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[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus

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[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.)

[emet_sulk]

"...Within reason."

Yeah, he knows how you think, friend.

"I have my own preferences, as you know."

[weenwoon]

"I'll take them into account. Within reason," he quips in response.

"You said you wanted to have a meal together. Do you have somewhere in mind?"

[emet_sulk]

He rolls his eyes but that is about what he expected as a response.

"There is a restaurant which I've found that does wonderful seafood platters. I know that is hardly novel in a world like this but it is by the waterfront and has an uninterrupted view of the sunset."

He delivers this in a matter-of-fact tone with great effort.

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus glances at his friend curiously.

"You would like to watch the sunset? I must agree, it is very beautiful here. The openness of the sky and sea is breathtaking at times."

It's sweet, he thinks, how his friend (seemingly) prefers the utilitarian and yet still has such appreciation for beauty.

[emet_sulk]

"Sunsets - and sunrises - are never the same day to day."

He feels an inexplicable need to defend himself. Even though there's nothing really to defend.

"Anyway, I already made a reservation. It would be a shame to cancel but we can go elsewhere if you have a hankering for some other repast..."

Leaving the 'decision' to someone else, as always.

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus briefly raises his eyebrows in surprise at the defensiveness - after all, he wasn't criticizing the choice... But it makes him wonder if that plan for an outing isn't somehow special to Hades. He's seen that kind of defensiveness and deflection before, for things that truly mattered to his friend yet were too much of a vulnerability.

Hmmm.

He leans in closer to bump his shoulder against Hades's.

"Come now, as if I would ever turn down an invitation from you." (Apart from invitations to take on the role of Emet-Selch.) "Watching the sunset together does sound very enjoyable... and I am heartened to hear you are willing to relax like this."

[emet_sulk]

"Mm."

He takes a quiet breath and lets it out. What is he getting so worked up for? Stupid old fool.

"I...like it here. It isn't home, but I have been keeping busy." And it's nice to not have to worry about all his various responsibilities. Truly, he is ill-suited to the seat of Emet-Selch.

[weenwoon]

"A little too busy sometimes," Hythlodaeus replies with a smile. "Though you have always preferred to throw yourself into your work... so this is all the more reason for me to be glad that you are willing to take the time to relax."