No, Riven isn't here yet, he'll be appearing in the next chapter. This one talks about how things start for Musa and the connections the characters will be facing :) hope you guys like it! R&R!

I'll be updating maybe every 2 weeks or 3 if I'm really busy, but I won't let it reach half a year xD

Chapter 2: New Home

A week after the exposure of Musa's little secret Daphne made sure that the 5-year-old had had no one to see or talk to, she was too worried that the incident she found the child in was traumatizing for her, Musa didn't protest. She spent all her time in that room, having only Daphne as her companion, friend, guest, server, and teacher. All the elders in ACH knew about Musa's condition and thought maybe this way the child could avoid a scarring childhood, it was there only solution instead of letting her face what they knew she couldn't.

Mirta had not known about the news, no one informed her about the approved plans for her best friend. So by the end of the week her imagination went wild, she thought of the worst case scenario, picturing a small child afraid and alone.

"You haven't eaten anything since Friday, Mirta" Daphne was standing behind the slouched girl who stared at her last meal of the day.
"Not hungry" she said with a monotonic voice.
Daphne knew where this attitude was coming from but she couldn't take any more chances "Sweetheart, you have to eat something. You've lost too much weight over the week, you're last quizzes are low and you haven't talked to your friends. Everyone's worried"

But just like everyone, Daphne's words entered in one ear and exited in the other, leaving Mirta blank and expressionless. Poor girl. Everyone thought; they all knew what happened, grapevines spread like wildfire in a small house with a lot of people, especially if the gossip is huge.

Daphne sighed and nodded "Okay, you can go back to your room"

Mirta pushed her chair from the table and excused herself, slowly walking to the staircase and lazily went up. This was her normal routine now. She would skip meals then lock herself in her room; it was a depressing sight for someone as young as her.

But if Mirta had it rough Musa was on the edge. She didn't mind being isolated from everyone, but even she couldn't fight boredom. Every day she had the same routine: Wake up, bathe and brush, wait for Daphne, breakfast, morning exercise, lessons until lunch, lessons until dismissal, play time which she mostly spent with her lessons or music, dinner, bathe and brush, some talk with Daphne and then sleep. It was like her life was on replay and no one could pause or stop it.

Daphne spoke softly to the last door on the top floor of the house, it was a hidden place where only the seniors of the house knew about "Musa, it's Daphne" she held on to the tray she was carrying "I have dinner ready"

There was a tud then silence then a click, Musa pulled the door open and ran back to her chair where she stared and waited.

"Chef Maestro made your favorite dinner, white sauced spaghetti with apple juice" she smiled as she closed the door with her hips, Daphne did everything to make the child's new life less painful, but she knew that things will eventually fall apart.
"Thank you" Musa nodded.
As Daphne settled the tray she noticed how the once lively girl who everyone grew fond of is gone, she's grey and timid, it was like life was sucked out of her system "Sweetie"
She looked up at the only person who could see her.
"Why don't I tell you a new bedtime-story?" she smiled down and handed Musa a small fork.
"Okay" she answered dolefully.

After an hour Musa hadn't finished her meal or her drink, again. She always finished half her food and stared at it unit it gets cold, Daphne won't have a choice but to let her be. Musa was brushing her teeth when Daphne came back up from the kitchen where she delivered the unfinished meal, she had to make this child understand that this decision isn't going to ruin her life, it's doing the opposite.

"I'm ready for bed now" Musa had on her PJ's and was looking at Daphne who was seated on the small bed, she was expressionless as usual.
Daphne lifted her up and settled her under the covers "Alright…"
"Daphy" she called out "What's the story about?"
Daphne smiled and stroked the little girl's head "It's about two sisters that got separated because of mean people"
Musa's eyes widened, she settled in her bed and eagerly waited "What happened?"
"Well," Daphne tucked her in and continued "Once upon a time there was a little girl who had the most perfect parents; they gave everything the little girl wanted and made sure she was safe from any danger. One day, when the mommy and daddy came home the little girl saw that they were carrying this tiny little blanket, inside the blanket was another little girl, but this other girl was really tiny…" Daphne squinted her eyes and narrowed her two fingers in front of Musa, she laughed as response "The little girl didn't understand at first as to who the tiny girl was, but her parents spoke up," Daphne cleared her voice and grunted "Meet your baby sister, dear, you should take care of her because you are the older sister, okay?" Daphne smiled as Musa giggled more to the story.
"You're making funny sounds, Daphy"
Daphne continued "The little girl took her responsibilities seriously with each passing day, she didn't take her eyes off the tiny girl and guarded her from everything. One night, the little girl woke up because she badly wanted to use the restroom, she heard noises coming from her parent's room, glasses were breaking, the walls were pounding and a loud BOOM was heard"
Musa held on to her comforter as Daphne's voice loudened.
"The little girl ran to the tiny girl's room, finding her still fast asleep. Assuming the worst, the little girl opened the window and tossed some towels and blankets outside. She took the tiny girl from the crib and ran to the closet to hide"
"Oh, no!" Musa buried herself in the comforter but kept her eyes and ears alert for Daphne.
"The little girl heard the door open and saw the shadows of 2 men roaming the room, she heard them shouting at each other and leaving once they saw the opened window. But the little girl didn't leave the closet until morning, she couldn't take the chance"
Musa let out a gush of air while Daphne patted her head.
"When morning came the little girl left the tiny girl inside the closet, just in case, and ran to her parent's room to check if they were okay" Daphne shook her head "They weren't, so the little girl grabbed a bag and took the tiny girl out of the house. But the men from last night were back, there car had just parked itself when the little girl ran out, they saw her and she saw them"
"Run!" Musa shouted out "Run!"
"She did, she ran until she got to the village. Those men were after her but she managed to get a head start, she looked everywhere and saw a large rundown cart and decided to put the tiny girl inside with the bag. The tiny girl was still asleep, unaware of anything. The little girl ran again but the 2 men had caught her, she tried to escape but they were pulling her elsewhere"
Musa was looking at Daphne with unaccepting defeat "Call the police!"
Daphne nodded once again "They came and asked the 2 men what they were doing; the little girl paid no attention since she was looking at the large cart where the tiny girl was. Then, suddenly, an elder woman stepped in and told the police who the little girl was and who she was. The little girl was taken by the elder woman while the police took the 2 men"
"Hooray!" Musa cheered and clapped.
"No sweetie" Daphne frowned "Because of that, the little girl lost her baby sister"
Musa's mouth was hung open when she realized what Daphne had said "Oh, no"
Daphne sighed "Musa, this story happened a year before you came to the house, the little girl was only 12 years old while the tiny girl was only a few months old. Every day, the little girl hoped to see her baby sister once again, even if it would take her forever, she'd look for the tiny girl"
"Daphy, did you know them?"
She didn't deny "You could say that"
"Do I know the little girl?"
She didn't deny either, but Daphne smiled when Musa asked "Yeah, you know the little girl"

-3 years later-

Kids were running around ACH while the elders and teachers were preparing a birthday party from a little boy who was turning 7, it was Jared who was the shyest youngster of them all. The girls were either dressing up or buying their clothes while the boys were, as always, rough housing with their toys. Everyone was busy, except the one who was isolated at the top floor.

"Can't I go?" Musa was whining as Daphne cleared the table of the books that they covered, it was a party day but everyone still had lessons "Jared and I were friends, I bet he still remembers me"
Daphne sighed "I know he does, Musa, but you know what Miss Griselda"
Musa grunted "I know, I know 'She must stay there at all times because of…' blah, blah, blah" she mimicked.
Daphne laughed as she placed the books back to the shelves "Very nice, but good that you know"
"But Daphne, can't you do something? I've been a good girl for so long and I haven't seen my friends in a while, please, can't I go to the party?"
Daphne watched as the blue haired child pleaded with everything she got, it was tiresome for her to look after her for all these years "Okay, I'll talk to Miss Faragonda"
"Yes!" she cheered.
"But if she says no, then that's that" Daphne warned.

Musa nodded and resumed back to her scores, after 3 years living in the attic Daphne discovered that Musa had a talent for music. At the age of 8 she could write her own songs and read notes without difficulty, Daphne always kept the child busy with instruments since it usually ate up their time. It was something that helped kept her sane for the last 3 years, Musa could always be tamed with a music lesson, and it even helped her when the child wanted to leave the room from time to time.

"I'll be back, so you…"
"Stay put" Musa finished and smiled at Daphne "Got it"

Daphne rushed downstairs where she found all the teachers rushing in and out the kitchen, the children were playing, the elders were preparing.

By 2:30 pm Daphne was a wreck, the party would start in 30 minutes and she was desperate to find Faragoda. Griselda was everywhere, outside, inside, the kitchen, the children's rooms, the playroom, the classrooms, the chapel, the music room, the gym, even the library. Everywhere she went the grumpy lady was there, she couldn't ask anyone regarding the whereabouts of Faragonda.

Daphne was about to give up when she stumbled across the hall that led to the small balcony, a place where children were off limits to. She decided to pay it a short visit before she'd break the bad news to Musa, who obviously had her hopes up for her short freedom.

She reached the door and opened it.

"Daphne!"
She paused and looked "Oh, Miss Faragonda, I'm sorry"
"It's alright, no worries, my dear" she offered Daphne the spot next to her "What bring you here?"
Daphne accepted "I just figured I could use some air, I was looking for you, Miss Faragonda"
"Oh? What can I do for you then?"
Daphne cleared her throat before speaking up "Well, you know that today is a really special day for Jared, being it his birthday and all, and I just had this idea that it might be more special if all his friends were to be present for him to have a much greater time…"
"You're asking if Musa could go"
"It would mean the world to her" Daphne answered quickly.
"It's okay, "she laughed "Musa can go, as long as there isn't any trouble"
Daphne's eyes brightened with glee "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she grabbed the old lady and gave her a hug.
"Oh, my" Faragonda laughed as Daphne withdrew her.
"I promise to keep an eye on her, don't worry about anything, Miss Faragonda"
"You do that now" she continued to laugh as Daphne rushed out, jumping with joy.

2:45 pm, Musa was staring at her clock intensively; her eyes following the long had that ticked while her ears listened to the toc. It was a long shot. She thought before rolling to her back, she looked at the stars that she and Daphne stuck on the ceiling when she turned 7; it was a gift from her only friend.

She heard a knock and groaned as response.

Daphne walked in with a huge smile and opened Musa's closet "You have to get ready!"
"Huh?" Musa pulled herself up and eyed Daphne.
"The party, it's gonna start soon!"
Musa's eyes widened and the smile that was on Daphne crept up on her "Are you serious?"
Daphne threw clothes at Musa and winked at her.

By 3pm the birthday party was starting and everyone was gathered at the courtyard, there were balloons, streamers, bubbles, party hats, piñatas and ribbons decorated around the yard. The host, Polladium, was easing the children while the other teachers enjoyed each other's company. Children were running, the teenagers were laughing, while the elders stayed in their side as they watched another year of fun pass by for the kids. Another sight to see.

"Remember, what happened back then was long gone and today you're here to have fun" Daphne was patting Musa's back, helping her seal the mysterious of her childhood.
Musa's breathed out and nodded "Got it"

Daphne opened the doors to the courtyard and Musa watched everything and everyone that passed her, she saw new faces and old one, she saw different colors, she heard the sound of someone else's laughter, she caught the scent of different food that she didn't have yet. It was a whole new world to her; Musa loved every second of it.

"I'll be sitting with the other teacher if you need me, okay?" Daphne pointed to table where there were other people who Musa didn't know were seated.
She nodded.
"Hey" Daphne nudged her chin "Have fun"

With those last words Musa was left alone, standing on the porch, nervous, yet excited, about the party and the people. She looked around, trying to find the kids she befriended in first 5 years of her life.

As she made her way to the field of children she hadn't notice that there was a 10-year-old boy looking at her from an apple tree near the piñata, he recognized her instantly and smiled.

"Alright, children, how 'bout we start this party with a game?" Polladium was desperately trying his hardest to tame the children which he later labeled as beasts.
The children huddled around him, those under 10, and chanted for the 1st game they wanted.
A papier-mâché made plaything that kids wanted to break "Alright, alright" Polladium weakly laughed.

He led the kids to the piñata and glared at the other teachers for making him the host of this event, they had a democratic way of choosing and since Polladium was late when the meeting started he was voted, unanimously. Bummer.

"Where's Jared?" he called out "Where's the birthday boy?"
Jared stuck his tiny little hand out and everyone made way for him to pass through.
"Okay, Jared, since you're the birthday boy you get to hit the piñata first!"

Everyone cheered as Knutt tied the cloth around Jared's eyes and spun him, rapidly, around and around. Jared wiggled and waggled with a bat in his hands, everyone took a few steps back and the noise went silent. Polladium thanked the heavens for the silence.

Jared was a few inches from the piñata and held up his bat, he groped around swung as he felt something solid. He swung two, three, four times. He pulled his blindfold to find the piñata still intact.

Everyone aw-ed and chanted once again, Jared laughed and handed the bat to Polladium. He shook his head and looked around, eyeing a shy looking girl who could use some attention.

"What about you, little miss?" Polladium gave the bat to Musa, who had no idea what she'd do with a bat.
She took the bat while Polladium pushed her near the piñata.
The children fell silent once again.
Yes. Polladium thought.
Knutt saw Musa and decided to have a little bit of fun.

Musa had not recognized Knutt but he knew who she was the minute he saw her, Knutt wrapped the cloth around the little girl's eyes and proceeded to loosen the zipper on her dress, a few swings and the dress will fall instantly. Revealing what he had seen 3 years ago.

"Okay now…" Polladium, praying that she'd hit the piñata, started.

Daphne, who was enjoying a few laughs with her co-teachers, looked as to where Musa was and caught her in the hands of the boy who destroyed her childhood. She stood up and watched as he spun her around and around, making the other teacher look as well. All the attention was on that little girl. Yikes.

"Three!" Polladium yelled and Musa was on it.

Just like Jared, she wiggled and waggled, her dress loosening up. She felt it and froze as she swung her 4th swing; the children were still dead silent.

"Oh, no" Daphne whispered under her breath. She dashed over to where the children were before anything else would happen.

She was too late.

The zipper to Musa's dress was half open, exposing small feathers that grew with her fear. Musa pulled her blindfold up and turned her head, catching the eyes of everyone on her. She kept still, scared of what will happen if she moved.

"Musa!" Daphne yelled, trying to get to her.
"Musa?" Jared spoke up, clearly surprised by the unannounced guest that attended his party.
She nodded to him and tears were forming "Ja-"
"Musa's a chicken!" Knutt started.

Everyone started to murmur, whispers were forming and giggled were heard. That's when everyone followed, everyone cantillated the same word that Knutt said.

"Chicken! Chicken! Chicken! Chicken!"

Musa knelt down and covered her ears. She regretted coming out of her room, she had forgotten the humiliation she felt back then. This should be a good enough reminder.

"Musa!" a high voice yelled, catching the sobbing girl's attention.

Musa looked up and saw a familiar red head, a pale girl who gave out a worried expression. Her face was familiar, her voice sounded so trustworthy, but the way she looked scared her.

The redhead grabbed Musa's hand and pulled her up, leading her away from the heartless tease.

"Who are you?" she cried.
"I'm your friend" she smiled down at her "Mirta"

Mirta brought Musa to the front yard of the house where Daphne was waiting for her, her face gave everything away. She was worried sick about the child. Musa cried in her arms while Mirta zipped the dress shut, she patted the child's back and Musa's quieted down a bit.

"Thank you so much, Mirta" Daphne gave her a quick hug "I didn't think she'd get out of that crowd"
"Don't mention it" Mirta smiled "But you should probably get her away from here again, everyone saw the feathers, even the teachers"
Daphne sighed "I know, and you're probably right"
Mirta nodded and stroked Musa's head "It was really nice seeing you again, Muse"
Muse looked at Mirta for a quick second and sniffled "You too"

-8 years later-

Daphne was cleaning her room when Knutt knocked and freely let himself in; he was taller, broader but still messy. After 18 years in ACH Knutt had never discovered the shower or deodorant, he loved how he lived and that usually earned him a warning, he worked outside the home but lived in it, he gives a portion of what he earns to Faragonda but wastes the rest on boozes or women. He was 18, practically an adult, buy no one had the heart to tell him that he had to go.

"Hey, Knutt, what brings you here?" Daphne took a step back, letting the aroma pass her.
Knutt grunted and answered "I need the key to the attic"
"What for?"
"Miss Griselda told me to clean it, it's going to be my new room"
"What?"

Daphne rushed out of her room and was headed to the teachers meeting room where she found Griselda enjoying some afternoon coffee, the keeper of the home was expecting a visit from Daphne, but she didn't think that it'd be this soon.

"Miss Griselda, what is going on?"
"Daphne, please, sit down"
She did "I don't understand, why is Knutt asking for the key to the attic? Musa is still residing there, I don't think it's wise for her to share a room with the other girls or Knutt"
"Miss Daphne, please" Griselda intervened.
Daphne fell silent and bowed her head "Sorry"
Griselda took a sip of her tea and looked at Daphne "It's clear that the news has come to a shock to you but Miss Musa will no longer be residing in ACH anymore"
"I beg your pardon?" Daphne was stunned shock.
"Let me explain…"

-1 week ago-

"Yes" Selene had just gotten back from her tour and was visiting ACH; she was on the phone talking to her manager "Of course not, don't be absurd… Okay. Okay! Bye, sheesh"

As she placed the phone down Knutt was just leaning on the wall, waiting for her to finish up so they could talk about her leave in the industry.

"Okay, I'm done" Selene smiled sweetly at him.
"Finally" he complained "That manager of yours can't live a second without you"
He got closer to her but Selene stopped him there "You don't get near me with that scent, bub, take a bath or keep your distance"
Knutt rolled his eyes and stood a few meters from her "You're so girly, it's disgusting"
"Whatever, so are you gonna tell me what's been up since I left or what?"

Selene had been gone from ACH since she got adopted at the age of 9, Knutt and her stayed in contact, writing letters about their lives and all that, but it was never enough for them to actually tell about the real details of each other's lives. Knutt was a slow learner and was only able to write properly at 10, since he always skipped out when Selene was still in the home, while Selene would always move since her adoptive parents were celebrities that were always needed elsewhere. In short, face-to-face communication was a big help.

It's been 8 years, they're both 18, living their own lives, and are the independent teens they both think they are. Selene was an income actress like her parents while Knutt was on his way into becoming a blacksmith for a metal shop in the village.

Knutt and Selene shared their experiences and stories but the main highlight was the incident of Jared's birthday, the two of them had never forgotten about the whole Musa mystery but Selene also had a reason for coming back to the orphanage.

"It's called Cirque du Magix, my parents and I watched it when I turned 13 and they had these freaks everywhere! It's perfect!" Selene showed him a flyer she kept and sat back, smiling devilishly.
Knutt had the same smile as he read on "It's perfect"

Knutt then continued his story about the attic, how he followed Daphne after the party, discovering the hidden room, and how Musa spent the rest of her childhood alone in that attic. It was perfect for them.

"I can arrange for the papers" Selene offered.
Knutt continued "I can call the freaks"
"And we'll be able to pull a good one on the chicken" Selene laughed as she grabbed her purse.

-Present -

"But I don't understand" Daphne was shaking her head as she slumped herself on the chair "How was she available for adoption? No one knew about her, not even the desperate parents"
"Apparently someone recommended her, the parents won't say who but they insisted on having her" Griselda gave the documents to Daphne.
"How could you not have consulted me with this?" Daphne was scanning the papers, shocked with the decisions made "You could've called or sent me a letter, Miss Griselda, I am the care taker of this child and I don't think you should've…"
"It's already been decided, Daphne" Griselda interrupted once again "You gave your responsibilities to me when you left for your training, I only carried out what I thought was best for the child"
"Yes, but this…"
"Is what's good for her, a home where she won't have to hide herself anymore"

Griselda stood up, with her empty tea, and left Daphne with the approved papers for Musa's adoption. She couldn't believe it; she left for only a month and rested for a week, not knowing that the child she raised was gone since she returned.

Daphne looked at the papers once again seeing the name of the adopter: Frubio Saladin Magix

This cannot be happening.

Musa, with her small bag behind her, was staring up at the place she would be calling home thought that this was some kind of joke. Alfea must've made some mistake; they wouldn't let her stay in a place like this.

"Cirque du Magix" she read silently, before entering.

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