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[snapping]

@emet-selch

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[flawful]

What do you mean?

[snapping]

[ Emet-Selch is appalled enough to switch over to voice. You're welcome, Hermes. ]

What you mean what do I mean? That sliver of a man is friends with the shard of Azem I told you about [ during a very private and vulnerable moment mind you!! ]. I spent a significant amount of time around him and I watched as he foiled my plans to give Elidibus the peace he deserved as well!

[ G'raha may have verbally promised to try and fix that but still. ]

He looks small and insignificant, yes, but he is not to be underestimated. Or coddled, Hermes!

[flawful]

_{[Okay so he's definitely not expecting Emet-Selch to just switch to voice, let alone go on a scathing rant about his new Submissive. The information is a lot to digest and frankly he's not sure what to do with it either. G'raha had been friends with the man who had left that scar on Emet-Selch's chest? He'd foiled his plans with regards to Elidibus? He shouldn't underestimate him?]}

...I do not know what to say.

_{[He sounds forlorn, if anything.]}

[snapping]

[ Emet-Selch takes a moment, realizing perhaps he has come on too strong for their dear, sensitive Hermes. Still, he wants him to take this seriously. G'raha simply cannot be underestimated, and he would have to work to make Emet-Selch even consider trusting him, Elidibus promises aside. He also must speak to the miqo'te about certain things he cannot reveal to Hermes.

But all that aside, perhaps having the Exarch close by is not such a terrible idea after all.

He is not sorry about what he said about the man but he will approach things a little differently. ]

You did not know. You do, now. Go forward with this knowledge and do not lose sight of it, Hermes.

I will not tell you to dissolve your contract, or even not to be friends with him. After all, I attempted to befriend them all myself.

[ It just didn't end the way he wanted. But more stories for other days. ]

[flawful]

_{[Coming on strong is one way of putting it. It's simply not something Hermes expected to hear, let alone have to process. What now? G'raha had been nothing but kind to him, a kindred spirit if you will. He doesn't want to dissolve the contract - that would be of no use to him. If anything, it would be detrimental to them both.]}

...I fear there is much I do not know, so much so I feel lost in the dark at times. Both Hythlodaeus and yourself are from so far in the future I can scarcely imagine how much you've experienced and how many tales you've to tell.

_{[Which makes him feel distant when he thinks about it. He's missing things and he knows he's missing things. Would knowing more really help him though?]}

[snapping]

[ It would not help him as far as Emet-Selch is concerned. It would surely, definitely make everything worse. Hermes was not the type who could cope with knowing his role in the end. ]

Perhaps not. That makes you no less than us though, and no less capable of being vigilant.

[ He doesn't bother trying to hide his big dramatic sigh ]

He told me he would do all in his power to free Elidibus, should we return home. That he would suggest such a courtesy tells me there are things I do not know as well.

[flawful]

...I promised that I would keep him safe and do what I could within my power to provide for him. I intend to keep my word.

_{[If there was one thing Hermes could be counted on it was to keep his word, for better or worse.]}

Talk of future events...admittedly it confuses me a great deal. I do not wish to think badly of G'raha but I will keep in mind there is more to him than what I know. Still, he is now my responsibility...and I intend to carry it out.

[snapping]

As I said, I will not try and make you do otherwise. There is much I would like to know about him as well yet.

[ Hmph. All he's asking is that G'raha not sweet talk Hermes into betraying them all. Again. ]

Simply remember. That is all I ask.

[flawful]

I will remember. I respect your word, Emet-Selch.

_{[Which is the truth, despite how depressed he sounds.]}

I just want to be of use to someone when it comes to being contracted.

[snapping]

Thank you, Hermes.

[ Look he takes no pleasure in making Hermes sad, he hopes that he realizes this. ]

Of course. I'm sure he is grateful.

[flawful]

_{[He wouldn't think Emet does but y'know, it's just how he is.]}

He is. He's quite kind and thoughtful. I will admit it was an impulsive offer on my part to contract but I do believe it will benefit both of us.

[snapping]

[ Emet-Selch is rolling his eyes, but Hermes doesn't need to know that. ]

I hope he remains that way with you.

[ Though that last comment interests him. ]

Ah yes, you were feeling rather bold recently weren't you?

[flawful]

_{[There's a groan from Hermes. If Emet-Selch could see him his head would be in his hands.]}

Far too bold. I cannot believe how I was acting. I am deeply embarrassed just thinking about it.

_{[Perhaps the worst part is he can't remember most of it, thanks to getting blackout drunk with Hythlodaeus so many times...]}

[snapping]

Oh, I don't know, it wasn't so bad.

[ He thinks Hermes could stand to be bold more often, tbh. But not in a "I am going to fight you because you want to take Meteion away" sort of way. ]

Not the parts with me in them, anyway.

[flawful]

Oh no I wouldn't...I would never imply being with you was bad.

_{[Cause it wasn't. Not at all. Quite the opposite really.]}

On the contrary it was quite exciting...

[snapping]

Of course not.

[ He waves a hand dismissively, not that Hermes can see it. ]

But yes. It was... far more exciting than this talk of that miqo'te.

[flawful]

I would never dare compare the two.

_{[Look he's not suicidal (yet).]}

I really need this contract to work, Emet-Selch. What if he decides I am unpleasant to be around and leaves? I will be without anyone once more.

[snapping]

I suppose you wouldn't.

[ Yet...

Emet-Selch sighs a little. ]

Hermes, calm down. I am confident you will be fine. The only thing unpleasant about you is your fiercely insistent lack of self-esteem. [ And how you broke all the rules and triggered the final days ]

Besides, I have seen how he is with the company he keeps. He values friendship highly. To a rather stupid degree, in fact. I think he will be attached to you in no time.

[flawful]

I know I do not think very highly of myself...

_{[At least he's self aware it's just something he doesn't know how to change.]}

That is reassuring to hear...I have never been good at making friends but he seems abundantly friendly.

[snapping]

Indeed. That, mixed with your stubbornness, is a formidable combination.

[ He's just stating facts, but is glad Hermes isn't denying it. ]

You apparently liked one another enough to agree to a contract. Far easier than it was for me to find my way into their circle, really.

[ He forced his way in there, in the end. poor sports, they are... ]

[flawful]

Stubbornness?

_{[Is he really that stubborn? If he stops and thinks about it perhaps he is...]}

If I had not been affected I would never have been impulsive enough to ask him...but it is in both of our best interests to help one another.

[snapping]

Oh yes.

[ There will be no debating this fact! ]

As I said, I have every confidence in you, Hermes. More than you have in yourself.

[flawful]

I am touched that you have such faith in me, Emet-Selch.

[snapping]

You are worthy of the seat of Fandaniel. My faith is hardly unfounded.

[flawful]

_{[Ah. He pauses, falling silent on the other end.]}

...It is an honour, no doubt. _{[One that ultimately doesn't matter anymore and yet...]} May I be honest with you?