Ess’s smile deepened at Silver Wren’s laughter. “The wind has good taste,” Ess replied lightly, eyes glinting beneath her veil. “It rarely carries anyone someplace dull.”
She tilted her head, studying Silver with open curiosity. One bell chimed softly as Ess lifted a hand, palm up, as though weighing an invisible possibility. “The night noticing you is almost always a good thing. It means it’s curious and it’s paying attention.”
Her gaze flicked briefly toward the dance floor, where spores shimmered and laughter braided with music, then returned to Silver, conspiratorial and kind. “The trick,” Ess said softly, “is noticing it back. Choosing what you answer and what you let pass by.”
She offered a small, encouraging smile, the sort meant to steady rather than dazzle. “So tell me,” she continued, “has the wind carried you toward the dance floor yet… or are you still listening for where it wants you next?”
She tilted her head, studying Silver with open curiosity. One bell chimed softly as Ess lifted a hand, palm up, as though weighing an invisible possibility. “The night noticing you is almost always a good thing. It means it’s curious and it’s paying attention.”
Her gaze flicked briefly toward the dance floor, where spores shimmered and laughter braided with music, then returned to Silver, conspiratorial and kind. “The trick,” Ess said softly, “is noticing it back. Choosing what you answer and what you let pass by.”
She offered a small, encouraging smile, the sort meant to steady rather than dazzle. “So tell me,” she continued, “has the wind carried you toward the dance floor yet… or are you still listening for where it wants you next?”
"Very well, not late. That's just the way I want to keep things." He had, indeed, approached the buffet table, as you do.
Even a Myconid lost in a dance was present enough to know that pulling out of the trance was a sensible thing to do in company, at least during an event such as this. While they didn't stop glowing nor did they stop releasing the pleasant and perhap slightly hallucinogenic spores, they did reduce their swaying to observe all the newcomers.
Along the telepathic pathway, a warm greeting traveled to all, much like a spoken voice would. It is a pleasure to see you all here.
Along the telepathic pathway, a warm greeting traveled to all, much like a spoken voice would. It is a pleasure to see you all here.
Malachite continued to waltz, spotting another person who had joined in the dance. He offered the Imp a friendly smile on the brief occasion their gazes met; and for a split second his bangs fluttered off of his forehead to reveal a third eye. It shared the same striking green hue as his other two, yet quickly disappeared back under his hair as it fell back into place.
The man seemed a bit flustered by the reveal, but decided to play it off as if nothing had happened. Many unique people were here already, thus they likely wouldn’t pay mind to one of his own unique traits.
The man seemed a bit flustered by the reveal, but decided to play it off as if nothing had happened. Many unique people were here already, thus they likely wouldn’t pay mind to one of his own unique traits.
Oh, great, so everyone else here was just as in the dark as she was. That was, at least, a little comforting. It also meant she could ask a bunch of questions without looking like an idiot. "Champagne," she said, holding the glass up so he could see the bubbly liquid inside. "And thank you for the recommendation," Her brother would be so proud of her, she was so polite, "I'll be sure to give it a try." She took another sip, her eyes never leaving his, then paused, making a show of tilting her head. "So, Onzi, you come to these sorts of parties often?"
She was just about to ask a follow up question, something witty and prying, perhaps, but she was cut off by a voice that wasn't quite a voice, echoing not in her ears, but in her skull. Imp froze, her glass halfway to her lips. Her head turned to the side, now, gaze flitting over the others - brief eye contact the dancing man, as in all three, and she was swiftly reminded of a certain seer back home - to the Myconid who was, indeed, glowing like a strange and beautiful nightlight. Her ears twitched, and her tail gave a short flick. Only she was allowed to be in her own head, and start prying in other people's heads.
Maybe she could admit that a part of her perked up in finding someone else that might be able to do what she did, but she didn't like competition. Was that you? She asked in return, gaze narrowing as she stared directly at Aurelian, How are you doing that? Her own voice was sharp, and maybe worried?
She was just about to ask a follow up question, something witty and prying, perhaps, but she was cut off by a voice that wasn't quite a voice, echoing not in her ears, but in her skull. Imp froze, her glass halfway to her lips. Her head turned to the side, now, gaze flitting over the others - brief eye contact the dancing man, as in all three, and she was swiftly reminded of a certain seer back home - to the Myconid who was, indeed, glowing like a strange and beautiful nightlight. Her ears twitched, and her tail gave a short flick. Only she was allowed to be in her own head, and start prying in other people's heads.
Maybe she could admit that a part of her perked up in finding someone else that might be able to do what she did, but she didn't like competition. Was that you? She asked in return, gaze narrowing as she stared directly at Aurelian, How are you doing that? Her own voice was sharp, and maybe worried?
Sliver smiled and put a hand to ear as if she was trying to listen. "No, but I do like to make my own crazy choices." She nodded toward the dance floor. "Would you like to join me." She was feeling detrimed and nervous about dancing with people watching. But, Ess made her feel at ease and comfortable
Not quite a frown, but an intense stare was cast by Ami in the direction of the spores that seemed to avoid her—perhaps the first time she had looked this serious all night. The critical gaze soon softened, however, likely as soon as she sensed no danger from them, and her gentle smile returned.
She then took a few steps forward to join those gathered at the center, following the flow of the music with her own gentle, swaying steps. Her hips moved subtly as she found her rhythm, her graceful motions blending seamlessly with the others.
She then took a few steps forward to join those gathered at the center, following the flow of the music with her own gentle, swaying steps. Her hips moved subtly as she found her rhythm, her graceful motions blending seamlessly with the others.
"not at all, I usually keep to myself but something told me that something interesting might happen tonight so I decided to come and see what everything was about"
Onzi also then turns his attention to the Sporebearer, "I hope you're having a pleasant time tonight"
Onzi also then turns his attention to the Sporebearer, "I hope you're having a pleasant time tonight"
The warpriest nods politely and quietly confirms to the servant, "Indeed, and thank you. I have been sent with a gift of consideration from Her Eminence, the Cryu-Dzien, as she is unable to attend this evening's festivities." He notes an indicator on the HUD provided by his mask indicating a minor biological risk, but continues, "I may either present it to the Grande-Duchess herself directly, or turn it over to her staff for her to receive when she has the opportunity. As the Grande-Duchesse is currently greeting guests, I thought it best not to trouble her immediately. I can either turn it over for holding, or remain until she has a moment to receive the gift, whichever would be most appropriate by local ettiquette." He keeps his head still, but his eyes, concealed by the lenses of his mask, flick toward the dance floor, confirming the source of the spores his equipment had detected. Nothing his mask's filters couldn't handle, and nothing that actually seemed like a cause for alarm so far, thankfully. "I have also been instructed that it can be inspected before being handed over to the Grande-Duchesse if requested," the war-priest adds, "In case of any ongoing security concerns or the like."
Ess felt the greeting before it finished forming.
It brushed the edges of her thoughts like warm pollen carried on a breeze, gentle, deliberate, unmistakably kind. She turned her head toward the glow at the center of the dance floor, eyes softening as the Myconid’s presence made itself known.
And it is a pleasure to be seen, she answered in kind, not aloud but with a subtle inclination of her head and a warmth returned along that same unseen thread. Not all minds listened with grace. Ess did.
Her gaze lingered only a moment longer before another quiet revelation caught her attention.
A flicker.
A shift of hair.
A third eye, green and keen, revealed and hidden again in the space of a heartbeat.
Ess smiled to herself.
Some truths, she knew, preferred to be glimpsed rather than announced. She offered Malachite no stare, no commentary, only a brief, knowing glance as if to say I saw. You’re safe. Then she let it pass, exactly as such things should.
At her side, Silver Wren spoke, nervous and determined all at once.
Ess turned fully toward her then, warmth bright in her expression. “Crazy choices,” she echoed softly, approving. “Those are usually the right ones.”
Before Silver could second guess herself, Ess reached out and took her hand. Her grip was sure but gentle, fingers cool against Silver’s palm, grounding rather than pulling. One bell chimed as Ess stepped backward, guiding her toward the glow and music and drifting spores.
“Come,” she said, voice low and encouraging. “No watching. No thinking. Just listening.”
She led Silver onto the dance floor, into the space where the music lived and the spores shimmered and judgment dissolved into motion. Ess did not perform. She did not command. She simply moved, letting the rhythm find them both, turning just enough to keep Silver close, supported, never alone.
“The floor doesn’t bite,” Ess murmured with a playful glance. “And neither do most of the people.”
As they began to sway, she lifted her chin slightly toward the glowing Spore-Bearer in silent acknowledgment once more, then back to Silver, her smile warm and steady.
“See?” she said softly. “The night noticed you. And it’s already dancing back.” ✨
It brushed the edges of her thoughts like warm pollen carried on a breeze, gentle, deliberate, unmistakably kind. She turned her head toward the glow at the center of the dance floor, eyes softening as the Myconid’s presence made itself known.
And it is a pleasure to be seen, she answered in kind, not aloud but with a subtle inclination of her head and a warmth returned along that same unseen thread. Not all minds listened with grace. Ess did.
Her gaze lingered only a moment longer before another quiet revelation caught her attention.
A flicker.
A shift of hair.
A third eye, green and keen, revealed and hidden again in the space of a heartbeat.
Ess smiled to herself.
Some truths, she knew, preferred to be glimpsed rather than announced. She offered Malachite no stare, no commentary, only a brief, knowing glance as if to say I saw. You’re safe. Then she let it pass, exactly as such things should.
At her side, Silver Wren spoke, nervous and determined all at once.
Ess turned fully toward her then, warmth bright in her expression. “Crazy choices,” she echoed softly, approving. “Those are usually the right ones.”
Before Silver could second guess herself, Ess reached out and took her hand. Her grip was sure but gentle, fingers cool against Silver’s palm, grounding rather than pulling. One bell chimed as Ess stepped backward, guiding her toward the glow and music and drifting spores.
“Come,” she said, voice low and encouraging. “No watching. No thinking. Just listening.”
She led Silver onto the dance floor, into the space where the music lived and the spores shimmered and judgment dissolved into motion. Ess did not perform. She did not command. She simply moved, letting the rhythm find them both, turning just enough to keep Silver close, supported, never alone.
“The floor doesn’t bite,” Ess murmured with a playful glance. “And neither do most of the people.”
As they began to sway, she lifted her chin slightly toward the glowing Spore-Bearer in silent acknowledgment once more, then back to Silver, her smile warm and steady.
“See?” she said softly. “The night noticed you. And it’s already dancing back.” ✨
The tentative and alarmed reactions did not go unnoticed. Aurelian felt bad that their way of communicating had put some of the guests on edge.
When addressed by the imp, the Myconid gave a gentle nod. It was. My species possesses no vocal abilities, we prefer telepathic communication over much more crude body language. It didn't occur to them that the equivalent of speaking out loud but telepathically would be considered invasive. It was the same to speak through a mouth as it was to speak through the mind, at least as far as Aurelian was concerned.
I apologize if this causes... discomfort. There was a lot of genuinity behind the words.
They then directed their gaze towards Onzi. I am having a tremendous time, thank you. What do you do for relaxation when not attending such gatherings?
When addressed by the imp, the Myconid gave a gentle nod. It was. My species possesses no vocal abilities, we prefer telepathic communication over much more crude body language. It didn't occur to them that the equivalent of speaking out loud but telepathically would be considered invasive. It was the same to speak through a mouth as it was to speak through the mind, at least as far as Aurelian was concerned.
I apologize if this causes... discomfort. There was a lot of genuinity behind the words.
They then directed their gaze towards Onzi. I am having a tremendous time, thank you. What do you do for relaxation when not attending such gatherings?
"I enjoy meditation and just being out within nature to relax. That and running through the forest as my animal. What about yourself, what do you enjoy?"
The Duchess pressed a glass of cider into Zechs hand, encouraging him to go and mingle with those brave souls who were already on the dance floor.
The servant speaking to Niskali seemed to hesitate at the mention of a gift, hmming. "Yes, an inspection would make a great deal of sense. Would you mind presenting the item to me?"
The servant speaking to Niskali seemed to hesitate at the mention of a gift, hmming. "Yes, an inspection would make a great deal of sense. Would you mind presenting the item to me?"
Briefly he would catch Ess’s gaze, a once flustered expression softening into something more relieved. The face of someone who might have felt understood.
Malachite directed his attention towards the spore gently floating through the air, a look of wonder in his eyes as he reached out to touch one. The feeling of bliss was immediate, a smile returning to his lips as he continued to dance.
I wish the fungi from home were like this
His cape swayed along with him as he danced, the movement adding a feeling of gracefulness to his own.
As Ami joined the dance he gave her a cordial smile, then a friendly nod to Onzi as well; offering his greetings to everyone on the dance floor.
Although, a part of him couldn’t help but eavesdrop. His large ears caught snippets of conversation all around the party, and he quietly indulged on the happenings all around him.
Malachite directed his attention towards the spore gently floating through the air, a look of wonder in his eyes as he reached out to touch one. The feeling of bliss was immediate, a smile returning to his lips as he continued to dance.
I wish the fungi from home were like this
His cape swayed along with him as he danced, the movement adding a feeling of gracefulness to his own.
As Ami joined the dance he gave her a cordial smile, then a friendly nod to Onzi as well; offering his greetings to everyone on the dance floor.
Although, a part of him couldn’t help but eavesdrop. His large ears caught snippets of conversation all around the party, and he quietly indulged on the happenings all around him.
Onzi's reply was absolutely not lost on her, despite her attention being diverted away - a good rogue learned to pay attention to everything at all times, and so her ears twitched as she listened to the elf. After a moment, she offered a slight nod and a tight-lipped smile. "Interesting is one word for it." she said, though her attention was still on the Myconid, waiting for an answer.
The one she received was not nearly as upsetting as she expected - no threat, or heat, or anything. Just a politeness that you wouldn't find in the Wallow, among the creatures like her that would share the ability to pick through someone's thoughts. It made sense. Was it bad that some part of her just felt frustrated that there was apparently a whole species that could do this? That was her schtick... Then again, she was rather sure they weren't in Thickett, or anywhere the Green Pact touched, for that matter - so really, if she thought about it, but not too hard, this wasn't a threat to her monopoly over the telepathy market.
It was literally the only thing that separated her from every other two-bit rogue-for-hire out there, okay? Besides the whole 'changing her face' thing. She needed to keep an iron grip on her talents.
Her hackles lowered, and a little of the tension left her shoulders. It's... fine. she responded, her mental tone still a little wary, but with a sliver of curiosity now. I don't know what your kind is. She was still staring, taking in the creature's form, the way it glowed, the gentle sway of its body. It was fascinating, and she hated being fascinated by things she couldn't steal. It was like, what was the point? But noted.
Onzi's speech did still register, as she replied to the Myconid, though it took her a second, a quick glance towards him and a small hm? escaping her before she realized that she was not, in fact, being spoken to. Reason had it that the telepathy wasn't just for her, then. That was… fine. It was fine. It was not weird at all that this creature was just projecting its thoughts to anyone. She did that all the time. To be fair, that was because she was special and pretty, and was allowed to do anything she wanted forever - or so she told people. Imp figured the Myconid was pretty, at least, in the same way rot over carrion was. Maybe special - definitely special.
(ignore the double post, I write in docs and copy/paste lol)
The one she received was not nearly as upsetting as she expected - no threat, or heat, or anything. Just a politeness that you wouldn't find in the Wallow, among the creatures like her that would share the ability to pick through someone's thoughts. It made sense. Was it bad that some part of her just felt frustrated that there was apparently a whole species that could do this? That was her schtick... Then again, she was rather sure they weren't in Thickett, or anywhere the Green Pact touched, for that matter - so really, if she thought about it, but not too hard, this wasn't a threat to her monopoly over the telepathy market.
It was literally the only thing that separated her from every other two-bit rogue-for-hire out there, okay? Besides the whole 'changing her face' thing. She needed to keep an iron grip on her talents.
Her hackles lowered, and a little of the tension left her shoulders. It's... fine. she responded, her mental tone still a little wary, but with a sliver of curiosity now. I don't know what your kind is. She was still staring, taking in the creature's form, the way it glowed, the gentle sway of its body. It was fascinating, and she hated being fascinated by things she couldn't steal. It was like, what was the point? But noted.
Onzi's speech did still register, as she replied to the Myconid, though it took her a second, a quick glance towards him and a small hm? escaping her before she realized that she was not, in fact, being spoken to. Reason had it that the telepathy wasn't just for her, then. That was… fine. It was fine. It was not weird at all that this creature was just projecting its thoughts to anyone. She did that all the time. To be fair, that was because she was special and pretty, and was allowed to do anything she wanted forever - or so she told people. Imp figured the Myconid was pretty, at least, in the same way rot over carrion was. Maybe special - definitely special.
(ignore the double post, I write in docs and copy/paste lol)
Sliver felt the coolness of Ess's hand calm her almost instantly. She squeezed her hand back gratefully. She followed her feeling still a bit nervous but felt it slowly changing to nervous excitement a stayed neared the glow and music.
She took a deep breath and then let her body follow the rhythm of the music. Then she looked up at Ess. "Oh gosh, you're right." She smiled at little feel, the nervous almost melt away. "And I always thought thr night hated me." It had always scared her away.
She took a deep breath and then let her body follow the rhythm of the music. Then she looked up at Ess. "Oh gosh, you're right." She smiled at little feel, the nervous almost melt away. "And I always thought thr night hated me." It had always scared her away.
I'm home! Let me catch up real quick, my crappy old phone didn't like the chat function too much)
The fox-masked woman turned toward the hulking vision of warm colors that was Tairloth, and she smiled with her eyes. "It's been a long time, how's the Multiverse treating you?" she asked, motioning to shake her hand - and whisper, once she was close enough that only Tairloth alone could hear: "Be careful about dropping names in such large events as this, my friend." And she winked to show no harm had been really done; the Duchess wouldn't allow anything wrong to happen to her guests, but Cris's life as a vigilante had taught her that some caution was never out of place.
Meanwhile Chiara smiled widely when the Duchess suggested that she dance with the newcomer who had just been announced as THE FATHER. She tilted her head, bright red eyes peering from behind the crystal mask. "Hi! I'm a snowflake", she said, reaching out a tiny hand. "You want to dance the snowflakes dance with me?" But the next moment something caught her attention; a tiny dragon had approached her! It looked just like the big ones, but it was miniature-sized... and it seemd to want to play! "Oh!" she exclaimed at the sight of Piemyth. "You are SO CUTE!" And immediately tried to gently tickle its head, if the little dragon would let her.
Meanwhile Chiara smiled widely when the Duchess suggested that she dance with the newcomer who had just been announced as THE FATHER. She tilted her head, bright red eyes peering from behind the crystal mask. "Hi! I'm a snowflake", she said, reaching out a tiny hand. "You want to dance the snowflakes dance with me?" But the next moment something caught her attention; a tiny dragon had approached her! It looked just like the big ones, but it was miniature-sized... and it seemd to want to play! "Oh!" she exclaimed at the sight of Piemyth. "You are SO CUTE!" And immediately tried to gently tickle its head, if the little dragon would let her.
Aurelian nodded approvingly of the Elf's answer. Meditation is a valuable practice. My people spend many hours a day performing a meld during which we meditate as well. Although the concept of this humanoid being running around as his animal seemed to puzzle the Myconid a little. What does it mean to run through the forest as your animal?
When the imp affirmed that things were okay, the Myconid was not fully convinced, if only for the tone her words carried. They studied her for a few moments, making sure they weren't missing something vitally important about the situation, then focused on her statement. Was that a question?
My people are known as Myconids. Perhaps you know us as fungus folk? We thrive in the Underdark, scattered throughout in various communities and taking care of the dark lands.
When the imp affirmed that things were okay, the Myconid was not fully convinced, if only for the tone her words carried. They studied her for a few moments, making sure they weren't missing something vitally important about the situation, then focused on her statement. Was that a question?
My people are known as Myconids. Perhaps you know us as fungus folk? We thrive in the Underdark, scattered throughout in various communities and taking care of the dark lands.
"Ahh my dear Sporebearer I am a Druid Elf, I am able to change into an animal, usually in dangerous situations or if I feel threatened. I do however enjoy running around from time to time as well though"
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