As you step inside, you are greeted with a rather grand interior, marble and metal everywhere. The gentle glow of the lamps, though, does give it a somewhat cozy feeling...
The reception hall is almost empty, save for one person - robed and masked much like you, too, but their mask is red. They're leaning against one of the counters, reading, but look up from their book on seeing you.
LOV THE DAUGHTER! He pats her back gently before drawing back slightly.
"My, that sounds like there is already a story. What is going on out there? I fear I cannot leave this room, but it did seem to me there is something of a commotion outside."
"Ah, I wondered..." She looks pained for a long moment. "Vivi...he has a lot of pain about Amaurot. Understandably, but I came to know it intimately and..." She wipes an eye and sniffs before righting herself. That part of his heart seems to have calmed...for the moment, at least, but I know it's not gone. It couldn't be.
He's going to draw her into another hug, stroking her back like soothing a child. Shhh.
"I am sorry that you had to see it so closely, dear Lily. As is Levity, I am certain. 'Tis a common instinct, is it not? To worry that by letting others share our pain we inflict it upon them, to think that everyone is better off if we pretend to be fine."
"But common does not make it right. I am certain that your being there has helped him. Of course, the dark thoughts will come for him again, as they do for all of us. But after the night always comes the dawn, and there is no winter so endless that it would not turn into spring one day. All things strive... as do both you and him. However many times the dark returns, I am sure that you two could weather it."
"Two horses pulling together can pull three times as much of a weight as a single horse. More than that, they are pack animals, and if two horses have known each other for a long time, together they can put in even more effort or undertake even more difficult tasks than they would individually. Being with those they are close to not only makes menial tasks easier, it boosts their confidence and comfort. Quite the sweet fact, don't you find? I think we could all stand to learn from horses."
"My. Not exactly, I fear - I am but a guide. You may be able to find something if you are to venture deeper, however. Though even I do not know the full extent of this place, nor am I aware of things that are outside Hythlodaeus's own control... But you are a clever man, Hades. I doubt you would find many obstacles here."
[He hooks an ankle on the back of Lahabrea's knee to tug him forward so he can grab his chin and ... just stare at him. Bask in his color though the aether sight.]
And what if I would rather simply enjoy your company, mirage as it is?
[Though he gives out one of those long, exasperated sighs of his.]
But there is always work to be done. Do you have any more words of wisdom besides 'continue further'? I imagine his being is fractured as a reflection of struggling with finding himself while trying to remember himself. But if it is deeper than that, praytell.
Lahabrea makes a noise of surprise at being tugged like that, but it quickly turns into a chuckle as he sets his hands on Hades's hips, looking up at him amusedly.
"Does the real Lahabrea not lavish you with enough attention? If that is the case, mayhap Hythlodaeus could orchestrate yet another episode of meddling into your lives and affairs."
His expression grows a little more serious, though still cordial.
"You've the right of it. I do find it amusing that you, someone who has known him for so long and understands his struggles better than anyone, would still seek advice here. But, if you would have it... Do you know what "kintsugi" is?"
And yet again and again, I keep coming to you for advice. Mayhaps that is because you are quite skilled at it, and I can burn it into his mind its importance.
[He shakes his head.]
I will head out in a moment, but go on. What is this 'kintsugi'?
"How sweet." He smiles, pulling Hades closer to give him a brief kiss on the cheek.
"Kintsugi is a technique of restoring broken objects using precious metals to mend the cracks. The philosophy behind it is that breakage and repair is part of the object's history, rather than something to be ashamed of - or worse, to discard it over. Would you not say that is a fitting lesson for young Hythlodaeus? He does fret so over his perceived... incompleteness."
"It is a little bit of both. The scars he's earned here... well, there is nothing to be done for them, other than letting them heal. What would you do otherwise? Erase his memories of Hell? Tinker with his soul when you return? I imagine that is not a path you truly wish to follow. As for the second matter..."
He sighs.
"Do you truly expect him to be unaffected by something like that? You've seen the last memory he took. You've seen his reaction when you tried to tell him of the Final Days and the fate of our star. How do you expect him to not be pained by that?"
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Re: BUREAU OF THE ARCHITECT
The reception hall is almost empty, save for one person - robed and masked much like you, too, but their mask is red. They're leaning against one of the counters, reading, but look up from their book on seeing you.
"Oh my. Visitors?"
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"Ah. Of course you would be here, my dear. I hope your visit is going well?"
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but this is odd why is he SITUATED here instead of exploring?
"...Well...mostly, maybe?"
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"My, that sounds like there is already a story. What is going on out there? I fear I cannot leave this room, but it did seem to me there is something of a commotion outside."
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"...Ah."
He's going to draw her into another hug, stroking her back like soothing a child. Shhh.
"I am sorry that you had to see it so closely, dear Lily. As is Levity, I am certain. 'Tis a common instinct, is it not? To worry that by letting others share our pain we inflict it upon them, to think that everyone is better off if we pretend to be fine."
"But common does not make it right. I am certain that your being there has helped him. Of course, the dark thoughts will come for him again, as they do for all of us. But after the night always comes the dawn, and there is no winter so endless that it would not turn into spring one day. All things strive... as do both you and him. However many times the dark returns, I am sure that you two could weather it."
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"That is worth more than you can imagine, my dear. 'Tis solitude and loneliness that strike our hearts the hardest."
"And, incidentally... Would you like to hear an interesting fact about horses?"
#horsegirldad
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"Two horses pulling together can pull three times as much of a weight as a single horse. More than that, they are pack animals, and if two horses have known each other for a long time, together they can put in even more effort or undertake even more difficult tasks than they would individually. Being with those they are close to not only makes menial tasks easier, it boosts their confidence and comfort. Quite the sweet fact, don't you find? I think we could all stand to learn from horses."
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"Anytime, my dear. Now... Is there aught else I can do for you? If you have any questions, I would be glad to answer them."
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Re: BUREAU OF THE ARCHITECT
I need some assistance. Are you free?
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Smiles fondly!
"For you? Always."
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"My current situation being? The state of Hythlodaeus's heart?"
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"My. Not exactly, I fear - I am but a guide. You may be able to find something if you are to venture deeper, however. Though even I do not know the full extent of this place, nor am I aware of things that are outside Hythlodaeus's own control... But you are a clever man, Hades. I doubt you would find many obstacles here."
Re: BUREAU OF THE ARCHITECT
And what if I would rather simply enjoy your company, mirage as it is?
[Though he gives out one of those long, exasperated sighs of his.]
But there is always work to be done. Do you have any more words of wisdom besides 'continue further'? I imagine his being is fractured as a reflection of struggling with finding himself while trying to remember himself. But if it is deeper than that, praytell.
Re: BUREAU OF THE ARCHITECT
Lahabrea makes a noise of surprise at being tugged like that, but it quickly turns into a chuckle as he sets his hands on Hades's hips, looking up at him amusedly.
"Does the real Lahabrea not lavish you with enough attention? If that is the case, mayhap Hythlodaeus could orchestrate yet another episode of meddling into your lives and affairs."
His expression grows a little more serious, though still cordial.
"You've the right of it. I do find it amusing that you, someone who has known him for so long and understands his struggles better than anyone, would still seek advice here. But, if you would have it... Do you know what "kintsugi" is?"
Re: BUREAU OF THE ARCHITECT
[He shakes his head.]
I will head out in a moment, but go on. What is this 'kintsugi'?
Re: BUREAU OF THE ARCHITECT
"How sweet." He smiles, pulling Hades closer to give him a brief kiss on the cheek.
"Kintsugi is a technique of restoring broken objects using precious metals to mend the cracks. The philosophy behind it is that breakage and repair is part of the object's history, rather than something to be ashamed of - or worse, to discard it over. Would you not say that is a fitting lesson for young Hythlodaeus? He does fret so over his perceived... incompleteness."
Re: BUREAU OF THE ARCHITECT
If you mean the scars from here, well, I could be convinced to accept them. They are a form of growth in its own way, begrudgingly I can admit.
As for the rest, there is no need for him to bear any scars from it. Not from that great tragedy.
Re: BUREAU OF THE ARCHITECT
"It is a little bit of both. The scars he's earned here... well, there is nothing to be done for them, other than letting them heal. What would you do otherwise? Erase his memories of Hell? Tinker with his soul when you return? I imagine that is not a path you truly wish to follow. As for the second matter..."
He sighs.
"Do you truly expect him to be unaffected by something like that? You've seen the last memory he took. You've seen his reaction when you tried to tell him of the Final Days and the fate of our star. How do you expect him to not be pained by that?"
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