[ After choosing to settle himself within Zenith's power, moving to Highstorm and establishing himself as a Shard-bearer there, he finds that The Beyond is the place he feels most comfortable. He cannot remain there for long periods of time, not because he has any unique duties that keep him from it, but because he is invested in keeping an eye on Highstorm. On ensuring the other Zenite Shard-bearers understand that certain behaviors are not acceptable, even if their leader has promised an unlimited degree of freedom — it has bred cruelty into the population, allowed apathy to spread among the Shard-bearers. Allowed them to accept themselves as expendable.
The Beyond is solace for him, trailing through the dense foliage with silent feet. Clever and nimble and deeply skilled despite the strangeness of the terrain; he is used to the frozen tundras of Icewind Dale, the gloom of the Underdark, the endless trails and roads of the Sword Coast, the deep forests of Faerûn are both like and unlike this area, which reminds him strongly of an above-ground Underdark. And amidst all the cool temperatures, the blast of humidity and dampness he finds among the flora are startlingly unique. He feels something unlike Zenith's calming energy there, something gilt-gold and hot, feeling more like Meridian has found a foothold in a place it should not be.
There is,
an incredible structure built into the woods. One of the temples that the Meridian-aligned gods have come to inhabit, he has heard. At his side, the prowling, sleek length of Guenhwyvar comes to balance herself at his shoulder, dipping her massive head below his dark hand as he looks up, up into the heights of the beautiful temple. Easy, my friend, he urges her, voice so warm and sweet on the great panther ( relieved, at his core, that he could save her above all — ), before he calls out and up. ]
Is this the seat of the god called Quetzalcoatl, or is this the one belonging to Set?
[ Ever since she'd talked to Silco, she'd been trying to spend more time in her temple in the Beyond. It felt like a somewhat kinder thing to do, since it was more like his home, she figured... It's not perfect, she knows, because he probably thinks of his actual home as Kowloon, but to be honest? Though she's heard a lot about that place, she has no idea how to get down there. And ever since she'd made a scene on the footsteps of Yima's manor, she's not exactly welcome in Highstorm. So... Her own temple was about the best she could do.
He's still treated to the same kindness that he's not aware of or would even appreciate at all. There's a bed of marigolds that she intends as a cradle for his soul, and despite her own distaste for smoky things, she's set up a bowl of softly burning copal that's similarly meant to be something familiar for him. She's trying as best she knows how because... She doesn't know what to do for him. There doesn't seem to be any resolution that's fair.
It's as soon as Drizzt and his dear friend send foot in her territory that she feels it in an innate way, because as her Noble Phantasm, it's almost an extension of herself. She can never tell all that much about who's coming to visit, though. She just knows it's not one of the creatures that lurks the woods, so that's enough for her to leave the shrine at the top of the temple. Whether it's someone curious or a worshiper, she'll leave her own troubles aside to greet them, naturally.
...Admittedly, when she sees a man with a big cat at his side, she can't help the little twinge of distaste, but she's also quick to chide herself for being unfair. This is a whole new world full of all kinds of things! A big panther doesn't automatically have anything to do with her brother. ]
Oh!
[ She laughs a little, already pleased that he knows about their little conclave here. And with that, she can't help but be just a little playful, both for herself and at Set's expense. ]
Sí, I'm Quetzalcoatl, yes~! Set is my little brother, so he has the little one next door!
[ She gestures to it as she starts to walk down a few of the steps, but she'll probably get bored eventually and just jump down them... ]
So, ¡hola! Is this your first pilgrimage? I hope so, since I'd feel bad if I missed you the first time!
Well met, Quetzalcoatl. My name is Drizzt. The panther with me is Guenhwyvar, and she is my best friend.
[ Softly, he strokes Guenhwyvar's broad head, feeling the way she shifts and rumbles below his fingertips. His soulmate; without her, he'd felt so numb and pained. To think of her last moments shared alongside his cooling corpse, to think of her being lost atop Kelvin's Cairn until the end of the world — whether it had been moments after his death or centuries later, for her to have been alone was untenable. She had been the only thing he could ask Yima for, that he did not feel would usurp the natural flow of the afterlife ( the thing he feels is untouched by Oblivion, for where else could the mistress of Zenith's ranks pull the soul from, if not the place beyond their End? ).
He smiles, small and polite, at the bright woman who stands above him. The way she begins to descend the stairs, the strength of her arms and thighs — she is lethal, he can tell. ]
I wanted to introduce myself to you. I recently chose to align with Highstorm, and I overheard them discussing the presence of Meridian-aligned gods in the Beyond. More than that, I've heard a little bit about you — I thought I should come meet you for myself. After all, nobody mentioned anything about how warm your smile is.
[ As Highstorm speaks of her, she's an invader. Her kindness is nothing compared to Yima's, it's suspect, she's sly and dangerous. There's so many words spared for Quetzalcoatl, but he doesn't hear all of them reflected in the way Highstorm speaks of her "little brother". There's a toothy animosity towards Set, like he incites teeth to grin — in threat or delight, Drizzt cannot tell. ]
Would you like me to meet you halfway? I feel like stretching my legs.
[ At the very least, whatever trepidation she might feel about the panther is cooled by her name and Drizzt’s clear affection. If she were one of Tezcatlipoca’s “kin”, she would certainly have a name to match it in Nahuatl. Plus… To be honest, she can’t imagine that any cat that was Tezcatlipoca’s friend would be so friendly with people. So, this is very cute!
It’s even cuter as he introduces himself, and she giggles pleasantly at first and nods. Indeed, she’s one of the Meridian-aligned gods, but the compliment…! ]
Oh! ¡Hala! [ Girlishly, she reaches up to her face to cover it, but she’s also quick to peek through her fingers at him. Whether this is serious or playful isn’t at all clear, but regardless, it’s earnest. ] That’s good! You’ll make my heart skip a beat like that, yes!
[ But! Regardless, she lowers her hands with a laugh and a bright smile as she beckons him up the stairs. ]
If you want, sure! Welcome to the seat of Piedra del Sol, Drizzt!
[ And it is indeed quite the workout, since halfway is a solid 45 or so steps… But once he gets started, she’ll start to happily go down the steps to meet him with a bounce in her step. ]
[ Her earnestness is too honest. While Drizzt knows better than to trust anyone at face value, he wants to. He always has wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, to treat them like they are their most authentic self — as though they are untethered by the history of their people or their appearances or anything hiding below the surface that might be anything less than good. The way he'd like to be treated, but knows better than to think he would be.
He takes those 45 steps with grace, strong legs and a healthy pair of lungs allowing him to mount them in her direction without breaking a sweat. He breathes easily, deep and steady, and in his wake, Guen follows. Massive and sleek, her eyes intelligent and watchful of their surroundings as she basks in the warmth of the jungle atmosphere — he wonders if it feels like her birthplace, if she's content to be in the Meridian-infused foliage and humidity. If she's happy and comfortable, he'll visit more, for her sake.
As he reaches Quetzalcoatl, he offers a dark hand to her in greeting. ]
Well met, and thanks for your welcome. Do you mind if I ask what brought you all the way out here to establish yourself? It seems a little dangerous for you to be alone, so near to Highstorm.
[ idk someone could like, murder quetz or something and nobody would know??? ]
[ Naturally, Quetzalcoatl is immediately impressed by his athleticism, since it’s just the kind of quality she appreciates! She’s quick to take his offered hand in both of hers and give it a hearty shake, but she also doesn’t let go right away. His hand is given a little squeeze of excitement first. ]
Oh, you had no problem with the stairs! ¡¡Impresionante!! Almost everyone that comes to visit is totally tired by the time they get to the top!
[ She laughs merrily even so, and that’s when she lets go of his hands so that she can place them on her hips. After all, the challenge is part of it! Taking your way to get up to the shrine is time for meditation or prayer! …Or, that’s the idea that the priests had, at least. She’d honestly be just as happy if it were easier, but considering her own love of sports, she appreciates a little workout on the way just for the fun of it. ]
Oh, it’s not dangerous! Zenites can be a little grumpy, but they’re not bad! It’s the same with los pequeños out in the woods, yes? They’re mostly just curious!
[ …So, she’s not worried at all, no. ]
I came out here because Set was here! That’s, um, basically it! [ SHE IS HONEST AT LEAST… ] But since there’s plenty of room, it was a good spot to set up my temple. I thought it might not be so obvious, but… Nope! Way too tall!
I'm used to climbing mountains taller than this, to be honest with you. Frozen peaks miles and miles and miles high, precarious stone faces — but the views... they were so beautiful at dawn. Sunlight gleaming off the frozen tundra, the towns below rousing as dawn broke, warm and full of determination to eke out a hard life...
[ Her excitement is infectious, and his soul-deep exhaustion is all that keeps him from diving into the purity of her energy and enjoyment. It's been too long, too much, too hard, for him to drive forth without checking first, without taking a deep breath and steeling himself for the hardship ahead. All the same, he takes her on with an innate warmth, a softness that spreads through him once he's held onto her hand and met her halfway.
Now, there's only the other half of the stairs to tackle. All the better to, with someone at his side. ]
I could see Piedra del Sol from anywhere in the city, honestly. [ Charming of her. Drizzt's native tongue allows him to skillfully, naturally roll the r's and elegantly controls his vowels, emulating her accent the way he had emulated Tezcatlipoca's own. ] I wanted to see what Highstorm looked like from the top, as I once did the Ten Towns. It might help me keep things in perspective, for the future.
[ As far as first impressions go, Drizzt is truly doing a bang up job. From his beautiful, evocative description to how well he speaks her (adopted) tongue…!! From what he’s said so far, she gets the sense that he’s probably a Zenite, but what a warm one! They’re usually so cold, withdrawn, and, well… Grumpy! ]
It sounds beautiful…!
[ With a nod, she’ll start on the way back up, and it’s just as easy for her. Granted, she’s cheating a bit, considering what she is, but. She’d probably still do just fine without her divinity, considering her practically built muscles. ]
Ah, in my México, there’s not many places where it gets cold, save for at the very, very tops of the mountains!! It’s why it’s so warm here, yes~! Manifesting my temple just brings some of the jungle with it. But it at least warms up Highstorm a little! It’d be a nice vacation if it wasn’t a little hard for normal people to get here!
[ She’d wanted to clear a way, once. Either through Cornerstones for the people or through much more physically carving it out, but she’d been convinced to not do either. The Cornerstones made the Meridian stronghold just a little vulnerable, and she was afraid of bothering any of Ruby’s friends… So heading to the tall temple in the Beyond was a pilgrimage in itself. ]
But you’ll like the view, I’m sure! It really is a beautiful city… It’d be prettier with sunshine, but— [ She laughs and waves a hand ] Of course I’d say so! I’m a god that once ruled the sun, so naturally, its light should warm everything, in my opinion!
It was the most beautiful thing I ever saw, long before I could even begin to imagine a world other than the one I knew.
[ He'd grown up in the dark, in the gloom. Among murderous, conniving families that waged war against one another — and even amongst themselves; it had been a world that had beaten his father down into a helpless dreamer, who wanted something else but was never destined to escape. Not in the way that his son had. He'd never known the sun could have been so beautiful, not as it had been described as a burning, cruel thing that tormented the surface world while the drow, the wise and powerful drow, had benefited from their goddess's protection.
Nothing about it had allowed him to come close to imagining the splendor of the world, until he'd seen it with his own eyes. Perhaps poetry was the closest thing he had, to articulate the immensity of his emotions. He's left one world behind, and it hurt him every day to remember it, to wish more for it but know he could not help it. Now, he has chosen Zenith and taken his hard lessons to heart. To move forward as a warrior should, and to be kind no matter whom he faced down. ]
Oh.
[ She is so invitingly sweet, talking about her México and its native warmth, the way her power manifested part of it in the world ( how powerful, even in her diminished state! part of him aches to drive his blades against her, to challenge himself to survive this woman — ) and the way she describes herself as a god of the sun. No wonder she is Meridian, she is perfect for them. ]
I love the light. [ Simple, and honest. The soft, starlight glow of his pale Shard upon his brow pulses with the affection in his voice. ] I first saw the moon, when I came to the surface. The moon and all the stars in a sky so vast and unending I thought I might fall into it if I did not hold onto the ground below my feet. The second time I left my homeland... I went to the sun. So, thank you — even if it wasn't you, specifically. Thank you for greeting me, then.
[ He can't thank the god of his actual sun ( they're gone now, after all ), but he can convey that gratitude to her. A gently respectful, although not intensely pious, man who continues his steady trek up her temple to the top with silent determination. ]
I am a Zenite, and thus Highstorm is my home now. Yet, I do think it could use a little more sunlight in the way that the people of Springstar could use a good night to rest in, honestly. Having a surplus of either is... a bit harsh. It must be difficult for people to keep their hearts steady, when they don't have everything they need.
[ She’s curious about the place he comes from if it doesn’t have a sun, but when he speaks of the surface, Quetzalcoatl makes a noise of understanding. She would have had a hard time imagining it before, but after months spent in Kenos and many, many conversations talking with Springstar natives about their homes, she’s run across the concept. It’s sad to her, of course, but it’s sad in the exact same way that Highstorm is where it amounts to her personal bias being expressed.
She does look warmly pleased when he says he loves the light, though, as if he had complimented something she’d worked hard on. Granted, even in the world of the Azteca, that wasn’t strictly true anymore… But as the god that had held the highest association with the Sun despite her time being long past, she still felt a level of love and responsibility for it. ]
Even if it wasn’t me, I’m sure that your sun, moon, and stars would feel the same way, so… I’m glad that you got to see them! They’ll always welcome you, yes. People are meant to be in the light. It’s why mi familia would fight over the Suns we presided over so much!
[ More truthfully, it’s why Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca would fight over it so much. They were the light and the darkness respectively, so their ideas of the kind of world that was ideal for people would always be opposed. As such, there’s probably something fitting in the fact that the Drow would be little different if they were under Tezcatlipoca’s authority instead of Lolth’s… ]
But just so it’s not mysterious, you don’t have to worry about being a Zenite here. Anyone is welcome in my temple, so long as they’re not a troublemaker. [ She laughs at the word like it’s a joke, but considering Gen murdered someone at the foot of it not too terribly long ago, what she actually means is a lot more dire than that laugh, help,,, ] Since you’re right about the balance, at least! I can’t bring the sun to Highstorm, but I can at least bring some of its warmth. And you know, if we had a god of the night or something like that that showed up, I think it would be fair for them to set up a little something in Springstar. I don’t think anyone would agree with me, though.
[ It comes to him, not slowly, but cautiously. A curious line of thought because her name and her ( adopted ) accent reminds him only slightly of the blonde man he'd met months before. Tezcatlipoca, the one who had been looking out from the Highstorm balcony toward her temple. Drizzt had invited him along, to get a better look at it, but the ultimate result had been a sly decline and some rather coy language that made him wonder — did the two have a connection? Tezcatlipoca wasn't in Kenos, but.
Drizzt had vanished and returned, why not anyone else?
Some people weren't meant for the light, though! He can't imagine a vampire or another drow being fond of existing under a sun they were biologically out of tune with, not without it causing Literal Harm, but that's semantics when Quetzalcoatl is talking with her heart, not her head. ]
I have no intention of causing trouble. Actually, I feel more at home in the wilds than I do a city — and with Guen at my side, I have nothing to fear from los pequeños. I was on my way to do some exploring, but thought stopping by and meeting you wouldn't be a bad idea. I wanted to let you know that one of your companions and I are looking into the issue regarding the shadows that were taking over people during the battle for the Oracle. And to ask that you don't pursue anyone you find familiar, at least not without someone with you.
[ She flashes him a smile first that very much carries the feeling of “no, you’re kind,” but it goes unsaid. Technically, she doesn’t know that, sure, but with her initial impression being quite warm and positive, she’d say it anyways.
As they get to the top of the temple and Drizzt begins his warning, her expression does turn curious, then quickly into a pout from there. ]
Oh, no hay problema, I already learned to be careful with things like that! It doesn’t have anything to do with those shadows or the Oracles, though…
[ The pout stays in place as she looks to the side of the temple next to Set’s, then huffs. She may have accepted her own error and forgiven Set for his own actions, but she was still just a little mad about this one part. It’s nothing serious, so far as gods go, but she’ll take the chance to complain to someone that will listen. ]
Set is very naughty sometimes, yes! Like, he’s not bad, but he’s still a trickster. And he tricked me with a spell that looked like my brother! So! I’ve learned my lesson, absolutely!
[ INCEPTIONS BACK ]
[ But she nods resolutely. Even if her explanation and even her level of upset is a bit childish, she takes the warning to heart. ]
Mm, but thank you for letting me know… I’ll keep an eye out for them out here and get rid of any I come across. Those shadows are no good at all, I’m sure.
[ Oh. The other Meridian god is a trickster? That's good to know. Drizzt has heard a little bit about the colorful cast of characters in Kenos by word of mouth in the cities, if not from witnessing them via the play-by-play in the newspapers following the Oracle's conclusion. Quetzalcoatl had been very kind to the Zenith, while Set... well, he was a bit of a problem child, it seemed. ]
Your brother? Really, it was that effective?
[ Perhaps because of the environment he grew up in, Drizzt isn't as susceptible to illusion or mental-type spellwork. High wisdom, very high wisdom. And just... a lot of experience knowing how to ground himself in reality. It's a little funny to think of a god being easily tricked, but. Was that not how their myths went? Their stories? Some gods were smart, some were full of heart. ]
I don't think I need to ask you to watch over the Shard-bearers regarding the shadows either. I will be. Meridian and Zenith alike, I've no intention of giving quarter to anything as insidious as these shadows. Or Oblivion, either. [ His main Enemy atm. ] Would you tell me about your temple, maybe? Or your brother? Whichever one keeps the smile on your face.
[ …When he asks it that way, she does feel a little silly. Her expression turns embarrassed and sheepish, but it’s because Drizzt’s thoughts were spot-on. In the mythology of the Aztecs, it was always Quetzalcoatl being tricked. All heart, no brains. ]
[ But she’s so earnest too that she can’t help but explain, at least a little bit. It’s enough to put those pieces together. ]
…Well, my brother and Set, they’re a lot alike, yes… Tezcatlipoca is a trickster too, so…
[ She trails off, because she doesn’t want to say it. It was super effective. So! Instead of that, she turns back to Drizzt with an energetic flourish. ]
—So, my temple, yes! Let’s not talk about Tezcatlipoca!
[ And casually just confirm that the man that Drizzt had spoken to was indeed the brother in question.
Quetzalcoatl gives him an enthusiastic nod, then gestures up to the huge, elaborately carved monolith that sits on top of the comparatively quite simple shrine that they stand before. ]
That’s la Piedra del Sol. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? [ As she looks up at it and explains, her voice is full of nothing short of admiration and love. ] My people, the Azteca, they made it. It’s the story of how we made them, but also all the worlds that came before them. And the calendar of the year too, yes! It’s really amazing that they have it all together…! I loved it so much that, well, it kind of became a part of me is the best way to explain it!
[ She laughs as she looks back to Drizzt and shrugs, because that really is the best explanation you’re going to get from her. Trying to explain the mechanics of how a Divine Spirit becomes a Servant is a little too complicated for her. Again, all heart, no brains… ]
I was the one that created the people of the Fifth Sun, so I bring them with me, always.
[ As she gives the name of her brother, it definitely confirms things. No wonder Tezcatlipoca had been so interested in the sight of Piedra del Sol cresting over the trees of the Beyond. Sibling rivalries were known to him, and gods often took their relationships to extremes — he resolves to broach the topic to Tezcatlipoca, if ever he sees him again. Just to ensure that the god understands that Drizzt prefers when people do not obscure vital information from him. And he'd offered to guard him! ]
It is beautiful. I saw it when I visited Highstorm, for the first time. That you were able to bring a piece of yourself and your history to this world — Piedra del Sol and the memory of your people.
[ He thinks it's important to do that, looking back at Guen with a fondness in his eyes and an appreciation for her. What he cannot do is condemn or begrudge Quetzalcoatl for wanting to return to those people, but the cost he feels she would have to pay for them is obscene. They're gone, and something far too powerful stands in the way. He wants to ready himself to face it down, in case Zenith doesn't win — but, the best thing would be to protect and preserve these people. ]
I've heard that gods see the world far differently than mortals. How is it you look upon this fight between Meridian and Zenith? I'd like to understand what's important to you.
[ The compliment makes Quetzalcoatl’s already warm smile nothing less than radiant. More than most, Drizzt understands why this is something so beautiful and important to her, at least mostly. The fact that her Azteca were a culture of the past is something she leaves out for her own heartache on the subject. For now, she’s just full of love and pride for the people she looked over.
The question that follows isn’t much of a surprise, though. It’s one she’s been asked fairly often by the people of Kenos—natives and Shard-Bearers both. She does tend to give a slightly different answer to Shard-Bearers, though. For the natives, she wants to be their pure, uncomplicated hope, just as she was for her Azteca. For the people she would be fighting with and against, though… She feels they deserve more of the nuance. ]
Mm… It’s complicated, yes. I understand them both, and I could be either. It simply isn’t the right time for me to be Zenith, I guess is what it comes down to.
[ She looks back to the sunstone, since it abstractly lays out what she explains here, but trying to gesture to it wouldn’t be helpful. Its imagery makes perfect sense to her, but she doubts that would be the case for Drizzt. ]
We gods of the Azteca aren’t perfect. The world that exists now is our fifth try of it, actually! We call them Suns, since it’s the sun that’s life-giving, not the world, and with each Sun, a different god has taken up that position to try and craft a good one. But each of the four previous Suns had problems. Sometimes it was our fault or our nature—like when Tezcatlipoca was the sun, it was all black, so the people of that sun lived in the darkness of the black sun and couldn’t flourish. Sometimes it’s the people, since there was another where they were mostly wicked and flawed, so their world was no better.
[ Her attention turns back to Drizzt, and though her smile is still so warm and loving, her words feel callous for what she describes… At least if it were from a mortal. Morally speaking, there’s nothing wrong with it as a god, and that sort of distance is what tends to characterize them, regardless of their world or pantheon. ]
So, when they’re not right, we brought them cataclysm and started again. It’s a cycle, just like life and death. Even the current Sun, the Fifth Sun, it’s destined to end one day, since it’s not perfect either. It’s beautiful and it’s my favorite because I made its people, but when the time comes, I’ll mourn it as I wipe it away too.
[ It’s a long preamble to answering that question, but she thinks it’s important. After so long in Kenos, she’s found that not many people think of the world the way she does, and not only because she’s a god. The theology and the view of the world that she and her family have is more unique than she would have guessed. ]
…All of that to say! [ She laughs sheepishly, since she feels like she’s talked a lot already, but she continues ] —I don’t think it’s a fight that normal people should have to have, you know? I feel bad that it’s even anything that the Shard-Bearers have to worry about. It’s the duty of gods to care about big questions like that. I’d be happier if this were just a normal war about which city was better or who owns what land, not… Well, making people fight for countless lives, whether they’re leaving them behind or trying to hold onto them.
[ That smile softens, but it’s still a fond one of sympathy. ]
Meridian is my duty. But every life here is precious, no matter which side they pick. That’s how I look upon it.
I think the choice between Meridian and Zenith ought to be a complicated one. People are too complex, often contradictory, to be told to choose from limited options and expected to be blindly satisfied with whatever they get.
[ Perhaps that spoke to the direness of the situation, that there was no third option. Only two difficult ones, for the majority; some Meridian and Zenith likely did not find their choice hard at all, and he suspected they were the ones who'd slipped deep and hard into their loyalties. In that, he agreed whole of heart with Quetzalcoatl — there's room to be either, and in the end, did it not depend on the life experiences of the individual before they arrived?
Her perspective is entirely alien to him, because he would fight for the lives of others even against a god — and had, in a way. Their right to continue to exist, whether they were good or bad, rather than be wiped away was the right of the living. Yet, he had joined Zenith, because the worlds were gone and he couldn't justify the right of the Shard-bearers of Kenos to continue to exist being less important than the dead. ]
You know, I feel the same way.
[ Maybe that's why he reaches up, above his head, to touch the edge of the calendar. To trace the ancient stone and its carvings and marvel at what it means — it is the culture of Quetzalcoatl, the proof that her Azteca once lived and created and had reason and love. Such things are so important to him to preserve, moving forward. ]
It's a painful challenge to ask people to undertake, because determining the right path for themselves is inevitably the path that will hurt many others. Their lives are precious and deserve to be protected. Right now, they're all that's left of their worlds. You and I are, too. It's why I joined Zenith, actually. To protect what's left, and not let your duty entirely override your right to peace.
[ She nods in agreement with a slightly sad expression. Quite a few people come to mind, and they’re the ones that cement her perception that this is the sort of conflict that’s best left to gods. She doesn’t doubt their strength, but she worries about the toll it’ll take on them. She worries that they won’t like the person they’ve become at the end of these Trials.
But as Drizzt shares his opinion and reaches out to the sunstone, her expression warms again. Actually, she looks deeply relieved as he continues, and it’s expressed in the way that Quetzalcoatl knows best. Assuming that he doesn’t flinch away, she’ll hug him quite snugly! At least her hugs are truly the best of the best—strong and warm in the way that you’d guess from a god of the sun. ]
¡Vaya! Ah, I’m so happy to hear you say that!! I love the Zenites, but so many of them are so sad!!
[ Which is definitely an understated way of what she means, but so many of those sad stories are deeply personal to who they belong to. Regardless, she does place her hands on his shoulders as she faces him and gives them an affirming squeeze. ]
You have a good, warm heart to want to look after people that way. It’s a beautiful way of looking at what Zenith could do, I think.
[ …Because who could understand it better than the god of a culture that had been purposefully withered? This is a much more extreme example, of course, but she can deeply feel the importance of wanting to care for and preserve what’s left. It’s also a perspective she hasn’t heard from a Zenite before. Not even close, actually. He can probably get that sense just from the enthusiasm of her response. ]
So, look out for the Zenites especially, okay? It's a lot for me to ask, probably! But don’t think of it as me asking as a god, okay? Think of it more like your big sister asking for a favor!
[ Her strong embrace startles him, pushing him onto his toes and flexing his muscles as he readies to slip her grasp and — ah, this is not an attack. The twisting of his mind, fluttering away into a fluid emptiness, shedding personality for reactivity, halts as he grips at the seams. Halts himself, in favor of basking in the intense, wonderful warmth that Quetzalcoatl embodies; she is so much like the sun, something that stings his eyes and skin, but that he'd basked in for hours — bathing his dark skin in light that no drow had ever embraced the way he had.
Gently, he tucks his hands into the small of her back and closes his eyes. Remembering the sun over the mountains, the brief kiss of warmth gleaming off snow and ice before the bitter cold lashed into his bones. The warmth of Catti-brie's hip under his palm, her mouth under his ear, her cheek against his thigh as she snored and snuffled by the fireside. ]
I'm glad you understand, Quetzalcoatl. I want to persevere, because Meridian's goal puts everyone back in the sights of Oblivion. If it took our worlds and lives once, going back — even if possible — it, just... it puts us all in danger. And while I mourn my world, I can't overlook those who are here. Right now.
[ He tugs back, to look her in the eye — tired and patient, someone who respects her and admires her desire, but places no personal faith in her divinity. ( Hard to, when you're the gods' favorite punching bag. ) ]
Actually, speaking of Zenites. I read in the papers that you were the last to see one of them — the one named Silco. Is he all right?
[ Being startled by Quetzalcoatl’s embrace isn’t a new reaction—most people tend to be, since her affection does tend to come out of seemingly nowhere. So, she doesn’t think much of how he flinches, but she does notice how he relaxes. She’s more attuned to that kind of reaction, even if it’s almost subconscious on her part. For a god that loves life and people so deeply, she’s sensitive to those who especially want or need the kind of affection she provides.
So, she holds Drizzt securely as he basks in it. This is the kind of thing she’s always happy to provide for Zenites especially, because part of her sorrow and fondness for them stems from the fact that she thinks they’ve been deprived of love like this. Impossible as it may be, she still wishes that every person could experience love as unconditional as hers.
She’s happy that he indulges too. Most Zenites shy away from it because they see it as weakness, she’s noticed. ]
[ So, as he pulls back she looks content herself. For the hug to be accepted might as well be like worship for her, but she accepts it simply and without any of the pretense that could come with a deity. She nods a little at what he says, because she does understand it… But her world has so many defenses against such horrors that it’s part of why she can’t believe it’s gone. She would have personally been called to fend it off, and if that fate is coming? She will, without question.
However, as Silco is mentioned, her expression turns surprised and then sheepish… But it’s mostly because even for beloved Quetzalcoatl, the papers of Springstar hadn’t been kind to her mercy. With how conflicted she is over having custody of his Shard in general, that stung all the more. ]
Mm, yes, I’m taking care of him…
[ She considers it, but then with a nod towards the shrine, she walks that way, though she’s still holding Drizzt’s hands. Now that he’s accepted her physical affection, She Will Not Stop. ]
All the Meri are kind of mad at me, but I think he fell down to me for a reason. If he’d stayed with Voryn and Hayame, they would have… [ She sighs a little, because their convictions are something that she loves and admires, but the action itself? ] Well, it’s complicated, yes? I almost wish people just died the way they were supposed to. Actually killing the Shard-Bearers… It’s something I can’t accept or allow.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action,,,, time for advice!
The Beyond is solace for him, trailing through the dense foliage with silent feet. Clever and nimble and deeply skilled despite the strangeness of the terrain; he is used to the frozen tundras of Icewind Dale, the gloom of the Underdark, the endless trails and roads of the Sword Coast, the deep forests of Faerûn are both like and unlike this area, which reminds him strongly of an above-ground Underdark. And amidst all the cool temperatures, the blast of humidity and dampness he finds among the flora are startlingly unique. He feels something unlike Zenith's calming energy there, something gilt-gold and hot, feeling more like Meridian has found a foothold in a place it should not be.
There is,
an incredible structure built into the woods. One of the temples that the Meridian-aligned gods have come to inhabit, he has heard. At his side, the prowling, sleek length of Guenhwyvar comes to balance herself at his shoulder, dipping her massive head below his dark hand as he looks up, up into the heights of the beautiful temple. Easy, my friend, he urges her, voice so warm and sweet on the great panther ( relieved, at his core, that he could save her above all — ), before he calls out and up. ]
Is this the seat of the god called Quetzalcoatl, or is this the one belonging to Set?
[ He's hoping it's Quetzalcoatl's, honestly. ]
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He's still treated to the same kindness that he's not aware of or would even appreciate at all. There's a bed of marigolds that she intends as a cradle for his soul, and despite her own distaste for smoky things, she's set up a bowl of softly burning copal that's similarly meant to be something familiar for him. She's trying as best she knows how because... She doesn't know what to do for him. There doesn't seem to be any resolution that's fair.
It's as soon as Drizzt and his dear friend send foot in her territory that she feels it in an innate way, because as her Noble Phantasm, it's almost an extension of herself. She can never tell all that much about who's coming to visit, though. She just knows it's not one of the creatures that lurks the woods, so that's enough for her to leave the shrine at the top of the temple. Whether it's someone curious or a worshiper, she'll leave her own troubles aside to greet them, naturally.
...Admittedly, when she sees a man with a big cat at his side, she can't help the little twinge of distaste, but she's also quick to chide herself for being unfair. This is a whole new world full of all kinds of things! A big panther doesn't automatically have anything to do with her brother. ]
Oh!
[ She laughs a little, already pleased that he knows about their little conclave here. And with that, she can't help but be just a little playful, both for herself and at Set's expense. ]
Sí, I'm Quetzalcoatl, yes~! Set is my little brother, so he has the little one next door!
[ She gestures to it as she starts to walk down a few of the steps, but she'll probably get bored eventually and just jump down them... ]
So, ¡hola! Is this your first pilgrimage? I hope so, since I'd feel bad if I missed you the first time!
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[ Softly, he strokes Guenhwyvar's broad head, feeling the way she shifts and rumbles below his fingertips. His soulmate; without her, he'd felt so numb and pained. To think of her last moments shared alongside his cooling corpse, to think of her being lost atop Kelvin's Cairn until the end of the world — whether it had been moments after his death or centuries later, for her to have been alone was untenable. She had been the only thing he could ask Yima for, that he did not feel would usurp the natural flow of the afterlife ( the thing he feels is untouched by Oblivion, for where else could the mistress of Zenith's ranks pull the soul from, if not the place beyond their End? ).
He smiles, small and polite, at the bright woman who stands above him. The way she begins to descend the stairs, the strength of her arms and thighs — she is lethal, he can tell. ]
I wanted to introduce myself to you. I recently chose to align with Highstorm, and I overheard them discussing the presence of Meridian-aligned gods in the Beyond. More than that, I've heard a little bit about you — I thought I should come meet you for myself. After all, nobody mentioned anything about how warm your smile is.
[ As Highstorm speaks of her, she's an invader. Her kindness is nothing compared to Yima's, it's suspect, she's sly and dangerous. There's so many words spared for Quetzalcoatl, but he doesn't hear all of them reflected in the way Highstorm speaks of her "little brother". There's a toothy animosity towards Set, like he incites teeth to grin — in threat or delight, Drizzt cannot tell. ]
Would you like me to meet you halfway? I feel like stretching my legs.
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It’s even cuter as he introduces himself, and she giggles pleasantly at first and nods. Indeed, she’s one of the Meridian-aligned gods, but the compliment…! ]
Oh! ¡Hala! [ Girlishly, she reaches up to her face to cover it, but she’s also quick to peek through her fingers at him. Whether this is serious or playful isn’t at all clear, but regardless, it’s earnest. ] That’s good! You’ll make my heart skip a beat like that, yes!
[ SHOUJO HEROINE STRIKES AGAIN ]
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If you want, sure! Welcome to the seat of Piedra del Sol, Drizzt!
[ And it is indeed quite the workout, since halfway is a solid 45 or so steps… But once he gets started, she’ll start to happily go down the steps to meet him with a bounce in her step. ]
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He takes those 45 steps with grace, strong legs and a healthy pair of lungs allowing him to mount them in her direction without breaking a sweat. He breathes easily, deep and steady, and in his wake, Guen follows. Massive and sleek, her eyes intelligent and watchful of their surroundings as she basks in the warmth of the jungle atmosphere — he wonders if it feels like her birthplace, if she's content to be in the Meridian-infused foliage and humidity. If she's happy and comfortable, he'll visit more, for her sake.
As he reaches Quetzalcoatl, he offers a dark hand to her in greeting. ]
Well met, and thanks for your welcome. Do you mind if I ask what brought you all the way out here to establish yourself? It seems a little dangerous for you to be alone, so near to Highstorm.
[ idk someone could like, murder quetz or something and nobody would know??? ]
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Oh, you had no problem with the stairs! ¡¡Impresionante!! Almost everyone that comes to visit is totally tired by the time they get to the top!
[ She laughs merrily even so, and that’s when she lets go of his hands so that she can place them on her hips. After all, the challenge is part of it! Taking your way to get up to the shrine is time for meditation or prayer! …Or, that’s the idea that the priests had, at least. She’d honestly be just as happy if it were easier, but considering her own love of sports, she appreciates a little workout on the way just for the fun of it. ]
Oh, it’s not dangerous! Zenites can be a little grumpy, but they’re not bad! It’s the same with los pequeños out in the woods, yes? They’re mostly just curious!
[ …So, she’s not worried at all, no. ]
I came out here because Set was here! That’s, um, basically it! [ SHE IS HONEST AT LEAST… ] But since there’s plenty of room, it was a good spot to set up my temple. I thought it might not be so obvious, but… Nope! Way too tall!
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[ Her excitement is infectious, and his soul-deep exhaustion is all that keeps him from diving into the purity of her energy and enjoyment. It's been too long, too much, too hard, for him to drive forth without checking first, without taking a deep breath and steeling himself for the hardship ahead. All the same, he takes her on with an innate warmth, a softness that spreads through him once he's held onto her hand and met her halfway.
Now, there's only the other half of the stairs to tackle. All the better to, with someone at his side. ]
I could see Piedra del Sol from anywhere in the city, honestly. [ Charming of her. Drizzt's native tongue allows him to skillfully, naturally roll the r's and elegantly controls his vowels, emulating her accent the way he had emulated Tezcatlipoca's own. ] I wanted to see what Highstorm looked like from the top, as I once did the Ten Towns. It might help me keep things in perspective, for the future.
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It sounds beautiful…!
[ With a nod, she’ll start on the way back up, and it’s just as easy for her. Granted, she’s cheating a bit, considering what she is, but. She’d probably still do just fine without her divinity, considering her practically built muscles. ]
Ah, in my México, there’s not many places where it gets cold, save for at the very, very tops of the mountains!! It’s why it’s so warm here, yes~! Manifesting my temple just brings some of the jungle with it. But it at least warms up Highstorm a little! It’d be a nice vacation if it wasn’t a little hard for normal people to get here!
[ She’d wanted to clear a way, once. Either through Cornerstones for the people or through much more physically carving it out, but she’d been convinced to not do either. The Cornerstones made the Meridian stronghold just a little vulnerable, and she was afraid of bothering any of Ruby’s friends… So heading to the tall temple in the Beyond was a pilgrimage in itself. ]
But you’ll like the view, I’m sure! It really is a beautiful city… It’d be prettier with sunshine, but— [ She laughs and waves a hand ] Of course I’d say so! I’m a god that once ruled the sun, so naturally, its light should warm everything, in my opinion!
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[ He'd grown up in the dark, in the gloom. Among murderous, conniving families that waged war against one another — and even amongst themselves; it had been a world that had beaten his father down into a helpless dreamer, who wanted something else but was never destined to escape. Not in the way that his son had. He'd never known the sun could have been so beautiful, not as it had been described as a burning, cruel thing that tormented the surface world while the drow, the wise and powerful drow, had benefited from their goddess's protection.
Nothing about it had allowed him to come close to imagining the splendor of the world, until he'd seen it with his own eyes. Perhaps poetry was the closest thing he had, to articulate the immensity of his emotions. He's left one world behind, and it hurt him every day to remember it, to wish more for it but know he could not help it. Now, he has chosen Zenith and taken his hard lessons to heart. To move forward as a warrior should, and to be kind no matter whom he faced down. ]
Oh.
[ She is so invitingly sweet, talking about her México and its native warmth, the way her power manifested part of it in the world ( how powerful, even in her diminished state! part of him aches to drive his blades against her, to challenge himself to survive this woman — ) and the way she describes herself as a god of the sun. No wonder she is Meridian, she is perfect for them. ]
I love the light. [ Simple, and honest. The soft, starlight glow of his pale Shard upon his brow pulses with the affection in his voice. ] I first saw the moon, when I came to the surface. The moon and all the stars in a sky so vast and unending I thought I might fall into it if I did not hold onto the ground below my feet. The second time I left my homeland... I went to the sun. So, thank you — even if it wasn't you, specifically. Thank you for greeting me, then.
[ He can't thank the god of his actual sun ( they're gone now, after all ), but he can convey that gratitude to her. A gently respectful, although not intensely pious, man who continues his steady trek up her temple to the top with silent determination. ]
I am a Zenite, and thus Highstorm is my home now. Yet, I do think it could use a little more sunlight in the way that the people of Springstar could use a good night to rest in, honestly. Having a surplus of either is... a bit harsh. It must be difficult for people to keep their hearts steady, when they don't have everything they need.
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She does look warmly pleased when he says he loves the light, though, as if he had complimented something she’d worked hard on. Granted, even in the world of the Azteca, that wasn’t strictly true anymore… But as the god that had held the highest association with the Sun despite her time being long past, she still felt a level of love and responsibility for it. ]
Even if it wasn’t me, I’m sure that your sun, moon, and stars would feel the same way, so… I’m glad that you got to see them! They’ll always welcome you, yes. People are meant to be in the light. It’s why mi familia would fight over the Suns we presided over so much!
[ More truthfully, it’s why Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca would fight over it so much. They were the light and the darkness respectively, so their ideas of the kind of world that was ideal for people would always be opposed. As such, there’s probably something fitting in the fact that the Drow would be little different if they were under Tezcatlipoca’s authority instead of Lolth’s… ]
But just so it’s not mysterious, you don’t have to worry about being a Zenite here. Anyone is welcome in my temple, so long as they’re not a troublemaker. [ She laughs at the word like it’s a joke, but considering Gen murdered someone at the foot of it not too terribly long ago, what she actually means is a lot more dire than that laugh, help,,, ] Since you’re right about the balance, at least! I can’t bring the sun to Highstorm, but I can at least bring some of its warmth. And you know, if we had a god of the night or something like that that showed up, I think it would be fair for them to set up a little something in Springstar. I don’t think anyone would agree with me, though.
[ definitely not ]
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[ It comes to him, not slowly, but cautiously. A curious line of thought because her name and her ( adopted ) accent reminds him only slightly of the blonde man he'd met months before. Tezcatlipoca, the one who had been looking out from the Highstorm balcony toward her temple. Drizzt had invited him along, to get a better look at it, but the ultimate result had been a sly decline and some rather coy language that made him wonder — did the two have a connection? Tezcatlipoca wasn't in Kenos, but.
Drizzt had vanished and returned, why not anyone else?
Some people weren't meant for the light, though! He can't imagine a vampire or another drow being fond of existing under a sun they were biologically out of tune with, not without it causing Literal Harm, but that's semantics when Quetzalcoatl is talking with her heart, not her head. ]
I have no intention of causing trouble. Actually, I feel more at home in the wilds than I do a city — and with Guen at my side, I have nothing to fear from los pequeños. I was on my way to do some exploring, but thought stopping by and meeting you wouldn't be a bad idea. I wanted to let you know that one of your companions and I are looking into the issue regarding the shadows that were taking over people during the battle for the Oracle. And to ask that you don't pursue anyone you find familiar, at least not without someone with you.
[ inception gomen ]
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As they get to the top of the temple and Drizzt begins his warning, her expression does turn curious, then quickly into a pout from there. ]
Oh, no hay problema, I already learned to be careful with things like that! It doesn’t have anything to do with those shadows or the Oracles, though…
[ The pout stays in place as she looks to the side of the temple next to Set’s, then huffs. She may have accepted her own error and forgiven Set for his own actions, but she was still just a little mad about this one part. It’s nothing serious, so far as gods go, but she’ll take the chance to complain to someone that will listen. ]
Set is very naughty sometimes, yes! Like, he’s not bad, but he’s still a trickster. And he tricked me with a spell that looked like my brother! So! I’ve learned my lesson, absolutely!
[ INCEPTIONS BACK ]
[ But she nods resolutely. Even if her explanation and even her level of upset is a bit childish, she takes the warning to heart. ]
Mm, but thank you for letting me know… I’ll keep an eye out for them out here and get rid of any I come across. Those shadows are no good at all, I’m sure.
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Your brother? Really, it was that effective?
[ Perhaps because of the environment he grew up in, Drizzt isn't as susceptible to illusion or mental-type spellwork. High wisdom, very high wisdom. And just... a lot of experience knowing how to ground himself in reality. It's a little funny to think of a god being easily tricked, but. Was that not how their myths went? Their stories? Some gods were smart, some were full of heart. ]
I don't think I need to ask you to watch over the Shard-bearers regarding the shadows either. I will be. Meridian and Zenith alike, I've no intention of giving quarter to anything as insidious as these shadows. Or Oblivion, either. [ His main Enemy atm. ] Would you tell me about your temple, maybe? Or your brother? Whichever one keeps the smile on your face.
1/2
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…Well, my brother and Set, they’re a lot alike, yes… Tezcatlipoca is a trickster too, so…
[ She trails off, because she doesn’t want to say it. It was super effective. So! Instead of that, she turns back to Drizzt with an energetic flourish. ]
—So, my temple, yes! Let’s not talk about Tezcatlipoca!
[ And casually just confirm that the man that Drizzt had spoken to was indeed the brother in question.
Quetzalcoatl gives him an enthusiastic nod, then gestures up to the huge, elaborately carved monolith that sits on top of the comparatively quite simple shrine that they stand before. ]
That’s la Piedra del Sol. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? [ As she looks up at it and explains, her voice is full of nothing short of admiration and love. ] My people, the Azteca, they made it. It’s the story of how we made them, but also all the worlds that came before them. And the calendar of the year too, yes! It’s really amazing that they have it all together…! I loved it so much that, well, it kind of became a part of me is the best way to explain it!
[ She laughs as she looks back to Drizzt and shrugs, because that really is the best explanation you’re going to get from her. Trying to explain the mechanics of how a Divine Spirit becomes a Servant is a little too complicated for her. Again, all heart, no brains… ]
I was the one that created the people of the Fifth Sun, so I bring them with me, always.
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It is beautiful. I saw it when I visited Highstorm, for the first time. That you were able to bring a piece of yourself and your history to this world — Piedra del Sol and the memory of your people.
[ He thinks it's important to do that, looking back at Guen with a fondness in his eyes and an appreciation for her. What he cannot do is condemn or begrudge Quetzalcoatl for wanting to return to those people, but the cost he feels she would have to pay for them is obscene. They're gone, and something far too powerful stands in the way. He wants to ready himself to face it down, in case Zenith doesn't win — but, the best thing would be to protect and preserve these people. ]
I've heard that gods see the world far differently than mortals. How is it you look upon this fight between Meridian and Zenith? I'd like to understand what's important to you.
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[ The compliment makes Quetzalcoatl’s already warm smile nothing less than radiant. More than most, Drizzt understands why this is something so beautiful and important to her, at least mostly. The fact that her Azteca were a culture of the past is something she leaves out for her own heartache on the subject. For now, she’s just full of love and pride for the people she looked over.
The question that follows isn’t much of a surprise, though. It’s one she’s been asked fairly often by the people of Kenos—natives and Shard-Bearers both. She does tend to give a slightly different answer to Shard-Bearers, though. For the natives, she wants to be their pure, uncomplicated hope, just as she was for her Azteca. For the people she would be fighting with and against, though… She feels they deserve more of the nuance. ]
Mm… It’s complicated, yes. I understand them both, and I could be either. It simply isn’t the right time for me to be Zenith, I guess is what it comes down to.
[ She looks back to the sunstone, since it abstractly lays out what she explains here, but trying to gesture to it wouldn’t be helpful. Its imagery makes perfect sense to her, but she doubts that would be the case for Drizzt. ]
We gods of the Azteca aren’t perfect. The world that exists now is our fifth try of it, actually! We call them Suns, since it’s the sun that’s life-giving, not the world, and with each Sun, a different god has taken up that position to try and craft a good one. But each of the four previous Suns had problems. Sometimes it was our fault or our nature—like when Tezcatlipoca was the sun, it was all black, so the people of that sun lived in the darkness of the black sun and couldn’t flourish. Sometimes it’s the people, since there was another where they were mostly wicked and flawed, so their world was no better.
[ Her attention turns back to Drizzt, and though her smile is still so warm and loving, her words feel callous for what she describes… At least if it were from a mortal. Morally speaking, there’s nothing wrong with it as a god, and that sort of distance is what tends to characterize them, regardless of their world or pantheon. ]
So, when they’re not right, we brought them cataclysm and started again. It’s a cycle, just like life and death. Even the current Sun, the Fifth Sun, it’s destined to end one day, since it’s not perfect either. It’s beautiful and it’s my favorite because I made its people, but when the time comes, I’ll mourn it as I wipe it away too.
[ It’s a long preamble to answering that question, but she thinks it’s important. After so long in Kenos, she’s found that not many people think of the world the way she does, and not only because she’s a god. The theology and the view of the world that she and her family have is more unique than she would have guessed. ]
…All of that to say! [ She laughs sheepishly, since she feels like she’s talked a lot already, but she continues ] —I don’t think it’s a fight that normal people should have to have, you know? I feel bad that it’s even anything that the Shard-Bearers have to worry about. It’s the duty of gods to care about big questions like that. I’d be happier if this were just a normal war about which city was better or who owns what land, not… Well, making people fight for countless lives, whether they’re leaving them behind or trying to hold onto them.
[ That smile softens, but it’s still a fond one of sympathy. ]
Meridian is my duty. But every life here is precious, no matter which side they pick. That’s how I look upon it.
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[ Perhaps that spoke to the direness of the situation, that there was no third option. Only two difficult ones, for the majority; some Meridian and Zenith likely did not find their choice hard at all, and he suspected they were the ones who'd slipped deep and hard into their loyalties. In that, he agreed whole of heart with Quetzalcoatl — there's room to be either, and in the end, did it not depend on the life experiences of the individual before they arrived?
Her perspective is entirely alien to him, because he would fight for the lives of others even against a god — and had, in a way. Their right to continue to exist, whether they were good or bad, rather than be wiped away was the right of the living. Yet, he had joined Zenith, because the worlds were gone and he couldn't justify the right of the Shard-bearers of Kenos to continue to exist being less important than the dead. ]
You know, I feel the same way.
[ Maybe that's why he reaches up, above his head, to touch the edge of the calendar. To trace the ancient stone and its carvings and marvel at what it means — it is the culture of Quetzalcoatl, the proof that her Azteca once lived and created and had reason and love. Such things are so important to him to preserve, moving forward. ]
It's a painful challenge to ask people to undertake, because determining the right path for themselves is inevitably the path that will hurt many others. Their lives are precious and deserve to be protected. Right now, they're all that's left of their worlds. You and I are, too. It's why I joined Zenith, actually. To protect what's left, and not let your duty entirely override your right to peace.
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But as Drizzt shares his opinion and reaches out to the sunstone, her expression warms again. Actually, she looks deeply relieved as he continues, and it’s expressed in the way that Quetzalcoatl knows best. Assuming that he doesn’t flinch away, she’ll hug him quite snugly! At least her hugs are truly the best of the best—strong and warm in the way that you’d guess from a god of the sun. ]
¡Vaya! Ah, I’m so happy to hear you say that!! I love the Zenites, but so many of them are so sad!!
[ Which is definitely an understated way of what she means, but so many of those sad stories are deeply personal to who they belong to. Regardless, she does place her hands on his shoulders as she faces him and gives them an affirming squeeze. ]
You have a good, warm heart to want to look after people that way. It’s a beautiful way of looking at what Zenith could do, I think.
[ …Because who could understand it better than the god of a culture that had been purposefully withered? This is a much more extreme example, of course, but she can deeply feel the importance of wanting to care for and preserve what’s left. It’s also a perspective she hasn’t heard from a Zenite before. Not even close, actually. He can probably get that sense just from the enthusiasm of her response. ]
So, look out for the Zenites especially, okay? It's a lot for me to ask, probably! But don’t think of it as me asking as a god, okay? Think of it more like your big sister asking for a favor!
[ l-lmao… ]
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Gently, he tucks his hands into the small of her back and closes his eyes. Remembering the sun over the mountains, the brief kiss of warmth gleaming off snow and ice before the bitter cold lashed into his bones. The warmth of Catti-brie's hip under his palm, her mouth under his ear, her cheek against his thigh as she snored and snuffled by the fireside. ]
I'm glad you understand, Quetzalcoatl. I want to persevere, because Meridian's goal puts everyone back in the sights of Oblivion. If it took our worlds and lives once, going back — even if possible — it, just... it puts us all in danger. And while I mourn my world, I can't overlook those who are here. Right now.
[ He tugs back, to look her in the eye — tired and patient, someone who respects her and admires her desire, but places no personal faith in her divinity. ( Hard to, when you're the gods' favorite punching bag. ) ]
Actually, speaking of Zenites. I read in the papers that you were the last to see one of them — the one named Silco. Is he all right?
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So, she holds Drizzt securely as he basks in it. This is the kind of thing she’s always happy to provide for Zenites especially, because part of her sorrow and fondness for them stems from the fact that she thinks they’ve been deprived of love like this. Impossible as it may be, she still wishes that every person could experience love as unconditional as hers.
She’s happy that he indulges too. Most Zenites shy away from it because they see it as weakness, she’s noticed. ]
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However, as Silco is mentioned, her expression turns surprised and then sheepish… But it’s mostly because even for beloved Quetzalcoatl, the papers of Springstar hadn’t been kind to her mercy. With how conflicted she is over having custody of his Shard in general, that stung all the more. ]
Mm, yes, I’m taking care of him…
[ She considers it, but then with a nod towards the shrine, she walks that way, though she’s still holding Drizzt’s hands. Now that he’s accepted her physical affection, She Will Not Stop. ]
All the Meri are kind of mad at me, but I think he fell down to me for a reason. If he’d stayed with Voryn and Hayame, they would have… [ She sighs a little, because their convictions are something that she loves and admires, but the action itself? ] Well, it’s complicated, yes? I almost wish people just died the way they were supposed to. Actually killing the Shard-Bearers… It’s something I can’t accept or allow.