[EDotD RP] Hall of the Undead King

[Thabara]

(( Yep, this definitely dropped off my subscriptions. And I'm sure I had to subscribed to it ... ))

Nergal inclined his head, taking the compliments for what they were.

„Thank you,“ he said quietly. „I am trying to make amends … to right the shortcomings of the Past.“ That confession, by itself, was a sign as to how much he had actually changed from his past self, even if the changes might appear subtle to those who had known him Before. Back then … would the gratitude the mortals felt at his gift even have touched him? He doubted it. He'd been too distant … Even now he shied away from their touch, their pleas. Had he not done enough for them already?

„And that is a boon,“ he admitted in response to his brother, his relief rather obvious. „I have tried to … mingle. But it seems my appearance either causes the mortals to take a wide berth to avoid me, or to approach me for something they want of me.“

[Syrie]

Nergal may have stated he was not restored to his full glory, but he certainly had been restored to something nearer to what he once had been...but with a temperance that had been learned the hard way during his rebirthing process. Even without knowing what had happened to Underworld at the hands of his captors (or even the events after), he could tell. Body-language, the unspoken words that he, politely, pushed aside so that he did not intrude upon his friend's privacy.

'I am certain that you will have success in this task, old Friend.' Endiovar smiled at the obvious relief that came from Nergal at Ankou's words - amusing, the way that the King of the Dead did his best to keep himself away from the throngs of people for the reasons he stated. 'You do cut quite an imposing figure...but I can imagine that would be distressing after a while.'

[Zero Dream]

It was hard not to be amused by that, really. Ankou, for his part, had no difficulty blending in for the most part, not exactly standing out to the mortals. Expecially not since Nergal had made his entrance.

But then, perhaps it had always been that way. He'd always prefered to blend in, and only stand out when it was important to do so. Being on the forefront, the source of all mortal attention, still made him a little uncomfortable.

The dead were a much different thing.

But then that also reminded him of something...

"Granted, it's easier to blend in when one does not tower over everything." Was it still possible for them to change their shapes as well ? There were vague memories of himself doing such, a long time ago. Easier to blend in this way, and souls were much more willing to follow something that seemed familiar. He doubted that had been a skill of his alone.

[Thabara]

„True that,“ Nergal responded to his brother's gentle teasing. „It- When I regained form, I found it impossible to pour my Self into a shape any smaller than this. It may still change, as I grow more accustomed to things.“

Truth be told, he'd rather liked the way everyone had gazed upon him, eyes wide with fear and awe, mouths hanging open. There was certainly nothing wrong with respectful veneration, the emphasis being on 'respectful', for the intimidating effect of his appearance hadn't lasted all that long. The moment he'd found himself at the center of a crowd, the mortals pressing forward eagerly to touch him, to offer their congratulations and praise, and to literally shower him with gifts in turn for his blessings …

„In some situations, however, it seems not imposing enough,“ he admitted sulkily, unconsciously rolling back his shoulders.

[Syrie]

Endiovar's gaze wandered back to the bright lights and figures sliding/twisting/moving apart from where they stood; life and death all together but seeming so very alive at that moment...he thought wistfully of his host. Were Colin still around, Endiovar could have given him a very precious gift tonight: he could have allowed the dancer to see his mother and sister one last time. One last goodbye for his family; perhaps even his former lover Adrian. But Colin was gone and only Silence remained and he did not mourn the dead (and likely none of them wished to see him.

'Oh? Is it so bad, Old Friend, to have them reaching with awe and reverence to touch the hem of your garment?' Teasing, he was really just teasing; his eyes bright and manner light, laughing.

[Zero Dream]

"Personal space is still a good thing." Ankou shrugged. It would have been oh so easy to team up with Silence and unleash teasing on his brother, but he actual shared the general idea. To a lesser extreme, but Ankou was used to blend in, and being in the spotlight...

Well, it did make him uncomfortable.

Just a little.

Not that he would admit it.

[The City of Brass]

„If it were only the hem of my garment they wished to touch, I would have been fine,“ Nergal muttered grumpily, either not noticing Endiovar's 'words' were meant as gentle teasing, or deliberately choosing to ignore it. Both was possible. In any way, he seemed to be taking things too serious, as per usual.

„But, let us stop of 'me' – how have you been faring, Silence? I have not heard from you, I think, since Priya returned. And what a strange tale that has been.“

[Syrie]

That Nergal was...cranky towards people wanting to touch him wasn't lost on Endiovar, but he decided that the best route on this subject was to let it fizzle out and let it alone.

"Ah, Well..." The blond dipped his head a little; things had been quite...restrictive since his return. That little jaunt with Priya had pretty much been the last time that Silence had been free to roam about as he pleased (or didn't). 'I have been well, if tethered to one or the other up until this time.' He shook his head a bit and looked from Nergal to Ankou and back again before continuing. 'The Dreamer's Guide was injured trying to reach inside that shell...only by staying at his side could he gain any sort of ease.' In the gestures with his hands and the subtle shifts in stance, it could be inferred that he had fairly lived at Revei's side. 'Once Creation returned, I spent some time with Him...he granted two requests and asked for but one in return. Though I know not what it is at this time, He let it be known I could not aid him as of yet.'

Too weak in this morphling form, somewhere between God and Host, yet fully one internally. Endiovar did not explain that to either of the men before him; both had - or were currently - going through the same thing.

A thought touched upon Silence and he brightened a bit, turning fully to face Nergal for a moment. 'And how is Priya? She was a wonderful companion and a credit to your realm while with me.'.

[Zero Dream]

Ankou listened, interested in the conversation. Revei was not one of those he knew personally, but it was still something worth knowing. Perhaps he and Dream would need to meet, one day...

The Guide had a look around - it seemed like no one had started to stem from the main ground so far, and so he focused back on the conversation, content to simply listen in.

[Thabara]

„Ah …“ Nergal nodded knowingly. He of all gods knew (or at least liked to think he did) all to well what it was like to be bound by duty and obligations. „It is good to hear, then, that recovery is underway. I would like to talk to him later, mayhaps, to pay my respects and on … business.“ There must have been relations between their realms, at some time. People did not refer to Sleep as the 'little Death' for nothing. There were … similarities between their realms, with the souls of the mortals remaining in one for only a night's length, and in the other … well, forever, potentially. And then there were those tales numerous, of the advice of the dead, granted through sleep and dream … „If you would send message perhaps, once he is fully well again?“

To have touched that … thing, truly touched, he did not want to think of the damage it must have wrought, the suffering it brought. Foolish, but also very brave to do such a thing. And what had he done? Better to change the topic.

„I do not know, honestly,“ he admitted, a little embarrassed upon Silence's inquiry. „The last I saw of her was the day I left to restore my domain, and I really only returned today.“ He had his doubts he would be able to catch up with what his aoidei had been up to until the festivities were over. He cast a quick glance at Ankou, however, maybe he did know? He had noticed their aoidei, both feline, one white, one black, were getting along quite well. A bit like Yin and Yang.

„However, should you require her services again …“ He inclined his head, the actual offer left unspoken. He hardly was in need of a bodyguard anymore, he could spare her. „She would be happy to volunteer, I am certain. She seemed … quite taken with you.“ That much had been obvious, even to him. Why was it that his aoidei seemed to be so eager to serve anyone but him?!

[Syrie]

'I would be most pleased to carry your message to Revei.' Endiovar did so enjoy being useful; he didn't often feel that he was...especially now. Creation had asked him what his purpose was - a question that Silence had been unable to answer sufficiently.

Knowing that Nergal was discomfitted by his question, Silence wisely did not press further. It was not his intent to cause his old friend to feel embarrassed about such things. 'I'm certain, Old Friend, that she has kept things handsomely while you have been otherwise occupied.' Green eyes did widen some; he had not quite understood that Underworld was so very recently returned! Returned shortly, but...to have just returned - to have just gotten to see his family again, well...that was another thing entirely.

Endiovar smiled up at his friend, wings rustling behind him as though to stretch slightly. 'I am quite fond of Priya myself...perhaps I will take you up on that again. Hue well could learn from Priya how best to serve.' Here he frowned and shook his head a bit at the Aoide that he and Priya had rescued...ah, how he had missed having servants that were able to serve in reasonable manners. Hue was still quite fractured and Endi had been spoiled not only by Priya, but also by Xedre - the spiderine Aoide that Destruction had loaned to him. 'Or perhaps I should send Hue to you, that he may learn better how to serve...'

[Zero Dream]

"Priya is well, from what I have seen of her." Ankou interjected, as if having read his brother's mind on that subject. "Jinx and her often train and spar together, if you are to look for her." That was about as much as he saw of the white feline. He was often gone himself, after all.

He did seem amused by Silence's last statement, trying to not smile at it, but not quite succeeding. That poor aoide would probably never expect what would be coming onto him. Nergal was hard to please... That much he knew.

[Thabara]

The irony of Silence acting the messenger did not entirely escape him; same went for the younger god's surprise upon the news of his very recent return. „Echo was with me, for much of the time,“ he explained, the affection he felt for Music blatantly obvious. There was a tinge of guilt as well, to have kept her for so long, when the mortals, their children, needed her … „I was not sure, not until I actually crossed the threshold between the realms, if I would be able to return with her. I have yet to find my children in this … crowd.“ He looked annoyed, and – for but a moment, before he managed to hide it again – simply tired.

„Perhaps we should trade aoidei at some time,“ he suggested, not entirely serious about it. A mild joke, more like. His brother's amusement at the topic was rather obvious. „Though perhaps not anytime soon. I may be too strict of a Lord to serve, given his …“ He paused, struggling to find a diplomatic wording for his doubts, but already knew that he'd ultimately fail. „As I understood, his mental state was rather fragile when he was found.“ Of course, Hue might have recovered some, by now. But, if anything, he wouldn't want to damage that servant's psyche any further.

Still … should Endiovar decide to take him up on that offer, he would not say 'no' to it. Priya had served well, she deserved something of a reward. And it was good to hear the feline knew well enough to not slack off in his absence, but to keep herself in form.

He craned his head a little, looking past Ankou and Endiovar at the small group of mortals which had gathered in a respectful distance, just at the edge of the festival grounds – putting their heads together and occasionally casting a nervous glance at the conversing gods, apparently trying to decide if, how and when to best approach the divinities. Inwardly, Nergal sighed. This was likely to be about him anyway, so he probably should approach them, save them the trouble.

(( Nergal was hard impossible to please... That much he knew.

Fixed! XD ))

[Syrie]

'That is good to hear, thank you Ankou, Nergal.' He would have felt very badly indeed had he been given sad news regarding Priya; the feline Aoide really had grown on him in the time that she had served him. Oddly enough, the two Aoide that were not his own were the ones that he felt a closer kinship to - First Xedre, then Priya. Granted, he had gone out to seek Hue in the Silent Forest...but Hue had served Silence before the Fading - and had since lost his mind (so far, only some portion had been 'returned' to the bat-winged Aoide though he was improving over time).

From Nergal's lips to his own; quite amusing that he was to deliver missives once more - a task he had taken upon his back during the Weeks of Gehenna: prayers to Creation, to Harmodius...to anyone...silent cries moved upon the wisp-wings of Silence. Messenger-boy. At least it gave him a solid purpose, something he lacked (or felt he lacked).

'Ah, then I should not be keeping you, Old Friend. Surely you miss your children and want to hold them once more...' Endiovar looked over through the crowd, jade coloured eyes searching for small forms. Impossible to see much of anything through the milling throng, but try he did. It was because of this he nearly missed Nergal's next words. 'Ah, yes. Hue is recovering, but...being trapped so long after the Fading....he is quite broken, I fear.' Endiovar dipped his head gracefully to acknowledge that yes, they should trade and also that they should wait. When Hue was better ready to take commands, to learn how to be....well, to be an Aoide again. Then, yes, then he could go and serve at the great bone throne of the Underworld.

There, at the fringes, mortals waiting for Nergal. 'I think, old Friend, that there are some with less time than I requesting your presence...' The blond's lips curved up into a smile; of the three gods standing, he was surely the least imposing looking and yet he was the furthest removed from power in this place. 'If I may, I would like to meet your children, but perhaps at a later date. When you have rested and your supplicants have less pressing need of you.'