To Be Loved

Gurashi blinks.
Gurashi pets you ingratiatingly.
Gurashi beams broadly at you.
Gurashi hums softly to themself.
Gurashi slowly stands up straight, humming quietly and touching the wall.

Tridemon reaches over and ruffles your hair with a fond expression.

Gurashi looks out suddenly over the railing, eyes widening as the thunder and lightning outside shake the surrounds.

The clouds overhead rumble ominously and bolts of lightning strike the ground, followed closely by peals of furious thunder.

You have emoted: Cheliyi shifts in her sleep. Murkrow, sure that his charge is finally calm, hops over to Tridemon and peers at him unscrupulously with one beady eye.

Gurashi hums softly to themself.

Miiria, the red genie spins towards Gurashi in a flurry of glitter, pulling a slice of cinnamon raisin bread from a small vermillion bottle and handing it over, then spinning away again.

Gurashi blinks.
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Oh..."
Gurashi gives a vanilla butter cake with lemon cream and berries to Bizirik, the leothin.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend whispers, "Deliver to Kistan - please!"
With a toss of its head and some noisy chatter, Bizirik takes a vanilla butter cake with lemon cream and berries from Gurashi with its smaller set of forelimbs and scampers off.
Bizirik reappears with a smug look on its face, sauntering up to Gurashi to encircle them endearingly before sitting down, tail slapping the ground once with pride.
Bizirik, the leothin begins to follow Gurashi obediently.

The Mantle of Starlight shimmers and twinkles as the starlit darkness that it is formed of continues its eternal motion.
Tridemon shrugs slightly. "There are lots of very nice places. The balcony in the Abbey, the room with the Thalassos... the gift shop..."
Happily, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Plates!"

Face lighting up, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to Tridemon, "Will you take me sometime? To some of the pretty places. I think someone once showed me to the top of the something or other - the view was... a lot."
Gurashi shivers violently.

You have emoted: Murkrow clicks his beak once, twice, and then flaps up to perch in Gurashi's head, giving a triumphant caw. He settles down and clicks his beak at Tridemon once more, as if to thank him for helping Cheliyi.

Gurashi gives a horrified gasp.
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Ah!"
Gurashi claps their hands over their mouth as they are suddenly made into a perch, shoulders bunching.
Gurashi frets over everything that might go wrong.

You have emoted: Oddly enough, Murkrow just clicks his beak and begins preening his new nest. Cheliyi hums something under her breath, and smiles.

Tridemon gives Gurashi a thumbs up.

Gurashi frets over everything that might go wrong.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend whispers, "Oh.. it tickles."

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a brief moment.

Gurashi shivers and reaches up towards the perched bird. "Oh, kay. O-K! You are happy there, are you not? O-K, this is fine." They trail off, puffing their cheeks and looking at Tridemon hopelessly.
Gurashi blushes furiously.

You have emoted: The crow just clicks his beak once more, gently grabbing one of Gurashi's fingers in his beak before letting go. He returns to preening. Cheliyi yawns, before opening her eyes and sitting up blearily.

You peer at a vicious, ghostly white crow unscrupulously.
A vicious, ghostly white crow turns his back on you and pointedly ignores you.

Gurashi winces in pain.

Gurashi pulls their hand back and shakes it sharply before sticking it in their mouth. "Naughty," They scold a vicious, ghostly white crow.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you ask, "Why are you on Dad's head, Murkrow?"

Gasping, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "Naughty!"
Sucking their finger, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "A properly naughty bird."

Bizirik, the leothin looks on from a distance, inspired.

You have emoted: Cheliyi giggles softly, wrapping herself in the blanket. Murkrow just tucks his head under his wing.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "Sorry if woke you."
Gurashi frets over everything that might go wrong.

You have emoted: Cheliyi rises to her feet, before leaning over to Gurashi and picking up Murkrow to set the naughty corvid on her shoulder. "It's okay. I was waking up anyways."

The Drums of the Dead begin to thump, their pounding and erratic beats raising a black mist that hangs eerily over the Glomdoring Forest.
You have emoted: Cheliyi rubs at her eyes, visibly relaxing at the beat of the Drums.

Tridemon reaches over and ruffles Gurashi's hair fondly.

Gurashi looks up suddenly, their left ear flicking before they turn their attention to the nearby visible waterfall.
Gurashi's shoulders bunch as they let out a short giggle.
Gurashi smiles weakly.

You have emoted: Cheliyi follows Tridemon's gaze, expression softening. Murkrow snuggles beneath her frills, promptly falling asleep.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "... It is very pretty here. And the water is clean."

Gurashi looks suddenly to you, face lighting up as they smile brightly.
Gurashi nods their head at you.

Perking up, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "Isn't it super nice? It is my favorite place that is not a playground."
Gurashi sways in their spot, hand held to their heart, covering the center of their chest.

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "I love the water when it sparkles at sunrise and sunset..."
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Is really breathtaking... mm..." They trail off. "It is storming now... bad example ..."
Gurashi closes their eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of their surroundings.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "I think Celest is too bright for me, most of the time. But this is goodly."

---> look Murkrow

The crow is vicious, an enormous bird with ghostly white feathers and beak. One eye has been scooped out, leaving a dark, empty socket, forcing the crow to constantly cock his head towards whatever catches his interest. The crow leans his head back and caws, which makes your blood run cold. Larger than a dog, his midnight wings have a span of over eight feet. He is called 'Murkrow.'
A vicious, ghostly white crow looks to be crushingly strong.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "Ah ...yeah, you mentioned that before."
Gurashi twiddles their thumbs.

You have emoted: Cheliyi chuckles sheepishly. "I have lived with my siblings for my whole life. It really just makes sense, I think."

Gurashi nods their head emphatically.
Gurashi hums softly to themself.

Tridemon reaches over and ruffles Gurashi's hair fondly.
Tridemon reaches over and ruffles your hair with a fond expression.

Gurashi's shoulders bunch as they let out a short giggle.
Gurashi tilts their head curiously at Tridemon.

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles at Tridemon, her drooping frills puffing with gratitude.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "... anyway - it is O-K! As long as you visit. I will probably be around here somewhere, until I am allowed to visit."
Gurashi bounces up and down.
Gurashi's short tail wags a mile a minute. "It's a beautiful place here."
Gurashi beams broadly.

You smile softly at Gurashi.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "For meeeeeee."

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to Gurashi's brow.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Love you very muchly, dad. And you, Mister Dad."

Gurashi hums louder, suddenly nuzzling their face vigorously into yours.

You hug Tridemon compassionately.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Oh, yes, love you too - very muchly."

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.
You have emoted: Cheliyi steps back, and stares into the distance.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend asks, "...are you O-K?"
Gurashi's eyes widen as they stare at you.
Gurashi tilts their head and listens intently to you.

Softly, you say, "I... I think I remembered something. And it might explain my nightmare."

Aural Tildarmin yells, "Don't forget to breed turtles in the Inner Sea! Their population is imperative to Celest!"

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend asks, "...oh?"
Gurashi tilts their head and listens intently to you.

You blink.
You think to yourself: Turtles....?
You have emoted: Cheliyi suddenly shakes her head as if to clear away a thought.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Um... yes. I... well, I don't think..."
You glance askance.

Softly, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "... it is O-K."
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "...we are here."
Gurashi's eyes widen as they stare at you.
Gurashi looks up at Tridemon, then hurriedly back at you.

As if it troubles her deeply, you say, "I do not think I was always with my siblings."
You think to yourself: **a warm smile, a loving embrace, frills that you reach up to tug on as someone laughs at you**.
You crease your brow in a frown.

Softly, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, ".... you mean ..."
Gurashi tilts their head and listens intently.

You have emoted: The fabric of a leaf-green woollen blanket creaks as Cheliyi's grip tightens suddenly. "I cannot remember faces. But I can see... people. Like me. I know them. They..."
You have emoted: Cheliyi's expression crumples.

Softly, you say, "They loved me."

You think to yourself: **a deep grey, an aching loneliness that's never to be filled, where did they go? they are gone gone gone gone**

Aquamantic symbols suddenly project themselves upon the very air in dark blue light, fading after a brief moment.

Gurashi listens patiently, their short tail no longer wagging, expression gentle, concerned.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "And... I do not think they can love me anymore. I think..."

Tears fill your eyes and begin to slowly run down your face.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "I think they died. But they tried to hide me. And they could not."

You think to yourself: **dark purple, bathed in crimson, glinting in the moonlight, bright red flooding your senses, stealing your breath**.
You have emoted: Cheliyi pulls tighter on her blanket, dull gaze hollow.
You shudder violently as a chill ripples down your spine.

Tridemon hugs you compassionately.

You have emoted: Cheliyi chuckles weakly, blinking away her tears. "Or maybe I am just being silly again. I know that people think I am crazy when I speak with my siblings."

The clouds overhead rumble ominously and bolts of lightning strike the ground, followed closely by peals of furious thunder.

You have emoted: Cheliyi leans into the embrace, just looking tired.

Gurashi lifts their head, gazing off beyond the waterfall and listening to the storm as it rages on outside. "You are not being silly."
Quietly, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Pre-portal impressions can be ..."

Tridemon flexes his left hand almost involuntarily.

Gurashi stares blankly at you.
Gurashi sinks down to join Tridemon and you, though they do join join the embrace. "You feel what you feel, and it is what and who you are, and that is not silly."

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances down at Tridemon's hand, frowning slightly before looking up to him with gentle concern.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend whispers, "We both have our own stories, we do."

Gurashi glances askance at Tridemon.

You think to yourself: **the memory fading as you're here and now, green springing from a palate of grey**.

Tridemon ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.
Tridemon suddenly turns to you, and you watch as he reaches out and lightly boops you on the nose with a finger.

You blink.

Tridemon nods his head sagely.

You have emoted: Cheliyi chuckles wetly, and rubs away at her eyes.

Gurashi's shoulders bunch as they let out a short giggle.
Gurashi's gaze softens as they smile at Tridemon.
Gurashi gives you a friendly squeeze.

You have emoted: Cheliyi grabs one of each sleeve, one from Gurashi and the other from Tridemon, relaxing into the embrace.

Gurashi gives you a friendly squeeze.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Thank you for being very goodly. Love you both."

Perking up, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "Love you too! Yeah yeah! We do! I do!"
Gurashi bounces up and down.
Gurashi's short tail wags furiousl and they bob their head side to side.

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.

Encouragingly, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "You never need to apologize around us, no you do not."
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "You are goodly and you! The best you!"

You smile softly.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Okay."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Bizirik, the leothin, "Time to pose!"
Tridemon strikes a pose.

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.

Tridemon shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Bizirik, the leothin, "Lazy."

Bizirik, the leothin flops down onto the ground.
Bizirik, the leothin strikes a pose.

You strike a pose.
You have emoted: Cheliyi giggles, her tears already drying.

Tridemon gives you a thumbs up.

Bizirik, the leothin slinks over to the cluster of people, abruptly throwing its full weight onto you.

Bizirik, the leothin flops herself into your arms.

Gasping, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Bizi!"

Bizirik, the leothin stretches languidly.
Bizirik, the leothin wriggles and writhes, then sits up abruptly, rolling off of you after it has thoroughly squished the mugwump.
Bizirik, the leothin stares at the nearby pools and stands up, creeping over to the water's edge to begin drinking.

Gurashi narrows their eyes, peering about suspiciously.

You have emoted: Cheliyi falls back with a thud, still giggling. She stays there, while Murkrow seems... surprisingly adept at hanging on.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Naughty noodle."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend whispers, "The naughtiest."

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

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily.
Bizirik, the leothin lets out a massive belch into the air.
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.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "... Bizi."

Gurashi suddenly cants their head and narrows their eyes at Bizirik, the leothin, peering at her suspiciously.

Perking up, Bizirik, the leothin begins to chitter and thrum, its tail sweeping back and forth across the ground. It cranes its neck to gently headbutt Gurashi's side contentedly.

Gurashi rolls their eyes.

Shaking their head, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Oh - I was going to say - as you discover more of your ..."
Gurashi glances askance.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "... pre-histories..."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "You are always welcome to share. To parse and sort..."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "...having someone for that is ..."

Gurashi stares blankly into space.
Gurashi looks suddenly at Tridemon.
Staring at Tridemon still, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "It makes it a lot easier."

You have emoted: Cheliyi nods slowly.
You peer at Gurashi unscrupulously.
The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

You have emoted: Cheliyi huffs. "I cannot tease you about this anymore because you are now my dads. Hm."

Gurashi blinks.
Confused, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend exclaims, "What? Tease about what!"
Gurashi boggles at you.

Tridemon peers at you unscrupulously.

Gurashi's short tail wags and wags and they bob their head, huffing.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Because you love him very muchly!"
You giggle happily.

Pointing to themselves, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend asks, "Oh - m-mean me?"
Gurashi boggles at you.

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Yes, because Mister Dad is too hard to tease."

Gurashi huffs, puffing their cheeks.
Grinning, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend asks, "... Mister Dad?"

You point accusingly at Tridemon.
You giggle happily.

Gurashi nods their head emphatically.
Suddenly, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend exclaims to Tridemon, "Mister Dad!"
Gurashi giggles alongside you, bunching their shoulders.

Tridemon nods his head sagely.

Gurashi sits up straighter, tail wagging. "Am I -really- that easy to tease?" They huff.
Tridemon leans in and gives Gurashi a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Shirtlessness."

You nod your head sagely.

Gurashi stares blankly into space.
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "... a...."

You pat Gurashi in a friendly manner.

Akin to a barometer, Gurashi slowly becomes redder and redder until their hair is an equal shade to their hair. "...oh."

You giggle happily at Gurashi.

Gurashi suddenly cants their head and narrows their eyes at Tridemon, peering at him suspiciously.
Clearing their throat, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "O-K point made."

Gurashi huffs, puffing their cheeks.
Gurashi huffs, puffing their cheeks.

Tridemon pats his left shoulder for a moment.

Gurashi's gaze softens as they smile at Tridemon.
Gurashi sways anxiously in their spot.

Gurashi's ears perk up with a sudden interest.

You have emoted: Cheliyi leans onto Gurashi, giggling softly. "It just means that you are goodly, I think."

Gurashi huffs, puffing their cheeks.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Also very cute."

Gurashi gives a horrified gasp.

Aghast, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Hey!"
Gurashi blushes furiously.

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.

Gurashi bunches their shoulders and puffs their cheeks but says nothing else, quietly stewing.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "I have accepted that I am cute, now it is your turn."

Suddenly, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "...am pretty cute yeah."
Grinning, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "It RUNS in the FAMILY."
Gurashi's shoulders bunch as they let out a short giggle.

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.

Gurashi looks suddenly to you, face lighting up as they smile brightly.
Gurashi looks at Tridemon, face lighting up as they smile brightly at him.

You smile brightly at Gurashi, your frills puffing with joy.
You smile brightly at Tridemon, your frills puffing with joy.

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.

Suddenly, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "I haven't heard any thunder in a while ... I wonder if the storms cleared ..."
Gurashi's eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across their face.
Gurashi hums thoughtfully, settling back in their spot and rubbing their eyes.
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Oh - I will be RIGHT back."
Gurashi bounces up and down.
Gurashi leaves to the southeast, emanating an aura of immense power.
With a playful chirr, Bizirik turns sharply and scampers off to the southeast.

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.

Tridemon jerks slightly as the air fills with sparkling motes of bright light.

A series of pure, crystalline notes sounds in the air as Gurashi steps smoothly into being.
Bizirik stalks in from the ether, wings spread as it clicks and thrums softly.
Gurashi flops down onto the ground.
Huffing, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "She is GONE. Miss Gioia is FASTly."
Gurashi flails about helplessly.

You pat Gurashi in a friendly manner.

Dramatically sprawled out on the ground, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "I am sloooow."

Tridemon leans in and gives Gurashi a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Gurashi looks at Tridemon hopefully.
Gurashi smiles up at Tridemon, for a moment looking entirely focused on the lucidian, their tail wagging a mile a minute.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Gurashi, "What do you think, is Cheliyi adorable too?"

Inhaling sharply, you puff out your frills in Tridemon's direction and utter a soft squeak.

Gasping, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to Tridemon, "Oh my goodness."
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to Tridemon, "I SAID it runs in the family."
Gurashi winks knowingly.
The corners of Gurashi's mouth turn up as they grin mischievously.
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Definitely how that works - definitely."
Gurashi's tail seems to somehow wag faster.

You slip into a pair of thin spectacles.
You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks owlishly, until her gaze seems to settle with a creaking sigh.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "So cute - the cutest."

You peer at Gurashi unscrupulously.
Inhaling sharply, you puff out your frills in Gurashi's direction and utter a soft squeak.

(Sugary Sweet): You say, "That's her saying f***."
(Sugary Sweet): Gurashi says, "OMgdshalkgj."
(Sugary Sweet): Gurashi says, "Hahahah."
(Sugary Sweet): You say, "Nfckjesdcnjkdsncjksdncjksd."

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

(Sugary Sweet): Caohite (from the Aetherways) says, "Chel said a bad word? D:<."

Tridemon pushes his own spectacles up his nose almost absently. They almost immediately fall back down into their prior position.

You have emoted: Cheliyi adjusts her spectacles, only for them to fall askew once more.
You giggle happily.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Glasses are silly."

Gurashi stares at you blankly, their cheeks flushing as they look between the mugwump and Tridemon. "You two are BOTH very adorable you know...!"

Zoraida arrives from the southeast.
Zoraida leaves to the south.
Zoraida arrives from the south.
Zoraida leaves to the southeast.

You blink.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Oh! That was Miss Zoraida!"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Gurashi, "... wasn't that the mute kephera you were talking about a few months back?"

You ponder the situation.

Gurashi sniffs the air while twitching a striped badger nose.
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Yeah! Yeah!"
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "She is like me, a kephera like me! No talkies!"
Gurashi pretends to sew their mouth shut.

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Ah..."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "I think I will go say hello!"

Gurashi looks suddenly to you, face lighting up as they smile brightly.
With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says to you, "Go ahead and find her! We will join you in a second!"
Gurashi bounces up and down.

You have emoted: Cheliyi stands, but not before gently kissing both of you on the forehead. "I will see you later then, dad and Mister Dad! Fare well!"

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend says, "Ah! O-K!"
Gurashi flails about helplessly.
Gurashi waves goodbye at you.

You giggle happily.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "You can still join, yes yes."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, the Heart's Friend exclaims, "Mm! Go! Forth! Make friends!"
Gurashi claps their hands together merrily.

You easily vault onto the back of a vicious, ghostly white crow.