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It's the last thing Elidibus expected, after helping his greatest enemy of all. He expected his aether would be so thin that he would simply dissipate and, if lucky, resurface in the Aetherial Sea. His memories rushed to him like a great, heavy wave — so much stronger even than when the Warrior of Light had forced him to remember. Yet he'd barely had time to settle into them yet again when he appeared on a new plane altogether, a new world he did not recognize or know anything about, except for the sudden expectations listed off to each new arrival.

... Why was he chosen for such an affair? Had they kidnapped him, or was it some kind of mistake? Either way, it would seem for the moment that he and the large number of other beings from other realities are there to stay with no options of escape.

And so he wanders, a bit aimlessly, trying to get his bearings about him at the same time he attempts to adjust back to the man (the youth, really) he once was... No longer a primal, but fully aware of the duty he never finished, and everything that had led to it. And his friends, all his loved ones and friends, where were they? If he's honest with himself, he longs dearly to meet them again as he'd said. But in a place like this... well, it's not exactly the sunny skied paradise he'd had in mind. Especially when they had to do certain things to survive?

— One step at a time, perhaps. That's the best way to approach this. Still, curiosity has him wondering if he's truly here alone.

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"Thank you." Themis nods, finally allowing himself to smile at least a little bit. He stills Erichthonios' hand at his cheeks, but contents himself with merely holding it instead. "I don't know if you will believe it, but it has been a long time since anyone called me by that name."

And that's all he says of that for now, taking a moment to glance at their surroundings again at long last. Erichthonios was right. They have to figure out their current problem together.

"Did you just arrive here as well?"

He allows Themis to hold his hand, not taking it back, more than happy to let him continue to grasp it. There is a bit of worry about Themis' words and what they may mean when he says someone hasn't called him by his name in quite some time, but he does his best not to focus on that right now.

"I have, yes. I only just arrived. It was quite disorientating, but I am so relieved that you are here with me.

In due time, he figures. In due time he can decide what will or will not break Erichthonios to know, and he himself can learn a bit more about the time discrepensies here. For now, is it so wrong to wish to indulge in the other's company? Surely, even though their duty failed in the end, he deserves at least this much.

"Then I will do all in my power to keep you safe." That much at least he's sure he can do. "I do not know why they wish to hold us captive here under their strange demands. Perhaps if we play along for now, we will learn all that we need to know to get home again."

"And I you. Together surely we can overcome whatever we encounter."

Themis' promise has him smiling wide, the urge to hug him again close almost overwhelming. He resists however, stopping short of squeezing his friend to his chest.

"Mayhaps we will...the demands they want from us are rather peculiar I will admit." And embarrassing. Extremely embarrassing.

"Splendid. I'm counting on you then, Erichthonios." Even though he fully intends to take on full responsibility himself. Still, when he searches his mind for those faded memories of Pandaemonium, he can recall how quickly Lahabrea's boy stepped up to the plate and proved himself a worthy ally. He knows he can believe in him to truly do his best for them.

As for the requirements, Themis frowns a bit, recalling with mild distaste certain tristes he had witnessed his fellow Ascians engage in. Truly it had never been his style. But if it is to protect this precious soul from their beloved star, he will do whatever it takes.

"They are peculiar. But should not be so large an obstacle that we cannot surpass it." His smile is far too innocent as he turns it onto Erichthonios, confirming that indeed he is fully prepared to look into the matter with him specifically. "Together." As if he would let anyone else lay a finger upon his friend here now that they have reunited without either fading away as if a dream...

It feels wonderful to hear Themis say that he'll count on him. It causes him to brighten, happily, cheeks warm from the affection he feels for his friend.

Together. That singular word holds a promise to it, a weight that has him squeezing onto Themis' fingers tightly. Is it a proposition for what's to come in the future? Might as well be.

"Y-Yes...together. If you are willing of course."

If only Erichthonios truly knew how valued he is in this moment. Though, as good as he is with words, Themis still struggles to decide where a good place to start is.

It's definitely a proposition of sorts. He knows what he's suggesting and what such intimacy also suggests... but what other choice do they have right now? He is certainly not handing the son of the great Lahabrea, and his own dear companion, off to some unworthy person (whether they're whole of soul or not). This, surely, is his new duty now, to protect his people and keep them from harm.

"Our collaborative work in the past was always favorable. Of course I am more than willing." Themis answers in his clinical, professional sort of way. But a moment later, he pauses, studying Erichthonios briefly before his free hand comes to rest upon their joined fingers. "And. I do not know that I could bear seeing you in the hands of another. I lost you once ..." Twice, really, if you count his final goodbye and then later the loss of Erichthonios in his memory altogether. Either way, he isn't letting him go again. More words perhaps that won't be understood, but Themis means them wholeheartedly nonetheless.

If he knew he wouldn't know how to handle such information. Erichthonios has, after all, spent much of his youth feeling undervalued, trapped in the shadow of his brilliant father. Themis was the first in a long time to have him believe in himself, to feel as if he could accomplish something on his own.

The admission Themis graces him with has him flushing, despite the fact he doesn't fully understand what he means. "You lost me once...?" There's something ominous about those words and he's not sure he wants to know the true meaning behind them.

"Well...I'm not going anywhere. Who else's care would I rather be in?"

If they're going to have a lot of free time from now on, whether in this place or back in the lifestream, Themis will make sure that Erichthonios comes to understand what it means to be valued. He knows now that Lahabrea's distant methods were perhaps done out of love for his child, but it clearly did nothing for his son's sense of self-worth.

As for the comment, he merely gives a nod. "Yes. I believe that, if you are unaware of what I speak of, whatever brought us to this place is capable of pulling us not only from different worlds but different times as well." That's just his hypothesis so far.

But he smiles softly after a moment. "What is the last thing you remember, Erichthonios?"

"The last thing I remember is that we were in Pandaemonium together. At least that is the last time I saw you. If we met after that then I am unaware of it."

Which is kind of distressing to think about, if he takes a moment to actually take into consideration what Themis means. If they were from different times...what exactly had happened to him? What had happened to all of them?

But...there was no point in worrying about that. Not when there were more pressing matters to tend to.

He nods at that, for it's what he's come to expect by now. It's troubling though, knowing that Erichthonios is from a simpler, happier time, a time when Themis when young himself, eager to impress his associates in the Convocation and where working too hard was his greatest troubles. He looks down a moment but tries not to get weighed down by this reality again.

"And I am much, much older than I appear."

A man grown, more or less. Though he gave his life while still but a youth, he'd pulled himself out of their god fully grown. Looking down at himself, he has to wonder if it is the Warrior of Light and the Crystal Exarch's doing that he appears this way, or if the Lifestream has truly restored him to his purest form.

But he can ponder that later. Perhaps when he's alone. There are more pressing matters...

"We will take this one step at a time, though. Did they tell you where you're staying?"

"...You are?"

Should he...ask him how old he is? No, that would be impolite. He'll just take Themis at his word. Besides, what did it matter if he was older than him? He was already a higher ranking than him in society to begin with so what did age matter? He didn't have to feel inadequate over it...right? Themis was Themis.

That was the important thing to focus on.

"Aye, they did. It isn't far from here...if I remember correctly." And he lists off the address. "What about you?" Hopefully they wouldn't be far from one another.

He nods. "Yes. It is the simplest way to explain it." Without bringing in harrowing details, that is.

Well, even if he has returned to his true self, he is sure Erichthonios will learn soon enough that he's not the same person. A sad thought, but true nonetheless.

He blinks at the given address. "That is what I was given too." It brings a lot of new questions to mind, though none of them are important. He gets to stay with Erichthonios, that's good enough. "Shall we go there?" Whether they talk or take care of certain requirements, he'd rather keep Erichthonios to himself in private for a little while.

Well if that's how it is then that's how it is. He''ll try not to dwell on it, especially when Themis has just told him something that sends a wave of relief over him.

"Oh, really? Fantastic! That truly is lucky." Or planned. Either way, does it matter? Erichthonios is more than happy to shack up with his friend. It would be less than ideal to live apart in a foreign world. "Let's go, yes. There is no time like the present."

Part of Elidibus really wants Erichthonios to understand. Part of him has no desire to hurt him with such fragile information. Perhaps it's his personal feelings versus his duty? This is a dichotomy he's not had to deal with in such a very long time. It's ... disconcerting.

So he just nods, going with the moment for now. It's best to relocate anyway. There could be others from their world, but he isn't sure how much time they should waste finding out.

"Hopefully it's easy to find, then." He offers to keep hold of Erichthonios' hand. Simply because he can.

Erichthonios has no reason to let go of Themis' hand, especially if he's not being made to. It's a small reassurance. Childish, perhaps, as he remembers being led through the halls of Pandaemonium by his mother in such a fashion, but he enjoys the contact none the less.

"Let us hope."

Off he starts to lead them, doing his best to follow the street names outlined. Eventually they arrive to their apartment. It's small but big enough for two, although it's apparent there's only one bedroom, and, subsequently, one bed.

"Oh."

Even now, Elidibus may hope that his hand brings warmer, more welcome memories than Athena’s. But that’s, perhaps, a thought for another time. For now, he helps Erichthonios navigate the strange new streets until they reach the apartment dwellings. Could be worse, one supposes…

As for the bed situation, he does not seem to be all that phased by it. That could be that he has not known sleep intimately for many thousands of years, or that he, as Themis, is simply comfortable with Erichthonios’ presence. Maybe both reasons.

“Is aught amiss, Erichthonios?”

Edited 2022-11-27 21:41 (UTC)

It certainly does bring him comfort and a warmth he hasn't know for quite some time. At the question he jolts, having lost himself in thought for a moment. Their hands are still together...

"Ah, it's simply that there is only one bed provided. It does seem deliberately big enough for two but..."

Is he getting flustered? Yeah, he's getting flustered.

"I would understand if you would rather not share."

“And I suspect that was no mistake on their part.” He nods, as if Erichthonios hasn’t told him anything particularly life changing.

Instead, he smiles at his friend.

“Of course I don’t mind it. I have already offered to assist you with this place’s demands, yes? I would imagine sharing a bed is little next to that.” Sorry Erichthonios, he probably isn’t helping much. But even Lahabrea could attest that Elidibus never sugar coated anything.

"I-I suppose you are right. You did, yes, and I accepted."

Gladly accepted, mind you, but that still doesn't stop his cheeks from browning a particularly deep shade of crimson. The Emissary really didn't beat around the bush, did he?

"I promise I do not snore. I swear it."

"If you change your mind, I will not hold it against you."

His cheeks perhaps pinken a bit, though not so much as they might have when he was truly young and innocent. It's merely the thought of being so intimate with someone he (finally) remembers caring for so much.

"Snore?" He tilts his head, briefly confused before he laughs some. "Ah. I was not particularly worried..."

"I doubt I will."

He can't exactly see himself changing his mind, not when it was a decision involving Themis. His laugh has his stomach feeling light.

"I am glad you aren't, in any case...besides our sleeping quarters, it does seem rather quaint. Far nicer than my accommodations in Pandaemonium."

“I am glad to hear it.” He nods, giving Erichthonios’ hand a little squeeze before he finally releases it.

“It does not seem that they mean to treat us as prisoners, at least.” He observes, looking around their new lodgings. Nothing like he’s been used to for the past eons, but then he didn’t really require a place to rest his head or eat or do anything else.

He certainly can’t remember what accommodations in Pandaemonium would have been like, if he set foot there. At least he remembers the important parts. “I suppose Lahabrea did not create Pandaemonium to be comfortable.”

"No, comfort was not a priority."

That gets a laugh out of him as he shakes his head, wringing his wrists gently. No, Pandaemonium wasn't meant to be comfortable by any means.

"Amaurot, at least the few times I ventured there, seemed far more better a place to live. Even my father's office is leagues above the room I have."

“You never spent much time outside of Pandaemonium. Out of Elpis..” Themis searches his recently recovered memories for all those thousands of years ago. His smile is somewhat sad to think of Lahabrea during that time, too. How different they all were, the Unsundered, from those happier times.

“Your father should have afforded you better lodgings.” He decides, as if it’s going to make any difference now. In his head he thinks, perhaps, that he himself should have championed for a better life for Erichthonios after their time together in Pandaemonium.

But he never did like to let his personal feelings interfere with his work. He was always telling people this. Ah well.

“In any case, perhaps we can modify this place to our liking, if we are to stay here for a while.” He glances at the bed. Cheeky. “I still won’t mind that, though.”