Though Novelty worried that his actions hadn't landed the way he meant, Philip easily pulled Novelty in closer with his outstretched arm.
"Just like that, you've nearly vanquished it," Philip said after the span of a few breaths, their chests moving synchronously. Nearly, Novelty heard echoing through his mind, the possibility of slipping back into where they had been only moments ago moving further away, and Novelty wasn't sure he had any more playful tricks up his sleeve.
But, Philip pulled Novelty closer, allowing for his jaw to settle on the top of Novelty's hair, and Novelty sought comfort from the press of their bare skin together, content to close his eyes and enjoy the rise and fall of Philip's breathing. If this is where they needed to stay for tonight, or the next day, or for the next week, they had nothing but time ahead of them.
"I'm feeling... overwhelmed," Philip said, breaking the comfortable silence between them and startling Novelty alert again, his eyes snapping open and staring at the open door. Should he pull away from Philip? But, Philip wasn't moving or pushing him away yet, and in fact, Philip's hand came to find Novelty's arm, his thumb tenderly exploring the skin there. Novelty tried to relax again back into the cozy comfort and mostly succeeded. "There is so much I don't understand... and yet, I've made a divine promise to try." With one more sigh, Philip added, "It's a daunting path ahead."
Novelty nodded into Philip's chest, unsure what to say or where to go from here. He'd always come up with such helpful and thoughtful things to say to Philip when it really mattered, but he was coming up with a blank now, and not for the delightful reasons he had only minutes earlier. He blinked into the dark, his eyes beginning to adjust to the knotted, rooting textures of the tree that made up the low ceiling above them.
Following a dangerous whim, Novelty inched the hand that was tucked up against Philip's chest back toward the hand that caressed his arm, too shy to fully entwine his fingers but gently touching the fingers on Philip's hand in what Novelty hoped was a soft and comforting gesture.
"Well, you don't have to walk it alone." Of course, Novelty was referring to himself, but really, all the volunteers were there to figure out what it meant to appease a goddess to protect their ranks from further attacks and potentially ingratiate her to their cause, all while not falling prey to her many flaws. Daunting path, indeed. Briefly, Novelty thought that being in a private room with Philip was exactly the wrong way to accomplish that mission, but actually, they would need to rely on each other to get through this, and Novelty wasn't sure he could have gone even a moment more without some reassurance that he hadn't just imagined everything that had happened with Philip the previous night.
"And, if you might carry me for some of that walk, then the least I can do is vanquish your clouds." Novelty felt a little odd talking into the darkness rather than looking at Philip, but he nestled his face deeper into Philip's chest, praying to all the other gods that his words would land well.
Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Novelty was quiet, which Philip was quite content with. He enjoyed the weight of the man against him, and found a great deal of comfort in gently caressing his thumb over the skin of Novelty's arm. After a moment, Novelty shifted a little, bringing his other hand up between them to tenderly touch his fingers to Philip's, and Philip was happy to shift his attention there, his own fingers opening and welcoming Novelty's to slip between them in tender exploration.
"Well, you don't have to walk it alone." Novelty said, and Philip nodded, squeezing Novelty gently in reply. He was deeply grateful for the man's company. He thought about Chloe, too--surely, there were ways he could find comfort in her presence here, also, but there was much to understand there, too, that he currently did not. Novelty made sense--he had been the one to help Philip see the path of reconciliation here, after all. But Chloe... the fact that she had chosen to come here meant that he did not know her as he'd thought he did, and that troubled him.
"And," Novelty added, pulling Philip's attention pleasantly back, "if you might carry me for some of that walk, then the least I can do is vanquish your clouds."
Philip let out a warm exhale, a small smile turning up the corner of his lips. He had very much enjoyed that, and felt a pleasant bloom of warmth in his body at the memory. In short order, though, it brought him back to the friction at the edge of the cloud, dampening the blooming sensation, but in some ways this was a good vantage point. He was not yet in the cloud, but merely beholding it, feeling the anxiety of its proximity in his chest. He breathed slowly and steadily, squeezing Novelty again for comfort and grounding.
"It was a delight to carry you, Novelty." Philip said softly, a hint of sultry warmth in his voice. He placed a kiss in Novelty's hair, letting his words stand in a moment of silence before he continued more somberly. "It was difficult to feel worthy of the delight. By the time I got to the bed..." He breathed out slowly, his jaw stiffening. "I... I felt dangerous. Clearly I did have control of myself, but... my impulses disturbed me."
Philip subtly loosened his grasp around Novelty's back and on his arm as he spoke--not pulling away, but releasing the degree to which he'd been holding Novelty for his own comfort. Now of all moments, he didn't want Novelty to feel held down in any way, and he hoped that the man would feel free to pull away himself if he felt the need to. Philip would still passively enjoy the man's weight on him, and his skin beneath his relaxed hands, for as long as Novelty remained comfortable in the position.
"Well, you don't have to walk it alone." Novelty said, and Philip nodded, squeezing Novelty gently in reply. He was deeply grateful for the man's company. He thought about Chloe, too--surely, there were ways he could find comfort in her presence here, also, but there was much to understand there, too, that he currently did not. Novelty made sense--he had been the one to help Philip see the path of reconciliation here, after all. But Chloe... the fact that she had chosen to come here meant that he did not know her as he'd thought he did, and that troubled him.
"And," Novelty added, pulling Philip's attention pleasantly back, "if you might carry me for some of that walk, then the least I can do is vanquish your clouds."
Philip let out a warm exhale, a small smile turning up the corner of his lips. He had very much enjoyed that, and felt a pleasant bloom of warmth in his body at the memory. In short order, though, it brought him back to the friction at the edge of the cloud, dampening the blooming sensation, but in some ways this was a good vantage point. He was not yet in the cloud, but merely beholding it, feeling the anxiety of its proximity in his chest. He breathed slowly and steadily, squeezing Novelty again for comfort and grounding.
"It was a delight to carry you, Novelty." Philip said softly, a hint of sultry warmth in his voice. He placed a kiss in Novelty's hair, letting his words stand in a moment of silence before he continued more somberly. "It was difficult to feel worthy of the delight. By the time I got to the bed..." He breathed out slowly, his jaw stiffening. "I... I felt dangerous. Clearly I did have control of myself, but... my impulses disturbed me."
Philip subtly loosened his grasp around Novelty's back and on his arm as he spoke--not pulling away, but releasing the degree to which he'd been holding Novelty for his own comfort. Now of all moments, he didn't want Novelty to feel held down in any way, and he hoped that the man would feel free to pull away himself if he felt the need to. Philip would still passively enjoy the man's weight on him, and his skin beneath his relaxed hands, for as long as Novelty remained comfortable in the position.
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Philip's warm breath in response made all the hairs on Novelty's head stand up, tingling, and he nestled deeper into the heat of Philip's chest. Gods, did he think he would come to the goddess' realm and be so comfortable? Hardly. Philip squeezed Novelty, and Novelty let out a soft sigh, his legs pulling Philip's closer and reminding him of the ever-present pulsing sensation of the loincloth against his length and pelvis. He let out a shuddery breath, arousal pooling back into his awareness.
"It was a delight to carry you, Novelty," Philip said, his tone a velvet caress. Novelty tucked those words away to play again and again later when he had a moment alone, lest he ever doubt the truth of them. That moment, at least, had been absolutely perfect--inspired, really. Philip kissed Novelty's hair and then continued, "It was difficult to feel worthy of the delight. By the time I got to the bed... I... I felt dangerous. Clearly I did have control of myself, but... my impulses disturbed me." Philip's hands relaxed and became almost limp where he held Novelty, and the weight of the change in Philip's demeanor made Novelty want to pull out his vanquishing sword again, perhaps with a laugh of absurdity this time or... or...
Novelty bravely pressed his fingers into Philip's until they locked together around Novelty's arm and looked up to meet Philip's gaze. Slowly, he brought his other hand up to touch lightly at Philip's lips, and with all his arousal in his whisper, asked, "What kinds of impulses?"
((OOC: I couldn't bring myself to interrupt this moment here with them hearing the goddess' voice. I imagine we have a couple more posts before it needs to come in, so if it's interesting to mention it in yours, that's great, and if not, I'll include it in my next post. Novelty will also gently pull his fingers away when Philip starts talking.))
"It was a delight to carry you, Novelty," Philip said, his tone a velvet caress. Novelty tucked those words away to play again and again later when he had a moment alone, lest he ever doubt the truth of them. That moment, at least, had been absolutely perfect--inspired, really. Philip kissed Novelty's hair and then continued, "It was difficult to feel worthy of the delight. By the time I got to the bed... I... I felt dangerous. Clearly I did have control of myself, but... my impulses disturbed me." Philip's hands relaxed and became almost limp where he held Novelty, and the weight of the change in Philip's demeanor made Novelty want to pull out his vanquishing sword again, perhaps with a laugh of absurdity this time or... or...
Novelty bravely pressed his fingers into Philip's until they locked together around Novelty's arm and looked up to meet Philip's gaze. Slowly, he brought his other hand up to touch lightly at Philip's lips, and with all his arousal in his whisper, asked, "What kinds of impulses?"
((OOC: I couldn't bring myself to interrupt this moment here with them hearing the goddess' voice. I imagine we have a couple more posts before it needs to come in, so if it's interesting to mention it in yours, that's great, and if not, I'll include it in my next post. Novelty will also gently pull his fingers away when Philip starts talking.))
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Philip was happy that Novelty's initial reaction was to press his fingers more fully into Philip's, gently inviting a pleasant, reassuring entwinement. Novelty did pull back in other ways, though, shifting so that he could look up at Philip, which was a little less reassuring. Philip's eyes flicked down to their entiwined fingers, not quite able to meet Novelty's gaze.
But then, his gaze caught Novelty's other hand reaching slowly toward Philip's face, and he did at last meet Novelty's gaze when the man's fingers lightly touched Philip's lips, stealing his breath away with surprise and something sweeter.
"What kinds of impulses?" Novelty asked in a sultry whisper, and Philip felt a fresh flare of heat between his legs as his mind revisited the moment: when his knees had settled on the bed between Novelty's legs, and the realization had pulsed through his body that it would be easy to enter Novelty; that Novelty wouldn't have been able to stop him. Both excitement and shame flared and grappled in Philip, flickers alighting in his memory of shoving Evan to the ground the other night.
Philip's lips tingled where Novelty's fingers touched them, pulling him back from the cloud, though he was utterly breathless, like the wind had been knocked out of him. He wanted to answer Novelty--it seemed there was some precious comfort and catharsis available in making confessions to the man--but he wasn't sure he could muster something worthy of the sultry whisper in Novelty's voice. Tears welled a little in his eyes as he finally refocused on his fingers in Novelty's, his gaze having drifted away from Novelty's eyes in his reverie.
He might have nearly found the words, but before his tongue could fathom how to form them, his attention was tugged by a voice outside the palace.
"You gave me a great gift, goddess."
Philip did not catch the rest of it, only that the goddess replied. Philip was heavy with melancholy, and now an anxious awareness that the goddess had finished with the tangle in the meadow and was entering the palace, uncertainty flaring about what that might mean next.
But then, his gaze caught Novelty's other hand reaching slowly toward Philip's face, and he did at last meet Novelty's gaze when the man's fingers lightly touched Philip's lips, stealing his breath away with surprise and something sweeter.
"What kinds of impulses?" Novelty asked in a sultry whisper, and Philip felt a fresh flare of heat between his legs as his mind revisited the moment: when his knees had settled on the bed between Novelty's legs, and the realization had pulsed through his body that it would be easy to enter Novelty; that Novelty wouldn't have been able to stop him. Both excitement and shame flared and grappled in Philip, flickers alighting in his memory of shoving Evan to the ground the other night.
Philip's lips tingled where Novelty's fingers touched them, pulling him back from the cloud, though he was utterly breathless, like the wind had been knocked out of him. He wanted to answer Novelty--it seemed there was some precious comfort and catharsis available in making confessions to the man--but he wasn't sure he could muster something worthy of the sultry whisper in Novelty's voice. Tears welled a little in his eyes as he finally refocused on his fingers in Novelty's, his gaze having drifted away from Novelty's eyes in his reverie.
He might have nearly found the words, but before his tongue could fathom how to form them, his attention was tugged by a voice outside the palace.
"You gave me a great gift, goddess."
Philip did not catch the rest of it, only that the goddess replied. Philip was heavy with melancholy, and now an anxious awareness that the goddess had finished with the tangle in the meadow and was entering the palace, uncertainty flaring about what that might mean next.
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Novelty loved the sensation of Philip's lips under his fingertips, plump and rippled in their curved shapes. While he waited for Philip's response, he closed his eyes, replaying the moment Philip had carried him into the bed, how there had been a moment before Novelty's back hit the bed when it seemed possible that, for one beautiful moment, Philip might throw caution to the wind and show Novelty the raw and unbridled underside of him, take Novelty's yes and run with it. Novelty's permission was a scramble to bring that back into play, but the realization settled into Novelty's gut upon reviewing the moment that he had already been too late. The cloud had properly obscured Philip from himself and from Novelty in a way neither of them could make a play at.
Would admitting what had been on Philip's mind in that moment make it easier to claim when it came back around again? Novelty didn't know--it was a gamble. Philip's fingers held subtler tighter in Novelty's in a way that made Novelty think he was about to speak, to say all the terribly delightful things that may have come into his mind.
But, before Philip could answer, Novelty heard voices outside the palace. Gavin's, Novelty thought, and the goddess' low, devastating tones in response.
Be at ease, soldier, Novelty heard her say, her voice thick with irony. And was she getting closer? Novelty's eyes opened, staring without seeing at Philip's chest, breath quiet as though they could hide from the goddess, as though she couldn't simply look through the doorway and see them clutching each other this way. Novelty couldn't see her, but her presence had poured all the tension back into Philip's body like bags of heavy sand, and Novelty was angry again. Philip had no right to take this all out on himself. This was, first and foremost, the goddess' fault, and as far as Novelty could see, she had paid no price for it.
No goddess of his would do such a thing, he thought bitterly. And yet... when Philip had told him what had happened, in dark and shadowed vagaries, he hadn't stepped aside and let someone else go in his stead. He had wanted to travel to new realms, see new wonders, even if it cost him what Philip had been told to take. So, in a way, Novelty had chosen this goddess, if only as a means to an end.
But, she wasn't a means to an end. She was a living, breathing entity who could feel emotions and take them tenderly between her hands and touch his skin and weave flowers into it forever.
Novelty closed his eyes and gritted his teeth in the conflict of it all. Something deep within him still wanted to love her. And yet...
Opening his eyes to look up at Philip again, he whispered, fingers still resting softly against Philip's lips, "Never doubt that what you felt when you carried me, when you laid me down on the bed and got between my legs was real and raw and wanted. It was ours, and no one else's."
And before his rashness could fully wear off, before his anger flowed away, before the goddess made him feel anything else that cowed him back into the softness of a bed, Novelty untangled himself from Philip and walked to the doorway to give her a piece of his mind.
He almost stalled out when he took in her naked form, her hair wild, a languorous and surprising cock dangling between her legs, her eyes fixed on Evan as he walked in and looked at the tapestries, his wet eyes clearly finding some recognition there.
No tapestry of what she made Philip do, Novelty thought bitterly.
Evan took several steps toward the goddess, looking very much like he was about to run to her the way she had run to him when they had first arrived, and if Novelty was going to say anything now, the moment was quickly coming to a close.
"Dearest goddess," he said, leaning against the doorway, with his arms crossed, blocking the view to Philip and looking down at the roots of the palace before leisurely meeting her gaze. A stirring in his gut told him this was a very, very dangerous thing to do. He had no control over what she could make him feel, but he held fast to the idea that she had asked for willing volunteers this time, and if she were going to doing something rash again, then at least it would all be out in the open. Novelty very much doubted that Evan had told everyone explicitly what they might be in for.
"Forgive my curiosity, but I can't help but wonder..." Novelty stopped leaning, uncrossed his arms, and took several confident steps toward the goddess, though he felt much less confident than he looked. "Why? Why send so many of our fellow soldiers into delirious stupors, their mouths spewing terrifying nonsense and muttering your epithets? Why all the stories of you taking what you want without a care for the lives of the people at stake? Why do you want us in the first place, and what gives you the right?"
To kill a man's spirit, Novelty wanted to add, but he thought that was maybe showing too many of Philip's cards. That particular battle wasn't Novelty's to fight, even if it had inspired the anger.
This was intelligence he could bring back to Captain Kade, if Novelty ever managed to return to the army. It would be good to know, he thought, and surely it was a question on everyone else's mind as well. He just happened to be angry enough and brave enough to ask it.
((This thread continues here: viewtopic.php?p=3787#p3787))
Would admitting what had been on Philip's mind in that moment make it easier to claim when it came back around again? Novelty didn't know--it was a gamble. Philip's fingers held subtler tighter in Novelty's in a way that made Novelty think he was about to speak, to say all the terribly delightful things that may have come into his mind.
But, before Philip could answer, Novelty heard voices outside the palace. Gavin's, Novelty thought, and the goddess' low, devastating tones in response.
Be at ease, soldier, Novelty heard her say, her voice thick with irony. And was she getting closer? Novelty's eyes opened, staring without seeing at Philip's chest, breath quiet as though they could hide from the goddess, as though she couldn't simply look through the doorway and see them clutching each other this way. Novelty couldn't see her, but her presence had poured all the tension back into Philip's body like bags of heavy sand, and Novelty was angry again. Philip had no right to take this all out on himself. This was, first and foremost, the goddess' fault, and as far as Novelty could see, she had paid no price for it.
No goddess of his would do such a thing, he thought bitterly. And yet... when Philip had told him what had happened, in dark and shadowed vagaries, he hadn't stepped aside and let someone else go in his stead. He had wanted to travel to new realms, see new wonders, even if it cost him what Philip had been told to take. So, in a way, Novelty had chosen this goddess, if only as a means to an end.
But, she wasn't a means to an end. She was a living, breathing entity who could feel emotions and take them tenderly between her hands and touch his skin and weave flowers into it forever.
Novelty closed his eyes and gritted his teeth in the conflict of it all. Something deep within him still wanted to love her. And yet...
Opening his eyes to look up at Philip again, he whispered, fingers still resting softly against Philip's lips, "Never doubt that what you felt when you carried me, when you laid me down on the bed and got between my legs was real and raw and wanted. It was ours, and no one else's."
And before his rashness could fully wear off, before his anger flowed away, before the goddess made him feel anything else that cowed him back into the softness of a bed, Novelty untangled himself from Philip and walked to the doorway to give her a piece of his mind.
He almost stalled out when he took in her naked form, her hair wild, a languorous and surprising cock dangling between her legs, her eyes fixed on Evan as he walked in and looked at the tapestries, his wet eyes clearly finding some recognition there.
No tapestry of what she made Philip do, Novelty thought bitterly.
Evan took several steps toward the goddess, looking very much like he was about to run to her the way she had run to him when they had first arrived, and if Novelty was going to say anything now, the moment was quickly coming to a close.
"Dearest goddess," he said, leaning against the doorway, with his arms crossed, blocking the view to Philip and looking down at the roots of the palace before leisurely meeting her gaze. A stirring in his gut told him this was a very, very dangerous thing to do. He had no control over what she could make him feel, but he held fast to the idea that she had asked for willing volunteers this time, and if she were going to doing something rash again, then at least it would all be out in the open. Novelty very much doubted that Evan had told everyone explicitly what they might be in for.
"Forgive my curiosity, but I can't help but wonder..." Novelty stopped leaning, uncrossed his arms, and took several confident steps toward the goddess, though he felt much less confident than he looked. "Why? Why send so many of our fellow soldiers into delirious stupors, their mouths spewing terrifying nonsense and muttering your epithets? Why all the stories of you taking what you want without a care for the lives of the people at stake? Why do you want us in the first place, and what gives you the right?"
To kill a man's spirit, Novelty wanted to add, but he thought that was maybe showing too many of Philip's cards. That particular battle wasn't Novelty's to fight, even if it had inspired the anger.
This was intelligence he could bring back to Captain Kade, if Novelty ever managed to return to the army. It would be good to know, he thought, and surely it was a question on everyone else's mind as well. He just happened to be angry enough and brave enough to ask it.
((This thread continues here: viewtopic.php?p=3787#p3787))
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
((OOC: Continued from here: viewtopic.php?p=3810#p3810))
"Several human lifetimes ago," the goddess said. "The upper gods left, the dragons left, and I was left here to pick up the fragmented pieces of myself, one by one by one." Novelty pursed his lips and looked down at the ground, contemplating all this. There had been so much speculation about why the dragons had left two and a half centuries ago, and this information felt like a critical piece in understanding what had happened. Once an abundant form of travel, the dragons had left thousands upon thousands of people stranded from their native lands, made to build settlements wherever they were or spend a lifetime in the return.
"Now," the goddess said, pulling Novelty back out of his thoughts as he looked up at her from where he knelt, "any more burning questions, or will you let me bathe in peace?" His face colored, embarrassed that he had caused the goddess such discomfort on his first night here with her, but she wasn't only addressing him. She was giving them all an opportunity to speak their piece, even if her tone was guarded and defensive. Surely, if that was true, this would be a workable situation. They could manage this cosmic repair together.
No one spoke into the silence, perhaps all of them afraid of another flare of her anger and content for Novelty to have soaked up the brunt of it. Eventually, the goddess closed her eyes, opening them to stare intensely at Evan. Novelty had the impression that nothing could have broken their gaze in that moment. What had transpired between them in the nights before the volunteers had arrived? How divine must it have been to have all the goddess' attention to himself for four whole nights? Novelty might have swayed on his feet if he had been standing, just thinking about it. It was a wonder Evan had agreed to bring others here with him at all.
Deciding it was time to return to standing, Novelty pushed up off his knee as the goddess said, softer now and addressing all of them, "Seek rest for yourselves where you can find it. There will be other opportunities for questions and answers."
Novelty let out a pent-up breath, grateful that the moment of tension was over. He looked back at Philip, curious what he had thought of that whole display. It had been rash, hadn't it, chastising a goddess? But it had also been truthful, and to be honest, Novelty was surprised that it hadn't been top of mind for the others. Yes, they had all agreed to put themselves in danger for their cause and for the goddess herself, but they didn't need to lie down and take it as given. They each had a role to play here--Novelty was certain of that.
The goddess walked up to the highest pool, the one Novelty had inspected earlier, and settled herself into it, her sigh of contentment sending out waves of relaxation from the epicenter that she was. There would be no end to being affected by her presence while they were here, it seemed, but Novelty's stomach unclenched, and his shoulders relaxed down his back. He was genuinely grateful that she had found peace again, in this moment.
While Novelty wasn't sure he was ready to join the goddess now, having just gotten into an argument with her, there were five other pools, and there was no reason they couldn't all avail themselves as desired. Novelty looked to Philip, content to separate or stay together as the man desired. But, in the hesitation, Novelty gently nodded in the direction of the pool opposite the goddess, his eyebrows lifted hopefully.
"Several human lifetimes ago," the goddess said. "The upper gods left, the dragons left, and I was left here to pick up the fragmented pieces of myself, one by one by one." Novelty pursed his lips and looked down at the ground, contemplating all this. There had been so much speculation about why the dragons had left two and a half centuries ago, and this information felt like a critical piece in understanding what had happened. Once an abundant form of travel, the dragons had left thousands upon thousands of people stranded from their native lands, made to build settlements wherever they were or spend a lifetime in the return.
"Now," the goddess said, pulling Novelty back out of his thoughts as he looked up at her from where he knelt, "any more burning questions, or will you let me bathe in peace?" His face colored, embarrassed that he had caused the goddess such discomfort on his first night here with her, but she wasn't only addressing him. She was giving them all an opportunity to speak their piece, even if her tone was guarded and defensive. Surely, if that was true, this would be a workable situation. They could manage this cosmic repair together.
No one spoke into the silence, perhaps all of them afraid of another flare of her anger and content for Novelty to have soaked up the brunt of it. Eventually, the goddess closed her eyes, opening them to stare intensely at Evan. Novelty had the impression that nothing could have broken their gaze in that moment. What had transpired between them in the nights before the volunteers had arrived? How divine must it have been to have all the goddess' attention to himself for four whole nights? Novelty might have swayed on his feet if he had been standing, just thinking about it. It was a wonder Evan had agreed to bring others here with him at all.
Deciding it was time to return to standing, Novelty pushed up off his knee as the goddess said, softer now and addressing all of them, "Seek rest for yourselves where you can find it. There will be other opportunities for questions and answers."
Novelty let out a pent-up breath, grateful that the moment of tension was over. He looked back at Philip, curious what he had thought of that whole display. It had been rash, hadn't it, chastising a goddess? But it had also been truthful, and to be honest, Novelty was surprised that it hadn't been top of mind for the others. Yes, they had all agreed to put themselves in danger for their cause and for the goddess herself, but they didn't need to lie down and take it as given. They each had a role to play here--Novelty was certain of that.
The goddess walked up to the highest pool, the one Novelty had inspected earlier, and settled herself into it, her sigh of contentment sending out waves of relaxation from the epicenter that she was. There would be no end to being affected by her presence while they were here, it seemed, but Novelty's stomach unclenched, and his shoulders relaxed down his back. He was genuinely grateful that she had found peace again, in this moment.
While Novelty wasn't sure he was ready to join the goddess now, having just gotten into an argument with her, there were five other pools, and there was no reason they couldn't all avail themselves as desired. Novelty looked to Philip, content to separate or stay together as the man desired. But, in the hesitation, Novelty gently nodded in the direction of the pool opposite the goddess, his eyebrows lifted hopefully.
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Philip and Novelty were both quiet and still for a long moment, as though paralyzed by instinct to avoid the attention of a predator. Philip couldn't help listening vigilantly, though what he was listening for he had no idea. Conscious thought was scarcely available to him; he was seeping back into that cloud of guilt and fear, numbness and heaviness and tension suffusing him.
"Never doubt--" Novelty spoke, and Philip jolted, just a little, drawing his gaze down to where the man looked up at him. "--that what you felt when you carried me, when you laid me down on the bed and got between my legs was real and raw and wanted. It was ours, and no one else's."
Tears blurred Philip's vision, a heavy knot settling in his throat. It was a relief to hear that, and perhaps the cloud was parting, but before he could make sense of much of anything, Novelty was pulling away from him. Confusion ached in Philip's chest and he pushed himself up on his elbows to see what Novelty was doing. He simply walked to the doorway, and Philip blinked at his back, not daring to look past him into the palace beyond.
"Dearest goddess," Novelty spoke in a tone that surprised Philip, his posture shifting to lean against the doorway, his arms crossed. Some kind of panic thummed in Philip's chest, but some kind of awe did, too. Novelty questioned her, point blank and assuredly with an audience, about her history--about why she had taken from humans, from them. It was in some ways horrifying to him, witnessing such open, audatious confrontation, but at the same time, he could not find fault with Novelty's questions. And, if Philip himself had truly come back to reconcile with the goddess... he could not simply avoid her when things felt difficult between them.
Gathering his wits, Philip pushed himself from the bed and walked shyly up behind Novelty, allowing himself to see and be seen by the goddess and whatever audience was present. His posture was demure, though; this was Novelty's whim alone in this moment, and while Philip was arriving at his own genuine interest in hearing the goddess' reply, he did not hope to give the impression that he and Novelty were a united front demanding these answers.
The goddess looked at each of the volunteers in turn, including him. When she moved on, he allowed himself to meet Rutliff's gaze. His expression was gentle, sympathetic to the violent cocktail of emotions that surely gripped at the captain, lighting the fire that blazed in his eyes. He was grateful that Novelty had not explicitly named what had transpired between Evan and Philip, but there was no denying they both felt it burning in the air between them.
Philip returned his gaze to the goddess when she answered. She was angry, understandably so, but she was forthcoming. First, a gesture of good faith going forward--they were each free to leave, and her agreement with the army would still stand. A subtle shudder passed through Philip, simultaneously relieved and unmoored by a tether he hadn't even realized was present until now, when it was suddenly cut free. Then, she spoke of what humans offered to her and her realm, and it warmed Philip, reminding him of the moments that had been blissful between them; it certainly hadn't all been turmoil, or there would have been no reason to come back.
And then, she spoke of lore that was beyond him, and Philip listened studiously, interested and curious, if a bit intimidated by its scope. She spoke of protecting humanity, and suffering some kind of exile for her efforts. No wonder... came a sympathetic hum in his chest. He could not form a complete thought around it, but a longing formed instead, to hold her and comfort her, and to somehow let her rest.
Novelty then knelt before the goddess, offering her contrition, sympathy, and support. "...Whatever I--" he said, "--and perhaps we--can do to help you work through the reasons why the hurt has been passed onto others, that's... why I'm here."
Philip's brows raised, his eyes wetting once more with tears. He supposed, that was why he was here, too.
Novelty asked one more question about the lore, and the goddess' answer joined her own story with that of the dragons, her exile with their disappearance, and Philip was struck with a sense of awe; in all his contemplations about returning to the goddess, he had never imagined receiving answers for such mysteries. And, for true, those answers were not why he was here, but he was humbled a bit, that that might be one small boon he would receive on this path.
But the goddess was snippy now, understandably drained from Novelty's questioning. She met each volunteer's gaze again, challenging them each to continue questioning her, but no one did. Philip hoped that she could see the sympathy in his expression; she had answered Novelty well, and endured a difficult conversation with grace, he was grateful for it. Her attention was soon on Rutliff, though, and Philip's gaze fell, jealousy quickly tightening in his chest. Rutliff could comfort her far better than Philip could right now, for a plethora of reasons, and Philip had to be at peace with that.
"Seek rest for yourselves where you can find it," the goddess said, her voice softened greatly. "There will be other opportunities for questions and answers."
Novelty looked back at Philip, curiosity alight in his eyes. Philip inclined his head slightly, his eyebrows subtly raised. Novelty turned his gaze back to the goddess, and Philip followed suit, watching with envy as Rutliff and even Holloway followed after her, up into one of the pools. He was glad that she was getting to rest and comfort, though, truly. Novelty drew Philip's gaze back to him, and gently nodded toward another pool, his eyebrows lifted hopefully.
Philip did like the idea of a warm bath, and of continuing to be with Novelty, but he looked at the other volunteers, feeling like perhaps there was something else he'd been hiding from, too, besides the goddess. And, the answer quickly found him in Chloe's gaze. He was not sure he had ever seen her so tear-strewn, though in his moment she was calm as she usually was, if a bit worried and perhaps holding some consternation at bay. Philip looked back to Novelty, tilting his head toward Chloe in a gentle question of his own as she began a shy approach.
((OOC: So yeah currently thinking Chloe is approachin on her own, and Nick is kind of weighing whether to follow her, maybe kind of waiting to see how Philip and Novelty react to her approach? And is potentially open to interacting with Gavin instead/also.))
"Never doubt--" Novelty spoke, and Philip jolted, just a little, drawing his gaze down to where the man looked up at him. "--that what you felt when you carried me, when you laid me down on the bed and got between my legs was real and raw and wanted. It was ours, and no one else's."
Tears blurred Philip's vision, a heavy knot settling in his throat. It was a relief to hear that, and perhaps the cloud was parting, but before he could make sense of much of anything, Novelty was pulling away from him. Confusion ached in Philip's chest and he pushed himself up on his elbows to see what Novelty was doing. He simply walked to the doorway, and Philip blinked at his back, not daring to look past him into the palace beyond.
"Dearest goddess," Novelty spoke in a tone that surprised Philip, his posture shifting to lean against the doorway, his arms crossed. Some kind of panic thummed in Philip's chest, but some kind of awe did, too. Novelty questioned her, point blank and assuredly with an audience, about her history--about why she had taken from humans, from them. It was in some ways horrifying to him, witnessing such open, audatious confrontation, but at the same time, he could not find fault with Novelty's questions. And, if Philip himself had truly come back to reconcile with the goddess... he could not simply avoid her when things felt difficult between them.
Gathering his wits, Philip pushed himself from the bed and walked shyly up behind Novelty, allowing himself to see and be seen by the goddess and whatever audience was present. His posture was demure, though; this was Novelty's whim alone in this moment, and while Philip was arriving at his own genuine interest in hearing the goddess' reply, he did not hope to give the impression that he and Novelty were a united front demanding these answers.
The goddess looked at each of the volunteers in turn, including him. When she moved on, he allowed himself to meet Rutliff's gaze. His expression was gentle, sympathetic to the violent cocktail of emotions that surely gripped at the captain, lighting the fire that blazed in his eyes. He was grateful that Novelty had not explicitly named what had transpired between Evan and Philip, but there was no denying they both felt it burning in the air between them.
Philip returned his gaze to the goddess when she answered. She was angry, understandably so, but she was forthcoming. First, a gesture of good faith going forward--they were each free to leave, and her agreement with the army would still stand. A subtle shudder passed through Philip, simultaneously relieved and unmoored by a tether he hadn't even realized was present until now, when it was suddenly cut free. Then, she spoke of what humans offered to her and her realm, and it warmed Philip, reminding him of the moments that had been blissful between them; it certainly hadn't all been turmoil, or there would have been no reason to come back.
And then, she spoke of lore that was beyond him, and Philip listened studiously, interested and curious, if a bit intimidated by its scope. She spoke of protecting humanity, and suffering some kind of exile for her efforts. No wonder... came a sympathetic hum in his chest. He could not form a complete thought around it, but a longing formed instead, to hold her and comfort her, and to somehow let her rest.
Novelty then knelt before the goddess, offering her contrition, sympathy, and support. "...Whatever I--" he said, "--and perhaps we--can do to help you work through the reasons why the hurt has been passed onto others, that's... why I'm here."
Philip's brows raised, his eyes wetting once more with tears. He supposed, that was why he was here, too.
Novelty asked one more question about the lore, and the goddess' answer joined her own story with that of the dragons, her exile with their disappearance, and Philip was struck with a sense of awe; in all his contemplations about returning to the goddess, he had never imagined receiving answers for such mysteries. And, for true, those answers were not why he was here, but he was humbled a bit, that that might be one small boon he would receive on this path.
But the goddess was snippy now, understandably drained from Novelty's questioning. She met each volunteer's gaze again, challenging them each to continue questioning her, but no one did. Philip hoped that she could see the sympathy in his expression; she had answered Novelty well, and endured a difficult conversation with grace, he was grateful for it. Her attention was soon on Rutliff, though, and Philip's gaze fell, jealousy quickly tightening in his chest. Rutliff could comfort her far better than Philip could right now, for a plethora of reasons, and Philip had to be at peace with that.
"Seek rest for yourselves where you can find it," the goddess said, her voice softened greatly. "There will be other opportunities for questions and answers."
Novelty looked back at Philip, curiosity alight in his eyes. Philip inclined his head slightly, his eyebrows subtly raised. Novelty turned his gaze back to the goddess, and Philip followed suit, watching with envy as Rutliff and even Holloway followed after her, up into one of the pools. He was glad that she was getting to rest and comfort, though, truly. Novelty drew Philip's gaze back to him, and gently nodded toward another pool, his eyebrows lifted hopefully.
Philip did like the idea of a warm bath, and of continuing to be with Novelty, but he looked at the other volunteers, feeling like perhaps there was something else he'd been hiding from, too, besides the goddess. And, the answer quickly found him in Chloe's gaze. He was not sure he had ever seen her so tear-strewn, though in his moment she was calm as she usually was, if a bit worried and perhaps holding some consternation at bay. Philip looked back to Novelty, tilting his head toward Chloe in a gentle question of his own as she began a shy approach.
((OOC: So yeah currently thinking Chloe is approachin on her own, and Nick is kind of weighing whether to follow her, maybe kind of waiting to see how Philip and Novelty react to her approach? And is potentially open to interacting with Gavin instead/also.))
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Novelty watched as Philip's gaze left his and found Chloe's instead. Both Chloe and Nick were openly crying, and Gavin was behind them, cuddling with a blue fox creature Novelty could barely make sense of. Gavin also looked toward the group as though aiming for an opening but reluctant to stand.
Were Nick and Chloe crying because of what he had said? Because of what the goddess had said? He didn't know. Philip tilted his head their direction as though to invite Novelty into that group rather than go to the pool, and something inside Novelty quivered, the muscles of his stomach flexing subtly. The adrenaline was, perhaps, wearing off at this point. He had challenged a goddess. Would he ever be able to get back on her right side again? He didn't know. She had sounded so... exasperated. He hadn't exactly meant to cause her pain; Novelty just hadn't been able to stand the way Philip had tensed up when she had arrived. Momentarily, it had made Novelty hate the goddess. But, maybe that had been selfish, in a way. Novelty didn't want her to take away the softness in Philip that Novelty so longed to coax out and wrap around himself. He remembered being wrapped around Philip as they walked into the bedroom and wished desperately to return to that moment. He knew he would replay it in his mind for the rest of his life, however much he would live of it here in the goddess' realm.
But, before Novelty could quite decide what to do, Chloe was already walking toward him. Would she chastise Novelty? If so, he probably deserved it to some degree. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he met the woman's gaze as much as she would allow.
Were Nick and Chloe crying because of what he had said? Because of what the goddess had said? He didn't know. Philip tilted his head their direction as though to invite Novelty into that group rather than go to the pool, and something inside Novelty quivered, the muscles of his stomach flexing subtly. The adrenaline was, perhaps, wearing off at this point. He had challenged a goddess. Would he ever be able to get back on her right side again? He didn't know. She had sounded so... exasperated. He hadn't exactly meant to cause her pain; Novelty just hadn't been able to stand the way Philip had tensed up when she had arrived. Momentarily, it had made Novelty hate the goddess. But, maybe that had been selfish, in a way. Novelty didn't want her to take away the softness in Philip that Novelty so longed to coax out and wrap around himself. He remembered being wrapped around Philip as they walked into the bedroom and wished desperately to return to that moment. He knew he would replay it in his mind for the rest of his life, however much he would live of it here in the goddess' realm.
But, before Novelty could quite decide what to do, Chloe was already walking toward him. Would she chastise Novelty? If so, he probably deserved it to some degree. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he met the woman's gaze as much as she would allow.