festivals and mur--ahem, investigations 🎊🔍

[beleos]

COMMUNION WITH YIMA

After given some time for recovery and for Yima to hear reports of what transpired at the Tree of Life last month, a Communion message gently flows through the minds of each Shard-Bearer. They will have to choose to accept this message, and once they do, they will be greeted by Yima’s voice resonating pleasantly in their heads. She first apologizes for their harrowing experience with the Dryad, and that she hadn’t anticipated such a violent reaction from the Tree; she believes that their experiences point to an imbalance within the Tree itself, most likely brought about by the soon-to-come arrival of the Oracles.

She has spoken with Cyrus, and they have jointly decided that an investigation into the matter - and potentially the destruction of the Dryad - may be required to purge its influence from the Tree. Yima requests that any who would willingly seek out the Dryad volunteer to do so and will be outfitted with a ward against any tampering to prevent them from falling into the creature’s clutches a second time. It will take her a bit to fashion enough of these wards - but she anticipates being ready toward the end of the month.

She concludes her message with another heartfelt apology for your suffering, that she would not have sent any into such a situation she believed were truly dangerous. That being said, she takes responsibility for your ordeal and asks that if there is anything she can do in recompense, you have but to ask.

Yima will be available for Communion chatter here!

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE - HIGHSTORM

Takiltu is a month cycle the natives of Kenos regard with some amount of reverence and a hearty helping of excitement: the first part of the month (November) is spent reflecting on and celebrating the differing cultures and worlds each Kenosian represents. The second part of the month (December) is spent celebrating unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time.

Each city celebrates differently, the flavor of their festivals a reflection of their people.

In Highstorm, the first thirty days of Takiltu are spent in Remembrance. The city is decorated with string lights, paper lanterns, candles, and torches to illuminate the streets in beautiful colors and shimmering magical illusory shapes. The focal point of the festival takes place in The Court, where the reflecting pool has been especially decorated with arrangements of flowers and lights. Festival stands erected around the Courtyard peddle paper lanterns as well as refreshments, fanciful decorative items, and enchanted jewelry that is said to make one’s recollections of the past temporarily clearer.

The pool itself is the main attraction, here; citizens who approach its waters and gaze into its depths will find its normal abilities to reflect memories enhanced. The images are surreal for their clarity, vivid - and normally, one is requested to look into the eyes of those most precious to them whose souls remain lost, to pay homage to their memory and sacrifices, and to wish them rebirth in the new world to come. A purchased lantern is then lit and sent skyward where it floats into the moonlight, joining the others hovering above.

But this year, there is an addition to the usual fanfare. Emet-Selch has been asked to assist with the festival; as long as he is given permission, he can recreate the memory displayed in the reflecting pool. Yima has granted him a temporary blessing which enhances his natural creation abilities - a gift for their people she is grateful for. Your character can choose what it is they see in the water - whether it’s a place, a person, or the feelings of a certain point and time, he will temporarily recreate it around you. Everyone will be able to see this conjuring and interact with it while it is functional. It will last between 15 to 30 minutes before dissolving into beads of light that slowly trickle skyward before disappearing. You’ll be told to light a lantern, send it adrift, and that this will give peace to the part of you and your Shard that surely aches. But does it…?

Elsewhere in Highstorm, the High Theater has been painstakingly decorated and aglow with magical floating motes of light; the interior has been transformed into something of an Art Gallery. The pieces within are dedications to parts of worlds long gone, as well as the people in them; some are beautifully painted landscapes of exquisite, far-away places beyond the imagination. Some are more mundane and familiar snapshots of life in a home world not too different from your own. There are portraits of families, loved ones, and those the Zenites long for most. This is their time to mourn, to grieve, and to appreciate their pasts - the pasts that will lead them to a brighter future, one day. They must move on into the future, but treasuring that which came before is equally important to them.

Should you touch any of the motes of light that are around the art pieces decorating the Gallery, you will find yourself able to feel, hear, see, and taste a piece of the world the piece represents. Some of these are warm gatherings over a dinner table with family; others are heart-wrenching expressions of loss and bitterness and pain. Be cautious which you choose. Oh, and do be careful not to stand too closely with someone else when you touch one, or one accidentally touches you - the experience is absolutely contagious through Communion.

CELEBRATION OF CHERISHMENT - SPRINGSTAR

While Highstorm’s Festival of Remembrance is a more demure and reflective time, Springstar takes a much different approach to the season. In true Meri nature, the Celebration of Cherishment encapsulates celebrating life in all forms - and that means parties! The Psychagogía is the main hub of excitement considering, but festivities can be found in almost every single district of Springstar. Wherever you go, something is happening and someone is trying to rope you into having a good time.

The city has been decorated with bright and colorful multi-purpose magical ivy-like vines that sprouts buds that bloom over the course of the month into gorgeous flowers. These flowers are considered sacred, and their blooming is a momentous time of joy and good fortune. Each flower is left intact; disturbing one is tantamount to a war crime by the natives, so don’t get observed if you try to pluck one!

The Psychagogía is incredibly lively, teeming with people and events; almost every venue is peddling some kind of ‘Cherishment’ celebratory sale or discount. The first portion of the month includes what the locals call “the meri-ment” (and seem quite chuffed about that pun), in which Kenosians are encouraged to go bar hopping and taste the wide variety of specialty ales and liquor unkegged only around this time of year. Participants are highly encouraged to share stories of their worlds and cultures, to tell those they mingle with tales of the worlds they will one day return to and why they’re special, unique - to celebrate their one-day return.

Alongside this comes a great deal of outdoor grilling, fresh meats and vegetables sending tantalizing scents everywhere you go once the evening hours arrive. Some of these food and drinks can cause… interesting… effects if you consume them in excess, especially at the Emotional Damage - so try to show restraint. It would be a bit embarrassing to find yourself strangely infatuated with the first person you lay eyes on after your fifth night out on the town, or feeling compelled to express warm feelings aloud you wouldn’t normally commit to another. Luckily, it only lasts a short period of time - but beware the wicked hangover afterward. Strangely enough, if you’re suffering, you feel oddly compelled to seek out a little TLC from someone else - someone with whom you might have some unresolved feelings toward, positive or negative. Is it longing? Anger? Jealousy? Unspoken affections? Love? Whatever it is, you're more likely to seek them out for some care.

At the Coliseum, nightly brawls between Meris take place and the usual assortment of monsters are temporarily taken out of offer. This part of the festivities is one where each Kenosian is encouraged to settle any differences or misgivings with others and to get it out of their system, cleansing them of bad mojo - “leave it in the ring,” as it were. Despite beating each other bloody at times, most combatants willingly stop before it gets too serious and fighting to the death is not permitted. You must embrace your adversary before you leave, and your ‘bad blood’ will be considered purged and settled so you can start anew.

The Empório district is celebrating consumerism, because of course it is! All the usual goods are on a considerable discount, and for a brief time, gardening tools and supplies are free! The reason for this is that Springstar’s citizens are encouraged to plant one seedling in the gardens in Katoikitikós once the flowers lining the city have gone into full bloom. It is said this honors gods across cultures and time as well as invites good fortune. You are encouraged to plant a seedling in a group or pairing, as space is limited - and there are superstitions regarding this togetherness resulting in more favorable results. Should you plant a seedling with someone else, you might indeed find that something is beginning to blossom between you… Based on your Aspects, you might find yourselves feeling closer and more connected - or repulsed depending on your compatibility. This effect will last through the month after planting. Should you check on the seedling later, its health will be reflected in the state of your relationship. Friends will find the little plant thriving; enemies will find it is sickly and dying.

For those Shard-Bearers who have already harmonized with the Meridian or who have quarters in Heliopolis, you will find the communal meals much more lavish and indulgent than usual. There may even be a taste of home waiting for you among the spreads on offer, or some comfort food you haven’t had in a while. It is encouraged to share anything to your taste - or even to share why it is meaningful to you via Communion. Or you can just eat. You do you, man.

Once the flowers have bloomed and the festivities reach their peak, one might find the city loud and boisterous and sleep a little more difficult to come by. Springstar is absolutely thriving and alive - and you, too, feel more invigorated and energetic despite any lack of zzz’s. Should you leave the city, however, this effect will vanish and you might find yourself unnaturally fatigued and in need of more rest than is customary. Returning to Springstar will slowly build up your stamina again. This effect lasts until the end of the month.

THE MYSTERY OF ALENROUX

Once celebrations are in full-swing in the cities, some characters (i.e., any characters that choose to participate in this prompt) will be contacted by Cyrus or Yima, depending on their faction or whichever they feel a stronger inclination towards if they are currently Unharmonized. Both will explain that there’s something that they’d like you to investigate, but also to prepare and be careful, since this request doesn’t come without danger… A Shard has been lost in Alenroux, and they both hope you’ll be able to retrieve it.

MERIDIAN

“I’ve gotten word that a Zenith Shard-Bearer was sent to Alenroux a little bit before you arrived, and they haven’t come back yet. Normally, none of our business, but based on what some of the farmers have been saying, I think they’ve gotten hit by Discord. If it gets high enough, well… You don’t really have your mind anymore. We can help them through Purification. Even if it’s just for long enough to calm them down, it’s better than them being trapped in madness. It might be easier to dissipate them first, though, then Purify their Shard. They were last seen heading to the Northern forests. Let me know what I can give you to help, and make sure to help each other. Good luck.”

ZENITH

"Please heed my request, though I do not ask this of you lightly... One of the Zenith's children has been lost among the fields of Alenroux come nightfall and I fear the worst has befallen them. There are dangerous elements attracted to the presence of a soul, and the likelihood our brethren has been lost... it is great. Seek out the Shard - and if you are able to retrieve it, please do so. If it has suffered corruption too great to be saved or would place you in too great a danger to take back, then... I trust you to make the merciful choice. I place this in your hands and will give you whatever you require to see it through. Look out for your fellow Zenith and work together, as I do not want to lose more of you. Be well."

Both factions will offer their recruits access to standard weaponry and armor/protective clothing. If a character asks for more, they’ll be given a weapon or a piece of armor with minor magical properties which would normally cost 1 AC token to purchase. Magical weapons are on loan however. If your character takes these and/or chooses to keep it, please note this in your Committed Actions! If they choose to keep standard weaponry, Cyrus/Yima will just be disappointed in your dishonesty. :(

When you arrive during the day cycle, you’ll also find horses and magic hoverboards to use (they go the same speed tbh), because heading North to the forests is a bit of a trek, and you might not make it there in time on foot! As the sun starts to set, you’ll see the people in Alenroux start to leave, going clearly your opposite direction. Once night falls (Nov. 9th OOC), it doesn’t take long for things to change.

There’s just a sliver of a crescent moon in the sky, which makes the rolling hills and forests much more ominous than they were during the day. And as the stories say, it only takes an hour or two before you start to run into strange creatures. Closer to the Cornerstone, there are indeed strange creatures, and while they may not all look scary, they might present different kinds of dangers such as…

• A light in the dark looks like a fairy, but stare at it too long and you’ll find yourself hypnotized by a ghastly fish will lead you to a body of water to drown you.
• An innocuous puddle may form up into a mass of corrosive goo, complete with the bones and items of the last person it came across. When you slice it, it simply creates a copy of itself, so hopefully you realize this before you’re surrounded.
• A strange straw poppet (sans pins, of course) that possesses you once you touch it and will use your body to try and fight anyone else while your consciousness is trapped inside the doll. To be freed, you only have to destroy the doll, but you’ll feel the pain of how its destroyed even if you don’t bear any injuries from it.

However, as you get closer to the Northern forests, they become significantly more fearsome…

• With a roar, a massive, multiheaded beast descends, and each of its mouths is perfectly capable of taking a bite out of you. Watch out for the snake’s head in particular, since its venom will cause you to hallucinate your worst fears.
• As you come face to face with an odd creature, bioluminescence lights up on its skin, and the spins on its back quiver with a sound like a rattlesnake’s. As the spines quiver, you find it exceptionally difficult to take your eyes off them and move as it stalks closer slowly. You can fight blind, right?
• Diving in and out of larger shadows like its water is a slimy beast that’s incredibly fast. Its teeth may be small, but its tail is a razor-sharp whip that could remove a limb if you’re not careful.

These are just examples, however. There are many creatures lurking the wilds of Alenroux, so feel free to create your own monsters with unique effects.

It's a difficult trek North, and you may be tired from hours of running, fighting, or both… But eventually, a few people do find what they were looking for. They might have even missed it, if not for how their Shards suddenly felt like they were burning. From the shadows, a twisted creature of roots and lights which what looks like many crystals in a glowing mass appears and one of its eyes locks on you. It looks like now is your chance.

NOTES

Weather summary for the first 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

Highstorm is in late fall, early winter season. Some flurries may occasionally fall and it is getting considerably cold out there! Bundle up!

Springstar is in the throes of early summer; the weather is climate and pleasantly warm for outdoor celebrations (but not sweltering). There are occasional afternoon showers, but they don’t last very long.

Notable city changes:

If you wander the Markets in Highstorm, you might notice some of the peddlers seem a bit wary of you. Hm, guess something happened around here! Probably totally unrelated, but Silco and Vander (or anyone with them) will be treated with nervous suspicion.

Similarly, if you're traveling with Set (or you're Set) in Springstar, you might occasionally find yourself getting strange looks. Ask Set why.

Faction updates:

There are no explicit changes in faction behavior at this time. This will be a staple in all future event write-ups to catalogue the fluidity of the conflict as it progresses, though, so we're including it here for posterity!

Event Notes:

The Reflecting Pool in the Courts of Highstorm can be observed normally with no addtional effects or can bring your memory to vivid life thanks to the help of Emet-Selch (and Yima). If you grant him permission (which can be handwaved), he will breathe life into whichever memory you have chosen to view! If this includes any NPC’s or interactive elements, you will be responsible for playing them out in any tags until they disappear. Please see Emet’s toplevel for any interactions you’d like to thread out with him as a part of this.

For the Gallery in Highstorm, the art depicted in and scenes experienced through the pieces are up to you to create! Feel free to go wild with any associated NPC's in the scene and worldbuild as you see fit. Highstorm holds a variety of citizens from across the multiverse, so you could feasibly go fantastical places, or experience something distinctly profound and beyond your imagination...

The drinks and refreshments in Springstar can be enchanted in just about any way you’d like, including bringing upon minor physical changes of the cute, fun, and flirty variety! Feel free to get creative (as long as you get permission from your thread partner), the Meris would also merrily insist growing extra fluffy, scaly, etc bits during the celebration will only help you party harder! 🥳

As reminders for Alenroux, once night falls, a character is not able to leave until sunrise, which is 24 hours later. If your character is dissipated, you can have a PC retrieve their Shard or the respective Faction they're allied with will send out a search party to find it. Remember to report character deaths!

CODING

Comments

[lachtara]

It takes him comparatively longer to recover even with the help of sleep.

A while later, Emet-Selch cracks his eyes open and seems instantly offended by the bright light, as made obvious by a low grumble. (Did the light get brighter as he dozed?) He buries his face in Hythlodaeus' shoulder to hide his face.

He doesn't say anything right away; no 'good morning' or the like as it takes him a few moments to put together what had happened. Once he does he asks, "Why are we on the side of the street." The question is muffled by the presence of his friend's shirt.

[ktizo]

Hythlodaeus uses his hand to carefully shield his friend's eyes from the sun, smiling down at him buried in his shirt.

"Because this is where we ended up, I suppose. Walking was difficult, and the sun too bright." He nods up towards the canopy above them, shielding them from the worst of the rays.

"Hm... would you prefer I teleport us to my home? I can close the curtains for some semblance of darkness."

[lachtara]

The canopy above them is all but ignored. Looking up in the sun's direction is a horrible idea, and so he is content with his face pressed against his friend's shoulder.

"Yes, take us there," Emet-Selch mutters. "I will make your accursed concept while we rest." It's enough of a formal surrender as he cares to give. His friend has won...in so many words.

[ktizo]

Grinning, Hythlodaeus places an arm around his friend and they both disappear in wisps of blue and black smoke. They reappear again in Hythlodaeus' room, where he leads Emet-Selch to the couch and closes the curtains idly from afar with magic. A little light gets through, but not enough to disturb them.

"There we are. Sit yourself down and I will fetch you some water. You must be parched."

He makes his way to the sink for two large glasses, fills them, and returns. Then he offers one to Emet-Selch.

"Drink up. I am excited to see this creation you have in mind."

[lachtara]

His expression is mildly confused as the scenery changes so suddenly. It takes a moment for his mind to catch up to where they are.

"As am I." As Hythlodaeus had gone to retrieve some water, Emet-Selch slumps into the nearest comfortable-looking chair. It would be difficult to come up with a decent concept with his mind so clouded.

He slips a notepad out of his pocket and flips it open so that he may jot down some ideas. The ideas may look like nonsense to an onlooker - a blob of black scribbles - but they make sense to him at present. Perhaps that's all that matters.

"My thanks." Emet-Selch takes the water from his friend and attempts to drink. However, he tips it a little too far back and a little water runs down the side of his face and onto his little notepad. He makes a flustered noise and sets the drink aside. It seems that he doesn't completely have his wits about him.

[ktizo]

It makes sense that they're both still tipsy at best, given the short amount of time they had to rest. But seeing his companion spill water on himself makes Hythlodaeus giggle, reaching over to wipe at his cheek with his thumb.

"If you wish for a bath, that can be arranged."

He leans over to look at the sketch. Hm. "It needs more, Emet-Selch! I do hope it isn't another Cubus."

It looks very... blob-like.

[lachtara]

The look he gives at the mention of 'baths' is one of mild consideration. Actually, a nice bath doesn't sound terrible. Perhaps the warm water would do him some good.

But for now, he would return to this concept.

Emet-Selch lifts the notepad and brings it closer to his chest as if to say 'don't look'. "Of course it 'needs more'. It's not at all finished." So he returns back to his work.

A creature begins to take shape. It has long claws, fearsome teeth, and more than a fair share of arms. He leans back and looks tiredly at the ceiling. What purpose would it have? He hasn't done this in so long and there are so many details that creatures needed to have before submission. This process usually took weeks to refine, more for him given his penchant for perfectionism.

He turns a page in the notebook and begins to define it further. The ominous looking formless blob takes shape into a horrible creature. At the very least, it's not Cubus.

[ktizo]

Unable to see the creature, Hythlodaeus supposes it will be a nice surprise if he can make himself stop looking at the sketch. In the meantime he drinks his water, comfortable in the silence.

That's not to say he isn't going to get impatient after a time, of course. But he knows full well how long a concept takes from its sketch to the first breath of new life, and he's only getting impatient now because he wants to get to work. He can keep it to himself, at least... maybe he'll just watch Emet-Selch as he works. Yes, that's a nice distraction.

Drawing his feet up underneath him he looks wholly uncomfortable, but seems content to scrunch himself into a ball and nurse his drink.

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch continues to work away at his notebook. The ideas are not entirely clear - and he's unsure if they would qualify as 'inspired' - but they are a starting point nonetheless. The creature is intended to consume poisoned aether and clear the area of its influence but that is as far as he's gotten with the concept.

He can feel his friend's eyes on him as he continues on. After several moments of writing, he looks over. Hythlodaeus is scrunched into some odd shape as he sits like some unruly cat who defies the laws of nature. "How you manage to sit like that I'll never know."

He hands the notepad over so that his friend may take a look. "Here. See if it meets your lofty standards." Out of pure habit, the words are written in a script that is native to the shards rather than the language used by Ancients.

[ktizo]

"Heheh..." He tries to imagine Emet-Selch sitting like this, and supposes the poor man would need medical or magical intervention to get back into a normal position again. It's enough to make him chuckle, before he takes the book and looks over the concept.

"Mm... hm. Hm! I see..." He scans over the concept quickly with practiced eyes, then glances up to Emet-Selch.

"The design is certainly... more intriguing this time around. Is it friendly? I should like to pet it."

On every single head, yes. It looks like a good boy.

"Alas, I cannot read this script. I am sure it is mightily inspired, but you will have to write it in something I can understand." He hands the book back with a smile. "Or have you long forgotten our tongue?" He... hopes not. That would be extremely sad.

[lachtara]

The script...? At first, he looks puzzled. Then he takes back the notebook and examines the words on its page. Ah.... His expression turns a touch glum. "My apologies." He turns the page and begins to write again. The letters come to him but they are a little slower than they would be had he written words every day. The alcohol certainly does not help.

"After the end of our world, those who followed invented their own languages and written word. I had to memorize them, and now they've become habit." He sighs in frustration. "That I would forget something so simple."

The notebook is offered again, this time with the proper words on it.

[ktizo]

He takes the notebook back and this time nods. "Much better. I suppose it makes sense, that you would not have heard our language for so long."

After all, it died out with their people. And Hythlodaeus already knows that the Warrior of Light and his friends were speaking an entirely different language, though he had understood just fine. He supposes perhaps the Dynamis in the area conveyed their words' meaning...?

In any case, Emet-Selch doesn't know that, so it's not worth bringing up. Instead he smiles a little as he pointedly makes a note of speaking in their tongue.

"And how does the creature deal with poisoned aether? Does it take it to a safe location to disperse it, or does it simply purify it?"

[lachtara]

The words bring a small smile to his face. Not for the content, but that he finally has someone who understands.

It would purify it and expel pristine aether. This ability would take some experimentation for it to function properly, but it is doable with perseverance and ambition.

At least speaking it is not an issue. The Shades of Amaurot spoke in his language, and he had been able to listen to them chatter as he walked through the city. There is also the matter of Hythlodaeus' shade which he would converse with regularly. Which would...go unmentioned.

There were books in the phantom city too, of course, though he had less of a reason to read them. He did on occasion. It had been some time since.

[ktizo]

"I see. 'Twould indeed take some experimentation. Would that we had a facility in which to do so."

He hums, before gesturing to the clear space of his room.

"You will show me this creation in the flesh, won't you?"

He knows that nothing bad would happen if it happened to be unfriendly. Not with Emet-Selch here, even hungover and still mildly drunk as he is. They've had wilder ideas than 'drunk creation time.'

[lachtara]

His head rolls tiredly in his friend's direction. "What, now?" There is so much more that needs to be fleshed out before he could create anything remotely functional. Not to mention being out of sorts.

He sighs and lifts a hand to begin conjuring...but pauses when he feels something small nudge his foot. All attention is immediately redirected down at a small opalescent creature that has decided Emet-Selch's leg is an obstacle that must be moved. It's a white tortoise with a jeweled shell - a creature unlike any he's seen before.

Emet-Selch lowers his hand and lets the magic dissipate in the air. "Have you done some conjuring of your own?"

[ktizo]

"No time like the present, as they say!"

He's eager to watch the magic unfurl, so eager that he doesn't even recall that he'd let his new friend out to stretch his legs. He looks down and chuckles.

"Ah, no, this is Opállios. He was given to me. Come now, little one- we don't want you to get trampled."

Bending down to pick up the small creature, he moves to sit back down with him on his lap. The tortoise doesn't want to sit still, however, beady eye looking up at Emet-Selch as he determinedly marches towards him on the couch.

"He seems to like you." Or maybe he just feels that Emet-Selch is invading his personal space and wants to headbutt him more. Who can really say? "Well, perhaps the creation should wait until we're not in here. I shouldn't like to see the poor thing get eaten."

[lachtara]

It may seem to like him, but judging from the way that Emet-Selch leans in the opposite direction, the feeling is not reciprocated. He looks at the creature as though its mere presence minorly offends.

"Yes... I can't imagine a creation like this one would fair well against such a beast." He glances up. "I've never seen a creature like this before. Its shell is crafted from precious stone."

[ktizo]

Noting his friend's expression, Hythlodaeus clicks his tongue and scratches idly at the shell of his tortoise friend.

"'I have never seen a creature like this before' he says, as he gazes disdainfully upon the poor fellow! Whatever did he do to earn your ire already?"

He pats the couch to indicate Emet-Selch sit back down, accepting that the creation won't happen now. "Is it because he rammed your foot? I can promise you, he rams everything."

To prove his point, he moves his hand in front of the tortoise. It begins furiously headbutting his palm, which simply makes Hythlodaeus laugh. He's a feisty boy, of course Hythlodaeus approves of it!

[lachtara]

As if Emet-Selch, of all people, would meet anything new with a look of anything other than skepticism or disapproval. It usually takes him time to warm up to new things. If he decides to at all.

So he sits back down in a rather ungraceful manner (Alcohol seldom permits being graceful) and leers at the small creature.

"You said its name is Opállios? Rather on the nose." Emet-Selch carefully extends a finger to attempt and touch the creatures face. The thing doesn't bite, does it?

[ktizo]

"I never claimed to be good at naming things, my friend. If the name fits..."

The tortoise pauses in headbutting Hythlodaeus' hand and looks to the finger. He retreats into his shell briefly, before realising he's safe, at which point he gives the finger a curious nip to test for food. It won't hurt, he's too small for that, but upon realising the finger isn't food he starts trying to headbutt that, too. Hythlodaeus sighs and chuckles.

"Forgive him, he isn't terribly smart. Ah, but did you know, he's going to get big enough to ride around on?"

This seems to delight Hythlodaeus, despite the fact that his legs work perfectly fine and he can teleport on a whim.

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch seems to tolerate the antics of the little creature with a quirk of a brow. If there is any consolation is that he allows it to test his finger and doesn't withdraw when he is nudged either.

"Quite a poor choice of ferry. You'll lose him to the nearest tree before you reach your destination." He withdraws his hand and crosses his arms.

Disapproving as he is, Emet-Selch begrudgingly concedes in light of how happy it seems to make his friend. "He will need training," He leers at Hythlodaeus. "Training that I will not be participating in."

[ktizo]

"Ah, he will take a few months to get quite so big as that anyway."

Though at the mention of training, he eyes Emet-Selch with a pout. "You shan't be helping? A pity. And here if it were your unruly pet, I would have stepped in as a good friend should and offered my support... alas..."

He sighs. "I suppose I will have no choice but to weather this trial alone..."

[lachtara]

"I suppose you will." He says, looking in the opposite direction as if to avoid any pouting, sad faces, or pleading expressions. No, he would not be roped into such things. Emet-Selch would have none of it.

[ktizo]

He scratches at his pet's shell as he frowns at Emet-Selch.

"Must I beg you to help? Come now, you know I haven't a clue what I'm doing... even if you aren't sure either, we will do better with two heads than one."

Well, Hades can look away all he likes but he can't block out Hythlodaeus' words.

"Please, my friend? Would you not be glad for the extra time spent together?"

[lachtara]

Oh, he would not cave to a simple please and promise of more time. To show how much he would not cave, Emet-Selch sits up and turns himself in the opposite direction. He would not agree to this!

They have not been in each other's presence long and it seems that they already fall into old habits; Hythlodaeus coming up with a task for him to do, and him vehemently refusing to do it.

"We can spend time with one another without such bothersome tasks." He insists.