"Did They Steal You?"

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

Raspily, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Akuuko is a former thief, follower of the Lord-Lady-and-Neither, Mysrai. One of Gurashi's friends, as it were."

A look of understanding crossing her features, Olethea nods her head slowly.

Olethea fiddles with the skirt of a dark, hazy gown of smoke and shadow.

You have emoted: Gurashi hugs the crutch tighter, nodding, their anxiety apparent. They look down at their notepad, flipping to the final page.

You have emoted: Gurashi scribbles: 'he belongs to Shofets so have to make sure he is O-K or They will not be happy - also She likes to' They hesitate in their writing before adding: 'change things? not bad' They underline insistently.

You fidget impatiently.

You glance askance.

Esei hums thoughtfully.

You have emoted: Gurashi covers their face again, shaking their head.

It is now the 14th of Avechary, 565 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 26 days until the New Moon

Raspily, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I understand what you mean."

Raspily, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I do not have an example, but I know what you mean."

You stare blankly at Esei.

You fidget impatiently.

Proselyte Olethea, Euphony of the Dark Heart says, "...If the changes aren't... bad."

You nod your head emphatically.

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Proselyte Olethea, Euphony of the Dark Heart asks, "What are you worried will happen?"

You have emoted: Gurashi squeezes the staff tighter, shutting their eyes.

A soft voice whispers, the murmur drifting through the air, "Indeed, what troubles, little ones?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes open suddenly, and they grow very still.

Esei glances askance.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up cautiously, letting their gaze sweep about the portal room. Their grip tightens further on the staff as they set their jaw.

Olethea blinks.

Hazarding a guess, Proselyte Olethea, Euphony of the Dark Heart says, "Oh, hello, um... Lord?"

You have emoted: Gurashi finds a spot to focus on in the shadows, squinting slightly.

Cold air rushes in, the gale swirling with bits of wyrden foliage that coalesce into the form of Nocht, the Silent.

Olethea curtseys gracefully before Nocht.

LOOK NOCHT
Were it not for the way darkness itself trails after Him, it would not be immediately obvious that He is a radiant immortal. His skin is a cracked and sickly gray colour that looks as if it could crumble away at a touch. Long white hair clings to the sides of His face as it spills down His back. All along His form - from the aristocratic contours of His face to the slender, musician's hands - are seeking vines of vibrant emerald which carry a cascade of orange and crimson snapdragon blooms. The growth reaches up the right side of His face, leaving His eyes untouched - a clear, ethereal blue, each pupil rimmed in a golden starburst which makes His silent, thoughtful gaze appear to pierce to the very soul.
He is wearing:
a faded cloak of once-darkest black
a fractured gem suspended from a thin, metal chain
boots of shifting shadow
a frigid, aphotic crystal ring emblazoned with the script of fae.

Esei bows respectfully to Nocht.

Murmuring reverently, Proselyte Olethea, Euphony of the Dark Heart says, "It is an honour to meet you, My Lord."

Nocht, the Silent whispers to Olethea, "Greetings, little one."

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

Softly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "I believe that Lady Viravain has taken and cocooned one of the Beloved, a former orange thief by the name of Akuuko. He... is, was dear to Gurashi."

You have emoted: Gurashi inhales through their nose, bowing politely to Nocht.

Esei glances askance at you.

You fidget impatiently.

You have emoted: Gurashi stands up very straight and stiff and suddenly finds themselves looking straight at Nocht, their expression a mix of determination and terror.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Oh My.... Why would dearest Viravain take from Mysrai?"

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

Nocht lets His gaze linger on you as He speaks to Esei. "I have been quite busy with My own works... We haven't had the chance to speak."

Cheliyi arrives from the out.

You have emoted: Gurashi shivers at a passing breeze, their grip again tightening on the staff. They offer no words, furrowing their brow as their frown grows deeper.

Cheliyi blinks at Nocht, before sucking in a sharp breath that leaves her branches creaking.

You think to yourself: ** remembering the spider - eye for eye, an eye for an eye -- **.

Casting about for an answer, Olethea's face drifts towards somewhat of a hopeless frown as she settles on, "I don't know."

You think to yourself: ** suddenly, a bright wash of orange - need to get him back, have to, -have- to-- **.

Nocht, the Silent whispers to you, "Why?"

You have emoted: Gurashi's lip twitches, their mouth twisting as if they desperately want to speak.

Esei dips their head in acknowledgement, their tail twitching subtly.

You think to yourself: ** orange deepens to uneasy amber - because thinks Shofets stole -me- so is stealing -Akuuko- from -Them- **.

Nocht, the Silent whispers to you, "Did They steal you?"

You shake your head.

You think to yourself: ** is not -stealing- **.

Tilting His head, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Dearest Viravain tells lies then?"

You think to yourself: ** another bright wash of orange **.

Olethea's eyes drift towards the scar on your cheek.

Quietly, Proselyte Olethea, Euphony of the Dark Heart says, "Um. He did want to become Beloved."
You think to yourself: ** a garble of colors, confused, ugly washes mixed with gray - is not stealing - stealing is mean and ugly and not done with good intentions -- **.

Nocht looks towards Olethea, His face impassive, "He did now? I wonder why..."

You have emoted: Gurashi's teeth sink deeper into their lip as they gaze steadfast at Nocht, trembling from head to hoof.

Biting briefly at her own lip, Olethea murmurs somewhat sheepishly, "As, um... he told it when he could still speak, he was worried about Them, and... wanted to help."

Nocht nods, His lips turning slightly upwards, "Ah, I see. Gurashi does enjoy helping. So many friends... in so many places."

You think to yourself: ** a creeping wash of pastels, strangely juxtapositioned to a sinking, icy feeling - is O-K if is done for love -yes- **.

You think to yourself: ** growing brighter - my friends and allies -yes- **.

You have emoted: Gurashi swallows hard, nodding at this.

Nocht turns His head at something unheard, glancing down at you. "Love?"

Olethea blinks.

You think to yourself: ** a flash of familiar faces, all shapes, colors, all walks of the Basin, all manner of origin-- a start at the word, the color abruptly turning stark, bleak gray **.

Proselyte Olethea, Euphony of the Dark Heart has entered the realm of Lusternia.
The body of Proselyte Olethea, Euphony of the Dark Heart appears in a flash and her soul descends to fill it, causing the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Olethea coughs quietly, smoothing out a dark, hazy gown of smoke and shadow.

You think to yourself: .... ** affirmation - a touch of pink, yes, -love- **.

Nocht, the Silent whispers to you, "Ever intent on learning lessons the hardest way possible, little one."

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

You have emoted: Gurashi withers a bit in their spot, but does not back away, steeling their gaze and puffing their cheeks.

Nocht turns away from you, stepping softly towards Esei as He walks around them in a slow circle, whispering, "Watch closely, My little one. There are lessons to be learned here. Viravain is an excellent, if harsh, teacher."

You blink.

With a faint smile, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Good luck in your search."

The surrounding shadows wane, falling back in despondent melancholy as the form of Nocht, the Silent dissolves into wisps of shadow.

You think to yourself: ** wait **.

Esei blinks slowly.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly steps after Nocht moments before he's vanished, looking about the portals anxiously, their tail suddenly going a mile a minute.

Esei hums thoughtfully.

Olethea tilts her head back and looks up at the sky.

Cheliyi opens her mouth as if to say something, but quickly shuts it, leaves swishing with deep confusion.

Esei caresses a phantasmal shroud of shadows gently.

Suddenly looking quite tired, Proselyte Olethea, Euphony of the Dark Heart says to Cheliyi, "It's... a long story. And not mine to tell."

Olethea frowns at you with some quiet concern, before she sighs. "...I should probably rest, at least for a short while."

Cheliyi glances at Olethea hesitantly, before nodding slowly.

Esei idly twitches their tail.

Esei nods their head at Olethea.

Olethea inclines her head politely to those around her.

A cone of sparkling light rises up around Olethea and whisks her away.

You have emoted: Gurashi says nothing, staring long and hard at the spot the Divine once occupied, looking very... concerned.

You have emoted: Gurashi grips a crutch-staff bearing praises to the Lord, Lady, and Neither, covered in webs tighter, their shoulders bunching slightly as they offer no answer.

Cheliyi glances back at Esei with a concerned but faint smile.

You see the following people here:
Esei, Cheliyi, Gurashi.

You have emoted: Gurashi finally nods, bowing their head to wipe at their eyes.