[Voice]

[nomoresharks]

Let's see... Ah. There. That little red light must it's recording.

Greetings! As must be painfully obvious, I'm quite unused to these devices so I will skip straight to the point.

Is it common for everyone here to be wearing something different or is it some manner of uniform? Oh, and assuming the former is the case, are there any guidelines on what is and is not acceptable in this culture?

I know it must seem a strange question, but aside from the metal inhabitants, 'twas the first thing I noticed. And I'd rather avoid making any unfortunate assumptions on my very first day.

Your assistance is much appreciated.

Comments

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[The difference in appearance is the least of the changes he might well have to explain. Most of them not particularly comforting, either. Not that he has any doubts as to how well he'll be able to hide any of the differences in his soul and aether from Hythlodaeus, but, even that is oddly comforting. Not the part where he'll have to explain sooner or later, but the part where there's at least someone else who might understand such matters about.

(He notices, too, the way Hythlodaeus' smile falters as he takes a closer look. Knows, with some certainty, what he must be seeing; the little oddities that stand between what Hythlodaeus most likely remembers and what he has become, over the long years.)

He says nothing about any of them. While there will, no doubt, need to be some manner of conversation about all of those and more, this is hardly the place for them.]

It is not only the natives here who prize individuality.

[Whether or not he himself has come to do so is very deliberately left untouched upon.]

Though I cannot claim to be completely unfamiliar with that same sentiment.

[It's been... eons, since he's last looked on the face of his old friend. Years very nearly beyond measure, and bittersweet though the reunion may be there's also a measure of comfort in it.]

[nomoresharks]

[He takes another second or two to look Emet-Selch over, then hums thoughtfully and brings his hand to his chin, curling his finger just beneath his lips.]

Shall I assume it's been some time for you then?

[He asks, as if he doesn't already know the answer. Still, he imagines Emet-Selch has a few questions of his own, and Hythlodaeus knows that this is one that he is capable of answering while retaining the veil of normality.]

How curious indeed. Why, it seems like just the other day we took our leave of Elpis.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[He allows Hythlodaeus his moment of scrutiny with a surprising lack of complaint or comment. He still offers no explanation about any of it, but there's only a brief shrug as he turns to the question at hand - and Hythlodaeus has indeed hit one of the things he had been wondering about squarely on the head.]

I have been here for a little over a year, as this star counts it.

[A pittance of time, for beings as long-lived as them, but still longer than any of them have typically been away from Amaurot. Even if it doesn't do much to explain the age of his soul, nor the weariness that seems to have sunk into the edges of it.]

But even before my sudden arrival here, our visit to Elpis had been... some time ago.

[An understatement, if there'd ever been one. But it's not wrong, for all that he's not addressing just how long it has been, nor any of what had happened between the two events.]

[nomoresharks]

I thought that might be the case.

[He flashes Emet-Selch a helpless smile. It's not like there's much that can be done about it, much as both of them probably wish it were otherwise. The march of time is inexorable--and a wheel that appears to have mercilessly ground at his friend besides.

...

Something to lighten the mood might be in order. The weight on Hades's shoulders should wait until they're in private.]

Now, while I'm sure you have no end to the secrets you intend to keep from me, I do hope you're willing to confess to a few. The ones you'd least like me to trade in, perhaps?

[He doubts he'll be able to pry too much free, especially while he wears an all-too-familiar shit-eating grin, but let no one say he never warned Emet-Selch.]

[unnecessaryflourishes]

Time here does not pass at the same pace as it might on our world. Nor are the so-called 'gods' of this world bound by the same laws as you or I - it means nothing to them to reach out across a thousand years and pluck forth two people from opposite ends of that span.

[Or more, though he will not deign to mention it here - what time has wrought on him, and the weight he has been asked to bear... those are not for the ears of mere passers-by. And there is certainly naught that may done about it.

(Naught that he will be able to change about Hythlodaeus' future either.)

The sudden change of topic, on the other hand, has Emet-Selch narrowing his eyes, and even in a body that is very much not the one Hythlodaeus is more familiar with the gesture is very much exactly the same.]

A few, perhaps.

[Is he willing to spill a few? Yes. Is he going to make it easy? Absolutely not.]

[nomoresharks]

[There we are. That's the Emet-Selch he knows.]

Not even a hint? I see time hasn't done a thing for your legendary stinginess. But if that's the case, there's nothing for it. I'll just have to ask around.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

Why should it have?

[He hasn't gotten to where he is by simply throwing aether around, after all. And while he is no Lahabrea in more ways than one, he has seen firsthand what can become of someone who decides to spend more than they ought.

Still, there's a moment of silence, as the desire to simply call Hythlodaeus' bluff wars with the knowledge that it would absolutely only end in him promptly doing exactly what he's suggested.]

Though I will tell you that much of what you no doubt wish to know is not well suited to such... public venues.

[nomoresharks]

Oh.

[An "oh" that's MUCH too delighted to be anything but trouble.]

Then let us not dawdle here, shall we? Wonderful friend that I am, I'll even let you pick the place to speak.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

That is hardly what I meant.

[He does not actually know what Hythlodaeus has assumed. But he knows that tone of voice, and it doesn't bode well in the slightest.]

But come. You may as well see the city, on our way.