After breakfast, the tributes were separated into smaller groups. Ali found herself being led by Maple-Songs-At-Dusk through a series of increasingly musical gardens, where flowers seemed to chime in harmony as they passed and the very air vibrated with subtle melodies.
"The Summer Court values artistic expression," their guide explained as they walked. "Music, in particular, holds a special place in our traditions. It is through song that many of our most powerful magics are worked."
They emerged into a courtyard where several fae were already gathered. Some held instruments that Ali had never seen before - things that seemed to be made of living crystal and light, or fashioned from materials that didn't quite exist in the mortal world. Among them was a fae who immediately caught Ali's attention.
She appeared younger than most of the fae Ali had encountered so far, though it was hard to judge age among beings who seemed essentially timeless. Her hair was the color of honey and wildflowers, moving in a breeze that affected nothing else around her. But it was her eyes that truly drew attention - they seemed to contain actual music, notes and melodies swirling in their depths like living things.
"Ah, Melody-In-Moonlight," Maple-Songs-At-Dusk called out. "Would you be willing to demonstrate for our new tribute?"
The musical-eyed fae looked up from the instrument she had been tuning - something that appeared to be made of crystallized starlight and singing strings - and smiled. The expression transformed her entire face, making her seem to glow from within.
"Of course," she said, her voice carrying hints of wind chimes and summer storms. "It would be my pleasure." She turned her musical gaze to Ali. "What name do you go by in our court?"
"Dawn," Ali replied, finding herself almost mesmerized by the way the music in Melody-In-Moonlight's eyes seemed to dance in response to her voice.
"Dawn," the fae repeated, and somehow made the simple name sound like the beginning of a song. "Come, sit beside me. Have you ever heard the music of the spheres?"
Ali shook her head as she settled onto a bench that seemed to grow naturally from the crystal ground. Melody-In-Moonlight positioned her strange instrument, her fingers hovering over the strings that somehow managed to look both solid and liquid at the same time.
"Watch closely," she said, and began to play.
The music that emerged was unlike anything Ali had ever heard. It was as if Melody-In-Moonlight was somehow playing the very essence of twilight and starlight, capturing the sound of flowers blooming and stars wheeling overhead. As she played, actual lights began to dance in the air around them, forming patterns that told stories Ali could almost, but not quite, understand.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Maple-Songs-At-Dusk commented softly. "Melody-In-Moonlight has a particular gift for capturing the songs that exist in all things. She'll be working with many of the tributes during your stay, helping you learn to hear the music that flows through our realm."
Ali found herself leaning forward slightly, entranced by both the music and its player. There was something about Melody-In-Moonlight that seemed more... accessible than many of the other fae she'd encountered. Perhaps it was her apparent youth, or the way she seemed completely absorbed in her music, but Ali felt somehow more at ease in her presence.
The song came to an end, the final notes hanging in the air like suspended starlight before slowly fading away. Melody-In-Moonlight looked up, her musical eyes meeting Ali's gaze directly.
"You have music in you," she said, sounding pleased. "I can see it dancing beneath your skin, though you might not be aware of it yet. Would you like to learn?"
"I..." Ali hesitated, remembering her mother's warnings about accepting offers from the fae too quickly. "I would be interested in learning, yes."
Melody-In-Moonlight's smile widened at Ali's careful phrasing. "Cautious. Good. But don't worry - music lessons are part of your expected activities here. There's no additional price beyond what has already been agreed upon through the ancient pacts."
Maple-Songs-At-Dusk nodded in confirmation. "Indeed. Music, dance, and other arts are all part of your education here. Though of course, how deeply you choose to delve into each subject is up to you."
"In that case," Ali said, feeling more confident, "yes, I would very much like to learn."
"Excellent!" Melody-In-Moonlight's entire being seemed to brighten with enthusiasm. "We'll start with something simple. Here..." She shifted her instrument slightly. "Place your hands over mine. Don't touch - just hover them above, feeling the way the music moves."
Ali did as instructed, and immediately felt something - a tingling sensation that reminded her of the way the Cup of First Steps had affected her perceptions. Above their hands, lights began to dance again, forming patterns that seemed to respond to their combined presence.
"You feel it, don't you?" Melody-In-Moonlight asked softly. "The way the music exists even before the notes are played? That's what we learn to hear, to shape, to guide into being."
For the next hour, Ali found herself immersed in a lesson that was both frustrating and fascinating. Melody-In-Moonlight proved to be a patient teacher, guiding her through the basics of what she called "sound-shaping" - the art of feeling the potential music in things and helping it emerge.
"All things have their own songs," she explained as they worked. "The trick is learning to listen with more than just your ears. You have to listen with your whole being - heart, soul, and the very essence of what you are."
By the end of the lesson, Ali had managed to produce a few notes that made the lights dance, though nothing like the complex patterns Melody-In-Moonlight could create. Still, the fae seemed pleased with her progress.
"You have a natural affinity for this," she said as they concluded. "I look forward to working with you more during your stay."
"Thank you," Ali said, then quickly added, "for sharing your knowledge," remembering to make her gratitude specific and limited.
Melody-In-Moonlight's musical eyes sparkled with approval. "Well-spoken. Yes, I think you'll do quite well here." She glanced at Maple-Songs-At-Dusk. "Might I request her for regular lessons? She shows true promise."
"I don't see why not," their guide replied. "I'll make note of it in the arrangements. For now, though, we should continue with today's introductions. There are other aspects of the court still to be explored."
As they prepared to leave, Melody-In-Moonlight caught Ali's eye once more. "Until our next lesson then, Dawn. Listen for the music in everything - you might be surprised by what you hear."
Walking away from the musical courtyard, Ali found herself already looking forward to her next lesson. There was something about Melody-In-Moonlight that made her feel... not quite at home, perhaps, but less like an outsider in this strange and beautiful realm.
"She likes you," Maple-Songs-At-Dusk commented as they walked. "That's quite fortunate. Melody-In-Moonlight rarely takes such immediate interest in tributes."
"Is that significant?" Ali asked, noting the contemplative tone in her guide's voice.
"Everything in our court is significant, in its own way," they replied cryptically. "The trick is figuring out exactly how and why. But come - there are other introductions to be made, other skills to be tested. Your first day has only just begun."
As they moved on to their next destination, Ali found herself humming softly, and noticed that tiny motes of light seemed to dance in response to the sound. She quickly stopped, but couldn't help smiling slightly. Perhaps there was more music in her than she'd realized.