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 Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:07 pm
Seitaru'kai surveyed the icy domain that was the Gods' Haven with a yawn. She'd been here for days and hadn't seen either of of the deities she'd come here to find. For all she knew, they didn't even come here! But where else could she look? If she was going to choose anywhere to sit and wait, hoping for them to appear, this was certainly the best place. After all, Earth and Water would have a very broad range - how could she hope to happen upon them otherwise?
It was endlessly frustrating! But Justice had promised her friend that she would find her parents, and so she would. That she endure a little boredom wasn't all that much to ask.
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:21 pm
As it happened, Ardhi-hai really didn't come here very often, or for very long. There was little in the Haven to appeal to the Earth Goddess, who cherished life and growing things. While she could appreciate the stark beauty of the ice and snow, she didn't like being surrounded by it for very long. But she was a very old goddess who knew the importance of befriending her own kind at least occasionally, and that was not so easily done by simply wandering the earth.
She was more likely to happen upon other gods and goddesses, those she knew and those she didn't know yet, here in this strange place.
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:30 pm
Hidden by her blindfold, Seitaru'kai's eyelids were starting to droop. The monotony of lying here and watching nothing happen in an environment all of white was beginning to wear on her. But, just as she was about to give in for a few minutes and doze, something moved in her field of vision - something green.
Her head snapped up, and she narrowed her eyes to study the figure. The truth was, she'd never actually met the Goddess of Earth, but Mama had described her once; even if she hadn't, Sei was sure she would have been able to pick her out. Ardhi-hai looked like her domain.
Rising, Sei hopped down from her perch and walked towards her fellow goddess.
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:37 pm
Greenery sprouted where Ardhi stepped, interrupting the white of the haven for a few moments before disappearing once she moved each paw to step again. She'd once tried to plant something permanently here, but it hadn't worked. That had been a long time ago, though, in another life. Earth was one of the deities who tended to remember her previous lives upon rebirth.
Ah, but she was no longer alone here! A dark-winged, blindfolded goddess approached. Curious, Ardhi-hai stopped where she was, plants curling around her feet. What might she want? She seemed...intent, and not blind at all.
"Hello," she offered pleasantly.
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:40 pm
If she'd had any doubts as to the goddess' identity, they were quickly cleared up as she got a closer look at the other female. Wrapped in flowering vines, plants sprouting up around her paws, and horns that were practically branches, there was little that this goddess could be other than Earth. Plants, maybe.
"Hello." Sei dipped her head respectfully. "Pardon my forwardness, but you are Ardhi-hai, yes? Earth?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:44 pm
Ardhi-hai was just beginning to think how pleasant it was that this goddess was polite, as some were most definitely not, when she addressed her by name. How did she know? Ardhi was quite certain she'd never met the individual now before her, and yet...she was looking for her? It was distinctly odd.
"Yes," she answered after a moment, nodding, "But I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, my dear. Who are you?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:48 pm
"Oh! My apologies!" Sei hadn't meant to be remiss, and gave a brief, apologetic bow. "I am Seitaru'kai," she supplied, "Justice. I'm very sorry to be so abrupt, but I was asked to seek you out and give you news. I didn't know where else I might find you, so I've waited here."
"Mama Bwawa sent me."
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:53 pm
Seek her out and give her news? This meeting got stranger and stranger, and it had only just begun! "Bwawa? My daughter?" Ardhi-hai's heart beat faster in her chest. What could be so urgent that Bwawa would send someone to find her, that she could not come to tell her herself? "Make me wait no longer, Justice," she said sternly, though it couldn't quite cover up the apprehension in her voice. "Tell me. Now."
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:57 pm
"The news is not dire, I promise you," Sei said hurriedly, quickly realizing her mistake. One didn't hint to a mother about news from her daughter! "She is well and..." Not whole, not exactly. "...Happy."
She could think of no delicate way to put the news, however, not that would be short and to the point as Ardhi obviously wished. "She has chosen to become mortal."
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:02 pm
Ardhi's worry was assuaged somewhat by Sei's assurance that Bwawa was well, but she didn't wait any more patiently. She would not be well until she knew wh-
What? Of the dozens of things that had run through her mind, not the least of which had been that she was a grandmother, that had not been one of them. It would never have been one of them. "She...is mortal? But...why would she...?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:06 pm
"I do not quite understand, myself," Seitaru'kai admitted with a shake of her head. "But it is true. She gave her place as goddess to save the life of a mortal who must have been beloved to her. One of her descendants, in her pride."
"Only she can really explain her reasoning, but she asked that I tell you, and her father as well. Do you know where I might find him?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:13 pm
"I...I see." While Seitaru'kai had been truthful in that the news was not dire, it was still...somewhat disturbing. While Bwawa had, for the most part, been a better patron to her pride than her brothers had been to theirs, to go this far was nothing Ardhi-hai would ever have expected.
She shook off the shock for a moment to answer the messenger. "I'm afraid not. He frequents nowhere in particular, coming and going wherever he pleases - wherever there is water. He does come here on occasion, however."
"Might I ask you to stay here and watch for him, as you have me? I will seek him in the world below, and together we might find him faster. If I find him first, I will return to let you know."
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:16 pm
"You may," she answered, with another bow for the older goddess. "I promised Mama I would find the both of you, so I'm grateful to have your help in seeking Tamu'dhihaka."
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:20 pm
In response and gratitude, the Goddess of Earth dipped her horned head. "You have my deepest thanks, Seitaru'kai. I am glad to know my daughter has a friend such as you, even now." How many deities would remain faithful to one no longer immortal? "I would like to get to know you properly one day, but for now, I will not linger."
"Farewell, Justice." With a deep bow, Ardhi-hai disappeared to search for her sometime-mate.
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