Evan nodded hesitantly, and shifted his weight as he settled into his posture for the conversation. He studied the crone's face for a moment, trying to get a read on her. He did kind of hate that he still wasn't really sure what to make of her, but the motives she'd listed at the meeting at least seemed plausible. He was walking a fine line here, of hearing her out without completely casting scepticism aside.
"Two men were attacked last night. Previously it's only been one. Don't suppose you'd know why?"
His tone was a bit terse, but not accusatory. Mostly, he was just holding cards close to his chest for the time being.
Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
Moderator: On Dreams And Desire
Re: Part 1
"I suspect she's getting impatient." The crone said this without emotion but there was still a slight judgment to the statement. "Your camp has been here only a short time, but you are catching more of her attention. There are more often attacks here than with the Shel'ti now. I imagine your camp has more of what she's looking for, and yet she hasn't found it."
Re: Part 1
"And what is she looking for?" Evan asked a little impatiently.
Re: Part 1
The crone eyed Evan curiously, as if seeing something she hadn't before.
"You've spoken with her, haven't you?"
"You've spoken with her, haven't you?"
Re: Part 1
Evan shifted his weight a little uncomfortably. Maybe she was just guessing. Guessing and not answering his question. He cast his eyes to the side, trying to reel in the inclination to toss the woman a glare while he chewed on how much to demand the conversation go any particular way. In the end, though, too much stubbornness on his part would be as much of a hindrance as the stick up Mizu's ass was before, and he was curious about the crone's take on the encounters he'd had. He'd just planned on working up to it first, was all.
"Yeah," he finally mumbled, "She's not exactly been forthcoming."
"Yeah," he finally mumbled, "She's not exactly been forthcoming."
Re: Part 1
The crone couldn't help but smirk a little at his comment. She could see his discomfort, and it felt appropriate. Yes, this certainly felt like a situation the goddess would involve herself in.
"That would explain your interest yesterday. I thought so," the crone said before answering his earlier question, "There aren't many bodies that can survive the trip across worlds. She'll need one if she wants her revenge on the king. Many of the soldiers here have peered into the face of death, and I believe that is why she's searching here.
"But you cannot just give every god what they want. There are rules for how they must be approached... and contained."
"That would explain your interest yesterday. I thought so," the crone said before answering his earlier question, "There aren't many bodies that can survive the trip across worlds. She'll need one if she wants her revenge on the king. Many of the soldiers here have peered into the face of death, and I believe that is why she's searching here.
"But you cannot just give every god what they want. There are rules for how they must be approached... and contained."
Re: Part 1
Evan returned his gaze to the woman, glad that she was getting around to answering the question. Though, her reply still opened the door to yet more questions, but at least it didn't seem purposefully obtuse.
Also... another thought sprung to mind, which Evan's expression may have betrayed a sliver of worry about.
"So is she just... performing some kind of test, with the dreams? What happens if someone passes it?"
Also... another thought sprung to mind, which Evan's expression may have betrayed a sliver of worry about.
"So is she just... performing some kind of test, with the dreams? What happens if someone passes it?"
Re: Part 1
"That's a question you could ask her yourself," the crone said with some mischievousness in her smile. "I know of a ritual to summon and temporarily bind her. I don't do it lightly, but considering how many men she has already taken... How many times have you spoken with her?"
Re: Part 1
Evan's eyes widened at the thought, and it was painted all over his face that he was interested.
This... sounded like exactly the kind of thing Mizu would be pissed about them discussing, though. And not completely unreasonably; even Evan recognized that this sounded like playing with some pretty fucking dangerous fire.
Which, of course, didn't exactly diminish his interest, at least in certain parts of his brain. No risk no reward, right? Evan wasn't quite ready to let that part of him do the talking, though. For now he decided to just answer the crone's question.
"Twice. Though the first night wasn't much more than exchanging hellos." There was a certain sort of resistance in his voice there at the end, more than hinting that 'exchanging hellos' was, y'know, one way of putting it.
This... sounded like exactly the kind of thing Mizu would be pissed about them discussing, though. And not completely unreasonably; even Evan recognized that this sounded like playing with some pretty fucking dangerous fire.
Which, of course, didn't exactly diminish his interest, at least in certain parts of his brain. No risk no reward, right? Evan wasn't quite ready to let that part of him do the talking, though. For now he decided to just answer the crone's question.
"Twice. Though the first night wasn't much more than exchanging hellos." There was a certain sort of resistance in his voice there at the end, more than hinting that 'exchanging hellos' was, y'know, one way of putting it.
Re: Part 1
"The afflicted men have gotten louder, haven't they? Something has to be done or this will continue happening with more frequency. It's already gone on too long.
"If she's already taken an interest in you, she may hear you out. If you're up against the king, then you both have the same goals. She's not unreasonable. Angry, impatient, but not unreasonable. Bring two other men with you when you come for the ritual. Make sure they are strong-willed. I already have everything ready at my cabin. Follow this narrow path through the forest, and you will come upon it quickly."
"If she's already taken an interest in you, she may hear you out. If you're up against the king, then you both have the same goals. She's not unreasonable. Angry, impatient, but not unreasonable. Bring two other men with you when you come for the ritual. Make sure they are strong-willed. I already have everything ready at my cabin. Follow this narrow path through the forest, and you will come upon it quickly."