Scarlet
I walked over to the piano, studying its ivory keys. I was trying my best to calm my nerves as well as I could. Music could always soften the raw emotions of life, end the struggle and provide soothing relief. It always made me feel better but today, it seemed to be lacking its power to reassure me. I placed my hands on the keys and started to play the prologue for Beauty And The Beast. I closed my eyes and let my mind wandered as I played. I gave myself over to the music and my memory of the melody guided my hands far better than reading notes on lines. The music was beautiful but not complicated. The light, gentle tones on the high notes, speaking volumes of a fairytales and happy endings, yet the dark, heavy tones from my left hand echoed the terror of the story's gothic under-vibe. It was part of why I loved the piece. It was balance, light and dark, misery yet joy. I adored the duality of the story and the music but part of it was painful to bear. It reminded me too much of another tale.
I opened my eyes and they immediately focused on my music box. It was a waterglobe; the base painted in harsh red and black. The globe itself was clear as usual. The piece it surrounded was a simple piece of plastic, yellowed to resemble old paper. The paper had lines and music notations. Attached to the sides were a single red rose and a white mask. Instinctively, I reached up to it and twisted the bottom a few good turns before setting it back down.
It began to play its melody and I thought back to the musical I had purchased it from.
"Close your eyes for your eyes will only tell the truth
and the truth isn't what you want to see
In the dark it is easy to pretend
That the truth is what it ought to be"
"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you
hear it, fear it, secretly possess you
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind
this darkness which you know you cannot fight
The darkness of the music of the night."
I wrinkled my nose in disgust at myself to singing the original lyrics rather than the movie's. What would Andrew Lloyd Webber say? I smirked to myself as the music ran out and looked at the globe once again. "Music Of The Night" was written on the plastic music page in neat handwriting, while "Phantom Of The Opera" was in bold lettering at the base of the globe.
I left my piano and turned around to face the opposite wall. The Christmas tree dominated the room. I walked up to it absentmindedly and began tracing the ornaments with my fingers. I traced the outline of the gold music notes until there was more glitter on me than them. I dropped my hand to my side when I heard a familiar ping from my laptop. Walking quickly to the living room, I reached my desk and nudged the mouse to reawaken the screen. Flashing across the screen was the standard warning message telling me that I was about to be logged off due to inactivity. I clicked the button to remain logged in. My index finger, still coated in gold glitter, hovered above the "ENTER" key….. Could I do this?... Is this really what I want?... Do I have it in me to get in?
I glanced at the tree painted on the wall, representing a long lineage of musicians. I glanced at my great-great-great grandfather. Some ancestors were famous..Others… Were Infamous. I smiled at the thought as I read the name of my ancestor's son in law.
"Erik."
I clicked the enter key.