You MUST learn to love yourself.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tikki, "**a wash of grey, swirling in turmoil** Ah, thanks, sibling. Tell Mister Kosuke I say hello, yes."

A warm, gentle wind brings forth the scents and sounds of fresh moving water.

Caressing your ear, the voice of Tikki whispers, "Of course dear...Do you...need someone to talk to? I'm not busy and am happy to listen if you'd like."

The ever-present sense of your heartbeat thrums, beating to the rhythmic pulse of the Drums of the Dead.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tikki, "I... I don't know. I don't know anything, no."

The grass rustles slightly as a warm night breeze caresses your skin.

Caressing your ear, the voice of Tikki whispers, "It's okay to not know things. I'm at the Daydream if you would like to not know things together!"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tikki, "**motes of yellow sparking in the grey expanse** I... alright, yes."

You portal to the Aetherplex Chamber.
You portal to The Vivid Daydream.

The Daydream Commons.
The first sounds that reach you as you enter the common room of The Vivid Daydream are the sounds of a crackling fire and faint but soothing music. Nestled off in the western corner of the room sits a stone-wrought hearth where a continuously dim lit fire burns within the fireplace, the flames shifting through a myriad of hues as they dance across wood that never quite seems to burn away. The room, no matter the season outside, always seems to stay a comfortable temperature despite the ever present fire and always houses a relaxing scent, like that of a spring meadow. On the opposite end of the room, built into the hardwood floor, sits a clean and tidy counter like one could see in many an inn or tavern. Further behind the counter hangs the door to the kitchen. A painting of an iridescent white cat is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. Perpetually ticking away the hours, the Aeonian Clock of Victory's Closure stands proudly nearby. Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long is here, floating majestically. Tikki with an Angel face stands here, his presence perfuming the air with the warm scent of mouth-watering confections. He wields a Silver Spoon in his left hand and a spectral measuring cup in his right hand. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system.
You see exits leading east (open door) and out (open door).

Tikki beams broadly.
Tikki hugs you compassionately.

Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long hugs you compassionately.

You have emoted: Cheliyi quietly accepts the embraces, leaning into Tikki's chest.

---> look Tikki

Lingering here, Tikki is like the azure sky was condensed into mortal form. He is a glistening mugwump sugar-dusted demigod, with brilliant blue skin that fades to gentle white in wisps and whirls as it approaches his muscular forelimbs. His arms flow smoothly into his hands, a slick cloudy white, all but hiding his wrists in their bulk and terminating in a trio of thick but graceful digits. Similarly, his legs are clearly built for leaping and swimming, cords of toned muscle extending down to the ankles of his wide, flipper-like feet. A longer-than average neck places the level top of his head barely over the four foot mark when standing perfectly erect, with a stripe of shockingly vibrant pink interrupting the otherwise azure landscape of his scalp. With eyes like pools of summer sunshine, his face is as warm and inviting as a clear pond on a hot day.
He is wearing:
a Pendant of Harmonic Perfection
a pair of cherry blossom pink stockings
a ring of aetheric quickening
a subtly prismatic white suit of changeant silks
a sensuous pink tongue stud
the Quintessential Mandala of Resplendent Harmony
Beryl Wings of the Cracked Sun
an embroidered mantle of flickering hope
a pointy gray wizard's hat
a gaudy scarf festooned with dragons
a pair of rose-coloured spectacles
a pair of cute polar bear mittens
a chiming wreath of harmonic crystals
a Brooch of the Elements
a golden-leaf necklace bound with a moonfire gem
a monocle of the hunt
a circlet of smooth stones
a watchful widow shoulder pin.

Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long coils in around himself a few times, making a seat for you.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips as you glance at Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long.

Faintly, you say to Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long, "You do not need to..."

Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long says, "Oh I know I don't need to. I want to."

Tikki giggles happily.
Tikki says, "It's okay dear, take a seat! Getting a load off your feet can help you get a load off your mind."
Tikki nods his head emphatically.


You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles a little stronger and crawls into Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long's coils. "I... thanks, yes."
Tikki takes a seat next to you on the soft coily coils of the Long and nods his head. "So, it sounds to me like you're having a rough weave. Wanna talk about it?"

Faintly, you say, "Um... it's fine. I just... do you know who Mister Akuuko is?"

Tikki looks about himself, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Tikki says, "Vaguely I think. He was from Gaudiguch previously right?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi nods.

Tikki nods his head emphatically.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "He... burned something in the forest, and got in trouble. So I went to check on him, and he was asleep... and then he woke up earlier today after Miss Khasur asked me some questions."
Quietly, you say, "She called me his confidant."
Fainter, you say, "And said that I -released- him."

Tikki tilts his head curiously.
Tikki says, "Well that hardly seems fair, you were just concerned for his well being. Doesn't mean you were absolving him of the trouble he got himself into."

Tired, you say, "So he came out when Miss Khasur said he had been punished, so I was -worried- for him... but he was fine. Then he told me about a secret part of his punishment that sounds like it might hurt, and I asked him if he was -okay- and he told me it was fine and I was being weird. That I was a bad Glomdoring person for not being interested in the information."
You lean on Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long seeking consolation.
Glancing askance, you say, "There have been... so many things, lately. I left Lord Nocht's order, Mister Akuuko is okay again... and I am just... not. Not a good wyrden. Or smart."

You think to yourself: **a deep pang.... why are you like this?**.

Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long wraps a comforting arm around you.

Tikki says, "Cheliyi. You are plenty smart. You're smart, funny, charming, a wonderful wonderful person to be around."
Tikki says, "I'm going to ask you something that you may not get to hear in the Glomdoring much."
Tikki asks, "What do you want for you?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi's brow scrunches with confusion. After a long, long pause, she says, "I do not know."

You think to yourself: **you want to be happy. loved.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances away, suddenly guilty.

Tikki smiles softly and nods his head, patting your shoulder gently. "I think some part of you does. Don't worry. This is not the Glomdoring. There's no eyes or ears waiting in the wings. It's just the three of us. That cat picture isn't alive, it's just adorable. No one here is going to judge you for speaking your mind."

You have emoted: Cheliyi's frown quirks into a smile.
You have emoted: Glancing over at the painting, Cheliyi eventually says, "It is a cute image."

Tikki nods his head sagely.
Tikki says, "Lorina painted it, it was a gift from Yinuish!"

The ever-present sense of your heartbeat thrums, beating to the rhythmic pulse of the Drums of the Dead.

Tikki asks you, "Would you feel more comfortable out in the Paths? Somewhere more open and naturey?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances up at Tikki from Kosuke's coils, and shakes her head.
Eventually, you say, "I don't want to be unkind."

Tikki says, "It wouldn't be unkind at all! We both want to make sure you're comfortable, you're our friend!"
Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long nods his head enthusiastically.

You shake your head.
You shake your head.
Firmly, you say, "I don't want to be -unkind-."

A light wind whips the cloying scent of roses and congealed blood into your senses, reminding you fondly of home.

Quieter, you say, "Without mercy."

Comprehension flashes across Tikki's face.
Tikki says, "I see."
Tikki and Kosuke both gently close you in a hug.
Tikki asks, "Might I say something, that I've wanted to tell both you and Gurashi for the longest of times?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi leans into the embrace, nodding slowly.

Tikki says, "You two...are too good for the Glomdoring. I won't be callous and say that the Glomdoring is a bad place, I don't mean that. It's a different place and I'm not going to judge that. But you, Gurashi. You're kind, gentle, loving souls. In the time I've known both of you, I've never seen you be merciless. The rules of the Forest may have put you in positions where you act against your interests. But that's not who you two are."

Tikki says, "I know you love the Forest, and your siblings. They're your family. But sometimes, some families aren't good for you. Sometimes family hurts you more than you realize."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters has entered the realm of Lusternia.

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Bein' a good 'wump today?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks, slowly. For a moment, she opens her mouth to protest, but her frills twitch to some errant sound.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "**a deep, guilty ache that she doesn't even try to hide** I saw Akuuko today. Talked to him. I'm at Sibling Tikki's manse."

Softly, you say, "I do not know."

You lean on Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long seeking consolation.

Tikki says, "It's okay to not know."

Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long wraps a comforting arm around you.

Tikki says, "Loving your family is not a bad thing. But there comes a time in your life where you MUST learn to love yourself, Cheliyi."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Oh? I'm glad Akuuko isn't still missing. What'd you talk about?"

Tridemon arrives in a cone of sparkling light.

Tikki says, "You'll always have a family, no matter where you go, that much I can promise you. Gurashi, Tridemon, Sutekh, Kosuke, me, Luce. We all love you very muchly."

Tikki flashes Tridemon a joyous smile.

Tridemon hugs you compassionately.

A light wind whips the cloying scent of roses and congealed blood into your senses, reminding you fondly of home.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "'lo."

Tikki says, "Speak of the dad and he appears. Welcome on in."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.

You think to yourself: **grey swirling and tossing about, you feel sick to your stomach**.

You lean on Tridemon seeking consolation.
Tridemon pets you ingratiatingly.

Quietly, you say, "Love you all lots too."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say to Tridemon, "I saw him and he... I don't..."

You have emoted: Cheliyi rubs at her eyes with sudden frustration.

You think to yourself: It doesn't make SENSE.

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a brief moment.
Tridemon tilts his head curiously.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "**a shared image and the sensation of deep apprehension it brings, Akuuko crawling out of the Master Ravenwood in a flash of shadowfire with a bright, eerie grin, he's... fine? But scared, and when you try to comfort him he calls you weird, "Are YOU happy here?" you don't -know-**."

You have emoted: Cheliyi hisses out a sigh, and suddenly looks so, so tired.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Mm."

Tikki pets you ingratiatingly.
Tikki gives some powderfruit sorbet to you.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "D'you need more hugs?"

Tikki gives some powderfruit sorbet to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters.
Tikki says, "Sorbet is like a hug for the tummy."
Tikki nods his head sagely.

You think to yourself: **you ask him if he needs a hug and he -boggles- at you, and he could -hear- you**.
You have emoted: Cheliyi looks torn, and eventually nods.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... yes, Akuuko is a telepath."
Tridemon hugs you compassionately.

Tikki hugs you compassionately.

Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long hugs you compassionately.

You think to yourself: **the hugs barely soothing the ache in your chest, why did you enter the Portal? Life was so simple, and you didn't have to think and feel like this**.
You have emoted: Cheliyi exhales, her head lolling forward.

Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long leans close to you and gently lays a kiss upon your forehead.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.

Tridemon pets you ingratiatingly.

You think to yourself: **your chest grows a little warmer, oh, that's why.**.

You snuggle close to Tridemon and lean comfortably on him.

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a brief moment.

You sigh quietly, frills drooping as your tail sags.

Tridemon suddenly turns to you, and you watch as he reaches out and lightly boops you on the nose with a finger.

You blink.
You blink.
Inhaling sharply, you sneeze so hard that your frills puff out like balloons.

Tridemon nods his head sagely.

You stare blankly into space.

Tikki giggles happily.

Laughing quietly, you say, "I should... go to sleep. It has been a long month. Thank you all, yes. I love you lots, okay?"

You hug Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long as best as you can, pulling them into a tight embrace.
You hug Tikki as best as you can, pulling them into a tight embrace.
You hug Tridemon as best as you can, pulling them into a tight embrace.

Tikki says, "Remember, home is where the heart is. And that's not a place. It's people."
Tikki hugs you compassionately.

You blink.

Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long hugs you compassionately.

You smile softly at Tikki.
You have emoted: Cheliyi nods. "I will try to remember."

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to Tikki's brow.

Tikki beams broadly.

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to Tridemon's brow.

Tikki says, "Rest well."

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to Kosuke, the cloud-bound Long's brow.

You wave goodbye.

You portal to the Aetherplex Chamber.
You portal to The Hoard and the Hive.

---> a few days later

A whirling cone of snow rises up from the ground, out of which steps Tikki.
Tikki beams broadly.

You smile softly at Tikki.
Tikki hugs you compassionately.

Tikki asks you, "Are you doing well hon?"

Faintly, you say, "No? Not sure how to."

Tikki wraps a comforting arm around you.

You snuggle close to Tikki and lean comfortably on him.

Tikki says, "It's okay, it takes time."

A soft breeze caresses your exposed skin, sending shivers through your body.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tikki, "**grey and brown, swirling like wooden ash** I can't... I can't break my oath to my siblings. They raised me. They loved me."

Caressing your ear, the voice of Tikki whispers, "Do you want to come to the Daydream to talk again? We can sit out in the Paths for some fresh air."

You have emoted: Cheliyi pauses, and nods.
You begin to follow Tikki.
You have recovered balance on all limbs.

Tikki nods his head emphatically.
You follow Tikki to The Daydream Commons.
You follow Tikki out to The Vivid Path.

The horizon glows with burnished shades of orange and red, heralding the imminent arrival of Father Sun upon the rim of the world.

Tikki flops down onto the grass with both a small pomf, patting the ground next to himself.

You have emoted: Cheliyi sits down, crossing her legs so that her tail curls around to her front.

Tikki asks you, "If it's okay, can I ask what your Oath was?"

Luce enters from the in, emanating an aura of immense power.
Her steps oddly disconnected from her forward motion, Kaiyo arrives from the in.

Luce gives Tikki a peck on the cheek.

Tikki flashes Luce a joyous smile.
Tikki gives Luce a peck on the cheek.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips as you glance at Luce.

Comprehension flashes across Luce's face.
Luce inclines his head politely to you.

Tikki pats the grass at his other side, beckoning Luce to sit and join.

Quietly, you say, "I never really... took an oath, no. I just promised I would protect my family and be there for them. I do not lie, or break promises, no."

A look of understanding crossing his features, Tikki nods his head slowly.

Luce takes a seat next to Tikki, keeping a polite quiet.

Tikki gently pats your hand. "Nothing says you have to break that promise of course. Do you want to tell me more about your family though? I'd love to hear about them."

You have emoted: Cheliyi pulls her knees up to her chest, setting her chin atop them to gaze off into the distance. "Well, you know Dad and Mister Dad and Uncle Sutekh, then there is you, Sibling Esei, Sister Willow, Cousin Blackthorn... and Brother Rowan. Of course there are more of my siblings in the forest, but they are a lot to name."

Tikki nods his head enthusiastically.
Tikki asks, "Do you have any tree siblings...Treeblings...heh...outside of the Glomdoring?"

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters has entered the realm of Lusternia.

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Need more hugs?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "**faint amusement, made fuzzy by quiet exhaustion** hugs are good."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.
You shake your head.

A look of understanding crossing his features, Tikki nods his head slowly.

Quietly, you say, "I had never even left the forest, until Dad convinced me to try."

Tikki says, "I'm glad he managed to. I'm very glad to have met you dear."
Tikki says, "I know there's others who feel the same way too."
Tikki flashes Luce a joyous smile.

Luce's ear flits while he listens and reviews some mental scrolls. He nods in agreement though.

Tikki says, "And another just arrived at that."

Great waves crash over one another as they pour in from the in, finally swirling together before solidifying into Tridemon.
Tridemon suddenly turns to you, and you watch as he reaches out and lightly boops you on the nose with a finger.

"'Lo!" Tikki quips cheerfully, waving at Tridemon.

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles again as she glances at Tikki, the expression a little more real. Her gaze flicks back to the sunrise, only to brighten slightly as Tridemon enters. As if on reflex, she sneezes before Tridemon's finger even touches her nose.
You stare blankly into space.
You peer at Tridemon unscrupulously.

Tikki says, "He's got the magic boop."
Tikki nods his head sagely.

Tridemon hugs you compassionately.

With faked indignance, you say to Tridemon, "Look at what you've done to me."
You smile softly.
You hug Tridemon as best as you can, pulling them into a tight embrace.

Tridemon hums a happy tune.
Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "Bein' a tired 'wump?"

Luce hides a smirk on the opposite side of his muzzle from Tikki, you, and Tridemon.

You smile wryly at Tridemon.

Head tilting to one side, you say, "Tired... yes. Sleepy, no."

Tikki says to Tridemon, "We're having a little feels chat feel free to plop on the grass and join us! It's outside so I have a better excuse for no chairs this time!"

Tridemon flops down onto the ground.

Kaiyo, the lucid Dream says, "We are speaking on familial ties. Our companion is pretending to have naught to offer so that he does not alter the mood."

Luce rolls his eyes.

Tikki pets Luce ingratiatingly.

Luce mutters "Tact, Kaiyo."

You smile softly at Luce.
You nod your head sagely at Kaiyo, the lucid Dream.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "It is fine. It is not like I -like- being sad. I'm just... I do not know. Tired."

Tikki says, "It's understandable to feel sad and frustrated and confused when you're in a position where you're questioning if you're where you belong."
Tikki says, "Gods know I've been there..."

Tridemon pets you ingratiatingly.

Luce's ears both perk up and he just manages to hide a frown.

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks slowly. "... If this is how Dad felt, then I should give them another hug when I see them."

Luce slips an arm around Tikki's shoulder.
Tikki gives Luce a peck on the cheek.

Tridemon hugs you compassionately.

You lean on Tridemon seeking consolation.

Tikki says to you, "Sometimes family, and mind you I'm not speaking about Gurashi or Tridemon or your Treeblings here. It's more...generalized. Sometimes, family are the ones that hurt us the most. And sometimes, even when it hurts, the family we're with is not the family we need."

You close your eyes and focus on Tikki's voice, frills turned to them.

Luce winces in pain.

You ponder the situation.

Tikki says, "Love is something that should be given without condition. A family shouldn't love you only when you act how they think you should act. They should love you wholly, unconditionally, for the wonderful you that you are. They should want to see you shine, to grow, to flourish. You're a mighty tree Cheliyi. You're not a bonsai to be trimmed and pruned how others think you should be."

Luce coughs softly.

Shadows grow longer in anticipation for the return of their dark mistress as Father Sun's chase brings him closer to the world's edge.

Kaiyo, the lucid Dream settles behind Luce, uncharactaristically quiet.

You think to yourself: **the years of pain when your siblings went quiet... only for them to speak again when you sang their song, did they think you had -chosen- them? Is that why they became so possessive?**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances away, leaning her head against Tridemon's chest.

As the sun passes below the horizon's edge, Mother Night unveils her terrible, shadowy beauty, spreading darkness across the land.

Tikki says, "And love...love doesn't make you choose. If you're anything like Gurashi, and boy golly are you, you have more than enough love in your heart to spread from one side of the Basin all the way to Papaxi and beyond."

Squinting at the sunset, you say, "... My siblings didn't speak, for a long time. They only spoke again after I sang to them, and even now... it isn't the same. It isn't what I hoped for. Maybe we're both too hurt by the silence."

You think to yourself: **your siblings rustling and echoing, somehow harsher... how did you never notice until now?**.
You think to yourself: **maybe it is because you did not know what it means to be loved.**.

Tikki says, "The thing about relationships, be they familial or otherwise, they're about give and take. And that's not a relationship where you give and they take."

You have emoted: Cheliyi closes her eyes, lips pressed thin.

Tridemon wraps his arms around you and gives you a gentle squeeze while hugging.

You think to yourself: **a single voice, rising in the din, Hey, lilypad. Breathe. Not going to do you any good to drown in open air, eh?**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks, smiles faintly, and exhales.

Tikki's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.
Tikki says, "That's what we like to see, that pretty smile!"

Luce leans against Kaiyo, the lucid Dream while listening politely and staring into the middle distance.

You blink.
You blush furiously.
You have emoted: Cheliyi giggles quietly.

Tikki gives Luce a friendly squeeze.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 1st of Dvarsh, 582 years after the Coming of Estarra.

Faintly, you say, "Thanks, yes."

Tikki nods his head enthusiastically.
Tikki says, "Friends are the family you choose. No matter where you go, you'll never be alone."

You have emoted: Cheliyi nods.

Tikki leans close to you and gently lays a kiss upon your forehead.

You smile softly.
You smile softly at Tikki.

You think to yourself: ... Where would I go? I can't leave my siblings behind.

Tridemon pets you ingratiatingly.

Tikki gives an iced donut filled with fruity jellies to you.
Tikki hums a happy tune.

You think to yourself: **rustling and rattling, no, you cannot leave us, why do you continue to speak with these weaker beings? They are not wyrden, they are not worthy. They are -changing- you. Come back.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi takes the donut, her frills twitching to some unheard conversation.

Luce hums pensively.

You think to yourself: I love them too. It doesn't mean-.

Tridemon gives you a friendly squeeze.

You think to yourself: **a rising indignant hiss, as if to silence your argument, they cannot protect you, they cannot be strong, do not choose them like you did before, make it -right-**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi fidgets with a leaf-green woollen blanket, frowning to herself.

You think to yourself: Chose before? I didn't...
Comprehension flashes across your face.
You crease your brow in a frown.

You think to yourself: Wait. You thought... you thought I chose Dad back then, didn't you all? **disbelief, slowly being subset by -hurt-**.

You think to yourself: **a silence that is as good as an affirmation as any.** You... you stopped talking to me because I defended my -friend? You said you understood! That you were okay with me finding other starshapes!

You think to yourself: **A quiet hiss, almost disgusted. Not. Wyrden.**.

You think to yourself: But Brother Rowan said- **he can think what he wills, you still betrayed us.** I have been loyal! I always followed what you taught me! I tried to make you proud, even when you -ignored- me!

You have emoted: Cheliyi's expression suddenly contorts into one of fury, the mugwump sitting up.

Tridemon wraps his arms a little tighter around you.

Tikki watches and listens, keeping quiet for the time being.

You think to yourself: **you left us. you joined them. come back home, make it right. the Light will not love you.**.

You think to yourself: You're being ridiculous.

You have emoted: Cheliyi exhales sharply, chin jutted out in defiance to the apparently empty air.

Luce's ears perk up with a sudden interest.
Tikki gives Luce a friendly squeeze.

You think to yourself: **you will learn. you will come home.**.

Comprehension flashes across Luce's face.
Luce nibbles on some powderfruit sorbet.

Tridemon shakes his head slightly. "The trees have obviously never met Raziela. She loves everyone. Pretty much literally."

Jade Dreamer Luce Shevat says, "A bit too much sometimes, she has a very poor grasp on the difference between kindness and nicety."

Kaiyo, the lucid Dream says, "Verily, 'tis much easier to pretend thou has neither."

Luce peers at Kaiyo, the lucid Dream unscrupulously.

Tridemon gives Kaiyo, the lucid Dream the once-over, eyeing her suspiciously.
Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Luce, "Does she always talk like that?"

The Mantle of Starlight shimmers and twinkles as the starlit darkness that it is formed of continues its eternal motion.

Tikki nods his head at Tridemon.

Luce nods his head emphatically.

Kaiyo, the lucid Dream nods her head emphatically.

Luce rubs his temples in frustration.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.
Quietly, you say, "I do remember that some Celest peoples think that the Wyrd is just Taint."

Kaiyo, the lucid Dream says, "We speak our mind freely, as our companion is wont to lapse into sullen silence to preserve his vaunted 'dignity' rather than confronting his troubles."

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.

Luce peers at Kaiyo, the lucid Dream unscrupulously.
Jade Dreamer Luce Shevat says to Kaiyo, the lucid Dream, "Don't make me get a muzzle."

You think to yourself: **a jolt of familiar annoyance and loathing, -Lawrence-, even if he doesn't count anymore**.

Tikki says, "And some folks think that Hallifax is full of stuffy business folk....I mean it's not entirely wrong but."
Tikki coughs softly.
Tikki says, "Point being just because something came of something doesn't mean it is that something."
Tikki says, "A child came from their parents, but the child is not their parents. Nor are they their siblings, or their cousins. They are their own person, their own being. And should be free to learn, to grow, and experience all things life has to offer."

Frowning, you say, "But what about their tah'.... duty to their parents? To their siblings? If they raised them, they owe them -something-, yes."

The ever-present sense of your heartbeat thrums, beating to the rhythmic pulse of the Drums of the Dead.

Luce utterly fails to contain a contemptuous snort, but cleverly covers it by coughing. A full second and a half later.

Kaiyo, the lucid Dream's eyes sparkle with amusement at Luce.

You narrow your eyes at Luce in an unnerving manner.

Luce sucks thoughtfully on his teeth.

Tikki says, "But I'm sure everyone feels, y'know. Indebted to those that raised them. Which is, you know, understandable. But that shouldn't mean you sacrifice your happiness for theirs. They should be happy for you to be happy."

You fidget impatiently.

Luce coughs softly.
Jade Dreamer Luce Shevat asks, "If I may make an analogy?"

Tikki tilts his head curiously at Luce.

A heavy snort laden with soothing energy escapes the nostrils of Kaiyo, the lucid Dream while motes of light drift from her mane with dreamlike swiftness as they fade into the aura of half-glimpsed images surrounding her.

Faintly protesting, you say, "But I am not sacrificing..."

You glance askance at Luce.
You nod your head at Luce.

Jade Dreamer Luce Shevat says, "If you look to someone for guidance, for a tour of a place with which you are unfamiliar, and your guide leads you down a dangerous path and gives you only lies for information, have you truly incurred a debt to that guide?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks, and then flares with indignant offense. "My siblings did not -lie- to me." She then pauses, and wilts. "At least, I don't think they did."

Luce extands a paw concilliatorily. "Fair. If not lies, then misinformation, or half-truths. I admittedly don't know your personal troubles or what you've been told by them, but given what we've been talking about to this point...what is true for them, may not be true for you. Or it may be a truth that hurts you."

You shuffle your feet uneasily.
You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.
You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

Tikki wraps a comforting arm around you.

You lean on Tikki seeking consolation.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "I'm afraid I need to go to sleep now."
Tridemon hugs you compassionately.
Tridemon spreads his arms wide, and the air between his hands begins to warp and twist, dancing with brilliant multicoloured light as he bores a hole through the fabric of the planes.
A swirling gateway of brilliant light pierces the air before Tridemon, boring a hole through the very fabric of the planes. Tridemon ascends confidently through the rotating gate, which shimmers and snaps shut behind him.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.
Tikki pets you ingratiatingly.

Jade Dreamer Luce Shevat says, "My point was more that just because you've been guided, does not mean that you have a duty to your guides. And frankly that includes myself and Tikki. We're offering you our hopes and opinions, but we won't be hurt if you find a different truth in the world, and you don't owe us anything for it."

Watching Tridemon leave, you say, "Before the portal... what I can remember is living with my siblings. Alone. But happy. They we kind. They helped me remember to eat and sleep and hunt, and showed me how to grow strong. They... they -were- good to me. I can't forget that."

You smile softly at Luce.

Tikki says, "And that can be the part that hurts the worst...When people change."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters has left the realm of Lusternia.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's smile weakens, and she nods.

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

Pausing, you say, "Or, well. They tell me that -I- have changed."

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

Jade Dreamer Luce Shevat says, "Of course you've changed. You've grown."

Tikki says, "We change every day. None of us are the same today as we were yesterday."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Mm."

Tikki gently rubs your cheek. "Moving on with your life isn't forsaking the good that your siblings did for you. It's taking the lessons they gave and becoming your own forest. That you can nurture others in kind. If you'll forgive the...sappy analogy."

You have emoted: Cheliyi giggles quietly. "Sappy, yes?"

Kaiyo, the lucid Dream peers at Tikki unscrupulously.

Tikki winks knowingly.

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

Tikki pets you ingratiatingly.

Tikki says, "Your siblings should be happy for you, encourage you to grow. Not deny your happiness, your pleasure, simply to satisfy themselves..."

Tikki says to you, "But the hour is getting late, and sleep comes to all good wumps. You're welcome to rest here among the dream blossoms. You're always free to consider this place another home."

The last vestiges of midnight shadows flee as Mother Night hides herself from the luminous arrival of her shining mate as he chases her across the bowl of the sky.
The ever-present sense of your heartbeat thrums, beating to the rhythmic pulse of the Drums of the Dead.

---> zzzz fell asleep at keyboard lol, it was 1am