Pain is an Excellent Teacher...

<-- Gurashi, Cheli, and Esei hanging out being friendly, a few days after Gurashi told everybody at the MR they were Beloved...

Cheliyi gives a cherry and chocolate chip scone to you.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Oh! Many thank yous ..."

You stare at a cherry and chocolate chip scone, eyes wide.

Esei murmurs softly to themself.

You put your nose over a cherry and chocolate chip scone and inhale.
The aromas of tart dried cherries and dark chocolate waft toward your nose.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "It is fruits."

You chitter at a cherry and chocolate chip scone with energetic clicks of your mandibles.

Cheliyi slowly nods, her leaves rustling softly.

Cheliyi puts her nose over a cherry and chocolate chip scone and inhales.

You eyes light up as you smile.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Many thank yous!"

A young, brightly colored caracal sniffs at Esei a time longer before cautiously moving on to sniff at Cheliyi, blinking.

A faint pain blossoms in your head as a soft voice whispers in your thoughts, "Gurashi..."

You wince in pain.

Shifting her weight between both limbs as if swaying in some unseen breeze, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi says to Esei, "... What is in the tea? It's very tasty."

You have emoted: Gurashi abruptly turns to look away, antennae raising up straight.

Echoing with a subtle purr, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Sloe, citrus, milk."

Cheliyi blinks.

You think to yourself: ... *a quiet thrum of acknowledgement - a swirl of gray and indigo* ...

Cheliyi glances at you with a concerned frown, before turning her attention to a young, brightly colored caracal. She smiles, and goes still. "I see. What's... 'sloe'?"

Your melodic voice sings into Unbroken Lief Myeras-Silvermoon's mind, "*the beginning of another word - abruptly cut off*."

Esei murmurs softly to themself.

Lief tells you, "Gurashi...?"

The pain grows steadily at a leisurely pace as the voice whispers, "I have receive your prayer... You need not be so hard on yourself, child. I think you've been a better student than you realized."

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes shut, their antennae beginning to sag.

Echoing with a subtle purr, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to Cheliyi, "It is the blackthorn berry, sometimes called a sloe plum poetically."

Esei glances askance at you.

Bizirik, the leothin's tail thumps once against the ground, and it lets out a little grumble, rising suddenly and slinking over to its kepheran companion.

A young, brightly colored caracal's ears perk up with a sudden interest.

You think to yourself: ..... *a swirl of confusion - muted colors* ... oh - ...have?

Creaking gently, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi says to you, "Friend... what is the matter?"

Lief tells you, "Gurashi, are you well?"

Surely your exoskeleton is cracking, the pain has become intense. Searing. "I once told you that pain is an excellent teacher, Gurashi. And you've been doing oh so much teaching it seems..."

You have emoted: Gurashi abruptly lets out a noise, stumbling backward until they hit the wall, their hands flying up to their head, clutching at the sides of it and letting out a strained groan.

Bizirik, the leothin rises suddenly, letting out a deep, rumbling growl. Behind it, Brycll's short tail tucks between its legs, and the kitten scrambles to Esei, clambering up their legs to safety.

Cheliyi's eyes widen, before she glances in silent panic at Esei.

Esei takes a slow step back, face expressing a calm curiosity.

Barely above a creak, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi says, "Gurashi?"

Lief tells you, "It's... it's okay - I do not mind serious things. I prefer serious things, and knowing your thoughts."

"Lief. Esei. Evette. Akuuko."

Esei raises a slender brow.

"Xenthos... Give yourself some credit, My dear Gurashi."

You blanch suddenly.

And with that, the pain fades away as if it had never existed.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Nocht's lips.

Esei blinks.

Esei bows respectfully to Nocht.

You stare blankly into space.

LOOK BIG NIGHT DADDY
Were it not for the way darkness itself trails after Him, it would not be immediately obvious that He is a radiant immortal. His skin is a cracked and sickly gray colour that looks as if it could crumble away at a touch. Long white hair clings to the sides of His face as it spills down His back. All along His form - from the aristocratic contours of His face to the slender, musician's hands - are seeking vines of vibrant emerald which carry a cascade of orange and crimson snapdragon blooms. The growth reaches up the right side of His face, leaving His eyes untouched - a clear, ethereal blue, each pupil rimmed in a golden starburst which makes His silent, thoughtful gaze appear to pierce to the very soul.
He is wearing:
a faded cloak of once-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.

Nocht, the Silent whispers to you, "You were more Wyrden than you thought, no?"

Cheliyi freezes, eyes somehow going wider.

Cheliyi bows respectfully to Nocht, only to sway dizzily once she stands upright.

Nocht smiles softly at Cheliyi.

You have emoted: Gurashi's entire body shudders violently, blinking hard twice and looking at Nocht in surprise. "...h... ..."

Nocht, the Silent whispers to you, "May you find and receive everything you deserve, child... I will attend with you and dearest Viravain if I am able."

Nocht flashes a charming smile that never touches His eyes.

The surrounding shadows wane, falling back in despondent melancholy as the form of Nocht, the Silent dissolves into wisps of shadow.

You shudder violently as a chill ripples down your spine.

Cheliyi blinks.

Faintly buzzing, you whisper, "I-I ..."

Barely above a creak, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi says, "I... was that really Lord Nocht?"

Shaking from antennae to toe, you say, "Gotta go."

<-- Flee!

You have emoted: Gurashi stumbles, shaking their head quickly.

You think to yourself: No.

You think to yourself: * rushing by familiar places - rooms that have been passed day after day - wistful, longing - guilty *.

You have emoted: Gurashi chatters noisily, their arms folded across their chest. Bizirik slinks immediately up to the kephera and sits, staring up at them, thrumming in short, reassuring little bursts.

You have emoted: Gurashi rocks quietly for a time, until their feeling returns to their limbs and they are no longer shaking quite so badly.

You stare ahead, looking utterly wounded.

You think to yourself: .... Xenthos ....

You sniffle softly.

Bizirik, the leothin leans on you seeking consolation.