act20mini

What if I find the truth, and it's an answer the orchestra, or I, can't bear to hear?

She hates herself for doubting them.

She hates how her first reaction upon hearing 'Famiglia Bellone' and 'detained', was not to defend them, but to freeze as she recalled those towering horns.

Wh-What should I do...?

Paola...

Daughter of mine, our orchestra wouldn't be what it is today without you. I'm so thankful.

Yes, I'll always be with you, and the rest of the orchestra needs you too.

Liesel, my girl, my pride and joy...

Someday, you will stand on the stage in my stead.

—No, not just for me. It has never been for me.

One day, you will become the best conductor in Nuova Volsinii, no, all of Siracusa.

The wind seems to have stopped.

Liesel slowly but surely drags her heavy feet into the building.

S-So you're saying...

Timpani didn't hit you, and...

Struck these two Columbian businessmen instead?!

Ugh...

That's right.

Well, I got hit too, actually...

But hey, old man. You got a bum leg, but your arms pack a punch!

Damn straight! I'm a first-rate percussionist, you bet I'm good at hitting things!

If only that Columbian fatass didn't trip and eat your second jab, huh.

Ahem.

So here's the situation: We got a call about four troublemakers on the street, and then it turned into a fight between six.

After some questioning, we determined these two Columbian gentlemen in the Bellone Aldor Hall Hotel were fighting with mafio—uh, I mean with the hotel staff.

The staff had asked the Columbian men to step outside, but once they were on the street, the businessmen suddenly became violent.

Meanwhile, these two members of the Schwarzervorhang Orchestra tried to mediate the fight, but ended up involving themselves in the scuffle.

Yup, it's all that fatso's fault. He's drunk, and was harassing our receptionist—

H-Harassing?! Not at all!

I was just a paying guest in the hotel when suddenly I took a hit... Mark my words, I'm not done with you just yet!

Hah, haven't had enough?

You were the ones who stumbled into this lobby drunk, yelling 'Why should I line up?! Get me the biggest most mafia-style room!'

'Mafia-style?' What were you getting at, throwing words like that around a legitimate business establishment?

You scared off the guests who were trying to check in! You're acting like that's no big deal?

Exactly! Even from the entrance, we clearly saw how you scared the receptionist to tears!

(Whispering) Hey, zip it!

Bassoon pinches Timpani hard, who yelps and looks up to see Liesel's ashen expression.

Um, sorry, Liesel... You shouldn't have been called out here at this hour...

Um, all of us have you listed as our emergency contact... Paola told us to... so...

Ugh, it's my fault! I should've stopped him!

Liesel, say something... The silence is scaring me...

So the two of you... helped someone who didn't need your help in the first place?

Huh? Err... um, th-that seems to be the case, yeah...

Liesel is rendered speechless as she looks at both pairs of Bellone mobsters and Columbian businessmen.

In the middle, Timpani and Bassoon are huddling in fear like fowlbeasts caught in the rain, their pitiful gazes aimed at Liesel.

When was it...?

When was the last time I saw something so absurd...?

At the pier, faced with Paola's invitation, Timpani shook his head in confusion, and ignored the two to resume his hammering.

With his rhythmic hammering in the background, Liesel saw Paola suddenly straighten herself and her collar.

Foreman, sir. I'd like to resign on this gentleman's behalf.

From today onwards, he will no longer be able to hammer for you, for he shall join me in exploring the beautiful possibilities in the world of music.

Now then, arrivederci, my good foreman.

Huh?

—No, wait, what?!

Resign? Goodbye...? Who said he could go?

What, he can't?

O-Of course not! It's day labor, but he's not even done yet, and you want to take him away? It'll slow us down!

Oh! I see.

Is this enough, then? Go hire some other—go find another master artisan like Timpani here, and you won't fall behind schedule!

But...

The foreman was clearly shocked by Paola's actions. Her words stunned Timpani.

Behind Paola was Liesel, tugging on her mother's sleeve with an expression both amused and annoyed.

(Whispering) Paola, that's supposed to feed us for a whole week.

Huh? Really!

Everyone stayed awkwardly still for a moment, before the foreman quickly grabbed the florin from her, as if afraid she'd change her mind.

Hey, you over there, go find another worker for me—

The foreman turned to yell, and left the trio, depriving Timpani of a chance to respond.

...Huh?

*Sigh*.

I'm sorry, Liesel... maybe you should manage the money from now on.

And now—We three will busk on the street! I'm sure we can earn back enough for tonight's dinner!

The fiery sunset clouds from that day come back to life inside Liesel's mind.

The dumbfounded Timpani, the satisfied and smiling Paola, and her resigned self shaking her head were all bathed in a warm sunset glow, in the shade of a beautiful future.

...Pfft.

Wow, our whole family's so silly.

Paola, Timpani, Bassoon, Trombone, everyone... and even me. I'm the biggest fool of us all.

How could I have suspected my own family...? There's no way anyone would do anything like that.

It's alright, Liesel! I did what I did, and I'll pay the price. So don't worry your little head over this!

It's just a few days behind bars, probably. I'm used to skipping meals.

Can you start a beat, Timpani? Any rhythm is fine, just one you like.

What...?

Timpani's bold declaration to pay the price for his actions is interrupted by Liesel's sudden request.

He exchanges a glance with Bassoon, and even meets eyes with the Bellone mobsters and Columbian businessmen.

But the undeniable authority in her voice sends Timpani's hand involuntarily tapping on a metal bar.

With his rhythmic tapping in the background, Liesel straightens her back as well as her collar, looking toward the Columbian businessman.

Ahem! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Liesel, the leader of the Schwarzervorhang Orchestra.

We are the finest orchestra in all of Nuova Volsinii, which I'm sure you can tell from the excellent live performance by my timpani player, yes?

I should also mention we have a wonderful bassoon player in our midst, but I regret we do not have the equipment to offer a demonstration right now.

Alright, now that the introductions are out of the way—firstly, I would like to express my sincerest apologies for today's incident.

I cannot make decisions on their behalf, but I will take responsibility for my group. It is an undeniable fact one of my men hit you, and I am deeply sorry for it.

You are a businessman from faraway Columbia, yes? The high-end Piazza Parasota you've invested in is about to open in the city.

I think you chose the city for a good reason: its potential, order, and future cultural atmosphere.

Now, I'm not trying to excuse this unfortunate misunderstanding between your party and mine, but I'd like to offer something valuable in exchange for your forgiveness—a performance.

We, the Schwarzervorhang Orchestra, will provide a free and exclusive performance for the Piazza Parasota's opening ceremony.

E-Exclusive, you say?

Yes. Give us a time and we'll be there, performing a complete lineup of classical pieces of theater-grade quality—lighting and stage control included.

The conductor will be me, daughter of Paola Memminger. I will not fall short of her standards, for she personally trained me, and I am her pride.

Even if you are not satisfied with our performance, you will gain some buzz from the public either way, and won't take a loss, even if you decide not to hire us again.

But if you find us valuable—then I imagine you'd love to make Piazza Parasota the very first high-end shopping mall with a resident orchestra.

Of course, all this is to make one thing clear: This city only has a single orchestra worth investing in, and that's us.