Meeting Yonder (BxB)

One (François)

Elysium. Tartarus. Lazarus. Hell. Xuviphas. The void. Greener pastures. The Wild Blue Yonder.

    All terms that mean the same thing… They mean the same shitty-ass demise. Especially if you're me.

    François Bellerose… The dumbass who thought he was gonna make it big… Who thought he'd be somebody.

     I was an idiot for ever thinking that—-that it wouldn't just end as some major bloody catastrophe.

     But what did I really expect anyway? I've always been an optimist—-so much so that those I had previously surrounded myself with became unnerved by the habit of mine… By my own state of mind.

   You see, I'm a siren. A creature that's feared. A creature that's seen as a walking, living horror. An absolute monster in everyone else's eyes.

    I don't fully understand why though.

     Yes, it's true that some sirens do prey on people—-that they feast upon what they catch, so happily with it too.

     But, the fact of the matter is, that's not all of us. Most of us stick to the shadows, making sure we're safe and secure. Our safety and lives are our first priorities over feeding.

    A siren’s hunger can be a bitch. That part I'll admit. It's like you're being stabbed, over and over again—-you’re stuck, confined to one exact place because each little movement is complete and utter agony for you.

    Over the years though, that feeling fades. You get used to it and it slips away to the back of your mind, letting more important matters to you take control of your thoughts and desires.

     Most of my family and friends who have been grasped by the cold, sirenic urges have told me to keep a low profile—-to stay hidden, no matter what.

     I decided to go against their warnings.

     I love music; I always have and I always will. It's the one constant in my life—-it never changes.

      I started out simple: small little performances here and there, earning coins where I could. Each time, the crowd size grew. That felt amazing to me. The idea that people actually loved my music… My voice… The sound—-it actually made me feel alive for once and not like a monster that was meant to be sealed away for the humans’ comfort.

    Soon enough, I got approached by a manager, who offered me the chance to play in a concert hall in Paris. That was like a dream come true for me. How could I turn it down? It was Paris!

     I could hardly believe what I had been offered. I agreed.

      I pace back and forth, taking a deep breath. Now the time to perform is upon me. …and I couldn't feel happier.

     I approach the microphone, letting my hand press against the neck of my acoustic guitar as the concert hall quiets.

     The whole time I'm on stage, it's like I'm in heaven. It's the best feeling in the world… The way my voice echoes… The way everyone watches in awe. It's ethereal.

    The moment I step off stage and head outside to take a quick breath of fresh air before heading back in to finish my performance, there's the sound of footfalls behind me.

    I turn around and address the approaching man in a friendly manner with a gentle smile. “Bonjour. Can I help you?”

    “I know what you are,” he booms in a gruff voice.

    I raise an eyebrow. “Which is?” I somehow doubt a mortal like him could connect the dots, but the idea of him accomplishing it is just amusing to me.

     “A siren,” he replies.

    I stiffen a little. So, he did figure it out, I think to myself. “So?” I reply. That response was a mistake.

     “...a creature that needs to be slain.” In a blink of an eye, he pulls out a dagger, sliding it right under my rib cage.

    It burns.

    It's clearly coated in water from the rivers in Xuviphas.

     Dammit. I try to gasp for air.

    He pushes me backwards and I collapse, eyes focusing on the sky… Everything is hazy as I feel my panic ease. Then, everything goes black.