expiationnet | {Video}

{He is fastidious about his appearance, brushing off imagined pieces of dust and grime with delicate hands. Runyu is not a tall man nor does he look particularly strong, yet jumping to conclusions about his abilities would be a mistake. Before you stands the Emperor of Heaven, though he earned the title through underhanded means.}

I am not practiced at welcome speeches. However I will do my best. {He clears his throat and stands with all the pride he can scrape together in this moment.} I am Runyu, son of Emperor Tai Wei and Princess Su Li. You need not fear me if you have done nothing wrong.

{His gaze sharpens as if he can detect wrongdoers through the device.}

Yet if you have committed this crime against me, I will not be merciful. You have removed the Emperor of Heaven from his duties and now hold him prisoner. Kidnap on this scale can only result in your death.

{Those are big words for someone who doesn't have an army to back him up, but Runyu is, perhaps understandably, mad. Furious, actually.}

Furthermore, if you have harmed my wife... {A chill climbs his spine. Soon, she could be his wife. He must return to her!} I will kill you myself.

{His hands curl into white fists as if he imagines snapping necks with his bare fingers. He could.}

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{He hates them too! Thus why he is trapped in this cycle of despair and discontent.}

I am only telling the truth. I am a god, title aside, and my spirit cannot be compared to the spirit of a mortal.

[ Oh, it all makes sense now. The reason this guy is ticking him off is because he reminds him of Golden Boy, Adam Warlock. Run Yu, buddy, there's hope for you yet. ]

Riiight, okay. And has your godly spirit helped you get out of here? What's that godly power mean to us mortals?

{Being questioned, especially in a matter he can't currently solve, frustrates him. Said frustration is likely apparent in how he stiffens.}

Without it, you would cease to exist. {Everything is balanced. Without gods, Earth either wouldn't exist or it would be in constant chaos.} I will solve this.

Edited 2023-02-20 11:35 (UTC)

[ He really reminds him so much of Warlock. All he needs is to speak in alliteration and he'll have it. ]

Okay, see, I know that's not true in my universe. Gods are mostly just flarking around in space, playing with infinity stones or whatever. But I believe you that that might be the case where you're from.

[ Progress! ]

If you figure out a way to get us all home definitely let me know, dude. I'll be the first guy to back you up.

{He isn't a dragon who loves alliteration, unfortunately.}

Flarking? {Is that even a word?} You have met them? Do you recall their names?

{He nods stiffly.}

I won't leave anyone behind.

[ A disappointing detriment deemed too daring, perhaps? ]

Yep! [ Peter giggles. He made the space prince say a cuss. ] You know, flarking!

[ He purposely doesn't explain. ]

The gods I've met have been pompous dudes who speak in rhymes or alliteration. Not really sure why... but there's Celestials, too. Though I don't know that there are any left alive.

[ He won't mention the fact that his favorite space colony is built inside the skull of one, out of respect for this guy's possible comraderie to them. ]

Good luck, I guess. Which of your powers is gonna get us out of here?

{Despite distant daydreams of said delicious device, Runyu is decidedly disappointing.}

That doesn't explain what it means in the slightest. {He seems to sense that the word is...dangerous.}

Then I have never met them and I know most if not all. {Considering his position, he should.} What separates the gods from the Celestials?

{Considering a whole world can exist in a drop of water, he wouldn't be too surprised.}

I won't know until I meet the responsible party.

[ It's like he's here... ]

It's the most galactic-appropriate word there is. [ He winks. Don't worry, he won't leave Run Yu on the hook. ] It's a cuss, I'm guessing you can figure out which one!

Celestials all died out eons ago, or so the story goes. They were massive beings who were as big as planets and they probably created all of space. There's a whole space colony built out of one of their skulls, to give you an idea for how big I'm talking. [ That's gotta be offensive. ] Gods are just that -- people with godly powers, who tend to be immortal or whatever.

[ So he's getting Run Yu is in the latter category, really. Gods in name, mostly. ]

Can you teleport? Heal? Hold an infinity stone?

{Clearly he is missed!}

{He...made him curse? Or...encouraged him to cuss? Runyu doesn't look pleased. He touches his lips as if to wipe away filth.}

I can be as large as I like. {Theoretically anyway since immortals can be shrunk down to fit in someone's sleeve. The opposite must be true.} It would be odd for a god to be mortal. Does that happen?

{Celestial is far more fitting for him definitely.}

I can teleport and heal. I do not know of infinity stones.

[ Peter only smiles brighter at that. He made the stuffy god curse!! He's gonna jot that one down in his journal. ]

I dunno. Maybe? Maybe they got bored with existing forever and decided to give nothingness a try.

[ Bro if you're a Celestial there are so many questions. Like does your brain let you teleport anywhere, and -- wait, Peter stops. ]

If you can teleport, how come you haven't just left?

{Rude. In better circumstances, he would...do what? Punish a mortal? Well, he could.}

If that is what they desire, they can live as a human for a time. {And then die and return to their immortality.}

I cannot leave.

[ Punish him??? One day Peter's gonna get to the "find out" part of his fucking around. ]

Maybe they did. Maybe they left their giant Celestial bodies in space for people to find and build colonies out of. Who can say, right?

[ Peter laughs. OK, the mental image of a Celestial dying to help people is actually kinda nice. But he doubts that was the case. He smirks. I'm so sorry you're getting the most obnoxious side of Peter there is. ]

So, in other words... you're stuck here like the rest of us "mortals," huh?

{Runyu used to be such a gentle immortal too. Don't make him do awful things, Peter. ~~Though it's too late for that.~~}

For millennia? What of their duties? Every god has a realm or part of a realm they oversee.

{Where is order? Runyu dislikes chaos and uncertainty.}

Temporarily. I will break the spell.

[ Peter will have it coming, if it ever comes to that. ]

Well, they're Celestials so they probably watched over space? Though I don't think there were a tone of space-faring species back then. So your guess is as good as mine.

[ Order? In space? Not likely, buddy. ]

Well, good luck on that one! If they have a spell that blocks out your powers, and you're this badass dude, then I guess things are pretty dire for the rest of us.

{He doesn't look like he is buying anything Peter says. These...Celestials...sound useless.

Also, yes, Peter, you are finally catching on. They might all be doomed.}

I encourage you to stay hopeful. I am not like your Celestials. {Meaning he won't give up and become a big skull. He promises.}

[ They are just two guys refusing to meet each other halfway. Good job, Peter.

His smile is amused at best. That Celestial skull is one of his favorite hangs! ]

I'll be fine, dude. I'm not real big on waiting for gods to fix my problems.

{If someone chilled in his head, he would be very embarrassed. How dare they.}

I admire your free spirit, but this problem is likely beyond you.

Hasn't stopped me before!

[ He winks. Honest to god. ]

Don't sweat it, bud. We'll see who gets out of here first.

[ What a completely juvenile thing to compete over, Peter. ]

{He isn't amused, Peter.}

Don't be foolish. I know it might be difficult.

{Video}

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