Summoned by the Lady of Lagoons

<-- Gurashi was listening to Esei work something out and offering to sit and play them music while they rested when suddenly...
You follow Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk up to a noctarium filled with dark mist.

A noctarium filled with dark mist.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The stairs continue up an unknown height, leading into a room higher than any other. A thick, shadowy mist pools around the edges of the room, feeling strangely plush and substantial to the touch, swirling softly around the bases of the statues nearby. The ceiling above opens up to a perfect night sky, distant stars glittering hollowly against an unblemished black. The rhombus-shaped tiles are cold, a dusky purple, starting in the center meeting as a seven-pointed star, then radiating outward in subtle, shifting gradients. The walls are held by seven obsidian columns, each one carved into a loosely shrouded figure. It is difficult to tell who or what these shrouded beings are, except for the fact each is in a different pose: the first with their hands raised in supplication; the second holding a rose in one hand, held to their face as if to take a whiff; the third holding a ritualistic dagger in the palms of their hands; the fourth drawing a blade, body tense and coiled for battle; the fifth with hands dropped to their sides and head bowed in contemplation; the sixth with an open book and a calm, seemingly innocent smile; lastly, the seventh seems to stands taller than the rest, their eyes in sharp contrast gazing over the noctarium. The room itself feels as though it has been imbued with a sense of calm and peace, with the scent of blackthorns hanging heavy in the air. The darkness of night looms here. A low-lying couch of plump charcoal cushions lies on the floor, offering a rest for any weary-bodied individuals. 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 down.

LOOK ME
Standing at a scant four foot ten inches, they are an alluring sileni kindly demigod changeling. The slender curves of this creature's form, from their slight shoulders to their dainty, six-fingered hands, lend them a youthful, wholesome appearance. Their right hand has been scarred upon the palm, as if with a sharp object, and their most prominent three knuckles of the same hand are marred. A heart-shaped face houses a sheepish smile and a pair of large, expressive, slate-blue eyes, their brilliant white pupils resembling stars framed with dusky auburn lashes. Their long cheeks and thin, upturned nose both bear a permanent shade of blush, accentuated by the greatest cluster of freckles. A moderately sized crescent-shaped scar mars their right cheek, brightly visible against the deep hue of their skin. Their smooth skin is tawny in color, covered in a smattering of auburn freckles. A hint of discolored flesh can be seen at the center of their sternum, mostly obscured by their clothing. An unruly mane of bright, apricot colored hair is clustered in wavy clumps atop their head, parted on either side of their head by a pair of curling, deep sable ram's horns, the left horn slightly shorter and stumpier than the right. A shock of bone-white hair stands out along their left temple, the tuft tucked delicately around their horn. A pair of velvety soft black ram's ears hang down from below their horns, twitching every so often in response to foreign sound. Beginning along their midriff is a thin coat of apricot-colored wool, a hint of pure white spots seen poking out from the top of their pants. Their backwards-tilted legs are slender and fawn-like, covered in downy tufts of orange fur and coming to end with triangular, sable black hooves. A short orange and white tail can be seen occasionally wagging behind them. A shifting pearlescence graces their skin as they walk with the truefavour of Carakhan, Sculptor of Waves. Soothing mists of water and light weave about them in a sparkling white veil, marking the truefavour of Lantra, the Empyreal.
They are wearing:
a starry wreath of celestial light set atop their head like a halo
a circlet of crystal thorns resting loosely atop their head
a vivid red-orange poppy tucked lovingly behind their left ear
the Mantle of Starlight which flows dreamily about their shoulders and back
a sleeveless black tunic which clings to their upper body flatteringly
mercurial Mysraian prayer beads pulled taut against their right wrist
a Glomdoring friendship bracelet which jingles softly on their left wrist
minty citrus incense beads pulled taut against their right wrist
a shifting, living poppy of indigo petals worn delicately upon their left wrist
a driftwood ring of sea breezes fitted tightly to their left middle finger
simple white linen trousers which swish around their legs freely
a bright red poppy tucked behind their left ear.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I think I should... rest, perhaps."

Caught in a sudden bout of whimsy, you twirl about the room in idle circles.

You nod your head emphatically.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Okee-dokee."

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

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Stay?"

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say to Esei, "Do not worry, so muchly."

Frowning, you say to Esei, "Things will happen, as they will happen, and that is that. Can only do bestest to be ready."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you ask, "...stay where?"

You have emoted: Gurashi looks about. "Oh, like until you fall asleeps? O-K."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "I can sing you a lullaby if wants!"

Esei takes a seat on the couch, patting the spot next to them.

Pale twilit light streams from the sky above, the lack of Sun suddenly apparent.

You have emoted: Gurashi puffs their cheeks, moving to take a slow seat upon the couch, their tail no longer wagging as they hold a vibrant mandolin of songbirds and stars against their chest, plucking some of the strings.

Esei gives you a friendly squeeze.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "It's alright."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "The statues are not... alive..."

Esei creases their brow in a frown.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...I think."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "...am not worried about it."

Plucking the strings to make sure the instrument is in tune, you say, "Get comfy."

Esei blinks.

Esei relaxes against the couch, throwing you a bemused look.

You have emoted: Gurashi wiggles in their spot, bringing the mandolin close to them, plucking away. "Said were gonna sleeps, so sleeps."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Not necessarily sleeps."

You have emoted: Gurashi's tail wags, and they close their eyes, swaying in their spot as they play a slow dreamy tune, humming sweet and low along with the instrument.

Esei wrinkles their nose and sniffs.

Esei pats you in a friendly manner.

You hear the relentless sound of dripping water in the distance, vines of spiky bromeliad blossoms winding around your feet like shackles as a mocking, feminine voice whispers in your ear, "Am I interrupting something? How rude of Me."

(OOC Clan): You say, "*choke*."
(OOC Clan): You say, "OH."
(OOC Clan): You say, "Oh no."
(OOC Clan): Esei says, "Why are you choking."
(OOC Clan): You say, "Oh no."
(OOC Clan): Esei says, "I haven't done anything."

You have emoted: Gurashi is about to sing out their first notes but stop short, voice faltering and starry eyes widening. "Oh--" They warble out instead, blinking in surprise.

Esei goes still, eyes landing on you and staying there.

Quickly, you say, "Ah. Oh! Uh - no, I can..."

Vines of flowering bromeliads coil about the bard's feet loosely as the blithe, mocking voice reiterates, "It seems I am interrupting. Well, I suppose I ought to commit to that, then."

(OOC Clan): Esei says, "For the record i see n- oh."
(OOC Clan): You say, "SORRY."
(OOC Clan): Esei says, "Oh no."
(OOC Clan): Esei says, ";_; GURASHI."
(OOC Clan): Esei says, "THIS IS MY HOUSE."

The Fulcrux of Li-varili.
A comforting feeling of privacy pervades the area. Captivatingly aquamarine shallows rest in preternatural stillness, secluded amidst this sultry, tropical lagoon. Beneath the water's crystal surface, visible roots stand unburied and upright, arching into mangroves like cages for the sinuous shadows intermittently threading between their aquatic bars. These spindly trees both shelter and protect the intimate space beneath their lushly snarled canopies, their boughs dripping with woven veils of tender fireweed blossoms, petals wafting a grassy scent into the saltwater air. As the forest finds purchase on sandy soil about the perimeter, its trunks cluster more thickly together, forbidding exploration with treacherous footing - and forging a dark, claustrophobic prison out of its labyrinthine overgrowth. A coarse island shrine rises from the centre of the shallow pool, bromeliads bursting about it in glorious adoration of the Lady of the Lagoons.
You see a single exit leading through a tangled curtain of fireweed blossoms.
You are transported by the power of the Divine.

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches out towards their side, blindly reaching for Esei only to find them no longer there. "Oh!" They blurt out awkwardly, tail wagging anxiously behind them as they turn in place, looking about the Fulcrux.

You give a horrified gasp.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Manners...!"

You turn to the master shrine of Li-varili, suddenly bending at the waist to offer a polite half-bow.
Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "You mortals are so enamoured with your manners, yes."

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

You have emoted: Gurashi turns, then faces the pool, huffing softly. "There are Some Divines who really really... uh," They grimace, "appreciates, it? Insists upon it. So! It is only, polite? Why not gives You respects, too?"

You timidly tap your fingers together.

You sense the sweeping gaze of Tridemon looking upon you.

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "There is some joy in having mortals tap-dance for Our amusement, I will grant that. My cousins have taught you all to be ever so docile."

Golden shades radiate from your chest and your heart beats faster with newly-appeared determination.

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "... huh. Did you have another prayer that needed saying over there?"
Your melodic voice sings into Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters's mind, "*the aethers quiver anxiously - you see Esei upon a couch one moment, then suddenly bromeliads and fireweed blossoms and dizzying colors and confusion - a nervous, distracted quiet, unable to respond*."
The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "... do you need me to come over."
Your melodic voice sings into Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters's mind, "*gentle trembling negation - a bloom of saffron - go in Love, in Love, in Love -*."

You have emoted: Gurashi's tail wags, then stops, then wags again as they nod once, staring down at their reflection in the murky water near their hooves. "I guess so."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Let Me guess. You serve one of My cousins, don't you? And quite faithfully, I suspect."

You have emoted: Gurashi nods several times, furrowing their brow. "The Resin Childs," They pause, then correct themselves, pursing their lips. "The Shofet of Abyssal Scales. Lords-and-Ladys-and-Neithers, Mysrai." They frown. "I love Thems, yes! They are kindly, to me." They chime, eyes widening at their reflection.

Sunlight percolates through the verdant leaves above, shimmering as it paints the pool with diamond-like glitter.

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Loving Mysrai? Ha. Well, it is not a path I would advise for any sane being, Elder or mortal, and yet if you were a more cautious sort you might not have prayed unto Me that lengthy missive of questions."

You have emoted: Gurashi exhales noisily, blowing their bangs from their face. "You know, told somebody about it, and they said I talked too muchly, but always talk too muchly. I am sorry," They lean forward, tail wagging faster. "To ask You so many questions so rudely without asking thems to Your face. Or asking if You even wanted to answer thems."

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

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "I am in a peculiarly generous mood, and it is enjoyable to play with other Elders' toys."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Let Us see which questions you see fit to grace Me with."

You have emoted: Gurashi gasps... then looks around. "O-K. Many thank Yous," They chime, turning to a different puddle to address in the hopes they might find the source of the voice. "Of course. But also I have brought cake, would You like any? Oh. Guess that wasn't one of my original questions..."

You stare blankly into space.

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Are you certain it is a cake that will live up to My expectations? Would you stake your life upon it?"

Daxi steps into the lagoon wreathed in crimson mist.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks down at the plate they carry, furrowing their brow. "...yes, but just in case, I will wait until after my questions." They nod sagely, returning to gaze at the puddle. "I--".

You stare blankly into space.

Surprised, you say, "Oh! Miss Daxi - hi."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Do you know this mortal?"

Slakened Daxi Strongleaf, Novitiate of Purity says, "Oh, am I not supposed to be here?"

Daxi blinks.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens, then closes, then opens their mouth again. "Yes, she is my friend," They look back down at the water near their feet. "She knows lots of stories and things that happened in the Basins long long time ago. Good with stories."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "She is interrupting."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say to Daxi, "I prayed to She and She summoned me, yes, to ask my questions in persons!" They look down, "and maybe eat cake but only maybe. But think y--."

You blush furiously.

Politely, you say to Daxi, "Ah, maybe - should come back later, yes."

Slakened Daxi Strongleaf, Novitiate of Purity says, "My apologies then."

Water pools around Daxi's feet and she immediately begins to sink. As the water closes over her head, the cold laughter of Li-varili echoes faintly. Then water and Daxi are both gone.

Daxi tosses an arm to the ether before her form drips and melts away into trickles and waves of starlight that dissipate into the air.

You nod your head emphatically.

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "I may have overestimated My patience this day."

Turning back to the water, you say, "O-K, lovely Lady of Lagoons, wanted to know - about the compass, yes! If You were friends, with the Lord Ilaedron! If knew Hims, or remember Hims... because, we found You, thanks to His device."

You tilt your head curiously.

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Standing up straighter, you say, "My apologies."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "I have never known such a being. Ilaedron is what you mortals call a Vernal God, is he not? They came only in the absence of Elders, and through the ascendancy of shards."

Baleful, feminine laughter ripples from the impenetrable shadows of night.

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns, lolling their head to the side. "Oh, dear," They cross their arms across their chest, looking off thoughtfully. "Then, my other question is... who, are You? Yes, and, am so sorry, if sounds rudely but... wanted to know, who You wanted to, become? Who want to be, yes! Now, that You have returned to us. Have a newly starts, here." They gesture vaguely.

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "You mortals keep asking Me this -- what do I want? What do I desire to become?"

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "I see no reason to limit Myself to any one answer."

Daxi hisses sibilantly into the corner of your mind, "Well that was fun. Did not realise you were actually talking to her."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "I have spent over a thousand years limited."

You nod your head emphatically.

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "What do I desire? Everything that was denied Me."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Yeah - lost so much times... lots to catch ups, on..."

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, watching their reflection curiously, their ears twitching, tail no longer wagging. "Like, getting to live lifes? And - have a following, someday too? Or..." They loll their head side to side. "Why were sat in the chair - for..."

You have emoted: Gurashi's expression grows sad, and they lean closer to the water. "Am sorry to ask You the same questions so many before me asked."

The scent of saltwater drowns your senses as the lagoon churns with a rippling current, restless and agitated as it surges forth in a misty spray.

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

LOOK SHRINE
A small island rises from the lagoon's glassy waters, nearly flush with its otherwise unbroken surface. No visible path leads toward its centre; instead, bromeliads crowd out the way with sublime, rubescent splendour, their vibrant bracts stained as though with blushes - or spilt blood. Vying for prominence, they stretch toward a pale shrine that interrupts their plush and untamed garden at its very heart. There, several blocks of rough coquina stack atop one another to form the altar, broken seashells encrusted in the fossilised debris, menacing wandering fingertips where they jut amid those discs which have survived the churning of other waters and their waves. Sunk into the uppermost slab, a black glass bowl with fluted edges makes a shallow basin for offerings.

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Because I dared to have ambition, like the Enchantress. I dared to seek My own power."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "And when She saw I was not a meek child She could mold into one of Her instruments, I was discarded."

You think to yourself: *remembering the Goddess upon the ground of the Fulcrux, recoiling, Her voice heartbreaking still in your memory - "I am alone. Still alone"*.

You have emoted: Gurashi exhales quietly as they watch the waters churn, not moving any closer or further away from them. "Am so sorry," They croon softly. "You have been through so muchly - cannot even begin to imagines, nor want to."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Do you pity Me, little toy of Mysrai?"

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes their head. "Nuh uh. I do not think is pity." They frown deeper. "It is sorrow. It is sad! It is awful and it is painful to thinks about." They gesture towards the water gently. "Within the Beloveds, want to be nicely to people - and Peoples! And, You..."

With a huff, you say, "...being lonely is the worst! So am here, because want to be nicely, to You. And listen, yes."

You have emoted: Gurashi holds a slice of layered rainbow cake with star-shaped sprinkles aloft. "And carry theeeese," They whisper, tail wagging again.

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Do you suppose your kindness is ever taken advantage of, I wonder?"

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Have you ever opened this heart of yours to another, believing their word and their loyalty to be true, only to learn there is a dagger in their hand and laughter on their lips?"

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, lowering the plate. "Oh, yes. Am most certain," They declare. "But I would rather try, and be remembered or hated for trying, than for having done nothing at all."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "And what if you are not remembered at all?"

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "But merely left to rot as the world exists without you."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks down at their reflection in the pool, suddenly quite morose.

You think to yourself: *remembering that chamber - the Lady of Lagoons, locked away for ages, ages and ages at the bottom of the sea, forgotten - like She? a sigh - how awful, how terrible, how cruel*.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Well... hmm."

You have emoted: Gurashi purses their lips, then kneels down near the edge of the largest pool, setting down a slice of layered rainbow cake with star-shaped sprinkles delicately. "Would still, rather... try."

You drop a slice of layered rainbow cake with star-shaped sprinkles.

Murky waters surge forth to drag a slice of layered rainbow cake with star-shaped sprinkles into the dark depths of the lagoon, silently drowning it in the undertow.

You have emoted: Gurashi rises again, their tail no longer wagging. "It is hard to be fully forgotten. Is always a song, somewheres, a story..."

Cupping their scarred cheek, you say, "A line in a book, a lyric or hymns..."

Cackling laughter ripples about the lagoon of the Fulcrux, joyless and cold, as the cake is dragged into the undertow.

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice csneers, "But you see, I don't want to be a pretty story, little mortal."

You have emoted: Gurashi boggles softly, cupping their scarred cheek. "...eh? No? Wanna be an epics instead?"

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Why settle for being the words in another's mouth, when you can be flesh and blood?"

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "Love, for all your patron's drivel, rarely rewards those who pursue it. They would know as well as I."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

You have emoted: Gurashi furrows their brow, curling their fingers against their cheek. "No, that is not..."

Vicious waves the glaucous hue of turbulent seas disturb the lagoon's murky waters as a mocking, feminine voice sneers, "This foolish belief in Will and Love overcoming all things... as if Mysrai could not Themselves already hear the Fates' laughter at such an empty proclamation! For I know Mysrai. And if you do, as well as you pretend to, then you know there is only love in Their heart for one being. And was that love rewarded, do you think?"

You think to yourself: *another swell of saffron, a flicker of faces, countless, some here and gone - in Love, in Love*.

A distant, haunting voice echoes through the trees and over the water, bewitching the senses with its melancholic song.

Suddenly disturbing the waters, a menacing shadow vanishes deeper into the gloomy shade of mangroves.

You have emoted: Gurashi's ears twitch, and their tail droops. "Can be Love for more than One being. They love us," They say gently, dropping their hand from their cheek to grasp the many beads wrapped around their wrist. "And yes - They loves Her still, but we love Thems back. We are together. We are Beloved."

Fluttering as if caught by a breeze, the silvery threads of tinsel weave about in a haphazard pattern: conjuring new constellations and shapes as they glow from the sidereal light of the wreath's fine filaments.

You think to yourself: *strained acknowledgement, that pain is the price one pays for love, the greater the pain, the greater the ... a sigh that threatens to shake them at their core, but never quite breaks free*.

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Drawing a finger across your cheek, Li-varili, Lady of the Lagoons says, "Ah, but the world is selfish and cruel, little mortal. Pretend otherwise if you wish. It does not change the truth."

You see the following people here:
Li-varili, Gurashi.

LOOK SHE
With smooth and supple skin the turquoise-green shade of lagoon waters, She is a radiant immortal and shines with a glaucous lustre that illumines the barely visible traces of faint, white scars that mark Her body. Framed by long-lashes, Her vast turquoise eyes churn with emotion, reflecting a haunting intensity that glints with an almost feral ferocity. Dewdrops sparkle on Her white eyelashes and the rest of Her sharp facial features, as well as Her wet red lips, their glistening hue the striking colour of a bromeliad's petals. Sapphirine scales adorn Her webbed hands and arms, while Her pink nails each resemble a spike of sharp coral. Her wild hair tumbles down Her back in a curtain of damp, unruly red curls resembling tangled fronds of seaweed, kelp and cattail reeds.
She is wearing:
a dewy half mask scaled in rippling turquoise shrouding Her face from view
sanguine robes of woven fireweed blossoms that flutter behind Her in a glorious train
a striking red bromeliad tucked behind Her ear
an eye of the lagoon necklace covetously wound about Her throat.

You have emoted: Gurashi starts, turning their starry gaze up to Li-varili, mouth forming a perfect 'o' of surprise.

You have emoted: Gurashi closes their mouth again, shoulders sagging. "Oh, Lady of..." They trail off quietly.

You look at Li-varili, expression filled with concern as you frown.

Whispering in your ear with all the salt and brine of the sea, Li-varili, Lady of the Lagoons says to you, "Lie to yourself if you must. Believe all the sweet little half-truths that Mysrai fills between your ears."

You think to yourself: *an anxious, hopeful thrum, the shades of saffron swirling, chest throbbing, Sebitti's papery whisper in their ear: "grow, in Love, and peace" - in Love, in Love--*.

Her coral-tipped nail now pressed against the hollow of your throat, Li-varili, Lady of the Lagoons says, "But know this. I have told you the truth of the world."

You have emoted: Gurashi swallows hard as they gaze back up at the Divine, then abruptly look down, awkwardly bowing their head to look at the finger at their throat.

Li-varili, Lady of the Lagoons whispers to you, "And when the Fates abandon you as they abandoned Me, you will no longer have your own precious ignorance to blame."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks back up at Li-varili, frowning. "Oh, but..."

Suddenly disturbing the waters, a menacing shadow vanishes deeper into the gloomy shade of mangroves.

You think to yourself: *gentle negation - a pointed refusal, a childish huff followed immediately by great devastation - She is still so... *.

Sighing, her eyes wild as She falls into cackling laughter once more, Li-varili, Lady of the Lagoons says, "That is all, little mortal. I have no more use for you today."

You have emoted: A thin film of tears suddenly settles over Gurashi's eyes.

Water begins to pool around your feet, and you find yourself helplessly sinking into aquamarine depths. For a moment you hang suspended, fully immersed, the cold laughter of Li-varili the only sound to reach you through the enveloping waters and when they at last release you, you find yourself elsewhere.

A cavern of fire and ice.
Arms of white smoke unfurl lazily, carrying away the sweet aroma of herbs from a healing shrine of Shikari nearby. The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. Within this cavern, fire rages against walls of ice that show no sign of melting in the face of the inferno's onslaught. The flames twist into tortured images which give the fleeting impression of the faces of howling wolves and the tortured expressions of fear of the dying warrior. Thin filaments of red pulse within the crystalline walls, like veins and arteries running deep inside the frozen interior.
You see exits leading southeast and west.

You think to yourself: *... hurt ...*.

You discern:
You are standing in the Astrosphere of Scorpio.
Your environment conforms to that of wyrden woods.
You are in the Astral Plane.
You are outdoors.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks around dazedly.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "...this is not Primes."

A shifting, living poppy of ruby petals begins to vibrate silently before its petals suddenly fold inwards. Just as suddenly the petals begin to unfurl again this time being the colour of brilliant saffron.

You look at a shifting, living poppy of saffron petals, expression filled with concern as you frown.

You have emoted: Gurashi huffs and puffs, looking this way and that before hurriedly reaching up to wipe at their eyes.

(Veiled): You say, "Loves You all, Beloved! Hopes you are all having a nicely, goodly mornings!"

You huff, puffing your cheeks.