Video| In all my dreams, it's never quite as it seems

[ushahin]

[When the video opens up, Ushahin is lying once again inside his bathtub. It's about five o' clock in the morning, so at least he's only waking up the resident of Hadriel up at the crack of dawn instead of the middle of the night this time. He's considerate that way.]

Does anyone else hear it? The music? It's so lovely.

[There is, of course, no music. What he's hearing is the tune he's caught from passing through someone's mind while they sleep. It's had quite the effect on him.]

Music makes everything quiet inside.

[He starts humming to himself, tapping his fingers to keep rhythm. If that tune sounds somewhat familiar, well, it might have been your mind he was tapping into.]

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[valiantabsurdity]

From Lir to good Usashin,

I thank you your response, both kindly and swift. It distresses the mind to think how complacent pigeons and their kin have become by mere compare. I shall think long and hard and without compassion next such a bird approaches me, daintily waving its leg, whether I should entrust it with my correspondence, when it provides such weak service.

It eases me to have your answer and know your demeanour honest and your intentions true. A bath tub is only a humble bath tub, but then a bed is only a humble bed, and they are both made of man, with man's own hand. Who is to say which is most suited for sleep? I think you may have charted unknown grounds with your discovery. Please keep us abreast of your experiment, and I wish you only well in it.

With interest and obedience,

Lir

[ushahin]

From Ushahin to Lir,

Of the value of pigeons, I cannot remark upon, except upon their taste. (Delicious, I might add, especially when baked in a sauce.) Ravens, however, are clever beings, and will tell you all that they know of if given the chance. I have one here as a companion, and indeed, he is far smarter than some members of the populace here.

I can tell you much of what goes in the beds of men. To be sure, I have seen unfortunate fates befall many of them while sleeping. It is less so when they are in a bath tub. And so, for this reason, I shall sleep in here and remain safer than elsewhere in this dwelling.

With knowledge,

Ushahin

[valiantabsurdity]

From Lir to wise Usashin,

I fear I can't speak for the virtues of pigeon cookery. They have always seemed to my eye too small and weak for the trouble of their catch, and flimsy in their flight. I would not eat them. But I am pleased if you have found a new friend in these grounds, as I have yet to meet those familiar to me.

What name to your companion? Did he speak it with his own tongue? I have found birds quieter than cats, but cats speak their minds beyond all other creatures.

If you have fears of horrors waiting in your bed, I can watch your resting room while you search them. It is a small service I am only glad to do.

In friendship,

Lir

[ushahin]

From Ushahin to Lir,

His name is Fetch. He was named by my cousin, who saved him as a fledgling from the bitter cold snows. Always show kindness to animals, for they never forget it. He does indeed make his thoughts known, though not through words. He is a very special bird, gifted with an unusual talent, as I myself am.

That is a very kind offer. I may find occasion to take you up on it, for I find that sleep and I are not very good friends. Some nights, it likes to elude me and leave me restless. But I am getting off the subject. You have a good heart to make an offer to one such as I.

In gratitude,

Ushahin

[valiantabsurdity]

From Lir to good Usashin,

Your friend is thoughtful and wise and most noble. You have been blessed by Fetch's company. I shall be sure to curry every favour on his likely acquaintance, so that he might look kindly upon me and perhaps grace me with a fond pat of his wing over my head, as some birds have already done. It stings the eye, but I am certain they mean it well.

As for your talent, is in unkind to inquire on its nature? Please advise. I should be loathe to ask a question that is particular in its cruelty or general in its disregard.

Think nothing of my offer. It is only honourable, and in this something that a hero should provide. Besides, we are only so few in these catacombs. Would you say, a handful? And among us, I think, women and children and perhaps even the sickly, who are above all worth our care.

In earnest,

Lir

[ushahin]

From Ushahin to kind Lir,

I am sure he shall be glad to make your acquaintance. The best way to gain his friendship is through food, for his weakness is that he is a horrendous glutton. I fear he shall become horribly fat living in this city.

It is not unkind, though I ask you to withhold judgement after I explain. I have the power to scry the minds of men both waking and asleep, as well as see through the eyes of my raven friend. I do not use these gifts lightly, though I find many men fear what I can do to them.

Ah, a hero! It is has been quite some time since I found myself in the company of one worthy of the title. I must confess I was named as a villain in my own home, though I disliked the title greatly. I only ever wished to be left alone to live my life as I saw fit. Alas, the world could not let me be.

In explanation,

Ushahin

[valiantabsurdity]

From Lir to good Usashin,

I see. I see, then, your trouble. Pigeons are of the same ailing, too quick to eat what you will give, or what they will take. But we must excuse them their thievery, for they are small and plain white birds. I do not know if ravens can hope for the same pardon. I think you should search Fetch for all his wisdom and scold him thoroughly. A bird should know better than to seek roundness. A bird should know better indeed.

You are a sorcerer, then? Well met. And have you references? We have employed a number of sorcerers at the castle: the strongest of the land and the bluest of the land. Although he came from a strange place, and so perhaps he was not of the land altogether. But his dress was blue. I have been told it is a great thing to be a sorcerer, and also a great burden. I hope you have not found the torment altogether disagreeable.

With friendship,

Lir

[ushahin]

From Ushahin (do note the spelling) to Lir,

Ravens are sly and tricky birds by nature. They know exactly what they are and what they are capable of. To be fair, he does have his good qualities. He is incredibly loyal and saved the life of my companions and I on more than one occasion. However, his fondness for food is boundless, a trait picked up from being hand-raised among humans instead of among his fellow ravens.

Sorcerer, witch, misbegotten. I have been called many things, but the name I chose for myself was Dreamspinner. Alas, any references that could be made are by those who are deceased, or enemies, who no doubt have a biased opinion. The torment is not so terrible. It helps to give strength to my powers.

Sincerely

Ushahin

[valiantabsurdity]

From Lir to USHASHIN (apologies, do please forgive me. There was a kindly and well-mannered scullery maid who most often searched the spelling of my compositions),

I should wish to be a raven, then, as perhaps should we all. It must be a wondrous thing to be so ever confident of oneself, in one's own nature.

As for your witchcraft and your lack of references, please do not worry. Though it is concerning to be a wizard — a Dreamspinner? — without employ, despite your doubtless talents, I have faith that you will find a good king's court to house you. There is all manners of practical purpose for sorcerers in a kingdom: they can vanquish evil, or banish sorrow, or heat the tea water.

I should be only too happy to seek you out a new patron. In fact, I am certain a worthy one could even be found here, as there seem to be creatures already knowing and appreciative of magic. Did you know, as it so happens, that we have a wolf? He is, the name suggests, very big. And his muzzle is not at all so long as I had envisioned.

With care,

Lir

[ushahin]

From Ushahin to Lir,

I have found that ravens do have the most admirable quality of knowing exactly who and what they truly are. It is the rare man who can say the same. Can you?

I shall need to find a station that suited my last one. I was one of three that served a god for almost my entire life, so I think that a king's court would be a step down from such a noble position. I have not found any of the gods here worth the same level of loyalty.

There is a wolf here? I was unaware. I should very much like to meet him. I was raised by wolves. (That is, in fact, a literal statement, and not hyperbole as most would use it.)

With curiosity,

Ushahin