"Am supposed to take those things from them...?"

A peaceful glade.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. Trees thrive here, encircling the wide glade, their immense trunks giving an impression of age and majesty. Only one tree grows within the glade itself-- a massive Ravenwood which stands proudly in the center, its branches thick and concealing. A carpet of soft grass covers most of the ground in the open space, though a few large rocks break the surface, their tops worn flat and smooth and kept meticulously clean. This affords ample space for one to rest and relax, choosing either the soft comfort of the grass or the smooth surface of the rocks depending upon personal taste. A small segment of the glade has been turned into a miniature garden, in which grows violet irises and well-tended rosebushes arranged in tidy rows. The fragrance of the flowers permeates the air with a heady aroma. A midnight black rose, a tiger lily, a delicate iris, a pink carnation, an elegant pink rose, a cool tulip of dusk, a striped orchid, a purple tulip, a yellow lily, an elegant pink rose, a delicate iris, and a midnight black rose blossom within a beautiful, lush garden. A leopard lurks in the shadows, curiously watching anything that moves. You see a sign here instructing you to use the PORTAL command to enter the aetherplex system. You see a sign here instructing you that WARES is the command to see what is for sale.
You see exits leading north, east, southeast, up (closed door), and down (closed door).

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up, scratching at his mandible as he stares at the garden.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard inches bashfully over to you and nuzzles you tenderly.

You pet Ilistala, an enormous leopard ingratiatingly.
A loud rumbling emanates from Ilistala as she rubs against you.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Xenthos, "Am sorry to keep awake."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Xenthos, "Will stay up for while yet, see if she can help."

You have emoted: Gurashi resumes petting Ilistala, an enormous leopard.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist looks skeptical and says, "I should probably be departing, myself."

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist says, "But I will leave Ilistala with you."

Xenthos steps down off of Ilistala, an enormous leopard.

You blink.

Ilistala, an enormous leopard begins to follow you.

Faintly buzzing, you ask Xenthos, "Are you sure?"

You pet Ilistala, an enormous leopard ingratiatingly.
A loud rumbling emanates from Ilistala as she rubs against you.

Spirit Warden Xenthos An'Ryshe, the Ebon Strategist smiles and says, "Be well."

You nod your head at Xenthos.

Xenthos grows still and his lips begin to move silently.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Xenthos, "O-K. Rest well."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Ilistala, an enormous leopard, "Do not worry, we will get into much trouble."

You pet Ilistala, an enormous leopard ingratiatingly.
A loud rumbling emanates from Ilistala as she rubs against you.

Xenthos is enveloped in translucent fire for a moment and is gone, his soul safe until he returns to Lusternia.

(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "Xenthos left me his cat."
(The Shadow Kindred): You say, "So i can stress pet her all i want."

You pet Ilistala, an enormous leopard ingratiatingly.
A loud rumbling emanates from Ilistala as she rubs against you.

<-- Wandered out of manse, waiting at Nexus

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

Rancoura tells you, "Tidings, Exemplar. Wish you still to speak?"

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel, "Oh - yes."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly looks up, missing the motion. "Oh - am sorry, am needing to step away," He says softly, bowing his head.

Harmony echoes in your mind as you sing to Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel, "Where can meet you?"

Rancoura tells you, "Before my Lord's shrine near the hive."

You think to yourself: The shrine...

<-- start jogging over to shrine but run into Rancoura along the way

Along a tree trunk.
A dark mist hovers lazily above the ground, heralding a shield shrine of Nocht nearby. Large, heavy raindrops splash upon the ground. The trunk of the fallen oak provides a semi-stable walkway across the ravine below. Although in some places the wood is soft and chewed, the majority is firm and solid. The southern end of the tree is still secured by the roots, whilst the northern part is only resting on the opposite bank. The ravine below looks a long way down. A short way to the north there is some sort of structure dangling from the trunk, a cream-coloured, papery ball at least twenty feet across. A blackthorn sapling clings tenaciously to the ground here. Casting darkness all around, a shadow totem thrusts up from the ground, chilling the air. Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel stands here, an unnatural silence clinging to her like a shroud. She wields the graceful black-crystal athame of the Silent Umbra in her left hand.
You see exits leading north and south.

You blink.

Rancoura beckons you to her.

You have emoted: Gurashi bows politely to those gathered.

You follow Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel northwest to between the branches of a fallen tree.

Rancoura closes her eyes and inhales deeply, absorbing the scent of her surroundings.

You have emoted: Gurashi silently falls into line.

You have emoted: Gurashi enters the clearing following Rancoura, slowing his movements so that he hovers at the edge of the clearing.

Rancoura's head dips slightly in greeting before you and Bizirik, the leothin as she takes her place by the shrine, a palm resting gently upon one of the dead branches arching nearby.

You have emoted: Gurashi joins Rancoura, opposite where she stands before the shrine. Beside him, Bizirik chatters softly, first at Rancoura, then at Gurashi, staying practically glued to his side.

Quietly, you say to Rancoura, "Many thank yous for meeting... uhm..."

Spilling ever more of its bounty, the light rain develops into a cascading downpour.

You have emoted: Gurashi raises a hand as the steady droplets become a proper deluge. He seems suddenly and utterly distracted by the weather.

Rancoura responds with a small nod, her gaze thoughtfully upon the crystalline altar and the words of the Fae etched upon it. She, on the other hand, appears utterly undaunted by the downpour, the droplets of water passing through her shadowy plumage without disturbing its mistlike state, though her robes cling to her form more tightly under the moisture.

You have emoted: Gurashi joins Rancoura's gaze upon the alter, water freely dripping from the brim of his hat. "He wants me to realize something."

Rancoura turns partially towards you at this, her pensiveness now devoted to you.

Speaking just loud enough over the rain, you whisper, "Thought that had the answer... but, He only told me that was on right course. But..."

You have emoted: Gurashi wipes rainwater off his face. "Cannot think of what else could be. Because am supposed to discover it?"
You have recovered balance on all limbs.

Rambling on over the rain, you ask Rancoura, "And Esei thinks maybe is because am passive and not doing enough action?"

Suddenly, you say to Rancoura, "He said He does not think that can do it."

You have emoted: Gurashi presses his hands to his chest. "That -I- could not do it."

You think to yourself: What does mean if Divine do not believe in...?

You think to yourself: What happens then...?

A passing moment reveals the faintest of curves to Rancoura's pale lips, but it is so brief it may have been only a figment of the imagination. "And what clues has He offered to you, as to what this revelation may be?" she asks in a low whisper.

You have emoted: Gurashi exhales loudly. "...thought that had to hurt someone. Somebody like Miss Lief, or someone else in Her Order," He takes a step closer to Rancoura, squishing through the wet grass as he continues to contemplate. "Which is apparently on right path, but not the thing."

Her attention returning to the shrine with only a sidelong regard towards you, Rancoura whispers, "Perhaps He meant your eyes to be risen a bit further."

You have emoted: Gurashi exhales, all his exhaustion and frustration starting to peter through as he covers his face with his hands. At your next sentence, he parts his fingers, peering out at Rancoura. "Risen..?"

You crease your brow in a frown.

You think to yourself: Only want to help.

You think to yourself: So what can do ...?

Faintly buzzing, you say to Rancoura, "Has said, in past... few years ago, after the thing ... to 'destroy the thing that blinds them - Hart and Moon'. But."

Faintly buzzing, you ask Rancoura, "Isn't that already goal that have?? Why would need to realize that?"

You have emoted: Gurashi chitters softly to himself, seeking some sort of reasoning to his ramblings. Beside him, Bizirik paces anxiously, alternating between staying glued to his side and wandering aimlessly about the clearing.

Rancoura looses a long, fluid breath. "The Silent One is very much His Daughter's Father," she relents at last, soft words just barely carried over the pattering of rain upon the crystal of the shrine and the branches surrounding you. "And Hers is a realm of manipulation. It may be a goal which is already entwined within our tah'vrai, but there are various methods and manners available to us to achieve it."

You have emoted: Gurashi listens to Rancoura, no longer roaming or rambling as he listens to her speak.

You think to yourself: ...manipulation...

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers, "This manipulation is often coupled with subtlety and inscrutability. Perhaps the Silent One wishes you to destroy them indirectly -- not they themselves, but within the eyes of those who claim to love them."

You have emoted: Gurashi cants his head at this, confused.

Spilling ever more of its bounty, the light rain develops into a cascading downpour.

With a dismissive, and somewhat disdainful gesture, Rancoura coolly adds, "I believe those are the sentiments they express towards their Great Spirits."

You have emoted: Gurashi's antennae twitch, and suddenly, he whispers aloud "That which blinds them..."

You think to yourself: Foolish kindness....

Bizirik, the leothin lets out a sudden distressed little whine, tossing its head and licking its own snout.

You think to yourself: Compassion ...

Rancoura nods slightly to you, hand descending from the branch to Bizirik's head, resting lightly now upon it.

You think to yourself: Gentleness...

Bizirik, the leothin's nostrils flare, and it raises its head approvingly in Rancoura's direction before accepting the pet. It whines again, fixing its kepheran companion with a steady gaze.

Faintly buzzing, you say to Rancoura, "...but, still does not... am not sure what am supposed to do, even knowing that."

The wind whistles eerily through the branches overhead.

His gaze finding the shrine, you say to Rancoura, "Is not like can steal the moon."

Bizirik's head begins to droop. It opens its great maw and curls back its lips to allow its forked tongue to unfurl as it yawns before snapping its mouth shut.

You think to yourself: ... am too kind...?

You think to yourself: Am too gentle...?

The faintest tinge of amusement brushing her features, Rancoura's gaze rises to the mid-afternoon firmament, visible through the tangled branches surrounding you. "Would that we could," she whispers in agreement. "Imagine the devastation of those lost without her light."

You have emoted: Gurashi suddenly looks aside at the statement, mandibles clicking.

You think to yourself: Miss Duet....

Softly, you say, "Do not think Silent One intends for me to steal moon..."

Shadows swirl around your arm as the Fingerblade of dha'Wyrden-cree digs itself more painfully into your finger.

Still watchful of the skies, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers to you, "Perhaps not. What you may do, however, is advocate the inferiority of Hart-and-Moon to our Crow and Night. How they teach only healing and coddling, rather than adaptability and endurance."

You have emoted: Gurashi reaches up, scratching at his mandible. "Mean, have tried, but peoples believe what they choose to," His voice softens, "even if their belief is wrong."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Rancoura, "Feels like are all ..."

You have emoted: Gurashi seems to lose his train of thought, once more covering his face with his hands as he tries to get it back Bizirik's pleased humming from Rancoura's pets stop, and it stops giving the trill any attention, stalking up to Gurashi as it had earlier.

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers to you, "Disturbances of such deep beliefs are not likely to uproot them immediately. Such manipulation requires a great deal of patience and perseverance; some souls may be swayed, in time."

Affording the kephera only a glance, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers to you, "It is also greatly important that you yourself believe what you advocate."

Quietly dropping his hands, you say, "So am supposed to ... just.... bring peoples to the Wyrd... but - already have been and planned on doing that."

You think to yourself: What if I can't do it.

With a slightly raised brow now, though her eyes are ever turned upwards, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers to you, "Including certain individuals bound to Her?"

With a gasp, you say to Rancoura, "Do have any idea how hard it was to get Miss Lief and Miss Elexia to -come- to Glomdoring for festival? But they -did- and they -saw- the Wyrd and they -had a good time-."

Faintly buzzing, you say to Rancoura, "Years ago would not so much as blinked eyeballs at our Woods."

You have emoted: Gurashi huffs softly, then gets an expression of sudden realization.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Rancoura's lips.

You stare implacably at Rancoura.

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers to you, "And that, Exemplar, sounds as though progress is being made, does it not?"

You have emoted: Gurashi clasps his hands at his chest, eyes wide and locked on Rancoura's as rain continues to splash noisily down about them.

You think to yourself: Am supposed to steal them to Wyrd...?

You think to yourself: Kindness, compassion, gentleness...

Suddenly, aloud, you ask, "Am supposed to take those things from them...?"

You stare implacably at a shield shrine of Nocht.

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers to you, "Perhaps. There are several possibilities in meanings to the Silent One's words. This is likely but one."

You have emoted: Gurashi glances to Rancoura, then back to the shrine, folding his arms uncomfortably over his chest.

You think to yourself: Is that the answer You want...

You think to yourself: Am supposed to take away the softer things they protect...

Spilling ever more of its bounty, the light rain develops into a cascading downpour.

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

As she at last turns from the shrine, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers, "The other possibilities, Exemplar, you must consider some time longer. I cannot give you all of the answers you seek, even when they pertain to my Lord. Even His words are not always meant for such."

Midnight shadows coalesce around a new day, and Mother Night embraces the land in utter darkness.
It is now the 12th of Shanthin, 549 years after the Coming of Estarra.
There are 31 days until the New Moon

You have emoted: Gurashi does not take his tired gaze from the shrine even as Rancoura turns away. He nods in acknowledgement, wiping a bit of rainwater from his beak.

Softly, you whisper, "Have taken much of your time lately..."

Slowly, quietly, you say to Rancoura, "Am ...sorry for doing so. But am also grateful."

With a slow shake of her head, gaze finally resting upon the kephera once more, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers, "You have benefited from the service of my tah'vrai, which is available to all who embrace the Wyrd. This does not beg apology."

Bizirik, the leothin whines softly again, waiting for Gurashi to acknowledge it.

You have emoted: Gurashi nods to Rancoura, continuing to avoid meeting her gaze.

Quietly still, you say, "Many thank yous."

In smooth, silken tones, Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel whispers to you, "I shall, however, leave you to your contemplations, for there shall certainly be many more. Do not be dissuaded by the Father of Silence, little one. As I have said before, He would not afford you so much of His precious time if He did not see potential in you."

Lady Haruspex Rancoura So'hthae, Ole'noc Caihel has lost you.

You have emoted: At the mention of potential, Gurashi tightens his grip upon his cloak.

You nod your head at Rancoura.

Bizirik, the leothin snorts.

Rancoura passes you by with graceful, soundless steps, balancing effortlessly upon the fallen trunk. She bows her head gently to you in farewell, repeating the gesture to the staring Bizirik.