Tawa'di was still struggling with not being a seer. He had been spoiled by it, and he would admit that now. Not knowing what was going on elsewhere bothered him, but he had done his best to keep himself distracted from it. He had been mingling with the Wolf Clan, concerned on its lack of a strong alu'nadi and absence of any nvwati candidate. It needed to be fixed soon, but many of the Waya family were a little...well, not the best fit for either position. He was going to need to find someone young and new to help train up. More work. Perhaps it was best that he had been reincarnated...he still wondered what it was like. Being born a god, and stepping down to become mortal.
Mana entered, her chin held close to her chest. She felt a small twist of anxiety tie her stomach up, worried that Tawa'di may not want him right now. She had been a terrible friend, and knew it. Facing it was worse than knowing it, though. "I've come back to you," she said. A pathetic chuckle escaped her throat. "I can't claim to have said that to anyone else in the past."
Tawa'di turned to see the goddess, just as strong and almost youthful as she had been when she fulfilled his wish. So long ago, and yet it wasn't tha tlong ago either. Skan and the others were still alive. Yes, they'd pass on, but he would always be here, watching over the pride he loved so much. "So you have, Mana."
"You know I can't stay forever," she said, her features turning sad. "One can never pin the wind down forever."
Tawa'di shook his head. "Though I am younger, stronger, and more fiery than I used to be, you still returned. I think that says more than anything." He pulled himself towards her, though not much. Enough that it would be easier to talk to her, but not too close. He could tell that she was not ready yet. She was like a little bird, indecisive as to if she should stay or flee. "I think you find it hard to see me as I am now. Harder than when I was dying."
Mana nodded. "It is strange. I will admit that I don't quite like it. Its not your fault. A gift that Kimbilio gave you, and you are treasuring it well." She shifted her wings, flattening them against her back. "Tawa'di....I still should have returned sooner."
"Perhaps. You're here now, though."
"Yes, though I don't know how long I'll stay."
Tawa'di laughed. "You know that's a lie. You'd stay if only someone asked. Me. Skan. Terema. Any of the children. Hell, you have grandchildren now. It wouldn't surprise me if you were a great-grand parent."
Mana glared at him. "Like that is supposed to strike a nerve. You know of my past. My blood still runs in a different family, as thin as it is now. They would probably not recognize me if I approached them."
"No," Skan shook his head. "But this pride will not forget. You gave a gift that was appreciated, and in turn, you will be remembered for it. It will not be wasted. Don't let yourself think that way. Don't approach the past like that. Things change. Mortals do too...as strange as it is to think that way," Tawa'di laughed.
Mana was so embarassed, and yet happy, she wanted to cry. The goddess wouldn't allow herself to do that, though. "You're just trying to get me to trip up, I know it!" Mana laughed, pushing her feelings down a bit. "You're not going to get it right now, though, Tawa'di."
The male laughed, happy that she seemed better. "Alright. Why keep this awkward? You're the one who is so unsure of yourself. Do you fear that the past will repeat itself?" The goddess nodded her head, so Tawa'di continued. "You know that your children will die. You've seen it before. Hell, you're even aware of the fact that you may die one day. You haven't, and I feel that you may never die. You're the wind, easy to lose, hard to grab, and impossible to stop. So stop worrying, and let your worries dance on the winds that you yourself create. Don't lose sight of whats in front of you, otherwise it may disappear once you see it."
"How did you get so smart?" Mana shouldered him a bit. Thankfully when he was reborn he wasn't the small, normal size of an Ela'wadiyi. He could handle it. "Yes. I'm scared of it. I'm scared of what it may mean. You know that you're the one that can pin down the wind. I've never felt this way towards another god. I believe it is because....you are not originally I god. I know you. I trust you. And the idea of being with you...forever is the terrifying part of it all."
Tawa'di winked. "Oh, so that's it?" He dodged a swipe from the goddess, still grinning. "I could have guessed. That's why I was patient. I do have time to wait...though I'm certain our mortal children would be happy to see us together again."
"Don't you need to stay here?" she asked. "This is your home, regardless of the fact that you are a god." Tawa'di shook his head. "No. This is not our original home. Perhaps one day I will guide them home, but for now they are refugees. They are what I represent, and I will be there for them while they need me. Regardless...I'm certain I can have some vacations now at then."
The golden goddess smiled. "Ok. That makes it a bit less terrifying. Though I know these lands well, returning to those that I've touched in the past is still important to me."
"We do not always have to be together to be together."
"You don't always have to keep stating the obvious!" Mana laughed. "Yes. I don't know if this is true love, but I feel that I will be happy with you, as long as the two of us live on."
"Forever," said Tawa'di.
"Oh fine, forever," replied Mana.
(1,039 words)
