The Priest awakens from his slumber by the Crying Idol. He stands slowly, sensing that familiar darkness by the Twin Gods hill. He winces at how close the demon is to his Gods, but he decides to let it slip. After all, this is to be a peaceful meeting. He approaches slowly, rain creating tiny rivers through his pelt. Soon, he can make out the outline of the demon, and he walks up. He greets hi with a nod as well, not yet daring to bow.

"I do wish to speak with you, demon. Let us sit."

He sits in front of the demon, observing him. The Priest seems a little more weary than normal, dark circles under his eyes and face seeming very drawn. He seems a bit on edge, but is controlling it well, hiding it behind confidence.

"My first question of sorts, I suppose, is this: What are you called? Calling you demon has become so...uncivilized. You may call me Priest, for that is what I go by for the moment."

The Priest looks at him, seeing how somber he is. How strange, though he had never pictured himself speaking with this demon-Darkweaver-either.

"Darkweaver. Perhaps some day you shall remember your true name." He says, making small talk for a moment. Then he remembers that he needs answers.

"There is some sort of ghost by the ruins, a spirit not of my brothers. I saw the deer once. Do you know of this spirit? You once answered yes to this question, but I wish to know more, if you are willing to answer." He wonders if Darkweaver will ask him about his past in exchange. He shudders lightly, seeing destruction.

(([e]: Also, thanks for making the blog. I'm too lazy. xD))

The Priest nods, seeming to recall something. He shakes his head, banishing the memory. He listens quietly to the story of Darkweaver. He cannot feel very sad for the doe herself, but instead wonders why the devouts had attacked her and the others in the first place. He is surprised by how somber the demon is, wondering how someone could mean so much to another. Sure, he had those that he viewed as his brothers or his children, but this seemed much deeper.

He decides not to say anything about his true thoughts, sensing the building anger of Darkweaver. Best not antagonize him during a peace talk; that would solve nothing.

Instead, he asks a question, "Is there a reason that these devouts were pursuing your herd?"

The Priest frowns, deciding to answer the question as courteously as possible. "Does? I do not care for them. I feel that this forest was made for my brothers, for there were no females...I will tolerate them, though, as they do not seem to harm others. They are the least of my worries at this moment."

The Priest listens, thinking quietly. He cannot believe Darkweaver's story fully, feeling that there must be something else. He cannot understand why the stag could not believe in those who were so fully alive and real. The Gods were the only ones anyways...right? He frowns. Perhaps...He remembers a different time, so long ago. Perhaps there are others...? He shakes the thought away. No. The Gods are the Gods.

"I wonder...Who are your Gods? In whom did you believe, if not the Twin Gods?"

He sighs. He cannot believe that Darkweaver was in the right. The demon and his herd must have done something. Those devoted to the Twin Gods were not like this..Something else was missing. That was all.

And then he remembers himself, persecuting those who were dark. Persecuting his brothers when he should have listened. The doubts resurface, wondering about the Twin Gods. No. It was not the Twin Gods, but their followers. But...would his Gods let their followers destroy others? Would they...encourage it, as they had seemed to with him? And if they did...He shakes his head and realizes that he has been asked a question.

He winces at the question, memories resurfacing. He does not want to revisit these memories, but he has agreed.

"To tell you the reason of my service, I must tell you the tale of a dream...and a boy."

((It's fine, I'm watching a movie. And hey look, it's a lead in. *points up* I'll post the story soon.))

The Priest flicks his ears back. "I see." He secretly believes that all others are untrue, though he pauses for a moment, wondering. Perhaps...But no, no. His Gods were the Gods. The end. He assures himself, though he still wonders. "Perhaps there are Gods that are just as true as these out there..." He murmurs.

The Priest nods and begins to tell his story.
(( X ))

The Priest sighs. "Now you know. It was time that I told some soul how this forest came to be."
He looks up at the demon, the truth suddenly sinking in. He had told the demon everything, but no matter. The story needed to come out. Otherwise, it would have caused him agony endlessly. Plus, his bargain with the demon required him to tell as much as he wanted to hear. Though his history was not pleasant for him, telling it solidified his promise. He would not be Merivin again.

The Priest smiles faintly. He looks over the stag in front of him. Perhaps this was one of his fallen brothers, one who had succumbed. Perhaps his brother of the light was still buried within this deer, somewhere.

He nods briefly. Even if this was not his brother, he was determined to chase the darkness from this deer's soul. Every dark deer in this forest deserved that.

"I would like to know your story." He does not say the rest of his thought: With it, perhaps I can chase the darkness from you.

The Priest listens quietly. Perhaps I could have saved that fawn, had I been myself...He thinks.

" Your parents...The Twin Gods require no blood sacrifices. They only require our dedication. I do not doubt your story, though I wonder what truly happened. The Gods are not unkind to those who are their followers. Of this, I am sure. I cannot think why your parents perished in such a terrible way." His ears twitch. He knows that The Gods could not have done that, but he cannot guess what might have.

"But I can see why they changed your appearance. Evil deeds lead to appropriate actions. I do believe that it is odd that they were so very drastic about it. Perhaps, as you say, they were making you an example."

" As to your coming in peace, I do not know why they rejected you. Perhaps they went solely upon looks. I do not claim that the followers cannot make mistakes. Do not blame the Twin Gods for the actions of these followers." He winces, remembering his earlier campaign.

"Those followers were incorrect, if you did truly come in peace. Perhaps they also remembered your previous campaign against the Gods. Their violence was unprovoked, though, I assume?"

"True Gods? I still believe that mine are true. But what is true, after all? Other creatures put their faith in others, as you have told me. I wonder why they believe in those Gods. Perhaps one day I shall meet one of these creatures."

He wonders again if there are other true gods. He decides to push it to the back of his mind for the moment.

" Thank you for keeping your promise." He wonders if this is a glimmer of good within the deer. Perhaps he could show him the light of the Twin Gods as well.

((Your post was scary long. xD *pokes it*))

The Priest nods. " The actions of the Gods are not always understandable. I am unsure why I still live as well. Perhaps this forest is endless in many ways." He stands and shakes his pelt, suddenly shivering in the rain. He briefly ponders the promise of the deer, then pushes it to the back of his mind. Perhaps it would become helpful later on.

"I am afraid I must take my leave. I have no more questions to ask of you. Unless you have some to ask of me?" he inquires. The thought of other gods has come to the front of his mind, taking up his attention. The sun has begun to set, casting an orange glow on the deer. He itches to leave and let his mind wander his newly discovered question.

((*was tempted to post a one-sentence post* >> xD))

The Priest nods in return. "Good day." The Priest heads to the Twin Gods statues.

Guide your follower, Gods... He murmurs before falling asleep.

((Whee! xD))