Once Upon A Star

A beautiful melody sang in the air, carrying itself on the breeze, harmonious music notes making their way throughout the house. The sound of a violin playing weaved through the fabrics in the air, elegantly but bold and fierce. The tempo picked up and the bow slid across the string, creating sounds that seemed to brighten the morning atmosphere. Paganini's Caprice no. 24 was regarded to be one of the most difficult solo violin pieces because of its incorporation of many high level techniques.

The bow struck the strings in rapidly fast scales, arpeggios and minor scales alike, before breaking out into quick string crossings. The scenery changed and a luxurious room took its place, a few people with blurred faces watching the performance. Yuan Xing closed her eyes and refocused her attention to the bow and the sounds it made with her instrument. She drifted away and became immersed in her world, a world where she became one with music.

Music was all that she could hear, she loved the different sounds, she could taste its sweet somberness, and she could imagine the notes dancing around in mid air, telling her what to do, as if they could take her to heights never seen before. She loved music because it cleared away her earthly attachments; all there was was a vast landscape, untainted. It was a source of catharsis for her, a purging of her emotions whereby a blank canvas was placed in front of her and she, the artist, was to begin anew.

Yuan Xing's eyes narrowed and she suddenly stopped her bow's movements. "Who is it?"

A scurrying noise was heard outside the door and it finally opened after a long pause. Yuan Guang's sheepish flushed face revealed itself and he nodded politely at her. "Your senses are as sharp as ever."

Yuan Xing glanced at him from head to toe, not missing the slightest changes in his expression. This was one of the reasons Yuan Guang did not dare admit to others why he did not interact with her much. She made him nervous, her stare so piercing, like it could see his soul and the things he had done. He often was left feeling ashamed in her presence.Japanese mythology once spoke of beings with death related powers, labelling them as shinigami or death reapers. Yuan Xing had this concealed energy around her, death energy that he could pinpoint from his days in the military that strangely enough reminded him of death reapers. A beast in sheep's clothing that was restraining its raw bloodl.u.s.t.

He wasn't surprised though. She must have gone through a lot to be like that. Yuan Guang smiled at the young woman. No matter, now she was his daughter, and he would protect like his own. His bewildered grin widened with pride and admiration. "Your music was extraordinary, no, actually...you were better than some professionals. I know you said you loved music but I didn't think..."

"What?"

"I didn't think you would be a genius! I might not know a whole lot about music, but I can tell that the piece you just played was stunning. Even an old military man like me enjoyed it." Yuan Guang chuckled at that.

Yuan Xing let out a small smirk and turned away to pack up her equipment. Yuan Guang wandered around the room and was looking through the extensive book shelf. "Have you ever considered attending Sacred Arts Academy? They offer music courses and I'm sure you'd easily enter." Yuan Guang glanced back and saw that she still was disinterested.

"Sacred Arts Academy has many courses that students can pursue with professional mentors. They don't only emphasize the arts but also encourage club activaties and secondary majors. I heard they have an excellent combat class I'd like Yuan Chang to take. It won't matter much if you go or not, all I'm trying to say is that it would be a good 'experience' to have." At the word experience, Yuan Xing glimpsed into his eyes and understood immediately. She shook her head in the door's direction. "Thank you for your concern."

Yuan Guang mouthed a couple of words to her before moving on. "I hope you'll at least think about it." He left the room without so much as a backward glance. Yuan Xing sighed. The pieces of the game have finally begun, who will win the end and who will fall, no one knows yet.