"Into own mind..."

**After several IRL days of very sleepy Gurashi, and Gurashi complaining about not being able to sleep, and after a brief trip to the Glomdoring Annex Esei took Tridemon and Gurashi back to their manse to settle**

You follow Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters west to a well-lit artist's studio.

Esei pats the couch.

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to plod along, following where he is led.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Come join me. I won't tickle you."

You think to yourself: *a wave of irritability - no no, tired. Just very, very tired*.

You have emoted: Gurashi awkwardly takes a step to the couch, then slowly sits, leaving barely enough space on either side to not actually touch.

Esei nods their head sagely.

Esei pets you ingratiatingly.

Bizirik, the leothin flops down onto the ground.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk asks you, "Are you touch averse?"

The shroud of Mother Night envelopes the manse as the day shifts.
It is now the 5th of Kiani, 557 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 14 days until the New Moon

Taken aback, you ask Esei, "Huh?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Esei, "I think it might have something to do with how very, bone-deep tired he is."

Esei sucks thoughtfully on their teeth.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "I do not mind... touching, no, no - am sorry if made think that..."

You think to yourself: / ... /.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "You do not like casual touches very much."

Quietly, you say to Esei, "Uhm - it is not your fault, no. Am not usually expecting to be touched when you do - is all."

You have emoted: Gurashi's mandibles click as he tries to explain, facing forward. "Uhm... is like..."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Aha...!"

You weave a glamour of sparkling motes and release them.
                                            *      *      *
                                             *     *     *
                                              *    *    *
                                               *   *   *
                                              -----------
                                             |   POOF!   |
                                              -----------
                                               *   *   *
                                              *    *    *
                                             *     *     *
                                            *      *      *

You have emoted: Gurashi watches the colorful motes fade. "It is like that, but, in feelings? Can be a little scary if are not expecting."

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles weakly.

You have emoted: Gurashi tiredly sinks against the back of the couch, reaching up to rub at his beak. "Yes yes. Oh," He drops his hand. "Well..."

You twitch your mandibles as you voice a soft, curious chirr.

You think to yourself: Oh, what was going to say.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Are you sure you do not need a nap."

You suddenly let loose a chittering laugh.

Louder than he realizes, you exclaim to Esei, "Ahhhhh would like nothing more, really really!"

You chitter at Esei with energetic clicks of your mandibles.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Well."

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "You are on a couch."

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "It's a large couch."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Esei, "I - er, well, yes."

Dusan, the coruscant licks you.

You think to yourself: *a crawling sensation that makes you want to peel off your skin* Ahhhhhhhh Du-san- ...

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles weakly and pats Dusan, the coruscant on the head with the flat of his palm.

Dusan, the coruscant rubs up against you, purring like a cat.

You have emoted: Gurashi folds his arms over his lute, looking up finally at Tridemon.

The dawn seeps in with slow, creeping fingers of rosy pink and saffron orange.

Tiredly patting Dusan on the head, you ask Tridemon, "You ..are O-K...?"

You think to yourself: Will help - will make circles to help Miss Khep and me, yes yes.

You think to yourself: / *a small, barely noticeable pulse of sound* /.

Tridemon gives you the once-over, eyeing you suspiciously.

You think to yourself: Oh oh - Miss Khep are there?

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "You're starting to repeat yourself multiple times within the same thought."

Faintly buzzing, you ask Tridemon, "When?"

Clutching his head with a hand, you say, "...maybe definitely means should have a sleep."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Or try, yeah."

Tridemon ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.

You look at Tridemon, expression filled with concern as you frown.

Dropping his hand, you ask, "What?"

You think to yourself: What did repeat? Was repeating?

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "I think you need more saliva."

Tridemon reaches over to pat you right on top of the head.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up, his hat lightly smushed as he is patted.

Glancing aside to the elfen, you say to Esei, "...s...aliva?"

You think to yourself: O-K start keeping track of what have said starting now.

Esei sticks out their tongue slowly with a blank expression, a large amount of saliva dripping off their tongue.

You stare at Esei, eyes wide.

You think to yourself: What in the Basin.

You think to yourself: / *another gentle pulse in the background noise* /.

Esei slurps the saliva, and their tongue, back into their mouth.

Leaning away a little, you say to Esei, "...am not sure if is because am so tired, or if you are -extra- silly today..."

Tridemon ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.

Esei's dark eyes flash with predatory intent as they smiles sharply.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Why not both."

You have emoted: Gurashi scoots a bit further away on the couch discreetly. "Am seeing."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "I'm not sure those little pulses of sound in your thoughts are friendly."

You blink a few times and stare at Tridemon in confusion.

Suddenly, you give a decadent Delportian silk pie to Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "Stab me."

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "I dare you."

Taken aback, you say to Esei, "W-what???!"

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "You heard me."

You boggle at Esei.

You have emoted: Gurashi doesn't look like he knows what else to do beside laugh, though it is a single quipped chirp, filled with confusion. "Stabbing is not napping, and is also not very nice," He rises slowly.

Mandibles twitching, you say to Esei, "Also is not a nai'dorin so am not...!"

You think to yourself: What in the Basin...!

Esei wrinkles their nose and sniffs.

You think to yourself: Am tired! They are being sillier than normal yes.

Bizirik, the leothin sniffs Esei, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from them is.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "So! I'm going to have to ask you to INVOKE CIRCLE PSI for right now. Just stand, invoke it, and sit back down."

You blink.

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

Esei tilts their head curiously.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks a few more times.... then slowly raises his hands, doing as he is told.

You concentrate for a moment, surrounding yourself with a psionic barrier.

Esei blinks.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Bwuh."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "There you go."
You have emoted: Gurashi shuts his eyes, concentrating.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It's not as good as a proper mental construct. Because it goes away when you move. But it's a good place to start building one."

You think to yourself: / *a ripple of noise - there, then suddenly, not. No, still there, but behind a barrier and seeming far away* /.

You sense the sweeping gaze of Evette looking upon you.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens his eyes slowly, nodding and lowering his primary hands as his secondary ones remain raised, concentrated. "...O-K..."

Bizirik, the leothin slinks up to occupy Gurashi's former spot on the couch, laying down and watching, its tail sweeping back and forth.

The sun's rays seep past stone and tree alike, dappling the ground with pale light.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Now, an anchor. Imagine something flexible. Sturdy. Something that will not break. Like cords, chains, strings... even roots. And in your mind, I want you to wrap whatever it is you're envisioning around the edge of your barrier. Entwine it with the edges. Make sure there are no gaps."

You think to yourself: An anchor...

You have emoted: Gurashi listens to Tridemon closely, mandibles clicking as he listens to the lucidian speak. "O-K," Gurashi buzzes softly in understanding, bowing his head and shutting his eyes.

You think to yourself: An anchor... flexible and sturdy - like chains... like....... *the image of the gnarled undergrowth beneath the Master Ravenwood comes to mind* roots?

Opening his eyes to ask quietly, you ask, "A circle... right?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Indeed. And roots are fine. Just make sure that you don't associate them with your surroundings. This is meant to anchor your circle into yourself. Into your own mind."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Repeating softly to himself, you say, "Into own mind..."

You have emoted: Gurashi shuts his eyes again, bowing his head as he resumes his concentration.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Let me know when you have it securely in mind, and we'll move on to the next step."

You think to yourself: *the image of the Master Ravenwood fades, though the roots remain - no, they are their own roots now, and they are not brown and mossy - they are bright, vibrant green, and they twist and braid together tightly, moving in serpentine patterns across the mind's eye*.

You have emoted: Gurashi doesn't answer, eyes closed, left antennae sagging.

You think to yourself: *suddenly the roots find purchase in the ground and begin to grow, spreading at a feverish pace, faster still, binding together, colorful greens and spots of yellow and pink and - the roots find one another, and you look around, seeing only a wall of bright, early spring green*.

Finally, very quiet, you say, "...uhm... think did it."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Very good."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Now comes the potentially tricky part."

You have emoted: Gurashi opens his eyes, canting his head at Tridemon. "Tricky...?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "You'll need to extend an invitation out toward Khep. Your efforts to aid and protect her with your own barriers won't really work if she won't let you. So. Keep your mental image of Khep firmly in mind, and send one of your roots out questing for her. To invite her into the fold. A welcome into the wards you build."

Deep in thought, Esei leans their cheek on their hand.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It is vitally important that the invitation only be received by the one it's intended to reach. So you MUST focus exclisively on her."

The cloak of Night begins to encroach upon the area, covering everything in a dusky shade.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at Tridemon, looking worried. "...I ..." He glances aside. "O-K but can she hear me, with the..."

You have emoted: Gurashi gestures to the protective circle he managed to summon.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It's your mind. Your will. Besides, right now, it's merely dampening things, rather than keeping them out entirely. If it were an attack, that would be a different story."

You twitch your mandibles as you voice a soft, curious chirr.

Bizirik, the leothin leans into Esei, then lays its long, angular head across the elfen's lap, nostrils flaring.

You have emoted: Gurashi takes a slow, deep breath, releasing it with a tired whistle. "Right. Is my mind." He repeats.

You think to yourself: Is supposed to be - was always supposed to be...

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

You think to yourself: ...O-K, Miss Khep... *soft and tired but also self-encouraging* Am coming to find you, yes.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances towards Esei, bowing his head and tightening his grip on his lute as he focuses.

You think to yourself: *a single, impossibly wound vine begins to relax and uncurl, almost as if it were wilting. Then, it begins to slither out and away from the wall, a single viridescent rope in the inky blackness of the aethers*.

You think to yourself: Where are you, Miss Khep .... where are you...

You have emoted: Gurashi's antennae twitches again, then stands up straighter, shifting in his spot. He tiredly begins to lean to the right without realizing it.

Tridemon closes his eyes for a moment, seeming to concentrate on something. Preparing something. When he opens his eyes again, there's a black ring around each iris, and something very cold about him, kept tightly restrained.

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

You think to yourself: *a single image - the painting in the bookbinding studio, the face from the memory - colorful flashes like oil on water and bright glowing blue eyes--*.

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

You think to yourself: *--the vine suddenly stops its seeking, and the blackness is abruptly replaced with the image of a dark, cavernous tunnel, the walls lined with bits of phosphorescent mushrooms and smelling heavy of mildew and damp earth--*.

You think to yourself: / *startlingly clear* What the -- /.

You think to yourself: A-ha!

You have emoted: Gurashi's mandibles click, and for a brief second, he looks very pleased with himself.

Bizirik, the leothin lolls its head sleepily in Esei's lap, then casts a wary gaze in Gurashi's direction, licking its lips.

You think to yourself: *a sense of pride and elation* It worked!! Oh my gosh! I found you! I found you I found you I found you.

You think to yourself: / *alarmed* Tiso what are you doing /.

Suddenly opening his eyes, you ask, "Oh, er... now... what?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Invite her in. Tell her that you intend to protect her with your own mental barriers against her enemies, to defend her against enemies both foreign and domestic. Be honest about your intentions."

The shroud of Mother Night envelopes the manse as the day shifts.
It is now the 6th of Kiani, 557 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 13 days until the New Moon

You stare at Tridemon, eyes wide.

You think to yourself: / *just as alarmed - no, desperate* What is this? Keeper?? /.

You have emoted: Gurashi begins to look nervous, quickly squeezing his eyes shut and holding the lute tight again. "O-K O-K O-K," He chitters anxiously.

You think to yourself: Miss Khep! Did you hear? You hear Tridemon too? Good... listen have to ask you something!

Esei observes you with dark, impenetrable eyes. One hand lingers atop Bizirik's head, while the other lies flat against the couch.

You think to yourself: *the green vine lashes back and forth with the barest bit of energy, like a cat's twitching tail* Miss Khep Tridemon is gonna help me help protect you so, am gonna use my big brain magic and help? O-K? Because you have been trying to help, yes?

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk, "**You feel as you pet Bizirik's head a sense of urgency - and conversation, though you cannot make out words. Gurashi's voice, melodic and cheerful, unworried - another, much more frantic, confused. A strange mix of joy and fear**."

Esei caresses Bizirik, the leothin gently.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Remember your task, Gurashi."

You think to yourself: / *a wave of panic, and suddenly the scenery is moving* /.

You think to yourself: Miss Khep I do not know what is going on, but before - you were afraid, yes? Yes yes, and you were trying to keep that other persons from saying something - so if will let me will use my big brain stuff to help. It will be the first good thing I can do with it! If will let me - will let me?

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes crack open, and he looks at Esei, antennae twitching.

Tridemon sits back, eyes half-lidded, a sense of cold and a certain despair about him seeming to grow, before being forcibly restrained.

You think to yourself: *a falter - the vine stops twitching, and the smell of damp stone is a little less strong* ... this is my task.... *the smell gets stronger again*.

Weakly, you ask Tridemon, "...what if she does not accept...?"

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

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk, "**As you continue to pet Bizirik, the fear that you feel turns to downright panic - but it isn't Gurashi - no, something -else- is afraid**."

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Then she will have to suffer on her own, won't she?"

You wince in pain.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Mm. Nothing can be done to help the unwilling from this kind of distance."

You think to yourself: Miss Khep you HAVE to say yes.

Esei's head tilts, hair sliding away like a crimson curtain as their eyes grow half-lidded. A very brief, razor-sharp smile is seen before their countenance returns to that indecipherable expression.

You think to yourself: *earnest, the vine coiling and uncoiling, patient* Only want to help you - please please let me help! I will not make you do anything and you do not even have to talk if do not want.

Bizirik, the leothin licks its lips, nostrils flaring as it lifts its head and sniffs the air.

The dawn seeps in with slow, creeping fingers of rosy pink and saffron orange.

You think to yourself: / *the movement continues, compounded with a sense of confusion* Tiso, I app....iate what you are doing but now is the -worst- time /.

You think to yourself: Oh ... **a wave of confusion** Then, I should... try to invite you later?

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

Bizirik, the leothin lays its head down again in Esei's lap, snorting.

You think to yourself: / *a non-answer. More movement and an powerful sense of guilt* /.

You think to yourself: *the vine follows, creeping through the darkness, following gold-plated feet* I will not make you, Miss Khep.

You think to yourself: But am worried. We are friends! So it would be nice if could help you out in this way yes!

You think to yourself: / .... /.

You think to yourself: I will do my best! Let me protect you, please! Please please.

Bizirik, the leothin abruptly lifts its head.

You think to yourself: / *there is a gentle pulse of sound* /.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts, licking its own snout.

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

You think to yourself: Mean, am still learning, obviously! *the vine happily flip-flops as it tails through the darkness* At least think about it?

Bizirik, the leothin sniffs Esei, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from them is.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to Bizirik, the leothin, "I do not have cookies."

Tridemon narrows his eyes slightly, before letting out a breath, foggy from being much colder than the surroundings.

You have emoted: Gurashi silently wrings his hands together, eyes still closed, lost in concentration.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts, tossing its head in protest at this. It looks towards Gurashi again, lowering its head back into Esei's lap to watch the kephera warily.

You think to yourself: / .... *silence...did she leave? Suddenly--* We will talk about it later, Tiso. /.

You think to yourself: Oh - but, wait?

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes open, then shut tighter.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Just pull back for now."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "She is unwilling to discuss it at present."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "And you really shouldn't leave yourself extended like that for too much longer. Could get stuck if you're very unlucky."

You have emoted: Gurashi opens his eyes again, giving Tridemon a hopeless look. "...oh, really?"

You think to yourself: / *another pulse, but it does not become louder than that* Tiso. Listen to Tridemon /.

You think to yourself: But--.

You think to yourself: / Go. /.

You think to yourself: *the vine curls, its color dimming, suddenly seeming smaller. Slowly it begins to retreat, slithering out in the darkness. The blue glow of eyes fade, along with the smell of earth and water*.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens his eyes fully and stares at the ground before him, clutching his lute to his chest.

Tridemon closes his eyes, and relaxes something. The sense of cold, of darkness, of despair fades, and when his eyes open again, the black rings around his irises gone as if they'd never been there.

You think to yourself: *the vine never even makes it back to the wall, the image fading and replacing itself with nothing less than a sense of defeat and disappointment*.

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

You have emoted: Gurashi plucks a string on his lute, then looks towards the couch, where Bizirik has relaxed once more and laid its head in Esei's lap. He looks over at Tridemon next as he is patted, frowning.

Morosely, you say to Tridemon, "....uhm."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "If you'd insisted on staying, it would have gone... poorly. I was ready to intervene, but... that wouldn't have been good for ANYONE."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Concerned, you ask, ".....what.... would have happened?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Oh, I would have just opened myself up and hit whatever it was that's trying to piggyback on your connection to Khep with an impression of Sarye."

You blink.

Surprised, you ask Tridemon, "...o-oh... Sarye?"

You pet an ethereal cat ingratiatingly.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Sarye, the Black Tide. The fifth of the Tide Lords. Despair and hate and unwillingness and infinite cold, because she is those who have been lost at sea. Death."

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes widen.

Faintly buzzing, you whisper, "...lost at sea...."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Like I said. Wouldn't have gone well. For anyone."

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Tridemon, concerned. "Oh..."

You think to yourself: *the disappointment continues to linger and grow - why didn't she accept?*.

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

Dusan, the coruscant licks you.

You have emoted: Gurashi jolts in surprise as he is licked by Dusan, the coruscant, looking at the coruscant in silence.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "Can I lick you."

Weakly, you say to Esei, "Uhm... would rather did not."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I get the impression that she didn't accept because she was right in the middle of a confrontation."

You think to yourself: *and now, a wave of tired. Tired, so tired. A hopeless tired. A 'that didn't go the way it should have' tired*.

Perking up, you ask, "...she was in trouble?"

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Er... knew she was but."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Mm. And establising defenses in the middle of a confrontation like that is a death sentence."

Esei leans on Bizirik, the leothin seeking consolation.
Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Esei. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

You think to yourself: *and now, a confusing emotional loop of tired and worried*.

You think to yourself: She was running before too... from the other persons? What was her name, what was her name...

You think to yourself: Is running? Or are fighting? Are safe?

Esei ponders the situation.

Esei licks Bizirik, the leothin.

Bizirik, the leothin tosses its head, giving Esei a look as it is licked. It sniffs the elfen, then begins to chew at their hair.

You sniff softly.

You think to yourself: Do not like not knowing what is happening.

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

You think to yourself: *now frustration begins working its way into the worry and exhaustion*.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts as it is pet, still chewing at bits of Esei's hair. Then, it flops down aggressively, stretching out as long as it can on the couch and keeping Esei effectively pinned beneath its big head.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to Bizirik, the leothin, "I love you too."

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily.

You have emoted: Gurashi shuts his eyes again, reaching up and touching the side of his head. "....am tired," He says, sounding flat.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "I have a bed, a couch, and two normal chairs."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Mm. A lack of understanding is less than ideal. Go to sleep. You have the beginnings of your defenses. Completing them right now would be unwise, if you wish to include someone else."

Quietly, without looking at them, you say to Esei, "Am sorry. Want to go home."

Esei pats you in a friendly manner.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "That is okay."

Bizirik, the leothin stretches languidly.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "However... Bizirik... is... crushing me... a bit."

Bizirik, the leothin doesn't look all that bothered at this knowledge, shutting its eyes, tail sweeping back and forth with joy.

Esei wheezes faintly.

Bizirik, the leothin finally lifts its head and gives Esei a look, snorting directly into their face.

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

You think to yourself: ... he's right - is O-K. We could not do it this time, but we will try it again soon.

You think to yourself: Will not give up yes - will try to sleep, and will try to help again.

You think to yourself: Yes! Will not give up will not give up, will not give up.

You shake your head.

Bizirik, the leothin thrums happily.

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

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly stands up straight, and in his familiar cheerful tone chirps out, "Many thank yous for all of your help."

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Am grateful, oh yes."

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Be well, cousin."

Esei wrinkles their nose in distaste.

Esei stares implacably about themself.

You think to yourself: *a pang of doubt*.

Esei stares implacably at Bizirik, the leothin.
Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Esei. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

You nod your head at Esei.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Come closer, Gurashi?"

Offering a little wave with his smaller right hand, you say to Tridemon, "Many thank yous, Tridemon."

You blink.

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "I won't lick you."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks over at Esei, antennae twitching.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Oh, ehm..."

You have emoted: Gurashi steps closer to Esei, canting his head.

Esei grabs you by the scarf, pulling you down to kiss you on the forehead before releasing the scarf.

You flail about helplessly.

You flail about helplessly.

You give a horrified gasp.

You carapace turns a bright shade of red as you blush.

You narrow your eyes at Esei in an unnerving manner.

You think to yourself: ...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spiritous Wraith Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to Tridemon, "Your turn. Get over here."

<-- **fuggin left to try and sleep at home*

You have emoted: As soon as Gurashi appears in his curiosities room, he slumps forward, covering his face with his hands.

You think to yourself: *a heaviness. guilt. guilty. why didn't she accept? is it not good enough? is she O-K?* ....Will not give up - promise, O-K? *a wave of hope, though it is quickly lost as only silence answers*