[ That latter admission elicits a fond smile from Hythlodaeus. Of course he knows that Hades missed him and Azem terribly, but it's still pleasant to hear - well, read - him admitting how important his friends are to him. ]
Then I shall be glad to provide a distraction, as always.
[ That should probably be understood to mean "See you there". And indeed he does, but this time Hythlodaeus arrives exactly half a bell after the message was sent - as ever. ]
Hythlodaeus takes that hand, amused internally at the thought of what a sight they might make - a Corsair and a Paladin, walking along holding hands.
"Have you ever truly minded indulging me?" He quips in response. That itinerary for the day sounds good, though: it has been some time since they last could simply take their time to wander around together. It reminds Hythlodaeus of their younger days, before either of them assumed their responsibilities to their people and the star.
"But if it is an exchange, is there aught you would want me to give you in return?"
"Mm... I-- No. The pleasure of your company is enough," he says, squeezing Hythlodaeus' hand gently. "Or if you really insist...then I will agree to accept one thing from you today, no matter how ridiculous. So make it count."
Emet-Selch has been here long enough that he doesn't care about whatever others may think about a Paladin and Corsair holding hands. If anything else, it ought to break down the stigma between them. They would tear him and his friend apart over his dead body.
He hopes a silly hat is the worst thing Hythlodaeus can come up with.
"Only one, remember," he says mildly. "Let's go."
The markets await! The colder climate and time of year has brought out vendors' more wintery stock. Emet-Selch is familiar with a lot of it by now so this is his chance to watch Hythlodaeus' reactions.
As expected, Hythlodaeus is excited to explore the markets, flitting here and there to inspect the goods for sale: from spice mixes and seasonal treats to decorations and, yes, even clothes.
It doesn't take him too long to discover the first gift candidate. At one stall he riffles through the merchandise, then turns to Hades with a grin and two incredibly goofy-looking earflap caps that... have a horn on the forehead, apparently themed after a narwhal tusk.
Hythlodaeus does briefly look like he's about to pout - he's used to getting more of a reaction out of his friend. But... at the same time, this does mean they get to wear matching hats, so he can't complain about this.
"Indeed. Here, let me put it on for you."
(Well, maybe dressing Hades up like he's a child will get him a response?..)
He endures it perhaps better than Hythlodaeus may expect. Hades makes sure to look suitably unimpressed when his friend is done and stepping back to admire his handiwork.
"...You next." He holds up the other cap after a long, stoic stare. Without waiting for a reaponse, he steps forward.
Oh, that does irk him a little. That reminder that his friend is now the slightly taller one.
Huffing, he fits the cap snugly over Hythlodaeus' head, gently brushing his fringe back beneath its edge. He ties off the strings with a slip knot rather than a bow out of an impulsive urge to be contrary.
"Hmm..." He makes sure the horn is sitting nice and tall. "There."
Hades is sure they look like a pair of fools. Matching fools, but fools nonetheless.
They absolutely look like fools, but one can be certain that Hythlodaeus only enjoys that. He smiles fondly at the contrast between Hades's huffing and the gentle way he brushes his hair back; how very like his friend.
"Doesn't this put you in a festive mood? I find this tradition of dressing up for various occasions charming."
"I think you know nothing puts me in a festive mood," he retorts dryly. "But I am in an indulgent mood right now. Are you sure these hats are what you want?"
A little frivolous spending is worth seeing Hythlodaeus smiling and happy. His gaze lingers on his friend's face before he glances at their reflections in the nearby mirror.
...Absolutely ridiculous. He wouldn't have it any other way.
"Oh, no, these are just to keep our ears warm. Surely you would not expect a practical purchase to be a gift?"
Which, of course, means: Hythlodaeus loves these hats, but he wants to find something even more ridiculous (or just get more presents, while he has the chance).
"Ah, but should I not be saving my coin for your present? It would be heartbreaking to have to give up on the perfect gift because I can no longer pay for it."
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Date: 2025-12-03 12:34 pm (UTC)Then I shall be glad to provide a distraction, as always.
When should we meet?
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Date: 2025-12-03 01:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-12-03 01:59 pm (UTC)[ That should probably be understood to mean "See you there". And indeed he does, but this time Hythlodaeus arrives exactly half a bell after the message was sent - as ever. ]
Greetings, esteemed Emet-Selch!
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Date: 2025-12-03 02:46 pm (UTC)There's no need for that now. My title is unnecessary here.
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Date: 2025-12-03 03:03 pm (UTC)"Now, where are we off to today?"
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Date: 2025-12-03 03:40 pm (UTC)"Mm... I thought we might take in the markets. Take our ease in a cafe. And then..."
He trails off self-consciously. Shakes himself mentally. Outing first.
"In Eorzea, they exchange gifts. If there is something you like the look of, I would not mind indulging you this once."
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Date: 2025-12-06 02:57 pm (UTC)"Have you ever truly minded indulging me?" He quips in response. That itinerary for the day sounds good, though: it has been some time since they last could simply take their time to wander around together. It reminds Hythlodaeus of their younger days, before either of them assumed their responsibilities to their people and the star.
"But if it is an exchange, is there aught you would want me to give you in return?"
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Date: 2025-12-06 03:58 pm (UTC)Emet-Selch has been here long enough that he doesn't care about whatever others may think about a Paladin and Corsair holding hands. If anything else, it ought to break down the stigma between them. They would tear him and his friend apart over his dead body.
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Date: 2025-12-06 04:44 pm (UTC)... Well, Hades can probably imagine what kind of horror he might have unleashed. A silly hat might end up being the least awful option.
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Date: 2025-12-06 04:55 pm (UTC)"Only one, remember," he says mildly. "Let's go."
The markets await! The colder climate and time of year has brought out vendors' more wintery stock. Emet-Selch is familiar with a lot of it by now so this is his chance to watch Hythlodaeus' reactions.
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Date: 2025-12-13 03:01 pm (UTC)It doesn't take him too long to discover the first gift candidate. At one stall he riffles through the merchandise, then turns to Hades with a grin and two incredibly goofy-looking earflap caps that... have a horn on the forehead, apparently themed after a narwhal tusk.
"Hades, look!~ What say you to matching hats?"
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Date: 2025-12-13 03:38 pm (UTC)"A narwhal cap, hmm? It does look rather warm. 'Twill keep our ears warm in this climate."
Hades smirks faintly, waiting to see if Hythlodaeus tries harder to get a reaction out of him.
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Date: 2025-12-13 04:35 pm (UTC)"Indeed. Here, let me put it on for you."
(Well, maybe dressing Hades up like he's a child will get him a response?..)
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Date: 2025-12-13 04:53 pm (UTC)"Oh, fine... But only if you let me put yours on as well."
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Date: 2025-12-15 02:56 pm (UTC)"Stand still for a moment, then."
He puts the cap on Hades with some ceremony, adjusting it a few times... and ends it by tying the ends of the earflaps together like a ribbon.
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Date: 2025-12-15 03:19 pm (UTC)"...You next." He holds up the other cap after a long, stoic stare. Without waiting for a reaponse, he steps forward.
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Date: 2025-12-15 03:30 pm (UTC)"Yes, yes~"
He bends his head down a little to make it easier for Hades to put it on him. Look, he's being helpful!
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Date: 2025-12-15 09:45 pm (UTC)Huffing, he fits the cap snugly over Hythlodaeus' head, gently brushing his fringe back beneath its edge. He ties off the strings with a slip knot rather than a bow out of an impulsive urge to be contrary.
"Hmm..." He makes sure the horn is sitting nice and tall. "There."
Hades is sure they look like a pair of fools. Matching fools, but fools nonetheless.
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Date: 2025-12-17 04:21 pm (UTC)"Doesn't this put you in a festive mood? I find this tradition of dressing up for various occasions charming."
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Date: 2025-12-17 05:06 pm (UTC)A little frivolous spending is worth seeing Hythlodaeus smiling and happy. His gaze lingers on his friend's face before he glances at their reflections in the nearby mirror.
...Absolutely ridiculous. He wouldn't have it any other way.
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Date: 2025-12-18 05:13 am (UTC)Which, of course, means: Hythlodaeus loves these hats, but he wants to find something even more ridiculous (or just get more presents, while he has the chance).
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Date: 2025-12-19 11:06 am (UTC)This accompanied by a broad smirk. Checkmate, friend!
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Date: 2025-12-21 03:10 pm (UTC)"Ah, but should I not be saving my coin for your present? It would be heartbreaking to have to give up on the perfect gift because I can no longer pay for it."
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Date: 2025-12-21 03:17 pm (UTC)Raising an eyebrow here. Is he...teasing?
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Date: 2025-12-22 01:48 am (UTC)He's so smug.
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