LES MUSICIENS
2008, 2009, 2010
A CROSSOVER STORY
For this chapter, I decided to introduce another obscure piece of music from the baroque period. It's called Suite No.4 in B Major by Charles Desmazures, and the ensemble I've heard this piece from is La Risonanza, conducted by Fabio Bonizzoni (I recommend it ). But also on their program, two pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach and two by Alessandro Scarlatti.
It's now time to cover South Korea, so this will be interesting. Especially when the orchestra encounters criticisms about their style of performance and the use of period instruments.
One source of inspiration for this chapter is from the psychological horror film The Ring and the track "Rachel's Quest" for the 1880 bit as well as Ernesto's; then came "Part 8 and 9" from Ghost in the Shell SAC OST 4 for the rest.
The main source of inspiration was Ben Lewis's series "Art Safari" when he covered the controversial contemporary artist Santiago Sierra. Another issue I'll bring up is the nature of contemporary art and its increasing commercialization, repetitious works and absurd prices for art collectors, an issue also covered by Ben Lewis in "The Great Contemporary Art Bubble". Another source was the No Reservation episode for this country when Bourdain went with his producer who is of Korean descent to explore her heritage, have a good time and reconnect with her family.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MARCH 2010, WEEK TWO
SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
[INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MONDAY, 3:34AM]
In the stunning modern airport, the musicians that finally arrived were also the last ones in the group, Mohammad, Dania, Yasmin and the rest of the New York crew, with their Vermont cameraman Zach Liebler. It was early morning and all of them were seeing double at this point, crossing the Pacific while having to cross the entirety of the US first always took a beating. Wilfredo, Alberto, Christine, Gilberto and Zane were helping each other stay awake and their friend Jang however was excited to be back home. One musician who didn't come this time was Cecilia who was busy with a video project on the local art scene with some friends in university, but she promised to come along for their next trip in Hokkaido, Japan. Emiko Takashiro and George Thompson would come tomorrow to rehearse with them.
Jang immigrated to the states when he was barely five and only became a citizen just a year and a half ago. However, even with his plans to visit relatives in Seoul, he was also a bit apprehensive to go to the DMZ, the world's most dangerous border. They got into their vans driven by their drivers for now and they were driven to their hotel, where most of the others already arrived and were asleep at this point. But with Jang too excited, he wanted to show them and have a quick bite of food in the food stalls that are located within proximity of the road that leads to the airport. They all got the same thing with the collective credo for jet lag: "When down in the dumps, get a hot bowl of something."
So what they got were bowels (kim tak sun…at least I think that is what it's called) that contained a variant of blood sausage with noodles, drowned in a fiery red sauce, "This is good," Yasmin told Jang who had them stop their van, "Not bad choice for this early in the morning," she added.
"What time is it," Wilfredo asked, "Forget the time, the fuck is the day," Gilberto interjected.
"Easy boys. I know it's early morning but no need for foul language," Dania told them to which Mohammad added with, "Save it after we get some sleep and get our first rehearsals here under way."
The young musicians groaned and even Christine who was happy to have her boyfriend Jang happy on this particular location on their itinerary was feeling slightly under the weather this time around, "Remind me not to referee Zane and Jang if things go south."
Zane and Jang looked at her and then at each other and then resumed eating. Their main contention with each other was due to simple male pride, Jang was now in a full relationship with Christine who previously dated Zane. Of course Zane was mature about this and tried to not let this seep into their work or off in their normal lives, but it does come up from time to time, "Deal," Yasmin told her.
Both Zane and Jang looked at her, "Come on we're not that bad," he told Christine, "He's right. We're not meat heads," Jang added.
Pretty soon they finished their hot meal with the temperature hovering around 34 degrees Fahrenheit and them in their coats, they just wanted to head for their hotel and drop to bed and wake up late in the morning. But unfortunately, Jang convinced them to film a fish market in Seoul that he says will rival that is often referenced just across the sea in Japan. Zane and Zach decided to go with him and urged the others to head to the hotel and they said they would hail a cab to get there. So after a few minutes of more driving down the main road, they were dropped off and they headed inside with their cameras on.
"So this is where South Koreans get their fish. At this hour though where only the willing wake up, workers and chefs from various restaurants across the city come here and basically…have a free for all on the best and tastiest catch of the sea," Jang told to the camera Zach was holding while Zane was getting angle shots.
The fish market in question was called Noryangjin Fish Market and as typical of fish markets of the East, there many species for consumption that are strange and exotic. And of course after walking around the vast market place they come across a fish auction where vendors bid for the price for the best fish of the sea, "Guys listen. Don't scratch your nose or something otherwise we're bring Mohammad $6,000 dollars worth of tuna," Jang told the two were filming him.
"Yeah no problem," Zach told him with a chuckled, "What about if you're just trying to swipe a fly away," Zane jokingly asked and Zach laughed a bit and Jang smiled a bit too.
The two continued filming the expressions and gestures of the fishmongers haggling over prices and the best specimens for the day. And just like that, auction came and went, "That was fast," Zane told Jang.
"So what now," Zach asked as he and Zane lowered their cameras and turned them and then yawned, "Seriously I need to get some sleep."
Jang agreed and the three headed out of the fish market with their cameras in tow. They only have enough money to head for the assigned hotel. However, unlike the other two who have begun to nod off in their cab, Jang was giddy with experiencing his native homeland's activities as well as reconnecting with relatives; his cousins, grandparents, uncles and aunts. He also agreed to connect a live video chat session for his parents back in New York for the final two days of the week.
[IBIS AMBASSADOR SEOUL GANGNAM HOTEL, 5:45AM]
The drive was uneventful and luckily since many are still asleep, no traffic while on their way to their hotel using the Gyeonchung Expressway and then the 47 after using the 130 to take them out of the area of the airport and the fish market. And of course the speed limits in the country was in their favor, above the 'safe' limit in the States. They parked in front of the basic but comfortable hotel and thanked the driver. They see their luggage with the front desk.
"안녕하세요. 우리는음악가의씨라디의그룹의일부입니다. (Hello. We are part of Mr. Moradi's group of musicians.)," Jang greeted and told the receptionist with a bow and some clarification. Soon the receptionist searched up the part in question who have arrived earlier.
"예. 나는당신의이름을얻을수있습니까? (Yes. May I get your names?)," she asked the boys and helped with the introductions, "이젠주홍입니다. 이자크Liebler입니다. 그리고장공원리해요. (This is Zane Zhu. This is Zack Liebler. And I'm Jang Park Lee.)," and she searched up their names on the system.
"아그래. 환영하고일주일동안체류를즐길수있습니다. (Ah yes. Welcome and enjoy your stay for the week.)," she bowed and told him politely and the three bowed in return, "우리는당신을감사합니다. (We will, thank you.)," Jang said politely and then the boys got their luggage and the receptionist gave them their key cards.
The boys headed for the elevator and went to their rooms located on the fifth floor and once they all got to their rooms they just dumped their luggage on the floor and collapsed on their beds. The orchestra had rooms on the fifth, sixth and seventh floors due to availability and their reservations ahead of time. Unfortunately for all of them, they had to get to their reservations in hours time, but thankfully Mohammad was merciful with them, pushed from their usual time of 9am to around 1pm after breakfast, lunch and the hours in between to acclimate.
However, for Mohammad and his family, this was all part of his own agenda to which he hinted to the others. And for this reason, that is why they are going somewhere they never thought they made arrangements with a local fixer and an idea he wants to see if he can pull it off.
[EXPRESSWAY TO DMZ: DEMILITARIZED ZONE, 9:56AM]
For nearly an hour, Mohammad along with his wife and two children were traveling with a fixer to the heavily fortified border in the world, the DMZ. But this wasn't really a heavy-handed visit for them. The orchestra as they are beginning to find out that they are part of a new generation of youth orchestras that don't have a permanent fixture at a university or school in order to perform music. They are now part of the new vanguard where they are more mobile and do their work in collaboration with university students and deans, community organizers, immersionist journalists, performing music not like the traditional set, and making connections with those who can open doors for the elite music world. However for this trip it is not known what will come of it, it depended on Mohammad's idea.
After a few more minutes they arrived at the DMZ Yasmin turned on her camera as did Mazhar to film their experience this morning. Dania with her husband was now conversing with their fixer on the history of the border that is typical for visitors. However they soon arrived at souvenir center at the DMZ, which was surreal at best. With families with children visiting the place and cheerful sounding music filling the area with local troops walking about to their next shift as they saw it anyway, "This is freaking weird," Mazhar told his sister, "I never thought we could be happy here."
She nodded with a knowing expression, "I know. I wonder if we can get a coffee around here," she asked and he chuckled a bit.
They were walked around seeing the fortifications and Mohammad asked the fixer and someone who was responsible for this visit. He spoke with him over the phone, weeks prior over an idea he has and told him about it, "I was wondering if I can have some musicians to perform some music near the wall here. Not too close but with the barbed wire in the background and them performing one or two pieces for the camera."
"That would be difficult since the recent events taking place here so I'm sorry to say it's impossible for you or your musicians to perform in extremely close proximity," the person told Mohammad but then Dania brought up something the two filmed.
"Is there not a village where artists go to do their work," she asked, "Yes there is. Would you like to take a look," the man asked and Dania nodded and Mohammad begrudgingly agreed.
So their next stop was essentially a colony of artists from the West and in South Korea. The houses were constructed in a contemporary minimalist style. This was the second choice for Mohammad to consider, but this wasn't what he had in mind. In hindsight this was a bit too tamed for what he wanted, "I feel this is a bit uh…safe for my taste Dania," he talked to his wife on the patio of one of the homes in the area.
"I thought this was going to be close to the border, but we're a bit further out than what I wanted. Where artists are nicely huddled together from outside of society," he further explained and she was beginning to understand his point of view, "So it's a theme park for art."
He nodded and sighed, "We could be Spain, UK, Germany, but this is…I know what you wanted as well and I can understand but…" but she immediately waved her hand, "No I get it. You wanted something more rough setting wise to contrast with the melancholic piece you selected. Yeah…but this is not exactly Brooklyn or The Bronx," she told him to which he laughed a bit, "I suppose."
For the rest of their tour they learned a few things about the artists' village. The whole area was once filled with tanks and soldiers, but it's now filling up with art. The local government was funding the area for more political reasons against the communist state in the north, to tempt them with the virtues of what is offered in the south. So as soon as they arrived they began to leave and head back to the city. But there was something Yasmin couldn't help but ask her father once they are now back on the expressway, "Do you think in retrospect they wanted to use us for some other purpose besides your idea?"
He looked at her and pondered, "Perhaps. The two countries have only a ceasefire in place, the war hasn't stopped officially. And don't forget your paper you once did linking armies and economies back in 2004, you stated, 'There are those who are willing to benefit from either one of the outcomes for a war or an economic boom. But who are left out in the end?' This is the same, expect more of a geopolitical mess like India and Pakistan."
Then his son asked, "So what do we do now regarding your idea," and Mohammad just sighed, "Well what can we do really? We have to continue with the concert at the end of the week."
Dania who looked at him knew the tone of voice. Her husband was bitter. Bitter at the fact that his plan had basically fell through. But she also knew the ambitions her husband has for the orchestra in the near future with every bit of serious news they are now covering locally back in the States and with the home cities and countries for the international students on the ground, however, she also knew this development has to be handled carefully.
She sighed and looked out the window, "And to add to this, we start rehearsals this afternoon after lunch," she told her husband, "Yeah and no doubt the students will groan about it. But…we'll work through it as we always have. Not to mention an interview at the university in a couple of days."
The interview in question was with a music critic for one of the city's newspapers. Since their performance of Agostino Stefanni's piece a couple of months ago, they are slowly getting more attention by the press aka the newspapers and radio stations. In this sense, they're getting recognition they've been working hard to achieve, but they do not want this to get in the way of their talents and work. However, they will also have to answer to critics of their performance style of baroque music since historically informed performance, or rather known as period performance on period replica or original instruments does get critique from the musical establishment still since the revival started in the late seventies for obscure works. And in South Korea, they're not sure how things will turn out.
[YONSEI UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC, 1:35PM]
They all were now in the university rehearsing in one of the auditoriums of the school. Their first piece to rehearse was Cello Sonata No. 1 in D Minor by Alessandro Scarlatti. As with their practice for the past five years, they've rehearsed this online with each other as best they can and for these pieces, Shinji and Wilfredo are the stars. For the second piece by Scarlatti, Cello Sonata No. 2 in C Minor it would be Wilfredo's turn in the spotlight. Relatively short pieces of music lasting not even ten minutes each, the only other instrumentalists accompanying them are Alberto on theorbo and Dante on harpsichord. For these two pieces, it was a collective decision to play them without a conductor so the three or rather four musicians will coordinate each other to play in synch. They've had practice with Yasmin as assistant conductor over the years so by now they're more confident.
After finishing the first sonata, they moved onward for the second sonata. The Moradi's in the audience are observing their performances while Zach and Zane film from the front and at various angles with the multitude of cameras and microphones set up. This piece only lasted just over five-and-a-half minutes and once done Mohammad clapped, so did Dania, Yasmin and Mazhar, "Well done all of you."
He then got up on the stage and went over to Wilfredo, "Their largo movement needs a tiny bit of adjustment. Look it over and it should be tightened up just fine for Friday night," he then went over to Shinji, who sat next to Wilfredo and gave his minor critique, "Technique is good, but put in a bit more color to match with Alberto on theorbo. Remember, I'm not assisting you with these two pieces."
He nodded in understanding, "I will professor," he said and Mohammad nodded, "Good."
Mohammad then looked at the rest of the musicians, "Warm up now for our next piece to rehearse," he said to them and they all began to warm up and take out their scores for the next piece to practice on.
Dante got up from his seat and looked at Bernhard, "How come you only get to perform two pieces and I in three," he asked and the German shrugged his shoulders and a slight grin, "Luck maybe," and Dante just rolled his eyes.
"Yeah whatever. But you are going to show your talents for Bach's fifth Brandenburg concerto in the first Allegro movement. Think you can handle it," he called him out in the most friendly of manner and Bernhard responded with cracking his knuckles, "What do you think?
Meanwhile Yasmin jumped up on the stage and asked Mohammad, "Dad, which newspaper is coming to interview you," she asked and this got the musicians clapping for him and he waved them off politely.
"Thanks all of you but please warm up a bit," he told them and then answered his daughter, "The Korean Herald. From there the interview will be available on campuses' newspapers across the city," he told her, "Apparently we got more fans now."
She chuckled, "Yeah, from a few people to a crowd," Yasmin joked with him, "Don't let it get to your head dad," she punched his arm lightly and then hugged him, "Knock 'em dead and give those critics something to talk about."
He smiled and then she let go and went back to the audience to help Zach while Zane is now up on stage to perform. He smiled to himself and then faced his musicians, "Now, let's work on the final touches on Desmazures's piece," he told them.
The musicians now numbered to about twenty for this go around were prepared and with the wave of the hands they started. Outside of the auditorium with the crack of the door, two music students heard them beginning to play, "그들은화려한소리. (They sound brilliant.)," a female piano student commented while her friend who is a violin student looked a bit unimpressed.
"나는역사적으로통보공연의팬이아니에요... 미안하지만. 음향볼륨이부족뭔가하고여기, 여기도취의감각솔직한있는것으로보인다. (I'm sorry but…I'm not a fan of historically informed performances. There seems to be something lacking in the acoustic volume and to be frank here, a sense of narcissism here.)"
The other looked at her, "어떻게요? (How so?)," she asked and her friend responded with, "글쎄그것은1800 년대중반이후음악연주에대한표준이무슨반대로음악이연주되었을수있습니다방식을볼수밖에지난세기의운동했다. 그래서네의도는루트에고귀한있지만, 나머지는진짜예술적인물질이다. (Well it came out of last century's movement to see how music might have been played as opposed to what has become the norm for musical performance since the mid-1800s. So yes their intentions are noble at the root, but the rest is of no real artistic substance.)"
The girl nodded disagreeing with her, "난그정도가동의하지않을수있습니다. 물론일부앙상블대신음악이숨을댄다는역사적으로정확이무엇인지에너무많은중점을넣어순간이있다. 는이러한사람들처럼앙상블에올때, 음악의역사적가치가염두에두어야하지만, 또한살아느낄수있도록하기위해자신의협정에숨을쉴수있도록않습니다. (I cannot agree by that extent. Sure there are moments some ensembles put too much emphasis on what is historically accurate instead of letting the music breathe. However, when it comes to ensembles like these people do keep in mind of the historical value of the music, but also let it breathe on its own accord to make it feel alive.)"
Her friend sighed, "어떻게우리가동의하고먹을것을얻기위해동의에대해. 때문에우리는클래스의점심을놓쳤다. (How about we agree to disagree and get something to eat. We missed lunch because of class.)," she told her enthusiastic friend.
She nodded in agreement, "그런다음함께제공됩니다. 그들은당신의마음에드는작곡가요한제바스티안바흐의두작품을수행할수있습니다. (You come along then. They'll be performing two works by your favorite composer, Johann Sebastian Bach.)," she told her and then looked at the piano student, "흠... 그런경우입니다잘이라면당신과함께올싶습니다. 그러나, 나는기간성능의내의견을변경하지않다고생각해요. (Hmm…well if that is the case then I would like to come with you. However, I don't think I'll change my opinion of period performance.)"
Her friend nodded, "나는그것이아마하지않습니다알아,하지만당신을위해적어도그것은뭔가다른것을볼수있다. (I know it probably won't, but at least for you it's to see something different.)," she said and she nodded in slight agreement.
LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
[LONDON BRIDGE APARTMENTS, CENTRAL LONDON, TUESDAY, 7:34PM]
It's been nearly a month since Sgt. McKinney was assigned as protective detail for Natalie Crawly when her apartment was sacked. When she revealed her recent files to the captain back at headquarters two weeks ago, for security purposes only the sergeant was assigned for an additional month. For Natalie this has been quite the awkward episode of her life. For one thing she's still single and to have a sergeant living in her apartment is well an adjustment, but the two got along quite well enough for the situation at hand. Then music started playing on the stereo via her iPod Touch, "Lost not found" by Dirty Vegas.
She served dinner for the both of them with beer as their drinks, "Sir, have you or your investigative unit uncovered anything new," she asked before taking a bite.
He looked at her, "Not yet miss. But the captain would like to know if," he started chewing, "If you are still in contact with anyone about the incident?"
She wiped her mouth, "Well only one colleague but only in brief conversations and nothing new, just about my home being sacked for whatever unknown reason," she then took another bite, "However…Forget it. I'll tell you after dinner."
But the sergeant shook his head in a no and swallowed his food, "What is it," he pressed a bit to see if she would reveal anything. She looked at him for a moment, puts down her knife and fork and headed for her bedroom.
A few moments later she returned with several manila files with documents of interrogations and conversations with the prisoners, "This was in a safe back in my office since the break in as an added security precaution on my part. I'm sorry for not revealing it sooner but…I felt this was for the best until things calmed a bit."
McKinney looked at her incredulously and then at the files, "Before I probe for details on why you haven't revealed this to us, I would like to ask you this. What are these files?"
She sat down across from him, "These are testimonies that really…unnerved me. Not only these statements were about their roles in this paramilitary organization in line with the GBCC scandal three years ago, but it also involves a campaign against another organization," she opened one file and showed him the statements.
He read them over and as he read the more he got interested. He thought that while on the job the break in, as the result of the convicted people was bad enough. But now, with this whole other possible dimension, another layer into an already complicated problem was really testing them on how to respond or act.
Then he heard her suggesting something very risky, "How about I make a deal. And with this information, this suggests this stretches a lot further than what either of us have access to and a wider picture. I continue these interrogations with supervision, you, and I report this in confidence to you guys that might get the higher powers to act."
McKinney didn't like what he had just heard. On one hand, this would put her life in grave danger if this indeed stretched into areas that are red taped. However, on the other hand this might lead to a tip that might incite action in an attempt to solve this problem in the long run if given the chance. He looked at her and was in thought with their dinners now untouched, "That is a risky play miss. You can lose your job over this as will I if things turn for the worst."
Natalie nodded in acknowledgement but then focused on a few of the papers, "Let's go over them for a bit longer," she suggested and he agreed to as they continued eating dinner.
[9:34PM]
McKinney exited the bathroom after his shower. He had on grey sweats and a white t-shirt with a towel around his shoulder and his dirty clothes under his left arm. He walked down the hall and sees Natalie in sweats and a black tee sitting on the bed listening to her iPod touch. He looked at her for a moment before returning to his room.
Natalie in the meantime was listening to "Ghosts" also by Dirty Vegas and looked at the testimonies to find a link between he lines, "Okay…Brotherhood…Chalice…the Knights…GBCC…the Houston incident…they connect but how?"
McKinney closed the door behind him and now back in his room, he dropped his clothes on the wooden floor and puts his towel on the chair. He stood over the same papers as well to help Dr. Crawly and as her; dots were connecting the seemingly random or connected events into a more cohesive picture. However, he did not tell her that this was starting to feel more dangerous the more they delved into it, "I hope we won't get shot at for this," he muttered and out of eyeshot his 9mm Glock was on the dresser.
SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
[NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART, WEDNESDAY, 12:09PM]
The museum he was in had four exhibition halls and he was in one of them that held the works of contemporary artists from Korea and from elsewhere. Mazhar was interested in how the East has started to churn out new works of art in the years that preceded the current world economy. He loved contemporary art, he has pictures of his favorite works on his apartment walls and exhibition catalogues fill his shelves as much as books from the artists themselves. He was happy to see works by Michelangelo Pistoletto on the walls here. But he didn't like what was going on currently with the art scene and he's not there alone. He soon meets with an art professor from Yonsei University and both were discussing the issues in English, much to his comfort. He made the appointment two weeks in advance to meet with him and the professor is well respected in art circles not just in the East, but also in the West.
"It's nice to see you coming here Mr. Moradi," the professor greeted him with a handshake and in English that had a twang of a British accent, subtle but it was there, "Likewise," Mazhar replied and the two began to walk down the length of the gallery.
"How do you feel about your predictions coming true since your paper was published two years ago," the professor asked, "When I read it I found it to be honest, a bit presumptuous," he added with his hands behind his back.
Mazhar looked at him, "Well…when I published it I didn't think there was stark criticism from auction places like Sotheby's or Christie's. However when the economic collapse happened months later, I," he chuckled a bit, "I sort of shook up. I didn't know why though."
"Well as you said, prices were doubling on everything. Oil, gas, property, but when you mentioned contemporary art and that one particular artist from the UK who sold his new works directly in an auction house instead of relying on the galleries to endorse him. That was unprecedented."
Mazhar nodded, "Actually, it was because of my criticisms of this that I was banned from filming directly in those places now, after the fact. Well, banned for the short term, but I digress. I was more shocked by the absurd prices for contemporary art. It was ridiculous and that brought me to investigate what was happening."
But the professor smiled a bit, "But that wasn't the only reason was it. It was your presentation about the increasing commercialization of art and its repetitiveness. But yes, an 800% increase in the pricing of art between 2003 and 2007 is shocking. And now…not many are buying art with many auction houses have lots unsold, or 'passed' in their terminology," he told the young man.
"But it's also good that people are paying attention to the art whereas before many were distrustful and dismissive. So there's the point that many can get behind. But it also gave the illusion that the art world was immune to the crash, but afterwards the worst auctions in recent memory," he told the professor as their footsteps echoed about.
But the professor stopped him for a bit, "Now you're heading back and forth between topics. If there was a problem with your critical paper, it was that. But what also made your paper solid was the interviews with the exceptional artists who know what they're doing and know what they're talking about."
He looked at him and chuckled a bit, "I guess I'm a bit enthusiastic about the subject. But hey, aside from music and writing, art is my other passion. Oh you know what, I still have the letter from the auction houses citing their refusal to assist me in my paper due to my bias and frankness. Funny huh," he added.
The professor chuckled a bit, "In a way yes. But you got your taste that the art market can be transparent or un-transparent, as it needs to. However, all of us got a taste of leaked information when an English newspaper covered the subject of undisclosed information that a gallery in London had or had not sold the entirety of their star artist's work. I still have that article by the way," he told him.
Mazhar laughed, "Me too! I actually have it in photo album to preserve it," he laughed and so did the professor. But then he settled down a bit and then asked the professor, "Which does bring up something different. It involves the recent criticism of my father's rendition of Handel's Messiah back in December prior to New Year's Eve. We didn't post it, but a hacker who wanted to see what we were doing for the future leaked it to YouTube and we've got severe criticism from the establishment. What was your opinion?"
The professor sighed, "I've seen it and to be frank, it had a fast tempo and at times, too fast. I don't know what your father was thinking," he told him to which Mazhar responded.
"Well in his opinion, he didn't feel comfortable performing what he says, 'The most overplayed oratorio in the known world', due his own biases of orchestras performing it in the Victorian tradition which has become the accepted version. However, whatever was leaked now has some criticism coming to us from our fans and critics. The fans liked our rendition but the critics were harsh and confused."
The professor smiled, "May I say that I didn't like your father's rendition either? Look. Before you interrupt, let me have my say," he told Mazhar and then was allowed to continue, "It was only because of his disinterest in the piece. Nothing was too jarringly wrong with the rendition it was unique certainly, but…like you said your father's heart wasn't in it."
Mazhar sighed and rubbed the back of his head, "…I can't argue against that. But hey we had fun with it, even though we didn't intend to post it but have it saved on file," and this got the art professor to laugh.
He then patted his back, "You young man will certainly have a generation of time to really set things in motion to incite real creative change," and Mazhar looked at the professor with a curious expression, "What do you mean?"
"You'll see soon enough. Especially with how this world is going, you lot might have to step up to the plate," and when he said this, Mazhar nodded, subconsciously understanding what he meant.
MEANWHILE AT YONSEI UNIVERSITY
[12:14PM]
Music was playing on stage during the rehearsals, Concerto No. 4 in G by Johann Sebastian Bach. But it was not Mohammad conducting but his wife Dania who is equally as good as her husband but in the seats, her husband was busy having an interview with a writer from one of the country's English papers The Korean Herald.
"So as you can see and listen, this is how we practice and prepare for upcoming concerts on the week we arrive to a location," he told the reporter, a woman in her late twenties, "Of course this adds to how we rehearse online prior to arriving."
She looked at him since the interview was recorded for them to have a nice flowing conversation, "That must take a lot of energy on all of you. The timing with regards to time zones and connection problems at times must really take its toll," she told him in English which was near perfect due to her own studies in Australia.
"Oh it does. Which is why when we started this method back in 2005, we really worked hard on our end for what was then a new platform of social media and using our own website to utilize this to our advantage. Using webcams and microphones, as well as our computing power at our old location in Philadelphia to really push our endeavors to a new level," he told her, "Now five years later it is much easier with the advancement in social media and streaming in real time for our performances and communicating with one another," he added.
"This is very unusual you know that right? With how you people have developed your style of performing and keeping the talented musicians to come and perform on the international stage," she said to him interested in how they operated.
He smiled, "Well…keeping them around is not how I would put it. More like…giving them the choice to continue to stay on if they wished. I have had brilliant students that were talented but as with many they have moved on to do what they really want to do. But currently I am blessed with passionate young people staying on for five years because they truly believe in what they do."
The woman smiled and listened, "And as far as I can see, you are really a passionate conductor. But do you think that your repertoire is, forgive me for saying this, restrictive? Restrictive in part of…not really including the works of Mozart, Beethoven, or even Hayden for that matter."
Mohammad sighed, knowing this question would come up, "Here's something I would like to dispel. I am not a strict proponent to baroque music. I have conduced two pieces by Beethoven a short while ago and to a stunning success. The problem here is the criticism of using instruments that are copies of or the original instruments that the composers used in their lifetimes. It's the lack of power behind them that many would have reservations on. However, they have their own strength and it's to get people thinking on how music might have sounded when they were first written," he continued with this, "I for one also feel limited in my understanding but that's why giving it up is pointless."
The woman looked at him and liked the candor in his commentary so far and now knows that he lacked pretention. Rather she felt the sincerity in his answers as well as expanding on his answers in surprising ways she hadn't expected from a man like him. Then she prepared to ask her final question, "Let me just say thank you for the interview and I loved how it has turned out," he gave her a nod and she then asked him this, "What are your future plans regarding this quasi-partnership with Coleridge Academy and Aulamerta Academy?"
He smiled at her and adjusted his glasses, "Well regarding them, we came up with an agreement and form a collaborative effort to see how our differing styles might meet in the near future. We are planning on a concert together, but that is in the near future. For now I'm satisfied with how we have developed and we're just getting started," he told her and she was satisfied with the interview.
As the two shook hands the orchestra was done with the second movement and going over the final few mistakes. As Dania was going things over with the musicians, Yasmin was on the phone with Liam, "Too bad you couldn't come this time around. But are you able to come to Hokkaido next month?"
She heard him saying he would try but mostly likely he might be able to come, "That's great to hear. I'll call you later…yeah, bye," she then hung up and sat in her seat as she sees her dad get up on stage again to check on progress.
LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
MARCH 1880, WEEK TWO
[SAMUEL'S HOME, THURSDAY, 4:01PM]
In his study, Samuel was looking at the tome his friend James brought over a month ago and picked up a page of notes he and another colleague an expert in old Arabic helped him with, "By the powers that be…we of the Chalice will defend our honor from the infidel," he read quietly as he continued reading a page with elaborate designs of flowering plants along the page's edges.
James was sitting in a chair across the room looking at various pages of notes he gathered and read those in Greek and Latin, "…Whoever these people are, it seems to always link back to these Knights, whoever they were."
Samuel looked up and took off his glasses, "…What are you thinking exactly," he asked James who in turn looked at him, "Well, I'm thinking about that night where I saw them and you sharing details that you've seen them as well. I wonder who they worked for?"
As James said this, Samuel shook his head, "Please do not go into conspiracy territory. It will not help us here," he told his friend in a serious manner.
"No hear me out. Our moments coming across these people occurred within close proximity between when you left and when we encountered them. Something tells me that this tome is the key to solve this conundrum," he clarified his thoughts.
But Samuel simply nodded, "You've already expressed yourself like this weeks ago. So how is this any different," he asked and James responded with this, "Don't you feel strange whenever you leave your home? It's as if people are watching you?"
Samuel was about to respond but then it hit him, "…Now that you mention it I have. Was it the same for you," he asked James and he nodded, "But why just observe us? Wouldn't it be easier to just break in and take the tome before we figure things out?"
James thought on it, "Perhaps…Perhaps this has something to do with what we've seen over the past few weeks," he said this brought up an evening Samuel witness himself last week, "I have something to share."
-Flashback, last Wednesday, 10:34pm-
Samuel was walking home from a pub sharing pints with old friends and then in the shadows he sees the same uniformed men and women he pried into last month. He shook his head to steady his mind from the alcohol's effects and followed quietly. This time he was at a better vantage point and saw the type of equipment they were using.
Strange devices on their shoulders that they were communicating with to others not seen nearby without wires, guns that are more menacing than what the army was using with multiple rounds and cartridges. For him, these things were the same from the images he's seen from the man's mind just weeks before. He heard a woman speak into her wireless device, "Signal Alpha. Requesting order to open fire."
"Do so in rapid succession," he heard from his vantage point and then he saw them moving forward and gunfire was heard, but in rapid succession, "Strange and terrifying," he muttered to himself.
He moved again in the shadows to try and see who they were fighting against, "The Knights…The Brotherhood…who are they," he pondered quietly and sees the emblems on their shoulders, "Okay those are the Knights. But…where is their leader?"
No sooner his wondered, a woman in her early thirties appeared in equally functional uniforms and weaponry appeared and fired automatic fire into the shadows, "Weapons down! Retrieve the bodies and for those alive, restrain them so that we may interrogate them later!"
"Ma'am!"
Samuel sees this and the corpses they brought out were not people from the Brotherhood but rather people in robes with staves and leather bound books, "Mages and mystics…but why?"
They bounded two who were alive and were packed into carriages for transport, "Make sure the corpses are disposed off properly," the woman told her soldiers and they complied by carrying them off. This was his cue to leave…
-End Flashback-
"And that was it," Samuel finished his account and James was just stunned, "Bloody hell. This is hard to fathom. Which makes our work on this tome all the more important."
"Indeed."
[6:04PM]
After dinner Samuel was in his study reading a novel with a glass of scotch. He looked out his window and sees the last of the flying zeppelins leaving London in the distance. The technology was still new but would probably be in mass usage for another decade, maybe even longer. However he was just amusing himself with a good book until a knock was heard, "Come in."
The door opened and his son entering, "Evening father," he had his chessboard under his arm and Samuel looked at him with a warm smile, "Is it that time already?"
His son smiled and went to him. He pulled up a chair and the board was set on a small table between them. His son made the first move, "Father…what have you been working on lately?"
"Oh just helping a friend with his work. Nothing to say really," Samuel explained just enough for the moment, "Mother is worried…or at the least the impression of it."
When his son told him this Samuel looked at him briefly, "No need to worry. You or your mother," he made his next move on the board but internally, he was concerned about his involvement with the tome and how it might affect them in the long run if anything is found out.
Present time
BELLWOOD, TX, USA
MARCH 2010, WEEK TWO
[DOWNTOWN, THURSDAY, 3:45PM]
Ernesto was walking down the street with Kevin to an electronics store and out of eye shot, Sherman who came from San Francisco was observing him from on top of building with binoculars, "Ma'am, subject is walking down the street with fellow Plumber Levin," he spoke to a holographic projection of Fann on his Plumber's Badge.
"What information have you gathered after your week there," she asked him and he responded, "It seems he is purchasing electronic bits here and there. Your number two Robert relayed some of the components he has purchased for the past month as well."
Fann listened to him and then asked, "Do you have an idea why," but Sherman nodded a no, "Sorry ma'am. No inkling as to what he's planning."
"Very well. Continue your observations," she relayed her orders to him, "Yes ma'am," he responded and her holographic image dissipated. He then strapped his badge back on his belt buckle and leapt for another building.
Meanwhile below, Ernesto and Kevin entered the electronics store, "Can you believe Albedo needs more RAM for his portable version of my old device? I mean, what it has is good enough for our purposes."
"Well you wanted to work with a perfectionist dude. Don't complain now that you're almost done developing it," Kevin told him as he looked around, "I'm not complaining man. Just…Not seeing the point of his perfectionism."
Kevin looked with an incredulous expression and Ernesto just ignored it. He went down another aisle and found what he was looking for. He headed for the cashier who was Australian, "Just this for today," Ernesto said to him.
"Very well," he told him in his Australian accent, "I'll ring you up then," and as he did, Ernesto paid the man for the bit of RAM.
Ernesto then turned to Kevin, "I'm done," and his half alien friend who didn't find anything he needed nodded and walked out with him.
Meanwhile, the Australian turned out to be Robert, Fann's right hand man when it comes to assignments abroad. He took out his badge from underneath the counter and kneeled down to his knees and began to communicate, "Ma'am, he's purchased today 3GB of RAM."
Fann's holographic image, "Right. So that confirms what Sherman has relayed to me just minutes earlier. Based on his purchases, can you guess what he might be up to," she asked but he nodded a no, which got her to cross her arms.
She thought for a moment and as her image flickered a bit, "Tail him later when he goes home. Or easier, just hack into his computer and find any information that is out of the ordinary."
He nodded, "Very well."
He took out his laptop and started to start the hacking process using white hat techniques in order to find out without causing any damage to Ernesto's computer. As he typed he started to find some information regarding the teenager's research into the subconscious, dreams, and several countries in Southeast Asia. Then came the information that got his attention, "What in the world!"
"Ma'am! In two to three weeks, we need to keep tabs on China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore," he told her as her image came up again, "What have you found?"
He told her, "An audacious plan," to which he told her and she turned more serious, "We also need to keep tabs on him. Otherwise, he might die in the process."
MEANWHILE,
[PLUMBER HQ, 4:02PM]
Albedo was installing the final chips of RAM into his two new devices designed by himself and Ernesto, "There. Done."
The Portuguese/British American smiled as Albedo held the two devices in both hands, "I give you the Subconscious Infiltration Units," he beamed with enthusiasm.
Ernesto held one and marveled at his friend's ingenuity, "Light, durable, and it folds together. Making it portable in just a coat or pants pocket," he remarked.
Albedo smirked, "Not just that," he unfolded one and five small probes on it lit up, "Each of these comb like structures will send out a small wave of electromagnetic waves that is wirelessly connected to a computer and relay what the subject is thinking. And on the side," he pointed to it, "You can choose to either access the mind whether or not the subject is asleep."
This got Ernesto off guard, "You mean…whether awake or asleep," and Albedo nodded which got him thinking for a bit. Then he lightly smiled which was almost a smirk, "Now that's interesting."
Albedo looked at his friend and noted a slight subtle change in mood, "What is," he asked and Ernesto looked at him, "Oh nothing at the moment…but it might be worth noting that this will be our ace in the hole."
"Right…" as he said this, the Galvin didn't really feel right with his friend's choice of words. It was almost as if that he was hiding something vital regarding this field of research. He'll have to look into this matter himself later; especially what was discussed a day ago.
-One day ago
Albedo was working on the components in one of the vacant labs in HQ when Ernesto walked in, "How is progress coming along," he asked and sat down next to him.
"Swimmingly. I need a bit more RAM though. Can you purchase two or three chips tomorrow? I should be done by then," he requested and Ernesto nodded, "No problem."
Albedo nodded and then looked at his friend, "I swear, working with human based technology is excruciatingly limiting," to which Ernesto responded with, "Learn to adapt. That is the true sign of intelligence."
The Galvin turned human chuckled, "Do not talk to me about intelligence. I am the most intelligence in HQ after all," but then Ernesto retorted by asking, "Then why can't you create a simple maze?"
"I…" he then looked at him with narrow eyes, "Don't you go there, Clarkson," but Ernesto simply shrugged his shoulders.
"Whatever. You may have the brainpower, but I rule the subconscious and can turn yours against you. Remember that Albedo."
-End Flashback
Albedo was not sure how much of his threat he should believe but with everything on the line now for their covert operation…he was going to think a lot more about the motives of his now close friend.
SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
[YONSEI UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC, FRIDAY, 7:01PM]
The orchestra was starting things off with Suite No.4 in B Major by Charles Desmazures basically announcing they were starting things off with a bang. It was one of those pieces of music that for the audience, it was a real treat since not many perform it on standard repertoire. As with their previous experiences in China and Japan, the audience was very polite and not made a single random noise, perhaps expect for the minor shuffling of feet or breathing sounds but that was all. For them it made their playing a bit more relaxed, but sometimes a bit tense because they don't know if the audience were enjoying themselves.
In the audience, the two girls who conversed on their opinions of period performance were there as well and lucky for them and everyone this was a free concert, normal for the orchestra in fact, "아! 그들은까지연마할때더나은입니다! (Ah! They're even better when polished up!)," the girl who was a fan told her friend in a hushed tone.
Her friend listened to her and watched the orchestra continue to perform the suite, "나는그들이하는일에좋은것을인정할수있습니다. 그러나나는그들이바흐의작품오늘밤을수행하는방법에궁금합니다. (I can admit that they are good in what they do. But I am curious on how they will perform Bach's works tonight.)"
"걱정하지마십시오. 그들은것입니다. 이프로그램에있습니다. (Don't worry. They will. It's on the program.)," the girl told her friend and showed her the program for tonight's performance.
Twenty-five minutes later they got their round of applause and they proceeded with Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G, BWV 1050 by Johann Sebastian Bach and the girl's friend listened intently. She was very picky on how orchestras perform the master's works since some do it really well while much sound mediocre at best. However, to her surprise the orchestra impressed her with their tempo that was enthusiastic but not over bearing. She was still not a fan of period performance, she still feels the orchestra could use a bit more musicians to perform it to get the best out of the piece to fill the auditorium with sound, but, the sound of the violinist, the traverse flute and the basso continuo felt somehow complete. It didn't need anymore than what it already has for everyone to enjoy.
Fifteen minutes later they were given an enthusiastic applause and then, as if they were violating something, they didn't follow it up with the fifth concerto. They would save that for last so for the moment they would perform Cello Sonata No. 2 in C Minor and Cello Sonata No. 1 in D Minor by Alessandro Scarlatti.
The second cello sonata was performed first with Shinji first and now only five musicians performing while the others are resting and waiting. This time, Mohammad stepped off the stage for a bit to allow them to perform on their own. For the audience this was a surprising turn of events. For the female students, some were string instrumentalists they were the fan girls of the cellists in particularly Shinji for his dexterity and near flawless technique on the cello. And for them to hear the baroque cello on its own as a solo instrument was a real treat for them, to hear the colors first hand. After he was done, it was Wilfredo's turn for the first cello sonata and like Shinji, he was also the focus of fan girl attention, but instead of technique it was his somber tone but equally as passionate. The two were the inverse of each other, the perfectionist and the brooding type and the joke was they got the most autographs because of this.
After the two sonatas were finished they moved onto their final piece of the evening, the famed Concerto No. 5 in D, BWV 1050 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Dante left the harpsichord and Bernhard took the reins and so far so good. This was what the audience wanted to see, them performing this piece and see if they can pull off the famous solo part harpsichord in the first movement. Prior to this, Bernhard and Dante in earlier rehearsals got into an argument of who would be best suited to perform it. Dante had the better technique and understanding of the piece that it did require a bit of improvisation, but Bernhard wanted to showcase his rising progress and proficiency in the instrument since taking it up since 2007. As far as he was concerned he was doing rather well and when the part came, he performed with flying colors and was just relieved that he pulled it off. The audience watched with wonder and restrained from applause as they continued with the calming second movement and then into a happy ending with the third movement. Twenty-four and a bit minutes later they finally concluded their concert and the audience gave them a round of applause and the musicians bowed graciously.
"를참조하십시오! 내가당신을말해! 아주좋아요! (See! What I tell you! They're great!)," the girl who was a fan, told her friend and her friend smiled, "음... 아직팬,하지만난에관계없이사랑. (Well…still not a fan, but I loved it regardless.)," and for the girl it was enough.
For the orchestra, this would as their joke goes, bring them back in the good graces of the music elite. However, their night was not over exactly…
[8:30PM]
The orchestra switched to casual clothes now and was now bang hopping in downtown, small places of entertainment for the usual representatives of Generation Y from arcades, movies and some drinking. But of course they all wanted some dinner so on the cheap the food stalls that served the local food and for them with the country's drinking age of 18 they tried the rice whiskey called 'soju' which the country drinks to their surprise large amounts of with nearly every meal, "If anyone is even suggesting karaoke tonight I will put someone in the stockade," Asuka declared as she downed her shot.
"Good luck. That would mean killing Jang who has already made reservations via Yasmin," Shinji told her and she looked at Yasmin at another table, "Damn it."
Shinji was served a plate of stir-fried chicken feet along with Asuka, "Ugh…well, let's enjoy our dinner," she ate a few, "Wow…no way this is chicken feet."
"I know. Way too tender and way spicy," he replied and drank some beer to calm down the heat a bit, "…" he then chuckled a bit, which got her to look at him, "What?"
He smiled and looked at her, "We're going to get drunk tonight after forcing ourselves to sing crappy pop songs," and she laughed, "This from someone who used to have an S-DAT cassette player!"
Shinji laughed, "That was a classic and you know it," and she continued to laugh, "Cheers! Cheers to a good night," she raised her shot of soju as did he and their glasses clanked.
HANGANG RESTAURANT
[HANGANG PARK, SATURDAY, 8:34AM]
Shinji and Asuka, along with Jang and Christine headed for this local joint to get rid of their hangovers. Jang selected it despite being a bit of a walk from their hotel and walked inside to sit down, "I feel like collapsing just now," Asuka groaned as she took off her sunglasses.
Then a waitress brought the pan chan and some beer as well, "Beer for breakfast," Christine looked at it and Jang smirked, "They know what we need here."
"Jesus Christ…the food better help us here," Asuka exclaimed and within a few minutes they got their answer. They were served a soup with fatty chunks of meat, in case pork, with potatoes, cabbage and hot spices.
Christine looked at Jang, "So tonight is the dinner your family is preparing for you and us," she asked and he nodded with a smile, "But didn't you also said that you have to perform something for your grandparents?"
This got Shinji and Asuka to looked at him and he nodded, "I have to perform sebeh, a ritual where I bow very respectfully to my grandparents for the New Year. And since I missed it…this is belated," he added with a chuckle.
He continued, "And I also have to say this "새해복많이받으세요", which means "Please receive a lot of luck for the New Year". So there's this pressure for me," he made a bashful look on his face and rubbed the back of his head.
Shinji asked, "Don't you also have to wear traditional robes? Its nearly the same thing in Japan for certain days of the year or in China and Taiwan," he said and Jang nodded, "The hanbok yes. The male version so it's one color not colorful for single women."
"Don't you also get some money in an envelope," Christine asked which got Asuka to speak, "That's right! You do! Chinese New Year was fun when all of us were in New York two years ago," and they smiled and chuckled.
Jang shook his head with his head, "Yes they do. But all in all, I really do miss my family here so this is a treat. And plus their place is pretty nice," he said and added the last, "So there's room for dinner and a bit of fun."
Asuka then raised her beer glass, "Cheers then for another good week and one next month that would equally so, Hokkaido."
The three smiled at that thought and raised their beers as well, "Cheers," and their bottles clanked.
JONGNO-GU DISTRICT
[WONSEO-DONG, 8:16PM]
North of Gangnam-Gu District and from their hotel, the neighborhood now was different. They were in a neighborhood that has still traditionally built homes called hanok, and to their surprise they were close to the historic Bukchon Hanok Village. Jang's uncle and aunt live in one where they housed five children and of course his grandparents. The musicians were inside and outside enjoying the night that was calming as opposed to the highly charged downtown where they've been staying at for the week. Inside Jang was in a dark blue hanbok and he went to a room where his grandparents were sitting. He sat down in front of them and deeply bowed towards them respectfully, "그것은너무오래되었습니다나는당신을놓쳤다. 부모님은정말와서달라고하고좋은년자신의인사와축복을보냅니다. (It's been so long and I have missed you. My parents really wished to come and they send their greetings and blessings for a good year.)"
The grandparents bowed in return, "You have grown into a fine young man," his grandmother said with a happy smile on her face and he smiled as he bowed, "당신에게할머니감사합니다. (Thank you grandma.)"
His grandfather looked on him proudly, "You have a promising future ahead of you. That is certain," and Jang bowed again with a smile, "당신에게할아버지감사합니다. (Thank you grandpa.)"
After the sebeh was completed he got up as did his grandparents and he went off to change out of his hanbok. Dinner was served and everyone was called in to eat, "Whoa! Quite a spread," Wilfredo complimented as he looked on the food.
"You said it," Zane sat down next to him, as did Alberto and Gilberto, followed by the rest in their spots. On the other side of the long table were Jang's cousins who arrived, his uncle and aunt as well as his grandparents.
Jang then turned to Mohammad and his family, "Since now the food is laid out, it is common for many Koreans to say 잘먹겠습니다,which means 'bon apetit'. Want to try to say it," he asked him.
"Um…okay," and this got good-natured chuckles out of everyone including Jang's relatives and Mohammad successfully said it and Jang's family nodded and he translated, "That was good sir."
"Really? Good because it won't get better than that," he chuckled as did his wife and Yasmin and Mazhar and with that all of them began eating the delicious food.
MEANWHILE, IN LEDGER DOMAIN
[SUNDAY, 7:03AM]
In Nathan's castle in the forest, he was with Mozart in one of the sitting rooms and both were sitting by the fireplace drinking tea, "Any news from the capital," Mozart asked, "You seem to have befriended Hope quite nicely."
"I have yes but I assure you, nothing else will come of it. Reconstruction of the capital city of her province is nearly complete. Farmland is now more productive than last month and I've heard that she is reaching out to the other provinces to open up routes again. She will meet with representatives within two months at the minimum."
Mozart drank more tea, "That's very good for her and the people. However, I would like to discuss something about our overseers," he worded carefully and Nathan took note, "About what exactly?"
"Well I've received word about a particular problem on Earth. An energy absorbing mana parasite is found to have evolved his powers to a moderate level, and have sent one person to see what he would be doing if things were to progress."
In reality, Nathan was older than Mozart but when it came to something like this it was his friend who sometimes was a bit more knowledgeable on this than he was, "Well if he was a minor problem to begin with, why the interest now?"
"He has attacked those gifted with mana manipulation already. From mages to mystics, namely one repeatedly named Gwendolyn Tennyson," and when he said this Nathan recognized her, "Ah yes! She was part of Hope's campaign with her partner Kevin. But why has this parasite attacked her solely?"
"We don't know precisely. But if I were to give an educated guess, it's her level of mana and the type of mana she possesses might be the case. Like bed bugs, yes they can feast on other types of blood, but it is human blood they prefer the most."
Nathan looked at Mozart, "That's not the type of analogy I would use but for this instance it is appropriate I have to admit," he then continued, "So we can only watch this progression right?"
"Correct. Unless he does something radically different that would cause more danger, he poses little to no threat."
LATER ON EARTH
BELLWOOD, TX, USA
[23 KM OUTSIDE OF TOWN, 3:34PM]
At a town just nearby to Bellwood but more upscale with its residents, Michael was back at his old mansion of a home. But now, his appearance has improved to the point that wrinkles are gone but his skin is still grey and hair still white, "Recent absorptions have improved my condition slightly. But I need more," he uttered and knocked a piece of equipment off of the table, "More!"
He looked around and then headed up stairs to his room, "There must be something in my books that could help solve my problem permanently," he said and went inside his room and went to the bookcase.
He looked at each book and threw them over himself if none were what he wanted. Then he found one, "Wait a minute…"
He opened it and flipped through the pages, "This helped me recently to get on the road to recovery of my powers and appearance so far. What else can it show me," he wondered out loud as he read the archaic text.
Then he found a page and he smirked, "So…Looks like I got some work to do," and he chuckled lowly and maniacally.
To be continued…
No excuse as to why this took longer than it should have. Writer's block mainly, easily distracted and of course getting into the groove of writing again and another reason was doing side research for upcoming chapters and something for the near future.
Aside from the first piece I mentioned, the rendition for the two pieces by Alessandro Scarlatti were performed by Academia Byzantia directed by Octavio Dantone and the two by J.S. Bach were performed by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Love those ensembles to death and their renditions of baroque classical music.
Read, review, critique and I'll see you all soon for a special two part chapter.