[ Hades is not the sort who likes making a big fuss over gift-giving and such. He dithers on whether to leave his present in Hythlodaeus cabin on the ship or at his (now comandeered) apartment. In the end, he opts for the latter as he doesn't need his crew witnessing any more embarrassing displays of affection than they already have.
The 'Quiver of Seasons', the merchant had called it before describing its fascinating effects. An apt thing for his bard friend, he feels.
He leaves the Quiver leaning against the side of the bed where Hythlodaeus can easily see upon walking in. He trusts that no explanation is needed. ]
How sweet! And here I thought you were unwilling to spend coin on me.
[ Mainly because Hythlodaeus tends to want to buy ridiculous and pointless items of decor or some horrible "experimental cuisine", but he's not going to admit to knowing that. ]
There is ample space along the coastline. I'm sure we can find an open beach. Or, if you feel the winds there would throw your aim, I believe there is a training ground nearby.
[ Requires a small fee to enter and use but would certainly be better than fighting coastal winds. ]
But what if there are already too many items on the coat rack?
[ He doesn't want to lose this argument! ]
'Twould be a shame to accidentally hit you with an arrow, that is true. Much as I regret to admit it, the training ground would be a better choice. Besides, you should have no problem paying for it, yes?
In a bell "or" two? How unusual for the great Emet-Selch to be so inexact!
[ Of course he has to be a little shit, but would you have him any other way? ]
But I suppose I could find ways to entertain myself until you arrive.
[ And, true to his word, he'll be waiting for Hades by the training grounds at the appointed time - a rare occasion when Hythlodaeus is the first to arrive anywhere. ]
I was allowing time for you to conclude your own tasks.
I shall see you momentarily.
[ Emet-Selch makes his own appearance after Hythlodaeus. When he first spots his friend, he pauses, as if surprised to see them there. But he quickly picks up his stride. ]
"Why, I was simply hoping to escape your scorn should I arrive later than you," Hythlodaeus replies with a smile. "Though 'tis true I am looking forward to seeing how this quiver functions."
He nods towards the entrance to the training grounds.
"Shall we? I hope you remembered to bring your coin."
He rolls his eyes. Forgetting to bring coin is a Hythlodaeus issue. Hades has long grown accustomed to carrying a purse on him (in such a way that nimble fingers cannot easily liberate it).
"Let's go."
He pays the appropriate fee to the caretaker, granting them one hour of use for one of the ranges. The set-up is fairly simple: there are large bales of hay draped with the almost universal symbol of a target at the end of the range. The cloth target is peppered with a few holes already.
"Hmm... Seeing as we are in the warmer season, I suppose your bow would fire flaming arrows," he muses.
Sighing again he holds out a hand, palm facing towards the distant targets. To normal eyes, it seems a flicker of fiery orange passes over the surfaces. Hythlodaeus, however, will know it for a shield against fire.
"That will have to suffice. I presume you aren't going to miss."
At least the ground is just dirt. Any flaming arrows would fizzle upon hitting it.
Hythlodaeus lights up immediately (well, not literally, fortunately).
"Ah, dependable as ever, my friend!" He exclaims, patting Hades on the shoulder. "Whatever would I do without you?"
Jokes aside, Hythlodaeus is quite eager to test the quiver. He slips the bow off his shoulder, taking a better stance for shooting, and with a practiced movement draws an arrow from the quiver and nocks it. It does not ignite - yet, at least, but when he pulls back the bowstring there is a faint glow surrounding the arrow.
The enchantment comes into full power when Hythlodaeus lets the arrow loose: the tip seems to erupt into flame, a fiery stream following the path of the arrow. As it hits the target - bullseye, of course, which Hythlodaeus will deny is anything special, - the flame seems to splash off the shield, but continues to dance around the arrow for a while longer before dissipating.
Hythlodaeus turns to his friend with a happy smile. "Well, I would say that is a success. What do you think, Hades?"
He has to confess: he had been watching Hythlodaeus draw and fire his bow and his gaze had followed the arrow belatedly. He doesn't see the hit but he does see the fire fizzle out - a perfect bullseye as he expected.
"Mm. Your opponents will not know your bow's trait until the arrow is fired. Its only drawback is the limitation to reflecting the season, I suppose."
That brings up a question though... "I wonder if your bow would behave differently in another part of the world."
Hythlodaeus looks thoughtful, but also intrigued. Despite his penchant for slacking off, his work at the Bureau wasn't for nothing.
"That would depend on how the enchantment functions... But I believe that it would indeed behave differently. Otherwise the wielder would not know what to expect of their quiver, were they to travel! Mayhap it senses the surrounding season somehow, reliant on the position of the stars... or composition of ambient aether?"
... Of course, he's just hypothesizing for the fun of it, given that this world's magic works differently to their own. But to Hades it may be worth it to see his friend musing as though he's just recounting some submissions he received.
A discreet glance in the general direction of where they entered. Hades starts to raise his hands again.
"I suppose since we have this space to ourselves until the next bell, some experimentation is in order."
He will introduce some ice aether to mimic the chilly conditions of winter. That would provide the clearest indication whether the bow's arrows are affected.
There's a brief smile at seeing Hades work his magicks, but when isn't Hythlodaeus happy to see that?
"Let us see, then."
He draws the bow again - an even more natural movement than before - and sends another arrow flying. Despite the much colder atmosphere enveloping it now, it still bursts into flame - good thing that the shield is still holding.
Hythlodaeus' form really is eye-catching. He waves a hand and the icy conditions slowly thaw.
"Not a localised phenomenon then. Mayhap a trip to the other leviathans are in order. Although I do not know one that specifically mimics the conditions of spring and autumn."
He wonders if the spring arrow would create a trail of flowers. Or perhaps inspire rapid growth upon impact? That could be a horrible death for the victim if so.
A soft snort. "Perhaps... I have seen a land like that once, you know. A land of rainbows and perpetually clear skies, inhabited by fae folk. I think you would have liked them."
He can think of no better candidate for a land blessed with eternal spring.
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A gift
Date: 2025-10-02 01:43 am (UTC)The 'Quiver of Seasons', the merchant had called it before describing its fascinating effects. An apt thing for his bard friend, he feels.
He leaves the Quiver leaning against the side of the bed where Hythlodaeus can easily see upon walking in. He trusts that no explanation is needed. ]
:>
Date: 2025-10-18 02:24 pm (UTC)Some time after Hythlodaeus makes the discovery, Hades will receive a picture of the Quiver on his shellphone, along with the message: ]
Is this for me?
no subject
Date: 2025-10-18 02:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-10-19 01:32 pm (UTC)[ Mainly because Hythlodaeus tends to want to buy ridiculous and pointless items of decor or some horrible "experimental cuisine", but he's not going to admit to knowing that. ]
Would you require a demonstration?
no subject
Date: 2025-10-19 03:07 pm (UTC)I won't say no to a demonstration.
no subject
Date: 2025-10-19 04:33 pm (UTC)[ You can't outargue him, Hades. ]
Where should we test the quiver? If you still have business to attend to, we can meet up later in the day.
no subject
Date: 2025-10-20 10:57 am (UTC)[ Checkmate!! ]
There is ample space along the coastline. I'm sure we can find an open beach. Or, if you feel the winds there would throw your aim, I believe there is a training ground nearby.
[ Requires a small fee to enter and use but would certainly be better than fighting coastal winds. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-10-21 03:07 pm (UTC)[ He doesn't want to lose this argument! ]
'Twould be a shame to accidentally hit you with an arrow, that is true. Much as I regret to admit it, the training ground would be a better choice. Besides, you should have no problem paying for it, yes?
no subject
Date: 2025-10-21 04:39 pm (UTC)Yes, yes. I'll pay for our entry. I shall meet you after I finish this design. Say, in a bell or two?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-09 11:44 am (UTC)[ Of course he has to be a little shit, but would you have him any other way? ]
But I suppose I could find ways to entertain myself until you arrive.
[ And, true to his word, he'll be waiting for Hades by the training grounds at the appointed time - a rare occasion when Hythlodaeus is the first to arrive anywhere. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-09 12:34 pm (UTC)I shall see you momentarily.
[ Emet-Selch makes his own appearance after Hythlodaeus. When he first spots his friend, he pauses, as if surprised to see them there. But he quickly picks up his stride. ]
Well, well... Someone's eager.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 04:12 pm (UTC)He nods towards the entrance to the training grounds.
"Shall we? I hope you remembered to bring your coin."
no subject
Date: 2025-11-17 10:03 am (UTC)"Let's go."
He pays the appropriate fee to the caretaker, granting them one hour of use for one of the ranges. The set-up is fairly simple: there are large bales of hay draped with the almost universal symbol of a target at the end of the range. The cloth target is peppered with a few holes already.
"Hmm... Seeing as we are in the warmer season, I suppose your bow would fire flaming arrows," he muses.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-17 01:04 pm (UTC)"... Do you have coin to pay for my burning down the range?"
no subject
Date: 2025-11-17 01:18 pm (UTC)Sighing again he holds out a hand, palm facing towards the distant targets. To normal eyes, it seems a flicker of fiery orange passes over the surfaces. Hythlodaeus, however, will know it for a shield against fire.
"That will have to suffice. I presume you aren't going to miss."
At least the ground is just dirt. Any flaming arrows would fizzle upon hitting it.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-17 02:17 pm (UTC)"Ah, dependable as ever, my friend!" He exclaims, patting Hades on the shoulder. "Whatever would I do without you?"
Jokes aside, Hythlodaeus is quite eager to test the quiver. He slips the bow off his shoulder, taking a better stance for shooting, and with a practiced movement draws an arrow from the quiver and nocks it. It does not ignite - yet, at least, but when he pulls back the bowstring there is a faint glow surrounding the arrow.
The enchantment comes into full power when Hythlodaeus lets the arrow loose: the tip seems to erupt into flame, a fiery stream following the path of the arrow. As it hits the target - bullseye, of course, which Hythlodaeus will deny is anything special, - the flame seems to splash off the shield, but continues to dance around the arrow for a while longer before dissipating.
Hythlodaeus turns to his friend with a happy smile. "Well, I would say that is a success. What do you think, Hades?"
no subject
Date: 2025-11-17 10:01 pm (UTC)"Mm. Your opponents will not know your bow's trait until the arrow is fired. Its only drawback is the limitation to reflecting the season, I suppose."
That brings up a question though... "I wonder if your bow would behave differently in another part of the world."
no subject
Date: 2025-11-18 04:14 pm (UTC)"That would depend on how the enchantment functions... But I believe that it would indeed behave differently. Otherwise the wielder would not know what to expect of their quiver, were they to travel! Mayhap it senses the surrounding season somehow, reliant on the position of the stars... or composition of ambient aether?"
... Of course, he's just hypothesizing for the fun of it, given that this world's magic works differently to their own. But to Hades it may be worth it to see his friend musing as though he's just recounting some submissions he received.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-18 04:38 pm (UTC)"I suppose since we have this space to ourselves until the next bell, some experimentation is in order."
He will introduce some ice aether to mimic the chilly conditions of winter. That would provide the clearest indication whether the bow's arrows are affected.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-20 12:48 pm (UTC)"Let us see, then."
He draws the bow again - an even more natural movement than before - and sends another arrow flying. Despite the much colder atmosphere enveloping it now, it still bursts into flame - good thing that the shield is still holding.
"Ooh, that's one theory out of the way."
no subject
Date: 2025-11-20 02:26 pm (UTC)"Not a localised phenomenon then. Mayhap a trip to the other leviathans are in order. Although I do not know one that specifically mimics the conditions of spring and autumn."
He wonders if the spring arrow would create a trail of flowers. Or perhaps inspire rapid growth upon impact? That could be a horrible death for the victim if so.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-20 04:24 pm (UTC)"Ah, but that would make for a fine adventure, would it not? Searching for the land of eternal springtime!"
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 02:01 am (UTC)He can think of no better candidate for a land blessed with eternal spring.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 09:55 am (UTC)He glances at Hades with a sly smile.
"I could just imagine you grumbling that the sun was too bright in such a land."
no subject
Date: 2025-11-21 04:08 pm (UTC)"Actually I avoided the area as much as I could. The faes' mischief could prove troublesome even for me."
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