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video; got any mushies?

[ For the first time, Emet-Selch is trying out a video post instead of his usual text. The feed shows a man in his mid- or late-30s with long, dark brown hair that has been tied into a loose braid. His streak of white hair hangs free and frames the right side of his face.

He clears his throat and sits straight, looking at his device's screen (and therefore not into the camera, as the more tech-savvy would). ]

Greetings. I am-- My name is Hades. I am an alchemist...and a goldsmith. I manage a business known as Polydegmon's Lapidary and Brew within Camelot City. In light of the sudden surfeit of mushrooms this season, I would be willing to purchase any unusual or magical fungi you may happen across as you forage. I will also accept the more common varieties used in potion-making.

[ He pauses, glancing slightly off to the side as though reading something. In the background, something that appears to be a flying betta fish with iridescent scales glides past serenely. ]

Ah, I do take custom commissions on potions and jewellery, provided they are not used for nefarious purposes. And I have a grimoire that new alchemists may peruse should they visit. I do believe it is 'that time of the month' again.

[ With that, the video cuts off. ]

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[His very puzzled squire.]

Ah, I um- [Killing the protest.] Something like that...? My healing's my secondary magic. It's just that fungus boosts the spells a bit, so I'd been eating them lately.

[But, ah—]

Were you planning on making them medicines? You really don't have to pay me, you know, if it's for that sort of thing...

I do plan to make some medicinal potions, particularly antidotes to whatever lethal varities one may find. However... You say you eat some to improve your healing? I'm sure I could create something a great deal more potent using those fungi.

[ That would be adequate payment, surely. ]

[A great deal more potent...

No more "flower-soups"; no more raw, unseasoned mushrooms, eating them by the handful. It's almost too much adequate.] You could do that? [He's vibrating.] I can bring you whatever you need for it. ...More than that. I could go collect more rare ones—

[He'll go anywhere!]

Could you make anything for a death mage? Besides the healing potions?

[ Well, look at this eager beaver all of a sudden. A touch of humour enters his expression. ]

Boy, I am a death mage. You are Hijikata's squire, yes? I help his little squadron of ghosts in my spare time.

What do you need?

[He's a death mage too?! But-]

How did y— [Oh. No... He doesn't care anymore. His mind's attached to its next shock.]

You're helping sensei? [All attentions now; as if there's no one more precious, no one else more important. And already, there's obvious gratitude when he lifts eyes to speak again; a little awe slipping through. This Hades must be a good man—trusted. He tries to collect himself.] The thing is, [well, "things" really,] I don't know what he needs exactly. I've never seen him use those types of spells, so I'm not that sure what makes them strong at all. I guess it's the other ghosts I'm worried about. If there's anything that could shield him, I'll be grateful if you could spare it...

[Like a ward maybe.]

But those mushrooms aren't enough anymore. I won't heal sensei with some two-bit strength. If you can cook up something stronger than that, I'm gonna earn it no matter what it costs.

[He has to surpass himself.]

Sorry to ask you all this... I'll bring in double if I need to. You're the one helping out here, so it's the least I can do now.

[ One cannot fault the boy's enthusiasm, he thinks humorously. ]

A death mage is as strong as their power over the dead. That is why you cannot see tangible examples of their strength. However, your mentor has earnt the cooperation of his legion through charisma rather than force. He is quite the leader.

[ He'll refrain from mentioning that Hijikata used to be terrified of those very ghosts he now helps. Far be it for him to shatter the boy's starry-eyed impression of them. ]

But what did that man do to earn such enthusuastic loyalty from you, hmm?

[Power over the dead. He's finding so much to ask him, too many things he hasn't grasped yet. And then he's eyeing this stranger a good, long time, struggling internally. No one's asked about the knight before—and since he keeps so much muted, he's plainly deciding what it's worth to say, if he wants to trust this man himself. Finally, in voice so quiet it's nearly a murmur:]

There isn't a thing he didn't do. I didn't have anything when I came here, and couldn't care less about the knights before. [Just his own world in shambles.] But he showed me what I could do. The things I could be if I wanted that. I didn't have anywhere else to go, so I'd just followed him like some useless kid. Just one more ghost right behind him.

[And Hijikata's never once complained.]

I've always heard what I was made for... how I was "created" just for that, but—but sensei's never once said that. He never yells, or looks down on me. He didn't shape me into some tool to use... but sensei's everyone's hero; and he never abandons anyone! So you're right about that charisma thing. There's no one who wouldn't be his squire, but it's not like I'd deserved that much; for him to choose someone like me for that...

[Of all people—just some brat from a screwed family.] He could've asked anyone. [Anyone!] That's why there's nothing I wouldn't do for him. [The next, he's never shared or told anyone, as it's his very dear secret.] He said I was like "another half of him"; I'm paying him back with my life if I have to. I said if I died, he could just replace me; but he just said he'd bring me back instead—like my life would even be worth that much.

[He wouldn't dare to disappoint him.]

So I'll definitely be his knight. Even if he won't need me, if all I can do is watch his back right now, [made to burn away everything; freeze out any threat close to him.] that's good enough for me, I'd think. You don't know what it means that you're helping him.

[That fiery stare drifts away here, and then his eyes seem exhausted. He rarely speaks this much.]

Sorry... I know that's probably more than you asked for.

[ At first he thinks he may have inadvertently dragged out some unpleasant memories. The boy starts out so quiet. But by the end, their passion supercedes all else and it is his turn to stare incredulously.

It never ceases to amaze him how strongly mortalkind - or perhaps not even that (are they human, he wonders?) - feels. ]

...Quite the stirring sentiment. I hope you do not lose that fire.

[ He drums his fingers upon his lap, thinking. ]

...Bring me those mushrooms of yours. I shall see what I can do about augmenting their effects. I would only charge a nominal fee for services rendered as long as you provide the material. [ He raises a cautionary finger. ] Ah, but don't feel the need to overwork yourself, my boy. Save that energy for your mentor.

[He stares, another far-off memory shifting to surface, and likely it's not so obvious that he's expected much different. The blistering scoldings he'd been used to, a part of him waiting to hear how foolish he is; how he's naive as he's childish and isn't his own to give away yet, or even allowed to save his energy. So, he blinks again, braces, waits for inevitable put-down and reprimand that never happens, and instead, has to process the sort of quiet, subtle way he's being encouraged. For your mentor sparks the light in him; and he thinks that no, he won't lose it, won't ever throw his flames away. His words come slower and dazed-sounding, and he shakes his head lightly.]

I won't lose it. [He won't!] But could you not tell sensei? He already worries, so, [he'll be anything but his burden.] I don't want him trying to stop me. [He's been too many times through a certain forest.] The money's no problem, though. ...Really, thanks for this. [The rest is a tumble.] I'll bring everything I have, then. I'll buy whatever you can make next.

[What he's heard, or, what it equates to, is how his mentor's made an ally. He feels so grateful!]

I'll stop by soon, then.

[ He tilts his head slightly. He could certainly tell Hijikata that his apprentice would be making a trip for mushrooms on his behalf. But if the man has already reprimanded the boy for working too hard then it wouldn't do to countermand it. Still, surely a compromise can be reached. ]

I will see what I can do. In the meantime, take care of yourself. My potions are of no use to the dead.

[ And the dead don't necessarily want to be enthralled to a death mage. ]

[What a warm, and yet entirely dire warning. A little encouragement means a lot for him, and this one's taken too much to heart to even think of letting himself be killed. He absolutely cannot die yet.]

I'll be keeping that in mind, then. [I won't die, the boy's saying.] I'll watch your back if I get the chance, someday.

[But he'll be off, then!]

Hmm... Unnecessary, I think. But I appreciate the gesture.

[ With a tiny smirk, he gives the boy a cordial nod and ends the call. ]

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video; got any mushies?

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sorry for wait, catching up on tags after xiv update /o/

Have fun! <3 I have negative zero skill in XIV!

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