Don't Make Like a Tree and Leaf

Bizirik stalks in from the ether, wings spread as it clicks and thrums softly.
==== something entered from ether,  ====
Bizirik, the leothin drops a pretty violet letter into your hands.
With a playful chirr, Bizirik turns sharply and scampers off to the ether.
==== Something entered the room from ether, ====
==== Something exited the room to ether. ====
You blink.
You read what is written on a pretty violet letter:
Dearest Cheliyi,

I wanted to post this to everybody but things fell apart so suddenly.
You stay good, O-K? You are goodly and kind and should not change that,
no. I love you.

Gurashi

[REDACTED]

You continue reading:
A pretty violet letter is holding:
"cake403907"                  a frosted cake with candied rose petals
1 items found.
You take a frosted cake with candied rose petals from a pretty violet letter.

You have emoted: Cheliyi purses her lips, before holding a pretty violet letter close to her chest. Her branches tremble ever so slightly, her eyes squeezed shut in an effort to ward off tears.
You think to yourself: ... I must leave. Gurashi has left. I will follow them. I promised.

You think to yourself: **a swirl of blue and purple, the world is so, so quiet** I do not want to leave. I do not want to leave my siblings. I do not want to leave my friends.

You begin to wield a pretty violet letter.

---> PATH TRACK 1250 "A view of the forest"

Barely above a creak, you say, "Brother..."
Voice cracking ever so slightly, you say, "Please say something."

You have emoted: Cheliyi places a hand on a mature rowan tree, her leaves shaking and rustling as she restrains her tears.
Almost pleading, you say, "Brother, please do not let me go without saying anything. I want to hear from you, again."

Tears fill your eyes and begin to slowly run down your face.
Barely above a creak, you say, "It is so, so quiet. I cannot take it if I leave you all without a word. Please."

Ethna tells you, "Whatcha doin'."

You tell Ethna D'Rose, "**a sea of stark blue, roiling and tumbling like a monsoon**."

The storm clouds turn a deep, dark black and the downpour batters you with the force of a waterfall.

You have emoted: Cheliyi falls to her knees, a hollow thud echoing through the area. She makes no attempt to shake the rain from her boughs.

You have emoted: Cheliyi places her forehead against a mature rowan tree's trunk, whispering a desperate "Please, please -please-..."
As horrible thoughts fill your mind, you begin to sob uncontrollably.

The surrounding shadows stretch and writhe, coiling lovingly around Ethna as she enters from the northwest.
A rose-coloured rage worg pads in from the northwest, sniffing at the air as he enters.

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

You have emoted: Cheliyi barely seems to register Ethna's presence, just quietly begging a mature rowan tree to respond.

Esei blinks.
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Ah... I did not intend to interrupt."

Ethna shakes her head at Esei.
Ethna D'Rose says to Esei, "She hasn't really.. noticed I'm here."

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

As horrible thoughts fill your mind, you begin to sob uncontrollably.

You have emoted: Cheliyi grips a pretty violet letter tighter to her chest, making low, mournful sounds.

You think to yourself: Please brother, I've waited so long. I can't take this any longer.

Esei reaches out and gently touches you.

Her brow furrowing, Ethna's lips curve downward into a frown.

You think to yourself: **a flash of purple and red**.
You have emoted: Cheliyi freezes, practically whirling around and growling at Esei with a bloodshot gaze.

Esei raises a slender brow.

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks as soon as she realizes who actually touched her, and recoils as if burned. Her eyes go wide with horror, before she hiccups, and resumes sobbing.

The wind whistles eerily through the branches overhead.

You think to yourself: Why did it have to be them? I do not want to leave my friends! Why did I ever leave to portal brother, -please.-

Ethna blinks once, then twice, her gaze shifting to Esei before it returns to you. She quietly flits towards the wyrdenwood, taking her place on your shoulder.

You think to yourself: I almost hurt them. I am an awful friend. I am an awful sibling. I am awful.

Esei murmurs softly to herself.
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Jatasere."

Esei murmurs softly to herself.
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "When you are ready to speak, please let someone know."
Esei gently holds one of your lower branches and squeezes it reassuringly.

You have emoted: Cheliyi's soft sounds pause as she inhales sharply and glances up at Esei. She seems to make a monumental effort to keep her mouth closed as she nods once, her branches trembling greatly.

Ethna tilts her head to the sky, resolute in remaining on her perch if only to offer a silent presence.

You have emoted: Cheliyi continues to cry for some time, eventually regaining enough air to whisper, "It is so -quiet-," before her branches tremble violently again and she bursts into tears once more.

The faeling's attention moves back to you, a weak smile apparent on her lips. "It is, yes," is the only thing that leaves Ethna's lips.
A vicious, ghostly white crow ruffles his feathers.

You think to yourself: **blue, roiling in a whirlpool** I do not want to leave. I do not want to leave. But I made a promise. I must always keep my promises.

Ethna D'Rose murmurs, "I'm going to assume you still haven't heard anything," She gestures to the rowan tree before sighing, "I'm sorry, Miss Cheliyi.""

You have emoted: Cheliyi hiccups, before she starts to take in great, heaving breaths. After a long moment, she nods. The tears seem to have lessened.
Creaking mournfully, you say, "They still will not speak to me. I do not want to..."
You have emoted: Cheliyi glances askance, suddenly pursing her lips.

Ethna slips from your shoulder, her single eye surveying the wyrdenwood as she hovers in front of you.

You think to yourself: I do not want to leave without them saying goodbye.

(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "Am I crying over my own character? yes. am I going to stop? NOPE."

Rather quietly, Ethna D'Rose murmurs, "You do not want to..?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi's branches draw inward, the wyrdenwood clearly trying to diminish her presence.

Ethna cants her head to the side as she flits forward, shaking her head. "You do not have to speak, Miss Cheliyi, but," She pauses, reaching out a small hand to gently cup the wyrdenwood's cheek. "We are here for you. Always."

You think to yourself: **orange, making you sick to your stomach with roiling despair**

Quietly continuing, Ethna D'Rose murmurs, "I cannot really speak for the others, but please know that I will be here if you ever need anything."
With a minute buzzing, Ethna hovers in front of you before placing a gentle kiss on your brow.

You have emoted: Suddenly, her limbs flail outwards, both branch and arms as if Cheliyi were -exploding-.

Ethna squeaks in fright.

Almost shouting, tears flowing like a river, you say, "I DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE!"

As horrible thoughts fill your mind, you begin to sob uncontrollably.
You have emoted: Cheliyi draws inward, hugging her knees with her arms.

Ethna hovers out of reach of both flailing arm and branch, her single eye blinking in surprise at you.
Worried, Ethna D'Rose asks, "Leave? Why would you have to leave, Miss Cheliyi?"

Hiccuping, you say, "B-because I promised my friend that I- I would -be- there for them. I will not lie! But I do not want to leave my -siblings.-"

Ethna nods in understanding, her features softening as a weak smile crosses over her features. "Ah, this is about Friend Gurashi," she murmurs, returning to hovering in front of you. "Did you just promise them that you'd be there or was there more to it?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi clutches a tear-stained pretty violet letter close to her chest, inhaling shakily.

Creaking mournfully, you say, "I promised I would be there for them, always! And I mean it! I will stand with them if no one else will. They deserve someone who will stay with them."
Softer, voice cracking ever so slightly, you say, "I am such a selfish friend for wanting to stay."

Ethna shakes her head at you. "Wanting to stay does not make you selfish or anything less than a good friend. It is natural to want that especially if things are changing," the faeling murmurs quietly, her small hand cupping your cheek. "It is good to keep promises, yes, but not if they're going to hurt you in the process."

Still quietly as she continues, Ethna D'Rose says, "Friend Gurashi is not alone nor will they ever be. They have Bizi, they have Aschwar, the Courtesan, and many more who will continue to be by their side." She pauses, her attention drifting towards the Master Ravenwood. "When things calm down a bit more, they will also have us."

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles weakly for a less than a second, before something goes sour in her gaze. She glances to the side, chuckle bitter. "I do not feel that I am good, even when people tell me so. I will not lie. And it is foolish for me to want to stay. My siblings do not even want me, anymore."

Esei pours silvery faeleaf tea from a bottle into a shot glass.
Esei pours silvery faeleaf tea from a bottle into a shot glass.
Esei gives a shot glass to you.

Ethna smiles softly at Esei.
Ethna D'Rose asks you, "Out of curiosity, and if you don't mind me asking... What makes you think your siblings do not want you anymore?"

Her head canting to the side, Ethna D'Rose asks, "Is it their silence or is there more to it?"

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

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks, before hesitantly taking the glass with a soft hiccup. "They are so quiet. It has been over 6 months, now. How could they want me? They have never been quiet, never for this long."

You have emoted: Cheliyi takes a tentative sip of the tea, swallowing down another hiccup.

Softly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Sometimes it takes time t-to-."
Esei blinks.
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "For people to... adjust to change, in one way."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I do not fully understand what you did, I think. But give them time. It may take years for them to understand - for -you- to understand their silence."

Ethna's head bobs up and down as she nods, her fingers clasping the shot glass as she glances up at Esei. "It can .. yes," the faeling agrees, letting the liquid swirl within the cup before taking a small, if tentative, sip.

Ethna sips black tea from a shot glass.

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

You take a drink of white tea from a shot glass.
As you sip the white tea, your thoughts become clearer.
You sample this white tea, tart juniper fluttering across your
tongue followed by bitter wormwood before being soothed by the light,
silvery flavor of faeleaf. Oddly, your lips and tongue become briefly
numb after swallowing.

Ethna lowers the glass from her lips before shifting her attention to you, her gaze soft and worried. "What... started the silence?"

You think to yourself: **a deep swirl of purple, black wyrden fire**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi flinches, drawing in further with a quiet creak.

Esei glances askance.
Esei chews on her lip, deep in thought.

Her expression growing worried, Ethna D'Rose murmurs, "You do not have to answer, if you do not wish..."

Very softly, so soft that it's almost lost in the breeze, you say, "... I upset the Lady of Roses. I was very rude to Her. She did not tell them to be quiet, but they won't talk to me because they are so angry. So, so angry."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "I advise not to dwell on it, even so."

You have emoted: Cheliyi sniffles, and sips the tea once more.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "Make your amends to Her, if She sought them from you."

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

Creaking mournfully, you say, "I have apologized to Her. I do not think She has forgiven me. She wants me to earn Her love back, but I do not know how. Many have given advice, but I still..."

Ethna's brow furrows as the corners of her mouth curve into a small frown.

Deep in thought, Esei leans her cheek on her hand.

You have emoted: Cheliyi swallows down a sob with another sip of tea.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "...I am afraid I have never done such before, much less for a Divine."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Simply... give all you are willing and able to."
The sound of a distant scream echoes between the trees, only to be suddenly cut short.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Bring culture to the Glomdoring through designs or written works or plays. Fight in timequakes, domoths, revolts. Do all things in the Glomdoring's honor, and in Hers."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "My aunt Aleyah would most likely give the best advice."
Esei purses her lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as she carefully gathers her thoughts.

You take a drink of white tea from a shot glass.
As you sip the white tea, your thoughts become clearer.
You sample this white tea, tart juniper fluttering across your
tongue followed by bitter wormwood before being soothed by the light,
silvery flavor of faeleaf. Oddly, your lips and tongue become briefly
numb after swallowing.

Ethna heaves a small sigh as she flits back over to you, her small arms attempting to slip around the wyrdenwood in an attempt to lift you. With a small grunt, she tugs and attempts but ultimately gives up due to her small size. Instead, the faeling flits up and caresses a low hanging branch, cradling it in her arms like a small child.

Softly, you say, "She already did. I still feel just as lost. But I will still do my best. I will be honest."

(The Shadow Kindred): Ethna says, "I promised I would try that, so THERE. I hope it made someone giggle. >:T."

Tearing up, growing even quieter, you say, "My siblings taught me that."

(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "She tried so hard."
(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "<3."
(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "Fneoinskclksnlds i started giggling yes."

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles at Ethna, a quiet, teary giggle slipping past her lips. "I am sorry I am too large for you, Miss Ethna."

Ethna rolls her shoulders in a small shrug, shaking her head. "I believe only, ah, the Lady Shee-Slaugh is my size, if I'm honest," She murmurs, patting the branch in her arms with a gentle touch. "However... That, in itself, is all we can ask of you. We cannot ask you to change who you are for that would make you... not... you," She falters, her attention shifting to your face. "I know, sometimes, words can get us into trouble.. Whether it is the things we say or think."

You nod slowly, leaves rustling softly.

Ethna D'Rose says, "We can use our entire vocabulary and hope that something we say will be right and will comfort those we care about, but." She shakes her head again, "Sometimes the silence is what we need in order to get our thoughts straightened and we know what we need to do in action."

Esei murmurs softly to herself.

Ethna flits down, away from the branches, before she hovers directly in front of you. "Perhaps they are still vocal. Perhaps they are silent. The one thing we all need to learn is that no matter what happens, we are all a family. We fight, we quarrel, and we straight up ignore the other person when we're mad," She sighs, tucking her head against the wyrdenwood's. "We still love each other without consequence and that won't change."

You have emoted: Cheliyi hums, but the sound is neither harmonious or resonant. "... I hope they still love me."

Esei murmurs softly to herself.
Esei tilts her head back and looks up at the sky.

Her lips curving in a small smile, Ethna D'Rose says, "I'm sure your siblings still love and adore you to pieces. Don't take their silence as something ominous."

The eyes of Esei go briefly out of focus.

You nod slowly, leaves rustling softly.

Ethna D'Rose says, "More importantly, though..."

You blink.

Her head canting to the side, Ethna D'Rose says to you, "I'd much rather see you continue to walk in the Glomdoring, surrounded by people who love and cherish you."

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances askance.

Ethna tilts her head back and looks up at the sky.

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

Softly, you say, "... I do not want to leave. But I want to keep talking to Gurashi. I know you all are very upset with them, and I know they might not be able to come visit, anymore. I don't want to abandon my friend."

Esei murmurs softly to herself.

A vicious, ghostly white crow ruffles his feathers.

Ethna D'Rose says, "Ah, um.."
Ethna D'Rose asks, "I.. do not see how you staying in the Glomdoring would prevent you from speaking with them. There isn't a law directly forbidding that, is there?"

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "No."
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Though I am unsure if the Thornwatch has extra laws barring such."

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

Esei murmurs softly to herself.

You blink.
Suddenly stumbling over her words, you say, "O-oh. I thought, because-."

You think to yourself: I... I do not have to leave? **the blue pulling back, ever so slightly**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi glances askance.

Ethna D'Rose says, "I mean.. We are allies with many who are enemies to the Glomdoring.. although, it might not be official yet.."

Esei purses her lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as she carefully gathers her thoughts.

Ethna tilts her head back and looks up at the sky.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "It is not quite the same, as I understand it."

Softer, you say, "I thought because you all wouldn't speak to them, I would be forbidden as well."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Gurashi committed treason. The others merely attacked us, in the past."

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

You have emoted: Cheliyi twitches, but says nothing.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I personally cannot, because it is illegal by Covenant law for me to do so."
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "And at this point, I do not wish their words nor their presence."

Ethna's fingers slip around a cookie studded with forest nuts and berries, her gaze falling to examine it.

You think to yourself: **a flash of orange, quickly snuffed in the blue**.

Even quieter, you say, "I... Okay."

You take a drink of white tea from a shot glass.
As you sip the white tea, your thoughts become clearer.
You sample this white tea, tart juniper fluttering across your
tongue followed by bitter wormwood before being soothed by the light,
silvery flavor of faeleaf. Oddly, your lips and tongue become briefly
numb after swallowing.

Ethna idly, and out of habit, slides a cookie studded with forest nuts and berries into her mouth.
Ethna eats a cookie studded with forest nuts and berries with obvious gusto.

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

Ethna tilts her head back and looks up at the sky.

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

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

Ethna D'Rose says to you, "We love you. Don't let anyone make you doubt tha."

You nod slowly, leaves rustling softly.

Ethna D'Rose says to you, "Sometimes, and I know I'm talking in circles... sometimes it takes time to sort our feelings and how we're going to handle the situations that arise." Her wings flutter loudly behind as she she alights on the wyrdenwood's shoulder again. "Sometimes, it can take years or even minutes."

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

You have set your accent to: Barely above a creak

Esei murmurs softly to herself.

Ethna D'Rose says, "..While our laws may differ from guild to guild and how we respond to that changes from person to person... We all process things a certain way, after all.."

You think to yourself: I do not have to leave. I will stay, -and- be there for Gurashi. It will be hard... but I will be okay.

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

Ethna D'Rose says to you, "Just.. take a step back and meditate. You might be able to hear what your siblings are saying or you may not.. You may figure out how you want to handle the premises of your promise.. but you won't be able to make any level-headed decision while you're trying to figure out how you feel, either."

You nod your head slowly in understanding.
Barely above a creak, you say, "I... I can do that."

Ethna D'Rose says to you, "I do not want to lose someone who cares about their friends, their families, and the wyrd due to mixed emotions. You'll spread yourself thin."

Barely above a creak, you say, "I do not want to lose any of you, either."

A vicious, ghostly white crow glares around with his one malevolent eye.

You pet a vicious, ghostly white crow ingratiatingly.
A vicious, ghostly white crow turns his back on you and pointedly ignores you.

Ethna D'Rose murmurs, "The main lesson I want to impart is this: the wyrd is absolute, while changes do happen, the wyrd is the one constant that will always be there. Some may feel their path diverges from this, and they are free to walk it, but it will always return them home.. one way or another."

Esei nods her head in agreement.

You have emoted: Cheliyi chuckles weakly at a vicious, ghostly white crow, before humming softly at Ethna. "I know. My siblings will be here for a very long time, I think."

Ethna smiles softly.

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles, stroking a vicious, ghostly white crow's feathers idly.

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

You hum softly, your leaves resonating with song.

Barely above a creak, you say, "... Okay. I do not think I am going to leave, now. I will have to wait for my siblings to speak to me, but I will be okay."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "You could have other mortal siblings, too."
Esei shrugs helplessly.

You have emoted: Cheliyi frowns, briefly, her hand pausing over a vicious, ghostly white crow before she resumes her petting. "... It is still going to hurt for a while, though. I am not sure if I want any more siblings."

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Love is always multiplied."
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "At least, for siblings and children, in my experience."

You think to yourself: **the colors settling, blue receding to leave pale green and yellow once more.**.

You think to yourself: ... If it hurts this much with my siblings, I do not want more. Not yet.

You have emoted: Cheliyi just continues to pet a vicious, ghostly white crow, unresponsive.

Ethna D'Rose says to you, "It's going to hurt, but.. I, ah, tend to focus my pain into other things."

Ethna D'Rose says, "I'll be right back."

A rose-coloured rage worg leaves to the northwest, trailing a flowing pattern of running wolves on the ground as he departs.

A vicious, ghostly white crow ruffles his feathers.

Esei pats a vicious, ghostly white crow in a friendly manner.
A vicious, ghostly white crow glares angrily at Esei.
Esei tilts her head back and looks up at the sky.

You chuckle softly, your leaves rustling with laughter.

(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "Your crow is angee."

Barely above a creak, you say, "Be kind, Murkrow."

A rose-coloured rage worg pads in from the northwest, sniffing at the air as he enters.

Raising her hand in greeting, Ethna says "Hi!"
Ethna D'Rose says, "I had to, uh, check something for mom."

Esei tilts her head and listens intently to Ethna.

Ethna D'Rose says, "Everything is a-ok!"
Ethna gives the world a thumbs up.
After much surveying of the locale, Ethna flutters her wings in triumph before you notice the faeling perched upon your shoulder.
Ethna D'Rose says, "So! As I was saying."

You have emoted: Cheliyi hums softly at a vicious, ghostly white crow, who puffs his feathers and tugs on one of her branches. They stare at eachother for a moment, before Murkrow slowly lets go and hops over to Esei, and butts his head against Esei's palm. He doesn't stop glaring at Cheliyi.

You chuckle softly, your leaves rustling with laughter.

Esei gently caresses the crow's head, smiling faintly.

The perception of time momentarily slows to a fraction as Atropos snips stray strands and frayed threads upon the Tapestry of Fate, each cut bringing a distant scream. Time rushes forward as the memory fades, yet you retain the knowledge that your fate in Lusternia is far from meeting its end.

The pointed tips of Esei's ears twitch to some errant sound.

You have emoted: Murkrow clicks his beak a few times, tilting his head so that Esei's fingers fall along his favorite scratching spots. Cheliyi blinks at the sudden display, before smiling softly.

(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "!"
(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "I could die happy now."
(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "??"
(The Shadow Kindred): Aleyah (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "??"
(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "Crow."
(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "The crow is so cute ;_;."
(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "Hahahhaha."

You take a drink of white tea from a shot glass.
As you sip the white tea, your thoughts become clearer.
You sample this white tea, tart juniper fluttering across your
tongue followed by bitter wormwood before being soothed by the light,
silvery flavor of faeleaf. Oddly, your lips and tongue become briefly
numb after swallowing.

Esei sways back and forth.

You pet a vicious, ghostly white crow ingratiatingly.
A vicious, ghostly white crow turns his back on you and pointedly ignores you.

You pet a vicious, ghostly white crow ingratiatingly.
A vicious, ghostly white crow glares angrily at you.

You hum softly, your leaves resonating with song.

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

Against the burgeoning pinks and gold of the sunrise, a scarlet begins to suffuse the horizon and bathe your surroundings in a passionate glow. Far above Zoaka a single figure appears, descending from the heavens surrounded by a flurry of poppy blossoms as He sinks towards the Free City of Gaudiguch.

After much surveying of her locale, Ethna flutters her wings in triumph before alighting upon Esei.

You blink.

Esei blinks.
Esei hums thoughtfully.

Ethna D'Rose looks skeptical and says, "Ah.. the one and only."

The wind whistles eerily through the branches overhead.

A wry smile spreads across Esei's face.

No sooner has the Scarlet Courtesan disappeared into the Free City does a beam of scarlet light shoot skywards from within, marking His location for all to see.

You have emoted: Cheliyi rubs her eyes, wincing at the bright light. "... who?"

The morning light pales and wavers against the creeping darkness that overtakes the firmament, like an enormous web unfurling across the sky. The sweet aroma of roses drifts through the air as if it were always there, marking the return of the Lady of the Thorns to mortal perception.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Mysrai, the Scarlet Courtesan."
Esei blinks.

(Glomdoring): Snald says, "Greetings, Lady Viravain."
(Glomdoring): Esei says, "Hail, Lady Viravain."
(Glomdoring): Viravain says, "My Glomdoring."
(Glomdoring): Kalaneya says, "Tidings, Mother."
(Glomdoring): Aleyah (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "Hello, dearest Lady!"
(Glomdoring): Evette says, "Tidings, Lady Viravain."
(Glomdoring): Gad says, "Greetings, Lady Viravain."
(Glomdoring): Ethna says, "Tidings, Lady Viravain."

You have emoted: Cheliyi goes very still.

(Glomdoring): Caohite says, "Hail, Lady Viravain."
(Glomdoring): Kreon (from the Aetherways) says, "Darkest Greetings my Mistress."
(Glomdoring): You say, "Greetings, Lady Viravain."

Quietly, Ethna D'Rose murmurs to you, "You've nothing to worry, Miss Cheliyi."

(Glomdoring): Afollia (from the Realm of the Lady of the Thorns) says, "Pleasant tidings, my Lady. Welcome home to Your beautiful garden."
(Glomdoring): Rancoura says, "Darkest of tidings, Mother of the Wyrd."

A heat grows along the back of your neck, your heart beating a little faster as you hear Mysrai's oddly echoing voice ring out, "Come, come, My darling kin. We have much to discuss, You and I. Shall I send You an escort, or will Your darling children gnaw them to the bone?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi doesn't relax, but she does flash Ethna a shaky, grateful smile.

Esei glances askance.

Someone powerful's divine voice echoes across the land, "Gurashi. I believe that you offered to escort Me to wherever it is that Mysrai would lead Me, in the depths of the chaos city. Is this no longer the case?"

(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "Gurashi, probably: *screaming*."

(Trasto): Luce (from the Aetherways) says, "And there might be, like, 5-8k or less from the generator/essence step."

(The Shadow Kindred): Ethna says, "Probably."

Someone powerful's divine voice echoes across the land, "Ah -- but first."
A whistling sound fills the air as a wickedly curved scythe whirls by high overhead at incredible speed.

(The Shadow Kindred): Evette says, "Yep."
(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "Welp."

High Wisdom Mboagn Lunarose shouts, "Whoa hey..."

You have emoted: Cheliyi eyes widen, and a pretty violet letter crumples in her suddenly creaking grasp.

Esei glances askance.

(The Shadow Kindred): Ethna says, "No more screaming now, tho."
(The Shadow Kindred): Kreon says, "Derp."

Ethna wraps a comforting arm around you.

Effervescent whispers dance through your senses, filling your mind with the soft, feathery voice of Viravain as Her voice carries on the winds, "I'm waiting, Gurashi. Or shall I find another to escort Me?"

A heat grows along the back of your neck, your heart beating a little faster as you hear Mysrai's oddly echoing voice ring out, "They say do not slay the messenger, yet I suppose this case may well be different. I am certain that they will be glad to guide you, once they peel themselves from your scythe."

You have emoted: Cheliyi makes a soft, pained sound.

Esei glances askance.

You think to yourself: **purple flooding your sense,** -Gurashi-.

You tell Gurashi, the Heart's Friend, "**bright purple, pulsing like a rabbit's heart** Gurashi, are you well? Please be well."

Ethna D'Rose says, "..I'm going to sit.. ah.. sit at the Master Ravenwood.."
Ethna fans herself with her hand, trying to keep cool.
With a minute buzzing, Ethna hovers in front of you before placing a gentle kiss on your brow.

Ethna brushes her lips against Esei's.
A rose-coloured rage worg leaves to the northwest, trailing a flowing pattern of running wolves on the ground as he departs.

Gurashi, the Heart's Friend yells, "I like cheese!"

Esei glances askance.
Esei leans close to you and gently lays a kiss upon your forehead.

You have emoted: Cheliyi does not move, eyes staring at the ground in blank terror.

The sharp sound of a twig snapping echoes behind you.

You have emoted: Cheliyi twitches, before suddenly taking a deep breath as if surfacing from a great lake.

You down the last drop of white tea from a shot glass.
As you sip the white tea, your thoughts become clearer.

Barely above a creak, you say, "... I do not think they are shouting, anymore."

View of the forest.
A biting cold fills the air, seeping away from a healing shrine of Manteekan nearby. The heavens have truly opened, and a heavy rainstorm is in full force. The forest becomes sparse along this area of the hillside, scattered apples and chestnuts gripping the slope with their deep roots. To the north, the vista of Glomdoring can be seen through the branches. Green and brown treetops crowd together, dappled with thin wisps of white mist. A mature rowan tree stands proudly here. Casting darkness all around, a shadow totem thrusts up from the ground, chilling the air. A vicious, ghostly white crow flies here with wings spread.
You see exits leading east and northwest.

You pet a vicious, ghostly white crow ingratiatingly.
A vicious, ghostly white crow turns his back on you and pointedly ignores you.

You pet a vicious, ghostly white crow ingratiatingly.
A vicious, ghostly white crow glares angrily at you.

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

You smile, lips creaking softly.

Barely above a creak, you say, "... Brother, I know you may not speak to me for some time. Perhaps you are finding the words. I'm sorry I was so demanding."

Barely above a creak, you say, "I will wait for you. And I will stay home. And I will keep my promise."
You flash a mature rowan tree a quiet smile, your leaves shaking with amusement.
Barely above a creak, you say, "Just like you all taught me, yes?"

You have emoted: Cheliyi stands, beckoning a vicious, ghostly white crow. "Let's go rest, and hope for the best."

A vicious, ghostly white crow obediently falls into line behind you.