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+---- Thread: [SE] poems that the earth writes upon the sky (/showthread.php?tid=12751)
poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Dantalion - 04-13-2026
[say]"I heard about this from people in the Dusklight when we got back from Torchline,"[/say] Danta is saying as they rustle and hike their way through the Greatwood. The Maverick had ensured they go off the beaten path to avoid people wherever possible, but it means they're rather at the mercy of the forest as to when (or if) they arrive at the great mother tree. [say]"They said,"[/say] he continues, [say]"that the Mathair is the reason the sky has been screaming."[/say]
Quite what the correlation is between Scary Leafchange Goddess and the inclement weather is beyond Danta's attention span, but when enough people say shit like that tree is big mad, he's inclined to listen. [say]"Apparently, everyone has been heading out here to make offerings to her. I guess they think she might stop with the shrieking if she's given enough compliments?"[/say]
Grinning over his shoulder at the butcher, he beckons him to hurry up despite not knowing where they are or when they'll get where they're going. [say]"She's no Dygra, I know, but that's kind of badass isn't it?"[/say]
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Astaroth - 04-14-2026
“[say]Truly?[/say]” He asks as they drift through the Greatwood, taking deer paths and less traveled ways to get toward the Leafchange deity. His gaze is focused on Danta’s back, so as to not lose him but also to quietly admire the Maverick as he explains all the little details about the reason for the screaming sky. The cane brushes through foliage as he follows him, pushing away branches that try to reach out and snag them along the way while he snorts, a soft laugh leaving him. “[say]Do you suppose it will work?[/say]” He asks Danta, even if he’s not convinced it will.
Humming a note of agreement, the butcher does pick up his steps as he’s beckoned, close enough now that his hand can smooth out along the other Ancient’s lower back – not to steady or urge him faster, but for touch. “[say]It does feel very Dygra-esque.[/say]” He agrees wistfully. “[say]Though that does make two seasons now with a focus on their deities, no? Do you think we’ll have something fun to correlate with the Eirichi?[/say]” She’s really the only seasonal deity that the butcher has a history with – not from seeing, Dygra is always number one in that regard, but from prayer, as the Deepfrost deity was the only one the Whitebrim clan he’d grown up with had prayed to.
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Dantalion - 04-14-2026
[say]"Oh gods no,"[/say] Danta says through a bark of laughter. [say]"The Mathair will stop the sky screaming when she's good and ready, I think, no matter how many people tell her she's pretty."[/say] Grinning up at Asta as he draws closer, it's a subtle thing, the way he angles himself more into the butcher's touch, but his steps slow to more of a stroll as they continue through the undergrowth together. [say]"I did still bring her an offering though, obviously."[/say]
Asta isn't wrong about the seasonal deities spicing things up either, but at the prospect of the Eirachi getting involved, his nose scrunches up in childish distaste. He knows of the other man's history in Halo, so it seems appropriate that he isn't quite as affronted by it, but asking Deepfrost to be more frosty feels like a bad idea to him.
[say]"If we do, I hope she keeps it localised to Halo,"[/say] he says, glancing sidelong towards the butcher with a smirk. [say]"Though I wouldn't say no to another excuse to hole up with you for the entire season."[/say]
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Astaroth - 04-14-2026
“[say]It does always help to be complimented.[/say]” He agrees – sated in much the same way. Boost the butcher’s ego and fan the flames of his pride and you could get many things from the butcher. Though, it also doesn’t mean he’d stop just to hear it. The cane shifts in his hand, his head tilting slightly toward his fiancé at the mention of an offering. “[say]Perhaps I will manage to find something there to leave for her.[/say]” He does need to use his cane against something, what better than to kill two birds with one stone – or cane, possibly, in this instance.
He does see the way Danta’s nose scrunches up and it sparks a warm laugh from him, his hand spreading out a bit against his lower back. “[say]Oh, come now. You would not appreciate a lovely wintry landscape from the comfort of our room?[/say]” Even with the Eirachi’s attention, she’d have to battle the bonfire that Dygra had helped them create and something tells him their dark lady would win out.
Meeting the smirk, the butcher flashes one of his own – all sharp teeth and promise before he’s scanning out around them for anything lurking in the woods. “[say]At this rate we have quite the variety to choose from. Shall we make a jar of them and pull for the next excuse?[/say]” He asks, amused and never once going to complain about spending time alone with him.
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Dantalion - 04-14-2026
[say]"If you don't, I'm sure I can share what I brought,"[/say] Danta says with a sunny smile. As if to demonstrate, he reaches into the inside pocket of his coat to withdraw his offering - a hip flask filled with the finest liquor available from the Dusklight, naturally. He's also brought a bit of incense and the skull of a squirrel that Moira had left on the windowsill the morning before, figuring his companion might also like to show her appreciation for the Leafchange goddess.
Replacing the flask and groaning at Asta's good humour in the face of a potential snowpocalypse, he leans further against his side as if tucking himself against the other man will shield him from the imaginary cold. [say]"If only it was just appreciating it from our room,"[/say] he says with a pointed raise of his eyebrows. However sleepy Asta might get in Deepfrost and however vicious the weather, there are always things to do.
[say]"A jar of excuses?"[/say] he echoes. [say]"I could get behind that. Especially if it keeps me from having to go out in the cold."[/say] Grinning, Danta casts his gaze back out at the forest and nudges Asta suddenly, nodding up ahead. [say]"I think that might be her, you know."[/say] Through the trees whatever clearing has opened up is dominated by a colossal trunk, so it would make sense.
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Astaroth - 04-14-2026
“[say]How thoughtful of you, wasp.[/say]” Asta purrs, leaning into his space briefly to spy the flask, incense, and the squirrel skull that seem like perfect offerings for the Leafchange deity. Not that he would really know, at the end of the day. If the screaming rain was attributed to her, perhaps more Dygra-like offerings would be appreciated, and for that the butcher is very apt at creating so he doesn’t have to share the Maverick’s own trinkets.
Hearing the groan and feeling him tuck in closer, the butcher’s arm sweeps around him and tucks in at his hip, radiating heat despite the slight breezy chill in the air. “[say]It could be.[/say]” He touts playfully, bouncing his own brow back. His exhaustion would make it more difficult for him that season, but it meant all the more reasons to stay holed up inside to watch the wintry landscape from the comfort of the windows.
Nodding at the mention of the jar of excuses, he glances back over at Danta to see his attention sweep out over the forest paired with the grin on his face. “[say]See, darling?[/say]” He boasts, until his dark gaze flits over toward the large tree suddenly taking up his attention. The giant trunk is definitely an indicator, though. “[say]I do not think I’ve seen a tree quite that large, truthfully.[/say]” His pace picks up a little, if only so he can stand underneath the Mathair and peer up, and up, and up at it. “[say]It has to be.[/say]” He chuckles a little, stepping aside so that Danta can start to leave the offerings. It gives him time to scan the surrounding clearing for anything that might be of note to leave from himself.
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Dantalion - 04-14-2026
[say]"Only for you,"[/say] Danta purrs back, grinning up at Asta as the other man's arm slips around him properly. [say]"I don't share my squirrel skulls with just anyone, you know."[/say] Leaning in to sneak a kiss to the side of his neck and drawing away again before the butcher can do anything about it, soon enough the clearing is upon them and the Mathair towers overhead like a forest in and of herself. Not really one for nature, the Maverick is nevertheless suitably awed by the Greatwood's mother tree, eyebrows raising as he tries - and fails - to see up into the canopy towards the top.
[say]"Nor have I,"[/say] he freely confesses, letting out a low whistle and absently patting at his coat so he can go ahead and leave his offerings. Incense and skull come first, Danta using a careful wisp of flame to light the former and set the stick in one of the tiny eye sockets of the latter, nestling it among a few other offerings among the Mathair's roots.
[say]"If you're the one making the sky scream, great work,"[/say] he says conversationally as he pulls out the flask next. [say]"Here's to you, Mathair."[/say] Toasting the trunk, Danta takes a pull from the liquor and pours the rest into the rich soil at the foot of the great tree.
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Astaroth - 04-14-2026
Hissing a soft laugh as Danta sneaks the kiss against his neck, the butcher settles with an affectionate roll of his eyes. “[say]I am honored, darling.[/say]” He purrs, his hand squeezing his hip. Soon enough, though, they come upon the Mathair and the butcher takes it in with a quiet appreciation. Had he ever had a tree this large back when he was still a scout, it would have been the prime example of a safe place to recover and recuperate. All things he doesn’t really need these days, but the Ferrox in him appreciates it all the more.
Parting, however reluctantly from the Maverick so he can leave his offerings, he steps away as he scans the environment – only then does he spot a speaking squirrel slipping out from a nearby tree – aiming to try and steal an offering from the other side of the Mathair. And that’s when the butcher strikes, the cane remaining in its usual cane form – hard and bladed, sharp and lashing out before the squirrel has a chance to realize what’s exactly happening.
It takes two strikes before the squirrel ceases to move again – covered in two precisely slashed gouges. The blood drips from it as he picks it up, not at all bothered in the slightest by it as he returns to Danta’s side with a playful wink. “[say]This should do, I hope.[/say]” He hums, setting it beside the lingering pool of liquor Danta had dumped out, the blood mixing with the liquor to seep into her roots. “[say]Thank you for the excitement this season.[/say]” Comes the quiet offering as he arranges the speaking squirrel just right. “[say]This one was attempting to be a thief.[/say]” In case the Mathair hasn’t seen, though he assumes she has.
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Dantalion - 04-14-2026
Danta doesn't see the strikes made against the speaking squirrel behind him - but he sure fucking hears it. The smile that curls across his lips is quiet and dark, the Maverick only glancing up from his spot at the Mathair when Asta's shadow falls across him. [say]"Acting as security even when we're away from the Dusklight,"[/say] he remarks, gazing sidelong at the other man. [say]"I'm sure she'll appreciate your vigilance as much as I do when we're at home."[/say]
With a final, respectful nod for the mother tree and her apparent love for shrieking weather systems, Danta turns fully to his lover and reaches out to straighten the lapels of his coat with a gentle tug. [say]"Now, can I tempt you into a stroll through the weird fae market in that village of theirs, or are you feeling too prickly to be around anyone?"[/say] he wants to know.
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Astaroth - 04-14-2026
Humming a soft laugh toward Danta, Asta nods. “[say]They are her offerings, are they not?[/say]” He smirks over at his fiancé while he lays out the speaking squirrel in a perfect position to accompany the ones Danta leaves behind. They match in a perfect way, though, Asta straightening up with a quiet sense of pride about him.
As Danta turns toward him, though, and adjusts the lapels of his coat, he’s busy licking the blood from his fingers as his dark gaze takes in the handsome face of the other Ancient – lingering on the dips and curves of his sharp jawline. “[say]Mm, well, I can certainly be tempted.[/say]” He hums with a smirk tugging on the corners of his lips, his free hand moving the cane into the crook of his elbow before he’s tugging the Maverick closer to steal a true kiss – tainted with the iron of the speaking squirrel. “[say]What are your thoughts, darling?[/say]” He asks against his lips, withdrawing a fraction just to get a better look at him.
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Dantalion - 04-14-2026
[say]"Mm, that they are,"[/say] Danta says, smiling crookedly and casting a fleeting glance back towards the colossal tree trunk they stand beside. [say]"I'm sure she appreciates your keen eye to look out for trouble."[/say] Or to be the trouble, but not today at least. To hear that Asta can be tempted has his smile creeping into a fanged grin, one that the butcher promptly wipes away with his kiss.
[say]"I can always be tempted,"[/say] he mumbles against his lips, tail flicking its amusement at the spaded tip, hands smoothing out any creases in Asta's lapels. [say]"Besides, you'll look even taller around all the Fae. We can't possibly miss that opportunity."[/say] Tugging the other man with him as they step away from the Mathair, it doesn't take long for Danta to tuck himself back beneath his fiance's arm.
[say]"We'll take it slow, though. Maybe get lost a few times before we reach the village. What do you say?"[/say]
RE: poems that the earth writes upon the sky - Astaroth - 04-14-2026
“[say]I would hope so.[/say]” He hums, imagining the Mathair a bit like a wicker woman in that regard – able to fend for herself but to also appreciate that additional eye. He most certainly would be glad to be the trouble, if it weren’t for the fact they were there to leave offerings, though he wonders idly if that’s an offering of its own.
But they’d completed that regardless, his focus is entirely swallowed up by the blonde Ancient that he tugs closer, steals that blood tinged kiss, relishing in the warmth of his fiance’s hands as they smooth out along his chest and shoulders. Fire licks at his fingertips, clearing up any of the lingering mess of the squirrel as he laughs a warm, rich sound. “[say]Oh, you make quite the argument.[/say]" He drawls, happily wrapping his arm around his fiance as they start heading toward the path opposite of the Mathair.
Nodding – and with his tail wagging behind them a touch – the butcher keeps an eye on their surroundings again as they leave. “[say]Something tells me the Greatwood will help us get lost more than once without us even hoping for it.[/say]” He suggests, though he’s content to see where they end up regardless while they march toward the fae village and everywhere else the woods decide to take them.
- FIN