Chapter 2: Chapter 1: A Voice on the Wind
Qualin
A new planet, and a new city. It felt so good to breathe in the fresh air after being cooped up in that damn ship for so long.
I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. The tip of my tail twitched in excitement at the smell of spices, pastries, and fresh fish in the market. My ears instinctively twisted in different directions in response to all the new sounds and voices.
This city was bustling and prosperous. The atmosphere seemed pleasant and joyful. Not like most of the shit holes we usually frequent. At least this new job meant we would get to spend some time in a respectable city. It felt nice not feeling like everyone around me was just waiting for an opportunity to jump me.
A few people walking by gave me some strange looks, but nothing I wasn't used to seeing. Beastlings like me aren't very common in the Alawayia system. My home world doesn't even have a recognized name in this part of the galaxy, just a designation. Most people think beastlings, or people with animalistic features, are un-evolved. An assumption not helped by the fact that my species is still largely nomades on their own planet without large cities and no extra-planatary travel of their own.
Oh well. I make a friendly smile and wave to a man waking by, eyeing my features and attire. He gives a polite smile and nod in acknowledgement and continues on his way. I recognized his outfit and the sword at his side to mean he is likely a low-level peace keeper. Odd they use swords here. A very traditionalist-type society, but LaMihinnia is also well known for being a formidable force as well as one of the richest and most influential planets in this system.
LaMihinnia is also fairly diverse, being a common travel hub. Despite a lack of other beastlings, there were easily half a dozen distinct races in just this little corner of the market. So, as I walked down the cobble stone path, it seemed no one was going to react beyond a couple of curious glances.
Nice.
I followed the winding path passed the booths of the market. It was tempting to grab a couple of the strange fruits as I passed by, but I kept my hands folded behind my head. Better not to risk it.
I was perfectly content wandering aimlessly, not worrying about when I should head back. surely I had a little bit of time.
My ears twitched at the sound of a voice being carried on the wind. It was faint, far away, but the tone rang clear like a bell. I turned my feet toward the sound. The path I was following was wrapping around a hill. I jumped a stone wall to a lower path and continued a ways down, hoping another short fence. I seemed to be out of the market now. There were a few ramshackle houses and a few small shops. I wouldn't call it the slums; it looked more like a much older and largely abandoned part of the city. Some of buildings had signs of old flood damage.
The voice steadily became clearer as I approached another crumbling rock wall overlooking a creek bed. The sound of the water quietly accompanied the high voice of the young man sitting under a nearby bridge.
I hopped the wall and landed on the wet bed of loose river rocks. My footsteps made a sloshing, crunching sound as I followed the stream towards the bridge and the singer.
I stopped just a few feet away. He didn't seem to notice. His eyes were closed and he looked completely engrossed in his song. Too bad he was singing in an unfamiliar language, but the emotions were clear. Joyful. Serene. Beautiful.
He was in plain, soft leather clothing with no shoes, facing the stream. He had short black hair just touching his round ears on the side of his head. His frame was slight but definitely male, with beige skin and no trace of animalistic features. I assumed he was a LaMihinnian or at least a local to this system.
At first glance, he seemed completely unremarkable, accept for his voice. I had never heard anyone sing with such a sweet, pure, and piercing voice. It was hard to believe it was coming from a male, and taking a closer look, he was kinda cute.
I let a smile cross my face and listened quietly for a few more moments, or maybe it was hours. It didn't matter. I was as lost in the sound as he looked as his voice echoed around me in the watery underpass.
The song swelled and then hit a high note that he seemed to hold forever before finally letting it fade. He took in a deep breath and opened his eyes with a gentle, satisfied smile touching his lips. I couldn't resist a playful round of applause.
The look of surprise and embarrassment on his face was fantastic!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone