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."
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.
"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."
"If you had your way, I would be doing no work at all," he rebuts, shaking his head wryly.
As they banter, their leisurely walk takes them through stalls of street food hawkers. Although Emet-Selch's stomach gurgles softly at the tantalising scents, he ignores it. It wouldn't do to ruin his appetite before dinner.
"It's over there. Come on."
As he says that, he takes Hythlodaeus' hand a little more firmly so his friend isn't tempted to stray.
"It's not so bad to laze around once in a while!" Hythlodaeus replies with a grin that says 'or even all the time'. He lets Hades take his hand, noticing with curiosity that he holds it tighter than usual, and lets his friend lead the way.
Once inside and ushered to their reserved seats, Hythlodaeus immediately picks up the menu. Don't think he didn't notice that you were hungry, Hades.
"If you have been here before, have you any recommendations, Hades? I think being out in the fresh air has given me an appetite."
The spot is perfect, he thinks, taking a few moments to gaze out over the water. Truly, one cannot underestimate the power of a silver tongue - ironically, a skill he only picked up because of Hythlodaeus' absence.
He has only been here once before so he picks up the menu and glances at the offerings.
"Last time, I had their steamed fish of the day. But I hear their seafood basket is also very good."
Friend. Dearest friend. Are you sure you're going to be able to finish it all? Hades does not voice this question aloud but he is certainly thinking it very hard.
"...The crab. Then you needn't worry about having filthy fingers when you're done."
(Of course Hythlodaeus takes it upon himself to decide what Hades will be having - not that he will object to his friend making his own choice. He's just being a little gremlin.)
"Oh, this cocktail is called 'Crab Rave'. I'm having that one!"
Since it was a choice he was going to make anyway, he merely rolls his eyes and huffs quietly.
"Crab Rave, hmm?" Judging by the illustration, it will feature two apple slices as the 'claws'. How novel.
He lifts a hand to gesture the waiter over so they can give their respective choices. After which there's nothing for him to do but pour out a glass of water for each of them and wait.
"...How has your time here been thus far?" he asks after a moment.
"I've been enjoying myself," Hythlodaeus replies with a smile, taking his glass. "There is so much novelty, even in day to day life! Though I must needs admit that this fast pace of life is... disorienting at times. And this concept of coin is still confusing to me, though I have learned to use it."
He glances at his friend curiously. He can't help thinking that there is more to the question than simply making small talk - Hades was never one for that, anyway.
"What of yourself? I believe you enjoy your time here as well."
Well... Hythlodaeus isn't wrong that Hades isn't one for small talk. But maybe he has sat in silence for so long that it's unbearable to him now.
"I have found...a strange attachment to this new life," he says haltingly. "I would still rather return to the star and have my well-deserved rest. But this isn't our star - there would be no point in departing now. Besides which: you're here. I wouldn't leave without you."
He hasn't heard that particular tidbit. He doesn't spend all day chatting on his device after all. But to hear that brings a sense of...relief of sorts. It means he still has time to rescue the Warrior of Light at the edge of the universe. The star will be saved...
He closes his eyes and leans back with a sigh. "I see. Well, until we return, let's enjoy this extra time together."
Seeing his friend relax brings Hythlodaeus a sense of peace, too... which in turn means that he can afford to tease him some more.
"Mhm."
As Hades leans back, so Hythlodaeus leans forward, resting his chin on his hand with a smug smile. He doesn't even say anything, simply giving his friend a very sly look.
Hythlodaeus is being unusually quiet. He cracks open his eyes and sees his friend leaning forward on the table, smiling that insufferable smile of his.
Ah-ha, there it is. Hythlodaeus had a hunch Hades might want to do a bit more than spend time together as friends, and now he's pretty certain about it.
He drops his gaze and glowers at the table. He is spared from immediately answering when their waiter returns with their drinks.
"Crab Rave for you, sir. And a glass of white wine for you. Please enjoy."
They tactfully withdraw. Hades lets out a slow breath as he gently pulls his wineglass closer.
"Seeing all the younglings having their little romances and trysts reminds me of our younger days," he mutters. "I had my share of partners after the Sundering as well. But as mortals do, they passed in the blink of an eye."
Hythlodaeus didn't expect such a candid answer: he would have thought his friend to hide some more behind his blustering. But, he reminds himself, Hades has gone through much. Perhaps there simply isn't a need for hiding his thoughts and feelings anymore.
He remembers Hades crying for his mortal children he's had to watch go. Losing others he loved must have been no less painful. He... really has been alone for a very, very long time.
"Hades."
Hythlodaeus reaches out with a smile to brush his fingers against his friend's hand.
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Date: 2026-01-21 01:18 pm (UTC)"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.
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Date: 2026-01-23 04:58 am (UTC)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.
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Date: 2026-01-24 04:19 am (UTC)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."
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Date: 2026-01-24 12:29 pm (UTC)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.
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Date: 2026-01-24 02:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-01-24 02:53 pm (UTC)As they banter, their leisurely walk takes them through stalls of street food hawkers. Although Emet-Selch's stomach gurgles softly at the tantalising scents, he ignores it. It wouldn't do to ruin his appetite before dinner.
"It's over there. Come on."
As he says that, he takes Hythlodaeus' hand a little more firmly so his friend isn't tempted to stray.
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Date: 2026-01-24 03:37 pm (UTC)Once inside and ushered to their reserved seats, Hythlodaeus immediately picks up the menu. Don't think he didn't notice that you were hungry, Hades.
"If you have been here before, have you any recommendations, Hades? I think being out in the fresh air has given me an appetite."
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Date: 2026-01-25 02:14 am (UTC)He has only been here once before so he picks up the menu and glances at the offerings.
"Last time, I had their steamed fish of the day. But I hear their seafood basket is also very good."
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Date: 2026-01-28 03:17 pm (UTC)"Should I get crab or prawns, do you think?"
Of course his order is going to be at least several dishes.
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Date: 2026-01-28 05:02 pm (UTC)"...The crab. Then you needn't worry about having filthy fingers when you're done."
Sadly, prawns must be peeled manually...
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Date: 2026-01-29 03:51 pm (UTC)"Ah, very true. I need to take care of my hands if I am to play for you later!"
He flips the menu over, inspecting the drinks card.
"What of drink? I think some wine would pair well with these."
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Date: 2026-02-01 04:54 pm (UTC)But...Hythlodaeus will probably go for one of their house cocktails or mocktails. His friend was never one to go with what was normal.
Hades, for his part, has silently made his decision already and lets the menu rest on the table.
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Date: 2026-02-07 02:32 pm (UTC)(Of course Hythlodaeus takes it upon himself to decide what Hades will be having - not that he will object to his friend making his own choice. He's just being a little gremlin.)
"Oh, this cocktail is called 'Crab Rave'. I'm having that one!"
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Date: 2026-02-07 03:22 pm (UTC)"Crab Rave, hmm?" Judging by the illustration, it will feature two apple slices as the 'claws'. How novel.
He lifts a hand to gesture the waiter over so they can give their respective choices. After which there's nothing for him to do but pour out a glass of water for each of them and wait.
"...How has your time here been thus far?" he asks after a moment.
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Date: 2026-02-07 03:54 pm (UTC)He glances at his friend curiously. He can't help thinking that there is more to the question than simply making small talk - Hades was never one for that, anyway.
"What of yourself? I believe you enjoy your time here as well."
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Date: 2026-02-08 02:24 am (UTC)"I have found...a strange attachment to this new life," he says haltingly. "I would still rather return to the star and have my well-deserved rest. But this isn't our star - there would be no point in departing now. Besides which: you're here. I wouldn't leave without you."
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Date: 2026-02-08 06:15 am (UTC)"From what I hear, time does not pass on our own star whole we are here. And if so, I see no problem with staying here until we are ready to leave."
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Date: 2026-02-08 03:17 pm (UTC)He hasn't heard that particular tidbit. He doesn't spend all day chatting on his device after all. But to hear that brings a sense of...relief of sorts. It means he still has time to rescue the Warrior of Light at the edge of the universe. The star will be saved...
He closes his eyes and leans back with a sigh. "I see. Well, until we return, let's enjoy this extra time together."
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Date: 2026-02-08 03:33 pm (UTC)"Mhm."
As Hades leans back, so Hythlodaeus leans forward, resting his chin on his hand with a smug smile. He doesn't even say anything, simply giving his friend a very sly look.
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Date: 2026-02-08 03:41 pm (UTC)"...What?" he asks warily.
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Date: 2026-02-08 03:54 pm (UTC)"You want to spend time with me~"
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Date: 2026-02-09 10:10 pm (UTC)"S-So what if I do?" he retorts. "Is there something odd about that?"
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Date: 2026-02-10 02:06 am (UTC)"I never said there's anything odd about it~"
He still looks awfully smug, however.
"You know I like having your attention."
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Date: 2026-02-11 09:29 pm (UTC)"Crab Rave for you, sir. And a glass of white wine for you. Please enjoy."
They tactfully withdraw. Hades lets out a slow breath as he gently pulls his wineglass closer.
"Seeing all the younglings having their little romances and trysts reminds me of our younger days," he mutters. "I had my share of partners after the Sundering as well. But as mortals do, they passed in the blink of an eye."
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Date: 2026-02-12 05:49 am (UTC)He remembers Hades crying for his mortal children he's had to watch go. Losing others he loved must have been no less painful. He... really has been alone for a very, very long time.
"Hades."
Hythlodaeus reaches out with a smile to brush his fingers against his friend's hand.
"What do you want to do?"
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