New school year+ more homework= less updates! Yes, a new year of learning is upon us (much to my displeasure...) and I will not be able to update my stories as fast. I know I'm not very fast in updating them anyways, so ya... Also, I just applied to be a quality checker for this scanlation group called Fallen Syndicate. (Many of you reading this might get your new manga chapters from there.) So, if I actually do get the job, (doubt it, but you never know) I'll have even less time to write! TT_TT
So about last chapter: Thanks for the review!
Also (just 'cause I wanna say this), I actually have no idea why Ashlyn has an Egyptian chain. I was just bored and that idea popped into my head. But, the fact that Isis is kinda, like, Egyptiany, will have really nothing to do with the story line... wait... Never mind what I just said. I just got an amazing idea for the next chapter! :D
Now about this chapter (ya my author's notes will end after this, I promise): They're off to Latowidge! We even get to see Eliot and Leo! 3 Btw, this is a long chapter, so be prepared. Also, I'm gonna put the words to anytime you kissed me back in.
So on with da story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pandora Hearts or Everytime You Kissed Me.
Chapter 7
Not-so Pianissimo Break In
"Ouch!" I had just rounded a corner when I was knocked to the ground by a frantic man in a black suit. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" Rubbing my head, I propped myself up to get a good look at him. He was quite tall with golden hair pulled back in a pony tail, black eyes, and glasses. His suit was accented by green cufflinks and a matching ornament around his neck. But, due to his demeanor, he couldn't be the first class noble he was dressed up as. "Who are you anyways?"
"Oh! Miss Ashlyn! I'm so sorry!" He helped me back up to me feet, where I promptly brushed off dirt and dust from my sleeves. They really need to clean these floors... "I am Oscar Bezarius. Oz's uncle."
"M-Master Oscar?" Oh great, now I've done it. I've insulted a duke! You know, saying 'Hey watch where you're going' isn't really the respect they're looking for... I really am an idiot. "I-I'm so sorry Master Oscar! I didn't mean to run into you, I-"
"It's fine! Just follow me. There's something urgent we need to attend to!" He grabbed my arm and lead me down the hall towards Oz's bedroom.
"Master Oscar, what do you mean we?"
"You'll see!" He burst through the door, sending a surprised Oz crashing to the floor. "There you are!"
"Uncle?" Oz sat up, quite bewildered by his sudden arrival.
"You guys! Everyone! Please help me!" A steady stream of tears ran from his eyes.
I could practically see the giant cartoon question mark coming from everyone as they exchanged uneasy glances.
"School uniforms! What the hell are we doing in these?" My new attire existed of a black shirt, white skirt and jacket, a black bow, and a pair of heeled white shoes. "And where are we going?"
"We're on a mission." He replied, the carriage jolting as he spoke. "A mission only we can complete."
"A mission?"
"Yes. This letter recently came from Latowidge Academy."
"Latowide Academy?" Alice rubbed her eyes. She seemed so tired it looked like she could pass out any second now. How could she be so tired after being forced in a preppy school outfit with a seriously short skirt, and then being stuffed into a carriage with an unknown destination?
"It's one of the country's top boarding schools." Oz replied.
"Yes. And right now, our little Ada is studying there!" Oscar had a weird glint in his glasses that made me cringe slightly.
"Ada?" Alice was still asking questions. "What's that? Can I eat it?"
"N-no." Oz was also taken aback, but apparently by a different reason than me. "Ada is my little sister."
"You have a sister?" I leaned up against the window. Going to Latowidge to visit Oz's sister? That's the 'mission'?
"Yeah..."
"Here." Oscar thrust the letter in Oz's face. "It's all in her letter."
"My beloved uncle," Oz read, while Oscar made a comment after each and every line.
"Yeah, yeah."
"The weather is lovely today."
"Ahaha! Which day does she mean? The least she could do is write the date!"
"The kidney pie they serve at school is delicious."
"Oh! I loved that too!"
"I accidently made a boy cry."
"Ahahaha! How heartless of her!"
I look over to Alice to see if she was listening like the rest of us. Nope. She's passed out. I return my attention back to Oz as he reads on.
"P.S I'm in love with somebody..."
"..." We all looked at Oscar. All there was was silence and a threatening atmosphere. Ummm... "YOUR UNCLE WON'T ALLOW IT!" Oscar ripped the paper in half, clearly outraged.
"So, the reason why we're dressed like this is-" Gil's face went completely pale, just as if he saw a cat.
"Yes! We're going to confirm what is in Ada's letter, and go directly and sneak into the school!"
The carriage came to a halt, and dropped us off at Latowidge's front gates.
"I am not sneaking into the school! I'm going inside and getting a visitor's pass." I challenged them. I don't care if I'm insulting a duke again by disagreeing with him! I am not going through with this!
"Well that would be a challenge for you, now wouldn't it?" Wow, Oscar's smile is kinda creepy... "Seeing as you are dressed in the school's uniform, they'll just think you're one of them, won't they?"
I can't believe I'm saying this, but he's right.
"Fine..."
"Ok, we'll just use the tunnels under the school built by the Bezarius family to get in!" He put his hands on a couple of bricks and opened a secret tunnel in the ground before us.
"Ummm, are you sure this is okaaaayyyyyyyy-" My final word was extended as I was pushed down into the darkness. "Ouch! Alice!" I looked up to see B-Rabbit simply shrug.
"Eh, you were too slow."
I cursed under my breath as everyone else climbed down with me.
"All clear!" Oz signaled down to us. After what seemed like hours of walking through old crumbling tunnels, fearing for my life whenever a large bolder almost fell on us, and stepping over dead rodents, I was quite happy that we could finally climb out. Without hesitating one bit, I pushed Alice aside,and followed Oz up into the light.
"Yes! I'm free!" I raised my arms up in celebration. No more death-trap-rat-hole for me! I am never going back down there again!
"So this is Latowidge?" Everyone had made it out, and now Oz was looking at wonder at everything in the empty hallway.
I discretely looked around the corner, only to see a few students walking down the hall.
"Master Oscar? Students are headed this way!"
"Don't worry, our plan is perfect." I couldn't see him, but I knew he had a determined glint in his eye. He may be strange at times, but he managed to get us this far didn't he?
"Right," Gil looked slightly more relaxed upon recalling the plan, "We're students and Master Oscar is a teacher..."
Suddenly, Master Oscar stepped out from behind us.
"Ah! Hello everyone! Isn't the weather lovely today?" Oh. My. God. I nearly died. He was wearing one of the student uniforms, and it didn't even fit him! He couldn't button up the jacket fully, the pants were way too short, and the shirt... Well... Let's just not go there...
"Who is this guy?" The students whispered, their tones full of fear.
"Some pervert?" Spot on! They then ran off screaming, leaving Oscar to just cock his head in confusion.
"That's what you get for overdoing it!" Gil clenched his fists. Yup... Just what I was thinking...
"Hey! You over there!" A loud whistle sounded behind us. Damn!
"Every person for themselves!" I yelled as I made a mad dash for the nearest door. Just my luck, it was a janitor's closet, and I fell right back into a garbage can. Thankfully it was empty, but it still smelled like dead fish and rotten fruit. Great, just great... They better have air freshener in here...
Hurried footsteps filled the silent halls and multitudes of security guards left to hunt us down. Once they started to fade away, I felt it was safe to step out of my smelly hideout.
"Hmmmm..." After rummaging through various shelves of cleaners and disinfectants, I finally came upon a half empty can of air freshener. This should work for now... I emptied what remained in the spray can, freshening myself, AND the garbage can. If I have to get in there again, at least I won't gag.
Doing I final 'sniff check', I opened the door and began my search for everyone else. Now I can actually see why Oz was so interested in this place. The further I walked, the larger and more intricate the halls became. Carvings and artwork started to appear everywhere. I must be getting into student dorms or classrooms or something. Though I still have to be careful. The more these halls are decorated, the more they must be in use.
After a few minutes, I came upon a large red-carpeted staircase. It was quite elegant; the banisters were carvings of angels holding bright burning candles. It was very beautiful.
As I climbed the winding staircase, something other than design details caught my attention. Faintly, I could hear a beautiful four part song being played. It sounded like Emperor Concerto by Beethoven. It really was a beautiful piece of music. Having much curiosity as to who was brilliant enough to play such a piece, I followed the sweet melody to its source. Behind a pair of wooden doors was the piano. Should I go in? Eh, why not? As Anna and I used to say: Stupidity killed the cat. Curiosity was framed.
Not wanting to wait any longer, I pushed open the doors and looked around the room. There were a few chairs, a couple of potted plants, a few paintings hung about the room, but there were two grand pianos in the center. On each piano there was a boy my age. One had long shaggy black hair and glasses, while the other had sandy blonde.
Just as they finished playing, they turned and looked at me.
"Oh, I-I'm sorry. I just heard you playing Beethoven and... Sorry... I should go now..." I looked at them apologetically and started to leave. What if they think I'm one of the intruders?
"Its fine!" The shaggy haired one said, making me turn back around. "I'm Leo. Glad you liked it!" He held out his hand and I gladly shook it.
"I'm Eliot." The other one stood up and did the same. "Who are you?"
"Oh, I'm Ashlyn. I'm new here." I easily made up a lie. What else am I supposed to do?
"Nice to meet you." Leo said. "Do you play piano too? Or are you just a Beethoven fan?"
"Huh?"
"You knew that was Beethoven, but that was our version of the song made completely for four handed piano." Eliot crossed his arms as he explained.
"Well, I do play some piano, and I am a big fan of Beethoven."
"Would you like to play with us?" Eliot invited me. How could they not be so suspicious of me? Eh, oh well...
"Sure." A large smile made its way to my face. For some reason I always knew how to play piano, and I was able to brush up my technique on the grand at the Reinsworth manor. I sat down at the bench next to Eliot, and went through my mind to find the perfect song to play."Do you guys know how to play the tune Lacie?"
"H-how do you know that?" Leo and Eliot looked at me with wide eyes.
"Um, it's a tune to an old song my friend and I used to sing." Well, this is true... I started off the melody and after a couple moments, Eliot and Leo joined in. It sounded amazing with three people playing. Without even thinking, I started to sing just like I had with the music box.
Every time you kissed me
I trembled like a child
Gathering the roses
We sang for the hope
Your very voice is in my heartbeat
Sweeter than my dream
We were there, in everlasting bloom
Roses die,
The secret is inside the pain
Winds are high up on the hill
I cannot hear you
Come and hold me close
I'm shivering cold in the heart of rain
Darkness falls, I'm calling for the dawn
Silver dishes for the memories,
For the days gone by
Singing for the promises
Tomorrow may bring
I harbor all the old affection
Roses are the past
Darkness falls, and summer will be gone
Joys of the daylight
Shadows of the starlight
Everything was sweet by your side, my love
Ruby tears have come to me, for your last words
I'm here just singing my song of woe
Waiting for you, my love
Now let my happiness sing inside my dream...
Every time you kissed me
My heart was in such pain
Gathering the roses
We sang of the grief
Your very voice is in my heart beat
Sweeter than despair
We were there, in everlasting bloom
Underneath the stars
Shaded by the flowers
Kiss me in the summer day gloom, my love
You are all my pleasure, my hope and my song
I will be here dreaming in the past
Until you come
Until we close our eyes
We closed out the piece and sat there for a few seconds, the only noise being the last notes hanging in the air then fading.
"W-well we have to go." Eliot stood up, dragging Leo behind him.
"You have to go?"
"Yeah.."
"We'll be in the library later!" Leo called out as they left the room, allowing the door to bang shut.
Huh. What a strange pair... Having nothing else left to do, I left to continue my search for my friends.
"How did she know how to play that?" Eliot Nightray trudged through the halls headed towards the vast Latowidge library.
"I don't know. But Eliot, couldn't she be one of the intruders from earlier?" Leo pushed up his glasses. She's nice, he thought, but she might not belong here...
"N-no. She couldn't be."
"How do you know that?"
"I just do..."
"Do you like her?" This simple question made Eliot stop in his tracks. Does her like her?
"What?"
"I said; Do you like her?"
"N-no. Why would you think that?" He continued on, pushing open the large double doors of the library.
"Never mind." Leo walked over to a book shelf and took out a Holy Knight book. Resting himself down against the bookshelf, he began to read.
