Lord Zee
Helios
Unlucky0013
DracoLunaris
Frettzo
Vec
Eviledd1984
Kalmar
ButtsnBallsBenea and Dzallitsunya
It had been a long while since Dzallitsunya had met any other god, she knew they were nearby, she had seen Monica’s group getting ready when she left and one more god at least had settled nearby. Between the preparations of exotic dresses for the marriage festival, her worries in shaping the local culture and her immediate focus on the lands north and the beast that resided there, she had truly slacked on keeping an eye on the borders of her land.
It was a bit shocking but not fully unexpected when she finally started to get weird reports from the tribe’s hunters and scouts, from foreign humans to a lone figure walking alone in the plains, it was not hard to guess that a god had entered her lands.
And it was best to meet them head on, bringing gifts of course, to try to bring forth a more amicable and stable relationship between the lands. Gemstones, including amber and river pearls, leather accessories and finely crafted dresses, obsidian from the mountains and one shawl made from Tsillo, a type of high in plascisty semi-transparent textile made from refined algae found only in the sulfuric ponds near the volcano. The goddess wanted to bring the local woodwork and ceramics but those would not fit neatly into a bundle without breaking.
Due to its roughness and sharp elevation differences, travel across Node 7 was predictable, the goddess easily guessed the foreign deity would be very close to the volcano by now, nearing the western passage from the highland to the swamps. It was there Dzallitsunya would gently intercept them.
At the heights of the night, the air started to whistle all around, past the jungles, up the rock outcrops and cliffsides, and then finally, landing by… what's her name’s side. Standing there, cape fluttering, a trail of dust she raised spreading further and further, the goddess had the terrible realization she had no idea what Benea’s name was, assuming it was her fault, she blushed, undoing any setup of a cool image her arrival might have given.
”Greetings… It is truly nice to see you again. Welcome to the Dusklands, I hope these lands have been gentle to you so far.” Dzallitsunya bowed slightly, spreading one side of the Shadow Petal with her right hand.
Looking up, Dzallitsunya realized she had miscounted or at least something had moved in between her and Benea. A shield made of pitch lacquered wood stood between her and the calla lily goddess. A gentle chuckle rose from behind it.
“Oh Jermane, that’s quite alright. This happens to be that friend of mine I was just talking about.”
The shield lowered to reveal a burly man with a face as gentle as broken stone. He cast his eyes away from Dzallitsunya respectfully. “Yes, my lady.”
Stepping out of the way, he revealed Benea. She stood with ten other retainers circled around her — happily in the center with a gentle smile and her hands clasped at her waist. Benea’s eyes perked as they met the dusk goddess’. “Oh my, it has been quite some time hasn’t it, dear?”
”Indeed. Is everyone else in Monica’s group doing well?” the pale goddess approached, squeezing the gift bundle tightly, the sound of metal and glass clinking together echoing around the quiet flat fields. ”Oh. There is a campsite nearby, perhaps it would be more suitable for your mortals? These lands do get a bit cold and damp at times…”
“A fine offer dearest Dzallitsunya,” Benea stepped forward and placed a hand on the goddess’ shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. “Perhaps we should all find a nice warm place to sit and chat? I’d love to fill you in on all the happenings and plans.”
The dusk goddess was somewhat startled by the forwardness and touching, not annoyed but just not used to it either, she stepped back sliding off the touch and nodded, pointing off to a place down the cliffs. ”I will guide you then.”
The journey was short, soon they were in a middle spot of the climb downward to the swamp, the copses of trees already overshadowing the rocky path, the camp was once a niche in the rocks, carved into a proper shelter. In the typical fashion of the dusklanders, everything was well organized, logs were set up in dry containers for use in the fire pit, nicely decorated clay jars were set from newest to oldest with markings of the moon phase and season in which the jar was sealed and the leather mats for sleeping were all stored in closed off crevice as to avoid spiders or worse sneaking in, in a mere minute, the dusk goddess and Benea’s entourage had set up a comfortable cliffside camp.
It was then, right by the fire, that the goddess opened her bundle of gifts and smiled. ”A little welcome gift for you. A sample of these land’s riches.” she announced.
“Oh how wonderful!” Benea picked the shawl up and studied it before eyeing the amber. A sudden frown. “How silly of me not to have brought you anything in return.”
Dzallitsunya smiled at the shawl being the first one picked, Croll had gone the distance to make that material possible, he would be happy to know it was marketable, though the goddess far preferred it as a local material to unify the culture. At Benea’s comment she shook her head. ”From my understanding, the lands nearby were settled later than mine, maybe I was lucky when traveling. Nevertheless, what I mean is that I understand, it took me a long time to set up these gifts, I am sure soon enough all of the nodes will be engaging in unique crafts and working the riches of the land as well.” she said with full unjustified optimism.
She looked over Benea’s humans and then back at the goddess. ”Since the humans are settled and safe now, I wanted to ask if you’d like to follow me to the node temple. I have… spent some effort on it, and I would love to get the opinion of another god.” she poked her index fingers together. ”With mortals it would take a long time, but two goddesses should be able to make it to there quite quickly.” she added, making clear that it was an invitation for her only, not her group.
Benea idled for a moment, a soft smile on her lips as she placed the shawl over her head, her dress changing to the same bright red as the material of the shawl. Satisfied, the goddess looked at Tsunya with consideration. Tilting her head she answered. “My dear, you wouldn’t be opposed to my gentle Jermane joining us?” The man was standing next to the sitting Benea, his face one of contemplation as Benea asked her question.
Dzallitsunya smiled back, twirling her silver coloured hair now, avoiding eye contact. ”Oh no no, absolutely not. I guess we could take the longer route. We will cross the main city of the node, I hope that is not an issue. Then, well, there will be a very… vertical path up. Though if anyone struggles with it, I can carry them up.”
“Oh good!” Benea stood up, excitement reflecting off her chamomile eyes. “Think of it darling, we get a better chance at soaking in what beauty you’ve created on our way. Wonderful idea.”
One would think the path across a swamp would be slower than the open flatlands, but being the core of the civilization, many options of travel soon showed themselves, from bridges and roads to finally fishing boats, the fisherman not having the best of times as he overextended himself trying to oar as fast as he could, fearing disappointing the two goddess, who were more busy appreciating the lush verdant views of the jungle and the swarms of fireflies that fluttered by.
Soon they were by the central village, it did not really have a name yet, there were many rivers and mountains to warrant those being named, but saying ‘the city’ or ‘the crossing’ or ‘the port’ could only possibly refer to this. The core of the village was a set of stone platforms, like artificial islands, surrounded by outer layers of houses and plazas in wooden silts and raised mounds. The air was filled with the smell of fish stewing on spices and the loud chatter of the crowd and the sound of stone hammers and chisels working on the buildings, both would stop as soon as the people started to notice Dzallitsunya arriving with complete strangers upon the dock.
”Would you like to stay a moment to rest? I have a friend here that makes a delicious fire tea.” the goddess proposed to the two as she led them from the boat to the main plaza. Clearly, some sort of event was being prepared in this area, it had been emptied out and a nearby building had a sizeable stock of wooden poles, thick colorful fabrics and sets of outfits with capes and shawls like the one gifted to Benea as well as jewelry made of volcanic glass and beads.
“Fire tea?” Benea cocked a brow. “That certainly sounds unique, I’d love to try some, but does your schedule allow it? I don’t know how urgently you wanted to show me the work you have done to your node.”
While Benea talked, Jermane was looking around — returning confused stares with an intense squint. He didn’t look mean, but he did look scary, if just naturally. This along with the nature of a new goddess appearing forced a wide berth to be given to the trio as they walked by.
Benea put her hands on her hips. “And I must admit, I have so much to tell you as well.”
The goddess shook her head. ”It is fine. If we tried to take the tea to the temple it would get cold and stale before we arrived.” she placed her hands behind her back and hummed, advancing towards the retreating crowd, right to the house which had the stock of dresses. ”Kadja. Hello. I brought a visit if you don’t mind.”
Soon an aged woman, streaks of gray on her black hair, appeared, holding a confused glance at the trio within her doorstep. “O… oh. Hello my goddess. I take… these two are not here to receive dresses for the marriage festival.” she laughed to herself. “Though it would be quite an experience to make a fancy dress for the lad.”
Missing the joke, Dzallitsunya shook her head. ”Oh no no, she is a god like me and he is her guardian.” she answered sincerely causing the seamstress to roll her eyes, the goddess then seized her hand and held it between her own. ”I know it might be a bit rude, but I am in need of a place to lounge and converse with my friend. Could I use the central yard of your home? A… Also, if possible, could you make us some fire tea? Oh… and maybe those coconut chips?”
The woman laughed at the goddess, using her free hand to pat her on the head. “Sure thing your holiness, seems like someone is trying to make a good first impression, I am glad you think my little table and chairs are up to the standards of divine rears.”
As the human left, the goddess turned to Benea. ”Well, come on then! The central garden is fully walled all around, surrounded by the shop and home. We can have some privacy on it to talk as we please..” Dzallitsunya led the path forward, sitting on the fur padded wooden chair and setting aside two more around the stone table.
Benea kept a polite smile as she walked through Kadja’s home and out to the central gardens. There she took in the quant flora that hugged the perimeter of the small but cozy space before retiring into one of the fur-lined seats. She sat upright, almost like a statue.
“Why don’t you take a seat as well, Jermane?” Benea said to the still standing man. He tilted his head forward before settling into one of the chairs — knees popping. Benea gave a small shift as if settling deeper in the chair, yet kept her regal posture. “What a lovely little home this is. The people of your city surely have done well for themselves, darling. Surely due to your guidance.” Benea paused, but not long enough for anyone to get a word in. “See, I knew the moment I saw you in the valley of 18 that you were smart and of level head. It would seem I was right.”
The goddess smiled at the compliment but then let out a somewhat tired sigh. ”Thank you. Humans… are beautiful, but erratic. I cannot lie, I feel lethargic compared to them, by the time I form one idea, they move on to a thousand others, darting about like the dragonflies over the pond. So far I have had success in ignoring the minute movements of each dragonfly, and focusing on the flow of the swarm, guiding them with greater and gentler movements, not commanding each one. Though… Humans are more passionate than insects, therefore, also more foolish. So far the movements are ~smooth, they follow patterns, but when things go awry… I fear the chaos that could come.” the goddess straight up confessed to Benea, before silencing herself as Kadja brought forth three bowls full of steaming tea before once again leaving.
Ginger and other roots along with herbs that made for a spicy mixture, that was the recipe of fire tea, it felt like it burned the mouth and brought a relaxing warmness and numbness to the body. ”Ah. How nice, Kadja never fails this recipe... I am sorry. I feel like I have been talking so much. It is just that… with no other gods around, these thoughts had nowhere to go but to echo around in mind.” she cleared her throat. ”So. How have things gone for your group? I felt the nodes being tamed but never had the time to check on them myself.”
“Oh you know…” Benea droned before taking a sip of her tea. At first she made a face, as if completely taken off guard by the taste, but then offered a polite smile above her cup. “To be more frank, darling, things have been rather wonky on my end as well but I hope to tighten it all up soon. To sort of explain what I mean…” Benea put her cup down on the table and leaned forward ever so slightly. “Xavior successfully took node 12 and turned it into a lush paradise as planned, and I took node 6 to do the same. We’ve agreed to share our nodes as a foundation for a growing alliance of order and commonwealth and well being. Monica agreed to this as well and for her part, she did it when she took node 11…”
Benea’s face turned into a shallow frown, as if she was being physically hurt. “However, I’m troubled by what I saw in node 11. Monica, you see, created a land that quite frankly would kill your average human. It puts me in doubt about her will and what might be lurking underneath — for as you know the nodes react to your truest will, even against your wishes at times. I am not defaming my sweet Monica, but I wonder if her will is strong enough to continue the use of the nodes.” Shaking her head and hiding her mouth behind another sip of tea, Benea nodded for Dzallitsunya to speak. Jermane himself softly slurped at his tea while his eyes flickering around the garden, harsh sips filling the silence.
The dusk goddess nodded, she rubbed her chin as Benea’s speech turned more serious and found herself with one key question. ”What was her side of the incident? Did she comment on it?” and then, in a bit more of a coy tone, she continued. ”And, uhm, if it's not prying too much, what is the nature of the trouble in node 11?”
Benea let loose a resigned sigh and leaned back in her chair (taking her tea along with her). Pulling one arm over her stomach to rest and crossing her legs, she contemplated her words over another sip of tea. Finally she said, "well that's the worst part of all, dear. You see I was exhausted from battle and weathering the chaos of instability when I asked her to go ahead and capture the node (in order to save the lives of the people entrusting us). She did that part quite well but actually ran straight into the node and injured herself. The realm was freezing cold and quickly sapping the people of life, so first I spent my remaining strength constructing a way to keep them alive and by time I found enough power to send guiding lights to find our Monica, she sent them back to me through will, not wanting to be found. So I have little on her side of things, and it's absolutely chewing me up inside." Another sip. "Excuse me, of course."
Dzallitsunya readjusted herself against the primitive chair. ”Such… an unusual realm. When I created this node, I felt my power growing so much, but I also felt my limits very well, it was easier to slide with what the land offered than to make something radically different.. It is not that simple, I assume at least, to create a land of such strong magical capabilities. So at minimum, this does say something about Monica’s abilities.” there was no more tea to sip for the dusk goddess, so she just readjusted herself again. ”Which I imagine is relevant when, uhm, her willpower is put in question, right? Now, we can only speculate, but in my opinion, it's best if such a power has something to focus on, rather than being cut too loose and left aimless.”
She sighed and tilted her head. ”On that topic, I would be more than glad to help as I can, if a land path is necessary between your node and Xavior’s I can offer a route across my land, though I would need some time to survey it, as it would need to cross more than a few mountain chains.”
“Well hopefully the road I put in 11 will hold, it may need some maintenance but at the very least I appreciate and accept your offer, sweet Tsunya.” Benea held her empty tea cup out and Jermane took it from her. The goddess shifted in her seat, now accounting for both arms as she sank into the furs. “Either way, the time has come to talk of other things. You see, we have an order to build still, do we not? Look how well we are working together, it’s marvelous. I would adore it if we could use your region to house a meeting of gods all willing to come together formally. I wager I already have Monica and Xavior pinned and ready, now I just need to reach out to Anak’thas and we will have a good team of founding members.” Benea smiled at Dzallitsunya, her eyes crinkling with bliss from the grin. “Isn’t that just delightful, dear?”
”Oh!” the goddess gasped, then cleared her throat to clean the sudden glee in her face. ”Well. I do have a little spot in my node area, as I said, a temple. By pure coincidence I had prepared a room for meetings in it. Why don’t we go see it, and you can tell if it will fit your plans? I do approve of more integration and cooperation between gods so if I could help, I would be glad to.”
“You see?” Benea sat upright — if not leaning slightly forward so her gaze bled right into Dzallitsunya’s — “This is exactly why I thought to go to you, darling.”
With the help of the shadow petal, the path up the volcano was as easy to the goddess as a game of hopscotch, even when she was carrying a man larger than her. ”Here we are.” Dzallitsunya said, as she set Jermane down by the entrance of the lunar palace, a bronze blush on his face. ”Come, I will show the room to you.” she added, leading the path forward for the two visitors, into the lava lit halls, up to the gardens.
“Oh please do,” Benea answered as she trailed behind Dzallitsunya. Jermane in turn followed the dragging hem of Benea’s dress, his shield held close to his body.
The meeting hall was up a spiral staircase in the central node room, its glass walls and marble furniture was lit by the illusory image of the crucible as if seen high from the sky, most nodes visible, all made to look pleasant, even the ever-dark of Monica’s node. ”So. Will this suit you… my friend?” the dusk goddess questioned, smiling to her fellow deity, stuttering a bit as she still did not know what her name was even after all of this traveling together.
Benea stepped forward with her hands behind her back as she watched the illusionary view of the crucible, a gentle smile on her face. A moment of contemplation went by before Benea gave the illusion a curt nod and turned to Dzallitsunya. “I expected nothing less, Dzallitsunya. We will mark the start of the orderly alliance here.”
Dzallitsunya bowed, stretching her cape. ”Let’s guarantee a gentle future for the crucible.” she summoned forth a sheet of silver, placing it at the middle of the table. ”If you don’t mind, I would like to mark this occasion by having us sign our names down upon this.” she smirked.
Benea gave Dzallitsunya a knowing glance before curling a grin. Tapping her finger to the sheet, Benea’s name was carved into the metal.