//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Sweet Atonement // by mouch30 //------------------------------// She gently placed her hand on her sleeping sister’s shoulder. She didn’t wake. “I’ll be right back,” Adagio whispered, bending down to give Sonata a soft kiss on the cheek. “I promise.” Sonata gave a small sigh and burrowed deeper into the sheets. The elder sister walked out of their bedroom and carefully closed the door. She stood and stared at the grimy walls that encased the living room...and the dining room, and the kitchen. The flat they lived in only had 3 rooms - this, the bedroom, and the cupboard that served as a bathroom. It was the only place they could afford to keep, and even with the meager pay Adagio had gotten from performing at various bars, they still struggled to pay rent most of the time; but with their pendants broken and out of order, there was no way Adagio could continue singing for people. She was out of a job. On the kitchen counter lay a newspaper, with large red circles drawn around various articles - job offers. Adagio had been searching for one ever since that night, and she needed one fast. However, what skills would an ancient siren have other than luring people to their doom with her voice? She couldn't send Sonata out to work, she would break down on the first day. It was up to her, Adagio, to get some sort of income for them. She held the newspaper and peered at the circles. Dishwasher? No, she wasn't one to clean. Waitress? Please. As if Adagio could go for more than one minute without making a cruel remark. Exotic dancer? Well, she could dance, but something told her they wanted more than just 'dancing'. It also didn't help that she looked like a 17 year old - how was she supposed to be taken seriously when she was still a kid? Maybe if she wore her best clothes, made her face up a little, could she pass for 18? Or even 21? Adagio's mind wandered over to Aria. They hadn't seen each other since they split up - which was three days ago - and Adagio had no way of knowing if she was alright. Every so often, she would conjure up awful scenarios in her head, imagining Aria hurt, or in trouble, or even dead. She would wake up in a cold sweat, and grope in the darkness until she found Sonata's warm body. At least she was okay. She turned her attention back to her current problem. Ah, here was something she could do. Sure, it was similar to being a waitress, but at least she didn't have to move. She would be standing behind a bar, pouring drinks, and a snarky attitude would be entertaining for anyone around. Being a bartender didn't seem so bad. Adagio smiled and jumped out of her seat. She had to hurry and snag the job before someone else did. She began shoving her house key, wallet and the newspaper in her weathered tote, and with a final glance at the closed bedroom door, made her way outside. Drops of water hit her on the way out. Adagio lifted her face to the sky and sighed. Her hair was going to get so frizzy. *** “And...how old are you?” Adagio dug around in her bag. “I’m 18 years old. Here.” She handed him her identification card...fake, of course. “I don’t go to school either, so I can work as long as you need.” The man - lanky and long haired - studied her card halfheartedly. He didn’t really care who he gave the job too, and this girl seemed eager to work. Pretty, too, with a mass of gold curls and fierce pink eyes. She stared at him, a determined look on her face. She needed this. “When can you start?” he asked, sliding her ID back. A smirk lit up her face. “Whenever you want me to.” He mulled it over. “Tonight, then. Come on, I’ll show you the ropes.” He offered his hand. “Name’s High Spirits, just call me Spirit.” Adagio shook his hand, her grip firm and stiff. “Okay, Spirit.” He began to explain the way things went here. “Alright, so, uh, you don’t have to work all day. Like, the bar only opens at five PM, you can make that, right?” A nod prompted him to go on. “Yeah, so, you’d be working from five ‘till, like, 11. You’re still kinda young so I’m not gonna make you stay till the AM. You’re just gonna be serving beer, maybe a few mixers, nothing too serious. Uh, here’s the bar. That’s the cash register. You know how to use it?” He punched the buttons, showing her the basics. “That’s it, really. Well...yeah. So, five?” “Five,” she said, nodding once more. Spirits smiled at her. She grimaced back. “Say, you got some time off now...why not stay for a little while? We could get to know each other a lil’ better,” he murmured, inching closer to her. Adagio sighed internally. Men. “No thanks. I’ve got other things to do. I’ll be back at five for my first shift. Thanks for giving me the job.” She nodded goodbye and headed off, desperate to get back to Sonata before she wakes up. On her way home, she came across a small stall selling bouquets of flowers. On impulse, she bought one - blue irises nestled in lush leaves. She just got a job, she could afford to splurge. She also stopped by the local store, carefully counting out the change required to buy one of Sonata’s favorite candy bars. “I’m home,” she called out when she arrived back at their flat, placing the candy on the counter and hunting for a jar or bottle or whatever to put the flowers in. “Sonata? Are you still sleeping?” Adagio left everything and walked to the bedroom, frantic thoughts bouncing around in her head. “Sonata! Answer me when I call you,” she snapped, throwing the door open. On the bed lay her younger sister, hair plastered on her forehead with sweat, lips paler than usual, hands shaking. Adagio skidded to her side, placing a hand on her face. She felt cold. “Sonata? Can you hear me?” Adagio cried, tapping her cheek softly. “Sonata!” “Mm?” Her eyes fluttered open. “A...Adagio? Sorry, I’m just...so...tired.” She tried to sit up, but found herself too weak. “I feel so...sleepy…” “Wait here.” Adagio came back with the chocolate bar. “Eat this. It’ll make you feel better.” The rush of sugar did perk Sonata up a bit. Her eyes widened and a little color bloomed in her cheeks. “Thanks, Dagi. Where’d you go? I woke up and you weren’t here, so I just went back to sleep.” Adagio laced her fingers through Sonata’s. “I got a new job. I start today at five.” Sonata pouted. “Why didn’t you tell me? We could have worked together.” “You’re clearly not feeling well. I think it’s…” Adagio pressed her lips together. “I think you should rest more. I don’t leave for another couple of hours...what do you want to do?” Sonata’s face turned thoughtful. “Can we play cards again? Maybe you can beat me this time!” Adagio smiled. “Sure. You stay here, I’ll get them.” In the living room, Adagio’s expression turned sour. Her sister was getting weaker...sure, solid food could help them for a while, but it wouldn’t be long before Sonata was in trouble. She once again reached for her pendant, but her fingers only met the skin of her throat. She hummed, almost inaudibly, a few notes. She sounded a little better than before, but she was still flat. She needed more practice. The playing cards were cool in her palm. She gripped tight, trying to focus on Sonata’s gleeful smile whenever she won, the way she comforted Adagio, who tried so hard to mask the fact she was losing on purpose. She took a deep breath and headed back to the bedroom. She may lose this game of cards, but she was going to make sure she won in the end.