For music to move its audience, the performer herself had to enter the role as well. So even though "Sea of Prayer" had ended, Frafiel, like everyone else, did not immediately step out of character. She was still immersed in the lingering atmosphere.
Not until a chorus of creaking sounds rose around her did Frafiel's thoughts get dragged back from that beautiful realm of music into reality.
She opened her eyes, ready to ask who was making such a racket, but before she could speak, the sight of a group of foreign races before her gave her a fright.
There were twelve of them in all. Though their appearances differed, their eyes held the same absorption and yearning. Their chests trembled faintly as they made creaking sounds.
Judging by their expressions, this "creak creak" seemed to be an expression of joy. Like certain felines, which emitted a rumbling vibration when they were happy.
"When did they get here?" Frafiel asked Jon softly, somewhat startled.
"While you were singing." Jon paused, then, seeing the trace of alarm in Frafiel's eyes, reassured her, "You don't need to worry. Looking at how captivated they are, they might already be your fans."
Frafiel opened her mouth, wanting to say something, when she suddenly saw blue light flickering before her eyes.
The blue light burst forth in an instant. Caught completely off guard, Frafiel felt her eyes dazzled badly. She instinctively shut them and waited for the light source to stabilize.
While her eyes were closed, she could hear a great many sounds rising around her.
It seemed many people were speaking, but none of it was the common tongue. Presumably, those foreign races were conversing.
Frafiel did not know what they were saying, but she could hear the astonishment and delight filling the emotions