AIM LOG: Ameh & _ p a o cx
Tarik stared lazily at the sky, the stars blinking back at his expressionless face as if to say "please stop staring at us" politely. He raised a brow as a shooting star passed where he was currently looking, wondering whether he ought to make a wish or not. He used to make fun of those who did wish on a shooting star, and thinking back on how he used to be kept him from even wanting to make one. With a sigh the male turned over onto his stomach, finally taking the hint given to him by the glittery heaves.
"No one in sight," he muttered as he looked around. "Surprise, surprise." The now slightly irked adolescent blew a bit of the white mane that fell into his face back, dropping his head down to his paws as he waited for the sun to rise. Maybe, if he was lucky, he'd even manage to get some sleep.
The night already settled in, and the sky was completely wrapped in the darkest blanket it could keep this particular day. The keeper of the night, of course, had obviously been active for an adequate duration thus far. One could even say she could retire for the day, as the sun's appearance wasn't that far off. She had gone through another path, sailing in the crisp cold air, taking time to spot those below that called to her during her time. However, now was an odd hour, and it was rare that one would beckon to her anytime soon. It was her inevitable break, and during that time, she usually sought solitude, as she was content with just that. The peace and quiet of the night did well to be her company.
Wings stopped beating in the air, and the black form lightly landed, paws beginning to gently brush through the tall grasses. She looked upwards, sighting the shooting star making its way across the night scape. A smile took to her lips; she wasn't one to take to whimsical activities dealing with unproven fantasies or miracles, but she did greatly admire the simple beauty found in natural phenomenons. It was when the shooting star went over a stretch of grass that her eyes followed it, and, when it disappeared, she noticed a blue shape on his stomach amongst the land. She hesitated, sensing something a little more... unusual about the stranger than the normal lion on the savanna. Perhaps it would be a good time to share company with another; with a curious stride, she walked towards the blue figure, even feeling enthusiastic enough to let out an audible enough yet soft, "Hello there!"
Tarik had rolled onto his side by the time he heard a female's voice in the distance. Curious, almost as soon as he thought about wanting to run into someone, that someone happened to come by. He lifted his gaze, though his head lay still on the grass, to see that a black figure was approaching him. If not for the significantly larger wings, she reminded him somewhat of Ubuge. The way she talked was also very different, so before he even had a looksee at whoever was calling out to him he knew that it wasn't that lioness. When she got closer Tarik was back on his stomach, head held high as he watched the goddess make her way toward him.
"Hi?" he returned the greeting, albeit sounding a little unsure. He could've sworn he didn't make any wishes on that shooting star. "What keeps you up at such a late hour?" Though he probably shouldn't have asked a question he couldn't answer for himself.
As soon as the black goddess heard his return greeting, her pace immediately slowed, and she stopped a little distance more than comfortable enough for the other, should he refuse her presence. Upon gaining a more accurate visual of the blue stranger, she was pleased to notice that he, too, held domain over something. Though he looked to be younger - not sporting a full mane - she felt more understood when around those bearing the same responsiblities of abilities as she did. Perhaps this one was just about to grow into his, unless he had already lived through several rebirths. Though such things, she thought, were better left for discussion with close associates. Though she was quite intrigued by his presence, she decided it best to retain an official air, as if she were helping one who called to her during the night.
"I only have power during the night," was her response and explanation, "And I am always counted on to be up 'this late' - it's not late for me, and I would call it... my schedule, rather. I am Bast, goddess of the night."
She gave a light, humorous snort, and added, "I don't think you would have a good enough excuse as that, huh? I know the brothers bound to activity during only the day or night, separately, and you are not the one who comes up with the moon and down with the sun. Would you care for my services through the rest of the night?" An amused chuckle came with the last statement; she knew well that gods were well enough to hold their own alone at any time of the day without aid from another, on a regular basis, anyways.
He raised a brow at her words, not really sure if she was offering her help or insulting him without actually insulting him. After giving it some thought he shrugged it off, not really caring whether or not she wasn't the greatest of company. At least he had some now. "Bast huh?" he asked, rolling the name around on his tongue. "I'm Tarik, god of ice. And no, I don't have a great excuse to be up at this hour, but I don't really mind being awake. It's colder without the sun." He watched her carefully, wondering what it was she could help him with through the night? Ubuge had used similar words not too long ago, but the atmosphere this time around wasn't anywhere near the same. He'd never been too forward when it came to that situation, so he simply cleared his throat and wondered why it was that she kept her distance. Did he say something weird?
"So what is it that you do exactly?" he finally asked. "To everyone else day and night comes without much work. Do we all have the wrong idea?"
The way Tarik seemed to pause after her vague joke, yet still plausible offer made Bast wary of intruding on the ice god's space, so she kept her distance. Though if he was still talking to her, especially when he seemed as curious about her as she did him, he couldn't have held that much disregard for her company. So eventually, she moved closer to him, though laid down not so close as to feel any body warmth he may have had - she couldn't tell, as he admitted to having reign over ice; his own physical body couldn't be made of it though - that'd be silly, wouldn't it?
"And I assume the sun threatens your existence and powers, then," she said with mild interest.
While she had nothing that weakened her, it was true that she could only be called useful during a certain part of the day. Some gods, she knew, had an opposing force that countered them, whether it be another god or just a natural occurrence dispelling their domain. Sometimes, she wish she had something that rivaled her strengths - such things were challenges that made those who could overcome it stronger, she thought.
"And mainly," she began as a response to his inquiry, "I watch over those who need it during the night. As I have asked you at first - though more as a tease, as I am sure you are capable. For my duty, I am the one who brings in the night. I make sure it comes, though how and why can be left to your imagination, as well as what else I do."
Bast smiled, satisfied with her answer. Had he desired to gain a deeper, detailed answer, he wouldn't find it--at least, not now. The two had just met, and she was not about to give away the secrets and past that made Bast who she is. Though perhaps... another time.
She also laughed, again adding, "If that is everyone's thought, then perhaps... The sun and moon do not rise and fall on their down as much as belief exists on its own. It does not take much effort on my part, however, as I believe some of us were created to exist to fulfill whatever it is we fulfill. Tell me, then, as the god of ice, does doing what you do make much work for you, when everyone else has no ability on their own to do so?"
"No," he said in regards to his own weaknesses. "The sun doesn't really have anything to do with impeding my abilities. The heat just annoys me since I very much prefer the cold." Everything else she said made sense, and he highly doubted he could've come up with a better answer. Still, he pretended to give his own reply a bit of thought even though currrently he didn't really care whether he sounded wise or thoughtful of anything of that sort. After a minute or so of pretend-thinking, Tarik finally spoke. "I suppose not," he said with a shrug. "Which begs the question why my domain was created in the first place. Not that I mind existing, of course." He snorted, a little amused with himself.
"Understandable," she said with a nod, very accepting of his straightforward behavior, "As well, I enjoy the cooling as I bring in the night. No doubt the sun would punish my existence as well as it would soak in with my entire coat."
Bast's body shifted, and her head turned to look at the sky, still dark, and felt a chill run through her body. She pondered whether it was subconscious, having discovered she was in the company of one that controlled the extreme cold, or whether something in the atmosphere really did change with his presence. Surely at some point did domain and domain representative have to align, as those who saw her only gained her presence at night.
And she spoke out again, "I am sure there are many, like I, who have seen the frigid frosts on high points of mountains. And at times in the desert, I feel a dense coldness cover the grounds, though not every day... I have to admit, you are, at first impression, interesting. Perhaps one day when the night stretches on for longer, we can meet again. But right now, it is far from the beginning of my 'day'."
She then got up, moving towards him calmly, the crystal reflecting the moonlit sky dangling around her necklace. Maybe once when he grew older, she would meet him again, and maybe he would have more to say then. Now, it seemed he had yet to find his place, she surmised from his assumption of the lack of belief on his domain.
"You shouldn't let anything disturb your sleep, though, if you can help it. I will always be here during the night."
He kept a watchful eye on her as she came closer. It's not that he was really wary of her, just that they hadn't gotten on very friendly terms over the duration of their little conversation. Her company was appreciated though, that was for sure. "I try not to," he replied to her statement. "Of course there's little I can do to will sleep to come. If I get lucky enough to perhaps run into the god of sleep then maybe I can ask him or her for a favor, but I guess for now I can deal without a little bit of sleep." He smiled somewhat sheepishly at the goddess, wishing he could've offered her a better conversation. "I take it since dawn is approaching you'll have to get going soon?" he asked. He was used to being alone, but much less as of late. Now he actually liked having company.. though he'd never openly admit that to anybody.
Bast smiled back at his earnest interest in continuing conversation with her; if only she could see him at ease in his element, she was sure she would be fascinated by any display of his skills. But now wasn't the time to show off anything.
"Approaching, but not soon," she supposed, "I usually have this time to myself, when a majority are sleeping, and travel around. There are some things beautiful to be found in the dead silence of night... But I believe I shouldn't disturb you for any longer, at least, not for this night. Remember that you can call on me any night for an ally, though, not that you need it."
A sigh escaped from Bast, whisking away to the overhead stars. It had been particularly long this night, and she would have wished for nothing more than to simply laze around and distract herself with this new face. For now, however, a quick greet seemed proper enough. Perhaps there was still some learning to do; some experiences to be made - from both the gods.
"You are of interest to me," she admitted, "And I'd enjoy seeing you once more, Tarik."
Of interest? That was a curious statement, though Tarik didn't press it any further. "I see," he simply said. "Well I'm usually awake at night, so I wouldn't be surprised if we ran into each other again in the not-so-distant future." With that the male bowed his head slightly and bid the goddess good night. He probably wouldn't be sleeping anytime soon after she left, but that was no surprise. After this particular conversation he had more questions about his own existence than he would've liked. Maybe if he thought about it enough he could formulate some sort of answer on his own, or so he hoped in the very back of his mind. He sat there, watching the goddess with a rather blank expression. He had a small sort of smile on his maw, though his mind was clearly elsewhere. Anything she said from then on would probably never reach him.
Bast nodded once more, signalling her departure with the sudden rustle of wings. It was not many times that she met one who had less to say than her. She was not a frequent talker, yet she could have talked a whirlwind around him tonight, it seemed.
"Until another time," she finally said her goodbye to deaf ears, though it did not matter to her.
With a beat of her large wings, she picked up enough gust in the air to lift into the sky, and let her flight feathers blend in. Soon, she herself blended into the night sky, and no trace of anything other than the darkened blue sky filled with twinkling white dots could be found.
