***
Solania was in a good mood. Of course, a large part of this was the fact that she was finally returning to her grove, but it was also true that she had enjoyed outplaying the child this morning. The sight of his terrible glare faltering was most entertaining, and she was quite proud of this outcome.
In one move, she taught a lesson to a disrespectful child, gained the admiration of the villagers intimidated by her Chief High Priestess, and fulfilled her obligation to choose a husband!
Perhaps I should add 'Goddess of Wisdom' to my title? Hmm, maybe once the leaders of mortals come to me in need of my advice, more of the people will wish to worship me as well? I shall think on this!
Putting aside the matter of titles, Solania had chosen a husband. She could tell her attendants did not approve of him, but she felt that this child differed from the average child. Indeed, he did not have the most impressive appearance of the boys she had seen, but his actions from the morning left an impression on her.
Some might consider him a bit of a fool for provoking a Goddess; indeed, Solania had initially seen him as a shameless child. Still, when he sent her that pointed look about her attendants, she felt he was not trying to be disrespectful or full of malice. Instead, he was angry at the treatment his fellow children were being subjected to. In truth, Solania felt that her attendants were often too zealous about her, so she found his response reasonable in comparison. In that action, she had sensed a maturity that was clearly greater than his age, and thus, Solania felt that he had significant potential.
If nothing else, she felt more comfortable with someone who also clearly didn't want to be in this relationship. Her followers had warned her that many might desire to exploit or tarnish her somehow.
Though most mortals desperately seek to be chosen by the Gods, why would this child show such a deep reluctance at the idea? It is most curious.
It was this thought that drove her desire to speak with him. Thus, when they stopped about a day out from the grove, she dismissed her attendants and quickly wove a bubble of silence around herself and the boy.
His expression was quite low, so Solania understood that the child was sulking. Of course, he was young, and she did not hold it against him. She would not be surprised if such a clever child had never been bested before and that this was a new experience for him, so she gave him kind words of encouragement.
The boy seemed to take her advice and gave her a serious look. She felt that was better; she wanted a good relationship with her betrothed after all!
Ah, that reminds me. I don't know his name. I don't usually learn the names of mortals, but since this one is meant to be my husband…well, I might become a laughingstock amongst the other divines if I can't even learn one mortal name!
"I can see you have taken my lesson to heart, and so I will hound you on it no longer. Now, my betrothed, please tell me your name. I have rarely learned the names of mortals, so do not worry; yours shall remain in my mind!"
The child had a complicated expression at her words but cleared his throat and, after a moment, said in a hoarse voice, "I am called Isaac."
She nodded and committed the name memory. His answer felt a bit brief, but she did not mind formality too much. The boy had a question painted clearly on his face, and Solania smiled, a strange effect on the unicorn's face.
"Very good; Isaac is your name. I have remembered it. Now, then, do not hold back. Speak your question."
He seemed to be considering many questions but decided, "How shall I address you? Goddess of Purity? Or do you have a name that I am permitted to use?"
It felt like he was trying to be more respectful, which was wise; her attendants would only take kindly to such casual language once the marriage ceremony was complete.
She did find the question confusing; of course, she had a name…but now that Solania considered it, had she ever told anyone before? Mortals usually just referred to her by her titles.
Do…do they not know?
She masterfully hid her flustered feelings from Isaac and said, "Ahem, ah, yes. Of course, my name is most divine, and I love it dearly. So do call me Solania. My titles are also acceptable, but never hesitate to use my name! In fact, use it often! It's not a secret!"
***
Why is she so flustered?
Hmm, the village had many lessons about her, but I can't say I remember ever hearing that she had a name…in fact, wasn't it believed that one who was impure could not speak it, and that's why her name was a mystery, while the rest of the gods' names were known?
Isaac decided not to provoke her anymore today. Actually, being a rare individual who knew her name could be very advantageous. He bowed his head and said, "Then it will be my honor to call you Solania."
"H-hmph, very good. Now then, Isaac, I would ask you another question. Most mortals seem excited to become my betrothed, but my keen eyes noticed you were not. Why is that?"
Isaac was truly surprised by the bluntness of the question. He thought for a moment and was about to weave a bit of a lie about living up to the role when every instinct in his body lit up in warning. A memory arose of his lessons at the local church of Purity.
'The Path of Purity requires an unsullied character! Nothing corrupts the character of a person like lies! Those who would lie to their fellows are only worthy of punishment!'
He wasn't sure if this was solid evidence that lying would harm him, but he held back for now and responded, "Truthfully, there are many reasons. I don't want to be subject to the whims of a divine being I don't fully understand. I don't understand what my role is meant to be, and uncertainty is worrying. I am afraid this will make me a target for unscrupulous sorts."
Isaac couldn't quite understand why he had just said all of that. Lying was one thing, but he hadn't intended to just…let it all out. Is this what dealing with a a god was like? Being unconsciously influenced is no joke.
Interestingly, she didn't seem offended. Instead, she considered his answer seriously and seemed satisfied, "A good answer. You have deeper thoughts on this than I would have initially believed. Let me say this clearly: I want us to have a good relationship. You will soon be given many lessons by my High Priestesses, but let me tell you what your role as my husband is."
She paused as if collecting her thoughts and continued, "My place is at my grove. I cannot leave it for long periods. As such, my direct influence in the world is limited. Thus, I will grant you a large portion of my power such that you might go out into the world and support me. Be it assisting my followers or purifying truly corrupted places. It is my hope that together, we might bring about a golden age of Purity to the world!"
She glowed brightly as she made this statement, clearly filled with idealistic hope that such a time was coming.
Isaac considered her words. Essentially, he would support his wife's business (religion) by traveling around and handling matters abroad. It honestly seemed surprisingly normal if one didn't include the magic or the fact that his wife was a unicorn. He supposed that if he would be stuck doing something for the rest of his life…well, at least he gets to travel.
Solania suddenly had a look of interest in her eyes, "Ah, I have another matter. Though I love my grove and am quite content to stay there…I do so enjoy stories from the outside. Now I am aware you only lived in that village, but…might you have any stories?"
Isaac considered that. He had nothing from this world, to be sure, but he had an extensive volume of literature, movies, and games in his memory. Even just the fantasy genre would go on for a while.
"Does it matter if they aren't true stories?"
Her eyes sparkled as she sensed that he indeed had some, "No, not at all! Please, won't you tell me?"
Isaac smiled for the first time in his life at her sudden enthusiasm. It was time for Earth's culture to shine, "Tell me if you've heard this one before. Long ago, in a distant land called Hyrule…"
It was a long night for the exhausted Isaac, but he felt some satisfaction in sharing tales from Earth with such an excited audience.