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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[ He leans his head sideways to rest lightly against hers - so she can lean on him a little more - and his other arm, wrapped around Hades's waist, squeezes in turn. ]

Well now. Most of that is Hades's doing. [ A familiar tone of pride at his friend's accomplishments from Elpis, mostly. ] But for the part of what I have done, you are very welcome. I told you - I selfishly want for you to survive.

Well, I was hardly the Speaker of the Convocation...one tends to learn skills as they're needed. But...you may consider my aid against Elidibus, at least, to be apology for the difficulties I caused you. I did know full well what he would attempt if you did prevail...

[It's...disappointing, that Elidibus didn't calm down after seeing him act in defense of the Warrior of Darkness. But he can't entirely say he's surprised. His brother was not in any fit state to be making rational decisions.]

And as for you, my sweet... [He gives Hythlodaeus' cheek a brief kiss.] Helped more than you might know, in a sense. Where I was not able to act directly due to Zodiark's will, the shade I fashioned after you was able to see to it that she had what she needed to prevail.

I owe both of you for being here today. And so...thank you.

[There's a brief pause before she leans in, giving Hythlodaeus a kiss on the cheek, before turning her head to give the same to Emet-Selch.]

That is all you'll be getting from me in that regard for now, but...that...is that.

[ Hythlodaeus's aether glows at Hades's kiss, as he smiles sweetly, and then both glow and smile brighten at both Naltryd's. He tilts his head and presses his lips at her temple. ]

And we owe you, too, and are happy.

And for now - this is plenty.

[ All of that murmured, lips against her skin, before he tilts his head away finally. ]

And when you need help, we'll do our best.

[ He's volunteering Hades but he's aware that he's not overstepping anything. ]

Edited 2022-04-14 07:48 (UTC)

[His own smile is subtler than Hythlodaeus', it always is, but the swell of his aether gives away just how much even such a small gesture makes him happy. He places a kiss of his own on her cheek, brief yet full of affection.]

My dear, even this much is more than I thought remotely possible back when we spoke on Kholusia. Do you recall, how I first began to truly open myself in your company, and you seemed incredulous that an Ascian could shed tears?

I did. We were still on opposing sides of sorts, even working towards part of a goal together. And you were the first Ascian that appeared... Well. Humanized, in my eyes. I didn't like you much then, but now... One shard closer to complete, and with all this new knowledge... I truly regret what I had to do.

[She leans down, placing a very brief kiss on Emet's chest, where it would have been punctured clean with light that time ago.]

I had no choice, but my heart was certainly not light for it. I won't apologize for doing what I had to do, but I still... I wish there had been... Mmn. Well, whatever it is, it doesn't matter, now as we're here.

[ This part is mostly between the two of them, and Hythlodaeus lounges a little back to give them a chance for the contact they need, for the words, without alarming them or actually pulling away.

But the kiss she places on Hades's chest, the implications of it and her words - Hythlodaeus's heart clenches, and his arm around Hades's waist tightens helplessly. ]

[He recognizes the tension in Hythlodaeus' grip, and gives a light shrug that he hopes will serve to reassure them both.]

Unpleasant as it was...I consider it to have been for the best. I can't say with certainty if my brief time in the Aetherial Sea would have washed away something so powerful as Zodiark's influence, but the Light you wielded against me was anathema to His aether.

Not that I wouldn't also have preferred there to be another way, of course, but it did work out in the end. Better to accept what victories we claim than to bemoan those we'd wished to grasp instead.

Right, right. Things will be better now, at that.

[She gives him a little smile, then Hythlodaeus as well, an apologetic air to the latter. Naltryd knows that the real him did not see the events of what happened on the First, and, well....the better for it, likely, all things considered.]

[ Hythlodaeus's eyes curve in a small smile - though his hold doesn't loosen. He has not exactly lacked for empathy, not with how much he Sees, and he can well imagine the pain that Hades has endured - at least some of it.

And he knows this was among the worst, for all he recognizes its necessity.

For all he forgives her. Perhaps even forgives himself. ]

They will be better, healing little by little.

And never again shall I allow anything to make enemies of us. Any of us.

[He doubts they really have to worry about anything more than simple arguments that are inevitable in nearly all relationships, but then...he never expected to have his will overridden by a conjured deity until it was too late.

He pulls both of them a little tighter, a gentle squeeze that says without words how happy he is to have them both here, in his arms. One he'd clung to hope of seeing again only out of stubborn sentiment, and one he'd feared hated him...the cynical part of him almost worries that it's too good to be true, but all the more reason to hold tight to them while they have this time of peace.]

Never again.

[She nods, hugging the both of them close. There's been enough people torn away from her; she won't let it happen again, and especially not these two.]

[ Hythlodaeus hums, and nods in agreement, before he gathers himself enough to form words. ]

I am quite glad about that, not that either of you need me to say it. Or to worry about me not doing my part to prevent such a thing. [ Slow, even breath. ] It will be all right, and you don't need to borrow trouble with thinking such thoughts.

We've all learned some lessons from it all. Even if it is that leaving Hades out of the loop might not necessarily be the best of ideas, however good it might seem at the time or who suggested it.

[He gives a heavy huff, and a firm not.]

It most certainly is not. Would that I had the opportunity, I'd have words for Venat about her decision to leave me to act the fool, when instead I may have been prepared for what was to come.

[She gives a little hum.]

I wasn't privy to what happened after I left, aside from glimpses of the Final Days itself, but... I wish there was a way to have made it all hurt less.

[ Hythlodaeus shakes his head and presses another kiss to Naltryd's temple. ]

It is not the gift of any of us to see into the future, remember? Nor Venat's. Each of us did what we thought best, and that is enough. We can not change the past - but we can look forward to the future, and certainly enjoy the present.

Well...changing the past has proven to not be entirely impossible, but 'tis yet unknown what effect it might have on the present.

[A sigh, and he shakes his head.]

On an entirely unrelated note, we ought to finish up, ere Hythlodaeus' fair skin comes to look like that of an old man.

Ah, I suppose we should. That would be terribly unfortunate.

[And she grins.]

[ A beat as the attention is redirected at him, and then out of reflex, his eyes widen and his lower lip juts the tiniest bit out. ]

But I'm comfortable right now...

[ It's not a whine. Nor a serious complaint. But it is fact.

Then a siiigh, and a corner of his mouth tugs up. ]

Any backs that do need to be scrubbed, before we rinse and dry off?

[Were it a serious complaint, it would no doubt have Hades reconsidering his statement. Instead, he gives a playful smirk in response.]

And you shall surely be just as comfortable once we return to our room. [Need he say more? Hythlodaeus, of all people, knows how filthy Hades' mind can be, when he allows it to be.] Before that, though, I could use a touch more scrubbing.

Of course, of course.

[She laughs, shaking her head a bit.]

I think that I ought to return to my room. Leave the two of you to your own devices, as I'm sure you have much to catch up on.

Mm. Perhaps, for now that might be well. But first... [ He does hold up the washcloth, holding another in his other hands. Neither need wait, all right? ]

I expect you have much to think about, yourself. To say nothing of resting whilst those wounds of yours finish healing up.

[There's a bit of a pointed emphasis on that last part, as he moves to face away from Hythlodaeus, shifting his legs under him to bring more of his back out of the water.]

Yes, yes, of course. But...well, I suppose I can linger for a few moments longer if you're offering assistance, Hythlodaeus.

[She gives him a little smile before turning around herself and maneuvering the same. Though it was already visible, more skin exposed shows that she's weathered her fair share of blows over the years, scars old and new littering her skin. It isn't as bad as it could be, at least, but it's clear that her last battle wasn't kind to her especially.]

That I am.

[ The hand holding the other washcloth clenches slightly around the small item, but other than a complicated-with-a-mix-of-sadness glance in Hades's direction, he doesn't give a discernible reaction. His help is gentle and thorough, and if Hades moves also he'll start on his back as well. ]

Rest should definitely be good for you.

[ The bath is, also, honestly, but - well. His concern is difficult to miss in his voice. ]