[Center] Orvus image [/center] [hr] It had been several weeks since Ohannakeloi had left the Eye and during that time, much had transpired at the Eye. The Marble Star had been explored in its entirety and when the first rain came, its possibilities became unlocked for the Nebulites. Its grandeur and beauty would continue to be expanded upon as time went on, Orvus knew. Furthermore, land was being cleared, fields plowed with stone tools and seeds planted for the coming harvest. In the meantime, Arya had been showing the Nebulites how to hunt food and eliminate waste. They did not have large game on the home island or as the Nebulites were calling it, Nebulan. Thus trips to the other islands were being established and exploration hunting parties were going out at all times. He had also shown his people the Monument of the World Tree and Laurien had… Well she had been there several times. But as night fell, Orvus found himself back at his home. His daughters sleeping and Rowan had her head leaning against his shoulder as they sat on the porch bench, watching the sun set. Sometimes he forgot he was a God, with a life the life that he lived now. His past self simply felt like a bad dream, yet one who would not slip away so easily. [Color=sienna]"Laurien huh,"[/color] Rowan started, pulling his attention from his thoughts to her. [Color=sienna]"She seems to be… busy huh?"[/color] [color=black]”She sure is. She seems happy though, and I haven’t seen her this happy for a long time.”[/color] Orvus mused back. [color=sienna]”What if she gets pregnante?”[/color] Rowan asked quietly. Orvus whistled before saying, [color=black]”Well, that’s her decision. I’m sure she’ll make a fine mother.”[/color] [color=sienna]”Well, having a baby is a lot of work you know.”[/color] she yawned. [color=black]”Having two at the same time is double the work.”[/color] he agreed. [color=sienna]”Say, do you think, maybe we… could try for another?”[/color] she whispered under her breath. Without missing a beat Orvus said, [color=black]”There would be no trying, dear, we would have another. Because of your gift.”[/color] Rowan sighed, then sat up to look at Orvus. [color=sienna]”Always a way with words. Now,”[/color] she said getting up, [color=sienna]”Come on then, if you’re so sure.”[/color] she said with a sly smile, before disappearing inside. Orvus looked up at the moon with a smile, then got up and wandered inside. [hr] Later, Orvus sat down at the table with a box. He still didn’t sleep, but stayed in bed most nights for Rowan. Tonight however, he had a strange feeling. He opened up the box to reveal the orb, which he placed there so the girls wouldn’t get ahold of it. He watched, holding his breath to see if it would come alive. A rune flickered after a short while: [i]”Hello.”[/i] [color=black]”Hello orb. It’s been awhile, hasn’t it. I am sorry for putting you away like I did, but with children, one can never be too sure what they might get into. I had to make sure you were kept safe.”[/color] Orvus said softly. There was a pause and then unseen light managed to bend inside the orbs translucent body, a wave of glittering runes appearing: [i]”Did you miss me?”[/i] [color=black]”Yes, I’ve missed our little discussions of questions.”[/color] Orvus said with a smile. [i]”Do you like K’nell’s gift?”[/i] The Runes shifted quickly, almost excitedly. [color=black]”Yes, more than you could ever know, little one. Without you, none of this would have been possible, and for that I thank you.”[/color] he said humbly. [i]”Will you put me back in the box?”[/i] The Orb suddenly asked. [color=black]”I…”[/color] Orvus began to say, confused. [color=black]”I can, but why?”[/color] [i]”Is there another option?”[/i] The question betrayed the Orb’s potential displeasure with the box. [color=black]”Ah I see. You are upset with me over the box. Well, I suppose I can leave you here upon the table, or I can build you a shrine outside. There are many more who you can ask questions too, that is, if they can understand you. Or, how about this, what do you want?”[/color] he said, spinning the question around. The orb seemed to lose is light for a moment, a shimmering of runes appearing as light shattered across its surface: [i]”What is it like to be alive?”[/i] Orvus leaned in closer to the orb and thought upon it’s question for a very long time. Then he said, [color=black]”Such a question is too hard to explain. What if I just show you instead?”[/color] [i]”Can you?”[/i] Another question appeared. [color=black]”Of course I can, but only if you want it.”[/color] he said placing his hands on the table. There was a thoughtful pause, the orb pulsing: [i]”How could I not want to be alive?”[/i] [color=black]”Good enough.”[/color] Orvus said, gently taking the orb within his hand. He walked over to the front door and out it, down the porch steps at a quick pace. The world outside was a chorus of night and only a few Nebulites were stirring, chatting to each other or doing... other deeds. He then bent down and placed the orb in the grass at his feet, before standing and backing away. [color=black]”This should be interesting.”[/color] he mused, cracking his knuckles together. With a wave of a hand, Orvus willed a soul into the orb, and with it; life. He shut his eyes and focused, for there was much to do. The orb had many different things inside of it, blueprints for life, and those had to be done away with for the orb to truly shine. It was easy enough to isolate the figure he had seen so long ago, and when he did, he imbued it with soul. He opened his eyes, and the orb lit up like a falling star as it grew in size. It turned to a hot white as it began to pulse and morph wildly. The sound of glass wildly shattering sounded, the flashes lighting up the night around Orvus. Through the blasts of light, a crouching figure was slowly forming. As it became more than a shadow in the sea of light, it started to rise, almost shakily, to two feet. There was another crack of light as it finally stood completely upright. Slowly the light began to fade, leaving the figure alone and in full view. Standing just under two meters was a heavily cloaked figure. Its shaggy moss covered cloak hid the details of the body underneath and its hood covered most of the head. What wasn’t hidden by the cloak was covered by a faceless mask, two sparkling eyes staring out from behind two tiny peep holes. A pair of gloved hands poked out of the cloak as the figure stared at itself in silence. [color=black]”The first step of life, is living. You can do that now. I have given you a body that can never die, but this also means you cannot have children. There is a price for everything. Now, tell me, how do you feel?”[/color] Orvus asked, scratching his beard. A voice came from past the mask, it was strange -- as if somewhere between the voice of an adolescent boy and the raspy voice of a grown woman. It spoke in a funny swooping language that was both as pretty as it was staggered. Orvus figured wisely that it was simply the spoken word version of the runic language the orb used to use, and luckily, he could understand it just fine: “I feel funny -- oh!” There was a very excited laugh, “I didn’t ask you a question.” [color=black]”And you never have to again, not unless you want to.”[/color] Orvus said, crossing his arms with a smile on his face. [color=black]”Now, do you have a name, little one?”[/color] “My name is Orb,” Orb answered with excitement, “Another statement!” There was a heavy breathing that snaked past the mask as the being shivered with delight, “I’m warm. I have a body and it is [i]warm.[/i]” [color=black]”Yes, bodies tend to do that, Orb. A fitting name, if any. You have life now, what will you do with it?”[/color] Orvus asked, narrowing his eyes slightly. “I can think,” Orb nearly ignored the question in their excitement, “I have thoughts, so many thoughts. I will [i]think[/i] about it!” [color=black]”Well, that’s good enough for now. Come on, let’s get you a room for the night.”[/color] he said, waving Orb over. “I want to stay outside and look at things,” Orb insisted, “I already have been in a box.” [color=black]”That’s fair. Well, you will find many things here, and many people. Come on, I’ll show you around.”[/color] Orvus said, walking past Orb. The runic language pounded with one syllable, “Yes!” The cloaked figure had an almost hopping run as they energetically followed Orvus. And Orvus did just that. [hr] [hider=Summary] Orvus talks with his wife briefly before making love. He then decides to chat with the orb, their conversation is brief and eventually leads to Orvus concluding that he will give the orb life (not unprovoked by the orb itself). Orvus does this and the new being who names themselves ‘Orb’ is born from the orb (fitting) This being is a little shorter than two meters and is completely covered in a mossy cloak and faceless mask. They speak in a strange spoken version of the runic language and have a funny little voice somewhere between that of an adolescent boy and the raspy voice of a grown woman, making it very hard to place. Either way, Orb is very excited to be alive and refuses to go to bed despite the late hour, so a tour is alluded to. [/hider]