17th February 2013
14:58 GMT
Aztec… No? I mean, I wouldn't be astonished to learn that some of the Sons of Dawn picked up… Parts of their religion, but I can't see Hugo bringing back the more murderous parts of the religion. Most of his people have Euanthe as the most prominent deity, with various elemental beings becoming background figures. Some of those are loosely related to figures from old South American religions, but I don't… Think there's anything that could cause a change like this.
"That's news to me, oh Bast. Ah."
I mean, there's… Aztek, but I haven't seen any sign of him around. His secret society might still be active, but they're secret. And so far as I remember they don't really do anything like the old version of the religion. It's a little difficult to cut peoples' hearts out heroically.
"May I ask how they managed that?"
"No, but
Tlazolteotl hasn't looked as good as she does now for… Longer than I can remember."
Something like that couldn't happen without Zauriel noticing, right? I mean, I wouldn't mind if people switched to worshipping the Aztec gods as long as everybody's hearts remained where they are…
"What did she ask of you?"
"That I visit her realm with a few friends. A peaceful visit between pantheons squeezed out by monotheism."
"I don't know enough about the Aztecs to suggest anything. Though I am a little surprised by the timing. I don't think there's been any sort of resurgence in their worship on Earth."
"Then perhaps I
should see for myself. Now that I have the power to have choices again, I
enjoy using it."
"Uh, Sekhmet seemed annoyed about my suggestion that she replace Ares in the Olympian pantheon."
Bast blinks. "Did she say why?"
"She thought that I was trying to prostitute her and that I was making inappropriate cat jokes."
"I think that she's still annoyed about not getting to offer her power to Teth Adom. Granting him her stamina, strength or speed would have been a great advantage to us both."
"How do I calm her down?"
"You do what you did. I
am her when calm. But perhaps a gift would not go amiss, delivered by messenger just in case."
"Thank you. I'll do-."
"Ah."
Kon takes a half-step towards her. "So, Nuala? Are you okay with us questioning people?"
Bast considers him for a moment, tail waving back and forth.
"The covenant between man and cat is long since broken. But cat-spirits of all kinds come to my city, and they know where their dishes are filled. And they share what they see."
"And are you going to share with us?"
Her eyes narrow slightly, her left ear flicking. "They don't have cats on Krypton, do they?"
Kon thinks for a moment. "I mean, not any
more."
Her ears flap, and she looks towards the steps. "And speaking of broken covenants…"
A large black cat walks up the steps, calmly looking us over before turning its attention to Bast. "I did what you asked."
"You did what I paid you for and used it as an excuse to entertain yourself. But if you want to stay in my realm, then you will take them to the ones the elves spoke to."
The panther's tail jerks from side to side. "Perhaps I don't."
"Oh goddess, is this creature annoying you? Because a little orange light makes all creatures more obedient."
The panther bears its teeth and crouches slightly.
"Oh don't even. You threw your weight around when you could, and now someone else is doing the same you're acting like it's inherently unreasonable. You can deal it but not take it."
Kon shakes his head, turning to Bast. "Have you ever considered getting a dog? Loyalty's, like, their defining trait. I got a wolf, and she's great."
"Those appear to be your choices."
Bast walks right up to the panther, forcing it to crane its neck to maintain eye contact. "Do as I ask, be controlled, or be replaced. You may choose as you like.
Now."
The panther holds out for a moment, then cringes, tail going down and teeth being once more covered by gums.
"I will obey."
"Good."
Bast's eyes flash and the panther twitches, blinking rapidly. "My agents have shown you where to go. Take them there, guide them, and make it clear that anyone who doesn't answer promptly will earn my ire."
"I will."
Bast turns back to us, head held high. "You two are interesting mortals. I expect to see you again when this is over."
Kon and I bow politely, then walk over to where the clearly unhappy panther is waiting for us. Cernunnos joins us a moment later as Bast returns to her recliner and starts licking her right hand.
"I'm sorry. Sekhmet was out when I arrived. She said that I smelled too much like food to talk to."
"Not a problem."
I consider making a 'pussycat' comment, but decide against it.
"Do you know what triggers the transformation in the other direction? I'd like to avoid it."
"She can trigger it voluntarily. The only other thing that I've seen trigger it is the scent of fresh blood."
"Don't bleed." I nod. "Good plan."
"Hey, ah…"
Kon walks closer to the panther, which ignores him. "I'm Superboy."
"I don't care. I do this on
sufferance."
The panther turns away from the main thoroughfare and into a smaller alley. "The elves have spoken to many people, and as Bast has shown them to me so I will show them to
you."
"Thanks. Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot. Orange Lantern can get a bit…"
He glances back at me. "
Demanding when he gets stressed. Can we pay you back for this?"
"I've never eaten a member of your species before. Leave me your
arm when you go, and I will be content."
Kon glances at me. Hm. Well, I can't easily cut his arm off or replace it, but I can synthesise a new arm and leave that. I nod.
"Sure. I can do something like that. So who are we going to see?"
