Sonja
As I move through the corridors of the palace, I can feel that something is wrong. I don't know exactly what but I can just feel it, especially as everyone seems to be avoiding me. I mean, maybe that's just a coincidence but the fact I haven't seen anyone all day is unnerving. It's never been this quiet before. I almost want to call out, to try and get the attention of anyone who might be around but at the same time, I almost feel scared to break the silence. If something is really wrong then trying to draw attention to myself wouldn't be a good idea.
Hearing my own footsteps echo out is almost unnerving. I don't like that I can so clearly hear them but there's seemingly no other noise reaching me. It's been the same all day, just silence other than myself. Then I hear something else, something so quiet that I almost miss it but I'm sure I do hear music. I freeze, not wanting to make any unneeded noise as I listen closely to make sure I didn't imagine it. I hear the music continuing, floating through the still air. A quiet, simple melody. I start moving towards the noise, wanting to see anyone at this point. Just someone to explain what's going on and why everyone else has seemingly disappeared.
I find myself following the tune as best I can, stopping quite a lot to attempt to make sure I haven't made a wrong turn and I can still hear it. After a short while of walking through the corridors, including going back on myself a few times, I find myself outside the library. Despite hearing the music coming from inside, I hesitate because it doesn't exactly make sense. Why would someone be playing music in the library of all places? That seems like the last place such a noise would be but perhaps I shouldn't question it too much. Nothing is exactly normal right now. This is the only evidence I have on another person being around, ignoring it would be foolish.
Pushing open the library door reveals the room in a state of chaos I've never seen it in before. More books seem to be on the floor than on the shelves, though most of them are at least in stacks around the room rather than looking like they've just been thrown on the floor. Then, sitting on one of the tables, I see the source of the music. Capsize sits, her back to me, playing the lyre and singing softly. But it can't be her. She hasn't been here in months. She hasn't been here in nearly a month. I would've been told if she was due to return soon.
"Capsize?" I feel my voice crack as I speak for the first time in what feels like hours. Despite my logical side screaming that she can't be here, I desperately want to be right in my guess. I want it to be my girlfriend. She stops playing suddenly, looking to almost drop the instrument. She turns around. I see shock on her features but it is her, it is Capsize.
"Sonja? Is it really you Princess?" She sounds so unsure but upon hearing her voice, getting confirmation that is really is her, I rush over to her. I pull her closer, embracing her like I've wanted to since she left. I feel tears dripping down my cheeks. Even if this situation doesn't make any sense, at least Capsize is here. I feel her cling tighter to me, though I don't mind as running my fingers over the material of her coat is so familiar and makes me feel safe. It feels like the embrace is too short when I finally pull away. I look at her, expecting to see a smile but instead, I see confusion on her features. "But I don't understand, how are you here?"
"What do you mean? I live here," I should be asking her why she's here, especially since it seems like she's been holed up in the library for at least a week judging by the state of the place. But that doesn't make any sense. In fact, there are so many things that I can't make sense of, especially the odd lingering silence around us. Capsize shakes her head at my words, a few tears dripping from her eyes. I've never seen her look so scared. I want to embrace her again, tell her that everything is going to be okay and ask her why she looks so upset.
