Little Letters Left

[George Williamson]

A thousand answers could have been used for the frightfully simple question. It passed in reality as a pause of a few seconds as George thought on which to give. Somehow the voice made it come out easier. "You're right in being curious. Music like which we have spoken about is not something I cared much before."

Dancing on the abbey. The near-white trail of her hair following her like a wave.

"It has been a growing interest from the company I keep, you see. Viktor had mentioned a little about these things, and I thought who better to ask about music than the Meastra herself. It's all new to me. Sitting, listening to the music in the theatre over the last few months... it has brought forth things I had not expected. I am amazed by its power and am eager to learn more."

[Erika Leroux]

Erika nodded slowly. She remembered a time, long ago, when she'd felt like that. George's words took her back...back to the her first few weeks in Italy. Like him, then she had been eager to learn, a sponge soaking up absolutely all that she could. Everything was so new to her then, so bright, so beautiful.

She remembered the way the sunlight shone off the ripples. The way it dazzled her with its brilliance. How she had loved Venice! Without realising that she was doing so, forgetting her company for but a moment, she found herself singing softly, the words of an old Italian madrigal forming escaping her lips. And then she remembered where she was, and with whom. And the singing ceased.

"If you require further instruction, I would be happy to assist in your education to that end. My own knowledge is limited, but, like a river, like much, music flows and changes. Thus, one can never truly expected to know everything."

[George Williamson]

George was glad, eager even, but then he remembered, "Unfortunately for some time the teaching would be limited to these short conversations. Recent events have eaten my time. It would feel immoral to spend my time learning something for enjoyment when war is close."

George shook his head. That was not what this evening was for. It had pervaded everything these nights. It would take stubborn refusal to deny it now. Lucky, they were there.

"Ah! Much better. Here we are." What George had paused at was a alley, quite dark. It had no signs of interest, probably just leading to the backends of shops. "It is down here," as he lead Erika into the dark.

[Erika Leroux]

"It is no matter. My offer remains open - and you are always welcome to ask me questions." She blinked in the darkness. "Now, what have we here?"

[George Williamson]

A flash of a smile in the darkness, "Give a moment and I will show you." In the dark gloom of the alley George slowly span once, then some again. He put his perception out into the darkness and beyond. Finding every person, policeman, bird, and mouse around. Luckily, few were around.

"M'lady, do you have much luck with your sense in the darkness?" George said to pass the time as he positioned himself by the large metal container sat against the wall. "Or is that what the candles are for?"

[Erika Leroux]

"No, alas I do not - it was Elder Viktor who advised me to speak to you about candles, so that I might light my way to the safety of a space he showed me, if I required it."

[George Williamson]

(Delving below. Moving the thread down... will she come back alive? Will things ever be the same again? Find out next time.)