[There's no judgement in his expression as he takes the cabin in. He looks around curiously, finding a few points of reference for things Ekko has told him before, and then politely sits.
He offers the file out.]
I haven't opened it.
[To have your life story laid out on paper like this. He knows it must feel invasive. Violating, even. He has no desire to begin this with a breach of the fragile trust he and Ekko have.]
[While Hythlodaeus is taking it in, Ekko closes the door behind him, offering:]
This is Benzo's shop. My dad's shop.
[It has a rather comforting, easy sort of feel to it. The lit candles emit a gentle, warm glow. There's a soft whir from various machines. The interior is worn from age, but well-kept and clean.
He comes over to Hythlodaeus, and pauses at the sight of the file.
And then there's a surprised flicker of eyes up to him.]
... you haven't?
[He reaches to briefly take the file, to look down at it.]
I kinda figured it was just... a part of the process.
[That wardens were expected to know, and inmates were expected to endure it.]
I would like you to be able to trust me. I think I'd make a poor showing for that if I immediately took the opportunity to pry into your entire life without so much as a by your leave.
[Then he clasps his hands together.]
And I will tell you something of myself for nothing at all. [Another wry little smile.] I've never been fond of holding authority. It stressed my chief of staff terribly.
Honestly, wouldn't have known any better. [...] Thanks, Hyth. Uh - you okay with me calling you that?
[Yeah, guess he's tentatively dipping his toes into nickname territory now.
A soft, amused noise at the words that follow.]
Being in a position of authority's not always a bad thing. Sometimes... having the right person knowing how to use it to the best possible benefit of the people they're in charge of - can make all the difference.
[Ekko has had horrible experiences with authority. He used all those painful experiences as lessons in what not to do as a leader. He did okay - at least the people he led seemed pretty happy with him, at least, even if he thought they were too generous and forgiving.
After a moment, he offers the file back to Hythlodaeus:]
[Hythlodaeus smiles. He may say he did not like authority much, but he would not have held his position for so long if he was bad at it.
(Though, his saying it drove his poor chief of staff to distraction is not a lie, either.)
He takes the file when it's offered, holding it securely and sliding his thumb against the cover, well aware of what he's being trusted with by a young man he is quite sure does not trust easily.]
You can call me that. [That permission comes with a little chuckle, then he looks down at the file.] Would you like to read this with me? 'T is your life, after all.
[Read it with Hyth, huh. A recap of his shitty life...?
There's a long moment he just stares at the file - like he was sizing up some kind of snake, coiled and poised to strike.]
Nah.
[He turns away, walking to the shelf to gaze upon some object - perhaps an alidade of sorts.]
Don't feel like taking a trip down awful memory lane.
[And if there's some damning information in there about what he did that landed him with the title of inmate, it's not as if explaining his actions would soften the real fact he still did them.
[Though he may still have some questions upon finishing his reading. He curls his fingers around the file, not opening it. It feels impolite to simply make a start with Ekko standing right there!]
[He... thinks so? The two of them have got along pretty well so far, and Hythlodaeus doesn't think they're going to have too many teething problems when it comes to this whole pairing thing.]
For what it might be worth, Ekko, I'm rather glad it's you.
[He startles slightly, then gives a gentle laugh.]
All right.
[Hythlodaeus hadn't been intending to read it right here in front of him! But if he's going to insist, then he supposes that it's fine. He lets out a little huff and opens the cover of the file, setting the edge of his thumb against the first page. His eyes flick quickly from side to side as he reads, taking in every word.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-10-16 08:05 am (UTC)[There's no judgement in his expression as he takes the cabin in. He looks around curiously, finding a few points of reference for things Ekko has told him before, and then politely sits.
He offers the file out.]
I haven't opened it.
[To have your life story laid out on paper like this. He knows it must feel invasive. Violating, even. He has no desire to begin this with a breach of the fragile trust he and Ekko have.]
And I won't, without your permission.
no subject
Date: 2025-10-17 11:28 pm (UTC)This is Benzo's shop. My dad's shop.
[It has a rather comforting, easy sort of feel to it. The lit candles emit a gentle, warm glow. There's a soft whir from various machines. The interior is worn from age, but well-kept and clean.
He comes over to Hythlodaeus, and pauses at the sight of the file.
And then there's a surprised flicker of eyes up to him.]
... you haven't?
[He reaches to briefly take the file, to look down at it.]
I kinda figured it was just... a part of the process.
[That wardens were expected to know, and inmates were expected to endure it.]
no subject
Date: 2025-10-17 11:40 pm (UTC)I would like you to be able to trust me. I think I'd make a poor showing for that if I immediately took the opportunity to pry into your entire life without so much as a by your leave.
[Then he clasps his hands together.]
And I will tell you something of myself for nothing at all. [Another wry little smile.] I've never been fond of holding authority. It stressed my chief of staff terribly.
no subject
Date: 2025-10-22 07:36 am (UTC)[Yeah, guess he's tentatively dipping his toes into nickname territory now.
A soft, amused noise at the words that follow.]
Being in a position of authority's not always a bad thing. Sometimes... having the right person knowing how to use it to the best possible benefit of the people they're in charge of - can make all the difference.
[Ekko has had horrible experiences with authority. He used all those painful experiences as lessons in what not to do as a leader. He did okay - at least the people he led seemed pretty happy with him, at least, even if he thought they were too generous and forgiving.
After a moment, he offers the file back to Hythlodaeus:]
Consider this opportunity as a lesson, then.
no subject
Date: 2025-10-26 12:01 am (UTC)(Though, his saying it drove his poor chief of staff to distraction is not a lie, either.)
He takes the file when it's offered, holding it securely and sliding his thumb against the cover, well aware of what he's being trusted with by a young man he is quite sure does not trust easily.]
You can call me that. [That permission comes with a little chuckle, then he looks down at the file.] Would you like to read this with me? 'T is your life, after all.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-11 06:10 am (UTC)There's a long moment he just stares at the file - like he was sizing up some kind of snake, coiled and poised to strike.]
Nah.
[He turns away, walking to the shelf to gaze upon some object - perhaps an alidade of sorts.]
Don't feel like taking a trip down awful memory lane.
[And if there's some damning information in there about what he did that landed him with the title of inmate, it's not as if explaining his actions would soften the real fact he still did them.
Something of which he is very well-aware.]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-15 08:59 pm (UTC)I understand.
[Though he may still have some questions upon finishing his reading. He curls his fingers around the file, not opening it. It feels impolite to simply make a start with Ekko standing right there!]
How are you feeling about this?
no subject
Date: 2025-12-01 04:56 am (UTC)[He gives a shrug, still not looking at the man.]
Awkward, mostly? It just feels... weird.
I guess slightly less weird than if it were anyone else. But still weird.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-06 07:53 pm (UTC)Should I take that as a compliment?
[He... thinks so? The two of them have got along pretty well so far, and Hythlodaeus doesn't think they're going to have too many teething problems when it comes to this whole pairing thing.]
For what it might be worth, Ekko, I'm rather glad it's you.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-10 12:38 am (UTC)[At least when it comes to relationships. Too weird is... too confusing, as he has discovered himself.
After a moment, he takes a seat on the stool behind the counter.]
Yeah. This whole thing with the graduation and files is all... [He gestures vaguely with a hand; weird.] ... but...
[He sighs, then leans back, closing his eyes.]
Just read the thing already, will you?
[Maybe Hythlodaeus will take the stuff inside okay! He usually seems pretty chill. Even so, the uncertainty is wearing on his nerves fast.]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-14 10:10 pm (UTC)All right.
[Hythlodaeus hadn't been intending to read it right here in front of him! But if he's going to insist, then he supposes that it's fine. He lets out a little huff and opens the cover of the file, setting the edge of his thumb against the first page. His eyes flick quickly from side to side as he reads, taking in every word.]
I'll save any questions to the end.