They're cuddlers, really

[onthewind]

Raezenoth has just won a war. Well, he'd actually won it a while ago, but now is when things have settled and the divine borders have become a bit more set in stone. The leftovers of that annoying nature god are cleared away to become part of another god's domain - desert, mostly, Rae was the victor here. The new denizens of Rae's domain either get to leave for another place, or adjust to the tough but fair life of their new god.

Idania has admittedly gone a bit stir crazy. She spent so much time in Rae's land, defending him or going to show off how great Rae can be that she's pretty much only seen desert for the last - what, year or so?

It's time for a change of pace. She checks with Rae, he agrees that she can get some time to herself, and then she packs her things. It's time to fly somewhere new, to a place she hasn't seen before with people she's never met. She expects to go far enough away that people won't know the name 'Raezenoth,' so she doesn't pack light. She expects to be doing a lot of sleeping outdoors, floating comfortably in the air where no one can touch her.

She's flying at full speed for about five days in a random direction before she lands for anything more than bathroom breaks and some occasional jogging to stay limber. When she does, she recognizes absolutely nothing about anything around her. Good. This is definitely far away and unrecognizable enough for her tastes. She checks her supplies - yeah, definitely enough to last for her to explore this place properly.

While she was flying, she stayed away from the domains of gods, not wanting any sort of trouble or drama associated with them. Now, though, she's going to explore the first nice one she sees. Another day of walking, later, and she comes across a place that's obviously a domain.

Sometimes gods directly address her when she enters, but not always. Only one way to find out. She heads inside without fear, to explore the temple and village nearby.

Comments

[pythbox]

"He sounds like a reasonable sort," says Ealasiva. "Although Vio and I tend to favour a different style. We like to fill our domains with thriving, happy people who occupy themselves in ways that suit them, and we don't mind helping them along towards that state."

[onthewind]

"Awww. Awww! You two sound cute, are you working together as much as it sounds like you are?"

[pythbox]

"Likely more," she says. "People tend to find us very surprising that way."

[onthewind]

"That is very surprising! Most gods don't trust each other that much, the whole big - competition thing."

[pythbox]

"Vio and I go way back," she says cheerfully. "We take offerings in common - when someone has only one thing to give, they're as likely to leave it for both of us as just one; all our temples are combined."

[onthewind]

".... Wow that is working together way more than I was expecting! And I was expecting a lot! Props to you two."

[pythbox]

"I did tell you you'd be surprised," says Ealasiva. "Thank you. I'm very proud of our cooperation."

[onthewind]

"I thought I was taking you seriously enough, but apparently not. Shame on me, I should do better next time."

[pythbox]

The god's voice laughs.

[onthewind]

Idania does a cheerful little loop in the sky, grinning. "All right, you have probably got important god things to do, I'll get to exploring and leave you be. This looks like it'll be a fun place to explore."

[pythbox]

"If you drop by Vio's forest I'm sure he'll be thrilled to talk to you," she says. "Take care. Don't be afraid to get my attention if you run into trouble."

[onthewind]

"All right, thanks! I shouldn't, but if I do I'll let you know."

Then Idania flies to the nearby temple, to give some offerings. As is polite, for an acolyte.

[pythbox]

This temple is fairly simple. The back wall is painted with a laughing man hugging a smiling woman as they sit together on a wooden bench; the woman's half of the bench sits on a grassy plain, and the man's half is under a huge oak tree, with more trees crowding in behind. All around the rest of the walls, the same two figures reappear in a simpler style, always interacting with people; the forest god seems to prefer hosting or attending celebrations and giving or receiving gifts, while the plains goddess is mostly shown talking to people, listening to their problems and offering solutions.

[onthewind]

Idania finds this to be incredibly cute. She looks around the temple, to get a good feel for what sorts of things they like - and then she gets to thinking of proper offerings to give.

Obviously they both are very social gods, so it follows that they should have a social sort of gift. Something involving people, involving how they work together so well. She considers finding and buying wedding rings, but that seems a bit crass - gods don't tend towards any sort of romance.

They are both very based around the land, and growth and nuturing in particular. That much is obvious. It would be pretty easy to go grab some flowers or something, but that seems kind of silly. Not to mention, uncreative. She heads outside of the temple, looking around the town for ideas. When she finds something, she giggles, and then she buys it - on a whim, she also gets a ribbon. Viokai likes presents and gifts, let's make this a gift.

Onto the table of offerings goes a ceramic watering can, with cute designs painted on it. They nurture, they help people grow - if they were gardeners, this is the sort of tool that they would use to take care of things. This watering can in particular was picked because it was adorable, with cute little flowers on it and little adorable butterflies. Appropriate, because Idania considers the god pair cute, too. Idania ties the bright red ribbon around the handle. Viokai likes gifts, she's acknowledging that - this is for both of them.

Satisfied with the offering, Idania then gets to exploring the village.

[pythbox]

Well, that's adorable.

The village is a cheerful little place, full of - how did Ealasiva put it? - thriving, happy people occupied in ways that suit them. Small children wave to her in the street.

[onthewind]

Idania finds this adorable! She waves back, smiling.

"Hey, Rae," she says, to the vial of sand around her neck. "I found the most adorable thing of all time."

"What," says the god, "have rabbits and cats spawned?"

Idania laughs. "No, no. Just -" she starts explaining the domains, and the cuddling gods.

"That is indeed very cute."

"I know, right?" laughs Idania, and then she goes back to exploring the adorable little town.

[pythbox]

The adorable little town remains little, and adorable, and a town. Many of the people are friendly, and the ones who aren't are at minimum not rude. If the topic of gods happens to come up in conversation, she will tend to find that everyone is extremely satisfied with theirs.

[onthewind]

Well isn't that just the cutest thing ever.

Idania explores the town. As promised, she doesn't cause any sort of trouble. Actually, at one point she ends up being helpful - an elderly man has a bit of trouble on a ladder, trying to hang a sign for something. Idania asks to do it for him, forgoes the ladder, and instead floats up to hang the sign herself.

She doesn't once push the religion thing. They are perfectly free to be extremely satisfied with their cute cuddling gods. Idania's not here to convert anyone, she's here to explore.

[pythbox]

That's very friendly of her! The local deities approve.

[whatyoumayexpect]

(But they don't approve so much that it prevents them from taking reasonable precautions.)

[onthewind]

Idania doesn't cause any trouble - if anything, she is quite helpful and pleasant. She flies around, from place to place, curiously. She meets people, she talks to people, and when it is obviously applicable in front of her, she helps them, too.

All the while, she talks to her god - not things like weaknesses, or people to convert, or anything. But casual conversation, like she's talking to a friend. She talks about cute people she meets, she talks about what appears to be the most delicious apple pie of all time, and other such things. Sometimes, even - she holds her vial of sand up to her ear and listens, like she's on the receiving end of the same treatment.

After a few days of exploring Ealasiva's domain, she wants to see the other god's domain. She flies up into the air, high as she can go, to get a vantage point of the forest. Then, she swoops down, and flies towards it.

She enters the domain, fully expecting to be greeted in the same manner as before.

[pythbox]

She is more or less right!

Just a few seconds after she crosses over, a divine voice addresses her.

"Hi! You must be the wandering acolyte Eala was telling me about. I'm Vio. Viokai. How are you liking it here so far? Anything I can do to make you more comfortable?"

He's very... bubbly, for a god.

[onthewind]

Idania laughs. "I am! It's nice to meet you, I'm Idania. So far this is the most adorable thing. Of all time. I'm pretty self reliant, though, thanks for the offer - I sleep in the air, it's comfy."

[pythbox]

"That doesn't sound comfy at all, I bet you can't make blanket nests in midair!" he laughs. "Blanket nests are fantastic."

[onthewind]

"It is super comfy, blanket nests or no!" she giggles. "One of my blessings is helpful wind, so it doesn't jostle me or anything, it's practically a blanket for me in itself."