Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Why don't you speak to Me directly of your
concerns."

Twilight tilts His head and listens intently.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "And then We shall discuss what can be done."

You nod your head emphatically.

You say in a crystalline voice, "In summary, Grand Father Bleak and I discussed
about our worry about how a few problems perceived to be coming from Aliath as
something that should be addressed."

Twilight nods His head emphatically.

You say in a crystalline voice, "He suggested that we seek advice from You, for
You would know better about Aliath, if we misunderstood him somehow."

Twilight nods His head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "I love Aliath; let Me say that first."

You say in a crystalline voice, "Aye, Dark Father."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "But his strengths are also his weaknesses."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "A certain... diffidence, a very tsol'aa
aversion to immediate action."

You have emoted: Ruth smiles wryly.

You say in a crystalline voice, "Aye."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "He is a wonderful leader in quieter times, but
sometimes mis-steps in those times when... decisiveness are required."

You nod your head in agreement.

You say in a crystalline voice, "That, indeed, is one of the problem areas
identified."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Particularly difficult for those of Us who seek
to return Hashan to its rightful pre-eminence."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "He sleeps a little more than I would like
also."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "City leader is a demanding position."

Twilight creases His brow in a frown.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "This conversation is in strictest confidence, I
trust that is assumed?"

You say in a crystalline voice, "Aye, Lord. Nothing discussed here will pass
from my lips to anyone else."

Twilight nods His head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Further, My own standing to discuss such
matters is... not as secure as it could be; and I have chosen to respect the
limits placed upon Me by the citizenry and its government."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "I do not partake of the Regents' discussions, I
do not drive the direction of the city."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "I do what I may... as a citizen, for the most
part."

You say in a crystalline voice, "You are more than a citizen in Your own right,
Lord, being the founder of the Crown. However- You are indeed right, in that
there are certain circumstances with which have limited You in Your regards."

Twilight nods His head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "At the time of My departure from the Crown;
much, if not all, of My attention was upon the Eye."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "A certain... period of re-building of the
necessary relations of trust is expected."

You say in a crystalline voice, "Aye."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "That process, one trusts is well-advanced, if,
perhaps, not completed yet."

You nod your head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "And you seek to replace Aliath personally?"

You say in a crystalline voice, "Aye, Lord. I do seek to replace Aliath
personally, but I am not one for subtlety in this endeavour."

Twilight nods His head emphatically.

You say in a crystalline voice, "I have made this clear to the Regents and
Aliath in this capacity, because I do believe that I have the qualities to
assist Hashan's rise to what it once was in the past."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Very well; I shall provide some... advice and
some questioning."

You nod your head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "If you would not find it presumptuous?"

You say in a crystalline voice, "Not at all, m'Lord."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Good."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "The advice is this."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "I do not think that your concerns will
necessarily fall upon deaf ears within the Council."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Many see as you do."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Perhaps enough."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "I would also say this; Aliath is, in many ways,
a very straight forward soul. If he can be persuaded that the Crown is guided in
hands better than his, he will recognise that and act accordingly."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "That may be a better path; less fractious, less
likely to send the Crown into division once again."

You nod your head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Further, be cautious in pushing too hard; the
hand that wields the dagger rarely wears the Crown."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Finally, it is foolish to make a move until the
election is settled."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Any victory would be built on shifting sands."

You have emoted: Ruth nods her head in quiet assent.

Twilight nods His head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "That is advice in the most general sense;
understand I neither support nor oppose any move."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "But I can rarely resist the urge to provide
advice on matters political; particularly where the Crown is concerned."

Twilight's eyes sparkle with amusement.

You have emoted: Ruth smiles wryly.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Very well; let Us approach a question."

You nod your head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "I have but one concern with your candidacy."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Name it for Me."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "And remember that the confidentiality of Our
conversation binds Me also."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Speak freely, but honestly; for much depends on
what We discuss in these next few moments."

You have emoted: Ruth considers Your words for a short moment.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Little is shrouded from My sight, Daughter of
the Crown. The Dark is Mine, to obscure or reveal as I choose."

You say in a crystalline voice, "You are concerned about my loyalties and my
motives, I believe, Lord Twilight."

Twilight's mouth turns up as His face breaks into a smile.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Good; continue."

You have emoted: Ruth shifts slightly, one scimitar-wielding hand crawling up
the other arm in an almost absent gesture. "I have many loyalties, but a single
purpose has always shone above the rest. That would be my faith in the God that
I serve."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Interesting."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "And what drew you to the God you serve?"

You say in a crystalline voice, "The Master.. gave me a purpose in which I can
drive my life forth."

Twilight nods His head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Aye, there is wisdom in the teachings of the
Adikoi."

You have emoted: Ruth bows her head slightly, acknowledging Your words.

You say in a crystalline voice, "Indeed, nothing can be hidden from You."

You have emoted: Ruth smiles wryly.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "It is in the nature of the Dark; daughter of
the Crown."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "And your secret is not as hidden as you may
wish to believe."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Gods... less scrupulous than I..."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Well; the less said the better."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Now: elucidate the source of the concern."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "And before We continue; be assured I will never
speak your secret to another. The Dark respects a secret; how could it do
otherwise?"

You have emoted: Ruth nods her head slowly in understanding. Her forehead
wrinkles in honest contemplation.

You say in a crystalline voice, "An Adikoi serve the wishes of his Master. My
bid for the position of Seneschal, can be seen as an action to serve such
wishes, instead of putting the interests of the Crown first."

Twilight nods His head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Precisely so; but there is a deeper truth
also."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "One moment; a rather ill-judged communication
from a stranger I should deal with."

You nod your head affirmatively.

A comfortable fireside.
Surrounded by utter and impenetrable darkness, a roaring fire crackles merrily
within an ornate marble fireplace, its mantle carved with elegant scrollwork.
The fire provides the only light, casting supple shadows which dance with the
flickering of the flames. Two simple chairs adjoin the fireplace, upholstered in
plush purple velvet. The dimensions of the room or landscape you find yourself
within are impossible to discern. Neither feature nor corner, neither wall nor
edge can be seen, simply an endless uniform Darkness. Despite the unearthly
nature of the surroundings, the silence, broken only by the crackle of roasting
firewood, is peaceful and contemplative. Daybreak, Hound of Darkness looms here,
silent as a shadow. Nightfall, Hound of Darkness prowls the ground here.
Spreading its majestic golden wings, a giant eagle searches the ground with
piercing eyes. There are 2 black onyx chairs with a covering of silk here.
Twilight, the Dark Father stands here, wreathed in swirling, black mist.
There are no obvious exits.

You cease wielding a gleaming scimitar in your left hand.

You cease wielding a gleaming scimitar in your right hand.

You concentrate on gripping tightly with your hands.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Now. a deeper truth."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Don't be alarmed by what occurs."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Bring Me Jerminyn."
A gentle wind fills the room, caressing your cheeks and bringing with it a
swirling shadow. As quickly as they arrived, both wind and shadow depart,
leaving the form of Jerminyn standing before you.

Nightfall, Hound of Darkness bounds forward and swipes one mighty paw across
Jerminyn's front, his claws slicing deep into his flesh.

A comfortable fireside.
Surrounded by utter and impenetrable darkness, a roaring fire crackles merrily
within an ornate marble fireplace, its mantle carved with elegant scrollwork.
The fire provides the only light, casting supple shadows which dance with the
flickering of the flames. Two simple chairs adjoin the fireplace, upholstered in
plush purple velvet. The dimensions of the room or landscape you find yourself
within are impossible to discern. Neither feature nor corner, neither wall nor
edge can be seen, simply an endless uniform Darkness. Despite the unearthly
nature of the surroundings, the silence, broken only by the crackle of roasting
firewood, is peaceful and contemplative. Daybreak, Hound of Darkness looms here,
silent as a shadow. Nightfall, Hound of Darkness prowls the ground here.
Spreading its majestic golden wings, a giant eagle searches the ground with
piercing eyes. There are 2 black onyx chairs with a covering of silk here.
Steelwing of Terra, Jerminyn Storm, the Windbladed Wanderer is here. Twilight,
the Dark Father stands here, wreathed in swirling, black mist.
There are no obvious exits.

Daybreak, Hound of Darkness casts back her head and howls to the skies. Jerminyn
drops to his knees, wearing a look of horror and confusion.
Jerminyn has been slain by Daybreak, Hound of Darkness.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "A salutary lesson, one hopes."

Seeing his situation to be hopeless, Jerminyn begins uttering fervent prayers
for salvation.

A comfortable fireside.
Surrounded by utter and impenetrable darkness, a roaring fire crackles merrily
within an ornate marble fireplace, its mantle carved with elegant scrollwork.
The fire provides the only light, casting supple shadows which dance with the
flickering of the flames. Two simple chairs adjoin the fireplace, upholstered in
plush purple velvet. The dimensions of the room or landscape you find yourself
within are impossible to discern. Neither feature nor corner, neither wall nor
edge can be seen, simply an endless uniform Darkness. Despite the unearthly
nature of the surroundings, the silence, broken only by the crackle of roasting
firewood, is peaceful and contemplative. Daybreak, Hound of Darkness looms here,
silent as a shadow. Nightfall, Hound of Darkness prowls the ground here.
Spreading its majestic golden wings, a giant eagle searches the ground with
piercing eyes. The twisted remains of Jerminyn lie here. There are 2 black onyx
chairs with a covering of silk here. Twilight, the Dark Father stands here,
wreathed in swirling, black mist.
There are no obvious exits.

Twilight waves a languid hand in the gesture of the corpse, which promptly
disappears.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Apologies for that."

You have emoted: Ruth clasps both hands before her, resting them on her lap as
she raises her head to gaze upon You. A trace of amusement tinges her gaze.

A comfortable fireside.
Surrounded by utter and impenetrable darkness, a roaring fire crackles merrily
within an ornate marble fireplace, its mantle carved with elegant scrollwork.
The fire provides the only light, casting supple shadows which dance with the
flickering of the flames. Two simple chairs adjoin the fireplace, upholstered in
plush purple velvet. The dimensions of the room or landscape you find yourself
within are impossible to discern. Neither feature nor corner, neither wall nor
edge can be seen, simply an endless uniform Darkness. Despite the unearthly
nature of the surroundings, the silence, broken only by the crackle of roasting
firewood, is peaceful and contemplative. Daybreak, Hound of Darkness looms here,
silent as a shadow. Nightfall, Hound of Darkness prowls the ground here.
Spreading its majestic golden wings, a giant eagle searches the ground with
piercing eyes. There are 2 black onyx chairs with a covering of silk here.
Twilight, the Dark Father stands here, wreathed in swirling, black mist.
There are no obvious exits.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Where was I...?"

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Ah yes."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "The Suffering Lord and I... have a comfortable
understanding."

You say in a crystalline voice, "Aye, I was made aware of this."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "But He is a creature of the West, as I am of
the Crown."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "It is not the worship of Suffering that raises
the eyebrow per se, but the worship of One who places the needs of another city
above that of Ours."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "He would not permit a Darkwalker to rule in the
West; should We permit an Adikoi to rule here?"

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Your thoughts?"

You say thoughtfully in a crystalline voice, "That is unfortunate that He has
seen that Darkwalkers are not fit to rule in the West. However, Mhaldor has
always been His domain of Evil, along with Lord Shaitan, so I cannot but agree
to His vision of disallowing any but His faithful in the seat of Tyrannus."

Twilight gives a pained sigh.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "I do miss Him... as you must."

You say in a crystalline voice, "I have needed His guidance badly, several
times, but that is not the way of His faithful, so I have had to go on."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Aye."

You say in a crystalline voice, "-- in view of His decisions to bar Your
followers from ruling in the West, I believe He wishes to make peace, of sorts,
with His arrangement of things in Hashan."

Twilight nods His head emphatically.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "He does."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "And I wish to retain cordial relations; but
nonetheless; His presence in Hashan is necessarily an outside influence, when it
is critical now that the Crown stands on its own feet."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Further; it is a fact that the city as a whole
may not view it well. I am not the only member of the Garden playing in the
Crown; and I know of One who would not hesitate to disseminate your adherence to
the Adikoi."

You have emoted: Grimly, Ruth says, "Indeed. I do know of One who would not
hesitate to do so, if You and I are thinking upon the same Divine."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Some things are best left unsaid, however."

You nod your head in agreement.

Twilight's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "There is one way to solve this problem, of
course."

The eyes of the Dark Father blaze a little brighter in private amusement.

You have emoted: Ruth casts her gaze slightly downwards, though she cannot but
allow herself a tilt of her head in curiosity.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Let Me... spend a moment with you; if the
moment does not please you then We shall both forget it."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Are We agreed?"

You say in a crystalline voice, "Yes, my Lord."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Suffering brings truth, wisdom, knowledge and
power: are we agreed?"

You nod your head in agreement.

You say in a crystalline voice, "Aye."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "But not all truth, wisdom, knowledge and power
are derived from Suffering: are We further agreed?"

You have emoted: Ruth's lips briefly rise in a wry smile. "I agree."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "And what lesson dfo We derive from these two
statements?"

You say in a crystalline voice, "A servant of Suffering need not necessarily be
called as one, as one's teachings are not exclusive to the realm."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Yes, yes; perhaps."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "But also: this."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Suffering is a partial Truth."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "It is an element of the pattern; a thread in
the tapestry."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Are you content with partial truths, Daughter
of the Crown?"

You say in a crystalline voice, "No, Lord. Not quite. I would prefer its
entirety."

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Then join Us; I do not ask you to repudiate
(disown) Suffering; merely to recognise that it is but part of the One Thing; one
mode of expression of the Mind. Place your soul in the hands of the Dark, and We
shall restore the glister of the Crown together..."

Twilight's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Twilight, the Dark Father says, "Think it over."

Twilight snaps His fingers.

Shadows swirl around your body, enveloping you in silken darkness. When the
shadows dissipate, you find yourself in new surroundings.
Serpentis Boulevard. (Hashan)
The stars twinkle in the clear night sky. A runic totem is planted solidly in
the ground. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the
ground.
You see exits leading northeast and west.
covers herself and nods once.