Oh, I hope you like it. When I first heard "club" I was picturing something very different from back in my reality, but Dolph runs a classy establishment.
I'm rather free these days! [ Now that he's not just lying in bed miserable about bestie being gone! ] Does tomorrow night work for you? Or am I being too eager, hah...
i'm sorry for my ugly html-less tags but i ain't typing all that on mobile
Tomorrow night works perfectly. Where shall I find you? By the by, I have more magicks at my disposal now that I am sure you'd enjoy. The crystal still seems to be granting wishes.
[Sure enough, at around 9PM Hythlodaeus can be seen outside of the club, glowing eyes fixed on the exterior for the most part- though he does smile and wave when he notices Maruki arriving.]
[ Maruki is in a significantly and very obviously better mood now that Eren has returned. He's beaming at Hythlodaeus as he ambles up, wasting no time in holding the door open for him to head in. ]
I'm excited too! Thank you again for the invitation, that was so kind of you... It's rare that I get to just enjoy a drink with someone.
[ Happy, mindless idle chatter as they head to the bar. Maruki remembers his surprise at Venat's taste in alcohol that night that they met up after the Green Knight, and he looks at Hythlodaeus with eyes bright with curiosity. ]
What's your preference? They can make just about anything you can think of, though they might need to substitute strange liquors from other realities that don't exist here... Ah, and it's my treat, please!
[He should probably warn Maruki that it will be an expensive venture to get Hythlodaeus even remotely tipsy.]
Here, I tend to drink the whiskey neat. I'm afraid it is much like the last reality I was in- the alcohol here isn't as strong, perhaps, as the alcohol in Amaurot. But if I drink it neat, I can get somewhat merry!
[Sitting at a table, Hythlodaeus lounges in the chair and grins.]
[ That had been his exact surprise with Venat. It must be the closest thing that they have to what they're used to, and it charms him.
When he returns, it's with the requested whiskey neat for Hythlodaeus, and a highball for himself. What he wouldn't give for chuhai...
He slides into the seat across from Hythlodaeus, preempting any protests immediately and cheerfully: ]
I acquired an incomprehensible amount of shards while I was counseling, and I have nothing to spend it on outside of the basic necessities. You, on the other hand, are still regaining your abilities. You'll let me buy you as many rounds as it takes for you to have a good time, and you won't try to pay behind my back. Understood?
[ God. Please. He's so rich. And he just wants to have fun. ]
[It does feel a little cheeky inviting Maruki out and expecting him to pay, but he supposes if the man insists then they don't need to argue about it all night.]
I am glad that you agreed to meet me, in any case! I know people here, but I don't truly know them- not well enough to be inviting them out for drinks, anyway! And our chats are always a delightful experience.
I'm glad you think so! I wouldn't ever want to be difficult to speak to, that's for certain.
[Still, at the mention of Eren his expression somehow brightens even further.]
Aye, a relief... I chose to believe you when you said that he would return, in the end. And so he did. Which is just as well, I might have been truly heartbroken had he not!
[An odd choice of word? Maybe. He doesn't seem to notice his slip, even so. He's too busy going to town on that whiskey, taking a large gulp and humming, pleased. Bait: taken!]
[ Word choice: noted. Maruki won't press on that just yet though. Instead he only tips his head to one side and relaxes further into his chair, an arm slung over the back. ]
I take it he found you after he returned too. Did you guys have a nice reunion...?
[ Because not all of them were so nice! He knows that now! ♥ ]
I had to find him, but... yes. He remembered that I was important to him, and I created a flower for him and played him a song. I hope he kept the flower.
[He muses on that as he sips his drink, humming contentedly at the slight burn.]
Not first, no, but very shortly after he returned, from what I understand. It was...
[ How does one describe their other half returning? Hythlodaeus knows that Eren is his best friend, knows that they made a promise; that's as much as anyone can know without instead knowing too much about both of their abilities. Maruki just shrugs, grinning widely around his drink. ]
It was a relief in every sense of the word. But, hold on– you made him a flower?
A relief, I am sure. Just as it would be a relief if Emet-Selch returned.
[He understands all too well, because Emet-Selch is his soulmate, and he has been missing him for far too long.]
Ah, yes. An Elpis flower. It changes hue based on the emotions around it. It is what we would call an entelechy, a being able to interact with Dynamis- the energy I once spoke to you of.
[ Maruki wants nothing more than to hear all explanations and see all examples of Hythlodaeus' abilities, but they can do that any time. This conversation, on the other hand, may not occur at a better time than now.
It's pointed, yes, but his tone is still exceedingly gentle. He doesn't want to embarrass his friend. ]
Have your feelings toward Eren changed at all since he returned?
[Pointed indeed. Hythlodaeus pauses to think about the question. He didn't realise he was being so obvious. Was he ever so obvious with Emet-Selch? (Yes.)]
Well... I suppose so, yes. I realise he hasn't been back for very long, but...
[He trails off, humming and taking a drink. He remembers when he saw Eren sitting at the farm, just as he remembered him from the city of seven. How his heart had jolted. Since then, it only seems to have grown more. He's been respectful of Eren's space if only because he knows he isn't the Eren he once knew, and just because his friend had been willing to fool around with him one time it doesn't mean he'd feel that way here. Still, he can't deny that between how close they'd gotten in that city, and how close they'd gotten here, he's starting to feel as though they were simply supposed to keep meeting.]
It does feel... different.
[It's a lame answer. He just doesn't really know how to articulate it well, and it's not for lack of trying.]
[ Maruki can easily read that the faltering words come from a struggle to articulate, not from inherent cageyness. He sympathizes; it's difficult to put these feelings to words more often than not. If anyone had asked him to explain what changed after he and Venat fought the Green Knight together, he would have had a similar issue. Some things defy explanation.
Still, though, he wants to help.
He takes a very long draught of his drink before looking back toward the bar with a smile, raising his hand for another round. Then back to Hythlodaeus, his tone entirely warm and gentle. ]
He really cares about you. And that's not something that's given freely to many people at all. You're important to him. That's– well, it sounds like a simple sentiment, but it's not.
[ It means everything, from what he's felt himself and how he's seen Eren act with those precious few others he feels that way toward.
He leans an elbow on the table, props his chin up on his hand. ]
And with those he cares about, he'll give his heart away. If you like him, Hythlodaeus, you ought to make it known. I know him well– actually, I think I know him best, so I can tell you that it wouldn't be a mistake.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
un: soulseer
[He is going to pointedly not tell Maruki that BB said he was a lonely man. That isn't entirely why he's asking!]
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I'm rather free these days! [ Now that he's not just lying in bed miserable about bestie being gone! ] Does tomorrow night work for you? Or am I being too eager, hah...
i'm sorry for my ugly html-less tags but i ain't typing all that on mobile
NEVER BE SORRY
And I would love to see creation magicks. Are you kidding? That sounds incredible.
[ Sent!! ]
> action
[Sure enough, at around 9PM Hythlodaeus can be seen outside of the club, glowing eyes fixed on the exterior for the most part- though he does smile and wave when he notices Maruki arriving.]
Well met, friend! Oh, I am excited. Shall we?
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I'm excited too! Thank you again for the invitation, that was so kind of you... It's rare that I get to just enjoy a drink with someone.
[ Happy, mindless idle chatter as they head to the bar. Maruki remembers his surprise at Venat's taste in alcohol that night that they met up after the Green Knight, and he looks at Hythlodaeus with eyes bright with curiosity. ]
What's your preference? They can make just about anything you can think of, though they might need to substitute strange liquors from other realities that don't exist here... Ah, and it's my treat, please!
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[He should probably warn Maruki that it will be an expensive venture to get Hythlodaeus even remotely tipsy.]
Here, I tend to drink the whiskey neat. I'm afraid it is much like the last reality I was in- the alcohol here isn't as strong, perhaps, as the alcohol in Amaurot. But if I drink it neat, I can get somewhat merry!
[Sitting at a table, Hythlodaeus lounges in the chair and grins.]
But by all means, the first round is on you.
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[ That had been his exact surprise with Venat. It must be the closest thing that they have to what they're used to, and it charms him.
When he returns, it's with the requested whiskey neat for Hythlodaeus, and a highball for himself. What he wouldn't give for chuhai...
He slides into the seat across from Hythlodaeus, preempting any protests immediately and cheerfully: ]
I acquired an incomprehensible amount of shards while I was counseling, and I have nothing to spend it on outside of the basic necessities. You, on the other hand, are still regaining your abilities. You'll let me buy you as many rounds as it takes for you to have a good time, and you won't try to pay behind my back. Understood?
[ God. Please. He's so rich. And he just wants to have fun. ]
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Oh, very well, you have my word.
[It does feel a little cheeky inviting Maruki out and expecting him to pay, but he supposes if the man insists then they don't need to argue about it all night.]
I am glad that you agreed to meet me, in any case! I know people here, but I don't truly know them- not well enough to be inviting them out for drinks, anyway! And our chats are always a delightful experience.
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[ After a cheers, he takes a long sip of his own drink and tacks on with a sheepish little laugh: ]
I'm sorry if I was poor company for the past couple weeks. I hope to make up for it now that Eren's returned. It's a relief, isn't it?
[ LINE: CAST. ]
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[Still, at the mention of Eren his expression somehow brightens even further.]
Aye, a relief... I chose to believe you when you said that he would return, in the end. And so he did. Which is just as well, I might have been truly heartbroken had he not!
[An odd choice of word? Maybe. He doesn't seem to notice his slip, even so. He's too busy going to town on that whiskey, taking a large gulp and humming, pleased. Bait: taken!]
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I take it he found you after he returned too. Did you guys have a nice reunion...?
[ Because not all of them were so nice! He knows that now! ♥ ]
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[He muses on that as he sips his drink, humming contentedly at the slight burn.]
What of you? I am sure he found you first, yes?
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[ How does one describe their other half returning? Hythlodaeus knows that Eren is his best friend, knows that they made a promise; that's as much as anyone can know without instead knowing too much about both of their abilities. Maruki just shrugs, grinning widely around his drink. ]
It was a relief in every sense of the word. But, hold on– you made him a flower?
[ Romantic????? ]
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[He understands all too well, because Emet-Selch is his soulmate, and he has been missing him for far too long.]
Ah, yes. An Elpis flower. It changes hue based on the emotions around it. It is what we would call an entelechy, a being able to interact with Dynamis- the energy I once spoke to you of.
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That's incredible! I'm sure he was amazed by that, wasn't it? Your powers really are something else...
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[Still, he nods with a grin.]
He was quite impressed, I think.
[Something that obviously pleases Hythlodaeus.]
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Well, Maruki's learned over his time here how to be direct.
He leans back in his chair, crosses an ankle over a knee and sips his drink. ]
Hythlodaeus, may I ask you a rather pointed question? You don't have to answer, of course.
[ Although, not answering will be an answer itself. ]
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[He tilts his head. He might have assumed his powers would be the topic of conversation here, but something tells him they're not.]
Go ahead, my friend.
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It's pointed, yes, but his tone is still exceedingly gentle. He doesn't want to embarrass his friend. ]
Have your feelings toward Eren changed at all since he returned?
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Well... I suppose so, yes. I realise he hasn't been back for very long, but...
[He trails off, humming and taking a drink. He remembers when he saw Eren sitting at the farm, just as he remembered him from the city of seven. How his heart had jolted. Since then, it only seems to have grown more. He's been respectful of Eren's space if only because he knows he isn't the Eren he once knew, and just because his friend had been willing to fool around with him one time it doesn't mean he'd feel that way here. Still, he can't deny that between how close they'd gotten in that city, and how close they'd gotten here, he's starting to feel as though they were simply supposed to keep meeting.]
It does feel... different.
[It's a lame answer. He just doesn't really know how to articulate it well, and it's not for lack of trying.]
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Still, though, he wants to help.
He takes a very long draught of his drink before looking back toward the bar with a smile, raising his hand for another round. Then back to Hythlodaeus, his tone entirely warm and gentle. ]
He really cares about you. And that's not something that's given freely to many people at all. You're important to him. That's– well, it sounds like a simple sentiment, but it's not.
[ It means everything, from what he's felt himself and how he's seen Eren act with those precious few others he feels that way toward.
He leans an elbow on the table, props his chin up on his hand. ]
And with those he cares about, he'll give his heart away. If you like him, Hythlodaeus, you ought to make it known. I know him well– actually, I think I know him best, so I can tell you that it wouldn't be a mistake.
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I... have ever been cowardly, when it comes to matters of the heart. I fear doing more harm than good by confessing how I feel.
[His fingers circle the rim of his glass, an idle motion meant more to comfort himself than anything.]
If you think that it would not be a mistake, I do trust you. It gives me hope, and yet my courage is sorely lacking all the same.
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hehe we can wrap n handwave their drunken festivities so we can do MORE THREADS :3c