'Fucking hormones…'
Richard cursed internally as he sat before the grand piano. He did not know how he got here, after he sat down to enjoy his coffee, he had a pleasant conversation with Marie and one thing led to another…
'It's worth it though'
He scanned the shop, aside from a few regulars, the only ones in the shop were him and Marie. Not to mention, the few regulars were all puremen, they did not really mind what antics a few numen were doing. So long as they were not disturbed.
'As long as I don't play some horrific arrangement…'
Recalling the various classical pieces he had practiced in his past life, Richard was tempted to play one of the more grim arrangements or some piano rendition of a popular modern song.
Unfortunately, modern pop songs were great not for their piano arrangements but for their layered tones that blended well with a singer's voice.
Although Richard could probably play a modern pop song, he did not really have that much confidence in his own voice.
He was not tone deaf but he was not a pop star either.
'Well, I could always use that classical piece'
After a few moments of thought, Richard decided to play one of the simplest yet most popular classical pieces on Earth.
This was a piece that shaped modern pop music, it had been used, sampled and influenced modern music as a whole. Many top hits had used this piece's chord progression. Although not everything came from this one piece, in fact, it is not even considered as a foundational piece in terms of musical history!
Yet this piece would be the one tune that everyone knows, not everyone knows of its name but its melody, the chord progression and the emotions the piece carries would always stir one's mind.
It is used in weddings, celebrations, sorrow and joy, a piece that could be adapted for any purpose…
*plays Canon in D*
The famous piece written by Johann Pachelbel, it's heard in churches, in sermons, in weddings, in modern music. The piece is timeless and has no boundaries, it shows the versatility of music and the power of simplicity.
Richard's fingers gracefully danced across the piano keys, his mind calming down as he slowly played the piece.
A simple tune rang through the cafe, unlike the common type of music heard. This peace had a certain "peacefulness" to it.
'It's different'
Marie thought as she watched Richard play, modern music was not this calm. It would always start off strong and end even stronger.
Musicians, especially those who played the piano were very particular in showing off how many keys they could play rapidly. Showing of their dexterity and endurance by playing extremely complex and fast pieces for extended periods of time.
Such tunes were truly amazing, the fact that they could last more than half an hour playing a tune that has no repetitions is a show not only of their endurance and dexterity but also their genius. They showed off their ability to improvise and memorize, by making every part of the song its own unique melody, the majority of top musicians were hailed not for their song but for their skill.
Unfortunately, this made many musicians sell their skills at a high price. Moreover, the "enjoyment" of music was not something that one could simply "listen" to. One had to "experience" it, and not everyone had the money to do so.
In fact, the simple fact that this small cafe had a tiny stage was already something that was out of the norm.
Richard saw it as something not too weird, after all, in his past life, many establishments made deals with record labels that allowed cover bands to play on stage. Shop owners hired these bands to play and used the bands attraction to sell more drinks.
While Richard saw the stage and scattered instruments as normal, others saw it as a waste or just useless extravagance.
After all, which musician would play a song in this small shop?
If there ever was one, will they really be able to play a song with great quality?
These questions had led the few customers to perk up their ears to take a listen. They were all but prepared to start jeering but the melody was just too enchanting.
"Its repetitive but… its pleasant"
"There are some shifts but… it's just a repeated melody and yet… is it somehow- nostalgic?"
The few patrons who had a bit of knowledge about music gave their inputs, others listened to them and nodded.
None spoke up and tried to disturb Richard as they enjoyed the pleasant tune.
Unaware of the reactions he had garnered, Richard fell into a state of melancholy…
'I played this before… yeah…'
Recalling his youth in his past life, Richard could faintly recall the moment he first started playing the piano.
In fact, his music lessons were nothing more than a result of peer pressure that his mother had felt when his neighbor's daughter showed off her skills in playing the violin.
The neighbor's daughter was a friend of his and the two would often play. Richard, before his music lessons, would tease his friend about how he didn't need to take extra lessons, about how he could spend more time playing games because his mother didn't force him to study.
But that all changed when his friend graduated from her classes, a small ceremony was held and each student who completed their lessons would perform in front of a crowd of parents and guests. His friends mother had invited Richard's mother who took her whole family to watch the show in support.
Richard could not recall the piece that she played, all he could remember was that his mother had enrolled him immediately after.
Of course, as a show of pride, Richard was not enrolled to learn the violin, instead he was made to study the piano.
As such, much like a kid raised in an Asian household, Richard was forced to take piano lessons.
He was fortunate that his parents did not force him to become a doctor and even tried to support him when he spoke of his interest in the music industry.
Ultimately he found out that he lacked true skill, his friend also reached her own peak and chose a more sustainable career path.
Before they stopped their studies though, Richard and his friend had been music buddies, in fact, they were teased by their friends as they resembled a certain couple from a japanese animation.
Fortunately his friend did not have a terminal illness and they were nothing more than friends really. Hell, they both had their own love life's and Richard was more into the "goth mommy with short hair" type and his friend turned out to be the "outgoing gal" type.
Though…
'It's still nostalgic…'
When he recalled those memories, the recollections of his past life, Richard had unintentionally started to change the melody.
Canon in D was a blank slate, one that was made to be played with accompaniment. It was supposed to be layered with other instrumentals but Richard was just one man and yet…
With his own two hands, the skill that was ingrained in this new body of his had harmonized with his own soul. The memories of his past life, the creative spark that never had the chance to grow-
Unknown to Richard, his soul had yet to truly integrate into his own body. He had not been able to fully utilize the inherent abilities of his bloodline but now…
As his body and soul found harmony, he had started to use his natural abilities.
Inside the cafe, a moment that only few would get to experience was now underway.
'So this is the power of a vulpis…'
Marie thought as she found herself drawn into a new world, she was made to experience a peaceful moment. A joyful tale, of wide meadows, of spring, of love and of care.
The warmth of family that came along with the joy of being.
The warm spring sun touched her cheeks as the pleasant spring breeze carried the warmth of the sun to surround her, it was like the warm embrace of a parent.
She felt nostalgia, melancholy and longing but…
'No sorrow'
The tune carried with it the feeling or reminiscence, it carried a desire that was shared by the musician to those that listened.
This was the biggest reason why many musicians, despite playing horrendous pieces, could still have crowds desperately trying to listen to their music.
It was not because of the pleasant song but the experience, an experience that showed not only skill but, in the hands of someone who is a vulpis, could take you to another world entirely.
In fact, this was nothing more than an illusion, magical tools could replicate this, which is why the music industry was not dominated by the vulpis alone.
But only the Vulpis are capable of playing songs, of giving an experience that could leave many addicted.
Yet, even given that, there were still limits to everything. A talented musician could match a vulpis with low musical talent but a vulpis could outclass anyone on the same level.
Richard?
Marie raised her gaze, she saw Richard playing atop a hill of spring flowers, his back was facing towards her as he played but the warmth he excluded was something that few could replicate.
'He's talented… no… he is a genius, a monstrous genius…'
Marie thought as she recalled the concert she had attended years before, a talented vulpis performer had also given her an unforgettable experience that day but Richard…
'His tune is much better than others and his talent… although he's still quite rough, to be able to give such a vision…'
The spring scenery before Marie shattered as she used her own magical energy to calm her mind as she listened to the song.
Removing the influence of magic had removed the enchantment but it did not remove the pleasant sound of the song.
'I could listen to this forever'
She thought as she swayed to the music, even without the influence of magic, she could feel herself getting affected. Memories of her childhood flashed in her mind as tears gathered in her eyes threatening to stream down her face.
"Wait! How?!'
Shocked, Marie tried to calm herself down but her heart did not stop beating rapidly.
It was not magic, she even activated the magic tool that prevented mental interference and yet…
The feelings she was welling up deep inside were rising and she could feel her own emotions erupting.
Turning around she found that the other patrons had already broken down to quiet sobs, their emotions were in turmoil much like her but unlike Marie, they accepted their emotions. They let it take over but Marie could not do the same.
And that was because-
'Those people!'
She saw a group of familiar faces entering the shop, she knew who they all were. Especially the old man who was leading the group.
She tried to steady herself but just as she did, the tone shifted.
Richard was playing canon in D while reminiscing, the start of the tale was joyful as he recalled his fondest memories. He recalled all the ups of his life but now… he recalled the lows.
When he started to recall the sorrowful moments of his life, that was when the listeners started to feel a weight on their shoulders. Their deepest sorrows rose as Richard played the song to the tune of his emotions.
Now, Richard was playing the piece as his mind contemplated his current life, his current position, the loss and the things he gained.
He recalled the last time he met with his parents.
He recalled all the promises he made, all the friends he had, all the people he left behind.
Finally, he the worst thing he felt was the weight of goodbye-
'I was never able to properly say it…'
He died due to a viral infection, he was in such a bad state that he could not even talk. He wasn't able to properly make a call and he requested not to show his sorry state to his parents.
But the worst part of it all…
'My body…'
Following protocol, Richard's body was cremated and his parents won't even get the chance to see him one last time. He would have already become a pile of ash by the time they see him again…
Regret-
Richard's emotions were in as much of a flux as those that were listening to him but…
'I have to keep living…'
He was given a second chance, Richard knew that wasting this would be worse than his own passing.
Although he could not do anything about his past life… for this life…
'I have to live on…'
And so he played, the song continued on, shifting once more, a tale of movement, of change, of self actualization.
As Richard went through the motions, so did those that listened to him play.