To Heal, Or Not To Heal

New Celest Postal Service.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. The floor of the lobby is an almost
indefinable greyish brown. At the counter, everything has the dull grey luster of being at least
fifty years old, and anonymous in form. From the scratched, vaguely translucent glass bowl for
wetting stamps, to the stacks of outdated forms, everything seems grey, sticky, sun-faded, or
unused. Through a small window, can be seen rows and rows of carrier pigeons in small cubbyholes,
and disgruntled pelicans waddling back and forth, their beaks brimming with parcels. A dark brown
leather chair stands here invitingly. A graceful desk of rich, dark wood stands here. A portrait of
Pally the Pelican, the postal mascot, hangs near the service counter. Bound tightly by a red cord, a
fine scroll lies here. Glacydra, of the Tide sits here upon a dark brown leather chair.  You may
MAIL letters from here.
You see a single exit leading north.

They are a noble imperial merian, a thin layer of iridescent slime covering their peach, apricot,
and coral-pink scales. Large, sleepy-looking eyes with ruby irises are highly reflective, framed
underneath with a slightly paler curve of gold-tinged scales. Slits at the side of their long neck
flutter slightly as they breathe. Free and unfettered, their long crest of fins cascades from the
crown of their head in darker sunset gradients, deepening in saturation towards the waist. Slender,
lithe, and limber, this androgynous sea-born creature moves with hesitation apparent in their
movements, strangely graceful in their uncertainty.

They are wearing:
a fine handloom sari of gold-brushed rubescence
a sunset-dappled cerulean octopus bandolier.

From their seated position at the desk, Glacydra, of the Tide says, "Sorry! Almost done."

Glacydra pulls a dark brown leather chair closer to a desk of rich, dark wood and begins to write.
Glacydra, of the Tide begins composing a letter, and shimmers from sight.

Glacydra gets up off a dark brown leather chair.

A harried-looking merian takes a stationery embossed with a silver daffodil and rose from Glacydra,
and whistles for a white seagull. She attaches a stationery embossed with a silver daffodil and rose
to the seagull's leg, and it speeds away.

Glacydra folds their hands at their waist and bows solemnly before rising again.

Turning their head slightly at the sound of Aural's yell, Glacydra smiles warmly and gestures at the
recently vacated desk. "I was just submitting a design for the city's jewellery cartel, so I'm quite
well. A little worried I didn't get everything right, but hopefully it works out," they say. "And
how are you, Avaris?"

Avaris emits a soft sound of comprehension, pointed chin dipping down in a small
nod. "Ah, that is wonderful. I am sure that it is lovely, and if you have erred, you will only
improve going forward. Not to worry." Lifting his upper hand hand to press it briefly to his
armoured chest, eyes glittering with motes of sparkling light, his manner is amiable as he replies,
"I am quite well, considering. I am making progress within my Lady's service, which is heartening.
Some other matters of concern, but, they are as they are, for now."

Glacydra laughs a little with delight, burbling in their throat. "I appreciate the reassurance
greatly! And encouragement. 'Things aren't meant to be perfect but they'll work out' tends to be my
self-reassurance when it comes to minor things like this, at least." Eyes iridescent with reflected
light, the scales on Glacydra's face glitter as they tilt their head with some concern. "I do not
mean to be forward with your personal matters, but if I can aid with the matters of concern in some
small way, please let me know."

The broad, curving swathes of Avaris's sanguine antennae drift back and forth as if
caught in a gentle current at Glacydra's apparent delight. "It is a very good stance to take,
indeed. I would like to see the design, sometimes, when it gets approved and made, if you are
comfortable with such." Lifting the long, gold-plated span of his hand up so that the sharp edges of
his digits catch the light in a glinting wave, the kephera assures Glacydra, "Ah, it is not personal
matters, truly. Your concern speaks well of you. What concerns me is more broad. Have you read of
the recent events?"

Glacydra cups a cheek in one hand, contemplating your words. With some mirth in their tone, they
say, "It is proper to express concern for an acquaintance who expresses concern to you. Though I am
sincere in my offer to help. As for the design, I'd love to show it to you. I'm afraid I gave the
only sketch away in that letter for now. One day it'll be in the catalogue!" They pat a pearl-
encrusted turquoise catalogue fondly. Their vocal cadence slows a little as they comment further, "I
have read recent events, but... I must say I do not know the full, full history of the conflicts
between Divine. Though I understand the conflict between Serenwilde and Glomdoring. I wonder for
what purpose Lady Li-varili took the Eye." They look at you curiously. "Might you have any clue
why?"

Avaris nods along in an easy manner as Glacydra speaks, lowering his hand to fasten
it with its brethren beneath the cloak of his wings, set against the small of his back. "I would
enjoy that, indeed." A number of the smaller eyes that make up the constellation of stylised,
glowing markings upon his feathers turn to regard the catalogue curiously, but then shift to
Glacydra as the matters of more gravity are addressed. Sobering, he utters a low, humming sound that
resonates throughout the room, before saying, "Not even the Divine know the full history of all of
Their conflicts, I should think. They have not had a peaceful history, both on the personal and
grand scales." At the question, he tips his head aside a degree, considering. "I can only guess. It
seems like that She wishes to utilise it to acquire that which She desires - Which is to say,
everything. Whether She strives to accomplish that with destruction, warping the world to Her
tastes, or so on, I do not know. She is too chaotic too predict."

Their mouth turning downward ever so vaguely in a frown, Glacydra says slowly, "She must have been
very deeply hurt and betrayed to lash out like this. I... cannot say that I fault Her completely. I
hope She finds healing. And peace. I cannot claim I know much of Her history, or Her desires, but I
know that whatever destructive decisions She is making cannot bring Her the solace She needs." They
wince slightly, saying, "I'm trying not to judge, for I know not the full story. But the fact that
Her decisions are causing such chaotic ripples for all the Basin is worrisome."

The smooth, featureless curve of Avaris's plated face betrays not a glimmer of his
reaction to Glacydra's words as he listens attentively, head tilted down to regard the smaller
merian politely. When he speaks in turn, it is in a measured, careful manner, each word selected
with no small degree of thought. "She was, but that is no excuse. Do not fall into the trap of
sympathising with Her, for She was a vicious Divine even before Her betrayal, and willing to become
a Traitor, with all that that entails."

Glacydra glances askance with a chagrined expression. "Right," they say, with a small nod. "The
objective degree of harm of Her actions and the potential of Her intended ones outweigh... Outweigh
any reason She might deserve..." Glacydra trails off, then says, quietly, "I still believe even
twisted, broken, betrayed creatures deserve healing."

Studying Glacydra impassively for a time, Avaris the steady regard of his
spherical, solid azure eyes is as expressive as that of inert, polished sapphire. "Do you?" His
voice is calm, and level - There is no hint of judgement or distaste in the choir of his voice, only
an even, measured cadence. "Would you still believe that, even if such creatures were to use that
renewed strength to inflict suffering upon many others?"

Squaring their shoulders with renewed dedication, Glacydra states, "The outcome does not affect the
morality of the decision to heal. There are other ways to prevent such terrible outcomes from
happening. Rehabilitation matters. I think healing spans further than the superficial. If She agreed
to give the antidote to the poisoned kaelye, maybe that's a sign that's what She needs for Herself.
An antidote for the poison that's twisted Her to be this way. Deep down... She still chose to help.
And I think that's important."

The angle of Avaris's head shifts, ever so slightly, to a faint, curious tilt. "You
are incorrect. It is the responsibility of the healer to utilise their abilities with proper
judgement. You do not heal a ravening murderer who swears they will go out and slay a dozen people
the moment you mend their wounds." A modest lift of the spiked ring of his pauldroned shoulder. "You
imbue Her actions with a kindness they do not possess. She did not care, I believe. She did so to
rub the Silent Lord's nose in thwarting even that petty action, and to sow further chaos. She is not
good, Glacydra, at Her core. She has, I think, always been twisted. The poison, as you put it,
merely exacerbated matters."

Glacydra lets out a huff of breath, their brow knitted. "Boxing Her into the category of 'ravening
murderer' just creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. What happened to believing in people? There's a
difference between what people say in the heat of the moment and what they do. To say someone has
been twisted from the beginning... Were they born like that? Or were they a product of their
environment? Things aren't so black and white like that. Water can be darkened with tea leaves.
Kawhe can be lightened with milk. The same can be said of the soul and the mind. Things can change
and people can change because of external factors. Their destiny is not fully determined from
birth."

Avaris withdraws a hand from the veil of his gently effulgent wings to wave it
aside. "I was not referring to Her as such. You mistake me. She is, undoubtedly, wildly unstable due
to Her time in the Seat, but ravening murderer does not quite fit Her." The four sweeping banners of
dense red that flow from his brow curve down faintly. "You speak of Her as if She was merely a
mortal. She is not. The Divine may be similar to us, in some small ways, but They are much, much
different in so many others."

Avaris exhales slowly, returning his hand to its brethren. "I will not convince you
in this. Instead, I urge you to pray to my Lady, and present your opinion to Her, and ask for Wisdom
in this matter."

Glacydra exhales as well, meeting your gaze with a steady one. "I will, at your recommendation."
Then their face smooths out of its previous expression of concentrated focus and they say with a
smile, "I appreciated this exchange of ideas. It is not easy to convince someone out of their ideals
and beliefs, but the discussion was helpful in rounding out my understanding. Lady Lantra's
perspective would also be fascinating to hear."

Inclining his head towards Glacydra in polite acknowledgement, Avaris's manner is
patient, his speech calm as he replies, "It is not. I hope that your pursuit of this topic will bear
fruit for you, and lead you to a better path." Gesturing to the desk with a nod, he asks, "Would you
mind if I wrote a letter, briefly? It will not take long."

With a burbling in their throat, Glacydra, of the Tide says, "Ah! Not at all. Please go ahead. I
think I'll go forth and pray to Lady Lantra before I go rest."

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you ask, "Ah, of course. You know where Her Fulcrux is, I
trust?"

With a burbling in their throat, Glacydra, of the Tide says, "I can find it, I'm sure."

With a burbling in their throat, Glacydra, of the Tide says, "Be well, Avaris. Calm waters lie
before you."

Glacydra folds their hands at their waist and bows solemnly before rising again.

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you say, "The bottommost floor of the Fulcrux portion of
Avechna's peak, as far down from the Avenger as you can go, and then south."

You nod your head emphatically.

You bow respectfully to Glacydra.

Glacydra leaves to the north.

You think to yourself: "Calm waters? Ah. No, I do not think so, somehow."