[centre][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/693456997844123747/704830526703534085/Oraelia_logo.png[/img] & [img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/divinus-mk4/images/3/3b/Afc6efa58bae4f9c3be8ed679a7ac131.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/310?cb=20200229065521[/img][h2]Gibbou[/h2][/centre] [hr] The trickle of water rushed down over a bed of nightshades. Above it was suspended a watering can, wooshing to every thirsty plant with a fresh drink at the whim of its master. Its master, on the other hand, sat comfortably on a fat bean bag, making hard eyes at a sloppy vine sticking out of a flower pot. Gibbou balanced her chin on her fist. “I see bell peppers don’t really grow in complete darkness, huh… Darn, what’s that? Me: Ten; Orey… Uh…” She looked at her fingers. “... Damn it, life, you’re hard to love sometimes. It’s not like I can make another Neverday Island! I mean, I could, but… Ugh…” She let herself be swallowed by the bean bag. “Effoooort…” She wrinkled her nose with a sniff. The ceiling of her glass dome offered a damp view of steam with a faint hint of the eternal expanse of space behind it. After a while, she looked back at the plant. She pittered through her lips. [colour=lightblue]”Yo, Orey! Wanna hang?”[/colour] she asked the void. There was a burst of laughter, some muttering about a chick or two and several more seconds passed before Oraelia exclaimed, [color=gold]"Gibbouuuuuuuuuuu! My little sister, my Gibs, my first love- Oh how I've missed your voice! It seems so long ago I gave you a big hug. The kind that makes the heart warm and melt- Oh oh oh! Don't eat that little Bun."[/color] her voice faded. The moon goddess offered a series of blinks. [colour=lightblue]”Woah, someone’s happy! What’s up? Did something sweet happen?”[/colour] Oraelia gasped. [Color=gold]"Gibbou! Have you ever baked pie? Tell me tell me tell me."[/color] Her sister said quickly, words almost slurring together. Gibbou squinted - these was something familiar about her articulation. [colour=lightblue]”Nnnnooo…”[/colour] she offered with a hint of suspicious. [colour=lightblue]”Only muffins. Say, Orey, did I… Have I visited and given you something? Recently? While, uh, under influence?”[/colour] [Color=gold]"Nope! I haven't seen anyone in soooooo long."[/color] she then giggled and half whispered, [color=gold]"Okay I saw that Qael guy and I've helped some mortals."[/color] Followed by more laughing. [Color=gold]"Muffins! Muffins muffins muffins! What is a muffin?"[/color] [colour=lightblue]”Okay, what’s going on? You’re always giddy, sure, but this is a lot - even for you. Be honest - have you been drinking?”[/colour] There was a pause. [colour=lightblue]”Actually, hold that thought - I’m coming over.”[/colour] Gibbou shot up out of her bean bag, put on her space-black summer dress, sandals and sunglasses, and skipped out the doors of her glass dome. She jumped across the lunar surface until she reached the sunny side. The fiery light burned at her skin, but she was undeterred. [colour=lightblue]”Hold on, Orey! I’m coming!”[/colour] She then squatted down and kicked off, launching herself into space like a blue comet. As she travelled closer to the sun, the space around her began to twist and warp. Before long, instead of crashing into the solar surface like physics suggested she should have, she instead broke through the edges of space and crashed straight into a fluffy bed of grasses and flowers in her sister’s garden. She pushed herself up from her belly and looked around, spitting out dirt and petals. [colour=lightblue]”Orey? Orey?!”[/colour] A streak of green erupted into the sky on the distant horizon and made a beeline to Gibbou, humming all the way. When it reached her, the Orb tackled into Gibbou and Oraelia changed forms into her sunny bright one. She wrapped her arms around Gibbou and squeezed as she kissed her sister's cheek repeatedly. [Color=gold]"Gibbou's here! Gibbou's here!"[/color] she exclaimed. [colour=lightblue]”Eeep!”[/colour] squealed the moon goddess and momentarily let her protection instincts kick in. Arms that pushed her sister away were quickly rerouted to hugging her back, however, though her face tried its best to dodge Oraelia’s incessant pecks. [colour=lightblue]”Woah, hey, hey, hey! Yeah, Gibbou’s here! Gibbou’s here.”[/colour] She tried to tighten her hug so Oraelia wouldn’t squirm as much. [colour=lightblue]”What on Galbar happened to you?”[/colour] Oraelia seemed to relax slightly in her grip and stopped pecking her. She then gushed, [Color=gold]"Nothing! I'm just baking a pie! It's going to be delicious and and and i'm going to take it to Neiya and that way she can feel better too!"[/color] She grinned with childlike excitement at Gibbou. Gibbou caught something in her throat - most likely a clump of ‘what did you just say?’, for she immediately followed up by saying, [colour=lightblue]”Wait, what? You’re hanging out with…”[/colour] She took a deep breath. [colour=lightblue]”Did she make you like this? Did she?!”[/colour] Oraelia tilted her head. Then laughed. [Color=gold]"Psshht no. Don't be silly. I haven't seen Neiya innnnnn uh, the day she hurt me!"[/color] Oraelia's smile then seemed to break for a moment, her eyes flashing awareness. She then released her grip from Gibbou and brought a hand up to her face. Vividly crimson berries appeared and she smirked. [Color=gold]"Try one, try one! You'll feeeel so much better Gibs! You won't have to worry!"[/color] she said, holding out her hand. Gibbou forced a smile and guided her hand away from her mouth. [colour=lightblue]”Maybe later, sis. First, let’s… Let’s just talk, alright? Tell you what, how about I set the kettle to boil and we can, y’know, catch up a bit - I’ll even make muffins, how about that? You -need- to try them, after all.”[/colour] [color=gold]”Okay!”[/color] Oraelia said, wrapping Gibbou into another hug. [color=gold]”That’d be soooo wonderful sis!”[/color] Gibbou nodded slowly and snapped her fingers, a small kettle appearing out of nowhere to settle on a fireplace that had arranged itself neatly on the ground. The kettle filled to a little under the brim with water and started cooking. Gibbou then conjured forth a stone over using a nearby heap of mud and started cracking eggs, pouring in milk and adding sugar into a bowl - all of which materialised out of nowhere. While she was mixing, she offered Oraelia another glance, pursing her lips curiously. [colour=lightblue]”Sssso… What’ve you been up to - except making pies?”[/colour] [color=gold]”Oh! I’ve been helping lots of people! I made your druids happy and their lands really fertile, then I helped an Iskrill because he seemed nice and was scared of everyone, so I gave him a deterrent! Then I helped a Neiyari that Neiya and Yamat bullied! Uh, uh, yeah! Aren’t you proud of me Gibs! It feels really good to help people and not feel so useless!”[/color] Oraelia clapped her hands together. Gibbou stared at her blankly. She brought her palms together, rested her fingers under her nose and took a deep breath. [colour=lightblue]”Orey, sweety?”[/colour] [color=gold]”Yeah?”[/color] She bobbed up and down. The moon goddess held in another breath, then slowly removed the kettle from the fire and added some tea leaves. She then let out a sigh that could’ve caused earthquakes in less stable worlds. [colour=lightblue]”Y’know what, nevermind. I’ll feel like such a hypocrite if I comment… Just… If you get asked to help Iskrill, Neiyari or…”[/colour] She made a face. [colour=lightblue]”No, that’s not right, either… Look, you -can- help them all you want. Just… You oughta understand the consequences and, and…”[/colour] Her head collapsed forward and left her staring at the ground, sapped of hope. [colour=lightblue]”I can’t really say anything at all in this, huh.”[/colour] Oraelia poked Gibbou. [color=gold]”Watcha mean sis?”[/color] Her voice then grew quiet. [color=gold]”Consequences… Did I…”[/color] She whispered to herself. [color=gold]”Hey! You’re sad aren’t you? Have a berry!”[/color] Gibbou pushed her hand away, more firmly than last time. [colour=lightblue]”Sis, I’m good. I don’t want any berries right now.”[/colour] [color=gold]”Areeee you suuure?”[/color] She chided. [color=gold]”Evandra showed me her version a long time ago, and they make you so full of passion, so I tweaked these a bit.”[/color] She giggled. Gibbou frowned. [colour=lightblue]”Yeah, I’m sure, I’m sure! Sheesh, what’s with you? You’re so…”[/colour] She pushed Oraelia away slightly and pulled her knees to her chest. [colour=lightblue]”You’re being really weird. I think you should take a break from eating those berries.”[/colour] Oraelia blinked rapidly and seemed taken aback for a moment. [color=gold]”W-Why would I want to do that?”[/color] she asked, raising her voice. [color=gold]”I can’t do that. I can’t do that! I thought you would understand! I don’t want to feel like that anymore!”[/color] Gibbou frowned. [colour=lightblue]”Okay, that settles it - no more berries!”[/colour] With a lightning quick move, she flicked away the one Oraelia had in her hand. [colour=lightblue]”Rule number one about addictions - if you can’t stop, it’s an addiction - which ain’t good.”[/colour] Oraelia stiffened. [color=gold]”I-I-I’m not addicted! They make me feel better!”[/color] Oraelia stammered, summoning more into her hands. Gibbou tossed herself at her to slap them away. [colour=lightblue]”So does wine for me, but you remember what I mess I become when I drink too much!”[/colour] She tried to wrestle her to the ground. Oraelia fell over and Gibbou fell on top of her as the sister’s fought over the berries. Oraelia kept them out of Gibbou’s hands for a while but then Gibbou slapped them to the floor again. [color=gold]”Why are you being like this!”[/color] Oraelia cried out, no longer able to summon berries as they wrestled in the grass. [colour=lightblue]”When I was at my lowest, you were there for me! I won’t let you waste away in a stupid high if you’re feeling sad - and I know you are, because I haven’t seen Genesis anywhere!”[/colour] Oraelia froze. [color=gold]”S-S-She’s j-just sleeping! Sleeping!”[/color] But her tears gave her away. [color=gold]”No no no! I need a berry, I need a berry!”[/color] she cried, struggling to free herself again. Gibbou’s grip only tightened. [colour=lightblue]”Don’t let yourself become a slave to drugs, Orey! They didn’t do me any good - they certainly won’t help you!”[/colour] Gibbou focused, the shadows on her face and body growing outwards into a circle around them. The edges of the circle grew taller and taller until they were both imprisoned in a cylinder of darkness. Gibbou let go and quickened to her feet. [colour=lightblue]”Now you and I will talk about this - we will cry; we will hate the world; we will call each other names like we never have! But I won’t let you just sit here to grieve!”[/colour] [color=gold]”Let me out Gibbou!”[/color] Oraelia said, banging on the darkness. [color=gold]”Please let me out! I can’t bear to be sad anymore! I hate it, I hate the feeling!”[/color] she yelled, growing frustrated. [colour=lightblue]”Sadness is the worst emotion - trust me, I know it so, so well! But we must take it in - know that it’s there, and not escape from it! How could I protect anything if the sadness of loss broke me down at the first instant?”[/colour] She paused. [colour=lightblue]”How can you bring your love and warmth to the world if there’s no sadness and cold to wipe away?”[/colour] Oraelia turned to Gibbou, her body growing brighter as she clutched her fists tight. [color=gold]”No! You don’t get it, Gibbou! I exist to make others happy! To bring others warmth! That doesn’t mean I deserve it! I am undeserving! I am a terrible god, a terrible sister, and a terrible mother! I hate myself, I hate myself! And the only thing that makes me happy are those berries, so you’re going to let me go!”[/color] She said, trying to sound fierce. Gibbou blinked in disbelief. [colour=lightblue]”What’s gotten into you? Who said those things?”[/colour] Oraelia gritted her teeth. [color=gold]”What’s gotten into me? I-I-I… Gibbou…”[/color] Her light began to fade and she grabbed her head. [color=gold]”No that’s not… What’s…”[/color] She looked up again and broke down. [color=gold]”She’s dead. She’s dead. Genesis is dead. I failed her. I-I wasn’t there. I ignored her. She’s dead. Oh why is she dead?”[/color] She fell against the wall and slid down slowly, her form’s light shattering in an instant, to reveal a disheveled Oraelia. Gibbou lowered her head. She sat down on her knees and dragged herself to kneel opposite of Oraelia. She pressed her fists tensely down on her thighs and nodded slowly. [colour=lightblue]”... So she’s gone, then. I thought for a moment she had locked her portal shut, but as it was completely gone, it felt kinda… Off.”[/colour] She made a knowing look. [colour=lightblue]”It was not your fault, Orey. You may think it is, but it isn’t.”[/colour] [color=gold]”She didn’t say goodbye…”[/color] Oraelia whispered. [color=gold]”How is it not my fault? She lived in my realm and I didn’t even notice she was gone until it was too late. The lifeblood came and snatched her away and I did nothing.”[/color] [colour=lightblue]”Exactly! You did nothing - you are not at fault here!”[/colour] Gibbou grit her teeth and glared at the ground. [colour=lightblue]”It’s the lifeblood that did this, but neither you nor I can change what the lifeblood does. The lifeblood is, well, the lifeblood, and not even we can change how it works.”[/colour] [color=gold]”Gibbou… Because I did nothing I am at fault. I could have tried to do something… Anything. But it was too late. I lost her.”[/color] she lamented. [colour=lightblue]”It’s easy to think of these things in hindsight. None of us have been able to defy the lifeblood’s barrier to reach Galbar; do you think anyone of us could’ve reversed death if it was the lifeblood’s will?”[/colour] [color=gold]”No…”[/color] she sighed. [color=gold]”I just wish it wasn’t so.”[/color] Her eyes began to water. Gibbou nodded slowly and shuffled closer to embrace her sister. [colour=lightblue]”It’ll hurt. It’ll hurt for a long time. Maybe it’ll never pass - loss rarely does. We shouldn’t try to forget it - suppressing such emotions does no good at all - but we cannot dwell on it forever, either - it’ll consume us. We must acknowledge it, accept all its horror and despair, and make it a part of ourselves. Only then can we begin to move past it.”[/colour] Her embrace tightened. [colour=lightblue]”... And if you need anyone to hold you and open their heart to your worries, I will always be here for you.”[/colour] Oraelia returned the embrace, sobbing into her sister’s shoulder. After some time had passed she said in a hoarse voice, [color=gold]”Look at you sis… I’m so, so proud of you.”[/color] She paused, [color=gold]”I don’t… I don’t trust myself here all alone. What do I do?”[/color] [colour=lightblue]”How about you stay at my place for a time? You can get those berries out of your system and we can level with each other as much as we want. Also, you can help me make peppers than grow in the dark!”[/colour] Gibbou pulled away and smiled. [colour=lightblue]”How’s that?”[/colour] Oraelia gave a small smile. [color=gold]”I’d like that.”[/color] Then she looked around her realm and sighed. [color=gold]”Perhaps I shouldn’t leave it all alone. I think I need someone to answer my prayers for a time, make sure my realm is safe, don’t you think?”[/color] she turned back to Gibbou. [colour=lightblue]”Suppose so, huh. What did you have in mind?”[/colour] [color=gold]”Well… Let’s see.”[/color] Oraelia raised her hand and from a nearby yellow sunflower, something shimmered and grew. A lithe body began to form, with long skinny legs and arms. Golden hair ran down a button face, all the way to her feet. For indeed, the form took shape into a woman’s and the light around her formed into shimmering colors of the rainbow, faint but there. Set upon her torso, the light came together and formed flowers of gold that covered her chest, while leaving little to the imagination. Golden eyes, soft and sweet, looked down at Oraelia and Gibbou with a spark of intelligence as jewels wrapped through her air, weaved together by golden chains. When her [url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DwemYmvUYAEEkZ4?format=jpg&name=900x900]form[/url] was complete, she bowed before them. [color=goldenrod]“Lady Oraelia, Lady Gibbou,”[/color] She said in a modulated tone. Her voice sounding pleasant to the ears. [color=goldenrod]”It’s so nice to meet you and to be of service to you, Lady Oraelia. I promise I will do my very best to uphold, and fix, your divine mandate.”[/color] she said, clasping her hands together as she looked round the realm. [color=goldenrod]”What a lovely place!”[/color] she exclaimed. [color=gold]”Gibbou, this is Rhiona, the Caretaker. Another avatar of mine. She’ll do better than me.”[/color] [color=goldenrod]”Lady Oraelia, please, do not belittle yourself.”[/color] Rhiona crouched down in front of the two. [color=goldenrod]”It takes great strength to realize when you can’t do something alone.”[/color] Gibbou let out a squeal and cupped her cheeks in her hands. [colour=lightblue]”Oh, she looks just like you! Hey-o, Rhio! You’ll do great!”[/colour] She turned to Oraelia with a raised brow. [colour=lightblue]”So you intend for her to stay here, right?”[/colour] Oraelia nodded. [color=gold]”Yeah. I shouldn’t leave her alone though, I’ve learned how hard it is.”[/color] Gibbou looked around. [colour=lightblue]”Yeah, I could see this place getting some more life. Like horses or day bats.”[/colour] She shrugged. [colour=lightblue]”I dunno, what you think?”[/colour] [Color=gold]"She needs some companions I think. Ones who can be cherished and love in return. Would you like that Rhiona?"[/color] Oraelia asked with a small smile. She nodded in return. [Color=goldenrod]"Oh would I! But don't fret my Lady. I shall create them in my own time after I explore this place some. For now I would advise you go with Lady Gibbou and heal. I shall visit you frequently. Please please don't exert yourself, you have made me quite capable."[/color] She said standing straighter but a sheepish look did cross her face and she coughed. [Color=goldenrod]"Horses might be nice though."[/color] Oraelia giggled, and with a snap of her fingers horses of pure white erupted from the grass in herds like moving snow. Rhiona went wide eyed and squealed with glee before composing herself and bowing before the two gods. [Color=goldenrod]"I shall take my leave. Lady Gibbou, Lady Oraelia. I will see you soon."[/color] and with that, Rhiona flew off after the herd. Oraelia couldn't help but laugh. [Color=gold]"Oh I love her already."[/color] [colour=lightblue]”Your realm’s in good hands, I reckon,”[/colour] Gibbou said sagely. [colour=lightblue]”Now, then, shall we bounce? We’ll put on some cocoa and play board games! There is this one called ‘shezz’ that I wanna try out. You game?”[/colour] [Color=gold]"I wouldn't want anything else."[/color] Oraelia smiled. [hider=Summary] Gibbou wants to hang out with Oraelia but sees that something is up with her sister. Thus she connects their realms together for easier access and arrives in Oraelia’s who promptly assaults her with hugs and kisses. Gibbou grabs her to prevent her from loving her, and asks what’s up. They talk some and Oraelia eventually lets slip that she’s been eating berries to get high. GIbbou doesn’t like that and they wrestle around. Gibbou is stronger than Oraelia, and easily subdues her. Oraelia then begins to break down because she can’t eat berries and Gibbou locks her in a small prison of darkness. With both inside, Gibbou tells her they aren’t leaving until they hash it out but Oraelia breaks down further and she leans on Gibbou for support in her grief. Gibbou invites Oraelia to come live with her until she’s better and she agrees, but she also can’t leave her realm all alone, so she creates another avatar to safeguard it, and do her job in her absence. [/hider] [hider=MP] Gibbou Nothing Oraelia 5mp/5dp -3mp for an avatar, Rhiona. 2mp/5dp [/hider]