[OPEN] Show off your ass...ets!

[bufudine]

Who: YOU and everyone else in this bubble ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ'✿,｡･:*:❀･ﾟ'❁
When: During the curse week!
Where: The hot spring in the Forest Quadrant
Style: Anything goes!
Status: OPEN

The flowers all over Vatheon are rather pleasant, are they not? It's nice having a more subtle curse than usual, right?

Strangely enough, there seems to be several trails of flowers leading into the Forest Quadrant. Do you feel compelled to follow them? If so, you'll find yourself at the hot spring in the forest, flowers floating ~*enticingly*~ in the water.

...Get in?

There might be someone there already, though.

[ooc: General mingling post! Also an excuse for blatant fanservice.]

Comments

[warrior_king]

[Gorthan's eyes remain closed and his breath slow, as he tries to make sense of Serph's words.]

I see. "Demon"... is a term often adopted by societies who develop religious philosophies and practices. Who is it that has applied it to you and your kind?

[bufudine]

[Serph's knowledge of religion is still very sparse, so he doesn't quite grasp the significance of Gorthan's statement.

Seeing Gorthan close his eyes makes it seem like a really good idea to close his, too. So he does. He voice remains even, not expressing much emotion in his words.]

A woman named Angel.

[warrior_king]

[There's a rough noise of disapproval from the back of Gorthan's throat.]

Who is this woman, what gives her the authority to judge all of you and, more importantly, why do you let her?

[Even though there is indignation in his tone, he strives to keep breathing slowly.]

[bufudine]

[Something about Gorthan's words strikes him as... well, almost funny. He doesn't laugh, though.]

She is with the Karma Temple. Our objectives and laws came from it.

[He lets out a long breath, before he continues.]

We were people who followed authority without question. We waged our wars without considering why. We had lacked the emotion to feel wronged, until we had gained our Atma.

[warrior_king]

[Gorthan opens his eyes to stare at Serph inquisitively.]

And so the epithet of "demon" was one that you accepted blindly, until you became self-aware. Is that what you mean?

What has become of your lives after that change? And have you yet to find a better term than "demon" to refer to your transformed state?

[bufudine]

[Serph shakes his head.]

We accept the names of Atma and demon because we have no other word for them.

[Sometimes it is difficult to explain just how little there was in his world. While he hasn't answered all of Gorthan's questions, Serph tilts his head and asks a question of his own.]

Why does the word 'demon' need to be replaced?

[The word seems to have some kind of significance to Gorthan.]

[warrior_king]

I will admit that my studies are not very extensive, due to the fact that we Evronians are not affected by metaphysical concerns. All I know is that "demon" is a word used to denote an embodiment of sin and negative qualities. While I, myself, tend to be very judgmental of races that are inferior to ours, baptizing an entire group in such a derogatory way strikes me as a dishonorable abuse.

[That said, Gorthan sinks a little deeper into the water, so that he only emerges from his beak up.]

[bufudine]

[... Isn't referring to other races as inferior derogatory, too?

Serph goes back to leaning against the edge of the spring, eyes going half shut.]

I have heard that we are born in sin.

[Demon has never felt derogatory to him. Maybe it's because the word doesn't have the same connotations in the Junkyard as it does elsewhere.]

We are still people. We are ourselves. I do not mind the label of demon.

[warrior_king]

[To Gorthan, that many other races than Evronians are inferior is merely a fact! Or he wouldn't be a conqueror.]

I see.

[Serph's explanation is satisfactory to him.]

What do you and your friends look like as demons?

[bufudine]

[They all look vastly different as demons. It is not difficult to describe, but Serph prefers showing over telling.

He sits up.]

I do not mind giving a demonstration.

[His tattoo glows blue, but he doesn't transform just yet.]

[warrior_king]

[If Gorthan had eyebrows, he'd be quirking one now as he stares at Serph.]

I do hope that is not all.

[He smirks a bit, expectantly.]

[bufudine]

[Serph lets the mocking slide and takes it as an indication Gorthan wishes to see him actually transform. He stands, glowing blue lines originating from his tattoo spreading across his body as he does so. Lights surround him, and within seconds, a demon stands in place of Serph's human body, water dripping off his limbs.

In this form, Serph is about a foot taller, and the blades remain hidden within his forearms; he has no intention of attacking Gorthan.]

[warrior_king]

[... Whoa.

Gorthan's reaction is one of pleasant surprise. He stares at the demon appreciatively, tilting his head upwards as he does so. His eyes widen, and so does his smile. Even though this is a kind of creature he's never seen, somehow its looks feel vastly more familiar than all the earthlings and earthling-lookalikes that Gorthan is surrounded by in Vatheon.]

Truly astounding, Serph! I believe I prefer you like this.

[There's even a small laugh in his tone. To him, this is absolutely beautiful.]

[bufudine]

[He can't see Gorthan like this, but he can sense the other's location... and his appreciation. That gives him pause. Some have met his demon form with fear or unease, others have been neutral or interested in a scientific manner toward it. But he's never met someone who preferred him like this before. Though, perhaps it makes sense, given that Gorthan is hardly human in appearance.

He has fed recently -- unfortunately -- so the hunger is only a minor gnawing sensation. He doesn't mind indulging Gorthan and staying in this form; if he'd been truly hungry, staying transformed would be a bad idea.

Serph sits back down. It's slightly harder to do as Varna, but he manages. His voice is a little deeper and slightly more guttural, but it's definitely Serph's voice.]

You are the first to say that.

[warrior_king]

[Gorthan tips his head to the side.]

Am I? I cannot imagine who would want you hiding your power. Do your friends look like this when transformed, too?

[Gorthan's sensations have a little to do with his hunger, too. Now that there is no way Serph could be mistaken for an earthling, Gorthan doesn't have to worry about feeling the urge to hurt him.]

[bufudine]

[Hiding? Power isn't something that needs to be flaunted, in Serph's opinion. Aside from the unease Varna inspires in some, there are many instances that a human form is more convenient for.

Serph leans back against the edge of the spring. Now that he's taller, he has to slouch more to keep himself submerged from the chest down. He shakes his head in response to the question.]

They [the ones in Vatheon] are humanoid, but just as many were not.

[Were. He brushes aside that thought and continues.]

This form tends to startle others. I do not wish to fight unnecessarily.

[warrior_king]

[Gorthan is still staring at Serph's demon form, and it's such an exhilarating feeling. A form that simply exudes power... Gorthan would ask for a demonstration of that, too, but he supposes that Serph came to the spring to relax. So maybe some other time.]

It most certainly does not startle me.

[And it shows! In fact, Gorthan is a lot more relaxed since Serph transformed. He even attempts floating on the water's surface, careless of what the other may think. Gorthan will never admit it out loud, but there are times in which he cannot get over how wonderful an element water is.]

If only I could see your friends' forms, too... but I suppose they are not too keen on showing them, are they?

[bufudine]

[It's probably apparent given the fins, but Serph's elemental alignment is with the water. Perhaps that's why he's always drawn to the ocean when he takes the elevator to the surface.

... Well, he's glad Gorthan is so relaxed now. It's really quite easy to notice the change in the manner he's being treated while transformed compared to his human form. Serph's making a note of this for next time.

He shakes his head again.]

If you have been to the island, you may have already seen Cielo flying while transformed. Gale would also likely give a demonstration if asked.

[He lets out a long breath, slouching even further under the water until even his shoulders were submerged.]

Our demons are part of us. [For better or for worse.] They are not something we hide.

[warrior_king]

All the better for you, then. [He nods. By now, his usually grave countenance has composed itself into something peaceful and serene, quite unlike him and yet a pleasant sight.] A warrior must not hide his true strength.

[His gaze wanders to the many flowers surrounding the water.]

Do you still work at the library, Serph?

[bufudine]

[Mmm? What's with this sudden tangent? He nods, before tilting his head, as if to say, "Why do you ask?"]

[warrior_king]

I'd like to know what all these plants are. Their names. And... what caused all these flowers to appear so suddenly.

[If Gorthan could see himself right now, he would not be pleased at how he appears to be simply mesmerized by the flowers around them.]

[bufudine]

[Ah. He can't do that like this; his demon's senses were not made for making out finite detail.]

Hold on.

[Serph sits up before reverting back to his human form, the process the same as the original transformation process, albeit in reverse.]

The flowers appear to be one of Vatheon's curses. It is not usual for flowers to grow from sidewalks.

[It's a pretty mild one, as far as curses go. Serph looks to some of the flowers, and points out each one as he names them.]

Crocus. Iris. [He pauses over the next one.] I believe this one is a hyacinth.

[warrior_king]

[It takes a moment for Gorthan to realize that Serph had to transform because of his lack of eyes in his demon form. After all, the universe is full of alien species that do not seem to have eyes while they actually do, and species who look like they have eyes, but actually don't, lower-caste Evronians being a chief example.

Gorthan's eyes follow Serph's finger as he points to the flowers.]

I see... such unusual names... And you have learned of them here? Or do they exist in your world as well?

[bufudine]

[Serph shakes his head. His words are spoken in a matter-of-fact manner.]

Plants do not exist in my world.

[Very few things did. It had been strange, arriving in Vatheon, which is practically exploding with vibrancy. It'd almost been sensory overload, to be honest.]

My world is an empty place, especially compared to Vatheon.

[warrior_king]

The original Evron is the same way. Barren and deprived of life.

[Gorthan doesn't really like the naturalness with which he admits that. Which is why he continues.]

In the ancient past, however, it was much different.

[Which... only makes things worse, because it reminds him of something he was discussing with someone not long ago. Evronians did not use to be the way they are now... Millennia ago, in an ancient past, when Evron's present state of an arid rock was unthinkable...]

... In those days, the richness seen here existed there as well. Even in our...

[Hearts, but instead of saying the word, he'll simply lay one of his large, wet hands on his chest.

For an Evronian, Gorthan uses such words as "heart" and "friend" a lot. It is something he has noticed. He can recall times when he was called out for that; but now that he's essentially the Emperor, he doesn't get that kind of criticism from anybody anymore.]