<strong>Location:</strong>The Moon<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Tian Lei<br/><br/>Wu's smile said the ten thousand words that he would offer had he the opportunity and ease to speak them, and he knew that Lei understood.  He'd had years to teach, but his talented pupil's journey was only just truly beginning.  When time permitted, when Lei needed him, he would be there.<br/><br/>Chang'e smiled as she gave him the pendant.  "It's a method that few other Pantheons truly understand, and the various myths and legends demonstrate it.  The Shen recognize that rehabilitating even the most troublesome and intractable of monsters is not only viable, but can gain valuable allies that will serve Heaven in their own ways.  Eventually, the panty stealing child of the Black Wind Bear will fully understand the error of his ways, though he may make some mistakes along the way and require extra diligence and tutelage."  Some sorrow showed in her eyes.  "Not all are wise enough to understand that, and sometimes their Legends make it impossible as a result.  If I thought you'd just slaughter them all out of hand, I'd look elsewhere, but you've been trained well and will consider the variety of options available."<br/><br/>For Luke's companions, Chang'e explained, "Each Visitation happens with some degree of the consent and direction of the parent involved.  The only way something could happen to threaten them would be if..."  Chang'e considered, then gestured to the Jade Rabbit.  "You know our stories.  You know that she attempted to steal the yang of Tang Sanzang."  The Jade Rabbit gave a look of complete innocence and slight offense.  Chang'e smirked as she continued.  "I'm here because your father brought you to me.  She's permitted in my presence, and Wu filled out the proper paperwork.  Theoretically, she could attempt to do so, but she won't because she knows how badly I would punish her, and thus I vouch for her.  I can't see them at the moment, but I would expect that, just as your father pulled his punches in your duel to test your strength and character in combat, their own parents would put them in no further danger than that."  It wasn't certainty because other pantheons could be strange and difficult, but she had a hard time imagining such a circumstance.<br/><br/>Regarding the sacrifice, she explained, "Onogoro-Jima is a bit of a rarity.  The name implies it as the island created by the Kami when the divine couple Izanagi and Izanami churned the sea with the Amenonuhoko, the Heavenly Spear.  It's moved close enough to Hawaii to be easily accessible by the Atua.  Currently, a daughter of Amaterasu is in charge of it, but battles have been fought, cold wars engaged, and at the moment, it's sort of a Casablanca, a place where people who might have battles and disagreements can be at peace.  You're wise enough to know that there's far more to a battle than physical prowess and which side can best the other, but ideologies, philosophy, and winning over the humans."  She raised her palm in gesture.  "There are parts of the world where the son of the Black Wind Bear would never be permitted unless he had already been fully 'brought to heel,' or destroyed utterly."  It was easy to tell where Doctor Lin Cheng got more of her gossip-y aspects from, happy to talk about others and give her thoughts.  As it was, she was struggling to make sure she stayed on topic as much as possible.<br/><br/>"With Pele, the Atua attempt to bring someone into the fold who fits the definition of titan by most objective measures and has not truly been redeemed.  If we use the Aesir as an analogy, Skadi fits in well with them, but Loki does not, yet he's seen as a god and not a titan.  Pele still wants human sacrifices, but because of the conflicted nature of the island, Headmistress Mitsuhama has a much harder time banning the Atua outright, though she rarely admits one of the Teotl."<br/><br/>She looked to Tian Lei with an expression of friendly advice.  "If you defeat Gilbert, I suggest you and your Band speak with Kimo Kanahanui, the island groundskeeper.  He's a child of Tānemahuta, and I expect that things will smooth over relatively easily, but such discussions can be important.  You can understand how misunderstandings can lead to battles can lead to war, for example, if a Band without Shen decided it necessary to slay a child of Su Dájĭ."