Crystaline Origins

Linda: *pulls Grace away from Jason* "Okay. Enough hugs. Right now, we need to focus on getting you settled into your room."

Jasmine and Jason: "Her room?"

Grace: *speaking at the same time as Jasmine and Jason* "My room?"

Linda: "Of course. I've been working on it for a while. Come along."

Linda led Grace, Jason, and Jasmine through the winding hallways of the castle, her footsteps confident and quick.

Linda: "I've been preparing it a few days after you arrived. I guess you could say I started warming up to you."

They eventually reached a door at the end of a quiet corridor. Linda pushed it open, revealing Grace's new room.

The room was spacious but cozy, with soft cream-colored walls and large windows that let in the moonlight, casting a gentle glow over everything. The bed, centered in the room, had a canopy draped with pale lavender curtains, giving it a dreamy, elegant look. A plush quilt with intricate floral patterns was spread across the bed, and several soft pillows were arranged neatly at the head.

Grace and Jasmine: "Woah..." :0

There was a desk by the window, complete with parchment, ink, and quills, and beside it was a small collection of trinkets and ornaments-a tiny glass dragon, a delicate flower preserved in a crystal, and a silver music box that seemed to glitter in the soft light. The floor was covered in a thick, deep blue rug that felt soft beneath Grace's feet. In the corner of the room was a wardrobe, its doors carved with intricate designs of vines and flowers.

Linda: *gestures around* "I wanted it to be a space that felt like your own."

Grace: "This... This is all for me?"

Linda: *smiles warmly* "Yes, Grace. It's all yours."

Jason: *looks around, impressed* "This is amazing. You really outdid yourself, Linda."

Grace stepped into the room, feeling the softness of the rug under her feet, and gently touched the curtains of the bed. It felt unreal-like she was stepping into a fairytale.

Grace: *softly* "I've never had a room like this before. It's... perfect."

Linda: "I'm glad you like it. Now, get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us."

Grace sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers lightly running over the quilt, her heart full of gratitude. For the first time in a long time, she felt truly at home.

Later that night...

Grace stirred once again as a soft creak echoed through the room. The door was slowly inching open, even though no one was visible in the dim light. Sitting up groggily, she blinked at the door, which was now slightly ajar.

Grace: *mumbling* "Alright, Maya, very funny... I'm too tired for this..." 

She flopped back onto her pillow, pulling the quilt up over her head, determined to ignore the strange prank.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the castle...

Jasmine had been snacking on freshly baked cookies in the kitchen, savoring their warmth, but something was off. The quiet, persistent sound of a flute echoed faintly through the corridors, an eerie melody that had been playing for what felt like hours. She sighed, rubbing her temples before hopping off the counter.

Jasmine: *muttering to herself* "Could you not practice that flute anywhere else, Blair?"

Blair, the castle's mysterious flutist, had been experimenting with the magical properties of her instrument for weeks. Jasmine knew that Blair was still learning to control its power, but the constant music was starting to get on her nerves. She stalked through the hallways, following the sound of the flute, growing more agitated with every step.

As the music drifted through the castle, its magic began to take effect. Some guards, hearing the soft melody, slumped against the walls, succumbing to an unnatural drowsiness. Others, unknowingly under the flute's influence, began moving towards the source of the sound, their eyes glazed and their steps unsteady, as though they were drawn by some unseen force.

Back in Grace's room, the lingering melody of the flute reached her ears again. Grace sat up again, now fully awake, the eerie feeling unsettling her. The door was still ajar, and the haunting melody seemed to seep through the crack like a thick fog. 

Grace: "Even in luxury I can't get any good sleep."

Grace got out of her bed and stepped out of her room. The eerie melody was growing louder, its effect more apparent as she watched people around her either slumped in unnatural sleep or slowly, mindlessly walking toward the source of the sound. She rubbed her arms, feeling a chill crawl up her spine, and cautiously scanned the figures moving through the corridor.

Grace: *curiously* "Where are they going...?"

Feeling curious, Grace took a deep breath and decided to follow the group of entranced guards, her footsteps quiet on the floor. The eerie flute melody seemed to pulse through the air, wrapping around her like a thick mist, urging her to join the others.

As she moved deeper into the corridor, Grace glanced back at her room, the cozy safety it provided now feeling distant. She shook her head, trying to focus on the strange scene unfolding before her.

Grace: *whispers to herself* "Is this even normal?"

Ahead, the group of guards was gathered at the entrance to the castle's grand hall, their eyes fixed on something within. The door was slightly open, and as Grace approached, she could see the lights illuminating the room beyond. The sound of the flute was clearer now, its haunting melody weaving through the air like a spell.

Peeking through the gap in the door, she caught sight of Blair standing in the center of the grand hall, her long hair cascading around her like a curtain of shadows. The flutist was entranced by her own music, eyes closed, completely lost in the rhythm. Surrounding her were the guards, swaying gently, the eerie melody tugging at them like a tide.

Jasmine: "Blair! Will you ever stop playing that thing? Please! I'm tired of hearing it!"

Blair opened her eyes slowly, as if awakening from a dream, her fingers still moving delicately over the flute. She looked around, her expression shifting from blissful concentration to surprise as she noticed Jasmine.

Blair lowered the flute, her gaze darting between Jasmine and the entranced guards. The haunting melody faded to a gentle hum, and one by one, the guards began to blink as if waking from a deep sleep. 

Blair: *frowns* "What's wrong? I thought everyone liked my music."

Jasmine: *crosses her arms* "Not when it's making the entire castle fall asleep! You need to learn to control that thing, Blair. It's not just a toy."

Grace watched in silence, feeling the tension in the air. She could see that Jasmine was genuinely frustrated, and the bewilderment on the guards' faces as they snapped out of their trance added to her unease. 

Blair: *pouts slightly* "I'm trying! But the flute... it has a mind of its own sometimes." 

Jasmine: *sigh* "You need to stop experimenting in the middle of the night, especially when the castle is full of people who need their rest." 

Grace took a cautious step into the grand hall, drawn by the conflict unfolding before her. The moment she entered, the guards turned, their expressions shifting from confusion to curiosity as they noticed her presence. 

Grace: *quickly hides behind a pillar* "....What was... happening?"

Jasmine: *glances at Grace* "Blair's music was putting everyone under a spell. It's a long story, but she needs to learn how to control her flute."

Blair: *defensive* "It's not like I did it on purpose! I was just trying to find the right sound." 

Grace: "But what if someone gets hurt? What if you can't stop the music?"

The guards murmured in agreement, their earlier haze fading as they regained awareness. Some shook their heads to clear the fog, while others exchanged concerned glances.

Jasmine: "Exactly! You need to practice when it won't affect everyone else." 

Blair: "I... I just wanted to create something beautiful. I didn't mean to put anyone in danger."

Grace: *still hiding* "Maybe we can help you learn? If you show us what you want to create, we can figure out how to do it safely?"

Blair looked at Grace, her eyes brightening with a spark of hope. 

Blair: "You'd really help me? You'd teach me how to control it?"

Jasmine: "Well, if we can keep you from playing in the middle of the night, I guess I'm in."

Grace: "Um...yeah. Y-you can practice your magic with me. I'm still practicing mine too."

Blair: "Thank you! You are the best person ever!"

Jasmine: *claps her hands* "Alright, you dumb guards. Get back to your posts." 

The guards nodded, and one by one, they returned to their duties, the tension dissolving as they dispersed. Grace turned to Blair.

Grace: "Um...Let's make sure your music brings joy and not chaos from now on." 

Blair beamed, feeling a sense of belonging in this newfound friendship. Together, they could learn and grow, transforming the power of the flute into something beautiful for the castle. Grace stepped out from her hiding spot behind the pillar. Her eyes darting around to ensure there were no more guards around staring at her. But as she was looking around, she spotted a blade on the floor. 

Grace: "Hey, um, Blair is it?"

Blair turned toward Grace. Her expression was one of mild curiosity as she noticed Grace glancing at something on the floor.

Blair: "Yeah, that's me. What's up?"

Grace hesitated for a moment before pointing toward the blade lying just a few feet away. Its polished surface gleamed faintly in the dim light of the grand hall, a strange sight in the otherwise serene atmosphere.

Grace: *nervously* "There's a... blade on the floor. Did someone drop that?"

Jasmine's eyes widened slightly, and she stepped closer to inspect the weapon. The blade was long, sleek, and appeared freshly sharpened, but its presence here—among the scattered remnants of Blair's flute-induced trance—was unsettling.

Jasmine: "That's odd. The guards usually don't drop their weapons so carelessly."

Blair shakes her head, clearly just as puzzled as the others.

Blair: "It wasn't there when I started playing... I don't think."

Grace bent down, cautiously picking up the blade. It felt heavier than she expected, the cold metal sending a small shiver up her arm.

Grace: "It looks important. Maybe one of the guards dropped it while they were... you know, under your spell?"

Jasmine: "Maybe. But something about this feels off."

Blair: *winces* "I'm sorry if my music caused any trouble with that. I didn't mean for anyone to lose control of their weapons."

Jasmine: *takes the blade from Grace's hands* "Don't worry, Blair. We'll figure out where this came from. It might not even be one of the guards'."

Grace felt a chill run down her spine as she stared at the now-empty spot where the blade had been. Something about it being here felt like a warning, though she couldn't explain why. The castle had been filled with strange magic, and this was just another unsettling piece of the puzzle.

Grace: *quietly* "I hope... it doesn't mean anything bad."

Jasmine: "Don't worry, Grace. It's probably just a mistake. Let's keep an eye on things, but we're safe here."

Grace nodded, but deep down, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling creeping through her. It felt like the beginning of something more dangerous. 

Blair: *softly* "We'll figure it out together, okay?"

Grace forced a small smile, hoping that Blair's words would prove true. As they left the grand hall, the blade now tucked safely in Jasmine's belt, Grace found herself wondering what other mysteries the castle held—and whether they were ready to face them.