"If the singing wind is almost as glorious, then that makes sense."

"Judge for yourself."

The wind begins to sing.

He grins and throws his head back, laughing in delight.

Serik grins at him.

"Of course," he says, "the real fun starts when I use both—"

Rain joins the wind, forming an atmospheric orchestra that fills the air with sound. It's beautiful.

It is.

"Do you want to dance again?"

"Sure."

He offers his hands again.

He takes them.

Necori is less of a performer when he's not dancing in front of an audience.

Serik pulls him into the sky and dances like they're the only two people in the world, on air that holds them as solidly as stone.

It's lovely.

However, the music is kind of audible all over the place. "Tanaikon?"

A little note materializes in the air in front of her: Busy dancing.

...With who, she wonders. She hopes it's not a euphemism for things she doesn't want to think about involving swans. On the other hand why would that involve music. Okay she definitely has questions but they can wait until he's not busy.

And, as the dance is drawing to a close, another note: New guest. Want to meet him?

Huh. She...did not know he was going out like that tonight. And by guest, does he mean...?

"Sure," she says aloud.

The dance is over. The music fades.

"Want to meet my other guest?"

"Sure."

So Serik and the wind bring Necori to Siva.

"Siva Jialo, Necori Zeris."

"You're that guy who keeps getting caught kissing boys."

"Yes. Yes I am."

"You went looking for another swan and found another unswan?"

"If this keeps happening I'm going to be in trouble a hundred years from now! Much as I appreciate you, I don't think you could carry this whole castle yourself."

"Swan?"

"He has a spell on his nonconsensual torture victims that turns them into swans when the sun's up as a side effect."

"Ah. What does he mean by carry the castle by yourself...?"

"This place is fueled with pain and I am a masochist."