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 Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:54 pm
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:43 pm
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Ranmyaku, Goddess of Mayhem? Either that or a Goddess of Wrath/Vengeance...
Not entirely decided, but I'm working on it... this one would fit with Kodoku fairly well, though.
eedeet:
Decided to put up form/info/whatnot like I've seen in some of the other threads to try and help me figure out what I want to do with it. *thwaps Mayhem for being so uncooperative on appearance stuff*
Haisyn Fierra The God(dess) Goddess of Mayhem, Ranmyaku
Diety Concept's Name: Ranmyaku (Japanese; English meanings: disorder (an), confusion, chaos)
Deity Concept Host:
Diety Concept's Influential Domain: Mayhem/Disorder
[American Heritage Dictionary via Dictionary.com]
may·hem (mā'hěm', mā'əm)
n.
1. Law The offense of willfully maiming or crippling a person.
2. Infliction of violent injury on a person or thing; wanton destruction: children committing mayhem in the flower beds.
3. A state of violent disorder or riotous confusion; havoc.
[Middle English maim, mayhem, from Anglo-Norman maihem, from Old French mahaigne, injury, from mahaignier, to maim, from Vulgar Latin *mahanāre, probably of Germanic origin.]
[American Heritage Dictionary via Dictionary.com]
dis·or·der (dĭs-ôr'dər)
n.
1.A lack of order or regular arrangement; confusion.
2.A breach of civic order or peace; a public disturbance.
3.An ailment that affects the function of mind or body: eating disorders and substance abuse.
tr.v. dis·or·dered, dis·or·der·ing, dis·or·ders
1.To throw into confusion or disarray.
2.To disturb the normal physical or mental health of; derange.
Diety Concept's Gender: Female
Jewel Appearance:
Skin:
Eyes:
Hair:
Wings (if any):
Tail (if any):
Lineart Edits (if any):
The Deity:
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:51 pm
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I still don't have a picture. WILL MAKE ONE... when I have time/inspiration. XD;
Quote: Name: Kodoku (Japanese for Solitude) (Rest of name was discarded for personal reasons.) Gender: Female Age: Approximation to human? Early 20s. Her species tends to age about the same until late-teens and then the aging process slowly receeds to a crawl. She's probably close to 30. Race: Approximately? Bloodlust Wolf 1/2 (explained below) - Human 1/4 - Darkling Exemplar 1/8 (explained below). The other 1/8 is misc. and varied mixed blood, but for the most part it isn't strong enough to effect her appearance/abilities so it's difficult to say what it's comprised of. *The Wolves of Bloodlust (Menig'karai) are shapeshifting canine creatures that, in and among themselves, are very wolflike in appearance and behavior aside from being nearly horse-sized. When hunting, threatened, or just plain ticked off at someone, though, their eyes turn burning-blood-red and a partial shapeshift often occurs in which they sprout bony plates and spines and many of their features become nearly reptilian. They are capable of taking an at least mostly human form. And, of course, as the name indicates they are prone to shedding blood for anything they consider to be a fair reason, which is... a lot more liberal in definition than most people would like to consider. *Darklings are an ancient race that were actually created by an even more ancient race as protectors and living weapons, but they became their own people when the older race began dying off for other reasons. Her particular branch of the Darkling species tree is actually still identical to the original, hence the sub-name of Exemplar, and very rare. They tend to be fairly magic resistant, have thick skin that makes them more difficult to damage with normal physical blows, and have something called bloodmetal they emit from their bodies to form weapons or psuedo-armor when attacked (or just decorative jewelry-like configurations for those who are so inclined). It tends to extend in cable-like shapes from different parts of the Darkling's body before contracting to form a shape and hardening until the Darkling chooses to change the shape or retract it. Height: 5'8" Body Type: Light-medium? Elfin-like in many features but not as light. Weight: Appropriate for her hight/build. Certain Darkling traits make her actual weight heavier than other humanoids of similar build. Skin tone: Golden/bronze Eye Color / style: Steel-blue, very dark, thick lashes. Hair Color / style: Black/darkbrown with a hint of tigers-eye shimmer if the lighting is bright enough. Distinguishing Features: Odd, metallic pale-blue diamond shaped marks on various parts of her body (bloodmetal exit points), slightly thin eyebrows, mildly pointed ears with furry tips, high cheekbones, slightly elongated canines and abnormally sharp incisors, clawed hands and feet, feet have pads under her toes and the ball of her foot, but remain humanly bipedal. She has a partial coat of fur following down from her hair along her back to her tail-bone, where she does indeed have a small tail. It also covers part of her belly and her abdominal regions down to part of her inner thigh. Generally her clothing hides the fur, but it's there none the less. She also has "feathers" of fur on her elbows and on her heels; she keeps them trimmed very short on her heels to keep the fur from interfering with walking. There's a small oval stone actually set into her sternum just below the center of her collar bone that she keeps well covered most of the time. It's a remnant from a distant non-Darkling ancestor, and those who know how could through physical contact with it pretty much learn everything about her, and possibly gain some measure of control over her. (The Edel stone when finally acquired will probably be set right above it or on it.) As far as clothing goes she generally wears sleeveless shirts with high collars, a pair of "arm socks" or long gloves, pants with loose-fitting legs, and sandals, all usually in browns or darker colors. Her decorations, such as jewelry and belts, varies with the outfit and her mood. (She tends to wear multiple belts whether they're actually required or not, it's a personal style/fetish sort of thing.) She is also almost constantly wair a set of "hair bangles" (thin metal rings hanging in her hair) that make chiming sounds when they click together. She likes the sound they make. Family: She doesn't really like to talk about it. She's basically a self-imposed exile. Personality: Kodoku is for the most part a loner. Not that anyone (still living) ever gave her the opportunity to be anything else. She can be silent, sarcastic, or bitter in any given situation, and while she might also be playful at times it's almost always with a bite to it. Not only because of what she is but because of how she had to live most of her life she can be horribly volatile under some circumstances. She also acts flippantly toward authority most of the time; even authority she actually respects. She's also very much a fan of Balance, but more the Destruction side of balance; even if she's never seen the entity himself, she appreciates entropy and disaster and the way it has of tearing down the self-righteous and the stagnant, forcing change and hopefully new growth. And how it shows the prideful that they have no real place in the grand scheme of things. Daydream about mom getting tossed up in the air during a hurricane much? She also considers destruction the one real constant in her life; the one thing she could always count on, in a twisted way, because it was what it was, always would be, and it wouldn't betray her because she always knew what to expect from it. Destruction isn't bad, in her mind; it's the other side of the coin, the dark, dirty side that most people avoid, the half of balance that people don't like and don't want and try their damnedest not to admit how necessary it is. So what if Existance seems to be tearing itself apart at the seems? Eventually, eventually, it would even out, whether before or after this reality is utterly destroyed makes no mind. Not that she has a deathwish, or anything; she's just not particularly fond of her existence up to the point before she discovered the Pantheon. She knows that when her time is up, it's up, and that's just how it is. But she'll make the most of what time she's got in whatever way she can find. Her one small act of vengeance against a mother who tried to ruin her life and an act of respect and love toward a father who was possibly the only mortal being that thought she was worth saving. Also; believe it or not, she tends to be more gentle and open with children. Maybe because they tend to be a little more open toward her, since innocence has not yet always given way to prejudice. And woah betide anyone she catches abusing a child. It's likely because of her own past, but there are few ways that will bring out the Bloodlust in her faster than that. History: The setting for this version of Kodoku is more modern-day compared to the original, but it's still a world where magic runs rampant and there are many sentient species of creatures. And, while the Darkling side of her family is fairly well revered in most circles (unlike most of the other Darkling subspecies), the Menig'karai are, generally speaking, shunned. To the point that they are often the victims of hate crimes. Suffice to say the story of how mommy and daddy met is NOT a love story, but rather a story of defending one's friends and allies and turning the enemies weapons into your own. That said, Kodoku's mother, Meilina, was actually fond of Kodoku's father in her own bizarre way; but Meilina was the daughter of an influential family, Darkling Exemplar on her mother's side and High Lord Magi on her father's. That, the fact that Meilina was prideful to the point of arrogance and generally finding others' feelings incosequential, and borderline schizophrenia eventually led to Kodoku's father leaving because of the treatment he was recieving. When Meilina's family's enemies kidnapped Kodoku at a young age, her father came back to save her and wound up dying as a consequence. Afterward Meilina went from mostly ignoring Kodoku with the occasional "good job" pat on the head to outright despising her and blaming the then 5-year old girl for what had happened. And for anything else that seemed convenient to blame on the child. Kodoku instantly went from "housepet" status to "unwanted stray", as she puts it, and was shipped off to a boarding school where no one knew who her parents were but everyone could see that she was a Bloodlust half-breed. For a while the persecution and the talk behind her back and the occasional attempts to cause her bodily harm bothered her, but after a while she decided that screw it, if they bite me, I'm biting back. She was about 13 when she finally got expelled and rather than let them ship her back to her mother's place where she wasn't wanted she disappeared into the streets. For a while she alternated between street living and going feral out in the wilds as she hopped from place to place, for the most part losing all track of time until one day Fate decided to crush her under its heel and her mother found her. Her erstwhile parent tried to force her to conform to standards and Kodoku simply sat back and laughed at it all silently, putting up with being held there only to be a thorn in her mother's side for all the years of solitude and anguish she'd been afflicted with. Finally though it got to be too much and Kodoku used the Gate room to open a Gateway to nowhere, a vindictive smirk on her face when she dared her mother to try and follow her into Oblivion. Not that Kodoku was really trying to commit suicide; she just figured that she'd either be free of a world which shared a mutual hatred with her, or she'd be dead... and still free. Seeing as she landed in the abandoned city near the Pantheon... she hasn't decided which it is yet. Other: Blood metal/protective plate and shapeshifting abilities/limitations: Still working on this. Though, for general reference, she likes to make spikes with the bloodmetal, and the only real shapeshifting she can do that isn't related to that is basically claws and teeth, she doesn't have a were- or animal type form.
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Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:04 pm
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Need to set up a lil profile thinger for Zephyr and any other subordinates I pick up.
Zephyr the Aiode  Name: Zephyr Gender: Female Race: Aiode Personality: Zephyr minds her temper and her tongue around the gods reborn, their hosts, or their "companions", and some of the higher ranked Aiodei... but if a mortal should peeve her she has a sharp tongue and sharp claws, neither of which she is afraid to use. She's a bit of a street cat, because she lives in an abandoned apartment in the ruined city near the Pantheon. Not that she wouldn't like to be in the service of a god or goddess; but she hasn't felt a "calling" yet, if you will. The only "lesser" beings she really tries to get along with are Ode (she's attracted to him, not that she likes admitting it), and now Kodoku because... well... frankly the hybrid frightens her (not that she'd admit that either). And... well, Kodoku has a certain charm about her that grows on you when she's not being... unpleasant. History: Zephyr woke some time ago, born out of a strange plush cat. Some of the Aiodei born in similar manner at the time seem to be rebirths of the ancient servants back to return to their masters... others, like herself, have had memory loss due to the fading and don't remember who they're supposed to belong to. Not feeling the "need" to serve any of the gods currently present at the Pantheon she moved out into the city, due both to feeling uncomfortable as an extra wheel so to speak and out of some obscure hope that she might discover some suitable host for a god whom she could serve. As yet that hasn't happened; she's run into groups of vagabonds, ruffians, wild animals, and Ode. She shares her apartment space with the Felin; he's pleasant enough, if quiet, and better than sitting around on her own. Life seemed quiet and boring for the most part until Kodoku dropped in.
Ode the Felin Name: Ode Gender: Male Race: Felin Personality: Generally calm and speaking only when he has to, Ode tends to communicate more by playing his flute than any other verbal or physical action. He finds Zephyr's outspoken and talkative nature rather amusing, and she's gotten him to speak more than most. He's also aware of her attraction, though he's honestly nuetral on the matter. He also tends to feel sorry for Kodoku; he can read the emotional scars she tries to hide and that Zephyr seems oblivious to. History: Honestly, the Felin was just the sort of domestic pet that tries to be useful in whatever ways allowed. He wasn't in the lap of luxury, but he had a decent life. Then one night someone broke into the apartment while his owners were out; he interfered more out of startlement than sense, and got tossed out a window. Then? He woke up on the ground outside of Zephyr's apartment building, found hers as it seemed the only one in use, and waited. And now things are... how they are.
I might add my two Floox critters and my 3 Ninja Monkeys of DOOM from the '07 SS season later... XD
Seriously... Ninja Monkeys of DOOM just scream mayhem.
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:39 am
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.:Solo RP - A New World:.
She stepped into something that was supposed to lead nowhere, to nothing, oblivion perhaps; fell, fell forever, fell into forever. Fell into the stars, saw them explode and die, fell past worlds that were dying, fell, fell, fell... and stopped.
The Bloodlust hybrid's steel-blue eyes grated open with much protest to find herself staring up at a withering willow tree, the bark too pale, the green fading slowly out of the leaves. A gust of dusty air blew past and made the branches sway, one of them tickling past her nose. She realized she lay on a bed of prickly dead grass and raised an arm to swat the willow branches away so she could sit, teeth baring themselves slightly at the discomfort of a stiff body. How long had she been laying like that?
She crawled out from under the willow, flicking away the branches that seemed to cling to her desperately as though she might have the power to restore the life that was slowly fading from it. A cursory glance around as she slowly went through a series of habitual stretches told her she wasn't anywhere familiar. The scents on the breeze spoke of devastation, chaos, and despair. The very air felt different in a way that she couldn't define, but that she knew meant she was certainly very, very far from home.
Good. She stood once her body felt more like its usual self and brushed the dead grass and leaves from her clothing as best she could before walking away from the tiny dying park behind her. She nearly tripped though as her sandal caught on something and she looked down to find a scrap of twisted metal from who knows what had cut right through most of the straps when she'd shifted to try and avoid falling. After a cursory inspection she sighed and removed both shoes, making a mental note to watch where she stepped. Not the most auspicious start to... whatever this was. But not that much different from the rest of your life, eh, Kodoku?
The scents of a sparse and struggling population drifted to her on the wind, but after an hour of wandering around she decided that there must not be anyone living near this particular area, for whatever reason. Hardly anything living here. The layer of dirt across the broken streets was hardly disturbed, the broken windows, peeling paint, and cracked stone of the buildings cried out in mourning at their abandonment. Finally the hybrid ducked into a crumbling doorway to escape the dry and dusty wind that whistled between the buildings to try and take stock of the situation, beginning to wonder if she was really any better off here than she had been at home.
Even idle thoughts of her mother convinced her that yes, this was better. She could find a way to survive. And she was free. Nor was there precisely anyone around who could persecute her just because of her pointy teeth and patches of fur. Even if she didn't survive for long... at least this was her choice. Not something she was forced into, or that she did because she saw no alternative.
But then she did see something; a flash of a white form out of the corner of her eye, turning from one street onto the next. She poked her head out just in time to catch sight of a bright red bow and a furry, feline tail. A CAT person? Not that felinoid beings were unheard of where she was from, but they were rarely seen outside their homeland. And she knew for a fact that this was not the lush rainforest they hailed from. That the thought had even crossed her mind made her snort after another look around.
Well; there was nothing else to be done, was there? She stood and padded silently after, nose wrinkling at the strange but decidedly feline scent as she trailed the furry other. Down several streets, across another empty park, an alleyway, a few more streets, and then into a building and up the stairs. She made every effort she could to remain silent at this point, not knowing what was to be expected as she edged down a hallway. Though after a moment her efforts became a moot point as a decidedly feminine, and decidedly loud, voice began speeking in an apparently one sided effort at conversation.
"Ode! I'm back," it said. "I took a few food items, they had a bit extra. I guess because of the new arrivals. I had to be careful how much, though, just in case someone saw me and started asking questions. Masterless Aiodei aren't precisely common, and I'd rather not get dragged into someone else's service before my proper Master returns..."
Most of that had made only marginal sense, and then only because she understood about masters and servants and the like. The bit that really caught her attention was the food, for the thought of something edible made her realize how hungry she was. So much so that her stomach nearly started cramping. Damn. How long had she spent between worlds before she got dumped here?
By this point she was crouching in the open doorway, expression a strange mix of coldness and curiosity as she examined the room's two occupants. One was the white cat she'd followed; about as tall as an average person, with a full figure and a personality that obviously wasn't well cut out for living alone. The other was a male, also a cat person of some sort, but one far different. He was a bit shorter, and had two tails. He also had pants on, where as the white cat was stark naked aside from her flouncy red bow. He peered back at her curiously as the white cat continued talking obliviously, before he finally smiled faintly and lifted an arm to point with the flute he was holding. "We have company, Zephyr."
What followed then was a startled and suddenly shrieking catgirl turning on Kodoku, apparently ready to attack and try to drive off the univited guest. This seemed to startle the male; he hadn't read the stranger to be a threat, but Zephyr often jumped to conclusions and overreacted to things. Things fell eerily silent a moment later, however, as Kodoku's left hand suddenly seemed to melt into a semblance of a spiked gauntlet and pinned the white feline's wickedly clawed hand to the wall with a decisive thunk and her right suddenly sprouted a blade pointed straight at the attacker's throat. "Shut the ******** up, furball."
The silence returned after Kodoku's angry demand and lay heavily on the air for a moment before Ode cleared his throat and spoke. "Would you mind... letting her go, please? I do apologize, she's a bit..."
Zephyr cut in with a hiss, glaring back at him. "I know you're a house pet, but damn, Ode, do you have to roll over every time you meet someone new? LOOK AT THIS SITUATION."
Abruptly the blade was gone and Kodoku grabbed Zephyr's chin, forcing the catgirl to look at her and giving her a deadly icy look. "I was sitting here for a good five minutes after he noticed me before he finally pointed me out to you, you know. If I'd wanted to attack you I had ample time to kill you. And it wouldn't be the first time I've killed someone. So shut. The. ********. Up."
The silence returned before the white cat finally attempted to take a step back, anger finally giving way to curiosity, though she was still quite sullen. "Who are you, what the hell are you doing here, and if I'm so offensive why the hell don't you just leave?"
Ode spoke again. "Well, she didn't fall out of thin air like I did, Zephyr, but it's pretty obvious she's not from around here. Her clothes are too well made, she's not dirty or ragged enough, and I'm pretty sure there aren't any natural habitants around here that look like her or can... do whatever she just did. And she's not another Aiode, you'd have known."
Kodoku simply looked back from one to the other of them as this went on, and she didn't like the way the white cat's posture changed subtly to something that was almost... predatory. The hybrid snarled at her immediately, baring her pointed teeth, and both cat's ears flattened. Having properly warned them that she was not to be trifled with, Kodoku finally let go of the cat's hand, and Zephyr jerked it back toward her swiftly and rubbed at it with a grimace. Kodoku hadn't broken it... but it was a near thing.
And then Zephyr caught her eyeing at the half-unloaded sack of food and turned to Ode with her hands squarely on her hips and demanded in a stern tone, "You're absolutely sure this psycho will be safe to let in here?" He caught Kodoku's amused grin at the word "psycho" and had to keep himself from grinning back at her, simply nodding at Zephyr in reply, and the Aiode backed out of the entryway and motioned Kodoku inside then. "Fine. I'm keeping an eye on her though! If you're dead tomorrow morning, don't blame me."
Kodoku spent the rest of that day gleaning information from the two, both from the things they said in answer to her questions and the things they did not say. In the end she decided they were all right, for the most part, though the white cat got on her nerves. Apparently the feeling was mutual, though Zephyr seemed to have decided by the time night truly fell behind the clouded sky that just maybe Ode was right about her. She didn't understand the instant understanding Ode seemed to share with the half-wolf, but Kodoku finally figured out that it was because Ode still had enough of animal understanding in him to reason out Kodoku's motives and realize that she wasn't going to be a threat unless she was threatened. Zephyr, feline though she might be, didn't have that.
Kodoku slept that night near the window, just in case she needed a fast exit, and pondered the things she'd been told. Things about the return of gods, the Aiodei, the normal state of this world and the state it was now in. But when she tried to probe at why it was like this, or why the gods were returning now when they'd been gone for so long, the white cat was less than forthcoming. Ode simply didn't know. She wasn't sure what she believed about the gods or anything else at this point, honestly. But in the end the day had gone better than had been indicated by its start. She was still free, and it seems she'd found decent shelter and a consistent source of food. She'd have time to sort out the rest.
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:00 pm
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.:Solo RP - Settling In, but Unsettled:.
You're a nothing, a nobody, worthless except for what value I give you. Mongrel, mutt, monster. You should have just died.
Different comments at different times, but Kodoku remembered them all. And it made her wonder... if she was so worthless why had her mother gone to the trouble of finding her and dragging her back, forcing her to stay in a gilded cage when she would gladly have stayed out in the woods like some wild beast and never bothered her mother or her high society friends again. She remembered when she'd asked...
I don't like losing things that belong to me.
Thing. She was a thing. Perhaps her mother did feel some guilt about her childhood, but Kodoku doubted it. Kodoku was just another one of the things she'd collected that she didn't really want, but she kept anyway. Just to say she had another strange thing in her collection.
Monrel. Mutt. Monster. Worthless.
A sudden impact jolted her awake and the hybrid sat up with a hiss, dark hair falling into her face. Her claws had come out instantly, making a harsh sound as they scraped small gouches in the wood beside her as her hands tried to clench reflexively. Steely blue eyes discovered the source of the impact; a thrown spoon. Her gaze drifted up to spot Zephyr glaring at her angrily, and Ode peeking an eye open to see what was going on.
"Can't you be a little quieter?! You're not the only one trying to sleep!" The white cat was full of tension, ready to spring. Kodoku was tense, but it was a different sort. I guess I'm going to be treated like crap here too. At least she's got a more legitimate reason not to like me...
Ode saw the pain in Kodoku's eyes, but the brief view into her soul was quickly ended and she was cold and blank once more. "Whatever, Ms. Kitty." A movement that was half roll and half jump had her up and out the window, followed by a quiet thud a while later. He just sighed, and when Zephyr looked at him accusingly he just shook his head and rolled over to go back to sleep.
Kodoku, on the other hand, was wide awake now. At first her steps were quick and angry, but slowly they dwindled down to the pace of those who wander without hope or purpose. Gods, indeed... they wouldn't bother to do anything for me even if I asked, I'm sure. No one ever does. Life is hell... but at least here it's a hell of my own choosing. Her steps sped up again, more purposeful. This was her choice and she'd make the best of it until it killed her.
Having a point from which she could start mapping she began exploring the streets in the immediate viscinity of the apartment and worked her way out. She had several blocks covered by the time she picked up the trail of some small animal... possibly a raccoon, which seemed odd, but with the state the world was in she wouldn't be suprised to see creatures drifting far from their homes in search of food and shelter.
The trail took a couple of hours to follow, honestly, and the reward was a scrawny little beast that didn't actually offer much meat. Still, a successful kill and having been able to provide something for herself improved her spirits greatly. But what next? The sky seemed about as light as it was going to get... and she felt like sight-seeing. But where to go... hmm... the cat had mentioned a Pantheon. A home for the gods. Perhaps she'd go and see if it was what it was cracked up to be.
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:08 pm
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.:To Meet A God:.
((Kodoku's first meeting with one of the gods... Phaedra, Lady Greed. If she'd been this irreverent to some of the others she might have been in trouble. XD))
Haisyn Fierra ((I couldn't think of a witty title. I fail. D; Also, I still need to draw a picture of Kodoku... XD)) She finally decided it was one of the most magnificent things she'd ever seen, and honestly Kodoku had seen some pretty grand architecture. Perhaps it was the way the lava pools threw an angry glare onto the black walls and yet seemed to carress them at the same time. Something about it echoed, resonating down in the core of her soul where that smoldering lump of anger at her own world slowly burned. That urge to destroy something. She sat atop a squat building looking at the Pantheon from a distance, wondering if the white cat had spoken true. Was it really the abode of gods, reborn? She'd described the building, and said that gods lived there, but she'd said little enough else. They both knew she was hiding something that she seemed quite loath to speak of. It rubbed the mix-breed the wrong way, to be sure, but Kodoku was satisfied with that for now. There was a whole world here to explore, after all. A ruined world full of scared people, where power was held by the strong and everyone started on equal footing. Like a giant wilderness of dead cities and dying people. To tell the truth... she liked it here. Steely blue eyes peered up at the darkened sky with a fang revealing grin before she made her way back down from the building, her movements shaking the white ash that had settled in her dark hair like so many snowflakes to swirl forlornly and find another resting place. With one last jump she landed with a heavy thud, the bangles in her hair chiming wildly for a moment until after she had stood and they had time to settle. Something like a long belled sleeve that was tied tight around her upper arm but not attached to her shirt slid back up her arm as she idly scratched behind her ear with a short claw. Which way? It probably didn't matter. She was as likely to find some entertainment or a small animal to eat in one direction as another. So she started walking, idly dusting ash from the shoulders of her high collared sleeveless shirt before hooking her thumbs in the pockets of a comfortably loose pair of pants just below her double-belt. Griffin fur. She couldn't help a bit of a sneer as her thought continued. Lovely, expensive, griffin-fur cloth. You miss my clothes more than you ever missed me, don't you Mother? She idly picked up a piece of a broken brick from a crumbling wall and started tossing it from hand to hand as she walked, letting the motion and the constant soft chime from the bangles in her hair sooth her. Thoughts of her mother never helped her mood or her nerves. Though the sneer turned into a bit of a toothy grin after a moment. I'd love to see the fit you'd throw if you knew I was wandering around a place like this in bare feet and your precious griffin-fur cloth!
Sosiqui The two men had driven the trucks back to the Pantheon from Achai, dreaming of riches and plunder, and likely of treachery as well. But Phaedra would have her prizes... and she would not have such petty beings scurrying back to the city, spreading tales and laying pathetic webs of ideas that they dared to call plans. So Nebula had served them drinks. Now, the Aoide was tugging the first body unceremoniously down the stairs. The Mindless remains of the rakshasa Jatasura, once Master of the Mindless himself but now reduced by Greed's vengeance, shambled behind her with the second corpse. Nebula was humming off-key under her breath, contentedly. They wouldn't be bringing trouble back any time soon, no, nor taking any of their lovely plunder. A splash in the lava would remove them permanently from the world.
Haisyn Fierra Kodoku drifted to the edge of the buildings to get a slightly closer look at the Pantheon. It was certainly more... intimidating from ground level. And somehow it only served to further fascinate her, especially when a familiarly shaped feline form and... something else stepped out carrying corpses. She knew they were corpses and not just unconscious, somehow, perhaps because she was no stranger to bodies. She'd seen no sign of the occupants from outside, and somehow that had kept her too unnerved to approach. But now? Well, they were obviously occupants, and this black felinoid was very like the white cat she'd met shortly after arriving, which gave her nerve enough to approach. And what did she say as she drifted close enough to be heard over the bubble and hiss of the lava? "I don't suppose those are edible?" Not that she'd actually eat human meat unless she was really starving; she hated the taste. She was just... bored enough. Though many people tended to assume whether she said anything or not with her patches of fur, claws, and sharp teeth that she'd do just such a thing. And thus far it had kept most people leery enough of her that they left her alone, so it suited her. She noted with some level of amusement that the burning glow of the lava pools made her golden-bronze skin shine with an orange glow, and that the yellow in the light made the golden gem in the black cat's eye almost burn with reflected light. Something about that gem... made her fur want to stand on end. "...You're not like the other cat I met, are you?"
Sosiqui Nebula jumped slightly at the sudden intrusion; the rakshasha bumped into her and she flinched away from the creature, flicking out one hand, gesturing for it to stop. It sat back on its long haunches like an animal, foreclaws wrapped around the legs of its burden, and waited for her next order with a blank and empty gaze. "Edible? No... not unless you enjoy poisoned food. I was going to feed them to the lava." Inside her mind, Phaedra uncurled with a soft, curious sound. What is this, here? Such an odd shape, such a strange... taste... interesting.At the mention of another cat, Nebula stiffened and her tail lashed twice, hard. "I am me," she said, pointedly. Asherah again?!
Haisyn Fierra Kodoku bent in half in a bow and motioned with both arms for Nebula to proceed. "Oh? By all means, don't let me stop you then." She looked thoughtful as she straightened. "Actually... I've always wanted to toss someone in a lava pit, would you mind?" It's not you Mother, but I can pretend. It was one of any number of things she'd wished she could do, at one point or another. But her mother had all the power. There was a vehemence in Nebula's tone, and the reply in itself gave lie to another story entirely. But was it one she really wanted to delve into? Probably not. This was for the sake of entertainment and perhaps information about the Pantheon. " White cat, I met. Zephyr, I think. She said there were gods living here, and she's waiting for her Lord or Lady to return so she can serve them. Something. She didn't really seem to want to tell me very much." She lifted her hands and shrugged in the "what can you do?" fashion.
Sosiqui Nebula flicked a wordless question at Phaedra. This was an odd situation, someone coming up to them out of nowhere... someone not blinking an eye at the idea of throwing dead bodies into lava. Someone wanting to help, even. ... I see no reason why not, the goddess said, after a moment. Be wary - this one may be unstable, with a taste for dark deeds in this Age... yet useful. Yes. Offer courtesy. She purred, lightly. Perhaps a potential conquest... perhaps even a follower. Perhaps, perhaps... Nebula nodded. "If you really want to, I don't mind... er... you can take that one." She pointed back at the rakshasa. "Drop it," she added, in a firm tone. The creature immediately released the corpse from its grasp. The mention of the cat being white made Nebula relax briefly. "Oh, good... white. Good, that's good..." Another Aoide, likely... but don't fixate on it! Pay attention to what she says, and to what she doesn't say! She wants information. Offer her a tidbit, Phaedra hissed, prodding at her host. "Oh. Gods, here... yes. That's true." Nebula kicked at the corpse she was moving, nudging it closer to the edge of the nearest lava pool. "There are many gods being reborn here. The white cat was probably a servant of one of them." Not too much at once, kitten.
Haisyn Fierra Kodoku couldn't be sure if she really scented that small level of insecurity in Nebula over the hot, sulfurous fumes surrounding them, but her eyes were once again drawn to that gem in her eye and something told her that it wouldn't be wise to push her luck with this one the way she had with Zephyr. So she nodded when her request was accepted and eyed the rakshasa warily the entire time she took to retrieve the body and back away. It was obvious that it did take a little bit of effort on her part to hoist the body up over her shoulder, but she just almost made it look easy. Then she moved near the edge of the lava pool, wrinkling her nose involuntarily at the even stronger smell of sulfur, and shifted her grip to heave the corpse like a very large sack of potatos into the molten rock. If Phaedra was looking for signs of insanity then, there were none to be had. There was no crazed glee or anything of the sort as she watched the body hiss and bubble and burn as it sank, just a grim satisfaction mixed with a well practiced portion of bitter disappointment. So many things said and unsaid in that single look. She hmmed slightly at what Nebula told her. It was really the same thing the other Aiode had said, except that this was more of a confirmation and somehow coming from this one it seemed far more credible. And also the mention of them being "reborn", and not simply "returning". She was fortunate, perhaps, that her ears had fur but lacked the mobility of her father's people, because they likely would have given away her interest in that single word. "And are you a god reborn, then, to have such strange creatures in your thrall?" She pointed at the rakshasa. Kodoku had no idea what it was, though it resembled some of the beasts known on her world as demons. But it lacked the stink those creatures had... and it was also quite obviously under the control of the black cat completely and utterly, not simply bound to her service as was often the case with those that summoned demons she was familiar with. Something had changed, too, in the hybrid's stance and her tone of voice. More serious and less playing at a game. Ready to believe... not worship, no. But believe. Truth be told it was only Harmodius that would make her bend a knee as things stood right now, for Balance and especially the Destruction side of it was the one thing she could truly understand and appreciate. Not that she yet knew he even existed as an entity and not just an ideal.
Sosiqui In with yours as well, kitten. Complete the offering, Phaedra purred as she watched the first corpse catch, burn, and sink into the roiling flow. Nebula inched a bit closer to the heat of the lava, warily; then she eased the second corpse in, taking utmost care not to splash or something. The lava licked up the body's skin and soon set it afire too, and it belched a sicky-sweet black smoke before it, too, was swallowed up. Then came her next question, and Nebula smiled, the expression thin and sly. "I am not, but I bear one who is." She reached up one hand and tapped lightly on the golden gem with one claw. "We will rule together." Of course.
Haisyn Fierra Kodoku huffed air back out through her nostrils at the peculiar scent the smoke gave when mixed with the sulfur fumes. Then she gave a sliver of a grin of her own in response to Nebula's sly little smile and peered a little more openly at the gem. "I knew there was something strange about it..." Then she shrugged slightly and gave a bow to Nebula, one with her arms tilted up and pointing beside and slightly behind her, fingers spread and head down. A bow her mother hated but no one else seemed to mind, even the Phoenix-people she was imitating. After she straightened she gave Nebula a slightly searching look. "Well then... who have I the apparently unique honor of addressing? I am Kodoku..." A sardonic smile passed across her face briefly when she said her name. My name and my curse. Thank you SO much, Mother... And then on an entirely different note she peered at the rakshasa and asked, "What is that thing?"
Sosiqui Phaedra stretched languidly in Nebula's mind. I suppose I will hold court, kitten... pardon me. She lightly nudged the Aoide's control to one side, permitting her to retain the body as a whole but taking speech for her own, noting with pleasure that her host stepped aside willingly for her now. She was doing so well. "I am Phaedra, Imperatrix, the goddess of Greed," she said, her voice markedly different from Nebula's own. More sophisticated, a deep, rich alto. "And that poor creature- her tone shifted to mocking, for a moment, all of it directed at the rakshasa - "was one who thought to best me at my own game. He has learned better now. And why have you come here, Kodoku?" The goddess tried the name on, delicately, enjoying the odd roll of the vowels.
Haisyn Fierra Both of Kodoku's thin, delicate eyebrows rose at the change in the voice, right before a not-quite grimace flashed across her face at the word Greed. And most definitely with a capital letter. Quite likely every bit as controlling and conniving as her mother... and yet... she'd been courteous enough, or had her... companion? be courteous. And there was no misplaced animosity at her mixed blood, nor did Kodoku hold a personal vendetta with her, so she smoothed the expression over with a thoughtful look. That look was also quickly replaced with a grin that was nothing short of malicious as she looked at the rakshasa again. "It looks like he didn't pay attention to your lessons the first time." Perhaps death was too good a fate for her mother. Perhaps something far more ruinous would be a more satisfying fate... Phaedra's question caught her rather off guard and she actually paused for a moment. "I didn't come here intentionally. People on my world thought that opening a Gateway without specifying a destination spelled death... but... apparently not. Not for me, at least." The bitter look returned to her face. "I'm far happier with this... though I'd have been satisfied with the other, as long as I was free of that place and that woman that dared to call herself my mother." She gave a slightly apologetic half-grin. "She also called herself my Imperatrix. Forgive me if I come across as disrespectful, but no one there, least of all her, ever gave me a reason to learn respect for anything. And I'm pretty sure that if my mother believed in gods at all, she'd be sending you most of her praises." Anything doing with her old world, and especially her mother, was a raw wound on Kodoku's psyche... and prodding at it made words and pain spill out, and she resented it on some level. Even if she was doing it because she knew it was likely a bad idea to piss off a goddess at first meeting. Though why on earth she'd felt compelled to add that last bit she did not know...
Sosiqui "Such a pity she does not, then - I school those who would claim me as their patron with more manners, more... civility then to do such things. Desire need not bear a cruel face, after all." A smile flickered on Nebula's lips. "But you have come to a wonderful place. This world is blessed by Destruction. All barriers of so-called 'civilization' and 'morality' have been broken here... better for those such as you or I to forge a new definition of such things, yes? It is true freedom."
Haisyn Fierra "Oh, she loves her things... but she's a spoiled brat. She was handed everything she ever wanted because of her family. If she ever had to earn anything..." Oh. Oh! That would be perfect... to see her mother fall and have to start over. To see her stripped of everything she thought was so important, and left alone. Like me. That would be... One word made Kodoku freeze, thoughts and attention fully focused on Phaedra for once. Through her eyes one could almost see the shiver of reaction right down to the core of her soul. "Destruction?" Destruction did this? Really did this? The darkened skies, the dying stars, the earthquakes and disasters that reached even to her world, though not as strongly... was the result of the active will of a real entity? "Destruction is real? There was the ache of fascination and awe a mortal should have when faced with a god. If Phaedra had had any questions remaining about where Kodoku's loyalty lay, they'd likely just been answered. It took a moment for her thoughts to catch up with the rest of what Phaedra had said. "Freedom... yes." This world presented her with a freedom she'd not had before. An opportunity to be herself, and face only the consequences of her actions, not the added frustration of people trying to offload the sins of her father's forebears onto her. And as interesting as it was to know she lived in a world with actual gods... being near to the Destruction she had always so appreciated back "home" gave her a thrill of something that was like fear and joy at once that she didn't really understand.
Sosiqui "Handed everything? How terribly boring. Where's the fun in that?" Nebula/Phaedra made a dismissive gesture. It was much, much more fun for the goddess to plot, to acquire things through guile and play, than to simply get it for no reason at all. Then a raw hunger crept into Kodoku's eyes, and Phaedra purred internally. Ahh, so that is what you desire... "He most certainly did. Most noble and exalted Lord," the goddess whispered, prompting her host to take a step closer to the woman, speaking the words into her ear as if it were a most precious secret. "This glorious temple before you is his holy ground. You stand at the epicenter, Kodoku."
Haisyn Fierra Kodoku warred with herself for a moment. The temptation, ah! To step in and attempt to see the incarnation of something she held so dear. But the way Phaedra referred to him; noble and exalted Lord. She could not imagine a goddess of Greed so singing another's praises idly. Though it might just be her way of trying to pull the hybrid under her sway. Still... "No. I stand near the epicenter." Destruction was inside the temple, after all. She was not. Though her previous fascination with the building had risen exponentially. "Near the epicenter of power, as always, and if ever I would respect something it would be that sanctity." Something about the way she said it hinted that she'd not ever bothered to respect the sanctity of the other epicenters of power she'd been near. Namely her mother's. Not that she didn't want to go in; but as idly as she stood near a creature even of the magnitude Phaedra's not yet fully reborn self held as opposed to mortals in general, the thought of stepping unwelcome into an abode of multible gods, and especially Destruction, was inviting who knew what wrath to fall on her head. Kodoku was wolf at heart, and while her father's people did not hold heirarchy in such strict method as the common lupines, she still understood that pissing off the alpha got you into deep s**t.
Sosiqui "You may enter, if you wish - He is not holding court upon His throne at this precise moment, but my dearest Lord welcomes true petitioners." And what would he think if I brought him one so ardent as this, in addition to my sacrifice? Nebula glanced quickly over at Jatasura, the rakshasa sitting crouched like a dog behind her, staring at nothing while he had no command from her to perform. Lord Harmodius wouldn't destroy her, would he?I doubt it. He does receive true worshipers - He is after all a god, if the most exalted and First of us all. The following of mortals may not be as desperately required for him as it is for the rest of the Pantheon, but it is still ambrosia, make no doubt about that. Aloud, she said, "Come, if you like, and see the glory of the gods' return. I know you will respect it, even as you have said... but you may respect from within as well as without. No harm will come to you unless you invite it with your own actions, and I mark you as a more clever creature than that."Why do you want her to come inside?Do you enjoy breathing ash and lava fumes?... Point. "As she says, you can come in if you want to," Nebula said, nodding to Kodoku. "I'm going to go back inside myself soon. I can't take too much more of the fumes."
Haisyn Fierra Point indeed. Though Kodoku's temptation rose at Phaedra's invitation, it was Nebula's honest comment that cemented her decision. She huffed air back out through her nostrils again even as she grinned a bit. "Hmm. Yes. Bit warm out here, too." She bowed again, both arms pointing toward the building in invitation for Phaedra and the black cat to proceed her. She should remember to ask the Aiode's name... And she certainly hoped she was clever enough not to anger the gods within. And going in behind Phaedra seemed safer both in regards to the other deities that might be inside and for keeping in the goddess' good graces.
Sosiqui "Open the door," Phaedra said. The command was directed at the rakshasa, who startled into motion and shambled to the doors, heaving them open before going idle to one side again. Hmmmhm. The goddess purred warmly in Nebula's mind. I shall never, ever grow tired of that. Come now, kitten.Nebula nodded, apparently to herself, then walked through the doors ahead of Kodoku, turning around afterwards and beckoning the other to follow. A second, sharper gesture was for the rakshasa, who moved ready to shut the doors once Kodoku had come through. "This is the Pantheon - and there is the Throne of Destruction." Behind Nebula the entrance to the hall flanked with dragon statues, the throne backed with flames, was just visible.
Haisyn Fierra Kodoku followed Nebula inside, or Phaedra, or whichever of the two it was. She saw the nod and could only assume that there was some conversation going on that she was not privy to; something that likely involved her. It left her feeling unsettled, not to know, but then she also would have expected such, especially from a goddess of Greed. If she could find a way to use the hybrid to her advantage, she was sure that Phaedra would at least try to do so, and it seemed plausible that Kodoku was even now playing into some scheme. But... if scheme it was, for the moment Kodoku wanted to play along. Somehow it didn't rankle so much, and on a level was even entertaining, to think she was involved in the scheme of a true deity. And for even so much as a chance to gaze at Destruction's throne even when he was not present she felt she owed Phaedra something of a debt; not that she was going to say such aloud. She prefered to repay her debts in her own ways. Kodoku drifted just past Nebula, and then paced slowly past the entrance to the Throne Room, still remaining several feet from the door. Once past it, though, she stepped slowly closer until she was pressed silently against the wall just beside the doorway, hands resting against the stone of the wall and only one eye peering around the edge to look into the room. Oddly even the chime of the bangles in her hair was silent for the moment, almost as if they understood her strange mood. It was foreign to her to feel either joy or fear in noticable amounts; to feel so much of both at once left her shaking slightly and feeling somewhat vulnerable. She turned away, finally, with a grimly amused sort of smile on her face. "I think... if just a throne does that to me... it might be a good thing he's not sitting on it right now. I have a feeling I'd pass out, and that usually makes horrible first impressions." Long had she pondered on the reactions of the populace of her world if the gods were to truly return, after most had forgotten they ever were. Somehow it had never occured to her to ponder how she would react. There was a certain level of unreality to it, especially in that she didn't think twice about speaking with Phaedra the way she'd have spoken to any of her mother's peers that would have let her do so, and yet when faced with a god that actually held meaning to her - and a god among the gods, it seemed! - she was reduced to feeling like... a quaking child. It almost, just almost, made her want to laugh. "You live here, you said. What about your... room? Can I see it? Or..." She did snort softly in amusement then. "It just occured to me you might have duties to attend to. I thank you for entertaining the urge to put up with me." Her tone still held amusement, but she was being earnest enough. But whether Phaedra would continue to keep up the conversation or went back to doing whatever it was she did, Kodoku needed to get Destruction's throne out of sight, and maybe out of mind, for a little while. Even in knowing that it was still just behind her, her mind was still reeling from the strange effect it had.
Sosiqui What do you think I should do?Such an odd creature. Brash, but not stupidly so... only just. Phaedra mulled it over, her thoughts flicking lightning-quick over and through Nebula's own. The thought of drawing Kodoku into the Labyrinth at once was a tempting one, but... No, the goddess decided, after a bare moment. This is a start; we must not seem desperate. It is a delicate dance, learning such balance. Otherwise, we risk losing what respect with have gained. Nebula nodded to herself again, then focused fully on Kodoku, a faint smile on her face. "You are correct. We really only came downstairs to take out the garbage." Not cold, kitten. You are busy now, that is all.Right. "The gods live on the upper floor. That way -" she pointed towards the second staircase "-leads to Destruction's chambers. I wouldn't go there, if I were you. The other staircase goes up to where many of the Pantheon have chambers of their own..." Nebula shrugged, then smiled more openly. "Perhaps sometime we can meet again." "And when that time comes, you must tell me about your mother - what she's like. What she has," Phaedra added, with a faint purr. The desire there was plain; as was what the goddess implied. Is that a good idea?Perhaps. Perhaps not. Our lives do not hinge on engaging everything that comes through the door... but if it is indeed a good idea, it would be quite... amusing. The goddess laughed, internally.
Haisyn Fierra Coldness didn't bother Kodoku as much is might. She was used to it. And also, Nebula's initial coldness wasn't specifically for her, so it was much like water off a duck's back. Her lips twitched momentarily toward a grin at the garbage bit. Things like that... were amusing to her. She performed her Phoenix-bow again. "Then I will not keep you." She looked around again, giving one last longing/fearful glance toward the throne before she started to step away when Phaedra spoke. Her lips quirked again, and this time bowed with her hands pressed together just below her lips almost as if in prayer. "As you will, Den'aisae." A small obeysance, but a mark of respect none the less, and one she had given perhaps twice in her memory. And her memory stretched a long way, for a mortal. "When next we meet." She exited, not exactly with haste but with a growing sense of urgency, pausing once past the lava pools to look back. Yes... she'd be back. How could one not be drawn to the abode of gods, especially when one had been invited to return? It certainly made life more interesting.
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:00 pm
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