What A Dream Wants

The violin started.

A low note, played for the commencement of a new Odyssey.

Multiple low and high notes repeatedly surfaced, waves after waves, like the sea crashing onto the shore.

And then silence.

A melody from a-

A female voice?

The muddled voice, as if submerged in water, was singing words of a foreign language from long ago.

Singing softly and slowly, as if afraid- Her current plight haunting her.

Alone, accompanied by the depths of the ocean and mists. Mists, which never seem to disappear. Clouds, which never seemed to smile. The sun, which was never seen.

Then silence.

The violin started again. This time, the voice started to belt out frustrations. It was more unwavering and insistent as if asking an answer for its predicament.

Crescendo.

The music got louder and louder in a flurry of bitter notes.

Silence.

Second Movement: Amour Fleuri [Blossoming Limerence]

It was as if the sunshine touched the water for the first time, peeking through the dark storm clouds of the past. The cool salty ocean breeze returned, replacing the stale air.

The violin switched to a sweet note. The music switched to a warmer scale.

A male voice.

Humming with the violin.

Then, he saw her.

She emerged from the ocean. Experiencing the vicissitude of being forsaken, her voice was still filled with hope.

Her luscious smooth raven black hair. Drops of water glistening on her skin. Sitting on a jagged rock, peering at the sky.

Looking at the timeless beauty in front of him- Love at first sight.

Staccato.

Each violin note hopped and fluttered like heartbeats. Instant love blossomed like annual flowers in spring.

For a while, butterflies fluttered around. Could she lay her faith in someone else? Would he leave her in solitariness?

But she was also curious.

The notes were uneasy, on different tempos, incongruous with the previous melodies.

Forever?

Forever.

Third Movement: Sans Coeur [Heartless]

Love can be sweet amber nectar.

The violin played passionate notes, and for a while, all was well.

For a while, all was fine.

But often times, love is like a yearly flower. Blooming during the spring, and gone next year.

And one day, he disappeared.

She sang, anxiously for days. All her doubts re-shadowed as a tsunami of emotions threatened to take her away into the shallow ocean.

It was a bleak afternoon when he finally appeared.

He sang her goodbye.

Accelerando.

The violin started playing faster and faster, her tears started flowing down faster and faster.

The violin was crying.

His eyes were filled with shame. The ring on his hand told the story of his guilt.

He was betrothed to another woman.

Suddenly, time seemed to stop. No sound could come out of her mouth.

She started laughing, maniacally, giving up hope in this cruel world.

But, for one, she would forever have his heart.

Fourth movement: Toujours Remords [Lasting Regret]

Sitting alone in the abyss, her heart was truly broken.

Who was she?

The violin played softly.

Why was she here?

Solitary, disconsolate, alone.

Her voice was drenched in heartache, regret, and remorse.

Was it worth it?

Was it worth falling in love?

Was it worth killing him?

Was it worth it?

Her soul had truly become corrupted now, what was once an innocent girl, was now truly the temptress that laid waste to many men.

But no man could fill the gap in her heart.

And no man's heart tasted as good.

The violin held the last note, slowly fading away...'

The audience was quiet for a while, before starting to clap furiously, standing up.

Steven and Zero bowed.

"You both passed, but honestly, I would take you as a personal disciple," Mrs. Muse said to Steven.

"No thanks," Steven said. "In truth, I only participated in the auditions because my friend forced me to."

Zero raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have any passion for music yourself?" Mrs. Muse asked. In truth, she once was an unrivaled musical genius, mastering hundreds of instruments, countless genres of music, all while reaching the level of being able to infuse a story with her music, able to bring the audience into a different world.

But Steven, along with Zero, managed to tell a story that almost accomplished that feat.

"I don't... like music..." Steven said.

"No wonder. That's the thing that held the performance back..." Mrs. Muse sighed. "Even without a passion for music, you managed to reach such a level."

Zero whispered something to Zero.

Steven's eyes sparkled.

"I'm willing to become your humble disciple, master." Steven bowed.

Mrs. Muse eyes twitched. Why was he so fickle?

Seeing Mrs. Muse's face, Steven worriedly said, "Master, I can also play piano, guitar, drums, flute, and clarinet. Please accept me."

"Very well." Mrs. Muse agreed, secretly screaming with joy.

The stern face of Mrs. Song, let open a smile.

"Your singing, words could not describe alone. You managed to accomplish such a feat. However, I don't think I can teach you any more than you already know. There's only so much one can do with their voice, and I can already tell you mastered the Way of the Siren. An art of persuasion..." Mrs. Song said.

"How did you find out?" Zero smiled secretively.

"I fear if you join the choir, your voice would stand out too much. As such, you're not suited for the choir."

Zero stood silent for a while. Steven patted his shoulder.

"Why not join the orchestra instead?" Mrs. Muse said.

"However," Mrs. Song said, glaring at her friend, "We can give you solos in the songs we perform. And I think it would be a great idea for you to also learn instruments. So we can make an exception and allow you to join both."

"Okay," Zero said.

. . .