Author note: This is an AU inspired by my favourite city in the world, my favourite book in the world & multiple viewings of Whiplash and Secretary. It's an AU so expect mostly OOC moments and pretty much total deviation from the original story. I hope you like this.
The winds whipped up a frenzy, battering Christine's face as she jogged up Princes Street. She remained deaf to the world thanks to her trusty headphones, which now crackled intermittently thanks to overuse and her inadvisable habit of listening to her music too loud, although the streets were too quiet to require much distraction. At this time in the morning in Edinburgh, with Winter giving way to Spring far slower than anyone would have liked, most residents were sensibly wrapped up in bed, waiting for the inevitable ring of the alarm to alert them to the start of the week. Christine, however, enjoyed the solace of her morning jog, even with the city's infamous wind offering a further challenge to the proceedings.
Her trainer-clad feet rhythmically pounded the pavement as she passed the few locals who waited for the bus (or tram if they were feeling especially lucky today) in states of semi-consciousness. The adrenaline kept her warm against the chilly conditions, with sweat leaving trails down the back of her black vest along with the rain. With a day ahead as jam-packed as hers, she needed the best start possible, so she braved the elements and set a good pace from her flat in Leith, up the Walk and into the city centre. She barely noticed the iconic sights in her path, from the castle atop the monstrous rock to the grand statues throughout Princes Street Gardens, but the mere knowledge of their presence brought with them a strange comfort she would never live without. The most vibrant city in the world surrounded her and she had the privilege to call it her home.
As she turned the corner from Princes Street to Lothian Road, she picked up the pace and made a dash for her destination. She hadn't taken her usual running route to the university today; she needed a boost of inspiration. Quickly wiping the rain and sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, she sprinted across the road, narrowly avoiding a bus, and made it to Festival Square, the large plaza space that sat empty except for a scattering of park benches and a mammoth screen that stayed mostly switched off these days, except for special occasions. There was nothing special about today for most people but for Christine, she had confidence that it would be remembered as a life-changing moment for her.
Her favourite bench was empty and she quickly sat down, taking deep breaths and letting her aching feet rest. She hit pause on her old iPod, the battery of which was lucky if he lasted longer than 3 hours these days, and enjoyed the sounds of the city, from the sparse traffic to the opening of the various shops on the road. She loved this bench and in truth it had been that bench that partially convinced her to study in Edinburgh. That bench offered the greatest view in the city.
Directly in front of Christine stood the New Usher Hall, the newest and (in Christine's opinion) grandest building in the entire city. After a devastating fire saw the old Usher Hall burned to the ground over a decade ago, the world's top architects had been called in to create a new masterpiece, one that Edinburgh and the artists of the world would be proud to call theirs. Eventually, an anonymous submission won the job, much to the shock and outrage of many, and the New Usher grew from the foundations of the old.
The creation certainly made an impact: a strange combination of the hard edges of stone with the majestic waves of gigantic titanium that curved around and atop the structure like a blinding storm. Various windows littered the rooftops like peepholes between the gaps, as if the metal were struggling to hide something from the world that was desperate to break free. Even from her distant view, Christine could faintly make out the borders of traditional Celtic knots carved into the granite above the black double doors, the old melding perfectly with the new. It had taken many Edinburgers a long time to warm to the building, yet Christine had loved it instantly. What aspiring musician wouldn't want to perform there? Even her dreams shone with the memories of those metal curves reflecting the sunlight of a warm summer's day. The weather may not have currently matched her fantasies but the illusion remained whole, nonetheless.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a slight movement in one of the windows she'd been staring at; a shadow that bore a resemblance to a human silhouette, backlit by what Christine thought may be a lamp of some kind. She moved her body forward, as if that short distance could offer her a better view, afraid to move her gaze lest the shape disappear. Unfortunately, a passing bus provided enough distraction and once her view cleared, the shadow was gone. Oh well, she shrugged, must have been a cleaner or something.
With her breath back at a regular pace, she looked at her watch and knew she didn't have much time left for wistful thoughts, so she turned her iPod back on (French electro – the best music for running) and turned back to the way she came from. Get back home, have a quick shower, put on the face and catch the bus to Nicolson Square. Today would be a perfect day and nothing could get in her way. She allowed herself a quick glance back at the New Usher and smiled. Soon, she told herself. So soon.