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 Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:39 pm
 It was a warm day on the savannah, and there was a electric heat in the air as a wave of activity rushed across the prairie grass. In the distance, thunder roared and flashes of lightening flickered, promising rain in the near future. Khuluma had not encountered thunder in the mortal world as of yet, but it wasn’t his first encounter with the noise. He remembered the sound from back in the God Haven, when a certain god had started a lot of commotion. He didn't exactly have fond memories of the encounter. He wondered if this would be the same god coming, but he saw that it wasn't the case from the lightening. While it looked unnatural, it was just a storm created by nature.
Not only did he not like the idea of thunder approaching, he didn’t like the idea of getting wet which was why the god landed down and started looking for a place to stay. God or no god, he didn’t want to risk flying when a storm would be coming later in the day. Not only was it frightening, his hair and his small heart would not make it.
For this reason, the small godling went to look for shelter that would remain dry, and if he was lucky, shield off the noise. From here, he still had plenty of time before the dark clouds made their way over to him. In the meantime, he enjoyed the gust of wind that shook the small trees that dotted the plains and watched the various prey animals move to find sanctuary around some trees.
Since he saw no mortals around, the god opened his soft white wings, flexing them to watch the wind that brushed past him, and grinned as he entertained himself as he looked for a den. What he saw was a collection of rocks farther ahead, their dark gray close in darkness to that of the storm approaching. The collection of rocks formed a nice pile and seemed well formed to withstand any hard winds, yet close enough to shelter against any invading rain. Approaching, he went to circle to find a place to get inside, prancing around to find an entrance while letting his wings play with the wind.
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Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:30 pm
Faine was afraid of many things. Many, many, mostly irrational things. It was some surprise then, to Lua, that of these irrational things- lightning was not among them. His mother, he’d once said- embodied the element. So a sound that made even the mighty firekin shake, to Faine, was almost soothing. Lua could scold the nervous god about many things- but sometimes, even he had to stand aside and be impressed.
But only on these tiny things.
“You’re walking too slow.” Lua groaned, turning backwards. Although still an adolescent, his thick black mane was coming in at full force now- complimenting his already stocky features. Now, in the stormy air, it flew around him like a crown. It would have done his notorious grandfather proud. “How is it a bloke with wings takes so damn long to walk anywhere? Faine- are you listening? We’re going to get drenched.”
Faine looked up, his eyes veiled and looking sorry. Lua wasn’t going to take any of that. “FAINE.” He snapped.
The white lion shrunk and looked around nervously. “You can walk faster then. I don’t mind getting wet.” Like Lua, Faine was also growing. Or as much as a god could. While his mortal friend grew into his majestic heritage- Faine, on the other hand, seemed to shrink. His strange white eyes darted about, and he looked at the rainclouds on the horizon. “Besides. I don’t see anyplace we’ll take shelter in anyways. What is inevitable, is inevitable.”
Lua groaned and turned his head from the other lion. There were many things Faine was good at. But looking on the bright side of things, was not one of them. Against the mist and the wind he stared across the horizon line. At first, it did indeed seem hopeless. And then- he spotted the small clump of rocks. “Eh, over there! Come on, just pick it up a bit and you can drag a** later.”
The big lion started to charge. For a moment, he left Faine behind in his tracks; but slowly, Faine picked up the pace and began to race beside him, until they were both safely within the shadow of the rocks. He couldn’t see an opening yet- but, Lua was sure just some investigating and-
As Lua looked around for a cave, Faine slowly shifted his eyes in the other direction. A ping. He felt it. He felt it from anyone who might linger. It didn’t take long for that feeling to shift into the sight of a cub, scrambling around the rocks. Faine scowled, and looked aside. A god cub, fantastic.
“Hey, it’s a kid.” Lua smirked, peering over at the place Faine had been looking.
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Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:18 pm
He didn’t expect the rain to pick up so quickly, or for the clouds to migrate across the sky as swiftly as one would think slow moving blobs should, but it seemed the wind that he was enjoying was pushing the moving mass of clouds his way. As he went about the rocks, he started to make sure to close his wings in, finding that leaving them open was tipping him over and pushing him off the rocks one minute before trying to throw him into the rocks the next. Perfect. Padding along, he made sure to curl his paws in as he tiptoed about the rocks, slowly stepping up and over a few as he worked around and peeked here and there for a place in. One thing was certain, if he did find a place inside, the shelter would keep the rain out.
The thunder boomed again, and he shuddered, not only remembered the terrible noise from the Thunder God back at the God Haven, but also a fresh sense of fear in knowing that this would not be just noise, but pounding rain and lightening. The idea of being drenched and cold was not something he wanted to put down on his list of weather he had to endure. There was no sense of masculine pride for him to claim to others that he had been an idiot and stood outside in the rain. Staying dry where he could properly clean his fur and remain pristine was just dandy for him, thank you very much.
After some navigating around the rocks and making sure to pause between gusts of wind, he found an opening that was pretty large enough for him without ducking, but covered by a dried-up shrub, and a rather resistant one at that as Khuluma found out as he tried to push it aside to get past it. It was in the process of wrestling with the plant that the sky cracked, causing him to duck and look up, ears back, and then take notice of the horizon. In the dark shadow that was creeping it’s way over the grasslands, he noticed something startling white and aside it, deep red. Ears perked, he started to curl back, sighing at the prospect of having to disguise himself. Really, hiding his lovely wings was a chore he didn’t like practicing.
Just as he was about to hide his wings, he noticed that the two approaching mortals was not two but one, with a god to boot! The wings were something he hadn’t noticed as the other god had been crouched a bit, but as they started to run, the wings perked up. Oh happy day! He didn’t have to be alone for the storm and not only that, he had the company of another god. True, he was learning to adjust to mortals, but he wasn’t too thrilled by their presence just yet.
Puffing up, he rose up from his place on the rock and waved his wings. “Hellooo!” He called out, noticing that they had the right idea in coming where he was at. Great minds and all that. Well, at least for the god. Who knew about the mortal. Deciding that it would be only right to move the shrub aside for them, he started to push it again, and after some rather embarrassing struggle, pushed it aside and off it’s brittle root. Ugh! But now he had some dirty paws!!!
When the two approached, he quickly brushed off his paws. “Hi there!” He said once more, now that the weather wasn’t deafening him.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:29 am
Faine grimaced and looked aside as the cheery sweet voice raked his ears. If he wasn’t good with mortal kids, he was about as infinitely bad with godling ones. And even worse, at least mortal kids grew up to be mortals. Gods grew up to be… well, enemies. The white lion gave the cub a snide glance and peered down from behind his nose. “Lets find another rock.” He said flatly to Lua. But even as he said it, a stab ached in his chest. Mortals weren’t the only sinners.
Lua rolled his eyes. He was a big brute of a lion; but kids never bothered him. He was firekin, at least, he once was. Big families and even bigger drama. And kids with wings? Well, that was all the more interesting! “Give it a rest,” He grunted in a hushed voice to Faine- and then, with an oddly affectionate grin, addressed the cub. “Well, hello there!”
“Hello.” Faine said flippantly, lifting up one of his wings to shield out the wind. He too, traditionally took a mortal’s form when around this terrain. But, sometimes wings had their advantages.
“Quite a storm brewing here,” The bright lion continued. “You found a place to weather it out? Watch your paw there, those bushes are deadly.”
Faine gave an exaggerated sigh, and Lua took the occasion to step on his foot-hard. Faine gaped and withdrew it.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:06 am
At the mention of the bush, Khuluma reared back and started to move backwards a few steps. Of all the things he had to learn, deadly plants, while important to notice, was not on his list of top priorities. This gave enough time for any sigh to go unnoticed, not that he would have heard it in this wind. What he did hear was the other lion, the mortal, being very chipper and rather pleased to see him. A god was a impressive sight to a mortal, and he was no exception no matter how small. He also prided himself on maintaining his appearance, which was quickly deteriorating in this weather.
“Thank you for warning me, and yes, this storm is something. Good thing we both found shelter. Maybe we should get inside before we all get wet.” He suggested, both wanting to escape whatever downpour was making its way here, and to also give a invite for the others to come inside. While Khuluma smiled at the mortal, his eyes looked to the god beside him, but it was hard to keep the god’s gaze. Chalking it up to being distracted, Khuluma turned and made his way inside the shelter. With less to notice, he hoped quite, comfortable company would be easier to have inside. Already he was brimming with conversation starters, questions, and a feeling of excitement.
Entering, he judged the size and was glad it could house everyone comfortably, though it was rather dark. Frowning, he felt his way to the back and turned about to wait for the other two.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:25 am
The two shared a look. It was pretty clear to Lua that, of the irrational things Faine despised, other gods were on the list. Faine probably would have gladly weathered the storm outside the cave rather then put up with another of his kind. From where he stood, the big lion could see that Faine was attempting to silently code him some kind of ‘abort mission’ plea. He passed it off with a smile.
Well, if Faine wanted to sit outside in the rain alone- he was more then welcome to.
“I think that sounds like a fine idea,” The firekin rumbled. “Lucky we ran into this place, I’m sure we’d be soaked otherwise.”
The other god lingered outside the small cavern for a moment- as though his tantrum might honestly get him anywhere. But with another crackle of thunder and the beginning of the downpour, he swallowed up his shambled pride and slunk in after the two. He let Lua face the cub, and instead, turned towards the opening to watch the rain.
“That’s much better,” Lua thrummed, watching as the rain started to fall. “But why are you out here all alone? We haven’t seen a soul for quite a few miles. Or are all your kind fond of parent abandonment?”
Faine docked his ear.
Lua glanced towards him, and then looked back at the child. “In any case, I’m Lua. This is Faine. Just ignore his sour face, I always do.”
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:49 am
It was a treat to have company, but seeing the other god turn his back to him was clearly saying he either disliked the present company, meaning Khuluma, or he was in no mood for talking in general. Either way, the godling was rather displeased by the cold shoulder and he was left talking to a mortal. For all of his questions, most of his had been prepared for the god. It must have been a misconception to think that all gods would be excited to see another as much as Khuluma was, and if it wasn’t for the weather, he was pretty sure that neither one of them would bother being near him. It was very rude, in his opinion, seeing as he had done nothing wrong. He didn’t even have the opportunity to, and not giving someone a chance was just plain mean!
Still, curse him for having it, he was polite and would make the effort even if it wasn’t given to him, to be pleasant. He still wanted to talk and sabotaging the conversation from the start to just leave them all awkwardly silent was not something he wanted. Maybe the god would warm up to him once he found out how delightful he was to talk to? He could only hope.
It seemed he wasn’t the only one wanting to talk, and Lua went right into the conversation, and dropped a very heavy note right from the start. Parent abandonment?! It didn’t take the cub long to connect the dots and guess who had left his family.
Surprised, Khuluma shook his head. “No. I don’t have any family. I've been alone since I was woke. I’ve been traveling to find other gods and stopped before the storm hit. I haven’t gotten use to storms yet, and am not good enough to fly through them.” The nagging question he wanted to ask was why the god left his family, but Sour-Face was not speaking as of yet. He had to hope that Lua was open enough to speak for Faine and tell him.
“It’s nice to meet you Lua....” He looked to the red lion before looking over to the back of the white god. “ ...Faine. My name is Khuluma. I’m the god of Rhetoric. Why are you two out here on your own? ” There had to be a reason why a god who left his family was traveling with a mortal, and he was curious as to know why.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:10 am
Lua shifted, sitting down and making himself comfortable. He was no stranger to harsh living conditions, and the sound of the rain pouring down did little to hamper his conversation. He was an amiable sort, at least when he was curious. “That’s unfortunate.” He thrummed. “To be alone so young.” God or not.
Truthfully- Lua counted himself among the population who believed gods to be, rather then their namesake, something of a winged, aberration of a lion. It was true they had powers- and it was true that his own god, Finar-si, had dominion over his homeland. But he did not believe them to be any more self-sufficient then mortals might be. And it was indeed unfortunate to hear about a cub off on his own. “Are you looking for someone in particular?” He smiled.
“But, it is good to meet you, Khuluma. Truthfully, there’s no real reason.” The lion admitted. “We’re vagabonds, aren’t we Faine?”
Faine rolled a colorless eye in his direction. “Perhaps.” If there was an air of coolness about him- it was quickly shattered as he nervously darted his eyes about the cave as a drop of water fell on his head. He enjoyed the thunder and lightning, but the rain…
“Well.” Lua corrected, shifting his paws. “I’m…on a personal matter. Faine and I go way back.” All the way back to when Lua had given Faine such a beating he’d run home and hadn’t come out for days. It still brought a slight smirk to the firekin’s face. Not that besting Faine was much of an accomplishment but…
Now, however. They were on a different matter. “You see, my mother was…” His voice trailed off. “Well, she was murdered. Faine and I are trying to find her killer.” He didn’t exactly expect to find the rogue. But, together, the pair had an odd knack for…finding other such criminals. It served a dual purpose. Faine finally felt his constant pain had an outlet, and Lua… well, Lua got a little bit of revenge here and there.
“But, that’s dark things, really.” The lion shook off. Not anything to be talking to a cub about.
“As if it mattered,” Faine mumbled to himself.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:08 pm
Was it pity or sympathy that was between them? Since Lau’s mother was dead and Lau was not a fully grown lion, he guessed it might be empathy. It was a nice note, but it wasn’t the same. Khuluma felt no sense of loss or the trauma that came with loosing someone close and suddenly in what he could only imagine was a grim fashion, but only had an idea that he did not have something that even the most basic mortal usually had. It was more a sense of being incomplete or missing out on something that was common and for some reason, he was not given. While Lua could know how it felt to not have a mother, Khuluma could not return the idea of having lost one.
Faine continued to be as sunny as the weather, and offered only unhelpful comments. A roll of the eyes and a mumble that didn’t confirm or deny much. For a god, Khuluma was finding that he was starting to like him less than less, but at least he was talking. Maybe for whatever reason he left his family, the topic of mothers was not something he wanted to have brought up. It must have been something bad.
“Well, you can’t miss what you never had.” Khuluma said with a shrug, not wanting to dwell too much on mothers. “I’m sad to hear about your mother. I hope you find the person you are looking for. You two sure have a noble cause. I have yet to find any purpose in my being, but I’m still learning. To hear about you two, vagabonds doesn’t sound appropriate for a pair looking for a cruel creature. I wish I could be of help.” Sadly, Khuluma processed no powers that he knew of, and he doubted his domain would have helped. It also seemed that Faine didn’t care much about such a important topic. Why would he say it didn’t matter if it was a matter of finding someone important? He again felt that nagging desire to ask, but again, he remained polite – for now.
Since the topic was grim and the weather called for the opposite in subjects, he breathed deep and thought of something new. “How did you two meet? I wouldn’t think a god and a mortal would just happen upon each other and remain friends.” Khuluma looked over to Faine, trying to gain his attention and convince him to talk more. The fact he didn’t have his attention bothered him deeply.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:42 pm
Lua nodded quietly. Although he did not know the young child’s trail of thought, he would have agreed. Lua had only flashing memories of his mother on the days before she took their brother across the borders. But he still had memories, and it was a far different affair from having none. “Noble…” His voice trailed. Maybe. Sometimes, in order to get the job done, you had to be a little less then noble.
If he’d really been noble, he probably wouldn’t have been working with Faine.
The big lion smiled, and he leaned back into himself. “Really? Are we so different?” He crossed his paws. “Gods and mortals. As a matter of fact though, I met Faine when we were just kids. Must have been about your age. Do you remember that?”
Faine flicked his ear upwards. A grunt was the only response he received.
“I was quite the tough customer,” Lua preened. “I saw some winged cub running around on our lands. I don’t come from a particularly…amiable people. And we were at war. I gave him quite a beating, if I can remember! Didn’t think I’d ever see his face again. Still can’t put up much of a fight!”
“I think it’s unnecessary to answer every flippant question asked, don’t you, Lua?” Faine suddenly interjected.
“Don’t be sore now.” The big cat grinned. “Curiosity doesn’t hurt anyone.”
“I’d much rather leave my business as my business.” He said stiffly, and folded his wings.
“Oh, I’m sure.” Lua thrummed. “Faine is a good sort, although I think he likes to play the dramatic.”
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 1:22 pm
Now that was it! Here he was trying to have a nice conversation, and when Faine finally talked and gave him a shred of hope that he would open up, he retaliated by being sore. Sure, even Khuluma was surprised that a mortal took down a god, and how did a mortal not notice he wasn’t a god? Wings were not common among mortals as far as he had seen. He would have thought that a mortal seeing a winged cub would know something was amiss, but it seemed it wasn’t the first thought for Lua. It made Khuluma worry that if he wandered with his wings, some mortal would try pouncing upon him. He wouldn’t make it in a fight either.
When Faine shot back, Khuluma’s ears went back. Now that wasn’t very nice. He was getting more and more annoyed with Faine. Not one to just sit and wonder, Khuluma stood up and walked over to the white god. Moving around, he peered very close to Faine.
“I’m sorry the subject is upsetting you. If you want, we can change it, but I’m just trying to make conversation. I like talking to people, and it’s better than just sitting here, waiting out the storm in silence. If you want, you can start. I’d love to get to know you two more. I mean, we’re gods after all! I know I like to learn more about every god I see. I …don’t know if you care or not, I mean, you are older than I am so I’m sure you have seen more gods than I have, but I still like to meet everyone I can. I find you interesting and you too.” He looked over to Lau with a sweet smile, before looking back at Faine. “You know, it’s better to talk to keep someone from talking about something else than remaining quite and not letting someone know something it bothering you. I can’t address a problem that I don’t know about.” He grinned, before sitting down and deciding he would much rather look at Faine and force him into the conversation than letting him just grumble about it. If there was a problem as to why Faine didn’t like him, he was going to find out.
It was then that the sky shook with thunder and Khuluma flinched. Ugh. Scary thunder. “Don’t you want to sit closer to all of us?”
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:14 pm
Faine watched as the cub approached him. Had he been any older, it might have been cause for Faine to take a few steps back- but, he held his ground. Twitching slightly, he shook his head. “Gods!” He laughed as the cub finished. “Yes, I suppose we are. How great we are!” He half sneered, and looked away, his tail swatting against the earth. “How great we are indeed.”
Lua shook his head slowly, and kept his attention on the child. “A couple questions couldn’t hurt, could they Faine? Even you weren’t always so damn fidgety, were you?”
Faine shot his friend a look, and peered aside. “I don’t care to answer questions. I am not some…curiosity. And my problems? Hah.” He laughed bitterly to himself and looked away. In the distance, the thunder boomed, and he shivered nervously.
The big lion turned, standing up and completing the circle by sitting near Khuluma. “And, usually I’m the mean one.” He thrummed pleasantly. “Faine thinks everyone is wicked, isn’t that right?”
Faine narrowed his eyes and looked away in a huff. “Not everyone.” Just no one he’d ever met.
“Just a kid, Faine.” He reminded in a cool voice. “Smile a bit and tell him a story.”
Faine balked and shook his head. He did suppose Lua was right. He was acting irrational. But, many things about Faine were irrational. And sure the cub looked cute and shining- but what cause did he have to be questioning him? “I’ll ask you a question then. You seem very curious about a mortal traveling with a god. Why? Are gods so lofty and perfect? We’re all in the mud, just some of us have wings.”
“Ah, that was a nice story.” Lua thrummed.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 3:03 pm
Maybe he wasn’t being smart in pressing Faine. While he was hopeful, it seemed Faine wanted nothing to do with him. Talk about killing the mood. If Khuluma hadn’t met the god of Thunder, he would have though this god was the one reflecting the weather. Gloomy and huffy. Still, maybe he just caught him on a bad day, but even Khuluma felt he had done something wrong in making Faine dislike him.
Ears back, he was glad for Lua’s company. At least someone was talking to him and trying to improve the feeling around here. The god wondered how he became and remained friends with the other god. It seemed some experience had given Lua the small window of opportunity to become close to this god. A door that Khuluma was not being permitted to near.
The little laughs, forced and mocking, grated against the smaller god. Even though Faine admitted not everyone was bad, he also wasn’t showing any effort to find out that Khuluma might be of that percentage of those that were nice. Did Faine really think he, a small god like him, was somehow evil or mean? What was Khuluma doing wrong in having the god not like him or pay attention to him?
It was then that he was given a question, and the delivery told Khuluma deep down inside to be wary. The way it was said meant that Faine might be seeing if he really was wicked. “I just don’t talk to many mortals. Since gods and mortals come from different lives and realms, there has to be some reason why they get together. A god told me that some gods come to the mortal realm for many reasons. He said that you can live with mortals, play tricks on them, or terrorize them. Whatever you wanted. Gods have that freedom with their powers. There are many things a god can choose to do, and you seem to be helping Lua and are friends with him. I just think it’s interesting to find two people of different realms working together. A god has the choice of helping a mortal with his powers or not. You’re choosing to help. I’m curious as to why?” His eyes went over to Lua. He didn’t want to offend the other, but being a mortal, Lua would eventually die. Was it even worth helping him? Eyes soft, he looked back to Faine.
“And why would you say we’re all in the mud? I’m not in the mud…and I like my wings.” His volume dropped at the end as he muttered the last part. Never had he felt ashamed for being a god, but Faine was making it sound as if he should feel bad about it. Shouldn’t Faine see that being a god was a blessing? “I don’t think gods are perfect.” He met the god of confusion, and she was anything but perfect. “ We just are gifted with immortality and have powers that mortals do not. It’s unique, special, and no mortals have that. You should be proud to be a god. I am! ” True, he might not be able to fight, but he was a master of a domain. Even he had pride for that. No other mortal could say they were a god and truly be one. He could live forever and could possibly even have powers! He could meet other gods, who mastered all sorts of things, and learn from these immortals. Why not be excited about it?!
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:44 pm
Faine laughed. Yes, he suspected as much. “Ah yes. Immortality. A thousand million years of the same thing over and over.” He crossed his paws and turned towards the cub. “And mortals are not unique and special? I’ll tell you this child. It is nothing to be a god. It is so easy to be a god. There is nothing that separates us. Only a perception of greatness, and a license to do what we please. I would sooner die a thousand times then have to live one more life of this joke.”
Lua smiled. “Ah, Faine. He champions mortals so! And just as quick, he is to judge them.”
Faine wrinkled his brow. “Everyone is faulty, mortals and gods alike. We are no different. Only that gods live much longer, and their sins fall much greater.” Truthfully, Faine couldn’t care less for either. It was just the assumption of… greatness of gods that aggravated his temper. Oh! If only they saw the things he saw.
“But we do what we can, don’t we?” The lion smoothed. “You see, my young friend. I agree with Faine, although not too fully. I can’t say I envy the gods. But, also understand that of all the jobs you…creatures, seem to be given- it’s Faine’s job to find the crimes of others. As you can imagine, a couple hundred lifetimes of it has made him quite bitter. He’s a good fellow though, when he minds his temper.”
Faine veiled his eyes and shifted. He didn’t like to be snide. Or perceived to be snide. His head shook. “I cannot stand gods who stand on high.”
“Mm. So it seems.” Lua remarked.
The white lion looked back towards the cub. “And why suggest it is I helping him? Am I helping you, Lua?" Faine accused. There was almost a hint of anger in his voice.
Lua stretched his neck, and smiled. "Faine helps me where he can. But I would not go as far to say you were...self sufficient." Truthfully, Lua didn't trust Faine on his own. If he wasn't consumed by his own bitterness, he was neck deep in trouble. And he was a needy sort- he might have moaned and groaned about everything life had, but Lua knew Faine was desperately afraid of being left alone. "You could say I babysit Faine."
Faine snorted and looked aside.
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:17 pm
Khuluma agreed. He was not perfect. He was young, small, and was still learning about the mortal world and what it meant to be a god. It was why he was excited to meet other gods. Age usually meant experience and when seeing another god, he also felt he would come closer to learning something new and helpful. What he heard for Faine didn’t feel as if it was improving him any. In fact, he continued to feel more and more ashamed with ever mentioning he was proud to be a god, even though he refused to say he was sorry about being proud of who he was. He liked being who he was, even if Faine felt he wasn’t worth the time of day.
Ears back, the god hunched, head lowering and expression grim. While Faine might be putting things in perspective, he wasn’t pointing any silver lining to all of this and continued to point out any fault Khuluma had in his views. While he lived for talking, he also didn’t want to push this conversation on. It made his stomach tight.
Lua did shed some light as to why Faine was the way he was, as it was part of his domain, but to also find out that Faine was reliant on Lua was something Khuluma never expected. Again, he was wrong. Again, it was the other way around. Faine was not helping Lua, or not with the intent of helping him, but was traveling along for his own protection. While Khuluma might have laughed at this before, he knew it would be wrong to now after being scolded for thinking better about himself for being a god.
He wanted to see the better side of Faine, but he had missed his chance by saying he was excited and happy to be as he was, thus sabotaging himself from gaining the lion’s favor. Even Lua seemed to agree, and the cave started to feel very tense. He had misjudged their outlooks and now he was less likely to even get away with them liking him even remotely. The real question stood was whether or not he continued talking or just gave up trying to do anything. It seemed each turn sent him stepping on another thorn.
“I guess if you lived a long time only seeing the worst, you wouldn’t be too happy.” He guessed it would be a miserable existence, which was why Faine seemed to talk as if he wanted to die. Could immortality be more of a curse than a blessing?!
“I still don’t feel I should hate being a god. I’m not going to apologize for it.” He didn’t know what to say. The wind had been punched out of him, and he felt Faine was judging him for everything he would say. The god was starting to scare him, and he felt his stomach twist under his gaze. Not talking hurt. Not making them like him hurt.
The rain outside was still coming down hard, and he wished it would let up. The company he had been glad for was now something he wished he didn’t have. The cub was now silent which was something hard for the god to digest. His words had failed him. He had failed. Suddenly, he wished he was the God of Invisibility. He wanted to cry and a shudder rippled through him.
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