LE-1 story

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Characters
Czerny Ebenholz Hibiscus Kreide Gertrude Fretful Nobleman Ursula Voice from Nowhere Mannered Infected
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 black

“

Ebenholz and Kreide's performance does not gain Czerny's favor. Consequently, Ebenholz leaves to visit Gertrude, concert sponsor, where he learns of a plan she's had waiting in the wings.

”

<Background 1>
[Kreide runs toward Ebenholz.]
Kreide	I'm so sorry I'm late...
Ebenholz	This is the selections! If you were tardier by twenty minutes, we'd be hand in hand as we waltzed home!
Kreide	I'm sorry...
Ebenholz	Would you mind quickly explaining yourself?
Kreide	My... grandpa went missing this morning, actually.
Ebenholz	Missing?
Kreide	Nothing terribly serious. I found him in the Afterglow in an alley, and he said he was just up too early, out for a walk.
Ebenholz	For a walk, the whole time until you arrived here?
Kreide	No, no, I went to Rhodes Island this morning too, for the admission procedures.
Ebenholz	With your grandfather? At the Rhodes Island office? I recall Rhodes Island having only a miniscule branch in Vyseheim. They couldn't be admitting patients.
Kreide	They couldn't, but Hibiscus gave up her own bed, and she promised she'd put my grandpa's health first.
Ebenholz	Hmph... A charming tale, but that cost you a pretty penny, didn't it?
Kreide	They took the money this morning. It was less than half of what you gave me yesterday.
Ebenholz	Well, well. You'll have to check regularly on your grandpa, then, so they don't trim corners where you're not looking.
Kreide	"Trim corners?"
Ebenholz	They're a business, after all. Their profits have to come from the sick, if they admit them on such low fees. Say, a little from their meals, a little from their equipment and medication–
Kreide	I don't think that's what's happening.
Ebenholz	And how do you know?
Kreide	Yesterday afternoon, they gave him medicine to take before I'd paid anything. And Hibiscus spared some food for me this morning. I only turned her down because I was so short on time.
Ebenholz	Such a meticulous performance. Surely your grandpa was unwilling to go precisely because he could see that.
Kreide	I get it. I'll be checking in on him as much as I can. Thank you.
Ebenholz	Thank me?
Kreide	I know you're taking pains to tell me all this because you're worried me or my grandfather will be hurt.
Ebenholz	...... Never mind. Let's move on. What did you think of the score after picking it up last night?
Kreide	I–
Mannered Infected	Next entry, Ebenholz and Kreide!
Ebenholz	Come. Czerny is overseeing the selections today in person. We can't afford to embarrass ourselves.
<Background 2>
Ebenholz	Greetings, Herr Czerny.
Czerny	No need for pleasantries. Go on, begin.
<Background fades out>
The selections are quite unlike the applications, where crowds thronged the seats to watch. Save for a scant few staff, only Czerny and the entrants are present. If yesterday's audience was present, the majority would be applauding this brief ensemble piece until their hands were raw. But here and now, as the final lingering notes fall away, the look on Czerny's face is fearsome.
<Background fades in>
Ebenholz	Herr Czerny?
Czerny	You haven't practiced much, have you?
Ebenholz	As you surmised, but–
Czerny	It smacks too strongly of being scrabbled together, you on your flute and him on his cello. There's almost no sense of coordination. Especially from you. You were stuck fast to your own tempo, completely ignoring what the cello emoted during his melodic passage. Conversely, you forced him to accommodate for you instead. If you hadn't realized in time, you would have ruined the entire passage.
Ebenholz	I would have ruined the entire passage? No, I feel you may not have heard quite clearly...
Czerny	I'm sat right here, and you tell me I don't hear clearly? You think something's wrong with my hearing?
Kreide	Herr Czerny, Ebenholz doesn't mean to offend you, he just...
Czerny	Just what? All I see is someone too coddled by flattery.
Ebenholz	Coddled by flattery?! You know nothing of my circumstances, I ask you to rescind–
[Kreide tries to calm Ebenholz down.]
Kreide	(Hisses) Ebenholz!
Ebenholz	......
Czerny	I will consider Kreide. You may leave. Next.
Ebenholz	What did you say? Do you imply even he–
Kreide	–Herr Czerny.
Czerny	Hm?
Kreide	If Ebenholz isn't allowed to perform, then I can't be in this concert either.
Czerny	What's forcing you to speak for him?
Kreide	Ebenholz has been a huge help to me, so...
Czerny	I'm sorry, but this concert won't sink for losing one potential cellist, and losing one pot-stirrer of a Lord will pain me even less. Next!
<Background 3>
Ebenholz	Scoundrel! Who does he think he is? So flippant just because he's played a piano, written a piece or two?!
Kreide	Calm down, come on.
Ebenholz	How am I meant to be calm? What kind of attitude was that? "Coddled by flattery?" I'm a fine, upstanding man. Who's ever coddled me? Give me a name!
Kreide	I think there was just a small misunderstanding between you. Surely Herr Czerny didn't think we were that lousy...
Ebenholz	Of course you weren't lousy, that was me! Did you forget what he said? "I will consider Kreide. You may leave!"
Kreide	I think the sooner you apologize to him, the better. He might just let us try again.
Ebenholz	There's always some way, and it doesn't have to include humbling myself so badly before him!
Kreide	But... I can't think of anything that'd help other than an apology...
Ebenholz	(Takes a deep breath) You return home, in any case. I'll be returning to my residence to contemplate what to do. If there really is no alternative, then we'll seek out Czerny.
Kreide	Well... alright, then.
<Background 4>
Ebenholz	"Coddled by flattery"... This musician knows nothing, and he dares prattle...
[Suddenly Ebenholz felt a great pain in his head...]
Ebenholz	Tch! (There's the headache again...)
<Background fades out>
Voice from Nowhere	Useless fake...
Ebenholz	!
Voice from Nowhere	Even the lowly blight-wracked commoners loathe the vulgar sound of your flute...
Ebenholz	You shut up right now!
<Background fades in>
Ebenholz	......
[A nobleman walks by Ebenholz.]
Fretful Noble	Mein Herr, we may not be acquainted, but you seem to be in need of some help?
Ebenholz	Not at all... I appreciate the trouble.
Fretful Noble	Erm... (He really is hers–) Pardon my insolence.
Ebenholz	Oh, so it's you. Do you feel unwell?
Fretful Noble	Er? You–what did you say? No, not at all.
Ebenholz	Really? Your face looks somewhat sickly to me.
Fretful Noble	Of course not, haha, hahahaha... Pardon me, pardon me...
[The nobleman leaves.]
<Background 5>
[Gertrude asks Ebenholz,]
Gertrude	Your headaches are flaring up again?
Ebenholz	It's fine. It's more or less faded by now.
Gertrude	I'm sorry.
Ebenholz	What are you apologizing to me for?
Gertrude	I was so inconsiderate as to cause you embarrassment at the selections today, and give you a headache at that.
Ebenholz	You were so inconsiderate? How did you know–– No, in fact it's only natural for you to know it.
Gertrude	Indeed. For better or worse, I am one of the sponsors of this concert, and news about it reaches me fast, Herr Ebenholz.
Ebenholz	......
Gertrude	You needn't worry. This is nothing major. In fact, I hear Czerny didn't assess you two badly at all. He intentionally designated you as backups for "Morgen und Abend."
Ebenholz	Really?
Gertrude	We are more or less friends. I have him worked out to an extent. He's a famed artist, after all, come rain or shine, and Infected too. His temper flared up. Please, excuse him.
Ebenholz	Hmph.
Gertrude	I do have my influence over this concert. You and Kreide can practice; I'll do Czerny's work.
Ebenholz	I'd rather redo the selections than have you exercise your sway, to be honest. This morning was merely an aberration in performance.
Gertrude	Of course, of course. Still, you needn't let this perturb you so badly. Tea? We have a citrus-flavored black tea today. They say it does good things for headaches.
Ebenholz	Thank you very much.
[Ebenholz drank the tea offered by Gertrude.]
Gertrude	How is it?
Ebenholz	Fragrant. I appreciate the hospitality.
Gertrude	Well, then, moving on. Listen closely, please. As you'd anticipated, my inviting you to Vyseheim, for a concert in the Infected settlement, does come with ulterior motives.
Ebenholz	......
Gertrude	You don't seem too bowled over.
Ebenholz	I'm used to being exploited by now. It would've surprised me more if you had no other motive.
Gertrude	In that case, I'll be straightforward. I have a plan that's been a long time ready. If you act according to this plan, I have great certainty I can free you from the "Voice of the Mundane."
[Shocked, Ebenholz drops the teacup, shattering it.]
Ebenholz	–What did you say?!
Gertrude	The Voice of the Mundane, Herr Ebenholz. The root of your many misfortunes, one of the legal grounds on which you possess Grafschaft of Urtica, the–
Ebenholz	I don't need you to explain what the Voice of the Mundane is. The thing has been inside my head all this time, tormenting me when it sees fit. What I need you to expound on is the details of this plan.
Gertrude	It's very simple. Just perform at Herr Czerny's concert as an ensemble with your fresh acquaintance Herr Kreide, and that will suffice.
Ebenholz	...... Out of sheerest kindness, I'll treat this as a poor joke, Dame Gertrude.
Gertrude	This is in no way a joke. Just like you, Kreide harbors the Voice of the Mundane within him.
Ebenholz	Him? The Voice of the Mundane? The Twin Empresses made it explicit that I was the only one left who carried it!
Gertrude	That merely shows there are things even they don't know. To boot, it isn't even that rare.
Ebenholz	......
Gertrude	Two Voices of the Mundane need only come close enough in space in order for "Resonanz" to occur, and this sonority will amplify both your Arts as it occurs. That is the basis of my plan. Beyond amplifying your Arts, Resonanz is its own kind of powerful energy, and this energy will be massively intensified when you two perform in ensemble. It just needs the appropriate induction, and I'll be able to make use of this energy to transfer your Voice of the Mundane into him.
Ebenholz	Then what will happen to Kreide?
Gertrude	Fear not. I'll handle that as deemed fit.
Ebenholz	I still don't understand, though. Why does it have to be Czerny's concert? I'll duet with Kreide at his home, you come induce this resonance, and you transfer my Voice of the Mundane into him. Won't that work?
Gertrude	The induction of Resonanz is a delicate art. Alone without the Afterglow Hall, I wouldn't be able to do it.
Ebenholz	The Afterglow Hall?
Gertrude	Didn't you know? Construction of the Afterglow Hall was completed under the Witch King's supervision.
Ebenholz	I never heard.
Gertrude	Being a building he ordered in the twilight of his reign, the materials and architecture employed in the Hall share many resemblances to his Spire. It wasn't meant as the concert hall it is, synonymous with the Infected district. It was meant as a fortress of Arts, a nightmare to terrify His Majesty's enemies. I've overstepped my bounds in doing so, but I do require the Afterglow Hall aid me in conducting the Resonanz's energy, so we can ultimately eliminate the Voice of Terra that dwells in your body. Do you have any other questions about the detail of this plan?
Ebenholz	......
Gertrude	After it's done, I will handle Kreide and any other remaining trifles. You need only hide for a suitable length of time. Once it all blows over, you can escape your unbearable nobility once and for all, and become a free civilian. Of course, if you aren't alright accepting such ready freedom, I won't force you, and I certainly won't make an enemy of you on the grounds that you know my plan. Whether you wish to remain in Vyseheim until the concert concludes, or return immediately to Urtica, I will not stop you.
Ebenholz	You won't stop me... You're the first to want to rid me of the Voice of Terra, rather than exploit it. Just what are you hoping to gain from me?
Gertrude	A powerful assistance.
Ebenholz	A what? I'm just a puppet Graf. I can't even manage my own fiefs personally. After your supposed plan succeeds, I'll be no more than an unidentified civilian. What powerful assistance?
Gertrude	Fiefs, armies, even Originium Arts... none of that is important. What's important is the Graf Urtica gone missing, even declared dead. Think of it. How will the Leithanian public opinion respond when at the right juncture, the Graf Urtica returns from the grave? To "return from the grave." That's the greatest aid you could ever lend me.
Ebenholz	I understand. Please... allow me some time alone, Dame Gertrude.
Gertrude	I'd be glad to. If you wish to travel anywhere, don't hesitate to tell the servants outside.
Ebenholz	Farewell.
Gertrude	Farewell. May your decision be the one that suits your interests.
[Ebenholz leaves just as the telephone in the room rings, and Gertrude picks it up.]
Gertrude	Hello.
???	Listen. You must watch whatever happens between Kreide and Rhodes Island closely. You may disrupt Rhodes Island's movements when necessary, but remember never to alert them at any cost. Direct military conflict is forbidden.
Gertrude	Understood. Allow me to report to you on Graf Urtica's circumstances...
???	You can save it. We know. This is your plan. If you feel the need to expound on minor matters like this, we'll simply send someone to put you back on track.
Gertrude	Apologies, I was not considerate.
[Gertrude hangs up.]
Gertrude	Ebenholz will be easy enough, but Kreide and Rhodes Island... ...... I'd forgot. I have what I need, ready and waiting.

“

Ebenholz and Kreide begin to rehearse for the concert. Hibiscus is conducting her investigation all over the Afterglow, looking to find the truth of the Infected suddenly recovering.

”

<Background 6>
Czerny	Though I sent the both of you off at the selections, things have changed. You two are now the primary candidates for Morgen und Abend.
Ebenholz	Things have changed? What do you mean?
Czerny	The two who were to perform Morgen und Abend cannot attend the concert now, which is why I had you two brought in.
Ebenholz	Cannot attend... Did something happen with them?
Czerny	They went to a tavern yesterday afternoon to eat and drink their fill. Normal enough, but something piddling made those two clowns pick a fight. So now, the flautist has a fractured arm, and worse still, the cellist somehow fell on his tailbone. He can't even sit, and there he is lying on his bed claiming he can play standing instead. Ridiculous!
Ebenholz	What?
Czerny	You seem shocked.
Ebenholz	This is honestly... beyond expectation.
Czerny	Is it? It only took the second day of selections for this to happen, if I'm frank. If this was anything more than a chance bar fight, then you would be the greatest suspect.
Ebenholz	Would I? No–no, no, no, this has less than nothing to do with me. My desire is to move you through music, not rough up the innocent.
Czerny	Fine enough for you to say. But you have the money to back Kreide. Paying to stir up trouble should be easy enough for you, shouldn't it?
Kreide	Herr Czerny, I can testify Ebenholz never did anything like that.
Czerny	You, testify? Did you glue your eyes to him for all of yesterday?
Kreide	–I did.
Czerny	And why did you do that?
Kreide	I...
Ebenholz	Of course he didn't "glue his eyes to me," the two of us were just together, discussing how to change your mind. Though we never came to any conclusion in the end.
Czerny	Kreide, is that the truth?
Kreide	It is.
Czerny	(Shakes head) For the time being, in the moment being, I'll believe Kreide.
Kreide	Thank you, Herr Czerny!
Ebenholz	So...
Czerny	Don't start parading. All told, you're standing in. You're still some way from what I require. Especially you, Ebenholz. You're the drag. I'll give you the one day to rehearse. Come back to my home this evening, and I'll cast my eye. You will only be chosen if you can meet my minimum standards. Otherwise, I would rather strike Morgen und Abend from the program. Understand?
Ebenholz	Yes. You may rest assured.
Czerny	Also, Kreide, weren't you missing a cello? Take this one with you.
Kreide	Ca... Can I really?
Czerny	Of course you can. If you can meet my demands this evening, then this cello will be yours.
Kreide	–Thank you, so, so much!
Czerny	Alright, off you go. I need to sort out my own thoughts as is–
[Someone knocked the door.]
Czerny	Is that Ursula? Did you forget your key again?
Voice Outside the Door	Mr. Czerny, I'm an operator from Rhodes Island. You can call me Hibiscus.
Kreide	Hibiscus! Oh, no, did something happen with my grandpa–
[Kreide rushes to open the door, and Hibiscus enters.]
Hibiscus	Hello, Mr. Czerny, it's nice to meet you.
Czerny	Hello. My talk with them is done. If you have business, feel free to take them away.
Kreide	Hibiscus, is there anything new with my grandpa's condition?
Hibiscus	Relax, it's okay. Your grandpa's gotten treatment already, and he's looking a lot more stable. Mr. Czerny, it's not Kreide. I actually came here looking for you.
Czerny	Me?
Hibiscus	I'm hoping to get some insight into any change in your condition. Would right now be convenient for you?
Czerny	What do you want me for?
Hibiscus	There's been quite a few recent Infected cases of abnormal recovery around the Afterglow. I came here to investigate the whole phenomenon. On top of that, you're a household name around here, so I was wondering if you had more of a handle on what's going on.
Czerny	I'm sorry, but I've been just fine all along, and I can't say I know how anyone else is doing.
Hibiscus	But aren't you holding a farewell concert? That usually–
Czerny	I'm–sorry–but I need quiet. Can I ask you to leave, for now?
[Someone knocks the door again.]
Czerny	Who is it this time?
Voice Outside the Door	Mein Herr, open her up. I forgot m'dang key.
Czerny	...... Kreide, could you go out of your way to open the door again?
[Kreide heads out to open the door, and an elderly Elafian lady enters.]
Kreide	That's an awful lot you're carrying, Oma.
???	Good boy, you go have a seat. I can carry it by m'self.
Kreide	It's okay, I can bring this into the kitchen for you!
Ebenholz	And this is...?
Czerny	Ursula, distant relative of mine. She's cared for me, always.
[The old lady, now known as Ursula, walks toward Czerny and co.]
Ursula	Well, this is a rare sight, so many people at our home... Bowl me over, you're a noble, aren't you? Oh, m'pologies!
Ebenholz	Hardly. You can simply call me Ebenholz, if you so wish.
Ursula	Oh, your Lordy sort better not joke around with old codgers like m'self.
Ebenholz	It's no joke at all. You can just call me Ebenholz.
Ursula	Honest?
Ebenholz	Of course.
Ursula	Then if you don't mind me, please.
Hibiscus	Hello, Ms. Ursula!
Ursula	Oof, what's this Sarka– Bah, no! Slip of the tongue, Fräulein, I didn't mean that. Don't take it seriously, now!
Hibiscus	It's okay, Ms. Ursula, I'm used to it.
Ursula	Oh, no, no, I have to apologize... really, pardon me! What do you need Mein Herr for? Concert matters again?
Hibiscus	Not in particular. I wanted to ask if there was any change in Mr. Czerny's condition recently.
Ursula	You a doctor?
Hibiscus	I'm an operator from Rhodes Island. You can call me Hibiscus.
Ursula	So you and Andante are coworkers?
Hibiscus	Andante's a local operator. I'm here at Vyseheim on business from the landship.
Ursula	That's a relief, then. It's Andante who gives Mein Herr and me our medicine. Lots of folk get prescriptions from Rhodes Island, here in the Afterglow. Mein Herr, how's the last few days...
Czerny	Ahem.
Ursula	Mein Herr, she's a doctor, now, a doctor who cares about your health. This is good for you.
Czerny	I didn't ask her to come in!
Ursula	Well, that's silly, now. If you didn't let her in, she wouldn't be in here.
Czerny	......
Ursula	Last year's when he started feeling unwell. No change when spring came this year. Wouldn't be wanting to do any farewell concert otherwise. But since yesterday, he's been looking in much better spirits.
Hibiscus	Is there anything else as well?
Ursula	Let me think...
Czerny	Ursula!
Ursula	Alright, alright, m'lips are sealed.
Hibiscus	Thank you so much for your help, Ms. Ursula. If anything's the matter with Mr. Czerny, please give me a shout.
Ursula	No need to tell us. We'd be asking Rhodes Island for a look if something happened, anyway.
Czerny	Are you done? Are you happy?
Ursula	All done– –Oh, me and my memory! Said I'd make potato soup and forgot to even buy potatoes... I'll run back to the market now!
[Ursula leaves.]
Hibiscus	Mr. Czerny...
Czerny	(Eyes practically full of fire)
Hibiscus	–Ms. Ursula, I'll come with you! I have some questions about cooking I'd like to ask you!
[Hibiscus runs off after Ursula.]
Ebenholz	Well, since everyone else has taken their leave, we should also...
Czerny	Hold it.
Kreide	Herr Czerny...
Czerny	The key.
Kreide	Oma Ursula, your key! Don't forget your key!
[Kreide and Ebenholz runs off.]
<Background 7>
[Ebenholz and Kreide catches their breath after failing to catch up with Ursula.]
Ebenholz	Huff, huff... I never would've imagined an old lady could be so fast. I was a hair from losing her... I owe it to you for helping me smooth things over back there.
Kreide	That's alright, I trust in you. I know you wouldn't do something like that just to be selected.
Ebenholz	...... So, we've handed the key over. Now we should be finding a place in the Afterglow to rehearse.
Kreide	Can't we just perform right in the street, like everyone does?
Ebenholz	We're rehearsing, not busking. These lanes are too noisy.
Kreide	Oh.
Ebenholz	How about your home? Your grandfather just so happens to have vacated, and it wears me to death traveling over from the Cliffy Patio every day. Could I ask you to lay out a bed for me, and I stay at yours for the next while?
Kreide	I'd welcome you, gladly, but my place is a wreck. I'm scared you wouldn't settle in.
Ebenholz	I will, I will. Trust me.
<Background 8>
Kreide	This is my home.
Ebenholz	Ergk...
Kreide	What's the matter?
Ebenholz	Is there something wrong...? (The room's too small, there's a draft from the window, the timber is molding, there's practically no soundproofing...) No, It's quite fine. Quite fine. –Hold on, there's only a single bed here. Where does your grandpa sleep?
Kreide	He sleeps in the bed. I sleep here on the floor.
Ebenholz	But... isn't this just a rug?
Kreide	For a rug, it's pretty nice, and I'm used to sleeping on it by now. If you're going to live here, then I'll stay on the floor. It's no problem.
Ebenholz	......
[Ebenholz thinks for a moment, before...]
Ebenholz	Let's just rehearse for now.
<Background fades out and in>
Ebenholz	No good. I'm stuck at this mordent.
Kreide	It's alright. We can start again from the last bar on the line above.
<Background fades out and in>
Ebenholz	It's this mordent...
Kreide	Should I slow down slightly at this part?
Ebenholz	No need, it's only an ornament. I'm just being slightly hesitant.
<Background fades out and in>
Ebenholz	–This again!
Kreide	Ebenholz, I'll drop the tempo. Don't put an ornament at the end there, just play through like it's a single note.
Ebenholz	The mark is printed on the score!
Kreide	But you're straining your breath all the way in the bar before, just so you can brace for the mordent.
Ebenholz	Fine.

Kreide	Wonderful! We played it all the way through!
Ebenholz	But I omitted that ornament, and Czerny will hear that, I'm sure of it.
Kreide	It's alright, we still have time.
Ebenholz	Easily said. With the state we're in now, you've no need for further rehearsal. I'm the only one who still has to spend time on this.
Kreide	No, don't be like that. I have parts I'm not playing well myself.
Ebenholz	Really?
Kreide	Look, here. I didn't express these dynamics at all just now.
Ebenholz	You're right.
Kreide	And there's a few parts I've been barely forcing through. It's still too early to say I'm fluent.
Ebenholz	You gave me a heart attack. I thought you'd already completely mastered this.
Kreide	Haha. We've had so little time, and it's not like you could really be fluent in a single go. You have to take a lot of things nice and slow.
Ebenholz	You're right. Let's take a break for now, and then we'll work out all the kinks.
<Background 5>
Gertrude	O'er lofty Hills, the Fiend steps into Twilight's Midst agaze. The Blood hides Plague within, slow beckons Death to creep all Ways. Pestilence from Shadow wanton spouts, spews Ruin in Prelude. Fades Finale's Ensemble; Woe deprives of Sun's last Rays. What do you think of these edits?
???	It's more or less the same as the previous edition. You're sure this prophecy will drive out the Rhodes Islander?
Gertrude	A prophecy alone likely isn't enough, but if we add Their Majesties' names, then use it as a pretext to cause a tiny little uproar... the chance it'll succeed is great, and there won't be any real harm should it fail.
???	Can you ensure the spread of this prophecy will be confined to the Afterglow?
Gertrude	Please be assured. Previous small-scale disseminations of prophecies have not left any traces of their spread; moreover, as an Infected settlement–
???	Then do it.
[Gertrude hangs up.]

LE-1 story

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