The Web

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Descending Earth, 26

*As the sun went down below the horizon, Dewed Silk made his way to the center of town. He was dressed in a black robe as was custom, and said nothing and looked at no one as he walked the paths that led to the center. He could see the white stone web that was almost ghostly in the fading light, no moon to illuminate as for a few of the Webs he had seen in his time with his Goddess. And he could see her, a magnificent sight in her true Goddess shape. She was both spider and human, no, more than human, she was a Goddess. Her outline was faint, his Mistress's shiny black exterior blending into the shadows. He could see her silver markings swirling across her body, and the gleam of her silver fangs made him swell with happiness. Those fangs would bring him the blessings of his Goddess... His eyes never left Arachnia's form as he walked into the center, trailing the hourglass that was across her chest. Standing in the middle, Dewed Silk nodded to his Mistress and waited* *As Dewed Silk took his place in the middle of her Web, Arachnia moved forward on her six lower limbs, her arms making up the last two. All of her eight black eyes were focused on her prey for the moment, the hybrid shape of spider and woman a few feet taller than she was in a human shape. She was completely black now, and where there had been hair it was simply a smooth exterior that melded with the rest of her body. Arachnia's previously ample breasts were likewise covered in the same chitinous material that her beastman shape carried, completely smooth despite what a human might normally have. Her torso melted flawlessly into the abdomen of her spider half, the spinneret ready in case she needed it. She could feel all of her followers gathered around, she could feel the reverence in the air, and she could sense her Mate nearby, though she deigned not to look at him. It would break the ceremony to do so, and she couldn't do that to her people. Leaning forward, Arachnia lifts Dewed Silk into her arms like a mother might her child, cradling him gently despite her size and strength. The spider-woman raised her face to the moon-less sky and began her prayer in the tongue of the Gods* My Children, I present to you the man known as Dewed Silk, a loyal follower, who is a designer of the squares you faithfully create each day. After tonight, this man will no longer be known as Dewed Silk and his job no longer to create the pictures on those silk squares. This man will be known as Eight Whispers and he will be the overseer on the trade going in and out of this new city-land *Arachnia's voice had carried steadily over her followers and now she took her face from the sky and looked out at the others and Ress before turning her gaze to Dewed Silk* If you accept your calling, bare your flesh to me.. *Dewed Silk pulled back the hood and looked straight into Arachnia's eyes before extending his neck in offering to his Goddess without hesitation. He didn't flinch or close his eyes as those silver fangs pierced his skin. Silk could feel the poison flow into his veins, he could feel the effect begin. The heat covered his body like a blanket and he began to sweat a little* *Withdrawing her fangs from Silk's neck, Arachnia set him down in the middle of the Web and moved to the empty space that was for her to occupy. The place changed from Web to Web, depending on the various factors involved and what her meditative prayers had told her. Settling into her spot, Arachnia stayed silent and watched Silk as he fought against the poison in his veins. She had chosen one that would put his mind under duress through a fever. If he was to keep his head in a trade agreement he would need to have the control to see through the lies his mind would give him. She had put the antidote in his drink. If he could overcome this, then he would be healed before death, otherwise... Well, that was the price he would have to pay if he didn't want the calling enough* *While the others watched their fellow worshipper struggle against the venom coursing through his system, Dewed Silk started to feel ill, his body attempting to dispel the toxins. He could see very little in the darkness surrounding him, but the glowing green eyes that seemed to be stalking him made him nervous. A green fox walked in front of him and he canted his head at the creature, beginning to forget why he was here. The glowing eyes increased in number and now there were thousands of them, though he could see the one break in the cloud of glares. Perhaps, if he could get over there he would be safe. His Goddess would save him, surely.. His Goddess! The poison still coursed through him and he vomited some of the food he had hoped would mitigate the poison's effects. If he could get to his Goddess, she would heal him.. Where.... Deliriously, Silk looked around and then locked again on the safety of that dark space. Struggling to stand up he tried to take a step, but fell to his knees* Mistress... Goddess... *panting now, Silk stood again and moved forward a few more feet before swaying. But he could see her now, barely outlined against the darkness. The hope that was flickering in his heart flared and he forced himself to walk forward until he was in front of her long slender legs. Unable to walk anymore from the weakness his body was pouring on him, Dewed Silk fell to one knee and bowed to his Goddess. The name.. his new name... He needed that name to be saved. It was his gift from the Spider Goddess..* Mistress, Eight Whispers... Eight Whispers will forever be your loyal follower. I swear to do my job to the best of my ability until the day I pass from this body and into the next.. *The colors were so strange now.. some of the eyes were shades he had never seen before and the fox was gone, replaced by a great scaly beast that grinned evilly at him, though he couldn't see any eyes on its hideous face... Soon he was safe from that as he felt something at his lips. Whatever it was, it was wet and Eight Whispers found that he was incredibly thirsty. Drinking it down like a dehydrated traveler, he swayed again as his stomach wanted to reject the liquid. Soon, though, Eight Whispers had it under control and he sat at the edge of the Web, closing his eyes so that the world would stop trying to suffocate him and let him cool* *Arachnia watched as Dewed Silk struggled against he toxins in his body. He was mumbling to himself as he lay there for quite some time before he seemed to realize himself. He stirred, his face rosy with fever and damp with perspiration. After a few more minutes of looking around he focused his gaze on her and she could see the recognition in his eyes. Soon he stood and fell over a few times before finally making his way to the space in front of her feet. He swayed on his knees for a moment before he swore allegiance to her. The smile she portrayed now was a proud one, glad that her follower had made it through enough that she could heal him up. Taking the glass from the edge of the Web, she pressed it to his lips and forced him to drink the water and the antidote inside. As he recovered, Arachnia faced her people and makes her declaration* My Children, tonight is a glorious night that shall be celebrated until the sun once again warms the earth beneath us. Tonight we celebrate the coming of Eight Whispers and remember the passing of Dewed Silk. Commence the celebrations! *happiness flowed through her as her people broke the two hours of silence and cheered before rushing to the food they had all collaborated to celebrate with. She had contributed, of course, in the form of a few more exotic meats they weren't able to reach without trade. It was a bit of a tactic to entice them into trade when the time came. In fact, a few of the things used to celebrate tonight she had acquired from the other cities. Once they had gathered enough food and Eight Whispers was in a little better of a situation, Arachnia moved to lower herself next to Ress. She would stay for the entire evening to ensure that there would be no interruptions to the ceremony. This had been a good Web, she was glad that her intuition had turned out. As few deaths as possible was her goal. She wanted to hold Ress's hand, but in her current shape it was rather difficult so she held off. While the others sang, told stories and ate, Arachnia looked at Ress and smiled through her black face, every one of those eight black eyes sparkling with happiness* What did you think of your first Web, my Love?

[Ress]

* Ress felt a bit out of place among the plainly clad barbarians, not to mention the fact that he knew little to none of what was going to happen. *He watched as the man known as Dewed silk approached Arachnia.. who now wore her huge war form... a form that still gave him a shiver of fright to behold. He watched intently as the ritual played out... and leaped a little when he saw Arachnia dig her fangs into the flesh of Dewed Silk's neck. Horrified, he watched the poor man writhe in the sickness that the toxins inflicted on him. As a reflex, Ress summoned his huge six foot bow to his hands with a flash of sunlight. He grabbed an arrow from his quiver and just held it... keeping it ready just in case this man needed to be put out of his misery. To his surprise, this was a man of great fortitude, and did not give up on himself. Ress was slightly puzzled when Arachnia gave the dying man some form of antidote, but happy to see that the man would live. He banished his bow in that same flash of sunlight soon as Arachnia's followers went to their feast. He did not join them.. still a little queasy from watching the spectacle before him. He did not approve of this ritual at all.. but these were not his people, so he had no say over what happened here. To everyone around him, they would see a proud, smirking Emperor with caste mark alight. He thought about having a word with Arachnia about this... but it was none of his business. His displeasure was to be one of the few secrets he would just have to keep from her* ( 5 successes to mask Ress' mood and motivation)

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Descending Earth, 26

*Arachnia tilted her head at him, noting that he had said nothing to her and that his caste mark was alight. A look of concern crossed her shiny black features and she looked away for a moment before looking back at him. She had noted the sunlight that called his bow to him, and questions rose in her mind* You haven't eaten... Are you displeased, my Mate? *If he didn't respond to her this time, she knew she would need to find a way for penance. What had she done wrong? Arachnia played the whole event out in her mind, seeing no flaws in the ceremony. Everything had gone well. In fact, Eight Whispers had recovered in a good time. What did he think? What had she done?... Arachnia took a breath to calm herself, perhaps she was simply overreacting to this. Still... he hadn't eaten or drank anything...* Your caste mark, my Love, it's glowing. Why.. why did you call Reign of Ress? Nothing and no one will hurt you here. Not without killing me first. (3 successes on a reflexive roll to notice Ress calling his bow)

[Ress]

* Ress chuckled a little at Arachnia's question, giving her a wink, despite the fearsome appearance his mate was wearing* Do not worry, Arachnia. The summoning of Reign of Ress was in reaction to poor Eight Whispers... it was so he would not have to die a miserable death... which he did not need. I am not at all displeased with you Arachnia, simply surprised at the complex workings of your people and their religious beliefs... And as for eating.. I come from a very privileged background where we never went without... as you know, we always had the finest. It is about time I started waiting my turn. Once your followers have had their fair share, I will take mine. For this festival, I am just like everyone else and will not exploit my rank as Emperor to push ahead... besides, there seems to be plenty to go around, and this is a great opportunity for me to practice patience.. do you not think so, my mate? ( 7 success social attack to convince her nothing is wrong and his words are 100% true)

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Descending Earth, 26

*Arachnia smiled, relieved. Even had she tried to find flaw in his argument, she wouldn't be able to* Well, please find something that appeals to you, my Mate. I imported some of the items we are feasting on tonight, others I caught myself *she looked proud at her achievements, though it was mostly at the imports, since all Lunars can catch their own meals* If Eight Whispers had not survived, he would be taken care of. I won't allow any Hungry Ghosts in my vicinity. I would not have bitten him without his consent, of course, and I would be disheartened to have had him perish since all of my people are resistant to venom *Arachnia smiled as she filled her Mate in on some of the inner workings of her people, glad that he wasn't unhappy with her* You should try the fish I brought for this feast, healthy and full-flavored. Your lands are filled with such affluence! *she nuzzled to him with a leg, wanting that contact and making a quiet click in her happiness. She hoped he would be content with the water she provided, as that was the only drink that was served at a Web* Patience is a good trait, my Love. My people are well served, help yourself.

[Ress]

* Ress nodded, taking on a similar mannerism to the former barbarians around them, his caste mark now glowing brightly... sometimes, one must lower themselves to fit the proper mold of a leader. Once everyone else had gathered up their food, Ress stepped forward to obtain some himself. He tried not to look at anyone for too long, lest the memory of the writhing poisoned man who knelt before his mate. although he was still queezy and a bit frightened from the sight... he carried on as if nothing was wrong. He knew how Arachnia worried.. he couldn't do that to her... and s he let her have her "Web" smiling happily.. though he stood in shock and fear*

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Descending Earth, 26

*Arachnia felt relief that he had gone to get some food. She had been worried that he was offended. Arachnia's people welcomed him, offering him food and water, the only drink served here. They were all happy that they now had a new member in their growing society. Some people wondered aloud who would be next and what position they would be appointed, mentioning that it had been awhile since there had been a Web. Someone recognized Ress, especially with his caste mark glowing brightly and looked at him funny, staring at his caste mark as though trying to understand why it was there. Some people went to Arachnia when they were done eating, asking her for a story or advice. She chuckled softly and shook her head to both requests* You must wait until everyone is done for the story, then you may ask of me *they nodded and accepted that, it was that way every Web, after all and went back to the others, talking and waiting for the story to come*