Thousandfold Love

You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "Good evening, Gurashi. Do you, perhaps, have a moment to talk
about your Divine?"

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "... ah ... the Most Beloved??"

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*an embarrassed ripple of color across the aethers,
the rich intoxicating smell of pale malt and caramel and heat* O-oh! My, uhm, yes! I...where would
you like to speaks? I will meet yous."

You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "[Faint amusement, benign as a dry, languid summer breeze.] A
title I would personally contest, given the love we feel for the Lady Lantra, but yes, indeed.
Wheresoever you are most comfortable. I do not mind."

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "*there is a distinct pout, and you get the sense they
are about to argue... but decide against it - a big sigh* O-K O-K O-K, I will... uhm, what about
that place you likes to study in? OH, or under the bigly willow tree you so likes?"

You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "Certainly, if you would be at your ease at either location.
We can meet under the willow tree, by the water, and if you wish to move to the study, or elsewhere,
we can do so."

Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "On my way, am on my way."

You tell Gurashi, The Heart's Friend, "Take your time, Gurashi."

Gurashi comes stumbling in from the west, scrambling over the crest of the hill until they reach the
edge of the pool. As they spot you, they gasp, then wave, wings flapping behind them. "Hi!" They
call, still a bit of a ways away, though they are closing the distance fast. Behind them, an
adolescent Nyalian mastiff gambols playfully after the trill, tail wagging a mile a minute.

((Liefenn nyooms by))

Gurashi blinks.

Gurashi sniffs the air while twitching a striped badger nose.

Standing with his hands tucked beneath the layered cloak of his gently glowing
wings, Avaris contemplates the willow tree, which he nearly rivals in height. As Gurashi crests the
rise, several of the stylised, luminous eyes that dwell within his wings turn to fix upon them, the
odd one or two blinking mildly as the kephera turns to face Gurashi. "Ah, Gurashi - and companion."
Regarding the youthful canine curiously, he asks, "And who might this be?"

Avaris gestures with a mild, off-handed wave. "Liefenn is no threat. You would like
her, I think, from what I know of her."

Gurashi remains paused, vigilantly sniffing once more before slowly making their way over to you,
nodding. They bow, resting a hand on an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's head, ruffling it. "Beloved
Liefenn is - well, Beloved. Likes me," They chirp, rising to stand up straight. Slowly they turn
their attention to the mastiff, rubbing between his ears. "This is my friend Ham. Am s'posed to be
training hims, so will see hims, more." The pup leans in to the touch, then bodily sits, tail still
wagging behind it.

Avaris emits a soft 'Ah' of comprehension, dipping his head in a slight nod. "I
see. I was not aware." The immense figure studies the puppy for a while longer, visored face tilted
down towards the pup, expressionless. "Well met, young Ham." A thick, curving line of red twitches
in Gurashi's direction, though Avaris does not lift his gaze to follow as he repeats, his manner
thoughtful. "Beloved. Why that title?"

Gurashi slowly sinks in the spot where they are standing, allowing their posterior to find the grass
opposite you, looking down into their lap rather than up at the kephera. "Yeah, are a few of thems.
Beloved, I mean - like, Tonatiuh, annnnd, Naralis, Ixchilgal. Shulamit. Tsakali! Sulwh, Liefenn..."
They pause, then smile. "Me." Their wings flap, and beside them an adolescent Nyalian mastiff gives
them a good sniff before looking off elsewhere, tail still wagging behind him.

Thoughtfully, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "...why, Beloved?"

As Gurashi lowers to the ground, Avaris pauses for only a moment before following
suit, settling smoothly into a cross-legged position opposite Gurashi. He sets his lower pair of
hands upon his knees, and cups the upper two together in the hollow of his legs, listening as
Gurashi speaks. "That is a healthy number, to have active in an Order. Your Divine must be
compelling indeed, to draw so many." He dips his head in a brief nod, affirming, "Indeed. I find
that the title for an Order tells much of the Divine, and Their adherents."

Gurashi reaches up, discreetly wiping the corner of their eye as they tuck their legs together and
draw in their knees, their other arm wrapping around the limbs to hold them close. "Because Love,"
They say at last, thoughtfully, "is the most powerful forces in the whole wide universe," They say
at last, "All that we do as peoples, it should be done with Love." They smile slightly, amused as
their head cants to the side, feathery ear twitching. "Everything abouts Them is enigmatic. But
Loves is forever at Their centers, of all Their many many many shapes. And so we, as Their's, are
... Beloved."

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "They are enigmatics, and do not have
pillars like Your Lady - Fortitudes and suchs... those are lessons we as Their followers learn from,
about, yes. To become the goodliest peoples we can." Their expression twists. "At least, that is how
I... ah."

Gurashi scrunches their face again and looks up as a few raindrops begin to fall down upon the trio.
They raise a wing, allowing it to shield themselves and the mastiff beside them. keeping them both
dry. Ham sniffs at the wings, tail beginning to wag again, but he seems otherwise a little bored,
snuffling and pawing at the ground until Gurashi slips a red and blue bouncer ball before his paws.
The dog promptly lays down, gnawing on the toy with noisy, slobbery bites.

You think to yourself: "Love." The words, and its implications, are turned over within the confines
of his mind like the pieces of a puzzle, a deliberate, careful examination before it is set aside.

Gurashi pets an adolescent Nyalian mastiff ingratiatingly.
A adolescent Nyalian mastiff's ears rise and sharpen into tight triangles as he stares vigilantly at
Gurashi.

Gurashi sniffles, running a hand along the mastiff's head and back, petting him as he chews away,
the ball thankfully lacking any sort of internal noise making device to torment the otherwise silent
atmosphere.

The pointed tips of Avaris's thumbs come together in a measured, thoughtful
cadence, the hard chitin emanating a faint tapping sound as it comes together. He watches Gurashi
for a time, the four strokes of his antennae undulating with liquid grace as he considers the trill-
changeling at length. Rather than respond to the topic at hand, he asks, gently, "Are you alright,
Gurashi?"

Not immediately looking up, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend asks, "Mm?"

Patiently Avaris , repeats, "Are you alright?"

Gurashi at last lolls their head in your direction, blinking. "Ah - yes? S-sorry, I did not, want to
talk too muchly," They raise their other hand apologetically.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "I-I do not know if, was answers you
were seeking." They shuffle. "Can see, why caused confusions, before, when called the THousandfolds
Most Beloved - of course you would like Your Lady the mostest."

                 Avaris dips his head aside slightly, either not noticing the rain or indifferent to
it, as beads of moisture gather upon his golden plating like shimmering drops of diamond. "You have
answered my question honestly, and to the best of your ability. That is all I ask of you, Gurashi."
A soft, rich laugh, and, "Ah, yes. It would odd, would it not, for any devoted to a Divine to not
believe them to be the /most/ loved and wonderful of all?"

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you say, "Will you speak of Them to me? In whatever fashion
you like."

Gurashi tilts their head and listens intently to you.

Gurashi blinks once, twice. "You wants me to tell the Shofets abouts you?" Their mouth forms a
little 'o' of surprise. "Ah, uhm. O-K..." They puff their cheeks. "Do YOU wants to talk to Thems?"

Gurashi's plumage quivers as rain continues to gently pelt against their wings, shielding their body
from becoming soaked.

                 Avaris gives his head a little shake, clarifying, "I wish for you to tell me of
the...Shofets? The Thousandfold." A minute nod, affirming, "I do, indeed. I have prayed to Them
already. If They wish to, I will be speaking with Them at some point, or a representative." A modest
wash of glimmering motes of light ripples through his inhuman eyes, a smile in his voice as he
suggests, "Perhaps even you, Gurashi."

Gurashi blinks hard once, twice, then puffs up, all the water that had settled atop their feathers
suddenly flying into the air, scattering, splashing the trill and mastiff below their protective
wrap. "I hope They respond!" They blurt out suddenly, leaning forward, face lighting up, excitement
clear upon their face. They stop themselves an inch away from you, wings flapping behind them as an
adolescent Nyalian mastiff shakes out his head and lets out a little grumbling whine, confused by
the rainfall. "But I can do my bestest in the meantimes? I am not the most smartest Beloved but!
Will answer...questions! Bests, that I can!" They warble, hands balling into fists at their chest.

Gurashi's wings flap excitedly behind them.

You think to yourself: "Always so quick to put down your intellect, gentle soul. Who has taught you
to be so lacking in faith of your own mind?"

                 Neither the added spray of water, nor Gurashi's abrupt proximity appears to perturb
Avaris , who merely looks upon Gurashi in a calm, benign manner, antennae twitching aside. "I would
appreciate Them doing so, but I do not expect it. No doubt They are busy, and have less time for
outsiders than Their own." Wordlessly, he extends his uppermost, right-side wing, the massive pinion
stretching out and over both Gurashi and the hound, shielding them as effectively from the rain as
an awning, so vast is the feathered expanse. "Frankly, I do not know where to begin. I know so
little of Them, other than They incited a war once, and sought my Lady's aid in it - And that They
lost Someone They loved."

Gurashi wriggles excitedly in their spot, their wings still flapping behind them. "They are always
doing things," They explain, "but They make times when They can, for They are goodly! Thank you for
being patiently and waiting for Thems!" They flail, then abruptly slap their hands down on their
thighs, as if it might quell some of their excitement as the topic shifts.

Gurashi opens their mouth, then shuts it again. Opens it again, and sighs. "They fight," They
explain at last, "with Their Brother, yes." Their plumage quivers again, and they reach around to
grasp one of the wings, gently smoothing the damp feathers out. "Fought?" Another pause. "For He is
as muchly Orders as the Thousandfolds is Chaos. And Siblings sometimes fight big..." Their shoulders
bunch. "Ugly fights."

Gurashi's hand strays, reaching behind themselves wordlessly, blindly. Nearby Ham is still chewing
on the ball that Gurashi has given them when they notice the drifting fingers, tail wagging as they
get up and wander closer. With a big sniff, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff licks Gurashi's extended
fingers, then drops down bodily behind them, tongue hanging out as it happily pants and looks a bout
the surroundings with a benign air.

                 "I do wonder, you know, what it is that the Divine do when Their attention is not
turned upon this world - and where it is They d o it. Their existence is so very different from our
own." Avaris remarks, lifting a hand to flick the wetness from his ruff, sending a spray of moisture
off to the side. "Their Brother is Lord Zvoltz, yes? And Their Sister was Lady Ashtariel?"

Gurashi flails about helplessly.

As soon as you begins to pronounce the beginning of the second name, Gurashi is on their feet, their
wings flapping and hands flying out. They close the distance between themselves and you before the
kephera has a chance to react, their hands clasping over his mouth as if to muffle the voice, the
look on their face denoting nothing short of shock. "Oh, please, do not--" They warble, gray eyes
wide, "say Her name...!"

Gurashi puffs their cheeks as their plumage begins to settle. "Thousand-Hued," They whisper. "The
one They lost." At last, they delicately peel away their hands, flinching. "S-sorry."

                 This time, there is a reaction to Gurashi's sudden motion, the frenetic manner of
their closeness, and the abrupt contact causing all four of Avaris's hands to snap to the grips of
his scabbarded blades. In the same moment, all six of his wings flare out, the monstrous spans
disrupting the air with a cracking whoosh, slamming the falling rain aside for the briefest of
moments. With his antennae quivering bolt-upright, the reflexive tension lasts for less than a
heartbeat before the kephera goes perfectly still. In a calm manner that is only very slightly
strained, he says, "Gurashi, my friend. Please do not do that ever again. I do not wish to hurt you
accidentally, out of reflex." Moving his hands slowly, deliberately away from his swords, he folds
them neatly atop one another, suspended within the hollow of his crossed legs. "My apologies, for
both the reaction, and the naming. I was not aware it is forbidden."

You think to yourself: A spike of silvery alarm - An approach, sudden blurring snapping motion,
another's hand on his form, an attack, defend defend, draw the swords before they can hu- A slamming
shut of that lightning swift streak of thought, horror dousing him like a deluge of freezing water.
"Tears of the Divine, what am I doing? Oh, Gurashi. I am so sorry. I am not used to closeness, save
in pain."

Gurashi's own wings flap furiously in response, and they cower but do not withdraw, aware of the
hands flying to the weapons. Behind them an adolescent Nyalian mastiff growls, sensing unease and
rising to all four paws, but the trill lets out a little click with their mouth, and the growling
stops, tail wagging anxiously. Gurashi still seems much more intent on keeping your mouth closed -
or, what they approximate is where the mouth begins and the rest of the face ends until he speaks.
Ears flat atop their head, their plumage smooths, leaving them looking tinier as they carefully peel
their hands away and return to their previous spot. "Am so sorry," They whisper, offering their own
apology, collapsing back onto the grass, deflated.

Dazedly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Pain," They explain, swallowing hard, "it is the
price that pay, for Love. To Love Someone so much that to hear Their very name is..."

Voice rising half an octave, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "W-was not, your fault. Did not know.
Wanted to make sure - was O-K! Am so sorry, startled you."

                 The stillness that Avaris holds himself with is nearly an unnatural thing - Not
even his antennae give so much as the most minute of trembles as he sits there, utterly immobile. It
is only when Gurashi withdraws and Gurashi is settled upon the ground once more that he stirs, and
then he moves his head with a measured, careful slowness, bowing it towards Gurashi. In a quiet,
pained voice, thrumming with shame, he says, "I am so very sorry, Gurashi. I...I did not - Do not
wish to frighten you. I will not hurt you." His fingers seek the comfort of one another, entwining
and squeezing together in small, anxious motions. "Please believe me."

You think to yourself: Guilt, hot and searing as a red-hot lance through his gut, the shame of his
slip as pervasive as molten fire pouring through his heart - The image of Gurashi cowering replaying
over and over, from a thousand subtly different angles.

Gurashi frowns as you bows, blinking several times. "...ah," They suddenly gasp, raising both hands.
"No! No no, please do not be sorry!" They reach out, squawking as their wings flap behind them. "It
is O-K! Oh! No! I am not afeared of you!" They insist.

Gurashi suddenly laughs, a high-pitched nervous warble of a noise. "I was scared that scared you! I
am sorry! Oh!" They cover their face with a hand, then reach forward, so that they may pat you
delicately upon the head. "We are still getting to be friends, is not your faults! How do you know I
wasn't going to..." They pause, thinking of an example. "...bite...? You?"

Gurashi thoughtfully chomps the air at this, teeth clicking.

                 Avaris maintains the posture of penitence without stirring, save for his wings,
which slowly retract until they drape damply across his back in a wet, heavy mass of darkened gold
feathers. He permits the hand upon the rounded dome of his head without comment or protest, his
antennae flowing out of the way of Gurashi's hand, mutely apologetic. "It was a thoughtless
reaction. I do not believe you will harm me. I am sorry." Clearing his throat, he forges on,
striving for a lighter tone and failing dismally. "Ah. Your God, then. What are Their morals like?
Their stances on such matters as the Taint, and so on?"

Gurashi leaves their hand where it is, gently patting the kephera gingerly a few times more before
finally withdrawing, returning their hands to their lap. "No more apologizing, we are all goodly,
now. Yes?" They let out a tiny, reassuring chirp, leaning forward to catch your gaze. "The Most
Beloved... Thousandfolds's morals? Ah!" Their wings flap. "But, uhm, They do not like the Taint, no!
They do not!" They huff. "They were a judge, yeah? Triumverate thinks is the words? Judged the
Traitors, They did!" They huff.

                 "Ah. Yes." Avaris responds in a manner that is considerably less than convincing,
repeating, "Goodly." The return to the topic causes him to lift his head to regard Gurashi
attentively, though many of the eye-markings within his wings slide their gaze aside in a decidedly
guilty fashion, refusing to make contact with the trill. "They were on the Triumvirate, yes. That is
why I prayed to Them. They are against Those who would undergo the Rite of Abomination, then?"

You think to yourself: Though he pays attention to the conversation, still the image of the cowering
changeling will not leave his mind. Quiet as silk daubed in poison, a whisper rises up from the
vaults of his memory, the voice mocking, caustic. "All you do is hurt. It is all

Gurashi's own wings continue to flap behind them as rain falls, having given up on their efforts to
keep dry. "Yeah, yes. It was bad, that." They puff their cheeks, shaking their head as rainwater
drips from the feathers around their face. Beside them, Ham vigorously shakes out his coat, tail
wagging again. He picks up the ball and drops it into Gurashi's lap, and the trill takes and tosses
the toy behind them without tearing their attention away from you.

Brightly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Will, is very important to the Beloved. Love and
Will, yes. A person's intentions - the paths that they forge. The story they writes."

Gurashi's face softens as they watch the kephera, glancing towards the strangely averted gaze held
by your wings.

As Gurashi's wings flap, Avaris's own upper pair lifts, arching up over his head to
extend well past Gurashi, once more providing an expansive cover from the constant rain - though
still their eyes refuse to look upon Gurashi. "Will. Explain, if you would. That is a word with very
broad applications - All that we do can be said to result from will, can it not?"

Gurashi puffs their cheeks. "Yeah. Everything we do." They look up and offer the shielding wings a
grateful little warble, taking a red and blue bouncer ball from Ham as he brings the slobbery toy
back, watching the trill expectantly. Gurashi is clearly thinking deeply, however, their mouth
quirked to the side, cheeks still puffed thoughtfully.

Quietly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Let me... think of... the words..."

                 Avaris lifts a hand to gesture at Gurashi encouragingly, the motion small,
restrained. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

Gurashi tosses the ball over their shoulder, behind them again, causing the pup to gambol playfully
after. "Words are my least favorites," They explain cheerily, shaking their head so that the
rainwater still clinging to their head feathers has time to fall.

Gurashi's shoulders bunch as they let out a short giggle.

                 Avaris breathes a heavy, almost comically heartfelt sigh, nodding in commiseration.
"They are not my most favourite things, either. It is very difficult to use them."

At last, with great thought and effort, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "It is...
everybody, has their own Will. Choices that make, peoples they will become." Delicately they lace
their fingers together, splaying them out in thought. "And, you will always find those that have
differently Wills from you.. be it, upbringings, religious followings... ideals, they hold
dearly..."

Gurashi gazes up at the kephera, wings finally tucking in tightly against their back. However, the
left one unspools as soon as it is folded, limply sagging to the ground behind them. "Everybody has
one... a Will? Even those who have the not bestest intentions..." With a deep breath they explain,
"and that is their right, yes. To have a Will, something they are working towards and believes in.
It is nobody's place, to impose their OWN Will over someone else's." They look up at you. "Can only
rise to meets those Wills with my own, and either rise aboves it, or succumbs to it."

Gurashi sniffles as they gaze up at you expectantly.

                 Avaris listens attentively throughout, the entirety of his focus resting upon
Gurashi as Gurashi speaks. Once the explanation finishes, he utters a thoughtful, vibrating hum,
lifting a pointed finger to toy with the wet, clumped tufts of his mane. "And what if one's Will
/is/ to impose themselves upon others? To control, to dominate, to cause pain and suffering?"

Gurashi offers you a smile in response. "Well, then that is no goodly, and we do not give ins! Is
why we fights!" They insist. "Because that is wrongly! Is like the Taints - does so muchly to binds
peoples to it, have little problems imposings over others's Wills."

                 Avaris cocks his head at this, the layered ridges of his jawline glistening as
beads of moisture roll down their shallow channels. "But is combating that Will to rule and inflict
suffering not also imposing your Will upon others?"

At last, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Well... I do not WANT to be tainted...so it is O-K, to
resists. It is O-K to protects myselfs. Strengthen my Will so theirs cannot squish mine!"

Gurashi looks upon you and flaps their wings excitedly at you, gusting the air about your form.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "I can strengthen my Will! If
someone wants to makes me bends to their Wills then, they haves another thing coming!" They puff up
abruptly, plumage ruffling comically so before smoothing again. "It is hard, to explain with words -
I am sorry, if is confusings!"

                 "But they do not wish for you to be free, and will strengthen their Will to
overcome yours. The specifics of what is permitted seem rather nebulous, but perhaps I am simply not
comprehending it correctly. It seems a difficult philosophy to truly grasp." Avaris responds,
faintly distracted as he lifts a hand to wave away Gurashi's apology. "It is a difficult question I
ask of you, do not apologise. Hm. Do you have any advice for me, for my potential meeting with Them?
They seem a very changeable Divine, and I am accustomed to the Empyreal, who is ever composed. Will
it depend on which of the Thousand They choose to be?"

With a gentle huff, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Doing my bestest. Words are hard," They
enthuse, canting their head to the side. "Uhm..."

Thoughtfully, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Well... They are always Thems, even if is a
differently shapes..." Their hand drifts to their hip even as they are seated, the other rubbing
their chin. "Might have troubles understanding the Resin Child's, Her singing voice is... special!
But She has spoken to peoples, be-fore." They nod once. "Oh! I know!"

Cheerfully, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Do not be afeared if They are upside down!"

                 Avaris looks at Gurashi blankly for a time following this last pearl of wisdom,
before he asks, nonplussed, "Why would I be afraid if They were upset down...? Is..That indicative
of a sour mood?"

Gurashi ponders the situation.

Gurashi shakes their head.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "No - sometimes Peoples are just,
startled!"

You think to yourself: A brief diagram forms, of a vague Divine form set at varying degrees, with
corresponding measurements to gauge Their mood.

Gurashi makes a gentle motion, though they keep their distance this time, leaning forward as if they
were to cover your face with their hands once more. "You know?"


In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Do not be startled if They are
upside down! Or... extra, pointy! Or, extra sing-y! It does not mean anything bad, no. It is just
They! Of many, shapes."

Gurashi looks upon you and flaps their wings excitedly at you, gusting the air about your form.

Gurashi looks at you hopefully.

"Ah." Avaris responds softly, nodding. "I would not be alarmed should They be in an
unusual position, though I cannot say how I might react to Their more...Difficult to comprehend
forms, or the more monstrous. I will be sure to be respectful, regardless."

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you ask, "Do They have a preferred form of address?"

Gurashi's eyes light up as they smile.

In an airy, melodic voice, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says to you, "Some of my shapes are scary
too! Just be respectfuls for They are still Thems!" AT this, they pause, leaning back and swaying.
"Uhm... whatever shapes They happen to be, is probably the most politest!" Their gray eyes briefly
lose focus and they lift a single finger. "The Most Beloved is Their Shofet Shofets shapes, to-day.
The greatly jackals shapes..."

Gurashi frowns slightly. "I wonder if something happened..." They shake their head several times
before turning to smile again at you. "Shofet of Abyssal Scales. Thousandfolds." They stick out
their tongue and playfully add, "Most Beloved! But you probably will not say that ones."

Avaris studies Gurashi for a long moment, before observing in a dubious manner, "I
do not think you are capable of being frightening, Gurashi, no matter your form." Considering the
advice, his antennae curve downwards in a frown, the index finger of his lower left hand tapping
upon the plating of his thigh. "How will I know the name of whichever shape They are in? They have a
thousand, and I do not know what any of them look like, at all. Is there...A picture book I can
reference?"

Voice resonating with choral harmonics, you say, "Ah. No. I will not, for it would be a lie, coming
from me."

Gurashi puffs their cheeks again, wings flapping several times in protest to the claim. But they let
it drop, mouth quirking to the side thoughtfully. "Uhmmm..." A slow blink. "...ah, uh, a PICTURE
book...I-I mean, I am working on a book! B-but it is still done! Uhm, let me thinks..."

Gurashi ponders the situation.

Gurashi sticks their tongue out the corner of their mouth again, looking over towards an adolescent
Nyalian mastiff who has made his way back over to the seated pair, laying down on the wet grass and
resting his head on his paws. The trill reaches over to pet the beast atop the head. "I could show
you? But, you would have to remembers... it is not in the books, yet..."

                 Avaris ceases the tapping to extend a hand towards Gurashi in invitation. "Please
do. It would be most useful."

Gurashi's face lights up at this. "Ah, I will do my best!" Suddenly they leap to their feet, holding
their arms out to the sides as if they are preparing to take flight. "Just, a moment! Let me
concentrates..." They flap their wings excitedly at you, then scrunch their face tightly shut,
intensely focused. They begin to hum quietly, a tune you would recognize hearing around the streets
of the City.

The air around the trill begins to ripple, as if heat were radiating off of them, distorting the
normal hazy rainy atmosphere, making it feel warm...

                 Avaris retracts his wings so that they once again fold upon his back, where they
shuffle and twitch about in faint, damp discomfort. Though his posture is already one of flawless
poise, with his back straight, the kephera manages to conveys the suggestion that he has sat up a
degree more, in polite attention.

The warmth spreads, the psionic energy radiating from the trill brightening the air to resemble the
late-sunset hours, arms still outstretched to their sides, expression serene. Behind them, a shape
begins to paint itself into existence, taking the surrounding colors and beginning to solidify.

Gurashi turns to face the figure as it appears, brought into existence by their own imagining. They
seem to be concentrating, still, sweat beading on their brow. "The Shofet of Abyssal Scales," They
say matter-of-factly as the illusory figure solidifies, albeit as if They were a painting, an
impression.

Black black and red hieroglyphs swirl around the small jackal-shaped Divine, burning gaze returning
the trill's though they seem unafraid. All at once the illusion is swallowed up in black sand, and
bits of ivory light begin to peek out, breaking up the swirling darkness.

From the sand, suddenly another shape bursts free, no bigger than a small child. She leaps into the
air before the trill, an impish grin on Her dirty face.

Gurashi smiles warmly at the illusory shape as it joyfully backflips over the trill, then ruffles
their plumage and backflips, swallowed up by a fiery, illusory plume of scarlet hues. "The Urchin in
Ivory," Gurashi explains fondly as the flame grows.

You think to yourself: The images of each aspect are studied with intense scrutiny, each painterly
detail emblazoned onto his memory, converted into cards wrought of exquisitely detailed stained
glass. Once done, each iteration of the Thousandfold is carefully stowed away for later study.

A adolescent Nyalian mastiff paws at the ground absently, a low whine escaping his muzzle.

Avaris watches with rapt attention, his antennae erect with fascinated curiosity.
He leans forward slightly, studying each image with acute interest, nodding once with each name that
is pronounced.

The last vestiges of midnight shadows flee as Mother Night hides herself from the luminous arrival
of her shining mate as he chases her across the bowl of the sky.

The sultry heat spreads, momentarily turning all of the sunset hues a flush pink. The illusory fire
swirls again before retreating, revealing the upper body of an incredibly attractive Man, His smile
is alluring, voidstruck eyes swirling with countless stars as the trill politely regards, then looks
away from their own illusion.

Blushing but sounding no less proud than before, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "T-The Scarlet
Courtesans!"

Gurashi clears their throat, turning their head towards the illusion as it reaches out to cup their
face. The hand however dissolves before it makes contact, like countless colorful grains of sand,
the reds and pinks brightening into shades of saffron and gold, growing steadily behind the trill.

Gurashi exhales slightly, a hint of exhaustion creeping into their features as they gesture behind
them at the still growing illusion, until at last what looks to be some sort of massive owl is
looming over the pair, eyes gleaming against Their feathers.

The owl spreads His enormous wingspan out, bits of saffron light flaking away, caught on the breeze.
It is as if the night sky were trapped within His feathers, shining dazzlingly before you both.

Lolling their head back to look up, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend whispers, "The Thief of Hidden
Apogees."

Gurashi's own wings flap as the owl begins to fade from overhead, wings shrinking slowly, the color
dimming, darkening, muted shades of crimson and gray.

                 The striking allure of the Courtesan-illusion has exactly no effect whatsoever upon
Avaris , who does not seem to notice Gurashi's sudden discomfiture, so intent is he upon engraving
the images into his memory. He merely nods once again, unruffled, then tilts his head back to regard
the Thief with great curiosity. He maintains the steady regard until the illusion fades to less
vibrant hues, uttering a quite sound of appreciation.

Though not as large as the previous shape, the Being that looms behind the trill now is nothing like
the previous ones, a Being of of terrifying angles and points, statuesque. From its spot on the
ground, the mastiff pup lets out a gentle whine, tail wagging twice before stopping.

Voice thin, feathers quivering, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "The Beckoner Beyond the Maze..."

You think to yourself: "Ah. This is an aspect to evoke fear, then. I shall prepare for this one."

Avaris lowers his head in a sober nod, lacing his fingers together into an
interlocking blockade of rigid gold.

Gurashi waves a hand, and the illusory Being lowers its painterly head, too dissolving in a myriad
of sparkling sands. It is then that you realize Gurashi has been speaking with a sing-song voice,
humming between the names. That song grows clearer now, as if someone else were singing it too.

The song grows louder, foreign but familiar, as if you've known it all your life but are unable to
guess the next verse. The warmth grows, a sense of contentment heavy in the air like a blanket.

Gurashi seems to struggle at this point, their eyes shut tight as they lower their arms, fingers
curling, as if pulling on invisible strings.

Finally the illusion obeys, and beside the pair is the next Figure, no smaller than the previous,
Her alien head canted to the side, strangely split lips pursed to produce a crooning that harmonizes
with the trill's.

Warbling softly themselves, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend sings, "The ... Resin Child..." They exhale,
opening their eyes to meet the illusory Figure's, "...and..."

Gurashi puffs their cheeks slightly, feathers quivering again as they spread their arms. Suddenly
they bring their hands together and clap, and all at once the illusory Divine disappears, color
swirling and swirling and swirling, struggling to take the final shape. Sweat pours down Gurashi's
forehead at this point, nose scrunched and lips pursed.

For a moment, it feels as if the illusion is fading, leaving the air feeling chilly in comparison...

Gurashi pants, then brings up their arms as if they were pulling something up out of the ground,
wings beating furiously behind them.

You think to yourself: A note of concern for the energy that the trill is exerting. He had not known
it would tax them so to show their Divine's forms, but he would not cheapen their efforts by asking
them to stop now.

The trill raises their arms overhead and all at once a wave of psionic energy pours out from them,
suffusing the surroundings in the same warmth as before - no, it is more than just heat at this
point. The seated kephera can feel for but a fleeting moment a sliver of Gurashi's adoration and
gratitude for the Divine, shades of pink and gold joining in with hues of scarlet and saffron.


The colors explode, take shape between the two in a flurry of motion as crimson wings far grander
than Avaris's own appear, a moth-like Being of many arms hovering in the air effortlessly. She
stares down enchantingly at the pair, wings fanning so slow it is as if She is underwater.

Eyes shiny with tears, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Finally - the Moth," They whisper, taking
a deep breath as the Figure continues to float there, wings leaving gentle crimson motion blurs in
their wake, "on Scarlet Wings..."

                 Avaris jerks back, startled at the appearance of the moth-like Divine, his antennae
flattening back across his head as he leans away from the illusion, the eyes within his own wings
wide with shock.

The illusory Figure does little more but quietly float there... until She lifts one of Her dainty
hands to Her mouth, and lets out a tiny: "Hehe!"

You think to yourself: An instinctive shard of discomfort lodges in his heart, a coiling, jagged
sense of unease - Too much like a Princess, like a Queen, far too close for anything other than the
seeping, sickening sense of dread. His heart thuds swifter and louder with each passing moment,
until a spike of anger lances through the unease, skewering it.

                 Avaris's fingers curl into fists, gradually contracting as he stares at the
illusory Divine, a flicker of red passing through the markings that adorn his wings.

Gurashi swallows hard, staring back at the illusory Figure before at last, they drop their arms, and
all at once all the color and sound and heat that they provided is gone, leaving the air ringing
like in the aftermath of a storm.

                 Rising slowly to his feet, Avaris steps over towards Gurashi and hesitantly extends
a hand, as if to offer support - But falters, allowing the gleaming appendage to drop, instead. "Are
you alright, Gurashi?"

Gurashi wavers, starting to reach for your hand regardless of the follow-through of his intentions
before toppling over to the ground, face-planting into the grass. Their plumage puffs, then settles
again, and they say something, muffled by the earth beneath them. Nearby an adolescent Nyalian
mastiff also rises and wanders closer, giving the trill a few good sniffs before nosing at their
wing, tail wagging.

                 Avaris lets out a distressed, "Ah!" of dismay as Gurashi falls, immediately going
to his knees beside the prone trill. He hesitates, hands poised over them for a brief moment of
uncertainty, looking from Gurashi, to the pup, and back again. With painstaking care, he slides his
pointed fingers beneath Gurashi's shoulder and gently turns them over, looking down at Gurashi with
concern. "Gurashi? Would you like me to carry you somewhere to lay down?"

Gurashi flops onto their back with all the grace and motion of a cooked pancake, sprawled out
dazedly and staring up at the sky, past you and to the hanging willow fronds. "...hhhhh, ahm, b-
bigly... brrraaa--," They start to explain before an adolescent Nyalian mastiff starts to lick their
face, making them warble pitiably. "HaaaaAAAAaaaAAAaam!" They raise a hand pitiably, unable to do
more than gently pap the pup's head. The mastiff misunderstands the trill's gesture and tone and his
tail begins to wag faster as he licks more insistently now.

                 Avaris watches Gurashi's benign tormentor conduct his slobbery work for only a few
heartbeats, before he comes to a decision and simply scoops Gurashi up, cradling them securely
against his broad chest, supported by all four of his arms. Angling Gurashi so that Gurashi's head
is cushioned upon the absurdly soft, luxuriously thick mane that covers much of his upper torso, he
asks, a touch more insistently, "Where may I bring you to rest, Gurashi?"

From the ground an adolescent Nyalian mastiff whines as its master is lifted out of his reach,
letting out a snorty little yap of protest. Gurashi hard makes a sound as they are lifted, any limbs
left not gathered dangling limply at their sides. The trill blinks a few slow dazed times as their
face goes from cold wet earth to stinky slobbery tongue to exceedingly soft fur, nose scrunching.
"...uh," They warble out softly in confusion, lolling their head to the side as they point in the
completely wrong direction, "...books place..."

Gurashi blinks again, letting their head come back to rest against your mane.

                 Avaris dips his head in a sharp, decisive nod - Though not so low as to risk
jabbing Gurashi with the pointed end of his chin. Delicately , he frees a hand to lift Gurashi's
freely dangling limbs and tuck them carefully against the trill's form so that all are safely
ensconced within the protective barrier of the huge kephera's golden arms. With a last glance at an
adolescent Nyalian mastiff, he commands, in a voice that rings with absolute authority, "Come.", and
sets off at a swift, purposeful stride.

Within the Lodestar Athenaeum.
Shimmering mist hangs in the air, drifting away from a healing shrine of Carakhan nearby. This
location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. High, arching ceilings encompass rows upon
rows of bookshelves, wrapping around the vast circular library. Niches high along the wall hold
coral candelabras, their sharp light streaming through panels of stained glass laid over the
openings. At the apex of the arches, a grand mural of the Celestial heavens has been painted, the
radiant forms of Elohora and Her Supernal entourage peering down upon the books below. Spread evenly
throughout the chamber, cherrywood tables and high-backed chairs of fine mahogany provide ample
space for study, and the quills and inkwells set along the tables allow for the delicate work of the
scribe. The arched entryway opens out into the Lodestar Athenaeum, the outer edge bordered in gold
paint, silver conch shells decorating the length. A library catalogue rests here on a pedestal.
There are 3 chaise rocking chairs fashioned as a giant rose-haired tarantula here. An adolescent
Nyalian mastiff darts about excitedly, his tail wagging like a brandished sword. Gurashi, The
Heart's Friend with a Regal face shifts and blurs, their figure cast into uncertainty by the
enveloping Presence that lingers large, unseen, and heavy about their form. They wield a vibrant
mandolin of songbirds and stars in their left hand. You may use the LIBRARY commands here.
You see a single exit leading north.

Gurashi does not let your journey go quietly, warbling like a songbird as they are carried like a
child, dazedly lolling their head side to side. Ham has little issue with following along at the
massive kephera's steps, bounding after, tail wagging happily. "Oh!" Gurashi chirps in familiarity,
voice ringing throughout the library. "Oh," They say, much more quietly as they realize their
location, "the bookplaces," They chirp.

Gurashi leans their head back, regarding the library with an upside-down perspective. "North," They
chirp suddenly, pointing beyond you. "Thatsaways."

Crossing the width of the chamber with barely a full stride, Avaris is about to set
Gurashi down into the plush confines of the nearest chair when the trill speaks. "Ah. Of course,"
comes the angelic kephera's response, immediate, as he turns and moves in the direction indication.

A quiet grotto beside the water.
Shimmering mist hangs in the air, drifting away from a healing shrine of Carakhan nearby. This
location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. Hexagonal tiles carved from pale golden coral
cover the floor of this curving grotto alongside the waterfall, their surfaces adorned with wing and
eye motifs. A spooling curl of pearlescent material rises from amidst the intricate patterning,
unfolding into a delicate wall of many-hued shell that opens to the constant stream of water from
above. Low alcoves piled with cushions open in the expanse, allowing seating beside the downpour,
and contemplation of the numinous ripple of the pool. Above, the spiraling arrangement of giant clam
shells, and the fluid spillover is visible, as is the numinous illumination contained therein. An
adolescent Nyalian mastiff darts about excitedly, his tail wagging like a brandished sword.

At your heels, an adolescent Nyalian mastiff's tail is still wagging, the pup snuffling along after
obediently, looking up from time to time. Gurashi warbles softly as they move, head lolled upside
down as they watch the change in surroundings. "Yeah, this place," They enthuse softly, feathers
quivering. Suddenly, they sit upright, blinking owlishly, staring at the kephera carrying them. "Is
a goodly place - thank you." Gingerly they reach forward, their arms wrapping around your head in a
clumsy, feathery embrace. "Am feeling better now - I can sits, can."

Singing drifts in from outside, faintly muffled.

Gurashi's arms release, and they lean back... then flop over again, eyeing the ground far below.
"Hhhhhhaaaammmm." The mastiff's tail wags.

                 The countless eyes contained within the golden expanse of Avaris's wings shift
about, until they spy the closest cushioned alcove, to which the paladin makes his way over to
immediately. At the trill's sudden shift in posture, he halts, adjusting his grip so that Gurashi
does not fall - Only to freeze as Gurashi's arms encircle his head. He remains thus, until the soft
flesh of Gurashi's arms are well clear of the gleaming, bladed layers of his crest, where he
breathes an abrupt sigh of relief. Without waiting for any further motion from his woozy passenger,
he lowers himself to his knees, and with the utmost of care, places Gurashi upon the soft, plush
surface, only release them when he is certain that the floopy trill is safely secured. Once done, he
moves aside, permitting an adolescent Nyalian mastiff unobstructed access to an adolescent Nyalian
mastiff's master.

Gurashi sinks within the cushions, practically melting upon them. They attempt to pat you one last
time before the kephera sets them down, hand only barely managing to pap the top of the kephera's
head before they find the cushy ground. Immediately an adolescent Nyalian mastiff is at the trill's
side, excitedly licking and sniffing at them, causing them to warble again in mock protest.

Laughingly, Gurashi, The Heart's Friend says, "Bwah! Ahh, ahah, thank you! Mister Avaris," They beam
up beyond the mastiff's form at the kephera. "You are a goodly friends."

Gurashi's wings flap excitedly behind them.

Gurashi reaches out, pulling an adolescent Nyalian mastiff into a tight embrace.
A low rumble shudders throughout a adolescent Nyalian mastiff's chest, a sort of gentle, contented
sound.

Gurashi sighs loudly, wings splaying out messily beneath them as they hug the mastiff, the dog
rumbling and wagging happily, seeming grateful for the affection. "I will be OooOooOOooo-K~" They
sing insistently. "I hopes have answered, questions? Somes of thems."

Avaris watches the ensuing deluge of exuberant affection with a rippling wave of
light glittering within his inhuman eyes, nodding with evident relief. "You are most welcome. I am
sorry to have taxed you so, Gurashi. I promise that I will make the best use of the information you
have provided me, that I am capable of." He reaches a long, chitin-plated hand out and gingerly pats
Gurashi's forearm, swiftly retracting it and standing. "Yes, you were of great help to me - Thank
you, sincerely. Are you certain that you will be alright?"

Gurashi shakes their head. "No apologies!" They blurt out, arms wrapped around an adolescent Nyalian
mastiff. When the dog sits up, he brings the trill with him, causing them to waver a little. "Am
sure, yus. I will be, O-K." They offer a toothy smile as they are patted, leaning heavily against
the happily wagging puppy. As an afterthought, they add: "I must remember, to send you somethings."
With that, they turn their attention to the mastiff giving the pup a squeeze before flopping onto
their back again. "Just fine..."

A warm, salty breeze washes in from the nearby Inner Sea.

Avaris lowers his head in acknowledgement, intoning, "If you are certain. Be sure
that you get sufficient rest - And call someone to help you if you require anything." Shifting his
attention to an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, he regards the youthful pup seriously, bidding, "Guard."
To Gurashi, he says, "I shall leave you to recover, my friend, and go meditate upon what you have
shown me. Rest easy, and well."

Gurashi looks upon you and flaps their wings excitedly at you, gusting the air about your form.

Gurashi blithely waves a hand in the air. "Stay goodly, 'n kind~" They sing, "and go - in Love!"

Muffled laughter echoes from somewhere outside.

Gurashi chirps happily.

Gurashi leans against an adolescent Nyalian mastiff, eyes half-closing.
A adolescent Nyalian mastiff's ears rise and sharpen into tight triangles as he stares vigilantly at
Gurashi.

Avaris gives a gentle, awkward laugh, repling, "Ah, I shall...Try, Gurashi. Light's
blessings upon you." With that, he turns, and makes his way to the exit, several of the eyes within
his wings glancing at Gurashi repeatedly until the kephera is out of sight.