closed log

[emet_sulk]

Who: Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus, and Yuja (plus self-invited guests)
Where: The woods/cave etc
What: They're going on a quest to build a house
Warnings: None besides spoilers for canon


Emet-Selch doesn't expect it to be so easy to request a new dwelling, but simple enquiries reveal that the workers are more than happy to get it done should he provide the raw materials. Now, he knows building a house is not a simple task, so there is the niggling suspicion that some kind of magic will be involved. However, it's none of his business so long as it's done and done right. He leaves his request to the builders - a home with three bedrooms, as many bathrooms, and the usual amenities - then departs with a list in hand of what they need for it.

Hythlodaeus, he informs of their new quest in person since they live together. The Warrior of Light, he leaves a message using his charm:

I have a quest for you. Meet me at the edge of the forest. Dress comfortably.

Emet-Selch will be waiting.

Comments

[likethestars]

The message is a strange one, but Emet-Selch knows her too well, there's no way she can pass up a quest. Especially, when he chooses that particular word instead of a 'favor' or something similar. She informs Elidibus and Erichthonios of the quest but doesn't drag them along with her. If they're interested, they'll come of their own accord.

Given the vagueness of the request, she arrives with her chocobo in tow. The beast carrying whatever supplies she might feasibly need.

"So what is this quest?" While she may seem almost indifferent, the twitching tip of her tail betrays her excitement.

[emet_sulk]

As he had hoped (expected), the Warrior of Light is indeed beckoned by the promise of a quest. Emet-Selch has slowly adopted clothing more suited to the world they're currently in, and thus is dressed quite comfortably for manual labour with his sleeves already rolled up. An...unusual sight perhaps. Like her, he has brought his own beast of burden - Grani - to assist him.

"I need to gather a large amount of wood and stone and other materials suited to building a house. 'Tis for myself and Hythlodaeus."

[likethestars]

"Oh." The disappointment is clear in the way her tail stills. She'd been hoping for something more exciting.

"Well, congratulations on the house." She turns to her chocobo and rummages through the pack until she locates the hatched she'd traded for at some point. She slings it up onto her shoulder and turns her attention back to Emet-Selch.

"Will we be hauling it somewhere or just piling it up here for someone else to take?"

[emet_sulk]

"I was told to leave everything in the vicinity of where we wanted the dwelling to sit." He points back along the road leading out of Aldrip to the forest. "I thought perhaps on the outskirts of town. Close enough to access its conveniences but away from its noise."

He lowers his arm and glances at her. Then turns to stare up at the trees, arms crossed. "I did request a third room as well. For guests and the like, you understand."

[likethestars]

She bobs her head in a quick nod and starts to turn toward the forest. The bit about a third room causes her to pause, however.

"Ah, so a large house, then." She either doesn't get that he means the extra room could be used by her or she is simply not drawing attention to it. "We best get to work, tree won't cut themselves."

And with that, she heads toward the trees to find some that will make for good lumber. Something she's familiar with that isn't combat-related.

[emet_sulk]

He watches her walk off, feeling...oddly hurt by her indifference. And that in turn sparks annoyance at himself. So what if she doesn't care? They're supposed to be enemies and he hasn't made secret his disdain for her since learning what lies in his future. So what if she chooses to rebuff his attempts to, if not repair the damage, then at least leave them on neutral terms.

(It doesn't occur to him to think that maybe she simply doesn't understand what he'd been trying to imply.)

Well, the house won't be built if he stands here feeling sorry for himself. So he picks up his own hatchet and follows her. Hythlodaeus is supposed to be helping as well but his friend has always done things in his own time and own way. Besides, he really can't picture Hythlodaeus indulging in manual labour.

"...Have you made use of the paints yet?"

[likethestars]

Truth be told, she doesn't see why he'd offer her a room. Sure, things have been okay between them, but she doesn't think they're on staying under the same roof terms.

Yuja's already in the middle of inspecting a tree when he asks about the paints. She turns to give him a quizzical look, confused as to why he's asking, before returning to the tree. "Aye. Thank you again for them."

After a moment, she seems to decide the tree is good and begins the process of cutting it down.

[emet_sulk]

If Hythlodaeus were here, Emet-Selch finds himself thinking, he would know what to say.

He doesn't know Yuja. He knows Azem, but the only similarities the two share are a love for adventure. At this point, she knows more about him than he does of her. How is he supposed to find common ground like this?

He watches her start on the tree then turns aside to inspect the trees himself. She doesn't seem upset at least, even if she had seemed disappointed to not be fighting or exploring. Perhaps he should apologise for letting her down regardless?

"If you desire more excitement than cutting lumber, you could always hunt instead," he says eventually. "I imagine that bonemeal will be needed for making mortar."

[likethestars]

Hythlodaeus would help make things less awkward, for sure.

"Lumber is more important at the moment," she says while taking swings at the tree. "I can hunt later."

She's taken to hunting as a way to get by here. People can always use the meat, pelts, and bones and she can use whatever they're willing to give her in return.

"Do you enjoy hunting?"

[emet_sulk]

A short sigh. "No. If I have to hunt then I only do so to feed myself or those in my care. Hunting does not present a challenge for one with my sight after all."

Since he can just...see creatures no matter where they hide.

[likethestars]

"Ah, that makes sense." She's hunted for sport in the past and she could imagine how boring it'd be if she could easily spot her quarry.

She pauses to evaluate her tree once more before giving a warning, making the final cuts, and letting it fall. Once it's down she begins cutting away the branches and stacking them off to the side. They might not make for good lumber but they're perfect for little projects or firewood once dried.

[emet_sulk]

By contrast, he's still hacking at his own tree. It's fair to say that Emet-Selch has...not felled all that many trees in his lifetime.

"...We won't be done within the day. If you like, we could spend half the day on lumber and the other half hunting together," he suggests.

[likethestars]

She raises a brow at him, "You are willing to hunt with me?" What she really means by that is to spend more time with her. Strangely, he seems willing to spend more time with her than is necessary ever since the maze.

[weenwoon]

Just as expected, Hythlodaeus does do his best to get out of doing actual physical labour - despite being, for once, the taller and technically stronger one. Leaving Hades to do the wood-gathering, Hythlodaeus opts for gathering the sand for the windows.

... Or that was the plan, at least. What Hythlodaeus ends up doing instead is trying to build sand castles (well, more like sand spires and various creations he's had cross his desk. There's even an attempt at Grani).

"Hades~ Can you come help me with this?"

[emet_sulk]

Having come out to check on Hythlodaeus' progress, it does not surprise Hades in the least to see his friend and partner thoroughly distracted from the task. He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. Well, this IS why he had given Hythlodaeus the simplest job...

"You're supposed to be gathering sand. Not building with it."

[weenwoon]

"It's quite boring, though. And look, I did gather some!" Hythlodaeus replies triumphantly, pointing at the sack he was given - it is indeed about half-full. Well, maybe one third full.

"But you should relax a little too, Hades. Come sit down." He pats the sand next to himself invitingly. "What say we try to build our new house? As practice?"

[emet_sulk]

He shakes his head in exasperation but slowly kneels on the sand beside the other man. "Fine... I suppose we do need to submit the floor plan along with the materials."

He snaps his fingers and starts to draw with his finger hovering above the sand.

"Three bedrooms and bathrooms, we said. A kitchenette. Living space..."

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus's eyes light up at the agreement. He even leaves his own sand creations, shuffling closer to watch Hades sketch out the plan of their house.

"A study of some sort, mayhap? I wish to work on a compendium of local flora. Between that and your healing pursuits we would need space to store herbs and remedies and such..."

[emet_sulk]

His finger pauses. "Why? Because of my work at the clinic? What makes you think I wish to pursue its study further?"

Just because he works as a healer, doesn't mean he wants to pursue it further!!

[weenwoon]

"Oh? Do you not intend to?"

Hythlodaeus sounds genuinely surprised as well. As far as he's concerned, that's not outside of Hades's capabilities or inclinations. Oh, certainly his friend does not have the most pleasant disposition, but caring for others has always been part of Hades's character.

[emet_sulk]

"I--"

He can't really object, can he? What other work is he going to do? His assistance with the Artzenritter is voluntary rather than paid. It's his work at the clinic which pays for their necessities. But even so, to put in further effort to become a more accomplished healer...he doesn't want to become someone of renown any more. He doesn't want to go above and beyond.

"I only work there because there is no need for a battle mage and I have no interest in the tedium of guard duty."

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus sneaks a glance at his friend and smiles. His friend seemingly frozen in thought and confusion, he reaches out to poke his hand gently.

"Do you not enjoy it? I know you've always secretly liked helping people. You simply do not like to say so outright."

[emet_sulk]

He clenches his hand. Relaxes it and gently touches Hythlodaeus' hand in return.

"I...don't know. I don't feel as though I deserve to try after everything I've done. What is the point? My previous crime was exchanged for another. Their rehabilitation is a sham."

[weenwoon]

He tips his head questioningly, turning his hand so as to lace fingers with Hades.

"Doesn't that mean that mine could be exchanged, too, and I would stay here longer?" It's half-joking; Hythlodaeus's way of keeping the mood lighter before moving on to more serious topics. "Besides... rather than whether you 'deserve' to do something I would have you ask yourself whether you want to do it. And my hunch is that you do."

[emet_sulk]

He sighs and looks away, using his other hand to continue drawing the floorplan of their house.

"Regardless, a study would be useful. One with a small library." He doesn't feel prepared to talk about how to move on and forgive himself. "What else do you want to add?"