Wow! This whole post was enchanting and beautiful. So many poetic and layered images you created. Especially the aruna scene. Though it was definitely descriptive and delightful, I also felt that the participants had a sense of awe and a reverence for the sacredness of creating a pearl. Very lovely!

I also thought the part where Vaysh holds the harling is so perfect. It's just how you feel when you have a child.

I do ache for Vaysh sometimes. He wants to be happy for his friends, and I'm sure he is, but his heartbreak is just so deep.