.~Edelsteine~. - Xia Lu Ling's Journal by Syrie

[khiarhu]

...//Solo - Impatiently Ever After

The Ceremony was done, a success by all counts. He had been able to fill a small part of what he considered his duty in aiding the Crown to his Throne. It wasn't enough; Yu wished to introduce himself to his Lord, but...there were so many things to be dealt with first.

Like taking care of his host's spawn. They were so young, so small and in these difficult times it took effort to keep them well fed and out of trouble. Children born near the End of the World...blessed or cursed, depending on how one viewed them. Yu felt fairly ambivalent towards the children, Joss and Dan. They weren't his though he would do right by Fragment and take care of them as best he could, even after the beast had been fully devoured into himself.

Yu's eyes narrowed at the balls of fur and fluff rolling around on the furs of animals and Other that had been hunted during the various weeks. Fragment had dined upon demonflesh more than once, but those hides had not the softness required for young ones, so they were put away, put aside. His eyes sought the oddly-marked coat not of his host's spawn but of an Erras. Zhijian would not be happy about that; he knew that his Brother Dragon had befriended several of the equine creatures...unfortunately, one did as one had to.

The Law of Predators. Of Life. Darwinian and all that.

Fragment hadn't thought about the ramifications of devouring a creature that might belong to another; he had lain eyes upon the beast, marked it as prey and then hunted it as surely as any jungle cat a fat ptarmigan in the bush. Yu had allowed this as his host's body needed fuel as did the spawn and Ashoka as well. The ramifications of their dual actions towards beasts, mortals and others encountered during the Weeks preceding the Ceremony would be dealt with later. As the situations came up.

Yu's tail flicked with annoyance. He wanted to be with Creation. He needed His Dragons, His warriors and Children. A Dragon King, removed from his Lord and Master because there was so much to be done before he was able to do so...

So much frustrating, agonizingly mundane crap for him to take care of before he could do as every fiber of his being bid him do. For the moment, he would simply reign it in and move as quickly as he could to complete his duties and move towards what he really wanted.

Harmodius.

[khiarhu]

...//PRP - Endings and Beginnings

Inle-roo

Neva had felt it before anyone else in town had, her connection to the crumbling sense of the divine that much stronger than the rest of the residents'. More than that, she could feel it in the way the tension in the air finally dissipated, as if the world had heaved a great sigh of relief. She looked towards the Pantheon, wondering just what had changed now, but was interrupted by someone else's insignificant matter before she could pursue that line of thought too strongly.

These people were so needy, like children constantly seeking a mother's approval--but they had survived literal hell on earth, and she could not begrudge them that accomplishment. Their way of life had been unceremoniously torn to shreds before their eyes, but they had survived Destruction once, and they would thrive under Creation now.

Neva would help them, and they would love her for it.

Days had passed with none of the ill effects that had seemed to plague every other abrupt change in recent months, and Neva left her Aoidei in charge of sorting out other people's problems while she finally made her way to the Pantheon. The streets, she noticed, were littered with the remnants of Destruction's influence, but knots of tentative revelers crowded the sidewalks. She ignored their drunken invitations to join them, pushing her way through the Pantheon's doors. The scent of brimstone and lotus blossoms was stifling, almost a tangible thing, and she picked her way over and around small throngs of worshipers on her way to the throne room.

khiarhu

So many people! Throngs of mortals and other were all but attaching themselves to the Pantheon. Yu could hardly move two feet in any direction without encountering a small knot of them; of course he did understand why they were as such. The world had nearly ended...they were still scared...everything was so uncertain yet.

The Dragon King's sensitive nose caught a scent - the sharp bite of winter chill lapping at his senses like fire at an oil painting. He knew that scent - his host liked it. Neva. Winter. His fur rippled and inside he felt Fragment push forward; not to take charge but to be there more...just as he did with the spawn, per Yu's request.

On all fours, Yu moved to intercept Neva; mortals moving out of his way more swiftly in this form than they did when he was upright...for some reason, this was far more disconcerting.

Inle-roo

The scramble of mortals caught Neva's eye before any sight of her Creator did, and she watched with vague amusement as the parted like the Red Sea for--ah, that would explain it. Her aim shifted from the throne room to this savage, familiar face, and the cold that radiated from her cut its own swathe through the horde while reaching out to greet Yu and his host.

"Beast-Creature," she said by way of greeting, offering a smile that was small but genuine in its intent. "All of these people, and not a one screaming in terror; are you losing your touch?" she teased.

khiarhu

A gravelly chuckled rumbled forth from the four-footed fiend as tendrils of chill and bite sallied forth to welcome him; it seemed they both had their ways of making the mortals move.

"They have grown...used to us." Days and weeks of holding his host in check around the mortals had not lessened their unease at his close proximity to their persons...but it had shown the mortals that this creature would not actively harm them.

'Pity. There is no eating now.'

Instead of Fragment allowing Yu the use of his body and voice, it was Yu allowing the broken monster to speak with one whom he found appealing. Strange to swap and yet very apt. "Though why I should continue to terrify or cause unsettle after the horrors they have seen up to now is a mystery."

Inle-roo

"Because it appears that these trying times have finally seen their end, yet you remain, a fierce and frightening reminder of our Lord now...changed?" She looked away from her companion-ally for a moment, taking in the weary and wary refugees, the familiar foreboding state of Destruction's Pantheon--everything still looked as if it might crumble into nothingness at a stern glare, but there was a shy hope mingled with the fear and awe in the eyes of their audience. "Have things changed, truly? What have you seen here, with all of your eyes?"

khiarhu

"Ah yes...that makes sense." Obviously the creature and Dragon didn't think much about how their outward appearance might be disconcerting to the mortals. Not that it mattered. They could be disconcerted all they wanted.

"Yes, Neva...things have changed. Surely you can feel the air, it grows lighter...life is stirring." Even if they couldn't see how things were repairing themselves with Creation back, albeit weakly, they were. Change was like a seed under the ground...with Creation tending court, it would grow and break from it's shell...blossoming forth into the world and then sprawling out, tendrils expanding across All. They just had to wait.

Inle-roo

Neva felt it as the Dragon King described it, like the hesitant growth of new, young green things after a harsh Winter--but she knew, too, that it would take little more than a harsh breath to kill even that. "I cannot feel the air, as such," she countered, "any more than I can see the sky. Where has the sky gone, Beast-Creature? The last time we dared hope for resolution in favor of Beginning or End, the sky vanished from above us."

khiarhu

"Void has claimed Universe, Lady of Winter; the Sky is no longer." The mortals edging away from Winter and the Dragon King only served to make the creature lick it's lips - with permission from Yu, of course. The body belonged to the creature very little now, but a bit of 'fun' would not harm the King, so he allowed it to happen.

"He mourns the loss of His First-born, but there is no bringing Universe from the Void." Xia Lu Ling's fur rippled; he knew better than anyone else what was going on with Creation -- he was the Pillar, after all. "I believe my Lord has a plan....but He has not confided in me of any such things."

Inle-roo

Neva nodded as the Dragon King affirmed the worst of the conclusions that could possibly be drawn from the sky's sudden disappearance. "A pity," she replied, her lips thinned into a frown that belied her dispassionate tone of voice. The anchor of flesh she bore could not suppress the brief flashes of memory that reflected her, in essence, looking down at the world from on high as she chilled or buried the tiny ant-like people below at a whim...those were the days, and if what the Creature had said was true, they may someday be again.

The edges of Neva's mouth curled easily from uncomfortable frown to sly smile. "And what does He confide in you, His foremost ear, His most loyal hound? Surely He has told you better things than the sky has fallen."

[khiarhu]

...//PRP - WITH XIAO..To Come biggrin

LALALALALALAA

[khiarhu]

...//PRP - The Hem of Your Garment

khiarhu

Waiting wasn't one of Yu's strong points; he was far too much a man, er, Dragon, of action. This was part of the reason that he hadn't gone to seek out an audience with the newly returned Creation; Yu was busy keeping the mortals in hand while Harmodius met with Tian Yue.

But now, as time had passed a bit...he felt it time to re-introduce himself to Him. Xia Lu had been one of those to support their Lord after his emergence from the chrysalis, but he had not properly made himself known. Now, he felt it time to regain his place by Creation's side; as himself again.

His place as the Pillar.

Yu approached the Throne on two legs, his furry head high and proud. Harmodius sat the Throne as though a part of it, still and quiet; behind that was endless possibility of though and action-out of sight. He fell to one knee before Creation, head bowed; "My Lord, I am Xia Lu Ling, Yu Five Claw. Your Pillar, come to you with humility and reverence."

The Dragon King lifted his head so he could watch the Crown. "We are overjoyed at Your return to us, Lord."

Ivynian

Creation blinked, then shifted his eyes first, followed the motion with his jaw and chin, then shoulders, through spine to hips and finally lowered his knees from their informal resting over the opposite arm of the throne down to a more respectable flat on the dais floor.



"Emblem Pillar. "

The newer name that attached to the title he did not give voice to, but seemed to taste the sounds and shapes in his mouth, looking up thoughtfully as he did so.

A device of Destruction's, no doubt, that the suited and final vessel would be something that seemed to have stitching at its seams that wavered with the internal glue of the dragon's mesh. A better fit that way? Shards for shards and like some mad wizard, stitched together a golem out of bones and glass. "Yu.....Xia Lu Ling. I am glad to see that you are at last gaining steady strength. I it was that collected the handfuls, but I di dnot even see your first host. I had already fallen to silence and echos within my own Other. We are not far akin as every, my Evermind, both nearly Eaten. "

"Though what yo ucalled to is a strange Thing. So tired was your waiting and blindness in the slumber of the stone that your eagerness for Sight sought one of so many eyes? Thirst found such a tongue? And ears and nostrils beside.... " Creation's mouth turned up in mirth.

khiarhu

The Dragon King's strange-malleable fur rippled and shifted with the pleasure that rolled through him at being addressed by Creation. The Crown's amusement in his choice of hosts brought a great rumbling chuckle from Yu's furred chest and muzzle.

"As you say, My Lord. I required many eyes, with which to take in sights more quickly. I had much lost time to make up for." Yu's tail flicked against his legs, the tip curling around the thickly muscled limb and then uncurling just the same.

"Nearly devoured, and yet I stand before You now, strong and ready to Serve."

Yu rose to his feet and moved ever closer to Harmodius before kneeling yet again, placing himself upon the stairs. "My Lord, though I wish nothing more than to be in Your presence...I must admit, I am curious about many things. With You returned -- is there a way yet to bring back the Sky. The mortals are unsettled...as are my own servants."

Ivynian

His smile faltered, grief edged before it was masked with stillness, "TienLung did speak with me of the matter....close wrought to the heart and yet asunder in this life. But the same answer I must give, at least on behalf of what memories the whole of Us....the Pantheon have. Lucius, our many stars and jewels, is gone from us forever. That Ending....what is named Gehenna, is the Mouth of the Void. What it consumes wholly, it does not return. There are tokens, but the memory and greater part is gone. Not enough to raise the Firstborn again."

"But the skies are the roads of the gods and immortals, and the symbol of pact and immeasurable bounty...loveliness....that is gifted to everything that Is. Inspiration embodied, wonder and.... "

"True enough the first conceptions most were ever meant to glean of surrounding silence and emptiness. This shall have to be fashioned anew. It troubles me, how to do this thing. '

khiarhu

Seeing the pain sliding across Creation's face brought forth pain from the Dragon as well; it was painful to know that in asking he had caused his Lord further pain. How could he have not though? Universe had been Firstborn, beloved by Harmodius -- and yet...he had been bound, Yu knew this to be true for he and his host had gone to speak with Lucius before. He had Sinned...and now he was no more.

"My apologies, Lord, for causing You grief. We are all grieving for Universe and the others that were lost to Void - directly or indirectly. It was unthinking of me to bite into such fresh wounds."

Fashioned of silence and emptiness. "Perhaps, Lord...you may wish to speak with Silence himself? I saw that he had been reborn...would he be able to assist in some way?" Advising the Crown on how to fashion a shadow-sky was perhaps not as helpful as he would have wished, but what did Yu know of such things? At the least, the Dragon King was making an attempt to provide a service to the one upon whom he played his Life and unwavering Loyalty. [/'color]

Ivynian

"It is in silence, Outside, that so much must make a bed...." He trailed off briefly, distracted. Even shifted, he had managed to keep to thought and task for some while, and brought many through painful means to bound contract as 'fodder' for the gods.
Only for some Cold comfort seeing what had become of the pendulum swing. The mortals believed, at such terrible costs. Those he had striven so hard to bring again into the world grieved. And still the slide of the tapestry was to inevitable end. Begun in Joy.....

Left far off, were the scars worth the time? Well, the choice was made. Yu was here, standing. They were all of them there, existing and in strife of survival. They had not lain down but had sought his own rebirth from the very brink. Pillar-to-pillar.

"I should speak with that one anyway. He is presented....perhaps... Already to my shadow self. But there is intrigue in the writ that was left behind and Known again of this host and newborn god. I do not recall his allegiance to have lain in such a bed long ago, but I cannot say that Silence would not do him badly, would you? "

khiarhu

Yu crept a bit closer; it was his quiet shame that he wanted to put his head in Creation's lap much as a dog might. To be petted - Gianfar had once done that with him, had he not? The sensation was a comforting one even from the grey-dove; he could only dream that it would be something even better from Him.

"Sacrifices have been made my Lord. Ours is a bed of choice and chance; You have returned to a world made of broken glass and gossamer...of heartbreak and of promise. The World was nearly Unmade, but we will salve the wounds as best we can, by Your command and will."

A speech, perhaps not wholly on target, but Creation had a far-away look on his face that troubled Yu.

"Shall I bring him to you, Lord? Though I know but little of him, I am certain that Silence would do his best by You and Your wishes." Thinking about it, Yu could recall the fair face and form that belonged to Silence. The pale haired god - if indeed it were the one that he recalled - had spent many a day and night keeping vigil. Not with the Dragon King so much as...occupying the space along side him.

Ivynian

"Yes, I would speak with him.....if he have time, that is." Harmodius regarded the throne chamber with quiet disdain, sighing as one might at spilled drink. It was suffered.


"Though better surroundings may be wanting. By him or by me, should he agree to the occassion."

khiarhu

"For you, Lord, I think that he will have time." Yu's muzzle curved into a proximity of a smile; an expression that on him looked wicked and cruelly mocking due to copious amounts of white, sharp teeth that showed.

As to the surroundings...well, that could be addressed should the god of Silence acquiesce to Creation's request. "We will find ways to make things more...comfortable." Indeed, the Pantheon was a ghost of it's once-glory...even with the effort put into making it more visually palatable for the Lotus Ceremony.

The Dragon King rose to his feet and took a few steps back. "I shall bring him forth, My Lord...if you will but wait." Yu would stay only long enough for Harmodius to bid him go before backing away from the throne to fetch Endiovar. Instructions on where and how to find Silence had been on the cork-board some forward-thinking host or god had thought to use; he would utilize this and fetch the man back to Creation's audience.

For there was no doubt but that Endiovar would go to Harmodius when called.

Ivynian

To wait was an easy thing. It required only staying still and patience, both things that he had learned to store in abundance long ago. Waiting was often the past-time of the immortals in the past. They had centuries to stand in place of their days. Waiting the walking steps of his Emblem should be an exercise in loving the clicks of claw on stone and the gentle movements of air as bushy tail swept it aside.

For mortals.....how much of their bright flames was wasted on waiting?
Waiting for love, for comfort, for the right time for hundreds of things instead of acting. But some did.

And some gods acted.
It would not be very long. The newness and shining, even in the obvious pain and despair of the surroundings in the eyes of others, to him was marvelous. He had opened his eyes an remembered colour and form and Self.


Am I within?

Can I hear me?

Any voice at all. He will seek me in my eyes. Can I move? Feel my hand? Stretch the fingers?

No. Not yet. It is still to early.

Lay still. Rest. They've done so much...they have grown. We needn't fear to be supported this time. I do not have to take every war on myself.

khiarhu

A Beast that spoke come knocking at his door was no more surprising than anything else that had happened in recent times; Endiovar greeted the creature in formal but wary welcome until his station and purpose was brought to light.

A summons by Dragon, to the Throne - to Creation.

Silence quietly counted himself lucky to have been not in Gianfar or Revei's quarters, but his own, when the Dragon King came for him. He followed Yu quickly, steps stirring dust but making not a sound; emptiness to the Dragon King's heavier foot-falls and claw-scrabble against stone.

Inside he was in turmoil; dread and longing and so much else...he should have gone sooner. What could Creation want with him?


Duty drawn without flourish, Yu's ears pricked upright, his tail a proud banner behind him as he brought Endiovar to the Throne. He moved to bow, the pale-haired god behind him doing the same. "Lord, I present the God of Silence, Endiovar--" Here Yu rose and took upon himself a stance near to Harmodius but to the side slightly; eyes bright and watching for the slightest command from Creation.

Ivynian

"Presumptuous is the Speaker that calls for Silence, and yet for his own words to be heard. " Creation nodded back to the god in respect, "But there are troubles caught in my hands that must be worked anew into miracles."


"It comes from memories that you were raised by Destruction, now wholly honestly, but not wholly mourned either of your host. But I know little of you or your bearing....of my own experience...."

Creation rose and crossed the dais then stairs quickly, lifting a hand out to his side in gesture for the Emblem Pillar to stride beside him and under it. His Pillar and base crutch. The latter was demeaning in some thought of his own now, images from the book and from the gathered tapestry about. "If you are not busy...I would know of your thoughts. Yourself and your new life....there is always role of Silence within Me, but I would know of the without. Better the ease in judging instead of drowning."

khiarhu

Kneeling he should have remained, but at full height it was easier to read the Crown, easier to see how drained, how weary...and how different He was to what both he and his host had known.

"The irony, Lord, is that Silence comes to speak when called to." Not that one would want Silence to listen; still-quiet was always the best forum for serious thoughts formed and passed onto another. A very slight frown touched Endiovar's mouth; the Dragon King was being used as a crutch - Creation moving when it was apparent he should yet be resting.

He watched with eyes bright; reading much in both of the gods before him. "There was truth and untruth in what Destruction told my host...though what he heard and knew, I cannot say...he was--" 'Enamoured of Destruction - idea and form.' The last part was not spoken so much as impressed; Silence dipped his head a bit before speaking aloud again. "No, my Lord. I am not...busy." He fumbled, feeling much like a young man alone with the object of his affections, daring to speak for the first time.

"There has been much to happen since I came to be, but much of that was devoted to your Return. Now," A thoughtful pause, "Now they bow their heads when it is quiet, and wont for rest..."


Creation moved and Xia Lu Ling moved with him; form well suited to being a crutch; his Majesty's Loyal Dog. He listened to what Silence said and flicked his tail; it was not for him to speak - this was a conversation for Creation and Silence; one that he was as furniture to. For the moment.

Ivynian

"Walk with me?" It was a request, though Creation did start a slow step forward. "Long idleness and decay are inimical to me by nature, and while I am not yet fully unwetted of the blood of the cocoon I find that this hall becomes as oppressive a cage. "

It must be likewise for most of the mortals ....and immortals even. Except those darker purpose, few bear that hollow heart.



"The question I must ask first is unkind. Do not feel locked to your answer, or even to knowing the whole of it..."

"Let us pretend as we are. What Is is infinite. Imagine. Forget the sorrows and the shadows, the scars that mar the hands and lips. Or ashes that dull taste of tears on tongues. "

He waited the paces it took for them to reach the out of doors, letting the sound of his voice ebb as a tide of mist against hazy banks of the mind. The world did seem dim and fresh and blanketed in fog that was sudden but seemed to have been there for generations. No, it had always been there.

"Tell me, how will you bring glory to what is? What is your part now, as you are? As you plan to be? What is deified Silence in this place?"

khiarhu

A request granted with grace and tempered lightly with trepidation. The seriousness with which Creation addressed him, his stance - even leaning upon the darkly furred Beast keeping pace with him - told Endiovar a great deal. He nodded and fell into step with the Crown; he too felt fettered, chained to this place.

"There was safety in the walls of our tomb and we were loathe to leave."

Standing out of the Pantheon with fog all around, Creation speaking not plainly, but plain enough and a Dragon King brought to valet, servant, crutch...Endiovar could not but feel chill. Unkind indeed! Bitter words blossomed in Silence and died before they became word or un-word.

"What you ask is not unkind, but difficult." He wet his lips and let go the knot in his stomach; there was sense of Purpose that touched upon his skin lightly. "There is nothing but quiet here, my Lord. Without Universe Silence rules, but incompletely." Endiovar stepped away from Creation and turned to face what wasn't there any more; gathering his thoughts as best he could - he did not mean to be cruel, but without the low hum of activity held within Universe that spread to the skies...it was unnaturally quiet.

"I have been the surface upon which so many prayers were brought to You. In me, in my presence, they have found solace and comfort. What Is...will always have need of this, though less as things are righted." Endiovar went back and forth between the hard, solid comfort of spoken words and the gentle touch that came when he did not use them.

Right or not, he had answered as best he could - what the reaction was, he could only wait.

Ivynian

"And Then?"

"When the need to bring missive to me of quiet need and desperate prayer...when that post has faded and the great terror is passed? What do you plan to do with your power when the thoughts of the many turn towards children, money, homes and work?

The Eldest spoke softly, walking still in the mist, though there seemed to be soft greens, tendrils of moss growing from the path that he feet tread.

khiarhu

And Then. Creation's soft words and demeanor so changed to what he'd known of Destruction; only fitting to be so different, of course. But what Then? "I do not know, Lord."

"Cloak all that Is with quiet, with such a soothing comfort... should one simply reach for it, I suppose." That was not satisfactory, it made his lips purse and his brows knit closer together, a frown on his face. "Silence is not simply a void to be filled..." Endiovar looked up at the empty 'sky', expression softening. "At least, not always." But he was musing and talking nothings when a question had been pressed to answer.

His wings, insubstantial as they were, fluffed a bit. as he shrugged. It wasn't a careless gesture, but one that said plainly he had not thought this far. "In truth, I had not ventured to think of after. It seemed best to not." Another small pause, then " I feel that in past I must have waited passively, inactive, until needed. I do not wish to sit, I would make something more ' of myself'."

Clearly, he would need to think on this more.

Ivynian

"Do not trouble greatly....the minds and eyes of all have been focussed on the horizons of coming end, and the ears on the sound of trumpet blasts. "

"The ultimate path and intention of a life is something that usually takes the whole of it to realize." Creation ruffled his hand into the fur of the host beneath his grasp. "There was silence before it had being, long ago. But it was not a silence that spoke or felt. It was absence. When there were words between AllMaiden and I, the sounds and words had no keeper. These things did not come until later, when enough was said and done that sound came to be a thing within and without of the Primodial. When the silence was given meaning as well. But the greatest part of the Home before was in the space between the stars. That living void that was cut with gems and bannered with light and colour dazzled all...but found special kinship in you. "

Ages ago...

"You are yet young, but when your power comes greater to your hands, may I ask a token of it?"

khiarhu

It was strange, to not feel shame at not knowing - but Silence found only a wont to understand and learn, not shame at not knowing. He watched Creation touch his Dragon fondly, as though the words spoken now also had meaning for Yu....meaning he would not ask about, even later. Watching the beast-dragon's ears flick back and forth sheepishly was enough tell for Endiovar.

He nodded; understanding at the least, this part; Creation spoke of the Beginning. How he first came to be with and within All. So very good to hear this from His lips, to read the truth of it all in face and form. "I...Even without knowing, something so dear is missed." If he closed his eyes, he could ignore the pressing wrongness and loss that came without sky to give shape above them.

"Ask anything you wish. There is nothing I am or have that I would not freely give to You."

Through this, the Dragon remained quiet, steady and steadfast at Creation's side. He listened and mentally made observations -- yes, one's path was something revealed slowly, sometimes. His own host had discovered this first-hand, as had he. Yu's tail swished back and forth lazily; the tip just touching the new green-growth that sprang from his Lord's step.

Ivynian

“When you are grown, then. “ Freely given. May these not be feelings and words spat on later with regret. Promises so often find their owners bitter when their dawn comes at last.

“You bring some ease in the task, and have my gratitude. Is there thing or deed that you desire that would bring you the same? Word or thought? “ Creation held one of the great, fuzzy ears of the beast in his hand, lightly pinching pressure between his thumb and pointer as he drew along the outer shell. In many animals it produced an endorphin effect. Pleasure-pain. “It must be wondered by the host of the Pantheon if there are any words but those drear and full of meaning to be had from my mouth. “

Strange mist was clearing to show shadowed columns and garden paths again, stone sculpture and moss walks. The place was changed again, neither shop-cottage nor charnel Throne, and surrounded again by splendour of fruit bearing trees, arboured vines and waterways with stock of fish and shells.

Pantheon Layout

khiarhu

Curiousity skittered along the back of the blond's neck; Creation asking something of him when he was grown - and what could that be? Endiovar nodded graciously; trying to be attentive and not let his mind wander as their feet were doing. "It's necessary, at this juncture, that your words carry such weight. All that Is very nearly was not."

As the area was changed, he thought on what he might ask of Creation. A gift so spoken wasn't something to treat lightly. A request came to mind but it warred with a twinge of guilt and not a little bit of hesitation. This was a chance for him to make right one of two things and it did not come easily to the youngling god; he could ask Creation to visit Revei, perhaps to help heal the scrambled and fraying edges for him...or he could be very selfish.

Two of the three sets of eyes granted to Yu by his host closed in pleasure and the beast made a low, rumbling sound that was part growl, part croon. Before them the grounds sprung to life; green and flowing from Creation's generous hand. Water sounds tickled at Yu's furry ears as he waited and listened; what would this child ask of Creation? Never mind that he himself, in this incarnation, happened to be younger yet than Silence -- the pale-haired godling was still 'child' to him.

Moments spent watching the fresh scenery before a decision was put forth; he would try his luck. "I would ask two things of you, Lord." 'If you would allow it. One is personal and will take little effort but would mean so much...the other is not for myself, but another.'

Ivynian

“It is but asked, that as I am able such things will be granted. Two is hardly ought to worry over; Wishes most often come in threes, you see.”

khiarhu

Endiovar smiled up at Creation with the whole of his being; a mute-swan's joy required no sound but spoke volumes. He could ask his two items! "Thank you, Lord." The blond pursed his lips a moment and framed the first request; which of his requests should go before?

"I ask that you would come to see Revei, the Dream's Guide. He was...injured. I know not if you can help ease his mind, but it would ease mine if you came to see him." Endiovar would explain further if Creation wished, but the true extend of Revei's injuries were best known in person.

"My other request..." He paused; what an odd little thing to ask and one he wasn't certain how to phrase. "I gave my word to Destruction that I would return and repay a favor he granted...you and he are two of the same, so...I would like to repay that favor." He reached out to touch the Eldest's arm lightly. "A kiss..." Soft words, lowered lashes; it wasn't the most comfortable thing to request of a man in the presence of another.

Yu's tail flipped a little; he pretended to not hear any of that; a semi-private moment though he was right there, being a living walking stick. Which was fine. He didn't mind.

Ivynian

“Injury and wound is dealt by sword and hand to the body, by word and deed to the mind. Both may be healed, but deepest running are but scarred over and lessened in pain. I will do as can be done to heal what hurt he has taken, but that it happened at all will remain a memory to him. “

“Though perhaps that is not wholly an ill lesson, is it not?”

Harmodius listened to the pause before the request was made. Repayment? Were tithes paid with requests further? Though it was plain the request was permissive rather then pleading. At least the original intention of it may have been. The softness of the motions and the heave gilt gold that rimmed Endiovar’s eyes said this was not necessarily an inimical payment. “Favours granted with sweetened breath? Surely I should fear to harvest such lips lest I lose my own voice.”

The tome held much unspoken of loves and liaisons of the gods and mortals, less so of his own. Single chapters or errant pages scattered with poetry and prose. Or detached into writs of myth that insulated the house of leaves. But kisses had not yet lit upon this new flesh. Or kiss alone, singly. Creation paused, inclining his shoulders and face down, “There is neither lava beneath my skin nor fangs within my jaw to please any thrill of danger. But as you say is true of our nature.”

khiarhu

He dipped his head and nodded a bit, yes - that was all true. "I can ask no more for him than that. I give him ease such as I can. Blanketing his senses with soft, nothing..." Endiovar's eyes were bright; Creation's words sliding over his senses like a balm, soothing him with a quiet assurance that Things would be taken care of as they could be.

"You are correct, my Lord." 'Remembering such a lesson can only benefit thought the pain of such a recollection may be great.' Even gods must learn things - though neither Endiovar nor Revei would have been made to suffer in such manners had Knowledge been present to give forth what he knew. Things that they had already discussed, the three - Knowledge, Dream and Silence.

His lips curved into a smile - that he would take Creation's voice! "I would not steal from others such a precious thing...words to ease and bring hope." Creation shifted his position, leaning towards the blond haired god and he lifted his face and hands to the other; fingers lightly threading through the multi-hued silk of Creation's hair. "Danger is not the only thrill, Lord." Silence lifted up onto his toes, bringing his mouth against Creation's in a kiss that had long waited to happen. Destruction would not have his repay, but His 'better' half would...in the presence of a Dragon King, no less!

Ivynian

With difficulty the sensation of gossamer tinctured with delight was inscribed on his mind. The moment lasted, in that manner, some moments. The gratification derivable bounded outside of jest of rude recompense and arrived at some genial warmth that spread through limbs with ascending intemperance. Harmodius pulled back first, a sigh exhaled on his breath as he lifted away, “A jealousy of attendance may come of this between ourselves, but I could not regret it. “

“This is a first that is given unto me in ages tumbled over each other….and new on this wrought form. I should take the symbol to heart, that Silence first besotted this flesh. “

And yet the names of others are close writ on his being and even born out of his own mouth. Brevity makes the honey sweeter from stolen arbors. Surely it is that my own mind has been turned to the procuring of such esteem so often lately, and the issuance of such acts. The balance of absent hearts.

khiarhu

As he had said, there were thrills that could be had without the 'danger' of fang or heavy, thick tail. Silence did not press for more than that one kiss though a good part of him would have been pleased with another and another and another. With an expression that held a deep-seated affection and a little bit of the confusion and inner turmoil he had brought on himself, Endiovar's sandal-clad feet returned fully to the newly green earth.

"Nor I." No, he would not regret such a kiss, shared with Creation. A gently taken first; robbed of Creation's mate by one that carried quietly flowering feelings for not only Him, but two others! Had Endiovar been mortal yet, he may have tried rationalizing that He had held court within his chest long before the damaged Dreamer's Guide and his grey-bird of Knowledge. As it were, he simply accepted that he carried a great deal of affection for all three and held such moments close and precious, as rare and exotic gems in times past.

Light hands lingered, smoothing back bright hair for just a moment; Endiovar drew his hands back and let them uselessly at his sides. At Creation's side, the Dragon King's bright eyes watched him as though taking his measure. The beast was so still though; like a living, breathing piece of dark statuary that made the Eldest stand out even more. Silence could not help but wonder what the creature-King thought - if it were thinking at all.

Creation and Silence would likely have been amused to know that the Dragon King was in fact thinking forward about the newly-made grounds. Maybe he would roll in the grass and moss as a treat for his host, or find Zhijian and have one of his servants pour them tea. Mostly though, Xia Lu Ling was thinking that the soft and seemingly-useless god of Silence might not be quite as useless as he seemed. Interesting.

Ivynian

He took some breaths of quiet, feeling more then watching the motions of hands that brushed into his hair with relish. Touch. It happened little before, then not at all for so many ages that opiate properties remained to it. “ Your compatriot then, Revei. Do you know whence he houses now that I could call on him?"

khiarhu

Creation's words brought his attention back round to more serious things; less pleasant surely - but a great deal more serious. "Yes." 'He retired to his rooms here,in the Pantheon...Gianfar is with him.'

Knowledge had not attended the Re-naming Ritual in favor of remaining at Revei's side though Silence had slipped away to join in. His affection for Harmodius having drawn him down to the crumbling, busy Throne Room so he could watch the burning-god sacrifice himself that Harmodius might come forth from the chrysalis.

'Revei has not left his rooms since the planes merged.'

Ivynian

"It shall not be long then. I will send warning before calling on him, then. It should not wait long for his own comfort,"

call on he. And..Gianfar. It has been long, long since I spoke to him. He was ever gone to the books, to his flights, since he has returned. Well, not entirely. Destruction has been unkind, and sight of me is like to be unwelcome in any matters. It cannot be helped, if Revei is to bee aided...and that he will value. If hate? I cannot say. I cannot say anymore. Everything is familiar as pages touched a thousand times and yet remote as the book held in the the lap and not the memory behind the eyes. New as first fallen petals... Harmodius lifted fingers to his own lips, deliberation plain in every gesture.


And of silence? To call again upon this youth before the appointed and already promised time? It is not my place. Knowledge may have plenty to feed down my throat on such matters as it is, let alone to come so near as one of his own friends. Not so soon, not yet. This knife edge must yet be walked a while.

khiarhu

"Come when it pleases you, Lord. I will hold wide the doors to welcome you." Pretty words, but not spoken without feeling. Pale fingers touched lips the color of chill slowly; though Creation's internal dialogue was hidden from him he could read some of what the Eldest felt in the stance he took, the far-away glint to his eyes and the slow, thoughtful movements.

What he would have given to know the threads of thought spinning behind His eyes - and the purpose. Would thoughts become reality, sturdy as heavy broadcloth? Or as light and delicate as spun silk? To what purpose did Creation's features carry such a look?






With his thick, furry form against Creation; Yu felt his Master's movements more than saw them. What private thoughts held court in His head, the Dragon King could only make educated guesses at. The Sky being missing was one pressing issue among a veritable ocean of others; thankfully many of the "problems" caused by Destruction (and later Gehenna) would heal simply with Creation holding the Throne.

"Two birds with one stone, My Lord." Meaning, of course - that He would be able to speak with Gianfar as well as take a look at the wounded Dream. Naturally Xia Lu assumed that Creation would wish to speak with Knowledge...after all, he himself had.

Ivynian

"It is so, they will both be there. The little birds.....new birds, new loves. What more exotic and ecstatic a nest-feathering then that of Knowledge finally courted and Dream....dream given room to soar. " He leaned more on Yu then, before shifting to bow to the bleaching youth. "I will look for your smiles then, when my own thin with care and caution. It will not be over long. Until then, Sachem Aphonic."

khiarhu

That brought a smile to the pale god's lips; it was good to see the two together...they were a wonderful, beautiful couple -- very much in love. It radiated from them and touched all around them. Endiovar enjoyed basking in the warmth of their relationship; coat-tails. Tagging along and getting some affection in return for a service rendered to one that he cared for.

"Come often, My Lord." 'Seek my smiles even when you have no need, but merely a wont.' Endiovar reached out to the Eldest as he bowed, fingers light and lingering only briefly against Creation's flesh. "Until then, my Lord."






Yu's furry body bore the weight of Creation as he bowed to the blond and spoke of soft things. He was attuned to his Lord and would travel with him, supporting him where ever the Eldest wished to go; be it Throne Room or Other.

Ivynian

Straightening, Creation guided his and his Dragon's steps again towards what served as the primary architectural structure of the Pantheon grounds.

"There is a orator's walk now that spans over a recessed floor and step bench where listeners could relax and debate at their leisure. That damned throne is gone, and the symbol of its inflexible hierarchy. "

"It would be best to rest there a while. You spoke knowingly of Gianfar's location, and purposes regarding him. Have you spoken to him, Xia Lu Ling?"

khiarhu

Endiovar watched Creation and his dragon moving towards the open area spoken of but he did not move to follow though he did wish to. Follow Him and watch Him, as he had when his Lord had been naught but raw and wild nothing held in a shell.

Pale lips curved shyly up and the blond turned so that he could go and tell Revei and Gianfar of the news; he wished to linger, but...they had already bid each other farewell for this time. Improper to stay and improper to want to run to Creation and put his arms around him that he may draw strength from his limbs the way he did with the Dragon King.





The Dragon-in-Beast's-Skin nodded his great head at the directions given to him; his keen eyes picked out the place Creation spoke of. He spoke with such derision of thrones and what they represented...but the King did not comment about that. This was a time for all that was new - new order and new practices -- perhaps Gianfar would be pleased with this; he knew the grey scholar held no fondness for the conventional way the Twin Crown had held court over All.

"Yes, my Lord. I have spent time with Gianfar." Xia Lu Ling brought Creation to the bench and helped the Eldest to settle comfortably; he himself kneeling at His feet. Easy to speak from there; easy to watch with all the love and joy he felt at being so near the Twin Crown. "We spoke at length, previously. I...felt it odd that he did not show his face and share what he knew, before." And because he had been curious as to the past...not stuck pining for it as some surely had...but curious and wishing to Know.

They had not parted on bad terms either; Xia Lu Ling was wary of Gianfar in some ways, but respected and liked the God of Knowledge.

Ivynian

He smiled with faint amuse, "All things shall come to me only when directly invited? Speak, dragon. You tell me you spoke at length, but not a summary at least of what was come to. If it was interesting to your mind, it is so to mine, to know what Gianfar's reasoning for his recent actions are. "

"It is not my preference to be ever estranged, isolated, from even the closest of my kin. Speak, Xia Lu Ling. "

khiarhu

Creation's words were lightly spiced with laughter at having to pull information from his Dragon; Yu's ears flicked back and forth as he settled in with only a hint of sheepishness at being so gently chastised by his master.

"Gianfar came not to your side, Lord, for he was more concerned with his lover's well-being; as you know, the Dreamer's Guide has been wounded. I was told there are more important things than even the End of All." Here the Dragon King chuckled a bit, "Admittedly, I approached him for other reasons - a ghost-dream from the past was haunting my thoughts...as he was a player in that misty drama, I sought his company and knowledge." Speak he would; not only because He bade him speak, but because it was good to speak with Creation at length.

"He spoke of his council, a forum for speaking of balance...and of Samyaza's first appearance--" Excitable beast, growling beast; Yu's fur stood on end and his many eyes narrowed and glinted with anger repressed. "How the assumption that You had sent them led to his teaching those he could not Know the ways of Names and how to traverse Yggdrasil. It was very interesting, to hear of the Grigori and how things happened Before."

Again the beast paused, it's great jaws closing for a moment as it pondered things not-remembered but re-learned; Knowledge was dangerous and powerful in his mind - a great ally or a wily enemy and while the Dragon King obviously caused the grey-winged god much anxiety by his very shape and existence...he found him fascinating and counted Gianfar as an ally. "No matter his...mistake, Gianfar spoke passionately, Lord. He was quite angry that she, Samyaza, brought him low and made him a traitor. Even your beautiful Empress fell victim to the Grigori's un-truths and brought her to your side."

Xia Lu Ling shifted and wrapped his long tail about Creation's feet, heavy paws flexing to show claws. "I was told, my Lord, that You were angrier that your Kings were harmed by the Void that makes up the Grigori than by the attempt made upon Yourself. That the Grigori took three routes to escape as you bade us cease attacking the Void-beasts."

Ivynian

The gradual fading of mirth to some moor-soft mist of sadness progressed as did the tale. Things remote and innumerable lifetimes ago of creatures and cares.

"It was so. "

" Mortal and Ageless contrivances come and go with time. But what father will seek vengeance instead of tending wounded sons that may yet be healed? War can wait, and preparation can be made, if there are hands yet to wield needle or sword. Or tongues for words. And what could three such hope to do, even as they were, against me in my own walks?

I am Names.
Yes.
Each that ever was borne or shall be is rooted in my own. "


"Worry not overmuch. The time will come, sooner then any could hope. It will begin anew, this war They never ended. But it will...begin and end."

[khiarhu]

Con't - The Hem of Your Garment

khiarhu

Of course, Creation was right - how could His words not be? "We are lucky to have such a caring Father." Not were, but are. Despite his being reborn through flesh that was not related to the Twin Crown, Xia Lu Ling still considered himself a Child of the Crown..as he was certain the other Kings did as well. Yu's thick tail curled and twitched against Creation's flesh, little tendrils reaching out to caress idly. Tiny black-furred tentacles, spread across the paleness.

"I am not worried, Lord. I know that the time will come when they return and we destroy them completely. Though the means are not wholly clear to these eyes as yet. But I would not have You returned to that abominable state, so there will be ways found and executed." Granted, their victory wasn't by any means assured...but he could afford to be bold and confident even while musing over the hows of such an undertaking. With any luck, it wouldn't happen until more of the Kings had furthered their rebirth.

Ivynian

"Did Gianfar's seeming opinion, such as it filtered through his words and other language seem to yet agree with long passed theory? .... "

How heavy the weight of disappointment, the lock on the links that drags at faith and good friendship until the stirred dust blinds eyes.

"Were you satisfied of your own stories and personal inquiries? One need not lie and still lead astray from omissions and word play. "

khiarhu

Put forth in such a manner, the Creature could but draw it's great muzzle wholly together so that it might twist into something between a grimace and a frown. He could not read the Eldest's form in Silence's manner so words were all that came upon his sensitive ears. Wise words, words that made his ever-twitching tail cease all movement.
"Both satisfied and led aside by an eagerness to harm those recently returned." Yu saw nothing to be gained nor lost by admitting as such; he had, of course, thought to himself that Gianfar's words may not be whole-truths, or even half-truths....but part of him had wanted to and had allowed the conversation between the two to lead down differing paths. "Gianfar may have spoken truths that were without the whole of Truth, but it rings true to myself that whatever trespass Knowledge wrought, You handed out his punishment ages past."

The Dragon King's jaws cracked open again, his tongue flicking out to wet the dark fur of his muzzle. "Also, I feel that my attention is better spent on learning of Samyaza and the Grigori. They are not done with Us yet. Samyaza's blades are merely bloodies, they will cry for another taste, soon rather than late." And he without his proper form! Woe and shame!

'Ahhh-- that is to change, O'Treasure. Can you not feel it? I sleep soon, inside you. Alpha's loyal dog--'

Xia Lu Ling let a rumble build in his chest; thoughts of the Grigori's return and his own rebirth bubbling up emotion that channeled into such a sound.

Ivynian

"Many minds stray over and over to only the Grigori, to Samyaza, and battle. These things are, indeed, inevitable. "

"But the focus upon just them is wrong. It happened just so, that all sought out confrontations and war, and forgot that These are not gods. Their way is one of subtlety. A sword may be drawn before to distract so that a poison gas may be released behind without hindrance. "

"Even so, what are the numbers of the gods? Sixty four, perhaps, and a great many of that are missing among the tatters of what still Is. But how many have come into their strength? Maybe thirteen, and not all of those accounted warriors or present. The Grigori have the full experience of 95 Ages....Ages....of sealed bitterness and plots with their lore. "

"And what of the gods is older then the count of a single decade?"

"The focus must be on regaining strength and cunning first. Of becoming gods, something ABLE to face them, before running off to certain annihilation. Samyaza will not be caught alone a second time unless there is some plot behind it. The Others are here. While they are seething over a second failure, actions of growth should be sought. Not just ...war."

"But of them I will tell you this....the names, or as they are called, of the chief generals are well known Samyaza, Akibeel, Tamiel, Ramuel, Danel, Asael, Batraal, Anane, Turel, and Azazyel. Ten in all, and each used to have a cadre of thirteen subordinates, then thousands of followers who were....still living and Being. The Grigori themselves...they are not Being. Somehow...they are half of and in the Chaos, and it is in them and brought into what Is. How they achieved this, and are not simply dispersed and unmade is a secret that is yet uncovered. But it has to do somehow with my own magic. "

"I discovered and wrote, long ago in the silences, in the Tome, the clues of it I had uncovered: The Younger were not yet come-of-age. But they were full of energy and life, and endless curiosity. The Children of the Crown found great delight in them, and all the wonders of their ingenuity. Lord and vassal together could learn from one another and explore the boundless fruits. There came to be among the race of men a maiden of inestimable renown. Subtle were the paths of her mind, and her hands were quick to follow the whims of will and spirit. Perfect measures of comeliness and strength were in her body, so that she was fair but with majesty. Here was a queen of her people, not in decoration only.
She came to the temples of the High Learning where she was succored to womanhood, and then to the seat of the Patron of Law.

Law was given to deep and long deliberations on nearly all matters. Law was also beloved of the Court of the Emperor, steadfast in her loyalty and unwavering in her service to the Pantheon. When the Pearls were given out among the Patrons, she was not in haste to make use of the wonder. It was set away, in safe keeping in her personal chambers, until she could properly discover the inspirations of what was needed and righteous.
Law had many duties, and also many allies, and her blessings had been asked on many of the other pearls and the races that were put forth, so she came to forget that she had not used her own. Memory is fickle, and may substitute one great thing for another. Thus the pearl laid, forgotten among the many chests and locked boxes, jewels themselves to look upon, which laid about the rooms of Law.

The Regal Woman, in Law’s service, was permitted to continue going among the forum of the wise, for the learning made her greater and more useful, and she had sued that “The Lord of Knowing sometimes comes among the great of the elder-kin and teaches them Words. If I could learn but one of these, I would learn Law, and would know you better….and could serve you utterly. “

So she was allowed, and betrayed not that though she was purposed to learn, as simple mortals barely ever could, but a single Word, she had subtlety and power in her that she learned a handful. And in the libraries and histories told at the feet of Knowledge she learned of the wheels of Fate, of the Fabric, of the Beginning.

In mortal kind there is a balance like that of the crown. Too much of any thing, good or evil, can tip such delicacy and overmaster the scales. It is this that, while even can breed great and righteous things, breeds also evil and corruption. This is the basis of Chaos, from which all things sprang…, from the Void itself which churned. So this great learning, unchecked over such time with measures of wisdom and experience, came to break in that woman the balance of her heart.

She heard of the beginning and long thought it over in the silences of the night, and came to see the Void as the first and Perfect. She served Law in name, but it was Chaos that was first, primal and unbound…and to which all would return. In seeming only, from that night on, did she serve her Patron. She laboured to learn all the secrets of Law, winning finally the inner sanctum and bed of the Lady. In Law’s absences to Court the Regal Woman turned the keys of the boxes. She found the Pearl. ....."


"This...you have surely guessed, is the story of Samyaza. It was titled the Ley of the Pearl, long ago. It is my guess that it is the Pearl which they somehow use as the key to their magic. I think they shall not be bested until it is reclaimed, if it still exists at all."

khiarhu

Carefully did the Dragon King listen to the words that poured from Creation's lips; a gentle admonishment not just for him, but offered to his ears, that came under the twin guises of knowledge and instruction.

All that Creation spoke was true. The gods were all babes in their nappies compared to the Aged Grigori. Grigori that had no doubt spent Ages honing their skills and growing their abilities so as to assure themselves of a victory. The chaos that Samyaza had caused, the damage that she had done to Destruction was likey a drop in the ocean of what may come -- but they were wholly unready! The Pantheon was an infant facing an adult and all the enthusiasm in All that Existed would not be enough if they did not begin to prepare.

'Samyaza, Akibeel, Tamiel, Ramuel, Danel, Asael, Batraal, Anane, Turel, and Azazyel' Xia Lu Ling repeated the names to himself while his quick mind meshed the story told by Gianfar of Knowledge and the deeper one spoken by Creation. They clicked, for the most part -- clearly there were things that Gianfar hadn't wanted to go into; Law being one to lose a Pearl to the wiles and ways of the Grigori Samyaza....the Pearl being quite possibly the key to defeating the Void-wielding monstrosities.

"Aye, Lord. I did not remember as you spoke, but I did reason that it must have been so. Samyaza...given much rein by Law, taking much that was never meant for her and using it against us." He gave the multi-hued Elder a long look. "We must find way to retrieve that Pearl....and the Lady Gaia's arm." Great Heaven -- what sort of trouble could she get into with two such powerful artifacts? Gaia's arm to grant access to otherplanes...and the Pearl - solid in form or used and brought formless - for power?

"As you say, we must prepare. This is War though we have forgotten in our joy at your return." Yu's ears went flat against his skull; Creation's earlier words echoed in his mind like heavy drumbeats,or perhaps thunder. Ominous. Weighty. '"Even so, what are the numbers of the gods? Sixty four, perhaps, and a great many of that are missing among the tatters of what still Is. But how many have come into their strength? Maybe thirteen, and not all of those accounted warriors or present. The Grigori have the full experience of 95 Ages....Ages....of sealed bitterness and plots with their lore. "'

It should have felt hopeless, but it did not. Xia Lu merely felt the weight of what was to come gradually settling upon him like a leaden mantle. "I will remind my Brothers of our duty and of the danger that is not yet passed as you have reminded me." And he'd bloody well figure out weaponry and the like too.

Ivynian

"Weapons! " It was said with weariness and a sigh,
"It is the same answer each of you comes to. Did yo uhear my words? What good are weapons in the hands of those with no knowledge of them? What good are weapons at all in the hands of a morph god that remains half-mortal hearted and so slowed by the limits of that upon their power? Turel Was a mighty warrior, and what weapon in such hands, were it forged of my own bones, would find its mark on him ? He would laugh and smite down then bearer. Weapons will be provided in time when there are those who can wield them. When the Forge is made hot again."

khiarhu

In this, a flash of ire dredged up from his host's mercurial and volatile nature; Xia Lu Ling's muzzle curled up, baring teeth at no one for he could not bear to snarl at Creation even in such a small fit of temper.

"How often have you heard this, Lord, that you respond so. I will not speak of it again, as you say -- there will be weaponry when there are hands that can hold and fire to help shape." Horns shook as the creature tossed it's heavy head and mane; it was an action that held the self-same feel to it as a cat cleaning itself after having missed it's intended target while leaping.

If they could not use weapons - and Creation had made that clear - then their recourse was what? Knowledge, yes...and growth. Reclaiming power once theirs. Yu breathed a warm breath across the Eldest's legs and twined his tail around His ankle more tightly. "We are bumbling children, how frustrating we must be. Half-blinded pups, staggering about mewling for a teat - and you, newly returned and playing wet-nurse!" But there were two of the Brothers that were not so blinded -- two had strength that the others would need and how many of the lower Pantheon? Underworld, he knew - the Lady of Music, also...and Hunt. Yes, these three with Gianfar and his mate, Revei. Who else? Who else?

All things he made note to himself to find out.

Ivynian

"True frustration takes much greater then simple discussions. You mistake me....though perhaps it IS a matter of my patience being too new to be as long as it should be. "

"Truely though, artifacts of old for that great purpose are returned. Mine at least may be sundered and fitted to a greater many blades. It was greatest as a symbol, comparatively, in that I need no weapon to go to such a battle save my awareness and wit. Be comforted. There will be weapons that will have such strength made into them."

khiarhu

Six red eyes slid across the landscape thoughtfully; his ears were pricked back at Creation to devour each syllable, but his gaze wandered.

"This is difficult, my Lord. Knowing an enemy awaits but being unable to lash out with tooth and fang to smite them in your name." Xia Lu's eyes moved low to inspect his heavy paws with their large, sharp claws. How utterly useless against the Grigori though he would use them in any way that he might. Not to attack directly, no -- he had learned the hard way that Void ate through his flesh as quickly and easily as water dissolved cotton candy.

Better to use his form to impress upon the mortals left...to further relations with them and through their faith, gain yet more power. It would be much easier for the Dragon King once he had full control of his body. Yes. Until then patience -- he would be patient and do as Creation bade him do.

"Tell me of Names, Lord, if you are not overly-wearied." Once more, the good dog.

Ivynian

"You ask for understanding of the very nature of what Is. But that I do not begrudge you. There are no ears of the fleeting about to become confused or jealous in the hearing. "

"All things, save one, had a True Name. A word that encompasses all of its Being. Pats, Present, Future, the hopes and fears, the growth and decay of every object. It is this word, from the very....language....of the Nameless that draws Life from that thing and into the created Name-bearer. This language is vast, and only in utmost balance do even I...as I am incarnated...know the full of it. It is this tumult that first spawned Gaia, naming her Seed, naming the Yggdrasil....from Itself. It was in this language that all things were first thrown forth from our minds, hers or mine, and then those of our children as we taught them the words of making to draw the Life from me. "


"Time progresses along the spread fan between two outcomes: decay or greater glory. For some Created, age beautifies and perfects, chisels away impurities and leaves the finest, translucent Power that surrounds the evolution and majesty of the Being. For others, age brings dust and crippling cracks that break supports into ash and leave little if even memory. But all....all.....have a Name. Many of the Mortal Races, as they follow their sciences and turn away from Wonder and the Cycles....as they quest to become what they are not have lost this knowledge. The Mystery of Complexity within Simplicity, dichotomy and paradox, do not fall within their understanding. But they do have Names.

If I spoke the name of any allowed, such a Being would be commanded to obey. So it is with any that I would teach Names to. Every Being has an individual name, which is harder to know and come by, and the greater the flow of My Blood within them, the greater and harder to find their Name. By the same token, many things have lesser names...the name of their race, that forms a piece of their Greater Name. It is these names that are more easily taught and commanded. The Lesser Names and Lesser words became the Old Tongue...Godspeech. ...however you wish to call it. Lesser is perhaps a bad term, for the speech you have witnessed is very powerful, only lesser in that it is more general. "

"And there are many spells involving the Old Speech and Names. Those who would seek power and who would cause damage to the flow of what is can steal names and bind servants as demons and witches do, or cause imbalances in the flows of nature by calling rains out of season. There are those who recognize the need for balance and that there is a payment....destruction for each creation as well, who act as shamans and wisemen, great archmages and seers to their peoples. Few realize anymore that their mortal tongues are long, long decended from the raw Godspeech. Perhaps the words little resemble the original in writing and sound, but the seed of the word is there, so their minor power and ritual to call lightning or fireballs or change rabbits to maidens works. The 'magic' less stable, but serviceable to Mortal hands. "

"Ah..." Creation drew out a long sigh as the set of his shoulders lowered, "But you will question 'had'. The Grigori created in themselves the exception to this cloth of what Is, and so it is that they eat wholes in the Worlds and would pitch all that Is before the correct cycles into what was Before and will remain long after. Long ago, when I passed judgment upon them in the ending of the War...I could read no names within them. They had none. It took the many Ages after the Fading, during my searching and living among the worlds in lesser for to piece together the Lay of Sable Pearls. "

khiarhu

Xia Lu Ling well knew that he had asked for much; as Creation had said - he was asking an understanding of the very nature of what Is. The hows and whys contained in words that came from His lips and settled into the Dragon King's great furry ears.

Had. All things once had a True Name. Yu did not bother asking for a clarification as Creation spoke but rather held things to the side of his mind so that he might question after -- or listen further for the answers that might be forthcoming without further inquiry on his part.

While the Eldest - or was he now the Eldest, having been freshly re-birthed from the charred and twisted shell of the chrysalis? - spoke, His Pillar let the flow of the words caress his brain the way the air went through his thick, dark fur. Xia Lu's muzzle twisted into a bit of a smiling/grimace when Creation spoke of his questioning regarding the term "had"; how well did He know His Children!

"The Lay of the Sable Pearls draws my attention and interest more than the Naming of all Things though both warrant attention and knowing. The Grigori are a more pressing issue as I'm sure You agree." Perhaps he could get some of the other information from Gianfar later so that he could spare Creation some of his curiosity and questions. That is, if the white-haired God of Knowledge could be pried from his lover. Or was it more appropriate to say Lovers? Endiovar bore the scent of both Gods upon his flesh...Yu chuffed in a very bestial manner and dismissed those thoughts from his mind. He was to focus on Creation's measured words, the pleasure of his Master's voice speaking Important Things, not to mull over the exploits of a few Gods.

Ivynian

"Well, it is the story, as I already told you, of Samyaza. I know that one of the Pearls, the one given to Law, was unused. I know that the creature that now goes by the calling of Samyaza, whom was once tennant to Law, is the usurper. What I do not know is the method which she utilized to turn the magic and the pearl....how she used the Names and her understanding, to uname herself and others. How the Grigori exist at all, or bring the unnamed Chaos through themselves to eat at what Is and unmake it. "

"In the war, they were not able to be captured or made to talk. They ate themselves from within if capture seemed imminent. Or exploded in great masses of unMaterial. "

The wounds that had blotched across the Empress, the Firstborn, and others from even those moves of attrition..... and this time with many players missing.

"The greatest ally of the gods now is the mortals. If all the early words and messages were not in vain, and the reborn go out unto the worlds and speak to the mortals...help them or guide them as is their wont....they will believe after the horrors of what we have passed. That believe will prevent the Grigori from increasing their hold or numbers, if they are capable of it. "

khiarhu

Gentle reminder from the Lord of All; he had heard this story. It was in the beast-like nature of Yu's host to think-not think-think much like an over-eager puppy. For this reason, the dignified Dragon King Xia Lu Ling all but fell over himself, literally and figuratively, to please Creation, to make up for time lost due to the Fading.

"Worrisome, that there Is some fashioned thing, some Being that is beyond your Knowing." But then, he was saying that more for his own benefit than for Creation's -- the reborn Eldest knew better than he. Recollection came somewhat difficult to Yu; repetition helped just as it did with true beasts set to learning some mortal-brought task.

"As you say, Lord, the mortal's beliefs hold a great place in the scenes yet to come." Ears tipped in thick, plush fur flicked back and forth thoughtfully. "With all that has been seen, they are yet full of fear and wonder...milling about as lost as lambs looking for a Shepard..."

A steady, gentle hand was needed now lest they lose what precious ground had been gained by Creation's rebirth; God's Hands. His touch, Dragon claws and immortal hands to guide and comfort as a parent, a friend, perhaps even a lover; these things were needful things moving forward. From blue-tinged lips to black-furred ears of

And what were they all doing? Clamoring for Creation's notice - a touch, a look...even the slight wind created by His passage.

Ivynian

"Have you or your Fragment found mortal companions? Believers, perhaps not, so early in your rebirth...but friends or accomplices, lovers, these things seem often enough to grace the early steps of my reborn. "

A change of subject almost, related but more pleasant then the unending considerations of the Grigori. Something more tangible and less dire, more personal and of his dragon's own life.

khiarhu

The topic change was welcome; no matter what surprises the future held, one would go mad and madder still from doing naught but contemplating the worst. Xia Lu's thick tail twitched, the scaled sections shifting against each other and against fur with an odd, softly clinking-rustling sound.

"Yes, we happened upon a small church-sect hiding during the Weeks. Harlan, the sect leader, followed me here with the other mortals. They have aided ours in many ways both before Your Rebirth and now." It pleased the Dragon King to speak of Harlan and Blessed and the others; not only had they come to accept him - in all his frightening glory - but they had seen the other gods and goddesses, seen the Chrysalis, and Believed.

"A lover, I have one not although the Fragment had taken one of Zhijian's own to bed. Two...children," here he strained to find a word that suited what the spawn of Ashoka the Pardess and the Fragment should be referred as, "came to be from that union. Ashoka and the Fragment named them Dan and Joss...both are strange creatures, but strong and fearless as children are wont to be." Strong enough that with the help of their parents they had survived in a time of starvation, decay and death. Yu glanced side-wise at Creation; perhaps his Lord would like to meet the Fragment's spawn - children of all kinds would likely be a welcome sight to the Lord of All. "It would honor me to bring them to you. They will not speak of death and battle, but of greater things like Rio's sandwich-making skills or the way that Brother Zhijian's tail is the perfect thickness for chewing."

The spawn were not his, not really, but Xia Lu Ling felt some-what fatherly toward them and was quite fond of Dan and Joss when they weren't causing trouble (infrequently).

Ivynian

"The laughter of true innocence is music that graces my ears more and more seldom the longer the chain of linked ages that bears down...Should there ever be time, I would be glad to see them. They may find the gardens more interesting to explore then talking with me, but wild children can still be viewed in their antics from afar. "

"Zhijian..."

"How many the brothers, yet few the meetings. There is so much strength to be mustered, as though crawling and waiting to walk. " Harmodius left his mouth parted as though to suck his teeth, but didn't finish the gesture. "Never did the building fires, embers chased and housed in stone, meet the mustered magic required, to bring down gifts from forge and Throne. "

khiarhu

"Likely my Lord, the boy would find some sort of devilment to get into..or he would take to biting at Your flesh. Both of the Fragment's get are rather...bitey." The tone Yu took on was a long-suffering one; he and his had long been exposed to the oh-so-sharp little teeth that Joss and Dan had inherited from both parents. "Still, they would enjoy You, Lord...and You them."

Thickly furred-and-scaled tail thumped against dark legs; Xia Lu Ling could only nod at Creation's words - the Dragon Kings had not yet managed to gather together in force, to compare notes on the trials and tribulations of these times. They needed to, to share the good and the bad and to plan. He had spoken with Zhijian only - as they two shared some responsibility for the misbegotten pardmentlings. He had sought out Jin Huang but had not been able to locate him; the same went for Tian Yue and the others.

Of course, he had only seen a small amount of his Brothers reborn: Jin Huang, Tian Yue, Zhijian, the still-gem-bound Chien Tang & Q'an Lung...where were Mang, Shen Lung, and Ti Lung? Good questions. He'd do some research; perhaps another visit to his good friend Gianfar was in order...or he could just stake out the main Pantheon and tackle any of the Dragon Kings that came by. Chain them up until he had enough for a nice little meeting...

"I know that five of our number, six including myself, have been sniffing around." He paused a moment to look up at Creation's face, "There will be a meeting, Lord, if I must chain them to the trees newly sprung from Gaia at your bidding." But the others...well, Yu did not know. If they were reborn or yet housed in a gem...or worse: Faded completely.

Ivynian

"Better forms then flesh there are to wear as armor against errant fangs. " He reached down and gathered the noisome tail like a cat into his arm. Such appendages were rarely given as much appreciation as they deserved, instead receiving more abuse then necessary.

He settled to petting the fur and scales. "I will look forward to hearing of your term as jailer to your brothers, then."

FIN

[khiarhu]

...//PRP - Unexpected Assistance

SkieBorne

So far so good, he thought as he set the bundle of glass down and nodded at the clinking sound it made. He’d collected a fair amount, but it still didn’t seem like a whole lot either… would it be enough to forge into new vessels when he spoke to the people of Baadris? Just how much did Harmodius need? Forest had come to the Pantheon to ask just that question, having rather sheepishly realized that that piece of information for his current duties was missing. Some help he was, if he brought too little.

Thus, the small collection he’d gathered and stored in his chambers was now spread out before him, the cracked containers lining the half wall that ran alongside the sleeping area and the bucket of glass scraps down on the floor. He’d managed to find a rather large clay urn and had wheeled it to his room to use as a storage container until he was finished – hauling the weight of the glass was no simple task for his host and the urn itself had taken a long while to push and pull up the stairs to this floor.

Satisfied with the current collection, he nudge the sleeping mind of his host awake with a smile, “Malh’reth. Would you mind sketching this out? It’d be easier to show if we don’t have to drag it everywhere.”

Hn? Oh. No problem. You think there’s enough? It was obvious the Aurion was skeptical as he resumed control of his body and withdrew his precious sketch book. Playing fingers of the things before him as he sketched, a realistic drawing soon took shape on the papers, ready to be cast into the air.

No, it’s not done yet, but we need to know just how much we need, after all. So I’m going to go ask Harmodius for clarification. Chances are… we need a lot. Glyph nodded, always amazed at Malh’reth’s abilities to bring what the mind’s eye saw into reality.

“Alright. Let’s go then, I’m done.” Mal responded genially, turning to leave the room. As they exited, the mage trailed longer fingers over the everwood pillars in the entry way and smiled at the texture and life they held. Such curious things… and so wonderful. He’d truly appreciated what Glyph has done in choosing the furnishings. Glass and crystal, open spaces and greenery – much like the home he missed.

Downstairs, Glyph took control of the body once more and approached the throne hoping, hoping to find Harmodius.

khiarhu

In the throne room, The Emblem Pillar was holding court with his Lord and Master; rather, he was staying near Creation should the Crown have need of him. In any manner - from a crutch to lean against when the multi-hued god moved from the throne to a listening ear. Whatever was needed, Xia Lu Ling was filled with a quiet pride and joy at being able to provide Him with aid.

A scent came across the room and tickled the sensitive nose of his host; his ears moved forward to capture the sounds being made by whomever was coming forward.

Yu glanced at Creation before rising to his feet and moving down the dais to greet the newcomer; form going from four-footed beast to two-legged humanoid. It was much easier for him to speak like that. "Greetings, Host." The scent of one touched by the gods was strong and sure, else the Dragon King would not have addressed the man so.

SkieBorne

Bowing to Creation as he entered the hall, Glyph stopped rather suddenly as Malh'reth lurched in surprise and fear. Before them, a creature walked on all fours then rose to an upright position like a bear would and it set the Aurion's nerves tingling. Such things were the stuff of stories, the predator to his prey. Up until now, the people he'd run into had been recognizable beings... humanoid in shape.... but this, this was new and surprisingly frightening. It had to be some sort of guard to Creation!

"I highly doubt he's going to eat you, Mal." Glyph murmured, bemused as he nodded to Xia Lu as well.

But- Glyph cut the reflexive response off by gesturing at the dragon king, or more precisely, the aura that surrounded him. He didn't need to say anything, thankfully, as Malh'reth finally calmed down and nodded. The Aurion were more skittish around those things that posed obvious threats and even logic sometimes took a moment to sink in.

Inhaling and exhaling with relief, Glyph smiled at the Emblem Pillar, "Greetings my peer. Pardon the intrusion but I come seeking a few answers. He has asked that Judgement and I collect glass vessels capable of holding water but... I'm not sure just how much we need." He chuckled softly, slightly embarassed before he held out a hand in greeting as he continued, "Glyph, Silvim Illustirre, Forest."

khiarhu

Oh, his host would have been more than happy to attempt eating Malh'reth - he was a beast with a beast's urges and tendencies: sleep, hunt, rut. Luckily for them all then, that the Dragon King himself was in control now; host having been all but devoured by Xia Lu Ling. Indeed, only the barest traces remained - and that was a concession the King made to the beast's "family" rather than the beast itself.

"Forest." The King breathed the name through his sharp teeth but declined to smile as he shook the proffered hand; that would have been frightening rather than reassuring. "I am Yu the Five Claws, Emblem Pillar to the Crown." He did not give out his name, only titles. His name was held back for the moment; something small and treasured between himself and He Who Fashions All.

"My Lord has requested you fetch all you can, yes?" He didn't wait for any such response as he felt sure of the answer though he had not been in the throne room when the request had been made. "He will be pleased with whatever you are able to gather, Glyph-the-Forest." That Creation was weary, his energies being put towards salving the tortured planes of existence, was something the King knew well. He was the Emblem Pillar, was he not? And such a simple thing could certainly be handled without pressing Him for further answers.

SkieBorne

"Ah, Dragon King." Nodding, Glyph smiled as Malh'reth settled back down. A God was a different creature altogether. Thinking back, the god pursed his lips, "Whatever we manage, actually. But there's not very much any more, not with the devastation, and bringing back only meager offerings doesn't feel right."

Turning slightly to cast his gaze around the Throne Room, Glyph sighed, "If I knew where to find pieces that could be spared I would seek those out. The mortals, however, have had enough stripped from them - what little comfort remains, I would prefer to leave untouched. It would be a cruel thing to take the artifacts of better days from them."

khiarhu

Yu's thick fur rippled in amusement; though his domain was not Silence, nor had he the...ability to read such as the pale-haired god did, it was very obvious that Glyph - or his host - felt great relief at knowing who he was. "I am sure that He will be pleased by whatever you are able to find." The Dragon King nodded sagely and moved to draw the horned host creature further from his resting Lord.

"Mortals that came here to worship and pay homage to Creation. Ask mortals, give them a choice. There are many that would give yet more of themselves for the greater good." His words carried weight and much thought behind them; this was very true -- the mortals had lost much during the weeks...but they were supplicants before the Throne. Giving to one that would give back in much richer ways. "I understand your reluctance in this matter. If you would like, I will send some of my servants out to help you gather glass vessels. They may be of use to you in this task."

SkieBorne

Following Yu, Glyph shook his head, "The mortals I would ask were fleeing their home, chased by demons and comforted by the promise that they could return. And," he paused sighing, "with the sky fallen, they cannot return home. They are stranded here, for good or ill. I'm sure you saw the lotus flowers at the ceremony? They brought nothing but those. The people of Baadris have only the clothing on their backs and the trinkets in their pockets. I will not take more from them I can help it - I already plan on building a forge that they might use to create new vessels from the scraps of the old." Glyph smiled, "I do not intend to leave them out entirely, merely ask only what they can give."

Forest's gaze returned to Yu then, having wandered to take in the Throne Room, recalling the lotuses as he conversed, "Assistance would be much appreciated, Emblem Pillar. You know of some vessels?"

khiarhu

"There are, perhaps some surviving pieces at the church or school my followers were hiding in before I brought them round the Pantheon." He frowned a bit, then gave a low, sharp whistle as though calling someone. A few moments after, a naked demoness with scales covering her...assets came clattering in on split hooves; she bowed before Yu and did not raise her eyes to the King.

"Your servant, Lord. Direct and I shall follow." Artimesh was deliciously polite and very appropriate with words despite her inappropriate (to some) nudity. She glanced over at Mal/Glyph with sharp eyes; weighing them...judging them...finding them lacking when stacked up to her Master.

"Artimesh, this is Glyph, Lord of Forest. You will treat his words as my own and assist him in his quest to find glass vessels for Creation. You will need to venture out - talk with Harlan first to see if there is any reason to visit his church or the school. If there is, take the others and fetch any and all you find." Yu nodded at the demoness and the god next to him. "She will aid you now - by herself and with any of mine." The Dragon King reached out with one thickly furred, claw-tipped hand and touched the Aoide lightly; she trembled as though his touch were pure pleasure, the greatest accolade from her Master she could get.

Once more, the Emblem Pillar turned to Forest, muzzle scrunching a bit as he very nearly smiled. "If you wish to go with her, you may. Or you can simply tell her where to bring what she finds. Going out....with the Sky missing as it is, is not easy." He would know.

SkieBorne

Glyph listened intently as the other spoke, turning when he whistled to watch the demoness come in. Flashing a smile, and a nod, Glyph returned his attention to the Emblem Pillar, "Thank-you. We will look in the church and school then, as starting points and fan out from there." He nodded once more at the difficulty of moving about without the Sky above, "It is. I will keep that in mind keep the searches short then - I won't abuse your followers."

Glyph smiled as he turned to face Artimesh properly and offered a hand, "I do, however, prefer to see the eyes of those I work with. Greetings Artimesh."

khiarhu

"My thanks to you for being so steadfast in your task for Him. My servants will do well with a steady, firm hand to guide them. I feel you will have no problems with them." Yu's thick tail twitched and his eyes took in much of the room; scanning constantly was part of what he did.

"Greetings, Lord Forest." Scales covered the back of the hand she reached out with; returning the unfamiliar gesture as though she had always greeted others in this way. "It will be our pleasure to serve in our Master's stead. Will we be leaving immediately, Lord, or have you further business with my Master?"

SkieBorne

His gaze flicked to Jin for a moment before returning to the Aoide's, "I think, perhaps, we should attend to the task at hand and then return for a bit of socializing. A brief meeting like this is not enough of a proper introduction." Glyph nodded once before turning to regard the Emblem Pillar once more, "Many thanks. I'll seek you out for a more proper discourse once I've made arrangements for your charity. It is greatly appreciated."

"Now, Artimesh, where do we start? Harlan yes? Lead the way."

khiarhu

The Dragon King bobbed his head a little, tail flicking just a bit. "I look forward to it, Glyph of Forest. I will be at my Lord's side, most likely. If not, Artimesh will show you where I make my berth." With that, he simply watched as his capable servant led the way out of the throne-room proper.

"Harlan will be the best place to start; he will be able to tell if it worth our while to return to the church and school." Artimesh moved rapidly; tail swishing behind her like a flag, a banner. She was steadfast and sure-footed as they made their way through the Pantheon to where Harlan's small group had taken up residence. The older man was sitting with a cup of stale water, speaking in quiet tones to a lovely, waifish girl that nearly bolted when the demoness and godling came striding up. Harlan's face was disfigured, burned horribly along one side - he was as disconcerting to look at as the girl was lovely.

"Lord Glyph, this is Harlan, servant to the Emblem Pillar. The child is Blessed, favored of my Lord as well. Harlan, Blessed...we present Glyph, Lord of Forest. We are to assist him in his task--" She would, after Glyph had gotten a chance to speak via his host in greeting, explain to the mortal just what they needed and why they were asking him first.

It was a very good thing that they did take the time to ask, Harlan was able to let the two know that they would find very few vessels at the church, but that they may have some luck with the school - especially in the science labs.

SkieBorne

Glyph followed Artimesh as she lead the way to Harlan and introduced himself upon meeting, expressing gratitude for their help. When the labs were described, Malh'reth blinked from within his corner of their mind and wondered at what a science lab was. They had nothing of the sort where he was from, the term itself a foreign thing. What's a science lab, Glyph?

"You'll see." He replied softly, not wanting to spoil the surprise. The term was familiar to him, at least, but names and purposes changed frequently and it was better to learn before assuming. His attention returned to Harlan then, "Which way is the school? And how soon might we explore it?"

Syrie

Artimesh was fine with stepping back to allow the mortals to speak with Glyph through his host. Though she took on any task given her with a stead-fast purpose, she did not particularly relish the invisible fetters put on her actions. She was a demoness, after all; humans had once been her prey of choice...it was only when the Dragon King had bent her to his will that she had ceased to feed upon them.

Harlan brought one scarred hand up to rub his chin thoughtfully. "We can go when you like, Lord Glyph. The school is not overly-distant. If we set out now, going eastward, we could be there in a day or so." Of course ,that depended upon how quickly they were able to travel. When Yu the Five Claw had led the sect to the rotting Pantheon, it had been slow going because they had to practically fight through those yet living along the way. It would be faster going now; probably a journey of only two days at the most - especially if they only took the more mobile of the sect members...and Artimesh.

The demoness cocked her head at the mortals, tail flicking with impatience at all the delays. She stomped one of her cloven hoovles against the ground and shifted her weight from leg to leg and then spoke up, "We should go, quickly. Gather those that are able to move swiftly. We will need things with which to transport the glass found, so be certain we have something of the sort."

Harlan nodded at Artimesh; he was getting used to taking orders from the demoness - she was often the one that took care of things when the Lord Dragon himself was unable to leave his post. "Of course, Lady Artimesh. We will bring a wagon or something with wheels to make the transport more easy for all."

It would only take a short amount of time - perhaps an hour before Artimesh was able to gather the mortals so that they were able to head out towards the school (and it's laboratories).

[khiarhu]

...//PRP - Of Monsters and Maulings

Tsunake

The meeting with the god of Night had left him wearied and bitter, and many a knuckle had suffered the wrath of his gnashing teeth. They ached now, some bleeding, other's bruised, and he'd reluctantly allowed them to escape into the protective metal confines of his suit. How could his people be gone? How could the Universe be gone? He stumbled through the lush paradise that had once been a land filled with death and destruction, but couldn't bare to stop and appreciate the metamorphosis.

No longer a formidable structure of stone, this place, but almost like an open garden...

Heavy steps lead him towards a small, wooden structure, the mindless babble of a nearby stream a soothing balm against the dead thoughts that floated, stagnant, within his mind. If what the centaur-beast said was true, then there was no hope of going home. There was no hope of communication. That vaguely tickled a thought in the back of his mind, something Itztlac had brought up. Trying to speak with whatever was in this gem?

Hesitation, but now wasn't the time. Later. Right now, he needed to stop, to assess the situation.... and to pick up all the pieces, and stop hoping for rescue--it was time to try and figure out what the hell he was going to do on this planet. Fingers scraped roughly over the gem embedded in the side of his neck, almost as though musing over there was really a parasite within this thing.

Slowly pressing his back into the teahouse, Arden slid to the grass as though his legs were too tired to carry him anymore. There were fruit trees around here, he was noting dully. Maybe later, he'd get up and get some...

His fingers still ached.

Syrie

Like any good dog, Xia Lu Ling was skulking around the Pantheon as part of his self-assigned watch. His Master bade him speak with the mortals and guide them. Focus and protect them from not only the World as it was, but from themselves. They were...unsettled and very fragile - but the threads of Belief and Hope had began to weave together; a bond that would grow ever stronger.

The Dragon King was a dark blur against the lush greenery; the light from Illumin's temporary 'sun' glinted dully on his thick coat and the blue under scaling. His many eyes caught all sorts of movement on the Pantheon Grounds -- Arden wasn't the only mortal around, but he was the only mortal that caught his attention and required a closer look.

Once noticed, Xia Lu Ling made his way over to the exhausted-looking man; he was no longer quadrupedal (though he could have been) but even in a bipedal form the Dragon King carried the look of his host-beast: Lengthy claws, elongated canines, large fluffy ears, horns, thick fur (now with 40% more scales!) and the ever creepy multiple eyes. Eyes that even Gianfar of Knowledge had been unsteady and unsettled by, when they had been focused on him.

'Ah, another mortal-but-not.' Curling into his muzzle and tickling his senses; the distinctive scent of a God-bearing mortal. The gems changed those carrying them in scent as well as mind and body; they were tainted with the divine power. Sometimes more, sometimes less - it depended on how long the host had been fusing with the God (or Goddess). "Greetings, 'O weary one bearing the mark of my brothers."

Not Brothers, like the Kings, but brothers - they were all of them Children of the Twin Crown, siblings in that sense, were they not? Even so, the morph-fused Dragon King had an air of command and authority about him. He would not request to join Arden, but do so at his leisure. "I am Yu, the Five Claw. Emblem Pillar to the Crown." Xia Lu Ling left out his given name for the sake of brevity and also because that was what the mortals called him by - it was more likely Arden would have heard that set of names.

Tsunake

He would have been hard pressed to ignore the sleek ripple of ebony muscle and fur that was approaching his position at a rate more rapidly than he liked. On instinct, his fingers twitched as though to curl themselves into fists even as he sat up more straightly, and the throbs of pain that danced down the small bones in his hand were enough to remind him that he'd wounded himself.

Whatever it was, it moved with a confident, animalistic grace; if it was hostile, he'd be easy pickings, and perhaps a meal. It should have jolted him with adrenaline, forced him up and perhaps limping inside the tea house behind him for shelter, but he was quite honestly captivated by the strangeness of the beast, and was tired of fighting for his life on this godforsaken planet.

It looked almost as though it had been structured after a canine with its snout and fur, but the eyes were what made his jaw grit instinctively. Too many, and the way they seemed to pin and pick him apart... He was half-tempted to drop his gaze, but only swallowed and eyed the scales, the twisting horns and fur. Quite the chimera--and intelligent, if its gaze was any indication. He was used to all sorts and sizes of aliens, and his surprise was quickly dimming as he took in the natural weapons of claws and teeth. Still, the weary marine looked quite obviously surprised when the thing spoke. Not just any rambling ravings, but a tone that possessed... well, dignity.

He was hard pressed to snap that it was a parasite's mark he bore, but his sanity hadn't quite left him yet; the last thing he needed was to antagonize anyone, and... had it said brothers? It too, bore one of these foul god seeds? Though not a dull man, Arden was having difficulty keeping up with the one-sided flow of conversation,

Yu, Five Claw, Emblem... Pillar to the Crown? Some ancient lore kept by his people, perhaps? The man didn't know, and would hesitate before clearing his throat. "Ah. Arden Valkov..." He'd about to been introduce himself as a marine of the Federation, but if what Itztlac said was true, there was no Federation any longer... Swallowing again in vain hopes of making his voice less scratchy, his armored fingers waved uneasily at the gem embedded into the side of his neck.

"...I don't know what it is." There was subtle loathing on his tongue, disdain. The voice that had consumed him had been male, and he'd only heard it a few times after that period of unconsciousness. "....Was told I could... communicate with it, but I haven't tried."

Syrie

Critical eyes sized up Arden rapidly - Yu could appreciate the man's build and wariness; such things would hold him in good stead. Whomever had taken this mortal as a host had chosen well in form.

"Well met, host Arden Valkov." That the mortal did not recognize him was of no bother to the Dragon King; not all on the grounds knew him and most certainly there were more coming and going daily. He could not know them all, only Gianfar of Knowledge would have that ability. Yu cocked his head at the weary man before him; wondering what he thought of having been taken by an immortal for the purpose of rebirth - he chose not to inquire as some were happy, some sad...and some bloody well pissed off about it. He really didn't want to get into one of those conversations again -- he'd argued before, through his host, with David.

Ah. There, with that tinge of loathing to his tone Arden gave away his feelings toward his new status in life. "Hmmm..." Yu settled his furred body near to the man and watched him a moment. "You do yourself a great disservice to not communicate with the One that Chose you. The being within the gem embedded into your flesh is your greatest ally now; no doubt you have questions that they could answer for you." The Dragon King paused and reflected inward a moment, two of his six eyes closing thoughtfully. "Being a host can be difficult for some, but ultimately, it is an honor to be chosen as a vessel. I hope that you will come to understand this, with time."

Granted, his host had been all too eager for Destruction to give-over the serpentine gem that had housed his spirit...Yu had to remember that many did not embrace the merging as wholly as Fragment. He should speak carefully, make the man comfortable before he went on about such things. "My apologies to you and the One Within, Host-Arden. You are tired, hungry and no doubt unsure of this place." It was an offer - did Arden want something to eat? A more comfortable resting place? Had he questions that he wished to put to Xia Lu Ling?

Tsunake

Again, the intelligence behind such monstrous visage surprised him more than it ought; he shifted uncomfortably at the unwanted title that preceded his name. It occurred to him, vaguely, that he might have offended his strange new companion—it was a host or god-thing itself, was it not?—but it was too late to reconcile. As the creature that called itself Yu took a seat, Arden reluctantly let his weary gaze flick again over the other’s strange face, and the words offered were enough to give him pause. “...It hasn’t acted much like an ally.” The soldier stated, his tone a bit gruffer than he meant it to be before he sighed. In some ways, Yu was right; he hadn’t even attempted to speak to the thing, whatever it was. “To be chosen as a sacrifice? To help... rebirth a god?” Arden questioned.

Yes, he could see why it would be. But up until this point, he hadn’t fathomed such beings even existed. Who knew if they were truly gods, or if they merely called themselves such things in a mad bid for power? Still, the chaos that had consumed this planet told him that immense forces were at work here, and he best tread wisely.

The apology surprised him, and he waved it off with a trace of unease; Yu owed him no kindness, though the sentiment was appreciated. Eventually, he'd force himself to find something to eat, and though the weight of early conversation held with the god of Night made him reluctant to pry, he'd be a fool to turn down another source of information.

"...How do I communicate with it? ...Does it just read thoughts, or is there something more?"

Syrie

Very little this side of the Grigori could offend Yu in these times; he was quietly over-joyed with the return of his Lord Creation and busy with His request of aiding the mortals. It was this mood paired with his own nature that kept the Dragon King from being easy to offend, to anger. He chuckled a little bit at Arden's words and attitude - no, this one was quite obviously not in the best of spirits with having been made into a Host...but perhaps that would change in time. After all, Arden had survived to see the Rebirth of Creation, had he not? So many mortals had fallen to the Weeks of Gehenna while this one stood strong - weary, but alive.

"Yes." The King cocked his head at Arden for a moment before continuing. "It would take too long to explain all of the details, but there was a time ages past when we - the True Gods - began to die off. Knowledge called it the Fading. After a time, we began returning - through the gems that housed our spirits...but we needed a vessel...a Host that would provide form and energy to facilitate our rebirth." A parasitic relationship, really...but it was so much more - the relationships between Host and God were complex and varied, far too difficult to explain in mere words.

"I cannot explain nearly so well as Gianfar, the God of Knowledge. I suggest you find him in his Library...he is better equipped to answer questions you are certain to have, though I would try." Xia Lu Ling's thick, muscular tail thumped against the lush carpet of grass beneath them.

How to communicate? That was definitely a question that the Dragon King could answer - he had conversed with his host, the Fragmented Creature quite often - but then, the relationship between the Dragon King and Fragment had been very close, even from the start. "You can speak aloud, if you like...but they are part of your conscious and unconsious now...so simply thinking towards them should be sufficient. It does require some effort on their part, so if your God is weary, they may not be willing to speak at length initially."

Tsunake

Yu's story stirred some flicker of remembrance within the marine; he'd heard something about the gods dying before. Delmin Brock. The name came slowly, but without protest, and he seemed a little more at ease now that he could finally attach a more fitting title to such a catastrophic event. The Fading... He shook his head faintly, but it wasn't to deny the Dragon King's words. Perhaps it just made more sense than he would have liked it to. "So the gems contain your souls..." Unnerving, that, but he'd heard stranger things. Shifting his shoulders some, the man nodded wearily and stored the name away for later. Gianfar, the god of Knowledge...

"I appreciate it." He said sincerely, eyes straying briefly to the thick, odd tail. Strange--wasn't that something canines did when pleased? He wouldn't know, as he'd never met one, but from the old tapes he'd seen...

Arden listened careful to the instructions of sorts, considering that with only the faintest shifting of his jaw. The silence stretched between them as he tentatively sought to prod within his own thoughts, feeling somehow very stupid.

Consider then, perhaps, that if someone had to help you learn how to utilize your own consciousness for communication, there was a reason you were used for grunt work.

His jolt of surprise was obvious, and it was clear that the marine was startled, but recovering. "I see." He said tersely; that had definitely been the voice he'd heard before everything had gone black.

...What are you?

Bazyli, the Hollow Mouth. Give my regards to the Dragon King, Arden Valkov. And he somehow 'sensed' that this... Bazyli was finished with their brief discussion.

"...Bazyli, the Hollow Mouth, gives his regards to you." The man said slowly, clearly a little taken aback by all this.

Syrie

Indeed, there were (or rather, had been before Gehenna had been triggered and the Weeks run their ruinous course) heavy volumes in the Library with Gianfar that covered nothing but the Fading. Gianfar himself was a fount of information -- when one could locate him (Yu had few problems doing this, but he had inherited his host's keen sense of smell) and once located, lure him away from either his ruined Library or his two lovers. The Dragon King watched Arden's expression to see how the man was processing all of this; was he wrong, or had there been the fleetest glimmer of recognition? Understanding?

"The gems are a temporary house for our souls, yes. We reach out to those we find worthy...and then fuse with them for the purpose of Rebirth. Occassionally, a host will be unsuitable or will fail us." And each time the god or goddess felt the effects most heavily; it was no easy task to find a host and fuse with them. Just doing that required the newly-housed god or goddess to go into a sort of hibernation while they stored power and slid little tendrils of Self throughout the host's heart, mind and body.

Deep blue eyes blinked in sets, tail still thumping against the plush greenery lit by non-solar balls of light (provided by Illumin and held up in a great expanse of Nothing). Now the man was thinking; obviously putting a question inward. Yu would wait; long-tipped claws gently brushing across Creation's verdant landscaping. No point in disturbing the host while he was attempting to converse with whatever god or goddess had taken up 'residence' inside.

Ah-ha! After a stretch of soundless contemplation on Arden's part - Yu was extending his senses outward to assure himself trouble was no where near them - Arden's body jerked slightly; surprise. Perfect. Contact was made, yes. One set of blue eyes closed in a sort of pleasure: helping a brother along was a good feeling. The more of the Pantheon turned whole (or nearly so) and strong, the better. And with Arden being rather...military in stance...well, that could be a great help in the Battles to come.

"It is good to regain a brother, no matter how...hungry he might be. Welcome Bazyli, may you and your host find strength in each other." The Hollow Mouth. Yu felt a tingling of connection within his mind, but could not piece it together. There had been two failed Rebirths and much of what he had once known was Gone. He was intelligent enough to hypothesize that the title "The Hollow Mouth" might mean that Arden Valkov was now host to Hunger or Famine, or something very close to those.

Tsunake

"That's what it's doing?" Arden said abruptly, paused and felt his lips beginning to curl into a frown. He. Bazyli. A fusion between them, hollowing out his body until it was little more than just a shell that needed to be filled--was that what he was to believe? But it was the mention of failure that made the marine refocus, meeting those strange eyes with an unwavering stare. "...What happens then?" He could only imagine. Would that destroy them both? He wasn't about to even try, but it was something to ponder on. Still, these god-things were simply trying to live again, and it made him feel oddly conflicted.

The thumping tail distracted him more than once, and when he glanced back up, one set of gleaming eyes had shut. Concentrating? He didn't know. He wasn't sure whether or not to nod to the creature's words, feeling awkward knowing it was the voice inside his mind being addressed, rather than him. Though he would wait for several seconds, the dry rasp was gone, and he exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"That was a god," He phrased it like a question, but was more or less hesitantly waiting for Yu to confirm what he felt he already knew. Hollow Mouth--it'd struck a sour chord with him, and had he not been so used to clamping down on more irrational emotions, he'd might have started to display signs of severe agitation. It was one thing, perhaps, to sacrifice oneself to a noble cause. To bring about something devastating was another story entirely.

Though the soldier stirred, he remained where he was, intently focused on the strange being beside him now. "Why... Wouldn't it be better for everyone if some gods didn't come back?" He didn't need to say much more than that; no more suffering, no more violence. He didn't understand. Didn't want to. "It seems unnecessary." The man finished, somehow feeling as though it didn't matter.

"There's no way to remove it, is there?"

khiarhu

Another set of deep blue eyes closed and the beast-god bowed his head; perhaps in sadness or in homage to his previous hosts - Adren would have no way of knowing and Yu the Five Claw was not inclined to hand out his own, personal rebirth story so familiarly to one he had scarce met. Reborn 'son of Creation or no - there were some things that one did not give over so quickly.

"If the chosen host fails, they die. The god returns to His hands, less a part of himself that had been there before." Yu opened his eyes and focused his gaze intently upon The Hollow Mouth's burly host before speaking further. "One then searches All that Is for another host..." Again, holding something back: should there be multiple failures, it was entirely possible that there would remain so little of the god as to make rebirth impossible. Arden seemed entirely too intersted in such things for Yu's tastes; he would not give the mortal man any of that information!

Once more the heavy, furred-and-scaled head dipped. "Yes. The voice you 'heard' was a God, one that has deemed you a wothy vessle for rebirth." It was a noble cause - even if one were housing what appeared to be a malevolent god. Each one had a purpose, no matter how they may or may not offend mortal sensibilities.

"No, Arden Valkov, No. There is no way to remove the gem that houses The Hungry Mouth, nor would it be better if certain of our number remained entombed in their gems. All that Is requires balance, just as the Twin Crown requires balance so that we all may live. Good and evil are abstracted concepts you mortals shackled to the Gods so that you may understand and relate to us better, but know this: for every destructive God, there is a constructive counter within the All."

Tsunake

He could sense that he was treading on a tender subject, and as another pair of gleaming eyes shuttered closed, the man found himself shifting faintly as though preparing himself for something. So the host was doomed, no matter the outcome. Oddly enough, he was content with that. What was there left for him on this planet? Could he truly settle and find a place for himself without constantly feeling as though there should be something more? Something beyond restless wandering and plaguing insecurities?

The soldier's gaze flickered for a moment as Yu spoke of some piece of the god disappearing, wondering exactly what that entailed. So failure did not come without a price... Yes, he did brood over that for a moment, his lips thin before he eventually would shake his head as though weary. But, as the Dragon King revealed, the process would not stop. Another would be found, another would die. And perhaps, inevitably, the god would be reborn.

Worthy. He was too polite to let his lips curl into a sneer, and only dropped his gaze as though tired. So, this was something beyond his understanding, something more immense than he or any other mere mortal could apparently understand. Such knowledge rankled, but the soldier only offered a curt nod to show he at least understood what the other was trying to convey to him. Balance. Was it necessary? What harm could come from peace and life without dischord?

"...I'll keep that in mind." But he was frowning, remembering something that he'd been told. "...The Twin Crown. ...That was the ceremony? I only saw the one, pale...being, he fell outta that chrysalis...That was Creation? Destruction?"

Syrie

Quite a tender subject, but one that the Dragon King was willing to broach in the interest of furthering his breathern's understanding and knowledge of how and why things happened. Otherwise, he would not let another so near such a raw wound so quickly after meeting them - god-host or not.

Against the lush greenery underfoot (and arse) Yu's tail twitched and flicked; the grass tickled at his fur and the flesh under it's thick layer of fluff. Arden had listened to all he had to say but did not seem as though he were taking it as well as one might hope...but then, how many of the host-beings had shown such excitement when told that they would cease to exist so that another - older - entity might live in the flesh again?

"Yes. He is our Lord and our All. The Eldest among us, reborn through mortal belief and the efforts of the True Gods currently reborn." Fuzzy ears swiveled to take in all the sounds around them; Xia Lu Ling was ever vigilant, even when he seemed to be resting. "The one you saw that day was the Creation aspect of the Twin Crown. He is two sides of the same coin, so to speak. Creation and Destruction, in turn. It is in keeping His being in balance that allows All that Is to remain in balance."

Tsunake

Arden's brows were furrowed as he studied the lush green just underfoot, trying to ignore the thick and undoubtedly powerful tail as it twitched to and fro as though enjoying the sensation. The Eldest, reborn through... "Mortal beliefs?" He confirmed quietly, seeming to take an interest in that aspect. "He was reborn... because of us? Mortals?" The man corrected himself; this world was still strange to him, and it was hard to believe that he could have lended any sort of hand in the rebirth of a god.

Still, though the marine was known more for his reflexes and his brawn than the ability of his mind, he was not stupid. He was thinking, puzzling through this, and at last, he would ask another question. "Is it possible... to meet with this Creation? To speak with him?" There would be a heartbeat of silence before he said, "I appreciate what you've told me." He didn't want the Dragon King to think anything otherwise, and, though his features were strained, he would attempt to smile for the other.

"...I just think it best if I... try to understand what I should do, to prepare for this."

Syrie

Yu nodded at Arden's question. "Indeed, Host-Arden. It is through mortal beliefs that we True Gods garner much of our power. We grow stronger with belief...the Twin Crown also follows this ruling." He sighed a little and seemed to ripple his very flesh to settle upon the ground more comfortably. "The importance of mortal belief cannot be stressed enough. It is by their efforts and their belief as well as Ours that the Crown was called back to the form you see now. Without mortals, Creation would not have returned to us and All that Is would have been destroyed."

As imposing as the Dragon-King's form might have been to Arden, it would be very obvious that the thought of everything ending scared him. His ears swept back against his head and he seemed to shrink and hold himself closer than before; it lasted only a moment, but it should have been enough to add emphasis to what he had spoken of.

"It is very possible, Host-Arden. Creation loves all His Children dearly and willingly extends His hand in welcome to any that come to Him." Yu's multiple eyes brightened; his Lord was a subject he verily enjoyed - Xia Lu Ling lived and breathed for Creation's touch, His command. With care, Yu placed his hand on Arden's shoulder, head slightly bowed to show that he did feel the other's distress and discomfiture towards that impending fate.

"Do not be afraid, but welcome the change. It is no easy road that you have been brought down, but you make take comfort in knowing that many have gone before you and would be willing to give you aid -- as will the god within you." Here he paused and removed his claw-tipped hand from the other man's shoulder to stroke at his muzzle thoughtfully. "I think you would perhaps feel better if you spoke with our Lord, Creation. His presence and touch are a balm that soothes like none other."

Tsunake

So these creatures needed people for more than just parasitic reasons, and that somehow seemed to ease some of the tension in his shoulders. True, while that belief could be extracted through crueler methods, it still signified some sense of order. That, and if the gods could potentially be destroyed if that belief were to fade--his thoughts weren't allowed to finish, for Yu said something that made him freeze. "...All the destruction that just happened... was that... from a lack of belief?"

He could see the tension, the fear that had gripped the imposing creature, and that sent tendrils of worry slithering through his gut. "But now it's fixed." Arden continued cautiously, knowing it must be so. It was clear that he was baffled, shaking his head slightly even as he continued to try and absorb what the other was telling him. Something powerful enough to destroy the entire universe...

The man lifted his gaze when the Dragon King's tone seemed to lighten, and he was momentarily struck by the almost joyful emotion he could see scrawled within those unnerving eyes. Did the thing sharing his mind with him--did it feel the same way about this Creation? But there was no answer.

The touch against his armored shoulder surprised him, hardened features momentarily softening with surprise, and then, gratitude. Whether this was false sympathy to soothe him, or genuine, it didn't matter at that moment.

"...I'll keep that in mind." Arden said quietly with a slight nod of his own, straightening slightly. He had never been afraid of death before. If this were to be his time, at last, then he would meet it head on, and fall.

A balm. The man's lips threatened to twitch into a grimace. He could use some of that, right now. "Do you know where I can find him?" In the very least, he at least sounded a little less tense, only tired, but also ready.

Syrie

Truly there were many reasons why the mortals had meaning and use to the True Gods - not that many of them would know or realize it until it was too late - like before. For the moment, they did - they had seen their belief bring Creation from that twisted, garrish chrysalis - and so those mortals that attended the ceremony (and those that heard first, second, and third hand from others) believed and knew they had been Important.

And now the gods left the Pantheon to labor amongst the mortals and aid this Rebirth and Renewal of their worlds. Rebuilding with Creation's blessings the world(s) that they had nearly lost. "Not fixed, host-Arden. He is still out of Balance and All that Is still withered, limping and broken. It will take much time and effort to 'fix', as you put it." Yu scrunched his eyes a bit, leaving the lowest set open to watch the other male thoughtfully. "The moment He returned, ripples of energy, power...of Creation slid across All, bringing Life back to places charred and bent past recognition." As he spoke, the Dragon King felt the rightness of his words, felt his awareness outside this small place expand. He felt the life growing in Other places, outside-and-yet-not-outside this place.

It pleased him even more so than the gratitude of the mortal-host did. "Yes. I can take you to him, if you wish...or I can direct with words." His tail twitched again, long-tipped ears moving against the silky hair that fell from atop his head past furry shoulders. "You have but to say which would be your pleasure, host-Arden."

Tsunake

His mouth thinned as the Dragon King explained that things, perhaps, no matter how they seemed, were still so fragile. Did that mean there was a chance this world could slip back into despair, should He fall? "But," The soldier ventured slowly, his brows furrowed, "So long as things are starting to be repaired... as long as there's hope, then that's all that matters. If people don't forget," And there'd been so many at that ceremony, so surely some faith had been restored...

"Directions." The man said wearily, but would glance at that strange, muzzled face to show he meant no offense with his curtness. "...I need to think, for a while." Collect his thoughts, decide his next plan of action.

He intended to discuss things with this "god" before he did anything else. "...I appreciate your help, Xia Lu Ling." It took him a moment to remember the name, unused to the dialect, but hopefully managed to pronounce it without slaughtering it in its entirety.

Syrie

Indeed, they were fragile, but they were growing stronger every moment that belief dwelt in mortal hearts...as well as with Creation's return. "Yes. You are correct, Host Arden Valkov." The Dragon King almost purred in pleasure - the mortal was getting it, without nearly so much trouble as he might have had.

"Of course, I will tell you how and where He can usually be found." The pitch-colored creature chuckled and explained that Creation could be found in the Pantheon proper or in His rooms. Once he had given the requested information, herose to his feet in one fluid movement.

"You are always welcome to call upon me, God or Host." He felt no rancor at Arden's request of time; certainly he did understand - and he would give the man just that; leaving to prowl the perimeter as he had originally intended...or perhaps to go and speak with other mortals. Either way, Arden would be left without the beastial King's company - but with the ability to go and find either Creation or Yu at any time.

Tsunake

The soldier listened carefully to the instructions, and would eventually dip his head in an awkward semblance of a bow. "....Thank you. I'll remember that." But the graceful, feral dragon had gotten to his feet. He lingered in front of the tea house for some time, digesting the information he'd been offered before at long last, he too would rise.

Seeking out this Creation was important, but he also had this god to deal with. He wanted to know more about it, figure out its intentions... The thought made his lips thin grimly, but the marine would soon wander off, seeking somewhere more private to converse.

Speaking out loud to seemingly nothing at all was, of course, a bit awkward to those who didn't exactly know better.

-fin-

[khiarhu]

...// PRP - Many Meetings

Ithiltari

He had seen and spoken to Zhijian, the last time he had been here. But Jin Huang had retreated to his home after that meeting, not even making it into the Pantheon proper, and had not ventured forth since. Tian Yue had found him there, reminding him firmly but gently of where his duty lay. So he had come again to the Pantheon, not firm in his resolve and his self; he remained full of doubt and worry. But he had come anyway, the only thing he was sure of that to delay any further his return would only...what? He had no idea how Creation would react to him, but the memory of Destruction lived on, and the dragon was glad that it was not Him that he would find within or without.

There was no guarentee that he would find his Lord within the Pantheon, or even on the grounds at all, of course. There was hope that he would, of course, and Jin Huang intuitively felt that He would always strive to answer a call from his Kings. Even one as conspiculously absent as he had been. Maybe even especially so, in that case. One among many things that might be talked about, between them, and with a wrench, Jin Huang drove his thoughts to something more pleasant. He had been carrying the key to the Treasury that Cosine had given to him, and now it was time to return it to it's proper owner.

Unless, of course, that was him. A brief frown of confusion crossed his face as he entered the soaring and open halls of the Pantheon, standing for a moment to soak it all in. It was much changed from the last time he had been within its walls, changed and made more inviting. The twin sets of stairs had gone, leaving behind only one. The dragon knew that if he ascended, he would find welcome among some few of the residents. But it was what else that might be up there that called his attention most. He had been told that Harmodious lived there, and more. One of the other central facts of his existence was there as well.

But he hesitated at the foot of that staircase, wondering who he would meet if he went up. So Jin Huang stood, stood and waited...hoping and dreading that someone would come down to meet him.

Syrie

It was just Jin Huang's luck that his return to what had once been the ornate Pantheon building (but was now a much more open space) would carry with it the meeting of an old friend.

Tucked into his dwelling, the Dragon King Yu Five Claws felt a familiar sort of internal tug; one that he might not have recognized, save that he'd spent time with Zhijian and as such he knew that pull for what it was: A Brother. Swiftly and with no unnecessary expenditure of energy the beast-god rose from his lair; down the hall past doors with sigils familiar and unfamiliar, further and further, down to the staircase.

Down to Jin Huang.

Words of greeting rose and fell from Xia Lu Ling's muzzle - age old kinship and their shared rebirth causing two sets of bright blue eyes to squeeze shut in a very animalian gesture of happiness and pleasure even as he extended one thickly furred limb out in what would be a hand-shake, hand-clasping or even a brotherly hug - it depended upon the Treasurer.

"Are you hunting Treasure, my Brother? Or have you come to See?" See their Lord and Master, see the changes wrought...see the Mortal and see too the mortals. His words could have meant any of those or all of them.

Ithiltari

It was an instinctive reaction that made Jin Huang take a cautious step backwards. Changed though they both were, Delmin's body recognized the form now padding towards it, ignoring the words of welcome. But Delmin was not there, and a Dragon King held control instead. So a step forward was made once more, reaching his hand out to meet the offered one. "Hunting treasure? Better by far to have it brought to me," he replied with a lazy grin that disappeared as quickly as it had come.

"I have come...Because I must. We are Dragon Kings, and I have been too long from our Lord's side." Worry now creased his face, something he would never have shown to any not his siblings. But it was so easy now, to recognize the power that coiled deep within them all. "How have things fared?"

Syrie

Jin Huang's initial reaction of retreat amused the sliver of Fragment yet floating inside the Dragon King but it did not amuse Yu so well. He realized that an apology was likely in order - his Brother deserved that, at least. A firm hand-clasp and the King's muzzle pulled back in a welcoming 'smile' (a grimace, really). "This is true enough, Brother."

A good question from the Treasurer; how to answer? "Things are slowly improving with His return...of course, we are needed. He requests that we go forth and aid the mortals, they are most open and believing now." There was so much more that could have been said, but obviously Jin Huang was there to speak with Creation and would likely hear much of the same from Him.

"We have missed you, Brother. It is good to see you returned."

Ithiltari

Despite the earlier hesitation, there was no sign of it in his grasp. Jin Huang listened as his brother spoke, letting out a small sigh. "Tian Yue tells me that He wishes for us to hone ourselves." A hand lazily gestured at himself. "I am no warrior, no weapon ready for use. But I guard, and so I will do as I can, in my manner." He shrugged then, an elegant movement.

"As for mortals, I have little idea what we Kings can offer them. But they have need of us, as we have of them," Jin Huang commented thoughtfully, tail slowly moving behind him. "Would He see me now, do you think? Or if there is some other matter that demands His attention, I will wait."

Syrie

"Ah, I have not spoken with Tian Yue as of yet." Xia Lu Ling looked back up towards the stairs from whence he had come; his mind touching almost lovingly at the reasoning why he had yet to gather with his Brothers. "My place has been at His side and so I have remained. Our Lord moves slowly, as though waking from a long slumber. It is...apt - for that is what happened."

His thick tail twitched when his multiple eyes caught the motion from Jin's own tail. "I did speak with Gianfar of Knowledge, to learn more of the Grigori, as well as with Creation at length. Tian Yue is correct: we must hone ourselves for the battle to come...and also support the Mortals. In this time, it is their beliefs that will provide us our greatest assets." Would Creation see the Treasurer? Of course he would! "He would be most pleased to see you, Brother."

Ithiltari

Again, one of his siblings mentioned the reborn Knowledge. Even if memory was lost, surely he would know how best to recover such that could be found. And apparently had, to hear the others talk. "I've missed so much, staying away," Jin Huang commented, refraining from making further remark upon the information. There was much to learn, and much to think about. His preference would always be for more time to think, and so he said nothing, only nodding his head in acknowledgement.

"Then we shall find Him," he said, taking steps up the stairs, assuming Xia Lu Ling would follow. His place was, after all, at the Crown's side always. Reaching the top, Jin Huang hesitated once more. He did not know where Creation now dwelt, but he would never fail to find his Lord. But it was polite to introduce oneself, after all. "My Lord?" he asked softly. "Futs Lung requests an audience."

Ivynian

Fair and plain was the new portal to the keepings of the Crown in that day and age. Gone were the grotesques of bone, wood and blood of earlier dragon's findings. The door was the nearly white heartwood of ash, impossibly smooth and polished as though stone, curled in raised arches and symmetrical knot work.


Distinct to dragon ears was the sound of a voice nearing, footsteps and a presence beyond the door before it even opened and a echo-timbered tenor greeted them as it swung in, "Harmodius sends his welcome, Sons of Scales, and bids you both feel at leisure to enter."

Having spoken, the man back-stepped to allow them in and left the door ajar. The rooms beyond were a maze of unnamed flowers and stones that pathed in all three dimensions.

Syrie

Yu said nothing to his Brother's admittance that much had happened while he had been gone from the Pantheon grounds; whatever Jin Huang had been doing, he was not going to press - it didn't matter so much that he was there now.

Fur and scales shifted as the dark King moved; he well knew where to go - none of them could deny that they had a sort of psychic magnetism where Creation was concerned. At the great, gleaming doors his eyes wandered as his keen ears picked up the sounds of one approaching to grant entrance. This one...this place...a scent familiar and unfamiliar all at once: Creation's scent and handiwork all over in this newer space.

"Come Brother, he waits within these blooms!" There was joy in his tone and his body fairly hummed at being near to Harmodius once more. A nudge to Jin Huang and then the darkly furred beast-Dragon was moving onward, inward -- to their Lord!

Ithiltari

Jin Huang followed less quickly behind his brother, taking measured steps through the door and into the breaktaking sight that was his Lord's quarters. A maze indeed, one that rose into dizzying three dimensions. The correct path to where Creation waited would perhaps be easy to find to one who was not a King; to them, of course, it was a trivial matter. Continuing his slow walk, Futs Lung looked about in thought and wonder, that such should replace the decor of old. He kept his hands in his pockets as he walked, a residual habit from his host. The heavy weight of the key rested in one, fingers curled gently around it.

Only one of the reasons he had come today, of course. But it was perhaps the easiest of them. When Harmodious had been found, Jin Huang slid easily to one knee, bowing his head in reverance to his Creator. "My Lord," Jin Huang murmured softly, gratefully. "I am glad to see you well."

Ivynian

The Eldest was reclined against rose whose branches and girth matched that of a tree, arching up feet and drifting white petals as occasional rain. The great tome that had served Tian Yue in the failing days lay open on his lap to early pages and he smiled as he looked up from them.

"'Mazes nor perfumes of the bounty of the earth ever hide me from the searching of Dragons. Welcome, dragon-sons. Welcome and be at ease. "

He looked over the kneel to the full three of them, the mortal have followed the two at a respectable distance and yet still accompanying. Good.

"Does hunger or thirst sit on your minds, firstly? That is easily remedied and eases relaxation. Half yet of your bodies are mortal kind."

Syrie

Pale skin and foliage; Creation was there, before them with a tome that lay open upon His lap and a smile pulling at the corners of His mouth at their approach. Yu's muzzle pulled into a sort-of-smile, laughing as the joy he felt being near Creation swelled up through his entire being.

"My Lord, our hearts over-fill with joy to see you again." Of all the Kings reborn in these times, perhaps Yu the Five Claw was the one that had been able to spend the most time with Him...and yet he always hungered for more. "Both, my Lord. I thirst more than hunger." Xia Lu Ling's body was almost always wanting food or drink to sate it; his host had been a most...hungry creature - something that hadn't yet left him. He looked over to Jin to see if he would take up their Lord's offer of food and drink.

[khiarhu]

...// PRP - We Be Hunting Dragons

Zero Dream

For all her looking around the woods and the surrounding wildlife, Illisia had not gotten to know the pantheon grounds and the nearby buildings very well. This seemed like something that should likely be remedied, as her sense of direction in cities was rather lacking, and the last thing she really needed was to get lost.

How embarrassing would that be ?

The night elf did not get very far on that endeavor, however, still in the gardens when her long ears picked up the sound of another nearby.

Syrie

As unfamiliar as Illisia was with the Pantheon and surrounding grounds, Yu was well versed in each and every nook and cranny - through his constant surveys of the grounds, he was able to keep up with things as they blossomed and grew under Creation's generous hand.

It was on one of these such "rounds" that Yu was on when he found a particularly lush patch of greenery - sweet smelling and thick - and found that his bestial nature would not let him pass up the chance to be utterly undignified and roll in it. It was that sound - the sound of a hulking black beast rolling around like a puppy - that the night elf heard. And as fully as Yu was being in the "now" of beast-thought, he didn't register the faint scent of the other.

Zero Dream

A few steps forward into what all that separated Illisia from the source of the sound she heard - and the sight that came attached to it.

After those steps, the night elf stopped. And stared. There was a.... something rolling into the grass there, but really with the something that caught her attention rather than the act itself.

...What the hell is this.

Perhaps what was it is more accurate. Xun was not especially concerned with the nature of what had once been, not when he could tell clearly what it was now. Another of my brothers, my dear. You seem skilled at finding them. The dragon told her with a gentle chuckle, his presence coiling around her's gently. Let's see which one, hm ?

...We should probably wait until he is done rolling around first ?

Syrie

Yu was rolling around like some sort of crazy overgrown dog; grasses were being pulled up by the way the sharp angles of his big body dug into the earth and when he finally - after quite a few minutes - righted himself, his blue eyes were all squinched happily.

Slowly the awareness of another - no, two others...and one felt familiar - crept in; Yu rose to all fours, shook himself like a dog to rid his thick fur of some of the grasses before righting himself fully so that he could address the 'newcomers'. Any embarrassment that he felt was quickly pushed aside; Xia Lu Ling would not make any excuses for his behaviors.

"Greetings." Fine day for a roll in the grass, even without having a sky, wasn't it!?

Zero Dream

Illisia waited all that time, silently, until Yu straightened himself into all fours and addressed her. "...Hi ?" She offered, a little dumbly, and did her best to look like she wasn't still staring.

That's way too many eyes.

Nonetheless. Xun did his best to pull his host's attention away from trying to understand just what exactly what was standing in front of her was. Introduce us ?

To be honest, Illisia was starting to get used to this, and she slipped into the role of relaying quickly. "Ti Lung salute one of his brothers, but he is afraid he is not quite sure which one you are."

The gem and dragon figurine curled around her arm did wonder at not having to explain everything constantly, really.

Syrie

Yu's nightmarish form had given many a mortal and immortal alike pause; he was quite used to it by now -- the multiple eyes, the thick fur and scales...it all served to frighten or disturb others; something that only got worse when he "smiled". Which he would do in return to the night elf's tentative returned greeting.

"Brother Ti Lung! My eyes see with joy that you have returned." His tail and ears twitched in excitement; that the Dragon King was pleased would be painfully apparent. "I am Yu the Five Claws." Though he would have liked to embrace his brother in welcome, Xia Lu Ling held himself in check - in this form, with the host-mortal still holding most of the "reins" having him so close would probably terrify her. "And your name, Lady-Host?"

Zero Dream

"Illisia." The elf answered with a nod of the head. She wasn't outright scared by Yu's form, at least not to the extend others likely could have been - there was a large part of sheer curiosity in her expression.

She had certainly seem much scarier, and the fact that the dragon wasn't barreling straight for her helped with her calmness, really.

Yu. He had heard much of that particular brother - having been mentioned by Tian Yue and Zhijian, and now the emblem pillar was right in front of them. There were some things he almost wanted to ask, but... no. Yu would share with him if he wished to - he had little want to have his brother travel down bad memories. This was a fate he would not have wished onto any of his siblings, and to know that Yu and Futs before him had went through faded hosts.

But Yu was in front of him, definitively whole and not jewel-bound. It brought him a small amount of comfort... and he could only hope it did the same for Illisia as well.

"I am glad to have returned as well." Illisia carried along Xun Jiang's words once more. "It seems... that I have been missing while I could have been sorely needed."

Still that guilt again ? The elf grumbled inwardly. She had thought the dragon had been over that.

I must still apologize. We are meant to stand united, not apart... At least it was how he felt about it.

Syrie

"Illisia. I am pleased to meet you as as well." Of course, he was far far more interested in having recovered one of his brothers - even if it was at the cost of the woman before him. The black-furred beast calmly began picking at a few stray stalks of grass that were tucked into his fur, dropping them back to the earth from whence they came.

He nodded and twitched his ears again, "Many of our Brothers have been...missing. The important thing is that you - we - are here now." Oh, Yu would have been more than happy to talk to his brother about the difficulties faced due to having failed more than one host...but he didn't know the other had questions. Granted, he liked to talk so he'd probably spill all that anyway.

"Much has happened since we last walked together." Or so he supposed; he couldn't remember. Those memories were long since lost to Yu.

Zero Dream

"So we have heard." Illisia tended to just flip-flop in between I and We, depending weither or not she caught them on the way out, really. Sometimes she didn't. Sometimes, if something held Xun's complete attention or had him react strongly, it honestly felt more like if he was speaking with her voice than any kind of relaying.

As it happened, Yu had Xun Jiang's complete attention and interest.

"I use the name Xun Jiang now." Another slip. "Kawagiri... does not feel right anymore." Her ears pinned back a little, one pure reflex, and betraying some of the dragon's unease. "Tian Yue has told us many things of what has happened..." Ti Lung left it that that, but Illisia shook her head slightly, knocking her braid from over her shoulder. "We're not going anywhere now." She added for herself.

Syrie

The bestial Dragon King's muzzle skinned back to show his teeth in a display that was meant to be something like a smile. Yu well understood the difficulties that hosts could have in defining themselves and the Gods that were housed inside their flesh; Fragment had not had any such problems...but most did. It was hard to take in that you had another spirit riding with yours; harder still to think that one day that spirit would take over and all the pieces of self that mortals held so tightly to their very beings would crack, shatter and fade away one day as the God claimed what was theirs.

"Xun Jiang, I too have taken a new name...what once was had is no longer. I am not that person just as you are not Kawagiri. In this time, I go by Xia Lu Ling." Though few actually called him by such a name. Most simply referred to him as Yu...the mortals certainly did, thinking Yu the Five Claws his name of sorts, rather than just another of his titles. "Ah, you have spoken with Tian Yue? I have not managed to speak with our Brother as of yet."

This was something that rankled, for Xia Lu Ling had promised their Lord Creation that he would gather the Kings. At the very least, he was fulfilling some part of his promise, speaking with Ti Lung.

Zero Dream

"We were lucky to stumble onto him, in one of our early wandering outside the pantheon." Illisia went to elaborate. That smile was pretty scary, but she did her best not to mind it. Xun held no worry, after all. "He had told us of many things that I needed to know."

The elf settled onto a nearby rock, crouching on the top while perfectly in balance.

He had to agree with his brother on that point - he was not the same person. At least, he didn't feel like he was. It was hard to truly say when one remembered so little.

"We have seen Zhijian as well." Illisia spoke again when the dragon told her words to relay once more.

What about this Shuo ? Should we ask ?

That is not a bad idea, my dear...

"I've met a little girl, the daughter of Love." She words seemed less forced, her own rather than Ti Lung's. "She told me she's met a dragon, who called himself Shuo... Is that anyone you know ?"

After all, for all Xun knew, Mang and Shen Lung were still... lost. With his own return, if his two brothers had suffered a similar fate than his own, his own return might mean that they had been ra-gathered by their Lord as well... He could only hope that this was not the case, and that none more of his brothers had indeed suffered such. Perhaps they were somewhere, tending to things... But what would have kept them from their brothers and sister ? What would have kept them away from Him in a time of need ?

Syrie

"Would that I were so lucky...I have yet to find and speak with Tian Yue myself." The Dragon King's tail twitched at the tip; showing his annoyance at the whole thing. He had been charged by his Lord and Master to find, gather and speak with his Brothers - and as of yet he had been unable to get more than one of them at a time. It was obnoxious.

Yu noted that his brother had chosen well in his host - phsyically, at least. The night elf was lithe and had excellent balance; things that would hold her in good stead...and Xun would definitely benefit from such things.

"No, I'm afraid I have met no Dragon by that name, though I would wish to." He sighed a bit and then cocked his head at his companion thoughtfully. "I would gather all our Brothers, speak and plan together as I believe we once must have." As this was one of the Brotherhood, he did not need to keep his "secrets" so close to the vest. "Sadly, I do not recall...in my journey to rebirth, I lost many things...many memories of what once was."

He gave the night-elf host a long look; this Brother had also failed rebirth once - though not twice as he himself had.

Zero Dream

"We will bring him to you, if we see him again soon." Illisia nodded along the words she was relaying, adding some more reaction to them, a bit more of a natural feeling. Was Xun able to do such things for himself, even from within the jewel and her mind ? She had no idea. He had never even seemed to try, as far as she really knew. And from what she had heard, Tian Yue had been one of those that had always been around... Shouldn't be too hard to find, in theory. The elf did not mind doing such, as she had rather appreciated him and enjoyed his presence in spite of how badly he'd scared her at first.

"Hm..." A reaction from her to the information given more than anything else. That was not a certain proof of what Ti Lung thought and feared, but that seemed to have it lean in that direction nonetheless.

"It is not something I would wish onto anyone else." Illisia slipped again, but did not seem to the notice. The more personal to the dragon the matter was, the more likely she was to slip on I or We, it seemed. "Even less so to one of my brothers... I have forgotten much as well."

Not even only memories at that, but even pieces of himself... but to talk of such thing with his brother meant revealing them to Illisia, and he was not ready to go to such length yet. So he continued to give his own words for his host to relay. It was a boon that she was readily willing to do that for him, and he was thankful for it.

"I can only hope that they had not been kept away by the same manner that I have been. This is what I fear might have happened..."

Syrie

"That would be much appreciated, Brother Xun...Host Illisia."

The reaction from host was slight, the reaction from Dragon King non-existant to his Brother's multiple eyes. "To lose a part of oneself is a pain I wish to inflict only upon those that brought our Lord low." Yu spat and hissed out of anger and frustration over the Grigori. "Gianfar of Knowledge may be able to aid you in remembering...though he too has suffered. The Great Library was destroyed during Gehenna." Not that the grey-haired God needed the books to recall things; it was more that he was distracted, distraught.

"Ah?" At those words, Yu's interest was piqued, "And how, Brother, were you kept away?"

Zero Dream

"I fear that their hosts might have failed them as well." Illisia once again spoke of the dragon's words, set them free from where they would have otherwise remained in her mind.

"I mean..." She started, then stopped, unsure if she should keep on going. "This is the only way Xun has been kept away from Lord Creation's side when... this Gehenna happened." She was still a little confused about the whole thing, how and why it caused all this. "I haven't... had him for a long time." To claim possessiveness over a god certainly sounded wrong, but she could think of no other way to express herself. "Im not too sure how long, or how time flows on this world... but it hadn't felt long at all. Definitively after Gehenna."

If I have not been the only one to fail... He still hated to think about it, and he could only hope the talk was not making Yu uncomfortable. But still, it was somewhat comforting to know that he was not alone, that he had his brothers at his side.

"No one's heard about them for a long time either.... And since Xun was...." Was remade the best term ? "is back, then maybe he isn't the only one ? If they failed as well ? I hope they havn't, but..."

Syrie

"Sadly, I think that must have happened." Yu shook his great head, hair fluffing and whisking against his fur as he did so, "Not only you and I, but also our Brother of Treasure, Futs Lung, share our shameful past. It bears weight that others have shared in our trials." Yu and Futs definitely, now with Xun...that was three. And if three of the Brotherhood had been held captive in gems after failed attempts at rebirth, then it must be considered very likely that the "missing" Dragon Kings had fallen to similar circumstances.

"Time flows steadily in days, weeks, months and years. Gehenna happened over a course of weeks...each one hearalded by a trumpet and bringing nothing but pain and suffering for those yet alive." Until near the end. They had but a brief respite at one point during that time.

With another slow shake of his head and a very sad expression in all six of his gleaming eyes, Yu sighed and put hope aside. "We can hope they are yet safe and whole, but with such proof we must also be prepared for the worst. Though it pains me to even think such things, there is a chance that one or more of our Brothers will never return to us." It was a fear he had entertained only in the darkest moments of his private time; but he spoke it aloud here so that his Brother and his host would understand better the gravity of his task.

Getting the Kings reunited wasn't simply so they could talk...it was also a way to take note of who was - and wasn't - missing. Roll call, as it were.

Zero Dream

"I... remember that." The elf's ears pinned back slightly. She had more than her share of bad memories... of the death of almost all her family, of being separated from her son upon her arrival to this world. She had not noticed that they were weeks, per-se, just that everything was going wrong in different ways, but now that she looked back on it... it made sense. It made a whole lot of sense.

Yu's downright sad expression made Illisia want to pet him, but she refrained. Friendly as he was, the dragon was still downright scary.

The thought had a very similar effect on Xun. That some might very well never return... no, he loathed to think about this. It would not be so, and he would not believe it so until he heard it from his Lord's mouth. It was more like denial to even consider the eventuality than actual optimism. If others were gone, they would return as well. He had returned, after all.

"We will find them." Xun hadn't succeeded at sounding completely certain of this, and well... neither did she.

Syrie

Yu shook his head again, returning his manner from such a grave state to one of confidence and hope. "Come now, we must leave behind such dreary thoughts - He has returned and we have met once more. There is much to revel in, much to find pleasure in." Cracking his jaws so that a low, gravelly laugh could come forth, Yu gestured at the expanse around them; true there was no True Sky...but there were lights from Light and Creation had been working to fashion something that would help ease the mortal's discomfiture with the lack of sky.

"I have spawn, of sorts. Not divine blood, but my host lay with our Brother Ying Long's servant - a girl called Ashoka. They bore two children during the Weeks...both survived." Calling Joss and Dan children sort of felt like a lie. The furry monsters were more beast than anything...but age-wise they could be said to qualify as "children". Of course, the spawn had only survived because the Fragment was an indiscriminatory hunter - demon, human, beast or otherwise...he would hunt it and kill it for food if he could.

That's why he owed Zhijian a servant. Damn Fragment for eating that Errais...

Zero Dream

"...Yes, you're right. Ill't do us no good to focus on that." It was a little unclear whose words they were, host or dragon's, but the woman pursed her lips a bit in thought.

His mention of children made her perk a little, and the names even more so. "Dan is your..." Well no, not really his - but looking at it now she did see the resemblance. That was odd, kind of. Was it a common thing for hosts to leave children behind ? "I was told I was lucky she didn't even try to bite me." Illisia said, amused. She always had a way with children.

"I do have a son." She nodded, offering to the conversation in turn. "But he is an adult now, so he will be well... It was Ashoka who told me he was still alive and well, actually." But not where he was. Or when he would come.

Syrie

"Ah, so you have met the girl-child. Yes, Dan is mine...or my host's. She has a brother that usually lurks after me by the name of Joss." The six eyes widened a little bit and Xia Lu Ling's muzzle twisted into an approximation of a smile; "Indeed you are lucky, both children are known to be very sharp...it's rare one meets them and does not get bitten."

Definitely more beast than rational being. Hopefully that would change as they aged - certainly, he himself was trying to have a hand in that...but it was odd. They were - and were not - his spawn.

"If Ashoka speaks that he is well, then you should take it to heart that he is." As for coming home or back to the woman, well...soon that wouldn't matter. Never mind that if he were on another plane, there was no sure way of breaching the barrier(s)...the road between was closed. For now.

Zero Dream

At that, Illisia still found herlself wondering why anything would ever need that many eyes... Oddly, it was what caught her attention, and not the sharp toothed smiles the dragon gave. She 'smiled. much in the same way when shifted, often with odd reactions from whoever she had been interesting with.

Especially when no one one had expected that strange purple cat to speak. Humans did that a whole lot.

"Just knowing that is he well... brings me much relief." She felt better and worse about all this, at the same time. Perhaps Yu would understand that feeling, one day. Or maybe not, since technically they were not his children. That was a rather complicated situation. "He will understand... I hope."

Syrie

Nothing that existed needed as many eyes as Yu The Five Claw could claim - of course, he thought it was just enough. Illisia was quite different from most of the mortals that came into contact with Yu - he had to be very careful how his face contorted lest he terrify them...sometimes he made things a little easier by keeping two sets of the three eyes closed. Unfortunately, doing so took away some of his vision and that was undesirable with the Grigori still a threat.

"I'm sure he will, Lady." And no, he didn't understand what she was feeling towards her son - he probably wouldn't either. Whatever loyalty he felt towards his host's tiny-and-sharp spawnlings was not that of a parent, but more of a protector or perhaps an uncle that has been charged with caring for a family member's children. He would feed and care for them with Ashoka until they were old enough to turn loose on the unsuspecting world.

A sad mother...perhaps she would like to meet the boy. "If you would like to spend time with children, I would be pleased to offer you the boy, Joss." Hopefully the little b*****d wouldn't bite her fingers off...

Zero Dream

Yu had no way to know, not really, but in spite of his appearance, he was rather calm and steady. He had a way of speaking that really got to her, and soothed her in a way. Perhaps this was one of the reason she wasn't outwardly afraid, or bothered by him.

"Is he as bitey as his sister ?" Illisia seemed a bit amused by that fact.

I like your fingers where they are, my dear. Even Xun himself seemed a bit calmer, now that his worries had been expressed out loud. He sounded just as amused as she was.

"Perhaps." She mused. "But I should likely be on my way soon..." The last thing she wanted was to take up Yu's time needlessly, if he had things awaiting him.

Syrie

"Is he as bitey as his sister?" Of course she would ask such a thing. Yu let forth a deep, rumbling chuckle at Illisia's words, his eyes squinching in amusement even as his tail swished slowly against his legs. "Worse. Dan at least spends much of her time with Ashoka. She has yet to learn a woman's softeness, but can at least show some restraint." Not when it came to biting people, oh no - but Dan was far, far less likely to go peeing on the Throne, or gnawing Zhiji's bridle...

"Ah, of course Lady, Brother Xun." Yu did have things to be doing, but he was very happy to have gotten to speak with another of his Brothers. "But soon, I think we all need to come together. There is much to be done and more to speak of." All signs of amusement gone, Xia Lu Ling spoke in a low, level tone - the epitome of seriousness. "Creation needs His Kings ready with head, hand and heart...too long we have all been separated. Much knowledge needs be shared."

Slowly, so as not to startle Xun's host, Yu reached for the night elf's hand; a gentle squeeze for his Brother and the feather-light touch of his muzzle to the back of her hand for the host. Respect given where it was due.

"Until the next we meet, Brother Xun, Lady Illisia." A bit of a pause, then, "Should you need me, I'm easy to find. Just look to Him. I'll not be far."

Zero Dream

"Yes." Illisia relayed for her dragon once more. "We must."

And there was perhaps none more fitted for the task than the emblem pillar himself. He would see it done - Xun knew it.

The elven woman let him approach - running her own hand across his cheek softly, gently before he withdrew. Hopefully he would find no offense in it, but she hadn't quite known how else she could have gotten her charge's affection across.

She stood from her perch in a smooth, fluid movement, that further betrayed her agility. "Likewise, if you have a need of us, we tend to wander around a bit. The room with a large tree etched on the door is ours, however."

The night elf chuckled. "Perhaps I might yet have the honor of meeting Joss. Hopefully with a sturdy pair of gloves nearby." She did sound more amused than upset by the thought, anf then she gave a small bow and went on her way.

[khiarhu]

Rio Joss // and or KID SOLO

[khiarhu]

...// PRP - How Many Dragons Are There Again?

Meepfur

Despite the fact that there were two perfectly usable bathing pools in her and Rio's rooms, they weren't actually any good for swimming in; it had sort of worked when she was younger and smaller, but not so anymore. If Adrienne wanted to go swimming, she had to go outside - or to visit Illisia, since she had been invited, but she felt like being outside today.

This meant something of a compromise, as Love strongly suggested that when she went swimming near the Pantheon, she should really wear something. The point of wearing clothes in water rather escaped the teenage werewolf, but she obeyed nonetheless, and had donned an old t-shirt after cutting a haphazard hole in the back to accomodate her wings.

Phlox lay at the edge of the water, dozing.

Syrie

Yu was out and about on his self-imposed rounds; instead of being alone in this task, he was accompanied this day by one of his followers. The waifish female walked quietly at her Lord's furry side, her eyes gazing upward at the mangled, horrorshow face with it's pitch colored fur and many eyes. She was unafraid. Her lack of fear was one of the reasons that the Dragon King did not mind her attending him about the Pantheon - or the slowly rebuilding city about the Pantheon either.

Blessed noticed the swimmer and the floox and reached out to gently touch Yu's arm even as he was turning his head towards the sounds and scents of the girl in the water. "I've seen her before, Lord Dragon."

"Shall we say hello?" Blessed nodded in agreement and they altered their course to come closer to where Adi and Phlox were. It seemed a little odd to just come over while someone was swimming, at least without letting said person know you were there, so Yu called out to Adi in greeting. "Hello there -- nice day for a swim?"

Meepfur

Startled from his doze by the call, Phlox came awake with a yip and looked for the source, only to fix his gaze on the monstrous Yu. Whoooa, scary! But the little floox, rather than flee or cower, issued his most fearsome growl at the many-eyed beast-god, the ridge of fur on his back standing even more erect. He'd better stay away from his Adi!

Adrienne, on the other hand, wasn't the least bit put off. He sounded nice, and was quite possibly a god, so what was there to worry about? "Hush," she said to Phlox, "Be nice! They haven't done anything."

"Hello~!" she called back. "It's wonderful. Would you like to come in?"

Syrie

To the tiny fluff-ball that had been snoozing so lighly on the sand, there was no doubt but that Yu would seem as an imposing and potentially dangerous interloper. Yu buried his mirth at the creature's tiny, ferocious growling and the hackles-raised stance of protection that he'd taken up between the Dragon King and the bathing female; well did he respect that sort of loyalty - it mirrored the feelings and actions he himself would have taken for the Twin Crown.

Instead of poking fun, he moved slowly to push Blessed further behind him, all the while sending little tendrils of energy to soothe and assure Phlox that though he looked like a nightmarish enemy, he was not. No harm would come to either being by Yu's hand (though yes, he did briefly consider what the floox would taste like).

"Your guardian is to be commended, young lady." Yu 'smiled' and chuckled a bit, head dipping to the side to peer at his companion. "With his permission, perhaps I will join you." If Phlox was amenable to having some 'guests', he would get into the water (as would his whey-faced companion).

Blessed inclined her head to the swimming teen; she respected her elders more than most - and even more so those that her Master seemed to hold in some regard (newly met or no). One frail hand went up to push fine, rough hairs back behind her ear and though she wasn't nervous, she fidgeted. Adrienne was beautiful in her eyes...beautiful in ways that she herself could not be.

Meepfur

Rrrrrrr. The low growl continued until a second 'shh!', at which point Phlox finished with a huff of complaint. Fine. But he didn't trust this crazy-looking thing! It had too many eyes, and could eat him in one gulp. It could eat Adi, too! It would take more than one gulp, but still. After giving the dragon a beady-eyed glare for good measure, the floox slipped into the water to paddle to his mistress.

The werewolf scooped him against her chest to whisper a few soothing words before speaking again to the strange god. She was pretty sure that was what he was - he smelled like one, she thought, and had a servant, and was quite impressive-looking besides.

"I don't think he realizes how little he is," she said with a chuckle, "That or he doesn't care."

"He's never seen anyone like you before, but he'll see soon enough there's nothing to be afraid of." Adrienne was as trusting as they came. Just because he was a god didn't mean he was good, but almost everybody got the benefit of the doubt in Adi's world.

Syrie

Close enough. Phlox retreated to the water and into the young werewolf's arms for comfort (and also to protect, certainly) and Blessed knelt at the side of the water to wait while her Master bathed with Adi. She would not go into the water with them, she was not so demure as to be ashamed to bathe naked, but she did not like for others to see her without clothing. It was one of her quirks and even surviving to see the End of the World averted could not change that part of her basic nature.

Yu moved past his servant, touching her hair very lightly as he did so, and joined Adi and Phlox. The water made the shorter fur of his body slick to his flesh and the longer fan out around him. "I am Yu, Five Claws and she," He gestured with his horned head towards the girl smiling and dipping her toes into the water, "Is Blessed, my servant. What is your name, young lady?" If they were going to be sharing the water, they could at least share their names. "And hisname?"

[khiarhu]

...// PRP - A Reunion of Scales, Fangs and Claws

Syrie

What a busy time! There were always people to meet, mortals to guide, gods and goddesses to converse with...the children to teach and tend (with Ashoka's help)...and of course, Creation. Many demands on his time, but even so, Yu found himself extremely pleased to have such full days and nights.

He thrived on the hustle and bustle that went into rebuilding All.

Occasionally the black-furred Dragon King found himself with a stray moment to relax; which, for him, meant taking a leisurely "stroll" about the Pantheon proper (it doubled as a quick patrol of the area too). The best part of taking such patrols was that he usually found someone to converse with - Brother, God, Goddess or mortal. Had he not discovered Brother Xun this way? The girl Adi and her delicious looking pet, Phlox? Arden Valkov, the host?

Who would he find today, he wondered; feet padding without sound down stairs and across cool marble floors.

Mintaka

Kheviel had begun his procession to wander further across the grounds, eyes and ears alert to the sounds of others in hopes of crossing paths with those who might get him - and Xuan - up to date. Of course, this could entail many, many possible encounters, from either dragon that Illisia had mentioned, to any of the other gods or goddesses, or even some mortals perhaps. He had pathed towards the marble areas, some hope that he'd cross paths with someone there - it looked quite the gathering grounds - and he was not disappointed at the least. A - something - was making it's way across the marble.

Xuan was less then amused at the assessment of a something, when she knew better. It had the feel and markings of one of her siblings, although who she had not put a finger to quite yet, but she felt she ought to know. Perhaps it was the between of shifting that made it so difficult, or perhaps a memory that had been lost to the ages of Fading - she'd been the first of the Kings to fall.

He paused his steps, watching the other a moment to see if it noticed him. To be fair he hadn't seen anything quite like this, and now that he had a better look, it did have some draconic traits about it to make it more identifiable as one of her kin. He was uncertain, however, how one should greet, particularly without knowing much of anything at all about this one. Illisia had been more straightforward, more... something he was more familiar with in interaction. This one seemed more beastial, definitely powerful. Certainly not someone to get on the wrong side of if one could help it.

Syrie

Keen senses caught tantilizingly faint, familiar presense of another; it slid across his awareness and tickled at the back of his consciousness. He recognized the low thrum of power as another of the Dragon Kings, but couldn't quite place it - though when he turned his head so that he could fix his multiple eyes upon the other, his blue eyes registered recognition. Yu had seen this person before; when Samyaza had left the Empress bleeding and Harmodius without a Name. They had not spoken, merely been comrades, witnessing the Beginning of the End together, so he did not recall a name to the face any more than he could recall which of the Kings that particular energy belonged to.

Yu turned the whole of his body to Kheviel. "Greetings friend, would you care to walk with me? I believe you and I have much to discuss." With a shake of his heavy head, the Dragon King offered a hand towards his newly found companion, beckoning the poiny-eared man closer. "You...are not wholly unknown to me, by scent, face or soul...though I do not know by which name to call to you."

Mintaka

It almost startled him, but he kept composed, to be spoken to so clearly, and slowly the gears began running. While now vastly different in keep and composure, there was a familiarity, the darkness of body tone, the horns... In days past, he'd been there at the beginning of the End, but he'd not properly spoken to them. And now, had shifted, obviously. He nodded in acknowledgment to the other. "We passed briefly, in what might be some time for you, and what feels very little for me. I am Kheviel Nightfeather, host to Xuan Yi, the Shadowshield."

He had introduced without prompt, with title included, and she purred slightly in contentment, mostly because that should give her presence clear. Hopefully then she could recognize which of her siblings this was, but he'd been there too for the fight, likely. That near-ink blackness, and yes - the horns. They were very distinctive, although she didn't remember them being blue...

"I wouldn't mind a walk, I just had a small rest... I came back here to catch up on things. I went to rearm and was sprung upon by a trap - quite a bit of magic to deceive the senses and entrap... I regret most that I did not put more effort into any sort of business with the arcane sometimes... we were trapped until... well, not long ago. So I've... missed quite a bit it seems."

Were it not for the reassurances of Xuan that this was indeed friendly, and that he was on the territory of the gods - not far hopefully from Harmodius himself, he'd have felt far less at ease with this one. It looked quite feral almost, close enough to pass for something that would lurk the shadows and be ready to kill you in a heartbeat. A deceiving guise, considering it's attitude perhaps, or maybe it was simply Xuan's presence that kept him safe. For that, he was quite thankful - and thankful for his ability to keep himself physically in line to not give away that unease he had lurking. He tried to shoo it away by focusing on the conversation.

Syrie

"Yes. I saw you, when Samyaza left Gaia to die and the Crown without a Name." He recalled that this one had been quick to chase after Samyaza, but to no avail. Only Gianfar had managed to 'attack', and even that had done naught to slow the Grigori's flight. They had, as the b***h stated with her nasty little smile, been "pissing in the wind" to even go after her.

Ah! Xuan Yi, Shadowshield! This was the Empress' Dragon and one that had, before the Fading, been one that he had been close to (thanks to the Crown and Empress being so close). Unfortunately, the intimate details of that past was long lost to Yu...lost to never be reclaimed - something mourned only in passing; the Fragment's "now" of thought was something that Yu was trying to keep for himself in this incarnation. Closer still, Yu came towards the host and Dragon, though he did keep some distance lest he cause more distress by the length of claw and sharpness of horn.

"Host Kheviel Nightfeather, Xuan Yi. I am Xia Lu Ling, Yu the Five Claw." He left his alternate title, Emblem Pillar was left out. No need to state such things to one of the Brotherhood. They all knew. "I would be most pleased if you would join me then. I can offer you information, have you questions. It's unfortunate you were held away so long, much has happened. I have been at His side more than many, so feel free to make use of my knowledge."

Nightmarish countenance twisted in a garish parody of a smile, teeth showing brightly as lips skinned back. Yu noticed the man's discomfiture with his appearance - it was something he was quite used to by now - and opened his mouth to assauge his fears. "Do not worry, I won't eat you. I'm not in the habit of cannibalism."

Mintaka

He had listened at length, feeling a bit more relaxed in knowing that here was someone whom he could talk to to understand things even better - for them both. Having now been wrapped up in this, he considered himself a part of things, intrigued and in need of knowing, until the day passed that he was no longer the one in control most of the time, although he knew this was partly Xuan's choice because she wanted to allow him his moments of life before she was fully strong enough.

Xia! That's who it was. It was making sense now, the hints of blue, the claws. Xia, dearest one who was always watching over their Lord, as she watched over his favored ones. She saw plenty of him by choice or otherwise, and it finally clicked why she'd felt such a familiar presence. And it was more assuring to her, that he now had been here, at His side once more. That someone was there, watching him and safeguarding him.

He smirked slightly, nodding. "I'm not used to such odd company, and in a world I once was a part of, things like you were often ready to have us as snacks," he said evenly. "I'm not exactly afraid, I just... can't help perhaps some ingrained instinct, despite any comfort from Xuan. She sends her greetings, I think she's just being content right now to listen."

He closed his eyes a moment, now trying to clear his head for things to ask, for it was difficult to deal with when one finally had what they wanted - needed - and then to be overwhelmed.

Lord Harmodius, Xuan prompted, wanting to know first and foremost that. And Lady Kishara.

"How is Lord Harmodius and Lady Kishara?" he asked, taking queue last he be annoyed until he did so. He had a question of his own, pertaining to their last encounter, but that could wait for now. "Are they well? I remember she was wounded..."

Xuan held her temper in check, remembering the wound so given, and kept her bristling to herself. Hopefully the Empress had recovered, gained strength again, particularly in the time passing since things were righted. Of course, that was another thing to ask, but it would wait - the health and well-being of the Lord and Empress mattered far more, if only to calm her fears or confirm perhaps more. It was enough the Sky was gone, but... she hoped there was good news.

khiarhu

Perhaps it would have made Kheviel feel better to know that this particular Dragon King had assauged the fears of other hosts before, not that Xia Lu Ling would have ever proclaimed any such thing aloud. Arden Valkov had also had questions, though he had not been so closely intwined with the God held inside his body as this elf was with the Shadowshield. Yu's thickly furred, scaled tail swished behind him as though it had a mind all it's own as they walked, side by side.

It pleased him greatly to know that Xuan was reborn, they had always been close (well, technically all of the Kings were close - that was the Brotherhood...but yes, their particular Stations had afforded them a greater exposure eto each other than some of the others). "Ah, yes. Well, my host would certainly have contemplated eating you. A nightmare-creature, but one that served me well when others had not." For the moment, he would refrain from touching this man that housed Shadowshield; it would have been unneccissarily cruel to force such a wicked countenance upon someone that was obviously ill-at-ease and trying not to be.

"Our Lord is quite well, He is slowly healing All That Is and spends much of His time with His children. There is sadness in Him too though...the Firstborn eaten - I'm sure you've noticed Universe missing - and Gaia laid low." Yu shook his heavy head, ears going close to his skull in a rather canine-like show of worry. "Lady Gaia's arm remains with Samyaza, but she has mostly healed. Of late she has not been seen though I know well she is attended by those closest to her. I believe the Lady mourns Universe and her own inability to protect Harmodius, but I do not know for certain."

Here he paused to think before speaking further, "I do not believe He has seen her since the Ceremony that brought Him back to us." As far as Xia Lu Ling knew this was correct and he would know better than most, being by Harmodius' side to support Him for the better part of most days.

[khiarhu]

...// ORP - Bring Forth the Supplicants

Ivynian

"Well then, gents, its good to meet you." Sho and Jimbo, the tweed team from the kingdom of stick-up-butt.
"Aren't you a little...white for a name like that?"

Maybe he was raised on the fly by interstellar monks and taught the intimate secrets of wuuwongfu or such.

They provided enough distraction from the layout of the place that she started up the stairs again. The door and walls at the top were total celtic revival, a whole lot gag. Maybe it could liven up with a deathDruid motif.

"Knock Knock, and I'll huff and I'll Puff and I'll blow your house in." She kicked the door, stacatto thuds, leaving black smudges from the soles of her boots.

Meepfur

Hooray, it had worked! She had had her doubts for a second there, but Laurence came through and scooped her up. Being picked up in and of itself was always sort of fun, like a little ride, although the best part was just being close to someone. The still-damp pooka snuggled close, her short tail wagging happily as her sadness evaporated.

She peered curiously at the colorful woman they went to meet, glad to have a good view from being carried. This was so much nicer than staring up at people all the time!

"And I'm En!" she added cheerfully to the men's introductions, though the lady had already begun to continue on.

Syrie

Sharp words and sharper knocking sounds on the door found their way into sensitive ears. Yu had been curled, half dozing at his Lord's feet when the racket began. His eyes slowly opened only to narrow in the direction of the sound; a low growl began deep in his chest and rumbled up through his throat much the way any dog would respond to an unwarranted, impatient 'guest'.

Slowly he uncoiled himself from the base of Creation's throne, looking to Him with an annoyed expression on his bestial face. "Company..." He pricked an ear towards the doorway again, "Female and impatient." Up on two legs instead of four, Yu would stalk to the door and open it with something of a snarl - unless his master called for him to heel. Of course, Xia Lu Ling would not turn anyone (that wasn't a Grigori) from His door...but he certainly could give them a little pause - maybe impatient wenches would learn to be a little less...abrasive, coming face-to-face with a Monster.

SkieBorne

Glyph had descended from the level the gods' room were located with a ceramic bowl full of blackberries and a leafy companion about his shoulders when he heard the thunk of booted feet against the door. Furry ears perked forward then as he paused at the corner to peer at the group that had gathered, their voices drawing his gaze first one way then the other. "Mn?" He blinked, wondering if he'd missed some sort of summons in his preparations to go out for a stroll around the gardens.

The mimic reached out then and snatched the blackberry from his fingers with a mischievous chirp and he frowned at the creature, "Hey." Holding the bowl a little further away to keep the ivy lizard from snatching more, Forest padded towards the group.

As he drew near, the god noticed the woman kicking and frowned. She must be new to the area then... or just exceedingly rude. Coming up behind behind the others, he offered a wave of greeting then popped another berry into his mouth. "Is something the matter?" Interest was plain upon his features and his ears pricked eagerly forward.

Tsunake

A little white. Irritation throbbed in the back of his mind, low and seething, but he bit his tongue even as the woman began to climb the stairs again.

”My host’s name is Laurence—“ The dragon continued patiently until her heels smacked into the door, marring the beautiful surface. There was no hope of even pretending he could calm Laurence now, and the priest would turn to, as gently as he could, push En into James’ arms before he stalked forward, not about to grab the woman, but definitely crossing the lines of personal space.

“You have hands, knock with them.” He told her frankly, not about to stand for desecration. “Keep it up, and—“ And whatever he’d been about to say would never be known, as the door opened. God wasn’t there, probably his polar opposite, really, and Laurence found himself craning his neck back to meet the multiple eyes of a horned, fanged beast that certainly met the description of a demon.

He sensed nothing but threw his arm out anyway, not caring if he caught Hjava in the gut, just wanting to get the woman behind him even as he stepped forward to face the beast, openly bristling. One swipe of those hands would probably knock the wind out of him, but if he could get a prayer off, boost his strength and speed—There was really no time for words as he started to react, ignoring the words of Shuo echoing through his mind.

Laurence, he's not an enemy--!

Ivynian

"I also have other body parts I know how to use. Can you say the same?"

But the door was open and the biggest furry in the universe was on the other side. It didn't actually look like a fur-suit. It made noises like the real deal.
But then she was getting ushered around like a damsel and really she wanted to kick the guy in the nuts for discourtesy. It'd be easy enough, from behind.

But if you had something snarling at you, it was usually better to be the guy in back then the dope in front.

"Is the Lord in, Handsome?" She mosh-yelled it over Sho's shoulder.

NinetailedNightmare

James' eyebrows shot up a bit as the female began to kick the magnificent work on the door. Now, there was absolutely no necessity for such a stunt in his mind. He didn't know how she treated her things where she was from, but she was just asking for trouble. When Laurence handed the pooka off to him, the brunette didn't spare a word of disapproval though he knew completely well what the man was going to do. His arms delicately pulled En to his chest, and while he wasn't as warm as Laurence he at least made an attempt to pet his fingers along the crest of her brow.

And then the doors opened, filled not with the face of beauty that he had come to find typical in this realm. It was a monstrosity. Though it was symmetrical, it was beastly and not at all what any of them had likely been expecting. The punkish girl had, indeed, summoned the Big Bad Wolf to the doorstep. James bristled automatically in defense as well, keeping Enekpe in one arm while his other moved for the stungun in his bag. But then, Laurence was throwing himself in, and the gaudy girl back. What did he think he was doing?

And the girl was shouting at the thing, prompting it to come along. James, who was behind her like any sensible beast that thought their hide worth keeping, gave her a stage-whisper. "It might be prudent to ask yourself if you're willing to take on the door-man to see him." He was about two seconds from running himself. But what about Laurence? And Shuo? If the thing seemed rabid, he'd have to do what he could.

Meepfur

..whuuuh. Suddenly, there was a really big, really ugly thing with lots of eyes at the door, and the next thing she knew, she was getting passed around! En tucked her face in James' arm, trusting that, somehow or another, she'd be protected. She hadn't gotten this far just to be eaten!

I don't think there's anything to be afraid of.

Syrie

As usual, Yu's monstrous appearance had the intended effect; the motley group before him - was that tiny thing...edible? - behaved just as many before them. Save for the girl - she looked like she wanted to spit nails at whomever it was that had stepped forward so gallantly.

Blue eyes narrowed at the person in front of him - a very familiar tingling came from this man! A Brother! Xia Lu Ling would have spoken directly to him in greeting, but...that woman was a harpy, shouting demands at his ears, never mind that the man-with-God was moving to do some...whatever. Presumably to save the "lady" from his claw and fang.

He cracked his great jaws open, skinning his lips back from sharp teeth a moment before answering any of those before him. "Cease your motions, you will not be harmed."

"He," Yu put great weight on that single syllable; intoning awe, reverence and also a sort of "you should know better than to be mocking, young lady" lilt to it. "Is in." Black furred body moved away from the door to gracefully (where monsters graceful?) allow entrance. "Come. All His children are welcome."

Tsunake

The housewife-gone-retro didn’t seem inclined to swagger around him to confront the beast herself, and though her words were loud enough to make him feel half-deaf. Yeah, he knew she was perfectly capable of using other body parts. Her mouth didn’t count though, and had he not been focused on the behemoth before them, he’d have snorted as much.

Black lips had peeled themselves back, though the priest had seen too much teeth in his lifetime to flinch. Laurence, I believe he is a Dragon King. Shuo sounded oddly pleased, delighted to have found another of his brothers, and in such magnificent form!

It was enough to make the dark-haired man pause, wary, uncertain, but trusting the dragon’s words. Then, the goliath spoke of Him, and his shoulders tensed again as the black body slid back smoothly to allow them entrance. Wary, but silent now, Laurence would glance back, ignoring Hjava to search for James and En. Still there, still in one piece. He moved, satisfied, and unconsciously found himself starting to tremble. One hand clamped over the gem underneath his coat, feeling the cotton of his shirt framing the cool metal.

Was He here? Truly? Wordless reassurance pulsed through his mind, and he felt Mang attempting to relieve some of his resurfacing anxiety. He straightened his shoulders in turn, took a silent breath, and searched the room as he moved deeper into the interior.

SkieBorne

Glyph had hung back as the door open and the flurry of movement followed, the dark-clad man putting himself between the pale-haired woman and the rest of the group. None of them had familiar faces and they had all reacted strongly enough to Yu that he wouldn't be surprised if it was the first time they'd met the dragon king. It amused him, really. Yu was intimidating, yes, but he wasn't that bad!

Drawing nearer, he slipped around to the outer side of the group, "I don't think he's going to eat you." Glyph remark with a smile, nodding a greeting to those nearby, wondering if they'd notice him this time - he was short, and soft spoken, but it was hard to miss the horn and fuzzy ears and hallmark twigs. The mimic about his shoulder took the opportunity to pinch another blackberry or two and chirped at the strangers. "Hello Yu. I was going out to the gardens when I saw you lot. Is something the matter?" If he could help, he would but as of yet he was in the dark about this group.

NinetailedNightmare

And the thing could speak to them. James swallowed a little thickly looking over Laurence's shoulder at the furry behemoth, his anxiety slowly but surely slipping into wonder. What kind of creature was this? So many horns it bore in so many different styles must make for a heavy head but it sure was impressive. Feeling the minute tremble of the pooka on his arm, he reached to run a soothing hand down her spine, scritching very lightly at the fur in an attempt towards comfort. They were going to be alright! And, it seemed, the Creation deity was here in the throne. Most fortunate, seeing as he and Laurence had been prepared to scour every corner of the wide gardens looking for him!

Somewhere behind, another approached them. He also bore a horn, but a single one in the center of his head, ears tufted. He almost seemed to wear a crown of sticks in his hair. "We're alright," He said kindly to the man, not yet aware he was speaking to Forest himself, "Thank you."

But he could not linger- Laurence had started forward into the room. Impatient man! But it gave him an excuse to move. As he meekly slipped by Yu, he gave the Dragon King a soft 'thank you' and pointedly did what he could to hide the fuzzy En against him, as if sensing the creature's intention. To Harmodius, then. Would that loud-mouthed girl follow them?

Ivynian

These creeps jumped at everything, and sure enough, here was no need to worry. The doorman was probably also the bouncer, so keep on the better side of the establishment and it'd be cool. The inside that was revealed by the hulking furbag stepping out of the way was a greenhouse on the greatest LSD trip known to mankind. She didn't even know what a fraction of the plants were. Another gawker crashed the party, sure enough, adding sugar smiles that Fay had warned her about. Wasn't everyone just so damned nosey and helpful here!
She had business to attend that didn't involve the greenhouse tour. She side stepped around Sho, Jimbo, and Twiggy and strode in with a nod a the wall-of-fur. Being at the back of this line was a nuisance.

"Won't be a minute. Lord of the Realm, right? Well, I know how knights and vassals work, gotta present and get permissions to pass the grounds. " She walked as she talked, not patient enough to carry on a conversation with Slaver and remain in the company of her taggers-on. Not like she'd invited them anyway.

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Creation sat throned in living, writhing mana, less like to mortal seeming in stature then normal. The plants nearby had ceased to be single entities, wyld forms infused and sentient which moved to fence newcomers some ten feet from the base of the strange seat.

Words came down in majesty, not the tongue of men or beasts, not tongued at all for his lips did not move when it sounded.
" You'll find I'm less of an absolute monarch then that, Hjava."

Meepfur

...it wasn't going to eat them? When it seemed safe, En peeked out to get a better look at the much larger creature. Was it another god? 'Yu' seemed to ring a bell with Kikechum, at least a little bit. And there was Harmodius again! She certainly hadn't been expecting to visit him today, not that she minded. She was pretty much just along for the ride, as it were.

And oh! That new man had twigs in his hair, and a funny little ivy-covered thing! The pooka turned in James' arms to peer at it.

Syrie

Glyph moved past the Dragon-host man and the other male holding the tiny, delicious-looking Pooka and greeted him; he dipped his head and rumbled out a greeting in kind to Forest. "No, nothing wrong, these people...wished to see Creation." Bodies moved warily past the fur-covered sentry to approach Him; once all were through, Yu closed the door and slipped back to coil his hulking form about the throne again.

Creation address Hjava, Yu closed two sets of his eyes and waited. The mortals were kept away from Him, but the wyld things let him be; Yu belonged at Creation's feet.

Tsunake

Yu-- He caught the name, understood its significance, and turned his head to take in the newcomer, was rewarded with a glimpse of twigs and something like a horn, and long, furry ears--

--but none of it mattered.

He sensed Him before he saw Him, felt ripples of peace settle across his conscious, and the priest sighed before he could help it. Greenery was everywhere, life was everywhere, and though he couldn't even begin to understand the throne that He was seated upon, Laurence didn't look long enough to truly puzzle it out. Pale skin, a flash of bright, brilliant hair, and what looked like a sanguine stain of a tear tracing down one cheek...

Overcome, the man had sank to his knees, bowing his head slightly and trying to keep his shoulders still so they wouldn't shake with joy, with sorrow, with disgust at himself, even being here, in His presence. Likewise, he could feel Shuo aching, burning, needing to lay at his Lord, his Master's feet, to be in his services again, to beg for forgiveness.

The sound of fur sliding against surfaces made him look up, startled only briefly, but it was just... what had Shuo said, Yu Five Claws, coiling about the throne as though to support and protect it.

Let the woman talk all she wanted. Both dragon and host could only look on, their pain both terrible and beautiful as they were finally able to gaze upon their Lord.

SkieBorne

"Oh." Glyph responded with a nod, having surmised as much in the sort interval between outside and inside this door.

The mimic felt the gaze of another on it and turned to peer back at the pooka, it's nose twitching and long tail flicking with interest. Idly, Glyph held out an arm so the leafy lizard could get a closer look as his gaze swept from the woman with the attitude to Creation himself. Forest dipped a bow of greeting then but started forward to go investigate the plants that ringed the throne with great curiosity.

He hadn't meant to get involved in anything in particular but these interesting little plant-creature intrigued him and that made this worth while. Crouching at their perimeter, he let the mimic slide down to the ground and go back to investigate the pooka while he offered fingers to the plants and hoped they weren't carnivorous. "Good day my Lord. You keep interesting company today!" Might as well say hello to Creation and his entourage, he hadn't dropped in for some time - was too preoccupied with his own projects in a nearby forest.

NinetailedNightmare

Creation's quarters were (aptly, James thought) covered in lush spires of vines and more types of flora than he could count. It was indeed more of a greenhouse than what you'd expect of a throne room. The plants were the tapestries, the drapery, the carpet. James half-expected the hum of bees or the sight of some sort of critters to peek out at them from the thick collection of plants, but he did not look for them. Naturally, his eyes were drawn up and up, to the pale figure that sat upon the formidable structure of the throne. Lord Harmodius, wasn't it? His breath drew short, never having laid eyes on a being more radiant and now having a picture to which all else would fall short in the future. He was a being of scientific intrigue, but for a moment, he found his thoughts fumbling. And yet, he was calm.

Nearby, Laurence sank to his knees. James sensed the motion more than he saw it, his eyes still attracted to the various colors that composed the deity's hair and the aura that seemed to surround him. Of course, his first thought toward the mana was radiation, and perhaps it was, but there was no going back now. He didn't want to. He did fumble a moment before he too, more awkwardly, slid down to a kneel near the priest, figuring in this situation Shuo and Laurence were going to be his model for courtesy. His arms uncurled and Enekpe was delicately placed down upon the thick carpet of clover-like structures, allowed to move off after the ivy dragon as she wished. He, in the meantime, honed in on the conversation that went on between Hjava and the Lord Harmodius, bowing his head enough as if that would truly cause him to become invisible to all. He was a normal-looking man thing and knew there was just as much value in going unnoticed as there was having the attention of another. He was serenely patient. In this time, he took to exploring everything in the room with his eyes, having to tear them away from the Twin Crown with some effort. Undoubtedly, he was exquisite, but he was also stationary and the alien did not need his eyes to listen.

The fuzzy-eared, horned man spoke to Harmodius as if he were a friend, he noticed, and secretly awaited for a response to build a further judgement upon just what sort of a god Creation was.

Ivynian

IT KNEW HER NAME.
Wait, no, that was definitely a guy. Freakin' four stories tall guy packing more then this whole road crew, even doggie woof-woof there, combined could ever want for. The gloow and sparkles s**t throwing off little fairies and plants and who knew what else meant someone must've slipped her a good one at some point. No one just SAW this kinda stuff unless they'd shot a frisco speedball.

"Uh...yeah..."
She couldn't look away, but her eyes were blurred up with tears, so it all got fuzzy anyway. And she sounded like an a**. "I......"

Where had she been going with all this anyway?
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" You wanted to humor a farce about presentment. You are accepted here, and may come and go at your leisure. The resources of food and shelter are yours to share in. Trouble no others, and no judgment will be brought on you. This is the dwelling land of the Gods. Heed the advice that they are perilous, wise and wicked both. If you seek guidance, Aris can answer questions for you. "

"Will you guide her? Of similar cloth you are both cut. Mankind's finest gather to start the journeys anew to far kingdoms under the eyes of the gods. "

A man stepped forward, untroubled by the plants, from a side archway of pallid roses. "Hjava, follow me."

Meepfur

Once set down, she wagged her tail at James in quiet thanks, and wasted no time in going to investigate the strange, ivy-covered creature that had come with the twiggy man. She kept an ear flicked in the direction of conversation, listening curiously, but said nothing. It seemed best not to interrupt without some good reason, which she didn't have.

Syrie

Yu watched the ivy-creature and the other small-and-delicious one for a moment before returning his disdainful gaze to Hjava. She was irreverent, brassy and brazen - but even she was struck dumb by Creation's splendor; her sharp tongue stilled...those toxic green eyes wide with awe. The Dragon King shook his head a bit and turned to watch Aris coming forth.

"Our Lord has managed to still her sharp tongue, Aris, but beware. It may not last long." He chuckled a bit and then fell quiet; a little part of him wanted to follow Aris and Hjava - the woman was quite an oddity and it piqued his interest...but a deeper, bigger part was most content at Creation's feet.

Plus, sticking around meant he could see what the others wanted. Maybe eat one of them. Maybe.

SkieBorne

Glyph looked up when Hjava stuttered and stumbled about her words, mildly amused by the awe that Creation's presence had struck into the visitors. He was majesty and life to look at and for Glyph, at least, it was a pleasure to do so - a reminded of hope and renewal. It seemed she was being welcomed into the fold and so he offered a smile of welcome as Aris stepped forth to guide and answer the mortal's questions.

She probably had a few... once the stun wore off. People normally had a great many questions after spending a little while in the Pantheon.

Glyph caught Yu eyeing his lizard and in turn moved to intercept that gaze with a frown, "He's not edible. I have some berries if you want those instead." Indeed, this small bowl was still mostly full and he arched a brow as he proffered the snack, "Nor are any other of my mimic lizards, thanks."

For his part, the ivy lizard skittered over to where Enekpe was and stopped just far enough that it could extend its neck and sniff at the curious creature without getting too close. A moment later it chirped curiously, cocking its head to the side. Something was different about this one... it took a step closer and chirped again, flicking its leafy tail.

Tsunake

The priest was attempting to keep his breath slow and steady, the sound of Hjava’s voice slowly filtering in through the blood roaring in his ears. From the sound of it, she was dazed now, and he was too overwhelmed to even feel the slightest bit of satisfaction. None of that mattered anymore—nothing but Him.

Amber eyes flickered to the mortal that He called forth, watched him beckon to the woman as though to lead her away.

It was the young mortal that captured his attention, and Mang felt a horrible twisting of guilt that he could not quite place. It felt somehow familiar, a scene like this, but there was that name again, just on the tip of his tongue. Aristo...? He had failed his Lord, he knew it--and that failure extended far beyond being given this second chance.

Jarred out of his slight stupor by the dragon’s puzzled tone, Laurence refocused on Lord Creation, wanting so badly to say something to Him, to confess his weaknesses, but words still wouldn't come. And somehow, that was all right.

It was enough to merely gaze upon Him for now.

NinetailedNightmare

His eyes drew back to the conversation at hand when he heard the female stumble for words to say. She'd been quite the bigmouth up until now, even daring to snap back at a creature who could probably snap her when she swaggered right on past him. She had the gall to kick the door of not just a god, but supposedly that of the God. And now that she was before him, he had but to speak her name and she quelled. James didn't see her tremble, but there were tears in her throat. Something in him softened a little, satisfied but in some ways confused by her change in demeanor. Was it her nerves finally caving in on her? Or had she truly been stunned by the visage the deity presented, the aura that seemed to exude from him from on high.

The first Harmodius seemed to tell the girl was that she could cut the tough-girl act, not quite threatening to 'judge' her if she continued to act out. He hailed a man he had not noticed from nearby to help her further, which seemed a dismissal of sorts to him. But what did he mean, similar cloth? Both human? Surely not related. What stuck with him the most, though, was Creation's statement about the gods- perilous, wise and wicked both. This was not the standard of most Earth religions, who held their gods as perfect and above all human fault. If these gods could be wicked, then... the closest he could equate them to would be the theology of the Greeks, the Romans, or the Africans. There were other religions he had heard of that would fit the category as well, but they were not of Earth and this place seemed to be so very similar to that planet that he did not dwell on it for long.

Green eyes slid to their corners to observe Laurence, quite obviously stunned and reverent. He looked like he wanted something, but was too polite to say yet. Creation seemed, at the moment, very formal to James. He had ignored the words of the twig-bearing man, though he wasn't certain if that was because he was trying to address someone else at the moment. Get the upstart out of the way, as it were. Perhaps the twig-man simply was not worthy of attention, but when he looked over to him, the aforementioned humanoid did not seem offended. Perhaps he was used to it, or afraid to. Where he came from, his lords were tyrants. They would ignore or praise as they pleased, offering no respect to anyone but themselves. Even the leader they had assigned to represent his race was a toy. One moment they could dote on it, bolster it, and in the next just toss it aside in a fit of impatience. The Tzech, unlike the Esarians, could be moody. In a way, they were gods with how much they had accomplished. Everyone handled power individually, and it seemed to him that if these were indeed gods, they were power. What had that Yu creature said? That Harmodius welcomed all of the ones he created? But how did he welcome them? Certainly not equally, if the hierarchy of species and the distance between this world and the next was any indication.

As Hjava was ushered off, he lowered his gaze again to his hands. What would happen now?

Ivynian

" So it must be, unfortunate but true, that in this untimely hour I must turn away my children whose eyes and minds should not be profaned by too raw a sight or sound. Here in this sanctum I am less bound. So it is, fair sons reborn of scales covering second flesh.....you come unto me new again and hale. "

"And in good company of strangers who study of our names and ways and would not in truth be whole unmanned by sight of Us. "

Creation stood from the striving mana flows and laid his hand down and out to Yu, palm up in beckoning, " Pillar, it is by my side I must entreat, that I can stand as even my strength flows in this time outward to the many. "

"Welcome, Glyph, and good morrow to you as well. My company is ever strange and wondrous, but no complaint will you find on my part. And you, sirs, kneel so and do not speak. Speak, else I will have no knowing how better to attend you then to hobble as I might to find you softer surface for your joints."

Syrie

Though the Dragon was watching the two small-potential (but not really) food-sources in the room, he was finely tuned to Creation and the mana coming off him. "Always, Lord." When He called for Yu, he moved, swiftly, to His side. Support called, support given in the guise of a thick, furry head rubbed against the beckoning hand and a solid form that would serve it's purpose beautifully.

The raw mana zinged about the Dragon King and made his fur crackle in a pleasant but distracting manner so that one set of his eyes slowly narrow closed - the other set first turned up to gaze at Creation, then down again to Glyph and the other, kneeling hosts. Yu smiled, fangs bared in a non-threatening way. See? Good doggie.

SkieBorne

"Nor will you find complaint in me." Glyph replied to Harmodius with smile, "I think I shall visit more often. My travels take me beyond the Pantheon often of late... the walls can be too confining even in these airy halls. I prefer the wilds, but I think perhaps I should return more frequently. Apologies." He nodded his head, though his tone spoke of an earnest interest to visit Harmodius more, especially if he kept such delightful plant creatures as company - anything of that sphere intrigued the god - and he would not deny that being near such raw, creative essence improved his mood and energies greatly.

Turning from them, then, he looked to the newcomers and bowed slightly, "Welcome! I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Glyph. Forest. I pale in comparison to Lord Harmodius but I have food and shelter to offer if you need it. Leave word with my aoidei behind the door with the golden wood on it." He ran a hand through his hair then, "Just, ah, not the single tree. That's right beside mine and belongs to Xun and I don't speak on his behalf." Another smile then as he met their gazes, "Pleasure to meet you!"

Tsunake

A silence had filtered through the gentle atmosphere of the greenhouse, if it could even be called as much, but Harmodius soon broke the silence. Laurence hung onto every word without realizing it, struggling to understand, to comprehend. Less bound? Was that the reason He had sent Hjava away—as a sort of protection to herself? And fair sons reborn of scales—was He referring to Shuo? And studying strangers could have easily been James.

He called for Yu then, spoke something about His strength, and man and dragon observed with varying degrees of awe as the black behemoth complied and his sleek fur seemed to crackle just from being so close to Him.

Words still failed him as his eyes flickered to the one called Glyph, and Laurence immediately remembered being told about him. The Forest god, just as Illisia had said. He knew his judgment was too clouded to tell whether or not the other was sincere, but he trusted the elfin woman, and would silently bow his head to the Forest. Later, perhaps, when he was a little more focused, and a little less overwhelmed. If he was right next to Xun and Illisia’s door, then it would be a simple, effortless thing to find and meet up with him.

Sensing Laurence could not yet speak, Shuo would lend his voice, and the deep, sonorous tone did not hide the joy he felt. “My Lord.” The dragon breathed, and Laurence tilted his head down a little further, as though to hide both of their shame. “I have come before You to announce my return, to lay myself at Your feet. I am Shuo Huang Zhe, now, Mang. I do not... remember, my Lord, but I feel—I know that I have failed You, in more ways than one.”

“I wanted to beg Your forgiveness.” The priest suddenly rasped, his voice rough with emotion. “For being weak. I never doubted You, Lord, but I couldn’t—“ He broke off, hatefully staring at the floor for a moment until he could compose himself, speaking in more level, almost monotone notes. “I never lost my faith. ...I’ve taken your dragon, and I’ll help him, but only for You. I’ll prove myself to You, again.”

NinetailedNightmare

Unbeknownst to Shuo and the others who had gathered in the presence of Creation, Harmodius' first words seemed to eerily reflect some of James' own thoughts. The Esarian blinked with mild surprise, trying to decide whether or not it was truly just a coincidence. It sounded like it could be a statement that simply went with the departure of Hjava, and very well may be as simple as that. Was it possible that a god could read his mind? Yes, he decided, it was not impossible to decipher a mind if one had the proper abilities or equipment. He had known of a species who read the brain waves of one another to communicate. He had a brain, ergo it was possible that Harmodius could read it. Was it likely...? No, not really. Who would want to bother reading his brain? But then, he did mention something about a stranger studying them, and if that wasn't James, he didn't know whom Harmodius was referring to. Just how much did Harmodius know, he wondered, how boundless was his knowledge and how did he come by it? Had he been told of them or, more strange yet, had he been expecting them? Did Creation's power go so far as to shape every part of their existence? It seemed improbable. Was he like the Christian's God, where he was all-knowing and all-powerful? Or was he merely limited to his title, just creating something and letting it go free from there? James wasn't sure and almost wished he could have more distinct proof for either way. But then, all gods he'd ever read about disdained showing their powers upon request. Oh, they would use them to prove a point more than once, but never when specifically challenged.

The god went on to address them all in turn, first Forest, who introduced himself as Glyph. James dipped his head in acknowledgement to the leafy god, mulling over what he divulged to Harmodius. If Glyph traveled a lot, perhaps he could be of some assistance to someone who had travel considered as an option, as well as the intrigue to get started on some sort of geographical map. Perhaps Glyph could also tell him what he knew about certain flora and fauna before James got around to going out there himself. It was something to consider later, so he tucked the god's room location into the depths of his mind and made a note to bother him some time when he was free.

The Yu-creature slunk over to Harmodius in haste, bypassing the plants that had once made to block their passage. Pillar, he called him, and the canine-like creature put his head obediently in the pale hand. So gods could be like furniture to one another? Or just to Harmodius. Interesting. It suggested a hierarchy of gods, then, aside from just Harmodius and the other gods. He'd have to ask someone later.

James perked a little as Harmodius addressed them, his lips drawing thin with wan amusement at the god's statements. Hobble indeed. For them? Perhaps for Shuo, who would mean something to Harmodius as a Dragon King, but not for him. To back the thought up, Shuo and Laurence began to explain their situation to Harmodius and their concerns. It was something he hadn't been told, and something he tried quite hard to keep his curiosity from now.

"Assuredly, Lord Creation, the shape of my joints and my reason for coming here are not so pressing. Suffice to say, my name here is James and I'd rather see Sir Shuo and Laurence taken care of first. Should it suit you, of course." He said carefully, keeping his tone level and demure even as he offered a slight, humble smile.

[khiarhu]

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