Chapter Two: Muse by Day, Nymph by Night

Unbenownst to Prince Ruby, he was not the only musician in Erosia whose Music caused birds to flock around.

The other was a shy, innocent young Muse.

The Muse, Erica Xenne, lived on an outer island of Erosia.

She wore white and reflected the colors the world imposed upon her.

Muses had divine powers & drew inspiration from all surroundings & all elements.

Music wrote itself through Erica & her voice was rumored 'Divine.'

Her music portrayed many emotions at once, drawing empathy from everyone.

She often bathed in sunlight to replenish energy after writing a song.

Erica could sing into the trees to her heart’s content, or even sing before an audience, but she was shy when conversing with strangers.

Muses were known to behave instinctually, more similarly to animals than humans in some ways.

Erica had strong feelings & empathy & urges but no manners.

The nicer her dress was, the more fun she had getting it all muddy.

Erica loved being around animals and playing with them.

But unlike animals, Muses were magical creatures of inspiration, and rarely sought sexual relationships. They were aroused by creative bonds with other artists.

Muses were so aroused by nature and the arts that their relationship with nature appeared sexual.

Erica never bored of playing in the forest and swaying through the trees.

For all of these reasons, Erica was often referred to as The Eternal Child.

One afternoon, a beautiful gypsy nymph named Oriana was traveling through the outer islands, and heard singing and began to dance.

Oriana was one of the gypsys in Erosia who had the power to cross the magical barriers that separated the Erosian islands from each other.

Oriana waited until the beautiful voice presented a face, and met Erica Xenne.

Erica was shy, so to her, Oriana seemed fearless. She was slow to open up at first, but Oriana charmed her into talking.

Oriana entertained Erica with stories of the main island of Erosia, sang her songs she’d heard there, and told her of the musicians she met there.

Soon enough, Oriana had convinced the Muse to journey to the main island of Erosia with her.

However, as soon as the ladies reached the main island, Oriana left Erica alone in the forest and headed for the Valentine palace. She had better things to do!

Oriana’s favorite lover in all the islands was Prince Ruby Valentine, and she reveled in knowing that he desired her above all others.

Since Oriana was an avid traveler, she never stuck around long enough for Ruby to bore of her. He was always happy to see her.

Meanwhile, Erica scurried through the forest excitedly, exploring and singing into the trees through sunrise.

After a wild night with Oriana, Ruby wandered into the forest to sleep. He heard a beautiful voice singing through the trees.

He suspected he was dreaming, but the voice only grew louder and closer.

He felt she sang his dreams directly to him.

He followed her to the afternoon and answered her melodies on guitar. They played back & forth for hours.

The Muse was enchanted. She had never heard such a splendid, beautiful, Musical sound in her life.

They finally caught a glimpse of each other on opposite ends of a lake, where they continued to trade harmonies and melodies.

They spied on each other and sang and played from afar for many days

The Music grew more and more intense.

When they finally met, Ruby felt that Erica, alone, could tap into HIS dreams. He felt something pure, something deep. But the magic was fragile & he was afraid.

Ruby left her alone and did not touch her because he feared he would lose his one chance to really love someone. He didn’t want to corrupt it and taint her.

Erica tracked Ruby down at the House of Love & he tried to ignore her

She found another woman waiting inside & ran. Ruby was relieved.

Erica felt devestated and wept for days.

She sang chilling sad songs.

Ruby couldn't bear to keep away for too long. He tracked her down and enchanted her with Music

Ruby felt compelled to be around her, but he did not want to ruin the magic by making love.

As they got closer, they both felt butterflies inside, but Ruby vowed not to put his hands on her.

Ruby led Erica deep into the forests & brought various instruments for her to play.

No matter what instrument Erica played, she and Ruby made Musical magic happen together.

Being around Erica made Ruby feel younger and more alive than any lovemaking he could remember.

He stared at her in awe, dreaming of ravaging her, but knowing he shouldn't.

(naughty Ruby!)

Ruby knew that whenever he made love to a woman, he sucked her soul. He didn’t want to ruin Erica’s magical soul and taint the beautiful bond they had.

The more time they spent together, the more Ruby felt she was the only person to truly know him.

Ruby could not help but drop to his knees before Erica every day.

Meanwhile, Erica could barely breathe without thinking of Ruby & wanted him.

All she could do when Ruby wasn’t with her was imagine making love to him and fantasize about touching him.

Erica could hardly stand being a few feet away from Ruby.

She got as close to him as he would let her.

Nothing made Erica and Ruby happier than singing and playing to each other...

.. but Erica felt her limbs would fall off if Ruby would not touch her.

No matter how she climbed on him, he would not put his hands on her.

Erica tried to tempt him...

She tried to lure him to kiss her...

She got as close as she could....

But Ruby wasn’t responsive.

He would gladly serenade her to sleep in the afternoons, but never spent the night with her.

Even when Erica visited the House of Love, Ruby rejected her.

Ruby’s refusal to be Erica’s lover began to weigh her down.

To express his love, Ruby brought Erica to meet his family. First, they went to Olivia’s house, while Olivia slept on the hammock...

Erica pranced about & hung from the structures. Ruby was charmed by Erica’s complete abandonment of ‘social graces’ and manners.

Ruby brought Erica to the garden outside the Valentine palace, where Olivia and Magda were playing chess.

Curious about them, Erica sneaked up shyly and watched what they were doing.

She found it funny that they took this game so seriously, and mischievously stole the chess pieces and put them in her mouth. They were not charmed.

Olivia trapped Erica in her cape. Magda was too busy being disgusted by Erica’s complete lack of manners & poise.

Olivia lead Erica away....

And then Olivia and Magda tied Erica to a tree.

They taunted her..

and left her tied up while they finished their game.

When the last boats left to the Outer Island in winter, Ruby invited Erica to stay at the Valentine Palace for the winter.

Music spilled through them both. Erica sang to Ruby of his distance & he answered on guitar.

Sometimes they admired each other playing.

They often bonded deep into the hours of the night.

Erica was introduced to many instruments she'd never seen before. Some of her mistakes, like playing the harp upside down, entertained Ruby endlessly.