Nora watched the whale song hologram projection, mesmerized by the swirling patterns. She was giving a lecture on cetacean communication at the new Extraterrestrial Cultural Exchange Institute she had helped establish.

Years after first contact, much progress had been made in mutual understanding between species. Nora was proud of her role nurturing this, but today felt reflective.

"Whale song once seemed mysterious to us," she told the diverse audience of humans, extraterrestrials, and AIs. "We've since learned it contains intricate language, conveying emotions, concepts, and memories. Earth's whales evolved this advanced communication long before humanity."

Nora recalled how the extraterrestrials revealed that their deep space scanners had detected structured whale songs from lightyears away. Intrigued, they traveled to Earth to study this promising species.

"We thought the aliens came here seeking humans," Nora said. "But now I believe it was whale songs that first drew them across the stars. The whales were communicating with the cosmos, while we were still learning to speak."

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The audience murmured appreciatively. The extraterrestrial envoys' colors rippled in affirmation.

"My time with the whales guided all that followed," Nora continued. "So in truth, Earth's oldest intelligences initiated this contact. We are all students on the path they trailblazed."

Nora let the insight sink in. She had learned so much from the extraterrestrials. But it was cetacean wisdom that enabled that knowledge transfer - an intelligence humanity had failed to fully respect until now.

"As we continue navigating our aligned future, we must do so with humility," Nora said in closing. "Many minds make understanding possible. Our differences are cause for celebration, not fear. Today we are joined by songlines long ago woven in the deep."

The presentation concluded to enthusiastic applause. Afterwards, Nora spoke with individuals from both species. Their energy and idealism fortified her hope.

That night, gazing up at the stars from her porch, Nora sensed the vast, unknowable minds among them. Whales still swam Earth's secret trenches, their songs echoing into infinity. So much remained mysterious, even after all she had experienced. But no longer did the darkness loom so absolute and lonely.

Other songs were out there, awaiting new listeners. In time, new dialogues would begin. Until then, Nora just enjoyed the gentle music that had brought them all to this point - the songs of shared shores lapping tirelessly against a limitless sky.