"I find much to hope in that."

CONTEXT: https://pastebin.com/9EdYsjjG <-- the original task from Kreon (pre her asking Gurashi to convince Auriella to go to Glom!)

[note: Please excuse the <gender corrections>!
<-- Gurashi, standing on one of the roads in Celest near the park reading the latest news posts (Terentia has a realm!) Carakhan was visibly online so assumed She was talking to Tridemon! Was also having a conversation with Alaula about camping trips! And said hello to Tridemon! And Tikki said hi! A very mentally busy few minutes when suddenly...

You blink.

You think to yourself: ...the Even-Bladed has a realms now...? Ah.

Nalurei glides in from the southwest, her tail scarcely seeming to move.

LOOK AT SHE
Strands of seaweed entwine to form the shape of a regal mermaid. Nalurei balances gracefully upon a curved tail of woven strands, which rises from the ground to culminate in a striated fin. Bright blue eyes look about with assessing curiosity from a face of carefully crafted elegance. Twining fronds of kelp trail from her head almost to her waist, entwining like abyssal tentacles about her upper arms, and curling over her chest. Her right arm has been woven in such a way as to give the impression of webbed fingers, while the fingers of her left hand oddly appear to have an extra joint, and taper almost to points. A small shell dolphin figurine hangs about her neck.
Nalurei has an air of extreme strength.

You blink.

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

Nalurei beams broadly at Bizirik, the leothin.

Bizirik, the leothin's tail immediately begins to wag at the kelpie's arrival, a deep thrumming emanating from its chest.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "...ah! Oh!"

Face lighting up in recognition, you say to Nalurei, "Miss Nalurei!"

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "'lo. How goes things?"

A bright smile on her face, Nalurei says to you, "I wanted to say thank you in person! For the me pastry."

You have emoted: Gurashi clasps their hands together near their heart, plumage ruffling up happily. "Oh! D-did you like it? Uh--".

Excitedly, you say to Nalurei, "It was fun! And, you and Your Lady have been very nicely to Tridemon so thought deserved a you-treat, yes!"

You throw back your head as you let loose a delighted laugh.

Golden shades radiate from your chest and your heart beats faster with newly-appeared determination.

The peal of metal striking metal cuts across the firmament as the Even Bladed turns Her attention to the First World once more.

Nalurei smiles brightly, although her smile falters a little at your continued words. "I- thank you. Yes I liked it very much." The kelp of her hands interweaves together, for a moment indistinguishable, and she hesitates.

(Celest): Alaula (from the Aetherways) says, "Hail Lady Even Bladed."
(Celest): Terentia says, "New Celest."
(Celest): Aeldra (from the Aetherways) says, "Tidings, Lady Terentia."
(Celest): Cheliyi (from the Aetherways) says, "Ah! Hello Lady Terentia!"
(Celest): You say, "Good evening, Lady Even-Bladed!!"

You tilt your head and listen intently.

You have emoted: Gurashi's plumage smooths out as they listen, immediately keen on the hesitation. "Are O-K?"

Your melodic voice sings into Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters's mind, "*the sound of many different voices clammering about, fighting for attention* I-it goes! Is goodly! Miss Nalurei is here! She got the she-tart!"

As if parting through mists of water and light, the Empyreal Goddess quietly unveils Her soothing presence to the Basin of Life.

(Celest): Aeldra (from the Aetherways) says, "Tidings, my Lady."
(Celest): Alaula (from the Aetherways) says, "Hello Lady Empyreal."
(Celest): Lantra says, "Light's blessings upon you, New Celest."
(Celest): You say, "Oh gosh! Good evening to You as well, Lady Empyreals!"
(Celest): Cheliyi (from the Aetherways) says, "Uh, and also hello Lady Lantra!"

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Oh? I see! Do you think she'd like if I came over to say hi?"

"It made something else I heard... more confusing." Nalurei admits, hesitating slightly. "The ripples..." A strand of kelp unweaves, and stretches towards you, probing absently as if at something not entirely there. "<-She-> said <she> left because you persuaded <her> to." She frowns at you, her blue eyes deeply troubled.

You look about in confusion.

Your melodic voice sings into Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters's mind, "*they start to respond, a brightening of colors, then..... abruptly, grayer... confused*."

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks several times at this, brow furrowing. "...I - what?"

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Ah? Are you alright?"

Blinking, you ask, "Who is <she>?"

Frowning, Nalurei says, "<She> was the Summoner of the Storm, and then <she> gave it up. I don't-."

You think to yourself: *a rising sense of fear, of confusion - summoner of storms? someone left? persuaded? by me? who is <she>?*.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens their mouth, then shuts it again, unable to mask the growing confusion, no, terror on their face. "W... W-Who are talking about, Miss Nalurei? I-I do not mean to mis... mis-understands..."
You blink a few times and stare at Nalurei in confusion.

You think to yourself: *voices creeping into the back of their mind, starting to pick away at the edges of thoughts: who did you hurt now*.

Nalurei frowns, looking down. "She didn't even say goodbye to me." She says quietly, looking down. Then looks up at you. "And then they said... that it was you. Aknarin."

You think to yourself: *sudden icy fear--then, roiling, painful confusion*.

Suddenly blurting out, you exclaim to Nalurei, "No!"

Sunlight reflects off the stained glass windows of the Deep Blue Cathedral, shining in the distance.

You have emoted: Just as quickly as the words leave their mouth, Gurashi quiets, bows their head, plumage ruffling, then flattening again. "S..."

You think to yourself: *a growing ache again driving into the middle of their chest - not fair*.

Nalurei hesitates, relief, curiosity, concern, alarm, flashing across her face in succession. "Then... did she lie about that too?" She asks, weaving her kelp across her chest.

You have emoted: Gurashi sets their jaw, looks down at their hands, fingers tightly laced together. "...they wanted me to bring peoples, to the Glomdoring," They whisper, gaze briefly flicking to the bubble as it floats by. "...Miss Kreon said - just two. Convince thems to join the Glomdoring, and, then, they would forgives my enemyings, and, then my family might talk to me again, yes." They quickly look at the kelpie. "A-and, then a few months later, Miss Aknarin made the posts, and, then she -left-..."

Tears suddenly welling up in their eyes, you say to Nalurei, "A-and she sent me a message, over the aethers, that she KNEW about my tasks, and would tell Miss Kreon that she did it, but I was not even thinking clearly and did not know why she would say that. Because..." They shake their head, "did not want her to go either."

Inexplicably, a cohesive bubble of water meanders by, small floating drips trailing after it.

Seagulls wheel far overhead, letting out harsh squawks as they fly over.

You think to yourself: *a growing sense of fear - the sound of seagulls makes them flinch, the ocean seems so far away and quiet*.

Nalurei blinks, taking in this new information. "I am sorry." She whispers, reaching out a kelp frond hesitantly towards your cheek. "You are always so kind. And Tridemon loves you so very much. I did not want to think that you might..."

You have emoted: Gurashi wrings their hands together anxiously. "Did not want anybody to leave that did, no." Voice quavering, they add. "Am sorry. Am really sorry. Was not trying to lie. Or hide? She thinks I did it too and do not know how to tell Her I did not..."

You have emoted: Gurashi swallows hard, blinking as the kelp touches their cheek. They look at Nalurei, crestfallen. "Am sorry she did not tell you goodbye."

Doing their best to keep a straight face, you say to Nalurei, "Not getting to say goodbye does not feel good."

An exquisite chorus of melodies wavers lightly in the air, accompanied by the rich, vibrant notes of a violin.

You think to yourself: *a guilty thrum, achingly confused - how AM supposed to tell Her? a growing, quaking fear at the thought of what She might do if they fail ... or succeed*.

Nalurei catches a tear upon one of her fronds and cradles it gently, transforming it into a a pearlescent ball of water and salt. "May I keep this?" She asks. "You do not know how to tell.... Her?" She repeats, tentatively.

You have emoted: Gurashi takes a deep breath, suddenly holding it, scrunching close their eyes and mouth, nose wrinkling. They swallow hard, visibly, then return to paying attention, looking much less teary-eyed and much more dazed. "...you want to keeps my tears?" They ask, watching it take shape. "Of course..."

You have emoted: Gurashi does not take their eye off of their own tear, marveling at its tiny perfect shape in the kelpie's fronds. "The Lady of Roses..."

You shake your head.

You have emoted: Gurashi quirks their mouth left, then right, staring at the tear before looking up at Nalurei. "If you heard it, then She must think is true. Or Someone does."

You think to yourself: *another guilty thrum - should have spoken up when She said something...... remembering the feeling of Her voice over their shoulder, promises that things might get better soon, might get to see him again soon.... hope, and fear, co-existing side-by-side*.

"Thank you," Nalurei says gravely, though she provides no explanation, as she secrets the tear away somewhere within her kelp. "Oh." She frowns. "Things travel, sometimes, on the waters. Where there are ties. It is-" She gestures vaguely with kelp, grasping at words she cannot pluck from the air. "Will it be another shadow upon you, if She thinks your task complete? Or a light?"

You have emoted: Gurashi watches the tear vanish from sight with no small amount of surprise and wonder, mouth forming a perfect 'o'. At the question, they pause, closing their mouth and slowly chewing on their cheek.

Quietly, you say, "...do not know - just," A pregnant pause, "do not want things to become worse than already are."

Nalurei tilts her head to one side, thoughtfully. "Worse for who?" She asks.

Bizirik, the leothin shakes out its entire body as its newly formed wings come into being, snorting and snuffling, then looking at its trill companion. Gurashi gazes upon Nalurei, eyes slowly widening. "...Me. And... Xenthos." A pause. "And everyone else... back there."

[Ripples of celestial light radiate across the firmament like water as the calm voice of Lantra, the Empyreal rings out, "My Cousins, what an auspicious day it is to see so many within the Basin of Life... I wonder if a trial of valour and righteousness is in order?"

Rolling forth across the heavens, the voice of Carakhan, Sculptor of Waves resounds, "Perhaps a trial of beauty and nimbleness, My Cousin?"

The commanding voice of Terentia, the Even Bladed resounds across the firmament, "Indeed, something for the fleet of foot would be quite interesting to see."

   ** A HAMSTERHUNT event has been set up! (see EVENT STATUS) **
             ** You must JOIN EVENT to participate. **

(clan): Esei says, "Oh jesus." <-- honestly mood tho

Ripples of celestial light radiate across the firmament like water as the calm voice of Lantra, the Empyreal rings out, "Our truest of favour to those who excel in this test of skill."]

Nalurei frowns. "And will it hurt them, and you, more or less to think that you are willing to send others to them, but not return yourself?"

[           ** The Hamsterhunt will start in 3 minutes. **

(Celest): Cheliyi says, "Best of luck to everyone!"
(Celest): Aeldra says, "Good luck to all of you."
(Celest): Romaan says, "Thank you, I will need it!"
(Celest): Faragan says, "Hunt down the little vermin and speed your way."

Ripples of celestial light radiate across the firmament like water as the calm voice of Lantra, the Empyreal rings out, "Carakhan, I must say, Your changes to the format are most inspiring. Not that I should expect any less of Your artistry."

The laughter of the Sculptor of Waves rings out, as tiny squid rise from the waters and spread out across the Basin of life.

You see Nalurei shout, "Good hunting to all."

** The Hamsterhunt will begin in approximately 1 minute. **

(Celest): Faragan says, "Ok, so not vermin."

You gaze softens as you smile at Nalurei.

(Celest): You say, "Bestest of lucks!"
(Celest): Cheliyi says, "Quick, someone get Miss Freja, yes! She keeps asking for squid all the time, hehe."

(clan): Esei says, "They're SQUID?" <-- also mood]

You have emoted: Gurashi gazes up dazedly, blinking a few times at the rousing of Divine voices. Quickly they bring their hand to their face, rubbing their eyes on their sleeve. "I... before, would have been easy, to tell peoples... to live there..." They hesitate. "...well. Uhm."

                  ** The Hamsterhunt has begun! **
               ---- NOTE: this is a NON-PK EVENT ----

(Celest): Amaelia says, "What do we do when we find one?"
(Celest): You say, "Pick it up!"

The quick quivering sound of hummingbirds flitters by in the crisp night air.
Ripples of celestial light radiate across the firmament like water as the calm voice of Lantra, the Empyreal rings out, "I see that Ayisdra of Hallifax has taken an early lead in the squid hunt."

You have emoted: Gurashi waves a hand dismissively, gesturing at all the sudden commotion and distant squeaking of hamsters. "They will not let me live there anymore, no. Would have never left, before! Really, really," They look up, again distracted by a nearby noise.

(Celest): Rosella says, "I...I've found squid in the Gloriana Forest...they seem out of place."
(Celest): Aeldra says, "Our pantheon has just released them for us to track down, yes. they'll be everywheere on prime for the next half day."
(Celest): Rosella says, "Oh, alright. I was just trying to help some centaurs and they were zipping around!"
(Celest): Lantra says, "Far less fur left behind than hamsters. A prudent choice, Lady Sculptor."
(Celest): Faragan (from the Aetherways) says, "Besides hamsters are just vermin. squid are much better."
(Celest): Carakhan says, "I cannot claim that prudence was My inspiration here, Lady Empyreal, but that is certainly a side benefit."

The distant, soft chiming of a bell echoes across the city, its beatific ring washing down the streets in a warm, welcoming voice.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks at the poppy on their wrist. "And was... told very recently that my names still causes lots of pains. Still makes so many peoples unhappy, there."

Attention clearly flitting this way and that, you say to Nalurei, "Are former friends who will not even stand in same rooms with me."

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses. "...and getting tasks, like, having to convince Miss Auriella to leave..." They wrinkle their nose, ears flat. "Can imagine? How would feel if WAS true, that was me telling Miss Aknarin to leave...."

In an airy, melodic voice, you say to Nalurei, "...could imagine if Miss Auriella left? And peoples found out was my fault? She is the City's Vernal Demidivines...!" They bring a hand to their cheek. "It would be treasons all over agains."

Shaking their head, you say, "Would never want her to leave, no. Do not want anybody leaving, unless their heart wants them to. Unless is -their- Wills."

With a small smile Nalurei says "If you want to go chase squids, I will not keep you! I- thank you for telling me the truth. And thank you for the cookies." She breaks off frowning. "But-". She spreads her kelp fronds, swaying. "I would feel very upset." She says. "And would want to try to understand -why-. Very much so. And I would be sorry you were so unhappy here."

Splashing sounds and soft "bloops" resound as more squid rain from the heavens across the Basin of Life.

Quietly, Nalurei says, "Sometimes people must follow the path the current takes them on for the time. But it is my hope that even Aknarin may someday find his way back to dance among the waves again."

You think to yourself: *...a fleeting sigh, swallowed up again in a gentle swirl of pastel colors*.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "...is just on a differently currents, yes."

Ripples of celestial light radiate across the firmament like water as the calm voice of Lantra, the Empyreal rings out, "Hallifax maintains a strong lead through Ayisdra and Calioliahali, but Brawrur of Gaudiguch and Tridemon of Celest are close behind."

You think to yourself: *another great sigh, envisioning faraway painted faces, distracted by the noises of squid - a whispering Voice, creeping in, settling, reminding: "Your cruelty extending to yet another."*.

You have emoted: Gurashi's attention flicks up, curious.

(Celest): You say, "Get thems! Go get thems, Tridemon!!!"

You have emoted: Gurashi sets their jaw, wings flapping as they clench their hands into fists, expression determined. "...ah, but. Uh".

Once more, squid flailing down from above manifest in a burst of water and foam to flop on the world below.

Quietly, Nalurei says, "When My Lady was trapped, it was those of the Light who freed Her, and revealed the truth. I find much to hope in that. And She was trapped and hunted for far longer than any mortal has ever experienced. I hope- I hope you continue to be glad of your new home."

You tilt your head and listen intently to Nalurei.

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Nalurei, reading the kelpie's expression. Slowly, they look down, lightly plucking at a Glomdoring friendship bracelet, then staring at a crystalline poppy with inlaid smoke immediately beside it. "...I do." They look up, smiling faintly. "I am."

Nalurei nods her head, and lifts a strand of kelp in farewell.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say to Nalurei, "...promise." Their face brightens further, and they look at a bubble floating by, reaching out as if to pop it, though they instead just follow along, until it is too far to follow. "Thank you."

Lifting their own hand in farewell, you say to Nalurei, "Stay goodly? Stay, kind, yes."

Ripples of celestial light radiate across the firmament like water as the calm voice of Lantra, the Empyreal rings out, "As the squid hunt approaches its final stage, Ayisdra and Tridemon are engaged in a close competition for first and second place!"

(Celest): You say, "Go Tridemon, go!"
(Celest): Cheliyi says, "Go Mister Dad!"

You think to yourself: .... * a curious thrum, considering:* "Will it be another shadow upon you, if She thinks your task complete?"

"And you." Nalurei says with a smile, as she glides away upon the ever present water.

You have emoted: Gurashi drops their hand, looking thoughtfully towards their shoes again.

You think to yourself: "...Or a light?"