Not So Simply Divine (Open)

Well fuck. In her heart of hearts, Elyna hadn’t really expected anyone or anything to show up. She was a believer, sure, but only to a point: she believed more in the concept of her personal deity than the actual existence of it. Imagining there was a Goddess that watched over women was one thing. Having the lights go out and then a beautiful and otherworldly woman appearing before her was another thing entirely. That wasn’t all there was to her of course—Elyna was the last person to be fooled or distracted by a pretty face, since she knew her own was a distraction from the warrior she was—but as first impressions went, it was impressive. Still, instinctively Elyna found herself shifting into a defensive posture. She probably couldn't hurt a god, but if this being proved dangerous in some way, Elyna would at least want to go down fighting. There was an indescribable quality to this being; it possessed strength and knowledge (if not necessarily wisdom), the kind that was rare. Maybe it was simply the aspect of divinity it possessed but Elyna, normally not shy to speak her mind, was temporarily silenced by the vision and power before her. Whatever lingering doubts she might’ve had about the existence of the gods of this world was banished by the surety of this goddess’ presence. It was an undeniable as the sun and the moon and the stars, the seasons changing and the tides rising and falling. Of course, the warrior woman didn’t remain silent for long: like a cockroach, it was hard to keep her down for long. As soon as the Goddess spoke, Elyna was released from the spell that had seemed to hold her in its grips. Throttling down her first instinct to be aggressive and snarky—even she, undiplomatic as she was, figured this wasn’t the time or place for that—the soldier thought furiously as to the best response she could give. Idly, she realized she was hearing the words even though the being wasn’t opening her lips (telepathy?), but then she figured it was a distaction and firmly put it aside. Unfortunately, she wasn’t a wordsmith, so she settled on a slightly less angry sounding version of the first statement that came to mind. ”The hell do you mean we’re not part of this world? We’re here now aren’t we? And something or someone brought us here. So I want to know what or who, and more importantly why?” Her words still carried that edge they always did; speaking politely, even to a goddess, simply wasn’t in her wheelhouse. If she was smote for her insolence, so be it. Elyna would rather go down as herself than simper and kowtow like some housewife. If this deity was worth her salt, she’d know there was no real offense intended, simply the lack of manners of the low-born and damaged woman that Elyna was. The warrior had chosen the path of bettering her physical form over her mind. If that doomed her now, it was too late to change her fate. Maybe this goddess didn't know anything about the fate of the Northaveners, but Elyna figured even a little knowledge would put her on the path of getting to the bottom of this mystery. She didn't like secrets—not even supposedly benevolent ones—and disliked intrigue even more, and this affair stank of both. The sooner she dragged the truth into the light of day (metaphorically speaking, since it weakened her immeasurably) the better. elyna Improving upon perfection