"So sit. Stay. Breathe."

**Gurashi being an emo jelly bean, hiding in his room**

A quaint bedroom overlooking the garden.               (#HAH_6)
Stepping inside this small, relatively plain bedroom, one might believe it belongs to a youth. Ikon collections have been displayed on thin wall-set shelves, and pretty stones, bug shells and picked flowers decorate various surfaces. A small wooden wind chime has been hung from a hook beside one open window, clunking softly while creating simple melodies. The fragrance of the garden wafts into this room, smelling of rich wet dirt and flowers. On the sill of the other window sits a small terrarium filled with moss and rotting wood, and a tiny death watch beetle ticks happily inside. A wooden board has been hung by the door, pinned with important news bulletins and a few lavender letters. Painting its surroundings with gentle sprays of color, a stained glass lantern glows here. A four poster bed stands here, invitingly strewn with cushions and blankets. Invitingly deep and made of warmly coloured wood, a rocker is here. Blocking out the light, a pair of forestal drapes are closed here. A large ravenwood chest rests on its side in the corner of the room, its front securely closed. A silk-spun carpet covers the floor in a vibrant array of feather grasses, scattered here and there with the rose-purple blooms of strawberry clover. A painting of Gurashi and the Faeling Princess is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. A gilded pedestal, displaying a painting of No Longer Alone, stands here, its gold leaf cracked and weathered. A gilded pedestal, displaying a painting of Beginnings Upon the Beach, stands here, its gold leaf cracked and weathered. A gilded pedestal, displaying a painting of A Mother's Care, stands here, its gold leaf cracked and weathered. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings.
You see exits leading northeast (closed door) and through a shimmering portal.

You sense the piercing eyes of Tridemon looking upon you.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "**silence**."

You hear a couple sharp raps emanate from the oak door to the northeast.

Your snout twitches and trembles at the air, sensing through a striped badger nose upon your face the faint traces of others in the surrounding area.
You make out the scent of Tridemon coming from A cozy living room above the kitchen.

The air in front of you begins wavering and shimmering.
You sense Tridemon pulling on the strands of aether surrounding you.

A piercing shriek fills the air momentarily as a shimmering portal appears.

You narrow your eyes at a shimmering portal in an unnerving manner.

You look through a shimmering portal:
A cozy living room above the kitchen.                  (#HAH_5)

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "**you finally hear some shuffling on the other side of the door...**."

A shimmering portal collapses on itself, leaving glistening sparkles in the air that slowly dim into nothingness.

You open the oak door to the northeast.

A cozy living room above the kitchen.                  (#HAH_5)
A comforting feeling of privacy pervades the area. Eleven steps, all different dimensions and carved from dark ravenwood lead to a comfortable little living area. Dark floors contrast the gentle green shade painted on the walls, and bright, flickering wall sconces. A curved ceiling looks as if it has been scooped directly out of a tree, and thick support joists criss-cross the expanse. Delicate muslin curtains cover either window and barely touch the floor. On both window sills sit half a dozen tiny planters with newly sprouting flowers and herbs inside. Three plain oak doors typically stand closed, but whiffs of lavender and petrichor can be detected when they open, briefly displacing the delicious smells of the kitchen below. The diminutive size, low lighting, and soothing colors of this room invoke a sense of ease and respite. An elegant wall sconce featuring numerous large poppies juts from the wall, holding a flickering candle. There are 2 soft couches decorated with needlepoint poppies here. A tapestry depicting the creation of the lyrebird is proudly hanging here. A lush beige carpet is spread out on the ground. There are 2 elegantly carved ravenwood armchairs here. A small dark brown tea table stands here. A painting of Gurashi and the Racist Dartboard is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. A gilded pedestal, displaying a painting of A Stack of Cats, stands here, its gold leaf cracked and weathered. A gilded pedestal, displaying a painting of The Seal Of Approval, stands here, its gold leaf cracked and weathered. A shimmering blue circle floats in the room here. Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters lingers nearby, the air about him singing with the rush of the ocean. He wields a dazzling white staff crowned by a platinum pearl in his left hand.
You see exits leading east (open door), southeast (closed door), southwest (open door), and down (closed door).

You have emoted: Gurashi steps into the doorway, wearing his blanket like a cloak around his shoulders and head, holding the door open. He frowns.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "... did I wake you?"

Bizirik, the leothin snorts, perking up inside the bedroom and promptly pushing out past Gurashi, chattering happily as it wanders up to Tridemon, tossing its head and snuffling and snorting and looking for attention.

You have emoted: Gurashi releases the doorknob, shaking his head.

Tridemon ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Gone a bit nonverbal today?"

You think to yourself: **a muted shade of red violet, colors seeming strangely inverted from the usual green**.

Bizirik, the leothin leans on Tridemon seeking consolation.

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 have emoted: Gurashi looks up again, shaking his head quickly. "No," He says quietly, though he quickly falls silent again.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Still a bit exhausted from having run around the basin to kill everything?"

The soft tinkling of seashell wind chimes is carried in on a warm breeze.

You have emoted: Gurashi heaves his shoulders in a shrug, looking down towards Bizirik. The leothin continues to sit glued to Tridemon's side, tail slapping the ground at a rapid pace as it snuffles and stares back at Gurashi.

You think to yourself: **an odd, churning sensation - a dozen, no, more, feelings that are and aren't yours - a memory, both fresh and impossible to glean**.

Quietly, you say, "Finished honors for family.."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "... alright, what's wrong?"

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up at Tridemon, then down at his feet, then around the room, looking for something to focus on. Then, unable to decide, he lifts his arms, burying his face in his hands.

You think to yourself: **pale shades of blue -- "...maybe...maybe he will be fine, and we are just lonely?" **.

Tridemon eyes you for a moment before lifting his staff and poking you firmly on the top of your head with the platinum pearl.

You think to yourself: **a confusing, cheerful wash of pink, laughter** "You can make it!" **a lot - a lot, waves of amber, loving, warm** ""Forever and ever"--**.

You think to yourself: **black sands--** "...is it what you expected?" **--and suddenly, a poke--**.

You blink.

Bizirik, the leothin licks its snout, eyeing Gurashi while standing behind Tridemon, tail sweeping slowly back and forth.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Don't get lost in the inside of your own head."

You have emoted: Gurashi curls his fingers, lowering his hands so that he may see again as he looks up at Tridemon, frowning.

Tridemon raises an eyebrow. "Am I wrong about that?"

You have emoted: Gurashi lowers his hands slowly, tucking them back under his blanket-made-shawl. He pulls the blanket back over his head and clutches it closed at his throat, affording his face enough room to morosely poke out. He shakes his head, agreeing with you.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... do you want some apple juice?"

You have emoted: Gurashi doesn't afford Tridemon a glance at the offer. Still, he nods - just once.

You sniff softly.

You think to yourself: **a return to gray - muted, tired colors**.

Tridemon gives a jade vial to you.

Tridemon sits himself down on a soft couch decorated with needlepoint poppies and makes himself comfortable.

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

You have emoted: Gurashi takes the proffered drink, grabbing it through the blanket and holding it awkwardly grasped in his fist. His gaze follows Tridemon as the lucidian sits, and after a few moments he too sinks to sit beside you on the couch, finally taking a sip.

You sit yourself down on a soft couch decorated with needlepoint poppies and make yourself comfortable.

You take a long draught of apple juice, hoping to quench your thirst.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Now. Judging by the sudden, permeating moroseness and numb depression, something didn't go quite the way you were expecting."

You have emoted: Gurashi's face flushes, and his eyes become shiny as he shelters further inside his blanket. "No." A pause. "Don't know."

Bizirik, the leothin circles in front of the couch where both men sit, flopping down with an audible huff.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Bizirik, the leothin, "Why don't you take a stab at explaining?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's face fully disappears for a solid minute, holding the apple juice upright and level as he makes a miserable noise. When he does emerge, his face is red again - a solid effort at not crying. "Being a God must be real hard."

You have emoted: Gurashi sinks in his spot, staring at the empty couch opposite him. "The Shofets visited me today," He says, voice muffled by his blanket, "while was offering to Them."

Loud to the point of seeming reverberation, cicadas play out buzzing dissonances.

Tridemon considers this in silence for a bit. "And They are still in Their aspect of the Shofet of Abyssal Scales, I assume?"

You tilt your head curiously at Tridemon.

The faintest hint of poppies coils out of the nearby poppy covered wall sconce, candle flickering softly.

Voice bright and clear, you say to Tridemon, "They... uhm - they are still a dog." He lifts a hand from the blanket, gesturing to his own face. "Black fur. Shiny... eyes. Sand..."

You have emoted: Gurashi drops his arm onto his knee, staring at the opposite couch again. "Is how They always appear. Big...black..swirly sands."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It's actually fairly odd for Them to have kept to the same aspect for this long. There's generally a bit more chaos and unpredictability to what They will be at any one time."

The soft tinkling of seashell wind chimes is carried in on a warm breeze.

Softly, you say, "They were hurt..."

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

You have emoted: Gurashi finally pulls his head out from the blanket, letting it gather around his shoulders. "Yeah - but, also - today..."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Perhaps enough to strip some of what They were from Them."

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

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

Voice bright and clear, you say to Tridemon, "Do not understand..."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It's baseless speculation. So They were hurt when They showed up?"

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to stare at Tridemon, confused, concerned... he takes another small sip of apple juice and shifts in his spot, tucking his legs partially under the couch. "...mm... uhm. I was gonna leave, but... then They were there."

Gesturing with both hands, though one is still hidden by the blanket, you say, "A-and then there started to be, these. Visions. Like, when Mister Lord Nocht showed me Lady Amberle's passing." He breath catches at the very mention. "Very real, yes. Like was me feeling."

You think to yourself: **the same rushing memories from before -- pale blues, pinks, ambers, loneliness and joy and love -- and more, and more, and more and more and more, it makes your head start to spin just trying to keep up with all the thoughts**.

Loud to the point of seeming reverberation, cicadas play out buzzing dissonances.

Tridemon reaches up and pokes you on the head with the staff again, a little harder this time.

Reaching up to touch his forehead as he is poked, you say, "T-that hurts."

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

You think to yourself: **all the many thoughts and memories and feelings keep on racing, though, they begin to feel more familiar - its own kind of background noise**.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Uh... but - Their leg. Their leg was bleeding." He lifts his own foot. "A lot. And Their hands were covered in blood too? But, it was too dark..."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Then They were probably out killing something."

Voice bright and clear, you whisper, "Killing... like - hunting?"

You stare at Tridemon, eyes wide.

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

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... Not necessarily. Hunting. Passing judgement. A mercy killing."

Tridemon shakes his head slightly. "You need to compartmentalize those memories. They're not you, but your mind seems to be integrating them."

Lolling his head back tiredly against the couch, you say, "Compartmentalize. You mean - the cabinets."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Mmhmm. It's unhealthy to simply let them sit like that. They might start eroding your sense of self. Which, might I add, isn't especially robust in the first place."

You think to yourself: **the recollections continue to cycle through endlessly - every cycle through the faces a little clearer, these strangers are they even FROM here and now**.

Ducking his head sheepishly, you say to Tridemon, "Oh."

The faintest hint of poppies coils out of the nearby poppy covered wall sconce, candle flickering softly.

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

You have emoted: Gurashi shifts where he sits, holding the apple juice between one blanketed and one free hand.

You think to yourself: **a... cabinet. appears. just one. look at that cabinet. the vision is a little lackluster. In fact, as you look at it... its... sides fall open, until it collapses on itself**.

You think to yourself: ....let's not use that one.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Bizirik, the leothin, "Do you think Khep doesn't have anything to say, or has she been blocked out?"

You think to yourself: / *suddenly, you're aware she's been there this whole time, but quiet, drowned out with all the noise and color from the recollections* I'm here, Keeper /.

You glance askance.

Quietly, you say, "Wouldn't block her out..."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Not on purpose."

Tridemon reaches over and ruffles your hair with a fond expression.

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

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at the floor as he is ruffled, entire body swaying with the gesture. After a minute, he gets a strange look on his face, shrugging the blanket back up to cover his head. He properly cocoons his upper body, legs limp, leaving only his face to poke through again.

The grass rustles slightly as a warm night breeze caresses your skin.

Tired, you say, "They let me help Them."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... I see. And what did you learn from it?"

Chin quivering as his lips pull into a tight, thin line, you say, "That They are nice. Just like I thought."

You sniffle softly.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Are you sad, then, because Their pain is so very great?"

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Yes!!" He exclaims, then just as quickly lowers his voice, flustered. "No. Uhm."

Tridemon waits patiently, not interrupting this time.

The evening air is warm and still, and your surroundings glitter with dappled, luminous starlight.
It is now the 24th of Kiani, 559 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 3 days until the New Moon

You have emoted: Gurashi shifts in his spot, swaying a bit as he evens his voice. "T-they let me, uh, help fix where They were hurt. They still have my kerchief!" He pipes up. "And.. They said that, I... was like Friend Aschwar." What visible portion of his face flushes bright pink. "And asked if what I wanted was to be Beloved, yes."

You think to yourself: **among all the dull gray - a bit of pink**.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... and you can't. Not yet. Because you must follow the law."

You think to yourself: **just as soon as the pink appears, it is smothered. an even bleaker gray**.

You think to yourself: / ... /.

The wind sings quietly as it passes through the branches of the ravenwood trees.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "The Shofet is a judge. They understand the importance of following the law to its conclusion."

Voice cracking, you say, "They were -so- sweet to me."

Trying very hard not to cry, you say, "Xenthos said not to get my hopes up, yes. And, so, I didn't, for a long time, yes. When we were up in space, and then the months after."

Eyes widening, you say, "But, then... finally asked Lady of Roses... and, then, suddenly, wasn't just like, a maybe. Was a Maybe."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Suddenly now it is real - and, what if She doesn't like what asked."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "And now you're anxious because things are becoming more certain because things have been done, and less certain because you don't know how things will react to what has been done."

Speaking more rapidly now, you say, "Yeah." He sits forward on the couch, emerging from his blanket finally, folding his arms over his torso to hold his own shoulders. "It was something that did selfishly. And the things that have done so far selfishly only end up bad."

Voice cracking, you say, "My hopes are up."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... it's selfish to want to help someone because you like them?"

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes his head furiously, squeezing his shoulders tighter. "It is selfish - because want the same thing that Miss Olethea had to give up. In order to live in the Glomdoring." He shakes his head again. "Do not think you can have both."

Weakly, you ask Tridemon, "And, Lady of Roses is unhappy that asked? And, what if She gets mad at Friend Shulamit? Or Friend Aschwar??" He shakes his head. "What if She thinks that my asking means that do not love the Glomdoring and kicks me OUT?"

Hurried but soft, you say, "I don't know how else to prove can do it. It? Both, yes."

You think to yourself: **rapid fire muted colors and emotions, intertwined with the memories from before**.

Tridemon reaches out and pokes you again. A lot lighter this time, but with a finger instead of the staff. "Stop. Breathe. The question has been asked, and I honestly doubt you can change the answer in a positive way. ... If you want to change the answer in a negative way, I can think of a bunch of things, but that's not particularly relevant."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "And since there's nothing that you CAN do... Worrying about it is pointless. Worse than pointless."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "You'll wear a hole in your skull by obsessing."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "So sit. Stay. Breathe."

Loud to the point of seeming reverberation, cicadas play out buzzing dissonances.

(Glomdoring): The Black Nest of Forgotten Souls says, "I return to the shadows from whence I came!"
The cosmic fabric shudders as aether flares break out around the Bubble of Bottledowns and the Facility, freeing the energies within the Twisted Ring of Fallen Dreams and the Ring of Spare Parts for any nexus to claim.
A gust of wind carries on it the pleasant warmth of the noon day sun and the tranquil song of insects.

You have emoted: Gurashi's flurry of thoughts is stopped in its tracks with the poke, and he blinks slowly before turning to look at Tridemon, furrowing his brow.

You think to yourself: **churning... uncertain, and heavy, and -sad- and trying to slow down but still creeping and crawling through each memory from before, trying to sort it out**.

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a soft, deflated sigh, slumping forward and letting his forehead rest against your left shoulder. Then, he sits, very quiet, and very still, scrunching his eyes closed and listening to the frantic voices over the aetherchannels.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I'm... surprisingly tired again. If you want to go do flares, you should go and help. It might be a jolt out of your slump."

Tridemon gets up off a soft couch decorated with needlepoint poppies.

You have emoted: Gurashi sits back and nods, staring tiredly at the space Tridemon once occupied.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "You'll be alright. One way or the other."

You nod your head emphatically.

You have emoted: Gurashi rises stiffly.

You get up off a soft couch decorated with needlepoint poppies.

Tridemon nods his head emphatically.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts, then whines.

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

You have emoted: Gurashi offers a small wave.