A Talk of Beloved and Visits from Cousinlings

With casual expertise, you brew up a bottle's worth of butter beer. <-- x100 ;v;

Avaris tells you, "Good evening, Gurashi. Do you, perhaps, have a moment to talk about your Divine?"

Your melodic voice sings into Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons's mind, "... ah ... the Most Beloved??"

Your melodic voice sings into Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons's mind, "*an embarrassed ripple of color across the aethers, the rich intoxicating smell of pale malt and caramel and heat* O-oh! My, uhm, yes! I...where would you like to speaks? I will meet yous."

Avaris tells you, "[Faint amusement, benign as a dry, languid summer breeze.] A title I would personally contest, given the love we feel for the Lady Lantra, but yes, indeed. Wheresoever you are most comfortable. I do not mind."

Your melodic voice sings into Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons's mind, "*there is a distinct pout, and you get the sense they are about to argue... but decide against it - a big sigh* O-K O-K O-K, I will... uhm, what about that place you likes to study in? OH, or under the bigly willow tree you so likes?"

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Avaris tells you, "Certainly, if you would be at your ease at either location. We can meet under the willow tree, by the water, and if you wish to move to the study, or elsewhere, we can do so."

Beneath a weeping willow tree.
The rippling sound of flowing celestial waters echoes distantly from a healing shrine of Lantra nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. There is a moderate breeze here. A peaceful gurgling sound rises from a small stream, which meanders from the west and flows into a well-maintained pond, adding to the tranquil quality in the air. A rounded island of wet grass sits within the pond, connected to the bank by a narrow wooden footbridge which seems to have borne countless travelers to the little isle. The island itself is home to a large weeping willow tree, which struggles to stay upright as the myriad of branches and leaves droop down into the pond below. Small, brightly colored fish flit around the island, playfully nipping at the small drops of water which fall from the willow. Fresh breezes stir the branches of the ancient tree like soft sighs and whispers that pervade the island, making it an ideal spot to meditate. Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons is here, enveloped in an lambent aura of dazzling, cosmic radiance. He wields a shimmering multi-tonal scimitar in each hand.
You see exits leading southeast, southwest, and west.

LOOK @ AVARIS
An imposing figure of titanic proportions, he is a compound-eyed kephera empyreal demigod. Easily twice the height of a tall man, he possesses a dignified and noble bearing. Six vast wings of gently effulgent, aureate feathers spread out from his back, bearing a multitude of lucent, stylised eyes formed of two curving lines and a circle betwixt them - which move and gaze about with eerie awareness. The shape of his domed head is reminiscent of a knightly helm, the alabaster of his pointed chin and the wide flares of chitin that form his jaw contrasting with the layered crest of shining gold that sweeps up and out from his severe brow in broad, curving blades. Seven eyes of brilliant azure are set into the burnished, aureate visor of his immobile face, three beneath each side of his brow, with a single, larger one set at the center of his forehead. Flowing up from behind the prominent crest are two arcing pairs of liquid, red antennae, each thick line of sanguine aether dense and opaque. An imposing halo of harsh, solid light hovers behind his head, with frozen tongues of holy flame jutting out in fearsome spikes of varying size. Engulfing much of his upper torso is a dense, luxurious mane of pristine white fluff, which flows up over his shoulders and behind his neck in a spray of lustrous tufts. His immense frame is plated in dense chitin of white-streaked, gleaming gold, the exoskeleton formed in the manner of natural armour - most notably so in his upper set of shoulders, which are shaped like pauldrons from which a halo of spiked gold arcs, with a baleful, stylised eye of intense red emblazoned upon them. All four of his arms are thick and powerfully constructed, the long limbs terminating in pointed fingers that extend from long, inherently gauntleted hands. His narrow waist juts out into broad hips, from which descend the wide span of his plated thighs, the digitigrade legs supported by large feet that possess viciously hooked talons of thin, steeply angled gold, three at the front of each foot, and two upon each heel. Soothing mists of water and light weave about him in a sparkling white veil, marking the truefavour of Lantra, the Empyreal.
He is wearing:
a white imperial scabbard on his right hip
a white leather scabbard bearing a silver cross hanging low from his right hip
a black scabbard with a gold horn on his left hip
a black scabbard with a gold horn hanging low from his left hip
a glass ampoule of bottled starlight secured through the chitin of his left hip via a fine chain
Immaculate Prayer Beads of the Empyreal Goddess wrapped tightly about the forearm of his upper right arm.

LOOKIT ME - GURASHI
They are a feathered trill kindly demigod changeling. Downy plumes of vibrant orange cascade in a tumble around their head, the cluster of feathers stopping just short of their shoulders and moving at the slightest breeze. A cluster of snow-white feathers grow near their right temple. A natural mask of downy black feathers have sprouted around their eyes, covering the upper portion of their face and fading in with the colorful orange feathers at the hairline and temples. A moderately-sized, crescent-shaped scar mars their right cheek, pink where it would otherwise be black. A hint of discolored flesh can be seen at the center of their sternum, mostly obscured by their clothing. Two tufts of feathers gather where their ears would normally be, adorned by long, curling feathers that react to their mood. Their eyes are wide and inquisitive, a stunning gray that looks almost blue against the bright orange and striking black feathers. They stand just shy of six foot even, with a thin, willowy build, their skin sandy and smooth. Hanging half-limp behind them are a pair of great apricot-colored wings, the covert feathers nearest to their back the same ebony-violet as the feathers that cover their brow and cheekbones. Their wings are sleek and shiny, evidence of recent grooming efforts. A shifting pearlescence graces their skin as they walk with the truefavour of Carakhan, Sculptor of Waves.
They are wearing:
a starry wreath of celestial light set atop their head like a halo
a circlet of crystal thorns resting loosely atop their head
a vivid red-orange poppy tucked lovingly behind their left ear
the Mantle of Starlight which flows dreamily about their shoulders and back
a sleeveless black tunic which clings to their upper body flatteringly
mercurial Mysraian prayer beads pulled taut against their right wrist
a Glomdoring friendship bracelet which jingles softly on their left wrist
minty citrus incense beads pulled taut against their right wrist
a shifting, living poppy of bronze petals worn delicately upon their left wrist
a driftwood ring of sea breezes fitted tightly to their left middle finger
simple white linen trousers which swish around their legs freely
Refined Boots of the Paladin, worn and weathered from use
a bright red poppy tucked behind their left ear.

You have emoted: Gurashi comes stumbling in from the west, scrambling over the crest of the hill until they reach the edge of the pool. As they spot Avaris, they gasp, then wave, wings flapping behind them. "Hi!" They call, still a bit of a ways away, though they are closing the distance fast. Behind them, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff gambols playfully after the trill, tail wagging a mile a minute.

You sense the passage of Liefenn to the west with a fluffy pair of ursine ears. <-- many times

You blink.

Standing with his hands tucked beneath the layered cloak of his gently glowing wings, Avaris contemplates the willow tree, which he nearly rivals in height. As you crests the rise, several of the stylised, luminous eyes that dwell within his wings turn to fix upon you, the odd one or two blinking mildly as the kephera turns to face you. "Ah, Gurashi - and companion." Regarding the youthful canine curiously, he asks, "And who might this be?"

Avaris gestures with a mild, off-handed wave. "Liefenn is no threat. You would like her, I think, from what I know of her."

You have emoted: Gurashi remains paused, vigilantly sniffing once more before slowly making their way over to Avaris, nodding. They bow, resting a hand on an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's head, ruffling it. "Beloved Liefenn is - well, Beloved. Likes me," They chirp, rising to stand up straight. Slowly they turn their attention to the mastiff, rubbing between his ears. "This is my friend Ham. Am s'posed to be training hims, so will see hims, more." The pup leans in to the touch, then bodily sits, tail still wagging behind it.

Liefenn tells you, "Good morning, Beloved Gurashi! Your puppy is adorable! And sorry to stumble onto you."
Your melodic voice sings into Liefenn Myeras's mind, "It is O-K! Please do not apologize - goodly morning, Miss Liefenn! I hope you are doing O-K, yes."
Your melodic voice sings into Liefenn Myeras's mind, "Beloved Liefenn, I mean! Sorry I am... /tired/. Bigly tires. Stay goodly and kinds! I do not mind your visits."
Liefenn tells you, "It's okay! I left Gaudiguch, and have been exploring other cities. There's a /playground/ here!"

Avaris emits a soft 'Ah' of comprehension, dipping his head in a slight nod. "I see. I was not aware." The immense figure studies the puppy for a while longer, visored face tilted down towards the pup, expressionless. "Well met, young Ham." A thick, curving line of red twitches in your direction, though Avaris does not lift his gaze to follow as he repeats, his manner thoughtful. "Beloved. Why that title?"

Your melodic voice sings into Liefenn Myeras's mind, "Oh my yes! New Celest has the BEST playground ever! I spend lots of times there! There are also memorial gardens, yes, and water gardens. Many gardens. Am distracted right now, but perhaps could give you a proper tour at some points? Iffins you have not already seen everything."
Liefenn tells you, "I'd like that sometime! And oh, oh, I have lots to tell you! And the other Beloveds! Of the War of the Circles and the Lady Li-varili!"
Your melodic voice sings into Liefenn Myeras's mind, "...eh? Oh my gosh! I want to hear about it, please, yes. Hopefully very soonly? Yes."
Your melodic voice sings into Liefenn Myeras's mind, "I was curious, after Their meeting..."
Liefenn tells you, "They bid me make sure ALL the Beloveds know, and everyone else who asks."
Your melodic voice sings into Liefenn Myeras's mind, "...ah! That is most important, then!"
Liefenn tells you, "I am writing the story into a scholarly work, AND a song."
Your melodic voice sings into Liefenn Myeras's mind, "Wowee! O-K, perfect!"
Liefenn tells you, "I still must speak with Lady Li-varili, should She assent to my request to do so."
Your melodic voice sings into Liefenn Myeras's mind, "*gentle nervous assent* Yeah..."
Liefenn tells you, "They wish very much for Her to be happy."
Your melodic voice sings into Liefenn Myeras's mind, "*saddened assent* Who would want that? Am glad, to hear that."
Liefenn tells you, "They fear She will break under the weight of her own heart. I hope to help that... if it can be helped."
Liefenn tells you, "Though I fear She has bound herself to the idea that Her healing lies in vengeance.." <-- WEEP I lost this in the city/alliance clan spam

You have emoted: Gurashi slowly sinks in the spot where they are standing, allowing their posterior to find the grass opposite Avaris, looking down into their lap rather than up at the kephera. "Yeah, are a few of thems. Beloved, I mean - like, Tonatiuh, annnnd, Naralis, Ixchilgal. Shulamit. Tsakali! Sulwh, Liefenn..." They pause, then smile. "Me." Their wings flap, and beside them an adolescent Nyalian mastiff gives them a good sniff before looking off elsewhere, tail still wagging behind him.

Thoughtfully, you ask, "...why, Beloved?"

As you lowers to the ground, Avaris pauses for only a moment before following suit, settling smoothly into a cross-legged position opposite you. He sets his lower pair of hands upon his knees, and cups the upper two together in the hollow of his legs, listening as you speaks. "That is a healthy number, to have active in an Order. Your Divine must be compelling indeed, to draw so many." He dips his head in a brief nod, affirming, "Indeed. I find that the title for an Order tells much of the Divine, and Their adherents."

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up, discreetly wiping the corner of their eye as they tuck their legs together and draw in their knees, their other arm wrapping around the limbs to hold them close. "Because Love," They say at last, thoughtfully, "is the most powerful forces in the whole wide universe," They say at last, "All that we do as peoples, it should be done with Love." They smile slightly, amused as their head cants to the side, feathery ear twitching. "Everything abouts Them is enigmatic. But Loves is forever at Their centers, of all Their many many many shapes. And so we, as Their's, are ... Beloved."

Bursting open, the clouds in the sky release a light pitter-patter of rain.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "They are enigmatics, and do not have pillars like Your Lady - Fortitudes and suchs... those are lessons we as Their followers learn from, about, yes. To become the goodliest peoples we can." Their expression twists. "At least, that is how I... ah."

You have emoted: Gurashi scrunches their face again and looks up as a few raindrops begin to fall down upon the trio. They raise a wing, allowing it to shield themselves and the mastiff beside them. keeping them both dry. Ham sniffs at the wings, tail beginning to wag again, but he seems otherwise a little bored, snuffling and pawing at the ground until Gurashi slips a red and blue bouncer ball before his paws. The dog promptly lays down, gnawing on the toy with noisy, slobbery bites.

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: "Love." The words, and its implications, are turned over within the confines of his mind like the pieces of a puzzle, a deliberate, careful examination before it is set aside.

You pet an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
A adolescent Nyalian mastiff's ears rise and sharpen into tight triangles as he stares vigilantly at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi sniffles, running a hand along the mastiff's head and back, petting him as he chews away, the ball thankfully lacking any sort of internal noise making device to torment the otherwise silent atmosphere.

The pointed tips of Avaris's thumbs come together in a measured, thoughtful cadence, the hard chitin emanating a faint tapping sound as it comes together. He watches you for a time, the four strokes of his antennae undulating with liquid grace as he considers the trill-changeling at length. Rather than respond to the topic at hand, he asks, gently, "Are you alright, Gurashi?"

Not immediately looking up, you ask, "Mm?"

Patiently Avaris , repeats, "Are you alright?"

You have emoted: Gurashi at last lolls their head in Avaris's direction, blinking. "Ah - yes? S-sorry, I did not, want to talk too muchly," They raise their other hand apologetically.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "I-I do not know if, was answers you were seeking." They shuffle. "Can see, why caused confusions, before, when called the THousandfolds Most Beloved - of course you would like Your Lady the mostest."

Golden shades radiate from your chest and your heart beats faster with newly-appeared determination.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles faintly. "But we are Beloved, so, the Most Beloved is the Most Beloved."

Avaris dips his head aside slightly, either not noticing the rain or indifferent to it, as beads of moisture gather upon his golden plating like shimmering drops of diamond. "You have answered my question honestly, and to the best of your ability. That is all I ask of you, Gurashi." A soft, rich laugh, and, "Ah, yes. It would odd, would it not, for any devoted to a Divine to not believe them to be the /most/ loved and wonderful of all?"

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons says, "Will you speak of Them to me? In whatever fashion you like."

You tilt your head and listen intently to Avaris.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks once, twice. "You wants me to tell the Shofets abouts you?" Their mouth forms a little 'o' of surprise. "Ah, uhm. O-K..." They puff their cheeks. "Do YOU wants to talk to Thems?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's plumage quivers as rain continues to gently pelt against their wings, shielding their body from becoming soaked.

You think to yourself: *a quiet, tired sigh, hoping, waiting*.

Avaris gives his head a little shake, clarifying, "I wish for you to tell me of the...Shofets? The Thousandfold." A minute nod, affirming, "I do, indeed. I have prayed to Them already. If They wish to, I will be speaking with Them at some point, or a representative." A modest wash of glimmering motes of light ripples through his inhuman eyes, a smile in his voice as he suggests, "Perhaps even you, Gurashi."

The pulsing beam from New Celest's lighthouse surges brilliantly, a shining beacon of hope that cuts through the night sky across the entirety of the Basin of Life.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks hard once, twice, then puffs up, all the water that had settled atop their feathers suddenly flying into the air, scattering, splashing the trill and mastiff below their protective wrap. "I hope They respond!" They blurt out suddenly, leaning forward, face lighting up, excitement clear upon their face. They stop themselves an inch away from Avaris, wings flapping behind them as an adolescent Nyalian mastiff shakes out his head and lets out a little grumbling whine, confused by the rainfall. "But I can do my bestest in the meantimes? I am not the most smartest Beloved but! Will answer...questions! Bests, that I can!" They warble, hands balling into fists at their chest.

Your wings flap excitedly behind you.

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: "Always so quick to put down your intellect, gentle soul. Who has taught you to be so lacking in faith of your own mind?"

Neither the added spray of water, nor your abrupt proximity appears to perturb Avaris , who merely looks upon you in a calm, benign manner, antennae twitching aside. "I would appreciate Them doing so, but I do not expect it. No doubt They are busy, and have less time for outsiders than Their own." Wordlessly, he extends his uppermost, right-side wing, the massive pinion stretching out and over both you and the hound, shielding them as effectively from the rain as an awning, so vast is the feathered expanse. "Frankly, I do not know where to begin. I know so little of Them, other than They incited a war once, and sought my Lady's aid in it - And that They lost Someone They loved."

You have emoted: Gurashi wriggles excitedly in their spot, their wings still flapping behind them. "They are always doing things," They explain, "but They make times when They can, for They are goodly! Thank you for being patiently and waiting for Thems!" They flail, then abruptly slap their hands down on their thighs, as if it might quell some of their excitement as the topic shifts.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens their mouth, then shuts it again. Opens it again, and sighs. "They fight," They explain at last, "with Their Brother, yes." Their plumage quivers again, and they reach around to grasp one of the wings, gently smoothing the damp feathers out. "Fought?" Another pause. "For He is as muchly Orders as the Thousandfolds is Chaos. And Siblings sometimes fight big..." Their shoulders bunch. "Ugly fights."

You have emoted: Gurashi's hand strays, reaching behind themselves wordlessly, blindly. Nearby Ham is still chewing on the ball that Gurashi has given them when they notice the drifting fingers, tail wagging as they get up and wander closer. With a big sniff, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff licks Gurashi's extended fingers, then drops down bodily behind them, tongue hanging out as it happily pants and looks a bout the surroundings with a benign air.

Esei tells you, "** suddenly, shadows rising forth from the aether, squeezing, squeezing, but not painful - if anything, you can barely feel it, like the winds wrapping around you as an embrace. **."
Esei tells you, "...are you well?"
Esei tells you, "I did not get the chance to say thank you for the cake."
Esei tells you, "Mm..." There is the strange sensation of buzzing - not quite like insects - as they mull. "Yes, just tired. But... the sort of tired one is from a lack of sleep."
Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "Oh. Maybe. You should get some more sleeps, then?"
Esei tells you, "Maybe, maybe... but... later."

You pet an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
A adolescent Nyalian mastiff's ears rise and sharpen into tight triangles as he stares vigilantly at you.

Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "Am O-K. You are welcome, for the cakes. I had to sleeps almost immediately afters, so... not a bigly deals. *their own aethers are quiet, familiar muted sunset hues* Are YOU O-K? Did you have a goodly talks with Hims?"

"I do wonder, you know, what it is that the Divine do when Their attention is not turned upon this world - and where it is They d o it. Their existence is so very different from our own." Avaris remarks, lifting a hand to flick the wetness from his ruff, sending a spray of moisture off to the side. "Their Brother is Lord Zvoltz, yes? And Their Sister was Lady Ashtariel?"

You flail about helplessly.

You have emoted: As soon as Avaris begins to pronounce the beginning of the second name, Gurashi is on their feet, their wings flapping and hands flying out. They close the distance between themselves and Avaris before the kephera has a chance to react, their hands clasping over his mouth as if to muffle the voice, the look on their face denoting nothing short of shock. "Oh, please, do not--" They warble, gray eyes wide, "say Her name...!"

Pale gold in hue, the wreath about your brow shimmers in a steady pattern, like unto a heartbeat in its gentle pulsation, crowning you in a flickering halo before settling still once more.

You have emoted: Gurashi puffs their cheeks as their plumage begins to settle. "Thousand-Hued," They whisper. "The one They lost." At last, they delicately peel away their hands, flinching. "S-sorry."

This time, there is a reaction to your sudden motion, the frenetic manner of their closeness, and the abrupt contact causing all four of Avaris's hands to snap to the grips of his scabbarded blades. In the same moment, all six of his wings flare out, the monstrous spans disrupting the air with a cracking whoosh, slamming the falling rain aside for the briefest of moments. With his antennae quivering bolt-upright, the reflexive tension lasts for less than a heartbeat before the kephera goes perfectly still. In a calm manner that is only very slightly strained, he says, "Gurashi, my friend. Please do not do that ever again. I do not wish to hurt you accidentally, out of reflex." Moving his hands slowly, deliberately away from his swords, he folds them neatly atop one another, suspended within the hollow of his crossed legs. "My apologies, for both the reaction, and the naming. I was not aware it is forbidden."

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: A spike of silvery alarm - An approach, sudden blurring snapping motion, another's hand on his form, an attack, defend defend, draw the swords before they can hu- A slamming shut of that lightning swift streak of thought, horror dousing him like a deluge of freezing water. "Tears of the Divine, what am I doing? Oh, Gurashi. I am so sorry. I am not used to closeness, save in pain."

You have emoted: Gurashi's own wings flap furiously in response, and they cower but do not withdraw, aware of the hands flying to the weapons. Behind them an adolescent Nyalian mastiff growls, sensing unease and rising to all four paws, but the trill lets out a little click with their mouth, and the growling stops, tail wagging anxiously. Gurashi still seems much more intent on keeping Avaris's mouth closed - or, what they approximate is where the mouth begins and the rest of the face ends until he speaks. Ears flat atop their head, their plumage smooths, leaving them looking tinier as they carefully peel their hands away and return to their previous spot. "Am so sorry," They whisper, offering their own apology, collapsing back onto the grass, deflated.

Dazedly, you say to Avaris, "Pain," They explain, swallowing hard, "it is the price that pay, for Love. To Love Someone so much that to hear Their very name is..."

Voice rising half an octave, you say, "W-was not, your fault. Did not know. Wanted to make sure - was O-K! Am so sorry, startled you."

Esei tells you, "You seem... disquieted."
Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "*gentle negation* S-sorry! I am... talking about the Most Beloved, yes. With a friend. I am, disquieted? No. Disturbed? No."
Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "Distracted, yes."
Esei tells you, "...ah."
Esei tells you, "...I take it that it would be a poorly time to visit."
Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "*assent* Sorry...maybe, later? When am all done!"

You think to yourself: *an ache, a gnawing sensation, familiar faces flashing by their mind's eye, turning their back on them - always watching, waiting, patient, hopeful, aching all the while*.

The stillness that Avaris holds himself with is nearly an unnatural thing - Not even his antennae give so much as the most minute of trembles as he sits there, utterly immobile. It is only when you withdraws and you is settled upon the ground once more that he stirs, and then he moves his head with a measured, careful slowness, bowing it towards you. In a quiet, pained voice, thrumming with shame, he says, "I am so very sorry, Gurashi. I...I did not - Do not wish to frighten you. I will not hurt you." His fingers seek the comfort of one another, entwining and squeezing together in small, anxious motions. "Please believe me."

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: Guilt, hot and searing as a red-hot lance through his gut, the shame of his slip as pervasive as molten fire pouring through his heart - The image of Gurashi cowering replaying over and over, from a thousand subtly different angles.

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns as Avaris bows, blinking several times. "...ah," They suddenly gasp, raising both hands. "No! No no, please do not be sorry!" They reach out, squawking as their wings flap behind them. "It is O-K! Oh! No! I am not afeared of you!" They insist.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly laughs, a high-pitched nervous warble of a noise. "I was scared that scared you! I am sorry! Oh!" They cover their face with a hand, then reach forward, so that they may pat Avaris delicately upon the head. "We are still getting to be friends, is not your faults! How do you know I wasn't going to..." They pause, thinking of an example. "...bite...? You?"

You have emoted: Gurashi thoughtfully chomps the air at this, teeth clicking.

The pulsing beam from New Celest's lighthouse surges brilliantly, a shining beacon of hope that cuts through the night sky across the entirety of the Basin of Life.

Avaris maintains the posture of penitence without stirring, save for his wings, which slowly retract until they drape damply across his back in a wet, heavy mass of darkened gold feathers. He permits the hand upon the rounded dome of his head without comment or protest, his antennae flowing out of the way of your hand, mutely apologetic. "It was a thoughtless reaction. I do not believe you will harm me. I am sorry." Clearing his throat, he forges on, striving for a lighter tone and failing dismally. "Ah. Your God, then. What are Their morals like? Their stances on such matters as the Taint, and so on?"

You have emoted: Gurashi leaves their hand where it is, gently patting the kephera gingerly a few times more before finally withdrawing, returning their hands to their lap. "No more apologizing, we are all goodly, now. Yes?" They let out a tiny, reassuring chirp, leaning forward to catch Avaris's gaze. "The Most Beloved... Thousandfolds's morals? Ah!" Their wings flap. "But, uhm, They do not like the Taint, no! They do not!" They huff. "They were a judge, yeah? Triumverate thinks is the words? Judged the Traitors, They did!" They huff.

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

"Ah. Yes." Avaris responds in a manner that is considerably less than convincing, repeating, "Goodly." The return to the topic causes him to lift his head to regard you attentively, though many of the eye-markings within his wings slide their gaze aside in a decidedly guilty fashion, refusing to make contact with the trill. "They were on the Triumvirate, yes. That is why I prayed to Them. They are against Those who would undergo the Rite of Abomination, then?"

You nod your head emphatically.

Your melodic voice sings into Slakened Cheliyi, Novitiate of Purity's mind, "Dearest mine-child, sorry for the delayed greeting but - I love you lots! I am talking about the Most Beloved, having a chatty chats with Mister Avaris at the moments, so distracted! Am sorry. I love you! Hopes you are well, dearest Cheli!"
The melodious voice of Cheliyi resonates in your mind, "Ah, about Shofets? Well, tell Mister Avaris hellos for me, yes. I love you toos!" <-- I FORGOT lol

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: Though he pays attention to the conversation, still the image of the cowering changeling will not leave his mind. Quiet as silk daubed in poison, a whisper rises up from the vaults of his memory, the voice mocking, caustic. "All you do is hurt. It is all you /can/ do, Defective, what you were /made/ for - At least you can do something right."

You have emoted: Gurashi's own wings continue to flap behind them as rain falls, having given up on their efforts to keep dry. "Yeah, yes. It was bad, that." They puff their cheeks, shaking their head as rainwater drips from the feathers around their face. Beside them, Ham vigorously shakes out his coat, tail wagging again. He picks up the ball and drops it into Gurashi's lap, and the trill takes and tosses the toy behind them without tearing their attention away from Avaris.

You point a red and blue bouncer ball at an adolescent Nyalian mastiff.
You trace a slow path through the air with a red and blue bouncer ball, transfixing an adolescent Nyalian mastiff with its tantalising proximity.

You drop a red and blue bouncer ball.
An adolescent Nyalian mastiff lunges toward a red and blue bouncer ball, but misses entirely and falls headlong onto the ground. He blinks confusedly before regaining his feet.

You flap your wings excitedly at Avaris, gusting the air about him.

Brightly, you say to Avaris, "Will, is very important to the Beloved. Love and Will, yes. A person's intentions - the paths that they forge. The story they writes."

You have emoted: Gurashi's face softens as they watch the kephera, glancing towards the strangely averted gaze held by his wings.

As your wings flap, Avaris's own upper pair lifts, arching up over his head to extend well past you, once more providing an expansive cover from the constant rain - though still their eyes refuse to look upon you. "Will. Explain, if you would. That is a word with very broad applications - All that we do can be said to result from will, can it not?"

You have emoted: Gurashi puffs their cheeks. "Yeah. Everything we do." They look up and offer the shielding wings a grateful little warble, taking a red and blue bouncer ball from Ham as he brings the slobbery toy back, watching the trill expectantly. Gurashi is clearly thinking deeply, however, their mouth quirked to the side, cheeks still puffed thoughtfully.

Quietly, you say to Avaris, "Let me... think of... the words..."

Avaris lifts a hand to gesture at you encouragingly, the motion small, restrained. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

You have emoted: Gurashi tosses the ball over their shoulder, behind them again, causing the pup to gambol playfully after. "Words are my least favorites," They explain cheerily, shaking their head so that the rainwater still clinging to their head feathers has time to fall.

Your shoulders bunch as you let out a short giggle.

Avaris breathes a heavy, almost comically heartfelt sigh, nodding in commiseration. "They are not my most favourite things, either. It is very difficult to use them."

At last, with great thought and effort, you say to Avaris, "It is... everybody, has their own Will. Choices that make, peoples they will become." Delicately they lace their fingers together, splaying them out in thought. "And, you will always find those that have differently Wills from you.. be it, upbringings, religious followings... ideals, they hold dearly..."

You have emoted: Gurashi gazes up at the kephera, wings finally tucking in tightly against their back. However, the left one unspools as soon as it is folded, limply sagging to the ground behind them. "Everybody has one... a Will? Even those who have the not bestest intentions..." With a deep breath they explain, "and that is their right, yes. To have a Will, something they are working towards and believes in. It is nobody's place, to impose their OWN Will over someone else's." They look up at Avaris. "Can only rise to meets those Wills with my own, and either rise aboves it, or succumbs to it."

Your wings flap excitedly behind you.

You have emoted: Gurashi sniffles as they gaze up at Avaris expectantly.

Avaris listens attentively throughout, the entirety of his focus resting upon you as you speaks. Once the explanation finishes, he utters a thoughtful, vibrating hum, lifting a pointed finger to toy with the wet, clumped tufts of his mane. "And what if one's Will /is/ to impose themselves upon others? To control, to dominate, to cause pain and suffering?"

You have emoted: Gurashi offers Avaris a smile in response. "Well, then that is no goodly, and we do not give ins! Is why we fights!" They insist. "Because that is wrongly! Is like the Taints - does so muchly to binds peoples to it, have little problems imposings over others's Wills."

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

Avaris cocks his head at this, the layered ridges of his jawline glistening as beads of moisture roll down their shallow channels. "But is combating that Will to rule and inflict suffering not also imposing your Will upon others?"

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

At last, you say, "Well... I do not WANT to be tainted...so it is O-K, to resists. It is O-K to protects myselfs. Strengthen my Will so theirs cannot squish mine!"

You flap your wings excitedly at Avaris, gusting the air about him.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say to Avaris, "I can strengthen my Will! If someone wants to makes me bends to their Wills then, they haves another thing coming!" They puff up abruptly, plumage ruffling comically so before smoothing again. "It is hard, to explain with words - I am sorry, if is confusings!"

"But they do not wish for you to be free, and will strengthen their Will to overcome yours. The specifics of what is permitted seem rather nebulous, but perhaps I am simply not comprehending it correctly. It seems a difficult philosophy to truly grasp." Avaris responds, faintly distracted as he lifts a hand to wave away your apology. "It is a difficult question I ask of you, do not apologise. Hm. Do you have any advice for me, for my potential meeting with Them? They seem a very changeable Divine, and I am accustomed to the Empyreal, who is ever composed. Will it depend on which of the Thousand They choose to be?"

With a gentle huff, you say, "Doing my bestest. Words are hard," They enthuse, canting their head to the side. "Uhm..."

Thoughtfully, you say to Avaris, "Well... They are always Thems, even if is a differently shapes..." Their hand drifts to their hip even as they are seated, the other rubbing their chin. "Might have troubles understanding the Resin Child's, Her singing voice is... special! But She has spoken to peoples, be-fore." They nod once. "Oh! I know!"

Cheerfully, you say to Avaris, "Do not be afeared if They are upside down!"

Avaris looks at you blankly for a time following this last pearl of wisdom, before he asks, nonplussed, "Why would I be afraid if They were upset down...? Is..That indicative of a sour mood?"

You ponder the situation.

You shake your head.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "No - sometimes Peoples are just, startled!"

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: A brief diagram forms, of a vague Divine form set at varying degrees, with corresponding measurements to gauge Their mood.

You have emoted: Gurashi makes a gentle motion, though they keep their distance this time, leaning forward as if they were to cover Avaris's face with their hands once more. "You know?"

Bursting open, the clouds in the sky release a light pitter-patter of rain.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say to Avaris, "Do not be startled if They are upside down! Or... extra, pointy! Or, extra sing-y! It does not mean anything bad, no. It is just They! Of many, shapes."

You flap your wings excitedly at Avaris, gusting the air about him.

You look at Avaris hopefully.

"Ah." Avaris responds softly, nodding. "I would not be alarmed should They be in an unusual position, though I cannot say how I might react to Their more...Difficult to comprehend forms, or the more monstrous. I will be sure to be respectful, regardless."

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons asks, "Do They have a preferred form of address?"

You sense the sweeping gaze of Esei looking upon you.

You eyes light up as you smile.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say to Avaris, "Some of my shapes are scary too! Just be respectfuls for They are still Thems!" AT this, they pause, leaning back and swaying. "Uhm... whatever shapes They happen to be, is probably the most politest!" Their gray eyes briefly lose focus and they lift a single finger. "The Most Beloved is Their Shofet Shofets shapes, to-day. The greatly jackals shapes..."

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns slightly. "I wonder if something happened..." They shake their head several times before turning to smile again at Avaris. "Shofet of Abyssal Scales. Thousandfolds." They stick out their tongue and playfully add, "Most Beloved! But you probably will not say that ones."

You think to yourself: *a little ripple of pride - yes, am funny*.

Avaris studies you for a long moment, before observing in a dubious manner, "I do not think you are capable of being frightening, Gurashi, no matter your form." Considering the advice, his antennae curve downwards in a frown, the index finger of his lower left hand tapping upon the plating of his thigh. "How will I know the name of whichever shape They are in? They have a thousand, and I do not know what any of them look like, at all. Is there...A picture book I can reference?"

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons says, "Ah. No. I will not, for it would be a lie, coming from me."

You have emoted: Gurashi puffs their cheeks again, wings flapping several times in protest to the claim. But they let it drop, mouth quirking to the side thoughtfully. "Uhmmm..." A slow blink. "...ah, uh, a PICTURE book...I-I mean, I am working on a book! B-but it is still done! Uhm, let me thinks..."

You ponder the situation.

You have emoted: Gurashi sticks their tongue out the corner of their mouth again, looking over towards an adolescent Nyalian mastiff who has made his way back over to the seated pair, laying down on the wet grass and resting his head on his paws. The trill reaches over to pet the beast atop the head. "I could show you? But, you would have to remembers... it is not in the books, yet..."

Avaris ceases the tapping to extend a hand towards you in invitation. "Please do. It would be most useful."

You have emoted: Gurashi's face lights up at this. "Ah, I will do my best!" Suddenly they leap to their feet, holding their arms out to the sides as if they are preparing to take flight. "Just, a moment! Let me concentrates..." They flap their wings excitedly at Avaris, then scrunch their face tightly shut, intensely focused. They begin to hum quietly, a tune Avaris would recognize hearing around the streets of the City.

The air around the trill begins to ripple, as if heat were radiating off of them, distorting the normal hazy rainy atmosphere, making it feel warm...

Avaris retracts his wings so that they once again fold upon his back, where they shuffle and twitch about in faint, damp discomfort. Though his posture is already one of flawless poise, with his back straight, the kephera manages to conveys the suggestion that he has sat up a degree more, in polite attention.

The warmth spreads, the psionic energy radiating from the trill brightening the air to resemble the late-sunset hours, arms still outstretched to their sides, expression serene. Behind them, a shape begins to paint itself into existence, taking the surrounding colors and beginning to solidify.

A adolescent Nyalian mastiff paws at the ground absently, a low whine escaping his muzzle.

You have emoted: Gurashi turns to face the figure as it appears, brought into existence by their own imagining. They seem to be concentrating, still, sweat beading on their brow. "The Shofet of Abyssal Scales," They say matter-of-factly as the illusory figure solidifies, albeit as if They were a painting, an impression.

Black black and red hieroglyphs swirl around the small jackal-shaped Divine, burning gaze returning the trill's though they seem unafraid. All at once the illusion is swallowed up in black sand, and bits of ivory light begin to peek out, breaking up the swirling darkness.

From the sand, suddenly another shape bursts free, no bigger than a small child. She leaps into the air before the trill, an impish grin on Her dirty face.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles warmly at the illusory shape as it joyfully backflips over the trill, then ruffles their plumage and backflips, swallowed up by a fiery, illusory plume of scarlet hues. "The Urchin in Ivory," Gurashi explains fondly as the flame grows.

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: The images of each aspect are studied with intense scrutiny, each painterly detail emblazoned onto his memory, converted into cards wrought of exquisitely detailed stained glass. Once done, each iteration of the Thousandfold is carefully stowed away for later study.

Avaris watches with rapt attention, his antennae erect with fascinated curiosity. He leans forward slightly, studying each image with acute interest, nodding once with each name that is pronounced.

The sultry heat spreads, momentarily turning all of the sunset hues a flush pink. The illusory fire swirls again before retreating, revealing the upper body of an incredibly attractive Man, His smile is alluring, voidstruck eyes swirling with countless stars as the trill politely regards, then looks away from their own illusion.

Blushing but sounding no less proud than before, you say, "T-The Scarlet Courtesans!"

You have emoted: Gurashi clears their throat, turning their head towards the illusion as it reaches out to cup their face. The hand however dissolves before it makes contact, like countless colorful grains of sand, the reds and pinks brightening into shades of saffron and gold, growing steadily behind the trill.

You pet an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented sound.

You have emoted: Gurashi exhales slightly, a hint of exhaustion creeping into their features as they gesture behind them at the still growing illusion, until at last what looks to be some sort of massive owl is looming over the pair, eyes gleaming against Their feathers.

The owl spreads His enormous wingspan out, bits of saffron light flaking away, caught on the breeze. It is as if the night sky were trapped within His feathers, shining dazzlingly before you both.

Lolling their head back to look up, you whisper, "The Thief of Hidden Apogees."

You have emoted: Gurashi's own wings flap as the owl begins to fade from overhead, wings shrinking slowly, the color dimming, darkening, muted shades of crimson and gray.

The striking allure of the Courtesan-illusion has exactly no effect whatsoever upon Avaris , who does not seem to notice your sudden discomfiture, so intent is he upon engraving the images into his memory. He merely nods once again, unruffled, then tilts his head back to regard the Thief with great curiosity. He maintains the steady regard until the illusion fades to less vibrant hues, uttering a quite sound of appreciation.

Though not as large as the previous shape, the Being that looms behind the trill now is nothing like the previous ones, a Being of of terrifying angles and points, statuesque. From its spot on the ground, the mastiff pup lets out a gentle whine, tail wagging twice before stopping.

Voice thin, feathers quivering, you say, "The Beckoner Beyond the Maze..."

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: "Ah. This is an aspect to evoke fear, then. I shall prepare for this one."

Avaris lowers his head in a sober nod, lacing his fingers together into an interlocking blockade of rigid gold.

You have emoted: Gurashi waves a hand, and the illusory Being lowers its painterly head, too dissolving in a myriad of sparkling sands. It is then that you realize Gurashi has been speaking with a sing-song voice, humming between the names. That song grows clearer now, as if someone else were singing it too.

The song grows louder, foreign but familiar, as if you've known it all your life but are unable to guess the next verse. The warmth grows, a sense of contentment heavy in the air like a blanket.

You have emoted: Gurashi seems to struggle at this point, their eyes shut tight as they lower their arms, fingers curling, as if pulling on invisible strings.

Finally the illusion obeys, and beside the pair is the next Figure, no smaller than the previous, Her alien head canted to the side, strangely split lips pursed to produce a crooning that harmonizes with the trill's.

Warbling softly themselves, you sing, "The ... Resin Child..." They exhale, opening their eyes to meet the illusory Figure's, "...and..."

You have emoted: Gurashi puffs their cheeks slightly, feathers quivering again as they spread their arms. Suddenly they bring their hands together and clap, and all at once the illusory Divine disappears, color swirling and swirling and swirling, struggling to take the final shape. Sweat pours down Gurashi's forehead at this point, nose scrunched and lips pursed.

For a moment, it feels as if the illusion is fading, leaving the air feeling chilly in comparison...

You have emoted: Gurashi pants, then brings up their arms as if they were pulling something up out of the ground, wings beating furiously behind them.

You think to yourself: *f o c u s*.

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: A note of concern for the energy that the trill is exerting. He had not known it would tax them so to show their Divine's forms, but he would not cheapen their efforts by asking them to stop now.

The trill raises their arms overhead and all at once a wave of psionic energy pours out from them, suffusing the surroundings in the same warmth as before - no, it is more than just heat at this point. The seated kephera can feel for but a fleeting moment a sliver of Gurashi's adoration and gratitude for the Divine, shades of pink and gold joining in with hues of scarlet and saffron.

The colors explode, take shape between the two in a flurry of motion as crimson wings far grander than Avaris's own appear, a moth-like Being of many arms hovering in the air effortlessly. She stares down enchantingly at the pair, wings fanning so slow it is as if She is underwater.

Eyes shiny with tears, you say, "Finally - the Moth," They whisper, taking a deep breath as the Figure continues to float there, wings leaving gentle crimson motion blurs in their wake, "on Scarlet Wings..."

Avaris jerks back, startled at the appearance of the moth-like Divine, his antennae flattening back across his head as he leans away from the illusion, the eyes within his own wings wide with shock.

The illusory Figure does little more but quietly float there... until She lifts one of Her dainty hands to Her mouth, and lets out a tiny: "Hehe!"

Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons thinks to himself: An instinctive shard of discomfort lodges in his heart, a coiling, jagged sense of unease - Too much like a Princess, like a Queen, far too close for anything other than the seeping, sickening sense of dread. His heart thuds swifter and louder with each passing moment, until a spike of anger lances through the unease, skewering it.

Bursting open, the clouds in the sky release a light pitter-patter of rain.

Avaris's fingers curl into fists, gradually contracting as he stares at the illusory Divine, a flicker of red passing through the markings that adorn his wings.

You have emoted: Gurashi swallows hard, staring back at the illusory Figure before at last, they drop their arms, and all at once all the color and sound and heat that they provided is gone, leaving the air ringing like in the aftermath of a storm.

The pulsing beam from New Celest's lighthouse surges brilliantly, a shining beacon of hope that cuts through the night sky across the entirety of the Basin of Life.

Rising slowly to his feet, Avaris steps over towards you and hesitantly extends a hand, as if to offer support - But falters, allowing the gleaming appendage to drop, instead. "Are you alright, Gurashi?"

Golden shades radiate from your chest and your heart beats faster with newly-appeared determination.

You have emoted: Gurashi wavers, starting to reach for Avaris's hand regardless of the follow-through of his intentions before toppling over to the ground, face-planting into the grass. Their plumage puffs, then settles again, and they say something, muffled by the earth beneath them. Nearby an adolescent Nyalian mastiff also rises and wanders closer, giving the trill a few good sniffs before nosing at their wing, tail wagging.

Avaris lets out a distressed, "Ah!" of dismay as you falls, immediately going to his knees beside the prone trill. He hesitates, hands poised over you for a brief moment of uncertainty, looking from you, to the pup, and back again. With painstaking care, he slides his pointed fingers beneath your shoulder and gently turns you over, looking down at you with concern. "Gurashi? Would you like me to carry you somewhere to lay down?"

You have emoted: Gurashi flops onto their back with all the grace and motion of a cooked pancake, sprawled out dazedly and staring up at the sky, past Avaris and to the hanging willow fronds. "...hhhhh, ahm, b-bigly... brrraaa--," They start to explain before an adolescent Nyalian mastiff starts to lick their face, making them warble pitiably. "HaaaaAAAAaaaAAAaam!" They raise a hand pitiably, unable to do more than gently pap the pup's head. The mastiff misunderstands the trill's gesture and tone and his tail begins to wag faster as he licks more insistently now.

Avaris watches your benign tormentor conduct his slobbery work for only a few heartbeats, before he comes to a decision and simply scoops you up, cradling you securely against his broad chest, supported by all four of his arms. Angling you so that your head is cushioned upon the absurdly soft, luxuriously thick mane that covers much of his upper torso, he asks, a touch more insistently, "Where may I bring you to rest, Gurashi?"

You have emoted: From the ground an adolescent Nyalian mastiff whines as its master is lifted out of his reach, letting out a snorty little yap of protest. Gurashi hard makes a sound as they are lifted, any limbs left not gathered dangling limply at their sides. The trill blinks a few slow dazed times as their face goes from cold wet earth to stinky slobbery tongue to exceedingly soft fur, nose scrunching. "...uh," They warble out softly in confusion, lolling their head to the side as they point in the completely wrong direction, "...books place..."

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks again, letting their head come back to rest against Avaris's mane.

Pale gold in hue, the wreath about your brow shimmers in a steady pattern, like unto a heartbeat in its gentle pulsation, crowning you in a flickering halo before settling still once more.

You think to yourself: *fleeting familiarity, something about the softness of the kepheran fluff that only some of them posses - a little ripple of recognition, flashes of black and yellow lulled into soothing silence - too tired to think about*.

Avaris dips his head in a sharp, decisive nod - Though not so low as to risk jabbing you with the pointed end of his chin. Delicately , he frees a hand to lift your freely dangling limbs and tuck them carefully against the trill's form so that all are safely ensconced within the protective barrier of the huge kephera's golden arms. With a last glance at an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, he commands, in a voice that rings with absolute authority, "Come.", and sets off at a swift, purposeful stride.

You are already following Avaris.

<-- doot doot!
Within the Lodestar Athenaeum.
Shimmering mist hangs in the air, drifting away from a healing shrine of Carakhan nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. High, arching ceilings encompass rows upon rows of bookshelves, wrapping around the vast circular library. Niches high along the wall hold coral candelabras, their sharp light streaming through panels of stained glass laid over the openings. At the apex of the arches, a grand mural of the Celestial heavens has been painted, the radiant forms of Elohora and Her Supernal entourage peering down upon the books below. Spread evenly throughout the chamber, cherrywood tables and high-backed chairs of fine mahogany provide ample space for study, and the quills and inkwells set along the tables allow for the delicate work of the scribe. The arched entryway opens out into the Lodestar Athenaeum, the outer edge bordered in gold paint, silver conch shells decorating the length. A library catalogue rests here on a pedestal. There are 3 chaise rocking chairs fashioned as a giant rose-haired tarantula here. An adolescent Nyalian mastiff darts about excitedly, his tail wagging like a brandished sword. Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons is here, enveloped in an lambent aura of dazzling, cosmic radiance. He wields a shimmering multi-tonal scimitar in each hand. You may use the LIBRARY commands here.
You see a single exit leading north.

Singing drifts in from outside, faintly muffled.

You have emoted: Gurashi does not let Avaris's journey go quietly, warbling like a songbird as they are carried like a child, dazedly lolling their head side to side. Ham has little issue with following along at the massive kephera's steps, bounding after, tail wagging happily. "Oh!" Gurashi chirps in familiarity, voice ringing throughout the library. "Oh," They say, much more quietly as they realize their location, "the bookplaces," They chirp.

Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "*there is a strange lack of response, the aethers rippling confusingly, as if Gurashi were drunk, or half-asleep*."

You have emoted: Gurashi leans their head back, regarding the library with an upside-down perspective. "North," They chirp suddenly, pointing beyond Avaris. "Thatsaways."

Esei tells you, "Are... you alright?"

Crossing the width of the chamber with barely a full stride, Avaris is about to set you down into the plush confines of the nearest chair when the trill speaks. "Ah. Of course," comes the angelic kephera's response, immediate, as he turns and moves in the direction indication.

A quiet grotto beside the water.
Shimmering mist hangs in the air, drifting away from a healing shrine of Carakhan nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Hexagonal tiles carved from pale golden coral cover the floor of this curving grotto alongside the waterfall, their surfaces adorned with wing and eye motifs. A spooling curl of pearlescent material rises from amidst the intricate patterning, unfolding into a delicate wall of many-hued shell that opens to the constant stream of water from above. Low alcoves piled with cushions open in the expanse, allowing seating beside the downpour, and contemplation of the numinous ripple of the pool. Above, the spiraling arrangement of giant clam shells, and the fluid spillover is visible, as is the numinous illumination contained therein. An adolescent Nyalian mastiff darts about excitedly, his tail wagging like a brandished sword. Humble Avaris, Avower of the Archons is here, enveloped in an lambent aura of dazzling, cosmic radiance. He wields a shimmering multi-tonal scimitar in each hand.
You see exits leading southeast and south.

Muffled laughter echoes from somewhere outside.

You have emoted: At Avaris's heels, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's tail is still wagging, the pup snuffling along after obediently, looking up from time to time. Gurashi warbles softly as they move, head lolled upside down as they watch the change in surroundings. "Yeah, this place," They enthuse softly, feathers quivering. Suddenly, they sit upright, blinking owlishly, staring at the kephera carrying them. "Is a goodly place - thank you." Gingerly they reach forward, their arms wrapping around Avaris's head in a clumsy, feathery embrace. "Am feeling better now - I can sits, can."

Singing drifts in from outside, faintly muffled.

You have emoted: Gurashi's arms release, and they lean back... then flop over again, eyeing the ground far below. "Hhhhhhaaaammmm." The mastiff's tail wags.

The countless eyes contained within the golden expanse of Avaris's wings shift about, until they spy the closest cushioned alcove, to which the paladin makes his way over to immediately. At the trill's sudden shift in posture, he halts, adjusting his grip so that you does not fall - Only to freeze as your arms encircle his head. He remains thus, until the soft flesh of your arms are well clear of the gleaming, bladed layers of his crest, where he breathes an abrupt sigh of relief. Without waiting for any further motion from his woozy passenger, he lowers himself to his knees, and with the utmost of care, places you upon the soft, plush surface, only release you when he is certain that the floopy trill is safely secured. Once done, he moves aside, permitting an adolescent Nyalian mastiff unobstructed access to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's master.

You have emoted: Gurashi sinks within the cushions, practically melting upon them. They attempt to pat Avaris one last time before the kephera sets them down, hand only barely managing to pap the top of the kephera's head before they find the cushy ground. Immediately an adolescent Nyalian mastiff is at the trill's side, excitedly licking and sniffing at them, causing them to warble again in mock protest.

Laughingly, you say, "Bwah! Ahh, ahah, thank you! Mister Avaris," They beam up beyond the mastiff's form at the kephera. "You are a goodly friends."

Your wings flap excitedly behind you.

You reach out, pulling an adolescent Nyalian mastiff into a tight embrace.
A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented sound.

A brilliant poppy of rainbow obsidian suddenly poofs in a cloud of myriad smoke reappearing with burnished copper petals, a heady scent of resin permeating the air.

You have emoted: Gurashi sighs loudly, wings splaying out messily beneath them as they hug the mastiff, the dog rumbling and wagging happily, seeming grateful for the affection. "I will be OooOooOOooo-K~" They sing insistently. "I hopes have answered, questions? Somes of thems."

Avaris watches the ensuing deluge of exuberant affection with a rippling wave of light glittering within his inhuman eyes, nodding with evident relief. "You are most welcome. I am sorry to have taxed you so, Gurashi. I promise that I will make the best use of the information you have provided me, that I am capable of." He reaches a long, chitin-plated hand out and gingerly pats your forearm, swiftly retracting it and standing. "Yes, you were of great help to me - Thank you, sincerely. Are you certain that you will be alright?"

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes their head. "No apologies!" They blurt out, arms wrapped around an adolescent Nyalian mastiff. When the dog sits up, he brings the trill with him, causing them to waver a little. "Am sure, yus. I will be, O-K." They offer a toothy smile as they are patted, leaning heavily against the happily wagging puppy. As an afterthought, they add: "I must remember, to send you somethings." With that, they turn their attention to the mastiff giving the pup a squeeze before flopping onto their back again. "Just fine..."

You think to yourself: *tired, tired and more tired, swirling with exhaustion, creeping into their limbs, holding at the edges of their mind - big talkies... big thinkies...*.

Avaris lowers his head in acknowledgement, intoning, "If you are certain. Be sure that you get sufficient rest - And call someone to help you if you require anything." Shifting his attention to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, he regards the youthful pup seriously, bidding, "Guard." To you, he says, "I shall leave you to recover, my friend, and go meditate upon what you have shown me. Rest easy, and well."

You flap your wings excitedly at Avaris, gusting the air about him.

You have emoted: Gurashi blithely waves a hand in the air. "Stay goodly, 'n kind~" They sing, "and go - in Love!"

You chirp happily.

You lean against an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, eyes half-closing.
A adolescent Nyalian mastiff's ears rise and sharpen into tight triangles as he stares vigilantly at you.

Avaris gives a gentle, awkward laugh, repling, "Ah, I shall...Try, Gurashi. Light's blessings upon you." With that, he turns, and makes his way to the exit, several of the eyes within his wings glancing at you repeatedly until the kephera is out of sight.

Avaris marches off to the south, the air about him rippling and shimmering with flows of celestial energy.

The air ripples with celestial energy as Avaris marches in from the south, his form radiant and bold.
Avaris marches off to the southeast, the air about him rippling and shimmering with flows of celestial energy. <-- PAY ATTENTION

~~~~like three minutes later~~~~

Esei tells you, "** a soft brush against you, like a great marine beast under a dark sea. **."

A flurry of blackthorn petals arrives from the southeast, thorny vines sprouting within the floral cloud and twining together to form the body of Esei, riding Dusan, the coruscant.
Shadows pour out from the southeast, heralding Dusan.

LOOK ESEI
Skin the color of mauve-tinted ebon and spotted with dark, delicate freckles like inverted stars across a night sky, they are a nimble shadowcaster faeling wyrden demigod changeling. Their eyes are the most disarming thing about them, wide and liquid dark with black feathery lashes to frame them, just a bit too innocent to be real. Their nose is straight, turning up at the tip, while their dusty plum lips contain a multitude of sharp teeth. Their black hair has been drawn away from their face in many braids, swept into a faux hawk atop their head and trailing down to the middle of their back. Their body is broad for a faeling, standing no more than three feet tall, with elegant limbs. Their artist's hands are delicate, each slender finger tipped with a black claw; their fingers and toes abruptly darken to pitch black at the tips, leaving it difficult to discern where their digits stop and claws begin. Their ears are rather short, tapering to an elegant point, darkening to black at the very tips, and occasionally flicking to listen to any noise. Their long, slender wings are vaguely in the form of an insect's, though it is hard to tell which, as they are completely made of shadow and slips of silvery light. When moving, their wings dislodge a flurry of ebon and silver motes that trail after them before quickly dissipating. Tattooed on their chest is an illustration of a cadaverous ribcage overgrown with ravishing black roses. Shadows cling adoringly to them, reluctant to surrender their grasp on one with the truefavour of Nocht, the Silent.
They are wearing:
an intricate, structured ensemble of dusk
a phantasmal shroud of shadows worn loosely around their shoulders
Ebon Prayer Beads of the Silent Lord wrapped around one wrist
a circlet of the Shee-Slaugh house delicately placed against their temple
a wedding armband of eternal night resting on their left bicep
a silvered leather scabbard tied loosely at their right hip
the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree attached to their left forefinger.

Esei pets an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
A adolescent Nyalian mastiff's ears rise and sharpen into tight triangles as he stares vigilantly at Esei.

em warbles softly, splayed on their back, head lolling side to side exhaustedly
You have emoted: Gurashi warbles softly, splayed on their back, head lolling side to side exhaustedly.

You have emoted: Beside them, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's tail wags at Esei's arrival, the pup sniffing at their hand before looking back at the trill beside them. "Esei," Gurashi chirps, voice wavering. "Welcome~".

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...are you alright?"

You flap your wings excitedly at Esei, gusting the air about them.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "Why would nnnnot~?"

Esei perches lightly on the ground near your head, crouching down to poke at your cheek.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "Mweh."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...you seem... mm..."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Under the influences."

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks owlishly, then warbles at Esei happily: "Loves my Shofets is all!" They blurt out, right wing slowly fanning open and closed, the other draping over their form like a tired arm, shielding their head from view. "I shows Thems off to Mister Avaris and now all the things are whee," They explain.

Esei ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks, "Did you lick one of the dreameater moths?"

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes their head dramatically, stretching their arms overhead, their tunic coming untucked and revealing their belly button as they bend and stretch like a cat. "Nuh uh."

You have emoted: Gurashi collapses immediately after, and an adolescent Nyalian mastiff collapses beside them, panting happily.

Esei pets you ingratiatingly.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...I see."

Esei lays a hand on your forehead, and your body tingles with a healing warmth.

In an airy, melodic voice, you sing, "Just showed them with my brains."

You shiver violently.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...your... brains?"

You have emoted: Gurashi nods. "My magics," They draw a heart on their forehead tiredly. "Bigly brains magics. Pictures." They draw the heart in the air now, a faint trace of pink following the motion, lingering in the air before dissolving.

Abruptly, you ask, "Did the Mister Lord Silence answer your questions?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...perhaps you should sleep?"

Esei blinks.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...yes."

Head canted dramatically to the side, you ask, "Are happy with answers?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...mm. Yes."

You flap your wings excitedly at Esei, gusting the air about them.

As they slide and flop onto their side as they warble on endlessly, you ask Esei, "He is nicely to you - right? Goodly and kind?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Why wouldn't He be?"

Esei tilts their head curiously at you.

The peal of metal striking metal cuts across the firmament as the Even Bladed turns Her attention to the First World once more.

The pointed tips of Esei's ears twitch to some errant sound.

Tiredly, you say, "Is not that think He wouldn't be - but wanted to ask." They smile almost drunkenly, then blink once, twice. "Oh! Lady Even-Bladed~."

Esei glances askance.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ...even when others have, He has never doubted me.

(Celest): You say, "Good evening, Lady Even Bladed! Hopes the day finds You well!"
(Celest): Misericorde says, "Greetings, Lady Terentia."
(Celest): Alarin (from the Aetherways) says, "Hail, Lady Even-Bladed!"
(Celest): Terentia says, "Celest."

You have emoted: Gurashi tiredly drags a hand along an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's back, their eyes opening and closing in their exhaustion. "That is the goodly Lady," They whisper adoringly to the mastiff beside them, "who helped me finds you. Isn't that nice?" They lean against the dog, who grumbles softly, tail never ceasing in its wagging. "Wait until Mister Valensandr finds out how goodly you fetch already."

Your wings flap excitedly behind you.

You have emoted: Gurashi hugs the pup beside them, then pauses, glancing up, feathery ear twitching as they listen.

Esei blinks slowly.

Esei glances askance.

Esei pats an adolescent Nyalian mastiff in a friendly manner.
A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented sound.

You beam broadly at Esei.

Happily, you say to Esei, "Ham is a goodly boy, yes."

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

Head lolling back as they look towards the waterfall, you say, "My brains is itchy."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...I imagine so."

Abruptly, you say to Esei, "Glad He is kindly to you - glad He gives you confidences, then. Should. Outta."

You lean against an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, eyes half-closing.
A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented sound.

Esei awkwardly pats your foot.

You flap your wings excitedly at Esei, gusting the air about them.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles lopsidedly at Esei, blinking their tired eyes out of sync.

Esei pets you ingratiatingly.

The pointed tips of Esei's ears twitch to some errant sound.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ...forest needs a library like this.

You have emoted: Gurashi begins to warble softly, singing to no one in particular as their head lolls side to side, wings barely fanning open and closed behind them.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...Gurashi."

Lifting a hand, you sing, "Loves this place~!"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Mayhaps you should nap."

Warbling still, rambling on to themselves or to you or to no one, you say to Esei, "They have always been so nicely, to me... even in Their pointiest of shapes ... even, when was so, so bad..."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...bad?"

Esei's dark eyes snap up to your face, open and sad.

A adolescent Nyalian mastiff paws at the ground absently, a low whine escaping his muzzle.

You have emoted: Gurashi doesn't answer, gently tracing their finger along the edge of the scar upon their cheek, staring at the slowly opening and closing fingers of their other hand, as if they've never seen something more fascinating. "Yes... that is Love, isn't it?" They close their hand, drop it to their forehead, "When make mistakes, forgiving someone..." They hum, reaching out to pet an adolescent Nyalian mastiff as he grumbles boredly.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...mistakes?"

You have emoted: Gurashi looks at Esei, blinking owlishly, wearing the same delirious smile.

Even softer, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "What mistakes have you made, Gurashi?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's hand, the one on their cheek drifts, eventually resting on Esei's knee, patting them softly.

With a high-pitched hoot, a great horned owl wings in and deposits pale grey stationery into Esei's hands, then flaps off again.

Esei blinks.
Esei blinks.
Esei blinks.

Esei stares implacably at pale grey stationery.

You have emoted: Gurashi shuts their eyes again, exhaling.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "Dizzy..."

Esei tilts their head, raising a brow as they stare at the letter.

Eyes closed, you ask, "Who'sit?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...Xiran."

You chirp happily.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "Oh, LOVE she!"

Esei takes a midnight black rose from pale grey stationery.

You have emoted: Gurashi wiggles happily, nuzzling their head against an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's side. "She is so kind."

Esei slips into a midnight black rose.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "She has designed a bottle for me."

Esei's lip curves, the only sign giving away any feelings.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "What kiiiind of bottles."

Esei gives pale grey stationery to you.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Just... give it back when you are done."

You read what is written on pale grey stationery:
20th of Klangiary, 591 CE, under the Waxing Gibbous
To: Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh
of the Ascending Dusk
An idle thought. Or rather, the concept of a gift, if you find it
pleasing enough.
Blessed be,
Aunt Xiran Stormcrow
[ Short strokes eke out the form of a bottle on its side, the simple
depiction cross-crossed with arrows from labels legible only to a
faeling, or those patient enough to puzzle it out. Inexplicably
adjoining the bottle is a rendering of a flower, somewhere between
stylized and naturalistic, with an arrow to the container's base in
place of a stem.]
appearance: a bottle of midnight forest greenery
dropped:    A bottle of midnight forest green lingers here.
examined: The satiny dark lustre of this earthenware bottle absorbs more
light than it reflects from its forest green glaze. A few thin, thorny
lines branching across its stout neck and body remain unvarnished,
silently offering ease of handling and revealing glistening specks in
the naturally dark clay. Similarly unglazed, the base bears a series of
notches along its edge, the only outward indicator giving away the
blooming blackthorn sculpted for the bottom of the bottle. Seven stamen
radiate from its centre.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens the letter, staring at the page up-side down for a time before they resolve the problem and turn it gently over and over and over until it is righted.

You nod your head sagely.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "...that is a goodly drawings."

Gently, you give pale grey stationery to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk.

You eyes light up as you smile.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "You are lucky."

You have emoted: Gurashi shivers and shuts their eyes, curling up slightly on the cushion they are laid out on. Their left wing curls, wrapping around themselves.

You fold your wings around your body, wrapping yourself in a feathered embrace.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Lucky?"

Happily, you say, "To have such a goodly friend, in she."

Esei hums thoughtfully, but says no more.

You have emoted: Gurashi's voice is muffled by their wings, rocking lightly in their spot, blocked from view by orange, orange and black. Beside them an adolescent Nyalian mastiff yawns, resting his big head on the trill's leg.

Dusan, the coruscant joins in on the lounging, flopping over your lap and purring like an aethership.

Esei suddenly sits upright, black eyes piercing as they gaze off into the distance.

You have emoted: Gurashi's wing twitches, and they loll their head side to side happily. "Hello Dusan," They sing, finally catching Esei's look. "Ah, s'O-K?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Mm."

In a tone indicating they are slightly squashed, you ask, "D-do need a hugs?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Me? No."

Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "//test test."

You murmur softly to yourself.

You lean against an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, eyes half-closing.

Weakly, you say, "Starting, to feel..."

You think to yourself: Tired...

Esei tilts their head curiously at you.

Dusan, the coruscant relieves some of his weight, snuffling at your feathers.

You have emoted: Gurashi snuggles in closer between both lumbering beasts. "Needs to sleeps," They explain, plumage quivering. "Needs a naps. Brain's so itchy."

The pointed tips of Esei's ears twitch to some errant sound.

Smushing their face into Ham's side, you whisper, "Loves you, Esei. Thank you, for coming to see mes so muchly."

Esei closes their eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of their surroundings.

You murmur softly to yourself.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...why wouldn't I?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's wing twitches. "When hated me still," They murmur, barely audible thanks to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's panting as he sits there, happy as can be. "Never came."

Esei's ears flick, angling downward as they stare at you.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...the funny thing about hate... is that most often, it stems from fear."

You have emoted: Gurashi says something else but it is drowned out by Ham as the dog yawns, a high-pitched noise that drowns out the trill's words.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I was certainly angry with you. I wanted to kill you, to rip you to shreds and-" they cut themself off, exhaling softly. "I mourned you, most of all, because you were..."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "You were my brother. My... mentor. My -father-, for a while."

You have emoted: Gurashi frowns slightly, managing to crack back open an eye, staring at Esei exhaustedly as they listen.

Muffled laughter echoes from somewhere outside.

Answering the question from much earlier, you whisper, "My mistakes - in hurting yous."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "But neither you nor I are infallible, Gurashi. I miss you still, even though you are right here."

In a tiny, sing-song voice, you whisper, "A bird-y."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...I suppose He was right, about your heart."

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks owlishly, tiredly. "My hearts?" They warble. "Whatsaboutsits?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...to see where it, soft as it is, would lead you."

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, then looks down at their tunic. Curiously, they pull at the edge of the fabric, bringing it away from their chest so they may peek down inside, as if doing so might reveal something to them.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ** you, too, are soft-hearted. you, too, feel so much, so often, that it feels like you cannot bear the weight. but you do, and always will. it is only a matter of adaptation, and you have always been part of the Shadows. **.

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

You have emoted: Gurashi's gaze scans over the discolored bit of skin, the starburst of violet that stains their chest. They release their tunic and blink slowly at Esei, staring, tiredly leaning again against an adolescent Nyalian mastiff.

Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I did not intend to make you sad, Gurashi."

Tiredly, you say, "Not sad."

With a warble, you say, "Sleeeeeeepy."

With a nod, sounding quite certain, you say, "I loves you, yes. You are a goodly cousinling."

A light tremor shoots through Esei's form, dark eyes staring vacantly at one of the tiles.

Wide-eyed, you ask Esei, "You DO wants to be my cousins still, yes?"

In an airy, melodic voice, you say to Esei, "You seemed happy, before - when called you it. Was afraid to - but... you seemed happy."

Esei's lips part, voice naught but a creaky whisper.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "And you called me it backs." They sniffle. "I likes it."

Esei squeezes your knee.

Voice cracking, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Per-haps."

A sense of longing fills the air, accentuated by the lapping of the ocean waves upon the distant walls of the city.

Esei twitches spasmodically.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...Gurashi, I..."

You have emoted: Gurashi yawns, nuzzling up against an adolescent Nyalian mastiff. "Going to sleeps," They explain finally. "Loves you muchly. Stay goodly," A murmur, "and kindly."

You lean against an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, eyes half-closing.
A adolescent Nyalian mastiff playfully snarls at you, baring perfectly white teeth and then his lolling pink tongue.

Tiredly, you say to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, "No, we play later..."

You lean against an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, eyes half-closing.
A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented sound.

You nod your head sagely.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Alright. Be well."

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 south.

A flurry of blackthorn petals arrives from the south, thorny vines sprouting within the floral cloud and twining together to form the body of Esei, riding Dusan, the coruscant.

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 southeast. <-- LOL