//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Dissonant Concourse // by Wolfie 03 //------------------------------// Wind carried the sound of a fiddle over the orchard. The sound started slow and even, almost classical in nature despite the surrounding. Apple trees, the pride and joy of farmers of Appleloosa, swayed in the evening wind. The setting sun added the finishing touch to the backdrop to the musician sitting on a wide porch, family members surrounding her. Most were women, hair damp with towels around their necks, eyes closed to enjoy the relaxing tones. One of the few males outside burst into laughter, slapping his knee with a wide grin. “Cuz’, we don’t want tah fall asleep just yet! Why don’t ya give us some flair?” The older teen winked his dark-green eyes, dirty blonde hair rustling with the wind. Smirking above an orange scarf and fiddle tucked under her chin, the tan girl gave her instrument several short strokes, going up and down the range before elongating two notes to mark the transition. Adding a modern flair to the classical piece, she added four short scaling notes every so often to remind her audience of the source material. Some of her cousins got up from their leaning positions and began to dance, swaying and acting silly. After watching her relatives enjoy the new beat, she switched back to the original style, laughing when her family comically slowed as well. Soon there were pairs slow dancing in front of the large two story barn house. Fiona continued to both chuckle and play, wanting to keep her cousins on their toes even after a long day of work. She changed the style another four times before heading to the end. Once she finished with a flurry of notes, her cousins all applauded her skills. As they went inside, they each gave a pat to the fiddler’s shoulder. The young man wearing the brown stetson plopped next to the fiddler once everyone else left the musician outside. “How’s that for some music Braeburn?” Fiona smirked at the boy who lightly punched her left shoulder. “You sure do have a musical talent. Y’know, there are plenty of music schools in the big cities.” Brandon, or Braeburn as he was known to most of people, waved his hand vaguely towards the horizon. Fiona shook her head with a small smile, putting the instrument back in its case on her right. “Ah don’t think so Cuz. It’ll take a lot of money for me tah go to some school just for music. Ain’t the next harvest profit set for some maintenance around the farm? No way can Ah try an’ use it for just me.” The girl tried to stop her mind from imagining what would happen if she did go. Sighing softly, she ruffled her cousin’s shoulder length hair. “As nice as it mighta been tah go to some fancy school for music, it ain’t gonna happen. Not unless ya find a couple o’ thousand dollars layin’ around.” The young teen paused, standing midway, when her cousin made an observation as he continued to watch the darkening sky. “There are some places that give out the money to the really talented. You could go an’ show them just how we do things here in the south.” The girl didn’t answer the lad and went inside, case under her left arm. As she entered, a female cousin who was sitting by the far wall perked up, raising her voice to be heard over the din. “Fiona, did yer mom find ya?” “My mom was lookin’ for me?” Fiona paused in front of the doorway. She tried to spot the older woman but couldn’t locate her. “Where’d she go?” “Well, she was gonna head out to talk with ya, but maybe she went back to the kitchen instead.” The older girl shrugged from her seat. The scarf wearing teen nodded her thanks, passing through the crowd to get to the back room. Popping her head through the open archway, she scanned the large kitchen to find her target by the stove. Kat Smith, Fiona's mother, placed a large pot full of water onto the heated surface. Swiping at her dark brown hair once that task was finished, she went to the fridge to gather more ingredients. “Howdy mom, were ya lookin’ for me?” Fiona calmly asked, trying to suppress any anxiety of her mom having eavesdropped on Braeburn and her’s conversation. “Hmm? Oh, Ah just wanted tah say you sure have been practicing. Sounds just like a professional. If you could, would ya want to go to one of them fancy schools for music?” Brown eyes peeked over the older woman’s shoulder, flashing with keen interest, as she surveyed the younger girl. Fiona flushed, squirming in place, while her mind went back to how she had said those same words not even a minute ago. Biting her lower lip, the girl tried to think of what would be a good response. When she was unable to think of a proper lie, she sighed, acknowledging the old family saying. “Family should never lie about anything.” “Ah… Ah would. But Ah know that it costs a lot too. Did… Did ya want some help with supper?” The teen set her instrument down on a counter away from most of the activity. Once her hands were free, she joined her mother in preparing the evening meal for twenty. “Thanks sugar… Where did ya learn that tune?” Kat asked with a smile, peeking at her youngest child with pride in her gaze. “Oh, well, er, Red wanted to watch that movie about some Phantom? The music was pretty good, but Ah, uh, started to make it up after Braeburn went and teased me about it.” Fiona shrugged, red flowing over her cheeks, keeping her focus on the plates and utensils she was setting out. “Y'all and yer nicknames for each other..." The older woman playfully rolled her eyes for a second before grinning to her daughter. "Yer really good with fiddle playin' though.” The praise from her mom, someone who didn’t give it freely, made the red hue darken on the young girl's face. Fiona sat on the front porch once again, enjoying the sunset after another day’s hard work. She wasn’t playing her fiddle in order to not dwell on music schools she’d never be able to go to. With both arms around her left knee that was raised to her chest, she softly sighed, head going to rest on the kneecap. Even though she heard the door and porch boards creek, signaling that someone was coming outside, she didn’t turn, merely continuing her survey of the orchards. Suddenly, a leaflet was thrust into view, the dark skin and shape of the hand identifying it as Fiona’s mother. “What’s this-?” The teen reached out, taking hold of the papers while her leg dropped down to hang over the edge with its brethren. “Brandon suggested some places. They seem pretty nice. Ya can probably get in easily.” Kat joined her daughter, sitting down while keeping her gaze firmly on the sunset before them. The tan girl unfolded the various pamphlets, brows furrowing when she saw the location and prestige of the schools they described. She continued to glance through, finally settling on the tuition page with a hollow pit in her stomach. No matter which school it was, their prestigious cost more than they could afford at once. “Mum, ya know we can’t -” “Take a look at the last page before deciding.” Scrunching her lips together, Fiona did as directed, flipping to the back and staring wide-eyed at the various grants offered by the educational council. There were grants to fit any kind of student’s need, though her gaze drifted towards the musical section. “Application tah be submitted with an audition?” “As if ya can’t play a sweet little jig tah get into any school ya set yer mind to.” Braeburn’s voice floated from behind the two woman. His hand shot out to ruffle the younger girl’s hair. Fiona swatted his hand away and smirked, rolling her eyes at his teasing. “... Would it be alright if Ah went Mum?” The girl asked softly, her eyes unmoving from the flyers in front of her, her focus on the woman next to her. “If ya want. Up to you and whether yer gonna work for it. Though we Smiths do know a thing or two about hard work.” The older lady stood up from her seat and patted her daughter’s shoulder. Fiona flashed through the leaflets once again, mind swirling rapidly, while her cousin joined her on the porch. - DC - “Ah’m Fiona Buckner-Smith, playin’ on the fiddle.” The dark brown haired girl bowed her head, fiddle and bow in each hand. Standing up once more, she raised her instrument, eyes closing as she blocked out the stage and judges who sat in the shadows. The figures began to write notes as they listened to the latest applicant. Fiona tried not to let her worry affect her performance, imagining she was back on the farm with only family listening. It hadn’t helped that she was among the last few to perform. She had to watch the other kids try their best for the chance to get a higher education and were therefore her competition. Giving a final flourish to her song, she bowed once more, making sure her white stetson was still on her head.  Glancing up, she noticed one of the judges, an older man with short black grizzled hair, stood up with a warm smile. “Thank you for your application, Ms. Buckner-Smith. You’ll be notified by mail within one to two weeks of any decisions.” Vito Philharmonica dipped his head to the girl, waving to the left exit. Fiona tipped her hat with her right hand, making her way off stage and where her family waited for her. Guess Ah’ll see how Ah did in ah couple of weeks...