{Contest Entry} Strings

Part Two: Sky

"We will stand tall, at sky fall, oh..." I held out the last word as the song ended.

I honestly hated working at this stupid place, I felt like a monkey on a bike at a circus. I would do my little show and the people would smile and clap and I would get paid and leave. If there was one emotion I felt besides despair, it was hatred. I was the songbird in their little cage. However, it did pay well, so I guess I had no choice.

"Excellent job, Adam!" my employers, Mrs. and Mr. Richard congratulated me as they clapped their clean, pure hands.

"Thank you," I accepted their praise out of common courtesy than actual acceptance.

Mr. Richard clapped me on the back, pushing the breath out of me momentarily, "You did good, son. You're definitely our favourite songbird we've had for a while now."

They even had the audacity to call me a songbird. They were correct, though. I got up at parties, sang on their little stage set up with a band and I took requests from the audience. Some idiot had requested "Skyfall" by Adele as a test of both the endurance of my breath and my voice since it was a higher ranged song, considering it was sung by a woman and the fact notes were dragged on for dramatic effect.

"Here's your paycheck, and also, we'd like for you to come sing at Mrs. Richard's fortieth birthday party down at the Crafter's City Hotel. We'll provide all expenses for your room and food, of course," he continued. All I could see were his lips moving and his bright blue eyes sparkling with some emotions I had not felt for a long time now. I didn't even recognize what they were.

"Okay, sir. I'll be there," I responded automatically. I was used to another assignment after a performance. I said the same thing each time, only changing the pronoun to madam if it so happened to be a woman.

"We'll be glad you will be!" he clapped me on the back again. I stumbled forward a bit, but regained my footing and started for the door of their large, white mansion. The ballroom was quite crowded, but I just shoved my way through, disconnected from the whole idea of a party and people I never bothered to meet.

~~~

The week before Mrs. Richard's party, I was summoned to the Crafter's City Hotel as a "vacation". Mr. and Mrs. Richard were on a vacation with the rest of their family here too, preparing for the big day of the party as well as enjoying the sights and activities the hotel offered.

I entered the large, balcony lobby, kind of amazed at how high up the ceilings were and stunned at the crystal chandelier above me. Emotions sparked through me for a second then vanished as quickly as they had arrived. I barely even noticed the soft piano music being performed live by some kid in thick glasses. I went up to the receptionist and told him my name, knowing I'd just have to be checked in before I could go up to my room.

The man at the counter looked shockingly familiar. His eyes were a dulled brown, a symbol of the Melancholy not quite have completely taken over his body, yet. The familiar, gentle waves of his hair and his soft voice confirmed my suspicions. But I said nothing. I wanted to cry out in both shock and happiness, "Seto!" as I recognized his face, but I couldn't find my voice. Like a robot, I took my room key and headed for the elevator, my mind already erasing the thought of recognition and shock gained from the little receptionist.

As the clear walled elevator shot up in altitude, I tried to grasp on to the feelings I had just had glimpses of and what they were connected with. My mind searched for why the man's face had caused me to feel those things as I went to my room, unlocked the door and threw my bag on the bed.

By the time I let my body hit the sheets, I had returned to my normal state. I didn't remember the man at the front desk, nor his name even though I had acknowledged it when I thanked him for my room key. I suddenly remembered I had to practice for the party and I grabbed my sheet music, beginning to warm up my vocal cords as quietly as possible as not to disturb any of my neighbors.