A New Fandom

Adrenaline rushed through Sayane’s veins in a surge of electric excitement. It had been years since singing had brought this feeling to her. She wasn’t focused on herself, or her performance. What fascinated her most was the feeling of mattering to others. 

Her song had brought Azag relief for the first time in decades, and had helped Attis move through grief he had stored for years. Now, she stood before a dozen or so others, all of whom were crying tears of somber joy at the simple ability to hear her distant song.

“How are you in here?” Azag asked in concern as he stepped between the crowd and Sayane.

“Darling, you gave us all keys as part of the neighborhood watch initiative, remember?” said a small, catlike creature.

Azag’s shoulders relaxed and he let out a grunt.

“Right… Sorry… not thinking clearly. Just… a little overwhelming,” he said as he stepped aside.

Can-Mo slid towards Sayane, still crying and unable to speak. Tentacles took her hands with warm gratitude.

“Your clothes! You look lovely!” it finally spoke.

Sayane laughed a tearful laugh.

“Thanks. I have a good tailor.”

Azag looked Sayane up and down and noticed the brace was still on her leg.

“Is your leg hurting? You're still wearing your brace.”

Sayane shook her head.

“No, it feels healed. But you made this for me to help me. So I want to keep wearing it.”

Azag dipped his head without speaking. Once more, Sayane had no inkling of what he was thinking.

“We saw a flash of light pulse across the stones, then we heard a powerful, beautiful voice echo from the darkness,” said another member of the crowd that spoke with a squeaky voice.

“And we knew. We just knew the songstress had found her song.”

Sayane nodded in slight embarrassment.

“I’m sorry it took me a little bit of time to reset. But I am here now. And if my singing can help people, I want to do so. Thank you all for your patience,” she said with a bow.

When she stood up, Sayane looked around at the familiar open space of The Shattered Stone. Its center cavity was lowered and cavernous. Seats around the pit all faced inward towards its center point. It was a perfect stage. Adrenaline continued to surge in Sayane’s body, and the creative awareness that had so long been gone was now as clear as ice water.

“Azag. This space…” Sayane asked.

It was as though Azag already knew what she was about to propose. Even Attis seemed to feel the idea. He jumped up into Sayane’s arms as she scanned the space.

“It could hold a little over one hundred guests. For a lovely night of tasting new brews I’ve had shipped in, of course.”

“Of course. And I, as your new helper, would be very knowledgeable of each brew. I could even stand in this center space and ‘tell’ everyone alllll about these brews…” Sayane said.

Atti’s tail began to wag with excitement.

“Sayane, do you mean?…” he asked.

Behind them, the crowd all leaned in to hear her confirmation.

Sayane smiled and faced the guests. The returned joy of singing and burgeoning understanding of what her song could do were both driving Sayane to move quickly. This new song was meant to be heard. 

“Tonight, The Shattered Stone will have a very special tasting event. Please, only tell those you know and trust. But tell as many as you want.”

Quiet cheers burst out from the small crowd, as several jumped into one another’s arms. Attis jumped from her arms and down onto a booth with a newfound vigor. The small cat-like creature limped forward on her crutch and held out a trembling paw in cautious approval. Sayane smiled, uncertain of what to do.

“May I… touch you? Even just your hand?” asked the cat.

“I enjoy hugs, if you’d like,” said Sayane as she held open her arms.

The cat paused as embarrassed tears ran down her face. Only then did Sayane realize she was blind.

“What is a hug, songstress?” asked the cat.

“This,” said Sayane as she allowed her newfound peace to move her to embrace this stranger.

Matted fur met her arms and chest as the bony ribs and back of the vulnerable being sank against Sayane.

“Oh! Oh!” the cat softly cried as she wrapped her arms around Sayane.

“You would embrace slummers like me?” she whispered in surprise.

“Of course,” Sayane replied as she held the being for a little longer.

“Come here, Can-Mo. I know you like hugs,” laughed Sayane as more tears of resolute joy fell from her face.

Can-Mo squeeled in happiness and quickly slid to join the hug. Then Sayane motioned to the others, who collectively gasped at the perceived honor. Soon, Sayane was surrounded in welcoming embrace by all manner of fur, skin, scale, fang, tail, and wounded soul. Attis climbed onto her shoulder and rubbed his ear against her cheek. Only Azag stayed in place.

Through tears and laughs, Sayane caught a glimpse of him standing far enough away to not touch anyone. Their eyes met, and he did not look away. For so long, he looked away from her. But for that single moment, he held her gaze. Seconds felt like minutes, then he bowed and looked down at his workstation.

Moments later, the excited crowd had slunk out of the tavern to go begin spreading the word. Sayane sat at the bar and had a small sip of the glowing pink drink she had come to enjoy. Attis drank golden liquid from a small bowl while Azag faced away from them to down a shot of a black serum.

Then they laughed. It was unplanned. At first it was soft, then it became a chuckle, then a burst of full chested laughs. For Sayane, it was the most she had laughed in ages.

“Now, I suppose it’s time to start preparing?” Attis asked as he looked out at the pit.

Azag nodded in agreement as Sayane finished her drink.

“Yes! I don’t yet know what I will do, but tonight, we’re having a concert!” Sayane said with a cheer.