Afeared for Him

The Humblebee Patisserie.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. The pastel-hued gravel of Nautilus Pompilus street gives way to colorful flagstone as one approaches the open front of this timber-framed, single-story building. Exterior wooden supports have been lovingly carved to resemble the gnarled exterior of trees and winding branches for a supporting lattice that sits above a quaint patio. Boughs of verdant ivy and purple clematis cling to the supports and hang down from the lattice, offering a distraction for insects that might otherwise be interested in the sweets. The storefront itself is brightly colored to match its surroundings, double glass doors propped open on sunny days to let the fresh smells of baked goods drift out into the streets. A sweet-sounding bell hangs poised atop the door's frame to announce the arrival of customers on poor weather days. The shop's cozy interior allows standing room for only a few visitors at a time to comfortably gather. A poppy-shaped lantern hangs from the low rounded ceiling, bathing the room in warm golden light. Dark wood floors offset the rose-gold interior walls where short shelves hold an assortment of curiosities and tiny sprouting planters all lovingly tended to. A simple counter and glass-front display houses the day's specials, and a chalkboard mounted overhead lists the specials of the month and how much they cost. A sign here suggests you READ SIGN! You see a sign here instructing you that WARES is the command to see what is for sale.
You see exits leading east (open door) and down (closed door).

LOOK ME
A wild tangle of burnt-orange seaweed tumbles from the head of this being before you, spilling wildly down over their limbs and stopping just shy of their knees. Though initial glances might think one is looking at an off-colored kelpie, closer inspection reveals that they are a noble seasinger merian kindly demigod changeling. They stand at proud six-foot even, their limbs slender and their slim figure bordering on feminine in its minute curvature. Soft and shiny sunset-hued scales cover the remaining entirety of their body, visible through all the tangles of kelp. A single streak of bone-white scales sit dull and just barely visible along their left temple. Long and pointed fin-like ears poke out from among the ruddy fronds, pale gold in color and moving constantly. A moderately sized crescent-shaped scar mars their right cheek, a pale pink upon their otherwise brightly colored cheek. Wide eyes as dark as the deepest ocean gaze out inquisitively beyond the orange fronds, hardly blinking, while a mouth housing slightly pointed teeth offers a tentative smile back at the world around them. Moth-like wings of sheer power radiate away from their back in nightmarish waves of bizarre hues. A shifting pearlescence graces their skin as they walk with the truefavour of Carakhan, Sculptor of Waves.
They are wearing:
a starry wreath of celestial light set atop their head like a halo
a circlet of crystal thorns resting loosely atop their head
a vivid red-orange poppy tucked lovingly behind their left ear
an indigo scarf dotted with lambent fireflies worn loosely around their shoulders
the Mantle of Starlight which flows dreamily about their shoulders and back
a sleeveless black tunic which clings to their upper body flatteringly
mercurial Mysraian prayer beads pulled taut against their right wrist
a Glomdoring friendship bracelet which jingles softly on their left wrist
minty citrus incense beads pulled taut against their right wrist
a shifting, living poppy of ivory petals worn delicately upon their left wrist
a driftwood ring of sea breezes fitted tightly to their left middle finger
simple white linen trousers which swish around their legs freely
Refined Boots of the Paladin, worn and weathered from use.

<-- asked Esei if they were ok and they said no and Gurashi asked if something happened

Esei tells you, "...yes..."

Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "*a sad lull* Sorry - am sorry."

Esei tells you, "A taintling -murdered- Tsillah."

Esei tells you, "** cold snaps of anger, though not directed toward you. **."

Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "...w-who? Oh, dear..."

Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "I-is she O-K??"

Esei tells you, "Thalkros."

Esei tells you, "She is... okay now."

Your melodic voice sings into Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk's mind, "S-still! That must have been scary for her... oh, poor baby..."

You think to yourself: *tired, tired*.

You sense the passage of Esei to the east with a fluffy pair of ursine ears.
A flurry of blackthorn petals arrives from the east, thorny vines sprouting within the floral cloud and twining together to form the body of Esei.
Black ink blooms from the east, heralding a small cat made of black ink.

A cat of black ink does not immediately greet you in her customary manner, instead perching on one of Esei's feet and purring softly.

LOOK ESEI
Skin the color of mauve-toned slate and spotted with dark, delicate freckles like black stars across a night sky, they are a nimble shadowcaster faeling wyrden demigod changeling covered with black feathers. Their eyes are the most disarming thing about them, wide and liquid dark with black feathery lashes to frame them, just a bit too innocent to be real. Their nose is straight, turning up at the tip, while their dusty plum lips contain a multitude of sharp teeth. Their black hair has been drawn away from their face in many braids, swept into a faux hawk atop their head and trailing down to the middle of their back. Their body is broad for a faeling, standing no more than three feet tall, with elegant limbs. Their artist's hands are delicate, each slender finger tipped with a black claw; their fingers and toes abruptly darken to pitch black at the tips, leaving it difficult to discern where their digits stop and claws begin. Their ears are rather short, tapering to an elegant point, darkening to black at the very tips, and occasionally flicking to listen to any noise. Their long, slender wings are vaguely in the form of an insect's, though it is hard to tell which, as they are completely made of shadow and slips of silvery light. When moving, their wings dislodge a flurry of ebon and silver motes that trail after them before quickly dissipating. Shadows cling adoringly to them, reluctant to surrender their grasp on one with the truefavour of Nocht, the Silent.
They are wearing:
an intricate, structured ensemble of dusk
a phantasmal shroud of shadows worn loosely around their shoulders
Ebon Prayer Beads of the Silent Lord wrapped around one wrist
a circlet of the Shee-Slaugh house delicately placed against their temple
a wedding armband of eternal night resting on their left bicep
a silvered leather scabbard tied loosely at their right hip
the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree attached to their left forefinger.


You have emoted: Gurashi blinks, standing near the back corner, not quite behind the counter, holding an origami in their hands. "Oh, hi..."


As Tsillah jumps onto their shoulder, Esei approaches you quietly, grasping your hands in their own.

You have emoted: Gurashi drops the origami right there on the floor, staring at Esei blankly. "You are O-K?" They ask, hands limp.

Esei shakes their head.

You blink with your nictitating membrane, allowing the translucent lens to flick quickly across your eyes.

You have emoted: Gurashi lolls their head side to side. "Am sorry, about Tsillah," They warble, looking up at the cat.

A cat of black ink stretches and purrs like a cat.

Esei firmly squeezes your hands in their own.

You have emoted: Gurashi finally squeezes back, scales cold. "Do you want a hug?" They ask faintly.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...do you?"

Quietly, you say, "Do not know."

Esei hums thoughtfully.

Esei wraps their arms around you in a gentle hug.

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "Sorry missed helping with wild nodes."

Esei shakes their head.

You have emoted: Gurashi leans into Esei's embrace tiredly, returning the gesture half-heartedly.

Esei squeezes you firmly.

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "Next time - will gets them, nextly times..."

Esei hums thoughtfully.

Esei leans their forehead against your shoulder with a soft 'thunk'.

You give Esei a friendly squeeze.

Tiredly, you say to Esei, "I will be sure to bonk Mister Thalkros real hard on the heads next time I sees him..."

You sniffle softly.

Esei tugs urgently on your sleeve.

You have emoted: Gurashi lifts their gaze to a cat of black ink, lifting a hand from Esei's back and gently patting the inky cat twice.

A cat of black ink rubs up against you, purring like a cat.

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Come."

Weakly, you say, "I do not wanna go anywheres."

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Why not?"

With an ethereal, smoky lilt, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "You seem sad."

You have emoted: Gurashi stays standing in their spot near the wall. "Am," They say, and as they pull back from their embrace Esei can see tears are streaming down their face. "... sad..." They shake their head, fronds dancing as if they were underwater.

Esei ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.

Esei slips into a dapper, cream-banded black felt hat. <-- ack forgot to get desc

Esei folds their wings around your body, wrapping you in a feathered embrace.

Esei pulls you closer, squishing the merian close to their chest.

You have emoted: Gurashi hiccups, reaching up to wipe at their face futilely. "S-sorry," They whimper, bowing their head, face disappearing behind their fronds. "E...it's... j-just... so..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Just so...?"

With a watery hiccup, you say, "Sad...!"

You have emoted: Gurashi sniffles and sobs, hands covering their face again. "W-What'm I gonna do?" They shake their head desperately. "I... I ..."

You shake your head.

Bizirik, the leothin lets out a faint, high-pitched whine, gently leaning against the merian's back, thrumming softly like a cat.

You shake your head.

You think to yourself: *so much - so many feelings, so many BIGly feelings, ones that the Quiet will not still, ones that make their head hurt, heart hurt*.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Do what?"

Esei gently pets your back, moving to seat the both of them on the ground behind the counter.

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up, their sobbing slowing as they wipe at their face, shaking their head again as they sink to the ground. "D-do not, w-want to lose him, toooo..." At this their tears start up again, and they crumple forward, pressing their face into their hands, leaning into their knees.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Lose who, dearest Gurashi?"

You have emoted: Gurashi hiccups, completely and utterly unable to respond. From where it sits, the leothin looks up towards the counter, then gently lays a secondary paw there, staring at the lucidian-shaped tart. Bizirik stares at it, then at Esei, snuffling.

Esei furrows their brow in thought.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Tridemon?"

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Why would you lose him, of all people? He loves you."

Bizirik, the leothin nods sagely, then discreetly grasps the tart and slides it off the counter, eating it as quietly as it can.

(CLAN): You say, "Thcief."

You have emoted: Still lost to their sobbing, Gurashi does not answer, shaking their head furiously, clinging to their own legs desperately tight.

Bizirik, the leothin licks its jaws, then looks up, letting out another soft whine.

You think to yourself: *sad - sad, sad - why would she makes me choose - why would she do this to hims - why did /I/ do this to hims*.

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

You have emoted: Gurashi attempts to make an earnest effort at catching their breath, wiping at their eyes futilely. "I.. h..."

Esei brushes their fingers against your cheeks, rubbing away the tears.

Hiccupping between every gasping breath, you say, "H..h... h-h-his w...ifes..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "His wife?"

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out another mournful cry, rocking. "S-she... woke..." They tremble. "Was /here/. M-MET her."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "She was unkind to you?"

You have emoted: Gurashi sobs. "Nooo... no," They gasp, "She was nice... b..but... but..." They look terrified. "I-I cannot... I cannot do it! I cannot, do..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Gurashi, if she was nice, then why are you crying about losing Tridemon?"

You have emoted: Gurashi hiccups, wiping at their cheek. "B-because she will not share," They moan, "if she returns..."

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "B-but, knew, /I/, loved him?" They blanch suddenly. "And wanted me to tell her to just... GO AWAY."

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "B-but why would want that?" They look at Esei now, crazed. "Why would ever want that? He loved her for so longly - they were friends! He has stories - he thinks about her! I know he does! I've..."

You have emoted: Gurashi trails off, suddenly biting their lower lip as new tears spring forth.

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.

Pulling the merian close, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "It is not your duty to appease everyone. Much less someone you barely know."

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes their head several times. "H-he is g-gonna be, so, so /sad/," They weep, crumbling in Esei's embrace. "She was n-not even going to tell hims!"

You shake your head.

You have emoted: Gurashi hiccups again, then buries their face into their hands, leaning forward. "Just do not want him," They manage to croak out, "to be sad, anymore..."

Sobbing, you say, "Is gonna be so sad..."

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

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Gurashi."

Esei gently cups your face in their hands, looking on with a solemn expression. "Has Tridemon even been given a choice?"

You have emoted: Gurashi hiccups. "H-he hasn't even woke up, yet, this months..."

Smoothing back the merian's fronds with their fingers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I know."

You sniffle softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi hiccups again, staring at Esei, dazed. "I-I... I do not know...I just," They exhale, "...scares me, to imagine..."

You sniffle softly.

You think to yourself: *pain, pain, pain and quiet - tired and /tired/*.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...ultimately, it is not your choice."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Do you know why?"

Weakly, you say, "I cannot control ... a-anybody else's... W-Will."

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "Can... can only do... what /I/ can ... do..."

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a watery hiccup.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Certainly. That is one reason."

You sniffle softly.

You stare at Esei, eyes wide.

Rubbing their thumb lightly across Gurashi's cheek, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "It is her choice to stay or to leave. Not yours. It is Tridemon's choice to break their marriage. Not yours."

You sniffle softly.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a little sound, shoulders bunching as they anxiously wring their hands together.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Do not think you are -not loved-, because of a woman you barely met, who has already demand you make her choices for her."

Weakly, you say, "I-I ... did not even get to know her ... s-she figured it out - sh-she knew, she..."

Warbling, you say, "A-am I that obvious?!"

You blush furiously.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Did another tell her?"

You have emoted: Gurashi springs forth into fresh tears. "I-I don't... know! M-Miss Afollia, told me, to help h-her..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Do not doubt those who wish to bring you ruin."

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "I-I... s-she told me it was important, Miss A...Afollia, did..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "It was little more than a mockery."

You have emoted: Gurashi hiccups and sobs. "But, I think, I think she knew, all along..."

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "M-Mis..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "She could have chosen anyone else."

You stare at Esei, eyes wide.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks down, fat tears splashing on the ground, onto their already-damp tunic.

Catching Gurashi's chin in their fingers, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Cousinling."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up, frilled ears drooping.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "If I was in Tridemon's situation, and Ethna had confronted someone I had come to love in her absence, what do you think I should do?"

Weakly, you whisper, "Talks to each others... why would you not..."

You have emoted: Gurashi hiccups again. "I-I do not... know..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Yes. I would talk to her, because I would love them both, and I am a person who can extend grace and understanding to another."

You have emoted: Gurashi wibbles, wiping at their cheek. "Am scared," They confess finally, bunching their shoulders. "Am scared for Tridemons." They bury their face into their hands again, lean against their knees.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Why?"

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes their head, clasping a hand over their heart, clenching it tightly into a fist.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks at Esei, as if that alone would be enough to explain their reasoning.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks down, crumples back in their spot, hugging their knees.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Cousinling..."

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes their head, rocking slightly. "Fine," They say at last, greatly muffled. "Am f-fine - a-am, just..."

Esei pulls your head up with both hands, gently cradling your face. "You are loved," they whisper. "Because you are love. Do you not feel it, beating in your heart? Seeping from your skin? Suffused in the air with every laugh, with every word you say?"

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...Everything will be alright, Gurashi."

You stare at Esei, eyes wide.

You have emoted: Gurashi sniffles, staring at Esei, eyes wide with surprise, tears still streaming down their cheeks.

You have emoted: Gurashi swallows hard, then leans forward, wrapping their arms pitiably around Esei, hugging the trill tight, tears still streaming down their face.

You think to yourself: *pain, pain... the faintest hint of... saffron, pink ... *.

Esei folds their wings around your body, wrapping you in a feathered embrace.

You sniffle softly.

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you whisper, "S-sorry..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Do not be."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "You have done naught wrong."

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "N-no, a-am sorry, for crying and for..." They look at Tsillah. "For what happened, to you..."

You reach out and touch Esei.

You sniffle softly.

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

You sniffle softly.

A cat of black ink rubs up against you, purring like a cat.

Weakly, you say, "I need to rest..."

You sniffle softly.

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "...I..."

You pet a cat of black ink ingratiatingly.
A cat of black ink purrs softly as she butts her head into Gurashi's hand.

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "W-will, be back, I promise... later this months, yes, maybe, then..."
You sniffle softly.

A cat of black ink sploots on your feet, purring loudly.

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "Ohhh, you..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Gurashi... you know I am here."

You nod your head emphatically.

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say, "I know..."

You sniffle softly.

With a watery, seraphic cadence, you say to Esei, "And you, me... yes? Yes..."

You have emoted: Gurashi lifts a webbed finger, gently booping the trill's nose.

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Right now, I believe it is you who needs the help. But that is alright."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "It is my duty to help others."
You sniffle softly.

With a sniffle, you ask Esei, "Even if is me?"

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Even you."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "For all that you are an enemy, you are also an ally."

You sniffle softly.

You give Esei a friendly squeeze.

You have emoted: Gurashi rolls forward onto their feet, wobbling before their hand finds Bizi's head, ruffling the leothin dazedly.

Quietly, you say to Esei, "Stay goodly, stay, kindly..."

With dusky, lyrical inflections, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Do you need help?"

You shake your head.

<-- Lumbers off to wait for Tridemon to wake up