"Tired... right down to my bones."

A cozy living room above the kitchen.                  (#HAH_5)
Eleven steps, all different dimensions and carved from dark ravenwood lead to a comfortable little living area. Dark floors contrast the gentle green shade painted on the walls, and bright, flickering wall sconces. A curved ceiling looks as if it has been scooped directly out of a tree, and thick support joists criss-cross the expanse. Delicate muslin curtains cover either window and barely touch the floor. On both window sills sit half a dozen tiny planters with newly sprouting flowers and herbs inside. Three plain oak doors typically stand closed, but whiffs of lavender and petrichor can be detected when they open, briefly displacing the delicious smells of the kitchen below. The diminutive size, low lighting, and soothing colors of this room invoke a sense of ease and respite. A heavy canvas couch has been shoved into a corner of the room, a plethora of purple and red poppies brightening the room. A tapestry depicting the creation of the lyrebird is proudly hanging here. A lush beige carpet is spread out on the ground. There are 2 elegantly carved ravenwood armchairs here. A beautiful couch here glitters with autumn gemstone leaves. A small dark brown tea table stands here. A painting of Gurashi and the Racist Dartboard is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. A shimmering blue circle floats in the room here. A gilded pedestal, displaying a painting of A Stack of Cats, stands here, its gold leaf cracked and weathered. A gilded pedestal, displaying a painting of Puppet of Fate, stands here, its gold leaf cracked and weathered. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings.
You see exits leading east (open door), southeast (closed door), southwest (closed door), and down (open door).

You sense the piercing eyes of Tridemon looking upon you.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "*buzzing quietly* Hi, Tridemon~ Good evening~."

Great waves crash over one another as they pour in from the down, finally swirling together before solidifying into Tridemon.

Finger extended, Tridemon pokes Bizirik, the leothin.
Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Tridemon. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts, looking up from its lazy perch on the old couch.

You have emoted: Gurashi lolls his head to look over at Tridemon, blinking. He pulls in a leg, leaving the other half of the couch unoccupied. "Hi Tridemon."

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

Tridemon throws himself onto a soft couch decorated with needlepoint poppies, sprawling out and making himself at home.

You have emoted: Gurashi scoots back even further, craning his neck as he folds his hands over his chest, letting one leg dangle off the couch for the sake of space. "How are you?"

Fireflies light up the darkness outside as they dance in slow, chaotic patterns.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Oh... I'm alright. Bit troubled by some rather sudden political news, but that's not much to do with you."

You glance askance.

It is now the 10th of Shanthin, 555 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 25 days until the New Moon

You have emoted: Gurashi looks a bit sad at this. "...yeah, Friend Shulamit and Friend Alary told me last month. I do not get it." He shakes his head. "Nor do I like it."

You twiddle your thumbs.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... Did they end up giving anything resembling a reason?"

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Guess have been really lucky, in that, alliance has been the same since I came through the portal..."

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

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes his head sadly. "Friend Shulamit and Friend Alary are not leaders. They are only Beloved. And they do -not- want to change."

You glance askance.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... I have heard that it is a change pushed on them from above."

You shake your head.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "The Shofets would not make them do that."
You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

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

Voice bright and clear, you ask, "Council...?"

You nod your head slowly in understanding.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "The Freedom Council. Ashira. Vyell. Toshiko. Aishe."

You have emoted: Gurashi folds his hands together again, swinging his dangling leg a little. "I have talked to four whole peoples about it. Five including you. And nobody wants to do it."

You think to yourself: Toshiko....

You narrow your eyes to thin slits.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... I suspect Vyell to have been most influential in the decision."

You think to yourself: No - no bad thoughts.

You let out a soft, buzzing sigh.

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

You twiddle your thumbs.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I suppose it might be some sort of... elaborate RUSE, but to what end? To just confuse and anger the rest of us?"

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes his head. "No..."

You have emoted: Gurashi unlaces his hands, opting to instead fold his arms over his chest as he stares at the ceiling.

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

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "The thing I worry about most at this point is the fact that Gaudiguch and the Glomdoring usually end up aligning with each other. It's Glomdoring-Gaudiguch with either Celest or Magnagora, and Serenwilde-Hallifax with the other."

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns, listening, not taking his eyes off the ceiling.

A little worried now, you ask, "...oh - what if New Celest and Glomdoring stop being allies...again?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Then I will end up being extremely depressed and likely won't be seen for a year or more."

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

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly sits up, frowning.

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim to Tridemon, "I will always be your ally!"

Tridemon shrugs helplessly.

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

You think to yourself: *a sudden flood of emotion - concern, panic*.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "You are bound to the Wyrd."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "You will follow it, unless you decide to break with it."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Which I doubt will occur."

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

You have emoted: Gurashi grunts, sitting up fully, hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Can be bound to the Wyrd and still be your friend! Even if city alliances change, they are just city alliances!"

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You think to yourself: *the feelings swell, now joined by guilt and fear*.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Mm. But I would likely be required to bar you from my manse."

Urgently, his eyes suddenly shiny, you exclaim to Tridemon, "Do not know...! Miss Lief is an enemy to the Lord Silence and the Lord Silence is part of Glomdoring and even SHE is allowed to go to my manse! I will not lead an attack on New Celest through your manse, I promise!"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I wouldn't be able to stop by the Shadowfeast kitchens to say hello. Ilistala would likely turn hostile."

You blanch suddenly.

Loudly, you exclaim to Tridemon, "Stop!"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Because, like it or not, I am one of the prime Aquamancers of Celest. I am a target in conflict, and not a small one."

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

Bizirik, the leothin finally lifts its head, looking on with interest, though it doesn't seem too particularly distressed. Maybe too lazy.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Meaning that as soon as I show up, I would be targeted. And killed, most likely."

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to become more and more visibly upset, tears now collecting in the corners of his eyes. He opens his mouth to interrupt but can't, letting you speak first, now even more upset.

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim to Tridemon, "...b-but it hasn't happened... and we are still friends - the Glomdoring and New Celest! T-this is all just scary speculation!"

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

Tridemon gives you a small, sad smile. "For now. If you haven't heard anything to the contrary."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly inhales sharply, then lurches forward, throwing his arms around your midsection as he wraps you up in an unexpected embrace.

Tridemon blinks.

Voice muffled as he speaks, you say, "I do not care if New Celest and Glomdoring start fighting I will -not- attack you and I will -not- be mean to you and I do not -care- if that means Mister Lord Silence or Lady of Roses are going to be -mad- with me."

Wooden wind chimes can be heard clunking gently together as a breeze moves through.

You have emoted: Gurashi lifts his head sharply, tears streaming down his face as he continues to ramble on. "It's fine! Alliances change and maybe Glomdoring and New Celest will be mad at each other for a little while but they are friends NOW so they can be friends again! City and commune rules are dumb! They are dumb!!"

Tridemon moves to pat you on the head after you raise it. "Dear boy, the shifting alliances and politics of mortalkind are beneath the Divine. The only thing they might be able to object to on a personal level is the absence of a proper level of ruthlessness."

From somewhere unseen, a cat meows softly before it is heard scampering off.

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns as he is pat on the head, sniffling.

You think to yourself: ...dear boy ...

You have emoted: Gurashi wilts, slowly letting go and sitting up straight as he wipes his eyes.

You think to yourself: *every frantic emotion now feels the same - heavy and numb*.

Sadly, you ask Tridemon, "....what are we supposed to do?"

Tridemon leans back and heaves a heavy sigh. "I have no idea. If Gaudiguch and Glomdoring leave, and no treaties are in place otherwise... It will be Celest, standing entirely and utterly alone."

You shake your head.

Whispering, staying where he's at, you say, "That is bad."

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

Voice bright and clear, you say, "New Celest is very small right now... I worry for you and your home."

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You have emoted: Gurashi sniffs, quickly reaching up to wipe at his eyes again.

You think to yourself: ...

You sniff softly.

Tridemon just stares off into the distance for a while, seeming much older than he had even a few minutes ago. Older, and smaller, and much more tired.

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, then reaches out, taking Tridemon's hand in both of his own, frowning.

Tridemon doesn't seem to notice, pale streaks of distressed amber moving through his flesh, growing deeper and mixed in with a hazy gray after a few moments.

You have emoted: Gurashi furrows his brow, head canting to the side as he watches your colors change. He looks down at the hand he is still holding, giving it another testing squeeze, then looks up again, eyes wide.

You think to yourself: .....*the rhythmic thudding of a heartbeat momentarily overpowers the sense of fear*.

You open your mouth but say nothing.

Tridemon looks up after a little while longer, seeming to have finally noticed, but his coloration hasn't recovered in the slightest, although it has settled- a deep, wavering gray outline that stays along the edges of his crystalline flesh, leaving a core of his usual color that's only barely evident along his right hand and arm.

Voice bright and clear, you whisper, "Tridemon..."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... Maybe I should go. This isn't a good look for me."

You have emoted: Gurashi tightens his grip on your hand.

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

You think to yourself: *a new flurry of emotions - regret, determination, embarrassment*.

You think to yourself: .... *an urge to speak, but why won't my mouth open?*.

Tridemon doesn't make a move to pull away, all his usual energy seeming to have just... gone.

You have emoted: Gurashi makes a face, looking like he's considering something before he releases your hand from his left, reaching forward to pull you into another tentative hug. "Your color is fine," He says, chin on your shoulder as he pats your back, still firmly holding your right hand in his own. "Please stay."

The sound of the ocean all but absent from him, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... if you say so."

You think to yourself: *the heart beat is so loud now - even the hive noise seems soft*.

You nod your head emphatically.

Tridemon pulls himself fully up onto the couch, curled up and looking smaller and more vulnerable than ever.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly scoots back as Tridemon begins his reshuffling, letting the lucidian pull up his legs. The ginger-haired man waits until all reshuffling is done, then takes your hand in his own once more, thumb rubbing your knuckles.

Speaking quietly over the windchimes, you say to Tridemon, "It will be O-K - Bizi and I will always be here for you, yes."

Tridemon is almost entirely silent at this point, even the sound of his breathing quite shallow, as he stares off at nothing in particular, unblinking.

You give Tridemon a friendly squeeze.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks towards Bizirik, then towards the window, letting his head rest against the back of the couch as he continues his consolatory watch, his grip firm and reassuring.

You think to yourself: **the heartbeat quiet, replaced with distant buzzing, soft and hopeful**.

You think to yourself: ... **distant** Will .. ...

Bizirik, the leothin slumps again on the couch lazily, snorting as it shuts its eyes.

Tridemon finally produces a sound, though it's not a good one- a quiet snap from a hairline fracture in one of his head-spikes, though it quickly mends itself, leaving behind only a small amount of glittery crystal flakes.

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

The sound of the ocean all but absent from him, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It's not a good look. And it's a little messy. ... sorry."

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes his head, laying his other hand atop the one he's already holding. "Do not apologize for your looks or your sounds," He says reassuringly.

Trying to sound light-hearted, you say to Tridemon, "You do not judge me for being so orange."

Tridemon lets out a deep breath, finally closing his eyes. "I'm... so tired."

You have emoted: Gurashi nods, rubbing your knuckle with his thumb. "You can sleep. It is O-K," He whispers, still doing his best to sound reassuring. "I will stay right here oh yes. I promise."

The sound of the ocean all but absent from him, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Tired... right down to my bones."

Tridemon lets out another soft sigh and falls completely silent again.

You have emoted: Gurashi's smile fades a little, and he looks like he wants to say more, but instead opts to listen, continuing to stroke your hand.

You think to yourself: Tridemon ....

You think to yourself: ... I am here with you!

You think to yourself: ...always...!

(Trasto): Tridemon says, "You think to yourself: I remember now. I remember why I stopped myself from caring so much. ... I just let myself forget it. Stupid."
(Trasto): You say, "SOBS."

It is now the 11th of Shanthin, 555 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 24 days until the New Moon

You have emoted: Gurashi sighs, letting his head rest against the back of the couch as he stares opposite himself towards the darkness outside his window, still clutching your hand as if his life depended on it.

Fireflies light up the darkness outside as they dance in slow, chaotic patterns.

You have emoted: Gurashi shuts his eyes, beginning to hum soothingly for those present, letting the quiet sounds of crickets and frogs and windchimes accompany him.