Disclaimer: I do not own anything at the moment, except for this very yummy ice cream cone.
Nocturne
Chapter 1: Serenade
Author's Note:
For the first time in my life, I actually planned out a fanfiction. It's amazing, isn't it?! I've planned up to the 9th chapter, and wow, is it hard work! It's taking me ages! Well, at least it's not guess work (though most times guesswork is what I do, and the story turns out fine, like in BitD) this time.
I have decided that this story is going to be based in a small town around New Orleans, because it has a lot of French influence, is hot, and has both marshes and forests. You guys will see why that matters. Just you wait! I think this story is going to be a success!
Flashback
Her golden hair flying behind her, she ran into the forest. Dark, haunted, it drove her into it. It was like a dream, like a wish.
The soggy ground dragged down her feet, clinging to them like a tight, unwanted embrace. The branches of the trees slapped her face, scratching the delicate, pale skin as she ran on, forgetting, trying so hard to just… let… her… troubles…
Fly away.
She couldn't do this any longer.
He was her father, for heaven's sake!
He was the priest!
He shouldn't… Just shouldn't…
It was against all he believed in, all he preached to…
But… But it was all over now.
The church had burned, smoldered to the ground like the anger in his eyes.
The people had abandoned him, and his sermons of their soul burning in eternal hellfire. They were tired of being called sinners and devil-worshippers.
And her father…
Her once tall and standing father had turned to drink, to the liquid that turned a man's brain into a pile of swamp-mush.
There was no more money, nothing left.
They would starve…
Any money that was donated ended up with the ale's-man, into her father's stomach.
And she? What was a girl her age to do?
She had no talents, other than having a pretty face and long legs of a dancer, and doing womanly duties such as cooking and cleaning.
To hire herself out as a maid was one thing she could have done… It would have meant leaving her father.
No matter how abusive, no matter how terrifying he could be, he was still her father, and she would repay him back, take care of him in this time of need.
She would not sell her body.
Not now, not ever.
She had read the words of God, and she would never fall to the level. Her pride called out to her.
No… No… No…
Then what could she do? Nothing was left?
She remembered small school of dance for young girls. How happy she had been, attending that school and being the best of the best, pleasing herself and her mother.
Mother…
Mother was dead. Gone. Never to return.
It was then that it hit her. She would teach at that school!
Money would come in… They would have enough to eat again! She would not have to over-yeast the bread, so most of what they were eating was air, and never would she have to go from door to door, asking for food, for money.
It was perfect!
Her legs ran on…
If she was quick, she would be able to get to town before dusk came. If she was quick, her father would be asleep by the time she got home. She needed this money… She could already---
"Oh, come on, Joe! This girl, I assure you, is as pretty as a summer rose. You'll love her! She's amazing, can dance, too! Really smart, from what I hear, and Sophie told me she goes to the university! Frankly, I'm surprised you too haven't met already. Then again, you with your studying and she with her dancing must keep you both dazed." The man speaking was in his mid-twenties, and although quite comical looking, had the large and booming voice of an actor. He pulled on the sleeve of his younger, very good-looking friend, with dark brown hair and shining mahogany eyes, almost red in the sun.
The younger man had doubt flickering in his eyes. "I'm just not sure, GB. I'd rather be studying… The finals are coming up, and I don't want to try this 'blind date' thing… I'm just not sure."
"Joseph, there is a time…" He stopped, the dramatic edge in his voice coming to its climax. "There is a time when a man has to take chances. For the better future!" He slapped Joe's arm lightly. "Come on, what harm can it do? The worse happens, you take her out for some drinks and never see her again! It's a win-win situation!"
"Win-win for who?" Joe muttered under his breath.
"Say again?"
"Nothing. Her name's Françoise…? Is she French or something?"
GB nodded, happy that his young college friend was finally showing a bit of interest. "Yep, Françoise Arnoul. Moved from France a few years back because she wanted some cultural learning before she shipped off to the dance academy. She's Sophie's friend, you know, and I always trust Sophie's advice. Besides, you and her are both a little lonely, too into your college stuff. I'm all over it! Go out! Have some fun already!"
Joe rolled his eyes, trying to show enough disinterest that he could just go back to his dorm and study. "So she's into ballet and all the other girly stuff? She's probably some French snob!"
The two men stopped walking suddenly as GB pulled on Joe's arm and looked at him sternly. "She didn't come here for just a cultural learning experience, you know. She came also because her brother died in a plane crash, and she didn't want to remember. Does that seem very snobbish to you? Come on, Joe, don't be so pessimistic."
Joe stayed quiet, shamed to silence. "I guess I shouldn't mention it, then?"
"That would be wise."
GB stopped in front of a large fountain and motioned for Joe to sit down. "I told Sophie we would meet her here with Françoise. Just you wait! I'm sure you'll like her!"
"I don't know how I got into this huge---"
Joe stopped suddenly as GB interrupted him and raised a hand, shouting to two distant figures. "Hey, Sophie! Over here!"
Soon, a very pretty young woman with curly light brown hair and large, sparkling eyes came in front of them. She rushed up to GB and hugged him tightly, and smiled to Joe.
She turned around and pushed the woman hiding behind her to them.
"Oh, come on, Françoise! I tell you, he's very nice, not to mention cute!" She winked to Joe and let him feast his eyes on the girl.
It was as if weights were sewn into his lower jaw. It fell to the ground, for in front of him was a blushing blonde angel.
With her shining blonde hair and aqua eyes, she was truly a magnificent girl. Her pink lips were curved into a shy smile, her tinted cheeks flushing at the his flat out staring.
She held out a slender hand. "Hi… I'm Françoise Arnoul. Nice to meet you…"
Joe couldn't think straight, couldn't even try. "Hi," he finally croaked out. "I'm Joe Shimamura. I must have fainted because there's no way a blind date could be as amazing as you.
GB chuckled in the background, an arm wrapped around Sophie's waist. Looking to her with an adoring look in his eyes, he whispered softly, "And he was trying to get away last minute, too."
Sophie shrugged and giggled. "Well, you know. Men can be very blind."
There you have it! The first chapter, complete! Not that dark, but I wasn't trying to make it that way. I was hoping for a more romantic story this time, not to mention a secret mystery in this. I promise it'll get a little more exciting as the story goes on!
Responses to Reviews:
GoldAngel2: A Great One? You flatter me completely! I'm so glad you suggested the new title; it was love at first sight! It fits the story completely, and it would take such a wonderful author as you to find one! Yes, it wasn't Joe, as you can see, and I will try my hardest to keep him in character so my 'alternative-universe' heart won't become uncontrollable! Thanks for all your wonderful support!
Lil Rose Angel: It wasn't Joe, of course, and of course it won't be a deathfic! I'm trying my hardest to keep Joe in character! I'm really sorry you got confused! I'll try to update as fast as I can, my friend! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Wolfwood11: I'm so glad you enjoyed the first chapter! Some of the readers got confused; I hope they're cleared up now. As for me being talented, you're just being nice so I update faster! Teehee. Thank you so much!
InSaNe ReAdEr: Eeps! You're confused! Oh no! No, this story isn't related to X/19 (which is so confusing that my head hurts after I read up to book 8 o.O). I just used the idea of having the chapters named after music, like how CLAMP named each X/19 book. I hope you'll get the main idea soon! Sorry for the late update!
Dreia: I'm glad I got you into the story! Maybe Joe will help… Maybe not!
Saku: Ahhh! Too much love! Dying! falls to the ground Just kidding, of course. And please, you're flattering me to a swoon! I'm just an ordinary girl who got an idea in her head and can't get it out!
Dishrag1313: Is it even Françoise, though…? Mystery is something I haven't tried before… Hope you like this story so far!
Dyst: Sorry for the late update! I'm going and writing as fast as I can!
Sorrowful: I'm so sorry I haven't updated or talked with you guys for so long! I've just been so busy… The most I can manage nowadays is to just update my online journal and that's it! Hope you like this story!
TFRiD Queen: Thanks for the review (you're so faithful it makes me feel bad that I don't update as much as I used to!)! As for your comment… Is the guy even Joe? Maybe… Maybe not!
M-X: I'm glad I reeled in a new reader! Hope you like my stories (I try to update and get original ideas but sometimes it gets to be a little too much for me to handle) so far and I'm glad you like this one so far!