But you're forgetting one of the most important people that you need to keep them from hurting. You.

---> me editing some designs for the cartel

You sketch out the fine details of how the proposed item will look when examined closely.
You finish your sketching.

A golden firefly squid drags itself in.
Able to fit in the palm of a hand, this golden firefly squid toy squirms in random, spasmodic movements due to a clockwork mechanism hidden within. The top portion, smooth and long, carries two glittering, almost comically large eyes while a pair of lips have been stitched just below in a wide, happy smile. Below its body are dozens of writhing tentacles that flail about uselessly, the tips of each adorned with a tiny gem.
It weighs about 1 pounds and 14 ounce(s).
It bears the distinctive mark of Tikki.
It has the following aliases: squid.
A golden firefly squid flails about helplessly.
A golden firefly squid scuttles away.

You submit your design for review on behalf of the cartel. This design is the cartel's unique design and may be recalled for editing.

You portal to the Aetherplex Chamber.
------- v6831 -------

You portal to The Vivid Daydream.

The Daydream Commons.
The first sounds that reach you as you enter the common room of The Vivid Daydream are the sounds of a crackling fire and faint but soothing music. Nestled off in the western corner of the room sits a stone-wrought hearth where a continuously dim lit fire burns within the fireplace, the flames shifting through a myriad of hues as they dance across wood that never quite seems to burn away. The room, no matter the season outside, always seems to stay a comfortable temperature despite the ever present fire and always houses a relaxing scent, like that of a spring meadow. On the opposite end of the room, built into the hardwood floor, sits a clean and tidy counter like one could see in many an inn or tavern. Further behind the counter hangs the door to the kitchen. A painting of an iridescent white cat is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. Perpetually ticking away the hours, the Aeonian Clock of Victory's Closure stands proudly nearby. Tikki with a Blank face stands here, his presence perfuming the air with the warm scent of mouth-watering confections. He wields a Silver Spoon in his left hand. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system.
You see exits leading north (open door), east (open door), and out (open door).

You hug Tikki as best as you can, pulling them into a tight embrace.

Tikki hums a happy tune.

---> look tikki

Tikki is here, taking in the scenery. He is a bouncing furrikin sugar-dusted demigod and stands about two and a half feet tall. His soft, husky body is covered in silky sable and cream fur, including a 'mask' of sable fur around his eyes. His creamy ears flick to and fro, interrupting the major exception to his colouration: his shoulder length locks have been dyed vibrant orange and pulled into a ponytail. His snout ends in a pink nose, and his somewhat longer than average torso gives him a musteline appearance. He looks to have some bundled up energy as he can occasionally be found fidgeting with his bounteous and fluffy tail. His deep brown eyes are often trailing around the scenery, trying to take in every detail they can.
He is wearing:
a sensuous pink tongue stud
a delicate silk choker of sun kissed clouds
a Pendant of Harmonic Perfection
a scrumptious suit with candy coloured coattails with a blue lollipop worn in the lapel
Beryl Wings of the Cracked Sun
a mark of Crumkane pinned to the left breast of his suit coat
candied prayer beads of the Lord Epicurean wound about the left wrist
a violet gladiolus tucked behind his right ear.

A wry smile spreads across your face.

Tikki hugs you compassionately.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Hi hello."

Tikki says, "Howdy hi!"

With a sigh, you say, "We keep accidentally missing eachothers, don't we?"

Tikki says, "We dooo, ships passing in the night. My excuse -was- work on my tapestry for Beauty, buuut that's submitted now soooo."
Tikki giggles happily.

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.
You pat Tikki in a friendly manner.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Am sure it's gonna be greats, Tikki."
With a slight laugh, you say, "I still gotta make mines."

Tikki says, "I hope so, I've been very nervous about it. I'm eager to see yours too! I'm certain it'll be gorgeous."

Dryly, you say, "Well, less gorgeous and more tasty."

Tikki says, "Tasty things can be gorgeous too!"

A wry smile spreads across your face.
You nod your head sagely.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "So how have you beens besides the beauty stuffs? Or did it take all of your brain time?"

Tikki says, "It took up most all of my time yep yep! I poured alllllll of my creative energy into it, but it did give me ideas for some things to do next!"

You nod your head slowly in understanding.

Tikki says, "It was nice getting to see you and Velcora at the Gala by the way. All my teasing you aside, you really do make a wonderful couple, I'm quite happy for the both of you."

You think to yourself: **....relieving, to be here. always nice. just neutral... ground. nothing that makes your brain think too strongly one way or the other, just.... homey...**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi blinks, before blushing. "Ah? Oh, yeah, I love her a whole lots. She was so pretty..."
You sigh contentedly.

Tikki giggles and playfully bats at your hand. "Don't sell yourself short either dear. You looked wonderful as well!"

You blink.

You have emoted: Cheliyi laughs and pulls away her hand, posing dramatically. "Are you sures? I was very watery, yes. She was all bright and oranges, yes. Striking."
The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.

You think to yourself: I hope she wakes soon...

Tikki asks, "Is there anything more beautiful than the vibrant orange of a sunset upon the ocean's waves?"

You blink.
You stare blankly at Tikki.

Tikki says, "Whaaat? I -am- a bard. I'm allowed my poetic whimsy from time to time!~."

You think to yourself: **slowly, processing the question... she is like a sunset, isn't she? warm and caring, and gone too soon...**.

You blush furiously.
Staring off at nothing, you say, "Yeah no, are... uh. Rights."
You fidget impatiently.

Tikki says, "There is, one thing that shares that beauty though, come to think."

You tilt your head curiously at Tikki.

Tikki taps his nose and winks. "A sun -rise-."

You stare implacably at Tikki.
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "... yeah okay I don't get that ones."

Tikki says, "I can tell you're antsy for her to wake up. A sunset may be a parting, but there's always a sunrise that follows."

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "... oh."

Tikki says, "Trust me, I'm often like that with Luce. Always eager to see him again on every parting."

You have emoted: Cheliyi looks like a child caught with their hand in a cookie jar, and she glances askance to the side. "Ah, I just hope she doesn't think I'm like.... demandings, no. Am just happy to see her when I can."

Tikki says, "Ahhh, you and I are alike in that regard too. Well, if she's anything like my Luce, she knows. And she's just as happy for the chances to see you as well."

You have emoted: Cheliyi smiles sheepishly, though she does look reassured. Another small silence follows, and the mugwump suddenly frowns. "Ah, did you... happen to see my Dad's proposal?"

Tikki says, "I did! It was quite cute though...It seems I'm more out of the loop these last few weaves than I had thought."
The Mantle of Starlight flows gently against your form, twinkling stars shifting across its surface as the starry infinity continues its eternal motion.

You think to yourself: **you missed it. you feel like you should feel bad. you... -do- feel bad. but also strangely relieved that you didn't have to watch it. wait, have to? no, no, it's a good thing, not a burden. a swell of mixed, uncomfortable feelings that are wearily swept away.**.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Ah, well..."
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Am glad it was cute."
Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, you say, "Miss Cali and my Dad are happy togethers."
You nod your head sagely.

Tikki takes your hand gently in a paw. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'm happy to listen. I can understand the mixed feeling of 'Ewwwww, dad being smoochie' and 'I missed something big and important'. It's okay to feel."

You glance askance at Tikki.
Slowly, you say, "My feelings, I know they are not kind or rational. So, I will be responsible, and keep them from hurting anybody else."

Tikki says, "But you're forgetting one of the most important people that you need to keep them from hurting."
Tikki says, "Yourself."

Almost as if assuring herself, you say, "Cali and Dad are happy, and Cali is really nice. They're family. Mister Dad isn't so happy, but I'm helping him anyways and making sure they both don't hurt as much. I... am doing my best."
You glance askance.
Quietly, you say, "I don't want to hurt them with my thinks. It isn't -fair-. I won't do anything that could hurt either of my Dads, not when I can help it."
Quieter, you say, "Even if they are not really... my "dads." They are my Dad, and my other Dad."

Tikki says, "I won't pressure you into talking, to me or to them. But I just want you to know that your feelings are valid. Just because your thoughts may not always make sense, just because they may not always be 'right', it doesn't make how you -feel- any less real."

You think to yourself: **a swell of irritable sorrow, you -will- get over this. don't focus on it. they can hear you, you're being -rude-**.

You murmur softly to yourself.
You sigh quietly, frills drooping as your tail sags.

Tikki says, "You're not being rude. Don't make me fight you with tickles and hugs."
Tikki wiggles his fingers threateningly.

You have emoted: Cheliyi gently squeezes Tikki's paw. She doesn't say anything for a really long time, though she does crack a smile.

Tikki says, "Cus I will. I'm small and wily but also easily whapped with a shovel."

The glittering mist around Muginn burns away, the moaning visages of the damned slowly seeping back into his coat.

Barely audible, you whisper, "I just wanted to be a Regalis with both of my Dads. I want -both- of them."
You have emoted: Cheliyi squeezes her eyes shut, as if she were pained by the admission.

Tikki says, "There's nothing to be ashamed of. You love them both dearly."

Her voice almost creaking, you murmur, "I wanted them to be married, and for us to be -happy-, but it's not gonna happen ever. I'm not going to get both of them on my honors, I'm not gonna have a Celest names before I try to marry Velcora, and now I'm trying to keep-."

You have emoted: Cheliyi inhales shakily, screwing her expression into a grimace.

Tikki gently wraps his arms around you in the best hug that he can manage.

You think to yourself: **a single word, forming a nearly violent thought- FORTITUDE, breathe, let it wash over you but push through,**.

You have emoted: Cheliyi remains stiff and uncomfortable in the embrace, though her head does fall on Tikki's shoulder.

Tikki says, "Fortitude doesn't mean that you have to suffer. Even the strongest amongst us are allowed to cry or take a moment to let their feelings out. Even if a certain moth doesn't seem to think so."

You have emoted: Cheliyi seems to slump all at once from Tikki's words, as if a tree were taking permission to finally topple over from the weight of its branches. The mugwump sinks to the ground, shivering intermittently.

Heartbroken, you whisper, "Tridemon is falling apart and I am not enough to keep him togethers. I was never enough. I can't- I can't lose my Mister Dad Tikki, I -can't-. My heart is finally gonna shatters on the ground after all these years of people stomping on its. But I can't.... he just..."

You have emoted: Cheliyi hiccups, her tears streaming down her face and leaving behind frozen trails of sorrow. "And I can't even be mad at anyone abouts its, because they are -all- rights. Dad is happier with Cali because they and Tridemon were not goodly matching, and Tridemon is so sad and lonely because he relied on Gurashi, and I am trying to keep pushing both of them forwards but I can't tell either of them -anything- because I will never make them more sads than they are, no, I -can't do that to thems-".

Tikki manages to hold steady, despite his small stature he holds you firm. "Sweetheart...You -cannot- blame yourself. I know it's hard, I know it hurts. But it's not a matter of -you- not being enough. You're not the source or cause or catalyst."

Sobbing, you say, "But I have- I have to do -something-, even if it isn't enough..."

Tikki says, "It's okay to be there for them, to try and support them all as best as you can, Cheliyi. But there's a very hard lesson to learn. We can't fix people."

Tikki says, "People come and people go and times and places move on. Heart's grow and change. Wounds open and heal. And it hurts, and it's tiring, and it's -not- fair. Because so often all we can do is watch as the tides of fate push us endlessly along."

You have emoted: Cheliyi attempts to scrub the tears from her face with little success, still weeping quietly in Tikki's embrace. Her frills have all but wilted, twitching faintly as she listens even through her sorrow.

Tikki says, "But even still, we press on. You know as well as I do that no matter what, your dads love you. They've both cherished every moment with you. You've left their lives better for your presence. You've touched their hearts in a way nothing, not even time or the Gods themselves could ever replace or erase."

You think to yourself: **a swelling ache rising and falling in your chest, squeezing your voice closed, gods this hurts more than you could describe, but your heart feels like it just may burst, you know that, you -know- they love you, but sometimes-**.

Tikki says, "Even as time stretches onward into the infinite, nothing will -ever- take the times you've all shared together from you. It's okay, let it all out. Cry, scream, rage as you wish. I would never dream to judge you. This place will always be here for you, for you to feel safe and free to just -be-."

Strained, you say, "But he just- -leaves-. Runs away and hides from me and locks the door where I can't find him, when that's more terrifying than anything because-" the mugwump chokes on her words, shaking violently at this point, "what if I -don't- find him the next time? What if I find his shards left behinds? He's thought about it before, when it was the worst, and if I found him I-."
You begin to weep uncontrollably.

Hiding her face, you say, "I'm sorry I'm sorry these are -big feelies- and- you don't need to-."
You have emoted: Cheliyi inhales sharply, before choking out a cough.

Tikki shakes his head softly and gently pets your own. "Shhh, it's okay. I know. It's a frightening thought. I dearly, dearly hope that day never comes. I hope that Tridemon finds the peace he needs to carry on."
Tikki says, "But if, Gods forbid, it ever does. You live on for him. You carry his memory onward. You tell people of the wonderful man he was. Because as long as there are memories, none of us are truly, ever gone."

Weakly, you say, "But I can't lose him, I can't lose them.... I just -found- them... I don't WANT him to just be a memory!"

You think to yourself: **you just found them you can't lose them, you were supposed to have so much longer, weren't you? because that's what family -does-, that's how it's supposed to be, right?**.

Tikki says, "I know dear, I know. I can't say I'd feel any different if I were in the same situation."
Tikki says, "I wish I knew all the answers, or all the ways to make these things feel better."
Tikki says, "Sometimes, things just can't feel better. Not at first, not for a long time sometimes."
Tikki says, "But it's okay to feel."

Weary, you murmur, "I just want my Dad."
Wearily, you say, "And Gods forbids I say anythings to Gurashi. They'll think I blame -them- or somethings, and it will be another reason or way for people to try and hurt their heart."
You have emoted: Cheliyi finally pulls away from Tikki's embrace, setting her head between her knees.

Tikki gently squeezes you and nods slowly as he lets go from the hug. "You're very strong for pushing through all of this. And I wish I could do better for you, but know that Luce and I both are here for you."

Weary, you say, "Strongness doesn't get me my Dad backs."
You have emoted: Cheliyi grimaces, shutting her eyes. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled fors."

Tikki says, "No, you're fine. Don't apologize."
Tikki says, "You're tired and hurt, I don't take any offense."

You have emoted: Cheliyi takes Tikki's paw, gently squeezing it. "... thank you for listening. I just... I hope that I can manage to have a good relationships with Miss Cali. I do not blame her in any way for this. I'm glad she's happy too. But I cannot bring myself to... call her Mom, or Aunt. She is just... Cali. Is terrible of me."

Tikki says, "No, it's not terrible of you at all."
Tikki says, "You haven't had the time for her to become that. It takes more than just a wedding band."

You sigh quietly, frills drooping as your tail sags.

Tikki says, "But knowing that, do at least give her the chance. There's room in your heart, I know there is. She'd never try to be a replacement for Tridemon. Only to be herself."

It is now the 17th of Shanthin, 598 years after the Coming of Estarra.

You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.
You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.
The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.

Tikki says, "There's a saying that I find often holds true."
Tikki says, "This too shall pass."

You have emoted: For a moment, Cheliyi almost looks on the verge of tears, but it seems they're finally spent, as she simply sighs. "This too shall pass. Mm."

Tikki says, "The roads we walk are rarely easy, and always winding. But we don't walk them alone. I love you very muchly, Cheliyi."

You have emoted: Cheliyi returns her bleary gaze to Tikki's own, and though her smile is exhausted, it is true. "I love you very muchly too, Tikki. And uh, I decided on Sibling. It just sounds nicer."
A wry smile spreads across your face.
You give Tikki a peck on the cheek.

Tikki giggles happily.
Tikki says, "That's perfectly okay with me then, sis."

You chuckle softly, your frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.

Tikki says, "If you're tired, you're more than welcome to rest here. I promise I'll actually get bedrooms set up once I, y'know. Can afford it."
Tikki coughs softly.

You have emoted: Cheliyi sighs quietly, wiping down her face. The tear tracks slowly fade into mist, pooling in the mugwump's hand to be deposited in her amphora. "Well, let's hope you win Beauties, yes?"

You grin mischievously at Tikki.

Tikki says, "On the one paw, sure, on the other paw..."
Tikki thinks to himself: *soft internal screaming*.
Tikki giggles happily.