Chapter 2

And now good-morrow to our waking souls,
Which watch not one another out of fear ;
For love all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room an everywhere.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone ;
Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown ;
Let us possess one world ; each hath one, and is one.

("The Good Morrow", John Donne)

I

Justin Lee was worried. His normally boyishly enthusiastic countenance had anxiety written all over it. The brash, young Taiwanese born conductor paced up and down his room, glancing at his cell phone at regular intervals. He was expecting company… important company. It was to be a life changing moment, one that he had looked forward to with much anticipation… and yet there was no hide or hair of her. His lovely bride-to-be was supposed to have rung at breakfast and for them to meet for lunch and then... I wonder if her mother found out about it and put a stop to it. Damn that woman… she seems to have eyes and ears everywhere.

It had been one of his crazier ideas… the two of them eloping but it seemed the perfect opportunity. Both of them meeting up in Vienna at the end of her European tour and marrying quietly in a church service somewhere, away from the public eye... away from her mother's all controlling eye. Justin was tired of waiting… and for the mother in question to give her blessing which did not seem forthcoming.

"She doesn't think I'm good enough for you." He had said angrily.

"It's not you, Justin… She just doesn't think anybody is good enough for me." She had tried to console him. "We just have to give it time."

"Time? How much time?"

"I don't know."

That uncertainty had weighed uneasily on his shoulders, as one who was passionately and sincerely in love. He couldn't understand why the dragon lady was slow to accept him as a future son-in-law. As far as his credentials were concerned, it seemed to him impeccable. With his background and promising career, he was more than capable of looking after the daughter financially and furthermore, was immensely supportive of her career. And yet that dragon lady… was reticent about his qualifications as a potential husband and hovered between them like a disruptive spectre. Needless to say, he was assailed by doubts of his own worthiness, the daughter's desire to be with him and the mother's objections to this union. Perhaps it wasn't the mother but the daughter that was holding back. Had she been stringing him along all this time? A lesser man would have given up but Justin had been remarkably dogged. After three years, there were still many unanswered questions… A part of him sensed that it was she who was holding back which is why he had been somewhat surprised that she had agreed to the elopement as readily as she had. Three months earlier, in one of his more impetuous moments, he had raised the possibility and she fell in with it immediately. So excited was he at the time, he had not given it a second thought. It never occurred to him to question her sudden eagerness or change of heart.

What could be keeping her now? Could she have changed her mind and not told me?

A rap on the door brought him out of his ruminations and back down to earth.

II

Sebastiano Vieira was worried about many things but at that moment in particular, it was the four year old that had been thrust into his care that occupied his thoughts. He regretted bringing him along but his wife was having an eleven o'clock appointment with the hairdresser and had no time for the exploits of the rambunctious preschooler while in the confines of a hairdresser's chair. Antonio was their grandson, the only child of their only son and though precocious, was prone to mishaps characteristic of his age. There was much on Vieira's mind… the problems besetting the guild being the most dominant and a momentary lapse of concentration allowed the boy to wander off on his own. Vieira wasn't entirely worried. The boy had to be somewhere within the confines of the Sala Terrena. Sometimes called "Mozart's house", the hall was part of the monastery of the "German Teutonic Order", where Mozart lived under the patronage of the Archbishop Collredo in 1781.

Using his connections and reputation, Vieira was able to negotiate two recitals for Nodame at the Sala Terrena during her time in Vienna. An evening and an afternoon session. It was the least he could do for dragging the poor girl's husband away from her during her honeymoon. Still, there was no doubt of her talent in anyone's mind. Consequently, it was never a hard sell to begin with… silver medalist of the Tilburn, engaged to the secretary of the Conductor's Guild. A brush with heroism gaining the friendship of the royal family of a little known European principality during the Rome incident gained her some degree of notoriety. She had already become something of a minor celebrity in her own right.

Vieira had liked her from the first. He had wondered from time to time what sort of woman his long-time apprentice had ended up with. She was something of a mystery as Shinichi had not been especially garrulous about that subject. Although he had been reunited with Shinichi five years previous, he had only met Nodame eighteen months earlier. Meeting her for the first time, it was immediately evident to him that there was a rare guileless quality about her which was quite disarming and lovable. One thing that struck him immediately was that there was a lack of pretence… there was no façade to shield her from the world. Her face was there for all the world to see, scrutinize and judge. It amused him at first that Shinichi, who had become rather stoic in his adulthood would choose someone so completely opposite him to be his life partner. Once he saw past the exasperated looks and gestures that Shinichi would cast occasionally in her direction, Vieira was certain that his former apprentice was deeply fond of the young woman that had completely captured his affections.

"I like her, Shinichi…" Vieira had said.

"Really? I'm glad." Shinichi had averted his eyes and there had been a noticeable emotional ring in his voice. "Most people think she's rather strange."

"She's strange alright… but that's all part of the appeal, isn't it?" Shinichi had caught a twinkle in Vieira's eye.

"Appeal? I don't know about that…" Shinichi had muttered. "She's hard to live with… messy, disorganized and she has an appetite of a bottomless pit."

"We're all hard to live with one way or another but isn't that what a marriage of true minds is all about? Finding a way to make the similarities and differences work?"

"Marriage? Who's talking about marriage?" Shinichi had continued mumbling nervously.

"Surely, you must have thought about it? You've been together for so long."

Shinichi had looked embarrassed. "Er… no… I haven't…" He had lied, thinking discreetly about the ring he had bought months earlier.

Vieira patted his shoulder affectionately and ruffled his hair. "Don't let her wait too long. Devotion like hers doesn't come by everyday. You love her, don't you?"

Shinichi had said nothing… instead he had suddenly taken a keen interest in the wood grain patterns which marked the floor.

Vieira had found Shinichi's reticence meaningful. Clearly he had thought much about it and clearly he had lingering reservations. He did not press the point but knew that it was something that the younger man had to come to terms with on his own.

And come to terms he had.

Waiting for Vieira sensei to arrive, an awestruck Nodame gazed dreamily at the sublime beauty of the late Renaissance frescos that was to be the backdrop of her recitals. Nodame is going to play here in this place. Where Mozart once performed many concerts. The place where he lived and wrote The Marriage of Figaro. Nodame will play here tonight and make music history. Nodame… is now a professional musician. It is my job and my joy to make people feel many things with my music

That thought brought with it some degree of excitement and… fear… I mustn't let anyone down. Everyone expects so much of me. Vieira sensei, Shinichi… It's vital that I do well, if for no other reason other than that they will be proud of me.

A tug on her dress brought her out of her reverie. Nodame looked around her and saw a small figure only a little higher than her knee, glaring at her with eyes wide as saucers.

"Are you alright, little boy?" She stooped to face him and examined his person.

The boy did not seem to understand what she was asking and continued to stare.

"Where are your parents, little boy?" Nodame looked concerned.

Still there was no answer… and no parents in sight. Instead the boy started humming and ran towards the piano.

He stood there for some moments, waiting and continued looking at Nodame before attempting to open the piano lid.

"Do you want to play the piano, little boy?" She asked, eyeing him curiously and slowly made her approach as not to frighten him.

The boy seemed not to hear her being preoccupied with the piano. His small arms, however, did not have the strength to lift the lid.

"Come… let me help you…" Nodame offered. "These things aren't made for children. They're quite heavy." She added gently.

It didn't matter to Nodame that the boy did not understand her words, she only wanted him to know that she was no one he had to be afraid of.

"Here it is… all done…" She heaved and made a show of dusting her hands as she opened the lid to reveal the black and ivory keys. "Go ahead… enjoy…" She turned to go and then felt someone pulling her scarf.

"Huh… what is it?" She quizzed. "Do you want me to stay with you?" The boy reached for her hand and indicated that he wanted her to sit.

"Okay… I'll stay and keep you company until your mum and dad come for you." Where are his parents? They must be here somewhere.

He started tinkering on the keys an abriged version of Minuet in G.

"That's pretty good… who taught you that?" She asked him after he'd finished but as was the case earlier, received no answer. He prodded her and pulled her hand onto the keys as if to say "play".

"Do you want Nodame to play?" She queried, pointing to herself. "Really? Nodame is not as good as you are. But she'll try her best. Hmmm… I will play you my Moja Moja Suite. Now listen carefully, won't you?"

The lively melody captured the boy's attention and they both rocked to its beat enthusiastically the entire time. As the piece came to an end, the boy snuggled up closer to Nodame and tried to play the piece himself.

A single burst of applause followed. "Nodame is too modest. She's just as good as Antonio." Both sets of eyes turned to where the speaker stood and the boy jumped off his chair and raced towards his arms. "Nonno!"

"You little rascal… so this is where you ran to." He chided the boy and said a few choice words in Italian before turning to Nodame. "I'm sorry, my dear, the boy is quite a handful and on days like these, I feel my age."

"He was no trouble at all, Vieira sensei… and I like children." She assured the conductor.

"So I see. Any plans to have any of your own?" He gave her a knowing grin.

Nodame turned slightly pink. "Erm… I would love to but… but… " The pink hues on her cheek turned a bright red. Not yet.

"It doesn't depend entirely on you." He finished the sentence for her. "Have you both talked about it?"

"Not really… I tried to once…" A crestfallen look replaced the shy one. "It's something he'd rather avoid thinking about if he could."

"Why is that… you think…"

"I… I… think he's afraid."

"Afraid? Of what?"

"Of his father… or becoming like his father. That he will be a bad father."

"I see. He told you this?"

"He doesn't have to. He hates his father with a passion and yet deep inside I know he wants his father's approval."

"Have you met him?"

Nodame shook her head. "Not in person. But I saw Masayuki Chiaki perform in Paris several years ago."

"Has Shinichi been in touch with him?"

"As far as I know, no…" Nodame said sadly. "I don't think he wants to."

"It would be a grave tragedy if Shinichi allowed his past to become a hindrance to his future. You should talk to him about it, Nodame."

"I don't know… He almost bit my head off five years ago when I brought it up."

"This thing will become a shadow between you if you don't. It will follow you both and may even tear you apart. You have to talk to him about it for your sake and for his."

"I don't know if I'm the one to do it…"

"There's no one more suited. You are his wife now… you must help him come to terms with the past. For the sake of your future or any children you wish to have."

Nodame sighed. "This is the second time today someone has said something like that to me."

III

Meanwhile at the guild business meeting everything was running oddly to schedule.

"Franz… it seems like our new secretary is handling himself rather well. He's managed to get most the members to agree on the new salary packages and revisions to clause 3.1 of the Membership Act. " A voice spoke in low tones past Stresemann's ear.

"No less from an apprentice of mine." Stresemann emphasized with some degree of pride.

"Well, technically speaking, wasn't he Vieira's pupil first?"

Stresemann snapped back with undue irritation. "So what are you saying? I was second choice?"

"No… no, nothing like that." The other man sounded suitably intimidated. "I'm just surprised that you agreed to take on a student after years of avoiding it like the plague."

Franz shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I wasn't interested in mediocrity… It was refreshing to finally discover someone who was worthy of my time and efforts."

You mean you had finally found a worthy victim of your ridiculous horseplay. "Well, he's good. On and off the podium."

"What is it that you want, Stanton? All this flattery must mean you are softening me up for something."

"I can't fool you, can I, Franz?"

"Stop wasting my time… what is it…"

Stresemann's ears perked up with greater interest when Stanton's voice carried with it a certain urgency. "Something's happened and we need to talk… not here… somewhere private."

"What's the matter with you Justin? A bit off your game this morning? You didn't even put up a single argument against the new proposals like you usually do. " Steve Wong, a close friend whispered to him.

"Nothing's the matter… I'm fine. There wasn't any need to. Chiaki basically reworded most of what I said last time."

Sure, he did. "Still, you seem a little preoccupied… and you were late. You're never late for anything."

"I overslept."

"I saw you having a hurried breakfast at eight. OK, what is it, I can always tell that you're hiding something." Wong demanded suspiciously.

"There's nothing. I'm just a little tired."

"It's about her, isn't it? It usually is when you're in this kind of mood. She broke up with you, didn't she? By phone… most probably. Or a Dear Justin email. No guts to tell you in person herself."

"Look… give it a rest, won't you?" Justin Lee got up and in his frustration stormed out of the room. I wonder if she has… I wonder if that's what all this means.

His friend stared after him and shook his head. That idiot… falling apart all over a stupid overprotected ex-prodigy who wouldn't know a good thing even if she fell over it.

"So… how did your little session with the new Mrs Chiaki go, James? A roaring success, from the look of things." Was the biting observation by Beresford's bleary eyed companion.

"Patience… Peter… Rome wasn't built in a day." Beresford responded suavely. "By the way, Peter… 'tis a bit early isn't it for a nip? Now… what is it that's lingering on your breath. A good twelve year old scotch, I daresay. Ah, your usual."

"Damn you James… You're a real bastard, you know that…"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. The language that comes out of your mouth when you've had one too many, Drake. And yes, I am… completely. You of all people should know that better than anyone."

"Go to…"

"Shush man… Calm down before you say or do something that you'll regret later. Everything in moderation, I always say."

Chiaki kept up all appearances of calm while he shook hands with friend and foe alike. This is just the first session of the first day. I wonder if I'm going to survive the week. On my honeymoon too. He groaned inwardly. Still it could've been worse… a lot worse… He recalled the circumstances of three years ago and the nightmare conference that the triennial gathering devolved into. The place was a battle zone… every major issue had been like a fight to the death. People seemed hell bent on tearing each other's throats out.But this year… it's different… it's a lot more subdued. Don't know if I should be rejoicing or worried.

His thoughts soon turned to more personal matters. I wonder if she's alright… all alone on our honeymoon. I must've been insane to think that we could actually juggle everything.

I should be out there with her now… but here I am preoccupied with weighty matters that affect the future of many while my personal life is on hold again. Is this going to be the story of our life together? Is this our fate… off doing different things and missing each other. It seems as though she's usually the one relegated to the sidelines, waiting for me. How does she keep doing this? Waiting… so patiently…

This will be the last time, Nodame… I promise. No more of you waiting for me to catch up to where you are.

"It's good of you to show me around, Vieira sensei." Nodame said gratefully. "To organize all of this." She waved her hand over the building behind them as they walked out onto the main road and back to the hotel.

"It's my pleasure, my dear… you know that. Anything for you and Shinichi." The Italian conductor added warmly. "And any excuse to get out of those dreary business meetings." He shot her a mischievous wink to which Nodame responded with a giggle.

They were walking some distance in silence before he noticed that she was lost in her thoughts while being led by the hand by young Antonio.

"Is everything alright, Nodame?"

"Fine… "

"You seem very quiet."

"Was I… I didn't mean to be rude…"

"Not at all. Are you nervous?"

"A little… but I'll be alright once I get behind the piano."

Vieira sensed that Nodame was not in the mood to be communicative and did not probe further. It seemed to him that she was grappling with matters that were deeply personal and did not think it warranted more interference on his part. As it was, he had given her sufficient food for thought.

For the first time since she confessed to Stresemann that her dream was to become the wife of Chiaki senpai, Nodame was experiencing growth pangs. She had worked so hard to get to this point, only to be confronted with the overwhelming fact that being the wife of Shinichi Chiaki was laden with tremendous responsibilities that she had not considered hitherto. It had been her fanciful, girlish wish to be with him… a wish which gradually blossomed into love and eventually became requited. Slowly but surely she won his way into his heart. Now that she had scaled that mountain, it seemed like there was another one to climb.

Megumi Noda, a seaweed farmer's daughter from Kyushu, now married to a prince and trying to stake a claim in his world. Would she live happily ever after in the palace with the prince of her dreams? Or would she hobble around with one shoe, trailing behind him always?

IV

Peter Drake tumbled into his room semi-inebriated. As Beresford's acute olfactory senses had detected, his dependency on alcohol was soon becoming more of an issue than was healthy… one in which he had no intention of confronting. It was doing much too good a job masking the emotional torment that was raging through his mind.

Damn you, Beresford… you think you know everything, don't you?

Reaching into the right pocket of his sports jacket, he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper that he'd stared at on numerous occasions the past few days, torturing himself with its words.

Dear Mr Drake

We thank you for your recent application. After much deliberation, we have finally filled the position of Principal Conductor here at the Wiltshire Orchestra. We short listed a field of 5 and with great difficulty came up with one whom we believe would adapt well to the conditions of our orchestra.

Let us assure you that we gave all our applicants due consideration and the task was no easy one, given the quality candidates we were faced with. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, your profile and experience did not match our requirements.

We offer you our best wishes for the future.

Yours truly,

It had been his last ditch effort to save his ailing marriage. He knew full well that Susan would leave him the moment she found out, knowing he had no means to support the extravagant lifestyle she had been accustomed to. Experience, my foot. Fifteen years in the game… more experience than the pup they probably ended up hiring. I wonder… if they found out about the drinking.

Who am I trying to kid? Everyone knews about the drinking… even Weiss… the ditzy devil.

It was good while it lasted… we had some good times, Sue and I. But in the end I was never good enough for her. A fantasy on my part to think I could make her happy.

While Drake was busy lamenting his fate, a note was quietly slipped under his door. A note that would further rock the foundations of his world.

Despite all appearances, Beresford was less than flippant about Drake's drinking. He could see that it was gradually getting out of control.It's probably that bag that he calls his wife that's driven him to this, with her spending habits and toy boys. He's always liked his drink but this is getting beyond ridiculous. Peter was closest thing he had to for a friend since their Oxford days and even if he would be the last person to admit it, he was worried.

When Peter failed to make an appearance at lunch, Beresford had an inkling that something was amiss. It's not like him to pass up some good grub. Still he's a big boy and I'm not his keeper…

Nonetheless, a feeling of dread accompanied him the rest of the day. Towards the afternoon, his conscience was so clamoring to be heard, after being out of practice, that he felt compelled to personally check up on Drake.

"Peter, old fellow… I've come to see if you're up for a game of cards this evening." He spoke as naturally as he could, erasing any anxiety that he could out of his voice.

There was no reply, not even the whisper of footsteps.

Maybe he stepped outside for a bit of fresh air… or maybe he went to sleep off whatever it is he had this morning.

Beresford, however, felt compelled to try again. "Peter, my good man… is everything alright?"

But still… the occupant of the room was either absent or persistent in remaining silent.

It occurred to Beresford then that he should try Drake's mobile phone, which he heard ring continuously for a few minutes behind the door. A loud crashing sound followed and then an eerie stillness. This was when Beresford reached the conclusion that drastic measures had to be called for.

"Mr Beresford… this is very unusual and might I add, irregular. We would only do something like this if the authorities required us to do so. In this hotel, we respect the privacy of our patrons…"

"If Mr Drake makes a complaint, I will take responsibility for it. Just open that damn door, my good man."

The concierge mumbled something in German about mad, paranoid British tourists and grudgingly motioned for his security guard to use his card key.

The door flew open and Beresford was the first one in and locked his gaze initially toward the rumpled but empty bed.

"It looks like Mr Drake isn't here." The concierge folded his arms with some satisfaction.

"And left his wallet, keys and phone behind? I don't think so." Beresford pointed to the said items on the dresser in the entranceway. "I'm going to check the bathroom."

"Mr Beresford… there could be any number of reasons…" The concierge was protested indignantly and then lapsed into Germanic expressions best left untranslated.

The bathroom door was ajar and Beresford peered in cautiously. Right in the middle of the glittering tiled floor, laid the body of a heavy set man, face down.

Beresford gawked for a few seconds before shouting, "Good God, Peter… someone call the ambulance… the police… something…"

Author's Comments

Sorry that this took as long as it did… I'm nursing a cold and the rest of the family aren't that much better than I am.

Anyhow… I hope you find it interesting. It's still somewhat in the setup stage though I did try and throw a few bits and pieces to whet the appetite.

Thanks to Kandida, kana-chan, laura, Tacitus, aj98, mmestrange, lazzykane and, of course Melpomene for your inspiring reviews. It's much more fun writing when you know you have your own personal cheer squad urging you on.

mmestrange: Are you a French speaker? I'd love to get in touch with you. Could you PM please? I'm thinking of introducing a French character into the mix. I almost made the James Beresford French.

lazzykane: It's been a while. Yeah, I know exactly how you feel which is why I usually hate making people wait.

aj98: Your confidence is inspiring. Thank you. It is tough with the kiddies.

Melpomene: I'm glad you're enjoying it and that you're able to pick up on things that you especially like.

Tacitus: Well, you know how much I love to give Chiaki "character building moments". :D