The Next Step

**immediately after encounter with Khusar**

You have emoted: Gurashi awkwardly looks down at the painting again, puffing his cheeks before lowering it to the ground..... and, suddenly, remembering he does indeed have guests. HE quickly looks up at Tridemon, then Xenthos, stepping further away. "O-K stay back."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "This is obviously a -strange- month for me."

A placid lake.                                         (#HAH_11)
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The towering ravenwood trees that surround this manse break here, allowing for a stunning view of a tranquil lake. The water laps softly at the grassy shores, evidence of its subtle tidal rise and fall visible in the muddy lines left on the bank. The grass around the edge of the lake is well-traveled, eventually leading to a short wooden bench just big enough for two. The sounds of frogs and insects buzz and chirp in pleasant harmony with one another, and the rich perfumes of petrichor and rainwater, are heavy here. A large rowan tree trunk lies here on its side, worn smooth from use. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings. Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters lingers nearby, the air about him singing with the rush of the ocean. He wields a dazzling white staff crowned by a platinum pearl in his left hand. Clad in matte black leather, a golden-eyed savage lingers here like a living shadow.
You see a single exit leading west.

Bizirik, the leothin looks oddly amused by all of this, head canted to the side.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist looks skeptical and says, "So I see."

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

Shouting from his short distance away, you say, "She said yes."

Xenthos raises an eyebrow questioningly.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "That didn't look like a yes to me, from the short time I was here."

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses as the blade floats by his head again. "...I don't know."

You think to yourself: **an odd mix of gray and now black and white - a tinge of magenta**.
Pacing, you say, "She, uhm."

Voice bright and clear, you ask Xenthos, "I-I don't... I mean, She said yes! She -said- yes, b-but, then, got really -mad-?"

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "What precisely did She say?"

Wringing his hands together, you say, "I ... She said, 'You will tell Glomdoring that you wish to join the Thousandfold'", He looks down, "'What they do to you is up to them.""

You think to yourself: I will not let you down.

You think to yourself: **a flicker of black, the smell of roses** You already have.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Xenthos, "That rather does sound like a provisional 'Yes' to me."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Does it?"

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You think to yourself: **another pass of the blade, another rush of white**.

Voice bright and clear, you ask, "...d... doesn't it?"

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, ""Yes" implies support. I don't hear support in those words, simply not a flat rejection."

Xenthos tilts his head curiously.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Especially when you add in the following... results."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Was something else said prior to that?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's face, already contorting between confusion and fear, gets hopeful, then crestfallen again, and he wrings his hands together, eyeing the blades. "S-She... ".

Nervously, you say, "I-I talked about how thought, that Mysrai could be a good friend to the Glomdoring - and how They had helped Mister Lord Silence, and, then She asked if I thought They would devote Their loyalties to the Wyrd, and then -I- said I didn't -know- if did not -try- and ...."

You have emoted: Gurashi trails off, shutting his mouth.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Well, the answer to that one seems clear. The Shofet would never devote Their loyalties to the Glomdoring."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Any more than Lady Carakhan would."

Tridemon nods firmly. "Assistance, perhaps. Loyalty? No."

You think to yourself: **quickly growing disappointment, the sound of blood rushing into his ears, the sound heavy and numbing**.

Staring at the lake, you ask, "She ... also said, 'would wrap your obsession with Chaos City in false promises to Me that would bring Thousandfold into the Garden...." He frowns, looking over and speaking loudly so his voice carries, "Am I obsessed??"

Shulamit tells you, "*gentle touch* Are you doing okies now? Need time? Need comfort?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon, "**quiet acknowledgement - confusion, fear, but also gratitude**."

Faint strains of music precede Euterpe, Muse of Music as she waltzes in, handing you chocolate-covered ice cream on a stick, and just as shortly waltzes out again.

Shulamit tells you, "*softly* ice cream makes things less hurt, sometimes."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon, "**another soft buzz of gratitude**."

Shulamit tells you, "I am sending mental pats. Pat pat pat. Comforting words? And sounds! Mental hugs!" <-- she is so GOOD

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Mmm. A difficult question to answer, I think. It's a matter of self-reflection. From that statement, it sounds like She had the same thought I did- that there was no chance of what you wanted to try ever occurring."

You glance askance.

You think to yourself: **continued noise, trying not to freak out every time another blade passes by his line of sight**.

Voice bright and clear, you say, ".... so ..."

You think to yourself: **confusion... so, much confusion. excited? maybe. mostly afraid. many flashes of colors and synapses firing all at once**.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "... d...o you think She actually meant, no, then...or."
Awkward and stiff, you ask, "What am supposed to do now?"

You think to yourself: **flickers of red - no, don't get mad about it**.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "I think She meant what She said. That She was displeased, but was not going to stand in the way Herself. Instead, She said that the Glomdoring would "Do with you" as it wills."

Xenthos purses his lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as he carefully gathers his thoughts.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Which doesn't sound particularly... positive."

Xenthos tilts his head curiously at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi folds his arms across his chest awkwardly, now quite thoroughly soaked, though he hardly seems to notice, making a face. "...you said that would have to ask the Shadow Court, if She said yes." He pauses. "You are on the Shadow Court."

You think to yourself: He doesn't want to.

You think to yourself: ....

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "She has not said yes- but the Court may still be asked. It could have been asked even if She had said no. What I actually was pushing for was this: If She said yes, an actual yes, it would carry weight with the Court's decision."

You think to yourself: But She didn't say yes.....

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Because we are not inclined towards approving it- it goes against our law."

You have emoted: Gurashi's gaze drifts to the blade as it drifts by again.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Right."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Does anything that She said, or did, seem like it would shift that stance?"

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "From what you have said of Her words... it does not seem so."

You think to yourself: **bitter pinpricks of red-- no**.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at the lake again, not looking like he has more to say.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts.

You think to yourself: **things all sound so gratingly -loud- right now, the hives and heart beating in ears and rain on the water**.

After a time, you say, "So you don't think I should go to Her and ask Her to clarify if She meant 'yes'"

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "I think that She was exquisitely precise in Her wording."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "That would be counterproductive."

Bizirik, the leothin snorts again, a shining beacon of good advice.

Voice bright and clear, you say to Xenthos, "So then am supposed to ask the Glomdoring what am wanting and see what they say."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up at Xenthos again, frowning, then flinching as he frowns, straightening his expression to mind his cheek.

You think to yourself: What are other options.

A flicker of lightning is followed shortly after by long, low rumble of thunder which causes the windows to rattle.
Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 9th of Urlachmar, 560 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 31 days until the New Moon

You think to yourself: **with great sarcasm, bordering on bitter** maybe, Her OTHER disfavor involves big spiky vines, or, maybe being eaten by -crows-.

You twitch spasmodically.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "Yes, you can write a letter to distribute to the Shadow Court."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Your options are to go through with asking the Glomdoring, go through with joining the Thousandfold without asking and suffer the consequences, give up on the matter entirely, or leave the Glomdoring to go through with joining. I do not recommend the second, and you have said you will not do the fourth."

You have emoted: Gurashi wrings his hands together, staring at the lake again. After a while, he bunches up his shoulders, frowning miserably again at Xenthos. "I just wanted to help."

You think to yourself: ** .... **.

You glance askance.

Frustratedly wiping at his face, you say, "Am sorry, Xenthos."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "I understand. I think it is becoming clear that this specific path is not going to be helpful, though. Gaudiguch is drifting too far under the sway of Ashira, and she is taking the Shofet's Order with her. It cannot help but be so, when the Order is populated by the city."

Xenthos sighs softly. "I think your heart wishes to heal wounds, to mend what is broken."

You fidget impatiently.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "But I do not think Gaudiguch can be repaired by even a heart such as yours. They are too shattered."

Weakly, you ask Xenthos, "I don't -care- about Gaudiguchs.... did the peoples who raided even belong to the Shofets's order??"

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

You have emoted: Gurashi clenches his hands together tightly again, scowling.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "There is no way to tell, but this I know for certain. If we retaliate, the next time, it -will-."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Because they will want to defend for their city."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "**quiet acknowledgement, but you sense it's quickly swept up in all the other thoughts and emotions racing through his head**."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "I spent half-a-day arguing with Aishe, who insists that the actions of an individual hold no bearing over the actions of the organization. This is simply a lie. Actions bear consequences, actions beget further actions. If Gaudiguch attacks us, there will be attacks back, and then Gaudiguchians who are "sitting on the fence" will join."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Even if it is but a handful at first.. there is no coming back from this, at this point."

You stare at Xenthos, eyes wide.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "The city is led by one who lies for her own gain, and lies, and lies. She makes untrue claims, she does not give her citizens the chance to voice complaint before she enacts her will... and the city goes along with this. You know this. You know it well. The Shofet's Order is as subject to Ashira's whims and fancies as the rest of the city."

You think to yourself: Do not -care- about Ashira.

A bit of pale morning light tries to bleed through the clouds, but is quickly lost again in the storm.

You think to yourself: **the Shofets words, ringing clear, joining in the din of sound: ...remember, well...small one...My City...is not Gaudiguch...nor beholden to its laws...**.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "If I might- what is so wrong with what you currently have?"

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up suddenly, away from another blade as it lazily drifts by. "Am sorry?"

You see the following people here:
Tridemon, Xenthos, Gurashi.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "You visit Aschwar as you will- none of the city deny you to what is solely the Shofet's realm. I do not anticipate that changing."

You have emoted: Gurashi furrows his brow, wiping rainwater off his face. "It is not just about -visiting- them. Anybody can visit...! Well, friends, at least," He glances aside, wringing his hands together again. "Friend Aschwar needs help with ... something, and the -Shofets- is hurt, and they also need help with -something-. And it is big!" He shakes his head. "I have a really really big feeling in my gut!"

Suddenly, you say, "A-and, I don't know - it is like ..."

You think to yourself: ** l o u d - washes of gray, terrified white, pinpricks ...**.

You fidget impatiently.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "And as you are, you cannot help?"

You glance askance.

You have emoted: Gurashi finally shakes his head. "...I fixed my antennae, so that I could help Friend Aschwar." He adds lightly, wringing his hands together. "...it is a work in progress."

You think to yourself: / *a gentle, barely audible tick of sympathy, nearly lost in the ruckus* /.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "And that was something you were able to do as -yourself-, without the permission of others... without the need for labels, or being anything other than who you are."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "It's something you had to work upon, to strengthen yourself for, to learn how to control."

Xenthos taps you on the forehead. "It's entirely a thing of yourself, not 'other.'"

You have emoted: Gurashi makes a noise.

<-- someone did a teaceremony in Glom

Crow song lifts in raucous rejoinder, lauding the praise of the Glomdoring Forest.

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

You think to yourself: **another jolt of fear.... no, all fine**.

You think to yourself: ** how do tell him that do not have it under control **.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard tilts her head and listens intently to you.

You have emoted: Gurashi doesn't answer, glancing down. "...I am saying that, even fixing my antennae did not help." He adds finally. "Is still things needing to be fixed."

You think to yourself: **how to explain this gut feeling?**.

You think to yourself: He wants to say no.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Yet, perhaps."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks back up at Xenthos again, frowning. His gaze drifts briefly over to where Bizirik and Tridemon stand, then back up to his father, shoulders sagging.

Quietly, you say to Xenthos, "... I do not want to give up on this, yet."

You have emoted: Gurashi swallows hard.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "...but also, if am gonna write a letter, am gonna have to think about how to do words."

You have emoted: Gurashi sighs, shutting his eyes.

You think to yourself: **tired - and loud, and gray-blue-deeper blue static**.

A gust of wind causes the many wind chimes to crash and clatter together chaotically, accompanied with the steady patter of rain.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts softly, tail slapping the ground, the sound wet.

You think to yourself: **tired - and loud, and gray-blue-deeper blue static**.

Looking back towards his house, you say, "... I am not sure what else to say about it."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "I'm not sure that there is much else to say at this point."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "I think all that remains is a final decision from the Court."

You glance askance.

You nod your head emphatically.

Voice bright and clear, you say to Xenthos, "... will ask."

You have emoted: Gurashi watches one of the blades pass again, exhaling. "...maybe not right now."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "/ *you feel a little chirr - a familiar presence* /."

Xenthos nods his head at you.


The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "*Quietly* This is going to stress him out even further. And sadness... unavoidable, I fear."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "/ *her voice buzzes with fear* I have.. -never- .... /."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Mm. Not often smited by the Gods for your deeds?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "/ *terrified and -angry-* it was -cruel- /."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Of course it was. That is how She expresses displeasure."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "She does not often concern herself with anything as petty as individual people. Her concern is the Wyrd. And all else is simply a tool or obstacle."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "/ But -why- would She get his -hopes- up like that and then just.... *-angry- chittering* /."

Awkwardly, you say, "... it's kind of cold, and, I do not really want to stand outside anymore so."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "We could go join Celest for their domoth."

You shake your head.

Voice bright and clear, you say to Xenthos, "Please go without me."

You think to yourself: **static, pin-prickling shades of silver and blue and black - uncomfortable**.

Suddenly, you say to Xenthos, "....b-but, am O-K. Think."

Making a fist, you say, "...maybe won't... be so good at fighting for a little, while... I can still..." He trails off, leaning to the side. "Help with family honors."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "And we're in very good shape there as well already."

You nod your head sagely at Xenthos.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist smiles and says, "We should be able to finish it without much difficulty."

Softly, you say, "Sixty whole percent... it is not even third month of the year.... O-K..."

You glance askance.

You have emoted: Gurashi wrinkles his nose, opening his mouth to speak, then thinks better of it, reaching out to pet Ilistala, an enormous leopard instead, frowning.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard inches bashfully over to you and nuzzles you tenderly.

You pet Ilistala, an enormous leopard ingratiatingly.
A loud rumbling emanates from Ilistala as she rubs against you.

Without looking at either of you, you say, "Please be safe at Domoth, yes. Let me know if bad guys show up, or, something."

<-- me, leaves, but forgot Bizi lol

Tridemon says, "Sayto bizirik You going to follow?"

You tell Bizirik, the leothin, "Emote emote makes a little noise, pacing in its spot. After a few more moments of indecisive pacing, it slinks back off towards the west, chirring."