Well, that’s almost the truth…

When Pico was just a little boy, his parents sent him to the Greenhill Academy to live with his aunt and uncle while he studied a profession of his choice. Pico chose magic and the profession of a rune master. It was a long time ago, and Pico hadn’t been introduced to music yet. However, after a couple years, Pico was entranced by the music of a traveling guitarist. After Pico showed so much interest, the man taught Pico guitar after school each day. In a month, Pico had become a master on the stringed instrument.

Pico was brought back to reality by Annallee’s melodic voice. “Here we are Pico.” She said.

They stepped inside the dank tavern. Men and women were sitting at tables, laughing, drinking, and obviously having a good time. A fiddler was performing on stage, and the unruly crowd was showing there gratitude with a chorus of ‘boos’. Annallee and Pico made there way to the back room of the pub and prepared themselves. Pico tuned his guitar and Annallee warmed up her vocal cords.

After the fiddler was booed off the stage, the announcer announced Pico and Annallee. From behind the curtain Pico and Annallee appeared on stage. They turned out to be a big hit, as the woman started to whistle and scream at Pico, and the guys doing the same at Annallee. Pico handled this well, by winking and blowing kisses to his adoring fans. However Annallee always felt awkward when men shouted catcalls at her, so she stood still as a statue while her face turned redder than a tomato. After the audience quieted down, Pico took a seat on a stool and Annallee approached the microphone.

The duo performed many different songs, from up-tempo tunes to slow, tearful ballads. And when the smoke finally cleared, the audience stood up and applauded. Pico flirted with his female fans again. This time however, the females rushed the stage, trying to grope Pico while screaming like a pack of wild hyenas. The fans mobbed Pico while Annallee stood on stage, not showing any emotion. On the inside she was fuming like a rabid dog.

“(Those girls are all over Pico, and he doesn’t even seem to care!)” She thought. She was upset, about ready to go over and yell at all those girls. However, all of the guys then approached her. Instead of being frenzied fans like the girls, the men were polite and asked Annallee for autographs. She smiled and blushed as she signed men’s bar napkins and other articles the men gave her to sign. After all the fans got their fill of the two, Pico and Annallee got ready to go.

As they were about to exit through the back (to avoid the crowd), a man neither knew stepped out of the shadows. "Excuse me. I heard you singing and I wished to complement you."

Annallee blushed. "Thank you."

"I'm holding a private party a few nights from now. I would be delighted if you could make it," he continued, "My guests and I would be delighted to have such a talented girl such as yourself attend."

Annallee accepted the card he gave her that had the address, feeling slightly dazed. She was being invited to a private party? He really thought she was that good? Wow!

Pico frowned. Who was this guy anyway? He'd invited _just_ Annallee. This guy gave him a bad feeling. But maybe he was just a rich fan. Who was he to stand in her way?

Cloaked in darkness, the man watched the two musicians go. “(Such a lovely girl. She would make an excellent bride.)”

Pico and Annallee walked away. “Who was that man?” Pico asked.

Annallee shrugged. “I have no idea, but he obviously is a fan.” Annallee blushed.

Pico frowned again. “A fan of YOURS, maybe. He didn’t even offer me an invitation.”

Annallee patted him on the back. “Come now. You HAVE to accompany me. If he wants us to perform, it’s obvious that he means both of us. Maybe Alberto will be back so he could go with us as well.” She added.

Pico thought about what Annallee for a moment, and then agreed. “Yeah, your probably right.” “(He’s probably just a fan of the ladies,)” he thought.

After awhile they made it back to Pico’s parent’s house. Pico dreadfully opened the door, hopefully to find his mother not waiting for him. However, luck was not with him, as his mother was waiting on the couch for him. She stood up in her graceful manner. Pico grimaced, as she started to speak; “Where have you been?”

Pico sighed. “Mother, please. I’m tired, and I don’t need to hear your complaining.” Pico replied.

A second later, any wandering individuals would have noticed Pico and Annallee getting pushed out the door and having it slammed shut on them. Pico rubbed his head. “Looks like we’re going to be staying in the Inn tonight.” Annallee looked sad. “Don’t cry Annallee.” Pico said, as he smiled at her. “It’ll be ok.” He added as he walked down the street, putting his arm around her. They headed for the Inn and obtained a decent room for each of them. After awhile, each turned out the lights and went to sleep.

In the morning, Pico woke up early. He got dressed quickly and went downstairs. While Annallee was still sleeping, he paid for both of them and left a note for the Innkeeper, making sure that he would give it to her when she came down. Turning towards the door, Pico headed out into the early morning streets of Muse.

Wondering what the note said, the Innkeeper looked at it and read it to himself:

Annallee, I need some time to myself. I’m sorry for leaving you here by yourself, but just remember I won’t be too far. I just need sometime on my own to think. I’ll probably see you sometime tomorrow.

Pico