| Logs |
2009 November 29
| When The Bough Breaks |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Bough Logs |
Fifth Movement, Second Duet
The dinner has long since ended. It is the darkest night atop Mount Meru, hours before light will come forth from the Mirror to illuminate the Dreamtime again, but for now, it is night. Insects chirp, the occasional night bird sings. The vast majority of the rakshasa are asleep, and mostly the only ones that are awake are those on guard duty.
The dinner ended in something of a blur. After the remarkable kachina dance, in which Inanna and Lilith revealed themselves, very little is clear. Most if not all of the rakshasa present staggered off to collapse into sleep; Ravana and Vhibishana did not seem to be present afterwards. Even Tawhaki seemed to disappear off to rest or recuperation.
For now, it seems as if the entire rakshasa camp is nothing less than recovering from what was certainly a powerful and exhausting experience for all of them, though three of the mortals are, currently, awake and alert, in these wee hours of the morning. Mikal, Norris, and Raphael stand near one of the bulwarks that overlooks the rest of the Dreamtime. Far to Mirrorward is just the hint of that vast, reflective expanse, and scattered throughout the land are little specks of light, marking larger settlements. Above the stars glitter in exceedingly familiar constellations.
Mikal murmurs dryly, "Well... that was different. Any idea why the rakshasa brothers seemed to wish to keep our supranormality a secret?"
Norris looks at the stars, reminding him of a simpler time. Wondering if Polaris is a safe place to be, now...it would be interesting to go there. "Fewer people what know, less likely th' information would be to get to folk what woul' wanna do sommat about it, Mikal." he replies calmly.
Mikal says, "True, but did they think they'd attract Tawhaki to their side with the same ole same old?"
Norris shrugs. "Doan know what it would take, m'self. Our actions alone encouraged him here. Could be you do one of your special speeches, or Cat do one of his, an that might be enuff." He puts a comforting hand on Mikal's shoulder. "it's done now, tho, and we gotta deal wi' it. We gotta be careful. What we was is less important than what we is, now."
A bit further off, the two spot the one whom they are speaking of: Tawhaki is leaning on a barrier, a touch lost in thought as he looks out across the Dreamtime -- or rather, looks up at the constellations that circle above the Dreamtime, orbiting Polaris.
Mikal nods silently, still staring out over the Dreamtime. Her voice is musing, "I'm curious just what exactly Tawhaki knows, too. How did he know we'd be interested in past lives, such that he'd suggest an Oracle to us?"
Mikal adds quietly, pointing, "Look, there he is now. Want to try talking to him? Can you wave him over?"
Norris looks shrewdly at the demigod staring at the sky. "Think he's a little lost in thought. I done know that look on his face. I get his attention, tho." He ambles over to Tawhaki, leaning on the barrier beside him. "Hey, sir. Kin ya spare a moment, if ya please?" he queries, more folksy, now, than formally respectful, trying to put the stranger at ease.
Tawhaki doesn't start, but he does look pleasantly surprised. "Ah, Bear! --and Rabbit and Wolf. Good evening to you both. I was half-hoping I would run into one of you."
Mikal sits on the rampart, idly kicking her heels over the edge. She waves politely towards the darkness where Tawhaki stands, waiting for them to come over to the slightly better lit area she, Raphael, and Norris were standing in previously.
Norris grins. "No need ta hope. Iffn ya wanna talk, we's not hard to find. We's here, now, though. Come join us...Rabbit wuz hopin' ta 'run-into-you' too, as 'tis." He gestures towards his compatriots.
Tuwhaki nods, "Certainly, I'd be glad to." He walks over to Mikal and Raphael in the pool of light cast by one of the camp-lanterns.
Mikal smiles and nods politely, "Honored Tawhaki Lord. How are you?"
"I am well, Rabbit Lady, thank you. A little... bewildered, to be honest."
Norris leans against the rampart. "Bewildered how, sir? Mebbe iffn ya share your thoughts, we kin help ya, answer your questions. We's gonna be allies, after all. An we gots questions too."
Mikal nods in agreement with Norris, leaning against him where she sits.
Tawhaki makes a quiet sound, then rubs the back of his head. "I would... like to understand better what it is that I saw and experienced at the dinner earlier. If you can enlighten me, I would be very grateful. Of course, either way I will be happy to answer what questions you have.
Mikal murmurs quietly, "Perhaps specific questions would be better, Tawhaki Lord, than asking for... 'everything.' I suspect you will feel the same when it's us asking you questions, after all." She wishes, with just a touch of exasperation, that the rakshasa brothers had seen fit to perhaps enlighten their mortal guests as to what Tawhaki should and shouldn't be told! Tactically poor idea to do so in the midst of their meeting, after all.
He nods, "That's true, yes. All right. What -- no, rather, who did I see first dancing with the kachinas? Before what seemed like every raksasha on the mountain joined in?"
Mikal smiles at that, her eyes glinting as brightly in the moonlight as her teeth do, "Why, me. Myself... and my lover Jareth. What do you mean?"
Norris puts one fist into his other hand, cracking his knuckles, more as a fidgety gesture than any attempt at being impressive. He looks at Mikal, and her grin, and shakes his head. "We shouldn't mince words, Rabbit. Not iffn we want this fella's trust and support. An it has to begin somewheres."
Mikal glances up at Norris and nods gravely, "All right, Bear." She looks back at the Uluru representative and says simply, "Why did you suggest we should consult an Oracle regarding past lives?" She thinks a bit, then adds, "Are you here to negotiate joining in the same goal as that of the rakshasa? Will you and/or the kachina help overthrow the Architect's current rule? DO you know anything of the entity named Mordred?" And she smiles faintly as she adds, "Do you know anything of the last days of Sleipnir, Freyja, and Artemis? Do you know what the Re in El-Amon-Re signifies?"
Norris barks a laugh! "Don't done drown the fella in questions, Rabbit. Specially if he done give his answers in a different order to the questions, an we done get all confused."
Mikal grins up at Norris again, lifting her feet up so she can swing around and face them all. She kicks her heels lazily along the inside of the rampart as she leans comfortably against Norris again and waits for a reaction from the... sceptre? Not a Throne.
Tawhaki looks a bit more confused, not less, but he does answer the question directly: "Most mortals whom I have met who have spent some time in the Dreamtime and who learn of the Wheel of Life, the cycle of birth, life, death, and reincarnation, begin to wonder what their past lives were. An Oracle is one way, if inobvious, of at least learning some hints as to one's past lives. As for your other questions: I can answer affirmatively to almost all of them, though I admit to only a little information of Mordred. And as for Freyja, Sleipnir, and Artemis, I only know of one third-hand story, which I will relate if you wish. I am sorry, a moment, please. This is a lot of information you are asking, but I do want to answer all your questions. I just did not understand what you meant by you, yourself, being what I saw at the dinner."
Vhibishana's voice come out of the darkness. "I had thought it obvious, Lord Tawhaki. Even as long ago as the Godswar was, I would have thought you would know what you see." Vhibishana emerges from the shadows, and ducks his head to Mikal. "Rabbit, Wolf, Bear... I cry your pardon. I had hoped for a more private setting with which to speak of who you four are, considering that we suffered the actions of a traitor in the attack by the angels. But I failed to adequately prepare, something that my brother gently reminded me of immediately before the dinner -- though he claims at least partial blame for that as well. I ask your forgiveness."
Mikal smiles at the rakshasa, her expression warming, "It's fine, Vibhishana, please. I just don't like being left out in the cold on plans I'm going to be part of. Your apology is comfort enough."
Norris basks in the picture of his packmate perched just so, squeezing her hand. And when Tawhaki answers, he gives his full attention. And then Vhibishana comes into the picture, and he nods in affirmation to Mikal's words. "It's well, Vhibishana. Don't need to worry none about no smiting, I assure you." he murmurs dryly. "It's a difficult time, even with the progress that's been made, and hard to know what to do."
Mikal adds interestedly to Tawhaki, "What did you see at the dance, Tawhaki Lord?"
Vhibishana inclines his head. "Thank you, Rabbit. It is only fitting, then, that you explain, in your own words, to Lord Tawhaki. I believe, and I hope you concur, that as our ally he should know all he can."
Tawhaki blinks, then makes another thoughtful sound. "I saw two goddesses appear amongst the kachinas, with the countenances of yourself, Rabbit Lady, and Cat Lord. Goddesses of the Levant, dancing with kachinas of the Setting Sun lands. But the deities of the Levant were amongst the first to have been destroyed by the Architect. I... do not understand."
Mikal smiles ruefully at what she hears, then nods once. "Fair enough, and thank you, Vibhishana. So, Tawhaki Lord, if you would... the rest of my queries?"
Norris's head tilts. "Do you think that the gods made no plans other than war? If it is a sign that you seek, Lord Tawhaki, that there is hope, and that the tyranny of the Architect is not absolute, then Uriel's wounding was the first of that sign, and the joyful celebration of the old gods was the second. There are great things afoot." he rumbles.
Mikal grins up at Norris, her eyes sparkling, "Oh, that's pretty, Bear! Thank you!"
Norris grins. "Cat's th' wordsmith, but ah figger I have my moments now and then, working wi' language instead of metal."
Mikal giggles at that -- then turns her once-more-thoughtful gaze on Tawhaki.
Tawhaki takes in a slow breath. "As I said: I am here to negotiate an alliance between Uluru and Meru in order to oppose and eventually break the rule of the Architect. I have been told that the thrones of the Five Suns, and all those who fled to Uluru in the Godswar and now call it home, will join in the opposition against the Architect, if there is indeed reason to; that the defeat of Uriel can be repeated.
"I cannot speak directly for the fate of Artemis, Freyja, and Sleipnir. I have heard a story, however, from Papa Ghede of the loas, who says he was at a distance and saw what happened. He told me that he was on Uluru's roof one evening, when he saw an eight-legged mare at full gallop, heading for Uluru yet many leagues distant. She and her riders were being pursued by a host of angels. They went out of sight; he moved to try and get them into view again, but he could not. He sought the council of the other Ghede loas, but it was not until some time later that they learned it may have been Sleipnir, carrying Artemis and Freyja.
"More than that, I am afraid I do not know. He may have some idea of where they went when they disappeared from his view, however. I am sorry I do not know more than that."
Tawhaki adds, "And it is my understanding that one of the Architect's past aspects was as the Sun God of Thebes, where he was known as Ra or Re or Amun-Re.
Mikal frowns thoughtfully as she considers, absently running her fingers through Raphael's coarse, heavy mane -- then she looks up at Tawhaki and says, "Thank you. Do you know what the Metatron is? Also, who are the Thrones of the Five Suns, please? And can you introduce us to Papa Ghede?"
Norris shakes his head angrily...he had a lot of respect for the Huntress, though they spoke seldom. It does not draw out the same burning frustration that fills him when he thinks of his family, but Artemis deserved better than to be hunted like a fox by the Architect's dogs. His fist strikes the stone, and in his mind, it sings of hammer on anvil, though his fist only makes a thick 'thump' to all others that hear.
Vhibishana provides, "The Thrones of the Five Suns are beings such as the kachinas, and the loas. The loas are the thrones of the Overhead Sun, and the kachinas are the thrones of the Setting Sun."
Tawhaki nods his thanks to Vhibishana. "I can certainly introduce you to Papa Ghede. The Ghede loas are probably the most... understandable and social of the loas. As for Metatron, I had thought the Metatron was simply a very senior angel... but Ravana Lord mentioned that you had an idea that he was more than just that?"
Norris says, "Metatron's the bad apple, Lord Tawhaki. if we're right, he's the keystone, the one what made everything start to go bad, what's keeping it bad. Th' power behind the throne, so to speak."
Mikal runs a calming hand down Norris's arm, watching him silently to be sure he's okay. Only when she knows he's not going to hurt himself again does she turn and nod slowly to Tawhaki, "We... suspect, yes. That was what Freyja, Artemis, and Sleipnir were researching, in fact. It... would be very good to find where they fell, and search the area and their backtrail, if at all possible -- even now. If they managed to leave a message for those who followed, it would be criminal of us to not pursue that avidly."
Mikal adds thoughtfully, "Do you know aught of Enoch-Nod or Gan Eden? Might they be of some tactical use in the upcoming war?" She blinks a bit startledly to herself. War. There. She said it. They're going to war... and she has no regrets nor remorse, at this point.
Norris calms slightly under Mikal's touch, letting out a small sigh, the big man leaning into her. "But Babylon's also key, too... if only because Uriel seems way too interested in what lies beneath it. Metatron's the goal, but we done got a lot of mess between him and us. An even though we's awaking, becoming, getting stronger, we's not ready to take on the Architect's mouth. Yet. We's just parts of the greater battle."
Tawhaki's expression becomes grave, and he nods. "Indeed, yes. If there is anything that we are mistaken of in our conflict with the Architect, we need to correct that information." He adds, quietly, "And we need to honor the sacrifices made by Artemis and Freyja." A little surprised, he answers, "I am afraid not, no. Enoch-Nod, I know only as a myth. And Gan Eden... a lost place far in the Deep Wyld, forgotten by mortals and not visited since... possibly since the beginning of history." He considers for a moment, then nods. "There is one who might know, however. In Babylon I have heard speak of a man, Salah ad-Din. A learned mortal, once a devotee of the Architect but long since casting his faith in that one aside. The Architect would pay dear to see him dead and sent to Hades, but he remains in Babylon, where the Architect cannot touch him.
"If anyone will know more than he of Gan Eden and Enoch-Nod... I do not know."
Mikal adds calmly, "And Sleipnir. She too made a great sacrifice."
Tawhaki inclines his head. "Yes. I shall not forget her, either."
Norris blinks at Tawhaki's words. "Wonder if mebbe these seals Michael was meant to open meant something about destroying the city itself. That there's too much there that can hurt the Architect, and by proxy, the Metatron, by what everyone's saying about the place."
Mikal frowns thoughtfully... then brightens, "Oh, yes, Saladin! Ghaniya mentioned him -- remember, Bear?"
She smiles faintly at Norris's comment, "The city? Oh, that's not my guess. My impression is that the Metatron is a sore loser -- and the breaking of the seals, which is supposed to herald the beginning of the End of Times, is a means of tearing everything apart." Mikal adds interestedly to Tawhaki, "More pragmatically, do you know of any big salt deposits, or do you know any way to discover the True Name of Azrael?"
Tawhaki nods, "Yes, there are a few major ones near Uluru. We try to keep them hidden, but even when an angel finds them, there's little they can do except report it. Most angels will not dive headfirst into a salt quarry. As for Azrael's true name..." He shakes his head apologetically.
Vhibishana adds, "Asmodeus said he had been seeking that information. I believe he's quite, quite eager to prove himself after failing to catch Marchorius's treason in time.
Norris shakes his head. "Ghaniya. Long time ago...seems like an age. Hope she's doin well."
Mikal beams at Tawhaki's news, "Oh, excellent! The rakshasa need more salt desperately -- you should add that into the negotiations, definitely!" She grins at Vibhishana, "Well, unless it's in some of the scrolls he has to hand right now, or he can summon someone with that knowledge... I wish him luck." She smiles and nods to Norris, "Ghaniya was all right."
Vhibishana says dryly, "Don't tempt him. I'm concerned as to what lengths he might go to in order to get that information."
Mikal blinks curiously at Vibhishana, "How do you mean?"
Norris scratches his chin. "That's up to him, what he chooses to do...we want to help Raven, but we can't sit around watching Asmodeus like a nun with a ruler when the Architect and his minions are still making moves we have to respond to."
Vhibishana shakes his head. "He is more driven than I've ever seen him. I think he takes it personally that he did not realize Marchorius would turn coat on them."
Mikal considers asking about Mordred again... then decides he's not really that important just now. She laughs aloud at Norris's comment!
Norris shrugs, flushing slightly. "Jus' sayin, is all."
Tawhaki says, then, "Rabbit Lady, if I may ask a question?"
Mikal smiles at Vibhishana, "Well then, do you have the questions you wanted us to ask Marchorius? We're happy to do so." She turns her gaze to Tawhaki and adds quietly, "To answer your question, with our thanks for your openness just now: four deities chose to hide away within mortals rather than go into battle with the Hosts of El-Amon-Re. That would be us."
Mikal nods and smiles at Tawhaki, "Go on, please? I didn't mean to interrupt."
Vhibishana smiles quietly, as Tawhaki recieves the information. He blinks, letting out a breath. "I'd... guessed at it," he says slowly, "when I saw the goddesses at the dance, realizing they looked like... that they were... you." He closes his eyes, and crosses his arms over his chest, bowing deeply before the three mortals. "I would not believe it, lest I heard of Uriel's defeat, nor seen what I have seen at the dance of the kachinas." When he straightens, tears are in his eyes, though his voice does not yet break. "Many of us... thousands of us has hoped, even prayed, for the return of the deities, to find some way of bringing them back to fight against the Architect. And now, that day has come, at last! Surely the houses of Zion must shake with despair now, to know that there have come again deities to aid us against him!"
Mikal blinks at sight of the tears in the sceptre's eyes, impulsively hopping off the rampart and pattering over to hug Tawhaki about the chest -- since that's about as high as she can comfortably reach. "Don't weep, please! Surely this is a time to rejoice? -even if it is but the calm before the storm renewed?"
Norris smiles grimly at Tawhaki. "Don't get too overconfident either, Lord. We are not the gods themselves, only echoes of them. We do not have their full power...though to be honest, we do not need their full power. The gods lost against the Architect, when there was many more of them, with all their power. We must fight smarter, not harder. That we have slapped the Architect's face and stabbed his right hand is but a beginning, and we cannot simply lay siege to Zion's gates. But I will agree with my packsister: this is a good beginning, and we have every intention of making this great wrong right again."
Tawhaki gently takes Mikal's hands, smiling. "I do not weep in sadness. I weep for joy. Rabbit Lady, it is a miracle that the deities return." He gives a quiet laugh, his voice breaking a little. "We should have guessed, yet we would not dare hope, that some, even some few, might hide where the Architect would never look for them: In the wheel of life itself. Who better than the Thrones of Death to hold that secret?"
Mikal grins in relief at Tawhaki -- then nods, suddenly grave again, "Yes. That is why we wish to protect Raven by using Azrael's True Name to pull him off her trail." She adds grimly, "Planning ahead, that is also why we must defeat El-Amon-Re -- we must stop the wasp-spiders as well."
Tawhaki nods, his expression becoming grim. "It's far too easy to forget about the Aqal, though to their credit the aelfar never have. But El-Amon-Re has always been a much more present threat."
Norris shakes his head. "Understandably so. Had there been no Godswar, there would have been no Aqal to have to deal with."
Mikal smiles faintly, "Indeed. So-" her expression gets abstracted as she muses aloud, "First, talk to Papa Ghede to research where our compatriots fell, to see if any message was left regarding Metatron's True Name. Also: discover Azrael's True Name... and then head to Babylon, I'm thinking. Yes?"
Tuwhaki thinks for a moment, then nods. "That is possible, yes. In fact... I wish to offer you the use of the airship I arrived in. If you go deosil around the Mirror, you can go to Uluru, meet with Papa Ghede, and investigate where your... your fellow deities may have fallen. From there, the airship can be more properly disguised as a merchantman, which will bring almost no attention to itself when it arrives in Babylon.
Norris says, "Major point of commerce, is it?"
Mikal says, "Excellent! You are most gracious, Tawhaki Lord -- our thanks to you."
Mikal says, "Will you and the kachina be with us, or will we be flying on ourselves, while you continue to harry the Heavenly Hosts and negotiate with the rakshasa?"
Vhibishana nods, "Babylon is one of the most populous cities in the Dreamtime -- for a great many reasons. It is a trading hub for Zion, Olympus, and Uluru, and major trade routes link it to just about every major city in the Dreamtime."
Tawhaki says, "I will be here for a few more days at least. If you are still here by the time you are done, I would like to travel back to Uluru with you, and I think the kachinas would, as well. If however you must leave sooner, by all means. do so. I will be able to do as much here as at Uluru.
Mikal grins up at Norris, "I'd think it would have to be. The angels would likely make life hellish for anyone on Mt. Zion who aided the Babylonians, after all, no?"
Norris smirks wryly. "Pun not intended, I'm sure." he agrees.
Mikal nods to the Uluru representative and smiles, "We do have a few things we must still do here before we depart, so perhaps we will be able to travel together. Thank you again, Tawhaki Lord." She grins at Norris again, her eyes twinkling.
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