"Hello, Shashi," she says quietly. "It's been a while."

Fruit trees and bumblebees.
A ripe fragrance rises gently across the garden, with haphazard collections of cherry, lemon, and orange trees bearing their heavy bounty of fruits. A simple stone path winds beneath the roots and branches of the trees, surrounding a lovely rock formation in the shape of an old man, whose brow, ears, and nose are riddled with clusters of wildflowers that burst forth with a rainbow of hues. Here and there, violet waves of lavender sway in time to the the breeze, hiding small collections of bumblebee nests that gleam with bulbous golden colour. A luminous, green-and-gold peacock feather rises here from the ground, resting before the statue of the old man. With its colourful, frond-like appearance, the feather looks almost like one of the plants themselves.
You see a single exit leading east.

You have emoted: Lief flashes a luminous peacock feather a smile as she wings in, and she settles down before it, rearranging a sweet-smelling candy basket on her arm to settle it, instead, at her side. "Hello, Shashi," she says quietly. "It's been a while."

p feather
Impossible to mistake as anything but the plume of a noble peacock, this feather is long enough that it can only be from the creature's tail. It ripples in luminous shades of green and gold, one colour bleeding into the next like the glossy ripple of water. In one or two places, shocks of indigo make eye-like markings across the barbs, illuminated with an almost divine glow.
It weighs 2 ounce(s).
It has the following aliases: feather.

You have emoted: Lief closes her eyes and breathes in deeply as a gentle, fragrant breeze drifts through the garden, unseasonably pleasant. When she opens her eyes next, she turns to a sweet-smelling candy basket to pull out an extra large muku flower cookie, which she sets on the ground before a luminous peacock feather. "I remember you said you'd eat just about anything," she gently laughs, "so I brought an extra for you."

You drop an extra large muku flower cookie.

You have emoted: "This might have kept you fed for days," Lief muses as she draws back and sits up straighter in her kneel. She hesitates for a long moment, watching a luminous peacock feather ripple and, occasionally, bob.

You have emoted: Lief draws both her hands into her lap, and finally smiles again. "One of your daughters has hatched from her egg," she says brightly. "I'll ask Nialla to introduce you to her sometime. She is absolutely darling - I think she'd make you proud. Oh! And Savit is doing well as well, of course! Your first-hatched son - he's as beautiful as ever, and he's taken a turn on Serenwilde's stage more than once," she laughs a bit.

You have emoted: "He still hasn't talked yet," Lief says, still smiling deeply, "not like you would, but he is much beloved all the same." Her smile slips for a moment, then fades into something serious as she stretches her fingers out to brush them against a luminous peacock feather. "You are dearly, dearly missed," she murmurs.

You have emoted: Lief draws her hand back from a luminous peacock feather and bows her antlered head, closing her eyes in quiet memory.

Elexia arrives, following Rootweir Faythe.
Faythe arrives from the east.

Glancing about herself, Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon says, "What are you looking for...?"

You have emoted: Lief kneels here before a luminous peacock feather, her eyes closed, her antlered head bowed.

Faythe walks over to you, Elexia still perched on her shoulder. Seeing you as though in prayer, she remains silent, waiting a few feet away.

Elexia glances over at you, then at a luminous silver feather banded with grey, her eyes widening in alarm. Her voice a low whisper, she says, "Why are we here? She's... She's in prayer, let us go elsewhere..." She gestures to the east as she rises to her feet atop Faythe's shoulder.

You have emoted: To herself, or perhaps to a luminous peacock feather, Lief murmurs quietly, "I don't think I'm doing everything I can - I think I can do more still to honor your memory." She opens her eyes, and her ears twitch, attention drawn to look over her shoulder. "Oh, hello," she smiles.

Faythe holds a finger up to Elexia and then glances at you. "Lief, when you're done here, can we have a word or two?"

Rootweir Faythe says, "We'll wait over there near."

Faythe points accusingly at Elexia.

Faythe looks up into the air for divine inspiration.

Faythe points eastwards.

Rootweir Faythe says, "Over there, rather."

You have emoted: Lief cants her antlered head. "I was only chatting a moment with Shashi. It's been a long time."

A distraught expression is painted on Elexia's face, but she quickly covers it with a bright, cheerful smile. "Oh, hello sister, no, we... We don't have to, please?" She raises both her hands.

Firmly, Rootweir Faythe says to Elexia, "Yes we do, but we will wait, as you say, until she is done speaking."

Rootweir Faythe says to you, "Take your time. Let us know when you are through."

Elexia leaves, following Rootweir Faythe.
Faythe leaves to the east.

You have emoted: Lief flashes a luminous peacock feather a warm smile, and then she rises to her feet. "No rest for people like us, is there?" she lightly laughs, then quiets. "I will be the very best, Shashi, like you were. People will remember you with joy one day, and not with sorrow."

You have emoted: Lief bows her antlered head for a moment, then scoops up a sweet-smelling candy basket and takes to wing.

-e
Comfortable rest surrounded by blossoms.
The garden path splits in a half circle, the stones leaing to a stone bench. Overhead, cherry trees bend and sway with the breeze with sweet red berries standing out amid the deeper green foliage. All around are flowers sprouted into full bloom, brilliant yellow daffodils and scarlet snapdragons among those most prominent. White, blue, and shades of pink and purple blend together under the brighter hues, with every variety represented somewhere within the waves of blossoms. Rootweir Faythe is here. She wields an athame dagger in her left hand. Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon is here. She wields a fragrant lute of hardwood maple in her left hand.
You see exits leading northeast, southeast, and west.

You have emoted: Lief wings in, a sweet-smelling candy basket on her elbow, its contents overflowing with gigantic cookies. She waves merrily as she approaches.

Rootweir Faythe says to Elexia, "There's been a misunderstanding here. I've already put my foot in it, so I might as well go all in on it."

Faythe turns as she hears you approaching, and smiles slightly at the faeling. "I hope you didn't cut your visit short on our account."

Upon seeing your return, Elexia's head snaps up, and she returns the wave. While her own wave is energetic, it is stiff. "Hello, sister... I am sorry we interrupted your communion!" she says as she clasps her hands in front of her and bows. A smile is upon her lips that doesn't quite reach her eyes.

With warmth, you say to Faythe, "Not at all. Shashi will be there waiting for me later, and we've already had a wonderful conversation."

You have emoted: Lief smiles for both Faythe and Elexia, and she hoists a sweet-smelling candy basket. "When the muku flower fruits, I have cookies ready to celebrate with!"

Faythe nods her head at you, placing a steadying hand on Elexia's knee. "That is good then - and I look forward to it." She hesitates and then says, "Lief... do you remember what we conversed about, just before we both rested last weave?"

You think to yourself: 'You hide things, Lief.'

Rootweir Faythe says, "Our different forms of Expression, as it were?"

Elexia's pointed ears twitch, and she asks curiously, "Oh, cookies? Lovely! Lovely, yes, I could certainly use some sweets, something sweet would be lovely right now, and..." She cuts off as Faythe begins to speak, her eyes darting down to her bare feet.

Glorious rays of morning light burst forth from Father Sun's crown as it peeks over the world's edge, announcing a bright and shining new dawn.

Mildly, Rootweir Faythe says to Elexia, "I have my satchel with me, you know."

You have emoted: Lief shakes her antlered head sharply - not in negation, but like she might be shaking away an insect buzzing too closely, instead. She smiles. "I do remember."

Elexia's violet eyes look up to watch your reaction, though she doesn't say remark upon it. Instead, she turns away, becoming apparently interested with a nearby patch of daffodils.

Elexia's hands and feet alike fidget lightly, though her visage remains static.

Faythe sighs heavily, rubbing at her temples. "Lief, I think I've put my foot into something. Elexia and I were talking about how we have difficulty with certain things and experiences, and how she expresses herself, and how you express yourself as well. Apparently, she was not - aware - of the way you do so, and she has a misconception about her own self in the process. I thought that you two already knew that about each other, being how you are sisters." She glances between you and Elexia. "If I've shared something that was meant to be a secret, I apologize, but frankly I think you two really need to talk with each other." She scowls slightly. "If you aren't completely honest with each other, or if these things go unchecked, then that is how manipulation can be used. I'm probably sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, but I love you both and I have no one else to bother." She lifts Elexia from her shoulder and sets her on the ground near where you is fluttering.

You have emoted: Lief's smile fades, and she looks genuinely concerned, instead. Concerned and confused. She looks from Faythe to study Elexia, truly study her, for the first time since both Faythe and she had arrived. "Is something the matter, sister-mine...?"

Elexia's efforts to keep her anxiety from spreading to her face finally fail, and unease enters her violet eyes as she looks over at you. "Sister, is... Is what she said true?" the faeling asks softly. "Or did she... She misunderstood, right? You're, well, you're you!" She gestures with both hands towards you, as if that were evidence enough. "You don't have weaknesses like I do! You're a master of the Way of the Blossom, truly, wholly, utterly strong. You say what you feel, and you act as you are."

This affirmation seems to have emboldened Elexia as some of the unease leaves her features and she smiles gently.

You have emoted: One hand resting on the edge of a sweet-smelling candy basket, Lief listens to Elexia, her dragonfly wings beating behind her, a constant, quiet hum that accompanies her presence. "What weaknesses do you believe that you have, dear sister?" she finally asks, her antlered head tilting slightly.

Faythe leans back against one of the nearby cherry trees, tucking her hands into her trouser pockets.

The question appears to catch Elexia off-guard, as the faeling glances back down to her shuffling feet. "Are they not apparent?" she asks quietly. There is a pause, and then she adds, "I do recognize that I have strengths. I do. And that I am stronger than I was. That there things I excel in. But..." Her shoulders rise defensively. "I am easily... easily brought to anxiety. I cannot help it, but when I am startled, when I am uneasy, I... I show it. No matter how I try to disguise it. I can ramble overmuch, I can be too trusting, gullible... I am adept at the written and sung word, but not quick. I feel... I feel so afraid, sometimes. Even if... Even if I am safe."

As Elexia finishes her list with a vague gesture, she lets her hands drop back into her lap. "But, you do not struggle in the same manner... Do you? Even when we were little, I always remember you being so very... So very self-assured and strong."

You have emoted: Lief listens to Elexia's every word, her expression soft, her gray eyes reflecting flashes of green - green like the deepest reaches of the forest, green like sun upon a spring meadow - and lovely, loving pinks. "Do you think our Lady ever feels fear?" she asks Elexia at length, rather than answer Elexia's question directly.

Faythe makes a slight face for a moment, but then smooths her expression, still remaining silent as she considers the leafy canopy above her.

Although Elexia's eyes watch the shifting, colourful changes in your own as her sister speaks, her eyes are cast down once again as contemplation comes to mix in and dance with the unease of her visage. "I think back on Her writings, Her story," she replies. "And I think that She must have. Such as before She was taught by Lord Clangoru, when that... that creature came for Her." Her voice trails off quietly. "She once spoke to me that doubt was necessary. Something natural, vital to life in many ways. Fear, then..." She looks up at you. "Is it the same? Even if..." Just as quickly as she had raised her eyes, they lower again. "Even if I dread over something not before me? Something ridiculous?"

You have emoted: Lief's face breaks into a reassuring smile, and she nods her antlered head eagerly as she lifts her hand from her basket to reach out and grasp one of Elexia's own. "How can we know strength," she asks, "without knowing first that we possess weaknesses, and knowing next what those weaknesses may be? How can you think me strong," she asks again, her eyes twinkling slightly, "if I've never encountered any hardship to test myself against? Any doubt, any fear, any questions?"

A small smile returns to Elexia's lips, as the storm of insecurity clouding her features fades to a gentle reflection. Her fidgeting dims in intensity, though her sunset-hued butterfly wings continue to flex and close at regular intervals. "You are right. As always-" There is a pause. "Or perhaps often, you are." Although she is calm, a certain sadness comes to her eyes. "You must have struggled with your own weaknesses... And you must still struggle." She gives a gentle nod to punctuate her statement. "I wish I had known, so very stuck in my own self and my own weaknesses," she says as she lifts a hand to her heart. "...That you might be struggling, and I, wholly unaware."

You have emoted: Lief lets go of Elexia's other hand and once more rests it upon the edge of a sweet-smelling candy basket. Her smile shifts into concern anew, and softly, she says, "You know you needn't worry about me, yes? We each deal with our struggles in our own ways." She smiles quietly. "And by our teachings of Communion and Kinship, I certainly know that I cannot shoulder it all myself, and so I ask when I need the help. As should you."

Elexia is quiet for a time as her brow furrows. Thoughts pass across her eyes, but she does not voice them. Although the anxiety remains in her body, there is a change to it. The gentle, restless fiddling of her fingers in her lap, and the slow, shifting movements of her wings lack the alarm of before. "That is what the Lady said," the faeling finally replies. Her bright grows genuine, bright. "Yes, yes sister, I will." She nods her head firmly. "I will reach out. And..." She pauses for a moment, then nods once more. "And I will trust you to do the same. And Her, to shoulder Her own battles as well."

Faythe glances from you to Elexia, still silent in the background where she leans against the tree, her expression unreadable.

You have emoted: Lief's own smile grows to match Elexia's in brightness, and she sways back and forth in the air, basking in the early, early morning hours here in this garden. "This makes me so happy to hear, sister-mine," she says with sincerity, her wings a joyful hum behind her. "I am so glad you don't think me invincible," she adds with a laugh. "That's tough to live up to!"

"It would be, wouldn't it?" Elexia says with a look of chagrin upon her smiling face. She watches you happily sway in the air for a moment, then she looks up to Faythe and says, "...Thank you, friend. I didn't know I needed this, but I did." She leans towards Faythe from where she perches atop the elfen's shoulder, bumping Faythe's cheek with her shoulder lightly. Suddenly, a thought appears to occur to her, for her pointed ears twitch. "Oh! Sister, there is something I've been meaning to give it to you..." Her hand dives into her satchel, rooting around to produce a humble acorn package. "I don't know if you remember, but once, I told you I was going to design something for you, and I asked your favorite gem..." She rises to her feet, balancing atop Faythe's shoulder for a moment before hopping off and flitting over to deliver it.

Winging forward, Elexia gives a humble acorn package to you.

You have emoted: Lief's ears perk, and, curiously, she takes a humble acorn package into her hands, prying it open.

A dazzling diamond dragonfly earring falls out of a humble acorn package and into your hands.
A dazzling diamond dragonfly earring falls out of a humble acorn package and into your hands.
A humble acorn package flutters apart in wisps of vellum as the last of its contents spill into your
hands.

You have emoted: Lief gives a sudden, delighted gasp as her hands collect each earring, her eyes brightening, and immediately, she sets about to examining each piece.

-p earring
A pinpoint of diamond overlaid upon a hook of silver forms the base for this dangling earring. A chain of silver falls from this anchor and sways with the movements of its wearer. Upon its end is a diamond sculpture made in the striking likeness of a dragonfly. The sparkling little wings of the creature are outstretched in the process of busy motion. Tiny cracks fastidiously chiseled into the wings by a patient hand serve as an imitation of the filaments of the real insect. A similar effect is used for the dazzling eyes of the creature. Its six legs dangle as if caught in the speed of flight.
It has 124 months of usefulness left.
It weighs 1 ounce(s).
It has a trade valuation of worthless.
The beauteous craftsmanship of Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon radiates throughout it.
It has the following aliases: earring, jewelry, jewellery.

You have emoted: "They are absolutely perfect," Lief says softly, finally looking up, her eyes full of emotion. "Goodness, they are beautiful. Do they suit me?" Her hand lifts one to dangle it near her ear, to demonstrate.

There is a brief moment while you opens the package that Elexia's breath is held. A bit of anxiety washes over her features, which passes as your delighted gasp rings through the air. "They absolutely do!" the shorter faeling cries as she flits to the right, and then to the left of her sister. "I wasn't certain you wore earrings, but I thought it just an adorable idea!"

Faythe slowly backs away from the two sisters, not wanting to intrude any further than she has on the private moments, satisfied as she is that they have spoken. She turns quietly, leaving the area.

Faythe leaves to the northeast.

You have emoted: "I will need piercings," Lief laughs with a happy nod, gathering them into her palms. "But - oh, Faythe left. I was going to suggest we check on the muku flower first."

Elexia opens her mouth to call out after Faythe, but the elfen woman is gone too quickly. "Oh, she left!" she repeats your words, twisting her mouth into a frown. "A shame if she were to miss it! But shall we check, sister? And then, I'd be happy to help you with your piercings!"

Elexia begins to follow you.

You nod your head enthusiastically at Elexia.