Music is best shared. [Laurent]

[Sirena Shahrizai]

The songs in my head were bored, I could hear them murmuring to themselves and each other. They'd grown bored with their own company and needed new companions, other tunes and words with new ideas and new sensations, so that they would no longer sound unhappy. I needed happy songs in my head now, for much good had come of my return to the City and my senses were soothed by the warm scents of spring, the sunlight that soaked into my skin and the tastes of foods only this place had in abundance. Those are songs, and soon there will be new words, a part of my mind whispered and I smiled in agreement. Yes, yes, new words.

I didn't mind a good book from time to time but I wasn't the most frequent visitor to Armand's either; my nature made me more inclined to asking questions with a sweet smile to attain answers, or to learn by watching than by the written word. Shemhazai wasn't my devotion, Kushiel was- my loving ancestor who had always protected me and seen to my best interests. He could be jealous though and I didn't want to give him the impression that I was straying so most of the books I passed by.

My steps light and almost lyrical as I made my way to a back wall of scrolls and large, heavy books inscribed with the musical symbols most d'Angelines were familiar with. Translations of far-away songs and instrumentals, traditional tunes from my own land, even the operatic reaches of the plays and musicals and some of the works released from Eglantine rested here, and all were desirable to me. Beautiful or ghastly, unintelligible or perfectly done, they were music, and soon they would be mine.

Taking one down I opened it to a page and let my voice run through the scales, my tone quiet but completely clear and perfectly pitched. Already the tension was starting to ease from me with the promise of new music so close by, and I let my senses wander a bit as I unconsciously swayed in time to the tempo.

[Laurent de Rocaille]

My daily wanderings had brought me into the same bookstore, though I was in a completely different section than where anything like music would be. I was buried deep into the sciences, chemistry this time. I wanted to be a good boy today and the only way to accomplish that would be by gaining new knowledge. I glanced over each book, seeing familiar spine after familiar spine, and I hadn't even reached the anatomy section yet, my personal favorite. I needed something new. Could I really have learned all this already. No, I had not read every text, but enough to know that I needed a break. I needed to find a new subject to learn about. Mathematics? Perhaps, though again my skills were nearly at their limits there as well. However, there is something akin to math which is much more pleasant on the ears, music.

It did not take long for me to find the music section as a voice, soft and lovely lead me there. I figured I had to be on the right track. I stopped when I found the lovely source of the lovely voice and I had no words to say.

[Sirena Shahrizai]

Whenever the music had me I was completely in its grip and I didn't mind being its vessel; it filled every crack in my soul and led me to the right answers as well as drawing everything absent even closer. Tal had always said if I sang the right song it would charm the moon from the sky, or the wolves from the forest, and even the beasts from the heart of mankind. I was careful to avoid the latter song though, as mankind was far more interesting and beautiful for the beasts they kept and often hid away.

This song was one of those from the d'Angeline peasant festivals, a merry thing that made me smile to read it and my joy filled the words as I sang them and the voices in my head were the harmony to my own symphony.

"Once a fair and handsome Seal Lord
Lay his foot upon the sand
For to woo the fisher's daughter
And to claim her marriage hand

I have come in from the ocean
I have come in from the sea
And I'll not go to the waves, love
Lest ye come along with me."

A movement off to my side caught my attention and I looked over at the man who'd wandered over and gave him a smile, the light in my Shahrizai-blue eyes amused and a bit flattered as I looked at him. He was handsome, this was true, and it seemed he was quite one to be caught by such a tune. My expression was one of playfulness as I cocked my head, my voice trilling slightly on the last note, as if a question- should I sing on?

Of course you will. Who can stop you from singing, even if they can't hear the song?

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I smiled back at her and nodded, both in greeting and as an encouragement for her to continue. I leaned against the bookshelf, happy for the diversion from my mad quest to learn. I kept my eyes focused on hers. If I had to guess, based on their stunning azure hue, she was a Shahrizai. I had always liked them for some reason. TO find one with such a melodious voice, this was a rare treat indeed.

[Sirena Shahrizai]

The song was never held back, not even if people wanted it to be- because Kushiel made sure it came out. He was proud of my talent and the work I put into it, and how it worked with my Shahrizai blood. We were the ones who knew the vices and sins, and saw the cracks in the heart and soul; I was the one who could give them a voice that few could ever deny. And this one- he was languid with things he never said.

At his encouragement my smile widened a bit to something sweeter, the beckoning, charming grin to bring in those sailing on the seas of life, to nuture them for a time and give them a pretty picture. That was their repayment for allowing themselves to hear, their dreams enhanced with the glorious sounds of otherworldly things. It was a kindness. So the song continue to roll from my throat, just a little louder so he could hear every chord in its full glory.

"Lord, long have I loved you
As a Selkie on the foam
I would gladly go and wed ye
And be lady of your home
But I cannot go into the ocean
I cannot go into the sea
I would drown beneath the waves, love
If I went along with thee

Lady, long have I loved you
I would have you for my wife
I will stay upon your shoreland
Though it robs me of my life
I will stay one night beside you
Never go back to the sea
I will stay and be thy husband
Though it be the death of me

Lord, I cannot go and wed thee
All to watch my lover die
Since I'll not be left a widow
I have a plan for us to try
Let us speak with my grandmother
Who has ever dwelt beside the sea
She may know some trick or treasure
That I may wed my fair Selkie

So they've gone to her grandmother's
Little cottage by the sea
To inquire how a maiden
Can be wed to her Selkie
For the Selkie's watery kingdom
Would surely rob her of her breath
But to stay on land past midnight
It would surely be his death

Lord, I know not how to aid you
You may never live on shore
For your kind to live till dawning
It has never been seen before
But my mother had a seal coat
That she buried beneath the tree
And she told me that its wearer
Would become a fair Selkie

So they've journeyed farther inland
Though the Seal Lord's getting weak
And she's shouldering the shovel
To unearth the thing they seek
At the rising of the fullmoon
Underneath the elfen oak
She has unearthed that faery treasure
Of which her grandmother spoke

Just before the stroke of midnight
They have made it back to sea
And she has donned the magic seal coat
And become a maid Selkie
Now they've gone into the ocean
Hand in hand into the sea
She has gone along
A fair seal bride for a Selkie."

The last notes faded into the dim, dusty light of the library as I waited for the man to take them in. "What do you think, my lord? Do I do the tune justice?"

[Laurent de Rocaille]

i took a deep breath, for I had indeed been charmed by her notes. "I am not familiar with the tune, yet you have forever ruined the song for me. By that I mean I highly doubt I'll ever hear a voice to compare to yours and any time I hear it again it will fall short." I had forgotten that I had come here for an instructional text, but I didn't care anymore. "Perhaps you could sing another?"

[Sirena Shahrizai]

His enthusiasm and flattery suited me very well and I ran my fingers over the page I was on as I looked at the young lord from beneath my lashes. He certainly knew how to charm, and he seemed quite as entranced as he'd said, which set the voices in my head to crooning softly, their touch like silk rather than flechettes. "I would never claim to be the only one who can sing, but I'm glad you think so well of me," I told him, my speaking voice holding a faintly musical lilt.

Oh, but he wants you to sing. If only he knew the other songs you could sing with the right skin, in the right atmosphere.. But there was no telling what tastes he held in that regard, and I could only smile more playfully and push a bit of hair behind my ears. "I'd be glad to sing anything you'd like- it's very obliging to have such a kind audience." The book closed with a quiet rustle as I moved a step closer and let my voice drop as though we were jestingly conspiring. "But we may disturb the others who are here. Will you make sure they don't interrupt?"

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I smiled a bit more as she pushed her hair behind her ears. It was cute. But knowing her family, there was more than cuteness in there. I quickly let my eyes run down her body in silent admiration before I responded to her. "Well the best way to do that might be to purchase a book and then simply find a private place. I would be very distraught if we had to end this concert." I pulled out a book for myself as I spoke, an introductory text to music.

[Sirena Shahrizai]

Even as I shifted the heavy book in my arms I could feel how he was appraising me, the tendrils of his attention almost like fingers that ran across my skin and were attached straight to his soul. Of course he hadn't resisted it- I doubt if he tried to have much self-control at all when something that was of his taste was in his sights. Gluttony, Lust, Greed; he probably had them all in their varying amounts, and Pride as well. A delightful song of sin with a bright note of willfulness. He could be fun to play with.

"I can't say that's the worst plan I've heard," I said as I watched him pull down a beginner's book of music. "This book has quite grabbed my attention and should keep me occupied for some time. It's been quite some time since anyone asked for a concert from me." My eyes slowly dropped half-lidded for a moment as I gave him the same appraising glance he'd given me, then met his gaze again, the blue in my eyes flashing just a touch more sharply though my smile became that much more playful. "Are you ready as well? And perhaps we should exchange names."

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I nodded, noticing her appraisal of me, though I had no idea what to make of her reaction. "I'm ready." I laughed a little. How often had I forgotten to introduce myself. "My name is Laurie." I left it at that as I always did, unless the need arose to divulge my family name. "Where shall we go?" I asked before she gave me her name.

[Sirena Shahrizai]

It seemed that he wanted to keep things on a first-name basis, something that I never really objected to so long as the person was doing it for the right reasons. As many cracks and seams showed in this one he did have a little bit of light underneath it that showed through and in some ways illuminated the dark net that overlayed him all the more starkly. A fun time, this one, especially if he didn't realize how bright and shining he really was in comparison to the fathoming depths of the sea.

"I'm Sirena, it's a pleasure to meet you," was my reply as I pushed my hair behind my shoulders with one hand and looked toward the front of the shop where the cashier sat at the counter. He was impatient for whatever reason and that made me even more playful, the songs in my head the slowly building type. "As for where, somewhere that the sound carries beautifully, out of the chill wind and dust that makes a voice sour where there is wine to sweeten the notes. Do you know of such a place, m'lord?"

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I let Sirena make her purchase first while I tried to figure out where the best place to go would be. "Well the only establishment I know of that has wine, really good fine wine, is El Parra. It's new and I haven't been there much, and the owner might not want us coming in and singing ... might you have any ideas?"

Once she had purchased her book I then bought mine. It would be nice to know a little more about singing, and who knows, I might actually be good!

[Sirena Shahrizai]

The book was only about as expensive as I'd expected and easily paid for out of the money I'd brought, but it was large and cumbersome and I had no inclination to carry it around forever. If not for the fact that this mysterious stranger had asked for a performance I would have had it delivered to my home and finished with the day's shopping, but I was stronger than most gave my slight frame credit for. If I wasn't could I have kept up among my cousins?

"I'd hate to make an innkeeper angry so perhaps that's best left as a last resort," I said to Laurie with a light laugh as he paid, secretly wondering if he'd really been considering such a thing at all. As much as I liked audiences and attention the idea of being turned out of an inn during the middle of the day for singing and starting a riot was not the thing that was going to keep me in a good mood. But, if he was going to be mysterious, then so could I. Fair's fair, after all.

"There may be another choice if you'll follow me there," I told him with a bat of my lashes and a low croon as I balanced my book across my arms, the songs within it almost dying to get out and make my voice speak the. Patience, songs, patience. "Or do you not trust me?" The last was a tease, a jest- because whether her did or not was up to him, and I didn't really want to make him afraid, only to play. Could he keep up with this game?

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I was glad she dismissed that idea, though I had to admit that I was curious as to what place she had in mind. I trusted her however, not in the shallow sense of the term, but I knew wherever she suggested would probably the best, and by best I mean interesting, thing. Therefore, it was with a smirk and a nod that I replied, "Implicitly. Lead on, mistress!"

[Sirena Shahrizai]

Did this man have any idea what he was getting himself into? Most likely not- but that's what would make this entire interaction all the more interesting, to see how long it would take him to realize. Of course I wouldn't do anything that could hurt or embarrass him, not unless he asked, but my songs had a way of bringing out something in people that they rarely showed to others if they were willing to open themselves to the song.

"Well, if you'd like to come to my home I know the acoustics there are rather nice," I said with a playful wink, then looked at the book in his hand. It was a beginner's book, basic vocal patterns and exercises, very clever really but nothing compared to having a tutor. "Are you learning to sing yourself, my lord? I can understand why you're so interested then. Perhaps I can teach you as well."

[Laurent de Rocaille]

Well this was going along just beautifully. "Sounds like a plan to me." She glanced at the book in my hand and asked if I was learning. "Well, I learned some music as a child, but have forgotten most of it. I've decided to broaden my knowledge to new subjects so I thought I would try my hand at music. I would be most happy if you would teach me."

[Sirena Shahrizai]

The place I best knew the acoustics and the layout was my home, which wasn't really that far, but that led to wondering what he would think if I brought him there. This one has the sin of lust, you can almost taste it, a calm, giggling voice crooned, and I remembered the song I'd sung out of my new book that had lured him in. How much more fun could this time get? It had been some time since I'd had anyone near who actually had a voice toward melodic singing and not just screams.

"I'm sure you'll be able to pick it back up, your voice is probably still true," I replied with a light laugh as I started for the door, then turned to see if he had indeed followed me. "My home isn't too far and it's the best place I know to go and sing that will be out of the wind and free from distractions. Can I trust you not to kill me while I'm getting you a glass of wine?" I teased lightly, giving him a wink. Perhaps he could be a friend after all, and I did love a good audience.

[Laurent de Rocaille]

"Thank you," I told her, though I truly doubted that my voice was really fit for music, but we would see. "I think you shall be fine, I have no desire to spoil beauty. You will be quite safe, plus wine would be quite good anyway." I couldn't help but smile at the fun that was being had, just in conversation.

[Sirena Shahrizai]

He took my question far more literally than I expected, but that was a good sign too, since he probably was as trustworthy as he said based on that fact. His mind may wander to what is lovely, but it always comes back to point true. Very few people could say the same, that they could indulge themselves and not worry about how their nature would change. Even some of my siblings lost themselves in their games. Poor silly cousins.

Reaching the door I opened it with one graceful moment, then stepped outside and waited for Laurie to follow me. "Then come along, little songbird, come along," I teased with a wink. "What kind of wine do you prefer?"

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I walked outside and kept right alongside her. "I really have no preference as far as drinks are concerned, something on the strong side, and full flavoured." I glanced around me at the spring air and took a deep breath, my walk was proper, with perfect posture.

[Sirena Shahrizai]

I could have laughed at his description of wines. "That's the way I like things as well," I replied in a slightly teasing tone with just a lilt of low laughter. "And all I generally deal in, though something sweet does occasionally pass my way." Whether he'd know I was also referencing things other than wine or not I couldn't guess, but he seemed to have a good bit of charm to him and I didn't doubt that his mind was quick. Something about him screamed of intelligence, even through the dark cracks of his soul.

[Laurent de Rocaille]

It was hard for me not to catch the double meaning in her words. "I see. I see our tastes run along similar veins but, perhaps, often take different forms. Honestly though I'll typically take whatever drink I'm offered, save the bland or the poisoned." The sun was now starting to go down, casting that golden light on the world.

[Sirena Shahrizai]

Bland was plan enough, but I wondered what exactly he meant by 'poisoned'. It was an intriguing notion, that a living person could be filled with venom to induce madness or death, but then what else could have happened to my parents? Their lies had filled them up until Kushiel had choked them with their own words and they'd died gasping. No more on that, Rena. You love your mother and father very much.

"I don't think I've ever allowed anything bland to stay in my house past a few minutes," I assured him with a smile as I started up the street, moderately sure that he would follow me. "And poison is for people who aren't creative enough to use other methods, don't you think?" The sky was starting to darken and my smile softened a bit. Night was a good time, it sweetened everything that the light touched, even me.

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I nodded. "Though sometimes poison has intriguing effects, nevertheless it is still poison." As we walked I cracked open my book and began to thumb through some of the pages.

[Sirena Shahrizai]

It seemed that he really was the sort of person who loved to learn, and it brought another facet of him into focus. If this one isn't of Shemhazai then you're a bunny. "Aren't you worried you're going to trip if you try to walk and read at the same time?" I asked in an intrigued tone, my voice tinged with amusement. "If you did you may drop your book and then you'd tear it."

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I glanced up and sideways at her with a surprised but playful expression. "I hadn't thought of that." I chuckled and placed the book back under my arm where it belonged. I could see that she was reading me, getting a taste of both sides of me, not that I truly cared. "I suppose there will always be time to read it latter," Is said in a light-hearted manner.

[Sirena Shahrizai]

He played along and I was instantly delighted; it was always such a pity when someone got offended by the innocent offer of a simple game of questions. "I'd think there was always a time to read," I said in a teasingly sweet voice, running a finger along my own book that I'd acquired. "The books don't run away. But there are some things that are far better in practice than in research, or perhaps that's simply me."

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I smirked and nodded. "Indeed, practice is the only way o truly know something and mark it a part of you. So tonight will be a practice then, actions and not words."

[Sirena Shahrizai]

His response amused me a great deal, mostly because it almost sounded like he was walking into a tryst, and I giggled quietly as I smiled. Hadn't his parents ever told him stories about the scaaary Shahrizai and what they did in their dens? If not I was glad- I liked not being grouped with the ones like Dominic. Don't speak ill of the dead, Rena. "Action suits me better as well," I said in a slightly lilting tone as I continued walking, then turned a corner toward the West Borough.

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I knew full well what was said of the Shahrizai, I simply hoped that there was something different about this one, especially given the way desire was building up inside of me. "Good then. I'm sure we'll be singing beautifully by night's end."