insideoflight | (no subject)

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[Exhaustion is hardly anything new for Naltryd. The moment she decided to become an adventurer, she knew that life ahead of her wasn't going to be easy, filled with hard knocks and barriers to overcome. Granted, those many years ago, she hadn't an idea that adventuring would lead to her at the very edge of the universe, fighting to save her world--nay, every world. Her exponentially growing adventures over time had lead to no small amount of injuries and near death experiences, though none had come quite as close to this one. Had that teleporter not appeared out of thin air, she knows she would have died alongside Zenos.

(The thought scares her less than she would have expected, but she's grateful to be alive nonetheless.)

Her friends and the healers in Sharlayan alike have done what they can for her, fixing up the most grievous of wounds, but even magic can only heal so much. The rest is up to her own body and time. It was difficult enough being bedridden for several days, and she's still only allowed outside of the Annex for stints at a time as she recovers (she's pretty sure the combined will of Alisae and G'raha will keep her from even accidentally stubbing a toe). Still, there's plenty of people coming and going to see her and keep her company, at least.

The person she wishes to talk to most, however, is still asleep. Not as if she knows exactly what she wants to say, granted.

Emet-Selch is the last to have awoken, though her worries have been lessened by Hythlodaeus' insistence that he's perfectly fine, just needs to sleep a little. Still, there's uncertainty there, as she doesn't know where this road is going to lead exactly. She doesn't know where the first step is going to fall.

And so she sits there at his bedside, still-healing bruises and scrapes across the skin of hers that isn't still bandaged, thumbing through a book. It's difficult to focus; she's not sure if she can recall exactly what she read on the previous page, and her eyes keep flickering over to the sleeping Ancient in the bed beside her.]

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Some many thousand years' worth of history...much of it lost, though some details are not much to mourn. I suggest a strong drink when it comes time to read about certain aspects of the Third Astral Era...Allag was something of a mistake.

[And not just because it produced Amon, though Amon is certainly an...example of what he means.]

Fortunately, I am well familiar with present cultures, so you needn't worry about feeling like a proper, aquatic fish out of water.

Well, that bipedal shark was out of water, was he not, back on Elpis?

[She rather fondly remembers Hythlodaeus' rant before Venat joined them.]

Regardless, let us take things a step at a time.

[ Siiiiigh. ] It was doing its best, I suppose, and it was not its fault.

[ And those whose fault it was ... well, they are no longer around, one way or another.

A moment, and Hythlodaeus shakes off the sadness with some effort. This is not the time to grieve, not while the others need the brightness to recover. Later will be good enough. ]

And I rather thought the point right now is to get into the water. And I will gladly accept all the information at all times, as you know.

Once it gains the ability to survive and function in dry conditions, it ceases to be a proper aquatic organism.

[Mitron. It's Mitron's fault. Not that...there's much of him left, anymore.]

But, you do have the right of it. I am looking forward to that bath.

Bath. Right, that. Ah... It should be right down here...

[Eventually she stops ah a large door, nodding at it.]

You'll find the bath in here. I can put up a sign for you so that you won't be disturbed.

[ Hythlodaeus hums, and then looks between the two of them.

After a moment, he murmurs, his voice very soft, ] if you have pressing occupation elsewhere, that will be welcome.

[ ... look. If. ]

She has offered to find me a change of clothes. Not that such is entirely necessary, of course.

[He's not expecting much, given her earlier defensive reaction...but it is still possible she thought he was only joking.]

[She looks between the two of them, not fully understanding what they're trying to get across here.]

Are you...?

[Insinuating that you want her company? In the baths?]

Reluctant to relinquish your riveting company? Why, yes, we are.

But it depends, of course, on whether you are interested in relaxing and rather ... domestic times about now.

Were you, perhaps, assuming a touch more modesty? I might be more my old self now that my will is my own, but some things have simply changed, my dear.

[Granted, this is as much for Hythlodaeus' information as Naltryd's. His lover, after all, hasn't yet had the opportunity to see how he behaves in public these days.]

You're entirely welcome to join us, provided you don't mind the possibility of being asked to help scrub someone's back.

Oh, for the love of... I won't be putting myself on display, but fine, it's hardly the first time I've had a social bath. I shan't be scrubbing anyone's back but my own, though.

[This is surreal. Perhaps some fever dream during her recovery. Still, she's been in odder situations.]

[ Hythlodaeus hums, watching her for a moment. ]

It is only fair that I mention that, our wish being stated, your own matters as well.

[ Please don't be pressured, because he does know the two of them can be overwhelming when focused - something he has used before when he was certain that his course is correct. But Naltryd, familiar and unfamiliar as she has been, before and now - he would rather ask, until he knows enough to be certain of his judgments.

But, also...

The smile returns, warm and sweet. ]

You called us, and you asked us to stay, and you need not walk off alone while others share warmth and companionship - unless you want to, or it is simply not the right moment.

Aye, an invitation sours when it becomes a demand, most particularly when moments of intimacy are involved. Tease though I may, I would far prefer a refusal than a grudging acceptance despite your own discomfort.

[As often as he makes a fuss and acts put out by things he actually enjoys, that's him. He's not about to assume someone else is only playing at reluctance.]

If you aren't comfortable disrobing in our company, or with us disrobing in yours, simply say so.

I did ask you to stay, and I do want you to stay. I just did not expect to, well, be sharing a bath immediately.

[She gives a little shrug, but doesn't look terribly bothered as she opens the door to the baths.]

It's fine, it's fine. When you travel with others on the road, modesty tends to fall to the wayside. Besides, even Ul'dah had some public bathhouses that I used to go to with friends when I had the coin.

[ Well. With that settled, Hythlodaeus pushes open the door to the bathroom, aether and body language bright and steady, and walks in first, breathing in the scents of the room. ]

Ul'dah... is the city in the dessert, no? I imagine there it would have been additionally lovely, to relax in this way.

[ A brief moment to see what goes where, and he sets off to easily disrobing and preparing for the bath - not hurrying, not hiding, but also somehow not making one look at his private parts unless one seeks the sight out.

He is not quite making a show of it, but it is close enough, knowing that it is likely that each of the other two might be worried about being looked at just now. ]

A welcome reprieve from the dry air of the valley.

[Not his favorite region to live in, though not his least. That award goes to the wasteland Garlemald dubiously calls a countryside.

Once, he might have been awkward about disrobing for a mixed bath. Now, he does so casually, albeit with a faintly distracted expression. Strange, how the sight of his own body feels almost foreign at this point.

Once the robe is over his head and he catches sight of Hythlodaeus, however, he becomes an entirely different sort of distracted. He's seen Hythlodaeus in his dreams many and more times, but pain him as it does to admit it, even the most treasured details fade with centuries.]

...Of course, even Ul'dah, for all its artistry, still has some sights it falls short of matching.

Just so, Hythlodaeus. I grew up there; when I wasn't on the road, at least. It's a terribly corrupt, unfair place, but it still has its beauty in both looks and many of the people in it. Our Sultana is an incredible woman... Shame that the Syndicate has the real power.

[She tries not to look too much at them as they disrobe, because modesty aside, she wants to be proper. Her own disrobing is swift, and she quickly sinks into the water up to the top of her chest.

At continuing to listen to them, though, she glances up curiously. The way Emet-Selch looks as he speaks those words...

Oh. Well. Now isn't that interesting? Hardly a surprise, but interesting.]

Ah, I never knew how poetic you could get, Emet-Selch.

[ Hythlodaeus knows the moment Hades's attention turns to him, and he looks back with a smile that, well, is entirely familiar to Hades. His attention strays only so he can grab some things for later so they can wash up properly, and then returns to him.

After Naltryd's words, he turns to her, the smile almost the same - just as deeply glowing from his eyes, only one that is Azem's, not Hades's. ]

There was ever a beauty to his mind that few were allowed to see properly. I have much appreciated the privilege.

[ His eyes crinkle a little more as he finally settles in the water. ]

Our time together before was far too brief, with so much that turned out to be pressing. But there is much and more to know about each other, and I hope your learning about us will be as interesting as learning about you is.

Did you have a happy childhood? Did you choose to travel, or did you have to? And were your travels that young confined to the areas around Ul'dah, or did you have to go further?

[He makes no effort to hide his own body as he finishes disrobing and slips into the water with a content sounding sigh. The warmth is incredibly satisfying, and the comfort much needed after his lackluster living arrangements on the First.]

Remind me to direct you both to certain works I have penned under one name or another. Some yet grace the stages of well regarded theaters.

[He smiles faintly as Hythlodaeus starts his questions, and lifts a hand to pat him on the shoulder.]

Try not to barrage her with questions too quickly, my sweet. She is like to still be tired.

[Oh, that's rather adorable. She smiles, a bit amused at hearing the former Ascian drop a pet name so casually.]

It's quite alright. We may be new old friends, but there's much about the new that you don't know. I can't say it's terribly exciting, though.

I was fortunate enough to have a happy childhood, yes. My parents were merchants and weavers, so we lived fairly comfortably. I'm told that the two of them had a rough time of it at first... Ul'dahns are not often kind towards Ala Mhigan refugees, but they were stubborn, and managed to find their places.

[It's clear that she's very fond of them in the way she talks of them. And honestly, she misses them dearly. Maybe she's overdue for a visit...]

We sold our goods mostly in the city, but sometimes we would travel throughout Thanalan to sell in other towns and encampments. Sometimes as far as Gridania, even. Even when I missed my friends when we traveled, I loved being able to see the world, to go to new places. It's one of the main reasons I became an adventurer to begin with.

[ Oh.

It has been a long, long time since he has heard Hades called him this. Even before his time on the moon, tensions were running so high that there was little time for endearments, or for private moments unclouded by worry. It has also been a long time since, well, he's had a body at all, so the way his chest aches with the endearment is almost strange, and almost too much. And absolutely good.

He makes himself focus, and hums softly in agreement with Hades's words and turning his attention to Naltryd and the answers to his questions. He is glad those are good memories, too. It is the most he has ever wished for, after all - that his loved ones be happy and content. ]

It sounds wonderful - not perfect, but the difficulties making the good parts all the sweeter. [ Half-closing his eyes, he returns to seeking out the knowledge he has gained. Ala Mhigan refugees... Ah. ] Making a home far away from home.

[ Fitting, though Naltryd isn't Azem as much as she also is. ]

[The relaxation is long overdue, finally able to sit and talk without the specter of the Final Days looming over them, for the first time in what might as well be an eternity.

Unfortunately, other specters now haunt Hades, and he averts his eyes at the mention of Naltryd's parents being Ala Mhigan refugees. Bad enough it was his war, but he knows who drove the most people to flee, and it wasn't Van Baelsar.]

Albeit not willingly, I suspect. My former vessel's great-grandson controlled that region, and he took a perverse sense of satisfaction in cultivating the hatred of the masses.

[Ah, right...of course. It isn't a topic she wants avoided completely, but perhaps not in this sort of situation.]

Well, we needn't worry about him darkening our doorsteps any longer. He got what he wanted, and now he's gone. [She gives a little wave of his hand.] Ala Mhigo is recovering slowly but surely, at least. Raubahn and Lyse have no small amount of passion in helping it do so.

[A nod, and she smiles again.]

There's much healing to be done for all of us, but we now have time.

[ Hythlodaeus reacts without thinking. He reaches to hold Hades's hand, and to squeeze Naltryd's shoulder - careful to not make it awkward with the state of undress. Because it is so very obvious that this covers a situation that affects them both with memories, and he can't change the past. No-one can. And neither can it be ignored.

And he has a good amount of history and geography to learn better. And names - ones that seem to make sense to both the other people here.

That is all right. They do have time. ]

Much healing to be done, indeed. [ He tilts his head towards Naltryd. ] Do you think aught is needed besides time?

[He returns the grip of Hythlodaeus' hand, and his expression eases ever so slightly. The scars of regret are deep, but just having someone he loves at his side, offering comfort, makes a difference.]

And though others of that bloodline are powerful in their own right, if they yet live, none save Zenos were so deliberately cruel. I held no fondness for Varis, but even I never entertained the possibility of so twisting his legacy.