28 I.D. Ten T. (1/2)
Jericho turned to the sound of clapping behind him. A familiar looking man stood in front of him. ”Ah, Michael, right? Good morning.” He asked the square jawed, brown haired fan.
Michael Rune smiled, revealing slight dimpled beneath his unshaven face. ”I'm surprised you remember my name, Jericho Maestro. You have a good memory. But please, call me RuneHeart. Is that a new duet you are writing? It's really good so far.”
The bard laughed. ”It is. Thank you, RuneHeart. I thought you looked familiar when you approached last time. What can I do for you, my fellow musician and former best friend? Last I knew we agreed never to speak again.”
”I have a shameless request, especially after I mocked you by calling you a relic of the past that belonged in a museum...” He paused ”When I learned you were playing the game and had caught the attention of Xanoth, I realized just how wrong I was. I'm sorry.” He looked down in shame.
Jericho smiled and grabbed the man's upper arm. ”It's alright Mikey Heart; we were both hot-blooded young adults back then. You weren't wrong though; my method of playing instruments to create music is definitely outdated. If you think about it, this game world is like jumping back into the past but with magic and really cool creatures. It makes sense that I am more in-tune with my musical element here. So what is this shameless request of yours?”
”First, can you please just call me by my artist name? I'll feel less awkward that way.”
”Sure RuneHeart, now ask your request.”
”Will you teach me how to play these older musical instruments?” He asked. ”I really want to bring my own music into the game like you have. There have been times I have felt inspired by something and couldn't work on it until after I logged off. It is really frustrating.”
”I know the feeling. When I worked and was away from my instruments it was hard. I'm not opposed to teaching you, but I will have to check with my biggest fan and the one you made the most upset back then, my little sister. I remember her saying some unpleasant words we were all shocked to hear come out of a five year old's mouth.”
RuneHeart chuckled slightly and scratched his cheek. ”She was so calm and gentle I didn't expect her to call me a son of a motherless seagull and an 'I, D, ten, T,' like they were the greatest insults in the world.”
”Wow, she must have left a decent impact on you if you remember the insults that clearly.”
The other musician half-smiled. ”Not really, they were just so funny I couldn't forget them. If I'm right, Moira is Dancing Princess. Where is she? I know I will probably get an earful, but I think I should ask for permission in person.”
”Fair enough. I'll be meeting up with her in a while. You are welcome to come with us unless she banishes you. Regardless, if you would like, we can try being friends again.”
[Jericho the Bard has sent you a friend request.]
RuneHeart smiled as he accepted the friend request. ”Thanks, does this mean we can put the past behind us?”
Jericho laughed. ”The past was always behind us. I forgave you a long time ago, but I am glad to see you have matured just a bit.”
”I didn't want to forgive you until recently. I'm glad, other than your temperament which seem much more upbeat than before, you have stayed the same. So what is that instrument called?”
Jericho brought him over. ”This is a piano. It is one of the few instruments that can be played with many notes and chords simultaneously. A lot of the ancient classical songs were performed on the piano.” He pulled out a bench and started playing Chopin's Waltz in A minor. ”You might recognize this one considering one of your best pieces is inspired by it.”
The musician let out a light laugh. ”Wait, you have been listening to my music still? How did you know? Not even most of my fans know the inspiration for my Ghostly Ballroom.”
”Knowing these older pieces comes with the territory of learning how to play instruments. When I heard your song, I recognized the style. Besides, our mutual dislike for each other didn't change the fact that you are talented and I enjoyed the music you made.”
”Oh, that makes sense. While I would have never admitted it in the past, I was always jealous that your music gave off a stronger feeling then mine did.”
”That is a unique aspect to playing something you created rather than filling in something you create. While your music is more flawless, it is hard to pore your soul into a music making program as the feelings and creation times are difficult to synchronize. I can pore my soul into the instrument as I play. The exact feelings I have go into the notes actively produced. The things I project to others are able to be received more effectively because of that.”
”Huh, I never really thought of it like that. I didn't know you knew some complex scientific facts like that.”
”Science? No, that is simply something my grandfather taught me. Apparently it is something ancient musicians held to for quite some time.”
RuneHeart laughed. ”I see. Now I want to learn how you play even more. I want to hear the difference in my own music when I recreate it.”
Jericho gave a nod. ”So how is Xanoth doing? I haven't talked to him in a while either.” He asked while continuing to play.
”The guy is doing great. He has been raving about how cool you are for a few days now. You know how he can get when he gets overly excited about something. It is almost like that recluse turns into a completely different person. He even suggested creating a guild for musicians so we can emulate you.”
Jericho sighed and stopped playing. ”Sometimes his ideas are not all that great. Gathering the musicians together in a guild is almost as bad of an idea as his musician's conference we had a few years ago where it turned into a huge musical debate and who should be recognized at the top 100 artists in the area. I know he meant well, but we musicians can be quite fierce.”
RuneHeart laughed. ”That's true. Most of his ideas are great but every once in a while he goes a little too far. You got to like him though. He is a great guy.”
Jericho nodded. ”Indeed, he is a great friend despite the fact that he is rarely social.”
”Yeah.”
Princess sent a message. [I'm done!]
Jericho sent a message to Ken. [Call it. Princess is done.]
[The competition has ended. Ken 1231 kills. Lux 1223 kills.] [Total kills 2454] [Thanks to you and your pet's efforts the pest population has dwindled. The farmer's crops should be safe for quite some time.]
The bard smiled. [Be there in a bit.] He replied to his sister. ”Eight again but this time it is the reverse.”
”What was that?” The other musician inquired.
”I'm going to keep practicing the duet. I want to refine it some more while I still have it fresh on my mind.” Jericho answered and resumed having his two halves playfully battle it out on the piano.
After a few playthroughs, RuneHeart couldn't keep his curiosity down. ”What is this piece called and what is it about this place that gave you the sudden inspiration to make it?”
Jericho laughed as he sent a message to Ken. [Where are you guys? Selling stuff is going to take some time right?] He looked up. ”It is titled, Competitive Kittens, and you will see what inspired me soon enough.”
[Your 'pets' have entered combat with hostile humans. Their kill count will be reflected on you as their owner.]
RuneHeart cocked an eyebrow. ”That is a strange name for a…” he started.
{Glaw, Ken and Lux are in trouble.}