Juliette Le Sauvage's Story

Domonic sat back in his chair and looked up towards the stage as music filled the air of the busy cafe. He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders, relaxing and slipping his hair out of the tight bun his mother put it in that morning and letting it fall over his shoulders. He preferred his hair down and the tightness of it was giving him a headache.

A familiar scowl cut through the music but he ignored it. He had only ever heard the church organs back home and this was different. Softer and less foreboding. He leaned forward and kissed his cousin on the cheek before grabbing his drink and standing. He moved through the room closer to the source of the sound. The farther from his parents the better.

He stood by the stage and smiled his signature smile up at the woman playing, watching and relaxing. The last 10 minutes at that table was hell. Between his mother's bickering and his fathers snide and cutting remarks back to her had left wanting to either punch a wall or runaway. But this, he figured, was a better escape. Beautiful music was more of a distraction.

Domonic lifted his glass to his lips and sipped the almost flat champagne, rolling it over his tongue as he looked around him. He was in a sea of strangers. His father didn't have business with many outside of Germany and those he did were not on this ship. It didn't bother his parents at all. They usually kept to themselves anyway but for Domonic it meant no escape. He had no excuse to slip away and neither did Amira for that matter. Unless they were doing something together but even then they'd have to fight for approval to do so from his parents.

He sighed and shook the thoughts from his head, running a hand through his hair and returning his attention to the woman playing the piano, his eyes watching her hands glide over the keys.





Caspian took a final breath off his cigarette and flicked the bud of the side of the boat into the waters below. Salty air blew against his face and whiped his hair around his face. He smiled lightly. This was nice. He'd never been on a boat before but being here made him think he might trade in his land legs for some sea ones.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and leaned against the railing as other passengers who had presumably finished their meals, came out to enjoy the beautiful morning. He listened to the sound of their distant conversations as he watched the moving scenery. It really did feel like a dream to him. All of it did. He worked all day, every day of his life and here he was relaxing on the deck of a grand ship and not having to lift a finger for it.

He pushed off the railing and placed his hinds in his pocket, grabbing another candy and joining the movement of the rest of the people outside. He rolled his shoulders as a slight feeling of not belonging fell over him. These were mostly first classers and since he owned nothing but his work clothes he stood out like a sore thumb. He slowed down his pace and turned, pulling his cap down and making a bee line for the door leading back inside.

Domonic hummed softly along with the woman as she played her next song. It was just as good as the first but this time she sang lyrics along with it. He had only have heard his cousin sing before and that was in the safety of the family gardens. He looked back at the table he had abandoned. Amira was turned in her seat also watching the girl play while his mother and father continued to silently bicker behind her. He shook his head, at least Amira was being left alone. But it seemed those two could always find one thing or another to fight about.

When the music stopped Domonic returned his attention to the stage. The woman stood and answered soft spoken-ly all the questions sent her way. He watched her, noticing the anxiousness on her face. He smiled softly, if it weren't for the fact that she had more control he would have said she was as worked up as Amira was.

When another come onstage to replace her, the girl bowed and hurried off. He barely had time to stop her before she brushed past him, giving a polite smile with a faint shade of pink on her cheeks. Domonic finished his champagne and set down the glass. After checking to make sure his mother's death glare wasn't on him, He followed after her. He didn't know why, or what he'd say to her but he thought it would be nice to talk to her. Maybe help calm her nerves and make a friend while he was at it. He certainly wasn't going to do so just standing around and keeping to himself.

Leaving the cafe he followed the sound of her footsteps until he found her leaning against a railing.

"Hallo Frau, I'm sorry if i'm intruding but i'd just like to say you play beautifully. You don't hear anything like that where I come from." He said softly, approaching her with his ever-present smile.