Just a short little thing with a surprising bit of input from a famous Glomdoring.

-------------------------

Forks of crimson lightning split the sky, heralding the return of Fain of the Red Masque to mortal perception.

You shiver violently.

You say, "Your...friend..."

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "My Lord."

You wrinkle your nose in distaste.

You say, "Evil."

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "Is that how you consider Him?"

You raise an eyebrow at Esano.

You say, "Of course."

You say, "Evil and bigoted."

Raising an eyebrow, Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "I see.."

You say, "Sounds as if you think otherwise."

You have emoted: Sadhyra snorts in disbelief.

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "Evil is, I think you'll find, highly subjective."

Patiently, you say, "You said yourself - He hates Elfen. Clearly, bigoted."

Esano shudders uncontrollably and his eyes flare with a crimson luminescence.

More quietly, you say, "And as for evil, I've seen what those who believe in Him do -."

You blink incredulously at Esano.

You say, "What was that?"

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "He touched me."

You have emoted: Sadhyra unconsciously takes a step back from Esano.

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "But ... as for Elfen such as yourself ... He has good reason."

In a whisper, you say, "He's HERE?"

Esano chuckles long and heartily.

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "Not necessarily, although He may be."

You have emoted: Sadhyra lets out her breath in a low hiss.

You say, "What do you mean "such as myself" hmm?"

You narrow your eyes to thin slits.

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "You are Elfen, are you not?"

You say, "So are many others."

You say, "I thought you were implying something beyond my race."

You shrug helplessly.

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "All Elfen are Elfen, and that implies many things."

Stiffly, you say, "We've already had this talk."

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "Good, it appears you remember."

You say, "I'm weak and blah blah insult to Him so on so forth."

Wryly, you say, "My mother ensured I wouldn't forget the lesson. She picked up where you left off."

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "How ... good of her."

Flatly, you say, "Evil, you mean."

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "Subjectivity, once again."

You say, "She learned it from your great and wonderful Lord."

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "Perhaps you should follow her example."

You raise an eyebrow questioningly.

You say, "And take joy in watching suffering? I enjoy darkness, for the beauty that is there. Not the pain it causes."

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "And why should that preclude you learning from Him?"

With a sharp frown, you say, "She read me His tenets. He appreciates cruelty, manipulation and pain."

You say, "Why would I want anything to do with that?"

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "Perhaps you should look inside yourself for that answer. It's there, I assure you."

Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer says, "And now, I must go and orient a novice. I hope this has given you something to think over."

Esano inclines his head politely to those around him.

Esano, riding a cadaverous, dun mare with a snow white tail, leaves to the northeast.
A cadaverous, dun mare with a snow white tail trots off to the northeast.

You tell Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer, "I'm not my mother."

Esano tells you, "Apples and trees."

(small bit of movement)

Under a dark root. (Glomdoring Forest.)
The hypnotic scent of roses lingers in the air, permeating the terrain in an array of sweet aromas from a healing shrine of Viravain nearby. The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. Dressed in liquid shadows, Rowena Nightshade stands here regally poised. Suspended from the large black root hangs a bubbling black cauldron.
You see exits leading north and east.

You tell Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer, "If that were true, would I still be in my guild?"

A warm, slick sensation crawls across your skin and the shadows in your peripheral vision tinge with red as a vaster consciousness turns its momentary attention upon you.

You blink.

Esano tells you, "What do you honestly think?"

You have emoted: Sadhyra glances around, eyes narrowed.

In a hoarse whisper, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "Did you see that?"

You tell Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer, "...what did you do?"

A warm, slick sensation crawls across your skin and the shadows in your peripheral vision tinge with red as a vaster consciousness turns its momentary attention upon you.

You have emoted: Sadhyra hisses beneath her breath, drawing her cloak tight about her. "Who's there..." she cries, her voice tight and strained.

You tell Attendant Esano, Ire's Hammer, "Stop it!"

Futilely tugging at Rowena's shadowy garments, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "Rowena, do you feel that?"

You shiver violently.

Rowena Nightshade peers at you unscrupulously.

Rowena Nightshade says, "What?"

Faintly, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "The shadows...they went crimson.."

Frowning in confusion, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "I felt watched - didn't you see it?"

Rowena Nightshade peers around the chamber.

Rowena Nightshade says, "I see nothing amiss."

You have emoted: Sadhyra rubs her arms vigorously with her hands, trying in vain to warm herself. Stubbornly, she repeats, "Someone was watching me..."

Dubiously, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "Perhaps...it was nothing.."

Rowena's mouth twitches the semblance of a smile.

Rowena Nightshade says, "Apparently. You seem overwrought."


Clearly shaken, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "Yes, well you're hardly looking your best. A bit on the pale side."

Rowena Nightshade says, "Besides, if there was anything wrong, I am sure I would have felt it long before you."

Her voice a crisp snap, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "Perhaps you should work on remaining more alert - your "sense" for danger didn't do much to protect our Avatars, now did it?"

Rowena Nightshade stares icily at you.

You have emoted: Sadhyra returns the stare coldly, before stepping back quickly, breaking off the gaze.

Quietly, Rowena Nightshade says, "I have served this forest for a thousand times your lifetime."

You have emoted: Sadhyra rubs her arms again, shaking her head. Muttering, she says, "Perhaps the politics are getting to me..."

Softly, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "Even when the forest was...tainted?"

Rowena Nightshade says, "The forest was never tainted, child."

Frowning in confusion, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "Urazial told me that it had been, that the commune had worked to restore it.."

Rowena Nightshade says, "Do not believe the lies of others."

Rowena Nightshade says, "Always the influence of others poisons Glomdoring, stealing the minds of its people."

You have emoted: Sadhyra chews on her lip pensively. "What is the forest now, then?" she challenges. "Clearly it is not what it was, once, when the Taint touched it."

Rowena Nightshade says, "Trust always in Mother Night, Sadhyra."

Showing that you understand, you nod your head slowly towards Rowena Nightshade.
Rowena Nightshade exclaims, "Do not disturb my work. I am preparing for the ritual and must concentrate!"
Rowena Nightshade grumbles angrily.

Blushing, you say to Rowena Nightshade, "I'm sorry to have interrupted you, Rowena."

Rowena Nightshade says, "I have much work to do."

You curtsey respectfully before Rowena Nightshade.
Rowena Nightshade growls menacingly at you.

Rowena Nightshade nods her head at you.

You have emoted: Sadhyra quickly ducks out of the chamber.

-------------------

Thanks to whoever was responsible for that. Very atmospheric and spooky encounter.

My performance was a bit iffy, sorry about that. In my defence, it was after 2:30 am and I was multitasking. But yes, very fun.

Awesome.

On the contrary. Esano is a rather impressive character because every interaction I've had with him, even if it's just a few words in passing, has shown a very consistent (if cold and mean!) personality.

Actually now that I think about it, I have a foggy memory making me think he was the one that hissed at me for being an Elf the very first time I went to Mag on my newbie dress hunt...

I was. It's in the quotes thread somewhere.

EDIT: Well, I didn't hiss. I muttered. I was trying to be comparatively polite as you were still a newbie at that stage, albeit one who could obviously RP.