An ivory palace ruled by one Mi'ehna Orr, existing in a pocket dimension not unlike her father's dimension Moren Aiga. It is a peaceful place, lush with trees and springs, waterfalls and streams, and the castle itself is like one gigantic garden. The ruler of this place doesn't frequent it all the time, as she wanders quite a bit.

---

Niven Archive

Raufante

---

Felina's still in a pretty good mood when she appears on this world, looking for Ai.

As Ai had previously mentioned, the planet's decor has a decided 'post-life' influence since she became an undead. As a rule, the architecture is more angular, a bit more gothic in design, and has a more serious feel than the pleasant scenery of before. However, in the flora her bubbly side is more than evident. Flowers of every size and color bloom in neat patterns marred only where the keeper of this place has allowed them to grow wild.

Ai's energy signature is apparent in front of her palace, beneath the thick canopy of a centurian oak tree.

It's not far, so that's where Felina turns her feet. She smiles when she sees Ai, and bows her head. "Good afternoon, Ai."

Radivishe Moorn's only child glances up from her reading at that voice. When she looks at Felina her face is practically skeletal; sunken eyes, protruding cheekbones, worrisome pallor, and so forth. 

"Felina, good afternoon!" She smiles, and with that smile her face fills out again, returning to that of the attractive quarter-Dumen she used to be.

Felina smiles. "Mara said something about your wanting to see me?" Felina and Radivishe Moorn share an equal gift for small talk.

"Did she tell you what we talked about? About the gaming commission?" Ai gets to her feet,smoothing out the skirt of her not-so-elaborate sorceress robe. Today it is aquamarine in color. 

"Mm-hm." Felina nods, holds out a hand to help Ai the rest of the way up. "It sounds like an interesitng prospect, to be sure."

Ai accepts the help most gratefully. "I was hoping you and your children would compete. Mara said she'd love to, and some of the representatives from the commission looked very strong." Her dark eyes flicker with their white, undead glow. "Would Dewei play, you think? I know Ting would."

"You're right...and Dewei may if his sister will. Also depending on how busy your father is keeping him."

Ai grins at that. "Father, as strange as it sounds, is wrapped around my little finger. He will let me borrow your handsome little man for a while, I think." A sense of ease descends over her as a rain cloud does the midday sun. "I thought I might ask your pupil Makyon to come, too. You know, these are good will games, too. There will be no bickering or attempts at anyone's destruction. And of course, if there are, there are you, Mara, and father to deal with it quickly."

"This is true." Felina nods, thinking quietly for a few moments--she's gotten slower about things like this in her old age, and is much more prone to the conscientious pauses that had already been so characteristic of her brother--and then smiles. "Well, you certainly have my blessing in guilting or embarassing my son into competing, if you like. I'll get ahold of Ting and also talk to Makyon...is there anything else I can do?"

"Do you know anybody who might like to play, too? I have to confess that my social circle is really limited. And you're invited to play, too." She holds out her hand, the one that had been beneath the papers she was reading. It, unlike the rest of her, is almost entirely skeletal.

"Mmm...I think I'll leave the runny-jumpy stuff to the kids this time, but thank you." All told, part of what makes her an effective authority figure is that she seems infallible. Any event she lost would hurt that, for no real gain. "I'll ask around, though. I know a few good potential candidates." She smiles, and nods.

Ai smiles that pouty-smile of hers that mocks as much as it praises. "I'd appreciate that. I have scheduled a gathering of the participants in a few days... on the moon up there, Raufante. They just have to show up."

"Okay." Felina nods. "What's 'a few days,' more specifically, so I know what to tell people? Also, which events are going going to be held?"

"It's all on this," Ai explains. A sheet of paper is thrust towards the construct, detailing dates, times, and so forth. "In four days, at the stadium on my moon. The games are old style for the most part... running, javelin toss, wrestling, hand-to-hand combat, an obstacle course, that sort f thing. All brought into the modern age, but the how's are a secret."

Felina looks over the list. Nods. "Fair enough. Looks like this will be interesting, then."

"Would you mind if I asked Dewei myself?" Ai poses the question as would a whipped daughter asking for seconds at the dinner table. Any excuse to talk with Dewei is a good excuse, as far as she can tell, as she does so love the way his ears turn red.

Felina grins at Ai's manner. "Of course not. He enjoys your company, anyway. I don't doubt that you'll be able to get him to agree even if Ting can't get away for this reason or that."

"I hope for both. As much as I want to see what Dewei is capable of, I think Ting would be more fun to watch. But... yes. I think I will head over to Istan Aiga now, and ask. Father will want to be there, of course, though I'm sure he won't play."

"N...o, I'm sure not." The pause had been only momentary. She's been about to say "not unless he can get some excuse to legitimately beat me up"...but that wouldn't really help things. Felina smiles. "Alright, then. I'll see you later, Miss Ai, and see what I can do about rounding up some more contestants for you."

"Thank you again. By the way..." she looks at Felina's hair and outfit, which still bear the visual results of her work with Orrin that morning. "... you smile a lot, now. Hubby must be fantastic." And she fades away, bound for Istan Aiga, leaving a giggle floating across the breeze behind her.

Felina's cheeks colour just slightly at that, but her eyes are soft, and faint smile genuine. Yes...that he is. She loves him with all her heart, too. She steps back off towards Helantri Deru, pondering what to do first.

---

Ai reappears a while later, in the only small room within her palace. Her private study is lined with bookshelves and is cozy, not cramped, though decorated strangely these days. A jagged chair is hers, and the desk itself is black despite its cleanliness.  A center table bears a stark white pitcher full of hot coffee, the doing of her living home.

Dewei appears a moment later, looks around. "I like your new area rug, Miss Ai. It's very nice."

"Thank you! I am trying new things with the place." She sets out a cup of coffee for herself, and one for Dewei, before taking a seat on her side of the desk. "Dewei, what do you think of sporting competition?"

Dewei smiles, and nods. "Thank you." He wanders over to "his" side of the desk and cup of bitter dark stuff. "They're interesting. I've never actually participated in one, but Spot has...they're fun to visit now and again, to be sure."

Ai sips her coffee, amused at its inevitably too-bitter-on-the-first-sip taste. "Would you like to?" she inquires of him once her lips unpurse.

Dewei blinks. So he's slow on some things. "Like to what?"

"Participate in a sporting competition, dear." Ai's smile perks a bit, but she elects not to tease him about it. "Your mom and aunt are helping me assemble a roster of players. If things go well, there will be a set of good will games hosted on the moon," she points through a convenient window, "... yonder."

"Oh..." He glances up that way. The moon's just very visible. "Well...what events will there be, Miss Ai? I'm a bookworm; hardly the strongest fellow around."

Ai grows very serious at this. "Dewei, do you remember that Drianis fellow, who was here a while back? His pure strength made father look like a simpering little toad by comparison... but he had no idea how to use it. How to tap into it, even for simple things. I am positive that you could have beaten him in a fight, just because you are so intelligent and in tune with yourself."

Dewei manages an embarrassed smile, and scritches his hair. "That is a very generous analysis, Miss Ai. But...in a friendly competition of physical strength, there still would not have been much to watch."

"There would be you," Ai points out. "The competitions are based on ancient games. So there will be wrestling, track and field, swimming, et cetera. Dewei, you don't have to play, if you don't think you would enjoy it, but... I hope you do."

"Well..." he hesitates at her tone. "Well, track and field events may be a possibility...I mean, my sister and I can do nothing if not run and jump." He smiles a bit, and nods.

Her expression brightens measurably. "There will be games for the mind, too. Riddles, perhaps a labyrinth..." She runs her finger through her hair, tugging gently at it. Symmetric strips of her hair have gone silver in the last week, and no amount of concentration can change it. It bothers her, but she sort of likes it. "How is Ting, anyway? I haven't seen her lately."

"She's been back with the Derrias...working and training. And complaining certain superior officers." Dewei smiles, happy both to be talking about Ting and the fact that she'd mentioned mental type games being involved. At least he'll lose those less quickly.

"You know, I spoke with Mara-kuru the other day. This is why I was thinking about Ting... they have so much in common. It's very sweet. Dewei, is your coffee not right?" She tilts her head over a little bit, noting his full glass.

"Oh...no, it's very good, Miss Ai, thank you." Dewei smiles, nods, and sips at it. "I'm just absent-minded. And...yes. Mother has poked Ting more than once about whether she's really Mara-kuru's daughter, and the birth thing was just an elaborate set-up." He smiles.

Ai chuckles to herself when he sips the coffee. She's about eighty percent sure that Dewei doesn't like coffee and only drinks it to favor her, but keeps that quiet. "If you decide to play, would you... hm." She looks to one side, and the other. "Would you wear a token of mine?"

Dewei's a little taken aback at that. He does colour a little, but manages a smile after a moment, and nods. "It would...be my honour, Miss Ai."

Her smile bears a cut-off laugh, as though she wished to laugh but felt to do so would be too much. She reaches up to her neck, her fingers playing at the vine-and-flower choker she had grown and set in her own garden. The blooms are blue, though similar to daisies in shape. A flick of her fingers breaks the clasp, and a moment later her pale hand holds the accessory out to Dewei.  Her eyes read with humility and, perhaps, a touch of embarassment.

Dewei is positively thrilled. Keeps it under control--gentleman and nerd that he is--but is still beaming like he's trying not to as he takes the token. He bows his head. "Thank you, Miss Ai. I will...try not to disappoint you."

"You have already succeeded, Dewei." She smiles, but then down at the table. "I think I need to be alone for a while, dear... would you care to talk to Father about this for me?" She needs to rest, and that means allowing her undead features to show. And she would rather un-die and die than show Dewei that.

"Certainly." Dewei nods, and stands up. Smiles. "I think that Dreamer is searching for you, anyway."

"Isn't she always?" Ai's left hand is already graying, and so she folds her arms. "I will see you later, eh? Go on, Dewei, before it gets awkward."

Dewei grins a little, nods, bowing his head a moment halfway through, and then vanishes back for Istan Aiga.

Once he's gone, Ai lets out a long breath. Her skin grays, eyes sink a bit into her skull. Spider-silk gray infects her hair from root to tip, and her lips pull back somewhat. She lays her chin upon her bony hands, sighing quietly, as Dreamer comes charging into the room and leaps onto the table.

"Oh... there you are," she greets her cocomonkey dog, who sniffs her most appreciatively. She pats its head. "At least you will never be repulsed by me. I have treats."

---

Of course, it hadn't occurred to Dewei before coming here to think about what he was going to say. He almost never shows up uninvited, and never without good reason on those occasions. Um...has Moorn's permission. Right. The athletic events. "Miss Ai...?"

Ai had been feeding Dreamer in her enclosed garden when Dewei appeared. Instantly the grasses shoot up to cover her sunken skin and skeletal figure, hiding the fact that she looks more and more undead from him... she thinks. Dewei had probably seen, the way her hair hangs gray. 

"Don't look...!" It's a plea, more than a warning.

Dewei blinks. Doesn't look, but, picking up on the tone of voice and maybe still recovering his normal amiability after the fight...doesn't competely turn away, either. Only his eyes stay aside. "Ehm...are you all right, Miss Ai?" His stomach feels...tight.

She's trying to restore her appearance. Trying, but during these lulls it is next to impossible.

"I just didn't expect you so soon," she answers, not really lying so much as not telling the truth. Dreamer yips. "Dewei..."

The grass falls away, and Ai lets her eyes rest upon the serinian hybrid. "What can I do for you...?"

Dewei's in much the same "not really lying..." state as she is. "Well...I wanted to tell you that I got your father's permission to take some leave to participate in the games, so that should not be a problem." He smiles a little. He's an open book, but at least he's smiling.

Her manner brightens a little at his strength in the face of... a beautiful girl turned walking corpse. "Thank you... it means a lot to me, Dewei. You don't have to look. It isn't permanent, my curves, my color, it will all come back. It always does." There is a trace of uncertainty coloring her voice, however faint.

Dewei tilts his head a little, thinking for just a moment. He's a decently smart kid. He can connect the dots. Stays silent for a measured moment or two more, then shakes his head. "Miss Ai...you are incapable of being unnattractive. Undead or otherwise."

Dreamer yips again.

"When I have lips again," Ai answers him, "I will thank you for that." She looks back down to her garden floor, at Dreamer. "I'm going to meet some of the competitors and their trainers, in a while. If you like, you could come along?"

Dewei kneels to pat Dreamer. "That may be interesting, Miss Ai. I am curious to see what sorts will be participating."

The little beast thrives under the attention. Ai talks to Dreamer about Dewei quite a bit, and so, Dreamer does not mind heaping the attention.

"That would be nice. Oh. Could you tell your father that I would like to see him, too?" Ai tilts her head over a little bit. A hint of color has come back to her flesh, though that means little. Her degeneration will likely last all day.

"Oh...certainly." Dewei nods. "May I ask what it pertains to, so that I know what to tell him?"

Ai smiles... which is actually sort of terrifying, as it bares her vampire fangs and a fair bit of her gums. 

"No. Just that Ai wants to seem him."

Dewei just grins that "sure, whatever y'all say" smile of his, though--really, Ai's appearance only bothers him marginally, though he'll get used to it quite fast, he's sure--and nods. "All right. I can do that. Is there any particular time preference on this? I think he's actually free now, if you have the time..."

Her smile fades instantly. "Do you think your father ought to see me like this? I don't think even your mother knows, and I am sure that she might object."

"Well..." Dewei thinks on this a few moments, folding his hands behind his neck. It actually hadn't occurred to him. "I don't know what he thinks of the undead, to be honest. It's just...never really come up when they weren't trying to...you know...eat us." He smiles a quirky sort of smile. "I really don't think that mother would object, and he'd be laid-back about it whether he really was or not, though I can't promise he wouldn't be surprised..." when he's babbling like this, he's just thinking aloud. Finally finds his point, though, and looks to Ai.

"But, I think what's most important is that you're comfortable." He smiles, and nods once. "If you're not comfortable with my parents seeing you in this state just yet, then that's important. We can grab him later."

If she had full lips, Ai would be chewing the bottom one about now. Of course she's uncomfortable. For hundreds of years she has practically been a vixen, and now she is a husk. It is disconcerting.

"There are things I ought to tell you, Dewei... besides my appearance, that is, that make me uncomfortable." She looks up, guiding her eyes along the sharp-looking beams of her garden. "Urges. To build my home as I have, for example... this creepy architecture. Last night I spent hours creating a strong box, like you would store something magical in, without really knowing why. And my powers have magnified since this started. So many things that make me uncomfortable are happening now that I suppose one more wouldn't matter."

Dewei's brow creases...from straight concern, though. His eyes are soft and sympathetic. "Well...life has a way of...changing you, along with it. You are who you are, Miss Ai...I don't think you're losing that. There's just something else that's a part of you now, that you're trying to figure out the only way you can." He wants to hug her. Doesn't dare.

"You're really very good at making me feel better, Dewei." She turns away from him, a little smile starting to form on her skeletal face. "You know, the change is only partial." She lifts her hair, showing her neck to him. The back of it is just as it ever was... rune-inscribed, cream colored skin. "It does give me hope. Listen... come back in about seven hours, would you? I apologize, but I want to be myself for you."

"It's fine, Miss Ai." Dewei smiles, and nods. "Just...let me know, however you like, when you'd like to see my father, and I'll see what I can do, all right?" He smiles. "I'll...see you later, then. Feel better." Not physically, of course. Pats Dreamer one last time, adn turns to walk away.

"Alright. Farewell for now." Ai turns back to Dreamer, to provide some much-sought-after petting. She wonders why Dewei had actually come back, and just what she had done wrong for fate to grant such disgusting timing.

That done, Dewei just heads back to his room in Istan Aiga. To think, and to work on some projects.

---

It's well before the requested time when Dewei gets back...and he's feeling more than awkward about it, fingering the pommel of his sword agitatedly. It's a nervous habit he'd literally learned at a young age from watching his mother. "Miss Ai...?" He requests quietly. "I apologize for the early intrusion..."

A rose-tinted skeleton is sitting in Ai's flower-chair, a bloom of nectar sitting in its hands, untouched. "Dewei," it greets him, its wavering voice certainly Ai's. "I told you not to come back for seven hours. I did not want you to see me like this."

Dewei's eyes linger on her a moment, but he bows contritely and immediately. "I...apologize, Miss Ai. You're still you, so please believe me when I say I don't mind, but I do apologize for going against your wishes. I..." ...was worried about her. And talking to much. "...Makyon...had an idea. About this. But, with your permission...I do need to find a certain energy strand for reference to start."

"Knock yourself out. Just... leave as soon as possible, would you?" There is nothing angry, or accusing, in her voice. Just the reluctance that so suggests her hesitance in letting him see her in such a revolting state.

Dewei smiles sheepishly, and nods. "I...do apologize, for making you uncomfortable, Miss Ai..." He notes quietly as he approaches her. He's walking on eggshells, but that's not an unusual state of affairs for this particular fellow.

"Please stop apologizing, Dewei. Get on with it? What do I need to do?" Ai's voice is controlled, and even. She's pretty damned creepy right about now, though.

Dewei's a bit embarassed at that, but nods. "Right. Well...will you picture where the malefactor bit you, Miss Ai...?"

The skeletal eyes flicker down deep in their sockets. An image floats across the psychic spectrum, flickering in its reluctance. The bite of the malefactor had been tiny, a trifecta of venomous pin holes in the skin of her left leg. What larger wounds she had at the time had obscured them when Felina saved her back then. Specifically, the holes occupied a quarter-inch space just above her knee. In fact, if Dewei were to hazard a look at her skeletal form he could see a traingular mark on the bone where the bite had been.

He's quiet for several moments, eyes very focussed on something not visible. He blinks, and they return to normal. He doesn't need to touch or get closer...which is just as well, since Ai most certainly wouldn't be comfortable with that. He smiles. "Thank you, Miss Ai. That's all I need. Hopefully...if Makyon's right...I can help fix this." He smiles, nods, and turns to leave, since she isn't comfortable with him being here.

"Wait... what are you planning?" Concern dominates the tinkling tones of her voice. "I don't want you doing anything that might get you hurt..."

"Well. I'm not positive yet." He looks back to her, then away when he decides that whatever he says it's btter he doesn't embarass himself by letting her see his face when he does. "But, you're unhappy. So, anything's worth a shot, right?"

"Not if you get hurt on account of me. Dewei... whatever you are going to do, please, ask my father for help. He will help." Ai's pleading is awfully like her father's. It has that distinct 'this isn't a request, and the longer I have to ask you the farther my foot is going up your ass' quality.

Dewei's not oblivious to that, and has to grin at it the littlest bit. He'd grown up with his mother, and knows how to read her well. Ai and her father aren't so different...it's just comfortably familiar. He looks back to her again, smiles, and nods. "I'd planned to, Miss Ai. Thank you."

"Good luck, then. Please do not risk yourself, alright? And if you can help me somehow... when I have lips again, you may kiss them. If you like." She turns in her chair, dismissing him in a manner also common to her father. Apparent indifference.

Dewei turns very red at that. Tries to say somethign clever...about six time...and finally just shakes his head dumbly. "Ehm...hopefully...it will work. I'll...see you later, Miss Ai." And he vanishes back towards Istan Aiga.

---

Dewei is timid again this time he appears, this time from a different kind of nervousness. He's listening ahead psychically first, looking for moods and some indication of what he's getting into.

Dreamer is yipping agitatedly, standing just outside of Ai's bed chamber doors. They stand open, though the cocomonkey dog stays well away.

Ai is leaning over her dresser when Dewei arrives. The deep red of bare muscle tissue is all that covers her skeleton... her eyes, curves, and hair have yet to grow back, and she stands in a pool of the blood that runs unchecked from her body. 

Dewei stiffens at first....cringes, actually, before taking a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Ehm, Miss Ai..." he offers quietly, trying to not startle her....I guess tht's a good sign, but...we need to see about getting my mother's spells reversed to complete the restoration process..."

Ai squeaks. An image, hastily constructed and thus mostly without color, of herself winks over the bleeding mess she has become. "Dewei, you have to start warning me..." Her voice is skewed, as she has no lips to enunciate properly. "This means that the malefactor is dead...?"

It is, along with much of the Aurian Marsh. Radivishe Moorn does not take chances, it seems, where spiders are concerned.

"Yes, it is. Your father is still cleaning up so that there's no chance of its coming back."

"Then, if your mother is about... I really, really want the pads of my feet back." She looks at him, still pouring blood at her feet. "I don't think I have the strength to transport, though."

Dewei nods, though still cringing a little at the blood. "I'm sorry, Miss Ai...I didn't know it would be like this. And...of course. Here...I'll help you, if you'll allow me...?" He steps towards her cautiously.

"Don't touch me..." she steps back. "Please, Dewei. Anything... just dont' touch me..."

Dewei stops, brow creased just a little. He just...doesn't know what to do. "Would it help you, Miss Ai...?" he finally inquires, quietly. "That's what's most important, isn't it?"

Ai is quiet, painfully so, for a few moments. At last she extends her arm, even her image cringing at the blood dripping down from it.

Dewei smiles the slightest bit, but is very careful to not make a big deal out of it. He's asolutely focussed on not cringing at all at how it feels to touch bare muscle or the sticky wetness that runs down his own wrist night immediately...and he doesn't. Just nods reassuringly, and smiles his usual smile after a moment. "Right. Come on...let's see if we can't get you repaired, huh?" And then they're both bound for Helantri Deru.

---

Ai returns home, appearing at the doorway to her inner sanctum. She smiles as her fingers run over its smooth surface. It is a fine ruse. The wall here, directly beneath a clock her mother had given her early in her life, is nothing more than a perpetual illusion with only the weakest of shields maintaining its rigidity.

Ting follows behind. She's kind of curious, but mostly just glad for the distraction. "Hey! It's...uh...a wall!"

"How very perceptive of you, Ting." Ai raises an eyebrow at her. "Tell me. Are you fond of stars?"

"Yup! Why?"

The wall fades away. Inside is blackness, though it is far from dark.

"Follow me." Ai flows inside, walking along a barely visible path that is plenty wide enough to prevent missteps. "Look." She waves her arms around in a dramatic motion, pointing all around, at the suns, stars, solar systems and nebulas that fill the darkness around them. Planets whirls about in their tiny trajectories, stars revolve around other stars in an astral opus of color and light. "It is accurate, I assure you. Down to the last asteroid."

"Oh, wow." Ting's eyes widen. "It's...beautiful, Ai!"

The goddess nods. "I think so. I always loved the stars... hm. Though in fairness, I suppose my species sort of demands it. You can look anywhere you want from here, anytime. For example... let's find Makyon, shall we?" She lifts her hands and points to a specific solar system, and the entire surrounding starscape zooms in to showcase a single planet, Helantri Deru. "If you can feel for where he might be, this would be easier. Could you?" Even as she speaks the view rushes planetside, to a bird's eye view of Felina's house.

"That is too cool," Ting nods, grinning a little for the first time in awhile. "Umm...I think he's in the trees next to the south end of the house." She nods.

Ai zooms again. Pans to the right. "Ah, there... hey. Isn't he supposed to be in training?"

There, swinging pleasantly between two trees in a homemade hammock, Makyon lies just sort of gazing into the sky. He doesn't even look sleepy, just restful.

"At least he isn't peeing. That would have been...awkward." Ting nods, and snickers. "And...yep! Yep he is." She grins. "Good times to be had by all when mom's busy, I guess."

"I wonder what he's thinking about, with that dreaming look on his face?" Ai takes a moment to call for some flower-chairs for each of them. "Sit. Let's spy on him for a bit, until he does something interesting." She does, and kicks off her shoes. "One thing about being a goddess, is one never takes for granted a total lack of foot odor."

Ting wrinkles her nose, and sniffs the air. Blinks. "Hey, that's kind of nifty," she laughs. "Mine aren't bad, just because not wearing shoes helps a whole lot but...yeah. Can't claim that." She laughs. It's actually a pretty laugh. It doesn't come up often, but she did manage to inherit the entirety of a female dumen's vocal capability. It's a detail she enjoys quite a lot when looking for male company.

Ai glances at her, eyes a bit wide. "Is that your real voice?" She tilts her head this way and that. "That... huh. Do it again!"

"Huh? Oh..." Ting grins sheepishly, a touch embarassed. "Mom says I get it from my dad, because it's certainly not from her. And, well...you know. Construct. Nothing hidden in her genetics."

Ai looks back at Makyon. "It is pretty. So Ting, dear... we have not had much chance to talk yet. I know your mother fairly well, and Dewei, even your father, but not you. So." Her chair turns, to face Ting. "Feel up to a chat about yourself?"

"Well...okay." Ting smiles. "Fair enough. What do you want to know?"

Ai looks again at Makyon. "You sound just like your mom, when you say that. Just... expound, my dear. Tell me about yourself, if it does not make you uncomfortable."

Ting grins sheepishly, baring her not-quite dumen, not-quite serinian fangs. "Hee...yeah. I guess I do. I guess that's good, mom's said more than once that she thinks she somehow bore Mara-kuru's illegitimate child. Hee. Well...I don't know where to start. I'm a member of the Yeliuran Derrias. It's kind of fun. I'm really low-ranked, though. But it's still fun. I can beat up a lot of my commanding officers." She grins. "Doubly fun if they're really big on keeping their uniforms all tidy." Yeah, she's talking about one specific guy here.

Ai grins at the thought. "Not one for rank and file, are you dear? So what do you do, exactly, as a Derrias member?"

Makyon yawns, and sits up on the hammock, looking lazily about.

"Grunt work!" Ting snickers. It's clear now why she snickers a lot. Her full laugh catches a lot of attention. "Low-ranked, you remember. I mostly help building things inside of the base. Most magical, some not. And train. A lot." She nods. "I've gotten a lot stronger since signing up.

"And your specialties?" Ai is distracted for a second by Makyon stretching and yawning. She was hoping for a hammock-fall, but no luck. "Oh look," she points, "he has a tramp stamp on his back." Sure enough, one of his many tattoos , situated at the base of his spine, reads "TRAMP" in Common characters.

Ting blinks, and cracks up. "Heehee...that's awesome! I wonder how long I can call him a tramp before he catches onto why?"

"Hey Ting," Ai ventures, a wicked little smile coming onto her face. "I will bet you supper that he was not awake or voluntary when he got that. What do you think?"

Ting wrinkles her nose, a wicked little grin crossing her face. "All that I can say is...no bet." She laughs. Real laugh again, if it matters.

Ai practically melts at that sound. "Just so pretty," she coos. "Do you suppose Felina would be uncomfortable if one of us borrowed him? Hypothetically speaking."

Ting blushes a little, but shakes her head. "Nah. Not when she's busy anyway. She'll hold him responsible for any slacking." She grins. "And he deserves that anyway, no?"

"You cannot train all the time." Ai tilts her head a little. "Your mother does seem to think highly of him, though. If the new outfit means anything, anyway." Pauses. "I still wonder why he stayed on. Granted, he has much to learn from Felina. But now he lives as a student in a place where everything goes wrong twice a day, at his 'age'... but I am rambling."

"Nah...and, I don't really know. I think he just wants somewhere to be, and a purpose. He has those by staying with us. Also, this way he gets to try to make you and mom blush. Hee. And me, but not so much. He doesn't trust mother to not kick his ass if he got too fresh with me."

Ai tilts her head. "At least he is honest with his rampant flattery." Pauses. "Speaking of eye candy. Does Ting have a harem?"

"Ooo...no. Aunt swings that way sometimes, but I like guys."

Ai chuckles. "Oh, I did not mean that, but thank you for clearing it up. I meant, of men."

"Well...kind of." Ting grins mischeviously. "Only two of them have ever gotten anything to show for it, though. But they're oh so fun. They're like little puppy dogs." She laughs. "That's when the voice thing comes in handy."

"I am sure! And what sort of tricks have you taught them?"

Makyon stands and walks, none too rushed, away from their field of vision. Ai moves her hand, however, and catches back up with him as he heads towards his preferred self-practice area.

"Oh, drink buying, door-opening," the half-dumen names these off on her fingers as she goes. "Floor scrubbing. Hee. That ones's fun. You know, if I'm supposed to be doing something, all I have to do is say how tired I am, in the right tone, and then it magically takes care of itself. Whee!"

"Ah... I wonder if I could get Dewei to scrub a floor..." Ai was really thinking out loud, there, but doesn't correct herself. "Ting, that does it. You must turn that man into your personal maid, as I don't believe that your power is so great."  Actually, she's just bored.  "What do you think?"

"Who, Makyon?"

Ai nods thoughtfullly, watching Makyon beginning to put himself through his paces.

"Hm..." Ting wiggles a bit. "I dunno. It would be kind of tricky, just 'cause he thinks of me as a kid and also because I'm his master's daughter. But...I accept your challenge, lady!" She grins, striking a dramatic pose.

"Well," Ai smiles. "what are you waiting for?" She can't help herelf, though, and when Ting poses she snaps her fingers, sending the sound of a drawing sword ringing through the air.

Ting laughs. "Yay! Hmm. I guess nothing, huh?" She grins. "I'll see you later, then...we can come back here again, though, yes?" Purdy.

Ai smiles softly. "If you keep it secret, yes."

Ting smiles. "My lips are sealed! Wait." Blinks. Puts a hand over her mouth. When she pulls it away a moment later... "Nwww mrww mrrr." She nods. Translation: "now they are." And they are.

"Silly kitten," Ai mock-scolds. "Fix your face, dear. You look like a work of abstract art."

Ting takes a deep bows. "Mrm m'm!" and she scampers off, back down the path where they'd come.

Ai sits back. The image rushes outwards, returning to the panorama of stars. "There," she whispers to herself, "that should distract Ting from Mara for a while."

---

Ting's ears flick when she appears on Niven Ai, feeling for Ai.

... who is lazing, floating in one of her various ponds. She's wearing little, but then, this is her private home. She might be asleep, or meditating, though, as her mental faculties are sort of inactive.

And, thus, Ting trots off that way. She makes sure that her steps are audible enough, though they wouldn't normally have been, to announce her approach. She sits on her feet next to the pond. "Hi!"

Ai's eyelids flutter. "Mm? Ting?" She looks around. And then leans up on her side and elbow, still floating on the pond. "Hello!" She yawns, and smacks the surface of the water to send some spray against her face.

Ting grins. "Wakey wakey! And, your dad wants to talk to you too. I told him I'd tell you if I saw you. But he's kind of not in a good mood, so I magically happened to see you really fast." She nods, and smirks.

Ai nods slowly, thoughtfully. "Well... I should give him time, then, Ting. Father is unreachable when he is sad, which happens so infrequently that I dare not try a new strategy against it. So. Swim?"

"Hee. I may take you up on that, unless you magic the water cold just to make me jump, soon. I think Yoru--that's the lady in my Aunt's body, I guess her old body now, seeing her is what got your dad really worked up--left Makyon on Istan Aiga, so I guess I should give him a ride."

Ai blinks. "Pardon? A... Ting, that was fast."

Ting turns very red at that. Almost Dewei red. "I mean, I ride home! Geez, and I thought that Iscovis dude was pervy." She snickers.

"Oh," Ai smiles. "I just saw you kissing him, is all. On my dastardly viewing device."

"Hee..." Ting's blush remains. "That was unexpected. Though I don't know that he was serious about it anyway. He expected me to slap him. Speaking of which...hm..." she scritches her chin. "I do need to think of ways to boobytrap his various beds, just because I promised I would."

"Start with the hammock," Ai chuckles. "I'll bet he was, though. It seemed to me like taking advantage of an opportunity presented. But... now that you are here, how is Ting? Nevermind how calm she is about my spying on her."

Ting actually laughs out loud at that. "I should remind you just how psychic my family is. It's not that we consciously spy on each other, but...we're just always vaguely aware of each other by default. By the way, did you know that it's creepy to know that your parents are in the next room doing it...even if the 'next room' is a wing away?"

Ai facefaults just about the time she breaks the surface of the water with a graceless splash and flailing of limbs. She combs back up a second later, of course, sputtering.

"Ting, I spent a thousand years trying to force away the notion that my parents ever did anything like that, anywhere, ever!"

Spot grins her big-eyed, perky-eared "sweet innocent kitty" grin. "I just gave you something to keep you busy for the next...millenium. You're welcome!"

"I think I might be ill," Ai complains. "Ugh... so, psychic. What were your impressions of this Yoru?"

Ting scrunches her nose a little. "Well...I'm kinda not sure, to be honest. She seems nice enough, she does. Doesn't know a lot, since she's been around all of a day and all...but she learns really fast. I mean, scary scary fast. There's also something...mm...I don't know. It's almost like she has another sense or something. I can't put my finger on it. It's a little creepy. She is nice! But that's still a little creepy. Mmm..." Ting ponders. "Oh, and she seems to not like the oddest things. She doesn't like flowers, and she really didn't like it when Makyon kissed me. Like in an 'eew, yucky' kinda way, not in a jealous one." Ting nods.

"I was watching that. I was also watching the way she interacted with your father... I think you ought to watch her closely, Ting." Ai swims over to the edge, lays her arms on the earth. "She likes you, though."

"Hee. Well...that's good! And what am I watching for, exactly...?"

Ai reaches up, playing in the sand with her fingertips. "I think she might fancy him."

"Hmmm..." Ting ponders this. "Well, maybe I'm idealistic and all, but I think my dad fancies my mom! But...she can be distant sometimes, like now...and he is a guy...so yus, I'll look, thank you." She grins. Doesn't really expect a problem.

Ai draws a broken heart in the sand.

"Ting, it is not your father's fidelity that concerns me. He and your mom have gone through too much for goo-goo eyes to intervene. I worry that Yoru is not stable enough yet to understand, and with that underlying dark side everyone was so fond of discussing... you understand."

"Ahhhh...right, more of a concern." Ting nods. "Alrightee! Hmm...why did I come here again?" She blinks.

"Probably to swim with me." Ai grins. "But you said you needed to help your boy toy..."

"Oh, yeah!" Ting laughs, and gets to her feet. "We'll have to swim together later!" Ponders this. "And I really must tell Creepy this, just to make him cry." She snickers. "See you later, Ai."

"Until then, dear." And I pushes off to float again, eyes closing, the absolute picture of serenity.

And the much younger creature poofs off towards Istan Aiga.

---

A could of days later, Dewei appears just inside the building's entrance, feeling for Ai.

"Out here!" Ai is sitting on a flower-chair outside, enjoying the misty, chill of morning. She's still wearing her sleeping clothes, which basically consist of a comfy looking fur gown - Ai would never harm an animal for its pelt, but a perk of being a goddess is manifestation of material things - and bare feet. She wiggles her toes at Dewei when she sees him. 

Dewei smiles at her when he approaches...just manages to keep himself from cooing. God, but she's cute in bedclothes. "Good morning, Miss Ai! Did you sleep well?"

"Phenomenally, yes." She stands up, and doesn't waste time with pleasantries before moving in to embrace him. Ai feels that they've grown close enough for that. "Did you?"

Dewei smiles, and is more than happy to hug her in return. "I did, thank you. It was rather nice being in my old bed again." He grins. He hasn't spent a night away from Istan Aiga in awhile, unless on a task or errand of some kind for Moorn, which certainly didn't have him at home.

"I am sure your bed is wonderful," Ai whispers to him. She steps bac a bit, eyeing him appraisingly. "So, want to see what I have for you? It is a plant, again, but not something to make you see spots."

Dewei blushes a touch...but, it's slightly more comfortable, after last night. He smiles, though, and nods. "Sure. You have me quite curious by now." He laughs.

"Good," Ai notes with a touch of mischeif, "that makes the payoff all the better." She stoops where she had been sitting and picks up a smallish tree sapling in a planter. It's not very impressive by tree standards, though is conspicuous in its silver blooms. "This," Ai proudly announces, "is an Yggdrasil. Do you know what that is, Dewei?"

The mutt tilts his head. "It's very pretty. Outside of that, I'll play the ignorant boob."

Ai beams. He's so cute when he does that.

"An Yggdrasil is a World Tree. Practically unique... the seeds are priceless to pantheons around the universe." She holds it out to him. "What do you think?"

"Now that you mention it, I have heard the name 'World Tree'...how big do these grow, Ai?" He's quite curious, and genuinely interested...touches one of the buds lightly with the back of a claw. Interestingly, this is actually much safer than doing it with a finger despite appearances, since there's no oil transfer.

Ai's features sparkle with interest. "The size of a whole world, Dewei. A whole set of physical planes... an Yggdrasil grows so big that only those who planted it can remember that it is a tree. So huge that it encompasses nine separate planes, all interconnected from top to bottom."

Dewei whistles softly, and smiles at Ai. "That's really amazing to think that it starts so small...and would explain why even I've heard of them." He grins, though it's not without a sense of wonder...and fondness. "Where did you come by this, Miss Ai?"

"Well... you've seen my gardens." Ai places the tree on a stone, and her voice is that of someone who adores the subject matter. "I purchased this seed for a song from a man who had intended to be a super villain type, but fell in love with someone and could not bear to hurt her, even indirectly. I furnished them with enough funds to start a life together, and in return, he gave me this. And I wish to share it with you." She grasps gently for his hands, eyes fixed to his with a piercing, enveloping gaze. "Dewei. Will you be my king?"

Dewei is taken aback, of course. And he's not really sure what she's asking. But no matter what she means, the answer's certainly the same. "Nothing would make me happier or honor me more, Ai."

Her eyes fill with tears, odd rose-hued crystals that slip down her cheeks at even intervals. "We should speak with your parents. This is... a grand thing for sure." She hugs him again, lets her touch communicate the euphoria his answer gives... even though she's pretty sure he has no idea what he's just agreed to.

Dewei just smiles, and holds her. He elects to not ruin the moment by asking. There's just too much energy in the air for that. Whatever it is, if it involves being with Ai...that's just fine with him. He can admit ignorance later.

Ai tightens her arms around his neck, moved to the core of her divine soul. "My father would be proud, you know. Building a whole universe before your first centennial, Dewei." She looks at him for a second, and kisses his cheek, leaving a mark of evergreen lipstick -magically applied to her lips just now for the sake of reminding him of this afterward - that smears only a little.

Dewei smiles brightly...although that's for the kiss. He finally grins. "Alright. So, fill me in on this 'universe' bit?" He thinks she knows he's behind, anyway.

Ai pulls back a little, holding onto his hands. "Well... alright. I have already scouted an empty dimension for the world tree. We plant it together, you and I, in small piece of earth that I've already placed there. Over time it blossoms and grows enormous, galaxy-sized. This is why they are so rare, Dewei... they are the essence of genuine Creation. I want to bring people there... and I want us to rule them, as king and queen." She knows that spelling it out like this might make him have second thoughts. After all, it is very nearly a marriage propsal, at least in wording. She gazes at him hopefully, begging whatever god watches over the divine to keep him from changing his mind.

Dewei considers this quietly as she speaks...the fact that it very nearly is a marriage proposal burns into his mind. That part...is wonderful. "Ai...that sounds...wonderful. But...I honestly don't know if I'm cut out to be a literal king." That's actually the exact worry. He's always been more or less straightforward, but Radivishe Moorn has broken him of a lot of his habits of dancing around issues.

The goddess turns a warm gaze upon him. "Oh, Dewei, it would not be so much matters of state as... mm. How familiar are you with your grandfather's world, dear?"

"Do you mean the one he settled his gardens on," barren, except for his estate, "or Earth?"

"Earth. Take me somewhere we can sit together, Dewei, and talk." She squeezes his hand. "I want to try out your lap."

Dewei grins at her. "Like you'll really have to do much convincing?" He laughs...thinks. Then, they're off for Raufante.

---

Clean, smelling faintly of honey, and dressed in a fetching, mint green and black skirtsuit, Ai awaits Dewei with baited breath and racing heart.

For his part...the other mutt actually has the common sense, for once, to clean up and tie his hair carefully, and he's wearing a better-quality jacket than his usual one. His limited armor has been cleaned up and shined. Twenty minutes can do a lot when you're an Ono. He smiles when he reappears in front of Niven Ai...catches her a breath a little. She really is beautiful. "You look wonderful, Ai," he vocalizes, smiling as he walks up to her.

"You said it before I could." She's... breathless. He really does clean up nicely. He looks... noble, like his family name suggests. "I like your hair like that." The goddess is dumbstruck. She cannot imagine where they might go with him looking like that. "So. Are we to talk to your parents, then?"

Dewei smiles. "Sure, Ai, if you feel up to it. They're both around now. I think Aunt Mara is, too, actually."

"Oh? Then by all means, let us hurry." The goddess extends her hand for him. The news is glorious, but does not deter her from her goal of perfect Dewei seduction. She has a mission, after all.

Not only that, but if this is a mission, Ai is a superspy. Dewei smiles. "Sounds like a plan, Ai." He takes her hand.

Ai's sorcery envelopes them, for once, to teleport them both to helantri deru. She squeezes his hand just as they vanish, for effect.

---

When Ai returns it is in a state of fury that few have ever seen. She spies the Yggdrasil and snatches it up, vanishing almost immediately for Helantri Deru.