Salt and Sugar; A New Friendship

Folding his paws in his lap, Eritheyl Ryseni says, "But, tragic furnishings and
strange fellows aside, there is something I'd like to talk with you about that
I've been putting off rather callously."

Through facial twitches and the steady rocking of the chair, you say, "Oh yes?
We have nothing but time, currently."

Miniature versions of Kethuru dance around your head, tentacles slapping at your
face.

Eritheyl Ryseni asks, "Have I gotten to mention to you yet that I secured a
brief exchange of words with the Lord Delicious some months back?"

You spit into your hand and them smear the saliva across your face. Weirdo!

You look up into the air for divine inspiration.

You say, "Oh, He didn't mention it, no! That is good to hear. I hope it was a
productive conversation?"

You tell Eritheyl Ryseni, "// Astral insanity is the WORST."

Eritheyl Ryseni looks thoughtful and says, "In some ways, yes. In other ways, it
was one turnaround that led to another. And another after, I think."

Caressing your ear, the voice of Eritheyl whispers, "// i've never seen that
before, and i never want to see that again."

You tilt your head curiously.

You say, "How so?"

Eritheyl Ryseni looks undecided and says, "It was cordial. Hellos and
well-wishes, the usual chatter befitting a reunion. But I took it upon myself
to...apologise, as I have been mindfully leading myself to do with many others."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "I'm still not sure I like the idea of it all, but the
results have been fair. Anyways. I made it clear to Him that I wasn't declaring
my path straight back into His goodest of good graces, but rather I wished to
make up for my abandonment."

Tilting his head, you say, "Almost everyone left the Order. He was gone for more
than 125 years. Surely one cannot expect unwavering devotion despite the ages
rolling on."

Dancing and twirling, an enormous, ridiculously pink elephant turns to you,
offering you a cup of tea.

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "One could expect such of Their Avatar, and I'm twice the
letdown on that front. It isn't something I'm willing to let go of easily."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "He accepted this, but left me with a haunting morsel of
advice that I've been chewing over in various states of distress. That is what I
need your help with."

With a rueful smile, you say, "I'd forgotten you were an Avatar."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "...mmm..."

Urging you onwards by laying one hand over your own, rocking in tandem, you say,
"What was His advice?"

Eritheyl Ryseni recites, "To be sure my approach was one of pure intent, and not
convenience or comfort."

Comprehension flashes across your face.

Eritheyl Ryseni looks thoughtful and says, "There's a lot that could be drawn
from that, and I've lined up at least three distinct conclusions."

You have emoted: Sotsepmet glances away as a rare pang of guilt wrinkles his
brow.

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "The first and most understandable conclusion is that He
means my scurrying back to Him like a lost pet. If I am to seek Him, it should
be because I want to seek -Him-, and not solely because of my...feelings, in
regards to the Thousandfold these past years."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "With this perspective it is perfect advice, and advice
that any Elder should give a prospective follower. One should not wish to
present themselves as an investment without a dedication to seeing said
investment grow."

You nod your head slowly in understanding.

Careening to one side, Eritheyl Ryseni says, "...though, on the other hand!..."

A wry smile spreads across your face.

Your eyes sparkle with amusement.

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "He could have meant my hunger for penance. Is that
self-imposed sentence, assuming He is willing to forgive and begin anew without
the fuss, a selfish aim? Is it comfortable, being a glutton for my own
punishment when He should abstain from it?"

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "...it is something I have grown accustomed to, in other
flavours of service."

You say, "And the third?"

(Gaudiguch): Mboagn says, "Our Revolt scroll may need modification."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "That my wish to make undue reparations is received well,
but it should be done in a manner that reflects perfectly upon it. I should not
lean in to the usual fuss and muss of doing things for the sake, finding the
path of least resistance to -appear- sorry."

Inclining his head one way, then the other, Eritheyl Ryseni says, "Have some
corpses, have some esteem, look at how good of a follower I can be when I'm not
moping!"

You have emoted: Sotsepmet bows his head, rocking back and forth as he reflects
on the three perspectives.

With a soft smile, you say, "I think His advice is not for your actions, but for
your motivations."

You say, "I think it is also safe to assume He has or will quiz the Urchin in
what the circumstances surrounding your departure were."

You look up into the air for divine inspiration.

Eritheyl scowls miserably.

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "Yes...I was trying very hard not to think about that."

You say, "Given that is the case, and He has not rejected you outright, the
context of the question changes."

You say, "Are you hoping to rejoin the Order for comfort? Because you remember
Him and His in a time where you were happy? Are you doing it for convenience,
because the door is open and you have a seat at the table reserved for you?"

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "I want so badly to say neither, but it's foolish to
pretend both of these things fail to colour my decision. His reappearance was a
convenient excuse for breaking myself away from the Beloved, and I am comforted
to know that He could be all the things the Shofet never was to me."

With a shrug, you say, "From all accounts, He can be. He doesn't frown on hope,
or on desire."

You say, "If you do feel you need to make amends, the advice also applies to
your choice of penance. He praises Pleasure, Pride and Ingenuity, not
self-flagellation. If you use such things to search for absolution, are you
trying to show Him that you regret your decisions, or do you hope to merely
perform at repentance enough to satisfy your own idea of what makes you
deserving?"

Eritheyl nods solemnly to you.

You say, "Be honest with yourself, and with Him. What did you do to worsen the
situation between you and the Shofet? Why did you do it - what was your
motivation to do so?"

Lifting a hand, you say, "You don't need to tell me if you prefer not to, but
think on it."

Eritheyl nods again, this time with a little more vigour. "Right!" he exclaims,
afterwards pursing his lips as though he were making calculations or mental
notes.

You say, "Next, consider; are you running from that decision and its
consequences? The Indulgent are not a day spa or a candy resort - our beliefs
and passions are every bit as sacred as the Thousandfold's."

Acknowledging your point to be true, Eritheyl nods his head gravely at you.

With a poorly concealed snicker, you say, "Albeit, we are not nearly so
esoteric."

Deep in thought, Eritheyl leans his cheek on his hand.

You say, "Before a single thought towards the Indulgent begins, you must balance
your heart against the Beloved. Does it bring you happiness to remain with Them
and Theirs."

Eritheyl Ryseni looks undecided and says, "The easiest thing to consider that
you've posed yet."

A wry smile spreads across your face.

You say, "Once that calculation of the heart is complete, look then to the
Indulgent. We are not the Order you left, and Lord Crumkane is not quite the
Lord you once embodied. He is wilder, more free than once He was."

Eritheyl nods solemnly.

You say, "You have heard the new Recipe. Does its demand for Pleasure, Pride and
Ingenuity speak to you? Is it a Way that tempts you to follow it? Can you accept
the burden of our beliefs - to never steal the pleasure from another?"

Eritheyl Ryseni looks thoughtful and says, "This Recipe has been mulled over
with similarly twisty results."

You say, "Ah, well then, in this I can offer some more personal insights. What
do you think of the Recipe?"

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "I think it's lovely, more cohesive and harmonious than it
once was. Rather than exhibiting caution and preaching excess, or the inverse as
it may have been, this is...better. Easier to rally and rally behind."

You say, "Previously, He was trying to guide us mortals towards happiness in a
more roundabout way. Now, He simply shows us how, and hopes that we follow His
lead."

You say, "It was prescriptive, and now it is descriptive."

Eritheyl Ryseni smiles and says, "I like that."

You say, "He and I are still revising the advancement system, so the Order is
merely enjoying the realm and the company of new ordermates for now. It is an
auspicious time, certainly."

Eritheyl Ryseni looks undecided and says, "I have to wonder about it, though. Am
I putting the horse inside the cart, and going about things already in an
antithetical manner?"

You tilt your head curiously.

You say, "Lets step through one by one then. Are you happy to remain with the
Beloved?"

Flatly, Eritheyl Ryseni says, "No. I am not."

You say, "Then that is concluded."

You say, "Do you find personal satisfaction in His Recipe?"

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "I do..."

Tilting his head, you say, "I sense some hesitation. Explore that."

You say, "Is it an internal dialogue of worth?"

Shaking his head, Eritheyl Ryseni says, "No, not hesitation. More like trailing
off as to not appear overly confident."

Eritheyl wrings his paws, whiskers drooping slightly as he sinks down in his
seat.

With a dismissive wave, you say, "Be confident. Know yourself and be proud of
your virtues."

Eritheyl perks back up, sounding off with another "Right!"

You say, "Something you and I both struggle with, deeply I might add, is pride.
The solution, in my opinion, is not contrition or repentance."

You say, "It is to stand taller, dig deep, and prove to yourself that you are
worthy of every bit of pride. Master your art, and share it. Look at the people
around you and lift them up. Celebrate their victories."

You say, "You will not stand lofty and alone if you are surrounded by others
that are just as proud and deserving of that praise."

Eritheyl Ryseni looks thoughtful and says, "That's...huh. Is that something you
wholly subscribe to?"

Glancing away, you say, "Some days are harder than others, but when I see
something worthy of praise, I lift it up. I bowed to Thayan's superior skills
last month. I support and celebrate Meeb, even though he is precisely the sort
of young man I once would have hung from the North Gate."

You say, "I am quick to express my disapproval for petty, lazy and half-hearted
works, but I also hold those I deem worthy of such praise in high esteem. I even
petitioned Shulamit and Orventa for -cooking lessons- this year."

Bowing his head, you say, "Miracles never cease."

As the tip of his tail kicks into a little back-and-forth wiggle, Eritheyl
Ryseni says, "I have been trying, and not only for His sake or the sake of
relevant topics, to become something a little closer to my best self. And this
is great material to consider."

You say, "So; His Recipe is something that resounds with your own beliefs. You
have no Divine affiliation. You are seeking genuine self-betterment. Lord
Crumkane's Order seems to be a suitable place to further that refinement."

You say, "My advice is to have a think about all of this, and when you're ready,
seek Him out again. Commit to starting over in the new Order, and let Him watch
your growth."

With a soft smile, you say, "Tearing apart arguments of morality is something of
a personal speciality. How fortunate that it has found a use in my new life."

Absently, Eritheyl Ryseni says, "You really have become something else, huh."

Eritheyl pauses for a second, a slight frown upon his face.

Shrugging and shifting uncomfortably in his seat, you say, "It's... a process. I
refuse to give up everything I was, but some things simply must change."

Rambling, and rather bluntly to boot, Eritheyl Ryseni says, "I loathed you.
Openly, fervidly, honestly just really hated everything about you. For as looong
as I could remember, to a certain point. And what's worse is that less than half
of another half of that was probably your fault."

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

You utter a deep, rumbling laugh.

Patting your hand, you say, "I would have killed you given the slightest chance,
dear. I hated you deeply and fervently for daring to stand nearly so tall as I
did, and for getting to close to everything I wanted."

Openly smiling, you say, "I nearly died of apoplexy when I found out you'd
become an Avatar, while I still laboured in the Outer Circle, writing all the
scrolls but still being held in relative obscurity."

Continuing to rock in his chair, you say, "At least now I can consider that, for
some of my life, I may not have been the unassailable titan of perfection that I
imagined myself to be."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "That's one thing you probably don't get about it all,
though!"

Eritheyl Ryseni laughingly says, "You were even better at hating someone than I
was. That was probably the single most infuriating thing, the ineffable grace
and manicured...just bullshit. I couldn't find a single thing to even call you
on, and I actively tried for a long while."

You have emoted: Sotsepmet blushes maraschino red, mouth fluttering open for
just a moment as though genuinely flattered.

Attempting to compose himself, you say, "I assure you my dear, it was the study
of a lifetime. Flawless control was a requirement, as I was the Prophet of the
Weaver."

You have recognised Eritheyl for: The most beautiful compliments Sotsepmet has
EVER received. Bless you, you beautiful bastard.

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "Was, was, was. Can we talk about the beautiful irony of
what is?"

A wry smile spreads across your face.

You say, "A different kind of Prophet these days."

You have emoted: Sotsepmet tilts his head towards you, considering you with a
contemplative grin.

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "My way to His side was some work of otherworldly fortune.
I knew I wasn't as devoted, as charming, as willing to serve in the ways that
mattered at their core. Maybe my disgust for you in the last days was really
more an expression of my secretly realised inadequacy."

Eritheyl Ryseni looks undecided and says, "And this isn't -just- flattery, this
is a rare moment of lucidity. Take notes while you can, as these thoughts will
never exist again beyond this point."

A wry smile spreads across your face.

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "But things have a way of working themselves out, don't
they? So here I sit, stewing in the same inadequacy. And you are just as you
were then. The truest representation of Him, or at least doing your damndest to
have it become so."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "That, is the beautiful irony of it all."

Eritheyl Ryseni smiles broadly and says, "And I'm just so happy with it."

Eritheyl consumes a red jelly steak leisurely, seeming to enjoy every bite.

With a little wince, you say, "Well, the attempt is there. I've had my head up
my nethers, and let me tell you, it's hard to extract with the horns."

Eritheyl plants his fists against his waist, puffs his chest out and offers a
deep, hearty laugh.

You say, "In a lot of ways, I'm no closer at all."

You have emoted: Sotsepmet exhales contentedly and closes his eyes in the
rocking chair.

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "But you are who you are, and where you are, and I find
both of those things sit rather well with me in this day and age."

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

You say, "I'm glad we can do this. All these years, and you've always been one
of my most bitter rivals. It's obvious we'd be close friends if only we could
drop the rivalry."

With a chuckle, you say, "And woe to the fool who thinks he can stand against
us."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "A pity this conclusion is past a century overdue. We
could've been an unstoppable force, given different roles and circumstances."

You ponder the situation.

You say, "I think my descent without His guidance was inevitable."

You say, "I walked away from literally everything in my life, except for one
man, to be with Him. Imagine my dismay to be left with nothing after all those
years."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "It could've been different, all of it. Maybe if we'd all
just been better to one another, we could've all seen it through together."

A wry smile spreads across your face.

You say, "Unfortunately, you were talented, and I was a bastard."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "I was lucky. But the Fates have more than made up for
that in the long run."

With a dismissive wave, you say, "Bah. You have a spouse and similarly talented
children. I am still a sour old viscanti."

Eritheyl Ryseni looks skeptical and says, "That's all remarkably lucky too, I
should mention. Truthfully I don't know how any of those things came to pass, I
didn't work for much."

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

You say, "We're all older and wiser for it now."

Eritheyl Ryseni says, "I'm sure in some delectable timeline, the three of us are
here raising a toast to our various legacies. All those things that could have
been."