insideoflight | (no subject)

(no subject)

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Good. ...good. I'm not letting either of you go, not again, never again.

[She takes a deep breath, just letting herself bask in their presence.]

Nor I you, either of you.

[He sets his teacup on the floor so he can pull both of them closer to him again.]

The thought of this reunion...it was what anchored me to myself, no matter how many faces and roles I took.

[ Now he breathes more easily, and his head comes back up, a sunny smile in his eyes as he looks on both of them.

(He was still of use, and that's good.) ]

And this reunion we have, made possible by how well you two did. Thank you, both of you, my brave and brilliant beloveds.

Heh, who wouldn't want to help you, hmm? Far be it for me to resist! This, with you, is exactly where I want to be.

[ Perhaps not how any of them imagined it, but it's the truth. The chuckle is also a real one, his mood bouncing back up without missing a beat. ]

Thanks to you as well. I couldn't have done it alone, not without the both of you.

[A deep breath, and she smiles back.]

Though, Hythlodaeus, you wouldn't recall all you've done. You may not have been able to help personally, but...making my shade of you so true to life meant I could rely upon it to act as you would, even in ways I might not have even been able to consider whilst under Zodiark's control. I can say with confidence that I don't regret leaving things to your judgment.

[ ...oh.

Now that actually gets him to relax a little more into their hold. His voice is soft, and even mellower than usual. ]

I remember Naltryd telling me about meeting that shade, when we talked on the moon. And... I am glad. I would have been sad to learn I had disappointed you.

[ A moment, and he chuckles softly, giving Naltryd a sideways glance. ]

Well, it might take a while to sort through your memories, but I feel like you'll find that, for all we have changed, we also haven't changed all that much. Hopefully, that will amuse you in the days to come.

[ And, perhaps, add extra comfort. ]

[She lets Hades focus on Hythlodaeus for the time, as he needs some help too, despite the tempest inside of her.]

I think that it will, yes, especially now that we now have any robbed memories returned... And the time to make new ones.

You were wonderful.

[A brief kiss to Hythlodaeus' cheek...before his ears go red at the mention of robbed memories. Such a fool he'd made of himself.]

And, my dear...do feel free to say as much if you need time to simply lie down and rest. Sleep is wonderful for sorting through memories, after all.

[ And now his whole ears are definitely pink, with a murmured thank you, because he is grateful, through and through.

Then he smiles, humming in agreement. ]

If nothing else, it will probably be even more comfortable than here. It is a very good bed, if you would join us on it.

Mm.

[She gives a little nod, because...well. She does feel exhausted, after all of that.]

I wouldn't mind the company there, then.

Much better than that glorified slab they had in here, before.

[He pushes himself to his feet, then turns and offers a hand down to each of them.]

I think they scarcely put more effort into the mattress than stuffing hay into a sack.

[ Hythlodaeus chuckles, helplessly, at the criticism as he takes the offered hand, grasping it warmly and getting up, mindful in case Naltryd is unsteady and needs extra help. ]

It wasn't as scratchy as I imagine actual hay would have been, but your work is a marked improvement, and a very welcome one.

[She as well takes his hand, pulling herself up.]

Sharlayan isn't exactly known for its comfort, unfortunately. Nor its cuisine, as you've been quite aware of by now...

I have noticed, yes...honestly, I am full tempted to add a back door to Limsa purely for ease of visiting a halfway decent market. I have heard good things about their culinarians, of late.

[...You know what, he's just going to keep holding onto their hands as he leads them to the bed. It's significantly larger than the one in here before, more than big enough to accommodate three people who are perfectly happy to snuggle up together.]

[ Holding hands is good, and Hythlodaus's palm is steady and warm around Hades's, holding on as much as he's held. Ever tactile, even after a month every touch is a welcome blessing in the wake of all that time, incorporeal. ]

I am willing to try anything and everything.

[ As he ever was, though now the variety is much greater.

But also, he will try anything for the experience, and like some things better than others, but he's never been one to eat a lot, so he'll make do with whatever is available. ]

Limsa has wonderful culinarians. I've trained under one of their best, you know.

[She smiles and yawns, feeling even more tired by the moment. Once at the bed, she moves to climb onto it, letting her body rest around the middle.]

Oh, this is so soft...

You needn't tell me that, my sweet.

[He tilts his head toward Hythlodaeus with a playfully flirtatious smirk. He sits on the edge of the bed, letting go of his loves' hands only so he can remove his shoes.]

Mayhap we ought have you cook something for us at some point, then, my dear.

[ Hythlodaeus being a little too fond of walking barefoot has taken off his shoes when they return to the room - much easier to sit on the floor like that, after all - so he doesn't have that to deal with, and he just smirks in return to that comment. That is absolutely correct, on all counts. ]

I would like that. But also - may I?

[ Take her shoes off. ]

Better to relax.

Oh... Right. Of course. Old habits, and all...

[She nods, shifting about so she can aid in getting her shoes off.]

And of course. I've learned a great... [Yawn.] many skills over the years, and it would be nice to share some of them.

Edited 2022-05-08 07:12 (UTC)

Yes, I will thank you not to have your travel boots so near to my toes.

[He leaves his own shoes next to the bed as he removes his outer clothes and leaves them hanging from one of the bedposts. His smallclothes consist entirely of a pair of snug fitting, black boxers, with the sides and back made of a sheer fabric.]

And, of course, any sharing of skills is to be after you have had some rest. I've no doubt you're exhausted.

[ Hythlodaeus busies himself with Naltryd's boots - it'll take him a moment, but no longer than that, to figure them out, and his fingers are deft and careful as he takes them off. ]

Of course - there is no rush.

[ He is going to gauge the reaction to Hades stripping - and appreciate the view, his eyes brightening without restraint - before shedding his own clothing, carefully folding it. He's wearing tight-fitting but rather short underwear, if it gets to that, and he shrugs. ]

It will likely take a while, but you'll get used to not really getting surprised and in need to act on a shorter notice than it takes to put your boots back on, with the two of us around.

[ Advantages to having a strong soulsight and - in Hythlodaeus's case - using it rather frequently. ]

[She does take an appreciative look at them, though shyly; she may be Persephone, but she's also Naltryd, and Naltryd isn't exactly used to looking at them in such a state.]

These boots haven't been travelled in properly yet, I will have you know... Much cleaner than the others.

[Another yawn.]

'm used to needing to be up in an instant and sleeping on the road, you're correct. And I am sure soon enough, that will be the case again. Still, in a safe place like this, I'll do my best to shed that habit.

[And her outer clothes, but again: she's still need to sort through it all before her as Naltryd can explore that part.]

[His own eyes wander over Hythlodaeus for a moment, before he sits back down and stretches out on the bed. The sheets are particularly soft, pleasant and relaxing against bare skin.]

That makes no difference to the possibility of having them jammed into my feet. Besides which, I'm sure you'll sleep better without them.

[He gives her a quick kiss on the cheek, then lays down and gestures invitingly toward Hythlodaeus.]

[ A small, soft chuckle, the rhythm of their back and forth, even the sleepiness in her voice, comfortingly familiar on a profound level. ]

It will get easier, I'm sure, once you get used to it.

[ Yes, yes, he's coming to lie down - on her other side, but close enough that his arm can go across her body and his hand settle on Hades, once he has tucked them all in. It is pleasant, almost beyond words, the sensation and awareness of the comfort that Hades wove for them, for him, and the closeness of these two. His mind spins and his heart aches a little. ]

Rest.

I'm sure.

[She lets her eyes close, sinking into the dual embrace. It feels...like home. It is home, because home isn't just Amaurot or Ul'dah, it's the people she loves.]

Sleep well, loves.