"A kindness for whom?"

The Letter that started it all:
You read what is written on serene stationery of pollen and bees:
Gurashi,

I write to you with a beautiful feather from Shashi sitting on the desk
next to me, shimmering in the moonlight pouring through the window. How
I miss him. How glad I am to have held this feather of his again, no
matter the dark reason why.

It reminds me of everything that has come to pass, and I can scarcely
believe I had the will to attend your Forest's Festival. Nor, when the
time came, can I believe I had the will to sing.

I am so glad I was able to do both. Thank you for organizing and hosting
all that you did. I suspect your hand in allowing outsiders to partake -
so thank you for that as well.

I hope you might extend my gratitude to your Goddess and God, too. The
Lady of the Summer Song loves Her woods so deeply, and thought I did not
step my foot upon its soil, I can't imagine it was easy for Her to allow
those who embody what Her Crow detests to enter beneath Her ravenwood
canopies in peace.

Your God seems healthy. How good it is that He has allies to attend to
Him and leave Him strong enough to visit the Serenwilde as well. Perhaps
one day, He might heal enough to enjoy His time here upon some future
visit, as you can.

Duethielle and her friends have been very busy with their own work and
celebrations with their families, I think, but when they can, I will let
you know they would enjoy a visit from you.

Lief

***

[[My prayer to Vira minutes before >>>> Many greetings, Miss Lady of Roses. Many thank yous for visit last month. Uhm, two things: am asking if remembered that offered a Truefavor prize for 10 months to winner of design contest? Have not seen Mister Daem awake to do so, but is my fault for not bringing it up sooner! Many apologies for the inconvenience. Am also praying because, Miss Lief of Serenwilde wanted me to thank You. She saw how deely You loved our Woods, so she imagines was not fun for You to invite that which Crow detests to enter Glomdoring ... she has a great lot of fun though. So did the other Serenwilder! Are two very nice peoples, Lady of Roses. And even if was just the teensiest sliver, they got to see the Glomdoring for the beautiful place it is. In. Persons!! Anyway, that is all for now. Uhm, please let know if can do anything for in the future! Will let know if think of any more fun ideas for the Wyrdenkin to enjoy. Have a good day. Best wishes, Gurashi]]

You think to yourself: Am brave...

You think to yourself: Am a brave bee.

You think to yourself: O-K.

You think to yourself: Is for Miss Lief.

You think to yourself: Am going to do a kindness for Miss. Lief.

You stare implacably at a shield shrine of Nocht.

Beads of sweat break out on your face.

The sound of a distant scream echoes between the trees, only to be suddenly cut short.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 14th of Avechary, 549 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 26 days until the New Moon

Kneeling humbly, you press your palms together before you and close your eyes momentarily as you pray devoutly to Nocht, the Silent, "Many greetings, Mister Lord Silence. Many thank yous for Your participation in the Solstice event. Was very kind of to show up, and think presence was well received by friends and allies!! Think were looking better. Uhm, am also here, because Miss Lief of Serenwilde attended Festival, and she wanted me to pass on message to You: "You seem healthy" - hey, that is what I said too - "How good is that have allies to help You be strong enough to visit Serenwildes. Maybe someday You can..." uhhhh, "heal enough to enjoy Your time here" - think she means Serenwilde - "upon some future visit". Huh. That is basically what said. Anyway, uhm, please let know if can do anything for and hope are doing better. Have a good day. Get well soon, Gurashi.".

From behind you, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Are you the child's messenger, little one?"

You stare blankly into space.

You have emoted: Gurashi slowly looks down at the shrine, as if bewildered by the source of the voice. "...uh."

You see the following people here:
Nocht, Gurashi.

Were it not for the way darkness itself trails after His form it would not be immediately obvious that He is a radiant immortal. His entire form is concealed beneath a hooded cloak. His only feature visible, His eyes - a brilliant ethereal blue rimmed in golden starburst, intense in their piercing gaze.
He is wearing:
an all-concealing cloak of darkest black
a fractured gem suspended from a thin, metal chain
boots of shifting shadow
a frigid, aphotic crystal ring emblazoned with the script of fae
a string of obnoxiously lime-green tinsel.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Nocht, the Silent, "//I have no idea if you know IC or not but you are carrying -very green tinsel-."

You have emoted: Gurashi finally turns to face Nocht, clearly surprised by the appearance of the Divine.

Nocht glances down at a string of obnoxiously lime-green tinsel, quietly removing it.

Nocht tilts His head, watching you quietly - His expression unseen beneath the darkness of His cloak.

You have emoted: Gurashi politely folds his hands together after a time, then bows deeply, slowly, afraid to break eye contact. "...hello, Lord Silence," He whispers shakily. "How are?"

You think to yourself: ...remember to breathe is -fine- yes.

You have emoted: Gurashi takes a tiny breath and rights himself.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Well, little one."

After a brief pause, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Or I will be, soon enough... Of that, there is no doubt in My mind."

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at Nocht for a long moment, looking a bit confused. "...o-oh, no, am not messenger, just, s-she asked to tell you that, so..." He waves the letter weakly. "Was just a one-time thing... t-think." He considers the Divine, craning his neck to try and get a better look.

Faintly buzzing, you ask Nocht, "Did Mister-and-Missus Shofets give something that is helping...?"

You blink.

Flatly, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "They've blunted the pain that one feels when body and soul begin to come apart."

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at Nocht, surprised. "...come..." He takes a worried step forward, "apart...?"

You frown at Nocht.

You think to yourself: ...oh wowee.

You think to yourself: Oh wowee that must hurt a lot.

Nocht holds forward an arm, pull back His cloak just enough to reveal it - vines of radiant emerald wrap themselves all along, and just beneath a fine spiderweb of cracks mar now-gray flesh.

You have emoted: Gurashi is unable to contain his surprise, clasping a hand over his mouth, his eyes wide. "...it ..."

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Do you think your friend meant what she said, little one?"

You have emoted: Gurashi lowers his hand, looking to Nocht in surprise. Then, horror.

Somehow managing to maintain eye contact, you whisper, "...m-mean, think is...very genuine persons so did not think meant... meanly."

You think to yourself: Right?

You think to yourself: She did not mean it meanly, right?

Nocht takes several steps closer to you, slowly, the shadows surrounding Him seeming to be dragged along.

You have emoted: Gurashi starts to step back, but his legs don't seem to want to move. He draws his hands inward, fidgeting nervously.

You think to yourself: How can help....

You think to yourself: Oh gosh.

Nocht looks up at you, the shadows hiding His face save for His eyes - ever a piercing, ethereal blue. "She meant it in sincerity? Despite that it being Her Lady that did it? Despite Me directing you all to kill one she loved?" He tilts His head slightly, "Why do you think she had you fery a message to Me? One does not need to stand within the forest to seek an audience..."

You have emoted: Gurashi's shoulders bunch as he shrinks a bit, looking up to Nocht with wide eyes. His mandibles click once, then seem frozen, antennae twitching. He opens his mouth, then shuts it again. Sits up, opens his mouth again...

Faintly buzzing, you whisper, "...a-am sorry."

You think to yourself: Think heart is exploding.

You think to yourself: Do hearts explode?

You think to yourself: Feels like heart is going to explode.

His voice strained, you say, "Because am n-not sure what else to s-say... because thought was doing a kindness, not..."

You think to yourself: A worsener.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "A kindness for whom?"

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up at Nocht again, grimacing. "...was... for her..." Quickly, he adds, "But also was thanking from self, b-because was honored that came to Festival!"

You feel the presence of Esei next to you.

You think to yourself: Am sorry.

Nocht exhales softly, placing a hand on His chest. "Does Xenthos cause you grief, little one? Are you pained by his presence?"

The sharp sound of a twig snapping echoes behind you.

You blink.

You have emoted: Gurashi seems completely taken aback by the remark. "....w-what?"

Softly, surprised, you say to Nocht, "...u-uhm, of... course not."

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Ah... My Esei? My Rancoura? Perhaps one of them causes you anguish?"

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to stare, his antennae slowly rising from their submissive droop. "...n-no...?" He frowns.

Softly, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "No? Hm... What have they done for you?"

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks a few times, straightening bit by bit. "Uhm..." He glances down thoughtfully, then very quickly adds, "They...are my friends."

Nocht looks off deeper into the forest. "Hm...", He whispers softly, almost to Himself, "How strange mortal relationships are..."

After a heavy pause, you ask Nocht, "... why can't You be friends with us too?"

You have emoted: Gurashi immediately shuts his mouth after the statement, mandibles clicking.

Nocht turns to look at you, suddenly silent.

You have emoted: Gurashi freezes, but continues, quieter. "...know are just... blips in time on Your long... long... long long long... long thread but..."

You think to yourself: All seems so very ....

You think to yourself: Lonely.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Explain what a friend is to Me then, little one."

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks, then chitters softly, looking down thoughtfully at himself. He looks at the many things pinned to his vest, sewn onto his apron, hanging from his backpack.

Quickly, chittering loudly, you say to Nocht, "Friends are peoples in life that like you for who are. That encourage, and strengthen, and improve quality of life of each other. Are there to listen to when are struggling, and to help when ask, and you do it for them too. And, not because you -have- to, but because you -want- to, because you want them to be happy. And they want the same for you!"

Quietly, you say to Nocht, "Sometimes, they fall out of life for a long time... but, when they come back, is like they never left..."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Nocht, "Can talk to for hours and hours, about things that are important and things that aren't... is like having a shadow. Or, many shadows..."

You have emoted: Gurashi trails off, looking down at his hands, then back up to Nocht.

Nocht tilts His head, watching intently as He asks, "And the Phrase has made you happy?" He leans forward slightly, drawing even closer, "Trembling at My shrine, twisted up in knots, apologizing? Is this what happiness is for a mortal?"

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks, his hopeful expression quickly dropping back to a very worried one. "...ah ..." He seems at a loss for words, looking this way and that.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Sometimes, friendship requires... doing ...scary things..."

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Like insulting Me?"

You think to yourself: ...am sorry.

You think to yourself: That is it.

You think to yourself: Anytime someone wants me to pass message onto another Divine am -not- doing it.

After another long pause, you whisper, "...am sorry Lord Silence..."

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "I do not doubt it..."

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "What I wonder is if you will learn, little one..."

Weakly, you say to Nocht, "...c..."

You clear your throat.

A little louder, you say to Nocht, "...am s-sorry, can uhm - can..."

Clasping a hand to either side of his face, you say to Nocht, "...do, anything for...? Something?"

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Anything?"

You have emoted: Gurashi trembles at the word. "...yes."

The questions repeats a dozen times, whispered by soft voices in the shadows.

Many small, glowing red eyes peer out at you from beneath the trees, only to vanish moments later.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares intently at Nocht, his voice cracking as he repeats it: "Anything."

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "This. I do not believe."

You blink.

Perking up, you say, "...have not even asked me yet!"

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "I do not need to, little one."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks troubled by this, tapping his fingers together. "But... will!" He huffs.

You think to yourself: ...can do the thing!

You think to yourself: Can do so many things.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "You came to pray to Me, to deliver a message on behalf of the favored mortal of a Goddess that has injured Me."

You stare blankly at Nocht.

You think to yourself: Heck.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "And you did it to shield her, little one."

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at Nocht, leaning slowly away as the Divine speaks. He considers each new bit of fact, looking more and more concerned with each passing word.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 15th of Avechary, 549 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 25 days until the New Moon

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Do you remember when I spoke to you on kindness, little one?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's head bobs the barest amount, the memory of the Fulcrux and its vision sending a shiver through his carapace. He nods once, silent, watching Nocht closely.

A wooden songbird flits in happily.

A wooden songbird raises its voice in song at you.

A wooden songbird says to you, "You are wonderful, Gurashi. Don't ever lose sight of that."

A wooden songbird chirps joyously before flying away.

You stare blankly into space.

Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Awanydd Lief Myeras-Silvermoon, "//AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA."

Nocht raises an eyebrow at you, as if a point had been made for Him.

You have emoted: Gurashi waves the wooden songbird away frantically, then clasps his hands together, looking to Nocht and bowing deeply, pleading. "Pleasecontinuewhatweresayingamsosorry."

You think to yourself: Am a Wyrden bug.

You think to yourself: Will do any thing.

You think to yourself: Have to do any thing.

You think to yourself: Is my duty! To Glomdoring!

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "You can only dance along the edges for so long, little one."

Faintly buzzing, you whisper, "...th-the edges?"

You think to yourself: Edges of what...?

You think to yourself: Why doesn't anyone just -tell- me.

You have emoted: Gurashi swallows hard, rising from his bow and looking at the Divine, as if defeated.

In response to your thoughts, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Because the answer is better learned than given."

Quietly, you say, "Why cannot tell me to do the thing so can prove can do the thing..."

You frown at Nocht.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "That can be your penance, little one. Think upon what I would want that I am not sure you can provide."

You think to yourself: Penance...?

You blink.

Gently, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Should your answer be satisfactory, I'll not strike you down for delivering her insults to My shrine."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks as if he wants to ask another question, or another million questions... but his mouth remains closed, frowning.

You have emoted: Gurashi nods quietly, staring at Nocht, bereft.

Nocht dips his head towards you. "Be well, wyrden one..." He whispers as his form breaks apart into wisps of shadow that drift away.

<-- He go

Several tendrils of violet light twist and turn their way violently through the skies above.

A chilling, forestal curiosities room.                 (#HAH_1)
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The first discernible sensation upon entering this room is a mixture of earthy smells; mulch, petrichor, decaying wood, and the heady scent of Wyrden roses saturate the air. As one's eyes adjust to the darkness, barely abated by shadowflame sconces hung on the walls, tall figures begin to emerge. Expansive shelves carved to look like tree trunks seem to grow out of the floor and reach clear to the ceiling. The moss-green rug has been cut to fit neatly between each root and around each curve, giving the illusion of springy turf underfoot. Gently glowing fungi, which seem to be growing out of the shelves at random, make it just possible to see their contents. On one shelf, a scorched dragonturtle shell and a dried starfish sit beside a glistening glasswork recreation of a pile of salmon roe. On another, a pair of arrows with heart-shaped heads are arranged with one crossed over the other, and a scented love-letter lies on top of them. Other shelves are crammed with an increasingly peculiar assortment of knickknacks: an ice pick, a tiny red stone, a dusty brown bottle with "Alchywhole" written in a barely legible script, a cuddly stuffed Tae'dae bear, a miniature rockeater figurine, an ornate ivory pipe, a pile of glittering Czigany coins, and a charm bracelet that looks to be of Fae origin. One rather macabre shelf holds a coiled slave master's whip and a skull that appears to have belonged to a Krokani before it made its way here. Still other shelves lie bare, waiting to be filled with more mementos of adventure to come, and in the corner of one of them a tiny black spider has made its web. Hanging from fine silver, this large snowflake lantern has light blue gems dangling beneath it, causing a gentle sway. A broad glass-faced display rack for musical instruments stands proudly here. A painting of Gurashi's Staring Contest is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system.
You see exits leading north, east (open door), and south (open door).

You have emoted: Gurashi stumbles as he enters his manse, looking beside himself.

You think to yourself: Did not mean to insult.

You think to yourself: Did not mean to insult am so very sorry.

****

MEANWHILE IN FUCKIN SERENWILDE (Lief POV)

****

Several tendrils of violet light twist and turn their way violently through the skies above.
Violently twisting tendrils of violet light dance overhead as glowing symbols in the divine tongue burn themselves into your flesh. Your body is thrown into painful convulsions, and steam begins to rise from the runes as they melt away your flesh. Relief floods through you as the pain subsides in a flash of emerald light, yet the displeasure of Nocht still echoes clearly in your thoughts.

You have emoted: For her part, Lief claps her hands together with unmitigated delight. She calms her wings, ceasing her more erratic flight to bob easily before Elexia, but her eyes beam with warmth, her cheeks aglow with pride. "This," she gestures toward the shelf, toward Elexia's ballad, "is your work. These are the seeds you've sown, and this will be the harvest Serenwilde reaps."

Elexia gives a horrified gasp.

You have emoted: Lief looks about to say more, but stops, mouth frozen open, her eyes widening with pain.

Elexia shrieks "Sister!" and wings to your side in an instant, grabbing you frantically about your shoulders.

You have emoted: When the pain subsides, Lief slumps into Elexia's arms, panting, slowly evening her breath. Her hand reaches to her heart, her fingers clenching into the folds of her robes.

Elexia's eyes look wildly about for any potential adversary, though none is apparent. She gently guides you to the floor and into a sitting position. She leans you up against her shoulder, wrapping her arm about you. "Sister..." she says quietly.

You think to yourself: What...I...

You think to yourself: ...Nocht.

You think to yourself: ...Gurashi delivered it, then.

A soft voice whispers in your ear, "Your Goddess has taught you well, I see... but next time, child, deliver your insults in person or not at all."

You have emoted: Lief's ear twitches, and she swivels her head, looking around Elexia. "Insults?" she asks faintly, then swallows dryly around her throat.

You think to yourself: You had the Eye...and You did not heal Yourself...

At first, Elexia furrows her brow in confusion at your words. Then, understanding dawns on her as her pointed ears twitch. She rests Lief up against the library's wall, then rises. She stands in front of you, arms outstretched as she bows her head. "Please... Please do not harm her..." she pleads, though she is unsure to whom.

You have emoted: Elexia's voice draws Lief's attention directly upon her, and she shakes her head earnestly. "Elexia," she murmurs, insistently. "These are the seeds I have sown. Don't."

Elexia looks back at you with empathetic pain in her eyes. She hesitates for a moment or two, then slowly sits back beside you. "I... Aye, Awanydd," she says softly as she squeezes your shoulder.

You have emoted: Lief exhales softly, slowly - Elexia sitting back down eases some of her nerves visibly, though she still scans the library, her gray eyes darting this way and that.

You think to yourself: I wonder why You didn't.

Gentle as birdsong, a quiet melody rises above the trees, sung by a voice soft as liquid gold. The very wind holds its breath to listen.

Elexia does much the same. Her eyes flick one way, and then the other, though she often checks your own expression with concern. After a moment more of frantically looking about, she bows her head in prayer. Her lips move silently.

You have emoted: Eyes still searching, Lief rests her hand lightly upon Elexia's arm. "Do you hear Trialante's voice?" she asks her softly, as though everything were just lovely, perfect and fine.

Elexia's silent prayer stops as she freezes at your touch. Her eyes jolt open and look at you with a wide, perplexed stare. Then, they soften as she quietly nods. "Aye... Always so lovely to hear Her restored, Her beauty come together once more for the Wood to share," she replies gently.

You have emoted: Lief's searching eyes focus, finally, upon Elexia, and she offers her a smile, quiet and fond if barely visible. "It is beautiful," she murmurs in agreement, then draws a slow and shaky breath. A bit firmer, she continues, "I'm sorry you witnessed that. You shouldn't have had to."

Seeing you take a deep breath elicits Elexia to give a steadying sigh of her own. "I would rather be here to support you," she replies with a shake of her head. A small, pained smile comes to her lips. "You are a part of the forest, sister, and my family. No tree should have to stand alone." She punctuates this statement with a firm nod. "You are right that I cannot fight your battles for you, perhaps, but I can at least be there for you when they happen."

You think to yourself: I couldn't bear it if...

You have emoted: Smile fading, Lief squeezes Elexia's arm, her gaze focused intensely upon her. "You are so very dear to me, sister mine." She pauses, withdrawing her hand and turning her gaze to contemplate nothing immediately visible. "I had hoped for some answer to a question that's been sitting on my mind," she finally confesses. "But I didn't want to go about asking it the same way that Gabriella did, and so..."

You have emoted: Lief bows her antlered head, then gives it a little shake. "He perceives insults in my every word," she murmurs, her brow furrowed.

You think to yourself: ...Perhaps not every.