Chidori Draconid
07-13-06, 02:59 AM
“Not to hot, is it?”
The young deity, Chidori Draconid stuck his tongue out to taste the sweet Radasanthian basil sauce. He nodded with satisfaction then wiped the rest of the light sauce off of his face. Avakra hadn’t spoon fed him this ingredient like she had the rest of the sauces and soups for their meal tonight. This time around she mischievously flung it at him. He turned to see a smile on her face, the most sinister smile she had ever shown him. They made eye contact long enough for him to grab a handful of hard pasta and hide it behind his back.
“You know I should slap you.” Chidori said with a dangerously serious face and tone. Avakra’s smile disappeared and a look of confusion and shock possessed her beautiful amber eyes. “With some pasta!” Chidori laughed as he quickly struck his mate in her flat stomach with the handful of edible sticks.
After taking a few hits she pulled him close to her and the two kissed and briefly exchanged sweet nothings, and then they went back to cooking in the estate’s luxurious kitchen. Even this room was white. At least it was white before Chidori and Avakra started cooking. Now the marble floors were covered in powder. The walls were stained with tomato sauce, and the fire oven was filled with scattered “test runs”. They knew they had a lot of cleaning up to do, and they would make good on their promise to their host, Nu Gua, that they would clean up after themselves and leave a little bit of food for her to try. The cease fire didn’t last long. After a few minutes Avakra launched a chunk of pastry dough across the kitchen, and it landed on Chidori’s neck with a loud slap. Chidori didn’t turn around, but simply tossed diced pieces of tomato over his head. This continued for a few minutes until the estate’s head cook appeared at the threshold of the kitchen stunned like the golems guarding their gates. His long pointy ears stood straight up as he scanned his domain.
“My kitchen! My beautiful kitchen. It’s ruined! What do you two think you’re doing here? This isn’t a play ground! You cannot just… Ah!” The elfin cook looked into the fire oven. He started mumbling in what Chidori took to be elfish. He caught sight of the floor which was covered in a mix of flour and diced tomatoes, which he had seen Chidori tossing. “Where’s the marble? You know you’ve done a ridiculously good job of ruining a kitchen if you cannot see the floor anymore.”
“I can see it.” The young deity said as he pointed to a small corner under the shadow of a wooden cabinet. He knew that was a smartass move so he moved to make up for it. “We promise we’ll clean up after ourselves. We just wanted to have a dinner date tonight, and we thought cooking together would be fun. Nu Gua said we could do it.” Avakra nodded with a hasty desperation as Chidori spoke.
“All of this?” The cook began to slowly raise his voice. “You plan on spending two to three days in here cleaning all of this? Because this is certainly a mess that requires that much time. Not to mention that you went about this whole endeavor with utter ineptness. The wrong utensils are being used for the wrong foods, you’ve mixed the oils, and why would you even think of going about doing this without a hairnet, young woman?” he said as he pointed at Avakra, “Your hair goes to your waste!”
“I am divine with everlasting youth and health.” Avakra said with a vengeful voice. “My hair doesn’t fall out.”
“Well at-ti-tude. Now get the hell out of my kitchen, the both of you!”
The both of them knew exactly where they were going, down the vast pearl corridor to the Nu Gua’s quarters. There she stood leaning with suave on the threshold of her oversized double doors as if she were waiting for them. They had forgotten that not only did she build the grand Ethiopia Estate, she was the Ethiopia Estate. The walls had ears and the windows had eyes, hers. When eight immortals conquered the property a few weeks before, she knew exactly when they took over the house incantations and magic, and even when they took control of the massive golem guards. Therefore it should have been expected that she was aware of the altercation between the young divine couple and the grumpy elfin cook. She made an apologetic gesture and smiled humbly. “Sorry, love-birds. It may be my estate, but that’s his kitchen. I know I gave you permission to use the kitchen, but wrongfully so without proper consideration. Perhaps we can have a night on the town in Eluriand.”
Chidori and Avakra looked at each other, each waiting for the other’s response to Nu Gua’s offer. That may have been the only flaw in their relationship. The two of them were “givers” and the match provided standstills such as this one. Finally Avakra spoke up. “As long as we’re doing something tonight I’m happy.”
That’s the answer Chidori was hoping for. The pubs and entertainment centers in Eluriand were clean and without conflict. The three of them then made their way out of the building. The nighttime sky was moonless tonight allowing the activities of the gods to be seen as the sparkling stars and stellar clouds. The only object of significant illumination was the palace of Velice Arta peaking over the horizon. Who would have thought a goddess made her home just a few miles outside of the city limits of Eluriand. How she threw parties with a guest list so diverse, including the private elite of Alerar, was a mystery to Chidori. How he wished he could do the same. Nu Gua was world renowned and had a network that extended far beyond national boarders almost exclusively because of the parties she threw. Tonight, however, the estate was occupied by no more than three residents, Nu Gua Chidori and Avakra, and their staff of fifty.
So with a basically empty house the three of them set out for Eluriand. The first stop was an unlikely one, the school of Ost’Dagorlin, Istien University. Chidori was convinced that the students, teachers, and classes there were the most entertaining due to the basic structure of its song magic. They certainly did have their share of fun there, for there was dancing and instrumental music along with the instructive portion of a class. Then they went to the Adernoas, an illustrious upscale restaurant and bar located only six blocks east of the Raiaeran palace. There something came up. Chidori and Avakra sat shoulder to shoulder, each with a glass of wine in their hand. A string quartet played vibrantly on the other side of the hall as couples pranced around on the hard wood dance floor. Nu Gua had quickly found a man to dance with, but this wasn’t her establishment. She couldn’t hear what the two of them were saying.
“Maybe,” Chidori said as he twirled the wine glass around and around, “We should find our own home.”
“Really?” Oh that tone wasn’t good. She was attempting to sound pleasantly surprised. “So how will you go about doing that?”
Chidori turned to Avakra. “First of all I need to know if you’re okay with this.”
She kept her eyes on her wine glass. “You don’t need my approval to do whatever you want.”
“I know I don’t, but I’d love your assistance.”
“Why do you want to do this?” Avakra said innocently as she finally looked Chidori in the eye. “Aside from tonight’s episode we haven’t had that much of a problem with Nu Gua’s hosting.”
“What’s to say that won’t happen again? I’d like to live on my own steam. There are too many times when I think about the fact that someone else is feeding, clothing, and providing shelter for me when I’m fully capable of taking care of myself. Plus I’ll have a base of operations. I’ll have my own parties, forge my own connections, and create my own network.”
“Have you ever taken your wife into consideration, Chid?” the young deity was nearly blown back by the statement. It took him a moment to process, but then he realized that the two of them were still in danger. He was committing adultery, but it was an unwanted arranged marriage. Chidori’s wife did not love him, nor did he love her. However, there was already one instance where his wife had attacked and almost killed Avakra. She was probably doing it just to make Chidori’s life more difficult. They couldn’t do much about it. Chidori and Avakra were minor deities with mortality being a real thing, and his wife was an immortal, all powerful goddess.
“Alright. I see where you’re going.” Chidori said with a content smile of compromise. “How about I find the home and you stay at the Ethiopia Estate until this situation is dealt with.”
The next day Avakra practically tackled Chidori with a gigantic architecture book in hand. She quickly turned to the pages of interest featuring a manor as large as the Ethiopia Estate. It was called the Deleigh Palace, and it was located in Corone, north of Radasanth. It was a good distance from their current home, but it was so beautiful, Chidori had to agree to look into it. The blueprint showed six vast acres, and the illustrations depicted truly unique architecture, with ionic columns and intricate woodwork throughout the mansion. Elegant facades had petite columns and walls that seemed to crinkle. The elaborate veranda enclosed courtyard was built around a giant coastal redwood tree. Organic curves and ornamentation were emphasized, as well as surfaces that were richly decorated with glazed tiles, carved stucco, stone statues, patterned brickwork, floral motifs, and varieties of calligraphy. This palace represented what Corone was. The island continent was not a melting pot as it was so popularly considered, but a kaleidoscope. Like this home cultures came together, but were still easily distinguished.
It was a picturesque sight. Chidori was sure he would be breathless when he saw this architectural marvel in person, but he wasn’t. In fact he was very disappointed. Did Avakra check the date on that book? Because now Chidori was standing somewhere just outside the metropolis of Radasanth gazing at the ruins of the Deleigh Palace. The sun was setting on collapsed columns; moss covered walls, and faded décor. The young deity sighed. Although he was simply open to this property as an option, the idea of this majestic place grew on him as he made his way to Corone, so he felt more disappointed than ever.
“It was a beautiful place.” The masculine voice came from a tall grey haired elf. “It was a shame that they let it become this, only to be forgotten by mankind.”
The man spoke as if he’d been there, and perhaps he had. He was an elf, and elves possessed a lifespan great enough to see multiple millennia. This one in particular had lived long enough for aging to actually kick in and turn his hair grey. He had to have been here when the mansion was occupied and standing tall. Chidori opened his mouth to speak, but the elf answered his question before he could ask.
“I was here when this mansion was brand new and teeming with noble life. It belonged to one of the old baron families of Corone during the Age of Resurrection. He fought against the merchants and underground organizations in the great revolt six hundred years ago, and died in the battle. Although he was survived by a wife and two children, they left the house and decided to live in secrecy. None wanted the estate, and none sought to preserve it.”
“It would take an unprecedented amount of resources to restore this place wouldn’t it?”
“Yes…” The old elf turned and rubbed his chin with contemplation. “There is another way. You could turn back the hands of time. The Radasanth library’s chief librarian is also a very brilliant human magician, particularly gifted in the temporal arts. I am certain if you do him a favor or pay him sufficiently he will surely revive this dead estate.”
Three hours later, after some casual sightseeing, the young deity finally made his way to the Radasanth library. He would have come earlier if he had known that Alton Koch was a person in such high demand. He was in the back of a line of four people standing outside his office, but every appointment seemed to take at least half an hour. Just when he was beginning to run out of patience the door opened and a brown haired human man with glasses invited him into the office.
“Alton Koch.” The man said as he extended his rugged hand.
“Chidori Draconid.” The young deity accepted the handshake, but the librarian froze.
“Are you the deity sent from heaven through right of passage?”
Chidori tilted his had in surprise and smiled, “Yes. How do you know about?”
“Oh I think I know your wife. Luminous crest, golden skin, rainbow aura? She was only here a little more than five years ago participating in the very ritual you’re in the middle of today. How is she, by the way?”
“She’s… her.” Chidori smiled and the two of them laughed. You probably slept with her too, Chidori thought to himself, but you don’t see me bitching about it. She doesn’t even love me.
The smile suddenly disappeared off the librarian’s face. “You’re right. She never loved you, and you never loved her. Guess who did?” Alton could read minds… wonderful. “It is wonderful. Wonderful to be able to read minds, manipulate time, teleport across the globe, the list goes on my good God. So what are you here for?”
If the man could read minds why didn’t he know what Chidori wanted? He had the picture of the Deleigh Palace, daydreaming of the complex in its prime, vast, luminous, and warm. That’s when the young deity realized that Alton could only hear verbal thoughts, but not see visual thoughts. He would keep that to himself.
Daleigh Palace just north of the city limits. He would have to play up a habit of vocal thinking. “I know it’s old, but I’d like for you to revive the palace and its property.”
“What will you do for it?”
Not kill you. Chidori knew Alton heard that in hopes that he would bite.
“You’ve committed adultery just as she did, and you don’t love her. Why would killing me do anything for you?”
“Because she’s attacked a woman I truly care for. Eye for an eye, but then again she probably doesn’t care for you, so I’d have to beat you within an inch of your life, extract your consciousness from your body, dip it into the fountains of oblivion, place it back into your body, and repeat the process a dozen times to make things even between her and I.” Chidori was surprised at what he declared. It was vengeful in a Godly way. He wasn’t ashamed though. In fact he was quite proud. He didn’t care how powerful this mage was, if Chidori was provoked enough, he would make good on that statement. “Either way. You name the task and I’ll see if it’s worth performing for your help.”
“Very well. On the outskirts of the city there lives a noble family. Unfortunately they are noble in name only; they have exhausted their fortune through hedonism and gluttony. I made a couple of loans to them and also tutored their children in magic for free, but now it’s time to make their first payment, a humble sum of one thousand gold pieces. Go there and retrieve that money on my behalf. I’ll find two other people who can assist you in the endeavor. Meet them an acre south of the home tomorrow night.”
The young deity, Chidori Draconid stuck his tongue out to taste the sweet Radasanthian basil sauce. He nodded with satisfaction then wiped the rest of the light sauce off of his face. Avakra hadn’t spoon fed him this ingredient like she had the rest of the sauces and soups for their meal tonight. This time around she mischievously flung it at him. He turned to see a smile on her face, the most sinister smile she had ever shown him. They made eye contact long enough for him to grab a handful of hard pasta and hide it behind his back.
“You know I should slap you.” Chidori said with a dangerously serious face and tone. Avakra’s smile disappeared and a look of confusion and shock possessed her beautiful amber eyes. “With some pasta!” Chidori laughed as he quickly struck his mate in her flat stomach with the handful of edible sticks.
After taking a few hits she pulled him close to her and the two kissed and briefly exchanged sweet nothings, and then they went back to cooking in the estate’s luxurious kitchen. Even this room was white. At least it was white before Chidori and Avakra started cooking. Now the marble floors were covered in powder. The walls were stained with tomato sauce, and the fire oven was filled with scattered “test runs”. They knew they had a lot of cleaning up to do, and they would make good on their promise to their host, Nu Gua, that they would clean up after themselves and leave a little bit of food for her to try. The cease fire didn’t last long. After a few minutes Avakra launched a chunk of pastry dough across the kitchen, and it landed on Chidori’s neck with a loud slap. Chidori didn’t turn around, but simply tossed diced pieces of tomato over his head. This continued for a few minutes until the estate’s head cook appeared at the threshold of the kitchen stunned like the golems guarding their gates. His long pointy ears stood straight up as he scanned his domain.
“My kitchen! My beautiful kitchen. It’s ruined! What do you two think you’re doing here? This isn’t a play ground! You cannot just… Ah!” The elfin cook looked into the fire oven. He started mumbling in what Chidori took to be elfish. He caught sight of the floor which was covered in a mix of flour and diced tomatoes, which he had seen Chidori tossing. “Where’s the marble? You know you’ve done a ridiculously good job of ruining a kitchen if you cannot see the floor anymore.”
“I can see it.” The young deity said as he pointed to a small corner under the shadow of a wooden cabinet. He knew that was a smartass move so he moved to make up for it. “We promise we’ll clean up after ourselves. We just wanted to have a dinner date tonight, and we thought cooking together would be fun. Nu Gua said we could do it.” Avakra nodded with a hasty desperation as Chidori spoke.
“All of this?” The cook began to slowly raise his voice. “You plan on spending two to three days in here cleaning all of this? Because this is certainly a mess that requires that much time. Not to mention that you went about this whole endeavor with utter ineptness. The wrong utensils are being used for the wrong foods, you’ve mixed the oils, and why would you even think of going about doing this without a hairnet, young woman?” he said as he pointed at Avakra, “Your hair goes to your waste!”
“I am divine with everlasting youth and health.” Avakra said with a vengeful voice. “My hair doesn’t fall out.”
“Well at-ti-tude. Now get the hell out of my kitchen, the both of you!”
The both of them knew exactly where they were going, down the vast pearl corridor to the Nu Gua’s quarters. There she stood leaning with suave on the threshold of her oversized double doors as if she were waiting for them. They had forgotten that not only did she build the grand Ethiopia Estate, she was the Ethiopia Estate. The walls had ears and the windows had eyes, hers. When eight immortals conquered the property a few weeks before, she knew exactly when they took over the house incantations and magic, and even when they took control of the massive golem guards. Therefore it should have been expected that she was aware of the altercation between the young divine couple and the grumpy elfin cook. She made an apologetic gesture and smiled humbly. “Sorry, love-birds. It may be my estate, but that’s his kitchen. I know I gave you permission to use the kitchen, but wrongfully so without proper consideration. Perhaps we can have a night on the town in Eluriand.”
Chidori and Avakra looked at each other, each waiting for the other’s response to Nu Gua’s offer. That may have been the only flaw in their relationship. The two of them were “givers” and the match provided standstills such as this one. Finally Avakra spoke up. “As long as we’re doing something tonight I’m happy.”
That’s the answer Chidori was hoping for. The pubs and entertainment centers in Eluriand were clean and without conflict. The three of them then made their way out of the building. The nighttime sky was moonless tonight allowing the activities of the gods to be seen as the sparkling stars and stellar clouds. The only object of significant illumination was the palace of Velice Arta peaking over the horizon. Who would have thought a goddess made her home just a few miles outside of the city limits of Eluriand. How she threw parties with a guest list so diverse, including the private elite of Alerar, was a mystery to Chidori. How he wished he could do the same. Nu Gua was world renowned and had a network that extended far beyond national boarders almost exclusively because of the parties she threw. Tonight, however, the estate was occupied by no more than three residents, Nu Gua Chidori and Avakra, and their staff of fifty.
So with a basically empty house the three of them set out for Eluriand. The first stop was an unlikely one, the school of Ost’Dagorlin, Istien University. Chidori was convinced that the students, teachers, and classes there were the most entertaining due to the basic structure of its song magic. They certainly did have their share of fun there, for there was dancing and instrumental music along with the instructive portion of a class. Then they went to the Adernoas, an illustrious upscale restaurant and bar located only six blocks east of the Raiaeran palace. There something came up. Chidori and Avakra sat shoulder to shoulder, each with a glass of wine in their hand. A string quartet played vibrantly on the other side of the hall as couples pranced around on the hard wood dance floor. Nu Gua had quickly found a man to dance with, but this wasn’t her establishment. She couldn’t hear what the two of them were saying.
“Maybe,” Chidori said as he twirled the wine glass around and around, “We should find our own home.”
“Really?” Oh that tone wasn’t good. She was attempting to sound pleasantly surprised. “So how will you go about doing that?”
Chidori turned to Avakra. “First of all I need to know if you’re okay with this.”
She kept her eyes on her wine glass. “You don’t need my approval to do whatever you want.”
“I know I don’t, but I’d love your assistance.”
“Why do you want to do this?” Avakra said innocently as she finally looked Chidori in the eye. “Aside from tonight’s episode we haven’t had that much of a problem with Nu Gua’s hosting.”
“What’s to say that won’t happen again? I’d like to live on my own steam. There are too many times when I think about the fact that someone else is feeding, clothing, and providing shelter for me when I’m fully capable of taking care of myself. Plus I’ll have a base of operations. I’ll have my own parties, forge my own connections, and create my own network.”
“Have you ever taken your wife into consideration, Chid?” the young deity was nearly blown back by the statement. It took him a moment to process, but then he realized that the two of them were still in danger. He was committing adultery, but it was an unwanted arranged marriage. Chidori’s wife did not love him, nor did he love her. However, there was already one instance where his wife had attacked and almost killed Avakra. She was probably doing it just to make Chidori’s life more difficult. They couldn’t do much about it. Chidori and Avakra were minor deities with mortality being a real thing, and his wife was an immortal, all powerful goddess.
“Alright. I see where you’re going.” Chidori said with a content smile of compromise. “How about I find the home and you stay at the Ethiopia Estate until this situation is dealt with.”
The next day Avakra practically tackled Chidori with a gigantic architecture book in hand. She quickly turned to the pages of interest featuring a manor as large as the Ethiopia Estate. It was called the Deleigh Palace, and it was located in Corone, north of Radasanth. It was a good distance from their current home, but it was so beautiful, Chidori had to agree to look into it. The blueprint showed six vast acres, and the illustrations depicted truly unique architecture, with ionic columns and intricate woodwork throughout the mansion. Elegant facades had petite columns and walls that seemed to crinkle. The elaborate veranda enclosed courtyard was built around a giant coastal redwood tree. Organic curves and ornamentation were emphasized, as well as surfaces that were richly decorated with glazed tiles, carved stucco, stone statues, patterned brickwork, floral motifs, and varieties of calligraphy. This palace represented what Corone was. The island continent was not a melting pot as it was so popularly considered, but a kaleidoscope. Like this home cultures came together, but were still easily distinguished.
It was a picturesque sight. Chidori was sure he would be breathless when he saw this architectural marvel in person, but he wasn’t. In fact he was very disappointed. Did Avakra check the date on that book? Because now Chidori was standing somewhere just outside the metropolis of Radasanth gazing at the ruins of the Deleigh Palace. The sun was setting on collapsed columns; moss covered walls, and faded décor. The young deity sighed. Although he was simply open to this property as an option, the idea of this majestic place grew on him as he made his way to Corone, so he felt more disappointed than ever.
“It was a beautiful place.” The masculine voice came from a tall grey haired elf. “It was a shame that they let it become this, only to be forgotten by mankind.”
The man spoke as if he’d been there, and perhaps he had. He was an elf, and elves possessed a lifespan great enough to see multiple millennia. This one in particular had lived long enough for aging to actually kick in and turn his hair grey. He had to have been here when the mansion was occupied and standing tall. Chidori opened his mouth to speak, but the elf answered his question before he could ask.
“I was here when this mansion was brand new and teeming with noble life. It belonged to one of the old baron families of Corone during the Age of Resurrection. He fought against the merchants and underground organizations in the great revolt six hundred years ago, and died in the battle. Although he was survived by a wife and two children, they left the house and decided to live in secrecy. None wanted the estate, and none sought to preserve it.”
“It would take an unprecedented amount of resources to restore this place wouldn’t it?”
“Yes…” The old elf turned and rubbed his chin with contemplation. “There is another way. You could turn back the hands of time. The Radasanth library’s chief librarian is also a very brilliant human magician, particularly gifted in the temporal arts. I am certain if you do him a favor or pay him sufficiently he will surely revive this dead estate.”
Three hours later, after some casual sightseeing, the young deity finally made his way to the Radasanth library. He would have come earlier if he had known that Alton Koch was a person in such high demand. He was in the back of a line of four people standing outside his office, but every appointment seemed to take at least half an hour. Just when he was beginning to run out of patience the door opened and a brown haired human man with glasses invited him into the office.
“Alton Koch.” The man said as he extended his rugged hand.
“Chidori Draconid.” The young deity accepted the handshake, but the librarian froze.
“Are you the deity sent from heaven through right of passage?”
Chidori tilted his had in surprise and smiled, “Yes. How do you know about?”
“Oh I think I know your wife. Luminous crest, golden skin, rainbow aura? She was only here a little more than five years ago participating in the very ritual you’re in the middle of today. How is she, by the way?”
“She’s… her.” Chidori smiled and the two of them laughed. You probably slept with her too, Chidori thought to himself, but you don’t see me bitching about it. She doesn’t even love me.
The smile suddenly disappeared off the librarian’s face. “You’re right. She never loved you, and you never loved her. Guess who did?” Alton could read minds… wonderful. “It is wonderful. Wonderful to be able to read minds, manipulate time, teleport across the globe, the list goes on my good God. So what are you here for?”
If the man could read minds why didn’t he know what Chidori wanted? He had the picture of the Deleigh Palace, daydreaming of the complex in its prime, vast, luminous, and warm. That’s when the young deity realized that Alton could only hear verbal thoughts, but not see visual thoughts. He would keep that to himself.
Daleigh Palace just north of the city limits. He would have to play up a habit of vocal thinking. “I know it’s old, but I’d like for you to revive the palace and its property.”
“What will you do for it?”
Not kill you. Chidori knew Alton heard that in hopes that he would bite.
“You’ve committed adultery just as she did, and you don’t love her. Why would killing me do anything for you?”
“Because she’s attacked a woman I truly care for. Eye for an eye, but then again she probably doesn’t care for you, so I’d have to beat you within an inch of your life, extract your consciousness from your body, dip it into the fountains of oblivion, place it back into your body, and repeat the process a dozen times to make things even between her and I.” Chidori was surprised at what he declared. It was vengeful in a Godly way. He wasn’t ashamed though. In fact he was quite proud. He didn’t care how powerful this mage was, if Chidori was provoked enough, he would make good on that statement. “Either way. You name the task and I’ll see if it’s worth performing for your help.”
“Very well. On the outskirts of the city there lives a noble family. Unfortunately they are noble in name only; they have exhausted their fortune through hedonism and gluttony. I made a couple of loans to them and also tutored their children in magic for free, but now it’s time to make their first payment, a humble sum of one thousand gold pieces. Go there and retrieve that money on my behalf. I’ll find two other people who can assist you in the endeavor. Meet them an acre south of the home tomorrow night.”