closed; homecoming.

[lackingtalent]

WHO: Elidibus, Hythlodaeus, and Emet-Selch.
WHAT: Bringing a very old friend home.
WHEN: Early August, after the new wave of arrivals.
WHERE: A small house on the outskirts of the first settlement.




"And here we are."

His words come with an opening of a door with the aid of a key brought out from a pocket, a cross of the threshold, and a wipe of, and then removal of his shoes. Hythlodaeus' voice is pleasant, and easy- indicating precious little of the (fair) amount of excitement he feels... but he is quick to move through the small houses' entrance hall, seemingly looking for something. Or someone.

Saying that he does glance at Elidibus from time to time, from over his shoulder.

"You'll find all usual amenities at your disposal. A living area-" a brief indication with a hand indicates as such as they pass the doorway. Within is a room with a large fireplace, optimal reading light streaming in from a rather well-placed bay window, and an abundance of books on large shelves- some loose, clearly in the midst of being read. "A place to prepare meals." Another indication of a room that serves well as a kitchen. One pleasant, homely. Smaller than most, and distinctly quaint in styling, emulating Solvunn's rustic aesthetic, but oddly charming with the presence of an ever-burning stove as well as numerous dried herbs hung upon the walls. Some seedlings on the windowsill appear to not quite be doing as well.

"And of course, facilities to keep yourself comfortable." A bathroom is then indicated. "Heated and plumbed water, mercifully, is available without the usage of magick. The stove keeps most of the house warm, yet you are more than welcome to use any of the fireplaces amongst the rooms in order to feel more comfortable, should you so wish."

He then turns on his heels, and closes the space toward Elidibus in a few strides. And kindly:

"You are more than welcome to treat this building as your own. While it, like this star, is hardly home..." And likely never would be, "I do hope it might provide sanctuary for you. And that you might even eventually appreciate it for its own charm."

Charm which, in his mind, was there in abundance. While this house indeed matched Solvunn's other buildings in a great many respects- a thatched roof, the somewhat freehand shape of the building itself, the mixed and matched nature of the stones that formed it... there is still charm within it. The architect saw to that with considerate design, understated and clever enough to blend in seamlessly.

The ceilings and doorframes, for instance, are high enough so that neither he or Emet-Selch should have to stoop to enter... though of course, Elidibus' milage may vary in that matter. The furniture is functional over flowery (perhaps belying a few of the architect's opinions on the matter) but Hythlodaeus' influence in things like textiles and decoration- mostly in the form of more than a few floral displays- at least ensures that the area is comfortable.

And. With a smile:

"Would you like to be shown to your room?" Elidibus, after all, could be excused for feeling somewhat exhausted.

Comments

[wewillwewill]

The confirmation is added to a small list at the back of the newcomer's mind. It was Emet-Selch. For some reason the Summon could and did leave him in the body of the Garlean Emperor. Elidibus had no reason yet to suspect keeping the body was a matter of convenience for his comrade. He remains a little guarded, thanks to his weakened state and that is probably all too reasonable. The lingering thought that this may be some elaborate dream might still linger. But it really is losing credibility the more he experiences and feels and learns.

While intense and lacking the unemotional detachment of the man's usual gaze, Elidibus is still observing Emet-Selch. Like the Architect, the Emissary is undoubtedly attempting to gain what insight there might be in gesture and response. What comes next may be a bit startling. There is an easing of Elidibus's expression. Then a slight curve at the corners of his mouth suggest a smile, however faint. But what's more is how it manages to reach his eyes.

"And yet you would not argue," Elidibus answers. The most imminent Emet-Selch does have his reputation. And the smile had just about threatened to grow a little when the hint of the other man's well-known grouchiness colored his words.

"And that alone would give me reason to extend my gratitude." Afterwards Elidibus sobers a little. "I agree, it is not the best of circumstances." It is, however, not entirely unwelcome given whom he has found here... even if it seems to early to admit this aloud.

Elidibus may be the picture of composure. But the subtle differences aren't going to be hidden after millennia and even were the line of the shell he had been and what stands before the other two Ancients now not so clear cut, there would be little chance he'd be capable of hiding the truth from these two in particular.

He is not the youthful and youngest member of the Convocation with the robust energy of one untouched by the Final Days, nor the one who returned from Zodiark before the Sundering. And most certainly not the one who existed for countless eons, working to guide the others with whatever means were necessary to achieve their ultimate goal.

To soulsight the primordial Darkness Zodiark had been created of still lingers and likely will for as long as Elidibus exists in any state as himself. Yet its composition and... arrangement if that's the right word, has changed and it was nothing to do with the Summoning itself.

It would leave only one possible point in time Elidibus might have come from, regardless of what was known about the details. But for the former Ascian to look at Emet-Selch, at his surroundings, without the sense of looking through them and without passion, there is no other reason to expect the man to be from any other point of their long history than one.

There would also be few, if any powers indeed, that could have left such a marked change in the state of his aether, but to think that this Elidibus had finally reached duty's end.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

It's an old habit, the careful gauging of what those around him are saying - or not saying - by their actions alone, and one that he knows quite well that he is not alone in. True, it had certainly become more necessary after their world had been Sundered, but even before it would have not been any sort of surprise from Elidibus. As such, neither is it one now. Even the smile itself is not any sort of surprise - it may have not been a common thing to see on Elidibus' face, but he had yet been known to.

The slight easing of his expression, on the other hand is a surprise, as is the fact that his smile genuinely reaches his eyes; something it had usually not in Emet-Selch's more recent encounters with Elidibus. Something that leaves but two options for when he is from - one of which is utterly incompatible with the lingering marks of Zodiark's darkness.

(Were he to think on it, it might be strange to realize that he is the only one of them to not have returned to himself after his death, but he does not. He is content as he is, and as far as he can tell, Hythlodaeus at least has no objections.)

There's a faint grumble in lieu of any direct admission that he would not - and had not - argued with what he had assumed Hythlodaeus' intentions would be, before Emet-Selch sidesteps Elidibus' further comment about extending his gratitude (though it is accepted, if not addressed) and moves instead to the rest of the topic at hand.

"It is least not the first time we have sought to save a world in peril, if those who have brought us here have been correct about our purpose. Though I should have preferred to not be called so soon."

So soon after his death, he means. Though he has been able to relax some since his arrival, he can't say having been abruptly summoned out of being able to finally take a well-deserved rest had been the most enjoyable.

[lackingtalent]

And even now, the both of them still stand in the hallway, omitting the inviting living room with all of the comforts it provides. It cannot be helped- not really. Not with the gravity of the matters that they are only just starting to discuss- yet Hythlodaeus cannot help but feel slightly amused.

"If you'll come with me?"

That amusement is clear in his voice as he, laden with a quaint tray of Solvunn's own design (purchased, he thinks. Not created.) bearing a similarly kitch teapot, three cups, and of course items to compliment the tea to taste. Not least of all a cake which had been procured as partial payment for a particular shift at his day job a day or two before. (or rather, the tailend of such a cake. For some slices had been cut and consumed already. The cake in question was still quite good.)

And as he places the tray down upon the central table, and takes a seat nearby, so he can remove the lid from the teapot, give the brew a stir, and replace it...

"Ah, yes. Should either of you wish to discuss anything privately, you'll not have to worry about my feelings in the matter. I'll remove myself in short order."

Convocation business was indeed still Convocation business. Even here.

[wewillwewill]

Elidibus's gaze becomes half-lidded in speculation after Emet-Selch's remarks about how they were called to save this world. 'If' is certainly noted, but the ease in which his fellow Convocation member speaks of it gives him a moment to wonder if it's serious or the common bite of sarcasm that often colors Emet-Selch's words.

Elidibus has had a far different first impression as to why they were Summoned and it was certainly wasn't flattering. Although he'd be the first to admit that he needs to look into the matter more.

"Yes, I would like to hear more regarding what you've learned about the reasons we have been Summoned by the people of this world. Our hosts were unsurprisingly reluctant to share details."

Hythlodaeus's arrival comes at quite the perfect time in the conversational lull. While Elidibus seems a little confused about the source of amusement - what's wrong with standing in the hall and speaking to an old comrade - he does recognize the guidance toward the creature comforts of social convention after a brief glance. Oh yes, the tea.

"Of course." After a glance at Emet-Selch to be certain the other will also follow the hospitable Ancient. As to the offer made to leave them in private, Elidibus needs only a moment's reflection on what he knows and what has been said since his arrival before offering his input.

"There is nothing I could say that you would not deserve to know," he says to Hythlodaeus. Another glance is spared for Emet-Selch even though his answer is still directed to the lavender-haired man. "As you've mentioned knowing of our deeds since the sundering of our Star, asking you to step away while we discussed anything on the subject would seem a discourtesy at best."

Downright petty at its worst.

Though Elidibus does pause long enough to obtain affirmative responses from both, he'll eventually move into the living area and find a seat somewhere the other two can be nearby and the tray set down. Tea will be accepted when it's served and cake will be desired even if its consumption will wait.

"Emet-Selch, I think we might be better served being forthcoming with the questions of the past we have. I suspect they are somewhat similar." Elidibus wastes no time in going first, as it were.

"When last I saw you, you had departed for the First after I'd informed you of Lahabrea's fate." It's... risky to speak of what might be the possible future. But it seems... needed.

"It was not long after that my own fall came." His voice is quiet here. "Before I awakened in Solvunn's summoning well, I touched the Aetherial Sea. Long enough it seems, to have my memories fully restored."

It's worth wondering, Elidibus realises to himself with some bitter irony, whether he is any more himself now than he was before. Did Solvunn capture a man restored to his memories before the brink of dissolution or did they simply give a body to the strong burst of memories and he is no more the man than that shell without recollection?

Oh the uncertainties of his current weakness. He'll be glad enough for- and dread- the revelation in a week's time.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

The information he has is what he has come by honestly, at the very least. True, Emet-Selch might not be able to speak for the veracity of the information - and if neither Hythlodaeus not Elidibus have heard similarly he has his doubts about that - but it is nonetheless something he had been told. Still, he is content enough to hold off on answering for a moment, instead offering a nod at Elidibus' glance before following the others on in to the rest of the house. There may well be things of various import to say, yes. But there is no reason to not avail themselves of the creature comforts while they speak.

"As he says," he adds with a nod after Elidibus' comment. "There is little we might say that you do not deserve to hear, and we two do not a Convocation make."

Especially after the Sundering, and the necessary shift in their aims. Still, he waits until they are all seated and the tea has been distributed before he speaks again.

"My own memories of our last meeting are similar. We spoke, and I departed to continue on after Lahabrea's fate. My own end followed sometime thereafter, at the hands of the Warrior of Light." An end that had been hard fought, yes, as he had pitted all that he was against all that she had been. But an end all the same. "If I touched the Aetherial Sea between that and finding myself here, it was no doubt little more than a moment. Else I should imagine I would look different then I do now."

Or perhaps the Aetherial Sea of the First had not had the power to restore him to the way he had been. But that much is likely to remain a mystery that not even he can answer, for all his familiarity with the Aetherial Sea and all that his work as Emet-Selch had entailed.