エンジュ

Wait, that voice sounded familiar.

She turned around to see her guildmaster, and Violet felt happy to see a familiar face in this sketchy area! It was her guildmaster…who had found a guild member lost on Leuda Island. This was embarrassing. 

     “... Antoinette is just fine.” Was the first thing that she thought to say. It sounded weird hearing someone call her so formally, when she always made a point to her guild members that she didn’t need to be spoken to in any formal kind of way. Besides, they were all just as talent as her, the only thing she had on them is that she had to actually organise them. Heck, even Violet was older than her. Antoinette should have been the one being formal towards her. However, her pride was more important and she wouldn’t dare let someone think that she thought of them as above her either.

   A sigh left her mouth. “You really need to be more careful. If this was a voyage would you have let your guard down in such a manner? You know as well as I do what that would mean.” she questioned, slightly wondering how someone who seemed a little scatterbrained managed to tame such a summon.Oh well, it was not important right now.  After her small pause, she simply uttered one word. “Death.”

    “However not so extreme here on Leuda, but never the less dangerous. Especially in this part of town, you definitely could have found yourself in serious trouble. Even someone such as myself dreads walking through this part of town.” Antoinette left another pause in between her words. “And I can’t lose important guild members to injury.”

[ -1,000G on trip to Leuda @thepelagoislands ]

Honestly, Violet was still tired after the festival, even if she wanted to pretend everything was alright.

Violet sighed, walking through the town as if she was in a daze. She thankfully took off her shift at the guild today after reporting her fight with Undine, which they were happy to give her since she was now the pact-holder of the spirit. Her classes weren’t until the next day, but she still needed to go out to run some errands. Renew a science textbook at the University library…maybe get her tools upgraded after finding some ore on Arcadia…think about scheduling a boat rental to go on a voyage. There hadn’t been progress about the key pieces…so she figured that she should do her part as a guild member. She did pray for luck at the Dragon King Shrine…so she hoped that it would be fine…

In the pocket of her dress was the water crystal that Undine had left behind shortly after her pact was made. Violet could hardly believe that she had actually made the pact. She remembered the spirit from when she was a child - a crybaby, really - and she would have never imagined meeting her like that as an adult. She gently took out the water crystal and looked at it with a calm face. 

And when her eyes wandered to her surroundings, she didn’t recognize anything.

This…didn’t look like the rest of town, to be honest. Violet looked around, seeing some odd things. Dirtied buildings, cracked pathways, and generally a fouler tone than the rest of Leuda. One of the larger buildings read ‘Mire Apartments’ on the front…what an unpleasant name for an apartment. Violet fought back a yawn and reached into her bag to find the map that Gaius had lent her…

Only to find nothing. She had taken it out of her bag before she went to Arcadia because she wouldn’t need it there. So when she took the Love Potion and the wine out of her bag when she came back…she forgot to put the map back inside.

And now she didn’t know where she had ended up at all.

     Her walk home however, always consisted of a walk through one of the dodgiest parts of town, somewhere she didn’t really appreciate too much. In her personal opinion, it was the kind of place where if you weren’t paying enough attention to your surroundings, you would probably get something or yourself stolen by some random on the street. Definitely sounded very charming, being stolen by some stranger. Definitely what she had planned for herself for today’s events.

     But it wasn’t long before her gaze was caught by something, or rather someone that looked awfully familiar. Like an acquaintance of hers? Antoinette found herself quickening her pace a little to inspect the human that was ahead of her. They looked to be walking around a little... lost. Definitely not something that you could have in this part of town. And, of course, as a leader of the explorer’s guild, she felt that she was obligated to make sure that the townspeople were okay, and besides, she was in a good mood, so it meant she was feeling a little kinder today.

     Antoinette cleared her throat a little as she came within a close distance to the individual, however unable to identify her due to the fact Antoinette was standing behind the human that appeared to be a girl. “Uh, are you okay?” she called out with her monotone voice, attempting to sound a little concerned. The girl seemed a bit shaky as she watched her try and reach into the back at her side, seeming to have no avail. 

[Return back to Leuda -1,000G]

@perfidepraetor

After the whole incident with Undine and Violet making a pact with the creature, Gaius was exhausted. Dragging the poor girl back to Leuda surely was something, as well as bringing what was left of his stock from the Festival. Oh shoot, he forgot to get Angela a gift while he was there. Oh well, maybe he’d give her one of the charms he had left. But surely, there was someone back at the Guild who wanted to see him.

It had been quite some time since he took on a request or a mission from the Guild, so it was probably a good idea to check in and let her know of the one he and Violet completed. After all, she probably wanted to see him  anyway.

     But, it came time to stand up and stretch her legs, and take a break. The bluenette slowly brought herself up from her chair, her eyes gazing toward the request board that was not too far from her. However, the silence that she had been hearing for hours on end was interrupted when she saw a familiar face, a returnee from a voyage, and a long standing friend acquaintance of hers. 

He shrugs, doing his best to not let his curiosity show. “I suppose, but it’s not like– what? Wait, you can’t–!” Her name calling strikes a nerve, and he sputters at her indignantly. “E-excuse you, I am not a ‘sissy boy’,” He had no problem with being called pretty though, because he was, “and, well… they never have, but… that doesn’t mean going against their wishes would solve anything…” He mutters the last part, and looks back down at the plaza. It did seem really fun…. all of that wonderful music, and those laughing people…

Any heart fluttering he could have felt from seeing the stoic girl crack a rare – pretty – smile was immediately halted when she called him a chicken, and he glares at her defiantly. “Chicken!? Please. If you’re going to compare me to any birds, it should be as something as graceful as a swan, or cool like an eagle or hawk. Something befitting of my character! A chicken… hmph. Honestly…” 

     Antoinette couldn’t help but smirk playfully at his reaction. It was always words like that that seemed to set them off. Boys and their need to be anything but a sissy boy. “Well, you’re nothing but a sissy boy if you actually want to stay here. I have no problems with going on my own.” Now that he had shown her the wonders that lay down below them, there was no way that she was going to wait around here and wonder what she missed out on. “It’s not about solving anything. It’s merely nothing more than doing what you want to do.” Antoinette quickly coughed. “Not that I care about what you want to do. You’re just some rich boy after all.”

     “Chic-ken.” The girl repeated the words, each part of the word in its own seperate syllable. Antoinette couldn’t help but find it amusing how he was quick to talk himself up. But, for once it didn’t seem to annoy her like it did the other boys she had met. But, Antoinette couldn’t help but ponder. What was wrong with the chicken in the first place? What did it ever do wrong to be used as the fool’s word? Poor chicken, she couldn’t help but think to herself, despite how silly a thought it may have been. “Well maybe I might consider you something else if you come with me. Plus, who ever said... That the chicken had to be the fool’s word. It only is if you let it be.”

     Despite looking as if she was trying to hesitate, Antoinette couldn’t help but be slightly quick to rest her hand against his once more. Despite hating this place, and not caring for this boy, there was a strange warmth she found with being with him. Not that it would last, or she cared obviously. What a stupid thought. “So you’re saying that if I was large and ugly you wouldn’t care if I got lost in a city? Absolutely kind you are.” she retorted. “But I suppose I’ll keep your offer if it stops you from being weak about going to this common people event. Let’s hurry up and make our way there before they notice.”

“Of course it won’t.” He defends, tightening his hold on her hand, but not enough for it to hurt. As snide as she was, the gesture felt… comforting. Filled him with warmth. Perhaps it was because she reminded him of his dear baby sister, on some level. Past the physical resemblance, this girl couldn’t have been more different from his perfect Rosalind if she tried. “Well, it’ll certainly be a better way to spend your time than wandering through the halls, or whatever it was you had been doing before you came in here.”

He moves forward, tugging gently on her hand, “Now come on, follow me.” Walking through the doors of the room and back out into the hall, Max scans both ends of the corridor before continuing on, relieved that no adults or servants had been in sight. After scaling a flight of stairs and walking down a few more halls, he eventually reaches a balcony that overlooks the majority of the mainland city, with the city’s plaza in direct view. When the sounds of flutes and violins reaches his ears, he can’t help the grin that breaks out on his face as he quickens his pace and moves closer to the railing, the blue haired girl in tow.

“Look!” There is excitement in his voice and a pure, almost childlike, sense of wonder in his eyes. “Do you see the plaza? Down there– the performers? Do you see them?” He points down giddily, practically bouncing on his feet in excitement. “Apparently they have a music festival in the plaza every weekend, with traveling bands and orchestras, vendors, stalls, foods, performers… it all looks so fun, doesn’t it? I want to go down there one day, maybe even perform some music myself, but–” 

     “Well sorry, beforehand I was actually doing what my parents wanted me to be doing. Not that you could say the same, could you?” she questioned, as well as retorted. But, the boy was right, walking around the halls with a new found acquaintance may not have been so bad after all. A lot better than standing around with adults trying to marry her off like she was something for another family to gain. It was just completely and utterly annoying. Stupid adults not knowing anything as usual.

     Following behind the blonde haired boy, after a few halls and staircases, her eyes were met with a view over the balcony ahead of them. The plaza that everyone spoke about, it was lit up with so many different stalls and beautiful music that she couldn’t help but stop and stare in awe for a little moment. The common people and their little stall gatherings or whatever they were called... Antoinette loved them so very much. Those were people having fun, not the people that gathered in these stupid fancy halls. And so, Antoinette spent a moment of silence leaning over the balcony, closing her eyes to take in the sound of the music.

     “It sounds... absolutely amazing...” she said quietly, her eyes still caught by the sight ahead. However, she couldn’t help but notice how his voice fell when he spoke about wanting to play music down there himself. What was stopping him? Parents? Like they would have known he was gone right now. That was when Antoinette decided that she was ready to break the rules, like she always did. Definitely was a special talent of hers.  

     “It’s definitely pretty, but it may look prettier from down there...” she said, turning to him as she spoke. “How about it, why don’t you stop being a sissy pretty boy and actually do something that you want to for once. I reckon we could get down there easy. You’re just making excuses if you’re gonna let your parents get in your way. How often have they ever let you do something that you want to do?” Antoinette gave a slight smile for once. 

@perfidepraetor

[☀] —- The Leuda Explorer’s Guild wasn’t a place she went to often, but since she would having much more free time on her hands for the next week, she decided she would go an check it out, see if there were any request she could take up, or explorations she could go on.

Lillie never really explored before… honestly, the most travelling she’s ever done was the short boat rides in between Leuda and Arcadia. For as long as she could remember, she’s always wanted to go on a voyage… or at least venture out to lands beyond this small archipelago.

But she also had school to worry about, and responsibilities to take care of, so that was one dream she would probably have to hold off on for quite a while…

Smiling at the group of boasting guild members who had just returned from a voyage, Lillie folds her arms behind her back and makes to leave, turning towards the exit…

…and bumping into a shorter, blue haired girl.

     However, she was greeted with a brown haired girl, rather cute she had to admit. However at first glance didn’t look like the type to be taking requests for voyages and whatnot. Pondering over whether or not she should help her, Antoinette gave herself a minute before stepping forward to help this girl. However, just as she made her way towards the brunette, she herself had been getting ready to leave, ending with Antoinette being bumped backwards.

     Nearly losing her balance, Antoinette stumbles back slightly, looking up at the girl, who happened to be taller than her. “It’s fine.” she said simply, looking at the girl and her hands that were enclosed in her own. Antoinette gave an awkward half hearted smile, something that took a lot of effort to do for an ice queen such as herself. “Attention would be something needed for some of those requests up there.” She noted to the girl.

His smile – that hadn’t been all that genuine, anyway – falls into a pensive frown, and Max uses the ensuing silence after her speech to think to himself for a moment, before his lips slowly pull up into a smile and he holds his hand out to her. The gesture was often one he did to Rosie, and he couldn’t help but note the passing resemblance the girl had to his lovely little sister.

He didn’t exactly understand what it was she was going through, but perhaps he could make it better somehow. “Well, even if that may be true, not everyone is against you, you know. Like me. Regardless of how your parents see you, or even how you see yourself, I only see you as a girl. A very human girl who is clearly upset and in need of a mood lifter.” 

     She watched as his rather fake smile turned into his true reaction to the situation, a frown. Everyone seemed to become so much more negative when she actually decided to tell them the truth about things. Not that she cared, because either way her life still sucked, no matter what response she got from others. Yet, her thoughts were interrupted with new curiosities sparked by the blonde boy’s words.

     Not everyone was against her? That was something she hadn’t heard in a long while. It always seemed to feel like that. Especially with her mother, the main person she was always trying to impress. Maybe this boy had some points that weren’t stupid for once. How lovely. “I’m not upset, just fully aware that the facade life most people live here is faker than your smile from earlier.” she merely retorted. “...But thanks...” The last two words were barely audible, but definitely there. He was right. Not that she could ever admit that to his face, but in her heart she definitely knew of his own truthfulness. 

If he understood his position so well, why do things to disgrace and jeopardize it? It wasn’t like doing something he enjoyed was bad, but the way he was doing it was still wrong… why, though? Why did there have to be such a disconnect between what he wanted to do, and what he needed to do? Why couldn’t he do both?

…All of this was confusing, not to mention upsetting him. So, like with every other thing Max didn’t want to deal with, he left it alone for later. “…This party was starting to become such a bore!” He laughs as a lie – or at least he thinks it is – easily leaves his lips, feigning a mischievous grin as he looks down at the pretty girl with the ruby red eyes. “I know it’s against the rules, but what’s so wrong with having a little fun once in a while? My life can’t just be fancy meetings and arranged marriages all the time, you know~♪”

In an attempt to shake off her piercing statements, the boy puts on the facade of a carefree and mischievous teenage boy, though there was a small part of him that felt as if the image he had conjured up hadn’t actually been an act, after all. That the web of lies he had been so easily weaving had been his actual feelings, on some level.

But that tiny part of him was ridiculous, and Max ignores it as he continues on, “….You’re not– you’re not a pawn, or a tool.” He frowns. “Those are such ugly words… you should be happy, to be able to help your family in such a way. I am. They raised me, nurtured me, taught me, loved me… my family has done so much for me, so it’s the least I could do, to give them something in return. To make them proud… but I doubt that would even come close to the gift of life that they gave me.”

But, before she knew it, the boy changed his attitude on the situation, completely. Saying the party was a bore? Well, Antoinette couldn’t disagree on such a statement, however the fact that he had been so scared about being told off earlier definitely left her questioning his motives. What a strange young boy he was indeed. “I never said there was anything wrong with having fun, you’re the one who stopped yourself from saying it. It might be nice if you actually made up your mind though.” Antoinette found herself slightly frowning, not sure how to read this boy’s words. He definitely was a confusing one. 

She didn’t enjoy people who weren’t sure about what they wanted. People who always focused on what others thought of them, they were everything that she tried to avoid in her life. Antoinette found when she met with people like this, they were a constant reminder of why she hated this life that she had been given very, very much. It was all fake, all a facade. Even the boy right now... He was putting on a facade to hide his parent’s ideal facade. It was all too confusing.

Antoinette sighed, shaking her head. “People like you, thinking that the world can’t be ugly. That ugly words can’t be used to describe someone’s life.” she frowned, letting out a sound of frustration. “You know what, not everyone’s family’s are the same. Just because you got lucky with a family that obviously actually cares about you as a person, doesn’t mean that everyone else has as well. My parents don’t love me, all they’ve taught me is that I will always be nothing but what my physical value is to them. They pretend to love me because I’m considered to be beautiful. They pretend to love me because I’m what will help them climb their way up in this world of riches and facade.”

Of course, people had noticed the pair of them having their rather public argument, well, tea fight. It was slightly amusing to see someone that thought so highly of themselves in such a state. His poor blonde hair wasn’t looking so blonde at the moment. It kind of looked like a botched dye job in her eyes for a moment. Oh well, as long as it wasn’t her own hair she didn’t really care.

“Please don’t waste my time more than you already have, sir.” she said in a sickly sweet voice, accompanied by a mocking smile before returning to her frown once more. “It would also be rather virtuous if you could actually get things right too this time. Aren’t you just full of good virtue today.” Antoinette hated how he spoke as if he was so forgiving. He seemed like the kind of guy to be kind to your face and make you like him, but in the end he was just trying to make himself look good. She wouldn’t stand for that however. “Mediocrity… Maybe you should find a new job then, seeing as this cafe is pretty nice and you’re part of its staffing. You’re a bit mediocre to be working here.”

Antoinette couldn’t deny that she thought he was rather stunning. Stunningly average of course. Well, that’s what she wanted to tell herself at least. In actual fact, she had thought he was slightly worth her time before he pulled this stunt on her. Oh well, it ended worse for him in her opinion anyway.

He waits for her to take a sip of the tea – an action that would probably be accompanied by another snarky comment – but is surprised to see that instead of that, she stands up and gives it back to him instead. Her expected comment is met with a tight smile, and Max is almost tempted to take the cup and dump it over her head, give her a delightful taste of the cherry tea she loves so much. But as he was the better man, he would not stoop to such a lowly act.

Instead, he bows slightly, and speaks to her in a level, pleasant tone. “Of course, Your Rudeness. I only wish to satisfy you… perhaps next time you will be more appreciative of both my service and presence.” If there even would be a next time. Max was not looking forward to seeing the girl again, but he had a feeling he would. Fate was strange like that.

He assumed she was intending to leave, so he turns on his heel, preparing to head to the back of the shop and start getting ready to head out himself. His hair couldn’t stay like this, and– Goddess, he didn’t even want to imagine how it looked right now. “Now, if that will be all, I’ll be taking my leave. Thank you for visiting Chagall Cafe, and we do hope to see you here again sometime.” Except not really. “Good day, Miss…”

“….” He freezes when he turns to look back at her, his gaze catching on her eyes. The girl was considerably smaller than him, and he had been so focused on the tea being dumped on him that he hadn’t taken too much notice of her appearance. She had felt familiar, yes, but those eyes… those pretty, ruby red eyes… they reminded him of someone…

…Well, even if she had been that girl, that meant nothing to him. It wasn’t like she had been his friend or anything. Just someone he talked to once. Perhaps it was a good thing he hadn’t gotten to know her back then, as she proved to be an absolutely insufferable person. “…Good day.”

Ignoring the stares and snickers of the people around him, he pulls a handkerchief from his suit’s breast pocket, and wipes away the tea on his face in one fluid motion, deciding to leave the mess that was his hair for more… professional hands. After he dealt with this insufferable girl, he would be taking an early leave and head straight to the salon to let Allen or Mistel fix this horrible, horrible mess she made.

“Just like how I can forgive you for having absolutely no manners or proper house training at all! Of course. Forgiveness is a virtue, after all~♪ anyway, I’ll be right back with your tea, ma’am.” He chimes cheerily, with a noticeable edge of sarcasm, before turning on his heel and facing away from her. The blonde takes a few steps forward before stopping and turning his head back slightly to look at her from the corner of his eye. His voice is low as he speaks, loud enough for only her to hear. “…And of course, why would you expect much? Mediocrity attracts mediocrity, after all.” With that, he walks back to the kitchen, leaving her to stew on the comment. Make a blow on his pride, and he would return in kind.

Hmph. Not that anything about her – excepting the personality, of course – was mediocre in the slightest. The girl was rather pretty, almost in a doll-like way, and Max suspected he would be rather interested in her had this… incident not occurred. But that was a ‘what if’ scenario, and there was no point in him dwelling on it. Regardless of how visually appealing she may have been, her attitude and manners were horrid, and he didn’t have much tolerance for her type.

Of course, people had noticed the pair of them having their rather public argument, well, tea fight. It was slightly amusing to see someone that thought so highly of themselves in such a state. His poor blonde hair wasn’t looking so blonde at the moment. It kind of looked like a botched dye job in her eyes for a moment. Oh well, as long as it wasn’t her own hair she didn’t really care.

“Please don’t waste my time more than you already have, sir.” she said in a sickly sweet voice, accompanied by a mocking smile before returning to her frown once more. “It would also be rather virtuous if you could actually get things right too this time. Aren’t you just full of good virtue today.” Antoinette hated how he spoke as if he was so forgiving. He seemed like the kind of guy to be kind to your face and make you like him, but in the end he was just trying to make himself look good. She wouldn’t stand for that however. “Mediocrity... Maybe you should find a new job then, seeing as this cafe is pretty nice and you’re part of its staffing. You’re a bit mediocre to be working here.”

Antoinette couldn’t deny that she thought he was rather stunning. Stunningly average of course. Well, that’s what she wanted to tell herself at least. In actual fact, she had thought he was slightly worth her time before he pulled this stunt on her. Oh well, it ended worse for him in her opinion anyway.

Unlike happy, cheerful Rosie, this girl seemed much too guarded and closed in, and her words had a certain edge to them that didn’t particularly sit well with him. But as blunt as she may have been, she was right. The adults – and most importantly his father – would not approve of this sort of behavior. Honestly, there wasn’t really much they approved of in the first place…. it was tiring.

“…True.” Max says simply, regarding the girl in front of him with a look of idle curiosity. Why wouldn’t she look at him? It was rude not to make eye contact with others while you were speaking to them, after all. “But is it so wrong to want some time to myself for onc–” Yes, it was wrong, what was he saying? Max lived and breathed for the de Sainte-Coquille. The will of the family’s was his will, and he would act as they instructed to ensure the continued prosperity and success of the clan, since that was his sole duty. What he was born for. “Ah– no… nevermind. Forget I said that. I… don’t know what came over me, really! Playing someone else’s piano when I should be mingling at the party… how silly of me, not to mention rude.” 

He laughs sheepishly, standing up and stepping away from the piano, towards her. “I guess I just had a lapse of judgment… I assure you, it won’t happen again.” He smiles at her, though he doubts she’s actually looking, and notes how cute and princess-like she looks. Almost prettier than Rosie. Almost. 

     “I don’t understand, if you knew it was wrong, then why would you do it.” she questioned, knowing full well that she was exactly the type to do such a thing. Antoinette never listened to what the adults had to say, but at the same time she didn’t question their motives. Her mother was always consumed with the need to make money, especially from her, so Antoinette never questioned why. All she knew is that she would get the same lecture as usual, that she didn’t understand because she was only a small child. “I’m not the one you need to reassure in a place like this. I’m not the one you have to remind of the link between your actions and rudeness. I don’t care if you play the piano in someone else’s house. I don’t even know you, why are you trying to validate your actions by telling me you won’t do it again. It sounds like the only one who cares is you.”

     Antoinette couldn’t help her eyes wandering to the boy in front of her as he took a step forward towards her. The boy was definitely older than she was, definitely taller too. Definitely beautiful. Not that she cared of course. Rich boys were all snobby and stupid. That’s what she would continue to tell herself until she met one that actually was somewhat like her. But, for now, she didn’t care.

     “Me? Oh I’m not the important one here.” she said simply, showing no sign of emotion towards the boy. “I am merely here because the idea of marrying me off is important. Adults hungry for statuses, titles and whatnot, that is why I am here. I am a pawn you could say.” Antoinette looked around for a few moments as she thought of what she wanted to say next. What was the point of her being here now? Her mother had already chosen her a husband already. What was the point. “Not that it matters, I’ve already had my marriage decided. Already had my life decided. Not that someone like you would care, you probably love the idea of being married off for your family’s sake. Like the others here. You’re all the same.”

@perfidepraetor

[♫] —- Max hums to himself softly as he ducks away from the party, like he often did at these sorts of high society functions. He had no interest in talking to any of the girls his father was trying to marry him off to. By the time he was trying to introduce him to one named A… Amy? Anna? – something like that, the daughter of some famous fashion designer – Max had decided he had enough of the introductions and decided to spend some time on his own for a while, using a bathroom break as an excuse. As he wanders the halls of the mansion the adults had chosen to hold the party in, Max eventually comes across an empty room.

Usually, he would have ignored it and continued on, but the difference between this empty room and others was that this one had a grand piano sitting in the center of it. The blonde’s eyes light up immediately at the sight of the instrument, and he rushes towards it, a delighted grin on his face. After taking a while to admire its sleek appearance and the cool feel of the wood, Max glances around the room shiftily, as if he was making sure he was the only one there, before sitting in front of the piano once he feels the coast is clear.

Like a child in a toy store, Max grins giddily at the keys before he gently positions his fingers on them. There were many songs that he knew, but only one immediately came to mind. The boy closes his eyes as he begins to manipulate his fingers over the ivory, letting himself get lost in the calm, beautiful melody.

As he plays, memories of a time and place long past flow through his mind, and the words of a woman now lost to him echo softly in his ears.

“What was that song, Mother? It was really pretty.”

“…Love, dear. It’s called Love. I was playing it when I first met your father, you know. He was so entranced by the song that he wandered into the room I had been playing it in.”

“And then you and Father fell in love and lived happily ever after, huh?”

“Hehehe…! Well, something like that. It was the start of it, at least… I’ll tell you the whole story later, honey.”

     As she stood with herself not too far from her mother’s side, she watched as her mother rejected marriage proposals galore. Antoinette stood, a smile plastered on her face so tightly it hurt to move, or even blink. However, it seemed that her mother had already chosen her marriage candidate, a boy of which she had already forgotten the name of. Desperately wanting to leave this main gathering of people in the main hall of the party, the bluenette excused herself to the ladies room.

     However, it was anything but the ladies room that her gaze was to fall upon in a moment’s time. As she wandered through the halls, a small nine year old girl filled with curiosity and the need to be away from these people, there was a noise that truly captivated her attention. Something that made her stop. A beautiful melody unlike any other she had felt before. Her heart felt itself drawn to it. It was if her body was moving on its own, slowly finding herself pushing on the doors of the room. It was then, that her eyes fell upon a sight and sound she had never quite experienced before in her small existence.

     All she could do was stand and stare at the boy that moved gracefully in front of her eyes. She wished that he would keep playing forever, the melody playing a song her heart had never played before. Yet, it didn’t take her long for her to snap out of her trance once he stopped playing his tune of beauty.