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[Velaine Krome]

Unlikely Friendship

7th of Cylus, Arc 712

It was her birth-trial. A day that should be full of celebration and excitement. Her family had thrown a rather impressive party to celebrate it and probably invited all sorts of nobles to attend. Unfortunately, Velaine Krome was not precisely pleased with the festivities. Not that anyone would be able to tell. She had painstakingly kept a bright smile and cheery attitude all night, conversing with all their guests gracefully. Her face was starting to ache, but it was impossible for the people not to notice her while she was clad in a dress in the color of gold – Krome’s proud color.

This whole party felt like a farewell for her more than anything. By the mid-season, her parents would ship her away to Ne’haer so she could study. She had mixed feelings about it, to be honest. On one hand, this gave her the opportunity to distance herself from them. An escape from the constant reminder that all her family ever hoped for her was to marry well and become a proper lady. Meanwhile, Xander was groomed to become the heir and Vincent went about making troubles. Yet, she could not worrying while she imagined living in a place she had never even been to before. The female Krome had never been away from Rynmere before.

Her parents had been terrifyingly generous ever since they announced their idea. They bought her all the finest clothes for her to wear, reassured her that they had found the best living quarters that nel could buy. All so she could enjoy being on the other side of the world. Bit of an overkill if you asked her. She could not help wonder why her parents would send her away when Rynmere had its own perfectly good university.

Still, since Velaine wasn’t entirely against the idea of moving away, she

The crowd had suddenly started clapping their hands and turned toward the small stage that had been set up at the center of their common room. She remembered her mother mentioning about a girl from Venora who could play the piano and invited her to play. Velaine couldn’t quite recall her name, but that must be the young woman with blonde hair. As far as she could tell, she hadn’t spotted a lot of people her age between the guests – after all, her parents mostly invited their friends.

With her curiosity peaking, the Krome slipped through the crowd to get a better look.

[Darcyanna Venora]

7th Cylus, 712

Darcyanna breathed deeply, and blew it out again, shaking her hands and brushing the skirts of her silk gown nervously. She’d worn white, as mother’s letter had asked. As father’s had insisted. White, with an small touch of gold here and there to highlight the blondes in her hair.

Ivory Rose of Venora. That’s what you are. Be proud of your name. Head high, shoulders back. Smile Darcy, smile!

She practiced, smiling widely with perfect white teeth and her hair all set in place. Underneath the make up that had been so carefully applied however, it was not perfect. Pythera had given her a good sound bruise on her eye, but it was just an accident she claimed. The girl hadn’t told her parents, and the school nurse wouldn’t dare. She knew, they all knew, just how vile Pythera was and how cruel she could be. Darcy would never tell anyone that it was her sister.

Another deep breath, before she turned her practiced smile on the steward that waited to take her to the stage. The Venora nodded.

“I’m ready.” She said softly, hands clasping the silky pale material of her dress. With a curt bow, the steward led her out of the hall and into the common room.

There were so many people. By the Seven, it was daunting. Darcy swallowed her fear, Biqaj eyes bright and blue as she climbed the small stairs of the stage and turned a wide well practiced smile on the crowd.

“Good trial to all.” She announced with a clear and well projected voice, sweeping the room with her gaze just as Oliver had told her. Hold the room, let them see you shine.

“I will be playing The Spring Waltz, for those who know it, in honour of Lady Velaine Krome’s birthday. Please, enjoy.” Fates she hoped that was the right name. Father’s handwriting was so hard to read sometimes.

Offering a brief curtesy, the teenager made her way to the piano, sweeping her skirts under her with the proper decorum and sitting with her back straight. It was a beautiful dark mahogany grand, almost oily in the sheen of its polish. Carefully, she laid delicate fingers on the keys, finding her nook in the familiar shapes of the ebony and ivory. It was a beautiful instrument, and briefly the youngster wondered if it was a new addition to the house or if the piece was an old familiar friend.

Looking up at the sheets before her for guidance, Darcy began.

Play Me

Immediately, the music sang to her, and the budding pianist turned her gaze from the music to the keys, intimate enough with the piece to know it nearly by heart. Her hands danced and her shifting lilac eyes drifted shut, brow furrowed as Darcyanna felt the beautiful notes.

In this place, she was happy. She was alive.

The song slow, lilting on the last heartfelt chords, up in the high end like so much sweet nothings, before pouring into the pressing into a trill and a slow end.

Opening her eyes, Darcy turned an almost shy smile on the crowd as she stood with hands clasped before her.

“Thank you, and once again, many well wishes for the Lady of the evening.” She lifted her hands to clap politely at the room before taking her leave off the side of the stage, taking another deep breath to prepare herself for the hard part of the night.

Socialisation.

[Velaine Krome]

To say the girl played beautifully was probably an understatement.

Velaine had no idea about music whatsoever, but she was quite sure that the Venora must have her fingers across a piano all her life. The blonde seemed to be sucked into her music entirely, with her closed eyes and sweeping fingers. It was a precious talent, really.

Meanwhile, the Krome could not help but reminded of her own failed attempts at playing any sort of instrument. She had tried everything the music tutors had to offer – piano, violin, cello – but nothing seemed to stick. The girl simply did not have the patience to train on the same thing again and again. Even her mother had given up on looking for any hint of artistic talent in her daughter.

The crowd went wild as the song ended, applauses filling the air. Velaine was one of them, of course. Some people might actually be wiping their eyes. She could not help feeling a bit jealous, truth be told. It must be nice to be gifted at something.

As soon as the girl stepped down the stage, Velaine made her way to her. It wasn’t a swift approach, really, considering that someone stopped her every few steps. When she finally managed to escape, she sighed in relief as she found that the pianist hadn’t gone too far. Finally getting a good look at her, Velaine’s smile grew as she realized that her guess was right – they must be similar enough in age.

Once she was standing next to the Venora, the Krome cleared throat and extended her hand. “That was amazing.” If the girl seemed surprised by her sudden approach, she would simply introduced herself. “I’m Velaine Krome, by the way. I suppose I should thank you for the song.”

[Darcyanna Venora]

7th Cylus, 712

“Yes, I’ve been playing since I could walk my brother tells me.” Darcyanna addressed the small group of socialites who had stopped her with questions, her smile wide and eyes bright. Politely laughing at her own comment as the others did so, the young Venora ran through names and faces in her head. Tulburns, Kromes, Hawthrights, Warricks...Gawyne?

No, nobody ever saw Gawyne’s at these things.

Turning at the sound of a girls voice, the blonde musician took the hand offered and looked up at the newcomer. A pretty chocolate haired girl, of what appeared to be similar age to herself, Darcy quickly turned her handshake into a well practiced curtsy.

“Well met Lady Krome, and happy birthtrial! I’m Darcyanna Venora, but please just call me Darcy.” Straightening up, she gestured to the beautiful piano where it still sat open and now a handy drink table it seemed.

“Thank you, thats very kind. My parents sent me to play it as a birthday gift for you, so I really hope it was okay. I have to compliment you on the instrument, it’s absolutely stunning. Really holds a tune well.” Her smile waned for a moment and she dropped her hand with a sigh. It seemed ironic to mention its beauty when clearly those in attendance would rather treat it like furniture. Turning back to Velanie, she smiled again, ignoring the mild throb of her eye.

Sarding Pythera. The younger girl had known Darcy was going to be performing, she knew what she was doing this trial. It was surely to embarrass her.

Jokes on you sister, I’ve put up with it long enough, I can put up with it today.

“Do you play at all?” She asked with genuine interest, taking a glass of something bubbling and sweet from a passing waiter and sipping a little.