Death and Barriers

[[Rhalkyr is in Fae bothering Lhiannan again.]]

Esei purses their lips, contemplating you thoughtfully.

                 Rhalkyr lowers his chin, glancing over at Esei, whereupon his chin lifts to bare
his densely striped throat once more. His right hand lifts to ripple a gentle rhythm upon his heart,
but he says nothing, returning his mask to its previous facing towards Lhiannan Shee-Slaugh - though
his eyes are fixed on the ground.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks you, "...would you mind caring to answer
a question?"

                 Rhalkyr turns his head the merest fraction towards Esei so that he can glance at
them from the corner of the mask's eye, twitching his hand aside in an encouraging gesture.
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks you, "Has Lord Nocht ever shown Himself
to you directly?"

                 The angle of Rhalkyr's head shifts slightly, an uptilt of the left corner of his
jaw as he considers. "Think, not. Hands, of shadow, of sap, and blood. Voice, in head. When, Silent
One, and, Blackpetal, spoke, to Tau. Perhaps, then. Not, to me."

Esei tilts their head, dark eyes assessing something slightly beyond you. "I see..." Their voice is
a whisper, clearly thoughtful.

                 Rhalkyr swivels his head to follow Esei's gaze, the vivid green of his own eyes
striving to pinpoint that which Esei regards. "Explain?"
-
Deep in thought, Esei leans their cheek on their hand.

Quietly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I am unsure if it is relevant
yet."

                 Rhalkyr utters a contemplative rumble that shakes his throat. "If, not secret, can
tell. May, be relevant. May, be too late, to discover, relevancy, after."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "You may recall when I gave you
the very first blackthorn origami? We spoke of hunting, and Gurashi, and some other things besides."

                 Rhalkyr jerks his head down in a sharp affirmative.
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "He showed Himself to me,
briefly, regarding a few things I asked after."
-
Esei purses their lips, deep in thought.
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "He said that the Wyrd was stirring."

Correcting themself, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Is still, most
likely."

                 Rhalkyr's head dips down in a tiny series of nods, as if upon the swell and fall of
a minute ocean. "Yes. Xenthos, said, similar. Warned, of, something, coming. To, be ready."
-
Esei purses their lips, deep in thought.

Esei lightly brushes their fingers over your arm, tilting their head.

                 The touch draws Rhalkyr's mask fully around to face Esei, his own head mirroring
the angle of Esei's own as he makes a soft, inquisitive sound.

Esei hums thoughtfully.
-
Esei stops suddenly, eyes widening.

Esei makes a soft sound, not unlike a wounded animal.

                 Rhalkyr reaches out immediately, laying a huge hand lightly upon Esei's shoulder,
concern fairly radiating from him. "What, is?"

You think to yourself: Whatever it is, he will kill it, rip its hide from its flesh, sunder its bones
and grind it into paste, eatandkillandeatandkillandkillandkill.

Esei leans gently into your bulk, for just a moment before pulling away.
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Caohite... is dead."

Esei pulls away, bracing one hand on a nearby tree.

Haltingly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I need... to go."

You tell Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "**The feline presence of his mind
lingers, prowling back and forth in a warding perimeter about the edges of your own mental
landscape, its gaze turning to your threshold, then out, baring its teeth at potential threats,
over, and over, and over - Uncertain, deeply concerned, and agitated.**."

Esei tells you, "** A soft, gentle hand. You see flashes of the Glomdoring's portal room and a name
- Halidanais. **."

A silent graveyard.
This graveyard has been swamped in icy fog and dead silence, your breath billowing out in chilly
mist. A shrine to the deceased has been erected here, made of a dark stone that has been carved with
wyrden symbols. An intricate dagger depicting the Night fae has been left on the shrine. Next to the
dagger rests a piece of shadowed ivory wrapped in snakeskin. A shallow silver bowl has been placed
at the foot of the shrine, left for offerings. Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk
floats here, suffusing the air with the sickly-sweet scent of blackthorn blossoms. They wield a
dark, curved silver athame in their left hand.
You see a single exit leading southeast.

Esei's fingers press against the dark stone of the shrine, shoulders slumped.
-
Quietly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Caohite was my cousin. Almost
my sister, in fact. She was my protege almost as soon as she had left the Portal."

                 Rhalkyr's eyes dart about wildly, a monstrous anger setting the violent green afire
as he stalks in, hands flexed into stiffened claws. Upon detecting no immediate threat, he visibly
calms, the intensity of the rage instead replaced by equal degrees of concern, of sorrow. Padding
softly up to Esei, he brushes the back of his hand along Esei's arm, and listens - Standing close
enough to offer support and warmth, should it be desired, without forcing it.
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I guided her through her Rites in
the Auguries, and she left the Glomdoring for a boy she cared for."
-
Bracing their palms on the stone, staring at the ivory piece on the altar, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee
-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "And now... she is dead."

A cat of black ink is oddly quiet, winding between Esei's legs and purring gently.

Esei barks out a laugh, sudden and abrupt, choked off as soon as it starts. Tears dot the stone
dark.

                 Rhalkyr looks upon the ivory piece in turn, studying it for a time in silence,
before returning his worried gaze to Esei. Softly, he says, "Tell, Rhalkyr, how, to comfort. Would,
hug, touch, but..." He makes a vague, futile gesture with his hand.
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I just need to know it was real. To
speak her name aloud, and know she was dead."
-
Esei's fingers linger gently across the dagger of dark fae, slightly to their left.

                 Rhalkyr's eyes track to the dagger, following the motion of Esei's hand. He makes
no move to touch it, nor does he stir. "Another?"
-
Voice softer, more fond, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Regat."
-
Quietly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "But he has been dead for much
longer, and I have come to terms with him."
-emote lowers his chin in a small nod. "Old wounds, do not hurt, as much. Sometimes." A pause, and
then, "Know, others, who knew, Caohite?"
You have emoted: Rhalkyr lowers his chin in a small nod. "Old wounds, do not hurt, as much.
Sometimes." A pause, and then, "Know, others, who knew, Caohite?"
-
Esei stops, turning to stare at you with a glittering eye, clearly seeing something different than
simply the human skin.
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...ah. It makes more sense, now."

                 Rhalkyr grows oddly still, faintly wary as he watches Esei in turn. He does not
speak, but he makes a faint, questioning rumble.

Faintly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Your shadow roils underneath
you, like boiling blood."

You think to yourself: Boiling blood, roiling shadow. Visions of the Heart.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Regat's title was the Shadow of
Blood."

                 Rhalkyr's head tilts, ever so slowly, to his right, watching, listening, patient as
a stone.

Esei moves closer to you, dark eyes intense. They cup your cheek with one hand, murmuring softly
under their breath.

                 Rhalkyr does not draw back at Esei's approach, the emerald of his eyes glittering
as they stare into Esei's own, searching. Reflexively, he leans into the touch, though his own hand
remain at his side, twitching faintly.

Voice low, and cool, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "Do not
disappoint whatever Dark Spirit follows you."

                 Rhalkyr's initial response is a slow, mild blink. Calmly, he rumbles, "Will, try.
Do not, know, what, wants."
-
Softly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "It is not always -want-, with
Spirits. There is what is, and what must be, and they guide you to a better version of yourself."

                 Rhalkyr's left shoulder rises the barest fraction of an inch. "Do not, know, of
Spirits, much. Explain?"
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "It is similar to the way that Mother
Night teaches us secrecy, and Brother Crow teaches us Black Sorrow and False Memory."
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Similar to Spider's creativity, Bat's
subterfuge, Wasp's ferocity, Beetle's perseverance, Scorpion's unity. Similar to the Shadowbeat's
three movements guiding our call to the Spirits."
-
Esei lets out a soft sigh.
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Dark Spirits are more often than not,
druids from the past, who died and moved on. It is a great honor to become a Dark Spirit after one's
death."

                       Faint confusion, commingled uncertainty and concern. He does not know of what
they speak, not truly, but if this will provide comfort, and distraction, so be it.

                 Rhalkyr's eyes flick to the dagger, and back again. "Regat, was, druid?"
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "No. An Ebonguard, who followed Mother
Night for the most part."
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "But that does not necessarily mean
anything."
-
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "What I am trying to say is that
the spirit is trying to help you. Listen to it - it will be subtle, like your instincts or gut
feeling."
-
Esei's hand tightens briefly across your mask, slowly dropping. They slump backwards, rolling back
on their heels.

                 Rhalkyr's regard is serious as he listens, silence draping him like a mantle.
Eventually, once the contact is broken, he nods, voice quiet, but firm. "Always, listening, to
instincts. Do not, fear, for Rhalkyr." Moving a small step towards Esei, he reaches his own hands
out to gently slide calloused fingers along either of Esei's cheeks - his touch, as ever, warm, and
solid. He says nothing, merely holding the contact, and staring.
-
Esei's fingers wrap tightly around your wrists, dark eyes distant.

                 The edge of Rhalkyr's rough thumbs rasp lightly against the skin by Esei's temple
as he moves them in gentle, slow strokes.

You think to yourself: How can he heal a hurt he cannot see? How can he soothe the loss of one he
has never known?

Esei pulls your fingers away from their face, taking a long stride away.

Spreading their arms wide, Esei spins clockwise and a shimmering white orb springs up around them.

Rhalkyr offers no resistance, lowering his hands to his sides, watching quietly.

Esei half-sits, half-collapses, staring vacantly into the woods around them. Tsillah piles into the
elfen's lap, curling up and purring softly.
-
Of their own volition Esei's hands card through the cat's inky fur.

                 Rhalkyr studies Esei for a long moment, before his gaze shifts to a cat of black
ink, his head tilting aside. Wordlessly, he turns his back on Esei, but makes no move to leave -
instead, he remains standing, and something in his posture speaks of subtle violence, of vigilance,
as he stares, gaze roaming back and forth without cease.

Esei shivers violently.
-
Esei presses their fingers against their chest, feeling for their pulse.
-
In accordance with a silent beat you can't quite hear, Esei begins to softly hum a low, dark tune.
-
Esei shivers violently.
-
Esei's fingers soothe over Tsillah's fur, rolling their thumbs into the little divots behind her
ears.

                 Rhalkyr's head turns very slightly in Esei's direction, a gleam of vivid green just
visible at the corner of his mask's carved eyes. He waits for several moments and then brings his
right hand up to curl it into a fist. Thumping it against his sternum, he gives life to a deep,
muted beat, pounding his knuckles against his chest in perfect sync with the beat Esei hums to, but
otherwise makes no move, no other sound.
-
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.

Voice rasping harshly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I'm
alright."

You think to yourself: They do not sound alright, or seem alright.

                 Rhalkyr's sole response is a minute dip of his chin, a simple acknowledgement of
the statement. The deep, muted thump of his fist upon his chest continues unabated, and his vigil is
likewise undisturbed.

Esei shakes their head, then their entire body.

[[Esei turns into AslaranEsei]]

                 Rhalkyr angles his jaw in Esei's direction, flicking a glance back over his
shoulder, then away again.
-
Esei swivels their ears towards you, listening with rapt attention.

Softly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Let me show you something."

                 At this, Rhalkyr finally turns, twisting at the waist to regard Esei with patient
curiosity - though he remains precisely where he is.
-
Esei beckons you to them.

A blackthorn copse.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The woods grow denser here, as
blackthorn trees grow closely knit. In full bloom, they cover much of the view of the forest deeper
within, giving a sense of safety to those who remain here. The rich scent of the blossoms lingers in
the air, leading one's senses on a sweet journey. Shadows seep in from the woods, causing a mist
that rises a few inches off the ground that swirls around ankles and legs. Edelweiss and valerian
flowers bloom around the edges of the blackthorn trees, a stark contrast against the dark bark.
Splashes of pale pink camellias are the only color, a disparity against the otherwise monochrome
environment. A cat of black ink loiters here, glossy eyes intelligent and curious.
You see a single exit leading south.

Esei's tail lashes back and forth, staring at you with narrow gold eyes.

                 Rhalkyr's eyes rove over the copse for a time, drinking in the near monochrome
flora, before turning to Esei - Which elicits a faint, disgruntled sound from deep in his throat, as
he backs away, lowering into a crouch as his chin draws down over his throat.

Esei leans forward, closer to you.

                 Rhalkyr leans away, turning his head slightly aside, still covering his throat with
the base of his mask.
-
Esei's tail stills, eyes blinking slowly at you once, twice, thrice.

                 The uncertain tension of Rhalkyr's wary stance eases gradually, though he remains
crouched, and maintains his distance as he responds with a single, slow blink of his own, then looks
away.
-
Esei purrs softly.

                 The faint vestiges of coiled energy dissipate from Rhalkyr at the soft sound, his
hands lowering to tap a slow beat upon the flat bones of his shins as he utters a deep, ragged
rumble of his own - The best approximation a human can make of a purr, in turn.

Esei prowls forward languidly, letting out a soft chuffing sound.

                 Rhalkyr visibly brightens at this, his head lifting as his eyes alight with
interest and undisguised delight. A rougher chuff rasps forth from his throat, as he steps towards
Esei, then back again.
-
Esei cocks their head, as if raising a brow in curiosity.

You think to yourself: A silvery, vibrating sensation of surprised delight, rippling out across the
woven strands of the silken jungle from the epicenter of the monstrous tiger. Pleasure at a language
and form made more familiar to him, flickering glimpses of fragmented memories - Felines, of all
manner of shapes and sizes, studied with an intensity and zeal that crosses far beyond the realms of
sanity. Foremost among those, tigers. Always, tigers.

                 Rhalkyr settles his weight back upon his haunches, placing his immense hands on the
ground before his feet, fingers splayed. Again, the slow blink, and the casual glance aside, but he
is otherwise unmoving, though clearly at ease.
-
Softly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "We ought to return home,
jatamo."

 Rhalkyr dips his chin in an affirmative, rising fluidly from his crouch to stand.

[[They leave!]]