[center][h2]~[i]Present Day...[/i]~[/h2][/center] How long has it been.... That is what she had wondered in her nostalgic trance, eyes, languid and mournful, transfixed upon the picture of Maxwell and their dear friends, the very same she had kept all this time. She reached her hand out, slowly to touch it, but then...she drew it back, a bitter sigh crossing her ruby lips. [color=ed145b]~"The past is simply that....the past. I can no longer change it..."~[/color] Outside the dressing room door, faintly she could hear the audience awaiting her, their constant chatter and anticipation as they waited for the scarlet beauty to grace the stage, and their doting eyes, once more with her magnificent, larger than life persona. Two years, that is how long it has been, two years pushing her way through the adversity, the strain and the struggle, to make it here. [color=ed145b] Daniella Reindheart[/color], a name that could be heard all over the city and soon...the entire world, a voice that captivated audiences upon gracing every stage and transistor radio. Yes, she was a star, a bright and shining star at that. For just the ripe young age of eighteen, she had done pretty good for herself....but...of all the promises she had kept for that span of time, to become a singer as great as her dearly departed mother, to rise above the ranks to stardom...one...she had broken.... her promise to forget the past. [i]"Miss Reindheart, it's time."[/i] The stage manager gathered her attention from her reflection in the vanity, a brief moment to make sure her hair and makeup were perfect, and that her voice would be up to par for this night. Then, with another sigh, she stood from the vanity and made her way over. [color=ed145b]~"Wish me luck."~[/color] On her way out, a sly wink she gave to the lad. And just like that, the mask was on. No one wanted to see Daniella, the broken, miserable woman. No, they were here to see Daniella, the scarlet beauty, the songbird of the city, their precious, coveted gem. So that is what she gave them, a false, alluring smile painted across her face, sparkling emerald eyes that only held a fictitious glow, and a charisma of a woman who thought she was on top of the world, high above the heavens, instead of festering and writhing in the torment of her personal Hell. The curtains drew back, the blinding glare of the hot spotlight hitting her so sudden, yet not a cringe or wince she gave, elegantly sauntering across the hardwood stage, tenderly clasping the microphone in her frail, dainty fingers, a tempting smirk crossing her luscious lips, then...the delivery, [color=ed145b]~"Hello my darlings, did you miss me?"~[/color] The crowd cheered, applause all around with her sultry voice echoing throughout the concert hall, a few whistles and cat-calls here and there from some of the rowdy sailors and soldier boys up front, indeed enamored with such a [i]femme fatale[/i]. [color=ed145b]~"Thank you, thank you all. You're very sweet."~[/color] Softly she giggled, a small blush emanating from her pale, porcelain cheeks. [color=ed145b]~"I think me and the boys in the band have one more song left, if you would like to hear it."~[/color] They all cheered their loudest, one final song to wrap up this wonderful evening, one final chance to hear that beautiful voice of hers. To the band behind her, an ensemble of fine, talented musicians, she gave a nod and a wink, signal for them to begin playing. The music, an intimate, tender melody, a perfect composition to accompany her vocals. A deep breath Daniella took...and then... [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2Ohdk8VW_M]...magic[/url]