Never the Fly.

<-- middle of Gurashi/Tiso working out some dissociation

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Why do you want to stay?"

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up at Tridemon, attempting to focus, but gaze drifting off again.

You think to yourself: ** fear - fear of the open - fear of disobeying - fear of moving forward, bad things happen when move forward - denial of the obvious **.

You think to yourself: ** the vines creep further up Gurashi's legs, settling around his ankles **.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Can you be brave for me?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's gaze rises again, for a split second vision clear but uncertain - eyes promptly glazing over again and staring at your elbow.

You think to yourself: ** the lingering recollection of roses.... a brave ... bee .... **.

You think to yourself: ** N O **.

You think to yourself: ** a white hot flash of fear - suddenly, the vines squeeze tight and firmly embed themselves, determined to stay **.

The depths of the dark of night herald a new beginning, and a new chance to make the world a little better.
It is now the 19th of Dioni, 561 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 23 days until the New Moon

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Move forward. That's the only way you'll find Khepqet again. She might be in danger. The last time I saw her, she'd been struck hard, and I didn't see where she went."

You think to yourself: ** a thin, rogue vine angrily lashes out at nothing - N O **.

You think to yourself: ** elsewhere, submissive, beneath the fearful lashing out: acknowledgement of your words, and agreement **.

You twitch spasmodically.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Just screaming no doesn't make what you're saying true. It just makes you a petulant child."

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out the faintest of grunts, head lolling to the side, grimacing, focusing.

You think to yourself: ** fearful recoiling - dozens of little vines creep out and wriggle and lash at nothing, festering across the ground, sprouting through the cracks - you aren't sure you are heard **.

You think to yourself: ** .... quiet, again: this is -embarrassing- ... looking towards the blue light **.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Is there something wrong with being brave, Tiso? Step forward."

You think to yourself: ** suddenly, a memory, pounding into your head: Amun, showing you, Tiso, documents - the documents that will get you both out. this is a terrible idea, but if we are not brave we may be stuck here forever **.

You think to yourself: ** the vines squeeze again, tight and painful - softer: n o **.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "You're hurting yourself, Gurashi."

You think to yourself: ** tighter still - who?? **.

You think to yourself: ** softer yet: -me- **.

You think to yourself: ** for a moment, you aren't sure which is which, who is who - confusion. everything is known up to a certain point **.

You think to yourself: ** you can feel the cracks in the ground growing wider - you know if you move forward from here you will find a strange... singing portal... **.

The faintest scent of roses suffuses the early morning sun as the Daughter of Roses manifests within the Basin of Life, Her presence driving down the temperature ever-so-slightly.

You shiver violently.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Tisohepsut, meet Gurashi. You'll find him very familiar, since he's you, and you are he."

You sense the following people:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Viravain - Viravain, Lady of the Thorns
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Glomdoring): Evette (from the Prime Material Plane) says, "Dark Tidings, Lady Viravain."
(Glomdoring): Xenthos (from the Prime Material Plane) says, "Greetings, Lady Viravain."
(Glomdoring): Synl (from the Prime Material Plane) says, "Dark tidings, dearest Lady."
(clan): You say, "AaaAAAAA."
(Glomdoring): Geran (from the Prime Material Plane) says, "Darkest dtiding, my Lady Viravain."
(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "My Glomdoring."

You think to yourself: ** at once, two strains of thought coexisting as the scent of roses settles over everything: fear **.

You have emoted: Gurashi's gaze drops to his lap, and you see him fold his hands together tightly, bowing his head, as if to make himself smaller.

The crescendo of the Shadowbeat whispers in your heart, coaxed to life by the presence of the Daughter of Roses. You feel the Wyrd twisting, pulling, clawing toward Her embrace.

You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "You should move forward. It won't get easier. But there will be music."

You think to yourself: ** ... waiting - bracing for terror, the thin glass vines so tight ... there - once, very loud - Too Loud - the Shadowbeat **.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a little huff of air through his nose, trembling.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Yes. The Shadowbeat. Move forward, and find music."

You think to yourself: ** foreign, fearful - do not -understand- why She does this why does She do this who is She what is She **.

You think to yourself: ** an attempt to soothe - Lady of the Glomdoring, yes - fear, yes, but, She made -home-, so ... **.

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "Dark Greetings My Lady I hope you find yourself well?"

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "Ah -- hope. A very strong emotion, even in shards."

You think to yourself: ** a continued, tight grip, the barbed vines digging in and holding tight. too frightened to move or release - listening ... **.

You stare blankly at Tridemon.

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "Indeed it My Lady."

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "I would not was to assume you are well though either My Lady."

You think to yourself: ** .....distractedly, still listening: let -go- .... **.

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "Quite like the primal urge in flies to wriggle and twist, until that little gift that lives in all mortal things slowly, slowly...fades. The fly stops its twisting and it waits."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Like I said- move forward, and find music. It will hurt. But you will find what you love the very most."

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "What is it waiting for, My Glomdoring?"

(Glomdoring): Geran (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "Death, my lady. When it realises its strugles are futile, and the fangs of the Spider are it's only salvation."

(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "Crying."
(The Shadow Kindred): Esri says, "Gurashi run."
(The Shadow Kindred): Geran (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "Sorry, Gurashi. instinctive answer."

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "Mmm."

You think to yourself: ** the bleakness of the mindscape suddenly seems... very ... big and empty ... **.

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "Does death really need to be within the fly?"

(Glomdoring): Indrosiril says, "I would reckon so. It is only inevitable."

You think to yourself: ** .... death .... **.

You think to yourself: ** confusion **.

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "So death is the only option or decesion for the fly to be My Lady?"

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Hmm. Look up, and imagine stars."

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "Ah, I did not say it has decided to die. I said its hope has faded. What it decides to do next is, well...up to the fly."

(Glomdoring): Xenthos (from the Prime Material Plane) says, "It is not the fly's decision, Esri. It is the spider's."

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "I see."

(Glomdoring): Xenthos (from the Prime Material Plane) says, "If the spider chooses to wait, and watch..."

You think to yourself: ** ... please move ... **.

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "Well I hope the fly makes the right choice."

You think to yourself: ** soft and resolute: n o **.

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "And what is that?"

You think to yourself: ** the vines squeeze **.

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "To follow in the ways of the Spider My Lady."

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "To serve its tah'vrai, perhaps?"

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "To not be dinner but be an ally to the spider and its following forces My Lady."

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a little noise, head wheeling about the room, looking for something to focus on before he hears the suggestion, tilting his head up obediently, staring but not seeing.

(Glomdoring): Geran (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "It is all creatures, lowly or powerful, to serve their tah'vrai, Mistress. And none can escape it. Perhaps it does not struggle, because it realises that it's tah'vrai has lead it to this fate."

The soft, delicate, and sinister whisper of a laugh begins to radiate outward from the air, pulsing across the part of your heart that is exposed to the Wyrd. You know the Daughter of Roses is pleased.

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "Very good, My Glomdoring. Very good."

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "Thank you My Lady."

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "The stars are out in the world. They live, and they shine for the joy of it. In every color, piercing through the darkness."

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "My Lady it is an honor to serve you."

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "Indeed, it is."

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "Do you have anything you would like to discuss My Lady?"

You think to yourself: ** listening for hive noise, for familiar music - the Shadowbeat and sound of his own heartbeat strangely out of sync **.

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "You will know when I do, little Spider. I do not need an invitation to speak."

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "Oh Pardon, just merley curious My Lady."

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "I didn't mean anything by it."

Bizirik, the leothin's tail slaps the ground, drawing Gurashi's attention. Suddenly, he seems quite lucid - reaching out for the leothin and cupping it's angular face carefully, giving it a few pats before sending it off. Bizirik snorts, snuffles at his hair in confusion, then reluctantly slinks off, chattering.

You reach out through your bond with your beast and dismiss her, sending her back to the stables.
Bizirik, the leothin bobs her head several times just before trotting off.

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "Sometimes, My children sit in their webs, very visible against the moonlit sky, their bodies glistening with the blood of their latest meal. They sit and they know they are visible, for they are cunning -- they can be invisible when they wish to lure more prey."

(Glomdoring): Indrosiril says, "Wisely spoken as ever, my Mistress."

(Glomdoring): Esri says, "Lovely words."

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "They choose to be visible for other reasons, which are their own. You can only guess at their machinations. Are they luring a different kind of meal? Are they displaying strength to what might try to bring them harm?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's attention turns next to Tridemon, blinking slowly. He looks down at Tridemon's hand, carefully and with some effort removing it from his shoulder. Then, he begins the arduous task of trying to rise, shuffling towards the east.

The call of a cicada welcomes the setting of the sun and the coming night.

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You think to yourself: ** ... danger ... **.

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "Even when they aren't weaving, they're spinning webs, My Glomdoring. Be ever the spider."

(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "Never the fly."

A welcoming foyer.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Warm and welcoming, the walls and floors of this room are made from the same bamboo as the forest outside. Pressed and treated, each plank made from the jeweled bamboo is a warm, pale golden color, with flecks and whorls of the violet from the crystalline veins present on the living plants. The floor has been polished to a brilliant sheen and protected with some sort of coating, much like wax, but harder and all but impossible to mar accidentally. The walls, in the meantime, are bare up to about knee height, and above that, special paper has been glued to the wood, and painted with ocean waves in a familiar style. In each of the corners of the room is a sturdy pot made of glittering violet ceramic, filled with soil from the forest. Each of the pots also bears a single jewel-toned bamboo whose very top leaves barely brush the ceiling- itself a work of art, with tiles of some sort of creamy blue stone, which have all individually been carved to display the likeness of a different aquatic creature. The wall to the east has a door-shaped gap in the paint and paper, evidence of preparation for expansion.
You see exits leading north, west, and out (open door).

You have emoted: Gurashi exhales, using the wall to guide him as he shuffles for the door.

You think to yourself: ** ... do not want Tridemon to be in danger ... **.

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Are you alright?"

(Glomdoring): Geran (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "It is always our goal, Mistress. Your Spinner has always emphasised the importance of continuing to spread the threads of our webs, even when we seem to be at rest, as our sisters, the spiders do."

You think to yourself: ** want to eat me? want me to kill spiders?? want me to grovel?? want me to... do -what- **.

You think to yourself: ** gentle pulsing, the vines squeezing anxiously **.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "** gentle, anxious buzzing **."

Like spiders weaving a web, the voice of Viravain, Lady of the Thorns crawls across your mind, "I want you to tell Me why I am sitting in My Web, little bumblebee."

You have emoted: Gurashi finds the doorway, and pauses, dazed.

You think to yourself: ... *sounding far off* ... Mother of Spiders ....

You think to yourself: ........ *a fluttering beat, like a bird's wings in his chest*.

Like spiders weaving a web, the voice of Viravain, Lady of the Thorns crawls across your mind, "It is the Spring. I am the Daughter of Roses."

You think to yourself: ..... Oh.

You think to yourself: ** a wave of confusion - so many titles **.

You think to yourself: *softer still* Daughter of ...

You think to yourself: ......

You think to yourself: **a quiet wave of apology**.

You have emoted: Gurashi shrinks a little in the doorway, leaning on the frame for support.

You think to yourself: ........... You are the Spider.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "** a distracted, urgent, clear intent reaches you over the aethers: stay away **."

Like spiders weaving a web, the voice of Viravain, Lady of the Thorns crawls across your mind, "I am the Mistress of the Thorns, the Lady of Summer Song, the Daughter of Roses, the Mother of Spiders, the Lady of the Murder -- I am known by many things. Many merely shudder when they think of Me, for a name is too distinct."

You think to yourself: **another gentle wash of apology....**.

You have emoted: Gurashi trembles, gripping the door frame a little tighter.

Like spiders weaving a web, the voice of Viravain, Lady of the Thorns crawls across your mind, "Why do you quiver, bumblebee? Why do you fear Me?"

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a frightened little huff of air through his nose, then exhales, straightening. He brings his hand to his heart, exhaling, bowing his head in apology.

You think to yourself: ** .. subdued apology-- **.

You think to yourself: ** --a recollection of the Lady of the Thorns, hand on your face, gripping your mandible, breaking, -crushing- - fixing, relief ... confusion ...? ...**.

You think to yourself: ** hope - hope, you love Her -so- much and Her forest - why - why is it wrong to make others care the way we care **.

Like spiders weaving a web, the voice of Viravain, Lady of the Thorns crawls across your mind, "Did you feel pain, little bumblebee? And that causes you to fear Me?"

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up to touch his temple, looking mortified.

You think to yourself: ** an earnest attempt to control these racing thoughts and instinctive visuals - -stop- it **.

You think to yourself: ** again, louder, foreign: -why- **.

Like spiders weaving a web, the voice of Viravain, Lady of the Thorns crawls across your mind, "A pity. Has Mysrai taken your words from you?"

You look about in confusion.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up, then quickly shakes his head several times, reaching up and clenching his hand at his throat, lips drawing into a thin line.

You think to yourself: ** -- a strange sensation - words should not have substance, but when he tries to speak, a feeling like a stone settled at his throat - something too big to be said, words stuck, not lost, infinitesimally tied to the Shofet, but a result of so much -more- than the Shofet -- **.

You think to yourself: ** a wave of embarrassment - too much **.

Like spiders weaving a web, the voice of Viravain, Lady of the Thorns crawls across your mind, "Mmm. Then you are the fly, caught in Mysrai's web yet."

The night air flickers and shimmers, the Springtime air growing lighter and warmer as the Daughter of Roses fades from mortal perception, the faint scent of roses lingering as She leaves.

You have emoted: Gurashi exhales again, louder, shaking his head insistently, looking around for the source of the voice speaking with him, confused.

You think to yourself: ** .... **.

You think to yourself: ** ... **.

(clan): Tridemon says, "... Vira got the WAY wrong impression from that interation."
(clan): You say, "Ya but that's on me."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "... are you alright?"

You have emoted: Gurashi gently presses his back to the door frame, sinking to sit, knees drawn to his chest, hands folded tightly together near his chin. He rocks a little bit, struggling to find calm again, mind still reeling.

Great waves crash over one another as they pour in from the north, finally swirling together before solidifying into Tridemon.

You have emoted: Gurashi says nothing, not registering Tridemon's entrance.

You think to yourself: ** gentle ticking, stimming **.

Finger extended, Tridemon pokes you.

You have emoted: Gurashi squeezes his hands into tight fists as he is poked, shoulders bunching.

You glance askance at Tridemon.

You think to yourself: ** .... tired ... **.

You have emoted: Gurashi's head turns forward again, and he compresses himself tighter in his spot.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... I noticed that She was present in the world. I thought it prudent to not interrupt a second time."

You think to yourself: ** ... tired ... **.

Ocean waves echoing softly behind his voice, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... do you need to go sleep?"

You think to yourself: ** sleep - more empty-- **.

You have emoted: Gurashi furiously shakes his head.