James walked through the front door with an ache in his back and a smile on his face. He would probably get in trouble for climbing the shelves in the gardening section to get some goods for a customer, but on the flip side he was a popular worker in the gardening section. The guy who drove the forklift had even came up to him at the end of the day to tell him he felt like he'd be put out of a job if he kept it up. It was a joke, but when they had raced James was indeed faster at getting the item.

So now James was rather pleased with himself. He didn't share a word about it to his parents, but he silently relished it when his radio told him to go fetch something high up. It gave him hope he wasn't going to get in trouble. Plus it was just downright fun to do.

"I'm home!" James called out from the hallway, slipping off his shoes and leaving by the door. His mom's head popped up from on the couch and looked over the banister from the living room.

"Welcome back." She said as her son started up the stairs. Her voice was scratchy and tired, her face a bit redder than usual. "Can you fetch me some cough drops from the medicine cabinet?"

"Sure." The teen back tracked to the kitchen and grabbed the little red bag of Hals out of the medicine cabinet and brought him to his mom. "She cause any trouble today?" He asked.

His mom popped one of the little red pieces into her mouth and shook her head. "She's been rather quite all day." She rasped, shifting her body under her blanket. "When I checked on her earlier she was reading a book."

"Okay. I'll check up on her." His mother turned her attention back to the TV and the conversation ended.

James entered his room and found Ahri laid out on his bed, a book resting on the head board. She turned her head and acknowledged him before returning to her book. What James didn't see, however, was the sly smile on her face as she put her head back in the book.

Sona should be done on her side soon. Ahri thought to herself gleefully. She knew that James would resist to what she was planning on doing, but she couldn't help it. This is one surprise that won't nearly get you killed this time, I promise. She remembered the time when she tried to surprise him by cooking breakfast, only to be sent to the hospital because she greased the frying pan with Lysol instead of cooking oil. She promised herself not to screw up like that again.

Ahri continued to read her book while James took a seat at his computer. She glanced in his direction to find out what he was doing, only to be surprised as he just sat in front of the screen, bobbing his head side to side as he listened to a song on his phone. That could be a problem for her perfect plan.

"Hey, whatcha listening to?" Ahri asked, walking up behind him and looking at his screen. There was a YouTube video playing with a still picture of Sona and constantly changing blue text. James noticed her and pulled his earbuds out.

"Oh, this? It a music video I found on the internet. It's absolutely beautiful, and I think it covers Sona pretty well. Want to hear?" He asked, holding out an earbud. Ahri took and rolled it in her hand before sticking it in her ear. James restarted the song for her, leaning back in his chair and putting the phone on the arm rest so they both could see.

"Lost and cold, abandoned at the doorstep of a dark and lonely inn.

Without a voice, mute and only able to communicate with strings.

Growing up, my only lullaby was locked in an etwahl

Sumoner, choose me as your hand and I will play my music for all.

Harming foes and healing allies with my mirthful arias,

Everything and everyone will bow down to my song.

I will play a concert for you worthy of the league.

Hear my Crescendo and I will have you dancing into the night.

I don't need a voice to speak, I just need my symphony.

All I need is my etwahl to play a hymn that'll sing my heart..."

The music went on. Indeed, the singer was very talented and not only had a beautiful voice but captured Sona well in her lyrics. The only thing that would make it even more perfect was if she sang with Sona herself. Ahri pointed out her idea to James and he just shook his head.

"The only thing I know about this girl is her videos. I doubt I could convince her that we can get the real Sona to play with her, even if we knew of a way to get you home." Just then another song sounded through the room, one that James knew well. It was silent night, one of his favorite Christmas songs. Ahri recognized it too, but while James was frozen in place in surprise, she was internally face palming.

"About going home..." Ahri said hesitantly as the music grew loudly. James turned his chair around to look at the source of the song. The melody was unusually clear and sharp, while also being smooth and free flowing. The air before them started to shimmer as if it was just above the street during a heat wave. James's eyes widened as a girl dressed in red with an unusual instrument floating in front of her slowly walked out of the rift, her red gloved hands playing the strings as she walked. She had her eyes closed and a soft smile on her face as she enjoyed the sounds she was making, her blue hair floating freely behind her red cap on her head. A single Christmas wreath hung on the front of her etwahl. "That was not really ever a problem." Ahri admitted, her hand pressed to her forehead. "Christmas passed a while ago, Sona. You got the timing wrong."

The maven of the strings continued playing the song, finishing with one clear, lasting note before she looked up at them. Her smile widened into a foolish grin as she rubbed the back of her head. She played a few notes that seamed to laugh for her.

James looked between the two girls, his shock and surprise long gone due to the soothing melodies that Sona was now playing. Ahri muttered something about her showing off before she returned to James, an amused smile on her face. "So how do you like the real Sona's music?" She asked, Sona backing up the question with a thrum of her strings that seemed to copy the question.

"Are you sure she's mute? She seems to be able to speak well enough with her strings." A pleasant, happy melody. "See? She agrees with me."

Ahri glanced at her friend and she nodded happily, pleased that someone understood her. "He's mine, hands off." Another melody, this one playful and mischievous.

"She says no promises." James said, this time a grin crossing his face as he enjoyed the playful banter of the two friends. "Looks like you might have competition Ahri~" James teased her, poking her in the side.

"Oh, don't start." Ahri said with a slight laugh, pushing away the hand that was poking her in her ticklish spots. "Didn't you get all jealous and territorial when I first arrived?" James said nothing. He grabbed her hand and rubbed the back lovingly. Sona sighed in happiness for her friend, playing a reassuring tune that turned to a questioning one as she looked behind her at the shimmering space in the air. Ahri understood this one, also glancing at the rift. She then looked back at James and raised an eyebrow.

James looked at the rift and then at Ahri, holding her gaze for a few seconds. His eyes then drifting to the door and his mind drifted to the living room. He then let out a sigh and got to his feet, holding up his free hand as Ahri's eyes brightened and she took a step towards the rift. "I'll go, but let me tell mom first. Expect to explain yourself when you get home." He released her hand and walked out the door, closing it behind him.

Sona raised an eyebrow at Ahri and played three questioning notes. Ahri just shook her head and waited patiently for her boyfriend's return. It took a few minutes until James returned, a slight sweat on his brow.

"We can go, but we should come home before dinner." He informed them, closing the door behind him.

"She go scary again?" Ahri asked, noting the dampness on his skin. James shook his head.

"Just expect a lot of questions." Ahri extended her hand and James took it, allowing himself to be pulled towards the rift. Sona took his other one, an innocent tune being played as Ahri shot a quick glance at her. Together the three walked through the rift.

Hey guys, it John here. I spent a lot of time researching for this chapter and I'm pleased of the outcome. First I would like to note that the song I wrote down actually exists, and it is quite beautiful. The link is on my profile page. Please go check it out, I promise you won't regret it. Second, I would like to ask if anyone would like to beta read for this story, I'm looking for one or two more people to take the position. A spot has been reserved for SIROWL, but I would like more so that I don't have to hand over the whole chapter to one person. Cheep, I know, but you still get some enjoyment and surprise when you read the finished version.

youtube link for the song watch?v=j1lNdXWUQ7g