We were still sitting in the Open weave, I had no idea what to say.

How had I heard Elyr inside my head?

Was this how Aethri communication worked?

How was this possible?

I just sat there and looked at my friend. They looked just as shaken as I was when I really looked. It’s hard to describe, Aethri expressions are not just facial, but their resonance threadlines looked more defined and a little like the fur on a surprised cat. There was a pleased element to it though, so I didn’t think I had offended or scared them!

When I had gathered my thoughts I asked “what does this mean?”

Elyr just carried on looking at me in a sort of wonder, “I don’t know” they said, “I don’t think it has ever happened before”

We were both still in shock, we decided to walk a little, just to be doing something.

After we had been walking for a little while, I heard Elyr say “are you ok Fia Veylin?” and this time I knew instantly that it was inside my head, there was new a reverberation to the sound that isn’t present when they speak aloud. This time it wasn’t shocking, this time felt comfortable.

I tried to reply from inside my head.

It didn’t work, it isn’t the same as just thinking the words.

I think I must have pulled a face while I was trying because I heard Elyr laughing inside and outside my head!

They said, “It’s not about just thinking loudly Fia, find the connections”

I tried again, and this time it felt different, inside my head I heard the words finding their place.

Elyr said I was very quiet but we think that is just practice!

After some more tries and some more walking Elyr stopped and said:

“I think I do know what this means Fia Veylin”

They smiled with thier whole self and said

“I think we are Kith”