[Like nearly everyone else who has reached out to Sorrow before, Glacius has a good long internal battle with himself as he considers reaching out to the self-proclaimed god. The thought of having to come to one of his captors and tormentors for anything rankles deeply in his hearts... and he finds it extremely hard to believe that allowing himself to become indebted to one of the beings responsible for his suffering will not have consequences at some point. But allowing his personal grievances to get in the way of his partner reclaiming some of the happiness that he once had in this city is simply not an option for the ice alien. Whatever this ends up leading to, he can bear it so long as it means he's made things better for the people he cares about.
So Glacius ultimately caves and contacts Sorrow. He's not even entirely sure that the strange being will tolerate this conversation, given how often he's spoken out against him and the other gods. He can only hope that this one will be amused enough at the prospect of the once-proud warrior bowing his head long enough to ask him for something to entertain his request. The alien had spurned the god's blessing once before, after all; the irony that he now has to reach out to him out of all the others is not lost on the otherworldly being.]
Sorrow. I... have a request. It is for the good of my friend, and for this city as a whole. [Because that was how Carlisle used the plants: to create brews and remedies not only for himself, but for others, made of his own hard work.] I know you provided the plants for a garden that was kept here. I wish to request the same, albeit one of a different species now, even though I am not of that world. Is this something that is in your power to do? [That word choice is specific--he's hoping Sorrow has a sense of pride that he can appeal to. The implication being that if he truly is a god, then nothing should be beyond his capabilities... right?] I can provide plenty of information and illustrations to aid in their recreation, if it is required.
[It takes awhile before Sorrow responds to Glacius, though it's unclear if the length of time is just because he likes the idea of keeping the alien waiting, or if he just doesn't have the time- likely a bit of the former, but Sorrow is generally a prompt and unemotional being.]
Yes.
[Is the simple answer.]
I can do that. My question is- why are you asking me to? The plants here are enough to sustain you all, are they not?
[If Glacius is bothered by the wait, his tone doesn't give any indication of it--a naturally reserved being, he can sometimes seem just as impassive as Sorrow. His response, however, suggests something more, hints at the caring hearts that beat within his icy, armor-coated chest.]
They can sustain us, yes, but a number of the plants used for healing and remedies have recently been lost to us... and this loss has hurt someone close to me. I wish to try and soothe that... they did not deserve that suffering. [Not that he expects the aptly-named god will care so much about that--or any of this, really, but he has to try... hopefully without giving too much information away. He can endure being hurt, but the last thing he wants is Sorrow targeting Carlisle in an attempt to wring some sadness out of him.]
[What a waste of power- to give something to these people, only to have it be destroyed. Sorrow sighs, clearly not impressed with this situation, before he continues.]
If the plants were here, then I have created them before. I can do so again if I knew which ones they were. And also- [He hums, considering.] -there is a question of payment.
[Hey now, Glacius is also equally unimpressed with the constant bickering and infighting of the humans and other inhabitants of this cave. If Sorrow wants to take it up with the wretch that did this, that is more than okay with him.]
It is a plant from the same world, but the one I am seeking will be of a different species--a highly sought after one. As I said, I can provide abundant information and reference to aid in its recreation, and as for payment...
[The alien sighs, hanging his head briefly.] ... I realize this is asking a lot, so request whatever you will of me. All I ask is that you do not require me to harm or cause sadness in another.
[On the other side of the feed, Glacius' one intact mandible tucks tightly against the side of his face, the alien equivalent of a human tightening their jaw. His initial reaction would be to outright object, but he suspects that might this surpisingly temperamental god more sullen... so instead he decides to play along for now. If Sorrow requests something beyond the bounds of what he is willing to do, he can always decide he's not going to play along; the marshal may be willing to suck down his pride to some degree, but he's not one to let himself be bullied, or to have his morals stripped.] Just tell me what you had in mind... though if you wish to get the chance to sap from a will more powerful than any human's, I suggest you at least keep my terms on yours.
Your emotion is inevitable. You think yourself a great warrior, but everything bows to me in the end.
[His tone is final, cold, though without any hint of anger. But, whether it's due to Hopes repeated insistence to try to coexist with these people, or if Sorrow simply has plans for Glacius that require not being on his permanent shit list, he relents, if only slightly.]
Scrub off the paint on my temple. One of you thought fit to decorate it, and I am in no mood for frivolity.
Sadness is a part of life. Just because we experience it does not lessen us.[Or mean that they have bowed to anyone, but Glacius bites back the immediate urge to respond with that, understanding that same thing that Sorrow has when it comes to not making unnecessary enemies... especially when said potential enemy seems to posses the ability to warp the environment and even their minds to his will to elicit the emotion for which he was named. He is also simply surprised that the god has relented in any way--it has tempered him somewhat.]
It shall be summarily removed. Shall I send you the references and notes before or after the completion of this task?
[Short and to the point, not bothering to argue with the first statement. He is what he is- and Glacius is something else. Arguing semantics would get them nowhere.]
Very well. The plant I am requesting is known as an Oriachne's Tear, a rare, magic-bearing blossom. [Glacius pauses, trying to remember anything else Carlisle has told him about it. Thankfully, he is an attentive listener.] It usually only produces one seed when it blooms, though on rare occasions it can bear two, and the seeds are so lovely that it can be mistaken for jewelry. The seed itself is nearly the size of an egg, roughly oblate, and varies wildly in color, but is often a dark, crystalline emerald with bright violet veins. And because the bloom of the plant has magical properties, this ornate seed can be used as a cache for magic.
[The ice alien pauses once more to let all that sink in, then attaches a file on his phone. It contains elaborate scientific illustrations of the plant in question, complete with abundant notes on various details on color, texture, growing conditions, uses, and much more. The pages of the journal he's taken snapshots of look remarkably similar to the illustrations and notes provided by Carlisle earlier... probably because the drawings and notes were made by the clergyman. As such, the same knowledge and attention to detail is there, which should hopefully be quite helpful to Sorrow.] There. That is as much information on it as I currently possess. Sufficient?
[Two--the alien's one intact mandible flares in surprise. He hadn't been expecting any sort of generosity, and while a part of him knows this is probably an attempt on Sorrow's part to either win him over or leave him indebted, he can't help but feel a little bit hopeful at this news. He knows it will mean a lot to Carlisle, and that's what matters most. He can put himself on the line if it means a chance to make his partner happy and make up for some of the loss he's had to endure in this cave.
It's also enough that Glacius finally manages to swallow down the worst of his grievances with this particular deity, at least for the time being, and extend an olive branch.] ... Thank you. I... do appreciate this. I will be by to collect them when every bit of paint has been scoured from your temple.
[If there truly was any generosity in his offer, Sorrow's tone certainly doesn't hint at it. He's a cold god, but not heartless- Carlisle had asked for two for breeding purposes, and so Glacius gets two now. Simple.]
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[audio]
So Glacius ultimately caves and contacts Sorrow. He's not even entirely sure that the strange being will tolerate this conversation, given how often he's spoken out against him and the other gods. He can only hope that this one will be amused enough at the prospect of the once-proud warrior bowing his head long enough to ask him for something to entertain his request. The alien had spurned the god's blessing once before, after all; the irony that he now has to reach out to him out of all the others is not lost on the otherworldly being.]
Sorrow. I... have a request. It is for the good of my friend, and for this city as a whole. [Because that was how Carlisle used the plants: to create brews and remedies not only for himself, but for others, made of his own hard work.] I know you provided the plants for a garden that was kept here. I wish to request the same, albeit one of a different species now, even though I am not of that world. Is this something that is in your power to do? [That word choice is specific--he's hoping Sorrow has a sense of pride that he can appeal to. The implication being that if he truly is a god, then nothing should be beyond his capabilities... right?] I can provide plenty of information and illustrations to aid in their recreation, if it is required.
[audio]
Yes.
[Is the simple answer.]
I can do that. My question is- why are you asking me to? The plants here are enough to sustain you all, are they not?
[audio]
They can sustain us, yes, but a number of the plants used for healing and remedies have recently been lost to us... and this loss has hurt someone close to me. I wish to try and soothe that... they did not deserve that suffering. [Not that he expects the aptly-named god will care so much about that--or any of this, really, but he has to try... hopefully without giving too much information away. He can endure being hurt, but the last thing he wants is Sorrow targeting Carlisle in an attempt to wring some sadness out of him.]
[audio]
[What a waste of power- to give something to these people, only to have it be destroyed. Sorrow sighs, clearly not impressed with this situation, before he continues.]
If the plants were here, then I have created them before. I can do so again if I knew which ones they were. And also- [He hums, considering.] -there is a question of payment.
[audio]
It is a plant from the same world, but the one I am seeking will be of a different species--a highly sought after one. As I said, I can provide abundant information and reference to aid in its recreation, and as for payment...
[The alien sighs, hanging his head briefly.] ... I realize this is asking a lot, so request whatever you will of me. All I ask is that you do not require me to harm or cause sadness in another.
[audio]
[He says, a little sharply.]
So perhaps you should cause sadness in another.
[audio]
[audio]
[His tone is final, cold, though without any hint of anger. But, whether it's due to Hopes repeated insistence to try to coexist with these people, or if Sorrow simply has plans for Glacius that require not being on his permanent shit list, he relents, if only slightly.]
Scrub off the paint on my temple. One of you thought fit to decorate it, and I am in no mood for frivolity.
[audio]
It shall be summarily removed. Shall I send you the references and notes before or after the completion of this task?
[audio]
[Short and to the point, not bothering to argue with the first statement. He is what he is- and Glacius is something else. Arguing semantics would get them nowhere.]
[audio]
[The ice alien pauses once more to let all that sink in, then attaches a file on his phone. It contains elaborate scientific illustrations of the plant in question, complete with abundant notes on various details on color, texture, growing conditions, uses, and much more. The pages of the journal he's taken snapshots of look remarkably similar to the illustrations and notes provided by Carlisle earlier... probably because the drawings and notes were made by the clergyman. As such, the same knowledge and attention to detail is there, which should hopefully be quite helpful to Sorrow.] There. That is as much information on it as I currently possess. Sufficient?
[audio]
[He pieces through the attachments as he considers Glacius' knowledge, carefully looking over each one.]
This will do. When you're done, there will be two of them potted on my altar.
[audio]
It's also enough that Glacius finally manages to swallow down the worst of his grievances with this particular deity, at least for the time being, and extend an olive branch.] ... Thank you. I... do appreciate this. I will be by to collect them when every bit of paint has been scoured from your temple.
[audio]
[If there truly was any generosity in his offer, Sorrow's tone certainly doesn't hint at it. He's a cold god, but not heartless- Carlisle had asked for two for breeding purposes, and so Glacius gets two now. Simple.]