Hoarsely, you whisper, "Fortitude... gotta find its."

---> chel found out some news about gurashi wanting to marry cali instead of tridemon. was rough ic, but i love everyone involved <3. storytelling can be a lot sometimes! cheliyi is currently non-verbal.

You think to yourself: **ah yes, there it is. guilt.**.

You wince in pain.
You wave your hand dismissively.
You wave your hand dismissively.

You think to yourself: Wait, no, do not...

Gurashi fishes out a kerchief from their pack, frowning. "Your father is so dear to me, in so many ways. Still. Always," They frown. "He is always my dear one, you know?" They watch you, looking like they want desperately to reach out and pull the mugwump into a hug, still offering the kerchief.

You have emoted: Cheliyi inhales again, foregoing the hankerchief and simply rushing forward to hug Gurashi tightly.

You think to yourself: I know you just said it, but... do you still love Dad?

Gurashi pulls you into a hug, frowning. "I am telling you this," They wobble, shoulders sagging, "I wants you, to know. Ah," They let out a disbelieving laugh. "Of COURSE I do! Oh my gosh, mine-child, so muchly, you do not know. And I have cried, and cried and cried over it," They look down, petting the back of the mugwump's head.
In soft, mellifluous tones, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I tried to talks to hims and tells him how was feelings, and, I just ... even knowing, is trying..."

Looking down, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I wants to feel -seens-. And -specials-. And to go dancing, and to parties, and walks, and swimming, and," Now the tears come, shoulders bunching, ears drooping, "...I know it is selfishly. But I wants to marry someones who will live lifes with me rather than just ..." They swallow hard, "...watch it pass."
Gurashi leans close to you and gently lays a kiss upon your forehead.

Calioliahali lowers her gaze to rest on the ground between Gurashi and you, her own eyes beginning to shimmer, and she sinks her teeth into her lower lip.

Gurashi stares at you, gaze softening and frowning at you as their expression fills with concern.
Softly, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I loves you so muchly, mine-child. I am sorry, to lets you down, a-gain."
Gurashi looks towards Calioliahali, resolve creeping into their voice. "But I know, without shadows of a doubts... I want this."

A cold wind whips across the platform, gilding the upper levels of the surrounding buildings with frost.

You have emoted: Cheliyi shivers faintly, glancing between Calioliahali and Gurashi with watery eyes.
You ponder Gurashi thoughtfully, looking them up and down.

Moisture begins to drip onto the ground in front of Calioliahali , and she lifts a hand to wipe at her eyes, sniffling hard.

You have emoted: Cheliyi closes her eyes for a moment, and inhales deeply. When she opens them, she tries for a fond, but small smile.

Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend thinks to themself: *their head is full, heavy, full of thoughts of politics and the future, drowned with the memory of the Lady of Lagoons - but...*.

Light radiates from Gurashi's heart, warming with shades of gold, wheat, and saffron.

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to Gurashi's brow.

Hoarsely, you whisper, "Is okay, then."

Calioliahali Skydrifter thinks to herself: *the trill is thinking about how she cannot possibly have more water left in her body this month*.

Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend thinks to themself: *--their heart is full, thinking about ghodak, of the trill beside them, of her siblings and their exuberance - a family full of life-seekers*.

You have emoted: Cheliyi cracks a slight grin.

Gurashi reaches out and gently grabs you, pulling you into a tight embrace.
Gurashi practically lifts you off you feet, squeezing shut their eyes.

Through their own tears, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I ... I need to talks to your ... f-... father still but." They do not let go, voice low, "I wants to know if you would likes to be, a Regalis, or ..." They exhale, "if you would like to waits, for me to become a Skydrifters?" Quickly they add, "You do not have to decide now, my love, but. I know you wants papers family. I know, you wants a brightly futures, too..."

Gurashi stares at you, gaze softening and frowning at you as their expression fills with concern.

You have emoted: Cheliyi closes her eyes, pained.

In soft, mellifluous tones, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "You do not have to thinks about it, right now."
In soft, mellifluous tones, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I love you. No matter what, -you- are -my- daughter."
In soft, mellifluous tones, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "You are my mine-child. And Ronin is too, and you always, always -always- have a home in my homes."
Gurashi pets you ingratiatingly.

In soft, mellifluous tones, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I am taking away your choice, I realize, and that is not fair. I have made you endure for so long."
Laughing tearfully, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I am sorry. You have afforded me more patiences and Fortitudes than I deserves."

The Mantle of Starlight shimmers and twinkles as the starlit darkness that it is formed of continues its eternal motion.

You have emoted: Cheliyi doesn't say a word, simply holding Gurashi in silence.

Gurashi reaches out and gently grabs you, pulling you into a tight embrace.

You think to yourself: **a colossal effort for c a l m**.

In soft, mellifluous tones, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I loves you so muchly. Am so sorry. Am so proud of you. You do not have to be calm."
In soft, mellifluous tones, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "You can rage and cry and be mad at me, if you want."
Gurashi stares at you, gaze softening and frowning at you as their expression fills with concern.

Hoarsely, you whisper, "It would not be fair to you. So I will not."
You smile softly at Calioliahali.

Hoarsely, you whisper, "She makes you happy, right? And they make you happy Miss Calioliahali?"

Quickly, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "P-please d-do not be mad at M-Miss Cali either, I have had -feelings- for her for as long as she has beens in the B-Basins, even before your father proposed... ah..."

Hoarsely, you whisper, "Then that is all that matters, here. Am not mad at her. Really."

Gurashi bites their lower lip. "She makes me feel like the suns."
Gurashi stares at you, gaze softening and frowning at you as their expression fills with concern.

Calioliahali lifts her head then, tears still streaking down her cheeks, and she nods her head once, twice, thrice in succession, without hesitation in answer to your question.

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles softly, before beckoning Calioliahali over.

In soft, mellifluous tones, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I feels like the whole worlds when we are to-gether."
Gurashi frets over everything that might go wrong.

A wry smile spreads across your face.
You gasp in delight, reaching out to boop Gurashi lightly on the nose with a finger.

You think to yourself: **even beyond the confusing root of emotions, fondness. love.**.

Gurashi sniffles, shaking out their whole head, ears wobbling. They look towards Calioliahali, holding out their hand. "Cali...?"
The lonely cry of a hunting bird echoes, calling out from somewhere below.

Calioliahali's eyebrows lift, and then so does the rest of her body, up out of her seat to join you and Gurashi, eagerly taking Gurashi's hand with her own.
Calioliahali stands up and stretches her arms out wide.

Gurashi pulls Calioliahali over to them as soon as their hands are entwined, frowning down at you, canting their head.

You have emoted: Cheliyi hugs both of you tightly, letting out a quiet sigh. She places a hand over your joined ones, gives it a firm squeeze, and nods. She then pulls away, pats Bizirik, the leothin gently, and scoops Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie into her arms.

Hoarsely, you whisper, "Love you boths. I should go do chores."

Gurashi tilts their head, gaze softening as they frown.
In soft, mellifluous tones, Herald Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Ah..."

---> run away

The Font of Fortitude.
Cold, argent light filters through this chamber, which is upheld by stark white pillars illuminated by starry torchlight. The frescoes painted upon this water-filled chamber are haunting in their black-and-white shading as they depict the horrors of the Elder Wars. Here, countless Elder Gods hold Their ground before the likes of Kethuru, Crazen and Zenos, held in proud formations perfected by the Second Circle. Yet the wounded and dying have begun to pile up behind Them, and while many faces which grace these walls seem familiar, far more are blurred, as if the memory of Them has finally begun to fray. A statue of Lantra, the Lady Mediatrix looks upon all these images in silence, surrounded by startlingly bright red lotuses which blossom at Her feet and crown Her regal brow. A single crimson lotus blooms eternally in Her outstretched hands as water and light flows forth from beneath its sanguine petals, as if stained with blood. Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie perches here with a mischievous glint in his eye.
You see exits leading northeast, south, and northwest.

You have emoted: Cheliyi practically collapses onto the floor of the chamber, resting atop the surface of the water as she stifles a sob.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie warbles gently, nuzzling into your arms.

You think to yourself: **and just like that, the dam breaks.**.

The chanting of feminine voices echoes throughout the Temple of Lantra, distant and beautiful.

Tears fill your eyes and begin to slowly run down your face.
Hoarsely, you whisper, "Fortitude... gotta find its."

You sense a quiet, unseen presence watching you here, at once both calming and disquieting.

You have emoted: Cheliyi pulls Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie into her arms, weeping quietly in front of the statue. She tries for composure again and again, but it never sticks.

You think to yourself: **sorrow above all else, you wanted a -family-. You wanted your dads. You did everything you could, to make this family. but you can't be mad at them for following their heart**.

Muginn ruffles his feathers, stirring up puffs of fog.

You think to yourself: **sure, Gurashi will always be your father, but you want Tridemon -too-, and now... and now...**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi inhales shakily.

You think to yourself: I just wanted it on papers... I wanted to be -Regalis-.
You think to yourself: I'm so selfish. I can't cry forever.

You have emoted: Cheliyi finally lifts her eyes, searching the walls as if they hold some hidden answer to her question.

You think to yourself: **a memory of warmth surrounding you as both the lucidian and trill hug you close, crumbling into dust.**.

You think to yourself: **a surge of stubborn want, to see on the weave that they are BOTH your Dads, not just Gurashi, not just Tridemon. and yet to ask that of them, when one is clearly so upset...**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's expression pinches as she fights off more tears.
You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

As if lecturing herself, you whisper, "They are happy. They will be happy. I just have to wait with patience and Fortitude, and accept that what I want will not happen."

You have emoted: Cheliyi's expression wobbles back into a frown, she manages to simply sigh rather than sob.

You think to yourself: **a hope... snuffed.**.

You think to yourself: Would I rather never have papers, than to have just one?

You sigh quietly, frills drooping as your tail sags.

Endless cascades of water and light flow into this luminous pool, enchanting in its celestial glow.

You think to yourself: **really, just want to shake Tridemon awake and MAKE him make Gurashi happier... but that is not how life works.**.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie warbles quietly, shutting his good eye.

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

You think to yourself: ... Miss Cali cannot be my mom. It just... will not. But must give her a chance.
You think to yourself: **a flicker of shame, and then gratitude, that no one has seen you like this. and hopefully Your Lady will not notice either. it's trivial. and stupid.**.

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie's brow.
Muginn clicks his beak, his feathers ruffling as he blinks up at you with an uncharacteristically fond look in his eye.

You think to yourself: **and finally, a sort of hollow equilibrium.**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi exhales softly, splashing her face with the Font's waters. She inhales again, the last of her tears finally washing away.

You think to yourself: It will not get better. It will simply... be.

You have emoted: Cheliyi bows her head to the statue in silent respect, before slipping away from the font.