From Dusk Until Dawn

Chapter 5: The Piano

Rue had always enjoyed being around plants. Well, maybe it was just her love of the outdoors which was only amplified when her mother would try to keep her inside the house constantly. Or maybe it was because her brother loved flowers. One of the few times she was able to go outside without having to sneak out was when her brother would convince her parents that she'd be fine with him. They'd spend the whole day looking at different flowers and constantly asking each other flower related questions.

For her tenth birthday, her brother had made her a crown made of multiple flowers. That was by far her favourite gift she had ever received as a child even if it did eventually wether away and die after sometime. It was made by her brother. That's what made it the perfect gift.

Rue carefully wiped away the the droplets of water that had fallen on the table top, finishing up in the Opera Hall.

She took a moment to look around since she had only seen it for a brief moment when receiving a  tour from Sofia. So she was just going to take it in now before she had to leave. What caught her attention during the tour and now, was the piano near the stage.

Her fingers lightly brushed against the keys, curiously pressing down and a quiet high note rang out. She pressed a few more before taking a seat in front of the instrument. Her brother had taught her how to play when she was little so she might have fallen out of touch. But that didn't stop her from playing.

It started slow before speeding up. The melody was somber with tones of majestic mystery. As she played, she couldn't help but relate the music to Castle Dimitrescu. There were so many things she wanted to discover about this place, despite the fact that wasn't what she was here for.

Unbeknownst to her, Lady Dimitrescu was watching from the second floor just out of view. Her red lips slightly parted and her heart clenched painfully at the piano melody that she knew all too well. It was the same melody that... she... had played when she first saw the piano.

Lady Dimitrescu bit the inside of her cheek to suppress the feeling of tears beginning to form. She wasn't about to break down and cry over a woman that had died long ago.

"Mother?" The woman flinched, turning to see her eldest standing behind her, her arms crossed.

"Before you ask dear, I'm alright." She answered, looking back down at Rue and admiring her skill. She missed a few notes here and there but she was talented.

"Sure." Bela shrugged before looking down at Rue. "She's really good. Not as good as you but still good."

"You like her?" Alcina glances down at her daughter. Bela leaned against the banister, shrugging once more.

"I don't know. She seems night enough. Dani really likes her though, but Dani likes everyone." She mumbled.

"How have you and Sora been lately?"

"It's been a little strange. She's always busy with work around the Castle which I get but I want to spend some time with her. We haven't been seeing each other much."

"I can schedule a day off for her so you two can spend some time together." Alcina said, looking down and seeing the hopeful expression creeping onto her eldest's face.

"Thank you mother." She said before hugging her mother tightly. Alcina bent down, wrapping her arms around her and smiling softly when Bela nuzzled into her neck. "So, when are getting a second mom?"

"W-What do you mean by that?" Alcina sputtered, taken aback by what her eldest said as she pulled away from the hug.

"Well, you certainly seem very interested in her. What if I told you she left the room like five minutes ago?" Alcina's eyes widened and she quickly looked over the banister to see that in fact, Rue had left the room. The tall woman groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose as Bela laughed.