Wujen and Little Dragon Tie the Knot

Udor says, "Who says this gem isn't powerful? It's very powerful. Wars have been fought over this little gem. The one thing it isn't is cursed though. I don't know what all you touched in there, but that ole wizard was always going on about the burden of keeping all those things. Even with all the warding he put up, it didn't stop them from corrupting him. You seem like a fine magic user and all, but this old fella had centuries of experience dealing with these things. From the way he went on about it, you're lucky to have put them back at all. He'll probably be back someday, I hope. Folk here in Purgatory rarely stay dead forever. Usually takes a few decades, but they almost always come back. They never remember that they were here before, but still, they come back."

Gesturing to the ring he says, "Anyway, I don't know anything about attuning that gem. The wizard who owned it did, since I saw him use it all the time. He's off being dead at the moment and his place is mostly ruined, so I wouldn't expect to find anything useful outside the vault, but you never know. Might have something hidden stashed somewhere that hasn't been torn through yet."

"Well, I searched the whole place, and found some academic curiosities and a fine reference manual for stones, I don't know there is any point going back there. The stone is rare, but not unique. Someone has documented how to make it work. I'll look into it further on my own, thank you."

Before leaving, WuJen checks the manual for references. Whomever compiled the manual, or their references for the stone, may know more.

Udor nods and says, "Well good luck with that and your proposal. Married life is complicated, but good. Hope you two have many lifetimes of happiness."

Wujen flips to the front of the book and finds several people have worked on the book, but the main author is "Merith Herlynn". Though it does not specifically mention this, given the name sounds Elvish and the book itself was written in Elvish, the probability is high that this man is an elf as well. Wujen does not recognize the name, but if he lives (or lived) back home, a search of his name on the matrix along with the book's title should probably turn up something. But that's an issue for another day when one is somewhere that is a bit more matrix friendly than an alternate metaplane.

WuJen heads back to Io's Palace

It is mid afternoon when Wujen finally returns to the palace. The guards at the gate see him approach and say, "Well, it's about time you got back. The princess has been in a bit of a fit when you didn't come back last night. Keeps screaming something about not being able to find you here."

"Well, the good news is that I have a solution to that problem as well as a few others. This place is big, can someone direct me where I'm supposed to be?"

The guard gives Wujen some directions and then says, "If you happen to get lost, just ask one of the staff inside. Given how crazy the princess has been since last night, I'm sure they'd all be eager to point you in the right direction. I'd escort you myself, but I can't leave my post. Shouldn't be hard to find your way though. Just go as I said."

It takes a good 20 minutes to get to where he is going, but Wujen has no problem finding his way to the throne room. The doors are open and as he approaches from around the corner he can hear Little Dragon yelling at her father, "... probably stopped to help someone and got himself killed! What even happens to a mortal if they die here anyway, father? They aren't meant to be here! What if his soul gets confused and can't move on? What if he's stuck in Purgatory forever?"

WuJen walks into the room. "I'm getting slapped again, aren't I? I spent the night in Bedlam because I needed to recover from some drain and I didn't yet have the object of my search . Far from stopping to help anyone I unfortunately caused quite a few to kill each other or themselves because they were in my way. To find what I needed I had to break into a dead mad wizards vault of dangerous cursed objects. Don't worry, of course I tried to carry every last one out to study but put them back when they kept hijacking my body. Other than that there's been no real danger and I'm back with what I need."

"As far as dying here, apparently people do that alot here and just show up again later. That's odd, seems like a good subject of study, though maybe not soon."

"King Io, I'd prefer to discuss the conclusion of my search with you in private before I present it. I've little doubt you will find it acceptable, but if I'm to be eaten then I'd rather it not be in front of your daughter."

"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT YOU'RE GETTING SLAPPED!" Little Dragon says before winding up and slapping Wujen in the face then pulling him into a deep embrace. He can feel her whole body shaking as she grips him closely. She whispers, "Don't you dare get your dumb ass eaten," before releasing him and stepping out of the room. Her mother follows as well and closes the doors to the throne room behind them.

King Io looks down at Wujen and says, "Show me what you have brought then."

WuJen shows Io the ring. "The stone makes it a truly rare, possibly even unique piece. It will require some study on my part, but it can be ritually charged to allow me to travel to her side in an instant. I'm not sure how things work here, but from where I'm from that's a rare and powerful magic. Your palace has been a joy to visit, and if you have a library I'd love to consult with whomever keeps it, but I doubt my staying for an extended visit would be wise. Those who visit my world are almost immune to harm, but there are all sorts of dangers here for me that are worrisome. I have resources at home I can use, but if there is anything here on that sort of magic I'd much appreciate arranging for it to be delivered."

"All of that may be a bit ahead of things however. Am I to be devoured today? On your timescale it hardly matters, but from my own if I'm to die fighting a dragon god today I'd like to get on with it."

The massive dragon examines the ring for a long period of time, but given his size, the thing looks like he is inspecting a grain of sand. After a while, he sighs and says, "From the way she went on about you while you were gone, it's clear that she cares about you. I've not seen her so worried for anyone before. And from what I can tell by your actions both said on your behalf and performed over the last day or so, you appear to be a man of honor, so I can respect that.

"I trust you enough that I am sure that I need not press upon you just what kind of torments I can bring upon you and your soul should you break my daughter's heart, but I will anyway as I prefer to keep things clear between us. Should you bring any harm or dishonor to my daughter, I will carefully craft a personal hell for your soul and painfully separate your soul from your mortal remains so as to place you in it. There, you will be tormented like no wicked soul has ever been tormented until the end of time.

"That said, I will allow you to marry my daughter, assuming she accepts your proposal."

A small spark of fire lights in WuJens eye at the repeated threats.

"Great Io, let me pass on some wisdom from lesser creatures that those of great status often lack, through no fault of their own save their lofty perspective. 'The quality of one's character is most readily tested by how one treats their lessers, especially unseen.'"

"Obviously I know that I put myself in great, grave danger by coming here, far beyond what my simple mortal death will entail. I make no boast that I could possibly move from this spot before being erased, much less resist anything you might wish. Your threats and demands weren't needed to make sure I'd not intentionally hurt your daughter- just my love."

"I'll take my leave while I may, with no Illusion that any action I can take in my short life will improve your opinion or demeanor. I do hope that with all eons your lifespan allows you that you learn a better way than intimidation to interact. Not because you need to, but just because it would make you truely great in a way that isn't measured by the ability to harm."

The great dragon stares down at Wujen for a long time. "You are under the mistaken impression that I care about you and that my words come from a position in which I feel the need to intimidate or impress my superiority upon you. Your status as a lesser being is normally of no concern to me and my opinion of you is, as I said before, a favorable one.

"What is of concern to me is that you have chosen to entwine your short mortal life with that of my precious immortal daughter. Given your youth, I do not think you understand the gravity of the decision you have made. As an elf, you may live a few centuries, which may seem long by mortal standards, but for beings whose lifetimes are immeasurable, it is but a moment in time.

"One day, you will die. This is a fact. Perhaps you will die young in a blaze of glory. Perhaps you will have the good fortune to live a full life and die of old age. But, you WILL die and when that happens, my daughter who has foolishly decided to entwine her life with yours will be left behind to deal with the loss. Perhaps your soul ends up here and she can somehow find you again. Maybe you even have your memories in tact and you aren't maddened by the circumstances of your death. The chance is small but not unheard of, though such people almost always end up elsewhere. However, it is far more likely that your soul will need to be sent back, cleansed of all memory of your past life. To anyone who would have once known you, you might as well not exist anymore at that point. Your past memories would only serve to rot and corrupt your soul.

"I have perhaps revealed more about the afterlife than a mortal is meant to know, but the point is, sooner or later she will lose you. There are not many things that can truly kill an immortal being, but she would not be the first to die of heartbreak. She is, in a very literal way, throwing her life away. I don't mean this in the sense that a life with you is a waste. In fact, it could be an incredible experience for her. What I mean is that it could very well kill her some day. I am only placing my daughter's life in your hands because her happiness means everything to me. If she loves you a fraction as much as she claims to, then I won't stand in her way of making the choice. It is her life and an eternity without love is nothing compared to a moment with it.

"I do not threaten you or feel the need to look down upon you. If you are an honest man, I do not threaten you at all. However, you are taking away someone who is very precious to me. You would not be the first mortal who sought to create a union with an immortal being so as to increase their own power and you will not be the last. You are young and foolish, as is obvious by the fact that you would dare address me with such a tone in my own throne room.

"My words are not meant as a threat to an honest man. If you are honest about your feelings for my daughter, treat her well and do your best to give her the life she deserves, there is nothing you need to fear from me. I will mourn the loss of my daughter, but at the same time I will celebrate the love that she will have a mortal lifetime to experience.

"But if you are a huckster looking to abuse the precious love that my daughter has bestowed upon you for your own gain, now is your last and only chance to back down. It is no threat. I am informing you so there is no confusion that using my daughter in this way would be a very poor decision with very grave consequences both for her and yourself.

"Assuming that is not the case, I wish for you a very long and happy life with her."

WuJen leaves without another word to go and find Little Dragon.

Outside the throne room, Little Dragon waits nervously with her mother. As Wujen emerges, she looks over and says, "Well, you're still alive. Can I assume that's good news?"

"The only bad news so far is that your Father is a bully who lacks the capacity to even understand why that is a bad thing. I guess it's true what they say of absolute power.

As for the rest, I can indeed now honorably ask, Tatsuo..." WuJen gets down on one knee and brings out the ring "Will you marry me?"

Little Dragon stares incredulously at Wujen and says, "Did you really just insult my father in front of my mother the breath before proposing to me? I know he's protective, but really, did no one teach you of romance?"

Queen Ephiot says, "Or basic etiquette. I hope you didn't use such a tone to his face."

Little Dragon slaps Wujen on the back of the head, "What's the matter with you? I asked you to just this once not do that, but you just can't resist having the last word, can you? Always gotta be the moral authority, to hell with the consequences. You know I hate when you do that and you seriously do it right before proposing! Just this once I thought you could think about my feelings, but no! You have to show everyone that you're right! Sometimes there are things more important at stake than teaching everyone a lesson in morality."

Clenching her teeth, Little Dragon storms off, leaving Wujen alone in the chamber with Queen Ephiot. She awkwardly looks everywhere but at Wujen, but doesn't say a word.

WuJen stands and pockets the ring. "It's true, I do that alot, and to you I apologise. You have been nothing but gracious and kind. I'm sure you are at peace with your life here in the palace and don't fear him at all."

"For her it's not the same. She doesn't fear for her life, but she does rightly fear for mine, which is probably worse. I can't help being mortal, all I can do is live my life as best I can. I can't let fear rule me, or I'll not live at all, merely exist a few decades, maybe even a century or two."

"Honestly Io terrifies me. It's clear he'd end my existence in an instant if he could do so without harming his daughter. She knows it too, and Kenta hinted it was a strong possibility before opening the way here for me."

"She will be angry for a bit, but she will also see me stare a God and his court in the eye and be unafraid to speak my mind. She is so worried about his opinion, your opinion, me fitting in and being accepted.... and that's never going to happen. It would make me someone else, and in all likelihood require me to be something else entirely."

"So I am sorry. I was perhaps more harsh than I intended, but in general we mortals don't take kindly to periodic threats of death, devouring, and worse delivered as a matter of course."

WuJen then wanders down the hall after Little Dragon.

The queen says, "Well it is not to me you should apologize to. If you want a piece of general advice though, whenever you're saying 'I'm sorry but', just stop before you say anything further. Nothing helpful to an apology ever comes after 'but'.

"Anyway, you had better run if you're going to catch her."

Wujen runs off  and finds Little Dragon as she is stomping down a hall. Servants tending the area keep a wide berth when they see her march by.

WuJen hurries to catch up to her, his own anger barely in check.

"Tatsuo, wait. I'm sorry I said that in front of your mother, she didn't deserve that."

Little Dragon facepalms herself and says, "Did you not hear what I said before? I asked you just this once to not go about back talking to people you disagree with. Just one time all you had to do was smile and nod. You aren't the first guy in the universe to dislike their in-laws, you know. But at least have the sense to keep your mouth shut about it while we are here. It's not that you said it in front of my mother. It's the fact that you felt the need to say it at all despite it clearly not being the time or place for it.

"I get that you have daddy issues. Your father was awful. But as scary as my father likes to be, he's actually quite kind and affectionate. He's just very protective of his family and has reason to be suspicious of a mage. He doesn't know you. He just knows that you summoned away one of his daughters for a couple decades. Instead of worrying about what he could do to you and fighting him about it, you could just assure him that his fears are unfounded. Maybe try to get on his good side.

"Don't get me wrong, I like that you have a strong sense of right and wrong. It's kind of sexy sometimes. But sometimes you just don't know when to stop while you're ahead. I assume father gave you his blessing but you couldn't just be happy with that and give me a nice proposal. You had to give your commentary. I don't know how many times I have to tell you that you're going to get yourself killed. Not by my father, but by some other nut we run into that you decide to mouth off to. You're lucky you haven't already on numerous occasions.

"It's obvious that you don't value your life more than being right. The fact that you can't keep your mouth shut about it during a proposal makes it equally obvious that you don't value me more than being right. You're the most important thing in existence to me and that's why I worry about you all the time. But how can I marry someone who doesn't feel the same about me?"

"You know, I tried. I mean, you never told me about yourself or your parents, but I took it in stride when we got here. I came just to ask permission and do this whole thing right because you are the most important thing to me, and instead of being taken seriously I was ridiculed, threatened, and sent to *prove* myself by running an errand with the penalty for failure execution, and judging by what's going on out there just failing would have signed me up for an eternal cycle of death and madness. Upon succeeding I wasn't treated with any sort of dignity, but instead I got a faceful of yet more ridicule and threats. As a matter of course, because it's all I deserve in this palace full of God's as a mere mortal."

"So yeah, I'm a bit chafed at your father, the all powerful Io who feels that doubling down on the death threats with eternal undying torment is the proper way to handle the situation."

"I don't see affectionate, all I see is you terrified from the moment I mentioned coming here. I don't see joy, I see worry. As it turns out with good reason."

"Regardless, I got what I came here for, against all reason, which was your father's permission to propose. It seems I've lost yours in the process. The ring is yours either way, without you I don't want it."

"I've apologized. I've explained. I've swallowed all I will of a mortals place here. If anyone had treated you with such disdain in my world they'd have hell to pay, and damn what people think of spirits."

"I'm going back to where we entered this world. I'm done with it for now, and it appears it's done with me. Despite being bound to me of necessity, I've never called on that bond nor will I in the future, you have the freedom to excercise your will as you see fit. I hope you will accept my proposal, or at least join me back in Mingmei once your visit with your parents is concluded."

WuJen brings out the ring, and sets it on a nearby table.

"Again, I'm sorry."

WuJen leaves the palace and starts back for where they entered this plane.

Little Dragon looks at the ring and then at Wujen and says, "So that's your solution. You're going to complain that things are hard and go home after the hard part is already done, all because of a wounded ego. Kenta was put through more crap than that when he was trying to propose to me and my father knew who he was for a very long time. All I asked was that you put me above your ego just for while you're here, but apparently that's too much to ask for. You rather leave me than do that.

"If that's how you feel, you can go back home. I'll send word to Kenta to take you. But if you really leave me here now, we're done."

Little Dragon does her best to maintain a neutral composure, but her body is clearly shaking as she tries to look Wujen in the eyes.

"I don't know what else to do. I already apologized. There's nothing else for me to do here, especially if you don't accept that apology."

"I mean it's being overly egotistical to ask for commonly decent treatment? To not stand for plain bullying? Ok fine. I'll eat crap for you if that's what you really want."

"So you are in charge. You tell me, how do we proceed from here. The apology has been made, and apparently it's not good enough. What's the next move?"

Holding her hands in front of her face, Little Dragon takes a few calming breaths, then lowers her hands and says, "It's not about the apology, it's about the attitude. You apologize while you keep saying the same things you're apologizing for. It's like apologizing for hitting someone in the face while you're still hitting them in the face. Yes it's an apology, but it's meaningless if the behavior you're apologizing for is still happening.

"I get that you didn't have a great time here, but a lot of people who summon spirits to the prime are pretty shitty to the spirits they summon as well so there's at least some element of resentment there. All said though, it's been pretty harmless and as scary as father seems, I've never seen him warm up to anyone as quickly as he has to you. You two have exchanged less than 10 minutes of conversation with each other and he's already willing to let us marry. I don't think you understand, that never happens. My previous boyfriends had to work on father for years just to get him to agree to dating, and none of them were mortal.

"Look, I don't want to fight. But this is the most important decision of our lives and I want you to treat it with the seriousness it deserves. Give me a day to calm down and ask me again tomorrow. This time do it properly. Say something romantic. Don't complain, criticize or try to explain how things could be better. Just say something that makes my heart melt and propose to me like nothing else matters more than that moment. Just do that for me, please. Can you do that?"