You feel an expectant hush about you.

You shoulders rise and fall as you heave a dramatic sigh, shutting your eyes.

probe dragonfly
The dazzling flash of coloured glass announces the stealthy arrival of an iridescent clockwork dragonfly. Hovering just above you, it drops the decapitated head of Choros in your hands, then is off whizzing through the air in a metronomic drone.

Unique in its eye-catching complexity, this insect crafted of metallurgists magic is much larger than an average dragonfly - and arguably far more lovely. Rather than four wings, it has six, the malleable metal used to engineer each so intricate, so delicately shaped, that they could pass as organic were it not for the strange sounds produced as they passed over one another in motion. Gossamer-fine panes of stained glass offer a dazzling display as the bulk of each whirring appendage, their surfaces flawless and veined to mimic the real patterns found on a natural dragonfly's own fragile wings, Overly large gears serve as eyes atop a perfectly oval head, and the segmented thorax and abdomen below this taper gradually into a curving set of brass claspers. Hooked to accommodate a package or letter, these are activated by the turn of a skeletal key fit snug into the centre of the dragonfly's back.
An iridescent clockwork dragonfly looks weak and feeble.
He weighs about 1 pounds and 4 ounce(s).
He is loyal to The People's Steward Lunette, the Masked Countess.
You cannot see what an iridescent clockwork dragonfly is holding.
It has the following aliases: dragonfly, bird.

An iridescent clockwork dragonfly rises effortlessly into the air, only to vanish in a dazzling flash of glass and metal.

You look about in confusion.

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "Imagine surprise when got big dragonfly that thought was yours, but it gave me... a -head-. It was NOT yours. Aha. Hah. Ehh."

Lief tells you, "Oh, goodness, no! I very specifically told Esei I did not appreciate the, ah...gifts? they attempted to give to me. I would never force such morbid gifts upon another person unless they wished for it."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "Ahhh, got another head... peoples are weird. Many apologies for disrupting."

The Divine voice of Maylea, Bloom of Serenity echoes in your head, "Do you wish for heads, little one?"

You blink.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly blanches.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "...n.. n..."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

You have emoted: Gurashi offers no answer, clenching his hands together and staring off expectantly into the surrounding woods.

Esei stares blankly into space.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "....tell Her do not really want heads no ... they are very ... dirty?"

Dusan, the coruscant trots in with head high.

You have emoted: Gurashi doesn't look up, his carapace a bright shade of red as he stares into space.

Quietly, you ask Esei, "Would like... some heads?"

Esei blinks.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...heads."

You have emoted: Gurashi nods once, holding up the gruesome decapitated head of Choros, et al.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Give them."

Esei shoves out both hands, wiggling their fingers.

You nod your head sagely.

**GIVES HEADS**

The Divine voice of Maylea, Bloom of Serenity echoes in your head, "Ah! I must have misunderstood. Regardless, I find them more helpful when attached, than detached. People must think with them."

Esei licks the decapitated head of Uzriel.

Esei hums a happy tune.

You have emoted: Gurashi hands each head over with a strange level of stoicism. Mid-pass of the final head, he freezes, antennae dropping a bit.

Esei pats you in a friendly manner.

Trailing stars and smoke, Dusan trails off to the ether.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens his mouth as if to say something to Esei, but the elfen leaves before he utters a sound, leaving him alone and dumbfounded.

You think to yourself: Wait...

You have emoted: Gurashi awkwardly reaches up to touch the side of his beak, unable to shroud his nervousness. "....agree," He whispers finally, scratching at his mandible.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks immediately like a chastened child after having spoke, bowing his head to focus on the Drums of the Dead, resting an uneasy hand on Bizirik's back.

Lief tells you, "Ah..." Her attention is distracted, her voice lighter upon the aethers than usual. "...Surely you may tell Her yourself, though?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "...heads ARE for thinking."

You think to yourself: Why is heart pounding so fast is -fine- am in Glomdoring am totally -fine-.

The wind whistles eerily through the branches overhead.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "...wait, did... She think that wanted YOUR head??"

The Divine voice of Maylea, Bloom of Serenity echoes in your head, "No."

You flail about helplessly.

You flop down onto the ground.

You have emoted: Gurashi frantically paces before the Drums of the Dead.

Lief tells you, "You do not, do you?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "N-n-no!!"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "Miss Lief think Miss Lady of Serenity is reading our conversation."

You have emoted: Gurashi drags his hands down his face, looking petrified.

Lief tells you, "Oh, but that is okay if She hears!"

Lief tells you, "I told you, yes? She is always beside me."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "...oh my goodness."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "...OH NO."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "SHE HEARD WHAT SAID ABOUT MISS DUET OH NO."

You suddenly let loose a very loud and very startling cicada scream.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly covers his face, letting out a miserable, buzzing whistle.

You think to yourself: Ah ... oh! What if She knows what is going on with the big scary there-not-there thing.

You think to yourself: Ah, wait, maybe should not ask.

You sweat profusely as you wring your hands nervously.

The Divine voice of Maylea, Bloom of Serenity echoes in your head, "What about Duet, little one? I am curious."

You give a horrified gasp.

You carapace turns a bright shade of red as you blush.

You feel an expectant hush about you.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens his mouth as he gasps, covering his mouth again. His shoulders bunched, he stares ahead into the darkness of the woods.

You think to yourself: ...Miss Duet....?

You have emoted: Gurashi lifts his head a little, hands finding his lute, clutching the instrument to his chest.

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to hold his instrument tight, inhaling deeply.

Faintly buzzing, you whisper, "...You ... know Miss Duet...?"

<-- Esei walks in

Esei pets Bizirik, the leothin ingratiatingly.
Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Esei. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

Lief tells you, "Why does that make you worried, Gurashi?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's momentary dreamy expression breaks as Esei returns, blinking twice. He shakes his head, once again flushing. "Oh. H-hi," He chirps awkwardly.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "... b-because, uhm."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "Uh."

Esei tilts their head curiously at you.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks you, "...are you well?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "**You can sense distraction, disturbance -- dreaminess** Uhmmmmmmmm."

You think to yourself: What about Miss Duet...

Quietly, you say to Esei, "Oh - yes."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Am thinking of a song."

Deep in thought, Esei leans their cheek on their hand.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk murmurs, "Are you?"

You think to yourself: Starry sky eyes...

Quietly, squeezing his lute, you say, "Yes."

Esei ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.

A sluggishness momentarily grips you as the world around seems to briefly speed up.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "...is embarrassing to bear heart and soul about another persons and realize someone else was listen--oog."

You have emoted: Gurashi touches his head, shutting his eyes.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "It's happening more often now."

You have emoted: Gurashi lifts his head to watch the passing murder of crows, then off into the woods, as if expecting to see someone.

The Divine voice of Maylea, Bloom of Serenity echoes in your head, "I do not know what you speak of, little one. I hear because My Eldin is here, before Me. I do not pry, but your voice rings in My mind like the call of the summer insects in love. You do not have to answer. My curiosity is a gift, a Truth. Be at peace."

You carapace turns a bright shade of red as you blush.

You think to yourself: ...at peace...

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly looks as though he might cry, though his eyes remain dry.

Esei creases their brow in a frown.

Reaching out to touch an arm, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks, "Gurashi, are you alright?"

Glancing at a thorn beast, Esei lets out a soft sigh.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly rubs at his beak, nodding quickly. "Yes."

Esei raises a slender brow at you.

Gently, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "You looked as though you were going to cry."

You think to yourself: ...really do, love...

Quietly, lighter, you say to Esei, "Ah - it was just passing. Is O-K."

You beam broadly at Esei.

Esei frowns at you.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "If you are certain."

With a forced laugh, you exclaim, "Is feelings things! Is things that cannot be explained in words!"

You see the following people here:
Esei, Gurashi.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Esei, "Is confusing and is silly and dumb."

You beam broadly.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "...She knows about Miss Duet."

Esei searches your face once more. "Did someone say it was silly or dumb?"

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Oh - no - but."

You flail about helplessly.

Lief tells you, "It does not surprise me! Duethielle wanders these woods that my Lady loves, and she sings such lovely music, too."

Esei raises a slender brow at you.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "I-I didn't..."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "Know what to say to Her about it..."

Lief tells you, "Would you like to speak your heart to Her?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "... B..."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "**The disbelief is palpable** ME? To Miss Lady of -Serenity-? ....about a -girl-???"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "O-K, have made Mister Lord Silence upset before but do not think He would like that very much!"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "It is the most selfish aspect of my life - it is a hard thing to... find words for??"

Softly, you say, "Please excuse me."

Shadowfeast Kitchens.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The large spacious kitchens revolves around the enormous black iron oven in the center of the room. A black cast iron chimney comes up from the floor below and exits out to the top. There is plenty of countertop space for several chefs to work at once. The ravenwood cabinets are kept tightly locked. The mouth watering aroma of meats roasted in spices hangs in the air. Central to the kitchen is a black iron oven, next to racks of pots and pans that hang nearby. A slender leothin sits here motionless, brightening its surroundings with its natural golden bio-luminescence.
You see exits leading southwest and west.

You quickly mix up the ingredients into a batter, and then bake an iridescent peacock cookie in the oven. There is enough for four portions.

You ponder an iridescent peacock cookie thoughtfully, looking it up and down.
You drop a mechanical dirigible.
A mechanical dirigible whistles and cheerfully offers several mechanical chirps as it bounces up and down on currents of air, puttering in lazy circles.
You give an iridescent peacock cookie to a mechanical dirigible.
A mechanical dirigible takes an iridescent peacock cookie from you, grasping it delicately in its metallic claw.
Faintly buzzing, you say, "Deliver to Lief."

It is now the 12th of Avechary, 551 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 4 days until the New Moon

Xenthos begins to follow you.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 12th of Avechary, 551 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 4 days until the New Moon

You think to yourself: Xenthos...

You glance about alertly, your antennae twitching as you scan the immediate area.

You reach out, wrapping all four arms around Ilistala, an enormous leopard as you pull her into a tight hug.
A loud rumbling emanates from Ilistala as she rubs against you.

While hugging the leopard, you say to Xenthos, "Hello."

**off doing stuff!**

The Divine voice of Maylea, Bloom of Serenity echoes in your head, "It's a lovely cookie. I made his eyes brighter. For they were."

You carapace turns a bright shade of red as you blush.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Maylea, Bloom of Serenity, "**Softly, and with great hesitation** ...many thank yous."

You twitch your mandibles as you voice a soft, curious chirr.