Visiting a Friend

Before the Master Ravenwood Tree.
The dark heart of Glomdoring Forest is almost audibly beating in this, its shadowy centre. Tall, blackened trees surround this clearing, pressing together into an imposing barrier of rotten vegetation. Moulds and fungi are smeared across the plants, their pungent stench suffusing the forest. The branches are coated in dark slime, slick tendrils that hang downwards. Although a variety of trees might actually grow here, the black tar that coats them renders them indistinguishable. A thin black mist creeps between the trees, hanging low across the ground. The floor of the clearing itself is simply bare earth, cracked and dry. Overshadowing all is the Master Ravenwood Tree itself, jutting into the sky like a twisted fist. The sound of laughing crows echoes down from the treetops, a harsh sound for the ears below. The atmosphere vibrates with a palpable power. Brennan Stormcrow paces here, his cadaverous body twitching with sudden jerks. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a bat around its skull. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a spider around its skull. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a beetle around its skull. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a wasp around its skull. The Master Ravenwood Tree towers over everything here, pulsing with an immeasurable yet dark power. Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters lingers nearby, the air about him singing with the rush of the ocean. He wields a coral staff in his left hand. Esei is here, pondering thoughtfully. They wield an athame dagger of dusk in their right hand.
You see a single exit leading north.

Faintly buzzing, you exclaim, "You are both still here - good!"

You tug urgently on Esei's sleeve.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "This seems like a good time to go visit the Liar."

You tug urgently on Tridemon's sleeve.

Esei blinks.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Tridemon, "Let's go--."

Esei tilts their head curiously at you.

You stare at Tridemon, eyes wide.

Esei begins to follow you.
==== Esei is following you ====

Faintly buzzing, you say to Tridemon, "HEY."

Faintly buzzing, you exclaim to Tridemon, "How did you know!?!"

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "He can read minds."

Tridemon begins to follow you.
==== Tridemon is following you ====

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... I'm a runist, not a telepath."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Thank goodness."

Beads of sweat break out on your face.

You speedwalk veil to ascending a fluttering spiral of veils.
You have reached your destination.
Ascending a fluttering spiral of veils.
Throughout the location, small dancing flames flicker and spark. Claustrophobic and smelling heavily of burnt resins, this spiraling ascent is tiled in ivory and copper. From above, the sound of laughter, the sound of whispers, the sound of cries of joy and passion echo out, murmuring down through the stone. To either side, lengths of gossamer indigo and copper play, rustling against each other in a play of murmurs: the air is hot and thick with presence, the walls shining with inlay of coppery energies. Oilslick patterns ripple across the silken folds of this veil as it flutters between two paradigms. Dusan, a coruscant wyvern, lurks in the shadows here. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings. Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters lingers nearby, the air about him singing with the rush of the ocean. He wields a coral staff in his left hand. Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk floats here, suffusing the air with the sickly-sweet scent of blackthorn blossoms. They wield an athame dagger of dusk in their right hand.
You see exits leading up and through a fluttering veil.

You narrow your eyes at Tridemon, canting your head and peering at him suspiciously.

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

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

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Before we go."

Esei hums innocently to themself.

You have emoted: Gurashi stops suddenly, turning to look at Tridemon. "Are sure?"

Faintly buzzing, you say to Tridemon, "Got really sick last time! I do not want you to get sick again."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Yes, I'm sure it'll be fine. Probably. On the balance of things."

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses. "Do want something for your face?"

Faintly buzzing, you say, "So do not breathe anything maybe..."

You tilt your head and listen intently to Tridemon.

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

Tridemon removes a plain mask of fine porcelain.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "...put it back on!"

Tridemon slips into a plain mask of fine porcelain.

You nod your head emphatically.

**wander wander**

A lush sandstone courtyard before a grand villa.
Aesthetically geometric sandstone tiles lead the way towards the grand, multi-tiered villa rising ahead. Lush, long-bladed sedge grasses envelop the sand-strewn path, tall clusters of woody bamboo parting nearer the abode where the avenue opens into a large courtyard. Nestled within the grasses are a number of abstract statues depicting noble hawks and cobras, clear water pouring from their beaks and fanged mouths into basins cradled below. Surrounded by an intricate arrangement of small pools and complex fountains, pale stone benches and narrow monoliths of dark marble circle the courtyard, offering opportunities for tranquil rest and reflection. Beyond the yard rise the golden-wood columns of the villa, each supporting wide mahogany eaves from which hang chimes of miniature golden bells interspersed with bright crimson metal poppies that lend their delicate tintinnabulation to the music elicited by even the smallest stirrings of air. The immense statue of a proud jackal rests upon its haunches at the top of the wide sandstone stairs rising before the towering archway that marks the threshold of the villa, the dark animal's triangular ears and snout held high as its scarlet eyes watch over all who pass. Dusan, a coruscant wyvern, lurks in the shadows here. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings. Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters lingers nearby, the air about him singing with the rush of the ocean. He wields a coral staff in his left hand. Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk floats here, suffusing the air with the sickly-sweet scent of blackthorn blossoms. They wield an athame dagger of dusk in their right hand.
You see exits leading east and in.

Knocking on the door frame, you say, "Helloooooo!"

**wander wander**

Faintly buzzing, you sing, "Helloooo? Anybody home?"

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

You have emoted: Gurashi leans forward, waiting, listening.

Tridemon peers about himself unscrupulously.

Faintly buzzing, you sing, "Friiieeeeeend Liiiaaaaar."

A perfectly peaceful bedroom.
A far, meeker cry from the rest of the house, only the rich paneling of the walls and floors could hint at any opulence within this domed room. A simple reed mat covers the majority of the floor, cut awkwardly to accomodate the hatch leading to the stairs and the rest of the house, the woven plants lined with rabbit moss that cushions the foot and is pleasant to the touch. Enormous pillows and cushions have been piled along the rest of the floor in a large circle that rings the room, thrown this way and that in an effort to create the most cozy place to sleep. Very few personal belongings can be seen in the shelves on the walls; an enormous scarf and apron folded and wrapped around three carved birds, sat next to two books whose titles proclaim them to be 'A Manual to Counting: Numbers One Through Ten' and 'How to Read'. The domed roof above lacks the stained glass prominent throughout the rest of the building, its simple stone make readily distributing the heat absorbed through the day and causing the painted stars upon its surface to shimmer and shine with a realistic glow. A hollowed out orange containing orange ice cream lies on the ground here. Dusan, a coruscant wyvern, lurks in the shadows here.
You see a single exit leading down.
You ponder the situation.

Esei tilts their head curiously at a scoop of orange ice cream in a hollowed out orange bowl.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Oh - someone else was here..."

This ice cream has been crafted from fresh oranges, and uses a hollowed
out orange as a bowl. The hollowed out orange has been frozen until it's
quite hard, so as to create a proper bowl for the ice cream. A single
scoop of creamy orange ice cream rests within the bowl. A thin, curly
ribbon of orange peel has been placed on top of the ice cream.
It has 8 months of usefulness left.
It weighs 5 ounce(s).
It has been preserved against spoilage.
It has a trade valuation of worthless.
The beauteous craftsmanship of Jolanthe Myeras radiates throughout it.
It has been stamped with the seal of Indentured Shulamit Cooking Cartel.
It has the following aliases: icecream, ice, cream, dish, bowl.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Ah - Miss Shulamit... and Miss Jolanthe."

You have emoted: Gurashi considers the bowl of ice cream, then the unoccupied pile of pillows. An unease settles about him before he turns to the window, peering out and looking towards the docks.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Mm... do not see anything..."

You have emoted: Gurashi leans back, tapping his lute thoughtfully.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Could try yelling."

You blink.

You have emoted: Gurashi puts a hand thoughtfully on his cheek. "....wouldn't that be rude?"

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk murmurs, "Likely."

You tilt your head curiously at Esei.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Yes. Also easiest."

A pleasant humming can be heard from down the stairs as earthen clay pots scrape against stone, glass, and tile alike.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Well, that sounds like what I like to call a 'clue'."

You tilt your head curiously.

You hands fly to your mouth as you give a short gasp of elation.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly strums loudly on his lute, letting the vibrant notes flood the air. "Hellooooo~?" He sings from the landing.

With another pleasant chord, you sing, "Are hoooooome?"

Tridemon points downwards.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances to Tridemon and Esei, his excitement palpable.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "They're down there."

Tridemon follows you down.
Esei follows you down.
Strange poppies within a verdant atrium.
Myriad stone planters, raised rock-wall gardens and hanging pots overflow with a variety of flora within this revivifying atrium, the vibrant petals of peonies, orchids, azaleas and chrysanthemums providing magnificent drops of colour amongst the greenery. Areca palms spread their narrow-leaved fronds from tall standing pots, shading the various benches and asymmetrical travertine paths that wind through the arrays of plantlife while glassless windows overlooking the villa's environs offer a view of the flower-bedecked trees, pools and towering statues relieving the desert sands that span as far as the eye can see. Before these windows splash fresh waters within an ornate limestone fountain, chaotic carvings decorating its surface while gold leaf spirals around them. Surrounding this fountain are raised tiers lined with a collection of wide-mouthed, soil-filled vases, each nestling its own assortment of curious poppies: among the traditional red, white, yellow and pink blooms are others shaded different hues of the rainbow, some even being composed of entirely different materials altogether. Iridescent chitin, cotton-like fibre, translucent crystal and even a few feathery species gather in clusters, their lofty position suggesting that they are undoubtedly the muse of the garden's caretaker. The centre of the atrium is dominated by a robust spiral staircase of gilded gold railings and cream-hued stone that circles up towards the higher floors of the villa, the structure well-supported upon reinforced pillars. Covered in a thick layer of patchwork gold and black fur, Aschwar rests here with a small smile on their face. Dusan, a coruscant wyvern, lurks in the shadows here.

Aschwar clips at a strangely crystalline poppy with their claws, shaving away shards from one of its lower petals as they look on with an entire involved and perfectly zen stare on their face.

LOOK LIAR GOOD BABY BOY
Radiant gold and inky black compete for prominence in the thick fur that covers this enormous tae'dae's body, the well-groomed hair shifting like fields of wheat and clouds through the night sky with each movement. Despite their thick limbs and ten feet of height, an aura of well-being and contentment radiates off of their body, only enhanced by the gentle smile that is nearly always present on their muzzle. Glittering mis-matched eyes, one brown and one green, stare with a gentle warmth at the world around them, only inches below a pair of fuzzy round ears that have several notches missing from them. A brilliant red hieroglyph crackles in the centre of their forehead, flaring occasionally with small tendrils of red lightning. They are simply dressed in a pair of linen trousers and a hooded vest of the same material which hangs loose and casually upon their frame. The only decoration to be found upon them are a small number of scales and feathers that have been hand-sewn to cover where their heart lies in their chest. A stark contrast to their fur, they wear a pair of brown fuzzy paw boots over their feet.
Aschwar is quite powerful.

Aschwar straightens slightly, raising the poppy above their head to glance at its translucent leaves through the stained glass above before nodding and putting it down to continue trimming it to be at just the right specifications to their unknown design.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles, laying his hand over the strings of his lute to silence his playing. He watches Aschwar work in happy silence for a while, before finally taking a deep breath and knocking thrice on the wall beside the trio. "Ehm - good afternoon!"

Chittering loudly, both excited and nervous, you exclaim, "Am sorry to intrude...!"

Esei places a hand on your shoulder.

Aschwar freezes in place and turns around slowly, eyes wide before they drop the shavings still caught in their paw to the floor, staring quietly at Esei, you, and Tridemon. Softly, they say, "Oh. You're...here."

Chittering still, you say, "....hi! Am so sorry, we tried knocking but nobody answered...!"

Faintly buzzing, you say, "...uhm! Still should have waited!"

You think to yourself: ... they are unhappy?

You face lights up as you smile brightly at Aschwar.

Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

There is an awkward silence as Aschwar points out into the distant villa grounds, quietly saying, "I was...out in the deep gardens." A soft smile crosses their face, and they gently push the poppy's planter back onto its pedestal before taking a single step closer to be in the middle of the room. "Welcome to my home! I guess...it is mine." They give a nervous chuckle and clasp their paws together before them, looking around a bit awkwardly, as if unsure what to do.

Tridemon ponders the situation.

You tilt your head curiously.

Dusan, the coruscant paws the ground and shuffles about impatiently.

Suddenly, you exclaim, "Your house is so beautiful!"

Softly, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "I would imagine it is yours, as you are the one who lives here."

Aschwar lets an easy smile cross their face, and say, "Well, I didn't know I was...building it for me. The...my...uh...oh, you've...probably already seen my room..." They frown slightly, and the glyph across their forehead crackles furiously as they quietly say, "...suppose a lot of people have seen my room."

Tridemon ponders over the surroundings before turning his attention back to the Tae'dae before him. "Well, you're certainly looking more awake and upright than when I came to visit."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly wanders down the rest of the stairs, striding up to Aschwar and stopping just before the tae'dae. He rocks back and forth on his feet, talking excitedly. "Your plants are so beautiful! And the many lights in the many rooms - the colors and the smells!"

Aschwar frowns for a moment as they look down at you, though it is unclear what they are frowning at before they shake their head and place their heavy paws on your shoulders with a happy smile and say, "Thank you! I wish I had been here to show you around, a lot of this I made myself, and the rest was stuff the Shofet put in."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Esei's lips.

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up, laying two hands upon Aschwar's enormous paw. "You can still show us around, Friend Liar!" He chitters excitedly.

"Well, I mostly...grew the plants, and put the rocks in place, and carried heavy things..." Aschwar says thoughtfully, murmuring to themself, before snapping out of it and giving a soft smile, a little less happy than normal. "Oh, uh...if you want, yes! I can! I will show you the..."

Buzzing with excitement, you say to Aschwar, "Listen! Am so happy you are awake!! There are so many things to catch up on - when you have time!"

You beam broadly at Aschwar.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk murmurs, "Only show us if -you- want to."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Esei, "Well yeah."

Aschwar frowns deeply and withdraws their paws, looking to the side as though listening for something before they shake their head and genially ask, "What would you like to see first? I do not mind showing you."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks to Tridemon and Esei, then leans forward to observe the crystalline flowers. "Well, usually ask to see what the host's favorite place is. So what is your favorite room?" He cocks his head. "Is this where made that beautiful poppy for Solstice??"

You chitter at Aschwar with energetic clicks of your mandibles.

With a small amount of reservation, Aschwar says, "Well, my favourite room used to be my bedroom. I got to paint the ceiling myself, and put all my things there. But...now..."

Faintly buzzing, you ask Aschwar, "...you painted the ceiling??"

You boggle at Aschwar.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks, "You spent a long time in there, and you are tired of it?"

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "Wowee - Tridemon and you should have painting session together."

Esei stares implacably at you.

Aschwar frowns and quietly bites at their lip in thought, scrunching up their eyes as though looking for something before they shake their head, "Sorry, I...oh yes! I did it all by myself, except for..." They nod at Esei and say, "Yes. That."

With a soft smile, Aschwar says to Tridemon, "I am not very good at it, but I am good at stars. They are just little dots on big dark space."

Pointing at Esei, you say, "They are also good! They do beautiful flowers."

Tridemon tilts his head curiously.

You beam broadly.

Esei smiles softly.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Well... the stars are people, too. Sort of."

You hands fly to your mouth as you give a short gasp of elation.

Aschwar seems to brighten a little at that, and they turn back towards Esei as though to speak before they blink and frown in utter befuddlement at Tridemon, quietly asking, "Really? The stars are people here?"
You sway back and forth.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Well, certainly. At least the ones I've known- they have their own personalities and some even speak. I've personally met a shooting star... which wasn't a meteor, but an actual star moving through the sky."

Quietly, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks you, "You recall when I released the shadows there, no?"

You have emoted: Gurashi joins in the befuddled staring at Tridemon.

Esei blinks incredulously at Tridemon.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly looks to Esei, tilting his head. "Oh, yes?"

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... I'm not sure why you're SURPRISED at this. The sun is a person. The moon is a person. Night is a person."

Esei shifts their eyes suspiciously from side to side.

You have emoted: Gurashi chitters at Tridemon. "Yeah but is not something that think about!"

For a moment, there is a glimpse of the old Aschwar as their eyes widen in amazement and their mouth hangs open just the slightest amount, childlike wonder present in their face as they stare at Tridemon, "REALLY?" They then blink, frown, and let their shoulders slump in quick succession.

Excited again, you ask Tridemon, "Do think any stars will visit again soon?"

You tug urgently on Aschwar's sleeve.

Faintly buzzing, you ask Aschwar, "Think would like to meet a star, wouldn't you?"

You boggle at Aschwar.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Aschwar, "Oh, yes. A bunch of shooting stars came streaming across the sky in some kind of migration! Even the Star of Celest wanted to go join them, but it has responsibilities."

You boggle at Tridemon.

With no small amount of reservation, Aschwar says, "Uhm...maybe one day. But not today. It does sound nice, but I do not think I would know what to do."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Yeah, wowee - that is a lot of stars."

Faintly buzzing, you ask Aschwar, "Oh! Are you hungry?"

Grinning, you exclaim to Aschwar, "You will not believe what am having!"

Shaking their head, Aschwar says, "No, I just ate with the orange thieves. They have not seen my friend, so I didn't get to give them the fancy candy oranges I found in my room."

You have emoted: Gurashi's mandibles twitch.

Esei shifts their eyes suspiciously from side to side.

(Trasto): You say, "*FRANTICALLY SHAKES HEAD @ ESEI ACROSS THE ROOM*."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "O-K! Next time I will bring you something incredible."

You beam broadly at Aschwar.

A grand illusion rises up suddenly, showing a scene from the city of New Celest, with the Star of Celest hanging above, moving slightly toward a sudden stream of a brilliant multitude of stars that flow across the night sky.
Your eye immediately notices the flaws in what is obviously an illusion.

You blink.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Hooowa--."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up, chittering excitedly. "Ahh, magicks," He comments at the illusion, marveling even as it fades from view.

You boggle at Tridemon.

Aschwar nearly misses the distraction, caught up as they are in their own thoughts. They look up at the last moment and their eyes briefly reflect the stars before they dissolve, and they smile, "It does look very pretty."

You click your mandibles together energetically, chittering to yourself.

Suddenly, you say to Aschwar, "Am sorry - we did not know when would be a good time to visit, and, do not want to impose."

Shaking their head, Aschwar says, "No, no, it's okay. I..."

You have emoted: Gurashi stops before he speaks, tilting his head at Aschwar.

Faintly buzzing, you ask Aschwar, "Yes, Friend?"

With a certain decisiveness, Aschwar says, "I like seeing my friends. And you are...my friends. I mean. I know you are, Friend Gurashi, and I...think..."

Perking up, you say to Aschwar, "Tridemon and Esei."

Giddily, you say, "And Xenthos would probably be here if he was not going crazy up in Astralspace."
Aschwar once again pauses, staring off into the distance even though they look directly towards the centre of the floor, something akin to distress on their face.

You blink.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to Aschwar, "It is alright if you do not remember me, we did not speak much, if at all."

You have emoted: Gurashi hesitantly reaches out, touching Aschwar's paw. "...are O-K?"

Snapping out of their thoughts, Aschwar says to Esei, "N-no! You were at the Festival, and also at the other Festival! I remember seeing both of you, I just do not..."

Quietly, Aschwar says, "...what is missing? I cannot..."

It is now the 2nd of Klangiary, 553 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 11 days until the New Moon

You tilt your head curiously.

You think to yourself: Missing.

Tridemon tilts his head curiously.

Faintly buzzing, you ask Aschwar, "Are having trouble making a thought do the thing?"

You tilt your head curiously at Aschwar.

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

Their voice dropping slightly, even though it still carries easily, Aschwar says to you, "I...does it seem...very quiet, to you? Like...things are not very loud?"

Tridemon peers about himself unscrupulously.

Esei furrows their brow in thought.

Tridemon blinks.

Almost concernedly, Aschwar says, "You used to be so loud, Friend Gurashi. And now you are very...not...loud..."

You have emoted: Gurashi's mandibles twitch again, eyes widening. "...eh?? I am not?"

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Oh. Oh no."

Esei furrows their brow in thought.

Visibly growing frustrated, Aschwar takes a step back and shakes their head, pulling their paws up and clacking claws together nervously, "I...I still hear you, but I also do not hear you. But I can. So I do not know...what..."

Quietly, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks, "Your perceptions have changed?"

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to watch Aschwar, expression twisting - concern? Confusion? One antennae drops, and then the other.

Quietly, Aschwar says, "What's a perception??"

Quiet, as if dazed, you say to Aschwar, "The way that see, hear, taste, smell... feel world..."

Esei stares blankly into space.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Or how you..."

Using their tongue and the roof of their mouth, Esei makes a quiet clicking noise.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "How you think about things."

Quietly, Aschwar says, "I...think so? But I do not know. I can see, and hear, and taste...all of them. I just do not know..."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Thoughts."

Aschwar offers the smallest glimpse of a smile as they say, "Do not worry. I can still think! I am thinking many big thoughts, things that...are scary, sometimes, and not scary other times, but I am thinking mostly how to find out what I am...trying to hear."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly takes Aschwar's large paw between both primary hands, eyes wide as he stares up at the tae'dae. "...that sounds like it is very scary," He says consolingly.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Bizirik, the leothin, "Why don't you go lean on the Liar? You're good at making yourself known without words."

Bizirik, the leothin tilts her head curiously at Tridemon.

"Do...you maybe want to see the kitchen?" Aschwar offers, a small smile on their face. "I know you like cooking, and I also have a nice easel in there. And I can bring up some pots, and me and you can play with the flowers some, so we are not standing here thinking...big bad thoughts."

Esei glances askance.

Voice soft, you say to Aschwar, "O-K."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to Aschwar, "I would have no complaints to that."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Like kitchens."

Bizirik, the leothin thrums softly, staying seated beside Tridemon, though it lifts its head and snuffles the air in Aschwar's direction curiously.

With a soft smile, Aschwar says, "It is fully stocked, but it can only make small things. Not big things, like your kitchen. It's supposed to only be for one person, I think."

You click your mandibles together energetically, chittering to yourself.

GLANCE NORTH
A mahogany dining room with succulent-topped tea tables.
You see a single exit leading south.

Faintly buzzing, you exclaim to Aschwar, "Noticed while was here that there is a dining hall!! You can have parties now!"

Bizirik, the leothin continues to thrum, staying near Tridemon and Esei, nervously licking its snout.

Aschwar nods their head and looks towards the hall, a brief smile visible on their face quickly dying as they say, "Yes, and I can invite all of my..." After a small, but noticeable silence, they finish, "...friends."

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.

Gently, you say to Aschwar, "... that is what I said!"

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "No more big thoughts, I thought we said?"

Esei raises a slender brow.

Aschwar's eyes are watery for the briefest of moments, and they shake their head and blink several times, pointing to the kitchenette and loudly saying, "Look! See! It's just me sized, but it's also you sized, because you are so tall!"

Tridemon peers about himself unscrupulously.

You suddenly let loose a chittering laugh.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Esei, "Where'd Dusan go?"

Excitedly looking the kitchenette over, you exclaim to Aschwar, "It is perfect!"

Faintly buzzing, you exclaim to Aschwar, "Oh! I did not get to tell you!! Spekaing of parties - guess what, guess what!"

Esei pats Dusan, the coruscant in a friendly manner.
Coruscant eyes glinting, Dusan, the coruscant lets out a rumbling chirp, bumping his snout against Esei's hand.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to Tridemon, "He's still here."

Dusan, the coruscant pools softly into a shadow on the floor, watching and waiting.

Aschwar grows visibly frustrated for a moment as they hear Tridemon's words and their eyes briefly flick to the side, as though expecting to see or hear something. Then a moment later they shake their head and turn to look at you with an expectant, soft smile.

Bizirik, the leothin lets out another cautious noise, finally standing and creeping along the edge of the room. Gurashi continues to watch Aschwar, canting his head as he watches the tae'dae's distress ebb and flow. "I am...Minister of Cultural Affairs in Glomdoring now!"

(Trasto): Mael (from the Astral Plane) says, "You can break down goop items? is it some command other then artifact x tradein ?"

em throws up his arms. "Am official party planner now! Is in the books!!"
You have emoted: Gurashi throws up his arms. "Am official party planner now! Is in the books!!"

You have recovered balance on all limbs.
===== You can Act now =====
===== You can Act now =====

(Trasto): Xenthos (from the Astral Plane) says, "Goop candies aren't artifacts, so yeah, you have to have the tradeskill. It's a skill in the trade (first one)"

(Trasto): Xenthos (from the Astral Plane) says, "It costs 1 of a specific comm for each thing you break down."

Shadows swirl around your arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree digs itself more painfully into your finger.

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.

"Oh, good! You are the friendliest bug in the Basin, after all, so I am sure you will have VERY big parties," Aschwar says as they meander over to an easel set up in the corner and removes the current canvas, replacing it with another and gesturing towards Tridemon, "There is...uh...here, for you! If you are good at painting, yours will be nice to see, and maybe I can hang it up. Somewhere."

Aschwar exclaims to Esei, "Oh, I forgot the planters! One second, please!"

The world seems a little less pleasant as an enormous tae'dae with black and gold fur departs to the down.

A sense of well-being and calm fills the air and warms your heart as an enormous tae'dae with black and gold fur strides in from the down.

You suddenly let loose a chittering laugh.

Aschwar carries two planters with curiously white poppies in them and sets one down on a large stool set before a wood carving station, gesturing to Esei as they say, "Look! See, because when you move, you become white flowers, so I thought you might like to play with the white flowers some."

Esei blinks.

Tridemon looks over at the poppies somewhat distractedly, eyes slightly unfocused and muttering something about psionics under his breath without quite seeming to realize it.

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Aschwar bustle about, beaming at the compliments. "Many thank yous," He adds, then tries to make himself useful, interjecting where he can to make Aschwar's finagling of many different objects more manageable.

Bizirik, the leothin watches from the far end of the room still, its head bowed, eyes trained on the tae'dae. Its tail raises and slaps the floor once.

Esei leans over the white poppies, dark eyes alight with curiosity as they examine the flowers. A delicate hand reaches out, touching one of the petals.

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

You have emoted: Gurashi catches Bizirik, the leothin stare, looking up. "Ahh! Bizi-bee!" The moment he addresses the leothin, its tail begins to loudly slap against the floor, happy with the sudden attention. "You have been brooding all day! Come say hello!"

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily.

A crackle sounds through the room as the scarlet hieroglyph upon Aschwar's forehead flares, leaping across the room at Bizirik to dance between its antennae and send it spasming before laying down to paw at its head in discomfort.

(Trasto): You say, "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
(Trasto): You say, "MY BABY."

You blink.

Aschwar reaches up and clutches at their head, swaying for a moment before they notice the pained expression on Bizirik, the leothin's face, claws dropping down to cover their mouth in sheer, unmitigated horror.

Your eyes bug out as you boggle in amazement.

Esei's ear twitches, lifting their head to frown.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... Well, that seems..."

Bizirik, the leothin's natural luminescent lines flare at the sudden psionic assault, its heckles raising if only for a second. "Oh my GOSH," Gurashi nearly drops his instrument. "Bizi?!"

Bizirik, the leothin snuffles and grunts as it paws against its head, body flickering down to a panoply of muted colours as if attempting to shake something away.  <-- not me

Quickly approaching the leothin, eyes widening, you ask, "Bizirik?"

Aschwar gulps audibly and their voice grows slightly more audible as they can be heard murmuring, "No...nonono...nononononono..."

Tridemon straightens up suddenly, turning to look over at the Tae'dae with an uncharacteristically serious expression.

You have emoted: Gurashi rests his hand on Bizirik, the leothin's back, crouching down. "Hey, what is wrong? What is wrong??"

(Trasto): You say, "This visit is suddenly going badly again LOL."
(Trasto): You say, "Tridemon."
(Trasto): Xenthos (from the Astral Plane) says, "Oh no Gurashi."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Aschwar, "You're fine. You must stop panicking."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Calm."

Bizirik, the leothin finally resumes its normal colouration, shaking its head with a gruff and extending a forked tongue to lick at its nostrils. With a flick of its head, it flops against you as though nothing had happened, pressing a paw up against your mandible with a wide open mouth.  <-- not me

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "All of it. Calm."

Esei closes their eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of their surroundings.

Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

You stare at Bizirik, the leothin, eyes wide.

Quietly, Aschwar says, "That...that wasn't me. I didn't...I don't know. That's only supposed to happen if someone tries to hurt me. I..."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "...you were FAKING."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk murmurs, "Sometimes things happen that we cannot control."

You have emoted: Gurashi gasps, clutching the leothin dramatically. "BIIIIIZIIIII," He screeches.

Faintly buzzing, you exclaim to Bizirik, the leothin, "You are in so much trouble!! Do not scare us like that! Do not scare Friend Liar like that! That was a bad prank, you are -naughty-! N-a-u-g-h-t-y!"

Aschwar blinks slowly and looks around the room, then down at their paws, "...why...isn't..." They look at the stool, and the seated planters, and lean down to inspect it, before looking entirely distraught and standing up suddenly, "They didn't move. Why didn't they move?" Their breathing becomes heavy and they shake their head, taking a step back. "What's going ON?!"

You blink.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Aschwar, "Perhaps now would be a good time to tell you about the psychic parasites? I am not sure whether or not they're still about, but they were once a very real problem."

You have emoted: Gurashi quickly stops his scolding of the leothin, turning to look back at Aschwar. "Ah - Friend Liar??"

Softly, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks, "Who did not move?"

Aschwar clutches at their head and whimpers, with wide, watery, fearful eyes, "...parasites?"

Esei rolls their eyes.

Esei kicks Tridemon rudely.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "They cannot reach you from here."

Bizirik, the leothin resumes its normal behaviour for the most part, chirring happily towards you, though it spares Aschwar not even a spare glance as its body curls away from them. <-- not ME

(Trasto): You say, "My good baby sobs."

Quietly, Aschwar says, "The...the last time I was upset, they...everything...flew. And now...it didn't."
Frowning, Aschwar says, "Why didn't it fly? I don't want it to, but did...did the Shofet fix it so they wouldn't any more?"

You have emoted: Gurashi drops Bizirik dramatically, causing the leothin to let out a series of chattering noises akin to cackling. He approaches Aschwar. "Oh - that is a very specific magic..." He comments.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "I do not believe Bizirik can fly."

Bizirik, the leothin gives Esei a look.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Unless you mean the hieroglyph."

Esei gives Bizirik, the leothin the once-over, eyeing her suspiciously.
Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Esei. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

Gently, you say to Aschwar, "Friend Liar - am sorry if scared - look, Bizi's O-K. She would never hurt anyone!"

Shaking their head, Aschwar says, "I...no, I am sorry. I thought you were going to get hurt. Like last time."

Faintly buzzing, you ask, "Like last time?"

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Er."

Suddenly, you exclaim to Aschwar, "That sounds like a big thought!"

Esei furrows their brow in thought.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "No, Gurashi saved Bizirik. They are very close friends."

Aschwar looks for a moment at you with a smile, but then the smile drops from their face and they look down at the poppy still sitting atop the stool. "Yes. A very big thought."

You tug urgently on Aschwar's sleeve.

Gently, you ask Aschwar, "Friend Liar, may say something?"

Aschwar stirs for a moment, and then nods at you.

Esei returns to pondering the white poppy.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles gently up at Aschwar, canting his head, antennae twitching. "Am not done looking at your beautiful house and hearing your lovely stories. But in this moment want nothing more than to give you a hug and tell you very much that think everything will be O-K."

You nod your head sagely at Aschwar.

Aschwar looks at you with a smile that quickly fades, and then they shake their head and say, "Thank you but...do not think I like hugs much anymore. They're so quiet now. They don't sound the same, and that makes me...scared."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Sound... the same..."

You stare blankly at Aschwar.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I believe you might have heard me while you were sleeping but... Hope is one of those things that cannot be taken away from you. It can only be given up."

Quietly, Aschwar says, "When I'm scared, they...people get hurt. And the Shofet is not happy now, and I cannot calm them down, so you might get very hurt. And I do not want that."

Quietly, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks, "And why would we care if we were hurt?"

With a melancholic look, Aschwar says to Tridemon, "I have to find what I'm missing, so that way I can...fix it."

Aschwar says to Esei, "Because I would be a bad friend, if I made my friends get hurt. And even if you were happy, I would be sad. Which would make you get hurt more."

Tridemon ponders Bizirik, the leothin thoughtfully, looking her up and down.
Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Tridemon. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

You have emoted: Gurashi listens to Aschwar speak, looking more and more confused and distracted with each word. "Do not worry - we can fix it."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "Are not a bad friend!"

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "The fact that care so much about making sure that we do not get hurt shows this, yes."

You chitter at Aschwar with energetic clicks of your mandibles.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "That really does sound like what Bizirik does... except mostly she very much wants fish."

Bizirik, the leothin rolls over on the floor, splayed in a most unattractive manner.

Aschwar tries their best to give a reassuring smile but fails, and quickly turns to look out of the nearby window; their wobbling lips and teary eyes easily visible in the reflective portions of the glass.

Reassuringly, you exclaim to Aschwar, "...it will be O-K!"

Faintly buzzing, you ask Aschwar, "We will help you find what is lost! Do the other Beloved know are feeling this way as well?"

You tilt your head curiously at Aschwar.

Their voice wavering as they continue to stare out of the window, Aschwar says, "Only Friend...Missus Friend Shulamit."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "Ohh, good Friend Missus Shulamit - the best."

You nod your head sagely.

Quietly, Aschwar says, "...and Tsakali."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "Maybe beat Ixchilgal about the head until they're friends with them too?"

Esei plucks a stray blackthorn flower from their robes, silently offering it to Aschwar.

You tilt your head curiously at Tridemon.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Tridemon, "I do not know them."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Tridemon, "I only know Friend Tsakali and Friend Shulamit... and... a lot of other Friends - there are so many Beloved!"

Aschwar catches the motion in the reflection and turns to take the petal gingerly between two claws, then they turn, wipe their eyes, and clear their voice before turning to fetch a nearby planter filled with soil and carefully place it within. "Ixchilgal was...I...there...I do not think he likes me anymore. I...he scared me, and They killed him."

Esei ponders the situation.

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Aschwar move about again with the gardening goods, antennae twitching. "That sounds like it was unfun."

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

Aschwar covers the petal with soil and sighs and says, "I do not know. I fell into the dark a little bit after, and stayed there until Missus Friend Shulamit came to get me."

You gaze softens as you smile at Aschwar.

Quietly, you exclaim to Aschwar, "She told me the story about the lighthouse - am so happy that she got to become one!"

Faintly buzzing, you ask Aschwar, "Did - can ask - how she found? Did she find you? Did you find her?"
You tilt your head curiously at Aschwar.

As though trying to distract themself, Aschwar says, "Did you know she is Their Avatar now? A Sacro-sanct. Very...much shinier than she used to be. I can see the symbols in her arms, where the smoke used to be.""

Esei nods solemnly.

Faintly buzzing, you exclaim to Aschwar, "Ahh! Yeah!! Lighthouse Avatar!! It is perfect for her!"

You chitter at Aschwar with energetic clicks of your mandibles.

You think to yourself: Am being a bad friend.

You think to yourself: Because do not know... how to help them in this moment.

You think to yourself: Do not think they want to sit with feelings...

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "Oh - I know you are not hungry but cannot wait."

You give a lucidian-inspired lemon tart to Aschwar.

Aschwar pauses in thought and says, "Usually, the sand could show. But...the sand doesn't want to listen to me, because I'm not loud, either. But...it was dark. Everywhere, and then...I heard her, and I was scared, but then I saw her...flying to me. And she picked me up, and carried me to my room. And then...I was looking at her, and it was...just...quiet."

You blink.

In disbelief, you ask Aschwar, "Miss Shulamit picked you up?"

Esei cups their cheek thoughtfully, staring at the pot.

You have emoted: Gurashi considers Aschwar from head to feets. "Remind me not to make her mad."

Almost to themself, Aschwar says, "They...used to be noisy, too. Hrm? Oh yes, yes, she picked me up."
(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "Feets."

Your eyes bug out as you boggle in amazement.

Faintly buzzing, you exclaim to Aschwar, "That sounds... amazing...!"

Quietly, Aschwar says, "And...she knew my name."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "She is so small, would not have taken her for being a strong persons..."

You blink.

Faintly buzzing, you ask Aschwar, "Your name?"

You tilt your head curiously at Aschwar.

There is an almost palpable chill in the air as Aschwar grips tightly at the planter, their voice hard as they say, "Tsakali told her."

You think to yourself: Mister Thief called them Ash ... ah - I do not want to ask - I want to hear it.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Oh."

Esei ponders the situation.

Curiously, you ask Aschwar, "You have a name that is not Friend Liar, then?"

Suddenly turning red to his shoulders, you say to Aschwar, "Friend Shulamit said something about names but was so excited to tell me you were waking and I was so excited to hear were waking that did not really pay attention."

Esei ponders the situation.

Aschwar's head droops and their arms stop shaking as they exhale a soft sigh, "Yes. It's..." They stare down at the dirt for a while, their mouth poised as though to speak for several long seconds. "...Ash. It's what They called me, but it is short for Aschwar." They blink and look incredibly tired, weary, ancient; despite their young age.

You blink.

Repeating it reverently, you say, "Aschwar ..."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Do you want to keep that name?"

Faintly buzzing, you ask Aschwar, "Aschwar ... Friend Aschwar... Friend... Ash? What do you want to be called?"

You nod your head at Esei.

You tilt your head and listen intently to Aschwar.

Quietly, with a bitter hint in their tone, Aschwar says, "Keeping it secret doesn't matter anymore, so I don't care if people know it."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

You think to yourself: Oh...

There is an incredibly long moment where Aschwar considers Esei's words, hands gripping the planter again.

Barely audible, Aschwar says, "It is all I have left. The only thing that is not all bad. The Shofet asked me that, and I did not know. And They called me Their Liar, because I said I wasn't thirsty or hungry, and They said I would be Their Liar until I decided who I wanted to be.""

The pointed tips of Esei's ears twitch as they tries to listen closely to Aschwar.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks several times, face filling with emotion.

You think to yourself: Friend...

A pink piglet drops from above and begins bouncing around.
Crafted from a rubbery material that can be squeezed tightly from the size of a melon to the size of an orange, the piglet is a toy coloured in soft shades of pink. With a rounded pot belly, the piglet has a corkscrew tail, perky ears and pudgy feet. Large green glass eyes are set on either side of its head, and a silly grin has been carved underneath the pig nose.
It weighs about 2 pounds and 0 ounce(s).
It bears the distinctive mark of Archon Reyqae Indara, Defender of Life.
It has the following aliases: piglet, pig.
A pink piglet grunts a bit and then lets out a loud 'OINK' at Tridemon.
A pink piglet says to Tridemon, "Admiral! Should I be a city aide? What can I help do?"
A pink piglet bounces out of the room.

Gently, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks, "Is Aschwar who you want to be?"

Quietly, Aschwar says, "Until I decided to tell people. And know who I was. But it doesn't matter, because secrets are gone. People in your world can't be trusted with them any more than people from mine."

You look at Aschwar, expression filled with concern as you frown.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "Oh."

Weakly, you say to Aschwar, ".... that is ..very sad - am sorry."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "And unfair, yes."

Aschwar gives another long thought, and then says, "I don't know who I want to be. I just want to be me, and I am Aschwar, but...Aschwar is not me. And I don't KNOW," they say with much more force, clearly growing frustrated, "Because I don't even know WHY things are QUIET! I just want to..." They grit their teeth and sigh and they say, "Some days I wish I didn't step through the Veil. That I didn't run away."

Suddenly, you say to Aschwar, "Don't."

Fiercely, you say to Aschwar, "Please do not say that."

It is now the 3rd of Klangiary, 553 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 10 days until the New Moon

You think to yourself: It is not better there.

Aschwar looks down at you, then reaches out and picks up a thick piece of oak that was sitting, waiting to be carved. With no more effort than it would take to blink, they splinter it in their hands and let it fall to the ground, "This place wasn't made for someone like me, Friend Gurashi. I hurt people when I don't mean to, and it just...feels bad. I'm tired of hurting people. Why is that the only way I can be okay?"

You think to yourself: It is not better back there.

Taking a step forward, you say to Aschwar, "But, everybody is hurting everybody else all of the time... it is not on purpose!"

Aschwar turns and walks back to the window, saying, "That doesn't make it feel any better."

Faintly buzzing, you exclaim to Aschwar, "That is why we do nice things for each other!"

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You see the following people here:
Tridemon, Esei, Gurashi.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances over towards the lucidian and elfen, panickingly wringing his hands together before chasing after Aschwar. "That is why is so important to do all that can to be kind, yes."

Leaning forward, you say to Aschwar, "To bake together, and to write letters and share stories and songs, yes."

You think to yourself: That is what is about yes!

You think to yourself: These are good things.

You think to yourself: And you belong here!

Aschwar reaches up and presses a paw against the stained glass, "This place is so fancy. People say they love me, and I can't even hear it any more. I just...am tired. But I don't want to sleep." They lean forward to press their forehead against the glass, "...and hurt people, even when you don't mean to. When you want to hug them. Or want them to be less noisy. Or just...are scared. And then you are asleep, and you aren't here when your Shofet needs you. And They get hurt. And you could have helped, but you were asleep, because you couldn't control whether or not you hurt people. Even the people you like."

You think to yourself: You belong here!!!

Quietly, sounding utterly defeated, Aschwar says, "That never would have happened if I had stayed put, and been brave instead of scared."

You stare intensely at Aschwar, looking moments from tears though your eyes remain dry.

Esei creases their brow in a frown.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "...cannot stop every bad thing from happening."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Aschwar, "Those are ... very... big, bad things, yes."

Esei's eyes suddenly widen, as though coming to a realization.

Esei closes their eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of their surroundings.

Voice cracking, you say to Aschwar, "But if you did not leave, then would not have gotten to meet us - or, Mister Binky, or gotten to visit the Glomdoring, or see the many beautiful places in the Basins and eaten all of the many good foods."

Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

Softly, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to Aschwar, "You projected, during your sleep."

Their voice cracking slightly in their sorrow, Aschwar says, "You would have met each other, though. And never been in danger from me."

You blink.

Very quietly, almost a whisper, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Most people can't hear the truth behind people telling them they love them at all, ever. They simply have to trust that the words are true. And it's a very hard thing to trust. A very hard thing."

There is a brief moment of silence, and then Aschwar quietly asks, "...projected?"

Esei nods their head.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Memories. Dreams."

Turning, tears still staining the fur below their eyes, Aschwar says, "But...I've always known. I've always heard, and now I can't. I don't...I don't know how to deal with that. Everything is scary, because I don't know, and because I can't hear..."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks towards Tridemon, suddenly seeming far away, swaying lightly on his feet. He quickly looks back to Aschwar.

You think to yourself: ... I...

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Ah... it is my thought that... you strained your mental capacity. Your empathetic abilities. That is why you cannot 'hear' them anymore."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Like a muscle that has been strained, you must let it recover."

Frowning, Aschwar says, "I...don't know what you mean."

Esei ponders the situation.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks helplessly to Esei, tilting his head again.

You think to yourself: Ah - brain stuff.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Empaths can sense the emotional... auras, of others, in a way. Sometimes, even objects. This may happen passively, as though seeing a color no one else can, or hearing an underlying pulse to every word. It may be taken when touched, like coal dust getting on your hands."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Some empaths can influence auras, and pass on feelings to others."

You have emoted: Gurashi takes a step closer to the wall, resting his hand on the edge of the kitchenette to steady himself as he listens, carefully watching Aschwar's reactions to Esei's explanations.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "This is different than healing empaths, such as myself."
Esei gives you a Look.

Quietly, struggling to express the concept, Aschwar says, "It's like...colours. When you hear things. And you just...know."

Esei nods their head at Aschwar.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Bizirik likes to project a need for fish, for instance."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Some empaths border on the line of telepathy, while others simply pick up on emotions..."

You have emoted: Gurashi folds his arms over his chest as he listens, still confused, but clearly eager to learn more. He looks to the leothin, who is poking around in the dining room.

Quietly, you say, "Bizi shows feelings."

Aschwar shakes their head and rubs at their temple, and says, "I...I don't...I have to go. I'm sorry, I need to find...the lady. She's smart, she'll know."

You ponder the situation.

The world seems a little less pleasant as an enormous tae'dae with black and gold fur departs to the down.

You blink.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Ah--."

Esei lets out a soft sigh.

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches out after Aschwar as they leave, surprised.

In the planter, a small branch has sprouted, twisted and gnarled in a terrible, pained way as it struggles to push through the soil.

Esei blinks.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "Now, for empaths who have passed through the Portal of Fate are often drawn to becoming Healers, like myself."

Tridemon ponders the situation.

You have emoted: Gurashi doesn't respond, staring at the space once occupied by the tae'dae.

You think to yourself: ... no.

Esei reaches out and touches you.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Bizirik, the leothin, "Do you want to come to the beach to check on what the fountain has produced this month?"

Esei tilts their head curiously at Tridemon.

Bizirik, the leothin tosses its head happily, then chirps at Tridemon, slinking forward and rubbing against the lucidian's legs.

You think to yourself: It is not fair.

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

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily at Esei.

You think to yourself: If you do not belong, then...

Grabbing Bizirik, the leothin by the arm, Tridemon points towards the horizon and declares in a proud tone, "Onward!"
Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Tridemon. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

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.

Tridemon pats Esei in a friendly manner.

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

Tridemon turns towards the down and steps forward, instantly collapsing into a torrent of water that rushes outwards with a thunderous crash of water.

You think to yourself: Am scared.

Quietly, you say, "...ah - should go."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks, "...home?"

You have emoted: Gurashi doesn't answer.

Before the Master Ravenwood Tree.
The dark heart of Glomdoring Forest is almost audibly beating in this, its shadowy centre. Tall, blackened trees surround this clearing, pressing together into an imposing barrier of rotten vegetation. Moulds and fungi are smeared across the plants, their pungent stench suffusing the forest. The branches are coated in dark slime, slick tendrils that hang downwards. Although a variety of trees might actually grow here, the black tar that coats them renders them indistinguishable. A thin black mist creeps between the trees, hanging low across the ground. The floor of the clearing itself is simply bare earth, cracked and dry. Overshadowing all is the Master Ravenwood Tree itself, jutting into the sky like a twisted fist. The sound of laughing crows echoes down from the treetops, a harsh sound for the ears below. The atmosphere vibrates with a palpable power. Brennan Stormcrow paces here, his cadaverous body twitching with sudden jerks. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a bat around its skull. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a spider around its skull. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a beetle around its skull. An animated skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a wasp around its skull. The Master Ravenwood Tree towers over everything here, pulsing with an immeasurable yet dark power.
You see a single exit leading north.

Esei gives you a friendly squeeze.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks you, "Rest?"

You have emoted: Gurashi nods once.

Quietly, you say to Esei, "Many thank yous for coming with..."

Smiling forcibly, you say to Esei, "I think they liked gift."

Esei pats you in a friendly manner.

Ghostly voices echo softly, combining into a haunting melody.

Weakly, you say to Esei, "...uhm."

Esei gives you a friendly squeeze.

Weaker, you say to Esei, "Would you accept a hug, maybe."

Esei nods their head at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at Esei miserably.

You reach out, wrapping all four arms around Esei as you pull them into a tight hug.

Esei squeezes you tightly, not letting you go.

**SOBS IN END**