[center][h1][color=violet][b][u]Cadien[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][color=8493ca][b][u]Neiya[/u][/b][/color][/h1][/center] [hr] Cadien decided he had had enough of space. There was still quite a bit left to explore, such as that extremely oversized god in the distance, but to be completely truthful, exploring the stars had lost its novelty. [color=violet]“Well, then, my friend,”[/color] he said to his mount. [color=violet]“I suppose it’s time we head back down.”[/color] But the dragon refused to move. Tilting its head back up toward the moon Cadien had created. The God sighed. He should have expected that, really. The creature had been built with the intention of exploring space, so naturally, space was its preferred habitat and where it would choose to remain. So, the god flew back to the purple moon he had created, and hopped off, landing gracefully on the ground before turning to regard his creature. “This is where we’ll be parting ways, I’m afraid,” Cadien told the creature sadly. To its credit, the colossal dragon actually managed to look sad as well. [color=violet]“No, no, it’s for the best,”[/color] Cadien shook his head, and raised a hand as if to forestall an objection from this creature that could not speak. [color=violet]“You’re happiest up here, I’m happiest down there. Don’t worry though, I’ll still find the time to visit. Keep this place safe while I’m gone. And don’t bother Gibbou, alright?”[/color] The dragon snorted, which Cadien understood to convey acceptance. [color=violet]“Very well,”[/color] he said, his expression brightening somewhat. [color=violet]“I still need to name you, though, so I’ve decided to call you Zulross.”[/color] Zulross blinked, but said nothing. [color=violet]“Good, good! I’m glad we’re in agreement, Zulross,”[/color] Cadien smiled. [color=violet]“In that case, I must go. The planet needs me.”[/color] Then the God of Perfection leapt, exited his moon’s orbit, and began his fall to Galbar. [hr] Neiya didn’t know how long it had been since she returned to follow the river, floating above it with her feet barely touching the water - just as she had known the world when she first came into it. Along waterfalls, curious but mindless animals, and a fearful group of humans watching her glide along above the waterway from the riverbank. Time didn’t matter. However long she waited, the voices continued to follow her. Distance didn’t matter. Whatever distance she put between herself and that original encounter, the flood of emotions continued unabated. No sight along the highlands seemed to capture her interest beyond a brief glance. What mattered was her own thoughts, the voices, the emotions. All those who pined, and loved, and cried. She heard Aira wail in her head still, and felt a pang of regret in her stomach. Perhaps she should have done more for such a pure soul? Perhaps she could go back? No. It was too late now. She would have to do better in the future. But almost in an instant, the goddess found herself drawn out of her thoughts. The river had vanished under her feet, and instead an endless expanse of rippling blue waves extended almost as far as she could see. It was enough to give her pause, attention stolen by the beautiful rhythm of waves rolling against the rocks, and rippling out in the expanse. It was as good a place as any to stay with her thoughts, she reasoned, and hovered gingerly out over the rolling waves to watch the ocean in peace. The peace did not last. Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of an object falling from a vast height; quite literally burning its way through the atmosphere. Upon looking up, she would see that a large fireball was indeed about to land nearby, with the outline of a humanoid figure curled up at its center. Neiya traced the object with morbid fascination. The sight was unlike any other; and she was certain no mortal creature she had met would survive immolation. Biting her lip in brief thought, she watched as the curious object fell from the sky. As it neared the water, she instinctively closed the distance to where it would land. Then, it struck, smashing through the water’s surface with the force of a meteor. A colossal splash rose up, followed by a great ripple as the water turned pitch white from the foam. Then, slowly, it began to settle… until the object that had fallen decided to come back up. He rose gracefully from the water. First to appear was his head; a handsome face with violet eyes, a wide grin, and a head of shiny wet hair. After that came a pair of strong broad shoulders, then a powerful muscular torso with glistening abs, and finally his lower half, which was equally strong and flawless. He leapt perhaps a foot or two above the water’s surface, before landing on the ocean as if it were solid ground. He turned to regard Neiya, who watched from afar. [color=violet]“Oh hello!”[/color] he greeted her. [color=violet]“I was not expecting to meet another god so soon!”[/color] Neiya took a long look at the handsome god, with equal measures of guilty curiosity and fascination. As he spoke, she caught herself in thought and shook out of it, regarding his face and expression.[color=8493ca] “...Hello,”[/color] she responded demurely, and glanced back up towards the sky. [color=8493ca]“Were you just brought into the world?”[/color] The man stroked his chin in thought. “Hmm… well, that depends on what you mean. I did technically just bring myself into this world, when I fell from above, as you saw. But if you mean [i]existence[/i], then no, I existed long before that.” Then, he stretched out his limbs and leapt forward, landing only a few feet away from her. Once again his feet found solid purchase on the ocean, as if it was solid ground, and not a single splash was created. [color=violet]“I’m Cadien. God of Perfection, and the Master of Mankind,”[/color] he introduced himself with a smile, before appraising her face. [color=violet]“I must say, you have such marvelous hair,”[/color] he remarked. Neiya held her breath with a brief gasp, watching the man draw closer with baited fascination. [color=8493ca]“Oh,”[/color] She found herself intoning briefly, looking away and up towards the sky again as she subconsciously ran a hand to her hair. [color=8493ca]“..Thank you. I have heard your name before, Cadien. Members of your flock were present upon my arrival.”[/color] She offered a brief pause, before clearing her throat, and glancing back at him. [color=8493ca]“I am Neiya, Goddess of Love,”[/color] she offered at last, tasting the word love with a frown. It was bittersweet. [color=violet]“Goddess of Love, hmm?”[/color] Cadien asked, raising a suggestive eyebrow which vanished just as quickly as it appeared, when he recalled his earlier resolution. [color=violet]“Well, it’s good to meet you. I’m not sure about this ‘flock’ you speak of - I suppose you must mean the humans? I have been doing a lot of work to see them improve, so it’s good that they remember me. How are they, anyway?”[/color] Her eyes followed his features as he spoke, slowly straightening out the hair she had subconsciously curled. [color=8493ca]“Well, humans. Yes. They’re-...”[/color] she drifted off in response, closing her ice-blue eyes as she batted away the stir of emotion. [color=8493ca]“They have such potential. Such yearning. And yet-...”[/color] Neiya opened her eyes once more, watching the man with emotion welling up in her gaze. Drifting slowly across the water towards Cadien, she extended her hand towards his cheek. [color=8493ca]“Let me show you.”[/color] Cadien’s smile faded, once more wondering if he had somehow managed to disturb yet another goddess, but then she extended her hand. [color=violet]“Very well,”[/color] he said seriously, as his expression became just as solemn as hers, and he took another step forward. It was all she knew, and perhaps it was a burden that could be shared. With the god stepping forward in acceptance, she gently laid her hand against his cheek, ice blue eyes watching him with growing sadness as she opened herself to share just a margin of the grief. A flash of the wailing woman, the tribe in mourning, and the man with a drive that drove him to murder. The cycle of love that she endured. [color=8493ca]“I am sorry,”[/color] she whispered as she offered her gift. Cadien stared at her in confusion as the first of the scenes flashed through his mind. Then confusion turned to concern, as he gradually began to process what he was seeing. Then came a brief flash of anger, which almost immediately faded away into a depressing sort of glumness. His hand slowly creeped up, and he gently placed it overtop the one that touched his cheek. [color=violet]”I... “[/color] he began, as if suddenly seeing the world in a new light. [color=violet]“I had no idea…”[/color] Neiya ran her thumb gently along his cheek, tilting her head as she let the pain of grief abate and recede back into the depths of her own being, seeing no reason to continue the torment. Still her hand remained, held by his own. [color=8493ca]“This is what love brings. It is their curse, and mine. Your flock will all experience this pain, the dullness of grief.”[/color] Cadien slowly removed her hand from his cheek, but did not let go. He continued to hold it, and then slowly stepped in to pull her into a comforting embrace, ensuring his movements were slow enough that she would have ample time to pull back if she wanted to. But the goddess did not recoil. With grace she rested her head against him in serene silence, quickly learning to tilt her head inwards to avoid touching him more than necessary with her horns. She seemed content to remain there in his embrace, and though she did not return it, she moved her hand to gently squeeze his. However long it was they remained in this embrace, eventually a simple thought and question bubbled to the surface; [color=8493ca]“...Did.. you make the water?”[/color] The question stunned Cadien, as he too had almost been lost in the moment. [color=violet]“I… no, I did not,”[/color] he told her. [color=violet]“And I do not know who did.”[/color] [color=8493ca]“I am surprised,”[/color] she intoned quietly. [color=8493ca]“Who would make such a beautiful thing, if not the God of Perfection?”[/color] With that, she gently broke away from the god, her hand moving once more to briefly stroke at his cheek in her retreat. For just a moment, she appeared to be at peace - not a smile, but calmer. [color=violet]“I make people beautiful,”[/color] Cadien gave her a slight smile. [color=violet]“Though, you seem to need none of my help there.”[/color] Neiya seemed torn at that. After an initial pause her mood seemed to dim once more, and she glanced first at the black horns rising in a tangle on her shoulder, before glancing out over the sea. [color=8493ca]“I doubt anyone can help me,”[/color] she answered wistfully. [color=8493ca]“Some things run deeper than what the eyes can see.”[/color] She sighed softly, catching herself in her gloom, and looked back at him. [color=8493ca]“But perhaps you’ll show me one day. I think I would like that.”[/color] [color=violet]“Then I will,”[/color] he nodded. [color=violet]“Some day. As for you… if you ever need someone to talk to, about the things you’ve experienced… to share your burdens with… I’ll be there. What you showed me - I needed to see that. And you shouldn’t have to deal with it alone.”[/color] Neiya watched Cadien for a long time, eternally sorrowful eyes tracing over his face. [color=8493ca]“You wish me well, yet know not what you offer,”[/color] She raised her hand towards him slowly once more, but caught herself and curled it inwards towards her chest instead. [color=8493ca]“But I will remember you, Cadien, and your offer. I’ve stolen enough of your attention. For now.”[/color] [color=violet]“Have you stolen it, or have I given it?”[/color] Cadien wondered. [color=violet]“But… as you wish. We will meet again.”[/color] [hr] [hider=Summary] Cadien decides it’s time to go back down to Galbar, but his dragon won’t accompany him. So he finally decides to give the dragon a name - Zulross - and leaves it behind on the moon he created. He then allows himself to fall back down to Galbar. Neiya, meanwhile, had been travelling downriver through the Boreal Highlands, only to come across the ocean. Her thoughts were swiftly interrupted by Cadien landing in the water. They talk a bit, with Cadien acting like his usual self, but Neiya is depressed, and decides to show Cadien what’s troubling her. Cadien listens, and is exposed to the scene of the earlier murder. He then attempts to comfort her, and the two exchange a fairly tender moment. Cadien wishes to help her further, but Neiya does not think she can be helped, and eventually chooses to part ways. Cadien reluctantly lets her leave, but not before promising to meet her again. [/hider]