hythlodaeus (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
conceptreview) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
jigokulogs2022-07-10 12:54 pm
conceptreview) wrote in jigokulogs2022-07-10 12:54 pm
Entry tags:
becoming accustomed
Who ⬤ Hythlodaeus + YOU
What ⬤ discovering fast food + angsting over feeling depowered + some TDM continuations
When ⬤ early July
Where ⬤ Sutoku district + around town
Content Warnings ⬤ none yet!
[happy: diners, drive-ins and dives]
Sutoku Territory. He's already been told that he needn't stay only in this district - apparently the factions aren't that hostile to each other, thankfully - but since he's been "recruited" to the Alliance, he decides that it should be the first place he explores. It's very different from Amaurot, or indeed any city he's ever been in; everything is much closer together, and nothing feels like it fits together. He doesn't mind a bit of chaos, fortunately, though he has to admit to being somewhat dazzled by it.
Take, for example, this food court. Such things are not unheard of in Amaurot - plenty of citizens take joy in using creation magicks for the culinary arts, and plenty more take joy in the results of those arts - but the variety of food would impress even the fussiest of Amaurotines.
And, of course, one could not simply partake in every variety, because each of them were for sale. Hythlodaeus has discovered that almost everything in this city costs something. He had been given a small allowance of coin and told that he would need to pay for things such as food and amenities; another new experience for him. Bartering he's certainly done before, but his people did not have an overarching system of currency. Everything that a person could need was given freely. He's not certain he understands why it's needed, but he'll do his best to fit in.
So, then...how to pick what to try? He spends several minutes spinning slowly in the middle of the food court, then a few more meandering around the storefronts, trying to decide.
He's aware that he's a bit out-of-place here, looking lost and still dressed in his black robes...so perhaps he should just lean into that and make himself even more obvious? Well, why not? He decides to approach the first person who catches his eye, an easy smile on his face.
"Pardon me, but what here would you recommend?"
[sad: our nature is gentle and the divine is mental]
Apparently, one of Sutoku's specialties is theater. A pleasant discovery; Hythlodaeus misses the days when he would attend shows with his friends, chatter on about the acting and stages and storylines afterwards, track what sorts of tales came in and out of vogue. Some of the plays here even remind him of home in their costuming - all of the performers wearing masks.
Of course, even out of the theater, everyone back home wore their masks; the only time it was proper to go bare-faced was in the privacy of one's home, with close friends or family. Anything else was uncouth. Hythlodaeus has never worried too much about being uncouth, but he'd complied with society's rules. With his soulsight, it was easy to recognize those he knew, anyway.
Soulsight...his one exceptional talent.
And now he is without it.
He tries to shift his vision into it automatically, several times a day, and each time it's a shock, or a frustration. He's had it all his long life – become so used to it, delighted in it, even, both for its own sake and (quietly) because it was the one thing he was truly good at – and now everything feels off without it. Subtly off, like walking through a dark room whose layout you aren't quite certain of; and suddenly sometimes, like climbing stairs in that dark room and finding that there's one less than you expected. He's a positive enough person – and there's enough distraction and novelty in this city – to be able to push past it most of the time, navigate that dark room well enough; but in quieter moments in the evenings, the stairs trick him, and he stumbles.
It is for this reason that he quietly excuses himself halfway through one of the performances. He knows that's terribly rude of him, but his mind has wandered too far and his sight is too dull for him to enjoy it. At least there's a little patio outside the theater, where he can lean against the railing and try to collect himself, eyes unfocused.
What ⬤ discovering fast food + angsting over feeling depowered + some TDM continuations
When ⬤ early July
Where ⬤ Sutoku district + around town
Content Warnings ⬤ none yet!
[happy: diners, drive-ins and dives]
Sutoku Territory. He's already been told that he needn't stay only in this district - apparently the factions aren't that hostile to each other, thankfully - but since he's been "recruited" to the Alliance, he decides that it should be the first place he explores. It's very different from Amaurot, or indeed any city he's ever been in; everything is much closer together, and nothing feels like it fits together. He doesn't mind a bit of chaos, fortunately, though he has to admit to being somewhat dazzled by it.
Take, for example, this food court. Such things are not unheard of in Amaurot - plenty of citizens take joy in using creation magicks for the culinary arts, and plenty more take joy in the results of those arts - but the variety of food would impress even the fussiest of Amaurotines.
And, of course, one could not simply partake in every variety, because each of them were for sale. Hythlodaeus has discovered that almost everything in this city costs something. He had been given a small allowance of coin and told that he would need to pay for things such as food and amenities; another new experience for him. Bartering he's certainly done before, but his people did not have an overarching system of currency. Everything that a person could need was given freely. He's not certain he understands why it's needed, but he'll do his best to fit in.
So, then...how to pick what to try? He spends several minutes spinning slowly in the middle of the food court, then a few more meandering around the storefronts, trying to decide.
He's aware that he's a bit out-of-place here, looking lost and still dressed in his black robes...so perhaps he should just lean into that and make himself even more obvious? Well, why not? He decides to approach the first person who catches his eye, an easy smile on his face.
"Pardon me, but what here would you recommend?"
[sad: our nature is gentle and the divine is mental]
Apparently, one of Sutoku's specialties is theater. A pleasant discovery; Hythlodaeus misses the days when he would attend shows with his friends, chatter on about the acting and stages and storylines afterwards, track what sorts of tales came in and out of vogue. Some of the plays here even remind him of home in their costuming - all of the performers wearing masks.
Of course, even out of the theater, everyone back home wore their masks; the only time it was proper to go bare-faced was in the privacy of one's home, with close friends or family. Anything else was uncouth. Hythlodaeus has never worried too much about being uncouth, but he'd complied with society's rules. With his soulsight, it was easy to recognize those he knew, anyway.
Soulsight...his one exceptional talent.
And now he is without it.
He tries to shift his vision into it automatically, several times a day, and each time it's a shock, or a frustration. He's had it all his long life – become so used to it, delighted in it, even, both for its own sake and (quietly) because it was the one thing he was truly good at – and now everything feels off without it. Subtly off, like walking through a dark room whose layout you aren't quite certain of; and suddenly sometimes, like climbing stairs in that dark room and finding that there's one less than you expected. He's a positive enough person – and there's enough distraction and novelty in this city – to be able to push past it most of the time, navigate that dark room well enough; but in quieter moments in the evenings, the stairs trick him, and he stumbles.
It is for this reason that he quietly excuses himself halfway through one of the performances. He knows that's terribly rude of him, but his mind has wandered too far and his sight is too dull for him to enjoy it. At least there's a little patio outside the theater, where he can lean against the railing and try to collect himself, eyes unfocused.
CLOSED - TDM CONTINUATIONS
Marie
[Hythlodaeus used CHARM! It's super effective! He accepts the touch easily, falls into step with her wherever she would like to go.]
“Marie”...the pleasure is all mine. [Wink wonk ;) He laughs a little at her comment about his robes. Lightly fingering the mask hanging on his chest.]
I suppose this is what I wore when I was young and in school. But not for that reason. We all wear this where I am from. It is meant to display our unity as a community. Of course, it seems that this place values...personal expression much more.
[He's not bothered by it, clearly, but the way he glances around at the populace indicates that he does find it bemusing. The new races(? he's just gonna think of them as that) do seem to enjoy their colorful clothing.] Something else I will need to get used to. But I am looking forward to it, particularly with such a lovely new friend!
no subject
[With that, she squeezes his hand, and brings him toward one of the alleyways where there were multiple stores. However, there was one that came to mind that she had been in before. That place certainly had what they needed, and she prepares herself again for the incoming crowd of people upon entering the store.
But, with that comment, she can't help but laugh for a moment.]
You're awfully adorable, you know. But I don't mind the compliments; it cheers an old woman up.
[She misses home, to say the least, and Hytholodaeus' charm and overall demeanor reminded her of her husband back home.]
Anyway, there's this store called 'Don Quixote'. It looks small on the inside, but it's actually crowded as hell in there, and is a lot larger than it looks. So brace yourself, and stay close to me.
[With that, she ushers her companion toward her a bit more, so that their bodies are just faintly touching. If only because she doesn't want them to get lost in the crowd, which. Is immediately apparent upon entering the store, and they're practically pushed into each other now.]
Annddd this is what I mean.
Azem
You know he approves of the colors and patterns. They match her personality perfectly. He's still in his robes, of course, though he's quickly become aware that they're not typical garb for the city. She'll have to show him where to get some eye-popping clothes later.
“Apparently some of my paperwork was misplaced, actually. There was something of a scramble to get it all together. Shoved me out the door after handing me a little device, and said they'd call on me later.”
He's referring to the black smartphone in his pockets, which he hasn't quite figured out yet. Maybe she'll know more about it, but he's not in a hurry. They can just gaze at each other quietly, together. His smile grows warmer as he looks into her eyes for the first time in a very long while.
“Four moons...” he repeats, a little wistfully. “And your magicks are still not fully back? Should I expect it to be so long as well, do you think?”
no subject
The problem of the spectral shark has quickly left Azem's mind. They'd much rather catch up with their friend. Let someone else determine how best to deal with the problem. Surprisingly irresponsible of her, but it's not as if it was her problem to begin with.
She bobs her head in a nod as she settles on a nearby bench.
"Ranking up within your faction seems to help but it remains a slow go." She sighs. "Speaking of, where did they put you?"
no subject
They're still holding hands, and he decides to quietly just continue that. His thumb trails along her knuckles, the feeling familiar even after lifetimes. Experimentally, he tries to shift his vision gazing at her, but he catches no hint of blue. It's a tad distressing.
There are a lot of questions he could ask, aren't there? About the city, about her time in it, about her memory of when they last met.
"And what of you?" he ends up asking, leaving it open-ended. Really, anything would be fine to hear. So long as it's her saying it.
no subject
"A new good friend of mine is in the Alliance, their name is Ydris. You should definitely get to know them." She grins, blue eyes glittering with a bit of mischief.
She doesn't mind the hand holding at all. If anything she's missed it and it's helping her relax. She leans into his side with a soft sigh.
"Tamamo, though I'm still not entirely sure why. The suggestion has been due to my magical talent. Though you know me, I've ever been better at fighting than magics. That was always Hades' forte." Of the three of them, he was certainly the most talented.
no subject
The mention of their mutual friend makes him feel a bit pensive. His mind has been processing what meeting her again means, and now it's adding Hades into the equation. He wonders if time is passing for him the way it is for Hythlodaeus.
"How unfortunate that he did not arrive with me," he murmurs, though he knows that Hades may very well be happy to just rest in the aetherial sea right now. "He would be overjoyed to see you again."
(...though he knows that Hades may have slightly more mixed feelings than just overjoyed right now.)
no subject
Hades not being here is fine. She can talk about him all she wants and not feel awkward about it. But the moment he shows his face she's probably going to try to avoid him. If only because she doesn't yet want to deal with how things were left between them. The argument had been the worst they'd ever had and she's not sure she could apologize for what was said.
"It's probably better he didn't arrive." The thought that he'd be overjoyed to see her doesn't seem right and Azem actually can't help but snort.
"Let's not focus on home right now. I'm sure you have a lot of questions. I'll do my best to answer them."
Nero
“Would you mind elaborating? Perhaps it will help us find out more about this Haniyasu on our own. The Enma didn't seem very open to questions.”
no subject
"It... freezes ya in place." So whoever they trap there is forced to go through the whole thing. "'n plays ya something you regret. Even though it shouldn't have any knowledge of it." He hasn't spoken about that day to anybody, not here, not at home. So then, what is is preying on? It's impossible for him to tell.
one happy meal please
Jaika sniffed at the air. He had to, since he certainly couldn't rely on his eyes. He took a moment to sort out the various smells of food before making a decision. "How about this way?"
He started making his way towards some kind of BBQ grill. He didn't know WHAT he was heading towards, just that the smell of cooking meat was making his mouth water.
no subject
"Quite a reasonable suggestion." He follows along, checking out the shop they're moving towards. "That does smell delicious - it looks like a variety of meats, being cooked over an open flame. Ah, some of them are on skewers!"
no subject
Jaika nodded a quiet thanks to the man who...sounded human? Jaika was going to guess human. Not many people thought to actually describe things around them that he might not be able to identify.
He purchased a skewer of some identified meat that the vendor promised was "certified non-sapient," decided not the press that too hard, and stepped back so his new friend could order something.
no subject
Hythlodaeus also goes for the "certified non-sapient", but he can't help but add in a side dish, which comes in a little cardboard box. He fumbles with the coinage he's expected to give - they try to give him change once he's already holding the food, and it results in him balancing coins, box, utensils(?), and a little scrap of paper (a 'receipt'?) in one hand and waving the skewer around in the other. Don't worry, he's totally got this. Really.
"Aha," he says, keeping an eye on the little tower of things. "Shall we sit together, friend? A meal shared is surely better than one alone. My name is Hythlodaeus, by the way."
no subject
"It'd be nice to have some friends here." He agreed, with a nod. "Plus I get the feeling that if you tried to eat it while standing you'd end up making a mess on your shirt."
He made his way towards a nearby table. "Jaika Suni. Pleased to meet you."