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[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus

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[emet_sulk]

"Mm. White wine usually suits seafood best."

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.

[weenwoon]

"Then, white wine for you, and for me..."

(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!"

[emet_sulk]

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.

[weenwoon]

"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."

[emet_sulk]

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."

[weenwoon]

That makes Hythlodaeus's smile widen, though it's not as mischievous as usual. You sappy old man.

"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."

[emet_sulk]

"...It doesn't?"

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."

[weenwoon]

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.

[emet_sulk]

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.

"...What?" he asks warily.

[weenwoon]

Looks like that wariness is the reaction Hythlodaeus was looking for; his smile widens into a grin.

"You want to spend time with me~"

[emet_sulk]

He reddens and sits up abruptly.

"S-So what if I do?" he retorts. "Is there something odd about that?"

[weenwoon]

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.

"I never said there's anything odd about it~"

He still looks awfully smug, however.

"You know I like having your attention."

[emet_sulk]

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."

[weenwoon]

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.

"What do you want to do?"

[emet_sulk]

Don't look at me like that, he thinks desperately. Don't look at me like you know what I want or what I'm thinking.

His fingers twitch. He curls them in and pulls his hand away.

"It isn't fair to ask it of you."

[weenwoon]

"Mm? You think I will refuse?"

He sounds amused - not at Hades's reluctance itself, but at the idea that there is anything his friend could (or would) ask that would make Hythlodaeus uncomfortable.

He stretches his arm out further to simply poke at Hades's curled fingers. Nowhere is safe!

"You have been away from me too long."

[emet_sulk]

"'Tis still a selfish request."

He shoves his hand in his lap this time and hides his face by taking a sip of wine. Maybe if he's a little drunk, this will go more easily.

"Today has been enough. Truly."

[weenwoon]

Unfortunately for Hades, that sly look is absolutely not leaving Hythlodaeus's face. He knows enough to interpret those words as an admission that he wants something more than taking some pictures and having a meal together.

"Hmmm? But I was promised that you still have some... private plans for later."

[emet_sulk]

Ah. Hades' gaze becomes evasive as he mumbles into his glass.

"I thought I could...play some music for you for once. Or something to that effect. I tried my hand at strings and the piano."

[weenwoon]

--Oh. That's not what Hythlodaeus expected, and it catches him off guard. It's a sweet thought, and very characteristic of his friend.

Hythlodaeus looks down for a moment, feeling his cheeks grow a little pinker.

"I... would really like to hear that, in truth."

[emet_sulk]

He relaxes slightly and lowers his wine now that Hythlodaeus is not fixated on teasing him.

"Mm. I purchased a violin recently... I know some pieces from various eras of our star. I can play some for you."

[weenwoon]

The atmosphere a little more relaxed now, Hythlodaeus takes a sip of his own Crab Rave, a smile rising to his lips.

"I would be happy to compare them to the ones I know. 'Tis a bit of a pity the rifts never brought another bard from our star here."

(He doesn't know about the Exarch.)

[emet_sulk]

"Ah... They did. That red-haired miqo'te you may have seen about. Although he is more of a scholar than a bard, in my estimation."

At this point, their food arrives as well. Hades waits until the waiter has set their dishes down and backed away before resuming.

"He has a fair singing voice, I suppose. But we have a complicated relationship."

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus looks surprised at that, almost forgetting his drink. That man is an inhabitant of their star? And a bard?

But before he asks about the rest, he has an important question.

"You don't like his singing better than mine, do you?"

[emet_sulk]

He chokes a little on the first bite of his food. After his coughing fit is done, he says, "Between you and him, I definitely prefer yours."