[center][img]http://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/844ae996-4653-42ea-a72b-c5ba6b9a9f26.jpg[/img][/center] Chiral Phi watched the sun rise from the top of a giant's pebble. Gold glittered through the mauve line of inner Lex on its way to Galbar, casting strips of pink over the planet. Nearby, Old Walker had found a fossil and was cleaning it with utmost wonder. She shut off her perception for a moment, feeling nothing but the warmth, and smiled. Then she opened her eyes to the new day. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Oi, Vestec."[/colour] Somewhere a condor spread its magnificent wings and took to the air. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Vestec. Vestec. Veeestec."[/colour] He appeared in a flash of multicolored light, bowing in front of Chiral Phi. "My, my. [i]Two[/i] creatures of Jvan asking for me to appear? She really must be teaching you how to be more accepting nowadays than before. To what do I owe this conversation, Chirally dear?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"To this rock,"[/colour] said Phi, flipping herself off the top of the boulder and gesturing elsewhere. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Mind tossing it over there? I don't have hands."[/colour] "That's all? Can't you have one of your Tedar or Sculptors do it?" Vestec picked up the rock and carelessly lobbed in the direction Phi had indicated. It soared over, crashing on the ground and exploded into various bits and pieces. Some were slithering snakes, others shards of rocks, others bits of chaos energy that seemed to sizzle as it hit the ground. Phi whistled appreciatively. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Good shooting."[/colour] "Well. That's done. Is there a particular reason why you wanted me to do it Phi-y my dear?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"...What? I just told you, I don't have hands,"[/colour] said Phi, wriggling herself into a shrug. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Besides, did you see the size of that thing? Would've taken an urt the whole day, and I need them to keep books."[/colour] The splay of pale indio spiked and disappeared into the gravel below with no further explanation. Old Walker spotted Vestec and inclined their head. [i]Mroom.[/i] Vestec paused for a moment, staring at where Phi had been moments before. Then he started giggling uncontrollably, rolling on his sides in laughter as he floated in the air, colors flashing merrily. He looked over at Old Walker, still giggling to himself. "She..hehe..she just wanted...haahahaha....me to move the rock! I like her!" He descended once more into giggles, only regaining control of himself a few seconds later. "This is a [i]lovely[/i] surprise." [i]Hm-mumm,[/i] said Old Walker wisely but not, perhaps, kindly. "You're just upset because all of your friends are dead because an angry god came down and murdered all of them. Good work surviving that by the way, I knew you had it in you!" Vestec gave Old Walker a friendly nudge on the shoulder, turning his attention back to the absence of rock. The dirt started glowing and Chiral Phi popped out of it. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Back,"[/colour] she said. [colour=cornflowerblue]"There's a cave down there. I'll use it as a volcano shelter. Just need a goblin with a pickaxe to do what they they do best."[/colour] She swam upwards towards Vestec, snakelike. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Oh, you're still here? I'm flattered,"[/colour] she said sweetly. "Well, you're far more interesting than most Jvanic creatures. They all tend to hate me like she does..." [colour=cornflowerblue]"-You'd be surprised-"[/colour] "...So it's nice when I can chat with one of her creatures that [i]doesn't[/i] despise me for cryptic and unknowable reasons that they and she refuse to specify." Vestec replied cheerfully, floating upside down as he looked at her. "What are you doing here anyways? Most Jvan things tend to focus on horrifically altering creatures against their will. I don't see any of that here." [colour=cornflowerblue]"Excuse me? I am not 'a Jvan thing', Vestec."[/colour] Phi twirled and puffed herself up. [colour=cornflowerblue]"I am-"[/colour] she giggled and deflated. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Hang on, wait. I am God- pffhaha no, wait- I am God, firstborn daughter- "[/colour] Phi choked. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Firstborn daught- snrk -daughter of Jvan and Logo- BFHAHAHAHAH okay no fine I can't do it. Fffeheheheh."[/colour] Vestec started giggling along with Phi, revolving in midair. "Jvan and Logos..hehehehe." She stopped giggling after a while and flicked. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Alright, sure, yes, I'm Jvan trimmed of most of her emotions. And her power. So I'm building a theocracy to do things for me."[/colour] Shrug. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Don't know what yet."[/colour] Vestec paused in his spinning, looking at Phi. "Wait wait wait. You were a part of Jvan? Knew all her emotions and stuff right? Do you have any idea why she absolutely despises me? I tried to get it out of her a while ago and all she did was make cryptic remarks, play a game of catch the glass shard with me, and then get sulky with Lifprasil. While fun, it didn't explain [i]anything[/i]." Phi seesawed a little and made a 'mnuhhhh' sound. [colour=cornflowerblue]"I mean, yes, I have all her memories until we split, and, yes, there's a specific reason..."[/colour] Vestec spun around in a crosslegged position, making a 'go on' motion. She ignited and burned off a little of herself. [colour=cornflowerblue]"...You gods always start with the hard questions, you know that? Trust me, it's a long and complicated thing to explain and you'll have to sit through a lot that doesn't seem to make sense. Can't we talk about something else first?"[/colour] "So I've been told. And don't worry, I've got lots of patience. Comes with being a god you know. I watched all these mortals grow up into lovely civilizations and burned some of them down. Go on, I'm curious so I can go bother Jvan with it when she finally puts herself back together! We can talk about other things later!" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Oh?"[/colour] Phi turned into concentric shapes and spiralled easily. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Am I obligated to inherit Jvan's baggage the moment she starts keeping a low profile? You don't [i]seem[/i] very patient, Vestec."[/colour] Just a little teasing, there. "Well, not really, you just happen to be the only person in the universe who knows why she despises me. I'll stop bothering you about her after that. But I get the point you're not so subtly making." Vestec giggled. "And for the record I'm not very patient for a god. Ask any of my siblings, they'll agree." [colour=cornflowerblue]"You just said-!"[/colour] started Phi, then laughed. He scanned the surrounding area, musing. "Well, for one, what do you have for defenses? The Rovaick are arming themselves. Lifprasil is preparing to try and claim the world as his own. There are going to be Grotlings running around soon. Not even mentioning the Dwarves who your....brother? Sister? Sibling? Whatever Heartworm is to you-" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Let's say 'problem',"[/colour] purred Phi diplomatically. Vestec continued without missing a beat. "-turned them into a fairly armed force. You're going to need something in the way of protection!" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Well, this valley is about to have the economy of a king's kitchen, so I don't think I'll have trouble with that boy of yours,"[/colour] said Phi simply. "Oooh you don't remember Jvan's little project with me, Astarte, lifprasil, and Niciel? The super soldiers we made will tear this little valley apart." Phi laughed, but not cruelly. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Oh! You misunderstand. Alefpria isn't very far north from here, Vestec. If Lifprasil expands, he'll find us first. And as I am a peaceful God, who has shed no blood and spoke no evil, whose only desire is a world of empathy..."[/colour] [colour=cornflowerblue]"If Lifprasil is to conquer the world, he can't afford to do it without me. If I can't form an alliance with him, I will form one against him with Rulanah and Dundee, and he will find us... Disagreeable. But that won't happen. Instead I will chart his routes, fashion his swords, feed his people. He will take power with me at his side."[/colour] [colour=cornflowerblue]"And when the world is one empire... When I am Lifprasil's scribe and right hand, administrating a world fed on Meteran rice, speaking a Meteran tongue, taught with Meteran moral code by the missionaries of my religion..."[/colour] Phi unfolded from her twirl. [colour=cornflowerblue]"What do you think will happen then?"[/colour] "Well, assuming that he hasn't stolen your ideas and aggressively taken over this valley because he doesn't trust you, that he hasn't used his status as a demigod and sheer emotional manipulation and presence than you to outdo your religion, that he hasn't used some other Urt- I like that name by the way- mathematics, that he hasn't forced his tongue upon the rest of the world, that his moral code hasn't been forced in place of your own, and assuming that he hasn't killed you immediately aftwards because he suspects you, I imagine you'll stage some sort of quiet coup and rule the world? Most people tend to do that." Vestec twisted till he was looking at Phi upside down, expectantly waiting. [colour=cornflowerblue]"...Yeah, pretty much,"[/colour] she said cheerily. [colour=cornflowerblue]"But come on, now, you know he's too naive for half of that. Besides, I have a better contingency, one that'll keep me safe from all those other nasty things you mentioned too."[/colour] "Oh? Do tell. I won't breathe a word to him until I save him from it brutally murdering him, provided it is a brutal murder type of contingency. And I wouldn't be sure. This battle with Logos and Amartia is sure to make him grow up, and quickly. Many have died because they underestimated their rivals." Merry giggling. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Don't be silly, it's nothing like that. See, my secret weapon is..."[/colour] Phi curled towards Vestec, became a blue gleam leaning into his ear. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Jvan hates me,"[/colour] she said simply. Then she retracted back to about where she'd been before. [colour=cornflowerblue]"I annoy her. When she wakes up she'll throw resources at me until I promise not to meddle in her affairs. I already have a deal in mind. Nothing too hard, you understand. Just something that'll keep my projects safe without having to resort to anything [i]drastic.[/i]"[/colour] Phi flipped end over end, floating out over the mountainous terrain. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Safe, and mobile. Like a giant collapsible fortress."[/colour] "Wait wait. You're contingency is to hope that she hasn't been drastically changed enough by near death at the hands of the antithesis to her that she won't do what she did to dear old Vowzy to you." Vestec chuckled. "Risky. I like it." [colour=cornflowerblue]"I like to think I'm safe,"[/colour] sauntered Phi. He sidled closer to Phi. "Alternatively, I have another offer." [colour=cornflowerblue]"Oh?"[/colour] "If you remember anything from Jvan's thoughts about me, ideally it'll be that I like balancing things out. Especially empires. Amestris was a bust. Vetros is to busy finding out what it is to be a threat. The ogres are divided. The Rovaick are going to begrudgingly side with him for their perfect world, and the Dwarves are going to be ground under his super warrior's heels. While the Grotlings will be strong, they won't be [i]that[/i] strong." [colour=cornflowerblue]"Aww,"[/colour] whined the ghost. "Trust me dear, if you remember Grot, you don't want them to be that strong." [colour=cornflowerblue]"AWWW,"[/colour] whined Phi, louder this time. Vestec waved a dismissive hand. "You want to be his right hand. But Jvan has his ear even more so than when you do. If she starts saying that you can't be trusted, he won't trust you. He'll actively make sure you're curbed and your plans of world rule under you are nothing but dust in the wind. However," Vestec rubbed his hands together gleefully. [colour=cornflowerblue][i]Oh this'll be good,[/i][/colour] went Phi's thoughts. "I've got another contingency brewing in the Changing Plains. The Ashlings and the Voren are going to be forcibly united and given something to even the odds against his annoyingly independent knights. But they need resources. They need an economy backing them up that'll help them stand and face Lifprasil quickly, or they'll be crushed like the rest and I'll have to step in myself. What I'm suggesting is that you support [i]them[/i] instead. Big Fucking Mallet and Hemrick will both trust you, and won't try to stop your machinations. They don't have a proper religion or mathematics yet. They don't have rice. They don't have a unifying tongue. You could bring that too them. Help them beat Lifprasil, and then all you have to worry is about them rather than a demigod of Emotion who will be very angry if you try to coup him." [colour=cornflowerblue]"So,"[/colour] began Phi, [colour=cornflowerblue]"You're ready to trust me with a..."[/colour] She stopped. There was a smacking sound, as if of exponential palm on asymptotic forehead. [colour=cornflowerblue]"What am I saying? Of course you are. Fantastic!"[/colour] Old Walker had fixed them both with a disapproving stare. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Shut up, you."[/colour] Vestec, at the same time, "Hush you. It'll be fun!" Giggling, he returned his attention to Phi. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Anyway, [i]uncle Vestec,[/i] if you have the slightest inclination to actually go through with handing me an army of sadists and devils, I'm going to grab at it and run wild. Until you decide to, mm, 'balance' me again."[/colour] "Perfect! It'll be fun!" Vestec stuck out a hand. "Deal?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"...I don't have hands, Vestec,"[/colour] said Phi mischievously. [colour=cornflowerblue]"That's kind of my whole thing."[/colour] "Right, forgot. Just..er..kinda flow around my hand and we'll call it your handshake. Then we'll work on connecting you to the Changing Plains. You can't help them if they have to trade with you through normal routes after all!" Phi illuminated Vestec's arm with bright spinning circles of hot light, then let go. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Connection made,"[/colour] she said. [colour=cornflowerblue]"And what else shall we link together today? I have an idea, but let's hear yours."[/colour] "It'll be easier to show you. Can you keep up with a God going full speeds and travelling through at least two different realms and wrangling another god whose probably insane and will likely try to kill us?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"...Yeah, rub it in, why don't you?"[/colour] said Phi, mock-offended. Vestec giggled. "So no, got it. I'll also be digging tunnels to connect everything. Bit of a bother, but I have time...I'll have to dig near every possible location...Hmm you may be with me a very long time. For mortals at anyrate. I plan on digging a bunch of tunnels all through Galbar's earth-" Chiral Phi lit up like an indigo torch and started making [i]nonononono, nope, no, nah uh, hang on[/i] noises. Vestec continued, uninhibited by her unintelligible babbling. "-and making them all instantly transportable through Julfy's skin and natural divine magic of shadows. That'll take quite a lot of Mortal time, as they'll only be useful for the entrances they have there. So maybe telling you would be better for the both of us." He perked up, finally acknowledging Phi's incoherent noises. "Unless you have a better idea?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Yes!"[/colour] yelled Phi. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Aren't you forgetting? This world is [i]riddled[/i] with pits and wells. Blood Wells!"[/colour] The strange avatar changed shape, forming a pale globe scrawled with wild lines, like a map of a worm-eaten fruit. The lines didn't quite seem to match up in three dimensions; They were like the edges of a Penrose triangle. Vestec tilted his head at it all, like a confused puppy. [colour=cornflowerblue]"The Submaterium is already highly warped in space. I know- I've spent weeks charting it out. Without control over the Wyrms, you can't direct where the tunnels appear or lead, but if you split the difference between shadow magic and the labyrinth... Add gateways and a system of short cuts, in other words..."[/colour] Phi rebounded into a spiral and bounced like a spring. [colour=cornflowerblue]"See what I'm getting at?"[/colour] Vestec's colors suddenly shone bright for an instant, then started shifting excitedly. "Oh! Right, right. One of Mammon's few actual creations! I had completely forgotten about that, if I'm honest. After helping him die and sowing his essence across the Realm of Madness I forgot Mammon had ever been active in Galbar." [colour=cornflowerblue][i]Note to self: Death confirmed,[/i][/colour] thought Phi, coldly but happily. "That will work nicely, actually. Just stretch some godly flesh over the Subterranium, have it obey when summoned, and boom instant teleportation! I'll get on that in a jif!" He paused looking at Phi. "Would you care to come along?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Was that a jab? I can't teleport, Vestec."[/colour] Phi kicked impatiently. [colour=cornflowerblue]"All Jvan left me with was maths. [i]Maths,[/i] Vestec. That's all I've got."[/colour] "It may have been. Point is, I can take you along with me if you wish. Perks of being a God." Vestec bowed elegantly. "Madam?" Phi giggled, but insistently. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Let's go, then."[/colour] Vestec giggled. "As you wish!" In an instant they were gone, lights flashing behind them. They appeared outside of the dome of shadows, crouched amongst the Realm of Madness. They were in knee deep snow, as the sky shifted and moved with various colors. "Oh! Snow this time. What a lovely surprise." Vestec started walking through the dome, calling over his shoulder, "Brace yourself! He hasn't stopped screaming in centuries. I think it's because this place burns him, but I'm not sure. He hasn't really explained!" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Maybe it's just your company?"[/colour] snarked Phi, reflecting broadly off the white plain. As soon as they were past the shield, the howling assaulted them. The God of Darkness thrashed at his bonds, howling and screaming as he was held back by chains of chaos energy. His wrists, waist, and ankle, such as they were, were chafed and bleeding a strange liquid, moving and colored like ink in water. "It's good to see you too Julfy!" Vestec said cheerfully, his hands turning dark red and clawed. "Now, I'm just going to take a little from you. Just enough to make the tunnels I need. Be a good brother and don't fight." [colour=cornflowerblue]"Morning,"[/colour] greeted Phi cheerily. Her lines fizzed. This was all excellent data. Julkolfyr merely screamed at them, attempting to lash out, his blows stopped short by the taught chain. "See? I learned from last time!" Vestec giggled, claws digging into flesh as he pinned the other god down. With a sickening rip, a spray of that strange blood, and a scream that would have burst the eardrums of mortals, Vestec leapt away with his prize, the flesh of the God of Darkness. "Come along Phiy dear. Lets go visit the Submaterial and make our little gates and shortcuts." They were gone in another flash, appearing in front of a Blood Well. "This'll do nicely. It's connected to the Submatteral and I can apply Julfy's flesh to good use!" He strode happily towards it, swinging Julkolfyr's flesh back and forth. "Now, just toss a little God flesh in there, ad some of my power to make it do what I want and..." The Blood Well shone with multiple colors, all edged with pure black. Vestec held a hand above it, forcing his power upon it. All across the Submaterium tunnels, natural darkness deepened, grew somehow thicker. Light was drowned and destroyed. An ominous feeling of [i]not safe[/i] and [i]unwanted[/i] filled them once again. Chiral Phi plotted her chart again. This time, thin cuts of black seemed to slice between the tunnels, opening and closing at a moment's notice. Vestec clapped his hands, and looked back at her. "Any particular ritual ideas you want to summon these portals? If not I'm just going to stick with 'chant the name three times in an open space'. Also, do remind whoever you send in here that they have to keep their destination fixed in their minds or who knows where they'll end up." [colour=cornflowerblue]"They'll figure it out,"[/colour] shrugged Phi. It was one of the gestures she seemed particularly good at imitating. [colour=cornflowerblue]"And we'll use a prayer, obviously. A prayer to yours truly. That way I always know who's going where. And they have to pay me to get there. In compliments. Let's see, how about... 'Our Lord, who doth reside in the sacred Valley, subtle be thy curves...'"[/colour] Vestec wagged a finger. "Ah, ah, ah. You're not going to be the only ones using these tunnels. It'd be unfair if you knew where everyone was going and were able to stop everyone. We'll just go with something like 'Mammon's bones, Julkofyr's skin, and Phi's will, I summon thee!' Or whatever." [colour=cornflowerblue]"I'm not looking for the power to intervene, Vestec. I don't have it, anyway. They can curse me to gain entrance if they want- They can lampoon my name or crack a joke at my expense- 'How many Chiral worshippers does it take to blow out a candle? None, they're too distracted by pretty lights.'[/colour] She flickered, candle-like. [colour=cornflowerblue]"I just want that... Sweet... Delicious... [i]Data.[/i]"[/colour] "Fair enough. We'll set up a prayer where you get an automatic data flow whenever someone uses it. Then you get your data, everyone gets to go along with their business. 'Shadow Tunnels come to me. Obey my will, I decree!' I like that. We'll go with that. Every time someone says that you'll get who they are, where they're starting, and where they're going." Giggles. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Alright, well, it's a poem, but I can work with it. Speaking of, can I ask you a favour? My belief system is somewhat dependent on reincarnation in this world. Right now, too many souls are being lost to the Realm of Madness instead of reborn via the Wraith Stone. If I leave that for a generation or so, the mortals will start to catch on."[/colour] She swirled. [colour=cornflowerblue]"I just want my beloved people to be insured, you know. The snow demons seemed hungry. How about we even out the ratio a little so my Meteran worshippers are recycled the normal way, and the Changing Plains folk get to run wild with the imps after death? I'm sure they'll love it."[/colour] Vestec paused, tilting his head. "It's only a quarter of mortal souls. That's a whole three quarters being reborn as you wish! And besides, you don't seem to understand how the Realm works. They don't 'run around with imps' they [i]become[/i] imps and demons. Well. They do at least. Niciel's angels and Teknall's hain become spirits of purity and creation respectively, and so on so forth." [colour=cornflowerblue]"So brighter, shinier demons,"[/colour] corrected Phi. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Vestec, I understand you're not the mathematician here, but one quarter adds up fast. After just three generations, you'll have more than half the population of any given species on Galbar- 57.8%, ignoring growth. When was the last time you counted your demons? Try it. "[/colour] Vestec waved a hand. "They'll all be trapped in the Realm of Madness, which expands infinitely as needed, and killing each other for more power. Balanced. But if you insist, I can change things so that your precious Meterans are reborn here. But, it'd cost you a favour to me." Vestec put a hand on his chin, slowling rotating in circles, thinking. "Hmmm. What do you have that I'd want?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Jvan's secret,"[/colour] said Phi smugly. "Cheater." Vestec accused, giggling to himself. "Very well. I'll tweak the Realm of Madness to ignore your worshippers and make them be reborn whereever you set up your temples. Deal?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Spiffy,"[/colour] pipped Phi. "Now. I believe you promised to tell me the reason why Jvan utterly despises me?" Vestec sat in a cross legged position, hand on his chin, looking at Phi expectantly. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Well, first of all, if you look closely you'll notice something."[/colour] Phi formed herself into a lattice not too different from the shape of Jvan's titanic body. [colour=cornflowerblue]"It's not so much her creations. The fleshshapers like you, mostly, and other Sculptors are free to form their own ideas- They're just biased, because they spend so much time with her while they ascend. The Sorority will probably love you, all but that depressive poet that leads them. And that other society she has stowed away at the bottom of the sea..."[/colour] Chuckles. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Well, they have their reasons. The point is, Vestec, it's just [i]her.[/i] What makes you think she hates you so much?"[/colour] Vestec paused and thought for a moment. "I haven't broken anything of hers. Haven't really chatted with her beyond that one time where she slapped me through the planet. She does seem obsessed with all of my children, adopted or no. Lifprasil and Sin were given gifts almost as soon as she knew they existed, and she made a point to remember Maeus. She hasn't visited Helvana, though I must admit that might be because she's basically dead." He tilted his head at Phi. "Does have something to do with all of my children? Or my creations? She always seems to be following them quite quickly. That 'somber poet' you mentioned was going from place to place at her last directive." Phi made an encouraging motion. [colour=cornflowerblue]"In manner of speaking, yes. Never forget how presumptious she is. Jvan claims this whole planet as hers. And she loves seeing new things- Throwing power at them to see what they do with it."[/colour] [colour=cornflowerblue]"But you have broken things, or at least come close. Lex, for example. And Vowzra was forced to clean up Perfectus. You made Ashlings before mortals had the capacity to rebuff them, and the Hordes were the greatest military force the world had ever seen at the time."[/colour] Phi giggled. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Well, that didn't last. And then there was Slough, of course. You woke her up. Jvan is very touchy about Slough."[/colour] There was a pause, in which Vestec leapt into. "Are you saying she hates me because I forced the other Gods and her to react? I wouldn't have let Perfectus smash into Galbar. I just wanted to see who reacted. The Ashlings were designed to see who cared most about the mortals, and how they would deal with it. As for the Hordes, that was mostly Kyre's fault for trying to call my buff. Besides, Lifprasil needed to prove himself, and the world needed to realize that if they didn't start becoming stronger quickly, they would die. It helped when the Realta arrived. Not much, granted, but they weren't nearly a surprised and unprepared when Logos came knocking. And [i]everyone[/i] is touchy about Slough. I was trying to help her when Jvan came in and smacked me." Chiral Phi was quiet. She seemed to be staring into the freshly-revived Blood Well. [colour=cornflowerblue]"What I'm saying, Vestec,"[/colour] she began, [colour=cornflowerblue]"Is that there are feelings in Jvan that she does not understand. She's always called herself the Child God, and she's not wrong. She never grew out of her impatience, her wrath, her spite, her arrogance. Not [i]before[/i] she became All-Beauty, anyway."[/colour] Sheets of light rippling as if in a faint wind. Phi seemed to be looking straight at Vestec. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Jvan reacted the way she did out of panic, only to have her fears resolve themselves. All those plans you used to goad your family into action? They [i]worked.[/i] And Jvan knows it. She'll never admit it to herself, but..."[/colour] Phi flicked into the shape of a change-eater. [colour=cornflowerblue]"You are the braver god, and the more mature."[/colour] [colour=cornflowerblue]"She's in love with you, Vestec."[/colour] Vestec didn't reply, staring at Phi for a few minutes, expectantly waiting for her to break down into a fit of giggles and tell him the real reason. When that wasn't forthcoming his colors slowed dramatically, as if he was processing it. "Waitwaitwaitwaitwaitwaitwait. So you're telling me, that the entire reason Jvan hates me, is because she has no idea how to recognize her emotions and is falling back on dislike. Is that what this boils down to?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Correct,"[/colour] said Phi cheerily. Vestec giggled. "That makes....a disturbing amount of sense. Now I'm going to have to deal with it." Vestec giggled some more, then sighed. "Amul and Fate above, I wish Vulamera was here. She'd make this [i]much[/i] easier. You think Jvan would react negatively to the presence of Niciel helping me out with this?" He flipped himself around, thinking. "This'll be fun, at the very least." [colour=cornflowerblue]"You don't say?"[/colour] It was all old news to Phi, clearly. [colour=cornflowerblue]"I'd be careful about Niciel. She fell a little out of Jvan's favour when she stood by and watched Vowzra kidnap Slough. Still, you may need all the help you can get."[/colour] Gentle laughter, like wooden chimes. [colour=cornflowerblue]"It's not my problem. Good luck."[/colour] "I'm going to need it aren't I?" Vestec giggled. "Don't worry, you'll have an emissary from the Changing Plains in a few days. Big Fucking Mallet and Hemrick are going to be busy little goblins soon enough." Vestec glanced down the valley, towards Phi's temple. Occupied by conversing and travelling with Chiral Phi, he hadn't noticed it until now. "My, my. What is that I'm sensing over there?" He disappeared in a flash, returning a moment later. "Right, you can't teleport, forgot." [colour=cornflowerblue]"Rude!"[/colour] He teleported again, this time taking Phi with him. They appeared in front of the small orb Meterans seemed to be worshipping, small enough to fit in a human's hands. Vestec peered at it for a moment, then his colors lit up delightedly. "Phiy, dear, is [i]this[/i] the leverage you have on Jvan so she doesn't kill you? You're keeping her nasty little Gap back from destroying the world and universe aren't you? Clever!" He flew up to the orb, peering at it. "Such a small thing to have the entire balance of the universe in it. What happens if it breaks? Does the Gap flood through at that specific location?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Probably,"[/colour] shrugged Phi. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Want to find out?"[/colour] Vestec wagged a finger. "Now, now Phi. You always want to have everything too quickly! You have to learn patience! There's always more fun to be had if you stretch it out and make it last rather than destroying everything in an instant of fun." He looked between the orb and Phi, sensing something else. "Wait, are you connected to it as well? If you die it dies type of deal?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Vestec, look at me. What do you think you're seeing?"[/colour] Phi became an opaque blue cube, hovering easily. [colour=cornflowerblue]"This is just a psychic hologram. [i]That[/i] is me."[/colour] The Kernel pulsed, peaceful, as she gestured towards it. [colour=cornflowerblue]"[i]I[/i] hold back the rift. I can't [i]not[/i] do it- It's what I was made for."[/colour] "So, if someone was to...say, steal you away and put you among his collection alongside a small statue of Julfy and Reathos, you'd be totally okay with it? Totally hypothetical, of course!" [colour=cornflowerblue]"Oh, that would be hilarious. Jvan would smash you, though."[/colour] Vestec snickered loudly. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Can you blame her? I'm quite important."[/colour] "Fair enough. I'll put that idea on hold then. Though I have a lovely statue collection to finish of the rest of the divinities. You'll be in it of course. I'll mass produce it and give it all to the mortals and they'll make lovely games from it. It'll be great fun! Worry not, I'll stop you and anyone else from destroying yourself to release the Gap." [colour=cornflowerblue]"Awww."[/colour] "We'll work on teaching you how to properly enjoy chaos before long." Vestec looked around and spotted Toun's droning-bird. He giggled, waving at it. "You're not going to be allowed here either, Toun, no matter how good your intentions." He clapped his hands delightedly. "Well that's done. Do you have anything else?" [colour=cornflowerblue]"...Vast quantities of delicious alpine cuisine?"[/colour] offered Phi. [colour=cornflowerblue]"I didn't make this culture for nothing, you know."[/colour] "I don't eat I'm afraid. But I'm sure the Voren will just love the food. All they do is beat small animals to death and then eat the remains. I've got to go. Lots of things do to, Empires to set up, all that jazz. Toodles!" With a bow and a flash, he was gone. Chiral Phi laughed softly in his wake. How the world could brighten in the space of just a few minutes. She looked up, and saw the light of Mirus waning gibbous on the morning horizon. [colour=cornflowerblue]"Your move, Heartworm,"[/colour] murmured the avatar. [center]* * * * *[/center] Heartworm stood, towering and motionless with tension, watching the darkness seep across the tunnel floor like a puddle of lustreless oil. Smothering, one by one, the nodes of light that beaded along the side of its organometallic corridor. There was a blur and sparks flew from the laboratory's wall. It caught one in its fingertips and touched a needle to it until it grew, glowing fiercely, into a searing iron butterfly, flailing wildly against its grip. Heartworm tossed it into the black and watched its light vanish as if smothered by the spreading shade. It tapped its hoof on the floor, twice. [colour=antiquewhite]"What is it,"[/colour] said a familiar voice, garbled slightly behind Heartworm's visor. [colour=f6989d]"Submaterial laboratory compromised. Painter has made its gambit,"[/colour] rapped the Emaciator sharply. [color=f6989d]"Chiral Phi will move quickly."[/color] Tauga was getting quicker at unravelling Heartworm's staccato. [colour=antiquewhite]"So she broke through into your maze. The one you kept me in."[/colour] [color=f6989d]"Correct."[/color] Neither of them held any rancor over the past, so there was no need to talk gently. [color=f6989d]"Wyrms still in Heartworm's control. Superior submaterial navigation and area denial. A tactical advantage if we act fast."[/color] [colour=antiquewhite]"And what would you have us do?"[/colour] The blistering metal imago flashed back out of the darkness, intact despite all apparent odds. It perched on Heartworm's outstretched forelimb, snapping its trident jaws. [color=f6989d]"Reclaim territory."[/color] [hider=Summary, by Rtron this time so you know it's not painfully long] JVAN HAS A CRUSH ON VESTEC THAT'S LITERALLY ALL YOU NEED TO GET FROM THIS. AND THERE'S LIKE A TUNNEL SYSTEM AND STUFF BUT STILL. Rtron: Also fuck I forgot how adorable dabbles was Rtron: And sweethearts Rtron: Wait wait wait Rtron: WAITW AIT WAIT Rtron: _WAIT A MINUTE_ Rtron: ARE YOU TELLING ME Termite: BAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHA Rtron: THAT THIS WHOLE HATE THING Rtron: HAS BEEN JVAN Rtron: COURTING HIM LIKE AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT Rtron: IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME Rtron: DEAR FUCKING GOD Rtron: IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW [i]Oh. You still want proper summary? Fine. If you insist.[/i] -Phi summons Vestec to move a rock for her, because she doesn't have hands. Vestec is delighted by it. -They chat a bit and Vestec finds out Phi has all of Jvan's memories prior to being cut in half by Logos. Curious, he asks why Jvan hates him. Phi plays coy and makes Vestec ask about other things first. -They chat more, and Vestec finds out Phi's plans to align with Alefpria to back Lifprasil's budding empire. -Vestec, being Vestec, convinces her to support the budding Changing Plains Empire under Big Fucking Mallet and Hemrick (Don't worry, I'll have a post for that soon) -To connect the two, Vestec uses Julkofyr's skin and natural divine shadow magic to make the Submaterium of Mammon viable for outside use. (- 1 might to make the Shadow Tunnels) -Phi convinces Vestec to let her know who is using the Tunnels, where they're coming from and where they're going. -Phi asks Vestec to make her followers only be reborn near her temples, rather than taken by the Realm of Madness, in return for finding out Jvan's secret. -Vestec does so and Phi tells him that Jvan actually has no idea how to deal with her emotions, so instead of admitting that she loves Vestec she just hates him. Think Tsundere trope or literally any Junior High or elementary girl with a crush on a boy. -Vestec is amused and exasperated, and plans on dealing with it. Ideally with help. -They chat a bit more and Vestec finds out Phi is the only thing holding back the Gap. If she dies, the universe is flooded with the Gap's denizens. -Vestec promises to ensure she doesn't die (much to her dismay) and protect her from outside influences (like Toun who he notices watching) and then leaves. [hider=Termite's in-depth analysis of Jvan's feelings towards Vestec] [img]https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d992f035e2ed9617d3727fea9d65ba8bf9c995c86fcab3bf0ddb66d11f4d213b.png[/img] [/hider] [/hider]