Mirror: Filib

You speedwalk southwest to the Stables of the Wyrden Thorn.
Filib Shee-Slaugh bows respectfully to you.
You have reached your destination.
The Stables of the Wyrden Thorn.
The shadows violently writhe and twist along the ground here, indicating a war shrine of Nocht nearby. It is quite mild. Wyrden trees hunch over each other here, forming a canopy overhead. The twisted branches from each tree clash together, writhing about each other and blurring together in an unending battle of foliage. Beneath the twisted canopy, a sturdy stables has been erected, crafted from the wood from several ravenwood trees. Viciously thorny vines spread out across the ground, wrapping around the stables and spreading outwards. Midnight black roses grow in patches amongst the abundant plant life, their heavy blooms threatening to snap the stems they grow upon. Tucked away in the corner of the stables is a carefully wrapped bundle, the corner of a pitch-black tunic and the shimmer of silver and gems visible within. Filib Shee-Slaugh hovers in the air here with a pair of daggers in his hands, wings beating rapidly. A sign suggests you can use STABLE commands here.
15:40:18.545 You see a single exit leading northeast.

You step down off of a creature of starlit shadow.

You give Filib Shee-Slaugh a respectful bow, one hand clasped over your heart.

You have emoted: Esei flutters about, seeking a good perch before finally deciding on the steeply curved trunk of a nearby tree.

Softly, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "It has been a while. I hope you have been well."

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "I have been thinking, you know. Of what She said at my wedding."

With a wry quirk of their lip, you say, "It feels like both yesterday and centuries ago. How fickle memory is."

Filib Shee-Slaugh tilts his head and listens intently.

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "A union to mark the seasons, claws to tear through the night sky, the rain of blood upon Her wood, a union to be unmarred by pride."

You have emoted: Esei tugs at their braid, staring off into the forest.

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "Given what happened a few decades after - what with Her disappearance, the Betrayer... it doesn't seem coincidental She said that."

PROBE FILIB
The complexion of this shadow faeling's skin is rough and weathered with a murky greyish tone. An untidy mop of pitch black hair sits atop his head, with gnarled locks of hair falling down around his head. His pale blue eyes are partially obscured by the locks of dangling hair and his face is heavily scarred by hollow pockmarks and a massive number of freckles. Pale wings of dull shades of varying colours grace the back of his slender build, protruding from the dirty smock adorning his form. Besides the smock, he is clad in a pair of tight fitting pants and a pair of fingerless gloves over his hands.
Filib Shee-Slaugh looks to be crushingly strong.
He weighs about 60 pounds.
He is loyal to the Free Forest of Glomdoring.
You cannot see what Filib Shee-Slaugh is holding.
It has the following aliases: filib, shee-slaugh, faeling.

[Suddenly realizing that he's missing something VERY IMPORTANT.]

You crease your brow in a frown.

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "You lost the ravenwood brooch Rancoura gave you?"

Folding his hands in front of him, worrying them against one another, Filib Shee-Slaugh whispers, "Where the Divine are concerned, what ever is coincidental, cousin? Ah-? I'm certain, quite certain I have placed it somewhere around here..."

You have emoted: Esei pulls themself from their perch, wings aflutter to alight closer. "I suppose you are right, in that." They muse, eyeing the stables. "All the same. Would you perhaps like help to look for it?"

Filib Shee-Slaugh purses his lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as he carefully gathers his thoughts.

You tilt your head inquisitively.

Filib Shee-Slaugh fishes around inside of his smock, a careful and deliberate gesture which produces a dark ravenwood brooch adorned with wooden feathers. "Ah." He whispers. "The very one. I put it somewhere safe when we were visited by that strange ooze."

You have emoted: "Yeoz, correct?" Esei tilts their head the other way in a distinctly avian manner. "I fear I was not around much, during that time. What happened?"

Filib Shee-Slaugh whispers, "It had a name? I recall that Lord Nocht approved of its presence, but when it first appeared, it spent a great deal of time leading everyone on a chase, stealing things from near-about everyone. It pilfered from Rowena, and Dominique, and Ulthaed, and Brennan too."

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you whisper, "Ah, yes. I do recall this part. It was coughed up by the Wyrdling."

You nod.

Clutching the brooch to his chest, Filib Shee-Slaugh murmurs "It didn't ever come my way, thankfully."

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "But you have been well, I hope? It has been a while since you have spoken up."

In his whispering voice, Filib Shee-Slaugh says, "Well enough. Times of excitement are enough without inviting them on myself. I have been enjoying the quiet even if... even if things aren't over. Are you well, Esei?"

You have emoted: Esei ponders this for a moment, dark eyes flicking to and fro with unsaid thoughts. "Yes. I rather think I am."

Filib Shee-Slaugh tilts his head and listens intently.

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "Years ago, we talked about fear, and doubt, and you mentioned to me that you saw in me all that a Shee-Slaugh ought to be. Do you believe you still see that in me? Because I started to see it for myself some time ago, and in part, I must thank you for it."

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

With a shy smile, Filib Shee-Slaugh reaches out and squeezes your arm gently. "Of course, dear cousin. How could I think otherwise? Many branches have grown since last we spoke of it, like a mirror to you." He trails off, abruptly frowning. "Do you still harbor such feelings?"

Touching Filib's hand, you whisper, "Some small part of me will always be afraid. I can only grow around it. This was a hard lesson to learn, but one I needed."

As quietly as possible, Filib Shee-Slaugh says, "Mind them carefully. But, I'm glad I could help, even if it was slight."

You nod.

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "More than you think, I believe."

A look of understanding crossing his features, Filib Shee-Slaugh nods his head slowly.

Suddenly, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "You are like a brother to me. If you do not mind my saying that."

Hiding a grin behind his hand, Filib Shee-Slaugh whispers, "Why would I mind that?" Then, straightening and puffing up in what is surely a false display of bravado, "I will always be here, we're family."

You have emoted: Esei reaches out, placing a hand on Filib's shoulder. Their eyes are, for the briefest moment, softened. "That is excellent to hear, dear Filib. And I say the same to you."

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to Filib Shee-Slaugh's brow.

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you say to Filib Shee-Slaugh, "Perhaps I should leave you to your work, yes?"

Acknowledging your point to be true, Filib Shee-Slaugh nods his head gravely at you.

Filib Shee-Slaugh embraces you with great ardour.

You pat Filib Shee-Slaugh in a friendly manner.

Lilting in a dark, ethereal voice, you whisper, "Be well, Filib."