asking for help is hard, sometimes

Before a secluded mountain spring.
Immaculate white marble glistens with a faint sparkle of mist as the narrow path opens up to reveal a shallow mountain spring, filled with the gentle sound of trickling water. Marbled shades of celadon blue dance across the smooth surface of the polished stone, resembling the way starlight dapples across the open sea as it emanates with a constant thrum of cool, luminous energy. A soothing breeze whispers throughout the hollow cavern, resounding within the alabaster walls with a lingering, watery echo. Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here. Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow perches here, eyeing the area suspiciously.
You see a single exit leading north.

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

You have emoted: Cheliyi runs her fingers through the sparkling veil, pulling her hand to her face to stare at the gathered droplets. She hums, and stares ahead once more.

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Mine-child? Are O-K??"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "**acknowledgment and agreement, the sensation muddied by a vague, skull-throbbing ache.** Just wanted to um... ask Lady Lantra something. Gathering courage, and energies."

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Oh? Oh...O-K..."

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.

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Mine-child, I love you - and if need us, we are here. Will be O-K."
Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Though do not know how to fix sore heads. Just hugs."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "Mm, love you lots too. Is not about head, actually. Was... uh. Wondering about my eyes. But, I know She is busy, so... hesitant to ask."

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Never hurts to ask. To pray. To offer."
Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "If can do anything to aid - will."

You have emoted: Cheliyi fidgets, and sighs.

You part a sparkling veil of white mist, leaving your surroundings in a bright shimmer of water and light.

The Fulcrux of Lantra.
The rush of running water echoes throughout this alabaster sanctuary, its white pillars surrounded on all sides by shimmering waterfalls. Breathtaking stars twinkle across the misty falls as they collect into a luminous gazing pool, its rippling waters clear and sparkling as they reflect the open expanse of the celestial sky above. Caught in a graceful dance of duality, an immaculate white koi fish circles its dark twin in the glittering depths of the basin, continuing in a silent push and pull as their silhouettes form two halves of a whole. The white, blue and pink petals of assorted lotus flowers crown these starry waters with their regal beauty, standing at the feet of several stone priestesses who guard this place. The statues bow their veiled heads in silent prayer, each bearing a tilted celadon urn that overflows with the boundless light of healing waters. Shimmering over with water and light, a sparkling veil of white mist draws a starry curtain here. Impossibly still at the centre of this luminous pool of water and light, a single star lotus flower blooms brighter than all the others, its heart radiant as the dewy petals unfurl to reveal a beautiful, enchanting light.
There are no obvious exits.

You have emoted: Cheliyi trails inside, her frilled tail sweeping back and forth across the ground as she shuffles forward. First, to the nearest waterfall, which she stares up into for a long, silent moment.

Shadows dance across the rocky walls, perpetually avoiding the available light.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's gaze flicks to the shadows, her weary frown tightening.

Dripping water echoes enchantingly in the distance.

You think to yourself: **the willow over the cool, still pond, creaking gently as shadows pool in its boughs... "the shadows are no longer your ally," and yet... on the small, grassy island, the poppies glow with warmth and comfort. love, and will. it will be fine.**.

You hear a gentle splash as the two koi fish within the gazing pool circle one another, motes of light flickering across their black and white scales.

You have emoted: Cheliyi fidgets and sighs again, rubbing at her temples, before shuffling over to the edge of the gazing pool in a weary, ambling gait. She kneels before the water, staring down at the koi with a faint smile. "Hello there," she murmurs, placing her hands in her lap as the two fish circle eachother in their endless motion.

You think to yourself: **the quiet throbbing in your head a frustrating distraction, just had to stretch your brain with telepathy today of all days.** Should... gather my words, properly.
Closing your eyes, you listen intently. Your frills twitch with idle curiousity.

A glorious beam of light shoots out over New Celest.

(Celest): Gurashi says, "The northern Voluta Diadema Tower Beacons has been lit!"
(Celest): Gurashi says, "Many thank yous!"
(Trasto): Gurashi says, "Can anyone else with the curio get CHANGELING INTO SILENI work."

The star lotus at the centre of the luminous pool unfurls with dewy light, revealing a heart of immaculate starlight.

A stirring breeze caresses your exposed skin, sending shivers through your body.

Kneeling humbly, you press your palms together before you and close your eyes momentarily as you pray devoutly to Lantra, the Empyreal, "Dear Lady Lantra, **the voice trails off, a grimace almost audible in the silence. there's a pause, and quick inhale, and a sigh.** Sorry, sorry. My name is Cheliyi, and my brains is very tired, so talking sort of hurts. But, was talking to one of Yours, last month, and it was because I visited Your Realm, yes. It is... **there is another pause, but this time, it is considering, almost affectionate.**It is very pretty. Feels nice to be in. Thank you for letting peoples visit it. Is clean, and full of plants and trees that sing so -warmly-... erm. Anyways. I was wondering if... um... You would be able to help me. If You want to! Of course! Um. Not that You have to -feel- anythings, ah, uh. **there's a barely muttered, "hrmgh, rambling," before the mugwump continues in her normal tone of voice.** My eyes are... sort of terribles? Have always been, since I was little. Am pretty sure I was... well, burned really badly on my face, and in my eyes when I was little. So, my sight is super close, and looking at bright things hurts... a lot, actually. Is not the... best thing to have, when living in a City of Light, haha. So was... um. Wondering if You would know anything. Or if You would be able to... um. Help me. Is a lot to ask, don't even need the short-sight fixed, no. Have glasses! But the light-hurt is not very... helpful. If You would be able to help me... well, would appreciate it a whole lot. Not sure what I can really offer in return, but would be... um. Willing to help in any ways that I can. Is a promise. Do not break those, ever. Many thanks, and thank You for listening, yes.".

You stand up and stretch your arms out wide.

Tongues of white flame begin to flicker over nearby surfaces, their dance interrupted as time warps oddly around them. The sound of whispered thanks fills the air as an Impending Timequake comes into being.

You have emoted: Cheliyi fidgets, and slowly rises to her feet. She dusts off her skirt, and stares down at the nearby lotuses. She hums, sighs, and nods.

You bow respectfully to the master shrine of Lantra.

You part a sparkling veil of white mist, leaving your surroundings in a bright shimmer of water and light.