i put socks on my feet

[rottings]

[ hades himself isn't much one for social pleasantries, but he there's great importance to dinners like these, and watching their interactions really is fascinating. the meal is already winding down, but the poet who's been declaiming for the better part of an hour is still going strong.

hades is mostly ignoring him and picking at his food, humming occasional acknowledgement to when people talk to him, as head of the house. most of the slaves waiting on them are positioned around the perimeter of the room, while hades has left mitsunari largely to his own devices. ]

Comments

[outforblood]

[glancing around at the room as he enters, mitsunari sees no other guests, only the occasional servant, and makes his way to hades' side. with no one else around he goes to the seat on hades' left.

for a moment he hesitates, debating whether it's appropriate for him to sit, or if he should stand as he has in the past. eventually he does sit down, eyeing the food available with the same sort of distance he always does.]

I apologize for my lateness.

[rottings]

Hm. [ hades looks slightly to the side at mitsunari before his gaze slides away again. he finishes the olive before speaking. ]

There is still food.

[outforblood]

So I see.

[he suspects hades intends him to eat, and he can't dismiss it or argue this time. tentatively he takes some bread and contemplates eating it.]

... you said you would leave other things to me now. If I may ask ... what will they be?

[rottings]

[ don't just look at the bread! put it in your mouth and chew. come on, mitsunari. it's not that hard. ]

Hm. [ hades tilts his head to the side slightly, hair sliding off his shoulder. ] Wait here a moment.

[ he gets to his feet and walks out of the room with no other explanation. he's back within a few minutes, though, with mitsunari's sword in his hands. ]

[outforblood]

[he was going to! really, he was.

and then hades returns with the sword, and everything else becomes unimportant. everything else stops existing.

mitsunari sets down the bread very slowly and stares at the sword in shock. it's almost as if he doesn't believe hades is really holding it. he can't find words for a moment, and when he finally does speak, it's hoarse, almost choked.]

-- how?

[rottings]

[ hades is most definitely holding a real, tangible sword. he doesn't seem to notice its weight, though, as he comes to stand by where mitsunari is sitting. he cants his head to one side slightly, a smile curling across his lips.

it is not precisely the same sword (though hades could have obtained that, as god of all things under the earth and thus its riches, to be used for commerce—that would have simply taken longer). but it's still mitsunari's weapon, with the same weight, appearance, and every physical and even possibly spiritual indication of familiarity.

god of all things under the earth—that includes the dead, and the things the cause death.

he passes it to mitsunari almost casually before going back to his previous seat, without giving an explanation. he simply leans on an elbow and continues to smile at his slave. ]

[outforblood]

[mitsunari can't tell the difference. as far as he knows, it's his sword, the one that was destroyed in that last awful battle, left to rust and be trampled in the dirt - here now, whole and perfect, and as he takes it his hands are shaking.

for a few moments he just runs his hands across it, pulling the blade partway from the sheathe to check the blade. it's as if it was never in that last fight. there's no nicks on the blade that weren't there before. it isn't filthy with blood and mud. the weapon of his lord's will is in his hands again.

there's no explanation, but for now he doesn't ask for one. he sheathes it again, slips off the seat to his knees at hades' side and bows his head, gripping the sword like a lifeline.]

Thank you. [his voice is trembling, as is the rest of him. if hades intended to secure mitsunari's loyalty, this one act probably did the trick.]

[rottings]

[ hades watches mitsunari kneel by his seat, eyes dark and cool. ]

...hmph. [ he considers briefly reaching out, to touch him, but at this angle he'd probably end up just patting his hair—which, admittedly, is something that he already does, but he can see mitsunari shaking, so he does nothing for now. ] Do you know what it is meant for, by yourself?

[outforblood]

[he doesn't raise his head when hades speaks, working to control himself and not flat out press his head to the ground in gratitude. it's difficult. he never, ever imagined he'd have so much as a decent memory of his former life returned to him, much less his sword.]

To serve you as you see fit. [mitsunari takes a slightly shaky breath and seems to calm down.] You spoke of those who needed to be cut down for their slights. If this is something you require, I will act. And if not ... then I will not.

[rottings]

These requirements—are unspoken, as of yet. [ he doesn't reach for more food, but he does prop himself up on an elbow to get a better look at mitsunari. ]

You will know of these slights.

[outforblood]

[he's a bit calmer now, but he still doesn't look up or stand. slowly, mitsunari sets the sword on his knees, fingers wrapped tightly around the sheathe.]

The actions of those who would seek to undermine you and your authority. [after a moment - ] And that of your family.

[rottings]

In terms of family, I have no concerns. [ they can handle themselves, as far as hades is concerned. ]

And of my authority?

[outforblood]

[mitsunari nods, willing to leave them to their own defense. his grip on the sheathe loosens very slightly, then tightens again at the question.]

It is absolute. Those who deny it will pay with their lives. Those who doubt it will learn otherwise.

[rottings]

Is... that so. [ hades makes a soft noise in his throat (hm) and returns his attention to the food. without looking at mitsunari, he adds, ] Eat.

[outforblood]

[approval or not, he's certain of his own statements. at the command mitsunari moves back to his seat, almost unwilling to set down the sword to eat but after a moment he does, leaning it against his side.

he doesn't eat much, but he does eat, without question, hesitation, or qualm.]

[rottings]

[ hades himself only eats a little more—a few olives, half a piece of bread. he spends most of his time watching mitsunari instead. when he stops eating, hades gets to his feet, moving slowly and deliberately. he looks at mitsunari, waiting. ]

[outforblood]

[the moment hades stands, mitsunari finishes up and follows suit. he grips the sword by the sheathe, close to the hilt and in his left hand, an automatic action born from years of doing so.

if he's at all tired or off-kilter from anything that's happened so far, he doesn't show it. his gaze is level, and he watches hades expectantly and respectfully.]

[rottings]

[ hades tilts his head at mitsunari for a moment, smile widening marginally. the other slaves and servants, if they're feeling uncertain or confused about the events, make no sign of it.

he doesn't actually say anything, but he only breaks eye contact to turn and walk out of the dining room and back toward the archives. ]