If Music Be the Food of Love

Ellis stood waiting in the foliage during the dark night. She rested her back on the crown of the tree whose branch she was standing on. Her eyes drifted over to the top of the cliff, which she could view through the breaks of the sparse branches. She could make out Sioul sitting on a sleek slab of stone. Grasped in his hands was the object that had led her there; the gentle, curved body of a wooden flute.

She listened idly to the song he was playing. It was a Japanese lullaby that she'd become accustomed to hearing when she was younger. Listening to the tune once more made her almost miss the blissful quintessence of those days. She remembered listening with Velt while Sioul played when they were young. Both of them had chosen to become officers, while she...well, she'd chosen a much different path.

Groping the sides of the tree behind her, Ellis slid down so that she was sitting on the thick branch below her. Her leg swung back and forth passively as she listened to the gentle hum of the music in her ears. There wasn't anything she could do besides wait, since if she moved Sioul was bound to find her. It was a wonder that he hadn't found her yet, but she didn't want to endanger her luck by questioning it.

As she started to grow tired, she deeply regretted following the music further into the forest Once she'd recognized the lullaby, she should have realized who was creating the music. However, she had instead become propelled by curiosity, as she hadn't seemed to have been using her head.

Much to her chagrin, Ellis felt her eyelids growing heavy. Why does it have to be such a soft tune! she cursed to herself. She was worried about falling asleep, but there was nothing else she could do. Even if she did relinquish herself to slumber, there was still a chance she wouldn't be seen. If she bolted now, she was bound to get caught.

Right when she was about to drift to sleep a thought entered her mind. What if Sioul was a Melodist...? Her body froze with fear at this realization. Unfortunately, she had come to the conclusion far too late, and she was unable to battle against the lethargy that threatened to take over. Before she completely lost consciousness, the music stopped and she heard a harsh voice whisper in her ear.

"You're too late, Ellis, Berserker of Division One."

She hated hearing that condescending voice in her ear, but her limbs wouldn't assist her in getting away. Her eyes only caught a quick glimpse of his smug face before the world faded and she was trapped inside the paralyzing, gripping claws of slumber.