How was one person to keep their sanity as they did everything in their power to ignore a group of people that had the true nature of being boisterous and known? It was becoming harder and harder for Jenny to stay clear of them all, doing what she could to keep herself calm and yet away from all of them. But each time she'd round a corner one would be in front of her, smiling and asking her about random off the wall things or trying to have her join them in activities. Thankfully, Kanae would normally shoo them away and lead her elsewhere, apologizing for their actions. Not that Jenny blamed them for their ways, it's just how they were it seemed.
The loud shatter of something above made her jump as high pitched laughter echoed the air, there was only one for that and she was doing whatever she could to avoid his presence. Once was enough getting soaked by him. Darting her way into the kitchen with all the bags in hand, she finally escaped the ruckus only for the bold scent of coffee to hit her.
"Oh, hallo Jenny." she heard his voice say.
Well, there was one that she could put up with here and there, well besides Cho but the man was quite a hermit. The white tuffs of hair stood out over the bags as she looked at them, Beethes looked at her as she nodded to him.
"Would you like some help?" he offered, "Then maybe this time you can try coffee and my gyoza this time."
And there it was, never fail that the man was off on those two things. Gyoza and coffee. Coffee and gyoza. One after the other was all she ever got from him and this moment was no different. She tried to rid the image of him and Motes, how the music lifted in the air and the two of them conducted the display below, it just ravaged her memories along with the headache.
Jenny quickly dropped the bags on the shelf as it claimed her again, one hand grasping the edge of the counter as the other rested against her temple. Blast these things, what the hell were they and why did they have to happen to her?
An arm came across her back as something cool pressed against her forehead, opening her eyes as best as she could, she saw Beethes before her, worry plastered on his face as he looked her over.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly.
Giving a slight nod, she pulled the cloth over her eyes as she felt him lead her to a chair, "Here Jenny, sit down."
Once she was steady, she felt him leave her sided as she tried to will the damning thing away. Before long, something nudged her hand as a clink of glass hit the table.
"Lean your head back, the cloth will stay." she heard him say, "Here, I've seen Kanae give you these when this happens."
Doing as told and opening her hand, she felt the familiar circles within her hand as he took the other to the glass on the counter. Quickly leaning forward, she downed the pills and removed the cloth, feeling him take it from her. Her eyes felt heavy, sand-like as she blearily opened them to the world. Well, that was hell.
"Cool again." he returned to her side, placing the piece on her head once more.
"Thank you." she mouthed to him.
"You're welcome." she heard him move around her, "Don't worry about this. I'll take care of them. What were you and Kanae planning on?"
Lifting the cloth and pulling her phone, she scrolled down the items until it finally came to sight. Lifting the piece, she handed it to him as she heard him hum in reply.
"Tonkotsu Ramen. Not bad. Gyoza would be better but you two say what goes."
She was perplexed by that, normally he would argue for a bit as to why she wouldn't try and make or persuade Kanae into gyoza. In fact, he wasn't like his usual self when she was around him, to say the least. Since bumping into him that night, he seems to treat her a little differently, like a delicate flower in the garden. His words were the usual rough demeanor of fate and more yet around her, it was gentler, just ever so slightly. It made her wonder of him, as to what was whirling in that mind of his and how to just crack it ever so. She watched as he maneuvered around the room, placing items where they belonged, muttering lightly to himself of whatever came to mind. He made her curious, wondering what really lied in his head as he placed everything where it needed to be.
"You need anything else?" he asked.
"No, thank you." she mouthed to him.
"Alright. If you need anything, call me." and then he was off, coffee in hand as she sat there in the kitchen.
"Odd man." she thought.
Jenny wasn't one to sit and dwell on one person but he always crossed her mind. The way he spoke, the way he stood, how he just seemed to pull things from her mind that seemed hidden behind the dark veil of pain. That was still something she wanted answers too as well. Leaning forward, she let the cloth drop as she heard the commotion outside the doors. There were so many things that made little sense in her mind yet every time she tried to think or reason things out, she would be put down for the day with a debilitating headache.
"Oh, you're a new face." she heard someone say.
Jenny whipped around to see a tall man standing at the door. His hair tied back and his suit pristine against his body gave her more of an insight that he was more business than the rest of them.
"Apologies, I didn't mean to startle you." he said calmly to her.
Jenny gave a small smile as she shook her head. Quickly pulling out her pad, she replied to him, "You are fine. I was deep in thought."
He gave a small huff, "I see you don't talk much. I'm Bach."
A small headache claimed her head as she tried to pen her name, "Jenny."
"Are you alright?"
She gave a slight nod, hoping that he wouldn't get too personal with her, "Well, if you say so. I was hoping to speak with Beethes or Liszt, know where they're at?"
Jenny gave him a shrug, she never knew where they went off to or if she did, she wanted the poor man to have his sanity afterward. He sat before her as she laid the cloth upon her neck quickly, letting whatever lingered within leave her. His blue eyes seemed to learn of her, well, at least what he could gather.
"What brings you to the Ottawa home?"
Nosy man, "A place to stay."
He raised his brows as he nodded, "A little hectic, don't you think?"
"At times." she penned out, "But there are time they are quite entertaining."
"I doubt that."
She smiled at him, "There's never a dull day here."
"Well, in that case, that is very true. Do you like music?"
"Love it to be honest."
"Any type?"
"Classical. Opera really." she replied, "I love hearing stories within the notes and lyrics."
He chuckled lightly, "Seems you and I would get along."
"You enjoy it?"
"Very. Let's just say it has a certain tie to me."
Jenny smiled at him, wondering what laid within him if he was like Beethes and Motes. The day flashed in her head, both of them in the outfits as beautiful music played around her. Could they all do it? Could this man as well? Her mind swirled around the questions as another pain ravished her skull.
"Are you alright?" she heard him get up, "You look faint."
She shooed him off, nodding lightly as another set of footsteps came in, "Bach?"
Oh, that quiet voice, thank god. Jenny turned to see Cho standing in the doorway, his eyes glued to the man.
"Ah, well, another I'd like to see." Bach stated yet returned to her, "Are you sure you are ok?"
"Another headache Jenny?" Cho asked as he headed toward the cupboard, "You need something?"
She shook her head at him as the pen moved on the paper, "No, Beethes gave me something already. I'm fine, just need to rest."
Both men looked at her, giving gentle nods as the left her alone in the quiet room. She dove into the silence really, it was a place she could be free and not feel pain or see memories. Yet, as usual, it became dull, the want to sing or do anything with her voice would come back and haunt her. She had to get out. Once she gathered everything up for Kanae and leaving a note for the woman, she left, heading to the park for a different version of silence.
Birds called out to her as the light chatter of people walking by claimed her ears, giggles, and shouts of children in play distracted her mind as she watched them all. Simple little games as they tossed the stone on the pavement, jumping to its location and popping back to the others. It was sweet to watch them, she adored it really. She pushed forward, moving lightly among the crowds as she found herself on a bench, taking in all that was before her. It was this, the calm quiet that she loved to be in, away from the bustle of life and away from the chaos of people. Yet with it, she felt alone. A deeper acceptance of her fate and what she would have to deal with for life if it was to continue for her. Answers were to be at the home, yet all she found out was those two could do something extraordinary.
Musik. The word rang in her head as she felt a headache coming on. Something about that term and the meaning behind it, it gave something deeper to her. Almost an understanding really. Moving her gaze from the children, she let it grace the sky, seeing the birds above dance and play, singing songs of merriment as the day just seemed to sink by for them. Oh, how she wished to be as free as them.
A strange chill ran up her spine, one that made her worry. Looking around, she saw nothing out of the ordinary yet it just seemed to grow stronger as a strange clink caught her ears. Only then did it come to her. She heard that damning sound before, dreaded it really. A flash of a cold, gray room came to her mind as the familiar sound echoed her head. The titter of his voice came to her as the sickening knowledge of what to come plagued her. It was back.
Jenny felt the urge to run, to escape the impending hell that would soon let loose yet she couldn't find the energy to run. Not even move to be truthful, but the sounds grew louder and the pit of her stomach sank harder and came behind her as his voice reached her ears, others following suit as they mentioned experiments and ClassicaLoids.
"They are here, and if I know what he told her, she won't be far." his voice felt like nails on a chalkboard to her mind.
"Even after everything that was done?" one of the others asked.
"Yes, even after all of that." she could almost see him smile, that damn slimy curve of a grin on his face.
A moment passed as the sounds fell silent to her, just for her own racing heart to be thrumming in her ears. She gipped the little treasure tightly in her hand, feeling its comfort and small past that it would give her. She had to get away, there was no doubt about it now.
Quickly brushing herself off, Jenny high tailed it out of there. Praying she would make it back to the mansion without any troubles. The headache was growing, the pains creating a high pitch buzz in her ears as her vision slightly blurred, her breath shallow as her heart raced. Somehow her body moved without her true thinking of it, gently gliding among the people as they mingled and enjoyed the day. Well, that was so until a barrage of classical music came to be.
No, not that. She caught each song, a different one from the next and from different composers as well, one being more familiar on a personal level. Before she realized, she found herself before a display of madness. People dancing around one another as machinery moved around without cause, vines cascaded around the street as dogs moved around them all. Birds flew in as the suns rays seemed to just brighten the whole thing as babies littered the corner of the was complete madness as she found herself trapped with others around her, yet it had no effect. Finally, the men from earlier came into sight, the strange cane in his hand pointed to another man, this one tall and strong as his white coat danced in the breeze.
"Now we finally meet, Bach." the man hissed at him.
"Explain yourself." was all she heard.
Only then did she see them all. Liszt and Cho, Shuu and Motes with Beethes barely a foot away. Four others stood with them, their clothes strange and mesmerizing as what seemed to be musical notes forming around them, an array of colors and pieces playing in the air. What the hell was this?
"I shouldn't have to say much. You already have the basic idea of me so far. I'm seeking what you did."
"Yet I didn't hurt people in the process." the man he called Bach pointed to another area.
Jenny's eyes glanced over to see a slew of people, hurt and scared as the two of them stared down one another. She had entered a war zone, no doubt about it, and she was soon to be the casualty of it.
"A minor set back, nothing more." the man sneered at them, "All I really want is the ClassicaLoids, and you will come with me."
"Says who?"
She saw that sickening grin slide across his face as he raised the cane, just to bring it down with a thump. Suddenly the music was gone. No notes and colors, no animals or flowers, not even machines moved as people started to realize the moment and run away. Yet she was stuck, for there before her were all the people within the house. Every single one of them as others joined their sides. They looked as shocked as her as he pointed the cane at them.
"Now then since I have your undivided attention." the man said.
A pair of arms wrapped around her, making her nearly scream out. She wasn't alone as she saw Kanae and Sousuke with another woman behind held against their wills. A few others were held as well with them, making the situation more dire in her mind. Jenny fought them, tried to escape as the man's grip became stronger.
"Sit still and listen, no harm will come to you. We know you live at the house. Just need a little help from you." he hissed in her ear.
Not likely. Jenny threw her head back, catching his chin as he let her go. She tried to scurry away, feeling her trinket in her hand just for someone to whip her around, smacking the item out of her hand. Jenny watched in horror as she saw it crash to the ground, shattering into thousands of pieces. A sting came to her cheek as he slapped her, yet she was far from thinking about him. Her trinket, her little bird. The gift from the home, where she sang so many times before them all. Then it all came crashing back.
Her mind soared through her memories as she saw the snowy lands of Sweden, the grand palaces of Kings and Queens as she gave them a show, even being asked by name. The lands of America as she saw the circus grow in its activities and name yet the children that smiled at her when she sang came to her as they gave her the blanket, asking to touch her face to see what she looked like. All the performances, all the people, the composers, and instrumentalist, it all came back. And her heart was full of anger and sadness all at once as the little bird laid smashed. No more silence, no more hiding, no more being afraid. Jenny had enough as she felt a strange power roll through her body, just to finally open her mouth.
"Hjärtans vingar kommer att bära Musik."
This was not how he planned the day to go. Finally before the person that created the other Classicaloids and here he was, powerless without Musik with the others as the bastard grinned at them all.
"You all will come with me, or your little housemates and friends will be casualties in your names."
"You're threatening us with people?" he heard Tchaiko yell.
"This is absurd!" Bada added.
"True, but how else can I get you all to come with me?"
"But they are innocent, they did nothing wrong." Shuu tried to reason with the man.
"Leave them all be." he finally voiced up.
"Oh now Beethoven, that's just not possible." the man laughed, "I need all of you, including the one that got away from us. And I know they have to be around here some-"
He was cut short as loud organ music began to play, heavy drums and guitars adding to its flare just as the world began to change. The unfamiliar tune carried as it seemed they all were diving down into the depths of hell, pillars of black laced with thorny vines stretched up as red curtains graced them all, forming a circle around them all, just for a feminine voice to echo the area in song.
He never heard this piece before, his eyes landing on Bach for he knew the organ was his trade, "Bach?"
"It's not mine."
"How do you mean it isn't yours?" he heard the brat Wagner say, "It's truly your style is it not?"
"The organ yes, but I never composed that."
Large roses began to grow around them all, vibrant shades of red as the men before them began to panic. The one controlling them seemed to be worried as well when a male voice came forth, the roses gaining a strange glow as each word was uttered as if they themselves were singing the song.
"Find her!" he finally heard the man shout, "Find that bitch!"
Beethes was shocked, who were they speaking about? Only then did the one rose open up and show him who. There behind the man stood a woman, her cream-colored dress adorned with blue flowers and embroidery stood out as the hooded cloak hid her face from them all.
"Shoot her!" he demanded his people, slamming his cane down again.
Yet nothing happened, the things they tried to shoot at her gave no effect, nor his cane taking away her music. Beethes could tell she was furious at him, her glare never leaving his location as she began to sing again.
"Who is that?" he heard Liszt asked.
"Whoever she is, she's saving us." Cho replied.
He felt his head move lightly as she continued on, the flowers joining her in a duet of power. Suddenly a wave of red hit the men before them, petals flying around them all as he felt something upon him. Opening his eyes, Beethes found his baton and clothes back to his Musik state, it was back, all of it and not just him either. They all gained back their Musik. Before he could register anything else, he felt himself be lifted upwards. The soft touch of rose petals under him as he found himself and the others in a circle above the woman as she sang. His baton suddenly moved on its own accord, as if conducting her to sing. He tried to stop it as she began to vocalize, yet he couldn't. All the others were the same as they conducted her in her rise. Only then did he notice Cho, his eyes wide with awe and realization, moving freely with his baton as the woman continued.
Finally, with the last note, she let out a high note, sending out what looked like birds of her dress's colors towards the men that tried to hurt and capture all of them. Then, slowly, did it all go back to normal. The street back to its original way as he and the others stood firmly on the ground, Kanae and Sousuke out of the group's hands as the men all fled the area, leaving them all curious and shocked.
"What was that?" he heard Wagner say.
"I think a new ClassicaLoid." Motes replied.
It shook him really, the woman had that much power in her voice, so who the hell was she. Cho. Beethes glanced over at Cho, seeing the man fight with his own realization as he heard Kanae yell.
"Jenny!"
Looking over at the girl, he saw her crouched over a body, attempting to shake it. Bach beat him over there, lifting the body against his and sure enough, there laid Jenny in his arms. Unconscious to the world as Akira looked her over.
"Alright everyone, it would be wise to get out of here and take care of what we need." Akira said as she nodded to Bach, "To ArkheTower everyone."
He didn't have to be told twice as he watched the man carry her away. Worry settled in his stomach about her and what she had witnessed, maybe she was afraid of what they all were and just passed out like last time when she saw them all. Something glittered out of the corner of his eye as he followed them, making him pause. Quickly making his way over, he found remnants of a glass bird upon the ground, shattered to pieces as its glassy blues looked up at him.
"Beethes!" he heard Liszt yell at him.
Removing his scarf, he gathered the fragments together, praying he didn't miss a piece, finally dodging his way back over to them. Whatever that all was, it was going to be one hell of a life changer for them all.
