2024-06-15 - Southwest

A sense of curiosity grows.

They were more now, them and the other grains of sand, and Mirage felt as if they might be able to reach out to them now. That they weren't as alone, though Mirage didn't mind being alone. They learned a lot being able to just listen, but at the same time, they wanted.

"hello?" The feeling with it is tentative and unsure, the sound itself soft and quiet.

There had been many times when the inhabitant within Canyon had tried to reach out to both The Mother and the others in the clutch, often by loudly screaming in a desperate attempt to be heard. The Mother could hear them, but could not understand them. The others could not hear them at all. It was terribly, achingly lonely.

They were resting, after another desperate attempt to seek escape from the grossness they were trapped in, scrabbling at the confines of "in here," and finding neither purchase nor weakness for them to work with. Resting, and feeling despondent. Then suddenly, there was - a whisper? A greeting? From a neighbor?

Hello! Can you hear me? Hello! Hello! they shouted in response, hoping that this time was finally the time that someone who could actually understand them would hear.

Half asleep, the Desert egg was surprised and gladdened by the whisper of a greeting from one of the Others, a soft fluttery One. She was less happy about the immediate yelling from a One that was all rough, sharp hot. "Now really, is such noise necessary? Hello, yes, I can hear you both. How do you do?"

Oh! Part of Mirage hadn't actually expected to get a response, much less such a loud one. It had them pulling back for a moment, but not for long. They had been reaching out after all.

I hear you. They answer, still soft, but more firm. Hello.

And it wasn't just the two of them. There was another, and their feeling of delight grew. Well, thank you. they answer, a gentle breeze brushing past. it's nice to know you both are there.

The inhabitant within Canyon's attention was briefly redirected to another neighbor, one who was grumbling at them. Ah, no, because speaking quietly has been a sure way to get anyone to hear and understand me before this moment just now, was their reply, their sarcasm as dry as the desert landscape that surrounded the Weyr.

In all seriousness, they went on, addressing both neighbors, but their voice was open to reach anyone else who could hear, it is absolutely wonderful to finally have a conversation that isn't one-sided for the very first time. The Mother, unfortunately, doesn't make for a very good conversation partner, because she doesn't understand me even when she does hear. You two haven't had any better luck with that, have you?