Mack
*Among the more delicate, flowering buds of the Tree of Life grew a fruit hard as stone. In minutes, or perhaps days, or perhaps whole lifetimes, it matured from grey slate to alabaster to nothing short of pure marble. It grew to prodigious size and varicose veins of gold grew through it as if the very sap of Gaia flowed into the marble. When the stone had grown to heavy for the thinned branch to bear the fruit snapped at the base and careened into a more solid branch below. It broke on contact, to reveal a humanoid fully formed.*

*The being was masculine and prodigious in size but crude and geometric in construction. It was as if the nascent godling was carven in the image of being humanoid rather than as any existing race. Despite the harsh angles, however, he could fully articulate as he dusted himself from the powdered gold, ivory, and marble covering his form.*

*He had only a name, etched on his 'soul' as his musculature had been etched on his body. Exilus, and with the name came purpose to build.*
Jimmy
*Ethros, as he had done once before, had left his throne, seeking to keep him appraised of any newcomers that had spawned from the Tree. It was only sensible to know who his potential allies were... And potential enemies, though he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

He shook his head, and blinked his starlight eyes as he saw a godling emerge from the fruit. Well, this was rather fascinating. He stamped hard on the little part of him that saw a possible new threat, and shoved it to the very back of his mind. He would be courteous to this stone-shaped god, so long as this one did the same.*

"Hail, godling. I am Ethros, of the Sky and Heavens. What is your name?"

*He called out, even as he formed a cloud to stand on, and clasped his hands behind his back as the cloud moved closer to the branch.*
Mack
*As Ethros approached, the stone-hewn godling would appear to be taller than his senior. Were it not for the cloud, the statue would likely need to look down at the god that approached him. Despite the crude mouth, his voice cracked like thunder as his gem eyes shone like lightning.*

"I am Exilus. I have been informed I must build. I wish to begin building now, for my hands hunger to shape and my mind wanders for purpose."

*Exilus' voice was like gravel, but majestic in its own tones and inflections. There was great prospect in every part of the godling's being if only one could shape it into something more than what it was.*
Jimmy
"Exilus, hmm?"

*He tested the name, considering the sounds and the being that made them. A builder god, perhaps? He'd give the other god credit, he was an elegant being. Simple, but not stupid, nor overly complicated. He hummed again briefly, and then the cloud he had formed split, the second cloud widening to fit the larger stone-being, should Exilus choose to step on. May as well get to know this one.*

"Before you begin, you should know that whatever mortals you create will be subject to the seasons, the changing weather. Seems the other deities that arrived before me set them into place. But, it is still a good thing, to create."

*This Exilus seemed earnest in intentions, and it would be a shame to make him an enemy. Best to make him a friend, then.*
Mack
*Exilus metaphorically chewed on the concept of creating mortals carefully. Mortals. Lesser beings. People in his own image if the stranger-god was implying the right thing. But if they were to be in his image they had to last, and so Exilus came to an idea. A wonderful, new idea.*

"They will not be subject to seasons. They will be resilient, and they will be imperishable. Time and weather will not mar them, they will know neither hunger nor thirst. I will mold them from the earth and I will entrust to them the secret of their own creation. They will help me in my mission. Together, we will build."

*Gemstones met more standard ocular orbs with what can only be assumed to be intent.*

"Where do I begin, Ethros?"
Jimmy
*The Sky God hummed again, looking toward the branches that spawned gods, the tree that created immortals. He sighed, then, turning to the marble divine being.*

"Begin with life. Life that flourishes, life that makes you happy, that alleviates loneliness. But allow them some hardship. Mortals seem more fulfilled after they've completed challenges."

*He then held up his hand, mist coalescing and forming an orb above it, before dissipating once more into nothing.*

"But make ageless children, unaffected by time. They will be with you forever. But above all, give them a chance. What they do with it is ultimately up to them."

*His fingers then sparked, lightning arcing around them like ribbons,* "I'm not telling you not to destroy when needed. After all, as the Sky, storms also fall under my domain. But give the mortals, as a whole, a chance."
Mack
"They will know goals, they will know effort, they will know hardship, but they will endure. They will be assistants and children, my assistants and my children. They will improve their minds, for their bodies will endure so their souls can flourish. And I understand, as in order to improve the old must be pruned."

*The marble godling had no such grand displays of power, instead mentally triangulating the angle of jump required to get down further in the tree and towards the ground. He will find land, good land, and shape his children from it. He did not know much, but Exilus knew enough now. The rest would come in time. When the calculations were done, he locked eyes once more with the lord of sky and storm.*

"Thank you. I will return to you with majesties, and we will meet as equals. If you require the creation of works, I will offer my services to you. It is the least I can give for the wisdom you have provided."

*With a crouch and a mighty leap, the Marble God of Improvement would leap into the canopy below to find his purpose and to complete the goal inscribed in his very being. As he went, however, he at least waved goodbye. It would be rude not to.*
Jimmy
*Ethros nodded to Exilus, and lightly waved as the other god leaped into the lower areas. Though once he knew the other was gone, he allowed the barest stirrings of caution to creep into his mind. There was no doubt, Exilus had good intentions for his creations. But, well, he seemed to be a bit too eager to improve things.

How long would it be before he started wishing to 'improve' another god's creations? How long before Exilus acted on it?

If he tried... Oh, if he tried.*