Emerelda and Emmett sat on the couch. Emmett came from doing some 'investigating' outside. It was the late afternoon, and Emerelda finished reading a chapter from the book he gave. He sat her down to tell her what he had discovered and the plan for tomorrow.
"I found out that the one hosting the meeting owns a little café place."
"Interesting," she said in a bored tone.
He raised a finger, "Ah, but it's more than that. Tomorrow we are going to talk with him and get us into the meeting."
Emerelda crossed her arms, "How?"
"We'll just pay him."
"Pay him?" she raised an eyebrow, "Meaning you would."
He nods, "I'll get it cover. I heard he's the type of man to allow almost anything if you prove yourself to him."
Emerelda smiles, "Well, let's show him what you got up your selves."
Emerelda woke up to a soft sound of a piano. She laid staring above the ceiling listening to Emmett play. The song was a gentle lullaby sang to every child in Garlin.The piano carried its way to Emerelda's ears, making her body relax.
She hadn't told him what she saw, and she wasn't sure what the last vision of her subconscious meant. She decided the less she thinks about it the better. She was already trying to grasp on her full power she had unlocked.
At first it felt odd hearing Emmett's thoughts as he spoke, but she gotten used to it pretty fast. It's only been two days, and she could now control to turn her gift 'on and off'. Something Emmett had said. She was pretty sure he taught her to do so in order so she wouldn't listen to his thoughts twenty four hours without a filter. And if she had had to admit, sitting on the cold wood floor learning to turn her gift 'on and off', was useful as she too didn't want to concisely hear the thoughts of Emmett.
A memory of her mother softly singing came to her. She saw her mother looking down at her and smiling, her lips moving singing the words going along with the music that came from the piano.
"And when god gave these gifts to the worthy chosen people of Garlin, the devil stood cursing on top of Garlin's Steeple. No innocence's had heard his low whisper, but the ones who are sinners. These are the words given to children and civilians of Garlin."
A single tear ran down her cheek. "Mama," she whispers, "Mama…" she had to let go of her death growing up. She had too, since everyone around her did.
She heard her mother's last thoughts, "I shouldn't have drank the tea you gave me."
And until today, Emerelda didn't know who she was talking about.
The rhythm of the piano started to change, and it went into a faster tone, the song changing into a different song, the unspoken lullaby vanishing as if it wasn't played a few moments ago. This time it was the same melody she had heard for a while now.
She closed her eyes listening to the familiar sound of an unnamed sweet song talking about regret.
Both Emerelda and Emmett stared upwards at the wood sign called, "Tea and Biscuits with desire." The air was crisp and cold. It was an eerie night, where the world stood still and no being dared to step out, especially at the end side of Garlin.
Emerelda turned to Emmett and he raised an eyebrow, "I'm sure this is a cover up." He took her hand, "Stay close to me."
"Well, there wouldn't be a choice since your holding my hand." She murmurs.
Emmett ignored her and they went into the café through the dark wood door. It seemed simple, and quite normal. A counter at the front and tables scatter around.
A young lady, who was a few years older than Emerelda, with long wavy brown hair and brown eyes, came from the back of the counter and raised her eyebrows, "We're close."
Emmett regards her thoughtfully, "I'm sure that's what most people would think. Now, where is the door?"
She smirks and nods to the back where she came from. Emerelda frowns and Emmett drags her with him after the lady. She led them through the small kitchen, no one in sight. That's when Emerelda heard it, the murmur of people and a live band. They appeared to another wood door. The sound was loud, especially after she swung the door grinning.
"Enjoy," she sang.
Emmett went past her, and Emerelda stumbled down the stairs after him. They arrived at a large space, double than the small café upstairs. The underground new space had many people crowded together. The smell smelt of something like alcohol and smoke from the pipes people smoked from.
There were many men, and yet she found heads and bodies of women as well. They all drank and laughed. Near the back of the newfound place was a stage. On the stage were a group of men playing with different instruments; they played a guitar, horns, flutes, and drums. Emerelda watched in amusement and a little shock as one woman took a long swing of a full glass of beer. She ducked as a waiter, a woman who looked the same age as the lady upstairs, passed with a tray carrying more drinks.
She couldn't believe her eyes, as she looked around the room full of people enjoying themselves in the most immoral way she could think of. Emmett kept on going deeper into the crowd, his top hat a little crooked on his head.
She wore the same thing she was given when she first went out, and that made her stand out. As most of the women wore dresses that didn't seem exciting, she was probably the only one dressed as a man. Everyone turned their heads as they watched Emerelda and Emmett. Some eyes amused, some confused, and some blank.
Emmett stopped walking and suddenly she was pulled close to his chest. She bumped her head hard on his chest, as his arms went around her. She blinks and heard Emmett said, "Now, sir, she's clearly mine." He said over the music. Emerelda turned her head and saw a hand of a male retreating. She realized then he was about to touch her.
Emmett looked down at her and reached for his hat. He bent his head and brought the hat to cover the side of their head. His hair fell to his eyes, his lips parted. Emerelda froze, unsure what was happening until he spoke.
"Now, the owner of this place would probably be in some spare rooms. He would also be the one hosting the meeting tomorrow." He said seriously.
She nods, her hands on his chest, still frozen, "How are we going to get to him?"
"I figured we must bargain ourselves to get to him." He looked back, "I'll ask around, sit tight." And he turned around, Emerelda's hands were still in the same position as she left her hands on his chest. She stood watching the crowd swallowed him up.
She looked around and decided to move around. She walked unsure where she was going, pushing people out of her way. She then soon came to a place that had a hallway with doors. Emerelda stops, she looked at the man and woman stumbling into the room undressing one another as the door closed shut behind them.
"Why are you standing here alone?" A voiced said behind her.
She turned around and a man stood staring down at her. He had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. The man was older then she was, and clearly drunk. He smirked stepping closer to her, "Are you waiting for someone? I can give it to you if you'll like."
Emerelda stepped back, "No, no that's alright."
He frowns, "You look familiar. You look just like the Princess."
She walked past him and he grabs her arm. She sighs, kicking him in the shin and left the place. She heard him yelling out to her but she ignored it and went closer to the stage. It was round at front and large. She went to the back of the stage where not much people were and she saw there were other instruments untouched. There was a violin and a piano at the back of the playing band.
She stared at the violin, remembering her memories at the palace. Then, something caught her attention; at the end of the wall in front of her was another single door. She saw someone standing at the front and she realized the owner of this place must be behind that door.
She went up to the young male with blond hair and bright blue eyes who stood guard with her head raised. He was glaring at her as she approached him closer, clearly unpleased of her presence.
She smiled, "May I meet with Mr. Thomas?"
He snorts, "That's bold of you. Mr. Thomas is busy right now."
"I'm aware of his schedule that is why I am in need to meet with him."
"Why is she bothering me? Honestly, doesn't she know Mr. Thomas isn't a man to accept some random person?" he thought.
Emerelda smiled wide, "I'm here as requested."
He regards her, "No you're not."
"And what is she wearing? Dear lord."
She held her smile, "I need to speak with him right now, it's rather urgent."
He crossed his arms, "What's the urgent news?"
She leaned closer to him, "That's something I can't tell you."
"Jesus Christ, she's almost pretty…she also looks exactly like the Princess."
The man leaned away from her, "I'm afraid I can't let you in until you prove yourself."
Emerelda wanted to curse, but took a deep breath, "Is it cash?"
She got none.
He grins, "Oh no, he got plenty of that…" he's eyes went to the stage then back at her, "Why don't you perform something? Mr. Thomas wouldn't hesitate. He loves a good performance."
"She can't do anything exciting, though it would be amusing."
Emerelda looked back at the stage and saw Emmett coming around. She looked back and grins, "Just let me know when the stage is cleared."
He raised an eyebrow, "What would you do?"
"I, and my companion, would be playing with the violin and piano."
"Did she just say violin?" he thought confused.
"Companion?" he repeats.
She turned around waving a hand, "We'll be by the stairs waiting for your cue."
Emmett didn't look too please to see her. Not a lot of people this night were pleased to see her. He was shaking his head mumbling something under her breathe, his hat gone from his head. When they meet, Emerelda grins, "I found a way to get in to Mr. Thomas."
"I did too, and it involves on performing."
She nods, "Exactly, I told the young man at the back that we are performing."
He blinks, "You did what?"
She clasps her hand together, "Now you won't have to keep your talent a secret anymore."
He opens his mouth, closed it, and then opens it again, "You- you said what?"
She nods to the stairs that led up the stage, "We are going to perform." she repeats.
He ran hand through his tangled hair, exhaling loudly, "What are you going to do?"
"Play the violin." She said calmly.
"The what?"
"You're up young lady!" The young blond man called.
Emerelda took Emmett's hand, "Just follow my lead. I think we would be alright." she starts walking away.
He held her back. She turned around and saw anger in his eyes, "I came to find you because I didn't want to perform. And I also told you to sit tight. Do you not understand that it means don't move?"
She rolled her eyes, "It's too late, now is it? This is what we have to do if we want to get to Mr. Thomas."
Emmett stared at her, "No, no, we can find something else to do."
"Time is running out," the blond man called by the stairs, "Are you coming or what?"
Emerelda yanked his hand, "We are going." She turned around and started walking to the stairs once more.
Emmett pulled her back again, when she looked back annoyed, this time Emmett looked a little frighten. "I can't, Emerelda."
Emerelda shrugs, "It's too late." And with all her strength, she this time was able drag him to the stairs.
The blond man looked down at their hands and looked a little disappointed. He nods to the stage and Emerelda flashed a convincing smile she could pull off. Emerelda lets go of his hand and climbed up the stairs. When she stood on top, looking down at the crowd, she started feeling the fear.
She had no idea why on all gifts given to men she thought to do this. She wanted to turn back around and listen to what Emmett had planned instead. She turned back at Emmett who was staring down at the busy crowd with wide eyes.
No one was paying much attention to them, only a few who were curious on the new comers. Emerelda took a deep breath and went to the violin. Emmett went to the piano and sat on the velvet bench. He cracked his knuckles as Emerelda lifted the violin to her chin.
"Ready?" she asks.
Emmett took a deep breath, "I'll just…play, I supposed."
She nods, "Play the song you always played."
She went to the front, her back faced on his surprised look. The attention to the stage started to expand, more eyes wondering who they were and what they were going to do. Emerelda gave a nervous smile and waited.
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A/N: Hey guys, I quickly wanted to provide the song reference they were playing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cuWsuONhjo
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Emmett hits the notes.
She listened and started to go along with him.
It started off slow, soft, almost a calling to everyone there. Then it started growing louder and Emerelda closed her eyes to focus on the sound. He kept going high and low, and at one point Emerelda decided to take the lead. She played this new song from heart, from her dreams, and from listening to him play nights and nights since she arrived at the small cottage.
There was a pause, Emmett wondering who was leading who, and she picked up, Emmett following along with her, their music going up and down in a soft melody. She was lost into each other's music.
Emerelda thought of her first dream at the cottage, the dream she realized when she first heard Emmet playing the piano. She saw her brother sitting peacefully, telling her that the violin and the piano were meant for each other.
She didn't mean it, but she kept on going higher at one point. Emmett played trying to catch the tone with her, playing as best as he could to match the same pace and sound with her. Her hand moved with her emotions of everything that had happened so far to her.
Now, they were almost arguing, Emmett wanted to go back to the rhythm, though she was still staying on the high note. Her fingers twitched, her hand throbbed from not playing for such a long time. But that didn't bother her, nor was the fact the room was drop dead silent and only Emmett and Emerelda were making a sound.
One was trying to catch up, almost yelling to slow down and the other yelling to follow their lead.
"I am the one who plays with their emotion, therefore I shall lead." Her music sang.
It came to a point that their song became more of an argument. They were both upset, of each other, of the world, of everything around themselves.
She then felt Emmett moving along with her, having the same feelings of hers as well.
He too now felt what she was feeling, and he too didn't bother to hold it back.
They were now on the same level of understanding. It was almost as if the violin was comforting the piano the more her notes went higher and higher. Both of them crying on the inside and sharing the same sorrow.
She didn't control the music, the music controlled Emerelda, her hand having the mind of its own. She then slows down going low until they both paused. She was trying to regain her breathing and feeling the tears run down her cheeks. Emmett started again, and she picked up moving along to the conclusion, the end of the song.
And she stops.
Emmett however didn't, he played the ending on his own. The sound sounding angry almost, upset that she took the whole show on her hands. And yet, he sounded almost thankful as the notes were not as hard as his playing fingers that pressed down with aggressive.
Emerelda opened her eyes and everyone was staring up at them, their faces unreadable. They seemed as if they were trying to understand what had happened, and what they had played. No one said a word and Emerelda didn't move.
Suddenly, someone from the back clapped really loud. And the whole room erupted into cheers. Hands clapped, whistles rang loud, and people shouted.
Emerelda laughed something that sounded almost as a sob and laughter in between. She wipes tears from her cheeks. Emerelda turned back and Emmett sat stunned but with a large smile on his face. His gold eyes went to her and his smile grew. Emerelda felt a new type of emotion, something bubbling with happiness and relief. She went to Emmet who was now standing and collapse in his arms. He held her and the crowd cheered louder.
He leaned to her ears, "Don't ever make me do that again."
She laughed again, "Oh my god…" she gasps on his chest, "Oh my god."
Emmett laughed as well, "That was…something."
She steps back and looked up to smile at him, he smiled right back. They both went to the stairs and descended. The blond man standing there was shaking his head in surprised.
He was still clapping also, "Bravo!" he cheered.
"Thank you." She looked at the door and it was wide open.
He nods, "He wants you in."