A lady in the night

19:14:50.465 With a loud yet playful whistle, a mechanical dirigible comes puttering in on currents of air, its metallic claw grasping a sketch of a duckling, which it quickly deposits in your hands.

19:14:54.898 You blink.

19:14:55.942 You give a trillingly melodic laugh, your frills resonating with joy.

19:15:00.023 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Slakened Arix Mes'ard, Novitiate of Purity, "Many thanks!"

19:15:01.242 A mechanical dirigible bobs up and down on the air currents before jets of steam erupt from several of its valves, then putters off.

19:15:03.967 Esei pats you in a friendly manner.

19:15:05.250 You display a sketch of a duckling for all in the room to see:
19:15:05.250 This duckling is predominantly white and grey, with softer, lighter under-feathers, and darker wings. In contrast, her head is a shin turquoise with dark eyes and a flat yellow beak designed for dreging underwater for food. Tiny, stalk-like legs of bright orange with three webbed toes support her on the ground or as she swims about within the pond.
19:15:05.250

19:15:05.848 Esei beckons you to them.

19:15:11.166 The water lilies that blanket the entire southern end of the shallow pond stir, as if something had moved underneath them and sent them into momentary disarray.

19:15:13.088 With a loud yet playful whistle, a mechanical dirigible comes puttering in on currents of air, its metallic claw grasping a sketch of a duckling, which it quickly deposits in Esei's hands.

19:15:16.818 You blink.

19:15:21.411 Esei pauses, narrowing at the water.

19:15:23.908 A mechanical dirigible bobs up and down on the air currents before jets of steam erupt from several of its valves, then putters off.

19:15:36.576 You have emoted: Cheliyi glances over at the water curiously.

19:15:57.624 The water ripples, sending the white ducks paddling away in a hurry and with not a small amount of noise.

19:16:19.826 Softly, you say, "Eh... something under the pond?"

19:16:24.498 Esei glances askance, edging away from the water.

19:16:36.516 You have emoted: Cheliyi conversely, gets closer to the edge with a curious hum.

19:17:07.207 A few bubbles reach the surface near where you stand.

19:17:11.547 You blink.

19:17:27.482 Esei murmurs softly to themself.

19:17:29.903 You have emoted: Cheliyi without a second thought sticks her head into the pond, trying to find the source of bubbles.

19:17:35.466 (OOC): Esei says, "Cheeeel no."

19:17:38.794 (ooc): You say, "DUMBASS BEHAVIOUR LMFAO."

19:17:47.221 (ooc): Esei says, "Watches her lose a hand to the ferocious duck."

19:18:10.088 You think to yourself: **not your brightest moment**.

19:18:10.608 As your eyes adjust you spot a face coming near... nearer... nearer still.

19:18:14.783 You blink.

19:18:24.813 Garbled by water, you ask, "Eh?"

19:18:55.113 In a low, sotto voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "...what is it."

19:19:06.992 You have emoted: Cheliyi continues to squint and lean further in, waving Esei away.

19:19:17.048 Esei mutters discontentedly.

19:19:30.156 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk, "A... face? Too murky, let me uh..."

19:19:43.710 Pale eyes and a sinister grin are coming towards you at a rapid pace, a terrifying face surrounding by what appears to be floating snakes...

19:20:03.562 You have emoted: Cheliyi yelps, popping out of the water with surprise.

19:20:08.019 Esei gives you the once-over, eyeing you suspiciously.

19:20:17.992 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "SNAKES AH UH."

19:20:18.314 Emerging abruptly enough to splash you with the waters, Calliope, the indulgent nereid raises from the pond right into your face and steadies herself against the edge. How she was able to remain underwater within the relatively shallow waters is unclear, but now that she has risen from within, most of her body is above water, tail splashing idly.

19:20:30.068 You stare blankly at Calliope, the indulgent nereid.

19:20:42.827 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "MISS CALLIOPE."

19:20:48.857 Esei slowly raises a brow.

19:20:51.821 As you look upon the nereid it becomes clear that the snakes were nothing more than her floating hair.

19:20:56.659 You stare blankly at Calliope, the indulgent nereid.

19:20:59.199 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Wh..."

19:21:02.749 Tossing her hair, Calliope, the indulgent nereid exclaims, "That's me!"

19:21:08.285 Quickly, you say, "Whyareyouinthepond."

19:21:40.523 In a playful imitation, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "Whyareyounot."

19:21:57.049 You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.

19:22:04.516 In a low, sotto voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I prefer to stay dry, myself."

19:22:14.083 You have emoted: Cheliyi seems rather stumped by the retort, pondering the question with total sincerity.

19:22:28.332 Slowly, you say, "... the ducks try to eat my frills?"

19:22:39.747 With a weak grin, you say, "They think it is pink algae."

19:22:42.051 Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk thinks to themself: Why not eat them right back, then?

19:22:45.926 You peer at Esei unscrupulously.

19:22:46.614 Calliope, the indulgent nereid leans against the edge of the pond, as if she were rising out of a pool, and splashes the rosetail fins of her tail idly. The ducks stay clear of her and the ripples she makes but she pays no attention to them.

19:22:54.885 You clear your throat.

19:23:20.729 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah, uh. Nice to see you, I guessly?"

19:23:21.458 Affecting boredom, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "You must not be terrifying enough if -ducks- of all things try to eat you."

19:23:30.307 You blink.

19:23:41.300 Philosophically, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "Eat a few, they will learn."

19:23:52.042 Esei hums thoughtfully.

19:24:03.198 With a sudden dry wit, you say, "I means, isn't it better if they don't fear yous, though? Easier to catch them."

19:24:04.524 Your eyes sparkle with amusement.

19:24:24.998 You wiggle your fingers threateningly.

19:24:36.705 You glance askance at Esei.

19:24:54.939 In a low, sotto voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Calliope, was it not...? Might I ask what brings you here?"

19:25:15.716 Rising to her feet, you say, "Besides, ah uh. Spooking me I guessly. And the ducks?"

19:25:23.095 Calliope, the indulgent nereid floats in the water for a spell, thinking it over, arms crossed and leaning against the edge. "Mmm," she manages, "I suppose, but whatever would one need ducks for?" She exhales in thought and turns her coral eyes to Esei. "Oh, right!"

19:25:51.536 Looking between you both, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "Do you happen to have one of those box things with levers?"

19:26:20.145 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "... a wizzerbox?"

19:26:35.628 Esei taps their chin, shaking their head subtly.

19:27:04.208 Pursing her lips, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "A wizard box?"

19:27:24.990 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Well, it is a box with a lever that spits out ah, uh. Sketch."

19:27:27.104 Enveloped in lush curls of fireweed crimson darkening to the finest wine, this nereid is a striking sight with her midnight skin glowing with an inner twilit radiance and pale eyes the colour of coral roses. The lower half of her body forms a luxurious piscine tail of iridescent midnight scales flaring into rosetail fins that cascade about her like the ruffled train of a decadent gown. Scarlet mingles with midnight blues upon her fins in equal measure, bewitching with a palette reminiscent of a crimson sunset sinking into twilight's embrace. Her purple lips are puckered into a pout, notes of a nocturne escaping them with every exhale, and her lidded eyes hunger for entertainment and new experiences to dispel her boredom.
19:27:27.104 Calliope, the indulgent nereid looks to be crushingly strong.

19:27:27.934 In a low, sotto voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "A wizzer box is capable of taking sketches, yes."

19:27:35.634 You nod your head at Esei.

19:27:47.279 Her coral eyes eager, Calliope, the indulgent nereid exclaims, "Yes! That!"

19:28:04.537 You purchase a wizzer image box (#178659) and it appears in your hands.

19:28:07.197 You pat a wizzer image box in a friendly manner.

19:28:11.499 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Well, I do now."

19:28:29.740 Slowly, you say, "Do you... want to take a sketch of somethings?"

19:28:35.481 Calliope, the indulgent nereid splashes the water with her tail and huffs as she explains, "I need it. And I don't want to ask -him- again, he'll tell me I -owe- him again. Always a trade, always teasing me."

19:28:52.916 You think to yourself: **slight unease, the same people that hurt Sister Sea, but...**.

19:29:07.203 Squinting, you say, "What for?"

19:29:28.253 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I won't make you trade me, as long as it isn't a thing that leads to a whole buncha murder."

19:29:47.258 You think to yourself: Wait a minutes.

19:30:27.965 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Wait. He. Do you mean the persons on the beach? That you kept flirting withs during the beach party?"

19:30:45.581 Calliope, the indulgent nereid lowers herself into the water a little and looks into her reflection in the murky pond. She poses this way and that, checking out her profile from the right, then from the left. She continued to pose vainly as she explains, "Oh you see, there is this Kalliope in Hallifax who claims to be more beautiful than me. Impossible right?" she asks as she pulls herself from her preening briefly.

19:31:06.639 (OOC): Esei says, "....oh my g od."
19:31:15.699 (OOC): You say, "I can't breathe holy shit."
19:31:26.869 (OOC): Esei says, "Are we fueling a rivalry right now."

19:31:28.978 Slapping the waters with her tail, irritated, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "That was -Oinone-. She is the flirt. But when she came back she told me some Kalliope was claiming to be the greatest star and clearly that is me. Right?"

19:32:04.941 Calliope, the indulgent nereid does not wait for a response and instead prattles on, "Well I need more sketches of myself. I have exhausted my supply of posters. I put them up in that crystal city of theirs, so they all know who is the most beautiful."

19:32:11.563 Slowly, you say, "Well, you have a very nice shiny tail yes. That is a thing Miss Kalliope does not have."

19:32:23.572 You think to yourself: Oh my -gods-.

19:32:56.269 Gathering her lush rosetail fins to herself, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "You think? Why yes, of course you do."

19:33:33.559 Mildly, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "I do suppose you remind me of a sunset."

19:33:37.927 As the sun passes below the horizon's edge, Mother Night unveils her terrible, shadowy beauty, spreading darkness across the land.

19:34:03.577 Calliope, the indulgent nereid continues to pose to her own reflection as she elaborates, "So you see, I need the box. I wanted to beseech Lady Drocilla to curse her with bad hair and boils but..." she pauses and huffs, then continues after a spell, "The Demagogue told me She would as like curse me for such a petty request and that I should help myself instead."

19:34:28.768 You have emoted: Cheliyi holds the wizzer box in her hands awkwardly, glancing at Esei as if to silently plead them for help in this interesting social situation. "... Well, I guess if it is just sketches to put up for posters."

19:34:42.115 Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.

19:34:50.921 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "That advice was probably wisely, yes."

19:35:08.077 Reaches out grabby hands, Calliope, the indulgent nereid exclaims, "Oh yes, box!"

19:35:41.129 Calliope, the indulgent nereid waves her hands urgently as she adds, "I do look particularly striking at sunset. I must hurry."

19:35:51.324 Leaning her head to one side, you say, "Besides, how else can you prove once and for all you are better if you do not beat Miss Kalliope at her best? Would be pointless to ah, uh... hurt the competitor. Then it is no useful contest at all, no?"

19:35:53.171 Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.

19:36:08.326 To herself, you murmur, "Do not make me regret this, please."

19:36:22.979 Begrudgingly, you give a sturdy leather-bound letterbox to Calliope, the indulgent nereid.

19:36:26.135 You cough softly.

19:36:32.524 Begrudgingly, you give a wizzer image box to Calliope, the indulgent nereid.

19:37:06.740 Calliope, the indulgent nereid eyes the letterbox curiously, damp hands almost curious enough to open it and peruse but when she is handed the wizzer image box, she abandons the attempt entirely.

19:37:21.346 Calliope, the indulgent nereid gives a sturdy leather-bound letterbox to you.

19:37:24.636 Wryly, you say, "Thank yous."

19:38:37.846 Calliope, the indulgent nereid takes hold of the wizzer image box into greedy hands and starts to pose at the edge of the pond. She lifts her hair up and looks over her shoulder, she pouts for the box, she flutters her eyelashes, she covers the bottom part of her face with her rosetail fins in an attempt at a mysterious look.

19:38:58.739 You ponder the situation.

19:39:33.172 You think to yourself: **for a moment, would it hurt to pull a prank on Miss Kalliope this once?**.

19:39:34.581 You grin mischievously at Esei.

19:39:42.373 Esei glances askance at you.

19:40:00.202 Echoed by rippling waters, you say to Calliope, the indulgent nereid, "Ah, uh. Do you want me to help with holding the camera so you can get a better angle?"

19:40:03.782 Every time she poses, Calliope, the indulgent nereid presses the buttons and pulls the levers at random, not really fully in charge of the operation and rather smashing things at random in hopes that they work. As the pieces of paper start sliding out of the box, you spot many of them are sketches that have been taken too close to the box, at odd angles, or with her fingers covering some of the box.

19:40:13.743 You wince in pain.

19:40:40.944 Calliope, the indulgent nereid gives a wizzer image box to you.

19:40:44.435 The hollow voice of Arix reverberates in your mind, "Did you bring one of the nereids here?"

19:40:47.857 Announced by the ambrosial aroma of confectionary wonders, Arix saunters leisurely in from the northeast amidst a flurry of sugar and spice.

19:40:50.535 Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Slakened Arix Mes'ard, Novitiate of Purity, "She just showed up!"

19:40:53.239 Cradling her paper treasures to her chest, Calliope, the indulgent nereid exclaims, "Aren't they magnificent?!"

19:41:07.838 Awkwardly, you say, "Ah... yes?"

19:41:32.256 You have emoted: Cheliyi looks to Esei for help once more.

19:41:39.082 Calliope, the indulgent nereid peruses each sketch with wonder in her coral eyes, regardless of how poorly she has taken them.

19:41:56.129 Awkwardly, you say, "As long as you are quite pleased with the results, yes?"

19:42:04.033 You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

19:42:10.527 Esei exhales slowly, allowing a long fluid breath to creep from their lungs.

19:42:54.403 You have emoted: Cheliyi , on impulse, raises the wizzer box to take a candid photo of Calliope, the indulgent nereid in this moment of self adoration, angling it just so that the remaining moonlight dazzles the pond surface.

19:43:11.836 You lift a wizzer image box up and pull the lever. It begins to make a series of clicking and whirring sounds as a light extends and emits a bright flash at Calliope, the indulgent nereid. A piece of paper floats from the front of the camera into your hands.

19:43:36.275 Slakened Arix Mes'ard, Novitiate of Purity says, "I didn't know there were local nereids, I've only seen the ones in that place with the trees that grow in the water."

19:43:41.125 Calliope, the indulgent nereid does not even notice the bright flash of light, so enamored she is with her own image.

19:43:54.392 Awkwardly, you say, "Here, you can have this one as well."

19:44:08.720 You give a sketch of Calliope, the indulgent nereid to Calliope, the indulgent nereid.

19:44:26.298 You have emoted: Cheliyi gingerly places the photo atop the rest, putting her wizzerbox away.

19:44:26.431 Looking a bit confused at the sketch, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "Not as good as the ones I took, but I suppose."

19:44:40.790 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ah, always good to have more."

19:44:51.805 The ambrosial fragrance in the air becomes stale once more as Arix strolls casually out to the northwest, a flurry of sugar and spice kicked up behind them.

19:44:54.024 You think to yourself: So she has at least -one- good photo.

19:45:23.706 You think to yourself: Though, the other ones aren't that bad? Eh, I am being too harsh. She seems happy.

19:45:42.517 Calliope, the indulgent nereid turns her eyes to Arix and tosses her hair before speaking. She manages to say, "Local-" before they depart and she sinks into the waters, only the top half of her face showing.

19:45:57.494 Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.

19:46:15.604 Esei mutters faintly, rubbing a gilded mirror with a sleeve.

19:46:19.489 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Mixter Arix is... new to Celest again!"

19:46:37.562 Half-heartedly diplomantic, you say, "Forgive thems for their uh. Ignorance, I guessly."

19:46:44.554 You cough softly.

19:47:21.394 Calliope, the indulgent nereid murmurs something underwater, evidences by the bubbles that come to the surface. She rises herself above again, less cross, and finishes, "Scarcely local, I serve the Lady Drocilla and with that come perks. Even if She is not particularly interested in me..." she trails off, saddened and exhales at her own terrible fate.

19:47:59.502 Hopeful, lips pouting, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "Maybe if I prove myself the most beautiful Calliope though, maybe then."

19:48:29.035 In a low, sotto voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Do you enjoy serving Her, if I might ask?"

19:48:47.003 Frowning, you say, "Well, I mean. That is okay. Sometimes They are very busy! I am sure the Divine in your life appreciate your worship, yesly. I know that my Lady at least, She could not always pay attentions. Is just that They have bigly responsibilites and all."

19:49:03.004 You nod your head at Esei.

19:49:55.243 You think to yourself: It makes sense that they would move to other divine, if they couldn't continue to worship the Lady of the Lagoons.

19:51:08.638 You think to yourself: But didn't Lady Li-varili hate Lady Drocilla?

19:51:23.637 You think to yourself: **uncomfortable, vague confusion.**.

19:52:13.697 Something that was absent from Calliope, the indulgent nereid's face before, blooms upon it with the question. It is determination and awe as she replies vehemently, "Yes! I could have served the Lady of the Lagoons but She was..." she pauses and an unease creeps into her gaze, "So I... I betrayed Her. And I brought what news I could to the Lady Drocilla and I think... I think I helped. I brought Her followers to Soriali when someone stole her voice, stole a piece of the Lady's song. And they knew, and they managed to counter it."

19:52:44.001 Esei hums thoughtfully.

19:52:51.019 Awkwardly, you say, "Right."

19:53:21.438 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I don't I was awake for those events, no."

19:54:12.840 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "But you were obviously helpful to Her, and you are still loyal and devoted. I know at least, in my Order, Devotion is a very good thing to have."

19:54:28.914 Sincerely, you say, "Am sure it is seen by Someone, your efforts."

19:54:55.125 Calliope, the indulgent nereid pouts petulantly and sinks into the waters very slowly again, only her eyes and wet hair showing. Finally, she rises only high enough to say, "I helped... I think, protect Her a little from the Curse. I think I helped, I did something when all the other nereids just fanned themselves and yawned."

19:55:10.002 You nod your head emphatically.

19:55:56.687 As if trying to convince herself, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "I am beautiful, the most beautiful, but I have other value too."

19:56:01.763 With stronger conviction, you say, "Again, a good thing. Apathy, it is not good to have, to simply sit by. You did what you could to help Her. I think, you should have more faith in yourself, yes. You sound like a goodly follower of the Enchantress."

19:56:24.274 (OOC): Esei says, "A nochtian, a lantran, and a drocillan nereid walk into a bar."

19:56:27.374 (OOC): Esei says, "Swim into a bar?"

19:56:30.930 Nodding to herself, proud, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "I am goodly, yes."

19:56:37.662 (OOC): Esei says, "Oh no it's spreading."

19:57:05.683 Esei exhales faintly out their nose.

19:57:09.197 Warmly, you say, "Yes! Well, uh. Goodly to Her, at least."

19:57:17.377 Calliope, the indulgent nereid tosses her hair, the moment of seriousness and vulnerability gone. "I need to paint these sketches now and display them before they catch me and try to make me file a permit."

19:57:30.478 Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "Preposterous right?"

19:57:34.905 With bored affectation, Calliope, the indulgent nereid inspects her nails idly.

19:57:43.383 Esei hums thoughtfully.

19:58:02.044 Vainly, Calliope, the indulgent nereid says, "Thank you, I am sure your box will never behold such a beautiful subject again."

19:58:05.758 Agreeing, you say, "Hallifax, it is known for it's paperworks..."

19:58:07.720 You clear your throat.

19:58:20.205 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "You are... welcome?"

19:58:28.609 Calliope, the indulgent nereid, vanishes into the waters with a splash.

19:58:42.827 You have emoted: Cheliyi lets out a massive exhale, flopping onto the ground.

19:58:45.807 Esei pats you in a friendly manner.

19:58:52.184 Wheezing, you say, "Ohmygods what just happened."

19:59:05.133 In a low, sotto voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "You were visited by a pretty lady in the middle of the night."

19:59:11.886 Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.

19:59:40.662 Esei blinks innocently.

20:00:41.738 Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Let's hope that does not happen more often, no."

20:00:56.183 In a low, sotto voice, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk whispers, "Not your wife?"

20:01:41.531 You grin mischievously at Esei.

20:01:57.576 Wryly, you say, "She can visit me during the day anytimes, yes."