I had hoped maybe we would get lucky, and it wouldn't come to that. I felt at ease around him, and it's not like I've had any luck elsewhere, so, foolish as it was...
Well, how are you holding up?
[It feels like a strained conversation between ex-lovers, and maybe it sort of is, in a sense. She's not even sure what she wants out of it at this point.]
He's that sort of person. Worms his way into your life whether you want him to or not. Or perhaps your soul recognized him in some way....
[She was a different person from their old friend, but- not wholly dissimilar either.]
But what do you mean by luck, don't you still have another Bond to sustain you?
And I'm as fine as could be expected. My life is now that much quieter.
[There was a certain awkwardness to the conversation- a tension, or perhaps rawness. He's not quite sure what to do about it either- other than continue and see if it worked itself out somehow.]
I do, but I've been trying to reach out to others lately, too. Doesn't seem to have been accomplishing all that much, though. It was a small victory he agreed to it, at least, but it feels like we barely had it a full day...
It just sort of feels like the period I had where I could rely on people is gone again.
[Maybe it's not a surprise; maybe she just wants to pretend like she didn't know something like this would happen. And it's not like any of them really trust her outside of Mira. It's always "everyone except Mira".]
Hey, do you want to go do something sometime? Now that they relaxed the theater laws, maybe we could go to one sometime?
...Well, should he ever return the proper way, you already know he'll be amenable to you.
But are you just now learning that people aren't reliable...? Really. It should come as no surprise. When it comes down to it, we're all on our own.
[Though it's followed with a sigh, it, of course, can't be heard.]
But... I may be able to spare some time for such an outing. [As though he didn't have plenty of time.] A pity the three of us could not have gone... but it seems we'll just have to make do with one another's company.
[It would've been like old times, and not at all like old times. Perhaps it's for the best.]
No, but... I had found my niche, I had people around me, and everything was fine even in tumultuous times. And yet now I lack a lot of the things here that I had back home, not just my abilities. It's like, stripped of the Warrior of Light title, I was also stripped of the support it brought with it... and I never realized how little I had left until that was gone, too.
I'm glad you're willing to go, though. I don't consider it making do at all. Perhaps it might've been nice to bring him as well, but I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to bring you. I'll have to check who's doing what, but we can probably find a show we'd both enjoy.
Are you so attached to your title, then? How troublesome indeed, to be in a place where none of that matters.
Though to be surrounded by allies who no longer recognize you, who's attachments belong to some other hero, and to have to start all over, left completely alone... if you weren't feeling a bit bereft, I'd wonder how much those connections truly meant.
[It's something like sympathy, or at least, recognition. He knew what it was like to not be remembered.]
You've said I should learn to live alongside you heroes. ...I'd say in return that 'tis better to learn to manage without the support of others.
[Completely earnest advice: just get used to being miserable and alone.]
Still, I'm glad to hear my company should suffice. Even should the performance fail to impress, it should still serve as a diversion for a few hours.
Hey, don't word it like I'm trying to fill in for someone or something else. I told you, I'm asking because I want to. I don't suffer through false obligations where I can help it.
...I don't know. I guess I'm just more of a boring person when I'm alone, because all I do is work myself raw. But I still want people around, even if it's not always easy or straightforward. I think even for the eternal, you'd eventually lose sight of your humanity if you were to withdraw from others completely.
'Twas not my intent to imply such. Like it or not, we're both only who and what we are. Likewise, I wouldn't have accepted were I expecting anyone else.
But is there even much here to work oneself raw upon...? It's no wonder then, that you'd seek to drown yourself in the presence of others instead. As for myself, well... that may be the case, but the company of too many mortals is like to shave it away with even more rapidity. Something none of you will live long enough to experience.
Well... as you say, we're both only who and what we are. I can only do what is within my power as a mortal, but I will certainly try for as long as I can. Whatever helps you hold onto yourself, right?
Hmm... unsurprising, but I'm not familiar with a lot of the titles here. Is there any particular genre you're interested in? Or less than interested in?
Your idea of banal is probably similar to mine, thinking about it. If it doesn't stimulate you at least a little mentally, it's kinda useless, right? That in mind, I think I can pick something out that'll please both of us. (・ω<)
Huh? Maybe you need to step back and look at it again. It's supposed to be a winking face. I saw someone else doing it, and I thought it was cute, so...
Anyway, I'm outside one of the reopened theaters in the Entertainment District. I wanted to ask about the shows, so I just came here in person. It's the big one that hosted a lot of the orchestral performances until recently.
[Emet-Selch pauses, stares again at the previous message. Was this some kind of joke? He just can't see it....]
Across all of my years, I've yet to come across a face that looks anything like that.
Regardless. I believe I know the one you mean. I shall be there shortly.
[Getting ready doesn't take that long, and when he can teleport to the general area... yes, he doesn't leave Irhya waiting that long, despite his unhurried pace. Lazily scanning the crowds, he doesn't spot her immediately.]
[More than likely, he can't spot her immediately because her entire body is covered by a dove-colored cloak, ears and tail included. A necessary evil to be out in the daytime... not to mention interrupting her nocturnal sleep pattern. But she supposes it's worth it in this case.
So, instead of him approaching her, she finds him after a bit of glancing about, tipping the hood back a little bit to smile even if not lowering it entirely.]
Hey.
[And here she was almost, almost expecting him to walk it just to keep her waiting, if not for the fact that it'd be more effort than just teleporting in the first place. And the less effort for him, the better.]
Thank you for coming out. I put a lot of thought into this, so I'm hoping it goes over well... I was very careful about avoiding certain themes. And we could go for dinner afterward too, if you're willing.
[A small cat in a cloak is an easy thing to overlook, so Emet-Selch is not surprised to have missed her, on his initial scan of the area. Irhya's greeting gets a half-shrug from him, though his manner isn't particularly unfriendly. Casual, or at least a fair attempt at it.
It's true that he could've kept her waiting. Even with a teleport involved, the Ascian could've lazed away back at the house for a time before moving. But, if he was going out to see her, then he was going out to see her; while he was certainly petty enough to make Irhya wait for him... it was something he decided not to indulge. If she was putting forth an effort, he may as well try to match her for it.
That, and he didn't know when the show actually started, and the Ascian was curious as to what Irhya had picked out for them. Her comment gets an idle hum and an amused look.]
What themes are we attempting to avoid? But while I'm here, I suppose we might as well make an evening of it.
[How gracious, to accept being taken to dinner....]
Themes that will remind us both of what I am attempting to avoid for the moment.
[In other words, mortality, war, and other such things that will likely cause an argument, or some raw feelings at the very least. She glances at one of the advertisement posters.]
At least based on the summary, the people in this particular play are already dead. I guess it's about three damned people stuck in a room together, awaiting judgment. It sounded interesting enough without delving too deeply into those existential questions that would ultimately seem very... mortal to you.
[She really had to put some thought into it, though; the other choices seemed to be lighthearted comedy, which she wasn't keen on, and some other things that definitely would not have impressed him in the slightest.
It occurs to her, thinking of the former, that she's never quite seen him laugh before. It's almost difficult to picture.]
...If that sounds all right. If not, I don't mind picking something else.
[A thoughtful sound, though he can (if slightly grudgingly) appreciate Irhya's attempts to both take his interests (and disinterests) into account. And while he considered being miffed at the possible implication that he wouldn't be able to handle a show that touched on the complications of mortality... that very inclination probably meant Irhya's instincts were right.
So he acquiesces with a brief nod.]
And a performance surrounding death avoids this...? But very well.
[The premise sounded simple enough, but not uninteresting, and as with all shows, it was a matter of seeing whether the writing and acting was of sufficient quality to hold it together.]
So when does it start? I assume shortly, as you called me out here.
It was that or comedy, and that has even more of a chance of falling flat if you ask me.
[She waves a hand, quietly hoping he doesn't pick up on the thin layer of anxiety beneath her actions. Removing two tickets from an inside pocket, she fans them out and grins.]
In about half a bell. They should be selling snacks in the meantime, though! I could go for a few of those cake rolls.
I suspect you're right. Humor is rather individual.
[The one benefit to a lack of Bond, is that it made it that much harder for him to pick up on things like anxiety. It didn't occur to him that there would be any reason for it- so why would she be nervous?
If anything, he's amused at the confidence over having already purchased the tickets, assuming both that he'd turn up, and that he'd find her choice of show acceptable. And, well, since her intuition was correct, it was a presumption he could view positively.
At her mention of snacks, he gestures vaguely in the direction that they're being sold in as an acquiescence, as they walk over there.]
I've wondered about that, actually... how does normal food affect you?
[Is it safe for vampires to eat things like that...?]
I can eat normal food, but my body can't really use it even if I still process it the same way. Some stuff tastes terrible to me now that used to be fine, oddly enough. I can't deal with cooked meat anymore, which is perhaps the strangest, but things like sweets are still good.
[She's not run into problems yet, at least, but she'll cross that bridge if it comes. Fortunately, he seems to be willing to play along with her today, so hopefully the actual play itself doesn't put him in a sour mood. She just hopes Solus's love of theatre was genuine and not another part of the emperor act.
She comes away from the refreshments with a stack of the aforementioned cake rolls, individually wrapped. Leading him to their seats -- an aisle seat for her, chosen on purpose so that she doesn't have to strain over taller heads to see what's going on -- she extends one to him.]
I've no idea how much of a sweet tooth you have, but... want one?
Well, at least you're spared a uniform diet. Blood alone sounds like it could become rather dull.
[But interesting, that a technically-dead entity could still consume things, even if Irhya couldn't get nourishment from it.
At least his appreciation for theatre was more than just pretense. Sure, he allowed- even obliquely encouraged- radical or even politically-critical productions because of the destabilizing effect it would have on Garlemald, but that was more a pleasant coincidence. A practical effort that he could take some kind of diversion from.
Though he does look askance at Irhya's offering for a moment, in the end he shrugs, taking her proffered gift.]
They're not my preferred flavor, but since you're offering.
[Free food is free food, and it was a polite gesture.]
I'll be sure to get your preferred flavor next time, then.
[A sly grin. Even so, she looks pleased enough at his acceptance, plopping down in the seat after letting him through. The dull din of people murmuring amongst themselves dies down as the lights dim, and the show starts.
Fortunately for the people backstage, it appears to be a show with a single setting, which means they were able to go all out in making it look lavish; couches, the statue above the fireplace, everything that would make any other play's stage hands groan for having to move it so frequently. At first, the three people led into the room are in denial; the man claims he was executed for being a pacifist, while one of the women thinks there has been some mistake. But the other woman is quick to deduce that none of this has been left to chance, from the furniture to the three specific people present in the room.
Finally, they confess. One died from being executed by firing squad. One died of pneumonia, half-conscious. One died in her sleep, suffocated by a leaky gas stove. And, the woman Inez is quick to point out, they're here to make one another suffer.
Irhya scoffs.]
Mmm... rather quick to get to the point, isn't she?
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Well, how are you holding up?
[It feels like a strained conversation between ex-lovers, and maybe it sort of is, in a sense. She's not even sure what she wants out of it at this point.]
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[She was a different person from their old friend, but- not wholly dissimilar either.]
But what do you mean by luck, don't you still have another Bond to sustain you?
And I'm as fine as could be expected. My life is now that much quieter.
[There was a certain awkwardness to the conversation- a tension, or perhaps rawness. He's not quite sure what to do about it either- other than continue and see if it worked itself out somehow.]
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It just sort of feels like the period I had where I could rely on people is gone again.
[Maybe it's not a surprise; maybe she just wants to pretend like she didn't know something like this would happen. And it's not like any of them really trust her outside of Mira. It's always "everyone except Mira".]
Hey, do you want to go do something sometime? Now that they relaxed the theater laws, maybe we could go to one sometime?
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But are you just now learning that people aren't reliable...? Really. It should come as no surprise. When it comes down to it, we're all on our own.
[Though it's followed with a sigh, it, of course, can't be heard.]
But... I may be able to spare some time for such an outing. [As though he didn't have plenty of time.] A pity the three of us could not have gone... but it seems we'll just have to make do with one another's company.
[It would've been like old times, and not at all like old times. Perhaps it's for the best.]
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I'm glad you're willing to go, though. I don't consider it making do at all. Perhaps it might've been nice to bring him as well, but I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to bring you. I'll have to check who's doing what, but we can probably find a show we'd both enjoy.
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Though to be surrounded by allies who no longer recognize you, who's attachments belong to some other hero, and to have to start all over, left completely alone... if you weren't feeling a bit bereft, I'd wonder how much those connections truly meant.
[It's something like sympathy, or at least, recognition. He knew what it was like to not be remembered.]
You've said I should learn to live alongside you heroes. ...I'd say in return that 'tis better to learn to manage without the support of others.
[Completely earnest advice: just get used to being miserable and alone.]
Still, I'm glad to hear my company should suffice. Even should the performance fail to impress, it should still serve as a diversion for a few hours.
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...I don't know. I guess I'm just more of a boring person when I'm alone, because all I do is work myself raw. But I still want people around, even if it's not always easy or straightforward. I think even for the eternal, you'd eventually lose sight of your humanity if you were to withdraw from others completely.
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But is there even much here to work oneself raw upon...? It's no wonder then, that you'd seek to drown yourself in the presence of others instead. As for myself, well... that may be the case, but the company of too many mortals is like to shave it away with even more rapidity. Something none of you will live long enough to experience.
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Hmm... unsurprising, but I'm not familiar with a lot of the titles here. Is there any particular genre you're interested in? Or less than interested in?
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[And whether he could accept her. Her help, her presence. Herself.]
As for what to watch: there can't be too many offerings at this early date, so I'd hate to rule anything out.
[Theatre was just legalized, how many shows have had a chance to form and practice?]
Nothing too banal, whatever the subject. Have you any preference?
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Your idea of banal is probably similar to mine, thinking about it. If it doesn't stimulate you at least a little mentally, it's kinda useless, right? That in mind, I think I can pick something out that'll please both of us. (・ω<)
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[He has no idea what those symbols at the end denote... so he assumes it's just some sort of typo.]
later...
I've got a play picked out now!! (*・∀-)☆
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...And I think some part of your last messages hasn't sent properly, they both conclude with some unintelligible characters.
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Anyway, I'm outside one of the reopened theaters in the Entertainment District. I wanted to ask about the shows, so I just came here in person. It's the big one that hosted a lot of the orchestral performances until recently.
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Across all of my years, I've yet to come across a face that looks anything like that.
Regardless. I believe I know the one you mean. I shall be there shortly.
[Getting ready doesn't take that long, and when he can teleport to the general area... yes, he doesn't leave Irhya waiting that long, despite his unhurried pace. Lazily scanning the crowds, he doesn't spot her immediately.]
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So, instead of him approaching her, she finds him after a bit of glancing about, tipping the hood back a little bit to smile even if not lowering it entirely.]
Hey.
[And here she was almost, almost expecting him to walk it just to keep her waiting, if not for the fact that it'd be more effort than just teleporting in the first place. And the less effort for him, the better.]
Thank you for coming out. I put a lot of thought into this, so I'm hoping it goes over well... I was very careful about avoiding certain themes. And we could go for dinner afterward too, if you're willing.
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It's true that he could've kept her waiting. Even with a teleport involved, the Ascian could've lazed away back at the house for a time before moving. But, if he was going out to see her, then he was going out to see her; while he was certainly petty enough to make Irhya wait for him... it was something he decided not to indulge. If she was putting forth an effort, he may as well try to match her for it.
That, and he didn't know when the show actually started, and the Ascian was curious as to what Irhya had picked out for them. Her comment gets an idle hum and an amused look.]
What themes are we attempting to avoid? But while I'm here, I suppose we might as well make an evening of it.
[How gracious, to accept being taken to dinner....]
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[In other words, mortality, war, and other such things that will likely cause an argument, or some raw feelings at the very least. She glances at one of the advertisement posters.]
At least based on the summary, the people in this particular play are already dead. I guess it's about three damned people stuck in a room together, awaiting judgment. It sounded interesting enough without delving too deeply into those existential questions that would ultimately seem very... mortal to you.
[She really had to put some thought into it, though; the other choices seemed to be lighthearted comedy, which she wasn't keen on, and some other things that definitely would not have impressed him in the slightest.
It occurs to her, thinking of the former, that she's never quite seen him laugh before. It's almost difficult to picture.]
...If that sounds all right. If not, I don't mind picking something else.
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[A thoughtful sound, though he can (if slightly grudgingly) appreciate Irhya's attempts to both take his interests (and disinterests) into account. And while he considered being miffed at the possible implication that he wouldn't be able to handle a show that touched on the complications of mortality... that very inclination probably meant Irhya's instincts were right.
So he acquiesces with a brief nod.]
And a performance surrounding death avoids this...? But very well.
[The premise sounded simple enough, but not uninteresting, and as with all shows, it was a matter of seeing whether the writing and acting was of sufficient quality to hold it together.]
So when does it start? I assume shortly, as you called me out here.
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[She waves a hand, quietly hoping he doesn't pick up on the thin layer of anxiety beneath her actions. Removing two tickets from an inside pocket, she fans them out and grins.]
In about half a bell. They should be selling snacks in the meantime, though! I could go for a few of those cake rolls.
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[The one benefit to a lack of Bond, is that it made it that much harder for him to pick up on things like anxiety. It didn't occur to him that there would be any reason for it- so why would she be nervous?
If anything, he's amused at the confidence over having already purchased the tickets, assuming both that he'd turn up, and that he'd find her choice of show acceptable. And, well, since her intuition was correct, it was a presumption he could view positively.
At her mention of snacks, he gestures vaguely in the direction that they're being sold in as an acquiescence, as they walk over there.]
I've wondered about that, actually... how does normal food affect you?
[Is it safe for vampires to eat things like that...?]
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[She's not run into problems yet, at least, but she'll cross that bridge if it comes. Fortunately, he seems to be willing to play along with her today, so hopefully the actual play itself doesn't put him in a sour mood. She just hopes Solus's love of theatre was genuine and not another part of the emperor act.
She comes away from the refreshments with a stack of the aforementioned cake rolls, individually wrapped. Leading him to their seats -- an aisle seat for her, chosen on purpose so that she doesn't have to strain over taller heads to see what's going on -- she extends one to him.]
I've no idea how much of a sweet tooth you have, but... want one?
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[But interesting, that a technically-dead entity could still consume things, even if Irhya couldn't get nourishment from it.
At least his appreciation for theatre was more than just pretense. Sure, he allowed- even obliquely encouraged- radical or even politically-critical productions because of the destabilizing effect it would have on Garlemald, but that was more a pleasant coincidence. A practical effort that he could take some kind of diversion from.
Though he does look askance at Irhya's offering for a moment, in the end he shrugs, taking her proffered gift.]
They're not my preferred flavor, but since you're offering.
[Free food is free food, and it was a polite gesture.]
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[A sly grin. Even so, she looks pleased enough at his acceptance, plopping down in the seat after letting him through. The dull din of people murmuring amongst themselves dies down as the lights dim, and the show starts.
Fortunately for the people backstage, it appears to be a show with a single setting, which means they were able to go all out in making it look lavish; couches, the statue above the fireplace, everything that would make any other play's stage hands groan for having to move it so frequently. At first, the three people led into the room are in denial; the man claims he was executed for being a pacifist, while one of the women thinks there has been some mistake. But the other woman is quick to deduce that none of this has been left to chance, from the furniture to the three specific people present in the room.
Finally, they confess. One died from being executed by firing squad. One died of pneumonia, half-conscious. One died in her sleep, suffocated by a leaky gas stove. And, the woman Inez is quick to point out, they're here to make one another suffer.
Irhya scoffs.]
Mmm... rather quick to get to the point, isn't she?
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the Hyth player just reminded me of something important asjfkdhsakfj
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