Caeli wasn't one to needlessly go into the mortal realm, but she understood the appeal of it. She could see why the 'adversarial' Noctifer would find his home down here. It was here that he was most at home, accepted amongst the remnants of his sect and free to do his own affairs without the zealotry of either Heaven or the Reformation which had occurred a few centuries prior. That is to say, he chose the unholy places as his abode. That didn't help his reputation, but it did give him a place to rest when not doing work.

This particular place was a cremation ground. It wasn't the cremation ground itself but a tree that stood in the center. She stepped into the cremation ground, seeing the pyres that were left from a prior funeral. The air smelled of cypress and cedar, and was strangely soothing. She continued deeper into the grounds, her robes hitched up to not gather up or disturb the dirt and ash. As she neared the tree, she saw a small fire and a huddled figure next to it.

"Noctifer," she greeted as she sat down in front of the fire next to the huddled figure. He wore a hood, but it was difficult for a god to hide from the sight of another, at least not without some difficulty. He nodded, taking off the hood that kept back flowing black hair that had become his symbol, the black veil that settles over the sky. If you had looked at him, he wouldn't seem like the 'Great Adversary' that the texts painted him out to be. His tanned skin, tired eyes and overall quiet demeanor made him seem more like a traveler from the port regions.

"Caeli," he greeted smoothly, in a voice that could only be described as melancholic. She smacked his shoulder playfully.

"You sound so pleased to see me," she pouted theatrically. She took another small twig that was near her and threw it into the fire which ate it greedily. It crackled but settled soon, leaving that comfortable silence that the two had come to share.

"I hope you've considered my offer," she cooed, looking at Noctifer with puppy-eyes.

"It'd be nice to see home again, but-"

"If it's about Sol, I spoke to him. The other gods will just have to deal and, worst case scenario, you and I just go back to the Firmament."

"It's the principle, Cael," he said quietly, leaning against the rough bark of the tree.

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"Yes, because you should be cast down for your birth," Caeli retorted, leaning her head against Noctifer's shoulder. She smiled slyly when she felt him slump, a silent agreement to her invitation. It wasn't like she was looking for trouble, she had made a vow to fight alongside Noctifer if things got fiery back in the Heavens.

"We can't have you go up to the Abode in that, though," she said, gesturing to the ragged wear that Noctifer wore, "I doubt even Sala is so merciful, and she's Providence."

Noctifer chuckled. None of them made an effort to move, content to sit and stare at the fire as it crackled. The cremation grounds were silent, but a coming storm broke that peace with its rolling thunder. Sighing, Caeli stood up, dusting off her robes before turning around to look at Noctifer.

"Right then, shall we?"

Noctifer stared at her with a raised brow. He eventually conceded, getting up with a grunt and wrapping his fingers around her arm. She smiled at him gingerly.

"Hold on tight," was all she said before they disappeared from the mortal world and through the Airts. Eventually, they were back in her abode and Noctifer took the change to look down at the planetary bodies from her balcony.

"It's all so different from here," Noctifer mused longingly as he leaned against the railing. Caeli hummed in affirmation. She enjoyed bring Noctifer up here, even if it was for a little while. There was something about the wonder he displayed that warmed her. She had become largely disenchanted with life as a whole, but Noctifer still retained some joviality which she applauded. She shifted out of her dirt-laden robes, throwing them into a small pile on the bed that she had largely kept for decoration. Gods didn't really need sleep, food, water and the like but it was a nicety.

She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the figure that was content to stare down through the airts for the rest of eternity. It never ceased to amaze her. It was like seeing a child get excited over a bug or some strange rock they had found while playing.

"Nox, we have to change," she coaxed in a singsong voice, standing up from the bed. Noctifer didn't move but soon joined Caeli in the room. She was struggling with the pin of her chiton, cursing it to the stars. Noctifer came up behind her and deftly pinned the fabric in place, shifting her veil so that it hung seamlessly over her shoulder. It was then that she truly appeared as a goddess, or at least a noblewoman. Her dress was made of navy-blue fabric, embroidered with patterns in a gold thread. She had decided to wear a gold necklace with the twelve cardinal stones, for each of the twelve signs which wandered the heavens, as a tribute to her office. Still, Noctifer didn't get dressed.

Sighing, Caeli pulled out another rectangular piece of cloth in a dark green hue, with the same golden threading on the edges. She decided then on an outfit she felt would suit him. Excitedly, she pulled out another smaller piece of cloth, fitting it around his waist to make something of an undergarment. She folded the fabric around his hip to create a ruffle before pinning it in place. Nox stiffened when she stuck the pin in, and she knew she had pricked him with it in her fervor. She muttered an apology but continued. She pulled the green fabric from before and fitted it over Nox's shoulders, pinning it to create the chlamys. She chuckled to herself, finally realizing what it needed. Darting back to her boxes, she pulled out a torc with the ends made into the heads of bulls. She moved it around Nox's neck, finally finishing the outfit to her satisfaction.

"Worthy of the God of Lunar Festivals," she sighed, smacking Nox's cheek playfully. She'd have to do something about the hair next.

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