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 Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:25 pm
 It wasn't as though the Stormborn's lands were far from the coast. In fact, they were right on it. The problem was that Ru didn't think it would be a good idea to start his search for a sea monster in Stormborn lands. That was why he had decided to take a longer route to the coast. It would take them well out of the pride's territory, which was a bonus, and more toward where his previous viking had met up with Halvdan, which was probably for the better as well.
It was probably a good thing Ru wasn't scouting this morning, because he really wasn't paying very much attention to his surroundings at all, and was actually lagging a bit behind the rest of the band. That didn't bother him either, but mostly because he was unaware of his partial isolation. Halvdan was taking point, so they didn't need to follow Ru anyway.
As far as he was concerned, getting to the coast was not a problem. You could hardly avoid it if kept walking in the direction his band was headed. Ru's thoughts were already occupied with how they would find a sea monster. It wasn't as if they were known for appearing on cue or anything like that. Perhaps there was some way they could bait it, or summon it, or something.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:17 am
She had been cautious in her observations of the wandering captain and his band, not wanting to raise a challenge or get herself into trouble. Mneme was a goddess, yes, but she was not one of strong body or spirit. In that regard, she had to be clever. One false step, and… well. She might find herself experiencing her next life sooner than she expected.
For a while now, she’d followed the band as a bird. The little thing had shifted colors, and forms, hoping not to draw attention to herself. One bird following them would be suspicious, but different birds? That was… less weird, she hoped.
Sitting on a nearby brush, Mneme watched with empty eyes as the captain drifted backwards from the group. If she wanted to speak with him, one on one, this was going to be her chance. Drawing a deep breath, the little bird focused on steeling her nerves, and shifted.
The form she appeared in was not as honest as it may have been. While Mneme appeared as herself, she had… enhanced, in a way, her form. She was larger- in league now with these Stormborn lions- and strode cautiously up to the other.
“…Captain Ru, isn’t it?” Mneme called, keeping a safe distance from him. She unfurled her wings and stood a bit taller, making certain to appear proud. If she looked weak, she’d appear like a… wasn’t the word thrall? From her observances, that was what she’d gathered.
“I am The Goddess, Mneme. I’ve come to speak with you about your journey, and…” Hopefully the other lion would not hear her nervous swallow, as far as they were. Goodness, this was harder than she’d imagined it to be.
“I hope to offer my assistance to you.”
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:23 am
Mneme's caution had been effective. Ru, at least, had completely failed to notice that they were accompanied by any sort of avian for any portion of the journey so far. It had, admittedly, been a fairly short journey up to this point, but even so it was unlikely that Mneme's ruse would not have taken him in. Ru was not in the habit of paying attention to preybeasts.
At the sudden appearance of a strange blank-eyed female Ru's claws slid from their sheathes and the fur along his spine prickled. She had called him by name, more or less, and she bore the wings of a goddess. His experiences with deities so far in his life had been sufficient to make him wary, and so he listened as she spoke, guessing that as long as she was talking, she wasn't attacking.
"That is...interesting," he said when she had spoken her piece. Once more the training he had received from his outlander mother began to assert itself. "Of course it would be foolish to refuse the aid of a goddess, should she choose to offer it, but in this case I don't see why you would want to assist me."
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:03 am
Why was she offering to help him? Mneme wasn’t certain. She really wasn’t a fighter, and she wasn’t brave or strong. Really, the most helpful of her qualities were her illusions and flight. And those weren’t terribly impressive at all. Moving slowly, Mneme fell back into a sitting position, to assure the other she meant no harm. Somehow, she’d kept herself from jumping, but she’d seen his claws come out.
And she really, REALLY didn’t want a fight.
“I… have many reasons, Ru. Many of which I've gained in observing you thus far,” she began, a thoughtful tone in her words. Cocking her head to the side slightly, Mneme thought on those now.
“I’d like adventure, really. I’m not much versed in the ways of mortals, and this seems a good opportunity. And… your quest…” Mneme paused a moment, unsure of what to say.
“It seems daunting. Unfair, really, if you ask me. I know not what brought it on, but it seems you could use assistance. You also seem the sort of lion I’d like to assist.” Here, she smiled- a very soft and weak thing- as her thoughts wandered back to a conversation she’d had, some nights ago.
“I’m a bit taken with one of your followers, you see. He has earned my favor through his kindness and strength, and… if he sees something in you worthy of loyalty, I’d like the opportunity to discover it.”
Her smile, realizing the situation she was in, subsided slightly.
“If I need more reason, I’m certain I can find it. But that is what has brought me here.”
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:16 am
It probably was foolish of him even to ask the goddess to explain herself, but Ru got the impression that she was not the same sort of goddess he had encountered the last two times he'd met winged lionesses, and so he did not think himself in as much danger for impertinence as he might have been with one of them. Unless she was a very good actress, but that was a chance he was willing to take.
The idea that a goddess had been observing him was not a comfortable one, but Ru still found himself relaxing. His claws retracted and the fur on his back lay flat once more. She was not, at present, a threat, and so far she had given him no reason to think she might become one. Her reasons seemed pretty much like those he might have heard from a new reaver.
"I'm flattered," he said carefully. "And of course I welcome your assistance. I take it you know what is required of me?"
He did not ask her which of his followers had so impressed her. That secret was her own, and Ru didn't like to force people to reveal their secrets. He had plenty of his own that he preferred to conceal. Well. Not plenty. But a few.
"Do you have any ideas how you might be able to help?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:37 am
“A piece of the sky, a sea serpent’s tooth, a pirate king’s jewel, and… a god’s feather. I’d offer that, were I able,” she admitted softly, wings fluttering at the last item. Her wings had dust and power, but… no feathers to speak of. Sad, but there was nothing to be done about her nature. Folding her wings to her sides once more, Mneme continued.
“I am not as talented a fighter as you or your band, but… I’ve magic at my disposal. Should you need, I could be a great elephant,” she shifted form to an elephant, at this, to demonstrate, and couldn’t help but smile a bit. She was so glad Raiden had taught her this- otherwise, she’d been unable to offer anything. Focusing once more, she became a bird, and fluttered cautiously before Ru.
“Or even a small swallow, for the sake of scouting ahead unseen. Whatever it is you need of me, I offer my services.” Her demonstration done, Mneme fluttered back and became her (larger) self once more. She openly smiled at the captain, and couldn’t help but giggle a little bit.
“If you have a lion capable of shapeshifting and flight in your numbers, I’ll be impressed! And quietly take my leave. But… I believe these abilities may aid you. They’ve certainly helped me, before.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:28 am
"Thank you, but I actually have a god's feather, miraculously." Until Odd had given him the thing the morning he was to leave, Ru had been rather dreading the idea of plucking a god like a common bird.
He grinned. "As far as I know, there is no lion in my band who is capable of shapeshifting or flight, so the fact that you are capable of both certainly makes you useful."
He would have accepted her assistance even if the only way she could help was by waking people up in the morning. It was foolish to reject the aid of a goddess when it was offered. There were all sorts of stories of that ending badly for the mortal involved. Ru was relieved that what was being offered truly was aid.
"Is there anything I should offer you in return?" he asked. If the goddess's offer was not a gift, but a trade, he wanted to know now. There were some prices he would not pay.
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Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:10 am
“Oh! That’s wonderful news!” Mneme cheered up instantly, offering the captain a bright smile. She’d been entertaining the idea of talking to Raiden, but… he wasn’t too terribly fond of mortals. He’d just ask questions, and at her answer, probably end up laughing at her.
And that really wasn’t a pleasant thought.
At the question of her price, Mneme’s eyebrows shot straight upwards. A price? Oh goodness, no! Offering aid and then demanding a price just seemed terribly cruel! Other gods and goddesses likely did such things, but… the little goddess simply couldn’t justify that to herself.
“No no, not at all! I swear to you, Ru- is it alright if I just call you Ru?-Mine is not a treacherous offer.” Mneme offered what she hoped was an honest and kind smile.
“I really do seek adventure, and wish to aid you. Nothing more.” And that was true. If part of her motivation was speaking to Don more? Well, Ru didn’t need to know that. It wasn’t even a poorly intended action!
Just… getting to know mortals better.
“Is that fair?”
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Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 12:05 pm
"You may call me whatever you want," Ru said. "Ru is fine. Most people call me that."
Kazul liked his full name, but even she used the nickname. With her, though, it was a rarity for her to use Ru, except when they were speaking intimately. Everyone else used Ru to the point that sometimes he forgot his name was actually Ruzanski.
"I appreciate your largesse," he told the goddess. "I'm fairly certain you'll have no difficulty finding adventure if you accompany me and my band."
There were some words and phrases he was careful not to utter, despite the goddess's assurances that she was not seeking to trick him. He had been raised to be wary about thanking goddesses, just as he had been warned of the dangers of telling them his full name. Those things gave them power over you, more than they would ordinarily have, anyway.
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