After entering the other dimension I made my way outside to find Astrael helping the sleeping divine beast with her malt. Professionally pulling the skin off in long strips and setting it down on linens as if she intended to process them.
"You seem strangely well practised at that, far more so than I can imagine a Deva needing to be." I said after taking a slightly heavier step to make myself known.
"My creator was fond of the feathered serpents, despite his personal interactions with their creator he favoured them. Many of us were jealous, but I was rather fond of them myself so I helped him groom them when they shed." I could hear the bittersweet nostalgia in her voice, she seemed to miss her creator dearly, but why? Had he abandoned them?
"I have to ask though, why are you gathering the skins, gonna make something?" I asked as she accidentally tickled Quatal and started to sulk about the wasted skin she had torn.
"She said her skin was softer than the skin used on her shoes. I thought the seamstress and cobbler could make her some more comfortable attire from her own skin. It will naturally be much more durable and protective to being made from divine materials."
"Good idea, I didn't think of that."
"Of course not, you never think of how to use others anymore. Now you just need to cease the self-destructive endeavours." She huffed. "Lady Eve is not the only empath."
"You're family I said to stop being so formal with us." I sighed. "I take it you're on her team then?"
"I am, but she told us to assist you however you needed and not to disuade you. She said the only way to help you grow out of it is to show you that "your right is wrong" that seeing it for yourself will be far less hassle than fighting you every step. She is wise for a mortal." I nodded and held my hands in defeat.
I then explained exactly my issue. She nodded attentively at first, then she chuckled. Holding a hand up to apologise. "Really enjoying the whole "you're family" freedoms aren't you." I snapped sarcastically.
"Sorry, but yes, trying to wear yourself out like that is stupid and impossible. You're power is like the sun, but your body can only hold a candle. Let me ask you something. Those times you got lethargic and slept for days. What state of mind were you in?" She had practically dog walked me to the answer but for some reason I couldn't figure it out.
Sensing she had said as much as she could, I thanked her and bid her goodnight, stopping only to kiss the crest above Quatal's eye.
"Lord, may I ask you to do something? You can't ask me to elaborate though and I have to ask this as my creator's creation and not your family."
"I won't answer the question, under those terms, but I promise to consider it until it becomes relevant."
"When the time comes, please don't return, foresake those waiting." Tears fell like comets through her cosmic figure.
"Hmm, curious... I can answer after all. There isn't a force alive that could make me want to be anywhere but with my family. That includes you by the way, if you do return and give any indication you won't return, I'll find away to rip that damn veil apart and drag you back."
"I don't believe I'm worth th-"
"You helped my beloved daughter, your value is infinite to me. I hope you're creator is ready to fight me for you, even if it's quick I'm going to make him work for it." My words left her in the same condition as Eve had been in.
I didn't have an effective means of teasing her however so I just sulked and returned to my room.
When I found Eve waiting for me I couldn't particularly be surprised by the development, in fact I could see in her eyes things were much more difficult for her than I realised.
"Eve, I think it's best you leave dear, you know too well I can't be trusted any better."
Eve suddenly sat up, adopting a strangely professional demeanour which made me close and lean against the door as I could see her premeditating some kind of excuse to get her way.
My face bore and amused expression as did hers. She stood and approached delicately, starting to ramble a bit as she moved closer.
"Well... I was thinking... And that's just it... If you want and I wouldn't be opposed... Is there really a problem?"
"Yes, so it's not happening." I laughed.
"But" she was smiling to as she desperately tried to bargain, following me in a small circle as I tried to back away.
"No buts, a month, that's it, am I not worth the wait?" Eve's smile disappeared, replaced by a borderline predatory hunger.
She pounced towards me leaving no choice but to let it land or let her hurt herself and found myself pinned down yet again. She spoke, but stopped to kiss between ever word. "You're... Cruel... But... You... Are."
As she stood and slipped out, I sat up. Feeling my pulse I found no difference, a fact that belied the repeating voice in my head demanding me to chase her and give her everything.
"Arghhhh! This is gonna be a long month. Arghhhh! And she bloody knows it thanks to her empathic sense. Oh god it was easier when I didn't care at all." I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, a smile forming in my face. "Easier, but nowhere near as fulfilling. I can't say this to you yet, it still feels hollow to me... I love you Eve."
After clearing my head I returned to my meditation, picturing what Astrael had told me. Knowing it helped the visualisation and with that I could feel the bottomless reservoir of power that was feeding into my physical body, but that didn't help me understand or plan any better.
Was there a way to expand my physical capacity, or restrict my access temporarily? Even if there was, should I? If I developed those methods it was possible someone could observe them and use them against me.
A few more hours passed and the darkness brightened ready to giveway to dawn, I stood and went to Eve's room, softly tapping in the door. When no one answered I turned to leave, making my way downstairs to prepare a more extravagant feast than normal.
By the time people started to stir, I was almost finished, the smell successfully spurring them into action. I sent Kriel to round up the usual suspects, then went with Eve to wake up Quatal.
We also had several packages of malted skin which we had to take to the seamstress for her to get processed and sort the unusable sheets out to dispose of them.
The idea of my daughter's skin being used made me incredibly angry, so we knew we would have to meet everyone involved to ensure the message was received. So that was mine and Eve's job for the day.
I also told Eve I'd be going to the temple if I had time to help construction progress. Of course my week of confinement had born the unexpected fruit of giving me a lot of free time in the long run.
Everyone was so busy with implementing the ideas I had authored my presence was largely redundant and idleness wasn't my strong point. Though the real issue was the whole matter of me not being alone, which meant I had to be somewhere and help someone who actually had stuff to do.
"I'll help you find Rein or Kriel later, I don't think Kriel is teaching at the barracks today, the men are practising ceremony for the wedding and coronation."
"Speaking of which our daughter needs a flower girl dress."
"I don't know what that is, but yes my little girl carrying flowers is now a must."
I laughed with the realisation I had no idea what a wedding looked like in this era. "A flower girl carries a basket of flower petals, scattering them along the aisle ahead of the bride."
"Even better and I have just the groom to find the perfect petals in red and white."
"At least give me a challenge..." I muttered, as I held both arms out palm down and conjured a few of each colour rose petals.
The shriek of joy I received threatened to make me melt as she picked them up and felt the velvety texture of the flowers. "What are these?" She asked, enchanted by their delicate beauty.
"They are roses, a flower denoting love in my original time, a dozen of these was said to win the heart of any woman."
"I see... So you can't say it yet, but you're comfortable at least with implying it? I guess you better make sure that damn temple is built on time because I'm getting married the intended day whether it is finished or not."
"Sometimes, I forget you were a High Priestess... I wonder why?"