"What will you say?"

Beneath glimmering veins of amethyst.
The cavernous floor comes to an enclosed space here as it narrows towards a delicate veil of shadows. Dim light filters in from outside, barely piercing the shadows that cling to the cavern walls. Dark stones covers the walls, and the walls are lined with veins of shimmering amethyst. The violet gems wind along the walls in circuitous patterns, reflecting what little light there is in the area. Billowing like a cloth in a gentle breeze, a veil of shadows covers a wall of the cavern here.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, and through a delicate veil of shadows.

You give a pained sigh.

You stare implacably at a delicate veil of shadows.

You reach out and gently brush your hand against a delicate veil of shadows. Your senses suddenly dull as you feel yourself pulled into the entrancing darkness. As your senses return, you find yourself beneath a beautiful night sky.
The Fulcrux of Nocht.
The image of a beautiful nighttime sky has been stretched across the fulcrux. Dim stars struggle futilely to compete with the terrifying beauty of Mother Night. The ethereal image wavers on occasion, the sky rippling like water in a pond. A lonely hill covered in tall grass leads up to a single shrine. Behind the shrine stands a large blackthorn tree. The tree is taller than most of its kind, extending upwards rather than outwards. Delicate blossoms shower down from its branches, creating a flurry of white petals and filling the air with the pungent scent of wyrden foliage. A complex series of stones orbit around a stygian orb here. A rippling image of a beautiful night sky has been magically wrapped around the fulcrux here. Partially hidden in the shadows, a formal pamphlet with a seven-pointed star has been lain aside here. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. An eye-catching creature cookie with bright gold and violet highlights sits on the ground. A sinister wyrden blossom brandishes its wickedly serrated petals. A crude wooden bowl filled with a creamy soup lies here, tendrils of steam rising gently from the surface. A tangled, colourful bracelet lies here, a reminder of Glomdoring. Like a beautiful mahogany replica of the real fruit, a platter of delicately sliced chocolate oranges sits forgotten on the ground. A dusk-hued letter lies here. A painting of an Ode to White has been thrown on the ground here. Augur Esei, of the Ascending Dusk is here. Nocht, the Silent stands here, completely obscured beneath a cloak as dark as the night.
You see a single exit leading through an image of the night sky.

Esei nods her head at Nocht.

You have emoted: Gurashi takes a step within the Fulcrux, then promptly stills, staying near to the veiled entrance with wide eyes.

Nocht allows His gaze to shift towards you, though He says nothing more.

The boughs of the large blackthorn moan loudly as they shake, sending a new shower of petals cascading across the fulcrux.

You think to yourself: ...oh.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks to Esei, then to Nocht, raising two hands in apology and offering a slow, silent half bow.

Nocht takes several steps forward, running an ashen-grey finger along a painting of an Ode to White. "Yours, little one?"

Esei nods her head at Nocht.

You think to yourself: Many apologies.

You stand before the wavering image of the night sky, your arms spread wide. In an instant, shadowy tendrils shoot out and wrap around as they forcibly drag you into the image. All fades to black before you are suddenly hurled into a dark cavern. <-- me leave

The Divine voice of Nocht, the Silent echoes in your head, "So quick to flee, little one?"

Beads of sweat break out on your face.

Light shifts and reflects from the surface of the crystalline walls.

You tell Nocht, the Silent, "... a-am not fleeing."

You tell Nocht, the Silent, "Was not realizing was interrupting."

You stare blankly into space.

[Suddenly, teleported]
The Fulcrux of Nocht.
The image of a beautiful nighttime sky has been stretched across the fulcrux. Dim stars struggle futilely to compete with the terrifying beauty of Mother Night. The ethereal image wavers on occasion, the sky rippling like water in a pond. A lonely hill covered in tall grass leads up to a single shrine. Behind the shrine stands a large blackthorn tree. The tree is taller than most of its kind, extending upwards rather than outwards. Delicate blossoms shower down from its branches, creating a flurry of white petals and filling the air with the pungent scent of wyrden foliage. A complex series of stones orbit around a stygian orb here. A rippling image of a beautiful night sky has been magically wrapped around the fulcrux here. Partially hidden in the shadows, a formal pamphlet with a seven-pointed star has been lain aside here. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. An eye-catching creature cookie with bright gold and violet highlights sits on the ground. A sinister wyrden blossom brandishes its wickedly serrated petals. A crude wooden bowl filled with a creamy soup lies here, tendrils of steam rising gently from the surface. A tangled, colourful bracelet lies here, a reminder of Glomdoring. Like a beautiful mahogany replica of the real fruit, a platter of delicately sliced chocolate oranges sits forgotten on the ground. A dusk-hued letter lies here. A painting of an Ode to White has been thrown on the ground here. Augur Esei, of the Ascending Dusk is here, shrouded. Nocht, the Silent stands here, completely obscured beneath a cloak as dark as the night.
You see a single exit leading through an image of the night sky.
You are transported by the power of the Divine.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "We were discussing flowers, little one."

Esei nods her head.

Nocht looks towards you. "Unless that's a topic you prefer to have with another...?"

You have emoted: Gurashi looks about himself in disbelief, hand still pressed to his chest as if to still his racing heart. He quickly looks back towards the Divine and His disciple, the clicking on his face the only sound he makes.

You stare implacably at Nocht.

You have emoted: Gurashi's hands clench, and finally he shakes his head twice, a look of resolve coming over him. He takes a hesitant step forward, quick to keep a hand on Bizirik lest it dart forward.

Nocht runs a finger along the outline of the petals on the painting. "They were strong, even before the world became harsh. They've even adapted to the Wyrd."

The pointed tips of Esei's ears twitch as she tries to listen closely to Nocht.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "What do you think of them, little ones?"

Esei ponders the situation.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "I am certain My meditations on flowers are not that interesting."

You have emoted: Gurashi raises his gaze from the painting, to Nocht Himself, to the Blackthorn towering above.

Augur Esei, of the Ascending Dusk says to Nocht, "I... personally find them beautiful, but strong. The tree itself represents protection, to me, due to its thorns. Somehow... reliable, though I can't explain why, exactly."

PAINTING IN QUESTION
The canvas is square and painted entirely in a dark, dusky hue. Atop
that rests a single blackthorn flower, its white stark against the
twilit background. Inspecting the image closer, one realizes that this
flower is not just one, but hundreds, if not thousands, of tiny
hand-painted blossoms, forming into one larger flower.

<Insert like 2 minute pause as I tried and failed to write an emote reply>

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Perhaps Gurashi is pondering other flowers..."

(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "HEY."

You blink.

The boughs of the large blackthorn moan loudly as they shake, sending a new shower of petals cascading across the fulcrux.

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly turns an almost impossible shade of red from head to shoulders. "N-no!" He finally speaks up, louder than intended, correcting his mistake by lowering his voice tenfold and offering a harsh, whispered "-no-".

Nocht turns to look up towards the tree, the air filling with some sound that could as easily be soft laughter as an exasperated sigh.

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Ah. We all have our trials, little ones. Even the Elders... as you can see."

You have emoted: Gurashi folds his arms uncomfortably over his chest, flustered. "...the flowers are ..." He starts.

You think to yourself: Did not come to ask about flowers ... heck, why can't think of what think of flowers.

Nocht, the Silent whispers to Esei, "I'm always watching. You have promise, My little one. In all these years I don't think I've had one among Mine who works through painting."

You have emoted: Gurashi starts to say something else, but ultimately falters, closing his mouth and returning to silence.

Esei stares briefly at Nocht before her ears turn pink and returning her gaze to her lap. "Thank you, Lord Nocht," she mumbles.

Nocht allowing His gaze to shift to you. "And even if not one of Mine, I am curious to see just where your gentle heart takes you, little one. Just as likely to be your undoing as anything else. Hm..."

Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Be well."

The surrounding shadows wane, falling back in despondent melancholy as the form of Nocht, the Silent dissolves into wisps of shadow.

You think to yourself: ...do not...

You think to yourself: But...

Esei stares blankly into space.

Esei stares blankly at you.

Esei opens her mouth as if to say something, but pauses.

You have emoted: Gurashi stares at the spot where the Silent One once stood, eyes wide in confusion, and concern.

Esei stands up, brushing herself off and clearing her throat. "That was... enlightening." She offers you awkwardly.

You think to yourself: ... is O-K to be the black paint.

You have emoted: Gurashi glances just as awkwardly back at Esei, somehow seeming even more confused.

You think to yourself: ...did not come here to talk about flowers...!

You think to yourself: Came to ask how to be less friend-shaped...!

Esei shrugs helplessly at you.

You have emoted: Gurashi looks back at the shrine, flexing and relaxing his hands, something dark overtaking his normally bright and fumbling features.

You think to yourself: Need to -make- them see.

<GOES HOME>

You portal to The Hoard and the Hive.
A chilling, forestal curiosities room.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. The first discernible sensation upon entering this room is a mixture of earthy smells; mulch, petrichor, decaying wood, and the heady scent of Wyrden roses saturate the air. As one's eyes adjust to the darkness, barely abated by shadowflame sconces hung on the walls, tall figures begin to emerge. Expansive shelves carved to look like tree trunks seem to grow out of the floor and reach clear to the ceiling. The moss-green rug has been cut to fit neatly between each root and around each curve, giving the illusion of springy turf underfoot. Gently glowing fungi, which seem to be growing out of the shelves at random, make it just possible to see their contents. On one shelf, a scorched dragonturtle shell and a dried starfish sit beside a glistening glasswork recreation of a pile of salmon roe. On another, a pair of arrows with heart-shaped heads are arranged with one crossed over the other, and a scented love-letter lies on top of them. Other shelves are crammed with an increasingly peculiar assortment of knickknacks: an ice pick, a tiny red stone, a dusty brown bottle with "Alchywhole" written in a barely legible script, a cuddly stuffed Tae'dae bear, a miniature rockeater figurine, an ornate ivory pipe, a pile of glittering Czigany coins, and a charm bracelet that looks to be of Fae origin. One rather macabre shelf holds a coiled slave master's whip and a skull that appears to have belonged to a Krokani before it made its way here. Still other shelves lie bare, waiting to be filled with more mementos of adventure to come, and in the corner of one of them a tiny black spider has made its web. Soft, thick carpet covers the ground here, a deep mossy green in hue. A painting of Gurashi's Staring Contest is proudly exhibited on a nearby wall. A painting of blackthorn thicket has been thrown on the ground here. Surrounded by a faint, emerald halo, an ethereal cat romps playfully about the area. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system.
You see exits leading north and south.

You have emoted: Gurashi storms into the manse with a huff, letting out a whistling noise of frustration as he begins to pace. "Dumb...!"

Voice strangled, you exclaim, "Am -not- too slow...!"

Quietly, you say, "...do not want to be too slow...!"

A soft voice whispers in your ear, "No?"

Stopping in his erratic pacing, still clutching his head, you exclaim, "No!"

Angry and confused, you exclaim, "Only know how to be one way ...! But, cannot -be- that way if want to protect -Wyrd-!"

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches out, steadying himself against the table."...do not know how to teach lessons without patience... or to make listen..."

The voice whispers softly in your ear, "Adaptation is the true power of the Wyrd. You must grow or you will die..."

Dragging his hand down his face, you say, "Know ..."

The voice whispers even more softly, "Then why hesitate?"

Bizirik, the leothin lifts its head, sniffing the air here and there, skittering about excitedly.

You have emoted: Gurashi pulls out the chair he's been so aggressively shoving about, taking an awkward seat and resting his head in his hands. "Because thought could be resolved..." He shakes his head. "...with patience ..." He sinks deeper into his hands, "and understanding."

You think to yourself: But it won't.

You think to yourself: Because will never see.

You think to yourself: Because will never see unless -make- see.

The air grows cold as the voice whispers, "She will never understand. She is incapable."

Through his fingers, you say, "Thought if could become friends with Miss Lief, then, could reach Lady of Serenity, too..."

You think to yourself: But she won't.

Faintly buzzing, you say, "Is too... set-against."

Miserably, you say, "What am supposed to do ..."

Whispering tendrils dig into your thoughts with icy words, "Can only be forced to see... Or refuse and perish."

You have emoted: Gurashi lifts his head, staring blankly at the tome upon the table. "...how can force to see..." He whispers nearly inaudibly.

You think to yourself: ...will do anything.

The voice whispers softly in your ear, "Destroying that which blinds them..."

You have emoted: Gurashi lifts his head a bit. "...that ... which blinds them...?"

You think to yourself: Anything.

The voice whispers sweetly, "Foolish kindness, compassion, gentleness... Moon and Hart themselves."

You have emoted: Gurashi rests his elbow on the table once more, exhaustedly letting his head set against his palm. "...is possible ... to destroy the Moon and Hart...?" He whispers, speaking as if in a daze.

You think to yourself: Can -do- that...?

You think to yourself: ...wait, can -I- do that?

Your mandibles twitch slightly as you voice a brief, curious chirr.

You think to yourself: ... no - probably not.

Bizirik, the leothin slowly makes its way over towards where Gurashi sits, resting its long, angular head upon his lap, standing silent and still.

An icy hand rests upon your head, "Can you? When she cries? When she pleads? When she begs you for mercy? What will you say?"

You have emoted: Gurashi is unable to resist jolting at the presence, but stays composed. He starts to reach back to touch the spot, but stops, voice light and distant. "...nothing..." He takes a breath, "matters... but Glomdoring..."

You think to yourself: Anything.

You have emoted: Gurashi's expression darkens once more.

You think to yourself: ... everything.

You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.

Nocht, the Silent has bestowed His divine favour upon you. It will last for 1 month.

The voice whispers softly, "We shall see..."

You think to yourself: ... will show.

You have emoted: Gurashi leans forward again onto his arms, folding them against the table and laying his head on them. "Glory be to Glomdoring," He whispers.