forum Let's hope this stays alive (O/O)

Started June 03, 2025 by @Avhira-The-Eldritch-Horror group

tune

Irae raised her eyebrow. "Are those areas bad? Do they make innocent people suffer to keep them running? Or do you just not like them?"

Charlie sighed. "They're not bad… They're just… privileged and love to show it off, acting like they're so much better than everyone else. Even people in the same class bracket." she said shaking her head. "It's a bunch of social climbers and fake smiles, pretending to like and befriend people then tearing those same people apart to another "friend" behind their back… while trying to find ways to raise their status." she groaned, placing her head in her hands.

Irae blinked. "Just like the Pantheon, I guess-" she shrugged. "At least some parts of it." She took another bite of her food, and leaning on her hand.

“Really?” Charlie asked, looking up slightly in surprise before frowning again. “Great. Just what the upper class needs… more of a god complex.” she moaned. “I will admit that there are some good ones out there but… what I described just… it seems to be the majority.”

Irae nodded. "For the Pantheon, it's almost impossible to tell if it's the majority or not because nobody would ever bother to count. But the ones that are are pretty prominent." Irae signed. "Some of them can't help it, like my sister Superbia, the Goddess of Pride and Ego. She seems rude and full of herself- and is- but she's actually not the worst because she'll also try to lift other people's pride when it's low. " She said, thinking about her siblings.

“She sounds complex.” Charlie stated, glad to get her thoughts away from the distasteful thoughts of class hierarchy. “Are you close?”

Irae shrugged. "I was closer with Desidia, but I was closer to Superbia than Cupidtas of Greed and Wanting, Gula of Gluttony and hunger, or Iibidine of Lust and Infatuation. Invidia of Envy and Longing was about as close as Superbia." She said, listing her sisters.

Charlie smiled softly, taking a calming sip of her tea. “Talk about complicated relationships.” she chuckled. “I knew that the pantheon was big but I never really thought about the… intricacies of the relationships between every member.”

Irae shrugged. "My sisters and I arent actually related. None of us were born, so we couldn't be. We don't even necessarily see each other as siblings- some of us do, but most of us don't. I would compare it to the relationship between adoptive siblings, I guess. Mortals view us as siblings though we aren't really. That's why Iibidine doesn't feel weird about going after Gula. Gula's pretty clueless though." She said, sighing. "I miss Gula. We went really close, but she was funny and kind when she wanted to be."

“I see.” Charlie nodded thoughtfully. “Well, I’m sure you know, better than I do, how we love our stories. It's easier to associate you and the others as a family in one way or another, but then things get complicated when those… variants meet each other,” she explained with a shrug. “Not to mention how much certain paladins and clerics brag and gossip.”

Irae shrugged. "Clerics don't tend to devote themselves to me. Paladins do though- and some of them do gossip a lot. None of them would dare make up a story about their patron, but plenty would spread stories they'd heard."

“Right.” Charlie agreed. “And those stories don't always have to be about their patron. Just something about something they heard about another or inferred from someone else,” she added, her tail flicking slightly.

Irae nodded. "Yep. Lots of rumors. I wonder if rumors of why I'm gone will circulate. My patrons are sure to notice pretty soon." She said, sighing.

Charlie winced at the thought and realization of Irae's patrons. "That sounds like a problem… Do you think we should try to find them and explain? Or is it possible that someone else is… watching them for you?" she asked thoughtfully.

Irae shrugged. "They said my responsibilities were being given to other gods for the time being. I don't trust that they actually did. My patrons will be fine, though I might loose a few. Depends on how long I'm gone, I guess." She seemed slightly worried, but was hiding it well.

Charlie hummed, her brow furrowing. "I guess the only solution is to get you back there as soon as possible." she mused, doubtful they would be able to any time soon. "We'll figure it out… somehow."

Irae nodded, finishing her food. "Only thing to do is try, I guess." She said, leaning back in her chair. "If nobody asks for anything large, they probably won't be able to tell I'm gone. They might get suspicious as mannerisms change, but unless it's going on for too long, they'd likely not dare question it."

“Good point.” Charlie nodded, pushing her empty plate away from her slightly. “Are you ready to go? Get you some travel clothes and stuff?”

Irae nodded. "Yep. Did you pay already?" She asked, standing up.

“I’ll pay on the way to the door.” Charlie shrugged, following Irae’s lead and adjusting her bags.

Irae adjusted her hood again, tucking her ears. She walked out the door, waiting momentarily for Charlie to pay, then looked around. She had no idea what any of the buildings they were looking for looked like.

Charlie smiled politely as she paid at the bar before heading out with Irae. “Come on. Let's head this way. We won't find a clothing store just standing around.” she chuckled, picking a direction and heading off.

Irae nodded, following behind Charlie. "Sure, but you know what to look for. I do not. I'll let you lead. And probably pick out some clothes for me, as I do t know what is proper travel wear." She said, watching the streets.

Charlie chuckled softly and shook her head. “I’ll point you in the right direction but I’m not going to pick out an outfit for you. What you wear and what you like is your business. Not something anyone else can decide for you.” she said, her tail flicking sharply.

Irae shrugged. "All right- I guess that's fair. I really don't care that much about it though. And you're the one paying." She reasoned, but dropped the matter.

Charlie glanced back at Irae and raised a brow. She knew the other woman was a goddess and probably didn't know the frustration of having someone else dictate what to wear but she at least thought that Irae would know what style she liked. “Like I said, I’ll help you find the clothes meant for traveling but when you see something that speaks to you, let me know. Don't worry about what it costs.” she assured.

Irae nodded. "Alright, that works. Are you sure? About the cost? I don't mind sticking to less expensive clothes." She asked.

Charlie chuckled and shook her head. "Travlers clothes generally aren't very expensive. But you'll want something good quality so it doesn't rip on every stick or tree branch you brush against." she half joked. "I'm not exactly hurting for coin right now anyway. I finished a little job a couple of days ago so we can afford this."

Irae nodded. "Alright. Do you have any tips for what is most comfortable when traveling?" She asked, thinking. "Fabrics, styles…"

“Ummm… well, I'm wearing cotton but I've heard linen is pretty good too,” Charlie mused before perking up. “Oh! There’s the store!” she pointed out with a smile. “Come on!”