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 Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:27 am
There was, Haumea thought as he studied the small sitting room that he’d been directed to, a strange and graceful beauty to the Dark Kingdom and its environs. He couldn’t remember anything on Earth itself that spoke so deeply to his soul.
Or what was left of it.
But the castle was beautiful in its way. The Rift even more so. Even now, with his mind focused on the need to speak with Laurelite and understand her thoughts, something within him yearned for the Rift. He remembered Lyssa and how the Rift seemed to soothe her insanity. Alkaid had wandered there for who knew how long before he had lost her. It growled and gibbered and stank of malevolence. But it was also where he felt the most at home and the closest to his true and only Goddess.
His fingers moved of their own volition, brushing delicately against the petals of the dark flower woven into his hair. He had the favor of Metallia. He must make sure that he never took that fact for granted.
“Grant me your insight, Mother,” he murmured, the words a fervent prayer. “The ones who sang your path to me are gone, lost. Perhaps forever. Only let me understand how I fit into this new way and how I can help the little brother I saw. We can’t be the only ones who braved your cleansing fires, can we?”
Sinking into silence and thought, Haumea stood within the sitting room, motionless. He would speak with Laurelite once her other business was concluded. He only hoped that she could help him see the way forward more clearly.
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Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2024 12:20 pm
It didn’t take Laurelite long to join Haumea. Though she was always busy with something she also seemed to be able to carve out some time when necessary. Tonight was a good night. She stepped away from the group she was speaking with and drifted to Haumea’s side. She probably could have done it silently but her heels made a deliberate, paced click as she moved, as if to politely announce her arrival without just suddenly intruding into his thoughts. “Haumea,” she greeted politely, a few seconds after she’d come to stand before him. “I hope I’m not interrupting. What was that you were saying?”
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Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2024 10:15 am
Appreciative of the consideration she showed, Haumea turned his head and inclined it gracefully to Laurelite. Though he had only the faintest of memories of Beryl, the differences were stark. Beryl, his memories assured him, would never have paused to speak with him. Would not have shown such grace and thoughtfulness.
Laurelite was, in his opinion, the superior Queen.
"My Lady," he said softly. "You haven't interrupted anything. I was only asking my Mother to help guide the path."
Moving so that he could face her fully, crackled skin seeping pure Chaos, Haumea considered the small woman. He could trust her. He should trust her.
Therefore, he would lay bare his concerns.
"It feels like so little time has passed since Metallia graced me with her favor. If I had been asked, I would have sworn upon Her that I had only stepped into the Rift to seek more truths perhaps a week ago. But tonight... It appears that I have lost months, if not years. It is... unnerving."
The tall Ascended gave a jarring, clumsy shrug, as if something within had forgotten how to do so human a gesture.
"I did not even know that there is a little brother until tonight. My Lady, that is unacceptable on my part. I should have been here to help so he would not have had to walk this path alone. Can you forgive me for this? Can Metallia forgive me for this? Are there others like us? Or those searching for the way?"
For a moment, he froze in palpable grief and remorse. He had had Alkaid to guide him. He hadn't been alone. Now, with her gone, it was only him. The visions that had sparked and spurred him into action were in danger of never coming to pass. He couldn't allow that to happen.
"You spoke of cutting back on harvesting starseeds. Do these new limits apply to myself and any like me? They are the most efficient source of sustenance for an Ascended. If there is a better way, please tell me."
Then, as he stood, pleading with his Queen, a flicker of lost humanity crossed his face as his tangerine eyes reflected loss and longing.
"Where do we fit into this new way, my Queen?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:30 pm
Laurelite smiled sweetly at him, because despite the riddles he spoke she was sure she understood the intention behind them. “Your words are sincere. I would forgive you, if there were anything to forgive. Do not carry such a heavy weight needlessly. I hold you in high esteem, let that be enough.” He was here now, and undoubtedly doing his best for the Negaverse. She was not always easy to approach but he had made the effort now and she was glad to entertain him during the free moment she had to share.. “You fit in as you always have, Haumea. I hope you won’t find yourself discouraged. It’s true, starseeds are the most efficient source of sustenance in Destiny City, but I hope you will replenish your energy here whenever you have the chance. It saves on resources.” But then, he already knew that. The energy here was always in surplus, and quick to recharge an Ascended Senshi. Energy was far less effective to keep them charged when in Destiny City, but it was also easier to obtain. Starseeds were the most effective, but came with a far greater cost. It was a difficult balancing game. “I trust that you will do your best and will use your judgment to make the best decisions possible. We might have been able to improve our means to gather energy to fuel other projects, but I want you in the best shape you can be. Don’t think you’ll be doing what you need to keep yourself in good condition. I trust you.”
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Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2025 8:17 pm
Hooding his eyes in thought, Haumea considered his Queen's words. And found them good. He and any like him would not be expected to abstain. Not completely. He was happy enough to eat his fill, as it was, of energy here since it did not cost them anything.
Nodding his understanding, he suddenly gave a brilliant, toothy smile and held his hand over his heart before bowing low. The trust of the Queen was, he felt, not something that came quickly or easily. He had proven himself and in spite of his lapse of duty while wandering the Rift, it would not be held against him.
"You are gracious, my Queen," he murmured. "Truly, Metallia chose well when she gave you the crown."
Feeling more at ease with the state of things, Haumea's cracked and corrupted body visibly relaxed.
"I will restrict my wanderings for a time," he declared. "Though I have learned something of the Rift and its whispers, I cannot neglect my duties here again. So, where may I best assist, my Lady? Have there been others who would become as I am? I am ever ready to assist within the Tower."
He might have said more, but what would have been the point? Mindless flattery? Laurelite was above that petty need and now that he had spoken with her, he felt that they understood each other now.
"Tell me where I am of best use, my Queen."
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Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:19 pm
“You flatter me,” Laurelite said, and though she wore her standard, polite smile, there was something almost teasing in her voice. Her amusement may have been genuine but she appreciated his sincerity. “At a party, you want to talk about work? Admirable. But it makes me wonder if you aren’t pushing yourself too hard.” As if she were one to judge. She gave him a look over, brief but with some scrutiny. He seemed healthy enough, so she smiled again. “I cannot say I have any others to direct you to, but I appreciate your enthusiasm. I want to know what you have learned through your travels. The Rift is not always a kind place, tell me of its whispers.”
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Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 9:29 am
"I have never been much of a partier," Haumea replied, lips quirking slightly. Then, his face went still and he shrugged. "I am what Metallia so graciously made me, my Queen. Human constraints don't... really apply so much anymore."
This was stated simply, with no regrets for what had been lost when he had braved Metallia's cleansing fires. He was both more and less than human now. And nothing in this world or any other could cause him to ever doubt that choice.
Still, her request to hear of what he'd seen and learned stirred something within and he brightened visibly, wafts of chaos energy wisping through his cracked skin excitedly.
"Ah, there is such beauty to be found for those who can and will open themselves to it," he said, voice taut. "There are strange ruins, though I was unable to get too close. The youma there obey only Metallia, and some were civil enough in driving me away. Others...? I was lucky to escape unharmed. Fields and jungles of crystal and so much Chaos that it made me dizzy... "
The tall ascended went quiet for a moment, eyes dimmed as he thought of everything he'd seen and heard. He wasn't sure he could explain it adequately.
"Once," he said, "I saw the rising silhouette of a youma of such size... It must have been truly ancient. It's whispers were the most enlightening. It had seen a great deal and was willing to show me paths of lesser resistance. It was content to wait until Metallia sees fit to unleash it upon the world. Such made up the bulk of the whispers, my Queen. The youma there, the things that we probably have no words for yet. They are eager and hungry for the day Metallia gives them free reign."
Suddenly, he began to laugh, shaking his head at some memory. "The most civil of the youma were surprised and pleased by me, I think. That one of the hated enemy could give themselves so completely to Metallia. But, I think these had encountered Alkaid once and were more pleased to see that she wasn't the only one. Though none of them know where she has gone. Perhaps I will take the little brother down someday to introduce him. Those youma may be pleased by him as well. My Queen," he said suddenly, "Would you consider coming along some time? I suspect they'd be happy and willing to share their secrets with you. You are their Mother's chosen regent, after all."
The Space Cauldron This can probably wrap next post if you want
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2025 6:34 am
Laurelite gave Haumea her full attention, which was not always an easy thing to earn. She had a glint in her eyes when he mentioned the ruins but nodded understandingly. Youma hadn’t been a problem for her for a long time, but one that would defy an Ascended General? It was probably for the best that he kept his distance. She wondered how much of what he’d seen was real and how much might have been only echoes of such ancient creatures. The Rift was untrustworthy and misleading. Haumea was brave to spend so much time there. “Perhaps we are both better suited to such trips than these parties,” she said, smiling kindly. “Metallia keeps me busy, but I’d like that. I have dreams of uncovering the secrets of the Rifts. Even she says there is more out there than she can see. You will have to keep me in mind when you’re exploring. Tell me if you find anything else interesting out there. I’d like to hear about your adventures.”
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