Chapter 760: Nordwind's Practice Space
Saturday, March 25th, Morning
After breakfast, she went out to the East Range parking lot and waited. Finally, the two from the Clock Tower came down, and one of them unlocked the car he was using. They piled in, with her and he two guitars in the backseat. He drove out of Beaulieu Manor and headed into town and Nordwind's practice space.
He looked to the front seat passenger. "It's going to be a while, as I am showing the latest rough cut," Tucker said.
"It's okay. I'm sure Callie and I can keep ourselves entertained," Alix said.
Callie looked up, "I'm sorry?" She's tuning her acoustic. She was excited about the opportunity to meet Kat.
"Why are you sorry, Cal?" Alix asked.
"I wasn't paying attention to what Tucker was saying," she laughs, "But on another note, my acoustic is almost ready to be played."
"We still have a bit, and you do have to mule that up a few flights of stairs," Alix said and looked out the window.
Callie smiles, "This is legitimately going to be one of those days," she beams.
"Yeah, wwe'rejust going with Tucker so he can show his client the progress on his film," Alix said, laughed, and watched as Tucker pulled into the parking lot. They got out of the car and headed up the stairs to the lobby of the converted industrial building. They took the elevator up to a floor, and Alix led Callietowards the practice space.
"I should be a while," Tucker said.
"Well, we can jam," Alix said and led Callie out into the practice space. Alix took a seat on a sofa.
"Not too bad," Callie said, looking around. She finished tuning her acoustic, sitting it in her open case once it was done. "Hey! Alix, is there a place I can plug in?" She holds up her electric guitar.
"Hold on for that," Alix said and looked around the space. It had mostly stayed the same since she first came here, maybe new couches, some new paint, and new electronics but the space was still the same. Alix looked over to the darkened room that was Kat's space and where she kept her gear.
Callie shut the case for her electric, playing her favorite Beatles song from memory on her acoustic.
"What does everyone play that song?" Alix asked, rolling her eyes.
Callie smirked. "Pick another one of their songs and be surprised."
"How about Baby's in Black," Alix said.
"Count me in," she grins, nodding.
Alix nodded and leaned back. She started picking at her fingernails and noticed the chipped black nail polish.
Callie laughs, playing it from memory, even singing along.
"Okay, what album was that song on?" Alix asked.
"Beatles For Sale, it's the third track," Callie smiles.
"What else do you know?" Alix asked.
"Ask away," Callie beams. She was having the time of her life.
"One second," Alix said and went into Kat's room. She emerged with an acoustic guitar. Alix sat down and made sure it was in tune. "Let's see if you know this one," she said, playing the opening chords to Misery Business.
Callie frowned at first, and then frownedrinned, "I got it!" She keeps up with it, surprisingly not missing a step.
A door opened behind them and neither turned to see who walked through. Then, in a clear voice, lyrics were sung out.
"Second chances they don't ever matter, people never change
Once a whore, you're nothing more
I'm sorry, that'll never change
And about forgiveness, we're both supposed to have exchanged
I'm sorry, honey, but I passed it up, now look this way."
Callie plays through, smiling, "Wow... That was amazing."
"Always with Misery Business, Alix?" Katrina "Kat" Jared, nee Hartmann, asked as she came up to stand behind Callie.
"Katyusha," Alix said, "But it doesn't stop you from singing."
"What other songs can you say whore and get away with it?" Kat asked.
"Dark Passion Play?" Alix asked.
"Touche," Kat said.
Callie had a childlike gleam in her eye, "How's your day, Kat?"
"I am well, and you are?" Kat aske, with a slight smirk.
"I'm Callie, Brooke's newest ward," she shrugs, figuring there was no other way to say it.
Kat nodded, "I see," she said.
"You're not watching the movie?" Alix asked.
"I will watch it later; let the boys figure it out," Kat said.
Callie just sat there, trying not to grin. Listening to the sibling banter between Alix and Kat was beyond entertaining.
Kat took a seat and wrapped her cardigan tighter around her. "Alix tells me you play, and you sound pretty good," she sad.
"Well thank you, growing up my mother had all of us learn how to read and compose music. I'm the only one of my siblings who has the skills to play more than one instrument though. I also play the piano and sing, of course."
Kat nodded.
Alix looked at Kat and saw she was withdrawing. Alix turned to Callie. "Cal, why don't you play us something," she said.
Callie secured her guitars, "a piano would be nice; is there one available?"
"You didn't look around the room?" Alix asked, "Arne has several keyboard instruments here. There is an upright right behind you."
Kat nodded.
"Oh, I guess I missed a corner," Callie smiled, walking over to it and sitting down, "Any requests?"
"You pick," Alix said.
"Do me a favor; pick the group, band, or singer, and I'll play a few songs from the chosen artist."
Kat got up and went into her room. She returned with her old and trusty acoustic guitar and sat down. She checked the tuning and started to fiddle with the strings. Soon, the opening chords of Hurt started to come out.
Callie mused, playing along as best she could.
She had a great ability to recall, but this one was going to be a challenge.
Alix started to sing. "I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real."
And then Callie remembered and began to strike the chords, the emotion purely there.
Alix kept singing. "I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair."
Callie's expert hands slid over the keys, her heart rate speeding up a bit.
Alix finished up. "If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way."
Callie exhaled as she lifted her shaking hands up from the piano, "You- you guys ever get in the zone so much that it makes your entire body shake?"
"No," Alix said.
Kat nodded her head.
Callie exhaled, "It was a real rush," she grins.
Aiix nodded, "Yeah," she said.
"I would be interested in what you like to play," Kat said.
"My taste is pretty eclectic," Callie admits, "I'm not biased against anything."
Kat looked at Callie. "Show, don't tell," she said.
Callie smiles as she remembers the small cue cards in her acoustic case. "I learned as a little girl using something called the Ridley Method, and then when I got older, my study of music theory got much more advanced. It was a very appealing, fun, and pleasurable way to learn about music and how to create it." She puts the cards in the proper place, starting with Elvis and ending with Pachelbel.
Kat nodded, got up, and returned with one of her electric guitars. She plugged in and started to play "Eugene's Trick Bag."
Callie laughs, playing along on the piano. She was a quick study, thanks to Maestro Ridley.
Kat nodded, "Not bad, it's a tough song to play," she said.
"Maestro Ridley took me on as a student," she said with a warm smile, "He doesn't do that often."
Kat nodded, "So, instead of following me," she said, "Tell me about Callie."
"I'm trying to find myself after being tossed out like yesterday's trash by the people who were raising me, all because I told them I was gay. The worst part is, my siblings chose generational wealth over supporting me." She went quiet after that.
Kat nodded, "Play for me," she said.
She just played a melancholy tune, the sadness apparent in her eyes.
Kat nodded and shook her head. "Let go, play the pain," she said.
It comes out dark and angry, and the betrayal echoes through the room as Callie pounds on the keys.
Kat nodded and looked at Alix. Alix nodded and leaned back.
Callie blinked five minutes later, remaining silent so she could catch her breath.
Kat nodded, "Play me something else," she said.
She picked up the cue card for Michelle Branch's "If Only She Knew" and began to play- and surprised them by singing along.
"Um, hmm," Kat said.
Callie kept playing and singing along.
"What did Maestro Ridley tell you about music?" Kat said.
"Other than always have fun? When it touches your soul, it means something," she says, smiling brightly, "And speaking of that, thank you for sharing your gift because I can certainly say that sentiment applies to some of the art you've made," she smiles at Kat.
"Music, Callie, in its purest form, is like the rain, wind, or time, a force of nature that can change the world. Always put your heart into it, and it will connect, and it will change the world," Kat said.
"I can't say I disagree with that, but it wasn't Maestro Ridley who taught me that," she smiles, "It was my godmother," she says.
"Be the force," Kat said.
Callie just grins; she was talking 'shop' with her idol; what could possibly make this day better?
Kat put the electric guitar aside and picked up her acoustic. She started to play one of the songs off the current Nordwind album.
Callie beamed, sliding back onto the piano bench and playing along.
"An old man by a seashore
At the end of day
Gazes the horizon
With sea winds in his face
Tempest-tossed island
Seasons all the same
Anchorage unpainted
And a ship without a name," Alix sang.
Callie's playing along on the piano, smiling so hard her face is hurting.
"That was Physcho's song," Kat said.
"He's got his own gifts that he brings to the table," Callie nods, "You're lucky to say you've worked with him."
"I want to hear Callie's music," Kat said. Not something you were taught.
Callie smiles, "If I'd have known, I would've brought the folder," she says, "Next time?'
"Sure," Kat said.
Callie nods, "what else can I play for you?"
"I would like to see what you like to play for fun," Kat said.
"Ms. Branch and her stuff is the fun stuff I like to play," Callie says.
"Why?" Kat asked.
"Because Mother banned pop music from the house," Callie admittted.
Kat nodded, "Why would your mom ban pop music?" she asked.
"She's old school," Callie shrugs, "and very controlling."
"What did she allow you to listen to?" Kat asked.
"Classical and Alternative," she says, "and Contemporary Christian Music."
"Have you ever heard of Katyusha?" Alix asked.
"Alix!" Kat said.
"Let's see," Alix said.
"You should see my music shelf," she's grinning, "that one there is on my wall of honor," she nods toward Kat.
"In it's original language?" Alix asked.
"It's Russian, but it's basically you calling her Kat," Callie smiles.
"Not quite," Alix said.
"So tell me!" Callie laughs.
"It's an old Soviet song that is basically their version of Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier," Kat said.
"I can't say I've heard it," Callie admits.
"You should listen to it," Kat said.
She adds it to the list of things to check out on YouTube.
Alix nodded.
Callie just let out a happy sigh; after all that she'd been through, maybe getting disowned had turned out to be one of the biggest blessings.
Kat stood up and went into her room. Alix looked at Callie and shrugged. Kat came back and handed something to Callie.
"Always follow your heart with music, and it will always lead you to the right place," Kat said, and sat down. Callie looked at the thing Kat handed to her.
Callie finally realized what it was: a coaster with knitted art, "I sure hope this came in a set?"
"Did you knit that, Katyusha?" Alix asked.
Kat nodded.
"I just hope she has more than one," Callie whispered in awe, admiring the art.
The door opened, and Tucker came in. "Kat, Arne wants you to take a look and make notes on the video," he said.
Kat nodded and left the room. Tucker took a seat next to Alix and looked at Callie. After Kat left the practice space, Tucker spoke. "So, how was it?" he asked.
Callie just threw her head back, "Are you kidding?"
She's grinning at him as she poses the question.
"Well, they say never meet your heroes," Tucker said.
"Not Kat, Kat's not like the rest of them," Callie whispers, holding the coaster in her hand, "She's different. Good different!"
"You met Katrina Jared, not Kat Hartmann," Alix said.
"At the core, there's no difference," Callie points out.
"What do I know? I just shared a room with her for years," Alix said.
"You're not saying you think she's changed? I still say she's the same person you shared that room with, Alix, and I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I know we've all had those things we've been through that impacted us. But at least your sister has your back," Callie shakes her head.
"Cal, what Alix is saying is that this is the real Katrina Jared...the woman on stage is a persona she wears," Tucker said, "Here's a hint my sisters told me, don't think you know more than a sibling does."
Callie just throws her hands up and walks away, shaking her head.
Tucker sighed, "To be fourteen again," he said.
"Don't worry about it, Tuck," Alix said.
Callie just locks herself in the bathroom, sobbing.
It was all just too much, not feeling like she belonged anywhere.
Alix sighed, "She's a bit thin-skinned," she said, "I will be back."
Alix got up and went to the bathroom. She reached into her pocket and unlocked the door with the key. She was found sitting sobbing.
Callie just cried harder, looking down at her phone; she was shaking.
"Are you okay?" Alix asked.
"It's really over; he blocked me on everything," she whispered, "My brother blocked me on everything. He chose the money over me-!" She couldn't stop sobbing. Parker had been her best friend up until she came out, and now that her family knew, they'd been forced to make a choice: the money or her.
"Who, Callie?" Alix said.
"My brother, the only ally I ever had in that house," she buries her head in her hands.
"He blocked you?" Alix asked and took a seat next to her.
"On everything he possibly could, even blocked my number," the best day of her life had ended on a horrifically sour note.
"Today was so great, and I can't tell him anything," she put her hand over her heart in agonizing pain.
"Do you know why I know Katyusha so well?" Alix asked.
"You're going to tell me," Callie shrugged.
"We only had each other; after my mom died, my dad took off. So, it was just Kat and me from our family. Our dad just disappeared," Alix said, "There were many nights I cried myself to sleep in Kat's arms."
She just sits there, not saying anything.
"You have to be strong and lean on people that are there for you," Alix said.
"You know what? I still don't know why Brooke took me in," she whispers, "Why? What made her do that?"
"Like looks after like," Alix said.
Callie shrugs, "I don't get it, and I never will."
"You know Lucas is an author, right?" Alix asked.
"We all know Lucas' talent as a writer," she nods.
"Have you read An Unkindness of Ravens?" Alix asked.
"That's the only one I haven't read," she admits.
"Read it, and we'll talk," Alix said.
Callie nods. She made a note to do so.
Alix put a hand on Callie's knee, "Come on, let's get some ice cream or something. Ice cream always makes things better," she said.
Callie just grinned. Alix would never be wrong about that.
"Let me gather my gear?" Callie smiles.
Alix nodded, "Take your time."
Callie came out two minutes later, Kat's gift tucked safely away in her pocket, "I'm ready."
Alix nodded and guided Callie out of the practice to get ice cream.