don't do drugs kids

Before the Eternal Flame.
Throughout the location, small dancing flames flicker and spark. The great Pyramid opens to a wide platform that extends outwards many feet, creating an expansive view over the entire city of Gaudiguch. Wide blocks of sandstone have been neatly joined, the cracks between them partially filled until little more than slight indentations remain. The passage leads about ten feet out, a wide path roughly six feet wide and with high walls on either side to act as guards from walking over the edge. A bulbous circular section forms at the end of the passage with a diameter nearing fifteen metres that also bears a three-foot wall around its circumference, the centre of which has been removed so that the Eternal Flame can float half below and half above the level of the floor. Its great effulgence casts an unobstructed white incandescence, flickering with prismatic hues, upon the entire shelf and pierces through the thick smoke and soot that hangs heavily here, combusting continuously in sudden spurts and creating writhing tongues of fire that dance in the air to form the Nexus. Thin, cursive script has been inked neatly on the stones nearest to the flame, written neatly in the tongue of the dracnari. To the south, the great structures of the city are clearly visible: the many pulsating emerald irises that form domes in the distance, the dense houses with minute alleyways between their boundaries, and the ruined remnants of three once grand pyramids. A dragon-winged rocking chair sits here, wings unfurled in a display of grandeur. Exuding an aura of elegance, a white-marble chest of the Crimson Eye is displayed here, its lid opened to display its contents. Delightfully chubby, this wakabi lantern casts flickering shadows across the nearby surfaces. A fluid crimson chaise couch has been hidden in obscurity here, awaiting someone to come ponder great mysteries upon it. A plush rug depicting the city of Gaudiguch has been laid upon the ground. A quaint desert themed rocking chair resides here waiting to be sat on. Sitting here is a large bag chair roughly resembling a large ribbachi. A cheerfully plump wakabi rocking chair sits here, stuffed beak forced into a happy grin. A plain wooden chest sits in the corner. Draped with colourful ribbons, a chandelier festooned with dangling gemstones sparkles here. A painting of the scene at a fume-choked dome is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. A handful of pale ashes lies on the ground, slowly blowing away in the wind. An illuminated scroll rolls loose in the dust. Mesadari Rhiero, Keeper of the Eternal Flame lounges languidly nearby, the light of the nexus washing her scales in a panoply of colour. The Eternal Flame burns here, a towering inferno of white flame that flashes with a chaotic spray of colour. There are 2 great brindle mastiffs here. An orb of blazing aether shifts and turns continuously as it hovers above a plain granite pedestal. Ornate carvings lining the edges of this massive construction, a sandstone banquet table stands here. Glowing gently with a soft blue light, a delicate dreamcatcher has been permanently hung here. There are 8 Red Hands of the Illuminati here. There are 8 jade-armoured Wyvern Riders here. Adorned with a single kernel of caramel popcorn, a delicate macaron cookie sits here. A black phoenix perches here, his fiery plumage illuminating the area with black fire. A fiery blue phoenix perches here, her fiery plumage illuminating the area with golden fire. Tonatiuh is riding on a black phoenix. He wields an indigo oracle staff bearing hieroglyphic suns in his left hand. Sagacious Pash, the Lightning Blossom floats here amidst an etheric storm of shifting realities and rainbow-traced quiddities. A dramatic harlequin is here, limber and ready for any performance. Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Ivory Prism waits here, skeins of resinous smoke curling languidly about her figure in flickering, coppery tongues of light and shadow. She wields a magic tome in her left hand and a Liar lyre in her right hand.
You see exits leading north, east, and west.

You say to Tonatiuh, "I've been meaning to speak with you."

Tonatiuh rests his chin on the tip on an indigo oracle staff bearing hieroglyphic suns.

Pash leans closer to Tonatiuh to look at his shawl, quizzically.

Tonatiuh proudly shows off a macabre shawl of eyeballs preserved in bubbled glass.

Tonatiuh begins to follow you.
(accidentally yoinked him away from Pash. Sorry Pash.)

Tonatiuh follows you north.
A blackthorn copse.                                    (#HALIDANAIS_25)
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The woods grow denser here, as blackthorn trees grow closely knit. In full bloom, they cover much of the view of the forest deeper within, giving a sense of safety to those who remain here. The rich scent of the blossoms lingers in the air, leading one's senses on a sweet journey. Shadows seep in from the woods, causing a mist that rises a few inches off the ground that swirls around ankles and legs. A black phoenix perches here, his fiery plumage illuminating the area with black fire.
You see a single exit leading south.

Comprehension flashes across Tonatiuh's face.

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Tonatiuh closes his eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of his surroundings.

You say to Tonatiuh, "Nepenthe says you tend to... 'play up' mysticism."

You say to Tonatiuh, "I will not be gatekeeping your actions, but I was curious to know if you called yourself as such - a mystic."

You tilt your head and listen intently to Tonatiuh.

Thoughtfully, Tonatiuh says, "There is nothing to 'play up'. It is what it is. Experiments, meditations, explorations into mind, body, dreams, prophecy."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.

You say, "I see."

Tonatiuh says, "Nepenthe has other interests, so adventures of the more mystical or esoteric don't hold much value to him."

Tonatiuh says, "Maybe as curiosities."

Tonatiuh rests his chin on the tip on an indigo oracle staff bearing hieroglyphic suns.

You have emoted: Esei's eyes glitter faintly, lips curling slightly as they shift on their heels. Their robes shift around them like mist, their shadow lengthening unnaturally in the dark of night.

Tonatiuh says to you, "What is mysticism in Glomdoring?"

It is now the 18th of Vestian, 554 years after the Coming of Estarra.

You say to Tonatiuh, "It can be many things."

Tonatiuh murmurs softly and the eyeballs upon his macabre shawl begin to gaze at you with eerie intensity.

You say to Tonatiuh, "Ritual. Seeing what others do not, via Othersight or mundane means. Reading the bones. Recording and interpreting prophecy."

Echoing yours words, Tonatiuh says, "Ritual.. yet to dip a claw into that, but.. there seems few ritualists in Gaudiguch to learn from."

A wry smile spreads across your face.

You say, "No, I would imagine not."

Tonatiuh says, "Yet, that's an impediment rather than a barrier."

You tilt your head and listen intently to Tonatiuh.

You caress a phantasmal shroud of shadows gently.

Tonatiuh smiles and says, "Easier to follow in the footsteps of others and build upon past work, but.. where there's a Will there's a way."

A wry smile spreads across your face.

You say, "I suppose that is true."

You say, "I would not say I am well-versed in ritual, but I have written a few."

Tonatiuh says, "Any that permit observers?"

Deep in thought, you lean your cheek on your hand.

You say, "I would have to ask the Lady Haruspex, as both types would be technically overseen by her."

Comprehension flashes across Tonatiuh's face.

With a nod of his head, Tonatiuh says, "Fair."

You say, "One is that of the guild, the Auguries. Another is honoring Lord Nocht and the Wyrd."

Tonatiuh ponders an indigo oracle staff bearing hieroglyphic suns thoughtfully, looking it up and down.

You tilt your head curiously.

You say, "Speaking of..."

You say, "I find it curious that you selected the Sun as inspiration for imagery."

"...Seer..." The voice echoes weakly, breaking halfway through and replacing itself with one filled with malice and smelling strongly of cayenne.

The pointed tips of your ears twitch to hear an errant sound.

Tonatiuh looks up into the air for divine inspiration.

You furrow your brow in thought.

Black sand erupts from the floor from where the staff touches the floor, swirling around the two of you in a fantastic spiral that shimmers with sparks of scarlet lightning.

You blink.

You glance askance at Tonatiuh.

Tonatiuh grips the staff tight, ears flicking sharply sideways with uncertainty.

Tonatiuh taps a claw against an indigo oracle staff bearing hieroglyphic suns, sending copper fireflies into a frenzies dance. They coalesce to form a glowing glyph, a blossom? a poppy? The symbol dissipates as quickly as it forms.

"...you SEE ME?..." A vicious chuckle rips through the aether, small images of alternate realities briefly visible as silvery splits tear through the air about you. "...speak your WILL to ME..."

A black phoenix glides in a lazy arc, causing the aether to ripple with sweltering heat in his wake.

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Tonatiuh murmurs, "My Will.." and then louder, "To join the Beloved," he says simply after a moment of indecisive thought.

Tonatiuh's gaze lingers across you momentarily, the entire shawl following suit before staring off into a myriad of random direction, seeking, searching, aching to find a focus.

An indigo oracle staff bearing hieroglyphic suns rips itself from Tonatiuh's hands, flying across the room in a mad spin before it gets caught with a loud SMACK by a furry paw, a pair of inky eyes staring down at it carefully.

Mysrai begins to wield an indigo oracle staff bearing hieroglyphic suns in Their right hand.

A blackthorn copse.                                    (#HALIDANAIS_25)
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The woods grow denser here, as blackthorn trees grow closely knit. In full bloom, they cover much of the view of the forest deeper within, giving a sense of safety to those who remain here. The rich scent of the blossoms lingers in the air, leading one's senses on a sweet journey. Shadows seep in from the woods, causing a mist that rises a few inches off the ground that swirls around ankles and legs. A black phoenix perches here, his fiery plumage illuminating the area with black fire. Tonatiuh is here, pondering thoughtfully. Mysrai, the Shofet of Abyssal Scales lingers between great rifts in the aether, a sandstorm raging about Them that flares with scarlet lightning. They wield an indigo oracle staff bearing hieroglyphic suns in Their right hand.

Tonatiuh's golden claws click together as they close upon empty air.

Tonatiuh murmurs, "What is mine is Yours."

Their fur is flecked with dried blood, a large wound wets the left side of Their robes, and Their eyes explode in constellations as They gaze down upon the staff in Their hands, but Mysrai nonetheless remains a figure of utmost and terrifying, noble grace. "...why?..." Their voice is a snarl torn from a ragged breath, and Their eyes threaten to strike down Tonatiuh where he stands.

"...MY fulcrux, if you wish to be MINE!" Mysrai dissolves into a torrent of black sand that rushes over your feet like water before sizzling away with the strong stench of peppers, reality mending itself around you with Their absence.

Softly, you say to Tonatiuh, "You should go."

Comprehension flashes across Tonatiuh's face.

Tonatiuh says, "Yes."

You say to Tonatiuh, "I have another matter to attend to." (fae stuff!)

(leaving my manse)