"...the nicely Songs?"

[Originally occurred April 1, 2021]

Your heart leaps in your chest and you tilt your head toward the sky, the Endless Song spilling forth from your lips in a joyous peal. With nary a strike of pain, your legs bend back into hooved, fur-covered goat legs and another digit erupts beside your little finger. Wonder blossoms within as you realise that you are truly sileni, and the race lives again within you.

You give a horrified gasp.

You peer about yourself unscrupulously.

Pale and svelte, standing at a meager five foot even, they are an alluring sileni wyrden demigod changeling. Their long black hair has been pulled back into a faux hawk, which stops at the nape of the neck and falls into a relaxed tail along with the rest of their hair. Their skin has been decorated with freckles, not unlike star constellations, light across their shoulders and face. Their eyes are so deep a shade that they appear black, gazing mournfully from their pale face and accented by sharp, angled brows. Soft, long, and rounded ears stick out from either side of their head, pale on the inside and occasionally flicking to hear various sounds. Their horns, starting as pale as their skin at the base and quickly darkening, curl up and to the side, not unlike that of a ram's. Their delicate arms extend from petite shoulders, ending with elegant, six-digit hands. Their legs are reminiscent that of a goat's, entirely black but for a few specks of white and the underside of their short fluffy tail, which is also white.
They are wearing:
a circlet of the Shee-Slaugh house delicately placed against their temple
an intricate, structured ensemble of dusk
Ebon Prayer Beads of the Silent Lord wrapped around one wrist
a wedding armband of eternal night resting on their left bicep
a phantasmal shroud of shadows wrapped around their shoulders like a scarf
a silvered leather scabbard tied loosely at their right hip
the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree attached to their left forefinger.

You peer at yourself unscrupulously.

You tell Tikki, "** You feel a mild skittering across the aether, surprise and delight and a little bit of horror all at once. **."

Caressing your ear, the voice of Tikki whispers, "Oh, now that was an interesting feeling. Something good happen?"

You tell Tikki, "...better if you come and see. Preferably alone, but Luce is fine as well."

You pet an elder ravenwood tree ingratiatingly.

You feel a slight tug within your chest and the air around you sparkles with motes of bright light.

You shimmy up to the top of an elder ravenwood tree and your hands begin to glow an emerald green. With utmost devotion, you call upon the spirits of nature. The wood beneath your hands is shaped into representations of each totem as you work your way down to the base of an elder ravenwood tree until finally you stand before a totempole.

You cough softly.

Echoed with a soft, dark melody, you say, "Do not mind me-."

Entranced by you, Tikki emits a long "Ooooh."

You have emoted: Esei's short tail swishes back and forth, back and forth, staring at Tikki, still very much taller than the furrikin.

Tikki says, "Gorgeous!"

Tikki nods her head enthusiastically.

You blink.

You blink.

You blush furiously.

Echoed with a soft, dark melody, you whisper, "You cannot just -say- that."

Tikki says, "Oh, oops!"

You mutter discontentedly.

Tikki says, "You do look very nice though, yes. I love your hair."

You crease your brow in a frown.

Echoed with a soft, dark melody, you say, "I have to... up my defenses up again. A moment please."

Echoed with a soft, dark melody, you say, "Ah, better."

You pet Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long ingratiatingly.
Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long leans into the petting with a soft rumbling of thunder not unlike a purr.

You ponder the situation.

Tikki tilts her head curiously at you.

You have emoted: Esei scratches their cheek lightly with a clawed fingertip.

Thoughtfully, you ask, "Should we go pester some people?"

Tikki says, "Normally I'd love to! I'm really good at it I think. Squid puns and all. But I told Luce I'd make a new horn for enchanting when I finished up here."

Tikki giggles happily.

You nod your head slowly in understanding.

You urge Tikki onwards.

[path track celest]

Cheliyi stares blankly into space.

Cheliyi squints. "Mixter Esei? Hm. Nicely shape."

You have emoted: Esei cocks their head at Cheliyi in response, ear flopping slightly.

You tilt your head curiously at Cheliyi.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you ask Cheliyi, "Something wrong with this shape...?"

Lawrence Ceartas says, "I certainly don't think so."

Lawrence peers about himself unscrupulously.

Lawrence Ceartas says, "Move hooves are a good thing."

Lawrence Ceartas says, "Ahem I meant to say: More."

You have emoted: Esei taps their hoof against the ground, creating a strange tinkling sort of sound.

You glance askance.

Lawrence lets out a loud grunt, stamping his hoof against the ground irritably.

Belching softly to himself, Lawrence shifts his jaw to chew on a bit of cud.

Cheliyi shakes her head at you.

You tilt your head curiously at Cheliyi.

You pet a cat of black ink ingratiatingly.

Sagely, Cheliyi says, "Is you. Is a good shape."

Shadows swirl around your arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree digs itself more painfully into your finger.

You have emoted: Esei blinks slowly, dark lashes fluttering against their pale cheeks and creating a much more innocent look.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say, "Mm."

Cheliyi raises an eyebrow, and smirks. "Okay, thats can't be real. But also, is oddly -more- you."

Cheliyi chuckles softly, her frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.

You glance askance.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you ask, "How?"

Cheliyi shrugs glancing away. "Twilight shroud."

You have emoted: Esei blinks slowly.

You raise a slender brow.

Amused, Cheliyi says, "Well, just because I am talking funny and raised by trees does not mean I can't read."

Lawrence Ceartas says, "Esei."
Lawrence Ceartas says, "Esei."
Lawrence Ceartas says, "Esei?"

Flatly, you say, "What."

Lawrence Ceartas says, "Close your eyes."

You have emoted: Esei narrows their eyes at Lawrence, glances meaningfully at Cheliyi, and then closes their eyes.

Lawrence gives 12 elegant pink roses to you.
Lawrence gives 21 yellow lilies to you.
Lawrence gives 15 midnight black roses to you.
Lawrence gives 19 twilight blue roses to you.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Cheliyi says to you, "I will hold him and let you stab him, if anything happens."

Lawrence gives 19 tiger lilies to you.
Lawrence gives 16 bright yellow roses to you.
Lawrence gives 15 warm tulips of dawn to you.
Lawrence gives 14 bright red poppies to you.
Lawrence gives 8 vibrant sunflowers to you.
Lawrence gives 11 cool tulips of dusk to you.
Lawrence gives 5 entrancing red roses to you.
Lawrence gives 38 purple tulips to you.

(Trasto): You say, "Oh gods."

Lawrence gives 36 delicate irises to you.
Lawrence gives 27 brilliant white roses to you.

Cheliyi narrows her eyes at Lawrence in an unnerving manner.

Lawrence gives 17 pink carnations to you.
Lawrence gives 31 striped orchids to you.
Lawrence gives 49 bunch of yellow freesias to you.
Lawrence gives a cluster of snapdragons to you.

You have emoted: Esei's eyes pop open, staring at a cluster of snapdragons with narrowed, hateful eyes.

Cheliyi thwaps Lawrence on the head.

You have emoted: Esei snarls silently at Lawrence.

Cheliyi shakes her head.

Lawrence Ceartas says, "Um."

Lawrence doffs the Holy Helm of Avechna cordially.

Lawrence touches a translucent icicle, and a whirling cone of snow rises up from the ground and surrounds him. The blinding white snow suddenly disappears, leaving behind nothing but a puddle of icy water.

Cheliyi puts her head in her hands.

You have emoted: Esei growls, body vibrating with tension.

Lawrence enters from the up, emanating an aura of immense power.

You give a cluster of snapdragons to Cheliyi.

Voice discordant, you say, "Get rid of that."

Cheliyi holds out a hand, glancing at the snapdragons. She then shoves them into a chubby piebald hamster.

Cheliyi puts a cluster of snapdragons into a chubby piebald hamster.
A chubby piebald hamster grasps a cluster of snapdragons in its tiny little paws.
With furious concentration, a chubby piebald hamster amazingly stuffs a cluster of snapdragons into his fuzzy cheeks, crazily squeaking, "NOM! NOM! NOM! NOM! NOM!"

Cheliyi shudders violently.

You shiver violently.

The sun reaches the zenith of the firmament, pausing in his quest to allow the land to bask in his shining golden rays.

You lean on Dusan, the coruscant seeking consolation.
Coruscant eyes glinting, Dusan, the coruscant lets out a rumbling chirp, bumping his snout against your hand.
Lawrence Ceartas says, "Oh..."

Cheliyi peers at Lawrence unscrupulously.

Cheliyi rubs at her brow.

You caress a phantasmal shroud of shadows gently.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Cheliyi says, "Don't give peoples snapdragons."

Lawrence shuffles his hooves awkwardly.

Lawrence Ceartas says, "I hope you realize that I do not pay attention, I just buy shops out."

You think to yourself: -better apologize- now-.

Cheliyi rolls her eyes.

Cheliyi nudges Lawrence suggestively.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Cheliyi says, "Apologize."

Lawrence Ceartas looks confused and says, "I'm sorry I gave you snapdragons."

You have emoted: Esei's nostrils flare, eyes dark.

Lawrence Ceartas says, "If you were the hundreds of flowers you can "Smell like Chel" it's my new fragrance company's motto."

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you whisper, "Thank you. For apologizing."

Cheliyi frowns at you.

You think to yourself: ** images of the Silent- choked with snapdragons- you have never seen Him as anything but- **.

Cheliyi's gaze darkens, and she sighs.

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

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Cheliyi says to Lawrence, "Some flowers have meaning, yes. Know it was not malicious. Just.... have thoughts before you gift things, sometimes."

You give an elegant pink rose to Cheliyi.

Cheliyi nods her head at you.

You give 14 bright red poppies to Cheliyi.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say, "Give those to your father, would you? You know the one."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Cheliyi's lips.

You swivel your ears about, trying to focus on some errant sound.

Cheliyi exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from her lungs.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say, "Your city is terribly quiet today."

Cheliyi offers a purple tulip to you. "Is, is. Most peoples sleep this time of month."

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say, "Well. Now I will not be lacking of flowers."

A wry smile spreads across Cheliyi's face.

You crease your brow in a frown.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you ask, "For flowers? Of flowers?"

Dryly, Cheliyi says, "He gave me 150."

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say, "Pesky Common."

Lawrence Ceartas says, "Esei got 353."

You glance askance.

Cheliyi stares blankly at Lawrence.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say, "Yes, I thought that was a few."

Cheliyi rubs at her brow.

Completely deadpan, you say, "A few."

Lawrence Ceartas says, "Counted them meself."

[Talking to Cheliyi, Luce, and Tikki about fashion; then the last two stick around for the TraumaTM, of which is redacted!]

[Next RL morning]

The Dawn's Promise Animal Rescue.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. It is warm and quite pleasant. A polished counter of dragonbone set near the entrance of this converted warehouse provides a place to welcome visitors and examine the rescuees. Beyond the counter stretch numerous kennels, interspersed with smaller cages, the scents and sounds of their occupants wafting throughout the cavernous space. A fine layer of golden hair rests upon every surface, including the counter. Chew toys of every variety imaginable lie scattered throughout the open space between the kennels, and line the shelves, along with leashes and food bowls. A low gate seals off what appears to be a back hallway at the rear of the large chamber, presumably where offices or smaller playrooms might be. The occasional happy bark from that direction suggests that an outdoor play yard might also be found in that direction. There are 9 golden retrievers here. A statue of Kattia Martel stands here, memorialising her noble spirit. Sweeping dog hair from the floors, Kattia Martel minds the rescue while humming absently to herself.

You see a single exit leading northeast.

You pet a golden retriever ingratiatingly.
A golden retriever looks up at you, his ear cocked curiously.

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "You can come back i want."

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Er - if."

You think to yourself: ...pretty. But not as pretty as the Glomdoring.

You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "I did not mean to wander in, I did not realize that was where the chapel is."

You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "You also..." their voice is wry, soft dappling across the shadow. "May not recognize me."

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Eh?"

You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "New shape, you see."

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Well, am always excited to see newly shapes. But will probably fawn overs when am not in the chapels, yes...!!"

You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "Mm..."

The Chapel of Two Saints.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. A fresh breeze is blowing through the area. Beneath a shimmering dome of mosaiced dragonbone, this modest chapel has been built in honour to the two saints of Dragon's Grave: Saint Hamos the Dragonslayer, and Saint Anatolyi the Dawn's Promise. Tall stained glass windows display these holy men in shards of painted colour, with scenes of Hamos facing the looming dragon in the ruins of the Guiding Star Lighthouse amidst a corona of flame, as well as of the Dawn's Promise bearing nothing but a shattered pitcher and a broom as he defends a village from invaders. Shellworked alcoves allow for places of prayer and quiet devotion, while more public displays of worship may be witnessed at the pews laid before a magnificent altar of gleaming dragonbone. Many familiar faces from the Non-Merian Quarter enter and leave this place of faith, with its large doors open wide to invite all who wish to enter here. Emanating a heavenly light as it shines beneath the dome above, the ceremonial shortsword of the Dragonslayer rests upon an altar here. A statue of a silver dragon turtle with crimson wings stands here, memorialising her noble spirit. Yvai, the battle sheep dwells here, antler-bearing head raised proudly. Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow perches here, eyeing the area suspiciously. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings. Thaldorn Thornfist, the White towers silently here, a stern gaze on his face. Head bowed, an anointed urn-bearer of water and light holds aloft the blessed vessel here with a reverent, stoic grace. Perpetually in a dramatic pose, the inflated silken form of Avechna the Avenger towers here, ebony muscles gleaming. Gurashi, The Heart's Friend with a Regal face shifts and blurs, their figure cast into uncertainty by the enveloping Presence that lingers large, unseen, and heavy about their form. They wield a vibrant mandolin of songbirds and stars in their left hand. Cheliyi frowns deeply, lines creasing her forehead. She wields a radiant chalice in her left hand.

Alarin blinks.

Gurashi watches Alarin and Cheliyi touch the sword in turn, squeezing the strap of their instrument again, shoulders bunching up.

You have emoted: Esei's hooves clack gently on the floor, lurking just behind the doorway to the chapel.

Gurashi closes their eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of their surroundings.

Cheliyi suddenly scrubs at her eyes, and exhales. "Looks like he was a very brave persons."

Gurashi nods their head at Cheliyi.

Softly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend whispers, "Yup." Slowly, their attention turns towards the entrance of the Chapel, "Very bravely."

Alarin nods their head emphatically.

Alarin Stormcrow says, "Very much so."

Aeldra inclines her head politely to you.

You sway back and forth.

You nod your head at Aeldra.

Alarin flashes you a joyous smile.

Thaldorn Thornfist, the White inclines his head politely to you.

The repetitive sounds of a blacksmith bringing hammer upon steel over and over echo through the city streets.
The pointed tips of your ears twitch to hear an errant sound.

Gurashi turns fully, perking up and waving. "Hey," They call out quietly.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you whisper, "Hello, Gurashi."

Looking the sileni up and down, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Welcome to Chapels of Two Saints, yus."

The sun reaches the zenith of the firmament, pausing in his quest to allow the land to bask in his shining golden rays.

Gurashi smiles, perking up a little straighter. "And the Dragon's Grave districts..."

Cheliyi greets you with a nod, her frills puffed respectfully.

Softly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "...four...ohwah - five."

With great elegance, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend lays out a spread of exotic cuisine and delicacies before you. Along with everyone else, you indulge yourself in this epicurian feast, eating and drinking until utterly satiated. The fine meal not only lifts your spirits, but enhances your body as well.

Gurashi strikes a pose.

Bizirik, the leothin strikes a pose.
A wry smile spreads across Cheliyi's face.

Bizirik, the leothin stares implacably at Gurashi.

You think to yourself: ** shadows, roiling familiar around the corners of your vision - it's alright - He is always watching. **.

Comprehension flashes across Alarin's face.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say to Gurashi, "I found your District accidentally."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Cheliyi asks you, "Ah, settled on a tunics, yes?"

You nod your head at Cheliyi.

Cheliyi nods her head sagely.

Gurashi drops their arms to the side, politely smiling. "It is a nicely districts. Has schools and Chapels and parks and bazaars and bars."

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say, "I found the dogs."

Bright and clear, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Oh - yeah - and doggies."

Alarin Stormcrow says, "And a retriever adoption center."

Alarin nods their head emphatically.

You have emoted: Esei's black and white tail swishes back and forth, back and forth.

Lady Aeldra Ladyn, of Cerulean Waters says, "That one is most important given how... careless some people are with their poor dogs."

Aeldra looks about herself suspiciously.

Gurashi lets out a little giggle, shoulders bunching.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say, "Ah, our wolves are fine, but they are wolves."

Alarin nods their head emphatically.

Bright and clear, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to Aeldra, "The doggies are well beloved! Always well taken care of even before the retriever centers was added."

Gurashi beams broadly.

Alarin Stormcrow says, "You'd be amazed where retrievers have been left."

You have emoted: Esei clasps their delicate hands behind their back, tilting their head thoughtfully.

Aeldra nods her head at Alarin, showing her acceptance.

The repetitive sounds of a blacksmith bringing hammer upon steel over and over echo through the city streets.
You swivel your ears about, trying to focus on some errant sound.

Lady Aeldra Ladyn, of Cerulean Waters says to Alarin, "There's Knorrith's at the entrance to Her realm. Am still bothered by that."

Alarin Stormcrow says, "...has anyone filed an adoption report for her yet?"

Alarin Stormcrow says, "And is she still there?"

Gurashi stands up a little straighter, then looks at you again. "How does feel? Do hear the nicely Songs?"

You have emoted: Esei blinks slowly.

Alarin Stormcrow says, "You can get there faster."

Alarin's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Echoed by a soft, dark melody, you say to Gurashi, "I could not say. I already have many songs in my head."

Gurashi's eyes widen as they stare at you.

Alarin Stormcrow says, "I need the retriever's identifying mark in order to file the report."

You think to yourself: ** the gentle thrum of the shadowbeat, the rising cadence of malhalla, swept with a soft undertone - ole'noc caihel. **.

Softly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "...it did not singles itselfs out for you? Ohh."

Gurashi glances askance.

Bright and clear, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "To eaches their own! Fascinatings...."

Gurashi trails off, whispering to themselves still, squeezing the hilt of their katana before looking up. "Wait, we are going to go look at puppies?"
Gurashi looks at Alarin hopefully.
Gurashi looks at Aeldra hopefully.

[and then wandering around in Lantra's realm, bullying a mugwump, a snowball fight, and eating opiates and also insects]