Child of Gods Tasks - First Task: Mataya tasks Valeria and Ozymandias
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
They say that revelations can bring someone to deep introspection.
That is what the Archbishop of Mataya finds himself doing today. He has already taken care of the temple and said his daily prayers to Mataya and Ossian...his parents. Ozymandias feels a sense of amazement and wonder at what was discovered just last night. He had done as instructed, and the bluebirds continue their songs as if to celebrate Ozymandias's awakening.
For the blessings of two reside in one.
Though he seems to smile a little bit to himself, looking up at the statue of Mataya.
"Mother."
Another of Ossian's birds flits into the chapel- a brilliant yellow warbler who joins the song of the bluebirds, as if singing with cousins it's known all it's life. Not far far behind is Valeria- on her rounds for daily prayers. While in the Seat of the Gods she always prays to each of the gods. The most jealous of them first, and ending with her own Mother for something more personal. Her life has changed of recent, and obviously the call of another Child of the Gods has piqued her interest. She gives a soft whistle, it sounds almost like a call- and her warbler flies over to land on her head and nest in her short hair, sitting happily on the tall woman's head while floofing up it's feathers. "We're here to pray, first, my darling." she says up to the bird with a fond smile, who simply chirps a few times in response.
In quiet, she moves to join the Priest, taking a quiet knee as she begins her own prayers.
Ozymandias says a soft prayer to Mataya his mother. While he could potentially communicate with her normally, he is aware that the Gods require prayers at times for the voices of the mortals, or demigods in the case of the Children, to be heard. So Ozymandias says his daily prayers, yet, he hears the song whistle of Valeria, and the arrival of a warbler to join the song of the bluebirds, as if for a family reunion.
Which it is, of a sort.
Though as Valeria says her prayers, Ozymandias appears to finish his own. Valeria's necklace begins to glow with lovely colors of red and green.
"Valeria."
Ozymandias's voice is soft, and only speaks when the warrior princess has finished her prayers.
Valeria's prayers are not long- some moments in silence to respect her Grandmother. Some soft words in Santic, she always tends to pray in her native tongue. Words of thanksgiving, of praise. And then, they are done- spoken truly and honestly. The bird even bows her head- as if knowing that her Mistress' prayers are to Ossian's lover and closest companion.
Once finished, Valeria slowly stands, turning to look towards Ozy with an easy smile. "Greetings, Ozymandias." she offers, with a bow of her head. "I had heard the news. It seems we are family, I have an uncle I never knew." she says as she gently reaches out to place a fond hand on the older man's shoulder. To squeeze so gently- the size and strength of her hand telling. She is a woman who can destroy as well as anyone- and chooses, instead, to use that strength for kind acts.
"And I, a niece."
Ozymandias tells Valeria with a kind smile. "It must feel strange to you, as it does to me. Suddenly, family seems to be in the most unlikely of places, and in that regard, I feel closer to you, which brings me great joy." As that strong hand finds his shoulder, he returns that grasp with the same hand, touching her shoulder to squeeze it fondly.
While Ozymandias did not possess the physical strength to match her, he possessed the mystical strength. Yet both use such things for kindness and compassion, even as the skies seem to turn a bit more warm and sunny.
"I hope today finds you in good health, Valeria. I am glad we both have found a place to belong in all of this, and.." He looks to the statue of his mother. "Have awakened in ourselves what might have been lost forever."
Valeria nods quietly, bowing her head. "It is an interesting thing. I was raised in a place known for it's... cruelty. And while I would not say I was treated any different than others of my people, it is... curious to look back knowing what I know now." She admits softly, "It must be just as difficult for you." She remarks, looking towards her newly found Uncle. "I see that Ossian gifted you, as well. Did you name them?" she wonders quietly, "I didn't see a reason to name her a human name- so.. I have a song for her."
"I understand that cruelty in it's own way. My family...I am uncertain if I am still worthy of the surname of 'Tepes', but then again, I never thought I was. My parents were not kind to me. They were cruel and punished irrationally. It was the negative curse of a martial family, in a way." Ozymandias frowns a little bit to himself, but he smiles at Valeria. "It is. Difficult, in the sense, that I must now rediscover my understanding of the world, and of what I deem important to me. You named your bird after a song?" He questions. "That's beautiful." He looks then to the bluebirds, a smile on his face.
"They are named 'Thought' and 'Memory', to honor the gods." He mentions then with a warm smile.
"It's a song she sings. A whistle." Valeria offers as she gives that same whistle- sounding so like a warbler's song, the bird returning in kind it's own answer. "Although, she does seem to understand my words as well. Such is the nature, I suppose, of such a divinely inspired creature." the tall woman offers with a quiet smile, nodding. "It makes sense, those names." she agrees softly.
"I think this will be a theme with all of us. The Children of the Gods... having to come to terms with our sense of selves changing so suddenly. I believe it would due us all good for us to be open to our...new family... speaking to each other in this. Supporting one another."
"A whistle." Ozymandias comments, there's no judgment in his tone, just wonder. "You may have had the far more creative naming convention than I. I admire you for it." He chuckles, though he nods ever so softly to her about the names. "Both of the names we have chosen do." He reaches to set his hand on hers for a moment, ever so briefly, if she permits the contact.
"It will. We are family now, of a more complicated sort, but family all the same. I think the Gods created Elysium for us, so we can band together, bond together, and support one another through the trials we all must now face, through all the good and the bad that entails."
Valeria nods quietly, "I think perhaps you are correct on Elysium. A place to be safe from all- except one another." She remarks, perhaps darkly. One should always expect the Santuan to go somewhere dark, after all. It is the nature of the people, it seems- although Valeria clearly chooses to fight this darkness.
Still, it is always in the back of her mind. The fact that her Father would, likely without a second thought, kill any of her siblings if it suited his aims. Would have killed her had she not been Attia's daughter.... it's not something easily forgotten.
"Still. Let us hope that will never be an issue." Valeria says softly, as the bird pecks her head when she gets into dark thoughts, golden eyes sliding up to look at the pecking bird. Peck! Peck!
"I just thought she'd prefer a whistle, honestly. I didn't see the point in trying to name a bird of the wilds with a Santic name- and it was her song that awoke me when she came into my room at Elysium." she smiles softly, "It seemed right."
"Yes, I believe that everyone will want something from us. From the lowest to the highest. I..fear what may become of us, but we are under the protection of our fathers and mothers." Ozymandias smiles at Valeria. "Who are much bigger than anyone they could send against us." He tells Valeria, as if trying to shine some light into Valeria's darkness. He didn't shy away from the facts that each other might be a danger.
But all in all?
"We each hold each other accountable." He tells Valeria. "Deal?" He offers her a hand to shake. Though his eyes shift to the bluebirds who now go and lovingly peck at the yellow warbler, being playful much like siblings.
"It does seem right, and beautiful in its own right."
As it always does the rainbowed, prismatic light in the room starts to shine brighter and brighter. The brightening of area almost always is the telling sign of Mataya's pending arrival. Though she typically appears at the statue this time she appears walking through the doors. She smiles gently to Valeria and Ozymandias. The god glow that surrounds her.. does it seem a little duller? Hard to say. She still shows herself in her typical more flamboyant way than one would expect from the Second God. A Seer close by does start to speak, as abrupt as it is there is no doubt it is at Mataya's hand, "the King of Santua is not so bad. His methods are not the most.. kind but it is with good intentions." the Seer says to Valeria first, no doubt the Goddess picked up on Valeria's thoughts and feelings she wasn't saying. Then to Ozymandias, "Your parents your adopted parents. Mataya and Ossian did not expect them to be cruel but could not remove you without revealing who you are before the Gods were readt."
Valeria takes a moment- as she often does to weigh the words of others when spoken. Not so hotheaded as to jump off and run into an answer before she nods, "I'll hold you to it." She replies, then, taking Ozy's hand to squeeze tightly. To seal the deal as it were. "You look after me, and I'll look after you." she says softly, "A deal."
That seems enough for her, as she turns to face the statue of Mataya quietly. And then to the door as that light shines and the seer speaks. "I have no doubt my Father's love me." She replies simply, "But I also have no doubt of what my Father, the King, is capable of." She is, at heart, a realist in that regard. "My Father Kennedy... perhaps not." she admits softly, her tone growing quiet, fond. Remembrances. She has no doubt Kennedy is as much her Father as ever- his love has never been in question.
"Deal." Ozymandias confirms with Valeria with a happy smile on his face. It helps that Ozymandias and Valeria have helped each other before when they attempted to save each other's lives. Though, Ozymandias can sense the presence of his mother arriving through the door, if only through the efforts of the rainbowed, prismatic light that starts to shine brighter and brighter.
Ozymandias's eyes turn to Mataya, and he rises to his feet. He notices Mataya's light shining a little bit duller, and he frowns a little bit at the sight as he approaches her. "I know it was not your intention, mother." Ozymandias does something daring. He -reaches- out for the God's hands, if she permits such contact, and he looks at her. "Thank you, mother. If it were not for you and my father, I wouldn't be here today. And for that? I'm beyond grateful."
"You are not upset at either for hiding who you are from you?" The expression of the kind and emotional Goddess is legitimately curious. Though she has many emotions she likely doesn't understand mortal thought process. She /is/ a God, after all. She does let Ozymandias touch her but it is only brief. She is trying to understand things and has plans. The Seer she 'speaks through' gets a touch to the shoulder and s no doubt freed from her 'control'. She moves to Valeria and lightly touches her cheek, lingering for a moment, "Speak." she murmurs to Valeria.
Valeria's eyes open wide for a moment before tears begin to spring unbidden from both, running down her cheeks as she begins to speak quietly. "Her Lady, Mataya's sorrow." She whispers over to Ozy as she faces him, taking both hands, "At having to give you up is great. It was among the most difficult things she's ever done- she had no desire to give her child up, and knew not that your parents- these Tepes- would be so unkind." She pauses, as if filtering through all she's seeing- eyes fluttering after phantom images. "There will be great sacrifices in the future. Choices to be made. You will need to decide many things, Ozymandias- many things that will forge for you divinity... or failure."
Ozymandias's expression is kind towards his mother, even as she speaks through the medium of Valeria. He notices the tears springing forth from Valeria's eyes, an act he has never seen happen before, and he seems briefly alarmed before she speaks. Both of his hands are taken as she speaks to him, and tears start to flood into his eyes. To know he was so beloved by Mataya, and to know that he was guided to being close to her despite his rough beginning.
He closes his eyes for a moment, and for a moment, begins to cry. Though from Valeria, he squeezes her hands, and he looks to Mataya. "I bear no ill will towards you, mother. I bear only unending gratitude. That even if you had to give me up, I was still guided into your embrace. You were the closest thing I had to a mother...and to know you are my mother is the greatest blessing I could receive. To know that Ossian is my father, equally so. That I was born of your love, and to know I was still loved, is beyond anything I could ever ask for."
He smiles at Mataya, though the news that he will have to make great sacrifices in the future where choices will be made. "I understand, mother." He reaches for Valeria, touching her cheeks, to press a gentle kiss to her forehead if she permits the contact. A 'thank you' for suffering the pain of loss to relay to him such a message.
But he focuses on Mataya. "Thank you, mother. I hope one day to join you where you reside, so we may be family." Though he understands in his heart htat it may not even happen, it is his sincerest wish.
The hand of the Goddess lifts to Valeria's cheek to brush away her tears, much like a mother would to her child. Her expression is showing her remorse at causing Valeria to feel what Mataya feels. Even that remorse can be felt. She focuses intently a moment after Ozymandias mentions residing at her side then she smiles to Ozymandias, smiling to him.
Lorin withdraws her arms from the bell sleeves of her jacket to pull the hood down from her head as she enters the warmth and sanctity that marks this most specific of places right now. Ever a keen eye for the happenings around her, she rolls with the social cues of those around her and withdraws to a safe remove to respectfully observe from a visibly awe-inspired distance.
Valeria, she only smiles- lifting a hand to cup MAtaya's before stepping forward to embrace her Grandmother. To hold her so tightly in strong, dark-skinned arms. To show, in the only way she can, that it's okay. That she's okay. A few tears... well. Valeria will handle them. "It's okay." she whispers into Mataya's ear so softly, before stepping back to look again as more visions come to pass- and she gives a gasp.
A shocked, pained gasp. One she wasn't able to hide. "It seems you will, one day... join them." She offers softly, swallowing down whatever pain it is she's feeling. Taking a breath- even with a hand on her side, as if she herself had been stabbed or somehow otherwise injured. The pain, however, seems to fade quickly and she breathes easily once more. "It will be a difficult transition, but.. one day. You will join them." She says quietly, looking to Mataya, "But is is not set in stone. It is... only a possible future." There is no question to it, just a statement of fact as she looks again to the goddess- eyes sad once more, as she wraps her arms around the Goddess to hug her once again. As if to support her for whatever sadness their Mother (And Grandmother) is feeling. That's a Granddaughter's job, right?
Lorin has partially disconnected.
Ozymandias looks at Mataya then for that brief moment, and he approaches his mother far more closely. He looks her in the eyes as the words are spoken. "A possibility I will pursue with all of my ability - but to such that it doesn't blind me to all else." Ozymandias tells Mataya. "I am ready, mother, to begin the road I must walk to stand with you." He smiles to her, and much like Valeria, approaching to hug Mataya in all the love and care he has always felt for his mother, now amplified by the familial bond of hwat he didn't receive conventionally from her.
A simple embrace.
He, alas, is too overwhelmed by his emotions to notice Lorin as she enters.
The embrace of Valeria gets returned and calming stroke to the back. Something in the expression changes, as if she were eased. She glances at Ozymandias then Valeria and Lorin is bid over by the Goddess and given a kind smile. Her hand stays lingering against Valeria's arm for the moment.
Valeria, for her part, is breathing deeply. She seems to be drawing into herself *something* from Mataya, something small- her golden eyes flashing momentarily before the song-bird on her head flits off to land near Lorin with a chirping sound given as she looks to the woman. Valeria turns when her companion flits away to give a gentle smile to Lorin, "Greetings. Welcome to the House of Mataya." she says, as the Priest is so busy with his own Mother. "I suspect you are welcome to join us." she remarks softly.
"You look familiar to me- have I seen you somewhere before?" Valeria is a common sight at the Siren, although she only ever visits with the Second of the Courtesans, Amahle- and has been visiting her and only her for perhaps two decades, now.
Once her embrace is finished with the Goddess, she steps back to speak again- "We are to go on journeys, Ozymandias- both of us. However, we will each travel on our own. Something unique is out there for you, something for you alone. It will be found, or it will be made- I.. cannot tell which." She admits softly, with some askance of forgiveness in her voice. "Either way, what you find or create will be sacred. It is for you and you alone." She explains softly, as she wipes the tears from her amethyst face.
Lorin's lips quirk, and there's an almost visible moment where the calculus of status, deference, and her already peculiar fit into society simply do not meet where they ought to.
"I am the Courtesan Lorin Stone, Your Highness," Lorin says, stepping forward to answer simply before stepping back into a deferential curtsey. She remains in poise as one is expected to do, her hands more elegantly held than many but still in plain sight for Royalty-- and accompanying varied people who are very good with all manner of weaponry-- to orchestrate as they wish. "I am sure I would recall if I had met you before, but you know how the details of many good evenings tend to get lost in shuffle of soft shoes on hard floors."
Ozymandias eventually withdraws from Mataya to exit the embrace. Though as his attention turns to Mataya, he gives her that warm smile of his, though with Lorin identified by the Second God, Ozymandias's attention turns to Lorin with a brilliant smile.
"Hello, Paramour. As my niece had spoken, welcome to this sacred ground." He greets her with a kind smile. "I am certain you have graced the presence of Mataya." He looks at the Second God. "My mother." he says with a feeling of overwhelming joy.
Though Valeria's words are given heed, and he gives her his full attention. "I understand. Then to such a journey, we will go. As for me...I will try and discover - or create - this unique creation. But I understand completely."
"You will be well, Ozymandias. I have full faith in you, and while now I do not speak for Her Ladyship, I do believe she has faith in you as well." Valeria offers softly, giving a smile to the young woman. "Ah. At the Siren, then." She says simply- the Princess it seems doesn't mind if people know she visits!
"I wish you luck and safety all the same, my Uncle." she says softly to Ozy with a quiet smile, "And I have perhaps a strange request- these Tepes. Where are they?"
Valeria gets the lightest of kisses to her cheek, Ozymandias gets a touch close to a hug, and Lorin gets a fleeting touch to the shoulder before the Goddess turns and walks to the door, fading away as she does so.
The touch sends a shock through Lorin, relaxed though she may be in repose, face still down, eyes on the floor out of what must be some mixture of devotion and respect.
Because it's one thing to know that one is performing one's sacred duties throughout the day, close encounters of the Divine Parental kind from the perspective of someone who may-- and no one knows for sure, so tight-lipped are those Courtesans-- have been a Bad Influence by night.
And Lorin's quandry is simply not going to be solved by the well-crafted flooring. So she risks looking up, and then standing up, having not been Smoted for convincing anyone's progeny to overindulge in evenings past.
Valeria smiles at the soft kiss, returning in kind before Mataya leaves- a gentle kiss to the cheek. Stepping back then to look again towards the pair. "Any who pray to the Gods with Questions regarding these tasks will be answered... although, which of them will answer was less than clear." she remarks, "It might be any of them. Or more than one of them.... but you'll get an answer." she notes simply, "Which is more than many can say, yes?" she wonders softly.
Valeria chuckles softly then, her bird seeming to flitter back to her and slide onto her head. Happy to floof up and hide there.
With the departure of Mataya, Ozymandias gives her a kiss on the forehead, common between mothers and sons as she gives him that almost-hug and he watches her go with a 'Say hi to father for me please!' as she leaves. Ozymandias then looks at Valeria as she speaks of faith. "Thank you, Valeria." He smiles softly to her. "I know being a Seer for a moment was...difficult. I appreciate you very much, and I find myself in your debt for relaying her message to me." He smiles to her kindly.
Though he looks at Lorin then for a moment. "I apologize, Lorin, you saw something of a family reunion. How can I help?" He questions her, before he looks at Valeria. "I believe I will." He has -so- many prayers to pray.
"I should be going. If you know exactly where the Tepes are, Uncle. Let me know. I'd like to pay them a visit... for family reasons." Valeria says simply, as she looks to the priest. "Send me a note." She suggests, "I need to go out that way anyways for my own reasons." she smiles simply, bowing her head to Lorin next before she moves to the door.