🌹?
On every other visit that Hermes has made to him, it is Hermes who speaks first, but when his associate remains in silence, Charon doesn't hesitate to fill the void.
'Hrrrrnnghhhhhhhhh…?'
The enquiring tone snaps Hermes out of whatever trance he's been in, but when he looks up at Charon, there's still a sadness in his eyes that Charon has never seen before and it sits uneasy with him. As does the smile that Hermes attempts to put on his face, as if he needs to conceal his sorrow from Charon.
“Hey there, boss! Hope I haven't caught you at a bad time. I just, well, I mean, you were the first person I thought to go to. But I can always come back later if you're busy.”
As if this is the case. As psychopomps, they are both always and never busy. Hermes knows this. And Charon does not appreciate his deflection. When Charon next speaks, there is a sharper edge to it, filled with the offence that Hermes would believe Charon would not have time for him. Hermes should know better than that.
'Hrroooooooohhhh…!'
At this, Hermes flinches, the guilt passing across his features. Yet still he seems unusually reluctant to open up to Charon. After a moment of pause (again, a concept that generally does not exist for Hermes), he holds out his hands, revealing what it is that he has brought.
Charon looks down to be greeted by another face blinking back up at him. It is a small, green creature of which he is unfamiliar. Is this creature what has caused Hermes such sadness?
