[center] [h1][color=violet][b][u]Cadien[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][color=8493ca][b][u]Neiya[/u][/b][/color][/h1] [/center] [hr] Cadien drummed his fingers on his throne. Something wasn’t right. It had been far, far too long since Neiya had last visited. Had he somehow offended her in their last interaction? Was she distracted? Had she lost interest in him? He shook that last thought off. Nonsense. Nobody could ever lose interest in him. Still, it would probably be best if he checked up on her. So, the God rose to his feet and strode toward the door made of rotten and dead wood, pushed it open, and stepped foot into Neiya’s realm. The change struck him immediately. The once wide open and desolate riverlands were nowhere to be seen. Instead Cadien found himself staring at a cliff face, extending far up into the sky. Stone and gravel crushed underfoot as he walked in, and it quickly became clear his door was now - alongside the ever-shimmering entrance to Antiquity - located on a precipice halfway down a ravine. There was enough room to walk around, though any group would struggle to stand comfortably without daring the edge. Furthermore, even getting between the two entrances required some acrobatics; the two precipices were separated by a good ten feet chasm. No problem for a God under normal circumstances, surely. Far below ran a river not unlike the one that had once featured so prominently in her realm. Now it looked like a thin line snaking through an impossibly distant crevasse. Cadien had let out a simple approving [color=violet]“hm,”[/color] upon seeing the change in his surroundings, followed by a disapproving [color=violet]“hmmmmm”[/color] upon seeing how close his door was to the portal to Antiquity. He would have to talk to Neiya about that. But first, he would have to find her. So, the God leapt off the edge, and transformed. His legs merged together into a tail, a second pair of arms grew from his torso, wings sprouted from his back, and horns jutted from his head resembling a crown. His skin turned purple, and his body grew in size. He started beating his wings as he fell, coming to a stop just before striking the water, and then began to ascend to the top of the cliff. It was a long flight, and despite his larger form it felt as though the cliff stretched to deny his ascent, the very essence of the stone rising and stretching to continue to challenge him. Still, wings carried him with powerful beats past the edges of the cliff, and up into the sky beyond the plateau. Though he wasn’t that far beyond the ravine’s edge, it looked smaller and smaller beneath him until it was a simple crack in the stone beneath his tail. The stone was a single flagstone on a pathway to a ruined, two-story building - not unlike what you’d find in Acadia - situated in a peaceful valley surrounded on all sides by mountains. On one side stretched withered and forgotten farmlands, on the other, dilapidated sheds and abandoned animal pens. Almost at once, Cadien’s shape was brought into this new reality, his wing beats shaking old wood and pressing weeds low with force. The ravine was barely visible, now that his size was equal to that of this place, it didn’t look like anything but a cracked stone. No one was here either. Wherever Neiya was, she had certainly redecorated. Cadien sighed. [color=violet]“Neiya, love, where are you?”[/color] [color=8493ca]"Cadien?”[/color] a recognizable voice rang out over his head. Silence prevailed for a single moment, before the frames of the old ruins creaked and shone, and the door to the old house swung open by its own volition. The sight beyond was nothing like expected - indeed, it looked as though it led to another outdoor area, a pavilion and a lake. Even from afar he saw movement in the midst of the pavilion, legs gently sliding into a new resting position. He felt the same forceful tug as the last time he had visited, willing him closer to and through the door unless he resisted. [color=8493ca]"Come to me, my dearest.”[/color] The door was too small for him in his current state, and so he was forced to transform back into his original form in order to step through. He was beckoned through to a small glen of blooming cherry trees, and a tranquil lake surrounding a marble pavilion. Not given much pause to look at his surroundings, the gentle force coaxed him towards the pavilion with guiding intent. At its center was a lavish throne, embellished with jewels and gold, and decorated with a rainbow of silks and pillows. A red cloth ran from the throne to the entrance of the pavilion, a beckoning invitation of its own. In the center of all this was a woman who gave off a very recognizable essence, even though her appearance was different. Two long and curved horns curled from her forehead, tucking dark and luscious hair. Gone were the jagged edges, the tangled points, and the asymmetry. Warm pink skin, his lover had assumed a curvaceous but athletic shape, almost fully revealed if not for a few choice garments whose only purpose seemed to be to further emphasize her body. The only distortion of her image was the set of wings resting behind her. Neiya, in her new form, regarded Cadien with gleaming golden eyes, spiraling like the coins minted in the mortal world. [color=8493ca]"Couldn’t bear to be apart from me, could you?”[/color] she voiced with a sultry tone, her leer hinting at an amusement that was absent in the past. She certainly wasn’t frowning. [color=violet]“You could say that,”[/color] Cadien said, and he couldn’t help but admire her new form. [color=violet]“But what about you?”[/color] Neiya rose from her lazy sit, raising long nails to beckon him forwards. This time, the realm did not demand his approach, as Neiya herself instead hovered towards him as if to meet him halfway. Her lips shifted to a pout, but her eyes maintained a conspiratorial, even jesting tint as she glanced away. [color=8493ca]"Oh, I did not wish to bother you. I thought, perhaps you would forget me if I did not come. You’re a very busy god, my love.”[/color] Unsure if she was serious or not, Cadien chose not to respond to her first comment. [color=violet]“You’ve been rather busy yourself,”[/color] he said instead, looking around the room, before his gaze once more settled on her figure. She looked back at him with the same expression as before, and raised a hand to gently toy with the embellished metal choker around her throat. [color=8493ca]"Do you like it?”[/color] she offered in an ambiguous question. [color=8493ca]"I’ve made some changes. Taken some additional responsibilities, more in line with who I am.”[/color] With that, she began to slide backwards in the air, moving for her throne once more. [color=violet]“Wait,”[/color] Cadien’s hand reached out and gently grasped her wrist. He then adopted a critical expression. [color=violet]“You have chosen a fine form. Very fine. Your best one yet, I dare say. Yet, I can’t help but notice one flaw. A flaw that I myself am guilty of as well, I must admit.”[/color] Neiya gently quirked a brow, eyes drawn down to his grip on her, and then back at his expression. Though she tried her best to remain impassive, her features briefly stained with a frown more closely associated with the haughty and distant expressions common from the goddess. [color=8493ca]"A flaw? What… what is it?”[/color] Cadien released his grip on the goddess, and the judgemental expression faded - it had never been sincere in the first place. He smiled. [color=violet]“We’re both overdressed.”[/color] In the divine perception of time, Neiya gazed at him for what must have been an eternity. Yellow eyes roamed his features as her own frown shifted to a tinge of surprise. The goddess finally twisted her lips into a small, entertained grin, flashing long canines as she hovered closer to him. Neiya did not relent, pushing her new and improved form against his, parting her lips to speak as her long, pointed tongue extended to briefly touch at his ear. [color=8493ca]"Anything to please the God of Perfection. Let us amend this, immediately.”[/color] [hr] [i]One Eternity Later…[/i] [color=violet]“So,”[/color] Cadien said, as he lay next to Neiya on the carpet. [color=violet]“What were these new responsibilities you mentioned earlier?”[/color] Neiya, idly drawing shapes on Cadien’s exposed chest with her nails, surreptitiously cast her golden gaze up towards his face. She paused her gentle toying for a brief moment, humming a thoughtful breath. [color=8493ca]"Well, I’ve taken a new mantle, helping mortals realize their innermost needs and wants. Things even they might not realize they wish for at first. Help them love themselves, if you wish.”[/color] Cadien furrowed his brow. [color=violet]“Is that so? Hm. Neiya, I do believe it is time that we had a talk…”[/color] [color=8493ca]"We’re talking right now, aren’t we, my love?”[/color] Neiya countered innocently, gazing back down to his chest as she resumed her gentle drawing of invisible shapes. [color=8493ca]"Is there something that weighs on your mind?”[/color] The God took a deep breath. [color=violet]“I have some misgivings about the way you have interacted with mortals.”[/color] he said, and heard Neiya exhale sharply through her nose. [color=8493ca]"What of it?”[/color] she queried after a few moments of silence. [color=violet]“Your cult in Ketrefa,”[/color] Cadien said, studying her expression carefully. [color=8493ca]"Oh,”[/color] she began, expression unchanged from a half-focused, lazy peer at his chest as she continued her teasing caress. [color=8493ca]"That seems like so long ago now, I scarcely recall anything but a devoted few. What about them, my love?”[/color] the Goddess explained, and her gaze shifted back to face him head-on, undaunted. Neutral. Cadien frowned. [color=violet]“They insult my name, teach their followers to reject me, then deface and steal from my temples, all in your name.”[/color] His tone was calm, but laced with just the slightest trace of frustration. [color=violet]“They’ve turned entire districts of the city against me.”[/color] Neiya tutted quietly, pursing her lips as she watched him. [color=8493ca]"My love, you have me right here. Mortals are hardly as bright as you or I. I’m certain they’ll work it out.”[/color] she professed with a languid flippancy, and gently daubed her hand against his chest in a brief show of affection. [color=8493ca]"Besides, can you fault them for being devoted to a love goddess?”[/color] [color=violet]“I can fault them for rejecting all other gods in the process,”[/color] Cadien said, his frown deepening. [color=violet]“Neiya, when I spread my teachings to mortals, I do not encourage them to reject or forget other gods. Especially not you. If they do, I correct them.”[/color] He paused. [color=violet]“Well, I do teach them to reject that Yamat fellow, but that’s for good reason. Anyhow, all I’m asking is for you to do the same. To prevent such misunderstandings before they can occur.”[/color] Neiya sighed sharply, breaking her gaze away from his. She laid her hand flat on his stomach, pushing herself up slightly to lay her body against his while maintaining distance with her expression. [color=8493ca]"You lay too much blame on me, love. I’d never ask anyone to reject you. I don’t really speak all that much to mortals. I can send Aveira, if you want.”[/color] [color=violet]“I’m afraid it’s rather late for that,”[/color] Cadien admitted. [color=violet]“They have committed far too many crimes against myself and my followers. I’m sorry to say it, but I cannot allow their actions to go unpunished.”[/color] [color=8493ca]"Why?”[/color] she asked sullenly. Golden eyes turned back to stare at him as she turned her head back to face him, chin lifted to match her old moods. [color=8493ca]"Are you worried devotees of a love goddess will outshine your wood soldiers?”[/color] [color=violet]“Wooden soldiers?”[/color] Cadien narrowed his eyes. [color=violet]“Whatever do you mean?”[/color] Neiya scoffed quietly, keeping her gaze locked firmly with his. [color=8493ca]"You spend too much time worrying about silly things, playing with your humans. If they truly are faithful to Cadien, God of Perfection, surely they won’t be distracted by a few believers refusing to play, no?”[/color] Black nails rapped gently on his skin, as the horned goddess shifted against him. [color=8493ca]"If they can’t handle the pressure, maybe they shouldn’t have your favor.”[/color] He looked at her skeptically. [color=violet]“Did you not just say your new purpose involved helping mortals?”[/color] [color=8493ca]"Oh, yes, of course.”[/color] she admitted quickly, eyes flicking to the side briefly. [color=8493ca]"But there are many ways to help mortals, my love. I’m not intent on being quite so hands-on as you are. Not yet, anyway.”[/color] Neiya sighed softly, and ran her hand up to caress his cheek. [color=8493ca]"Punish them if you must. Know that each strike is a wound in my heart.”[/color] [color=violet]“The same can be said for me, Neiya,”[/color] Cadien said. [color=violet]“And they have been striking for years.”[/color] The God fell silent for several long moments before he spoke again. [color=violet]“All I wish is for you to treat me as I treat you.”[/color] Nails ran gently against his skin, caressing his cheek with soft fingertips. Neiya sighed once more. [color=8493ca]”Such wounded pride, all by mortals pushing each other around in the dirt. I haven’t communicated with my faithful in Ketrefa for many years. If it matters so much to you, I will intervene.”[/color] [color=violet]“Intervene how?”[/color] Cadien asked her curiously. [color=8493ca]”Well,”[/color] the goddess began conspiratorially, running her hand down to his chest once more. [color=8493ca]”What would you like me to do? Hurl thunder? I haven’t practiced my aim, though…”[/color] [color=violet]“Nothing so wrathful, my love,”[/color] Cadien chuckled. [color=violet]“In truth, the punishment I issued against them would have depended on how they reacted to the actions of my champion within the city.”[/color] [color=8493ca]”That’s simple, then. I’ll issue an edict for them to treat your little friend nicely.”[/color] the horned goddess concluded with brisk clarity. Cadien raised an eyebrow. [color=violet]“And to stop defacing or looting my temples? To resume their worship of Ketrefa’s other gods? I do not mind if they place you at the head, but the others deserve to be acknowledged. I’d say I deserve special prominence too, for there is none closer to you than I.”[/color] Neiya lowered her head slowly, laying it against his shoulder and breaking her gaze and expression away. [color=8493ca]”I’ll make certain your grievances are brought to their attention.”[/color] The God ran a hand through her hair. [color=violet]“Thank you,”[/color] he smiled, then let out a deep breath. [color=violet]“There. That’s over and done with. Now,”[/color] he gently moved her head away and rolled onto his side. [color=violet]“What do you say we turn our attention back to more enjoyable activities?”[/color] Neiya settled her golden gaze on his face once more, and twisted her lips into a faint smirk. Both hands laid against his chest, she pushed him back down. [hr] [hider=Summary] Cadien is in his realm, and is all like “yo, where my girl at?”. He decides to drop in on Neiya’s realm because calling is a bit impersonal, but when he arrives it’s all new and weird. There’s like cliffs, chasms, and weird physics! After flying out of a chasm that appears to also have been a crack in a small stone, he gets fed up and politely freaks out until Neiya notices. The horned goddess is all like “get over here baby”, so he does. He checks out her new form, which he rates A+. After some couples therapy, the two get to talking. Cadien is all like “your dudes in Ketrefa are making my guys look bad”, and Neiya is like “lol it’s just mortals dude, chill”. Cadien does not chill, and Neiya eventually ‘promises’ to do something about it after getting some sass in. [/hider] [hider=MP/DP] Made you look! >: ) [/hider]