"I hope My summons was not too unexpected? For I admit curiosity regarding your prayer to Me."

Soothing white light briefly clouds your vision, fading to reveal a sidereal path to the Divine Fulcrux of Lantra, the Empyreal outlined in pure, glittering starlight.

You blink.
You blink.

Heart of the Celestial Leviathan.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. There is a dent in the wall here. A slender leothin sits here motionless, brightening its surroundings with its natural golden bio-luminescence. Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow perches here, eyeing the area suspiciously. Bustling about with good cheer, a simple house maid dusts her surroundings. Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters with an Unknown face 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. A sea-green kelpie drifts here as though underwater, the air thick with the warm scent of the sea. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system. You see a sign here instructing you that WARES is the command to see what is for sale.
You see exits leading north, east, south, west, up, down (closed door), and out (open door).

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Ah. um."
You frown at Gurashi.
You frown at Tridemon.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Will... uh."
You stare blankly into space.

(Trasto): You say, "HOW DO I ENTER IT AAAAA."
(Trasto): You say, "LANTRA IM SORRY BUT THERE ARE EXITS IN ALL DIRECTIONS."

You hear a faint rippling of distant, feminine laughter as motes of light coalesce around you.

You stare blankly into space.

The Fulcrux of Lantra.
The rush of running water echoes throughout this alabaster sanctuary, its white pillars surrounded on all sides by shimmering waterfalls. Breathtaking stars twinkle across the misty falls as they collect into a luminous gazing pool, its rippling waters clear and sparkling as they reflect the open expanse of the celestial sky above. Caught in a graceful dance of duality, an immaculate white koi fish circles its dark twin in the glittering depths of the basin, continuing in a silent push and pull as their silhouettes form two halves of a whole. The white, blue and pink petals of assorted lotus flowers crown these starry waters with their regal beauty, standing at the feet of several stone priestesses who guard this place. The statues bow their veiled heads in silent prayer, each bearing a tilted celadon urn that overflows with the boundless light of healing waters. Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here. Impossibly still at the centre of this luminous pool of water and light, a single star lotus flower blooms brighter than all the others, its heart radiant as the dewy petals unfurl to reveal a beautiful, enchanting light.
There are no obvious exits.

You are transported by the power of the Divine.

Dripping water echoes enchantingly in the distance.

You blink.
You blink.
You blush furiously.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Light's blessings upon you, child of New Celest."

Blinking rapidly as she steps over to the pool, you say, "Ah, um. Hello, Lady Lantra. Light's blessings on... You too? Not sure how that greeting... works."
You fidget impatiently.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "I find the intent of a greeting is oft of more import than the phrasing."

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*bright chaotic splashes of color, cool and panicked* CHE-LI-YI-- YOU- you are O-K?! Mine-child!?!?"

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "And so I accept your greeting gladly."

You have emoted: Cheliyi's lips quirk into a smile, her frills puffing with joy. "Ah, is good, then." Her frills twitch, gaze flicking to the side from some distant conversation.

Soothing winds whisper past you on an errant breeze, rippling through the Fulcrux's sparkling mists like water.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "**surprise mingled with giddy nervousness** ah, um, Lady Lantra... brought me to Her Fulcrux. Aaaaaaa...."

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Ah? Ah??"
Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "...ah!"

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "I hope My summons was not too unexpected? For I admit curiosity regarding your prayer to Me."

The last of the white flames scattered throughout the world begin to snuff out one at a time, finally burning down as time mends itself around them. An Impending Timequake ends with a final crackle.
The existence of Veldrin briefly winks out as they are caught in a temporal timequake.
You see the death occur at beneath an alabaster arch.
The existence of Citinia briefly winks out as they are caught in a temporal timequake.
You see the death occur at beneath an alabaster arch.
The existence of Ashira briefly winks out as they are caught in a temporal timequake.
You see the death occur at a wind-swept stair.
The existence of Aislynn briefly winks out as they are caught in a temporal timequake.
You see the death occur at a floral-laden arbour.
The existence of Malarious briefly winks out as they are caught in a temporal timequake.
You see the death occur at a floral-laden arbour.
The existence of Shango briefly winks out as they are caught in a temporal timequake.
You see the death occur at beneath an alabaster arch.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's left hand begins to clutch her right forearm, the limb oddly bare compared to the other's various bracelets. "No, no. Is okay! Just... did not exp-".
You stare blankly into space.
You have emoted: Cheliyi abruptly snorts, and shakes her head. "Was not expecting it."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Certainly there are other unexpected fates worse than this, yes."

Reaper Kalas Malarious shouts, "Arguable! It seemed to be good for us!"

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks, opens her mouth, closes it, and then bursts into a fit of giggles.

Soft laughter as light as a gentle rain ripples about the luminous pool, the melodious sound resonating throughout the Fulcrux.

You think to yourself: **motes of yellow dancing across the mindscape's clearing, not unlike fireflies dancing in the dusk, oh man, did not expect, any of this, feels... nice. not so scary**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's laughter quiets down, her gaze trailing along the edge of the pond, and finally settling on a nearby lotus. "Is... um... mm. Well, am not sure what else to say. Visited Your Realm, and saw Miss Ael- hm. Aeldra's altar, which is very pretty, by the way, which said Remedy, so I thought about trying to see if the waters would help but I stopped because it's probably rude to touch without permission, and-" her mouth abruptly shuts, and she blushes. "Ah... um. Rambling, again."

Motes of starlight patiently twirl about the still waters, hovering about the immaculate star lotus as the koi fish continue in their unhurried, graceful dance.

You fidget impatiently.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Is... um. Well. Then I met Aeldra, because she was there to say nice things to the ar...chonesses? Yes, those, and she suggested I ask, so... I am... here now?"
You glance askance.
You think to yourself: Can't even offer anything... shouldn't have come.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "You will find that the art of healing is one that demands patience and listening. I will grant you that the latter of these, indeed, is a skill that few of My cousins practice. Yet you need not fear Me, child. I hold no animosity towards you, nor do I expect you shall give Me reason to."
A stirring breeze caresses your exposed skin, sending shivers through your body.

You have emoted: Cheliyi nods slowly, brushing some of her unruly, mauve hair out of her eyes. Her cloudy eyes flicks to the ripples, and she hums softly. "I... okay, yes. Do... You think you could help my eyes? O-obviously, no obligation or need to, but um... would be nice, not to wince all the time from the bright stuff in Celests. Have tried making my own remedies," she pats her spectacles, which have a secondary set of tinted lenses, "but they don't really... work all the time."

Shadows dance across the rocky walls, perpetually avoiding the available light.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Perhaps. It depends on the nature of the affliction, as is true of all healing."

You think to yourself: Don't need to fear, okay, -probably- won't get zapped, have not had it before, do not plan to, it's... fine. If She says no, is also fine.

You have emoted: Cheliyi fidgets glancing around hopefully. "Ah, is... goodly to know. What would you... need to know? To fix. Not a healer, since I mostly just used to be a tree, and then now I only really use mists, so..."

Soothing winds whisper past you on an errant breeze, rippling through the Fulcrux's sparkling mists like water.

---> gdmit ianir

                     \          \
                       \          \
                        \          \
                         \          \
                          \          \
                           \          \
                           /          /
                          /          /
                         /          /
                        /          /
                       /          /
                      /          /
                      \        \
                       \        \
                        \        \
                         \        \
                          \        \
                           \        \
                          /         /
                         /         /
                        /         /
                       /         /
                        \       \
                         \       \
                          \       \
                           \      \
                            /      /
                           /      /
                          /      /
                         /      /
                        /       /
                         \     \
                          \     \
                           \     \
                             \     \
                             /     /
                            /     /
                           /     /
                          /     /
                           \   \
                            \   \
                             \   \
                              \   \
                               /   /
                              /   /
                             /   /
                             \  \
                              \  \
                               / /
                              / /
                              \\
                             Goodbye.

(And Everything Nice): You say, "BAHAAHAH."
(And Everything Nice): You say, "Omg."
(And Everything Nice): You say, "Are we counting that as ic i'm crying."
The Divine voice of Ianir, the Anomaly echoes in your head, "No."
(And Everything Nice): You say, "IANIR."

Several crystals glittering with auron energy spin quietly manifest around you, lingering about you with a subtle, searching glow.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Have you had this condition since birth?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks slowly. She removes her spectacles, before blinking owlishly, and squinting. The mugwump's gaze is cloudy and pale, a clear remnant of some sort of scarring. "Ah... no. Without spectacles, everything is so blurry I just see, uh, colors and blobs, mostly. Happened when I was..." she trails off, thumb running over the edge of the frame. "Well, really small. Was... burned in the face, by a person. Dracnari. Memory is hazy, but is the best of my knowledge. Everything was dark for a long, long time, and then I could sort of see lights, and then I could see shapes. Bright lights make my head really hurt, though."

You think to yourself: **a faint whisper of the memory, rippling across the still pond, the intense fear and pain rolling over your in waves, you couldn't even breathe- no, no. you can breathe now.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi exhales quietly under her breath.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Burns are vicious wounds. They alter more than the body, but the perception of the self as well."

You feel a cool touch on your cheek, as if a hand has gently alighted there; yet when you turn to look, you see only tendrils of spiralling mist.

Softly, you say, "Well, have not always been the nicest looking mugwump. Doesn't really matter. Couldn't really see my face or hair, for a while, so, did not care."
You have emoted: Cheliyi's head turns, gaze searching through the mists even as it is unfocused and strained.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Are you familiar with the mantra, 'As above, so below'?"

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.
You shake your head.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Aeldra said it, but no, not really."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "It is an oft spoken precept of the Hamadhi of the Third Circle. Our physical forms are made manifest from our spiritual selves. Our bodies are reflections of the truth within."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "It is why Fain could not remove His mask, for it reflected who He had become."

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks slowly, and nods, grimacing at the mention of the other Elder. "I... I see, yes."

You think to yourself: **unbidden, you can't help but wonder... why is He still hurting? Are the snapdragons a part of Him then? quiet pain, followed by a surge of anger, you won't think about it. doesn't matter to you.**.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Healing for Us, therefore, was more than a physical act. It is an art that can require healing of the mind and the soul of those afflicted. These are connected in the immanidivinus - the essence that forms the Divine. You are but a shard of Mugowumpois, but..." There is a pause as the water stills, considering. "I take it mortals have been unable to aid you in this?"

You glance askance.
After a moment, you say, "Never really asked, but even then, the um... healing and other things I tried, when I learned them, did not fix it. Then again, am not a healer."

The star lotus at the centre of the luminous pool unfurls with dewy light, revealing a heart of immaculate starlight.

Suddenly letting out a laugh, you say, "Even tried putting the um... healing salve on my eyes, because I was sort of... frustrated. Did not work, just made my eyes water."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "There are few pains and frustrations worse than your own body existing in revolt against you."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.
You nod your head in agreement.

You think to yourself: Healing my soul...?

Pinpricks of celestial light coalesce into the faint outline of a star lotus, which blossoms open to reveal the regal figure of Lantra, the Empyreal.

You blink.
You blink.
You have emoted: Cheliyi hurriedly puts back on her spectacles, and offers a polite bow.

---> look lantra

Her slight and statuesque figure exuding a sense of restrained dignity, She is a radiant immortal and possessed of a quiet and unassuming stillness. The Goddess's olive-skinned complexion shines with the dusky radiance of youth, and yet the ancient burden of duty weighs heavily upon Her shoulders, carried with a silent and practised grace. Lost to contemplation, She appraises Her surroundings with a distant air; the grey-tinged gaze of Her celadon blue eyes remains as fathomless and inscrutable as the hazy mists of a waterfall. Despite the seriousness of Her first impressions, however, a gentle smile graces Her lips with an almost maternal tenderness. Her every movement is characterised of an unhurried elegance and poise, reflective of an inner peace as She emanates a soothing white light.
Shimmering tresses of palest starlight spill down Her shoulders in a curtain of white to end at Her waist, nary a strand out of place. Motes of silver and celadon blue interweave through Her immaculate coif, their whispers of colour evoking a breathtaking celestial radiance.
She is wearing:
immaculate vestments of purest white starlight that wreathe Her in a celestial glow
a cascading veil of mist and water lilies that shrouds Her and trails at Her feet
elevated sandals of woven willow leaves that leave lambent motes with each step
a gold damask cope clasped with a radiant star lotus that covers Her shoulders in a heavy mantle
a bracelet of woven water and starlight shimmering upon Her wrist.

Considering you with a calm, steady gaze, Lantra meets your eyes as if studying them, Her expression clear of malice and reflecting merely curiosity.

You have emoted: Cheliyi straightens, staring back at Lantra with silent fidgeting. However, she does not break the eye contact.

You think to yourself: ... pretty eyes.

A rush of summer warmth passes through you as you smell grass and flowers and glimpse the limitless blue of a perfectly blue, sunlit sky.

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

Her voice quiet, yet firm, Lantra, the Empyreal says, "There is another to whom I have promised My healing, and I do not make oaths lightly. It is a matter of which I am certain you are already made aware."

You think to yourself: **even as you feel scrutinized, you can only wonder what things are that same shade... hrm. maybe forget me nots? bluebells?**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi swallows thickly, and nods.

A faint smile upon Her lips, Lantra, the Empyreal says, "For it concerns another I believe you care for deeply."

You think to yourself: **a flash of images across a still pond, a tall, orange kephera hugging a massive tae'dae, both of them are laughing so joyously...**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi nods again.
Softly, you say, "Is... um. Okay if You are busy, with the other things. Know they are very important."

The world tilts as you sense Zagreus challenge the Domotheos of War.

Your frills twitch as you detect an errant sound.

As the Goddess listens, Lantra shakes Her head. "This is not a refusal," She states simply. "It is merely a delay. For when I have completed this, I shall seek you. And if you have yet to find the healing you yearn for, I shall see what I can yet accomplish."

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks, at first with confusion, then with clear surprise. Tears gather at the corners of her eyes, flicked away by her lashes. "Ah... um. Oh. Okay! That's..." she mumbles, at a loss for words. Eventually, she settles on, "... goodly."

With a graceful movement forward, Lantra reaches a hand forward as if to touch your cheek, then pauses a moment prior, looking to you for permission.

You think to yourself: **a surge of hope welling in your chest like a flood, choking out your words, oh, okay.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi nods slightly, still looking rather shaken.

As the tears are wiped away, a soothing calm like you have never known floods through you from the gentle touch of the Goddess's fingertips. All tension within you fades as this brief moment passes, leaving you feeling as renewed as a newborn spirit.

Dripping water echoes enchantingly in the distance.

You have emoted: Cheliyi exhales softly, eyes wide as her tense shoulders lower into a relaxed state. The mugwump lets out a disbelieving laugh, and inhales so sharply it might be a hiccup. "M-many thanks, yes."

You think to yourself: **still reeling, a possible yes, you might be able to not hurt, all the time, it sounds wonderful, how are you even supposed to repay this sort of thing, you didn't expect it at all, not at all**.

With the faintest smile visible behind Her veil, Lantra merely nods. "Though I ask for patience," the Goddess says, "do not mistake this for inaction. Should you find another who can perform this healing for you, I encourage you to accept it. There is no honor in suffering for the sake of suffering, after all."

You nod your head emphatically.
Stuttering slightly, you say, "Of- of course, y-yes."

Gently, Lantra, the Empyreal says, "Is there anything else you wish to ask of Me, child of the Light?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks slowly, opens her mouth, and closes it. "I... not that I can think of, no. Have already answered a lot, yes. Thank You, really."

You hear a gentle splash as the two koi fish within the gazing pool circle one another, motes of light flickering across their black and white scales.

Lantra, the Empyreal smiles and says, "Then I shall let you return to your loved ones once more."

A quiet breeze sweeps through the vicinity as Lantra, the Empyreal dissolves in a luminous swirl of white lotus petals, leaving only twinkling motes of starlight in Her wake.

Lantra, the Empyreal has bestowed Her divine truefavour upon you. It will last for 1 month.

You have emoted: Cheliyi stands there, silently staring in disbelief at the pool, and then her hands. She lets out another quiet, giddy laugh, and scrubs at her eyes before bowing to the master shrine of Lantra. "Many thanks, Lady Lantra. Hope You have a nicely month!" Shuffling out of the Fulcrux with a bright grin, she dips her hands into the mists.

You part a sparkling veil of white mist, leaving your surroundings in a bright shimmer of water and light.