Descending the stairs, Radley “Fedora” Cooper found herself in mostly darkness save for the lone torch against the wall. She wasn’t afraid of the dark, finding it mildly comforting without the nightmares to accompany the feeling.

Behind the torch lay an entire wall of runes, looking to be consisting of the wall itself. The girl couldn’t help but reach out, brushing an experimental hand over them, and feeling absolutely… nothing.

Disappointment flitted across her features, and Radley couldn’t help but turn around in the room a few times, wondering just what she was supposed to do down here.

“Not very bright, are we?” Jerking her head up and sending her hair over her shoulders, Radley tried to glance around for the voice. ”Though blind, I enlighten; though loose, I am bound.”

She moved forward, and the voice became louder, despite it feeling as if it was in her mind. Was this other… speaking in riddles?

“Is that the whole thing?” She found herself asking, reaching out to brush her fingers against the wall again, finding nothing.

”In form too I differ – I’m thick and I’m thin, I’ve no flesh and bones, yet I’m covered with skin.”

She could swear by the tone that it – no, she – was smiling, but Radley only became more confused. Was she trying to tell a riddle, or a story? Either way, it sounded horribly out of order. Her fingers kept exploring the wall until she felt something warm, and it just seemed familiar. Nothing was familiar here, but perhaps it wasn’t the right word… right.

That was the word she was looking for. This felt right. Pulling the rune from the wall, she found in surprise that it changed into a bow, the craftsmanship gorgeous.

”Greetings to you. Not your kind, just… you. Perhaps we’ll get along, yes?”

“I certainly hope so,” Radley replied, running her fingers across the edge of the bow, her eyes becoming glossy as it hummed in return. “I assume I’m your partner, right? I’m Radley.” It was hard not to cry. She actually had someone to count on, and someone that could count on her. At least, that’s the way she saw it. Her very own weapon.

”Tears accomplish nothing. Emotions are wasted. I already know your name, child. I knew it the moment we met.” The voice sounded haughty, but proud and knowledgeable. I am Eilissandra.”

“So I can call you Ellie?”

”Absolutely not.” Eilissandra sounded mortified. ”You will use my full name at all times. Eilissandra, or nothing at all.”

“Very well, Eilissandra.” Radley held onto the bow tightly, starting to head back up the stairs. “What are you?”

”There is no need to speak to me aloud. You merely have to think your thoughts to me. Not that it’s a problem to read your emotions – you wear them on your sleeve like a diamond jewel that is worn to show off. I am disappointed, Radley.”

“It’s who I am.” The girl responded, a bit stubbornly.

”Tongue in cheek. Think it.” Feeling much like a child that had just been scolded, Radley sighed and let her shoulders slump as she exited the cave.

It’s who I am. I’m not changing who I am.

Seeming satisfied with that answer, Eilissandra answered her question. ”I am a Spidren. Rather, I was a Spidren. We delight in figuring others out, whether they’re our kind or not. I grew bored of that, so I became what I am now. You took a long time to show up here. I do not appreciate having to wait that long.”

Radley’s tears threatened to spill over her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize-”

”In your mind, Radley. Do you want to be seen as crazy?”

Doesn’t everyone talk to their weapons here? She found herself wondering, biting her lip as she fought against the tears. Eilissandra wasn’t being cruel, but she didn’t understand why she was so hard.

”Do not cry, it is a useless and futile gesture. I will enjoy being your partner… you will be an interesting conundrum to figure out.”