middaeg | [Open] Come In From The Cold...

Who: House Darkness Residents and OPEN
When: All of February
Where: House Darkness in the Haven
What: It's an open log!
Warnings: Shadowbringers Spoilers in some threads possible, possible talk of the Snatched Event

[If anyone knows the residents of the house, it might seem strange that such a group have selected a cozy abode for their home in the city. However, it is not to be said that they are unwelcoming (depending on who) and usually when someone comes to visit, there's always a warm cup of tea ready for them...and maybe some food to go along with it. Feels like a crime if someone doesn't get fed. And despite the hardships of the previous month, the house does welcome guests for any particular reasons whether a visit for the soul, a chat to catch up on events, or even maybe go a few rounds with the poor striking dummy in the backyard.

When you live with sword users and have stress, it gets used, ok?

It might be chilly outside but strange enough, the house itself is pretty warm. Just mind the gaelkitten and Flood running around from time to time.]

((OOC: Feel free to make a top level if you wish! Open to all!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[As far as Emet-Selch was concerned, Rose had always been a friend. Not one that he necessarily liked, but he didn't view that as a requirement. But she was also, possibly, something of an ally now as well.

If he couldn't manage in this world on his own after all- having a small group of people worth looking after, and who would look after him in turn- it wasn't a terrible thing. Only inexplicable.]

Rest assured I have been staying put. This is the first I've been outside in some time.

[And despite the discomfort, it wasn't bad. The tiniest change in pace.]

And I can well understand the impulse. Misery is best shared, after all. [Though he doesn't seem to mean it unkindly, as he adds--] Perhaps next time you can even rouse me by something other than causing a clamor in the backyard.

[That is to say: please continue to visit him, Rose.]

[Having a small group of people worth looking after is how Rose has managed her life until now. It’s the only reason she bothered to slay primals, or dragons, or lightwardens. The fact that Emet has now been added to that group hasn’t fully registered with Rose yet, but she’s trying.]

[She looks at Emet. He’s certainly looking better than he was, that’s for certain.]

Fine, but don’t push it. I’ve lost all access to my healing magic here. I can’t help you if you strain yourself.

[Which kills her. Not that she can’t heal Emet Selch specifically, but that she can’t heal at all.]

Oh? You’re inviting me back to your home?

[That catches her off-guard.]

[It would always be a complicated thing. Emet-Selch wasn't sure if he'd ever really be able to reconcile it.]

I'll be on my best behavior.

[Though he could sympathize with feeling the lack of one's true abilities. He was stuck with this host, and whatever happened to it.]

And why not? I'm sure Mira and Irhya won't mind. [No need to mention Vanitas.]

[Who’s Vanitas? Rose is going to pretend not to know.]

[She turns around and takes another look at Emet Selch. His injuries are healing, and while there is some lasting damage, there’s nothing life-threatening.]

[Which makes the next question that much more important.]

Are you feeling alright? You seem oddly compliant.

And you seem oddly concerned.

[He has to turn back at her.]

You'll find me quite congenial if the mood strikes me. I'd appreciate it, if I were you.

[Since it didn't often happen. And even when it did, that could change very quickly. A stray thought, a stray word... though in that case, it was that much more remarkable that he could maintain some degree of politeness in Rose's presence.

Then again, she hadn't been provoking him either.]

Given the circumstances, it would be stranger if I wasn’t concerned.

[She may be a bitch, but she’s not a complete monster.]

I do. At least, I prefer this Emet Selch to the one I met back home.

[None if it is a lie, either. At someone point, Rose began to find Emet Selch endearing, and she’s still conflicted about it. He’s had plenty of chances to screw her over here, but he didn’t take any of them.]

You’ve earned my trust.

[He'd want to argue that of course it wouldn't be strange if she weren't concerned; what reason did any Warrior of Light have to be concerned for him, after everything? If it were someone else, he would've assumed it a polite lie.

But Rose didn't seem the sort of person to bother with pretending things like this. If she said she trusted him, then... she presumably did.

He's quiet for a few moments, mulling it all over. In the end, he can only think of one thing to say.]

You can use my name, you know.

[Were Emet to voice any of those concerns aloud, Rose would confirm his suspicions. Rose's hatred of both politeness and lying are very well known; she's the last person that would engage in any sort of polite lie, especially to an Ascian, of all people.]

[She's a bit taken aback herself. She thinks she knows what name he's referring to, but it's not a gamble she's going to take.]

[Is this...are they friends?]

Oh? And which name is that?

The only one I'd claim as mine.

[Though he would've always accepted her using it, the Ascian wouldn't have necessarily approved of it. He'd disliked Rose too much for that, for all that she was still important.

He was sure they'd continue to annoy one another, but- had it really taken being tortured to achieve some measure of understanding and civility?]

Hades. Emet-Selch is a title, and one I never particularly wanted. Unless you'd prefer to stay so formal.

Hades. It's certainly easier to say, I'll give you that.

[Not that she hasn't known it all along. Or perhaps she just forgot it during one of Emet--Hades' long speeches.]

A title you never wanted. I can certainly relate to that.

[He'd be very offended if she'd forgotten it. It's important to him, so clearly it is just as important to everyone else.]

I thought you might. And yet duty propels us to accept what others would call us regardless of our own preference.

[Rose shrugs. For better or worse, he understands, and she isn’t sure how to feel about it.]

I don’t even think it would matter if we didn’t</> accept it. People would still use the title regardless. I spent several years telling people not to call me a hero, and look at how much good it did me.

Someone has to take the responsibility in the end, and who else can we trust?

[Between this and dubious coworkers, how much else will they end up having in common?]

And as your actions became ever more heroic, so too did the title stick. I at least had some choice to mine, but you- no, the more you did, the worse it became, I assume.

...Not that it means anything here.

Not most of the people I've met, that's for certain.

[There were a select few among the Scions she would trust with her life, and a select few in Ishgard she would readily place her confidence in. Aside from that small group, it's very hard for Rose to imagine anybody she can truly trust, especially when it comes to the safety of those she cares about.]

I can't speak for the others, but I'm grateful it doesn't. The last thing I need is another city worshiping me, or trying to make me their leader.

[Open] Come In From The Cold...

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