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Entry tags:
- !event,
- *npc: cyrus,
- arcane: silco,
- arcane: vander,
- black butler: sebastian michaelis,
- ennead: set,
- expanse (the): amos burton,
- final fantasy xiv: cid garlond,
- final fantasy xiv: emet-selch,
- final fantasy xiv: hythlodaeus,
- genshin impact: kaeya alberich,
- granblue fantasy: eustace,
- mortal kombat 11: shang tsung,
- oc: liem talbott,
- orv: sooyoung han,
- persona 5 strikers: sophia,
- tiger & bunny: barnaby brooks jr.,
- until death do us part: mamoru hijikata
TDM + GAME OPENING 🎉
Who: Shard-Bearers, new and old
What: Seeds take root
Where: The Tree of Life, Highstorm, Springstar
When: October 14th and onwards
Warnings: Potential for (mild) body horror, death, dismemberment
Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all players are required to fill out an application, which are now open. This does include characters/players from Aion Teleos, so please don’t forget to fill one out! Any character/player that does not submit an application will be swept from the communities and the Discord after applications close.
Activity Check is optional this month, but is highly recommend so Christy can check her fancy program so that you can earn Activity Reward Tokens! Activity will be able to be submitted shortly after applications close. You can find more about how we do AC here.
This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this happens sometimes, since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They’re fine and may even return to Kenos one day, but for now weren’t able to make the full journey.
As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!
For the Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are saved from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, please see the Navigation page and check out the locations!
New players are welcome to join our Discord Server if you haven't already!
When they emerge from their cocoon/the ground, characters may be wearing their normal clothes, or they might be nude. Up to you!
At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post, since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision in which Faction they'd be drawn to.
New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM.
Your character will be offered temporary housing either at the Heliopolis district or Yima's manor for the first few weeks after their arrival. They will also be given a stipend for basic supplies like clothing and personal effects, and food is served in the cantina (Heliopolis) and at regular meal times in the Dining Room (Yima's manor). Once they Harmonize, they will get personal permanent chambers and a fancy retainer in their Faction's city. Wow! 🌈
Characters may be Harmonized to their Faction (if that makes sense for the character, of course!) by the time of this log. This is more for IC reference, and just wait until application acceptance to do the OOC paperwork!
General reminder that your character won't have access to their powers until they have Harmonized.
CODING
What: Seeds take root
Where: The Tree of Life, Highstorm, Springstar
When: October 14th and onwards
Warnings: Potential for (mild) body horror, death, dismemberment
I. BEARING FRUIT (new characters only)
It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.
And then, it goes wrong.
The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.
So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—
You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.
I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.
You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
And then, it goes wrong.
The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.
So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—
You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.
I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.
You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.
The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.
From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.
And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.
II. MORAL HAZARD
There are new Shard-Bearers at the Tree of Life, and Yima has asked that the earlier arrivals go to greet them and help them. These aren’t people from Horos, after all, so they’ll have many, many questions. As Yima explains, the roots of the tree rise up to create caverns underneath, and it’s there you’ll find the new Shard-Bearers. And indeed, with careful steps to not slip on the mossy roots, down you go. Perhaps Communion will help you find the new Shard-Bearers, but it might be a confusing process for them.
The roots all start to look the same, to the point that you’re sure that you’ve already been through this passage. You turn around, and most of the people you had come here with are gone, if not all of them. It’s confusing and unsettling, and strangest of all.. You’re starting to feel ill, even if that wasn’t something normally possible for you. But continuing forward, you do eventually find an unfamiliar face of a new Shard-Bearer. They look no better than you feel.
Before introductions, however, roots around you shift suddenly until you’re enclosed in a room together. From the roots, a face forms in the wall. It speaks in a creaking, uneven tone, as if it weren’t used to speaking at all.
Give to take. A sacrifice. To live.
Characters can pick one of the following options, but the decision must be made unanimously. If one character takes a drastic action (such as murdering another), it’s counted as a failure for the group.
This can be done in groups of 2 to 4 players, and Loremasters recommend three if you can swing it! It’s more fun when you get in philosophical debates, right? Regardless, when your group comes to a decision, please record it here. These don’t have to be fully threaded out to be recorded, so the conclusion can be discussed OOC if you prefer. Actions can be submitted until October 21st, after which groups will be informed of what comes of their choice…
When a group receives the antidote, they'll be released from the tree's thrall... But will have a hard time waking up. It feels like something has grabbed onto their spine.
The roots all start to look the same, to the point that you’re sure that you’ve already been through this passage. You turn around, and most of the people you had come here with are gone, if not all of them. It’s confusing and unsettling, and strangest of all.. You’re starting to feel ill, even if that wasn’t something normally possible for you. But continuing forward, you do eventually find an unfamiliar face of a new Shard-Bearer. They look no better than you feel.
Before introductions, however, roots around you shift suddenly until you’re enclosed in a room together. From the roots, a face forms in the wall. It speaks in a creaking, uneven tone, as if it weren’t used to speaking at all.
Give to take. A sacrifice. To live.
LET'S PLAY A GAME...
As the Dryad will explain, characters are now trapped in a room and have been poisoned by the spores that the lichens underfoot release. An antidote lays beyond the roots the dryad has curled around you, but to access it, you must make a sacrifice.Characters can pick one of the following options, but the decision must be made unanimously. If one character takes a drastic action (such as murdering another), it’s counted as a failure for the group.
- Each of you must offer up a personal/treasured memory. The memory will be shared in Communion with all characters assembled, and then will be destroyed. No character will retain the memory or memory of its Communion.
- Each of you must offer up something physical. A finger, a toe, an ear, it’s your choice. The dryad will offer a knife if this is chosen that will sever the body part of choice cleanly and immediately stop any bleeding.
- Offer up another. Kill one person in the room.
- Refusing is also a valid option. Characters will get more ill as they debate until they start to find it difficult to breathe, and they’ll die quickly after.
This can be done in groups of 2 to 4 players, and Loremasters recommend three if you can swing it! It’s more fun when you get in philosophical debates, right? Regardless, when your group comes to a decision, please record it here. These don’t have to be fully threaded out to be recorded, so the conclusion can be discussed OOC if you prefer. Actions can be submitted until October 21st, after which groups will be informed of what comes of their choice…
When a group receives the antidote, they'll be released from the tree's thrall... But will have a hard time waking up. It feels like something has grabbed onto their spine.
III. DREAMING OF HOME
You may wake with a start from your deliberations (or arguments) with a jolt of pain from the base of your spine as something is pulled away rapidly. A dark-haired man who looks to be in his thirties or so holds you carefully, but as soon as you start to regain your senses, he sets you back and holds up his hands.
Woah— Woah there, it’s fine! The tree was, uh, trying to take you back is all. You’re fine now.
As long as you’re not going to attack him, he offers a friendly smile and a hand to shake.
Name’s Cyrus. Sorry about the rude awakening. Let’s get your friend here unhooked too.
And indeed, glancing over, you can see the person you met in that room laying nearby, and it looks like a vine has snaked underneath them to exactly where something had just been pulled from you… Best not to think about it, maybe. Or if you've been unlucky enough to be one of the last people rescued, you might find vines and roots starting to grow into your skin. It's fine!
Cyrus will gladly introduce himself to everyone, and will further explain his position in Meridian and Springstar (see the NPC Page) and the goals of Meridian itself (see the Faction Page, save for the italicized section). But most importantly, he’ll explain that he knows it sounds like something overly optimistic. It’s fair to be skeptical. He’ll produce a small glass bead from a bag he’s carrying. It looks like the necklace he wears, though not lit up. He’ll explain that the force of Meridian is a gift and can be a tether to your home, if you let it. As his fingertips light up, the energy is infused into the bead, which he’ll hand to you.
Taking the bead into your hands, you’ll take a bird’s eye view of your home world as if your consciousness is split, since you’ll still perceive standing in front of Cyrus at the tree. Rather than a vision, the view of your world is absolutely real, you’re certain. It’s a glimpse at the world that you thought destroyed, and if you focus on a particular place or a particular person, you’ll find the view shifting rapidly to it. No one you watch is aware of your presence, but simply continues about their daily life, whatever that is. But after about a minute, the view will fade as the light in the bead also fades.
That’s an iliachtida, a sunbeam, and when infused with Meridian’s light, allows someone Harmonized to it to check in on their world, he explains. It also acts as an anchor that tethers their soul to their world in the Timestream. With it, their world can’t entirely disappear, so eventually, they can go home. It’s a gift he’ll allow anyone that wants it to keep it, but indeed, they’ll be unable to use it again without first Harmonizing to Meridian.
To help manage threadload for the Loremasters playing Cyrus, we ask that you only tag him with the character you are most likely to app. Similarly, new tag-ins will not be accepted after Monday, October 17th.
Woah— Woah there, it’s fine! The tree was, uh, trying to take you back is all. You’re fine now.
As long as you’re not going to attack him, he offers a friendly smile and a hand to shake.
Name’s Cyrus. Sorry about the rude awakening. Let’s get your friend here unhooked too.
And indeed, glancing over, you can see the person you met in that room laying nearby, and it looks like a vine has snaked underneath them to exactly where something had just been pulled from you… Best not to think about it, maybe. Or if you've been unlucky enough to be one of the last people rescued, you might find vines and roots starting to grow into your skin. It's fine!
CYRUS, THE TRIBUNE
Cyrus is the NPC heading up the Meridian Faction, and is available to thread with under this header. Cyrus has come to the Tree of Life to help rescue the Shard-Bearer’s from the Tree, so he’s not going to be inclined to explain too much right away, since he’s on a mission, but he’ll stick around once everyone is successfully freed from Prompt 2 to speak with anyone that wants to. The following is just an OOC summary of information in case you do not need to thread with Cyrus:Cyrus will gladly introduce himself to everyone, and will further explain his position in Meridian and Springstar (see the NPC Page) and the goals of Meridian itself (see the Faction Page, save for the italicized section). But most importantly, he’ll explain that he knows it sounds like something overly optimistic. It’s fair to be skeptical. He’ll produce a small glass bead from a bag he’s carrying. It looks like the necklace he wears, though not lit up. He’ll explain that the force of Meridian is a gift and can be a tether to your home, if you let it. As his fingertips light up, the energy is infused into the bead, which he’ll hand to you.
Taking the bead into your hands, you’ll take a bird’s eye view of your home world as if your consciousness is split, since you’ll still perceive standing in front of Cyrus at the tree. Rather than a vision, the view of your world is absolutely real, you’re certain. It’s a glimpse at the world that you thought destroyed, and if you focus on a particular place or a particular person, you’ll find the view shifting rapidly to it. No one you watch is aware of your presence, but simply continues about their daily life, whatever that is. But after about a minute, the view will fade as the light in the bead also fades.
That’s an iliachtida, a sunbeam, and when infused with Meridian’s light, allows someone Harmonized to it to check in on their world, he explains. It also acts as an anchor that tethers their soul to their world in the Timestream. With it, their world can’t entirely disappear, so eventually, they can go home. It’s a gift he’ll allow anyone that wants it to keep it, but indeed, they’ll be unable to use it again without first Harmonizing to Meridian.
To help manage threadload for the Loremasters playing Cyrus, we ask that you only tag him with the character you are most likely to app. Similarly, new tag-ins will not be accepted after Monday, October 17th.
III. SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος
After your ordeals at the Tree of Life, perhaps you’re drawn to Springstar, the city of eternal sun and the seat of Meridian.
It’s currently (and fittingly) Spring in Springstar, and the bustling city is coming back to life after finishing up winter. It’s not as if the winters are especially harsh here, but you’ll quickly get the sense that the people of Springstar are vivacious and happy to celebrate. You’ll find the Entertainment District to be the liveliest, whether it’s at a rowdy bar or a brothel, but no matter what, you’re welcome with open arms and without question.
Of course, if you’d just like to use the chance to explore the city alongside your fellow Shard-Bearers, that’s fine too. It’s easy to get lost in the crowds of Springstar and see all the city has to offer.
It’s currently (and fittingly) Spring in Springstar, and the bustling city is coming back to life after finishing up winter. It’s not as if the winters are especially harsh here, but you’ll quickly get the sense that the people of Springstar are vivacious and happy to celebrate. You’ll find the Entertainment District to be the liveliest, whether it’s at a rowdy bar or a brothel, but no matter what, you’re welcome with open arms and without question.
Of course, if you’d just like to use the chance to explore the city alongside your fellow Shard-Bearers, that’s fine too. It’s easy to get lost in the crowds of Springstar and see all the city has to offer.
IV. HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы
Or maybe Highstorm, the city of twin moons and the seat of Zenith is more to your liking. It’s certainly the quieter of the two cities and is a relaxing, meditative place if that’s what you prefer. The chill in the air is constant, since it’s Autumn in Highstorm and the eternal night doesn’t help keep things warm, exactly. Snow isn’t out of the question at this time of the year, but it’s beautiful in the moonlight.
Because of the cooler weather than Highstorm is prone to, you’ll find many of its delights inside rather than outside. Libraries and museums are popular in the more introspective city, though it’s easy enough to find something that might please you. For example, the indoor hot baths are popular at this time of the year too. You’ll find the people are kind, if cool-tempered, though if you mention the fact that you’re a Shard-Bearer or allied with Zenith, they’re more likely to warm up.
Though much like Springstar, it may just be more interesting to explore the city with a fellow Shard-Bearer. And as a resident may warn you, it’s best to stay in the city. Wandering out into the marshes and forests isn’t advised. Of course, if you do, just contact a Loremaster to find out why. ♥
Because of the cooler weather than Highstorm is prone to, you’ll find many of its delights inside rather than outside. Libraries and museums are popular in the more introspective city, though it’s easy enough to find something that might please you. For example, the indoor hot baths are popular at this time of the year too. You’ll find the people are kind, if cool-tempered, though if you mention the fact that you’re a Shard-Bearer or allied with Zenith, they’re more likely to warm up.
Though much like Springstar, it may just be more interesting to explore the city with a fellow Shard-Bearer. And as a resident may warn you, it’s best to stay in the city. Wandering out into the marshes and forests isn’t advised. Of course, if you do, just contact a Loremaster to find out why. ♥
NOTES
no subject
The young wizard gawks up at the stranger, struggling to place their exact gender, and nearly forgetting why he came to this door at all. ]
Y — Yes. A friend.
[ Finally, he blinks and hazards a glance into the dormitory room. If Emet-Selch is here, Howl can't see him, and doesn't hear him. He looks back to the unknown person and notices for the first time that they appear to be wearing... well, surely not lingerie, but nightwear. Pajamas.
uhh, what the hell is going on. ]
I was just... in the neighborhood, and thought to check on him. [ pause. ] Who are you?
no subject
How kind of you. I am sure he appreciates it immensely. As for myself- you may call me Hythlodaeus. And what might I refer to you as?
[He pauses before gesturing for Howl to enter.]
Come, you needn't stand at the door.
[Emet-Selch can surely snap himself into a reasonable state of dress if he's that bothered. They can't simply allow a friend to stand awkwardly outside when he's so kindly offered to check on Hades, after all! In a sing-song voice that shows how delighted he is that his dear friend is making other friends, he calls back.]
You have a visitor, Emet-Selch!
no subject
Emet-Selch takes a deep breath, holds it as the invitation is inevitably handed out, and then exhales loudly. There is nothing presentable about their current state of dress or the tidiness of his room. Having someone see this - see vulnerability - is not so ideal. Although this Wizard has been privy to more than any other.
"Is that so." He calls back, somewhat flatly. "Perhaps you could give our guest my felicitations on learning how to 'check' on someone's wellbeing without tearing down their door." He knows very well that it could be heard without being repeated.
no subject
...my name is Howl.
[ The wizard would be entirely content to stand here at the door and assault Hythlodaeus with the dozens of questions crowding his mind right now, but instead, he steps inside with a polite nod to the no-longer-a-stranger. The chiming in of Emet-Selch's voice really just...... drives home that, whatever he's intruding upon here, it's real. ]
So you're Hythlodaeus... I daresay that's the only plausible explanation for this... [ he'll let them fill in the blank as to what he means by 'this.'
Howl leans in slightly, peeking in the direction of the bed, where he finds Emet-Selch very obviously undressed and ungroomed.
Good morning, friend. Deepest apologies to your door. Should I come back later?
no subject
[Moving inside the room, he ushers Howl inside further before shutting the door.]
Don't be silly, we were hardly doing anything that can't wait! If you would both be so kind as to wait for me to dress myself- we were not expecting company, you see, but it is getting rather late in the day. Emet-Selch will be your gracious host.
[Unaware of the questions Howl has but pleased he knew of him beforehand, he smirks at Hades.]
And you can tell me all about what you know of me when I return... my, but I didn't know I would have a reputation to uphold.
[He can only imagine what Emet-Selch mentioned about him to others! Laughing quietly, he heads off to get dressed, leaving Howl and Emet-Selch alone in the room together.]
no subject
He makes his way into the main room and shrugs openly at Howl. "It appears I am your gracious host for the evening. So," He gestures sharply to the seating area. His tone turns sharp with the disapproval Howl might have been expecting all along. "Sit. And tell me why you find it so necessary to "check" on me after only a mere few hours?"
It had not been a mere 'few hours', but time the last several days had passed so blissfully quick as he spent time with his friend. Hours passed like seconds as they spoke with one another, shared with one another, and began to heal in their own way.
no subject
So he moves to a chair as he's been all but commanded to and takes a seat before venturing to correct him.
"Emet-Selch, it's been a week. Not hours." The enormous grin on his face might be saying more than words ever could when it comes to what he's thinking about all this, but he continues.
"You never told me Hythlodaeus was so beautiful. No wonder you missed him so dearly. — him? Or should I say 'them'?" Howl asks only to be respectful. From his tone and the way he'd looked at Hythlodaeus, he might be feeling a bit smitten himself.
"Whichever it is, I assure you, I did not mean to interrupt your honeymoon."
no subject
The 'implications' of how he had spent that week - whether spoken or not - don't sneak past unnoticed. He has walked the world long enough to know when such things are hinted at, and it earns a faint scoff of disapproval as he takes a seat by Howl.
However, his eyes slide to the door which has since shut to allow his friend to change in peace. He observes for a moment to make sure that it stays closed before leaning closer to Howl. Emet-Selch puts a hand up to his mouth and whispers. "I am far from blind to his appearance. Now, if you do not behave yourself, I will find the nearest hungry monstrosity and feed you to it."
He sits back with a huff and folds his arms. The frustrations are allowed to sit as he considers how to explain further. Or what to explain further.
"He - Hythlodaeus - is my dear friend." The scathing look on his face softens as he briefly reminisces. His look is fond, perhaps even hopeful. "We are the last of our people, and you cannot hope that you could understand what it means that he would be returned to me. It is like the most unbearable weight being lifted after having borne it for innumerable years."
no subject
"Of course not," he says. "Nor did I presume to understand. What I can see, however, is the incredible joy bursting forth from your heart, my friend."
And Howl will leave it at that, as much as he wishes he could tease him further about this. Emet-Selch did tell him to behave himself, and while any further teasing would be wholly good-natured, he doesn't want to embarrass him so much that it spoils that joy.
"Yima did it, then. Kept her promise to you."
no subject
"She kept her promise for now. Whether or not she keeps it to perpetuity remains to be seen." But for now, he can enjoy this single reprieve.
"During the interim, I intend to cherish what time we have." The smile fades somewhat. How long would that last when he divulges all of what has transpired in the passing years?
no subject
"My apologies, I simply could not sit here in my robe while speaking to a guest." Especially because he very clearly didn't have anything on underneath it. While he could get away with speaking to Emet-Selch in that state, he doesn't really want to make a habit of talking to strangers like that. Fondly, he reaches out to comb his fingers through Emet-Selch's hair to fix it for him a little.
"Especially a friend of Emet-Selch's."
no subject
But the moment is interrupted by the soft creak of the door opening to announce Hythlodaeus' reutrn. Instinctively, Howl looks towards the noise, only to be greeted by the beautiful man decked out in an intriguing, wispy sort of outfit.
What happens next is completely involuntary on Howl's part. He cannot help but be stricken all over again by Hythlodaeus and his beauty, and the thought blooms from his head like a drop of ink spreading in a glass of water. The feeling is so genuine and so strong that it leaks out into the ambient communion space shared by Stargazers, without Howl realizing it has happened... much less suspecting that someone present is going to be able to pick up on it.
"Welcome back," he says cordially to the tall man. Stars above, how is he so beautiful? Did all of Emet-Selch's people look like this, or is Hythlodaeus uniquely handsome? Ah, but is handsome the right word for someone so... androgynous, for lack of a better word? A feminine kind of handsome. These notions sweep through Howl's head in rapid succession, before he eventually clears his throat and looks between the two men. He's running his fingers through Emet-Selch's bangs... which itself is a mystifying thing to watch.
no subject
Ah. Well, Hythlodaeus tends to have that effect on people.
There's no chance to comment on it - not that he would anyway - before his friend takes a seat beside him and starts fussing with his hair. Emet-Selch scrunches his face and tries to swat his friend's hand away with a few crabby waves of both palms. "I am quite capable of preening of my own accord, thank you." Even if the state of his hair pointed to the contrary.
He huffs a sigh and places his hands back in his lap - regardless of Hythlodaeus decides to continue his fussing or not. If he continued then he would waste no more effort trying to stop it. "Are the new garments that I've fashioned to your liking?" He asks somewhat flatly.
no subject
"Yes yes, of course you are." He chuckles. "They're interesting... they certainly aren't as comfortable as our robes, but perhaps I'm simply unused to this form-fitting fabric."
He leans towards Howl instead, eyes seemingly peering right through him. "What do you think, friend? Does this suit me?"
He's confused about where this feeling came from, but it seems to be emanating from Howl- well, it surely wouldn't be Emet-Selch, which only leaves the other man in the room. How intriguing! And what possibilities it offers- he can't help but to want to tease him, now.
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And then, realization strikes. Howl's squint reverses into a wide-eyed look of barely contained panic. His eyes dart down to Hythlodaeus' neck, where he saw his Shard and (most critically) a white Aspect mark when he first came to the door, but now it's covered by the cowl of his outfit. But, even then, as the seconds pass, he does not need to see it to know what is going on here and be thoroughly flustered.
"Uh, yes, very much!" Howl finally blurts as he rises from his seat after an uncomfortably long pause. His desire to leave wrestles with his desire to not make his embarrassment so obvious, but he knows he has already failed the former in both Emet-Selch's eyes and within the bond he (unwittingly, up to this point,) shares with Hythlodaeus.
"Anyway, I'll — leave you two to enjoy your morning, yes? So sorry to bother you! Don't forget about breakfast in the dining hall!"
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- but more importantly, it is not difficult for them to determine when the other is up to something. Though he cannot hope to surmise the intricacies in what the two share in their unseen link, some things are plainly visible. And Emet-Selch enjoys nothing more than being terribly inconvenient.
"Don't be absurd." He says with a smile beginning to cross his features. "We have only just collected ourselves and have scarcely received a word on what prompted your visit. Not to mention you have done aught but introduce yourself to my dear friend." The amusement practically drips from every word as he observes Howl squirm. "Pray, indulge us in your company."
Squirm more.
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Placing a hand on Howl's shoulder, he presses down just enough to dictate that he should sit again. "Please, I insist." He's smiling the whole while, mischievous and clearly up to no good. "Emet-Selch is right- you didn't even tell us what prompted your visit."
He remains close, eyes meeting Howl's, and will only move away if Howl sits- but his gaze remains fixed on the other man as if he's the most interesting thing in the room right now. And indeed, he is.
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Howl's eyes tear away from Emet-Selch to look up at Hythlodaeus instead, mystified and starstruck at the same time. He does not sit down. Hythlodaeus will find, in fact, that the more he presses down on Howl's shoulder, the more it starts to feel like he is pressing down on stone instead of flesh.
"Yes, I did," Howl insists. "I came to check on him because I hadn't seen him in days. Now I know he's fine, and — what it is he was doing."
Without wasting another second, he ducks underneath Hythodaeus' arm and away from his touch, and walks backwards towards the door as he continues.
"Anyway, as I said! I'll leave you two to it!" It will be clear to the other Stargazer how desperate Howl is to get out of here, just as it was alarmingly clear to Howl that Hythlodaeus was staring at him with mischief in his heart. "It was, ah, quite wonderful meeting you, finally, Hythlodaeus! See you... around and about."
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Emet-Selch looks to the door delightedly before stealing a glance to Hythlodaeus. "Well, I daresay that you made an impression he shan't soon forget." He says with stifled laughter in his tone. An impression indeed!
He'll have to make sure to ask Hythlodaeus about what went on unseen between them at another time. For now, he stands and finally uses a hand to try and tame his hair.
"Come. Perhaps that is a sign that we should get some fresh air." Some lunch perhaps. Though he'll need to get dressed on his own before that happens.
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"Goodness..." He's never had that effect on someone before, at least not to his knowledge, so he's both flattered and amused at the same time. Chuckling still, he looks back to Emet-Selch with pink cheeks from laughing.
"Perhaps it was terribly unkind of me to approach him in such a way, but I couldn't resist." He straightens, composing himself somewhat.
"I would like that. I shall wait here for you."
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And so they would carry on with the rest of their day in such delighted contentment.