Deity Raven, in the ages since he was last widely remembered has taken one of his long abandoned temples (specifically one re-discovered my Neff/@cosmicdreamt in more recent years), working on cleaning up and rebuilding the once forgotten structure.

Not as a temple, for with how few people know of the Lord of Change, there was no need for such a thing, but as a home. A smaller, cozy little home, the trees. surrounding it thinning just enough to give its inhabitants a view of the nearby lake (he has plans to clear out more of the space between the house and the lake, a future garden perhaps?).

Not just a home for himself, but for his sole priestess as well. Over the time they've known each other, he's grown to care deeply about Neff, not just as his priestess, but in general. As a companion...a friend, perhaps. Even if she doesn't wish to stay there forever, his doors will always be open for her.

It had been untold generations since he had last heard mortal voices call for him and oddly enough for how little he’s intervened in mortal lives in recent eras…words of thanks. A message enough of an outlier in this day and age that the forgotten god felt compelled to answer in person. He had the time nowadays, anyway.

And there, in one of his long abandoned temples was a young woman, an offering and words of thanks for his protection.

The woman, Neff (@cosmicdreamt) as he’d come to learn, was the sole survivor of an attack upon her village. Having found the forgotten temple and hid within. Her, the only one left with nowhere left to go.

The Lord of Change, god of death, of change, of hope had always been a softer soul, with an interest and soft spot for mankind. So on meeting this woman, with nowhere to go, one who even in his forgotten state chose to thank him for his temple having provided her safety. He offered to take her in and under his wing, even if it was just until she was able to get back on her feet.

In the time since, she’s become his sole priestess. Spreading his word, that there’s always, always a chance to create change. That one is the architect of their own destiny and that they have the capacity for change.

"I know it's a little shocking, after finding out who my siblings are, but the most trauma I've got is like, I don't know, knowing my fuckin' sperm donor that I grew up with is going to be put in prison. Not that that bothers me much." kae pauses, "Oh, the real trauma is hearing a tone deaf artist try to sing Shakira while drunk."

"Yeah that's just another Tuesday 'round these parts..... both of those things." And the worst part is she can't even tell you which is more common, either.

Earth sure was its own type of strange, too.

"I guess I'm just so used to everyone, including myself, being some type of fucked up I thought I wouldn't meet anyone that was like....fairly okay, y'know?"

"I do!~ It's having that one thing that fills you with happiness and joy, and you look forward to wearing it every time your eyes land on it~ While something comfortable and familiar can be that for some, they tend to lack that spark that makes you passionate about it."

"Yeah! That's exactly it. I'm at the point where everything I own I enjoy wearing, sure, but I don't get that excitement to wear them. Maybe I'll find that thing someday."

"I also don't really do anything special enough for that. I have a habit of 'treating' myself but only when I feel like I can 'afford' to and it'll be 'worth' it."

"Coffee flights huh? Hell I'll bite. Sounds like it will be a fun time for us both!" Cassian didn't need too much convincing when downtime in this manner was offered. "Dunno about you but, I think we can check the area around the coffee place. Drive around and see what we can do on the fly." He offers Neff a quick nudge but a growing smile on him. Car rides with Neff were always a good time. Why not be spontaneous with this coffee trip and take it easy?

"You're always up for making things and adventure, huh?" Not that she hated it or minded at all. He was at lease the type that made that spontaneity bearable - made it easier for her to digest and actually go along with it. It wasn't the most out there type of situation that made her want to head back home as soon as they stepped out.

"I feel like if there's ever a day you just only want to do the one thing I should check to see if you're alright."

The ghosting warmth of her skin is enough to make his fingers curl tighter into her clothing. His cheek seeking to rub against the side of her neck for more of her, more affection and touch that he had missed so, so much.

"I went back to see my parents for a bit..." He confesses so softly that if he wasn't attached to her so needily, she might have missed it. "Let my brother run the shop for a bit, but while I was away I fell into a bit of a slump... But I'm back now... For real this time." Tilting his head, a single eye stares up at her from behind his blonde locks, silently tracing her features. "How have you been?"

"Aww." And her hands reach up to pet at dyed locks, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head as he snuggled against her. "I hope you're feeling better now. Tell ya what...how about I treat you to some crepes and you can tell me all about what's been going on, yeah?"

"I've been doing alright. The usual, y'know?" Which wasn't always the best but she always coped with it. She had to. "But I'm even better now that I get to see you again for a bit."

// “ No I… I would rather… wait for when this is over then I will eat… ” He backed away from her offer literally, taking small backward steps to the door. “ I will meet you later tonight… and text you the address. Once again… thank you… and… I’m sorry…”

Minato rushed out the door without so much as looking back. He knew it was a big ask, he didn’t want to have to bother her anymore than this.

Later on, the address given to Neff was that of a cram school that was a little bit on the outskirts of the city. Minato timed it so that it would be closed by the time she got there and he waited in the dim park nearby, fidgeting with his fingers nervously.

What a strange guy. Not that it was a surprise, but it was clear just how much this was affecting him. She could only help she'd be able to help him enough that this would end well for him.

All she had to do was get through the rest of her shift.

And once she did she made her way to the address she was given. This seemed straight out of a horror film she never wanted to be in, but unlike a situation like that that was easy to avoid, she couldn't turn away from this.

"Hey. I'm here."

❝Oh, I see. I suppose that does sound like us.❞

Or at least for him it fit. He did linger so much on those little moments. That could be quite tiring to read or in this case play out for so long, maybe Guine was just watching a slow slow slow soap opera. Minus all the drama that came along with them, so minus all the juicy aspects? Yet still he watched, that was a him problem.

❝He's been observing a very long one then. Since the start of us being friends I suppose, I would also get impatient I guess if I was in his shoes. Do you read those stories often?❞

"Not often, no. I'm....hm, how do I put this?"

Complicated as usual.

"I'm not someone that really goes to seek out these stories often. I read, but mostly poetry and books about experiences. When it comes to guilty pleasures with romance I prefer movies or tv series than books...but every now and then sometimes I get a hankering to read. Most things I know are because I've seen or heard other people talk about it. That said...I couldn't even tell you what was going on with me and mine. It's just....messy."

It was so nice, making friends. Luna just hoped it could last. After all, Luna, herself, realized she can be very volatile with her own emotions & that tends to push people away. She doesn't want that to happen, so she will treasure this new friendship the best she can.

❛ Neffie it is then! ❜ She added happily, giving a few tiny claps in excitement. Luna could tell from Neff's eyes, that perhaps they weren't so different. It did seem Neff had gone through her own share of hardships, but she wasn't one to question such topics. Maybe, one day Neff will share her story & Luna will too.

❛ Aw, let me treat you, okay? You deserve it. After all, you helped me. I want to give you something in return. ❜ She pointed to the corner of a building. ❛ It's right by that corner, yeah? ❜ It was a small cafeteria, one that Luna visited often. ❛ I'll treat you to the best cake in the world! I'll give you the best change of pace! ❜

"Well...I suppose at this point it would be rude to reject your offer, wouldn't it?"

Because Luna seemed like she really wanted to do this for Neff, and she supposes that if she were to accept anything it would be to get treated to a snack. It wasn't like she'd have a full course meal that would easily cost them both hundreds of dollars. A few bucks could be justified.

"Alrighty then. I'll follow you. In the meantime why don't you tell me about these cakes? Is there a flavor you like best?"

and I see now, that the stars wait for us. (feat. @cosmicdreamt)