[Verse 1]
Level nine
We have been tracking it since Level 5
(it moves like it knows we’re following)
(because it does)
The Hunter has his bow ready this time
The Hero has a speech prepared
The Queen has said nothing for two levels
Which means she’s ready
Aldric says we’re close
(how close)
Very close
(how close is very close)
Turn left
[Pre-Chorus]
We turned left
And then we saw it
(…)
(that’s…)
(is that…)
(Aldric)
(…)
(ALDRIC)
[Chorus]
That is not The Hollow
(it is definitely not The Hollow)
That is a swan
(technically yes)
Doing what I think is a pirouette
(third position actually)
On Level Nine
In the middle of the cosmos
With an audience of none
Until now
[Verse 2]
He stops
He turns
He looks at us the way someone looks
When they’ve been expecting company
(he was expecting company)
(ALDRIC)
I was not expecting company
I was perfecting the finale
The Hunter lowers his bow
The Hero puts the speech away
Castor starts to say something warm
The Queen puts her hand on his arm
Not yet
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Aldric clears his throat
(the map)
Yes
(it said exactly this)
It said we would find something that escaped The Hollow’s path
(you said the map was wrong)
I said the map was UNUSUAL
(those are different things)
They are very different things yes
[Chorus 2]
This is not The Hollow
(this is better)
(debatable)
This is a swan who survived something
(or avoided it)
(same result)
Who moves like he’s performing
For a theater that doesn’t exist yet
And he is looking at us
Like we are the theater
[Bridge]
He says he has been traveling Level 9 for longer than we have been a crew
He says he knows where things go quiet
And where they go very loud
He says he can read the cosmos the way water reads stone
Slowly and completely
He says —
I would like to come with you
I look at my crew
The Hunter shrugs
(he’s graceful at least)
The Hero nods
(for protection obviously)
(the group needs grace)
Castor is already smiling
The Queen is watching The Swan the way she watches everything
Like she already knows the answer
And is waiting for me to catch up
[Final Chorus]
This is not The Hollow
This is something better
This is a swan on Level Nine
Who chose to stop running
And chose us instead
I haven’t said yes yet
But I’m not walking away either
[Outro]
He finishes the pirouette
Lands perfectly
Looks at me
(well?)
Well
We have six levels to think about it
(third position)
(I know)
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