Missed Goodbyes

LANTRA NEWS #33
Date: 3/27/2022 at 23:33
From: Lantra, the Empyreal
To  : Everyone
Subj: Distant as the Furthest Star

My Empyrean,

The splintering of Li-varili has weighed heavy on Me in recent years. I have meditated on what might have been done to change Her fate, and have come to the regretful conclusion that there is naught that I -- or indeed, all of the Havens -- could have done differently.

Nonetheless, in times of great strife and upheaval, the way of the Third Circle has oft been to take time to reflect on what has occurred, and how it has changed Us. My silence has been indicative of such reflection, but as seasons pass, I find Myself drawn to a deeper seclusion.

One that might allow Me to better emerge able to protect the Light, and all that is held dear within it.

Those of you who have sworn vows unto Me may fear this time in the darkness, where My presence is as distant as the furthest star. You may wish to forsake your vows of Devotion in this time, and find another Divine to serve in My absence.

Thus I will release you from this vow, if you desire it, without punishment. I will understand, for time is precious unto mortals, and there are those who without direction are as aimless as a nightswept path without illumination.

Those of you who remain and hold to Fortitude, however, may feel My distant light shine upon you, and know that your actions speak for Me when My voice cannot be heard in the realms. Be as one with the Light, a beacon for others to see and follow in the stalwart path of righteousness for New Celest.

My Avaris, too, has fallen to slumber. In his absence and Mine, I ascend once more Faragan of My Mystic Waters to a post capable of overseeing the Order when I am not near, serving as Flowing Tranquility.

Alongside Faragan I promote My Auriella to serve among My Argent, whose actions in My meditations have not gone unnoticed: shining as My Empyreal Aegis to guide others.

I may be much changed in My return, or much as you remember Me, for that is the way of such meditations among the Third Circle, even for Us of the Hamadhi. Yet I shall be ever as I am, in the respect that matters most: a patroness of the Light, and New Celest.

Light's blessings shine upon you, as ever.

Lantra, the Empyreal

Penned by My hand on the 5th of Roarkian, in the year 614 CE.

You blink.
You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.
You think to yourself: **a sudden sense of loss**.
Quietly, you say, "Ah."

A flurry of blackthorn petals arrives from the southwest, thorny vines sprouting within the floral cloud and twining together to form the body of Esei.
A shadowy creature twists in from the southwest, trailed by faint motes of starlight.

An archon of Eternal Light says, "Take care while you're in New Celest, Esei."

Esei lightly pecks the air beside each of your cheeks, greeting you formally.

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks slowly, glancing up at Esei.
Quietly, you say, "Esei... She's gone."
You have emoted: Cheliyi closes her eyes, inhaling sharply.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Ah... who?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi picks up her ampoule, cradling it gently.
Tears fill your eyes and begin to slowly run down your face.

Esei's eyes widen, and they suddenly look quite awkward.

Quietly, you say, "I wasn't even awake for it."

Esei beckons you to them.

You begin to follow Esei.

Esei reaches out to tenderly cup your cheek in their hand.
Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "What happened? Do you know?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi remains silent for a long moment, tears streaming down her face in a steady flow. "She grew tired, yes. From the splintering of the Lady of Lagoons."
Quietly, you whisper, "At least, that is what Her message says."

---> listen ampoule

Rippling across celestial waves of water and light, the clear voice of the Goddess Lantra resonates about you, "My Enduring, I would speak with you when next you are present."

You have emoted: Cheliyi's jaw tightens, and she clips the ampoule back to her belt.

Esei tilts their head and listens intently to you.

A rush of summer warmth passes through you as you smell grass and flowers and glimpse the limitless blue of a perfectly blue, sunlit sky.

Quieter, you say, "Her message in my ampoule has not changed either."

Esei wraps their arms around you in a gentle hug.

You have emoted: Cheliyi leans into Esei's chest, her shoulders shaking in silent sobs.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie settles down by the pond, uncharacteristically quiet.

Esei gently caresses the back of your head.
Gently, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I am sorry."

You have emoted: Cheliyi shakes her head, barely making a sound beyond her unsteady breathing.

You think to yourself: **a deep, aching quiet, She is gone and you did not even say goodbye, just like with Them**.

Weakly, you say, "I wanna go to Her Fulcrux."

You hug a glass ampoule of bottled starlight as best as you can, pulling them into a tight embrace.

The heady scent of roses and congealing blood resonates from Esei, carried on a light wind.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "If you wish to go, then go."

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

Across the heavens, the stars and moon challenge night's dark reign, revealing familiar constellations that tell the tales of myth and legend.

Quietly, you say, "I will be back."

---> zoom

Before a secluded mountain spring.
Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Immaculate white marble glistens with a faint sparkle of mist as the narrow path opens up to reveal a shallow mountain spring, filled with the gentle sound of trickling water. Marbled shades of celadon blue dance across the smooth surface of the polished stone, resembling the way starlight dapples across the open sea as it emanates with a constant thrum of cool, luminous energy. A soothing breeze whispers throughout the hollow cavern, resounding within the alabaster walls with a lingering, watery echo. Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here.
You see exits leading north and west.
You part a sparkling veil of white mist, leaving your surroundings in a bright shimmer of water and light.

The Fulcrux of Lantra.
The rush of running water echoes throughout this alabaster sanctuary, its white pillars surrounded on all sides by shimmering waterfalls. Breathtaking stars twinkle across the misty falls as they collect into a luminous gazing pool, its rippling waters clear and sparkling as they reflect the open expanse of the celestial sky above. Caught in a graceful dance of duality, an immaculate white koi fish circles its dark twin in the glittering depths of the basin, continuing in a silent push and pull as their silhouettes form two halves of a whole. The white, blue and pink petals of assorted lotus flowers crown these starry waters with their regal beauty, standing at the feet of several stone priestesses who guard this place. The statues bow their veiled heads in silent prayer, each bearing a tilted celadon urn that overflows with the boundless light of healing waters. Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here. Impossibly still at the centre of this luminous pool of water and light, a single star lotus flower blooms brighter than all the others, its heart radiant as the dewy petals unfurl to reveal a beautiful, enchanting light.
There are no obvious exits.

The soft voice of Esei tickles your ear, "I shall be here."

You have emoted: Cheliyi clutches her ampoule to her chest, tears streaming down her face as she steps into the Fulcrux. "My Lady... You are already gone, aren't You?" Her dull gaze rises to the sky, as if to search out for some sort of sign in the distance.

You hear a gentle splash as the two koi fish within the gazing pool circle one another, motes of light flickering across their black and white scales.

You have emoted: Her voice cracks, and the mugwump lets out a quiet sigh. "I waited, yes. Waited to speak to You. But it seems I will have to wait longer, won't I?" Cheliyi grits her teeth, and scrubs at her face. "You say You do not hold it against me to renounce the vows, but I love You, yes. Even if You have left. How am I supposed to let go?"

Fluttering as if caught by a breeze, the silvery threads of tinsel weave about in a haphazard pattern: conjuring new constellations and shapes as they glow from the sidereal light of the wreath's fine filaments.

You have emoted: Nonetheless, tears continue to fall. "Did not even get to say goodbye." Inhaling sharply, Cheliyi shakes her head and forces a proud smile. "So, will say it now. Love You so much, and may You have safe travels and good meditations. Do miss You with all my heart, and wish You the best. Will always love You, my Lady."


Kneeling humbly, you press your palms together before you and close your eyes momentarily as you pray devoutly to Lantra, the Empyreal, "I love You so dearly. Please stay safe. Goodbye, and goodly travels, my Lady. I am forever Yours in my heart, yes.".
You stand up and stretch your arms out wide.

Tears fill your eyes and begin to slowly run down your face.
You have emoted: Cheliyi wipes her face again, slipping out of the Fulcrux.

You part a sparkling veil of white mist, leaving your surroundings in a bright shimmer of water and light.