Sorrento's Story
Mav's comments: The mariners' past wasn't explained by Kurumada-sensei so here's my fanciful tale on what his life was like. And how he met Kanon and the others too;) According to various sources, Sorrento is Austrian! But I'm learning French, hence the French school and phrases.
Disclaimer: I love Saint Seiya, but Masami Kurumada owns it. Nor do I have any rights on the song, "A Moment Like This" as sung by Kelly Clarkson.
-+ Music School +-
The auditorium of L'académie de Musique, a renowned and elite French school for children, was filled with murmurs of excitement. It was founded by a French composer who wanted to create a foundation for children who loved music. He built his school in Austria so that students from England, France, Germany, and Italy could travel and live abroad.
This spring day, crowds of people from the local community as well as supporters of the young musicians were seated among the velvet chairs.
In the front row was a bunch of girls, carrying bouquets of flowers that they will present to the musicians.
"Did you hear about that boy who's going to play a flute solo?"
Her friend giggled.
"I saw him in the wings earlier. He has nice purple locks of hair."
Another girl joined in the conversation.
"But it's his fuchsia colored eyes that takes your breath away!" She sighed dreamily.
Unbeknownst to the girls, another boy was peeking though the little slit in the curtain. He smirked and nudged his fellow flute player in the ribs.
"Oh Sorrento, you've garnered more girls to your performance," mocked the boy in an imitation of the dreamy tone the girls were speaking in.
Young Sorrento shook his head and arched an eyebrow at the girls.
"I don't know them. Girls just claim to be in love with me even though they don't know anything about me."
Then the lighting changed in favor of one single spotlight. The conductor stood at the ready in front. In descending rows, the orchestra was in the backlighting. Sorrento and the rest of the flute players were at the bottom, near the front.
An MC wearing a trim cut tuxedo announced the songs of the evening. They were to perform an opening song together and then give way to a few solo performances.
With all the practicing, Sorrento was still nervous. Whenever he played by himself, he wasn't at all sweaty or felt nauseated as he did now. His fingers felt clammy as he pushed down on the holes of his flute to allow only certain sounds to be created in the group performances. Strands of his hair was sticking to the nape of his neck, thinking about his solo performance.
It's almost my turn. I feel so nervous. I hope my clothes doesn't look drenched thought Sorrento anxiously, rubbing his thumb against his flute.
"I am honored tonight to present to you an aspiring flute player. Although he is only 15 years old, his musical ability has gained him such prestige as was seen at the competition last year. I present to you, Sorrento!"
A deafening round of applause followed. Sorrento was tactically seated at the edge so that he wouldn't have to bump into people's knees as he got out of his row. He stood up straight, holding his flute by his side like a soldier. His French tail coat and vest of magenta hues mixed well with his light purple hair and fuchsia colored eyes.
Each step felt heavy to him as he made his way toward the front. He kept his eyes forward and glanced at the front doors, which looked like a good escape route. But his attention broke when the sounds of giggling and whispers finally reached his ears.
His fellow flute player rushed forward and tapped him on his shoulder laughingly. Sorrento's gaze followed where he pointed.
Ack! My foot is caught in the microphone's wires! Sorrento tried to dislodge his foot from the wirings by shaking loose but lost his footing.
"AH!" cried out Sorrento as his butt hit the stage floor. The other boy pulled him to his feet, all the while laughing.
The MC tried to salvage the situation, much to Sorrento's embarrassment.
"Sorrento was so focused on performing for you all, that he's become rather absent-minded! Most geniuses are as you know."
"Aww, Sorrento's so cute! Haha, his cheeks now match the color of his eyes!" squealed one of the girls. Everyone gave a good-hearted laugh in understanding.
Clearing his throat after making sure his feet were free from the clutches of any wires, announced, "I-I'm very sorry for the, ahem, delay. I will now perform a contemporary song with my flute titled, 'A Moment Like This.'"
As he sailed through the voiceless verses of the song, he couldn't help but think how appropriate this song was. In a moment like this, some people wait a lifetime to find something they would love now and forever. Something that was meant to be, just for him.
And that something was his cherished flute.
As he reached the ending of the song, he thought of the first verse ironically.
What if I told you
It was all meant to be
Would you believe me,
Would you agree
It's almost that feelin'
That we've met before
So tell me that you
don't think I'm crazy
When I tell you…
But what was it? Someone was telling me something important before... Something I shouldn't forget. I can't believe I've forgotten the last few words of that verse! I hope I'll remember to look it up or I'll keep hearing that unfinished verse in my head over and over again, he thought as with his lips, he blew the last note of the song.
He moved the flute from his mouth a little too quickly as waves of applause filled his hearing. Through the bright lights, he could see that people were standing up in rows.
"SO SWEET! I imagined someone singing to his instrumental version!" called out one girl, tears filling her eyes.
The others' opinions were drowned out among the fresh new wave of applause, but from their smiling and joyful tears (not to mention their fangirl squealing), you could easily tell they were agreeing with her. Sorrento smiled in relief and gratitude.
There were calls for an encore, but the unexpected events of the night had tired out the poor flute player.
"Haha, good job Sorrento! I thought your butt drumming the floor was the best performance!" joked the other flute player, clapping a hand on Sorrento's shoulder.
Sorrento closed his eyes in slight irritation and shrugged off the hand. The others laughed and left Sorrento to himself. They knew that it was useless asking him to join in their after party. He enjoyed more tranquil settings.
Taking his flute case, he flipped open the latches. He took the cleaning cloth and began wiping down his flute, rubbing away any of his oily fingerprints, as well as the embarrassing memory of falling down in front of hundreds of people.
His purple hair flowed in the wind, the free parts of his French tail coat blowing together with the night gale. Being outside had cooled him down, and his clothes weren't so wet with sweat anymore.
What a night. Why do I have this feeling that there's someone I'm supposed to find? Every time I look at the ocean…
He locked the flute into its' case. He carried it with him as he stepped over mounds of jagged rocks. There were grains of salt scattered in some of the crevices where the sea water had dried in the sun. Sorrento was close enough to feel the waves lapping over his tanned feet.
"Beautiful," whispered Sorrento. He loved the places that weren't touched by human hands, that weren't filled with drab colored buildings that blocked the sky, that lent no place for birds to rest.
Removing bits of seaweed that were caught on the rocks, he eased himself onto a flat rock. Resting his elbows on his knees, he sighed aloud.
"Why do humans make things that block out nature?"
"Feh, if you're going to ask that, why not ask the people who are doing it?" replied a man with a deep voice.
"Who's there?" demanded Sorrento, standing up abruptly and backed up towards the ocean.
Turquoise-blue hair waved in the wind. The man was easily his senior by at least 10 or so years. His built body was cause for alarm since Sorrento didn't have much muscle, only having a flute that wasn't a weapon…
"MY FLUTE!"
The man was balancing the case in one hand and holding the gold flute in the other. I was right. It was brief but I sensed a strong cosmos from this brat. Although I can't believe anyone would get worked up over a flute…
Sorrento lunged at the man, hoping to grab his flute while he was lost in thought.
"HEY! Don't be so eager boy! Now, I think I'll keep this flute for a while. Or I could just toss it into the ocean-" trailed off the flute-napper in a sly voice.
Sorrento narrowed his eyes and was preparing to do some bodily harm to the older man. But the stranger seemed to think it amusing rather than intimidating.
"I guess you're the quiet, brooding type. So here's the deal kid, right now you're emitting what is called cosmos. Other fools have called it chi, spirit energy, chakra, you name it. But that's what's called me here."
"So?"
Stupid brat, he doesn't know that I could kill him with my bare hands for that! thought the man, frowning. "My name's Kanon, and while I'd rather keep a girl hostage, this thing seems to be more of your type. I'll keep it until tomorrow. Meet me here and give me your word that you'll agree to do whatever I ask of-"
"What? I-I just want my flute! I don't know if you're crazy or what, but just give it back!"
"Would you stop interrupting me!" roared Kanon.
He wanted to give him the details of Poseidon's plan to destroy the humans by using Sorrento's dislike for mankind but the boy's obsession with his flute was ridiculous.
"Screw this. Remember brat, meet me tomorrow or your flute gets it!"
Kanon's hair resembled a dolphin as he dived back into the ocean.
That's a phrase I regret saying, thought Kanon to himself.
EXTRA: I was watching Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This" music video and just felt so inspired! I love songs that have classical instruments playing like an orchestra. I wondered about it and then thought of SorrentoXD If anyone would like to beta-read future chaps of this fic, just PM me. Please review:)
