I was speechless, but it only lasted a moment.
I inhaled and exhaled.
"Thank you, White Feather."
I took a moment of reprieve, trying to get used to the darkness before speaking to her through it.
"Many say a summoner should be behind their summon, commanding the summon, being protected by the summon. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being protected by you... however... I don't want that... I do not wish for that."
I shifted slightly in the darkness, my voice hardening.
"I want to be beside you, and one day... perhaps, even in front of you... just like a friend and a comrade."
White Feather did not move. She said nothing in response, and with the thick fog of darkness, it was difficult to tell what look was currently on her face. Her nonexistent voice made it even worse. I had been navigating the narrow world around me with the jiggle of her bells and with her sound; now that was also gone, leaving me utterly hopeless.
"White Feather?"
[Congratulations]
