Friend Ixchilgal and the Color Orange

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator, "** a soft, curious buzz **."

Ixchilgal tells you, "Greetings Beloved Gurashi."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator, "** a gentle ripple of excitement at the phrase - gratitude and greeting **."

Ixchilgal tells you, "Is there something we can do for you?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator, "** curious buzzing - questions to be asked, too difficult to express over aethers **."

Ixchilgal tells you, "Would you care to meet in the Shifting City, perhaps?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator, "** affirmation **."

<-- doot doot

Ascending a fluttering spiral of veils.
Throughout the location, small dancing flames flicker and spark. Claustrophobic and smelling heavily of burnt resins, this spiraling ascent is tiled in ivory and copper. From above, the sound of laughter, the sound of whispers, the sound of cries of joy and passion echo out, murmuring down through the stone. To either side, lengths of gossamer indigo and copper play, rustling against each other in a play of murmurs: the air is hot and thick with presence, the walls shining with inlay of coppery energies. Oilslick patterns ripple across the silken folds of this veil as it flutters between two paradigms.
You see exits leading up and through a fluttering veil.

You flail about helplessly.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator, "** you briefly see him standing before the veil just before the City - a sudden wash of apology **."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator, "** continued waves of apology! **."

Ixchilgal tells you, "No need to apologize, we simply needed to track you down."

Ixchilgal doffs an elemental crown to you.

You turn to Ixchilgal, suddenly bending at the waist to offer a polite half-bow.

Ixchilgal doffs an elemental crown to you.

You bounce up and down.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "How can we help you, Beloved Gurashi?"

LOOK HE
He is a bullish taurian demigod changeling and is big, even as taurian go, touching on eight feet.  Short, dull brown fur covers his entire body, save for a bald scar going down across his left eye.  The eye itself is hideously sealed mess, leaving him permanently blinded on one side.  A terrific set of horns jut out from his head, curving upwards shortly after leaving his thick skull, for a total length  of about three feet, which only adds to his already impressive height.  A thin tail with a heavy tuft of hair twitches regularly, as if constantly agitated by something.  He steps heavily, clearly liking the sound of his blackened hooves hitting the ground. A chaos butterfly is resting on his shoulder. His skin is covered in luscious fur, eyes are darkened with shadows, legs are long and willowy, ears are covered with tiny scales, belly jiggles happily, nose is a hardened and curved beak, torso has rolls of fat, hands have claws, throat is covered in downy feathers, lips are covered in scales, and body is surrounded by psychedelic moving lights.
His hair has been cut short nearly to the point of being shaved. Curiously, it is striped in seven distinct colours, ranging from red to violet and all colours of the rainbow in between, creating a whimsical array of hue.
Naught but a nautical knot, his scraggly red beard has seen far better days and is well beyond saving with a mere trim or untangling. Crystallised sea salt weighs down the frizzy strands, aiding in some semblance of a style while the rest curls back wildly about his shoulders.
He is wearing:
Flowering Wings of the Enlightened Dragon
a shifting, living poppy of golden petals
an emerald wedding band of loyalty
a resin-streaked mark of the Paragon of Paradigms
a thousand poppied scarf
a decadent gold-bronze gown bedecked in ruffles and gearwork
mechanical lace gloves
Master Aphosho's Dangerous Boots of Swift Disappearances
an apron for kitchen slaves
the Unbelievable Mask of Atrocious Hocus Pocus
the Vernal Belt of Tenuous Deportment
a labyrinthine standard of Mu
Gauntlets of Whispers
a mechanised shell of commanding power.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles lightly up at Ixchilgal, then lowers their head as they fish their notepad out of their pack. With great urgency they write: 'want to know why Saffron is forbidden?'

You tilt your head curiously at Ixchilgal.

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'am looking into oranges and orange is apparently Saffron.' He throws his arms into the air in disbelief.

You shuffle your feet uneasily.

Master of Death, Snald Stormcrow has entered the realm of Lusternia.
Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Saffron is....a false path."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

You nod your head emphatically.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "It was tended to by one named Tetra."

You have emoted: Gurashi quickly adds: 'know is forbidden - but why?' He underlines the question three times.

You tilt your head and listen intently to Ixchilgal.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "At the time, this Tetra was one of Their supposedly more faithful members."

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "But this Tetra had no Will of their own. They stole works and ideas from others, claimed it for their own."

You have emoted: Gurashi leans in as they listen, their eyes widening with curiosity and fascination.

You stare at Ixchilgal, eyes wide.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Until eventually Tetra was caught, basking in the riches of a dozen Wills, not one belonged to them."

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "This Tetra is now a Delusion."

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Probably always was, in truth."

You have emoted: Gurashi tilts his head left, then right, looking utterly bewildered. 'She stole ideas from other fate-touched??' He hides his nose and chin behind the notepad.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "But is -known- to be one, now."

Ixchilgal nods his head emphatically.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Yes."

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Not just ideas, whole works, and passed it off as her own."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'is why nobody can follow path...?'

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Tetra was not the only one to try and follow Saffron...but is the most noteworhty. No follower of Saffron has ever fared well."

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns, leaning back on their feet, swaying. 'what about ailrod?'

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "It is a path of doom and destruction, and not in the way you might expect, like the Ebon."

You ponder the situation.

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

You tilt your head and listen intently to Ixchilgal.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Saffron tempts you into self destruction...in truth, we don't even know if it does so on purpose, or just all those who walk it are easily swayed."

Ixchilgal shrugs helplessly.

You stare at Ixchilgal, eyes wide.

You have emoted: Gurashi's face scrunches up in confusion, and for a moment he holds his notepad to his chest, squeezing it tight. After a thoughtful silence, he writes: 'but orange monestary still here.'

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, staring at their spelling, then crosses out monestary to write 'monastery', nodding.

Ixchilgal shrugs helplessly.

You look at Ixchilgal, expression filled with concern as you frown.
Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "We need things to remind us."

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "If we do not remember its pitfalls, another might try to walk the path, and also be lost."

You have emoted: Gurashi glances aside... then, he writes: 'are no books or order help scrolls. friend shulamit and friend alary did not know, friend zeebin would not say.' He shakes his head.

You look at Ixchilgal, expression filled with concern as you frown.
Herald of Sacrifice Gabe Ladyn, The Royal Vizier has entered the realm of Lusternia.

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'that can't be the only reason stays right?'

Ixchilgal shrugs helplessly.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "We do not presume to know Their Will."

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "At least, not on most things."

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'just a reminder? why have a Path at all if is nothing redeeming' They trail off, staring at their written words.

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'do remember what path was about? or, where could find out more?'

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "There can be no good paths if there is not also a bad path. Good and bad define each other."

You have emoted: Gurashi stares up at Ixchilgal with a bit of desperation in his gaze.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "We never particularly understood Saffron, truth be told. We aren't sure anyone did."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Perhaps one of the libraries will have something, but we can't help you. We simply don't know."

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "You might ask Shulamit to see if there's books you can't access, that might give some insight."

You have emoted: Gurashi's shoulders slowly sag, unable to mask his crestfallen expression. Slowly he sinks back to stand flat on his feet, nodding once. Then, he writes: 'books gone.'

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "There's many libraries, it's possible one has a tome tucked away that not all are privy to."

You nod your head slowly in understanding.

You give a pained sigh.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Do you know what a Delusion is, Beloved Gurashi?"

You have emoted: Gurashi hangs their head in defeat, then lifts it again, huffing.

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'what should not exist but what has come to be?'

You tilt your head and listen intently to Ixchilgal.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Sort of. They exist, and they do'nt exit. They are real, but not fully real."

You nod your head emphatically.

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'not supposed to talk about because they were VERY unkind to Shofets'.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "They can do little harm if you ignore them, but if you give them attention, feed them your Will...they manifest more strongly, and can cause harm."

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "They are dangerous, and should not be interacted with by most individuals."

You nod your head emphatically.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "The books, the teachings of Saffron were likely removed in order to keep people safe, keep them from getting too close to a particularly dangerous Delusion."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Tetra has reappeared a number of times over the centuries, even tried to declare war on our family, Mes'ard."

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'but Tetra and the other Delusion is gone, yes? are still Delusions besides them?'

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

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'well ignoring someone is easy.' He scoffs.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "There used to be more Delusions, but Beloved Aliod, their Judge, one of Their Lovers...sacrificed himself to bring many of them back from unreality."

You stare at Ixchilgal, eyes wide.

You have emoted: Gurashi leans, suddenly interested once more.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "Is there a chance we can discuss this more later?"

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks, then leans back, nodding several times, smiling weakly.

You have emoted: Gurashi writes: 'have been huge help - thank you Friend!!'

You give an ocean wave cookie to Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator.

Ixchilgal bows respectfully to you.

Somehow Sultan, Ixchilgal Mes'ard the Space Edumacator says, "We'll try to think of some better answers for you in the meantime."

You have emoted: Gurashi waves.

You gaze softens as you smile.

You nod your head emphatically.

You quickly bend at the waist to offer a polite half-bow.

Ixchilgal doffs an elemental crown cordially.

With a whisper of energies and a glimpse of changing paradigms, the veil parts, allowing you passage beyond.