PSL with apestalmenos

[beshackled]

The way into Abyssos barred by warding sigil, there is yet no present way forward for them to continue into the depths of Pandæmonium, to find that which is the source of the facility's troubles, and by extension their own. Yet, as surely as they had encouraged their ally to take a reprieve and attend to the matters of reporting to others, so, too, do similar thoughts come to mind as he turns his thoughts to his present company.

Quiet though he can be, Erichthonios makes the effort to broach the subject himself, hand stretching out in gesture as he seeks to offer his other new acquaintance reassurance that all will be well, that the world will not fall to ruin if Themis takes a moment to pursue his own desires.

"You... wished to pass a message to your friend, did you not? I know you are concerned about the protective wards, but all seems... calm, for the moment. If you would like to try, I do not think a short amount of time away will invite much trouble."

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[apestalmenos]

The appearance of the ward currently obstructing their way into Abyssos had come as a highly unwelcome surprise. As it seals their only way forward, the path that needs to be taken, Themis has since turned his attention toward dealing with it once other matters, such as seeing their new ally off, have been taken care of. He wonders if a bit of research into the matter may help. It usually does. But he is also concerned with the state of Asphodelos' protections.

With this thought in mind, it's the very sound of the words in his ears that pull him from his contemplations, as if for a brief second he wonders if he'd himself been speaking aloud accidentally. Of course, instead it is Erichthonios, and he looks up, giving the suggestion some consideration.

"'Tis true, I do mean to send a message to my friend. But it isn't urgent. And there is the matter of the warding sigil..." Even as his eyes close for a moment so that he can take quick stock of the aforementioned protections, the other matter is never far from mind. "But I suppose I can't put off everything for the sake of a new responsibility. Are you sure you feel things are quite in hand here?"

[beshackled]

"With you controlling Asphodelos, I am certain that if something stirs from below, you will know. And... I have faith your magicks will hold."

With their exchange, Erichthonios is ever more certain that Themis yearns to contact his friend... and he does not want to get in the way of that. If he insisted on his company, he would feel little more than a burden to him. He can manage. He must manage.

Resolute, he persists, offering one more assurance. Whether it is to Themis, or to himself, even Erichthonios does not know.

"I know you will not be long."

[apestalmenos]

Themis, at the moment, would love to be able to do several things at once. He still harbors concerns about leaving, which is likely to be clear on his face. But if he couldn't decide what was important at a given moment, he would be terrible at his job.

The problem is, this is what feels more important right now. However, he is always open to others' input and suggestions, and though he is not easily swayed once he's made a decision, he can be moved if given well enough reason.

Reason now tells him to have confidence in Erichthonios' affirmations. He is at least sure that the man cares for Pandaemonium enough that he would be so insistent if safety was at all in question.

"Right. I'm certain I shouldn't be gone but for a short while. Besides, I trust you will know how to handle anything that may arise in my absence. But please, feel free to call on me if I am away overlong."

With that he gathers his resolve to make his exit, moving quickly lest he change his mind. It isn't that he doesn't believe his own words. He has no reason to lie. He just does not like the idea of leaving a problem behind, and because of this, he is determined to return with a solution.

[beshackled]

"I will." Erichthonios speaks to Themis' retreating back, watching him go. Once he has vanished, Erichthonios feels a small weight lift from him. Yet the relief he feels at not having kept Themis from his friend is all too quickly subsided, the weight of loneliness quickly settling into its place.

He is alone.

Hesperos is gone, his life ended by his own hand, and the man Erichthonios had known him as had been gone longer still. Themis is gone. Their ally is gone. And he... he is alone. What can he do but wait? A useless man...

...No. There must be something he can do. He cannot merely wait and watch as others take on the hazards of this journey. He must do something. He cannot remain idle.

He takes in a deep breath, the sound quiet, easily lost in the creaks of swinging cages.

Cages... if he could but be better at helping with interning the creations, that would be something. Perhaps... perhaps it would even be enough.

And so Erichthonios settles into practicing, deep breaths stilling his thoughts and a small part of his worries as he makes attempt to hone his skill. He knows the movements by heart. Now, he must work on putting them to action.

[apestalmenos]

As agreed upon, Themis does not expect to take too much time away from Pandaemonium. Despite feeling convinced that a little time away won't do much harm, he does still worry. It isn't just the facility that occupies his mind, though. He can't keep his thoughts from drifting toward Erichthonios as well. Considering all that has happened thus far, he hopes his new acquaintance is actually alright with being left to deal with things on his own.

Once he's withdrawn from the facility, he knows his time is highly limited and he has several things he means to take care of. Most are quite simple tasks, including getting in contact with Azem in order to check in and perhaps even gain some additional insight.

He does have to admit that being able to take a little time to just breathe and get his thoughts together is nice. Even so, the more time he spends on that, the more anxious to return he knows he's certain to become, especially with having left Erichthonios so completely alone. So, unfortunately, the warder's respite from his presence does indeed come to an end sooner rather than later. Hopefully he isn't interrupting anything important with his eventual re-entrance.

[beshackled]

When Themis returns, Erichthonios is in the middle of his latest attempt to cast the Internment spell. Sigil etched in bright aetherial lines upon the ground, the cage begins to manifest... only to shatter a moment later.

Another failure. A sigh of disappointment escaping his lips, Erichthonios tries to reign in his negative feelings on the matter... yet he cannot help but feel frustrated.

It is only belatedly that he notices the other's return.

"Themis..!" he calls in surprise, turning to face his the other man. "Apologies. I did not notice you at first. What news do you bring? Did you manage to contact your friend?"

[apestalmenos]

It seems there is, indeed, something important going on, Themis observes once he's pinpointed Erichthonios' location. Not wanting to disturb the man's concentration, he simply waits nearby and watches with a slight smile. Though the spell ultimately fails, it's clear that the other has been working hard. He's confident that better results are soon to come.

"I could tell you were in full concentration. I did not wish to startle you," he explains in order to excuse his lack of announcement. As he continues on to address the questions, his smile only grows. "I was able to get in contact with my friend. I was unable to be convincing enough to gain any actual advice, but I was told it was because we are proceeding well enough on our own. This is quite heartening!"

He is practically glowing, having his friend put so much faith in him and his own choices lightens him at the same time as it pushes him further into a strong determination to see this through with the best possible outcome.

"I did return with ideas on how to open our path into Abyssos as well. It was truly a productive outing. I see that you also found worthwhile ways to occupy your time. How do you feel regarding your progress?"

[beshackled]

Unaccustomed to such profound cheerfulness, Erichthonios is not quite able to process the brightness of Themis' countenance. The boldness of his optimism is befuddling, given their present circumstances. Yet, looking upon him in wide-eyed confusion... Erichthonios cannot help but feel in the confines of his chest a spark of something akin to hope, to see such unwavering confidence.

A hope soon overshadowed by his own feelings of inadequacy as Themis asks after his own progress. He quickly averts his eyes, his head hanging low as he feels the invisible weight of disappointment return to his shoulders.

"'Tis not going as well as I would like..." Erichthonios is all too ready to admit and believe in his weakness. Still, in spite of this, he remains firm in his resolve. Head lifting, his brow furrows with determination.

"But I shall continue to work towards mastering the spell." He will not be a burden. He won't.

[apestalmenos]

Themis just can't help feeling so optimistic, despite not actually having tried anything yet. He's just bursting with ideas and those feelings of goodwill from those he holds in such high esteem. At the moment, he's sure they can make anything happen.

His smile does waver, however, when he sees how his thoughtless questioning has affected Erichthonios. His own enthusiasm was so overwhelming that he hadn't considered he would hear anything other than a positive answer.

"From what I witnessed just now, you seem to be doing quite well," he points out, absolutely sincere in his assessment. Yes, the end result was bad, but the journey toward it appeared to him at least a bit smoother than it had before. "I have naught but complete confidence that you will achieve your goal in due time. And of course you can always rely on me to support you in your endeavors, magical or otherwise."

He wouldn't dare ever offer the possibility that Erichthonios would forever require his help to cast the spell, but he does want to ensure the other man knows he will be there to assist in any other way he can, even if all he needs is a friend.

[beshackled]

Ericthonios at first can hardly believe such a statement was uttered with him in mind. Always have others been quick to criticize him, to see the fault in his attempts at... nigh everything.

His eyes widen but a fraction, but he looks upon Themis in that moment, expression open and vulnerable. He wants to believe...

...but how can he, when all he has done has resulted in failure?

He diverts his gaze, looking first down, then to the side, shifting his weight restlessly upon his feet until he musters the courage to look Themis again in the eye.

"I will... keep practicing. Until I get it right."

For his colleagues who yet remain within the lower levels, fates yet uncertain. He will save them. With the help of Themis and their ally, they will save them. Together.

[apestalmenos]

Having no idea he's said anything out of place, Themis silently questions the look he's given in response. Immediately he starts to go over his words, but he's unable to find anything wrong. Perhaps his own happiness is clouding his perception? But he's generally prided himself on being able to resist such detriments. Again, he would be terrible at his job if he couldn't.

At any rate, Erichthonios appears to be going through some thoughts of his own, and so instead of asking aloud, Themis simply watches and waits, soft smile settled on his face once his eye is caught.

"Quite right. Ask anything of me that you may need," he nods, rather liking that response a lot better.
"Now, there is still much to be done." Like that persistent mark barring their way, toward which he heads off to confront. Hopefully Erichthonios decides to join him, otherwise he's asking the air "Will you be continuing your practice now? Certainly it is important, but overworking oneself can also lead to avoidable mishaps."
This is absolutely something he's recently been told, and not necessarily an idea formed from his own mind. Still, it seems to hold merit, even if he finds it difficult to follow the advice himself.

[beshackled]

Though he lags somewhat behind, Erichthonios does follow, eventually catching up to Themis when they reach the entrance to the building proper, and takes the initiative in willing the gate open for them to pass.

"I take short rests in between my attempts. It takes... a fair amount of aether, as you know. To try again so soon would only result in yet another failure." And deplete his aether yet further, necessitating even more time to recuperate for the next attempt. Better to wait until he felt strong enough for there to be even the slightest possibility of succeeding.

He is stubborn, but unlike the twisted hemitheos Hesperos had become had insisted, he is not entirely a fool.

"Besides... 'Tis best that we make the journey within together." Themis is strong, but the keywards are also strong, and at least one had succumbed to the malevolent influence currently sowing chaos in Pandæmonium.

He will not allow Themis to face the threat alone.

[apestalmenos]

"Ah. 'Tis good to hear we are of the same mind, then." And the reasons to smile continue. Whereas his own coworkers tend to have to spend some considerable time convincing him to take a break, he doesn't have to worry about that here. This is good, because he's not entirely sure how to go about convincing someone not to work.

"Yes, we will assuredly be taking the trip together. All of us will be needed to overcome whatever it is that awaits us." All. Including Erichthonios. "What do you plan to do while we await our companion's return, besides your work?" As their plans regarding Pandaemonium at the moment seem mostly clear, he has resorted to making an attempt at... small talk? At least, he thinks he has.

[beshackled]

Prompted for a response, Erichthonios lifts a hand to poise before his lips in consideration. "...to tell the truth, I had not thought about what else I might do. I would like to master internment as quickly as possible, but..."

He was feeling... increasingly fatigued, as a result of his efforts.

"...if I mean to do so, I will need to restore my aether in a way that is less time-consuming than prolonged rest." And in a way that does not require them to be away from Pandæmonium.

Thoughts churning slowly but surely, he eventually comes to a potential solution. Perhaps he should eat something...?

[apestalmenos]

"You can always borrow some of mine. ...Just for the practice, I mean." That is one solution. It isn't exactly the best one, as it would eventually put him in the same basket. And of course, at least part of the point must be for Erichthonios to learn to walk on his own rather than leaning on him, and that may only prolong the process. However, it is an offer that is always on the table when needed, and so he doesn't see the harm in bringing it up.

There are already enough ideas swirling around in his mind, mostly to do with his most immediate task at hand, but he begins to add more to the maelstrom, leading him to the most obvious conclusion.

"Well, have you eaten? I daresay a good rest is always the best option, but sometimes a proper meal will do the trick." It isn't that he thinks Erichthonios is too senseless to think of such a thing himself. He is simply yet again calling on past experiences and advice others found it necessary to hunt him down amidst piles of books and pages to share.

[beshackled]

Themis' initial offer was... touching. That he would share his aether so freely even when it isn't a necessity, even when they are not in immediate danger... Well, it is a kind thought.

But it is one Erichthonios cannot allow himself to indulge. With the hint of a smile tugging at his lips -- comforted, yet rueful -- he shakes his head. He cannot allow himself to become overly dependent.

The recommendation to eat something, however, is received with greater success. "Perhaps a little of both would serve our purposes best. With Asphodelos under your control, we need not even be concerned about procuring a place to rest."

It was a matter of course that the warders and keywards who served there were allotted places in which to rest. Erichthonios is no different.

"...Did you by chance take the opportunity to eat something, while you were away?" Within his words lay the yet-unspoken invitation to join him if such was not the case. It would do them no good for either of them to be hungry or exhausted.

[apestalmenos]

"I-" Oh, how embarrassing. To be caught with such a simple question he should have anticipated actually flusters him a bit. If he hadn't just had so much to say on the topic, Themis wouldn't feel quite as sheepish as he shakes his head.

"I must admit, I think I've forgotten all about it in my excitement and haste to return." Well, he isn't perfect, not that he has any reason to expect Erichthonios to believe that to be the case. As such, the embarrassment fades quickly and he focuses instead on the matter at hand. "'Twould be good for both of us to partake, in that case. And then our work can resume in earnest."
It is a good idea, he's certain, and yet his thoughts so easily meander back to work.

"Now I can't help but wonder. Do you leave Pandaemonium often?" It doesn't seem necessary, after all, and likely not ideal, considering the responsibilities required of those in its employ.

[beshackled]

Somehow, the image of a flustered Themis is... comforting? Erichthonios is not quite certain that is the word to describe it, but a tiny feeling of warmth kindles, the sensation pleasant to experience.

It's nice to know he isn't the only one who gets like that.

"I'm afraid I haven't had much occasion to." Not getting along with his father, Erichthonios never goes out of his way to see the man. Once in a long while he may journey to Elpis in his capacity as a warder, but seldom does he spend time away from Pandæmonium.

Although... perhaps that could change.

[apestalmenos]

Although, as expected, it is a fairly rare occurrence, when Themis becomes flustered it tends to happen rather easily. He tries so hard to anticipate situations in order to take a properly measured view and come up with the most even solutions and plans in a timely manner. This includes taking note of when he does not and cannot possibly have all of the information, meaning he's even prepared to be surprised.
So when he's caught off guard, he's really caught off guard, and the strangest little things can manage it.

"I've been told it's good to simply go out and take breaks from time to time." Yet again he gives advice that he too often finds difficult to take himself. Maybe in sharing these recommendations with Erichthonios, it allows him to re-process their importance for himself. "What do you do for recreation?"
And maybe he also just wants to know more about his companion.

[beshackled]

"Recreation...?" Admittedly, he had not had much opportunity for that, either. Even rarer was it that someone took an interest in his personal preferences, leading him to take a moment to properly ponder over the question.

"I... find cooking on the whole enjoyable. Though I initially took it up as a result of my lack of aptitude in magicks," For he still had to feed himself, and as he grew he was ill wont to ask others to create his desired meals for him, "...the flexibility that comes with selecting and preparing ingredients over time and using different methods rather than manifesting a singular concept in whole... 'Tis refreshing."

And, rather than striving to manifest a concept to have it turn out same way every time, he can freely adjust it as he feels the urge to.

[apestalmenos]

"Cooking?" It's not an answer Themis expected, though it isn't exactly surprising considering its source. He tilts his head as he listens, thoroughly intrigued. He's not entirely sure how he would answer such a question were it put to him, so the fact that Erichthonios has a response at all is interesting, and then the very content of that reply is all the more impressive. Cooking! Fascinating.

"It does sound quite enjoyable when you describe it that way. I think I should like to observe the process sometime. If you don't mind." He could very well try it for himself, of course, but that idea isn't quite as appealing. And as he actually has no idea how long this process may take, he even suggests, "In fact, I daresay we have a little time now."

[beshackled]

That Themis would find his hobby of interest comes as a surprise. Few and far between are the times when someone is interested in his personal thoughts or habits... yet, here they are.

It takes a moment for Erichthonios' mind to catch on that it is perhaps best that he answer the subtle suggestion. A touch too long, he thinks, embarrassed to have let the silence stretch so.

Mildly flustered, he nods. "A-Aye. We do." Holding his breath, he feels his heart hammering in his chest, feeling nervous for reasons he cannot yet fully grasp. "Would you... like me to cook something for us? To replenish our aether, ere we continue with our investigation?"

[apestalmenos]

Of course Themis finds Erichthonios' hobbies interesting. There's actually a lot about Erichthonios that he finds interesting, he is slowly discovering. If only he could think of more to say. What do people discuss recreationally? He's suddenly desperate to know.

He has time to consider this, apparently, as he waits patiently for a reply to his suggestion. He does briefly entertain the mortifying thought that perchance he has overstepped with such a proposal, but the look on his companion's face doesn't seem to say quite that. Sometimes people just need a moment to think. Themis is no stranger to this himself.

The delivery of the response that finally comes does cause him a slight mental stumble. It is... endearing, the way Erichthonios appears a bit shaken. The light smile that has taken up residence on his face doesn't budge as he nods excitedly. "I think that would be wonderful! Would you mind if I observed? Perhaps I could even offer some small assistance?"

[beshackled]

"O-Of course!" Though the slight stammer remains, there is a hint of something else behind his words aside from nerves; a growing feeling of eagerness, something that might strike anyone who knows him as odd. Yet the feeling buds inside him all the same.

"Is there anything you'd like in particular? Although, 'tis probably for the better we keep it on the simple side for now..." Anything on the more lengthy or elaborate side will need to wait until after the whole of Pandæmonium has been secured, and the creations returned to their cells. That is, if Themis would care to stick around afterward... or visit again, once his report has been made.

...Would he?

[apestalmenos]

It is a charming stammer, though. At least, Themis thinks so, even if he's not entirely sure where it's suddenly come from. He does note that it wasn't there earlier, and starts trying to piece together its origin even as he also attempts to ponder over the situation at hand.

"As I'm a stranger to your cooking process, I think it would be best to let you assess and determine what would be most efficient to make." He has no idea if he might accidentally choose a deceptively complicated dish, after all. And he's coming to the realization that he doesn't actually care quite so much what is produced as he does the time spent producing it. That is, the time spent with Erichthonios. Of course, due to the urgency of their current position, he can't expect that time to be lengthy, so he's certain there will have to be opportunities later.

"Once we have set Pandaemonium right again once and for all, I believe I could find a chance to do proper research and bring my own ideas to the table. If you wouldn't mind spending the time with me then?" That seems fair enough, even if he feels the slightest hitch in his breath as he puts forth the suggestion. He does so hope it is a favorable one.