[CLOSED/TBA for now?] august mayhem log

[weenwoon]

🧙 WHO: Hythlodaeus and the close CR! maybe others later, who knows.
⚔️️ WHAT: Recovering after his revival, fluff, trying to trail his murderhusband.
🕒 WHEN: First half of August.
🗺️ WHERE: Red Spring, Camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS: None as of yet, will likely have references to gore/abuse in the future.



A. Camelot; Polydegmon's

[TBA, I'm so sorry I just want to throw this at Chips before I go to bed]

B. Red Spring

[TBA]

C. Trailing (The First)

As Hythlodaeus's recovery progresses, his mind grows clearer. It's still a slow process, of course, but the treatments at the resort, the peaceful atmosphere and the security his friends' presence brings all work towards restoring not just his body, but his heart as well.

Unfortunately, that also means he is now in a state to notice things around him more. And one of them is the strangely late time that Hades returns to their apartment one night, as though he'd been out almost until dawn. It's quite hard to tell by his appearance, given that Hades looks exhausted at the best of times, but Hythlodaeus has been his friend for eons, and the many little cues are still noticeable to him. Despite his dodging and statements to the contrary, Hades is tired and clearly worried about something.

But the conversations don't lead to anything much, and so the next time Hythlodaeus resigns to try and follow his friend. He stays in bed for long enough that Hades would believe him to be asleep, then quickly gets up and gets dressed, his new familiar keeping watch of the street from the windowsill. Once he's ready, Hythlodaeus slips out of the house - just in time to see Hades turn into a darker alley at the far end of the street.

Heart pounding with worry, he tries to follow - but he's not so good at concealment, not in these circumstances. Though he tries to keep to the shadows and step quietly, an all too-obvious pool of silence and tension follows him. It's only a matter of time before Hades would notice he's being trailed.

Comments

I C U

[emet_sulk]

He's already on edge knowing what he's about to do, so it doesn't take him long to notice the unsteady footfalls behind him. They keep pace with him and the sound remains constant, even as he starts taking little detours towards his destination. He's definitely being followed.

Has he been found out already? Or is this merely some opportunistic thief thinking he's an easy mark? Hades lengthens his stride and vanishes quickly around a corner, then presses himself into the shadows to await his pursuer's coming. Once they, too, round the corner, he will lunge forward and throw them against the wall with a hand over their mouth to cover any cries they may utter.

ONE LAST CRIME BEFORE BED

[weenwoon]

Unfortunately for himself, Hythlodaeus does not quite realize that he's been noticed - yes, Hades's path is winding, but there must surely be a meaning to it he's just not privy to. In an attempt to guess where his friend might be heading and why, he tries to note details of the buildings, the house numbers, anything else that stands out to him. And it's both that preoccupation and the general cluelessness in these matters that lead him to round the corner without thinking of consequences.

But the consequences come immediately, in the form of Hades pressing him into the wall roughly, covering his mouth. Hythlodaeus only manages to give a terrified whimper at that, automatically grabbing at Hades's arm - a pathetic attempt at self-defence. He stares at his friend, eyes wide with fear, heart pounding and breath rapid. For all of that, though, it's simply the suddenness of the situation and his own unpleasant memories of his kidnapping that scare Hythlodaeus; he knows that Hades would never hurt him willingly.

[emet_sulk]

As soon as he sees who it is, his eyes widen and he jerks away, releasing Hythlodaeus. With his heart pounding and a sliver of fear sticking like a shard of ice - did Hythlodaeus know? Had he given himself away at some point? - he hisses at the other man.

"What are you doing, Hythlodaeus?"

[weenwoon]

The anger at least is expected - Hades has always been the grumpy one, and so Hythlodaeus does not flinch away at that.

"What are you doing, Hades? You came back late last night, too, and would not tell me aught... Is something going on?"

Despite everything, his voice is not accusing, plaintively inquisitive instead. It does not occur to him that Hades could be keeping any real secrets from him; rather, he's simply worried because withdrawing is usually his friend's way of reacting to stress, a fact that their neighbours have certainly learned by now, given how often Hythlodaeus would have to calm Hades down and bring him back home.

[emet_sulk]

Shite, he thinks furiously, he hadn't realised Hythlodaeus had been awake then. He knows he has done a poor job concealing how poorly he has been sleeping of late, but he never thought Hythlodaeus would think of following him out.

It falls to him to think of a believable excuse. One that will explain his absence for the next few nights until his hunt is done.

"I..."

He is not the best at coming up with outright lies either however. He can't lie; it goes against his own rigid principles. What's more, to lie to his closest friend and life partner, of all people...

"You have heard of these sickening murders to have recently graced Camelot's streets, yes?" He clenches his fists to stop his hands shaking, glad for the cloak which hides them. "I had thought to try to investigate. Where there are bodies there ought to be spirits of the restless dead about."

[weenwoon]

"Murders?.."

Hythlodaeus draws back, hands clasped to his chest in fear. He has no love for violence at the best of times, but anything to do with it is particularly frightening to him right now. And if Hades is investigating...

He reaches out to his friend, worry plain on his features.

"Hades, 'tis not safe!"

[emet_sulk]

He shakes his head roughly, resisting the urge to check his pocket watch. He needs to send Hythlodaeus home. There are only so many hours in the night. Only so many hours his target will be vulnerable.

"I'll be fine," he says tersely. "The victims are all criminals and I have nothing in common with thugs. 'Tis you who ought to return home. Come, I will walk you back--"

He reaches for Hythlodaeus' hand with the intention of backtracking.

[weenwoon]

He does take that hand, but only as an outlet for his worry, gripping it nervously.

"And what if 'tis done by those that... that wanted you to work for them? What if they find you? Please, Hades, I-- I cannot lose you... Come back home with me. There are others who can investigate these matters..."

[emet_sulk]

"I can protect myself."

Annoyed by the delay but acutely aware that Hythlodaeus will sense something amiss if he doesn't play his part adequately, he starts to lead his friend back home. As they walk, he reminds himself that it's natural for Hythlodaeus to worry after what has happened. Time spent allaying those fears will mean he won't be caught up in what's to come.

"The souls who come by my store may not be able to communicate with you but they will know if aught happens to me."

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus is quiet for a few moments, tension choking him. Finally he manages to answer, voice hoarse and pleading.

"What good would that do me if you are already gone?.."

He grips Hades's hand tightly, trembling. He still remembers little of his own death and resurrection, but he remembers the horror of being alone and utterly helpless, and so the thought of losing his friend drives him mad with worry. He brings his other hand to his mouth, trying to stifle any noises that might escape and blinking rapidly to avoid crying.

[emet_sulk]

Hades is silent in the wake of that question. He can hear Hythlodaeus crying but he can't make himself turn back and face his friend. For a while he simply continues to walk on, their steps oddly loud on an otherwise peaceful night.

Then-- "I promised you I would live before, did I not? You know I do not break my promises."

If he dies it will not be because he throws himself on to the metaphorical sword. No, he'll fight and fight to live until someone else manages to steal his last breath from him.

"'Daeus..." Finally he glances over his shoulder, expression carefully composed. "When you said you loved me in spite of my past deeds, you meant it, yes?"

[weenwoon]

The promise is soothing, in a way - he knows Hades cannot lie, and so he can trust a little more in the fact that his friend would survive. Yet the fear does not dissipate so easily and he keeps his hold on Hades's hand, as if afraid that if he were to let go his friend would disappear.

But the pause at least is enough for Hythlodaeus's tears to dry, and the sudden question catches him by surprise. He blinks at Hades, then tries to hasten his steps so he can walk next to him.

"... Of course I did. Do you yet fear that I would leave you?"

[emet_sulk]

His own insecurities and misgivings lodge themselves in his throat. It's hard to swallow past them when he thinks about how the very hand currently holding Hythlodaeus' has strangled someone to death just yesterday.

"...Yes." There is no point in lying here. "Although we once bared our souls to one another and I do believe you loved me then, people change. I know that better than most. People change..."

Worlds, countries, cities - everything can change in the blink of an eye.

walks in late with dunkin

[omnicrafter]

It's not hard to imagine that if Hythlodaeus is recovering, they'd send him to the spring. So when he is not in his usual places, that is where Irhya looks, taking the ride over and finding him near the water.

"Hey," she says gently to get his attention. "I would ask how you are, but I guess you've been better, huh..."

i keep forgetting they changed their name to just dunkin

[weenwoon]

He's sitting by the water indeed, aimlessly trailing his fingers over it - a small, soothing motion. He has a lot of need for soothing lately. Irhya's voice startles him out of his thinking, though, and he smiles weakly as he looks up at her.

"Ah... My apologies, Irhya."

How is he, huh... that really is a hard question. Hythlodaeus nods, a lost look in his eyes.

"I... yes. 'Tis true I have been... better."

Everything about him is quiet and subdued, so unlike his usual mischievous energy.

if it makes you feel better people still ignore it and call them DD lol

[omnicrafter]

A pang of sympathy to reach out to him reverberates all up and down her limbs, prompting her to sit behind him and press her cheek to his back. There's a heartbeat; he is indeed alive. It's a relief, but...

"Are you gonna get in there or just look at it?"

But from her tone of voice, she doesn't particularly mind either way. Her arms reach up and sneak under his in a hug from behind, hoping maybe the proximity will be comforting.

there is a joke to make about "DD cup"

[weenwoon]

It does comfort him - Irhya can feel him relaxing slightly, leaning back a little (mainly out of the concern that she's rather smaller than him).

"Mm... I am not certain yet. But mayhap a bath would be pleasant..."

He's quite meticulous about cleanliness lately - the shower Hades had given him after bringing him back to their shop was the first good memory he's had in the last few weeks.

"Ah--Irhya, do you know how Hades fares?.. He'd said 'twould be best for him to stay away, for fear that I might get targeted again..."

((OOC: just for clarity's sake, let's say this is before Emet starts openly murdering the kidnappers lmao))

there sure is

[omnicrafter]

"I haven't spoken to him," Irhya admits quietly. "Not for lack of trying; he's been hard to get a hold of lately. Maybe he just needs his space."

It's the only conclusion she can come to, not having any idea of what's really happening. And it's not unlike him to want time to himself after something like this, right? So she hasn't been pushing the contact.

She sighs into the back of his neck. "Would it make you feel better if I stuck around? I'll even go in with you if you want. No funny business, I promise."

[weenwoon]

It's perhaps telling that Hythlodaeus does not even seem to notice the reference to funny business, just staring at the water dully. He brings a hand up to rest it on one of Irhya's arms around him - ginger but tense, as though he's trying to stop himself from clinging.

"I would... 'twould be good. I need... I do not wish to be alone."

He admits it quietly, as though afraid of a scolding for doing so.

[omnicrafter]

She pauses, squeezing a little harder in spite of the fact that having her looped around him will make it difficult to take anything off. "You're not," she murmurs into his neck. "I feel like if I checked in on you guys more often, maybe we could've avoided all this, though..."

Though surely, he must mean elsewhere, too. A moment of silence to consider, and then, "You know, I could stay with you at your house for a little while if you want, if Hades isn't around. Just to make sure you're taking care of yourself."

[weenwoon]

He's silent for a little while, his mind focused on the warmth of her touch. It's... soothing.

When he finally processes her words, he nods, starting to relax a little.

"... Please. The nights are the hardest for me to bear. I cannot stay in the dark, but I cannot sleep in the light, too..."

[omnicrafter]

"All right. You can rest easy, then."

It's familiar territory to her, and there's hardly any better recipient for it than Hythlodaeus. She inhales with her whole chest and then lets it out into his back, reluctantly peeling herself away to try and meet his gaze.

"But you really should get in the water, you know. Would it help to think about the fuss Hades would put up if I asked him to do it?"

[weenwoon]

Again, there is a bit of a delay as Hythlodaeus processes Irhya's words - and then smiles subtly as it gets through to him.

"Ah... Indeed. I imagine he dislikes... being in public like this..."

Slowly, he shrugs off his vest - over time, he's started dressing closer in fashion to Hades, - but stops when confronted with the buttons of his shirt, seemingly puzzled. Shock and trauma operate in strange ways, and sometimes even these simple things become too hard for Hythlodaeus to figure out. He gives Irhya a somewhat helpless look.

"Irhya... Could you help?.."

[omnicrafter]

Irhya blinks for a moment, just as puzzled as he is, until it clicks. "Oh, right! Here."

She moves around to his side and starts undoing the buttons one by one, adding, "By the way... I think you look great in this style. I know it must seem strange to you, but you and Hades pull it off fabulously."

A glance up; her eyes meet his. It's a sincere attempt at a compliment, to see if she can't lift his mood a little.

[weenwoon]

He smiles again, seemingly soothed by the more mundane conversation, if still subdued.

"My thanks. 'Tis indeed unusual, but... I do not dislike it."