“I-is that your phone?” Phovoula asked as she tried to catch her breath and calm down.
Phovos was also panting a little bit. She growled to herself then turned to Phovoula’s desk, where she’d left her communicator.
“Annoyingly, yes…”
“Are you going to answer?”
Phovos hesitated, then reached over to her desk to see who it was.
“I… I think I should answer.”
“Who is it?”
“My big sister.”
Phovoula snarled, but quickly relented. “You ought to answer. Do you want me to leave?”
“No, no, stay here…” Phovos frowned. “I’ll need an excuse to leave the conversation at some point.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Phovos frowned some more, then answered the call. After a little fumbling, Phovos also put the call on loudspeaker. “Hi, Sini, is everything alright?”
“My darling little sister!” Sini’s joy echoed down the line. “How are you, my little Raptor?”
“I’m fine, Sini. Was somewhat in the middle of something though. You have great timing.”
“Of course I do, I’m part Time Drake!” Sini beamed. “Anyway, can I have a moment of your time? I know you’re busy, so I’ll be quick.”
Phovos glanced at Phovoula, then sighed. “Sure. We’re already on the phone.”
“Wonderful!” Sini’s emotions were a little overwhelming. Phovoula kept on glancing at Phovos, looking a little concerned. “May I ask, do you Thantir do any advertising or PR or anything?”
“That’s a weird question, but no, not really.”
“Really?”
“We survive on reputation alone. After all, it was us idiots who blew up the Crystal Doom Voidborn cult, and the Pentathax and Phantai constantly talk about how useful we are.”
That answer seemed to catch Sini by surprise. “I thought there were places you advertised or something.”
“Nope, it’s all just chatter.”
“Hm…” The line buzzed briefly as Sini trailed off. “Do you know of anywhere that does advertise?”
“Uh… not really… Things just exist and people go by, I guess?” Phovos shrugged. “Admittedly, we do a very important job around here, so advertising isn’t really needed. Hospitals don’t advertise, after all.”
“Not unless they’re Torr…” Phovoula muttered.
Sini had heard Phovoula’s voice. “HAH! You’re absolutely right! Phovos, little sister, you didn’t tell me you were dating a Voidborn!”
“I’m not dating a Voidborn, I’m dating a Ksithan. Phovoula is a wonderful person.”
Sini seemed undeterred. “She’s both. Same way you’re both an old-universe Ksithan and a Life Goddess. I was right though, wasn’t I? About you settling down, dating and later marrying a Voidborn, once you started developing your Life Goddess skills and started to create life.”
“I’ve only made plants. No actual life yet. Not even bacteria.”
“Details, details. I’m glad you found someone to love, little sister. Same to you too, darling Voidraptor…” Sini trailed off briefly, then giggled. “Silly me, I was supposed to be asking you for advice, Phovos. You are really telling me that there’s no way to advertise?”
“Not that I know of. But, like, I’m not the best person to ask. We just happen to be in a recognisable area…” Phovos paused. “What are you looking to advertise?”
“My new Life Oasis.”
Phovos glanced at Phovoula. Phovoula gave a look that screamed “that was fast”.
“Huh. You got that done quickly. But then again, you’re a Life Goddess, we bend existence to our will…”
“Oh, definitely! I also have a handful of helpers.”
“You… you do? Who are they?” Phovos exclaimed.
“The other half of Kinisis’s old guardians. Vexer is still a grumpy bastard, but the rest of them are perfectly happy.”
“Huh…” Phovos thought to herself for a moment. “I kinda thought they were all dead.”
“They all thought you six were dead as well. But I didn’t bring them to the Thantir because they spent half a universe guarding the chains that kept Arkay bound to our universe. But I suppose, as you are, like, the fifth most powerful Life Goddess around locally, you could pop by and help with the grand opening. And maybe I can give you some flyers to leave in the Savepoint waiting room or something.”
Phovoula glanced at Phovos. “That sounds like a fair idea.”
“Yeah. That’s rather reasonable. Sini, why are you being reasonable? It’s not like you.”
“My darlings, I have eaten a LOT of humble pie lately. I’m trying to do something useful, and this Life Oasis…” Sini paused, then lowered her voice. “Alright, don’t tell anyone but… this whole Life Oasis thing? It’s not a proper thing. It’s a way to test things and obtain and materials and samples.”
“Why?”
“I am planning on doing experiments again. Not on living beings of course. But I want to try and make some sort of life that is resistant or even immune to Corruption. I think it’s doable, but I need time and privacy to work. The Life Oasis is a cover for that. But I don’t want anyone knowing, because I’m certain any intelligent Corruption out here would attack me because of my new work.”
“Oh…” Phovos didn’t know what to say. “You need to be careful, Sini.”
“I know. That’s why I haven’t told anyone apart from my guardians and you two. But I still want the business of the Life Oasis as well, since the scent of so many other beings, particularly other Life Goddesses, gives me proper protection and cover. Also though, I’ll want breaks to just do Life Oasis stuff anyway and have a little fun. Maybe I’ll find myself a Voidborn to fuck as well, same way you have.”
“Hah, very funny.”
“True though…” Phovoula whispered.
Phovos shrugged. “Yeah, true, true… But either way, we can put some flyers in the main waiting area. And I’m pretty sure we can send a few folks up to you for a grand opening. I’ll speak to Retvik and Litvir and sort something out.”
“That’s wonderful!” Sini exclaimed. “Thank you for your time, sis. Have fun!”
The call ended before Phovos or Phovoula could say anything. Neither of them spoke at first. After a long silence though, something had to be said.
“Your sister is annoying.”
“Yeah, she is.”
“Do you want to snuggle?”
“Yeah, sure. Dealing with Sini is a problem for another time…”