"...it was much less scary the second time!"

A cozy living room above the kitchen.                  (#HAH_5)
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. Eleven steps, all different dimensions and carved from dark ravenwood lead to a comfortable little living area. Dark floors contrast the gentle green shade painted on the walls, and bright, flickering wall sconces. A curved ceiling looks as if it has been scooped directly out of a tree, and thick support joists criss-cross the expanse. Delicate muslin curtains cover either window and barely touch the floor. On both window sills sit half a dozen tiny planters with newly sprouting flowers and herbs inside. Three plain oak doors typically stand closed, but whiffs of lavender and petrichor can be detected when they open, briefly displacing the delicious smells of the kitchen below. The diminutive size, low lighting, and soothing colors of this room invoke a sense of ease and respite. A tapestry depicting the creation of the lyrebird is proudly hanging here. A lush beige carpet is spread out on the ground. There are 2 elegantly carved ravenwood armchairs here. A beautiful couch here glitters with autumn gemstone leaves. A small dark brown tea table stands here. A painting of Gurashi and the Racist Dartboard is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. Constructed of sturdy cardboard, an ornately decorated box rests on the ground here. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings.
You see exits leading east (open door), southeast (closed door), southwest (open door), and down (closed door).

You sense the piercing eyes of Tridemon looking upon you.

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "You a sleepy bug?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Oh - no, am here."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "How're you holding up?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Am O-K. How are you tonight, Tridemon?"

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "I've been doing well. Thinking about going hunting for the first time in about a year."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Oh - really? Where???"

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Kind of depends. Maybe astral. Maybe Lirangsha. Might head down to the prison."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Ohhh..."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "I am happy you know maybe what you are going to do! Hunting can be fun. Sometimes!"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "I have never been to L.. Lingshra... Lirng..."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Lirangsha."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "L...irngsha."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Close."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "*A rush of embarrassment* Thanks!"

You think to yourself: Wonder... if will invite... probably not.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "It is easy way to get breads... I will not distract you if that is what decide to do. Cannot decide myself - revolts earlier were very difficult!"

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Hmm."

You have emoted: Gurashi bites down thoughtfully on his lip.

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "I'm now kind of wondering if Khep has a fear of heights."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "...heights....?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "She has not come back since you left. I don't think. Maybe. She could be doing textured silence and would not know."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "I've taken YOU on a tour of the basin in the hot air balloon. She hasn't had the pleasure."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "....hhh."

It is now the 10th of Vestian, 554 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 27 days until the New Moon

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "That would, once again... require me to also take tour of Basins, Tridemon - yes."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Yes, it would."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "**Thoughtful silence...**."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "It's a good way to get an idea of what the basin is like from afar. ... And she might be afraid of heights just like you and end up being quiet for a while because she's trying to save face."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Am asking ... I do not know if she .... oh."

You think to yourself: Would like to go on a tour of the Basins with Tridemon?

You think to yourself: / .... /.

You think to yourself: It will be very high!

You think to yourself: You sit in a thing and it goes up really high and you can see far. Very far. Is beautiful.

You think to yourself: / ...ne /.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "She is here but cannot tell what is saying, hold on..."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Am trying to explain it to her, but she does not really get it, but I think is one of those things that has to see to believe."

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Possibly. I'll get started on putting the balloon together when I'm done up here."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Oh - are you sure? You were going to hunt..."

You think to yourself: / ...do not want to spend time with him? /.

You think to yourself: We are! We will!

You think to yourself: / ..t what... ...ed /.

You glance askance.

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "And I am now finishing up hunting these dominators."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "I see."

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters, "Am coming over - er, need help??"

The melodious voice of Tridemon resonates in your mind, "Nah, it's pretty simple."

A deforested mangrove island.
Thick dreamy cotton clouds are spread across the firmament. Most of the foliage of the mangrove trees which weave together to form this island is stripped and hacked away in a large circle several yards in diameter. The gaps between twisting branches overflow with transported rocks and sand, leaving a mostly flat surface completed by a few thin wooden boards and thick canvas tarpaulins. Only at the very edges of the cay are the trees allowed to thrive as they desire, growing into a living wreath of greenery. A protective aura radiates from a small statue of the Open Hand of Abanoi. Sepehr Skytamer stares forlornly at the sky as he fiddles with a length of rope. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings.
You see exits leading north and south.

Great waves crash over one another as they pour in from the south, finally swirling together before solidifying into Tridemon.

You have emoted: Gurashi offers a smile and wave.

You think to yourself: We are probably going to swim!

Sepehr Skytamer says, "Great, now we need to make some fuel! I can use the sea creatures around here, if you bring them to me."

You give the world a smart salute.

You begin to follow Tridemon.

You think to yourself: / .... ..an stand all th.. .ater /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Partially by practice, partially simply by temperament. We will be hunting sharks."

**running around hunting**

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "If she dislikes this kind of water, she will be most displeased with the Sea of Despair."

Voice bright and clear, you say to Tridemon, "I think is a thing that most kephera do not like waters - we are not very water-proofs."

You think to yourself: / Tch /.

You think to yourself: Thank you for waking up - it is scary, the thing Tridemon will show but it is also kind of beautiful once get over the panic oh yes.

You think to yourself: / ... /.

You think to yourself: Can see everything! Even Glomdoring. Even New Celest!! They look very small from up high. Oh, and you can see the sea and the beaches and all sorts of things.

You think to yourself: I promise will like it.

You think to yourself: ...and say thank you Tridemon! He is being very nice to help do this for you.

You think to yourself: / ... /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I don't know about the whole Kephera not being waterproof... the hives tend to use a lot of wax in their construction."

You think to yourself: Maybe is just me then, haha.

**more running**

A golden dragon turtle chomps down on the corpse of a ghost shark and swallows it in just a few bites.
A golden dragon turtle begins to follow Tridemon.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "And now we have a wild turtle following us."

You blink.

Tridemon nods his head sagely.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Why though."

You pet a golden dragon turtle ingratiatingly.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Because I gave her a ghost shark."

Voice bright and clear, you say to a golden dragon turtle, "Sure are cute."

Sepehr Skytamer says, "I'm ready to take off! We can take a tour of the Basin of Life, or if you bring me more fuel, we can try something a little more exciting..."

You blink.

Tridemon nods his head emphatically.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "And done."

You follow Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters to within the Sky Tamer.
Sepehr Skytamer vaults into the basket of the Sky Tamer with ease.

Sepehr Skytamer says, "Our fuel needs to flow at a different rate based on where we're going. Use the dial to select our destination."

You think to yourself: / ...ur now? /.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Oh!"

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Indeed!"

Sepehr Skytamer exclaims, "Okay, let's go on a tour!"

The Sky Tamer's crimson envelope puffs out and the balloon takes flight.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks about, then settles into the absolute middle of the basket, looking terrified and excited.

You think to yourself: / ..'s going on?? /.

The Sky Tamer floats through the air, dancing on currents and breezes to a new vantage point high above the Basin.

Sepehr Skytamer exclaims, "Take a look around!"

Sepehr Skytamer says, "From here, we have a good view of the Inner Sea. The Inner Sea is at the centre of the Basin of Life, and most things are built around it."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Remember to look every time he speaks."

Within the Sky Tamer.
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. The basket of the balloon is woven from thick reeds and sticks, lightweight but sturdy enough to hold a few passengers. In one corner rests a tall, dented steel tank, and ropes drape over the side all around, attached to heavy bags of sand which hang below the floor of the basket. Above the centre of the compartment, a shallow steel bowl for fuel rests below the crimson canvas envelope. A glittering cerulean sea stretches out beneath the balloon, taking up nearly the entire horizon despite the great distance. Several islands of various sizes break the sapphire surface, coloured by blotches of indistinct origin. A brass dial rests at the junction of two hoses in one corner. Completely motionless, a slender leothin intently surveys its surroundings. Searching frantically, a golden dragon turtle swims in the water here. Sepehr Skytamer stares forlornly at the sky as he fiddles with a length of rope. Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters lingers nearby, the air about him singing with the rush of the ocean. He wields a dazzling white staff crowned by a platinum pearl in his left hand.
There are no obvious exits.

*tour starts! we waited to do any emotes to the end, so sprinkled the after-emotes in between the balloon ride emotes*

You think to yourself: / *There is a moment of great confusion when the basket first lifts into the sky, the island below becoming smaller and smaller. Confusion, then, fear, a growing din of skitters and chirrs* /.

You think to yourself: ...yes! We are going to go high, so please do not panic --.

You think to yourself: / *a definitive sense of panic* /.

You think to yourself: *among the panicked chaos* Y-you aren't even here! Why are the one freaking out!

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It works on the same principles as the skylanterns- heat makes air less dense, and thus lighter than the air around it. Make it light enough and trapped enough, and it can lift a weight."

Sepehr Skytamer says, "Here we can see the Estengare River as it leaves the Razines and splits around the human village of Delport. North of that is the Oleanvir Valley, and at the end of the Old Imperial Road you can see New Celest."

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

You think to yourself: / *The noise remains even with the reassurances, though the sense of panic is instead replaced by great hesitation* ..y lanterns? /.

You have emoted: Gurashi wobbles a bit at the panic bouncing around inside his noggin, gripping the edge of the basket.

You think to yourself: It is O-K! Just look!

You think to yourself: You can see New Celest - that is where Tridemon is from! Isn't it pretty???

You think to yourself: / *A chirr - surprise. Awe? Not quite as strong as impressed. The noise becomes more of a pleasant buzzing, and though loud is a relief compared to the other sounds* /.

You have emoted: Gurashi resumes watching the balloon tour, relatively quiet save the occasional surprised gasp from a gust of wind or shifting of the basket.

Sepehr Skytamer says, "Here you have a view of the forest-commune of Glomdoring, settled in the southeast corner of the Basin. The Great Southern Highway passes by the Balach Swamp, which sits on the edge of the Inner Sea--back where we started. Those islands are called the Arysian Isles, once part of a large experiment by the Holy Celestine Empire."

You think to yourself: Oh - there is my home! The Glomdoring. Isn't it pretty from up here Miss Khep?

You think to yourself: / ... /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "You're a bookbinder... you will have to show her skylanterns when you get home, if you've the skill."

You think to yourself: / *a lack of response, though the buzzing continues* /.

The Sky Tamer touches down once more upon its island in the Inner Sea.
*get off the balloon*

You think to yourself: Listen! The Basin up here is SO big and great and beautiful! Are so many sights and smells.

You think to yourself: And foods and peoples and places and there is weather and it sometimes gets too hot or too cold.

You think to yourself: Should not hate it so much! It really is very nice.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks to Tridemon as the balloon drifts to land, grinning. "...it was much less scary the second time!" He admits.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "It probably helps to have someone else around who's more scared than you are."

You blink.

You think to yourself: / ...t up /.

You think to yourself: / *A short, piercing pain over the left temple. The buzzing abruptly breaks, returning to its former chaotic soundscape* /.

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim to Tridemon, "Ah - m-maybe!"

Voice bright and clear, you ask Tridemon, "That was fun! Thank you for letting me ...come with?"

You look about in confusion.

You think to yourself: How else would talk to Miss Khep, duh.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "You're not just a tag-along. You're your own person."

Tridemon nods his head sagely.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks up quickly.

You blink.

Tridemon ponders a golden dragon turtle thoughtfully, looking her up and down.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Turtle handled it better than she did, and this thing lives in the deep ocean."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "She was a very good girl, oh yes..."

You pat a golden dragon turtle in a friendly manner.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Let's get her where she should be going."

You follow Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters south to beach of golden sands.

A golden dragon turtle looks up at you, a single tear streaming down from her eye. She digs a small hole in the sand and lays a large golden egg.
Within moments, the golden sands shift and another dragon turtle emerges, already swiftly growing in the magical sands. She briefly touches noses with her mother.

You blink.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Oh!"

Tridemon nods his head emphatically.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Aww."

The two dragon turtles nod at you, before dragging themselves back into the ocean waters, both disappearing from sight.

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim, "That is sweet!"

You think to yourself: / *A growing sense of frustration causes the obnoxious background noise to maintain* /.

You eyes light up as you smile.

Upon the Isle of Light.
Pale, watery light floats away from a shield shrine of Carakhan nearby. From behind a veil of frigid mist rises a shimmering glacier, pristine and majestic as it overlooks a turbulent sea of undulating ice floes. It is uncomfortably hot. Crisp white sands meet crystalline water on this quiet beach; small pebbles and pearlescent seashells litter the silky sand, sending a silent beckoning for further exploration. Roaring tides lap at the almost translucent sand, and the light reflects effortlessly of its immaculate surface. The sand continues to the east and further to the northeast. A slender leothin sits here motionless, brightening its surroundings with its natural golden bio-luminescence. Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters lingers nearby, the air about him singing with the rush of the ocean. He wields a dazzling white staff crowned by a platinum pearl in his left hand.
You see exits leading northeast, east, southwest, and northwest.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Ah! A shrine for Your Lady!"

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Indeed."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "There's a reason that Misericorde and Niralahi got married there."

You have emoted: Gurashi nods once. "Ah! I remember it."

You think to yourself: / *The ticking and soft murmuring continues* /.

You beam broadly.

You follow Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters west to a beach by the Inner Sea.
A beach by the Inner Sea.
Thick dreamy cotton clouds are spread across the firmament. The sands are white and fine, stretching out around the Inner Sea. High waves roll in from the ocean and crash down on the beach, churning the sand and often leaving marine detritus of seaweed, driftwood, smoothed rocks and shells. Seagulls flock overhead, their voice raised in a noisy cacophony. Low broad leafed plants and tall grasses thrive on the salty waters, growing in the sandy soil. The fresh ocean breeze invigorates the senses, and the opposite shores of the sea cannot be seen. A slender leothin sits here motionless, brightening its surroundings with its natural golden bio-luminescence. Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters lingers nearby, the air about him singing with the rush of the ocean. He wields a dazzling white staff crowned by a platinum pearl in his left hand.
==== something entered from ocean  ====
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, south, west, and northwest.

You tilt your head curiously at Tridemon.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "And now a different beach."

Tridemon nods his head sagely.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles a little. "I really like this beach," He comments, plodding along after you.

You think to yourself: / ... /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It's very peaceful. Aside from the odd tae'dae bard."

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles and nods to himself. He looks this way and that, then finds a spot near a cluster of driftwood and suddenly sits himself down, hugging his knees and staring seaward.

From the ground, you say to Tridemon, "Thank you for taking us on the balloon ride again."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Oh, you're welcome. A shift in perspective does a body good. And as for the beach... The sea has a way of reminding people that they and their problems are usually small, on the whole."

You nod your head emphatically.

Quietly, you say, "That is why like it."

Dryly, Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "The way it accomplishes this is by being very, very large."

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 11th of Vestian, 554 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 26 days until the New Moon

You stare at Tridemon, eyes wide.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly lets out a laugh. "It makes it look so easy!"

You think to yourself: / ... /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It does a lot of sitting there."

Voice bright and clear, you ask, "Oh! But it isn't just sitting there - it's moving all the time, right?"

Tridemon nods his head emphatically.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "When you look closer, it's in constant motion. Wind and wave, tide and time."

You have emoted: Gurashi nods excitedly, staring out towards the sea again and hugging his knees tighter. "It also sings."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Even beneath the surface, there are currents and cycles... and yes, a song."

You have emoted: Gurashi gets a bit of a lost look on his face as he considers a particularly large wave, silent.

You think to yourself: / ... ....et /.

Tridemon reaches out to the sea and makes a beckoning motion. The song of the sea surges around him for a moment as a swell of seawater comes to his call, and arranges itself before him in a pillar of water... much of which falls away after a moment, leaving a water-sculpture of a dozen housecats standing on top of each other.

You blink.

You stare blankly into space.

Tridemon ponders the situation.

Tridemon makes a small motion with his hand and the dozen housecats pounce off of each other and down the beach, seawater bodies returning to the waves.

You have emoted: Gurashi's gaze drifts to the movement of the water, eyes widening. He sits up in his spot, inhaling sharply in amazement at the movement of the water. Then - the reveal ...

You stare blankly into space.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "....h..."

You think to yourself: / ... /.

You think to yourself: ...

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly bursts into laughter, hugging his sides as he wheezes. "WHAT."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It wanted to be cats."

You have emoted: Gurashi falls onto his back, rolling with laughter still.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I haven't the slightest idea why."

You think to yourself: / ...'re messing with him - you did that /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Well, partially. It's a lot less whimsical when you mention that the temperature differences within the seawater were shaped vaguely like a stack of felines and that was inspiration for a art."

You have emoted: Gurashi wipes at his eyes, sniffing. "Ahh, it was you? It was good! You are a good artist."

You think to yourself: / ..ll that art?? /.

Tridemon shrugs slightly, looking out at the waves. "I have trouble making things that are original and last if they're not painting. Sculpture just completely fails me. I can make things out of the waters, but they don't stay. ... And I'm not interested in theater."

You have emoted: Gurashi sits up a little, tilting his head. "Ah, well it is good that you are so very good at paintings!" He rises back up to his feet, brushing off the sand from his shirt and pants.

You think to yourself: / ..t THAT g-- /.

You think to yourself: Yes they are! They are the best.

Tridemon glances over at you with a certain glint in his left eye, the eyeball rotating to bring the pupil in amber into focus. "Khep, if you don't think that the shaping of waves is art, you may take it up with my Lady."

You think to yourself: / .... tch /.

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim, "It's art!"

You flail about helplessly.

Waving his arms still, insistent, you exclaim, "It's art! It's amazing!"

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

You fret over everything that might go wrong.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Hive-Kepheran tastes tend to lean more toward murals and friezes literally carved into the walls of the hives."

You think to yourself: / .... ue /.

You tilt your head curiously.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Oh. That also doesn't sound so bad."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Oh... I did not know that ..."

You think to yourself: / ..sed to have a mu... ... oom /.

Voice bright and clear, you ask Tridemon, "When did start making paintings? Did ever ask?"

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "Too bad I didn't think to show you that triptych before offering it up to the Sculptor of Waves. ... It was a right pain to get down the transcendental fulcrux, let me tell you."

Tridemon ponders the situation.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles weakly.

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim, "It is O-K!"

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim, "It sounded amazing!"

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "It was probably somewhere around when I turned two-hundred."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Ah - not THAT long ago..."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Comparatively."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly grins.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I mean, only twenty years longer than you've been alive..."

You give a horrified gasp.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Ooah... I'm over fifty now."

Your eyes bug out as you boggle in amazement.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Wowee."

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim to Tridemon, "Am glad you learned you were a good painter before I came through the Portal then!"

You have emoted: Gurashi flashes a toothy grin, then winces.

You think to yourself: / *A sharp sound, piercing, brief* /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... Wonder what all those various sounds actually mean. It's probably a great deal of tedium, but still. Curious."

You have emoted: Gurashi gives Tridemon a look. "Same."

You think to yourself: Can just SAY--.

You think to yourself: / Drop i.. /.

You glance askance.

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Oh, yes, that's absolutely a big sister thing to say."

The corners of Tridemon's mouth turn up as he grins mischeviously.

You blink.

You think to yourself: / *A bit of tension rises across the aethers, the volume slowly increasing* /.

Voice bright and clear, you say to Tridemon, "Triiiidemooon."

You think to yourself: / ..s incredib... ...strating when ... and are making assump... /.

You think to yourself: / ..d getting cut off every other WORD is star... .... on ... ... erves /.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks like he is trying very hard to listen, confused and concerned.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Assumptions are what you make in the lack of evidence. Queens don't go out of their way to seek wayward males. They're simply not important enough."

You think to yourself: / ...een didn't s ... .. /.

You look about in confusion.

Tridemon ponders the situation.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I wonder if the queens have proper generals."

You think to yourself: / .nd I don't ... ...ll YOU, I just need t... ... m /.

Quietly, you ask, "Generals...?"

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Probably not... the delegation of military strategy and tactics would be... somewhat problematic and generally unnecessary in the face of the psychic web."

You think to yourself: / *There is more talking, although it is suddenly lost in a sea of many other voices, questioning, confused, suddenly all very aware of you even if only for a second* /.

You shiver violently.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly folds his arms over his chest. "I don't know." He states flatly. "About generals mean."

You think to yourself: / *The feeling fades quickly, and suddenly it's just Khep and the background noise again* Dam... /.

Tridemon reaches over and ruffles your hair with a fond expression.

Gently, you say, "Ooof."

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up to swat your hand again, smiling.

You think to yourself: It's O-K.

You think to yourself: Is Fine.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "I'll probably head down to the prison and slaughter a couple hundred illithoid later. Yishughom gets uppity if he's not put down regularly. ... Even if he is, he's kind of just plain insufferable."

You blink.

You have emoted: Gurashi nods quickly. "O-K. I do not know who that is."

Voice bright and clear, you ask, "Hunt the other guys, remember?"

You think to yourself: / *a quick sensation of hurt confusion, quickly replaced with skittering sounds* /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Yishughom's the high priest of the illithoid prison- he's in charge when Cthogglogg is preoccupied with being a massive asshole. And that's not entirely figurative."

You have emoted: Gurashi listens closely, though he looks no less confused, nodding every so often.

You think to yourself: / .... /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "... Cthogglogg is essentially the illithoid with the highest level of connection with Illith. Her avatar, as it were."

You think to yourself: / *The sound of the name seems to cause the background insects to go into a boiling, grinding rage* /.

Beads of sweat break out on your face.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Oh."

Voice bright and clear, you say to Tridemon, "That name is...hggloglgog."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Oh, there was a C in there somewhere - Chhgg.."

You stare blankly into space.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Cth."

Quietly, you say, "Cth..."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Ogg."

Slowly, you say, "Ogg ..."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Logg."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "...logg."

You tilt your head curiously at Tridemon.

Tridemon nods his head emphatically.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "C... Cth...ogg... logg."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "That is still very difficult."

Voice bright and clear, you say to Tridemon, "Almost ... as difficult as a lucidian name."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly grins.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "No, Illithoid names are harder. Like 'Bbgn.'"

You blink.

Tridemon coughs softly.

Voice bright and clear, you say to Tridemon, "Are sure...they both are hard..."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "...Xixclyc..."

You have emoted: Gurashi continues to grin and try and makes sounds that may or may not be names.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "...B...bgn pffff--."

You snicker softly to yourself.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Feels like something punched me in the tongue."

You have emoted: Gurashi throws back his head as he lets out a laugh.

You think to yourself: / ... /.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Oh ... oh!"

You tug urgently on Tridemon's sleeve.

Tridemon tilts his head curiously.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Guess what -I- am learning."

Voice bright and clear, you say to Tridemon, "In Book keeping."

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Hmm..."

You look at Tridemon hopefully.

A gentle rolling of waves laps at the sand's edge.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "Is it... the taurian tongue."

You have emoted: Gurashi's shoulders sag. "No."

You stare at Tridemon, eyes wide.

Tridemon reaches over and ruffles your hair with a fond expression.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Uuwah!"

You flail about helplessly.

You shall now speak in Lucidian.

Voice bright and clear, you say, in Lucidian, "He-llo!"

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, in Lucidian, "Good kitty. The placid rat is words."

Voice bright and clear, you say, in Lucidian, "...you ... look purple today."

You shall now speak in common tongue.

Voice bright and clear, you ask, "Did say it right?"

Voice bright and clear, you say to Tridemon, "I think I am learning it wrong - your sentence did not make sense."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, in Lucidian, "If you were trying to say I was purple, then yes."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly grins from ear to ear. "Yes!!"

You shall now speak in Lucidian.

Voice bright and clear, you say, in Lucidian, "You look purple today!"

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 12th of Vestian, 554 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 25 days until the New Moon

Voice bright and clear, you say, in Lucidian, "Thank you ... you are welcome ... how are you t-oday."

You think to yourself: / ... /.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, in Lucidian, "You do not look purple today. This is likely optimal."

You shall now speak in common tongue.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Means am not drowning."

You have emoted: Gurashi grins again.

Tridemon nods his head sagely.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says, "And that you didn't get distracted by a fish while sitting at the bottom of the lake until the bubbles stopped."

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim, "Listen! They were beautiful!"

You give a horrified gasp.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "They -had- to be admired and if drowned doing so then..."

You huff and puff in outrage.

You nod your head sagely.

You huff and puff in outrage.

Tridemon pats you in a friendly manner.

Tridemon sits down and lays back to watch the big blue sky with the clouds lazily drifting by.

You have emoted: Gurashi stands beside Tridemon, staring off into space before joining in the watching of the clouds. He does not sit, twiddling his thumbs, lost in thought.

You purse your lips, deep in thought as you contemplate yourself.

You think to yourself: *A gentle chorus of a million questions drifting in and out, too fast to keep track of*.

You think to yourself: / ... /.

A flurry of blackthorn petals arrives from the east, thorny vines sprouting within the floral cloud and twining together to form the body of Esei.

Esei gives fire-broiled shrimp on skewers to you.

You have emoted: Gurashi's attention returns to the present as he is handed the skewer. He looks down at it in confusion, then up at Esei, blinking.

Esei tilts their head curiously at Tridemon.

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

Voice bright and clear, you exclaim to Esei, "... oh! M-many thank yous!"

Esei tilts their head curiously at you.

You think to yourself: When did they get here.

Esei pets Bizirik, the leothin ingratiatingly.
Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Esei. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

You think to yourself: Oh gosh did not do the thing again did I.

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to Bizirik, the leothin, "I found a temple hiding in my manse."

Bizirik, the leothin tilts her head curiously at Esei.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to Esei, "Which is more evil? Clouds or shoes."

Esei ponders the situation.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Shoes. Most certainly shoes."

Voice bright and clear, you whisper, "Temple?"

Esei nods their head at you.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "I filled it with more appropriate things."

You blink a few times and stare at Esei in confusion.

Voice bright and clear, you ask Esei, "...temple appropriate, mean?"

Esei makes a petting motion with their hand.

Esei's eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across their face.

Esei pets Bizirik, the leothin ingratiatingly.

Bizirik, the leothin stares blankly at Esei. After a moment its tail lifts once then thumps back against the ground with potential delight.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "You should go follow esei to do temple things, apparently."

Voice bright and clear, you say, "I-I actually... need to go home."

Esei gives you a friendly squeeze.

Voice bright and clear, you say to Esei, "But if you want to show Bizi the temple I'm sure she'd love to see. Would also like to see."

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily.

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says, "Sometime later."

Bizirik, the leothin begins to follow Esei.

(The Shadow Kindred): Esei says, "Screm."

Tridemon nods his head sagely.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters has lost you.

Bizirik, the leothin thrums pleasantly, turning to Tridemon to rub up against the lucidian once happily before returning to Esei's side.

Tridemon Regalis, Keeper of Pure Waters says to you, "Have fun with whatever you plan on doing!"

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles weakly.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "O-K!"

Esei ponders Tridemon thoughtfully, looking him up and down.

You have emoted: Gurashi offers a little wave.

Voice bright and clear, you say, "Thank you!"

Master Esei of the Ascending Dusk says to Tridemon, "You can't actually enter without my permission."

You have emoted: Gurashi hesitates, looking like he wants to say something more, but he shakes his head and quickly jogs off instead.