IC Inbox

[gutteringlight]

INBOX text / audio / video / action "This is Jophrey. Leave a message with this device and I shall reply when I return. May the Twelve guide your path."

Comments

action; around Valentione's week or something (probably deliberately late)

[emet_sulk]

[ One day there comes a knock on the door. When Jophrey opens it there's no-one to be seen, but there IS a bottle of white wine sitting in an ice bucket with a small card tied to the neck by string. ]

I owe you this and an apology. Pray accept it. -Hades

[gutteringlight]

[ Jophrey's return knock doesn't come until a day later, and the reason becomes obvious when one glances at the bottles he's carrying. Emet's gift, plus another. He gestures with the latter and smiles. ]

I thought mayhap you'd like a bottle for yourself as well. 'Twould seem only fair, aye?

[emet_sulk]

[ He looks almost tiredly at the second bottle before glancing back up to Jophrey. ]

If you wanted to share, surely one is enough.

[ He lingers awkwardly at the doorway before stepping back to silently invite Jophrey inside. ]

[gutteringlight]

Well then, 'tis a good thing wine doesn't spoil! You'll have some for later.

[ He flashes a grin before moving past Emet Selch and into the apartment. He's too polite to go snooping through the cabinets in search of a bottle opener and glasses, so he contents himself for leaving the bottles on the counter for the Ascian to deal with.

He glances about the apartment with both curiosity and approval before he finds a seat and makes himself comfortable. His smile dims somewhat as the usual awkwardness between them makes itself known. ]

Apology accepted, by the by. Though...if I may ask, what brought about the change of heart?

[emet_sulk]

[ He mutters something to the effect of, 'Wine does spoil, you fool.' But it's easy to miss in the wake of him heading into the kitchen to fetch glasses and a corkscrew.

He doesn't answer Jophrey's actual question for a while. He pops out the cork on the bottle Jophrey has gifted him and pours a measure into both glasses. Though he picks up his own, he stares into its depths with a faint grimace. ]

...Although I constantly spurned your attempts at a truce between us, you stayed by my side after Felih removed Zodiark's tempering from my soul. You-- Your intentions were earnest, and I cannot fault them. And so...

[ He gestures to the other bottle without looking. ] This may be the only time we have left together. One way or another, when our worlds are saved, I will die.

[gutteringlight]

[ If he hears Hades' muttered correction, he makes no sign. He swirls his own glass absently, and regards the other man's reasons with a rueful sigh. ]

That's what I appreciate about you Hades, always looking on the bright side.

[ Though his words make light of it, his expression does not. The smile that accompanies the quip is a melancholy one. ]

But...'tis a wise thing, to enjoy a friend's company while there's time to do so. There are too many who never learn this lesson 'til it is too late.

You could have left me to the void, never to trouble you again, and yet you did not. I...I suppose I began to understand what Felih could see in you. I make much of the power of hope, but Felih's...

[ He shakes his head, starting in on the wine as he mulls it over. ]

...well, it puts me to shame.

[emet_sulk]

[ His mouth twists down and he takes a long swig of wine. Not an advisable decision, for wine is not really meant to be swigged, but the alcohol makes him feel a little better. ]

Felih is optimistic to a fault. He won't believe that the only way forward is to kill me. He refuses to acknowledge it.

[ Downing the rest of his glass, he reaches out to pour another. Who the hell cares if he gets drunk now? There's no-one around to judge him for a vice or two. ]

I'm tired of living, [ he mutters. ] I have nothing left to live for. My people won't return. I failed in my duty to them. And worst of all... [ His hand squeezes the glass. ] Hydaelyn will no doubt have you vanquish Zodiark once and for all, leaving the star in her undisputed care.

[gutteringlight]

But is it?

[ He too frowns, lips pressing together grimly. ]

Would this place truly be so cruel as to send you to your death? Could you not stay here, or...what if you return with Hythlodaeus instead of to your own time? He's still here, is he not?

[ His eyes scan Hades' home once more. He had rather been looking forward to finally meeting Hythlodaeus in the flesh, so to speak.

He nods slowly, taking a long swallow of wine as he lets his thoughts simmer. ]

I know how you feel all too well.

[ He sighs, dropping his eyes. ]

I'm sure 'tis cold comfort coming from one so short-lived as I. I...know not what Hydaelyn will ask of me upon my return, nor do I know if I can do aught but obey. But I do know that...when my duty is done at last, I will see my children again, and I will be at peace. How can I blame you for wanting the same?

[emet_sulk]

I don't want to remain here, [ he mutters. ]

[ Here, in a foreign land so far removed from his ideals of peace and community? He would HAVE to bend the knee to King Arthur then as he would be living as one of the man's subjects. He has been a king before. Many, many times before. He knows what is demanded of them. ]

My sight is gone. My powers, too. Everything I took pride in has been taken away from me. My home, my family, my loved ones... [ He tips his wine glass back again, caring not how his head spins. ] Hythlodaeus is here but for how long? I cannot keep him from leaving. You recall in that depraved city how people came and went. He may not even have a choice in the matter, and then where will I be?

Alone, as I have been for past twelve thousand years.