[centre][h3][colour=goldenrod]Chakravarti - The Matripatrihierarch[/colour][/h3]
&
[h3][color=brown][b][u]Algrim[/u][/b][/color][/h3]
[h2]No More Quakes![/h2]
[/centre]
[hr]
For weeks, Chakravarti had roamed there in the sun- and moonlight, pondering incessantly a way to end the terrible, earth-shattering quakes. A patch of dirt between the tall reeds of yellow grass had been cleared until the bare, red soil laid exposed to the light of day. Chakravarti had scribbled it down with all sorts of calculations, diagrams, angry drawings and lamenting poetry. Scattered around the patch appeared the occasional hole into the ground, left over from the family god’s many attempts to dig down to get a closer look at what exactly was wrong with the earth. Their investigations had, unlike the post-monsoon plains, been fruitless. For the last half day, they had been sitting among their sketchings with a defeatist haunch, all eight arms collected in various crosses, foldings and stacking, one fist carrying the cheek of the family god with sober servility. A stone lob away, Ossurman rolled around in the tall grass, playing with Paratiri’s jewel. Tapping fifteen fingers on their thigh impatiently, Chakravarti sighed with frustration.

[colour=goldenrod]”Alas, it is hopeless, my son,”[/colour] they lamented to the sound of a happily giggling baby. A dramatic fist pierced the sky. [colour=goldenrod]”No matter how I study this fomenting earth, this raging soil, I cannot make any sense of it. Their voices number in the millions and their issues in the billions - I have no knowledge of how to fix this! The earth is simultaneously like an endlessly large dynasty, but also a product of a billion dynasties, all of which has been around for ages and also only came to be all-too-recently. I have no words: Chakravarti can do anything - anything in the name of the love of their children and children’s children - but this, I cannot do.”[/colour] Lilac tears rolled down their cheeks and they tossed eight arms to the heavens, crying, [colour=goldenrod]”O fate; o mercy! Creation on high - will no one come to rescue this damsel, this lordsel, in distress? Will no one save me and my boy from this cruel and hapless plight?!”[/colour]

[color=brown]“What are ye shouting about, lass?”[/color] a voice suddenly called out in the distance. It seemed that during her monologue, someone had been approaching from beyond the crest of a distant hill. It was a short man with skin that seemed to be made of stone. As he drew closer, his eyebrows rose slightly. [color=brown]“Bloody ‘ell, yer a tall one.”[/color]

Chakravarti was about to spin around and summon their swords, but it seemed the gag was getting old and they would rather not grow predictable. The Eight-Armed God blinked down at the approaching dwarf, giving the air a sniff. Pursing their lips, they spoke with furrowed eyebrows, [colour=goldenrod]”And who are you supposed to be?”[/colour] The nearby grass giggled and squealed.

[color=brown]“Algrim,”[/color] he answered, looking around. [color=brown]“Are ye another god? I always seem ta meet one at every single one o’ my destinations. Almost like it’s fated.”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Fated?”[/colour] The family god studied his form closely, noticing dust on his shoulders, earth on his hands and stone in his skin. A flash of realisation blasted out of their eyes and they cast themself down before Algrim’s feet, four hands reaching out to embrace his feet in a grateful hug. [colour=goldenrod]”O FORTUNE! O SERENDIPITY! My saviour, a craftsman of stone, has come to help us! Creation be praised!”[/colour]

[color=brown]“Now that’s enough o’ that,”[/color] Algrim said, attempting to step out of the embrace. [color=brown]“Aye, that is what I’m ‘ere to do. How did y’ know?”[/color]

Undeterred, two arms sheepishly continued to patrol around his feet while other two retreated tactically. Torso is a sort of semi-kowtow at Algrim’s feet, Chakravarti dramatically wiped away a lilac tear, tossing it to the winds with a flick of the finger. [colour=goldenrod]”Alas, it must indeed be fated! For I have prayed for days, weeks, that a master craftsman who knows the workings of the soil would appear before me. Hope was slim - I had almost given up - but then, on this happy day, you, o Algrim, arrive like a gift sent from Creation itself! How, o how could this not be destiny?!”[/colour] The nearby bush cooed curiously.

Algrim offered a shrug in response. Neither Lonn nor Arira had been this verbose. [color=brown]“What did y’ say yer name was?”[/color] he asked her, hoping to move the conversation along.

The god took the hint and collected themself until they had risen back up to their full height. [colour=goldenrod]”Oh, how terribly rude of me - how base and uncouth! I cannot believe I had forgotten to introduce myself!”[/colour] Eight hands folded together along their body’s vertical middle and the torso tipped slightly forward. [colour=goldenrod]”A joy to meet you, Algrim. I am Chakravarti [i]vur[/i] Chakravarti - I manage the clans and families of this world.”[/colour] A quick sidestep to pick up the creature in the bush. [colour=goldenrod]”And this is Ossurman, my firstborn son. Say hi, Ossurman.”[/colour]

“Buh-bah bwahboh.”

[color=brown]“‘Ello lad,”[/color] Algrim gave the child a nod, before turning back to Chakravarti. [color=brown]“I’ve ‘eard that name before. Any relation to that Lonn fellow I met a few thousand leagues back?”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Lonn? Why yes!”[/colour] said the god and posed victoriously. [colour=goldenrod]”He is nothing less than my First Consort - my prime husband. A man of exceeding wealth and deeds, and now he has a last name - one of a dynasty which will last for eternity.”[/colour] They laughed with mock humility. [colour=goldenrod]”My dynasty, that is, myes. Either way, how splendid that you have met him already! How was the exchange?”[/colour]

Algrim shrugged again. [color=brown]“A bit odd, ta tell ya the truth. The lad dinnae realize who or what I was, and flung a spell at me. We settled things afterward, and he lent me a ‘and in my work though, so it wasn’t all bad.”[/color]

Chakravarti blinked. [colour=goldenrod]”Huh… Well, he did seem like the spontaneous sort. Suppose that is something I will have to deal with in the coming future. No matter - how wonderful! What sort of work was it, if I may ask?”[/colour]

[color=brown]“Well it’s quite simple, really,”[/color] Algrim said. [color=brown]“I just ‘ave ta travel ta six evenly distanced points and plant down some gemstones which’ll grow into structures that’ll ‘old the world together. Stop the earthquakes and all that. I’ve built two so far, and each time I was lucky enough ta find someone ta ‘elp me.”[/color] He looked at Chakra appraisingly. [color=brown]“I don’t suppose my luck would ‘old ‘ere as well?”[/color]

The Eight-Armed God struck another pose, one leg stretched out while the torso leaned on the other with a bent knee, five out of eight arms flexing, two carrying Oss and one laying softly atop their forehead like a caress. They laughed exactly four times and spoke, [colour=goldenrod]”O luck! Our fates could not be more aligned! I, too, have been waiting for someone to stop the earthquakes! Please, o wise craftsman, show me the way, the path, to quelling the rage of the ground itself!”[/colour]

[color=brown]“Well as I said, it’s quite simple. Though, if I do show ye, I’ll ask ye to swear to protect it. Won’t do ta leave it behind only for some ‘ooligan to vandalize it,”[/color] Algrim said seriously.

Chakravarti nodded. [colour=goldenrod]”Why yes, of course! Uh… Question - is there a reason for that, or…?”[/colour]

Algrim furrowed his brow. [color=brown]“What do y’ mean?”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Is there a reason it, it must be protected? Like… Can it break and make the soil angry again?”[/colour]

Algrim shrugged. [color=brown]“It’d take a lot ta break one o’ them. And if they did, then aye, the world would begin to shake again. Or at least th’ part of the world it’s supposed ta protect. It’s just a precaution, really. I ‘aven’t met a beasty that should be capable o’ harming one o’ these things, but the other gods maybe could. I ‘aven’t met any gods that [i]would[/i] do just a thing just yet, but y’ can’t be too careful. A bit o’ insurance never ‘urt.”[/color]

After a brief moment to absorb this information, Chakravarti nodded with a shrug. [colour=goldenrod]”Alright, so it is like that, then. Then I will protect it, I promise. I shall have my very own kin guard it as though it was their own home.”[/colour] A thought seemed to sting them for a moment. [colour=goldenrod]”This structure - what form does it take?”[/colour]

Algrim smiled. [color=brown]“I ‘ave no idea, ta tell y’ the truth. I designed ‘em ta take whatever form best suits the god who places it down, which means there’ll only be one way ta find out.”[/color]

Chakravarti pursed their lips and hummed. [colour=goldenrod]”I see. Well, in that case, after you!”[/colour]

[color=brown]“Right,”[/color] Algrim said, extending his hand. [color=brown]“Give me yer ‘and, and loan me some o’ yer power. Doesn’t need ta be much. As much as y’ feel comfortable with, really. I’ll do th’ rest.”[/color]

Chakravarti offered three hands and proclaimed, [colour=goldenrod]”Nonsense! Here, have as much as you would like! No child of mine should have to protect a simple obelisk!”[/colour] A golden glow surrounded the hands as power transmitted.

Algrim closed his eyes as he focused his own power. Just as it had twice before, a glowing light appeared in his open free hand, matching the golden hue of the eight-armed god’s energy. A few moments passed, and the light faded to reveal a yellow round gemstone.

Algrim pulled his arm free from the hands which gripped it, and offered Chakra the stone. [color=brown]“There y’ go. Just plant it in the ground right ‘ere, and it’ll do the rest.”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Oh, uh, like so?”[/colour] A hand dug a small hole at the spot in question and another planted the stone. For a minute, nothing happened. Then promptly, the ground began to tremble, and out of the soil shot a [url=https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/023/990/822/large/seyefyared-dagnew-img-20200117-213325-144.jpg?1580965918]colossal pillar of stone[/url], wider than ten men abreast and thicker than seven. It stuck two hundred feet into the air and was checkered with holes. Holes? No, they were places for figures, for carvings. Only the top two spots were occupied: The very peak of the structure was a large fan of stone, like a rising sun - within it was the face of Chakravarti; the space below had a baby’s face - Ossurman. Chakravarti immediately understood.

[colour=goldenrod]”Oh, what amazement! A pillar to my dynasty! What glory; what splendor!”[/colour]

[color=brown]“Now, that’s done,”[/color] Algrim announced. [color=brown]“I best be gettin’ on my way. I’m still only ‘alfway done. Unless there’s anything else y’ want to discuss?”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Going already? Then I must be swift!”[/colour] In a spinning move, the many-armed god ended up on one knee before the Earth God, a halo of lotus around their forehead and a golden glow about their whole form. [colour=goldenrod]”A mighty craftsman such as yourself would make for an excellent husband. It is in that hope that I pray, I wish, that you would become my consort! Algrim of the Stone, will you marry me?”[/colour]

Algrim blinked in surprise. Whatever he might have expected the conversation to turn toward, it was not this. [color=brown]“Don’t y’ already ‘ave one?”[/color]

Chakravarti was undeterred. [colour=goldenrod]”I have many, o potential consorts - a matripatrihierarch must have several, for how else can they produce the most magnificent dynasty? Claim the most significant respect? You would have allies in powerful places should you say yes; your children would have brothers and sisters of might and magic. Accept, o earthen one, for the sake of your children’s future!”[/colour]

Algrim considered the offer, but only for a moment. The idea of pledging himself to this person who he barely he knew, and who had already made similar pledges with other people he didn’t know, was not exactly appealing no matter what she promised. Besides, there were more important things right now than worrying about his own status, or about a future that might never come.

He looked at her apologetically. [color=brown]“All due respect, but I can’t spare much thought toward that sort o’ thing right now. Not while my task remains incomplete, or while I still don’t know ye or those others y’ mentioned all that well. Th’ stability of th’ world must come first. I’m sure y’ understand.”[/color]

Chakravarti appeared momentarily stunned. [colour=goldenrod]”Huh? You, you’re turning me down?”[/colour] The golden glow disappeared; the lotus halo wilted. [colour=goldenrod]”But, but why? I wouldn’t ask you for anything! Just some offspring to strengthen our house! You’re male, so it really won’t be a lot of work for you!”[/colour] Two hands folded together pleadingly. [colour=goldenrod]”Pleeeeaaase?”[/colour]

Algrim shook his head. [color=brown]“I cannae accept that just yet, I’m ‘fraid. A bond like that isnae one that I would ever make lightly. I’d need t’ take at least a few years to get ta know ye, and th’ others I would be, eh… ‘sharing’ ye with. Besides that, th’ idea o’ havin’ offspring but not ‘aving time t’ be involved with them does’n ‘old much appeal t’ me either. Would’n be fair. Not t’ me, not t’ ye, and not ta the children.”[/color] He offered the God another apologetic shrug. [color=brown]“We can still be friends, though.”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”B-but…”[/colour] The family god had deflated nearly entirely. A few of their hands laid flat against the ground with shattered morale. The god haunched somberly and sighed. [colour=goldenrod]”Alas, that it should come to this… But please, consider it some more! I, I am rich! My house is vast and wealthy, with nothing but the brightest future ahead of it! Surely, the thought of having such powerful allies must be tempting, right?”[/colour]

Yet Algrim merely shook his head. [color=brown]“Those aren’t th’ sort o’ arguments that’ll convince me. Now, I must be off. I still ‘ave the rest o’ the world t’ save. Farewell.”[/color] He offered her a bow, and then turned away.

He didn’t get far before one of his legs suddenly felt a lot heavier than the other. Upon looking down, Algrim saw no fewer than six hands wrapped around his leg, connected to a very floored, very whimpering humanoid, their last two hands interlocked in a clasp of tears. [colour=goldenrod]”Nooooo, no, no, no, no - you must reconsideeeeeer! Our children would be so beautiful! Our dynasty; so powerful!”[/colour]

Despite being made out of stone, Algrim’s entire body somehow became even tenser. He clenched his fists, and when he spoke, all traces of the bizarre accent were gone. [color=gray]“You will unhand me. Now,”[/color] he commanded in a quiet, rich, authoritative tone that was edged with hard steel.

[colour=goldenrod]”Not before you say ‘I do’, I won’t!”[/colour] the family god retorted with a whine, clearly not catching the tonal shift.

Algrim gave them a hard glare. Then, suddenly the leg Chakra was gripping crumbled into a cloud of dust, before promptly reforming out of their grasp, and Algrim continued to walk away. Undeterred, the family god let out a frustrated growl and pushed themself back to their feet. Breathing in deep, they unleashed a sigh and decided to walk alongside the stone god. [colour=goldenrod]”Okay, okay - I get it. You want to get to know me, is it? Okay, I am open. Whatever questions you may have, I will answer. Will you say yes after that?”[/colour]

Algrim let out a sigh of his own. When he spoke again, the strange accent had returned, but his voice was still filled with obvious frustration. [color=brown] “Th’ time for questions will come afta’ th’ world is saved. At a time when th’ two o’ us are in the same vicinity. An’ if I’m actually in a mood fer a conversation. No sooner, no later, and no guarantees. Now drop it. Because with e’ery attempt to drag this out, yer only makin’ yerself even more unappealing.”[/color]

[colour=goldenrod]”Unappealing?!”[/colour] the family god squealed and raised their nose to the heavens. [colour=goldenrod]”My, what uncouth words; what unrefined facade.”[/colour] With a twist of their hip, they spun around and walked away. [colour=goldenrod]”Well, if -that- is how you want it, then you were not good enough for me anyway. [i]HMPH![/i]”[/colour] The stone god was then left alone - finally.

[hr]
[hider=Sumsum]
Chak sits and weeps, waiting for someone to show up and fix the earth. Woopah! A saviour arrives and his name is Algrim! Algrim gives them a seed to plant and it spans into a tall pillar. Job done, Algrim tries to leave, but Chak proposes. Algrim turns them down and Chak goes full desperate GF/BF. They only stop chasing when Algrim calls them unappealing and pull a niceguy/nicegirl and go away.
[/hider]