[Closed to Rhel]

[weenwoon]

Who: Hythlodaeus and Rhel
Where: The Pokecenter
When: End of the month, day of Hythlo's arrival
What: Rhel explains things to a robe man who's dripping on the sofa.

[Truth to tell, he is much drier now that when the conversation started, which is just as well. He has bigger things to worry about right now.]

Gods? That is... somewhat troubling.

[His experience with gods is limited, however. The last one he saw was Zodiark.]

What could they gain from keeping people here? And the constant rain must be wreaking havoc on the other creatures as well.

Comments

[weenwoon]

[He sighs, playing with his hair. Perhaps Rhel is right, and it's not a sign of anything more sinister.]

Well, one more item on the lecture list, I suppose. I've always thought he looked quite handsome like that, although I would not put it past him to change it just to snub me.

[thaumewturge]

He does seem the type, doesn't he? What else might he do to snub you?

[weenwoon]

... Oh my. This is a roundabout way of finding out what else I like about him, yes?

[Kyaa Rhel how scandalous!]

[thaumewturge]

Of course.

[She smiles.]

I only know a little about him, after all.

[And what little she knows is tainted with him being an Ascian. She'd love to hear (slightly biased) stories about him before all of that, just to see what life might have been like back then.]

[weenwoon]

[There's just a hint of embarrassment in his replying chuckle. Mockingly talking about Hades is one thing, being openly asked what he likes about his friends is another.]

Oh my. His personality, habits or looks? I fear that if you give me free reign we shall be here 'til daybreak.

[thaumewturge]

Personality, please. When I met him, he was rather cranky.

[weenwoon]

[His smile turns sad for a moment as he exhales a soft sigh.]

I cannot say I blame him.

[He gathers himself again quickly and leans back on the sofa, crossing his legs.]

Well, 'tis not much of a difference, however. He has always been outwardly ornery, even to, or perhaps I should say especially to those he cares about... And he cares greatly. [There's a smug smile on his face.] He is one of those people who don't want others to know how they feel, but I daresay he only manages to hide it well until you come to know him. After that... he is very easy to read. And he may act tough, but if you are earnest and open enough with him he is a complete pushover. Our most eminent Emet-Selch resists any pressure you may try to put on him, but hand him the reins and he's helpless.

[thaumewturge]

[That matches up with what the shade told her in the illusory city, which makes Rhel smile a little. She almost wishes she could have met this slightly more outwardly concerned Emet-Selch. Maybe they would have been friends.

But also:]

Do you mean he's helpless in the sense that he can't say no, or in the sense that he's got no idea what to do when in charge?

[weenwoon]

[He laughs briefly.]

Oh, luckily for us all he does know what to do when in charge. Otherwise, the role of the Architect would have gone to someone else! But he cannot say no to people under his power, nor abuse it. He hasn't got that in him.

[It is perhaps quite different to the Emet Rhel knows, but it's just one more hint of just how much it all weighed on him.]

'Tis why he never fired me, truth to tell. I've never gone quite so far as to truly make him upset, and he was aware that his personal distaste towards me could not be allowed to cloud his judgement.

[Hythlo: Emet was my best friend! Also Hythlo: Emet hated me so much!]

[thaumewturge]

[It's so very different, but then, well. He did admit to being tempered. Perhaps that had something to do with it.]

So were you friends or were you just his personal nuisance?

[weenwoon]

Both?

[His grin slowly settles into a smile as he looks somewhere in the middle distance.]

He cares for me a lot, of course, he will just never say it out loud. I wish he would at least once, but that is not his way.

[Aware that that got juuuust a little bit vulnerable, he flaps a hand in a dramatic gesture.]

Truly, 'tis my lot in life! Most esteemed Emet-Selch has grand divine plans to take care of, and I am but a humble servant, left to deal with lowly matters, like his piles of books he never returns on time.