A Playground Playdate with Puppy

Gurashi's first order of training: obedience! Ham is learning how to 'sit' and 'stay' and 'drop it'! Mostly just drop it because they play all the time XD Anyway they were at the playground in New Celest while I was composing a letter OOCly and then the Evening Progressed

~~~

You drop a red and blue bouncer ball.
An adolescent Nyalian mastiff lunges toward a red and blue bouncer ball, but misses entirely and falls headlong onto the ground. He blinks confusedly before regaining his feet.

You pick up a red and blue bouncer ball.

You throw back your head as you let loose a delighted laugh.

Bright and clear, you say, "Oh!"

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles as they toss the ball again, watching the puppy race after it. They follow after at a leisurely pace, making sure to give Ham adequate time to chomp on its reward before they soothingly retrieve the ball from the slobbery mouth, tossing it again for the puppy to pursue.

Esei arrive, looking exceedingly wet.

Esei arrives, looking exceedingly wet.

Esei pets an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
A adolescent Nyalian mastiff playfully snarls at Esei, baring perfectly white teeth and then his lolling pink tongue.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances up, blinking as they return from bending over, scooping up a red and blue bouncer ball from the ground and preparing to throw it again. "Hi hi."

You drop a red and blue bouncer ball.
An adolescent Nyalian mastiff starts with surprise, then slowly inches nearer a red and blue bouncer ball with obvious trepidation. A sudden noise sends an adolescent Nyalian mastiff diving for cover again.

You throw back your head as you let loose a delighted laugh.

Slightly breathless, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Did you know there is a hurricane in the Inner Sea right now."

You blink.

You have emoted: Gurashi gathers the ball, shaking their head though they look towards the sea. "Oh..." They lift a hand. "It is quite nice, here."

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches into their pack, producing a kerchief which they offer, frowning.

Esei waves their hand dismissively.

Esei's hands begin to glow with scalding warmth and they passes them over the surface of their body, removing the dirt and grime covering them.

You drop a red and blue bouncer ball.
An adolescent Nyalian mastiff snatches up a red and blue bouncer ball, shaking his head vigorously before dropping the saliva-coated toy with apparent satisfaction.

A ball of ghostly darkness catches a red and blue bouncer ball in a twisting shadow and draws it up into Esei's hands.

Bright and clear, you say, "...HEY."

You flail about helplessly.

Esei blinks.
Esei blinks.
Esei stares implacably at a red and blue bouncer ball.

Esei gives a red and blue bouncer ball to you.

You have emoted: Gurashi's jaw drops, and beside them an adolescent Nyalian mastiff yaps, just once.

You nod your head sagely.

You point a red and blue bouncer ball at an adolescent Nyalian mastiff.
You trace a slow path through the air with a red and blue bouncer ball, transfixing an adolescent Nyalian mastiff with its tantalising proximity.

You drop a red and blue bouncer ball.
With a guttural snarl, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff pounces on a red and blue bouncer ball, drooling copiously as he attempts to make it into his next meal.

Your shoulders bunch as you let out a short giggle.

Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

Esei delicately perches on a swing, staring off into the distance.

Bright and clear, you say to Esei, "Thank you."

You have emoted: Gurashi tosses the ball for an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, canting their head to the side. "How goes? What brings you to city?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "You."

Esei glances askance at you.

You blink.

You drop a red and blue bouncer ball.
An adolescent Nyalian mastiff gambols forward, snatching a red and blue bouncer ball in one fluid motion. With a series of feints and growls, he avoids your grasp, intent on playing keep-away until he loses interest.

Bright and clear, you ask, "What for?"

Bright and clear, you say, "Ham, drop it."

Esei shrugs helplessly.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...lonely."

You have emoted: Gurashi scrambles after the pup, then trips over themselves at Esei's comment, landing face-first in the grass.

Esei glances askance.

Esei tilts their head curiously at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi is laying there, looking dead until an adolescent Nyalian mastiff comes over, sniffing eagerly at their hair. "Thank you," The human says at last, voice muffled by the ground.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I am unsure if Ham sniffling at your hair is good for your style."

You have emoted: Gurashi rolls onto their side, then their back. As their face is revealed, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff begins excitedly licking them all over, tail wagging a mile a minute. Gurashi scrunches their eyes shut and wrinkles their nose as the puppy does so, leaving them unable to answer Esei's comment.

Esei creases their brow in a frown.

You have emoted: Gurashi finally scoops an adolescent Nyalian mastiff up and sits up, holding the wriggling beast in their lap. "What style is that?"

You pet an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
A adolescent Nyalian mastiff playfully snarls at you, baring perfectly white teeth and then his lolling pink tongue.

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's brow.

Bright and clear, you say to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, "Yes, you are so cute."

You drop a red and blue bouncer ball.
An adolescent Nyalian mastiff gambols forward, snatching a red and blue bouncer ball in one fluid motion. With a series of feints and growls, he avoids your grasp, intent on playing keep-away until he loses interest.

Your shoulders bunch as you let out a short giggle.

You reach over and ruffle an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's hair fondly.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ** ...fuzzy, fuzzy, then, suddenly, shocking memories - nay, dreams, with that fuzzy, melodic quality to them - a library, tall and grand and beautiful, blood spilled across its floors, the Forest burning outside; icy haze, an imagined visage of the Lord Nightmare; struggling through dirt and muck, searching for something-something-something important, vital - and then their thoughts shut, their mind quivering with the intensity of it. **.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...put-together mess."

Suddenly, you say, "You should throw the ball for Ham."

Esei blinks.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...uhm... okay?"

You have emoted: Gurashi stares up at Esei, holding out a red and blue bouncer ball.

Esei slowly takes the ball, staring at it.

You give a red and blue bouncer ball to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk.

Bright and clear, you say, "You must POINT it at him first."

Esei points a red and blue bouncer ball at an adolescent Nyalian mastiff.

Bright and clear, you say, "And then drop it."

<-- nothing happens

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...I don't think it worked."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks at an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, then at the ball. "No, I do not think so either."

You ponder the situation.

Esei puts their fingers in their mouth and lets out a high-pitched whistle.
Dusan, the coruscant looks up curiously.

Esei stares implacably at Dusan, the coruscant.
Coruscant eyes glinting, Dusan, the coruscant lets out a rumbling chirp, bumping his snout against Esei's hand.

Esei narrows their eyes at Dusan, the coruscant in an unnerving manner.

Esei points a red and blue bouncer ball at Dusan, the coruscant.

Bright and clear, you say to Esei, "Do you have any toys? The bone? Or..."

You tilt your head and listen intently to Esei.

Esei stares implacably at Dusan, the coruscant.

Coruscant eyes glinting, Dusan, the coruscant lets out a rumbling chirp, bumping his snout against Esei's hand.

Esei shakes their head at you.

A ball of ghostly darkness catches a red and blue bouncer ball in a twisting shadow and draws it up into Esei's hands.

You stare at Esei, eyes wide.

You have emoted: Gurashi's mouth forms a little 'o' of surprise. "I have the perfect thing, come here."

Esei stares blankly into space.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Deliver to Gurashi."
Dusan, the coruscant takes a red and blue bouncer ball, dissolving into starry shadows.
Starry shadows herald Dusan, the coruscant as he deposits a red and blue bouncer ball into your hands before dissolving into mist again.

Bright and clear, you say, "Give me the b--."

Esei pats you in a friendly manner.

Stardust and shadows herald the return of Dusan, the coruscant, who bumps his snout into Esei's hand.

Bright and clear, you say to Dusan, the coruscant, "Many thank yous."

Dusan, the coruscant chirps happily.

You have emoted: Gurashi beckons Esei closer. "Come here, come here."

Dusan, the coruscant snuffles at your head as Esei approaches, tilting their head.

You have emoted: Gurashi proceeds to place a bleached white bone into Esei's hand, from seemingly... nowhere.

You purchase a bleached white bone as a gift for Esei.

Esei stares blankly at a bleached white bone.

Sweetly, softly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...oh, you know me so well, dearest Gurashi."

You face lights up as you smile brightly at Esei.

Bright and clear, you exclaim to Esei, "Try it. POINT it at Dusan!"

Esei points a bleached white bone at Dusan, the coruscant.

Esei drops a bleached white bone.
Dusan, the coruscant swiftly snatches a bleached white bone, gnawing upon it with a series of loud, hungry crunches, flakes of bone falling from his mouth as he settles down happily.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to Dusan, the coruscant, "You do not eat..."

Esei narrows their eyes at Dusan, the coruscant in an unnerving manner.

Esei points a bleached white bone at Dusan, the coruscant.

Esei drops a bleached white bone.
Dusan, the coruscant picks a bleached white bone up in his mouth and then circles experimentally, scratching at the ground as though looking for a spot to bury it before it tumbles from his jaws.

A ball of sparkly luminescence catches a bleached white bone in a burst of light and draws it up into your hands. <-- oops

Esei glances askance at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi says nothing, smiling and watching as they return the ball to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's possession, letting the puppy gnaw on the toy as the human holds him.

You face lights up as you smile brightly at Esei.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "...my bone."

You have recognised Esei for: Bones! Playtime! Good time. Goodly company. Happy puppy.

You stare blankly into space.

You give a bleached white bone to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk.

Esei sniffles softly.

You cough softly.

You throw back your head as you let loose a delighted laugh.

Esei pours an opaque night tea from a blackthorn bottle into a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.

Bright and clear, you say, "Sorry, sorry."

Esei gives a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna to you.

You drop a red and blue bouncer ball.
As a red and blue bouncer ball rebounds off the ground and begins careening off, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff bounds forward and snatches it out of mid-air. With a final shake, he drops it once more.

You pet an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented sound.

Bright and clear, you say, "Thank you."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...I think that tea is a good one for calming."

Bright and clear, you say to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, "You are so good, yes. Getting better at 'drop it'"

You nod your head emphatically.

Esei sips black tea from a blackthorn bottle.

You are exhausted and open your mouth in an enormous yawn.

Esei sways suddenly, leaning heavily against the swing they rest upon.

Bright and clear, you say, "Goodly timing."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...sort of."

Esei mumbles something, looking intensely focused.

You have emoted: Gurashi lifts a red and blue bouncer ball high overhead and lobs it far across the playground, sending Ham scrambling after it. "I am. Very tired. I gots to sleeps soonly." They cant their head. "What's up?"

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

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ** seeping, seeking, shadows writhing against the earth, against the sky, why are you seeing this? why does it ring true? ... **.

Esei pets an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented sound.

You have emoted: Ham comes rushing back over, dropping the ball in his venture, tripping over himself and tumbling to his face. He scrambles up and steals the ball back, racing up to Gurashi , dropping the toy into the human's lap.

A soft breezes passes through, carrying with it a strong floral fragrance.

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

(OOC Clan): Esei says, "...did you see that."
(OOC Clan): Esei says, ".......g-g.... gura..."
(OOC Clan): You say, "*eyes*."
(OOC Clan): You say, "That's... normal? Normal."
(OOC Clan): You say, "*looks up*."
(OOC Clan): Esei says, "A-are you ssssure sweats."

Adoringly, you say to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, "Very good."

(OOC Clan): Esei says, "You know else who smells... smelly?"

Esei's fingers rub lightly at the spot between their eyebrows, as if soothing some sort of tension there.

The floral scent grows stronger, almost sickening in its sweetness.

(OOC Clan): Esei says, "Oh god."
(OOC Clan): You say, "Fuq."

Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

You have emoted: Gurashi ruffles an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's head a few times, then glances towards the swings, their expression strange, nose wrinkling slightly.

Esei's eyes flick to observe you and Ham.

Bright and clear, you ask Esei, "Are you O-K?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...mm."

A haze settles over the playground, and though it is still early morning the sky appears as if it is on the cusp of nightfall.

Esei tilts their head back and looks up at the sky.

Gentle pink bubbles descend upon the wind, dancing about a blessed sculpture of the Loving Radiance. Almost looking as if it were itself singing, a gentle voice begins to sing of love, joy and hope. <-- HELL YEAH STATUE XDDDD

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ...hello, my Lord.

You have emoted: Within Gurashi's lap, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff looks up, canting his small head. Gurashi blinks once, twice... then swiftly scoops the small creature up in their arms, drawing him into their lap. They turn, gaze sweeping across the playground, eyes widening.

You look at Esei, expression filled with concern as you frown.

A soft breeze passes through the park once again, like a sigh, and suddenly the Silent Lord is there.

In the park playground.
Pale, watery light floats away from a shield shrine of Carakhan nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Dense white clouds have spread completely across the sky. Here in the north end of the grassy expanse, a section of New Celest is dedicated to the young, and the young at heart. Wood and metal structures are solidly screwed together, to encourage physical activity, fun, and games. One of the more exotic creations is the two-headed dragon. After climbing a ladder, people can hop down the maw of the dragon, spiraling down its tubular body and popping out at the bottom, which is also shaped in the image of a dragon's head. Surrounded by an aura of clarity and calm, a sculpture of the Loving Radiance stands here, captured in blissful repose. An adolescent Nyalian mastiff darts about excitedly, his tail wagging like a brandished sword. Nocht, the Silent stands here, completely obscured beneath a cloak as dark as the night. Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk floats here, suffusing the air with the sickly-sweet scent of blackthorn blossoms. They wield a dark, curved silver athame in their left hand.
You see exits leading north, southeast, and southwest.

LOOK AT NOCHT OH NO GUYS
More silhouette than Elder, the way the shadows on the ground seem to grasp towards Him make it unmistakable that He is a radiant immortal. Standing a little taller than the height of an average elfen, all other aspects of the Elder's appearance are shrouded in veils and robes. Flashes of brilliant emerald and prismatic light occasionally light up the air around Him, accompanied with a sickly sweet floral scent that lingers in the air.
He is wearing:
a veiled blackthorn crown that obscures His face
concealing robes painted with the colours of Night that twist in the air around Him as if underwater.

Esei drops from their perch on the swing, sweeping into a reverent bow before Nocht.

Nocht tilts His head towards Esei as He whispers, "Far from home, My little one."

Softly, placing a hand over their heart, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Perhaps, but it is always with me."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks surprised to see Nocht so close to them, their jaw dropping. They do not release their grip on an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, who is oddly compliant save the occasional confused squirm as it is clutched to the human's chest.

You have emoted: Gurashi finally bows their head politely to Nocht, unable to wipe the surprise off of their face.

You look at a veiled blackthorn crown that Nocht is wearing:
Blackthorn branches have been masterfully coaxed to wrap around the thin gold band that forms the base of this crown, the dark colour of their wood contrasting sharply with the gleaming gold and their own bone-white petals. A rippling band of thin cloth falls from the crown down to the wearer's shoulders, it's sheer fabric allowing only a faint outline of the head behind it.

You look at concealing robes painted with the colours of Night that Nocht is wearing:
Shimmering with a faint divine energy, these billowing robes look like a piece of the nighttime sky has been cut from the heavens. Soft purples, like dusk, paint the areas near the shoulders before slowly giving way to the deepest black that colours the majority of the elegant robes. Struggling, faint pinpricks of light dot the dark cloth, like faint stars in a moonless sky. The robes engulf the wearer, flowing fabric seeming to move of its own accord. No sign of the wearer is visible within the garment. Long swaths of fabric hang from the shoulders, tied at the elbows to form sleeves before falling loose to cover even the wearer's hands from sight.

Nocht turns His veiled head towards you, His unseen gaze fixed on you for several moments before turning to Esei once more. "I heard your prayer, My little one. If you wish to speak now. Unless you are busy with your..." He gestures towards you allowing the sentence to remain unfinished.

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

(OOC Clan): Esei says, "My..."
(OOC Clan): Esei says, "Sweats."
(OOC Clan): Esei says, ".......my....... pal."

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

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I am not busy, my Lord."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks away from Nocht to Esei, finally closing their mouth. They cant their head slightly.

With a majestic wave of His arm, Nocht opens up a rift in the aetherways that fluctuates oddly before it settles down into a vibrating Divine portal.

You glance askance at Esei.

Suddenly, you say to Esei, "Thank you for visiting."

You look at Esei hopefully.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "I will meet you there, My little one."

Esei nods solemnly.

The thrumming around a vibrating Divine portal increases momentarily as Esei steps into it, disappearing instantly.

You have emoted: Gurashi gives an adolescent Nyalian mastiff a firmer squeeze, attention returning to Nocht as Esei steps through the portal, vanishing from sight.

Nocht turns His gaze towards you once more, staring in silence.

You think to yourself: *quiet - quiet - trembling but quiet*.

A vibrating Divine portal begins to fluctuate, thrumming loudly for a moment before it is suddenly still, and then simply vanishes from existence.

The surrounding shadows wane, relaxing into their normal state as the form of Nocht, the Silent dissolves into the aether.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a gentle "Shhhh," as an adolescent Nyalian mastiff whines, exhaling slowly as they keep the dog close. The moment the Divine is gone they crumple, nearly lose their balance, knees buckling. They catch themselves with an elbow on the bar that keeps the swings held aloft, letting out a shaking breath.

Bright and clear, you say to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, "Is O-K, yes. We are just fine...."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks around slowly. "Maybe, we go home, for now..."

You shiver violently.

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's brow.
A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented sound.

Bright and clear, you whisper, "Good boy."