A soft strumming filled the bedroom of Alodie’s apartment as she idly flicked her fingertips against the strings of her battered guitar. It had been so long since she’d picked it up to play! And it was so easy to become lost in the soft melodies and chords and to forget, for a moment, that she was playing host to a monster.

Granted, Strytha was polite enough and seemed to try to be unobtrusive. Certainly the little beast seemed to be more focused on getting her up to snuff as opposed to arbitrarily punishing her for her failings. Though… she was fairly sure that her failings as an officer were becoming fewer by the day. And Strytha had told her bluntly that this punishment was only temporary. Her pain would mean something. All of this was to make her a better person, a better officer and soldier.

She struck a discordant note, causing the guitar to emit a sound not unlike the scream of a dying rabbit. Flinching a little, she pressed her fingers against the strings to still them and closed her eyes. C’mon self, she thought. Just play the damn thing and lose yourself. It’s not that hard.

Taking a deep breath, Alodie started again, this time plucking away at the melody for Stairway to Heaven. It was easy and didn’t require any thinking on her part. Once again, she was lost in the music and began to sway gently as the gentle music soothed her raw and troubled spirit. Fumbled a bit as a blossoming warmth in her chest startled her from her reverie.

Well, that note was hardly pleasant. Why did you stop?

“You actually liked it?” Alodie sputtered, feeling slightly put out. “You don’t strike me as much of a music lover, y’know.”

She felt the mildly offended sniff and had to smile a little.

Just because Strytha prefers to not call screaming and noise for the sake of noise music doesn’t mean Strytha doesn’t appreciate it. The softer music is quite lovely and makes a better use of your skill than mere screeching.

Blinking owlishly, Alodie wasn’t entirely sure what to think about that. When she thought about it, it would make sense that even a youma might enjoy music. But to actually hear one admit to it. Too damn weird.

And why is it weird? Strytha demanded crisply. Many humans enjoy pursuits that you would consider to be the sole purview of youma-kind.

“A point. And I’m sorry for making assumptions I guess. So, any requests, then?”

Now it was the youma’s turn to be surprised and then pleased.

Strytha enjoyed what you were playing just now. Something gentle and soft.

“The monster wants gentle and soft,” Alodie muttered to herself with some amusement. “All righty then.”

The guitar was hardly the best instrument for it, but she played every lullaby and gentle ballad that she could think of and though Strytha didn’t speak again, she could feel it’s pleasure as it drifted away on the music.