Lisa
Within the confines of the Hall of Gods, a familiar dark presence loomed in the air. Like the herald of a coming shower, the smell of earthy rain coaxes the scent of Gaia for but a short moment, giving way to the coming entry of the Goddess of the Void. Within the periphery of the God of Prosperity, a small pinprick dot of pitch-black darkness obfuscates the air, before slowly blotting out its surroundings in a catalyzed, domino-like manner. Like hexagons outlining a hive, dark circular blotches trace and create the scaffolding of a liquid pooling before being fleshed out by the inky darkness. 

A short moment later, the dot in the air became a vertical puddle of darkness, and the scent of rain became the strongest it ever had before—bright white absconded from the darkness, two dots of white that expanded into the shape of half-moons. Tired eyes that were exhausted of tirades, yet never seemed to express beyond that same static, stoic, and unchanging picture that depicted their face.

Two eyes plastered on a face. A blank face on a silhouetted female body, stepping out of the portal of darkness in the Hall of Gods. She seemed distant like her body was present, but her mind remained elsewhere—she thought of business even when away to attend to inter-familial matters. Her mind rendered her staring toward the ground, in deep thought. She wondered what was becoming of Ezgi and Thana, of Edon, and her realm at home. So many questions seemed to oscillate in her mind, reverberating loud thoughts that left her standing uncomfortably still amid a busy hall.

She gazed up for but a moment, glancing at Kars, before returning to her quiet stupor. 

"__Hmmm.__"
Theresa
A presence has been spending inhabiting the halls for quite a while, chatting with new gods and elders alike. The presence actively grabs attention with his "Average suit" That was sewn with too much jewelry and every single fiber just had to be expensive as a show of identity, the cling-clangs of his ornaments along with exquisite cologne just forces others to pay attention, against their own will. As intended by Kars, many were dazed and irritated being around his base form, yet there was one who didn't seem to be interested. A rare response, but a way to get Kars's attention.


Any came with a rainy scent, a deity he never got the chance to meet. Kars just assumed her to be a deity only concerned with their own business, and wouldn't be very welcoming of his visits. The ever-decadent lord of economies was surprised to be met with merely a glance, not even a word or acknowledgment. He observed Any and deduced that she has many business to attend to and is in deep thoughts. Being who he is, he got the interest to offer his assistance or service in trade of favors. Kars approached Any, he became less glamorous as he walked, to appear more pleasant...

"You seem troubled, sister." 

He crouched down to her eye level holding some sweet treats served on a dish that came from nowhere, offering to the god of the void.
Lisa
Originally distracted by the sheer opulence of the God of Wealth's frankly obnoxious "Average" Suit, she had managed to re-center herself back towards the intrinsic questions stuporing in her mind. It wasn't for very long, whether or not it was fortunate or not for the Goddess of the Void. Rumination was disrupted by the loudness of Kars, not by virtue of sound, but by the loudness of his vibrance, an antithesis to her muted, quiet darkness. 

She felt his presence lock onto her, acutely aware that he approached now with deliberate, calculated steps. Each footfall changed his appearance, becoming something less shiny and more pleasant to see. When light is too bright, it can cause the eye to burn. If one were to gaze upon the opulent god, it would be easy to be blinded, not just by greed and jealousy, avarice and spite. It was a pleasing thing to watch his sun-like radiance glimmer down, shimmering to a viewable extent. She reciprocated the notion by allowing her stars to shimmer within her dark body, filling her inky-black silhouette with a microcosm, a snapshot of the distant stars in the sky. Those that she embodied, same as Kars embodied the jewels he wore.

Any's head craned upward only a little, standing just a foot shorter than the God of Wealth. She watched as he gazed down at her and served a dish full of sweets. Although initially ready to decline the offer, she decided to take a few for her daughter, an action that she'd never consider before her interactions with the Goddess of Love, and the ongoing events with Edon's traces. She ran her hand over the treats and had them tucked away in small pockets of the Void.

"__Karsius.__" She nods her head politely.

"__I was not privy to knowledge that you intended something from me, yet you stand before me with a question.__" She speaks plainly, although she catches herself again.

She takes a soft, deep breath and stops thinking about her troubles for a minute to focus on Kars. It was the least she could do to make amends, and keep the promise she'd made to Ezgi.

"__But... Yes, I will admit that I am having... Difficulties. Such things things are trivial to you, I imagine.__" She seemed to have trouble admitting her fault.

"__What brings you to me, Godkin?__"
Theresa
He could feel his form's muscles attempting to form a big grin as Kars had to make a conscious effort to keep his face straight. He came close enough for this form to appear pleasant, then it ceased shifting. He was portrayed in a beautiful body with much less decoration, radiating warmth and elegance. A rarely seen facet of the opulent god, when others interpret him as the previously seen visual overload. Almost humble in a way.


Kars cherished this particular appearance for the moment, looking at himself in approval and pride. In some ways, mortals and godkin projected themselves on him. It was predictable for mortals, their greed was obvious, and too easy to see through. For immortals, their opinions are fun to see, Kars wondered how Any would expect him to look like. "Not my usual look, but I think I wear this well." Usually, he can tell many things from how others see him.

Opposites to each other, now matched in intensity. Kars was confused to see Any not try out the food he'd offered, but chooses not to question it. He does appreciate those who receive his treats, since he spent the effort to give them, even if he has ulterior motives, it helps him learn more about fellow gods. 

Like nature, he felt like forging a deal, like he did with many other gods he came across, who ended up owing him many favors after their interaction. "I came to you with a proposition. One that I'm sure won't be a problem." The plate of food vanished behind his sleeve like a magic trick, the difference is that it's actual magic. "Tell me those woes, and maybe I can bring some convenience for you. Good deeds done for a reasonable price." He put on a nice, convincing smile. Deities know he was just being persuasive, but Kars has a reputation, a good one.
Lisa
Almost humble was something completely unheard of with the God of Wealth. Such a deity had a larger propensity to expose himself to the world as a gleaming bar of gold, as obnoxious as it was to the other of his ilk. Such a large appearance difference between the Opulent God and the Goddess of the Void...

Any had no opinion of Kars, nor was she a woman of avarice. Kars was the God of Wealth and showed his domain well, the same as how she portrayed herself well as an avatar of the darkness surrounding the Wooden Mother. The knowledge the Void whispered to her told her of his many actions, interactions, and personality. He seemed relatively trustworthy, more so than many of the other Gods in the realm, at least. She glanced at his form once more before speaking, noting his muted glimmering.

"__It suits you. Although, I would presume if it shimmers, it would always suit you.__"

‎ 
It wouldn't take a lot of guesswork to realize that, Any didn't have a mouth. Her form was mist, so where would the food go? Did she even eat? One would presume not by the way she slipped the snacks away in pockets of the void.

Nonetheless, Kars began his swats at striking a deal with the Goddess of the Void, curiously prying into her matters by offering something for troubles like a peddler of wares. It almost rubbed her the wrong way, but recent changes in her internalized mentality had given him leeway, only prompting a shake of the head. She dislikes the idea of owing the God anything, even if he wasn't known for bringing up nefarious favors. Yet... She was admittedly looking for a second view, so she obliged the God of Wealth, conditionally.

__"I am not interested in propositions, not of this matter. My daughter is... Distant from me, wary of the many mistakes I've made. I do not wish to force her forgiveness, but... I wish to attempt reconciliation. However, I am certain she would not wish to contact me any longer, despite my having created her.__" She crosses her arms, destabilizing her confident air when she'd originally walked in.

"__But if I were to have obliged you, what did you intend?__"
Theresa
He could never be humble, at least to anyone who would tolerate his displays. For mortals however, they see what they have to see, yet usually without his third eye. Never has he appeared in front of mortals in a different fashion, even at the risk to his personal benefits.

He traded more than just wares. Knowledge is always on the table, the trades of intelligence have been proven to be a wise decision. From gods to mortals, he acquired what he knew through the activities of life, especially through the mortals who required his domains to keep on existing. Markets, cities, ports, technology to entire civilisations was built by what he represented. With the push of Kars, they create intelligence about him.

"Fashion need not shimmer. There are ways to be flamboyant, even with pitch black!"

Excitedly said. Kars was, through his activities and studies, an expert on clothing. Who was the one designing his attire? Certainly not mortals or gods who wouldn't bother. Not to include his divine advantages and duties. One can make beautiful robes of darkness, absorbing attention, gazes, even all light that shines on it... 
ㅤ

He could collaborate with Any to create an impossibly dark piece of clothing, yet equally beautiful and elegant but would she ever agree to it? Probably not, he could just make it himself. They should make something that requires the effort of two gods, something worth proposing. Thinking of voids and abundance, could there be anything in the middle ground? Anyways, back to the topic, he has a bit of advice for Any as deity to deity. Sitting on a couch that wasn't there before, with enough space for Any to join in should she wish to sit down. He recounted the times he dealt with his own sons, the wisdom he traded for.

"It was wise to not force forgiveness. It is her choice to accept your remorse after all.. You need to be open hearted and genuine should you choose to contact her. Or just take the time for her current emotions to cool down and for circumstances to push both of you together. I can stage "Circumstances", but I can personally help mend your relationship..."
Lisa
Any was already fairly aware of Kar's almost... Narcissistic traits, but no God was perfect. Even now, she stood before him with her heart bored as wide open as she could allow, her faintly distant consciousness demanding to see her child again, a subtle rage that subsumed over the cascading cacophony of white noise that seemed to so often attempt to overtake her rational thoughts. The Void was a terrible influence over the Goddess, yet she never knew of its fallacies until she'd found a bit of herself again, in view from afar.

And so, the imperfect gods stood adjacent, both seeking something from one another. A fractured Mother seeking forgiveness, and... Karsius, being Karsius.

The Goddess of the Void had no such niche in the realms as the God across from her did, she did not carry the weight of commerce nor the responsibilities of overseeing her mortals. Perhaps she had the job of maintaining the balance of the Void, but... Nothing ever truly came of it. Entropy as well, was everywhere and did not need to be micromanaged by her hands. It ticked like clockwork, propelling everything forward. There was no intelligence of Any, but everyone knew her in their own, small way. The open closet in the night, the alleyways of the towns, the birth of the children, and the graying of hairs. She was within it all.

A seat manifested for Kars to sit down and although offered, she did not wish to seat herself. She felt like she'd be much too focused on something else to properly sit down. The God spoke up amid her thoughts, offering his intervention, although his off-handed remark of surreptitious puppeteering of circumstances rendered her unwelcome to the proposition. She shook her head and instead only chose to listen to his words of advice.

__**"I would rather you do not attempt to cause a staged intervention. I fear if things were to go awry, it may lead to further distrust, I would rather make my mistakes with honesty and have only the truth to bear to her. And yet, I am worried that if I wait to allow her emotions to settle, she may no longer wish to speak with me. I fear I will no longer have a daughter."**__

Her fingers tap against her elbows in the crossed arms she had, before she shakes her head and takes a seat next to Kars. She rubs her temples and takes the motion of a deep breath.

**__"Emotions. So complex, yet vexing."__**

The woman admits her conundrum, although she realizes that Kars had offered assistance.

**__"And what assistance would that be?"__**
Theresa
As a god dependent on mortal lives, Kars chose to abide by the roles bestowed upon him by Mother Gaia and mortals. Trade decide who he is, plain and simple. It is nature and his will, and he took it very seriously. 

However, adopting traits of the wealthy, such as vanity, ego, and a need to show himself, ironically worked against his own purpose, especially among the divine. They saw right through him, the same way he saw through them. 

It would be difficult to sway Any, given her personality. Kars didn't even know what he should ask for in return, only that he would offer something to get something. Tricks and manipulation would be futile, and meddling in her personal life pose risks for future deals. He could offer advice, but he struggled to calculate a worthy price in return. Is it a lost cause?

"I suppse a staged act could be risky." 

He said, turning to Any. He settled to offer his genuine words, knowing the its value. 

"Familial advice is not my domain. However, your daughter might benefit from companionship, perhaps a therapist. Also safety and stability, keep an eye on her, and probably change by yourself. I am ignorant of your personal life, but there should be some change here and there."
Lisa
Any sighs once more and looks toward the God of Wealth, unsure what step to take. She considers every angle, but most lead to fruitless endeavors or wilting the seeds she has attempted to sow. This trade was unscrupulous; unfairly difficult and troublesome to navigate, but a worthy challenge to the God of Wealth and Commerce. 

She moves her hands from her temples and places them neatly on her lap, turning her whole body to Kars. She stood, listening to his words while she considered her next actions carefully. Every action would always have an equal and opposite reaction, a gift would be a sizable gauge of the state of affairs. Truthfully, she realizes that she had been negligent to Ezgi's needs, her lack of presence truly creating a permanent veil of difficulty. It seemed that was all she ever seemed to know—a veil of difficulty, whether it be the Void, emotions, domains, experience. 

A gift could be a way to test the waters. She would deliver unto Ezgi a gift, one made with genuine care and time spent to appreciate the details and craftsmanship. Kars was right; Familial advice was not his domain. But trade and wealth, commerce and communications, those were. So it would be a matter of doing the right job with the tool given.

"__I have a proposition for you, Karsius. Grant me your insight on design and facile decorum, some of your essence, and time. In exchange, I will be placed in your debt. Let it be known that I take debts as a grimly matter, and will be treated as such.__"

She extends her hand out in a handshake.

"__I request the creation of an Artifact, for my daughter.__"
Theresa
"I see, I see! I ***Just*** Like flattery and gifts, I've done that countless times." He was rather quick to shake her hand, being who he is, Kars was eager to forge this deal. It's not a lost cause after all. 

Every action would always have an equal and opposite reaction. An artifact will be paid with another artifact. With his own craftsmanship, he could surely deliver. Pulling from his memory, many families have been mended by gifts, but only the ones with sentimental value, and a certain level of tinkering. The gods must spend genuine effort and thought to this artifact for a positive result. He gave Any a big excited smile, he will provide the beauty and craft, and she, everything else. 

Kars himself has a taste in presents, usually lavish physical objects with few thoughts behind them. "Tell me if they enjoy luxury." More often than not, people want fancy things, and that's where he excels at. Even if they liked simple things, Kars has more than enough to craft a grat gift.

He took a few steps backwards, 30 ft away from Any. Fom then, he'd walk from right to left, a workshop with a shelf of items appeared behind his back, conjured as he walked. There were raw materials and masterfully crafted tools, it was like a toy maker's station where he also displayed merchandise. "First thought, sister? What *Will* Your child appreciate? 

He help up scissors, showing he is ready to work.
Lisa
Any's hand was shaken, and the accord was made. She nodded solemnly as she gazed upon Kars, curious about what he would do next.

__**"A gift, yes. Flattery, it is not. It greatly pleases me to know we can agree."**__

The God of Wealth took several steps back, his long strides making a distance between them as she observed patiently, curious what would come next. It would take a little while for the results to come to fruition, a large table full of tools and raw materials present from Kars' conjurations. She was thoroughly unsurprised at the spectacle and was fully expectant of the wonderous, glimmering, shiny trinkets and peculiars. 

She listens to his questions and thinks deeply for a moment, her white eyes closing and leaving her featureless face blank. She contemplates the complexities of Ezgi and her preferences, likes and dislikes.

Just like a mother, she knew what her Daughter loved the most. The moments of deep sentimental value, the simplicity of the world when the cares are shrugged off at the door, the time spent in quiet contemplative comfort at the base of the fireplace. Any could remember them clearly.

Her daughter was afraid of the dark, and it was heartbreaking to know that she had unwittingly cursed her beloved child with blood that stole the light from all around her, making her life an eternal void. Such was the curse of Godhood, to hurt and destroy as often as you created and experimented. Any's eyes open slightly, her expression shifting. She appears... Saddened.

‎ 
A memory appears in her mind, affronting itself into a cloud of black mist, a television-like view of Any's thoughts. TV Static, with a faint view of a memory of her mortal life.

"__Caroline, how are you feeling? Does your neck still hurt from the rope?__" The screen's distorted audio buzzes Any's voice, a gentle mortal voice.

"...I-I-I'm o-ok. J-j-just c-co-cold." A soft voice chimes, barely above a whisper. A young girl.

The screen's haze clears, revealing the point of view of a taller woman, standing over a young white-haired girl. The child is dressed in clothes too big for her, and a rope bruise around her neck. The girl shivers relentlessly, seemingly unable to stop as frozen tears cling to her face, one of her fingers is attached to her face via cold moisture gluing the skin to her digit.

"__You got your hand stuck again. Here, let's sit by the fire. It'll melt and warm you up again.__"

The woman grabs the girl's unfrozen hand gently, guiding her to a fireplace nearby. They sit, a distance placed between them that quickly closes as she motions for the girl to sit close to the flame.

"I-I'm s-so-so-sorry.." She whispers, verging on tears.

"__Hush, darling. You didn't do anything wrong. You made a mistake, and that's okay. We can always fix our mistakes.__" The woman cooed.

"B-But it's m-my f-fault.."

"__Maybe, but we can fix it together. Come, let's get your hand unstuck from your face, silly girl.__"

"O-okay, m-mama- I m-mean... **M-miss Any**.."

The girls quietly sit by the fire, the Woman's motions clearly hesitant at the girl's words. She shakes her head in amusement, taking the girl and laying her head onto her lap, softly tugging the girl's stuck finger as the warmth of the fire melts her tears away. She pulls once more, the finger ripping away with ease.

"__It's okay, you can call me that. I.. Like the sound of it."

The white-haired girl moves, looking up right into the camera as if gazing into Kars through the eyes of the woman—A pure, unfettered, shocked expression—A look of uncertainty, yet welcoming.

"O-Okay, M-Mama...**A-Any**... M-Mama.. **Any**.."

The screen stops as the girl smiles, calling out once more. The static returns, flickering as she gazes into the screen with a happy, loving smile.

"M-my m-momma, **Any**!!"

The screen disappears, the memory fading as Any opens her eyes fully. She looks uncertain about something but shakes her head. She moves closer to Kars.

"**__My daughter would enjoy a flame; a candleholder or a lantern, perhaps. They... Greatly appreciated the warmth and light of a fire, when they were younger. I would like to think she would wish to carry that with her.__**

Any appears shaken, although her expression would not give it away. Her aura shifted, something within her moving as she thought deeper on the present she wished to give her daughter.
Theresa
It was the first time Kars could see another's memory. Rarely do they ever share their past, It's usually him who'd show visions as a form of display, with obvious contents alluding to his accomplishments. Reflecting onto his own family, they were professional towards eachother but loving and solid. It makes him wonder, what ever made them split like this? He would keep these thought silent for the discussion of a customer's tragedy is a taboo, unless one's mouth is good enough to worm their way to more benefits. In this case, both of them already know too much about each other.

"A Lantern, a rather simple tool or toy. Buuut I like the ways they can be decorated, I can add on glittering ornaments for a shiny presence! But I would add glue and gold leaf if the lantern is meant to fly." He looked onto his demiplane for a second, his right arm phasing out of existence as if reaching to another dimension. Revealing a slice of his anatomy, tightly packed jewells and treasures hidden inside god's skin. Air tight. He'd pull out a simple, maybe a crude brass lantern, as simple as it could be with a handle and wooden exterior. A convenient template to work with, his sleeves rolled up by themselves as Kars began to work.

He asembled a slim frame for it, just enough to keep it elegant and sturdy as brass can get, followed by some minor welding and polishing. There were aesthetics from his lands, but anyone *Will* Be able to see the beauty. If mortals were to make any negative statement of it, they'll face his **Passive judgment** In the form of discomfort and financial loss which could be severe.

There was a separate compartment made to store items. Madelions, pastries, currency, made purely because he could do it. He's sure that it'd come in handy eventually, or maybe the compartment will have its own function Any would imbue into it.

Now just a few final touches, and an unenchanted, fancy metal lantern was created, Kars was thoughtful enough to put a burning, cosy light source inside, he even chose one with no smell. "I see opulence, and I see the void. I'll combine the words and cimply call it the Opulent void."
Lisa
Kars would speak up about his opinions on the design before she would blankly nod and think for a moment, catching her attention with his demi-plane. Any thought about making her own Demi-plane, but she'd never truly gotten around to it... The essence cost was paid, yet nothing was created just yet. Stagnant divinity stood in a pool in her being, growing stale as it was left safely on its shelf... She'd wanted no part in that process any longer. Divinity would be spent, paid, and used, however she needed to make it move again.

Naturally, a gift for her daughter would be the best action. Kars began his handiwork upon the Lantern, its elegant form taking shape within moments. Any was never a connoisseur of fine arts, but even she could understand the splendiferous exalt of the creation.

Any moved closer to the lantern, her eyes blankly gazing over the work and nodding softly. 

__**"This is fine work, Kars. I appreciate your artistry."**__

Any begins to pour her essence into the lantern, slowly melding the artwork with a void veneer, splattering the metal with darkness that encapsulates both her domain and her natural presence. Devoid of all light, yet remaining there to shine. 

She clasps her hands together as the piece begins to float, pouring her essence inside of it to bless it with her boon, granting the gift of light and knowledge to her daughter, She carves words into the rim of the outlying bolts, a message for her daughter.

"For when you miss the memories of the hearth."

The lantern touches the table gently, allowing Kars to place his own stylistic choices on the item. The boon it had been blessed with had been chosen.

The ability to seek knowledge, for a small price. Become two, for the price of one.

Poetic, was it not?

__**"An Opulent Void, then. Thank you once more for your assistance, Karsisus."**__
Theresa
"You're correct. I know I have great taste." It sounded blunt, as it was merely an insignificant fact. There are gods far better than him, so for the sake of truthfulness, Kars would be clear about his ability. Having finished the artifact, he watched her give it a function and made a guess on what it does. 

"I am interested to know what meaning or purpose will it bring, other than as a present." It wouldn't hurt to ask this question.

For a finishing touch, he snapped his fingers and made the lantern shine with a pleasant warm light, like the fireplace in a house, a very obvious decision. 

Actually, the name of the 'opulent void' caught his ears, all six of them. How could a void display wealth? By the effects to its environment, the lantern brings warm light along with the shadow it casts on reality in the form of a clone. He might create something of similar power, starting with a mass of matter, divinity flowed to compress such matter to one single point, so small that it shouldn't exist, as if it's nothing. 

On the way, he also compressed the fabric of space time, the gravity well collapsed, came an event horizon the size of a baseball trying to pull everything towards itself. Pulling mass from his demi-plane, it even formed an accretion disk, glowing bright. Of course, its unfinished construction only provided half of the potential and might of this object, for it required divinity. Also there would be restrictions needed to make it practical. It's strange for him to create something capable of mass destruction, but it will work for defense.

"Your essence." He held it before Any, to finish it with her powers. It's her end of the contract that came with the creation of the lantern. A portion of divinity was spent on a command to keep the artifact from destroying everything, it could only destroy selectively at the user's command.