2024-06-15 - Northeast

Fully aware now of the Others around them and confident in their strengthened voice, Polaris reached out once more to its nearest companions.

After the discovery of the physical plane, Polaris was intrigued to find that some of the Others were near and others were far away. It was a concept made easier to understand due to Mother's continued alternating prescence and absence. So far Polaris had noticed that none of the Others left for any period of time and this made it wonder if they were confined like it was. If it could leave, it certainly would have by now. It was working on it.

So who else is here? it asked bluntly of its nearest companions.

As the constellations of minds coalesced around it, Herald could begin to notice subtle differences it could not before. As it had taken time to realize that Mother's vanishings were due to Movement in a Space it could only contemplate, that this waxing and waning was due to near-far, far-near, so too did it come to understand that the star-bright minds of its companions were also associated with this Space. While they did not move, did not brighten or dim like Mother's presence, some felt Near, while others were Far or, at least, less Near. Perhaps that was why it had not been Heard before, had it, perchance, been trying to speak to those Too Far?

As it contemplated this, contemplated reaching out once more, but this time to those who felt more of the Near, there were Words. A voice! A voice and words not its own! Surely this belonged to one of the Others, a Near Other? Yes, that felt right. Oh, but the words were a question, questionings required answers, they did.

Hello!

This was a favorite word of Herald's, a greeting, a beginning. More could flow from there but a greeting felt proper for the first.

I am here. Herald continued, its voice bright, musical - if the nascent dragonets knew of music. But there are more, yes? Hello! It cast its voice wider, seeking out those minds of the Near Other, inviting them to join the chorus.

The Others. Omen perked up. Finally, it could reach out and be reached. This was too slow in happening. This was needed so long ago. Omen wanted to know if their others were like them.

We are here. We hear you, others!

The voices were so different. One blunt. Forward. The other with a lilt that reminded it of mother, but not. Omen wondered what they sounded like to others. Surely, like themselves.

Sigil listened, taking in the words of the Others. The joy it felt at being Not Alone stole its words for a time, but it sent out pleased, welcoming emotions towards the nearest Others until it found its voice again.

I, also, am here. Sigil's words were sleepy, contemplative, but no less present. Hello.

Polaris found Itself far more surprised and delighted by the response from those around It than It had expected. It wriggled within It's confinement and listened carefully to the different mindvoices of It's clutchmates.

Three.
Three distinct voices had responded.
Three entirely new beings!

You are here, It echoed happily, And I am here too!

Polaris was warmed by the emotions It felt from the Others. It allowed Its own gratitude and joy to ripple out so they too could know of Its pleasure at this first contact.

Are you all? Or are we more? Polaris asked, curious to learn what more of the world these Others knew and attempting to hold in the multitudes of questions It had for this new conversation.

Oh but this was truly a delight and a treat! Two more Voices had joined the first, two more new songs of the symphony surrounding it. These voices were so similar to its own and yet so very, very different. This was good, being all the same would get boring, it thought, no room to explore or learn or grow in sameness.

As each new voice joined, Herald committed the shape and feel of them to memory. The first: bold, straightforward, but not rude in this bluntness. The second: perky and bright, vibrant even. The third voice, last to join but not least for it, sounded a bit drowsy, a thoughtful waking from a dream.

The first spoke again, and Herald replied. More, I think! More distant, less clear to me, but I feel them, I do. Perhaps we can reach them soon? It paused, considering, the continued brightly, For now, this is enough, we here, joined for the first time. It is so very nice to be here now.

Oh yes! Sigil enthused. We are here. it is good to be together.

They had struggled with being alone and feeling invisible, but now there were Others that they could speak with. Others that would always be there, even when Mother was not. And a promise of More. Sigil was so very, very happy.