Here she was. The festival grounds. For the most two important events of the year. The Ceremony of Performance. And the Scale Engagement.
She wasn't sure if she'd find anyone this year. If she never did, they'd be chosen for her or she'd be demoted to Verse, and that definitely wouldn't help her rise up.
As for the Ceremony of Performance, Cassidy was going to preform a song called "The Difference of Gold and Silver". It was one of her favorite songs when she was a Rest. She learned it all the way to her ability and magic limit of being a Tone. Hopefully that was enough...
"Now, now, Cassidy, find yourself a nice young man this year and have fun", her mother had said.
"I'll try...I still have three other years after this."
"True, but the sooner, the better!"
Cassidy rolled her eyes, but she knew they were right. The sooner you found someone, the better. It sometimes took time to learn what you needed to know from that someone or it was better for the less fortunate family to save up for their have of the wedding. Let's just say Rhapsomoticx weddings were very extravagant.
"Good luck on your performance kiddo! Your ma and I will be sure to see it." her father had stated, a grin plastered on his face.
The young Tone smiled and nodded. "See ya."
Cassidy walked away from her parents, and to the meeting area.
Once there, Cassidy found her small group of friends and almost strode over to them, but saw that they were already splitting up. Meaning they already found a someone they got along with, besides those in the group.
"Crap...Looks like I'm alone this year..."
She shrugged in a sort of disappointed way and wandered the crowds.
A few times she bumped into people she knew or caught a couple pairs of eyes, but nothing much more than that. And there was two more hours till her performance.
The orange haired girl decided to stray away from the crowd a few moments later. She'd have a few more years, she could wait.
Cassidy sat under a willow tree by the lake. A yawn passed her lips. "The moon's pretty tonight."
"It is, isn't it."
Cassidy jumped to her feet, startled by the unfamiliar voice. She looked up into the tree and saw a young man, a year or two older than her.
He snickered and jumped down. "Hi, I'm Constel", he said, his hand held out and a grin on his face.
Cassidy hesitantly shook his hand. He looked to be one of the much higher ranks, one that's a part of the Song's Nobility. "Cassidy..."
"Hmm...that's a pretty melodious name..."
"I Guess." She pulled back her hand, rather rudely.
Constel shrugged it off. "Aren't you supposed to be in the meeting area?"
"And aren't you?"
"Not really...", the good-looking male said nervously. "I've already got someone...rather annoying, she is, though."
"Oh, I see."
Cassidy sat down on the grass. "What's her name? Is she pretty?"
Constel seated himself down beside her. "On the outside, just as gorgeous as anyone can get, but on the inside...lets just say it's a train wreck."
The girl nodded. "Her name?"
"Er...a nice name too, doesn't suit her."
"No, I meant what is it."
"I know what you meant, but I'm not supposed to tell anyone." he said, unsure. Then he mumbled something intelligible.
"Ok then."
"What do you like to do for fun." Constel inquired.
"Well...I play my instrument and try to sing...uhm...and tons of other stuff."
"And what are the 'tons of other stuff'?"
"You know, hang around, work. Well may be you wouldn't..."
Constel snorted.
"Well, what do you do for fun?" Cassidy asked, already the enthusiasm gone from her voice.
"You know, important stuff."
"Tch..."
Cassidy glanced down at her watch and groaned. "My performance is soon..." She sighed. "Doubt I'll make it any further..."
"Hmm? What are you doing for the performance?"
"The Difference of Gold and Silver..."
"That's a good choice, how good are you?"
"Only as good as Tones are aloud." Cassidy frowned.
"...I could do it for you, I've perfected the song." Constel said, staring at the moon.
The Tone's eyebrows knitted together as she thought about it. "But...if you get caught in a glamour of me...both of us could either be killed or demoted..."
Constel's eyes diverted to Cassidy, then his face. He grinned mischievously. "I won't get caught, I never have."
Cassidy held back a sigh and nodded slowly, now she looked to the lake water and away from her new friend. "Only if you can play it not at your best...play it as good as a Tone could, only a little bit better, but not much."
"I could do that, piece of cake." He beamed.
"We better head over..."
"Right."
The pair made their way to towards the Achievement Stage and found a place nearby for Constel to make his appearance be that of Cassidy's.
"Well, wish me luck."
"Good luck..."
Constel kissed Cassidy's cheek softly and walked off, with a smirk on his, no, Cassidy's face.
Slowly, the Tone's face grew red. Her hand rose to her cheek and rested on it for a only moments before she heard two voices.
"Crap!"
Cassidy ran out of the alley way, opposite of Constel and looked for a good place to hide, but be able to see his performance.
She found a place on the top of a building, far from people anywhere, but close to the stage. Cassidy thought she could even see her house from here.
Soon enough, her name was called. "Cassidy Raulch, please come to the stage", the large black speakers boomed.
Constel walked to the middle.
"Oh no! I forgot to tell him what kind of instrument I use!!"
This was it, if he didn't use the same instrument, she was done for, she'd be demoted to a Meter! And since Constel was of high rank, he'd be demoted to Verse or may be Dancer. May be only to one of the Common Tunes. He could easily lie and say he was manipulated into this.
He didn't seem like the type, but there's always talk of the Song's Nobility. They appeared to be very kind, but then at a moments notice, to save their own skins, betray the one they were helping.
Cassidy bite her lip and watched, her breathing quickening as he summoned a instrument.
It was a Crystalin! (A guitar, but it's strings are made out of crystal and the part that's supposed to be wood is pure silver, so it's very heavy)
A huge sigh of relief passed her lips. She played the Cystalin, though rare for Tones, or any Common Tune, for that matter to have.
"I will play The Difference of Gold and Silver for my performance tonight", said her voice calmly.
Cassidy crossed her fingers. "Please let this work..."
Her hopefulness failed, though.
Constel played so radiantly, a far much better range then what Tones are allowed.
"This is the end...He doomed us both!"