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[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus

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[weenwoon]

The unimpressed stare seems to be exactly what Hythlodaeus was hoping for, if the way his smile grows wider is anything to go by.

"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!

[emet_sulk]

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.

[weenwoon]

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."

[emet_sulk]

"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.

[weenwoon]

"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).

[emet_sulk]

"Oh? Well, if it's a practical purchase then you have no issue with paying for your own, correct?"

This accompanied by a broad smirk. Checkmate, friend!

[weenwoon]

Oh no, he's not giving up that easily.

"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."

[emet_sulk]

"I struggle to believe that you lack for coin now with your lovely singing voice and natural charm."

Raising an eyebrow here. Is he...teasing?

[weenwoon]

"Oh?~ So you find me charming?"

He's so smug.

[emet_sulk]

"Perhaps a tad. Now, are you paying the kind shopkeep for your hat or not?"

Said shopkeep is looking between them, simultaneously amused by the banter but also unsure whether to speak up.

[weenwoon]

"And here I thought my charm would be enough to entice you to pay for it," Hythlodaeus replies with a grin, but reaches for his coin purse nonetheless. Look, he's being responsible!

"You know, I think this is the first time you've ever admitted I'm charming," he remarks after they stroll away from the stall. It's likely he will never let Hades live this down.

[emet_sulk]

He also pulls out his coin pouch and pays the vendor for his own hat, shaking his head in response to Hythlodaeus' comment.

"Well... You are," he says with a vaguely awkward air. He clears his throat. "You have a way with people that I simply do not." His voice grows quieter. "I missed that about you after you were gone."

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus is taken aback momentarily. No matter how much time he's spent here, it still often surprises him when Hades replies earnestly to his teasing instead of getting all huffy - the expectation built up from the eons they've spent together. But it's not a bad change.

"Hmm~ Should I put even more effort towards being charming, then? To make up for my absence?"

[emet_sulk]

He huffs and turns aside to hide his embarrassment. "Just behave as you normally do. That is all I want."

And before the shopkeeper can witness any more of this very sweet, very sappy exchange, he takes Hythlodaeus' hand and tugs his friend onwards.

[weenwoon]

He lets himself be whisked along, smug as ever. And they do have more shopping to do!

"Well then, what should we look at next? Some festive decorations for our rooms, mayhap?"

[emet_sulk]

"Hmm, you have been complaining about my lack of aesthetic sense," he muses. Hades remained a firm believer that a home merely needed to serve as a place to rest and recuperate. But as ever, he cannot help but capitulate to a bit of nagging.

"Fine. Some decorations it is."

[weenwoon]

"Wonderful! I'll help pick something out for you, too."

(He says it happily, but that's absolutely a threat.)

Fortunately, there are a lot of decorations to choose from: the festival has no strict regulations of its symbols, meaning the craftspeople can let their imaginations wander. Hythlodaeus inspects door chimes, rugs, wall decorations, decorative kitchenware and many, many varieties of toys...

... including one of the infamous Lafroufrous but made into Elah's likeness and decorated with some crystals to follow the wintery theme. Hythlodaeus absolutely lights up on seeing it and grabs the doll to show it to his friend excitedly.

"Hades, look! Isn't it simply adorable?"

Oh no. He seems to genuinely really like it.

[emet_sulk]

Hades immediately pulls a face. "Absolutely not."

The Lafrourou's ugly face glowers at him. He glares back. Of course, his denial will only encourage Hythlodaeus. Why did his friend have to find this of all things?

[weenwoon]

Of course it encourages Hythlodaeus. He lights up even more, because to him the "no" means "yes".

"But it's delightful! Oh, maybe we can find one for you too!"

He turns around, inspecting more of the cursed dolls, until - aha, there is one! He holds up another doll, beaming. This one is themed after an octopus - but still glittered up with crystals for the festival.

[emet_sulk]

His expression takes on a more pained cast. He hasn't forgotten his time spent as that giant octopus.

"Well... That one is a mite more acceptable. I suppose," he concedes.

Please, he just doesn't want the Lafroufrou.

[weenwoon]

Too bad, old friend, you're getting both.

"I knew you would like it! I'll take these two," he turns to the shopkeeper with a smile, reaching for his coin pouch. Look, he's paying for things like a responsible adult!

"I have seen people attach these to their clothing," Hythlodaeus muses once the purchase is complete. He holds up both dolls to Hades, seemingly choosing somewhere to hang them on.

[emet_sulk]

Aaaand he's bought them already. Hades sighs quietly to himself, resigned to having to look at the disturbing thing regularly now. He reaches out to take the octopus, looking it over.

"How impractical. It would be better off attached to a bag. I don't want such a bulky thing impeding my movement."

[weenwoon]

Oh no, Hades, don't give him ideas.

"Is that so? What kind of bag would you like, then?"

[emet_sulk]

"I already have a bag. One with greater dimensional space inside than out."

He gives Hythlodaeus a pointed look. He's wise to you, friend!

[weenwoon]

"That is a much too utilitarian view. Come now, Hades, you've walked along mortals much longer than me. Surely you know the merits of expressing your personality through attire and accessories?"

You are not getting out of this, friend.