Night's Children: Nox Noctis
AN OMG I'M FINALLY HERE! I thought I'd never get this done!
Chapter Nineteen: Epilogue: Music for Orpheus
One Month Later.
Hesitant eyes peaked around a ratted curtain as their owner quietly surveyed the scene. Throngs of people, the majority of which were teenagers, all danced to the loud, beating music that thrummed throughout the club. The place smelled like sweat, the sweltering body heat and the lack if any open windows contributing to this, but no one seemed to mind.
The first people who seemed to stick out were none other than Tessa and Aria, the former dancing wildly by herself as more than a few boys eyed her hungrily. Aria, however, was perfectly comfortable with her favorite dancing partner, none other than Turney High's number one everything Ian Saratoga.
"Big crowd tonight, huh?" Came the deep voice of the band's bassist.
Riley turned around slowly and saw Twiggy staring at the crowd, amusingly enough, Riley noticed that his eyes were trained on one particular blonde. She exhaled slowly, "Yes." She whispered.
He tore his gaze away from Tessa to send a look at Riley, "Nervous?" He asked.
Such a loaded question. "For once, no." Riley muttered.
The sound of Jake, the band's drummer, yelling Twiggy's name in irritation resulted in the end of their conversation. Twiggy rolled his eyes, "Better go see what Princess wants." He heaved exasperatedly as he stalked off.
In moments, Twiggy's space was replaced by Imy, "You sure you want to go through with this?" She asked, lowering her voice so Twiggy and Jake wouldn't overhear.
She wanted to back out, honestly she did. Crowds were fine as long as she was neither a part of them or having their attention focused on her, and tonight would definitely result in the latter. She gave a dry swallow, "It's the least I can do."
A sad smile crossed Imy's face, "I just know how much you hate crowds."
Riley tried to match Imy's smile but failed miserably, "I think…" She paused contemplatively, "I think after all that's happened, I ought to be handle awkward social situations."
Imy couldn't help the laugh that barked out of her throat.
Riley sobered instantly, "How's Art?"
Imy's laugh died immediately, "He's hurting, so is Lance." She looked at Riley, "But they're coping." There was a bitter pause, "Riley, you need to do the same."
She stiffened, but knew she couldn't argue Imy's words. Ever since that night a month ago, she had become even more reclusive than she was originally, the only people she ever spoke to were her fellow Daughters, Jimena, Gordon (who had been accepted into the 'team') and Twiggy. Even then, most of it was of necessity rather than to keep up a conversation. Trysten's Cold Fire ceremony and the events after it had still left a stinging sensation in her heart. One that was too sore to be left out in the open just yet.
Suddenly, Killian, the RockOut's stage manager appeared, "You guys are on in five." He spoke hastily before he rushed off again.
Imy inhaled deeply as Riley threw on her guitar strap, "You ready for this?"
Riley gave a barely noticeable nod.
"Alright, ladies and gents," Came Killian's booming voice from a microphone, "Tonight's a special night for all of you regulars. I'd like you to make some noise for The Discards, back from their month long hiatus!"
Riley had expected some mild clapping, maybe a cheer or two for Imy, but the cheers that greeted the band after the curtain rose made her heart stop in its chest. It was then, that she began to realize with a growing anxiety, that most of the people there were here for them.
Imy shot her a questioned look, once again giving her the opportunity to bail out, but Riley shook her head.
Her eyes once again scanned the crowd, smiling lightly at the cheering Tessa and Aria, before she felt her breath catch in her throat as they rested on him.
Tymmie, back by the bar section of the club, was sprawled lazily on a stool, his shoulders propped up on the counter. Giving her a wink and a smug smirk, he lifted a can of beer that he must have smuggled in, up to her in some sort of salute. While his posture and facial expressions seemed lax and playful, the serious look in his eyes put her on the edge.
/I'll be seeing you soon, Lecta He purred across her thoughts.
She sighed, in an attempt to calm herself and put her attention on Imy, who was now speaking into the microphone.
"'Sup?" She began brightly, a large response from the crowd followed, and she laughed a bit before clearing her throat, "Tonight, our guitarist, Riley for those of you who don't know-" Cheers met her name and she felt her face contort in surprise, "Is going to be playing a guitar piece that was written for a great friend of ours." Silence fell in the crowd as they listened, "He meant a lot to us, and Riley felt it appropriate that she play this for him tonight."
The quiet continued as Riley slowly approached the spot where Imy had been standing, a solitary spotlight shining down on her. Several pairs of eyes were watching her expectantly, and for the briefest of moments, she felt herself freeze. Anxiety welled in her chest and she wanted nothing more than to bolt, terrified of all the attention on her.
But…she stopped.
Inhaling deeply, she reminded herself why she was up there tonight. To pay tribute to Trysten, to hopefully show that his sacrifice for her had not been in vain. She was going to live, without regrets and without fear, the way Trysten himself would have wanted to.
It was the one thing she could do for him.
Opening her empathetic abilities to receive the positive emotions from the crowd, Riley did the one thing she had been waiting for.
Riley played.
As her fingers strummed along the frets, her thumb and forefinger clenching the pick like it was a lifeline, she poured everything she had into her song. Everything came out of her that moment, the regret, the guilt, the love, the hate, and the sadness as her guitar seemed to channel it for her.
When she had finished, panting heavily and sweating, she was met with silence before the crowd had burst into applause. She lifted her tired eyes and gave a grim smile, their feelings dictating hers as she began to feel joy.
It was almost a second thought, but for some reason she felt her eyes drawn to a remote corner of the RockOut, a obscure spot that was totally shrouded in shadows. He was here, she could feel it, and her heart thrummed wildly in her chest. All the noise from the crowd seemed to drift into the background as she stared at the shadows that were beginning to take a human shape. A human shape with blue, not yellow, eyes.
But the moment was ended quickly as she heard the cymbals of Jake's drum kit clash furiously, signaling the start of their set. She abruptly turned back to the corner, and was not surprised, despite disappointed, to see that the shadowed form had vanished.
She let out a breath as she began to play along with the song.
They'd see each other again.
She knew it.
And next time, there would be no holding back.
-The End.
Ending Notes:
THANK YOU to all of my reviewers and readers! You've been great and thanks for sticking with me this long! You all get virtual Ramen Noodles!
Here's some little factoids for those of you who would be interested:
Length: 265 pages (oy.)
Characters/Myth:
Riley-Eurydice
Trysten- Orpheus
Tymmie- Demi-God/ King of the Underworld
Cassandra- Queen of the Underworld
Isaac- The Snake
December, Dorian, and Isaac- The Three Headed Dog
Charlie- Charon, the Ferryman
Characters/Music:
Sometimes, listening to certain music gives me inspiration to write for characters, here's a basic list:
Riley: Leaves' Eyes, Depeche Mode, Bauhaus
Trysten: A Perfect Circle, Tiger Army, sometimes AFI
Tymmie: In Flames, Cradle of Filth, Bleeding Through
Imy: Garbage, Save Ferris, Tsunami Bomb
Aria: Shakira. I do not know why
Tessa: any kind of techno/electronica or dance. Normally VNV Nation or maybe Underworld.
Zahi: Kyo
Art: pop/rock like SKSK or Armor for Sleep
And now, what you've all been waiting for:
PREVIEW OF BOOK THREE: CETERA DESUNT
What was happening?
"Mater Luna?" She questioned, knowing only she had this sort of power.
A strange sound that resembled laughter filtered through the once morose surrounding. And Aria turned around to see a beautiful woman, clad entirely in white and walking towards her.
"Not exactly." Was all she said, her voice deep and melodious.
"Did you, did you do this?" Aria asked in wonderment, remarking about the freeze in time.
The ethereal figure nodded, "But it is only temporary. If I had not stepped in, this entire generation of Daughters would have been lost." She lowered her gaze almost shamefully, "It was the least I could do."
"Why?"
Her face turned grave, "I did it so you could heal your wounds and charge your power. This man," She gestured to the immobile Follower, "Is ten times stronger than any Daughter could hope to be." Her gaze darkened, "Fighting him will bring serious repercussions to you."
Aria gaped, "Why just me? I haven't even touched him yet!"
She shook her head, sending golden curls everywhere, "You are the only one who can destroy him."
"I don't understand." She muttered.
"And you won't." The woman agreed, "Not yet." She paused, "You will have to face several trials, before you can even hope to understand. You are blocking yourself from your destiny, Aria, hesitating before taking the final jump into acceptance." She lowered her head, "In the end, if you continue in your uncertainty, you will bring about the demise of the fellow Daughters."
Aria winced, "Why are you telling me this?"
The lady sighed, "You will not remember this conversation. Not until we meet again. It is better that way."
Her eyes widened, "How is that better?"
"Because there are things that someone can only discover for themselves." She replied smoothly, "You will either commit yourself to Selene like the others, or you will not. No one can force you down your path, it must be walked alone. You need to heal the inner doubt inside of you Aria, much like you heal the evil pains within others."
"But-" Aria stopped as she saw the moonlight beginning to recede, and the passage of time reviving.
The lady's eyes widened in fear, "I have stayed too long already." She whispered, and she seemed to think for a moment, considering something, "I will leave you a few words to remember, words that will helpfully keep you safe during your decision."
The darkness had spread, and the Follower was beginning to blink slowly.
"Aut disce aut discede, aude sapere," She warned softly, "Either learn or leave, but dare to know."
And that was all Aria heard before everything vanished in a flash of searing light.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
See you all in Book 3!
!nym!