Rattle Em, Boys

[Esei, Gurashi, Tikki, and a few others are at the Aetherplex. Esei would like to show Gurashi their bones.]

You beckon to Gurashi.

Discordant buzzing erupts from the ether as a swarm of ravenous shadows leave Ethna in their wake, her form cloaked in smoldering darkness.

Ethna has entered the area.

Dusan, the coruscant rumbles excitedly at Ethna, bumping his head against her in greeting.

You smile softly at Ethna.

Ethna gives a short gasp of elation to Dusan, the coruscant.
Leaning forward, Dusan, the coruscant inhales deeply, taking in Ethna's scent. His starry eyes swirl before he lets out a low rumble.

Dusan, the coruscant chirps happily at Ethna.

Celaphaeia's eyes sparkle with amusement at Ethna.

Gurashi blinks.

Gurashi blinks.

Ethna stares blankly at dusky stationery stamped with flowers, her face betraying no emotion.

Mistress Celaphaeia D'Cente, Damned Soul says to Tikki, "She definitely bites."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Oh... it is Ethna!"

Gurashi fans their wings at Ethna, causing a gust of air to pull at her.

In dark, lyrical tones, you say to Ethna, "You are a bit late for the letter, li tlaye."

Gurashi bows their head politely at the arriving faeling, hands folded before themselves.

Flailing her arms as she hovers above the ground, Ethna Shee-Slaugh, the Predator's Spider whines, "I was SLEEEEPING."

In dark, lyrical tones, you ask Ethna, "Would you care to see my bones?"

Looking defeated, Ethna flops down on the ground at Dusan, the coruscant's feet.

Dusan, the coruscant sniffs Ethna, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from her is.

Mistress Celaphaeia D'Cente, Damned Soul says, "You can simply..show them?"

You blink.

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "Oh, not the ones inside of my body."

Tikki gives Gurashi a friendly squeeze.

Not getting up, and instead throwing an arm across her eye, Ethna Shee-Slaugh, the Predator's Spider asks, "Bones?"

Mistress Celaphaeia D'Cente, Damned Soul says, "You have bones outside of your body?"

In dark, lyrical tones, you say to Ethna, "Yes. I have many of them."

In dark, lyrical tones, you say to Celaphaeia, "I stole them."

Thoughtfully, you say, "Or perhaps they were mine by right of conquest?"

Mistress Celaphaeia D'Cente, Damned Soul says, "I am not sure I understand Glomdorians, and we Magnagorans do very odd things. Taking bones outside.."

You shrug helplessly.

Ethna clumsily manages to stand up, using Dusan, the coruscant for support before dusting the dirt and grime off of her dress.

Tikki says, "You can make flutes of sorts out of femurs!"

You nod your head sagely.

Rather suspiciously, Ethna Shee-Slaugh, the Predator's Spider asks you, "..who did you steal bones from?"

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "And you can make them into wind chimes, and baby rattles."

Celaphaeia murmurs softly to herself.

In dark, lyrical tones, you say to Ethna, "People. Presumably."

Ethna squints suspiciously at you.

After much surveying of the locale, Ethna flutters her wings in triumph before you notice the faeling perched upon your shoulder.

In dark, lyrical tones, you say to Tikki, "Care to come with? You have already seen them."

Realization finally dawning on the faeling, Ethna Shee-Slaugh, the Predator's Spider says, "...wait."

You tilt your head and listen intently to Ethna.

Rather loudly, Ethna Shee-Slaugh, the Predator's Spider says to Gurashi, "Why are you SO BRIGHT."

Tikki says to you, "I would, but I was going to go and take Lohengrin with me to gather some joules actually."

You nod your head slowly in understanding.

You have emoted: Esei mouths 'joules' with a frown.

Tikki says, "Mmhm, they're lil zappy orbs inside the Matrix world! They're used to help power the generator."

Gurashi coughs softly.

Apologetically, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "Ouwah - sorry - mind went away - what?"

Gurashi stares at Ethna, eyes wide.

Curious, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks Ethna, "...w...what do mean why am so brightly?"

Ethna's eyes widen as she stares at Gurashi.

Gurashi's ears flatten atop their head, returning the stare.

Showing that you understand, you nod your head slowly towards Tikki.

Ethna's wings buzz behind her as she flits off of her spouse's shoulder to hover in front of Gurashi, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "There's a very shiny CELESTIAL WREATH on your hand," She exclaims, her hands pressing against her mouth in shock.

Her eyes widening again, Ethna Shee-Slaugh, the Predator's Spider says, "DID YOU JOIN CELEST."

Tikki giggles happily.

Gurashi's eyes cross as they attempt to look up at the halo-like wreath resting atop their head. "Oh? Uh..."

Gurashi blushes furiously.

In dark, lyrical tones, you whisper, "They've been part of Celest for a while now."

In a small voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to Ethna, "...yes?"

With a dulcet, mellifluous voice, Ethna Shee-Slaugh, the Predator's Spider says, "..HAND? I'm confused. I meant head."

Looking defeated, Ethna flops down on the ground at Dusan, the coruscant's feet.

With a dulcet, mellifluous voice, Ethna Shee-Slaugh, the Predator's Spider says, "I need to stop sleeping so much."

Ethna grumbles angrily.

Tikki nods her head enthusiastically.

Mistress Celaphaeia D'Cente, Damned Soul says, "Ahh, but sleeping is good."

You pat Ethna in a friendly manner.

Mistress Celaphaeia D'Cente, Damned Soul says, "The bed is comfortable and the dreams are long."

Gurashi frowns, watching Ethna sink to the ground, hands folded together, fidgeting.

Ethna's eyes widen at the voice as she tilts her head to look up at Celaphaeia.

Tikki's ears perk up with a sudden interest.

In dark, lyrical tones, you ask, "...can I go show off the bones?"

You look at Gurashi hopefully.

Her eyes widening, Ethna Shee-Slaugh, the Predator's Spider says to you, "Are they Gurashi bones." (I did not see this question ;_; they are not Gurashi bones though)

At least, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to Ethna, "Sorry - am sorry. Yes. Joined New Celest...a little while agos."

Mistress Celaphaeia D'Cente, Damned Soul says, "Go, go. Show your many extra and not even slightly suspicious bones."

Gurashi glances at you at last, nodding once.

You have emoted: Esei flutters their lashes coyly at Celaphaeia. "Not even slightly suspicious."

You portal to Halidanais.
A crossroads in an old Wyrden forest.
A silent graveyard.

Bones between trees.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. Bones, hung in macabre fashion from the boughs of ravenwood trees, sway in the breeze. Most dangle down, some able to reach the shoulders of the shortest individuals, jangling ominously in the breeze. Blackened skulls line the path and tree roots, interspersed with small pools of blood between the roots. Shadows occasionally rise from the depths of the woods, peering out with gleaming eyes before dismissing passers-by. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings.
You see a single exit leading south.

Gurashi blinks several times, gazing up at the bones that have been hung from the branches overhead.

You have emoted: Esei grasps what may be a furrikin tibula and rattles it amongst the other hanging bones. The bones clatter high above, a human femur falling and sinking into the mud below.

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

Surprised, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "...did have to hang these all up by hand?"

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "...ah, mostly."

Gurashi looks at the bone that has fallen, disappearing in the mud below. "....what does it do?"

You blink.

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "...it is bones."

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "I do not think it is -meant- to do anything."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Well - are an augur... so..."

Gurashi makes a tossing gesture. "Thought was for like..."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "...ceremonials."

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "Oh, no."

You pat Gurashi in a friendly manner.

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "It is just for fun."

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "You try."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "....tr...try what."

Gurashi's eyes widen as they stare at you.

Gurashi looks up at the bones in the trees, on the muddy ground, at you.

You have emoted: Esei rattles the bone emphatically.

Gurashi glances askance.

Gurashi holds out their hand, wide-eyed.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "...whose bones are these?"

You shrug helplessly.

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "I did not ask."

Gurashi frets over everything that might go wrong.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Oh."

The sky brightens to a warm, brilliant blue before the light dissipates into scintillating patterns across the daytime sky, distorting first into filigree silver and gold, then into dusky lavender.
The sun reaches the zenith of the firmament, pausing in his quest to allow the land to bask in his shining golden rays.

You look at Gurashi hopefully.

You reach to your sense of the Ole'noc Caihel and begin to softly hum a low, dark tune.

Gurashi continues to hold out their hand, wide-eyed. "Give me....a bone..."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "....please."

You have emoted: Esei directs one of the bones - it appears, at first glance, to be the delicate clavicle of a faeling - into Gurashi's hand.

In dark, lyrical tones, you whisper, "Hold on."

You portal to the Aetherplex Chamber.
The Aetherplex Chamber.

Flakes of snow swirl from the ground up, coalescing into the form of Tridemon, clutching a snowglobe.

You purse your lips, contemplating Tridemon thoughtfully.

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "You'll do."

You beckon to Tridemon.

Tridemon blinks.

Tridemon begins to follow you.

Returning to: Bones between trees.

You nod your head sagely.

Gurashi considers the tiny clavicle, then the many bones hanging from the branches overhead.

Gurashi blinks a few times, ears swiveling around to face Tridemon upon the lucidian and other trill's arrival.

Tridemon reaches over and ruffles Gurashi's hair fondly.

Surprised, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Dear one...!"

Gurashi grunts, clutching the bone close to their chest. "You are here," They announce gravely.

Tridemon ponders the situation.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I am here."

Tridemon nods his head sagely.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... the time is now."

You have emoted: Esei runs their fingers lightly over the many dangling bones, humming faintly. They select a rib bone, pressing it into Tridemon's hand.

Gurashi stares blankly into space.

Tridemon ponders the bone that has been given to him.

In dark, lyrical tones, you whisper, "Rattle it."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Hmm. One of the bones most appropriate for stabbing someone."

You glance askance.

(Trasto): You say, "Why does Tridemon know this."

Tridemon gently rattles the rib bone.

Gurashi stares at Tridemon, then you, breath held. Suddenly, they wheel around, wings snapping open with an audible flutter, raising the clavicle they've been given high into the air.

Gurashi suddenly takes off, the bone striking other hanging bones draped down from the trees with ferocity and intent, producing a plethora of different tones and a wildly uncoordinated and manic tune from them. They flap their wings, causing other bones they cannot reach to rattle together, the entire grove rustling and swaying noisily.

You have emoted: A few bones fall to the ground, including a skull of some kind, squishing softly into the mud. Esei stands back, looking faintly amused.

Gurashi gives a heady crow of delight, their madly-beating wings sending them skyborne before they lightly touch down once more.

The sky's lavender twists darker as night approaches, a twilit shade of dusky mauve seeping over the pale lavender of the bowl of the sky, slowly darkening as the evening grows long.
Shadows grow longer in anticipation for the return of their dark mistress as Father Sun's chase brings him closer to the world's edge.

Gurashi lands upon the ground again, their plumage now ruffled, a wild look in their eye. They whip their head back and forth, then zip about again, making another wide circle and flapping their wings, swinging their arm to hit all the bones again, filling the space with sound.

Gurashi chirps happily.

You nod your head sagely.

As they fly by, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I am UNDERSTANDING NOW."

You tilt your head curiously at Gurashi.

In dark, lyrical tones, you ask Gurashi, "How so?"

Gurashi pants, wings flapping several times as they skid to a halt. "Noisy!"

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.

Gurashi prepares to run around again, but opts not to, panting quietly. "Is O-K to use like?" They ask, blinking owlishly at you.

You tilt your head curiously.

In dark, lyrical tones, you say, "I have another room that is new, that you might like."

Gurashi looks at Tridemon, huffing and puffing quietly, lowering the clavicle, eventually letting it slip from their grasp and land inaudibly against the muddy ground. "O-K?"

A humid nocturnal garden.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The ground here grows soft and mossy, squishing softly beneath one's feet. Ravenwood and hemlock trees rise around the path, though taper out into a clearing. The clearing has been turned into a riotous garden of various nocturnal plants. Bioluminescent flowers glow varying shades of blue and purple, ranging from mauve to magenta and cornflower blue to periwinkle. Evening primroses grow across the ground and up stone and wooden pillars strategically placed through the garden. Each flower gives off a sweet, heady scent, intensifying during the dark of night. A slender leothin sits here motionless, brightening its surroundings with its natural golden bio-luminescence.
You see a single exit leading east.

Gurashi nods their head at you.

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

Gurashi blinks.

Gurashi pulls at the collar of their shirt as they flit inside, wide-eyed. "Oh! Look at all the flowers," They point, wings flapping excitedly.

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.

Crouching near one of the glowing buds, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "These are very pretty, yes. So shiny!"

You nod your head sagely.

In a husky, honeyed cadence, you say to Gurashi, "I've envisioned all of the Weald, also."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "The Weald?"

You nod your head sagely.

Gurashi gazes at you blankly.

You have emoted: Esei cuts through one of the flower stems with their athame, tucking it behind Gurashi's ear-tuft.

Gurashi blinks.

In a husky, honeyed cadence, you say, "There are also... birds."

Gurashi reaches up to touch the flower, just barely. "Oh - did nt have to do that. But thank you."

Gurashi lazily draws their wings to and fro through the air, fanning them slowly.

The sky achieves full shadow, a pitch black expanse with only a few gasping, drowning stars for light stretching overhead. There is but a gaping hole where the moon should reside, as if the astrological body has been torn from its orbit.
Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "This is not a bird."

You beckon to Gurashi.

[We run around the manse.]

You point accusingly at a jewelled hummingbird.
A jewelled hummingbird tilts her head curiously at you.

A jewelled hummingbird darts about her surroundings in graceful, fluid arcs.

Gurashi's hands fly to their mouth as they give a short gasp of elation.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Uwah!"

Gurashi chirps happily at a jewelled hummingbird.
A jewelled hummingbird tilts her head curiously at Gurashi.

Gurashi chirps happily at a jewelled hummingbird.
A jewelled hummingbird chirps happily.

Gurashi's shoulders bunch as they let out a short giggle.

Gurashi lazily draws their wings to and fro through the air, fanning them slowly.

In a husky, honeyed cadence, you say, "I wish I had crows. Alas."

Delighted, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to a jewelled hummingbird, "Oh! Thank you!"

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to a jewelled hummingbird, "So sweetly you are!"

Gurashi smiles adoringly at the hummingbird, then wheels around. "Ah! Remember this place," They point. "Remember when you first got!"

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.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.

In a husky, honeyed cadence, you say, "Yes. I suppose you would."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "You had a party, yes!"

Frowning, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "I should have a party at my manse sometimes..."

You nod your head sagely.

Hopefully, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "I could invite friends from everywheres...!"

In a husky, honeyed cadence, you say, "My manse, to be fair, is much larger than yours."

Gurashi nods their head emphatically.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Mm!"

In a husky, honeyed cadence, you say, "Something about... 75 rooms?"

You shift your eyes suspiciously from side to side.

Counting on their fingers, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Is not a very bigly house, no... I... oh."

Gurashi's eyes widen as they stare at you.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Gosh."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "...well, I just have a few rooms...mostly for plants! And peoples, yes...most of it is outside...gardens! Ah..."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Not nearly close to seventy five no..."

Solemnly, you say, "And there will be more."

Gurashi tilts their head and listens intently to you.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "More bones?"

In a husky, honeyed cadence, you say, "Well, yes, and also no."

In a husky, honeyed cadence, you say, "There -is- more than just bones, Gurashi."

Gurashi stares blankly into space.

You reach to your sense of the Ole'noc Caihel and begin to softly hum a low, dark tune.

With a high, cheerful chirp, a jewelled hummingbird flits out to the south.

Gurashi glances askance.

Gurashi huffs, puffing their cheeks.

You tilt your head and listen intently to Gurashi.

Gurashi looks off towards the way they entered.

In a husky, honeyed cadence, you ask Gurashi, "Something wrong...?"

Gurashi shakes their head.

You tilt your head curiously.

Shaking their head again, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "No, am fine! Ah!"

Gurashi chirps happily at a jewelled hummingbird.
A jewelled hummingbird flits about happily.

Excitedly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to a jewelled hummingbird, "Hello! Was just missing newly friends."

Gurashi fans their wings at a jewelled hummingbird, causing a gust of air to pull at her.
A jewelled hummingbird tilts her head curiously at Gurashi.

With a high, cheerful chirp, a jewelled hummingbird flits out to the east.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "OH."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "Do wanna go up to the Domoths?"

You tilt your head curiously at Gurashi.

Comprehension flashes across your face.

Gurashi flails about helplessly.

[We go and help with the Domoth... darts ensue.]