For the love of art...

I play a sweet melody, its tune far too classical for the taste of my surroundings. But it makes my papa smile, his happiness means the world to me. And sometimes people will put coins in my worn case which means we can eat for the night. It is a rough existence here in the slums but my papa is happy because he said god gave him a child with a gift. And that one day my gift would pull us out of this place.

As I strummed my violin, the instrument the only nice thing in the world my family possessed. I thought of all the trouble papa went to make sure I kept my beloved instrument. He found it scavenging and was originally going to pawn it, but the moment my hands touched the base and picked up the bow he knew he could never take it from me. I had only been five at the time, and though he faced threats from friends who knew what the instrument was worth he never once tried to take it from me. We went on the run from the east side towards the west. It was not much better with papa being stabbed preventing thugs from trying to steal my violin. Now that I am older I defend myself with my makeshift knife, but my papa still fears my being robbed for my precious instrument or worst.

But so far when I play even the meanest looking types stop then walk away. My music can soothe the savage. As I finished my melody a young man approached me. His hair was coiffed and his clothes very fancy. He flashed a grin that instantly made me blush. "You are Tanya are you not?" I could only nod, even in the evening lighting I could see how handsome this male was. How could someone so good looking notice a street wretch like me? Even if my rags were not off putting my long black locks could use a comb and my green eyes always held a far away look to them. For him to know my name confused me. "Your music is simply alluring, it is a match for your beauty." I crimsoned at his words my blush seemed to delight him more.

"I have a private gala I am hosting, I wish for you to come and play for me. It is tomorrow evening and If you arrive early I will have you cleaned up and dressed in the finest garb you have ever seen." His words caressed my very soul, even if I wanted to refuse him I could not. But I did muster up the courage to ask "please sir can my papa attend?" I had expected him to say no, it would have made sense for him to. But he flashed a grin and bowed "but of course, I would love to meet the man who sired such a talented beauty." He gave me a card it was white with gold inlay and crimson colored words. "Oh forgive me you can read right?" I blinked "yes not well but yes." I was definitely able to make the address it was the Museum downtown. "So you will be there then?" I nodded excited to play for this male and his friends.


That evening I went home with only two coins, but father was so excited by the card he did not care. He still looked pale from his wounds but the nice people at the local triage helped him with medicine. Now with this I could see his pallor turn around more, and it made me happy. "We will get there nice and early Tanya this is it, your chance to show the world the star you are." I hugged my father and that night we rested well. The morning I was too nervous for words, I even refused the stale bread father offered to me. I wondered if last night had been a dream until I touched the card again, my mind going back to male who approached me. I only hoped I was truly worthy of the praise he gave my playing. That evening around sunset father and I walked towards the museum. We did not have to knock the well dressed duo who guarded the front letting us in though their faces held slight contempt at our shabby attire.

The male who approached me last night walked up, his clothes were so trendy, black and crimsons and silk from what I could tell. Father was immediately impressed by him as well. "Ah lovely Tanya and you must be her papa?" My papa bowed "yes sir, it is an honor to meet you." He grinned "such politeness, I knew your lovely daughter was raised by a strong character." Father once again humbly bowed. "Before we change your clothes allow me to introduce myself. I am Claudius, curator of this fine museum and pursuer of all things fine and beautiful. Word of your amazing talent reached my ear and I knew I had to grab you up. Stick with me lovely one and I will raise you to the height of adoration. What do you say do you accept?" He took my hand despite my rags bringing it to his lips. My papa spoke up "do you mean you will become her patron sir?" Claudius breaks the kiss and grins "you can say that, I will definitely make sure your daughter never returns to the slums."

This was all my papa needed to hear, "Tanya this is it, our dreams coming true. I knew it my baby girl your talent is a true gift and now it will get us out of that horrible place." Claudius smirked at his words I was too lost it all seemed unreal. "Well then let us get you both prepared for the concert. Claudius clapped his hands and we were ushered off. The upstairs wing of the museum had a full apartment I was washed bathed and placed into a lovely pale pink dress. My long dark hair curled up giving me almost a doll like look. When papa laid eyes on me tears welled up in his eyes. "Tanya you look beautiful" he hugged me tight. His own look shocked me, cleaned up and in an actual suit my father looked like a completely different man. While still pale from being sick so long I realized just how much a good bath and clean clothes could change a person.

A knock at the door made us both jump slightly then smile. "The concert will start in five minutes” a deep voice said from the other side of the door. My face must have registered my nerves for papa hugged me to him “just use your gift you will show them your talent.” I smiled then headed out with him. The stage was set a soft cushioned bench, several people dressed in finery, some strangely dressed in ancient looking gowns as well. The whole scene felt like another world. I started up my melody a haunting tune my violin weaving a gentle song of sorrow. I could see them drinking in my talent. I ended that song and reaped in their applauds then went on to play a more progressively classical number. By the time my set was done the beings were on their feet, and the male Claudius who in my heart I had dubbed my dark knight approached me and hugged me to him. “I knew you were a treasure, finding you was the highlight of my last few weeks.” I beamed at his praise...


Little did I know the cost of gaining his affection.


That was over six months ago, I sat alone in a finely adorn room waiting once again to play, at least now the hunger I have gotten used to. But I still feel so alone, papa was not allowed to join me in my new life of luxury, I am still scared to ask what happened to him. I only know that evening we partied we drank things my tongue had never tasted before and I woke the next evening in absolute pain. When Claudius greeted me again I saw his real face, behind the carefully crafted veneer lurked a quiet evil, his smiles really held in his sneers of contempt. As he coolly informed me of what I was now and how my talents would now last forever. What have I become? And what of my poor papa? My sorrow will endlessly play on my violin now, a sad testament of what I have become.