Lilia Willow's Story

Banshee

Though it was obvious that neither Julian nor Lilia were keen on Slade's idea, they did not move to stop the guards who bound Banshee's wrists and ankles. They did however choose to travel at close proximity to herself; Lilia between her and Slade while Julian chose to walk behind her. She could hear the metallic sound of his sword being drawn and her mind began racing - in moments she's devised a plan to disarm him should he attempt to harm her (though she kept in mind that he was not to be harmed in the process). Everyone else, however, she'd received no instructions on them and there was no music to indicate whether she was suppose to kill or spare them.

Fortunately for them all, Julian did not make use of his sword and the group walked through the palace. Banshee's eyes flicked around at their settings as she memorized the layout of the palace. She had memorized a map of the place prior to coming here but being able to identify all the rooms in person rather than on paper was far more useful. Eventually they came to a rather large room decorated with expensive looking furniture and a king sized bed as well as a grand piano. 'This must be where he rests,' Banshee thought, taking it all in. It was very different from where she rested; it was colorful, comfortable and overall a very pleasant, welcoming environment that made you just want to curl up and fall asleep. Yes, it was very different from the simple cot in a concert cell that she'd spent the majority of her life in.

As everyone came in - herself, Slade, Julian, Lilia, the doctor and the two guards - Slade moved over to the corner of the room in which the piano resided and sat upon the bench. "Please do enjoy my show, though forgive me if I mess up a few notes. I really haven't had the time to play in the past few weeks." Slade said casually as Lilia and Julian moved to Banshee's sides, the two guards flanking her while the doctor stood a short distance away with a notepad raised.

Then, he began to play.

As Slade's fingers danced across the ivory white keys Banshee's felt her eyes widen slightly as music filled the air. How long had it been since she'd heard the "good" music? A month, if not longer. How was he able to create it? All her life she'd never actually been able to identify the source of the music, good or bad, as it'd always just kind of been in her head. But now here it was - sitting before her in princely attire, fingers gliding effortlessly across polished white and black keys. How? Where had he been hiding? And more importantly... could she do the same?

Banshee's fingers twitched slightly, mimicking the move of Slade's as she watched, unblinking, trying to memorize the pattern in which they moved. However from this position she was unable to see the range of the piano clearly, so casually she twisted her hands in the ropes. Her bonds were firm but not so tight that they cut off circulation, so without any second thought she forcibly pulled her hands from the ropes, leaving bright red rope burn marks on her pale skin (though there was no indication that this bothered her).

As the ropes that had been around her wrists fell to the ground with a dull sound, Banshee took a step towards the Prince, her hands unbound and at her sides. The two unnamed guards gasped audibly and moved forward, however were stopped in their tracks as Banshee calmly sat down on the bench beside the prince and simply watched as his hands moved, her own fingers mimicking his upon the invisible piano on her knees.