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Sethos was nervous…only a little bit though.
He was mostly, however, excited. Lately, he’d been making more trips into the rainforest of Sumeru, and into Sumeru City in an effort to better the relations of the Temple of Silence with the rest of the nation. He’d taken it upon himself as a leader to not waste any time, and thanks to Cyno had been able to find the courage and the strength to do so.
But this arrangement was a little bit different from his trips thus far. Upon the invitation of Cyno…as well as Tighnari and Collei, Sethos was visiting for a whole month to both work on their mutual goals — and because apparently, in Tighnari’s words, Cyno wanted to be like a good dear cousin to him. How entertaining! They’d said that initially, it had been Collei’s idea. Sethos had only met her a handful of times up until now, but she seemed like a sweet kid. This also gave Sethos the opportunity to check out the city firsthand, and to see what the deal was with the current state of the Akademiya.
“There you are. Good to see you made it safely, Sethos.”
“Thanks!” He waves to Tighnari, the one who greeted him, with a big grin on his face. Collei was with him, waving in return.
“Just in time!” She says, looking around. “We’re just waiting for—“
“I see you have returned,” A familiar voice fills the air. “I sure hope you have prepared well for our fateful duel, because this time I won’t be so easy on you.” Silence falls. An awkward one, at that.
“Cyno…” Tighnari sighs, unamused as Cyno steps into the group, arms folded in challenge.
“I am very serious. I have waited many weeks for this. Let me put it this way...What would you c—“
“Enough. We still have to make it to Gandharva Ville by nightfall.”
“Uh…h-haha…” Collei smiles, shaking her head and trying to stifle a laugh at how awkward the situation was.
Sethos watches the whole display in amusement. Having been able to get a good enough read on Cyno by this point, he’d say that this introduction was his way of attempting to ease his nerves. The general is rather perceptive, it seems. But this whole scene, these 3 in front of them, they were like a family. He could see it in their relaxed posture and in their faces. Not to mention, they were so funny! Cyno’s jokes and Tighnari’s reactions were both entirely entertaining!
He almost feels like an outsider.
Sethos laughs loudly when Cyno lets out an indignant huff at Collei’s giggling.
—
The next few weeks pass by smoothly. Sethos fits right into place in Sumeru City easily, just as Tighnari suggested he would. He was naturally sociable and loved to help out, so Sethos quickly grew a reputation for being a ‘good, hardworking lad!’ and was regarded with smiles and waves. And in the evenings, sometimes he’d go camping with the others and compete with Collei to see who’d set up the camp most efficiently. It was a lot of fun!
Today, however, he is visiting the inside of the Akademiya. Cyno had gotten him special permission to come and go as he pleases for a while. Everyone was friendly thus far, especially a woman named Faruzan — no, she prefers Madam Faruzan — who seemed particularly fond of helping him navigate his way around. She knows Collei well, so no wonder!
Sethos had access to a wealth of knowledge and he loved it. Though, he finds some of the scholars too cocky for their own good. He isn’t sure of the intentions of everyone in the school yet — but Sethos is definitely looking forward to talking to them all more.
“You ought to check out mechanics next, alright? I, Madam Faruzan, will do my very best to guide you in this pursuit fully! There is a project that I can show you right now, in fact…”
Sethos was in the middle of listening to Madam Faruzan speak to him and a few other scholars that she was attempting to recruit as students, before being distracted by something else.
As Faruzan speaks, a man wearing blue and white passes by. Sethos doesn’t catch a glimpse of his face, only his large hat that is tipped down by his hand. It’s beautiful, really, and this person just has such a strong presence that pulls Sethos in.
And for some reason, he can’t look away.
“Hey, Sethos?! Aren’t you listening?” Faruzan breaks into his thoughts, shaking him back into reality.
“Huh?” Sethos asks, stealing one more glance before looking back at Faruzan with a tilt to his head. “Sorry, I zoned out for a moment there.”
“Oh, is Hat Guy back? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him!” One of the scholars whispers to another. She points towards the direction of the interesting man, and the other person gasps too.
Sethos snaps his attention to their conversation.
“Wait, who is he? You called him ‘Hat Guy?”
“He is from Vahumana. He is…erm, a rather unique individual. Hardly anyone knows him, but I’ve heard he has quite the interesting scope of knowledge and stays away from people. Most don’t even know his name, so we call him ‘Hat Guy’.”
“Hmm…what an interesting fellow!”
“I competed with him in the Interdarshan championship last year,” Faruzan comments, her eyes landing on him as well. “Though I can’t say we really saw each other much until the final round. Hmph, next time, my gadgets won’t malfunction. Ah — wait, anyways! That is beside the point! Now, I can tell that you all are very interested in the study of mechanics. So, let’s begin…”
Sethos has tuned out. He rests his face in his hand, eyes trailing over to ‘Hat Guy’, who seems to be delivering something. More than anything, he is simply focused on wanting to know what this mysterious man looks like. There was some invisible force that pulled his thoughts to this.
He merely wants to know out of pointless curiosity, that’s all.
—
The first time Sethos sees Hat Guy’s face, he swears his heart stops. Sethos has stepped outside from the Akademiya after running some errands, and he sees him.
Sethos opens his mouth to speak, say hello, as he always does — but words seem to fail him. Hat Guy is speaking with someone, not acknowledging the presence of Sethos in the slightest. Sethos isn’t sure what makes him feel so nervous.
Hat Guy’s lips are in a firm frown, expression seemingly disinterested but there was a softness to his eyes, a pretty shade of violet that Sethos loves. He wasn’t sure what he expected when placing a face to the hat, but all Sethos knows is that he needs to meet him. He needs to, but his tongue is in knots.
Instead, Sethos turns back around and walks right back inside. This courage is for another day.
And he REALLY wants to look at his hat.
—
Sethos has grown accustomed to Hat Guy’s presence in Sumeru City. It seems that he really does keep away from other people, even when others insist on being around him. And, much like Sethos, he apparently runs quite a few errands.
They are quite different though. Hat Guy doesn’t seem to enjoy it as much as he just does it to get some work done. Every time Sethos runs into him and sees his face, he always seems uncaring. And speaking of which, there have been quite a few coincidences now. It is hardly ever by the will of Sethos that he spots Hat Guy, it is only ever a very fortunate happenstance.
But an interesting development has just been made, and it has his heart pounding away at his chest — for reasons unbeknownst to Sethos.
“Quite the busy little bee, aren’t you?” Hat Guy said to him prior, arms folded as he smirks down at him from the treetops.
Bingo, Sethos had thought. He attempted to invite him to lunch. Sethos had been denied the meal, but that wasn’t the important part. Hat Guy spoke to him. He specifically sought Sethos out. The very thought has him smiling wide. Maybe they could be friends after all.
He also made an interesting remark, saying that Sethos couldn’t have been an errand boy — that he had a more important role. And for some reason, Sethos felt the same about Hat Guy. His voice spoke of great mystery and the smug sparkle in his eyes was fascinating. He definitely has a lot of stories to tell, that’s for sure. Sethos wants to hear every single one of them.
The atmosphere in that moment had been gentle and peaceful, and unlike the disinterested looks in the past, he’d seemed in a good mood when he’d spoken to Sethos— despite claiming immediately after that he wanted him to leave him alone.
That had been a few days ago, and now Sethos sits outside again, just at the outskirts of the city.
“It seems you’re slacking today, aren’t you, busy little bee?”
Sethos looks up, finding Hat Guy in the treetops above him again, leaves branching over him and hiding him from the sun. Sethos smiles, happily, because how could it possibly be a coincidence at this point? Busy little bee again though…what a cute nickname.
“Hi there, Hat Guy!” He calls out, patting the spot next to him. “Wanna join me today?”
“On the contrary, I’m looking for some peace and quiet. This is my spot.”
Sethos bites back a laugh. He does his best to soak in Hat Guy’s appearance, and notices how pretty his hat looks with the light filtering between the branches. His eyes fixate on it, and a feeling of contentment washes over his heart.
“I…” Sethos begins, unsure of what he even wants to say.
“Have you lost your words? Hmph.” Hat Guy smirks, as if having achieved some sort of upper hand.
Sethos merely stares up at him. “Can I…look at your hat?”
Hat Guy gapes at him and there’s a long beat of silence.
“…Excuse me?”
“Please? The details on it are fascinating. I’d just like to take a closer look.”
He swears the other man’s face reddens a fraction. But it’s quickly hidden by his hand, dipping his hat in front of his face. “How ridiculous.”
Hat Guy jumps down from the tree and lands gracefully in front of him. The back pieces of his hat flutter elegantly behind him, and he stares at Sethos as if to size him up.
“Not a chance.” He sticks his tongue out at Sethos, before turning around and walking away. Challenge accepted.
—
It’s a little game that they play. Sethos would call it hide and seek, but he is beginning to understand Hat Guy enough to know that both are deliberately seeking each other out. When he tells Cyno and Tighnari this, they are in utter disbelief. Even Collei looks surprised.
“It isn’t like him to take interest in someone like this,” Collei says. Does this mean that Hat Guy has taken interest in Sethos too? Does it, perhaps, have anything to do with his important role that he mentioned — or is it perhaps, that special pull? Either way, they are connected by some invisible force, and it’s thrilling.
He’d found Hat Guy the other day after following a stray cat, which led him straight to him. Hat Guy had seemed flustered upon being caught surrounded by stray cats, and promptly ran away. Sethos would catch up to him when he spotted him in the streets, attempting to make small talk — always asking for closer looks at his hat.
“Can I look this time?”
“Hah! No.”
Sethos would admire the flush that goes up to his ears while he can.
And yet, on days where Sethos is busy, Hat Guy will find him. No matter where Sethos stops to rest, Hat Guy always shows up. He always prefers the treetops, or the rooftops if they’re unavailable. He almost looks like a dejected cat, upset at the lack of attention. But he never comes any closer. Hat Guy always seems to maintain a particular amount of distance between them, despite obviously seeking the company of Sethos.
Sethos thinks he gets it. Hat Guy regards himself as an outsider, like he doesn’t fit in. Sethos feels it too — sometimes it seems as if he’s squeezed himself into the dynamics and relationships of those around him. And yet, he is comforted that he fits right in. But Hat Guy always maintains this distance, so he figures there’s a little more to it.
He’s determined to figure out what that is.
“Deep in thought, are we? Here’s something to think about — how have you somehow found my new hiding spot again?”
Hat Guy sounds annoyed, but Sethos is accustomed to this now. He sighs, closing his eyes. The actual truth is, Sethos isn’t even picking out Hat Guy’s spots. That can only mean one thing. “You know, it is a coincidence on my end. But is it for you?”
“Huh? What are you suggesting?”
Sethos opens his eyes, and looks up at him with determination. “I think you’re the one looking for the company.”
He stands up, and puts his hands on his hips. Hmm. Sethos observes him with careful consideration. It is always that distance keeping him from fully understanding his new friend. For some reason, it is a frightening threshold to cross. Thankfully he doesn’t flee from danger.
Nodding, Sethos makes his decision. Quickly, he moves to quickly climb up the tree, letting out a ‘hmph!’ when he throws himself on top with Hat Guy. The branch is large, but unstable, so he has to be careful.
“What are you doing? I didn’t say you could join me.” Hat Guy says, brows furrowed and frowning almost anxiously. Sethos keeps a little space between them, but finds himself staring.
It’s now, up close, that Sethos realizes — Hat Guy is beautiful. And he is most certainly far more than what meets the eye. He studies his eyes, and senses something that mirrors himself within them. What is your story? Sethos begs to know. He is such a mystery, and yet Sethos feels a deep sense of understanding between the two of them. He finds himself enamored.
“You just seemed a little lonely,” Sethos comments, voice soft.
“Absurd. I don’t feel lonely. You’d best stay away from me. You don’t know me — nor what I’m capable of. Do you really just trust anyone?”
“No, I don’t. I think I have a good enough judgment of character to know that you’re not planning anything.” Sethos smiles, and Hat Guy blinks in surprise. Seeing him caught off his guard is certainly a treat, and it’s one Sethos relishes in. Hat Guy is more emotional than he tries to let on.
Maybe that’s the point.
“Well, you shouldn’t. I didn’t ask for your company.”
“But do you want my company?”
“…” Hat Guy’s eyes waver. Sethos is observant and smart enough to catch the hesitance in his posture. He wants more than he lets on. “Your presence does not bother me. However…I think it is still a foolish move for you to try to be closer with me.”
“Why…why do you think that?”
Hat Guy cannot meet his gaze. He seems to be fighting an internal struggle. The look on his face reminds Sethos of feelings he’s battled himself. Could it be…there’s definitely a large story to tell.
Knowing that his question won’t be answered, Sethos leans in closer with a grin on his face. “Okay, so you don’t find it wise. Noted. I’ll keep it in mind. But I still want to ask one thing…”
“What?” Hat Guy looks back at him. Half in anticipation — hopeful? — and the other as if he’s ready to fight at any moment.
“Can I look at your hat today?”
“Are you serious?!” Hat Guy asks, eyes widened in shock. It is the first time he’s ever lost his cool. He leans back in his disbelief, and the branch shakes.
“Whoa! Hey, hey — okay! Be careful. I wouldn’t want you to—“
“Y-you foolish hu—ah!” Hat Guy loses his balance on the swaying branch and falls. Because of the movement, Sethos goes down too. Thankfully, they weren’t terribly far off of the ground and Sethos merely has to be conscious of not crushing Hat Guy as he lands on top of him.
“Oof!” Sethos yelps as he makes impact, slamming one fist into the ground to keep his weight from making a full impact on the other man. “Aghh…are you okay?”
“I’m…I’m fine.” Hat Guy grumbles beneath him. “Ugh…”
It registers in his brain a little late. Was Hat Guy about to call me a ‘foolish human’? Who exactly is he? Face in the crook of his neck, it also takes Sethos a long moment to register his position.
“O-Oh! I am so sorry.” Sethos pushes himself halfway up with his hands before freezing when his eyes meet Hat Guy.
The look he receives is of tender amusement.
“You are…truly a fool. To get mixed up with someone like me.” He sounds defeated. But weirdly, not disappointed. Hat Guy sounds pleased.
“And what if I am?”
“If you get close to me, then you can’t leave me.” Hat Guy says quietly. The words are bitter. “I’d be furious if you did. Understand?”
“Hmm, I don’t think I mind that.”
“You really don’t understand,” Hat Guy says, frustrated, with fondness trickling through the cracks and contradicting himself. “I have hands tainted with sin. You will regret it.”
“If there’s anything I’ve learned recently, it is that you can change from your past self. The you of yesterday doesn’t define you,” Sethos responds. He thinks for a long, hard moment before continuing. “I think…I understand. We might not have experienced the same things. I don’t know your story. But I’ve had to overcome some hard points in my life recently. I’ve had to seek out a new version of myself and — and it’s hard. And I think I see that in you too.”
Hat Guy just listens, clearly considering his words.
“Maybe it can be less scary — for both of us — if we handle it together?”
He is studied for a long time. Hat Guy’s eyes pierce through his very soul, trying to read the legitimacy of his words.
Sethos goes to move fully back, and Hat Guy’s hand swiftly grabs his arm.
“You…you can look at my hat.”
Sethos lights up.
“Just one time, okay? Then you can never ask me again.”
“Fine, fine.” Sethos sits up and then helps the other man up too. Hat Guy sighs, pulling his hat off of his head and handing it over to him.
“Honestly, I don’t even know what the big deal is. Why are you so interested in my hat?”
Sethos runs his fingers over the little details, eyes scanning over the hat. It really is beautiful. It tells a story, intricately, of Hat Guy’s heart and soul. He feels like the answers are finally in his reach.
Looking up at Hat Guy, he smiles. The other man is confused, tilting his head. “What?”
“I want to hear your story.” Sethos says. “Please?”
“Hmph. Very greedy.” Hat Guy pretends to think about it for a moment. “Fine. Since you want it so much, perhaps I can spare a few details. Ask your questions.”
This is such an important step. Sethos has finally been able to breach the boundary. A threshold never crossed. He isn’t entirely sure what has changed, but his heart longs more and more for the beautiful, mysterious person in front of him.
Sethos knows exactly where to start.
“What is your name?”