esei uses their older sibling voice

Esei tells you, "** there is a gentle touch against the aether, like a musician brushing against an instrument string. **."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "**a flare of anger and irritation, followed by an odd sense of resignation.** Whats, yes."

Esei tells you, "Nothing much at all," their voice is soft across the aether, familiar and yet distant. "Merely curious as to how you have been doing."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "... Am fine, honestly. Enjoying the evening. Knitting."

Esei tells you, "I see... Something bothers you, I take it."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "You know-" Her words devolve into something unintelligible, clearly frustrated. "I know you are cruel. I expect it. But it does not mean I will excuse it when you antagonize Dad."

Esei tells you, "Hmm..." there is a gentle brush in the aether, like a cat winding its way between your legs. "I hardly expect you to."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "Then we are agreeings."

Esei tells you, "** there is the subtle impression of someone watching you, tilting their head as they do. **."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "Look, I'm not wanting anything from yous. Don't expect anything. But you knew exactly what those words would mean to Dad, and you said them anyways. There was no point to it, was there? Mister Xenthos means nothing to me, but he means everything to Dad. Stop stabbing them over its."

You have emoted: Cheliyi mutters discontentedly, using her needles with more force than necessary as she works on her square.

A pale, overgrown mugwump glances askance at you.

Esei tells you, "Hm..."
Esei tells you, "Perhaps."

A pale, overgrown mugwump gives you a friendly squeeze.

Esei tells you, "I believe we once pondered together about the Divine, and whether They may or may not care for us. Yes?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "... Sure, we did."

Esei tells you, "Your Lady does care for you."

You blink.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "**There's an audible pause, the aether flickering with surprise.** I... alright?"

A pale, overgrown mugwump tilts his head curiously at you.
Softly, a pale, overgrown mugwump asks, "What's going on in that head of yours, Lilypad?"

Distantly, you murmur, "Esei. Am mad at them for being rude to Dad."

A pale, overgrown mugwump's face scrunches at the mention of the wyrden demigod, returning to his knitting. "Ah, right. Them."

Esei tells you, "She spoke to me, regarding Her lotus, and some other things. She warned me away from leading you astray."

You think to yourself: **your chest feels tight. is it your heart hardening? you should feel overjoyed at this news, but you just.... feel tired.**.

Esei tells you, "If that is not caring, as much as One of Them might care, I am unsure what is."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "... I see. I... alright."

Esei tells you, "Does something about this concern you?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "Not really, no. Am just... surprised. But ashamed I am surprised, I guess."

Esei tells you, "Ashamed?" their voice gentles, softens into something more familiar. "Whyever so?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "Mm, why do you care? I should simply know from my service that my Lady does care about Her Order. Doubting that is doubting Her, and hurting the trust She puts in us. Should not be surprised that She is protective."

Esei tells you, "Hmm..."
Esei tells you, "Do I need a reason to care?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "**Her words suddenly grow fierce, the aethers shaking with cold anger** You almost never seem to care without one, Esei."
Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "**And suddenly, there's a tangible wince.**."

Esei tells you, "Hm..."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "That was... a bit fars. Am sorry."

The Mantle of Starlight flows gently against your form, twinkling stars shifting across its surface as the starry infinity continues its eternal motion.

Esei tells you, "Perhaps it is for you, as a Celestian, as a follower of the Lady Empyreal..."

You have emoted: Cheliyi's expression changes in a flurry of emotion, the mugwump finally setting down her needles with a sigh.

A pale, overgrown mugwump purses his lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as he carefully gathers his thoughts.
A pale, overgrown mugwump pats you in a friendly manner.

Esei tells you, "** there is a gentle, quiet withdrawal; not ignorance, nor dismissal, but a retreat, as though one turning to meditation. **."
Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk has left the realm of Lusternia.

You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.
You mutter discontentedly.

You think to yourself: It is too far, whether I am Celestian or not. The line does not change based on where I stand. Know you can care for the reason of simply caring.

You shake your head.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say to a pale, overgrown mugwump, "I'm gonna go hunts. Wanna come, or stay?"

A pale, overgrown mugwump hums thoughtfully, his frills resonating with song.
A pale, overgrown mugwump says, "Sure."
A pale, overgrown mugwump packs his knitting needles in his belt, standing up with a hum.
A pale, overgrown mugwump obediently falls into line behind you.