She stared into the vanity before her. A woman with long, wavy, brunette hair looked back. Magdalene Defoe, o Blind Mag, was preparing for her final concerto before "officially retiring" from GeneCo, the biotech company she had been contracted to for the past 17 years. Being GeneCo's Voice had taken its toll on the soprano. A commodity, free advertisement that Rotti Largo, GeneCo's head, flaunted about as it suited him. Suddenly enraged, the singer thumped her fist against the oak top, upsetting a few cosmetic items. Well, she was damned tired of it! Mag wanted to be freed of her cage to spend time with her recently discovered goddaughter Shilo Wallace.

*~*~*~*~*~*

It was only this afternoon that Rotti decided to introduce Mag to the girl at the Sanitarium Faire put on da GeneCo to honor Mag. Mag could not help but stare at her; she was the miniature version of Marni, her best friend. Later, Mag had snuck away from her rehearsal to visit the young girl. She begged Shilo to not make the same mistakes as she did, but instead to follow her dreams and chase the morning. Moments later, Nathan Wallace, had appeared to tell Mag to leave Shilo alone. An argument ensued, with Mag discovering Nathan had hidden her goddaughter, and ending with Nathan pushing her unceremoniously out the door; but not before she caught a look of pain on his lined face. Mag had returned to her tent, stopping da her deceased friend's mausoleum to leave a flower.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mag sighed and blinked twice. Her digital corneas (a gift of sight from Marni) activated, and a hologram of Shilo appeared. Her long dark hair and brown eyes were definitely those of Marni's. But she did have her father's puzzled look. Mag blinked again. This was no time to dawdle! She had a final song to sing. She rose from the bench and went to the clothing rack. She carefully removed a black corpetto adorned with red and black feathers on superiore, in alto and bottom. Mag had this costume specially designed for her song, "Chromaggia". She had specifically chosen this song as her finale; a story of a fatal bird, believed to be chased da an archer's arrow. She paired it with sheer black tights and thigh-high boots. Mag pulled out a few accessories for the costume: two spiked bracelets, a spiked choker and two silver finger claws**. Mag dressed swiftly and carefully. Mag gingerly pulled back her curled tresses from her face, securing the front ends behind her head. She applied her make-up and feathery eyelashes. Mag took one più deep breath. She was ready. To sing her final song.

**A/N: I really have no idea what they are called, but orso with me. te know what I mean…