Selia's Strange Discovery

Selia tells you, "Would you happen to have a moment or two?"

Your melodic voice sings into Selia's mind, "Oh my, yes! Of course. Hello!"

<-- Nyoom

Within the Lodestar Athenaeum.
Shimmering mist hangs in the air, drifting away from a healing shrine of Carakhan nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. High, arching ceilings encompass rows upon rows of bookshelves, wrapping around the vast circular library. Niches high along the wall hold coral candelabras, their sharp light streaming through panels of stained glass laid over the openings. At the apex of the arches, a grand mural of the Celestial heavens has been painted, the radiant forms of Elohora and Her Supernal entourage peering down upon the books below. Spread evenly throughout the chamber, cherrywood tables and high-backed chairs of fine mahogany provide ample space for study, and the quills and inkwells set along the tables allow for the delicate work of the scribe. The arched entryway opens out into the Lodestar Athenaeum, the outer edge bordered in gold paint, silver conch shells decorating the length. A library catalogue rests here on a pedestal. There are 3 chaise rocking chairs fashioned as a giant rose-haired tarantula here. With cloudy wings of ethereal mist unfurled, a pure white gryphon is here, shrouded in fathomless darkness. An adolescent Nyalian mastiff darts about excitedly, his tail wagging like a brandished sword. Duchess Kennian, Saltspeaker sits here upon a chaise rocking chair fashioned as a giant rose-haired tarantula.  Selia is riding on a pure white gryphon with cloudy wings of ethereal mist. You may use the LIBRARY commands here.
You see a single exit leading north.

You tilt your head curiously.

LOOKIT KENNIAN
She is a noble imperial merian. Her skin is the shade of the sea at night. Although she is considered short for her race, a pair of hardened horn-like protrusions erupt from her forehead and curve backward making her appear taller. Though at the base the horns are the same dark blue-violet as the majority of her body, the colour ends abruptly to be replaced by a bright gold. That same gold can be seen in the shade of her irises and the long, wispy thin fin that begins at the crown of her head and flows as she walks, getting ever less full until it tapers off just below her neck. Her face is a perfect oval, ending in a narrow chin. Her ears are pointed on both ends and lay nearly flat against her head. On her neck are small gold-flecked gills that do not appear to be functional but simply ornamental. She has a desirable hourglass figure with breasts that are small but symmetrical. Her waist pinches inward in contrast to wide hips just below. Her limbs are long and lithe; not particularly well muscled, ending in thin fingers and toes that appear to have some honey-coloured webbing. A steel-hued scar traces along her cheek, gifted by Terentia, the Even Bladed, for her mettle in the field of battle.
She is wearing:
a canvas backpack
a simple gold ring
a simple gold ring
a simple gold ring
a simple gold ring
a simple gold ring
a simple gold ring
a simple gold ring
a fashionable armoured jacket
a star-misted gown of champagne silk and tulle wisps
high-heeled, hyacinthine shoes with golden soles
a driftwood ring of sea breezes
a starlight tiara
a brilliant white rose
a cute little rabbit nose
a circlet of smooth stones
Boots of the Wanderer.

LOOKIT SELIA
She is an ordinary human. Hers is an appearance of middle grounds - she is not remarkably tall nor short, for a human, coming to about 165 centimetres in height - and her weight is about half that much in kilograms, giving her a slightly overweight appearance. She looks to be about thirty years of age, or thereabouts; past the prime of youth but not yet  facing down withering old age. Long red hair crowns her head, drawn into a pair of braids, one behind each ear, twisting and twining their way down past her shoulders. Her face is round and pale, somewhat resembling a snowball, offset by eyes the off-green colour of opals, which are in turn behind a pair of half-moon pince-nez. Her cheeks' freckles are another accessory, another small detail alongside the little bump of her nose and pout-lipped mouth. As the gaze goes down, one would note that her physique doesn't seem to be an especially martial one; the weight described above is obviously not from muscle but from a plumpness that is carried mostly around her abdomen and hips, giving her a body shape akin to a lopsided pear. The rest of her skin is as snow-pale as her face, and similarly splattered with freckles just about anywhere one might look. A steel-hued scar traces along her cheek, gifted by Terentia, the Even Bladed, for her mettle in the field of battle.
She is wearing:
luminous robes of a finely woven silk that mostly obscure her form
white leather knee-high boots
a pair of fingerless black gloves
a wide sash of bright gold silk wrapped around the waist, ends hanging to one side
a softly glowing white backpack
a silver band set with pale pink hearts
a platinum-and-silver ring inset with a blazing ruby
a Shakiniel's shield ring
a star-etched diamond ring
a dusky gold ring bearing a brilliant topaz, especially well-cared for compared to the other rings
a simple gold ring
a white gold necklace of devotion
a star-etched amethyst ring.

LOOKIT GURASHI
Standing at a lithe five-foot eleven, they are a graceful elfen kindly demigod changeling. Their shoulders are sharp and broad, their arms surprisingly sinewy and ending in long, lissome hands. Their gentle complexion is of a smooth tawny hue and covered in a smattering of dark freckles. Their long cheeks and thin, upturned nose both bear a permanent shade of blush, accentuated by the greatest cluster of freckles. A moderately sized crescent-shaped scar mars their right cheek, brightly visible against the deep hue of their skin. A hint of discolored flesh can be seen at the center of their sternum, mostly obscured by their clothing. Their thin elfen ears are slightly longer than average, pointing downward and just visible behind the tangled mess of vibrant, apricot-colored hair. A shock of bone-white has grown in along their left temple, lending a somewhat aged appearance to their otherwise youthful features. Their sleepy eyes are perhaps their most striking feature, a vibrant blue-gray that almost seem to glow against all the surrounding hues. A steel-hued scar traces along their cheek, gifted by Terentia, the Even Bladed, for their mettle in the field of battle.
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 ebon throwover cloak striated with lilac patterns wrapped protectively about their form
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 indigo 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.

Kennian beams broadly.

With a playful lilt, Duchess Kennian, Saltspeaker exclaims to you, "Heeelllooooo!!"

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles curiously, head canting to the side. "Hello, boths of you," They offer, lifting a hand and bowing their head politely in greeting at last.

Selia says, "Well, as long as the two of you are here...!"

Kennian tilts her head and listens intently to Selia.

You have emoted: Gurashi too looks towards Selia, canting their head to the side.

You tilt your head and listen intently to Selia.

Moving a pure white gryphon with cloudy wings of ethereal mist over to one of the tables, Selia then rummages into her things and finds a mechanical clock, which she lays upon the table with a dull think.

Selia actually lays it upon the table with a dull thunk, of course...

Selia asks, "I found this during our last timequake. I am not sure what it is, however. Have either of you seen such before?"

Selia drops a mechanical clock.

A ball of sparkly luminescence catches a mechanical clock in a burst of light and draws it up into your hands.

Kennian kicks her dangling legs back and forth, causing the chair to rock slowly back and forth. She learns forward a bit to see what's being unfurled.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say, "Ah!"

You blush furiously.

You catch a ball of sparkly luminescence as it spins up and into your hands.

You clear your throat.

The casing of this mantel clock is made of solid wood, with a handle at the top that makes it easily portable. The large white clock face at the front has numerals for each hour of a half day. A key on the side allows the inner mechanism to be wound up. Various decorative gears have been set on the outside. A brass tube runs from the top to the side of the clock, and a steam whistle sits on top of the contraption.
You see your gnomish weapon will do the following types from its gearboxes: unblockable and divinus.
You see the following gearboxes attached:
a gnomish divinus gearbox (gearbox178487)
It weighs about 5 pounds.
It bears the distinctive mark of Selia.
It has the following aliases: clock, weapon, gnomeweapon.

Kennian giggles happily.

You have emoted: Gurashi fumbles and carefully sets a mechanical clock back onto the table, withdrawing their hands, pressing them together. "S-sorry."

You drop a mechanical clock.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you ask, "You said ... ah - it was during the timequakes?"

Selia lets out a long, heavy sigh, and ceases to search the ground with her roving eyes.

Selia nods her head affirmatively.

With a playful lilt, Duchess Kennian, Saltspeaker says, "I haven't seen anything like it."

With a playful lilt, Duchess Kennian, Saltspeaker says, "Looks gnomish though."

You have emoted: Gurashi turns their attention to Selia again. "It looks gnomeish."

You nod your head at Kennian.

Kennian giggles happily at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi puffs their cheeks, leaning down close to examine the device more closely. "Have tried to do anything withs it yet?" They ask of Selia, glancing up at the human.

"I haven't," Selia replies to Kennian, though she leans over the clock curiously. "As near as I can tell, the time it tells is accurate...?"

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches out to gently poke the clock tentatively with their index finger, quickly withdrawing it and ducking behind the table a little immediately after.

You narrow your eyes at a mechanical clock, canting your head and peering at it suspiciously.

Thoughtfully, you say, "...I wonder..."

Selia watches you duck behind the table uncertainly. "You're sure you've not seen one before?"

Kennian giggles happily at you.

Selia thinks to herself: It's as if she's expecting it to explode.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say, "It is like Miss Kennian said - it looks gnomish..."

Reaching for the clock, you ask, "May I?"

You look at Selia hopefully.

Kennian watches you with a curious expression.

With a playful lilt, Duchess Kennian, Saltspeaker says, "I bet it has a pretty chime on the hour."

"Um, certainly," Selia says, as she picks up a mechanical clock. There is an ominous 'clunk' from it when she does, though, and...

Selia scoops up a mechanical clock.

As Selia winds up a mechanical clock, the clock face flies open and a small cannon extends from it.
A cannonball surrounded by bursts of steam and beams of holy light flies from a mechanical clock and impacts upon a young rat.
A mechanical clock has counted the remaining seconds of the life of a young rat.
A young rat has been slain by Selia.

You blink.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say, "AH."

Selia exclaims, "Aagh!"

Protectively diving in front of Kennian, you say, "IT IS DEFINITELY GNOMISH."

Selia hurls a mechanical clock away as it goes off.

Kennian ducks down, clearly startled.

Selia drops a mechanical clock.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a noise, then lunges into the air, and whether by skill or miracle manage to catch a mechanical clock out of the air .... only to drop it as they collide with a nearby bookcase, sending a few books scattering to the floor. "AHOHNO!"

You flail about helplessly.

With a gasp, you exclaim, "It is a GNOMISH clock, Miss Selia!"

With a playful lilt, Duchess Kennian, Saltspeaker says, "Cannonballs!"

Kennian giggles happily.

Selia scoops up a mechanical clock.

Selia gives a mechanical clock to you.

With a playful lilt, Duchess Kennian, Saltspeaker says, "I bet those could do some real damage!"

Not really understanding, and looking at Gurashi uncertainly, Selia says, "A...gnomish clock."

You have emoted: Gurashi takes the clock from Selia as she gathers it again, holding it between their hands. "It is... a gnomish clocks. And, the gnomes... they are, ah, so very smart, and clever..."

You have emoted: Gurashi puffs their cheeks, elfen ears bouncing up and down as they closely examine the device, which does not seem to register their touch at first. "Let me ... try to ..."

Your eyes are drawn to a rat that darts suddenly into view.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say, "Make it do that ...a-gain..."

Selia quickly ducks down.

Selia asks, "A-again?"

You have emoted: Gurashi grunts, scrunching their face. "I think it is SUPPOSED to do that."

With a flick of its small whiskers, an old rat dashes out of view.

Selia says, "That seems dangerous..."

With a playful lilt, Duchess Kennian, Saltspeaker whispers, "This is really scary. I think I'm going to let you guys figure it out."

Kennian giggles happily.

You look at Kennian hopefully.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say to Kennian, "Do not worry, we will make it work!"

With a playful lilt, Duchess Kennian, Saltspeaker says, "I'm sure you will. You are both very smart!"

You face lights up as you smile brightly at Kennian.

As you wind up a mechanical clock, the clock face flies open and a small cannon extends from it.
A cannonball surrounded by bursts of steam and beams of holy light flies from a mechanical clock and impacts upon a baby rat.
You have scored a CRITICAL hit!
A blazing cage of golden flame draws in the wasted energy of your assault.
A mechanical clock has counted the remaining seconds of the life of a baby rat.
You have slain a baby rat.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say, "AH."

Kennian slides down off of her chair and gives a quick wave before darting out the door.

Kennian gets up off a chaise rocking chair fashioned as a giant rose-haired tarantula.

Kennian leaves to the north.

You have emoted: Gurashi squawks as the clock fires again with a careful button push. They nearly drop the device, then laugh wildly, closing their hands around it as much as they can. "IT is a gnome weapons!"

Excitedly, you exclaim to Selia, "You have found a gnomish weapons...!"

Selia winces as another rat's torso is reduced into what could pass for spaghetti sauce.

You have emoted: Gurashi beckons Selia to stand beside them. "Come! I will show you!"

Selia says, "...please do. Um, and...please explain exactly HOW it is being activated, so I don't...do it by accident."

You have emoted: Gurashi waits until the human joins them, holding up the clock, aiming its face towards the rats wandering about the floors of the library. "Yes, do not worry. Will help you figure it out. I have something just like this, I do, if you can believe, though it is not a clock..."

You have emoted: Gurashi holds a mechanical clock in their hand so Selia may see it clearly. "This button here on the sides where one might normally sets the time - that is where you fire it from, yes! Must make sure, not to point it at yourselfs, yes yes..."

Carefully demonstrating, you say to Selia, "You will aim it at whatever foe is trying to do harms to you, yes. Like... a rat! Or, a monster of the astral spheres, yes? Not to be used against other fate-touched. It will not work on me, or any other like me."

You look at Selia hopefully.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say to Selia, "Following, so far? Is O-K, so far? I am not usually a goodly teachers."

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

Your eyes are drawn to a rat that darts suddenly into view.

Sheets of rain pelt the rooftops of the city: an orchestra of noises that leaves every shingle, window, and gutter slick or waterlogged.

Selia says, "Yes, I think it makes sense. Here?"

Selia gingerly reaches towards the indicated button, but is very, very careful not to actually touch it.

You have emoted: Gurashi nods, clock still in their hand. Making sure to face it in the direction of the nearest wandering rat, they grimace and press the button, causing the device to fire.

As you wind up a mechanical clock, the clock face flies open and a small cannon extends from it.
A cannonball surrounded by bursts of steam and beams of holy light flies from a mechanical clock and impacts upon a baby rat.
You have scored a CRITICAL hit!
A blazing cage of golden flame draws in the wasted energy of your assault.
A mechanical clock has counted the remaining seconds of the life of a baby rat.
You have slain a baby rat.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say, "Ah!"

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say, "Powerful! Wowee!"

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say to Selia, "These are RARE! These are -expensive- to buy! Wowee!"

You have emoted: Gurashi gingerly reaches out to take Selia's hand, holding it palm-up so that they may place a mechanical clock there with great reverence. "Here you go," They express, letting go. "I think, those little nodes on the side..."

Reverently, you give a mechanical clock to Selia.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say to Selia, "There are nine of thems, see? You can buy gears for the clock, yes. For gnomish things. It makes them even stronger."

Selia cautiously turns a mechanical clock over and over in her hands until she finds what you're talking about.

Selia says, "...oh, you're right. Er..."

Selia asks, "It looks like it has one attached already?"

The soft lambency of passing hummingbirds filters in from outside, shedding light on a dark night.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you exclaim, "Ah! That must be why is glowing - thought was mine eyeballs!"

Excitedly, you exclaim to Selia, "You are so very lucky!"

Looking a bit overwhelmed, Selia says, "A-am I? What if it belongs to someone?"

You have emoted: Gurashi shakes their head. "I do not think so. If it belonged to someone, they would have already spoken up abouts it."

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles bemusedly. "Would be very apparent someone was missing THEIR gnome weapons."

You look at Selia hopefully.

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say to Selia, "I thinks it is yours! Finders keepers!"

Selia smiles softly.

Selia says, "I will try to think of how best to use it, then! Um..."

Selia begins to wield a mechanical clock in her left hand.

Selia says, "...th-thank you for showing me how it works before I hurt someone with it."

The clouds overhead rumble ominously and bolts of lightning strike the ground, followed closely by peals of furious thunder.

Happily, you say to Selia, "I am so happy could help you! It is so exciting to find such a rarity! I hopes it keeps you very safe, yes."

You bounce up and down.

Time begins to fragment and quake, reality stopping and starting. There is a feel of water across skin as a sea breeze rises, the salt smell stuttering in and out of existence as an Immaculate Timequake comes into being.

You have emoted: Gurashi flashes Selia a toothy smile, then looks up dazedly. "Oh! The timings..."

You sway anxiously in your spot.

Selia says, "...oh!"

Selia says, "I...will try to keep it safe, yes! But for now..."

Selia says, "The timequake!"

In soft, mellifluous tones, you say to Selia, "Please! Go ahead without me, I will try to make it there safely, soonly!"

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

You sway anxiously in your spot.

Selia nods her head emphatically.

Selia, riding a pure white gryphon with cloudy wings of ethereal mist, leaves to the north.

Your melodic voice sings into Selia's mind, "Stay safely!"