Nothing short of exhilarating could describe it.
Ruger inexplicably let out a long breath. It was not exhaustion-even a weakened Dragonborn Kobold would not tire from so little exertion-but simply an unconscious gesture. That breath was the true end of the performance, the performer's own rest note. His body and mind felt inexplicably light and at ease. The loud growling of his stomach was not the finale.
Ruger glanced at the unfamiliar instrument in his hands, then raised his head. A delicious aroma greeted him. A large skewer of steaming grilled meat lay across his face, pressed almost forcefully against his mouth. Before he could react, a second skewer arrived at practically the same instant. This one held grilled fish.
He glanced sideways and saw Big Silly Hum's guileless smile. The first skewer of meat had come from Big Silly Hum, who had been preparing dinner nearby while everyone else fiddled with their instruments. The second skewer, arriving almost simultaneously, came from Aisijin. As soon as the performance ended, she had rushed off while he was still savoring it and exhaling. She could never bear to see anyone go hungry.
Seeing their smiling faces, Ruger found himself smiling too.
Serious Mouse and the others had already put down their instruments and rushed over to the soup pot and chopping board, joining in the remaining dinner preparations. Together, they would give it the most perfect ending. That was their performance.
Ruger took the grilled meat and fish, and Big Silly Hum and Aisijin immediately ran off happily to join the performance of pots, bowls, ladles, and plates.
Ruger ate in great mouthfuls, his sense of contentment continuing in another form. Suddenly, he thought that perhaps this grilled meat and fish were the final note of the performance.
But after finishing the