[center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/fTD5yRH.png[/img] & [color=brown][h1]Arryn[/h1][/color] [/center] Arryn had been told to travel, and so he did. His course took him south, toward the Eye of Desolation, the birthplace of those parrots whom he had found to be rather delicious. He had yet to actually go there himself, however, so this seemed a perfect time. The isles came within sight, and when he reached he swooped down to get closer to the trees, peering down into the dense jungle. And then he came across a strange sight in a peculiar clearing… The land seemed to be broken along several lines. Upon closer inspection, those lines became perfectly straight rows of rich brown soil. The length of a tall tree, perhaps more. There were only three tracts of rows like this. In the center of each there could be seen something small breaking through the dirt. Small and green. Upon the far side of the clearing, there resided a fallen tree, stripped of its branches and leaves. All that remained was a log of teal wood, and a stump, covered in shade. Sitting on that stump, unmoving and like a statue, was a God Arryn had been warned about. His name was Orvus. Orvus? This close to Kalgrun? The thought filled Arryn with both concern and interest. The falcon had no idea what had been done to the ground, but whatever it had been, it could not be good. Yet, although Orvus was significantly more powerful than him, the God did not seem to be so focused on the surroundings. That combined with his duty to warn his master of any potential threats was enough to compel Arryn to take a closer look. The bird landed in a tree close to the god, and peered down inquisitively. What was he doing? Waiting. That’s all there was too it. He had completed his duty, he had given them a home, an environment unlike his own home. Rich soil, sunlight, and plenty of water. He knew not what to plant, only that he needed to grow something. Thus, Orvus had scoured the island, searching every nook and corner for the right specimens. He knew not why he was even doing it, but he was, and he had to see it to completion. Maybe then… Maybe then something would happen. Now he was wholly focused upon the farm, waiting. Though his seedlings had taken root, he knew not how long they would take to fully mature. But he could wait and think. It seemed thinking was the only thing he did anymore, and he wasn’t even good at it. This was not to say that he was unaware of his surroundings. In fact, he had become familiar with the area, and watched the comings and goings of the wildlife frequently. He had learned of which ones would come and try to steal what he had worked on, and of the ones who gazed with curiosity. Now it came as a surprise, a bird he had never seen in the area before land close by. Though he did not turn to gaze upon it, he could still see, and this bird looked strangely familiar. Arryn observed the god in silence for several seconds. Was he asleep? Was he distracted? He knew not. Deciding to risk investigating further, the bird came off the tree branch and swooped down, landing in one of the dirt rows and investigating one of the green seedlings which poked through the earth. Still, Orvus did not move as he watched the bird fly down into the rows. He was trying to place where he had seen it before. Like a distant memory, on the tip of his mind. The bird bent down and poked once at the dirt with his beak, testing its firmness. He glanced at the seedling again. Orvus had… planted things? Yet it was so strange - why were they in such neat, organized rows? Why had they all been planted at roughly the same time? Whatever grew from this would surely look unnatural. He turned his way toward the god once more. Why had Orvus engaged in such a strange activity? When the bird turned his head to look at him, Orvus knew its name, for he had seen such a look before. From Arya’s memories, this one had been a friend, until they parted ways. She had regretted such a thing. No mater. In but a flash of movement, he was above Arryn, gazing down impassively. [color=black]”Arryn.”[/color] he said quietly. The bird withheld his alarm, and perked up at the mention of his name. He still held that same curious, inquisitive look, but inside he knew he was in danger. [color=brown]”How do you know my name?”[/color] [color=black]”Does it matter? A god knows many things, little avatar. Now, why have you come?”[/color] he asked flatly. [color=brown]”I ask the same of you,”[/color] Arryn replied guardedly. [color=brown]”My master told me to explore the world.”[/color] [color=black]”I believe you.”[/color] he told Arryn, then said, [color=black]”Before you existed, and in a time when this world was but water, an asteroid struck the planet. It was created out of anger, and deflected out of love. Thus is hit, and here, to be precise. This place belongs to me.”[/color] [color=brown]”But why are you here?”[/color] Arryn pressed further. [color=brown]”What are you doing?”[/color] Orvus was silent for a moment, before saying, [color=black]”I do not know why I am here, but I am.”[/color] he floated upwards and then outstretched his hand to display his work, [color=black]”This is something that will be called farming. The growing of plants. Whether to be used for food, or simply to do.”[/color] He finished, looking back down at Arryn. Arryn did not see the point in that. [color=brown]”But there are already plants,”[/color] he said, [color=brown]”And you are a god. Why grow anything naturally?”[/color] [color=black]”So?”[/color] he said, [color=black]”Can one not add more? Take away?”[/color] he inquired. [color=black]”I may be a god, but why should I use my powers when I can simply wait all the same. Surely one such as you relishes the hunt, before the killing blow. You do not simply will your prey to be dead. Where is the enjoyment in that?”[/color] he finished. Arryn decided to abandon that line of conversation. [color=brown]”How did you know my name?”[/color] he repeated. [color=brown]”I have never met you, and my mind is shielded from your gaze.”[/color] [color=black]”Your mind may be shielded, yes. But Arya’s was not.”[/color] he said impassively, before saying, [color=black]”You showed her kindness. Know that she regrets what she did. Greatly.”[/color] with a hint of softness in his voice. That caught Arryn off guard, enough that his eyes widened and his beak open slightly. He regained his composure. [color=brown]”Where is she? My master said she left Shengshi, but he did not tell me more.”[/color] Orvus said nothing for a moment, the news was interesting. [color=black]”I do not know.”[/color] he finally said. [color=brown]”When you saw her, what else did she say?”[/color] Arryn asked. [color=black]”She said nothing. Sleep was her calling when last we met.”[/color] Orvus stated. [color=brown]”You did not speak with her?”[/color] [color=black]”No.”[/color] was all Orvus said. [color=brown]”Why not?”[/color] [color=black]”I did not want to.”[/color] Arryn paused. [color=brown]”What if she wanted to?”[/color] he countered. [color=black]’Then she did not get to.”[/color] Orvus floated back down to the ground. Hmm. The god would not budge, Arryn realized. Yet there was still one question, one that his own master had wondered. [color=brown]”Why did you create something only to cast it aside?”[/color] [color=black]”You would not understand. Now leave this place, you have tarried here long enough.”[/color] Orvus said, before turning back around towards the stump. Arryn left. Although Orvus and his master were enemies, Orvus had shown no aggression, and there was no reason for a fight. The god’s answers had been confusing, and he was not sure he believed all of them, but nothing could be gained from further questioning. Besides, at some point he would have to tell his master what happened. He flew for some time, before landing on another tree. Only a few seconds later, another bird, this one black and white, landed on a tree nearby. Arryn looked at it curiously, and then, it began to speak. When it was done, Arryn took flight once more, the news heavy on his mind. There was another potential threat he would need to tell his master about, it seemed. [hr] [hider=Summary] Arryn’s travels take him south, to the Eye of Desolation. It isn’t long before he happens upon Orvus’s farm. A great deal of progress has been made, with Orvus now waiting for the plants to grow. Believing Orvus to be in some sort of sleep or trance-like state, Arryn moves in closer to investigate. It is then that Orvus recognizes him from Arryn’s memories, and they exchange questions. Orvus says he is farming, but does not know why. He informs Arryn of Arya’s regrets. Arryn asks why he did not want to speak with her, and why he cast her aside. Orvus avoids giving a concrete answer, then sends Arryn away. Arryn leaves, but then spots one of K’nell’s magpies, who tells him the story of Vakk’s aggression against Li’Kalla. No MP or FP spent. [/hider]