[ you mean essek doesn't want to be stuck in a love hotel room with wriothesley? 🥺
that's an interesting word choice though. 'once'. he's silent for a moment, mulling over what he's been told. the image of essek stonefaced and covered in blood isn't one he would have envisioned, but how many people actually go around acting exactly the same both outside and inside? ]
You mentioned you were on a journey before this. Did something happen between your previous duties and that?
[This isn't sarcastic or rude, but curious. He shakes his head gently.]
I had to leave the Dynasty and go into hiding. I had done something unforgivable in their eyes: I stole some things which are revered and sacred to Xhorhas and gave them to a collective of mages so they could be studied.
[Explains the treason.]
It inadvertently started a war between Xhorhas and the expanding Empire, both of which already had unstable relations.
[ his turn for a wry smile. fair enough. but they can talk about him later.
even if he doesn't know who xhorhas is (though he can probably make an educated guess), the rest of it certainly sounds serious enough that he can understand the weight of just what essek had done. ]
Sounds complicated.
[ it's not really an apology or a reassurance, just a statement of fact. and then, after a few more seconds tick by: ]
[A quiet sigh escapes him. He keeps running into the regret no matter what dimension he's in, doesn't he?]
I didn't for a long time. Why should I? Why put nothing but faith in strange, ancient artifacts without learning where they came from or what they could really do? Why worship blindly, accept rebirth blindly?
[Another headshake.]
But the collective I gave it to had ties to the Empire, and many of them were evil and greedy manipulators. I betrayed my people and my homeland. My mother, my brother. My... friends who became caught up in the ordeal.
And I ran into a group of annoying miscreants who... have made great strides in trying to "leave good behind." Not to mention the miscreants I met while in the village who were annoyingly similar.
[ weak words, but he says them anyway because unfortunately affection week is over and he will not be casually patting anyone on the back anymore. he does look genuinely apologetic about the whole ordeal though.]
Sounds like we better all make it out of here then so you can go back. Address everything you didn't have the time to before and deal with your regrets while you still can.
[ maybe 'fix' isn't the right word, but resolve matters as best he can. ]
So many of you are very preoccupied with my feet lately.
[There are so many feetish here. He watches Wriothesley for a long moment, not unlike a cat who is deciding if they have the fucks to give in trusting you.
Finally, he stands from the bed Aventurine so rudely left him on, and not even in a poly way. It seems he has made his cat decision, (greed).]
You do not have to do all of that on account of me, though I suppose we should not waste the single free room of the week.
Who said I was doing it only for you? I'm also going to soak my feet.
[ the tub is big enough for two of them? perhaps even three if aventurine ever comes back. will i segue this pc back to the original at some point, who can say.
while the water is running, he picks up the various bath salts and oils and gives them all a perfunctory sniff. ]
Though maybe my feet won't hold up to your exacting standards.
[Wriothesley is believing in things so strongly for them to just turn out to be a big disappointment.]
Going back on your request now?
[He's teasing. Wriothesley doesn't even have to wear any toe rings, Essek is not pressed. He puts the oil down and then motions for Wriothesley with the salt.]
You wouldn't, but I will allow you the peace to find some of your own if a place appears. With my help of course.
[A little oil, a little salt. They will have the best feet in the entire graveyard. He bends and lifts each leg to take off his shoes. He does still have toe rings....]
[ can't believe he's witnessing the fabled toe rings for himself....a momentous day. also ftr we're not leaving this pc until you give me the feet icon. ]
Should we pick out ones for the others as well? Assuming a place shows up.
Very well, if that is something they are interested in. Aventurine already wants one, but I'm supposed to take him one of mine. He will probably backtrack once I try.
[Once a coward, always a coward.
Here it comes, are you ready? ARE YOU READY FOR IT? I hope you're prepared. Essek carefully folds his pants up near his knees and then climbs over the tub so he can step in with his feets and sit on the edge.]
[ tears up. they really are such beautiful feet. meanwhile wriothesley's feet are only average if not worse, because he doesn't do anything for them other than wash them on a regular basis.
but he does follow suit, taking off his own shoes and socks and rolling up his pant legs. ]
[ LISTEN......AMENITIES ARE SCARCE IN PRISON. but with his shoes and socks off and his pants all rolled up, he will join essek in soaking his manly man feet in the tub.
maybe aventurine leaving them to rot in this room was worth it. ]
[No one thinks much of a foot soak until they do it and realize how nice it is.
He folds his hands in his lap.]
Oh, he does. It's a front to hide things he doesn't want to think or talk about. He's nosy, too. If you talk about yourself, it's less he has to talk about his own self.
So don't forget to question him, too. You are very good at that part at least.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[Gestures to THIS ROOM.]
However, the unfortunate part is it will be the deepest things you want to keep hidden.
[Like murder and treason.]
You don't have to assure me. [His smile is wry and tight.] You are speaking to someone who once lead the Bright Queen's interrogation.
There are many I have tortured and killed inside the Dungeon of Penance for being spies or the like.
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that's an interesting word choice though. 'once'. he's silent for a moment, mulling over what he's been told. the image of essek stonefaced and covered in blood isn't one he would have envisioned, but how many people actually go around acting exactly the same both outside and inside? ]
You mentioned you were on a journey before this. Did something happen between your previous duties and that?
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Did yours?
[This isn't sarcastic or rude, but curious. He shakes his head gently.]
I had to leave the Dynasty and go into hiding. I had done something unforgivable in their eyes: I stole some things which are revered and sacred to Xhorhas and gave them to a collective of mages so they could be studied.
[Explains the treason.]
It inadvertently started a war between Xhorhas and the expanding Empire, both of which already had unstable relations.
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even if he doesn't know who xhorhas is (though he can probably make an educated guess), the rest of it certainly sounds serious enough that he can understand the weight of just what essek had done. ]
Sounds complicated.
[ it's not really an apology or a reassurance, just a statement of fact. and then, after a few more seconds tick by: ]
Do you regret what you did?
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I didn't for a long time. Why should I? Why put nothing but faith in strange, ancient artifacts without learning where they came from or what they could really do? Why worship blindly, accept rebirth blindly?
[Another headshake.]
But the collective I gave it to had ties to the Empire, and many of them were evil and greedy manipulators. I betrayed my people and my homeland. My mother, my brother. My... friends who became caught up in the ordeal.
And I ran into a group of annoying miscreants who... have made great strides in trying to "leave good behind." Not to mention the miscreants I met while in the village who were annoyingly similar.
So yes. I do.
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[ weak words, but he says them anyway because unfortunately affection week is over and he will not be casually patting anyone on the back anymore. he does look genuinely apologetic about the whole ordeal though.]
Sounds like we better all make it out of here then so you can go back. Address everything you didn't have the time to before and deal with your regrets while you still can.
[ maybe 'fix' isn't the right word, but resolve matters as best he can. ]
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[For himself, that is an entire other story.]
You don't have to worry. I do have to return as soon as I can, however... Time has stopped, but they will need me for the battle ahead.
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I wouldn't say I'm worried but...you seem like a good guy. It's more like I'm rooting for you and your friends to come out on top.
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It would be nice for that to be the case, yes.
[Thinks about how they have to fight Nine Eyes, Somnovem Lucien when he gets back. Yay!]
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[ he pushes off the desk and starts ambling towards the tub. he does in fact turn it on. ]
Care to soak your feet?
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[There are so many feetish here. He watches Wriothesley for a long moment, not unlike a cat who is deciding if they have the fucks to give in trusting you.
Finally, he stands from the bed Aventurine so rudely left him on, and not even in a poly way. It seems he has made his cat decision, (greed).]
You do not have to do all of that on account of me, though I suppose we should not waste the single free room of the week.
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[ the tub is big enough for two of them? perhaps even three if aventurine ever comes back. will i segue this pc back to the original at some point, who can say.
while the water is running, he picks up the various bath salts and oils and gives them all a perfunctory sniff. ]
Though maybe my feet won't hold up to your exacting standards.
[ this is only partly a joke ]
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Perhaps we can adorn one with a toe ring.
[This is only partly a joke.
He watches Wriothesley sniff the salt and oils like they are tea leaves. He raises a hand, palm up. Let him also sniff.]
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Do you have one that would fit me?
[ but he will pass over some of the bath salts and essential oils. hope essek likes florals. ]
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Maybe the one from my big toe.
[He smells the salts and oil a bit. Not the best, but not too bad. He hands the salt to Wriothesley, then turns to pour some of the oil in.]
It's fine. They are adjustable. The material is easy to bend.
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Bend? [ hang on a minute. ] It's fine then. Really. Seeing as how a few new places popped up recently, I might be able to buy my own somewhere.
[ and then they can all get matching friendship toe rings? ]
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Going back on your request now?
[He's teasing. Wriothesley doesn't even have to wear any toe rings, Essek is not pressed. He puts the oil down and then motions for Wriothesley with the salt.]
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[ obediently passes over the bath salts in the meantime. he doesn't usually take baths so this is all rather new to him. ]
Tell you what, if a place opens up that sells jewelry, you can help me pick one out.
[ friendship toe rings............... ]
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You wouldn't, but I will allow you the peace to find some of your own if a place appears. With my help of course.
[A little oil, a little salt. They will have the best feet in the entire graveyard. He bends and lifts each leg to take off his shoes. He does still have toe rings....]
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Should we pick out ones for the others as well? Assuming a place shows up.
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Very well, if that is something they are interested in. Aventurine already wants one, but I'm supposed to take him one of mine. He will probably backtrack once I try.
[Once a coward, always a coward.
Here it comes, are you ready? ARE YOU READY FOR IT? I hope you're prepared. Essek carefully folds his pants up near his knees and then climbs over the tub so he can step in with his feets and sit on the edge.]
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but he does follow suit, taking off his own shoes and socks and rolling up his pant legs. ]
Backtrack? Over a toe ring?
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This feels as cishet as when Wriothesley was smelling the salts and oils as if he has never ever glanced at a self-care aisle in his life.]
Yes, it wouldn't surprise me. He enjoys annoying me on purpose.
[Swishes the oil and salt around with his feet.]
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maybe aventurine leaving them to rot in this room was worth it. ]
He seems to enjoy annoying everyone on purpose.
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He folds his hands in his lap.]
Oh, he does. It's a front to hide things he doesn't want to think or talk about. He's nosy, too. If you talk about yourself, it's less he has to talk about his own self.
So don't forget to question him, too. You are very good at that part at least.
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