More Than Meets The Eye: Kalikai

You reach out and carefully run your hand along the rough surface of a granite obelisk. The threads of liquid fire decorating the obelisk abruptly stop their continuous weaving of symbols and patterns and instead congregate around your hand. After a brief moment, the fiery threads wrap around you, wreathing your entire body tightly. Your vision turns red as a brief feeling of pure agony spears through you, the sensation as short as it is intense. As your sight returns you stand within the shallow waters of an oasis.
The Fulcrux of Kalikai.
An oppressive feeling of heat and aridity lies in the air, invading the senses together with the acrid taste of sand. Rolling dunes stretch out as far as the eye can see, their shape and texture shifting perpetually as if following the whims of an unfelt wind. The only immutable aspect in the fulcrux presents itself as a deep depression in the sand where worn stone steps lead to a small oasis. As if placed in the eye of the storm, the sand surrounding the oasis and the water within it are perfectly calm, undisturbed by the ceaseless alteration that goes on just a foot beyond it. Breaking the monotony of the desert is a small patch of sage brush. Growing in the sands is a cactus weed. An obelisk of weathered sandstone rises from the centre of the oasis, its surface decorated with flaming symbols. Fine threads of burning aether congregate high above the oasis, forming a blazing orb that bathes the entire fulcrux in a harsh crimson light. Kalikai, the Crimson Eye stands here casually, threads of fiery aether swirling capriciously about Her form.
You see a single exit leading through a sandstone obelisk.

You give Kalikai a respectful bow, one hand clasped over your heart.

You whisper, "Pardon me if I am interrupting Your affairs, Lady Kalikai. I only wished to offer a few gifts, in honor of Your return."

A wry smile spreads across Kalikai's face.

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "A mortal accepts my lure. It took you long enough."

You have emoted: Esei blinks slowly.

You give a slender amethyst slaugh bottle to Kalikai, the Crimson Eye.
You give a slender amethyst slaugh bottle to Kalikai, the Crimson Eye.

"Oh?" Kalikai exclaims quizzically.

You give a red paper lantern of fire wyverns in flight to Kalikai, the Crimson Eye.

Kalikai raises an eyebrow at you.

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "Very interesting. An invention of yours?"

You whisper, "Ah... I can only claim the gin as mine own."

A look of understanding crossing Her features, Kalikai nods Her head slowly.


LOOK KALIKAI
She is a radiant immortal and and exudes a sense of agitation and turbulence which is only heightened by the flickers of blazing aether wreathing Her form. Tall and broad-shouldered, Her stature is nothing if not imposing and intimidating, adding a rough and unbending quality to Her appearance. Tanned to a dark reddish-brown hue, Her skin is weathered from extended exposure to the elements and a life well lived, crinkled laugh lines visible at the corner Her eyes. Her hair is covered by a dark brown scarf that wraps around Her head except for the various tufts of fiery red hair that escape. Bleary and somewhat bloodshot, Her gaze would seem inattentive and obtuse if not for the striking green eyes that positively radiate with an intensity and passion that penetrates the very soul.

She is wearing:
a brilliant diadem woven from rapacious whorls of flame
an august burnt orange and vermilion silk sari of the Crimson Eye

LOOK DIADEM???
You cannot see that item on that person.

You look at an august burnt orange and vermilion silk sari of the Crimson Eye that Kalikai is wearing:
Swathes of soft silk and delicate lace dyed in vibrant vermilion hues
with varying light blush and copper accents form the bust of this sari,
which wraps around the body in a close fit. The lace has been woven to
depict an intricate, yet not readily perceptible, scenery of distant
pyramids and enigmatic fire butterflies consumed in the midst of chaotic
flight patterns. Irregularly distributed gem fragments elegantly
ornament this scenery in shifting hues of fiery opal, obsidian and rose
gold as an almost imperceptible final touch of colours to the dress.
Delicate chain links of the finest gold gleam fiercely underneath nearby
sources of the faintest light and form an elegant trim. It languidly
dives upon the chest of the wearer as the curvaceous trajectory of
gliding liquid where a smooth crystal eye of crimson-hued crystal rests
at the centre of the thorax. The fiery crystal is faintly imprinted with
the structural lines of nearby objects. A delicate iris of gleaming
obsidian veined with molten lava is enclosed within this crystalline
eye, its gaze adorned with burning fire gems. Below the torso, a tulle,
lace and silk skirt of fluidly superposed fabrics in hues of gleaming
burnt orange and vibrant vermilion descends to sweep the feet in
ethereal vertical folds as it loosely embraces the shapes of the wearer.


Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "To answer what wasn't actually a question, you are not interrupting Me. I was hoping some random mortal be nosy and come see Me, offerings or no."

Kalikai nods in appreciation of the gin, as well as the lantern. Finally, She turns her attention to the other bottle. "What's this, hm?"

Tilting their head, you whisper, "I understand that is the general desire, amongst the Elders. Else why reveal Yourselves so?"

A wry smile spreads across Kalikai's face.

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "One would think so, mortal. However, the First World slumbers at the moment, with none other showing interest."

Kalikai sips kawhe from a slender amethyst slaugh bottle.
\Kalikai takes a sip of kawhe and looks more energetic and jittery all of a sudden.

Kalikai curls Her nose up and grimaces awfully.

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "Not quite what I'd hoped, but it works. Maybe I'll hold onto that for when I run out of My stash."

You have emoted: Straightening their back, Esei continues, "Kawhe, Lady Kalikai. It is... an unaltered version of the brew, as thus far few mortals have dallied with adding other ingredients."

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "It's not something I'd normally drink, but it's something."

Kalikai grins broadly, a mischievous look entering Her green eyes.

You whisper, "I am one to prefer tea, myself."

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "I'll see if one of Mine will make something for you in return, mortal. My city isn't known for tea, but you never know what Eiselle will come up with."

You have emoted: Esei blinks, tilting their head. "Ah, if that is Your will. Though I have expected nothing in exchange."

Kalikai utters a loud, booming laugh.

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "Pish-posh, Eiselle needs something to do anyway. It's a foolish mortal that seeks to trade or barter with an Elder, but it's a fool of an Elder that doesn't show appreciate for gifts."

Kalikai taps Her nose knowingly.

Kalikai takes another sip of Her gin, scrutinizing you thoughtfully. After a moment, She wipes Her mouth with a hand. "Tell me about yourself, shard."

You whisper, "I shall bow to Your wisdom on the matter, in that case- ah... myself?"

Kalikai smirks.

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "Yes, shard. Yourself."

The rich scent of earthy loam overwhelms the senses, enveloping you with the lingering scent of elder ravenwoods and piles of composting leaves.

You have emoted: Esei taps a clawed finger on their chin, glancing to one side. "I am not sure if there is much to tell, Lady Kalikai. I am the Haruspex of the Auguries, a devout of Lord Silent, and an ever-willing servant of the Wyrd."

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says, "I thought I smelled Him on you. Not someone I ever really spent a lot of time with, though Maybe I'll have a bottle of whiskey sent to My ever-serious Cousin."

Kalikai looks about Herself, rubbing Her chin thoughtfully.

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye says to you, "What else?"

You have emoted: "I am sure He would be overjoyed to receive it, Lady." Esei does not quite startle, eyes flicking briefly to Kalikai. "Ah... Well, I suppose I am an avid designer, though less in recent decades. I write and I paint, from time to time." They pause, long ears twitching. "Though I did win the Trial of Nature, that once."

You whisper, "I am not quite so... renowned as some of peers. There is not much to say, elsewise."

Kalikai studies you a little more thoughtfully as you speak. "Seal of Nature, eh?" She murmurs, almost to Herself. After a moment, She takes another sip of the gin. "You're willing to give up your very being to protect the First World from a soulless monstrosity, shard. I don't know if there's any more renown than that."

Shadows swirl around your arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree digs itself more painfully into your finger.

You whisper, "I did not imagine I was meant to stand idly by. Nor any of us, in general."

"None of us are, shard. And yet, mortals seem to step up more than My Cousins since My return." Kalikai states, almost bitterly. For a moment, Her eyes dull and stare off into the distance as if in thought before focusing once more upon you. "I think perhaps there's more to such people than meets the eye. I won't hold you, but your gifts, and your work to protect us all, is appreciated."

Kalikai, the Crimson Eye has bestowed Her divine truefavour upon you. It will last for 12 months.

You give Kalikai a respectful bow, one hand clasped over your heart.

Kalikai nods Her head at you.

You whisper, "Very well, Lady Kalikai. I wish You well."

[leaving, back in Glomdoring]

The Divine voice of Kalikai, the Crimson Eye echoes in your head, "And you, shard."

Warm red light flickers out of a paper lantern high overhead, casting shadows of myriad wyverns in flight.

LOOK ME
Pale porcelain skin covered in freckles, they are a graceful elfen winterborne demigod changeling. Their maroon hair hangs to the bottom of their shoulder blades, loose and free in a smooth curtain; a single braid has been pulled into position just behind their left ear. Sloe-dark eyes are set in an aristocratic face that belies neither femininity nor masculinity, solemn and oft expressionless. Their ears are long and slender, decorated with freckles and minute, silvery scars. Their build is akin to that of a dancer's, lithe and willowy, while their hands are an artist's, slender and elegant. Each finger is tipped with a black claw, while their palms are lightly scarred and calloused. They stand at six feet and six inches tall exactly, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

-> A flush of vitality surrounds their form, a sign of Kalikai, the Crimson Eye's truefavour.