Ode

Ode's father used to tell her that she was born with a song in her heart. "Everyone has a Soul Song, little one. Some are louder than others, but everyone has one." Young Ode stared up at her father, with wide curious eyes. “It is no one song, but a soft melody that hums with your very heart beat. When you are angry, it may be a loud chorus of thundering drums. When you are sad, it may be strings being softly plucking a melancholy tune.” He would tell her stories like this all the time growing up. It is no wonder she grew up with such a passion for music.

Once she was old enough, she left home. Joining a group of traveling musicians, and spreading the joy of music across Sornieth. One evening, they came across a small clan tucked into the Charged Barrens. In exchange for a show, they were given a hot meal and a place to rest for the night. A sudden storm ended up trapping them for a few days before it finally cleared up enough to fly.out.

However those brief few days, she found herself getting rather attached to this clan, and specifically with a Snapper named Florian. The two of them clicked from the moment they had first met. While he was preparing a meal one night, he was softly humming to himself. He nearly jumped out of his own scales when he turned and saw Ode lingering in the door to his cave. “For a dragon with a wingspan that is nearly three of me, you are very quiet…not that thats a bad thing…you are an average size for an Imperial…I just mean in relation to a Snapper you’re quite large…huge even…” His awkward chuckle fades, “Not that I think you’re huge! Its just…I uh…” Ode bursts into laughter. “It's alright. I was listening to you hum is all. Was that your soul song?” She asks curiously. He stared at her as if she just sprouted an extra tail. “My…what?” He pauses, setting down the Marsh Stalker he was fileting for dinner. “Your Soul Song. Do you not have one?” She asks him, studying him close. “I don’t know. I don’t think so? Maybe?” He pauses for just a moment longer. “You could join me and explain it over dinner?” She accepted nearly before he could even finish offering.

Florian hardly got a word in throughout the meal, but he didn’t mind. He was fascinated listening to her. She explained everything she knew about Soul Songs. Every story her father told her, all the little folk tales that were passed onto her about heroes who used their Soul Songs to bring together dragons in times of great need. He was entranced by her stories, even as he cleaned up from dinner, he held onto every word. Ode was in the middle of explaining the emotion that different instruments can bring. Though they may be associated with certain emotions, it is possible to use them to convey other emotions as well. “It is about who is playing, not what they are playing. I believe everyone should know how to play something, even if it is just using their own voice. How else do you share your Soul Song?” She asks, “Do you know how to play anything?” He picks at his claws, “I have always wanted to learn how to play, well hang on.” He pulls out a large case and clicks it open. “My father gave me this. He always had a passion for music as well.” Her eyes light up as she looks over the harps' delicate strings. She traces the excellent wood work, and carefully painted detail with a claw. “Oh this is beautiful. May I?” She asks, carefully taking the harp as he hands it to her. Her sharp talons were so delicate with the fragile strings, as the soft tune fills the cavern. “Here. Now you try.” She hands the harp back to Ode, despite his protests he takes it. He plucked one string and the sound of it breaking echos through the cavern. She could see the panic setting in as she quickly picks up a small loop of replacement string from the case. “Don’t worry! Easy fix.” After a quick string replacement, they were back where they started. “Alrighty, lets try that again.” Ode was ever so patient, pulling out her own Lute to place alongside him as he learned basic chords and tunes. “Sounds like you all must be having a concert there.” A voice from just beyond the cavern entrance laughs. “Are tickets still on sale? I would love a front row seat!” Florian chuckles softly, “Ode here is teaching me to play that old harp my father gave me ages ago.” He calls out to the voice. A brightly colored Bogsneak pokes her head inside. “Oh well hello! I watched your show earlier. You and your friends did amazing! Sorry you are stuck here till the storm eases up.” She smiles as she steps inside. “Oh that's alright. I don’t mind. As much as I enjoy traveling, it can be nice to settle down every once in a while and actually get to know people.” Ode slides over a bit, to make room for Taffy to join them on the rug.

The three of them shared stories and tales well into the night. As Florian practices, Ode plays alongside him, and Taffy offers the vocals and makes up Lyrics to their tunes. On this night, they were unaware of how close they would become over the following years. Ode ended up staying with the clan, at first framing it as ‘Well someone has to finish teaching Florian how to play the Harp.’ but Florian and Taffy knew she had just grown to be fond of not only the clan, but them as well.