Upesdārgakmens
6 Brujames, 333
Fate
The temple had been bustling upon their initial arrival, and a special, highly important ceremony was underway... so, seeing as how there would be no one available to answer any questions, they resolved to come back at another time.
Now, with the star sheep only just beginning to go out to the great dark pasture, the last of the golden spring light now more purple than orange, Daina and Janin make their return (after, of course, Janin double-checks to ensure that Slavina will be okay while she turtles). As much as they weren't that crowded before, the streets are now much emptier, colors saturated with orange firelight and a gray twilit glow. There are still people at this time, and open shops, and other commerce, but now the fountains' trickle can hold their own in the pulse of the town and the occasional animal call turns the activity from murmur to slight din.
The temple, too, is considerably quieter, though still lit. The cloak of night appears to have tempered the proceedings. It is mostly an open plaza, near the river, with a pool at the center and all manner of wind chimes dangling from the plaster arches that surround the place. There is only a slight breeze, which sets off a tranquil-sounding scale, and in chords too.
Daina
Daina is curious about the special ceremony but it's likely they can ask about it when they return right? She once again expresses her thanks for the company on the visit, expressing that he should feel free to speak up if she... miss steps. Smiling as they make their way back. "Is it weird to think 'hey I want wind chimes at any temples for me? I mean .. seems ... conceited to imagine I'll even have temples, just cause of who my mum is" her words trail off in a bit of question, her song a quiet one to hopefully not be overhead saying a rather... strange thing like that.
Fate
Janin's eyes roam the temple. "I'm... uh... the wrong person to ask."
Daina
Daina points out "don't you.. deal with the gods I mean like wouldn't you be one of the people to ask?" Her own gaze still checking the place out looking for maybe a priest of this god?
Fate
He searches for a moment, an air of heavy uncertainty around him. "That's—I don't—how would I know something like that?"
There are a few folks attending the temple, in some kind of special raiment, too. Many of them seem likely candidates, although the likeliest might be the gentleman with the medallion over his chest.
Daina
Daina gives a faint shrug "dunno.. though I guess I should know... but I wasn't thinkin' bout any of that when I was home so.. yeah" she checks out the attire of the others present, though being careful not to out and out stare. "Heh maybe I can get Slavina to help me ask the spirits later.. if she's up for it.. " a faint tinge of concern in her voice and something left unsaid perhaps dangles on the end of her words.
Fate
After a moment of Daina standing there, watching, Janin glances at her, then to the folks moving about, and then asks, "Are we... waiting for something?"
Daina
Daina looks over "Oh .. uh .. no , I don't guess so.." she sort of tries to judge if the medallion wearing fellow seems busy if not she'd make her way over to a reasonable distance and clear her throat softly before greeting them with a cheerful "Hello"
Fate
The gentleman—an older fellow with a well-shaped beard and mustache which seems to float around his face like a gray cloud—tilts his head, narrows his eyes, and hesitates for a few seconds before saying, "Pardon?" in Kalba.
Daina
Daina winces "Oh.. right.. " she looks to Janin and smiles with a request on her features, a slight tilt of her head towards the gent.
Fate
Janin and the fellow have a brief exchange (with Janin working very hard to politely avoid staring at the man's brazen beardy display), and then finally Janin opens the floor to Daina to ask/say what she wanted to ask/say.
Daina
Daina wants to scruff the fellow's beard very badly but is controlling herself. Gold star behavior right? Daina smiles and gives a little thanks to Janin before turning her attention to the person she's wanting to speak to. "Hello Sir, I was hoping, if you have a moment that is.. to learn about your patron and lovely temple here?"
Fate
The man glances around briefly and then nods, his posture settling.
Daina
Daina smiles warmly and clasps her hands lightly in front of her. "Great" she pauses and tries to figure out what questions to ask. "Do you have a .. pantheon a .. group of Gods that he's part of? Does that have a name?" pausing. "If you had to describe him in a sentence to get across what he's about what might you say? What sort of animals does he favor, does he like any certain foods?"
Fate
The priest blinks a couple of moments, then chuckles, bewildered. He regards Janin directly, says something, Janin responds, and then he looks back to Daina, occasionally glancing back to Janin reflexively. "Bangpūtys is a god... as are the other gods." A bemused air settles about the priest. "They are gods. I fear I know not what to say. He brings of waves and storms, is father to the four winds, and to a daughter whose tears we honor with our necks and ears and ankles and wrists. We offer him goats, pigs, sheep, birds, mead, or wine, depending on the occasion."
Daina
Daina keeps her smile but feels a little frustrated. She didn't know what to ask it seems or.. they didn't know much about their God beyond .. some basics. She pauses a moment and then questions if he's part of any of the groups she knows of.. asking about the gods of Bakersfield and well any others she's heard of or read about.
Fate
The priest considers this question for a moment. And then he says, "I don't know if any honor Bangpūtys in Bakersfield, but I suppose there's no reason to believe they don't."
Daina
Daina nods a little bit. "I see I see" She hums a bit "So would you be glad for a more... hands on approach, if the hand was really nice?"
Fate
Janin forgoes translating for furrowing his brow. "Um... can you clarify what you mean?"
Daina
Daina hmms "well like.. it seems as if Bangputys doesn't really do a whole lot.. and I'm wondering if the people here prefer inaction from their gods, and if so that's only because of a .. 'no news is good news' point of view" .. "make sense?"
Fate
Janin stares a moment at Daina, searching. Finally he settles on, "No... ?"
Daina
Daina frowns a little and looks... uncomfortable. "Oh... um.. well nevermind.. it's fine uh.. " she looks to Janin. "er can you think of a ... a good question so I don't feel like I wasted everyones time" she rubs the back of her neck and then lowers her hand and tries to look less sheepish.
Fate
He glances at the priest, murmurs something in Kalba and faces her directly, not impolitely leaving the priest out with his body language. "Well... I don't know. That depends on what kind of information you're trying to get."
Daina
Daina considers "ah .. I just maybe want to find out.. what people want in a God, how .. you know if I do live and well things go ok.. how can I help people who will need me be .. happy"
Fate
Janin simply blinks a few times, processing this. Then he takes a deep breath and tries, "What is a god, Daina?" It's an earnest question. Even so, he stops and reassesses, rolls back some. "I mean... what do you think a god is?"
Daina
Daina's brows furrow a little "I... it's .. my family, we take care of the .. everything.. "
Fate
At this response, Janin turns to the priest, says some more things, and then the priest nods and heads away. Janin turns back to Daina, guiding them out of the way with his movements. "So being a god means being part of your family?" Judging by his tone, he's clearly dubious about his question's merit. But he lets it stand.
Daina
Daina pauses "um.. I think so.. but I'm not sure about this guy" she furthers. "Not all my family are Gods so I guess probably not all Gods are exactly my Family..." Her brow furrowing more as she makes faint .. squirmy face and huffs out a sigh.
Fate
Janin bobs his head, indicating that makes sense. "Okay, so what is a god, then?"
Daina
Daina hesitates a moment "We're the Priests of the Universe.. we keep order and we're .. like um.. like the older family of mortals.. we try to take care of them and show them how to be good."
Fate
"Okay." Eyes skyward, he considers this a moment. "So you want to know how to be a good priest."
Daina
She considers " yeah ... that's close enough I think"
Fate
He's silent for a little while longer as he steps out of the plaza. The chimes have fallen mostly still by now. Then he asks, "What does a priest do in your family?"
Daina
She calls a farewell to the priest and thanks him before following Janin out. "well do you mean a real priest cause we don't have one.. who would we pray to.." she frowns a little and a piece of a picture sort of slides sideways in her mind. "Maybe the family that's gone .. maybe we pray to them.. Mama brought them offerings and was quiet there.. people pray quietly a good bit.. " she reasons aloud almost to herself.
Fate
Janin moves to an out-of-the-way place, not too far out of reach of the temple, still inviting Daina to join him with his posture. "Okay, so what does a priest of the universe do, then?"
Daina
She hums "well .. it seems to me like we take care of the mortals and the world and the stars and all that out there.. oh and of the dead ... "
Fate
His eyes search the ground. "So..." They come up. "It sounds to me like the ones who can best teach you how to be a good priest of the universe is your family."
Daina
She nods some "well probably but also... they live far away from all the .. things here.. the dirt and blood and sweat and shit .. they do their .. job .. and well it's a really small .. window.. you know, like .. they can act in an area like... farming say.. but they don't see when they mess up or don't act.. and family starves or something.. or they.. don't care about it I'm not even sure." She frowns "I wasn't sure what they did or how they were looked at by the people here.. before I left and I didn't know they had these.. jobs.. well save a few exceptions.. So now I mostly know what the people who worship them might ask for.. and how cocked up it is the way it may or may not get answered. "
Fate
Janin listens, intent, brow furrowed. Occasionally he rubs the edge of his hand over his upper lip. "So you're saying that you think they've been assigned jobs and that they're falling short?" Another earnest question, like he's trying to sort things out.
Daina
She frowns as she didn't mean to sound .. like that. "I .. no it's not.. it's more like .. I think they can't see the picture so well from where they are and they make choices for their jobs based on the far away picture and someone should pay attention to the details you know.. so .. that people always have.. hope so there are enough good things in a life so that people don't give up and they don't have room for that I think.. in the big picture they have to work in.." she shakes her head and smiles a little embarrassed. "I .. ah I'm rambling... I probably sound more crazy than usual"
Fate
"It's hard to keep up," Janin admits. Still, he considers her further, rubbing his upper lip some more. "But it sounds like you want to make everyone happy, as a priest of the universe. Is that what you're saying?"
Daina
Daina nods and then pauses as she grimaces "Ok well not everybody all the time... it just can't be .. perfectly easy for every person ever .. but.. as much as possible without.. throwing the Universe off.. "
Fate
"Okay." Something about him squares, settles into place. "Well, I don't think asking a priest about his god will help you figure out what'll make everyone happy. You might figure out what makes him happy, but that's assuming his god is what makes him happy." Janin offers a sympathetic press of his mouth. "I'm not sure what would help you, really. I think if someone found the secret to happiness we wouldn't be having this conversation."
Daina
Daina presses her lips together and her face screws up a little for a few moments. "You're too ... right" she seems to almost be complaining. She rubs her hands over her face trying to relax the unpleasant expression. "I'm not sure why I'm even thinking along these lines.. I might die before I even do what I need to, or maybe I'll do it and die doing it.. that'd be.. .. well it might make some sense."
Fate
Janin is caught, dropping back into uncertainty. Then he ventures, "But you might not..."
Daina
She smiles a bit at that "I mean hey maybe not.. I probably should just go back to focusing on the mission.. other stuff .. when we get there right?"
Fate
Apparently he's still caught. After a while, though, he says, "Sorry it didn't pan out... D'you want a hug... ?"
Daina
She smiles bigger and gives a nod. "Sure!" SQUEEZE hug "thanks you've been a big help"
Fate
He grunts under the force of her hug, then strengthens his own a little more. "I'm glad."
Daina
She snickers faintly at the grunting "ah c'mon you're not that fragile are ya?" she releases him "you gotta toughen up if you're going to go around offering hugs." smiling still and apparently letting go of the serious topic for the time being. She needed to process.
Slavina
That evening, back at the inn
The sun has set, but only just - golden twilight filters through the air, and through the gaps in the sauna's wall-boards. These ghostly waterfalls of light filtering through the steam provide the only source of illumination save for the glowing red coals that heat the sauna stones.
Slavina rests in the corner, eyes closed, shimmering lines of her tattoos mimicking the shimmering lines of twilight. She takes a deep breath, exhaling a river of steam (among other things), and lifts another dipper of water.
Daina
Daina excuses herself when they get home and heads towards the advertised sauna. Studying the outside of it to see what's what as far as towels or what. She decides to go for the towel option, she can always remove it. Strippin' down she wraps up and ducks into the sauna. Surprised to see Slavina there she pauses. "Umn oh hey.. you mind company?" she questions letting the steam out as she keeps the door open.
Slavina
Slavina is silent for a minute, frozen in spite of the heat. Finally, the velvet of her voice unfurls very slowly: "No." She tips the water out of the dipper, where it hisses and spits on the coals.
Daina
Daina smiles a little and steps in fully closing the door behind her before finding her own spot to sit, not retreating into a corner but not crowding Slavina's personal space either. She closes her eyes and takes a slow deep breath in through her nose, out through her mouth.
Slavina
The streams of sunlight completely fade to darkness before Slavina interrupts the silence (with anything other than the hissing of steam, that is). "Did you learn anything at the temple?" She asks.
Daina
Daina had relaxed back and her eyes were half closed when Slavina speaks again. "mm?" her brows arching before she processes the question. "Oh.. uh... sort of?" she mutters. "Mostly that talking to strange priests isn't really going to help me figure out what I wanna" she murmurs, with that tiny edge of complaint again.
Slavina
"Mmm?" If one could hear eyebrows raising, it would be heard in this hum.
Daina
Daina smiles faintly and her gaze fixes on the heated rocks. "hmmn well.. I .. was trying to figure out .. how to .. you know do the Goddess thing.. once my mission is complete." she chews her lower lip. "Thank goodness for Janin by the way, came in very helpful for all the talking."
Slavina
"He's good at that." Slavina stretches and then lies flat on her back on the bench, with her feet resting up on the wall since the bench is to short for her full height. "The goddess thing?" She asks. "Isn't a goddess something you are, not something you do?"
Daina
Daina shrugs "I don't know.. I mean it seems like a .. job title you know.. you get the ability to do the things and you do them for the plan of the universe to move forward.. I think..." Her brow furrowing as she shakes her head and takes another deep breath. "I think I'm better off just .. figuring out the mission and then see if I even live through it."
Slavina
She rests her hands on her forehead, then changes her mind and instead finger-combs back the hair plastered to her face. "Is that how most of the gods you've met do it?" Slavina asks. Her voice is a little hoarse, a little deeper than usual. "Hm. You probably use the word differently than I do though."
Daina
Daina makes a slight face that might be heard in her voice "I .. don't know really... I mean I saw M'antín do her job some.. " she would then explain what she'd seen on those trips if she hasn't told her before..
Slavina
Slavina whuffs in acknowledgement. After a bit more quiet she says, "The stones could do with another scoop of water."
Daina
Sitting up she reaches for the dipper and pours it over the stones. "I know Nala Ro did a lot of growing things and I saw that back home, but not in the mortal world."
Slavina
Slavina turns her head to the side, so she's facing Daina a little. In the dim light, her eyes are like dark glimmering slivers. "Do all gods have jobs?" She asks. "Or, rather, is a being without a job not a god the way you use the word?"
Daina
Daina ponders a moment and tries to figure that question out. Her brow furrowing as she rubs her lower lip. "I .. don't know actually.. but I mean .. I think they all do.. I didn't but I wasn't old enough... maybe?" she frowns and pushes her hair back a little from her face. "I wish I'd known what questions to ask when I was little.. but who knows if I'd even remember now after all"
Slavina
"I see." She nods. "Is Frankie a god?"
Daina
She shakes her head "No.. at least I don't think so.. Babushka with the smoking mouth has many shadow wolves.. and he's one. She gave him to me to keep me safe.. "
Slavina
Slavina makes a small confused/curious noise, and scrunches her eyebrows together. "So... when I talk about gods, there being others like Frankie doesn't change whether or not he's a god. I take it for you it does?" She props herself up on one elbow, back facing the wall.
Daina
She pauses "no it's not that he's one of many it's.. he .. he's part of a goddess I -think-" frowning a little. "or a part of her pack.. " her nose wrinkling and her brow furrowed.
Slavina
Slavina slides herself back to an upright version of sitting. Then she catches her balance a little, and scoops up another ladle of water - this time to drink. She drinks a second ladle, and stands. "I'm going up to our room, do you want to stay or come?" She's not ending the conversation - this is simply a quick diversion.
Daina
Daina hums "yeah.. I can come along." she murmurs as she rises and as she exits the sauna she heats up herself just a little so she can dry off more quickly. Grabbing up her clothes, carrying them up to the room.
Slavina
Slavina douses the coals with the remaining water and throws on her shift before exiting the 'dressing room,' in order to comply with Baltijan sensibilities about public nudity. "What you call a god sounds very different from what I call a god." She says, as they head down the hall. "I'm not surprised the priest couldn't help you, although I'm sorry it turned out to be a waste of time."
Daina
Daina hums softly, still in the towel so decent as far as she's concerned. "What do you call a god?" she questions curiously. Bare feet quickly covered in dust she has to stop and wipe her feet before they head inside. Quickening her steps to get back in pace with Slavina.
Slavina
Entering behind Daina (after also wiping her feet), Slavina closes the door behind them and after a moment's thought, slides the privacy curtian shut over the windows. After a quick toweling she starts re-dressing from the pile of clothes she left on the bed.
"It's about the power or... size... a spirit has, although that's not very precise." Her voice comes out muffled by the robe over her head. "For example the difference between a leshy and a forest-god is only one of magnitude, not of nature."
Daina
Daina hums softly considering that. Using her towel to pat any parts that didn't get dry though most are already fine. Dressing in a top and underwear at least before sitting on whatever she's sleeping on. "Oh I never thought of it that way.. I guess that I was born big?" she questions uncertainly.
Slavina
Slavina shrugs as she fastens her belt. "Maybe? You're bigger than most people by a long shot. I'd certianly call you a god, but you're a lot smaller than the biggest gods."
Daina
Daina chuckles a little bit and playfully questions "Is that a short joke?" before she shakes her head a bit. "Weird.. though.. I hope I can.. get bigger.. if I'm meant to I suppose. The seed is pretty important.. " her brow furrows. "Have you seen the seed, like in between?"
Slavina
Slavina snorts a little laugh. "Believe it or not, no. That was not a short joke." She grabs a handful of earrings and starts working them back into place one at a time. "What, ever? I saw it that one time..."
Daina
She hmms softly "I mean you know how you see Gods as big ... is the seed big?" she questions.
Slavina
She takes a pause to gather her words, which grows into an uncomfortably long silence as she tries to find a way of answering Daina without resorting to poetry. Slavina breaks the stillness and silence by putting in her last earring. "The seed is immesurable."
Daina
Daina's brow furrows a lil bit again and she then nods slightly. "Yeah that .. makes sense" she smiles some. "Heh I can't wait to show you The Aspen, it was really impressive without seeing the spirit size."
Slavina
Slavina's face smoothes into a polite fiction of a face and she works her brain back and forth a bit. "Sure."
Daina
Daina tilts her head. "You do want to come visit me when I go home right? If I get to.."
Slavina
"I...." Slavina looks down at the floor. Takes a slow breath. Looks back up at the mirror as she replaces her neclackces and smoothes out the cracks in her voice. "No. Not really. It... I think it would be too much for me."
Daina
Her brow furrows a little before she nods "oh.. well ok.. but if you change your mind" she smiles "open invitation"