The Bureaucrat and the Deity
"My friend, please leave us." The Azure Hand bowed and hastily left the room, closing the door behind him.
The Celestial Bureaucrat sighed and rubbed his temples and considered his guest. The newly-minted god known as Chokhan Fifteenth Son Shatters the River was a surprisingly shabby fellow; his robes were frayed, his deific glow barely perceptable.
"I must admit, given your reputation, I was expecting something more... immaculate."
Chokhan replied impassively: "I am still a novice in the art of deific materialization; each time I must manifest in Creation, it takes a toll on my appearance. But what of you? I must admit, given your reputation, I was expecting something more more magnificent. I believe we have both seen better days, your excellency." It was true, the bureaucrat's new offices were considerably less luxurious than his former quarters; the recent Celestial Audit had seen to that.
"Why did you not answer my earlier summons?"
"When you summoned me, I was but an honored shade. My beliefs dictate that the higher souls of the dead should be permitted to rest in peace, and should not be disturbed until it is time for them to again traverse the Wheel and be reborn into creation. As such, to meet with even so august a bureaucrat as yourself would have represented a grave betrayal of principle. Now that I am deified, it is only right and proper that I should respond to your subpoena."
The bureaucrat held out his arms in a grand gesture of futility. "And now that you are here, I have no use for you. With your estate in ruins, and its tea lost, I have lost the ability to discern the whereabouts of your son and his circle. And even if I could observe them, with the recent audit I no longer have the resources to influence them. What purpose do you have in coming here, then? Are you here to ridicule me for my failings?"
"Honored sir," said the god, "I come here not to ridicule, but to instruct. I believe we have much to offer each other."
"Go on."
"I propose a pact, an alliance between us. I can offer you..."
The bureaucrat raised a hand in interruption. "Hold, Chokhan. I have a rule: those who seek to do business with me must first tell me what this will cost me. Only then, tell me what you have to offer."
Chokhan rose from his chair, bowed, and spoke. "Very well, your Excellency. First, I ask a small stipend of essence, for I have no other source of income at the moment."
The bureaucrat made no effort to hide his suprise. "You have no followers?"
"I have many devotees, and many more each day thanks to the efforts of my son. However, my beliefs do not permit me to accept their offerings."
"Immaculate to the last. Very well. What else besides a stipend?"
"I do not blame you for the destruction of the Estate of the Nameless Ravine, for that was due to a confluence of influences, both Solar and Lunar. Heaven's Mandate dictates that this be settled by the chosen of the Sun and the Moon within the arena of Creation. The Sidereals have no place in this affair. Thus, I demand that you refrain from intervening in matters pertaining to my son and his companions. This holds for you, and for the faction that you represent."
The bureaucrat lept to his feet in anger. "You, a mere god, have no right to dictate the actions of those chosen of the maidens!" In his wrath, his essence flared; the marble walls of the celestial chamber turned to midnight black, and a dizzying panoply of stars loomed ominously overhead.
In response, the mark of the Dawn Caste ignited upon the god's forehead. From behind him, a steady wash of morning light spread to encompass the entire room. The two banners pushed and pulled, entwined, and withdrew, locked in quiet stalemate.
Chokhan was the first to break the silence. "Must we continue this? You are forcing me to commit a grievous expenditure of essence. I would rather save my strength for other tasks."
The bureaucrat chuckled, and both banners began to fade. By the time the marble walls of the chamber were again visible, he was grinning ear to ear. "Quite in spite of myself, I do believe like you, Chokhan. The problem with being a Chosen of the Maidens is that everyone is afraid of you. I need but growl, and great spirits flee with their tails between their legs. At least the ones that have tails do. You do not fear me, and I find that refreshing." He chuckled once more. "Very well, now, tell me: What would you give to me in return?"
Chokhan's expression remained neutral. "In return, I will serve as your advisor. I will keep you and your faction informed as to the doings of my son and his companions. Not so that you may intervene in their affairs, but rather that you may seek to emulate their actions. This Time of Tumult will not last forever; the Chosen of the Sun will bring great reforms to all the lands. They will lead Creation to a new golden age. The Sidereals have a part to play in this, for does not a reformed and revitalized Creation require a reformed and revitalized heavenly bureaucracy? I would see you and your faction act in heaven just as the Solars act on earth."
"An intriguing proposition, Chokhan, and one that I am inclined to accept."
"If I may continue, your excellency, that is not all I have to offer." Chokhan reached into his robes and pulled out a small pouch of tea, which he placed on the polished stone desk in front of the bureaucrat. The aroma was unmistakable, and the bureaucrat's eyes widened in shock.
"Is that what I think it is?" Chokhan nodded. "How much more of this do you have?"
Chokhan smiled, finally breaking his mask of utter composure. "Urchai-kun has granted me free dispensation to create tea exactly has it was grown at the Estate of the Nameless Ravine. It can be consumed in its pure form, but I prefer to mix it with four-parts Mountain Blend. You and your guests and allies are assured a steady supply of Five-fold Monkey Picked Tea."
The bureaucrat stood up, and bowed deeply and reverently. "Chokhan, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
