✧ Living to Serve ✧

" oh !! you don't need to curtsy or anything like that . " anna's digits sprawled , beckoning a halt to such formalities , " besides , you're right : i'm a total stranger . the only way to remedy that is to say . . . well , i'm anna , and the pleasure is entirely mine . thank you for offering to help . "

people here were friendly . moreso than anna could have imagined . while she was never the sort to assume the worst of people , she was absolutely one to take up a friendly offer . from someone so darn sweet , no less !! anna's pride knew nothing when beside someone so saccharine .

" oh , I like to think so ! " Lilith answered, though she paused ever so slightly as some past individuals came to mind. " though , some of us echoes take a little more time to become warmed up to . but once you get to know them , they bloom just like flowers do . " She did not wish to speak poorly of anyone.

After all, everyone had far different lives before they came here. They carried those experiences with them every day; she could not bring herself to offer anything less than patience and her own kindness for them.

@cagcdlxve - ( amity celebration s.c. )

Though the Echoes of Padedeu Temple did not weave the sovenance threads themselves, there was still plenty they could do to assist with the process. Whether it was sorting materials or scheduling weaving sessions with those in attendance, it allowed Sunday to study the process, while also instilling that familiar feeling of accomplishment, the warmth that came from offering guidance, even in small ways.

Now, the final weaving sessions of the day were under way, leaving Sunday and Lilith to begin tidying the temple and sorting through the remaining threads.

This, too, was a rather fulfilling activity.

Sunday wound up the spools of silken thread and tucked in the ends, storing them in neat, careful rows. Before long, the temple would be restored to the way it was this morning, before the first patrons arrived-- neat and tidy, calm and quiet.

It was no wonder he often stayed rather late at night.

Though, the silence could also be somewhat uneasy-- so after a few moments more, Sunday decided to break it.

Of course, such tasks were far easier when in the company of another. The two of them had been simply enjoying the quiet silence between the spools and the pieces that were put back into their right place. Lilith looked from her work to him, finishing the last of the arrangements of her task.

" i do ! " she answered with a smile and a quick nod. " though , I admit not for myself . i have been fortunate to not have lost a loved one . " She pauses quietly, closing the lid of the box of empty spools and setting them in place. " however , i offer support to those who may need it . grief is . . . well , it is easy to become consumed in it . "

During his walk around the Reserve, Tethu sat on a log near a lake. He couldn't help but stay there as he stared at the shimmering waters and admired the cool blue hue. The sun was getting warmer, beating down on the flora. It's been more hot lately. And even though he was used to harsh sun, it never feels easier without shade.

But now.. He was hiding in the shade for a different reason.

While walking over there, he got attacked by some small birds! They were ruthless and hounded him like a pack of Sharkobras to a lonesome Leapard. The worst part.. They took his turban and headband! Those fiends practically ripped them off his head! So now, he's searching through the whole Aether Reserve for his turban and headband while hoping to not run into anybody.

Unfortunately, it was bound to happen. Tethu noticed the two eyes from across the forest while he was trying (and looked quite pathetic) to grab on a branch that could help him climb up.

" oh ! well , hello there . " She chuckled lightly, her basket of flowers swinging at her side as she approached the one who spoke. Poor thing seemed in desperate need of some aid. ( and embarrassed to admit it. She felt a hint of sympathy in her heart for his plight. )

" i am afraid I have not seen a cloth at all . " She frowned, her eyes gazing around the clearing and seeing no object matching that description. " would you like some assistance ? i could ask the forest to show us the way to retrieve your item . "

Your experiences have led you to deeper ties in this world. Young Echo, may you cherish them well.

Congrats! Your muse LILITH ELYSIAN has ranked up to Zenith Rank! You now have the following benefits:

access to Tier 4 of the marketplace

300 emblems per Activity Check

The ability to request ZENITH-RANK CHALLENGES every 6 months

The ability to buy up to 2 EXTRA CHARACTER SLOTS*

All other benefits are listed on the RANKS PAGE.

*note : this does not stack across zenith-rank characters and will be tracked by your ooc alias!

Congratulations!

"Yeah, probably! I can't say ice skating was much of a thing back home! But I kinda wish it was, haha!!" He laughs, feeling a warmth in his chest when he felt her fingers comb through his hair and graze through his scalp. He knows she's worried that he hit his head, but it's a little.. embarrassing? No, that's not right. He doesn't mind! It's honestly pretty nice.

Affirming he was alright and unharmed, Lilith stepped back slightly to give him room to breathe. She hummed thoughtfully at his exclamation, chuckling slightly at his commentary.

" I have! I had first arrived in the autumn season. " She explained quietly, using her arms to balance as she stood on the ice in her skates. " They most certainly do! Every season is celebrated, after all, as Ivurie and Ebenos flow in and out of one another, so does the world around us. "

Beaded Embroidered Cream & Pale Pink Satin Strapless Couture Ballgown

1950s

        —  𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄  𝐇𝐀𝐃  𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐃  into  an  endless  tangle  ,  a  KNOT  that  wound  tight  and  that  rand  did  not  bother  to  unwind  .  the  Light  help  him  ,  but  he  wanted  it  to  end  .  he  wanted  it  all  to  end  .  they  almost  always  die  soon  after  ,  men  who  have  been  gentled  .  thom  had  said  .  they  stop  wanting  to  live  .  rand  coughed  and  sank  into  a  low  crouch  .  the  memory  of  thom's  words  was  distant  in  the  Void  .  the  feeling  of  his  fingers  grating  against  rubble  and  smoothing  against  white  tile  was  even  more  so  .  rand  shook  himself  and  breathed  in  ,  MEASURED  AND  DELIBERATELY  SO  ,  just  to  remind  himself  that  he  could  .  that  he  would  .  that  he  was  .  eyes  blank  ,  rand  stared  at  a  distant  nothing  .   thom  had  been  right  . 

         and  so  time  had  tangled  .  everything  rand  did  or  had  done  had  caught  well  within  its  tangle  .  hunt  .  kill  .  breathe  .  it  was  all  he  could  do  .  all  he  had  left  to  do  .  and  when  it  was  over  —  when  it  was  all  done  ,  that  would  be  the  end  of  it  .  THE  END  OF  IT  .  rand  blinked  and  scanned  over  the  chaos  of  the  lab's  courtyard  .  still  ,  in  the  depths  of  the  Void  ,  he  could  almost  hear  his  own  thoughts  skitter  over  the  black.  the  blackness  of  NOTHING  .  no  bright  sun  of  the  Power  ,  filmed  by  the  oil  of  taint  .  duty  is  heavier  than  a  mountain  .  death  lighter  than  a  feather  .  rand  hunched  his  shoulders  and  reached  for  the  metal  bar  he  had  used  as  a  weapon  —  and  heard  lilith's  approach  sooner  than  he  could  turn  his  head  to  see  her  .

         the  grip  on  his  weapon  tightened  .  she  rushed  and  crouched  quickly  .  all  the  meanwhile  ,  rand  hovered  the  bloodied  metal  club  AWKWARDLY  — and  the  Void  trembled  all  around  him  ,  seeing  her  .  distantly  ,  he  felt  SHOCK  .  like  being  doused  by  a  bucket  of  ice  water  .  the  Void  nearly  burst  .  rand  lowered  his  weapon  and  banished  the  feeling  .  concentrating  on  emotion  would  not  help  him  .  it 

         ❝   what  are  you  doing  here?,  ❞  rand  asked  quietly  .  ❝  did  you  come  on  those  floating  boats  ?  ❞

With swift motions, she reached for her utility kit, retrieving the medical supplies she had brought. Every minute, she blessed Gaia for her knowledge of traditional healing methods.

" I am here to help you... Help all of you. " Lilith murmured softly, her eyes searching to meet his own. Her heart swelled with sorrow, mourning the pain and torment that had been brought upon them all. " I did. Many of us have come. Oh- Rand. I'm so glad to see you. "

The atmosphere already familiar was made even more comforting with good company, and Sunday felt himself relaxing a bit, the tension in his shoulders easing.

"Unexpected... I've heard a bit about such things," he nodded. There was the incident where everyone's memories had been erased, and then some kind of moss that induced nightmares. It was unfortunate, Sunday thought, that he had not yet arrived at that point, since he may have been able to help a great deal... but, then again, who knows how long it would take for the full breadth of his abilities to return.

"I see. Although, in some ways, I suppose the same can be said of any world. One thing I have learned is that... there is nothing truly fixed and immutable," he said. Then, he released a light chuckle. "Well... I suppose you could say that my homeworld is no stranger to unusual and inexplicable phenomena. But... I will keep that in mind."

Watching the flowers bloom, a slight, curious fluttering of feathers. He would have liked to ask about her own powers, but he supposed that there would be time for that later. As for now...

"Then I suppose you may well be the best person to ask," he said. He looked back toward the temple, gazing upon the graceful curves of its architecture, the symmetry that was familiar, yet foreign at once.

" Oh! You are interested in volunteering here? " Lilith chirped, abandoning the bush she had only partially revived when interrupted by Sunday's inquiry. Her cheeks grew brighter in their pink hue, and even more excitement bubbled in her soul at the potential of a new companion at the temple.

" Well, it is a lot of cleaning! " She chuckled, remembering that she had abandoned her broom in the hall to attend to him. " However, the acolytes here often need assistance with ceremonies and such, particularly during holiday times. "

Lilith explained, recounting every duty she had practiced dozens of times. She looks over to the pagoda, the gold and silver ribbons dancing in the wind. " At the beginning of the month, we help tie those ribbons. Anyone may write in them, expressing their hopes and dreams and allowing the Aether to flow through them, in a way. There is even an alcove where shrines to other gods and goddesses may be made! I have one for my homeland's patron. "

" Hmm . . . I suppose in a way. " Lilith ponders quietly, setting her oven mitts down and striding towards the dining table. Once settled in the seat across from Luna, Lilith brings her full attention to her roommate, considering her choice of words carefully.

" Speaking in truth, ever since I was a young girl, I have used my magic freely. " Lilith explained softly. " My parents gave me away to the church of the Lotus as a baby. My sisters explained that my markings meant I was to be the vessel for Gaia. It was imperative that I have skill over my magic so that I may facilitate her will in all things. "

Lilith paused, hearing a soft squeaking sound. Upon looking down, she smiled, realizing that Duncan sought her shoulders as a perch. With a soft chuckle, Lilith picked up the creature and allowed him to rest in the crevice of her neck.

skirts gathered in her fist , balling and twisting . for as often as anna lounged in windowsills overlooking the heart of the city below , longing to be dropped in the middle of it all . . . to actually be in the middle of all the commotion of a bustling , moving city was rather overwhelming . toe taped pensively against the stone-laid path , where the grayscale stone shifted in tone .

do you need help ??

" um , i don't know . " instantaneous : her comes answer is as genuine and honest as a breath taken , " actually , i do . but , like , also i think i can figure it out . i mean , its a map clearly . so , i figure that if i keep on this line , it'll lead me to . . . this . "

this , being the pin dropped : the gentle prompt to send her to her new abode .

" Oh, most certainly! " Lilith giggled softly, clasping her hands together across her chest. " I can assure you that things do begin to make more sense here with time. "

Her head tilted slightly. Liltih scanned over the new arrival more properly this time. The verdant colors of her gown glowed in its earthly tones, capturing Lilith's heart. She could not help but wonder if this woman was a royal of some sort?

        𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍  𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓  𝐓𝐇𝐄  𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒  ,  a  wind  traveled  over  the  hills  and  valley  of  deep  fanalea  .  it  brushed  over  the  canopy  of  the  murkwood  forest  ,  shuddering  through  evergreen  needles  upon  its  descent  .  it  crossed  over  hill  and  vale  ,  and  rippled  over  the  snow  -  dusted  fields  of  the  farmlands  ,  kicking  up  powdered  snow  and  rustling  bushes  laden  with  sweet  red  berries  .

          rand  al'thor  shivered  from  the  cold  ,  and  shrugged  his  cloak  further  over  his  broad  shoulders  .  his  breath  fogged  in  the  air  before  the  breeze  snatched  it  away  .  he  watched  it  as  it  dissipated  ,  there  and  gone  again  in  no  more  than  a  blink  and  a  breath  .  it  had  only  just  become  springtime  when  i'd  left  ,  rand  thought  .  A  BELATED  SPRING  ,  no  doubt  .  but  a  springtime  nonetheless  ,  which  was  far  better  than  none  .  here  and  now  ,  it  was  winter  once  again  ,  and  from  what  rand  could  gather  ,  the  aerconi  hearths  rising  was  in  many  respects  the  same  effect  as  HIGH  CHASALINE  .  the  wind  blew  again  ,  whipping  at  his  coat  and  stinging  his  cheeks  .  rand  narrowed  his  eyes  as  he  turned  his  head  into  the  cold  …  and  the  ruffled  heads  of  berry  bushes  he  was  supposed  to  be  minding  .  during  high  chasaline  ,  there  would  be  feasting  all  day  and  dancing  all  night  .  during  the  day  of  remembrance  ,  you  were  supposed  to  remember  all  the  good  things  in  your  life  ,  and  not  voice  a  complaint  .  anyone  who  did  suffered  a  bucket  douse  of  water  .  the  arcanus  isle  did  not  celebrate  high  chasaline  ,  but  the  spirit  of  their  customs  was  the  same  .  or  SIMILAR  ENOUGH  .  and  for  once  in  what  felt  like  lifetimes  ,  rand  felt  that  he  did  have  at  least  one  thing  to  be  thankful  for  ,  REGARDLESS  OF  ITS  STRANGE  CIRCUMSTANCES  .

         somehow  ,  he  was  a  NORMAL  MAN  .  or rather : normal enough , which would simply have to do . certainly , rand could make it make do . after all , here  ,  he  could sense the Power and its horrid temptation , but could not wield it  .  rand  wrinkled  his  nose  against  the  bite  of  the  cold  wind  ,  and  cocked  his  nose  towards  lilith  ,  who  had  managed  to  pluck  so  many  berries  her  hands  were  stuffed  full  of  them  .  he  knelt  to  aid  her  ,  moving  their  basket  beneath  her  hands  for  a  swift  deposit  ,  and  did  not  mind  the  twist  in  his  chest  ,  at  the  thought  of  what  he  had  lost  .  rand  ignored  it  .  FOR  TRULY  HE  HAD  GAINED  .

        ❝  you  know  ,  you  really  shouldn't  try  to  pluck  so  many  at  once  ,   ❞  he  laughed  softly  .  ❝  you'll  spill  them  ,  and  stain  your  hands  besides  .   ❞

She had grown particularly fond of picking these berries whenever the time came around. The locals were always so generous in supplying her with jams and sauces after returning with baskets full of delicious treats. As this was Rand's first winter with them, she thought it would be even more delightful if he were introduced to the tradition as well.

" Ah- yes! Of course. I seem to have gotten ahead of myself. " Lilith's laugh echoed in the chilled hair. Gently, she deposited her collection of berries into the basket. Already her hands bore the stains of the little fruits. She shook her head, looking to Rand with a glimmer in her eyes.

He could feel it too, when they arrived.

The waters of this land devoid of the life that they once held, mournful and sluggish, clinging to the edges of his senses. Even after the suppression field numbed his resonance, that feeling still remained, a stain of oil unable to be washed away.

And yet... things like this hardly surprised him. At least, not in the way they seemed to catch his companion off guard... or perhaps it was just the weight of her own connection with the world, stretching beyond the waters to encompass seas and sky as well...

Thinking of this, that strange feeling returned to the back of Dan Heng's mind. Regardless, he could empathize.

So he did not say that for every vibrant, beautiful world in the universe there was another laid to waste by greed and violence. He did not recount the countless tales he'd read in the databank of worlds decimated beyond repair. That wasn't needed here. Instead, he turned his head, taking in another glimpse of the dull and miserable landscape.

"Perhaps it's a good thing that you don't understand them," he said, quietly, watching their surroundings for any sign of optic snares. "For now... we can only try to find a way to put a stop to it. I have traveled to many worlds, some not all that different from this."

In her mind, all she could think of was the warnings of her Mother. There had been countless lectures to her of the cruelty of Silver City and their domain. How those people took and scorched the earth for their own benefit. She did not want to believe that such cruelty was possible, and yet here she stood in the middle of it.

Lilith took a deep breath, her voice shaking softly. Now was not the time to mourn for this land. She had to believe there was still hope that what had been cursed for death could be restored once again.