"Shall we have a little concerto?" said the little lady teasingly. Her velvety voice floated to their ears amidst the sonorous thunder. Her upturned lips held a wicked mirth that amplified the mystery which the butterfly mask covering half her face gave off. Her ebony hair glistened like streams of stars among the vast sky. She held a strange instrument underneath her chin while her other hand held a long, narrow bow. Even with Emily's extensive knowledge about music and musical instruments, it was her first time to see the kind that the girl was currently holding.
Emily gazed at her, stunned. She had been captivated by the sight of her.
"Jinhan! It's her. She's the expert from that night!" Emily said as she shook her husband's arm in agitation. The latter merely grunted in reply as he was too overwhelmed to form coherent words. Jinhan and Emily were thankful for the expert's help but at the same time they still felt cold from the events of that night. They were witnesses to how their pursuers succumbed to an agonizing death caused by the enchanting tune she created. Jinhan was sure the deadly music was made from that very same instrument the woman was holding.
Who would have thought that the sprightly young girl they often see roaming around the ship or chatting with the Captain was actually an expert? Although they had already speculated that she was a special individual based on how Captain Otto treated her, this sudden revelation blew their minds.
Right. Riley introduced her as Miss Toni. Though it may likely be a fake name, it did not really matter much. Because just as her music, this young Miss Toni was deceptively beautiful.
When they were introduced a while ago, she was bright and lively. She exuded an innocent air about her that puts people at ease. Despite how half her face was masked, she was still so adorable and precious. Yet all these vanished the instant she asked her question.
Suddenly, the innocence was replaced with a playful wickedness and the precious feeling she evoked became an unprecedented danger.
As they were caught up in their thoughts, the mysterious young lady started to play her instrument. The first few notes floated and hung high on the register. Like an empty space, a vast distance. And then there was agitation, one that tugged at one's emotions.
The melody that pervaded their ears were light and airy, yet mysterious, with darker, more complex chords moving underneath. It seemed sad, yet also triumphant. Soothing and calming, but was also turbulent and emotional.
The music slowly blended with the crashing waves and booming thunder. The face of the musician, illuminated by the flashes of lightning. It was as if a grand orchestra of man and nature were performing a unique concerto in front of their very eyes.
The inconspicuous young woman who often pestered the crew was now playing music with the storm.
Such is how it would appear to most people. But there was a couple who saw it differently. What they saw left them awed, dumbstruck, and slightly fearful. Emily and Li Jinhan were people of considerable power and ability. Their eyes did not miss the ripples of natural laws and the huge surge of magical energy that surrounded the small form of the young lady.
It encompassed the entire ship and surged outwards clashing with the storms; entangling with its laws and creating order from its chaos, serenity from its turbulence.
When the song ended, the storms stopped and the clouds cleared. The ship sat in the stillness of water that was previously tossing them around like toys. Captain Otto and First Mate Riley heaved a sigh of relief when the storm abated. Though the abruptness of it was quite bizarre, it was welcomed. After all, the ship had suffered quite a bit. Any more and they might sink into the depths along with it.
Meanwhile, Toni reverted the violin back into its original bracelet form. She turned to the musician couple with her attractive lips upturned into a smirk.
"What do you think?" She said flippantly while she approached the two. Her hands tucked into the pockets of her trousers. A faint trace of smirk in her attractive lips.
"H-huh?" Emily and Li Jinhan were caught off-guard by the sudden question. Their mouths agape in question.
"The music. What do you think of it? Pretty, no?" The young woman continued. The two nodded their heads in agreement after she explained.
"Yes. Although we don't know the Young Miss' instrument. It was a very lovely tune." Li Jinhan added with an appreciative smile. Well, he was being honest. The melody was captivating. Except as captivating as it was, its power was something to be reckoned with if it was used to attack. If it was them on the receiving end of such music, they would not be able to flee for their lives. They probably will not even last a minute into the melody.
Emily and Li Jinhan could not help but be curious about who this Miss Toni really was. Someone who could manipulate such a vast number of natural laws and with such proficiency was most likely at the level of a Grand Magister. This would not have been such a big deal if it were not for the fact that Miss Toni was merely a young girl who seemed to just had her coming of age recently. Maybe even younger. How come they had not heard anything about her given that she was such a genius?
However, despite the couple's burning curiosity they do not have a choice but keep it in After all, it was not wise to offend a possible Grand Magister. Even more so, a Grand Magister this young. She had unlimited potential.
"Miss Toni, if it is possible can you tell us the name of the songs that you had played?" Emily tactfully asked. She subtly pluralized the word song in order to get confirmation from the young woman if she really was the one who aided them that night. There was a risk with this but it would not reach the point of them forfeiting their lives at the very least. Emily was hoping that this little Miss Toni was as amiable as she came across.
"Oh. The one played a while ago is called Claire de lune. It was by a very brilliant composer named Claude Debussy. Impressive no? The song the other night is one of my favorites. It's by Maurice Ravel entitled Tzigane, M.76." Toni replied with a grin. Emily knew she already figured out the intention behind her question. But it looks like it does not really bother her seeing that she answered without a single shred of hesitation.
"Do you want to learn it? I also know a lot of songs. I am also a little bit learned in playing the instruments you have on your hands. It would be nice to have an exchange, don't you think?" The young woman had her lips curved up, her bright green eyes twinkled in a charming light behind the mask.
Emily and Li Jinhan were dumbfounded. Sure, they were quite interested to learn the music she played. They were planning to ask her about it yet to think she would offer it first.
"If Miss Toni could excuse our lousy skills and give us a few pointers then we look forward to this fruitful exchange." Emily bowed courteously towards Toni, a semblance of gratitude and excitement in her expression. The young lady waved her hand towards her.
"You don't have to be so formal. Then, I'll see you around. Just come to my room whenever appropriate. Captain Otto knows where my cabin is. I'm off to sleep." Toni answered dismissively and walked away as if without any care in the world. She even yawned a few times on the way.
Emily and Li Jinhan glanced at each other with meaning.