MetalFatigue/MeanwhileInTheCelestialCity
This is a cut-scene I wrote for the players in my Solar game, following a difficult bit of negotiation with Shining Flower, who had unexpectedly intervened to block their attempt to induce the Dragon Kings to swear fealty. They eventually convinced her to aid them instead of opposing them, but Shining Flower set two conditions on her support. After the game, Toram sorta wondered what the hell was going on; this was my explanation.
Meanwhile, in the Celestial City....
A beautiful young woman with moonsilver hair and orichalcum flesh kowtows before a massive orichalcum throne.
"Report," booms the voice of the throne's occupant.
Forehead still pressed to the floor, the young woman speaks. "It is accomplished as You desired, O Ever-Victorious Splendor of the Heavens. The Golden Bull is oathbound to begin to take up his duties once he holds the hand of his flesh and blood, and both he and the Quicksilver Falcon are sworn to prevent the Dragon Kings from being enslaved en masse by humans. The trade agreement was settled between mortal beings; this one did not interfere in the negotiation of terms, only to ensure that the doubters among the Dragon Kings would accede to the final contract. Nor was the power lent to Your undeserving servant by Your most gracious hand employed directly against Your Chosen at any time."
"Hmmm." Fingers of living orichalcum tap against the arm of the throne. "I mislike the condition placed on the Zenith's obedience."
"This wretched servant regrets that she was unable to command proper deference from the one known as Toram. She is truly beneath Your regard. She humbly begs to be permitted to accept punishment for her crimes."
A mighty hand waves in dismissal. "Nonsense. I am pleased that Toram did not defer to you. It shows...spirit. He will stand above you in time; to bow before you now could be seen as an embarrassing precedent. So long as he does not defy Me personally, I need not take notice. You might, however, have chosen an inducement which did not depend on the actions of the Accursed Ones."
"Your miserable servant withers in the glare of Your burning wrath, O Glorious Light of Justice. Yet she hopes that the magnitude of her error might be diminished somewhat by the observation that the required circumstance is already entrained within the Loom of Fate." From the sleeve of her ceremonial robe, the woman retrieves a beribboned scroll sealed with the mark of Yaogin, Bearer of the Lapis Ewer, Minister of the Division of Serenity. A servant god scurries to take it from her, offering it to his master on an orichalcum plate.
The occupant of the throne breaks the seal and unrolls the fine vellum between two hands, while a third strokes His beard in consideration. At length, He returns the scroll to the plate of the servant, who bows and scurries away. "It is well. Indeed, it is better than you know. You may rise."
The golden woman moves gracefully to a kneeling position, eyes demurely lowered. "This one is infinitely flattered by the esteem of Valor's Shining Beacon. The honor of having been entrusted with such a sensitive task is all the reward for which she might dare hope...?"
A snort. "Very well. Accompany Me to the Jade Pleasure Dome. It is almost time for My next move; you may watch from My left hand."
A gong rings, and every god in the room drops prostrate to the floor as the Unconquered Sun rises to His feet, stretching all four arms until His mighty back cracks like thunder. Shining Flower holds her pose for a moment, then stands, bows deeply again, and falls into place behind her Lord.
-- MetalFatigue
To provide a bit of context, my character lost all respect for the gods when they (in his view) allowed his family to be murdered by a death cult. He then Exalted as a Zenith. In two years of game time, he has yet to make a sacrifice or prayer. - Toram
