New Fantasy World: Galeia-Chapter 33

"I’m fine." I said after double-checking. "I don’t need to go yet."

"Alright." the Elf said. "This way."

She guided Alyssa through a hallway into the apartment.

I let out a long sigh. Looking around, I found a clock and spent a few seconds figuring the time. Someone invent digital clocks already! You have toilet seats! It was four ten.

I walked around the apartment, looking at the paintings. They were mostly abstract art I had no way to recognize. Some might even be real monsters. I chuckled at the notion of a diamond shape monster with smoke for legs, but shivered at the possible existence of such a being.

Above the fireplace stood a few small portraits. A young Elf girl with two adults, probably Lapia and her parents. They looked upper-class, her mother had light blond hair, her father the same shade of dark blonde Lapia herself had. They both had green eyes. She was sitting on a chair and her parents stood behind her, the three smiling.

The others had each individual by themselves. Her mother was quite the beauty. Not as beautiful as my girlfriend, however. Her father had more feminine features, giving him an air of aristocracy. Lapia was wearing some sort of uniform with badges and holding a diploma.

Looks like a photograph. I thought. The image perfectly still and crisp. I tried to remember the history of cameras, and tried to imagine if they’d be easy to come by in a world like this one. Perhaps a really skilled individual with a related class.

I moved on and looked at paintings depicting landscapes. A beach and a humongous castle floating in the sky were the only ones that were not lines, smoke, and odd lighting. They were pretty good. I’d fix some of the shading, but that might be the result of looking at them through the day and the suns changing position. A very common occurrence to beginners, especially if they’re outside.

Unless that’s what they actually look like. I could very well be wrong.

I continued and walket over to an upright piano. They have pianos, nice. Was it the 16th or 17th century when the first piano was invented on Earth? That feels like teenage years for people who live thousands.

I ran a finger on its surface. My finger came out spotless, I nodded in approval. I reached down and pulled the bench from under the instrument. It had a knob to adjust the height, so I sat and opened the lid. Fiddling with the knob, I got to a comfortable level in front of it.

What should I play? I wondered.

After graduating art school, I worked in a museum while doing commissions online. Fortunately, a writer contacted me and I ended up drawing a comic which made us both popular. The rest went up. I was making good money so I quit my day job and took up piano. I had always wanted to learn how to play since I was little.

Let’s start easy.

I pressed a few keys, testing the sound. It was properly tuned.

So, I began playing. The arrangement one of the first I learned at an academy after having earned enough money to pay for classes.

Beethoven, Moonlight Sonata. I thought, my hands going over the keys with ease assisted by my high dexterity. Maybe performers are dexterity based, along with constitution for the stamina needed. I wondered.

I was pleasantly surprised by the fact I could remember the music sheets vividly. Almost as if they were in front of me.

The first movement was going perfect.

In reality, it wasn’t an easy one. It was quite the story.

A smile formed on my face.

The teacher had thought I’d waste her time, being an artist of another category already. So in order to discourage me, she gave me a few difficult arrangements and told me to choose one. I’d practice for two weeks and show my progress. My first performance was a complete mess. But so much better than what she expected, that she took me seriously starting that day.

What a bitch.

I chuckled at the memory of her astonished face. I started the second movement.

She had said I had incredible talent, and she would nurture it. I though she was exaggerating, but went along. Turns out, I did actually have a talent for the piano. More than I had for drawing, unfortunately.

I was in love with the pen, however, so I refused several offers to go to concerts and concourses. That made her mad.

The third movement started as the flood of memories came. My hands went over the keys as I relived them. The emotions weak and distant.

She insulted my art, called me a low-effort, and said I’d never amount to much. Even going as far as saying I was a waste of time. I called her a manipulative, lying bitch. That made her snap. She tried to slap me. Unfortunately for her, I had been going through some anger issues due to a toxic girlfriend at the time. I ended up breaking her nose and cheekbone.

We went to court, and I won. There were cameras in the building, after all.

I finished the piece and quickly began with another. A few memories returning.

After a messy breakup with the toxic girlfriend, I met a girl named Elise. Fitting, I had just finished learning another Beethoven piece. Für Elise.

I giggled. The universe worked in amazing ways.

At the same time, I had started working with a video game company. I was hired to do character and environment design, since that was my strength back then.

She was from Poland, we met in Vorónezh. I had accompanied a friend to watch a play, and Elise went with her sister. The relationship was good, but short, just like the piece.

She received a job offer from Indonesia. She was an Engineer. I never understood the specifics of her work, however. She took it right away and said she’d be financially stable enough to support the two of us.

I was young and scared of commitment. We fortunately parted ways in great terms. To the point of keeping in touch for years to come. I’d always remember her patience and caring nature.

I finished the second piece and began another. This one I hummed along. Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.

After leaving that bitch of a teacher, I enrolled into another piano school. They had heard of what happened with the previous one, the hag was famous. I had gone to anger management, so they decided to accept me in the end.

They too, were surprised by my piano skills. But didn’t push after I rejected invitations to bring my talent to the stage. I didn’t have the time, even if I wanted to. My job was doing great.

I immersed myself in the memories and continued playing the piano. I switched to Rachmaninoff, and then to Chopin.

I recalled the memories, but the emotions were weak. What if I forget? I’ll live for hundreds of years, thousands even. Will my mind be able to keep that many memories? I wondered as I began playing Winter Wind. I’ll have to see.

The sound filled the apartment, and I lost track of time with how many pieces I played.

I’m scared shitless. My eyes began stinging. I know nothing. People tried to kill me. Tears flowed. My fingers kept going, however. Breath it in, Natasha. Recognize it, and face it. I took a deep breath. I won’t die for while, at least. I can learn. I have time. I can adapt. I will adapt. I survived Hell for fuck’s sake!

I already died once. More tears came out. I’m not from Earth. I died on Earth. The energy of the world created me. I remember a life that doesn’t feel mine. I accept that. I took a deep breath again. I have killed people. And will do so again if the circumstances demand it. Whether King or God.

Tears stopped flowing and I calmed down.

I am Natasha Novak, a Halve born in Galeia.

As I pressed the final notes, a long sigh left me.

I needed that. I hadn’t had time for myself since waking up in this world. I couldn’t really guess at my mental health, and everything seemed to move too fast. Little moments like this make a difference. I felt lighter.

I forgot life could move so fast. Twelve years of isolation did a number on me, I guess. Fuck pandemics.

"There." I whispered. I wiped my tears with some napkins.

After saying that, I heard clapping behind me. Turning around, I found Alyssa and Lapia in tears.

"What’s wrong?" I asked, standing up. "I don’t think I’m that bad." I closed the lid and pushed the bench back under the instrument.

My joke made them laugh, wide smiles on their faces. They had changed to their own clothes and sat in the living room. The piano faced a wall, so I hadn’t noticed them.

Got too into it. I thought. Good thing I played lighter pieces.

I walked over to them and they stood up, still clapping.

"That was beautiful." the Luzo said, wiping her tears with a handkerchief. "I’m moved beyond words."

"Same, it was quite the experience." the Elf cutely blew her nose. "Good thing I kept the piano."

"It’s not yours?" I tilted my head.

"Came with the place." she explained. "I’ve no use for it. Makes for good decoration at least."

"I’m glad you liked it." I smiled. It felt good. "What time is it?"

"A quarter to eight." Alyssa said, checking the clock. "You played for quite a while."

Over three hours. It felt like thirty minutes. I nodded.

"Sorry, I made you wait." I hugged them both and gave each a kiss.

I’m here now. In this world, with two beautiful women. I smiled. I can afford to forget.

"Hey." Lapia whispered, kissing me on the neck. "Let’s go to my room." her voice turned seductive.

Alyssa blushed and gave a small nod, looking down.

Damn, girl! I felt an exciting jolt run up my spine. Wait. It’s eight o’clock. Sonya.

"How about this." I began. The elf pouted at my words. "I’ll go feed Sonya. The Ratnak." I explained. "I’ll be back before you know it." I turned to the door.

"We’ll wait for you." Lapia smacked my butt, chuckling. Alyssa giggled at her action.

I left the apartment and searched my storage for the bag of feed I received from the farm. I went down the stairs with a light step. The butler from earlier was still standing near the front door.

"I’ll be right back, going to feed my mount." I told the pretty boy. He looked like he could be in a boys idol group.

"I could take care of it, if you wish." he bowed, a small smile on his face.

"She’s a Ratnak, level one hundred and fifty." I told him, looking him in the eye.

"Ah. Good luck, then." he blushed and took a step back.

I walked out of the building with a heavy bag full of metal pieces the size of tennis balls. They gave me ten bags. I had taken the information booklet anyway, reading its contents on the way.

"Feed two metal pieces, two times a day. Tell her to sit down before and to nod after." I read to myself. "Feels like a dog."

I reached the parking lot area and Sonya stood up when she saw me. The spot was still covered in shade. A constantly fed water trough encircled the space, keeping animals from dehydrating.

I approached her and scratched her chin. The beast releasing a pleased growl.

"I bring food." I showed her a metal piece. She perked up and tried to take it. "No. Sit." I pushed her head back and gently headbutted her.

She nodded and followed my instructions. I offered the food and she carefully took it from my open hand, her long teeth avoided my skin.

"Good girl. Nod." I said, she obeyed.

I repeated the process, the beast didn’t try to snatch if from me again. I congratulated her and patted her large head. I headbutted her again, softer than before. She looked me in the eye with her blue ones, and nodded. She opened her maw and licked my face with the thick and long muscle. The smell of metal spreading to my nose. I laughed at the similarity to a dog.

"We’ll stay the night. I’ll come tomorrow morning to give you breakfast, but you have to be a good girl, and behave." I rubbed her cheeks. She nodded and laid down on the ground.

I turned around and made my way back to Lapia’s, storing the bag and the booklet. The butler was talking to a lady wearing a sort of suit. I ignored them and made my way up the stairs.

I reached Lapia’s door and opened it, crossed the office, and knocked on the door leading to her apartment.

I heard footsteps and a few seconds later the door opened. Lapia was wearing a black silk bathrobe, her hair a little damp. A lot of exposed skin made her look really sexy.

"Go take a shower. We’re in my room." she said, summoning a cloth similar to hers, but red, and giving it to me. "That way, last door." she pointed at the hallway. She smacked my ass again when I turned around. "Hurry up."

"You’re gonna get it." I pointed at her as I walked. "I’ll make you faint."

"Looking forward to it." she gave me a wink and smirked.

I felt my cheeks burn. This woman is so fucking hot. I couldn’t avoid the excited smile that took over my face.