Oh, this would be good.

Shortly before her ascension, Serafina had realized that her powers had been growing. She had always been able to influence those around her, though to what extent varied on the individual. Little did she know, however, that the closer she had gotten to her ascension, the more influence she was able to impress upon others. She had always been one to press her luck, and not too long before Nemesis had helped her come to the realization that she had been chosen by the Voice, she had taken her chances with tempting an angel she had come across, and that angel had fallen under her influence with only a bit of a push.

When she had recovered, of course, the angel had been very upset with Serafina, and that had only solidified the enjoyment the vaewolf had gotten out of it. Now, when she heard that Sirona, the very angel she had seduced not all that long ago, had ascended not too long after she had, she had a hearty laugh. Then, it dawned upon her - how wonderful would it be when she went to pay Sirona a visit? Surely the angel would be so happy to see her!

Serafina opened a gate and appeared in Onnen - a place she had only visited once before. She was just outside of the grounds of Sirona’s cathedral, making a mental note to herself to be sure to tell the goddess just how ridiculous she thought the name of her temple was. On the other hand, Sirona had made it incredibly easy for people to get to her - Serafina wasn’t sure if she thought this was a good idea or a bad idea. She quite liked the test that people had to take when they came to see her in Inferos… it weeded out those who were weak and not worth her time.

The goddess made her way across the bridge before ascending the stairs that led her to the top where the main door was located, which she opened with ease and made her way inside upon arrival. Thus far, she was unsure if she was disappointed or impressed. She had yet to make up her mind.

Upon entering, she took a moment to take in the actual beauty of the lobby she now stood in. After surveying her surroundings briefly, she took to herself to head forward into the Nave from the Narthex, eventually sitting herself down in one of the pews. If Sirona had the sense of any of the other gods, she would know that a fellow deity had stepped foot into her realm, and she knew it was only a matter of time before Sirona would realize Serafina was there and come to greet her - or more likely kick her out.

As was customary when visiting a god for the first time, Serafina had brought a gift with Sirona. The gift was wrapped intricately in red and black fabric, inside a bottle of the very wine Serafina had managed to get Sirona drunk off of back when they had met previously. It was a sick joke that Serafina intended to get much enjoyment out of, and she was quite certain Sirona would get absolutely no enjoyment out of.

She took it upon herself to sprawl out in the pew where she had taken a seat in a rather provocative manner, her legs sticking out from the slits in the sides of her skirts as she did so. It was only a matter of time before she would see Sirona, and it was only a matter of time before she could give the goddess her gift.

All in all, Serafina had actually come to make amends with Sirona - but she was going to have her fun first.

So much for a good day.

Sirona was in her own private quarters when Serafina had entered her Cathedral, with her was her new companion, a little cat sized creature Sirona had found out was a owl griffin. She hadn’t named the adorable creature yet but she was thinking on a name while a the moment she had the creature in her arms held close. ”Oh, you are just a cutie, aren’t you?” Sirona smiled as she scratched its ears making it make the cutest noise that was half way between a hoot and a purr.

However, when the sense that another Deity had arrived at her temple Sirona stopped for a moment to focus on it. It felt, wrong, to her, familiar though, she sent a mental message to her clergy to leave Serafina alone, Sirona would be there in a moment. Sirona set her pet on the floor again and pulled her gauntlets back on, she still had the rest of her armour on, but her hood was down.

Sirona blinked into a ball of light and zoomed away.

Back in the main Cathedral area where Serafina was the clergy were keeping their distance from the provocatively positioned woman. Sirona appeared as if out of nowhere but travelling short distances at the speed of light had that affect after all. When she saw who it was that was sitting in one of the pews Sirona’s brilliant blue eyes widened; Serafina. Sirona managed to supress a shudder and just barely managed to stop herself from instantly attacking as well. But her disgust with having this vile woman anywhere near her Cathedral, clergy and the faithful was plain on the angel’s face.

Before Serafina could say anything Sirona shook her head. ”Keep you mouth shut.” She growled and waved her hand and in an instant they were away from the Nave to Maobi, more specifically to the top of one of the towers in a private room. It was an open room with three chairs and a splendours view of the mountains and part of the Cathedral. Perhaps being a bit petty Sirona made a subtle motion at the chairs and all three disappeared removing any place for Serafina to sit. She could stand or leave.

Sirona crossed her arms and glared at the wicked woman in front of her. ”What do you want, Serafina?” Sirona asked. ”Keep in mind the only reason I haven’t cleaned you from this world yet is because I know you’re also a Goddess now.” That was said no small amount of disgust either. ”So, speak now, keep it concise, or leave.” Sirona waited, ready to expel Serafina was her Cathedral if she felt the need to do so.

Serafina had parted her lips in preparation to greet Sirona once she had appeared near her, but closed them slowly when she told her to shut her mouth. In a normal circumstance, that sort of disrespectful transgression would have been enough to set Serafina off and there would be two goddesses fighting one another in the realm that belonged to one of them. Unfortunately Serafina was not going to get the satisfaction of a fight currently, as the intent of her visit would be totally negated by such an action. While she would be a bit antagonistic, the overall intention of her visit was one of peace. She knew she couldn’t have Sirona, or any of her fellow gods for that matter, on her bad side. She was well aware of the fact that the pair would most likely never be friends. However, becoming a deity changed one’s perspective on things, and if Sirona had experienced it in any way similar to that of Serafina, perhaps she would come to the same conclusion, that the two were better off as allies than enemies.

Their surroundings dissolved around them and it seemed that Sirona had transported them to another section of her realm, one with a beautiful view of the mountains. Serafina, however, wasted no time in an attempt to discuss them, as she was well aware that Sirona had no desire to attempt small talk.

”A bit childish, don’t you think?” she said, gesturing around the room at the lack of furniture. Sirona’s body language gave it all away to her - crossed arms, narrowed eyes - she wasn’t going to hear what Serafina had to say, not now, and perhaps, not ever. ”Look. I know that you despise me. I am not an idiot,” she said, her voice still carrying its lush and sultry tones, but it was very clearly with a serious demeanor that she spoke.

”I came to congratulate you on your ascension. You know, that respectful thing that gods do when another rises?” she said, and it was clear that she both meant what she said, and used the opportunity to make a jab at the fact that Sirona hadn’t bothered to contact her, either. ”I brought you a gift but… I don’t think you will find it useful,” she added, having decided that antagonizing Sirona any further presently would not behoove her. The wrapped gift she had carried disappeared from her hands, sent back to her own realm. ”Instead, the gift I will offer you will have to be postponed, as I will need to put some thought into it,” she said.

With a sigh, she folded her arms over her chest, much in the same fashion that Sirona had. ”Look. Becoming a god, as you know, amplifies many aspects of a person, especially those that have to do with their spheres of influence,” she said. ”It also diminishes some qualities, whether they are related or not. For me, I find that I still love to antagonize people, to play with their minds and get them to do what I want them to do,” she continued. ”However, I have a sense of diplomacy as well now, Sirona. I am sorry for what I did to you in the past. People are who they are, and frankly, I am not a good person, I most likely never will be.”

Deciding that she wouldn’t waste any time, as she was sure that Sirona was going to tell her to get out soon, no matter what she said, she got down to the point. ”We don’t need to be friends, Sirona. I’m sure that will never happen. But… conclave must be united with one another,” she said. ”In times of strife when the Voice calls upon us, we must be able to unite. An allyship is much different than a friendship, and it is something that I think we should at least strive towards - but that cannot happen unless we are both willing.”

Sirona’s brow went up when Serafina first started to speak, was that really how she wanted to start the conversation? ”Good, for a moment I was wondering if you were or not.” Sirona cut in, oh the angel knew she was being rude, but she had every damn right to be considering what had happened when they had first met. When the wicked woman spoke of ‘respectful thing’ the angel rolled her eyes a bit. ”Ah, yes, respect, funny how it’s suddenly given when someone you didn’t have respect for before hand suddenly has Divine powers. Not like mortals can have respect for each other.” Sirona sniped back. ”And I don’t need any kind of gift from you, Serafina.” Sirona added as the gift, whatever it was, disappeared.

Lady Glory then listened without interrupting to hear what Serfina had to say, and Sirona just didn’t care what that woman really had to say. When Serfina was finished Sirona was silent for a few moments mulling things over before she spoke. ”So you still love to manipulate people, yet now after the fact you’ll want to be diplomatic about it, after you have… ruined their view of the world… and themselves. Is that right? You say that you aren’t a good person and probably never will be, but, I think it’s more accurate to say that you like being a bad person and probably won’t ever try to be a better person. Am I correct?” It was a rhetorical question and Sirona didn’t wait for an answer. ”You have no idea what you took from me that night, Serfina, and it’s not something I can ever get back.” Sirona hissed, her eyes glowing bright with her Divine Light, and no more than a little anger.

But she calmed down after a moment and sighed. ”However, I too see the need for at least some cooperation if and when the lands are in trouble once more and they need the Conclave to be united. At the end of the day we’re servants of the people and protectors of the lands, and I won’t let that duty slide because of my distaste of working with you or your ilk.” Sirona said pointedly. ”To that end, you have my guarantee that my people won’t harass or attack your people, as long as that agreement is extended from your end. We are not now or ever will be allies, Serafina, at the least we can tolerate each other and cooperate only when we have to.” Sirona ended on and waited to see what Serina thought of that.

~Or until I make sure you fall from Divinity before me and I can cleanse you and your ilk from this world like the blight that you are.~

It was clear to Serafina that Sirona’s attitude was generally not going to change, no matter how diplomatic she attempted to be. The goddess was set in her ways and not accepting of the fact that Serafina was attempting to offer an apology, but that was not going to stop Serafina. Starting a fight right now would only escalate and end in a full blown war, and that was not something that needed to happen. She had but one thing she wished to say, and whether or not Sirona would accept what she was saying was up to the other goddess. ”Look. We don’t choose what spheres we are given. The Voice chooses them for us. Frankly, your disdain for me seems to go far beyond what I did to you before we both ascended, and that disdain reflects on the Voice’s decision. I hope, for your sake, that the Voice is understanding in your hatred of me.”

Silence befell the pair for a moment, before Serafina allowed Sirona to essentially berate her. No window was left for her to speak, and it didn’t matter. She wasn’t planning on interrupting her. Eventually, Sirona seemed to relax somewhat and addressed the final thing that Serafina had brought.up. ”Like I said,” she began, after Sirona had finished. She did not want to interrupt her and give her even further fuel to be upset with her, even if she did think that the goddess was overreacting. ”I don’t expect us to be friends, or even allies to the end that we would call on one another in times of personal strife. All I ask is that an allyship be existent in times where the conclave must come together as one, and to one end it seems that we are on that page,” she added. Her voice was nothing but straightforward and courteous - even if Sirona was not extending that same courtesy.

”What transgressions I have committed against you in the past will stand firm against me in your eyes until the end of time, I have no doubt of that. But know that, even though you may not extend the same courtesy to me, if you are ever in need of my help, all you must do is ask, and I will come to your aid. I don’t expect you to… but the offer stands,” she said with the utmost sincerity. With that, she gave Sirona a polite nod, and turned to take her leave.

When Serafina spoke of Sirona’s hatred going beyond what had happened between them Sirona nodded. ”I won’t hide the fact that you are correct in that. All you saw was something fun to play with that night. What you didn’t know was how I thought on such things are… that.” She shuddered. ”I was pure before that, untouched until I day I found the one I would spend the rest of my life with. You have ruined that, Serafina, I cannot get that back again. I can’t even look at my own unclothed reflection. She blinked as she said that, that slipped out, since she had said it quietly meant for her only, but with how quiet the room was it wouldn’t be hard to Serafina to hear it. Sirona before she and Serafina had had their night together, such as it was, had already been nervous and put off about anything sexual. Now what happened that night only furthered Sirona’s feelings like that way making her even more sexually repulsed. Add in her disgust of the idea of two people of the same gender laying together and the fact that she woke up next to another woman made her stomach turn.

At the end when Serafina offered a truly sincere offer of aid should Sirona asked for it she started to leave. It was hard to read on Sirona’s face how she took that offer but as Serafina nodded to her and started to leave Sirona spoke up. Her voice calm and even. ”You should think of changing your ways, Serafina. Repent your sins and cleanse your soul. After a lifetime of sinning do you really want to face what will happen to you after you die?” It was no threat towards Serafina, not of violence anyway, just a warning.

If Serafina still left Sirona watched her go, and, once she was gone, Sirona slumped down into a chair and breathed out heavily. The tears she had been fighting back broke through and she teleported herself to her private quarters and dropped to sit cross legged on the floor. Her little friend the cat sized owl griffon came flying into the room and nuzzled under Sirona’s arm. Sirona had been holding back her emotions since Serafina’s arrived. Part of her had wanted to lash out at the wicked Goddess and the other half wanted to break down and cry in disgust about being forced to think about that night again while being around Serafina.

Sirona cuddled the little creature close to her as she let the emotions out where no one could see her.

Serafina paused in the doorway as Sirona spoke up, turning her head to look at her fellow god over her shoulder. She remained silent throughout Sirona’s last sentence merely out of respect - she did not agree with a single word that the angel was speaking. In fact, with the position she had been put into with her domains, it was downright impossible. When Sirona had finished her words, Serafina spoke up one last time.

”Listen to yourself, Sirona. You tell me to change my ways, you tell me to change who I am. To repent for the sins I have committed and cleanse myself.” She shook her head slightly. ”Those things - sins, over indulgence… that is literally who I am now,” she said. ”And believe me, I already know what will happen to me when I die. I am death, remember?” she continued. With a sigh, she said one more thing before leaving. ”Perhaps, you should take a little bit of your own advice. Instead of insisting that others change so that you can remain such a hateful and unaccepting person, perhaps you should open your mind a bit more and try to be more accepting of others and their ways. That does not mean you need to partake in things you do not approve of… but maybe try not to snap judgment so quickly,” she added. ”I would think that she who is everything Light would be… less dark,” she said simply, before turning her head away and walking out the door.

As she made her way out of Sirona’s realm, she was a bit astonished with herself that she had actually said those words to Sirona. She knew they would have no effect on the goddess, of course - she was far too stubborn and set in her ways. However, it made her feel that much better that she had spoken her mind to her.

It didn’t take her long to reach a place in the realm that would allow her to gate out, and soon after that, she found herself back at the bar in the Second Circle, with Jasuin pouring her a glass of her favorite wine, which she proceeded to cradle in her hands and sip at gingerly, running the brief yet powerful conversation she and Sirona had through her mind.