Light From Uncommon Stars(51)

At first, Katrina had no idea what her teacher was talking about. Then she recalled how Miss Satomi drew her into the worlds of Axxiom and The NetherTale.

Was that what she meant? Could she learn to do it, as well?

“You’re already on your way.” Miss Satomi seemed to read her mind. She gestured at the projections around them. “All of this works due to the desires of your inner voice.”

Inner voice? Okay, now Katrina was confused again.

“Katrina, everyone possesses two voices: the physical voice that people hear, and their actual voice, inside. The great musicians bring them together, and the result is … Well, you’ll know soon enough. So. Shall we introduce your outer and inner voice?”

“Yes?” Katrina ventured.

“Good. Put away your violin.”

“Miss Satomi? We’re not practicing?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Shizuka motioned Katrina to the piano.

“Leopold Auer. You should remember that name. He taught Jascha Heifetz himself. Auer would say, ‘One must not play violin, one must sing violin!’

“It is still fantastic advice. So sometimes it is helpful to sing. Let me demonstrate—keep in mind that I’m not the best singer. But for now, just follow me through some basic vocal warmups.”

Shizuka hit middle C, then sang “… ah-Ah-AH-AH-AH-Ah-ah…”

She repeated the note.

“Okay, now your turn. No stress … just keep it nice and easy. Katrina?”

Katrina looked down and shook her head.

“Katrina?”

“Please not my voice,” she whispered.

Voice?

Think, Satomi. What could be wrong with her voice?

Ah … of course.

Shizuka recalled how Katrina monitored her voice … in the mornings, in the evenings, after her bath. Sometimes her voice would slip into a lower register. She’d catch herself immediately and raise it again.

But, to be that vigilant all the time … How could music happen at all?

Shizuka’s thoughts were interrupted by a ringing phone.

Miss Satomi walked out of the room. She returned a few moments later.

“Katrina! Your voice is ready.”

“What?”

“Let’s go get Aubergine!”



* * *



“Nervous?”

“A little,” Katrina admitted. “But good nervous.”

As Miss Satomi drove, the streets seemed to glow. The window shop was full of windows, the auto repair shops repaired automobiles, the amazing taco place smelled amazing. About the only thing out of the ordinary was Miss Satomi staring straight ahead as they passed Starrgate Donut.

But before Katrina could ask further, her teacher tapped her phone.

“Astrid told me about this thing called Bluetooth. Now we can listen to computer recordings in the car.”

Katrina expected to hear yet another vintage recording, but instead, the radio began to play a violin cover of The Legend of Zelda.

Katrina recognized the track almost immediately.

“Lindsey Stirling?”

“Tell me about her. She’s incredibly popular. Is it her dancing? Her music selection?”

Katrina thought about it and shook her head.

“I think that’s part of it. But she also connects with her fans. Sometimes she’ll respond to their letters, their questions; she’ll share stories about the setbacks in her own life. In her concerts, she’s always telling the audience to believe in themselves. That no matter how much they hurt, they are beautiful and strong, and can survive.”

Once more, Shizuka’s thoughts drifted to Lan.

“I can see the appeal,” she said.

“A lot of her fans say she’s the greatest violin player alive. O-of course, well, they might not know about classical music,” Katrina stumbled.

Shizuka pulled into the Matías’ parking lot and shrugged.

“Who am I to say? Besides, she seems like a force of good in the universe.”

“Just like you,” Katrina said innocently. “Except you don’t dance!”

By the time Shizuka recovered, Katrina was already halfway to the store.



* * *



“She looks different.”

Lucy Matía placed the violin in Katrina’s hands. “Think of it as a makeover. Careful!”

“What? Oh, shit!” Katrina gasped. Holding her violin was like holding air.

“Good,” Lucy said gently. “I didn’t want you to drop her.”

“It’s like carbon fiber.”

“It’s much nicer than carbon fiber,” Lucy said, trying not to appear miffed. “Why don’t you try her out? She’s already in tune. Andrew, get her a bow.”

“No, no. I brought my own,” Katrina said. She did not mention it was carbon fiber.

Katrina adjusted the shoulder rest. She played a note, then stopped.

“Is everything okay?” Lucy asked.

Katrina nodded.

She played a few measures more. She held the violin to her ear.

Nothing more needed to be said.

Once back home, Shizuka and Katrina returned immediately to the practice hall.

“So, Katrina, I take it that you cannot sing.”