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[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus

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[weenwoon]

Well, that sounds intriguing, and Hythlodaeus wonders what it might be that warrants a private discussion. Then again, Hades doesn't like expressing anything much in public. But at the same time, him saying "if you are amenable"... Hmm.

Hythlodaeus nods in agreement and follows his friend to the stall, giving the seller a friendly wave. It looks like they are selling all manner of goods made of leather: bags of various sizes, but also holsters and belts, journal covers and even accessories... including some, hm, unusual-looking harnesses in the back of the stall.

"Do you see anything you like?" He asks, but his own eye is drawn to one of the leather-bound journals. It looks like it would make for a fine gift too, and particularly one that Hades would use.

[emet_sulk]

The stall gets a fair bit of attention from Hades. He gently runs his fingers over the leather, inspecting the craftsmanship and quality with a critical eye. Were the stallholder not busy chatting up another customer at the moment, he would have occupied their attention himself. He notes a few items to enquire about later before his eyes catch sight of what's hanging on the back wall.

Hades is distracted, frowning at the unusual harnesses at the back, when Hythlodaeus prompts him. Without turning, he hums and gestures.

"Mm, there are some decent items here. But what are those?"

[weenwoon]

"Those?" Hythlodaeus asks, equally distracted by the merchandise he's inspecting. He looks towards where his friend points, and... ah. Well. Hm.

There are probably good, graceful ways to handle this. But what Hythlodaeus does is raise a hand to cover Hades's eyes, as one would a child's.

"Oh, nothing you need concern yourself with. Come now, we came here for something else, remember?"

[emet_sulk]

He pushes Hythlodaeus' hand down with a frown. "What? Are you suggesting you know what they are? How could you possibly know something I don't?"

He sounds terribly offended by this lack of knowledge.

[weenwoon]

"Well, I already know how to play more musical instruments than you," Hythlodaeus retorts smugly.

"But in this instance... Let us just say that the taverns I perform at have, mm, all sorts of visitors."

[emet_sulk]

He stares at Hythlodaeus. His mind is clearly ticking over. At the tavern, he says--

His cheeks abruptly go red.

"I... I see." He turns away, crossing his arms tightly. "And how, pray tell, did you even recognise them as such? Did you...?"

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus isn't sure if he's glad that Hades caught on so quickly, but the reaction is still as endearingly shy as he'd expected.

"Oh, no. But some of the regulars work in... that field. I hear very curious stories from them!"

He grins his most shite-eating grin and nudges Hades with an elbow.

"Why, are you jealous?~"

[emet_sulk]

"No!" he snaps back - and he's not. Hythlodaeus can take whoever he likes to bed. He and his friend had their time together.

Unfortunately(?) his raised voice draws the attention of the shopkeep, who is finally done with their previous customer. They approach with a smile, asking how they might help the pair whilst their eyes dart uncertainly towards Hades.

[weenwoon]

"Ah, greetings. We wanted to pick out a bag for my friend," Hythlodaeus explains to the shopkeep with a smile, gesturing briefly towards Hades. Hopefully, his own cheery air will make up for Hades's snapping.

After hearing the requirements, the shopkeep nods and selects three bags that broadly fit the colour scheme, though they differ in design and size. Hythlodaeus thanks them and picks up one of the bags to examine it: it's on the smaller side, but his eye is drawn by the brass buckles and subtle ornamentation along the edges.

"Mm... I suppose I should have asked what you usually carry in your bag."

[emet_sulk]

Hades falls silent to allow Hythlodaeus to take the lead. The shopkeep does not deserve his ire. Once they're left with their recommendations, he pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs quietly. The bags get a cursory look.

"My current bag is larger on the inside, as I said. I carry my tools and a small selection of crystals," he says. "'Tis useful on expeditions. That's why I told you that I don't need another."

[weenwoon]

"But you will need to carry the doll as well now, yes?" Hythlodaeus's tone is a little teasing: he knows full well that Hades would just protest that he has no intentions to carry the doll around, but also knows that his friend wouldn't refuse him.

Still... as fun as that sounds, Hythlodaeus is coming to realize that he does want to give Hades a gift he would actually carry with him. They are not always together. After those millennia of solitude a reminder of Hythlodaeus's presence could hold much significance to his friend.

"But... if you truly have no interest in a bag..." Hythlodaeus goes on thoughtfully, reaching out to pick up the journal he'd spotted earlier. "I thought this might be a good fit. To keep track of your work or record results."

[emet_sulk]

He takes the diary and gazes at it pensively. Yes... Yes, a diary would be ideal. He's already gone through plenty up to this point. And he's sure he will fill in even more with Hythlodaeus dragging him on exploits.

A tangible record - and proof - of their existence.

"I could accept this," he concedes. He raises an eyebrow at his friend though. "I half expected you to decorate it with flowers or something equally lurid."

[weenwoon]

Happy to find something suitable, Hythlodaeus breaks out into another grin.

"Oh, 'twould be rude of me to do that before we buy it. But thank you for the idea, Hades - I will be sure to!"

He calls the shopkeep over again, explaining that he changed his mind and would like to take the diary instead. As they chat, there is probably enough time for Hades to decide if he wants to get something for Hythlodaeus himself, too.

[emet_sulk]

It had always been his intention to get Hythlodaeus something for the season. He casts his eyes about now while his friend chats up the shopkeeper. What would Hythlodaeus most appreciate...?

Well, Hades may not need a bag, but surely his friend does? And he can see a wider variety of them on the shelf, in patterns that he would not choose for himself in a million years. So he wanders over and eventually finds one that has embossing and stitched patterns of flowers on the flap and body.

"Would you like a bag for yourself instead?" he asks upon returning, holding it up for inspection.

[weenwoon]

"Hm?" Hythlodaeus is momentarily distracted as he finishes speaking to the shopkeep - turns out they've heard some of his performances! - but his eyes immediately light up once he realizes this is a gift for him.

"Why, certainly!" He takes the bag eagerly, running his fingers over the patterns... and then gives Hades a sly look.

"You know, for one who claims to dislike such exuberance, you certainly have an eye for beauty."

Perhaps he'll have to decorate Hades's journal with matching flower motifs. Yes, that would be a good idea indeed.

[emet_sulk]

He looks aside and crosses his arms.

"'Twas all the time spent amongst the people," he mumbles. "And I never said I did not appreciate the arts."

Well, he may have developed a fondness for theatre since ancient times, but...

(Thankfully he has no idea of Hythlodaeus' plans for his journal.)

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus smiles at his friend's characteristically understated response.

"I do really like it. Thank you, Hades."

After the shopkeeper wraps up their purchases - although Hythlodaeus insists on wearing his bag immediately, attaching his terrible Lafroufrou to it - he turns to Hades with another smile.

"Where to now? I believe you said you had some particular plans?"

[emet_sulk]

Coin well spent when it bought some happiness for his friend. Hades doesn't smile as such but he feels immeasurable fondness for Hythlodaeus in the moment. Even as he attaches that stupid Lafroufrou to the bag.

"Mm. I thought we would have dinner and then...return home. I've no commitments tonight. I want to spend the time together with you." He clears his throat awkwardly. "I know it isn't homely but...I plan to change that soon."

[weenwoon]

"Oh?~ Do you mean to finally listen to my advice for decoration?"

Hythlodaeus teases, but it does genuinely make him happy to hear that Hades wants to make their abode more homely. He remembers how his friend insisted that he doesn't need anything beyond what is necessary and utilitarian - it's a change from that time.

"But a cozy evening at home would surely fit the festive mood. Oh, what if I play something for you? I don't often give private performances~"

[emet_sulk]

"I-- Yes, I would love to hear you sing."

He starts sidling away from the stall before the shopkeeper can eavesdrop further.

"I contracted a builder to add an attachment to the Forge. So that we can live there rather than my current lodgings. It should be ready in a month or so."

[weenwoon]

"Does that mean I can have that hall statue I wanted?"

Once again his tone is a little joking, but he knows that that, too, must be reassuring to Hades.

"How big of an attachment? I could use the time until it is built to plan the interior design."

[emet_sulk]

Tiredly: "No. It's a suite, Hythlodaeus, not a house."

Please, friend, there won't be any room.

"If you want to see the floorplan then I can show you tonight."

[weenwoon]

"Mm... 'Tis still difficult to remember that we cannot use our magicks here freely," he muses as they leave the marketplace to head towards the eateries. "But it is also a fascinating challenge to make do with much less space than what we are used to."

[emet_sulk]

"Mm. I'm sure you'll make do. I trust in your ability to adapt to the situation." He tosses a small smirk Hythlodaeus' way. "I will let you choose where to place the furniture, but I insist upon having final say on the furniture itself."

[weenwoon]

"If you have the final say, does that mean I can still choose potential options?"

(Hades, no. Don't let him do this.)