Chapter 1 -- First Feelings

The start to explain before the background and how things are.

Eternally held inside this glass globe, it has no way to see in or out. I can't see them, and they can't see me. I'm trapped inside of this bulb playing endlessly for the sake of The Court. My playing is magical, or so I had read. I've never actually met anyone. I've been in this cage since birth. Brought up on books and provided food and water that appeared downstairs after every session.

There are two layers to this white, wintry Snow Globe. The upper level, where I play my music to be heard by anyone nearby, and the lower level, which I descend to after every playing. My bedroom/2nd prison.

I play different instruments, and I can make them resound their inner soul; their inner beauty. But that's not the magical part. That's my natural talent. The magical one is the miracles that happen when I play. I don't know what miracles I can create, but, then again, I'm never able to see them, seeing as how I'm trapped and all.

Those that had trapped me in here do not know what I look like, sound like, or even my gender. Right after I was born, I grabbed some medical tool and swung it around. Once it hit something, sound was made and, due to that sound, a miracle happened. As soon as it happened, they grabbed me, put me into this globe, and left me to die or live. Being born weak from the start, the only reason I'm still alive is due to the miracles that my playing creates, and the person who leaves me food, water, and other necessities.

The person who helps me to survive.

I've never met them, but they know of me. They change my sheets and bring me the white dresses and white socks I wear everyday. They also get my baths ready every night just before I go down onto the second level.

One day, on one of the scrap papers that I got for drawing and writing on, I wrote them a Thank You note:
Thank you for always providing me with all of the food, water, clothes, and baths. I appreciate everything you do for me. I wish you the very best in your life.

I didn't expect a reply, but I got one on the back of that scrap piece of paper:

It's no problem. I like you're playing. How did you learn to play like that?

From then on, we exchanged notes every day. I learned that this person was female, and I had found out her name was Tahlna and that she was 2 years older then me. 17. When Tahlna had asked for my name, I didn't have one to give her. I told her I didn't have one, and she went silent for 3 days. Then her next note said "Strain. That's your name. I hope you like it." When I looked the word up, I found many different meanings to it. A sound of a piece of music; to force oneself; to embrace tightly; making a great effort. I liked the new name.

Happy with a new name, I went upstairs the next morning, and played a violin with my happpiness put into it, so that Tahlna could hear how happy and grateful I felt. That same night, I found a note saying "I'm glad" with some tear stains on it. I fell asleep hugging that piece of paper.

This went on for about 3 more months. Then Tahlna suggested something surprising.