J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mooreson and pianist to stage. Mooreson and pianist to stage."
I walked back to my mark on stage and looked at the piano. Sitting at the ten foot grand was none other than Tamaki Suoh. He smiled at me and began playing my selection.
K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I researched for about fifteen minutes before Miss Mooreson walked back on stage. I was unsurprised by the student sitting at the piano. Tamaki had texted me to not wait for him as he was summoned to play for Miss Mooreson that evening. I decided against telling him I was in the audience seating.
Miss Mooreson took her place with great poise and no hint that she had ever met Tamaki graced her features. She was utterly professional, and I had to applaud her once again. Most women would be throwing themselves at Tamaki based on his looks alone, but she was able to remain completely calm and collected around him and even able to resist giving him either grin or smile before he began playing. That is a level of concentration few people will ever master.
As soon as she began singing, I found myself lost again. I was floating in a the unfathomable sea of one of my favorite melodies, the Bacchianas Brazilias No. 5, first movement. I'd never heard it live, but I found her performance enchanting. I feared lest I drown in the passion with which she sang. She swayed gently with the Latin lilt of the accompaniment. I knew Tamaki was enjoying himself, so I didn't particularly care what he was doing. As the second movement began, I again was caught up in her delivery, the dance-like quality of her voice as it sped across the melody.
When the spotlight faded and she and Tamaki walked off stage, I knew that she was a flawless performer. There had to be a way to capture that ability and use it. Every performer wants recognition. Every artist wants exposure for their work. How can I take that want and make it a reality now? If I can, then I'm sure to have her assistance in the future.
I continued to muse on this idea as I packed my laptop and went backstage to find Tamaki.
J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sang through Bacchianas Brazilias No. 5 by Hietor Villa Lobos. A flawless rehearsal is always a good thing, but I had a sinking feeling it would lead to a flawed performance. When the spot faded, Tamaki and I walked off stage.
"Tamaki, is your private instructor Yoshi Sato?" Tamaki's help could have repercussions on us both.
"Yes, he is. Sato-sama is a brilliant pianist. One of the best in Japan. I'm surprised he didn't play for you himself." I'm not, considering. Maybe Sato thought he'd try and make me look bad with a student pianist, but hasn't actually heard the extent of Tamaki's talent yet.
I smirked at Tamaki. "Well, he is blessed with an excellent student. Thank you for rescuing me."
"The pleasure was all mine. I'll see you this evening at call time." As Tamaki was saying his goodbyes, Kyoya walked up. We nodded to each other.
"That was beautifully done, Miss Mooreson," Kyoya intoned. "I'm surprised Tamaki has finally found a use for his skills."
"I suppose you are one of the many of the belief that music has no rational career path." I was annoyed. He hit on my pet peeve, but I was determined to remain cool about it.
K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think I may have hit a nerve. I pulled out my notepad and took a note of her reaction for later.
"You misunderstand. Music is one of the the great art forms. What I meant is that few are able to truly use it." As I said this, I clicked my pen shut and slipped it in my shirt pocket. "You are one of the few, and Tamaki is not."
"Hey," an indignant Tamaki exclaimed.
"Don't deny it. You have a business to run." Tamaki's eyes grew resolute. "I know that music is your outlet, Tamaki."
I don't know why I didn't notice an unwelcome visitor approach us.
J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Mr. Ohtori and Tamaki were having this minute dispute, I caught a shadow moving toward us.
"Mooreson-san! What a marvelous performance. I didn't think Tamaki could perform so well under pressure; and you, my dear, do bring the pressure." I made sure to let my face show some of my disgust. Not all of it, just some. What a pig.
"Tamaki is an excellent pianist. In fact, I was just about to ask if he would play for my studio this year." Oh, it was on.
"Really? I shouldn't be surprised. But, I was hoping we could collaborate this semester." Now he's being just sick and way too obvious.
"Miss Mooreson, would you allow us to escort you to your car?" The Ohtori cut in smoothly and lifted his arm for me to take. Thank goodness someone picked up on the antagonistic vibe. I don't want to be forced into a public conflict.
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Ohtori." As I took Kyoya's arm, Tamaki lifted his as well and I slipped my free arm through it. I walked out flanked between the two young men without looking back. If I had turned, I'm sure I would have seen something I would not have liked.
K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as Sato approached, I noticed a subtle tension in Miss Morehouse's stance, like she was ready for either fight or flight.
"Mooreson-san! What a marvelous performance. I didn't think Tamaki could perform so well under pressure; and you, my dear, do bring the pressure." I don't think Sato learned his lesson well enough. I'll need to keep an eye on him.
"Tamaki is an excellent pianist. In fact, I was just about to ask if he would play for my studio this year." I noticed her hackles rising and couldn't blame her. Even I was angry at his belittling and overtly lascivious tone.
"Really? I shouldn't be surprised. But, I was hoping we could collaborate this semester." If no one knew what Sato was after, they certainly do now. Clearly, Miss Mooreson will need surveillance. I made a mental note to check her hall's security.
I stepped forward, cutting off the conversation. "Miss Mooreson, would you allow us to escort you to your car?" I offered her my arm, which she graciously took with a, "Yes, thank you, Mr. Ohtori." Tamaki offered her his opposing arm. As we walked off, I turned my head back and saw Sato staring after us. I shouldn't say "us" because I saw where his eyes were trained, at her back; and I saw the look on his face, unadulterated desire. Hmm.
J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thank you. I think we started off on the wrong foot, Mr. Ohtori. I'm sorry. Thank you for that." I wasn't used to expressing gratitude or being rescued from anything. Only my extreme discomfort drove me to accept his help.
"You are welcome, Miss." With that cold acceptance speech he turned to walk away. Tamaki stayed a bit longer.
"Miss Mooreson, please, stay away from Sato-sama. He is the best of pianists, but his reputation is dubious. As to playing for your studio, I cannot make such a large commitment, but I will gladly play for you any time. I've never accompanied such a gifted singer." With that, he bowed and joined his cold friend.
I slipped into my car quite happy and thankful to both Tamaki and Kyoya. I did not want to deal with Yoshi the Eager again tonight. I'll have to see him this evening at the recital, though. Aaaghhh! Oh well. At least, I have a dependable pianist now. I like Ms. Yamamoto well enough, but she was so reserved. Too reserved for my tastes, almost robotic. I'm introverted enough without having to go in depth explaining how I want her to emote each musical passage to compliment me. I didn't really want Tamaki to play for the entire studio. I'm leaving it up to my students to find their own accompanists. Good luck, kids! Hahahahahaa!
Dear Readers,
I wanted to shed some light on harassment in the workplace. I was a little girl when the government did a huge campaign against it. The ads only lasted a couple of months, and I didn't understand them. I've had to deal with harassment in the past; and recently, I have come up against it again. This time, though, I know how to deal with it. SHUT IT DOWN! In fact, it happened on Friday. I ended it and alerted people who will look out for me when a certain individual is around.
You don't have to put up with treatment like this. End it. Give them the cold shoulder. If you have a hard time with on the spot one-liners, prepare some in advance. (Seriously.) Let trusted coworkers know what happened and ask them to lend you a hand when you feel uncomfortable. If it persists, you have the right to take it to your superiors. No one should have to deal with harassment.