"Thank you. I love..."

[[An intense discussion with Esei about recent God discussions]]

You sense you have a letter waiting for you, arriving from the Serenwilde forest.

Seer Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "I shall leave you to your musings, my friend. Be well."

Seer Esei of the Ascending Dusk has lost you.

You blink.

You have emoted: Gurashi opens his mouth, as if to say something else, but quickly stops, realizing Esei has already left.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares after Esei long after the elfen leaves, expression shifting from confusion, to hurt, to guilt, to nothing.

Beneath ancient relics.
Large wyrden roots have broken through the walls of this underground cavern, slowly expanding around its circumference. Broken bits of stone litter the ground, sparsely broken by the remains of several statues overtaken by vines. Veins of amethyst run overhead, glimmering faintly in the dim light. The entire wall along the back is covered by shattered pillars and a mammoth archway that stand guard over the ancient ruin. An ancient archway of cracked stone sits here, overrun with wyrden growth. The heady scent of Wyrden foliage surrounds a shrine of pitch black crystal that stands here.
You see exits leading up and through an ancient archway of cracked stone.
You shiver violently.

With a high-pitched hoot, a great horned owl wings in and deposits an elegant white letter into your hands, then flaps off again.

An elegant white letter is holding:
"notecard313938"              an elegant notecard
1 items found.

You take an elegant notecard from an elegant white letter.

You read what is written on an elegant notecard:
Hi!
Haha! Remember me, kephera guy??
I think it's funny, so I'm gonna tell you! Duet caught a snowflake and
went off to the icy place! Ha ha ha ha ha!
I know she didn't go to your party.
Kay, have fun!
Miaei Wildbriar

You blink.

(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "OH."
(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "MY."
(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "GOD."

You have emoted: Gurashi stares down at the notecard, then lifts his head, eyes wide.

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 3rd of Dvarsh, 549 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 12 days until the New Moon

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Snowflake."

With increasing intensity, you say, "Snowflake snowflake snowflake."

Carefully, you catch a glistening snowflake, the warmth of your touch melting it.
As a glistening snowflake evaporates, you feel yourself melting with it, condensing and falling strangely. Your sense of self becomes light as a feather, now utterly cold and crystalline in perfection. Falling and swimming with an errant breeze you follow, compelled to obey, as the soft sounds of joyous music accompany your flight. When your feet touch ground, you realise you are not where you were...

A palatial vestibule.
Stairs run down to the lower inner level of this room, while an aisle allows touring its edges and admiring the various paintings of winter displays that hang from the frosted walls. A carpet runner is laid out on the floor, which crunches underfoot due to the frigid temperature. Light from outside enters through large stately windows, which occasionally show the falling snow outside. On the inner level stand some sculptures of seasonal scenes. Dangling down from some unseen location above, a lavish silk rope hangs here. Standing tall and dutifully, Tombin, Steward of Solstice, is attentive to every need of the Court.
You see exits leading northeast and northwest.
With a merry tone despite his reserved and dignified air, Tombin, Steward of Solstice says, "Welcome, Gurashi to the Solstice Court! We hope you will join our merrymaking."
You shiver violently.
Your snout twitches and trembles at the air, sensing through a striped badger nose upon your face the faint traces of others in the surrounding area.

You look about in confusion.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks about, chest heaving as he catches his breath.

Faintly buzzing, you ask a cheery maid spirit, "Sorry, did a woman come through here recently?"

A cheery maid spirit tilts her head curiously.

A cheery maid spirit says, "A woman? There's lots of people who come through, dearie."

Quickly, waving his hands, you say to a cheery maid spirit, "Uhm, she is... about this tall, and had very long white hair and very pretty blue eyes."

You have emoted: Gurashi flails a bit, standing on his tip-toes to look about.

Evening casts a subtle and alluring romance to the whispered musical melodies that echo, amplified by the glimmering ice.

You have emoted: Gurashi falls back to his normal height, wringing his hands together anxiously.

You stare implacably at a cheery maid spirit.

Laughing, a cheery maid spirit says to you, "Oh, that one, yes. She patted my head and headed towards the ice."

You give a short gasp of elation.

You have emoted: Gurashi claps a hand on either side of his head, looking at the maid in disbelief. "Wh-really? OH. O-K, O-K, O-K, many thank yous."

You have emoted: Gurashi flails a bit, then offers a bow before bolting to the north.

Crossing a snow-flecked expanse of icy perfection.
Dense white clouds have spread completely across the sky. Smooth as glass and shimmering with the brilliance of a thousand cut diamonds, the ice glitters coldly and spans from one side to the other in snow-touched perfection. Sleek and dreamy, the surface bears no flaws, scratches or occlusions, its crystalline purity hinting at possibly unnatural origins. Frosted branches interlude near the lake's circumference like the offered arms of a dance partner, their rime beset limbs blanketed heavily with boughs of pristine, untouched snow.
You see exits leading north, northeast, southeast, west, and northwest.

Lacking the proper equipment, you slip on the ice and fall with an unceremonious 'thump.'

You wince in pain.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Right..."

You have emoted: Gurashi groans loudly from the ice, scrambling back onto his feet while rubbing his back. He waves his arms pitifully, looking back towards the edge of the pond.

Snow-dusted cobblestone pathway.
Dense white clouds have spread completely across the sky. An attempt has been made to keep the pathway relatively clean, but snow still lingers between the cracks of the cobblestones. By the sides of the pathway a carpet of untouched snow rises, dotted here and there by fir trees covered in a dusting of their own. The surroundings are eerily silent, noises further dampened by a light mist that shrouds the area like a blanket.  A small wooden sign is here, beside the path leading to the northwest. Her olive skin glowing with beauty, Duethielle Landrennbenn sings to herself. The delicate structure of a glistening snowflake slowly melts away here.
You see exits leading northeast, southwest, and northwest.

You have emoted: Gurashi manages to finally drag himself back off of the ice... then stops, blinking as he finds another person's feet already there.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up, lifting the brim of his hat to stare at Duethielle Ladrennbenn.

LOOK DUET
Duethielle Ladrennbenn is an elfen of radiant olive skin and snow white hair, which is kept out of the way in a long, drooping braid that reaches down to the back of her legs. She wears a light, airy tunic of pale rose and loose, billowing pants of midnight blue limned in silver. Her bare skin has been inscribed with emerald tattoos in spiralling shapes of plants, vines, birds and forest creatures, which run across her cheeks and down her neck, over the collarbone and onto her chest, her back, her lithe limbs, even to the very tips of her fingers and toes. She hums softly off and on, her clear blue eyes glittering with flashes of joy.
Duethielle Ladrennbenn looks to be crushingly strong.

In disbelief, you say, "...M-Miss Duethielle...!"

Duethielle Ladrennbenn glances down at you, her eyes large and curious, blue like the blue of the ice about you. A faint smile plays upon her lips. "Hi," she says nonchalantly.

You have emoted: Gurashi grunts as he pulls himself off the ice and quickly rises to his feet, dusting bits of dirt and snow from his vest. "W-what are ... ah, have you..." He starts and ends half a dozen sentences more like this, clearly in a tizzy.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn's gaze follows you as you gets up. "Are we crawling...?" she asks vaguely, "I can crawl, if we are crawling...?" She clutches a pair of skates in her hands.

You have emoted: Gurashi laughs nervously, shaking his head. "Oh, no no, just..." He points at the ice. "Went out... not realizing did not have on skates... uhm..." He hesitates, then quickly adds, "Would you like to skate with me?"

Faintly buzzing, you say to Duethielle Ladrennbenn, "Am not ... -very- good. And still do not know how to stop, so cannot promise will not maybe crash into on accident..."

Rambling on, you say, "B-but Ilistala isn't here so there should not be any of that..."

Bizirik, the leothin appears a few moments later, chattering noisily once it spots Duethielle Ladrennbenn. It drives forward through a bank of snow, then bounds up to the elfen woman, circling her several times over as it thrums. Before she can answer, the movement of a nearby squirrel catches its eye, and the leothin is gone as quickly as it had arrived, diving into another snowbank.

With a smile, Duethielle Ladrennbenn stares at you fixedly. She asks after some time, "Where are we?"

A flurry of dazzling snowflakes blow in on a chill breeze, swirling and dancing in the air with carefree abandon between the rays of sunshine.

You have emoted: Gurashi makes his way over to a nearby bench, setting down as he pulls out his own skates. "Uhmm..." He glances up. "Think is called the... Solstice Court." He explains, beginning the awkward and arduous process of sticking his feet into ice skates.

Already lacing the first boot, you say to Duethielle Ladrennbenn, "Is magic place. Can only come for little time once every many many years. At least that is how - oof - was explained to."

Duethielle Ladrennbenn bends to pull her own skates on, her long, white braid swaying. "Thank you for being here..." she murmurs vaguely as she stands on one foot, holding her other foot with her  left hand. The skates hang from her right hand, like ornaments.

You have emoted: Gurashi perks up at the comment, opening up his mouth to speak, but quickly thinking better of it. He silently gets on his other boot, then sticks out both legs, tapping the back of the skate blades on the pavement. He looks up to Duethielle Ladrennbenn, patting the bench. "Put them on, can teach you all that know," He encourages, mandibles clicking.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn hops on one foot, steadily and without hurry, until she reaches the bench. She sits down, still holding her foot.

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Duethielle Ladrennbenn, fascinated. "...did you... hurt yourself?" He asks finally, tilting his head in concern.

Finally tugging the skates on, Duethielle Ladrennbenn says, "Hmm?"

You have emoted: Gurashi opens his mouth again, then thinks better of it. "Do not worry about it." With a bit of effort, he pushes himself up onto his feet, wobbling as he balances on either blade. He turns to Duethielle Ladrennbenn, fixing his scarf so it'll blow away from him. "Are ready??"

Duethielle Ladrennbenn stands, balanced perfectly on the skates, as if she did not have them on, as if she were just taking a walk. Dreamily, she says, "Yes," and she holds out her hands.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances to Duethielle Ladrennbenn's outstretched hand, offering his own as he clumsily trudges after her. "O-K! Am also ready," He says with great enthusiasm despite his very cautious steps toward the pond.

You read what is written on a small wooden warning sign:
Slippery ice ahead!

You cannot follow Duethielle Ladrennbenn.

You ponder the situation.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn's hand grips yours, her tattoos shifting and shimmering.
Duethielle Ladrennbenn begins to follow you.

You click your mandibles together energetically, chittering to yourself.

Crossing a snow-flecked expanse of icy perfection.
It is well below freezing and your breath is a white haze. Smooth as glass and shimmering with the brilliance of a thousand cut diamonds, the ice glitters coldly and spans from one side to the other in snow-touched perfection. Sleek and dreamy, the surface bears no flaws, scratches or occlusions, its crystalline purity hinting at possibly unnatural origins. Frosted branches interlude near the lake's circumference like the offered arms of a dance partner, their rime beset limbs blanketed heavily with boughs of pristine, untouched snow.
You see exits leading north, northeast, southeast, west, and northwest.

You have emoted: Gurashi delicately places a foot on the edge of the pond, barely pushing off, incredibly mindful of the much smaller presence beside him. "Look!" He gestures, waving out over the almost blindingly bright pond. "Is so much of it!"

You have emoted: Gurashi chitters, wobbling a bit as his blade finds a well-worn patch of ice.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn hums softly to herself as she slides onto ice. It's a slow tune, cold like the snow-flecked expanse itself. She slowly glides in a slow arc about you as the skates move her of their own accord. But your grip constrains her.

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Duethielle Ladrennbenn, wide-eyed, stumbling a bit again as she turns about him. He realizes the predicament quickly, his hand quickly going limp, though not pulling away from hers. "...already know how to skate?" He asks, amazed.

"Hmm?" Duethielle Ladrennbenn asks vaguely, as she continues to turn. She does not appear to be guiding her motions, but letting the slight slopes of the ice take her where they will. It becomes evident by the twisting of your arm that soon, either she will come to a stop, or you will begin moving along with her.

You have emoted: A decision is made. Gurashi swallows hard, turning with Duethielle Ladrennbenn awkwardly on the ice. With every bit of effort he can must, he begins to skate after, the movements though clumsy no less adequate.

You think to yourself: Ah ... her gift...

You are holding:
"box374809"                   a small, brightly coloured gift box

This small box has been crafted from smooth pieces of wood and painted
with bright cheerful colours in the pattern of a rainbow. The inside has
been covered with dark purple silk and an additional ribbon of the same
colour and type of fabric has been used to close the box with a very
big, bouncy bow.
It has 20 months of usefulness left.
It weighs about 2 pounds and 0 ounce(s).
It bears the distinctive mark of Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters.
It is closed and you can not see inside of it.
It has the following aliases: box.

Bizirik, the leothin is seen in the nearby distance, popping its head up out of a snowbank and chattering noisily after a runaway squirrel before vanishing again within the snow.

Suddenly, Duethielle Ladrennbenn breaks into laughter, the tattoos on her face scrunching with the motion. She closes her eyes, hands still gripping yours. "This is fun..." Her breath rises in the cold.

You have emoted: Gurashi perks up at the sound, antennae twitching. He laughs too, weakly, just once. "Yeah... oh! Oh, wait... can do a trick. Want me to teach you a trick?" He asks, gripping Duethielle Ladrennbenn's hand tighter. "Is really fun - promise."

You have emoted: Gurashi chitters hopefully at Duethielle Ladrennbenn, tilting his head.

Stolen by an errant breeze, a glistening snowflake floats away.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn opens her eyes, their stark blue gazing into yours. "Whatever you'd like, Mister Gurashi." She seems suddenly present, as she had not been before.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks, his carapace flushing for a moment. He gently takes both of Duethielle Ladrennbenn's hands in his own, staring wide-eyed back at her. He seems almost at a loss of words, mouth parting just enough to speak but choosing not to. Instead, he glances down to his feet, placing them firmly against the ice.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly begins to skate backwards, pulling Duethielle Ladrennbenn with him. Despite the earlier clumsiness, this movement seems much more practiced, and he begins to pick up a bit of pace, careful not to drift too close to the edge of the pond. He turns, continuing to guide the elfen with him as he starts chittering with excitement.

Never loosening his grip, you whisper, "Aaaannnd..."

Looping and curving back on your own path, you masterfully execute a figure-eight on the ice.

You have emoted: Gurashi bursts into laughter even coming out of the wonky figure-eight, the chittering carrying out over the pond. "Ta-da!"

You think to yourself: Ah ...

You think to yourself: Am so happy...

Duethielle Ladrennbenn had followed the motion of your mouth, and then the gaze of your eyes, down to the feet. As you skates, her eyes remain on the feet, their glittering blue bright as the figure-eight forms. A smile plays upon her lips as the breeze blows strands of stray hair and snowflakes across her face.

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to loop slowly, nearly graceful as he opts to let the ice carry him where it may.

A snow-flecked expanse of icy perfection.
A gale is in full force here, threatening to blow away anything not firmly rooted. Smooth as glass and shimmering with the brilliance of a thousand cut diamonds, the ice glitters coldly and spans from one side to the other in snow-touched perfection. Sleek and dreamy, the surface bears no flaws, scratches or occlusions, its crystalline purity hinting at possibly unnatural origins. Frosted branches watch from afar along the lake's circumference, their rime beset limbs blanketed heavily with boughs of pristine, untouched snow. Resembling a pinwheel effect, a whorl of fanned out etchings mar the ice stylistically here. Infinite loops curling upon one another cut into the ice here, a swirling pattern of mesmerising allure. Subtly carved into the ice, a precise circle gouges the surface of the frozen ground. Subtly carved into the ice, a precise circle gouges the surface of the frozen ground. With rounded, arcing loops and curves, a figure-eight design shimmers on the ice, etched masterfully with finely-sharpened skates.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, south, southwest, west, and northwest.

Shadows grow longer in anticipation for the return of their dark mistress as Father Sun's chase brings him closer to the world's edge.

You have emoted: Gurashi chitters excitedly at Duethielle Ladrennbenn still as they slowly spin into another room, this one far more used, the varying patterns on the ice reflecting the setting sunlight bright. "Now you can do the trick too," He offers with a shy laugh.

Still laughing, you say to Duethielle Ladrennbenn, "Practiced that one many many -many many- times to be able to do..."

Duethielle Ladrennbenn looks down at the ice admiringly. "Oh..." She lets go of your hands, allowing her skates to glide along the grooves of the patterns.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets his arms drop to his side, watching Duethielle Ladrennbenn as she skates off, his mandibles clicking softly. He eventually lulls to a stop, standing still save for the occasional twitching of his antennae.

Just loud enough to be heard, you whisper, "Isn't it nice?"

You think to yourself: This place IS magic...

Duethielle Ladrennbenn turns in a wide circle, her braid whipping about herself, and then she slides into the figure of eight, which she goes around and around, lifting her arms above herself, slightly bent, their olive colour mute against the wintry landscape.

"Eternity..." Duethielle Ladrennbenn comments softly, as if to herself. She tilts her head upwards to gaze at the Moon, and as she overbalances, she slips and falls with a THUMP onto the ice.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks, watching as Duethielle Ladrennbenn manages to execute a perfect figure eight, and again, and again, and again... he frowns, tilting his head and taking a gentle step forward...

You give a horrified gasp.

You have emoted: Without hesitation, Gurashi tries to run on the ice, quickly finding himself flat on his face from the rushed effort. "Ah! Miss Duethielle!!" He scrambles on his hands and knees over to her, sliding past her by a few inches in his panic. Finally he arrives back at the elfen's side, sitting up and offering his hands. "Are O-K?!"

Hushed and sombre, quiet descends with the evening, only the moonlight and glistening snow to dazzle and intrigue amidst the stillness.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn sits on the ice for a moment, looking slightly stunned. She does not notice at all your frantic motions. After a moment, she turns her gaze to you, and your offered hand. She blinks once, twice.

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to stare, eyes wide. "...are you hurt?" He asks weakly after a pause.

You frown at Duethielle Ladrennbenn.

You think to yourself: Please do not be hurt.

You think to yourself: ...but if is can handle it!!

Duethielle Ladrennbenn slips her hand into your, attempting to pull herself up while her skates continue to slide along the ice with no purchase. You feel yourself being dragged downwards.

You have emoted: Gurashi squawks awkwardly, but does his best, scooting undesirably across the ice while giving every last bit of effort to help Duethielle Ladrennbenn back to her feet. "Oh, wait - have got you!" He exclaims, suddenly laughing again.

Suddenly, you exclaim to Duethielle Ladrennbenn, "The ice does not have us!"

You have emoted: Gurashi's laugh carries out over the expanse, great clouds of breath rising from either side of his beak.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn laughs melodically at you.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn tightens her arms around you and laughs and laughs, throwing her head back.

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Duethielle Ladrennbenn's reaction, his laugh starting to subside before hers picks up, causing him to start laughing all over again. He covers his face with one hand and shakes his head, giving her hands a squeeze with those offered. "Ahh, many apologies." He chitters, giggling. "Think now is the part where we crawl."

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 4th of Dvarsh, 549 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 11 days until the New Moon

You think to yourself: Ah... is no way having this much fun is allowed.

You think to yourself: Oh - the gift...!

You have emoted: Gurashi glances sidelong at his backpack for a split second.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn stops laughing for a moment, her eyes bright, cheeks rosy, as she simply sits on the ice. "We crawl now?" she asks.

You have emoted: Gurashi quickly looks back to Duethielle Ladrennbenn. "Actually, before go, have something for you," He says, unslinging his pack from his shoulder and letting it rest on the ice before him. Inside, a myriad of shapes and items, dolls and bixes and baking supplies, letters and garbage. But nestled neatly in a side pouch and wrapped in a purple kerchief - a box.

You have emoted: Gurashi holds out the box to Duethielle Ladrennbenn, offering a meek "Happy Solstice".

You give a small, brightly coloured gift box to Duethielle Ladrennbenn.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn takes the box with both hands, a smile crossinig her face as she continues to sit on the ice. She opens the coloured lid to gaze within.

You have emoted: Gurashi drops his hands into his lap, twiddling his thumbs together, seeming entirely unbothered by the chilly ground. He watches Duethielle Ladrennbenn's expression closely, studying each movement as she opens the present.

You twiddle your thumbs.

Bizirik, the leothin makes another appearance, far off across the pond, barely a leothin-shaped blip on the radar. It is seen chattering noisily at some nearby wildlife, frightening them off before diving into another snowbank and disappearing from sight again.

You think to yourself: ...hope likes it.

You think to yourself: Hope is not stupid gift...

Duethielle Ladrennbenn takes out the bracelet, the chain and charms tinkling as her blue eyes fall upon the blue and white violets. "Flowers," she smiles. She slips it onto her left wrist.

You blink.

Little plumes of mist puff beneath your nose with every exhale of breath, visible against the dark of night as frozen wisps.

You have emoted: Gurashi nods shyly, waving his clouded breath away from his face as he continues to watch.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Uhm..."

You have emoted: Gurashi moves his wrist a bit to imitate the jingling the bracelet. "Is not as musical as a music box but..."

Duethielle Ladrennbenn draws out the figurine next, followed by the two cookies. She laughs again, placing the figurine on the ice.

As the sun's rays begin to break over the horizon, a slender leothin's amaranthine visage begins to fade back to a soft gray, wings dissolving like mist with the morning light.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles weakly.

With a sage nod, you say to Duethielle Ladrennbenn, "Now have your very own Bizi."

You suddenly scoop up a figurine of Bizirik, the leothin.

You cough softly.

You rub a clover-etched jade ring and it begins to glow with a pulsating light.
You allow the charm of Acquisitio to leave you and are no longer gripped by an unnatural need to accumulate things.

You drop a figurine of Bizirik, the leothin.

You peer about yourself unscrupulously.

You have emoted: Gurashi prods the figurine gently as he places it back down, making it twirl half a rotation.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn reaches out to the pat the figurine of Bizirik, the motion making her wrist jingle with a soft melody. She then offers both cookies to the real Bizirik beside her, her wrist still tinkling.

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Duethielle Ladrennbenn offer the cookies to Bizirik, who seems to have materialized immediately at the appearance of the cookies that look like them. So much so he does a double take, staring at the leothin with wide eyes.

Bizirik, the leothin thrums softly, nosing the cookies and taking each one delicately within its mouth before turning and stalking off to the edge of the pond, legs occasionally sliding out in random directions as it goes.

You stare blankly into space.

You have emoted: Gurashi wrings his hands together as he watches his leothin stalk away to consume its prize. "...uhm," He starts, then stops again, offering Duethielle Ladrennbenn another weak smile.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn turns her gaze back to you. Vaguely, she murmurs, "Thank you. I love..." she places a finger on the bracelet, "Everything..."

You blink.

You blush furiously.

Hopefully, you ask Duethielle Ladrennbenn, "Ah, really...?"

Rambling a bit, his voice wavering, you say to Duethielle Ladrennbenn, "A-am so glad! Did not know if were a jewelry persons, and only so many peoples like necklaces and rings are t-too formal so thought to self 'O-K maybe bracelet', because figure peoples are always moving and if are moving then would always be making musics with the..."

You have emoted: Gurashi waves his arm as if to mimic the jingling again.

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to blush as he talks, somehow turning redder and redder.

As you ramble, Duethielle Ladrennbenn places both her palms on the ice, pushing herself up with surprising strength. Her skates to do not slip this time, as she rights herself, the white braid uncurling beside her. Once upright, she bends to pick up the figurine on the ground.

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Duethielle Ladrennbenn, not quite sure what he's witnessing as he continues on, stopping only as she grabs the figurine. "...oh, I should..." He looks down, awkwardly looking for a way to push himself up.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn smiles dreamily and offers you a hand.

Glorious rays of morning light burst forth from Father Sun's crown as it peeks over the world's edge, announcing a bright and shining new dawn.

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, considering Duethielle Ladrennbenn's hand and her very comparatively smaller figure. Still, he takes her hand, doing his best to pull himself up without dragging her down.

Duethielle Ladrennbenn pulls for a few moments, as the two of you slide along the ice. Shifting, she places both arms around you, heaving to bring you up.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out the tiniest little whistle of surprise when Duethielle Ladrennbenn's arms wrap around him, and a second, even more surprised whistle when the lifting attempt occurs. He laughs awkwardly, and with a great push that send them both skating off to another section of the pond, rises to his feet.

A snow-flecked expanse of icy perfection.
Dense white clouds have spread completely across the sky. Smooth as glass and shimmering with the brilliance of a thousand cut diamonds, the ice glitters coldly and spans from one side to the other in snow-touched perfection. Sleek and dreamy, the surface bears no flaws, scratches or occlusions, its crystalline purity hinting at possibly unnatural origins. Frosted branches watch from afar along the lake's circumference, their rime beset limbs blanketed heavily with boughs of pristine, untouched snow.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a sudden chittering laugh.

With a wobble, you say, "A-ah! Many thank yous... f-for help..."

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles weakly.

A faraway look in her eyes, Duethielle Ladrennbenn continues to hold onto you as she digs her skates into the ice, coming to her tiptoes. She places a single kiss on your beak, lips lingering, before she pulls away.

With a vague smile, Duethielle Ladrennbenn murmurs, "My wife loves the snow. She would love it here..." Withdrawing her arms, Duethielle glides away blithely to the southwest, white braid swaying behind her.

You blink.

<-- SHE LEAVE

You have emoted: Gurashi glances aside, prepared to return to the edge of the pond before he is interrupted by Duethielle, his eyes widening suddenly, entire carapace momentarily turning a bright shade of red at the kiss. The color fades at the elfen's next statement, however, and he watches as she skates off, bewildered, amazed, confused...

You have emoted: Gurashi finally takes a step across the ice, moving as if in a dream.

<-- off to edge of pond to remove skates

You remove a pair of gleaming ice skates.

You think to yourself: Miss Duet...

You have emoted: Gurashi touches his beak, looking concerned.

You think to yourself: ...she's -married-??

You give a pained sigh.

You think to yourself: Of course she is.

You think to yourself: ...still...

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up, considering the cobblestone walkway briefly.

You think to yourself: ...hope had fun....

A chill breeze flows in freely, bringing temperature-dropping frost and the tiniest of dazzling snowflakes lit by the dappled sunlight.

A glittering ballroom.
The vast expanse of a pristine white marble floor bathes in the golden light of numerous sparkling crystal chandeliers. Pale ice walls carved with intricate snowflake patterns and decorated with silver glitter lines the wide open space from bottom to ceiling. Sets of chairs allow for the dancers to take a rest or partake in a conversation at the edge of the party. A stage holds room for a modest orchestra to perform the finest ball tunes. Awaiting silently, a maid spirit is here with a cheery, ready smile. Dancing with her husband Beo, the Lady Mila Joyheart is here joyfully rapt. Master Beo Joyheart leads his wife Mila around the ballroom with pride and joy.
You see exits leading north and southeast.

Slowly, gently, you say to a cheery maid spirit, "Many thank yous."

A chill breeze flows in freely, bringing temperature-dropping frost and the tiniest of dazzling snowflakes lit by the dappled sunlight.

With a little smile, you say to a cheery maid spirit, "Found her."

Waving happily, a cheery maid spirit says, "Oh, wonderful."

A cheery maid spirit exclaims, "I hope you had fun!!"

You have emoted: Gurashi looks back off down the hall, mandibles clicking. He quickly looks back to the maid, then smiles again, weaker still, nodding. "Was a -blast-."

Faintly buzzing, you say to a cheery maid spirit, "Many thank yous for you and friends hosting. This place is..."

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up. "...really nice."

A cheery maid spirit beams broadly.

A cheery maid spirit exclaims, "Come again, any time!"

With a little nod, you say to a cheery maid spirit, "Will, many thank yous."

Offering a small wave, you say to a cheery maid spirit, "Happy Solstice."
A cheery maid spirit exclaims, "Happy Solstice, dear!"

You have emoted: Gurashi looks down the hallway once more, adjusting his skates on his shoulders and plodding off exhausted.