._Aki Ana's Raevan

[Aki Ana]

[Summer Fest 08!]  

[Aki Ana]

Afterthought~

-Pasha and Rivener-

The sunset filled the panes of Melisande’s french glass doors, gold and blue in a sidelong glimmer. Pasha lounged languidly in her low seat…ribbon curling along the slats of the stone balcony. With slow grace, she plucked a single petal from the pale blossom she held…lifting it to the gentle breeze for a moment, before letting it flutter free.

“Sing a song of sixpence,
pocket full of rye…”

Another pink petal tumbled free. Smiling dreamily, thoughts drifting back, the Muse tugged at the flower again as she raised her voice in dulcet wandering.

“Four and twenty blackbirds
baked in a pie~”

Meli paused, lifting the flower…spinning it slowly by its short stem. The sleeves of her white short robe slid back from her wrists, gathering lightly at the crook of her elbow. She enjoyed the image of the white against the setting sun…it rather reminded her of the day she’d resolved to gather her courage. The day she’d decided to go visit Zavier.

Another petal pulled free, curling at the light pressure of Melisande’s slender fingers.

“When the pie was opened,
the birds began to sing:…”

The same day she’d met Lucia. The same day she’d seen Rivener again. The Sigel pondered these things quietly…unsticking her fingers long enough for the gentle wind to tug at the bruised petal. The questioning in the Cat Frei’s face, and the sweet gesture of her kiss, had been enough to spark her own doubt once more. What had she done, to upset him so deeply? Lips curving in an absent smile, Melisande brushed her finger along the remains of the tattered flower. Whatever it was, there were only two ways to deal with it.

There were only two ways to deal with anything. Forward or back.

“Isn’t that a dainty dish
to set before the King?”

The last petal. “Forward…” Said Pasha quietly, and tugged it free.  

[Aki Ana]

RP: Riv and Meli -At the Music Store!  

[Aki Ana]

Homecoming

False dawn painted the sky wan lavender, lining the bottoms of the thin clouds with antique bronze. Melisande’s hands curved delicately over the window ledge as she pulled herself weightlessly upward, peering with wide eyes into the old Victorian. The last time she’d been here, it was with Zave, but Melisande couldn’t wait any longer. This time, she’d come alone.

The thin layer of morning frost upon the pane of glass melted with her breath. The room beyond the window was still dark, just as it had been last time she’d seen it. Last time, though, the window was unlocked. Their close call had surely changed that. Just in case, Melisande pushed gently upward, working her slender fingers under the weathered wooden sill. To the muse’s surprise, the window slid upward easily…the cool morning breeze pushing in and billowing through the gauzy white curtains.

Pasha paused, suddenly uncertain. She’d just come for a look, really…but why was the window unlocked? Even if they hadn’t been caught, surely the man tending the house had seen them trespassing. A tiny, cautious voice tried to call Melisande back, and an odd feeling filled the center of her. Pressing her free hand against her stomach, still clinging to the second story ledge outside the old Victorian, Pasha tried to summon her courage. It wasn’t courage, however, that encouraged her onward. It was simple curiosity.

Silently, before she could change her mind, the Muse slipped in through the window and absently pulled it shut behind her. The room was dim and silent, radiating a cold that spoke of loneliness and disuse. Near the widows was a high bed, neatly made and decorated with a dozen mismatched lace pillows. It was the vanity, though, that drew Melisande’s attention. Drifting towards it, she gazed with parted lips at the assortment of boxes and little glass bottles…strings of pearls, fine fur brushes, and tiny photo frames decorated the dusty wooden surface. Extending one hand slowly, Pasha reached for the closest glass bottle, a curvaceous ruby atomizer that she imagined smelled just like rose petals.

”Waaah~!” Meli’s reach fell short of the bottle as something painful jolted through her, yanking her to a sudden stop as she yelped. Instantly, she froze, clasping both hands over her mouth. Fear fluttered through her, both at the mystery pain, and the worry of being discovered. Despite her discomfort, Melisande stayed frozen, listening carefully for the sound of doors or footsteps. Slowly, once she deemed it safe, Melisande dropped her hands to her stomach.

It was a dull pain, edged with a sharp sensation every time she tried to move. Pale brows knitting together, Pasha dropped her hands farther, feeling for the edge of her ribbon.

Only, her ribbon wasn’t there.

Gasping in shock, Melisande spun, crying out as the pain worsened. Stretched behind her, like a leash, was her ribbon…leading straight back to the window like a guilty trail. The very end of it fluttered wildly outside in the morning breeze, trapped in the window she’d pulled shut behind her. Darting that direction, leaving a flurry of petals behind her, Melisande gathered the slack of her ribbon in both hands and yanked the window open again. How could she have been so careless?!

The end of the ribbon whipped free from the ledge the moment she lifted it, coiling into her hands. The spools slipped loose as soon as the tension released, sliding through her fingers and spiraling (a bit unevenly at first) back into its usual graceful rotation. The pain faded swiftly, leaving Pasha with a sense of weak relief. Perhaps that little voice had been right. Perhaps this was a bad ide-

The door to the room rattled softly, and Melisande froze again in terror. It WAS a bad idea! She’d been so concerned with the ribbon that she hadn’t heard the fottsteps! Covering her face with her hands, like a scared child, she squeezed her eyes closed and tried to wish herself away. What if she got caught?! What if she got arrested!? A sob caught in her throat as something rattled again in the hallway, and she forced her fingers apart to take a quick peek.

She could see shadows moving in the strip of light below the door, and that was enough for Melisande. Diving for cover, she huddled behind the bed…curling into a ball as the door handle slowly turned. Terrifying moments ticked by, but the door never opened…instead, the muse could swear she heard footsteps receding again down the hall. Heart racing, cheeks pink and hair mussed, Melisande floated up slowly and peeked over the side of the high decadent bed.

The shadows were gone. No one had come into the room! Then why…?

Pasha was trembling, but her curiosity still plagued her. Drifting slowly back into the center of the room, pausing every few feet to listen, Melisande made her way to the door. She pressed her ear to it carefully, wings spread and tense. Nothing. Despite that little voice of caution, that was now a big voice, her hand settled down to the antique handle. It turned easily under her fingers, and swung inward on silent hinges.

The hall was empty. Pasha poked her head out just a few inches, looking each way, before glancing down. On the floor was a tarnished silver tray, set carefully with a tiny silver teapot, a porcelain tea cup, and a pile of almond cookies on a gilt edged plate.

Eyes wide, Melisande looked both ways again before glancing back down at the tray. Was it…for her?! Despite her disbelief, Melisande blushed. It was such a sweet gesture, especially from a stranger. Could it be that she was welcome here? Feeling suddenly warm under such kind attention, Melisande bent to retrieve the tray and ducked back into the cool bedroom.

As she turned, the Raevan felt suddenly dizzy. The silver and porcelain rattled gently on the tray as she shook her head, trying to rid herself of the disorientation. It felt like déjà vu, for some reason…the feeling hadn’t hit her until she viewed the room this way, with her back to the door. The window, the bed, the huge mirror of the vanity…it all seemed somehow familiar, as though she’d dreamed it long ago. Taking a breath, calmed by the rising steam of the tea, Melisande pushed the feeling aside and made her way to the vanity counter.

There was a clear spot on the corner free of bottles and boxes, just large enough for such a tray. Automatically, she set it there…adding a bit of honey to the tea and taking another deep breath of the steam. As she looked back up, Melisande caught sight of herself in the mirror, and sighed. Between the wind and the fright, she looked a genuine mess! Forgetting about the tea for a moment, Melisande looked to the ornaments upon the vanity instead…selecting a carved white comb from a dish of hair accessories. Slowly, she pulled the comb through her pale curls, coaxing them back into place. It was a nice comb, and a nice room…she felt almost at home, despite being a trespasser.

Replacing the comb, Pasha gently picked up the first bottle that had caught her attention…the ruby atomizer with the facet cut. Lifting it gently to her neck, just as Aki did, Melisande gave the bulb a squeeze. Her eyes fluttered shut at the gentle mist, which smelled exactly as she’d imagined it…bright roses and gentle cream, like gardens and milk and romantic spring mornings. Melisande smiled, and squeezed the bulb one more time before setting the bottle down.

She didn’t keep track of how long she played with the items upon the vanity…modeling the pearls and pendants, trying on delicate rings, smelling the lovely perfumes. When she noticed, however, that the tea was no longer steaming Pasha sat up with a start. Outside the windows, it was fully morning…the sun was nestled in the bare branched orchard like a golden apple, filling the room with warm golden light. She’d only meant to stay a moment, and worry fluttered through her again. Stripping off the rings, she dropped them back into the dish, and pulled the jeweled pins from her hair. The muse darted for the window, worried about being seen leaving during such a bright and lovely morning, but she had to go. The tea set was still on the vanity, but Pasha only hesitated a moment before opening the window, and slipping back out into the orchard as she fled. She’d stayed too long, too long!

It wasn’t until Melisande was back at the Villa that afternoon, in her own room, that she started to relax. One hand over her heart, Pasha gazed out at the ocean beyond her own windows…so different than the orchard at the Victorian manor. Her fingers lightly caressed the pendant, following the carved lines of the cameo before she realized what she was touching.

The necklace, she’d forgotten to take it off! The muse blanched, color draining from her face. She’d taken something that wasn’t hers, and that made her…a thief! Strength leaving her, Melisande sagged against her bed, one hand still curled around the ill gotten necklace. There was no help for it, she realized distantly. Some day, and some day soon, she’d have to go back and return what she had taken.

***

Melisande was not the only one shaken by revelation. That evening, the door to the cold Victorian bedroom opened again, slowly, by an aging hand. The elderly man waited for a few moments before entering, as he always had, and left the door open behind him. He could already smell it, her smell. Aged blue eyes moved slowly over the petals upon the floor, to the tea set perched exactly where he expected to find it, on the corner of the vanity. Drawing a soft, jagged breath, the keeper shuffled in to reclaim the tray, and gazed at the ruby perfume bottle that no longer lined up with its ring of dust, noting the other items out of place. Hands trembling, he lifted the rattling tea set and made his way back to the door….stopping only once his gnarled fingers were upon antique handle.

“I wanted…you…to rest in peace…” His voice was soft, uneven with age and emotion. “But if you’ve come back, well…” Lips quivering into a smile, he pulled the door slowly shut as he took one last look. “Then…welcome home, Aria. Welcome home.”  

[Aki Ana]

-Aki and Meli's Valentines Adventure!-  

[Aki Ana]

RP: Zavier and Melisande!  

[Aki Ana]

RP: Vyn and Meli: Every Flower has its Song!  

[Aki Ana]

QUEST: Wrong Address!

***

Prompt: As you were going through the bunch of mail that just arrived from the postman today, you noticed a pink envelope that stood out like a sore thumb from the bunch. Picking it out, you examined the letter curiously. It was addressed to "My beloved Margaret" which was definitely not your guardian's name. There were little hearts drawn all over the name too. Shifting your eyes away from the distracting bright little hearts, you examine the address. Oh, it was sent to the wrong address. This was supposed to go to the house about a block away from your's. However, the disturbing thing was... that house where this address belongs to only lived an elderly lady that was famed for her really bad temper. She loves to throw things like old socks and bread at little kids that play on her porch. In fact, she threw an old slipper at you once. What should you do? Should you deliver the letter to the old lady? And who in the world would send her this type of letter?! More importantly, are you curious enough to open it to take a sneak peek?

***

Melisande hummed to herself as she drifted back from the mail box, flipping through the letters and bills. It was a gorgeous day…the sun felt warm on her shoulders, and little birds hopped curiously from fence post to fence post, drawn by her voice or passage. There was never any mail for her, but Pasha didn’t mind. She liked being helpful and separating the Important mail from the Junk so Aki didn’t have to bother with it when she got home! Breezing through the open doors of the cliff top Villa she shared with her guardian, Melisande paused by the recycling basket in the hall. In went the junk! A flash of pink caught her eye as the unwanted mail tumbled into the basket, and she paused. Was that a letter she’d missed? Fishing it out with careful fingers, Melisande held the little envelope at arms length. It was so pretty, pink and decorated, how had she missed it?!

As she looked over the front of it, Pasha’s heart skipped a beat. Was it for her?! She instantly saw the word ‘beloved’, and a name that started with M…but it wasn’t Melisande. Her heart settled back into place, even if a bit reluctantly. ”My beloved Margaret…” Meli read carefully as she drifted, with a theatrical lift to her voice. Her little pug, Alto, lifted his head from his nest of silk cushions and yawned…watching with wet and bulgy eyes as his owner floated past. Whatever Melisande was holding, it wasn’t food, but he settled back into his bed without complaint. Pasha traced the little hearts drawn on the pink envelope with the tip of her finger, and read the title again. ”My beloved Margaret!”

Who was Margaret? It didn’t say Melisande or Aki, that she was sure of! Her finger brushed over the address next, and the Sigel saw the mistake almost instantly. It was the wrong address! Mouth forming a little ‘o’ of surprise, Pasha set the letter down instantly. It wasn’t theirs at all! Feeling suddenly guilty, as though she’d stolen the letter, Pasha bobbed back and forth down the hall…the Raevan equivalent of pacing. What should she do?!

Every time she passed it, her eyes were drawn back to the little pink envelope. It was so lovely, like a slice of forbidden cake! The address on it was just down the hill, if she remembered correctly. They didn’t have many neighbors, surely it was the scary old woman that lived in the house under the dark trees! The children in the neighborhood hated her, and only crept close to play pranks. Once, when Melisande had tried to pick an apple from a tree in her yard, the woman had thrown an actual slipper at her! Pasha pressed both hands to her stomach, trying to still the butterflies. How she wished Aki was here! She’d know what to do!

She didn’t have Aki, but she did have her puppy! ”Alto, what should I do?” One of the pug’s ears twitched, but he didn’t open his eyes. ”Should I take it to her? What if she throws something at me! Maybe I should just put it back in the mail box, and forget I ever saw it…”

That’s what Aki would do, she realized! She’d seen it before. Her guardian had written ‘Not At This Address, Return To Sender’ on the front, and put it right back in the mail! Pasha’s heart dropped at the idea, the same feeling she’d gotten when she realized the letter wasn’t for her. How tragic that would be, a love note sent back unopened! ”We can’t let that happen. Come on Alto, let’s go for a walk!” Melisande tried to sound brave, and motioned her puppy over. Alto simply yawned again and rolled very slowly over onto his back, clearly showing that he had no intention of going anywhere. Meli sighed. It looked like if she was going to do this, she was going to have to do it alone!

With a great amount of trepidation, Melisande left the little pink letter on the hall table, and drifted back to her room. If she was going to present the letter, she should look nice doing it...going over in her swim suit wouldn't make a good impression at all! She pulled the suit off over her head, and crossed her arms over her bare chest as she looked for something nice to wear. Only her low belt of short ruffles stayed on when she changed, modestly obscuring where ribbon met body. One arm still across her slender chest, Pasha leafed through the items in her closet, trying to find the perfect thing to wear.

She was bringing a love letter, so why not something romantic? The Sigel's fingers paused as she touched the pink maid outfit she'd worn on Valentines, when she'd worked so hard to set up a nice evening for Aki! It was a nice idea, but that outfit left her awfully exposed...perhaps the old woman would be frightened if she realized Pasha didn't have legs! Something longer, then. Meli kept searching until she found her old coat, hanging on the far side of the rack. It was one of the first things Aki had ever given her! Melisande had always adored it, both for the heavy gold embroidered fabric, and the lovely bell shape it created, all the way down to the floor! When she floated carefully enough, it was easy to imagine she had legs just like normal people!

Melisande slipped into it quickly, glad to be covered again. Once it was buttoned, she turned this way and that, looking at her profile in the mirror. The coat looked almost old fashioned...surely the woman would like it! As a final touch, Melisande pulled her favorite cameo pin off of its chain, and fastened it carefully at the neck of the jacket. With her pale gold curls pulled back from her face, the muse fancied she looked almost like an old movie star, from the glamorous days that Aki liked!!

From the corner of her eye, Melisande caught sight of the letter again, and she sighed. Scooping the pink envelope off the little table, Pasha held it carefully against her chest, and took a deep breath as she faced the door. She'd stalled long enough...if she was going to do it, she should do it now! After all, true love waited for no one!  

[Aki Ana]

QUEST: Wrong Address, Part 2!

Despite her good intentions, Melisande found her courage somewhat lacking. She had made it all the way down the road, and paused now at the edge of the dark trees. Just beyond them was the fence, and just beyond the fence was the porch! Melisande knew she’d have to cross the porch to knock on the door, but the letter suddenly felt very heavy, as though it didn’t want to go either. Not for the first time, Melisande glanced down, checking the address on the pink letter against the address on the side of the scary house. It was a match, all right! The muse swallowed, and took a moment, trying to find strength.

Eyes closed, head bowed, Pasha tried not to think about the frightening task before her. Surely Zavier wouldn’t be afraid, if he were here! There was nothing he wouldn’t face! Eyes still closed, Melisande smiled, a picture of the Frei held clearly in her mind. Her wings stretched gently at the thought, as though she could feel the gentle breeze that always seemed to follow him. If he were here, he’d take her by the hand, and lead her right up to that door-

“Am I dead, then? You come to take me, you lazy angel? About damn time.”

Melisande jolted out of her reverie, wings snapping shut. Eyes wide, she floated back a pace, letter clutched to her chest. She’d been so lost in thought she’d never heard the front door open! The old woman stood there, glowering from the porch, with a half rotten apple in her gnarled hand. Pasha’s heart nearly stopped. She was sure, absolutely positive, that she was going to get knocked right upside the head by that mushy apple. What a horrible woman!

“Well? Don’t dwaddle. I’m ready! Been ready twenty years!”

Ready for what? Pasha tried to ask, but her voice failed her, all that came out was a strangled squeak. Had it not been for the memory of Zave, still fresh in her mind, Pasha would have fled for certain! As it was, she trembled in air…the hem of her coat pooling on the gravel road as she shrank several inches. ”R-ready for w-what?”

The old woman had no patience, not even for angels. “To go to heaven, you silly tart! And don’t expect me to walk up any golden staircases, no maam! These old legs deserve an escalator, at the very least!” Harruphing, the old woman slapped the mushy apple down on the railing of the porch, and folded her arms across her lumpy chest. Rolled up newspapers, old socks, even a couple forks decorated her ruined lawn, all scattered as far as the woman could throw them. Pasha’s fear melted suddenly into pity, and slowly, she stretched out her wings again.

”I…I’m not an angel. I just…”

“Oh ho, is this a test? I may be near blind, but all that gold and those big wings only mean one thing. You’re not gonna shake my faith, no maam! No maam!” Shaking one gnarled finger at Melisande, the old woman squinted. Her graying hair was twisted back into a surprisingly neat bun, despite the mess in her yard. Pasha’s mouth opened, and closed again, as she tried to figure out what to say.

”It’s true! I’m not an angel! I’m…I’m just a messenger. I found this letter, you see…” The Sigel stuttered through her explanation, turning the pink envelope over and over in her pale hands. Why hadn’t she just stayed home?!

The old woman barked a laugh, a sharp and jarring sound that set Melisande up straight. “HA! You’re no messenger! You couldn’t message your way out of a paper bag! You couldn’t tell the time of da-“

For the first time, something tensed within the Sigel, and Melisande pulled herself up tall…rising with one stroke of her wings into the air. The hem of her coat swished over a foot off the ground, and this time, it was the old woman that stuttered and gasped. It was not the call of the muse that leant Meli strength, however. The very air around her seemed to brighten with unheard music, dark trees parting in a coincidental breeze to gift her with a ray of sun. The Divine Song rose within Melisande, giving her the strength to bear her message, even against such adversity.

”Listen, now, you who dwells
In the darkness, in regret,

Hark to what the message tells
Of beloved Margaret~”

Melisande’s voice carried bright and high, like the echo of great bells through the dark trees. The old woman, Margaret, watched speechless as Pasha sank slowly back to earth…the hem of the Raevan’s fine golden coat again brushing the stones of the gravel road. The inaudible music faded slowly, a single clear note that resonated perfectly until it vanished into the hum of the summer day. Pasha lifted her eyes slowly back to the distant woman’s face, and was shocked to see tears.

“I…I’m sorry I doubted you, lovely! I’m sorry indeed. Let’s have it then, whatever it is you’re hear to say.” Melisande could see the woman’s hands tremble on the railing, and didn’t know what to think. She truly hadn’t known that a voice that powerful was in her! It wasn’t just a voice, though…for a moment, Melisande actually had felt as though she were the Messenger, and she let go of that feeling reluctantly.

With careful fingers, Melisande unsealed the flap of the pink envelope…withdrawing a single, thin sheet of paper. The dry rustle as she unfolded it carried across the dim yard, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

”My beloved Margaret…” Meli projected with inflection, her tone gentle despite the distance it traveled. ”I write you with both joy and sadness, as my dearest mother has passed away, this very day.” Pasha’s eyes filled with tears, though her voice didn’t waver. The writing was spidery, and a little blocky…the hand of someone aged, and of someone unsteady. ”She passed peacefully, in her sleep, and I now leave her side without regret. After so many long years, I am now, most joyfully, free to join my life with yours if you will have me. I am sorry, my beloved Margaret, that you have waited so long. If you do not already wear one, please accept this ring-“

Melisande’s eyes went wide, but she paused only for a moment, giving the envelope a pinch. It wasn’t empty! There was something round, something thin, settled into the corner! She kept reading, tone lifting, though tears wound down her pale cheeks. ”-and know that if you write me back with a simple yes, I will be with you soon. I haven’t forgotten our promise, and pray every day that you remember it as well.

“With love and hope,
William.”

She folded the letter slowly, and gave the envelope a shake. Margaret stood still upon the porch, one aged hand against her chest, cheeks wet with tears. The ring slipped from the envelope and settled on the letter, the thin gold band catching a glint even in the dim light. Melisande approached slowly, unafraid, with the ring stretched forth as though the letter was a white silk pillow. Just as reverently, Margaret’s hand stretched forth to accept it…fingers trembling so badly that Melisande feared the ring would fall, and be lost in the cracks of the old porch. It didn’t fall, however…the ring fit with just a little urging onto Margaret’s finger, and slowly, the old woman pulled herself straight.

“I’ve waited…so long.”

Pasha smiled slowly, and set the letter and envelope on the railing beside the ruined apple. ”It looks like your faith was rewarded.” The woman reached out, and Melisande didn’t flinch….even when the old woman’s warm hand settled on her arm.

“Thank you, lovely, for bringing this to me. Can you imagine, if it had been lost? Ah, I can’t say I’d have even opened it, had it some straight to me!” She patted Melisande’s arm brusquely, chuckling through her tears. “Would have thought it was a prank, in that pink envelope, I would have. Oh, he was ever a romantic!”

Drying her own tears with the back of her hand, Pasha drifted back a bit with a smile. ”You should write him back! I will be back tomorrow, to help you pick up, if you’d like.”

“Pick up? For what?” The old woman seemed genuinely startled, folding her hand over her ring.

”For William!” Melisande sang with a laugh. ”William is coming!”

The realization settled over the old woman like the first kiss of spring after a long, hard winter. A decade seemed to melt away as the furrows on her brow relaxed, a shocked smile spreading across her lined face. “You’re…right!

“William is coming, he is!”  

[Aki Ana]

-reserved for Wrong Address follow up!-  

[Aki Ana]

-Reserved for RP with Sevvie! Finished! Sirens on the Shore-  

[Aki Ana]

Lessons, Part 1

Pausing under the bright streetlight, Melisande turned to watch Aki step out of the back of the dark car. The Sigel clutched her tiny purse against her stomach, nervous, though she couldn’t quite say why. She listened to Aki speak to the driver, her guardian’s voice a low murmur against the buzz of downtown. The driver nodded, the door shut, and Aki turned to her with an unreadable u. “Ready?”

”Thank you for…taking me out.” Melisande’s uncertainty was impossible to hide, and it came through in her wavering tone. Aki caught it, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Of course, Pasha! We get out so rarely, I thought it would be nice.” Like a mother, she batted gently at Melisande’s tense hands…urging her arms down and smoothing the muse’s dress flat against her slender stomach. “Also, there was someone I thought you’d like to meet.”

Meli’s stomach filled with butterflies under Aki’s hand. She’d known there was a secret, she could just feel it!! ”Will they…like me? Will I like them? Am I dressed okay?” Her blue eyes were wide, the flowers at her temples shut tight into buds.

Laughing, Aki leaned forward to give Pasha a kiss on the forehead. “I dunno about the first two questions, but darling, you look divine! Have a turn!” Taking the Raevan’s hand, Aki guided her through a slow pirouette, and smiled at the Raevan’s outfit. She was wearing Aki’s own golden silk dress, which pooled on Meli’s slender curves like water. She’d had it cut short for the Raeven, and hemmed with a delicate fringe, like a modern take on a 20’s dress. As per Pasha’s usual style, it was high in the front, but cut daringly low in the back…exposing a pristine V of white skin from Melisande’s shoulders to her waist. In truth, Aki had simply turned the dress backwards as it was being hemmed, though she’d always worn the v cut in the front!

Melisande’s hair and make up were just as carefully done. Her pile of gold curls were carefully pinned, close to Meli’s head. A small tiara, almost invisible against her hair, sat nestled to one side like a tiny hat. While her eyes were naturally done in subtle make up, the muses’s lips were ruby red…the one pop of color against her pale skin and golden gown. “Just lovely! Are you ready?”

Pasha swallowed her nervousness and nodded, trying a smile for Aki. ”Yes! And thank you.” Aki simply patted her arm in response, and together, they made their way inside.

Aki looked lovely as well, but Melisande never had time to tell her so. The elf was dressed in opposite of Melisande…with a ruby red dress, and a golden sheen of make up to her exotic features. For a moment, conversation in the restaurant dimmed…heads turning as the ladies made their entrance. Pasha’s lack of legs caused a brief rise in discussion a moment later, but the patrons thankfully were refined enough that they did little but murmur. After all, when such a spectacle was handled with such class, it was hardly a spectacle at all!

They were shown to their table without delay, and Melisande settled as best she could into the seat that was pulled out for her. The restaurant was lovely, with candles on every table and live music echoing gently through the room. Pasha felt lucky that they’d been seated so near the piano…a gentleman in a dark suit played while a lovely woman sang. She had dark hair, a blue sparkly dress, and an amazing sultry voice that made Pasha smile.

“What do you think?”

”Oh, it’s…a lovely place! And the food smells so good…” Pasha answered automatically, still half distracted by the woman singing. She had a way of moving with the notes, a gentle sway that made up for her lack of range.

“No, I mean of her!”

It took Melisande several minutes to realize that Aki was referring not to the restaurant, but to the woman singing! Blushing as though she’d been caught in the cookie jar, Pasha yanked her gaze back to her guardian. ”I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare! I am being poor company, I-“

“Melisande!” Aki laughed, but the reprimand was still there. “Don’t be silly! She’s who we came to see!”

As suddenly as she’d tensed, Melisande relaxed. She almost couldn’t believe it! Really, this was the person they were meeting?! Worry melting into a smile, Pasha beamed at her guardian before turning back to the woman…watching now with open wonder. Her pitch wasn’t perfect, and her transitions were a little rough…but the more she listened, the more she realized that all these little things combined to give the woman’s voice a true character. The singer caught Melisande’s eye and winked, dark lashes lowering and lifting almost theatrically. Pasha smiled, and dropped her eyes shyly.

“I thought…you could take lessons from her! What do you think, love?”

Lessons? Melisande’s eyes went wide. ”Well, I….but…Aki? I already know how to sing!” A little confused, Pasha searched Aki’s face for reassurance. At least, she thought she could sing!

“Of course you can! But performing, well. It’s like cooking! Remember when we made cake?” Aki paused for a moment, tapping a selection on the wine menu as the server stopped by, and held up three fingers. He nodded and vanished. Melisande also nodded, remembering the exact day. “Remember how we had to get all the ingredients together, and then add just the right amount, at just the right time? Well, performing is like that! You have all the ingredients. You’re so lovely, and you sing like an angel. But putting them all together in the right amounts, well…”

Aki motioned back to the woman, and Pasha’s eyes followed. Sure enough, she used the ingredients far differently than Melisande did. Who she looked at, and when…how she moved, and how much! The way her voice changed from a low, smooth tone into a sudden husky growl…it all combined into something far more intricate than Pasha could have guessed! Cheeks pink, Melisande continued to listen…and was suddenly startled to hear people clapping. It was over?!

“So, what do you say?”

”O-of course! I would love-“

“Good, because here she comes.”  

[Aki Ana]

Lessons, Part 2

”May I join you?” The woman’s voice was deeper than Melisande expected, but rich and musical. Her dark hair was slicked away from her face, pinned at the temples, cut at a sharp high angle that showed off the back of her neck.

“Of course! Melisande, this is Zoe. Zoe, this is Meli.”

”Melisande.” Zoe spoke the Raevan’s name with attention, and smiled. Pasha didn’t realize until then that Zoe had an accent, however slight, but she blushed to hear her name spoken so carefully. ”It is a pleasure. Aki has spoken highly of you, I am looking forward to hearing you sing!”

Suddenly finding herself on the spot, Melisande’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. Swallowing, she tried again. This woman made her nervous! ”I would love to sing for you, sometime! I think that you…um…” Both women were smiling. Why were they both smiling? Shrinking a bit, pale shoulders rounding under the golden silk, Melisande tried to make herself smaller. Why were they both smiling at her?!

“Actually, Pasha, I think Zoe means now. If you will!”

The silence stretched. Not just the silence at the table. Melisande was suddenly, acutely aware that the restaurant had fallen silent as well. Taking a breath, Pasha tried to find her strength. The feeling of gentle wind, the smell of fresh rain, and Zave’s colors painted her mind’s eye as she tried to relax…her eyes closing slowly. She was never nervous with Zavier around. Perhaps if she could pretend that he was here, right here with her…

”O-okay. Okay! I’ll do it!” Her eyes snapped open at the smattering of applause, and Pasha blushed again. Even Zoe and Aki were clapping! Lifting herself with a single stroke of her wings, Melisande drifted out of her chair…mind racing for a song as she approached the piano. She couldn’t get the image of Zave out of her head, even now that she needed to focus…the bright clouds, his gentle eyes….

She must have whispered to the gentleman at the piano, because gentle music began to fill the space as soon as her hands curled around the mic. It wasn’t one of her own songs, but with the butterflies inside of her, surely no one would mind! Pasha’s voice started out gently, a breath of breeze on a rooftop meeting…

” The red light of the sun,
slowly descending.
The sky is all I see,
never ending…”

Opening her eyes slowly, Melisande looked out on the crowd for the first time. It was hard to believe that she was here, the center of everyone’s attention, and the feeling filled her with a slow, warm confidence. It was a comfort she’d almost forgotten, like a dream from days long past. The words swelled out of her, offered to a Raevan that was miles and miles away.

”We could fly,
you and I.
On a cloud,
kissing, kissing!”

Everyone was watching, and the tone was so rich, so dynamic, that Melisande was almost surprised at herself! It took her a moment to realize that Aki’s table was empty. Zoe…Zoe was right beside her, singing as well! Startled, Melisande’s wings spread, but Zoe placed a reassuring hand on her arm and captured her eyes…urging her to focus as their voices melded.

”The wind plays with the leaves,
the weather turns colder.
But as long as we believe,
love doesn't get older~”

Once her heart calmed, Melisande was able to smile again. They sounded beautiful together! Singing the chorus in surprising harmony, Pasha’s sweet clear voice was supported perfectly by Zoe’s throaty voice. The audience was clapping, before they were even finished! Thinking back, Pasha couldn’t actually recall if they’d sang the third verse or not. The memory blended together into a single note of excitement. Zoe was speaking to her, warm voice near her ear.

“So, what do you think? Shall we work together?”

Pasha practically glowed. Of course…the answer was yes!!!  

[Aki Ana]

[RP with Sevvie, currently in progress!]  

[Aki Ana]

[reserved for Sevvie's Homecoming!]