Sebeon
Anima; meaning "spirit, soul" in Latin, "invisible" in Sanskrit
Female
The concert harp. Also known as the pedal harp, which is played solo. Only four fingers are required to play the harp, and she conveniently has four claws. Her harp is an ornately designed white harp, custom-made to fit her, and was a gift from her teacher. The harp has musical staff (lines) running across the column engraved with the sheet music for the first song her teacher ever taught her; "Greensleeves." The strings are made of strong wire so that her claws do not cut through as she plucks. The harp is played to make others happy and allows her to express her feelings. Her way of life. It's the way she finds to represent herself.
In mythology, the harp is said to be a powerful instrument able to conjure winds, charm, and even summon storms. The harp can represent "truth", which she does by honestly expressing how she feels at the moment through song. Harp as a verb means "to come back to." No matter how many different instruments are available to her, Anima will always return to her harp.
I was born blind to the world. I never saw the faces of my parents or anybody else around me. All I had was touch and sound to guide me. Did I feel alone in my dark and sightless world? Yes. I did feel alone. People around me would describe how beautiful the night sky was or how lush the flowering fields were during the spring. I had always longed to see these things, but I could not. Growing up, I could never join in games. I could "hide", but I could never "seek."
-and most of my life, I did the "hiding." I felt invisible to everybody around me. However, my blindness was not entirely a curse to me. In my loneliness, I learned to appreciate the little things that so many people overlook. I had no sight, but I was able to appreciate touch and sound more because of it. I enjoyed the singing of the birds and the feeling of the cool waters of the stream during the summer. Being different from the other children often led me to my own means of entertainment. Preferring the sound of a windy day I would sit around and listen to the whistling of the trees instead of play, I even tried to whistle like they could. One day, I heard a sound that was nothing like I've heard before.
It was something that nature could not have composed; the sound of creative music. The sound called out for me among the laughter of the other children as they played their usual games. Ignoring all else around me, I got up to follow the melody as the soft grass fell under my paws.
I kept going until, finally, the song was clear to me. Hearing the subtle rustling of leaves around me I knew I had been led to the forest. Sitting down I listened, waiting. The song seemed to soothe away all my worries for the day. After the song had ended, I heard a gentle voice, fitting for whoever played the beautiful song.
"Hello there, child. What are you doing out here by the lake? Shouldn't you be playing with the other children?"
I was nervous. I haven't spoken with many people because I spent most of my time alone. I didn't want to tell her why I wasn't playing with the other children.
"I...um...really liked the song. I wish I could do something like that."
"I can teach you to play music if you'd like."
"But how can I play when I can't even see an instrument?"
"You don't need sight for everything, child. Let me show you."
I felt a paw grab hold of mine and guide me over. She led my paws to firm but bending thin bars, and I was confused.
"Strings?"
"This is a harp. The strings make sounds when you pluck them. Try it."
I pulled gently on one, carefully to avoid tearing it as it felt thin and fragile, then I heard it, a single note from the harp.
"See? You don't need sight to make music. You only need to know where to put your paws."
This thought made me smile a little. Maybe for once I could do something.
"You must have very good ears to have found me all the way here. What is your name?"
"Anima."
"That is a very pretty name."
"Thank you."I paused, unsure of myself. "Are you sure you want to teach someone like me?"
"Of course I am, Anima. We can start now. We still have much of the day left."
The thought made me happy and speechless. All I could do in reply was nod with a wide grin on my face and hug her. From that day on, she became my music teacher. I never really learned her name. I simply knew her as "teacher," my mentor - the one who brought some hope into my life, and I am thankful for it. It wasn't until later that I learned my teacher had very poor vision herself.
She had tried to teach me how to play a variety of instruments, but I always found myself going back to the harp. I felt "at home" with it. She showed me a variety of harps, but I loved the big one - the concert harp - the best. It felt right with my large claws and was suitable for my height.
On a winter day, my teacher gave me a special harp. I wasn't exactly sure what it looked like, but I could feel the shapes on the frame. They felt like music notes moving from low to high to low once more, almost in the same motion as I would play my favorite song upon the harp.
"This feels like...music notes?"
"That it is, can you guess the song?"
I continued to trace the pattern; my other hand moving along the strings solely by reflex now as it mirrored the pattern onto the strings. "Greensleeves?"
"Your very first song. I had it engraved because I know how much you love it."
With that, I knew it was the perfect gift.
Ah, Sight, now farewell, adieu,
To God I pray to prosper thee,
For I am still thy lover true,
Though I am no longer in need of you.
Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell, adieu,
To God I pray to prosper thee,
For I am still thy lover true,
Come once again and love me.
[915 words total.]
