Quietly, you say, "Do you mind if I call you Mom?"

Passing a crystal statue.
Banks of clouds roil about here. A strong breeze whistles over the ground. A towering crystal figure stands guard at the side entrance of the octagonal shaped library. The statue depicts a venerable lucidian woman, standing resolute against an unseen enemy. One of this enigmatic woman's arms is depicted as a skeletal limb from the forearm down, a shadowy onyx orb clutched tightly within her bone fingers. Written at the base of the statue are the coordinates Ward 2 Precinct 3. A statue of Ismbard Brunl, Temporal Engineer stands here, memorializing his noble spirit. Calioliahali Skydrifter looms here, lingering with an unsettling aura of strict severity. She wields a severe steel arming sword in her left hand and a severe steel shortsword in her right hand.
You see exits leading north, west, northwest, and down.

You gasp in delight, reaching out to boop Calioliahali lightly on the nose with a finger.
You giggle happily.

Calioliahali's eyebrows lift at your arrival and the subsequent booping that she receives, cheeks flushing faintly. "Cheliyi."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Hello cali!"
You cough softly.
You have emoted: Cheliyi makes a face. "Maybe should stop calling you Cali. But what other names..."
You ponder Calioliahali thoughtfully, looking her up and down.

Calioliahali steps forward to close the gap between herself and you, bending somewhat so that her arms might slip around the mugwump entirely.

You have emoted: Cheliyi grins, hugging the trill tightly before turning around so that Calioliahali is hugging her from behind. She steeples her fingers in a thinking pose, pensive. "... birb? No..."

You think to yourself: **a sense of content, washing over you, what a good hug...**.

Calioliahali peeks down at you, black lips curving into a warm smile as her steel blue gaze wanders your face, tiny sparks dancing contentedly within her irises. "Ah... I have also been facing this dilemma, for I do not wish to make you uncomfortable, but ah... Cheliyi is a very pretty name, so it has thus far sufficed, even if it perhaps does not ah, fully encompass our relationship."
You blink.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's expression softens, the mugwump looking up to give Calioliahali a warm smile. "Ah, thanks. Calioliahali is -also- a really nice name, but, yeah... maybe..." She trails off, suddenly looking aside.

You think to yourself: **a wordless swell of memory and nostalgia choking your heart, "Lilypad," she called you, you miss her so much but you never even...**.
You think to yourself: **you can't remember her face.**.

Calioliahali's arms tug about your form just a little more securely as she continues to fondly watch you in silence for a time.

You have emoted: Cheliyi suddenly presses her lips together in a thin line, looking overwhelmed. Holding her breath for a short moment, she leans back into Calioliahali's chest. The motion seems to soothe her, as she finally lets out a soft exhale.
Softly, you say, "I... um. I... could I...?"

You think to yourself: Is it a betrayal to Mother? Not anymore than it is to Father, is it?
You think to yourself: I don't even... they'd want me to have someone more than just Ronin.

Quietly, you say, "Do you mind if I call you Mom?"

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

Calioliahali continues to hold you peacefully, happily, and then as you begin to speak, her feathered ears twitch and swivel, attempting to better listen. At your eventual question, the towering trill woman's face flushes in its entirety, flooded with deep rubescent hues, and her black lips begin to tremble. It takes several long seconds before she finally nods several times, squeezing you even more firmly than she had before.

You think to yourself: **relief. joy, as warm as the sun on a bright summer day, cast across the clouds**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi holds Calioliahali's arms, sinking further into the embrace with a soft sigh. "Okay, okay" she whispers, sounding at once relieved and on the verge of tears.

Calioliahali inhales far too deeply through her nose, and then lowers herself even more than she had already, so that her face is able to settle besides the mugwump's. A stray tear streaks down the trill's cheek and easily finds its way to your own. After a moment of just holding herself close to you, she finally whispers, "I love you, Cheliyi. Ah... my d-daughter?"

You think to yourself: **a swell of love, so potent you think your chest is going to burst**.

Calioliahali jerks slightly as the air fills with sparkling motes of bright light.
You sense Gurashi pulling on the strands of aether surrounding Calioliahali.
Bizirik slinks in from the ether, clicking and thrumming softly.

Gurashi's eyes light up as they smile.
Gurashi chitters at you with energetic clicks of their mandibles.
Gurashi chitters at Calioliahali with energetic clicks of their mandibles.
Chittering excitedly, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Ta-daaaaaaaa, hello you two!"
Gurashi snaps their fingers, releasing sparkling motes of coloured light.
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Faintly buzzing, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend whispers, "Happy new yeeeeeeear."
Gurashi tilts their head curiously.

Calioliahali is practically kneeling behind you, enfolding the mugwump within her embrace. Her eyes widen and gaze lifts upwards at Gurashi's arrival, and fresh tears flow from her now cloudy eyes. "G-Gurashi."

Gurashi blinks.
Gurashi glances at Calioliahali appraisingly, antennae twitching in her direction as they turns their attention to Calioliahali.
Faintly buzzing, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "...ah.... ah....?"
Gurashi chitters quietly, then shuffles closer to Calioliahali and you both, frowning. "Dearest, are you O-K?" They look between the pair, both left hands reaching out.

You have emoted: Cheliyi swallows thickly, blinking away tears as she looks up at Gurashi in surprise. She grins and nods furiously. "Mhm. Ah, uh. Mom is... um. My mom? Man, am gonna have to get used to that."

You think to yourself: **even just using the name brings a swell of joy to your chest, yes -mom-**.

(ooc): Gurashi says, ":O."
(ooc): Gurashi says, ">:O."
(ooc): Gurashi says, "<:O."
(ooc): Gurashi says, "*falls over*."

You think to yourself: Would Mother be happy? I think... I think so. **a sense of sureity.**.

(ooc): You say, "I am on the verge of tears in a library lol."
(ooc): Gurashi says, ";A;."
(ooc): Gurashi says, "NOT ME CRYING HELLO."

Calioliahali parts her black lips even as tears roll down past them, as though to respond to Gurashi, and then she stops to peek back down at you, and once more the flow of her tears strengthens, as does her embrace of you.

All at once, Gurashi looks utterly taken aback, shocked and joyful. Their beak uselessly opens and closes, mandibles clicking against their face as they swivel their attention towards Calioliahali, antennae standing straight up. "Oh...!"

Gurashi looks at you hopefully.

You have emoted: Cheliyi just beams, looking overjoyed in Calioliahali's embrace.

Gurashi carefully and creakingly crouches down beside the pair, mandibles furiously clicking against their face. They do not speak, their bulbous eyes wide and shiny as they reach out to rest their hands on you and Calioliahali both, chitinous hands moving separately of one another to hold cradle them both endearingly. "W-what a thing to w-wake up to! My gosh. What a beautiful surprise for the new year!"
Gurashi chitters at you with energetic clicks of their mandibles.
Gurashi's mandibles twitch as they voice a soft, curious chirr.

As she feels Gurashi add their self to the embrace, Calioliahali looks up at them, black lips trembling but indisputably curved into a smile. Her expansive roseate wings unfurl at her back and drape themselves around both mugwump and kephera, and then she returns her face to rest beside your own, doing her very best to regulate her breathing as she continues to cry.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's frills flick back and forth at a rapid pace, the mugwump smiling brightly even as her face grows wet. She reaches forward to wrap an arm around Gurashi as well, her pale disposition flushed with joyous tears. "So um, yeps. Happy new year," she mumbles, her dull gaze practically sparkling.

Gurashi leans down, gently bumping the end of their beak to the top of Calioliahali's head in the best approximation of a peck, antennae bobbing. Slowly their attention drifts back to the mugwump, and their secondary hand moves to squish you face lightly.
Assured of the state of the peace here, a custodian of justice leaves to the north.

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*a sense of nothing short than gratitude and adoration, followed by a reluctant curiosity* ...what changed your mind?"

Gurashi gives you a friendly squeeze.
Their buzzing voice high and happy, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "I loves you both so muchly. Happy new year."

Calioliahali's feathery embrace pulls more tightly around you and Gurashi, and she nods just once, murmuring, "Happy new year, my, ah... family."

Gurashi's mandibles twitch as they voice a soft, curious chirr.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "**the most prominent feeling that sings across the aethers is joy, achingly so. it's followed behind by a hint of bittersweetness, heavy and light all at once.** It just... it felt right. Just... wanted to spend more time with her, find out who she is, and... it feels right. Tridemon is still my dad, you are still my dad, and Cali... is my mom, now. She is supportive and listening and caring and she cares so muchly about you. **fondness, followed by what seems to be surprise.** and... she cares about me. It feels strange, but I... it is good."

Light radiates from Gurashi's heart, warming with shades of gold, wheat, and saffron.
Gurashi's gaze softens as they smile at you.

You have emoted: Cheliyi sighs, closing her eyes as she leans into the embrace.

Gurashi's naturally armored shoulders begin to bounce slightly as they laugh, loosening their embrace of the pair and leaning backwards. "Words will never say enoughly to how muchly I loves you both. You boths makes me feel so grateful, yes. Every day..." Their mandibles click against their face, and they heave a great sigh. "Am happy, to have chosen this life. And that you are boths in it with me."
Gurashi chitters at you with energetic clicks of their mandibles.
Gurashi chitters at Calioliahali with energetic clicks of their mandibles.
Gurashi chitters at you with energetic clicks of their mandibles.
Gently, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks you, "...do you, ah, want to - or, mind, being a Skydrifter, then? In name, on papers...?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi lets out a soft laugh, her tail sweeping behind her in a gentle motion. Scrubbing the tears from her face, she nods. "I want to be a Skydrifter. I... I wish Dad could be on there too, all three but..." She exhales. "I'm happy with this too."
With a slight grin, you say, "Who else can say they have three parents?"
You strike a pose.
You giggle happily.

Gurashi looks at you, eyes lighting up as they grin.
Gurashi glances at you appraisingly, antennae twitching in your direction as they turns their attention to you.
Gently, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "...you never cease to amaze me, yes. You are such a goodly you - am so proud."
Gurashi reaches for you, pulling you into a tight hug as they wrap all four arms tightly around you.

You think to yourself: **a swell of certainty, yes, a Skydrifter.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks as she's hugged, before returning the embrace tightly. The mugwump audibly swallows, releasing another soft laugh. "I wish my words were not so easily cut offs."

Gurashi shakes their head.
Gurashi inches bashfully over to you and nuzzles you tenderly.

Calioliahali seems as though she was just about to release you and rise to stand, but after the exchange between you and Gurashi, she sinks fully to her knees and simply presses herself further into the mugwump, eyelids sliding shut as they resign themselves to producing even more tears. Her wings shift and re-adjust their embrace of both you and Gurashi, and she releases a deep sigh of contentment, perforated by a solitary sob.

Gently, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Do not worry. Having troubles with words runs in the family, I thinks."
Gurashi lets out a sudden chittering laugh.
Gurashi reaches over and ruffles your hair with a fond expression.
Gurashi's gaze softens as they smile at you.

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.

Gurashi turns to look at Calioliahali, leaning in to lovingly press their beak against the side of Calioliahali's cheek, nuzzling their head against her's, arms still holding you close to themselves, forced to share the mugwump with the taller trill. Wordlessly their secondary hands slip into their pack, producing a pair of kerchiefs that they offer to both you and Calioliahali, chittering.

With a slight laugh, you say, "I'm okay, dad."
You have emoted: Cheliyi wipes at her face, drawing away the tears, leaving her slightly ruffled, but free of any watery tracks.

You think to yourself: **sudden consideration, is it easier for aquamancers to regulate waters... or blood in people?**.
You think to yourself: **... maybe don't think about that right now**.

Gurashi gives you a friendly squeeze.
Gurashi tilts their head curiously at you.

Calioliahali relaxes half of her grip upon you, her arm lifting to receive the kerchief offered to her by Gurashi. Gratefully, she begins to dab at both of her eyes, taking more deep breaths.

Gurashi chitters at Calioliahali with energetic clicks of their mandibles.
Gurashi gives Calioliahali a friendly squeeze.

Exhaling, you say, "So. Um. How are all doings? Were planning on doing anything today? Cause I am okay to just... sits. Or follow along."

A ripple of psionic energy floods out from the kephera like a ripple upon a pond, making the surrounds momentarily warmer before returning to the familiar mid-winter chill.

Gurashi chitters to themself with speedy movement of their mandibles.

You smile softly.

Gently, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "I have to send some letters. But. I can do that any times before I rest. I had no plans."

Calioliahali finally ebbs the flow of her tears with the aid of the kerchief provided by Gurashi, another deep sigh issuing from her, this one mixed in with a clear sentiment of relief. At your question, she whispers, "Ah, I ah... If I had plans, I am afraid that I have forgotten them altogether. But, ah... yes. I am content to remain with both of you, no matter what it is that we do."

Gurashi chitters at Calioliahali with energetic clicks of their mandibles.
Gurashi's long wings snap open and closed behind them, and after a long, buzzing sigh they slowly rise to their feet, peeling away from both you and Calioliahali, though they offer all their hands to help the pair rise should they choose.

Calioliahali administers a final squeeze to you and then at last releases you, one of her calloused hands gratefully reaching to take one of those offered to her by Gurashi. With a soft grunt, she rises to her full stature, wings stretching out to either side before re-folding themselves upon her back.

Gurashi watches Calioliahali rise, smiling fondly up at her as she does, scanning the taller trill's face, antennae bobbing in the air.
Gurashi chitters at you with energetic clicks of their mandibles.

You have emoted: Cheliyi takes Gurashi's hand, humming softly. Smiling brightly up at Calioliahali, she nods sagely.
You begin to follow Gurashi.

Faintly buzzing, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "Where shall we go, my lovelies? Where would you likes to go? And what would you likes to do?"

Stifling a yawn, you say, "Honestly, am not sure. Maybe back to the manse?"

Calioliahali stretches her long limbs for a moment before drawing closer to Gurashi, an arm slipping around them as she glances between them and you. She then nods gently, smiling warmly at mugwump and kephera both. "I would be amenable to a trip home, I think."

Gurashi crushes the cluster of gems into a fine powder and fashions a bottle.

Faintly buzzing, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Ah - we will go home, then. Lots of goodly, shiny places to rest there, yes!"
You follow Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend to path to Iceburn Plains.
You follow Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend to the Aetherplex Chamber.
You follow Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend to a bright, forestal curiosities room.

Gurashi pauses to look east, then west, then south, then north, then back to the pair, chittering.

A wry smile spreads across your face.

Calioliahali follows Gurashi's gaze in each direction, then softly offers, "Grass?"

You nod your head sagely.

Curiously, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Uhm. We could go sit on the patio! Or at the lakes? Or we could visit Ronin... or, Khepqet. Or the --" As Cali speaks up, they chirp. "The meadow!"
You follow Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend north to A modest kitchen with forest motifs.
You follow Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend west to A lovely garden of kaleidoscopic colors.

Gurashi nods their head emphatically.

You give the world a thumbs up.
You flop down onto the ground.

Gurashi chuckles long and heartily.

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

Gurashi inhales deeply as they arrive, mandibles clicking against their face. They watch the mugwump collapse first, then look at Calioliahali, sinking down to join you, albeit more slowly. "Ah, ouwah. Are you gonna be at the alliance planning, later this months?" They ask of the mugwump, reaching out to take you hand.

With a hum, you say, "I will tries, but will be a little late."

A look of understanding crossing their features, Gurashi nods their head slowly.

You give Gurashi a friendly squeeze.

Calioliahali observes first you and then Gurashi lower themselves to the ground, a warm smile remaining upon her black lips, and then she joins them both, her gaze lifting upwards once her armored form is lying flat upon her back.

With another yawn, you say, "My soul is asking me to sleep, I think."

Brilliant sunset hues bathe your surroundings in a vividly carmine afterglow.

Turning to the sleepy mugwump, Calioliahali Skydrifter says to you, "Ah, rest well, Cheliyi. Ah... I love you, my daughter."

You smile gently, frills puffing with joy.
Warmly, you say, "Love you mom, love you dad."

With an awkward rocking motion, Gurashi teeters onto their back, sprawling out beside you and Calioliahali. At the mugwump's words, they suddenly let out a soft, high-pitched whistling sound, followed immediately by a gentle content buzzing.

You giggle happily.