(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

sky, with lanterns dangling like fruit. Burnished, gold-plated edging
surrounded the flower beds, which were thick with lush growth that gave off
a sweet, honeyed scent. I almost wanted to pluck one of the blossoms for
tasting.
"Try them, if you wish," Grace smiled as if she had read my mind, "Sight,
smell, touch, hearing, taste... these are how a Sensate seeks the truth of the
multiverse, and the Festhall spares no expense for its members."
"I'm not really a member... not officially, at least."
"You are Sensate enough for Splinter to allow you entrance. That is no small
task," Grace smiled, and casually brushed her hand over the variety of
flowers, barely allowing the petals to touch her fingertips. She sighed,
content to experience the textures yet again.
"Hrmn. New experiences do sometimes help me remember," I murmured,
plucking one flower. It was butter-yellow, with golden veins. I gave it a
nibble, smearing the juices along my tongue.
It was pleasant at first, sweet and perfumed, a little like jasmine with a
splash of rose wine. In moments however an awful bitterness filled my
mouth, and I sucked my tongue and desperately swallowed to clear my
tastebuds of the juices.
"An Endilay Blossom," Grace mused, "From Bytopia. It is an effective
antiseptic, and is often used in poultices, if I recall. Not all experiences are
pleasant, but we strive to learn from all of them."
Story of my life.
I browsed the selection of orbs, these of a higher quality than those
available to the public. For one, they were a little bigger, and second the
light inside them blazed and swirled like the fires of small suns. I walked past
many, like a connoisseur carefully choosing what should be his first taste of
wine that day. I read the names of each sensation, each simple and
enigmatic, more vague than the ones in the public sensoriums, and all the
more enticing for it.
~~~~~
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