Song 38

In all the years of her new life, Meloria had never imagined that Ruybu’s capital, Sodaina, was just short of being a one-for-one replica of Tokyo. While it still had the feel of a fantasy world, there were certainly elements of the most up-to-date technology every which way you looked.
Meloria looked like a child as she sat on her knees, her hands pressed against the glass, as the train continued to pass through the outskirts of the city. She couldn’t believe her eyes, rubbing them to make sure there was no trickery as she saw billboards and moving pictures. “Impressive, isn’t it?” Jonny laughed, sitting back in his chair. “Thronewood Industries has come a long way.”

“Thornewood?” Meloria repeated sitting back in her seat. “Like the crazy guy who slapped me in front of all his guests and went into hiding to avoid mass public shame?” Meloria paused to see that Jonny’s face remained unchanged through that sentence. “That Thornewood?”

Jonny nodded, remembering the night he had been told about that incident. He was visiting the manor to see young Raville for his weekly piano lesson. The hallway was in complete ruins, with curtains torn from the windows and antiques shattered against the marble floor. The manor was in complete chaos. When the maid approached him, advising him of the incident, she had dark eyes, and her shoulders slumped over. She and the rest of the staff looked defeated.

He never did get to see Raville that day. Thornewood approached him, a dark aura hovering over his head as he spat at Jonny, telling him that he was no longer welcome at the manor. “Yes, Thronewood has been quite busy over the past decade,” Jonny mused, looking out to the screens. “He’s a genius man, though he certainly doesn’t leave you wanting more of his company.”

“You never mentioned you knew him,” Meloria frowned, feeling as if Jonny was hiding something important from her. “Which means you knew Raville.”

“Indeed,” Jonny nodded, looking Meloria in the eyes through her reflection. “If that incident never happened, I wouldn’t have met you.”

“So what you’re saying,” Meloria chuckled, turning to look up at Jonny. “I should be grateful for Thornewood slapping me that day?”

Shaking his head, Jonny couldn’t believe the vulgar jokes Meloria was coming up with. Her journey had indeed had an impact on her sense of humor. “Now now,” Jonny wagged his finger, poking Meloria’s nose. “You must be a proper lady during your visit. No crude jokes and speak with the proper etiquette that I have taught you.”

Meloria placed her hands in her lap, folding them into her hands and sitting up with her back straight. “Yes, of course, Jonny,” she mocked, trying to stop herself from bursting into laughter.

“Very good,” Jonny praised before they both burst into laughter, finding amusement in their back and forth.

When they boarded the train, they were met with a representative and his assistance from the show. Meloria couldn’t help but stare at the assistant as they helped with their belongings, placing them in the back of the car. Even though the assistant’s hair was tied up in a tight bun, Meloria recognised that familiar pale skin and jet-black hair. Should I say something? She wondered, getting into the car, her gaze never leaving the woman’s face. I would sound like a crazy woman if I did that, asking if she was the same woman in Umculo, at Kuste, and on the train. Yes, that would definitely sound wild if I did that.

Jonny nudged Meloria with his foot, gesturing to his eyes and then wagging his finger, warning Meloria about staring. Meloria quickly averted her gaze from the window, admiring the modern buildings and screens that advertised the show.

It wasn’t long before they arrived at Sodaina’s exclusive hotel, which was so large that Meloria nearly pulled the muscles in the back of her neck looking up at it. “Please follow me,” the assistant bowed and gestured towards the entrance. She started to lead the way, Jonny making sure Meloria was a couple of steps in front of him, as if presenting her to the lobby.

As they walked through the glass double doors, they were greeted with a pristine white lobby with a chandelier hanging proudly above. Meloria’s mouth hung open, curious as to how many diamonds made up the impressive chandelier. Casually, Jonny raised his hand, placing a finger under her chin, closing her mouth. “All these people,” he smiled, looking around. “They are all here for the show. Musicians, dancers, and even comedians have all travelled here to perform in the biggest show Reybu puts on. A show presented to the royal family and noblemen and women alike. This is your chance to impress.”

Jonny looked down, seeing Meloria no longer by his side; instead, she was already wandering through the other performers, seemingly on a mission. Jonny sighed and smiled as he fixed the buttons on his shirt sleeve and straightened out the creases. Well, time to network for my little idol.

Meloria swerved around each person, her footwork light as she fit through the smallest of gaps. She had her personal mission. Raville was performing. She saw his picture on the screen; there was no doubt he was here. He had to be here, and she had to see him. “Excuse me,” Meloria asked politely, passing another person. Squeezing through, she narrowed her eyes toward the drinks table. Dark hair, a black suit, and as he turned around, there was no mistaking it. Meloria knew those mysterious grey eyes; they were etched into her memory. “Raville,” she whispered, her heart beginning to race. He certainly wasn’t a kid anymore; the way he carried himself and his face screamed 'man.' His eyes met Melroia’s, grey meeting green, and everyone else in the hall seemed to disappear; all Melroia could hear was her heart thumping in her ears.

“Raville,” she called out, raising her hand. “It’s me, Mel-”

Meloria screamed as she was pushed to the floor, hitting the marble face-first in front of Raville's feet. She looked up, Raville giving her a look of disgust before walking away. With a smug grin, a woman in a low-cut, long silver dress stepped over Meloria, looking down and muttering one word. “Patheic,” before wandering off in the direction Raville went.

“Pathetic,” Meloria mocked as she stood back up, wiping off her clothes and sticking out her tongue towards the woman. So, there will be people like that here, too? Bitches in every life, it seems.

Playing the knight in shining armor, Jonny rushed over, ushering Meloria from the lobby and escorting her to their room. Meloria couldn’t believe the room they were given; it was more like a suite, with one room for each of them and a shared living space and miniature kitchen area stocked with champagne, tea, and coffee facilities. “The rooms are also soundproof so that you can practice to your heart's content,” Jonny assured, pouring himself a glass of champagne. “We have a week until the show. Tomorrow, you shall be meeting with the backstage staff as well as the other performers.”

“Right,” Meloria nodded, her eyes filled with determination.

“You’ll also be showcasing yourself tomorrow,” Jonny warned, taking a couple of sips of his champagne. “I want you to prepare your best song for tomorrow, however…”

“However?” Meloria’s face softened.

“I want you to write a new and original song to perform for the actual show,” Jonny smirked.