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

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Yes."

[onthewind]

She grins at Syriel, rummages through her pack, and produces a deck of cards.

"Picky on the game we play? I know a few, but I am from far away and your games might be different."

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Teach me yours, then," she suggests.

[onthewind]

"All right!"

She does. It's not a luck based game, though luck is a factor in your starting hand. From there, though - it's skill in how you use the cards given to you. Idania is kind enough to help with strategy and rules until Syriel gets it, and then from there shows absolutely no mercy. She is good at this game.

[whatyoumayexpect]

"It may be relevant to mention that one of Ealasiva's blessings is enhanced memory," she says. Although that alone does not explain how good she is getting at this game, or how quickly.

[onthewind]

"That sounds like a challenge, bring it."

Idania is perfectly fine with competition, it's more fun if Syriel is good at this game, too.

[whatyoumayexpect]

Oh good!

Syriel likes being good at things. And winning. She is also reasonably fond of winning.

[onthewind]

Idania likes those things, too!

Isn't it great how they can both be good at a thing and both win? Not at the same time, and Syriel starts winning more than Idania by the end, but they definitely both still win.

"You're fun," declares the desert acolyte.

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Thank you," says Syriel. "So are you."

[onthewind]

"Thanks! Also I can't tell if I'm happy or annoyed that you caught on that fast, on one hand, shorter time to fun, on the other, I didn't catch on that fast."

She's teasing, she's obviously thrilled.

[whatyoumayexpect]

"I am a very fast learner," Syriel says tranquilly.

[onthewind]

"Yes you are, it's delightful!"

[whatyoumayexpect]

She grins.

[onthewind]

Idania grins back. "I think that if I weren't Rae's acolyte I would probably move here and live here, it's great!"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"It is very nice here," she agrees. "Vio and Eala are good gods. I approve of them."

[onthewind]

"I approve of them, too! They're fun and friendly. Also completely adorable, Vio especially."

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Yes. He is very cute."

[onthewind]

Idania giggles. "Yeah. I keep trying to think of a proper name for what he does and keep coming up blank."

[whatyoumayexpect]

"He is extremely himself."

[onthewind]

More giggling. "Viokai - forest god of Viokai. Has a certain ring to it, certainly!"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"I think that selfness is one of the things he could be said to be a god of," she adds.

[onthewind]

"Hmmm, fancy way to word selfness... Identity, maybe?"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"I'm not sure it's the same."

[onthewind]

"It's not, is it. He is hard to name."

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Yes. So is Eala, but she gets by more easily because approximations like 'prosperity' are mostly sufficient to get the point across."