When the moment had passed and she'd caught her breath, Octavia turned her head slightly against Harper's shoulder, casting her peripheral gaze towards Ivy's motionless body in the gravel.

Holly had found her way to her sister's side, looming over the girl as she continued to sob. Time and time again, Ivy's name rolled off her despairing tongue. Her eyes briefly flickered to Octavia's before finding Harper's, somewhere between infuriated and sorrowful.

"You--"

"She'll be okay," Harper offered, his breaths slowly steadying. "I promise."

Holly didn't argue, tears quietly slipping down her cheeks in place of hostile words.

Octavia released Harper, straightening up as she pulled Stradivaria into her arms. It took time to find the drive to scan the camp with her eyes. It took additional time to recognize the way by which she could do so at all, blessed with sweet clarity in place of obscure gray.

Minutes ago, there had been little in the tent-speckled home aside from smoke, flame, and hatred. From here, she could see the silhouettes of the Maestros, still fighting for the salvation of tiny lives that needed them most. A song equal parts Soulful and Spirited was forever beautiful, distant as it conquered the last bastions of flame.

That left two newly-blessed Maestros and one questionable mentor. Collectively, they were loud. From here, Octavia was torn between appreciating their charisma and wishing that they would stop talking.

"You gotta hit it harder than that! And look happy about it, while you're at it!"

"What the hell is there to be happy about with any of this?" she could hear Domino growl.

"I mean, a little smile or two never hurt anybody! Makes other people feel more confident in you, y'know? If someone else sees you smilin' while you beat the crap out of this stuff, you're gonna look way cooler!"

"I'm not trying to look cool, you idiot, I'm trying to keep everyone safe! How the hell did you even become a Maestro like this?"

Renato shrugged. "Charming, good looks, what else could I need? Keep your eyes on your right!"

Domino groaned, Broken Bliss rising to his lips as he eyed the wispy violet approaching his ankles. "Do you ever shut up?"

"How you doin' over there, Josiah?" Renato called instead, his words carried on the wind to a face unseen.

It took Octavia a minute to chase down the boy in question with her eyes. She finally settled on a tent she'd noticed hours prior, stained by gasoline as it was at the time. Beyond it, Josiah thrust one hand past the canvas flaps.

"You're okay. It's safe, come on," he offered softly.

His hand quickly filled with one far smaller. Octavia had been correct about the tent's owner, and she watched as wobbling steps left Louise almost stumbling into the boy's arms. She trembled, her glasses lopsided and her hair frazzled. Splotchy cheeks spoke to prior tears, and she swiped at what was left as she clung to Josiah. He smiled.

"Are you hurt?"

She shook her head. With a gentle touch, Josiah guided her out from the tent in full. "I'm glad," he said.

"Dude, pay attention!"

In Josiah's defense, it would've been extremely difficult to see the Dissonance cresting over the height of the tent. The sweeping fog that descended upon them rose high above his head, and his eyes would've caught it far too late. Octavia raced to raise Stradivaria to her shoulder. It never made it there, and panic left her outright fumbling the bow as it fell to the gravel below. Ultimately, Josiah didn't need her help--nor Renato's, nor Domino's. He released Louise's hand, and that which he held in the other sufficed for salvation.

Octavia kept needing conscious reminders of the boy's newfound bond with Etherion. The sleek rosewood in his grasp hummed and crackled with every breath, his motions somewhat more skillful than she would've expected of a novice. She still wasn't certain if the lightning bolts were a personal preference or a mandatory manifestation. Either way, they were absurdly loud and ridiculously jarring each time they struck.

When the Dissonance splintered and writhed beneath his assault, she jumped in surprise. She felt bad for Louise. At a much closer proximity, the child outright screamed in terror, casting her palms over her ears as she nearly dropped to the ground.

"I've got it," Josiah called back to Renato. "I can take care of myself, I promise."

"You scare me sometimes," he answered uncomfortably.

Renato didn't have his attention for long. Louise's whimpering was enough to steal it back, and Josiah lowered himself to the girl's level. One hand settled delicately atop her head as she cowered, his voice softening yet again.

"I'm sorry. Did I startle you?"

She blinked, her eyes filled with fear. "What…was that thing?"

He paused. "What thing?"

Louise raised a quivering finger towards the roof of the tent, once home to a haze of violet. "The smoke."

Only now did Josiah's eyes widen. "You can see it?"

Even from afar, Octavia had heard the same, and her reaction was nearly identical. She'd misheard, maybe. That wasn't right.

She threw her eyes back to the boy beside her at last. "Harper--"

"There's something I need to know."

His words, let alone his focus, didn't belong to her. He glared at Holly, who had since risen to her feet with her sister's arm around her shoulder. Ivy, in turn, had found her footing, along with her consciousness and breath. Ragged and unstable as it was, she was still standing in some capacity. Weary eyes just barely summoned the strength to acknowledge Harper at all. Whether or not she was in any condition to speak was debatable. Whether or not she could understand Harper's words was just as much of a mystery.

"If I let you two leave, will you swear never to take one step here again?"

"Harper," Holly began, her voice wobbling.

"Because I will kill you if you ever try. Both of you."

He raised Royal Orleans in one hand, tapping his fingernails against the brass threateningly. Holly gulped.

"You can't…keep Domino away from us."

He was silent for a moment, staring her down with utter malice.

"Please," she begged. "He's…we love him, too."

Harper narrowed his eyes, his expression unfazed. Instead, he tensed ever further. "Do you promise to never harm my family again? To never so much as try?"

"Do you mean--"

"Answer me!" he shouted.

Octavia winced, as did Holly. The girl quickly nodded her head, whimpering as her pained gaze swam with tears. "Y-Yeah."

Harper closed his eyes. "Then get the hell out of here. Now."

Holly gave no further resistance. Ivy, ever silent, was complacent to be pulled along. Holly moved in reverse towards the alleyway, never turning away from Harper and Octavia. Given the disaster in their wake, she lacked the capacity to literally flee, duty-bound to her ailing sister. Quietly and slowly, she shrunk into the shadows with tentative steps.

"Holly," Octavia called.

"Thank you," the girl answered. "For…saving my sister."

Octavia's heart burned. "I'm sorry for whatever she's been through. Both of you."

While she couldn't see Holly's face any longer, she could still catch the emotion in her voice as it wavered. "I…thank you," the girl repeated.

Octavia watched her depart, their visages merging with the crevices of shadowy paths forsaken by the emerging sun. She pitied Harper first and foremost, and she always would. Still, this hurt in a different way. The tiniest part of her offered up a silent wish for their safety in tandem. So, too, did she spare a plea for their happiness, should the world be kind enough.

Harper fixed her with a mixed look that she couldn't discern. "What's…going through your head right now?"

Octavia only gazed at the empty alleyway. "Dissonance has to come from somewhere, right? It doesn't just…show up."

He averted his eyes, his voice soft. "Yeah."

She peered up at him. "Do you think we should help with the--"

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Something crashed into her from behind. She stumbled forward, nearly falling onto her face. It was a miracle that she didn't, saved only in part by hands ensnaring her waist and a flute pressing into her stomach. Against her spine, she was fairly certain a face was pressed between her shoulder blades. Her initial shock robbed her of a smile that she didn't think to don.

"I'm so glad you're safe!" Viola cried. "You scared the hell out of me! Both of you!"

Octavia finally found her smile, gently rubbing one of Viola's clinging hands with her fingertips. "I'm sorry. I'm glad you're safe, too. I saw you putting out the fire. You looked really cool."

She accentuated her words with a surveying glance. Natural colors of a happier world had replaced flame and Dissonance. Only frightened children and stray tears served as souvenirs of a Hell that reigned just moments ago. She couldn't attest as to injuries at a first glance, although she didn't hear any true panic. Of those she did find, most were minimal, bound to scrapes and smoke-born complications. It was the first time her pounding heart began to slow. So, too, could she finally breathe a true sigh of relief.

She lost Harper altogether. Speed once used for offense found purpose in adoration, and he rushed directly into the arms of each and every child in turn. From afar or otherwise, he radiated worry, and Octavia watched as he took turns smothering them in personal attention and reassurance. He was surely exhausted. He was surely aching fiercely. Even so, love came first. It was so like him.

"I'm so, so confused," Viola continued, unwrapping herself from Octavia's waist. "I leave for one night and the whole place goes up in flames. What in the world happened?"

Octavia sighed. "It's a bit of a story, for sure."

"Also," Viola hissed under her breath, "you didn't think to tell me about that? Seriously?"

When she jabbed one hostile thumb in Josiah's direction, Octavia stifled a smirk. "I told you there was something at the manor you should know about."

"That's a pretty big 'something' to not clarify! How the hell did that happen?"

"We…definitely have some stuff to talk about. A lot of it, actually," Octavia answered.

"You think?"

"There's something I need to do first, though," she said.

Of all places for her eyes to wander, roaming the expanse of charred canvas, they settled upon a harmonica in hands too small for its burden.

Viola didn't stop her when she tenderly settled Stradivaria into her arms, nor when she made for the boy empty-handed. Why in the world she felt timid around Domino, of all people, was beyond Octavia. She blocked out every lively sound around her, folding her nervous hands together in front of her dress. Every step was equally as anxious.

"You know, for a novice, you weren't half bad! Keep it up, and maybe someday I'll consider taking on an apprentice. No need to thank me," Renato said with a wink, ruffling Domino's hair.

The exasperated child buried his face in his hands, the steel of Broken Bliss pressing against his forehead all the while. "You are the absolute most annoying person I've ever met."

"Domino?"

Octavia's wavering voice betrayed her best attempts at exuding confidence. Domino, too, tensed, his shoulders stiff as he lowered his arms to his sides. The moment he met Octavia's eyes, he fell silent.

She paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "You did…great today."

For a brief second, she could've sworn she saw the slightest of sparkles in his eyes. Even so, he quickly averted them, his gaze drifting down into the gravel. "Just did what I was supposed to. Nothing special."

Renato found her searching gaze before she found his. Octavia nodded, and so did he. Quietly, he backed away, making for the others on the far side of the camp. She wanted isolation. He gave it to her.

"Do you like being a Maestro? So far, I mean?"

"I don't know," Domino said. "I think so. I like having this…power to myself. I like feeling strong. I like being able to protect people."

He raised his head, his face tinted with pain. "I didn't like whatever the hell all that was, though. I hated it."

Octavia smiled weakly. "That's part of being a Maestro, sadly. If you've got one of those instruments, that's your job. It always will be."

His face fell. "I gotta do that forever? Fight that stuff, over and over?"

She shook her head. "Not all the time. Ideally, that doesn't happen, but there's no promises. You never know when you'll need to. It's the price we pay for having that kind of power."

"What if I don't want to do this anymore? Then what?"

Octavia couldn't find the words to answer. No amount of attempts to string a sentence together were successful. She cleared her throat.

"I need to talk to someone. This is gonna be really weird. Keep an open mind, okay?"

Domino raised an eyebrow. "O…kay?"

"Could you…hold out the harmonica? In your hands, like this?" she asked, emulating a cupping motion with her own palms.

He obliged, although not without narrowing his eyes. "Sure."

Face-to-face with Broken Bliss, nearly at eye level, the Harmonial Instrument was even more beautiful up close. The Harmonial Crest burnt into the corner of the top plate was subtle, and yet shone brilliantly beneath the morning sun. She almost regretted what she was entertaining the idea of doing.

"I know you're in there," Octavia said as confidently as she could. "Come on out. I want to meet you."

In the few moments that nothing happened, Domino's expression was valid. She could very much understand how deranged she looked. When the light came, majestic and luminous as it burst into something far greater, the roles of insanity might've been reversed. Octavia couldn't blame him, given the gorgeous display of spectacular scarlet that sprung to life before his eyes. Radiance once more pooled into the shape of a human, memorable and unmistakable.

Just as she'd come to expect, a stranger born of light graced her presence, as brilliant as a star and equally as lovely. With a blinding spark, she was greeted with a crimson aura not unlike Orleanna's own. Even so, the stature was far different, notably broader and visibly masculine. In stark contrast to Orleanna's petite and delicate existence, the firm presence and build of the Muse was striking. He was more like Brava, if she really squinted.

"You are the Ambassador, are you not?" the Muse spoke, his voice deep and smooth.

She nodded, devoid of the initial surprise that would've caught her off guard so long ago. "My name is Octavia. I'm the Ambassador. What's your name?"

He bowed his head low, a gesture of presumed respect she still didn't quite feel she deserved. "Call me Breileneth. It is a pleasure to meet the Ambassador at last."

Octavia had expected Domino's face to fill with shock, confusion, or perhaps horror. Instead, when she found his shining eyes wide with honest awe, something in her heart felt warm in turn. He blinked slowly, his mouth agape. It took him far longer than expected to find any words at all.

"Can…anyone else see this?" he finally murmured, briefly peeking over his shoulder at the other children.

Before Octavia could answer, Breileneth took her place. "My visage belongs only to those who have touched upon our burden."

Octavia breathed a silent sigh of relief. She'd thought to give the same answer, albeit with half-certainty. Explicit confirmation from a Muse helped.

Domino nodded slowly. "And have you…been in there the whole time?"

It was Breileneth's turn to nod. "I have, indeed."

Domino turned to Octavia instead. "And do…do all of the--"

"Yes," Octavia answered with a soft smile. "Everyone has a partner."

"A partner," he repeated aloud, testing the words of his lips. "It's…nice to meet you, then, I guess."

"Likewise," Breileneth spoke gently. "You show promise for one so young."

Domino peered up at him. "Really?"

"Even at such an age," he continued, "you bring great honor to the legacy of the Willful. Be proud of the fire which runs valiantly through your blood, child."

For the first time since they'd met, Octavia wasn't ignorant to the way Domino's lips curled upwards. Soft and genuine, it was beautiful. His smile made her heart sing.

"Breileneth," she interrupted, much to her own dismay. "I'm…here to set you free."

"You would bear witness to the pains I carry, then."

She nodded. "The toll. It's been paid, hasn't it?"

"Of this, you are correct. Do you stand firm in your choice?"

She spared a glance at Domino. Of all things, she hadn't expected to find his eyes shimmering. With what, she wasn't immediately sure.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "'Set him free'?"

Octavia hesitated. "These instruments…aren't supposed to be here. Our partners have a home. It's my job to help them go back to where they belong."

"I already have to say goodbye?" Domino murmured sadly. The hurt in his voice, let alone his general wording, stung.

"I'll say goodbye to my partner someday, too. All of us will. When all of them go back to where they came from, though, that terrible purple stuff will never come back again. This is something we can do together to help protect everyone."

His forced smile this time was pained, marred by the subtle pinpricks of tears at the edges of his eyes. "I really thought I finally had something special all to myself. I'm guessing it's too late to change my mind, huh?"

Octavia couldn't help but cup her own hands beneath his. Her fingertips brushed against his own, and they carried the weight of the harmonica in tandem. "You're still just as special, with or without this thing."

"How am I supposed to protect this place without it?"

Her own forced smile was perhaps equally as empty, although not without genuine effort. "You've done it before, I'm sure. You're smart, and you're resourceful, and I know you'll find a way. If worse comes to worst, there's always people who you can rely on."

His fingertips curled inwards in the slightest, almost defensively encircling Broken Bliss. Dragging this out would only hurt him further. With as much determination as she could muster, Octavia did what she could to refocus her attention on the Muse above them.

"I'm ready. I'll perform the Witnessing."

"As you wish," Breileneth spoke calmly. "You have my gratitude, Ambassador."

She already knew what was to come, granted. Still, the haunting words that preceded her death never failed to make Octavia's heart pound. For Domino's sake alone, she did everything she could to quash her anxiety--at least for now. Her fake smile was the only weapon she had against darkness far more true.

"Domino Kresh," Breileneth began, "your toll has been paid thrice over. Now, Ambassador, see through the eyes of the ones who paid the toll."

At the mention of his name, Domino's panicked eyes snapped upwards. It took Octavia's voice to drag them back down.

"It's okay. This is where I come in. You don't have to do anything. Just hold the harmonica for me, alright? Trust me."

Despite the obvious fear splashed upon his own eyes, Domino nodded, his curls bouncing with the tiny movement. His hands trembled with the effort of remaining steady as Octavia withdrew her own. Carefully, she positioned her palms above the innocent piece of metal.

Keeping calm when she came up was going to be exceedingly difficult. It didn't help that she wasn't confident about what she was about to see, for all that she knew of the circumstances. Still, panicking would only hurt the boy. There was a very good chance that this would be her hardest toll yet, and for a different reason than she'd expected.

Octavia didn't give him anything more than the same smile, desperately filled with as much truth as she could squeeze behind false confidence. She had nothing else to offer a child who'd already lost everything. With closed eyes and a downward motion, she stole yet another precious piece of Domino's life. For how little he still had to claim, it hurt worse than any death could ever.

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