The Most She Will Do Is Throw Shadows At You

[cain-excolo.livejournal.com]

The Mark's Ranch
Afternoon, Thursday, 23 October

Pausing on the stoop, feet from the door, I take in a deep breath.

I have not seen her since our disagreement. I do not know if I am still her worshiper. I do not know how the death of Ares has affected her.

It is quite possible that she has already left Excolo. I cannot sense her the way that, I suppose, Kaeli sense Lúgh. I have seen him, anyway. At Laurence's church this past Sunday. It was odd to see him there. A god attending the service of another god is strange, especially when the other god is touted as being the Creator, the greatest of all the gods. I have not met many gods that were comfortable knowing that they are not the strongest or most knowledgeable or the eldest.

I inhale deeply again, step forth, and rap my knuckles against the door. The breath escapes in a slow exhale as I await an answer that I do not know will arrive.


[OPEN to Eris]

[CLOSED]

Comments

[cain-excolo.livejournal.com]

The couch she sits on is far too nice a thing to be sitting upon it wet like she is. It seems the departing of her brother has led her to a state of apathy where their possessions are concerned. Granted, she is a god. It is easy to assume that she feels the item in question will fade long before she does. I hope that assumption is right.

"You are not that cruel."

[erisdiscordious.livejournal.com]

"Am I not?" I ask with a tiny wry smile. "Your little redhead seems to believe that I am. Which of you is right? It cannot be both."

[cain-excolo.livejournal.com]

My lips set into a thin line at the mention of Kaeli. She turned away from Eris and I thought she had turned from Lúgh, too. I think she did for a time. It is not an easy thing to forsake a god, even when it feels like they have forsaken you.

"I do not concern myself with right or wrong, Eris." I smile a little at her, remembering something we talked of often. "That is rhetoric best kept by the politicians and the clergy."

[erisdiscordious.livejournal.com]

"Mmm," I say and feel a smile tugging at my lips. I do not fight it too much. A part of me wishes to ask after Kaeli. She hates me, though, I know it. Sometimes I can feel it, from all the way across town. It is stronger than the little shards I receive from that Glass. "She would not be pleased to know that you are here," I finally observe. "Especially if you have designs beyond apologies and condolences. What is it you want, Cain?"

[cain-excolo.livejournal.com]

Eris smiles slightly and hums softly. I cannot tell what she is thinking, but then she says, "She would not be pleased to know that you are here. Especially if you have designs beyond apologies and condolences." I blink at her in surprise. Ture, she displays herself right here before me, but that is hardly different from her usual behavior. True, I cannot stop looking, but what man could. Well, what man that is interested in women. "What is it you want, Cain?"

I move further into the room and sit down across from her, keeping to the edge of the couch with my arms on my legs.

"To know where I stand with you, Eris."

[erisdiscordious.livejournal.com]

I give him a lazy look, like I do not care at all where he stands with me nor I with him.

"Where should you stand with me after last we spoke, Cain? And where should your apology have brought you?" I ask. I love it when they practically dole out their own punishments.

[cain-excolo.livejournal.com]

I stare at her for a moment, uncertain of what my answer may be.

"After we spoke, perhaps, no within your favor." Were I she, I would not. Lilith's presence in this town does too much to remind me of that aspect of myself. "Now? I know not where it should have brought me. Only do I know where I would like for it to have."

I slide off the couch to one knee, bringing me close to her, and I take her olive-tinged, soft-as-silk hand in my own.

"Within your grace."

[erisdiscordious.livejournal.com]

He goes down upon one knee, holding my hand in his and my heart leaps up into my throat. How I have missed him.

How I still miss him. Even taking him back, things are not as they were. He has moved on and lives now with that skila who condemns me with every breath.

I squeeze his hand slightly, a small sign of my forgiveness. My forgiveness itself is grand, but so rarely given. I nod slightly, reaffirming the action. Again he is mine, when so little any more belongs to me.