~
Birb ~
Thalia hadn't gone too far from Penny when the latter went for her phone call, but still ended up getting distracted to the point of losing her friend. Making her way across the rooftops she found some birds, and well... One thing led to another, and she chased them halfway across the city and was now somewhat lost.
Instead of worrying, she lay herself out on a nearby rooftop, taking in the somewhat unfamiliar Penrose surroundings despite having lived in the city for most her life. Phone in hand, she spread out on her stomach, legs and tails swinging in the air, and proceeded to load up one of her many games. The paws made using the device somewhat difficult, but she'd gotten used to it.
The Kitsune was unaware of how much time had actually passed since the two parted ways for the time, but she suddenly found herself thoroughly bored and lonely. Not only was Penny not around, but Thalia couldn't feel the piercing, mischievous gaze of Lothreen beaming down on her from whatever vantage point or hiding place the Goddess had found. It was a strange feeling - not because there was something there, but because there was something missing.
But as luck would have it, her phone buzzed with a text notification! The girl smiled to herself, rolling onto her back to read it. However, she found herself disappointed; it sounded like Penny wouldn't be back for a while. She would offer to go and help... But stakeouts were boring. Thalia had far from enough patience to sit watching a building or whatever for God knew how long.
Awwwwww, kay... Lemme know if you need some help, Foxxy is lonely ;-;
With that, she rolled back onto her front, and proceeded to keep playing games, desperately praying she would receive a text back requesting assistance or simply company.
and
~
God's Counsel ~
Lothreen found herself gazing across a vast expanse of stars, an entire cosmos in front of her eyes. She had requested counsel with Laat'Alofan earlier in the week, but had only recently found herself free. An issue arose is England, where another of her Champions was stationed, which required immediate attention, and so her meeting had to wait. But, finally, the day had arrived in which she could attend.
With her hands behind her back, the Goddess spun on a dime, taking in more of the breathtaking scenery around her. Rolling fields and forests were more of Lothreen's thing, but she could not deny that Laat'Alofan's domain was truly spectacular.
"You'll have to put me in touch with your interior decorator, Laat." she teased,
"They did quite the magnificent job. There's so much space!" she spun around again, gazing at the panoramic view of star systems and constellations.
"I Make Do With What I Can" Laat replied his voice no less booming here in his domain, but all the more manageable for others to deal with.
"It Is Simply A Reflection Of My Station, Lady Huntress" He added as he turned away from a cloud of stardust he had been toying with when the other god entered.
"Freedom Hasn't Found Thee At Last I Take?" He asked knowingly as he changed to fit the same size his guest had taken, his domain shifting to fit him as he did.
Lothreen turned back, tilting her head at the Gods question. It took her a second to process what exactly he was asking, but she quickly giggled it away with understanding.
"Yes, my Liege, my duties hath been fulfilled, and I stand ready for thine orders." she joked, adding in a bow,
"Honestly Laat, what are you, Shakespeare?" The Goddess stopped herself, taking a moment to ponder,
"Actually, I'd bet you're probably the one who burnt down the Globe Theatre, huh? Can't really see you being a fan of plays." she smiled, clearly having fun with her jokes.
"Twas A Mournful Eve That I Set The Flame" Laat replied evenly
"Tis A Shame None Have Stepped Forward In This Age To Write Such Tales, All We Are Left With Is the Dregs Of The Past" He said with a wistful sigh before shaking his head banishing the thoughts of what had been lost.
"But I Digress, You Stated You Had Want Of An Audience. What Brings You To Seek My Counsel?"The Goddess sighed as Laat lamented. For a God of destruction, he almost seemed nostalgic for a brief minute. However, she quickly perished the thought, secretly, if only slightly, glad that they were finally moving onto the matters at hand.
"Y'know if I wanted an audience I'd just become a stand-up comedian." she paused,
"Actually that's not a half bad idea." she took a couple seconds to imagine what exactly that would look like, before giggling it away.
"No, Laat, this is... More like an interrogation!" she gave him an innocent smile, skipping up to him,
"I wanna know what your plans for Bacon are! You can't be having Penny join with them just for the sake of having her there, as nice as it would be you to do something simplistic, so what's your end game?"Laat snorted softly at Lothreens statement of it being an interrogation but replied none the less
"My Plans For The Beacon Have Not Changed, They Have Grown Old, There For They Are To Be Removed. My Champion Is There Because They Approached Me, Who Am I To Refuse Such A Boon?' He asked crossing his arms and tilting his head as he spoke
"My Champion Stands To Gain From This Temporary Alliance, Knowledge Of The World, How One Of Her Most Prominent Enemies Works, And Possibly Start The Crack That Brings The Whole Order Crumbling Down. What A Fool one Would Be To Turn Down Such An Offering." He explained sounding almost bored as he did. He had remained true to his station for uncountable ages, did they think he would abandon it now?
"Surely This Is Not Some Great Suprise, But That Begs the Question. Why Do You Seek To Understand My Motives Now?" He asked leaning forward slightly as he did, he couldn't help be feel he was missing something here.
Removed? Well, she shouldn't have been surprised, and for the most part, she wasn't. It was his nature as such a Deity.
"So, you're gonna destroy Bacon?" for a second, she looked somewhat distant, but her expression was quickly filled with a plentiful smile,
"Okay! I just thought you might've been doing something else, that's all." She skipped backwards, spinning 180 degrees, keeping her back to the God. Lothreen sighed, clearly having hoped he wouldn't ask her own motives. It was only natural.
"I'm sure it can't have escaped your attention, Laat." suddenly, the Huntress sounded awfully less Jovial,
"Penny and Thalia. They're close, and they're both probably a hairs width away from mental breakdowns in their own right. she turned back to him,
"Well, I'm only guessing for Penny. She's got you for a God, who knows whats wrong with her mentally.""In any case, I just needed some context. Thalia is my best, and frankly favourite Champion." she looked at him with a cold expression,
"...and I don't think she can afford to Lose Penny." gradually, she drew closer, staring Laat down with cruel eyes,
"That means I care some deal for your Champion. This mission of hers, which, considering how Gods are, she likely lacks knowledge on, is a potentially dangerous one." Lothreen smiled,
"And while I'm sure you have the absolute faith that she can defend herself no matter the adversary, if something were to happen that could... Say, I dunno... Endanger either of their mental states beyond their current instability..."Her smile grew somewhat wider as she faced the God straight on.
"Well... I think we might end up having ourselves a little issue~"Laat remained impassive as Lothreen softly explained herself, one could have easily assumed he was made out of stone, were it not for the shifting nature of his appearance. So when he spoke it came with out warning
"She Is Closer Than That" his words were surprisingly soft
"My Champion Is Currently Standing On The Razors Edge, Holding To Her Sanity With Every Ounce Of Will She Doth Possess. So Yes I Have Made Sure To Stay Abreast Of Our Champions And How They Grow Closer By The Hour" He continued his tone growing harsher as he went
"Yet, I Can State That They Have Averted Destruction And WIll Continue To Do Such For Some Time. The Gray Lady's Mission Currently Is Solely To Survive, I Have Not Ordered Any Thing Against The Beacon Nor Have I Ordered Any Thing Against My Other Enemies" His tone continued to grow colder and harsher as he spoke and between one heart beat and the next he once again claimed dominance over the sky.
"SO DO NOT ASSUME THAT I CARE NOT FOR MY CHAMPION, HUNTRESS, AND TAKE HEED WHERE IT IS YOU DARE TO THREATEN ME!"
He bellowed his voice shaking the very foundations of his domain, triggering Novae in the distance.
Yet his stance did not waver
"Penny Has Suffered Enough By My Own Hand As Is, I Would Not See Her Suffer Unduly. I Can Not Create But I Can Temper What Is Broken And For As Long As She Still Grows I Shall Not Harm Her. Can You Say The Same Of Your Champion Huntress? You Who Are Known For you Deceitful Ways? We Are Both To Blame For Our Champions. Yet You Come To Me As If I Am The Sole Person Responsible For This. Do Not Forget Your Role In This."Lothreen simply stood in the face of the angered God as he bellowed across the stars. She sighed, and raised her hands in surrender.
"Come now Laat, I would never blame you for my own Champion's Psyche. Far from it, in fact." she shrugged, then backed off a few steps,
"In any case, you understand what I'm saying; that's all I came for."She backed away a few more steps, then turned her back to him.
"And come on, Laat~" she teased, turning her head back towards him,
"I have no sense of self-preservation! Me threatening you here is no different from me threatening you anywhere else.~ she turned away,
"The suggestion still stands. I don't consider your domain anything special in that regard." to herself, she smiled, and begun her exit of the realm,
"I don't think I need to remind you that I'd kill you here just the same as anywhere~" "You Are Welcome To Try Huntress" Laat hissed as she left the 'doors' to his realm closing with a resounding crash upon her departure. He stood there for a few moments longer before he his shoulders sagged in defeat
"Were It Not So Needed..." He muttered to himself before returning back to the dust cloud he had been toying with earlier.