There was, of course, another type of survival than that of a delicate ecosystem. Beyond the scope of mortal observation, fights for life and death, chaos and order, and the very fabric of reality and existance were waged. Every day found losses and gains from both sides, in the never-ending war for soverienty. Such battles were watched by the Keepers of the Balance.
What would happen if such guardians of neutrality were to become too involved in the battles that surrounded them? What punishments would be afforded if such an agent took a stand against Evil.. or Good?
*-----*
Within a wooded clearing, deep in the heart of Myrken, Lamai Carver knelt. Snow melted with the warmth of her small frame, seeping into the ragged brown fabric of the pants she was always seen in. Her eyes were closed, listening to the voices only she could hear. Her head was bowed, causing copper strands to somewhat mask her expressions, which oft twisted in the midst of the arguement at hand.
"She is ashamed of what she is." The male voice boomed gloomily. "Look at how she hides among mortality as if she were a part of them, still."
"There are many who disguise themselves among the ranks of mortals, Tempo. Are there not those who would hunt the supernatural simply for the sake of it?" Tempo's counterpoint in the discussion had a high-pitched, almost whistly voice. At that moment, it was decidedly femanine in nature.
"But they do not get involved in the fight themselves, Melody." A third voice joined the discussion. Somewhere between the booming bass of Tempo and the high-strung soprano of Melody, Harmony's voice registered. Thus, it was difficult for Lamai to discern which gender her particular patron had chosen to take. She usually defaulted to 'Lady', much to Harmony's general amusement.
"Exactly my point, Harmony," Tempo exclaimed in pre-emptive triumph. "She focuses far too much on her own needs, as if she were mortal, and not nearly enough attention to her given duties."
"That isn't to say that you are entirely accurate, Tempo. You so easily forget that the girl was not born into the role, like so many of our servants." Harmony's interjection forced Tempo's triumph to fall quite flat.
Tempo could only grunt in mild irritation at his failed attempt at winning. Melody had fallen into a sullen since from the moment Harmony had interjected his opinion. Thus, with the both of them brooding, it left Harmony to once again fill in the looming silence.
"Taking everything into account, I believe we have a handful of options. We can return her to a semi-mortal state, removing her memories of the supernatural until the time comes when she is fully ready to fullfill her proper role. We can find someone to properly train her in the ways of Balance, but leave her intact, or we could put her with the one of us that she will be happiest with."
"Not Tempo," Melody piped up quite suddenly.
"Oh, and you would do any better, Melody?" Tempo grumbled. "YOu cannot even decide if you want the 'hassle' of servants from one moment to the next!"
Harmony sighed. "Children, children. Back to the task at hand, please."
"Right," the other two echoed simultaneously.
While the trio of deities argued, the small figure remained kneeling within the snow. The chilling moisture had started to climb up her pant legs, causing the fabric to begin clinging to her hips. It was quite displeasing.
Still, in spite of the infuriating moisture, her thoughts shifted to more important things. Important things like the concept of being mortal again. Certainly, they wouldn't be so displeased with her behavior to inflict that upon her, would they? She distantly remembered being mortal. She was weak, then. Incredibly so. A simple healing could have her put out for days. There was the remembering to eat regularly. There was --
"It's settled, then," Harmony's voice broke into her thoughts, forcing her attentions back to the matter at hand. "Lamai Aranea Carver. For failing to focus on your duties as properly assigned, you are hearby condemned to a mortal state, until there comes a time when we are fully satisfied that you are capable of understanding and completing your mission as a Keeper of the Balance."
Lamai jerked awake. The warmth of the hearth surrounded her. The crackle of the fire dancing and popping was no different than when she'd gone to sleep. Her clothing was completely dry, and she was still curled up within Nathaniel's arms, where she had fallen asleep the previous night after crying over Altias. With a quiet release of breath, aquamarine eyes closed their lids once more, causing crystaline clear tears to streak down her cheeks. Inwardly, she chastised herself. Through her increasingly drowsied mind, the single thought streaked. Rather egotistical of herself, really, to dream that she was an angel.