It amused the others how Minako was determined to 'help' Kunzite appreciate everything there was on Acoustia. He did seem interested, however, whenever she pointed something out.

"Wow! What a beautiful harp!"she exclaimed.

"It looks nothing like the Mercury harp."observed Rei.

"That's because it's Acoustian."said Acoustia. "Just listen. However, we'll need a volunteer."she smiled.

"A volunteer?"asked Zoicite.

"It has special properties, of course. I'll show you."

"Why don't you try it, Minako?"suggested Kunzite.

The guys looked up at Kunzite in surprise. Since when did Kunzite care for anything like the special properties of this harp, whatever they were? Minako stepped up.

"I don't know how to play the harp."she said.

"You don't have to know how to play the harp."Acoustia explained.

"So, what do I do?"

"Anything. Any string."she told Minako.

Slowly, uncertainly, Minako plucked a string. As soon as the string began to move it there seemed to emit a distinct color from it.

"Oh!"said the girls in wonder.

"What's that supposed to be?"asked Zoicite.

Eventually, the string stopped vibrating, and the cloud of color around it disappeared.

"What was that?"she asked.

"It didn't sound like any kind of music I've ever heard."commented Nephrite. "And listening to music is a favorite hobby of mine."

"I thought your favorite hobby was learning the names of just about every plant, especially flowers."said Mamoru.

Acoustia came to Nephrite's rescue.

"Of course it didn't sound like any music you've ever heard. Probably no sound you've ever heard, either. It sounds a little different to everyone. Sometimes depending on what planet they come from."she explained.

"What about the color?"asked Usagi.

"It's how you see the sound."

"And that's different to everyone, as well?"asked Luna.

"Of course."

"That's quite an extraordinary harp."observed Rei.

"I'll bet it makes such romantic music!"said Usagi. "And a romantic place, it'd be perfect for a dinner with beautiful red roses!"

Usagi went on. Mamoru wished he'd brought a notebook, or something to take notes. He looked in Kunzite's direction, and gave him a look, which was always interpreted as an order. You'd better remember every single detail of that dinner!he thought. Kunzite nodded. He didn't know how he was going to remember everything Usagi said. She could see the entire image in her mind. Minako kept plucking strings, each string bringing a new impression.

"It's like…very…soothing."said Makoto, with her eyes closed.

Ami was also paying close attention. Rei had been right when she'd said this harp bore no resemblance her Mercury Harp. This one felt…special.

"Interesting experience, Jingle."said Artemis to Acoustia's cat.

"Oh, it's different every time!"answered Jingle. "Depending on who's playing it. Only the princess plays this one. However, when someone else plays one, it's always different. The people love to hear the princess play her harp."

"I'll bet."observed Luna.

"I think we should probably take a break now. I'd like to hear Ami play."said Acoustia.

"Huh?"everyone looked confused.

"Oh, I hadn't noticed how much time we spent here."answered Ami. "You want to hear me play?"

"Why are you worried about the time?"

"What are you talking about?"

The others looked utterly confused, as did Ami at their reactions.

"Didn't you hear?"she asked.

She looked at Acoustia in bewilderment.

"Won't you?"she asked.

"I didn't quite catch that."said Minako.

Ami, however, seemed to have no trouble understanding. Nodding, she walked toward the harp. She'd never played a harp, except for her Mercury Harp before, but that could scarcely count. Yet somehow she knew just what to do. Her hands seemed to know exactly which strings to pluck, and when, to make a beautiful song. She could not just see it, she could smell it, taste it, feel it.

"I didn't know you knew how to play."said Zoicite.

"Actually, me neither."replied Ami.

"No, I don't believe you did."Acoustia agreed.

"Would you mind slowing down your speech so we can understand? And use comprehensible words? I don't think anyone here has the slightest idea what you're saying."demanded Kunzite.

"But I do."answered Ami.

"Is this going to rub off on everyone?"Jadeite looked nervous.

"No."assured Acoustia. "Of course not. I really don't think languages can rub off on anyone. Especially anyone outside our own planet."

"A different language?"asked Mamoru.

"But I could understand it."Ami looked confused.

Acoustia shrugged.

"I've never had trouble learning the languages of even the innermost planets of any star systems. The different accents and dialects as well. Only a Mercurian could have done better. Or maybe matched it."

"Oh! You speak Mercurian."

"Of course. It's a language, isn't it."

Acoustia took out a small box and handed it to Ami.

"And only the senshi of Mercury could have understood that dialect."

Ami opened the box to find the most beautiful pair of earrings she had ever seen. She gasped. They looked as though they could reach to her shoulders. They seemed to move, she wasn't sure if she thought they looked like water or ice.

"Oh, wow!"

"They're beautiful!"

"They look as though they're made of ice. Wouldn't they melt?"

"I don't think I could wear these."said Ami, nervously. "They're too…"

"They're yours."