Sing for Me

“You know any other songs? Besides the one you sung on the way here I mean”.

She smiles and claps her hands together excitedly. Her eyes look into yours, and you see genuine joy.

“Really? That wouldn’t distract you?”.

You ponder pensively before replying.

“Work songs are older than the norns. I’m sure it will be fine! Hells, if I figure them out quick enough I will sing with you”.

She nods.

“Alright but don’t make fun of me or anything”.

You shrug and gesture around at the property.

“I see enough to make fun of already, I promise to be very nice”.

She smiles and begins to sing. At first her nerves cause some awkward sour notes, but when you do not reply her voice becomes confident and lavish. You aren’t fully sure of the language the song is in, but from emotional context you imagine it is about losing something or somebody. Her voice gets better and better as she goes.

Song after song you move the branches. You try to join the singing but are usually only able to near the end of each song. Between the music and regular banter the job is quick, taking only three hours.

You sit down on the grass covered ground among the small chips of the branches you cleared. Emilia approaches you soon after.

“I really can’t thank you enough. My parents should be back in an hour or so, you finished a lot quicker than I thought you would. I can bring you the payment to your house later if you would like?”.