DAYDREAMER

PART II: Kingfisher Forest

"It is pretty warm in here," Madeleine pointed out, brushing the dry polished wooden tiles with the back of her hand, Magnus, Cynthia and Aiden immediately clambered up the stairs towards the bedrooms like an enlivened child might do, already calling shotgun on what they'd assume to be the best room. This left Madeleine, Jake and Lucia to explore the lower quarters of the cottage.

"We could always explore tomorrow if you'd like, it is quite late after all and we've had quite the journey too," Lucia said, yawning.

"Sure, but I don't really feel like sleeping right now, I might do some exploring, get used to the cottage... besides, who knows how long we'll be here for?" Jake uttered, looking at the door to the living room, Lucia simply shrugged and made her way upstairs, following the rest to the bedrooms, Jake opened the door to the living room, adjusting to the light that came from within, it was fitted with a couple of comfortable couches, a vintage carpet was browning with age, and a small wooden table that sat next to a rocking chair. In the corner of the room, Jake could see a grand piano, which piqued his interest at once. Madeleine found the source of the light, which came from a small flame in the campfire, the small ball of fire dancing within the glass confines of the chimney, which warmed the room. They hung up their coats, Madeleine sitting down on the rocking chair and Jake returning to the piano, cracking his knuckles, he began to play Für Elise, losing himself in the melody. Madeleine looked up, impressed.

"I didn't know you could play piano? C'est impressionant!" She said, clapping at his performance.

"I can do a lot of things, I'm just not very vocal about my talents," Jake informed, now playing Moonlight Sonata.

"Beethoven fan? I'd assume," Madeleine asked, Jake nodded, with eyes closed, embracing the piece.

"I'm more of a Mozart fan myself! Haha, but I wouldn't blame you if you couldn't play anything by-"

Jake shifted the song once again, to a 'Turkish March' by Mozart, which left Madeleine with a face of fascination even deeper than the previous one, "Hmm, how about Chopin?"

"How about Fantasie-Impromptu?" Jake laughed, playing the piece with ease.

"Liszt?"

Jake rolled his eyes, amused by Madeleine's sudden investment in his ability, but once again he played another piece, 'La Campanella', Madeleine had a grin that went from ear to ear, she loved listening to the oeuvres of old Musicians, it was nostalgic.

"How about one last one?"

"Sure, which one?
"Debussy?"

"Haha! Was expecting a French artist sooner or later from you, how does Clair de Lune sound?"

"Sounds magnifique!"

...

"Ok! I could get used to this!" Magnus chimed, jumping onto the rosy duvet of the king bed, his speed securing him the best room they could find.

"I am one hundred percent sure I won that race, but the way," Aiden bemoaned, his arms crossed.

"All of these rooms are pretty nice though," Cynthia commented, looking around through the hallway, there were at least 3 other bedrooms that could be seen, and dozens of other rooms that were in the perimeter. Lucia didn't pick, she chose a bedroom to the furthest end of the corridor, calling it a day, Cynthia was the only person who didn't find herself occupied; even with the sheer size of the cottage. Walking downstairs to accompany Jake and Madeleine, she noticed that she was fast asleep on the rocking chair, while Jake sat at the grand piano, playing 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,' He looked up from the piano and focused his attention on Cynthia, who had just entered the lounge.