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It was a gentle song. Calm yet playful, like a lullaby. Hikari didn't know the language, but he liked the rhythm and the sweet, trilling alto. The other sounds in the room, though...
Soft, staccato sobs, out of time with the music. A voice he knew and loved, thick with sorrow. Each muffled groan seemed to shove a spear deep in his heart!
Here was Agnea leaning over the bar, face in her hands. He watched her bare shoulderblades twitch and jump as she cried. Her rose hairpin wiggled at the movement.
He broke the relative silence. "I'm sorry-"
"No! Her head shot up. She looked lonesome and tearstained and nothing like her old, sunny self. "I thought I was ready to hear Journey Begins. I should've known I'd... Sorry."
"This song holds difficult memories for you?"
"It's my mama's song. That singer's good." A crystal tear slid down her cheek. "...But it don't sound like her."
Hikari was used to distance. To cordial nods and stiff apologies. He'd give condolences as a prince addressing his subjects, and slip away. Calm and polite. Right now, with someone crying directly to him... He felt out of his depth.
"Tell me about the song," he tried. "What is she saying?"
Agnea translated the words. Half-speaking half singing. Her eyes filled with tears on "...goodbye I shall not say. For you and I will meet again.." and then she plowed into his chest. Wailing.
He didn't flinch. Didn't speak. Just placed what (he hoped) was a comforting hand on her back. It was the least he could do.
They sat there awhile. Sometimes she curled in on herself, quieting down. Sometimes she grabbed at his clothes and cried harder. Hikari stayed still, kept his arm steady and gentle. He thought about whispering "It's alright," but it stuck in his throat. Felt like lying.
Eventually she untensed, sobs petering out into softer gasps. She lifted her head with a wise, watery smile and said, "Thanks, Hikari. That helped."
He stiffened. "Why? ...I made you cry again."
"I've always kept smilin' for Pala and Papa. ...Stars bring smiles to people's faces," she parroted. "...But it gets hard, keeping everything in."
And he blurted, "You're lovely when you cry."
There was a beat of silence as she stared at him, eyes moist.
"I mean, I find all of your expressions lovely. A dance of mourning is no less special than a cheerful one. Allowing yourself to grieve should not lessen your worth as a dancer."
She took a shaky breath, hands drifting up over her chest.
"...I'm sorry. I know nothing of performing arts." He looked down at his feet. "If I've misunderstood, or offended-"
She pounced on him, pinning his arms, and it dawned on Hikari that this was a hug!
"Hey," she mumbled into the folds of his clothes. "Whatever happens with Ku, and your shadow problem... I think you're pretty great."
"Thankyou, Agnea." He thought to protest and break out of her grip, flattery would rust his sword blah-blah-blah... And he wormed in close. No self-control.
...This hug was taking a while. He rested his cheek on the crown of her head, closing his eyes...
"Well, the show must go on." She stepped back, smoothing out her skirt. Prim city-voice returning full force. "Our friends might get worried. ...Shall we?"
And he took her arm like an allured companion. Followed her out the door, back into the warmth of the sun.