Chapter 1: Requiem

Introductory chapter on Fenix during the first night at the manor.

The rain shatters on the courtyard outside, the window's glasses frosted by the cold. A veil of darkness protrudes my vision of sight outside the window. The luminescent chandelier looms over my head, attached to the ceiling with each light bulb hanging amidst. Dust dances across the air like fairies would, tingling my nostrils each time, forcing me to sneeze. My arms and legs paralysed by the task of having to travel, a place with no internet, no one to talk to, yet again I wonder, was it for my own good that I was sent here or for my parent's serenity. Oh well, wondering isn't going to get me anywhere I think to myself, after all if I'm going to be here for a month... might as well unpack the loads of my belongings I brought here.

Bit by bit I extract the objects in my suitcase, packing them again neatly into the brazen, scarred cupboard. Uncle's family wasn't as welcoming as I'd expect them to be, well Eleanor was the only one that spared me some words. Madame rose was sealed tight, peevishly glaring at Eleanor. My uncle was pale, bags of darkness had started to spread his lower eye lid, his blond hair sparking up in all directions presented to them and his hands wrinkled to their full potential. The housemaid was warm and kind, an aura of motherhood emanated from her, with old yet neatly done hair and stained aprons. She always gave a kind smile when I looked upon her. The gardener however was a different story, with his scraggly beard, and a pirate's glare. All the other house servants were very unique, some equivocating all the time, the other left to their own business, and muttering to themselves. Can this house get any weirder than it already is ?

The grandfather clock rings, the chimes echo the manor, finally I had finished unpacking and assorting the countless loads of clothing and accessories. My eyes grow weary, 'it must be 12 'o clock' I mumble to myself. After turning the lights off, I drop dead on the bed beside me, so soft and embracing the mattress was, moment by moment, the pains in my shoulders, arms and legs release themselves from my earthly body. My spirit drifts away from my body, unwinding it self from the shackles I wear, shattering the chains, if only morning never came, if only I can drift in this oblivion for eternity, thoughtless, selfless and mindless.

My eyes close themselves as a veil of darkness clouds my vision, I fall victim to my own desire to fall asleep. A dryness in my throat causes pains to grow mercilessly. I slowly rise from the cloaks and blankets, like a drunk on his hangover. I drift towards the kitchen down stairs for water, unconscious of anything but the desire to quell my thirst for water. The darkness of the night is yet to clear away, frosty cold had enveloped the manor.

Yet in this darkness, a bittersweet melody echoes the darkened hallways breached by glimpses of moonlight. This melody.... It must be played on the piano, the one near the left side of the staircase, with dust and cobwebs encompassing each and every one of the white keys. Accompanied by the moonlight, the melody piqued my curiosity. 'It must be Eleanor who is playing this melody' I declare to myself. I slowly trudge myself towards the piano through the moonlighted hallways, step by step.

The piano was in my line of sight, a feminine figure was on the seat, graciously tapping each and every one of the white and black keys to produce this bittersweet melody. Her blonde hair formally pleated, neatly hanging over her black gown with her scarf of black butterflies swaying in the wind. Her blue eyes and her straight edged nose that resembled Eleanor's showed the extent of her happiness, a gentle smile protruded on her face.

I stand there, beside her, she slowly tilts her head sideways and looks at me, she extends her right hand to me while her left hand plays the piano. I mesmerised by her, place my left hand on top her's that was amidst in the air. She smiled, my tears streamed out not of melancholy but nostalgia. She shifts to her right gently as I sit next to her. Her hands wave across the air, as her fingers dance their tunes on the piano. The bittersweet melody plays on, I slowly place my hands on the piano. It was a dance of souls, me and her, playing the piano to produce this melody that entwined both our existence.
"Fenix!!" shouted Eleanor, her hand was pressed against my shoulder. I jumped in surprise, Madame Rose and uncle were in their night robes, Eleanor in her white blouse and black tights. The maid in her ragged night clothes was also there.
My uncle's eyes were wide open in surprise, his hand over his mouth trying to hide his voice with small traces of tears on his lower eyelids. Madame Rose had flared up, her facial muscles tightened, and her eyes flashing and closing into slit. The maid had grown tears, with her palm covering her mouth
"Fenix, why would you play the piano at this hour?" Eleanor asks me, with curiosity and frustration in her voice.
"I-I... I donno" I replied, I glance around the piano looking for the lady who had accompanied me into this predicament, but she had vanished. It was'nt her who was playing the bittersweet melody on the piano but me...

Author's Note

Please Ignore Grammar problems, probably cause of typos. So how does it sound for a first chapter. Looking forward to hearing from you soon:)

Reviews

[Cyndy Robinson]

I am of course, seduced by the prose. I am not sure how to review this. There simply isn't enough of this yet. I haven't written a book, although I have read more than the average human being. In an absence of words and not having any clue where this is going the only thing I would say, and it is Dubious at best, would this be better as a Prologue?

[Relinqua]

Ah thank you:) true it might make more sense as I finish also I intended it to be a bit dubious and glad it worked out.

[Cyndy Robinson]

I am sorry I tried, out my of element here.

[Relinqua]

It's okay thank you for taking your time, and it's glad to know people interpreted this writing like I guessed, again thank you so much and looking forward to more of your works:)

[ally B.]

Oh my gosh. This is absolutely amazing, your detail is serene and how you described the ghostly apparition of her thoughts and how she was actually the one playing the piano.. Ugh. Amazing seriously. Please continue i'm looking forward to reading more.

[Cyndy Robinson]

Sorry I am really new and challenged by the computer. I cannot get past the first page on here. I have never written a book, and don't feel qualified to say anything, not that I ever felt qualified with Poetry, but at least I have written it. It is a chapter and I cannot seem to get to the next page. I do not have a scroll bar, and the last thing I can see was it wasn't her who was playing the bittersweet melody on the paino but me. Personal failing, eventually I will figure it out.

[Relinqua]

Um yes it's a bit short, originally I had planned a novel long story with my intro being really short, but after research kinda adopted the use of chapters in light novels with the structure of a novella. So yeah, and it's a lot suited to the story I had planned sorry about that. It's kind of an experiment of two writing styles. But how was the opening, was it alright and thank you for taking your time:)