[center] [h1][color=violet][b][u]Cadien[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/divinus-mk4/images/c/c3/Blue-heart.png/revision/latest?cb=20200229114953[/img] [h1][b][u]Neiya[/u][/b][/h1] [/center] [hr] It was an unremarkable day in Meliorem. Cadien sat upon his throne, an unusual level of boredom having set in. He simply wasn’t in a mood to spend time with the Songs. Although he had prayers to listen to, few of them were particularly important or interesting. He sighed in disappointment as he heard another noble praying for strength and beauty despite doing nothing to earn it. Boredom would not last however. A rumble rocked the long untouched door leading to Neiya's realm. It shook and vibrated with relentless effort, its divine construction not enough to stave off the tide of change on the other side, and it threatened to rattle off of its hinges. Finally, the pressure became too much for the poor portal between realms, and it furiously swung open as far as it could. With it came iridescent mists of different colors and a pressing heat, a drastic shift from the chill winds of yore. The tumble of hurried feet caught Cadien's ears, though he could not yet sense the presence of another deity. Out of the mists came a horned silhouette, a slender woman in rich garments; silks and jewelry. It took a moment to confirm - this was not Neiya, despite the likeness to her tailed and horned supple form that she had previously worn. Her skin was a warm red hue and her eyes shone with the color of blood. Another two women stepped out into Meliorem, pale blue and grey respectively. They too resembled Neiya in vague senses, though each had their own shape of horn and tail. They glanced at each other before staring up to Cadien and giving the red one - who had promptly started staring about the throne room in awe - a shove with an elbow. She collected herself quickly and cleared her throat. "O', for the journey was long, bequeathed upon us now must be a lovelorn fury extinguished," she called with as theatrical a voice as she could muster. "So to whence the Queen has come, once more shall the halls rejoice with Her splendor." Content with her performance, she bowed deeply before Cadien, quickly joined by the other two. [color=violet]“Where is she?”[/color] Cadien asked, quickly leaping from his throne, his expression anxious and concerned. "Behold and be calmed, great purveyor of pride. The Queen comes, dignified and distinguished." The woman continued and stepped aside to gesture towards the mists. As promised, a fourth shape approached from the depths of Neiyas realm. This time, it quickly became clear that it was the love goddess herself, holding the same form as when they had first met. She hovered into Meliorem with purposeful grace, content to play the part of returning royalty. Cadien stepped forward and embraced her. [color=violet]“Neiya,”[/color] he whispered in relief. [color=violet]“I could not access your realm. I had feared the worst…”[/color] The goddess leaned into the embrace, gingerly touching her head to his shoulder. [color=8493ca]"I am sorry for worrying you, my love. I was a prisoner of my own emotions."[/color] she conceded with a sorrowful tone. [color=violet]“What happened?”[/color] he asked in concern, stroking her hair. Spoken just loud enough for the assembled women to hear, the red-skinned one took it upon herself to answer as melodramatically possible. "'tis a tale of hardship and woe. A realm torn asunder by passion and drive brought low," she professed with wistful yet captivated oration. Neiya raised a hand to silence her, but her rhetorically skilled entourage was so caught in her own words that her eyes were closed. "The Queen has suffered and endured the throes of war, blessed creation with innovation beyond imagining, and taken up the mantle of love once more. Indeed, nary a tale can match--" She turned to swift silence with a quiet grunt as her paler comrade jabbed her in the side with yet another elbow, and she opened her glowing red eyes to sheepishly behold the crowd. After a few moments of awkward silence, Neiya took it upon herself to reply. [color=8493ca]"I… I had a fight with Gibbou. That's where it began.[/color] Cadien had not expected that. [color=violet]“I’m here for you,”[/color] he said, after a few moments of silence. [color=violet]“Tell me what happened.”[/color] Neiya sighed softly and broke away from his embrace, gaze cast to the side as she lifted into the air. She took the opportunity to glide further into Meliorem's center, languidly extending a hand to touch a pillar as she answered. [color=8493ca]"She… accosted me in Antiquity. I was-... upset, the Life Goddess cursed my Neiyari."[/color] she turned in the air to regard Cadien, and extended her hand towards him instead. [color=8493ca]"I lashed out, and she wished nothing but harm upon me. It was unavoidable."[/color] He took her hand. Instead of replying, he floated upward and wrapped his arms around her once more. The horned goddess wrapped her arms around him in turn, and slowly let her head touch against his. In doing so, she decided against words, deciding for the first time since their meeting to impart memories instead. This time there was no torrent of unruled emotions - only Neiya's own experiences. Flashes of emotion and anger turned to reflect the vicious brawl in Antiquity in short but palpable snippets, together with the seething frustration she had felt. Her sorrowful eyes closed, and the visions instead took to her realm tearing asunder in response to her wounded pride. Shame, hurt and guilt with no true context. Unbridled anger and wounded pride. Mountains broke and the sky warped to something malicious and seething. In response to all this, Cadien gripped her tighter. Whether this was to comfort her, or himself, or simply a result of the anger she was now making him feel, was impossible for either to say. The shared experience lingered yet, as Cadien got to experience eyes in the dark, and Neiya's own realization that she has created things in her fury. Her surrender to the torrent, and submerging into the negative emotions of Galbar. Then, a ray of light. The sun goddess appeared, and though no words were shared, Neiya shared with him an implicit guilt that also had little context for the God of Perfection. A shame that helped steer her from further violence, and a blinding light with overpowering sadness. The memory turned to giving the horned women - Furies - sentience, and after Oraelia's departure, clothing and teaching them the ways of the world. The memories subsided, and Neiya lowered her hand. Then, after a few moments, she cautiously spoke a simple question. [color=8493ca]"Do you think there is such a thing as change?"[/color] Cadien’s eyebrows rose. [color=violet]“Change?”[/color] he asked. [color=violet]“Of course. We’ve all changed. You changed me, when we first met. The Separation changed us all. And… I’ve watched you change, over the years.”[/color] Neiya settled deep blue eyes on him, a forlorn expression imprinted on her features. [color=8493ca]"Tell me."[/color] [color=violet]“Your appearance. Your demeanour. You conducted yourself with more happiness, more charm. You were more eager to enjoy yourself. At first I was happy for you…”[/color] his voice trailed off, as he thought of his next words. [color=violet]“But then I realized the change was more than just appearance and demeanour. You seemed more distant. At times, you felt like a stranger… I began to miss who you had once been.”[/color] The goddess watched him with a quiet fascination. As he explained, her lips pressed together into a thin frown. [color=8493ca]"You don't like who I am."[/color] she concluded with a quick, sighed comment. [color=8493ca]"No wonder you painted those days."[/color] [color=violet]“Don’t say that,”[/color] Cadien objected. He moved back and took her hands in his. [color=violet]“I love you, Neiya. I just wish… I wish we would support each other more. I wish you would tell me more of your troubles, and allow me to help you. I wish you would stand by my side as we build beautiful things together, like we did with the Merelli all that time ago. I want us to protect each other’s creations against those who would destroy them. Because you [i]can[/i] create - I know it.”[/color] He leaned forward to kiss her cheek, then whispered into her ear. [color=violet]“I want to be there for you when you need me, and for you to do the same.”[/color] He leaned back again, and brought a hand to her cheek. [color=violet]“But I’m getting ahead of myself. What do you want, my love?”[/color] Neiya exhaled sharply and averted her gaze, shooting a hurt look deeper into the throne room. [color=8493ca]"I'm-... I don't know. There's always so many things, pulling in every direction."[/color] she breathed eventually. [color=8493ca]"I'm… trying something new. To be better."[/color] [color=violet]“Then let’s try together,”[/color] Cadien said. She breathed another deep breath and lifted a hand to lay against his chest. [color=8493ca]"I'd like that."[/color] she murmured quietly, gaze sliding across the halls. [color=8493ca]"Your hall is quiet today."[/color] [color=violet]“I wanted some time to myself,”[/color] Cadien admitted. [color=violet]“I know you don’t like them, but the Songs are still out there. I brought some of your Neiyari here too, after I found out they were cursed - I thought it would be the best way to ensure your creations were preserved, in case the curse was never broken.”[/color] Neiya perked up briefly on mention of her Neiyari, but fought to maintain her graceful composure. [Color=8493ca]"You honour them."[/color] she began, and hesitated for a moment before continuing. [Color=8493ca]"Oraelia came to me, and the curse is lifted. A first step, perhaps. Old wounds closing. I'm hesitant to hope for lasting peace."[/color] [color=violet]“It did seem a bit too far, to put that curse on them in the first place,”[/color] Cadien nodded. [color=violet]“But from what I’ve heard of Oraelia… war isn’t her way. I suspect that’s why she only made them infertile, instead of something more drastic. Anyhow, I’m sure the Neiyari here will be pleased to hear they can have children again, and their kinsmen on Galbar will not die out. Do you wish to tell them yourself?”[/color] Neiya stood silent for a time, pondering the question. In the background one of the horned women murmured something, only to be shushed by her comrades. [color=8493ca]"Do you think they would like me? I've never spoken to a true Neiyari after their creation."[/color] the goddess eventually managed. [color=violet]“There is only one way to find out,”[/color] Cadien said. [hr] Leaving the trio of Furies behind, the God and the Goddess floated across the open sea, toward the island Cadien had created for the Neiyari. It was during this journey that Neiya would notice several other islands as well, all of them empty. [color=violet]“I intend to bring more inhabitants into my realm,”[/color] Cadien said. [color=violet]“Those who embody my values, or give their lives in my name. They deserve a fitting reward upon death. Your Neiyari, on the other hand, are quite alive.”[/color] They reached the island with its white stone village, and its vast green field. The field was already beginning to fill up as the Neiyari rode out of the settlement on their impressive steed. As Cadien set foot on the ground and led Neiya toward them, the winged cavalrymen formed a line. Their expressions were stoic and disciplined, but as Neiya came closer they shifted toward a mix of surprise and reverence. Dakari rode out in front of them, and drew a sabre of solid sunlight. “Salute the War Mother!” he ordered, and despite the unexpected sight of their goddess, the Black Hussars complied immediately, drawing their weapons and flourishing them into a salute with uniform precision. Dakari, meanwhile, dismounted and knelt as they approached. “My lady,” he said, his eyes downcast. “You have graced us with your presence at last.” Neiya swept forward with elegance, exhaling with a renewed tranquility. Her eyes examined each and every one of them, before settling on Dakari. She drifted over to hover before him, and extended a hand towards his face. Gentle fingers moved to touch at his chin and tilt his face upwards. [color=8493ca]"You have waited for a long time, have you not?"[/color] Dakari, usually self-assured and confident, hesitated. And then nodded. The horned goddess leaned forward in the air, exhaling a long and sensuous sigh that seemed to whip away on the wind to carry throughout Meliorem and beyond - all the way down to Galbar to reach the ear of each Neiyari. [color=8493ca]"You were never forgotten, my child. I have watched and warred for your fate in the realms. A destitute and childless fate awaited, but my love has seen the hex lifted. Rise now, with neither curse nor hesitation. For your War Mother."[/color] she crooned with motherly affection, before listing forwards to plant a gentle kiss on his forehead. Dakari rose. Many Neiyari sent envious stares at his back. Others seemed relieved, finally breaking discipline to slouch in their saddles, as if a great burden had been lifted from them… but then they remembered where they were, and who stood before them. They straightened up again. “You have my infinite gratitude, War Mother…” Dakari said, bowing his head. “But… what of Oraeliara, and her spawn? They were the ones who did this to us. What will be their punishment?” Neiya's lips pursed slowly and her expression returned to a taut and impassive face. [color=8493ca]"For their crimes I sang a song that crippled their very will to live. Worry not about the affairs of gods, young one, but of your duty. I see devotion in you. I see why my beloved invited you."[/color] Dakari fought hard not to smile, but ended up beaming with pride regardless. “You honour me,” he said. Neiya twisted a momentary smile, non-committal and barely perceptible. [color=8493ca]"Honour me in turn, my child, and nothing will ever stop you."[/color] Cadien stepped up beside her. “You are all dismissed,” he declared. And with those words the Neiyari reluctantly peeled away, some lingering briefly to continue looking at their Goddess, only to eventually move on. Dakari himself mounted his horse and proceeded back toward the village. [color=violet]“You handled them well,”[/color] Cadien said, once they had dispersed. Neiya watched the mortals slip away with a distant smile, thin and forlorn, a quiet fascination not unlike that of a mother watching their children set out into the world. After a time, she exhaled slowly and brushed aside hair from her face. [color=8493ca]"Mortals wear their thoughts on their sleeves - but thank you. I hope they cherish this meeting."[/color] Again the goddess sighed, closing her eyes briefly to ponder the moment in peace, before turning to Cadien with new purpose, and lifted her chin as she drifted towards him. Her arm moved to slide around his, and she clutched him close elegantly. [color=8493ca]"Do you want to watch the ocean?[/color] Cadien smiled. [color=violet]“Of course. Let’s go.”[/color] The goddess nodded in turn and tugged gently on his arm as she drifted in a direction directly back towards the ocean they had traveled over. Watching the ocean turned out to mean flying out over it, with Neiya not content to stop until the islands were mere features on the horizon, and the two lovers were alone with the slow ripple of the open water. Coming to a stop out there in the middle of nowhere, Neiya repeated an ancient tendency and leaned her head on his shoulder, putting her weight on Cadien as her blue eyes fell on the equally blue ocean. Cadien wrapped an arm around her waist, and the two remained there in silence. [hr] [hider=Summary] It’s a boring day in Meliorem - Cadien doesn’t feel like doing anything cool, all his games and friends are kinda bumming him out. Boom, enter three furies, who make a middling melodramatic entrance and reintroduce Neiya, who has been unavailable for a good long time at this point. The couple reunites and exchange pleasantries, before Neiya brings up her recent doubts about changing (for the better). Cadien is all like “yeah babe ur totally different lol” and they skirt around their relationship issues and talk about change. Neiya doesn’t actually lose her temper for once. Neiya gives Cadien a cool af flashback of her recent memories because she cba to explain with words. Cadien agrees to work on their relationship together. On the subject of lifting the curse on the Neiyari, Cadien suggests they legit tell the Neiyari, and brings her to meet the Hussars led by Dakari. Dakari is trying to be all cool and collected, but Neiya pows him with a motherly kiss and sends a radio message to all Neiyari letting them know they’re being helped by Mommy Neiya still, with no real thought to what effects this will have in the Luminant. After this extremely successful venture, Cadien and Neiya decide to have some peaceful alonetime like the good old days, and fly out over Meliorem’s ocean to hug and stuff. [/hider] [hider=MP/DP] Neiya: 3/3 1 MP - give Cadien flashbacks into Neiya’s recent past. 1 MP - sent a motherly message to all of the Neiyari. This won’t have consequences at all. No, not at all. Noooo. End: 1/3 [/hider] [hider=Prestige] [u]Dakari[/u] [b]Beginning:[/b] 9 +5 for 10k+ characters [b]Ending:[/b] 14 [/hider]