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Avaris

Throw Ball

Jun 13th, 2021 (edited)
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  1. A mechanical dirigible bobs up and down on the air currents before jets of steam erupt from several
  2. of its valves, then putters off.
  3.  
  4. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Please pardon my diriglbes, friend! Bizirik is having
  5. a day off, is still full of shrimpies from the other months!"
  6.  
  7. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "Ah, that is quite alright, Gurashi, thank you. You are most
  8. kind, as ever."
  9.  
  10. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*pale pastel colors bloom slowly upon the aethers, a
  11. sense of tired delight reaching you from far away* How are you doing, Mister Avaris? What is hale??
  12. I have heard that, I am assume it is better than bad because of how it is used."
  13.  
  14. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "[The colours are regarded with a faint numbness, though a
  15. muted fondness nonetheless can be felt, like the subtle warmth of a vast wall warmed by a weak sun.]
  16. Ah. It means healthy, Gurashi, typically in body. You are kind to ask. Do you read often?"
  17.  
  18. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*a fleeting but rich scent of orange citrus reaches
  19. you, pastels growing warm in response to your own* I... actually, do. I read sometimes a lots? But,
  20. I do not remember often, sometimes. Things stay in my mind for only a few days or so, and then I
  21. sleeps and it is like my heads empties out all over again to make rooms for new thinks the next
  22. month. Not always, but often."
  23.  
  24. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "Ah, yes, I well understand that. The mind is as a sponge - It
  25. can only retain so much before it is glutted to capacity, and excess leaks free."
  26.  
  27. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*a swell of surprised that withdraws before it
  28. becomes too loud* Think is realy true? I always assumed it was from years and years and years of
  29. bonking my heads on things. *a ripple of confusion, then amusement* Am sorry to be bothering you if
  30. are very busy! Your suggestions to relax got me thinking that I should be doing just thats, yes. Are
  31. hungry for anything else?? I yam in the moods to be cooking! Yes."
  32.  
  33. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "It is indeed. Consider it like building muscle, Gurashi,
  34. since you have been training of late. You cannot build mass all in one day, yes? It takes many
  35. months of steady, consistent work. Committing knowledge firmly to memory is much the same, else it
  36. will slip away, like water flowing between grasping fingers. Ah, no, I am quite fine, though I thank
  37. you for asking. I hope that you enjoy cooking. Cheliyi seems to have inherited your love of it."
  38.  
  39. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "... *there is a very long, long, long thoughtful
  40. pause at this, great reluctance at answering* ... like reading, every day... *a little huff then,
  41. colors brighten once more* OH! Did you see Cheliyi? I keep missing her, ships in the harbor, bats in
  42. the nights are we! Am guessing she already fed you fully! *they laugh*."
  43.  
  44. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "[A quiet noise of assent, a muted, brief vibration.] She
  45. was...Most insistent on my company, yes. I began to fear she would seek to batter down the walls of
  46. my home, in truth, if I did not acquiesce to her kindly demands. Ah, I ate only a small cookie, but
  47. she was generous enough to teach me how to bake them. Your daughter is a good soul, Gurashi. You
  48. have done well with her."
  49.  
  50. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "...ah. Yeah! She is determined to be goodly, and I am
  51. very proud of her. I am glad that you know how to bake! Is most important skills of all! Maybe, next
  52. to breathing and surviving and stuffs. Am very glad... *another long pause, before warm saffron hues
  53. suffuse the aethers* Hey - are you O-K? You are quiet. Maybe is my earses. Brain-ears."
  54.  
  55. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "I would personally place the ability to protect loved ones
  56. and the innocent beyond all else, but feeding others is a very fine ability indeed. [A lapse of
  57. silence, and a sense of drawing in on himself, before he makes a tangible effort to sound heartier.]
  58. Ah, my apologies. I have been given much towards introspection recently, that is all. Do not worry,
  59. Gurashi."
  60.  
  61. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "That sounds totally possibles, yes. Protecting
  62. peoples takes lots of practice but totally do-ables! You are very tall, bet you could protect
  63. many... *another longer, more thoughtful pause, their own colors muting curiously* ....am I
  64. bothering you? I am sorry if am bothering the introspectings."
  65.  
  66. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "[A slight pulse of light accompanies a quiet, self-conscious
  67. laugh.] Ah, yes, that was the intent, at least. The eye is drawn first to the largest figure, and
  68. the most glaringly noticeable. Gaudy, perhaps, but useful in combat situations, so that I can act as
  69. a lodestone to draw ire, rather than others. You are not bothering me, Gurashi, do not fret. Your
  70. presence is ever a welcome one. I am sorry if I am poor company, even across the aethers."
  71.  
  72. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "Mmmm, yeah, I guess that is true. But thankfully you
  73. also gots bigly swords and many arms. I do not think you are poor company! I just was thinking you
  74. sounded differently so could not tell if were doing that thing to be po-lite and make sure were O-K,
  75. yes. *gentle assent, another thrum* I was going to ask if you wanted to hang out withs me's while I
  76. played fetch with Ham since you were one who suggested I re-lax, but I know you are busy. And I was
  77. also going to give you a book, but as I read it, now, I realize it could stand to be ... updated!
  78. Made a-new. An important story but... tidied. My words were even WORSE in year five sixty seven,
  79. wowee."
  80.  
  81. You think to yourself: "I suppose I cannot hide here forever. Little lesson learned in bearing the
  82. marks of my shame if I do not feel the sting of others' judgement for it."
  83.  
  84. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "That I do, indeed. I had to acquire blades that would
  85. typically be used as greatswords, as my old ones are as daggers to me now. [A long moment of
  86. contemplation, a subtle mixture of shame, anxiety and grim acceptance whispering across the
  87. aethers.] ...Yes. I could stand to see young Ham gambol about. Ah, truly? I did not realise you were
  88. an author, Gurashi. That is wonderful. I shall look forward to reading it, once you are satisfied
  89. with the update."
  90.  
  91. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*suddenly the aethers bloom with color again, a sense
  92. of delight* Ah! You wanna come to the parks with me? I can throw the ball and show you how to throw
  93. the ball for Ham - he is a near expert at fetch, now! It will be a goodly time, yes. If want? I will
  94. be there, regardless, anyways, yes! Will see you there, near the ducky pond! And NO I am not an
  95. author! It is not that kind of book, it is... well - I can tell you in persons!"
  96.  
  97. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "He is a swift learner, then, it seems. I am sure that he will
  98. flourish under your care, and be a most able companion when he is full grown. I shall make my way
  99. there presently, if you would not mind waiting a few moments."
  100.  
  101. You think to yourself: "I...Do not know where this duck pond is, but surely it cannot be too
  102. difficult to find."
  103.  
  104. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*there is a joyful humming in response, a lack of
  105. verbal affirmation, the smell of grass and sea air*."
  106.  
  107. Near the duck pond.
  108. Pale, watery light floats away from a shield shrine of Carakhan nearby. This location is flooded
  109. with shallow, crystal clear water. The flat, grassy lawn of the city park slopes gently downwards
  110. and then drops abruptly to the edge of a shallow pond. Large, tame, white ducks paddle lazily back
  111. and forth, occasionally bobbing their heads below the surface. On the south end of the pond, water
  112. lilies create a solid blanket of green which barely breaks the surface of the water. An adolescent
  113. Nyalian mastiff darts about excitedly, his tail wagging like a brandished sword. Gurashi, The
  114. Heart's Friend with a Regal face shifts and blurs, their figure cast into uncertainty by the
  115. enveloping Presence that lingers large, unseen, and heavy about their form. They wield a vibrant
  116. mandolin of songbirds and stars in their left hand.
  117. You see exits leading northeast and northwest.
  118.  
  119. Standing at a scant four foot ten inches, they are an alluring sileni kindly demigod changeling. The
  120. slender curves of this creature's form, from their slight shoulders to their dainty, six-fingered
  121. hands, lend them a youthful, wholesome appearance. Their right hand has been scarred upon the palm,
  122. as if with a sharp object, and their most prominent three knuckles of the same hand are marred. A
  123. heart-shaped face houses a sheepish smile and a pair of large, expressive, slate-blue eyes, their
  124. brilliant white pupils resembling stars framed with dusky auburn lashes. Their long cheeks and thin,
  125. upturned nose both bear a permanent shade of blush, accentuated by the greatest cluster of freckles.
  126. A moderately sized crescent-shaped scar mars their right cheek, brightly visible against the deep
  127. hue of their skin. Their smooth skin is tawny in color, covered in a smattering of auburn freckles.
  128. A hint of discolored flesh can be seen at the center of their sternum, mostly obscured by their
  129. clothing. An unruly mane of bright, apricot colored hair is clustered in wavy clumps atop their
  130. head, parted on either side of their head by a pair of curling, deep sable ram's horns, the left
  131. horn slightly shorter and stumpier than the right. A shock of bone-white hair stands out along their
  132. left temple, the tuft tucked delicately around their horn. A pair of velvety soft black ram's ears
  133. hang down from below their horns, twitching every so often in response to foreign sound. Beginning
  134. along their midriff is a thin coat of apricot-colored wool, a hint of pure white spots seen poking
  135. out from the top of their pants. Their backwards-tilted legs are slender and fawn-like, covered in
  136. downy tufts of orange fur and coming to end with triangular, sable black hooves. A short orange and
  137. white tail can be seen occasionally wagging behind them. Soothing mists of water and light weave
  138. about them in a sparkling white veil, marking the truefavour of Lantra, the Empyreal.
  139.  
  140. They are wearing:
  141. a starry wreath of celestial light set atop their head like a halo
  142. a circlet of crystal thorns resting loosely atop their head
  143. a vivid red-orange poppy tucked lovingly behind their left ear
  144. the Mantle of Starlight which flows dreamily about their shoulders and back
  145. a sleeveless black tunic which clings to their upper body flatteringly
  146. mercurial Mysraian prayer beads pulled taut against their right wrist
  147. a Glomdoring friendship bracelet which jingles softly on their left wrist
  148. minty citrus incense beads pulled taut against their right wrist
  149. a shifting, living poppy of beige petals worn delicately upon their left wrist
  150. a driftwood ring of sea breezes fitted tightly to their left middle finger
  151. simple white linen trousers which swish around their legs freely
  152. a bright red poppy tucked behind their left ear.
  153.  
  154. You think to yourself: "Ah, I have found it. Not so difficult, as I thought."
  155.  
  156. Gurashi looks up as you enters just as they hurl a red and blue bouncer ball towards the northeast,
  157. watching an adolescent Nyalian mastiff race after it. The creature at this point is as high as the
  158. sileni is tall, though it chases after the ball with all the energy and enthusiasm of a puppy. "Hi!
  159. Mister Avaris, you found us!"
  160.  
  161. Gurashi beams broadly at you.
  162.  
  163. Stepping in a manner that is deprived of his usual steady, implacable stride,
  164. Avaris walks across the lawn at a sedate pace, the wicked curve of his feet's talons sinking into
  165. the loam with each heavy footfall. His lower left antenna tracks the arc of the ball, while its
  166. larger mate follows an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's progress as the kephera moves to stand a
  167. respectful distance from Gurashi, hands hidden beneath the cloak of his wings, tight to the base of
  168. his spine. "Ah, hello, Gurashi. I did, indeed. I have not visited this place before, so I was not
  169. certain how long it would take me. Do you come here a great deal?"
  170.  
  171. Gurashi smiles as an adolescent Nyalian mastiff makes his way back over, dropping the ball
  172. wordlessly into the sileni's six-fingered hand. "Really? Aeldra comes here muchly, and I see others
  173. come here too. I usually," They point with their not-slobbery hand across the pond towards the
  174. playground visible even from this distance, "hang out over there, but there are more obstacles. Is
  175. not grass to throw, lots of bushes, for Ham to go seeking! Hh--" They suddenly wheel around and hurl
  176. the ball with a wicked toss into the bushes towards the northeast again with a loud "YAH!" The
  177. mastiff lets out a deep, rumbling bark and breaks into a spring after the ball, tail wagging a as it
  178. chases down the toy.
  179.  
  180. An adolescent Nyalian mastiff gambols forward, snatching a red and blue bouncer ball in one fluid
  181. motion. With a series of feints and growls, he avoids Gurashi's grasp, intent on playing keep-away
  182. until he loses interest.
  183.  
  184. Gurashi beckons for you to step closer. "Come here! It is O-K, the ducks are small and do not bite,"
  185. They assure, as if this were some sort of valid concern. "I have breads you can feed them, while I
  186. teach fetchies."
  187.  
  188. Avaris dips his pointed chin in a small nod of confirmation. "I was not aware. She
  189. tends to prefer visiting me, rather than permitting I to go to her." He pauses, considering for a
  190. beat, then suggests, "Perhaps it is because she likes to move around so much. She was explaining to
  191. me that faeling, such as herself, are fueled by cake, and cookies, and thus are very energetic." At
  192. this, a thought seems to strike him, and he leans forward a sliver of a degree, studying Gurashi
  193. curiously. "Is that also why you are so lively?" At the mention of ducks, his antennae bend into a
  194. squat 'U' shape, his tone nonplussed as he says, "I...Did not think that they would. Do people often
  195. fear that they will?"
  196.  
  197. Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you say, "Is bread good for them? I believe they mostly
  198. subsist on plants."
  199.  
  200. Gurashi stares blankly into space.
  201.  
  202. Gurashi looks at you hopefully.
  203.  
  204. You tilt your head curiously at Gurashi.
  205.  
  206. Gurashi opens, then closes, then opens and closes their mouth again. Behind them their tail begins
  207. to wag furiously, and they scrunch their face at the question as it is asked, commenting on their
  208. liveliness. While still doing their silent calculation, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff returns with a
  209. red and blue bouncer ball in his mouth, dropping it into the sileni's other hand, still thoughtfully
  210. outstretched.
  211.  
  212. With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "...yessssss," They look at the ball
  213. in their one hand, then carefully pull out a warm loaf of bread from a basket hooked to their pack,
  214. holding it out towards Avaris. "It does not have fanciful things in it like normally but they do
  215. like it lots."
  216.  
  217. Gurashi pets an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
  218. A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented
  219. sound.
  220.  
  221. Avaris makes no motion towards closing the gap, as invited to, instead maintaining
  222. his post as he watches Gurashi with polite patience. Though his head does not shift at an adolescent
  223. Nyalian mastiff's approach, several of the glowing eyes within his wings track the large pup
  224. intently, curious in their regard. "You...Do not seem very certain." He stares at the offered bread
  225. for a time that grows uncomfortable, his forearms shifting as he adjusts the placement of his hands,
  226. cloaked by the feathered mass of his wings. Visibly steeling himself, he extends his upper right
  227. hand to take the bread, deliberately avoiding Gurashi's gaze as the seething, sanguine essence that
  228. bloodies his palm is exposed in the brief moment before his hand closes about the loaf. He says not
  229. a word as he retracts his hand, holding the bread in a manner that is almost defensive, turning his
  230. visored face to stare out at the ducks.
  231.  
  232. You think to yourself: A bracing, a raising of a shield to take an unavoidable blow, laced through
  233. with quiet anxiety and the steady, burning throb of shame.
  234.  
  235. Gurashi's tail slows a little in its wagging. They smile, canting their head, their expression
  236. changing only minutely as they take note of your great hesitance. When the kephera finally takes the
  237. bread from them, they flash a toothy smile. "Just tear it into tiny pieces, and," They pause, and
  238. for a moment seem distracted, awkwardly passing off the loaf as they rear back their arm and throw
  239. the ball again, lobbing it in the same direction as before. Ham bellows happily, barking as they
  240. gambol after the ball, again vanishing within the bushes.
  241.  
  242. Gurashi takes a creamy lavender-scented soap from their pack and wipes clean their slobbery ball
  243. -tossing hand before they pull out a second loaf of bread, beaming up at the kephera beside them.
  244. "Just gotta tears it to little pieces otherwise the ducks will choke." They stick their tongue out
  245. of the corner of their mouth and cross their eyes. "Like this, see?"
  246.  
  247. Avaris's vast shoulders contract fractionally as the Sileni pauses, steadying
  248. himself for an incoming reaction that...Does not manifest. He waits for a time, then shifts the
  249. angle of his head to glance at Gurashi cautiously, the points of his long, gold-plated fingers
  250. sinking into the soft load as he squeezes it unintentionally. He nods, the point of his chin dipping
  251. down, slow as molasses, then proceeds to separate the bread into fastidiously neat portions, his
  252. careful disassembling meticulous and methodical. Quietly, he murmurs, "Yes. We would not want that."
  253.  
  254. Avaris holds the precise cubes of fluffy bread in the bowl of his massive hand,
  255. staring down at them for a time before speaking, soft and low, "You did not ask about the mark."
  256.  
  257. You think to yourself: "You do not think much of your wit, Gurashi, but you are not stupid, and nor
  258. are you blind. Too kind, then, to focus light upon my wrongdoing. Ah. Too good of a soul for the
  259. likes of me, dear friend."
  260.  
  261. Eventually an adolescent Nyalian mastiff emerges, returning to the sileni and kephera's sides, ball
  262. in his jaws. He stands there patiently, tail wagging behind him as Gurashi seemingly ignores him,
  263. tearing at the bread, tossing a few pieces into the nearby pond. A duck that had been resting in the
  264. nearby reeds suddenly swims towards the food, quacking softly, heralding the arrival of many more
  265. ducks. Finally, they hold out their hand to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, and the ball falls into
  266. their awaiting hand... to which the sileni turns, grinning widely at the massive puppy. "Good BOY,"
  267. they blurt out suddenly, throwing their arms around the mastiff's neck. The dog stands there and
  268. accepts the praise and affection, panting benignly, staring up at you until Gurashi releases him and
  269. sends him off chasing a red and blue bouncer ball with a much gentler toss.
  270.  
  271. Gurashi gently returns their attention to you with a much more gentle smile. "Was gonna let you
  272. tells me, if you wanted." They toss another bit of bread towards the water, then reach out their
  273. hand, as if awaiting your. "I remember, how scary it was, bearing a disfavor. I thought for sure it
  274. was gonna cut the peoples around me. Did not know, how it worked." Quieter they ask, "...it does not
  275. hurt, does it?"
  276.  
  277. Avaris watches the mastiff's triumphant return, focusing upon the patient hound,
  278. rather than Gurashi. His lower left hand shifts slightly towards an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, as
  279. if tempted to pet him, but hesitates, and draws back. "Yes. Well done, young Ham. You will be a fine
  280. companion, in time," he says in a kindly voice, sincerity ringing gently with each word. The
  281. adolescent pup's happily panting face is reflected within the brilliant blue surfaces of the
  282. kephera's alien eyes, seven tiny Hams staring back at the original before Gurashi sends him
  283. careening off after the ball once more. The red streak of his antenna flicks towards the
  284. outstretched hand, as he lets out a quiet, "Ah." of realisation, carefully placing the bread into
  285. Gurashi's awaiting palm.
  286.  
  287. Gurashi stares at a warm buttered loaf of bread, eyes wide.
  288.  
  289. Avaris lowers his head to stare at his own, upturned palm, and the sullen, shifting
  290. essence that soils the gleaming gold. He rubs the thumb of his opposite hand across it, kneading at
  291. it to no effect - The bloody mark simply persists, unaltered by his touch. He is quiet for some
  292. time, before he admits, in the manner of one confessing a lesser sin, "It burns. It is like...Fire,
  293. or...Boiling water, but different." Curling his fingers in and out in a slow, flexing motion, he
  294. says, a strange, wistful note to the chorus of his voice, "It did not hurt, for a time. But only for
  295. a little while."
  296.  
  297. You think to yourself: The memory of Her touch, cool and numbing, gone far too swift, removed far
  298. too suddenly.
  299.  
  300. Gurashi holds the bread now in either of their hands, leaning forward slightly as they watch you
  301. examine the disfavor. Their tail slows in its wagging, and they frown, nodding slightly. Setting
  302. both loafs atop a motley wicker basket and setting that upon the ground between the pair, the sileni
  303. returns their full attention to the kephera. "Are you O-K?" They ask now. staring up into your many
  304. eyes, their own starry ones wide and shiny. "I do not know what happened. But Disfavors are...."
  305. They bunch their shoulders uncomfortably instead of choosing a word to describe it.
  306.  
  307. Lost, for a time, in the penitent mark that bloodies his hand, Avaris stirs with
  308. the air of a man emerging from a deep reverie, giving his head a small shake. He holds Gurashi's
  309. softer gaze for only a few long breaths, before he turns his head aside, the broad, crimson lines of
  310. his antennae flowing down and forward in a quiet frown.
  311.  
  312. Gurashi smiles sadly at you, sympathy shining in their eyes.
  313.  
  314. You think to yourself: "I should not burden you with this. Your kind heart is weighed enough as it
  315. is. Am I alright? No. No, I am not. I am lost, and do not know who I am supposed to be."
  316.  
  317. Quickly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Don't."
  318.  
  319. Avaris turns his visored face back to Gurashi, a few glittering motes of light
  320. struggling to the surface of his azure eyes, voice firm and confident as he replies, "I will be fi-".
  321.  
  322. Avaris pauses, head tilting. "Pardon?"
  323.  
  324. Gurashi suddenly blushes, puffing their cheeks and looking down. "...sorry, uhm," They clear their
  325. throat and look back up at you, huffing softly, starry eyes shiny. "...you WILL be fine, but, right
  326. now, it is... not, O-K. And," Another pause, "that is O-K..." Slowly their hand reaches up to touch
  327. their scarred cheek, running over it gently. "...when the Lady of Roses gave me Her disfavors, I
  328. remember, feeling like the whoooole world had stopped..."
  329.  
  330. You think to yourself: A low, thrumming anger, like the faint vibrations felt from an earthquake
  331. many miles away. "Ah. So that is the origin of the scar. Another reason to purify that wretched
  332. place."
  333.  
  334. Avaris does not reply, instead giving Gurashi space to work through Gurashi's
  335. thoughts, his hand lowering to rub absently at his thigh. A very slight flicker of red passes
  336. through the countless eyes that watch from the soft gold of his folded wings, many of them turning
  337. their attention to watch Gurashi closely.
  338.  
  339. Gurashi looks over at an adolescent Nyalian mastiff as the creature has returned, ball within his
  340. massive jaws, tail wagging behind him. Wordlessly the sileni nods and the dog sits, tail still
  341. wagging. "...thought, She would understand, what I asked of Her. And lots of peoples, were surprised
  342. with me - disappointed, with me..." Their gaze dulls. "It was really hard. Got so hungry so often,
  343. and was tired all the time, and could not hunt, and even though it wasn't..." They twirl their
  344. fingers in the air. "I had these... blades, that circled me. Even though, they were not real... I
  345. thought, they would hurt peoples around me. So I stayed homes and cried a whole lot." They quirk
  346. their mouth to the side.
  347.  
  348. Quietly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "...was peoples, who made it better..."
  349.  
  350. Looking up again, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I do not know what happened - why it
  351. happened, or if you would like to talks about it? But. I am sorry it happened." They reach out, as
  352. if to gently pat the kephera upon the arm, would Avaris allow them to. "You are still goodly."
  353.  
  354. You think to yourself: "I, at least, was prepared for the consequence of my question. To suffer
  355. such, when trusting in the understanding and patience of an Elder...That would be a grievous wound,
  356. I think." A needle of regret slides into him, well-worn, but honed to perfect sharpness. "Ah. I have
  357. upset them. I should have considered that it would unearth old hurts."
  358.  
  359. Avaris nods slowly as Gurashi speaks, folding his hands together to rest atop the
  360. gleaming plate of his abdomen, antennae curving together at the tips in a gesture of concern. an
  361. adolescent Nyalian mastiff is spared only a fleeting glance from a few of the smaller eyes that make
  362. up the greater constellation of constant vigilance, the vast majority of the kephera's attention
  363. focused upon the Sileni. The many, layered voices that form his own are quiet, hushed and thick with
  364. compassion as he murmurs, "Oh, Gurashi. I am so sorry. That must have been terrible."
  365.  
  366. Avaris draws back from Gurashi's questing hand, almost flinching. "Ah- No. I am
  367. not. You are kind to think so, Gurashi, but." He offers a brief, mirthless laugh. "I am not that.
  368. Someday, perhaps."
  369.  
  370. Gurashi tilts their head, gaze softening as they frown.
  371.  
  372. Gurashi lets their hand slowly fall back to their side. "O-K." They say at last, voice high and
  373. light. They glance over their shoulder towards an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, giving the creature a
  374. few consolatory pets. "I did not tell you, so would feel sorry for me. Told you, so," They look up
  375. at you again. "Sometimes goodly peoples catch the wraths of Divines, and, that is O-K." They stare
  376. off. "I mean, it is not, but," repeating their earlier sentiment they add, "it is O-K, that it is
  377. not O-K. I had peoples, who were there for me. To remind me that was still goodly, even though I
  378. felt /very/ badly." Tail wagging they stand a little taller, as tall as they are able. "Am telling
  379. you, knows you are still goodly - even if you are feeling badly."
  380.  
  381. Gurashi suddenly turns away from you, a red and blue bouncer ball in their hand as they yeet the
  382. ball with all their might in the directions of the bushes. Ham, who had been distracted by a nearby
  383. disturbance in the pond, suddenly looks after the ball and lets out a loud bark, turning and chasing
  384. after the toy excitedly once more.
  385.  
  386. Gurashi nods their head emphatically.
  387.  
  388. Gurashi returns their gaze to you, swaying as they balance on the edges of their hooves. Off in the
  389. distance an adolescent Nyalian mastiff can be heard crashing through the underbrush, looking for his
  390. toy.
  391.  
  392. Avaris lifts a placating hand to ward off Gurashi's initial statement, only to
  393. realise that this causes him to be presenting the mark of the Even Bladed's displeasure towards
  394. Gurashi, and hastily lowers it once more. Earnestly, he says, "I know that you did not. I am sorry
  395. if you think that is what I believe - I do not pity you, Gurashi. I simply..." He deflates,
  396. shoulders sagging. "It does not matter. I am sorry." Rather than respond immediately, he takes a few
  397. measured, slow steps towards the pond, until the comes to the very edge, whereupon he stares down at
  398. his gently wavering reflection. "I am glad that you had people to care for you, Gurashi."
  399.  
  400. You think to yourself: As he stares at the distorted, muted reflection of himself, he sees a
  401. younger, much smaller version to his right - White, round-headed, and more moth than angel, with
  402. huge pools of pure blue for eyes. "Still? Ah. You are wrong, my friend. I have never been good."
  403.  
  404. Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you ask, "What will you train young Ham in next, do you
  405. think?"
  406.  
  407. You think to yourself: "Enough of this maudlin nonsense."
  408.  
  409. Soft still, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Do not need to apologize to me..."
  410.  
  411. Avaris waves a hand aside, dismissing it.
  412.  
  413. Gurashi bends down, scooping up the bread they had set down atop the basket, offering it back to you
  414. so you may return to feeding the ducks, should you choose. "Here."
  415.  
  416. Gently, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "So far, Ham knows how to fetch. And sit, and has
  417. gotten goodly at stay but is still learning, how to wait. Is current practice. Wait and stay. He is
  418. excited - like me."
  419.  
  420. Avaris reflexively accepts the bread, gathering it into the cradle of two of his
  421. conjoined, lower hands. He stares at it for a beat, as if unsure what to do with it, then lifts his
  422. gaze to the awaiting ducks. He considers them for a time in silence, measuring.
  423.  
  424. You think to yourself: "How best to distribute fairly?"
  425.  
  426. You think to yourself: "Ah. A single volley."
  427.  
  428. Gurashi too turns towards the pond, reaching down to grab the bread, gently tearing it into little
  429. bits and tossing it towards the ducks bit by bit. The few lingering waterfowl immediately go for the
  430. scraps, quacking softly and excitedly as they are fed. Beside you, the sileni glances up, furrowing
  431. their brow curiously.
  432.  
  433. Without ceremony, Avaris tosses the entire load of bread out over the ducks in a
  434. hail of fluffy, fresh deliciousness, which rains down upon the awaiting waterfowl like cottony
  435. meteors, causing chaos as they begin to squabble over the food.
  436.  
  437. You think to yourself: "...Ah. Hm."
  438.  
  439. Gurashi's hands fly to their mouth as they give a short gasp of elation.
  440.  
  441. Gurashi throws back their head as they laugh.
  442.  
  443. Avaris taps the tips of his fingers upon the armoured curve of his thigh,
  444. chagrined. "That did not...Go as I had planned."
  445.  
  446. Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you ask Gurashi, "Do you think he will calm, when he is
  447. older?"
  448.  
  449. Gurashi throws back their head, covering their mouth. "Oh!" They ducks squabble, then begin to spin
  450. as they chase down the bobbing bits of bread, plenty to go around. "No! Look at how happy they are!"
  451. They laugh, clutching their sides. "What a throw! A perfect toss!" They too begin to hurriedly tear
  452. at the rest of their own loaf of bread, tossing what they have to the ducks.
  453.  
  454. With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Ah! Ham?" They look off towards the
  455. bushes where the mastiff is still crashing around, looking for the ball. "Most beings do...."
  456.  
  457. With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend sings, "I did not!"
  458.  
  459. The light, unrestrained sound of Gurashi's laughter sends a modest wave of rippling
  460. motes of light across the unblinking, gem-like orbs of Avaris's inhuman eyes, a small iteration of
  461. his version of a smile. "I think I shall be more measured in my distribution, in the future."
  462. Glancing at Gurashi with a tiny shift of his head, he dips his chin in a slight nod of agreement.
  463. "You did not. That is a rare thing, I think."
  464.  
  465. Gurashi twirls in their spot, arms still overhead as they watch the ducks eat. At last an adolescent
  466. Nyalian mastiff returns to them, tail wagging. "Would you like to throw the ball for him?" They ask
  467. you, glancing up. "Do not worry about your hands and the ball - is just a toy. Unless you do not
  468. like slobbers?" They smile faintly, tail wagging gently. Beside them Ham stares expectantly at the
  469. toy, panting excitedly.
  470.  
  471. In contrast to Gurashi's effervescent motions, Avaris is, as ever, still and stoic
  472. as a statue, albeit one that has been placed precariously close to the edge of the pond. "I do not
  473. mind the slobbers. The carapace washes easily, but..." His antennae curve down in a modest frown,
  474. studying the ball dubiously. "I would worry that I might throw it too far. I am not in the habit of
  475. using projectiles, so I do not know how to accurately gauge the necessary force." A tinge of
  476. embarrassment suffuses his words, as he admits, "I fear that I would send it halfway across the
  477. city. I do not wish to deprive poor Ham of his fun."
  478.  
  479. Insistent, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "You need to stop worrying about what could go
  480. wrong, and start hoping what might go right." They offer out the ball, lifting and lowering it
  481. temptingly. "I believe in you! I do not think you will throw it too far. You just aim for a spots,
  482. and throw it there! Like, that tree over there! Or the bushes. Or the wall way over there! I bet you
  483. could throw it SUPER far, yeah! Ham NEEDS to run!"
  484.  
  485. You think to yourself: "If I do not consider what might go awry, I cannot plan against it. That is
  486. my purp-" An abrupt halt, flashes of memory, a veil, the water and light of Her Font. "...Was, my
  487. purpose. Perhaps they are right."
  488.  
  489. With much reluctance, Avaris reaches out to accept the ball, plucking it between
  490. the points of his long, plated fingers. He holds it gingerly, as if afraid of bursting it, and
  491. shoots Gurashi a skeptical look. "You are certain?"
  492.  
  493. Gurashi looks at you hopefully.
  494.  
  495. With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "You do not need to use all
  496. of your strengths."
  497.  
  498. With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "If are so worried can..."
  499. They turn to stand alongside the kephera, lobbing their arm underhand, "it will be a much more
  500. gentle throw, yes! May not go so far, if you are so worried?"
  501.  
  502. Gurashi's tail never slows in its wagging as they excitedly move around to face you, watching. "Just
  503. throw it that-a-ways!" They point northeast excitedly. Beside them an adolescent Nyalian mastiff
  504. grumbles, bowing at the front, his gentle eyes honed in on the ball in your grasp.
  505.  
  506. Avaris utters an unconvinced, vibrating sound, not entirely dissimilar to an
  507. adolescent Nyalian mastiff's grumbling. Relenting with a quiet sigh, he nods, casting about for a
  508. prime location to aim at, antennae panning back and forth. Electing for the wall in the distance, he
  509. straightens, squaring his shoulders and planting his feet, cocking his upper right arm back in a
  510. manner oddly reminiscent of a catapult being wound back - Then hesitates, and adjusts his stance,
  511. instead flicking the ball forward with an underhanded throw, sending it hurtling through the air
  512. towards the wall.
  513.  
  514. Gurashi's hands fly to their mouth as they give a short gasp of elation.
  515.  
  516. Gurashi cheers wildly!
  517.  
  518. Avaris watches the trajectory of the ball, nodding to himself in quiet satisfaction
  519. as he curls his fingers inwards, hand dipping down in a subtle gesture of triumph.
  520.  
  521. You think to yourself: "Finally. Something I have not made a mess of. I wonder if I could make a
  522. career of this. Hah."
  523.  
  524. Gurashi is bouncing up and down joyously in their spot as an adolescent Nyalian mastiff breaks into
  525. a sprint after the toy, tongue hanging out of his silly mouth as he chases down a red and blue
  526. bouncer ball. "Wowee! What a throw!!" The sileni cries, turning in a full circle as they joyfully
  527. hop about. "Went so far! You did great! Lookit him go!"
  528.  
  529. Gurashi's shoulders bunch as they let out a short giggle.
  530.  
  531. Gurashi beams broadly.
  532.  
  533. There is pulse of psionic energy, one that is warm and soothing, there and gone again as the sileni
  534. prances about joyfully.
  535.  
  536. Gurashi bounces up and down.
  537.  
  538. Observing the racing hound intently, Avaris asks, "How big will he get, do you think?"
  539.  
  540. Stopping in their bouncing, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Well! He was... born! Innnn Dvarsh,
  541. soooo he is... about six months old, now." They stare off after the dog as it finally reaches the
  542. ball, tumbling over the toy in his excitement to catch up to it. "But he is already taller than
  543. sileni-me. So..."
  544.  
  545. Gurashi's eyes bug out as they boggle in amazement.
  546.  
  547. With a laugh, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I bets he will be tall enough to be as tall
  548. as YOU when he is on his back feets! Maybe? They are made to fight gorgogs! They are BIIIIG
  549. doggies!"
  550.  
  551. Gurashi reaches up wide, as if they might hope to achieve your great height themselves, tail wagging
  552. behind them.
  553.  
  554. Avaris shows no concern as the exuberant animal falls over himself in his
  555. enthusiasm, a brief sparkle of amusement glittering in his eyes. "A sturdy fellow. Will you train
  556. him for combat?" A mirthful, thrumming pulse vibrates his chest briefly, there and gone in a moment,
  557. as he watches Gurashi's stretching.
  558.  
  559. Gurashi huffs and ceases in their jumping. "I will train him to obey, and I will train him to
  560. protect," They explain with a smile. "Will be times when I will have to..." They pretend to cut the
  561. air with an imaginary sword, "and will need someone to protect any peoples with me. Liiiike, Cheli!
  562. Or, a denizen. Know?"
  563.  
  564. Looking up, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Did I tell you why named him Ham? I cannot
  565. remember."
  566.  
  567. With barely a sound, a spherical entity enters from the northeast, its legs touch the ground with
  568. the lightest of motions.
  569.  
  570. Ayisdra inclines his head politely to those around him.
  571.  
  572. Gurashi nods their head at Ayisdra.
  573.  
  574. Avaris nods emphatically, stating with approval, "As any stalwart defender of the
  575. Light should be taught." He shakes his head in a negative, clarifying, "I do not believe you have,
  576. no." At Ayisdra's approach, he turns, studying him for a long moment before he inclines his head
  577. cordially.
  578.  
  579. Gurashi looks at Ayisdra, face lighting up as they smile brightly at him.
  580.  
  581. Tail wagging, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "I think you would like it, yes. I think it
  582. would..." Their attention turns and they bob their head side to side. "Ah! Good evening, Mister
  583. Ayisdra!"
  584.  
  585. Gurashi blinks.
  586.  
  587. With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Oh!"
  588.  
  589. Gurashi's hands fly to their mouth as they give a short gasp of elation.
  590.  
  591. Lord Librarian Ayisdra Ysav'rai, the Fractal Concord says, "Greetings."
  592.  
  593. Gurashi looks off, watching an adolescent Nyalian mastiff as the beast come gamboling back, a red
  594. and blue bouncer ball in his slobbery mouth. "How are you doing, Mister Ayisdra?" They look to
  595. Celum, the spherical entity and nod. "Uhmmm, I remember your name.... Cceeeeeeeeee..."
  596.  
  597. With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Ceeeeeellllooooommmm...luuummm..."
  598.  
  599. Gurashi ponders Celum, the spherical entity thoughtfully, looking him up and down.
  600.  
  601. A marvel of science and engineering, this smooth spherical being is composed of an unidentifiable
  602. dark cerulean crystal and is approximately twenty inches in diameter. Four equidistant sections of
  603. the exterior shell extend outward, connected via a series of pistons, creating limbs to allow the
  604. being to rise and walk. The connecting pistons are marvels of Hallifaxian advancement, metal and
  605. crystal merged into a support structure that allows for a large range of movement. A secondary
  606. opaque white shell can be seen between the leg joints as pulses of light brighten and dim behind the
  607. material in a manner akin to breathing. The exterior shell is smooth and void of any sort of facial
  608. features, leaving one wondering which way the entity is facing. Despite this, the stance displays a
  609. level of spatial awareness.
  610. Celum, the spherical entity has an air of extreme strength.
  611.  
  612. Gurashi looks at Ayisdra, face lighting up as they smile brightly at him.
  613.  
  614. Celum, the spherical entity looks at the mastiff, trying to figure out the animal. The familiar
  615. voice as before fills Gurashi's mind, only sileni hearing it. "This isn't Bizirik...is it?"
  616.  
  617. Gurashi blinks.
  618.  
  619. Gurashi shakes their head in response to Celum, the spherical entity's response with such force
  620. their ears slap themselves in the face. "Nuh uh, this is Ham."
  621.  
  622. Gurashi waves their hands jazzily before the massive pup, who sitting there is easily half a head
  623. taller than the sileni. "He is a puppy."
  624.  
  625. Celum, the spherical entity turns the blank face to Gurashi. "That's not a name. That's a
  626. food....you aren't planning on eating the animal, are you?"
  627.  
  628. Gurashi tilts their head, gaze softening as they frown.
  629.  
  630. Gurashi's cheeks puff and their tail begins to wag. "No! I did not name him after food!" They
  631. insist. "He is named, after Saint Hamos!" They declare suddenly, pointing off towards the sky as
  632. they declare the name's origins. "The firstly Saint to be Sainted, in modern times! The first male
  633. kepheran Saint ever! The bravest man in the City of Celest, who faced down a DRAGON despite knowing
  634. would get eaten!" Their starry eyes glitter, and they huff again, tail a blur of orange and white.
  635.  
  636. With a gentle, euphonic lilt, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "And so, to honor bravest mans that
  637. know," They gesture dramatically to the dog beside them, who pants happily, tail wagging, "is HAM.
  638. For HAM-os. Not the foods!"
  639.  
  640. Listening to Gurashi's explanation intently, Avaris nods in a thoughtful manner.
  641. "That is a very fine name, indeed. I had thought you had named him for the food, due to your love of
  642. cooking, in truth. That is more fitting by far." He inclines his head to Ayisdra, and then Gurashi,
  643. posture straightening. "Enjoy your interaction. I shall let you be." To Gurashi, more warmly, he
  644. says, "Thank you for the company, Gurashi, and for being kind, as you ever are."
  645.  
  646. Celum, the spherical entity is still staring at Gurashi. Without a facial expression, it is hard to
  647. tell the response. The voice does sound unconvinced. "Ah. just poorly named then I suppose." There
  648. is a pause "And it is a hard-c. Kelum".
  649.  
  650. Gurashi frets over everything that might go wrong.
  651.  
  652. Gurashi blushes furiously.
  653.  
  654. Gurashi opens, then closes their mouth, staring back at Celum, the spherical entity. They look
  655. towards you, as if they have more to say, but instead hang their head. "I am sorry for saying your
  656. names wrong," They apologize to the entity before them, tail no longer wagging. "...p..poorly..."
  657.  
  658. Gurashi stares at an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, eyes wide.
  659.  
  660. You give the world a smart salute.
  661.  
  662. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "You left so fast, did not even get a chance to thank
  663. you...!"
  664.  
  665. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "Ah, I did not wish to intrude. [A faint sense of puzzlement.]
  666. Thank me? Whatever for?"
  667.  
  668. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "For coming to play with me and Ham! You were most
  669. wonderful of companies!"
  670.  
  671. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "You need not thank me for such a thing, Gurashi. Your
  672. companionship is ever a gift. Thank you for inviting me."
  673.  
  674. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "I had a lovely time. The duckies got fed and you
  675. talked to me about thingies and were honest about feelies, and Ham got to play. I think it was a
  676. very goodly time. You made lots of peoples happy, on this visits, yes! That is a goodly thing."
  677.  
  678. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "I must sleeps! Stay goodly and kindly, my friend! Do
  679. not worry - everything will be O-K!"
  680.  
  681. You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "I do not see how, but you are generous to say so. Sleep well,
  682. Gurashi, and young Ham as well."
  683.  
  684. You think to yourself: "In this, my sweet friend, we must disagree. I cannot help but worry, nor am
  685. I convinced everything will be alright. I hope that you are correct. I dearly hope it."
  686.  
  687. Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*silent but reassuring, playful tired splashes of
  688. saffron and gold*."
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