Falling…
The spotlight made white hair glow, golden stage makeup shimmer, and glinted in golden hourglass pupil contacts and as he struck the first cord on his twelve stringed Martin, Raistlin could not help smiling at the hush that it cast upon the studio audience. He had gotten out of the hospital three days ago and had spent every minuet in the recording studio. The album was ready now and would be relised in the up coming month. That was what this appearance on Rock Magic was all about, that and to show the fans that the mysterious guitar player was alive and well, despite strange rumors that he had died in his hospital bed and that the band had found some one else to complete the album. This was his moment alone, this was his song, true it was slow and tugged at the heart but it was strong and he played it of his own choice.
The stars shine so brightly
They shimmer in my eyes
You fade from sight
And the tears fall
(Chorus)
Dragon tears
Do not show pain
Dragon tears
Do not show weakness
Dragon tears
I dare any to pity me
The sun rises in the morn
Its light I distain
It sets and the sky is blood
Stay with me tonight
And the tears fall
(Chorus)
Dragon tears
Do not show pain
Dragon tears
Do not show weakness
Dragon tears
I dare any to pity me
My breath stains the air
As the blood stains my hand
I'm tired but I refuse to lie down
For you I will keep moving on
And the tears fall
(Chorus)
Dragon tears
Do not show pain
Dragon tears
Do not show weakness
Dragon tears
I dare any to pity me
The guitar players voice was soft, for all who knew the band knew how little he used it, but with this song it worked. When the last notes faded there was a hush, followed by applause. Raistlin smiled faintly, bowed and walked to retake his seat, handing the guitar to a stagehand as he did so.
"That was Raistlin Majere, the guitarist of Dragonlance, playing his new solo Dragon Tears. Raistlin where did the inspiration for this song come from?" Raistlin settled him self between his bother and Tanis before answering.
"I wrote it up while I was still in the hospital. Being told you have a life threatening illness can bring up all sorts of feelings that can be a real pain if you don't have an outlet for them. Thankfully I did" Jenna frowned.
"I see. When you were told that you had tuberculosis what happened? How did you feel?" the guitarist shrugged.
"How does anyone feel when they are told that they might not live past the age of forty if their not careful? At first I was upset, then angry, then determined to make the best of it. That's why I decided to stay with the band. I'm going to keep playing guitar till my last breath passes my lips, when ever that is" applause filled the air again. When it quieted Jenna turned to Caramon.
"As the elder brother did you try to change his mind at all about this?" the drummer smiled faintly and nodded.
"Tried and failed. But he is my brother, so I'll stand beside him what ever decision he makes" Caramon placed a hand upon his brothers shoulder, his smile broadening when Raistlin did not try to shrug it off.
"Tanis do you feel the same?"
"Well not when it comes to the brother part but Raist is a good friend and an even better musician. Dragonlance just wouldn't be the same with out him. If he wants to stick with us I'm not about to stop him"
"And how did these rumors that he was dead start circulating?" All eyes suddenly turned to Tas, who had by now turned bright red. The keyboard player laughed nervously.
"Well, funny thing about that. See not long after Raistlin was put in the hospital some reporters caught up with me and I may have exaggerated his condition just a bit"
"May have he says" sneered Raistlin. Tas turned a deeper red and began fiddling with his hands. Jenna smiled.
"Well I know that many people, my self included are glad that it was just a rumor. There is also a rumor that an intense contest between you and another guitarist is what led to your hospitalization. What do you have to say to that?" before Tas could speak Raistlin intervened.
"That's no rumor it's the truth. I needed to let off some steam and I was unaware of the consequences"
"There's also talk of a phone you supposedly threw at a nurse" Raistlin laughed lightly.
"That's partially true. You see I received a call from someone I wasn't particularly pleased to hear from and I lost my temper. I did throw the phone but the nurse wasn't in the room at the time"
"Well that's good to hear and as I said before we are all very glad that you are doing better now and that you are back with the band. Now that we're on the subject what is your opinion of the new album?"
"Its probably some of the best stuff we have. We did a fair but of experimenting and Sturm, Tas, Tanis and my self all have one or two singles on it. Dragon Tears is one of them and Mind of the Mage is another one of mine"
" You don't say, that is interesting. What singles do you have on the album Sturm?"
"I only have one, Sword Edge," replied the bass player, folding his arms across his chest as he did so.
"I have two Wanderlust and Rabbit Slayer," said Tas brightly, not waiting for Jenna to address him.
"And you Tanis?"
"I have one, Homeland"
"There are a lot of fans who have been waiting for you and Laurana to do a love song. Is there any hope of that ever happening?" Tanis side glanced at Laurana who blushed slightly. He smiled at her and took hold of her hand.
"At this point I can't say for sure. We might and we might not. The fans will just have to be patient"
"Alright, well that's all the time we have for today. Lets hear it one more time for Dragonlance!" the studio erupted with applause as the band members got to their feet and filed out. Tika and Flint were both waiting back stage, the diminutive manager with a fresh Tim Horton's coffee in his hand.
"Good work you lot good work" while Flint was saying this he placed his cell phone to his ear and started walking toward the car, confirming security with Riverwind as always. Tika walked up to Caramon and took hold of his hand. Raistlin sneered and made to shove past them but just then he put out a hand to lean against the wall, suddenly dizzy. Seeing this Caramon let go of Tika's hand and came up next to his brother.
"You alright Raist? You want to sit down?"
"No I'll be fine in a few minuets but I think I'll just head back to the hotel"
"I'll come with you"
"No need brother. Just because my night is ruined its no reason to ruin yours. Besides that I want rest and quiet, two things that are impossible for me to get with you hanging off of my shoulders. Just help me to the car and I'll handle everything else" Caramon suppressed a sigh and smiled lightly, placing his hands upon the guitarists shoulders.
"All right Raist what ever you say" they continued to the car in silence.
* * *
"I just dont get it Tanis"
"Don't get what Sturm?"
"Why he puts up with Raistlins bullshit. I mean he uses Caramon like a doormat. Brother or not I don't think its right" while saying this the bass players eyes were upon the big drummer as he stood resting at the bar with Tika, watching Tas showing off his dance floor acrobatics. Tanis shrugged and took a drink of his beer.
"I don't quite get it either but then again I don't have a brother and neither do you so neither of us can truly hope to ever understand. All I do know is that Caramon loves him, that much is plain just by looking at him when ever Raistlin is around, Whether Raistlin feels the same I cant say and I'm not about to ask him. I'm also not about to argue the matter with Caramon. Are you?" Sturm turned his gaze from the drummer and shook his head before taking a drink of his scotch with soda.
"No fucking way" Tanis laughed, drank the last of his beer, and joined Laurana on the dance floor as a slow song turned down the energy level on the dance floor, leaving the bass player to his thoughts for a while.
* * *
Raistlin heaved as sigh as he stepped from the shower, breathing deep the steam that worked to ease the pain that had been building in his lungs since leaving the television studio. Not bothering with his robe he walked to the room he shared with his brother and fell upon his bed. He lay there for a few minuets, eyes closed and enjoying the quiet, before turning his gaze to the bed side table, where three large pill bottles sat next to a glass of water.
Flint had most likely been here earlier and had set them up. Knowing that either the guitar player would forget to take them or just say fuck it and not even bother looking at the bottles never mind taking the meds. Since the disease was in its active stage there was no guarnentee that the pills would be able to cure it but at the very least they would ease the pain.
Raistlin sat up, took one pill from each bottle, placed all three in his mouth, took a drink of water, and placed the glass back on the table before laying back on the bed and staring at the ceiling.
God damn it he wanted a cigarette. Quitting had turned out to be a bigger pain in the ass then he thought it would be and all those things what were supposed to help you quit, the things that were guaranteed to work, were full of shit and tasted like it too, where the gum was concerned. Flint had found and removed all of his packs from the room, even the ones Raistlin had been sure the manager wouldn't be able to find. He knew it was for the best though. Taking a puff was one of the worst things you could do if you had TB and it was almost certain to kill you.
After the passing of half an hour Raistlin decided to go for a walk. He sat up and pulled on a black t-shirt with a white dragon on the front, a pair of black jeans, and socks. He ran a comb swiftly through his hair and tied on a black headband. After stepping into a pair of biker boots he pulled on his red leather trench coat and headed for the door. He stopped with his hand on the doorknob, a last minuet thought occurring to him. He nodded, walked back to his room, and opened the top drawer of the dresser. He riffled through it till he reached the bottom and pulled out a small black wooden box with a hinged lid. Inside was a black handled switch with a jasper pentagram set it, and five-inch blade. Raistlin smiled and slipped the weapon into the back pocket of his jeans before turning off the lights and walking out, closing the door securely behind him.
None of the fans had ever seen him with out his stage makeup, even when he was out at the bar with Tanis and the others he had it on, so the guitar player was confident that he could walk down the main streets and not be recognized, he was right. He walked downtown completely unnoticed and stopped in at a few music stores. He stumbled somewhat by accident upon a large bookstore and spent a good few hours there. It was only after exiting a coffee shop that he realized he was being followed.
A black jaguar was driving slowly a good few feet behind him, trying not to look obvious and failing miserably. How cliché, a sneer crept across Raistlins lips as he turned onto a side street. Things were going to get ugly and the last thing Raistlin needed was some idiot phoning the cops. The guitar player stopped walking and the jag pulled up next to him. The driver's side passenger window rolled down and a woman with short curly black hair leaned out of it. Her dark eyes flashed as she smiled crookedly at him.
"Hay there little brother"
"Hello Kit"
"Need a lift?"
"No thanks"
"Ah come on, it'll be"
"I said no so piss off," hissed Raistlin, cutting his older sister off mid sentence. Kit sighed and leaned back in her seat.
"I didn't want to have to do this but you don't leave me with many other options. Soth!" the driver's side door opened and a man stepped out. He was close to six feet tall wearing a black tuxedo, gloves, and a solid black mask to cover his face. His jet black hair tumbled past his shoulders and he sported a withered black rose on his jacket. He advanced upon Raistlin, cracking his knuckles. The guitarist stepped back a pace or two before pulling his switch, the blade flashed in the streetlights.
"That's close enough ass hole. Now back off" Soth continued forward a sound resembling laughter rumbling from his chest. Raistlin looked to his sister.
"Kit call off your dog unless you want him neutered"
"Just co operate Raist and make things easier on the both of us"
"Fuck you! I already know what you want to talk about and I already told you I'm not interested" Soth advanced a few more steps and Raistlin slashed his blade in a wide arch nearly slicing the big mans hand open. "I'm not fucking around Kit! You know what I can do with this knife. So either call him off or I'll make it so he has to carry his balls in a zip lock bag" Kit smiled to her self and nodded. Yes she knew exactly how skilled Raistlin was with that switch because she had been the one who had given it to him, so he could protect himself whenever Caramon wasn't around, which wasn't very often. She remembered one time when he had cut up a kid in his elelementry school for getting on his case about his hair color. He had been smart enough to stash the knife somewhere before being taken to the principal's office, thus avoiding expulsion, but just barely. It didn't matter how much taller or stronger Soth was Raistlin might not be able to carry out his threat but he would make a damn good effort. Kit sighed.
"You heard him Soth back off" the masked driver stopped his advance and walked back to the car.
"That's more like it. Now the both of you beat it. And don't even think of contacting me again. We're through do you understand?"
"Yes I understand. Sorry we couldn't do business brother. Say hello to Tanis for me" Raistlin scowled, still holding his switch.
"Leave Tanis alone, leave me alone, leave Caramon alone, leave all of us alone. We don't need you now get out of here"
"Take me home Soth" while saying this Kit rolled up her window. Soth got back in the jag and drove off down the road. Only when he saw the taillights disappear around the corner did Raistlin put the switch back in his pocket. He stood in the street for a few moments before turning and walking back to the main street.
* * *
"Shit!" Kit cursed as she pounded the seat with her fist. "Well so much for that plan. Now what?" Soth didn't answer; in fact he made no response at all and continued driving. Kit snorted.
"You're a great help Soth you know that?" just then her cell phone rang. She sighed and picked it up. "Hello? Nope no dice. I understand that but. Fine I'll try to think of something. Don't worry if you want him I'll get him but I need time. Thanks, I'll call you back when I have something. Bye" she snapped the phone shut and tossed it onto the seat. "What ever" she hissed as she leaned her head back against her chair. After a few minutes of silence she sighed. "God damn it all this bull shit had better be worth it"