The Rewoven's Confidant

With bored affectation, Khasur Stormcrow inspects her nails idly.

You blink.
You blink.
You bow respectfully to Khasur Stormcrow.
Fretting, you say, "Apologies yes, I was busy speaking to the guards."

Not bothering to look up from her nails, Khasur Stormcrow says, "So you were."

You think to yourself: **deep embarrassment, your siblings rustling with teasing amusement**.

Khasur Stormcrow looks up briefly and meets your gaze. "So? Are you not dying to know?"

Her mouth opening, then closing, you say, "Y.. yes. Is... is he doing well?"

Through a suddenly twisting smile, Khasur Stormcrow says, "He lives."

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks, slowly. "That is... good. Is he... awake?"

Silent, unblinking eyes watch you from within the hanging spiderwebs.

The ravenwood saplings bend and sway, as if listening intently to Khasur. "How else will he be punished if he sleeps?"

You think to yourself: **the familiar fear he brings mixing with this new, uncomfortable one, you hate dracnari, but he makes people happy, you don't want them to be -sad-**.
A light wind whips the cloying scent of roses and congealed blood into your senses, reminding you fondly of home.

Khasur Stormcrow slowly unfolds her arms and then clasps her hands lightly in front of her. "The Lady's new pet lit the forest on fire after offending the Chosen One's daughter -- a member of the Nightshade House." Tilting her head again, she continues. "Do you disagree that he should be punished for this crime against the Glomdoring Forest?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi's frills twitch, her expression pinching. Her eyes flick to the nearby saplings, and mugwump sighing softly and returning her gaze. "I... I do not disagree, no. But..." the mugwump winces, her frills twitching and flaring as if receiving an onslaught of noise, "there... there is more than one way to punish, I think."

Smiling as she glances upward at the trees, Khasur Stormcrow returns to her nails.

You think to yourself: **Punish, punish punish, your siblings whisper harshly, indignant that you do not agree**.

Lifting a brow, her focus still on grooming, Khasur Stormcrow says, "Oh? Then you tell me! How shall the Mistress of the Wyrd convey Her displeasure for the Rewoven?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi shrinks in on herself, her frills wilting. "I would not want to assume. Or tell Her how to be, because I could never understand or know. I do not mean offense, but see that I have caused it."
Quietly, you say, "It just makes me feel sad, is all."

Khasur Stormcrow looks up at this and then begins to speak. She pauses, then laughs to herself. "Do you know where you stand, child? What is the title of this forest?"

You think to yourself: **why do you feel sad? He burned your siblings, he must suffer, eat and consume, make him -fear-**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi says nothing, not meeting Khasur Stormcrow's gaze.

You think to yourself: **a deep, guilty ache.**.

The clattering limbs of the Glomdoring Forest flair to life again, this time tapping out the words, "F'ai Glomdoring!" before falling silent.

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.

Quietly, you whisper, "F'ai Glomdoring."

The heavens alight with a rich purple glow as dusk begins to settle in, preparing the First World for the coming night.

Khasur Stormcrow says, "Which means?"

Quieter, you say, "I have no mercy."

Tapping her nose, Khasur Stormcrow says, "Very good. And for one last question --."
Khasur Stormcrow says, "Nothing matters but...?"

Faintly, you say, "Glomdoring."

Inclining her head, Khasur Stormcrow says, "Glory be to Glomdoring."

You think to yourself: **word that once brought you comfort, somehow... wrong. Why are you like this? Failure.**.

Fidgeting with her blanket, you say, "Glory be to Glomdoring."

Tilting her head as if listening to something unseen, Khasur Stormcrow says, "It is time, my Mistress. The Rewoven's confidant has released the dracnari."

You blink.
You think to yourself: Confi...dant?

Khasur Stormcrow steps backward, careful not to trip over roots as she moves, lithe as a crow on a branch.
Khasur Stormcrow snaps her fingers and then whispers soothingly to the trees.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's frills twitch, and she stares up at the Master Ravenwood Tree incredulously.
You think to yourself: Was ... was I the confidant? But he never spoke back... so who..?

Khasur Stormcrow taps her nose again and whispers, "Your mind is so busy. Yes -- I referred to you as Akuuko's confidant. His friend, in other words. You're the only one who called after him when I took him away. Now hush and pay attention."

You blink.
You blush furiously.

Khasur Stormcrow snaps her fingers again and gestures vaguely to the Master Ravenwood.

You have emoted: Cheliyi nods mutely, and watches.

The roots of the Master Ravenwood wriggle to life, moving this way and that before opening a hollow within its trunk. Brimming with shadow fire, the hollow grows wider and wider, until it reveals a figure standing there, its arms held lightly at its side. As the hollow closes around itself, the figure steps forward -- Akuuko, the Rewoven, a smile etched across his face.

Khasur Stormcrow nods simply and then leans lazily against the Master Ravenwood, her arms folded again.

Akuuko, the Rewoven rubs the back of his head and looks around, a little dazed. "Where the..."

Akuuko, the Rewoven spins around once, twice, and then locks eyes with Khasur Stormcrow. He yelps a little and shrinks away, until he bumps into you. He mumbles, "Ooops, sorry, sorry" before his eyes light up with recognition.

You have emoted: Cheliyi watches blankly, fidgeting. Eventually she says, "Um... you were..." She flinches at the contact, before giving a hesitant smile.

Beaming, Akuuko, the Rewoven says, "Hello! What are you up to? What are we doing here?"

You think to yourself: **purple and red, it burns and the scales gleam oh gods oh gods-** No, no. Focus.
You have emoted: Cheliyi swallows thickly, and smiles faintly. "I was just talking to the guards. How are you..." her voice trails of abruptly, before she inhales and exhales. "How are you feeling?"

Akuuko, the Rewoven ambles over to the other side of the Master Ravenwood and starts picking at a low-hanging leaf.
Akuuko, the Rewoven blushes faintly, the scales on his face flushing with orange. "Well, you know, a little embarrassed, is all..."
Curiosity in his voice, Akuuko, the Rewoven presses on, "How are you? You seem weird. What's wrong?"

Offering a weak smile, you say, "I would assume so. I um... it isn't your fault, no. Dracnari are.... especially with purple scales..." She gestures vaguely, and pulls off her spectacles. "It... it doesn't matter. But you are feeling alright? You were inside the Master Ravenwood for a few months, yes."
You remove a pair of thin spectacles.

You think to yourself: **your vision blurring to vague blobs and colours, much more manageable, breathe**.

You glance askance at Khasur Stormcrow.

You think to yourself: ... Is he... what was the punishment? Sleep? Why does he not...

Khasur Stormcrow smirks and then steps backward into the shadows, which envelop her completely. You hear the rustling of leaves fading into the distance as she leaves.

Nodding, Akuuko, the Rewoven says, "That crow lady is awfully scary, but I think that's just how she is. She was a crow once, did you know that? Like a real one."

Akuuko, the Rewoven mimics a bird flying with his hands and then continues, "So anyway, she's the Thorn Lady's uh -- " he pauses for a moment, and then as if suddenly remembering a word, says, "Herald! That's it! So anyway, when she comes, you know it's bad. An omen, or sommat."
Akuuko, the Rewoven babbles on. "The thing she said, is that what you mean? When I got sad?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi opens her mouth, and then closes it. "When you got... sad. Yes."

You think to yourself: **the fear slowly fading, replaced by a faint, unfamiliar fondness... hm.**.
You think to yourself: Maybe this is why Dad and Mixter Aschwar like him so much.

Akuuko, the Rewoven laughs and nods. "Khasur's spooky for sure, but the punishment is...well." He frowns and rubs his bicep. "The punishment for me that Khasur said the Summer Bloom said is that if I misbehave or cause the Glomdoring harm, then I have to leave it." He frowns and looks down. "I like it here. I don't wanna leave. The Wyrd made me whole again, look!"

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances down with a dull gaze on instinct, and she smiles faintly. "That... makes sense, yes. By the way, do you want pants? You've been... well, the shadows have been very nice to you, yes."

Akuuko, the Rewoven stomps down on his leg and beams. "It took my scar away and gave me my leg back. Alls I gotta do to keep it is not break stuff, and I got a little carried away, and I made the Nightwa--" he catches himself and coughs through the rest of the name. "Nightshade. Nightshade. Nightshade. Not waffles. Anyway," he takes a breath. "Anyway, Filib is just too handsome and I can't help it, he makes me a little nuts, so I lit the forest on fire ACCIDENTALLY," he yells the last word, as if telling the trees themselves.

You have emoted: Cheliyi winces, only to giggle quietly.

Akuuko, the Rewoven giggles a little, too. Finally, as if suddenly remembering something, he says, "The other punishment is that the Lady will show me, uh --" he peers into the shadows and then lowers his voice. "Regev." His eyes grow wide, as if he's afraid of something, and then he whispers lower, "have you heard of her?"

Crouching down, to make his voice even lower, Akuuko, the Rewoven says, "The spiders themselves are afraid of her. She apparently lives deep, deep, deep, deep, deep inside the Summer Song's temple. Ask around, someone'll know." He straightens up and says, with his normal volume, "So anyway, those are the two punishments. Kick me out or send me to --" he gets suddenly quiet again, "Regev."

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks, though her gaze does not follow Akuuko, the Rewoven's. Her faint smile fades, and with great hesitation, she places her webbed hand on Akuuko, the Rewoven's forearm. Quietly, looking up to the dracnari with an imploring but distant gaze, she asks, "Are you okay?"

Akuuko, the Rewoven boggles at you.

You think to yourself: **a guilty ache... should he even be here? Should a home hurt this much?**.

Even fainter, you say, "And... would you like a hug? Those always make me feel a bit better."

Akuuko, the Rewoven replies, with his own telepathy, " **what are you on about? everywhere has consequences. The Wyrd fixed me and only told me not to hurt it.** ".

You blink.
You blink.
You stare blankly at Akuuko, the Rewoven.

You think to yourself: **sudden, deep embarrassment, he could -hear- you this whole time**.

Pulling away, you say, "I... I see. Apologies."

Akuuko, the Rewoven taps his forehead. " **surprise that Gurashi hasn't taught you about the way they used to interact** ".

You glance askance.

You think to yourself: **Dad hasn't told you much, you just know that Mister Dad can hear thinks, and that Akuuko is Dad's friend, and Mixter Aschwar's friend.**.

Akuuko, the Rewoven steps backward from you. "I'm a little worried about you, Miss Cheliyi. Are you ok? I told you a fun secret about the Summer Song, and you are afraid for me?" He pauses for a heartbeat and then asks, "Are YOU happy here? Like --" he gestures broadly and continues, "Surely you must know that things are freaky, 'cause...I wasn't born here and even I know that. You were."

You blanch suddenly.

Akuuko, the Rewoven shakes his head. "Please forget I said anything about --" he lowers his voice again and whispers, "Regev" before continuing. "You should be excited to hear a freaky thing I wasn't supposed to talk about, but you aren't, and you know, that's weird." He frowns then and says, "I think I should talk to your dad."

Akuuko, the Rewoven nods and then walks off, mumbling to himself about the color orange.

Faintly, you say, "I... when I was little I never talked to peoples. I um... did not grow up in the commune. So learning about Wyrden Culture is new for me-"
You blink.
You have emoted: Cheliyi watches Akuuko leave, looking faintly sick to herself.

You think to yourself: **none of it makes -sense-**.
You think to yourself: **you're a bad Wyrden.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi sits, putting her head in her hands.

You think to yourself: **why did you even enter the Portal?**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi curls inwards, exhaling with a soft hiss.

You think to yourself: **you... you were -fine- with this, why does it bother you now? you were fine without mercy, fine when nothing else mattered, why do you feel so-**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi abruptly stands, touching a glowing emerald leaf.

You touch a glowing emerald leaf, and leafy creepers push up through the ground and climb up your legs. As the leaves turn brown and blow away, you are suddenly whisked away.

---> zoom to Gurashi's manse

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

You have emoted: Cheliyi falls into a bed of loose cushions, curling into a ball. The scent of baked goods wafts in from the kitchen, and Cheliyi just sighs, and pushes her hands into her face.

You think to yourself: Are YOU happy here?

You have emoted: Cheliyi holds her breath, shoulders tensing with frustration.

You think to yourself: You don't know.
You think to yourself: -I- don't know.

You have emoted: Cheliyi finally exhales, rubbing her eyes with the base of her scarred palms.