Picnic on the terrace

With a crisp Northern accent, Scritch, the Owl-rider in the Boughs says to Tirah, "Make me an empowering knot for enhancing armor?"

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I am an everything I can be."
Tirah nods their head at Scritch.

You stretch languidly.

Silvanos giggles happily.
With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, The Gaudigoose says, "I am not quite that much."
"Oooooooooh!" Silvanos says, eyes wide with wonder.

You smile brightly at Silvanos, your frills puffing with joy.

"Hiya!" Scritch says to you with a happy smile.

"Oooooooooh!" Silvanos says to you, eyes wide with wonder.
Silvanos shrieks about how adorable you are, smooshing your cheeks together in a very aunt-like manner.

Tirah Mzithrei says to Scritch, "Does it have to be right now?"

You incline your head politely to Scritch.

Tirah raises their hand in greeting to you and says "Hello!"

You give a trillingly melodic laugh, your frills resonating with joy.

Silvanos claps their wings together merrily.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say to Silvanos, "Hi hellos parent-inlaws."

With a crisp Northern accent, Scritch, the Owl-rider in the Boughs says, "Would be amazing, I'm about to work on a friend's suit."

Silvanos nods their head enthusiastically.
Silvanos hugs you compassionately.

Tirah nods their head emphatically.

You hug Silvanos as best as you can, pulling them into a tight embrace.
You giggle happily.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, The Gaudigoose says to you, "Is nice to see you!"
Silvanos claps their wings together merrily.

Tirah Mzithrei says to you, "Give me one moment and I will be ready."

You nod your head at Tirah.

Their gaze locking on a far-off target in the distance, Tirah utters "K'ian Doim, k'wal z'yi dydhis," in a fluid tone. As the phrase settles in the air, the area suddenly falls calm save a single crow answering in the distance.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say to Silvanos, "And the same to yous!"

Ferelith's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

Their wings brushing up against you slightly as they dive from the sky, thousands of crows suddenly surround Tirah. Filling the silence entirely with the clapping of wings, the murder circles around Tirah, encasing them entirely. Called back from whence they came by a solidary caw in the distance, the inky black birds take flight with Tirah still within their grasp.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say to Scritch, "Many greetings and hellos. I am Cheliyi, yes."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, The Gaudigoose says, "That reminds me, I need...an armourer? To put the knots on my aethersuit."
Silvanos ponders the situation.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "What a large gathering this days."

You giggle happily.

Scritch rocks back on his feet and tucks his paws into his belly, scrunching in as he bursts into a fit of giggles.

Silvanos nods their head enthusiastically.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, The Gaudigoose says, "We can see people easier now!"

Silvanos claps their wings together merrily.

You nod your head emphatically.

Silvanos sucks thoughtfully on their teeth.
With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, The Gaudigoose says, "Now, I must be off, to try to complete weave chores."

You clap your hands together merrily.

Silvanos points boldly towards the horizon and declares in a proud tone, "Onward!"
Silvanos squats down and narrows their eyes, peering into the distance. Suddenly, they leaps forward in a mad dash. Your eyes cannot seem to follow the twisting path they takes and they quickly disappears from sight.

Silvanos tells you, "Is nice to see you!"

Wind fills the area as a murder of crows descends from the skies. Stepping forth from the inner circle of crows, Tirah quickly composes themself and locks their eyes with the largest red-eyed bird of the group. As Tirah bows respectfully towards the red beady-eyed crow, the murder again takes flight and leaves the area just as subtly as they came.

Tirah gives a russet shoulder knot with shaggy tassles to Scritch, the Owl-rider in the Boughs.

You smile brightly at Tirah, your frills puffing with joy.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "There you go."

Scritch nods his head enthusiastically.
Scritch beckons to Ferelith.

Tirah raises their hand in greeting to you and says "Hello!"
Tirah begins to follow you.

A cone of sparkling light rises up around Scritch, riding a gossamer strix with softly moonlit wings, and whisks him away.
A gossamer aura gradually fades from the surroundings as a jubilant strix drifts out to the ether upon softly moonlit wings.

A rush of summer warmth passes through you as you smell grass and flowers and glimpse the limitless blue of a perfectly blue, sunlit sky.

(House Lunarose): Silvanos says, "Glad to see family out and about!"

Tirah Mzithrei says to you, "Let us go somewhere quieter?"

You nod your head sagely.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say to Tirah, "Would a place you are familiars with be betters?"

Tirah shakes their head.

You beckon to Tirah.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I think Celest has a park?"

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Alrighty thens!"

You nod your head sagely.

Tirah nods their head emphatically.
Tirah follows you out.

---> zoom

A vibrant terrace in the water gardens.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. The majority of this terrace is covered with water, with marble pathways about five feet across seemingly floating on the surface and radiating outwards from the centre along the points of a compass. At the heart of this terrace is a circular pool with small gurgling spouts of water ringing the statue of the Tide Lord at its centre. A pathway encircling this central pool provides the hub connecting the marble lanes. The waters here are saturated with different kinds of life, from the colourful corals lining the bottom of the clear waters, to the panoply of bright fish darting here and there in their aquatic home, to the water lilies giving magnificent and vibrant displays of their flowers dotting the surface. Even the ivy hanging down from the walls and brushing the surface of the waters bears a few colourful blossoms. A soft gurgling comes from the waterworks at the centre of this terrace, along with the small waterfall bordering the two wooden stairs upwards to the north and the water flowing down away from this terrace bordering the similar moonhart stairs to the south. Rising up from the central pool in a twisting swirl, Murlough, Lord of the Red Tide has been captured in marble resplendence.
You see exits leading north and south.

You murmur softly to yourself.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Here we ares."

You smile brightly at Tirah, your frills puffing with joy.

As night snatches away the day, the blare of trumpets resound throughout New Celest from the Auger Spire as if to greet the twinkling stars above with peaceful music.

Tirah claps their hands together merrily.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "How are you?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi steps over to the pool central to the terrace, sitting down by the edge. "Iyam well. Waking is difficult some times, for me, but that just is how all folks feel, I think." She hums, her frills flaring with the sound. "How is the month treating yous?"

You sense the sweeping gaze of Kalliope looking upon you.

Tirah briefly lets their luminous eyes wander around the area before sitting down about two feet away from you and starting to put things in the space between. "It has been a most productive one, and I got to spend a good amount of it with my partner."

---> look Tirah

Standing slightly under five feet tall, they are a nimble faeling shadowed demigod. Dark grey skin contrasts against the long mane of white hair that is framing their heart shaped face and has been tied into a thick, low, triple strand braided ponytail that nearly reaches the back of their knees. The fringe of their hair has been tied into two chin length braids on the left side and on the right reaches nearly all the way down to their slightly luminescent yellow eyes, which make them stand out with their vertically slit pupils and black sclera. Below their slightly upturned button nose, their black lips reveal a fierce set of fangs every time they open their mouth. Yellow freckles, bioluminescent like their eyes, lightly cover their nose and cheeks, getting more intense and frequent across their shoulders and back. They have a slender, mostly androgynous body, with only a slight curve to their chest and small waist, but fairly average hips. Their toned limbs end in dainty hands and feet, both with sharp, yet short black nails. A pair of mighty, black feathered wings sprouts from their shoulder blades, easily carrying them into the air at a moments notice.

They are wearing:
a simple silver hoop through their left ear
a simple silver hoop through their right ear
an ashen tunic embroidered with crow feathers
a glowing configuration of geometric symbols upon their forearm
a tapered leather belt with silver filigree
a black leather scabbard hanging from the left side of their belt
a black leather scabbard hanging from the right side of their belt
tight black trousers tugged into their boots
elegant black boots that expose their heels and toes
a hooded stygian cloak, the hood casting a shadow over half their face

You smile brightly at Tirah, your frills puffing with joy.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Your partners?"
Echoed by rippling waters, you murmur, "Ohhhhh these look so goodly."

You pick up a dark, leafy dinner salad.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Just the one."
A wry smile spreads across Tirah's face.

You blink.
Comprehension flashes across your face.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah! I uh..."

Tirah pours a rowanberry and rose punch from a bottle into a shot glass.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Yes, I meant the ones. I have some ways of saying things... differentlies."

Tirah drops a shot glass.

You blink.
With sudden amusement, you say, "Is this..."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Ah, I apologize, I did not mean to offend."
Tirah tilts their head curiously.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah, no! It is well."
You pick up a shot glass.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Oh...I see. I have made something you created."
Tirah's eyes sparkle with amusement.

You give a trillingly melodic laugh, your frills resonating with joy.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I thought I recognized its."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Is still in the ah... goodness. Shadow something cartels, yes? Shadowfeast?"

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Clearly I am very skilled at picking things you might enjoy."
Tirah nods their head emphatically.

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.
Warmly, you say, "It has been a whiles."

---> drink punch

You take a long draught of punch, hoping to quench your thirst.
As you take a sip of this translucent pink punch, an immediate rush of
syrup floods your senses, tasty but not overly sugary thanks to a sour
note that leaves you pursing your lips. As you begin to swallow, you
belatedly realize that a few of the ripe berries have slipped their way
past your lips, giving you no other choice but to bite down and burst
the fruit in an explosion of tart pulp. It is only after you finish
swallowing that you detect a hint of sweetness more subtle than the
rest, floral and gentle.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "It is, I hope to soon take over as trademaster for it."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Mm, always good to take care of the things that need care."

Tirah nods their head emphatically.
Tirah quickly devours a dark, leafy dinner salad.

You quickly devour a dark, leafy dinner salad.
The dark lettuce leaves prove both fresh and flavourful, with a bittersweet flavour that contrasts pleasantly with the crisp tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, and onion swirls. Accented by the subtle tang of vinegar and olive oil, the salad creates a deliciously varied sensory experience.

Tirah picks up a shot glass.
Tirah takes a long draught of punch.
Tirah Mzithrei says, "Your punch is quite good."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah, it was one of my earlier designs. I have always liked sour and spicy things, so..."
You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I have lost much of my sweet tooth as of late, but this is pleasant."

You nod your head slowly in understanding.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Glomdoring, it is treating you okays?"

Tirah nods their head emphatically.
Tirah Mzithrei says, "I feel like I fit in."
Tirah Mzithrei says, "I hope I do, at least..."

Muginn ruffles his feathers, stirring up puffs of fog.

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances at the water, her clouded gaze trailing the many bright corals that line the pool. "Well, when you settle, will become quite clear, yes? I think you will find many loyalties there, strong and old that can become your loyalties."

You have emoted: Cheliyi dips a hand into the water garden, stirring up the sand that lines its bottom so that it clouds the water. The sand swirls in a muddy pattern, before slowly sinking back to the bottom, revealing clear water once more. The mugwump chuckles quietly to herself, finding humor in some unsaid joke.

You think to yourself: **what a terrible pun you have made, no?**

Tirah nods slightly. "I hope so. I have always been looking for a place that would have me for me, this seems like the first time I might have found it."

Aural Tildarmin yells, "Hail to the Dragonslayer, St. Hamos! Glory to New Celest which repels dragons and the Taint alike! Praise be the Light!"

Your frills twitch as you detect an errant sound.
You smile gently, frills puffing with joy.

The pointed tips of Tirah's ears twitch to some errant sound.
Tirah Mzithrei says, "I have never been here much..."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "It makes sense. Most people do not enter Celest, so there are preconceived notions."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "And, well."
A wry smile spreads across your face.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "The Gardens, they are a bit out of the ways."

You nibble on a sweet strawberry and cream cup cake.

Tirah lets their gaze wander around the area again. "It is all a little..ah..wet, isn't it?"

You blink.
You stare blankly at Tirah.
You give a trillingly melodic laugh, your frills resonating with joy.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Yes! Yes, it is."
You have emoted: Cheliyi grins with delight at this observation, as if she had genuinely never even considered such a thing.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "How much do know about Celest?"

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I think I just never had much reason to come, you are the first person from here I am getting to know better, I think."
Tirah shakes their head.
Tirah Mzithrei says, "I know the common things to know about Old Celest, but not much about the New one."

You nod your head slowly in understanding.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I was the same ways."

Tirah counts on their fingers. "It is wet. There are cats. Uhhh....There are angels. Yes."

The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "The most important facts, yesly."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I do not mean to be reductive, but it is the extend of my knowledge."

Echoed by rippling waters, you whisper, "We have crabs too, but they hide in the sewers."

With an indifferent stare, Tirah slowly blinks one eye and then the other.

You giggle happily.

You consume a sweet strawberry and cream cup cake leisurely, enjoying every bite.
Warm and moist, the first bite of the treat reveals a wonderfully mellow cup cake. Highlighting the rich flavours of the whipped cream generously spread across the pastry's surface, the next few savoury moments unveil more of the sweet confection before surprising with a hidden treat lodged within the centre of the pastry. Oozing in luscious red streaks, a whole strawberry sits steeped in its own rich juices, neatly counter-pointing the sweet confection with its tart notes of flavour.

Tirah Mzithrei whispers, "Delicious sewer crabs."

You nod your head sagely.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "They taste great with goat butters."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Nonethelessly!"

Tirah Mzithrei says to you, "Do you not like meat? I have spare cup cakes."
Tirah tilts their head curiously at you.

The glittering mist around Muginn burns away, the moaning visages of the damned slowly seeping back into his coat.

With the breaking of dawn, the blare of trumpets resound throughout New Celest from the Auger Spire as if to herald the morning light with glorious music.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah, I also like meat. Iyam in a habit to not eat it thanks to my wife. Do not fret, no!"

You tentatively stick out your tongue and lick beef in crunchy taco shells.
A small nibble of the dish reveals a robust, spicy flavour mixed in with the ground beef.
It can be said to be filling.

Comprehension flashes across Tirah's face.

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Celest, it is... how do I say."

Tirah tilts their head curiously.

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.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "It is a place of passion. Not in the Gaudiguchs way! Could never compete, no."
You giggle happily.

Tirah bursts into a fit of giggles, ending with an abrupt and surprising snort.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Surely not, no."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "People feel strongly here. And sometimes it means they care with their whole being. We look to the Supernals for guidance, and some of us look to the Saints. You have learned about the Dark Idols? The spirits of Glomdoring?"

Tirah pours a springtime wine from a bottle into a shot glass.
Tirah drops a shot glass.
Tirah shakes their head.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Not yet, not much."

You have emoted: Cheliyi hums pensively and nods. "Esei, they can teach you muchly if you ask them." She reaches into a silver vessel, and pulls out orbs of water that float in front of her, wobbling gently. "In the way that the Nekotais look to Grandmother Scorpion, the way that the Auguries tend to the will of the Wyrd, Celest does its best to embody virtues." A small scorpion shapes itself out of a glob of water, wiggling its pincers in an attempt to look menacing. Another orb shapes itself into a bat, while the third shapes itself into the approximation of a cherub.

You have emoted: Cheliyi squints.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah, star shapes are harder to sculpt..."

A black direwolf tilts back his head in a low, resonant howl.

Tirah nods slowly, luminous eyes darting between the floating orbs. The tips of their ears twitch as they elect to quietly listen and watch for now.

Moving the water with a slow sweep of her right hand, you say, "Some people wish to show their passions through utter kindness and charity."


You have emoted: The cherub flits to Cheliyi's left palm, doing a silly little cheerful dance. It morphs into an angel, which then wields a sword. "Others wish to defend the weak, and protect those who need a moment to find footing." It then splooshes into a little puddle, and drips back into her amphora. "And finally, some, who are... eh. -Very- passionate, they like to try and burn those who they see have done wrong."

You have emoted: Cheliyi makes a face with this final statement, looking somewhat displeased.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "They are often the loudest of our citizens."

(Sanctifiers): Iarae says, "Hello Ablutant Cheliyi! How are you?"

Tirah raises their hood over their head as the sun comes out. They nod in your direction. "I feel like you do not share the sentiment."

(Sanctifiers): You say, "Hi hellos! I am well. And you, Miss Iarae?"

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I spent my time defending the Wyrd, and I defend even still, in our City. I think that, most of all what we need is balance. I find it distasteful to assume that one knows the best of all. And that violence is the answer to things one does not understand."

A look of understanding crossing their features, Tirah nods their head slowly.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "The Wyrd would not thrive under Serenwilde's care. Serenwilde would disappear beneath the Wyrd. Gaudiguch could never handle wildlife nor machines nor sky, Magnagora should be trusted with naught of the natural worlds... I could go on."

(Sanctifiers): Iarae (from Celestia, Plane of Light) says, "I'm well enough! Just regathering my bearings after the Solstice holidays!"

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "We have our areas, and we have our specialties. To ignore the beauty and importance of each unique area, we do it a disservice. But I am rare, in this sentiment."

Tirah shifts the posture awkwardly. "I used to feel similarly, when I was younger, I am not sure how much of that idealism is left in me these, I am afraid."

With a grimace, you say, "Not to say I think the taint is good. I would want it wiped from the lands, like most."
You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.
You nod your head at Tirah.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I understands."

Tirah Mzithrei whispers, "As it should be."

With a bit of a grin, you say, "Iyam hypocritical, since I think that the only place truly in need of removing is Magnagoras. Not very balanced of me. But, I think the city has wonderful inventions and innovation. The distaste, it is in how these achievements are used to only crush the populace and support the wealthy."

Tirah Mzithrei whispers, "I think some places are simply wrong and should not be left to rule over land and people."
Tirah nods their head at you.

You have emoted: Cheliyi hums in agreement.

(Sanctifiers): Iarae (from Celestia, Plane of Light) says, "I'm debating on if I should start to pester guild members or at least novices to tend to their Guild Tasks."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Magnagora is, of course, on the top of the list."

(Sanctifiers): You say, "Well, that is fair, admittedlies. Iyam probably first on your list, haha! It is not the worst in the world to check ins on others."

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "New Celest is definitely not without flaws, I will admit thats."

Tirah pulls their legs up and close to their body, hugging them with their arms and planting their chin onto their knees.
"Oh?" Tirah exclaims quizzically.


(Sanctifiers): Iarae (from Celestia, Plane of Light) says, "Indeed. If you do need any help or direction with your own tasks do let me know. I'd really like to see more of us taking our Rite of Affirmation. I intend to take mine soon. Perhaps when Miss Auriella wakens."


Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "But most are not "blinded" by our Light, as you will soon hear in Glomdorings. And we do not enslave our citizens, at least."

(Sanctifiers): Iarae (from Celestia, Plane of Light) says, "Of course I would have long before now but with Solstice I myself have been a bit slacking with things."

A look of understanding crossing their features, Tirah nods their head slowly.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Celest, it is full of passion, as I say. And so some devout followers think themselves above the rest, and to have divine right to pass cruelty onto others as justice."
You have emoted: Something hardens in Cheliyi's eyes.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I do not like this opinion."

Tirah creases their brow in a frown.
Tirah nods their head emphatically.

You have emoted: Cheliyi sighs, and the look fades. "But, they are rarer. Only loud."
Warmly, you say, "There are many kind peoples, here. Some intimidating, some strange. But many are kind."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I am sorry you have to deal with them."

You shrug helplessly.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "You are older than mes."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Iyam sure you know as well as me, they are wherever you go."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "You must simply decide if the place you live is worth fighting for in spite."

---> day change, and then I do some mental math

You blink.
Your frills twitch as you detect an errant sound.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Oh my gods, I'm nearly one hundreds..."
You give a trillingly melodic laugh, your frills resonating with joy.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Though, that is ignoring the aeonics I was put under."

Using their tongue and the roof of their mouth, Tirah makes a quiet clicking noise.
Tirah Mzithrei says, "Why the aeonics, if I may ask?"

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Mm, my parents did get married, except they adopted me, yes?"

A look of understanding crossing their features, Tirah nods their head slowly.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Not my birth parents. But all that matters was the papers, so my mother had to be older, and I younger. So, aeonics."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Ah yes, making important papers look more in order, truly the best application of Hallifaxian technology."
Tirah Mzithrei says, "I am sorry, I should not talk badly about our allies."
Tirah shakes their head.

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "You will make no enemies here, no."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Can speak freely."

Tirah consumes a sweet strawberry and cream cup cake leisurely, seeming to enjoy every bite.

Amused, you say, "Yet another nice thing about Celest, there isn't a whole lot of spying, and the trees do not listen as much."

Tirah chews for a long time. "My love for them has run out. There has been much unpleasantness both before and after I left." They pause and get quieter. "They are on the afformentioned list."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.
You nod your head at Tirah.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "They are just slavers with better branding at the end of the day."
With an indifferent stare, Tirah slowly blinks one eye and then the other."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "It is fair to be angry, and it is fair to speak your mind. We must speak truthfully of allies, or else things will never change and only fester."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Mm. Indentured servants, rights? I remember hearing about that."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I am not even talking about them."

Comprehension flashes across your face.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "... it is the thing learned at the end of your city quest, isn't it."
Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Well."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Not -your- city."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Apologies."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I don't know the details since it is so quiet, but."
You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "The collective. The working together. Lies. It is the same as elsewhere. Lords and serfs. Only the lords call themselves chair men."
Tirah Mzithrei says to you, "And then there is THAT, yes."

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.
You nod your head at Tirah.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "The collective has only ever tried to use me and I was blind to it."

You crease your brow in a frown.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Iyam sorry to hear thats."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I appreciate it...but I did not mean to rant like this."
Tirah Mzithrei says, "I apologize for it."

You raise an eyebrow questioningly.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I asked for you to speak."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "You have done so, and have done no wrong."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "No need for apologies, no."

A rush of summer warmth passes through you as you smell grass and flowers and glimpse the limitless blue of a perfectly blue, sunlit sky.

A look of understanding crossing their features, Tirah nods their head slowly.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "It is better said than in my Dad always says, yesly."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Speaking my mind does not come easily to me anymore, it used to. They indoctrinated me not to."

You eat beef in crunchy taco shells with gusto.
Handling the awkwardly shaped dish, you quickly manoeuvre one end of the
taco into position for a hearty bite into its crunchy exterior. A burst
of spice caresses your taste buds as you savour the robust mix of
seasonings in the ground beef and the notes of freshness from the
lettuce and tomatoes. Encountering the cooling dollop of sour cream, you
relish its mellow flavour alongside of the sharp cheddar cheese as you
finish the rest of the snack.

You hum softly, your frills vibrating with song.

As night snatches away the day, the blare of trumpets resound throughout New Celest from the Auger Spire as if to greet the twinkling stars above with peaceful music.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Your mind is the one thing wholly your owns."

Tirah nods their head emphatically.
Tirah Mzithrei says, "Maybe that is why."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "It should be treasureds, I would say."

Tirah nods their head emphatically.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I left Glomdoring with a very bitter heart, many years before."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "So I will not give you useless platitudes, silly advice that means nothing."

Tirah tilts their head curiously.
Tirah Mzithrei says, "Was it about people or ideology if I may ask?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi hums quietly, and removes her spectacles. "Both. I felt betrayed in many ways. I was not the most stable, but I was also broken in trust."

You have emoted: Cheliyi leans forward so that your eyes meet, clouded to luminous. "I will say this, though some may see it as poor words, for it is not of kindness and forgiveness. Feel as you do, for as long as you need to. Keep whatever you must in your heart to heal. It takes time. The thorns of hurt will snag on the flesh of your heart for many years to come. And one day, you will find it does not snag on your heart so hard."

Tirah blinks a couple of time in rapid succession, leaning back just a little bit more. "Oh. I fully intend to hold a grudge and make them pay for as long as I feel they deserve my retribution." Their lips part into a fanged, predatory grin.

Softer, leaning back and replacing her spectacles, you say, "Goodly."

Tirah looks up at the night sky, allowing the hood to slide from their head. "Maybe it is even time to dabble in politics again, who knows."

A wry smile spreads across Tirah's face.

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles at Tirah in return, her lips parting enough to reveal a pair of sharp, wooden fangs. "Mm."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I have always found kindness to be to truest show of strength, yesly. But I am not you, and you are not me."

You take a long draught of punch, hoping to quench your thirst.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I have run out of kindness for those who see me as nothing as a tool."
Using their tongue and the roof of their mouth, Tirah makes a quiet clicking noise.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Mm."
You nod your head sagely.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Maybe I picked the right place to live for the name alone, how fitting."
Tirah chuckles long and heartily.

With a hint of a smile, you say, "My rebellion in itself was kindness. And thriving, when I was told I was nothing more than a wilted saplings. I wish you the best in showing your strength, yesly."

A look of understanding crossing their features, Tirah nods their head slowly.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I am sorry someone said things like that about you."

Softly, you say, "I am strong, I am kind, and I am happy. And that is proof enough."
With a bit of sacreligious amusement, you murmur, "More like Someone, but you do not need to apologize for things They meant wholeheartedly."

Tirah flashes you a joyous smile.
Comprehension flashes across Tirah's face.
A look of understanding crossing their features, Tirah nods their head slowly.

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances up at the night sky, before looking back down.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "It is ironic."

You tilt your head curiously.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "It was only through the Lady Welkin that I had become strong enough to get out of Hallifax, and I had to leave Her with it."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "So it goes."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "It is perhaps the one thing I regret about this all."

You nod your head at Tirah.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "My Lady Lantra, it is by Her that I am in Celest, and why I find it my home, yesly. As well as my parents."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Her teachings, they are about instinct and insight, yes? Though I am sure She would miss you, I think She would be proud you are fighting for your best self. I cannot speak for Her, of course."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "The Lady Welkin, that is."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I am glad you have found a place that makes you feel at home. I can not say that I have met Her....I did meet the Lords Golden Heart and Navigator though a long time ago."

You nod your head slowly in understanding.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Truly?"
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Lady Lantra, the Empyreal, She is Lord Darvellan's sibling. As well as, ah. Lord Silent."

You take a long draught of white wine, hoping to quench your thirst.
Hints of vanilla blend with cherry and oak to give a light, refreshing
taste to this wine. Reminiscent of a springtime rain and almost as cold,
the wine goes down almost too easily as you take a long, appreciative
drink.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Her teachings are...about finding yourself. Becoming the best person you can become. Fulfilling your destiny. I can not imagine She would want to be the thing that keeps me to a place that has me stagnate and suffer."

You nod your head at Tirah.

Tirah nods their head at you.

You smile gently, frills puffing with joy.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "I think the Lord Navigator I met a long, long time ago, I think we even spoke."
Tirah narrows their eyes, thinking, but the memory does not come to them.
Tirah shakes their head.
Tirah Mzithrei says, "Do not get old if you can help it."
Tirah Mzithrei says, "It gets hard to remember things."

You giggle happily.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Noteds."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Maybe I can steal a dracnari beastmaster collar sometime, yesly."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Before I came to Hallifax, I was the Flame of the Lord Pyresmith."

You wink knowingly.
You blink.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Woahs."

Tirah gestures towards the symbols still burned into their arm.

You nod your head at Tirah.

Tirah Mzithrei says to you, "Wouldn't that be something."
Tirah's eyes sparkle with amusement.

You give a trillingly melodic laugh, your frills resonating with joy.
You nod your head emphatically.
You smile brightly at Tirah, your frills puffing with joy.

Tirah tilts their head curiously.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah, the month is growing late for me."

Comprehension flashes across Tirah's face.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I am glad we got to speak for so long, and that you were kind to bring such a picnic."

Tirah Mzithrei says, "This has been....much more pleasant and open then our first meeting, I think."

Tirah nods their head at you.

You give a trillingly melodic laugh, your frills resonating with joy.
You nod your head at Tirah.

Tirah dons their hood again before getting up.

You have emoted: Cheliyi gets up, dusting off her skirts.
You smile at Tirah and cup your hands together in offering. Motes of light unfurl to reveal a single star lotus in your palm, lingering there with radiant beauty.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "We shall meet again in the near future I hope?"
Tirah smiles softly at you.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "As above, so below. And yesly! I do hope so."

Tirah bows respectfully to you.

Tirah Mzithrei says, "Rest well."