Hey everyone! How's it going? I know this is late and I apologize, but in my defense...I have had a REALLY crappy few month and have not felt like writing. However, I am cranking this chapter out to you now.
Sylvia half-yawned, half-groaned as she sat up in her bed and stretched. Glancing up at the clock, she saw that it was a quarter till ten. A sudden knock on her door shook the remaining sleepiness out of her as she swung out of her bed and hurried to answer it.
"Who is it?" She asked as she approached the door.
"It's me." A deep, hoarse voice answered. A voice she knew well at this point.
Sylvia shuddered slightly, and was tempted not to answer it. Even after the moment of brief understanding two nights ago, she was still wary of him due to his previous actions.
"I wish to tell you something important," He continued. "I would rather say it to you in person, but if you aren't willing to answer...I'll tell it to you like this."
Sylvia, bit her bottom lip nervously. She seriously did not want to answer it, and would have been glad to go another day without seeing Sephiroth. However; she reasoned, living in the same space would make that extremely unlikely. With a resigned sigh, she unlatched the lock, put her hand on the knob, and closed her eyes briefly; bracing herself for a moment before opening the door.
There Sephiroth stood, waiting for her.
"What is it?" She asked, trying not to look at him longer than she had to.
"When you are finished getting dressed, I would like you to accompany me." He said.
"Where?" She asked, now suspicious.
There was a brief twitch in his jaw, indicating his irritation at the question, but it passed quickly. "You'll know when we get there. It's..." He stopped, and Sylvia watched curiously as he hesitated as though he was...uncertain? "It's a surprise." He finally said.
"Er..." She replied. "I'll, um...I'll be ready shortly. Just...give be a bit."
Sephiroth nodded slightly. "Alright, let me know when you're finished."
"Okay..." There was a few seconds of awkward silence before Sylvia stepped back and closed the door. Once inside, she let out a breath that she was unaware she had been holding.
Well...that wasn't awkward. She thought. Might as well get ready though, and see what it is he wants to show me...A shower first, I think.
Sylvia entered the bathroom that joined with her room and turned the faucets, pleased to see that the hot water still worked. After removing her nightgown, she stepped in and allowed the hot water to wash over her.
Sylvia's thoughts turned to the dream that she had woke from earlier, and was a little disappointed that it had to end so abruptly.
It was very similar to the other one I had. She thought as she finished bathing, turning off the water and stepping out. Except...in the previous one I didn't see the man's face. However...She wrapped a towel around her as she walked out of the bathroom. In this one...I not only saw his face, I got to hear him speak.
As she dressed, she smiled slightly as she remembered dancing with the man, then they had stopped...and then he had leaned forward to...
Sylvia let out a groan of frustration and disappointment. Why, oh why did she have to wake up at that moment? She couldn't stay asleep for just a few more minutes? Dreams always have to be so fickle. She thought as she finished getting dressed, and sat down at the dressing table. She knew one thing, though...she knew now who the man in her dreams was, and to be honest...she secretly hoped to see him again.
I only wish I had gotten his name. She thought ruefully as she tugged a brush through her hair. It was strange...he almost seemed like-Sylvia shook that thought out of her head. There was no way possible that the beautiful man in her dreams was the monster outside her door.
Speaking of Sephiroth, he had seemed...different this morning. She couldn't put her finger on it, but he had seemed more cordial and also a bit...shy? He had certainly spoken to her in a more polite manner than he had in the past two days, which had thrown her off-guard a little bit. I wonder what he wants to show me? She mused as she checked herself in the mirror. Time to find out.
With a sigh, she walked over to the door,hesitating for a moment before taking a deep breath and exiting her room. Sephiroth was waiting for her in the hall. With a slight motion of his head he beckoned her to follow him. They didn't speak to each other as he led her through the house, which only emphasized the awkward tension between them. Sylvia tried to distract herself by trying to look at anything but Sephiroth.
Finally, they stopped outside of the place that she remembered to be the music room. Sephiroth made a move to open the door, bu paused and turned to her.
"Before we enter...I need you to close your eyes." He said
She gave him a puzzled look. "Why?"
"It's...it's a surprise." He finally said.
Still unsure of what was in store for her, but curious as to what this 'surprise' f his was, Sylvia gave him one last hesitant look before closing her eyes.
Sephiroth walked forward and waved a hand in front of her eyes. Seeing no reaction from her, he opened the door. The others had spent all night and half of the early morning preparing this, and Sephiroth himself had been impressed with the results. He only hoped that it was enough for her. Why was he so nervous? It felt like a swarm of butterflies were beating against his chest and stomach, as he took her hands and gently led her into the room. She was only a woman...a stunningly beautiful woman who seemed to have some strange effect on him, but still a woman.
Yet, she was different...unique. She seemed so unreal...who exactly was she? What was her life like before she came here? Where had she been? Who and where was her family, if she had any? These questions darted around in his mind like hummingbirds on a summer day. That would be for later though, right now he needed to focus.
"Wait here a moment." He said, releasing her hands and rushing over to the curtains, pulling them aside to let the light in.
Sylvia's anticipation gnawed at her when she felt Sephiroth take her hands and lead her inside. She obeyed his request to stay in her spot as she heard him pull the curtains aside.
"Can I open them now?" She asked.
There was a slight pause on his end before he replied. "Yes."
The bluenette slowly opened her eyes, and gasped.
It was the music room alright, but it was scarcely recognizable now. Every surface was clean, free of dust, and polished to a shining gleam. She approached to the shelves to see that all of the records and sheet music had been organized and arranged neatly. Sylvia finally turned her attention to the piano, which looked completely brand new. She approached it, admiring the beautiful instrument and played a few notes. To her surprise and delight they played back beautifully, meaning that it had been tuned.
Sephiroth watched as she observed the room in wonder, taking in everything that it had to offer. He watched her smile when she tested the piano, and he felt the same warmth he had felt when she had sang to him that night return.
"Do you like it?" He asked her.
"I...I do. I love it." She replied, still wonder struck.
"Then it's yours...to enjoy."
He felt his nervousness return when he saw her face fall slightly. "What is it?" He asked her.
"No one.. has ever done anything like this for me." Sylvia said slowly. "Why? Why do all of this...for me?" She questioned, looking at him.
Sephiroth sighed. "Because...you helped me." Seeing the confused look on her face, he continued. "I didn't deserve your help, nor did I ask for it. You could have simply run. You could have left me there to die, but...you did neither of those things. Instead, you took me back...tended to my wounds. You even..." He shook his head. "The point is, I'm trying to thank you, so...I hope you find it to your liking."
Sylvia was silent; thinking. The music room was amazing, and it was something that she never expected, especially from someone like Sephiroth. Though still unsure about him, she had to give some credit on the fact that he was at least trying to make her feel more at home here.
"I do love it." She said. "And...I really appreciate that you would do this for me. So...I accept your thanks."
She saw him relax slightly at this. "Good." He replied.
A few seconds of awkward silence passed between them. Hoping to diffuse it, Sylvia began idly playing piano, again; trying not to look at Sephiroth. Sensing him approach, she stopped and glanced up to see the silver-haired man standing to her left, one hand placed on the piano's polished surface.
"You..can play if you wish." Sylvia said, standing up to give him room. To her surprise, his frown deepened and he stepped away.
"Is something wrong?" She asked him, confused by his reaction.
"No." He said curtly.
She glanced at him and the piano, and understood. "Sephiroth..." Sylvia said. "Do you not know how?"
His face reverted back to it's usual scowl, and it was a long time before he said anything. "No." He finally replied. "Now, if you excuse me..." He made a move as if to leave.
Looking back, Sylvia didn't know why she said it, but before he could approach the doors..."I can teach you if you like." She blurted out.
Sephiroth stopped and looked back at her, eyebrows raised in surprise. Sylvia mentally kicked herself for saying that, but she couldn't take those words back now.
"That's completely up to you, though." She said quickly, vehemently hoping that she wasn't blushing. "I mean...if you don't want to, that's fine. I'm sure that there are other things that you would rather do..."
Sephiroth thought about this. Though things had gotten slightly better between them, he knew that she was still wary of him and he didn't blame her. He didn't want to push his luck with her. On the other hand...this may be a chance to learn more about her, and perhaps settle that persistent feeling he had about her.
"Alright." He said, earning a surprised look from her.
"Wh-what?" She said, baffled.
"If you wish to teach me, I accept." He replied.
"I-I..." Sylvia let out a defeated sigh. Who was she to refuse? "I suppose so." She sat back down on the bench and motioned for him to do the same. Why did I have to open my mouth and say that?
The three ex-SOLDIERs watched as Sephiroth sat down on the bench beside Sylvia, and she began to teach him.
"We'll start off with something simple, but first...you need to find the middle C..."
"Do you see this?" Zack whispered as he watched in awe.
"Oh, yes. It's certainly a step forward for them." Angeal commented as Sylvia taught the silver-haired man how to position his hands over the keys. "Wouldn't you agree, Genesis?" He asked.
"Hmm? Oh, yes...yes. Definitely a step forward." The auburn-haired man said, rubbing his eye.
"At this rate, the curse will be lifted in no time, right Angeal?" Zack asked. Meanwhile, Sylvia was trying to teaching Sephiroth how to play Fur Elise.
"Maybe..." The older man said. "They may have taken a couple of steps, but they still have a ways to go before this curse will be broken."
"Hmm..." Zack mused. "It's a start though, right?"
Angeal nodded. "Yeah, it certainly is a start. Genesis, you with us?" He looked over at his friend who was practically nodding off.
"It's kind of hard to do that when you've spent all night and half of the morning cleaning and polishing, and repairing." Genesis replied, stifling a yawn.
"You think that we're not tired as well?" Angeal said, as a few clumsily played notes came from the room, followed by Sylvia's voice telling Sephiroth to take it slow and not rush it.
"It was for a worthy cause too!" Zack piped.
"Whatever..." Genesis replied dourly as he turned away. "I'm going to take a nap, anyone who wakes me up dies."
"Aw...do you need your beauty sleep, Genny?" Zack taunted.
The red-clad man glared at Zack. "Keep talking, Puppy. You're going to have a Firaga in the face soon enough."
"Alright, that's enough." Angeal said firmly. "Go ahead and take a nap if you want Genesis." He then directed his attention to Zack. "Zack, have you checked the stables this morning?"
The younger man's face fell slightly. "No."
"Go check the stables then." He ordered.
Zack let out a sigh. "Okay...Can I take a nap after I'm done though?"
Angeal nodded. "Yes, but the stables better be in good condition when I go to check them, understood?"
"Yes, sir." Zack said. "What are you doing then?"
"I have to go make lunch. It should be ready by the time they get through." He said. "Let's leave them be for now, yeah?"
They all nodded and went off on their separate ways, as the lesson in the music room continued.
There, hope you guys liked it. Again...so sorry for the lack f updates. I just have not felt like writing lately and I'm trying to kick the habit. Anyways, hope you guys liked this chapter and thanks so much to those who have been following. Please leave a review, and have a good day/night.