flawful | INBOX

[Hythlodaeus knocks cheerfully on his friend's door with a bottle of wine, and waits patiently for him to open the door. When he does he greets him with a smile, offering up the bottle.]

Hermes! I thought we could have a nice night in together... what say you?

[Does Emet-Selch know? No, but he could surely find them with his own soul sight if he wanted, so Hythlodaeus doesn't see a problem with it. He's allowed to hang out with his friend, whatever Emet-Selch thinks.]

_{[Hermes is, admittedly, not expecting the company. Not that he doesn't appreciate Hythlodaeus showing up at his door with a bottle of wine - he does - but he feels unprepared for it. Letting him in he steps aside with a small nod, the circles under his eyes still prominent. Sleep has still been eluding him but he's been doing his best to keep it together.]}

I think that sounds lovely, Hythlodaeus.

_{[He isn't going to turn down companionship - not when poor Caduceus could use a break from having to listen to his Master speak to him on and on and on...

The apartment looks a bit more lived in since the last time Hythlodaeus came over (or the time both he and Emet-Selch barged inside) with various papers scattered over the small kitchen table and the coffee table in the sitting room. His bed is, however, made, with the small serpent having made himself comfortable on Hermes' pillow. There are a few cardboard boxes as well on the counter of the kitchen with various baked apple treats and goodies inside. Looks like someone's been eating their feelings...]}

Unfortunately I do not have much to offer you...but there is tea I was gifted if you wish to have some later. Ah, and I suppose there is a bit of cake left...

[Hythlodaeus takes in the scene quickly, and comes to the correct conclusion that Hermes has been eating instead of thinking. He sighs and shakes his head, but he's smiling still.]

Ah, my friend... you needn't sit alone and wallow with only your food to keep you company!

[He lets Hermes close the door and takes the wine over to the table, uncorking it with a wave of his hand.]

Fetch us a couple of glasses, if you would be so kind... we will have a pleasant night in, just the two of us.

[And if Emet-Selch barges in on this, he will be very upset with him- though he seems to have calmed down considerably over the last couple of days.]

_{[Wallowing with food...? Ah, so he'd noticed. Nodding he moves to one of the cupboards to grab two glasses, holding them by one hand with the stems between his fingers. It's clear he's a little nervous about the mess of papers on both tables, but it shouldn't take too long to tidy up. If Hythlodaeus bothers glancing at the sheets he'll notice a familiar sight - paperwork near identical to what one would use to draft up a preliminary concept along side sketches of various creations, some familiar (is that a shark?) and some fantastical.]}

Here you are.

_{[Both glasses are handed to the other man, in hopes he'll free his hands so he can put the papers away.]}

If I had known I was having company I would have made this place more presentable.

[He points to the papers as he curiously glances them over, ignoring the glasses for a moment.]

You're working? Here? On what, pray tell?

[Only when he's gotten a good look does he take the glasses, chuckling.]

It has been a long time since I reviewed a concept, but I have still had my fill of sharks, by the by.

[No more sharks, please.]

Nothing in particular...

_{[He can't help but laugh sheepishly at Hythlodaeus' comment, relieved to relinquish the glassware to put a bit of order to the scattered sheets. Carefully he stacks them, albeit not perfectly. He'll have to resort them later when he gets the chance.]}

Fear not, I will spare you my own personal twist on a shark, Hythlodaeus. I simply thought it would be a fun exercise to design one.

_{[And apparently a whole slew of other concepts from the looks of the pile he's still putting together.]}

Feeding birds in the park can only take up so much of one's time, so I thought it would be good to partake in a familiar activity...

_{[Someone's clearly going through the motions. What stage of grief is he on? Who knows.]}

Ah, but I will not bore you with such things.

Yes, you and half of Elpis apparently had the same thought. How fun can designing a shark be, honestly?

[He laughs too though, pouring out the wine.]

It does not bore me. Quite the opposite, in fact. But you're right, I did not come here so that we might discuss work.

[Sliding Hermes' glass across the table, he plops himself in a chair and takes a sip.]

Mm... this wine was quite expensive, you know. 'Tis supposed to be of a superior make. It's certainly smooth... but I am no connoisseur of wine.

Quite fun, I assure you.

_{[But he's not going to geek out over concept creation right now. Like he said, he's not here to discuss work. A pity really, if only because Hermes finds it an easy topic to discuss.

Papers stacked he sets them aside on one of the empty seats to leave the table free, picking up his glass gingerly, swirling the wine before taking a sip himself. It was quite good. Definitely smooth.]}

Nor can I claim myself to be as well...but it is delightful. _[Pause.] Surely though you would want to share something expensive with Emet-Selch, no? I am sure he would be able to appreciate it far better than I.

Emet-Selch would only chastise me for not spending his money, I'm sure. And I feel the gesture isn't quite the same if I'm using someone else's money to buy the gift.

[He shrugs a little.]

I never told you that I have a job, did I? I'm a maid! And paid rather handsomely for it, at that. So never fear, Emet-Selch did not pay for this wine.

[Incase he was worried about that, too.]

_{[It wasn't the paying for the wine that had Hermes worried exactly, although that had been somewhat of a concern. No, it had been the thought that Emet-Selch would snap himself into his apartment again, furious that Hythlodaeus was drinking fancy, expensive wine without him.

Well, at least it wasn't on his tab. Hythlodaeus had paid for this.]}

I'm relieved to hear you have employment...but what is a maid?

[Hythlodaeus is quite sure that he won't, at least. He seems to have been sufficiently mollified by the disaster that had followed him "talking" with Hermes last time.]

Ah. A maid is... well, I must wear a uniform, and clean the house. Dust the counters, sweep the floor, pick up whatever filth her love has left lying around...

[The way he says "her love" makes his nose wrinkle a little, like he'd smelled something particularly rotten.]

He makes quite the mess you see, and she simply couldn't cope with it. So I volunteered to help!

_{[Ah. So he helped this woman keep her home clean, more or less? That actually didn't sound like too bad of a task to do, all things considered, especially if it paid well. The distaste when he says her love doesn't go unnoticed either but Hermes doesn't pry.]}

I see. She must be quite relieved to have your assistance.

_{[Helping someone and getting paid for it? That's a win/win right there.]}

Indeed she is.

[He sips more of his wine, humming contentedly.]

'Twouldn't be a terrible job for you either, you know. Mayhap you can find someone who needs a maid... and I daresay you'd make a fine sight in a suit.

[He smirks a little over his glass.]

_{[While Hermes may not go sip for sip with Hythlodaeus, he still takes a taste here and there, enjoying the wine and more so the company. It wouldn't be a terrible job, no, but it would be rather boring. Even so, employment is employment - he can't exactly stand to be picky.

That smirk over his friend's glass has him blushing slightly.]}

Would I? I cannot say I know what a suit is, but I trust your eyes' judgement.

Oh, I will wear one for you one day... Emet-Selch did buy me one or two, after all.

[He sets his glass down, still smirking.]

Yes... you would look quite fetching.

[Emet-Selch would know which colours to use, of course, but Hythlodaeus is starting to appreciate his taste in fashion somewhat.]

Heheh... you're going to distract me, Hermes.

_{[Fetching? Oh no. That's a rather devious look aimed at him from across the table. Hythlodaeus sets his glass down but Hermes decides to take another sip from his, if only to hide a bit of his face with it.]}

Distract you? Pray, tell me how?

_{[Is there something on his face?]}

Half the fun of wearing a suit is peeling it off later, friend.

[His mind is in the gutter again, Hermes.]

Well... as long as someone else is helping, of course.

_{[Is this Horny Hythlodaeus Hours? Seems like it.]}

Ah, I see.

_{[Just gonna. Have another sip of wine. His friend hasn't even been here long and he's already flirting with him.]}

Well, if I ever find myself dressed in one, I will be sure to let you peel me out of it.

I will hold you to that.

[He lifts his glass slightly as if to toast it, takes a sip, then sets his glass down again. Then he chuckles.]

We should sit somewhere more comfortable, don't you think? We could put on a little music, sit on the sofa... I do like listening to new music.

[He's found a lot of it isn't quite to his tastes, but every so often something will play that he finds himself tapping his foot to.]

Oh yes, please, make yourself comfortable.

_{[Hermes stands, perhaps a little too hurried, from the kitchen table, plucking the bottle of wine and his glass from it to move to the sitting room. The coffee table needs to be tidied up from papers as well but he makes quick work of it, gesturing for Hythlodaeus to join him.]}

I am afraid I do not know how to play you music however, but it would be nice.

_{[Literally what is a radio.]}

[Seating himself on the couch, he crosses one leg over the other and indeed makes himself comfortable.]

I'm still learning how to use the television, but it can play music also... where is the, ah... the device to make it light up?

[The remote, Hythlodaeus.]

The device for the television?

_{[He's struggling buddy, give him a hot second. He finds the remote, holding it up questioningly.]}

...This?

Yes! Give it to me.

[He takes it and presses a button- the TV lights up, and Hythlodaeus presses the numbers that he knows lead to the music station. It's the only thing he knows how to do, sadly. But it's something!

It seems to be "oldies" that are featured tonight, though Hythlodaeus isn't sure what that means. The woman singing has a lovely voice, though.]

Ah... how pleasant.

_{[Hermes just watches Hythlodaeus in silence as he turns on the music, not really understanding what he's doing (but he's not complaining either. Whatever he's put on is pleasant enough to listen to.]}

The technology of this city is quite interesting, no? I know Amaurot has many amenities but I wonder who came up with the idea of this television? It is a rather clever thing...or these network devices we were all given.

I'm unsure, but it's positively delightful.

[He gestures for Hermes to sit beside him, humming merrily to the song.]

This is nice... spending time with you. We don't do it nearly often enough!

7th May

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject