First of all, thanks to everybody for the 400 views.
*Chapter 11-A Different Voice*
Hello, you don't know who I am do you? Well you won't for a very long time.
See, I'll be updating every once in a while, as the time of one heir fades to the next. But it will be centuries before you know my name.
Where Rose left off, the next day was Christopher's birthday.
He was becoming an old man.
And I have to say, it was dissapointing to see he did not age as well as his wife did.
And Mandarin, well little Mandarin was going to be 18 soon. And finally, at the end of his teenage years, he found someone.
Of course, the adults of the house knew nothing of this. He is good at keeping secrets, that boy.
And the day before his eighteenth, Agnes stayed true to her word.
Grim had come to collect.
It broke the hearts of the entire household.
Though it's hard to say who it hit hardest, Rose or the cat.
Rose had put so much faith in Agnes, leaned on her like a crutch when she was ailed by the dynasty.
And the cat, well the cat knew the hand of no other owner.
Agnes begged, but for what, only the Grim knows. Not even I know.
I only know what happens in the realm of the living. I have no connection to the dead.
All anybody knows is that he shook he cruel head, and extended his cold scythe.
This was her time, and what she didn't do before could not be done now.
Dear Agnes Darling, May You Rest In Peace Forever.
..
....
NO! I am not sad for the loss.
I never knew the woman, and quite frankly I don't care. People die. It happens. Some don't. That happens too.
And Rose had a promise to keep.
So when she woke in the middle of the night to hear Agnes's words repeated back to her, she knew she had to do it.
She crept into Mandarin's bedroom. She sat on the edge of his bed and woke him.
And she told him everything.
She told him about the battle against Grim, about her childhood, about the man named Metropolis.
She told him about the work, the sacrifices, and the choice they didn't have.
He had no reaction. Every family has their secrets, his just effected the balance of reality. They had to tip that balance. I cannot tell you everything said between them, but I can give you this excerpt:
M: ..Why? Why does this have to happen?
R: We're changing how the world works Mandarin. I mean look out your window. What do you see?
M: Summer Hill Springs.
R: And beyond that?
M: The science facility.
R: But Mandarin, what you don't see is a whole lot of suffering. And it happens because of Grim. You saw what happened tonight. That was a terrible tragedy. But I have to tell you even worse tragedies happend everyday, all the time, to everybody. We get to
live Mandarin, live forever! Don't you see? We're living for the ones who didn't get to!Grim could take all of Sunset Valley, but it would be worth nothing compared to how long we get to live. Grim will always want our souls, Mandarin. But if you just do what you must, he'll never get them!
M: And what does that change, Mother?
R: It changes everything.
She left after those words.
~
The next day was Mandarin's birthday, at long last.
The violin is playing a different tune now.
