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Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 6:53 am
Blood flowed through veins, roaring like fire from a furnace, searching for an outlet. Muscles, like pistons stretched and contracted, making precise, calculated movements. The body was an amazing machine, one of the best. The brain the control centre of it all. The most efficient workhouse, no slacking or coffee breaks. Constant work until that point where it wore itself out. Then again, it could not easily be replaced or mended ... but still it was impressive. Isambard was stuck contemplating such things. Residing inside the mortal, slowly urging his way through the inner workings of Creation’s machine. There were worst places, at least this mortal had some understanding of Industry, was an engineer himself. He would be easy to meld and instruct. A dutiful worker bee. “Well, this is West and I’m seeing nothing.” Ifan muttered, apparently there was supposed to be a foundry of some kind. Glassmakers, that’s what Nisha had said. He would have thought that a foundry would be rather obvious. look harder then, move, walk, search. That is what you were given feet for. The mortal teenager shoved his hands in his pockets and started down a path, through one of the refugee encampments because it was easier to just move than argue.
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Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 11:40 pm
Ashanti and Viira had chosen to stay around the Pantheon since their arrival, bunking with one of their peers until such a time as they got their own rooms... which Viira secretly rather hoped would never come. If Ashanti had his way, it would be unbearably hot then woefully cold and entirely too dry for her tastes. She'd rather sleep Famine's hearth then try to rest in the harshness Ashanti would demand.
She grumbled as they walked down into the refugee encampments as well - Desert had become infatuated with their work and their adaptation, especially the ones who claimed to be from a city called Baadris, lost around the time the sky disappeared.
That one has glass. Go ask him where he got it... the desert people claimed to be glassmiths. The god's voice was pleasant for once, cooler, likely because his curiosity had been piqued.
And, well, Viira couldn't deny her interest as well. Glass was a rarity among her people, reserved for important things rather then the countless baubles others seemed to collect it for. Steel, bone, and wood, those were the materials she'd lived her life on.
Drawing up to the stand, she smiled and took a moment to admire the work. It was coloured and beautiful, done up in the shape of creatures she didn't recognize. "What are these?"
The woman had been watching her as she browsed and perked at the question, "They are wind chimes... when the wind blows, they make sounds to bring you luck."
Viira gave a nod, "But these... the creature at the top?"
"Ah! Keriit, a type of sand dweller from home... they were said to bring luck to those who saw them. They swim through the top layers of sand in the desert, preying on the small creatures." The woman sounded more then a little home sick as she spoke and Viira looked away, unsure of whether she should comfort the vendor.
"And the desert? You come from the desert? Are you one of the Baadris people?" Ashanti asked suddenly, pushing past Viira's control with youthful enthusiasm.
Ashanti! She scolded, mentally glowering at the god as she found herself once more an observer in her own body.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 7:03 am
Ifan loved market stalls. He had grown up working one, selling goods, bartering for prices It gave him a rush of adrenaline like nothing else. Ignoring the god within him he paused at each of the small stalls that lined the pathway.
Next to him a woman enquired about some windchimes. They were fine works of art, made from pretty glass. Of course it struck Ifan that she might know of a foundry, though he did not ask. He listened to their conversation for a moment, his hand reaching to touch another trinket when the woman's voice changed. It no longer sounded female. He studied her a moment, not being particularly subtle about it.
She is like you.
Baadris. Nisha had mentioned that town. "The glassmakers?" Ifan interrupted.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 10:45 am
The woman blinked at the sudden change in tone and bearing, swallowing as she nodded, "I do....?"
The question went unanswered as a stranger broke in and Desert reflexively turned, his gaze settling on Ifan then narrowing a bit, annoyed at the sudden interruption, "Do you have business here? The people of Baadris work glass, yes, can't you tell?" He gestured at the glassware displayed in the woman's booth.
She looked distressed that someone would be so rude to a potential customer and shook her head, frowning, "Ma'am... plea-"
"Sir. I am sir... or Lord." His gaze flicked back to Ifan, looked him over and tilted his head as if awaiting an answer.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 7:00 pm
"It was just a question." Ifan muttered, clearly this god had also had a personality bypass. No wonder they had all faded. He looked the woman over and realised this would be him soon enough. Unable to control the god that was within him. "Lord of what?"
"Have some respect." The voice within him hissed.
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 11:17 am
At that, Ashanti smiled. The expression was proud and confident, and looked at home on Viira's countenance, indicating that while there might be solid differences between the two minds, there was some common ground albeit as of yet mostly unexplored. "Desert. I am the Eternal Dune. And what do you lay claim to, mortal?" His tone made it obvious he hadn't sensed Isambard and merely expected the host to list some trade or other inconsequential stake at importance.
The woman in the stall, however, had gone pale and bowed a little at the exchange. She'd been at the pantheon long enough to know the gods grew from small to large... and being from a desert planet, it was a surprise to so unexpectedly be faced with your Lord. Silent but observant, she selected the holiest symbol from the racks and laid it down, unnoticed, for Ashanti... wondering if the other man was another god in disguise as well. She doubted she'd ever get used to such casual run-ins.
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 2:45 pm
Lay claim to? Several things recently he thought. "I am Ifan, an engineer." he felt a mental nudge and sighed a little. "Host of Isambard, Deus Ex machina, God of Industry." He held his hand up to show the ruby gem embedded in his palm. "We are looking for the glass maker's foundry. I heard it was near this camp."
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Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 12:12 pm
"Engineer..." Ashanti echoed the word, attempting to make it sound like he knew what such a thing was - Viira's memory was woefully empty of such terms, unfortunately - and tilted his head at the display of the gem, "Ah, another spark to fuel the flame, hm? Isambard." The nod was clearly meant for the god.
At least acknowledge the host, you imbecile. Viira grumbled, mentally crossing her arms, Without me, there is no you, you realize. Likewise for others I would assume.
And without us there is Nothing. You would do well to remember that, Viira, Ashanti quipped then spoke, "A Foundry? One was built some time ago, from what I understand. To forge glass to give the Twin Crown. I do not know the location."
The woman pursed her lips as another god was named and sighed. Just her luck, a pair of bickering immortals at her stall front. Hoping to get the two to move away so business could continue, she coughed, "Ah, pardon Lords, but the Forge is away from the market, in the crafts sector. They built up around it after it was established... just head that way." Pointing off down the avenue, she offered a smile.
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 11:02 pm
"Indeed. Though it would be easier if they were as silent as coal and wood." it was the god that spoke this time. Testing his growing strength to push the voice of the host out of the way. "Still, I am finding this one quite malleable."
The information the woman provided was just what he had been searching for. He needed to see this centre of industry. He hoped it would aid his growing strength, he also wished to see how the world was recovering, how much work he had to do. "Thank you." He said to the woman who had provided directions. "You have been helpful."
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 11:30 pm
Ashanti scoffed, "Wood is not so silent as I would like, alas." Thoughts immediately went to Forest and his irritating... well, everything. "You are lucky then, to find a such easily worked material. Mine...." he glanced over his and shrugged, "Is forged steel, but alas even metal can be bent with the right pressure and temperature." A wicked smile played across his lips then and stepped away, offering the woman a nod of acknowledgement for her usefulness.
"Why do you search for the Foundry?" His tone became more conversational, more respectful as he paused a few steps off, hoping to join Industry.
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 12:11 pm
Isambard felt a little smug at the fact that he at least had a host who respected his realm. Then again to have it any other way would be inefficient and that was just not him. "Very very true. I am searching for the glass makers because I wish to take stock of the industrious mortals that exist around the pantheon. Perhaps gain strenth from their efforts. Analyse their methods and work on improvements." He was sure there would be many.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 2:18 pm
"Then our goals are aligned. I have also been making the effort to inventory and convert mortals. The Baadris refugees seemed a good place to start as they called my lands home." Ashanti gave a nod and continued on, "Do you plan on convincing them to build something?"
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:33 pm
"Yes. Well I will see. I hope to encourage them and others. If this world is going to rebulid effectively then they need to develop their industry." He paused, the effort to stay dominant in his new host's body was growing difficult. "Do you intend to return to their planet?"
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 12:56 pm
"To Baadris? Yes. It is entirely too green here." He smiled and gave a shrug, "Of course, depending on their cooperation and understanding of their place, the Desert may or may not welcome them so easily. I need to take stock of their attitudes and their aptitudes."
Ashanti continued to walk then, passing by stalls filled with everything from grilling meats and vegetables to fabrics, spices, baubles and toys, even emblems the mortals had crafted to represent the gods seen most frequently among the Pantheon. That was a good sign, at the very least - the symbols were crude in places, intricate in others, but the mortals were once more beginning to deal in the trade of Faith - as it should be as far as Ashanti was concerned.
Further along, the shops began to take on a more artisan flare - glassware, pottery, ironworks and metal offerings, leather merchants... it seemed the woman had spoken true. More permanent shelters had been built of wood and stone in a wheel-shaped layout around a larger, stone structure still under construction.
"I wonder if this is it..." Ashanti murmured.
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 2:15 pm
So desert was selective ... it made sense in a way. Isambard just needed people who were able, they did not even need to be willing. Slavery and child labour had done many planets well until 'Rights and Welfare' became the fashion.
The stalls intrigued him, it was good to see ingenuity. It gave him hope for his full rebirth. "What skills are you looking for in desert dwellers?" Isambard asked casually, he was intrigued, maybe it would do him some good to choose his projects carefully this time round.
He paused by the wheel, could feel the heat, the fires and sweat. Smoke trailed up from chimneys, the god of industry smiled. "Yes, this is the place."
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