Chapter Text
In a dark, quiet city on a distant sea’s shores, on business that can barely be called official, you meet him alone for the first time.
"Is aught amiss?" Elidibus asks as he falls into stride at your side, disrupting a muse that is far more brood than you are like to admit.
Flying low, fluttering from tree to tree, a songbird trills. So late into the season, its call will remain unanswered until the next cycle, as futile a journey as yours to forest's frontier.
Hythlodaeus will be disappointed, but you'll not find any 'relics of legendary material' no matter how deeply you delve, not with the thoroughness of Anyder's scholars.
Pleasant and equally shallow, you return Elidibus' soft, unknowable smile.
"A minor setback."
Any strain tightening his features from your evasion is impossible to discern, though he certainly cannot be pleased.
You'd not known of Elidibus' arrival, either.
Smooth and unflappable, the Emissary lives up to his name, even amongst colleagues. "The council has proven unyielding. With both of us meddling in the region, they fear Amaurot oversteps its bounds."
Any budding warmth falters, blown out in the breeze that is Elidibus; when are you leaving? with the Emissary's constant evasions, 'tis all but direct.
"I'm certain you'll make them see sense with time."
You'll be out of his way soon enough, after completing the request keeping you from home, but Elidibus needs not know it. You'll protect Amaurot in your own ways, as is both wont and duty.
White and black circle the park in an unreadable silence that can only just be described as companionable. To any onlookers, you are closer than most: equals who need no more than a few words, sharing verbally only what is necessary, intimately aware of the land as seasons swirl in your wake.
An ideal citizen;
A model for all to aspire to.
Such an onlooker would be mistaken.
Elidibus is cold.
Subtly keeping distance from the Emissary, as one might unknowingly avoid a cracked window on a chill night, it is only when he falls back two full paces that you notice his absence.
With a half turn, you motion questioningly. "Is there a problem?"
A mere formality; Elidibus is unlike to look to you for assistance.
Elidibus is unlike to look to anyone for assistance.
"Forgive me my boldness." You cross your arms over your chest at his growing smile. "I had simply thought to observe."
You blink; doubtless, your mask does little to conceal growing surprise - nor the undercurrent of frustration.
"In duty severe, in public cold - long have I pondered the truth of your nature." Cold. . .? Elidibus dismisses your assignment in the frontier and dares wonder why you are cold? “Similar though our roles might be, our duties differ such that we’ve few opportunities for interaction.”
His smile does not falter, unreadable even while easily admitting prolonged, curious observations.
You’ve no time for these games, not if Elidibus wishes you to return home in a timely manner, and yet –
"Forgive me, mayhaps I was mistaken."
There’s something different about the softness in his expression, something impossible to place. Elidibus seems truly apologetic – for his behavior, at least, if not his demands.
Oh, very well.
“I am not so challenging to understand.” As his equal, you understand the necessity of his request – and the importance of his presence. “I will be gone for some days. Upon my return, I trust matters will be settled with the council?”
“That is sufficient. My thanks.” He murmurs your title with due respect, any cracks sealed once more.
Aye, he was mistaken.
Elidibus is far more difficult than you are.