3:Lute
Konoe has always grown up thinking he was a Touga, but he then learnt that he was actually a Sanga. It came as a surprise and it wasn't something he wanted as there were plenty of other cats that wished they could born a Sanga.
Skills of a Touga could be learnt with years of, but the ability of a Sanga is something that is inborn and not taught.
Konoe learnt his father was a Sanga, and a very powerful Sanga that was a candidate for Chief Sanga, a prestigious and highest title a Sanga could earn. And it was for this title that Konoe's father was murdered and what set in motion the disasters that happened in Sisa, such as the appearance of the Sickness and the Void.
Konoe is glad he got to learn a bit about his father and the history he shared with Leaks.
Konoe came to understood that over the years seeing The Poet, appear and reappear. He learnt that it was because his father has always been watching over him, even after death. His father, Shui, has always been watching over him. Even though The Poet will never appear before him again, Konoe felt his father is still watching over him.
Having spotted a merchant stall selling instruments, Konoe saw the instrument he often sees The Poet play. A lute. The colours weren't the same but the shape and craft of the instrument was the exactly the same.
He could picture his father holding the lute in hand and playing his beautiful melodies. Konoe could almost believe he could hear his father's music echoing lightly in the air.
Filled with curiosity, Konoe picked up the instrument and tried to hold and emulate his father's posture as he tried to play. Konoe wasn't sure exactly how to hold a lute, but he thinks he got it right, and he attempts to strum the cords with his fingers or rather his claws.
The strings vibrated and sung as Konoe experimentally plucked at them.
He wasn't sure if he was playing it correctly, but he could pick out the distinct tones of each individual cord and plucked them in a certain sequence. A rough melody could be formed. Konoe never sung but he tried to at least hum in the same range as the strings he plucked.
"Having fun?" Konoe heard a voice say behind him.
Konoe's tail bristled slightly as he was too engrossed in playing the instrument he hadn't realized someone was standing behind him. He was startled by someone suddenly talking to him.
"Got what we need," Konoe said quickly putting the instrument back where he found it, feeling flustered.
Bardo just stared at him with slight curiosity, a single eyebrow raised in interest. He had the look and expression that he wanted to know why Konoe was so interested with the lute.
Konoe suddenly felt embarrassed, though he knew shouldn't be because it wasn't something to be embarrassed about. "It's the same instrument my father played," Konoe confessed somehow feeling self-conscious and couldn't look straight into Bardo's amber eyes.
When Konoe finally glanced at Bardo the older cat was looking at him with a gentle look. A gentle look of understanding and didn't look like he was being judgemental or would attempt to tease him about it.
"I see," Bardo said with a soft smile.
During their quiet moments together, Konoe had told Bardo about The Poet and what he had learnt about the identity of that mysterious cat. It came up when Bardo asked about what happened during that time when they fought against Leaks. He wondered what happened to Konoe and how he managed learn that song his father had given him that helped them defeat Leaks.
It was out of curiosity on Bardo's part but Konoe felt that he had no need to keep it from Bardo. It was something he could share because Bardo has lately been telling Konoe about his own childhood and about his parents.
Bardo's mother is still alive, residing back in Setsuna. Konoe learnt that Bardo's easy and out-going personality was something he inherited from his father, and the sense of humour and teasing nature from his mother. Apparently Bardo's mother enjoys antagonizing her son with letters written with his real name and with pictures of him as a child.
Bardo truly dislikes his real name, and is too embarrassed about having people learn about his real appearance as a child.
Konoe often teased the older cat about it, as sort-of revenge against Bardo when the older cat teases him. But it is all in a friendly jest, and Konoe will never tell anyone else about Bardo's real name because it is something only a select few knew about Bardo and Konoe felt special having this knowledge.
"Want to learn?" Bardo suddenly asked.
"Learn what...?" Konoe wasn't sure what he was referring too.
Bardo pointed at the lute, "I know someone that can teach you how to play it. Do you want to learn?"
Konoe was stunned for a moment. He actually never thought about learning how to play an instrument. He never had the need to learn such a skill. In Karou the only skill he needed to know was how to hunt and to defend his territory.
However Konoe's father played the lute and being a Sanga was something he inherited from his father. And Konoe knew Shui left him his songs and music buried within his heart. Learning to play the lute Konoe thought he could help bring the hidden music out.
"Yes," Konoe said with a definite voice.