[ At failing to get a rise from him she shrugs, only a little annoyed and somehow only partially it was directed at him. When she's had proper rest, she'd likely find herself privately embarrassed for being so talkative - to the point where Emet-Selch tells her she's talking more than he does and that will be a whole new can of worms she will pretend never happened and she had thought for a brief moment -
Honestly, she isn't sure what she thought anymore, but it was something about the way he sounded so sincere before in hoping she would pull off another feat worthy of the title she actually rather hated being called, Warrior of Light. She clenches her jaw and then just sighs and once again shakes her head at him, though there is no laughter that follows.
They're not friends, not comrades and she shouldn't be so forthcoming with him. She needed to remember that, that there is no reason for her to try and seek something from him that he doesn't have. She doesn't even know why she even bothered to invite him to walk with her at this point, beyond not wanting to be alone with her thoughts. ]
If 'flapping my jaw' is so tiring, I can't imagine how much sleep you need at this point. You talk far more than I do on average and still manage to look like you've only gotten an hour of rest every time we meet. [ The words lack any real bite to them, they only sound sharp. Just a blunt force used to smack uselessly against a rock that seemed to want to move, but only when it wanted remain directly in front of her goals and hinder her progress.
The second cookie is finished in silence, though not out of spite for once. Just her being caught up in the idea that she really and truly was not looking forward to the twelve hour sleep she had waiting for her when she managed to get somewhere she felt would suffice enough to work without having to go back to the Crystallarium.
The world spins in her vision and she does stop walking, forcing her to bring her hand to her face and rub at her eyes hard enough to see white spots behind her lids. ]
I need to sit for a while. [ And that does actually annoy her, because she knows that she can keep going she just hates that in order to do that without risking a fall she needs to sit down and wait for the world to stop spinning. After pulling her hand away from her face, she finds a semi-flat surface and sits down to wait for her eyes to right themselves.
A hell of her own doing and she expects the headache to come following after rather soon. ] You're free to leave if you want, I will likely be making many stops to sit. If you're going to stay for some reason, do you want another cookie for your trouble?
[ Oh he had been sincere. Entirely sincere. The most ironic part of this entire ordeal is that Emet-Selch has been nothing but honest and sincere. He truly does want to come to some sort of understanding, seeing if things could actually work out. There is a part of him wants to be understood and then actually see if maybe he can be proven wrong. That these fragments, these parts of people could actually rise up and be entrusted stewardship of the star too.
Yes, there is the other part to this. The back-up plan that is really the only true plan in all of this.
And yet, in his mind, his sincerity had been met with a rather sarcastic commentary in return. Unneeded, really. Had he given a truly smart remark in the first place then perhaps it would have been warranted. There are other reasons too, of course, and he doesn't want to think on them. So he doesn't. ]
You forget that I was asleep. Blissfully so, before you and your Scions decided to become so problematic that Elidibus had to cut it short. I had earned my rest and you lot have taken it from me. So if you wish to blame someone for my irritable countenance, then look no further than to yourselves.
[ Not that he's going anywhere even as the girl sits. Oh he could. Hades is tempted to pretend to leave. It would serve the child right, continuously poking at things that are beyond her ken.
Instead he waves his hand in a dismissive manner as she talks about sitting and then about the probability of her needing to maintain a pace like this one. ]
Perish the thought. Should I abandon you now, I'd never hear the end of it from your Exarch.
[ She grits her teeth as he spits vitriol about the actions taken by her and her own to defend her life, her star and way of life against men who wanted to destroy it being the reason that he was currently awake and making it her problem. She takes in slow deep breaths because getting angry right back will not make things better here. It will make things worst for her in the long run, but it is a struggle to keep her fury contained. ]
You will be waiting an eternity for an apology from me, Emet-Selch, because I'm not the one who woke you up. Do not blame me for your mood and lack of sleep, because your current status of being awake is due to your friend's failure to account for resistance from others. Blame them for not being smarter, not me or my own for trying to stop our world from being destroyed.
[ Caligi sighs again, once again forcing herself to calm down because that was enough to make her raise her voice despite her attempts to stay steady.
When she's able to relax again, the Au Ra begins to dig through her pack to pull out what she believes to be her last cookie and holds it out to him. It's not a peace offering, not in the least, he just simply didn't decline the offer she made originally. ]
Suit yourself. But I had no intention of telling anyone that I had to be saved by you. My pride has suffered enough today.
[ The red head watched him and chooses to turn the cookie into a peace offering in the end after all. ]
I'm not good with vulnerable emotions. If I offended you with my jab about Zenos, I will apologize for that. I was uncomfortable and resort to picking on people to avoid more of them. You telling me the truth about my odds did in fact help and I do appreciate that. Now take the fucking cookie.
An apology without anything behind it is useless and empty. I need it not. As for assigning blame, there is plenty to go around. Of course I blame the others for being sloppy. However, I am rather used to their incompetence. This is hardly the first time I have played my part only for the other side of things to be incomplete.
[ Caligi can raise her voice at him all she wants. Emet-Selch is much better at getting under her skin than vice versa. Right now he merely stands where he is, arms crossed over his chest as he continues to watch her. He has little idea of what she is actually doing. Perhaps just looking for something to keep her busy and focused on something that isn't him?
It would hardly be surprising wouldn't it? He refuses to roll his eyes. ]
Again, you speak as though your precious Exarch is not watching whenever he can spare a moment. In fact I wouldn't even be surprised if he is privy to this conversation.
[ But then the girl does surprise him. The apology doesn't matter. He hadn't been offended at all. Who cares about the opinion of one so below you after all? Yet Caligi talks about vulnerability. This is more valuable to Hades. ]
I already had one of those things. It wasn't that impressive. [ Well now he's just being difficult on purpose. ] Your words have been noted all the same.
[ She gives him the most withering stare she could muster for the reminder that she truly is never alone, but refuses to allow him the satisfaction of hearing her admit the current perceived likelihood of it. Instead focusing on the moment of surprise she does see in the other and then the words.
At the end of his comment about her words being taken in, she hurls the cookie towards his head and starts laughing at his show of being difficult. It's not a malicious throw in the least, more one that someone would throw at a person whom just said something groan-worthy. She shakes her head and it takes a few seconds for her to stop laughing. ]
The cookie's still yours. You don't need to eat it now. It'll keep for a few days and it's the last one any ways. If you don't want it, give it away.
[ The thrown cookie, however, stops midair. It's never going to reach its intended target. Groan worthy or malicious doesn't make too much of a difference to him. ]
Why would I give away a gift bestowed upon me by the esteemed Warrior of Darkness? T'would be rude.
[ If it had hit him, she would have been surprised, as it stands however, that was about on par with what she expects from him. She just chuckles again at his words and rubbed at her forehead as she debated the chances that she wouldn't topple over immediately if she began rising. ]
Ah, keep your mocking flattery for someone who doesn't see it for what it is, Emet-Selch. [ It's said with mainly amusement, but as she pulled her hand away from her face to give him a long look. ] I will, however, admit that you can keep gaining favor by calling me the Warrior of Darkness.
Because it is, ultimately, your favor that I so desperately seek.
[ Though he does send the cookie away through a rift. It's not like he's going to keep it on his person. However it does mean that Emet-Selch isn't quite throwing it away either. More than likely it will be held until he decides to actually eat it. Or throw it away. But it will not be in a place where she'll see what he does with it. ]
Are you rested enough to keep going, since you're becoming rather sassy...
Why else would you be watching me so keenly? You have to have something else to occupy you.
[ But she does nod and begin standing up. She counts her blessings in that she did not wobble and that her vision has steadied. She does cast another Aspected Benefic on herself, however, just to take care of anything remaining from her close call now that she could feel she wasn't completely running on empty. ]
I can return to biting your head off, if you prefer? No skin off my teeth to return to being hostile instead of trying to play nice.
Lack of anything better to do since we have called a truce of sorts? Though if it bothers you so much, then need I another reason for continuing to do so? After all, it does not seem you have taken offense knowing that your dear Exarch does the same.
[ Just pointing that out! But if she is to stand and walk, then he will follow. There's hardly a point in doing nothing but standing around. He'll at least see that she gets back to her companions. Or at least to the edge of town. ]
You need a hobby. Get one that doesn't involve reminding me of the amount of privacy I lack in any form. And yes, I have a problem with it. I'm just aware that like telling you too, telling the Exarch will just lead to me banging my head against the wall.
[ At least she's aware that her attempts to tell him to stop watching her are going to lead no where and mostly for show. There's no comfort in it, but at this point fighting it with actual teeth isn't going to do anything but take her attention from important matters.
She will start walking again and leading them on their way. A small part of her finds it kind of funny that Emet-Selch is walking her back to civilization and after she sleeps, she'll probably find it less funny that she had garnered herself a babysitter. ]
Blame it on the lack of sleep, but I am, in fact, making an attempt to at least try and behave nicely after earlier jabs and my own hostility.
I think you may respond better when I don't have as many defenses up and I don't actually want to fight you, despite what you may think. You also implied that you're likely just as tired as I am and that's just sad.
[ At least she thinks so. That brief moment of surprise had her considering that his original suggestion of being nicer to him may be more fruitful in the long run and a more petty side of her hoped it annoyed him. ]
I wouldn't go to that extreme. You have your privacy, I assure you. Quite arrogant to think that I would spend my every waking moment watching you.
[ But he can't say anything about the Exarch. Hades has no clue whether or not the other is actually watching at every waking moment. He probably is, or nearly all the time. The Crystal Tower has the means to and if it has been dialed into Cal's specific signature? Well.
Once the girl starts to walk, Emet-Selch follows after. His pace is more of a stroll and, in truth, he will likely disappear the moment she steps foot into town. Hades is not about to suffer the presence of other mortals. ]
Wouldn't you be tired after dancing to the same tune and script for twelve thousand years? The hero and the villain, locked in eternal battle. Ever are they to defend their respective sides, Light versus the Darkness. It's all so very dull after a time.
[ Maybe it's not a bad idea. But Hades will still be suspicious. He believes she will be too. ]
I don't like to be watched without my consent at all, Emet-Selch. [ She rolls her eyes at him, though there is a little comfort in the fact that he does in fact give her some sort of relief from his gaze at points. She won't tell him that directly, though. But it is noted. ]
I'll tell you something few know, just to make things very interesting. If Lahabrea had come to me before the Scions did, I would have easily been swayed to his side. I enjoy the chaos of things. Order is boring, it has its uses, sure, but I don't find myself drawn to it naturally. So, yes. I do in fact see where you'd be tired of the push and pull between the two forces.
[ She shrugs, because while true and she has to regrets on feeling that way, it's still a risky thing to admit and honestly, it is better than her trying to correct him on her opinions on light and dark being the epitome of good and evil. ]
Now that is just too bad. You are a hero. People are going to be watching you without your consent for the entirety of your life.
[ It is interesting to note that she would have just as readily come to Zodiark rather than Her, depending upon who had approached the girl first. What he doesn't much care for, is the fact that Cal would think that they are all about chaos.
They aren't. Far from it. Even the chaos that they create is scripted. Artificial. Created and crafted to serve a purpose. It is a game of chest kept in strategic stalemate until it isn't needed to be. ]
Lahabrea would never have thought to. Quite the arrogant one, that man.
Yes, but the masses I can ignore. Creepy old men with dubious morals and goals? I'll pass.
[ That would be where he would be wrong. She didn't think they were just chaotic forces, she would have just enjoyed the chaos that would have ensued from her actions. Lived in it and enjoyed every moment, done everything she could to fix it when she realized the mistake she made, however and that would have been a whole new brand of chaos for her to navigate.
But yes, her opinion on good and evil is more closer aligned with order and chaos than simply just darkness and light, as she happily stayed in the dark and didn't think she was particularly evil. But she's also not sure if Emet-Selch could even hold the title of evil despite the things he's done. ]
I'll admit, there are moments where you make me miss dealing with him. You are infuriating, to the point where I would rather not fight you. And I don't know what that means yet.
Would've been interesting if he tried, though, but I'm not known for making good or safe decisions if left alone.
[ Well that's not something he had anticipated. Emet-Selch isn't sure he knows what to do with that information. She may end up not wanting to fight him? Does she anticipate that she will need to? He supposes that this bit of truth isn't shocking. The girl and the Scions likely expect it. ]
I see. You actually like me, whereas you had no such emotions towards Lahabrea. Therefore it was much easier on your little heart to deal with him in the manner your friends would like to deal with me.
[ Is he going to rub that in a little yes. Because in truth? It bothers him. ]
[ Caligi slows her stroll to end up next to him at his words and then she raises her brow and shrugs. It's not fully what she feels, she thinks, but it's close. And she realizes then that he's doing what she had before with hiding his own feelings on the matter behind sarcasm and jabs because her words make him uncomfortable.
There are three choices in front of her, she could take the bait and let him think she hasn't seen a crack in his mask or she could point it out and possibly lose another little glimpse at what actually bothers her so much about him. Or she could just tell him the truth, that she thinks he might be right. That one stuck out as the most dangerous to her.
She's not one to take the smart option often, really. So she tries to catch his eyes with hers and really hold his gaze while she says her next words. ]
You might be right, actually. I want to like you for some unfathomable reason but, you make me angry in a way that just makes me exhausted instead of thrilled. I just want to scream shut up a lot. I think I pity you, too. More now than before, really.
[ She speeds up her steps again, rubbing her hand through the hair at the back of her head and doesn't look back. She expects him to disappear, honestly. She certainly would try to. ]
But mostly I don't want to fight you because I don't think you want to fight me.
[ He's not sure what she's doing, slowing her pace to walk beside him. Emet-Selch looks over and down, masking his curiosity with a brow raise of disdain. As if to say "how dare you think you're good enough to walk alongside me?"
Before he can ask after the girl, she speaks. It's horribly honest, for her. Emet-Selch doesn't think that he's heard Cal ever really be vulnerable like that. She has him nearly speechless until, well. The girl dares to say she pities him. ]
You. Pity me. [ Offended. Hades is offended that someone who has such a pointless existence would think to feel sorry for him. ] I, who have known what true purpose is while you write around blindly to make ends meet?
Eh fuck it I'm not logging out into Cal just for this tag, straight to Zenos I go
[ Oh. He got angry instead. That really just tells her she's not wrong on how alike they may actually be after all. She doesn't stop walking, but she does turn around to walk backwards to at least face him while she talks. ]
Yes. The inferior ant pities the giant with the bountiful resources at his disposal. [ It's not meant to be mocking, it's just her acknowledging that he does know far more than she does. He likely always will. Will that stop her from feeling sorry for him? No. ] Why does it bother you that I feel sorry for you? Why does that make you angry of all things?
[ She tilts her head at him and only breaks her gaze to glance over her shoulder to make sure nothing is still in their way, before returning her red eyes back to him. She must be a sight, openly allowing herself to look exhausted and passive to a man who truly does make her want to tear her hair out by the fistful whenever they usually interact and calmly, eerily so, asking him why he's getting upset by the idea of someone, who he finds beneath him, pitying him.
Usually she'd be the one getting furious and it is bizarre not to be, but the more she thinks she understands about him and what sort of mask he wears, the more she's finding herself growing concerned of the similiar ways they react to things. ]
[ Why does it bother him? Why does it make him angry? It shouldn't. What these incomplete persons feel shouldn't matter to him. Their thoughts. Their opinions. Those shouldn't have any meaning to someone like him. There's simply no reason for it and that, within itself, is frustrating. How dare she...
How dare she. ]
You've not the right to look down upon me. None of you have an inkling of what has been lost. The enormity of it all.
[ Perhaps that is it. The fact that they don't know anything. That Cal, this girl, Her pawn in all of this... Knows nothing. Can't remember anything. It's infuriating that someone should look down on him.
Is that how she looks to other people? Is that how she looked after her first loss to Zenos, fuming and spitting fury at something that really was out of her control at the time?
Her shoulders sag and she stops her backwards stride to just stand before him. ]
Just because I pity you doesn't mean I automatically look down on you.
[ There is no small irony lost on her in the fact that she has to tell him this. ]
You're right though, you are better than me, but you must be so lonely and I'm sorry for that. I can pity you and acknowledge you're my better, Emet-Selch, they're not mutually exclusive.
I'm just starting to see the similarities between us and if I'm tearing myself apart over the what-ifs of my actions for one. I can only imagine that, you, who seems so concerned with the bigger picture, must be barely holding on at the seams.
[ She looks pained by the time she finished, because she's just making guesses and saying the things that come to her naturally. There's nothing calculated or measured. Just mild sorrow for him and she still doesn't fully understand why. ]
[ In truth, Hades is about to spit more venom. About to damn this truce and storm away, leaving this girl to wonder whether or not he is truly going to uphold it after all. But then she has the audacity to stand there and tell him that she agrees on some points. He is better. He is her better.
That they are similarities between them. She's actually thinking about him and trying to understand him personally. When had he allowed her to see that? When had she started to get so damn perceptive? Where had the great Emet-Selch miscalculated that this child could get under his skin and see into things that are better left alone? Better left unspoken. ]
You... You know nothing about me.
[ It's said with anger that he can't contain. Because he's torn, he really is. There had been something about this creature that he had just... Been holding out for. Holding onto. He doesn't know what it is, only that he remembers the sensation because Hades had felt it before while holding -
No. No he's not going back there. Not allowing for those sort of emotions to take root in his heart again. He'll only be disappointed. Emet-Selch always is. ]
Though if there is one thing that you are correct about it is that we may not be so different in our actions. In what we are willing to do.
[ His anger grows and she almost wants to hug him. It was never going to happen, but she can't deny the urge was there. She wanted to comfort him, but she knows from experience - from being the angry one, that comfort isn't the right thing in situations like this. Not when he clearly wants another reason to lash out because she thinks she understands him a little better. ]
Why are you so furious with me? Are you mad because I told you what I see from you've shown me? Is it because you're right, I don't know you, but I still see something to relate to in you?
[ Those are all such stupid questions to ask, but she is genuinely curious. In for a gil, she supposed. She stays calm in his storm of anger and there's honestly something familiar about it. Like most things about him. Familiar, but terribly wrong.
She's so tired and honestly, she wonders if she should make him angry enough to spit words he likely doesn't mean and leave or if she should just stop bothering poking at cracks to see what really lays behind that mask she hates and just let him calm down so they can walk the rest of the way to the city in silence.
Or she could ask him the question that just hit her. It was absolutely the stupidest question yet that she's had for him. And she thinks she'll need to pray to Rhalgr that he does not come at her swinging for it. ]
Are you angry because you want to like me for some unfathomable reason?
[ She tries to look apologetic that she has to even ask this of him.
Though, she admittedly finds some comfort in the fact that she's gotten under his skin with her honesty, very satisfying. That she knows enough to at least see the cracks and let him be the one wanting to throw a fit. When she has slept, this will be her sole comfort that came from this whole exchange - she will do them both a favor and pretend that it never happened.
That she wasn't vulnerable and open, that she didn't blatantly tell him that she can see the similarities between them and that he is better than her. That she thinks she wants to like him even though he makes her want to punch him in the face any time he opens his stupidly smug mouth. That she pities him.
There are a great many things about this whole exchange Caligi will pretend never happened and she hopes he follows her lead should he feel gracious enough after her questions she's put him through.
Caligi feels awkward standing there, just watching him fume and maybe -- maybe it might be better if she didn't get those questions answered. For both of them, in the long run. She pinches her brows together and barely nods to herself. ]
Actually, don't answer any of those. I don't want to know any more. [ Liar. ] I overstepped, you're absolutely right. I don't know you and don't have the right to ask you these things. I'm not going to apologize, empty apologies are worth nothing, but you don't owe me any answer in any case.
[ She turns around, but does not start walking just yet. There's a piece of her that wonders if he's going to react to her stopping her questioning with more anger. There's a piece of her that would be furious with being denied the chance to tell the other party how wrong they were - even if they weren't, but this is one time where she hopes they do manage to differ on things like that. ]
[ It does feel awfully familiar, the way the girl seems to know just what pieces to pick at. There are hints. Clues as to why that is. Hades chooses to ignore them. Claim ignorance even if it is horribly plain to see. Perhaps that is why it gets under his skin so. Why it makes him angry and ache. There is that void within him that has been eating at him from the inside out for too long. Bereft of the companionship that he had in the days where he had been considered young or in his prime.
She would have done things like this. Then they would have argued and Hythlodaeus would have -
Would have but no longer can because of Her. Venat. Hydaelyn. The longer She plays this game and sends champions, the longer it will take to have what he has lost returned to him. It's upsetting, truly. Vexing, absolutely. No apologies offered can soothe that loss nor that ache. He would love to lash out and put it out there as plain as day, but he doesn't. No, it isn't the time. None of them remember so it wouldn't have any meaning.
But that, maybe, is what he keeps hoping for. That a sliver of those that he once loved could remain in that which is present in the now. A false hope that keeps beating him down.
He bites his tongue. Doesn't speak. Nothing productive or helpful would come out of it at the moment. So instead he stands. He won't disappear, but he's likely not going to follow any longer. Just allow the girl to walk of and he can stand there, ruminating and boiling in his thoughts and emotions. ]
[ There is one thing she thinks she needs to say before she begins walking away from this mess. So with her back straight and voice painfully open with grief she doesn't fully understand, she says: ]
Thank you for listening and I do hope you enjoy your cookie, whatever to choose to with it in the end. I made it myself. But... Be kinder to yourself, Emet-Selch. Shutting people out is easier, but not worth it in the end. I should know at least that much.
[ That's it, isn't it? That's all she really thinks she had left to say to him for now. She begins to walk away from him, careful steps and they become more confident when she feels exactly that in her own last words to him for the moment.
It's not a satisfying ending for her, but she didn't think there would be one when faced with him in the first place. She does -- she thinks she does, at least -- understand him a little better. Though how much of it she will think about later, well, that would depend on how much time she has to herself after it. ]
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Honestly, she isn't sure what she thought anymore, but it was something about the way he sounded so sincere before in hoping she would pull off another feat worthy of the title she actually rather hated being called, Warrior of Light. She clenches her jaw and then just sighs and once again shakes her head at him, though there is no laughter that follows.
They're not friends, not comrades and she shouldn't be so forthcoming with him. She needed to remember that, that there is no reason for her to try and seek something from him that he doesn't have. She doesn't even know why she even bothered to invite him to walk with her at this point, beyond not wanting to be alone with her thoughts. ]
If 'flapping my jaw' is so tiring, I can't imagine how much sleep you need at this point. You talk far more than I do on average and still manage to look like you've only gotten an hour of rest every time we meet. [ The words lack any real bite to them, they only sound sharp. Just a blunt force used to smack uselessly against a rock that seemed to want to move, but only when it wanted remain directly in front of her goals and hinder her progress.
The second cookie is finished in silence, though not out of spite for once. Just her being caught up in the idea that she really and truly was not looking forward to the twelve hour sleep she had waiting for her when she managed to get somewhere she felt would suffice enough to work without having to go back to the Crystallarium.
The world spins in her vision and she does stop walking, forcing her to bring her hand to her face and rub at her eyes hard enough to see white spots behind her lids. ]
I need to sit for a while. [ And that does actually annoy her, because she knows that she can keep going she just hates that in order to do that without risking a fall she needs to sit down and wait for the world to stop spinning. After pulling her hand away from her face, she finds a semi-flat surface and sits down to wait for her eyes to right themselves.
A hell of her own doing and she expects the headache to come following after rather soon. ] You're free to leave if you want, I will likely be making many stops to sit. If you're going to stay for some reason, do you want another cookie for your trouble?
no subject
Yes, there is the other part to this. The back-up plan that is really the only true plan in all of this.
And yet, in his mind, his sincerity had been met with a rather sarcastic commentary in return. Unneeded, really. Had he given a truly smart remark in the first place then perhaps it would have been warranted. There are other reasons too, of course, and he doesn't want to think on them. So he doesn't. ]
You forget that I was asleep. Blissfully so, before you and your Scions decided to become so problematic that Elidibus had to cut it short. I had earned my rest and you lot have taken it from me. So if you wish to blame someone for my irritable countenance, then look no further than to yourselves.
[ Not that he's going anywhere even as the girl sits. Oh he could. Hades is tempted to pretend to leave. It would serve the child right, continuously poking at things that are beyond her ken.
Instead he waves his hand in a dismissive manner as she talks about sitting and then about the probability of her needing to maintain a pace like this one. ]
Perish the thought. Should I abandon you now, I'd never hear the end of it from your Exarch.
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You will be waiting an eternity for an apology from me, Emet-Selch, because I'm not the one who woke you up. Do not blame me for your mood and lack of sleep, because your current status of being awake is due to your friend's failure to account for resistance from others. Blame them for not being smarter, not me or my own for trying to stop our world from being destroyed.
[ Caligi sighs again, once again forcing herself to calm down because that was enough to make her raise her voice despite her attempts to stay steady.
When she's able to relax again, the Au Ra begins to dig through her pack to pull out what she believes to be her last cookie and holds it out to him. It's not a peace offering, not in the least, he just simply didn't decline the offer she made originally. ]
Suit yourself. But I had no intention of telling anyone that I had to be saved by you. My pride has suffered enough today.
[ The red head watched him and chooses to turn the cookie into a peace offering in the end after all. ]
I'm not good with vulnerable emotions. If I offended you with my jab about Zenos, I will apologize for that. I was uncomfortable and resort to picking on people to avoid more of them. You telling me the truth about my odds did in fact help and I do appreciate that. Now take the fucking cookie.
no subject
[ Caligi can raise her voice at him all she wants. Emet-Selch is much better at getting under her skin than vice versa. Right now he merely stands where he is, arms crossed over his chest as he continues to watch her. He has little idea of what she is actually doing. Perhaps just looking for something to keep her busy and focused on something that isn't him?
It would hardly be surprising wouldn't it? He refuses to roll his eyes. ]
Again, you speak as though your precious Exarch is not watching whenever he can spare a moment. In fact I wouldn't even be surprised if he is privy to this conversation.
[ But then the girl does surprise him. The apology doesn't matter. He hadn't been offended at all. Who cares about the opinion of one so below you after all? Yet Caligi talks about vulnerability. This is more valuable to Hades. ]
I already had one of those things. It wasn't that impressive. [ Well now he's just being difficult on purpose. ] Your words have been noted all the same.
no subject
At the end of his comment about her words being taken in, she hurls the cookie towards his head and starts laughing at his show of being difficult. It's not a malicious throw in the least, more one that someone would throw at a person whom just said something groan-worthy. She shakes her head and it takes a few seconds for her to stop laughing. ]
The cookie's still yours. You don't need to eat it now. It'll keep for a few days and it's the last one any ways. If you don't want it, give it away.
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Why would I give away a gift bestowed upon me by the esteemed Warrior of Darkness? T'would be rude.
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Ah, keep your mocking flattery for someone who doesn't see it for what it is, Emet-Selch. [ It's said with mainly amusement, but as she pulled her hand away from her face to give him a long look. ] I will, however, admit that you can keep gaining favor by calling me the Warrior of Darkness.
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[ Though he does send the cookie away through a rift. It's not like he's going to keep it on his person. However it does mean that Emet-Selch isn't quite throwing it away either. More than likely it will be held until he decides to actually eat it. Or throw it away. But it will not be in a place where she'll see what he does with it. ]
Are you rested enough to keep going, since you're becoming rather sassy...
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[ But she does nod and begin standing up. She counts her blessings in that she did not wobble and that her vision has steadied. She does cast another Aspected Benefic on herself, however, just to take care of anything remaining from her close call now that she could feel she wasn't completely running on empty. ]
I can return to biting your head off, if you prefer? No skin off my teeth to return to being hostile instead of trying to play nice.
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[ Just pointing that out! But if she is to stand and walk, then he will follow. There's hardly a point in doing nothing but standing around. He'll at least see that she gets back to her companions. Or at least to the edge of town. ]
This is you "trying to play nice" as you put it?
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[ At least she's aware that her attempts to tell him to stop watching her are going to lead no where and mostly for show. There's no comfort in it, but at this point fighting it with actual teeth isn't going to do anything but take her attention from important matters.
She will start walking again and leading them on their way. A small part of her finds it kind of funny that Emet-Selch is walking her back to civilization and after she sleeps, she'll probably find it less funny that she had garnered herself a babysitter. ]
Blame it on the lack of sleep, but I am, in fact, making an attempt to at least try and behave nicely after earlier jabs and my own hostility.
I think you may respond better when I don't have as many defenses up and I don't actually want to fight you, despite what you may think. You also implied that you're likely just as tired as I am and that's just sad.
[ At least she thinks so. That brief moment of surprise had her considering that his original suggestion of being nicer to him may be more fruitful in the long run and a more petty side of her hoped it annoyed him. ]
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[ But he can't say anything about the Exarch. Hades has no clue whether or not the other is actually watching at every waking moment. He probably is, or nearly all the time. The Crystal Tower has the means to and if it has been dialed into Cal's specific signature? Well.
Once the girl starts to walk, Emet-Selch follows after. His pace is more of a stroll and, in truth, he will likely disappear the moment she steps foot into town. Hades is not about to suffer the presence of other mortals. ]
Wouldn't you be tired after dancing to the same tune and script for twelve thousand years? The hero and the villain, locked in eternal battle. Ever are they to defend their respective sides, Light versus the Darkness. It's all so very dull after a time.
[ Maybe it's not a bad idea. But Hades will still be suspicious. He believes she will be too. ]
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I'll tell you something few know, just to make things very interesting. If Lahabrea had come to me before the Scions did, I would have easily been swayed to his side. I enjoy the chaos of things. Order is boring, it has its uses, sure, but I don't find myself drawn to it naturally. So, yes. I do in fact see where you'd be tired of the push and pull between the two forces.
[ She shrugs, because while true and she has to regrets on feeling that way, it's still a risky thing to admit and honestly, it is better than her trying to correct him on her opinions on light and dark being the epitome of good and evil. ]
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[ It is interesting to note that she would have just as readily come to Zodiark rather than Her, depending upon who had approached the girl first. What he doesn't much care for, is the fact that Cal would think that they are all about chaos.
They aren't. Far from it. Even the chaos that they create is scripted. Artificial. Created and crafted to serve a purpose. It is a game of chest kept in strategic stalemate until it isn't needed to be. ]
Lahabrea would never have thought to. Quite the arrogant one, that man.
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[ That would be where he would be wrong. She didn't think they were just chaotic forces, she would have just enjoyed the chaos that would have ensued from her actions. Lived in it and enjoyed every moment, done everything she could to fix it when she realized the mistake she made, however and that would have been a whole new brand of chaos for her to navigate.
But yes, her opinion on good and evil is more closer aligned with order and chaos than simply just darkness and light, as she happily stayed in the dark and didn't think she was particularly evil. But she's also not sure if Emet-Selch could even hold the title of evil despite the things he's done. ]
I'll admit, there are moments where you make me miss dealing with him. You are infuriating, to the point where I would rather not fight you. And I don't know what that means yet.
Would've been interesting if he tried, though, but I'm not known for making good or safe decisions if left alone.
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I see. You actually like me, whereas you had no such emotions towards Lahabrea. Therefore it was much easier on your little heart to deal with him in the manner your friends would like to deal with me.
[ Is he going to rub that in a little yes. Because in truth? It bothers him. ]
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There are three choices in front of her, she could take the bait and let him think she hasn't seen a crack in his mask or she could point it out and possibly lose another little glimpse at what actually bothers her so much about him. Or she could just tell him the truth, that she thinks he might be right. That one stuck out as the most dangerous to her.
She's not one to take the smart option often, really. So she tries to catch his eyes with hers and really hold his gaze while she says her next words. ]
You might be right, actually. I want to like you for some unfathomable reason but, you make me angry in a way that just makes me exhausted instead of thrilled. I just want to scream shut up a lot. I think I pity you, too. More now than before, really.
[ She speeds up her steps again, rubbing her hand through the hair at the back of her head and doesn't look back. She expects him to disappear, honestly. She certainly would try to. ]
But mostly I don't want to fight you because I don't think you want to fight me.
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Before he can ask after the girl, she speaks. It's horribly honest, for her. Emet-Selch doesn't think that he's heard Cal ever really be vulnerable like that. She has him nearly speechless until, well. The girl dares to say she pities him. ]
You. Pity me. [ Offended. Hades is offended that someone who has such a pointless existence would think to feel sorry for him. ] I, who have known what true purpose is while you write around blindly to make ends meet?
Eh fuck it I'm not logging out into Cal just for this tag, straight to Zenos I go
Yes. The inferior ant pities the giant with the bountiful resources at his disposal. [ It's not meant to be mocking, it's just her acknowledging that he does know far more than she does. He likely always will. Will that stop her from feeling sorry for him? No. ] Why does it bother you that I feel sorry for you? Why does that make you angry of all things?
[ She tilts her head at him and only breaks her gaze to glance over her shoulder to make sure nothing is still in their way, before returning her red eyes back to him. She must be a sight, openly allowing herself to look exhausted and passive to a man who truly does make her want to tear her hair out by the fistful whenever they usually interact and calmly, eerily so, asking him why he's getting upset by the idea of someone, who he finds beneath him, pitying him.
Usually she'd be the one getting furious and it is bizarre not to be, but the more she thinks she understands about him and what sort of mask he wears, the more she's finding herself growing concerned of the similiar ways they react to things. ]
lmfao i'm just slowly getting around
How dare she. ]
You've not the right to look down upon me. None of you have an inkling of what has been lost. The enormity of it all.
[ Perhaps that is it. The fact that they don't know anything. That Cal, this girl, Her pawn in all of this... Knows nothing. Can't remember anything. It's infuriating that someone should look down on him.
Mock him. ]
Same man same
Is that how she looks to other people? Is that how she looked after her first loss to Zenos, fuming and spitting fury at something that really was out of her control at the time?
Her shoulders sag and she stops her backwards stride to just stand before him. ]
Just because I pity you doesn't mean I automatically look down on you.
[ There is no small irony lost on her in the fact that she has to tell him this. ]
You're right though, you are better than me, but you must be so lonely and I'm sorry for that. I can pity you and acknowledge you're my better, Emet-Selch, they're not mutually exclusive.
I'm just starting to see the similarities between us and if I'm tearing myself apart over the what-ifs of my actions for one. I can only imagine that, you, who seems so concerned with the bigger picture, must be barely holding on at the seams.
[ She looks pained by the time she finished, because she's just making guesses and saying the things that come to her naturally. There's nothing calculated or measured. Just mild sorrow for him and she still doesn't fully understand why. ]
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That they are similarities between them. She's actually thinking about him and trying to understand him personally. When had he allowed her to see that? When had she started to get so damn perceptive? Where had the great Emet-Selch miscalculated that this child could get under his skin and see into things that are better left alone? Better left unspoken. ]
You... You know nothing about me.
[ It's said with anger that he can't contain. Because he's torn, he really is. There had been something about this creature that he had just... Been holding out for. Holding onto. He doesn't know what it is, only that he remembers the sensation because Hades had felt it before while holding -
No. No he's not going back there. Not allowing for those sort of emotions to take root in his heart again. He'll only be disappointed. Emet-Selch always is. ]
Though if there is one thing that you are correct about it is that we may not be so different in our actions. In what we are willing to do.
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Why are you so furious with me? Are you mad because I told you what I see from you've shown me? Is it because you're right, I don't know you, but I still see something to relate to in you?
[ Those are all such stupid questions to ask, but she is genuinely curious. In for a gil, she supposed. She stays calm in his storm of anger and there's honestly something familiar about it. Like most things about him. Familiar, but terribly wrong.
She's so tired and honestly, she wonders if she should make him angry enough to spit words he likely doesn't mean and leave or if she should just stop bothering poking at cracks to see what really lays behind that mask she hates and just let him calm down so they can walk the rest of the way to the city in silence.
Or she could ask him the question that just hit her. It was absolutely the stupidest question yet that she's had for him. And she thinks she'll need to pray to Rhalgr that he does not come at her swinging for it. ]
Are you angry because you want to like me for some unfathomable reason?
[ She tries to look apologetic that she has to even ask this of him.
Though, she admittedly finds some comfort in the fact that she's gotten under his skin with her honesty, very satisfying. That she knows enough to at least see the cracks and let him be the one wanting to throw a fit. When she has slept, this will be her sole comfort that came from this whole exchange - she will do them both a favor and pretend that it never happened.
That she wasn't vulnerable and open, that she didn't blatantly tell him that she can see the similarities between them and that he is better than her. That she thinks she wants to like him even though he makes her want to punch him in the face any time he opens his stupidly smug mouth. That she pities him.
There are a great many things about this whole exchange Caligi will pretend never happened and she hopes he follows her lead should he feel gracious enough after her questions she's put him through.
Caligi feels awkward standing there, just watching him fume and maybe -- maybe it might be better if she didn't get those questions answered. For both of them, in the long run. She pinches her brows together and barely nods to herself. ]
Actually, don't answer any of those. I don't want to know any more. [ Liar. ] I overstepped, you're absolutely right. I don't know you and don't have the right to ask you these things. I'm not going to apologize, empty apologies are worth nothing, but you don't owe me any answer in any case.
[ She turns around, but does not start walking just yet. There's a piece of her that wonders if he's going to react to her stopping her questioning with more anger. There's a piece of her that would be furious with being denied the chance to tell the other party how wrong they were - even if they weren't, but this is one time where she hopes they do manage to differ on things like that. ]
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She would have done things like this. Then they would have argued and Hythlodaeus would have -
Would have but no longer can because of Her. Venat. Hydaelyn. The longer She plays this game and sends champions, the longer it will take to have what he has lost returned to him. It's upsetting, truly. Vexing, absolutely. No apologies offered can soothe that loss nor that ache. He would love to lash out and put it out there as plain as day, but he doesn't. No, it isn't the time. None of them remember so it wouldn't have any meaning.
But that, maybe, is what he keeps hoping for. That a sliver of those that he once loved could remain in that which is present in the now. A false hope that keeps beating him down.
He bites his tongue. Doesn't speak. Nothing productive or helpful would come out of it at the moment. So instead he stands. He won't disappear, but he's likely not going to follow any longer. Just allow the girl to walk of and he can stand there, ruminating and boiling in his thoughts and emotions. ]
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Thank you for listening and I do hope you enjoy your cookie, whatever to choose to with it in the end. I made it myself. But... Be kinder to yourself, Emet-Selch. Shutting people out is easier, but not worth it in the end. I should know at least that much.
[ That's it, isn't it? That's all she really thinks she had left to say to him for now. She begins to walk away from him, careful steps and they become more confident when she feels exactly that in her own last words to him for the moment.
It's not a satisfying ending for her, but she didn't think there would be one when faced with him in the first place. She does -- she thinks she does, at least -- understand him a little better. Though how much of it she will think about later, well, that would depend on how much time she has to herself after it. ]