[h2][center][color=Brown]Raethel Norvegicus[/color] and [color=pink]Aethel[/color][/center][/h2] [hr] Raethel took a deep breath as he sat down on the wooden seat, closing his eyes for a moment as he felt some of the pressure on his old bones be eased and letting out a sigh of relief because of it. The scent of the food on the table before him was delicious smelling, but he didn't even think of eating it as he took a deep breath and prepared himself for a conversation that he knew needed to happen, but he had been putting off for some time now. For the moment he resisted the urge to scratch an inch that had been on his arm for some time now on a patch of skin that had been exposed by the loss of a patch of his paling fur as he breathed deeply again in preparation and spoke aloud to an empty room and an opened door leading to the balcony "[color=brown]Aethel, tender of mana, Raethel Norvegicus the first of the Rattus invites you to discuss a matter of divine relevance over lunch. I hope to see you soon, but I will understand if you are busy.[/color]" As far as prayers went it wasn't exactly a great one but the Rattus didn't really pray all that much. Part of Aethel's teachings (and a side effect of having them hang around for an extended period of time) was to only call upon the divine in relation to divine matters. Calling upon them for a matter that could be taken care of by mortal means, even if it was difficult to do so, was just as likely for them to either ignore the plea or be annoyed by mortal laziness as much as they might be inclined to help if you caught them in a good mood. However, there were benefits for keeping prayer reserved for matters that were truly out of mortal paws and belonged squarely in the paws of the divine. They weren't being distracted by 'lazy' prayers for a start, but they would also take a prayer from the Rattus much more seriously because the matter being brought to their attention was almost certainly worth investigating personally. It also helped to be respectful and offer a meal as the matter was discussed beforehand provided that the situation could afford such a thing (if it couldn't, the meal would be offered afterwards. Basic hospitality was a must after all). So it was that slightly over a minute after the prayer had been offered and Raethel rested with his eyes closed, Aethel appeared on the balcony in the equine form that they tended to favor around the Rattus, looking around at both the tree that they were going to be meeting in and the settlement around it with an impressed, excited gleam in their eyes. However, before saying anything in regard to that the co-creator of the Rattus stepped into the room and announced "[color=pink]Raethel! It's been a long time and we're not meeting in a desert! You've really gone up in the world, haven't you?[/color]" They joked, walking over to take a seat at the table while chuckling softly to themselves. In fairness, a few chuckles escaped and joined the gods as Raethel's opened eyes gazed back with a smile on his face. "[color=brown]Welcome to the Greenland Dockyard, Master Aethel. We took your challenge to set paw on a landmass that wasn't connected to our homeland seriously and so far settling on Greenland has proven a vital step in relation to that. It's not why I called you, but we're currently giving the ocean craft we intend to complete the challenge with a test voyage from here to the port of Firstbarrows before coming back.[/color]" For their part Aethel did look interested in this news, but even as they accepted the offer of a rather tastefully steamed fish with herbs there was a question that needed to be raised. "[color=pink]Wonderful news of course but... why have you asked for my presence? Beyond enjoying this delightful fish I mean.[/color]" Raethel... sighed as they finally scratched the itch on their arm. "[color=brown]I am aware that time and age mean little to you Master Aethel, but for a mortal like myself... it catches up to you in the end.[/color]" Watching as the deity ate their fish, Raethel continued "[color=brown]I am nearing the end of my life. I'm not asking you to change that or anything, but I wanted to discuss with you what would happen to the blessing you gave me back when I first awakened when my time comes. Will it just fade away? Be given to a new Rattus?[/color]" Aethel for their part thought about it until after they had swallowed their mouthful of fish before speaking. "[color=pink]A reasonable concern. The blessing you speak of will not disappear in the event of your death. It will be granted to a new Rattus of my choosing.[/color]" There was a small, thoughtful pause as the deity considered something... even as they reached up to remove a fish bone from their teeth. "[color=pink]I'll need some time to think of a suitable means of deciding who. Do not worry, your time on this plane of existence isn't as dire as it seems. We will have a successor for your blessing sorted out long before your time comes.[/color]" A weight hanging over Raethel's head seemed to lessen at the announcement, relaxing slightly as he reached to start enjoying some of his own fish... before pausing as he requested respectfully "[color=brown]If I might make a suggestion?[/color]" Looking at his dining partner, Aethel clearly was eating and wouldn't talk until their mouth was empty again, but with a gesture they made it clear that they would at least hear their champion out. "[color=brown]I would recommend that the next champion in line should be a pup. Young enough to be educated in both their powers and the role they are going to play in society, but old enough not to throw a tantrum and accidentally kill people with the power they have been given. The choice is of course yours, but that is the wisdom I have to offer on the subject.[/color]" Aethel chewed silently for a little longer before swallowing, making a thoughtful sound as they slowly nodded. "[color=pink]You make a good argument. I won't promise that it'll play a part in the test itself, but I will try to factor it in.[/color]" Offering a smile, they quickly changed the subject as they started "[color=pink]Now that the important business has been taken care of for the time being, you will have to introduce me to your cook because I've never tasted anything quite as delicious as this before![/color]" [hider=Summary] Raethel prays to Aethel, requesting a face to face meeting to discuss a divine matter over a steamed and seasoned fish dinner. Aethel arrives about a minute later and takes a seat to talk with his champion. Raethel reveals that he is growing old and his time is limited and he wants to know what exactly will happen to his champion blessing when he dies. Aethel answers that the blessing will pass to another Rattus of their choice and now that the matter has been brought to their attention, they will come up with a test or trial in order to figure out who this should be, as well as informing Raethel that he'll easily live long enough for this succession situation to be resolved. Relieved by this news, Raethel recommends to Aethel that they should try to pick a candidate young enough to be properly educated in both the power of the champion blessing and their future role in society but old enough to understand that they have a lot of power and could easily hurt or kill people by accident and that is a bad thing. Aethel acknowledges that it's a wise piece of council and while they refuse to promise it'll be a deciding factor in the trial they'll create, they will take it into account when designing such trial. [/hider] [hider=Spirit] Start: 3 +1 Main character +1 Present for more then a sentence +1 10 Paragraphs. Divine Quest: Claim the Land of Deserts and Hidden Rivers for the Rattus (In progress) Divine Quest: Discover a new land across the sea (Plus discover the ability to sail on the ocean) (In progress) Divine Quest: Create safe passage through the Great Dragon Range so Rattus can explore the other side. End: 6 [/hider]