logs | (closed) our common goal was waiting for the world to end

[He's used to being other people's confidant, listening to their worries, and helping them find solutions. He had hoped that with the slight hint of understanding he threw that Jonas would start a tirade about the things he finds confusing about the place. That he'd be curious enough to want to sink his full hand instead of only dipping his fingers, though, he wasn't expecting it.

It's not like he's that interesting to begin with.

But still, unable to hide some of that bashfulness, he does make an effort think about the way he felt about Hades, both where he lived and—

his Father.]

My purpose, I suppose. [He says with a deep breath.] I was trying to leave my home, which, as you know, is the Underworld, in the literal sense of the word. I had to figure some things out about my family and myself, and the answers were there.

(maybe it's selfish that he finds himself envious of zagreus. happy for him, simultaneously, but jonas wishes he'd had the courage to seek his own answers before he was robbed of the opportunity.

the mead arrives, and while it's served to them on cute coasters, jonas ignores his shadow's influence and focuses forward.) Not many people do that... that whole "journey to find myself" stuff. I know I don't know much about it or you, but hey, if it's what the ol' heart and soul needed, good.

(thanking the server who gives them both a charming little smile, jonas finds himself wearing one. he raises his glass in a casual toast.)

So, congrats, man, on figuring some things out. We've got a lot more of that to do before getting out of here.

[If his chuckle is slightly embittered, it's not on purpose. Zagreus leans and clinks his glass against Jonas', bracing his weight on the arm over the table.] And to actually finding answers, eventually. I've only gotten more questions so far.

[Call it wishful thinking, but it's mere part of Zag's inherent optimism to think that the both of them will find whatever they need to find, no matter how or where. If they had to move Underworlds (or worlds, for that matter) to find whatever answers they needed to find, then that's just fine.

Though the little voice in his head, sounding more like himself than any other person in his life, keeps chanting to hell with this place, to hell with this place.

How many times had he said that before stepping into Tartarus, anyway?

Taking a sip of the drink to wish it switched off, his eyebrows shoot up. It's not nectar, not really, the taste more subdued and leaving an odd aftertaste in the back of his throat that flares up when he exhales, but he's impressed. He looks at the glass, licking his lips.] Oh. This is actually pretty good! What do you think?

Ain't that a bitch? (jonas offers rhetorically, knowing the feel. searching for yourself is one of the toughest things to do; he hasn't managed more than a few answers either.

the scale may be different, zagreus' problems are made infinitely more complex by heritage, but the core of their quests is similar. zagreus now carries the "relatable" label, issued by jonas who takes a sip of his own mead.)

...

Huh. I like purgatory mead. Go figure! (he goes in for a bolder swig, then, to make sure the first taste wasn't a fluke.) So, what's "nectar"? You mentioned that before, and I don't think it's exactly like what I'm thinking... probably.

[Crass, but Zagreus can take the humor. He laughs into his cup, a grin spilling out giddily as he takes a sip of the cup, the tang of the mead excitingly acrid at the aftertaste.]

Mortals thought that mead was Nectar; I have to say, it's not very different when its taste is concerned. Although… [Another sip, and this time he squints at nothingness, looking up, rolling the flavor in his tongue and mouth before swallowing.] It's different, it lingers in your mouth for longer, and the sweetness is softer. It's told to confer immortality to those who drink it, and while it's rare where I come from, well… this is the Underworld, still, right?

[It sounds sort of silly to request it here, now that he thinks of it. He looks down at his glass somewhat sheepishly.] I guess I'm still trying to grasp onto familiarity, of sorts.

Edited 2022-11-01 19:11 (UTC)

(after listening, it's jonas' turn to speak. for a moment, he's silent, commiserating inwardly with zagreus looking embarrassed and feeling out of place. when finally he's decided on what to say, it's with a little lean forward.) None of this is familiar to me. Honestly, just talking, even if it's about stuff I know nothing about, is helping.

So, like, if there's a specific way you guys celebrate something in the Underworld or hang out or whatever, let me know; sometime soon, we can go and do that, too.

(then they'd both feel better, wouldn't they?

for jonas, learning new things isn't always interesting, but learning about people is. as much as he grumps and claims to be an antisocial loner, he is the complete opposite. he misses worthwhile connection; has he ever truly experienced it outside of his own home?)

Anyway... I'd rather not be immortal, but, man, you describing it like that really makes me want to taste it.

Edited 2022-11-03 19:19 (UTC)

[The huff of a breath Zagreus releases and shakes his shoulders once is supposed to be a laugh, but it holds too much disenchantment, it has little room for mirth. Zagreus leans in, too, and clinks their glasses together gently.] Interestingly enough, we did hang out like this back there. We just didn't have a particular place to do it. I suppose certain things stay the same everywhere you go.

[Isn't that comforting? A chat over a drink, finding common ground on how things can be generally hapless. He guesses that even the Gods must commiserate amongst themselves every now and then.

Otherwise, they would lead an even lonelier life than his.]

I think this is a very close cousin of it. [Another sip, and he considers the effect of it with a slight tilt of his head.] Less intoxicating, that's for sure, but it does the job. Nectar was made to bring down heroes and gods alike.

[Which, of course, made for some interesting moments. Looser tongues, lower shoulders. The occasional sigh as an all-transcendental entity like a Gorgon, a Fury, and the Greatest of the Greeks folded over a counter after telling him most of their sorrows and decided to call it a night-or-day.

(Most.)] What about at yours? Did you celebrate like this often? 'Birthdays,' was it? [Immortals don't celebrate those, having lost track of the day they were born after a while.]

You've got that right.

(it's a dual comment; he addresses zagreus' opinion that some things never change and issues his own about the mead. the drink isn't thick, but the mouthfeel is almost like jam, and it's not overly sweet despite the honey it was made with—that's the best part. jonas can taste the honey as though beads of its have been dripped in.)

Birthdays are fun when you're with the right people. I spent most of them with my parents, but there were a few I insisted on going out for. They were... eh. (jonas drank then, too. he drank a lot, now that he thinks about it, illegally at his age, and with "friends" who didn't like the word "no."

broad shoulders shrug.)

We don't have to worry about those anymore, right? You, uh... didn't have any? You weren't sure about the word, so that makes me think you're probably due for a party—if anything.

We couldn't even tell if it was day or night back at the House. [Zagreus laughs, waving a hand at the entirely unnecessary notion of celebrating a birthday for an immortal. Zagreus doesn't even know what day he was born, much less how long ago that was.] It's sort of difficult to tell the time in Hades.

[A sigh, though not without some levity to it.] My Father kept saying it was for the best, and I never thought I'd say this, but I think I agree.

It's a shame that you don't seem to particularly enjoy your birthdays, though. We should get that fixed, if anything, to make up for it. [There's a challenge, something to escape to, to distract with. Gods know they need it. Another sip.] What else did you celebrate? Anything you enjoyed in particular?

(huh. jonas never would've assumed it'd be for the best, but zagreus' father does make a compelling point.)

... maybe, you know? Some people on Earth start getting really bummed out after their thirtieth birthday. I can see the numbers stacking higher and higher wear on you after a while.

I'd like that, though. I'm not one to turn down free stuff, especially if it's alcoholic or... herbal. (IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, ZAGREUS.)

My family wasn't—well, uh, our get-togethers weren't the best, so most holidays were kind of a drag. New Year's Eve is fun, though. It's just this big party, you get to kiss somebody at midnight, and... look forward to a brand new year.

[A memory of a conversation he had back at home bubbles up towards the surface after clinging to the back of Zagreus' mind since he arrived, about how some mortals get to understand how to learn quickly, which was impressive, as gods, immortals, and the like, all seem to take longer to grasp. Thirty years seems like such a small number to him, but he understands. He nods thoughtfully.] I once asked if we couldn't educate people about what death really entails, but I suppose it's a slow process.

[He does, and his dark eyebrows shoot up. He only gives him a little bit of a look as he makes two and two together. Herbs were used for incense, offerings, to stave off pain in certain cases. Mostly, he knew, fumigating herbs were a channel to get you closer to the divine, with Shades telling tales of how they visited Delphi and how clouded the rooms were.] You said you weren't very spiritual, though. [Although if he does fumigate herbs…] W-wait, you had something of the sort outside, too. Is it something you usually do?

[He's fascinated. He could assume that linking those herbs to wine and other spirits had the same intent, whereas he had only heard about the other usage for it. He grins.] Alright, that's a promise, then. We'll set something up to make up for all the celebrations that were lackluster.

[And his eyes widen once again. Jonas, your world is full of surprises.] You kissed someone? Anyone?

Oh, I dabble. That was a cigarette... they're made of tobacco leaves, mostly. I'm talking about something a wee bit stronger.

(jonas tables the discussion about stygian weed, but at the back of his mind, he wonders where he might find some... if the substance existed. an analogue drug would work, too, as long as it wasn't too powerful or chemical. for a party one of the gods of the underworld might throw, it'll be almost necessary to procure something.

as for the kissing—)

Anyway, if you find somebody who's into you, or, like, consensually down for a kiss, then... totally, yeah. You can give a family member or friend one too if you don't have a partner, you know? Beats me if everyone does it, but it was a pretty common thing where I used to live. New Year's is kind of a romantic holiday.

Why, curious?

(beer loosening him up a bit, his tone becomes a bit sly. can't pass up some teasing when zagreus' eyes are that wide.)

Stick around till January first or whatever constitutes here, then; maybe someone will lay one on you, Zagreus.

(closed) our common goal was waiting for the world to end—

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all set to stop here!!!!! :eyes: