Andrew grimaced as Jade placed a beautiful hairpiece made of a bouquet of fabric roses on his head. “Et tu, Jade?”
Jade flushed slightly as she whispered in his ear. “Sheila says you should give it to the girl you like best. Good luck.” She finished adjusting the hairpiece and quickly rushed back to an amused looking Sheila.
Andrew blinked. The girl he liked best? He looked around and realized the older women had all backed off, leaving him in the hands of the younger ones. Four women in particular seemed pretty invested in him. The one who'd first made him put on a skirt, Gisela, along with Penelope, Winnie, and Yvonne. “You know, these pants would look a lot better if you were wearing the appropriate undergarments.” Penelope teased. “None of this awkward bunching.”
“I think they'd look better if they were another size larger.” Yvonne rolled her eyes. “You can't blame the model for your inability to make clothing that fits.”
“They do fit!” Penelope retorted. “There's nothing wrong with a tighter pair of pants. As long as you're wearing the appropriate undergarments, at least.”
“I'm not changing my underwear.” Andrew sighed.
“You could just go without.” Gisela smirked, earning herself a glare from Andrew as she raised her hands in defense. “Kidding, of course. Your dignity is safe with us.”
“I think my dignity would do better in my own clothes.” Andrew grumbled.
“Would this soothe your dignity?” Winnie asked, holding up a men's shirt. Unlike the others, she'd taken it upon herself to use Andrew as an actual model, making him clothing he might actually want to wear, instead of clothing that seemed intended to make him as uncomfortable as possible.
“Winnie, you're a lifesaver.” Andrew grinned, taking off the blouse Yvonne had put on him and taking the shirt. “This is a nice fabric. Soft.”
Winnie nodded. “I noticed you always picked at the rougher fabrics, so I thought you might appreciate it.”
Gisela rolled her eyes. “Come on, let's get you out of those ridiculous pants and into something a bit less restrictive.” She interjected, holding up another skirt.
Andrew sighed. “Fine, but I think I'm going to need some help. These things are tight.”
“There's nothing wrong with tight!” Penelope grumbled, though she jumped to help him get the pants off.
“So… what do you do when you aren't playing model?” Gisela asked as she helped him put the skirt on. Now that the frenzy had settled down and it was just the five of them, there was a bit more time for conversation. Even with the system and Runes, they needed at least some time to make the clothes.
“I spend most of my time recruiting for the Sect lately.” Andrew replied. “Or cultivating, but that's kind of a given.”
Yvonne snorted, drawing everyone's attention as she flushed. “Sorry. It's just that the idea of cultivation as something people simply do now seems almost ridiculous when I consider life before.”
Winnie nodded. “The Eternals have given us all a great gift. We owe them a lot.”
Penelope sighed. “If only we could do something for them in return. But you can barely even see one of them, let alone interact with them!”
“What do you expect?” Gisela shrugged. “They're gods. What could we do for them even if we had the chance?”
“They may be gods, but they're still men.” Penelope smirked.
Yvonne snorted. “Yeah, good luck with that. You think they aren't already aware they could have any woman here? They literally own the world! If they wanted you, they'd have you.”
“I don't think they're like that.” Winnie added quietly. “They wouldn't do as much as they have for people if they saw them as people they could simply use. It isn't like they need to pretend to be benevolent. They could just take anyone they wanted and do what they wished with them.”
“Which is why you'd need a chance to actually offer yourself to them.” Penelope insisted. “Not in a gross way, of course, but even gods need companionship, right? You may have to share, but there's more than enough to go around. If it works out. But they're obviously good men, so any woman would be lucky to be with them, right?”
“Penny, you need to learn when to stop talking.” Gisela sighed.
Penelope scowled. “Am I wrong? If one of the Eternals was right in front of you, would you not try to catch their eye?”
Gisela glanced at Andrew, who was feeling very awkward about this entire conversation. “If I was unattached, maybe. But they would have to try to catch my interest as well. I don't wish to simply be someone's accessory, no matter how powerful they may be.”
“You're with someone?” Winnie asked, surprised.
Gisela quickly shook her head. “No, no, I'm simply saying that I wouldn't discard a relationship just to pursue an Eternal.”
“Neither would I, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't jump at the opportunity if I could.” Penelope grumbled, crossing her arms.
Andrew sighed. “What makes an Eternal any different than any other man? Does power mean they'd treat you any better? If anything they'd treat you worse, simply because they legitimately have bigger things to focus on. Even if you spent all your time with them, they could only ever spend a fraction of theirs with you. Could you handle a relationship where you inherently give more of yourself than they could ever give back?”
“But the fraction they give is more than the whole of everything you could give.” Penelope retorted, raising an eyebrow at him. “Just because you're incapable doesn't mean you need to invent reasons why a god who could literally spend every second at your side is actually a bad thing. Who cares if they're somewhere else as well? At least they're with you.”
“I don't think I would even want them with me all the time.” Yvonne frowned. “I want my life to be about more than just a single man, no matter how great that man might be.”
“Trying to compare how much you're putting into a relationship seems like it would lead to a lot of fights.” Winnie added. “Why not just focus on caring about each other?”
“I mean, yeah, but- I don't know.” Andrew shook his head, his thoughts turning to Cathryn. She spent a lot of time struggling with his… expansiveness. The idea that there were large parts of his life she just couldn't be there for, and he still had no idea how to handle it. He didn't even know if it was something he should handle. All he knew was that Cathryn was struggling, and he hated it. “It just seems like something that could be tough for some people.”
Gisela nodded. “I could see that. I think I would prefer to be a more… significant part of my husband's life. Someone he can rely on for support. Someone of value to him. The idea of being an afterthought doesn't sit well with me.”
“You don't need to be ever present in someone's life to be a significant part of it.” Penelope retorted. “I only see my parents once or twice a week, yet they're more significant to me than anyone else in my life.”
“That's also true, but what could you offer to an Eternal that would be anywhere close to what your parents offer you?” Gisela countered. “The problem I would have would be that they simply don't need you as much as you need them.”
“That- isn't necessarily true.” Andrew interjected hesitantly. “They're powerful, but they're still people. They need companionship, advice, and support just as much as anyone else, if not more. They- deal with a lot of crap.”
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Winnie blinked. “Do you- know them?”
Andrew froze. “Uh… kinda? I'm- involved in recruitment, and interacting with Eternals is a lot of what I do.” He explained, technically not lying.
“What are they like?” Penelope asked eagerly.
“They're just people with more power than they need or want.” Andrew sighed.
“Okay, but what kind of people?” Penelope rolled her eyes.
Andrew hesitated. “Well… the World Eternal is cold, almost unfeeling, but he's not rude about it, he just… doesn't care. Honestly, he's probably the most approachable one, because he doesn't care enough to not talk to you. You could sit there and talk about the most boring nonsense, and he'd just patiently listen. The Body Eternal is… benevolently horrible? Like, he isn't going to hurt anyone, but you aren't necessarily going to be happy with him. He can be pretty fun to be around, but if you approach him, you will be keeping him entertained, sometimes at your own expense. The Soul Eternal is either going to ignore you or argue with you, and that's pretty much it. She might be interested in playing a game, but only if you can turn it into a competition.”
The girls listened attentively, waiting for a moment after Andrew finished. “What about the Spirit Eternal?” Penelope prodded.
“I'm- not sure.” Andrew shrugged. “I haven't interacted with him much. He spends most of his time in the forest, recruiting Rune Beasts.”
“Can't they all be in multiple places at once?” Winnie frowned.
“Sure, but that doesn't mean they have to be in multiple places.” Andrew pointed out. “He prefers to be in the forest, so that's what he does.”
“Hm.” Penelope hummed slightly. “Could you introduce us to them?”
Andrew coughed. “I- don't think that's the best idea.”
Penelope frowned. “Why not? You just said the World Eternal wouldn't care, the Body Eternal would just want us to keep him entertained, and the Soul Eternal would just ignore us at worst.” She paused, narrowing her eyes. “Unless you're lying to us?”
“I haven't lied, it's just- I just-” Andrew trailed off, utterly incapable of figuring out a good excuse that wouldn't contradict everything he'd just said. Legitimately the Eternals he'd described would have no issue meeting new people. And they wouldn't. He just had no confidence that they would be able to hide his identity as an Eternal.
“Are you scared you might lose your chance with one of us if we met them?” Penelope teased, smirking at him.
“Penelope!” Gisela chastised her, though she kept an eye on Andrew to see his response.
“What other reason could there be?” Penelope retorted. “He's either lying or he's scared.”
The girls all turned to look at Andrew, and he let out a groan. “I'm not lying or scared, it's just-”
Chris appeared. “He's the Spirit Eternal.” He turned to Andrew. “You're welcome.” Then he disappeared.
Andrew froze as the girls’ eyes widened in shock. “I hate him. So, so much.” He groaned, covering his eyes with his hand.
“You're an Eternal?!?” Penelope asked incredulously.
“Yes, but can we talk about that later? Jade is making friends and if everyone found out it'd get awkward for her.” Andrew sighed.
Chris appeared again. “Talk as much as you want. I isolated the sound in this area. They also can't see me.” He explained, before disappearing.
“Of course you did.” Andrew grumbled. “Fine, yes, I'm the Spirit Eternal. I was hiding it because this is about Jade making friends, not about me being an Eternal, and once it got out, that's all anyone would talk about.”
Chris appeared yet again. “It would have defeated the point of me sending him here.”
“Would you stop that!?!” Andrew growled. “Either stay and talk or leave!”
Chris paused, before shrugging and taking a seat. “Fair.”
“Who is Jade?” Yvonne asked, frowning slightly. “Is she the Soul Eternal?”
“No, she's just a friend.” Chris replied. “She's been getting a bit too engrossed in my activities, so I'm encouraging her to branch out.”
“Then why didn't you help her?” Winnie asked.
“Because then this would become one of my activities, which would defeat the point.” Chris explained.
“You're- actually Eternals.” Penelope muttered almost numbly. “I put tight pants on an Eternal.”
“It really isn't that big a deal.” Andrew shook his head.
“You're a god! You- you could destroy me!” Penelope exclaimed, starting to hyperventilate.
“Not in Chris's world.” Andrew quickly retorted.
“Actually, I'm pretty sure you're the only one who can kill people in my world.” Chris commented. “Maybe Victoria, if you count destroying someone's mind as killing… which I probably would.”
“Chris, not helping.” Andrew groaned. “Look, Penelope, I honestly don't care that you dressed me in tight pants. It's fine. You don't have to be scared.”
Gisela sighed. “I was going to ask why you didn't just tell us when we started pressing you about the Eternals, but-” She gestured to the pale and shivering Penelope. “-I guess I can see your concerns.”
“You put him in skirts!” Penelope cried. “Why aren't you scared?!?”
“Because he hasn't done anything to be scared of.” Gisela replied. “He's been letting us tease him this entire time with no complaint, so he can make sure a friend stays comfortable. That doesn't sound like the kind of person who would turn around and kill people over a little embarrassment.”
“Even Jade contributed.” Yvonne pointed out, gesturing to the hairpiece. “I also just finished adjusting this blouse…”
Andrew groaned. “But I like this shirt.”
“I actually need to make some adjustments too…” Winnie interjected. “It doesn't hang right in the back.”
Chris snapped his fingers, autofitting the shirt to Andrew. “How's that?”
Winnie blinked. “G-good…”
“Chris, put it back. She wanted to do it.” Andrew rolled his eyes.
“N-no, it's fine!” Winnie waved her hands. “I can keep working on your pants.”
“But you'll still need to take it off and put on this blouse.” Yvonne smirked.
Andrew smiled, shaking his head as he took the shirt off and put on the blouse. “There, how's that?”
“Hmmm… maybe it'd be better on Chris?” Yvonne turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “I don't see you sewing.”
Chris paused for a moment, then disappeared. “Now you can't see me at all.” His voice echoed from his chair, making it clear he was just invisible, not gone.
Yvonne clicked her tongue. “Well that just isn't fair.”
“So what's it like? Being an Eternal.” Gisela asked tentatively.
Andrew paused. “It's… kind of like being a manag- er, a steward. The power is nice, but you're more focused on the responsibility that comes with it. There are things you have to do, and if you don't, things get bad. And if you just did whatever you wanted with the power, things also go bad. So there isn't much room to really enjoy the position. Not that there aren't perks, it's just the responsibilities kinda overshadow them. At least, if you want to be a good steward. Which we do.”
Gisela blinked, turning to look at Chris, frowning as she remembered he was invisible, before jumping as he spoke. “He's not wrong. Though I would say we're more like lords, since it acknowledges that we could be irresponsible, if we wanted to. But then, most people only see the benefits of being a lord, without seeing the responsibilities they have, so maybe your explanation is more digestible.”
“I don't know, with lords there's at least a level of ‘I'm in charge’ involved, but I've never felt like we can decide anything, we're just going around fixing other people's messes.” Andrew pointed out. “Seems more stewardish to me.”
Chris paused. “I suppose if you discount my world I could see that. I feel very much in charge of my world.”
Andrew rolled his eyes. “Yes, discounting your world, where you are obviously in charge, but it doesn't really matter, since all our problems are outside your world.”
“If they were inside my world, they wouldn't be problems.” Chris agreed.
“That seems… wrong somehow.” Gisela frowned. “The idea behind cultivation is that the more power you have, the more freedom you have. How can power chain you instead?”
“Freedom and responsibility aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, freedom is responsibility. Freedom gives you options, and having options means you have the responsibility to choose the best option. You also bear larger consequences for making the wrong decision. For example, Cultivators are free to hunt Rune Beasts, but if they hunt the wrong ones, they die. Non-cultivators don't have that option, and therefore, will never die to it.” Chris explained. “As Eternals, we have many, many options. Which means, we have a heavy responsibility when choosing between those options.”
“Like the difference between working for someone else and owning your own shop.” Yvonne nodded. “If you work for someone else, you have to make what they tell you. If you own your own shop, you can make whatever you want, but if it doesn't sell, you could lose everything.”
“Exactly.” Andrew agreed. “Do you own your own shop?”
“No, but my mother does.” Yvonne replied. “The stress of it turned her hair gray.”
Chris chuckled. “See? Freedom sucks. Everyone should just join my world and be happy.”
“Are you saying we aren't free living in your world?” Gisela asked, frowning.
“I have absolute control over everything in my world. The only options you have are the ones I allow you. You couldn't even die if you wanted to. It is literally the exact opposite of freedom.” Chris replied. “And it feels great, doesn't it?”
The girls paused, taking that in. “I think I want to stop talking about Eternals now.” Winnie whispered.