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[biteoffherhead]

[During the drafts and the flooding, Moro simply evacuated. As a result, the den she had taken residence in has since become uninhabitable. Any possessions of San remain in the cave, soggy and growing mold; Moro has no interest in material possessions.

She does, however, have an interest in finding a new den. Which, given her size, is not an easy thing to do. Now that she's back and close to the village, those who wander even a short ways into the forest may find Moro pawing at holes to see if she can dig them wider, or even trying to squeeze into larger pits.

She is not making much success, mind.]

Comments

[biteoffherhead]

[Especially since she's around the size of an elephant, she is huuuuge.]

Do I amuse you, boy?

[echotaker]

You speak...

[He's even more stunned now.]

No, mam. It's not amusement that made me stop to watch. I've always found animals to be amazing. I tend to get along well with them...

[He says tend, but in all honesty he's never met an animal he couldn't find a way to get on the good side of. This, however, was different. This. Was a God.]

[biteoffherhead]

And you imagine you can so easily befriend a god.

[echotaker]

Not for a minute. I would imagine I'd have to do a lot more to prove myself than just feed you, obviously. I didn't even know you were a God until... well... a few seconds ago.

[He scratches the back of his head.]

My name's Michael... it might be better if I knew your name so I could show you a bit more respect, but I'll understand if you don't feel like telling me considering...

[biteoffherhead]

I am Moro, guardian god of the forests. I slay all who harm the forest.

[echotaker]

Well then we don't have anything to fight about! I sleep in the forests! I love them!

[He smiles, maybe a little too relaxed.]

I live in a world without forests most of the time. When I finally get to see a forest I spend my time there. I don't care about bugs or things like that. Just to get to see the green and smell the freshness of the air...

[biteoffherhead]

[Too relaxed, indeed. Moro sneers, skeptical of his claim.]

It does not exist for your enjoyment.

[echotaker]

I didn't say it did. I said I don't have it. I don't have the woods at all where I'm from. I work in a land of spirits and ghosts. It's all...

Pretty bad.

[But he looks back to the woods.]

...I think they're beautiful.

[biteoffherhead]

Spirits and ghosts?

[Now that is a bit more interesting.]

[echotaker]

Yes... where I'm from, when you die, the only thing that remains of you are emotions and experiences, forming a Spirit. That Spirit, if able to cope with being dead, either fades into nothingness and peace or becomes a Ghost, something that had accepted it is dead but doesn't want to fade.

If it cannot accept it is dead or its emotions are highly unstable, the Spirit or the Ghost can become a monstrous being known as an Echo.

...and then there are just other types of things like daemons and demi-gods that run the businesses and operations...

[The situation was surreal enough to Michael... but he was grateful to still have his face, so he wasn't complaining.]

[biteoffherhead]

Ah. You meddle in affairs that are not yours.

For a moment, I had thought you'd say something more interesting.

your moro is so great

[echotaker]

They're very much my affairs. They were made my affairs.

[He grows serious at this, gritting his teeth for a moment before continuing.]

I was given the responsibility of destroying the Echoes before they grew too strong and leaked over into the land of the living.

I wish I knew your canon so I could flatter you right back...!! ;^;

[biteoffherhead]

[Moro growls back, warning him not to mouth off.]

Then you should mourn the inability to carry out your duty.

He's original! My own canon! <3

[echotaker]

[He powers through the growl, a little upset.]

Mourn? Hey, I didn't pass any judgment on you, why are you passing it on me? The job I had wasn't one I enjoyed and definitely isn't one I'll mourn. If you want to see the scars left by the souls of children mutated into monstrous beings and want me to mourn not getting anymore, then I--I just..!

...it's not that simple, all right?

OH THAT'S AWESOME

[biteoffherhead]

[Moro looks fairly disgusted! She turns her nose up, teeth bared in contempt.]

Why a human had such an important job in meddling with spirits, I do not understand. Humans are far too selfish to mingle in such affairs.

th-the info's all on his profile :3

[echotaker]

I dunno... I guess when I was trying to save that man in the graveyard from four other men and cracked my head open I didn't have much life left to live so it was either die or spend eternity keeping spirits and ghosts in line.

I'll agree with you that human beings can be selfish... but most of them are good when it comes down to it. The world we live in forces us to be selfish. But surely you've seen the innocence of our children before the leaders get them to believe they need to buy into every little lie they spin...

I, at least, try not to be so stereotypical. I've spent a lot of my life trying to help people because I don't want to be that kind of human.

Aww man that's awesome

[biteoffherhead]

I have no regard for one who does not commit wholeheartedly to their given duty. Such hesitation will lead only to disaster, as you inevitably neglect your duties.

thank you so much

[echotaker]

I commit.

[He looks down, gripping his left arm where, below his shirt, scars etched into the skin in the form of strange burns lie all over his skin.]

I definitely commit. I'm here now. Not much chance of doing something when I'm not in the place to do it.

[biteoffherhead]

You have not committed - you have resigned yourself to your fate. There is a difference. You likely carry your duties not with a sense of pride, but with a sense of necessity.

[echotaker]

There is no pride in doing what I do. If you'd been in my situation you would know that.

...even if you're a god, passing judgment without understanding doesn't make you worthy of respect, and you can bite me all you want for it. It's the truth.

My job isn't one to hold pride in. It's one to do. That's all.

[He looks down at the ground, clenching his fists tightly, rough and blunted nails from nervous biting scraping his palms.]

[biteoffherhead]

There is always pride in fulfilling an important role. That you do not see it shows your human stupidity and arrogance, to think that you are above the honor of the role you are meant to fill.

[Moro in kind is growling, looking progressively angrier. Thin ice is being tread! It is merely fortunate that Moro's several years in Luceti have tempered her rage.]

[echotaker]

You tell me where the pride is in having to destroy the mutated souls of twenty children warped into one mindless entity, screaming in rage and terror with their combined emotions in their tiny, innocent voices as it rages about destroying everything it touches.

Tell me. Where is the pride in destruction of innocence.

This isn't human stupidity, it's common sense! The only arrogance I see here is from a God who refuses to believe they might be wrong!

[He's honest to a fault, unable to lie to her to save face. To show respect he would tell her the truth even if she felt she had to attack him for it. He would endure it. This was his truth.]

[biteoffherhead]

Be SILENT, boy!

[It's a roar, and Moro's fangs bare. She stomps a step forward, looking like she's exercising restraint.]

How dare you speak to a god that way! Your presence is tolerated in my forest, and I could very easily chase you out or rip you in half for such disrespect.

If you are a slayer of monstrosities, then you must act with a warrior's pride and honor. Your victories mean the welfare of the earth itself. Yet you are here, before me, who had such a similar duty, and whining for the things you have seen? You are the one who knows and understands nothing.

[echotaker]

[He closes his eyes, exhaling sharply in fear for his life for just a moment, actually dropping to one knee... but then he remembers, he wouldn't die. It doesn't ease the pounding of his muted heart, however. His breath coming in smaller takes, he zeroes in one one particular thing Moro has said...

When he finally speaks, his voice is soft, not to mention a touch unsure. There is hope there as well, for it is a way to view himself that he did not before.]

...a warrior...?

[biteoffherhead]

Yes. Before the humans killed the forest's guardian, I was a warrior. It was my duty to patrol, and to slaughter that which upset balance. Such is the duty of any god. I had to set that duty second when I had to replace Nago, who was killed for protecting the forests from man.