Vluldaerui thinks to himself: Of course a Lantran would notice the animal.

Before a secluded mountain spring.
Superimposed over this location, an ethereal forest reaches up to the sky. Immaculate white marble glistens with a faint sparkle of mist as the narrow path opens up to reveal a shallow mountain spring, filled with the gentle sound of trickling water. Marbled shades of celadon blue dance across the smooth surface of the polished stone, resembling the way starlight dapples across the open sea as it emanates with a constant thrum of cool, luminous energy. A soothing breeze whispers throughout the hollow cavern, resounding within the alabaster walls with a lingering, watery echo. Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here.
You see exits leading north, east, and west.

You glance askance at a sparkling veil of white mist.

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

A small, fog-filled alcove.
The narrow path from the centre of the cavern opens up into a small, claustrophobic cavern. Fog hangs heavy here, flowing away from the far southeast like a waterfall's sigh and misting the skin in a gentle caress. A permanent fixture, the pleasant smell of petrichor rises from the stone and grows stronger, to the point of being cloying, as the distant corners of this cavern are approached. Set into the southeast corner, an archway emerges from the stone as though being excavated. Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie perches here with a mischievous glint in his eye.
You see exits leading west, northwest, and through a half-buried archway.

Swirling magic energies seethe across the cavern floor.

You have emoted: Cheliyi stares at a half-buried archway with apprehension, letting her fingers glance along a glass ampoule of bottled starlight.

---> Listen ampoule
Rippling across celestial waves of water and light, the clear voice of the Goddess Lantra resonates about you, "My Enduring, I would speak with you when next you are present."

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

You think to yourself: **a quiet surety that follows Her voice, divine above this is stupid, but it should be... okay. just be polite.**.

Steeling yourself, you pass through the fog and into the darkness underneath the archway. No sooner have you been engulfed in the same lightless void than are you assaulted by pain lancing through every fibre of your being. Each step weighs a thousand pounds, each breath forced through a pinpoint covering as you laboriously continue to step forward; some self-preservation instinct in you refusing to still within this plane of torment. Black blood weeps from your pores, staining you as you are subjected to memories of unbelievable torture, cut open a thousand times and more before the cold sweat on your brow is chilled by a strong wind. Opening eyes you did not realise you had closed, you find yourself standing on a white marble walkway on a vast dark ocean that tumbles away in a grand waterfall.

The Fulcrux of Malmydia.
A comforting feeling of privacy pervades the area. A dark grey sky looms overhead, thick with blackened clouds pregnant with the tell-tale tension of a storm waiting to break. Stretching out into the far distance, an ocean of dark water surges ever forward - racing towards a nearby precipice before thundering off in a deafening roar and shooting mist and fog skywards. The only place safe from the current is an orderly pathway of white stone that emerges from an enormous red archway which sprouts from the water and winds its way to a large, circular platform. Perfectly circular, the wide marble holds a raised dais, upon which the noise of the falls is muffled and not even a drop of water dares to fall. Looming out well beyond the point where the water falls, the edge of the dais offers no succor to the tension of the storm, and gives view to a sea of fog and mist that extends beyond visibility and blankets whatever may hide beneath from sight. Nothing but dark ocean can be seen through the twin spires of an enormous red archway, its terraced roof trailing small strips of silk that flutter restlessly. Sprouting from the middle of the dais, jagged bones pierce upwards in an attempt to meet a floating sphere of dark, churning blood. Its surface floating well above the walkway, a ghodak board hovers in place here.
You see a single exit leading through an enormous red arch.


You shudder violently as a chill ripples down your spine.

You think to yourself: **resist the urge to scrub your skin clean, politeness, politeness**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi wipes the sweat from her brow and approaches the Fulcrux center. She looks out to the sea, before looking up at the shrine again.

You think to yourself: Impatience isn't exactly a virtue, no. But it is best to get as much information as I can, right? It would not be a complete book otherwise.

You glance askance at a ghodak board of black marble, jade, and gold.

Quietly, you say, "Oh, so that's how Miss Arae played ghodaks..."

You have emoted: Cheliyi looks up to the shine again, and politely clasps her hands in front of her as she gathers her words.

---> look shrine

Spires of bone emerge seamlessly from the marble here, spurred with jagged barbs that gleam with dark carmine beads at their tips. Stains of dried brown and shadowed crimson streak up in layers upon layers of colour, winding ever higher in veinlike patterns along the osseous spires. At the very peak, droplets can be seen floating upwards, joining in with a roiling mass of blood that hangs in a perfect sphere, only occasionally disrupted by a surge of movement within before settling once more. The space surrounding the shrine is saturated with an uncontained sense of malice and disdain, hanging heavier than the fog in the dais beyond and more crushing than the force of the water which falls far, far below.

The sheer malice which saturates the air around the master shrine extends momentarily, and you are engulfed in a wave of suffering and panic before it mercifully withdraws: its visceral memory carved into your brain, slow to fade.

Completely out of place against the white marble and the ossuary shrine, you notice a rat with sleek fur whisker its way from behind the master shrine of Malmydia, turning beady black eyes on you curiously.

You have emoted: Cheliyi winces at the sudden wave of pain and panic, before visibly relaxing as she takes a deep breath with closed eyes. She opens them, only to glance down at the rat with a bit of surprise.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah, uh. Sorry to intrude, yes? Was just going to say some words and be on my way."

You think to yourself: **You are a lotus on the pond, you float over the ripples, the emotions wash past... breathing, breathing**.

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Seemingly content to ignore you, the rat darts at you before vanishing between your legs and skittering off behind you.

Parting her legs further so that the rat does not accidentally hit her ankles, you say, "Eh?!"

Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.

Awkwardly, you say, "Sorry, sorry."

You think to yourself: They look healthier than the ones in Glomdoring, at least.

The sound of scampering continues, though, as the claws and paws leave marble and can be heard clambering up silk and chiffon.

You blink.

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances back at the archway, abandoning her quiet contemplation for utter curiosity as she tries to locate the rat in its determined and apparent climb of nearby silks.

It is only as you turn that you see a young mugwump boy, leaning quietly against the frame of the large archway behind you. Vluldaerui does not even seem to fully notice you, a finger upraised to the snout of the rat which is happily seated on his shoulder.

You blink.

---> Look Vluldaerui

A fine physical specimen, burgeoning muscle lines the form of this mugwump, though he has yet to fully grow into his lanky frame. Coloured a brilliant orange akin to sunset through smog, his visible flesh carries a faint sheen of moisture to it and also bears natural splashes of electric blue that primarily wind along his limbs. Standing proud despite his five feet and two inches of height, he fidgets near ceaselessly by moving his hands; twirling a long, sharp needle between his fingers like a conductor's baton. His visible eye bulges out noticeably from his head, the blackened sclera as bright and vivid as a pool of spilled ink: dots of milky white scattered throughout like stars in the night sky - the only indication of his gaze moving due to a lack of visible pupil therein. Thin, wide lips seem permanently turned into a handsome grin, accentuating his natural, delicate features. The left half of his face is covered in an ivory white mask that splits his head down the middle, a glittering black koi pressed upon its surface and swimming in gentle circles that displace a gentle, green fog which hangs around his head. Nearly translucent, wiry membranes sprout from the crown of his head and are slicked back, the tendril-like growths braided into a simple plait before falling to dangle in a wavy curtain at chin level. Visible callouses can be seen among the contours of his hands and feet, an obvious sign of dedication to the martial arts.
Vluldaerui has an air of extreme strength.
You could EYE (VLUL)DAERUI CLOTHES to take a look at his outfit, or EYE (VLUL)DAERUI <clothing> to take a closer look at a particular piece.

In the darkness of the evening, the fog which ever dances in your surroundings billows like the strange, sinuous dance of some grand serpentine monster: the lack of starlight above only worsening the picture which develops in your mind's eye.

You have emoted: Cheliyi brings her hands to rest on her chest, clasped together. Her tail sweeps barely above the marble as she finally fully turn to face the other mugwump in the room. "Ah... hello? If you are meaning to need the shrine to yourself, I can get out of your way," she offers, glancing up at the starless sky with a slight frown.

He is wearing:
With only the right side tucked in to his trousers, a rakish shirt of patrician silk clings tight to his body and outlines his musculature in fine, indigo silk.
Needles hang on thin chain, slung through the loops of light trousers in pale chiffon that accentuate every curve of muscle on his lower body.

---> look me

Small and cheery, she is a glistening mugwump tidal demigoddess of axolotl descent with pearly skin and six mauve-tinted frills. Her stature is not unnatural for a mugwump, barely above 4'3" and sturdily built. A bob of magenta hair flows from her scalp, adorned with shiny knickknacks, small origami, and albino feathers. Carefully woven, a single braid hangs from her disheveled bangs, affectionately clipped with a small, sapphire bead. Affixed to one frill is a tiny set of bone chimes, so small that it almost seems like an earring. Her skin has a soft, oily sheen akin to most mugwumps, but strangely enough, the skin becomes abruptly dry and brittle in some places. Most notable are her forearms and eyes, her pale complexion discolored to an uncomfortable gritty beige. Glittering mists soothe the damaged areas, ebbing and flowing in a constant tide across her skin. Frozen fog clings to her eyelashes like gems, shimmering and shifting with each blink. Clouded, milky grey eyes gleam at a certain angles, her gaze glowing with a vibrant inner light. Her warm grin reveals normal teeth with suspiciously wooden canines, while tree bark clings to the soles of her webbed feet. A long, thick tail lined with a frilled fin twitches occasionally behind her, stirring up dust and litter with each sweep. The pale frills that would usually extend from her tail tip are torn and scarred, the wounds long since healed.

She is wearing:
a pair of thin spectacles tinted a smoky black to reduce incoming light
a sparkling pink conch earring through her left ear - like frill
a dangling earring of willow leaves through her right ear - like frill
a water lily stud through her right ear tuft
a leaf-green woollen blanket pinned over a dark moss-green linen shirt like a shawl
a gentle water lily brooch proudly securing a leaf-green woollen blanket in place
a dark moss-green linen shirt tucked into her skirt, the sleeves rolled just above her forearms
the Mantle of Starlight hung about her waise like a starry skirt
Immaculate Prayer Beads of the Empyreal Goddess wrapped reverently around her bandaged right hand
a frost-touched white rose wedding ring
a glass ampoule of bottled starlight hanging securely from her waist
a hat of sensational blooming stuck firmly on her head

You think to yourself: ... taller than me.

You think to yourself: Though, that's not -that- strange.

Vluldaerui slowly stretches up, raising his arms overhead and exposing his midriff as he leans first to the left, then to the right, the rat mimicking his movements in an adorable fashion. When he speaks, though, the soft baritone is entirely without emotion, cold and unfeeling as his pupilless eye seems to swivel - whether looking down at you or towards the shrine beyond your best guess. "I am here to observe and, if necessary, handle you."

Vluldaerui finishes his stretch, rolling his shoulders as he leans his weight against one leg and stares forward in your direction. "You may continue as you were." While one hand rests on the hip his weight does, the other falls to the belt of needles and withdraws one, beginning to spin it between his fingers so that it catches the light and sends glittering reflections dancing across the nearby water.

You have emoted: Cheliyi watches Vluldaerui with a bit of apprehension, though she keeps her posture relaxed. "I... I see. I do not intend to be handleds, no. Just... asking a prayer, yes." Her tail flicks back and forth in a slow rhythm, her frills flared and attentive as she watches the rat copy its friend. "Your friend has very sleek fur. Is good to be healthy, yes."

Pale gold in hue, the wreath about your brow shimmers in a steady pattern, like unto a heartbeat in its gentle pulsation, crowning you in a flickering halo before settling still once more.

You think to yourself: **with a bit of weariness, you know a threat when you see one.**.

Vluldaerui thinks to himself: Of course a Lantran would notice the animal.

Your frills twitch as you detect an errant sound.

You raise an eyebrow questioningly.

You shake your head.

His soft baritone free of emotion or inflection, Vluldaerui says, "She will not answer you."

You think to yourself: Well, it is not exactly like I am ashamed of my Lady. Makes sense I would be ignored.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Mm, I will still ask, though. Better to try than to sit at home and wonder."

A bank of fog rolls in from beyond the precipice, its chill kiss an icy caress to your skin as the freshly wet flesh is immediately met by the stormy winds which blow about you.

You have emoted: Cheliyi does not exactly turn her back to Vluldaerui, turning halfway to glance between the master shrine and him with a pensive hum.

Demurely, you say, "Excuses me for a moment, then."

Kneeling humbly, you press your palms together before you and close your eyes momentarily as you pray devoutly to Malmydia, the Mother of Plagues, "Dear Lady Malmydia, hi hello. I hope the years and months have been finding You well, yes. I am Cheliyi, and I am a mugwump. I am... also a Celestian, so Iyam understanding if You would not want to respond, yesly. But wanted to ask, about my progenitor, Lady Mugowumpois. She has many mentions, in the histories I have read, but they are so limited... wanted to write a fuller story of Her, and I have heard that You and Her were creche-mates, so if you have anything of Her you want to be known to many mortals, I would very much like to write it down and record it. I have talked to many people, and know that we shards are very far from Her now, but there is something comforting in finding what is similar to you and your.... almost Creator? So it would be good to spread the knowledge, I would think. If that pleases You. Thank You for Your time, and I hope You have a goodly month full of, ah... research and medicines? Yes.".

You clear your throat.

Vluldaerui looks at you blankly, the koi on his mask swimming in and out of view. He does not move to approach or offend you, simply watches, his gaze as empty as his expressionless face.

You offer up The Sacred Pyres' Opalescent Brazier of Lofty Supremacy to Malmydia, the Mother of Plagues.

You have emoted: Cheliyi gently dusts off her skirts, and glances back at Vluldaerui.

Hesitantly, you say, "May I ask you a questions as wells?"

Vluldaerui blinks, a translucent membrane sliding over his exposed eye in a vertical fashion before peeling back once more. "The Edict of the Mask binds me to answer. You may."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I see."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Do you know of any stories of Lady Mugowumpois? I... do not know if you were listening to the prayer, but it is true that I am writing a book of Her. And are you willing to share thems?"

After a pause, you say, "That was two questions, admittedlies."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "... and if you want, you can ask me questions back? I feel bad that this is just a divine law of you to follows. Should be a fair trade."

You think to yourself: **You could have sworn... that kois were a symbol of -your- Lady.**.

Vluldaerui considers your question for a moment, and then answers, "No, it is rude to listen to another's prayers. My grandmother would flay me alive. I do know stories of my Progenitor, yes, though they are admittedly secondhand. They are tales of Her from before the Silence." He pauses for a moment and says, "Maybe. But not here, and there are few places where I am allowed beyond the fulcrux and the City of Transformation. And I may. Do you think it wise to enter the Chiurgeon's fulcrux bearing visible, physical marks of the Empyreal? You are aware that They have...history, aren't you?"

The rumbling of the waterfall grows stronger for a moment as you stand here, buffeted on all sides by the sounds escaping the precipice which extends as far as the eye can see.

A halo of celestial light wells about you, the shells upon a shimmering wreath of seashells reflecting it outwards, painting your surroundings in a spray of oceanic hues.

Awkwardly, you say, "I know."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "But I would be a liar to remove my symbols of Devotion to Her, I think. And I do not care for lying."

Tilting his head, though curiosity does not discolour his blank voice, Vluldaerui says, "How is prudence a lie?"

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I come as I am, as honestly as I can. To hide parts of yourself, for others benefit? It is not who you truly are, no. Sure, it is not the smartests for say, politics. But these false images of yourselfs, they will be washed away eventually. Best to temper expectation, and be as you are."

With a hint of dry amusement, you say, "And I doubt I could hide my links to my Lady if I tried."

Vluldaerui shakes his head, once, and corrects, "For your benefit. Not my Mother's."

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.

You have emoted: Cheliyi considers the correction, and glances again at the master shrine of Malmydia.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I do not usually ah, uh. Consider things for my own benefit?"

Simply, you say, "It does not feel right to be without them, my artifacts."


Vluldaerui throws his needle up in the air and catches it, holding it as one might a dagger as he then looks at you. "You are mortal, stranger, and a devoted of the Empyreal, yet you are still a person. You still carry our Progentior's spirit. To disregard your own benefit is foolish, and sad."

Plainly, Vluldaerui says, "To disregard your own safety, moreso."

You blink.

Slowly, you say, "I had not thought of it that way."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I ah, did not understand the concept of death for a very long time, no. So... I apologizes for the misunderstanding."

You glance askance.

His voice free of emotion, Vluldaerui says, "That is because you are not taught propriety, or at all, if grandmother is to be believed. You will forgive my candor, I am not as good of a people person as my brother."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "No no, do not apologize. The candors, it is honest and refreshing."

With a grimace, you say, "I ah, do not like when peoples do not speak plainly."

Correcting, Vluldaerui says, "Candidness. Candors is not a word."

Sheepishly, you say, "Candidness."

Plainly, Vluldaerui says, "It is good that I came, grandmother would have thrown you in the ocean."

Raising her hands up, you say, "In my defense, I was quite literally raised by trees. So, ah, uh. No propietry... propir.. agh. The manners, I am still learning."

With another curious tilt of the head defied by emotion in his voice, Vluldaerui says, "Why do you offer a defence? Do you believe me insulting you, rather than speaking the truth?"

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "No, no. It is the turn of phrase I have learned. I am offering my reason as to why I am not meeting the standards."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "But yes, goodly that you came instead I suppose."

Vluldaerui's eye narrows, but not in negativity; instead in confusion. "What point is there to explain the reason, rather than address the issue? It does not matter to a stranger if you were raised by tree, hound, or mugwump. What is evident is your lack of knowledge. Insight need only be offered when requested." He does nod, though, as you echo his point, and turns his head to the side. "Sen. Come. She confuses me."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah, before you go. Back to our main subject? I can... meet you in a locations. Maybe my manse? It is unlinked to all, so you should hypotheticallies be allowed to come... Could, ah... send you a letter to meet at a later time?"

You think to yourself: Their name is Sen? That is a good name.

You think to yourself: ... am I allowed to think of the rat as cute? Is that rude?

The sound of footsteps echo behind you as another mugwump steps past you, the exact same height as Vluldaerui, yet remarkably different. There was no notice of his arrival beyond the sudden appearance of footsteps, and fog still trails off of Vlulsenoo as he moves to his twin's side, turning to look at you with the same, carefully blank expression.

You blink

You stare blankly at Vlulsenoo.

---> look Vlulsenoo

Barely visible along his slender, lanky limbs, this mugwump carries a small amount of muscle on his body in a fine display of artistic excellence. Like the far waves of the Inner Sea, his visible flesh is a brilliant electric blue that carries a faint sheen of moisture and is interspersed with jagged lines of orange that stretch primarily along the length of his limbs. Standing tall and proud at five feet and two inches of height, he lingers as still as a statue - only bothering to move when it is necessary. Bulging noticeably from his head, his visible eye is a brilliant black the colour of polished obsidian, splashes of white like shards of ivory the only indication of movement to his pupilless gaze. Thi, wide lips are faintly curved at their ends, seeming to be pressed permanently into a sultry smile that accentuates his natural, delicate features. The right half of his face is covered in a jet black mask that splits his head down the middle, a glittering white koi pressed upon its surface and swimming in gentle circles that displace a gentle, green fog which hangs around his head. Nearly translucent, wiry membranes sprout from the crown of his head before falling down in a wavy tumble to the middle of his abdomen, curling upward ever-so-slightly at their ends.
Vlulsenoo has an air of extreme strength.
You could EYE (VLUL)SENOO CLOTHES to take a look at his outfit, or EYE (VLUL)SENOO <clothing> to take a closer look at a particular piece.

Awkwardly, you say, "Greetings."

His gentle tenor free of emotion, Vlulsenoo says, "Oh. She is a mugwump as well. That would explain why she is still here."

Vluldaerui nods at his twin, leaning in and whispering something quietly under his breath which draws a quirk of Vlulsenoo's lips. Then, as he leans back, the two turn their faces to you and you see the familiar sight of circling koi dancing across their masks, white and black shifting in and out of sight as glittering green fog drifts around them. Simultaneously, they speak, saying, "We will not enter a Celestian's home."

You have emoted: Cheliyi clasps at the edges of a leaf-green woollen blanket, frowning slightly. "Mm. I see." She glances back to Vluldaerui, and says, perhaps quieter, "And uh, my name is Cheliyi. Since I did not introduce myself. Would there be a different location suited to both of our requirements, yesly?"

You think to yourself: **you had suspected as much...**.

Vlulsenoo and Vluldaerui speak in tandem, their voices harmonising despite their lack of emotion as they state, "You would have to ask grandmother. She is quite, traditionally, Magnagoran, however, so you will fail."

The twins eyes swivel once, then twice, and they say in unison, "Of course. You could always visit the Engine."

After a pause, you say, "I could."

You glance askance at the Mantle of Starlight.

The twins speak together, quietly stating, "Of course, we are not members of the Engine. We don't belong to any city beyond the Umbral Falls. It seems like such a hassle."

Rising to her full height, which isn't much, you say, "It is, sometimes. It does have benefits, at others."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Should I... send a letter at a later time? Or would you wish to head there now? I do not know your time constraints, no."

You think to yourself: **despite your unease, it is refreshing to speak so simply**.

You think to yourself: **and, you had been to the Engine, a long while ago.**.

The twins blink in turn, their masks every shifting as the koi continue their dance; almost as if to mock you. Yet despite their steady gaze, they say nothing for several long moments before they say, "We need a chaperone. The Warlord. She's done it before." At this, there is a small quirk of both of their lips, some mischievous grin jerking their mouths into attractive half-smiles as they stare down at you. "Next month. We have to go back to our lessons, soon."

You have emoted: Cheliyi cracks a slight smile back, the first hint of delight and mischief crossing her face throughout this whole conversation. "Many thanks. I will attempt to see you in the next month or sos."

You incline your head politely to Vluldaerui.

You incline your head politely to Vlulsenoo.

"A small tip?" They ask, stepping aside to allow you to step through them and depart through the archway.

You have emoted: Cheliyi politely steps through the provided gap, and turns back to listen patiently.


The twins point with dagger-like palms, one to your beads, and the other to the mantle. "It may be wise to stow these, out of respect and to ensure you do not offend. We wouldn't want what happened with Arae to happen again, would we?"

You stare blankly at Vlulsenoo.

In turn, the twins gesture to their masks, entirely emotionless. "You remove them, we'll remove these."

Baffled, you say, "How did... ah. Um." She regains her composure, and nods. "Of course. It is only fair."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Goodly Night to you both."

As one, the twins raise their left and right hand. Vlulsenoo swings his left overhead and Vluldaerui swings his right down low before each raises them with palms cupped to form half of a hollow sphere. Together, they reverently intone, "As below, so above."

Nodding, you murmur, "And as above, so below."

You incline your head politely to those around you.

You turn and begin walking along the path, and as you pass beneath the archway you find yourself alone in a vast field of darkness. Pain lances through every nerve in your body and you find yourself stumbling forward, beleaguered by phantasmal visions of black blood dripping from your pores as you are assaulted again, and again, and again whilst memories that do not belong to you flash through your mind of unspeakable torture. As suddenly as the agony began, it ends, and you find yourself in a cold sweat as you stand in a blissfully cool cave, your skin misted by thick fog as your stumbling steps lead you away from the nearby archway.

A small, fog-filled alcove.
The narrow path from the centre of the cavern opens up into a small, claustrophobic cavern. Fog hangs heavy here, flowing away from the far southeast like a waterfall's sigh and misting the skin in a gentle caress. A permanent fixture, the pleasant smell of petrichor rises from the stone and grows stronger, to the point of being cloying, as the distant corners of this cavern are approached. Set into the southeast corner, an archway emerges from the stone as though being excavated.
You see exits leading west, northwest, and through a half-buried archway.


You have emoted: Cheliyi lets out a shaky breath.

You snap your fingers and warm water showers down upon yourself, and you scrub under your armpits until you are squeaky clean.

The memory of one.

And the other..

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

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Gently, you murmur, "Lotus on the pond..."

You glance askance at a half-buried archway.

Remain impressed in your mind even after the waters cease falling around you and you scrub, futilely, at the horror you have experienced. There was something...different, about them, but you cannot place your finger on it.

You have emoted: Cheliyi frowns pensively.

You think to yourself: ... they almost seem like halves of each other.

You think to yourself: But that feels ridiculous. No one is truly half of the other... rights?

The Mantle of Starlight flows gently against your form, twinkling stars shifting across its surface as the starry infinity continues its eternal motion.

You think to yourself: ... halves of similar masks.

You shake your head.

Echoed by rippling waters, you murmur, "I wish my Lady was nearer, yes."