SPECTRE and SHADOW Conference (storyline)/2025-10-11 - Lecture 5 - Eggs (log)

Lecture #5 of the 2025 SPECTRE and SHADOW Conference was actually associated with PAWS. It was led by Orralith and focused on eggs.

Log has been heavily edited to remove ambient messages from 5000 pets.

A crisp, clear voice calls out, the sound echoing through the halls and across the grounds, "The conference continues in the library with more lectures."

[Evermore Hotel, Library]
Towering bookshelves are crammed with grimoires, tomes, and scrolls adorned with mystical symbols shimmering in the dim light of softly glowing orbs.  Tables scattered throughout the library are covered with open books, their pages fluttering as if stirred by an unseen breeze laden with the musty scent of aged parchment.  An enormous tapestry hangs above a grand stone fireplace carved to resemble the gaping maw of a colossal dragon frozen in a perpetual roar.  You also see a coy forest spirit that is flying around, a long-haired tortoiseshell cat with an ebon face mask, a slender brown fox, a sleek polychromic teadragon with lacy opalescent wings, a pale amber mosquito, a glowing red-gold fire puppy with a luminous white face and belly, a prism-winged black house fly, an obese drunken chinchilla, an innocuous house spider, the Serene disk, a bur-eyed twisted witchwood mandrake sprouting midnight belladonnas, a skeletal ash grey cat, a black-tailed black ora damselfly bedecked in fiery orange wings with scarlet veins, a blue-eyed seal point cat sporting white whiskers, a grizzled white puppy with a scar-covered hunchback, a faded red phantom puppy bleeding whorls of sanguine mist, a two-toned cerulean weevil, a black-lacquered witchwood bar framed by mist-enshrouded iron cauldrons with some stuff on it, a branch-like ghostwood basket perched on a base of raven-carved marble, a polar bear skin rug and an overstuffed dark leather couch.
Also here: Nilandia, Vulpine Chaser Perigourd, Sister-in-Arms Delindra, Magister Raelee, Aifric, Manager Blodeuyn, Rivienne, Fleurs, Land Pirate Maylan, Serene, Miss Lissaya who is sitting, Master Giedrius, Lady Erienne, Vexlia, Gardener Brigit who is sitting, Lady Meliyara, Small Game Huntress Kialeigh, Brave Soul Alek who is sitting, Madam Felisaithne who is sitting, Ceibhfhionn who is sitting
Obvious exits: out

Maylan says, "Eew."

Speaking to Aifric, Felisaithne asks, "Did you find him?"

Nilandia dusts herself off.

Aifric glances at a long-haired tortoiseshell cat with an ebon face mask.

(Raelee dusts her charcoal-streaked hands off.)

Blodeuyn frowns.

Felisaithne reaches out and strokes the tortoiseshell cat's tail.

Blodeuyn says, "All these bugs and spiders."

Serene stares at a table.
Speaking to a table, Serene says, "You stay under there, or else."

Perigourd glances down.

Speaking to Blodeuyn, Maylan says, "Mmhmm."
Maylan removes a giant ovate leathery winged cockroach from in her cream flyrsilk toqua.
Maylan drops a giant ovate leathery winged cockroach.
Speaking to Blodeuyn, Maylan says, "That was in my room."

Speaking to Felisaithne, Aifric says, "Yes.  Princess Doughnut was busy chasing bugs again and ignoring my pleas to return... as he does."

Felisaithne nods at Aifric.

Ermias just arrived.

Ermias softly says, "Ah, excellent."

Fleurs asks, "Where HAS Elaahra been?"
Fleurs casually observes her surroundings.

Giedrius glances at a giant ovate leathery winged cockroach.

Giedrius cringes.

Speaking to Giedrius, you ask, "Is this your bit, then?"

Missoni fans herself.

A skeletal ash grey cat pads in.

Ermias helps himself to a herb-crafted skewer of grilled squid rings.

Lissaya curiously asks, "Princess Doughnut is a he?"

Speaking to Blodeuyn, Fleurs says, "Miss, you need better help."

Speaking to you, Giedrius says, "Someone else is going to go first, then I will."

Speaking to Aifric, Felisaithne says, "Tis the nature of felines.  I'm glad he returned safely."

You say, "Ah."
You incline your head.

Orralith wanders in.

Orralith slowly empties her lungs.

Speaking simply to Lissaya, Aifric says, "Yes.  Princess Doughnut is a he."

Aihan says, "I have the ingredients."
Aihan slowly empties his lungs.

Orralith smiles.

Brigit turns to face Giedrius.

Orralith asks, "Are we ready to discuss eggs?"

Lissaya nods understandingly.

Brigit softly asks, "Did you finish with the hamster talk?"
Brigit hums distractedly to herself.

Ermias takes a bite of his grilled squid rings.

Aihan nods at Orralith.
Aihan beams happily at Orralith!

Speaking to Orralith, Maylan says, "I like eggs."

Felisaithne turns to face Orralith.

Felisaithne nods in agreement at Orralith.

Aihan removes a handful of elderberries from in his chainsil cloak.
Aihan offers Nilandia a handful of elderberries.

Nilandia smiles gratefully at Aihan.
Nilandia accepts Aihan's elderberries.

Ermias takes a bite of his grilled squid rings.

You fold your arms over your chest.

Speaking to Felisaithne, Aifric says, "Oh, I was sure he would come back safely... but he's like my security blanket... since I do better with cats than... people."

Blodeuyn frowns.

Orralith kneels beside a basket lined with moss and straw, a pink teacup pig trotting close behind and sniffing the air with interest before hiding behind her ankle.

Aifric gazes anxiously at her surroundings.

Blodeuyn looks about for insects.

Missoni gazes in wonder at Orralith.

Lissaya glances at a giant ovate leathery winged cockroach.
Lissaya nods at Blodeuyn.

Ermias takes a moment to observe Orralith.

Speaking to Aifric, Felisaithne says, "Indeed, I understand that line of feeling."

Felisaithne smiles at Aifric.

Thalita wanders in.

Raelee nods faintly at Thalita.

Missoni whispers aloud, "Mr. Brimblesbee."

Orralith says, "Good day, everyone.  I am Orralith, and this is Mr. Brimblesbee, who insists on attending every lesson whether or not it concerns him.  Today, we shall speak of something delicate and very dear to me.  We shall talk about eggs.  Not the sort for breakfast, but the kind that promise new life if we care for them properly."

Missoni gazes with interest at Orralith.

Brigit grins.

Aihan tilts his head toward Orralith, examining her intently as the tip of one ear twitches briefly.

Alek rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Perigourd nods thoughtfully.

(Delindra plops herself down on the rug, glancing around for any animals nearby that need scritches.)

Orralith says, "First things first.  When you find a nest, always look before you touch.  Every egg has a parent who worked hard to make it safe.  I often say that if you would not like someone moving your bed while you sleep, it is best not to move an egg while it rests.  Sometimes the parents are only away gathering food, so wait and watch.  If they return, the nest belongs to them, not to us."

Felisaithne smiles and nods encouraingly at Orralith.

Aifric put a bronze and ebon yarn ball in her magenta cotton pack.

Giedrius just went over and threw himself down on the couch.

Brigit looks thoughtfully at Orralith.

Orralith lifts one of the moss-lined eggshell replicas from her basket and holds it up to the light.

Ermias just went over and threw himself down on the couch.

Ermias waves to Giedrius.

Maylan leans forward.
Maylan squints at Orralith.

Vexlia ponders.

Missoni gazes with interest at Orralith.

Orralith says, "Eggs come in many colors and sizes.  A soft blue might belong to a thrush, speckled brown to a wren, cream and long to a duck or goose.  Never take more than one if you must help, and only when you are certain the rest will survive without it.  Too many missing eggs will make a mother abandon her nest."

Ermias takes a bite of his grilled squid rings.

Orralith smiles.

Orralith says, "I hope I didn't lose anyone..."

Alek shakes his head.
Alek inclines his ear, listening intently.

Orralith lowers her replica egg.

Orralith says, "If you must keep an egg for study or rescue, or because its nest has fallen, you will need warmth.  The easiest way is to make a cradle of wool or feathers near the hearth, not upon it.  Turn the egg gently once or twice each day, keeping it close to the warmth but never too hot.  The air should feel like the inside of a cupped hand."

Fleurs blinks.

Ermias takes a bite of his grilled squid rings.

Missoni looks thoughtfully at Orralith.
Missoni traces a finger over her swirled vaelfyren.  A small spark follows the path of her finger across the vaelfyren.

Orralith cups her hands together and then stretches out her arms.

Orralith says, "If the egg begins to crack and you hear soft peeping, do not rush.  Hatching takes time and strength, and if you help too early, the chick might not learn how to free itself.  Patience is the greatest kindness you can offer.  If the shell never cracks, whisper a blessing and return it to the earth.  It gave its best promise, and the world will use it anew."

Aihan agrees with Orralith.

Ermias sniffs at his grilled squid rings.

Felisaithne smiles.

Felisaithne nods at Orralith.

Orralith says, "So remember, my friends, take little, watch much, and handle everything as if it were spun from moonlight.  Every egg is a story waiting to begin, and every story deserves a gentle hand."

Orralith says, "Always be gentle and kind."

Ermias offers Giedrius a herb-crafted skewer of grilled squid rings.

Rivienne smiles at Orralith.

Orralith says, "You never know when you might be on the other end needing that helping hand."

Meliyara looks thoughtfully at Orralith.

Orralith stands up.

Missoni nods knowingly.

Delindra smiles.

Orralith asks, "Does anyone have any questions?"

Erienne smiles.

Ermias raises his hand.

Thalita taps her lip, lost in thought.

Orralith nods at Ermias.

Manager Blodeuyn just loped out.

Alek raises his hand.

Maylan says, "Um."
Maylan idly scratches herself on the neck.

Ermias softly asks, "Yes, first lovely talk.  Very interesting subject.  I was wondering, in the difficult cases where those eggs are returned to the soils, are there any burial rites you'd particularly like to share?"

Ermias takes a bite of his grilled squid rings.

Fleurs blinks at Ermias.

Orralith says, "Burial rights?  I suppose you to could a lament for the unborn."

Orralith says, "It seems appropriate here."

Ermias nods sympathetically.

Ermias softly says, "Thanks for considering.  Most interesting."

Manager Blodeuyn just loped in.

Alek raises his hand.

Orralith smiles at Alek.

Oogey says, "Oogey has a blessing for eggs..... Dont get smushed."

Speaking raspily to Orralith, Alek asks, "If I were to attend some eggs myself, how long would it take them to hatch?"

Ceibhfhionn gazes at a bookshelf, eyes fixed upon it intently, and mutters, "Ware the darkest woods."

Ermias glances at Ceibhfhionn.

Aihan chuckles.

Orralith says, "I suppose it depends on the kind, really."

Alek rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Meliyara looks thoughtfully at Ceibhfhionn.

Raelee surreptitiously glances at Ceibhfhionn.

Aihan agrees with Orralith.

Speaking curiously to Alek, Delindra asks, "Do you lay eggs?"

Fleurs asks, "Are they that dark if they have glowing mushrooms in them?"
Fleurs buries her face in her hands.

You gaze in amusement at Fleurs.

Orralith says, "A hummingbird only takes about 14 days, maybe longer but never double."

Alek gawks at Delindra.

Perigourd raises his hand.

Delindra blinks at Alek.
Delindra asks, "What?"
Delindra glances at Alek.

Orralith says, "While a duck can go as far as 35."

Vexlia raises her hand.

Nilandia casually glances at Ceibhfhionn.

Speaking raspily to Delindra, Alek says, "My mate might..."

Ceibhfhionn gazes with interest at the rune-etched staff in her hand.

Erienne exclaims, "35!"

Fleurs giggles at Erienne.

Missoni nods slowly.

Ermias takes a bite of his grilled squid rings.

You raise your hand.

Missoni raises her hand.

Delindra says, "Oh! I'm, um, sorry, I didn't realize."
Delindra coughs.

Aihan leans against a towering bookshelf.

Orralith asks, "Did anyone else have any questions?"

You nod.

Meliyara raises her hand.

Missoni raises her hand.
Missoni adopts an agreeable expression.

Orralith smiles.

Orralith says, "Please ask away."

You ask, "What about spider eggs?"
You grin wryly.

Missoni looks thoughtfully at you.

Oogey says, "Smush."

Speaking to Orralith, Meliyara asks, "If one stumbles across some eggs that appear to be abandoned, how does one discern between eggs for eating and eggs not for eating?"

The teacup pig starts to squeal, the whites of its eyes showing.

Orralith frowns at you.

You give your eyebrow a little workout.

Delindra blinks.

Missoni frets.

Orralith bends down and cooes and pets the teacup pig until it stops shaking.

Aifric says, "I mean... spider egg clutches are relatively tiny, right?  How would you even go abou that sort of thing..."

Orralith quietly mouths, "We don't say the s-word."

The teacup pig starts to squeal, the whites of its eyes showing.

Orralith frowns at Aifric.

You say, "Ah."
You say, "Well then."
You ask, "What about them?"

Speaking to Orralith, Raelee suggests, "Arachnid."

Missoni murmurs, "Oh dear."

Oogey grins at Orralith.

Speaking sternly to Aifric, Fleurs says, "I would hope we know not to eat spider eggs."
Fleurs gags.

Speaking to Aifric, Perigourd says, "Some are carried, some are hung, I believe."

Orralith sighs heavily.

Delindra's polychromic teadragon runs over and rubs against her, fluttering her tiny wings and lashing her tail in a lizardly impression of a needy cat.  Delindra reaches down and gently rubs her rainbow-hued hide as she purrs.

Oogey says, "Buggie."

Speaking to a sleek polychromic teadragon with lacy opalescent wings, Orralith says, "Its okay."

You say, "There are likely quite a few in the gardens right now."
You chortle.

Speaking to Fleurs, Aifric says, "They might be a delicacy..."

Thalita asks, "How easy is it to trick a mother into raising hatched eggs of another similar species?  Is there a ratio beyond which you stop getting away with it?"

Speaking to her teacup pig, Orralith says, "Its okay."

Speaking to Fleurs, Aifric says, "Kind of like fish eggs are."

Fleurs can offer Aifric only a blank expression.

Ceibhfhionn says, "I wonder if anyone scrys with eggs."

The squealing continues, the pig trembling against Orralith's leg.

Orralith frowns.

Blodeuyn frowns.

Vexlia says, "What if da nest belongs to somethin' dats also delicious? Like a chicken."

Manager Blodeuyn just loped out.

Aihan nods at Ceibhfhionn.

Delindra glances down.

Speaking softly to Ceibhfhionn, Ermias says, "Mine always end up scrambled."

Missoni passes a hand over her richly toned, olive brown face.

Speaking to Ceibhfhionn, Nilandia says, "It wouldn't surprise me."

Speaking raspily to Vexlia, Alek says, "Good question."

Aifric raises her hand.

Delindra suggests, "I think the teacup pig might be done brewing its tea."
Delindra furrows her brow.

Meliyara whispers aloud, "Then wait for the eggs to hatch to become the delicious thing."

Manager Blodeuyn just loped in.

Blodeuyn coughs.

Alek points at Meliyara.

Erienne says, "Nuggets."
Erienne giggles to herself.

Meliyara nods knowingly at Vexlia.

Raelee squints at Blodeuyn.

Speaking raspily to Meliyara, Alek says, "Good answer."

Meliyara nods appreciatively at Alek.

Nilandia raises an eyebrow in Blodeuyn's direction.

Ermias waves to Blodeuyn.

Orralith says, "Well, thank you so much for listening but I need to calm Mr. Brimblesbee down before the next talk at eight."

You ponder.

Speaking to Orralith, Maylan asks, "Hi. Every time I crack an egg into my skillet, the yoke breaks. How do I go about avoiding that?"

Perigourd scratches at his beard.

Meliyara nods appreciatively at Orralith.

Orralith stares at Maylan.

Speaking to Orralith, Missoni exclaims, "Thank you for the discussion!"

Lissaya appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Fleurs blinks.

Thalita says, "Some spiders eat their hatchlings, but then some hatchlings eat their mother.  There is a symmetry to it."

You nod in agreement at Thalita.

Missoni murmurs, "Poor Mr. Brimblesbee."

Perigourd says, "Cuckoo's are known to lay eggs in other bird nests, I believe."

Giedrius glances at Thalita.

Speaking to Orralith, Nilandia says, "Thank you for speaking with us, and hopefully Mr. Brimblesbee can calm down."

Blodeuyn says, "My esteemed guests, I must apologize for the interruption, but it appears our situation with the spiders has become  rather more social than expected."

Orralith huffs, the teacup pig at her side squealing again.

Speaking to Maylan, Fleurs says, "Walk on eggshells."
Fleurs appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Orralith just swept out.

Ermias takes a bite of his grilled squid rings.

Meliyara looks thoughtfully at Blodeuyn.

Ermias ponders.

You murmur, "Pity. I was rather curious about the answer to my question."