Chapter 763 – Beast Dressing
The notion of the Land of Gods is one I think only a minor Divine of my status could pull off. Of course, I do not write about the Fortress Spirits here, for there is no reason to even hold them in the same realm as Divinity, but everyone knows the difference between the upper echelons of Divinity, and the kind that I represent. I am Lubska, I am fundamentally a transient idea that has to keep on fuelling itself, else its spark will go out. I am not the Beasthood that humanity naturally fears, nor the Peace it longs for, nor the Pride that is ever present within them. I am not even a fact of the universe, like Magic or Lightning. I am Lubska, and whilst I am alive, Lubska will continue to live on as the proud nation it is.
The Land of Gods is a mere section of the southern mountains that separate Lubska from the Erdely wilds, but it is because I proposed it that there was no wariness about it. Fundamentally, the way allegiance exists in Divinity is that minor Divines submit to more powerful ones. This has always been a rule of Arda and the only Divines that try to fight against it are the ones who struggle with the fact they are not at the top. Lubska is already the best nation in Epa, that is more than enough for me. I, at the very core of things, do not wish to manage a global Empire, nor hold myself as the representative of all Peace. The amount of pressure that has fashioned those Divines has made them into diamonds and diamonds are known for being hard and sharp.
Nevertheless, subservience is the natural state of nature. The only choice is whether the orders come from the top or from the bottom. Kassandora’s direct orders come from Arascus, of course, but her most important, unsaid order come from the millions of men in the Imperial Army: Secure our Peace. Arascus is in an even worse position, for the order of: Safeguard our future is given to him by all the souls in the Empire. I am in the middle of the pack, so my only responsibility is Lubska and there are those above me who I will never give orders to.
But ask yourself, do you really want to be Malam’s direct superior? Or Anassa’s? Irinika’s? Even Kassandora, whilst not rude nor aggressive, is difficult to get along with. Kavaa, Fer, Maisara, Fortia, Baalka and Iniri I have met and none of them would I be confident in commanding. Divinity forbid I would have to bargain with Elassa again in order to get her to do anything for me. The Empire is a mountain range, its peaks are deadly.
To wish to stand above those peaks is foolish, to wish to stand above those peaks and think it would be easy is spiteful arrogance beyond reproach. What would I do if I ruled the Empire? I would be ripped apart by the titans of Divinity.
- Excerpt written from “National Perspectives on a Multi-National Empire”, this part was written by Goddess Olonia, of Lubska, although the work is a team-effort written by all the National Divines of the Empire.
Fortia stood, arms crossed, staring down at Fer as the Goddess of Beasthood through something that was not quite a tantrum, but neither was it anything that was worth engaging with. Next to Fortia stood Maisara, behind them, the construction works on Maisara’s home were ongoing. The mountain was shaking as mages and workers worked to drill the tunnels that the Goddess of Order wanted for a mansion that was bunker first and foremost. “Explain this to me again, why don’t you?” Fortia asked.
The mountain’s wind-drafts shifted and waved Fortia’s and Maisara’s skirts, and Fer’s gold hair streaked by silver. Of Beasthood sighed, her posture broke, she fell backwards from her cross legged sit-down to lie down on the grass that would one day be Maisara’s and Fortia’s lawn. “I hate dressing up.” Fer said. Fortia ignored it, how did Arascus deal with this shit? What was this anyway? Since when did Divinity hate dressing up?
“You’re not going half naked.” Fer’s usual clothes were mere nods to modesty. A shirt here, a skirt there. Apparently, Arascus had set the rule since the woman would walk around nude, completely comfortable in her own skin. But it would not do for an Imperial Divine to be half-naked at the victory ball.
“Since when I do walk around half naked?” Fer moped, staring up at the planes in the sky. From behind the mountain, a helicopter was bringing more technology. Maisara and Fortia had both agreed there would be no road up here, and that a mountain path was more than enough to fulfil the basic requirement of having some, any, connection to civilized society.
“When was the last time you wore a dress?” Maisara asked.
Fer’s face split into a huge smile. “Some time ago. I have though worn a dress in my life.”
“I’d expect you to.” Maisara said. “By accident at this point.”
“Ay ay ay.” Fer said. “What a reputation I have.”
“Enough with this moping.” Fortia said. “What exactly is the issue. I’m going to dress up and Maisara is going to dress too. What’s the issue you have?”
“I have no issue.” Fer said. “I just don’t like fittings.” Fortia rolled her eyes.
“Well we can’t secure you clothes if you don’t do a fitting.”
“But it’s a waste of time.” Fortia had heard this line about ten times today. The wind blew again, the helicopter had appeared and was bring a huge generator hanging from the bottom. It started to gently try and set it down, Maisara had not gone easy on the Imperials when she picked out a location. Every few steps, there was another drop.
“Then it’s a waste of time and you’re still going to do it.” Fortia wouldn’t even engage with this line of so-called conversation at this point. She was beyond fed up.
“Why must we even dress up?” Fer moaned. Fortia put her hands on Maisara’s shoulder to stop her friend from talking. Fer liked to play this downright idiotic character, but she wasn’t stupid whatsoever. She knew exactly what she was doing and right now, that was getting them into some stupid debate about the merits of aristocratic fashion.
“Because your father said so.” Fortia replied. Fer’s ears twitched, jumped upwards and then she chuckled. That horrendous hur-hur-hur that everyone knew. There were horror stories from the Great War of White Pantheon soldiers who had heard that chuckle and then were left alive so that they could tell the tales.
“Oh Forti.” Fer said, rolling on the ground, moving carried at least partly by that silver-tipped tail so that she could stare at Fortia and Maisara from the side, her head propped up on one arm. The cloud of messy locks falling behind and across her face. Fortia just stared the woman down, the Forti coming out was new. She was getting closer. After a few moments of silence, Fer continued. “Do you think that all it takes to get me to move is just a mention of dad? Am I that easy a girl to play?”
“Arascus said so, and so we’re following orders.”
“You seem to be enjoying following the orders more than the rest of us though.” Fer said and Maisara stared her down. Maybe against another Divine, she would blush and back down. But Fer? She knew this big bear more than well enough to know that Fer did not let up once she smelled blood in the water.
“So what if I do?” Fortia replied.
Fer immediately grinned, laying on her side, her tail flicking from side to side. She took a moment to reply though, that meant the answer had stunned her. “What do we make of that Maisara? Hmm? Forti likes taking orders?” Fortia rolled her eyes at the comment.
Maisara, rather predictably, shrugged. “I think nothing on it.” She said completely earnestly. “He’s our boss.”
Fer took a deep breath. “Well you did say you’d wear a cute maid outfit if he said so.”
“And I’d wear it better than you would.” Maisara replied. Fer’s ears bounced, stood up straight and jumped straight from her sitting posture to standing.
“Oh would you now?” She said. Fortia sighed when she heard the thud against dirt which always followed Maisara’s axe coming out.
“Do you want to fight on it?” Maisara said. “Orders are orders. That’s the point of the Empire, isn’t it?” Fer sighed and shook her head as Fortia turned to her side. There it was, already in Maisara’s grip. A massive executioner’s axe of grey metal with a handle as long as the giant Goddess.
“Well okee dokee.” Fer said. “I see you two girls are adamant about dress-up.”
“We’re going to go as a three so of course we are.” Fortia said, Fer’s golden eyes went wide. Her ears bounced again. Her tail went straight. “I’m not going to have you embarrass me.”
“What?” Fer said.
“I’m not going to have you embarrass me.”
“No that, before.”
“We’re going as a three.” Fortia said. Why shouldn’t they? Fer was better entertainment than nobles, and being left alone with someone like Anassa would ensure a scene. It was far better for the three of them to stay together.
“We’re going together?”
“It’s the same ball, isn’t it?” Maisara asked.
“But we’ve not discussed that.” Fortia and Maisara turned to look at each. For once in her life, Fortia actually began to doubt Fer’s intelligence. Was this not the easiest, simplest solution? And one were there were not any risks involved even?
“Well I thought it was assumed.” Fortia said. “Why? Have you got transport secured?”
“I was talking to Paida but then she crashed out and ran away from Malam and Helenna.” Fer said as she twirled. “What are we wearing? Matching colours? Or maybe a set?” Fortia turned back to Maisara. Was this all it took? “I think a bronze-silver-gold combination could work. Bronze for you Fortia, silver for Maisara, gold for me, to match the hairs.” Maisara shrugged.
“I’ve heard of worse.” She said. Her axe dematerialized without a sound.
“Have you girls got yours then?” Fer jumped from foot to foot. “I was honestly just going to match with you.”
“We’re going to get ours now.” Fortia said. “To Kaczaw, there’s a tailor there.”
“A SHOP!?” Fer screamed it. “Not Malam or Helenna?” Fortia tried to keep the bafflement out of her face, a tremble ran through Maisara as if she was getting chills.
“You know I’ve met Malam?” Maisara asked. “I’m not… No. That’s not happening with her.”
“She always used to do me.” Fer said. “Or dad did.”
“He can sew?”
“Well can’t you?” Fer asked. Fortia opened and closed her mouth.
“I can sew.” Maisara replied dryly as if it was nothing special.
“Well of course I can sew.” Fortia said. What sort of Divine couldn’t? How long did sewing take to master? It was like riding a horse, once you did a few times, anyone could do it. Fer stopped bouncing, her nose twitched and she made a farcical face of disbelief at Fortia.
“Oh can you?” Fer said. “I can’t sew.” Of course she couldn’t sew and of course she didn’t sound the least bit bad about it.
“Well I can.”
“Can you thread a needle?”
“That I can do!” Fortia snapped back and Fer chuckled: Hur-hur-hur.
“I didn’t pin you down as such a girly girl Forti.” She said. “To think you can’t sew.”
“I can!” Fortia shouted and Maisara sighed, she shook her head, her silver eyes rolling and took a few steps away to squat down on the grass.
“This is why soldiers smoke.” She said. “Because they have to listen to bullshit like this.” Fer turned and made a stupid face with a stupid grin that almost split her face.
“I can see your pants.” Fer said.
“Great.” She replied with a shrug.
“Silver.” Fer said.
“Do you want the material too?” Maisara asked sarcastically. Fer rolled her eyes, then rounded back on Fortia.
“So why can’t you sew?”
“I can!” Fortia said.
“You know I can smell when people lie.”
“Then know it’s not a lie when I’ve sewn my own battleflag before.” Fortia said proudly. That was not a lie in the slightest. The first one, before even the tyrannies had started, she had tried her hand at everything.
“What about clothes?” Fer asked. Fortia didn’t even reply, it wasn’t even about the smell at this point. She wouldn’t be able to say it with a straight face.
“Fortia has never sewn a dress as long for as long as I’ve known her but she has tried.” Maisara said dryly from her squat. “Leave her alone Fer and let her have a hobby that isn’t drinking.” Fer’s ears bounced, then flopped back down on top of her head.
“Oh no, I think it’s good.” Fer said. “No no no, that was poor of me Forti.” She said. “I mean it, now I feel bad.” From how much energy was spilling out of the woman, Fortia didn’t know if it was possible for her to feel bad. She was going to argue back for a moment, then she thought of it, and it wasn’t worth the argument in the first place. What did she want Fer to do anyway? Bow down and cry? Definitely not that.
Fortia held out her hand for Fer to shake. Of Peace’s cheeks turned scarlet with a blush. “Thank you.” Fortia said.
“Do you want to make my dress then?” Fer asked. Fortia blinked and Maisara coughed.
“I’m first on that list.” Maisara said. Fer blinked, then looked to Maisara, then back to Fortia.
“Oh I didn’t know you two were so close.”
“Somehow I doubt that.” Maisara said flatly.
“How rude.”
“You’re more than smart enough to know how to make Kassandora cry and I thought that wasn’t possible.” Maisara said. “So no, you’re far better at this than me, I’ll just outright say that and everyone here knows that’s not lie. The fact that Fortia and I close isn’t some great revelations or secret. We’re building a house together.” She stared up at Fer dryly as Fortia squeezed her eyes shut. Why must the woman always be so undiplomatic? It was one thing to be rude to someone like Anassa but did she really have to be rude to Fer? Of all people? They didn’t have to chase away the only one of Arascus’ daughters that they had a good friendship with.
Fer cooed for a moment, then hopped from side to side, leaving Fortia standing there. “I was wondering how long you two would manage to keep it up.”
“Keep what up?” Maisara asked.
“The cute little secret relationship you two have.” Fer burst out with laughter, clutching her own stomach. Maisara sighed and shook her head, Fortia let out a sigh of relief that Fer wasn’t taking it badly. “So?” She asked. “Will you answer anything about it?”
“I’m not as prudish as Kassandora but I’m a prude still.” Maisara said.
“Well of course you’re not Kass. You were a skirt.” Fer said. “Kassie’s got some illness, she’ll shower in front of her men but no, stick her in a dress with a bit of shoulder or the sleeves too short and suddenly it’s a problem.” Fortia released her breath and burst out with laughter. How was that crisis even averted? Here she had expected Fer to cry. Fortia would have cried. She knew she would.
Maisara shrugged. “You said I’m not allowed to comment on your sisters.”
Fer grinned and leaned down to meet Maisara’s gaze at eye level. Her voice was a devil’s whisper. “Well you’re allowed now.”
Maisara opened her mouth. Shut it. She stared at Fortia. “Fortia will say it more diplomatically than me.”
“Nope.” Fer said. “Forti’s not allowed.”
“Why exactly?” Maisara asked.
“Because Fortia is not honest enough to admit what she’s an amateur at and where she stands.” Fer said and Fortia sighed with relief once again.
“Well I’ve told you she’s not adept at sewing.”
Fer shook her head and sighed as if she was looking at a child fail the same question for the tenth time. “And here I thought you were smart.”
“I am.” Maisara said.
“Where she stands.” Fer said, wagging her finger between Fortia and Maisara. Maisara finally cracked and went red just as Fortia calmed down.
“How did you know!?”
“How did I not!?” Fer shouted. “It’s obvious! Isn’t it?!”
“How is it obvious?!”
“Well I don’t need confirmation to know!” Fer shouted, throwing her hands into the air. “What? I ask about and I put two and two together! And you two have always been close anyway so what surprise is it!?” Fortia sighed.
“Well I’m glad you know then.” Fortia said. “I just don’t…” She trailed off. “You know.” She shrugged: talk about Maisara. Talk about herself too much? Talk about her hobbies? Those were her things. Come on Fer, can’t you read minds?
“Well do not worry, I have already confirmed with the work crew and gotten confirmation.” Fer stood, hands on hips, full of herself.
Maisara, crimson-faced, blinked in horror. “You’ve interrogated the work crew?”
“I talk to people.” Fer said. “That’s very different, I heard them complaining about the furnishings and just asked about! And I helped.”
“YOU HELPED!” Maisara buried her face in her palms.
“Mmmh.” Fer said with a proud nod. “I helped because you two don’t move your furniture, do you?” Fortia’s mind immediately went to the worst case scenario. She… Fer… Please… “Like the bed.” Fortia breathed a sigh of relief and then she saw Fer’s nose twitch and those golden eyes settle on her. Of Beasthood’s lips curled into a smile. “You know relief smells like cool mint and lemon Forti?” She said. “What else are we hiding?”
Fortia made the call to cull the conversation. Nothing of value would come from it. “We’re going to Kaczaw Tailors now.” She turned on the spot. “Come on Fer, Arascus told me to get you dressed.”
“He did?!” Maisara shouted. “Why did he ask you!?”
“Wait.” Fer said, stopping. Fortia felt the blood once again rush to her cheeks. “Why did he ask you?”
Well, if they were going to be open with each other, then maybe someone should start. Maybe it should be Fortia. Maybe this moment was perfect to do it. “I was available on the phone?” Maisara sighed.
“She’s dependable?” Maisara came in to support Fortia. Of Peace sighed with relief that it was Maisara who had gotten the first word in. “And you said I can say anything I want about your sisters?”
“Mmh.” Fer said, Fortia turned back around to see Fer clap Maisara on the back. “You can.”
“Anassa is nowhere near as unbearable as everyone makes her out to be.”
Fer stopped for a moment, then looked at Maisara, then at Fortia, then at Maisara. “Of all the terrible things you could have said to me, that’s possibly quite the worst thing I’ve ever heard."