, my friend. I fear you would only panic were I to handle any manner of a sharp object."
no subject
He turns and points to the diner, its sign flashing gamely through the darkness.
"I'm sure its kitchen will have an ample amount of knives."
no subject
"Oh, that may be prudent. And will you be accompanying me on the journey?"
no subject
He raises a questioning - maybe slightly accusatory - eyebrow at Hythlodaeus. Does he need to keep an eye on you to make sure you don't cause mischief??
no subject
"Why, I would not object to company! 'Tis merely unexpected you would wish to go anywhere with me. I would have expected you to merely wave me away and mutter something about not returning until I look presentable?"
no subject
Waving a hand carelessly, he starts in the direction of the garish sign.
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"Oh, I am positively hurt! What could I possibly do to be a danger to others?"
no subject
Ardyn
... No, I do not believe so. A little embarrassed, mayhap?
[have you tried being from a utopia where people wouldn't use things against you even if they found out your secrets?]
Re: Ardyn
Re: Ardyn
Ah... I see. My apologies, then. I fear there is naught I can do about my Sight, but if you wish to refrain from speaking about it I shall abide by your wishes.
[still kind of curious tho LIKE WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO YOU... SIR....]
Re: Ardyn
... One question! Out of curiosity.
How does my soul appear to you?
Re: Ardyn
Hythlodaeus pauses, his expression very obviously reading that he Would Rather Not Answer.]
... I imagine you would like an honest answer?
Re: Ardyn
Re: Ardyn
... A dark mass. Akin to a mire, mayhap. Suppurating, or mayhap simply curdling. Within... 'tis as though dead matter is trying to come alive. I hope you understand why I was concerned.
Re: Ardyn
Ah, of course. But still... It is nothing to worry yourself over.
[ he sounds maybe surprisingly unsurprised by this. ]
Re: Ardyn
If you are certain... I know not if I retain all of my powers here, but if you ever wish to try, I may be able to help with it.
Re: Ardyn
Re: Ardyn
Oh, not quite so! Though of course the creation of a soul lies beyond even my people's abilities, 'tis still possible to influence its state. After all, even a soul is a conglomeration of aether, and with careful enough work it may be able to clear yours up somewhat.
[so not only can he SEE your trash heap of a soul, he can get his metaphorical nasty normie fingers in it too.]
Re: Ardyn
Well! Does this have any ill effect on you? Surely it cannot be a simple task.
Re: Ardyn
[haha,]
Re: Ardyn
Re: Ardyn
Well, of course I would not attempt it without your consent.
Re: Ardyn
Re: Ardyn
[Gives a BOW]
And now it occurs to me I've forgotten to introduce myself. Hythlodaeus, at your service.
Re: Ardyn
But of course -- Ardyn Izunia. It is a pleasure to meet you.