Edmund

Edmund is, and always will be, a scholar. Stories are his music, and particularly the historical sort. He does not directly participate in the drum circles of his clan, but he documents them, listens, writes down the lyrics or composes them. He wants to learn as much lore as he can from stories that the clan members bring back from their journeys elsewhere. He is happy to listen to the personal histories of others, and to talk about his research, for hours.

He is not only a scholar, however. Aloysius, the clan's leader, has begun to groom him as her successor. She sees the way he connects with others and firmly believes in his potential for leadership. He isn't so sure, himself, but he cares about the clan and wants to do his best to ensure it does well.

Edmund was not always as he is now. He had been born, the first time, into a body that wasn't fully his; that of an imperial who was declared female at birth. That body was his, but it didn't fit all the way down. He was born the second time in his true body; he hatched with his memories and his personality. The moment he opened his eyes, his first set of eyes closed.

He deeply desires to understand what happened, how it was possible for him to be the agent of his own transformation, and to pass that understanding to others who need the same. Edmund's transformation has subtly changed his dynamic with his partner Siderius, but they have yet to fully negotiate what that is, and what it means.

Edmund's responsibility to his clan keeps him from leaving to pursue the understanding he seeks elsewhere, so he must confront his journey of self-discovery head-on.