To Trust Her and Love Her

Bizirik slinks in from the north, clicking and thrumming softly.

Deepening waters.
The area is bathed with silver light as a robust defensive aura suffuses the air due to a shield shrine of Lisaera nearby. A fresh gale whistles in your ears. Hidden by masses of sweetgrass and heath, this section of the pond is broad and deep, a faint current stirring the pristine surface of the water. The strange world reflected in the pond bears little semblance to the realm above, sometimes seeming a different place entirely. Some trick of sun and moonlight plays across the waters, refracting in a prismatic rainbow that casts the bare shoreline in hues of shifting colour. Even the few grouse and frogs that hide within the reeds and drink of the waters are oddly quiet and serene, affected by the power of this place. The surface of a small pond here sparkles serenely with many shifting colours. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings.
You see exits leading north and through a small pond.

Bizirik, the leothin stares implacably at you.

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily at you.

A genteel peacock crowned with a crest of bright scarlet drooping to one side shakes his head, causing the crest feathers to swing back and forth.

You have emoted: Hearing a chirp, Lief glances up from a golden pixie bell flower and glances around. Eyes settling on Bizirik, the leothin, she pauses.

Before you stands a bizarre creature of the Undervault. Minuscule gray scales smoothly cover this being's form, though a myriad of aged scars break the otherwise flawless coat. Two glowing, pupil-less eyes are inset on sharp arrow-shaped skull, and a noticeable under bite gives glimpse to rows of razor-sharp teeth. On either side of its head sprout two soft, dark ears, the ends of both cut short and ending in jagged tufts. Its body is long and thin, its broad chest tapering into slender hips accentuated by a ridge of deep teal pelage down its spine. Carefully carried behind it is a tail that trails more than twice its body length. Hidden behind its forearms is a second set of smaller limbs, curled in protectively around its midsection. All of its three-toed limbs are willowy and dark. It stands delicately on the tips of its feet, long claws scraping the ground as it walks. Barely visible in the light, strange patterns can be seen tracing around this creature's chest and down its back and tail.
Bizirik, the leothin has an air of extreme strength.
She is strangely weightless.
Her feedbag is nearly empty! She is looking well-fed.
She is loyal to Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe.
You cannot see what Bizirik, the leothin is holding.
It has the following aliases: bizirik, leothin.

Bizirik, the leothin raises its head, sniffing the air a few times before taking another step forward, its tail sweeping back and forth. After a few tense moments, it bows its front half low to the ground, stretching, before rising and standing tall once more. It wiggles, then lets out a noise akin to a 'bark' in your direction.

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily at you.

You have emoted: Lief's attention skips from Bizirik, the leothin to a genteel peacock crowned with a crest of bright scarlet drooping to one side and back. Her eyebrows climb up her forehead, and then lower. Her feet alight on the ground near a small pond and she murmurs to Savit, "Time to head home, little one." Her words are faintly strained, despite her every best effort, and Savit quirks his head as he looks up at her, curious.

The musky scent of loam fills you with vibrancy.

You have emoted: A genteel peacock crowned with a crest of bright scarlet drooping to one side peers around Lief to chirp at Bizirik, the leothin in answer, his crimson feathers ruffling.

You have emoted: Lief's brow lowers further, and she gently ushers a genteel peacock crowned with a crest of bright scarlet drooping to one side on his way.

Taking another step forward, Bizirik, the leothin sniffs at the air a few more times, plodding up to both you and Savit with no more fear or hesitation. As the peacock's plumage spreads, the leothin slows to a halt, stares ...then drops to bow playfully once more, head tilting this way and that as it snorts and chirps excitedly at a genteel peacock crowned with a crest of bright scarlet drooping to one side.

A genteel peacock crowned with a crest of bright scarlet drooping to one side carefully preens his lustrous plumage, drawing the feathers slowly through his beak.

The wind blows with renewed vigour and has developed into a full-force gale.

Shadows grow longer in anticipation for the return of their dark mistress as Father Sun's chase brings him closer to the world's edge.

As nightfall steals the last vestiges of daylight, a slender leothin's muted coat begins to shine with a violaceous radiance, and a double pair of wings materializes, grandly extended as if they've been there all along.

Bizirik, the leothin wiggles excitedly in place at the peacock, newly formed wings flapping a few times, desperate for some attention. It seems to have completely abandoned any attention for you, great tail raising and slapping against the ground behind it.

The smell of wildflowers wafts past your nose.

You have emoted: The corners of Lief's eyes pinch, but she relents to Savit's obvious desire to remain put, tending to his feathers. Not without stepping protectively nearer to him, though. For Savit's part, he blinks one of his golden eyes open to stare at Bizirik, the leothin as he pauses mid-preen, then lets it draw shut again, resuming his arduous work.

As the sun passes below the horizon's edge, Mother Night unveils her terrible, shadowy beauty, spreading darkness across the land.

Turning her tension onto the other animal, you whisper to Bizirik, the leothin, "Why are you here?"

Bizirik, the leothin's excitement holds out for several more minutes, offering playful yips and yelps and play-bows. From time to time it rises and turns a full rotation before returning to look at the peacock. As you finally addresses it, its playful attitude ceases, and it lowers its backend to join the front, laying calmly on the ground and staring up at you. It cocks its head, blank expression not letting on to whether or not it understands.

Sauntering in languorously, a puffball enters from the north, revealing itself to be a ragdoll kitten with bright cerulean eyes.
Ilistala emerges from the shadows, curiously looking around.

The chirping of crickets surrounds you in a medley of night-time music.

Across the heavens, the stars and moon challenge night's dark reign, revealing familiar constellations that tell the tales of myth and legend.

Aruokei enters from the north, emanating an aura of immense power.

Aruokei rubs a clover-etched jade ring and it begins to glow with a pulsating light.
Aruokei pinches the air with her fingers and mimes draping something over her feet. She smiles with satisfaction as a pillow of air begins to cushion her steps.

Aruokei gives a horrified gasp.

Bizirik, the leothin blinks.

You have emoted: Lief blinks slowly at Bizirik, the leothin, returning the stare quietly, her fingers twirling a golden pixie bell flower absently, a small, anxious twitch. Eventually, she tears her stare away and says firmly to a genteel peacock crowned with a crest of bright scarlet drooping to one side, "Home, Savit."

You reach out through your bond with your beast and dismiss him, sending him back to the stables.
A genteel peacock crowned with a crest of bright scarlet drooping to one side bobs his head several times just before trotting off.

Aruokei glances askance at you.

Bizirik, the leothin rises, sniffing the air a few times, rising its head first in Xenthos's direction, then Aruokei's. After another painful silence, it offers a cheery chirp, eventually trotting over towards the treeline, staring at a now-more-noticeable kephera attempting to blend in with the trees.

Softly, you say to Aruokei, "I think this..." At a loss for descriptors, she motions toward Bizirik. "...is usually seen with someone. Did you see him on your way here?"

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily at Gurashi.

"Shoo! Shoo!" Gurashi says to Bizirik, the leothin as he waves her away.
Perking up, Bizirik, the leothin begins to chitter and thrum, its tail sweeping back and forth across the ground. It cranes its neck to gently headbutt Gurashi's side contentedly.

Gurashi's eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across his face.

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

You have emoted: Her ears twitching, Lief blinks and flits nearer to Aruokei. "Gurashi?" she ventures aloud, holding the flower in her hand protectively to herself.

Still in the trees, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, ".... uh.... no?"

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily.

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

The grass around you rustles slightly as the night breeze caresses you.

You have emoted: Lief glances over her shoulder, at a small pond, her brow furrowed slightly, then returns her attention back toward the trees. The wind whips at the flowers and leaves twined through her antlers, causing her to bob unevenly in the air when she takes to wing again. "Come out," she says, her lilting words unusually clipped.

Silence. Then, a rustling. Then, Gurashi pokes his head out from behind a tree, awkwardly looking at those present in the clearing. He does not fully leave his leafy retreat, looking quite embarrassed. "...oh, wowee what are all doing here."

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 2nd of Tzarin, 542 years after the Coming of Estarra.

Darkness rules the land. It is deepest midnight.
The phase of the moon is the Last Quarter.

In your world, it is 2019/10/04 00:32:52 GMT and 2019/10/03 18:32:52 in your configured timezone.
See HELP GMT for an explanation of GMT.

Esei enters from the north, emanating an aura of immense power.
Lifting her head, Ilistala looks at Esei hopefully.

Bizirik, the leothin sweeps its great tail back and forth, happily staring into the trees at its kepheran partner. It lolls its head back, offering another gleeful chirp before turning around to face you once more.

Esei gives a red rose bouquet origami to Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe.

Esei gives a fleet fox origami to Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe.

Gurashi stares implacably at Esei.

Esei doffs a bloodied stag skull helm to Gurashi.

Esei grins impishly at Gurashi, eyes lit with mischief.

You have emoted: Lief touches Aruokei's arm briefly, then flits nearer to where Gurashi is, among the trees. "I'm not sure," she says, her flower still held close to her chest. "What are we all doing here?"

Esei blinks.

The grass around you rustles slightly as the night breeze caresses you.

Esei ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.

Esei deftly folds and cuts a sheet of vellum into a sinister wyrden blossom.

Esei gives a sinister wyrden blossom to you.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard confidently walks over to Gurashi and rubs against him, purring loudly.

Long and wickedly serrated vellum petals swirl out from the roughly spherical center of this pallid wyrden blossom, and even the smallest tilt or movement sends the ominous points into a skitter of sinister susurrations.
It has 53 months of usefulness left.
It weighs 1 ounce(s).
It bears the distinctive mark of Augur Esei, of the Ascending Dusk.
It has been stamped with the seal of The Crowquill Bookbinding Cartel.
It is folded from vellum into an action origami.
A sinister wyrden blossom is holding:
Nothing.
It has the following aliases: blossom, flower, origami, actionorigami.

You have emoted: Lief furrows her brow down at a sinister wyrden blossom. As though in silent answer, she turns to give her flower to Aruokei, freeing her hands to work her own vellum.

You give a golden pixie bell flower to Snapdragon Aruokei.

An audible 'thunk' comes from the tree Gurashi is standing beside. Head now solidly planted against the wood of the tree, all the kephera offers is a strangled, "Was making -cake-. And Bizi," he points accusingly at the leothin. "...ran off."

The glowing fireflies confound your vision with their chaotic dance.

Snapdragon Aruokei says, "I'm not a huge fan of known intruders being so near the Lady's realm."

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily at Gurashi.

Aruokei gives Bizirik, the leothin the once-over, eyeing her suspiciously.
With utter indifference, Bizirik, the leothin cranes its head back, grooming and scratching at its ears with its smaller set of secondary paws before returning to its usual stillness.

You deftly fold and cut a sheet of vellum into a pale, budding peach blossom.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "We -could- go inside, if you preferred? I would think it better we are out here."

Xenthos tilts his head curiously at Aruokei.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "...w-wait."

You have emoted: "He ran quite a ways," Lief says to Gurashi as she folds. "Unless your kitchens are nearby?"

Aruokei points a jawbone claymore of shark teeth at Xenthos.

Aruokei shrinks from the implacable gaze of Xenthos.

Gurashi takes a nervous step back further into the trees and away from the pond. "Is Lady of Serenity's -place-," He points at the water, bewildered and terrified.

Snapdragon Aruokei mutters, "Mayb. he's here to eat some of ..e peachi...."

Her brow quietly knit, you give a pale, budding peach blossom to Augur Esei, of the Ascending Dusk.

Esei inclines her head politely to you.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "I'd rather eat centaurs, and they are quite plentiful here."

Xenthos purses his lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as he carefully gathers his thoughts.

Snapdragon Aruokei says, "That's acceptable."

You stare implacably about yourself.

Aruokei glances askance at you.

You have emoted: Lief shoots Aruokei a bewildered look.

Bizirik, the leothin stretches, then takes another long, drawn-out steppy towards you, thrumming happily as it lets itself lay down before her.

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

You have emoted: Lief's bewilderment turns to Bizirik, the leothin. "Why in all the lands did you run away to *here*?" She squeezes her eyes shut tight for a brief moment, then looks above the leothin to Gurashi. "Why would it?"

Esei smiles wryly at you.

A savage garosaur covered in fluffy, dark green feathers trots in with head high, butting Aruokei gently with his head.

A savage garosaur covered in fluffy, dark green feathers begins to follow Aruokei obediently.

Aruokei easily vaults onto the back of a savage garosaur covered in fluffy, dark green feathers.

Esei blinks.

The chirping of crickets surrounds you in a medley of night-time music.

Gurashi glances away from you. "... mean, was already ..." He trails off, "in area for... cooking." He mumbles the rest of his sentence. "Did not mean to -scare-."

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily.

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

Bizirik, the leothin plods up to stand barely a foot away from both you and Aruokei, thrumming as the bizarre creature stares blankly at both of them.

You have emoted: Lief sways in the summery gale blowing through the area, drawing ripples across the reflective pond's surface, rustling through the bushes and trees. She studies Gurashi for another long, silent moment, then, with a glance toward Xenthos, finally asks Gurashi, "Centaur?"

Gurashi blushes furiously.

Aruokei seems to be lost in thought, looking at Gurashi with a curious look before offering a light, "Maybe."

The horizon glows with burnished shades of orange and red, heralding the imminent arrival of Father Sun upon the rim of the world.

Offering a faint smile and a gentle wave as she turns away, Aruokei chirps a cheerful, "Ta!"

Aruokei, riding a savage garosaur covered in fluffy, dark green feathers, leaves to the north, emanating an aura of immense power.
A pair of slender eyestalks simultaneously swivelling north, a savage garosaur lets out a loud, clacking call and darts away.

As the sun's rays begin to break over the horizon, a slender leothin's amaranthine visage begins to fade back to a soft gray, wings dissolving like mist with the morning light.

Gurashi blinks.

Gurashi sighs, head 'thunking' against the tree again. "For cakes." He says flatly.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "I managed to run out of them again, it seems."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe whispers, "...do not know ... who that was..."

Gurashi stares implacably at Xenthos.

Gurashi stares implacably at you.

Esei shrugs helplessly at Gurashi.

The lonely cry of a circling hawk fills you with unexplained remorse.

You have emoted: Lief exhales softly at Gurashi's answer, then relaxes her tense expression into one of only vaguely taut-muscled curiosity. "I'm sorry for assuming such," she says to Gurashi. Her hands clasp in front of her kimono robes, and, after another careful moment, she measures her words. "I liked your cookie. You cook well."

Xenthos gives a centaur steak slathered in rowanberry sauce to you.

This large steak has been cut from the loin of a centaur, and from the looks of it, very recently. The meat has been gently smoked and heated, leaving it lukewarm to the touch. A hearty drizzling of chunky rowanberry sauce covers the whole affair, dribbling down the sides of the steak to mingle with the juices and blood which yet exude from it and decorating its white serving plate with a vivid red hue.
It weighs about 1 pounds and 0 ounce(s).
It is a priceless item that cannot be traded.
The beauteous craftsmanship of Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist radiates throughout it.
It has the following aliases: steak.

You narrow your eyes to thin slits.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Are we not sharing cooking? That is all I happen to have on hand."

The smell of wildflowers wafts past your nose.

Sheepishly stepping out from the trees, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "...many thank yous."

Gurashi twiddles his thumbs.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Many apologies. Really, was not trying to disturb."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "Am guessing Bizirik ... knew was nearby and decided to say 'hel-lo' to."

Gurashi stares implacably at Bizirik, the leothin.
Perking up, Bizirik, the leothin begins to chitter and thrum, its tail sweeping back and forth across the ground. It cranes its neck to gently headbutt Gurashi's side contentedly.

Esei pets Bizirik, the leothin ingratiatingly.
Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Esei. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

Bizirik, the leothin looks back at you, having since walked back over to Gurashi in order to give and receive affection. It lets out a yowling, joyful little chirp.

You have emoted: Her gaze still narrowed, assuming, likely, the worst, Lief gently sets a centaur steak slathered in rowanberry sauce near some bushes as though laying an offering near a cairn. She draws several quiescent breaths, then glances back at Gurashi. "I am often near my Lady and the places sacred to Her," she allows quietly.

You think to yourself: Wherever I go, there You are.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "...did not know that. Many apologies for intruding."

You have emoted: Lief opens her mouth on some automatic words, but reconsiders, and pauses. Instead she inclines her antlered head toward Gurashi, then glances toward Esei and Xenthos. "Were you both chasing after...ah...Bizirik, too?"

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "I mostly just follow Gurashi about."

Esei smiles wryly. "I was chasing after Gurashi, actually. I meant to give him something."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist smiles with a wink and says, "Or rather, Ilistala does, and I've nowhere better to be."

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

Bizirik, the leothin starts to walk back over towards you, but Gurashi suddenly lashes out and grabs the leothin by the end of its tail, causing the creature to whip around in surprise. As soon as he lets go, Bizirik chitters and whines up at the kephera, slinking back up to him. "No - was just me. But Xenthos," He crouches, cupping the leothin's face between his hands and vigorously rubbing its cheeks, "tends to find wherever am."

Bizirik, the leothin huffs and puffs in outrage.

Esei smirks.

Esei purses her lips, deep in thought as she contemplates you.

Showing that she understands, Esei nods her head slowly.

Staring at the ground, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Will leave - were never here. Was accident."

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

Sunlight billows across the realm, revealing the full glory of the majestic sun's luminous presence as he climbs higher into the sky.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "Follow me, Bizirik."
Bizirik, the leothin begins to follow closely behind Gurashi.

Bizirik, the leothin stares implacably at Gurashi.

You have emoted: Lief bites the inside of her lip, looking at Gurashi and Bizirik, the leothin, hands clasping again in front of her kimono robes. She weighs both figures as Gurashi speaks, then glances, briefly, toward the rippling pond's surface again. "Perhaps it's agitated because..." she murmurs to herself, then trails off. Whatever her thought, it gives her resolve, and she inclines her antlered head toward Gurashi again. "Bizirik is good to wander the wide world. I understand your apology. Thank you."

You forecast that:
A fresh gale whistles in your ears.
A thick cover of clouds obscures the sky in a sheet of dense white.
It is warm and quite pleasant.

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says, "O-K ... uh."

Faintly buzzing, Exemplar of the Tah'vrai, Gurashi An'Ryshe says to you, "...have a good day, yes."

The white blanket of cloud in the sky above you thickens into a heavy cover.

Gurashi gives a cinnamon croissant to you.

Puffy white fur brushing the floor as she passes, a ragdoll kitten saunters out to the north.
Ilistala melds into the shadows, quickly disappearing from view.
The prickling on the back of your neck dissipates as Gurashi departs to the north.
With a great sweep of its tail, Bizirik breaks off to the north.

Esei stares at you for a long, quiet moment. Finally, she speaks up. "I would have something to ask of you."

You have emoted: Lief cradles a cinnamon croissant in her palms, quietly lowering herself near a small pond, kneeling in repose. Esei's voice draws her attention up after the long quiet, and she tilts her antlered head curiously in mute question.

A cloud of gnats surrounds you for a moment before moving on.

Esei tilts her head, as if in thought. "Has anything... disturbed the Serenwilde, or your Lady as of late? I do not mean to pry into the whys or the hows."

You have emoted: "Disturbed?" Lief echoes Esei thoughtfully. Her antlered head gives a small, thoughtful shake as she answers slowly, "No - nothing has broken the cycles of the Serenwilde of late. And my Lady is ever Serene." She peers up, trying to catch Esei's eyes and hold her gaze. "Why do you ask?"

The sun reaches the zenith of the firmament, pausing in his quest to allow the land to bask in his shining golden rays.

Esei stares down at you, pursing her lips. "Nothing at all?" She pressures, ignoring your question. "Not a thing? No odd spirits, or disturbance in the northern side of Mother Night? No strange behavior from your Lady?"

The musky scent of loam fills you with vibrancy.

You have emoted: "No," Lief insists with a firm shake of her antlered head, fingers dimpling into a cinnamon croissant. Her expression turns a touch suspicious as she takes to her bare feet, first one leg, then the other. "*Should* something be happening to disturb us?"

Esei exhales suddenly. "Not... exactly. Not directly, at least." A thoughtful look crosses her face as she stares at you, before her brown eyes harden. "Your Lady," she says carefully. "has done something far worse than anyone may think She did."

You have emoted: In nonverbal answer, Lief's hand curls protectively around a cinnamon croissant, shielding it subconsciously as though she might be considering shielding another. She doesn't speak for now; she only listens. Esei has her whole, undivided attention.

Esei lets out another, steadier breath. "My Lord is... very unwell," she tells you firmly. "I cannot say beyond that, for the sake of secrecy, but it is to a... point where He needs an Elder healer, we think." Esei purses her lips, glancing upwards at the descending sun. "I was just curious if you had noted any changes in your Lady in return."

You have emoted: Lief breathes out softly, the sound all but inaudible in the presence of such fierce winds blowing through the hills. "You are saying," she says, her voice suddenly tight, "that Shashi's murder may well have been for naught. That your Lord bid you kill for the sake of it."

Esei shifts her stance subtly, eyes becoming darker than they were before. "No," she says softly. "One of our Augurs found Shashi first. For all we know," she continues, voice drifting off for a moment before strengthening. "It was a trap set by your Lady."

You have emoted: "My Lady would never have sacrificed one of Her own." Carefully, Lief begins to wrap a cinnamon croissant, storing the finger-pressed pastry among her things. Her fingers are left slightly sticky, and she dusts them together. "Shashi was no trap. Are you certain that whatever ails your Lord is not unrelated? Fallen Gloriana is no place for steady minds to remain stable."

Esei sits down on the ground, staring up at the sky. "How would you know?" She asks you abruptly. "How would you know if the Glomdoring is for stable minds or not? How would you know that Shashi was not a trap?" She turns her eyes - the brown almost black in the night - to you. "I know that you are Her Avatar, but She is a Goddess. Do you not think She keeps Her secrets close to Her heart?"

You have emoted: Lief watches Esei, her eyes tracking Esei's own. As though in mirror of the elfen's pitch eyes, her greys glimmer with snatches of colour within when studied, radiant and shifting with sparkling hues unnatural to normal mortals. Right now, they seem to settle on warmer tones - on deep reds, on gentle oranges and deep goldenrods. Finally, easily, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself, she answers Esei, "I do not need to be Her Avatar to trust Her and love Her. Yes, She shares Her mind with me, and I with Her. But even before we became so close - even then, I would trust Her. And I still do."

Esei stares at you a moment longer, before a sad, wistful expression crosses her face. She turns to look at the sky, once again in silence. "Do you think I am sound of mind, Lief?"

You have emoted: Lief's gentle smile fades into consideration. She taps one sticky finger against her freckled cheek, the sound of pond water rippling in the wind audible behind her. "I do not know your mind," she says after a moment. "And so I cannot judge it by anything save what you tell me, and how that weighs against what I myself know."

Still looking skyward, Augur Esei, of the Ascending Dusk asks you, "And what do you know of my mind, thus far? What would you say?"

You have emoted: Lief's gaze does not follow Esei's own - it remains where it is, studying her dark eyes. She gives Esei's question serious consideration as she does, silent, and apparently comfortable lingering in this silence as she contemplates.

You have emoted: Finally, Lief speaks up, her lilting voice clear in the forceful summer winds. "I know that you have told me your soul is wyrden - and so I must weigh everything you say against this. I know you have told me you value honesty, and this, I think, is true, as far as any mortal can be honest. I know you've an inclination toward the arts - that, objectively, you create things which shine with what they reflect in you, though these things are dark and unknowable to me."

Esei nods slowly, a sly smile slowly overtaking her wistful expression. "You are oddly quiet, Phrase," she says gently. "For one who seems so vehemently against the Silence."

You have emoted: Lief's own answer to Esei's words is a smile of her own. "Serenity is stillness and motion both - most importantly, it is holding onto your own self. Being the centre of a rippling pond. And sometimes, the quiet can speak volumes." Her smile fades, and her eyes finally lower from Esei. "Your Lord and my Lady shared this, once. Before He chose Fallen Gloriana."

Esei nods slowly again, leaning foreward on her knees. "Yes," she murmurs. She pauses. "Do you know much of the time They shared within the Void?"

You have emoted: Lief's fingers curl into her hands as she cradles them over her lap again. Gently, she lowers herself to her knees, sitting before Esei and peering up at Esei's face. "The Void is not a pleasant place," she says after a moment. "I don't think She enjoys reflecting on Her time there. Do you know much of it?"

Esei tilts her head curiously. "No," she begins slowly. "But I do not think I would be privy to such information. I am only in His outer Order, presently," she says. "You would not know much about the teachings of the Glomdoring, as someone from the Forest would know them, would you?" Esei asks, turning back to you. In the sun, her brown eyes glint honey-colored, peering curiously.

With a smile, Esei nods to you. "While I could not say I am an expert, I have passed my Rite of Awakening, and could teach you if you were so inclined." She pauses, thinking. "And perhaps you could teach me some of the Serenwilde's own ideals?"

You have emoted: Lief considers Esei's offer briefly, then actually laughs a little. "That doesn't sound fair," she says, her eyes twinkling. "All my beliefs are written and published for you to read whenever you want to already."

Esei smiles in return, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "Yours, yes," she says slowly. "But I said specifically of the Serenwilde. What are Moon's teachings? Stag's? What of your other spirits?" She turns her whole body around to face you. "Surely you've something to say."

You have emoted: Lief taps her fingers against her hand, considering Esei. "I've written on the ways of White Hart. I'm admittedly not as well-versed in the ways of Mother Moon, save the important facets. I've written extensively on my connection to my Lady's teachings, as well." She pauses again, more briefly, then says, "I'm not sure what I can say about our ancestors that a Listener wouldn't speak of better." She tilts her antlered head, her gaze turning skyward, watching the clouds blow across the sky as the grasses rustle around the both of you. "Though perhaps my beliefs come through best in my poetry..."

You have emoted: Lief trails off, contemplating something.

Esei lifts her head in curiosity. "I know most, if not all, of the tenets of the Hallowed Ones," she murmurs, watching you. "I could begin, if you wish it."

You have emoted: Lief pulls her attention down from the sky as the sun sets, and it darkens into night. "Ah," she says at last, "perhaps after I have something prepared for you in turn, Dusk."

Esei nods once, smiling faintly towards you. "Of course." She stands up and brushes herself off, making an aborted motion towards you, then pauses, hesitating. She reaches out and gives your hand one solid squeeze before snaking it behind herself. She inclines her head towards you. "Thank you for the conversation, Phrase." She murmurs.

Across the heavens, the stars and moon challenge night's dark reign, revealing familiar constellations that tell the tales of myth and legend.

Esei inclines her head politely to you.

You have emoted: Lief's fingers do not precisely grasp Esei's in the same way she herself is grasped - she tilts her antlered head curiously instead, looking down at her hand, and gently lowering it again when the grip is released. Then she looks up again and nods, her wings lifting her from the earth with a fierce hum which fights against the gales. "We will talk again."