[SE] A dance in the undying twilight

He had arrived before their appointed time, teleporting into the Celestine from the Oerwoud to avoid walking through the streets. Not that he had any illusions about remaining unnoticed for long. Not after how the search for Mr. Matas had gone. But there was no point borrowing trouble when he had only come to see a friend today.

And to tend to the shrine within the Celestine's twilit environs, pious as ever.

He was relieved to see that the altars were still filled with offerings, clean and kept reverently neat in spite of the shadows that had multiplied in Stormbreak in the past year. He ran his fingers lightly over the altars to Rae and Frey, sprinkling a little of the rich loam of the Oerwoud across the flowers left to appease those gods. For Ludo and Mort he set the carapace of a beetle the size of his thumb bearing a skull upon its wingcase.

But it was at the altar of Vi and Safrin that he stopped and bowed deeply. A pair of thick candles were carefully unpacked from a round case slung over his back. One was chased in silver stars and constellations, the other in golden embossed sun-in-glory flames. He seated them both carefully upon the stone and lit them, letting their bright flames chase away the Flowerbirth chill as he bowed his head in earnest prayer until Noe arrived.

Why you got it in for me?
Is it cause I bring it to your knees?

Noe, it seemed, was running late.

She'd lost track of time drawing up a new design for a housing plot across the city, and by the time she realized the time, it was far past when she needed to leave. She'd hurried through the streets to the Celestine as quickly as possible, of course, but it wasn't enough.

Fortunately, when she arrived outside the Shrine, she realized that Hadama was deep in prayer, and she slowed from her half-jog to a slower walk, calming her breathing and fixing her mussed hair. Mika twined around her neck, peering out at the demigod paying his respects to Vi and Safrin, waiting eagerly to be noticed so that she might invite him into some form of play. When Hadama finished, he would find Noe and Mika waiting patiently, forgoing their own offerings for another day and time.

Throw water on electricity just to see
If the spark'll make us feel the way we used to feel

Noe

The pair would not have to wait long. Hadama prayed but he did not let his guard down within Stormbreak's environs. He heard the patter of light steps and took the opportunity to draw his prayers to a close. He did not rush, giving his friend time to compose herself, but neither did he linger overlong in his meditations. Lifting his head, he kept his eyes on the statues of his goddess as he rose before giving her a final bow. Then he turned to face the young woman who had arrived...

And her plus one.

A steely brow rose as warm emerald eyes examined the curious little winged serpent peeking out from the engineer's hair. "Noe. It is good to see you well. And who is this?" He took a few unhurried steps closer, tilting his head in curious indication of the mata mata upon her shoulder. "It is nice to meet you, little one," he rumbled quietly, though he made no move to extend a hand or try to touch another person's companion without invitation and permission.

Why you got it in for me?
Is it cause I bring it to your knees?

Noe waited patiently, and by the time Hadama had turned his attention to her, she looked far more put together than she had when she’d arrived. She smiled at her friend, Mika emerging from her hair to hiss her own greeting. ”Oh!” Noe said. ”This is Mika! I found her in the Celestine last season.” The little mata mata flitted towards the demigod, pausing midair before him as though looking him over. Once satisfied, she returned to Noe, burrowing back into her bonded’s loose waves.

Noe lifted a hand to offer the mata mata a gentle pat. ”Soooo, what do you think of the shrine?” she asked her friend, gesturing next to a nearby bench and leading the way over to sit down. Once there, she gave Hadama her full and undivided attention.

Throw water on electricity just to see
If the spark'll make us feel the way we used to feel

Noe

"Mika," he repeated, learning the name and committing it to memory as he stilled himself to let the curious companion examine him. "I am Hadama." He gave the mata mata a solemn nod, completing the ritual of introduction. His stoic expression eased as she returned to Noe's shoulder and he took in his young friend again. She appeared happy and healthy, and it was a balm to his heart after the long, cold night that had ended the year. A balm he would need all the more when he returned to Torchline after their meeting to news of the deaths of Seren and Nysadeia.

The King of Torchline joined Noe on the selected bench, settling his weight gingerly down onto the sturdy stone and raising his head to let his gaze travel over the beautiful statues and tended flowers. There were shadows at the edges of the open-air temple to the gods, and the chill violet of corrupted flora among the flowers that bloomed among spring's more common heralds, but he had not seen any defacement of the altars or the depictions of Caido's gods and he tilted his head to the side at Noe's question.

"It is beautiful." The words were inadequate, but Hadama was no poet. Still, for the sake of his goddess he tried. "I am... pleased. To see all of the gods worshiped together here." He turned his attention back to the engineer at his side, one steely brow lifting slightly in curiosity. "Which statue is your favorite?" It was not a question of her faith but of her aesthetic, though perhaps the two were indeed linked.

Why you got it in for me?
Is it cause I bring it to your knees?

Mika was satisfied by the introduction, and settled happily into Noe's hair, where she could see and be a part of the goings-on without being far from her bonded. For all that the mata mata was mischievous and unruly, she loved to be able to simply observe her surroundings from the vantage point of Noe's neck.

Noe considered Hadama's question as she leaned back against the bench, her gaze flitting over each of the statues in question. She'd never been drawn to any god in particular (and was even less inclined to visit them now), but of the statues, she had to admit that Safrin's was her favorite. Perhaps it was something of the mystical beauty that the statue depicted. "Safrin's, I think," she said after a moment. "She just looks so... powerful, but, like... with a gentle side?"

Throw water on electricity just to see
If the spark'll make us feel the way we used to feel

Noe

Hadama followed Noe's eyes, looking back at the statues he had so recently visited, but like his young friend his gaze was pulled back to the graceful, delicate lines of Safrin's statue where it stood in attendance on the far grander tribute to Vi. The features were vague, the artist undoubtedly realizing that they could not capture divinity in mere stone, but still her beauty shone through. He could appreciate the artistry and skill that had gone into the work and he inclined his head in agreement with Noe's choice.

"She is both," he confirmed, his voice warming and a certain softness entering the deep rumble of his voice. "She is a mother. She loves deeply, and fiercely. And she defends what is hers." A small smile broke through his stoic mask, gentling the corners of his mouth. "But she is generous, too. Kind. Caring." He could have continued on with superlatives until his voice cracked, but that was not his way. "The one who carved that statue knew her well, I think."

Why you got it in for me?
Is it cause I bring it to your knees?

Noe had never heard anyone speak of Safrin the way that Hadama did, and she listened with rapt attention. The statue, it seemed, was accurate enough, which was a marvel in and of itself. How did one carve the gods? Noe had to wonder if the other statues were similarly precise. Had they used the same artist for them all, or had they commissioned different people who had relations with the gods they sought to depict?

”What’s it like?’ Noe asked, tilting her head to one side. At her neck, Mika let out a soft hiss. ”Having a relationship with the gods? I mean, I know of them, and I’ve prayed as much as the next person, but I’ve yet to meet one. It makes me wonder if they are really as active in our lives as the stories would have us believe.”

Throw water on electricity just to see
If the spark'll make us feel the way we used to feel

Noe

Her question recalled questions of his own, many seasons before, and in spite of the shadows around them Hadama allowed himself a flicker of a smile at the memories. Discussions with Ronin and Noah on this very topic, and Deimos as well. "Mmh. It is... assurance. Strength, to know you are not alone. A warm wave at your back, pushing you forward." He tilted his head at his young friend, his smile lingering. "They are as active as you ask them to be. But most will not reach out to you without your deliberate choice to invite them into your life." He shrugged one shoulder, a small, graceful gesture.

"Safrin is... more inclined than the other gods to reach out to her followers. More generous with her rewards to those who pledge loyalty." His gaze returned to the statue with a softening of his smile. "But first you must prove that loyalty. I have found it an easy price to pay." He turned back to Noe with a tilt of his head that somehow motioned towards the altars scattered about the clearing, and their statues and offerings from previous supplicants. "Do you wish to meet a god?"

Why you got it in for me?
Is it cause I bring it to your knees?

Noe listened thoughtfully. She’d never considered a relationship with a god before, not really, or at least not in any serious capacity. Koa, she knew, had gone to them before, though she didn’t know the details of those visits. But those efforts had always seemed so far away, meant for someone more important than a random engineer from Stormbreak, for all that she was an Accepted.

Hadama’s endorsement of Safrin left her similarly thoughtful, though she couldn’t say she was drawn to the starry goddess any more than she was the other gods, all of whom just seemed like stories from legend. ”I don’t know,” she said honestly. ”I don’t feel… called to any of them, really.” Not to mention, she wouldn’t know what to say or do with them. What did she have to offer, at the end of the day, other than sass and good intentions?

Throw water on electricity just to see
If the spark'll make us feel the way we used to feel

Noe

Her ambivalence did not seem to surprise him or cause him any disappointment. He inclined his head in acceptance of her words and then rose, offering her his large hand so she could join him. "There is no hurry to choose." He nodded towards the statues a final time, a gathering of graceful, powerful forms that still stood resolute against the encroaching shadows of the Void around them. "If there is something you wish for that the gods could provide. A weapon. Armor. A magical tool. You could pray here and see who answers." His gaze took on a flicker of amusement as he started to lead them away from the shrine and back out into the Celestine's extensive grounds. "But be sure you are willing to accept any of them, if that is the case." Though he did not mention sex Frey by name his gaze did slide momentarily to that protean statue in all its naked glory at Rae's side as they passed it.

He turned his attention to the gardens outside and tilted his head at Noe inquiringly. "Will you show me your favorite patients?" An invitation to show him around and teach him more about the Celestine, of which she had sounded so proud in her letter. He was looking forward to the momentary respite from his duties, which he would have to return to soon enough.

But the tension that he carried hidden in his broad shoulders would remain, unable to forget even for a moment that he was in a stronghold of the Void.

Why you got it in for me?
Is it cause I bring it to your knees?

Hadama rose and Noe followed, accepted the offered hand with a cheerful smile. She had never thought about praying aimlessly just to see who answered, but it was certainly something to think about in the future. Even so, she wasn’t sure that she needed anything. Sure, weapons or armor might be helpful for people who were warriors, but Noe was no such thing, and she did, after all, have friends in high places.

But the conversation shifted, and Noe was happy to give her friend a tour of the Celestine, all thoughts of the gods forgotten for now. She led the way towards the mata mata enclosure first, chattering away, completely oblivious to the tension Hadama carried and the weight that burdened him.

fin

Throw water on electricity just to see
If the spark'll make us feel the way we used to feel

Noe