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As Tanee reached towards the magenta light, Uzume let out a little scream of delight. Effortlessly gliding towards the girl, Uzume looked at Tanee with an enigmatic smile.

"You, m'dear, have chosen Hasya! The path of Hasya is that of mirth. Is that what you want?"

Uzume circled the girl a few times, her dark hair glowing in the pink light.

***

Höðr looked on, as Theron's face underwent a multitude of changes. From confusion to apprehension and back again. Moving closer, he opened his mouth again to speak. Perhaps he could help this one who seemed so torn.

"It is not easy to choose one choice at the beginning. But this choice is the beginning; it is from here you will grow and learn. The Tabula are a strange sort-- born from shattered Rasa, forming as blank beings. But you have the choice to form yourself into what you want to be.

You must dedicate yourself. The gods do not like half-heartedness."

***

Aurora nodded approvingly. Loki, at once, seemed more interested in the boy.

"Ah, what a smart one you are. And focused. I like that! I believe it's time for us to give you this."

Loki's right hand, outstretched, began to glow, as the black specks of light intermingled with the white. The light grew brighter still, until it was too bright to look at. And then, subsiding, a small object pulsated in Loki's palm. It was a shining, silver key, ornately decorated with delicate metal filigree.

"This is a key. It will help you grow. But do not rely upon it; it is a mere guide. I'm sure a smart boy like you will figure it out, at any rate."

Loki smiled, genuinely feeling a soft spot for this one. Oh, he was sure this one would find something to do with the key.

Key of the Savant

You wish to gain knowledge of all kinds.

Gain 1 XP: every time you learn a significant, new piece of knowledge.

Gain 2 XP: every time you use this knowledge to cause some sort of effect.

Gain 5 XP: if you risk something dear to your character to pursue more knowledge.

Buyoff: Pass up the opportunity to learn something significant.

***

In response to Ashwin's advance, the green light flared like unearthly fire. From the dancing, almost vengeful embers stepped a magnificently dressed woman, for which even the descriptor "goddess" fell short.

"Well. You are not at all what was expected. This, for one who chose the path of Bhibasta? Utter absurdity. You have no strength, no will, no passion. You have no experience, not of the world, of cruelty and of disgust. How are you expected to choose something such as this? Go over to Uzume or Aurora; their weak paths suit you well."

Amika was startled when the elderly man reached out to her. "Karuna?", said Amika, smiling a little as it sounded...just right to her. "But I do not know exactly what 'compassion' is, nor what bright light I have inside me that I myself can't see". "And my strength, I don't think I have such a thing like that..."

But Amika saw the elderly man's hand, reaching out, and she replied "I don't know what is happening still, but...I trust you". And with that, she reached out and held the elderly man's hand. "Do you also have a name, like me?"

"What is... mirth?" Tanee stared at Uzume. "I do not understand. I do not want to be like you. I want to grow... grow flowers." Was that possible? Could she do this mirth and still sit among flowers and be silent like them? Flowers did not 'mirth', they decorated and grew and were beautiful. She liked to think she was a flower.

She smiled at the pretty flower-key, and gingerly picked it up. Maybe the lady who had stolen the sun wasn't so bad after all. After all, how could anyone who liked flowers be bad? And happiness was a good thing, she presumed, especially when it was... tangible? Well, if it had to do with flowers, Tanee was happy.

"Joy is a pretty word," she said, "Pretty like flowers."

Ashwin could not help but stifle a small sigh. In all truh his previous fear while still inside was shrinking the more she spoke to him, replaced with more of a mandatory respect and curiosity about the fair woman. Though we was beginning to find her grand gestures and overall self-assurance a bit tiresome. Of course the confidence she let seep into the room from her own being might be the very cause of his own boldness.
"apparently I don't considering you're having to introduce us.."
He drawled out, but he did not once lose eye contact. a sign of weakness which she had previously spoken of and she was too enthralling to look at to be replaced with the view of this darkness.

So she was a queen? Weather this was merely her own idea or an actual title escaped his mind. Despite this chance idea of doubt to her words he could understand and verify the rest with what little knowledge and perhaps mere instinct he had. she herself was the imagery of the tainted illusions ofperfection, for if this were one she would of course not be the one in power and talking to him with as much notice and amusement in her tone as the sun has for a tiny man made fire on the earth. they were worlds part, yet it was possible something connected them right? he judged his answer, biting his lower lip.

"I want...I want to want something other than to know what I want." He sighed, it was an unitting answer even to him and it was very frustrating for her to ask a question he didn't know the answer only because he hadn't the chance to find the answer.
"I want to be as self assured and confident as you" He decided at last, standing up straight and meeting her faily in the eyes.
"to shake another being with a single sentance such as oh? 'you're not what I expected?'" he smiled, quoting her exact words.
"As for aquairing said traits, I'm a firm believer in the ends justifying the means."[/size]

"Pretty like flowers..." Uzume blinked and vanished, an elegant cream rose in her place on the white stone floor.

***

Surprised at the girl's innate warmth, Amotken's eyes widened just enough to be noticable.

"I am glad." He could not help wondering at the mystery of these Tabula, those whose intricate workings escaped even the gods. They were tied together, him and her, although he did not know if this was due to disposition or fate. "Not many choose the path of compassion; and when they do, less still truly feel it within themselves. I will not lie; it is difficult to put others before yourself. Would you do that, Amika? What would you do?"

***

"Confidence is what you want? Think about where you will get it. That is your challenge."

Key of the Self

You are dedicated to the self.

Gain 1 XP: every time you ignore the request of another in order to fulfill your own goals.

Gain 3 XP: every time you ignore someone in need for yourself.

Buyoff: By either saving the life of another or creating life, show compassion.

The blinding brilliance of the key, gilted in gold and edged with tiny relief, fought to outshine the goddess's lilting laughter as she faded from sight.

***

"I'm sure you will. Together, maybe not." Loki continued as Aurora gave him an elegant, pointed glare. "You won't miss us when-- ow!"

Aurora had just given Loki a sharp poke to the stomach.

"You are not to speak of that. The pantheon's designs are for the pantheon alone to know."

"Well then, suffice it to say that you will not be rid of the gods easily." Loki was still annoyed by Aurora's poke, and it crept into his voice. "Here. That may make you feel a bit differently."

He handed Sephiroth a small glass fox, with drops of black onyx depicting eyes. It was no bigger than the key.

"We really must be going now. The others seem to be finished as well. It will be interesting to see where this all goes." Loki was speaking more to Aurora than to Sephiroth as the two vanished, Aurora in a flash of light and Loki in a plume of crimson smoke.

The question would have received no answer were it not for the key suddenly offered. And for a moment, Theron seemed to only have eyes for it. It was a pretty little trinket, and now it was being offered to him. Theron didn't own anything but his skin right now, for even his clothes were not so much given as forced on him. This key he willingly took with some silent wonder, curling his fingers around the delicate thing and snatching it close to his chest just in case Höðr had expected to take it away at the last moment. Theron now gave his god a slow blink of his eyes, showing off those pale eyelashes while also seeming to consider anew the question he'd been asked.

"It all depends," He replied at length, the ice of his heart creeping into his tone and the gleam in the eyes he affixed on Sorrow, "On what those gods can do for me." A thumb stroked over the contours of his key thoughtfully, approving. Winter was not to be easily pleased with anything, much less with deities he knew nothing of. And he certainly refused to worship them. If it was any consolation, Höðr was at least being put up for consideration. Rebellious at the very start, Theron would only afford the other a final, chilling smile.