Auspice, go the duck to sleep

Shadows pour out from the up, heralding Dusan.
Brennan Stormcrow cocks his head to one side, looking Esei over with an appraising stare.
Brennan Stormcrow exclaims, "Mighty Crow has his eye upon you, Dark Savant!"
A shadowlord widowrider nods his head at Esei.

You greet Esei with a respectful nod, leaves swishing.

Esei approaches quietly, dark eyes almost vacant and appearing tired.

Esei tilts their head back and looks up at the sky.

You have emoted: Cheliyi pauses, before her branches seem to droop in sympathy. "... Are you alright, Esei?"

Esei murmurs softly to themself.

Esei tilts their head curiously at you, offering only a soft "Hmm?" in your direction.

Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "... If you do not wish to say so, I will not push. But you seem quite tired."
You think to yourself: **yellow and green fading to brown** As am I...

Quietly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Ah."

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Perhaps I am a bit tired, yes."
Esei smiles blandly.

You have emoted: Cheliyi branches pull inward, a brief look of pain crossing her features before she sighs quietly. "... Would you like a hug?"

Esei ponders the situation.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...I do not know."
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...the last one who hugged me..."

Esei flinches, slightly.

Quietly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Thank you, but... no."

You have emoted: Cheliyi hums softly, seeming to not have noticed the flinch, or pointedly ignored it. "Yes, that's reasonable. But I want you to know that I care for you, and consider you a friend. If you need something..."

Ethna blinks blankly, her attention turning to Esei from where Snald once stood. "Am I beating someone up?" She quietly asks, her single eye scrutinizing the other faeling with a fond, yet protective gaze.

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Please, do not."
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I believe they are beating themself up as is."

You think to yourself: **a sudden pale charcoal** Oh no. It must be Gurashi.

The faeling gives a small, "Oh," of realization before nodding her head. The frown curves into a weak smile as Ethna leans against a rose-coloured rage worg with glossy black wings, her gaze falling.

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks Ethna, "...have you, ah... had tea yet?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi hums, though her casual attitude seems a bit taut around the edges, like the wyrdenwood is stretched thin.

Ethna shakes her head. "I haven't seen the Lady Shee-Slaugh yet this month," She quietly responds, "I haven't really.. seen anyone since then."

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...I know."

Very quietly, you ask, "Could... could I have some tea?"

Esei ponders the situation.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks you, "What kind?"
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "Though the tea.... that I specify, is for family meetings."

Piping up from her place on the ground, Ethna D'Rose says, "The blood-infused black tea is absolutely DIVINE."

You blink.
Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "... Ah, I didn't know."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Esei's lips.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I can still brew you some, jatasere."
A rose-coloured rage worg with glossy black wings paces back and forth restlessly, a deep growl in his throat.

Softly, you ask, "Did... do you have any herbal tea left?"

You pet a vicious, ghostly white crow ingratiatingly.
A vicious, ghostly white crow glares angrily at you.
Suddenly brightening, you say, "Oh! By the way, Ethna was so kind as to gift me Murkrow! He is very cranky."

Esei nods their head sagely.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I watched."
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks, "What kind of herbal tea?"
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "There are quite a few."

You have emoted: Cheliyi picks Murkrow up with a bright grin, showing him off proudly as he squawks in indignant protest.

Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "And... whichever you'd like to brew? The flower ones are always really lovely."

Ethna sips black tea from a shot glass.
Ethna D'Rose whispers, "Sugar."

Esei smirks at Ethna.
Esei makes a beckoning motion to no-one in particular.

You have emoted: Cheliyi sets him down after a moment, expression fond.

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks, "Please, follow me?"

You begin to follow Esei.

Esei tilts their head and listens intently to Ethna.

Ethna points at herself, questioningly, than at you, also questioningly.

Ethna D'Rose says, "Oh. Me!"

You follow Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk northeast to Shadowfeast Kitchens.
You hum softly, your leaves resonating with song.

Ethna D'Rose says, "Both!"

After much surveying of the locale, Ethna flutters her wings in triumph before you notice the faeling perched upon your shoulder.

You chuckle softly, your leaves rustling with laughter.
Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "Now if only Murkrow wasn't so proud, he could ride up here as well."
You have emoted: Cheliyi grins at a vicious, ghostly white crow who stares right back, before cawing, once in obvious irritation.

Ethna's single eye sparkles brightly, the iris briefly turning red before fading back to hazel.

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk mutters, "Ekdure, e..te kl.....uki..."
Esei shakes their head.
Esei crushes the cluster of gems into a fine powder and fashions a bottle.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...herbal teas, herbal teas..."

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Dandelion, hibiscus, coconut-vanilla, catmint, minty cinnamon, rosehip, or vanilla-blackthorn?"
Esei glances askance.

You blink.

Esei tilts their head and listens intently.

Hesistantly, you say, "... Vanilla-blackthorn?"

With casual expertise, Esei brews up a bottle's worth of vanilla blackthorn blossom tea.
Esei pours out the contents of a shot glass on the ground.
Esei pours vanilla blackthorn blossom tea from a bottle into a shot glass.
Esei gives a shot glass to you.
Esei crushes the cluster of gems into a fine powder and fashions a set of 5 fine glasses.

A vicious, ghostly white crow ruffles his feathers.

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks Ethna, "Would you like some too, my dearest?"

"Ummmm," Ethna says uncertainly.

Her gaze falling to the floor, Ethna D'Rose says, "I have ten bottles worth of blood-infused black tea."

Ethna shifts her eyes suspiciously from side to side.

The eyes of Esei go briefly out of focus.
Esei winces painfully and rubs their forehead.
Esei sips a potion of healing from a sombre vial of thorns veiled in shadow.

You blink.

Esei shifts their eyes suspiciously from side to side.

Ethna sips black tea from an aubergine and ebon bottle of Mother Night.

Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "That is. Quite a bit of tea."
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to Ethna, "That is... many."

Almost pleadingly, Ethna D'Rose whispers, "But it's sooooo good."

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances at Esei, before snorting behind a mossy palm. "Oops."
(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "We basically said it at the exact same time dcwioncdnskl."

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks Ethna, "Anything else, tlaye?"

Esei purses their lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as they carefully gather their thoughts.

Ethna shakes her head.
Ethna shoves an entire cookie into her mouth, following it with tea.
Ethna sips black tea from an aubergine and ebon bottle of Mother Night.

Esei closes their eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of their surroundings.
Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

A vicious, ghostly white crow ruffles his feathers.

Esei's voice is audibly strained as they speak. "...any...anything else, while in the kitchen?"

Her brow furrowing, Ethna's lips curve downward into a frown.
Ethna D'Rose says, "Not at the moment, no."

You crease your brow in a frown.

A look of understanding crossing their features, Esei nods their head slowly.

Barely above a whisper, you say, "No. We can go, now."

---> We went... somewhere??

You follow Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk east to ancient trees.


Esei tilts their head back and looks up at the sky.
A gentle breeze carrying a rich and loamy scent ruffles Esei's hair.

You think to yourself: **a flash of purple in the grey** I made it so, so much worse. This is my fault, isn't it?

Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "... Esei?"

Esei tilts their head curiously at you, offering only a soft "Hmm?" in your direction.

Softly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "You can speak."

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances askance, before glancing back to Esei with pained expression. Her branches tremble in the breeze. "... I'm really sorry."

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks, "...for?"

Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "I've been hiding away when everyone else is hurting too. I should have noticed sooner. I'm sorry for being a bad friend."

With a slow nod to Ethna, Esei shows their understanding.

Esei dismisses you with a wave of their hand.

You have emoted: Cheliyi swipes at her eyes, blinking rapidly.

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "It is fine."

You think to yourself: **a flash of pale orange**.

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I am merely... tired. Hurt. Betrayed."

You have emoted: Cheliyi's expression pinches, before she glances away. A swift nod.

Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

You think to yourself: **pale orange pulsing in the grey** it is not a betrayal. We have only been told it is by some law made by 4 people in a room I've never seen.

Esei closes their eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of their surroundings.
Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

You have emoted: Cheliyi hums, though the sound is neither harmonious or resonant.

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk asks Ethna, "Which guild do you hold to, tlaye?"

You think to yourself: **orange, growing brighter** It is not a betrayal to prove something wrong.


Ethna D'Rose says to Esei, "I'm with the Swarm."

A look of understanding crossing their features, Esei nods their head slowly.
Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I will... guide us to a more private place."

---> Following Esei to the manse!

Ethna empties out a shot glass into her mouth.

Esei smiles weakly for just a moment.

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances around, before slowly pulling on her spectacles.
You slip into a pair of thin spectacles.

Esei purses their lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as they carefully gather their thoughts.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Now I cannot quite recall why I brought you here."
Esei murmurs softly to themself.

With a minute buzzing, Ethna hovers in front of Esei before placing a gentle kiss on their brow.

You have emoted: Cheliyi pulls in her branches, although this seems to be out of respect for the room, instead of discomfort.

Esei gently pecks Ethna on the cheek, as the lips are not very viable.

A quaint, dim tea room.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The light filters in from a latticed window, casting a pattern across the stone ground. The walls are made from a warm wood, making the room appear smaller than it actually is. A table sits in the center of the room, met with matching chairs. The scent of tea of various types blend into a lingering atmosphere. A faint mist pervades the room, muting the light across the ground. A rectangular chest made from pale wood sits here with its lid closed. There are 2 lushly-cushioned backless chairs here. A set of rose-scented curtains spill to the floor from a spindly rod in a swirl of blushing beauty here. Surprisingly low to the ground, a dark lacquered wooden table stands here. Snarling and slavering, a massive rose-coloured rage worg with glossy black wings waits here. A vicious, ghostly white crow flies here with wings spread. Dusan, a coruscant wyvern, lurks in the shadows here.
You see a single exit leading east (open door).

After much surveying of the locale, Ethna flutters her wings in triumph before you notice the faeling perched upon your shoulder.

You hum softly, your leaves resonating with song.
Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "Well, you always wait for my words to come. I cannot help but extend the favor."

A wry smile spreads across Esei's face
.
A rose-coloured rage worg with glossy black wings paces back and forth restlessly, a deep growl in his throat.

You pet a vicious, ghostly white crow ingratiatingly.
A vicious, ghostly white crow nods his head at you.

Esei murmurs softly to themself.

Ethna looks up at Esei thoughtfully, her single eye locking with their. "I'm going to disrespect your wishes," She suddenly murmurs, canting her head to the side.

Esei blinks.
Esei stares at Ethna, blinking several times in confusion.

Ethna flits from your branches before settling herself next to Esei. "Maybe," She quietly adds before slipping her arms around the faeling in as tight as an embrace as her small arms can manage. "Okay, I am." The woman admits as an afterthought.

Esei gently pats Ethna's back with the tips of their fingers, looking completely and utterly baffled.

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles, expression softening.

Rather shyly, Ethna D'Rose says, "I know you are not, but I am a person of touch." She pauses, gently releasing Esei. "I find it comforting and I just want.. to help."

Quietly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I know."

Ethna smiles softly.

You sit yourself down on a lushly-cushioned backless chair and make yourself comfortable.

Shadows swirl around Esei's arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree shifts and turns around their hand.
Esei murmurs softly to themself.

A vicious, ghostly white crow caws loudly, sending a shiver up your spine. ---> So jealous, smh Murkrow

Esei pats a vicious, ghostly white crow in a friendly manner.
A vicious, ghostly white crow nods his head at Esei.

Ethna carefully nuzzles Esei's cheek with her nose, before nodding victoriously.

Esei winces in pain.
Esei rubs their temple slightly.

Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "Do you have a headache too?"

You take a drink of black tea from a shot glass.
Your blood surges as the black tea enters your system.
Black tea and vanilla are the most prominent flavors as you sip this
drink, leaving the almond-adjacent aftertaste of blackthorn flowers
clinging to your tongue.

Esei nods tiredly.

Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "... Have you slept, recently?"

Esei purses their lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as they carefully gather their thoughts.
Esei shakes their head.

You have emoted: Cheliyi purses her lips, shifting uncomfortably on a lushly-cushioned backless chair. "Then I think you should sleep, now."

Esei shrugs helplessly.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Perhaps."

Her head bobbing in a small nod, Ethna D'Rose says, "I agree with Miss Cheliyi. You need your rest.."

Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "Sleeping always helps me when I feel bad."

Esei lets out a soft sigh.
Ethna inches towards Esei, gently taking their hand and squeezing slightly.

Gently reassuring, you say, "We can always chat tomorrow, if you want. Rest."

Ethna slowly nods her head.

Esei sways dazedly.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Nothing matters but the Glomdoring."

Ethna D'Rose murmurs, "Glory be to the Glomdoring."

You blink.
You nod slowly, leaves rustling softly.
Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "Glory be."

Esei fidgets slightly, staring into the distance. "They... cannot hold themself to that oath anymore."

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances away, silent.

You think: **grey, like ash, lit by a pulse of ever irritable orange**

Her eye widening in both concern and fright, Ethna looks up at Esei before breathing out a small, "O-oh."

Quietly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "You two may go, if you want."

You get up off a lushly-cushioned backless chair.

Adamantly shaking her head, Ethna D'Rose asks, "I'm.. going to stay with you, if that's okay?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances at Esei, gaze full of quiet upset. "... Will you sleep?"

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Perhaps soon."
With a slow nod to Ethna, Esei shows their understanding.
With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...Keeper Tridemon Regalis is no friend of ours, I believe."

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Oh, ally, certainly. Friend... I do not believe so."

Sounding confused, Ethna D'Rose says, "I.. do not know who that is, but I will keep my distance."

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "An aquamancer of New Celest. One of Gurashi's... friends."

With a slow nod to Esei, Ethna shows her understanding.

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles weakly to Ethna, clearly grateful before she glances again at Esei. "... Perhaps so. I will leave you two be."

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Slaughtered a little spider and dared to slander Lady Spider in front of me."
Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

You see a single exit leading east (open door).

With silvery tones, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I had to leave, else I might've tried to kill him."

Ethna tells you, "If you are still about when I emerge, we can go hunting or something? I know you've been feeling distressed, too."

Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "... Farewell, Esei. I hope you rest soon. The same to you, Ethna."

Coldly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "He claimed that Spider was not strong. But that is not the Weaver's teachings."

You speedwalk south to a crossroads in an old Wyrden forest.

A crossroads in an old Wyrden forest.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. Trees loom overhead, blocking light from the Sun and Moon, inviting a feeling of eternal night. There is a well-worn crossroads here, a barely legible sign pointing away to various indistinguishable places within the woods. A tower rises to the south and another to the north, the southern one quite a bit shorter than the northern one. The faint sound of water echoes from the west. There is a subtle, perpetual beat hanging in the air. A vicious, ghostly white crow flies here with wings spread. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, south, southwest, and west.

You tell Ethna D'Rose, "**pale charcoal slowly being overgrown with green** I would... I would appreciate that."

---> to the MR

A vicious, ghostly white crow obediently falls into line behind you.
You pet a vicious, ghostly white crow ingratiatingly.
A vicious, ghostly white crow nods his head at you.

You sigh quietly, branches creaking with the weight of drooping leaves.