[center][img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/divinus-mk4/images/c/c3/Blue-heart.png/revision/latest?cb=20200229114953[/img] [h2]Neiya, Genesis & Oraelia[/h2][/center] [hr] The dizzying expanse of Antiquity left Neiya breathless. All around her were features that she had not created herself, sounds of activity and bustle from what she could only assume were others of her kind. She glanced movement in the distance, coming from a decorated tear in creation not unlike the one she had crossed through - and instantly felt a pang of anxiety wash over her. Neiya decided - in a fit of cowardice brought on by isolation - to drift to the right instead, hovering silently over the ground away from the immediate chaos unfolding closer to her own little portal. She’d explore in peace, and threw a last brief look the way she’d seen movement before pressing on. Her peace did not last long at all however, as the goddess carelessly drifting forwards without looking found herself nearly colliding with two other shapes that she missed in her initial daze. [color=tomato][sub]”Eep-”[/sub][/color] A tiny squeak came from the smaller shape, which scrambled into a green blur as it hastily hid behind the larger, luminescent one with her leaves rustling in time with what one could assume to be her incredibly fast heartbeat. [color=gold]”Oh? Hello there.”[/color] came a Goddess’ voice. Neiya skid to a halt with a sharp breath, gripped with confusion and a brisk rush of panic brought on by isolation. She regarded the two of them as she collected herself, a child of a kind she had never seen before and the most luminous being she had ever seen - not that Neiya had met that many gods. After backing just a little bit in the air, she touched down on the ground slowly, turning the dirt beneath her naked feet ashen in colour. [color=8493ca]”Oh,”[/color] she began, collecting herself. [color=8493ca]”...I’m sorry, I didn’t see you. This is all… very new to me. I thought I was alone.”[/color] The illuminated goddess smiled warmly. [color=gold]”That’s alright. I’m Oraelia, and this is Genesis. Nice to meet another sibling. There seems to be a lot of them.”[/color] she said, the little green girl peeking out shyly from behind the bright goddess, staring up at Neiya with wide eyes. The names resonated with the horned goddess, who searched her memory for the few encounters she’d had in the past. She had repeated it in her head enough times to burn them in for eternity. Her uneasy frown mellowed out, unable to present an immediately worried front as she glanced down to the girl. [color=8493ca]”The God of Truth told me of both of you… long ago. Though in my head… I imagined you would be less… spry, Genesis,”[/color] she replied to them both, looking up again to nod at Oraelia. Indecision followed, and she followed her comment with a little more built-up confidence. [color=8493ca]“I am Neiya, Goddess of Love.”[/color] At Neiya’s introduction, the girl perked up and, while still hiding behind Oraelia’s leg, asked. [color=tomato]”Love? Genesis likes Love. She loves the Sun. Wait… Sun is Ora.. Oralia?”[/color] Oraelia patted Genesis on the head as she looked at Neiya again. She laughed, [color=gold]”Sorry, I might have mentioned what Love was to Genesis. I was unaware we had a Goddess who embodied it, however. You’ll have to forgive me for stepping on your toes.”[/color] she finished, twirling her fingers around one another. Neiya watched the two serenely during the exchange, the initial worry that had lingered now slowly dissipating as the conversation went on. After affording the little tree due attention, she followed Oraelia’s features and motions with her eyes as she spoke. Her head tilted ever so slightly, ice-blue eyes searching for the sun goddess’. [color=8493ca]”I have confidence you gave it more than adequate representation, Oraelia,”[/color] she intoned in a confident reply. [color=8493ca]”Have you been in this... valley... long?”[/color] Oraelia looked around for a moment, then looked back at Neiya. [color=gold]”Nope! Just got here really. You’re the sec- no, third God- No, fourth god I’ve met here. Technically Genesis doesn’t count, because she found me in my realm, but I caught up with Gibbou and then I saw Cadien. So, not long. Did you just arrive?”[/color] she asked. Genesis whined and hugged herself close to Oraelia’s leg, [color=tomato]”Genesis counts!”[/color] Oraelia giggled and rubbed Genesis’ head again. [color=gold]”Of course you do, how silly of me!”[/color] she said happily. Neiya stiffened briefly, glancing around what she could see of Antiquity in a brisk lookout. Was [i]she[/i] here? She afforded herself a sharp, centering breath as the two were distracted amongst themselves, and did her best to look dispassionate as she twisted halfway to gesture at her little tear in reality, just barely showcasing the bleak plains and ever-wilting trees beyond. [color=8493ca]”...Yes, I came out of there, just now. It’s just been me for a long time. Well, and the mortals who remember me. I had their woes to keep me company.”[/color] She glanced back to the both of them, clearing her throat. [color=8493ca]”You two make a very pleasant pair.”[/color] Genesis grinned, but that grin disappeared as she took a closer look through Neiya’s portal, then shifted her gaze to the pale goddess of love. [color=tomato]”Neiya’s trees are sad and sick. Why? It is very sad, Genesis likes it when trees are happy and green. Not gray!”[/color] She said with a hint of a pout. Oraelia tilted her first at Neiya, then to her portal, then back to the love Goddess. She put a hand on Genesis’ shoulder. A somber tone filled her voice as she spoke. [color=gold]”Just like my sister… Alone for so long. I’m sorry to hear that Neiya, I can’t imagine what that would feel like. But wait… You could hear them? The mortals?”[/color] she asked perplexed. Neiya pursed her lips in a soft frown, shifting her shoulders as the conversation invariably turned to her realm. She nodded to them both before turning to Genesis, a hand lifting as though she was about to launch into a lecture. [color=8493ca]”You see, little Genesis, these trees bloom with the most beautiful petals. If they were like that all the time, we would not appreciate it as much.”[/color] Before anyone had a chance to delve deeper into the logic of her statement, she turned to Oraelia again. [color=8493ca]”At first I was cut off from the-... emotions of mortals. As I began to feel their presence again, so too did I begin to hear those who called out to me. If I understand it correctly, there are groups of them who exalt our names, and ask for our favor. You-..”[/color] she extended her hand towards Oraelia briefly, as if to reach for her face, but caught herself in the act and retracted it towards her chest. [color=8493ca]”You could not hear anyone?”[/color] Oraelia’s eyes opened a bit as Neiya’s hand approached, then she shook her head as the Goddess withdrew and asked her question. [color=gold]”I was unable to keep myself from falling asleep. It felt… Smothering. I only woke up again now, realizing that the world had moved on for two thousand years…”[/color] her voice full of sadness and regret. [color=gold]”Perhaps if I had been awake… Well, no use dwelling on it now, I suppose.”[/color] Neiya watched with renewed fascination, nodding slowly and with a measure of understanding. Her own tone was gentle and comforting, shutting out the roil of emotion from inside. [color=8493ca]”Bottling your thoughts up is never healthy, in that manner we are as mortals. If you ever need a listener, Oraelia,”[/color] she began, tilting her head. [color=8493ca]”I would be honored to be there for you.”[/color] She turned to Genesis, thinning out the small frown that had dominated her features, doing her best to appear friendly. [color=8493ca]”That goes for our little friend here, too. You’re welcome to visit me any time.”[/color] [color=tomato]”Oooah! Can Genesis see the trees bloom? Please, pleaaaase! She likes flowers and petals!!”[/color] The sun Goddess smiled warmly at Neiya. [color=gold]”You’re so kind, dear. I’ll remember that, I promise. And the same can be said to you. If ever you need me, don’t hesitate to ask.”[/color] she said, putting her warm hand on Neiya’s shoulder. The touch was enough to make Neiya hesitate briefly, certain the sun goddess would be imparted with at least a miniscule taste of the turmoil that the horned goddess seemed to radiate. Still Neiya put on a brave face, nodding to them both in turn. [color=8493ca]”When next the trees are in bloom, I’ll make sure to come find you. Both of you. We’ll enjoy a moment of peace together.”[/color] [color=tomato]”Yay!”[/color] Genesis celebrated, hopping in her spot. Oraelia withdrew her hand and flashed another smile. [color=gold]”It was nice meeting you Neiya! It fills my heart with happiness, getting to know more of my siblings. Don’t be a stranger now.”[/color] she said charismatically. [color=8493ca]”I wouldn’t dream of it.”[/color] Neiya offered with a soft tone, as tranquil as she could manage in the moment. As if to draw the conversation towards its end, the pale goddess lifted back up off the ground, toes dragging along the dirt briefly as she resumed her hover. [color=8493ca]”When the petals bloom, then.”[/color] [color=gold]”When they bloom.”[/color] Oraelia waved. [hr] [hider=Summary] Neiya hovers out of her portal into Antiquity for the first time. The idea of meeting others after so long spooks her, and she evades the first other gods she sees, only to blunder into Oraelia and Genesis like a fool. Introductions ensue - and Genesis FINALLY learns Oraelia’s name. The three gods exchange some information about their current situation and their time in their realms, and the sun goddess and tree kid peer into Neiya’s realm and find it very bleak and troublesome. Neiya is like “haha no it’s only like that because it’s mega pretty later you just missed it i swear”, and changes the topic to her connection to mortals. Oraelia and Neiya offer each other a future shoulder to cry on, and Neiya invites the pair to come see the trees in her realm when they are in bloom. They resolve to reunite in the future. [/hider] [hider=MP Summary] Fool, you’ve activated my trap card. [/hider]