Tarox in Dolphin: Caoilfhoinn, Kalliope

Before the Matrix.
Banks of clouds roil about here. Suspended by four bridges of transparent crystal, an enormous circular walkway looks out over the crystalline structure of Hallifax. The walkway is made of semi-translucent gemstone with handrails around both the inner and outer circumference to prevent any unnecessary accidents. Though wispy clouds can be seen to move around the crystalline towers of Hallifax, the cool air here is only a gentle, serene breeze, as if the wind itself was tamed before the Nexus of Power. There are 5 cylindrical chairs of transparent crystal here. A large fractal banqueting table stands elegantly here. The graceful, translucent form of a bird of paradise dances in the air, the insubstantial image shifting through a constant stream of vivid colours. Radiating with an incandescent brilliance, the Matrix floats within the circular walkway, slowly turning and revealing flowering geometric patterns. Wind whipping through his wings, Fraesic Sunfar, Keeper of the Matrix is here, face upturned to the chill breeze. Long, lean, and vibrating with barely-contained energy, a greyhound sniffs about here. Glowing gently with a soft blue light, a delicate dreamcatcher has been permanently hung here. A statue of a diaphanous dodecahedron stands here, memorialising his noble spirit. Standing perfectly erect, Leeoh Vardan, Senior Deputy Commissar, supervises with a keen eye here. There are 10 Sentinel Deputy Commissars here. Holding his avian head aloft, a sidiak bird manifested from splintered shards of Sidiakian power floats proudly here. A creature of starlit shadow is here, blending in with the ambient darkness. Caoilfhoinn is here, leaning on Kalliope. Popular Idol Kalliope Starheart is here, shrouded. She wields a sparkling star sapphire violin inlaid with fractal imagery in her left hand and a pink heart-shaped shield in her right hand.
You see exits leading northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest, and in.

You give a black rose shortbread cookie to Popular Idol Kalliope Starheart.
You give a black rose shortbread cookie to Caoilfhoinn Shevat.

With extravagantly glamorous elocution, Popular Idol Kalliope Starheart says, "Yes, cookie time!"

Kalliope raises one hand elegantly in a gentle curve above her head and extends the other in front of her for balance as she twirls in place.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 20th of Kiani, 611 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 23 days until the New Moon

With extravagantly glamorous elocution, Popular Idol Kalliope Starheart says, "The flavor gives me dance energy!"

You hum thoughtfully.

"Wow!" Caoilfhoinn exclaims!

Caoilfhoinn curtseys gracefully before you.

You incline your head politely to those around you.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "All is well in Hallifax?"

You tilt your head curiously.

With extravagantly glamorous elocution, Popular Idol Kalliope Starheart says, "Sky high and united in purpose."

You hum thoughtfully.

LOOK CAOILFHOINN
She is a feathered cloud trill welkin demigoddess and stands at just about six foot two inches, possessed of a tall and willowy frame. Crowning her head is a veritable mane of soft, downy white feathers, teased and coerced to function in place of hair. This plumage cascades down past her chin, but doesn't have the length to touch her shoulders. A collection of quills at the back of her head, better formed than the wispy hair-feathers, stick up and back in a ringed plume and form a sort of crown, with the tips of those slowly shifting from snowy white to dusky grey. Her skin is pale, shunning the touch of the sun, and revealing a touch of albinism, which is contrasted by the red irises of two big, inquisitive eyes. Her eyes are ringed by voluminous, feathered lashes of a pure white hue, contrasting sharply with dark makeup. Set in her diamond-shaped face just below her eyes is a petite nose, ending in a haughty upward curve. Lissome in build, she carries a slim-shouldered build and a modest bust, though the delicate curves of her hips and her long, pale legs do much to emphasise the femininity of her figure. A massive pair of snowy-white wings sprout from her back, their snow-pale hue gently darkening to an ashy grey at the wingtips. Her wingspan, when fully spread, is easily longer than she is tall, although the wings usually remain folded against her back, kept carefully close to avoid unfortunate accidents.
She is wearing:
a soft woollen cloak of midnight blue and starry silver
a star-adorned dress of midnight blue silk and gossamer
an exquisitely starry shawl of midnight blue
starry midnight blue sandals of winding straps
a compass brooch of glistening stars

LOOK KALLIOPE
Her dazzling candy pink hair is artfully done up into elegantly pinned curls that reach the nape of her slim neck. Kalliope's fair complexion is undertoned with opalescent glitter, every inch of her sparkles, patches of prismatic flecks show at her nose, eyes, cheeks, and across her shoulderblades and impressively arrayed decolletage. Her almond shaped, dusk blue eyes sparkle with hidden twilight depths, a subtle starscape of distant lights passing behind them making her dark-eyed gaze uncannily bright.  She has an expressive heart-shaped face; with plucked pink brows, dramatically winged eye makeup and sparkling shadow, full shimmering rose-tinted lips, and a slender blush-kissed nose. Her powder-pale cheeks are lightly accented with blush, and the beauty mark below her left eye is penciled over to shape it into a polygonal heart. She has the lissome frame of an acrobat or dancer: five foot six inches tall, long legged, and unbalanced only by a buxom top-heaviness in an otherwise artistically honed form. Her small elegant hands are immaculately cared for, though the fingertips of her left hand are heavily calloused, and the silvery-pink painted painted fingernails on that side are trimmed short in contrast to the longer square-cut nails on her right. She is an ordinary human glittering demigoddess.
She is wearing:
a silk and opal choker snugly accentuates her slender neck
a dapper black dress coat with tails billows open, unbuttoned over a tightly laced white corset
a pair of black fishnet stockings worn under a skin-tight leotard bottom
a pair of glittering black high-heeled shoes elevate her poise and height alike
a glamorous black-sequined purse clutched fashionably close at hand

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "I do not believe I have met either of you in great detail..."

With extravagantly glamorous elocution, Popular Idol Kalliope Starheart says, "My name is Kalliope Starheart, I'm 28, a musical prodigy, and the most beautiful girl in the entire basin."

Caoilfhoinn raises her hand to her mouth and titters girlishly at Kalliope.

Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "Caoilfhoinn - I watch the stars."

A look of understanding crossing her features, Caoilfhoinn nods her head slowly.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "Indeed?"

Kalliope indicates herself when Caoilfhoinn isn't looking.

You ponder Caoilfhoinn thoughtfully, looking her up and down.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper to Caoilfhoinn, "How do you read the stars?"

Caoilfhoinn furrows her brow for a moment, then slowly tilts her head upwards and squints.

With extravagantly glamorous elocution, Popular Idol Kalliope Starheart says, "Well, when I want to read the stars I just consult my handy-dandy starchart."

Caoilfhoinn twitches spasmodically.

Kalliope holds up a vellum starchart (upside down) and attempts to read it with a very serious expression.

You have emoted: Esei briefly lifts a brow, glancing towards Kalliope.

Caoilfhoinn clears her throat, casting a sidelong glance at Kalliope, but endeavors, "As the planets pass along the star signs, I trace their path and interpret their effects on us. Papaxi exerts itself within the Twin Crystals, today - unpredictability for Hallifax... such as a guest blown in on the winds," she finishes, with a wry smirk.

You hum thoughtfully.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper to Caoilfhoinn, "I am not an astrologer myself - or at least, hardly a talented one - and have always had a lingering... curiosity for what it might mean for me."

Kalliope makes forehead wrinkles as she tries to figure out what any of that means in relation to the chart. Her second to last braincell gives out and she adopts a vapid expression as she tunes into Caoilfhoinn's more salient narrative.

Caoilfhoinn slowly nods, reaching to pat Kalliope on the head gently. "One can go their entire life never caring or knowing what the stars do, or say - and still others believe they control their every action. It lands somewhere in the middle," she describes. "A gentle push, a gentle pull, a predisposition or inclination."

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "Indeed - as is all divination."

Kalliope stuffs the starchart away into whatever dark feminine hiding place she has for such things, perhaps never to be seen again.

"Do you ever have trouble keeping your emotions in check?" Caoilfhoinn asks suddenly, her head tilted to the side as she gazes at you.
Tilting their head, you whisper, "Hm... at times. Primarily anger, or sorrow."

Silk swaying in gentle wisps about her arms, a city comptroller leaves to the southwest.

Caoilfhoinn taps her fingers on her lower lip. "Moon in Volcano," she explains. "Fluctuation, and eruption - drive, power. If you act on that anger or sorrow in sudden bursts, that is your Moon sign exerting influence."

Caoilfhoinn beams broadly.

Kalliope slips a piece of parchment into her heart-shaped clipboard and starts to idly take notes, chewing on her stylus when she pauses.

You hum thoughtfully.

Happily, Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "If you'd like a full reading, I'd only need your birthday."

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "But as Mother Night teaches self control, Brother Crow teaches self mastery. I avoid acting on such emotions, whenever possible. I understand that in my anger, I may make a fool of myself, and that will do no good for the Hallowed, or the Glomdoring."

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

Kalliope scribbles something quickly and seems to circle it.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper to Caoilfhoinn, "I was born the 12th of Urlachmar, in the year 518."

Kalliope gets ink on her lip as she sucks on the nib thoughtfully.

Caoilfhoinn nods, glancing up at the stars as she thinks, and runs a few calculations. "Hum. So many bumblebees in the Glomdoring - strange tidings in that decade, I should think."

Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "Nonetheless, the Bumblebee represents society, and friendship - and with it being your Sun sign, it's likely you place great import on those two things."

Absent-mindedly, Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "It can be inauspicious for the Glomdoring, being more strongly associated with the Serenwilde, but no one has a stronger sense of community than those of the Wyrden forest."

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "...the Lady Viravain did create bees, if that at all helps the interpretation."

You have emoted: Esei falls silent, alighting on the ground as they clasp their hands behind their back.

Kalliope shrugs to herself and tucks the clipboard away.

Caoilfhoinn smiles, glancing to the sky once more. "Do you find yourself attracted to powerful people, I wonder? Or... attracted to power itself? Eroee in Skull is an odd one - Eroee passes through the spheres of love and attraction, but the Skull represents ambition and power - most closely associated with Mangagora." She pauses, a moment, brow furrowed.

You hum thoughtfully.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "No. The only ambition I have is to serve the Glomdoring well - rewards only come to me, I do not seek them out."

With extravagantly glamorous elocution, Popular Idol Kalliope Starheart says, "Oh, I love when I get things and money and stuff."

Kalliope rubs her little hands together and giggles.

Caoilfhoinn nods, and offers, "Retrograde, perhaps - though I caution, service is an ambition in and of itself."

You glance askance.

With a grin, Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "I wonder, do you consider yourself clever? A strong thinker? Your Sidiak, which represents your ability to think, rests in Volcano as well. Perhaps you have explosive power you aren't even fully aware of."

You purse your lips, deep in thought.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "...not in particular. I suppose I have my moments."

Caoilfhoinn nods enthusiastically. "Having your moments is very Volcano of you."

Kalliope twirls a curly pink lock of hair around her finger as she smiles and leans against Caoilfhoinn.

Caoilfhoinn frowns a moment, but carries on. "Tarox - the planet of war and aggression - rests in Dolphin, for you. High emotions like love, deep sorrow, righteous anger... when they cause you grief or trouble, that's Tarox drifting through your sphere. It can lead to... difficult times. Wrestling with emotions. Speaking in anger. A need to suppress feelings."

After a pause, quietly, Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "It can lead to self-hate, as well. Dolphin represents our inner majesty, and to be at war with yourself is the loneliest existence."

Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "Your Eroee in Skull makes more sense, taking that into consideration."

Caoilfhoinn wrinkles her nose and sniffs.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "How so?"

Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "Chasing an ambition - or, in your case, unwavering service - can distract from, or even soothe, the war that might rage within."

Softly, you whisper, "Perhaps."

Kalliope brushes her hair vainly.

As the sun passes below the horizon's edge, Mother Night unveils her terrible, shadowy beauty, spreading darkness across the land.

Caoilfhoinn ponders quietly for a moment, tapping her lower lip in thought. "Papaxi evades even my understanding, at times - it can represent luck, but can frequently enter retrograde. Yours is in the Burning Censer - a Gaudiguchian sign." She furrows her brow, frowning as she offers, "You may either be very lucky or very unlucky with relationships - if Papaxi influences them strongly, it's unlikely to land in the middle. I sincerely hope it is the former."

You hum thoughtfully.

After a moment, you whisper, "I believe it depends largely upon your point of view."

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "I often have a different view of my relationships than those who have a relationship with me."

You lazily draw your wings to and fro through the air, fanning them slowly.

Caoilfhoinn reaches up to smooth the feathers on her head, nodding slowly. "That sounds unlucky, to me," she offers in a moment of blunt honesty. "I like to know that Kalli and I are on the same page of the starchart, as it were." She smiles, and finishes, "Your Aapek also passes through the Burning Censer - where Papaxi is often positive, Aapek is usually negative, representing boundaries and restrictions. I choose to interpret this sign positively - not that your relationships restrict you, but rather, they define your edges, so that you don't spill over. Important for your Moon sign, I should think."

Cocking their head, you whisper, "In what way would they... define?"

Off-handedly, Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "You know, your chart reminds me of a Celestian - so similar, and yet you two are..."

Kalliope perks up at her own name, putting up a beauty-queen smile. She was wandering a little mentally, and it take a second for the glaze to come out of her beautiful starry eyes.

You tilt your head curiously.

Kalliope shuffles over to Caoilfhoinn and shyly takes her hand in her own.

Caoilfhoinn stops, reaching out to take one of Kalliope's hands. "Your relationships and partnerships define your edges in the sense that they show you who you are, even when you can't see it yourself - Tarox in Dolphin," she reminds. "They reinforce your role, whether chosen or given. Even when they reveal a flaw, they shore up that part of you, showing you what you aren't, and what you needn't be." She gives the hand she holds a little squeeze, adding, "Or they allow you to safely grow into something new, without breaking."

You have emoted: Esei stares up at Caoilfhoinn, their black eyes empty as they search the trill's face. "I see."

Kalliope tilts her head like a curious puppy and spills pink curls absolutely everywhere.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 21st of Kiani, 611 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 22 days until the New Moon

Softly, Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "Think of the people in your life, and how they've changed you, or helped to mold you into who you are today."

You hum thoughtfully.

With extravagantly glamorous elocution, Popular Idol Kalliope Starheart says, "I'm glad you think about these things so much, Gemheart... When I'm thinking about our relationship it's just kissing or a poem or something."

You lazily draw your wings to and fro through the air, fanning them slowly.

A look of understanding crossing her features, Caoilfhoinn nods her head slowly.

Caoilfhoinn Shevat says, "It's okay if you think it's all just air-headed pontificating - I won't take offense."

Caoilfhoinn giggles happily.

Kalliope reaches up to gently drag her long fingernails against Caoilfhoinn's plumage.

You lazily draw your wings to and fro through the air, fanning them slowly.

You murmur softly to yourself.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper, "I suppose I shall leave you to it, then."

You incline your head politely to those around you.

Caoilfhoinn tilts her head curiously.

Lilting in an atramentous, ethereal voice, you whisper to Caoilfhoinn, "Thank you."

Comprehension flashes across Caoilfhoinn's face.