Broken Melodies

He knew just the piece, and it reminded him of his beloved wife so. His fingers began moving to set about the melody as he began speaking. Carefully his fingers moved along delicate as though holding a child. It was almost like a vision of her appeared before him, a reminder of her beauty. "Once upon a time, ages past, a boy met a girl; the world had been colorless for him. Each color in it served a dull reminder, and she brought vibrance into his life." He paused, remembering the moments between him and her as children. Never letting it distract from the performance.

"As the sun sets and the moon rises, so did the days pass. She and he shared many adventures, none greater than when they both said I do." Those days and years that he spent with his wife and beloved children were the most precious. They brought about more joy for him than any victory on the field of battle could ever accomplish, from days of toy airplanes and camping trips. Every moment was a beautiful cascade of memories.

"They welcomed their first child in the winter, through the summer, spring, and fall. They had each other, and that was enough for the modest family. " HIs melody grew somber more so as the tale matched the melody slowly. Beginning to come towards the tragedy of this story. Love and sorrow were something that melded together in a pot. Ghislain's memory of Elizabeth was sharp as the day they met. And his love for her was more passionate than a thousand fires.

"Years flew by, and it became apparent one of them stopped aging. As he sat at her bedside, his heart knowing only love. She passed on, leaving him and his children alone. His heart remains frozen to this day, in love with her and those gentle moments. Some say that he still roams this world today, finding the color that reminds him of her." Inhaling a breath, his fingers came to a halt upon those keys. Having finished his piece and story, he sat thinking about it.

The color, in a way, died when Elizabeth went; no woman on this earth could encapsulate the sheer volume of color she brought. The joy he and her felt when they welcomed their children. The joy of one another's company and purity of that couldn't be painted or drawn enough. Though if one came into a home, he owned his wife's visage was present. Until Death does us part, he didn't believe in that and didn't let go of it.

He was a human in that sense, at the very least.

Ghislain sat still for a moment, reflecting on that time that was gone. His digits gently running along the locket worn around his neck. A small piece of her favored flower and a portrait to remind him of her. "Thank you, the best stories are told from the heart." He got up from the piano, moving to sit back down next to Rose. Having had both men share stories of their love. His love was unending for his bride. Even now, all these years later, his happiest moments were those 90 years that Elizabeth lived.

"You weren't any of those things Rose, you are young and still gaining new perspectives on this world. I am over five thousand years old, I've spent almost all of it on earth. I still to this day love my wife, even though it has been that long. We met all those years ago, I carry on her memory both now and forever."

Ghislain didn't mind admitting his age to people; most didn't believe it. His eyes were the giveaway of just how old he was. Despite his youthful countenance, one glance in those eyes told people. There was something ancient about the cerulean crystal eyes he had. Ghislain had the wisdom to offer to those who desired it and wished to learn. This world was in constant motion, and there was always something to learn.

Ghislain decided that he would let Rose react to that fact. The man sitting before him was here before most people. There were likely not many left alive from his time period. He'd had more names than he cared to remember over the years and had seen evolving perspectives from his life. Given tasks and things, he didn't care to be involved with. But in his time dealing with the two other Emperors, he saw many things. But now wasn't the time for such bitter experiences and memories. He was enjoying an evening with Rose.

"Love is a complicated thing, no matter how old or young you are. You could be seventeen, and it won't make sense. Even I can't give you solid advice on it, and I've been around a while."


His eyes looked at the ocean as he decided to use it as a way of explaining it. The waves were different in subtle ways and not always the same. "Love is like a wave; they are never the same. You can detect subtle differences if you watch. They don't fall the same or fall faster or slower. Love is like the ocean in so many ways. Trying to decode it isn't the answer. Just flow with it and be true to who you are. The results may not always be pleasant. But would you take away that love and what it taught you? "

Ghislain was a good listener; if nothing else, he proved to be a man of the people. Even his time as Emperor was a great contrast to the prior. HUlderic wanted them to run with Mana, Yhwach wanted to use them for Godhood. Ghislain had no such designs or beliefs. His single motivation was for them to enjoy normal lives without the risk of annihilation looming on the doorstep. "Elizabeth loved our people, this world very much. It's why I decided to take this one last journey. " He said, his gaze coming back to the small spot they sat in. His ears could still hear children laughing and playing.

"One thing no matter the thousands of years have been certain, men do crazy things for those we love." He said, acknowledging the fact it was a crazy mission or even a goal. To try to end this back and forth of war that has prolonged the human world. Ghislain mused for a moment as he considered the situation.

"I suppose one thing has changed; humans aren't the ones starting wars anymore. Yet they are still fought here on earth, so places like this end up battlefields. " He'd seen more war than most people could ever imagine. Wars of men, Shinigami, Hollows, Demons, Quincy, and yet they were similar. People would die for something—a greater good or because someone told them to do so by some force. It was that exact thing he grew tired and bitter towards. Ghislain had seen war evolve and change, and it always had one common factor. Death drank deep, and people destroyed the lands.

"My wife loved this world, and she adored every little thing: nature, people, just an absolute adoration. So while I detest war and fighting with all of my beings, I'll fight for this world just this once. I hope your journey doesn't get caught in any of it." He said with sincere concern, Ghislain didn't want Rose to come to any harm. Ghislain enjoyed the musician's company and his earnest nature.

Ghislain's hand laid upon the violin for a moment as he leaned his head back. Feeling the wooden frame support his neck and skull for moments. He listened to Rose quietly as he thought about things. The scope of the world and what he was doing. At one point in life, he wanted to die; his age and being alone consumed him. Students he had thrown away everything for greed. This entire process made him tired, maybe one part of him that was old.

"I suppose in one sense I am old inside; I'm tired." A yawn escaped his lips as he felt weariness tugging at him. Slowly he began to rise, and the instruments weren't his. They belonged to the people here, and anyone could use them. Ghislain's smile waned a bit as he looked towards the sea. It was about time for him to go. To return to Kokuryuteshi territory and rest his eyes and mind. The world was a place filled with wonder even now—another old soul traveling around in its wake.

"It has been a delight, Rose to meet you; I am going to return to my home now." He did something Ghislain didn't often do; he held his hand out for the man. Ghislain rarely shook hands with people anymore. He didn't mean in a disrespectful sense. The day had grown tiring, and after this action, it was time to go.

Ghislain's frame walked out of the vestibule he was in with Rose. His feet were softly touching upon what seemed to be air. But within moments, he was gone, having put his foot on reishi. It allowed him to move similar to Hoho for a Shinigami. Perhaps Rose would recognize it and the movement of the action. But that wasn't important too, Ghislain. The act of meeting Rose had made this journey worthwhile for the man from a different time.