Visions in Sparrow's Rest

You begin to descend, the wind whistling past you as the earth draws ever closer. You land easily, back on the ground again.

Beneath the sycamore trees
It is raining heavily, pregnant drops of water pouring down onto you.  Vivia is here.
You see exits leading southeast and northwest.

You beam broadly at Vivia.

A swarm of bees descends from above and creates an intricate hive before your eyes.

You say to Vivia in a deep, lyrical voice, "I was beginning to think I'd never see you again!"

Vivia gawps.

Vivia nearly faints where she stands, the illusion over her eyes flickering.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "F-Favonius?!"

You have emoted: Favonius prods himself experimentally with a curved talon.

You have emoted: Favonius nods, satisfied.

You say in a deep, lyrical voice, "Yes, definitely me."

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

Vivia crouches down, animalistic, before launching herself at the dragon with arms outstretched! The worn green dress about her lithe frame bunches as she attempts to hug with both arms and legs.

You have emoted: Favonius is caught quite off balance, collapsing haphazardly in a mess of wings and scaly limbs.

Vivia clings like a burr, or, much akin to a lizard on a particularly warm rock... oh, the irony... and jabbers a million miles a minute.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "I haven't seen you since even before I slept and I was wondering where you were and if you were okay, and, and---!"

Vivia sounds nigh-childish in her excitement.

You have emoted: Favonius's saucer-sized eyes sparkle with amusement.

Dark, oppressive clouds swirl in the skies above, occluding the lights of the firmament and casting gloom across the earth.

A squirrel skitters through the treetops somewhere above.

You say in a deep, lyrical voice, "That's quite a welcome."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "The world's torn in two or three or four or five, but my grove is here, and you are here, and some of my friends are here and ah... oh! Er... sorry!"

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

Vivia pries herself off and tries to offer both hands to help the dragon up, though it's somewhat comical.

You have emoted: Favonius lumbers to his feet, brushing the cloying mud off his leathery wings.

With a mighty growl, you flex your massive wings, stirring up small gusts of wind as you stretch luxuriantly.

Vivia teeters and falls to sit, both legs splayed before her, hands planted in the grass. The Siren seems to be brimming with unusual joy.

You say in a deep, lyrical voice, "It's nice to see you again. I've slept for... oh, a long time now."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Oh, me too, Favonius. Me, too. I woke up last month, actually. When did you?"

You have emoted: Favonius thinks for a moment.

You say in a deep, lyrical voice, "Some time before that... I heard the call of my Lady to defend Her shrines from the hordes of Mhaldorian Bal'met worshippers who were intent on corrupting them."

Shaking off the final vestiges of slumber, the forlorn sun inexorably rises, its resplendence unfaltering.

Vivia flops over to the side and curls up, resting her cheek against the cool foliage below, fire-tinged eyes watching the dragon.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "...Bal'met..."

You have emoted: Favonius casts an eye up at the purple-hued sky, letting out a snort of derision.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "I really have been gone, and out of the loop... though, before I slept..."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Truly, I had stopped caring about anything save for my grove."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Not even my then-fiance."

You have emoted: Favonius nods, pondering.

Your draconic form melts away, leaving you suddenly weaker and more vulnerable.
Your race is now that of Atavian.

You give Vivia a compassionate hug.

Vivia reaches up slender fingers as one of her honeybees lazily zig-zags by, the insect pausing to light upon her fingers... before the Siren squawks in surprise and awkwardly returns the hug, hoping her companion would not be offended.

You smile softly at Vivia.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Ah, please. Do not feel pity for me. Isolation and detachment from material things was needed. A return to the earth below, so to speak."

You nod your head slowly, trying to wear your best wise look.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "As I retreat into the Dreamrealm."

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "Oh! But I've had such dreams!"

Vivia curiously asks in a hushed voice, "What sort of things -do- you dream about?"

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Do sit, make yourself comfortable. I have been told that thieves are little to be worried about these days, thankfully."

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "Indeed, indeed."

You sit yourself down.

Vivia sits down.

You have emoted: Favonius looks around, furtively, drawing close to Vivia.

Vivia fiddles with her skirt restlessly and fixes her eyes upon the Atavian, the intensity perchance unsettling.

The earth shakes with an all-consuming crash of thunder, dwarfing mundane sounds for a brief moment in its tide of supernatural fury.

The smell of wildflowers wafts past your nose.

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

You say conspiratorially to Vivia in a clear, lyrical voice, "I dreamed of many things... a lush forest, pulsing with light and the effervescence of life... a great wheel on which we are mere pinpricks... flocks of swans spelling arcane messages in long-forgotten runes."

A smattering of clouds fills the sky, lacing it with spiderwebs of grey.

Poised at the very peak of the firmament, the fiery sun casts its radiant gaze across the land.

You have emoted: Favonius looks around cautiously, in case he's being overheard.

Vivia draws her blonde brows together, assessing Favonius, a sweeping once-over. Her head cants to the side, a stray dreadlock falling before her pale features.

Vivia says to you in a hushed voice, "You spoke of such dreams before, if I recall correctly... but years agone. Years, and years, agone..."

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "And death, and... Sparrow's Rest."

You nod your head slowly at Vivia, doing your best to look very wise.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "...Sparrow's Rest?"

You have emoted: Favonius's face lights up.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "Oh! But let me show you!"

Vivia nods her head emphatically.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Certainly."

The cloud cover clears, and sun fills the skies.

You have emoted: Favonius springs to his feet.

You stand up and stretch your arms out wide.

Vivia stands up and stretches her arms out wide.

Vivia begins to follow you.

You have emoted: Favonius leads on, excitedly.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "It is close by, yes? Apologies, but in such long years of sleep.. sometimes ah.. little details slip through the cracks."

Shattering the air with an offensively loud call, a shrieking magpie flutters in from the north.

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

You have emoted: Favonius spreads his arms out wide, a beam of a smile on his face.

Vivia stares implacably at a shrieking magpie.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "Look! Isn't it beautiful!"

A darkened hollow.

Long shadows stretch across the mottled ground, weaving around within the groundcover of decaying leaves and fallen branches. The putrid remains of some long-dead and unidentifiable animal lie in a heap here, disrupting the otherwise pastoral composition of the grove with their unsightliness. A large, tangled bush manages to thrive in the limited sunlight of this area, the green of its branches occasionally punctuated by the bright red of a cluster of berries. The woods to the south thicken into impenetrability, but the faint and distant sounds of traffic from the Prelatorian Highway can occasionally be distinguished from the normal noises of forest activity.

Vivia rubs an ear and glances about herself, taking a moment.

Releasing one last blast of sound, a shrieking magpie flaps out to the north.

Vivia's eyes linger upon the remains of an animal, ominous, but sweep over the otherwise healthy foliage.

You have emoted: Favonius waves an arm expansively over the - frankly hideous - terrain.

Shattering the air with an offensively loud call, a shrieking magpie flutters in from the north.

Vivia says doubtfully in a hushed voice, "Beautiful, yes, if you are looking for a display of rot and rebirth...."

Vivia curiously asks in a hushed voice, "Are you feeling alright?"

You have emoted: Favonius looks more than a little confused.

Releasing one last blast of sound, a shrieking magpie flaps out to the north.

You have emoted: Favonius rallies, speaking again.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "But... isn't this astounding? Where else have you seen a crownwood this far south? And such a magnificient specimen!"

Chirping excitedly, a plump sparrow hops in from the north.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "It must be hundreds of years old! And the beauty of its setting... simply divine."

You have emoted: Favonius sighs contentedly, breathing in the foetid rot.

Vivia scratches her head, spade-shaped fingernails raking her scalp, as she peers about once more. "I suppose. Perhaps I am more enchanted by many flowers at the height of their life, or a serene lake host to many cattails..."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "As much as I adore all stages of Nature's gift, this would not be where I would rush to."

Hopping off in search of more food, a plump sparrow leaves to the north.

Vivia shrugs slender shoulders.

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

You say haughtily in a clear, lyrical voice, "Well! If all these beatiful wild flowers and sweet scents aren't for you... well, I suppose some people can't be pleased."

The earth shakes with an all-consuming crash of thunder, dwarfing mundane sounds for a brief moment in its tide of supernatural fury.

Silver sparks dance across the heavens as the riderless chariot of Lady Sol rushes past Achaea's three rings, the second brilliantly coruscating at its passing.

Shattering the air with an offensively loud call, a shrieking magpie flutters in from the north.

Vivia reaches over to attempt to flick the Atavian upside the head calmly.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "Naturally I moved my grove straight here. I can't believe anyone has neglected this gift for so long... ow!"

The corners of Vivia's mouth turn up as she grins mischievously.

Releasing one last blast of sound, a shrieking magpie flaps out to the north.

You have emoted: Favonius rubs his ear painfully.

Vivia reaches out and touches a nearby tree.

Shattering the air with an offensively loud call, a shrieking magpie flutters in from the north.

Releasing one last blast of sound, a shrieking magpie flaps out to the north.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "...Magpies, undergrowth, rot, and darkness... again, I am surprised, but you know that my faith in you is unwavering."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Don't ruffle your feathers over my questions!"

You have emoted: Favonius looks up, guiltily stopping his idle preening.

Vivia cannot stop herself from giggling, the sound surprisingly girlish and carefree.

You say firmly in a clear, lyrical voice, "I don't know what rot you're talking about. Or even what
rot you're talking!"

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Watch out, or I'll give you Juree's old nickname."

You have emoted: Favonius looks around with a slight frown on his face, as if something is niggling at his attention.

Stalking in with wild eyes, Cacalos enters from the north.

You have emoted: Favonius looks up at Cacalos with a start.

Shattering the air with an offensively loud call, a shrieking magpie flutters in from the north.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "It is merely an old man, Favonius. Be calm."

Vivia cannot keep a hint of concern from her voice.

Swaying wildly and muttering to himself, Cacalos departs to the north.

Releasing one last blast of sound, a shrieking magpie flaps out to the north.

You have emoted: Favonius sinks to the ground, sitting himself on a large fallen branch with a perplexed, cresftallen look.

You say defeatedly in a clear, lyrical voice, "I've done it again, haven't I?"

Shattering the air with an offensively loud call, a shrieking magpie flutters in from the north.

Releasing one last blast of sound, a shrieking magpie flaps out to the north.

Vivia crouches down to squat upon the earth, resting one elbow upon her knee and planting the other upon the ground.

Vivia curiously asks in a hushed voice, "What have you done?"

You have emoted: Favonius holds up his hands in exasperation.

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "Gone and spent so long in the Dreamrealm that I'm seeing things that aren't there. I've well and truly addled myself."

Chirping excitedly, a plump sparrow hops in from the north.

Hopping off in search of more food, a plump sparrow leaves to the north.

Shattering the air with an offensively loud call, a shrieking magpie flutters in from the north.

Vivia mulls this over and inclines her head in a nod. Sheets of rain pours down, though the Siren seems at ease in such an environment, her eyes akin to sparks in the gloom.

You say to Vivia in a clear, lyrical voice, "You're sure you can't see a mighty crownwood wreathed in vital viridian growth?"

You have emoted: Favonius's eyes meet the Siren's in mute hope.

Dusk steals silently over the horizon and crimson and ochre engulf the firmament, their seductive tones beckoning the sun to its nightly repose.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "It is possible. Granted, how could I tell if I were seeing a dream, and you were seeing reality.... but..."

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

Vivia says quietly in a hushed voice, "No, I do not see such a fantastic plant, though ... I truly wish to."

You have emoted: Favonius's face falls.

Vivia says quietly in a hushed voice, "However, who can say that one -cannot- be here?"

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "We merely need to find a seed and plant it, nurture the earth."

A smattering of clouds fills the sky, lacing it with spiderwebs of grey.

You have emoted: Favonius tilts his head and a fatalistic smile creeps across his features.

You say to Vivia in a clear, lyrical voice, "Yes..."

You have emoted: Favonius repeats his words, almost to himself.

Vivia watches the Atavian like a hawk, her poise not one of rest in the first place, though it may be mistaken as one initially.

You say softly in a clear, lyrical voice, "Yes..."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Optimism. Regrowth. Our world may be shattered, but Nature cannot be pushed away. A lightning-strike can burn down a forest, but if left to Her own devicse..."

The air resounds with the sinister crackle of long, low thunder, its bass notes resounding from the slopes of the Pillars of Heaven.

Seeping into the sky, the bloody moon reluctantly rises, surrounded by tear-like stars as darkness descends over the land.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "The forest will regrow. Why not find a seed and try?"

You have emoted: Favonius leaps immediately to his feet.

You exclaim in a clear, lyrical voice, "YES!"

You say to Vivia in a clear, lyrical voice, "We'll found it here! Of course!"

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Found what?"

You give Vivia a lecherous smooch.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "The Seers!"

Vivia blinks rapidly, but decides to nod.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "The Seers? What you were interested in years agone?"

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "Of Life, of Laia! Uh..."

You have emoted: Favonius looks a little embarrassed.

Vivia straightens to her full height and merely smiles, reaching out with a drenched pale hand to clap the Atavian's shoulder affectionately.

Vivia says softly in a hushed voice, "There is no day but today."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Live not in the past, but for the future... whatever it may hold,
yes?"

You nod your head slowly, trying to wear your best wise look.

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

Vivia peers at you unscrupulously.

The firmament grows darker as the clouds begin to smother the light.

You say abashedly in a clear, lyrical voice, "Do forgive my behaviour."

You have emoted: Favonius cast his eyes heavenwards.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "And... it really does stink in here."

You have emoted: Favonius curls up his nose in distaste.

Vivia chuckles softly, the sound silken.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "It is the stench of rebirth. There -is- beauty in it, I was not deluding you."

You exclaim to Vivia in a clear, lyrical voice, "That's the spirit!"

You beam broadly.

Stained crimson, Achaea's outermost ring glitters like bloody droplets across the night sky.

Vivia winks conspiratorially at you.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "I'm the eternal, violent optimist. Don't worry about me... keep an eye on yourself!"

The undergrowth parts slightly, and banishes the gloom that seemed to hang here.

You smile softly.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "I shall... try my best."

You say quietly in a clear, lyrical voice, "An eye on myself..."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Besides, you seem to act more ... proactively than I do when in distress. Rather than challenge the most notorious jerks for battles of wit that end in tears, you go and envision hope."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Yes. Keep friends and keep in touch."

The air grows moist as occasional drops of rain fall from the sky.

You see the first flakes of a possible snowstorm float down.

You have emoted: Favonius takes a journal from his pack and rips a ragged page from it.

Vivia watches with keen interest.

You have emoted: Favonius takes a black and a green ink in his fingers, crushing them and smearing
them onto the page.

Chirping excitedly, a plump sparrow hops in from the north.

The flurries stop entirely, leaving only heavy cloud cover.

Vivia says curiously in a hushed voice, "What are you doing there?"

You have emoted: Favonius holds up the torn page, the stylised image of a green-irised eye daubed upon it.

You exclaim in a clear, lyrical voice, "An eye! Or two, even!"

You beam broadly.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "I have in mind a ritual... we should gather here when there are more of us."

You clap your hands together merrily.

Vivia's hair raises upon the back of her neck for reasons that she cannot fathom, but the Siren keeps a calm disposition and a warm smile.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "I would love to be there for the ritual."

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "We shall try to make it so! I have much to share!"

Dark, oppressive clouds swirl in the skies above, occluding the lights of the firmament and casting gloom across the earth.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "I would like to. Unfortunately, I have to leave the realms for now. I do hope to run into you sooner, rather than later."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "You know, in case the world is actually obliterated."

You smile softly at Vivia.

Vivia beams broadly.

You have emoted: Favonius swings an eye upward.

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "Oh yes. That."

Vivia shrugs helplessly.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Santar is not worried."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "I am not, in turn."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "...Not that I care what he thinks."

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "He's just um, old."

Vivia blushes an interesting shade of vermillion.

I do not understand.

You raise an eyebrow questioningly.

The air grows moist as occasional drops of rain fall from the sky.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "..."

You see the first flakes of a possible snowstorm float down.

You say pointedly in a clear, lyrical voice, "...Santar still makes me look sane."

Vivia just shrugs her shoulders and looks embarrassed.

Hopping off in search of more food, a plump sparrow leaves to the north.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "I know. Granted, he was the only one to try and contact me recently during my sleep, so..."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "I guess I'm a little bit blinded by a small gesture of kindness or concern."

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Or possibly he just wanted to hurt me, but you know what...?"

You reach over to Vivia and ruffle her hair.

Rain cascades down from the skies, drenching you and your environment.

Vivia giggles, her dreads pulled from the tie, the Sylvan shaking the golden bunches as they tumble down her shoulderblades.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Who cares!"

A bright flash of green light is visible over northern Sapience. It shimmers with an iridescent silver glow.

Vivia reaches out to playfully tap Favonius upon the nose.

Vivia says in a hushed voice, "Be well, and hope to see you soon, okay?"

You smile softly.

You say to Vivia in a clear, lyrical voice, "It's been good to see you again."

You say in a clear, lyrical voice, "Gather the others!"