The Moth on Scarlet Wings's Offering

<-- Recently Gurashi sent a prayer updating The Thousandfold on their status and current Order tasks, but also to ask Them some advice about hard-to-deal-with feelies. Today, they were at the Pool, greeting Yire with a cluster of other Celestians when...

The looming anxiety of the Beckoner fades as the ever-shifting form of the Thousandfold solidifies once more, lending a spray of colour and phantasmagoric wonder to your surroundings.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly jolts in response to something unseen, their eyes widening in surprise.

These faithful of the Divine Order of Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings are online:
Gurashi, The Heart's Friend
There is 1 mortal in your Circle (and below) on this Plane and 0 on other Planes.

(Veiled): You say, "Ohhh, oh - good morning, Most Beloved!"

(Veiled): Mysrai says, "Hehe!"

Yire blinks perplexedly for a moment before emitting a confused "Wha?"

You see the following people here:
Ferne, Radarq, Alarin, Yire, Gwyn, Gurashi.

(Veiled): You say, "How are You this months? Are doing O-K?"

Yire says hesitantly, "I'm not in the way of something am I?"

Ferne shakes her head.

A flitting, fluttering sense of delight and affirmation - dancing upon your cheeks like so many butterfly kisses.

You have emoted: Gurashi's attention remains divided, eyes wide as they stare off towards the east, looking beyond the harbor. "No, you are fine," They say, starting to drift away. "Need to checks on some..."

<<walkies!
The centre of Nautilus Pompilus at Voluta Diadema. (road).
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Dense white clouds have spread completely across the sky. Picturesque ash trees rise to either side of the avenue, their wide branches providing cool shade to the street. Two statuettes of shells have been set here, one a gleaming trumpet shell which opens eastward, and the other a colourful and patterned nautilus. The road itself is patterned as a nautilus, with mosaic bands of stone and shell starting in a small spiral and then swirling out to the southeast. A statue of a sleek snow phoenix with wings of sapphire ice stands here, memorialising her noble spirit.
You see exits leading east, southeast, and west.

You have emoted: Gurashi blushes and touches their face, causing their illusory visage to warp again, briefly revealing gray-violet skin that quickly turns tawny once more.

(Veiled): You say, "Most Beloved! That is wonderful!"

(Veiled): Mysrai says, "Hehe!"

You think to yourself: A Mothie... Mothie - the biggest of Mothies.

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes widen suddenly, and they curl their fingers, mouth forming a perfect 'o' of surprise, then delight.

You think to yourself: *wondering, envisioning the small Jackal-shaped God transforming wildly, growing wings, and little antennae, and flitting about playing Psychodrama*.

You think to yourself: *a GASP* Is This Shapes why the mothies know how to Psychodramas?*.

Beads of sweat break out on your face.

You have emoted: Gurashi practically vibrates where they stand, then shakes the thought free from their mind, letting out a little giggle.

(Veiled): You say, "Anyway will be awake for many days this months, yes, so please let me know if needs me, Most Beloved! Yes!"

(Veiled): Mysrai says, "Come to Me, My Beloved."

You tilt your head curiously.

You give a horrified gasp.

(Veiled): You say, "Oh! My, yes! On my way!"

Runrunrun!!

Ascending cliffside steps.
Throughout the location, small dancing flames flicker and spark. A glassy walkway over the fog comes to an abrupt curve here: from the edge, risers ascend into thin, foggy air. High above, the bulk of some massive cliff looms, pendulous folds of rocks dark and ominous even in the feverish fogs. White marble obelisks adorned with blue whorls of paint mark the bottom step, their own tops bearing coppery bowls with offerings of resin-scattered coals.
You see exits leading southeast, west, and up.

You cough softly.

An eclipse of moths suddenly swirls in a brilliant panoply of colour, blurring reality until they meld together into the form of Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings.

(Veiled): You say, "Am within Your realms, yes! Where can find You? I will --."

You blink.

LOOK SHE
A dizzying aura of colour distorts the very fabric of space around this radiant being, radiating from the manifold scarlet wings that sprout from Her back in ethereal brilliance before solidifying into flesh and bone. Paper-thin and membranous, each wing acts of its own accord and slowly sways back and forth in defiance of expectation their nine feet of length should suggest, allowing solid matter to pass through them and discolouring what does in a mind-boggling splash of nightmarish colours. Copper wends in molten curls over the delicate bones of these strange limbs, the muscles within twitching to send the wings awhirl in feverish veils of sanguinary hues. The Divine they are attached to, in comparison, is positively diminutive with little more than four feet of height to claim as Her own. Unnaturally slight, She seems little more than pale, fragile skin stretched over the cage of bones that is Her body. Plumes of brilliantly white, fuzzed flesh fall from Her head in a strange mane of shifting, translucent skeins and antennae. Taking up well more than half of Her face, Her eyes are entirely devoid of the colour which encompasses the rest of Her, little more than voidstruck pits in which constellations whirl in slow, strange patterns. Two extra sets of arms escape from within Her ribs, kept folded both before and behind her and clasped in a complex, ever-shifting mudra that keeps them from stilling.
She is wearing:
a swirling crown of saffron hieroglyphs that wanes pale and weak between Her wings;
aubergine robes of contorted voidcopper filigree that are bunched around Her shoulders, baring Her many arms.

A sickening squelch precedes the lethargic entry of a spindle-spined moth caterpillar from the west.

(Veiled): Mysrai says, "My Beacon wakes as well. A fortuitous sign, to be sure!"

(Veiled): Shulamit (from the Prime Material Plane) says, "C...creamy th...thingies need to become...smooth...paste?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes widen as they stare back at Mysrai, the illusory shape they had taken slowly evaporating like steam, leaving them viscanti once again.

LOOK ME
A colorful scarf has been wrapped around the head and shoulders of this individual, partially obscuring their face from view in an attempt at being discreet. They are an ordinary human starlit demigod. They stand at graceful six-foot even, their limbs slender and their slim figure bordering on feminine in its slight curvature. Dark, violet-gray skin covers the entirety of their form, possessing a faint iridescent sheen when standing in the right light. A hint of discolored flesh can be seen at the center of their sternum, mostly obscured by their clothing. Their long face is pointed and slender, nose long and pointed, the fainted hint of pitch freckles marking their cheeks and nose. A moderately sized crescent-shaped scar mars their right cheek. A pair of sleepy almond-shaped eyes house hazy gray sclera but strikingly orange pupils, each eye like a pinpoint of fire against their dark face. Rising sharply from either side of their head are two pairs of dark gray horns, the wickedly sharp ridged lengths curving back as if they've been windswept. Both horns on the left side look to have been broken off crudely, their full shape lost. A mop of short iridescent blue-black hair graces the top of their head, framing their horns and face, and a shock of bone white has grown in along their temple. Trailing behind and twitching with a mind of its own is a slender gray tail, which tapers at its end into a flat, notched fin. Moth-like wings of sheer power radiate away from their back in nightmarish waves of bizarre hues.
They are wearing:
a starry wreath of celestial light set atop their head like a halo
a circlet of crystal thorns resting loosely atop their head
a vivid red-orange poppy tucked lovingly behind their left ear
an indigo scarf dotted with lambent fireflies wrapped about the top and back of their head, lending them a partially hooded visage
the Mantle of Starlight which flows dreamily about their shoulders and back
a sleeveless black tunic which clings to their upper body flatteringly
a hypnotic paisley saddlebag slung casually over their shoulder
mercurial Mysraian prayer beads pulled taut against their right wrist
a Glomdoring friendship bracelet which jingles softly on their left wrist
minty citrus incense beads pulled taut against their right wrist
an enormous poppy of black and gold worn delicately upon their left wrist
a driftwood ring of sea breezes fitted tightly to their left middle finger
simple white linen trousers which swish around their legs freely
Refined Boots of the Paladin, worn and weathered from use.

(Veiled): Mysrai says, "Hehe!"

In gentle, dulcet tones, you whisper, "Most Beloved...!"

You have emoted: Gurashi inhales sharply through their nose, then bows before Mysrai at last, bending at the waist. "Good morning...!"

Delight and affirmation dances about you, brushing against your flesh like so many butterfly kisses in Her appreciation.

You blush furiously.

You have emoted: Gurashi's hand flies to their unscarred cheek in surprise before they rise and offer the Divine before them a hopeful smile. "Did You teach the mothies how to Psychodramas?" They ask at last, tail rising behind them to form a question mark.

Though She moves, when Mysrai turns, She moves with solemnity and purpose rather than the erratic jumping and flits of moths that you have become accustomed to. Turning Her voidstruck gaze upon you, She offers a wan smile and answers, "Had I, then surely My Beloved would never win another match."

You think to yourself: *gentle lingering pastel colors are muted, like dirt swept under a rug until their illusion changes - like shedding a too hot, too tight coat suddenly their head is blazing with kaleidoscopic shades, bright and hopeful and pinging about joyfully*.

Furrowing their brow in understanding, you whisper, "Ohhhh, those smart smart mothies..."

Mysrai's eyes fade to black, swirling into a vortex of voidstruck pitch. Pinpricks of light sparkle within them as She stares forward in utter rapture.

A sickening squelch precedes the lethargic entry of a spindle-spined moth caterpillar from the southeast.

Mysrai caresses a lethargic, spindle-spined moth caterpillar gently.

You have emoted: Gurashi's tail dips, sweeping back and forth behind them carefully before finding its way to their leg, wrapping around their ankle. "Like kepheras," They whisper finally, noting the second set of arms, the slight frame, canting their head, unaccustomed to looking down. Suddenly they shake out their head, gasping.

Mysrai slowly lowers Herself to the ground, growing smaller and smaller as Her wings no longer carry Her above the ground, slowly trailing the moth caterpillars as they enter and leave with a soft smile of adoration upon Her face.

In gentle, dulcet tones, you say to Mysrai, "You asked me, to come to You! I am here!.." They trail off as She sinks, attending to the moths. "Came soon as could..."

Plumes of resinous smoke swirl through the air in spiraling tongues of coppery light and shadow as Shulamit, riding a gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames, enters from the up.

Comprehension flashes across Shulamit's face.

LOOK SHULA
She is a crystalline lucidian iridescent demigoddess and is tinted a soft, muted blue colour that appears to be only skin deep. Faint whorls and eddies can be seen within the blue hue, making it appear to have been painted on with precise strokes of a master hand. Criss-crossing lines of gold spiderweb across her body, filling in ancient cracks and scars. The artwork is apparent within the golden workings, having been placed with another's hands, as the gold continues on her back and in places far too difficult to reach alone. The gold glows faintly, hinting at inner power and warmth. Tarnished divine script runs along her throat, spelling out ancient and forgotten hymns to the Shofet. Thin trickles of soporific smoke trail from the sides of her mouth when she speaks, the resinous smoke seen coiled in her lungs through her faintly translucent skin. Her skin is smooth of the crystal spikes normally seen on lucidians, head smooth and rounded, golden lines gleaming magnificently. Her eyes are an ebon black colour, faint pin pricks of light seen deep within as though there are distant stars and galaxies within. A chaos butterfly is resting on her shoulder. Her skin shimmers faintly from a thin application of oil and smells faintly of dragon's blood, deep and exotic. Tattooed on her fingers is an illustration of minuscule divine lettering. Moth-like wings of sheer power radiate away from her back in nightmarish waves of bizarre hues.
Spilling from the crown of her head to her shoulders is a finespun waterfall of sparkling crystal, each thread perfectly clear and colourless. As she moves, the gentle peal of pellucid chimes sounds in her wake, soft and soothing.
She is wearing:
a powerplex jewel upon her brow
a resin-streaked mark of the Paragon of Paradigms over her heart
mercurial Mysraian prayer beads wrapped around her right arm and hand
a rose-entangled lunar band on the third finger of her left hand
a vibrant collar of spun gold and prismatic crystal proudly around her throat
a shifting, living poppy of beige petals pinned to her cloche hat
a grandiose gown of sugar and spice
a bright pink and yellow cloche hat
a cupcake coin pouch worn upon her left hip
a whimsical apron patterned with various delights
a Crown of Crumkindivia worn atop her cloche hat
an elegant ivory watch decorated with poppies on her left wrist
a shifting symbol of the Thousandfold
an emerald fish blanket cozily worn over her shoulders.

Shulamit curtseys gracefully before Mysrai.

You blink.

Shulamit gives an elated gasp before hugging you tightly, suffusing you with a warm citrine colour as she starts to glow.

You gaze softens as you smile at Shulamit.

You reach out, pulling Shulamit into a tight embrace.

With a small, mischievous glint to Her eyes, Mysrai unfolds Her third set of arms from behind Her back and folds them atop Her second set before Her stomach, the four hands immediately joining in creating even more complex mudras. Acknowledging your point, She finally touches the ground with the very tips of Her toes, posed as though in a ballerina's pirouette.

You think to yourself: ...THREE sets of armses!

Shulamit hums a happy tune.

You think to yourself: Oh my gosh She can make sooo many foods at once...

Glowing in tune with her words, Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon says, "I will...hm."

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Glowing in tune with her words, Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon says to you, "I will nap. But leave you with Delos. Yes yes!"

Glowing in tune with her words, Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon says to a gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames, "Stay."

Shulamit grows still and her lips begin to move silently.

You have emoted: Gurashi finally breaks their embrace with Shulamit, standing beside the lucidian hopefully.

In gentle, dulcet tones, you say to a gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames, "I will guard you with my lifes."

Her voice little more than a whisper that is audible nonetheless, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "My Beacon, in love do you go. In Love."

Mysrai leans close to Shulamit and gently lays a kiss upon her forehead.

Shulamit is enveloped in translucent fire for a moment and is gone, her soul safe until she returns to Lusternia.

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns, hand falling from where Shulamit's was just moments earlier, returning their attention to the pirouetting Divine before them.

Bizirik, the leothin sniffs a gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from him is.

Bizirik, the leothin wrinkles her nose in distaste.

Bizirik, the leothin proceeds to sit in between a gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames and Gurashi, snorting jealously.

Mysrai reaches out and gently scratches beneath a gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames' chin, seemingly lost to Her own point before She abruptly asks, "Do you regret leaving him?"

You think to yourself: *the question causes their colorful mind to settle somewhat, like a hand hushing a room*.

Her voice little more than a whisper that is audible nonetheless, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "Moths..."

A sickening squelch precedes the lethargic entry of a spindle-spined moth caterpillar from the west.

Somewhat distractedly, Mysrai turns in place, smiling with obvious adoration towards the creeping creatures as they make their wanderings.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances down at the caterpillars squelching around near their feet. They look up at Mysrai again, their brow furrowing. "...regret hurting him."

Glassy spines shimmering with oddly mesmerising slickness, a lethargic moth caterpillar creeps to the west. <-- this times a thousand because mothies always be on the move

You have emoted: Gurashi glances down at last, shyly studying another caterpillar as it squishes on by their foot, mindful not to impede it's journey.

You think to yourself: *the question still lingers, heavy, thoughtful, heavier still: why must one negate the other*.

"This regret, it pains you?" Mysrai asks, no malice to be found in the airy, distracted whisper that escapes Her small mouth. "If you like, I could have it done away with."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up at Mysrai suddenly, gasping. "Please do not do anything to Xenthos!" They blurt out suddenly, raising their hands.

Liefenn arrives from the up.

The Shifting City fades around you. Your stomach drops into nothingness, falling endlessly before the surrounding buildings and streets recondense.

Mysrai pauses in Her attention to the moths, turning slowly towards you as Her third set of arms unclasp and reclasp behind Her back. She stares for a moment, and then asks, "Did you think I would?"

Liefenn leaves to the west.

(Veiled): Mysrai says, "Hehe!"

(Veiled): Liefenn says, "I'm sorry to barge in so rudely! I thought I might sing to the caterpillars."

(Veiled): Mysrai says, "Yes, yes! Sing the songs, and see them fly. This will please Me."

You think to yourself: *suddenly all that aching guilt that hangs around the thought turns to throbbing fear, foreign words chiding them softly, reminding of the damage done, the damage they continue to do--*.

You have emoted: Gurashi's chin quivers, and they stare back at Mysrai before shaking their head, looking down at their feet. "Of course not," They say, voice thin and high.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances up in response to conversations held over aethers unseen, folding one arm over their chest to squeeze the other. "...I do not know how to..." They start, their tail around their ankle squeezing and relaxing again as their expression contorts, discomfort seeping in.

Without Her usual slowness, Mysrai is before you, reaching out Her primary hand and pressing a thumb to your forehead. "Silence." It is a command, abrupt and whispered, but rings with a force that threatens to shake the very ground beneath your feet. "These poisons, in your head, they serve no purpose beyond pain. They are...so loud..." She smiles, wanly, and as Her thumb pulls away, the doubts and guilt remains but is muted - struggling like a wild animal against the padded bars of a gilded cage. "...that is better.... You can speak now, without being drowned out."

You stare blankly at Mysrai.

A strange moment passes where you realise that you cannot seem to remember the last few minutes, the spot in your memory slipping away from your grasp and only leaving you to recall the faintest scent of citrus.

You think to yourself: *a dull throbbing, gently beating from below - the most quiet it has been since the age before their antennae were fixed - not even Hivenoise seems to reach them now, in this moment*.

You have emoted: Gurashi purses their lips, reaching up to touch their chin. "...t..hank You," They whisper at last, blinking hard.

You think to yourself: *for a fleeting moment, in all the silence, the Thousandfold's words hang there: "I could have it done away with"*.

You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.

Mysrai smiles benevolently, slowly floating backwards as Her attention is caught again by a moth and She follows its trail through nearby streets. "Now," She quietly continues, slowly twirling and letting Her wings stretch out to their full length - passing through the streets and nearby walls and discolouring them in familiar, nightmarish hues. "Why do you fear My Cousin? She cannot harm you, lest She break Her promise to me." She smiles faintly, cooing at the latest moth caterpillar to traipse through.

You have emoted: Gurashi begins to trail after Mysrai, hands folded politely before themselves as they walk. "Because She is one who decides if can get unenemied there," They explain. "All happened, very fast - being enemied. All that want is to fix it, yes?" They swallow hard, stepping over a caterpillar on the way. "Am scared She will hate me forever, though, and it will never happen."

Carrying on, you say, "'cause if can be an enemy, then, maybe they will /believe/ me, when say do not ..."

You have emoted: Gurashi stops in their walking, their shoulders suddenly heaving, voice cracking, "That I do not want to hurt them."

You think to yourself: *the normal thoughts that would interject are muffled, straining, pleading*.

A gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames raises his head high and releases a string of high-pitched barks: "ARF ARF ARF ARF ARF ARF!" Looking quite pleased with the sound, he lies back on his belly with a satisfied expression.

You glance askance at a gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames.
A gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames flops past you, entirely engrossed in something behind you.

You think to yourself: *pusing through the silence* Beloved Shulamits would be so proud.

"Think softly, now, My Beloved. For what reason did I send you to the Empyreal?" Mysrai speaks as though remarking on the shape of a leaf, slowly trailing Her way through the street as She walks in an aimless circle in chase of the caterpillar moths which vastly outpace Her.

You have emoted: Gurashi realizes they are being outpaced, hurrying along, chasing after Mysrai, head bowed. "To ... convince Her, that You were good, so She would help Beloved Aschwars... because, they need helps, and we tried everything else already..."

You have emoted: Gurashi trails off again, pressing their hands together. They nearly trip over a caterpillar, gasping and catching themselves on a wall, scrambling to catch up with Mysrai.

"But why YOU, My Beloved?" Mysrai asks again, turning abruptly in midair so that She is face-to-face with you and staring with Her too-wide, unblinking eyes. "Why would She not believe Me?"

You have emoted: Gurashi stops just short of walking right into the floating Divine, blinking. "......uhm."

You have emoted: Gurashi gazes back at Mysrai now, their burning gaze returning Her unblinking one as they consider a response.

Speckles of cold stars open overhead, winking coldly in the silvery fog canopying the city.

Simply, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "She would not believe Me."

You think to yourself: *muffled but trying to sort it out, no louder than a whisper - everything from a good talker to a good dancer until their question is answered, cut short*.

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns, nodding once in understanding, staring still.

"In your actions, you showed Her that which She was blind to for Her own perceptions. A new paradigm, enlightened, from a fluid path." Mysrai explains as Her six hands move in chaotic harmony, expressing Her point more clearly. "You fear these lies will hurt you, yet in their love for you another is willing to aid you. They seek their new home of their own accord, and offer you credit you feel undue, yet in the love you have inspired they act. So, can they truly be lying?"

As Her second and third set of arms settle back into their normal positions once more, Mysrai offers you a soft smile, and simply says, "You have not lied, My Beloved. Nor can you control that which another does, for to dominate their Will would be antithesis to all that you have learned with Me and Mine. This, you know."

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes widen slowly in surprise. "...I ... I guess..." They look down towards their feet, then up at Mysrai again, twiddling shyly. "...mmf. I just."

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes their head at last, letting the sentence wither and die, offering the winged Divine before them an embarrassed half-smile.

Her voice little more than a whisper that is audible nonetheless, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "You just...?"

Voice warbling somewhat, you say to Mysrai, "What if... do not /want/ to convince peoples to go to the Glomdoring?" They fidget. "The whole things, sometimes seems like is possible, but other times, feels like am digging a hole under myselfs, and walls get higher and higher. I was so surprised, when M..."

You have emoted: Gurashi catches themselves before they name names, bobbing their head side to side. "I do not know, whether She really wants my desires to rot holes in me, or if I want to tell someone else to move somewheres where peoples I have not even met or gotten to know /hate/ me, yes."

You have emoted: Gurashi quickly cuts themselves off, their eyes shiny with tears. "But, feel like should not gives up, in case it might..."

You think to yourself: *a muted memory of a large hand settles atop their head, fleetingly bittersweet*.

Shimmering colour catches your eye, and you turn your head to see orange paint slowly fading from a nearby wall - the temporary glyphs praising the Thief of Hidden Apogees burning away from the Divine power suffusing the Shifting City.

"She is vindictive, petty, and prone to flights of passion that She forgets as quickly as She means them," Mysrai says with a light laugh, raising a hand to cover Her mouth as She does. "In this, We are the same." She shakes Her head, then, Her antennae and fuzzy flesh waving slightly with the motion. "If you do not wish something, My Beloved, then why would you do so? To enslave your Will to another's, even Her's, is to drown yourself in the selfsame poisons which eat your mind even now. You have fulfilled your obligation, and as such all you may do now is await Her judgement."

Her voice little more than a whisper that is audible nonetheless, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "Those who left say that they did so for you, because of you. This is their Truth. My Cousin must needs be more specific if She wishes to puppeteer you. You have done as She asked, and now She will repay Her word...or She will not."

Soft fur brushes against your ankles, leaving a strange warmth in your skin. When you glance down, you glimpse the fading remnants of feline footsteps in the dust.

You have emoted: Gurashi's hands ball into fists, one pressing against their arm, the other their thigh. "I-I still have to find another persons, so it is /not/ done. Is only halfs," They whisper back, voice strained. "And She liked the persons that went..."

A shiver runs down a gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames's body, causing him to stretch out to his full, majestic length for several seconds before he scrunches down once again.

Bizirik, the leothin sniffs a gemstone scaled seal with burning wings of flickering flames, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from him is.

In gentle, dulcet tones, you say, "Er, came... went?" They shake their head. "Into, Glomdorings mean."

You have emoted: Gurashi furiously shakes their head again, then lets out a flustered noise, tail cutting through the air behind them with such ferocious agitation it whistles.

Mysrai's mouth opens as if to speak, and then closes again. She offers a sympathetic smile, and says, "Then you will convince another to leave, or you will not. It is forbidden, to force this decision upon another, My Beloved, and this you know. So you must suffer the pain and allow to forge your Will ever stronger..." She trails off, and then pulls Her third set of arms from behind Her back and offers them forward, cupped, where they fill with a milky white liquid. "Or, you may forget."

In gentle, dulcet tones, you say, "I-I know," They start to explain, looking down at the Thousandfold's hands as they rise. "I would not ask You to make me do that, just... is ..." They trail off again, staring at the Divine's hands. "What's..."

"The milk of the poppy, My Beloved. In mortal hands, it serves but to ease pain and grant slumber." Mysrai raises Her hands and allows you a closer inspection, continuing, "Yet the poppies are Mine, and at My Will they can do so much more. If you wish to forget, then I will Will it be done, and as you drink so shall you quench this pain. The poison shall flow from your mind, and you shall be free, if ignorant of what it was that caused you such sorrow." She lowers Her hands once more, and Her voice is a touch more firm, and filled with a clear warning. "Such, though, is irreversible."

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes widen at the very thought, and slowly they fold one hand over their heart, the other rising to their mouth. "...but, that..."

Her voice little more than a whisper that is audible nonetheless, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "A last resort, but a resort nonetheless."

At last, their voice small, you say to Mysrai, "...would mean, forgetting Xenthos. And..."

In gentle, dulcet tones, you say, "... then, would forget the things that learned, and..."

Golden shades radiate from your chest and your heart beats faster with newly-appeared determination.

Her voice little more than a whisper that is audible nonetheless, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "To know, but not know how. To be sure, but unsure why. It is a power unmatched, and some may yet call it a curse. Just as I asked you thrice 'ere you came to Me, would I ask you again should you ask of this offering."

Their shoulders sagging, you say, "Wouldn't... that be against the points...? Thought, was supposed to grow and learn, even if was bad..." They fidget, clawed finger gently digging into their chin as they consider it. "Loves is goodly teachers, so... what if he still loves me too and, I just... I just ..."

You have emoted: Gurashi's face loses all color for a moment, and they quickly look up at Mysrai, hardly able to ask. "Does he still even loves me back, Shofets?"

"You have learned, My Beloved. You have learned, and suffered." Mysrai smiles faintly, and inclines Her head in simple acknowledgement. "Pain is powerful, and may foster growth, but that which poisons growth and would gnaw you away from the inside out offers no tutel--" She loses Her sentence at the question, and gently purses Her mouth, considering.

You think to yourself: *a ripple like water disturbed by stone, or a hand - their stifled thoughts continue to gentle beat at the background*.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares back at Mysrai, mouth drawn into a thin straight line but chin quivering.

Mysrai looks up at you and, after what feels like an eternity of consideration, answers, "I believe so. Yet he loves the Wyrden Forest as much, if not moreso, and She harbours no deviation from Her design."

The Mantle of Starlight flows gently against your form, twinkling stars shifting across its surface as the starry infinity continues its eternal motion.

Her voice little more than a whisper that is audible nonetheless, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "Let not this discount his love, for both She and the Wyrd have power beyond mortal measure. I believe he loves you as much as a mortal may, yet of such Divine matters..."

You have emoted: At this, Gurashi exhales, withers in their spot, all but collapses to their knees as they bring up both hands and exhale loudly into them, obscuring their face at the confirmation. Their pointed ears twitch and their tail continues to lash behind them, indicative of their still-listening.

In gentle, dulcet tones, you whisper, "Love's s'pposed to be bigger than borders..."

Simply, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "It is. Yet such affairs are never easy. Were Love all that necessary, then I..."

Mysrai's mouth twists, and She shakes Her head, simply stating, "I would not have seen My Heart's pain, nor need the Empyreal's aid. Love is powerful, but so is the perversion of Love into blind loyalty."

You have emoted: Gurashi gently wipes at their cheeks, looking up tearfully at Mysrai as They speak. "...that's scary," They whisper. "Blind..." They start to say more, but trail off, hands still at their face, holding their miserable expression between clawed fingers. "Is some way, to keeps it from becoming poisons, without needing to forget?"

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

"Permanently? No." Mysrai says simply, Her voice leaving no room for doubt. "To blunt the pain, to ease the sorrow? Such is easily done, but in its ease is it undone as well. Those who would seek your pain, and cause discomfort...they would simply inject more." She speaks sorrowfully now, as though of something She has seen too many times before, "Without feeling it, it would grow to dangerous, overwhelming points before it finally became too much, and all that was before would meet all that had been. It would drown you." She then considers, for a moment, thoughtfully.

Her voice little more than a whisper that is audible nonetheless, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "Unless, of course, you were to face the demons which would poison you...and overcome them. A trial that even the Divine would struggle to face."

You have emoted: Gurashi's fingers curl, the tips of their claws pressing into their skin. "...drowning doesn't feel good," They confess finally, sniffling loudly as their tail rises behind them, loops in a serpentine fashion before settling down limp. "...face, my demons?"

You think to yourself: *a sense of confusion, envisioning a childlike rendition of themselves raising their tiny wooden sword and swatting at shadows, screaming in silence*.

With a simple nod, Mysrai looses Her fingers and allows the liquid cupped in Her hands to fall, splattering against the ground where it is hungrily absorbed. Lacing them together behind Her back once more, She lowers Herself in midair until She is at eye level with you, "To find closure. Whether in unity, or in solitude. To reach peace, and disallow another from poisoning your thoughts by ensuring that they have no power over you." She gently reaches out a primary hand and taps the very centre of your discoloured flesh on your chest, explaining, "To face that which fills you with guilt, and accept it...or defeat it."

You have emoted: Gurashi gently wipes a palm across their cheek, catching a tear before it falls, attention drifting to the tapping on their chest.

Sounding dazed, you say, "Sounds like would be very easy, when say out loud."

You think to yourself: *again, muted acknowledgement: anything from easy, the most difficult fight in the world*.

Simply, Mysrai, the Moth on Scarlet Wings says, "In essence, it is the easiest thing in the world. In practise, even Divine fall to its complexity."

You have emoted: Gurashi swallows again, watching a caterpillar as it crawls right over the toe of their boot. "Yeah..."

You have emoted: Gurashi's teeth graze their lower lip as they consider the caterpillar on their boot. "'m sorry, prayed to you like that. About this. But, You..."

In gentle, dulcet tones, you say to Mysrai, "Are very smart... and knowing, and ...."

"You are My Beloved, Gurashi," Mysrai says as She reaches out Her primary hands to cup your face and gently squeeze at your cheeks. "This means you are loved. I do not wish to see you pained any more than I would My Beacon. I cannot choose for you, only offer you that which I know and I am able."

Your mind blurs, your dreams and nightmares surging forth as the many-hued wings of a maddened dreameater moth soar in from the west.

Your mind begins to mend, returning to more comfortable paradigms as the many-hued wings of a maddened dreameater moth soar out to the west.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a little noise as their face is cupped, a barely audible whimper swallowed up by a gulp. The faint sheen that covers their being seems to shine a little brighter, and they smile weakly, cheeks still smushed. "T... thank You," They wibble, "...love You lots, too, yes. You are, my most favoritests of Shofets," They hiccup, suddenly laughing.

Voice wavering as they excitedly continue, you say to Mysrai, "And, love my dad too, and do not want to be poisoned by feelies, anymore, /either/, and do not want to be so scared of Lady of Roses, anymore and..."

You have emoted: Gurashi the very tips of Gurashi's horns and tail begin to glow the faintest amount, golden hues starting to creep along the flesh as they speak.

Mysrai listens with a soft smile on Her face, releasing Her hands and watching you with Her unblinking, too-large gaze.

Liefenn arrives from the west.

Liefenn gives a wilting poppy petal to a lethargic, spindle-spined moth caterpillar.
Paradigms shift as a maddened dreameater moth grows impossibly larger, quivering between rainbow and putrid shades before finally exploding in a wisp of a nightmarish incomprehensibility.

Liefenn beams broadly.

Mysrai caresses a maddened dreameater moth gently.

Liefenn leaves to the southeast.

You have emoted: Gurashi continues on even as their face is released, gently waving around their hands to make their point. "And am gonna write a book and everybody's gonna read it and then maybe they will know the insides of my heads too and will not think have meanly intentions, yes. Am not going to stop loving, no - am not going to forgets. I do not want to forgets and do not want to get eatens or drowned /either/! Eraugh!!"

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly throws their arms into the air as the entirety of their flesh, horns, tail, and hair are consumed in a bright golden light. As it fades, they stand there in the same pose, now-human, arms still thrust high above them.

You reach out and embrace your hidden heritage of a changeling, and slowly transform into a human.
Your race is now that of Human.
LOOK ME (again)
They are an ordinary human starlit demigod changeling. They stand several inches shy of six feet
tall with a slender build. Their arms and legs are lanky, soft hands nervously balled into fists at
their side. Their most prominent three knuckles of the same hand are faintly scarred, star-shapes
etched across their skin. Their sandy skin has been reddened from exposure to the sun, causing an
array of tawny-colored freckles to appear upon their round cheeks and thin, upturned nose. A hint of
discolored flesh can be seen near the center of their sternum, mostly obscured by their clothing. A
moderately-sized, crescent-shaped scar mars their right cheek. Perhaps the most noteworthy thing
about them is their untamed mop of fiery red hair, complete with a few strands at their part that
fail to obey the natural laws of gravity. A shock of bone-white hair has grown in along their
temple. A pair of friendly gray-blue eyes gaze out from below red bangs, their color striking
against all the surrounding warm hues.
(same clothes)

Mysrai smiles softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi pants as their rambling reaches its conclusion, leaving them standing there, dumbfounded.

Dazed, you say, "... what happened? Was saying..."

You blush furiously.

"You have learned well, it seems, My Beloved." Mysrai laughs lightly, raising one hand to cover Her mouth as She does. She inclines Her head and presses Her thumb firmly against your forehead once more before commanding, "Dzaaa Mriii Clthhhhh!" Much more thunderous, the word and its echoes shake your very bones, and when She withdraws Her hand She simply states, "The poison will not bother you now, if you do not allow it. I have bound it to the strength of your Will, and your Love."

You give a horrified gasp.

Your eyes bug out as you boggle in amazement.

Bright and clear, you whisper, "Oh..."

Amazed, you ask, "...You did what?"

Liefenn arrives from the west.

Liefenn curtseys gracefully before Mysrai.

Liefenn flashes you a joyous smile.

You beam broadly at Liefenn.

Mysrai smiles softly at Liefenn.

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up to touch their face, gently squishing their cheeks. Once Mysrai's thumb leaves their forehead both hands fly up to cover the spot, disbelief on their face. "My Will? Can... do that? What's it mean?"

You look at Mysrai hopefully.

Still sweating slightly, Liefenn whispers, "All moths serenaded and set free, Beloveds!" She turns and departs in somethign halfway between a creep and a skip.

Liefenn leaves to the up.

Your shoulders bunch as you let out a short giggle.

As She begins to glow brighter and brighter, Mysrai offers but a soft laugh, and says, "I believe that is for you to find out, My beloved. Be not afraid of the chaotic paths the world may take, for Chaos is ever Mine."

The form of Mysrai glows too brightly to gaze upon, and you are forced to look away. When the light fades, She is gone, leaving only a dispersing cloud of moths in Her wake.

(Veiled): You say, "Thank you, Beloved Liefenn!! The mothies are happy!"

Bright and clear, you whisper, "Oh, I ..."

You see the following people here:
Gurashi.

You have emoted: Gurashi's voice trails off again, and they gaze longingly at the spot where the Thousandfold had been mere moments before, swallowing hard. "O-K."

Shimmering colour catches your eye, and you turn your head to see orange paint slowly fading from a nearby wall - the temporary glyphs praising the Thief of Hidden Apogees burning away from the Divine power suffusing the Shifting City.

You have emoted: Gurashi rubs gently at their cheeks again, letting out the tiniest of exhaled whistles. "Thank You, Most Beloved...." They say to the now-empty street. "Love You, lots. And muchly."

Your mind blurs, your dreams and nightmares surging forth as the many-hued wings of a maddened dreameater moth soar in from the southeast.

Bright and clear, you say to a maddened dreameater moth, "You escaped."