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The residential accommodations in Asphodelos, located near the Gates to create something of a sense of separation of work and leisure while leaving the containments accessible in emergencies, were spartan as ever. When they'd first been reclaimed as a base for Erichthonios and his new companion Themis, the sight of them left just as they were before Pandaemonium fell into chaos comforted and perturbed the warder in equal measure. The lamps had still been alight, personal effects still sitting on surfaces in the public areas, dishware still out in the kitchen in preparation for a shared meal. Themis had taken up residence in the head keyward's room (the understanding that Hesperos would never again have need of it had washed over both men, though they did not voice it), partly as a convenient way to sort through his belongings for clues.
Erichthonios hadn't barred Themis from his own original smaller room, but as time went on and a sense of normalcy started to settle, he found himself getting embarrassed at the thought of Themis reaching out and pulling the door out of Erich's grasp and further open, able to see the mess that Erich had tried to hide with the barely open door and his own body. Or, worse still, Themis following him in as it sometimes seemed he wanted to. He supposed it was moot, what with Themis having already seen him transformed, but the idea of the envoy seeing the clutter that he couldn't seem to make himself tidy, or seeing Erich seethe or wallow or cry made a sharp shame prickle up his neck and cheeks.
Yet another layer of shame compounded atop that one; his colleagues were trapped further within the facility, in danger or dead or worse, and there he was, not only sitting idle but brooding over what his companion might think of his messy room of all things-
Erichthonios was startled out of his reverie by a gentle knock at his door. Unsurprisingly, Themis greeted him when he carefully opened the door only ajar enough to peer around it at the other man. Themis’s hands were laced together in front of him, and he seemed almost… nervous?
“Ah, pardon me- I… see you’ve already settled in for the evening.” He must have noticed Erich’s bare forearm, revealed by the undershirt he usually wore under his robes. He averted his eyes, but continued. “I will take my leave if you wish, but… frankly, I enjoy your company and conversation, and I’ve found myself missing it these past few days- or nights; it’s rather hard to discern them here.”
Erich felt that flash of heat crawl up his neck, but no shame followed, only a tightness in his chest as Themis’s lips curled into a tiny, self-effacing smile. His anxiety around letting the other man in (literally or figuratively) bubbled in his abdomen, but it was overpowered as Themis looked back to him with that same little smile, crystalline blue meeting bright crimson. After a long, resolute inhale through his nose, Erich stepped aside and opened the door further, wordlessly offering Themis entry.
Themis followed, thankfully without another word, stepping far enough in to allow Erich to close the door. The accommodations for lower-tier warders were a bit smaller than those of one such as Hesperos; the majority of the floorspace was taken up by an undone bed in one corner and a desk in the other, covered in sketches, piles of documents, and a couple of small concept matrices. It was lit by long and narrow lamps that barely protruded from the walls, and a few small paintings and hanging textiles of some sort added a homely charm to the spartan room.
Erichthonios sat down on his bed, trying not to look at Themis very clearly taking in the new surroundings. Even so, the idea of somehow being judged made an uneasiness flutter through him, and he started to pick at the skin of his fingers.
“Erichthonios.”
The sound of his name made him jerk his head up, right at Themis standing next to his desk, fixing him with an inscrutable expression.
“If you would have me leave you be, or perhaps take our conversation to the sitting room, then please tell me so.”
“N-no! This is… fine. Good.”
Despite the subtle waver in his voice, that answer seemed to satisfy Themis, who gracefully seated himself in Erichthonios’s desk chair, about a yalm away from the bed.
“I was being truthful when I said I enjoy conversation with you,” Themis wasted no time, seemingly having a particular goal in mind when seeking out Erich in his room. “However, if I may be candid- blunt, even…”
“Of course.”
“You have been very clearly, and understandably, disquieted by the events that have happened here recently, and I would like to offer whatever help I can to share your burden,” He paused then, holding Erich’s gaze with a determined expression. “I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but… I greatly admire your strength and resolve, Erichthonios, and I would loathe to see you fall into despair, especially as I stand potentially able to offer some form of succor.”
Erich flushed and floundered under the other man’s piercing gaze, wondering how Themis sounded so calm, as though he hadn’t seen right through Erich and struck at the heart of the matter more precisely than even a Soulseer might.
“I- well, you weren’t joking when you said you’d be blunt…,” Erich chuckled softly, trying to bely his discomfort at being so thoroughly read. Unexpectedly, Themis himself seemed a little abashed, but before he could speak again, Erichthonios continued. “I’m not sure I want to tell my whole life story right now, but… perhaps talking about it a bit might help, if you’re offering.”
“I am. I’ve been told I’m an excellent listener.”
That response in such a gravely serious tone of voice made Erich laugh softly, easing the tension a bit.
“It has been hard. I- I know that it wasn’t my fault, but… I can’t help but feel like, if I were stronger, smarter, better at magic… I don’t know. I could have done something! I should be doing something, instead of just sitting here-” Now that he had started, it seemed the proverbial dam was broken, and words poured from Erich like a rushing river. Themis said nothing, merely listened intently and peered at Erich with his frustratingly beautiful eyes. Erich turned his head down and fixed his gaze on a particular crease in his sheets and muttered, mostly to himself, “It really is just like my father always told me…”
“Lahabrea is… an acerbic man, yes. But regardless of whatever he has told you in the past, since coming here I have witnessed nothing but determination, conviction, and an unshakeable resolve. Even to go as far as to implore a m- representative of the Convocation to delay their report, so you could take control of the situation and save your colleagues. It is nothing short of admirable.”
Only when he paused did Erich chance a look back at Themis’s face, just in time to watch his lips curl into a quiet sort of smile, as though he were sharing a precious secret. “You’ve the voice and measure of an orator, truly.”
If Erich was flushed before, he was burning up now; his face and neck feeling as though he was again facing down the Phoinix. His instinct was to rebuff the words, but something about Themis’s voice forced them past his defenses, and he had no option but to let the words seep over him, igniting a spark within his belly.
“That- that’s a lot, coming from you,” Erich replied, reaching behind his head to scratch at the base of his hair; a nervous gesture. That seemed to perplex Themis, who tilted his head and quirked his brow in a questioning look. However, it seemed he didn’t intend to press Erich’s comment any further, as he remained silent.
After a few moments, Erich released a sigh he didn’t realize he had been holding. “I- thank you for that, Themis. Logically I know that we can’t do much until the barrier to Abyssos is worn down and we see our familiar friend again, and that sitting here- ruminating on my shortcomings isn’t helpful, yet… well, I suppose it is difficult to shoulder by oneself. I appreciate the support, Themis.”
He smiled at Themis then, as proud of a smile as he’d ever made in his life, and when the other man returned it with one of his own that made his cheeks crease, Erichthonios felt a flutter in his chest, light as petalouda wings and hot as a fireplume.