Question from Aknarin

The Pool of Stars.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Meeting in the radiant heart of New Celest, the broad city streets come together in a large, open plaza of marbled stone. Rising in the centre of the plaza is a structure of noble and luminescent pillars which suspend a round, ring-shaped platform twenty feet above the light-studded surface of the pool below. The atmosphere within the structure and around the pool bristles with a warm, electrical energy, giving a slightly disorienting sense of dizziness and euphoria. A gradually ascending stairway winds its way about the inside of the pillars, leading towards the upper level of the structure and offering a bird's eye view of the pool. An enormously wide circular pool, as dark as the night sky, glitters softly between the columns. His form suffused with soft light, the Keeper of the Pool of Stars stands here attentively. A statue of Zenobia the Queen of Queens stands here, memorializing her noble spirit. There are 10 archons of Eternal Light here. An imposing sword of radiant white metal has been driven deep into the ground in a silent statement of intent. There are 10 cavaliers of the Light here. There are 10 Kusalas of the Tahtetso here. A mosaic tiled chest stands here, ready to share donations given. Glowing gently with a soft blue light, a delicate dreamcatcher has been permanently hung here. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. His brow deeply furrowed, a thoughtful scholar paces back and forth here. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings. A water elemental churns here, crystal blue waters enveloped in a gentle mist.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, and up (open door).

You eyes light up as you smile.

In a sing-song voice, you say, "Here! Am here!"

Raising his hand in greeting, Valluin says "Hi!"
You give a slice of raspberry-flavoured cheesecake to Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen.
You give a slice of raspberry-flavoured cheesecake to Imperial Mage Valluin La'Saet.

Valluin beams broadly.

Imperial Mage Valluin La'Saet says, "Many thanks, i was getting peckish."

Valluin eats a slice of raspberry-flavoured cheesecake with obvious gusto.

Aknarin smiles softly.

Aknarin thanks you profusely.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Ah! Perfect timings then!"

You clap your hands together merrily.

Valluin nods his head affirmatively.

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen says to you, "Shall we go for a walk in the park, little one?"

You have emoted: Gurashi puffs their cheeks, looking from Valluin to Aknarin. "You wanted to talk to me?" They ask, bouncing from one hoofed foot to the other. "Ah! Sure!"

You begin to follow Aknarin.

Aknarin smiles softly.

You follow Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen southeast to near the duck pond.

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen smiles and says, "This is one of my favourite parts of the City."

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses at the edge of the pond, making sure to keep plenty of distance between themselves at the waterfowl passively swimming at the center of the pond. "Ah! It is very nice," They agree, gesturing back towards the barely-visible park. "That's mine. The park is a very good one, in Celest? Yeah."

Aknarin gestures to the pond. "The duck here go seemingly unnoticed by most, but in this very spot you can see the tranquillity of life". Pointing towards the small ducklings within the pond, "New fresh life untouched by the torment of the basin, free to be just children".

You have emoted: Gurashi nods, hands on their hips. "Yeah," They agree, short tail wagging twice behind them.

You think to yourself: * recalling that time they threw bread into the pond only to be chased off by a very, very territorial goose *.

Aknarin turning toward you, she smiles softly. "Little one, I wanted to speak to you and gain your observations of the City since you have joined". She pauses for a moment, her face almost looks like she is in deep contemplation over what to say. "You had a... rough journey before coming here. Previously too that, you have seen the trials and achievements New Celest faced as our ally".

You blink.

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen says to you, "You may have seen the news board, hopefully my scribe posted my note for me. How do you feel about the upcoming election?"

You have emoted: Gurashi gives pause to this, looking at Aknarin's face before looking back at the pond, watching one of the ducks fan out its wings and flap twice before settling back in to floating. "...mm."

Scratching their chin, you say, "How do -feel- about the elections? Uhm."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Hm."

A thoughtful scholar consults some notebooks before glancing about in confusion.
Furrowing his brow, a thoughtful scholar says, "By my calculations, we should have arrived at one of the great libraries by now... what's taking so long?"

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "...OH NO."

You flail about helplessly.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say to Aknarin, "Waitonesecondpleasemanythankyous."

<== just...finish doing that

Near the duck pond.
Pale, watery light floats away from a shield shrine of Carakhan nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. There is a moderate breeze here. The flat, grassy lawn of the city park slopes gently downwards and then drops abruptly to the edge of a shallow pond. Large, tame, white ducks paddle lazily back and forth, occasionally bobbing their heads below the surface. On the south end of the pond, water lilies create a solid blanket of green which barely breaks the surface of the water. A water elemental churns here, crystal blue waters enveloped in a gentle mist.
You see exits leading northeast and northwest.

You clear your throat.

Aknarin's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Beads of sweat break out on your face.

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

Bizirik, the leothin snorts.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "A-HEM."

You clear your throat.

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen laughingly says to Bizirik, the leothin, "You should have reminded him about that scholar..."

Aknarin tilts her head and listens intently to you.

You have emoted: Gurashi apologetically waves both six-fingered hands before their face, beet red. "I... well, I mean. Do not know what to think? Uhm..." They hesitate again, hand returning to their chin.

A look of understanding crossing her features, Aknarin nods her head slowly.

Quietly, you say, "I think having good leadership is goodly. But, also, did not mind Miss Azula's leader-ing." Another long pause. "I am sad to hear about what happened to the guild researches. Is really hard to upkeeps! Also, did not know we did not have a formal alliance, that is kind of ..."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "That is kind of funny, aheh."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Aknarin smiles softly at you, reaching out she cups you face. "Relax Gurashi, we are talking as friends. There is not need for you to feel rushed or panic. I do not expect an indepth answer now".

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

Aknarin moves her hand away from your face. "I am deeply saddened that the leadership of our council has been... lacking in all areas". She sighs deeply, "Nothing has happened in moving Celest forward since I stepped down, and I have had many citizens ask me to step up and retake the mantle. To do so I need to know the opinions of the citizenry to find out what the root issues are".

Surprised, you ask, "Hasn't moved?"

Aknarin paces away from you, but still speaking loud enough that you can still hear. "It is not a decision that I have come to lightly, and something that I had to question my deepest desires many times. Am I ready to take up the position again, of course... am I mentally prepared to tackle the stagnation of the City... it is going to be no easy task".

You clear your throat.

Suddenly, you say to Aknarin, "You said wanted to review the covenants in your post. As the very lastly thing."

Aknarin turns back to face you, "I do, yes".

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen says, "The covenant has not been looked at for nearly half a century."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say to Aknarin, "It definitely matters to a lot of peoples. There are many peoples who would like goodlier change to come to the city - so we stop being viewed as so..." They pause, then shake their head. "Well - New Celest is the city of Light! A Beacons of Hopes! Should be viewed as such. Yeah!"

A look of understanding crossing her features, Aknarin nods her head slowly.

Aknarin ponders your words. "We need to update the covenant to better reflect New Celest and her ideals. Some things we should be more tolerant on, others less tolerant of".

Quietly, you say, "It should be something discussed with all the peoples, though. Not just me. Is a big City."

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen says, "I plan on speaking to many individuals throughout this election."

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen says to you, "However, you have been someone who has always had an... interesting view on matters."

You blink.

You tilt your head curiously at Aknarin.

Surprised, you ask, "Meeee?"

Aknarin smiles softly at you, "You have a broader understanding of the Basin, and a unique perception of things compared to others. You are also empathetic towards others, and have a kind heart".

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

Aknarin's eyes sparkle with amusement.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances back towards the duck pond, furrowing their brow.

Aknarin places a hand on your shoulder "I hope that does not offend you, little one".

Suddenly, you say to Aknarin, "No, no. You are O-K." They glance down at the beads on their wrist. "You know, did not originally plan to come to New Celest at all. Because was really really happy in the Glomdoring."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Well - mostly."

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen says to you, "I understand that... it was not a very forgiving time."

Aknarin walks towards the duck pond. Pulling out a bread roll from her satchel, she starts tearing it up and feeing it to the ducks. "Life does not always pan out the way we planned it. Sometimes things happen for a reason, this is the ebb and flow of life".

You have emoted: Gurashi continues fiddling with mercurial Mysraian prayer beads. "...was waiting until maybe ... but. Anyway. I wanted to still be goodly, to people. And in New Celest, you are supposed to bring Light and Hopes to peoples. To everyone. At least, is how always looked from the outsides, yes. So it seems naturally like a fits. Because it feels nicely, being nicely to peoples! And, on my Paths, my Shofets lets me be nicely to peoples even if they do not live in the Glomdoring, or New Celest."

You nod your head emphatically.

Aknarin continues to throw small pieces of bread to the ducks, she pauses for a moment ignoring the ducks calls for more and looks over her shoulder at you. "Things may change, none of us can predict the future. I hope you have a home here for life and I would like to help make sure that happens, regardless if I am in leadership of New Celest or not".

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Aknarin move to start feeding the ducks, gaze softening as they nod. "Even joined the Archons cause they were supposed to be the ones who SPECIFICALLY goes out and helps peoples, yeah."

Aknarin smiles softly at you, "We provide help to those who seek it and are willing to accept it. Not everyone can be saved, but as a city we can do better" she then turns her attention back to the ever impatient ducks. Throwing the last of the bread into the pond she walks back towards you.

Quietly, you say, "But, not everybody knows to like, seeks it."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Sometimes, you gotta find thems - or find those peoples on accidents."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Trying to explains what the Light is is a very hard tasks for somebody who does not live in the City, no! Takes lots of little talkies. Good ones." They pinch their fingers for emphasis. "Otherwise, is blinding."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Even for our allies."

Looking up, you say to Aknarin, "I have friends all -over-. Everywhere. Even in Serenwildes. Magnagoras - with enemies to New Celest, who do not WANT to be enemied to the city here, but are just because of where they live and who they are."

You have emoted: Gurashi slowly looks up, watching the lightening sky. "People politics are very stupid and fickles."

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen says, "Politics often comes between many friendships. Even my marriage would be strained if anything were to happen between Glomdoring and Celest."

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen says, "I apologise little one, but I must return to my manse."

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

You shake your head.

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Is O-K."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Just."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say, "Is possible to keep the city and its citizens safe, while also offering a hand, yes."

Looking up, you say to Aknarin, "Sorry - was talking lots yeah."

With a gentle, euphonic lilt, you say to Aknarin, "Go have a goodly rest O-K?"

Lady Aknarin Stormcrow, The First Holy Queen says, "Thank you for taking the time to speak to me."

You nod your head emphatically.

You fidget impatiently.

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