Page 28 of Orpheus
At first, I followed his lead as we moved synchronously with one another, but then I took over. He was the one who had to keep up with me now. My feet stepped in fluid-like motions around the dance floor. The boy was shocked, trying to hold back his laughter at how well I was doing, but he did manage to keep up with me.
Eventually, the music died down, signifying that the song was finally ending. Our bodies were pressed into each other. Our foreheads connected. I had no idea what it was, that moment between us.
A grin crossed his face as he relinquished his grip on me, taking a step back. “It seems you are good at dancing, but you’re not very good at lying.” He winked at me.
I merely shrugged, not sure how to answer to that response.
“But thank you for the dance. I think I’ve taken up enough of you time,” he further stated, before turning away and heading off.
I reached out to grab him, but he was quick, already past the other dancers still on the floor. I didn’t even get to thank him in return, nor did I catch his name. The whole situation was odd, but it did warm me up on the inside. I could not help but lightly chuckle over the scene and our dancing together.
I soon made my way back to my table, catching up on whatever it was I missed with the Argonauts I was speaking to before I was interrupted and pulled into a dance.
A little while later, Jason gathered everyone’s focus once again. “Now, I would like all of you to please bring your attention to the main floor. We have a special performance prepared for tonight. My dear friend, who just happens to be the most talented musician in the world, is with us on this glorious evening.”
I gulped, knowing my time to shine was coming sooner than I had anticipated. I wished Jason had given me an earlier notice instead of on the whim like this for when it was my time to perform.
“He has prepared a special musical number for you all. Now give a round of applause for Orpheus!” Jason shouted.
The claps roared and echoed throughout the room. I rose from my seat, stepping around the table, and descended the steps from the platform we were on to the spacious floor, in front of everyone. I pulled my lyre out from my tunic.
I gave one glance about everyone in the room and then tucked my head down and closed my eyes, getting lost in my usual trance. My fingers had a mind of their own, trickling the strings, extracting the most beautiful melody every single one of these people have ever heard in their entire lives, with the exception of Jason and the Argonauts who have experienced the exquisiteness of my music before.
As I began to sing, I thought of Calais, of what we had together and what we wouldneverhave.
What’s a man who has no love? Not a feeling of it in his soul.
It’s the type of man who fights for nothing, never feeling whole.
But what’s worse is having experienced love, only to have it lost.
For that is a feeling far more painful, that will turn your heart to frost.
I have gone through this very pain recently, much to my dismay.
Have felt love for the first time, only for it to be taken away.
I am unsure of how I can cope or even if I’ll move on.
All I can do is try and press forward, until the time has gone.
I pray this agony will depart, along with all the ache.
For I am unsure of how much more of this I can really take.
I will hold on to the memories, the joys, which also come with the pain.
But I’m scared to learn to love again. It may be better to just abstain.
I paused, opening my eyes. A deep heaviness pressed into my chest, trying to weigh me down. My emotions were running high. I had put everything out there, my heart on my sleeve. As I peered around the dining hall, everyone was silent. Many people held their hands over their chests, while some with glistening tears in their eyes.
But I could no longer stand here on this open floor. I needed to escape, to at least get some fresh air and think to myself. Shaking my head, I made a run for it to the nearest door.
“Orpheus…” Jason called out to me, with a pity in his voice.
Despite me wanting to talk it out with him, I could not bear to do it. The tears were rising in me and I could not ruin everyone else’s night. My song had put a downcast over the mood of the party. I refused to dampen it any further.
As I bolted into the main hallway, I sprinted by the guards and the servants, not sure where exactly I was running to. I just knew I needed to get out of here. I wanted to escape all of this. These somber feelings. To leave it all behind.
