Shower of Blackthorns

Nocht whispers softly, betraying His position, almost unseen by the blackthorn, "Greetings, little one."

You blink.

You bow respectfully to Nocht.

You say to Nocht, "Tidings, Lord Nocht."

Nocht says nothing more, quietly observing as the shadows churn around Him.

You have emoted: Esei kneels before the shrine, lacing her hands in her lap. "Are... You any better, since... You last... spoke to me, Lord Nocht?" She asks quietly, reaching up to tug on one of her braids. She glances up at Nocht briefly, before quickly lowering her gaze.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "I am lucid in this moment if that is what you wonder."

The image of the night sky ripples as the body of Gurashi suddenly emerges from its grasp.
Bizirik stalks in from the ether, wings spread as it clicks and thrums softly.

You nod your head at Nocht.

Gurashi takes a step within the Fulcrux, then promptly stills, staying near to the veiled entrance with wide eyes.

Nocht allows His gaze to shift towards Gurashi, though He says nothing more.

Gurashi looks to you, then to Nocht, raising two hands in apology and offering a slow, silent half bow.

Nocht takes several steps forward, running an ashen-grey finger along a painting of an Ode to White. "Yours, little one?"

You nod your head at Nocht.

Gurashi stands before the image of the night sky, arms spread wide. Dark tendrils shoot forth from the apparition, wrapping around Gurashi and forcibly sucking him in.
With a playful chirr, Bizirik turns sharply and scampers off to the ether.

Gurashi, riding Bizirik, the leothin, suddenly appears, looking bewildered.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "We were discussing flowers, little one."

You nod your head.

Nocht looks towards Gurashi. "Unless that's a topic you prefer to have with another...?"

Gurashi looks about himself in disbelief, hand still pressed to his chest as if to still his racing heart. He quickly looks back towards the Divine and His disciple, the clicking on his face the only sound he makes.

Gurashi stares implacably at Nocht.

Gurashi's hands clench, and finally he shakes his head twice, a look of resolve coming over him. He takes a hesitant step forward, quick to keep a hand on Bizirik lest it dart forward.

Nocht runs a finger along the outline of the petals on the painting. "They were strong, even before the world became harsh. They've even adapted to the Wyrd."

The pointed tips of your ears twitch as you try to listen closely to Nocht.
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "What do you think of them, little ones?"

You ponder the situation.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "I am certain My meditations on flowers are not that interesting."

Gurashi raises his gaze from the painting, to Nocht Himself, to the Blackthorn towering above.

You say to Nocht, "I... personally find them beautiful, but strong. The tree itself represents protection, to me, due to its thorns. Somehow... reliable, though I can't explain why, exactly."

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Perhaps Gurashi is pondering other flowers..."

Gurashi blinks.

The boughs of the large blackthorn moan loudly as they shake, sending a new shower of petals cascading across the fulcrux.
Gurashi suddenly turns an almost impossible shade of red from head to shoulders. "N-no!" He finally speaks up, louder than intended, correcting his mistake by lowering his voice tenfold and offering a harsh, whispered "-no-".

Gurashi blushes furiously.

Nocht turns to look up towards the tree, the air filling with some sound that could as easily be soft laughter or an exasperated sigh.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Ah. We all have our trials, little ones. Even the Elders... as you can see."

Gurashi folds his arms uncomfortably over his chest, flustered. "...the flowers are ..." He starts.

Nocht, the Silent whispers to you, "I'm always watching. You have promise, My little one. In all these years I don't think I've had one among Mine who works through painting."

Gurashi starts to say something else, but ultimately falters, closing his mouth and returning to silence.

You have emoted: Esei stares briefly at Nocht before her ears turn pink and returning her gaze to her lap. "Thank you, Lord Nocht," she mumbles.

Nocht allowing His gaze to shift to Gurashi. "And even if not one of Mine, I am curious to see just where your gentle heart takes you, little one. Just as likely to be your undoing as anything else. Hm..."

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Be well."

The surrounding shadows wane, falling back in despondent melancholy as the form of Nocht, the Silent dissolves into wisps of shadow.

You stare blankly into space.

You stare blankly at Gurashi.

You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.

Gurashi stares at the spot where the Silent One once stood, eyes wide in confusion, and concern.

You have emoted: Esei stands up, brushing herself off and clearing her throat. "That was... enlightening." She offers Gurashi awkwardly.