Arriving in Aethryn was more breathtaking than I could have imagined. Elyr had tried to describe it to me, they called it a place of connection but I had no idea what that meant until we approached. It was, of course beautiful, but not only that it felt like nowhere I have been so far on this journey or ever in my life.

When Elyr spoke about the coexistence of the Aethri the Resonants, and the skein I had no concept of how integral the connections would be. It feels completely Aethri, but somehow comfortable at the same time.

I have to admit I was a little apprehensive because it sounded so different to everything I had known, everywhere I have been communication has been verbal or written but here there is so much that can be sensed in a way I can’t really explain.

Even Elyr looks different here, they look more relaxed, and I think more iridescent. They look like they are home.

Mouse was intrigued by it all, I am extremely surprised he has stayed with us all this time, Elyr doesn’t have to constantly bribe him either.

We walked down into the town and I wanted to just walk through the streets, I wanted to feel the life of the settlement for a while before we did anything else. It is quiet but not at all quiet at the same time, there are spoken conversations, of course, but underneath that there is an undertone of whispers, but not whispers, like something on the edge of hearing.

We wandered eventually to the Open Weave, the wonderful central gathering space

As we sat there, I couldn’t help just looking at everything, the structures and the resonance fibres and everything was so entirely purposeful and beautiful. they look like they belong together. It was as I sat in awe, that Elyr said “I am so glad you like my home Fia Veylin”

“I love it” I answered,

which was when Elyr said “I did not say anything aloud “