Author: Dala, Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 4:18 PM, Post Subject: What is it Worth? [P/R]

She had to stay ahead in the game as Simone said. But at this point, Dala didn't know what Simone was playing at. It was dangerous to be playing games with a goddess. Something that confused the child was the tone shift of Angela. At least with Simone, it was calmer. This busty redhead seemed to flip between calmness and wrath. Her dad could have a temper as well but he was consistent about it. That was what made this woman terrifying. Dala decided to keep her distance and stay near Simone in case the busty redhead got any ideas of taking out her wrath.

If Simone wasn't going to offer her life, then what was she planning? Whatever she had would be more valuable than anything else in the world. The busty redhead said she didn't want power, money, or fame. Then what on Revaliir did Simone have to make her feel so confident? Dala cupped her chin in her hand as she tried to puzzle the whole situation out. Then…Simone offered a feather. A mixture of confusion and surprise painted the child's face. A feather?! That's what Simone was planning?! But when she looked over to the busty redhead, she realized the color had drained from the woman's face. Did this lady have a feather fetish or something? Then Simone mentioned how the busty redhead was a scholar and alchemist. Relief flooded her mind as she realized this was just some alchemist nerd looking for a rare ingredient.

Simone was negotiating circles around Angela and completed the deal, only having to sacrifice a few feathers. Dala wondered what else Simone could bargain for with those feathers. She was the only night phoenix and feathers could regrow. Then there was Simone's talent with conversation and more importantly, creating deals with finicky people. The child decided she would ask Simone for tips later.

The busty redhead finally gave in and agreed to Simone's deal, including making Dala ageless which was a fact that slipped out of the child's mind. Dala was more worried about Simone but now she remembered what the actual trade was about. Simone was glowing like the sun with all the happiness in the world and she grabbed Dala's hand, telling her about all the lifetimes of adventure and lack of worries about mortality.

Dala looked down to her feet, her mind lost in thought. Was this something she really wanted? It sounded great but… there would be consequences. If she befriended a human or anybody else with a shortened lifespan, then she would outlive them all. Humans were everywhere and if she was to follow her dreams, she would have to encounter them. But then she thought about her dad, her mom, and Simone. Her parents were both long-living and she currently was not. The day might come when she outlived them. And what about Simone? Her best friend and constant ally. A person she'd grown to trust and care deeply about. She couldn't leave her alone. But was she doing this for them or doing this for herself?

I want to experience life and everything it offers, no matter how much it hurts.

The thought was so strong in her mind and she realized it was true. Ever since she could remember, she had constantly been fighting for life. For the chance to live and experience despite all the pain it brought. Dala looked up into Simone's eyes with a serious expression.

"Yes. I want this." Dala said with all the gravity of an adult, "But you need to teach me to deal with the consequences of a long life. It's not something I've been preparing for."

She smiled then gave Simone a hug, as she wanted her friend to feel relaxed and happy. The child freed her friend from the hug then walked towards the goddess with her hands on her hips.

"Now you'd better give Simone exactly what she wanted in the way you KNOW she wanted." Dala insisted, "I don't want you to go all genie on us and turn me into a long-living toad or something equally bad. Besides…I'm too cute to harm!"

She had a cheeky smile on her face and was using humor as a way to keep the tone in the room calm and friendly.

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 8:41 AM, Post Subject: What is it Worth? [P/R]

“Always stay at least three steps ahead of everyone Dala, at least try. It’s the only way to survive. Anticipating everyone’s next move like a game of chess,” her voice was soft as her stormy eyes settled on Dala.

Angela looked towards Dala and gave a smile, “I didn’t mean it as an insult, my dear.” It was almost as much of a switch as the one Simone had. There was no anger towards the child but as soon as Angela had acknowledged her she turned her attention back to Simone and her crazy request.

A twisted smile appeared on Simone’s face for a moment and Angela recognized it from none other than Lewis himself. They truly had become one. Just what was this phoenix planning?

“My dear Dala, I promise you I have no intent on dying because if I die then Lewis dies as well. That was a part of the condition of him bringing me back… Correct? That I would act as his ball and chain?”

“Something like that. Should he fall out of love with you it will be the ultimate punishment.”

“A double-edged sword should things fall apart,” Simone narrowed her eyes now towards the goddess and tilted her head. “Still, like I said I don’t plan on giving my life for this.”

“Then… Why would you make such a request you have no way to pay for Simone? You know I don’t want power, money, or fame. You know I have all of these things already as the eldest goddess on the Conclave seats. What could you offer me?”

Simone held a finger up and was silent but for a moment, “If you were to kill me you would lose access to the only one of my kind you’ve been able to find.”

Angela immediately shot up straight and the color drained from her face, “That is ridiculous why would I care?”

A smirk formed on her lips once more as Simone leaned in closer to the goddess, “Because Lewis told me how much you bitched and moaned when handing over that night phoenix feather.” A new longer feather than the one Angela had given to Lewis appeared in Simone’s hand. The edges of it were on ethereal fire.

“And what makes you think that I would accept such a mortal thing?”

“Because above being a goddess is your damned curiousity that burns you. You are a scholar and an alchemist above all else. If you could get your hands on a few night phoenix feathers you could lead research that has been unavailable to you.”

“Even if you gave me one feather it wouldn’t be enough to pay for even the first debt and most certainly not the second.”

A bunch of feather appeared in Simone’s lap now as the house wife gave a friendly beating. “I will offer you eight of my feathers and should you need it sometime in the feather should I still be living… I will cultivate one of my tail feathers to give you… Maybe I will even cry into a bottle.”

Angela was speechless for a moment, “I would smite you but you have me pegged.” The goddess held out in her arms and shrugged as she thought about the defeat. “Fine, I will make Dala ageless and forget all the debt that Lewis has incurred with me. This is the very last time I grant such a request. You might have found a sweet spot that I have for rare ingredients but I must maintain a balance as well. Just this one time I will overlook Dala and her situation allowing her to become ageless… That is if it’s alright with Dala of course.”

Simone was practically glowing as she reached over and took Dala’s hand, “Lifetimes of adventure. Never growing old and I won’t have to see my very best friend die from old age. You may have lifetimes to work on your kingdom and you won’t have to worry about your morality any longer. Just if you get sick or hurt in which case I will always be there or here to help you find your way to safety.

Author: Dala, Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:00 PM, Post Subject: What is it Worth? [P/R]

"The main guest? Angle? Hmmm….you're up to something aren't you?" Dala said still oblivious to her friend's plan.

She stuffed a few more cookies into her mouth when a busty woman with bright red hair with a large belly entered the room. The woman talked about how Simone was ballsy and demanded a meeting from a god. Dala shot Simone a confused look. What was this all about? A god? She wracked her brain, trying to figure out which one this was. The gods weren't exactly on her bucket list of things to learn about. She just hoped that this person wasn't an enemy of her father. Dala knew that her dad had at least one godly enemy but she trusted Simone. The clever woman knew what she was doing.

"This one has a name you know." Dala said, clearly confused by the clash rising between the two.

Then the children were removed from the room. This was the first warning that things were going to get a little….intense. Whatever Simone was up to, it wouldn't be good. Dala made a quick shoo motion to the rest of the staff to leave the room, just in case. There was enough tea and treats on the table for the guests and the room was clean enough for any god or goddess. The two women began clashing thorugh polite conversation while Dala began to sip the tea, hoping this weirdness between the two would be over quickly. Then Simone told what she really wanted. Dala choked on her tea in surprise then looked at Simone in shock.

"Wait…what?!" Dala asked.

The rage of the goddess filled the room and her shout was as loud as thunder. Dala covered her ears for a moment but Simone stood as strong and sturdy as a mountain. She was braver than the best of them. Or maybe those thousands of years of death had destroyed her sense of self preservation. Still, what she was asking for was huge. Dala set her tea down and began paying close attention to what the two were saying. But when Angela mentioned forfeiting lives, the child knew that this couldn't happen. Dala stood up and looked at Simone with crossed arms.

"Simone, I won't let you forfeit your life." Dala said firmly, "You'd have to find something that wouldn't hurt you or anybody else to pay her back."

Humans lived for a short time. It was something the child struggled with as everybody else around her would outlive her. But risking Simone or any of her family was off the table. The poor woman had suffered through more than enough torture. Dala wasn't going to let her die, even if she had died a thousand times before. But…a part of her was honored that Simone was even thinking of doing something like this.

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 5:20 PM, Post Subject: What is it Worth? [P/R]

Simone smiled at Dala and nodded, “That was the plan I suppose. To find and give as many children a home as possible. You should see Lewis with them all. He ever smiles and rubs his nose on theirs.”

Nodding the woman chuckled and blew on her tea as she sipped it, “Aye, our main guest will arrive quite soon I suspect. If she doesn’t that will be a first as I’m sure she’ll want to know my angle.” The mother was quiet before shaking her head. “I just need you here. After all, this is all for you.” Her dearest friend.

The woman who walked in the room was in a heavenly dress that clung to her hips. Long red hair that went to her waist and those eyes that matched those of Arriese descent. The aura she had was vast but it was her pregnant belly that showed the most. “You know, Simone, it takes a lot of balls to write a god and demand a meeting.” Eyes lowered onto the woman but Angela moved over to what she assumed was her seat. “Have I not done enough for you Lewis and yourself? That you once more demand something else of me?”

“You expect that I would not give you payment for what I want?” Simone’s eyes lowered onto Angela. “You’ve not yet asked me.”

“I fear for what it could be,” the redhead shot back. “Will your children and…” Angela’s eyes met with Dala’s figure. “This one?”

“That one is the one this is about,” Simone nodded before the maids came to remove the children from Simone. It was just in case.

Angela’s eyes went to Everett, “He looks very happy and healthy. I chose a good family for him… but I do hope you realize that making a deal with me is like making a deal with the devil.”

“I am confident in my negotiation skills Angela,” Simone’s gray and blue eyes settled for a staring contest as the powers of the women clashed in the room.

“And just what is it that you want from me?”

“I want you to make Dala ageless. I want time to no longer affect her.” The raging tempest from the goddess hit the room all at once but Simone was cool.

“You insult me with such a request. DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR?! Men have died asking for such things. I refuse.”

Simone didn’t miss a beat as she sit to the edge of the seat and leaned over, “I do not consider you a fool Lady Angela. No, you are very intelligent and it would take something that would win your fancy for you to not only forgive what Lewis and I owe you but also to give me what I am asking for Dala.”

“You would have to forfeit your life. Equivalent exchange Simone. There is a price for all.” The goddess narrowed her eyes as her rage calmed. “But you knew that I would say that… So what is it that you are offering me? What could be so valuable that I would not only erase Lewis’s debt to me, yours and his debt to me, and also do this favor for you?”

Simone almost gave a grin as she waited for it all to sink in for Dala.

Author: Dala, Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 5:06 PM, Post Subject: What is it Worth? [P/R]

Dala hadn't seen her old friend in a long while. They both had been very busy. Dala's studies had caught up with her and she was working every day of the past three weeks to make sure she stayed ahead. New calluses covered her hands from her battle training and from using the quill. When that invitation arrived, she took it as an opportunity to see Simone and take a break from her studies. The girl wore the purple gown Simone had given her a long long time ago, as it was one of her favorite fancy dresses and she didn't want to show up in a simple tunic. Something the child wasn't expecting was the massive amounts of kids.

"I've seen you and Lewis have been busy." Dala joked, "At this rate, you'll have all the world's children. I'm really glad you were able to find so many cute kids! I'm going to want to see them all at some point."

Dala's conversational skills had improved since they last met. The child had been practicing Simone's lessons over speaking to others and other etiquettes along with everything else. There was room for improvement but she was proud of the progress she had made. Simone mentioned how that wasn't the reason for the invitation. Dala was confused, as she expected that was the reason. She took a teacup from the butler and without thinking, chugged all the hot tea. Her eyes bulged out and she started fanning her burnt tongue.

"Ack!" She yelped then looked at Simone, "A pwopothistion?"

The girl took some of the tea cookies and treats then began shoving them into her mouth, as a way to cool down her tongue and get some sweets into her belly. Her mouth was full and there were crumbs all over her skirt. She looked like a chipmunk with all that food in her mouth. Dala managed to swallow everything down when the butler offered some water. After chugging the water she looked back to Simone.

"Is this like a secret girls night or something?" She asked suspiciously, "I didn't bring anything to prepare for it."

Author: Simone, Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 4:09 PM, Post Subject: What is it Worth? [P/R]

Simone’s eyes turned to Dala who had arrived on time, “I thank you for taking the time to come see a friend.” There was a mischievous smile on the phoenix’s lips. Alshaya was in a cradle gently being rocked by Simone’s foot, Everett was in her lap he was trying not to fall asleep, and Fiori was not too far from her playing with the tiny black rabbit that she had been given.

“You’ve missed much but we’re a family of six now~ Ezili is at a dance lesson in Benin with Lewis and Lucas hides in the library. Mira, of course, is out exploring the island. She does love the island life a lot. Lucas washed ashore after being held captive by sky pirates. They had been using him as a means to steal things and wreck other vessels in the ocean. I have a feeling he stayed for Ezili…”

Simone was amused but she shook her head. “Ezili is a naiad that Lucas rescued in Jayou. She’s only a few weeks old but mentality and body wise she isn’t that much younger than Lucas. We have quite the children now… All so very different from each other… but I didn’t call you here to celebrate them.”

The butler brought in some tea and a third spot was being made up for their guest. “I have a proposition for an acquaintance of mine and it has to do with you, my dear friend.”