[center][h2]Astella & An-Clastophon[/h2] Starring in… [h1]Professional Relationship I[/h1] [img]https://web.archive.org/web/20091027074500/http://geocities.com/bluesky971026/barwhitejumper.gif[/img][/center] Astella leaned back, resting her elbows against the soft sand she’d just created as she enjoyed the scenery. The gentle, constant noise made by the Wellspring’s waters as they overflowed; the waves across the lake’s surface as the only hint of the massive current down below; the mostly clean air (with small hints of the scent of rotting flesh); and the skittering of I’Iro’s workers as they gathered material and made preparations for their debut project, the Central Plaza. She liked it there. Unlike everywhere else, that place felt stable. There wasn’t much death there either, and animals had begun to return to the area to drink their fill of water and rest. She closed her eyes for a while, content with the darkness. It wasn’t that she preferred solitude to being around others, but she could certainly enjoy the peace that came with not having to feel like she had to entertain others. As all good things however, this had to come to an end, as with no warning whatsoever, a familiar presence made itself known close to her. She turned and opened her eyes to see the dark form of the nameless divine that had helped during the attempts to unclog the Wellspring. The An-Clastophon creeped up to the pedestal Astella had made; her eyes flitted over the cover of the book on top of it. She did not open the book however, and instead moved on to glance around the mountain. [i]’Lack of trust in my work from this early on, huh...’[/i] Astella thought with a small twitch of her eyebrow. Finally, she decided to speak up. [color=salmon]”Not interested in what it’s gonna look like after it’s done?”[/color] The demigod turned to look at Astella, responding, [color=b2c7df]”I would rather wait until it is done.”[/color] She then pointed at the god, and followed up, [color=b2c7df]”Astella, right?”[/color] A short hop down from the pedestal, and she was back on the rim of the wellspring, on approach to Astella almost idly. [color=salmon]”Yes, that’s the name, nameless one. I was sure you’d be somewhere far away by now, considering how quickly you disappeared after we got this spring working.”[/color] The An-Clastophon shrugged, saying in return, [color=b2c7df]”I merely did not make my presence known. I have to try to be as obvious as the rest of you.”[/color] She plucked a spider that tried to skitter around her, holding it in her claws as she inspected the workings. Then, once she was done, she placed it back down and gave it a swift push to get it on its way. [color=salmon]”Careful with those spiders, my friend made them.”[/color] Astella sighed, then groaned, and then turned once more as the An-Clastophon came to a stop next to her. [color=salmon]”So if you’re not here to admire my work or my friend’s work… Then what? Are you here to sell me something?”[/color] The demigod shook her head, [color=b2c7df]”I was sent here with the intent of establishing good will,”[/color] she waved her arm vaguely across the Wellspring, “to send the message that my master does not intend to oppose the rest of the gods.” The An-Clastophon then continued, [color=b2c7df]”I have my own reasons for not looking at the blueprints, independent of any malignance towards your work or that of your friend’s.”[/color] Astella pursed her lips. A God that would not reveal themselves feeling the need to declare their innocence was probably anything but innocent. After a while, Astella began to make popping sounds as she turned back to stare at the water. It was only moments later that she spoke again, [color=salmon]”Okay. Sounds reasonable. I’m not looking for trouble either and being on good terms with someone capable of secrecy would be nice.”[/color] The An-Clastophon nodded, offering, [color=b2c7df]”Depends on what you need kept secret.”[/color] She walked up to the water, and then crouched down. A single claw shot out, and she swirled it in the shallows of the Wellspring. [color=salmon]”Well, that’s...”[/color] Astella began, looking around and then leaning slightly closer to the An-Clastophon, whispering, [color=salmon]”... A secret.”[/color] She smirked and shook her head. Did this demigod actually expect her to reveal her secrets that easily? Her projects were far too important to risk being exposed that early. The demigod looked up at Astella and responded, flatly, [color=b2c7df]”I did not expect you to. But I can’t help if I don’t know what I can do to help, hm?”[/color] [color=salmon]”For now, the best way you can help is by saving people’s lives and making sure the world is a safe place to live in. Eventually, once things settle down some, I might have more specific requests to make of your master.”[/color] [color=b2c7df]”That is about what was requested of me by my master to begin with,”[/color] the An-Clastophon stood up, turning to walk away. They then stopped, suddenly, and with a glance behind them, said, [color=b2c7df]”By the way; you will make requests of me, not my master. They prefer a more passive role.”[/color] Well, nobody could say that the nameless one’s patron wasn’t on-brand. Still, to let an opportunity such as this slip just because she didn’t want to seem shady would be… Inefficient. So with a final sigh, she asked. [color=salmon]”You can procure things for me in the name of your master, right? Know that whatever I end up needing will probably be very difficult to obtain, and perhaps even frowned upon by our colleagues. If you’re still interested in helping me, then keep that in mind until the time I call for you.”[/color] The An-Clastophon simply nodded, saying lowly, [color=b2c7df]”That is perfectly fine. My sin is not idleness, and I do not intend to air my dirty laundry.”[/color] Then, their head swivelled back to look ahead of them as they continued walking away. Astella looked at the An-Clastophon as they walked away, then looked up at the weirdly coloured clouds above. An wasn’t a charmer, that’s for sure, but at least they didn’t waste any time. Plus, keeping a professional relationship would probably benefit everyone in the long run… As boring as that is, at least. At a given moment, the An-Clastophon’s presence vanished, and Astella knew better than to look around to confirm if it was truly gone. Instead, she just focused on relaxing once more. [hider=summary] Astella watches shit build, then notices the An-Clastophon, who was still lurking around the wellspring They talk a bit, and the An-Clastophon establishes that they want to build rapport with the gods Astella says she has more unsavory goals that she might go to the An-Clastophon for later on. The An-Clastophon says “Sure just call me up bro” and walks off [/hider]