Ivory.

Chapter Two - Death of a Muse

(AN: TW. This chapter contains minor abuse, emotionally and physically. Also, the song "Goddess" by Laufey, inspired this chapter and character dynamics. Enjoy!)

          The crowd erupted, cheering and clapping for ten year old Ivory. She had just gotten done performing a song passed down from her mother. Ivory glanced at the crowd— her mother stood in the center, giving Ivory the usual standing ovation.

          Ivory got up from the piano seat and bowed before the crowd. In the front of the audience, the Tybur family sat and enjoyed the show. Mr. And Mrs. Tybur gave Ivory a slow clap, and a head nod. They were with their two children who seemed to be in their early twenties.

          "Ladies and gentlemen!" The announcer walked onto stage with his microphone. He rested a hand on Ivory's shoulder as he spoke again. "That was Ivory Lovelace, a definite prodigy!"

          Ivory kept a smile on her face, just like her mother always said to do. No matter what, even if you felt like frowning, don't. And right now? Ivory definitely felt like frowning. She waved her goodbyes to the people cheering for her- and made her way back stage.

          As she made her exit, Ivory couldn't help but think about the past. When she was younger, she truly loved piano. But for different reasons than her mother. Ivory loved the peace it brought her, and loved the smile on her mother's face as she played. Lucia felt similarly to piano, however, she loved to show it to the world. She loved the glam, the fame and the elegance it brought her. Ivory never held liking for those type of things. She hated the eyes on her, and she hated the cheering of people she did not want to impress.

          Ivory especially hated her mother's rules for being in this career. Hide your political views, hide your true intentions, hide your future lovers, hide your feelings. Hide who you are.

          "Thats just showbiz, kid." Her mother would say.

          Well, if this what showbiz was, Ivory wanted nothing to do with it.

         As the thoughts consumed Ivory, she accidentally ran into a woman sweeping the floor.

         "Oh I'm sorry!" The woman scrambled to gather the mop and broom she had dropped in the altercation.

          Ivory bent down and helped the woman pick up the fallen items. "No, I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention." She looked up now, handing the woman her broom. After quick observation, the armband on her arm signified who she was. An Eldian woman.

          "You've got a lovely voice there." The woman said, almost in a whisper.

          Ivory smiled to this, but it quickly faded as she seen her mother approaching with the Tybur family by her side. Lucia cleared her throat once she reached them, giving the Eldian woman a glare. The woman got the hint and left. She apologized as she did so, which saddened Ivory.

          "Anyways..." Lucia huffed, fluttering her lashes. She grabbed Ivory by the shoulder, turning her to face the Tybur family. "This is my daughter, Ivory. My little prodigy."

           "Oh she was absolutely wonderful on stage tonight." Mrs. Tybur stated, giving Lucia a big smile.

          As the parents chatted and complimented Ivory's performance, Ivory glanced behind them. Both of their kids looked quite uninterested in the conversation. The Tyburs noticed and grabbed their attention.

          "Ivory, meet my children." Mr. Tybur beckoned to them. "This is Willy." He showcased his son, who was tall and seemed to be growing out his hair. "And this is Lara." He continued. She had slick black, long hair- opposite to Willy's semi-short blonde hair. Mr. Tybur began to chuckle, and said, "They're a lot older than you, but look up to you as a musician. Especially Lara here." Lara rolled her eyes to this and stared at the floor, embarrassed.

          "...How lovely." Lucia responded for Ivory, who stayed quiet for some reason. It upset Lucia that Ivory wasn't trying to get on their good side- especially since these were going to be her future employers aswell. Regardless, Lucia kept up a professional smile. "I didn't know your children studied the arts aswell."

           "Oh absolutely." Mrs. Tybur spoke up, clapping her hands together as she looked at her children. "And Ivory here, is the perfect muse—isn't she?" Mrs. Tybur looked down at Ivory, giving her a wide smile and shutting her eyes.

          Ivory didn't know why she said it out loud— or what had brought her to this point of annoyance— but she flat out responded with, "No. I am not your muse."

           Silence. Other than the distant chatter and movements from others beside them— the group was shocked at Ivory's response.

—

          After a long, and uncomfortably quiet carriage ride back home— Lucia slammed the door behind them as they entered their home.

          "How could you embarrass me that way?!" Lucia shouted, tossing her scarf down at a nearby end-table. Lucia furrowed her brows, following Ivory who began to storm away. "Turn around, look at me, Ivory!" Ivory did as she was told, turning around and facing her mother now.

          "Firstly." Lucia began, she pointed to her fingers and counted. "You publicly speak to those devils even after I warned you not to!" Ivory tried to speak up to defend herself, but Lucia cut her off. "You want to condone their sins? Fine! But leave our career out of it you hear me?!"

          "Our career?" Ivory grimaced, shaking her head slightly in disbelief.

          "Yes!" Lucia flailed her arms as she became increasingly upset. "The career you almost ruined because of your attitude! You're not their muse—seriously?!"

          "I don't even want this to be my career!" Ivory finally snapped— saying what's been on her mind for years. "I hate the stage, I hate being watched, I hate that I can't even be myself." Ivory pointed to her chest as she ranted. "And if I have to give away my life to be famous or whatever— I would never do it for the Tybur family!"

          "Excuse me?" Lucia squinted her eyes angrily.

          Ivory shifted uncomfortably under her mother's tone and glare. Regardless, she stood her ground. "The Tybur family hides under their royalty. They sit comfortably while the rest of their people live in ghettos. The only notable thing they've ever done was betray their people- and they continue to do so time and time again."

          As soon as Ivory said her piece, she felt a sharp sting against her face. Her head spun to the side and Ivory placed a hand on her cheek. Her mother had slapped her. Ivory stared at the floor blankly as her mother spoke.

          "Don't ever disrespect the Tybur family that way again." Lucia stepped back from Ivory, all she could hear was her mothers heels clicking against the floor as she walked away. Finally, as her mother left, Ivory let her tears fall with a whimper.

          That was the last day, Ivory and her mother really ever talked.

(AN: Thanks for reading! The upcoming chapters will be darker than this one, just as a warning to you all!)