I choose to...

<-- finishes quest with Hethklyff/Caithryn. Esei had arrived while I was finishing up the questy! TO visit Bizirik, not Gurashi, of course....

*****

Awkwardly, you say, "Those two make me both very happy, and...very embarrassed."

You glance askance.

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

You pet Bizirik, the leothin ingratiatingly.
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 your side contentedly.

Esei sways back and forth.

Esei ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.

look me
Looking like a living, breathing, multi-faceted beam of sunshine, they are a crystalline lucidian starlit demigod changeling. They stand a few inches shy of six feet tall, figure lean and covered in sharp angles. Their entire body seems to be formed out of a vibrant yellow-orange citrine, the crystals rising off of their head in upward, uneven jags that resemble a bad haircut. Their eyes are wide and pupil-less, glowing a soft, cheerful light. A moderately-sized crack has been carved into their right cheek, and a hint of discolored crystal can be seen at the center of their sternum, mostly obscured by their clothing. A large crack splits down the left side of their face, leaving a gap in their otherwise perfect crystalline teeth. The split continues down their neck and disappears beneath the folds of their clothing. A cluster of gray crystal mars the otherwise ever-colorful crystal of their left temple. Random bits of short and uneven citrine jut out along their collarbone and shoulders, growing like a spine along the backs of their arms and down to their wrists.

You wrinkle your nose and sniff.

Esei places a delicate hand against your crystalline wrist, staring at your face.

Esei narrows their eyes at you in an unnerving manner.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks, lifting their arm a little more towards Esei's direction. "Eh? What is it?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's entire body suddenly flashes a bright wash of pale apple green, rippling like a wave that starts at their forehead and disappears beneath their clothes.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "You are citrine."

Esei narrows their eyes at you in an unnerving manner.

You blink.

Laughing, you ask, "I - eh?"

With a harmonious echo, you say, "Oh!"

Joy suddenly washes over you in waves, your entire body glowing a cheerful shade of citrine yellow.

Holding their arms out to their sides, you say, "I -am-."

Twirling in their spot, you ask Esei, "Have seen? Have not seen rocky-me before?"

Esei smiles. It's not terribly friendly.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I have not."

Now rotating between shades of green and shades of gold, you say, "What think? What think? Tridemon said am -real- spikey."

Caught in a sudden bout of whimsy, you twirl about the room in idle circles.

Esei slips into a dapper, diamond-studded black felt hat. <-- lucidian bb!

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Perhaps."

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

look esei
Body made of jagged black tourmaline, they are a crystalline lucidian wyrden demigod changeling. The crystal smooths and tapers where it is worn the most, with their head being jagged with delicate spikes. Gentle braided knot patterns of copper cross back over the spikes, belying a sense of hair and swaying braids as the metal shimmers beneath the skin. Their eyes are smooth, reflective orbs of hematite, iris and pupil indistinct within. Across their sharp aristocratic face, neck, and shoulders are silver flecks, looking like freckles, or perhaps stars. Their body is patterned with soft white spots, looking like swirling and drifting flower petals. Their limbs flow out into gentle appendages, shaping into hands and feet and elegantly tapered digits. They stand at six and a half feet tall, perhaps an inch or so taller. Their skin shimmers faintly from a thin application of oil and smells faintly of dragon's blood, deep and exotic.

Esei steps a bit closer to you, joints whistling and creaking as they move.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly reaches out to grasp Esei's hands, drawing them into their idle albeit enthused twirling. "And you are ... a rock!"

Caught in a sudden bout of whimsy, you grab Esei's hands and twirl them about the room.

Esei raises a slender brow at you.

Your shoulders bunch as you let out a short giggle.

You have emoted: Gurashi at last stops, looking up. "I forgot the type. I do not know rock names so muchly - am sorry. Turtle-line?"

You blink a few times and stare at Esei in confusion.

Esei carefully falls into step with you, all but looming over the shorter lucidian by a head or more. "Tourmaline."

Swaying now, their boot squelching in a pile of mud, you say, "That is what said - tourmalzines."

Esei glances askance.

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...mm."

Clasping Esei's hands, you raise one elegantly above both your heads in a gentle curve and use the other to push them into an easy, smooth twirl.

You hum softly to yourself.

Smiling, you ask Esei, "How have been? Are keeping well?"

Esei's left knee makes a loud cracking noise, and their expression is briefly caught in pain before smoothing out.

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I am fine."

You have emoted: Gurashi stops immediately, a look of concern crossing their face, their color abruptly dulling, dimming, graying out. "Oh - am sorry - will not do such bigly moves." They frown, swaying back and forth gingerly, gripping Esei's crystalline hand tightly. "Are O-K?"

You play a major third on a vibrant mandolin of songbirds and stars and direct the harmonious notes towards Esei.
Esei flushes with a healthy pink glow.

You nod your head emphatically.

Flatly, voice cracking with a deep note, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Yes, I am."

Esei abruptly steps away from you, staring at you as if the other lucidian was an unfathomable stranger.

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

You have emoted: Gurashi releases Esei's hand at last, raising their arm. "Sorry... forget is hard for some rock persons to move..." They lace their hands together, fidgeting. "Ah - can help? Do need help back to the edge of forest...?"

Esei raises a hand, staring at you, or perhaps through you.

You twiddle your thumbs.

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...you do not carry the Shadowbeat inside anymore."

You have emoted: Gurashi stills suddenly.

You stare at Esei, eyes wide.

Esei takes another step away from you, then another.

Esei pets a cat of black ink ingratiatingly.

You have emoted: Gurashi's fingers curl tighter together, the crystal scraping audibly.

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...I don't see why I expected anything else. You belong to others, now."

Wide-eyed, you ask Esei, "...s... sorry?"

You think to yourself: * ba-bum *.

You think to yourself: * the dull pastel colors begin to get dimmer, matching the gray tone of their skin *.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at Esei, expression twisting, hurt. There is no hint of color left on their crystalline body, the bright sunset hues swallowed up in gray. "...I j...."

Esei's skin suddenly flashes carmine red, dark eyes stark against their face.

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "It is no matter."

Esei shivers violently.

Esei pets Dusan, the coruscant ingratiatingly.
Coruscant eyes glinting, Dusan, the coruscant lets out a rumbling chirp, bumping his snout against Esei's hand.

Unable to tear their pale glowing eyes away, you whisper, "...am sorry - love you muchly."

You have emoted: Gurashi quietly fishes out a branch from a ravenwood tree, fidgeting with it. "I... still, sit near the forest often." They confess. "When is quiet hours."

Esei's flesh slowly cycles through amethyst, lavender, pale rose-gold, yellow, green, before finally settling on watercolor blues, swirling around their skin like poured paints.

You have emoted: Gurashi remains a depressing slate gray, the normal discolored streak of crystal along their temple completely blended in. "...still really miss everybody."

You glance askance at a branch from a ravenwood tree.

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "I can feel it. You carry no Shadowbeat, but instead a choral hymn unfamiliar to me."

Esei closes their eyes, blue skin streaking away like tears.

You stare at Esei, eyes wide.

You think to yourself: ... * a faint, foreign, buzzing voice* ... traitor ...

Esei shakes their head.

Tiredly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "It doesn't matter now. Does it."

You have emoted: Gurashi opens, then closes their mouth, their shoulders bunched.

Esei's final shades of blue streak away, leaving behind their starry, floral skin behind.

With a harmonious echo, you ask Esei, "...why .. doesn't it matter?"

Esei opens their eyes, staring at you instead.

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "I can't imagine you will come back, will you?"

A ripple of psionic energy causes the lucidian's form to waver, almost as if they are preparing to change forms, but do not.

You stare blankly into space.

Esei gives a blueberry chiffon muffin to Dusan, the coruscant.

Weakly, you say, "...I ... sent a letter, asking if ..."

More earnestly, you say, "... might hopefully, maybe... possibly, have chance to become unenemied - at very least - for -now- ..."

You think to yourself: * ba-bum *.

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Mm."

You have emoted: Gurashi begins to throb between deep shades of gray and slate-blue. "...I guess has only ... been six... seven months... since sent it..."

You fidget impatiently.

You think to yourself: ... is not going to write back ...

Esei tilts their head back and looks up at the sky.

You have emoted: Gurashi's lip twitches, and they fall silent again.

Quietly, as if to themself, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Compassion has no place in the Glomdoring..."

Another ripple - as if someone were erasing and refilling in the lucidian's form.

You stare ahead, looking utterly wounded.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts, abruptly whipping its head around to look up at Gurashi, chattering once.

Esei looks back to you, petals across their skin becoming briefly animated in a perpetual downward spiral. Their lip quirks up slightly.

Voice containing an undercurrent of cracking glaciers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Good luck, then, with your unbranding. I suspect it would not be easy."

Bizirik, the leothin whines pitifully.

Esei gently rests a hand on Bizirik's head, stroking the leothin.

Bizirik, the leothin stares implacably at Esei.

You think to yourself: * buzzing - clearer * Traitor.

You think to yourself: ... no ... I choose to ...

You twitch spasmodically.

Esei reaches out and touches you.

You have emoted: The flesh where Esei touches Gurashi briefly glows a pale, sickly yellow-green, before fading to gray.

Esei gently cups your face in one hand, tilting your head to face them.

As their face is cupped, you say, "... love ..."

At last, they begin to shrink, their gray spikes instead becoming replaced with familiar shades of orange.

You reach out and embrace your hidden heritage of a changeling, and slowly transform into a human.
Your race is now that of Human.
You will now be described as "They stand several inches shy of six feet tall with a slender build. Their arms and legs are lanky, soft hands nervously balled into fists at their side. Their most prominent three knuckles of the same hand are faintly scarred, star-shapes etched across their skin. Their sandy skin has been reddened from exposure to the sun, causing an array of tawny-colored freckles to appear upon their round cheeks and thin, upturned nose. A hint of discolored flesh can be seen near the center of their sternum, mostly obscured by their clothing. A moderately-sized, crescent-shaped scar mars their right cheek. Perhaps the most noteworthy thing about them is their untamed mop of fiery red hair, complete with a few strands at their part that fail to obey the natural laws of gravity. A shock of bone-white hair has grown in along their temple. A pair of friendly gray-blue eyes gaze out from below red bangs, their color striking against all the surrounding warm hues."

Tears spilling down over their cheeks, you say, "... choose to love... s'what... is..."

Esei's dark eyes stare down at you, expression impassively curious.

Esei's crystal thumb gently wipes away some of your tears within reach, but otherwise does not move.

You have emoted: Gurashi hiccups, their chin quivering. "...I m-miss you," They confess tearfully, reaching up, their hands hovering over Esei's, but not touching. "I miss my f-family! A-And is nothing that can -do- right now, that will -fix- it... at..."

Esei removes a dapper, diamond-studded black felt hat.
<-- Esei turns back Elfen
Pale porcelain skin covered in freckles, they are a graceful elfen wyrden demigod changeling. Their hair, a vibrant rosewood in hue, hangs past their shoulders to the middle of their back; it's been pulled away from their face into braids and a fauxhawk, the rest gathered into a relaxed half-tail spilling down their back. Two thinner braids come in front of their ears, just past their shoulders, swaying with every movement. Their arched brows complement sloe-dark eyes, angled and edged with feathery lashes. Their nose is straight, slightly quirked at the tip. Below their nose rests full pink lips, filled with sharp teeth. Their body is tall and willowy, muscled like a dancer and, elegant. Their hands terminate long, slender arms, each finger tipped with a claw-like fingernail; their feet are typically bare, allowing those claws to show. Their height pushes six and a half feet tall, accentuated by their long legs. Their face and figure give them an air of neither masculinity nor femininity, confusing the uninitiated. Their ears are pierced, small bronze studs and rings ranging from the bottom of their earlobes almost to the tips.

Gently, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "No, there is nothing you can do to fix it."

Their hands muffling their voice as they now openly weep, you say, "Am s-sorry.. am so sorry - never w...anted anybody to be -sad- or -hurt- - wish could fix so -much-..."

Bizirik, the leothin leans on Esei seeking consolation.

Esei gently peels your hand away from your lips, placing either on both of the human's cheeks, their larger hands covering them. and softly squeezing. "You may no longer be of the Glomdoring," they say, voice soft with intent. "But you were a follower of the Spirits and Hallowed as much as I am now."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Do not forget Brother Crow's Black Sorrow."

Bizirik, the leothin snuffles at Gurashi, crooning and pressing their snout against the human's pocket, but for once not sneaking out any treats. "T-That was always h-h-hardest," They hiccup again, dragging their wrist across their face.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I know it is. But do not let your -regrets- drown you. You are of water, of the Sea, now. Use that."

Their voice cracking, you say to Esei, "Cannot stop loving you guys - that is why it -hurts- so muchly."

You sniffle softly.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I know."

With a wet wheeze, you ask, "Think when can be unenemied, will g-get easier - will get easier, r-right?"

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Perhaps. Perhaps not."

You sniffle softly.

Esei tilts your head up using two of their fingers. "Do not let your fears and regrets and wishful thoughts drown you in a past that cannot be undone, Gurashi. Let go, so you can grow," and here, they falter. "Even if it's without us."

Suddenly meek, you say, "No - cannot."

Their tears starting anew, you say to Esei, "Will not - absolutely refuse."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks, "Why?"

You have emoted: Gurashi wibbles pitiably, their gray-blue eyes huge and filled with tears. "Because I love you! Just because I had to go - it does not mean that stopped! I did not want to go! I never wanted to go!" They protest, their shoulders bunching.

Esei sighs faintly, as if in exasperation.

You sniffle softly.

Esei sweeps you into a hug, all but crushing you into their chest. They awkwardly pat your back.

Between short, hiccuping breaths, you say, "Just ... because have to live somewheres... else does not mean ...feels --."

You think to yourself: * ba-BUM *.

Warbling, you say, "Oh..."

You reach out, pulling Esei into a tight embrace.

An abyssal sandstorm poppy displays a myriad of brilliant colours before its petals shift to the shade of burnished bronze in the blink of an eye.

Bizirik, the leothin worms its way into the hug as much as it can, tail slapping the muddy ground behind it happily.

You have emoted: Gurashi sobs, pressing their face into Esei's shoulder and clutching the elfen tightly for as long as they are allowed, ignoring Bizirik's snuffles and snorts below.

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily.

Bizirik, the leothin peers about herself unscrupulously.

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

Esei awkwardly stares beyond, towards the river.

Bizirik, the leothin snuffles, looking up at Esei with a stupid grin on its face.

You have emoted: For a long while, Gurashi is unable to do more than weep, clinging to Esei as if they expect they might drift away should they let go. As the sun continues to rise higher in the sky, their tears slowly subside, leaving them sniffling instead, their grip weak.

You sniffle softly.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to Bizirik, the leothin, "...what."

Bizirik, the leothin tosses its head, its tufted ears flopping back and forth.

You sniffle softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi finally steps back, hanging their head to avoid making eye contact.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks, "...feel better?"

You have emoted: Gurashi stares still towards their feet before at last shaking their head, then shrugging. "...not really."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Mm."

Voice faintly rasping, you say, "Nothing's changed. Will j...ust not need to cry a bout it for a little while...." They pause. "I guess th...at is good."

You have emoted: Gurashi finally looks up, their eyes red and puffy from their tears. "...know you do not l-love me anymore .. but.. but, I do, so, you are, still w-welcome. To, visit." They glance towards Bizirik, the leothin. "Because we...'d still like to see you, y-yes."

You sniffle softly.

Hanging their head, you say, "But do not have to."
Esei tips your head up to look you in the eye before letting go.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Perhaps I will. Perhaps not."

You nod your head emphatically.

You sniffle softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances up again, blinking owlishly. "...sorry I got..." They pluck lightly at the wettened part of Esei's ensemble. "Uh." They pull a kerchief from their pack, dabbing Esei's shoulder lightly.

Dabbing gently, you whisper, "Got it all... me tears'd."

Esei's hands begin to glow with scalding warmth and they passes them over the surface of their body, removing the dirt and grime covering them.

Deadpan, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I hadn't noticed."

Bright and clear, you say to Esei, "... a...m sorry that ... cried on..." They sheepishly look up. "...I should probably go, soon, but I..."

Esei raises a slender brow at you.

You twiddle your thumbs.

Looking up, you say to Esei, "...many thank yous for coming and saying hi."

Quickly, you say, "To Bizi."

Quietly, you say, "'nd me."

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

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "You are welcome."

You sniffle softly.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I should go, myself."

Esei inclines their head politely to those around them.

Skeletal white blossoms flower along the flesh of Esei, riding Dusan, the coruscant, as their body splits apart into a blizzard of blackthorn petals that leave to the northwest.
Trailing stars and smoke, Dusan trails off to the northwest.