Among the Canopy

<-- out killin diggers with m'dad!

(Great House Shee-Slaugh): Aleyah (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "Cousin Gurashi dropped by again..."

(clan): You say, "Cousin gurashi, online lol."
(clan): Esei says, "Aleyah: snitches."

You think to yourself: ** at the sound of Aleyah's voice - deeper, charcoal gray **.

(Great House Shee-Slaugh): Aleyah (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "Trying to get me to let him see the cocoon."

Ilistala, an enormous leopard ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.

(Great House Shee-Slaugh): Esei says, "Indeed?"
(Great House Shee-Slaugh): Xenthos says, "Mm. I thought we had discussed not doing that?"

Xenthos tilts his head curiously at you.

(Great House Shee-Slaugh): Aleyah (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "I came out to talk to him a little, but... well, I can't break an oath for him. I promised."

You think to yourself: ** suddenly - Aschwar's face, blushing, embarrassed - practice. will practice for when he comes back **.

You think to yourself: ** "It will be very nice, I think, to be able to be so close with someone." **.

(Great House Shee-Slaugh): Xenthos says, "Of course not. You should not break any oath to Her."

(clan): Aleyah (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "Sweet, adorable and evil."

You think to yourself: ** i did this **.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "I think we need to make a promise, now, to stay away from the realm of Lady Viravain unless you are explicitly invited."

You have emoted: Gurashi says and does nothing, and as the chaos dies down, Xenthos can plainly see tears streaming down their red, frost-bitten cheeks. They look as if they themselves have not yet realized this, wiping their hands on their pants as they collect the corpses.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard tilts her head curiously at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up at Xenthos suddenly, then looks away just as quickly, exhaling a great cloud and nodding.

You think to yourself: ** but - **.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "I think this is important- please look at me. Say- or write- your agreement."

You think to yourself: ** -- have to -- **.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks down towards their feet, then back up at Xenthos, then down again, clearly conflicted.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "You already nodded an agreement once to not attempt to reach the cocoon, to be patient."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "To be the spider, not the unwary fly."

You think to yourself: ** the swelling, painful lump in their throat grows again - do not under-stand- **.

You have emoted: Gurashi nods tentatively, though it is unclear whether or not they are actually receptive to the statement. Finally, they look up at Xenthos, expression contorted as they do their best to remain as straight-faced and apologetic as they are able, mouthing 'am sorry'.

You have emoted: Tears continue to stream down Gurashi's face, and they reach up to adjust their collar only to find their face wet. They gasp, flushing with embarrassment before flailing. They pull out their notepad, drop it. pick it up - drop it again, fumbling.

You think to yourself: ** oh gosh **.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "Clearly something has happened. I would like you to tell me- but I really do need your promise, first. Please."

You have emoted: Gurashi sets their jaw, suddenly shaking their head as they flip open the notepad, wiping off the ice. "...orry," They manage to rasp out, scribbling in their notepad.... then, they stop, scribbling it out and writing something else instead: 'aleyah is allowed to stay with akuuko all of the time, but i cannot even see'.

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

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "It is not that she is 'allowed'- she was tasked to ensure that Akuuko remain safe and protected. That is her duty, and she is giving up much to do so."

You think to yourself: ** not fair - teetering on some miserable precipice between numbness and inconsolable sorrow **.

You think to yourself: ** knowing - i know, i -know- **.

You have emoted: Gurashi's shoulders sag, and they seem to calm a bit, squeezing their notepad.

You have emoted: Gurashi finally writes: 'is hurting aschwar.'

You think to yourself: ** as soon as the words are written - ah - this is the wrong answer, isn't it **.

You think to yourself: ** ... no - it isn't, because do not -want- to... **.

Xenthos sighs softly. "Making a promise- and then breaking it- hurts us as well. Aschwar is not the only one here. I know that you and I have discussed promises extensively recently. The importance of an Oath."

You glance askance.

You nod your head emphatically.

You have emoted: Gurashi again mouths a silent 'sorry'. Their shoulders bunched, looking pale and exhausted, they write: 'am sorry - do not want to hurt anyone. will not do the thing - i promise - can do more breads now.' They hold up the notepad for a time, then drop it, lowering their gaze to their feet.

You think to yourself: ** what is this awful stillness **.

You nod your head at Xenthos.

You glance askance.

You have emoted: Gurashi again mouths a silent 'sorry', sniffing and closing their notepad, their shoulders bunched.

Xenthos inhales softly, his gaze fixed upon you for a time, before slowly softening. He rests his hand upon your shoulder. "Yes. I know it's difficult."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "Thank you."

You follow Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist up to a vast expanse of glistening white ice.

<-- hunts for a while

After shaking the icedigger blood off of his weapon Xenthos looks at you. Quietly, he continues, "What happened?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's teeth chatter as they step over one of the corpses. Between pits they can be seen scribbling, their head bows, gaze shadowed, fragile. Finally, they hand over the notepad, balling their hands again into fists. 'aschwar has feelings for akuuko and is their best friend and he is aschwar's and does not know where they are, and misses them as much as the day they disappeared, and i have known all along where he was, and have had to lie and lying to someone when they want to see somebody that they love is wrong.' They stare around the bottom of the pit as the note is read, wringing their hands together.

You think to yourself: ** deep knowing - missing someone like that is like -acid- **.

You think to yourself: -- .. .. --.

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes are shiny as they stare at the back of the notepad, unable to meet Xenthos's gaze.

You think to yourself: ** a terrible feeling - the worst feeling **.

You think to yourself: ** to never know - to never -know-? **.

You have emoted: Gurashi's teeth sink into their bottom lip again, and they wipe their eyes.
Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "Ah. That explains some things. But..."

Xenthos purses his lips thoughtfully.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "Scrabbling futilely against Her walls does not do Akuuko, Aschwar, or even yourself any good. You can be supportive of your friend- but it is not your secret to share, it is Hers."

You have emoted: Gurashi nods at this, reaching out to retrieve their notepad, clutching it tightly to their chest.

You have been recognised by Aleyah for: Ow. :C Just ow. Kudos for making me feel so guilty for doing what I'm supposed to be doing.
You just earned 4 daily credits. You can earn 11 more.

You think to yourself: ** bleak apology **.

You have recognised Aleyah for: For being the goodest little cousin who is also unknowingly yanking out her other teeny cousin's heart <3.

You have emoted: Gurashi mouths 'O-K', then lets their mouth remain partially ajar, exhaling.

You think to yourself: ** sorry - am sorry **.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "Having friends with opposing interests is... difficult, sometimes. What one wants may hurt the other. If one chooses to pursue this path, you have to accept that. Your home and family come first... but that does not mean you must forsake your friends. Simply that you need to be discerning. To have discipline- we spoke of this, as well."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "We simply do not know Her plan, yet... and it is possible that you are worrying more than you need to. Guessing Her intent is... always difficult."

You have emoted: Gurashi lifts their gaze slowly to look up at Xenthos, furrowing their brow, cheeks still stained with their earlier tears. They finally shut their mouth, sighing.

You nod your head emphatically.

<-- You follow Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist to within Rotbark's canopy.

Within Rotbark's canopy.
Muted flashes of wyrden fire illuminate the dense canopy of this wyrdenwood. Thick ravenwood leaves grow across gnarled, laced-together branches, creating a floor upon which to walk comfortably. Dense vines arch down from the tallest branches above and fall away to the ground below, mirroring the cascading growth of willow trees. Silver webs twist in cunning patterns between them, in which hang cocooned prey that traveled too close to the centre of this maze. Past the vines, the full of Glomdoring can be seen spreading across the land from horizon to horizon. To the north, the thick tree-cover parts for the Black Tower and to the east the sharp rocks of the chasm cut through the forest. Due west, swampland skirts the forest's edge as the Glomdoring River wends towards the Gloriana. Between the swamp and Rotbark, the twin sentinel of the Master Ravenwood rises in imperious majesty to meet and exceed Rotbark's tremendous height. Surrounded by a corona of shadows, a pair of multi-faceted eyes made of bones and leaves hang here, suspended in midair. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. A slender leothin sits here motionless, brightening its surroundings with its natural golden bio-luminescence. A leopard lurks in the shadows, curiously watching anything that moves. A baleful crow perches here, crimson eyes piercing in their glare.
You see a single exit leading down.

The weight of the forest is heavy about you.

You have emoted: Gurashi gazes upon enormous eyes of the Greev, canting their head to the side as they stare, then slowly turn their attention to Xenthos, frowning.

A beetle crawls through the hedges, staring at you, before it disappears again.

You think to yourself: ** heavy .... continued washes of gray - a beetle - making way .. **.

The caw of a crow fills the air, and the beating sound of wings comes from overhead.  A lone black feather slowly flutters down, coming to rest on the ground right before you.

You have emoted: Gurashi's attention is drawn quickly from the hedges to the feather as it floats, frowning, extending a hand as if to catch it, but missing by half a second, blinking.

A sudden gust of wind rustles the branches all around, and the feather is caught and flutters back up into the air, coming to rest in your outstretched hand.

You blink.

You have emoted: Gurashi's brow furrows deeper, and they hold the feather aloft, confused, twirling it. Then they look at Xenthos, eyes widening.

Xenthos takes a deep breath, inhaling slowly, before exhaling, and repeating. His eyes close as he appears to listen for a time.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "The Glomdoring always speaks to us. It is our home- its beat thrums in our body. It guides us."

The feather in your hand seems to beat, as if it has a heartbeat.  *Thrum-da-thrum*.  Beating in tune with your own pulse.

You have emoted: Gurashi sets their jaw, holding the feather still tightly clenched between their index finger and thumb.

As if their very heart has become audible, the pulsing beat of the Drums of the Dead thrums through Xenthos's form.

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes half close, and they lower the hand that holds the feather, looking again towards enormous eyes of the Greev.

You think to yourself: ** ... has always been my -home- **.

The beetle appears once more, crawling out from the hedge and coming forth to settle upon one of your feet.

You have emoted: Blinking, Gurashi looks towards their hoof. After a time, they sink to crouch in their spot, folding the arm that holds the feather across their lap, the other reaching down to poke the colorful back of the bug.

The beetle buzzes softly against your finger, then climbs up onto it.

You have emoted: Gurashi brings their hand before their face, making sure the insect has comfortable purchase, starry eyes wide with wonder.

There is a complex pattern upon the back of this beetle- it looks almost like a mandolin, if one squints hard enough, surrounded by small dots that might be stars.  The beetle looks at you without fear or concern, buzzing softly in your hand.

You have emoted: Gurashi pulls their hand into their lap, gaze softening as they lower the insect, petting its back with the hand still wielding the feather. They squint, closer examining the insect's markings, wrinkling their nose.

The beetle crawls off of your hand and onto your lap, where it settles itself down in place.

You think to yourself: ** oh **.

You have emoted: Gurashi remains crouched, gazing at the strange little insect in bewilderment. They do not touch it further, instead looking up at Xenthos in surprise.

You think to yourself: ** washes of muted pastels - it is so -cute- and friendly **.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "The Glomdoring speaks to us. Always. We simply must open ourselves to its voice and listen."

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Xenthos, then looks back down at the insect, then the feather, frowning.

You think to yourself: ** continued washes of muted color, fading to gray ... the Drums, the wind, the cicadas ... **.

You think to yourself: ** faded recollection of familiar forest noise **.

You think to yourself: .. ** heavy ** ..

The beating of the drums echoes in your mind, overlaid by the sound of cicadas in the swamp.  The whistling of the wind through the trees, branches creaking and swaying, accompanies the sounds, blending together into song.

You think to yourself: ** ah - the shadowbeats ... the thing that draw me - that drew Tiso... **.

*Ba-dum.  Ba-dum.  Ba-dum.*

You have emoted: Gurashi bows their head again, their chin touching their chest as they continue to stare down at the beetle. Eventually they look at the feather, twisting in in their fingers, closing their hand into a fist.

You think to yourself: ... ** a familiar beat - somehow, dissonant - their own heartbeat - Tiso's, slightly faster, more nervous - the feather, nearly in tune with their own, just a hair off ** ...

The beat continues.  Ba-dum.  Ba-dum.  Time passes.  The difference slowly- excruciatingly so- narrows, until it vanishes entirely.  The thrumming beat is your own.  It is the Glomdoring's.  It is yours.  You are the Glomdoring.  The Glomdoring is you.

You have emoted: Gurashi closes their eyes, chin still tucked to their chest. Tears spring up in the corners of their eyes, and they sniffle, letting the feather rest in their lap alongside the beetle as they loop their arms forward, hugging their knees and settling further into their spot.

The beetle crawls slowly up your body, its little feet tickling you as it moves until it finally ends up on your cheek, coming to a stop beneath your eyes.  It buzzes softly, clinging to your face.

You think to yourself: ** suddenly -exhausted- - it all feels very unfair - just want to be good, and nice, and to love my home, and to be good to my friends, and to my -family- **.

The cold voice of Evette sends chills down your spine, "Would you and Xenthos like to join me for IceDiggers?"

Your melodic voice sings into Evette, The Primordial Scourge's mind, "** muted pastels - a thrumming, the shadowbeat - you cannot tell if they hear you, lost in their thoughts **."

The cold voice of Evette sends chills down your spine, "*a simple melody hits your inner ear "Glomdoring, nothing matters but you"."

You think to yourself: ** this is truth - this is what is true - yes - i just want to be good, and happy, and see my friends and family happy - but always seems to be a losing battle - always some suffering that cannot be fixed, either caused by or linked to you, every time you do anything - but Nothing Matters but Glomdoring - and ... **.

The faintest sound drifts through the air upon a gust of wind, sounding very much like a soft 'Glory be.'

You think to yourself: ** simple, pointed, gray ** ... want to be good.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard moves over to settle down by your side, purring softly as she leans up against you, a big soft warm body.

(Glomdoring): Esei says, "Nothing matters but Glomdoring."

(Glomdoring): Evette says, "Glory be to the Glomdoring!"

(Glomdoring): Gad says, "Glory be to the Glomdoring!"

You think to yourself: ** a reflex - glory be, glory... **.

Light spreads across your back in numerous colours and hues, enfolding you like butterfly wings.

You have emoted: Gurashi unwittingly leans against Ilistala, an enormous leopard, eyes still shining with tears. They lift their head, looking again at last at Xenthos, frowning.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard rumbles softly against your side as Xenthos meets your gaze.

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns lightly as they match Xenthos's stare. With stiff movements, they pull their notepad from their pack and write within it before tossing it to Xenthos.

write note on notepad on page 1 I love you. And Ilistala. And everybody.
You scribble a few notes on a notepad covered in flowers and pollen-dusted bees.

With sagging shoulders, you give a notepad covered in flowers and pollen-dusted bees to Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist.

You have emoted: Gurashi slumps in their spot, once again letting their head against Ilistala, an enormous leopard's side, holding the feather tight.

Xenthos looks at the notepad, his finger lightly touching the page. He nods, then moves to settle down next to you, also leaning up against Ilistala.

You sniffle softly.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "You are loved here, too."

Ilistala, an enormous leopard rumbles more loudly against your back.

You have emoted: Gurashi sniffles again, nodding, staring down towards their hoofs, arms still folded across their lap.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "Do you not believe that?"

You think to yourself: ** yes - the people that have known since first was waking, walking, lost and confused and scared and following only a -sound- with no other direction to go - Xenthos, tall and imposing and new and reminding that you will have to work -extra- hard because are a kephera and kephera have done wrong by Glomdoring before **.

You have emoted: Gurashi's shoulders bunch. They look up at Xenthos, frowning deeper.

Xenthos simply waits, listening to you as he sits next to you.

You have emoted: Gurashi wrings their hands together, looking at the notepad, then reaching out to gingerly retrieve it. They scribble, knees still drawn up, head bowed, before returning it: 'am very loved'. Yet, below this: 'but sometimes feels conditional'. Beside this, scribbled question marks, and an arrow leading from the word reading 'do a thing = be loved?'

You think to yourself: ** a recollection - doing all you can, all the time, designs and feeding and singing and good! be good! tell everyone how good the Glomdoring is! how happy! so beautiful and kind of jarring but the Shadowbeats are good! and it is fun! happy - almost happiest, but happy**.

You think to yourself: ** gray-blue confusion - why **.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "It is not 'doing a thing' to be loved, but sometimes our actions can hurt those who love us. In fact, they hurt all the more because of it. Because we have exposed ourselves, removed our armour... and if one who is loved sticks a blade in, it bleeds profusely. Even if done unintentionally, or done with good reasons, it hurts."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "It does not change the underlying feeling, but to love makes one vulnerable."

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes scan over Xenthos's face as they speak. They sag again at this, leaning back with a gentle huff. Then, they reach up, suddenly remembering the insectoid tag-a-long that was earlier clinging to their face.

The beetle buzzes once more, climbing onto your finger.

You have emoted: Gurashi lowers their hand, gently resting it against the ground and allowing the beetle the option to climb to the freedom of the tree, should it choose.

The beetle buzzes softly on the tip of your finger, but does not abandon you.

You have emoted: Gurashi sniffles, again writing within their notepad: 'i do not want to stop loving peoples.' This, they underline, setting the notepad in their lap, resting the feather atop it.

Xenthos nods slowly. "You do not need to stop. We just always need to remember: Glory be to the Glomdoring."

You lean against Ilistala, an enormous leopard, eyes half-closing.
A loud rumbling emanates from Ilistala as she rubs against you.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard rumbles more loudly against your back, her fur soft and body warm. Soothing.

Bizirik, the leothin lays nearby, watching, utterly silent, tail slapping the ground a few times.

The beetle circles around a couple of times on the finger and then stills, almost seeming to have fallen asleep.

You think to yourself: ** swirling gray - pinging thoughts, hard to capture, ground **.

The beat of the drums slowly fades, softening, but never disappearing.  ba-dum. ba-dum.  Fading softly into the background, but always a part of you.

You have emoted: Gurashi sits still and quiet for a while. Then, tears begin to slide down their cheeks, and they reach up, wiping their face, then wiping their face again. They let out a heavy sigh, head dipping forward as they gaze once more at their notepad. Still mindful of the beetle resting on their finger, they write: 'glory be.'

You sniffle softly.

Softly, Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "Glory be."

You sniffle softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up and wipes at their face, grumbling softly to themselves. They write: 'i am sorry i have not been myself for so long - promise is not on purpose.'

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "I know. I got your letter."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "This just has not seemed like the right time to discuss it."

You have emoted: Gurashi's face suddenly flushes deep crimson and they look down, then away, shoulders bunching as they grip their quill.

You have emoted: Gurashi writes again: 'just all happened at once.' They wipe at their face, sniffling louder.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "I know. I have not forgotten it. We will find her, if she does not return on her own."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up at Xenthos, unable to stop their tears from spilling now, it seems. 'mean helping aschwar - tiso - akuuko - learning me, and how to do brain things, and the world almost ended - twice'. They look at the page. 'sometimes feels like cannot breathe.' They twiddle, shrugging.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "You're here, with us, right now."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says to you, "Just... close your eyes. Take a deep breath, and another."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "We're here with you."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up at Xenthos, frowning.

You think to yourself: ** another familiar male voice - sit. Stay. Breathe - blue-violet **.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares up at Xenthos, wiping their face one more time before giving up entirely. Back still resting against Ilistala, an enormous leopard, they lean slowly towards Xenthos until their horn clinks on your armor.

You lean against Xenthos, eyes half-closing.

Xenthos nods, wrapping one of his arms around you, drawing him close. "We're here with you."

You have emoted: Gurashi curls up tighter against Xenthos as his plated arm wraps around the sileni's shoulders. They hiccup, then hang their head to their chest, body trembling for a time as they are all at once met with their grief, letting it bubble over and spill out short, suffocated bursts. They stay like this for a long while, lost, until you begin to notice their breathing steadying, even. So wrung out and exhausted are they that they pass right out where they sit, their tight grip on their quill loosening until they drop it.

Xenthos breathes softly, deeply, holding onto his son.

<-- END. WEEPLY.