As Ulfur questioned the meeting place, the mists that once crowded around the Buoy fade and dissipate, leaving only a view into the starry night.

The buoy shifts and creaks - the old boards take on a new shine, the tables are polished, stone refaced.

When all is said and done, the Buoy is like new, free from the interference of the blight.

The main area of the buoy was changed the most; it was now more like a fancy bar or cafe, with Dondarrion in the booth.

The Forgotten Buoy

It began as a slight discoloration in the floor, then grew into a swirling pool of glimmering sand. The pointed tips of two fuzzy ears poked out, followed by more ear, then rapidly the rest of a woman of small stature.

Petra glanced around the Buoy with interest as the ephemeral sand faded to nothing beneath her feet. She noted her rosy colored shadow with some curiosity, then tapped a foot against the floor experimentally. She seemed unhappy, but resigned at the result.

With her initial exploration of the space complete, she wandered towards the others, stopping a polite distance away. "Hello everyone. I hope I am not intruding. My name is Petra of the Filfeex."

".... and who spruced up the place?", Ulfur added with a tone of ... resignation, perhaps at the shifting extents of his ignorance. Spotting the appearance of the newcomer, and in particular of her off-black shadow, he stood, carefully, and glanced at his own, curious whether it would show even a hint of cinnabar. Regardless he turned to the two others, close to him, "I think she's with me. In the other Tree, at least..."

As she approached he stepped forward, "Welcome to the Buoy, Petra of the Filfeex; I am Ulfur, sometimes called Tellurii, else Karauntii; sometimes I'm a lot more ... wolfish"

Bezaleel looked at the new godling coming into the Bouy. It wasn't as surprised about its change, but enjoyed the way it felt before. Maybe he was more of a tavern type of guy.

"If Anna saw her, I think I'd lose my nickname of ears. Greetings Petra, I am Bezaleel."

It seemed the Bouy was also welcoming more from the other tree. Curious.

Turning over to Theadeacus, he spoke again, "Hey, if you ever get the free time. I've been dealing with a goddess and now soon her allies. They are on a mission to slay death. I'm handling it right now, but I figure I might let you know. Incase I end up needing a hand, or you find it within your reason. If not that is fine."

CRACK!

A shimmering silver crack appears mid-air in the buoy's reception area, sending a small shudder through the wooden structure.

CRACK! ... CRACK! CRACK!

More thunderous hammerblows on the pane of the buoy's reality. The glassy tendrils spread into a spider's web of damage, some of the cracks widening and pouring out thick gray mists until with a final crack, the surface breaks entirely. The broken shards swirl and glitter along with the gray mists, becoming a mass so dense one could practically cut it with a knife.

A shadowy, feminine form appears in the depths, visible only by its silhouette. The figure raises her arms and makes a proclamation.

"Ahhh~! After ten thousand years I'm free! It's time to conquer Taeltresin!"

An awkward silence stretches out, before a quiet, girlish, half-suppressed giggle emanates from the fog cloud. "Eeeheehee... sorry, was that too much?"

The fog cloud dissipates, revealing a statuesque young woman with silvery-metallic skin, one multi-irised eye, and another like a swirling infinite void. She has shiny black hair highlighted by seven broad metallic-silver streaks that each fade into one of the seven colors of the rainbow near the roots. There is a line down the middle of her body, and the two halves seem subtly different in a way that is difficult to parse into words; perhaps it is how they seem to both reflect different realities. She is wearing an elaborate yukata with a tight chestpiece and festooned with white roses and thorned vines. While most of the mists have faded, some wisps of otherworldliness still swirl subtly around her, washing out and brightening colors at random intervals.

It's not the Anna they remember, but it is clearly Anna. As the others take in her appearance she moves one of the roses to cover her anomalous eye, wearing it like a pretty floral eyepatch.

Bezaleel's ears shifted back. The Bouy shifted and shuddered. He could feel it, the window of reality cracking. Stand up he backed away, grabbing his kusari-gama. He would flare up in dark fire but the rules wouldn't allow that.

Looking into the mists his eyes darted back and forth, ready for a beast from the blight. Maybe a mad God?

Then his nose twitched. An all too familiar smell greeted his nose. By the time he saw the silhouette he sheathed his weapons, walking towards the figure slowly. His tail swaying in long bouts.

Teased she did, the freaking butt. The mists trailed away as he finally made it to her. Outstretching a hand he went to slap her, instead breaking the silence, "No, no it wasn't too much. You had me worried. I thought you were gone, for good. I'd given up all hope after I talked to Charon about seeing you."

His eyes gave her a good run down. Inspecting her closely. "You look good though. I like the new clothes, glad you are getting into habit of wearing them more now." he teased.

Giving her a hug, he departed resuming a seat with the spiced blood. It seemed he wasn't going to ask any questions of Anathema.

Petra nodded to Ulfur and Bezaleel. "Different tree?" She looked over the others, noting their seeming lack of color in comparison to her apparent overabundance of the same. "Ah, I see. Yes, that would explain that."

Her eyes widened slightly at the sudden noise and thunder of the mysterious portal, but, sensing no shift in the Buoy's suppression, she simply watched with interest.

"This other tree seems very... tumultuous. It's incredible really. I only just recently became truly aware of the universe outside of my own realm, and now I find that there is another whole universe besides."

She looked to Ulfur again. "You say that you are from the same tree as I, yet you appear as they do? Am I correct in guessing that you have found a way to reach the other tree?"

Theadeacus shrugged at Ulfur's comment.

"I am actually fairly well received by the Pantheon. My actions during the Battle of Noor, my sacrifice during the birth of Ophelia, and my interactions with Vex and the other Pantheon members have placed me at least within neutral ground with them. That said I would not consider them friends, or perhaps even allies now that we have lost our common foe."

Then the Buoy began to change and Theadeacus watched silently. The room was odd to him. His world was largely devoid of music so it was a rarity to hear. He listened to it more than the others around, all but missed Petra's arrival, as he found that he quite enjoyed this genre of music. All the same he turned to the new arrival, less aggressively than with Ulfur.

"I suppose I should be preparing myself for more guests. Welcome to The Buoy and I suppose an additional welcome to Taelstrin."

Then he turned to Bezaleel, his eyebrow raised.

"Slay death? They do understand that death can never be slain correct? Even I, god of death, can not stay the hand of such a primordial force."

As he finished speaking the Buoy began to shake and spider-like cracks appeared in reality. Theadeacus readied his staff, intent to address whatever came. A silhouette appeared first and he built up a rallying cry within his chest, his wings flared to take flight and pass through the veil of reality to engage whatever foes would dare...

It was Anathema. His cry died with a spluttering exhale and a confused look upon his face. He looked to Bezaleel for confirmation but only found that he seemed unfazed.

"Wait. Anathema? How are you here? You died. I saw you sacrifice all of your lives to free Taelstrin from the Blight. You should have passed to the other side. And what is this of Charon? Bezaleel you have been back to the River Styx?"

Theadeacus got the sudden impression that his old friends were keeping secrets from him.

Looking at Theadeacus, it seemed his nose gave away the surprise for himself, but the look on Theadeacus was one he wouldn't forget.

Bezaleel spoke to Theadeacus, "Yes well, I didn't think it was worth mentioning. I killed Marilla, the Goddess of Antideath after getting her to agree in a deal with me. So I went visit her soul in the River Styx. I talked to Charon for some time, and when Marilla couldn't hold up her end of the deal and I couldn't visit or restore Anathema, I killed her again. She is trying to find a way to stay the hand of death in what ever way possible despite it being a law of existence in the tree. She launched an attack on the Heart of Taeltresin. I dealt with it promptly. Marilla is on her last and final life, and all of her allies are down one. Save for the one they abandoned." he promptly explained.

Scratching his ear he felt the need to hold back some information. Mainly that he didn't want to explain it or worried how they would act. After all, not knowing wouldn't hurt... For the most part... Gazing away he couldn't really look at any of the ones he knew, "I have accepted Ophelia as my consort and companion. I also... Am expecting two more children."

Rubbing the back of his head he laughed lightly, "So uh, what's been going on with you guys though!?"

Anna cocks her head as Bezaleel approaches. As he looks her up and down taking in her newer more mature appearance, she interrupts him by leaning forward and touching noses with him. "Boop."

She smiles at Theadeacus' alarm and subsequent bewilderment. "Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me," she totally fails to explain. She lets out a small giggle and folds her hands behind her back as she follows Bezaleel to the bar. "It's quite a good tale, actually. Well... maybe not good. It's some kind of tale!"

Anna pauses mid-step. "Oh, my! Lost-and-Found! Toaster boy! Komatoa! You're all back too! And... um, hm. I'm afraid I don't recognize the two of you." Her outstretched pointer finger flicks between Petra and Ulfur several times. "Ah well! Juice for everyone! This is a great time for living, for the war is over! Yes! Eee hee hee~!"

Anna downs a pint of grape juice in one go, listening to the other gods talk among themselves for a time. Despite her good cheer a moment ago she has a bit of a gloomy atmosphere hovering over her. Her mood just seems to darken further as Bezaleel lays down what has been happening with him.

"Well, it's good that you nipped that problem in the bud Bezzy!" Anna praises him, cheer returning in a flash. "And Golden Girl's your consort now? That's... huh. I guess she couldn't stay innocent forever. And congrats on the children! You've got me three-nothing now, haha~!"

"Me? Oh, y'know... reacquainting myself with Arthos, making up for lost time, trying to figure out what my purpose is now that the blight is gone..." She sighs. "But I'm glad you're living your lives to their fullest. That's very important to do."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Sun 27 Jan 2019.

Bezaleel's eyes grew wide as Anathema pressed her nose against him. There was a pause as he gazed at her for a moment. A soft smile grew on his face as he closed them, scratching his ear, "Boop!"

Listening to what the others had to say as he drank between his words.

Rubbing his head awkwardly he hadn't really known how to deal with the situation his words brought, it seems though that the last of his news was recepted better by Anathema.

Her cheer and praise returned a smile on his face. Putting his arm over her shoulder, he raised his goblet of spiced blood to her. "For you! It hasn't been the same without, you better make sure to live yours to the fullest. Or I'll have to raise hell next time!.. Well the war is over, for now. I doubt that they won't leave the tree alone. I think you'll discover your purpose soon. If not, you are always welcome to join me, things never tend to be dull!"

"Besides, can you imagine the things I'd think up and focus on with out your figure distracting me! Poor Taeltresin." he laughed some at his own joke, then drank another full goblet of blood. Acquiring more.

Ulfur shrugged in response to Petra's questions, wondering if he could brighten his colouration or shadow simply by willing it; he glanced expectantly at his shadow as he did, then met her gaze, "Reach? I exist in both trees and one is ... perhaps ... the Dream of the other, though which is real and which the dream is unknown. When I first appeared it was as you are, bright and swirling with colours, my shadow like liquid blood ... within a short time, I became more muted, faded... Like you, I am newly come to my divinity"

His smile brightened, "Besides, it is you who had made it to the other tree; this place is within a pocket Realm of Taelstrin, not Myriad!"

When the new Divine, Anathema, appeared and a torrent of memories spewed forth from both Bezaleel and Theadeacus, he lent it towards Petra, "Each of these Gods are ancient; I know not half of what they speak of. Be wary, friend"

He bowed, when the newest of them pointed a finger and her attention both at the two of them, "Welcome ... back, it seems, Lady Anathema. I am Ulfur, called Telluri within the Realms of Taelstrin and Karauntii within the Realms of Myriad"

Anna laughs with Bezaleel. "Absolutely, Bezzybutt! After I wrap up some unfinished business in my realm I would love to visit you in Erebus, see what you've been up to, take some readings, do some science, learn some fighting from your people! They were very impressive on Noor, I'm eager to see what they can teach me to do with a staff! And of course I want to say hi to my step-niece. Is she doing well?"

The silvery goddess then turns to Ulfur. "You're from another world tree?" She asks, visible eye widening in wonder. "That must have been a very harrowing trip! I'm so glad to hear there's universes beyond our own, it would have been terribly lonely if Taeltresin was the solitary beacon of light in the dark seas of the Beyond. How'd you make the journey? Did you kill any Mad on the way? Ohhhh, you just have to let me take some readings of you!"

Anna looks genuinely excited at the prospect, bouncing from her seat and using a twisted plantlike staff to balance herself. "There's an arena on the deck where all our powers and artifacts work. Please, come!" She looks around at the other gods, but especially Petra and Theadeacus. "It'll be my pleasure to explain everything soon. The blight, what happened to me, what's on the other side of the Styx... but look at me still talking when there's science to do!"

Anna practically skips to the stairway up, only briefly disoriented by the Buoy's apparent layout change while she was laid up.

Stoic underneath Anna’s bubbly assault, Ulfur shakes his head once at her request, before she has a chance to skip off, “Answer your questions I am happy to, but let us put aside science and experimentation. For one, I understand folks round here have a habit for eating one another”

Bezaleel got up with a pip in his step after Anathema. Drinking some more of the blood, bending his back he stretched until he could look at Ulfur, "I'm the one around here who eats people. ~nom nom"

He smiled big, then went back to standing correctly, continuing to walk forward. "I only eat people who cross someone here or myself. So no worries from us."

"Awwww~!" Anna pouts, leaning forward and thrusting out her free hand with the smallest finger extended. "It's totally safe and non-invasive. I pinky swear on it!"

She glances at Bezaleel. "I've seen Bezzy here try to eat his own scarf when he gets confused. It's really adorable. But I'm a good girl, I only eat things that can't do better than rudimentary algebra. It's unethical, and Taeltresin doesn't like it, and Bezzy's made himself sick eating things he probably shouldn't so many times frankly I'm a little scared to try it even on certain goddesses I could name who probably deserve it."

Anna is quiet for a moment, then speaks with uncharacteristic (based on the last minute or so, at least) level-headedness. "But, um, if you really don't want to, that's okay. I mean, you hardly know us."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:30, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

Ulfur smiled, remaining seated at his table, and then gestured to the empty seats - only one of which had been previously occupied by Bezaleel, "Please join me... the rest of you too. I am curious enough about this situation but, as you say, let us speak before we .. ahh, probe?"

His eyes hint a little at a smile and his expression is warm enough as he adds, "Besides, you're not bristling like these two were when I first arrived, somewhat taller and more wolflike with a crimson shadow!"

Bezaleel looked away slightly bashful, "I...didn't naw on my scarf on purpose! Plus those blight really do taste awful, even compared to the flesh of the dead. Bleeh." he put a finger to his mouth mocking throwing up.

Putting his hands in his pockets he turned around, looking at Ulfur, "Aren't keen on fighting are you? I find it can leave a nice first impression, especially compared to talking. I tend to put a foot in my own mouth, so I let my actions and fighting speak more for me. Besides, we have been talking, and can continue to do so."

Putting his hands behind his head he spoke, "I'm curious to what you can do as well. I'm sure it's mutual."

Bezaleel continued to talk, most of his face covered by his scarf still. "However, I do find your brightly colored shadow off-putting. Such a place like that wouldn't be keen of the dark. Very much like a dream indeed."

"Depending on whether this Realm is the Dream or the other", offers Ulfur is riposte, "I am a smith or a skald, coming to terms with my Divine nature; I can fight, and well enough, but when there is need rather than when there is none. If fighting is your talking, then let us fight, but let us make the knowing of one another a threefold thing. We speak, we fight, and, if this realm permits it, we provide a gift for one another... be it found, or made or uncovered. Otherwise let us simply talk... and eat and drink, for that is the nature of this place"

Bezaleel raised a brow, his vortex like eyes tightened in likeness of a camera shutter, "The only gift I can appropriately give is either knowledge, souls, or some of my people as a proxy to be welcomed there. If you are a smith, I imagine you can craft items better than I can smith with shadows. I doubt your people would find mine much of a home while alive though."

"Even with so few words, we learn much of one another", offered Ulfur, acknowledging Bezaleel's adeptness where he had claimed none, "I would be honoured to receive emissaries or expatriates from your people... Our peoples might learn much from one another"

Bezaleel nodded, "My people, are those who are undead. Resurrected in death or those who gave their lives in acceptance for shadow, partaking its power and expanded lifespan. I likewise would be honored to receive emissaries. I do not wish for it to last long however, I doubt the turning of your people having prolonged exposure there would bode well. Nor do I want us to mix the other up in our mortal affairs too much."

Nudging his head as if pointing him to come along, Bezaleel turned and continued to the arena. "This is a more friendly bout. I can heal you or myself, so do not worry about injuries. Just no cutting off extremities, we stop before lethal strikes. Sound good?

"Under those terms, fair enough", standing finally and following Bezaleel and Anathema to the arena with some trepidation; newborn into his power, he would face these ancients, and he wondered how their worldviews had fared in millennia as divine

Theadeacus was shocked and stunned by the revelations of his two allies. He had to sit down, his head resting in his hands. Somehow in the years that he was gone Bezaleel's Realm had not only birthed new gods but gods that were intent on destroying death, his domain and a fundamental force of reality. He had also lain with his daughter, Ophelia, and conceived two new gods. Then there was Anathema, who for all intents should be dead, breaking into the Buoy through a literal rift in space.

Theadeacus exhaled deeply. Then again. And once more before he was calm enough not to fly into a shouting tirade.

He looked to the pair, Anathema largely ignoring the implications of her very existence, and Bezaleel who was was either blissfully ignorant of what he had wrought upon the Tree or avoiding discussing it. He continued to watch them and silently made a resolution.