Chapter 14 - Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight Sonata)
The Jefferson room was well lit compared to rest of Duchesne, which was blanketed in only moonlight. Various prominent Committee members stood at the front, lowly conversing between themselves, eyes darting back and forth.
Oliver and Daniel found refuge with each other, neither really having many close acquaintances present. As Oliver would learn, Daniel wasn't prone to the Blue Blooded life, opting to stay out of it. Daniel had still not found his twin, so he was free to live at school and enjoy a life pretending to be Red Blooded.
Mimi had started tuning out the other Blue Bloods around her, sitting in the middle of their group, rubbing her temple with her fingers. Their original groveling was now more pestering than enjoyable. At every comment or kiss to her arse, she would barely reply back, hoping they would catch on that she wasn't in the mood anymore. It wasn't until she sensed Jack come in, did she look towards the back of the room.
Schuyler Van Alen peeked into the room, barely edging in past the double doors Once she spotted her friend, she quickly darted over, ducking her head as if it would make her less noticeable. She grabbed a seat next to Oliver, patting him on the shoulder with a blushing smile.
Mimi would have never noticed, let alone followed her movements had Jack not followed merely seconds after the Half-Blood, taking a seat next to Daniel. They sat together, forming a half circle. Jack had not even deigned to glance her away. Mimi called to him mentally and he didn't even flinch.
"Glad you two could finally join us." Daniel smirked with what Schuyler could only guess was a cross between amusement and chastisement.
The four talked quietly with each other, staring out to the rest of the room occasionally. They shared the encounter they had at the photoshoot with Daniel, who listened intently. Then he explained what he knew of the other attacks, what his father told him, which wasn't much information.
They were so engrossed in their conversation, that when Lawrence stepped into the room, they hadn't even noticed half an hour had already passed. The hour was past two in the morning and the Jefferson room was almost filled to capacity with every Blue Blood that had been out during the attacks.
Lawrence walked to the front of the room, hands held up into the air. The room lulled into a dull roar, before a sharp whistle sounded into the room. Abruptly, the chatter ended and heads were all turned face forward. He spoke, voice carrying all the way to the back, explaining the matters of the night and then finally dismissed them. He reassured any dissenting worries about safety.
"For now, we are safe. Go home and get rest, but please remain vigilante. The Silver Bloods are not to be underestimated. Watch over your brothers and sisters. We will make it through this." With a nod, he stepped down, walking towards the back of the room.
Schuyler rushed over to her grandfather's side and gave him a tight hug.
Lawrence brushed a stray hair from her face, inspecting her. "Dear girl. Are you alright?"
Schuyler nodded, shaking her head when the stray hair fell back into her face.
"Lawrence, What did the silver bloods want?" Oliver's question was on all of their minds.
Lawrence sighed tiredly, he had been all over the city, trying to maintain some kind of order. "We're figuring that out as we speak. I give my word, I will inform you all when I find out more. But want you all to go home and get some rest. I was told of the night you all had." He shook his head disapprovingly.
Jack stood, pushing his chair back in. "We were extremely lucky to have all made it out."
Lawrence nodded. "Agreed. That is why we will have to take more precautions." He looked at Schuyler, cupping the side of her cheek. "It will be safe with Charles. If there were any place I'd have you stay for your safety, it would be at the Force mansion."
Schuyler believed him, she knew it herself. If any Silver Bloods were to attack, they had to get past Jack. And Mimi. And Charles. It would be one hell of a fight.
Oliver spoke again, seeming to be filled with questions. "Where is Charles? He was conveniently unavailable when I tried to call for help. And why isn't he here now?"
Lawrence took in what Oliver said, taking a deep breath. "I assumed he would be as busy with this disaster as the rest of us were. But I haven't heard from him either."
Schuyler shifted uncomfortably, both from the news and her weary body. "Isn't her worried about Jack or Mimi?"
Lawrence shook his head and shrugged. "I do not know why, granddaughter."
Jack narrowed his eyes at her, but didn't say a word. He looked somewhere behind and walked away, excusing himself. Schuyler wondered if she had offended him.
Schuyler shook off the nagging thought and turned back to Lawrence. She pressed about her worries with her dreams, becoming more clear that she is afraid of them now and that they could be visions.
"You'll likely cause more problems if you act on supposed visions. What will be, will be. Do not humor a prophecy, you best leave it alone."
Lawrence parted with a warm a hug and urged Schuyler to be more careful. Out of the corner of her eyes, Schuyler could see Jack and Mimi arguing by the doors.
For the first time in a very long time, Mimi Force felt truly alone. Even as she sat in the middle of the largest group in the Jefferson room, being fawned and worried over, she felt the cold creep of loneliness. She would never admit this to anyone, but it didn't matter how many friends she had or subjects of followers. Her own twin, the love of her life, her supposed other half, had chosen to sit elsewhere and away from her, forgetting her...ignoring her.
There was no connection with Jack. The connection they shared was nothing but static, a deep void of nothingness. He was so preoccupied with his shiny new friends, one leg propped up on another knee, animatedly chatting with the awful Half-Blood, a Red Blood, and a Blue Blood pariah. He couldn't have chosen a lesser crowd. But there he was, looking more comfortable in his own skin more than ever.
When they were finally sent home, Mimi couldn't have escaped the Jefferson room any faster. The Blue Bloods around her moved at the pace of a snail and she was about to start yelling. Out of her peripheral, she could see Jack moving towards her, his expression set to determined. He was upset about something, that much she could tell.
If she didn't leave now, she would be subject to whatever issue Jack was having. She waved her arms at her group of petulant followers. "Can we try and move at an even slower pace. It's not like we haven't been here all night. MOVE, GODDAMMIT!"
They stared back at her, eyes wide. A beat later, a barrage of apologies came flying her way, but they still didn't move any faster.
"GO HOME. Just leave me alone!" Her voice was shaking with anger, but it curled up with pain near the very end. Her group finally obeyed, parting to let her walk ahead. She stomped past them and quickened her pace as she reached the back of the room. Jack heard her, he must have.
They met at the double doors and Mimi practically seethed, asking the first solid thing that came to mind. "Why are you ignoring me?"
Jack frowned and the annoyance in his eyes flickered. He seemed to have changed his mind with whatever he was going to confront her with and shrugged. "I wasn't"
He actually sounded like he genuinely believed that, the nerve of him. Mimi reached out and grabbed his arm when he started to move away.
"Mimi, I'm tired. Do you really want to do this here? Let be alone for tonight."
Bullshit. You wouldn't turn that Half-Blood away. You just don't want me.
Jack straightened up and switched over their mental link. You're upset, you don't know what your saying.
Her scent is all over you. It's repulsive.
Jack stepped back, as if it would help prevent Mimi from sensing anything else. It was a very telling move, he was caught red handed.
Mimi refused to let her eyes water. Why are you doing this to me?
Jack looked at her, there was actually pain in his eyes, but said nothing.
After everything we've been through, you'd throw it all away for her? You can't do this Jack. If not for me, than for your own sake.
Mimi's eyes rimmed with a moisture she was fighting against.
Sky's different. I don't know what to think anymore, Mimi. But I'm tired of the rules, they are misguided.
Mimi wanted to laugh. Jack, you're the one who's misguided. Do you still even love me?
Jack didn't expect the question. He vocally spoke up, being so thrown off. "I -"
Mimi waited and gave him more than enough time. He didn't finish the wretched sentence.
Jack tried again after recollecting his thoughts, mentally this time. I don't know how I feel about you anymore. It's not the same as it was. We've changed, you've changed. Our lives are different now.
Mimi couldn't believe what she was hearing. She turned and ran out of Duchesne, a taxi was already waiting for her. She jumped into the backseat, yelling at the driver to go. She left them there and left the pieces of her broken heart.
Days later ...
Schuyler thought she was dreaming again, a soft piano melody surrounded her. Warm sunlight strained in from the closed translucent curtains in her room at the Force Mansion. Schuyler winced and pulled the comforter over her head. Breathing in the down-blanket, it smelled of fresh laundry.
When she got up for the bathroom, she realized she hadn't been dreaming about the piano after-all. The same relaxing tune now filled the house and she could hear it muted by her closed bedroom door.
Quickly washing up, she changed into a pair or jeans and a vintage graphic tee that was a size too big for her- most things were on her small frame. Opening the door to her room, the melody became louder.
Following the music, she walked down the hall to the first floor. The melody that filled the house quickened and became darker, more intense. And then as quickly as it had changed, it slowed back down to the peaceful tune she had heard in her dreams.
Whoever was playing such beautiful music was good. Schuyler still half-expected to find a CD playing.
She finally arrived at a set of wide open double french doors. The piano in question was jet black, gleaming under the sunlight from a fresh coat of polish. The musician would be facing her, but the lid of the grand piano obstructed Schuyler's view.
The music was louder now and it thrummed into her ear, sending a wave of emotion through her body. Schuyler stepped closer to the piano, hoping to get a view of the pianist, but not wanting to startle them. And she caught sight of the all familiar blond hair and her heart jumped. Quickening her pace, she stepped into view. The music abruptly stopped and Schuyler wished she hadn't been so curious.
Mimi Force glared up at her. The phrase "glared daggers" and "if looks could kill" came to mind. Schuyler would have never imagined blond princess could play the piano so masterfully.
"Can I help you with something?" Mimi's voice was cold. She was still in her silk pajamas, a camisole and shorts set. Over the tiny ensemble was a short silk robe.
It was then Schuyler realized Mimi looked tired. Mimi wasn't wearing an ounce of make-up. The pale lips matched that of her cheeks, her sunken eyes looked darker and puffy as if she had been crying all night.
Mimi looked every bit repulsed by Schuyler's reaction. She seethed, "What are you a mute?" It came out hard and clipped.
Schuyler had wanted to ask if she was alright, but any compassion flew out the window. "Good morning to you too, try not to bite my head off." She turned on her heel and sped out of the room.
Mimi had held her nose up high, not letting Schuyler appearance get to her. She even went back to playing her piano, louder than before and with more conviction.
She found her fingers moving on their own accord, changing to a piece she had written for Jack in another lifetime. Realizing the mistake, she stopped herself, fingers wavering over the pristine black and white keys. When they started shaking, she straightened them, forcing them back into position.
It only worked for a second and she could no longer control herself. Her hands faltered and flattened against the piano keys, creating a distraught noise of mismatched piano notes.
Mimi balled her hands to a fist angrily.
Everything was ruined, her perfect life was falling apart.
She shoved her face into her hands. Her elbows made a similar noise as they hit some random keys on the piano.
There was one thing still clear in the muddled up life of hers. She still hated Schuyler Van Alen. And the thought of watching the Half-Blood die would make her so freaking happy. It would only be later that she is frightened by her own violent admission.
This is why you're losing him. Jack is leaving you because of what you've become.
She thought back to the beginning. They had gone through so much together. And where was she now? Sitting in high school, indulging in every sin imaginable. All she worried about nowadays was herself, her clothes, and what she was doing on the weekends. Things have changed. She held barely any resemblance to her former self.
Mimi sigh out impatiently. She didn't know if she really could kill Schuyler, but she really wanted to. Didn't that count for something?
She sat there in the airy room alone. The piano now mute and her mind began racing again with thought she'd rather not have. Her fingers hovered over the keys and she began playing again.
Sonata No. 14, Chapter 14... it was just a happy coincidence. But worked out nonetheless. If you've ever had the ear for some classical music, you may have been familiar with the chapter title.