"If I dies permanently, watch over Muginns,"

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

You look through a delicate veil of shadows:
The Fulcrux of Nocht.
The image of a beautiful nighttime sky has been stretched across the fulcrux. Dim stars struggle futilely to compete with the terrifying beauty of Mother Night. The ethereal image wavers on occasion, the sky rippling like water in a pond. A lonely hill covered in tall grass leads up to a single shrine. Behind the shrine stands a large blackthorn tree. The tree is taller than most of its kind, extending upwards rather than outwards. Delicate blossoms shower down from its branches, creating a flurry of white petals and filling the air with the pungent scent of wyrden foliage. A complex series of stones orbit around a stygian orb here. A rippling image of a beautiful night sky has been magically wrapped around the fulcrux here. Reverently laid before the shrine in a sheath of starlight and shadow, the Sidereal Mantle of Ailustris emanates Divine power here. A hunting trophy bearing Lanyip's head is here, a grisly reminder of the power of a skillful hunter. The decapitated head of Ilthilior has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Vyell has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Veikko has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Velcora has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Veldrin has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Elysian has been carelessly tossed aside. The shadowy form of a Daughter of the Night stands here, exuding wyrden power from within swirling black robes. Istela is here, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. She wields a silver ravenwood klangaxe with both hands.
You see a single exit leading through an image of the night sky.

You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.

A golden firefly squid drags itself in.
Able to fit in the palm of a hand, this golden firefly squid toy squirms in random, spasmodic movements due to a clockwork mechanism hidden within. The top portion, smooth and long, carries two glittering, almost comically large eyes while a pair of lips have been stitched just below in a wide, happy smile. Below its body are dozens of writhing tentacles that flail about uselessly, the tips of each adorned with a tiny gem.
It weighs about 1 pounds and 14 ounce(s).
It bears the distinctive mark of Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk.
It has the following aliases: squid.
A golden firefly squid flails about helplessly.
A golden firefly squid scuttles away.

A wry smile spreads across your face.

Light shifts and reflects from the surface of the crystalline walls.

You flutter your nose at the air, sensing through a cute little rabbit nose upon your face the faint traces of others in the surrounding area.
You make out the scent of Istela coming from the Fulcrux of Nocht.
You make out the scent of Tau coming from the Fulcrux of Nocht.

You have emoted: Cheliyi watches the billowing cloth with a quiet sigh, fidgeting with the edge of her shirt.

You sense the piercing eyes of Esei looking upon you.

Esei pours an opaque night tea from an onyx rose and ravenwood tea bottle into a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.
Esei gives a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna to you.

Esei pours an opaque night tea from an onyx rose and ravenwood tea bottle into a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.
Esei sips black tea from a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.
Esei raises a slender brow at you.

You blink.
You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.
You glance askance.

You take a drink of black tea from a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.
Your blood surges as the black tea enters your system.

This night-black tea swirls easily over your tongue, the sharp tastes of
sloe and cloves an undercurrent to the more delicate, overarching
flavors of lavender and rose. The tea is pleasantly warm, the flavors
leaving a pleasant aftertaste on your palate.

Taking another sip of tea, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Excellent question, indeed."

You peer at Esei unscrupulously.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you whisper, "I didn't say anythings."

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "No. But you wanted to, no?"

Pulses of divine energy radiate throughout the cavern, bathing the area in warmth.

You have emoted: Cheliyi opens her mouth, realizes that she has no retort to this, and promptly shuts up.

You take a drink of black tea from a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.
Your blood surges as the black tea enters your system.
This night-black tea swirls easily over your tongue, the sharp tastes of
sloe and cloves an undercurrent to the more delicate, overarching
flavors of lavender and rose. The tea is pleasantly warm, the flavors
leaving a pleasant aftertaste on your palate.

Esei sips black tea from a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.

(The Hoard & The Hive): You say, "Awkward sipping."
(The Hoard & The Hive): You say, "Ah, tea at its finest."
(The Hoard & The Hive): Esei says, "Esei has somehow gotten more snape-y than I remember."
(The Hoard & The Hive): Esei says, "Oops."
(The Hoard & The Hive): You say, "LMAO."
(The Hoard & The Hive): You say, "Where's the 'POTTAH'"

(The Hoard & The Hive): Esei says, "Nowhere."
(The Hoard & The Hive): Esei says, "Esei would just stare. and stare. and stare. and then narrow their eyes."

Awkwardly, you say, "I was... going to see the Mantles, again."
Quieter, you say, "But uh, peoples are clearly busy."

The world pauses in nonsensical, irregular beats before continuing in disconnected patches. The sound of water splashing within a fountain, mingled with laughter drifts throughout Lusternia as a Distant Timequake comes into being.

Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Hm."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you mutter, "No t.... youssssss."

Dryly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "You realize you are not obligated to go, yes?"

You glance askance.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Yeah, I am not gonna goes."


Shadows swirl around Esei's arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree shifts and turns around their hand.
Esei caresses the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree gently.

You have emoted: Cheliyi casts another glance to a delicate veil of shadows, expression unreadable.

Muginn shakes out his feathers, the plumes suddenly glowing with an ethereal haze. Ripples of mist pool at his talons, writhing with silent, screaming faces that leave hoar-frost in their wake.

Esei sips black tea from a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.
Esei pats Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie in a friendly manner.
Muginn glances at Esei warily, before nodding once in approval.

Quietly, you say, "Even if probably came here to uh... squint at me, thank you for coming bys. And the tea. Is goodly, yes."

Esei lets out a low, faint hum.

Softer, you say, "Haven't visited Cousin Blackthorns in a while, yes. From what I can see, they seem to be as bigly as ever."

Esei's eyelashes lower to flutter gently against their pale, freckled cheeks. "Is that so?"

Dryly, you say, "Iyam not goodly seeing, but Iyam not blinds, Esei."

---> look Esei

Pale porcelain skin covered in freckles, they are a graceful elfen wyrden demigod changeling. Their maroon hair hangs just past their shoulders, loose and free around their face; a single braid has been pulled into position just behind their left ear. Sloe-dark eyes are set in an aristocratic face that belies neither femininity nor masculinity, solemn and oft expressionless. Their ears are long and slender, decorated with freckles and minute, silvery scars. Their build is akin to that of a dancer's, lithe and willowy, while their hands are an artist's, slender and elegant. Each finger is tipped with a black claw, while their palms are lightly scarred and calloused. Tiny scars and nicks, nigh invisible to the naked eye, crisscross their visible body in twisted, convoluted patterns, from their throat to their hands. They stand at six feet and six inches tall exactly, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Tattooed on their legs is an illustration of twisted white blackthorn blossoms amidst bloody thorns.
They are wearing:
an intricate, structured ensemble of dusk
a circlet of the Shee-Slaugh house nestled firmly against the crown of their head
a wedding armband of eternal night resting on their left bicep
Ebon Prayer Beads of the Silent Lord hanging from their belt near the symbol
a phantasmal shroud of shadows worn loosely around their shoulders
a translucent mark of the Silent One clipped to the front of their belt
the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree attached to their left forefinger
an ancient symbol of the Silent Lord hanging from the right side of their belt

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "No."
With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "How are you, as of late?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances up at Esei, clouded eyes meeting sloe. "... tired, honestlies. But, doing my bestly I guess. Many of the peoples I bonded withs, they are... going to sleep." She hums, breaking the stare to watch the rippling veil once more. "Held a picnic that was nice, even if it was... not the most relaxings."

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Why?"
So light to be ghostly, Esei gently touches your elbow before their hand is tucked behind their back, gazing down at you with dark, expressionless eyes.
Esei sips black tea from a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's expression abruptly softens, as if she remembered something fond. She stares at nothing for a time before humming softly. "Just dealing with my emotions agains. Sure, there is less to manage now that my head is not a channel for my siblings, but they are still strong sometimes." Cracking a grin, her expression is weary but warm. "Just be glads I am an aquamancers and not an axe-oltols, yes."

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "And is there no cause for them?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi's grin falls into a half-smile, the mugwump rubbing underneath her chin. "Mm, sure, there is cause. But it is a silly cause that is not worth the reaction. I will handles it if I need to, yes."

Esei gently bumps their wrist into your shoulder, letting out a soft, faint sound. "I see." Then, after a longer moment. "I am here, if you wish to talk."

You blink.

Esei tilts their head curiously at you.

You have emoted: Cheliyi gives Esei a bemused but grateful smile, her frills lifting. "Mm, thanks. It isn't much of a surprising news, just that... well, one of our Immaculate is... hard to talk to. He is also very... demanding. It is frustrating to deal with him sometimes, to say the leasts."
After an amused pause, you say, "Tiring, too."

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "There always will be someone who is."
Esei purses their lips, deep in thought.

Softer, you say, "He is driving away most of the Order, but my Lady approves of him, I know. So..."
You sigh quietly, frills drooping as your tail sags.
You wave your hand dismissively.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "I will stick around to be the kindness that must be accounted fors."

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I understand that he has the approval of a Divine, but rule without the consent of the governed can be considered tyranny."
With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "If your fellow... ordermates feel as though he is a tyrant..."
Esei shrugs, delicately.

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

Esei empties out a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna into their mouth.

Dryly, you say, "Kindness out of spite. I guess that is my callings, now."

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Does your Lady's Order - or the Light, for that matter - have a monopoly over kindness?"

You glance askance at Esei.

Esei raises a slender brow at you.
Esei pours an opaque night tea from an onyx rose and ravenwood tea bottle into a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Of course not. But I do love my Lady."

Gentler, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "And I am not trying to say you do not."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "I don't want Her only representation to just be... that."
You shake your head.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Iyam sorries to make you play comforter agains. But thank you."

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Perhaps. But there comes a point where it is injustice against you, rather than spite against those you dislike."
Taking another sip of tea, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "But, alas, what do I know? I've never experienced such in my life."

Esei sips black tea from a dark tea cup adorned with wyrden fauna.

You shuffle your feet uneasily.
You smile wryly at Esei.
Dryly, you say, "Honestly, am surprised you are not pushing me to leave stronger."

Esei's eyes slide to one side, towards you.

You have emoted: Despite Cheliyi's sarcasm, she nonetheless looks obviously fond, shooting Esei a teasing grin.

Istela arrives, following Tau the Twilit.
The delicate veil of shadows billows fiercely as Tau is forcibly hurled from its depths.
Dusan, the coruscant rumbles excitedly at Tau, bumping his head against her in greeting.

Tau the Twilit says, "Ah."

You incline your head politely to Tau.

Tau inclines her head politely to those around her.

Tau the Twilit says, "My apologies."

Esei shakes their head at Tau.

---> at the same time lol

Esei waves their hand dismissively.
You wave your hand dismissively.

Istela's eyes sparkle with amusement.
Istela leaves, following Tau the Twilit.
Sounds become sharper and more vivid once more as Tau leaves to the northeast.

You have emoted: Cheliyi suddenly looks uncertain, glancing towards the Fulcrux uneasily.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ** for a brilliant moment, their mind flares to life, a strange sort of luminous darkness; they can see so many paths so clearly, yet more befuddled by light and smoke and shadow, like a hall of mirrors. leaving Her, joining Him, or Her, or Them... going elsewhere from Celest, her life as an Archon or Magistrate **.

Your frills twitch as you detect an errant sound.

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles faintly. "If I dies permanently, watch over Muginns," she snarks, setting her shoulders.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ** then it all fades to fog again, the crispness of each path once laid bare disappearing into obscurity. whatif-whatif-whatif, echoes after, then that too fades into nothing **.

Folding his wings so he can reach them easily, Muginn, the ghost-feathered magpie preens his wings happily, straightening out the disheveled feathers.

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Very well."

You reach out and gently brush your hand against a delicate veil of shadows. Your senses suddenly dull as you feel yourself pulled into the entrancing darkness. As your senses return, you find yourself beneath a beautiful night sky.

The Fulcrux of Nocht.
The image of a beautiful nighttime sky has been stretched across the fulcrux. Dim stars struggle futilely to compete with the terrifying beauty of Mother Night. The ethereal image wavers on occasion, the sky rippling like water in a pond. A lonely hill covered in tall grass leads up to a single shrine. Behind the shrine stands a large blackthorn tree. The tree is taller than most of its kind, extending upwards rather than outwards. Delicate blossoms shower down from its branches, creating a flurry of white petals and filling the air with the pungent scent of wyrden foliage. A complex series of stones orbit around a stygian orb here. A rippling image of a beautiful night sky has been magically wrapped around the fulcrux here. Reverently laid before the shrine in a sheath of starlight and shadow, the Sidereal Mantle of Ailustris emanates Divine power here. A hunting trophy bearing Lanyip's head is here, a grisly reminder of the power of a skillful hunter. The decapitated head of Ilthilior has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Vyell has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Veikko has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Velcora has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Veldrin has been carelessly tossed aside. The decapitated head of Elysian has been carelessly tossed aside.
You see a single exit leading through an image of the night sky.

The image above wavers and ripples gently as a cold breeze howls through the fulcrux.

You have emoted: Cheliyi steps past the dismembered heads, expression pinched.

You think to yourself: **... calm. you just want to see...**.

---> look mantle

Grasping shadows linger and take hold of this exquisite cloak of Night, a constellation of stars drifting across its tenebrous silk with an empyreal beauty. Like misty diamonds, each captured star twinkles brilliantly in the darkness as if plucked from the heavens, arranging and rearranging in endless, ephemeral formations. There is an enchanting quality to the fluid way the cloak ripples with its every movement, at once inky, opaque, and shimmering in its fragile resplendence. A single radiant star serves as the clasp for this heavy mantle, its seven points glaring with cold illumination.
It weighs about 8 pounds.
It has a warmth factor of 8.
It has the following aliases: mantle.
You feel compelled to TOUCH the Sidereal Mantle of Ailustris.

You reach out and touch the Sidereal Mantle of Ailustris.
The air of the fulcrux suddenly whips about violently as you feel the gaze of the Silent Lord fall upon you as soon as your hands touch the mantle.

You blink.

You have emoted: Cheliyi stills, and she glances askance with a quiet sigh.

Flickering light reveals the luminous shape of a star lotus blooming within the depths of a glass ampoule of bottled starlight, its immaculate petals beckoning for your attention.
[HINT]: You feel compelled to LISTEN to a glass ampoule of bottled starlight!

You blink.
You blush furiously.

Rippling across celestial waves of water and light, the clear voice of the Goddess Lantra resonates about you, "My Faithful Cheliyi, you are nearing the time to fulfill your vow of Devotion. I ask that you read OHELP AVOWING and acquaint yourself with the tasks therein. When you are ready, My Incandescent has been tasked to oversee your interview. Do let Me know if you have any concerns regarding this. May you walk in the Light."

You think to yourself: ... ah, of course my Lady...

You have emoted: Cheliyi shuffles out, blushing furiously.

You stand before the wavering image of the night sky, your arms spread wide. In an instant, shadowy tendrils shoot out and wrap around as they forcibly drag you into the image. All fades to black before you are suddenly hurled into a dark cavern.

Beneath glimmering veins of amethyst.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The cavernous floor comes to an enclosed space here as it narrows towards a delicate veil of shadows. Dim light filters in from outside, barely piercing the shadows that cling to the cavern walls. Dark stones covers the walls, and the walls are lined with veins of shimmering amethyst. The violet gems wind along the walls in circuitous patterns, reflecting what little light there is in the area. Billowing like a cloth in a gentle breeze, a veil of shadows covers a wall of the cavern here. Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk floats here, suffusing the air with the sickly-sweet scent of blackthorn blossoms. They wield a lissom blooming blackthorn staff in their left hand.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, and through a delicate veil of shadows.

You stare blankly into space.

Esei tilts their head curiously at you.

Clearing her throat, you say, "Am fine. Just uh... think He squinted at me? I probably... will die laters. Maybe."

You think to yourself: **a pause. you haven't died to a Divine zap, yet.**.

Mildly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Count the chickens only after they've hatched."

A wry smile spreads across your face.

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

Esei pats you once, awkwardly, on the head.

A wry smile spreads across your face.
Quietly, you say, "Thanks."

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...congratulations, on your engagement."
Esei blinks slowly.

You blink.

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...for?"

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Well I was thanking you for waiting, technically. And the... headpats. And, uh, double thanks for the congrats."

Dryly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...should I have left?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi squints. "... I mean... you could have? But you didn't? So I appreciates its."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: ** a thought, so fast and intense that the edges of their mind shudder like heatwaves: this is home- **.

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks slowly.

With a soft, darkly melodious inflection, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Well, I shall not keep you, should you have aught else to do."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "... alrights."
You give Esei a friendly squeeze.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "I'm gonna... do the things."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Have a goodly day, Esei."