Prologue: 2016

Elizabeth flopped back onto the bed she'd been given. It wasn't too bad, and she'd definitely slept in worse places. She glanced down to the guitar case at her feet and sighed, picking it up and setting it on the bed.

She opened it, glancing down at her prized bass guitar. "Oh Fernando, wherever I go, you go" she whispered. She removed it from the case, turning the keys to tune it up just right. Once she'd achieved her ideal E A D G, she played a few notes, letting her fingers shoot up and down the fretboard.

Little did she know she had a small audience though. Kitty, Julian and Thomas had followed her up to her room, wanting to see if she'd open the case she'd been carrying with her.

"Ah, bass guitar, knew it" Julian stated, crossing his arms. "And a good one too, bet it cost a pretty penny"

"I'm confused, why did she call it Fernando, is it alive?" Kitty asked, glancing curiously at the instrument.

"Of course not, I'm sure it's just a name a good artist gives to their favourite tool." Thomas added.

They were all put to silence though, once she started playing. The deep, funky riff was enough to send shivers up your spine. They watched intently as she let out another sigh, placing the instrument down in favour of a small notebook. She flipped through the pages, reading the words carefully.

"This is the one, this is my magnum opus" she whispered to herself, closing her eyes and pressing the book to her forehead, as if trying to connect it to her mind.

"Sheesh, all these musicians are the same. Absolutely full of themselves. Give it a few days, she'll be gone" Julian stated as he left the room.

"Oh I do hope she stays, she seems nice! And I'd love a new friend" Kitty smiled, also leaving the room.

Thomas was left alone with Elizabeth. "I too wish she'll stay" he murmured, barely loud enough for even himself to hear. Oh how it caused him pain that this angel of music couldn't see him. While he had gotten exactly what he wished for, he found it to be unbearably bittersweet.

Elizabeth however, unaware of the poet's presence, tucked away the book and headed downstairs in search of her manager, Derick. Oh how she hated that man. So stuck up and rude. She would've fired him had it not been for his exceptional management skills.

She made her way back down to the main hall, where she was met with the grim man. "You idiots! I told you to put those amps in the library? You want to loose your damn job? Huh? Then listen to the bloody simple instructions I give you!"

Elizabeth tapped him on the shoulder, pulling him out of his little fit of anger. "Derick, I was promised the same acoustics as Rockfeild studios, if not better. That's what you said wasn't it?"

Derick turned his head to meet the woman, his long blonde hair dangling in front of his eyes. "And that's what you'll get Liz, you've just got to trust me. And besides, the old bag that lives here couldn't be more desperate for money, I rented this place at a steal" he gloated, smirk sharpening.

"When do we start recording, I'm ready when you are, and I thought I told you not to call me that. I'm your boss remember?"

"Sorry princess" he scoffed. "Well the booth is set up, and I don't see why we can't make an early start." He turned his head, pointing to the library, which had been converted temporarily into a recording booth.

Elizabeth smiled widely. "Brilliant" she muttered, making her way to the library. And it was good! There was plenty of space to move about, and the sound was wonderful. "Right, I want to get started as soon as possible. We have a whole album to record and god knows it's not going to happen by itself." Derick announced.

Elizabeth took a deep breath in, and placed on her headphones. Pat, Captain, Robin and Thomas were all watching, breath bated.

"What she do?" Robin asked pat, pointing to the large microphone.

Pat pushed up his glasses. "Well Robin, she's going to record her voice. She'll sing into that microphone and it'll be recorded onto a tape!" He explained excitedly.

"If this causes a nuisance for the next few weeks, I'll be bloody upset" The Captain complained, twirling his swagger stick.

"Oh shut it will you? She's about to start!" Thomas chided.

And by god did she start. She waited patiently as she was counted in, and then she sang. Beautiful and smooth.

My darling,

Have you missed me?

Every night I find myself wondering if you still love me

Every night I ask the stars if you're out there

If you still care

Because my darling I do

Thomas once again found chest growing tighter. What was this feeling? Something so familiar yet so alien. As he listened to her sweet words, he found himself drifting deep into thought, staring at her as she sang. And it was only when she reached the final chorus was he pulled from his thoughts as she belted her last notes.

Oh my darling!

Why do you do this?

The universe itself

Lives in ignorant bliss.

"That was alright, it needs work still, but it's got potential" Derick commented from behind the booth glass.

Elizabeth nods, removing the headphones. "I thought is was good" she whispers to herself.