thenearshore | [semi-open]

[ Jakob is a tsundere. Ain knows that, so he'll not press. ]

Would you like to come inside this temple for a look?

[ He gestures to the marbled columns behind them. They look similar to classic Greek temples, if not for the patches of void brick here and there... ]

[ Honestly, big spooky places are a dime a dozen when you’re from Nohr. He’s not the least bit intimidated by it, but then again that might have a lot to do with him still not fully comprehending the nature of the void.

Probably for the best. ]

I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. Lead the way, then. [ Surely Ain’s temple doesn’t do the weird illusionary bullshit that Add’s does? ]

[ Ain nods, turning into the temple. Even the interior is much like the outside, with the larger quantity of void patterns being the only difference. Braziers are lit in regular intervals, placed under tapestries in black and gold. Overall, the temple is rather formal, but without much life. It's empty.

There is usually a statue in the centre of Greek temples, and there is one in here as well. However, instead of a muscled man, the statue is of a winged woman, veined with patches of black paint and eyes.

(That's probably not black paint.)

In front of the statue is an altar of black stone, and behind it seems to be a small alcove. Both are furnished, but in a minimalistic manner.

Does Jakob have any comments? ]

Edited 2018-09-05 06:17 (UTC)

[ Yep, that’s creepy all right, though knowing that it all belongs to Ain does alleviate his nerves somewha. ]

What a mess. [ He’s staring disapprovingly at the statue of the woman in particular. Like, really? ]

How do you expect to receive visitors with such an ominous interior?

[ Ain tilts his head, though the gesture is more to let Jakob know that he is thinking. ]

I was under the impression that I should be suitably ominous....

[ You know, since he's the god of the underworld and all. ]

What should I change?

[ Well he’s not familiar with the deity in question anyway, so Jakob shakes his head with a sigh. ]

First of all, what are you a god of, specifically? Perhaps we can come up with a more suitably welcoming atmosphere.

[ This is not hard to answer. He's studied a little after being given the title. ]

I am supposed to stand in for Hades, from Greece. He is a god of the underworld, of death, and of... monetary wealth.

[ Apparently, he's supposed to do that because gems and gold come from the ground. It's something Ain isn't familiar with. ]

Indeed? [ He raises an eyebrow at that. Mortals and their weird logic. It’s almost as stupid as the prospect of dragon gods rising up from under the sea. ]

I…suppose wealth is something that can be used to appeal to mortal sensibilities. Perhaps a more glamorous showing of your riches is in order.

[ They're of the same mind, though Ain would say 'creative' more than 'stupid'. ]

I was told that my skill now is to create jewels. I could add more....

That would make for quite an impressive showing indeed.

[ Wait. ]

…Is that something you were always capable of? [ Because he sure doesn’t remember Ain ever mentioning any powers like that before. ]

[ He shakes his head a little, his hair echoing the movement behind him ]

People who assume the roles of gods end up having a unique skill... that is mine. I can understand why it is rather mundane.

[ Ain is already powerful enough as he is, the Heavens wouldn't want to give him more. ]

[ It strikes him that he's never really seen what Ain's truly capable of in their short time together—though that's partly because he'd assumed that melting into the shadows and whatnot was about the extent of it.

Evidently he'd been wrong. ]

Oh, I suppose it's harmless enough. [ If anything, he sort of envies whoever will end up his shinki—this is a lot less messy than Add's…everything, after all. ]

[ Maybe it's for the best that he doesn't have to use his abilities. Calling upon any more than vestiges of it would run a risk of destabilizing the fabric of reality itself. Often when Ain chooses not to fight, it is not out of weakness. Rather, he is choosing to preserve the sanity of people around him.

He closes his human eyes, then opens them again. ]

I don't think I will need to use it much. It seems rather strange....

Edited 2018-09-07 16:51 (UTC)

Truly? [ Raising an eyebrow. ] I cannot imagine why you would think that.

[ After all, it’s harmless and would make him popular with worshipers… ]

Jewels are material wealth, but I have no need for them. Nor do I think it suitable if I foist them on people without good reason.... they must earn it.

[ Encouraging laziness isn't something that he likes to do. ]

Hmph. I suppose it is very responsible of you to see it that way. [ And well, what a guy does with his own wealth is his business. ]

But if you don’t care for their monetary value, then surely you can use them to liven up the place a tad. They would make good decorations, if nothing else.

[ Ah. It seems like he's interpreted Jakob's words differently from what he meant. ]

I see... I will remember that.

[ He could probably go and put some up now but he's not sure if that's appropriate when Jakob is still here. ]

Will you be needing any help? [ Why does this feel awkward all of a sudden? It’s only natural for him to offer to help out, because they’re kind of like f—

Yeah. No. ]

If not, I suppose I shouldn’t trouble you any further.

[ They're friends. ]

I do think I will need help. I do not know what is suitable. You could teach me.

[ It's not that different from how Jakob gave him cooking tips, it should be fine. ]

[ NO… ]

A lack of strange tricks and illusions in a temple is already a good start. [ Take that, Add. ]

But…if you insist… [ Twist his arm, why don’t you— ] I suppose I have some free time to help you redecorate. Let us see what gems you can make.

[ Yes they are! ]

I would appreciate that.

[ He produces a rock that he picked up from outside on the path from a hammerspace pocket. His power does have some limitations, and he's not sure if it would be compatible with the strange sort of matter that comprises the void... something normal should be safer.

Ain holds the small pebble in his hand. For a few moments, nothing much happens - then the surface of the rock starts to clear up, turning into a crystalline lattice from the inside. Once the process is complete, the rock instead appears to be a sizeable piece of blue-green stone. It's not jewelry-grade, but the luster of the unpolished crystal is probably enough to fetch a high price. ]

I might need to consult a goldsmith too...

[ He adds, a little bemused ]

Edited 2018-09-09 16:15 (UTC)

[ He’ll never admit to it. Never. ]

It’s quite lovely. [ But yep, he’ll definitely need to see a man about refining that sort of thing. ]

Perhaps consider a jeweler as well. Though I find that these gentle greens suit you quite well, and can put your guests at ease.

[ It's okay, Ain knows it and that's enough. ]

I could look for some on the Near Shore. I hope it wouldn't be inconvenient.

[ He thinks about the lava and futuristic aesthetic that they saw at Henir's Near Shore temple. Perhaps something like that? ]

Roxas said green fits me as a colour. Maybe I should use jewels of that colour too.

That would be a wise idea. Green is a very soothing color.

[ Ain you’ve got that one over Add please don’t waste it— ]

You are not quite so chaotic as Add. You’d best take advantage of it.

[ Ain looks as if he's about to say something, but he closes his mouth. A couple of seconds pass before he speaks again ]

I found it strange that he would be the one to retain Henir's title. Logically... it is more suited to me, but I cannot replace him. I will continue to advise him on his role from now on.

[ Maybe it is because Add was once mortal that he is unable to truly be responsible.... ]

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