act18side

I'm so sorry I'm late...

This is the selections! If you were tardier by twenty minutes, we'd be hand in hand as we waltzed home!

I'm sorry...

Would you mind quickly explaining yourself?

My... grandpa went missing this morning, actually.

Missing?

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.

For a walk, the whole time until you arrived here?

No, no, I went to Rhodes Island this morning too, for the admission procedures.

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.

They couldn't, but Hibiscus gave up her own bed, and she promised she'd put my grandpa's health first.

Hmph... A charming tale, but that cost you a pretty penny, didn't it?

They took the money this morning. It was less than half of what you gave me yesterday.

Well, well. You'll have to check regularly on your grandpa, then, so they don't trim corners where you're not looking.

'Trim corners?'

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—

I don't think that's what's happening.

And how do you know?

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.

Such a meticulous performance. Surely your grandpa was unwilling to go precisely because he could see that.

I get it. I'll be checking in on him as much as I can.

Thank you.

Thank me?

I know you're taking pains to tell me all this because you're worried me or my grandfather will be hurt.

Never mind. Let's move on.

What did you think of the score after picking it up last night?

I—

Next entry, Ebenholz and Kreide!

Come.

Czerny is overseeing the selections today in person. We can't afford to embarrass ourselves.

Greetings, Herr Czerny.

No need for pleasantries. Go on, begin.

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.

Herr Czerny?

You haven't practiced much, have you?

As you surmised, but—

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.

I would have ruined the entire passage?

No, I feel you may not have heard quite clearly...

I'm sat right here, and you tell me I don't hear clearly? You think something's wrong with my hearing?

Herr Czerny, Ebenholz doesn't mean to offend you, he just...

Just what? All I see is someone too coddled by flattery.

Coddled by flattery?! You know nothing of my circumstances, I ask you to rescind—

(Hisses) Ebenholz!

I will consider Kreide. You may leave. Next.

What did you say? Do you imply even he—

—Herr Czerny.

Hm?

If Ebenholz isn't allowed to perform, then I can't be in this concert either.

What's forcing you to speak for him?

Ebenholz has been a huge help to me, so...

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!

Scoundrel! Who does he think he is? So flippant just because he's played a piano, written a piece or two?!

Calm down, come on.

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!

I think there was just a small misunderstanding between you. Surely Herr Czerny didn't think we were that lousy...

Of course you weren't lousy, that was me! Did you forget what he said? 'I will consider Kreide. You may leave!'

I think the sooner you apologize to him, the better. He might just let us try again.

There's always some way, and it doesn't have to include humbling myself so badly before him!

But... I can't think of anything that'd help other than an apology...

(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.

Well... alright, then.

'Coddled by flattery'...

This musician knows nothing, and he dares prattle...

Tch!

(There's the headache again...)

Useless fake...

Even the lowly blight-wracked commoners loathe the vulgar sound of your flute...

You shut up right now!

Mein Herr, we may not be acquainted, but you seem to be in need of some help?

Not at all... I appreciate the trouble.

Erm...

(He really is hers—)

Pardon my insolence.

Oh, so it's you. Do you feel unwell?

Er? You—what did you say? No, not at all.

Really? Your face looks somewhat sickly to me.

Of course not, haha, hahahaha...

Pardon me, pardon me...

Your headaches are flaring up again?

It's fine. It's more or less faded by now.

I'm sorry.

What are you apologizing to me for?

I was so inconsiderate as to cause you embarrassment at the selections today, and give you a headache at that.

You were so inconsiderate?

How did you know——

No, in fact it's only natural for you to know it.

Indeed. For better or worse, I am one of the sponsors of this concert, and news about it reaches me fast, Herr Ebenholz.

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.'

Really?