His rune is clear as day to her, a thousand ideas wrapped into one single symbol. A trail that widens to a path that leads her ever upward, past fears and base instincts, towards understanding, towards the desire to learn more, to know when to ask and when to listen. A hand that gently guides her away from traps and missteps, that eases her forward, that keeps her from stumbling back into pain, into darkness.

When she did this before, with Micolash, their runes were like mirrors, reflecting one another into infinity, an ocean of moonlight spreading around them in a dazzling array. This moment she shares with Jim is different, but no less precious. It is a handshake, an exchange of ideas. It is guidance and compassion, a steady hand and a caring, watchful eye working in harmony to draw out answers from the shadows, to bring them both closer to understanding the language of the Great Ones.

She sighs softly and lets go of his hands. The connection ends, but the images remain, like a fading dream.