Chapter Text
“And that...one…..is-” The soft scratch of quill tip on parchment sounded briefly before a clatter of metal against glass rang out. “….done!”
With a little bit of flourish, his signature decorated the bottom of the creation thesis he had been looking over for Lady Igeyorhm. She had not asked him to re-write the “entire bloody thing”, merely to proofread and offer his suggestions for the concept before it could be offered to the others to view.
Sighing softly, he filed it away for the secretary to grab later as masked eyes drifted towards the paned window; framed by dark stone and clear crystal-glass was the view of the aetheryte plaza below as it sparkled in the noon-high sunlight. The greenery decorating the plaza, the flowing fountains...all of those vibrant colors reflected and sparkled off of every surface.
And their people….
Sitting up a little more he watched as adults walked together, sat together to either exchange ideas, debate, or simply talk whilst children played and explored to their hearts’ content under their elders' watchful gaze.
Children…. He heaved a sigh as decorum was broken unseen in the office, shoulders adding to the full-body slump in his chair whilst a pout formed on his face. What he wouldn’t- ….no...no, no thoughts on that.
He wasn’t a child nor a teenager. There was no time for make-believe, for play anymore; He was seen as an adult now, and, as Emissary, he had a duty now to be a leader to their people. Grunting a bit, he patted his cheeks whilst mentally chiding himself-
“Your dedication to duty borderlines on obsessive, Elidibus.”
……
“Come now, put down your books and quill for a moment. Enjoy conversation that does not involve one's duties or reports.”
……
“Elidubus, look out the window. The rains have ceased and we are blessed with another beautiful day.”
“…. Another day…No no, no more drifting away now!” Not when there was so much work to be done and so little time in the day to finish. He had to-
A small shriek of shock and surprise rang out when masked eyes came face to face with brilliant obsidian, the little fox-like creature finding a place of rest on the various documents left to be looked over.
Who also had not been there several moments before.
“Uh….” The creature (Carbuncle, his mind supplied his memory, a familiar commonplace in the city for various uses) tilted its head at the sound, ears perked with interest as it continued to stare.
“Um….” He swallowed a bit whilst leaning a bit closer to his unexpected (adorable) visitor.
“Uh….H-Hello there. Who might you- Oh!” A slow reach of trembling fingers was met with a squeak and sensation of warm fur as a tiny head rubbed up against his outstretched palm in a display of open affection. As his other hand came to join the first the creature quickly adjusted itself so its belly was up in full view (Nevermind the scattered remains of the paperwork from before now were littering the floor and desktop itself). Despite this, the young man could not bring himself to care too much at the moment.
Not when the happy squeaks and soft fur beneath his caresses brought a sensation of comfort to his tired heart.
“Spirits, you are adorable.” Dainty paws imprisoned a couple of fingers between them as tiny fangs playfully nibbled on the digits, ears flickering as though it was still listening to his mutterings. “Who is your master, I wonder? Did you wander over from the Academy or did you escape when they weren’t looking?”
A trill was his answer to which Elidibus giggled at in response.
“No telling then?” One finger escaped their hold to gently scratch under its chin. “Are you afraid I might tattle-tale on you?”
Carbuncle snorted, giving the white-robed ancient a look akin to disbelief. Fully confident was the creature in its ability to charm and wiggle its way out of most if not all lectures (a certain summoner himself not included in this). With a chuff, it carefully wiggled itself free of the Ancient’s hands to sit primly upright on the desk to give itself a quick wash. Elidibus chuckled at its nonchalant actions when a glimmer of sunlit-amber against dark wood caught his attention between its forepaws. Smile turning to a small frown, he carefully picked up the gemstone to examine its rough-cut shape when a trickle of aether within it brushed against his senses.
A gentle nudge against his spirit left behind the image of someone holding out their hand in his mind’s eye. Patience, understanding...a choice to take of his own volition.
But of what? By whom? ….And, possibly, to where?
Reason told him to throw the shard to the other side of the office, to reject that hand, and return to reality.
Childlike curiosity however...that inner voice urged him to take a chance. To see what or who was on the other side despite the dangers his rationality continued to warn him about. As this duo of inner voices argued with one another he carefully turned the shard over and over in his palm. Its warm hues reflected his masked face at him...the conflict and frustration visible that did not suit one of his office or Name.
If the Seat of Reconciliation is conflicted with his own choices...then how was he to act as its Voice of Reason for the people? For his brothers and sisters...and for the folk who dwelled outside of the city?
The gentle brush of aether, again, was felt from the crystal: A reminder that they waited willingly, patiently, for his answer.
“....” Masked eyes looked up into obsidian. “What do you believe I should do?”
A snort was his response, irritation at the other’s hesitation clear in its rigid body stance and flattened ears. It wasn’t their choice, it was something the Ancient had to make on his own.
“Well….Alright then. ….Okay then!” Squeezing the rough shard in his palm, Elidibus concentrated, reaching to that unknown strand of aether floating. When his own connected-
It was like someone grabbed his hand and pulled, their happiness at the acceptance overflowing as amber-gold aether lit up the office in a brilliant show, not unlike the noonday sun itself. The light faded to white nothingness as the darkness of unconsciousness crept over his senses and mind-
Yet just as soon as it started, the light abruptly faded leaving behind only scattered documents and Carbuncle as it stood to stretch.
‘Well now. I wasn't expecting this to happen so abruptly. You two certainly don't beat around the bush.” The familiar started and turned to face a smirking redhead as he leaned against the open doorway frame. “Then again, never let it be said Az did not have a flair for the dramatic. A delayed summon spell though…” Pushing himself upright, Hythlodeaus walked over to pick up and hold the now-dull shard against the fading sunset. “...huh... I wonder who taught him that trick?”
Carbuncle ‘mrphed’ at him with tails swishing back and forth.
A glance downwards. “So he made it safely then? Good boy.” A pat on the head was given as the shard was tucked into the folds of his robes. “Don’t worry about evidence left behind. Emmy and I will make sure the proper stories are told. You just focus on getting back yourself, alright fluffy?”
An unhappy squawk was sounded in response to the ‘pet name’.
He chuckled and gave the familiar one final pat. “Oh shush. We’ve called you that since we were kids.” At the withering glare, Hyth simply shrugged as he spun around towards the doorway, pausing only to turn and flick his finger at the mess of papers laying about. At his will, they quickly straightened themselves in a manner not unlike when Elidibus usually went home in the evening.
“Besides, we all know you secretly like it.”
Carbuncle snorted and flicked his tail, its aether condensing and fading before vanishing in a flash of white light. Hyth sighed dramatically and shook his head; “Ah, to be the target of such disdain. I don’t think the little guy ever forgave me fo- Oh!” He quickly pressed against the shell of his ear as a soft ping resounded in it. “Hello, dearest! How was work today~?”
“I take it from the flow of aether that the deed is done then?”
“Not even a ‘hello, how are you?’ tonight? Oh Hades, my dear, you wound me!” Hythlodeaus clutched dramatically at his chest as he walked from the office towards the elevators. “But yes, the spell was successful from this end.”
“Good. I just received word myself that the boy arrived in one piece though unconscious from the spell effect. He should be alright after a night's rest.”
“Did you see where he ended up?”
A soft snort on the other end as the squeak of leather filtered through alongside the clatter of glass and ice. “Would ‘on the other side of the forsaken world map count?’”
“That’s a lot of spots, Emmy dear. Could you narrow it down just a teeny bit more?”
“You can ‘see’ just as easily as I can, Hythlodaeus.” A tired, irritated snap was woven into the deadpan tone with a clear warning not to keep pushing. “Why don’t you work out the puzzle for yourself for once?” He winced whilst tucking away a mental note to make a pitstop on the way home. His beloved was clearly in one of his “moods”...
Not that he could blame him. The absence of their sun was felt as keenly as a freshly open wound in the days following his departures.
“A puzzle easily solved then! Let’s see....” Woven through the strands of the Lifestream, past the aether sea awash with the aurora of souls...no, not there...then-
Ah, there they were! A bright spot with a unique hue stood out, strands of his own plus another were connected with. With it was another yet smaller colored spot in its aetherial depiction of a young age.
Hythlodeaus blinked in surprise as the mind and soul filtered back into his physical form. “It looks like he managed to relocate to the Eastern Continent...And, oh!” It clicked as the mental map fell into place. “He’s going to that waypoint village there... Seameet, I believe it was called?”
“Yes. Though why there I cannot fathom.”
“He has to have a reason like he always does.”
“To my knowledge, there is nothing even remotely entertaining or worth exploring in that sector. It's mostly coastal with a smattering of farmland here and there.” Hythlodaeus let out a small snort of amusement at those words. “And, pray tell, what exactly do you find so funny about that?” The snappish tone in his voice from earlier had faded off somewhat.
“Hades, dearest, you know that Srijin would find an adventure in every place that he goes to even if it is the driest piece of the deserted island to ever exist.”
“....You speak of those ruins he found on that one island?”
“Indeed!” A smile spread across his face as he ascended and entered their shared apartment, allowing Hades to stand from his chair by the window. “More reports for the convocation’s files with possible censures added and more stories to tell the children as well.” A kiss was placed on the cheek of the taller while a box of tarts was pressed into his hands. A gift well received and welcomed if their embrace that followed was anything to judge by.
A sniff as they pulled away had Hyth raising his eyebrow at Hades.
“My dear, is that the scent of rose wine I smell on your breath?”
“Perhaps it might?” A small smirk appeared as they swayed back and forth in each others' arms.
“And you chose to open it without me?” The redhead made sad puppy eyes at his taller lover. “That bottle had been a name day gift!”
“Well, you took your sweet time coming from the Emissary’s offices and I had a long day at work.” A kiss soothed the pout as the two of them made their way back to the chairs nestled by the window where two crystal glasses stood waiting to hold their bounty. “Don’t worry, dear, I didn’t drink the entire thing. Just a simple taste test.”
“And does Mr. sommelier find it to his exquisite expectations?” He took the offered glass, the fruity and floral expressions lighting up his taste buds at an experimental sip.
A smile appeared as bright as the stars glittering in the skies; “Indeed; anything chosen by him is simply divine.” He held the glass up as did Hyth, the crystal chiming against one another in a toast:
“....To our Sun?”
“Indeed, to our Sun and the Emissary. May he be the shining light to his Star.”