< Into The Deepest Depths | Ex Pulplogs | A Well Earned Drink >
ST Xar and Myrrh, having had their discussion about diplomacy towards someone who might do you a favor, now have to come up with some sort of plan to convince Rivers they are sorry and that he should instruct them in Sorcery. It may also be helpful to them to create a plan that involves a way to prevent the angry Terrestrial from attacking them next time he sees them, if he hasn't calmed down.
ST Myrrh and Xar both know where Crystal Fountains makes her home and she presents another possibility or obstacle depending on how one looks at it. It's her that's got Rivers riled and fixing their relationship again might be just what they need. Or it might cause later headaches.
Xar`Rex scuffs his talons against the dirt, "So what do we do now?"
Myrrh "Well I suppose we have two options. We can either try to patch things up between Crystal and Rivers or we can just appologize to Rivers directly...although he might just hit us..."
Xar`Rex looks at Myrrh dubiously
Myrrh "Well do you have a better idea Xar?"
Xar`Rex "I am not sure that fixing their relationship will help. And I do not like being hit that much. But no, I do not have a better idea."
Myrrh "Well we can atleast visit her while he cools down. Who knows, we might get invited for tea..."
Xar`Rex brightens a little. "Tea is nice."
Myrrh "Yes, the Rat Queen has a nice blend.
ST The trip to Crystal's palace inside the caves is not nearly as difficult as Myrrh thought it would be. Possibly this is because last time he had to follow Rivers through a hot, steamy jungle, ride on the Terrestrial's back across raging river rapids while the other man was wrestling a giant mushroom cap across the water, then deal with a magic rat queen.
ST The time Myrrh simply lets Xar fly him there.
Xar`Rex inspects the jungle below them as they fly curiously. He has never seen so many trees so tall.
ST Myrrh recognizes when they are flying over the Rat Queen's domain.
Myrrh "Hmmm. Glad I don't have to walk this part again, i'd hate to have to run from more rats."
Xar`Rex "You run from rats? They are very small."
Myrrh "Not these kind...and regular rats don't put you to sleep.
Xar`Rex looks down at Myrrh strangely. "as you say." he doesn't sound terribly convinced.
ST It doesn't take much time for the flying twosome to reach Crystal's caverns and the palace within.
Myrrh "Hey, I had tea with a rather big one thank you very much. I think I know a thing or two about giant mutant singing rats."
Xar`Rex "I must admit you know more than I. Is this the place?"
Myrrh "Yep, this is the place!" Points out the cave below.
Xar`Rex circles over it once, then spirals down at an easy pace, depositing Myrrh gently, then dropping to the ground himself.
ST One of Crystal's servants, a lowly elemental made of mica-covered dirt, emerges from the cave to challenge the visitors.
Myrrh dusts himself off, looking around for any giant boulder clad women.
Xar`Rex lets Myrrh speak, just in case.
Myrrh "Hello! We're heard to see Crystal! Could you tell her Myrrh is here?"
ST The tiny little man nods and returns to the cavern. Not long after, Crystal Fountains herself makes an appearance as the same boulder-built earth-creature that Myrrh first saw her as. She does not look happy.
ST "Did that infuriating mortal send you to beg my forgiveness? Well you go right back and tell him it won't work!"
Xar`Rex sternly tells Xeth to keep his peace, and clamps his jaw shut.
Myrrh "What? No, certainly not Crystal...in fact we were stopping by to see you since Rivers and Xar had a bit of an...altercation at the appartment."
Xar`Rex "He does not like me very much" Xar says unhappily.
ST "And what do you WANT them? I'm a very busy, very powerful goddess. I have better things to do then waste my time on people associating with that..that...MORTAL!"
Myrrh "Well frankly I was wondering what happened...you both seemed so happy when I left."
Myrrh "Rivers had...said some things."
Myrrh "But we wanted to get YOUR side of it."
ST "Well I'm sure whatever he said were just more LIES."
Myrrh "Well then why don't you tell us what really happened?"
ST "I was having a completely un-romantic business meeting with a lizard-god. Nothing unusual was going on!"
ST "And then after the meeting, I come back to the palace and find him gone, returned to that little dump in the city. And when I go looking for him, I find him there wrapped around some god-blooded man with glowing hair!"
ST "When I confronted him in a calm, rational manner, he started cursing at me! Claiming I had violated our marriage vows, as if he even UNDERSTOOD them, since he can't speak a WORD of Old Realm without that barbarous accent!"
Xar`Rex tilts his head to one side
Myrrh "Erm...unromantic?"
ST "Completely!"
Xar`Rex "So there was no sex then?"
ST "Well. There might have been some sex. But it was totally unromantic sex!"
ST "And Rivers was out that night, he had no way of knowing there was any sex!"
Xar`Rex "So when he is angry at you, he has sex too?"
ST "That isn't the point! He stands there still giving that God-Blood a taste of his Glory Hammer and yells at me for breaking our vows! And he didn't even know I was doing it!"
ST sounds totally offended and insensed.
Myrrh "Well maybe he followed you?"
ST "HOW DARE HE!"
ST "HE WOULD NEVER!"
ST "...I'LL REND HIS FLESH!"
ST makes as if to start towards town at that very moment.
Xar`Rex happens to be standing in the doorway
ST "That low-down, deceiving, SPYING...and then to accuse me! When he....and !!!" She apparently has run out of words.
Xar`Rex "Please, calm down." he says entreatingly, looking nervously at Myrrh
Xar`Rex happens to be standing in the way
ST "I will not!"
Xar`Rex "Do you know anyone else who knows sorcery?"
Myrrh "Well...maybe you two should talk this over? I mean clearly you both have different...ideas...about your vows?"
ST "What does THAT have to do with anything!?"
Xar`Rex "Um."
Myrrh elbows Xar gently. "Erm, nothing at all..."
ST "Talk? TALK!? TO him! After he spied on me! And then to accuse me of breaking our vows! And..." She breaks down, sobbing loudly. "HE doesn't TRUST ME!"
ST falls into Xar's arms, bawling.
Myrrh "...do you trust HIM?"
Xar`Rex "Erm." He pats the woman gently, if akwardly.
ST "Of course I trusted him! But then he had to SPY on me!"
ST has huge, wet tears running down her stoney face. It's quite hard to tell if she is simply enraged beyond words or full of great sorrow.
Myrrh "Well maybe he...was...having unromantic sex too?" Pats her on her stoney shoulder.
Xar`Rex "Maybe he did not spy on you?"
ST "Well if he didn't spy on me, how could he know?! And if he didn't know, then why was he with that God-Blood?!"
ST "And don't think I don't know how it is with you mortals, you think anything that lets you spelunk them is romantic!"
ST glares at Myrrh as she cries.
Xar`Rex "Well.. why did you let him? Did it help so much to do so?"
ST "And I tried to explain everything to Iczzchititnik but he just didn't understand..."
Xar`Rex subtly shifts himself into stone form as she cries on him. She's rather heavy.
ST "Well I didn't LET him go find a God-Blood! He must have been sneaking around behind my back!"
Xar`Rex "No, I mean.. why did you let the lizard um spelunk you?"
Myrrh "Uh...I think Xar meant why did you let Mr...Iczzchititnik erm...spelunk you?
ST "He was just trying to COMFORT me in my GRIEF!"
Xar`Rex "Grief?"
ST "At finding my HUSBAND in bed with another MORTAL!"
Xar`Rex "Wait, but didn't you... I'm confused. Which came first?"
ST "Obviously I was spending time with Iczzchititnik after I discovered Rivers' betrayal!"
ST "I would never cheat on my husband otherwise!"
Myrrh "But...how could he find out about you sleeping ...unromanticly, with Mr...Iczz, and at the same time go sleep with someone else in revenge?"
ST "I was having the unromantic business meeting with Glorious Scales, the Lizard God!"
Myrrh "Ohhhh that's the lizard he was talkinga bout then...business?"
Xar`Rex "What kind of business means you have to have sex with him?"
ST "Of course, you simpleton! Did you think I would take my pleasure anywhere but in my husband's bed, with his strong arms around me?! I am not some...WHORE!"
ST "I was simply trying to convince Glorious Scales to tell me where I might find a Beast of Resplendent Fluids that produces Age-Staving Cordial!"
Xar`Rex "Did it work?"
ST "..No."
Xar`Rex "Does it usually work?"
ST "...no."
Xar`Rex "Why do you do it, then?"
ST "Because it might!"
ST "I'm so close to finding a Beast or getting a Peach. If that stupid MORTAL would just listen to reasoN!"
Myrrh "He seems to not mind growing old, he simply wants to be with you...atleast that's what he said."
Xar`Rex looks thoughtful
Xar`Rex "I can teach you some negotiating techniques."
Xar`Rex "That will not anger your husband, I think."
ST "Well I mind it!"
Xar`Rex "And maybe if you tell him about your new way, he will abandon his way too. Or... You could entertain other people together."
ST "He didn't use to be all hairy and surly. He used to be a beautiful, sweet young man with wonderful mahogany hair and the cutest little..."
ST "But now he's getting all old! I won't HAVE it!"
ST seems stunned, having obviously never considered the idea that Rivers could join her in these "unromantic business meetings"
Xar`Rex "It is done in the South often. Some families have many wives and husbands."
Xar`Rex "It is not required to marry all others, of course."
Myrrh "Well...what if WE talking to Glorious Scales?"
ST "Well...I think I may have to speak to him. Yes. You, both of you, go back to the town and bring Rivers to me."
Myrrh "I'm sure he'd listen to one of the Princes of the Earth and Xeth..."
ST turns and then halts as Myrrh mentions Xeth. "Xeth? XETH!? YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!"
ST whirls on the Dragon-King. "I didnt see you in there, you...you...MEDDLER!"
ST "But you stay out of this!"
Xar`Rex blinks and steps back, holding his hands up "It is not Xeth talking, I told him to stay out of it!"
ST "My mother may like you, but I know you've been trying to convince her that me and Rivers are a bad idea for years!"
Xar`Rex "Then why am I helping you?"
ST "Well I don't know about you but I know that crafty fire-god! And no matter how primitive and enraging my little Rivers may be, he's MY husband!"
ST storms off into her cave!
Myrrh "Oh my...uh...do you think we should go get him?"
Xar`Rex "Xeth does not like me helping you, but it is because he is keeping you from your godly rights." he calls plaintively. "We just need to convince him to let you be who you are, then they will not dislike him so much."
Xar`Rex looks deeply unhappy, and plops down on the ground.
Myrrh frowns and walks over to Xar. "You alright?"
Xar`Rex "I am ruining everything, and I do not mean to."
Myrrh "No, that was my fault. I shouldn't have mentioned Xeth..."
Xar`Rex "Even so, she would have found out. He is part of me."
Myrrh "Well Xar I think you're just going to have to let them disagree on this, you are your own person after all, even if Xeth is always with you."
Myrrh "Xeth can think what he thinks. You and I both know this is a good idea. Now all we need to do is talk to Rivers without being smacked with a giant hammer..."
Xar`Rex puts his great chin in his paws, sulking. "It is not that. They don't trust me, or Xeth. They think I am against them, and I only want to help."
Myrrh "Well you'll just have to show them both by helping them dispite their distrust."
Xar`Rex "Maybe you should go alone. I will just make things worse."
Myrrh "No, Xar, I don't think I can do this on my own. You did just fine, besides thanks to you we have a way to fix things." He smiles and pats Xar on his rocky shoulder.
Xar`Rex "Until I destroy that as well." he mutters, and sighs. "Fine, then. Do we fetch Rivers, or go talk to the lizard?"
Myrrh "Well it couldn't hurt to talk to Rivers first, we need a plan before we talk to Mr. Scales..."
Myrrh "Unless you just want to hit him until he tells us what we want to know." He grins at Xar.
Xar`Rex "Do you think that would work?" he asks dubiously.
Myrrh "Well the hitting should be a last resort. After all, I think I have a bit of leeway when talking with spirits. Atleast if all the old legends are supposed to be true..."
Xar`Rex nods solemnly. "alright, well, let's go get Rivers.. hopefully." He stands, and launches himself into the air, swooping around to pick Myrrh up, and head back, although he seems more determined than enthusiastic.
ST It doesn't take long, with Xar flying at his hurried, anxious pace, to reach the town and Rivers' apartment. Now for the third time the Dragon-King and the Solar stand in front of the peach-colored door and its pull-rope.
Xar`Rex shuffles back, away from the door
Myrrh "Alright, be ready to appologize...and...fly away quickly if we need to." Readies himself for a moment and clears his throat before pulling on the rope.
ST It isn't long before Rivers answers the door. He looks rather unkempt at the moment, with his chest bare, his pants obviously a few days without washings and his belt undone. But the hand holding his Red Jade Glory Hammer looks fully ready. His brown hair is sweaty and matted and his eyes are red and blood-shot. He smells of liquor. "I recall throwin' you outta my house last time."
Myrrh "Yes we'd like to apologize about that, that was a bit of a misunderstanding on our part...is now a good time?"
Xar`Rex "Sorry." he mutters, trying to look small
ST looks over the Solar and the sorry-looking Dragon-King. He hawks and spits on the ground at their feet. "Fine. Apologize."
Xar`Rex "I'm very sorry We insulted you, Rivers."
Xar`Rex "Xeth thought he was being kind, but he is not human, and he does not know. I am not either."
Myrrh "We would both like to voice our most heartfelt apologies. Xeth has certain...erm...opinions that we don't share."
Xar`Rex looks properly sorry
ST scratches at his chest. "Ah-huh. And I suppose you still want me to be teachin' you. That's why you're back, isn' it?"
Myrrh "Well in part. The other part was Rivers wanted us to come and get you. We had a bit of a talk earlier with her."
ST hefts his hammer, his face growing dark as angry flames dance in his eyes. His breath comes as a puff of smoke each time he opens his mouth. "I see. A talk with here, did ya have now? And what might she be wanting?"
Xar`Rex "She has.. an idea to how you can fix things."
Myrrh "BOTH of you."
Myrrh "We ALSO have a few other ideas that we're in the early stages of."
ST crosses his arms over his chest and glowers at the two standing on his doorstep. The fire in his eyes brightens to a gleam of anger as he leans forward, putting his face close to Myrrh's. The smoke from his burning breath curls around Myrrh, getting into his nose and eyes, making him have to blink to keep from tearing up. "Lead on, then."
Xar`Rex "I could.. carry you... it is faster." he offers hesitantly.
ST turns his attention to the Dragon-King and, after giving the creature a once-over, nods. "Fine."
Xar`Rex leaps into the air, and swoops down upon the men, picking up rivers with his front claws, and myrrh with his back
Xar`Rex flies them back to Crystal's cave.
ST At the Cave, Crystal's servant is waiting at the edge. It informs the three visitors that Myrrh and Rivers are requested to meet Crystal Fountains in her throne room. It does not include Xar's name.
Crystal smiles radiantly at Rivers, looking quite beautiful. "Rivers, dear, you have come!"
Myrrh frowns and then hugs the mopey Xar. "Should be fine. I can avoid a few hammers." He grins and pats the glumxar on the back.
ST Rivers looks at Crystal, still angry-looking. "What's your latest surprise, Crystal? I'm not in the mood for any more sand-brained schemes to get me to accept your vow-breaking."
Crystal "Well, ASIDE from the fact that I saw YOU with that god blood, I have come upon a grand idea." she says hopefully, and a bit smug.
ST "Better a god-blood like Heron then some lizard."
ST "Whats this new "grand idea" of yours, Crystal?"
Crystal "That Lizard was a god, not a regular beast." she says indignantly, but tries to calm herself, taking several deep breaths which set her chest heaving prettily. "Regardless. We know now that relations outside of our marriage happen, no matter how hard we try not to. But it is know n that in some parts of the world, couples, even married ones, do this with the consent of their partner, sometimes WITH their partner."
ST looks curious. "I've heard of it. And you'd do that?"
Crystal "IT seems... rather exciting, doesn't it? To share an experience like that with the one you love?"
Crystal smiles coyly.
ST steps towards Crystal and looks down at her. He offers a small smile "Maybe. Might work. But I want you to give up this foolish plan of yours. I won't have you whoring around trying to find some fake potion to keep me young."
Myrrh "It's..erm...not fake."
Crystal takes a shaking breath, "It's only that... I can't bear the thought... of losing you. Not ever. But I can learn other ways to negotiate if it will make you happy."
ST "Quiet, anathema. I don't care." He turns back to Crystal. "Well, it might help to find some that work."
Crystal "The.. Dragon King said he would teach me how."
ST "Well, that will be something." The husky Fire Aspect turns to Myrrh. "If you and your...friend can help my wife, then I'll help you."
Crystal "Rivers... send him out, will you? I think we need some time... alone."
Myrrh "Sounds good! Uhh...I'll just be leaving then..."
ST Outside the cave, Myrrh finds Xar, sitting by a small stream.
Myrrh approaches Xar looking happy. "I think we did it!"
Xar`Rex is staring at his reflection in the stream, occasionally tossing a pebble right at his face. He looks up, startled, "We did what?"
Myrrh "Well for a start they're talking and atleast a bit happy. All we need to do is teach Crystal how to negotiate without being...unromantic, and he'll teach us!"
Xar`Rex "Oh, really? That is good!" He stands, smiling, "Thank you."
Myrrh "No big deal, you did most of the planning after all." Myrrh smiles. "I think they're going to be awhile..."
Xar`Rex "Oh, is something wrong?" he asks worriedly
Myrrh "Uhh...no. I think they're going to get..uh...reaquainted."
Xar`Rex "But they know eachother." he blinks. "They have not been apart so long, have they?"
Myrrh "Reaquainted PHYSICALY..."
Xar`Rex "Oh, you mean they are mating? Why didn't you say so?"
Myrrh "Well I thought you knew what with Carmine and Corve and all.
Xar`Rex "You use funny phrases to describe simple things
Myrrh Well you know humans...
Xar`Rex "No," he sighs, "Not really. You are an interesting species, though."
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