"I'm gonna...let them be happy."

Gurashi's been afraid to visit the Shifting City/Liar since the last encounter at Gaudi's festival, but he finally worked up the nerve to bring some honey-based dishes for them and... ran into another friend instead ;A;

***

**offered some corpses to Mysrai shrine in Gaudi**

You twitch your mandibles as you voice a soft, curious chirr.

You have emoted: Gurashi takes a step towards the door, then back towards the shrine, then towards the opposite entrance, looking conflicted.

Each star blinks out of the sky as a conflagration of lava, rock and ash paints the night's canopy in a furious inferno of volcanic resplendence.

You think to yourself: Ah - it looks nice...!

You think to yourself: ... almost edible.

You stare blankly into space.

You have emoted: Gurashi considers the lava a time more before finally moving on.

You think to yourself: Forbidden taffy.

**walked to visit Friend Aschwar's villa, drop off some food**

Passing smoking shopfronts.
Throughout the location, small dancing flames flicker and spark. The shops and warehouses here are wreathed in smoke that billows from doors, windows, and chimneys alike, though due to the lack of heat and general mayhem they don't look to actually be ablaze; it looks more that each is actually an oversized -- and quite elaborate -- incense burner than the result of careless arson. The smoke itself is primarily patchouli-scented. Bars, dancehalls, and gambling houses are the order of the day, intermingled with dealers in hardened sap souvenirs or glass baubles filled with coloured water, giving the street a lively feel despite the heavy haze that conceals most of the street at any given time.
You see exits leading north, east, and southwest.

You think to yourself: Oh! I found it!

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, looking down the road, towards the docks, back towards the little villa, seeming increasingly nervous.

You think to yourself: ...Miss Khep is not talking this month, still. Is good time to visit. Can safely do -big- brain things.

You think to yourself: ... oh - but, Tridemon.

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You think to yourself: Oh no what if he goes sharp teeth at me again.

You have emoted: Gurashi begins to pace, watching the villa indecisively.

You think to yourself: Won't run into them. And if do will not bring up big brain stuff at -all-.

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You think to yourself: Ahh... you are a 'brave' bee, not a honey bee.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 18th of Juliary, 555 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 10 days until the New Moon

A lush sandstone courtyard before a grand villa.
Aesthetically geometric sandstone tiles lead the way towards the grand, multi-tiered villa rising ahead. Lush, long-bladed sedge grasses envelop the sand-strewn path, tall clusters of woody bamboo parting nearer the abode where the avenue opens into a large courtyard. Nestled within the grasses are a number of abstract statues depicting noble hawks and cobras, clear water pouring from their beaks and fanged mouths into basins cradled below. Surrounded by an intricate arrangement of small pools and complex fountains, pale stone benches and narrow monoliths of dark marble circle the courtyard, offering opportunities for tranquil rest and reflection. Beyond the yard rise the golden-wood columns of the villa, each supporting wide mahogany eaves from which hang chimes of miniature golden bells interspersed with bright crimson metal poppies that lend their delicate tintinnabulation to the music elicited by even the smallest stirrings of air. The immense statue of a proud jackal rests upon its haunches at the top of the wide sandstone stairs rising before the towering archway that marks the threshold of the villa, the dark animal's triangular ears and snout held high as its scarlet eyes watch over all who pass. Leaning heavily on his crutch, Akuuko the once-thief pauses here to catch his breath.
You see exits leading east and in.

You blink.

"thief98629"                  Akuuko, the once-thief
LOOK THIEF
The tattered remains of a monk's saffron robes are wrapped as tight as can be around what is left of this poor man's body, just above the black garments of a sneak thief. Where once the loose-fitting garments would serve to protect him from sight and allow quick movements, much of the fabric has been pulled tight and wrapped to hide the atrocity that has befallen him. A great amount of his right side is missing entirely, as though sheared away by the great hand of some cruel instrument, giving him a decidedly lopsided appearance as his silhouette runs from neck to hip in a single, smooth line. Tight, clean bandaging covers where the black of his clothing has been burned away there - packed tight with globs of liquid that occasionally seep through and smell strongly of bitter, pungent herbs that smell cold and hot at the same time. A small icon of an indistinct, robed figure swings loose around his neck, clanking against his chest with each laboured movement. Brilliantly orange eyes are drawn and tired, sunk deep into the dark green scales that cover his body, scabs and gashes across his skin indicative of no small amount of progress in recovery from whatever tragedy he suffered through. He clutches tight with his remaining hand and arm to a long crutch of rich wood, inscribed with prayers and blessings to the Lord, Lady, and Neither, Mysrai.
Akuuko, the once-thief is quite powerful.

You have emoted: Gurashi approaches the door at such a brisk pace he almost doesn't notice Akuuko, the once-thief, hand raised, ready to knock.

You blink.

Akuuko, the once-thief's eyes are half-lidded as he stares up at the villa, not even noticing your entrance as he looks up at the open window of the tall tower.

Surprised, you say, "Ah! Amsosorry!! Did not realize Friend has..." His buzzing voice trails off, becoming soft. "Er, sorry. Did not mean to startle."

You tilt your head curiously at Akuuko, the once-thief.

You think to yourself: ..they ...

Akuuko, the once-thief seems to start, wincing with the motion and moving his hand towards his stomach awkwardly as he looks down at you. Then he freezes, almost abruptly, and there is just silence as he stares.

You have emoted: Gurashi seems equally frozen, eyes wide and both left hands frozen mid-reach. "....Mister Orange Thief...?"

Akuuko, the once-thief's voice is cracked and hoarse from disuse, but familiar as he winces and raises a hand in a small, clawed wave. "Hey, kid. Youse been keepin' out of trouble?"

A few ephemeral, veil-wrought figures hurry past you, vanishing down a rapidly-vanishing sidestreet in the Shifting City.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks once.... twice... his antennae slowly swivel forward, the left sagging a little as he takes a cautious step forward. "...oh, you," His hand flies up to his mouth, unable to mask his shock.

You stare intensely at Akuuko, the once-thief, looking moments from tears though your eyes remain dry.

Suddenly, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "Am so sorry."

Even more fretfully, smaller arms flailing helplessly, you exclaim to Akuuko, the once-thief, "Am so sorry, Mister Thief!"

A hard, pained chuckle escapes Akuuko, the once-thief's throat, causing him to cough and gag as he leans forward into his agony. After a few moments, he carefully rises and says, "Youse didn't do nothin' wrong. Paid for what youse got. Did what youse all promised."

Akuuko, the once-thief's eyes sadly turn towards the tower, and the open window once more. He has yet to even cross the threshold separating the villa's stairs from the rest of the city streets - as though a wall of flame stood between him and it.

You have emoted: Gurashi stoops forward, resting on one knee beside where Akuuko, the once-thief sits. "Friend Aschwar is up, but it was because you helped!" HE shakes his head fervently. "Have you... seen them yet?"

Akuuko, the once-thief's face visibly widens as he hears you say that name, and he worriedly looks up towards the sky as he leans as far back as he can. When there is no blast of righteous retribution, he smiles softly and says not in answer, but to himself, "...so the kid told youse. That's...that's good."

You have emoted: Gurashi nods, though the gesture is morose at best. "Yeah..."

You have emoted: Gurashi gently tugs a bit of the fabric of Akuuko, the once-thief's sleeve. "Really - have you seen them? They talked about you often, after they woke. They - we all - were worried about you..." Suddenly, his antennae droop, and he reaches up to scratch the circlet on his head. "We do not even know your real name, friend!"

You look at Akuuko, the once-thief and begin to perspire as you imagine all the things that might go wrong.

Akuuko, the once-thief looks up towards the stairs again and quietly muses, "Thought about going to visit 'em, but...they probably would feel bad if they saw me like this. Want to know what happened. Who did it to me." His mouth presses into a hard line, and he quietly says, "Don't think I'd have the heart to tell 'em."

After a moment, turning his head, Akuuko, the once-thief says, "Akuuko. Not sure if I'm a thief no more, so figure I might as well be me."

You have emoted: Gurashi's antennae remain sagged, but he smiles a little regardless. "Akuuko..." The name buzzes when he says it, and he carefully moves to sit in the space next to Akuuko, the once-thief. ".....am understanding why would feel like that. Er - why would not want to make Friend Aschwar.... sadder..."

You twiddle your thumbs.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Oh!"

Faintly buzzing, you ask Akuuko, the once-thief, "If you are just you, then - oof - then you should not have a problem taking presents now right?"

You chitter at Akuuko, the once-thief with energetic clicks of your mandibles.

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

You think to yourself: Oof...

Akuuko, the once-thief exhales sharply through his nose, a safe approximation to a laugh. "I still feel like I'm s'posed to steal it, but so long as it's just me. No food, though. Don't uh..." He gives his stomach the lightest of pats as he says, "Don't have much of a stomach no more, youse understand?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's eager expression withers. "Ah..." He looks down at the patting hand, devastated. "Right. I am very sorry." An awkward silence settles over the kephera as he looks to where his leothin might normally be, though the creature is nowhere in sight. He politely folds his hands in his lap, continuing to twiddle his thumbs and look up towards the villa.

Faintly buzzing, you ask Akuuko, the once-thief, "Do want to go in though, very badly?"

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

You think to yourself: Ahhhhh...

You think to yourself: Stop shifting, city.

"Well, to be honest with youse," Akuuko, the once-thief says quietly, "Nothin' more I want to do than run in there and give the kid a big smooch and a hug. Let 'em know that I was there, watchin', and lookin' out for 'em. That I helped get people to 'em, and wake 'em up." He exhales another soft laugh, and his eyes grow sad as he says, "Gettin' here every day is hard enough, though. Don't think I could make it up the stairs."

You have emoted: Gurashi listens to Akuuko, the once-thief speak, eyes wide and shining with sympathy. He looks up at the window, then towards the door, then towards the ground, mandibles clicking furiously. "I... ".

You think to yourself: Know what you mean.

Quietly, Akuuko, the once-thief says, "So used t'just climbin' the walls. Never really had to...walk in, before."

Swiveling his head around, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "If you do not have too much trouble with pride, I would be happy to help you go up! I could, carry up the stairs, or, oh! I can turn into a TRILL now, and I can just fly right up to the window and there would not even HAVE to be stairs."

Speaking rapidly, hands moving enthusiastically as he speaks, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "One of those could work! I have carried people bigger than you - er, mean, bigger than you normally, even ... er, not that you are not normal NOW."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "B-but ...you deserve to do that."
You have emoted: Gurashi grows still. "To let them know you were there. They need to know."

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

Little more than a flutter stirs the threads of Fate as Czixi, the Welkin deems Alary's life to be forfeit.
You see the death occur at the Fulcrux of Czixi.

Echoing from within the space around you, the clipped voice of Czixi resounds, "Come back when you have bothered to learn a single thing about Me, slave of Mysrai."

You blink.

You think to yourself: Friend Alary...

Akuuko, the once-thief sits quietly for a while, not offering any sort of purpose as to the silence as he sits there and thinks. Just when the silence becomes almost too much to bear, he says, "Look, kid. Youse...youse proabably don't know what I mean when I say this but. Sometimes...youse...youse gotta stay away from someone that youse love. Because if youse were close, youse...youse'd hurt 'em. Youse want what's best for 'em? Probably best to let 'em forget I even existed."

You stare at Akuuko, the once-thief, eyes wide.

Faintly buzzing, you say, ".... but, th..."

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes narrow, confused. "That does not make sense..."

You twitch your mandibles as you voice a soft, curious chirr.

A single fish swims by in midair, scales flashing with ivory and flame-hued luminescence.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "I ... no - I do understand."

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "Life doesn't always make sense, kid."

You have emoted: Gurashi glances up to watch the fish as it swims by, mandibles clicking slowly. "...no, I do understand, Mister Akuuko..."

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "People are made up of big, huge feelings and thoughts, and what should happen and what does happen...it doesn't seem like it should."
Faintly buzzing, you say, "But, staying away for a little while, and staying away for-EVER- are different things..."

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks if he might cry again, were he able. "They have not forgotten you existed - they still talk about you, and will just wonder about you for-ever- if you do not reach out to them... someday..."

You look at Akuuko, the once-thief, expression filled with concern as you frown.

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "This ain't a story. But that kid is worth so much more than a million of me. Youse don't know the sort of plans the Shofet has for 'em, and they don't fully grasp how important they are. So instead of making myself happy, I'm gonna...let them be happy. And be happy that they can. Even if it means they might be a little sad now."

You think to yourself: / *finally ... a far-away sounding chirr* /.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets his hands settle in his lap, letting out a soft, whistling sigh. He stares wide-eyed at the ground before either of them, silent.

You slump down dejectedly.

Quietly, his voice making an attempt at comfort, Akuuko, the once-thief says, "Life stinks, kid. But you can remember what good youse had, and be glad youse had it."

You have emoted: Gurashi sniffs, then carefully reaches out with his smaller right hand, laying it on Akuuko, the once-thief's shoulder.

You think to yourself: Am sorry.

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "If youse wanted to tell me about them, though...I wouldn't say no."

You think to yourself: *a great swirl of emotion, dashed quickly as he blinks hard*.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances over, keeping his hand in place as he slowly looks up towards the window. "...they ...do not want to be bearer of bad news, but," He makes a sound almost like a laugh, "are having a not great time!"

In disbelief, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "There is something weird! Uhm. they..."

Akuuko, the once-thief frowns and turns his head, listening intently to you as you provides explanation.

You have emoted: Gurashi makes a swirling gesture. "It is big brain stuff. They used to hear things. Friend Aschwar's an empathy, except, his brain is all... burned out, or something. That is what Tridemon was worried about. Except, it's more than that," He chitters, rambling on, "It is like, the space where Friend Aschwar should be was a voice, he said."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "I-I fixed my antennae, see? Because kephera are supposed to be able to do big brain stuff but, I haven't been able to yet because am still learning..." He hesitantly touches the circlet, not moving it from its tight position. "And, uhm, yeah my other 'friend' says that Friend Aschwar ... IS an Illithoid? No, sounds like the Illithoid. The soulless. Something."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "She is hard to understand sometimes still, she talks to me from far away."

You think to yourself: In my head.

You stare blankly into space.

You think to yourself: / *a buzzing chuckle, accompanied by a single, observant tick* /.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "...anyway, Friend Aschwar is in a bad way and do not know how to help them and it is the worst."

You slump down dejectedly.

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

Akuuko, the once-thief whistles softly, leaning back slightly as they absorb the information. "See? A million times more important. It's a lot to take in."

You think to yourself: / *the buzzing continues, growing softly in volume* /.

You twiddle your thumbs.

With a curious look, Akuuko, the once-thief says, "And...are youse all right kid? Sounds like youse ain't talkin' to people about how youse are feelin'. That was a lot to come out at once."

You blink.

Insistent, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "Do not worry am not moping!"

Quietly, Akuuko, the once-thief says, "I didn't say youse were."

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You carapace turns a bright shade of red as you blush.

You have emoted: Gurashi quickly lowers his voice, continuing. "And, n-no! I have friends! Who help! With these things, yes. It just," He bobs his head side to side, antennae waving with the motion, "you know what was like waiting for Friend Aschwar to wake up. That anxiety. Anticipation. Worry. Feel like that all over again for them! Thought they would wake up, and, you know." He shrugs.

You twiddle your thumbs.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "Big feeling things, you know!"

Faintly buzzing, you say, "I made them some food, though... in case they were hungry..."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks towards his backpack set on the ground nearby, mandibles clicking hopefully.

You think to yourself: How does Tridemon do his big brain stuff...

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 sniff softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances down briefly towards his feet, watching the paw prints disappear on a passing breeze.

Akuuko, the once-thief eyes you carefully, still not having deciding on what it is he wants to say yet.

Voice cracking, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "Is it selfish to want them to be happy."

Twiddling his thumbs, you say, "Because, think everyone wants to be happy."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "So, makes sense to want OTHER peoples to want to be happy, even if they are not -right now-."

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "Kid, look. I'm not...y'know, a professional or nothin'. I'm a thief. I take things that I want, and that other people want. Sometimes, if youse want something, just gotta reach out and take it."

You have emoted: Gurashi stares towards the villa again, letting out another faintly buzzing whistle.

You stare at Akuuko, the once-thief, eyes wide.

You think to yourself: Take something...?

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "But youse can't just go around takin' whatever catches your eye. Gotta play smart. And if your hand shakes, youse aren't supposed to take."
A sickening squelch precedes the lethargic entry of a spindle-spined moth caterpillar from the east.

You think to yourself: What am supposed to take...?

You have emoted: Gurashi tilts his head, clearly confused.

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "How...hrm. How do I explain this to youse."

You stare at Akuuko, the once-thief, eyes wide.

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "If youse were sure about what it is youse were doing, youse wouldn't be cryin' askin' someone who you've only met a few times if it was okay to do somethin' nice."

You think to yourself: / *a gentle thrum, the buzzing growing a tad bit louder* /.

You blink.

You think to yourself: ...but, have no idea what am doing.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks a little nervous, still listening.

You think to yourself: Oh no! Am I crying?

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "So if youse want to say you're fine, and lie to yourself, that's fine. But in the end, youse gotta be the one who deals with it. It's fine to mess up. It's fine to fail. It's fine to be the one to take the fall. But youse gotta at least be honest with yourself while youse do it."

You look at Akuuko, the once-thief, expression filled with concern as you frown.

You have emoted: Gurashi unconsciously reaches up with his smaller right hand, touching his face to check. Yep. Dry.

With a small smile, Akuuko, the once-thief says, "Youse can cry without tears, kid. It just don't feel as good."

You glance askance.

You think to yourself: ... mean, am NOT fine - with any of it, no.

Akuuko, the once-thief shakes his head and weakly waves his hand in front of him, changing the topic as he says, "But youse didn't ask for me to say none of that, and it ain't my job, so I'll tell youse what I think about our...mutual friend. And I won't even charge youse for it."

You have emoted: Gurashi sits up a little at this, tilting his head the other way. "...O-K."

You have emoted: Gurashi politely folds all four hands in his lap, listening with rapt attention to Akuuko, the once-thief.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 19th of Juliary, 555 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 9 days until the New Moon

You think to yourself: ...am still not able to help Friend Aschwar, maybe - because, cannot control what YOU do, Miss Khep? ...

You think to yourself: ...can try to help them if you are good, know!

You think to yourself: / *no verbal acknowledgement - a continued thrum of insects* /.

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

"I admit...I've been out of touch. Other than helping keep me alive, the thieves don't talk with me no more, and I can't blame 'em." Akuuko, the once-thief looks towards the villa again, and frowns as he thinks, "They ain't no illithoid, anyone can see that. So that can go right out. They're from a place where the illithoid, or somethin' just like 'em, ruled the world. They were a slave there, so maybe that's what your friend was feeling."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up towards the villa as Akuuko, the once-thief does, nervously wringing his hands together where they sit in his lap. "...a slave to the Illithoid..."

Faintly buzzing, you ask, "Then...why would be a void in big brain space? Is that the Shofets protecting them?"

Faintly buzzing, you say, "If... they WERE a slave... are the peoples who used to own them..."

You have emoted: Gurashi trails off, then begins again. "Will they come back for Friend Aschwar??"

You boggle at Akuuko, the once-thief.

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "As to what's causin' them to not hear what they used to, I heard the Shofet say to some people. Don't forget who. But They said that if they got woke up too soon, or if they got woke up without a source to the problem, they might...have issues. It might make the problems worse, and They didn't know how. So maybe instead of turning them into a weapon of mass psionic destruction, it's causin' them to..."

Akuuko, the once-thief shrugs helplessly.

You stare at Akuuko, the once-thief, eyes wide.

Faintly buzzing, you whisper, "...a weapon of mass... psionic destruction....?"

You tilt your head curiously at Akuuko, the once-thief.

Boggling, you ask, "...Friend Aschwar?"

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "Dunno enough about youse bein' a kephera or none of that to figure about it, but I hope it gets better."

You look at Akuuko, the once-thief, expression filled with concern as you frown.

You glance askance.

You think to yourself: / *another isolated chirr among the din of insects* /.

Akuuko, the once-thief nods their head and says, "Heard some of the Beloved askin' about it. The kid's brain is...very big, as youse thought of sayin'. The Shofet said they could be dangerous to everyone who wasn't a Divine."

Leaning back and staring off blankly, you say, "...they woke up too soon..."

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "Or too late. Or not fully enough, or too much."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Woke up without the source... of the problem."

Faintly buzzing, you ask, "The problem?"

You blink a few times and stare at Akuuko, the once-thief in confusion.

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "That glyph is probably the only thing helpin' keep 'em together. Wish I knew more about it, but I'm just tellin' youse what all I've heard."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Akuuko, the once-thief, "...my goodness..."

Softly, you ask, "Am sure Friend Aschwar does not know these things...?"

You have emoted: Gurashi tilts his head, looking towards Akuuko, the once-thief sadly.

You think to yourself: They woke up too soon...

You think to yourself: Or too late... woke up without the source of the problem...

You have emoted: Gurashi seems distressed, lost in thought even as he stares at Akuuko, the once-thief.

Akuuko, the once-thief's sad, soft smile reaches you and he says, "Think about how awful youse got your feelings right now. Now imagine youse was the Shofet, and youse loved the kid just as much. How much would it hurt to see them in pain? 'Cause youse gotta know by now they'd think it was their fault."

You stare ahead, looking utterly wounded.

You have emoted: Gurashi finally nods once.

Overhead, the sky is blotted out with the massive, rainbow-hued wings of a dreameater moth.

You think to yourself: Oh - it is not fair.

Akuuko, the once-thief says, "It might not be the best that we don't tell 'em everything. But...they're just a kid. They should have a chance to not worry, for as long as they can."

You nod your head emphatically.

You think to yourself: But... they are already worried.

You sniff softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up, scratching the end of his beak and looking towards his feet.

You think to yourself: ...do you see, Miss Khep. Friend Aschwar is important, too! Even more important than just being friend important - they are big-stuff-important.

You think to yourself: ...so we HAVE to help them.

You think to yourself: I know you do not like them but...

Akuuko, the once-thief presses firmly against his crutch and shakily rises to his feet, evidence of his old physical ability visible as he does so much faster than he should be able in his state. He gives a gasp of air as he leans against the crutch and turns to make his way back into the city, "They're still inside. Don't think they've gone out back yet, so youse might be able to say hello. Be good to 'em for me."

Limping heavily, Akuuko slowly hobbles away to the east.

You stare blankly into space.

You have emoted: Gurashi watches the once-thief leave, hands clenching together tighter.

You have emoted: Gurashi slowly looks towards the door, wings flitting once as he rises to his feet as well.

*literally 5 seconds later*

The chiming of precious metal striking together signals the arrival of a wheelworked extravagant magpie. While soaring overhead, a wheelworked extravagant magpie opens its back compartment and turns upside down to drop a tiger lily into your hands as it flashes its shiny wings triumphantly.
He is loyal to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters.

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Have an orange flower."

You stare at a tiger lily, eyes wide.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks down at the flower, momentarily baffled.

You have emoted: Gurashi's mandibles click twice as he carefully takes the flower, tucking it into his hat beside the brooch.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "**buzzing quietly** Many thank yous."

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