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"Flowers on trees are totally cool, like waterfalls in clouds, you know? Or chunky rocks in oceans. Its like balance, having one thing in another where its usually someplace else. You like trees, man?"

It came from nearby, a mellow voice walking in from out further in the gardens.
The mortal it belonged to was somewhat damp from the rain, but seemed wholly unconcerned about whether his clothes of hair were clinging to him or not. He wasn't wearing shoes either.

He smelled....botanical.

"Ahhhh, yeah, I dig. I get that a lot too. We all got a lot of mems floating around and sometimes it just hits you and its heavy. I miss home, too, " He turned looking at the tree a moment. "Its the hills and stonework get me sometimes. I miss my mates the most though. Lived in a commune, lots of fun and friends. We all looked out for each other. But s**t goin' down and it was just one after the other by the wayside. "

"And whoever had the strongest arms and was left had to do the burying. "

"It's important, you know? When stuff goes south to remember little things like that. Keeps the seems together. Keeps things right in your head. "

He took a long, deep breath that rattled a little with held back emotion. He was mostly over the sharp of the pain, into the ache enough that he didn't have to sob every time. "But its cool now, right? I mean, I got the best place in the whole House now. Talkin' to the Big Man and makin' sure we all get a good dose of sunshine and daisies. If He's on the up, everything can be. And he's really peaceful. Sitting there you just FEEL it seep in, and its totally glory. He's out in the gardens."

"He doesn't mind the rain, and I like to dance in it, so no harm in that."

"WHO? The Man. You know...we're all always pie in the sky like there's som egreat overcreature that made all this and set it all in motion? THAT guy. Creation is here, and he walks and talks and drinks tea. I'm sure he does all kinds of stuff while he's doin all that too, cause otherwise there wouldn't be all the green and clean suddenly and the stop to all that everything going to gravy. "

"Harmodius. He's Creation and Destruction both, but...he's all blooms and not so much booms right now. ' The Blue Eye turned on the world and what was sundered was repaired ' was some crazy stuff that's being written about it all. "

"You got all the way here and you haven't heard? You know there's real gods walkin about, right?"

"Ooooooohhhhhh, duuuuuuude....you gotta passenger in the backseat? Yeahhhh. That happens around here. Dud you shoulda TOLD me, man. I can hook you up. And the little voice in your head. "

"He's resting, yea, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't try to be available and get out sometimes. Inspirational and all that. Besides, one room will drive anyone over the cliff, even gods, even if it takes them centuries."

He made a motion with his hand and started walking out to the waterways and tea houses, heedless of the rain.

"Duncan..." he trailed off a moment, though it wasn't clear if it was because he was second guessing if that was his name, trying to remember what his last name was, or something else entirely.

"Nah man, one you sign up to be a stoner, its a one way trip and that means that you gotta work out stuff like memory sifting, talky time, or walky time between you and the rockafeller. Or rockafilly, too. "

"Look on the bright side, you got one wants to talk. I hear sometimes they don't give to shakes, don't talk and then just slurp you right up like a milkshake. Scary stuff. But those are usually the ones that allied with Destruction waaaaay in the before the before. Got gods for bad stuff as much as good."

"Not that you aren't doing them a favour. They forget that. Without the mortal part, they're be seeing rock city from now till the end times."

"Major bummer."

It didn't take too long, though they were both well doubly drenched, to reach their destination. The Eldest with wings spread out, waist deep in a waterway. Where water touched his wings, the droplets that spring off in rebound became odd and wondrous fish to drop into the little body and swim out to the greater. There was a feel of magic around, a palpable humming and refreshment to the senses.

He turned, hearing approach to look at the bank, “Back already, Duncan? I thought you went to warm up with a cup of yerba mate? And whom is this?”

“Voices of long before, and the new age, heard again through dust and decay. All my welcome given. I hope my erstwhile company recently returned has not confused you too badly. ”

"Duncan seeks many enlightenments, the gods alone not the first or last." A smile was on his lips while he said it, no malice or chiding tainting the jest.

“ Would you like to be drier? Pleasant as the rain may be, mortal coil still has needs of warmth and dryness after indulgences. "

"Or was there something else I could provide." He furled his wings, as a continuous volley of fish probably pushed the sublime into the ridiculous, other than being a general distraction. The crystalline forms slowly faded like mist until their delicate chiming and presence was gone- returned to the studded decorations? Formations? of gemstone and silver metal on the white back.

“So it be. ”

Under the feet of the mortals sprung slats of wood into a floor smooth and glossy. Beams raised up from the corners and a colourful unraveling of canvas from beam to beam completed the roof. The patter of rain was still clear to be enjoyed. Creation came up and out from the waters, stepping into the refuge. Extending his hands, towels were just there to be offered out.

Duncan hooted and wrapped in one immediately, unshy about the business of getting off wet clothes. and into just his towel.