In which Winter has a thematically appropriate query

[shardofwinter]

Not all Nexus days can be sunshine and beautiful frost patterns. Days like this are a grim, sombre grey. The mist is so thin in places that all it does is make the distance fade away sooner than normal, but it does apply a more reserved filter on a place often filled with joyous shenanigans. No, this is unmistakeably a day which makes the multiverse feel close, secretive.

It's in this clandestine scenery that Reynard strolls about. Far from hopping or skating through the landscape, he strolls about the place, setting ice on the path and covering it with a dusting of snow. In the residential and commercial districts, he's sent ice along as many pipes as he could find. As he goes he rumbles a low slow tune. Some might recognise the sea shanty when he reaches the familiar 'Ho... Ho... and up she rises...'. He's not a bad singer, all things considered.

He looks up from his work and fixes his eyes on the nearest stranger, singing fading into a deep hum and then silence before he speaks. "What is the coldest thing you've ever done? The most cold hearted act you've ever brought yourself to commit. Go ahead. I'm not one to judge."

Just as the quiet settles back into place, he pipes up again. "Actually, you can tell me the literal coldest thing you've ever done too, if you'd prefer. I can't resist a good ice story."


((Reynard is still handing out Winter Curses & Blessings and causing trouble if you would like to avail of any. Other than that: Caution to those who talk to spirits, they are proud and fickle people.))

Comments

[gate_crasher]

He considers that possibility, then gives a slight shake of his head. "No," comes the raspy answer. "To think that the gods walk in indifference is no better than to imagine they grasp in desperation. But that, at least, I know to be not wholly true--the hearts of the Nine are not without care. That I have known, with my own senses."

[shardofwinter]

"I hope the same isn't true for those in my world. You are lucky to have such certainty about such an uncertain thing. All you have to hope now is that your certainty is well placed."

[gate_crasher]

"My certainty is empirical," he assures the man. "I have had direct experience with the gods, tangible evidence of their attention and concern. And I think my faith better-placed with the Nine than the alternatives."

[shardofwinter]

"And your gods, do they have their different domains?"

[gate_crasher]

"They do." There is a note of inquiry in his voice, as he is curious to know where the man is taking this line of reasoning.

[shardofwinter]

"What sort of domains are they? Who does Winter reside with?"

[gate_crasher]

He considers for a moment, then answers, "I think I must say that Winter would fall into Kynareth's keeping; she is the goddess of nature, and all the natural world is her temple. Moreover, some legends ascribe to her the creation of the sky and the rain--so it must follow, the snow as well, must it not?"

[shardofwinter]

Reynard's brow dips, puzzled. "One goddess looks over all of nature? What else could the others possibly watch over?"

[gate_crasher]

"Akatosh is the god of time," the lizard explains, "Arkay is the god of life, death, and the proper passage between; Julianos is the god of wisdom and logic, knowledge and study; Dibella, the goddess of love and beauty; and Mara, the goddess of love and marriage; Stendarr is the god of justice, and of mercy; Zenithar is the god of work and trade; and Talos, the youngest, is the mortal who became divine, the ascended Emperor and patron of the Empire."

After a moment's quiet, he adds an afterthought: "I find it significant that, of all the concepts so crucial as to be embodied in the gods, love is important enough to merit the primary focus of two."

[shardofwinter]

"That seems such a strange way to have gods rule over the world. Love and marriage, justice and mercy... Are they really divine things to your people?"

[gate_crasher]

"Are they not, for yours?" comes the gentle counter.

[shardofwinter]

"The gods of the sun always acted like burning balls of gas before they acted like gods of music or justice, according to what I was told."

[gate_crasher]

"Older tales suggest that the gods have not always held quite the forms which they do now, but I confess I have not yet made a thorough study of the subject. I welcome your insights."

[shardofwinter]

"Maybe I'm a bad person to ask. My understanding of the gods is... limited. They do their thing, I do mine. Then their followers cause trouble and I have to deal with it sometimes."

[gate_crasher]

"I will concede, that is as fair a perspective of the gods as may be hoped for. May I ask from where you draw inspiration in your life, and comfort?"

[shardofwinter]

The thoughts that spring to mind make him smile, but then another crosses his mind and he frowns questioningly. "Are you a priest?"

[gate_crasher]

"Not as such, no," he admits, "but I have felt the godly call to service, in other ways."

[shardofwinter]

"Not in ways that involve lecturing others, I hope."

[gate_crasher]

"Ha!" The slight raspiness of his voice turns that bark of laughter into something like a cough. "I should hope not, myself. No. A petulant godling sought to punish the Nine by slaughtering their faithful. I was eventually found worthy to stand against him."

[shardofwinter]

"That is much more pleasant for everyone else than you standing on a box telling them they're going to hell."

[gate_crasher]

The white-scaled brow furrows under the hood. "That does not sound like the work of a priest," he muses aloud.

[shardofwinter]

He gets a laugh. "It's exactly the work of a priest. Sometimes they keep it to pedestals these days, but... not always."

[gate_crasher]

He tsks quietly. "One gathers more friends with a merry hearth than a pogrom-pyre."

[shardofwinter]

"Friendship isn't what religion is used for." He shakes his head and chuckles before explaining, "It's used for control."

[gate_crasher]

"I am sorry that you have found it so," the lizard offers. "I would say, perhaps, that religion may be misused for control, but that path is not the correct one."