"The Bounds of Love" ((Inuyoko Mass #44))

"The Bounds of Love"

by Inuyoko

Originally read in deoch 219 on the 5th sun of the 5th moon.

((04/16/2026))

Hello, everyone. My name is Inuyoko T’Alveni. I am a Priestess of this Shrine, and a member of its clergy since deoch 53. Last double-moon, I spoke about the light of the gods, and what it represents. Today, I’d like to talk about love.

Many of us know the most commonly accepted stories of Deoch and Danaan. Deoch was a soldier, or perhaps even in a position of higher authority, in Chadul’s army, until he defected to Danaan’s side after falling in love with her. When we speak of Deoch falling in love with Danaan, I think most commonly we assume that it was romantic love. This makes sense, and I am not saying that it wasn’t. However, it’s important to consider deeper possibilities. If indeed it was *strictly* a romantic love that caused His perspective to shift, the question arises: is that not a shallowness perhaps not worth celebrating? How can we put such strong faith into someone who can be so fickly altered by mere attraction? But ah, there’s often more to the story that is told. Long periods of observation. Curiosity. Deep respect. To the extent that we even *can* know the truth of how Deoch and Danaan became acquainted beyond the scope of war, we can at least assume that this love grew from more than one-dimensional interest. We can assume this because we can see it in our own lives constantly. In my time in Temuair, I have made many dear friends. I can speak of ways in which knowing them has made me a better person. I can say that I truly love them. We all recognize that love is not the sole realm of attraction. It can develop from familial relationships, from working towards a shared goal, from pure pragmatism and stability, and so much more. We could speculate in 1,000 directions about how Deoch’s love manifested at the time, but knowing how it manifests now, through inspiration, may help give us context.

Could it be that in watching Danaan’s work, and seeing Her drive and passion towards helping this realm, that He connected with it in a way that was previously unfamiliar to him? Perhaps the love that He developed was truly self-love that gave Him the strength and the paradigm shift to try to change. Perhaps the reason why Deoch chooses to engage with us through inspiration is because where Chadul offered only power, and dominion, Danaan instead offered *Him* inspiration via limitless potential and universal love? Or perhaps… *turns around and looks up at the statue behind her* She was simply so alluring and beautiful that He forgot Himself *laughs* More than likely, it was all of these in some form. What I find captivating about all of this consideration is it reminds us how the myriad incarnation of love we experience in our lives can improve us. If the potential of mortals to do harm is so great, imagine what that potential must be for the gods themselves, or those with a near-godly level of power. And yet, despite whatever sins Deoch may have committed in the past, He was still determined to come back from it, and we can as well. It all has to be proportional to truly make amends, but no matter where that journey ends up, I believe it can’t even begin without love in some form. 

*closes her eyes with a smile* I love you all. Thank you for being here with me.