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🧙 WHO: Hythlodaeus, Emet-Selch, Sagi
⚔️️ WHAT: Hyth drags a grandpa through the rain (where light and darkness fade, oh) to a gaming convention, coincidences ensue
🕒 WHEN: Early April
🗺️ WHERE: CameCon
⚠️ WARNINGS: Potentially body horror mentions at some point, otherwise will edit in!

[The hall of Camelot City's convention centre is an impressive sight, unless you are Ancient-sized, which would probably make it just a room. It's the middle of the day: the stalls are bustling, some of the most popular game showcases on the illusion stages are in full swing, spirits are high, and the floodwaters as of yet are not.

It would be difficult to pick out any one familiar face in crowds like this, unless it too was Ancient-sized. Still, this convention was widely advertised all around town, its attractions noisily colourful and its staff welcoming. Who knows who might have showed up here today?]

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[ At the end of the day, it's Hythlodaeus who enjoys being amongst people, Hades reflects as he trails after his friend. Although the noise quickly overwhelms him and sets in him an urge to slink away and find a quiet place to sit, he tells himself that he shouldn't take these outings for granted. If life in Duplicity had taught him anything, it was that people could disappear without warning. ]

...What do you want to look at first? [ he asks, glancing over the stalls. ]

[It's a small victory to have convinced Hades to agree to this outing, and Hythlodaeus means to enjoy it as much as he can... but not unthinkingly, because otherwise this victory can easily turn into a disaster. And with that in mind, he quickly runs through the options and possible routes in his mind as he hums thoughtfully in reply, already picking up some flyers for the events and available booths.

The first important thing is to get Hades used to being in public - it tends to take the man some time to adjust, but he usually seems to take it easier once he feels more like part of the crowd rather than dragged into it. The roleplaying game first, perhaps - after all, his friend enjoys theater, and even without deep knowledge of the Arthurian legends Hythlodaeus is certain Hades will either appreciate the skill of the amateur actors or go on a spree of complaints about it, both activities being enjoyable to his grumpy friend in different ways.

Afterwards, perhaps the display of figurines - it's quite a curious application of magic and possibly even enough to pique Hades's academic interest. Besides, if worst comes to worst Hythlodaeus can always easily tease his friend about what his figurine would be like and what it would say, although in Hades's case it most likely would just be "hmph".

It might be prudent to take a break at that point to avoid overwhelming Emet, but maintain enough momentum to eventually drag him into the main event - that being the fabled couchless co-op. And if Hythlodaeus manages to make him competitive enough, maybe even the dance game specifically...

All that takes only a few seconds to flesh out in his mind before Hythlodaeus turns to his friend, giving him an innocent smile.]

I was rather curious about that historical-themed game. Amateur theater of sorts - people recreating the deeds of these Knights of the Round Table. A good way to learn not only more of the history of this world, but of its people as well.

[ Quite unaware of the mental roadmap being plotted out by his eager friend, he glances at a flyer for the game. How strange that they should have a Knights of Round here too. Some myths, it seems, transcend the boundaries of the world. Besides it being theatre, he has to admit to being curious as to the differences (or similarities) to Ishgard's own. ]

I agree. Let us see how the common-folk glorify their heroes.

[ It is interesting how people choose to retell their past. The parts they choose to include, the parts they choose to omit, the sorts of deeds they laud - all afford a glimpse into the cultural mindset. ]

There is a city known as Ishgard in my present day, [ he tells Hythlodaeus softly, threading his fingers into theirs as they walk. ] The former Archbishop was guarded by men known as Knights of the Round.

[Internally, Hythlodaeus congratulates himself on having predicted correctly that this would pique his friend's interest - but now it turns out that Hades himself has something to share with him. Hythlodaeus tips his head curiously, his thumb idly stroking Hades's fingers.]

That is quite an interesting coincidence... if coincidence it be. Is Ishgard one of your creations as well? Or were you fully occupied with Garlemald only?

["Present day" is a little hard to conceptualize when you live for thousands of years. A span of, oh, three hundred years sounds about right for "present day".]

Actually...

[ He hesitates. Forges on: ]

No. The city itself is not one of our creations. But Lahabrea had charge of manipulating the Archbishop and his knights. Unfortunately he met his end at the hands of those very same men.

[ He turns his face up with a melancholic smile. ] I don't resent them for it. But I did hope he would burn a little brighter before his passing. You remember his passion, don't you?

[Why would you do this to him, him specifically? At this point Hythlodaeus has grown more or less used to the knowledge that everyone he's ever known is now long gone, and in the case of Hades, Lahabrea and Elidibus after much, much suffering and change... but being reminded of it is no less strange and sad.]

...I do. He had quite the following, what with his many talents.

[ 'I miss him,' he wants to say, but he lets the silence speak for itself and runs his thumb across his friend's hand. He wonders what the others would think of this place, with its trite amusements and the mock battles between amateurishly constructed outfits. Lahabrea would probably find some charm in the enchanted figures. Elidibus would be engrossed in learning Camelot's history, the better to understand its people. ]

...Come. I think I see a crowd starting to gather.

[ He strides forward, tugging his friend along. With their height, it should be easy enough to watch from somewhere in the rear. ]

[Sagi, personally, is not bothered about peeking into the convention hall alone. Sure, it's noisy, but he can head back outside whenever he wants. Besides, he's not even alone; his friend is right here boggling at the bizarre sights along with him. They just share a body, that's all.

In the meantime, nobody can judge him for people-watching - and there are so many people, chatting and laughing and roaming and playing phone games like they all know exactly what they're here for. It's fascinating. He's never seen anything like it, not even in the imperial capital when they would wheel out the confetti machina for the Emperor's birthday and other national holidays.

He wishes he had a certain someone else to share the atmosphere with. That's what's running through his mind as he contemplates a table full of little handmade game mascot plushies, looking much deeper in thought than he actually is. And also pretty immediately recognisable as a five-years-younger version of a certain unfortunate young man from a certain shared dream... if anyone was looking, which they aren't.

While he resists the urge to stick any of the merch in his mouth for now, he can't restrain himself from poking one of the plushies at the front of the table in the head, a turquoise-blue fishy-looking critter. Its face reminds him of a greythorne.]

Oh wow, that's really soft. Hmm... Which one would you go for? If you had to pick.

[He's talking to himself, not the politely nonplussed plushie-maker. When is he ever not talking to himself?]

[At some point, Hythlodaeus's attention is diverted by... something. It started off as a simple query about the slogans for sale at a stall full of t-shirts, but the big black and red Gamer Clock (TM) on a nearby wall ticks on and on, and still Hythlodaeus has not shut up yet. He has initiated a scholarly investigation into the societal concept of individual clothing, delved into the fundamental metaphysics of what it means to perceive versus simply physically seeing, and is now describing something he had for lunch a week ago while inviting counterexamples. He may be at this for a while.

Sagi would like to excuse himself, honestly - but at this point, he's not sure how. Up and walking away without a word would be rude, and it's not as if he had other pressing plans this afternoon, or else he wouldn't be here. So he just stands there, occasionally awkwardly shifting his weight from one foot to the other - slowly, slowly inching backward from the table Hyth is so vocally monopolising.]

...Does he always talk this much?

[ Emet-Selch has long since clocked out (pardon the pun) of the conversation, taking to staring at the next table over and their eccentric collection of...'merch', as they're calling it. He's not even truly looking at the stuff, disinterested as he is in this whole thing - and it seems Hythlodaeus' other friend feels the same way. ]

...The only man I knew who enjoyed the sound of his voice more than Hythlodaeus, was our aptly named Speaker. 'Tis better not to draw attention else he will draw you into his discussions. It can be hours before you emerge.

Here I thought I was bad. [Despite saying that, Sagi looks legitimately impressed.] I didn't know there were that many things to say about shirts. He must care about them a lot.

[It sounds like a childish observation, because for the most part it is - but wow, imagine being able to care about any mundane spectacle in this world quite as much.]

[ He utters a vague sound of agreement. It has been a long time since he exercised his skill in rhetoric. But of course Hythlodaeus, come fresh from their burning city, must still have the talent. Emet-Selch wonders how he would fare in a debate against his friend now... ]

...How did you come to know Hythlodaeus?

[Sagi looks a little surprised to be asked about himself. Never mind that it's only tangential.]

There's not really a story. He walked into us and said hi. We were causing a scene at the time, trying to do magic... So that would've been what got his attention.

[His smile is small, a little self deprecating.]

Then, since we'd only just arrived, he showed us around the city. He was really helpful. I'm glad he has friends...

[He trails off like he was about to finish that sentence differently, but on second thoughts, he just drops it. "Even if you vaguely look like you might be related to a douchebag with a beard" is not the polite segue he wants to go with here.]

[ That sounds very much like what he remembers of - knows of - Hythlodaeus, he thinks tiredly. He would approach you and instantly decide he was your friend, whether or not you wanted to be his. ]

What made you think he has none? A man as agreeable and charming as him, he had-- has plenty of friends and acquaintances. I would be more surprised if he doesn't.

He stands out in a crowd. I guess I wasn't sure if that was his choice or not.

[That might be a pretty absurd statement to make about someone who is an occasional acquaintance at best, but Sagi says it completely casually.]

Either way, I'm still glad he does. He reminds me of someone I care about too.

["Too" doesn't feel like a big stretch to him. Regardless of what their actual relationship is, the presence of someone as surly-looking as Emet-Selch at such a noisy convention suggests a lot on its own. That note of defensiveness in the man's voice just then only underlines it.]

[ It absolutely is a choice, he thinks to himself as he glances at his friend. But it's a role Hythlodaeus happily fills. He cannot imagine the man thriving on his own. It makes him glad that Hythlodaeus never had to experience the long, lonely years post-Sundering. He suspects it would have broken the man beyond hope. ]

And who might that be?

...

[Generally speaking, Sagi has zero embarrassment when it comes to telling strangers about his girlfriend. In fact, telling strangers about her is something he does at least once every few days. Why would he be embarrassed? It isn't as if there's competition. And yet, when he starts to describe her this time, the words don't come to him - only the vivid, dizzying images of worlds and twisted lives spent without her again and again, of dying alone.

His smile looks a little frozen, just for an instant. ...No, his gut tells him to just ask. Nothing formal is required of him here, and it's going to bug him otherwise.]

Sorry, I have a strange question. Do you have any relatives with a beard? Because... I had a dream where there was a man who looked kind of like you.

[ He stares at Sagi for a long moment, expression set in a stern frown. It's probably a little intimidating, a tall man looking none-too-pleased. ]

...No, I don't have relatives sporting a beard. But on the subject of dreams, I seem to recall a young upstart attempting to assassinate the Emperor of Garlemald. And failing miserably.

Then that was your dream. [It's hard to be exactly happy about confirming that, but most of the tension leaves Sagi's shoulders quickly - not that he'd realised it was there. The glare doesn't unsettle him in comparison, despite Emet being at least a head taller.] Thank you. That was bothering me. The beard was really striking.

[Despite Hyth continuing to talk at the poor vendor in the background, the awkwardness remains, because in all of this wide, busy convention hall it has nowhere to go.]

Well... I met my girlfriend in time, and the soldier in the dream didn't. I think that's what made the difference.

Edited 2021-04-22 09:43 (UTC)

[ A longer, disbelieving stare. Then he snorts and looks away, watching Hythlodaeus wax eloquent about shirt slogans. The poor vendor looks like they need rescuing but he is content to let someone else suffer in his stead for a while. ]

Implying that love can sway a heart so easily? If only...

[ But it does and it can. He knows it can.

The next part is muttered: ]

I am glad he is making friends, at least. Friends besides myself.

Yeah. [Unfortunately, there is nothing wrong with Sagi's hearing, only his soul and brain.] From everything they keep showing us, it'll be useful for him later.

[He pauses. It isn't to listen to Hythlodaeus now waxing eloquent about something to do with the philosophical basis for various principles of ecological stewardship; he's almost successfully managed to tune the man's voice out by now.]

Do you want to be friends too?

[He sounds a little quieter. This is... not how it works, usually. He knows that. It feels horribly pushy. But with that relentless procession of dream worlds still on his mind, those visions of losing himself to anger or failure over and over with only minor changes in circumstance... Something has to give, if he's supposed to do right by this world before he can go home. Maybe he could stand to be pushy, once in a while.

Maybe not pushy enough to try decapitating someone with a weird machina sword, though. That part he's just going to hope isn't a problem.]

Do I want to be--?

[ Being offered friendship so casually throws him for a loop. He shakes his head and rolls his eyes to the ceiling. ]

All I know of you is your name. I think we could stand to spend a little more time together before declaring something so familiar as friendship between us.

[ But you're just in luck, Sagi - Hythlodaeus will no doubt happily facilitate the spending of such time. A fact that Emet-Selch is resigned to. ]

[Sagi blinks, mildly nonplussed - then turns on the spot, away from Emet as well as the table Hythlodaeus is currently monopolising, to look up at the ceiling.] Don't you think he knows more than that...?

[Nothing answers him. The laughter and chatter of the crowds around them continue uninterrupted.]

Yeah, true. It doesn't make any difference here.

[He turns back to Emet as if nothing happened, and this time he does look happier, in his own guileless way. It wasn't a "no".] Alright.

[Left to his own devices, he clearly thinks this is a normal way to wrap up a conversation.]

[ It is fair to say that Emet-Selch is utterly confused. ]

What? [ Are they speaking to themselves? To something he can't sse? ] Is that it? Most would take that as a prompt to share more about themselves.

Huh?

[Sagi looks equally confused, which bodes well. Would they? He doesn't think so, but he's probably not the best person to judge; sharing stuff about himself without being outright asked isn't a concept that tends to occur to him at all.]

Well, OK. What do you want to know?

[ He waves a hand irritably. ]

Oh, I don't know. Perhaps that person you care about, whom you conveniently changed the subject away from earlier.

My girlfriend, like I said.

[But he isn't offended by it. In fact, his whole youthful face seems to light up a little when he thinks about her again.]

Her name is Milly. She's really smart, and pretty, and strong, and her wings are like butterfly wings. She can make friends with anyone just by talking to them. The first time we met, she helped us run away from the Empire... I've lost count of how many times she's saved me since then.

[He almost doesn't skip a beat before adding:]

Everything I do in this place is for her.

[More perfectly normal things to declare off-hand on a first introduction. He's sixteen.]

[ Oh. Great. Is there a bucket he can hurl into? Now he knows how this boy became friends with Hythlodaeus. Birds of a feather truly flock together. ]

...I see. Well, you're still young. I suppose we shall see how that loves holds up in some few decades' time.

Hehe, I hope so.

["Hehe". It's clear from his somewhat uncharacteristic open grin that he took the remark completely at face value. Even if he hadn't, it's equally clear that this is one thing he does not have a single shred of self-consciousness about.]

Was that all you wanted to know?

For now, I suppose.

[ How does Hythlodaeus do this constantly? Find inane topics to chatter about and make others feel at ease? Or is it just that Hythlodaeus' absence had freed up more of his energy to entertain such small talk over the past aeons? It's exhausting to watch his friend sometimes. ]

I think we should put that vendor out of their misery.

Uh, I wouldn't go that far...

[But since it's someone else prompting him, Sagi will quite happily turn aside and go tug Hythlodaeus away from the table by the arm before everything in the convention hall closes down. Interrogation time is over, it seems.]

[Interrogation time is over... or perhaps it only just begins! After all, even after talking at the poor vendor for about an hour Hythlodaeus does not seem any less inclined to keep chattering.]

Such curious gatherings, these conventions! But I noticed you two having one of your own. Did my learned friend impart aught of interest to you, Sagi? Though I admit, he can be quite stubbornly silent.

[He flashes Emet a smug look over Sagi's head. Sorry gotta embarrass you in front of other people]

[The smugness quite literally goes over Sagi's head.]

Yeah. We found out that we saw each other before, when those flower pods sprang up around town and gave people strange dreams. He looked different that night, so I wasn't sure.

[He's genuinely happy to have gotten that one figured out, too. It was just a dream. The only potentially awkward part would be someone overthinking it in front of him, and he gets the impression Hythlodaeus has plenty of other things to overthink first. Like t-shirts.]

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pre meeting (emet+hyth)

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can 2021 give me my energy back

hangs 2021 upside-down by the ankles and shakes it, "give us back Tonake"

PLEASE. WHEN WILL I COME BACK FROM THE WAR

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