.~Edelsteine~. - Ankou's Journal by Zero Dream

[Zero Dream]

Just The Way We Are

Zero Dream

He'd only allowed himself the barest bit of rest before heading back up, back... home, as it were. He couldn't have been gone for more than a day, and...

Well. This was going to be fun to explain, really.

It was evident now that he'd grown in both ways of the term, when he did step up the stairs into the hallway, having apparently lost little of his ability to sneak around unnoticed in the process. If anything, it was almost enhanced, with how his steps only barely made a sound. The sudden shift in height was a little confusing, and his wingspan was at least twice what it had been. It had been harder to gauge those things when he'd been in the Underworld, but here...

At least Nergal had been able to get him some more fitting clothing, or this whole thing would have been very Mission Impossible. Not that it wasn't now - the goal, as it were, was to sneak though as quietly as possible, avoid his aoidei for the time being, and get to the one person he was actually willing to let her see him still confused about the whole thing.

The door opened as silently as he was able, and closed almost as silently, and then he started toward the room he and Cosine shared.

midnight_medea

Cosine was not asleep like the rest of the apartment. She was thinking and writing, the feint scratch of her pencil on paper the only sound in the room. The goddess paused mid equation and slipped the pencil behind her ear. It was late, very late and she was feeling rather hungry.

In the hall the light click of the door, a light whisper of movement.

She looked up, everyone was home, she was sure of it, it could be Ankou of course. She stood slowly and picked the candlestick holder up. He wasn't usually one to sneak about his own home though. She frowned, blew out the candle and walked to the bedroom door. She stood next to it and opening it just a crack so she could peer out into the darkness.

Zero Dream

Ankou would have certainly have been more skilled at sneaking had it not been for his wings - more elaborately with him hitting almost everything he could possibly hit with the new wingspan in the process of moving.

This was bothersome to say the least, and he did perk up from replacing the table cloth when the door opened. At least, it wasn't Jinx. The whole room would have been awake in a matter of minutes if it had been the catgirl. Thankfully, it was Cosine.

"Hey." The Spirit Guide smiled. His voice hadn't changed, not really. But that fact that Cosine might not actually recognize him never quite entered his mind.

midnight_medea

She watched the strange god fumble around with things in the apartment and opened the door fully.

"Don't come any closer. Who are you and what do you want?" She held the candlestick up, ready to throw it if he came any closer. She was so panicked she hadn't really thought that a small piece of wood might not be very effective against a god. Really, she didn't stand a chance.

Zero Dream

....Wait. What ?

That wasn't meant to happen, and for a moment Ankou was much too confused to do anything. The god literally froze for a moment, uncertain what to do, not even breathing.

This was confusing and embarrassing at the same time.

"Cosine." He did raise his voice beyond the whisper he'd used, in hope she would recognize it. "I..." He didn't really dare to come closer, though. She did look quite ready to throw whatever she was holding. He did move, just slightly, in order to let his pendant fall out from under his shirt.

midnight_medea

Cosine paused a moment at his words. Me? she thought, looking him over again, her eyebrow raising as she saw the pendant she had bought him in Baadris. She moved a hair closer, her green eyes meeting his golden ones. Well, he had Kou's eyes and voice, now she looked at him properly there was a resemblance. She took a deep breath and smiled a little, he was not half a god any more.

Cosine lowered her 'weapon' and smirked a little to herself, payback for almost scaring her out of her skin.

"You could have stolen that." She whispered, nodding at the pendant. "I'm going to need more proof."

Zero Dream

His expression would likely be a very good trade-off indeed. Had he not been so damn nervous to begin with, he might have noticed the signs of recognition that had shown up a few seconds prior to her statement, but thankfully for her plan at payback, the Spirit Guide seemed just as confused and embarrassed as he had been even since he'd been 'caught'.

This was downright ridiculous. Proof ? What kind of proof did he have ?! Unknown to himself, Ankou was turning an interesting shade of blue.

Think, damnit, think... The fact that this was happening at all was a little ridiculous. What was the thing he knew that no one else did-

"Your kisses." He did suddenly blurt out. "Your lipbalm taste like cherry."

Probably the corniest proof of identity ever.

midnight_medea

Cosine watched as he tried to think of some other proof that it was him. At his answer she opened her mouth, closed it again and burst into laughter. Yep, it was Ankou all right.

"My lip balm tastes of cherries?" She asked, looking him over again, this was really going to take some getting used to but she was not going to complain. He looked good, and hopefully his personality had not changed too much.

"When did this happen?" She asked, walking closer to him, almost afraid to touch.

Zero Dream

Her laugh was first met only with more confusion, when it did finally dawn on him that she'd figured out just who he was a... long time ago.

And, in result, he frowned, but did seem to finally calm down. "It does." Ankou sounded downright sheepish. "Was that really necessary ? ...You are pretty scary with a candlestick."

Ankou, indeed.

"Ill'd say..." His sense of time was a little skewed. "A few hours ago ?" That did explain why his wings were trying to do some interior redecorating.

midnight_medea

Cosine smiled again and shook her head.
"I was scared, I barely have any power and here is some strange god snooping around." She reached out to take his hand in hers. He felt a little cold, like her when she had been sat outside for too long. Her other hand she moved up to touch this new face. He was so pale, though it suited, he reminded her of Nergal a little, though more approachable, kinder.

Her fingers brushed over his cheek and up to his hair. "It suits you." She said finally, combing her fingers through his white locks and watching them fall back into place at his shoulders. "I like your hair."

Zero Dream

"Am I so strange, now ?" He was amused, now that the panic had finally passed. Such a strange mix of emotions in such a short time - only Cosine was able to make that happen in him, really.

"You do not need to worry about strange gods lurking in the dark." He did move to cup her chin in his free hand, tenderly. "Not on my watch. I am the only strange god allowed around these parts." His expression turned into a grin.

"It... feels right." It was hard to explain, really. Everything just felt right, like the last piece of a puzzle had finally been put in place - the irritation mostly coming out of miscalculating the distance of his wings, and his own height. Things he'd gotten used to that were suddenly completely different with little warning.

"But, I should make up for scaring you, shouldn't I ?" He crossed the span that separated them, and kissed her.

midnight_medea

His words made her smile, that was how it should feel, to evolve into yourself. Your true self. His kiss amused her, he was taller now, and she was still short having to stand on tiptoes so that she could wrap her arm around his neck, the candlestick still in her hand. She was glad that it was still her Kou inside the new shell, though she was also nervous. He would have more responsibilities now, be gone more and more.

After a few moments she pulled away and looked up at him in the darkness.

"So you can take me on an adventure now you're all grown up and stronger."

Zero Dream

"Of course." He moved, slowly, to sweep her off her feet and carry her, but as his wings moved, they got caught up and then knocked down one of the chairs, the unexpected sound startling him.

"Well. Not yet." He admitted. "Maybe when I decide to stop being a walking disaster."

midnight_medea

Cosine laughed as he carried her and cause havoc in their wake. It was not just her who was going to have to get used to this new form. She reached behind his back to run her hand over the soft feathers.

"Any time you're ready. If Nergal's going to be stealing you away I think it's only fair."

Zero Dream

"I do not think Nergal's gonna be stealing me away for some time." Ankou admitted. He'd scared his older brother shitless, more or less. It had been easy to see, for him.

He wasn't going to go in the finer details, though. It would only worry her, really, and what was done, was done. There was no use worrying about it now.

He carefully pushed the door open with his shoulder to step inside their room, where she had initially come from. "And what did I disturb you from, hmm ? I doubt you were sleeping. Or am I that bad of a sneak ?"

midnight_medea

She looked to the made bed and smiled.
"No, I wasn't sleeping. I'm getting like you these days. there's always too much to think about." She glanced to the desk she had been working at and removed the pencil from behind her ear. "Just some thoughts and ideas. My journal, things to aid rebuilding. I finished the community centre and school." She was rather proud of that achievement. "I will take you to see it tomorrow, then maybe to some other projects. "I have been aiding the architects and builders."

Zero Dream

"I am such a bad influence." The aches in his limbs returned, reminding him of just how recent the growth had been, and he carefully let the goddess back down on her feet before he could accidentally drop her.

"I will look forward to seeing all that, then. Though, I might need some explanations." He winked at her, before sitting on the bed. His legs had been starting to ache again. Definitively not too much excitement in the near future, if it could be avoided.

midnight_medea

She put her feet down carefully and flexed her bare feet on the floor.

"Of course I will provide explanations." She watched him for a moment and walked over to face him. "You look weary." She smiled a little and cupped his face in her hands. Of course he would not look tired, he did not sleep. Cosine leaned down to kiss him briefly and pulled back to look into his eyes. "Would you like me to get you anything?"

Zero Dream

"It wasn't very pleasant." The Spirit Guide finally did admit, leaning into her touch without really noticing he was doing just that. "And it was draining. But I figure there's no way around that." It left you drained yet stronger at the same time, or at least it was how he felt right now. A strange little paradox.

"I think your presence will be more than enough." He smiled at her, that smile that was so rare for everyone else. Even he if just spent the night laying down and watching her work, it would be well-spent.

midnight_medea

She smiled and stroked his cheek gently.
"I will show you something. A game." She pulled away and wandered over to get some paper and a pencil from the desk. "We can play and you can rest." Cosine walked back over to the bed and flopped down on her stomach. "I have other plans for you before I let you out of my sight again." She looked back at him and gave a cheeky wink. "watch." Her hand beckoned him to join her as she started to make grids of numbers, squares of 9 all joined together.

Zero Dream

"A game ?" Oh, now she had him. Catching his attention was the best way to keep Ankou from fidgeting too much. The mention of other plans was not completely lost on him, that fact betrayed by his expression, but right now the immediate was much more interesting.

He followed her lead, peeking over her shoulder rather easily, but not quite understanding what this was all about just yet. Games in general were not things he was extremely aware of, beside the hide and seek he sometime did play with his brother's children. Number games were much less familiar.

midnight_medea

"Okay, you see this." She gestured to the 9x9 grid. "There are nine squares in the grid, in each square there are the numbers one to nine. Some are missing. What you have to do is make every square have the numbers one to nine, and also each row needs to have the numbers one to nine. Like this." It was a bit of an unfair game to play really, she completed the top row of nine quickly and filled in the first square. "You can't double any numbers in each row or square. In the far east they call it Sudoku." Cosine smiled and handed him the pencil. "You try the next row."

Zero Dream

...That sounded complicated.

For him, at least. Cosine, of course, filled the first square in as quick as it was probably possible to fill it, while he was left looking over his own square with very open confusion. He wasn't really sure how it all worked, and he did spend a moment simply observing the square, pen swirling back and forth in between two pale fingers, wings moving every now and then, before he finally did try to fill the front row. He was nowhere near Cosine's speed, and could probably have been called an insult to the art, crossing out numbers and replacing them as he realized things weren't quite adding up.

Anyone else he might have not even tried at all, but Cosine was a completely different story. She'd seen him do and say much stupider, after all.

midnight_medea

Cosine smiled and rested her head against his shoulder.

"It'll get easier." She encouraged as she watched him cross numbers out and try and work through the puzzle. "Just say if you don't like it, I'll find us something else. I know numbers aren't for everyone."

Zero Dream

"It's not that I don't like it." He answered a bit distractedly, clearly not willing to give up until he'd gotten at least this one right. "But it is not as easy as you make it look like. I fear I lack your skill, my lady."

He couldn't see himself doing this all that often, but honestly almost anything became interesting if it meant spending time with Cosine. They didn't get a whole lot of that as is... mostly by his fault.

Though... now, that could change. Once he got used to this, to what he could and couldn't do, bringing her along was not outside the question. Not now that he felt he could actually protect her.

But still, there would need to be a balance. She was needed here as much as he was needed elsewhere.

midnight_medea

She smirked a little and propped herself up on her elbow.

"Hmm, I will find something we can play together." she watched him work and reached out to play with his new, white hair. She didn't want to waste their time together. It was almost better that he was away so often, it made her appreciate the time they had more. "Or we could just talk? You can tell me your plans now you have evolved."

Zero Dream

It was actually hard to think of something that would interest the both of them equally, now that he thought about it. He didn't move, looking down as he filled more and more squares with numbers, and went to do corrections as he realized he was doing the puzzle wrong. He wasn't giving up, though.

"Plan ?" He did stop to look at her, amusement evident. "Have I ever had a plan ?" He didn't think so. Mostly he just... did things in order not to get bored. Went along with the flow most of time. "No real reason to start now. Knowing me it will end in disaster." He winked at her and resumed working on the puzzle.

midnight_medea

"Try filling in this one." She pointed to one of the lower boxes with a pale finger. "most of the numbers are already there and it will help you with those two lines." This was nice, spending time together just doing noting, or almost nothing. His reply to her question made her smirk a little. "I'm sure that's not true. Though, I suppose in times like these there's not much point in a plan. The world is so changeable."

Zero Dream

"I am almost done with this one, I think..." There were only a few blank spots left... but there were so many scribbles that it was hard to tell which number went where, really.

"That is the point, really... Why have a nice, set plan when something will probably come up and make you improvise anyway ?" Well, maybe he did have some loose sort of 'plan'. But it existed only in his head, and it was very likely that no one would be able to understand any of it.

midnight_medea

Cosine smiled as she watched him fill out the puzzle and smiled at his observation.

"I suppose. I quite like planning things, though it's my nature. Logic and order." Her green eyes appraised the numbers, despite the scribbles they were all correct. "You've done well. And don't worry about the mistakes, making them is half the fun of a puzzle." She shifted a little as her arm started to tingle. "Number is the same. Mathematicians would have gotten nowhere without all the scribbling out."

Zero Dream

"Trial and error." He nodded. "It's a part of everything, I figure. You cannot learn without doing mistakes in the way." He was aware of that, and couldn't really deny it.

At last, the last number was filled in. "I think I got it ?" He wasn't all quite that certain he'd gotten it right.

midnight_medea

Cosine shifted to sit upright and took the sheet of paper. It didn't take her long to look it over and see that it was correct.

"I often end up surrounded by a big pile of screwed up paper. And yep, it's all perfect." She smiled and handed the paper back to him. "Would you like me to make you a hot drink? There might even be cookies in the cupboard."

[Zero Dream]

Anima/Cos

[Zero Dream]

Chibi Is Not Chibi Anymore

Zero Dream

The air was warm and pleasant when he did finally leave the confines of his rooms, leaving Cosine to work in peace while he got some fresh air.

That, and there were less things he could accidentally knock down outside. He hadn't gotten the hang of his bigger wings yet. The newly grown ones were the worst to control. Sometimes he forgot that they were there at all. That's when things usually ended up on the floor.

Beside the differences in height, and the differences in, well, width, it wasn't so bad. The pain has subsided, mostly, and he honestly did not feel all that much different. Or awkward. He'd caught his own reflection in the mirror this morning, and honestly hadn't been too surprised by it.

It was just as he had said - what he was.

He eventually went off course, heading toward one of the streams further back the garden, with little to nothing planned at all.

Sosiqui

There appeared to be a small gathering on a rise in the back of the garden, right near the stream in question - one Aoide, one human, and one Dragon King all gathered around one telescope. "Are you sure you even know how this works?" Tian Yue said, giving Toki a skeptical look.

"Of course I do," Toki protested, adjusting the knobs on the scope. "The Aoidei of Tien Lung should know how to operate all manner of celestial devices!"

"Even if this one is a terrestial device at the moment," Penny said, with a faint sigh. "Toki, are you sure I can't-"

"I know how to do it!" Toki's voice got a little shrill, and Penny took a step back. "Ah... hang on..."

Tian Yue looked at Penny, who merely shrugged helplessly. "All this to survey a hill to put a theoretical temple on top of..."

"It keeps him busy?"

Zero Dream

...Well, well.

The idea of creeping up that hill, slowly, very slowly... and startle the dragon came right to mind, but then...

He'd probably give Toki an heart attack.

Hell, he'll probably just give Toki an heart attack just by existing, for all he knew, but... No, instead Ankou simply switched directions and made no effort to hide his approach.

...But then, he wasn't exactly making it obvious, either.

"A what on top of a what, now ?" He called out when he was a few meters away, and braced himself mentally for... Well, if Cosine of all people hadn't recognized him... It was likely that none of the little group would.

Sosiqui

"Temple on t-WHO!" Toki yelped accusingly, all but jumping behind his Lord's reassuringly large form.

Tian Yue blinked, then began to laugh. "Toki, stop - it's only Ankou. You have changed, my friend - but your mana still feels familiar," he added, his eyes bright.

Toki inched out from behind Tian Yue, but even Ankou's station as a god didn't save him from a few pathetic looks from the Aoide. "M-my apologies," he mumbled, obviously embarrassed.

Zero Dream

Ankou certainly did not seem too worried about Toki's sudden outburst, but the dragon king's laughter was infectious, just as he tried to spare some additional embarrassment to the aoide. Don't laugh, don't laugh...

He did not quite manage, but managed to keep it mostly in check. "No need to worry about it. You are certainly not the first." And he probably wouldn't be the last. Ankou certainly wasn't offended about it.

"Certainly not a bad place." He commented, turning to look in the distance. "Nice view." He gave Penny a nod of acknowledgment, wanting to be polite in spite of... not really knowing how to deal with her, really.

Sosiqui

Penny smiled and bowed. "A pleasure to meet you again, Lord Ankou." She seemed a little more at ease now that she realized who the god was. Toki, for his part, just nodded and slunk behind Tian Yue again, fiddling with the knobs on the telescope with apparent deep concentration.

Tian Yue rolled his eyes, now that Toki couldn't see. We're just keeping him busy, he mouthed, then went on speaking properly. "So, when did this happen?" The Dragon King raised an eyebrow in Ankou's direction. He could feel the increase in his friend's power, though it didn't yet feel like the Spirit Guide had ascended fully - like the flame of a volcano compared to the white fire of a star.

Zero Dream

Ankou simply nodded at the mouthed words - an ambiguous answer that could have been simply related to the spoken words that had come shortly afterward. "Not so long ago, actually." He admitted - he did not need to look up to actually look at Tian Yue, now that was certainly pleasing. "Stiill... Recovering, I figure." If this had been nearly anyone else than the dragon, he probably would not have admitted that.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue nodded. "Yes... it takes time, I know, especially with the changes. These..." He reached up and ran one hand along the horns on that side, then his shoulder-spikes. "They weren't particularly enjoyable." He made a face, and gestured for Ankou to follow him a little ways away from Toki and Penny. The girl seemed to understand, and nodded to the Dragon King before turning her attention fully on the Aoide's mutterings.

"I am glad that no more transformations of that nature will come my way," he said, with a sigh. "My natural form-shifting is quite enough." At least that didn't hurt!

Zero Dream

He hadn't really thought about it. To be honest, he'd never given though about his own changes before their happening, much less others' - and he almost winced just thinking about it. Especially them coming all at once. That had to suck. At least he hadn't popped out all 6 wings in one go. "I bet."

He followed the dragon, easily keeping pace. "These weren't so enjoyable either." His wings gave a twitch. "The rest... wasn't so bad."

Sosiqui

"I also ascended faster than most, I think - from as you were to as I am now, with no intermediate stage in between." Tian Yue blinked. He hadn't really thought about that - perhaps it had been the urgency of Gehenna that had propelled him forward? The great need at hand? "Except for the tail, it was very much all at once... and at the moment of my ascension I was wearing dragonskin... so. You can imagine the transformation back to human shape was... not kind." He winced at the memory.

Zero Dream

"...Probably not." Ouch. Ouch, indeed. Of course, he knew nothing about that kind of shapeshifting - but his mental image of it was indeed not very pleasant. Tian Yue's expression was clear as water on the subject, even to him.

"I never gave it much of a thought, to be honest." It had happened, and that was the end of it, right ?

"At least I didn't sprout all these wings at once... The existing ones and a third set was bad enough."

Sosiqui

"Fortunately, the merits of our ascensions are not marked in blood shed or pain felt." Tian Yue grinned and reached out to clasp the younger god's shoulder. "I am glad to see you - seeing you ascended further is just a bonus."

Zero Dream

"Im glad to see you too." And he was. He'd missed Tian Yue, without truly realizing that he had. It was odd to think about, so he didn't, and he accepted it for what it was.

"A temple, hm ?" He smiled. "That might not be such a bad idea, actually." Everything seemed about temples, right now. He knew Nergal has one in construction and... Echo's aoidei were getting surprisingly vocal about one for their goddess.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue made a face. "Toki's idea entirely, I assure you," he said with a sigh. "He was so thrilled with the renovations to my personal chambers that he's determined to set up an entire new temple - nevermind that I've work to do, that I prefer dwelling near the Crown, and that a temple must be built, not coaxed out of the Pantheon by Creation's blessing alone. But if I discard the idea over and over, he... pouts. Most terribly."

Zero Dream

Ankou couldn't help it - he laughed at that, unusually warmly. It was evident he was completely at ease around the dragon, one of the very few individuals he was actually completely at ease with. "As if having a temple meant being bolted into it." After speaking, though, he stopped to think. "...Though, that certainly wouldn't be beyond Toki to try it."

Nothing against the aoide himself, of course, but Ankou was glad he was not the one to have to put up with him. Jinx could be bad enough, at times.

Of course, he couldn't imagine himself having a temple, so this was very much a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Sosiqui

"Of course not, but - well. There are other reasons, too." Tian Yue tilted his head back and looked at the empty sky. "Tien Lung's temple of old was set between the stars. I went there... once. Just once, in this life. A beautiful place. Gone now, I am sure... it was mine, and Universe's. Always shared." He looked down at Ankou again, a wistful expression on his face. "It doesn't feel right to have such a place alone. We are different, we Dragon Kings. Specific in duty and in purpose, embodying nothing save that duty. I shared what was his, really."

Zero Dream

Ankou followed the dragon's gaze to the empty sky, and then nodded, letting his eyes fall closed. Some part of him wondered why it was still blank, empty... If there had been something in the work that they had done that hadn't been right... But, no, they hadn't been the only ones tasked with assembling pieces of this massive puzzle. If a task similar to the one they had undertook had gone to another... He could see what would take so long.

He had to trust that if something else, if he was needed for anything else... he would know.

He did finally open his eyes again, returning to the here and now. "I wish I could say I understood. But..." Of course he didn't, not really. He was not a King, not one of Tian Yue's brothers. Likewise, the Worldshield would likely be unable to truly grasp what it was to be him.

"I hope they are well." He added, belatedly. "Your brothers."

Sosiqui

"They are well," Tian Yue said, smiling again; this time the expression was more fond, less sad. "I had missed them, terribly - only nine of us in all of Creation. For so long it seemed like Zhijian and I were the only ones left... it is good, very good, to see them." For a moment, a fierce pride filled the Dragon King - followed by the spark of an idea. Just a faint flame, and yet...

"I think... that perhaps a temple isn't exactly what I want," he said, slowly.

Zero Dream

"I certainly have enough of one brother." He said, his expression turning impish. "I am not sure what I would do with eight. Go insane, maybe." Though, some days, maybe Nergal did count as eight.

The thought was amusing.

He calmed when the dragon voiced his thought, however, turning more curious than anything else. "Do you have an idea ?" There was no harm in asking - if it was too personal, Tian Yue simply would not tell him any of it, and that would be that.

Sosiqui

"An observatory. A place of learning, a place of remembering... of honoring the stars, once our Lord creates a new sky. Even if they are dead things, we can still delight in them... if not as wholly." His smile tilted towards sad once more. "A place where mortals can learn duty and honor as truly as any Dragon King."

Zero Dream

"You realize you probably will need to kick Akakios out every night, right ?" That did seem to be his nephew's cup of tea, so to speak. "It does sound like a good idea, really. A place of learning. I can see you in this." It was odd, and strangely disconcerting, that there were very likely mortals that were born and had never seen a sky. That wouldn't know what a star was.

It was Ankou's turn to somber.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue chuckled. "That wouldn't be a bad thing, in my opinion. I'm rather fond of my godchildren. The observatory part, of course, will come later... when there is something to observe. I hope that time comes soon. Our own undertaking must have been only a part of what was needed..."

Zero Dream

"Clearly you've never picked up after Hurricane Sotiris." There was amusement in his voice - he wasn't completely serious. He did care for his nephews and niece dearly.

"Creation spoke of other pieces, didn't he ?" He remembered that, quite clearly. "If others had gotten similar tasks than our own..."

Well, Tian Yue had done pretty much all the work, in his opinion, and so it felt alien to call it 'our'. No amount of being told otherwise would change his mind, apparently. "We can only trust that if we are needed further, we will know."

Sosiqui

"No, I haven't - but that cleaning up would keep Toki nicely busy. I see no downside," the Dragon King teased. "And - no doubt He would. He would tell my brothers and I for sure, for we are sworn to see to His every command, moreso even than other deities. I know He moves, but such things are mysterious even to me. The Twin Crown can be unknowable when He so chooses."

Zero Dream

Ha, of course Tian Yue wouldn't see a downside to this. But having six deities living in his close space for months had had been just a bit frustrating on him. Issue of space, for the most part - it had felt like he couldn't do two steps without tripping on a child.

Or a cat.

Ankou was still a little clueless about Echo's love of cats.

"Well, then." He poked at the dragon's shoulder with the tip of one wing. "Nothing else to do but go on until things are ready, then."

Sosiqui

"Go on, and attempt to stop Toki from building me some kind of terrible... thing. I don't entirely trust his taste... oh, excuse me," he added dryly, poking back at the offending wing. "I seem to have walked into one of your appendages."

Zero Dream

"Not my problem, I must say." Thankfully. For who, Ankou or Toki... well, it was debatable.

"Wing, thank you." He corrected in mock-affront. "And I poked you with it, you did not walk into it."

Sosiqui

"Is it tasty?" He snapped his teeth at it, though it looked quite a bit sillier in human shape than it did in dragonform - then again, if he transformed, he might accidentally snap up all of Ankou instead of just the wingtip.

Zero Dream

The wing did retreat back, mostly pure reflex than any conscious decision from the god who bore them. "Certainly not, silly dragon. Is it so hard to recognize tasty when you see it ? Beside, you break my wings, you get to carry me everywhere."

Everywhere being literal in this case. He hadn't reached out too far, just yet, but.. he would.

Sosiqui

"Oh, you could still walk - but you wound me, Spirit Guide. As if I would damage one of my friends." His face took on an injured expression.

Zero Dream

Had it been anyone else, Ankou would have probably been pretty worried about now - but their long travel up and down the World Tree had taught him to read more of the nuances of Tian Yue - well, more than he could truly read anyone else.

"Oh, but you are so big and I am so small, you know. Things happen. Beside, you were just talking about eating me." He shot back with equal amount of mock-affront.

Sosiqui

"Only in jest, I assure you." Tian Yue eyed Ankou's wings speculatively. "So, do they work? For things besides poking dragons, I mean."

Zero Dream

"One is never sure, with dragons." Oh, if anyone walked on them right now... Certainly they would wonder who he was, and what he'd done with himself.

"Of course they work." Ankou stood as tall as he could. He hadn't tried to fly yet, but deep inside himself... he knew it was so. "And I certainly fly so much better than certain wingless dragons." That was bold, to say the least, perhaps downright stupid to pretend this, knowing full well he was probably going to be proven wrong amazingly quickly.

But the bait was there, and he only grinned.

Sosiqui

"If I were winged, I would be the Fangbridle - and while Zhijian is a wonderful brother, I'd rather be myself," Tian Yue said mildly, though his tail wiggled at the thought of a challenge.

The next instant, a very very large dragon was on the hill next to Ankou. Tian Yue ducked and tossed the remains of his robes off his head, only vaguely aware of Toki's distant wail as the Aoide realized his Lord had ruined yet another set of clothes. "Your move," he rumbled, ears pricked high in amusement.

Zero Dream

The bait had worked - he had, indeed, fished up a dragon. If he hadn't seen it first hand so many times before, Ankou might have been worried about size of dragon versus size of him and what might result of this.

But as it was, he didn't seem very worried. "Very well." Still, it took a moment to truly remember, to get all these wings to move in some set of resemblance of order, but he did eventually take of, soaring high before basically back-flipping to look down at the dragon. "Your move." It was his turn to grin.

Sosiqui

"Impressive," Tian Yue said, curling up and around where Ankou was, though careful not to get too close lest the wind that followed his coils accidentally batter his friend into a difficult situation. "How do you get them all to move together like that? Isn't that inconvenient?"

Zero Dream

"Remembering was the hard part." He admitted. Thankfully, there were only so many ways one could move three pair of wings in unison, or else they could have easily been here all day.

And he would have looked very stupid indeed.

"It is kind of.. instinct, I figure, like so many things. Now that I remember it, it's easy." He frowned a bit, and it was evident that this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

Sosiqui

"Still, I think flying without wings must be a little easier. No coordination required - leaves me free to think of doing other things." Indeed, several mischievous ideas had gone through the dragon's mind as they hovered there, but... he wasnt going to try them out on Ankou.

Not yet, anyway.

Zero Dream

"But then just how can you control your flight without wings ?" Ankou was just as clueless than Tian Yue was, actually. Two opposite extreme, one without wings and the other with six. "It isn't hard. Not really."

He continued to hover in place for a moment, before experimentally drifting forward.

Sosiqui

"I... just do?" Tian Yue said, nonplussed; he turned his head back and examined his long coils with a narrowed gaze. Flight just worked for him, quick as thought, in whichever form he chose - though he preferred to fly in dragonshape. "I don't have to really think about it any more than walking. Not unless I'm doing something complicated."

Zero Dream

Ankou had to think about what he was doing, at least he had to for now, since it was still pretty new. Not so long ago he wouldn't even have left the ground, no matter how hard he'd have waved his wings around like an idiot.

"Well." He gave the dragon a smirk full of mischief. "Prove it !"

And then Ankou darted off, setting off the impromptu race - knowing well he was going to need the surprise effect. Still, he was pretty fast.

Sosiqui

Pretty fast, but... with a swirl of coils that cracked his tail against empty sky like a whip, Tian Yue was after him, gaining easily... though just passing him wouldn't have been any fun at all.

Instead, Tian Yue flipped over on his back and gave the other god a pleasant smile, as if he'd just happened upon him while flying at a leisurely pace, not breakneck. "It's very soothing, toodling along like this."

Zero Dream

It could not be said that Ankou backed down from a challenge.

Even one that he simply could not win.

Of course, he knew that outcome was to come, and teasing to follow - but still he kicked the mock-affront into full gear, pushing himself to go just a little faster.

This was as much as a test than silliness - if he fell here, Tian Yue would catch him.

Sosiqui

Tian Yue snorted in amusement, turning his head so that his breath wouldn't knock his friend into an uncontrollable corkscrew. "A dragon's pride, indeed! Your wings suit you, as my scales suit me," he rumbled, pleased.

Zero Dream

"If you'd like to think so." Was the answer that came out of the Spirit Guide. It wasn't a matter of pride, not really !

Ankou didn't seem to be aware that denial wasn't a river in Egypt.

He couldn't beat the dragon, really, not in flight, but he could put up a good show indeed. After all, he...

The memory came back to him, suddenly and sharply, brought over randomly just like so many of them had been - after all, he had to follow the spirits he sought, no ?

He hesitated only a moment, as if deep down, he already knew he could do just that - much like flight. The pair was heading toward parts that had not been quite cleared of debris and remains of buildings. Tian Yue would probably have to either avoid them, or break them.

As for Ankou, well, he simply passed right though them as if they'd never been there at all.

Sosiqui

Skyscrapers...

... Ankou! Tian Yue roared, trying to snap a physical shield out in front of his friend, and yet-

Too late-! A thrill of panic surged through the dragon... and then he caught sight of a pale, many-winged shape on the other side of the building... having gone right through...

Relief followed fast on panic's heels, and Tian Yue slowed, drooping as the aftermath of the adrenaline surge hit him. "You scared me," he roared after his friend.

Zero Dream

"I would be a poor Guide if I couldn't find those I need to lead, now wouldn't I ?" It hadn't occurred to him that it might scare Tian Yue - it just seemed to evident to him, so much of a base of this new form.

He did stop, though, letting himself drift to stillness. "I did not mean to scare you." This was as close to a real apology as Ankou really got, but the base meaning was there.

Sosiqui

"It's all right," Tian Yue said, flicking his tail finally and twining through the buildings and shattered beams until he reached his friend. "I should have guessed - you look like a ghost, with all the color leeched out of you."

His heart was still pounding, though.

Zero Dream

"Fitting, I would guess ?" He hadn't really given it any second thought. All that he knew is that he felt right, he felt free in ways he hadn't felt before, and all was alright with the world.

Deeper thinking really didn't occur to him on things like this.

"I do wonder how you do manage not to destroy everything, though." He noted, amused.

Sosiqui

"I fly carefully and deflect what I can gently out of the way with my shields," Tian Yue admitted. "It's challenging. I prefer the open skies - best to leave such delicate work to my smaller brothers."

Zero Dream

"Understandable." Though, how many of his brothers yet flew ? He had only seen Tian Yue himself, and Zhijian. The others he might have seen in passing, but nothing more than that.

He refrained from asking, however, and with one wingflap, started to rise upward, out of the way of the buildings proper, where the dragon would be more comfortable.. and where accidents were less likely to occur.

"I am simply glad I don't have that much of myself to manage - I knock down enough things as is." Cosine would kick him out if he possibly knocked down more things than he already did - the thought made him chuckle.

Sosiqui

"At least you can't knock down entire buildings!" Tian Yue gave his tail (which had just missed doing exactly that to an abandoned tower) a rueful look, then grinned at his friend, following him up into the open sky.

"How do you manage all those wings, anyway?" the dragon added, flipping upside-down and sailing over Ankou, peering down at him - and his many wings - with curiosity. "Four limbs and a tail is bad enough... but what is that? Three pairs of wings plus arms plus legs... ten?!"

Zero Dream

The Spirit Guide, for his part, observed in silent amusement as his friend nearly leveled down a tower. Now that he had gained altitude, the settled there, his many wings keeping him more of less immobile in the air.

"That can't be practical." Ankou said, amusement very present in his voice. "I just... do ? I guess." It came naturally, just like many things had. Flying was as much a part of him as hearing and finding the dead - he needed to reach them wherever they were, after all.

((In-Progress))

[Zero Dream]

Crow Delivery Service

SkieBorne

Glyph was out and about as usual, wandering the Pantheon's grounds and enjoying the feel of grass in his toes and the tickle of leaves against his hair when he climbed one of the fruit trees to pick an apple. It was quiet and peaceful, serene.

So much so that Glyph had chosen to take a nap beneath the apple tree he'd been taking fruit from, his ears twitching as they caught the occasional flutter of birds' wings or the calls of creatures. Hands folded in his lap and lips curled into a small smile, Forest was taking the opportunity to be near the Pantheon, outdoors, and relax. He intended to go to the Silent Forest with Endiovar in the next few days and had already gathered some supplies but was working up the courage to go say farewell to Illisia. He was... well, shy. He wondered if she'd be upset with him and had avoided going to see her for that reason, which left him restless and uncertain.

Perhaps after this he'd travel out to his Forest to gather some seeds for the trip...

Zero Dream

...A dozing tree. How interesting.

Ankou had been going along his merry way, just wandering - he did not dare go far, not yet, but the urge to move and go around was ultimately too strong to ignore for him. He had spotted Glyph in the distance, and came closer, slowly, nearly without a sound beyond the rustle of the grass...

And now he was right beside the other god, who hadn't moved a hair beside the flicking of ears, looking down with an amused expression.

This was usually the point where one would startle the other, but... Ankou wasn't completely certain Forest would take well to it. And if Cosine out of all people hadn't recognized him...

Instead, he knocked on the tree, lightly. "Anybody down there ?" His voice was practically dripping with amusement.

SkieBorne

Glyph leaned forward when someone knocked on the tree so his horn wouldn't end up digging into the bark as he looked up... and found a stranger. Blinking, he pursed his lips and tilted his head on way then the other, "Ah... I believe I am down here...." Frowning a little, he bit his lower lip. He didn't really recognize this pale man but something about him gave Glyph reason to pause.

His ears were pricked forward, focused on the other, "I'm sorry... I didn't hear you. Did you need something?" Glyph a little more distant then usual, confused by his not-recognition.

Zero Dream

Glyph's confusion wasn't as startling as Cosine's had been, or maybe it was just that he was starting to get used to the fact that no one initially made the connection. The only real connecting point was his voice, if one kept close attention, and his wings, really - and he spread them out as much as he possibly could for Forest's benefit. "You seem a little forgetful." It was hard not to be amused, a little too hard. "Would the name Ankou ring a bell ?"

Okay, he was enjoying this a little too much.

SkieBorne

Glyph's eyes trailed to the puffed out wings when Ankou spread them and he quirked his lips, "An- Ankou!?" Hopping up to his feet he found himself looking at the other's chest rather then his face and sighed, disappointed. Everybody always seemed to be taller then him, "You grew... And you look a lot different! Hello my friend!" He held his arms open for a hug, smiling.

"When did that happen? I haven't seen you for some time." Glyph beamed at the Spirit Guide, shaking his head, "You sound awfully amused, though. What's going on?"

Zero Dream

"It seems like I do." If even she couldn't recognize me... It was still a little embarrassing to think about, and that he hadn't really expected it.

And it was impossible to say he wasn't enjoying the attention. He might just as well have preened if he'd been a bird, from his expression. He didn't go for the hug - liked his space, thank you, unless of course your name was Cosine - but he did grin, a mix of amusement and happiness. "Very recently, actually. I assure you haven't missed much."

...Had Glyph always been so short ? Or maybe his host had been that short, they'd been roughly of similar height before. Still, the sudden difference in height caught his attention immediately.

At least, it wasn't what had him so amused. "I've been hovering over you for a good five minutes. You've never heard me coming."

SkieBorne

When Ankou didn't return the hug he let his arms fall to his sides once more but continued smiling, "Aah, I see. Well then, congratulations Spirit Guide~ A step closer to being yourself once more. Feel any different?"

Forest laughed, "You have? Really? At least I have an excuse! I was dozing, doesn't that count?" He pouted a little, bemused, "Though if you're going to make a habit of sneaking around, I'll have to string up bells or something as alerts. Other then turning pale as a ghost, how have you been? I keep looking for you but our paths just didn't align at all. I've missed you."

Zero Dream

"Not all that much, actually." He admitted. "Wider, for the most part." There had been some slight improvement at not knocking over everything in his path. Slight. That was the only real irritation, really. He was nowhere near tall enough to have a problem with doors, especially not at the pantheon.

"I don't think that'll be necessary, really." He didn't quite laugh, but the amusement was noticeable in his voice and expression. The mental image was a bit ridiculous. That Forest had actually missed his presence, however, seemed to surprise him. But then, many things Glyph did surprised him. It was still a little bit weird to think that whenever he left, now, he'd left behind others that would miss him. "I have been gone again, for the most part. I cannot seem to stay still very long."

SkieBorne

"Wider...?" How did one get wider? Ankou didn't really seem that much bulkier... Perplexed, Glyph looked the other god up and down then laughed, "I don't see how."

"Ah, I see. I have been gone frequently too. I spend most of my time outdoors now, I prefer the space the air to the confines of a building, however airy it might be." He smiled then glanced back at the Pantheon, "But... while I've got you. I've some good news. Remember the crows you put into my care? They've nested and bred, their young have recently begun to fly. Would you like to see?" He gestured towards the home of the gods.

Zero Dream

"Well." Again, Ankou extended his wings to their full length - there was a third pair, and they were definitively much larger than they once had been - an impressive wingpan indeed. "That's how. I keep knocking object downs, and they bump into things... But, I figure you won't really have to worry about that." It was the Spirit Guide's turn to laugh - a more subdued chuckle compared to Forest's.

"They have ?" A pleasant surprise, indeed. "I would definitively like to, if you've got the time."

SkieBorne

"I see..." He shook his head, amused, "Though I hardly think you walk around all puffed up like that. What about keeping them close at your back? Maybe just giving it a bit of time will help. And you're probably right. I don't have a use for wings, really. And I'm not too good with being disconnected from the ground. Feet in the dirt, not in the air." He looked a little sheepish as he admitted his fear of flying. Forest was most comfortable firmly grounded, thank-you.

"I do indeed have the time. C'mon." He motioned for Ankou to followed as he started off towards the Pantheon.

Zero Dream

"Certainly not." The mental image... it was ridiculous. Him walking about like some kind of peacock... No, definitively not, "But I am used to move quickly without really thinking too much about it." He admitted. "It's an issue of getting used to it, and nothing more. It will get better."

Then he nodded, and followed Forest inside.

SkieBorne

"I would think that's the idea." Glyph replied as he lead the way into the pantheon and up the stairs, eventually pausing before his door, "I've done a bit of remodeling since the last time I saw you - mostly because I found I am a terribly poor planner of living space." He smiled as he opened the door onto the main entrance, the fragrant grass and scent of trees lingering the air such that it seemed like walking into a forest then into a room.

There were walls, still, and steps and rooms, but the whole space was centered around a pseudo-garden area with a small pond and lined by pillars of trees. "They nest in the pillars of the Common Room. And make a habit of pinching my treasures every now and then." Glyph seemed more amused by that then annoyed, however.

Zero Dream

A bit of remodeling, uh.

He had followed Glyph all the way to his rooms, but when he entered, he had to give it a pause. With rooms like this, they might just as well be outside still - he'd certainly never seen any room set like this before, and for a moment he was surprised. But then, it seemed obvious that Forest would prefer the outdoors and thus have his living quarters set to be just the same.

It did give him an idea, but... He would need to discuss it with Cosine, first, before truly giving his own makeover ideas true thought.

"Well, that's why you hide them." Ankou seemed just as amused - and familiar - with the matter, himself.

SkieBorne

"It's difficult when they're clever enough to find where you've hidden them. My Aoide have had to go crow hunting several times now." Glyph laughed as he padded into the room and dug his feet into the soft grass. "Anyone in!?" He called, lifting his head to sniff at the scent of cooking. Something with cheese and vegetables... it smelled delicious.

"Seems like Aisling's in. She's a wonderful cook." He gestured to the side that the kitchen was tuck away in as he padded towards the far end, where a large graceful arch opened up onto an observation deck lined with an indoor garden, "Ah, here it is." Returning a moment later with a short step ladder, he set it at the base of a tree and gestured for Ankou to come see.

Clicking and whirring from another tree, however, indicated the presence of one of the younger crows and he laughed softly, "Made it to another tree, I see!" Pointing at the newly fledged crow, he smiled, "See? That's one of their young."

Aisling had made it to the central room by that time, wiping her hands on an apron as her hooves clicked against the stone floor then went silent as she stepped down into the grass, "Welcome home My Lord! You've brought a guest?"

"Aye. It's Ankou. Don't you recognize him?" Glyph's eyes sparkled with mischief as Aisling shook her head then disappeared under the pretense of minding the cooking.

Zero Dream

"Maybe I should put a bell on you instead." Forest was not without his own mischief, it looked like.

He looked up at the fledgling then, smiling. "They do seem to be growing nicely." He wasn't actually all that good at taking care of living being, but it did look a fair share more healthy than those he'd seen before. But with the times, it had to be expected.

SkieBorne

"That wouldn't be fair." Glyph complained, smiling, "And it'd get pinched either by the crows or my leafy lizard friends. It's shiny and noisy... what could possibly be more interesting?" He laughed, giving a shrug.

He nodded at the comment, an amused expression playing across his face, "They are! They're cuter now then they were before. Newborn birds are very fragile and awkward. Now that they've got their fluff and can almost fly, they've been getting into everything. At least the ground is soft for when they do fall." There was no ire in his voice as he spoke, having quite enjoyed the moments he took to watch them practice. "They're tougher then they look. If I fell a distance like that, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't simply bounce and walk away."

Zero Dream

"Then ill'd just have to get another." Ankou's voice was full of barely-restained mischief, at that very instant, and when he spoke again, it was gone.

"They are, certainly." He rose one hand upward, wondering if any would come over to perch on him. He certainly wouldn't mind - and he didn't want to fly up and scare them. "Strong little creatures." There was a smile on his face.

SkieBorne

"Hmph." Glyph frowned, disliking the idea entirely. He really didn't want to wear a bell.

"Aye. But I don't envy them their flight," Glyph laughed, "my feet belong in the earth, not in the air, thank-you." When Ankou stretched out a hand, one of the fledglings meandered over out of curiosity, its head turned sideways to stare at the Spirit Guide even as it moved forward. Expecting something, it perched on the edge of the nest then fluttered awkwardly, wings flailing, to land haphazardly on the god's hand. Ruffling up its feathers, as if it meant to do that, the young crow then pecked at Ankou's hand and looked at him, clearly disappointed. All that work and nothing to show for it?

Glyph laughed at that, shaking his head. "I'm afraid I've spoiled them, I think. One moment." Disappearing in the direction of the kitchen, Forest came back with some chopped up apple and a handful of sunflower seeds a few moments later, "There. You should probably try to win your friend back." It was hard for him to suppress the bemused grin at the expression the crow wore.

Zero Dream

"That is very possible." With how friendly he was ? Yes, he was quite certain these little ones had ended up with their fair share of affection, indeed. The Spirit Guide didn't seem to mind as his hand was pecked at, waiting for Forest to return with the apple and the seeds.

"Here, am I forgiven now ?" He asked the fledgling, putting one bit of apple in his open palm in front of it.

SkieBorne

Glyph merely grinned at Ankou's agreement. The fledgling eyed Ankou then snatched up the chunk of apple in a few quick tilts of its head then fluffed up it's body and looked at him for more.

"Apparently not entirely." Forest intoned, highly amused, "Since there's so much we should probably collect the rest of them or there'll be trouble later." Turning around he set about gathering the other fledglings and hoped the parents would return. With Ankou inspecting the crows, it would be good for them to see him with their offspring.

Zero Dream

"Certainly wouldn't do any good to have jealousy break out, wouldn't it ?" The Spirit Guide was still rather amused, and he dropped a sunflower seed in his palm in front of the small bird next, running one finger along it's back with his free hand.

It was sobering, in a way. He couldn't remember ever handling a crow so young, before, and part of him seemed afraid that he might hurt the little one if he wasn't extremely careful./color]

SkieBorne

The two other chicks were harder to find, and more reluctant to be held in the hands of anyone. One croaked with dismay as Glyph's gentle fingers caught it and brought it down to set on the grass beside Ankou and the other lead Forest on a short but merry chase about one of the bushes on the far side of the common space. The ruckus had apparently drawn the attention of the parents who swooped and dutifully made passes at Forest's head as he carried the last chick back. Ducking and weaving, he managed to somehow keep the the cheek relatively steady in his hands from a surplus of experience in such dodge-and-walk maneouvers.

When the chicks stopped their bawling and picked at the seeds set out for them, the parents settled and greeted their master, alighting on nearby branches or Ankou's shoulders with friendly gawps and clicks.

Glyph, in the meantime, simply sat down on the grass and leaned against a nearby tree, quite enjoying the scene that was Ankou and his crows. The care with which the Spirit Guide handled the fledgings warmed Forest's heart and rested an arm on a knee as he tilted his head, "I think you'd make a good father one day."

Zero Dream

Ankou didn't notice much of all that, his attention mostly on the chick he was holding. When the other two were put down on the grass, the Spirit Guide let it down to rejoin its sibilings so it could peck on the rest of the seeds.

He had then turned his attention to the mother, who had taken perch on his shoulder, when Glyph spoke. And the reaction was immediate - his hand stilled in mid-'petting' and he looked at Forest just like he had grown another head. "Not really. I would barely be home for them, after all." to be honest, this was something that had never come up, that Cosine hadn't even hinted at, and part of honestly hoped that it simply never would come up. It was a bad idea, he would make a bad father, and it was better left at that.

SkieBorne

Glyph merely laughed and shrugged at that, "Just thought I would speak my mind. You're gentle with them, that's a good thing." Smiling the god closed his eyes and leaned back, waving one hand in a dismissive gesture, "Don't mind me. Idle thoughts."

And with that he, he fell into quiet to watch Ankou play with the crows and, should the chicks bounce over to him, play with them as well.

[Zero Dream]

Solo of some kind. Maybe Jinx seeing her lord and finally getting to freak out. XD

[Zero Dream]

Kou/Cos/Nerg

[Zero Dream]

Valkyria - the first valkyrie is reborn

[Zero Dream]

Jinx/Ankou/Lenneth training

[Zero Dream]

Kou/Rio

[Zero Dream]

Another New Friend !

Meepfur

Enekpe was now very much at home at the Pantheon, wandering the gardens and sleeping in the teahouses whenever she liked, not to mention eating anything edible that came within reach. Though thin when she'd first arrived, the pooka was now not just a healthy weight, but getting a little pudgy. She hadn't gotten that way without help, though! k**e's aoide, Galitzi, found or made just about anything she asked for, and was happy to do so. Animals' host was just too cute to refuse.

The catgirl even carried her around wherever she liked, although En was going for a walk on her own at the moment. Her two hooves clopped quietly on the path as she went along.

Zero Dream

Enekpe wasn't the only person out for a walk at that moment, it seemed - there was a tall man, skin a blue so pale it was almost white, going down the same path at her, looking upward at the treeline rather than to where he was walking.

Add a tiny little pooka, and well, what had to happen happened. Suddenly there was something small and hard in his way and down Ankou went, in a mess of limbs and wings - only catching himself in extremist to keep from getting a faceful of grass.

Oof.

"What--" He darted, and turned, and then saw just what he'd tripped on. It was a... what was that ? The Spirit Guide had no idea, and for a moment, he could only stare.

At least it didn't look hurt - it probably belonged to someone, and really, he wasn't looking for trouble.

Meepfur

((En: *flail!*))

It was far from the first time Enekpe had become a furry road hazard, but it was never a pleasant experience. It hurt! Not too badly, since the man didn't fall on top of her, but still! It was a little scary, too. The pooka squeaked in distressed, going for a little bit of a tumble herself.

Once she'd righted herself, she blinked owlishly at the pale god for a moment before offering a guilty, "Sorry."

Zero Dream

...Had it just talked ?

Ankou was certainly one to know that sentient life came in all sizes and shapes, of course, but he was still very, very surprised when a voice came out of the little furred thing.

Awkward.

"No, I wasn't looking where I was going." He finally managed, trying to ignore the soreness on the points where he'd impacted the ground, working himself up to his feet again. He could keep on going, but -he- had bumped into... well, the voice had sounded female. "Are you okay ? Nothing broken ?" He offered, awkwardly. She was so damn tiny !

Meepfur

"I'm alright," she decided after a cursory check, and shook the dust from her fur. "Are you? You fell a lot farther."

Zero Dream

This was silly, downright silly, and Ankou felt definitively glad that there was no one else there to have seen him trip all over a little ball of fluff. And him awkwardly trying to make amends to said balls of fluff. "I am fine." As if tripping like that could truly hurt him. He was dusty, but ultimately unharmed, unshattered for perhaps the exception of his pride.

Meepfur

Oh, good! Assured that the stranger was alright, Enekpe's ears canted forward and her tail set to wagging. "I'm Enekpe! What's your name?"

Zero Dream

"Ankou." Well, he owned her that much, after tripping all over her.. Really, if Cosine learned of this... he'd never hear the end of it.

But then it was with that further inspection that he noticed something new - a gem, so large against such a tiny frame, a bright, vivid blue. It had been easy to dismiss it as a marking when one looked quickly, but now... He could also feel it. "You are a host... ?" now he was curious. What kind of deity would take such a tiny little creature as an host ?

Meepfur

"Nice to meet you, Ankou!" she chirped.

"Mm-hm!" Enekpe raised her head, proudly displaying the gem set in her chest. "She's Kikechum, Goddess of Animals."

Zero Dream

Animals. uh. Well, that explained the... unusual host. He'd yet to see a host that wasn't at least vaguely humanoid, before Enekpe - the humanoid form, overall, was of greater usefulness to gods once again growing into their own, and he could understand that. Though he was aware he likely now had the power to come to look like anything he wished to be - or so his fragmented memories of the distant past had told him, for so long - he'd yet to test it, and even less something so removed to what he was used to.

With that came, surprisingly, more questions. Animals... He couldn't help but wonder if there had once been some alliance in between them, the crows that yet still following him faithfully being the proof of it. "Sorry to have run the both of you over."

It was a good thing he hadn't bothered to actually stand again - to speak with something so tiny that way ! He was likely to bump into a tree while looking at her, with his current track record.

"I am the Spirit Guide." He offered, waiting to see if the goddess within the gem might remember something he did not. It was extremely unlikely, he knew from experience, but he still made the attempt.

Meepfur

"It's okay, nobody got hurt." It had been a little startling, but Enekpe was a forgiving sort. She toddled forward to sniff curiously at him.

Spirit Guide? It did ring a bell with the goddess, but not the one Ankou was looking for. k**e instead proceeded to inform her host that this was probably her young friend's uncle. "Oh!" the pooka said happily, "You must be Kios' uncle!"

Zero Dream

This was oddly... cat-like. Cosine had cats - there were no escaping them, for the most part, so he was used to things like this - and held out his hand forward to allow the pooka a better sniff.

"Among other things." It was surprising, a bit - but then, Kios had been more out and about... and he couldn't see him resist a ball of fluff.

Meepfur

Enekpe snuffled at the offered hand with her little wet nose, then butted her hand underneath it. Pettings, please! It was practically a habit to 'ask.' And he smelled like cats, so chances were he liked other cute things, right? Not that cats were actually cute, at least to En. She didn't like them very much.

"He told me about you, how you take people to the Underworld." She seemed proud of this piece of remembered information.

Zero Dream

Ankou liked to think himself immune to the felines' charm. He didn't hate them, but he certainly wasn't going crazy over them like so many people apparently did. Birds were, overall, much smarter. Especially crows, but one might call him biased.

In spite of it all, he started scratching behind one of the pooka's ears. She had seemed to want it, and - it was such a weird thing. He was sitting in the dirt, scratching an host's ear like if she was an overgrown feline.

Definitively up there in the odd scale.

"I see." He answered her. "What else did he tell you about ?" Ankou certainly wasn't the best with idle conversation.

Meepfur

The pooka waggled her tail happily, leaning into the scritches. "Mm...about how it's safer there, and the good ones get to come back but they don't remember who they were? Which is kind of sad, I think."

Zero Dream

"That is right, through - it is safer there, for them." Ankou added, gently. "There are living beings that are quite scared of ghosts, and don't understand them. They could get hurt, either the living or the ghosts." To say nothing about demons, but he left that unsaid. He was, largely, treating the little pooka like he might treat his niece, if she had been a normal child. Enekpe was sentient, but also at the same time young-seeming and... a little naive, he'd noticed.

And he'd always had a weakness for children.

And there he was, wasting time petting an host like an overgrown cat rather than doing his duty. But at the same time, logic dictated there was no way he could save them all - because they had already lost so many to Gehenna. And the day of the dead drew near, he could tell - it would do him good to stick around for now.

Beyond that, he'd be on the move.

"And that... well, I am not the one that makes the rules." Who had decided that particular bit... his brother, or rebirth himself ? He wasn't so sure. "I am not even sure who decided that, actually."

Meepfur

"I wouldn't be scared," Enekpe asserted confidently. "I'd be happy to see Anna again, even if she was a ghost." Naive indeed. But then, she had spent most of her life as a housepet. It came with the territory.

"Is there ever anybody who does remember?" Rules could, after all, be broken - like getting into the fridge when she really wasn't supposed to.

Zero Dream

"I wouldn't doubt that, but most people would." And he'd seen it. Hadn't Lenneth be scared, even with seeing ghosts most of her life ? Even with being a reborn valkyrie ? Again, this was a proof that most people didn't remember their past lives.

"There have been instances of it happening, I believe, but it is very uncommon." Still, Ankou didn't sugarcoat things, even for cute little fluffy pookas.

Meepfur

Even if it was, apparently, very uncommon, it happened! This was very good news, Enekpe thought. Maybe one day Anna would come back and remember her! Wouldn't that be awesome? Well, if she wasn't gone by then. "How long does it take for somebody to come back?"

Zero Dream

Such questions, coming from such a little creature ! Still, he was starting to feel more than a little silly sitting down in the middle of a path, as it were, so he stood again, seemed to study the situation for a moment, then settled for pulling the pooka off the ground and settling her on his shoulder. She could just jump down if she wanted, right ? No hurt there.

"It depends, I believe ? For now, well, it probably takes longer than usual for it to happen since so many died relatively at the same time. Through..." Ah ! "There's a... holiday of such, my brother's actually - the Day of the Dead." He was downplaying his own involvement in it, but didn't seem to care. "On that night, all of the ghosts in the Underworld come out to the living world again. If you're looking for someone, and he or she hasn't been reborn yet..." He almost shrugged, but remembered the passenger on his shoulder and refrained. "Mostly there's stands with foods and other things near the old church outside town, which is where most things happen, so you'll know when it's going on. Though... Perhaps you could go with Akakios ? I am sure he would help you." She seemed to be rather fond of her youngest nephew, it was impossible to miss, even for him.

Meepfur

Whee~! The 'ride' to Ankou's shoulder was unexpected, but no less welcome. The pooka giggled happily on her comfortable new perch, leaning a little against him. Being carried was the best!

"Really?" Enekpe had never known there was a holiday like that! "I don't think I know where that is, but I'll go with Kios. That'll be better, anyway."

Zero Dream

"He definitively knows where that is." He said for the little furry creature. It seemed like she was balancing well enough on his shoulder, so he didn't move his hand to support her. She would tell him if she needed it, didn't she ?

"And I am sure he would be happy to see you again."

Meepfur

Enekpe was well-practiced in the art of being carried; it was definitely the Best Way Ever to get around. Being held in someone's arms was usually the most preferable, but perching worked just fine too.

"I'd like to see him again, too. And Crys and Ishum." Anyone who fed her was immediately bumped onto her list of favorite people.

Zero Dream

It was unsurprising that the little creature would know Ishum - and even enjoy his presence. Not only was she small and furry, but even a host to boot. Host to Animals, even.

Again, something seemed to come, but the silver of memory as lost as soon as he tried to pin it. Hmmm. Oh well. It must not have been that important.

"You do know where they live, yes ? I am sure they would be happy to see you drop by whenever you decided to."

Meepfur

"Mm-hm!" she affirmed, with a cheerful wag of her tail at the memory. "I remember. They made me pancakes!" One of the most awesome of foods, and something she'd gone a loooong time without until running into Crys and Ishum in the hallway. Now she could have them whenever she wanted, with Galitzi to make them for her.

Zero Dream

Pancakes, hmm ? Seemed like the young lady had a large appetite for something so small. "Crys made you pancakes ? You are quite lucky, I must say." Of course, his niece probably would cook for anyone that was willing to sit still enough to let her. Unfortunately, the Spirit Guide wasn't renowned for his ability to sit still, so he had yet to experience Grief's cooking for his own.

It wouldn't be such a bad thing to do, yes ? Eventually... But at the same time, there was so much to do.

Meepfur

"They were reeeaaally good," Enekpe remembered fondly, with a happy sigh. "I wish I could cook, but I don't have hands." It could be quite the inconvenience sometimes! Doors, for instance, were pretty much impossible. If she envied people anything, it was definitely having hands.

Zero Dream

"I figure that must be quite a problem..." Not just for cooking, but for living somewhere more adapted for humanoids, such as the pantheon itself.

No wonder most gods - himself included - sought out hosts with the humanoid shape in mind. Though, to see the world in an entirely different way... It was certainly in his power, but he wasn't going to give any demonstration.

"Do you have anyone assisting you ?" If one of Kikechum's aoide already returned, then the little pooka could certainly be worse of. If not... Well, that would require some thinking.

Meepfur

"It is," Enekpe agreed with a nod. She really needed people to look after her, at least to live at all comfortably. She truly was a spoiled little housepet.

"Mm-hm! k**e has one of those ao-i-de people, Galitzi. She's like a cat-person! It's really cool." Cat-people were infinitely more acceptable than actual cats.

Zero Dream

Ah, so that answered his question, and solved the problem, so to say. It would not do for an host to be left to totally fend for herself in a world that was not accommodated for them.

...When had he started to feel this way ? And why was it so easy to talk to this little ball of fluff ? Mortals where usually hard for him to talk to.

Strange.

"I have a cat-person, too." He said, amused by her choice of words.

Meepfur

"You do?" Ooh, how exciting! Galitzi would love to hear about that! "What's yours like? Zi has these pretty patches, she says it's called 'calico.'" Which was a funny word for something pretty, Enekpe thought.

Zero Dream

The slightest thing seemed to be amazing and noteworthy for the little pooka. It was definitively endearing - perhaps it was why mortals seemed to enjoy the company of small creatures like these ?

"She is black-furred, pretty much." There were also white cats, that he knew of. Save for these colors difference, all cats were nearly identical. Aoide always seemed to re-awaken in waves of similar kinds. A little odd, that...

Nothing came from his mostly broken memory, and he did not persist to try to find an explanation.

Meepfur

The world was a wondrous place to the childlike little pooka, full of all sorts of mysteries, of discoveries to be made and things to learn - and especially people to meet! Fortunately, she seemed to have energy for it all...at least until she crashed and napped, then popped up to do it all again. "Ooh. So she's a she, too? Maybe she and Zi could be friends!"

Zero Dream

"Perhaps." The Spirit Guide mused out loud. "All of the feline-like aoide I have met so far were all women. There are, indeed, quite a few. Some like my Jinx, some like Galitzi, and some who are all white." Like Priya. Jinx and Priya had always seemed to get along, and even now spent a chunk of their time together. Perhaps this was not such a bad idea, after all, as naive as the thought seemed to be. Jinx was, for a the moment, grounded to the pantheon until Lenneth was trained and had a better grasp on her past memories. The distraction might not be such a bad idea.

"We could arrange for them to meet, if you wish."

Meepfur

"Huh." How weird that they were all girls! Enekpe found this rather perplexing - if there were girls, shouldn't there be boys too? She herself was physically genderless, like all pooka, but she'd never heard of of any people or creature being all male or all female. "I wonder what happened to the boys!"

"Zi'd like that," End decided, "Everybody needs friends."

Zero Dream

"I cannot say that I know." Perhaps there had never been any. Perhaps they had simply been created like this, as aoide. He did not remember, or perhaps had never truly known to begin with.

"I am sure it can happen, then." He nodded, trying to shake those thoughts away. The present was much better to focus onto than the past.

"I should probably get going soon, however." He noted, and sure enough, the pantheon garden could be seen in the distance

Meepfur

"Good!" En wagged her tail happily, certain that Galitzi would be pleased by her efforts. It would be like paying her back for taking care of her, or something like that.

The wagging still, though, and her look turned disappointed. She always hated saying goodbye. "Aw, that's too bad..."

Zero Dream

Her disappointment came as a bit of a surprise to him - he wasn't exactly the most... talkative and open of the pantheon reborn, and it always came as a bit of a shock that anyone that was not his family or own entourage might... miss him.

It was still a little alien of a concept. Before... Before he had gone mostly unnoticed, had he not ? And he actually had no idea how to deal with little little creature's sadness. "I am sure we will get to see each other again." If not her then... certainly the goddess she bore. There was something her that might need exploring, questions that may need to be asked.

"Would you rather I leave you in the garden, or your room ?" Well, he intended to take his role of mean of transportation as far as she wished for him to, at the very least.

Meepfur

The pooka perked up a little and nodded. Yes, surely she'd see him again! They were going to introduce their aoidei, after all. "Oh, I don't have a room, just a bed. But you can take me there!"

A choice she made largely because it would mean a few more minutes with her new friend.

Zero Dream

Just a bed ? Ah, whatever she felt fitting, he figured. If she was happy with just a bed, then who was he to argue it ? "And where is your bed, then ? The main building ?" It was entierely possible that he might have passed it every day without noticing it in the least.

Meepfur

"Yep! Harmodius made it for me." A fact she would probably never get tired of flaunting. How many people had a magic bed, hmm? One made by an awesome rainbow god who could turn into a pooka, no less.

Zero Dream

"That is rather nice of him to make you a bed like that." And certainly nowhere beyond Creation's capabilities. Perhaps he should try to seek out Harmodius once more sometime... If only to see if there was anything else he could do to aid rebuilding.

But at the same time, he'd been told exactly just how he could do this - gather the souls that had not been shattered by Gehenna, and send them on their way to rebirth. From there, they would end up whenever they needed, and would repopulate mortal worlds.

He'd found the bed quickly enough, and let down the little pooka in it with a pet on top of her head. "See you, Enekpe."

[Zero Dream]

On The Road Again

midnight_medea

Once Cosine set her mind to something it was hard to distract her. Stubborn was the word most would use. She would say determined. The more she thought about it, that place, the statues and the survivors that remained, the more she wanted to go. At the least they might save three lives, the most she would learn something about herself and those who once worshipped her.

Clutching the bead in her pale hand she wandered across the living area of the apartment to Ankou's office. She knew he was somewhere in the apartment as she had not heard the door. His study was always a good place to start. She knocked lightly and peered round the door, resting her shoulder against the wooden frame.
"Kou?" She said, hopefully loud enough for him to hear her if he was off in his own world.

Zero Dream

The last few months had been busy - the day of the dead and it's aftermath, more specifically, had taken a good chunk of his time. Of all the gods, Nergal and Cosine had probably been the only ones who had seen as much as a feather of the Spirit Guide.

Every now and then he'd come back, with no warning howsoever, spend a few days with her, look at how Lenneth was doing, and then he was gone again. At least, he always announced his departure, so there was no way Numbers had missed it.

The god was, in fact, right where she'd thought he was - and the sound of her knocking made him look up from the book he had been doing a mix of writing and drawing maps into. A few seconds to let the last strokes of ink dry were all it took before he closed it and rose to open the door.

"Yes, my dear ?" He asked her with a smile.

midnight_medea

Cosine smiled as he appeared and held up the wooden bead that Inifity had brought her.
"Inifinty found this on her travels." She knew this was not the best way to start a conversation, but in her excitement she wanted to get to the point quickly. "It's from an abacus, I think the people there might have worshipped number." She moved past him into the room and looked down at the bead again. "I could feel it, somehow, how it was. Infinity says that there are survivors."

Zero Dream

He listenedv as she spoke - right to the point, as she often was - and then turned, inviting her to sit inside with him.

That was always a potentially amusing thing to those who knew both brothers. Nergal sat as straight as a marble block, while Ankou sat anything but straight. Sometimes he even sat on armrests, and he fidgeted often, as if his body was wondering what they were doing sitting rather than doing something. It was up the air if Ankou even noticed it.

Nonetheless, though, for anything official, the Spirit Guide often opted for standing rather than sitting.

"Did she tell you where she found this ? How to get there ?" He asked her. This was starting to sound like an adventure, wasn't it ?

midnight_medea

Cosine took a seat as she was invited and thought for a moment. She wasn't actually sure of a precise location, which didn't sound too convincing.
"Um, well, I'm not actually sure." She gave a half smirk and tightened her hand around the bead. "She said through the World Tree, I'm sure I could figure it out. I could take Phirren with me." The goddess paused in her excitement and raised an eyebrow. "If I decided to go, they could tell me more about myself."

Zero Dream

Ah, the marks of an inexperienced world-traveler. But in a way, that was like the pot calling a kettle black - when was the last time where he'd skipped off with having a true destination in mind, after all.

"The World Tree is bigger than you can imagine. Imagine the widest span your mind can conjure, and then try to imagine three times that." Was that... longing, in his voice ? "In fact, I am certain that the only ones who can in fact know the true span of the tree would be Gaia and Creation themselves."

One leg folded over the other, absentmindedly. "Your little friend here... Awoke from a statue, yes ? Then I doubt he has seen the World Tree in this lifetime. It has changed. Worlds died, and the World Tree sealed those ends. It is alive, after all. No use wasting mana on things that will never be again. That Infinity has gone recently, however, is good news for this world you speak of. It means it still exists."

Harsh, perhaps, but these were things Cosine needed to know. To enter the World Tree mostly unprepared... Well, he knew what this was like. Without the Worldshield, he would'nt have lasted long as he had been back then.

Now, however... Was another story alltogether.

"This is definitively worth exploring." He said, hopefully before she could think that he was meaning otherwise. "But you will need to be prepared, should you decide to go. A single trip inside the World Tree can take weeks... To say nothing about getting there. You should consider a mount." He smiled. "And a Guide."

A play on words, perhaps ?

midnight_medea

Cosine listened to his lecture and gave a half smirk.
"I thought I was supposed to be the sensible one who brings things back down to earth." She placed the bead on the side and sat back, mulling things over. She was not nieve enough to think the journey would be an easy one, though she had not thought that Phirren would be unfamiliar with the tree as it had evolved.
"It will be good for him to go. Perhaps we can help him find more of his kind."

Ankou's play on words was not lost on her sharp mind. She smiled and tilted her head up to him.
"Hmm, a guide with knowledge of different worlds, now where would I find such a person?" she tapped her lips with her finger tip as if in deep thought. "Nope, I have no idea."

Zero Dream

"In most areas, certainly." There was no denying, to him, that Cosine was the smarter of the pair. But in this area, he was hard to beat. He was, perhaps, one of those who had visited the most worlds, of the gods reborn.

"It definitively would, and I am sure I could wrangle the maps out of Tian Yue for him to study." That would definitively be an easy task.

"Certainly no idea howsoever." It was his turn to smirk, amused.

midnight_medea

"A mount too, I certainly have no horses." She smiled more. "Well, maybe this mysterious guide could carry me on his back, kill two birds with one stone." The goddess laughed. "Would you really be interested in joining me? I'll find a proper mount. Perhaps from Nergal? I remember Ishum taking care of such creatures."

Zero Dream

"Mounts most likely will not be a problem. Athanasius has gone through the World Tree before." The errais had always lingered nearby, ready to go on whichever trip Ankou had been about to undertake - it seemed that he had found a bit of a kindred spirit, even though the young errais had never truly world-walked as his race was known to do.

It could come with time, perhaps.

"Of course I would." Would he have offered otherwise ? Of course not. "I did promise you we'd go on a journey, no ? All the better if it is important to you."

midnight_medea

Now she was excited. She had to admit, as independent as she liked to pretend to be the thought of undertaking such a journey was a little daunting. With Ankou by her side however ...
"You did, this way we do not have to worry about each other and we get to spend more time together." And she got to venture further abroad. "What sort of supplies will we need? I will bring Phirren. I will pack some food and things."

Zero Dream

"Definitively food. Things easily carried that do not perish and last a long time. Like dried fruits and nuts." That had been how they'd done it, him and Tian Yue. Through now this wasn't going to be a problem for him, but there would be Cosine, Athanasius, and Phirren to worry about... "Also water. There are a few sources through the World Tree, but they are rather far apart." Relying on them would be a bad idea. "The maps, through... If we could take Infinity with us, or if you could ask her to give you directions, this will help." He sure as hell wasn't going to bring the whole span of tomes that had been drawn out from their mapping, yet he simply did not trust himself with remembering paths in something truly so vast.

midnight_medea

"Okay, food." She repeated, giving a nod of her head and storing that away mentally. She would task Zeta and Zero with searching for food. A blanket or two also it could get cold with the absence of sunlight. "So food, a blanket, matches perhaps if I can find some. I will bring Infinity as she will be able to lead us there." The goddess nodded and continued to think on what one might want for such a journey. "More sensible clothes. Trousers." She would visit Jessica, they were of a similar size and she always wore trousers. "Is it dangerous, within the tree? Would we need weapons?"

Zero Dream

"Definitively more practical clothing." He certainly did not wish to see the dress she had gotten from the desert city get destroyed, though there had been no doubt that the goddess had more sense than that.

The last question was a loaded one, and he mulled it over for a few seconds before answering it. "Better be safe then sorry. We only had one hostile encounter, the Worldshield and I - demons which had recently pillaged the nearby world. Nothing seems to truly live in the tree beside Nyanko."

And they'd only found four of the awakened creatures though the whole tree...

midnight_medea

Cosine nodded and breathed in deeply.
"Okay, so, suitable clothes, food blankets and weapons of some kind. I have a dagger." She added. This was going to be a very interesting journey "Do you think tomorrow would be too soon to leave?"

Zero Dream

A little quick to get to the matter, weren't we ? Instead of being annoyed, however, Ankou was only amused - it was, in a way, extremely endearing.

And really, he was glad to be able to help her, for once - there wasn't much he could actually teach, so getting involved into her school hadn't really been an option. Well, getting involved beyond lending Anima and finding materials, that was.

"Give it a few days." He said, smiling. "Make sure you get everything you need. I might need that long to track down Athanasius." Much like his master, the errais never stayed still very long.

midnight_medea

Cosine laughed a little as he said she should wait a few days to make sure she had everything.
"Sorry. I'm being a bit eager aren't I?" the goddess glanced around the room for a moment. "I think it's important to get to them as soon as we can. We all know what can go wrong in a day." She breathed in deeply. "I will see if I can find another mount perhaps? best to be safe than sorry as they say?"

Zero Dream

"I can understand that, but if we have to turn back because we misjudged something, forgot supplies... Well, that would be more time lost, wouldn't it ?" At least that was how he saw it. Better to lose time now and gain it back later.

"I can understand your eagerness, though." He smiled at her. He didn't want her to think he was chastising her... on the contrary, he understood the want to get moving as quickly as possible, to discover, very well indeed.

It would be such a lovely thing to finally share with her.

"If you wish." He answered. To be honest, Athanasius wasn't for him. He fully planned on walking, and would be perfectly fine with doing so.

midnight_medea

Cosine smiled and nudged him playfully with her shoulder.
"See, this is why I need you with me. I'm far too ready to go charging into things without fully thinking them through. Funny, when I spend so long mulling over other things." It was more excitement than anything else. Not only was she getting to go on an adventure. Ankou would be with her and hopefully she would learn something about herself and her domain.
"I'll ask my aoide. They lived with the Baadris nomads and may have some advice, maybe even some travelling clothes I can borrow."

Zero Dream

"Sounds like a plan, then." He got up and stretched a bit, more out of habit than out of actual need. "Ill go see for supplies... and see if I can find the errais."

Maybe he could ask Echo if he could take Aria, if he did not find her son. Aria was also experienced in exploring the world tree, and it was definitively a plus in this case.

midnight_medea

Cosine watched him stand and then got to her feet herself. Flexing her wings and breathing in through her nose as he spoke.
"Okay. I will go and see Isra and possibly Jessica see if they have anything that may be of use to us." She smiled and looked up at him. "I'll see you this evening?" She asked. With the Spirit Guide one could never assume.

Zero Dream

"I know better than to promise." The god teased, a grin on his features - he was sure he could keep himself still for one day.

Maybe.

Nonetheless, he went to gently run a hand though her bangs and kiss her forehead with a tenderness that most other never saw out of him. "I will do my best, through."

midnight_medea

Cosine gave a small laugh and closed her eyes as he kissed her forehead.
"Well, hopefully I will see you. If not, I'll be here. Waiting." She rubbed his arm with her hand and stood on tiptoes to press a brief kiss to his lips. "If you go wandering, be safe."

Zero Dream

Oh, he'd try to stay safe... for now, at least. Ankou and safe did not often go hand and hand, though as of late it was a bit less of a worry than his half-mortal body had made it be.

"Likewise to you." He whispered in her ear after the kiss, and then finally let her go. She had much to do, and really, so did he.

[Zero Dream]

Solo with errais.