Becoming Crafter of Visions

Maylea smiles softly.

You perk your ears up as an errant topic catches your interest.

-gl
Forest steps.
There is a moderate breeze here. Reaching up as high as the eye can see looms the awesome presence of a living totem. A mature birch tree stands proudly here. A majestic, creamy white stag with white wings wanders about here, his head held regally. Blinking a slow, gentle silver, a firefly rests here momentarily. Maylea, Bloom of Serenity stands here, prismatic light swirling around Her.
You see exits leading north and south.

Beaming, you exclaim, "My Lady!"

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "Hello, My dear."

You have emoted: Lief flits about happily before Maylea, clapping her hands together with delight. "To what do I owe the joy of Your presence?" she beams.

Placing a gentle hand upon your shoulder, Maylea murmurs, "Well done, My dear. In many things."

You have emoted: Lief's flitting about stills, though she still bobs in one place in the air with Maylea's touch.

Her eyes growing wide, you say, "Thank you! I try so much, and I think so many seeds have been sown, and I think there's so much hope growing and taking root."

You say, "It makes me so happy to see."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity smiles and says, "You fought with all your might in the contest with Kethuru. What We could not do, you did, together. Both larger and smaller than Us."

Maylea tilts Her head, as if sensing disturbances in the Planes. "Though the battle is clearly not yet over."

You have emoted: Lief clasps her hands together, beaming up at Maylea, her face aglow with joy that soon falters, wavering. "It's...not?" she whispers.

Solemnly, Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "Kethuru is a bloated being. I'm sure He will find another way to loosen Himself, especially now that His Consciousness has been laid bare. It may be years of your time, or decades. Who knows?"

You have emoted: "I've never faced His machinations before, but from reading the stories...He only seems to grow and grow, even in His prison." Lief frowns, a little furrowing of her brow about her bindi.

"But there has been enough talk of doom and gloom." Maylea leans forward and smiles, "Let's speak of poetry."

You perk your ears up as an errant topic catches your interest.

A tentative smile beginning to bloom anew, you ask Maylea, "The contest, my Lady?"

Her golden and azure eyes bright with a smile, Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "Yes, dear one."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity smiles and says, "I judged by the collection of each your works. Whether you wrote one poem or many. So I think it would be reasonable for the entirety to be read."

You have emoted: Behind her, Lief's dragonfly wings hum with renewed energy. "In that case," she says brightly, clapping her hands together, "I'm so incredibly pleased to hear it! I've been thinking, and thinking, and thinking, and I couldn't figure out which might be Your favourites, if any were to be."

Laughter in her words, you say, "I did make Naevari recite his favourite of his own for me, and I did the same as well. I should see which Xiluym likes best of his as well."

Maylea laughs, Her voice like the rustling of sweet grasses underfoot. "I do think it wonderful that your works will be kept for others in this way."

You have emoted: Lief bobs in the air, her grey eyes bright. "I can't imagine a better way to do it. I don't know if my father mentioned anything, or if you've heard it on the breeze, but..." She lowers her voice confidentially. "I was going to envision what the different flower fae might feel reading these poems aloud, themselves, and represent them in that way on stage."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity laughingly says, "Oh My! That would be a lovely sight!"

With a beaming smile, you say, "I won't be perfect, I know, but I think I'll be allowed...what do they call it...'artistic license'."

Confidingly, Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "It is all We can do, and We check it against the truth as We know it, and thus We grow."

Her ever-changing eyes suddenly taking on a serious mood, Maylea asks in a soft voice, "My dear, do you think you know Me?"

You have emoted: Lief startles as she's asked the question, but rather than stumble or stammer, she tilts her antlered head to one side. A quiet chiming of her silver chains accompanies the motion. "That's a very big question, my Lady," she says, considering her thoughts aloud. "I don't think I can say 'yes', but I don't think I can say 'no', either. I think I've felt myself grow closer to You, and the closer I grow, the better I know."

Walking in a slow circle, the afternoon sun shining in Her hair, Maylea murmurs, "I heard your talk in My fulcrux, some days ago."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity smiles and says, "Not only in My fulcrux, but everywhere. Upon the aethers, upon the stage. You speak of the Truths and the colours of what was and what is."

You have emoted: Lief's beaming smile grows quieter, and her freckled cheeks begin to take a new colour as well. It doesn't come from a place of embarrassment, though - rather, it's something less definable. "I can't help it," she confesses softly. "I hope it doesn't displease You to hear it. I want everyone to feel comfortable approaching You, talking with You, whether or not they decide to devote themselves in worship of You."

Maylea's mouth turns up as Her face breaks into a smile.

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "I appreciate all that you are, dear one."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says to you, "Which is why... I am willing to bend and be flexible."

You have emoted: Lief lifts her clasped hands to touch her chin. "I appreciate all that You are," she echoes Maylea, though her words come far more devoutly, only to quiet again. Her eyes widen anew with curiosity.

Tucking Her rainbow sash about Her sari, Maylea lightly reaches out with both hands open. "Lief, eldin, narathos." Her words are ritualistic, carrying power, "I would have you be now a Crafter of Visions of Mine, if you would have it. It is a responsibility I lay on you, and yet one you must take on yourself. For it comes with privileges, but also a command, to represent Me in all that you craft, in the visions you convey to others. You have done this already, willingly. But now, it is also a mantle you would take up, if you accept."

You have emoted: Lief's peach lips part, her entire mien as open and as innocent as when first she stepped into Maylea's Fulcrux, dedicating herself in her very first time spent in prayer. There are several moments of silence as the faeling allows the words to wash over her, to echo within her, to truly sink in. And then she nods, slowly, and then more firmly. "My Lady," she whispers, and then she gives herself a little shake. Louder, more firmly, she repeats herself. "My Lady, I accept. Nothing brings me greater joy than to walk with You and sing Your name and our ways wherever my wings might carry me. I accept, willingly and with joy, and I know just how much responsibility You are giving to me."

A shaft of moonlight shines down from the heavens and bathes the Ellindel Arboretum in soft light.

Maylea smiles brightly, reaching with Her arms to draw you into a bright embrace, under the rays of the Full Moon. "I am honoured by your acceptance."

You have emoted: Lief's face lights with a brightness that nearly rivals the Full Moon herself as she dares to return the embrace, her arms wrapping gently about the Goddess before her.

Before long, Maylea draws back, Her colours blurring slightly in the dark and the moonlight. She is radiant like a bloom that opens only in the night.

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity initiates you into the mysteries of the Narathos of the Divine Order of Maylea, Bloom of Serenity

Tears flow freely from your eyes as Maylea, Bloom of Serenity appoints you to Crafter of Visions.

You have emoted: Lief's wings, translucent with pastel colour, gleam beneath the argent light as she gazes worshipfully at Maylea.

Elexia tells you, "Did you have time to talk about the production, sister?"

You tell Oracular Elexia Myeras-Silvermoon, "Of course! Ah...in a few moments, if that's all right?"

Elexia tells you, "Take your time, sister, I am in no hurry!"

Maylea touches a finger to your forehead, causing a shiver of cold and brightness to pass through you. "Now, you are Mine, and where you go, you carry My name with you."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity smiles and says, "Not My name only, but My power, and My command. Use the power well."

Her grey eyes glittering in the light and radiance of the Serene Goddess, you say, "I will carry it all with pride, my Lady. With pride and with honour and with humility, too."

You flash Maylea a joyous smile.

Smiling, Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says to you, "I am confident you will, which is what caused Me to bend towards you, though the Truths' path you walked in a way all your own."

You have emoted: Lief's smiling is broken by her slow, long inhales and exhales. Eventually, she says with a little laugh, "Oh, I am so happy, my Lady. I am so very happy. I feel I've grown so much, and it was all while learning about myself with You."

Maylea's mouth turns up as Her face breaks into a smile.

Confidingly, Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "It seems that the young ones of the forest would like to speak with you soon. So I will leave you with one more two more thoughts."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "One such privilege that you now have is the ability to bring forward those who would be Yneli."

You have emoted: Lief nods her head merrily, her eyes bright as she listens.

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity smiles and says, "I trust your judgment, and those of My other Phrases. But please do let Me know if you baptise them, if you remember, so I might meet them Myself."

Solemnly yet earnestly, you say to Maylea, "I will remember. I can't imagine any of them would *not* want to speak with You themselves."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "You will also find that you have many other avenues opened to you, through your connection with Me. Whatever you are able to you, I give you permission to do. And if you find that the progression of Yneli, or the Marythen, seems to be other than what is, if you have new ideas on how to walk the Way of the Blossom, please speak with Me, and we might find a new way to encourage My Mayflowers upon their path."

You have emoted: Still listening, Lief nods earnestly as she listens to Maylea. "I will meditate for some time upon it, my Lady. If anything comes to me, I will pray to You and let You know my thoughts."

Naevari tells you, "You're... one of the Phrases of Serenity now, Lief?" The elfen *does* sound faintly awed by the news. "That's... that's wonderful. And very deserved indeed. Congratulations."

You tell Naevari, "Oh!" The exclamation is uttered with faint notes of laughter. "Thank you so very much, Naevari! It's a blessing to feel so close to Her, it really is."

Naevari tells you, "Yes. Yes, I imagine it must be." If he doesn't sound *quite* to be laughing, then he *does* at least sound a little bit giddy. "It's a great honour, truly."

Maylea draws colours from the air, holding them in Her palms until they glow a bright yellow.

You have emoted: Lief's wings hum with anticipation as she watches Maylea.

Naevari tells you, "In any case, I should return to my meditation, but as I said earlier, I... Well, I'm certain I'll see you soon."

(Serenwilde): Naevari (from the Aetherways) says, "Farewell for the moment, Seren."

Smiling gently and uncupping Her hands, Maylea gives a yellow daffodil to you.

(Serenwilde): Xiluym says, "Farewell Naevari."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "I painted it extra bright, for the occasion."

Maylea's eyes sparkle with amusement.

You have emoted: Lief cradles a yellow daffodil gently in her hands, admiring its beaming joy with a sunniness she can almost equal herself. "It's *beautiful*," she breathes.

You have emoted: Almost immediately, Lief tucks a yellow daffodil behind one ear, wearing it with her beaming smile. "Thank You," she says reverently.

You slip into a yellow daffodil.

You create a pose for the object. It will now appear as the following when worn: a yellow daffodil, painted brighter than most are, worn tucked behind a pointed ear

She is a nimble faeling demigoddess with antlers, her boyish figure twiggy and lithe. Olive-toned skin wears a proud, aggressive smattering of freckles constellating across the soft planes of her face and shoulders. Streaked by sunlight, reddish brown hair crowns her head in whimsy, cut androgynously short and sideswept just above her thick brows. A proud set of antlers springs from her scalp, slender, yet heavy and wide. Where their many bony prongs lick from those two main branches, delicate chains of silver drape and drip like liquid, held in place by an elaborate, tiered construction of piercings and hoops which glitter when caught in the light. The grey of gathering clouds dominates her large eyes, irises flecked with shards of onyx storm; these are found in a rounded countenance marked by a turned up nose and pert lips the colour of peach blossoms. From her back springs a set of pellucid wings, veined and delicately painted with shimmering pastels resembling a dragonfly's. Her ears are small, close to her head and pointed at the slightly elongated tips, vaguely reminiscent of twin leaves. A braided leather cord sits about her neck, close to the throat, and threaded to its very centre are several mismatched gems: a pair of opal beads, a sanguine ruby, a single fire opal, a glimmering pearl, an amethyst, a bright sapphire, a shining beryl gem, an oft-rubbed jade, an onyx bead, and, finally, a proudly glittering emerald. Her face is painted with an image of the greenman and red stripes. She walks with the truefavour of Maylea. She walks with the truefavour of Charune.
She is wearing:
a clover-etched garnet brooch
a small hard leather scabbard
an elegant sapphire brooch
a royal blue leather moondust cloak, fastened by a tarnished firefly brooch
a bumblebee and daisy anklet
a lightweight kimono robe swimming with fanciful koi wrapping her twiggy body with artistic modesty
a translucent crystal bindi faintly illuminating her brow with prismatic colours
a mazarine pack broidered with iridescence
a silver torc
a twilight blue rose
the Flame of dae'Seren hanging from her wrist, its blossom held there by the silver chain wrapping her forearm
a yellow daffodil, painted brighter than most are, worn tucked behind a pointed ear.

"Thank you, My dear. We will speak again, Eldin." Maylea leans forward and plants a kiss on your forehead, then She turns in place on Her heels and fades from sight, leaving a lovely fragrance in the air.

Lief exhales again, feeling a new warmth upon her forehead that mingles with the lingering cool.

Glorious rays of morning light burst forth from Father Sun's crown as it peeks over the world's edge, announcing a bright and shining new dawn.

You whisper, "How I adore You, my Lady."

You flit about happily.