Daily reminder to please excuse any mistakes. I'm a bit miffed by the pacing so I might edit if I go back.
...
["What would you like to be when you grow up? Do you have an idea already?"] Her kindergarten teacher asked once.
["Maybe you'd like to follow your father's footsteps? I heard he's a salaryman from your grandparents, but I guess that would be too hard to understand now."]
She glanced to the other children playing in the classroom.
["I wanna go to space!"] A boy declared, holding a rocket toy above him.
["I want to save animals!"] A girl chimed in, showing her drawing of herself surrounded by animals.
["So an astronaut and a veterinarian, huh? That's great! You kids better study well if you want to make your dreams come true."]
What would she want to be? That was the question she had always wondered. She was never encouraged by her family to pursue a career, nor did she ever looked up to anyone to want to become like them. The concept of dreams and jobs was never an aspect emphasized in her life as a kid.
"I like listening to classical music. The piano is a beautiful instrument, but I don't play it myself. Maybe you'd like to learn?"
A row of glossy black and white keys on a huge black piano stood in the living room of Sidney's home. The elder was standing beside the piano when he looked over her with a smile.
She curiously pressed a white key. A high pitched melody rings. Intrigued by the sound, she pressed it again, this time holding it down. The sound of the minor key fades the longer it was pressed.
Caelum chuckled. "Your great grandfather Sidney had learned to play the piano as a kid. Maybe it's possible for you, too, if you're his great granddaughter."
The little girl listened to each different key sounds that lower as she went down the track. Her curiosity was filled to the brim with questions on the instrument. She wants to learn, especially if her brother and great grandfather are fond of it.
It only made sense for her to want to understand the essence and charm of the piano if that will allow her to connect with their interests.
~~~~~~~
The vintage Ghost Camera rested on Strix's lap. From the soft rise and fall of her shoulders, she was sleeping. Except this time, unlike the past two Overblots where she collapsed to the ground, she was now on both knees and sitting upright with head hung low.
"Did Strix really upgrade to a kneeling position?" Asked Ace as he and the other first years hovered her.
"How could she sleep so soundly like that? Just looking at her makes my neck sore." Leona internally winced. Strix wasn't kidding when she mentioned about having a sore neck and back.
"Knowing Strix, her sleeping in this position wouldn't be new." Grim flatly said, unsurprised by this point. He's seen worse positions while in Ramshackle and Strix wouldn't flinch.
The sound of children giggling echoes.
A pink sphere of light manifested in front of Strix to reveal a blue seahorse Dream Eater. Tatsu Steed swims to float above the unconscious Azul. Everyone watched as it summoned a bubble and pop, sprinkling magic on his face now visibly smoothening from the wrinkling discomfort. Having succeeded, the seahorse backflipped with a chirp before disappearing in pink light.
Soon after its disappearance, Strix lifted her head, blinking the sleep away. Third time is the charm, after all. "I'm back. How is Azul?"
They gather around the Octavinelle trio.
Azul's sky blue eyes flew open and a gasp left him.
"Oh, he's awake." Floyd and his brother peer down at their dorm leader.
"Azul, how many fingers am I holding up?" Jade asked.
Azul squints. He weakly uttered, "Ei...ght?"
Jade lowered his hand. "Okay. You appear to still be out of it, but I'm so relieved. We were able to stop your blot-induced rampage."
Leona huffed gruffly. "...Jeez, pain in the neck."
"Leona, you're in no position to talk." Ruggie sweatdropped.
Azul looks around. "What...did I do?"
"You used magic so much that you Overblotted. Do you remember?" Jade asked.
" 'Give me your strength~'" Floyd made an Azul impression before continuing, "You were crying while running around sucking up people's magic. It was hard to look at, super uncool."
"I-I...went on a rampage... Unbelievable..."
"Anyone would be pissed if something they'd been working on for so long got erased right in front of them. If someone went and cracked open my piggy bank I'd never forgive them." Ruggie said. Somehow Strix could see that happening.
"But you gotta knock it off with the shady business, y'know. Shape up." Grim placed his paws on his hips scolding Azul.
Jack shot a pointed look at the gray beast. "And you should 'shape up' and stop using test notes created by someone else!"
"Even so, nobody else could have put those notes together. I'm still amazed you got Grim to score over 80." Strix admitted with a small smile.
Azul looks up. "...Eh?"
"You're right. Azul's test notes got me over a 90 even though I only spent one night pouring over them." Ace said.
Deuce nodded. "Yeah. It was a great secret weapon."
"The headmaster told us you made that by going through the past 100 years of rest questions. I can't say I approve of what you did but... Your determination is crazy impressive." Jack acknowledges.
Azul stared at them wordlessly before turning his chin away. "...Hmph. Your words don't bring me any sort of comfort."
"What now? Azul, are you getting a little misty-eyed?" A playful smile was on Floyd as he tilted to get an angle. Azul turned his head further away.
A mirthful smile dances across Jade's expression. "My my, have you gone back to being the ink-spitting-crybaby?"
Azul glared at them. "You two! You should be under contract to keep that confidential."
The perpetual smile never left Jade. "Oops, my apologies."
Strix suddenly remembered something and withdrew a photo from her breast pocket. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. We brought the photo of Prince Rielle just like you asked. Since the sun is still above the horizon, our deal is done."
"What's this a pic of?" Leona squints. "...There's a bunch of tiny merfolk, I don't get it."
Ruggie scrunched his brows slightly. "An elementary school class photo...? What d'ya want this for?"
Floyd leans in. "Aha, this takes me back. This is a photo from when we went there in elementary school." He points on the photo, "Me and Jade are right here. And...nestled over in the corner is...baby Azul!"
"What?!"
Azul let out a shrill shriek. "Stop!!! Don't look! Please don't look!"
Jade was all too amused as he held him in place by the shoulders. "My my, Azul. You sure perked up quickly. Why don't you rest some more? Giving up now is the best idea."
"Which one?" Ace eagerly looks over Strix's shoulder to peer at the photo.
Leona examines the photo closely. "Hiding in the corner..."
Ruggie smiles albeit awkwardly. "Are you referring to the timid looking guy with octopus legs that's twice as wide as any other mer..."
"Azul, were you really this chubby back in the day?!" Grim asked aloud.
Strix smiles widely. "So round and cute..."
Azul could only helplessly watch them ogle at his baby photo, moaning and wallowing in embarrassment behind his hands. If only he has a pot to slip inside right now...
"I totally get how you feel. Everyone has a past they want to erase! I didn't see anything! You guys should forget you saw anything!" Deuce passionately told them and strictly turned his head away from the group.
'Not a chance.' Was what everyone thought.
"You really just go with the flow, huh." Jack looks at the spade-marked boy peculiarly.
Azul swore under his breath, "Shit...! I was supposed to expand Mostro Lounge and completely delete my dark past at the same time... My plan was flawless...!"
"They say that those who chase after two rabbits will end up with neither." Ruggie said, shrugging with hands raised in sympathy.
"I've gone through and edited every other photo... From the graduation albums to the film in photo studios. That photo from the museum was the only one I couldn't legally get my hands on..." Azul moaned.
"Stop going around and making others do your dirty work, y'know!" Grim retorted.
"This pic is totally fine. I like the old Azul." Floyd said with a fond smile. He broke into a wide grin, "You used to be so tasty looking."
"That is not the problem here!"
"You don't have to hide it..." Strix said, admiring baby Azul's adorable chubby self in the photo. He looks so huggable. Like a squishy marshmallow stuffed toy.
Azul hiccuped. "...I'm done. I wanna hole up in an octopus pot."
"Anyway. We brought the photo as promised. We cleared all of your conditions." Jack spoke up.
"Well, the contract is already dust in the wind, though." Grim shrugged.
"But you know, I'm not cool with stealing." Jack turns to Octavinelle's dorm leader. "Azul. Isn't it your policy to keep your dealings legal, right. Take responsibility and get it back to where it belongs."
"Let's all go together." Strix said.
"...Understood. But at least let me run it through some editing software to erase my shame..."
Leona tipped his nose up at the young man. "Hah, you don't know when to give up."
"He's right. Memories are to be treasured." Jade smiled.
"So when're we gonna go? We're all going, right. I'm so excited! We haven't been there since elementary school." Floyd was almost bouncing from the soles of his feet as he swayed in place with youthful energy.
Meanwhile Grim was crawling on the ground, black nose twitching.
Ace notices. "Hm? Why are you sniffing around on the ground, Grim?"
"My gourmet hunter senses are tingling... My favorite pitch black truffle has fallen somewhere around here!"
"Are you a pig?!"
It was then Grim perked up. "Ffgna! Found the black rock! The nose of the Great Gourmet Hunter Grim cannot be fooled!"
Leona narrowed his eyes as one brow rose. "...A black rock?"
"Thanks for the food!" Grim then swallowed the mineral rock. "Mmm... It starts out heavy and rich but then there's a punch of saltiness... I'll never get tired of this flavor! Y'know!"
"Are you eating crap off the ground again?!" Deuce asked, baffled.
"There's no point in trying to stop him, we just have to accept that monsters have different tastes." Ace heaved his shoulders in resignation.
Leona was silent until he asked Strix, "...Is that raccoon always eating black rocks off the ground?"
"Grim's gluttony simply knows no bounds. He even ate grass off a lawn, and at some point I couldn't bother being concerned over his diet now." Strix said dully before sighing. She had admitted defeat to Grim's primal instincts to eat whatever, including those black rocks.
"Is something the matter, Leona-senpai?" Jack asked.
Leona stared at Grim before looking away. "Nah. It's nothing."
~~~~~~~
The world has no need of a worthless existence. The little girl was persuaded there was nothing she could prove to be acknowledged for her efforts. Her estranged father never had any expectations since the beginning.
What is there for her to be validated for? What are dreams to a being who doesn't have a place in anyone's heart?
It must be nice. To have your heart set on a career.
But for her, the doors to opportunities and dreams was already closed off from her reach, locked and chained up by the man who destroyed the key.
It was then she would learn the meaning behind the sturdy chains and bulky lock: ["To become someone important and inspiring was never a choice for her; never an inherent right shared among all humans."]
["Because she was never human at all."]
But that's not true. The light gave her purpose to be just like everyone: a human with the will to live for the sake of being able to see the people they love happy.
For the first time, she grasped the understanding of having a dream to actively pursue.
It all started with the piano.
~~~~~~~
Later that evening, Strix had already packed her belongings and was about to leave Savanaclaw after Grim went ahead to head straight home.
"Thanks for the help, Leona." Strix bowed her head from where she stood before the doorframe.
Leona managed a grunt from his comfortable position on his bed. Summer green eyes glanced to her over his shoulder. "Don't come back camping in my room ever again, or I won't consider it twice before eating you, herbivore. Be prepared."
"It was a necessary evil," Strix defended calmly in a heartbeat, not feeling the slightest guilt for what she had done last night.
"...By the way, you haven't really done anything threatening to me despite what you say. In fact... You were treating me nicer than I thought you would. What's up with that?" Strix approached him by the bed to squint dubiously at the man.
He doesn't look back to acknowledge her suspicions. "You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"In a lion pride, lionesses are highly respected. Back in Afterglow Savannah, the same applies there. It's a 'ladies first' society." He lets that digest as though no further elaboration was needed.
A pause.
"...Cool. I learn something new everyday. See you later, Leona." The sound of her feet scuffling to the door faded after she left his room.
Leona cocked a brow. "What's up with her?"
At the lounge, Ruggie spots the girl and watched as her strides grew notably longer the further the distance between them closed. His instincts warned him to flee but before he could listen, his body flinched from the grip latched on his shoulders.
"Two months."
"Eh?"
"You and Leona watched me for two months shakedown muscle-brained idiots for an answer. Do you know how stupid I feel now?" Strix muttered lowly.
"What are you talking about..."
"Why didn't you guys tell me that you respect women sooner, damn it?!"
"Why are you making such a big deal over it?!"
"How could I not?! I thought Leona was a cocky asshole with a god complex who doesn't think of anybody but his damn self. But he's a cocky asshole who respects women?!"
Jack walks in. "Hey, Strix..."
He trailed off upon witnessing the girl seemingly argue with the hyena. He supposed she has her teenager sides as well...
The sun was already setting low beyond the savannah's horizon, the orange fading into pink, dark violet and midnight blue hues.
"You don't have to escort me to Ramshackle, Jack. It's not that far from the Hall of Mirrors," Strix assured to the first year.
"Well, after seeing you shake the living daylights out of Ruggie-senpai, I guess I don't have to worry." Jack mumbled.
Strix smiled. "Thanks for sticking with me to the end. It's been very reassuring with you around."
She then waved. "See you tomorrow."
Jack spared a small smile. "Yeah."
By the time she stepped out of the Hall of Mirrors, it was nighttime. She strolled under the familiar night sky that seemed to sparkle brighter than usual, basking in the peaceful silence of the dark hour and the conclusion of victory relieving her burden that is the Octavinelle ordeal.
Upon returning to the gates of Ramshackle Dorm, Strix smiled in familiarity. "I'm back..."
She climbed up the stone stairs and arrived before the door when she looked to the yard and noticed someone.
Soft green light announced a certain horned man's presence. "...Oh, I see you've returned. I'm surprised you were able to beat Ashengrotto. You may look too inquisitive for your own good but even you can get your hands dirty."
Strix wondered if she looked like the type to get herself in boiling water before smiling. "It's thanks to your advice."
"My advice?" Surprise lit his lime green eyes. He regained his composure soon after. "...It was never my intention to provide pointers."
He hummed to himself nonetheless, pleased of the news. "More than anything I am glad to have this garden back to the peaceful way it was before. I would have loved to watch Ashengrotto's smug face fall into despair. It must have been a sight to see."
Strix internally sweatdropped. She wondered if Azul did something for him to harbor some sort of malice for his defeat. She didn't dare to ask judging by the cruel smirk. Yep, she's still in a villain's school.
His pointy ears twitched. The horned man glanced to the direction past the trees and pursed his lips. "...Hm. I think it's about time for me to return to my own dorm. Good night."
Without batting an eye at the vanishing sparkle effect, Strix was about to open the door when two pairs of footsteps run up to Ramshackle Dorm. Two Diasomnia students seem to be in a search for something -or perhaps someone- as they looked around. Weren't those two the ones who helped out during the Magift incident?
"...Is he here?" The silver-haired boy asked, somewhat short of breath.
"No, he's not anywhere around here either." Answered the minty-haired young man.
"He might be over in the west building." Silver muttered.
"Uugh, young master, why do you always leave without bringing anyone with you?" Sebek moaned under his breath before tossing a glare at his fellow dorm residents. "It's because you took your eyes off him, Silver!"
"He's not a child. You worry about him far too much." Silver replied calmly.
"We'll be too late if we wait until something happens. Don't let your guard down for even a moment!! Do you have any respect for your distinguished role as the young master's bodyguard?! I won't allow you to forget the great debt you owe to the young master and Lilia for deigning to raise you!" Sebek boomed like the thunderbolt in his hair.
Silver released a sigh. "That doesn't have anything to do with this..."
They give up searching the area and left.
Strix had overheard them as she hid from their view behind the building. "Young master...?"
She shrugged and head for the bedroom. Carefully entering inside, Grim was already asleep on the side of the bed, mumbling about a big fish and being unable to eat it all.
Strix rolled her eyes and plopped her luggage on the sofa chair. He's a sound sleeper much more so than herself. Must be nice to be him.
The mirror above the fireplace shone a white light.
Strix squints. "The mirror is...glowing?" It couldn't be the trick of the light.
Within the gray haze, a shadow knocked on the glass, startling Strix. She held her tongue and watched warily for any potential threat to come leap for her throat.
"...some... there? Is someone... there?" A high-pitched voice spoke behind the glass.
Then a silhouette of round ears and head appeared. It was only for a second before the glow faded and returned the reflection revealing Strix's frazzled, wide-eyed expression.
She shakes her head profusely. This was just a dream. There's no way she heard that from the mirror. No way did she see the iconic symbol of her world manifest.
Strix withdrew a rainbow teardrop from her pocket and stared into the vibrancy glittering in her eyes almost mesmerized by the dream-like piece.
This is all just a figment of a dream within a dream.
~~~~~~~
"You want to know the songs I like?" A smile lifts his lips. "Is it so you can play them on the piano for me?" A chuckle escapes him when she shyly nodded. He rubs the little girl's head affectionately. She nuzzled her nose into his warm palm, eliciting another chuckle.
"Thank you. But I'm happy with whatever song you choose. Right now you still have to practice with the simple songs."
Doe blue eyes peer up. He had tilted his head to look out the amber-lit window and into the twilight orange sky. Beneath the sky, the peaceful town was painted in orange and yellow hues. The light shone on him too perfectly that he could almost fade into the bright and warm colors of the background.
A nostalgic gentleness soften his young visage. "I'd love it if I can hear it next to the beach. The waves would be soothing to listen to along with the piano..."
Piano and the ocean waves... Could she ever hope to create a melody to reflect the scenery he wished for?
She knew it was leagues away from what she can do as a child. For now, she'll keep practicing.
To see the smiles of her close loved ones whenever she could, she decided to master the piano if it meant she'll find a talent to place her ego on a pedestal and look back upon with pride and meaning.
~~~~~~~
"Strix, wake up! Wake up!"
Said girl moans, pulling the blanket up over her messy bed hair. A strand peeks out from the sheets stubbornly.
Grim huffs after having bounced on her in an attempt to rouse the night owl out of bed. "C'mon, it's already morning. Today's the day we're gonna go to the Atlantica Museum with everyone. You even said it yourself, y'know? Take responsibility!"
"Ugh... Why can't everyone just be nocturnal like me..." Despite her grumbling, Strix dragged herself off the bed to freshen her face. For some reason her eyes feel a little more heavier than usual. Did she not get a decent shut-eye last night?
Strix changed into her school uniform before glancing out the bright window. It's so sunny...
Knocks pounded the entrance door twice. Strix climbed down the stairs to the foyer and opens the door to reveal the Leech brothers.
"Lil' Shrimp, Seally, g'morning! We came to pick you up. Let's go."
"Man, seeing you guys makes me scared that you're gonna try to take something again." Grim admits.
"They say yesterday's enemy is today's ally..." Strix remarked. Hard to believe they were being threatened by the twins and Azul one day and are now facing each other with non-hostilities.
"You wound me." Jade's smile was anything but. "We would never do anything unsightly to those who don't break contracts. Today is bright and sunny, wonderful weather for a field trip... Which means."
"Let's get a move on to the Atlantica Memorial Museum!" Floyd finished with a bounce on the soles of his feet.
"Azul was gracious enough to pay the entrance fee for everyone so don't worry. He went ahead and is going to be waiting for us there."
Strix furrowed her brows slightly and muttered to herself, "Right, we have to get that photo back..."
"You're so serious. We know, okay." Floyd moves behind her and lightly presses her shoulders, a cue for her to move. "Now, time to go~"
When everyone had assembled in the mirror chamber and warped to the Coral Sea, the first years had bit back a yelp at the twins' eel foams. If you squint you might see the boys unusually huddle closer behind Strix who did not pay mind nor noticed as she looks at them respectfully.
"I've been meaning to ask, but... Can I please touch your tail?" The girl asked, toning down her glee behind it. The boys behind her look at her shocked.
The Leech brothers expressed surprise.
"It's rare for a human to ask us without a shred of fear. Our forms usually ward people away, human or merfolk." Jade mused, smile slipping back in easily as it had once disappeared.
"Well, to be honest I was surprised the first time, but looking at you two again I think your real forms are so cool." Said Strix.
"Shrimpy says our eel form is cool! Yay! Shrimpy likes us!"
Strix was enveloped by a gleeful Floyd before she could react. She bit through a grunt from the squeeze, legs completely rooted in place. She literally can't lift a finger with his long tail snugly wrapped around her body like a burrito. Also she's growing more embarrassed when he's pressing her face against his bare white chest. She understands that merfolk aren't usually fazed by skin contact but she is!
The boys and Grim pale at the sight, visualizing themselves in Strix's place before shuddering.
"Floyd, mind your strength. Strix is still human, and she can't move if you squeeze her." Jade chided before speaking to Strix, "My apologies. Floyd tends to coil around things he likes in his true form the same manner you've just experienced."
"That's fun to know..." Strix sarcastically replied after getting the chance to breathe normally without a Floyd constrictor. She would presume the similar thing still applies to Floyd in human form, then? Though if she asked that she would eventually learn the hard way regardless.
Jade chuckled. "Nonetheless, we're happy to have piqued your honest interest. For now let's not keep Azul waiting than he should be."
As the group head to the entrance of the museum, Strix whipped out her sunglasses when they were in sight.
Floyd tilted his head. "Shrimpy, what's with the shades?"
"I left an impression of the guards when I sneaked in to get the photo. Don't want the guards to recognize me the second time." Strix slips them on the bridge of her nose.
After confirming their reservation, the guards allowed them to pass without a problem.
"Wow, it's so cool. The inside is amazing." Ace's eyes were round with boyish awe as he looked around the inside of the museum.
"There's a statue of a legendary king... The bottom of the sea has a lot of other great figures." Deuce mutters, impressed with the lineup.
"This king is pretty shredded." Jack remarked, admiring the dignified stone statue of King Triton mostly his muscles his muscles. Strix stifled a giggle behind her hand.
Azul steps forward. "Hello everyone, and welcome to the Atlantica Memorial Museum. I made a reservation for us all under 'Mostro Lounge' so please enjoy everything the museum has to offer."
"There he is, octopus-man Azul... Oh wait, why are you still in your human form?" Grim asked.
"Octo-mers like me are exceedingly rare around here you see... I'd like to avoid leaving in weird impressions after I return the photo."
"There is no need to worry. Nobody would ever notice that the chubby octopus in the photo was you." Jade assured the silver-haired boy.
"We came all the way out here so wouldn't it be more convenient to be in your real form?" Floyd said.
Azul huffed under his breath. "Please leave me be. I will go get this photo returned... Please take a look around the museum."
"They have the mermaid princess' dinglehopper on display over there." Floyd pointed to the direction.
"I saw it in the pamphlet but that's totally a fork, right? No matter how you look at it." Ace said, squinting at the surreal display of a steel fork being propped up on display.
Jade let out an amused chuckle. "It might look like that to those from land."
Everyone else explores the museum with the eel merman as guides.
Azul glanced to the sole exception still standing behind. "...You're not going?"
Strix shook her head, removing her shades now that they were away from strangers' eyes. "I'll stick with you until you've returned the photo."
"No need to doubt me, I will properly return it." Azul sighed behind his words. He pinned the altered photo back among the collection of other photos, looking over them in thought.
"...I thought that if I could erase all the photos from my past, my time spent being bullied as a 'dumb, clumsy octopus' would vanish with them. The Sea Witch never hid her dark past but faced it and worked to overwrite her reputation. I kept saying I wanted to be like her but... In the end, I couldn't accept who I was and tried to act like it never happened."
Strix watched with passive blue eyes before they rested on the array of pictures. "I think you're pretty great without having to steal from others."
Azul looks to her. "Eh...?"
Without glancing back, she continued, "Your hard work was enough to throw off even the headmaster."
"My...hard work?" Azul blinked once. He snorts. "...Pfft. There is no need for you to flatter me. I only wanted to get back at those who had made fun of me for so long."
Strix hummed thoughtfully, a distant look fogging her eyes. "You know, I actually admire that part of you. You getting revenge on the people who ridiculed you by becoming stronger... I wish I had that strength."
"...You too wished for revenge?"
Strix slowly nodded once. "Yeah. But unlike you, I couldn't get the last laugh. They're still out there living their life happily without having to see my face. I was convinced no matter what I do, I could never convince them they were wrong. People will continue berating you regardless of what you try. That vicious cycle applies to me, especially."
Azul stared. Could she be referring to her being magic-less? Yet there's more to the eye than just the lack of wondrous power. She has shown on multiple occasions to go by without relying on magic.
She fingered the face of her wristwatch absentmindedly. "Azul, you should treasure those tears no matter how trivial they may be. It's not weakness; it's proof that you are strong. Nothing to be embarrassed about."
And she knows that she is not strong, that she would be called a hypocrite for never once openly shedding tears herself. She only recalled crying one time on her sixth birthday when the world became somewhat lighter in her eyes, but every other part of her life was dry. Yes, even her brother's departure that should have stirred her heart to tears, yet what remained was a calm pulse and an unblinking gaze.
See how the cycle continues to plague her to this day? Maybe if she showed tears her father and grandparents would have spared a little mercy in their words and actions. Or perhaps nothing would change. Regardless, she envies those with the ability to cry.
["That child never once cries. Not even when her mother had gave birth to her. The doctor and nurses were convinced she was dead the moment she was born! Yet her heart still beats, her lungs still breathe, and to think...those horrific eyes are even real..."]
She recalled eavesdropping her grandparents that one night when she couldn't sleep. At the time she was not aware that a baby who doesn't wail the moment they come into the world is a baby gone awry. Newborn infants are supposed to cry naturally.
Yet she was silent and still as a stone statue, according to the bits and pieces of what her family said. They never knew what to do with her the first few years of her life when she was unresponsive and unable to communicate her wants and needs. It was all up to playing the guessing game. Somehow with their ups and downs, they got by until she was old enough to walk on her own.
["If I wasn't there to see my wife give birth to her, I would have never thought the child was my flesh and blood."]
A deep grave frown etched her lips.
"Well, it may be theatric for me to say that, but I personally believe that's true." Strix nonchalantly said. The frown disappeared as it had once came. Whether Azul noticed, he made no notion.
A hand lifted hers delicately. Soft lips quirked upwards behind her knuckles, sky blue eyes peering up beneath long lashes.
"It seems we have much more in common than I thought, my pearl." Azul flashed his suave gentleman charms through his smooth talk and smile.
Strix blinked her doe eyes owlishly.
Damn pretty boys and their beautiful feminine charms. She keeps forgetting that she's a girl when near these men. She doesn't even recall having any feminine charm since she ended up in NRC.
"Hey, over here! There's a giant dinosaur skeleton back there!" Grim's voice was heard in the back.
"That isn't a dinosaur, it's actually a monster called a sea dragon." Jade explained. "The legend goes... The Sea Witch had a sea dragon's skeleton as the entrance to her cavern."
"There's even a replica of her cauldron." Floyd chirped.
"What. There's cauldrons in the ocean, too?" Unsurprisingly it was Deuce who said that.
"How the hell do they heat that down here?" Questioned Ace.
"No idea. Azul, tell us."
"Very well. But I warn you, I'm an expensive tour guide." With a smile branded on his face, Azul returns to the group.
A small smile was on Strix's lips. She glanced back to the photo pinned by Azul. There was no chubby octopus hiding in the corner among the rest of the merfolk children.
She released a yawn.
Looking up at the crystal blue world watching over her on a bright sunny day...
The current brushes past her, sweeping her deep blue locks past her face as she tilted her chin upwards.
She would be reminded of him every time, closing her eyes and fall into a slumber to return to her sweet, sweet dreams...
"Strix!"
The next second a face was hovering in her vision. Pale hair, skin, and glasses.
"Azul...?" Was that worry and...desperation swimming in the expanse of his sky blue eyes?
"Are you all right? You suddenly fell backwards and fainted, had I not caught you in time." Azul said, holding her shoulders to keep her feet steady.
Strix could only stare back with half-lidded eyes. "I...did?" She released a yawn again. "Still sleepy in mornings... Night owl, after all..."
"I see..." He did note how sleepy her eyes were in the mornings, and somewhat mild-natured as a result. At least it wasn't a sudden sickness that struck her.
"Sorry for scaring you." She gently shrugged his hands off.
Strix patted her cheeks before cocking her head to the group's direction. "We should catch up with the others. I want to see the stuff the museum has to offer."
She notices Grim about to swim around the sea dragon monument he was curious about before and quickly goes over to stop him from potentially destroying it with swift threats of banning canned tuna again.
Unsuspecting to the girl, Azul clenched his fists. For some reason he found himself shaken. He can't explain the fear slowly creeping for his heart. As though he was about to lose someone he trusted the most, like Jade and Floyd. But how could that be? He doesn't recall such strong emotional attachment within the time they've interacted up to now. Had he seen it in a dream...?
His eyes narrowed at the ground beneath him. He had seen the wistfully vacant, peaceful expression across Strix's face. He didn't want to think the image would come true.
The image of her about to disappear into sea foam.
...
Strix rubbed her eyes under her shades as she walked through the museum hall. She would have to admit, she did wander a bit far ahead after seeing some familiar artifacts to the point she would be in a completely different room that is apparently the ancient treasure room. She wouldn't get herself lost as she can look up the directory again.
Without watching where she was going, the girl bumped into someone and dropped her shades.
"Ah, I'm sorry." Strix apologized.
"No, it's all right..."
When Strix had retrieved her sunglasses, she then noticed she had bumped into a mermaid who appears to look like a young adult. She wasn't alone as two more of her friends, another woman and a man, stared with slackened jaws.
The mermaid she had bumped into gasped. "Wow, a human!"
"It's so rare to see one around these parts. Are you here to enjoy the museum as well?" The merman of the group inquired.
Strix stood awkwardly in place as the merfolk circled her with child-like curiosity. "Um, I..."
"You're so pretty, just like a noble mermaid!" The other mermaid remarked.
"Would you tell us more about the land above? Please~! How different is it? Is this your first time seeing mermaids up close?" The mermaid Strix had bumped into tugged her sleeve toward their friendship circle enthusiastically.
"Wait! I-!"
A long slimy body coils around her body in an instant, separating the merfolk from Strix. A pair of arms wrapped around her neck almost protectively — no, possessive was the word suitable for the moray eel brother that is Floyd Leech.
Mismatched eyes of olive and yellow bored into them passively. Strix suppressed a chill rippling through her muscles upon hearing his voice drop a few octaves.
"Buzz off."
The merfolk squeaked before swimming away as though becoming one the with sea currents, leaving bubbles behind in their trail. They really do flee in an instant before she could blink. It was nice of Floyd to help her out, though.
However, if Strix could sweat underwater she would. Now she has a new problem to worry about. She can't move with Floyd wrapped around her.
"Floyd-senpai...?"
Upon hearing her this time, Floyd beams a smile and squeezes her, resting his chin atop her head and purring, "You should watch out, Shrimpy, or the fish will sweep you away with the sea."
"Floyd is right. The merfolk of the Coral Sea can be rather gullible to a fault; they don't realize how they drag others into their pace." Jade floats up to meet face to face with the female.
'This is...'
A moray eel holding the shrimp in its constructing grip while the brother looms over imposingly...
How does she get out of this situation? Where are those idiots and Jack when she needed them?
"Is...that so?" Strix uttered out. Suddenly she is self-conscious of every single thing she does. Her breathing pattern, her muscles twitching, and the time she has to blink... The twins are practically breathing down her neck.
"Yes," Jade nodded. "It wouldn't do for our precious little pearl to be snatched on our watch. We still have much to learn and understand one another."
Strix pretended to not have noticed the malicious undertone behind their sharp white teeth.
'Mafia fish are so scary...'
...
When everyone returned to Night Raven College, Grim released a breath of air, savoring their return from the underwater sea. "Man the air on land sure tastes good!"
"Our museum adventure was pretty fun." Deuce admitted.
"I used to think it was super boring but it's pretty good every once in a while." Floyd smiled.
"It's interesting to see how merfolk of the past perceived the world on land. They really were off sometimes." Jade remarked.
"The fork...I mean dinglehopper, was hilarious." A mirthful twinkle from the memory danced in Ace's eyes.
"I'm pleased to hear that you all enjoyed your time. I'm sure you're all exhausted from our little sojourn. How would you like to have tea in Mostro Lounge? It is almost time to open." Azul's offered.
Grim cheered with a little bounce as the group heads to the Octavinelle dorm. "Yahoo! I'm totally ready for a snack."
Upon arriving at Mostro Lounge, many seats were occupied with Octavinelle students pacing around serving and taking orders.
"Special drink for me!"
"I'll have the limited meal combo."
"Coming right up!"
Ace's jaw dropped. "Eeh?! Why is it this crowded already?"
"Oh my, it seems our 'special advertisement' is already bearing fruit." Jade remarked, having changed into his snazzy dorm uniform with magic.
Jack quirked a brow. "Special advertisement?"
"After Azul's Overblot, the headmaster got pissed and said we're not allowed to use the contracts to take people's abilities... So Azul made a point card." Floyd chirped.
"A point card...for Mostro Lounge?" Strix inquired.
"Yes. The 600 madol special drink gets you one point. The 1500 madol combo meal gets you three points. If you are able to save up 50 points you are allowed one meeting with me to discuss any trouble you may be having." Azul stated.
"Anything goes?" Grim asked.
"Even about...school work?" Deuce said slowly.
"But of course."
"And if you are able to save up three point cards you can get an even more desirable special service." Jade chimed in smoothly.
"If you would like more information please take a gander at this pamphlet or the restaurant's website." Azul said, handing Strix the pamphlet for the first years to look at.
"You guys did all that last night?" Strix muttered, surprised how quick they came up with this interesting system after learning from their mistakes. A smile lifts her lips. She likes it.
"Fgna! I'll have the special drink!" Grim raised a paw.
"Me too!" Ace was quick to follow up.
"I'd like the meal combo..." Deuce said.
"Thank you very much for your order."
Jack and Strix deadpanned at the three. "You guys..."
"None of them look particularly repentant..." Strix internally weeped. There's no way to help those brainless idiots, is there.
"Jade, Floyd, it's time for business."
"All right."
As the boys head to take a table, Strix glanced to the side of Mostro Lounge. "Azul, I've been meaning to ask, but is that piano a new addition?"
Her finger points to a grand glossy black piano left unattended.
"Yes. After hearing from Jade and Floyd, I had planned to make use of your entertainment talent once you became my slave. Of course, you're not bound to my contract anymore. Though if you still wish to play, I have a deal for you with no strings attached."
Strix raised a peculiar brow. "And that is?"
"I heard you've taken two 'jobs' for Heartslabyul and Savanaclaw to make as much income as you could. However, if you are willing to be employed as a staff member for Mostro Lounge, I will appropriately pay you fo your services. Even more so than the headmaster could have."
"I accept your offer wholeheartedly. Compared to everything else I've done, this feels more like an actual job. Thank you so much, Azul!" Strix beamed a wide smile, delighted to finally get a legitimate paycheck.
Sky blue eyes blinked down before the silver-haired male tipped his glasses upwards, shyly glancing away under the shadow of his fedora. Her reaction was poured with sincere gratitude that it flustered him for a bit. To think this is the same cunning prefect that overthrew his plans...
Despite this, he managed to smoothly reply, "I'm glad to hear that. Now then, today is a busy day, so I'd like you to get started right away if you don't mind..."
"I don't. I actually would like to earn some money before Grim flushes my wallet down the drain after this..." Strix glanced to where Grim sat with A-Deuce and Jack chatting animatedly.
"All right..."
With a wave of his octopus cane, Strix's school uniform was replaced with the glossy black suit, gray scarf wrapped loosely around her neck once. Her hair is pulled into a side ponytail resting on the right side of her chest with a gray cord, some strands from the other side of her hair loose and dangling. The black and white shoes are more simpler but still glossy to perfection. As usual her heart lock is present, resting below her bowtie.
"Octavinelle students working here must wear the dorm uniform during their shifts as well," Azul began, "but it would be out of place if the esteemed pianist were to play in simply their school uniform."
Strix examined her new attire before grinning. "I like it. Thank you."
Azul smiled. "I have high hopes for you, Strix. Keep our customers occupied while they're waiting." He then leaves to serve the customers.
Strix sits before the piano and flexed her fingers, long digits ghosting the keys. Since this place is full of jazzy vibes, it would be appropriate to match with a jazzy piece of her own. If only there were more instruments like the trumpet and violin to help make this piece even more of a fun tune. It can't be helped, she'll have to make up for that with more handiwork.
(Please refer to Kingdom Hearts Memory of Melody's "Dearly Beloved" version. It's a BOP XD)
All heads and ears perked up to where the piano is. Both employees and customers listened to the catchy tune with a skip in their step, tapping feet, and heads bopping to the beat. The mood has greatly improved now that a new background music has taken place.
"Ooh, I like this song! I've never heard it before. Is it an original piece?"
"This is so addicting to listen to, I just want to party to this!"
"To not need music sheets to guide her... She's memorized the piece by heart. Just as I've heard, her skills are undeniably professional." Azul mumbled. It's as though he just hired a celebrity pianist without the demanding pay. This is fortunate for his business. What an opportunity!
Floyd skipped to where Strix was, crossing his arms over the piano frame and watching her with childish joy widening his eyes. "Shrimpy, you're so cool playing the piano."
"Floyd, don't distract Strix and continue keeping an eye on the customers," Jade chided.
He was about to pull his brother away who was pouting that he was doing his job when Strix smiled up at them. "It's okay, I can still manage a conversation like this. And thank you, Floyd."
The twins' shared shocked expressions. Her hands are still moving perfectly in tune with the song.
"That's...beyond a pro's level." Azul gaped, glasses falling crooked. She's not remotely looking at the keys!
Jade chuckled in amusement. "I think you found yourself a rival, Azul."
Strix craned her head over her shoulder (still not skipping a beat in playing). "You play the piano, too, Azul?"
"Yes, I do, back in middle school. Though it appears the results of your training brought you beyond human expectations..." Azul fixed his glasses and stared at her hands dancing across the keys, much to his dismay.
Strix shrugged. "I can do this in my sleep. Literally."
A meow was raised behind them.
A purple and neon blue cat Dream Eater with golden bells at the tip of its triangle ears and collar and a floating music note for a tail rhythmically bounces on its six legs to the beat.
Necho Cat bounces sideways before skipping on all six paws. A ring of light music notes surrounded the Spirit before bursting with magical energy, releasing them across the Mostro Lounge with a beautiful shower of soft light.
When she ceased playing, what startled her was the cheering and whistling of the customers and waiters alike, applauses thundering the Mostro Lounge. Some students even used magic to summon a rose before tossing it her way.
The bewildered Strix could only stand up to bow and hastily catch the roses flying for her. Though she has her share of friendly reception in her piano competitions and concerts, somehow when it comes to the students of Night Raven College the sentiments warmed her heart. Perhaps because it was not just an audience of people of all ages silently assessing her skills, but just a crowd of high school boys who simply came to the lounge for a fun time.
Strix tugged the rim of her fedora lower to hide the silly grin she was sure was out of character, and perhaps her bashfulness as well. Even though the student body can be egotistical and uncooperative, she was happy. To be able to play the piano freely instead of visiting the Mystery Shop to ask Sam or under the music teacher's watch while earning money in the process is a win-win!
Necho Cat peered up at Strix curiously. Strix knelt to scratch under its chin, eliciting loving purrs from the feline spirit.
"Hey, Strix... everything's fun and all, but why does it have six legs?" asked a mildly horrified Ace when he and the boys came up to her to eye the new familiar.
"Don't know. But it does know how to dance with two more pairs than you could ever with just one~" Strix cheekily replied with a grin. Ace rolled his eyes.
Meanwhile Necho Cat was staring at the Octavinelle trio who were counting their sales as its master shared friendly banter with her friends.
A dark eerie shadow crossed the Spirit's expression, yellow pupils narrowing intently and grin creeping upwards as it licked its lips.
From the corner of her eye, Strix notices the Dream Eater slowly on the prowl for the trio's unsuspecting backs before grabbing it in place.
"No Necho Cat, they're not blue Swedish Fish candy," Strix uttered sweetly under her breath for the Spirit to hear, ignoring the stares from her friends as she laughed nervously and calms the Spirit down with doting whispers and rubs to distract it.
Floyd looks over his shoulder to meet Strix's tense smile focused on rubbing Necho Cat's face to avoid eye contact. He tilts his head before shrugging. He must've been imagining things.
"Spectacular! Our sales were at least three times what they normally are!" Azul exclaimed.
Jade smiled. "Fufu. Our plan to reinvigorate business is going swimmingly."
Azul nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, we'll have no problem with the bottom line like this. I will open a second Mostro Lounge, just you wait!" much to the underclassmen's dismay and the twins' amusement.
"He doesn't know when to quit!!" Exclaimed Ace.
~~~~~~~
The piano is a precious memory he left behind for her to cling to when he was absent from every aspect of her life.
Though her dream of fulfilling his wish has yet to come true, she never gave up on the instrument. Everyday she would spend at least an hour rhythmically tapping the keys away, honing her abilities while composing her own music.
She had sworn to compose a piece in honor of her big brother. The feelings of gratitude, love, and happiness were devoted into this very melody.
["You're just a heartless monster in human shell. Nothing you do will earn you love and recognition behind your words and actions."]
She didn't care. No matter how many piano competitions she won, the encores and grand applauses from her audience, the praises and appreciation of her talent she worked desperately hard to earn... They don't matter to her. The trophies and medals are all decorations to gloat about.
No one would see her for herself, anyway. Just another prodigy who would provide the best entertainment for the untrained ears none the wiser. She only participated to spread her name for Caelum to hear, nothing more nothing less.
All she wanted was to prove that only she can grant her dear brother's wish. That is the only purpose behind her dream.
~~~~~~~
Ever since Strix signed up to work at Mostro Lounge, her spirits has been uplifting. She would nonstop scribble on the music sheets coming to life with music notes. She just couldn't stop when countless ideas and memorization of the songs she loved to play from her world are recreated in Twisted Wonderland. All the Disney tunes she has a bias for took priority. Wouldn't that be fun to reference songs that fly over everyone's heads in this world.
Strix was skimming through the music sheets with her fountain pen tucked in her ear as she walked through the glass hallway of Octavinelle. After she had told Azul earlier in the day that she works best at night, he had assigned her to night shifts and would only call her over if the hour is busy in the morning shift.
Strix shook her right hand. She had used her dominant hand to write all these songs nonstop last night while the drive was still high. Now they're sore, but this was nothing new for her.
While reading the music sheet for any errors, the pale blue light she had used became dark. Pursing her lips, she looked to the side to see the source blocking the light.
Only to jolt and step back at the flock of fish hovering over the glass separating them. A variety of species are staring at her.
Strix stared. She steps to the right. They drift right. She steps to the left. They drift left.
This...is kind of creepy at night, actually. Maybe it would have been cute at daylight, but right now she would prefer not to be tracked down by several fish eyes.
"What are you doing, Shrimpy?" Floyd comes strolling in.
"Oh, Floyd-senpai. I was trying to shake them off me but I don't think I'd have a peace of mind knowing these guys are waiting for me when I come out," Strix explained before shooing them with her hands. They were too mesmerized by her appearance to pay heed. She could almost see the heart eyes in all of them.
"I bet that's 'cause they mistook you for a mermaid." Floyd bemused before standing next to her and glancing over the dense flock of fish forming a shadow over them, his yellow eye glowing almost naturally.
Strix furrowed her brows. That again? A similar thing happened to her back at the Atlantica Museum. Even the security guards there thought she was a mermaid princess from a faraway kingdom. Does she really look like a mermaid?
While Strix thought this to herself, she only just realized Floyd had scared the fish away with a "Boo!" Even sea creatures themselves are afraid of him.
"Thanks, Floyd-senpai." Strix glanced back to her papers to resume where she had left off with the light returned.
Floyd stares down at her, an unreadable expression masking his eyes.
Strix raised a brow when she sees him stand in front of her. "Floyd-senpai?"
A pair of large hands slide under her arms and gripped where the limbs and shoulders meet. Strix squeaked from the contact. Abruptly, the feeling of her weight plummeted in her stomach and a gasp lurched out of her throat. Her dangling legs were high above the ground, courtesy of the straightened arms holding her with ease.
White and black sheets rain past the young man.
Vivid blue eyes from the depths of the sapphire blue seas to the bright surface waters touched by the morning sunlight expand in surprise, boring down at him.
A glimmer shone in his mismatched eyes, lips parted breathlessly. It was the same as the view of the ocean above. Like home.
He pulled her close, chin resting on her shoulder. "I like you, Shrimpy~ You're interesting."
Several question marks float around Strix who could only clutch Floyd's shoulders to stabilize herself. What is going on? That wasn't a love confession just now, right? Based on what he just said, he likely just sees her as the object of interest and nothing more.
She became aware he's impulsively handsy and touchy-feely compared to others she met so far after a few interactions, but just now he didn't seem to act like he's trying to get under her skin. Was he being genuine? Or was that just a spur of the moment?
Regardless, Strix couldn't suppress the trembling in her body. How long is Floyd going to carry her like this?! This is too close for her health.
"Floyd-senpai, please put me down."
"But I like holding Shrimpy. Just the right size," Floyd sang in a singsong, firmly holding her in place with an arm under her legs and the other across her back.
Her brows furrowed slightly. His embrace was almost tender that she didn't want to believe his touch was gentle. It reminded her of her brother when he used to carry her exactly like this as a child, and brought back nostalgia for her in the most unexpected form of an unlikely person.
That's to say she is in no way seeing Floyd as her brother. The thought only terrifies her and the comparison is highly discouraged.
Strix grumbles under her breath, "What am I, a baby to cradle?"
A hand picks up a scattered music sheet among the others surrounding them. "I see Floyd is in a good mood."
Strix slowly glanced to the amused twin who had finished collecting all the papers in one stack. "J-Jade-senpai... Help."
Jade's smile only widened the slightest as he glanced up to meet her stiff visage illuminated by the pale blue light of the sea.
"Oh my, what an interesting situation you found yourself in. What shall I do? It seems the reason Floyd is in a better mood is because of you. It wouldn't do well to upset him as it is now."
Strix knew he was enjoying this. Behind his gentlemanly demeanor belies a sly eel just like his brother. The duality behind this man scares her in thinking how much of a threat he could really be if they were truly at each other's throats. Such malicious thoughts is far beyond her juvenile train of thought. Can't she ever ask anyone in this school without being expected for a favor over a minor thing?
"You could just...ask him to put me down..." Strix mustered just barely above a voice for him to hear, trembling under her clothes. Please let her touch the floor...
Jade hummed thoughtfully. "Floyd, would you put Strix down?"
"Eh~? Don't wanna." Floyd tipped his head away in response.
"So he says."
" 'So he says' my neck! I can't work like this! Azul will get mad. Floyd-senpai, please put me down."
"But I like carrying you like this." Floyd emphasized by giving her a squeeze. He started rocking in place. Now this is just embarrassing.
"And that's good enough a reason?" Retorted the girl.
After Jade prompted them to enter Mostro Lounge to get to work (still leaving Strix in the mercy of Floyd), Strix internally bit back a wince and rubbed the back of her neck. Her neck pain from staring down at the piano keys and from looking up at monstrously tall men is killing her.
Upon entering, Strix was magically changed into her Octavinelle uniform. She was still carried by Floyd over his shoulder. No doubt there were several eyes called to attention to the entrance.
"Floyd-senpai, why are you carrying Strix?" The voice came from Ace.
"Oi, what're you doing to my henchman?" That was Grim.
"What happened?" Deuce asked.
"Nothing in particular. We just happened to meet while on our way here." Jade replied.
Floyd's grip shifted on Strix. He then pursed his lips before suddenly remarking, "You're so tense, Shrimpy. I'll squeeze you to make it go away."
She doesn't know what exactly he meant by that but would prefer not to ask for elaboration. "Uh, no thank you. I rather not-!"
Despite her protests, Floyd had finally set her down to the floor and engulfed her in a bear hug.
Crack!
Ace, Deuce, and Grim's jaws hung open.
"Oi, that sound just now..."
"Did that come from Strix?"
"Fgna! Did you kill her?!"
Floyd plopped Strix back to her feet, boasting an innocent grin. "Here ya go."
The blue-haired girl staggered for a bit and reached behind her. "My back..." The cogs turn in her head as she stretched her back without feeling the strain. Her eyes widen. "It's better... Floyd-senpai you're a genius!"
Floyd swayed from the soles of his feet with a grin. "Hehe~ Praise me more~"
The braincell trio huddled close together and stared at Ramshackle's prefect. Grim was brave to ask, "Strix... Are you okay?"
She turned her head to meet their pale faces with her blank one. "Never better. Why do you ask?"
"N-Nothing..."
...
Another long shift at Mostro Lounge has passed. Before she realized, it was closed for the night.
She slumped on the leather sofa chair with a long sigh. It's already been demanding with her performances for the past few days.
A cup of freshly brewed tea is placed before the girl. "Good work today, Strix."
"Thanks, Jade-senpai." Strix lifted the teacup to her lips. "This is good."
Jade remained standing with tray held in front of him. "Brewing tea is my specialty." A pause. "It seems you've grown accustomed to your surroundings now."
"No, that's not true. I don't think I could ever get used to this world." Strix rubbed her nape, gazing into the glass tank wistfully and a smile gracing her lips. "But it's really fun."
Olive and yellow eyes stared.
Slender fingers snake behind her neck. The coy smirk glowing down at her widened upon feeling her pulse rise from his touch.
Her lips pursed tightly in an uneasy line, biting back any flustered sounds she could make down her throat. The crystal blue glow illuminating the front of his handsome face brought out the color of his turquoise blue hair. His diamond earring twinkled behind his long black strand of hair falling over his golden yellow eye.
Internally Strix would have her eyebrow twitching. Damn these handsome boys...
The pads of his fingers knead her nape. Her breath hitched.
She doesn't blink her dilated eyes. They retained eye contact throughout it, either side unwilling to break away. Strix took it as a challenge while Jade was testing the waters. How long until she cracks an amusing expression under these circumstances? How will she take this?
They were unmoving from their positions while Jade casually massages her nape like it was normal. They weren't at dangerously close proximity, but somehow the longer Strix stares, the more imposing he appears to be.
If she tries not to focus on him, this is actually relaxing. The same hands that skillfully prepared the tea are working to ease the tension in her neck.
A velvety smooth voice registers in her ears.
"That's it... Relax."
Her eyelids droop halfway. Crap, she's about to drift to sleep.
Strix closed her eyes and slowly exhaled through her nose.
Jade examined her unwavering expression. "...You're rather calm."
She is not calm at all on the inside. Her poker face is simply best in situations like this.
Strix peeked one eye open. "I appreciate the massage, but you can let go now."
Jade complied and finally slipped his hand away, brushing against the loose strands of her side ponytail as he did. A dazed fog clouded Strix's eyes.
He smiled his usual gentleman smile. "How does your neck feel?"
Strix slowly reached for her nape. Her eyes fall flat with a stubborn brow feigning a tough exterior. However, Jade knew she was still recovering from her flustered turmoil behind it. "...Better. Thanks."
A chuckle. "I'm relieved to hear that. Do take care of your health. It won't do well for either side if you suddenly collapsed."
She glanced sideways. "Right..."
After Jade left, Strix finally loosened her shoulders and heaved a sigh.
These twins are too much for her heart to bear...
~~~~~~~
There was no way she could ever find the missing key she needed to complete the puzzle. Something in the song is missing. Something that is vital to capturing the essence of the sea.
The composer-block plagued her mind for months. Soon they were voiced over by the man whose face never registered. He was best at tormenting her verbally, when he knew she could never say anything to revolt against the cold hard truth.
She could hear him breathe into her ear these words:
"Look at you, playing around an instrument for your amusement instead of repenting for the death you caused. All your worth amounts to is atoning for your sins. The piano is just a toy to make you feel better about yourself; while we're still grieving over the happiness you could never hope to redeem after you robbed it from us. And it will never come back."
"Happiness is a fleeting thing for the likes of you. You know that very well. Spend your time wisely on repenting for your mother's sake instead. Everyone will be much more happier."
A fire rages haphazardly in her heart.
Before she knew it, white surge of pain paralyzed her fingers.
She bit her lower lip and doubles over in pain. In her temporary lapse of blinding rage, she accidentally pushed the drawer without withdrawing her fingers. It was a foolish injury inflicted on herself to control her emotions.
She choked a sob and rested her head on her desk, hands stiff and bleeding red from the dents in the knuckles. She can't feel them.
Hovering above her she could sense the jeering smirk of her faceless father drinking in the agony.
She would not touch the piano for a long while until her fingers healed. By the time they do, however, an envelope containing a wedding invitation would arrive.
Her father became a much more prominent presence in her nightmares since then. The pressure of rushing overwhelmed her, and before she realized, she had slammed into a brick wall. Mulling over her weakness to finish her song by the deadline, she did not reattempt playing the following weeks by the time the special day arrived.
On the night of the wedding, she was distant from the world. She would occasionally glance to Caelum's direction when she thinks he isn't looking with a longing gaze. Yet when he turns his head to her general way more than often, she hid.
She wanted to believe what she saw was real. That he wanted to see her, too. To reconnect. But she was too much of a coward to face him.
Something stirred in her heart that compelled her to run away. She didn't understand why. Right then and there, she was fearful of talking to him.
Could it be the nightmares corrupting her mind? She had always feared he would forget her and acknowledge her with a distantly polite smile that only saw the shell of a young girl. She didn't want to see him act as though they were strangers.
What convinced her of this was the fact that this could come true. They had only spent three years together as sibling figures in the other's eyes, and through the end of his departure she had not once managed to recover from her muteness. It would be likely he had to eventually forget her when he's bombarded with college work and responsibilities as a young adult.
"But you don't believe that," Sidney had once told her when she had confessed quietly in a secluded corner housing a bench for two. His callous, veiny hands grasped his granddaughter's in his. She had tearfully noted how small they were now that she has grown bigger.
Despite the frail hands, they radiated lingering warmth. Horror squeezed her heart when she desperately wished to keep the warmth strong and alive, yet she couldn't do anything but hold on to his hands.
"Your brother treasures you far more than you may have realized. Have faith."
Behind his small smile, she detected sadness. She knew he saw the darkness that clung to her since she ever remembered. It would never leave her alone until her last breath, continuously whispering curses and weaving promises of despair for her demise. Even now she could still hear that man's voice vividly, no matter how much she tries to forget everything beyond his face.
The girl grazed her thumb over a blue vein from the back of his hand. She bowed her head and gingerly pressed his bony knuckles to her forehead, brows trembling nonstop.
"But I'm scared he'll leave me again like that man..."
No words were offered to the silent vulnerability behind his hand.
~~~~~~~
It was rare for Azul and Strix to be alone in the Mostro Lounge. The dorm leader would have been counting expenses at his private office if he wasn't in the need to quench his thirst. Jade had already excused himself after serving him tea, claiming he had to finish the rest of the documents he worked on by tonight.
He sipped his warm tea by the bar, surrounding himself with the peaceful silence of the restaurant along with the scratch of pen against paper.
From two stools away, Strix was once again diligent in her work. The scene had quickly became a familiar sight in Mostro Lounge. Her bent back frozen in position and bright blue eyes flittering from left to right as her hands glided across the paper showed no signs of surrendering to a moment of relief.
Azul would have pressed her to retire for the night, but she claimed she likes to work in Mostro Lounge where she could focus while surrounded by the sea. The environment was essential to her inspiration, she had once said. It sounded serious to whatever project she was working on that he allowed her to stay after business hours.
Strix tapped the pen and frowned. "Azul, do you have a pen you could lend? I think mine dried out."
"Here," Azul produced a fountain pen from his pocket and slides it to her.
Strix thanked him and tested it at the corner before resuming her work.
"I can't help but notice you've been in a good mood lately." Azul remarked.
"Well, I really like this dorm. The underwater aesthetic is beautiful. I get to work and have fun here. I don't think I'd get tired of the scenery." A smile was on her lips.
Azul glanced to the papers sprawled on the piano board. "Are you still at it with songwriting?"
Her brows creased sheepishly. "That was to recreate the songs from my world. This is an original piece I've been working on for years."
Azul's interest piqued. "Really?"
"Yeah. It's a song devoted to my brother figure. He's the reason I got into playing the piano."
Strix paused. The smile dims until it pulled into a realization made too late. The black notes stared back into her.
That's right... How could she forget something so important?
["I'd love it if you played a song at my wedding."]
Strix subtly clutched the music sheets so as to not crinkle them. She's so stupid. To throw away her dream of making Caelum smile by not playing on his special day after waiting all these years. All because she allowed her ugly, pathetic misery control her. Now she doesn't know if she'll get another chance ever again, to turn time back and propose playing the piano for his wedding.
She stared at the empty space in the music sheet where she had struggled with a verse to perfect this composition for a long time. After visiting the Coral Sea, a spark reinvigorated her creativity and ideas to life for the first time since she last built on this song. Everything suddenly became clearer when she realized what she lacked to understand.
The road from being a child to becoming an adult is a treasured time. To invoke a wave of nostalgia from childhood is to long for returning to the time when the world was still open and full of opportunities.
"Strix?"
Azul was met with silence. He watched as she then drew a few music notes and gathered the sheets before she slipped off from her chair stool.
"I think I found what I was looking for. I'm going to try it out right now. Azul," She looks to him, "I need to know your opinion as someone from the sea. Please listen."
Azul meets her unwavering resolve and formed a smile. "I'd be honored."
He crossed his legs on a chair brought closer to the front row seat of Strix's performance.
She closed her eyes.
Behind the darkness, a world of light shines a twilight glow. She would feel the ocean waves hit her feet, listening to the distant cries of seagulls and the splash of the tides gently reaching the shore where she played the grand piano.
Standing at the edge of the shore is one man whose face was blurred by the rays of sunlight.
(Please refer to Kingdom Hearts 3 "Dearly Beloved" version. It's so powerful and emotional and is one of my favorites.)
Her fingers tapped on the piano. It started off with the minor spectrum of the keyboard. Before she had begun, Azul was waiting for the dramatic climax to happen in the later verses.
Yet when the minor keys change to major within the first ten seconds, the octo-mer was shaken to the core from the powerful chords. Like a tidal wave suddenly crashing against the shoreline before slowly returning, it struck him when he least expected it.
The song reminded him of the ocean vividly.
Strix slowly opened her eyes to the monochrome keys as she continued. If she looked over to the side, would she see Caelum smiling tenderly and gaze at her with pride and joy? He would come and praise her for the lovely performance with a loving pat of the head she so craved since seven years ago.
After seeing the boys praise and applaud her piano skills she was proud of, fulfillment swelled her chest. For almost a decade she had convinced herself that being a pianist was only to see her brother's smile, but a part of her underneath relishes in the acknowledgment of others. What first started out as a mission under the guise of a "dream" became the path to a career she wants to continue even after her wish came true. She didn't want to stop at Caelum's own personal dream. No, she wouldn't have enough once she stopped there.
All those intensive training of sore fingers and staring at the keyboard would only be a fraction's worth of seeing his smile. It was thanks to Caelum that she found something worth working hard for. If she can hone her talents to her full potential and beyond to give herself purpose, she would do whatever she can to achieve happiness in both her audience and herself.
Even if playing the piano would be the last and only thing she has to offer.
Soon the melody came to a beautiful end. Strix rests her hands on her lap. A quiet applause clapped in the silence.
"That was a splendid score. Truly remarkable. One would be reminded of the sea. Have you named this piece yet, Strix?" Azul asked.
Strix tipped her fedora lower to shield her eyes. Her lower lip puckered before mustering a bittersweet smile. The memories of her precious family comes pricking at her eyes and squeezing her heart.
"Yeah. It's called..."
~~~~~~~
Dearly Beloved
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Short Extra: Foolish Request
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Another day of working at Mostro Lounge passed, this time less hectic and crowded before. Strix was sent away earlier to relax and reconnect with Grim now that another job took up a day of her week, this time replacing her nighttime routine.
In the VIP room, the Octavinelle trio were counting money and skimming through requests sought for with Azul's abilities. There are just some students in this school who would go directly to the negotiations instead.
Unsurprisingly, the requests so far have been...mundane. Of course these are high school students he's dealing with, but he would like it if there was some exciting bargains in his business.
Azul was sorting the forms when one caught his eye at the mention of a particular individual's name on paper.
The dorm leader silently slid the paper for them to see. Jade picks it up as Floyd walked over to peer over his shoulder. A sinister grin flashing sharp teeth bloomed their identical faces.
Make Strix Noctowl fall in love with me.
A dark shadow crossed the trio's expressions.
"An amusing but foolish request having the audacity to steal our precious pearl..." Jade mused.
"What do you want us to do?" Floyd asked.
"Bring them here once I arrange an appointment. I'll make them see that love is forbidden even by the laws of magic."
Of course, it only mattered when Strix comes to mind. She is vital to Mostro Lounge, after all. To sacrifice her time with a relationship built on manipulation and brainwashing would do no good to anyone. Their business will be harmed by the sudden loss of their new entertainer.
It was no matter to the requester. With meticulous planning the person will undoubtedly overlook, Azul would simply gain a new sla- ah, employee to the list.
...
Note: Though Strix is implied to originate from our world where Disney exists, pretend that Kingdom Hearts doesn't exist whenever Strix said "Deadly Beloved" is an "original piece" for the sake of storytelling. I thought this would go without saying, but I added it just in case.
Scarabia here we go!