As moments went by, Ashley was worried about Goth's proposition. She didn't like the part where he could come near Phantalmina. But what other way is there? Other bats are scared of him, and mice and rats are too. And there is no way Munkustrap lets him get anywhere near him or the other cats, even if it could be the warmest place to sleep. What about if… No! It won't do. Even if she tries to sleep near him it would be more uncomfortable than warm, at least for her.
Curses. She can't decide on her own. She better tell this to someone. It may be more tolerable when someone else would agree as well.
Later on, Phantalmina came back from grocery shopping, she placed the foods in their places and went to give Goth his share. For some reason, the meat-eater bat was less arrogant tonight. He said "thanks" this time, in his way. Not sure why, but Phantalmina didn't bother to ask. If he was in a good mood, it meant he won't be bothering others for the rest of the night and day. Which hopefully meant they could at least have another calm moment to rest. She checked her friends and others giving them their food.
After that, she went to the office to settle her thoughts. Through these hard couple of months, the office was the only calm place for her. Goth never went there and others only came when things turned worse, which hasn't happened for a while and hopefully never will. On the table, there were sheets of scores openly around. Some of them were blank, only with lines. But some of them had notes written like they were written with force. Some would say they were almost burned to the paper.
Phantalmina sat on the chair and looked down on them. These songs, this… music. Whenever she noticed her friends being nervous or saw that Goth was up to something, she came to the office and wrote a few lines at the end of the night. After an hour or two, when she had calmed down, she looked at the paper and checked her work. And she could tell that so far this music was strong but also possibly dangerous. Moment by moment this song grew stronger. She wished she wouldn't finish this music before spring. Even if this helped her to keep her calm, it still felt like she was having a dangerous beast in the room. A beast that wouldn't spare anyone but her if it was set to lose. And that's what scared her the most in this music. Every line seems to give it more form, more strength. Maybe a true image of the monster she was told to be.
No. The more reason to not finish it. She took the papers and put them in the drawer of the table. Only a couple of months left. The holiday season would soon come and pass and with that enough food to keep everyone happy.
As nights came by, the holiday season passed. And that was one of their favorite times. Whenever a holiday celebration was over, all the extra treats and foods were on sale. And that worked well for Phantalmina and her friends. She might need help carrying the food, which meant one of her friends had to company her in their large form and disguise themself. But after that trip, it was a feast in the theater. All the ham, turkey, cakes, biscuits, and other delicious food until the new year.
Usually, everyone was laughing and enjoying themself for a couple of days, but not this time. Sure everyone smiled and spent time together, but some of them couldn't let their guard down. Munkustrap was one of them. He and Justin were in their larger form since they were the ones who went to help Phantalmina with the groceries. Munkustrap was still holding his piece of the turkey while he looked down at the floor. On the floor, Brutus and Arthur were breaking down the fruit cake and then gave to other rats and mice their share.
"Why aren't you eating?" Phantalmina's voice snapped Munkustrap back from his thoughts as he turned his eyes to the young girl who sat on the big rat's lap. "You haven't eaten much your turkey."
"Sorry. I guess I'm not hungry."
"Seriously, Munkus. Don't do that," Justin said, holding Phantalmina. "I know you are also worried like I am. But being hungry doesn't help at all if Goth tries something. He got a whole piece of the ham so he shouldn't cause trouble for tonight or on the next one."
"Yeah, you're right. I just still don't like it to have him around."
"I know." Phantalmina tried to reassure him. "But only for a while. Once it gets a little warmer he leaves, until then, we will be alright when he is full."
Munkustrap turned his eyes on Phantalmina. He smiled to tell her not to worry and took a bite of his turkey. It made her smile. After that meal, it didn't take long till someone threw it.
"Mina, would you sing us a song?"
Others also agreed. A good song could lift the spirits and make things feel a little better. Phantalmina looked at Justin, then Munkustrap, and then again Justin. They both gave her a smile for that matter. They didn't want to push her or anything, but in a moment like this, a good song would help everyone to have their strength back, even her.
With that cue, Phantalmina got up and went to sit down at the Piano. There weren't any note papers on, but she knew a song that fit for the moment. And with that, she started to play.
You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
She soon noticed the other hand pair keying the side of the piano and hear Justin singing too.
Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle 'neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes the shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you
She could hear Munkustrap joining too. He and Justin tapped their shoe heels to give a beat as the three of them sang.
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out honestly
I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out honestly
I wanna see you be brave
She could hear others joining in the chorus clapping their paws and wings. Not only her friends but little by little she could hear others, some of the new ones joining too.
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you, ooh ooh
I just wanna see you~
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you, ooh ooh
I just wanna see you~
I wanna see you be brave
Everybody's been there,
everybody's been stared down by the enemy
Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing
Bow down to the mighty
Don't run, stop holding your tongue
They saw Ashley who flew closer to the piano as she joined the three of them.
Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out honestly
I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out honestly
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you, ooh ooh
I just wanna see you~
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you, ooh ooh
I just wanna see you~
I wanna see you be brave
The three mammals turned to the young girl as they continued.
Innocence, your history of silence
Won't do you any good
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty
Why don't you tell them the truth?
Phantalmina took the lead to the final round with them singing.
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly
I wanna see you be brave~!
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you ooh ooh
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave~!
I just want to see you be brave!
Phantalmina closed her eyes as she let the final words go with Justin and Munkustrap
I wanna see you be brave
She stayed there to listen to how the beautiful final sounds of the piano slowly faded into the silence. It soon was placed by some kind of noises of small claps and flapping wings.
"Bravo."
"That was beautiful."
Phantalmina turned to face them, seeing them happy. She also felt better. It has been a while since she sang just for the fun of it, not for the transformation. It made her smile for having a moment like this.
The rest of that night went well after the song. Everyone's mood was happier than before. They sang two more songs of their choice before they had to put her to bed. At least she smiled in her sleep.
Everyone else was also going to sleep, except Ashley. She asked Munkustrap, Justin, and a few others to join her in the lobby.
She stood on the stairs to face them.
"Guys," Ashley said. "There is something I have to tell you."
"Sure," Justin said. "What's wrong?"