A Response from the Empyreal

A dove comes flying into the room, deposits a misty lotus blossom folded from water and starlight into your hands, warbles cheerfully, and flies away.

Beads of sweat break out on your face.

A misty lotus blossom folded from water and starlight unfolds and sings to you, "Your prayer has not fallen upon deaf ears, child of the Light. When next you wander realms, should I see you, speak to Me of the Thousandfold's desire for My healing gifts. For it takes much to surprise an Elder, and you have surprised Me in this, little one."
A misty lotus blossom folded from water and starlight flutters apart in wisps of vellum and disappears from your hands.

*****
LATER THAT MONTH
*****

Hopefully, you give a friendship cookie bearing the left half of a heart to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters.

Holding up the right half of the heart-shaped cookie, you ask, "Will you be my friend?"

You look at Tridemon hopefully.

Looking at Reyqae and Ferne, you ask, "Am doing it right?"

Reyqae grins and nods at you.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "Well, I certainly hope so. A lot less hugs and cuddles and such to be done with ENEMIES."

You hands fly to your mouth as you give a short gasp of elation.

You have emoted: Gurashi throws their arms happily around Tridemon's shoulders at this.

You beam broadly.

Tridemon gives you a friendly squeeze.

Ferne nods her head at Tridemon.

You have emoted: Gurashi's wings flap a few times happily as they give Tridemon a firm squeeze, then let go, proceeding to eat the cookie after its intentions are accepted.

You hum softly to yourself.

In an airy, melodic voice, you ask Reyqae, "Do have any more Taffy Tavi cakies?"

Bracing white light briefly blinds your vision, fading to reveal a sidereal path to the Divine Fulcrux of Lantra, the Empyreal outlined in cold, glittering starlight.

You give a horrified gasp.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "OH SHE IS AWAKE."

Beads of sweat break out on your face.

Waving their arms fretfully, you say, "Am sorry - so sorry! The Lady Empyreal's calling me, is!"

Humble Ferne Ladyn says to you, "She? SHE She?"

Frantic, you say, "I gotta go gotta go gotta go."

Sworn to the Oath, Reyqae Indara, Disciple of the Lotus says, "I have Taffy cake though!"

Humble Ferne Ladyn says, "Go! go go go."

Sworn to the Oath, Reyqae Indara, Disciple of the Lotus says, "Who wants?"

Reyqae gives a star lotus taffy cake to you.

Apologetic, you say, "Lady Empyreal! Yes! I needed to talk to she! I - oh!"

In an airy, melodic voice, you ask Reyqae, "Is this for Tavi?"

Reyqae gives a tiny elephant taffy cake to you.

Ferne nods her head affirmatively.

"Shoo! Shoo!" Tridemon says to you as he waves you away.

You nod your head emphatically.

You give Tridemon a peck on the cheek.

You wave goodbye.

Reyqae flashes you a joyous smile.

Reyqae waves at you and says "Goodbye!"

Ferne tells you, "Tell HER I send my love."

You have emoted: Gurashi rushes for the doorway, waving frantically. "O-K I will be back soonly I love you all stay goodly and kind bye!"

You speedwalk south to before a secluded mountain spring.
You part a sparkling veil of white mist, leaving your surroundings in a bright shimmer of water and light.
You speedwalk veil to The Fulcrux of Lantra.
You have reached your destination.
The Fulcrux of Lantra.
The rush of running water echoes throughout this alabaster sanctuary, its white pillars surrounded on all sides by shimmering waterfalls. Breathtaking stars twinkle across the misty falls as they collect into a luminous gazing pool, its rippling waters clear and sparkling as they reflect the open expanse of the celestial sky above. Caught in a graceful dance of duality, an immaculate white koi fish circles its dark twin in the glittering depths of the basin, continuing in a silent push and pull as their silhouettes form two halves of a whole. The white, blue and pink petals of assorted lotus flowers crown these starry waters with their regal beauty, standing at the feet of several stone priestesses who guard this place. The statues bow their veiled heads in silent prayer, each bearing a tilted celadon urn that overflows with the boundless light of healing waters. Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here. Impossibly still at the centre of this luminous pool of water and light, a single star lotus flower blooms brighter than all the others, its heart radiant as the dewy petals unfurl to reveal a beautiful, enchanting light. A slender leothin sits here motionless, brightening its surroundings with its natural golden bio-luminescence.
There are no obvious exits.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Welcome, child of the Light."

You have emoted: Gurashi pants as they burst into the fulcrux, quickly dismounting and nearly toppling over as they sink to bow. "Hi! M-many greetings! M-- Lady Empyreal! Miss Lantra! Good evening! Came as soonly as could, yes!"

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Yours was an unexpected prayer, little one. A curiosity indeed."

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses again, raising a hand apologetically as they catch their breath. "Oh, also, uhm, Miss Reyqae made some cakes for the baby elephant have been helping! Yes? Yes, one for she and one OF she, and so she gave me them to bring to You! Also Miss Ferne sends her loves, apparently... oh... ah."

You nod your head emphatically.

You blush furiously.

Soft laughter as light as a gentle rain ripples about the luminous pool, the melodious sound resonating throughout the Fulcrux.

Holding up the tiny elephant taffy cake, you whisper, "Is Taffy Tavi..." They gently lower the plate to the ground, exhaling. "Ah, yes, the prayers..."

You drop a tiny elephant taffy cake.
Luminous waters wash over a tiny elephant taffy cake and ripple with light, submerging it entirely until it vanishes from view.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "If you wish to leave Tavi a gift, you may. Either here or by visiting her in the realm yourself. Either way, I am certain it will find its way to her."

Holding the star lotus cake now, you say, "Oh - uh, oh. O-K.... well this one is DEFINITELY for -her-, she said."

You drop a star lotus taffy cake.
Luminous waters wash over a star lotus taffy cake and ripple with light, submerging it entirely until it vanishes from view.

You cough softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi waves their arms a little, backing up as the cakes vanish from sight. Slowly, they look back at the pool, wide-eyed. "Ah, O-K..... ah - unexpected?"

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "You said You were ... surprised!"

You think to yourself: * a chaotic swirl of pastel colors, practically vibrating with excitement and nerves *.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "Take heart, for I am not the Epicurean Lord. I have no desire to take cakes from the young one. And yes. That Mysrai would ask a boon of Me, and in such a roundabout fashion."

You nod your head sagely at the master shrine of Lantra.

Calming their trembling hands by wringing them together, you say, "...is because, our friend needs help - Their friend, too. A Beloved!"

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "A friend of the Urchin in Ivory? A Beloved? What ails them so, that you would seek a Hamadhi?"

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "For mortals have studied their own arts of healing. To come to Me, the wound must be grievous indeed."

Soothing winds whisper past you on an errant breeze, rippling through the Fulcrux's sparkling mists like water.

You think to yourself: * envisioning the tae'dae with mismatched eyes, quietly working in the atrium, their expression impossible to mistake - they are unhappy *.

You have emoted: Gurashi swallows hard, knuckles white as they gaze towards their sparkling reflection in the pool. "It is Their beloved Priest! Yes... uhm. I do not know exactly, WHAT happened. But. They used to be able to ... hear things. Not like, -bad- things. But." Their wings flap behind them. "They used to be able to tell what peoples were feelings. And, could hear the voices of the flowers, yes! Could hear if they were happy or not in their being taken care of. But, now..." They trail off, looking down.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "...we've tried! A lot? I know, there have been healers, yeah..."

Gazing at the pool, you say, "But, Beloved Aschwar is not -from- the Basins, so I do not think the other things are working..."

You think to yourself: * another fleeting memory, recalling the cluster of fellow Beloved gathered together voices low, worried, gathered around the sleeping tae'dae - a sense of hopelessness and confusion *.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "I can sense that your concern for the Beloved is sincere, child, and that you believe the Urchin in Ivory has nothing but the purest of intent."

You have emoted: Gurashi quietly rubs their palms together. "They have done muchly by themselves, and with the friends of others. Have been trying to get better - have."

Earnestly towards the pool, you say, "Of course not - because They love them so muchly."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "And yet, I am given pause. For Mysrai surely knows this of Their chosen messenger, and this is why They sent you, rather than speak with Me of Their own volition."

You think to yourself: * another vision, this time of the Courtesan training with the tae'dae, lingering on the look upon the Divine's face as they fondly reach out and flick the tae'dae on the nose.. *.

You hear a gentle splash as the two koi fish within the gazing pool circle one another, motes of light flickering across their black and white scales.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "There are those that believe the art of healing is one always given freely, that to help another is always the correct course. But We have witnessed times when such attempts have done great evils, no matter their initial intent. If I save this Beloved, and Mysrai wields them as a pawn against My city and My people, am I not indirectly for those acts? Would Mysrai so easily ask Terentia to fight in Their wars against Zvoltz, I wonder?"

You give a horrified gasp.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "The Mysrai you know and the Mysrai that I know, child, are not one and the same. Thus I must tread a cautious path."

Shocked, you say, "T-they wouldn't - not to Beloved Aschwar...!" Slowly, they sink to their knees before the shrine, placing their hands on the ground. "I know You and the Most Beloveds have a long long, long long... -history-, so, -do- understand hesitations, yes."

You think to yourself: * a voice, not their own, floating across their mindscape: * "....even if I have done very unkind things......that is not who I want to be..."

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, collecting their words as they stare at their own rippling reflection. "...They would not do that." Softer, they add, "They would never hurt or let them be hurt or used like that."

Voice cracking, you say, "They -saved- the Most Beloved, when They needed help the mostest ..."

Fidgeting, you say, "And they took -care- of Them... even though They were scared and angry..." They shake their head furiously. "No. Is for love - it surely is."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "That may be, child. And the affection you have for your patron may be well placed. But I know nothing of this Aschwar, nor of Mysrai's plans for them. And when last the Elder asked for My healing aid, it was for a battle waged with ill intent that threatened to tear all of the Havens asunder in its wrath."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "If your patron wishes this boon of Me, then They must do more than simply appeal to My heart. For I must know if They can be trusted. I must know what is in Their heart, not merely what lies in yours."

You have emoted: Gurashi opens their mouth, then shuts it again, frowning.

A shifting, living poppy of saffron petals displays a myriad of brilliant colours before settling on a shade of deep indigo in the blink of an eye.

You think to yourself: ... why are words so hard ...

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at the pool, their shoulders sagging slightly. "...what could They do to prove it, for You?"

Fluttering as if caught by a breeze, the silvery threads of tinsel weave about in a haphazard pattern: conjuring new constellations and shapes as they glow from the sidereal light of the wreath's fine filaments.

You think to yourself: * vaguely remembering the pastel-painted visions from atop the volcano, the Thousandfold guiding the tae'dae across the fabric of reality to safety, so far, so -far- ...*.

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "The burden of providing such proof is on Them, child. Perhaps such a thing is no longer possible after so long. But if this is Mysrai's will, then it is up to Them to show Their sincerity."

Ripples of celestial light radiate out from the centre of the luminous pool as a soft, feminine voice echoes, "You are a messenger. Tell Them what I have told you. For now, My answer is no."

A sparkling veil of mist descends upon the Fulcrux of Lantra, bathing you in water and light. When it is gone, only echoes ripple in the luminous pool before you.

You have emoted: Gurashi flinches at this, their wings tightly folding against their back.

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

Bizirik, the leothin tilts her head curiously at you.

You think to yourself: ... boy am really -bad- at this.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks over at Bizirik, the leothin finally, ears flat atop their head.

You think to yourself: ... oh, Aschwar ...

You have emoted: Gurashi looks down, then reaches over, wrapping their arms gingerly around the leothin's neck and giving the creature a timid squeeze before using it to aid themselves back to their feet.

Quietly, you say, "Many thank Yous for Your time, yes."

You turn to the master shrine of Lantra, suddenly bending at the waist to offer a polite half-bow.

You part a sparkling veil of white mist, leaving your surroundings in a bright shimmer of water and light.

Before a secluded mountain spring.
Immaculate white marble glistens with a faint sparkle of mist as the narrow path opens up to reveal a shallow mountain spring, filled with the gentle sound of trickling water. Marbled shades of celadon blue dance across the smooth surface of the polished stone, resembling the way starlight dapples across the open sea as it emanates with a constant thrum of cool, luminous energy. A soothing breeze whispers throughout the hollow cavern, resounding within the alabaster walls with a lingering, watery echo. Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here.
You see a single exit leading north.

You think to yourself: * a sharp pang and a swell of emotion - no no, no no no no crying silly *.

You wrinkle your nose and sniff.

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

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