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 Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:54 am
"Well spoken," Tian Yue rumbled, bobbing his great head in Cosine's direction. "This council must also not war within itself... yet a fair representation must be made." He deliberately did not look at Phaedra; it was true that she was a contentious creature, but she had not spoken any lies before, and the social pressure to get along might well temper her passions. For a while.
"The factions of 'good', of 'evil' -" here he did look at Phaedra; the goddess returned his gaze with a cheerful, fanged smile. "Such leanings must be respected, yet our enemy is not bound by such terms. Name them unbelief, name them ending, name them traitor." The fur along his spine rose in a great wave as he spoke of the Grigori.
"And yet, Night speaks true as well." Tian Yue looked at those who had volunteered. "In the Ages past, I sat on many a Council. Bureaucracy does not tend towards efficiency. A council, yes - but not one of great size, and tempered with other roles. Those who seek information, reconaissance. Those who liase with mortals and others. Let us not be bogged down in governance; let us govern."
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 12:22 pm
Xia Lu Ling had bowed his head in acquesance; it was a heavy yoke placed upon his great shoulders, to gather intelligence on whom those with will wished to be governed by - and how!. But great as the charge may have been, it was one well suited to the imposing looking beast and better yet still, to the Dragon Yu Five Claw. Yu's scales and fur rippled; oiled silk over iron sinew. "As you wish, it will be done."
He patiently waited to listen to the first murmurs of talk; surely it would start with one...then two...and spread like wildfire - who would stand in Harmodius' stead? Aris should have, oh yes...Aristogeiton, the reluctant one! Yu's draconic gaze sought out the mortal once-lover of Destruction, reborn and so like a babe in so many ways. His ears pricked back to listen to Tian Yue offering up his broad shoulders for the job - but would all follow him? Briefly did Yu wonder but that he was most suited, being Harmodius' voice to the gods as Mang had once been the voice to mortals...but he waited to see who else would step forward.
Yu Five Claw listened as all spoke, then lifted his head to speak for himself:
"A Council of Five is wise and fair. I propose a mortal with good intention, a god with a duplicious nature that yet can be aimed, like an arrow, to strike where it is needed. Another god, strong but quick of wit and tongue to manage and be managed by the duplicious one. That leaves two places for consideration...One close to Harmodius should be party to this, knowing Him best, being closest during all of the day." He paused and snaked his head around a bit; still in dragon form, he was smaller than Tian Yue by more than half...and yet he was not small; he wanted to be sure all were hearing his words - and all would for he could command; his voice carried as it had for ages on end.
"I do not say - nor insist - that such a person be me. I would take the place, yes...but there is another...Endiovar of Silence could take that place. Not so closely as I, but he could fill the need. Aristogetion...I would propose to be the mortal, yet he seems distant now." Yu's claws clicked against a stone underfoot. "The Final of the five...Should be one that knows how to hurt, to heal...that understands war, strategies, for we shall need all of that and more."
Having spoken his piece, Yu settled back to let the discussion continue.
When Harmodius had called to Zhijian for a mount, Endiovar had stepped back further still, the blades used to cut Creation's hair clutched at his breast. Those words - words that set the crowd to buzzing, set the tongues to wagging and those secret hearts and minds and thoughts to start coming forth. Tian Yue, Phaedra...Enekpe's goddess...many others speaking and counter speaking in turn. For himself, Silence was wondering if perhaps he shouldn't speak up - a council he would do well with, at the very least he would do it no harm.
Hearing Yu Five Claws speak his name as one that should be there - one of several able to take that place, he stepped forward again, seeking to find a spot where the others would see that he was in fact participating. "I would stand with a council of five, I could follow decisions reached by such a team...as long as the members were well though out and chosen carefully. I will not follow blatant greed, hate or warmongering. Unfair to think that any of those three should be wiped out entirely - and I say now, that is not the purpose. Such things have a time and a place...and that is not now."
"We need to continue the revitilization that Harmodius has wrought, the beginnings came from his hands, from his mouth...and now we have been tasked not only to continue in this, but to prepare ourselves for Grigori attacks." Endiovar had spoken more then in a great long age, but the effect his voice had on the amassed crowed was impressive; a quiet like the grave had stolen over all...one might have been able to hear a cricket chirping - or the sound of the massive Dragon King's scales as they moved.
He looked around at the crowd gathered, eyes touching each one he saw clearly. "It is a great thing that Harmodius has asked of us, I wish only to see that we treat it as such...and that whatever we decide, be it a triumvariate, council or other, that we adhere to His will and wonts." Still clutching the sheers, Endiovar bowed his head a bit; he was catching his breath!
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 12:28 pm
To Ashoka, this was all fascinating - difficult to keep up with and headache-inducing, but fascinating nonetheless. There were so many possible combinations of gods, and countless possiblities among them. Her gaze flashed from speaker to speaker, and her ears flicked every which way. When the twiggy god spoke, she became especially interested - and Yu, well, of course he had her attention.
The possiblities all tended to blur together, but she blinked in surprise when one stood out to her for no reason other than who was in it (as always, it was near-impossible to see the outcome of anything when gods were involved), and then a little smile spread. Maybe...that wasn't such a bad idea.
"I could do it," she said, almost to herself, then seemed to remember that she was sitting and stood, then tried again, "If you want a mortal, I could do it. If he doesn't want to." If if if. Of course, there was a strong possiblity that she was also a little too off for the tastes of most. But it pleased her to be a possibility, however faint and unlikely.
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 12:39 pm
His task was done, and then his lord was gone, carried by his brother, and he couldn't help but feel a small bit of sorrow. But he would return.
They just had to make sure to keep all well in that time. The small dragon laid down, near the wellspring he'd created - it was his hope that it would flow freely for all present to benefit, be it mortal or deity - and listened.
"I also believe a council is the best idea." However, he did not put himself forward. There were others much better suited for the roles, and he would support the chosen ones in any way he could, be they brothers or not.
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 1:09 pm
"The Pillar speaks wisdom," Tian Yue declared. "I, too, do not insist on being part of this Council; indeed, it may be that I am best suited to other duties. As our Lord the Twin Crown said, you will need protection. There are no scales better suited to that task than mine own." He lifted his head a bit in pride.
"Oh, wise indeed," Phaedra said, cheerfully. "Let me strike, noble ones; in all the Pantheon, you will find none more duplicitous than I." She claimed the word boldly, a predatory smile bright on her face. Nobody was going to dispute that, she was quite sure.
Tian Yue wasn't going to, that was certain. "Who among us is warlike and strong in such things?" the Dragon King continued, after Phaedra had finished her grandstanding. War there was, but he had not been heard from in long months; their own General, Great Chien-Tang, was much the same. "Where is the Wild Hunt? Has he come to stand among us?" His head swept, searching the crowd for a green form. "I have heard also of victories won in other worlds, by the hands of Underworld, Music, and Light..."
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Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:15 am
Glyph listened as still more stepped forward and was pleased to see so many willing to step up. Not entirely surprised, but still pleased. As the dragons spoke and Yu put forth requirements for the five Forest gave a nod. A Council he could sit on, but he did not need to be on the seats - he could be just as effective without being tied to a ruling body.
Agreement over a Mortal Councilmember rolled through their ranks and he smiled, looking to Endiovar as he spoke. Those words resonnated with Forest. Ever since the worlds had begun to renew themselves, Glyph had been growing, wandering, following his nature and restoring what he coould with his yet limited powers, seeding the beginnings of future groves and sprawling woods.
He cleared his throat and spoke again, "If five is to be the number and so many have volunteered, perhaps a vote among those gathered now - or in a short while - could ensure the Council represents the interests of the populace best? I certainly do not insist on being a member of the Council, but I intend to help in whatever way I can. I think that goes for most of those present?" Glyph looked around then back to those who had stepped forward, found the mortal who had spoken and smiled to her to acknowledge her offer of help.
He wondered where Judgement had gone, casting his gaze out over the gathered gods and mortals alike with a mild frown. His friend would likely blossom in such a leadership role but he had not heard from the god in a long time. Glyph did, however, see Xun curled up around his wellspring and Forest, finished with speaking, melted back into the crowd to move over to sit beside Lifewater, a kind smile playing across his lips as he gave a nod of greeting.
Turning his attention back to those speaking, Forest listened with curiosity to the debate.
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Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 12:33 pm
“If he doesn’t want to.” Aris snorted from his seat in the bowl of the orator’s walk seating. He stood and walked back, cutting easily through much of the crowd of mortals and Aoide with glance alone. They had seen him play part, knew him as what he supposedly was. “Listen to all of you! From highest god to lowly. One alone understands and grasps her station, Greed. “
“You are gods.”
“Respect and honor are one thing, and have their need and time …and place. But are you all so afraid of stepping on toes? So afraid of petty strife that no one will offer themselves forward without a ‘ if others will it’, ‘could’, ‘if offered it’. Mincing words! Weasels groveling with bellies in dust and s**t left of the realms. The Grigori have already won if this is who will face them. You sicken my heart that we of lesser glory…we third comers and third blessed of divinity must rely on you, worship any of you for guidance and aid. You who will only take scraps offered from the table of lords that sits full of derelict chairs. “ His bright eyes were like furnaces, the fury and passion of mortal flame quickened.
“Make no mistake; Samyaza would laugh at all this pandering. I laugh at it. “His mouth was more torn into sneer than anything else. “ I have no wish to serve on your fool council. To serve any of you, better forgotten to the past as you have forgotten yourselves. Let odd Cowspot do it, and may she serve you well, fitting as her wise-fool complacency is. “
“Remember of the Fading. “ He lifted his hand before gainsay could come of that, “As it has paralyzed you all, rather than let you learn from it. It was not that you were too strong that you fell. It was not that you were overbearing and over proud in whole either. It takes many chips at the base to topple a pillar. And you are all so afraid of it. Where is Fear, that they should stand at head of this ….gaggle. “
Honking geese awaiting slaughter without their goose girl.
“Phaedra...you have my whole support. You understand what is at stake. You know the good and the bad of your domain. You show the majesty and will of a God.. Council, “ it was sneered, “ of five or otherwise. “
“The rest of you are hardly worth the stones you’re made of.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 2:19 pm
“You are right.” Cosine had listened to the speech with a sense of revulsion for this ... man and his words. “We must have gone soft for you to feel comfortable to throw around such crude, uneducated insults.” Her lip curled into an expression of disgust. “There is no shame in reason, discussion. In Unity. You think it would be better if we were all yapping at each other’s throats? ” She smirked a little. “We must stand together if we are to bring them down. How can we stand together behind a goddess that half will not follow? That half do not trust? I respect her decision to step forward, her reasons. But such deep divisions, deep mistrust would only cause weakness.” She flexed her wings. “One is lonely, unbalanced, it brought the Grigori upon us. Two is balance, unity, strength. Five is action. There is one thing. However, I do agree with. It is time to make a decision. We want a council, that has been determined, I have said I will stand, Phaedra has said she will stand. Who else will stand true to themselves, not as a reserve?”
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Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:14 pm
Hah! A bold strike, with bold words! Phaedra liked this mortal, this once-consort of her Emperor. Such boldness moved her as well, spurring her to extend her reach. "Good Aris has the right of it," she laughed, flashing a hungry, approving smile in the mortal's direction. "There is a time when making words dance in thrall is proper, and there is a time when it is cowardice, obfuscation, bureaucracy. Let us speak bluntly and end this mincing, cordial dance! I wish for power, to hold and keep and wield, and no Grigori b***h will snatch it from my claws! My very nature is my guarantor in this. Now, my lords, tell us of your true desires, and claim them," she purred. "Then bend, or do not, as you will."
It was obvious from the predatory delight in her voice that Phaedra would not be among those bending.
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Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:22 pm
Neva laughed as the Consort proceeded to give the assembled deities a crude dressing-down. How spirited a creature; how amusing! Such a perfect plaything, had he not belonged to their dual-natured Creator, but a good representation of what mortalkind should be after the trials they had suffered and survived in recent years. Such potential. Such spirit.
"I find myself agreeing with the mortal," Neva said, a smile lingering only in the corners of her upturned lips. "We are, essentially, at war with an enemy who will not set forth Ages-old grudges to negotiate terms. They will be far less forgiving than the majority of you seem prepared to be.
I would not put forth a vote for those with specific character traits simply for the possession of them," Neva continued. "We require strong leadership, not a council full of those who are on the fence with their ideals and opinions for the sake of diplomacy. Neutrality is the excuse of those who lack the temerity to make difficult decisions and enforce them, and stand by them without apology. We do not need neutrality--we need ruthlessness. If you cannot find it within yourselves to truly lead, then perhaps you should...what is the phrase? Get out of the way?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:37 pm
When acknowledged by the god-that-used-to-be-Malh'reth, Ashoka smiled and waved her fingers. And how interesting when the cut mortal, Aris, finally spoke. Everyone else had been mostly-polite, but he wasn't - and apparently he didn't approve that the others had been. Different was really rather delightful, as was someone who seemed to understand what was at stake. Most would say they did, but it was only in the abstract; no one ever really believed the worst would happen until it did. But the pard believed it, she could see some of those worst things.
Aris' comments did not offend her. She was indeed cow-spotted - such a clever comparison, she was disappointed she hadn't thought of it herself - and odd, the rest...correct to some degree. The Prophet had always observed before, watching everyone else's possiblities, and never participated. But offering now was not complacent, and she was not a fool. She was strange, but not foolish. Regardless, she was not upset like the Number-Goddess. She was not sensitive.
"I will stand. I am more than my spots." Ashoka flared out her wings, glancing in Yu's direction for a moment. Would any of the gods still want a mortal when it was not Destruction's mortal? "You say you want a mortal. I'm a mortal. I'm a Prophet. I know what no one wants to think, I see it, that we really can lose." Not how, not the valuable details, for any number of reasons, but she saw enough to know that it was Very Bad. "I want to survive. I want my pardmentlings to survive. I can't see everything, but I see more than gods."
Enough to make her odd, but not incapable.
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Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:11 pm
Itztlac had endured Cosine's response to his criticism quietly, not wishing to enter into an argument with someone who clearly would never see the point, but when Aris spoke up and others agreed with him, he felt partly vindicated and partly affronted. He had objected to the 'neutrality' of it all, but clearly none had bothered to listen save to be insulted.
Night sneered, stomping one heavy hoof. "And such a councilmember you would make, Goddess of Numbers, so quick to perceive criticism as insult, and to insult in turn rather than see past the 'offense' to the truth beneath. If that is how you answer sense, however it is phrased, perhaps you are not as neutral as you say. Perhaps you are not as useless as that neutrality would make you - you clearly have fire, so own it."
"Phaedra has the right idea. If any would be part of this Council, prove yourselves. Give us reasons - real reasons - to support you. Our survival depends on the choices we make here, and I think I speak for all when I say we will not make them lightly. And for everyone not 'volunteering': ask the questions you've been holding back. Make your decisions informed ones."
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Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 5:16 pm
Cosine raised an eyebrow in amusement. They were pandering still, to Aris. Was that not the same as pandering to each other?
"His words disgusted me, that is true. Though I cannot see how any of you cannot be insulted by that crude analogy. Do you believe yourselves no better than weasels. Do you think yourselves unworthy?" She shook her head and smiled a little. "Think what you will about me. I have stood by my belief from the start and that is Unity. This arguing will do none of us any good." She spoke calmly as she was not upset as others might think. she was merely making her point. "I have said where I stand. Number effects many domains, it can strengthen them, Greed included."
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Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:46 am
Hard flung words coming from the mortal consort; never more had Yu wished to sink his fangs into mortal flesh. His muzzle gnarled, his teeth skinning back to reveal oh-so-red teeth. The dragon arched his neck and snaked his head down squarely before speaking again. "You have quite the sharp tongue, tender flesh. It is good that my hide - that of my bretheren - are thick enough to withstand it." He snaked his head over to Phaedra, thinking a moment.
The dragon was quiet for long moments before the rumbling came up again. "Very well, blunt you want and blunt strength We need, I will agree. As to worth," His multiple sets of eyes closed briefly, only to reopen; draconic muzzle skinning up in what could have been grimace or grin, "know you that these "worthless stones" brought Creation back from the brink. There is more to this...'gaggle' than you or any man may ever know." Yu had planned not to step forward as a leader, but to aid whomever in power...but he would prefer not to be under Phaedra's rule without a balance - even for a Dragon King like Xia Lu Ling. "
As for Aris, the dragon could look at him again without picturing the man with his claws ripping him open, disembowling the mortal even as his great fangs tore open that great pulsing jugular vein...the hot spray of his blood flowing across Yu's tongue: coppery metallic and oh so sweet.
Aris' words were very sharp - sharper still the manner in which he addressed them. Harsh words, but the mortal was correct: they wasted time going back and forth. Phaedra was very strong, powerful - and ruthless, yes, they needed that. But he also knew temperance was necessary even in the hardest of times - one strength backing the other.
He took two steps forward, head high. "I will not follow Phaedra unfettered, she must have a foil lest she lead us all to destruction. Yes, I know the stakes - and I still believe this. Do you think Samyaza moves alone? That she is the lone Grigori? She took Gaia's arm, we know she sought to bring more of her kind. We have been complacent more than long enough to allow for her to bring in other Grigori." The pale-faced god paused, looking for all the world like a piece of graveyard statuary until he moved again, walking closer to Phaedra.
He turned halfway back to the others, certain that Greed would not want another in her way, but just as certain that she should not be the only one! "I do not profess to be a warrior, but I have a calm head for tactics. We need sword and sheath now...our shield already in place thanks to Tian Yue." With his body language, Endiovar seemed to be placing himself forward.
"Tell me, Phaedra...will you relinquish your control willingly to Harmodius upon his return? You are raw with your desires, can you put them back to their place when the rightful ruler returns?" Were they all going to end up bowing to Phaedra alone? Not all seemed to want a council of five - Aris, the goddess of winter, Phaedra and Tlac seemed to want only one in charge. "I will stand. Alone, with Phaedra, on a council."
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Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:30 pm
Aris' sharp words drew Glyph's attention and he stood once more, regarding the mortal with a sharp gaze. Around him the other gods began to puff and bustle and be offended. Forest, however, shook his head. "You say we are worthless? We brought you back, we staved off Gehenna, lost close friends, struggled on your behalf. Many of us were still trapped within our stones when the End was falling and yet we marched on and you call us worthless? Spineless?" He snorted, head tilting to the side, "Would you follow Greed simply because she speaks strongly, boldly, knows her domain? I assure you, might and will need not be loud to achieve results. Remember she is Greed and Greed does not give or let go. I know this Firsthand, little one."
Glyph looked up then, regarded Phaedra evenly, "I will not see Phaedra unchecked. Greed run amok ruins worlds, poisons them, rapes and pillages the land, the people." He wore a curiously serious expression, strange on the usually-smiling face, "We need to combat the Grigori not play at power games. I know Phaedra, have a history with her." There was weight in the words as he recalled his interactions with the goddess, "I have already suggested those that stepped forward for the Council should be among them. I will stand - I have traveled much, lead mortal and god alike before, and you will need the resources I have to offer. You will have the help of the woods in your tactical maneuvers, the aid of the land itself insofar as I can reach. And I am not bound by moral directive and so can act as needed - in benevolence or malevolence. There are reasons mortals fear and respect the woods." He cast his gaze back to Ari then, daring him to counter what he said next, "Regardless of what the decision is, I will not stand idly by and let the Grigori act freely, nor will I let Greed alone rule in Creation's place. Forest will not simply fall or bend nor do I need to be directed by a Council or single will to make a stand. Regardless, united we are stronger, especially now when so few of us have reached full bloom."
He looked to Cosine, gave a nod, leaves rustling softly as he moved to stand beside Silence, "I will stand."
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