flawful | INBOX

_{[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!

_{[He doesn't need convincing to come and join Hythlodaeus on the sofa, making himself comfortable beside him.]}

It is quite nice...I do enjoy your company my friend. _{[He tosses his gaze toward his glass, swirling the wine around.]}

I will admit I am not used to having company, here or in Elpis. I spend much of my time by myself.

[He scoots closer, leaning into Hermes comfortably.]

Time spent alone isn't always so terrible... but pray do not spend too much of it that way. You have Emet-Selch and I to keep you company now, after all.

[The song playing is slow, smooth, and Hermes is warm and comfortable. He feels at ease.]

_{[Hythlodaeus' weight against him is welcome and comforting as he raises his glass to take a sip. It's a quiet sort of moment they're sharing but that's perfectly fine with Hermes. He's the contemplative sort after all.]}

That is quite true. I have companions here - it would not do to shun them.

_{[Unlike on Elpis where he would slip away to hide himself behind piles of paperwork to avoid his peers.]}

Exactly.

[He sits quietly with him for a little while, but then a more upbeat song comes on and the fancy takes him to dance. He grins, suddenly moving and dragging Hermes up with him.]

Come, let us dance!

[He takes both of Hermes' hands and, not a great dancer himself, just kind of swings them around aimlessly. But he's having fun, and that's all he cares about.]

D-Dance?

_{[Ah, wait, he's not ready for this! He only has a moment to set down his glass before Hythlodaeus has him by both hands and is dragging him up to his feet. Already his face is a deep peach as he blushes, not really sure what to do at all.]}

I fear I do not know how.

Neither do I. Does it matter? 'Tis only us, we can look the fool if we like.

[He spins himself around and laughs, before taking both hands again and linking their fingers together.]

So dance as you like!

I suppose it does not matter, no...

_{[Ah, this is so embarrassing but Hythlodaeus is ever so influencing...he cannot just say no, can he? And what harm is there in moving his body a bit in time with the beat? Surely none at all. With their fingers laced he swings their arms gently between them, moving his hips without much grace but the effort is, surprisingly there.]}

That's it!

[Chuckling, he continues to dance with him, before trying to spin Hermes around this time. Then he wraps one arm around him, idly waving their held hands around. He seems to be having fun, and he hopes Hermes is enjoying himself too.]

Ah-!

_{[He's enjoying Hythlodaeus' antics more than anything. It may be awkward for him, sure, but he's happy to go along for the ride. Being spun has his eyes going wide but he laughs despite himself as he's pulled back with his friend's arm looping around his back.]}

[He only pauses when the music turns to the next song, which is decidedly slower and therefore not really suited to that kind of dancing. Still laughing, he looks up to Hermes with a grin.]

See? Wasn't that fun? You need to let loose sometimes.

[He pulls Hermes back to the couch, practically pulling Hermes on top of him as he flops back down.]

_{[Tugged back onto the sofa he stumbles atop the other man, having to brace himself as to not crush him. With a bit of fumbling he sets himself right, settling beside Hythlodaeus, albeit closer than he had before.

Was it fun? It was. It would be a lie to say it wasn't. Even so, it feels strange to enjoy himself. Was it really okay to? Hello existentialism.]}

I will admit...it is quite difficult for me to do so. I am not used to letting people close. If I am to be perfectly honest with you, Hythlodaeus, you are the closest anyone has ever been to me.

_{[Taking the prior Fandaniel out of the equation, Hythlodaeus now had that claim, especially when it came to being physically close.]}

It is something I am still navigating, much like everything else about this place...and what has come to pass.

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