hugtopia | How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,

[There's the faintest hint of smile for Hythlodaeus' joke. Good try, buddy. Don't take Faust personally.

In total subversion of that thought, Faust's soft assurances mean everything.

Doesn't stop him from faintly muttering-]

I like... my clothes... [Besides, he's not exactly sure how he could have less. He supposes he doesn't need four layers... But he does need the mask and goggles. And the hood helps.

He blinks at Faust.]

You could... do that...? [His eyes are wide, almost afraid to hope.] How long...? [Except there's a problem and it makes his face fall.] If people think... I'm normal... I won't have... as good an excuse... to hide otherwise...

[He hums thoughtfully]

If not a disguise, then what do you intend to use it for?

[He sets down his tea to cross his arms.]

What else? For when he's here. [He makes it sound like it's obvious, whether or not it was- and to Teo,] Your body is beyond saving, but your heart remains. To look in the mirror and see yourself the way you feel you should, even if it's only in private- that can be healing in its own way.

Of course, if you feel otherwise, then forget I said anything.

[It's clear on his face that he hadn't expected that. He goes from confused to completely disarmed. He's muted, overwhelmed by the gesture and Faust's full understanding of what it would mean to him.

He laughs a shaky laugh and pulls his gloves down on one hand to press the ball of his bare palm at his eyes then pull the glove back over. No tears. good.]

No, that... that would be... really nice... Thank you...

[He bows his head, trying to settle himself, but still smiling.]

Just so long... as it doesn't... cost you... [Even if Faust has more power here, he won't be one to use without thought.]

I don't mind... disguising... outside... It's how things are... but it's nice to... go uncovered... here...

[Hythlodaeus looks between the two, the faintest spark dancing in his glowing, purple eyes. He doesn't bother hiding his smile--there's no need, with such a touching scene before him.]

An excellent idea.

[He beams over at Faust]

And may I say how lucky he truly is to have such a dear friend at his side.

[He touches the brim of his hat as he nods at Teo.]

Then simply let me know when you would like to give it a try.

[If his stamina is limited more than it should be here, he hasn't used enough magic to find out yet. But as for Hythlo's reaction, he returns to crossing his arms as he scowls.]

What I said is true enough of anyone... my offer has nothing to do with being friends.

[Though he's not directly denying that they are...]

We could... try now...?

[It would probably spare Hythlodaeus some discomfort. And there's no reason not to test it out.

Between Hythlodaeus and Faust's denial of friendship, he can't help smiling wide again.]

He's... a very good friend... it's true...

[Hythlodaeus agrees with Teo]

And modest to a fault. How nostalgic.

[He takes a long sip of tea, savoring the flavor of a proper cup.]

But I should like to see this magic as well. Once again you have my curiosity.

[Nostalgic? ...He should perhaps consider trying to learn at least a little more about Hythlodaeus as well, if he's going to be a friend of Teo's. But for the time being,]

...Very well. This should only take a moment.

[He sits up a little straighter, and though he doesn't otherwise move his mirror appears in a subtle glow of magic to float beside him. He pulls one arm free from where he has them crossed to hold his hand out to Teo.]

This will be easier if you take my hand.

[Any contact would do, but may as well use the excuse to provide some minor contact to the gods as well... once his hand is taken he takes a moment to just look at Teo, and he closes his eyes, recalling the face and hands he saw in their shared dream. And then he opens them to calmly speak his spell.]

Satillquinart Mullcreed.

[There's a brighter glow around their hands that softens as it cascades over Teo's body, radiating out like fairy dust or the echo of fireworks with the accompanying colorful sparks, if much more transparent and brief. But the end result is Teo, the living human, no scars or dull eyes, skin, or hair, and his clothes have transformed as well to match what he remembers.]

...There. What do you think?

[His mirror tilts toward him so he can get a look at his reflection.]

[He, too, casts a curious look Hythlo's way, his head tilting out of habit with his usually hidden expressions. Nostalgic. So he knew someone like Faust then? At least in the sense of being reluctant to take any sort of credit.

He'll have to ask later. There's the mirror that he wants to flinch away from... as well as the hand he doesn't. It's a wonder to not have to hesitate when he lays that hand in Faust's. He can feel the warmth, even through booth their gloves. His fingers curl around. They meet eyes for just a moment.

Light sparks. His breath is caught. The lights dazzle in his eyes, turning their pale glassiness to a brown that's deep and dark. The color returns to him, his hair shortening and his torn face smoothing over. The hoodie and jacket vanish, replaced with a purposefully shredded black tee and a long striped shirt beneath.

The shine disappears and he reaches up slow to touch his face. His smile is something rapturous.]

It feels... real...!

[He clears his throat and looks sheepish then.]

Still... rough inside... but... [What does he say? How can he express what this means?] ... You're lucky... it's still not safe... to hug you... Thank you...

[Even in this world where people live such short, fraught lives... Even in the midst of death and decay... There is still beauty in the world. Far from perfect, never eternal, but a shimmering star in the darkness nonetheless.

He shuts his eyes for only a breath, committing the sight to memory.]

Much better. Even if I don't quite understand the fashion, this suits you much better than all those layers of clothes ever did.

[He waits for Teo's verdict to make sure he captured his likeness properly- he's sure he did, but Teo would, theoretically at least, know better than him- and relaxes a little when he sees that smile, without the wound on his face to make it gruesomely wider than it should be. He smiles faintly himself, though it's brief and easy to miss.]

...Fixing your lungs is beyond what I can manage; my apologies. But I assure you a hug would be unnecessary, regardless. A transformation like this is simple enough to do.

[He glances over at Hythlodaeus. It's fortunate that he seems to be a calm and understanding sort, if he has to be in on Teo's secret...]

You seem to be a wizard yourself- or perhaps your world calls it something different?

It's punk...

[He says this to Hythlo as he beams with pride. Someone other than Faust is seeing who he was for the first time. Who instead of What. It's a greater gift than he ever could have imagined possible.]

Simple... but everything...

[He looks down at his tea, untouched up until this point. He puts the magic to the test and takes a sip. Just one touch to his cheek confirms it hasn't gone through. Eagerly, though it's still mostly tasteless to him-- he'll need to steep tea to the point of bitterness, he imagines-- he drinks more.]

[He has no idea what punk is, nor has he ever heard the word before, but Hythlodaeus nods as if he completely understands Teo all the same.]

A wizard...

[He takes a second to mull it over.]

Nay. At least, I wouldn't dare call myself one, miserable at the manipulation of aether as I am.

[He looks away, cradling the warm mug in his hands. He tries to hide it, but his smile carries a trace of wistfulness to it all the same.]

Though from what I understand, said subpar abilities are a rarity these days.

[He's aware of the personal impact this has for Teo, but he continues to act as if he just gave him a simple cheap gift and nothing more. He's sure the tea doesn't taste the way it should to him either, but perhaps it might be easier for him to attempt enjoying more "living" foods and drinks without that tear in his face...]

[But that aside, he takes his tea back up for another sip.]

...I can't speak for your skills, but your magic itself seems quite powerful. That you created these tea leaves from nothing aside, that's the sense I get from you.

[It's fortunate he doesn't have the disposition of a Northern wizard to go along with that...]

But in my world, it's not a matter of calling yourself a wizard or not... either you are a human, or you are a wizard or witch.

[He could comment on the true nature of Faust's world-- that those wizards and witches are human, but magic, and granted the gifts and horrible mistreatment that entails-- but that's both overcomplicating the conversation and not his place to say.]

My world... has none... I mentioned... All your magic... is amazing... to me...

[He takes a sip of his tea. Tasteless or not, it's nice to be part of things.]

Though... our last world... humans with magic... were called mages... We never did... find out... what they normally... can do...

[He looks to Hythlodaeus and tilts his head.]

You'd be rare... in being so... powerful... but... that's not...what you mean... is it? And you said... these days... Something changed...?

[Hythlodaeus looks between the two, silence hanging in the air as he wonders if he should say anything at all. The two of them seem so happy right now that bringing down the mood with the truth of his situation feels... cruel, almost

And yet there it is all the same--the words struggling for freedom, for voice, and Hythlodaeus supposes that if they wish to be heard so badly, it only makes sense to do so while he can still keep them under control.

He speaks to Faust first.]

There is no such distinction in the Etheirys I know. We all are part of mankind, and together we work to bring new life to the star, to better it to the best of our ability.

[And then he turns to Teo.]

But from what I've heard, that is... [he grimaces] no longer the case. Or will no longer be the case. As others from my world tell it, a terrible calamity will befall the world, and as a consequence it will be changed forever, the star's essence split, and men no longer what they once were.

[He smiles sadly.]

I am the only one here to come from before that terrible tragedy occurred. And should I return, such is the future that awaits.

[There's mild distaste clear in his expression at that answer. As Teo says, the previous world was like that as well, no distinction between humans and their equivalent of wizards...]

[That he goes on to explain that working together is no longer the case makes more sense- or it would, if the way he explained it wasn't so vague. A calamity... but he's from the past...? He frowns.]

...Magic can't affect the flow of time. At least, that's true of my world... but if what you say is true, it may not be altogether impossible.

[Which is concerning... just how much are these gods capable of, even weakened as they supposedly are?]

...Are you sure you are truly from the same world as these others who told you of this calamity?

[Hythlodaeus can worry, but the mood between he and Faust often dips and dives into more serious and somber topics. It's in their nature, perhaps. Teo, at least, hardly finds it cruel. It would be more so to just ignore it.

His expression turns to one of sympathy. He considers reaching out, but his hands are ungloved now and he's not sure whether it's safe to touch with the illusion or not.]

I'm sorry...

[Not that those words ever really helped anyone.

He speaks to Faust too.]

It makes sense... doesn't it...? We're from... different worlds... but... a lot of us... have different levels... of technology... like Cyan... his world is like... the far past... Rin... and Supergirl... were more like mine... Finland... was a grim future... I don't think... time applies... between worlds...

Edited 2022-02-01 01:39 (UTC)

Nor within the same world, it appears.

'Twas a friend of mine who broke the news. He witnessed the Final Days firsthand, and while I'm certain there's much and more he's yet to reveal to me about what occurred after that event, I am more than certain he spoke the truth. The weight upon his shoulders would not be so heavy otherwise.

[He forces a smile.]

Ha... I fear he is in need of more consolation than I am. After all, 'tis... not as if it can be changed. Or perhaps a miracle will come, and all my worry of what may come tomorrow will be for naught.

...

[He knows full well how gentle Teo's heart is, but it's once again made apparent in those condolences. He's a bit more somber as he listens to them both, any leftover bitterness from thinking about humans pushed aside for the time being.]

...I don't know that technology alone can be used as an infallible measure of time between worlds. But regardless of how it was made possible, if it's as your friend says, then you're right. It can't be changed, not without a miracle.

[Something he hardly believes in, but it's still something he can wish for, for others.]

...It's still your home, even if you haven't seen what he has. If this is an unpleasant topic for you, we don't need to discuss it further.

[He didn't intend to pry very deeply anyway. He respects the privacy of others as much as he wants to be left to his own.]

[It's a pain he was spared. Or at least, that he can't remember. He has a sense of the before and he knows the after. But those horrid days of the first outbreak remain out of reach, for the most part. Perhaps that makes him biased when he says--]

Loss... is still loss... Still pain... Fear mixing... with grief... instead of... grief alone... No need to... smother that... thinking someone... has it worse...

[He and Faust certainly aren't going to judge. He drops his gaze down to his tea.]

I've seen... a lot of miracles... as of late... But at least... I hope you can... enjoy your time... now...

[One asks if he wishes to remain silent. Another asserting that the burden of grief should be shared. Is it his place to do so? Is it an even greater burden to place upon others if he shoulders it himself?

Hythlodaeus doesn't know. There's still a part of him that struggles even to believe it's real.

And so, without an answer, he sets the matter aside and prays the wound does not fester.]

At the very least, I'm glad to see I have two experts on the apocalypse before me here and now. I trust I can call upon your experience should the need arise?

...Teo may fit that description to a degree, but I'm no expert on anything, much less the apocalypse. I'm merely a shut-in that he has graciously allowed to stay here. You needn't worry about me getting in the way should you come to visit him in the future.

[He didn't even intend to join today's conversation, but it was tempting to finally have a real cup of tea again...]

[If Hythlo wishes to let it go, he won't press further. There will be more time in the future. He hopes.

But as for right now he looks from one man to the other with surprise and disbelief.]

Wha... what? [He shakes his head.] I'm not... an expert... I didn't even... survive mine... [If anything he's an example of what not to do.] And you...! [He faces Faust now.] You are... way more... than all that... You're amazing... and you're not... in the way... First, because... the tea... is for you...! Secondly... you're my friend...

[He huffs, muttering ridiculous under his breath. Then to Hythlo, again--]

No expert... but I'll help... if I can...

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