Chapter I
A young girl of sixteen years stood in front of two graves, tombstones, whatever you call it. She sighed. "I'm here, Mother, Father."
She sat down on the browning grass, facing her parents' graves. The sun was setting and its rays filled the skies with orange lights and coloured the clouds orange as well. A wind swept by, bringing more silence for the girl.
Words were engraved upon the two graves. The bigger one was her father's. This was what was engraved upon it:
King Aion
Respected and Honoured King of Symphonia
Loving Husband
Dearly loved Father
Faithful friend
The one next to it was her mother's. Upon it, lay these engraved words:
Queen Arrys,
Respected and Loved Queen of Symphonia
Devoted Wife
Affectionate Mother
Wondrous Friend
Three years had since passed since the Great War between Symphonia and Perrier. Her father was killed in the war. He fought bravely against King Rier, the king of Perrier. The war had been a weeklong. On the second day of the war, King Aion met King Rier in battle. It resulted in both kings killing each other. A few days later, the Spritzern armies flooded Symphonia and help defeat the Perriern army. The war left both kingdoms without a king. It was said that King Rier had a son, the same age as Prince Caederye. This meant that both kingdoms' successors to the throne were not of age to take over their father's place. After King Rier's death, his Queen took over the throne but sadly, it was not so for Symphonia. Queen Arrys had been so filled with grief over her husband's death that she would neither eat nor drink. She spoke to no one but her children. Yet, even with her children's persuasion to eat, she refused but continued to take care of her children and the kingdom. A month later, she passed away. The eldest of the four children was Princess Caerie who was thirteen and still not of age to take over the throne. So, the Twelve Symphonian Knights took over the ruling till the Princess was of age and the Prince, next.
"How are you, Father, Mother? Are you well? Plont's been taking good care of us along with your other advisors and the knights. They're doing a good job in governing our kingdom," she said, slipping a lost strand of her auburn hair behind her ear.
She laughed. She stared at her parents' graves for a long time. She blinked back her tears and hurriedly brushed them away. "Father, Mother, don't worry about us. We're all fine. The twins are well and I made sure they are learning in their classes…But, Rye…"
The rustling of leaves was heard. The girl looked up from the ground. She cleared her throat. "Rye, if you wish to see Mother and Father, come down from there and pay your proper respects."
More rustling was heard but the girl kept her hazel coloured eyes fixed on the graves. She heard the person jumping back to the ground from one of the trees surrounding the graves. The person stood by the tree, unwilling to move nearer to the graves.
"Rye, come. It's alright. Mother and Father will not be angry," persuaded the girl, allowing the breeze to sweep through her hair once more.
The figure reluctantly moved towards the girl and the grave. It was a boy with wavy black-auburn locks and armed with hazel shape green eyes. He had a black cloak wrapped around his body with the ends of it swishing gently as he walked. His boots made a clinking sound from the chains on them as he strode towards the girl. The metal chain hanging from his black slacks created a symphony with the chains on the boots as he walked. Almost everything on the boy was black. As he reached the girl, he took off his cloak and placed it on the girl's shoulders. The girl thankfully took it and pulled it closer to her body. It was autumn and it was cold. "Thank you, Rye!" she said.
"Yea, well, whatever, Rie!" he replied with a grunt and turned to leave.
"Caederye, when will you face our parents? They're dead and you don't even wish to face their graves. Father died honourably. Aren't you at least proud of him?" asked the girl as stood up and put her arms round her brother's black clothed body.
The boy's expression softened. There was a glint of tear in his eye. "Caerie, you know the reason why I won't face them. They lied to me, I will never forgive them," said fifteen year old Prince Caederye, his eyes watered.
"Rye…I missed them so!" said Princess Caerie as she cried behind her brother's clothes.
"I know…and…so do I," whispered the young prince into the distance.
"Sister Te!! Hammie took my doll!"
"No, I didn't! She took MY truck!"
"Sister Te! I'm hungry! I wanna eat!"
"Sister Te! Sister Te! Look at this!"
"Ewww, that's gross!"
"Hairy! My button came out!"
"What did you call me???" snapped a tall girl with blue sapphire eyes. Her long curly blond hair was tied into a ponytail, its ginger streaks glimmering in the light. Her maroon shirt stood out among the yellow coming from the children crowded around her. The yellow shirts flashed "Sunshine Kindergarten" out menacingly at her face.
The little boy pulled out a pout from his little angelic face and repeated his exact words daringly," HAIRY! My button came out!"
It wasn't the fact that she hated children. She didn't mind them and she needed money. This job had been perfect for her up till that moment. She was a calm person so she took in a deep breath and put on her fierce look. It usually scared children and got them to be obedient. Children! You have to be firm with them at some point of time. She pulled away some of the children tugging at her shirt and pants.
"Toddy, I thank you for complimenting on the fact I have a lot of hair," she smiled at the boy while twiddling her long blond locks. She allowed a moment for the words to sink in.
Toddy had not much hair or maybe he had but what hair he had had much been shaved away. The girl had heard about Toddy's hair when she took the job a few months ago. Apparently, he had played with some scissors and cut his lovely hair here and there. There was once when he even poured yoghurt on top of his hair. His parents' efforts to have a son with clean hair were fruitless. Each time, they washed his hair, the next minute it'd be the home of ketchup or whatever he could, get his hands on.
Toddy started to pull a long face. It was like he was preparing a long speech in his mind. The blond girl sighed and counted under her breath," Five, four, three, two, one…"
"Mummy! Hairy called me baldie!! Mummy!!!" wailed the little boy. Who knew a boy his age could muster so much strength to let out such a scream.
"Toddy, stop crying like a baby. Stop that wailing at once!" said the girl harshly.
The other children looked at the scene with much interest. They knew Toddy was a mischievous six-year-old. They were often bullied by him. They couldn't wait to see what would become of him. Sister Te was a very nice person but she was just as harsh if they put a toe over the line.
Toddy's parents lived just down the road of the kindergarten so it was very convenient for Toddy to be sent there. But too often have they heard Toddy's wails and screams for them. They knew he was a spoilt child thanks to his aunt. Therefore, just like the week before when his cries came round their front door, his mother ignored him.
The girl had met Toddy's parents before and knew they would not come until school was over. "Your Mummy's not coming!" said the girl looking at the wailing boy. "Keep quiet and I will let you play with the others. Or else…"
"What?" the boy dared while sniffing silently.
The girl's eyes stared into the boy's chocolate eyes. "I'll bring you home with me. Your parents have given me permission, I assure you."
The boy looked into the sapphire eyes. They weren't lying. "If I'll be a good boy, will Daddy and Mummy come?" sniffed Toddy.
"They will. I'll even give you ice cream. How about it? Will you behave?" smiled the girl kindly.
Toddy nodded. "Toddy's a good boy, right?" said the girl and wiped off the tears from the boy's face.
Hours later, the blond haired girl stood at the gate of Sunshine Kindergarten, waving at the children leaving with their parents. She smiled and took in the fresh evening air. "Bye, Sister Te!" said a happy small voice.
She turned around to find Toddy giving her a timid smile. "Goodbye, Toddy!"
"This is for you. See you tomorrow!"
Toddy handed her a bunch of fresh flowers and took his mother's hand. Toddy's mother gave her an approving smile. The girl looked astounded but she felt warm inside. Another day gone by.
"Hariette! There you are! Good job with Toddy. You're a first," said a rather old woman walking towards her.
"It was no big deal. You were looking for me, Mrs Paq?" asked Hariette.
"Yes, I met the mailman earlier in the afternoon. He had good news with him. I forgot about it in the afternoon," said Mrs Paq giving the girl a rather thick envelope with her name written on it:
To: Hariette Eisenstaedt
Et Island
Southeast Symphonia
Hariette gasped. It had arrived. The moment she had been waiting for had arrived. She turned the envelope over. An emblem with the sun and the moon joined inside a star had been stamped at the tip of the envelope. There were wordings on the emblem but it was hard to read under the evening light. Her hands trembled underneath the envelope.
"Oh my gosh!" she gasped out.
Mrs Paq smiled at the elated teenager. "Congratulations, Hariette. We're very proud of you. Et Island is proud of you," said Mrs. Paq.
It was a beautiful evening at Lohii Islands. The leaves on the trees had turned a shade of orange leaving only a few specks of brown and green on it. The grass was staring to brown as well. At the beach, the sun was setting. The ocean was glittering with the sun's orange rays. Lohii Islands was known to be one of the most beautiful islands in Symphonia. The birds were all beginning to fly back to their nests. So were the residents of Lohii Islands. The fishermen were packing up as well. Only two people remain seated on the sandy beach, not leaving, not speaking. They were admiring the beauty of that evening. It was a young girl and a young boy, approximately at the age of fifteen. The boy took up his wooden flute and began playing a tune they both knew so well. The tune brought along a light wind, breezing by leaves of different shapes and colours around them. The girl held out her hand. A single orange leaf with green specks fell gently onto her open palm. She smiled. The boy stopped playing and brushed his long, light brown locks away from his face. It was not very long but neither was it very short. They were held together by a blue bandanna underneath the wavy locks.
The two friends stared into each other eyes, wanting the day to never end. The wind swept through the girl's loosely tied long and wavy black hair. She had hazel shaped lavender eyes to match the light purple streaks on her black hair. Lohii Islands were known for their colours but a girl with such appearance was rare, even there.
The girl looked away from the boy's eyes. She thought for a moment, smiled, put her own wooden flute to her lips and played. She played and played and played. The boy did not stop her, he only smiled. But, soon, he seemed to stifle a laugh. She stopped.
"Amiboshi! Why can't I get it right? I can't call the wind like you do! And stop laughing," she look despairingly at her own flute.
She could play the flute melodiously but she could never work the magic of the tune like her friend. Amiboshi burst out laughing at her words. He knew he should stop but he couldn't.
"Oh Ally!" he laughed, wiping the tears off his eyes. "Of course, you can't. You don't have the talent like me," he smirked at her.
Ally looked at her friend and said, "I can learn."
"Course you can."
The two friends laughed away as the sun began to disappear from view. "How long do you think we have to wait?" Ally asked.
"Maybe we don't have to, I'm sure we'll get it somehow."
That was the reason they were sitting there at the beach mainly. They were waiting but it appeared to be late. Ally's stomach gave a rather loud growl. Both friends looked at each other. The girl could not hold the silence any longer. She cried out," I'm hungry!"
The boy laughed," When are you not?"
"Ami, let's go already."
There was a loud flapping of feathers as Amiboshi started to reply. They turned around to find a rather large bird with colourful feathers and a long tail flying towards them. It was carrying two thick envelopes, one tied to its feet and another clamped by the string tied to the envelope by its beak. It descended onto the fine sand beside them, dropped the envelope in its beak, and held out the tied leg. It gave a melodious hum, as if it was trying to tell them it was alright to take the envelope tied to its leg. The boy called Amiboshi knelt next to the bird and untied the thick, yellow envelope. The dark haired girl looked at the second envelope curiously. The one on the sand was hers:
To: Alexis Virgil
Lohii Islands
Northeast Symphonia
But whose was it, the second envelope. While she was lost in her thoughts, Amiboshi had stood up with the envelope and gave the bird a pat. The bird gave a long sound and flew off. Amiboshi turned round to face his friend to find her looking very confused. He laughed. "What's the matter with ya?" he asked.
"Whose is that?" she asked.
He smiled and held up the envelope for her to see.
To: Amiboshi Fune
Lohii Islands
Northeast Symphonia
She was speechless. "No way," she said repeatedly. She ran towards him, snatched the envelope from his hands and gasped. Her face had a wide smile. She turned to the light brown haired boy, he was grinning widely. "How…is this real?" stammered Alexis Virgil as she checked to see if it was a prank. She was lost for words.
He chuckled and snatched his envelope back. "What? Didn't think I'd make it? And of course it's real, silly!"
"But, how…"
"You didn't think I'd let you leave far, far away from Lohii Islands so easily, did you?" said he as lifted an eyebrow at her.
Alexis looked disappointed. "Oh. So, you're not going there because you want to."
He knocked her head lightly. "Course I do. I'm not that silly to waste my time and money going there to study if I don't want to! Unless I'm in love with you or something, then maybe I'd."
Alexis gave him a whack on the shoulder. She was so ecstatic with joy that she jumped on him and put her arms around his neck. Amiboshi, not expecting it, fell due to his unbalance. They laughed together on the sand. "That means…I don't have to treat you for dinner tonight!" she said.
"What? You promised!" he said shockingly, looking into her lavender eyes.
"That was because it was going to be our last dinner together," grinned the fifteen-year-old girl. "What'd Suboshi think?" she wondered aloud.
"He knows. I don't keep secrets from my brother," he said, grinning.
"He's not going?" she asked with a curious look.
"He doesn't have a reason to," was the reply.
The girl smiled and stood up. She pulled her childhood friend with all her might. They put their arms over each other's shoulders and walked drunkenly back for dinner, laughing away.
It was night already at Sheallen Island. The residents had yet to retire to bed, they were still in the streets, either drinking or dancing or wandering aimlessly. Sheallen Island was famous for its beauty and magic but it was also known to be a party island. People at Sheallen Island had a love for parties and gatherings. They were also competitive people with a sharp tongue though it was often out of humour. While most people were out having a good time, only one person remained at home. A fifteen-year-old girl.
She had crimson eyes that reflected her wild side with straight, shoulder length-ed auburn hair that was streaked scarlet to match her personality. Her slender fingers were moving gracefully atop the beautiful organ laid in front of her. They were the cause of the sweet song that was echoing in her empty home. Her hair was wet, as she had just showered. As she played, a musical sound came from inside her mouth. It was obvious she was as a talented musician as a singer. Her family had gone out to celebrate the Moon Festival. The Moon Festival was held every time a full moon approaches to celebrate it's coming. There would be lanterns hung from the strings connecting the lampposts. A bonfire would be held in the middle of the island and folks would dance around the fire. It was a grand celebration.
She groaned in boredom as she stood up away from the organ. Her family had insisted on her staying at home due to her having flu. It was nothing serious, but…well, parents! The Moon Festival was one of her favourites too. She was darned bored. Her friends were out celebrating as well of course. Even the old man next door was out. She slammed her fist down on the small table next to the front door in frustration causing all the letters on it to fall. She gave another groan. As she was sorting out the fallen letters on the floor, something else caught her eye. A lost letter was stuck in between the door hinges. The stupid mail carrier was another horrid one out to ruin her life. She gave it a tug but it would not budge. She gave a stronger pull and heard a small ripping noise. She sneezed as dust flew into her face. "Great, now I'm going to get pimples," she grunted as she looked at the thick envelope properly. It had her name written on the front but the envelope had been torn into half though, thankfully, not its contents.
She reached for a tissue from the box on top of the table and sat cross-legged on the floor. She sniffed into the tissue and started tearing away the envelope. There was a bunch of papers tied together. She untied it gingerly and gasped at the first page, not believing her eyes. She got in! She knew she was a genius and everything, not to mention very talented but never had she thought she would be chosen. She threw the bunch letters into the air with a whoop of joy and rushed out of the house. She must tell her family immediately. Then, she will have a reason to party! In celebration of her success!
The papers were left scattered on the floor among the many other envelopes and bills. This was what the first page of the envelope addressed to Elle Newl:
Dear Ms. Elle Newl,
We, at XXXHolic Symphonia Academy are pleased to inform you that you are among the chosen ones to be given a place at our academic school. We have received your application and we are sure someone with your capabilities will do well here. The papers enlisted with this letter are instructions for your preparation for the new term starting on the 1st of June. Please bring along this letter for admission into school and as proof of your acceptance into our academy. Please be reminded that you will have to send us a reply as soon as possible should you decline your place here. We look forward to having you here. May you have a safe and comfortable journey here, to Aien, Middle Symphonia. Have a pleasant day.
Yours sincerely,
Kimihiro Watanuki
(Slave to the Headmistress, Yuko-san)
P.S. Yuko-san here! Watanuki is the Assistant to the Headmistress and I did not make him a slave neither do I have slaves.
P.P.S. Watanuki here! She forced me to work for her, you know that?
P.P.P.S Yuko-san here! Did not and stop arguing in a school letter to a student! Hope to see you really soon! )