2024-07-22 - Eyes and Heart Wide Open 4.6.3

Ilrioth was composing sleepy limericks 'neat the light of the moons when a new song approached. Instantly, they are wide awake, twisting within their shell as if to get a better look. This is one of the elusive Strange minds whom he had felt from afar, minds kin to those of dragons, but as separate as the two moons above. As with all new visitors, its curiosity is piqued, its mind tickled by tantalizing, new notes. Obikel's presence is noted, but it is quiet, and fades into the background music as Bisk approaches the eggs.

Evening, music-maker.

However, this is the first time those notes sound quite so brightly. It sounds, feels like She is talking to him, rather than at him. Hello! Hello! Ilrioth calls back joyously. You can hear me, yes? Your voice is a most wonderful song, rich and deep. It is so very nice to meet you. Stars shine soft upon you, new friend. He would not know her voice is of the earth, of the loam and fertile soil so very different from the sand with which the dragonet is familiar. It is a comforting richness, safe as Mother's embrace.

It is with rapture that Ilrioth listens to the wise Mother speak. She is not his Mother, he knows this, but she is a Mother, of this he is certain. The steady thrum of her voice, the intimacy of a words spoken to rather than at enthrall it. Though she speaks scarcely more than a dozen words, the meanings behind those words could fill the oceans twice over. Some of them are a bit puzzling - the bits about dirt and lies especially. For what did dragons have wings for if not to soar the skies? Then again, one did have to come back down to rest, and Ilrioth thinks that musical instruments would not do so well aloft, so he supposes he can see some of her point, if not all. Lies he had long ago decided he could do without, empty or not, so that one would be easy, he thinks.

As for the rest - humility, the night, the heart, these he holds close, breaths them in like the aroma of newly opened flowers, commits them to memory and melody. Thank you, Wise One. The young one says, offering her his two favorite words as payment for her wisdom, I promise.