Minor
I admit, I can get a little lost in a song, especially when I'm by myself, singing just for the pure joy of expression rather than for an audience. However, I'm usually not so oblivious that someone can just sneak up on me. So the sound of soft clapping nearly made me jump out of my skin.
"Wow, that was beautiful." A man I'd never seen before was standing just a few feet away from me.
His eyes were wide, shining a strange blue and gold color with vertical slits for pupils. His orange hair had black patterns in, like shadows cast through tree canopy on a windy day. A pair of large, furry and pointed ears sat atop his head and we perked forward, and a long tail with the same color pattern as his hair was slowly swishing behind him. the nails on his hands and the sightly pointer fangs showing though his smile also seemed more feral. Other than that, however, he seemed like a fairly regular person with dark olive skin.
His clothes were definitely not a local style. most LaMihinnians dressed modestly in lose fitting, soft colored garments. While some men went sleeveless, most were always pretty much covered. This man, on the other hand, was wearing tight fitting brown and black leathers that showed his entire midrift. His arms were bare except for a couple leather straps that were possibly just for looks. And he had what looked like a collar around his neck. Another fashion choice?
"I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone would hear me out here." I smiled and laughed lightly, feeling a little embarrassed.
"It's not like I mind." He laughed with a half smirk. "I didn't mean to bother you, but I've never heard anyone sing like that. It was really good." He gestured with his hands while speaking, shifting his weight between his feet and swishing his tail back and forth.
"Thanks. If you enjoyed that, you should hear my siblings and I sing together."
"You all sing?" He sounded genuinely curious.
"Yep. There's five of us that sing together all the time." I pointed towards the city center where there are often fairs and such. "We're actually going to do a concert in a few nights."
"No kidding. They do that kind of stuff here?"
"Yeah, we've kinda started a tradition, since we spend so much time on LaMihinnia. Every year around this time, my family celebrates our favorite holiday from our home world, so we sing songs and get our friends here to throw a festival."
"Huh. What's the holiday?"
"It's called Christmas. It's kinda hard to explain, but it's basically a day meant to remember that God loves and blesses us. And you celebrate by giving gifts and singing about joy, and love, and grace, and basically just remembering and sharing all good feelings and wishes for everyone." I chuckled and shrugged knowing that I probably sounded childish and definitely wasn't explaining it well, but that wasn't important.
"Well that certainly sounds interesting." He laughed, but obviously didn't get it.
"I know it sounds silly, but it's a lot of fun, and there's always good food. You should come."
"Maybe. I'm always up for good food and drinks. And I wouldn't mind hearing you sing some more." He sat down cross legged, facing me with his chin resting in one palm and an expectant look on his face.
"Now? But I just told you that you can hear all five of us together in a couple nights."
"Yeah but that's in a couple nights, why can't I keep listening to you right now? Want me to pay admission or something?" His smile turned into a pout and I laughed out loud."
"Alright." I answered. "So, before I was mostly just focusing on vocalizing and practicing the different sounds we use to represent instruments and such. I guess I could sing one actual song... you won't really understand the references since they're culturally specific, but I'm sure you'll get the gist...."
Taking a deep breath, I let my mind relax and began to hum, then let notes begin to pour out. I used the full range of my voice to help make up for the fact that I'm singing solo. both hands begin to tap out the rhythm as well. Fortunately, this spot had good acoustics, which is why I like to come here, and before long I coulf hear the different layers of the melody reverberating off the walls. Keeping the undertone going so as to not lose the musical notes, a begsn letting the words flow, "Hark, hear the bells, sweet silver bells..."
***
Qualin
His voice echoed all around us, in so many different musical notes and sounds. His voice danced between different tones and sounds so quickly that they seemed to overlap. It was hard to believe it was just one voice with no instruments.
Suddenly there were words mixed in with the notes. I could hardly follow with how fast and smooth they rang out, and many of the words were unfamiliar. But it didn't matter. It was breath taking. So light and joyful. I could feel it swelling in me and it sent a shiver up my spine.
When the last note began to fade, I actually felt my heart sink a little, sad it had come to an end.
"Well? What did you think?" I shook my head at the sound of his voice, coming out of my daze.
"Wow. That was amazing."
"Glad you liked it. So.... you'll come see us sing in the square?"
"If I can." Not likely. "Unfortunately, I'm here for work. I'm not sure if I'll be free that night."
"Oh... well, come by if you can. What kind of work do you do?"
"Odd jobs." I shrugged, keeping it vague. the last thing I wanted to talk about was work.
"I understand."
That was unlikely. My ears twisted back, picking up an all-too-familiar voice in the distance. "Speaking of work... boss man is calling." I stood and brushed the mud from my pants.
"Oh, ok. Well, maybe I'll see you around. I come down here a lot to clear my head."
"Really? Well maybe I'll drop by when I can." I gave a playful smile and wink, just to gauge his reaction.
"Alright, your welcome anytime." he smiled back innocently, giving a friendly wave as I jumped to the wall perpendicular to the bridge we were under.
I waved back, giving him one last look before starting back up the hill, knowing there was a decent chance I wouldn't get to see him again.
***
Minor
My new friend disappeared with a graceful leap. Whoever was calling him sounded aggravated, and he seemed anxious to get back to whoever it was. Hopefully he wasn't in any trouble for ditching work or something. I got to my feet and stretch, deciding it was time to head back myself. I was in surprisingly good spirits.
"I hope I see him again. He seemed friendly, and kinda funny." It was really tempting to follow him to see where he had gone, and maybe find out where he works, but I thought better of it. People like their privacy. Better not to pry.