etraya | un; hob

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un; hob | video

[ The video feed shows a weary looking man who appears disoriented but in good health. He went from disappearing from Auriel to returning to his own world, living his life for a year, attending a somber matter in the realm of dreams, to returning to Etraya.

For anyone who knew him previously, Hob Gadling looks a bit different with a changed haircut and a beard, but it's undoubtably him. Looking into the camera, he offers a sheepish smile. ]

Hello. Uh, not that anyone probably noticed, but I took a little detour on the way back to Etraya. I went home. I'm not sure how much time has passed here since our mission to the fairy lands, but it's been a year for me. My name is Hob Gadling, and I'm just a man from Earth with some extraordinary stories to tell. Much of which I've kept to myself in the year and a half I've lived in Etraya prior to my trip home.

[ He shakes his head, as if removing the cobwebs after a deep sleep. ]

Anyway, I just wanted to say I'm back. Oh, and Happy Christmas. Or.. New Year. Whichever is closest.

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[Hob might have noticed upon his return to Etraya that Loki is not at home. Though with his current state of worry and annoyance, Loki doesn't think Hob looked at all before making this rather generic video. Loki honestly doesn't know how to feel when he sees the video. Relieved? Angry? Sad? Hurt? All of the above? Despite how far he's come with understanding himself and his own emotions, the hurt he feels does come across as anger when he answers the video. At least at first.]

Oh, so no one noticed that you disappeared? I guess I am no one then?

[ Hob blinks a few times, as if snatching at the memories he had forgotten when he returned home. How could he ever forget that handsome face? ]

Loki, you're still here.

[ Spoken with a breath of relief. ]

Where are you? I-I have to see you.

Of course I am still here. I am not the one who disappeared with no word or trace.

[Loki huffs in annoyance that, since Hob knows him better than almost anyone, he can probably tell is more about fear and hurt than actually being angry.]

Oh yes, I'm sure you simply have to see me. Well I am sorry, but I am currently busy.

[He isn't, of course. And part of him desperately wants to run to Hob and check to make sure he's okay, find out what happened, but all the other emotions he's currently experiencing are getting in the way.]

How long was I gone?

[ He's still getting a sense of what time has passed.

Busy? Hob sighs, knowing Loki doesn't really mean that. He can tell. ]

I can wait however long it takes.

Long enough.

[For Loki to think Hob was never coming back. A week is usually nothing to him, but after seeing him every day and knowing how people disappear from Etraya pretty regularly, he'd become worried really quickly.]

I will be home in about an hour. I suppose you can stop by then.

[Part of him, the rather petty part, wants to make him wait, but despite the hurt and fear he feels, he's also missed Hob and had been very worried that something awful had happened to him. He needs to see him for himself, Loki just needs a bit to trying and keep himself together.]

Are you alright? You look tired.

[ It's a relief to hear his voice. Loki is rather put-out at Hob right now. ]

I am. I was at home and... a couple people died who I was very close to. It's a little disorienting to be here again after that.

I'm glad to know you're safe. Allow me to extend my condolences for those you've lost. Do you require anything I may help with?

[ There's a smile in his voice. One that's appreciative. ]

That's very kind of you. Can you tell me how long ago everyone returned from the fairy world?

A little over a month. As far as I have been able to discern it was a less traumatic venture than when we were sent to be live entertainment to a dying planet.

I agree, it was not as bad as that.

How have you been?

How extraordinary?

Maybe not extraordinary for some people here, but gods and dream worlds and mythical beings are the stuff of books and legends where I come from, but I've seen them with my own eyes.

Them? As in, you've had more than one encounter? [Faintly dry:] I wouldn't call any of those commonplace.

I have. With the lord of dreams and Death herself.

And I would agree. I've also seen some incredible things here that would never happen where I come from.

You will, too. You're new?

Sort of. I arrived a few weeks before our mission on the Fae world.

[He spares a moment to introduce himself:] E-Soul.

Should I congratulate or commiserate with you on your return here?

I see. We were there a long time. It must feel strange to be bounced around.

[ Hob can relate, of course. ]

To be honest, aside from some of the missions, I don't think I mind it here as much as some others. I'm not a hero who needs to go back and save my world, so this has been kind of like an adventure for me.

It's a new experience. But I can handle it.

Are the missions a sensitive subject?

You sound like the sort who can take care of himself.

[ That's a good thing. ]

For some people, I'm sure they are. Whether it's due to being jerked around or due to what happens during the missions. Some are more difficult than others.

I'm a superhero.

[It explains the name.]

I've heard more than one ominous remark about the missions, but never any details. [A pause, then:] I know better than to force it.

So how does this adventure compare to meeting your lord of dreams and Death?

I was wondering about that network name.

[ It's as Hob thought it might be. ]

And I don't mind answering questions about missions or anything else. It's what I can contribute here.

This adventure is very different. Death and I did not meet in person until recently, but I would meet the Lord of Dreams for a drink every hundred years. Here, unexpected things happen every few weeks.

[There's a lot he could comment on, but surprise pushes it to one side for now, and he remarks:]

...Wait. How old are you?

You know, we didn't always keep track of those things back then.

[ Not common-folk, at least. ]

I'd guess nearly.. six hundred and seventy or close to it by now.

[There's a moment of silence, then:]

I've never met an Immortal before. No wonder you have stories.

It's mostly just living a regular life, except a few exceptional run-ins. But even an ordinary life is wonderful.

...For some.

What's the hardest mission you've been sent on?

There was one world that was dying, and everyone had resorted to fighting to survive. You had to participate in a colosseum for a score. I'm sure it would not have been a problem for you, though.

No. [He says it with no hesistation at all. He's definitely a confident fighter.]

But I was useless in the Fae world. It's not the start I hoped for with my universe on the line.

What's been your easiest mission?

[ It feels as if their skills are opposite of each other, which could be a benefit to them both. ]

There was a mission where we were all moved into a town and had to live as a family. We were given jobs, and my house was given an infant to care for. She was actually an android, but you couldn't tell. She was so cute!

[ He really liked that one. ]

As a family? [E-Soul's voice softens.] That sounds nice.

Do you... did you have any children?

I did. Long ago.

[ The bit of sorrow is evident in his voice. ]

...I'm sorry to stir up your grief. You just sounded so fond, I wondered.

No, it's alright. It's my duty to remember them.

I understand.

[He changes the subject.]

I was hoping that there was some way to judge the missions, but they sound too varied to predict.

They tend to swing between combat and non-combat missions, so I'm sure you'll excel at the next one.

Good to know.

If you find yourself in trouble, reach out. I'll be quick to respond.

I do appreciate that. Thank you.

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un; hob | video

Video | UN Loki

un; hob | video

Video | UN Loki

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un: s0001, this time he remembered audio!

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un: e-soul | voice

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