“Hey,” Cyrus said, leaning over Ephraim’s shoulder. “What are those scribbles you’re drawing?”

“Scribbles?” The younger boy replied incredulously. “These are so much more than mere scribbles. This is music!”

“Music?”

“Yes, although this piece isn’t quite finished yet.”

“Well… uh… Is it okay if… I mean… Can I...?” stammered Cyrus.

“Listen?” Ephraim finished for him. “Of course! But you don’t have to ask in the future. I’m grateful for anyone who’ll listen to me, honestly.”

The brunet quickly assembled his horn, and after lying the sheets out in front of him, brought it to his mouth.

“Oh, can I ask you something before you start?” Cyrus blurted just as Ephraim was taking a breath to play.

“Sure” he sighed. He really didn’t like being interrupted, but was skilled in hiding his irritation.

“What kind of instrument is that? I’ve only seen the ones used in the kingdom, but what you have is completely different.”

“This?” Ephraim glanced at the long black device in his hand. “It’s my clarinet. I have a lot of other instruments, but this one’s my favorite. It’s also the first one I ever learned to play, so it holds kind of a special place.”

“Oh,” The older boy responded, not quite sure what to do with this new information. “Well, you can go on ahead now, I guess.”

“Alright.” He shrugged, and finally released a stunning tune from the clarinet.

Cyrus was shocked. He wasn’t exactly sure what he had expected, but never did he think that Ephraim would be able to convey so many emotions through one simple, mournful melody. All the pain, grief, regret, and confusion he had felt in the past weeks seemed to be released with every passing note.

Suddenly, a stinging sensation came to Cyrus’s eyes, and he could feel tears welling up within them. Ephraim noticed the effect that his playing was having on the other boy and halted.

“I-I’m sorry, I just… I don’t know what’s happening...” Cyrus trailed off, fat tears rolling down his cheeks. “I can’t…”

“No, no. it’s fine, really!” Ephraim said, slinging an arm over the other’s shoulder. “Music has that effect. My teacher would always say, ‘Where words fail, music speaks’. I’m not sure who exactly came up with that, but I’ve lived by that rule for four years, and it hasn’t let me down yet! Anyways, the point is that it’s normal for songs to get you that way, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Cyrus sniffed a bit and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. “I-uh… Thank you. I haven’t heard anything that nice in a very long time.” He said as he rose to his feet. “I’m going to go back by the others.”

“Alright, you do that.” Ephraim answered. “And if you ever want to hear more or learn to play some, you know who to ask!”