A Tall Order: A Task for the Shofets

A shifting, living poppy of indigo petals displays a myriad of brilliant colours before its petals are set ablaze adapting to a fiery ruby colour in the blink of an eye.

Brushed by a passing wing, you turn to watch Ferne circle slowly around you, making note of your every detail.

Ferne nods.

Humble Ferne says, "Certified spooky."

Cheliyi grins mischievously at Esei.

With a little grin, you say, "If I could still make my eyes look like the Shofets's maybe."

Cheliyi hums softly, her mauve frills vibrating with song.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks very hard several times. "But, cannot..."

Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says, "I do not think I have actually seen Lord My Sir Eye..."

Your vision dims as some vast, unfathomable mind brushes yours, stars spinning madly in the depths of some great void as a voice murmurs, "Walk ever with My grace, little one, and know that the Light shines in a paradigm just as darkness falls in another."

Cheliyi blinks.

Staring up at Gurashi, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond asks, "Um. Dad? Did you touch the weirdly poppy again?"

Cheliyi creases her brow in a frown.

You nod your head at Cheliyi.

Bright and clear, you say to Cheliyi, "I was trying to see if had any new news, but They are very busy right now yes yes."

You beam broadly at Cheliyi.

Bright and clear, you say, "Also ... They are an OWL."

Cheliyi visibly relaxes. "Okay. That is... actually a little spooky."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly steps back, spreading their arms as if they were wings. "But...BIG!"

Cheliyi hums softly, her mauve frills vibrating with song.

"Eek!" Ferne shouts in fright.

Ferne smiles brightly and lets out a playful, happy giggle

Your shoulders bunch as you let out a short giggle.

Esei is enveloped in translucent fire for a moment and is gone, their soul safe until they returns to Lusternia.

Humble Ferne says, "Not very talkative..."

Cheliyi tilts her head curiously at Ferne.

Excitement spilling out with every word, you say, "Yeah! Like... SUPER tall, half of a building even? And Their feathers are all -black- and -gold- but also -many- colors, and when They arrived, if you touched His shell, then your -colors- would get gray. It was so -beautiful-!"

You face lights up as you smile brightly at Ferne.

The body of Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk appears in a flash and their soul descends to fill it, causing the previously expressionless face to fill with emotion.

Laughing, you say to Ferne, "Think their soul might be having troubles!"

Bright and clear, you say, "Ah!"

Esei stares blankly into space.

You bunch your shoulders as you giggle softly at Esei.

Esei raises a slender brow at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi lowers their arms, wrapping them across their chest as they sway, calming down.

Bright and clear, you say to Esei, "Nothing, nothing."

Bright and clear, you say to Esei, "Welcome back!"

Humble Ferne says, "I'm all too familiar with the soul issues."

Ferne grumbles a bit.

<--pet ambients

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow, "Stop screaming."

... a powerful joyous pulse of psionic energy, exuding joy before retreating again, fading with the light ...

A wry smile spreads across Cheliyi's face.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says, "He cannot help it, no. The ghosties are stuck in his feathers."

Ferne flits back over to a fragrant lute of hardwood maple and attempts to play it, even while tiny.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow clicks his beak and tosses his head.

A wry smile spreads across Cheliyi's face.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks over towards Ferne, smiling. "Oh! How attuned are you to it?" They ask quietly, stepping closer. "Once you are fully attuned, or once it has an enchantment on it, when you wield it and change shapes, it will change WITH you, yeah yeah." They wink, watching. "...still are pretty good though. Heckity."

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

Bizirik, the leothin sniffs Esei, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from them is.

Bizirik, the leothin sniffs Cheliyi, trying to decipher just what that smell emanating from her is.

Shadowy feathers slither across the floor and through the air, rising like a coiling, serpentine mass. Solidifying, the owlish face of Mysrai emerges from within as His head swivels unnaturally to face you.

You blink.

You blink.

Bright coastline along the Inner Sea.
A strong gale has developed here. Birds splash about in the water and rest in groups along the sands, scattering at any sudden movement with indignant caws. Sitting at the edge of the water, little fish can be seen swimming near the shallows, silvery lines in the water. A conch shell seems to be moving about on its own, until crabby legs reveal the crustacean hermit residing within it. Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow perches here, eyeing the area suspiciously. A slender leothin sits here motionless, brightening its surroundings with its natural golden bio-luminescence. Ferne flaps her wings quickly, hovering in the air here. The air about Him crackling with saffron hieroglyphs, Mysrai, the Thief of Hidden Apogees gazes dispassionately at His surroundings as though seeing through them. Cheliyi frowns deeply, lines creasing her forehead. She wields a wyrden shield emblazoned with the snow-covered Master Ravenwood in her right hand. Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk floats here, suffusing the air with the sickly-sweet scent of blackthorn blossoms. They wield a dark, curved silver athame in their right hand.
You see exits leading north, northeast, south, and northwest.

Bright and clear, you say, "...oh!"

(clan): You say, "HEY."
(clan): You say, "LOOK WHO IT IS."

LOOK @ OWL
The air holds its breath surrounding the gargantuan feathered form of this enormous creature, aetheric energies sparking in hieroglyphs of saffron colour that guarantee He is a radiant immortal. Covering Him from head to claw is a vast field of inky black feathers, dusted along their tips with saffron dust that shimmers in light like the distant abyss of space as they cast shapes and flowing rivers before being cast into entirely new patterns with His movement. Two enormous wings are folded at His sides in place of arms, falling down to the ground before spilling out and behind Him like the train of a dress. Golden claws can be seen extending from His leathery grey, avian feet, spreading out further hieroglyphs along the surface of what it is He walks upon like oil spilling over water. Towering upwards to twelve feet in height, His head is rounded and His face distinctly owl-shaped, a viciously curved gold beak protruding from the bottom of a central ridge splitting His face in half. Wide and unblinking, His eyes are little more than voidstruck pools of absolute darkness that shimmer with swiftly-changing saffron constellations in unfathomable patterns.
He is wearing:
a swirling crown of saffron hieroglyphs, distorting both time and space around His head;
an intricate poppy petal ring placed onto one of His talons.

You hands fly to your mouth as you give a short gasp of elation.

You grab protectively at Cheliyi.

You point accusingly at Mysrai.
You point accusingly at Mysrai.
You point accusingly at Mysrai.

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily at Mysrai.

Esei blinks slowly.

(Trasto): Esei says, "Why is the big owl here."

You think to yourself: * a sudden excited burst of color *.

His oddly echoing voice pulsing in a deep baritone that resounds in your chest, Mysrai, the Thief of Hidden Apogees says, "Gurashi. Emit psionic energy."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly gasps, then BOWS before Mysrai, hands over their heart. "Shofets! Most Beloved!!"

You give a horrified gasp.

You have emoted: Gurashi scrunches up their face in concentration.

... a nervous thrum - a rising chorus of color and light that makes the air sparkle and hum before fading, throbbing ...

Sparks of vibrant energy spring up around you as Mysrai clicks His beak together several times, turning His head to an impossible angle in what could easily be either disappointment or humour.

You have emoted: Gurashi peeks.

You stare at Mysrai, eyes wide.

Ferne blinks.
Ferne blinks.

Bright and clear, you whisper to Ferne, "L-look! My Shofets - the Thiefs! The Most Beloved...! The One was telling you about!"

Utterly entranced, Ferne emits a long "Ooooh."

You have emoted: Gurashi practically vibrates with excitement, looking at Cheliyi next. "I told you He was big," They whisper quickly before returning their full attention to Mysrai.

Humble Ferne says, "Enormous."

Bright and clear, you say to Mysrai, "M-Most Beloved what can I do for You! Hi! Good evening!"

Mysrai's head swivels left, and then right, His unblinking eyes sparkling with saffron in their voidstruck abyss. "Disappointing. This is not what was necessitated." Considering for a moment, He leans down and straightens a plume that you could not even see was astray in one of His great wings; lifting the appendage so that it might briefly block much of the sky. "You live within the City of Light now, and as such have dealings with the Empyreal, yes?"

You blink.

Cheliyi stares blankly into space.

... the energy swells, then dampens, lingering like an apricot-hued haze upon the beach ...

Wide-eyed, you say to Mysrai, "I - yes? I can offer to Her! And... am friends with many of Her followers and stuffs?"

You think to yourself: * a wash of colors, mixed up and buzzing and excited, so excited -nervous- - an intense desire to please, do -good- yes *.

Very, very softly, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says, "Um. Hello."

(clan): Esei says, "Would it be a bad time to give my cat to gurashi."
(clan): You say, "Th-this might not be the time to give tsillah to gurashi."

Mysrai seems to grow even more massive as He awaits an answer, stretching ever skyward as though He is filling the empty space present within the sky; His face still staring towards you with unblinking eyes. "Unless Her arts have been neutered since the War, I believe She may prove useful."

(clan): Esei says, "Ok to cheliyi she goes."

Esei gives a cat of black ink to Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond.

Slowly, Mysrai's head swivels as though being turned upon its spine by a machine within, spinning unnaturally to face Cheliyi, where He stares quietly.

(clan): Esei says, "Fuck."
(clan): You say, "LOL."

Cheliyi waves hesitantly, her frilled tail lashing back and forth with quiet agitation.

You have emoted: Gurashi blinks owlishly. "...She is still a ... Healer." They comment thoughtfully, stepping closer so they may speak a little softer over the winds. "Useful? Is somethings happening, Most Beloved?"

You have emoted: Gurashi follows Mysrai's gaze over to Cheliyi, blinking twice.

Shifting her weight back and forth, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says, "Nicely to meet You in person, Lord Shofets."

Offering no succor to the tense pressure which fills the air, Mysrai's head turns the rest of the way around, completing a full circle before once more facing you. Rising now upon a serpentine neck which extends, His head snakes down until it is directly before you, looking you over with one eye that is almost as large as you. "Do you not know who among Mine might require such services, Beloved?"

You think to yourself: * suddenly picturing the enormous tae'dae's face, their mismatched eyes filled with disappointment at their inability to hear the poppies ... *.

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes widen, and they suddenly gasp, stepping even closer, mere inches from the massive Divine's gigantic face. "Oh! Do you think She would...?"

(clan): Lorina (from the Aetherways) says, "Yall are RPing too close to my sea."
(clan): Lorina (from the Aetherways) says, "If I find even ONE RP in my waves..."

Almost too quick to see, Mysrai lashes out in a streak of black feathers. Beak snapping finally, He consumes a black and white seagull as though it were little more than a crumb of bread, the shrieking annoyance vanishing before it can further nuisance.

Ferne blinks.

Cheliyi blinks.

With several beats of her wings, Ferne alights upon Cheliyi's shoulder.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow shuffles his feet uneasily.

Humble Ferne whispers to Cheliyi, "I'm just gonna... sit with you, I think."

Cheliyi hums softly, her mauve frills vibrating with song.

Bizirik, the leothin lets out a bark at seagull as it is swallowed up whole, giving Mysrai an almost envious stare before sitting and snuffling.

Bizirik, the leothin narrows her eyes at a black and white seagull in an unnerving manner.

Cheliyi nods her head at Ferne.

Esei opens their mouth, closes it, and then slowly moves to stand next to Cheliyi.

Tilting her head curiously, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says to Mysrai, "Lord Shofets, can I ask you a question?"

Turning His head back towards you, Mysrai simply states, "Her Will is fickle, and She is known to Choose. Incorrectly, perhaps, but forcefully. You may wish to convince Her of the worth." A translucent eyelid blinks over the enormous eye which nearly dwarfs you, horizontally meeting before withdrawing once more and leaving His eye to stare. "You are capable of this task?" Though it is a question, there is no sense of it in the statement.

Without moving His head, Mysrai, the Thief of Hidden Apogees says, "You may."

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

Nodding slowly, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond asks Mysrai, "Do You have a favorite food?"

(clan): Cheliyi says, "Ncfsncjksnjncjksd."
(clan): You say, "I love you."
(clan): You say, "You are my daughter thru and thru."

Esei buries their face in both hands.

The corners of Ferne's mouth turn up as she grins mischievously.

You have emoted: Gurashi gazes back at Mysrai, their hands clasped together before their chin, trembling from head to toe in excitement. "I absolutely would - I would do anything for them!" They exclaim, starting to say more before they hear Cheliyi's question piped up behind them, mouth stuck in an 'o' of surprise.

Leaning back and forth, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says, "Because if so, I would like to make some for You. If that's okay."

There is a strange cadence in Mysrai's voice as He answers, the deep rumbling in your chest that is His echoing baritone carrying with it a sense of primal danger and fear as He turns His head in a spiralling curlicue to face Cheliyi. "Do you truly wish to know, morsel?"

Cheliyi pauses, and frowns to herself. "Well, I would like to know, yes. Although, if the answer is me, that would be uncomfortable, yes. I do not know if I can cook myself."

You have emoted: Gurashi watches Cheliyi and the Divine speak, though they do not seem worried, merely curious, their head canted to the side.

You think to yourself: ... has never had mine-child for snacks, think? Hope would not be mine-child.

You think to yourself: Oh -boy-.

His oddly echoing voice pulsing in a deep baritone that resounds in your chest, Mysrai, the Thief of Hidden Apogees says, "Culmination. Climax. Transcendence."

You think to yourself: * an equally curious and nervous thrum * ... Urchins likes sweets ...

Cheliyi hums softly, her mauve frills vibrating with song.

You think to yourself: ... * imagining each of the words stacked together upon a kabob *.

You have emoted: Gurashi's eyes glaze over, momentarily losing focus before returning wholly to the conversation.

Cheliyi squints, and nods. "Thank You for answering, yes! And not eating me."

You gaze softens as you smile at Cheliyi.

You look at Mysrai hopefully.

His oddly echoing voice pulsing in a deep baritone that resounds in your chest, Mysrai, the Thief of Hidden Apogees says, "Yet."

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

Cheliyi nods her head sagely.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says, "Yet."

Bright and clear, you say, "Yet!"

You beam broadly.

(clan): Esei says, "Gurashi no lol."

Mysrai turns His head back once more to you, His eyes glittering with all the ancient, alien intelligence that His form suggests. "Do this for them, Beloved, but act as though you were doing such for Me. This is My Will."

Standing up tall and straight, you say to Mysrai, "Ah! Oh! But - I-I will ask Her, yes? See if She will help? Beloved Aschwar, I mean?? Oh! O-O-K!"

You nod your head emphatically.

Bowing at the waist, you say, "As You wish, yes, Most Beloveds."

You beam broadly at Mysrai.

Cheliyi blinks and follows your lead, bowing to Mysrai. She's careful to keep Ferne upright.

Mysrai's head slowly withdraws back into His body, and He looms upward for a moment, turning to stare at the Inner Sea before simply stating. "If you cannot convince Her, then perhaps it cannot be done."

You tilt your head, gaze softening as you frown.

Bright and clear, you say, "... ah! I will not give up!"

Cheliyi hums softly, her mauve frills vibrating with song.

One moment, Mysrai is before you, and the next He is gone; all that is left to mark his place the presence of a single, inky black feather which slowly melts into the shadows of night.

Hopping from foot to foot, you say, "We will find a way, yes! She is goodly, and the cause is goodly, and..."

Bright and clear, you say, "...ah..."

Esei shifts their eyes suspiciously from side to side.

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches out to grasp after the feather, but it is gone before they are able, leaving them perplexed.

Cheliyi hums softly, her mauve frills vibrating with song.

Esei gently touches a hand to Cheliyi's shoulder, as if to assure the mugwump is still alive.

Cheliyi tilts her head curiously at Esei.

Ferne blinks.

... the energy slowly fades, the beach slowly returning to its normal hues, the sound of the ocean waves once again returning ...

Inhaling slowly, you say, "... oh."

Bright and clear, you say, "Oh!"

You flail about helplessly.

Trembling, you say, "Oh! That was -exciting- and -unexpected- uh."

You see the following people here:
Ferne, Esei, Cheliyi, Gurashi.

You have emoted: Gurashi turns to look at the others, quickly jogging over. "Are you O-K?"

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Tsillah."

Ferne nods her head affirmatively.

Esei gives Cheliyi a half-pleading look.

Cheliyi gives a cat of black ink to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk.

Cheliyi stares blankly into space.

Esei pets a cat of black ink ingratiatingly.

Esei shivers violently.

Hand over their heart, you say, "W-well then! I guess I have some big thinkies to do! And a prayer to work on, huh!"

You throw back your head as you let loose a delighted laugh.

To no one at all, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond murmurs, "If I do not know His favorite flavor... how is it supposed to be goodly enough?"

You ponder the situation.

Cheliyi hums softly, her mauve frills vibrating with song.

The rowdy notes of a drinking song, faint at first, then rising to the undisputed intensity of a Dwarf On A Mission, herald the arrival of Ironbeard the Magnanimous who casts his beam of a smile about himself as he arrives.
Bowing deeply, and a bit unstably, Ironbeard the Magnanimous pronounces his blessing, "A gift for Esei. Oh yes!"

Esei stares blankly into space.

(clan): You say, "This day."

With a sudden look of concentration, Ironbeard the Magnanimous smiles a crooked smile, rubs his ample stomach, and fades to nothingness, followed by the sound of a distant belch.

Cheliyi blinks.

Cheliyi openly laughs, her frills resonating with joy as the occasional squeak escapes her.

Cheliyi shakes out her frills, the pensive look drifting away.

Esei quickly unwraps a divinely wrapped present, which sprays glittering silver dust and cheerful confetti into the air, and grins enormously upon receiving 324 Bound Credits.

Esei stares blankly into space.

Cheliyi stares blankly into space.

Esei peers about themself unscrupulously.

Cheliyi cheers wildly!

You stare at Esei, eyes wide.

You clap your hands together merrily.

Ferne blinks.

Bright and clear, you say, "...that is a nice present."

Ferne nods her head in agreement.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly bursts into laughter, covering their face.

Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Mnn."

Exhaling loudly, you say, "O-K, O-K..."

You gaze softens as you smile at Esei.

Bright and clear, you ask Esei, "Are YOU O-K?"

With a bit more feeling, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says to you, "Mnnnnnnmm."

Bright and clear, you ask Esei, "...do you need a hug?"

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says to Esei, "... Would you like a hug?"

Cheliyi blinks.

You glance askance at Cheliyi.

Cheliyi chuckles softly, her frilled tail flicking idly with amusement.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says, "Or two."

You wink conspiratorially at Cheliyi.

Esei shakes their head.

Cheliyi nods her head sagely.

You have emoted: Gurashi folds their arms across their chest, squeezing their arms.

You glance askance.

Cheliyi hugs you with no small amount of effort, pulling you into a tight embrace.

Cheliyi pats you in a friendly manner.

Esei shivers violently.

Esei leans on Bizirik, the leothin seeking consolation.

You reach out, pulling Cheliyi into a tight embrace.

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily at Esei.

Bizirik, the leothin glares at the seagull as it caws and flies off, snorting.

Muginn, the ghost-feathered crow stares blankly into space.

Furrowing their brow, you say, "I ... ahhh, I should go home for a little bit! I think!"

Bright and clear, you say, "I have some thinking to do!"

Cheliyi nods her head at you.

Bright and clear, you say, "One does not go to another Divine unprepareds...!"
Bizirik, the leothin looks at you in confusion, not knowing who that person is.

You huff, puffing your cheeks.

Bright and clear, you say, "At least only have to talk to the One..."

Bizirik, the leothin grins smugly.

Esei curls their nose up and grimaces awfully.

Ferne nods her head emphatically.

Bright and clear, you say, "Oh! But, thank you for your companies! I am so glad to see you all."

Cheliyi nods her head emphatically.

You have emoted: Gurashi smiles fondly at Cheliyi, Ferne, and Esei in turn, bunching their shoulders.

Cheliyi hops up and presses a kiss to your forehead. "Be well, yes."

Bright and clear, you ask Cheliyi, "Am glad you got to see what meant - about the Shofets being tall, yeah?"

Ferne hugs you compassionately.

Cheliyi nods her head emphatically.

Like a gentle ripple in a crystalline pool, Devotee of the Tah'vrai, Cheliyi, the Pebble in the Pond says, "Very tall, yes."

You have emoted: Gurashi stands on their tiptoes and raises their arms overhead. "REal big!" They laugh, embracing Cheliyi, then Ferne.

Esei leans companionably against you for a beat before retreating.

Bizirik, the leothin chirps happily at Esei.

You give Esei a friendly squeeze.

Bright and clear, you say, "I love you all! Stay goodly, stay kind!"

<-- Away!