a new mindscape

In the pool at Farik Deepstone Memorial Bathhouse.
A golden light flows outward from a shield shrine of Terentia nearby. A bust of Farik Deepstone, the merian philanthropist, smiles kindly from the sidelines overlooking the water of the public pool. His gift to the city, an irregularly shaped pool of water about a hundred feet across, sparkles gaily in the light from the glowing globes in the ceiling. Parts of the pool are shallow, one corner is set up for divers, and another area is just very deep, catering to those who revel in the physical discipline of tons of water on top of them. The diving area is constructed in an especially creative manner. The building was built up around one stately old oak tree that no longer bears foliage. Through selective trimming of the branches, an easy to climb system of steps ascends up to the highest levels. Carpenters have built up selected branches at various levels, creating narrow platforms to dive from. All along the south wall, from floor to ceiling, a large system of glass windows provide a panoramic view of the city centre, the cathedral, and the Pool of Stars at the top of the mound in the centre of town. Its tiny face serene, a diamond angel slumbers peacefully atop of a curled scroll that rests within the cherub's embrace.

You have emoted: Cheliyi sighs and slips into the pool, submerging until just her eyes remain above the surface.
You think to yourself: **a quiet haze as the water seeps into your clothes... you don't really want to think.**.

You have emoted: Letting her eyes slide shut, the mugwump simply floats in the water like a drifting branch. If not for Cheliyi's twitching frills, she might even seem asleep. Dragged to and fro by gentle currents, she blows out a quiet stream of bubbles.

You think to yourself: **blue and green slowly swirling, gently shifting and solidifying into familiar blobs... perhaps a pond, perhaps a looming willow gnarled over the water's surface, swaying gently in some unseen breeze. a quiet pang of longing, followed by darkening skies and an island rising through the center of the body of crystalline water, with a bitter seed planted within. a rose.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi sighs quietly, suddenly squirming with discomfort as her frills twitch.

You sigh quietly, frills drooping as your tail sags.

You think to yourself: **a forceful gust whipping through the still image, bringing the tree creaking to life as your chest aches, a bitter seed sprouting into a thorny shrub that cast a deep, swirling shadow.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi floats motionless, almost as if struck by crippling indecision.

You think to yourself: I don't want to be bitter. Don't want to feel terrible. My chest was supposed to grow kinder things.

You think to yourself: **a creaking hiss, countless glowing, red eyes blinking into existence from within the willow's eaves, the bitter mantra whispers through the pond and seeps into your limbs like thickening lead, "of course of course of course-"**.

You think to yourself: **you can't move. can't face it. what are you supposed to do? the room darkens further, no longer a welcoming twilight but a choking night, even -you- can't see, what should you do, what should you do, "the shadows will no longer be your ally," croons a familiar voice, where is the Light, the Light was supposed to -help- but you can't reach it-**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi slowly begins to sink to the bottom of the pool, frozen in place. Landing on the tiled floor with a soundless thud, the mugwump curls forward and places her head between her knees.
Tears dissolving into the surrounding water, you murmur, "Why..."
Voice cracking and gurgling, you say, "How do I..."

Muginn shakes out his feathers, the plumes suddenly glowing with an ethereal haze. Ripples of mist pool at his talons, writhing with silent, screaming faces that leave hoar-frost in their wake.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow watches warily from the edge of the pool, dipping his beak into the waters before pulling away with a grimace as frost spreads from his touch.

You think to yourself: **clumsily stumbling through the haze, where is it, where is anything, all you can see is darkness and glowing red eyes, you're blind, someone light a match, make a noise, you can't-**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi lets out a choked noise, swallowing down a mouthful of water that she coughs back up.

You think to yourself: Where is the Light? How do I touch it? So much time in shadows, no Light, no Light, no Light I can't see someone please-.

Frost begins curling across Cheliyi's skin, slowly forming a crystalline shell that cements her to the bottom of the pool.

As horrible thoughts fill your mind, you begin to sob uncontrollably.

You think to yourself: **the bitter mantra, beating like a shadowed drum, of course, of course, there is no Light, there never was, you will never find your way out, you must simply adapt to the bitterness, adapt to the hatred**.

Desperately, you murmur, "No, no no, will -not-."

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow grows more agitated, flapping his wings and squawking at the edge of the pool.

You think to yourself: **suddenly the room is all the more real, you stumble through the shadow and fall into the icy pool, it slowly freezes to your hands, you can't -move-, you rip your limbs away and stumble further away only to land into the briar, it was only a -shrub- before, pure panic flooding your limbs as you can't move you can't get out they scratch and burn and itch-**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi begins breathing quickly, utterly frozen in place.

You think to yourself: I don't want to be bitter I want to be kind I don't want to be bitter I want to be kind.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow paces back and forth, the epitome of agitation and worry as he cannot enter the pool to reach his charge.

You think to yourself: **further flailing and stumbling, find the Light, please, but you don't know -how-**.

Slowly, the small, jagged shell of ice grows, further cutting the small mugwump within off from the rest of the world.

You have emoted: Cheliyi curls inward, only for her fingers to brush against a gentle water lily brooch. Her breath hitches, eyes flying open.

You think to yourself: **a sudden burst in the darkness, like a small, pulsing candle flame in the shadow. you let out a cry of relief, scrambling toward it and bringing it close to your chest with bloodied hands as if to ward away the pain and fear that wracks your limbs-**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi lets out a keeing, mournful sound, bringing it closer as if it's the only thing that could possibly warm her.
Tears fill your eyes and begin to slowly run down your face.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow caws and caws and caws, as if to alert someone nearby for help.
The low hanging mist dissolves as Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow glides off to the north with a click of his beak.

---> Muginn attempts to find help

You tell Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow, "Emote emote caws impatiently at ^Freja, tugging on ^Freja_her sleeve urgently."

(Celestial Gathering): Freja says, "Its tugging at meeee."

A great shout breaks the firmament as waves of golden light spill through the heavens. The cries of Elders and Soulless alike fills the air alongside the clamour of fervent battle as an Immaculate Timequake comes into being, dizzying your senses in the brilliant display of power.

(Shadowlight): Freja says, "Timequake."
(Shadowlight): Caleb says, "Target sulwh."
(Shadowlight): Freja says, "Come to me at v489."
(Shadowlight): Freja (from a temporal rift) says, "Releasing anomaly."
(Shadowlight): Freja (from a temporal rift) says, "No one in yet."

You tell Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow, "Emote emote watches Freja leave with clear disappointment, returning to the mugwump swiftly."

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow trots in with head high.
Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow continues to strut back and forth with agitation, before flying in circles over you.

You think to yourself: **bringing the small sliver of Light so close that it's all you can see, even as the shadow tries to loom, tries to choke, there it is, there it is, do not be bitter, try to fix it**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi lets out a great, shuddering exhale, hiccuping from within her shell.

You think to yourself: **the shadows hiss and recoil from the small spark of Light, trying to snuff it out even as the mugwump cradles it close to her chest, the room slowly brightening as the crushing fear dissipates. sitting wearily in the briars, she crawls away and tumbles back into the freezing pool, still shivering. as the shadows fade, so do the glowing red eyes, each closing their eerie stare.**.

A great resounding CRACK echoes through the pool, the icy core splitting and letting a rush of warm water in to bathe the mugwump in calming waters.

You think to yourself: **as the panic leaves your limbs, the room slowly comes into sight once more, leaving you so, so exhausted. what was that even for? you feel so foolish. you just want to be not bitter, to feel Light, and yet you can't even do that. ridiculous. stupid. the mugwump's gaze turns to the island, now infested with bloodied briars, and the beginning of rose buds. it's so cold.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi exhales again, the shell slowly melting away and floating up to the surface in fading pieces. The mugwump stays at the bottom of the pool for a moment longer, before finally resurfacing with an embarrassed and weary gaze. Her hands do not stop cupping a gentle water lily brooch, though she walks up the pool's stairs to meet Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow, who is watching her with clear worry.

Wearily staring down at Muginn, you murmur, "Sorry, yes."

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow stares at you for a long moment, before knocking her webbed feet out from under her to carry her away.
Voice cracking, you exclaim, "What- hey!"

---> north

In the steambath at Farik Deepstone Memorial Bathhouse.
A golden light flows outward from a shield shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. White marble exclusively dominates this room, from floor to ceiling. Shelf-like seating in massive marble slabs extends from the walls, and a metal grate has been installed in the floor, which serves both as a water drain and the source of all the steam in the room. Visibility is poor at best, due to the clouds of soapy steam. Breathing is difficult, both due to the heat and the humidity. Each footfall and drop of water echoes between the stone walls. Set upon a pedestal of marble, a magnificent stone and shell chess board expectantly stands here.
You see exits leading south and west (open door).

---> west

Outside the bathhouse on Whelk. (road).
A golden light flows outward from a shield shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Thick dreamy cotton clouds are spread across the firmament. White marble walls rise along the east side of the road, and drips of water trickle from the entrance to the building they comprise, running in rivulets along the edge of the street. Long, shallow wood-and-stone planter boxes stand on the sidewalk a pace away from the bathhouse walls, filled with tiny flowering stars of white, blue, and pink-tinged violet. The light cobble of the road is dotted with the tiny petals of the flowers, marking it with sporadic bursts of colour. A statue of Japhiel, Illuminator of Merciful Justice stands here, memorialising his noble spirit.
You see exits leading north, east (open door), and south.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow flaps his wings a few times and lifts you into the skies.

You start speedwalking.
You speedwalk ether to the Aetherplex Chamber.
You have reached your destination.

The Aetherplex Chamber.
The spherical chamber is formed from a hollow geode comprised of dozens of precious gemstones. Large jagged formations of rubies, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds line the walls and ceiling. The floor has been cut and polished to a brilliant shine, revealing concentric circles of brilliant colours. Upon close examination of the glassy floor, shimmering reflections briefly glide across its smooth surface of wondrous mansions and abodes. A current of electricity continuously runs throughout this mineral wonder, causing tiny sparks to erratically blossom up and down the crystalline formations. Hidden deep within the environment lies a mystic pathway. Shimmering with aetheric energy, a bright glowing portal floats here in midair. Hackles risen, a fierce timberwolf prowls about here. A screech owl is here, surveying the surroundings. There are 2 great brindle mastiffs here. A giant bat hangs here, wings folded about its body and one beady eye open. Long, lean, and vibrating with barely-contained energy, a greyhound sniffs about here. Shara-Mae Dven'tur, a clumsy assistant, is standing here nervously scribbling upon a notebook. Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow perches here, eyeing the area suspiciously. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system. There is an aetherways portal here.
You see exits leading north (open door), south, out, and through a bright, glowing portal.

You portal to The Hoard and the Hive.

A comfortable retreat among the canopy.
Following the path offered by the camphor tree's burls, one emerges into a small room that has been carefully built around the trunk and branches. It is cozy, the transported wood sanded over meticulously to a smooth finish. Glassless windows offer a safe overlook into the surrounding aethermanse and house, who's walls are so close they could be touched if one reached far enough. A number of homemade windchimes formed of shells, wood, and bone have been hung from the furthest branches, clinking peacefully with each passing breeze. Chain neatly folded, this globe lantern casts a wistful shade of blue on its surroundings. Warm eggplant purple colours the weave of a tidy hemp rug. A disorganized bed of loose cushions sprawls here. A painting of the Shee-Slaugh and An'Ryshe is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall.
You see a single exit leading down (open door).

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow dumps you unceremoniously on a bed of loose cushions, before settling beside her.

You have emoted: Cheliyi squeaks as she's dropped, looking bewildered, and exhausted. "Muginn-" she protests, only for the bird to give her a hard stare. She closes her mouth, apparently thinking better of her next words.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow begins preening your hair, gently untangling the wild locks.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's shoulders lower immediately, the mugwump beginning to relax. She slumps against the corvid, silent and weary.

You think to yourself: **a slight breeze drifting through the willow once more, countless limbs rustling as the spark of Light finally grows into a gentle sun. you hesitate, not wanting to let go of its warmth, but release it nonetheless up into the air, where it hangs, quiet and soothing. the briars almost seems to shrink for a moment, though they remain, ever bitter and bloodied.**.