"What if they get so sad ..."

Esei reaches over and takes one of your hands in their own, frowning. "What is it that's troubling you?"

You think to yourself: / *a rush of adrenaline, slightly more manic chittering* /.

You blink.

Voice bright and clear, you say to Esei, "Oh uh."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "I will not judge you."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks down at his hand, then back up at Esei, eyes wide. "A lot of stuff!"

Voice bright and clear, you say to Esei, "But mostly, am scared for Friend Aschwar."

Showing that they understands, Esei nods their head slowly.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "But also, Miss Khep is very annoying."

You think to yourself: / *a jolt, like a kick to the shins* /.

You twitch spasmodically.

Bizirik, the leothin twitches spasmodically.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts, giving Gurashi a look.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Sorry."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Unless you're apologizing to Bizirik, don't be."

You glance askance.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Anyway. I did this to be helpful, but it has backfired."

A wry smile spreads across Esei's face.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Am new Cultural Minister but my head is so swimming that can't do hardly anything."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Always have a headache, and never am alone anymore."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Mean, was always not alone before but at least could feel like it."

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "It is alright to worry, especially about those you hold dear."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "I know they are sad."

Esei nods solemnly.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares down at his hand still. "That's O-K. Big feelings happen."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "But."

Esei gives you a friendly squeeze.

You have emoted: Gurashi's cheeks flush with color, and his eyes gloss over. "What if they never figure out how to hear how much peoples love them?"

You glance askance.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Thought if I fixed my antennae that I could do big brain stuff too."

You have emoted: Gurashi's hand suddenly clenches. "But, I do not know what I am doing??"

Voice bright and clear, you say, "And all I have done the last times that have seen Friend Aschwar - all I have done is make them sad."

You glance askance.

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

Voice wavering, you say, "What if they get so sad ..."

You have emoted: Gurashi doesn't look like he can finish the thought, dropping his gaze to his lap.

Softly, Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "It's okay."

You think to yourself: What if they decide to go where we cannot follow.

You think to yourself: What if we can't help them?

You think to yourself: / ....... *a soft, almost sympathetic tick* /.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "It is okay to feel these things."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly reaches up with his free hand to drag his sleeve across his face. "I know."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Will not mope."

Setting his face resolutely, you say, "I cannot."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Tridemon said there... was a void where they were... I don't understand - how they can be a void? And Miss Khep said they are somehow tied to the Illithoid but I do not understand how that matters."

You sniff softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi wipes his eyes again. "Are lots of things don't understand. How am I supposed to help."

You think to yourself: / You don't /.

Suddenly, bitterly, you say, "Shut up."

You blink.

Esei blinks.

You have emoted: Gurashi quickly flushes, covering his mouth with his hand and shutting his eyes. "Sorry."

Esei shrugs helplessly.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens his eyes again, looking mortified as he balls his hand up in front of his mouth. "...anyway."