Unknown Happen Stance

Chapter 38: Notes of Silence

"That was a good bedtime story, don't you think, Musa? And the silence exercise before chores—I'm already starting to feel sleepy, don't you?" Evie asked, her voice soft as she slipped into her nightgown. She was pressing a plum blossom into a book to protect it, cherishing its symbolism, especially for her. They both settled on their Ming-style beds, the room illuminated by soft light, creating a cozy atmosphere. The only sound was the scratching of Evie's pen against a blank piece of sketch pad paper.

"Yeah, it did feel nice," Musa replied, her gaze drifting off, reflecting on the calming tale of Chi Li and the Serpent that Lonnie's grandmother had told them earlier. "But you know, it used to feel even better before I became a really busy, distracted star singer and fairy of Music. I was always winning battle after battle, never taking the time to slow down and remember what I respect the most. Then, when my voice was stolen, I was forced to slow down. For a while, I wasn't the hero of the last victory. Roxy did most of the work, and all I did was silently coach them through the action."

Evie looked at her friend empathetically, understanding the weight of Musa's words. "Silently coaching is still playing a part in achieving that victory, Musa. Even if your voice was gone, it matters just as much as the rest of it does." She offered a comforting smile, hoping to lift her friend's spirits. "Speaking of voices, what do you think of this design I created for Mal's casual wear? Does it suit her, yes or no?"

Evie flipped the sketchbook around proudly, revealing her design. The shirt featured purple short sleeves cut to mimic the head frills of a dragon. A vibrant green dragon wrapped its body, wings, and spiky tail around the shirt's front, set against a dramatic purple sky. Bold green graffiti letters spelled out, "Feel Free To Escape Your Noise," and on the back, in elegant script, it read, "Use Your Silence Wisely."

"That's cute!" Musa admitted, her eyes lighting up at the creativity. "I can totally see Mal wearing that. What are you naming that brand of clothing line in your fashion boutique?"

"Notes of Silence," Evie answered immediately, her pride evident. She flipped the sketchbook back and continued drawing, her pencil gliding over the paper with ease.

The room fell into a comfortable quiet once more, but Evie couldn't help but break it. "You know, I really enjoyed how comfortable you were sitting next to me in silence earlier today, Musa. But how did you really pull it off that well, Musa?"

Musa smiled softly. "You're not intimidating, Evie. In fact, I think it comes from a personal place for me. Way back, before I lost my mom at six years old—the day before my birthday, May 30th—we had a habit of visiting the beach every day. We would take a break from the hustle and bustle of her famous opera singing career to go down to the song wharf in Melodia." Musa's eyes glazed over as she recalled the past. "We'd sit at the edge in silence near the beach, just listening to the song of the Singing Whales of Melody as they swam around in our ocean. They were such gorgeous, magnificent, huge purple creatures too. I miss them every day, Evie. My mom even wrote a song about them, one she taught me before she passed away."

"They sound so incredibly astonishing, Musa," Evie responded, her voice tinged with awe. "You're very lucky to have had those experiences. And my heartfelt condolences for losing your mother so young; it must have been really hard on you and your father. I'm so sorry, Musa."

Musa paused, touched by Evie's sincere words. "Honestly, it was tough. It still is. But those memories help me hold onto the parts of her that I loved most. The beach, the whales—it was all a beautiful soundtrack of my childhood. I think in a way, that's what music has always been for me—an escape, a place to find peace. I love that we got to embrace silence together; it's nice to sit with someone who understands."

Evie nodded, feeling a strong connection with Musa. "Absolutely. Silence can be so healing. It's like a blank canvas where we can create our own thoughts and emotions without the noise of the world around us. I think it's wonderful that you're able to keep those memories alive through your music."

Musa smiled, grateful for Evie's understanding and companionship. "Thank you, Evie. I think it's important for us to keep sharing our stories, don't you? It helps us connect and understand each other better."

"Definitely," Evie agreed. "And who knows? Maybe we can create something together one day—combining your music and my designs! We could have our own line that tells stories through fashion and song."

"Now that would be amazing!" Musa exclaimed, her spirits lifting as she imagined the possibilities. "A blend of silence, music, and fashion—it could be something truly unique!"

As they sat on their beds, sharing dreams and thoughts, Evie felt a deepened sense of friendship, wrapped in the tapestry of shared memories and silent understanding. Together, they brought light to each other's hearts, discovering the power of connection that could bridge past sorrows with future hopes.