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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 3, 2019 2:17:33 GMT
"The official reason is so everyone knows where the capital building is if they need help, but... yeah, that's the real reason. We're all just a bunch of egotists here." Arnett replied. "Gotta let everyone know the biggest, best building around is where the leader hangs out, not a dinky mud hut."
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Post by Stage on Jan 3, 2019 2:20:37 GMT
Mussurana smiled, genuinely for once. "How honest of you. Though these grand, worldly things will mean only more comeuppance after life."
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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 3, 2019 2:27:45 GMT
Arnett cast a sly glance at the lebran. "We'll see if that bridge even exists when we get there. For all I know, all that exists is nothingness when I die. When you think of life that way, it takes so much stress off you. Who cares what you do if you have no religious shackles holding you down, and it's all meaningless in the end? Just live for the moment, and die for the moment."
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Post by Stage on Jan 3, 2019 2:29:21 GMT
Dark eyes lowered towards Arnett. "Girl, if you live for nothing, and die for nothing, then you are nothing."
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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 3, 2019 2:57:22 GMT
Arnett smirked. "Aren't we all that, anyways? We all are nothing in the grand scheme of things. The only purpose we have in life... is what we decide it is. You think you're doing the work of your goddess, and you'll be rewarded in the afterlife for your service. That's a fine way of rationalizing what you do, but really, all actions are weighed evenly in the vacuum of death. It's just if your subconscious had bear to live with that reality."
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Post by Stage on Jan 3, 2019 4:34:36 GMT
"It is the only reality, girl," the Rhea proclaimed assuredly. "And actions are judged in the eyes of Falajax alone. She made all creatures, but only the lebra chose to show their appreciation for it. The greatest equality she offers you is that she makes no difference between those who worship false gods and those who worship themselves."
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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 4, 2019 0:23:13 GMT
"So you all say, you and your religious types. But, if your goddess really was all that, if she truly is that powerful... then why does she need you to do her dirty work for her?"
She ran a finger down the length of the scythe blade. "Think about it. A god by all definitions is supposed to be what a mortal is not: omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. If I were to blaspheme your beloved Falajax right here and now, she should strike me down for such transgressions against her. If you were to stand back, and watch as I do every thing your goddess loaths and abhors, what would be the response? Divine lightning striking me down where I stand? The earth swallowing me up? A great big lizard stepping on me?"
Her focus reshifted to the Rhea. " No. You even said yourself you are the instrument of your god's will, which means she's either too lazy to take action, or she's nothing more than a really powerful mortal... and as such, not a god. If she really is powerful enough to create life, then I'd be the first to take a front row seat, but until then... It's just what you believe."
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Post by Stage on Jan 4, 2019 3:50:44 GMT
The Rhea had returned to scowling. "You lost your charm, girl. Now you sounds like a boran. Tell me, child, do you need to touch the stars to know they are real? To lay hands on the moon? You are unable to touch her, but Falajax is real, and she's all around you. She is rain and mist and smoke and fire. And she does not smite you because you are given a chance. This life is yours to repent, to know her, and yet you squander it. Instead, you are like the bora: you worship cities and goods."
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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 4, 2019 4:02:12 GMT
An almost maniacal cackle slipped through the teeth of the scythed woman. "Those Borans have my sympathy. They understand what is tangible around them, what they can feel and see, what they are affected by. If only all of your kind could realize just how futile grander meaning to life is. And sure, keep justifying what you can how you can. Eventually, it will all come to a head."
By this point, they had reached the entrance to the Capitol Building, and Arnett pushed the doors in. What they entered into looked more like a cafeteria than a legislative building. Tables with high seats were dotted around the room, and a few members of the guard were enjoying a very late dinner. On the far side, there was an elevator, but much closer to them were the stairs heading upward. "Our destination is the eighth floor. There, the head of Mival will be waiting behind closed doors."
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Post by Stage on Jan 4, 2019 4:12:32 GMT
Mussurana bared her teeth in a snarl thin veiled as a smile. "How amusing. You question the existence of Falajax, yet your leader hides himself. Tell me, do you deny him as well?"
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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 4, 2019 4:16:39 GMT
"There's a key difference." Arnett was quick to point out. "I've seen our leader face to face. I know he exists, because there's physical tangible evidence. I don't doubt the existence of a being named Falajax... I just don't think they're all they claim to be. Powerful maybe... but nothing worthy of the title of god."
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Post by Stage on Jan 4, 2019 4:24:23 GMT
A heat so intense it became a chilling cold fell upon Arnett's nape. Mussurana's hand, wreathed in smokeless, scarlet flame, hovered above her neck.
"This is the power of a goddess," the Rhea hissed, all formalities dropped. "Do you want to feel it?"
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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 4, 2019 4:36:37 GMT
In that moment, Arnett had reached for her scythe, and held it out. Electrical surges crackled and hissed as the air around the weapon boiled. It was a stalemate, both sides with their eyes locked firmly on the other. All eyes were on them, and the cafeteria had grown strangely quiet, except for a faint voice in the back muttering, "This is going to be good."
"If we're playing that game, then so are mine." Arnett grinned wildly. " The infidel and the godly warrior, a battle among tit-"
Arnett was cut off as a powerful wind cut between the two of them. Mussurana's hand was battered back, and Arnett's scythe nearly blown from her hand. The wind had come from a taller woman than Arnett, one with long white hair and in a pale dress.
"What do you think you're doing?! Another fight, really?!" She stormed up to the two of them. "Arnett, you've already been warned about pointless in-fighting. Why do you have to keep doing this?"
"We talked religion... I swear, it was only religious talk, then it turned into who has the bigger stick."
The white haired woman shook her head. "That's not what I'm seeing. please, stop it, before you actually die or worse."
She looked over at Mussurana, and bowed her head. "Please, ignore what she says. Arnett just wants to get under people's skin and provoke fights. I'm terribly sorry this has to be your introduction to Mival's defense force."
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Post by Stage on Jan 4, 2019 4:43:06 GMT
The intense heat radiating from the Rhea's flattened hand like a divine blade faded, and she curled it into a fist instead.
"Do not be," the lebran said softly, coldly, though clenched teeth. "It has only cemented what I already suspected. Now bring me to your leader now so that I can say my piece and leave. This building disgusts me."
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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 4, 2019 4:52:46 GMT
"Yes. I'll bring you to him right away." The white haired woman said. "Arnett, I'll take over from here, and PLEASE don't do anything else to make us look bad. We already have our hands full with dissension from all the recent incidents, and now this."
"Fine, fine..." Arnett pouted. "But Theresa, be sure to shower once you're done. You're walking around with rancid shit." The woman turned, and strode out of the building, whistling a faint little tune.
Theresa let out a slow, painful sigh, and began to head over to the elevator. She pressed the up button, and the doors opened for her and Mussurana. " I don't get her, I really don't. Every time I turn my back to try and do something, she runs off and gets into more trouble, and it reflects badly on everyone who wants to try and help out others. It's like I'm trying to keep a rabid pitbull under control..."
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Post by Stage on Jan 4, 2019 4:54:52 GMT
"Uncontrollable animals should be put down," was the Rhea only, hissing response.
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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 4, 2019 5:16:38 GMT
"That... that is a possibility many have been considering if she goes out of line again." Theresa said. The elevator doors closed with them inside, and they slowly began their ascension. " If it were up to just me... I'd have her resign, and work somewhere she couldn't antagonize anyone else, but not only is she really good on the job, second only to Micah, but a few prominent voices are keeping her here. Lillie especially, the doctor here, is the main one keeping her here. And.. her talents are still too useful, especially with the city as it is. You understand, when you want something gone or fixed, but it's too valuable to be removed?"
Theresa bit her lower lip. "I'm sorry. I'm just rambling on at this point. This entire night has been a nightmare for me, and Arnett's not helping... even when she actually does try to help."
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Post by Stage on Jan 5, 2019 2:59:47 GMT
"No," Mussurana answered bluntly. "If I wanted something gone, it would be so."
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Post by Executus Gira on Jan 6, 2019 18:31:20 GMT
"I see...." Theresa quietly replied. " I... I guess I understand."
The elevator dinged, and the door opened. To their side was the staircase that lead from the bottom floor, and to the other side was a long hallway with several doors down its length, but before them were a pair of crimson steel doors that reached the ceiling. The knobs were crystal, and the floor was made of oaken wood, different from the marble and steel from the lower floor.
"You're the first to arrive. You must be the lebran who killed the demon." the woman who was standing by the doors said. She was taller than Mussu, with snow white skin revealed past the flowing back dress she wore. Her hair was tied in a ponytail to the side, one that dragged across the floor. "I am the Master's voice. Normally, I speak on his behalf, but he's interested in seeing and congratulating you in person, but... you seem to be in a bad mood."
"That would be Arnett's fault." Theresa meekly said. " She tried to provoke her into a fight."
The Voice of the Master's eyes narrowed. " Again? It seems that rabid dog needs a lasting lesson in humility. Whatever she's done, we'll see to rectify as well as whatever the Master rewards you with."
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Post by Stage on Jan 7, 2019 7:22:16 GMT
"Then hurry and bring me to this, 'Master,'" Mussurana snapped, voice dripping with the judgement she had for that title. "I wish to ask him something."
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