"I thought you were going to go..."

**After Kreon informed Gurashi of Viravain's wishes (https://pastebin.com/9EdYsjjG) and told Gurashi their first target...**

Your melodic voice sings into Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea's mind, "Oh! Miss Auriella! Oh good I saw you at the quake before, uhm."
Auriella tells you, "Oh yes! How are you?"
Your melodic voice sings into Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea's mind, "Ah! Am O-K! Many thank yous. I thought saw in the quake, but then didn't, but then did? But then had to rest. But now am awake again, and..."
Your melodic voice sings into Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea's mind, "Well, I have to hand over these spiders, but - will you be awake for very longly? Was hoping could talk to you! Yes!"
Auriella tells you, "I was there briefly in the beginning, and then closer towards the end."
Your melodic voice sings into Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea's mind, "Oh! That makes sense. I saw your friend, your creature companions, and got worried, yes."
Auriella tells you, "I'll be around for a little while longer, yes."
Your melodic voice sings into Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea's mind, "Uhm, uhm, well, I will go fastly, then! Yes, I will find you very soonly, many thank yous for being patient, yeah!"
Your melodic voice sings into Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea's mind, "Oh also, how are? Hope are well, but how are? Should have asked firstly."
Auriella tells you, "I am doing very well, thank you for asking. I hope you are the same."

<-- goes to find

The Wellspring of Lumosis.
The air is filled with motes of light emanating from a healing shrine of Terentia nearby. This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. A few light wisps of cloud are spread high in the sky. A lush oasis, the Wellspring of Lumosis is a section of New Celest's gardens, a central level with two raised terraces - one to the east, and one to the south. The white marble frame of the Wellspring glistens clean and pure, a small retaining wall keeping all of the glistening sand in place. At the centre of the oasis lies a glistening pond of crystalline waters, so pure and pristine that the plants around it glow with a vibrancy unseen of in nature. The glistening sand at the depths of the pond are rippled in delicate, wave-like designs, while the small pool of water itself is surrounded by white stones and emerald palms. Floating above the sculpture's outstretched hand, the Luminous Eye of the Harmonious Mind pulses with a psionic energy. There are 2 seekers praying here in hymnic, harmonic chants. An alabaster sculpture of a serene kephera monk rises up from the centre of the waters, his tahto staff held in one hand. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings. Its hands ticking onward, a luminescent portal shimmers here in the air.
You see exits leading north, east, south, and through a clock-like portal.

You hands fly to your mouth as you give a short gasp of elation.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "Ah! Oh! I found you!"

You chirp happily at Auriella.

Auriella's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "How are you?"

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles brightly at Auriella as they approach, wings opening behind them. They bow, then dramatically rise again, lifting a hand. "Am O-K! Better now that am seeing!" They chirp, hands clasped together. "Hope are still doing O-K? Yes? No disastrous changings since last spoke like half a day ago?"

Your shoulders bunch as you let out a short giggle.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Nope, not that I have encountered by any means."

Auriella's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "But then you never know."

Auriella gives a trillingly melodic laugh.

With a little laugh, you say, "Can change - instant! Drops of a hat! Yeah. But am glad are O-K, then, yes."

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, looking towards the the Luminous Eye of the Harmonious Mind that sits proudly displayed nearby, furrowing their brow as they regard the psionic relic before returning their attention to Auriella.

At last, you ask Auriella, "...uhm - what made come to New Celest? Did always live here?"

Auriella's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "I was born here."

You boggle at Auriella.

Unable to mask their surprise, you ask Auriella, "Uwah - oh, really?"

With a bright smile and laughter in her voice, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Yes indeed! I have lived here my entire life."

You have emoted: Gurashi covers their mouth with both hands, blinking owlishly. "Does mean then that have known Tridemon the whole time too, then?" They ask, voice slightly muffled, ever-curious.

Auriella's large aquatic eyes twinkle in the light, "We were in the Academy of Aquamancy together, though I didn't really get to meet him until we both join the Sanctifiers."

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "We both tend to keep to ourselves I think, which is why we never really bumped into one another very often."

You have emoted: Gurashi steps closer to Auriella again, at last joining the merian near the pools, dropping their hands from their mouth to their sides. "Academy of Aquamancy? Oh - for water magics?" They ask, wings flapping. "Do you both follow the Lady Sculptor, too...?"

Bizirik, the leothin stretches languidly.

Auriella's fins wave gently in the slightest of breeze, her gills opening sporadically, "Indeed yes, we both learned the arts of Water. I am not a follower of Lady Carakhan, no, I now follow Lady Lantra."

You eyes light up as you smile.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "Oh! The Empyreal? She is -really- nice. I did not know that..."

Auriella's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly flushes, reaching up to rub the back of their neck. "Am sorry. Do not mean to ask so many questions, just."

Almost apologetic, you say to Auriella, "...is nice to finally learn stuffs, guess. About! Should have done muchly sooner, though."

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Oh no need to apologise, you are fine."

Looking up sharply, you ask Auriella, "How did meet Miss Kreon?"

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "We met here in New Celest. I however at the time was dating a friend of Kreon's, named Cassander. However Cassander disappeared for quite some time and I fell into a dark place and Kreon was there to pull me out."

You have emoted: Gurashi gingerly collects their left wing, fidgeting with it as they blink owlishly at the merian before them, idly smoothing out the feathers as they listen. "...that sounds really sad," They say at last, frowning deeply. "...mm - is sad when peoples go away. But," A bit of light returns to their face, "Am glad Kreon was there, yes..."

Auriella's mouth turns up as her face breaks into a smile.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "As am I."

Quietly, you say to Auriella, "...you two have been together long time...? I remember - when they lived in New Celest, still - when I was a younger bug."

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "It has been quite a while it seems. Most of my life, anyway."

Auriella chuckles long and heartily.

You have emoted: Gurashi flashes Auriella a broad smile, canting their head. As time passes and they listen, they nod again, smile fading slightly. "...it must have been hard when they left. Mean - from New Celest."

You look at Auriella, expression filled with concern as you frown.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say to Auriella, "... did ever worry??"

You think to yourself: * a pitiable growing sensation - a miserable sinking feeling *.

You think to yourself: ... if she goes with my aids, then, will be two... like the Lady of Roses said ....

You think to yourself: ... then can see Xenthos again .... * a sharp pain * ... but...

Her eyes dropping momentarily, but then raising upwards towards you, Auriella says, "It was very hard in the beginning, and I didn't know how I would cope, but we have managed to stay in contact and we do see each other often." She pauses for a moment, her fins dropping slightly upon her head, "I do worry, yes, every day."

You have emoted: Gurashi's inquisitive eyes scan Auriella's face, head canted to the side and plumage slightly ruffled in their curiosity.

You look at Auriella hopefully.

Surprised, you ask Auriella, "...you do?"

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Politics is a fickle creature, you never know how or when things will turn."

You smile sadly at Auriella.

You nod your head at Auriella.

You have emoted: Gurashi pauses, continuing to watch the merian before them, studying her expression closely. "Yeah... people politics are not very fun," They say, voice barely above a whisper.

You have emoted: Their feathers quivering, Gurashi gazes south, beyond the garden, though the buildings of the city block their view. "Is toughly to live in the Glomdoring, too... because have to be very strong and loyal and no-mercy-ing..."

You think to yourself: * practicing - what they will say, yes, like this? like... * ... you should... move to Glomdoring! You should ...

You think to yourself: * another dull pain * .... don't ...

You fidget impatiently.

Auriella nods her head at you.

You think to yourself: * another swell of feeling, miserable, hopeful * IwanttoseeXenthos.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Certainly a different lifestyle one needs to be accustomed to."

You have emoted: Gurashi sets their jaw, slowly turning their gaze back to Auriella. "...have you ever thought about leaving?" They whisper with great reluctance.

You think to yourself: * p a i n * pleasedonotgo.

The rubescent light of the evening sun reflecting in her large eyes, Auriella says, "New Celest is my home, it always has been and I hope always will be. Unless something drastic happens or I am forced to leave, I hope to never leave."

You look at Auriella hopefully.

Their voice tiny but suddenly very hopeful, you ask Auriella, "....really?"

You think to yourself: * a palpable relief *.

Auriella nods her head at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi lets out a little noise, their eyes suddenly flooding with tears. "I thought you were going to go," They say at last, voice cracking. "Peoples are leaving for the Glomdoring, for, some reasons, and..."

Timidly, you say, "...I-I know how muchly you love Miss Kreon, and they you, and..."

You think to yourself: * egging themselves on, say it, say * 'Glomdoring is good! Yes! A goodly home' ...

You think to yourself: Just, one more ... no * louder * -cannot-.

With a warm smile as she looks towards you, , Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "People come and go, dear. Like the tides that ebb and flow."

You have emoted: Gurashi nods hurriedly. "Y-yes, but." They look up again, doing their best not to let their tears spill over. "Do not know. Miss Gabe left, and, then Miss Aknarin. Know peoples go. But also," They wince as they continue, "...someone said you had doubts, and, it made me wonder, if YOU would go there, too." They nervously glance southward, scanning the tops of the buildings.

In an airy, melodic voice, you whisper, "...but ..."

You think to yourself: If two people go then Xenthos will know am trying.

You think to yourself: But why is that the -only way-.

Stepping closer to you and resting a warm hard upon your shoulder, Auriella smiles as she looks upon you with kind eyes, "Well, let me reassure you that I am here to stay, dear. Whilst it is hard to see people leave, I shall not be one of them."

You look at Auriella hopefully.

Warbling, you ask Auriella, "A-ah - really? Do you mean it?"

Auriella flashes you a joyous smile.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "I do, yes."

Tears spilling over their cheeks, you ask Auriella, "Are going to stay and help make things better with everyone?"

You think to yourself: ... want to be goodly ...

You think to yourself: ....... Xenthos ......

Wiping their face, you say, "B-because Azula's gonna do stuffs, a-and ..."

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "I am and am certainly going to try!"

You have emoted: Gurashi trails off, covering their mouth with one hand before suddenly throwing their arms around Auriella, hugging her tight.

Auriella wraps a comforting arm around you.

You think to yourself: * guilty - but relieved *.

You think to yourself: ....... * fainter, defeated * ...'m sorry. Am really sorry.

You think to yourself: Amsosorry.

Voice muffled by the embrace, you say to Auriella, "Have never told you before but, am so grateful for you every day, because were the one who helped Tridemon when needed it mostest, and, and..."

Auriella flashes you a joyous smile.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "That was my pleasure to be able to help him and so blessed to have been able to."

Looking up as they pull back, you say to Auriella, "And, he helped me, and, so, I can help other peoples, and, so, is muchly," They still their warbling tone to speak more evenly, "just. You are good. And, you are light. And," They laugh, "am glad get to live in same city as you, finally."

Pleadingly, you say to Auriella, "Always stay goodly and kind, O-K? As you always already have been."

You sniffle softly.

Auriella flashes you a joyous smile.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "I shall do my utmost best to do so."

You sniffle softly.

Weaker, you say to Auriella, "...and if can ever repay you, ever, or... help in any way, then..."

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

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "You are a truly kind hearted soul, dear Gurashi. Never lose that."

You think to yourself: ... * a feeling, like a sigh that cannot be breached * am never gonna get to see Xenthos again ....

You sniffle softly.

Quietly, you say to Auriella, "Thank you. Want you to be safes and happy, s'all."

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up, wiping at their eyes, suddenly embarrassed.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "And I, you."

You shuffle your feet uneasily.

You blush furiously.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say to Auriella, "...s-sorry. Uh, invited you to come talk, and then, got all..."

Auriella's eyes sparkle with amusement.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly laughs, waving their hand through the air.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Happy to any time."

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "I-I worry! A lot, think."

You think to yourself: ... * cannot sigh - so still * is the right thing ...

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Well if you ever feel uneasy or unsure, know that I am always here if you need to talk."

You have emoted: Gurashi nods furiously, eyes widening. "Ah - uhm, me too! Or, can talk?" Suddenly they laugh, wiping their eyes again. "...mm, uhm - do you like following the Empyreal?" They ask at last, shoulders sagging as they offer Auriella an exhausted smile. "Have been with Her long?"

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "I have enjoyed my journey thus far following the Lady Empyreal. I've not followed Her for very long however, but it has been enjoyable thus far."

You have emoted: Gurashi tilts their head, feathery ears flicking back. "Ahh... am really glad," They sigh quietly, wings sagging. "Have actually been talking to Her Order, because am trying to do a favor for the Beloved!" They chirp, perking up as they mention it. "Has been nice talking to peoples about Her and learning a little, yeah."

Biting their lip, you say, "Mm, hard to show another Person's sincerities..."

Auriella turns abruptly with a quiet sigh, "I must apologise, dear. I must ask if we may continue a little later, I must depart. Please forgive me."

You shake your head.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "No! You are O-K!"

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

In an airy, melodic voice, you ask Auriella, "Uhm - are O-K? Can do anything for before gotta go?"

You look at Auriella hopefully.

You have emoted: Gurashi wrings their hands together, smiling apologetically.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Oh I am fine! All is well."

You nod your head emphatically.

Auriella gives you a peck on the cheek.

You nod your head emphatically.

You give Auriella a friendly squeeze.

In an airy, melodic voice, you whisper, "Stay goodly and kind..."

You have emoted: Gurashi offers Auriella a tentative wave.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Be safe, and purest blessings upon you."

Auriella smiles at you and cups her hands together in offering. Motes of light unfurl to reveal a single star lotus in her palm, lingering there with radiant beauty.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "...oh!"

Marveling, you say, "What a beautiful flower."

Auriella touches her fingertips to her hand, illuminating the temporal tattoo upon it. The air beside her warps, as a clock-like portal manifests.

Her voice drifting through the air with a watery echo, Auriella Zayah, Heart of the Sea says, "Be safe!"

You wave goodbye.

Undulating waves of celestial light trailing behind her, an empyreal ryujin glides out to the ether upon a current of cosmic energy.

In an airy, melodic voice, you say, "Bye bye!"

You have emoted: Gurashi visibly sags as the merian disappears, their ruffled plumage deflating, leaving them to stand there in a daze.