a smaller family annoucement

A mist-wreathed strix with wings resplendent with pulsing silver motes settles her unblinking gaze upon Cheliyi as she enters her surroundings.

You pat Veara in a friendly manner.

Veara hugs you compassionately.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Am here."

You begin to follow Veara.

Veara smiles softly at you.

You follow Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren to before a moonlit anvil.
Veara opens the reinforced door to the east.
You follow Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren east to inside a small cottage.

Veara closes the reinforced door to the west.

Her brow creasing, you say, "Now, what is the matter mine-daughter?"

Veara sits herself down on a white-cushioned couch with stag imagery and makes herself comfortable.
You sit yourself down on a white-cushioned couch with stag imagery and make yourself comfortable.

Inside a small cottage.
This cabin exudes a warm and rustic atmosphere with rough-hewn wooden planks lining the walls and a plush deep-pile rug covering the floor. The dark stone fireplace in one corner of the room provides comforting heat and casts a flickering light on everything around it. Above the fireplace, a cauldron bubbles and steams, sending out fragrant wisps of smoke. A comfortable couch with soft cushions and a warm throw blanket sits on one side of the room, inviting you to sit and relax. On the other side of the fireplace, a small wooden table displays an array of mystical objects, including candles, crystals, and other enchanting trinkets. A collection of jars filled with herbs and potions sits on shelves on the far wall alongside old books and grimoires, adding to the room's magical atmosphere. A rustic hunter's chair spreads its antlers here. The pale wood of a white-cushioned couch bears the figures of twin stags. Perpetually ticking away the hours, the Monumental Clock of Fortune's End stands proudly nearby. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. There are 3 thoughtful scholars here. There are 2 wandering bards here. Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie perches here with a mischievous glint in his eye. Calmly awaiting some predetermined event, a mist-wreathed strix manifests here upon wings resplendent with pulsing silver motes, its wise gaze unblinking. Garbed in a shroud of shifting moonfire, a Ward of the Silver Trinity stands guard, eyes blackened with storm clouds.
You see a single exit leading west (closed door).

---> look Veara

Reaching just over five feet tall she is she is a graceful elfen lady horned vernal ascendant with antlers and possesses a slender and wirey build, with well-defined muscles lurking beneath sun-bronzed skin. Her long, raven-black hair cascades down to her shoulders in loose braids, each one adorned with a variety of small bone charms, feathers and the odd small twig. A pair of majestic antlers part the unkempt braids as they rise from her forehead, each one branching into numerous lethal points. Sharp almond-shaped eyes of the deepest purple peer past a stray braid or two as she watches her surroundings with intense focus. Her face is slender, graced with angular features and marked by a long scar which stretches from her left cheek down to her collarbone. Her face is painted with an image of the greenman.
Wait timer expired.
She is wearing:
a fur-lined forest green coat enshrouding her form
a ring of twining wisteria on her left ring finger, the only jewelry on her hands.
a seamless collar adorned with wisteria blossoms fitting snugly around her neck
a winter's glory brooch pinned to her coat
a lustrous moonglass periapt dangling from her neck on a thin, silver chain
the Flame of dae'Seren resting on a simple leather band around her neck.
a primal necklace of feathers and beads resting on her chest
tight black leather trousers in a neat fit
a pair of vined forestwalker's boots

---> look me

Small and cheery, she is a glistening mugwump tidal demigoddess of axolotl descent with pearly skin and six mauve-tinted frills. Her stature is not unnatural for a mugwump, barely above 4'3" and sturdily built. A bob of magenta hair flows from her scalp, adorned with shiny knickknacks, small origami, and albino feathers. Carefully woven, a single braid hangs from her disheveled bangs, affectionately clipped with a small, sapphire bead. Affixed to one frill is a tiny set of bone chimes, so small that it almost seems like an earring. Her skin has a soft, oily sheen akin to most mugwumps, but strangely enough, the skin becomes abruptly dry and brittle in some places. Most notable are her forearms and eyes, her pale complexion discolored to an uncomfortable gritty beige. Glittering mists soothe the damaged areas, ebbing and flowing in a constant tide across her skin. Frozen fog clings to her eyelashes like gems, shimmering and shifting with each blink. Clouded, milky grey eyes gleam at a certain angles, her gaze glowing with a vibrant inner light. Her warm grin reveals normal teeth with suspiciously wooden canines, while tree bark clings to the soles of her webbed feet. A long, thick tail lined with a frilled fin twitches occasionally behind her, stirring up dust and litter with each sweep. The pale frills that would usually extend from her tail tip are torn and scarred, the wounds long since healed.
She is wearing:
a hat of sensational blooming
a pair of thin spectacles tinted a smoky black
a dangling lily pad earring through her left ear - like frill
a water lily stud through her right ear - like frill
a silver necklace set with star sapphires
a leaf-green woollen blanket pinned over a dark moss-green linen shirt like a shawl
a gentle water lily brooch proudly securing a leaf-green woollen blanket in place
a glass ampoule of bottled starlight hanging securely from her waist
Immaculate Prayer Beads of the Empyreal Goddess wrapped reverently around her bandaged right hand
a silken blouse of dragonfly embroidery
the Mantle of Starlight hung about her waist like a starry skirt
a frost-touched white rose wedding ring

Veara leans against you with a sigh "I no longer have a child and you no longer have a grandchild." she says after a long moments pause. "And they have retired from adventuring, so I can't even ask why."

You blink.
You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.
Softly, you say, "Oh."
You have emoted: Cheliyi pulls Veara close, her expression faltering.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Am so sorry."

Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says to you, "Wanting to no longer adventure and settle down somewhere... that part I get."
Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says, "Renouncing the family is the part that I don't ... understand."

Muginn ruffles his feathers, stirring up puffs of fog.

Fluttering as if caught by a breeze, the silvery threads of tinsel weave about in a haphazard pattern: conjuring new constellations and shapes as they glow from the sidereal light of the wreath's fine filaments.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "... did they mean to prevent honor loss or somethings?"
You sigh quietly, frills drooping as your tail sags.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I do not understand it either."

---> honors Hiresh

Hiresh, A Blade in the Sand (Male Therapeutic Demigod).
He has retired from adventuring life and has faded into the Tapestry of the Fates.
He is 58 years old, having been born on the 8th of Klangiary, 584 years after the Coming of Estarra.
He was born into the Great House of Myeras.
He is not currently active in any family.
See HONOURS FULL HIRESH to view his 26 special honours.

Veara shakes her head lightly "They renounced close to the end of the year, so don't think so."

Softly, you say, "And not even a words?"
You murmur softly to yourself.

Veara shakes her head again. "Nothing. Just woke up one day to hear the news. I thought we were close, them and I, mom."

Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to Veara's brow.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "It will be okay."
Taking your hands into her own, you say, "And you must remember, you have done nothing wrongly."

Veara nods slowly "Not sure I" she sighs "I would have hoped they would come to me if there's problems before they just up and disappear. Only a few months before this... they tried to introduce me to the person they were dating now... ".

You have emoted: Cheliyi looks up to Veara, her gaze creased at the corners. "Did that go poorly?"

"Eh, not quite... easy I suppose. The person they were seeing suddenly got up and left. Hiresh said it wasn't about me, but... ah, I don't know" Veara answers to you. "Just thought you should know, mom."

You narrow your eyes to thin slits.

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

Gently, you say to Veara, "Mine-daughter. This is not your fault. You agree, yesly?"

Veara shakes her head lightly. "I'm not sure I do."

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.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "You have done all that you can. And Hiresh, mine-grandchild could make their own decisions. You did well as a parent."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Sometimes, people just slip from our lives. The choice is wholly their own."

"And sometimes they just renounce their parents, too, without ever telling them why?" Veara asks you.

With a sigh, you say, "Actually, yes."
Firmly, you say, "In the end, we may say or do something that we think could have helped. But it is in the end, them that decides. So do not put this on yourself. It was not your decision to make. Did you choose for them? Of coursely not. So the responsibility is not yours."
You have emoted: Cheliyi runs a hand through her hair, pursing her lips. "You said so yourselfs. They left without a goodbye, and said nothing. That is on them. I know in a heartbeat if they had asked you to do a thing, you would have to make them happy. The burden is not yours, mine-daughter."
You hug Veara as best as you can, pulling them into a tight embrace.

Veara squeezes you as well, sighing. "Yes I would've. Would've moved most of the world for them, if they would've asked. Instead they choose to do this. I try to move past it, but it still feels..."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "It hurts, no?"

Veara nods at you, "I try to see it in a light that makes... there's no angle where this isn't either deliberately hurtful or ..."
You give Veara a friendly squeeze.

A halo of celestial light wells about you, the shells upon a shimmering wreath of seashells reflecting it outwards, painting your surroundings in a spray of oceanic hues.

Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says to you, "I think in the end, I did barely know my child. The child that once enjoyed prancing beneath forest branches and sit in our haunted library writing poetry, I don't think that child was there anymore, perhaps in my heart."

Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says, "In the end, I am not sure Hiresh wanted me anywhere near them if they could help it."

You crease your brow in a frown.
Leaning forward, you gently press a kiss to Veara's brow.

"Not sure I was good company for the circle of people they kept, either. I don't know." Veara says to you. "But that is perhaps the pain speaking."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "People grow and moves, yes? Like the tide. They pull away and return in cycles. Hiresh is... gone fully. But I doubt they hated you as strongly as you feels, yes. They just grew up from the nest and found where their leaves grew best."

Gently, you say, "It is okay to mourn both."
You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I certain ams."

Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says to you, "I'm glad that Grandparent and you are now waking again. Is good to have family awake again, mom."

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I keep missing Dad, yesly. I need to be waking earlier, I suppose."
You snuggle close to Veara and lean comfortably on her.

Veara snuggles up close to you, looking happy and content.

Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says to you, "They miss you too. Llani, Them and I had a nice chat by the sunflowers a few weaves ago. It was very nice."

You smile softly.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "You are okay. You are loved. And wherever Hiresh is, they are too in our hearts. It just needs time."

You pat an airy bracelet of the cloudswept sky in a friendly manner.
The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.

Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says to you, "I'll never forget them. And should I have other kids, I'll tell those of them. Both the good parts and the more cautionary tales."

You give a trillingly melodic laugh, your frills resonating with joy.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Like how they were a divine lightning rods?"

Veara glances askance.
Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says, "Yes. Or how they thought Gaudiguch was a good idea."

With fondness, you say, "Gaudiguch is a place for the free and wild. In a way, it is only a step above Serenwilde."
Gently, you say, "Do not disparage them from finding the right soil."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Er, well. Step above in the crazy scale."
You giggle happily.

Veara peers at you unscrupulously.
"Serenwilde is not crazy, mother." Veara says seriously, "Well not on that scale, at least. I feel there is a certain amount of isolation that we apply to ourselves, but... Gaudiguch burns it's people. Either you become the flame or you are consumed by it."
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.

You have emoted: Cheliyi face twitches, and she rubs at her bandaged wrists. "Ah, well. It is not for me. But sometimes, the fire can be gentle. I experienced it once, when I was much much younger." Her expression grows cloudy, and she looks to the floor.

You think to yourself: **And the first time, when you were -much- younger**.
You think to yourself: **but the Shofets was kind. And -that- fire glowed. You hope it is the second fire, and not your first.**.

A wandering bard sighs dramatically and plucks annoyedly at their instrument.
A wandering bard exclaims, "What is TAKING so long?! I must share my genius with the world!"

With a poor attempt at gentle teasing, you say, "And do not think I haven't heard of the blood rites Serenwilde focuses on."

You peer at a wandering bard unscrupulously.
A wandering bard makes a short, vexed sound.

"I've been to their city a few times, looking for Hiresh over the years.." Veara says, stopping abruptly to look at a wandering bard.

Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I will be -right- back."

Veara nods her head at you.
You get up off a white-cushioned couch with stag imagery.

---> nyoom!

You sit yourself down on a white-cushioned couch with stag imagery and make yourself comfortable.
You have recovered balance on all limbs.

A wry smile spreads across your face.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "This is to say, should have a more open mind of the cities."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "They can be... strange. But all communes and cities have their quirks."

Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says to you, "I know that and I have not stopped them when they went to Gaudiguch."
Argent moonlight pierces the blue glow of the Flame of dae'Seren upon Veara, enshrouding her momentarily in a silver mantle.

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.
You nod your head at Veara.
Gently, you say, "How are you and Llani doing?"

Veara shrugs softly, "Well, I love her still and she still loves me. But we don't spend a lot of time together, I barely see her."
You nod your head slowly in understanding.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Am sure you will find time for eachother."

Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says to you, "Thank you for your time, mom. I'd love to stay and chat, but I need to rest."
"And I am sorry for all the dreary news. I'm sure there's others to come in the near future too." Veara says to you. "And thanks."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Sleep well."
You hug Veara as best as you can, pulling them into a tight embrace.

Veara hugs you compassionately.
Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says to you, "Perhaps we can do something fun next time we run into each other. Perhaps even together with granddad."

Gently, you say, "Love you so much. And yeah. Sounds goodly."
You get up off a white-cushioned couch with stag imagery.

Fatebringer Veara Myeras, Aegis of the Seren says to you, "Love you too, mom. Lots of love."
Veara grows still and her lips begin to move silently.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Be goodly and kind, and have goodly dreams."

Veara is enveloped in translucent fire for a moment and is gone, her soul safe until she returns to Lusternia.

A mist-wreathed strix with wings resplendent with pulsing silver motes watches Cheliyi intently with her unblinking eyes as she leaves her surroundings.