The rest of the world was gone. Nothing else was there save Edward and the piano before him. All that mattered, was creating the flow of music. Keeping it steady and not breaking his concentration. His eyes were trained on the sheet music, his hands flying across the keys with no sign of stopping. He had to keep going till he reached the end.

Afterall, couldn't let people be disappointed. They were here to see him at his best and that's what he would give them.

He struck the final note, bowing his head, hearing the roar of applause shatter the illusion of the world being gone. He smiled as he stood up, facing the crowd before taking a sweeping bow.

"Thank you, you're too kind!" He said, standing tall, looking out to the audience.

Edward couldn't make out many faces but he at least was able to make out the ones were that were important to him. He smiled as he glanced to a balcony seating, seeing his parents cheering for him, proud looks present on their faces.

I'm glad they could come. This was really important to me.

"And that was Edward Higgsbury ladies and gents!" said an announcer as he walked on stage, giving Edward a shake of his hand. "I must say you've been quite the talk of the town Mr. Higgsbury. We were glad we could have you here at our humble little performance hall."

"Oh, the pleasure's all mine Mr. Garner. I'm pleased you and Mr. Vera would have me perform."

"The honors all ours. Please, don't hesitate to come back. We'd love to have you again."

"Of course."

"Well, that's all for tonight folks! We'll have more performances tomorrow. For now, enjoy the evening and the fine food our performance hall has to offer!"

Edward took one last bow before heading off the stage. He didn't bother with going backstage. He made his way out to the main hall where others were gathered, waiting close to the entrance of the performing area.

Now to just wait for Mother and Father to get out of there.

He soon saw his parents approach him, pride in their eyes.

"Oh, Edward!" Melinda, exclaimed bringing her son into her arms. "You were wonderful out there!"

Edward smiled, hugging his mother tightly.

"Thank you, Mother. I never thought I'd be performing at Vince de Vera and Jason Garner's Music Hall. It's... surreal almost."

"Don't sell yourself so short, Edward." Percival, chuckled, joining in on the embrace. "You've worked hard to prove yourself and here you are. We're so proud of you, Son."

Edward sighed happily, keeping close to his parents. "It means a lot to hear that. I'm so glad you two could make it."

"We're glad we could too, Dear."

"Robert for once didn't blow up the lab."

Edward laughed. "Well, thank goodness for that!"

"Indeed." Percival chuckled. "Finally keeping himself busy."

"Glad to hear it. Mother and yourself keeping busy?"

"But of course." Melinda giggled. "Still running the library with Sebastian after all, and well, Percival still has his students to keep in line. Oh, that reminds me, Sebastian said to say hello and sorry he couldn't make it. Something came up and well, he was bummed he had to miss your concert. He'll be happy to see you play in the cafe near the library though."

"Of course. I would hate to disappoint my godfather after all." Edward scrunched his nose up a bit. "Though please make him promise to stop pointing out ladies to me."

"Dear, if I knew how to do that, I would have done that a long time ago."

"True, very true. Well, hate to be so short, but we better get back home. Sebastian is the only one manning the library and well… remember what happened last time?"

"Not quite, but you said you could've sworn you saw shadows doing random dances on tables."

"Exactly. Can't let him become bored after all."

Edward nodded. "Be safe you two. I love you."

Melinda kissed his cheek.

"We love you too. Be safe as well."

"Of course."

The two gave a wave before they departed, leaving Edward to the crowd coming towards him.

Edward was a bit surprised by the size of the crowd. He wasn't unfamiliar with speaking to people after performances. He did it plenty of times at the parlors and cafes he performed at. This one was just notably bigger.

And full of more upper class people.

"Hard to believe you're from such a humble home." one person said to him as they shook hands with him. "However do you and your family manage?"

"Lots and lots of planning and just focusing on important things in regards to finances." Edward gave a sheepish look. "It's not a pampered life but I'm rather comfortable. I should note, I am living on my own, just my parents aren't too far away if I need them."

Though how does class status have to do with my talents…?

"It's just a surprise considering the way you carry yourself and how far you've come it seems, while others who've come from more well off homes are still struggling."

"Trust me, I'm surprised I'm here. I've mainly played for parlors and cafes."

"Oh please tell me you'll come to some of the upper class ones." a few young women pleaded. "We would love to hear your music again!"

Edward rubbed the back of his neck.

"I-I'll see if I have time. I'd rather not leave my regular places. They pay me well and I don't want to let them down."

One of them sighed dramatically, batting her eyelashes at him. "You wouldn't want to disappoint a young lady, would you? Such a handsome and talented man like yourself."

Edward found heat rushing to his cheeks.

"U-Uh well I wouldn't want to upset a lady now. Not very gentlemanly…"

"Then would you please?"

"I'll… see if I can make time…"

"Honestly though, do you really want to stick with parlors? It won't get you very far. Plus, you're spending time with riff raff." another commented.

Edward scowled a little.

"They're not riff raff. They're people and they find joy in listening to me play so I think it's well worth my time and it has gotten me this far."

"They're low class-" Another started.

"Sorry, but I'll have to end the conversation. I need air." Edward made his way through the crowd, heading to one of the outside table areas, sighing in relief as he felt a breeze pass through him. "Oi… Too much attention…"

I know for a fact the people I play for have more class than these people. No one gets away with saying that about the people who've known me for years.

Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Then again… this all new territory… And Dad always did say he was never fond of the upper class people. Neither was Mother. There are good ones but… I'm guessing these were the ones they weren't fond of.

"Excuse me, Mr. Higgsbury?"

Edward looked behind him to see a couple. A rather well dressed couple at that.

"Em… I'm not really taking questions right now."

"We're not here for the kind of questions we noticed you were getting earlier." The woman said quickly. "We're here on another matter entirely."

"Oh?" Edward stood up straight, facing them. "And that would be…?"

"Well… This is a bit of a strange question but are you seeing anyone presently?"

"Huh? Em… No… Not really. While women are drawn to me I haven't exactly courted any… Or least… I've tried but it just didn't work out… They… weren't pleasant. Why do you ask?"

"We were wondering if you'd be at all interested in meeting one of our daughters. My name is Laurel Barlow and this is my husband, Roland."

"I see… Well… Maybe…"

"You don't have to but perhaps she might be of interest to you.."

"Well… I'd rather not be informal with my meeting. Maybe bring her to one of my concerts perhaps?"

"No, she never wants to come to them. She's… an unusual young woman."

"Oh… Well… I guess that is a problematic."

"You could come to our estate. It's near the edge of town. Quite hard to miss it. She's unusual but polite."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "Could I at least get her name?"

"Cecelia. Cecelia Barlow."

"I see… I'll think about it then." Though would she even be interested in a musician if she never even wants to come see one…?

"Thank you for your time. Just drop by sometime this week or whenever. Just tell our door man we sent for you."

Edward nodded.

"I'll keep it in mind."

"Have a good night."

They soon left, as Edward shook his head, looking up at the sky.

"Well that was certainly odd…"