Welcome back. It's How to Kill a Piano. It's still Halloween, and
this is your third episode of How to Kill a Piano. Thanks so much
for being here and listening and spending Halloween with me. And if it isn't
Halloween where you are at the time that you chose to listen to this,
thanks for spending the time anyway. Without further ado, here's chapter twenty four
of How to Kill a Piano. Halloween Again, Sharon found themselves floating alone
in their ferry boat, leaving Sarah behind in the Athenian world. This particular
Halloween marked four years since Charley's transformation and three since Sharon and Sarah fell in
love. Every Halloween, Sharon needed to be at the Fairy to meet Cordiva
for their annual report. As time went on and the closer Sarah and Sharon
became, it became more and more tricky hiding their relationship from Cordiva. Sharon
touched their left paw to their forehead and with closed eyes, began to speak
out into the darkness. Cordiva's voice spoke back from the moments ago empty Fairy,
though it was too dark now to be sure. We really need to
stop meeting like this, Cordeva burred in her usual way as she washed herself,
with no regard to Sharon's physical existence. I couldn't agree more, Sharon
smugly retorted, I suppose you haven't secured him for me yet this year either.
Cordiva birred, licking her paw, then running the saliva up over her
head and across her ears, dragging it through her fur. Unshaken, Sharon
can continued their report. In all this time, it's never been my job
to collect anyone for you. That's been your job, Cordiva. You bring
them here, I collect their tokens and help them on their way. I've
never once asked what happens when you take them, and I've never once complained.
But tell me this, why are you so obsessed with Charlie? Cordiva
glared, before answering, Charlie's different from the others, Cordeeva bird some more.
But the Athenians don't die. Everything dies, even ideas like Charlie.
If you can't help me, I'll simply have to convince Scrurtious to do the
job that you're failing to do. But they're idiots. They're idiots, yes,
But even an idiot is useful. Now and again, I've never taken
a life, Cordiva. That's not our agreement, Sharon begged. Oh my
dear Sharon, you don't have to take his life. You just have to
nudge him a little bit, Invite him into your fairy, take him on
a small little ride for you. See, he's made a very stupid mistake.
He thinks he can break tradition and continue to do what he wishes.
But if he doesn't pass along himself to the new form, he will cease
to exist and we will have nothing to take with us. Given the right
genetic makeup, Cordiva could lick anyone to death if she's so desired. Her
tongue was made up of tiny little needles that felt like sand paper that slowly
drained the blood from her prey as she licked them into unconsciousness. Sharon sat
there obediently at their end of the fairy in silence. You know very well
I can't touch the Athenians directly. Their bodies don't wither away like the others,
and I'm growing hungry. Cordeva licked her teeth. I think he's protected.
He doesn't see me, Sharon countered, no worries. I see I've
wasted my time. I'll call upon my demons. Perhaps it might even be
a good first test for the form he's been working on, growing into the
one he's been calling Abby or whatever. I don't know why I bother to
learn their names. They never hear for very long. It's no matter.
Go enjoy your day off with whatever dies you do for Halloween. In an
instant, Cordeva was gone, leaving Sharon alone. For the rest of Halloween.
Sharon was haunted by conflicting emotions and sought solace in the timeless space between
realms as they paddled about before returning to Sarah. In the Athenian world,
Sharon found Sarah tending to her pianos in her music room. She ran a
cloth over their sides, shining them up, the ivory keys trembling with each
stroke of the cloth, as her puppy laid peacefully at her feet. Hello
puppy, how did it go with that damned cat? Sarah hissed. I
don't know how long I can continue to protect Charlie. Sharon admitted, Cordiva
has relieved me from the task of luring Charlie onto my ferry. That's good,
right, Not really, she's tasking scrutinous on the job, that slimy
piece of shit, Sarah exclaimed his behavior, Sharon growled, he's been rounding
up pianos of all shapes and sizes, baby grands, stand ups, concertos,
toy pianos, whatever he can get his devilish hands on. Sharon scratched
behind one ear with their paw as they responded, that is concerning. Luckily,
he's not good with them like I am. Sarah comforted, they'll sooner
eat him alive than do his bidding. Nevertheless, if you can keep an
eye on him and try to figure out what his plan is, that would
be helpful. Maybe it's time you introduce yourself properly to George the little One.
It might give us an edge to gain his trust. Something to tells
me we're going to need it. Sarah softly closed the piano and tossed a
biscuit down to sticks, who drooled onto the carpet as they gobbled up their
treat Is that what I look like? Sharon pondered out loud with disgust.
Darling, Sarah comforted, You're absolutely charming, no matter what form. You're
in. I don't know where i'd be without you. She reached her inked
hand back into the biscuit jar on top of the piano and tossed one to
Sharon. Sharon caught it in their mouth and immediately started to crunch it between
their teeth. I'll do my best, Sharon said, with a hint of
doubt between bites. First meetings don't usually stick well, Sharon swallowed, unless
someone's on my ferry. You know that better than anyone. Sarah smiled and
ran her hand between Sharon's ears. I think it's time I meet him too.
Are you okay seeing Charlie, Sharon inquired, I don't think you'll be
able to meet one without the other. I admit it'll be hard to see
him without knowing me, but this was the way it had to be.
I love him and seeing him happy makes me happy, even if part of
me is sad that we couldn't walk the same path together. Sharon morphed back
into their humanoid form and embraced Sarah, wrapping their arms tightly around her,
holding her close. I love you, Sharon whispered, I love you,
Sarah whispered back. Cheron knew that it was only a matter of time before
Cordeva figured out the truth about Charley's protection. Scurteous will eventually figure out that
Charley hasn't been raising what they think, and that the little One isn't untouchable.
Sharon let go Sarah and began morphing back into their beastly form. We
have to assume we have a little more time before that snake bites. I've
handled Scurtious before I can handle him again. After all, there was a
time when Charley and Scurteous were friends. Maybe we can reason with him.
As the world around them seemed to fade into the background, Sharon committed to
their role in not only maintaining as a servant of death, but as a
guardian of love and compassion in a realm dominated by darkness. Charon would navigate
the treacherous waters of deception and loyalty, playing the bart of a double agent
in service of both Cordiva and love itself. The path ahead was uncertain,
fraught with dangers and sacrifice, but Sharon's heart burned with an unyielding flame that
would guide them through the trials to come. This has been another episode of
How to Kill a piano. My name's George Tate. Thanks so much for
listening. If you want to keep in touch and keep updated and follow us,
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If you haven't noticed, we took a long hiatus because well, we
all got work to do, and we all have stories to tell, and
sometimes we take a break and tell other things until next time, Well until
next time.