Entry tags:
2023-04-30
Entry tags:
Renaissance of Muses for the Maestro Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Index >
It was early afternoon, and we were in the lounge room. Mitile and Riquet were sitting next to each other, brushes trailing on paper.
Riquet: What a beautiful shape and colour…the petals in the light here look like lace.
Mitile: You should’ve seen it! Especially when the wind blew, it’d sway so prettily.
Its colour actually changes when hit by the sun. That’s why I made it a little red here…
Riquet: Oh wow…
What Mitile was drawing was a flower that we saw on a mission the other day in South Country.
And together by coincidence watching over the pair of them was Rustica and I.
Akira: It was a small but pretty flower. I can still picture the petals falling in the wind.
Rustica: You know of this flower, Master Sage?
Akira: I do. I was even there to see it with Mitile! I’d say he’s drawn it pretty accurately.
Rustica: That’s wonderful. I see that it’s thanks to Mitile’s feelings for Riquet that he was able to draw such a picturesque piece.
Mitile: Picturesque…you really think so? I was just drawing the flower as I remembered it, though.
Riquet: But it’s true! I love this drawing of yours, Mitile.
Rustica: I am of the same opinion. Your choice of colour is so sensible and gentle, just like you are yourself.
It is a splendid drawing that only you could draw, Mitile. Don’t you think so, Mithra?
Mithra: Huh?
To my surprise, I turned around to find Mithra standing behind us.
Akira: Mithra!
Mitile & Riquet: W-When did he…
Mithra: When doesn’t matter. I’ve been looking for you, Master Sage.
He said with a sigh and a frown, reaching for my arm.
Mithra: Come on now. I want to sleep.
Akira: (Is it the sleep deprivation or is he in a bad mood today…?)
Riquet: Hold on a second, Mithra! You still haven’t answered Rustica’s question.
Mithra: His what? Remind me again.
Riquet: He asked you if you think that Mitile’s drawing is splendid and is just like him. Well, don’t you think so?
Mithra: Drawing? Oh, you drew this.
Mitile: Yeah, I did…
Mithra: Hmmm…
Letting go of my arm, Mithra silently observed the drawing in Mitile’s hands.
Mithra: I don’t have any interest in art or whatever, but I guess it’s nice.
Mitile: R-Really…?!
Mitile’s eyes sparkled at the rare compliment from Mithra.
However, his next words ruined it all.
Mithra: Yes. This squashed bird drawing.
Akira & Mitile: A what bird?!
Riquet: Y-You’re completely wrong! This is a flower, not a bird!
Mithra: Flower? What part of it?
Mitile: All of it!
Rustica: …How interesting! So that is how you see it, Mithra.
Amidst our panicked explanations Rustica voiced his admiration.
He continues to speak to Mithra, who was looking at the drawing once again with a serious gaze.
Rustica: There are certainly points where a bird and a flower may look alike. Where they coincide most though is in the beauty of life.
Essentially, what Mithra saw and thought from this drawing was likely an “ensemble of life”.
To think he could discern that from a painting in progress…
you must have a sharp eye for the arts, Mithra. A free-spirited, unique, and keen sense for it.
Mithra: Well, it is me after all. This is nothing.
Mitile: Uh, I wonder…
Rustica: Mithra. It would be a delight to hear more of your opinions on art.
If you’d please, won’t you come with me to an art museum?
Mithra: What?
He asked like he was asking him out for tea. Upon hearing the invitation, Riquet recalled something and spoke up.
Riquet: Art museum…I heard about those from Prince Arthur. It’s a place where many pictures are hung.
Rustica: Indeed so. There are also statues, artifacts…it depends on the establishment, but it is essentially a place to enjoy the arts.
I would love it if the talented artist of this painting, Mitile…
Riquet, and the Master Sage could come too. How about it, everyone?
Akira: Me too?
Rustica: Of course. I have a particular museum back in West Country I like, so I could show you around.
His milk tea coloured hair swayed ever-so gently as he smiled. With a smile back, Mitile and Riquet nodded their heads.
Mitile & Riquet: …
Rustica’s favourite art museum. His eagerness to show us.
Even though no one has said an answer yet, we all feel the same.
…Except for one guy.
Mithra: Eh, I’ll pass.
I don’t have the time to visit museums. I also have no interest in them.
Master Sage, if you have the time to be doing that, you should spend it on helping me sleep instead.
I have no idea how to reply to him. I can only make a complicated face in return to his deadpan stare.
In contrast to me however, Rustica grinned and replied in my stead.
Rustica: Of course, we do not have to go at this moment. Please, take some time to think about it.
Though I really hope you can come, Mithra. I would love for you to visit this town too.
Mithra: Why.
Rustica: Well you see…
A few days passed. With Rustica as our guide, we were about to head off to the art museum he invited us to.
In the foyer there were Riquet, Mitile, and other wizards who we asked to come.
Though there were wizards who had plans already and couldn’t go, we still managed to bring in a large group. I was excited.
Rustica: Hello, everyone. I see we’re all gathered.
Chloe: Rustica! I thought I’d be the first one to arrive, but Rutile and Mitile were here before me.
Mitile: Hehe. We were really looking forward to it, so we met up early!
Rutile: Hmhm, you said you wanted to wake up early just to get ready, didn’t you?
Riquet: I’m so glad you’re coming too, Rutile! I knew you’d like this sort of thing.
Akira: Heath, thank you for accepting.
Heathcliff: Oh no, don’t thank me. I’m quite interested in the aesthetics of the West, so…thank you for the invite.
Chloe: Ah, right! Since we’re going to an art museum and all, I made us some outfits!
If you’d like, let’s wear it to the venue! Suispicibo Voitingoc!
A dazzling light encloses my sight when he says his spell. The moment I opened my eyes again, everyone’s clothes were refashioned.
My eyes were drawn to the grey undertones, the neatly sewn pleats, and the geometric patterns on the fabric.
Mitile: Wooow, awesome!
Akira: You guys look great! It’s giving off a mature vibe.
Chloe: Hehehe, thanks!
Snow: That’s our Chloe for you. Glamorous yet not gaudy, and a good eye for aesthetics. The perfect clothes for our destination.
Art is food for the heart, as they say. That’s quite important to us wizards. Wouldn’t you agree, Mithra?
Mithra: …
I was surprised to see Mithra standing among us.
Index >
Entry tags:
Renaissance of Muses for the Maestro Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Akira: Mithra, you came!
Mithra: Let me say beforehand that it’s not the art I’m coming for. I just heard that there’ll be some delicious food.
Rustica: Even so, I’m glad you’re here. There’s a specific diner I recommend nearby the museum.
Their speciality dish was the…Blaze’n Glaze! No…Baked’n Caked! Wait…
Rutile: Hmm…if it's ‘Blaze’n Glaze’, maybe it’s fried donuts?
Mitile: Or pie if it’s ‘Baked’n Caked’!
Riquet: Either sounds good to me…!
Akira: Oh right, Snow. Is White not with you today?
Snow: White is watching over two of our unruly little stooges.
So I have to look after Mithra.
Oh boo hoo, if only you lot had a bit more manner in you I could enjoy a nice vacation with my dear White…
Mithra: Ugh. I don’t know what happened to you, but I’d rather not hear about it.
Akira: (You’re what happened…)
Mithra: Anyways, shall we hurry up and go? Tell me the address.
Rustica: The art museum is by the borders of West Country, in a rustic homely town.
I’ve only been there once myself, but I remember it as a quaint and pleasant place. It had quite a bit of nature even for the West Country.
Chloe: And the art museum there has your favourite artist’s works put up too, right? What was their name again…?
Rustica: It is Pict.
Akira: Oh, are they famous?
Rustica: Hmm, I wonder. The only place you can see his paintings are at that museum, though.
He has a one of a kind style that has garnered passionate fans in art enthusiasts.
Rutile: Famous to those in the know, I guess you could say.
Rustica: I suppose so. He died over decades ago, yet his artwork is still loved by many to this day.
Including me.
It would make me happy if you all could see his artwork. I’m sure you will find it a sight to behold.
And through Mithra’s space door we went into a town in West Country.
Like we heard, it was an artful town. A bit rustic, nature and township were one.
However…
Rustica: Oh?
Mitile: It’s a bit…
Heathcliff: …Crowded, isn’t it.
The rustic town was bustling with crowds of people coming and going down the streets. It was a bit out of place with the quaint scenery.
Mithra: There’s humans everywhere…how noisy.
Snow: Mm. Perhaps there’s an event going on.
Riquet: It’s very much the opposite of what Rustica described earlier…
Akira: …Wait. Speaking of Rustica, where is he?
I looked at our surroundings. The Rustica who should’ve been right next to me was gone.
Akira: E-Emergency everybody…we lost Rustica!
Chloe: Seriously!? Where did he go? He couldn’t have gone far…
Mitile: I hope he didn’t get lost in the sea of people…
Rutile: Let’s all go search after him.
Chloe: …Ah! That antique store! What if Rustica went in there?
What Chloe was pointing to was a small little store a bit far off from the other buildings, with antiques lined up in front.
Just then, the door opened with a ring, and Rustica walked out holding onto a package with utmost care.
Once he noticed us waving to him, he began walking towards us.
Chloe: Gosh, Rustica! You gave us a real fright!
Rustica: Ahaha, forgive me. My legs just started walking on their own once my eyes caught sight of their wares.
Akira: You guessed right, Chloe! How'd you know?
Chloe: That store looked like they had just the sort of things Rustica would like to browse through!
Rustica: Oh Chloe, you know me so well. Thank you for finding me.
Chloe: Hehe, no problem!
Snow: So, what is it you purchased?
Rustica: A single painting. This lovely lady was sitting alone on the windowsill and…
He said as he opened up the package. We all swallowed our breaths at its reveal.
Mitile & Riquet: Waaah!
Snow: This is…
Heathcliff: It’s…quite the unique painting.
Rustica: It’s titled “The Smiling Woman”. As you can see, I fell in love with her smile at first sight.
Akira & Chloe: S-Smile…?
Riquet: How does he see a smile…? All I can see is a crying woman.
Although you could tell it was a human figure, there was an unusual taste to it.
Its colours were dull, the composition all over the place…it was hard to describe.
Akira: (Is this that…’Don’t think, feel’ thing…?)
Mithra: It’s menacing and loathsome. A nice painting.
Rutile: Yes, I agree.
She’s smiling to the point her face is all wrinkled! It makes you want to smile too.
Akira: I, I guess so, now that you point it out…?
Heathcliff: Although I don’t think their style is to my tastes…the artist must have used some high quality material to paint this.
The colours are dark in hue, so depending on the lighting of the angle you look at it from, it may look different.
Akira: Ah, you’re right. Once I stand where you are she does appear to have a softer expression.
Rustica: That’s exactly the beauty of this painting. Her expression ever so slightly changes with the lighting.
That’s why Riquet thought she was crying earlier. It was another one of her many expressions.
Aah, what a masterpiece she truly is. I wonder, could the lady in this portrait be my wife?
Chloe: Uhm…I’m gonna say no.
???: Goodness, young man. That’s quite the odd painting you bought there.
An elderly man called out to us while we were all staring at Rustica’s painting.
Rustica: I suppose. With just one look at this painting my heart was stolen. Good sir, would you happen to know the artist of this painting?
Elderly Man: I don’t. I was merely surprised.
Everybody in town is currently going crazy over the resurrection of Pict, after all.
Rustica: Resurrection…?
Our eyes widening in bewilderment, we all looked at each other.
Elderly Man: Exactly as I said. Pict is an artist who died a long, long time ago. And now he’s resurrected. Quite recently, if I recall.
Akira & Mitile: Whaaat!?
Elderly Man: Oh my, you youngsters came to this town without knowing that?
Akira: Y-Yes, we did. Is that…resurrection, true?
Elderly Man: Very much so. You can go on and head to the museum to see for yourself.
From far away that museum may look fine now, but in the last battle with the Great Calamity, a part of the building was destroyed.
Just as he said, the town's buildings and stone paths were riddled with cracks.
< Index >
Entry tags:
Renaissance of Muses for the Maestro Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Elderly Man: Pict’s paintings as well could not escape damage, and as a result we lost more tourists to our town.
The curator was so heartbroken that the entire town wept with him…until one came to our rescue. The very Pict himself!
When he revived and saw the state of the museum, he repainted the destroyed artworks and donated it all to the museum. The work of a miracle, don’t you think?
And once the nobles caught word of it…well, you see how busy it is.
He pointed to the long lineup as he spoke. It appeared to be the lineup for entry into the museum.
Elderly Man: If that piqued your interest, you’d better get in line now. It’s not everyday you get to see a resurrected artist’s work.
The elderly man advised us. After he parted ways, we began our discussion.
Akira: Resurrection…could it be the effect of the Great Calamity?
Snow: I have reason to doubt so. The Great Calamity holds no such power.
Mitile: But…it’s caused so many things already. And it would explain the long lineup…
Snow: Whatever the case, it’d be faster to go to the museum and find out for ourselves.
We did come here to visit it in the first place.
Akira: That’s true. Let’s look into that resurrection rumour as we go about the museum.
Exiting the town square’s sea of people, we found ourselves in front of a most dignified work of architecture.
It was neither towering nor massive, but surrounded by this rustic town I could feel the years of history it held inside.
Chloe: There’s a long line over here too…!
Rustica: It is as that gentleman said, everyone in town is lining up to see Pict’s artwork.
Rutile: That’s a lot of people…city life sure is something. We’d better line up, or it’ll be nightfall by the time we get in!
Mithra: What do you mean by ‘line up’...?
Mitile: To wait at the very end of this line of people! We have to follow the rules, of course.
Mithra: Why. If they’re in our way I can just blast them off with my magic.
Mitile: Nooo, no you can’t! We’d be in big trouble…
Riquet: Mithra, over here. Aren’t the stone walls and pillars beautiful?
Mithra: Hrmm. It’s just a pile of rocks to me.
Mitile: Well, if you look at this part here…
Heathcliff: …
Heathcliff looked lost in thought as Mitile and Riquet tried to tell Mithra about art.
Akira: Heath, are you okay?
Heathcliff: Ah, my apologies. I was thinking about something…
Akira: What’s up?
Heathcliff: It’s a bit hard to tell from far, but if you look closely, you can see leftover signs of its repairs.
I turned to examine the pillars as he mentioned it. Although there were parts that looked cleanly rebuilt, some blocks still looked freshly patched together.
Snow: It seems that the repair work was done recently.
As the old man had said, after the Great Calamity last visited the museum certainly faced some level of destruction.
To rebuild it and regain their customers again was no easy feat. The people there must have suffered quite a lot.
Rustica: Yes, indeed…
Listening to our conversation in silence Rustica placed his hand on a pillar, eyes full of endearment.
Rustica: …Now then. Since we’re all here, shall we cut short our waiting time?
Amorest Viesse.
A violin was summoned into his hands as he sang his spell.
Rustica: It is not often you have a group of this many in one area, all anticipating the same destination, waiting the same minutes. It must be celebrated.
Chloe: Ahahaha, I like your attitude! Yeah, we should have some fun!
Before I realized it I was smiling, waiting for him to put his bow on the string.
And he did. A bright and eloquent melody drifted into my ears, everyone’s gazes turning to him.
Lady: Oh my, what a beautiful song…and a beautiful man at that…!
Gentleman: Hoho, what a pick-me-up! I can’t help but dance a little!
Swayed by Rustica’s playing, the nobles in line danced and sang from where they stood.
Mithra: …Haaaugh. This is why I can’t stand Western people…
Watching the scene unfold before him, he scratched his head with a grumble.
He must be bothered by the sunny disposition of the West Country people. Despite that, he didn’t leave, instead staying to enjoy the music.
Lady: Hey love, what’s this song called?
Rustica: “Anthem to the Line of Love” is its name. So you may enjoy your time in line, my lady.
Heathcliff: Is that really its title?
Mitile: What a wonderful song! I think it's a hit with everyone in line!
Akira: It sure is! This really will cut time short!
Mithra: Hmm…I suppose you’re right. It’s better than standing around, anyways.
It’s too noisy though, so it looks like I won’t be getting any winks in…
Thanks to our sudden live performance, time went by like an arrow and we finally stepped inside the museum.
Riquet: So this is an art museum…
The lighting inside was faint so as to not steal the spotlight from the true lead characters, the artworks of the museum, but still had detailed engravings etched on their holders.
Akira: (At first glance, it resembles the art galleries back in my world…)
Rutile: Wow, there’s so many people here! It’s like Western citizens from all over the country have come.
His surprise isn’t unfound, as museums like this one are usually supposed to be quiet. Yet this one was bustling with noise, exhilarated voices echoing in my ears.
Gallery Lady: Ooh la la, this is the one I longed to see most!
An elated voice spoke. It came from a crowd of people in front of a particular painting.
Gallery Lady: These choice of colours, this brushwork…this is Pict’s painting, no doubt about it!
I had lost all hope once I heard that his paintings were destroyed…so to think the day would come that I could see them once again!
What they were all looking at was a remarkably profound painting central on the colour red.
Its layers upon layers of paint on paint created a sea of red waves.
Snow: Ah…so this is the rumoured…
Mitile: Pict’s painting…
Rustica: …
Everyone in the room, including me, couldn’t bear to take our eyes off it.
It was just as Rustica had said. Pict’s paintings were one of a kind.
Even if I couldn’t grasp its themes straight away, this unequaled artstyle and colour palette called for my attention, and I answered.
Riquet: How impressive…it’s not just its size, but…
Rutile: It’s like the way he uses his reds brings the painting to life. The geometric shapes throughout the art are so impactful too!
Heathcliff: So this is how an artist of the West paints. Bold and vibrant, drawing your eyes in.
Chloe: I thought he’d have a more delicate art style since he was one of Rustica’s favourites but…this is powerful.
Rutile: You know, this painting reminds me of you, Mithra. The reds here share a similar hue to your hair.
Mithra: Please don’t compare me with this weird painting.
< Index >
Entry tags:
Renaissance of Muses for the Maestro Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Mithra: If anybody, doesn’t it resemble Chloe more? His hair is rather red too.
Chloe: Y-You think so?! Thanks, Mithra!
Akira: (Mithra’s enjoying the art in his own way, it seems…)
Gallery Lady: It takes my breath away everytime I lay my eyes upon it…I must say, not everything the Great Calamity brings us is bad.
Gallery Man: Truly. The tragedies of the Great Calamity were large I hear, but it is thanks to it that Pict was brought back to us.
A peculiar effect indeed, and a miracle nonetheless!
Akira: (...Right. I was so mesmerized by the painting that I nearly forgot it was done by the resurrected Pict himself…)
Hearing the chatter of the gallery visitors I look at the painting once more.
A piece painted by an artist raised from the dead. I still held my doubts on whether that was true or not.
As I examined the painting Mitile timidly looked their way.
Mitile: Uhm…please forgive me if I’m being rude, but is this painting really made by Pict…?
Mitile was thinking the same thing I was, his expression one of uncertainty.
Gallery Man: I understand how you feel, young man.
A man who was viewing the painting next to us spoke.
Gallery Man: I couldn’t believe it at first either.
Yet when I saw this painting…my suspicions were all but dispelled. There is only one who could paint like this, and that is Pict.
Mitile: How are you so sure?
Gallery Man: This painting was actually destroyed in the wreckage the Calamity wrought. I remember seeing it before then, and I can tell you with confidence that this painting is the honest original.
Gallery Lady: I too have seen this painting before.
Another woman who was nearby entered the conversation, a satisfied look on her face.
Gallery Lady: After the Great Calamity nearly crumbled the museum and destroyed Pict’s paintings in the process, I thought it would be of no surprise if the museum closed down.
I am a fan of Pict’s art, and would come here often just to view them, so I was distraught to hear of the news…
But Pict came back to life, inspiring a revival of the museum with him. That’s what everyone in town thinks.
Once we finished a round of the gallery, we started heading towards the exit.
The museum wasn’t too big, yet with the large variety of paintings–including those of Pict’s–decorated about we spent longer than expected.
Akira: Sorry, guys…at some point I forgot about our mission and just started enjoying the paintings instead…
Mitile: You too, Master Sage? I actually did too…
Riquet: Me too…
Heathcliff: And me as well…
Rustica: Please, don’t apologize.
Nothing makes me happier than to hear that you all enjoyed your time here as much as I did.
I would love to hear of any favourites you have.
Mitile: Hmmm…I think all of the works here are brilliant and captivating in their own way, but it’s Pict’s paintings that left the strongest impression on me.
Mithra: Pict?
Rutile: They’re the artist behind the painting with the same reds as your hair!
Mithra: Aah, that hard-to-figure piece of work. That one resembled Chloe you mean, not me.
Watching the wizards have fun chatting with each other about the museum, I whispered something to Snow.
Akira: …Hey, Snow? Do you also think that Pict came back to life and painted those pieces?
Judging from every visitor to the gallery, nobody has doubts on Pict resurrecting and repainting the entirety of his work.
Snow: Mmm…I definitely don’t sense anything malicious from this building nor the paintings themselves.
If I must say, the chances of the artist behind these paintings being under the influence of the Calamity is fairly low.
Akira: So you’re saying that the restored paintings have nothing to do with the Great Calamity?
Snow: I believe so. However, as much as I would like to have a chat with the museum curator and hear it directly…
He gestured with his shoulder and sent a glance to the crowd of people standing before the displayed paintings.
Gallery Visitors: Hey, are you the museum curator? Did you meet Pict?
What’s he like? Where does he paint his works? Will he be visiting today?
Curator: Aah, about that. He is quite busy so…
Gallery Visitors: Won’t you let us meet him? I want to buy his new works!
Curator: My sincerest apologies but the paintings on display are not for sale…
The one who was receiving these questions left and right was a slim and middle-aged man with exhaustion painting his expression.
Akira: So he’s the museum’s curator…he seems busy.
Chloe: From what I heard in town, he’s the only person running this place, all by himself.
Rutile: Gosh, that sounds tough! He already seems worn out by all those questions.
Snow: We might not even get a minute of conversation were we to speak to him now.
Chloe: Then how about we step out for a bit? Once more people start going home we might be able to get a peep in!
Mithra: *rumble*
Riquet: Hm…? Mithra, was that your stomach just now?
Mithra: Haaaugh…I'm starving since you all took your sweet time strolling throughout this museum.
Snow: You say that, but I saw you oddly taking the time to observe the paintings too.
Our little Mithy has grown an eye for the arts, hasn't he?
Mithra: What else was I to do? That’s the only thing to do here.
Rustica: I’m so happy to hear that you loved the gallery as well, Mithra. In return for your appreciation…
It would please me to show you around town. There is much more to it than just the museum, after all.
Mithra: Tagging along with you here was enough, wasn’t it. Hurry up and take me to the yummy blazed or glazed place already.
Rustica: Of course. Though I’m sure it was called the Baked’n Caked.
Exiting the museum, we decided to sightsee the town and followed after Rustica down the bustling streets.
Even out in town we would hear talk of the museum here and there.
Lady: We still have time before the museum closes, yeah?
Man: Yep, but I heard that the line for it is huge, so we’d better be quick.
Just thinking about being able to see Pict’s paintings again gets me on my toes!
Lady: I’m with you on that! It was so depressing to hear that they were destroyed in the Great Calamity’s quake.
Akira: (...Everybody’s wild over the rumours of Pict and his restored paintings.)
As I listened to their conversation, someone suddenly stopped in our path.
Waiter: Hey there fellas! Just come back from the museum now did ya?
You know, it’s custom ‘round here to grab a bite at our place after a visit to the gallery!
Rustica: My, is that so?
Waiter: You betcha! Our specialty menu is this town’s most famous local dish. You’ve probably heard of it, it’s the “Crispin’ Sizzle’”!
< Index >
Entry tags:
Renaissance of Muses for the Maestro Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Mithra: *munch munch*
Snow: Goodness, Mithy! Forks, you must use the forks! Don’t be a bad boy now.
Mithra: *munch munch munch munch*
Rutile: “Why must I use them?” “Are you trying to order me around?” is what his face is saying.
Heathcliff: Wow, I would not have been able to guess that…
Diner Owner: Ahahaha! What a hearty appetite you have! So, you guys here to see Pict’s art?
Rustica: We are. The paintings at the museum were most impressionable.
Coincidentally finding ourselves in front of the diner we had our sights on, we sat in for a late lunch.
Their special dish was neither the “Blaze’n Glaze” or the “Baked’n Caked”, but the very filling “Crispin’ Sizzle”.
Diner Owner: Moved, weren’t you? The restoration of his lost paintings is nothing short of a miracle.
Akira: Yes, they were lovely. Uhm, would you know if Pict’s staying in town to draw his art?
Diner Owner: I wonder about that…they did say that when he was alive, Pict abhorred company and would never show himself to others.
So we’ve not the foggiest idea of where he could be or when he will paint.
Quite eerie if you ask me, though that’s how an artist brought back from the dead oughta be!
Akira: (A typical answer from the residents of this town…)
(Rather than searching for the truth, it’s become a hot topic amongst them.)
Instead of feeling fear or questioning the odd situation at hand, the townspeople are finding entertainment in it.
Exciting, interesting, viral things–that’s what the people of West Country like.
Bereted Youngster: ‘Scuse me, I’d like to order.
Diner Owner: Ah, sure! Coming!
The diner owner runs off to serve their customer, and we all give each other a look.
Our voices grow quiet as we start talking about the art museum and its hidden secrets.
Akira: Just to get this straight…are we agreed on there being no undead?
Snow: Quite. I didn’t sense anything out of place in that museum.
And even if there were strange powers at work, there is nothing in this world that can bring the dead back to life.
Heathcliff: But the people at the museum were so sure of those paintings being the original restorations.
Riquet: Maybe they were never destroyed, and were unscathed the entire time?
Chloe: Yeah, that could be it! Like when I thought I lost a button, and it turns out it was hidden in my shoe!
Mitile: Then…why didn’t the museum curator just say so in the first place? There should be nothing to hide.
Rustica: Perhaps this whole situation is more simple than it seems.
Akira: Simple…?
Rustica: Yes. I believe it was a living breathing person who had created the fakes we saw today.
Mitile & Akira: F-Fakes…?!
We let out surprised gasps at the unexpected answer.
It startled even the beret hatted customer by us, and a fork was heard dropping on the floor.
Chloe: K-Keep it down, you two…!
Mitile: Sorry…are we all good?
Apologizing to the young man, he fixed the beret on his head and gave us a small nod.
Called by Heathcliff, the owner gave him a new fork, and as we said our thanks we returned to our discussion.
Akira: (Now that I think about it, those paintings being forgeries makes much more sense than the artist coming back to life…)
Though we had no proof to back it yet, I couldn’t help but believe that it must be true.
Seeing how calm Rustica and Snow were, I figured they must have connected the dots early on.
Rutile: If those paintings are fakes, then wouldn’t that make the museum curator a liar?
Riquet: We can’t ignore the possibility that he’s being deceived.
Heathcliff: I don’t think that’s likely.
Riquet: Why is that?
Heathcliff: Any paintings to be displayed in a museum must go through inspections first by an appraiser.
If not, anybody could lie and display or sell counterfeit works.
The museum curator is also trained on this, so that’s why it’s unlikely for him to have been deceived.
Mitile: Then that means…
Heathcliff: I don’t want to believe it either…but there’s no way he could not be involved.
Mitile & Riquet: …
Mitile: So the museum curator and Pict…no, another artist, are working together to fool the townspeople.
Mithra: *munch munch*
Rustica: Oh, Mithra. Do you have something to say?
Snow: Or rather, you were still eating?
Mithra: …Yes. I’m finally full now.
By the way, about your fake art discussion or whatever, is it really so bad that the paintings are shams?
Riquet: Of course it is. It is unforgivable to lie to others with counterfeit objects.
If this is the truth, we must make haste and inform the townspeople right away!
Mithra: I thought you liked those paintings.
Riquet: Well, that is…
Mithra: The gallery visitors were awfully happy just to see that dead man’s art.
I don’t think it bothers anyone whether those paintings are real or not.
Amidst the serious atmosphere Mithra casually spoke like he were talking about his day.
Mithra: My stomach is satisfied, anyhow. Let’s go home so I can rest.
Mitile: Mister Mithra…
Snow: …Hmph. He does have a point.
To my surprise Snow agreed with Mithra. He carried on explaining, a knowledgeable glint in his eyes.
Snow: It is too easy for us wizards to unveil the secrets of others.
Which makes it all too easy for their worlds to shatter.
Mitile: Shatter…?
Snow: Indeed. It would really spell the end for the museum were the people to find out that Pict’s paintings are mere forgeries.
That museum curator too, who was struggling answering wave after wave of questions, might be left out on the streets.
Those gallery visitors who cried tears of joy to see Pict’s art again will find themselves awash in despair once again.
We can’t make everyone happy. And we may make others sad depending on our choices.
Riquet: But…!
Akira: You’re…not wrong. This situation is not something that can be solved through just revealing the truth alone.
Even if we think what we’re doing is right, our actions might hurt someone else…
Riquet: Master Sage…
That art museum is loved by so many. Its gallery visitors, its curator who brought it back from destruction.
What is it that we can do for them? No matter how hard I think, the answer wouldn’t come easily.
Mithra: There you have it. Snow and the Master Sage are saying that the problems of mankind are worthless and a pain in the neck.
Snow: Ohohoho. Silence, you.
< Index >
Entry tags:
Renaissance of Muses for the Maestro Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Diner Owner: Here’s your roast lamb!
Snow and Mithra’s bickering was drowned out by the diner owner’s voice as they brought food to the customer next to us.
Louder than that though, was that customer abruptly leaving his seat and heading for the door. We all turned our eyes on him.
Bereted Youngster: Apologies, but I just remembered a prior engagement.
Nervous, he handed the coins he grasped out of his pocket and tried to stuff them into the diner owner’s hands, beret hung low over his eyes.
Diner Owner: What?! Can’t you at least eat a little?
Not staying behind to listen, the young man exited the diner with a quick pace. All that was left on the table were those coins and the untouched roast lamb.
Rutile: …He was in a hurry. Perhaps it was something important.
Mithra: What a waste of this lamb. I’ll do you a favour and eat it for you.
Snow: No Mithra, you aren’t to eat other customer’s foo–and he’s already put his hands on it.
Diner Owner: Ahahaha, I don’t mind. It’d be rude to the lamb to be left uneaten!
The owner shrugged and moved the plate to our table with a smile. For a second however, his eyes paused on that customer’s chair.
Diner Owner: Oh dear, he forgot something…
A lone paintbrush was left sitting on the chair, looking polished and brand new. I wondered if he had recently bought it.
Chloe: He must have dropped it in a rush.
Diner Owner: This is bad…I can’t very well leave the shop. I hope he notices and comes back soon…
Rustica: Ah, then how about we take it to him in your stead? If we go now I’m positive we can catch up.
Diner Owner: Oh I couldn’t…are you really sure? Thank you so much.
Rustica: My pleasure. Let us take care of it, as our thanks to this diner’s delicious dishes.
As he did rush out of the diner, we couldn’t see any trace of where he went. He likely mixed in with the waves of townspeople.
Snow: Oh Mithra, won’t you give me a shoulder ride!
Mithra: No thanks. Go use your magic.
Snow: But I don’t feel like it~ Besides, we’ll stand out were we to use magic!
Come on now. You better work for that roast lamb you ate!
Mithra: Quiet…
Chloe: Ahahaha…gosh, this sure is a pickle we’re in. Where could that man have gone?
Rustica: Fret not, leave it to me.
Amorest Viesse.
Colourful lights begin to sparkle in the air when he says his spell, and the paintbrush within my hands floats up.
Rustica: I’m sure this paintbrush will tell us the way to its beloved master.
Mithra: Hey, he just used magic. That’s okay?
Rutile: The tip of it appears to be searching for something…it’s like a little animal, how cute! I bet we can get away with it like this.
After restlessly sniffing around, the floating paintbrush finally set its beak in one direction.
We then followed behind our little guide.
The enchanted paintbrush drifted along the roads,
that were hour by hour being emptied of traffic in contrast to the bustling mid-day.
Eventually we reached our destination, and the place we were led to was most familiar.
Heathcliff: Isn’t this…the art museum?
Contrary to earlier, the surroundings were deserted, as if we were in a different town from before.
The paintbrush flew up to the main entrance doors and hopped in the air, like it was telling us to open it up.
Akira: Could it be that the owner of this paintbrush is inside…?
Riquet: But…it’s…
He put his hand on the door handle, finding it to be locked.
Heathcliff: It looks like we’re past business hours.
Mitile: Hellooo? Is anyone in?
Rutile: Excuse meee! We have something for you!
Even if we called, anything beyond the door was still and quiet. In tune with everyone’s shouts, the paintbrush hopped in cheer.
Chloe: …No good. No one’s answering.
Rustica: It’s only just after hours. I’m certain someone will come out eventually.
Riquet: How long will we have to wait?
Rustica: I wonder. They have to prepare for the next day, so they’ll be cleaning the museum…I suppose 2, maybe 3 hours. Or it might even take until morning to finish…
Akira: That’s quite the estimate!?
It was when we were beginning to be at a loss–
Mithra: Arthim.
That Mithra hit the end of his patience and chanted his spell, our favourite space door appearing before us.
Mitile: Don’t tell me this door leads into the museum…
Mithra: Yes, it does. I’ve worked off that roast lamb now, haven't I?
Riquet: This is definitely against the rules…
Mithra: Can we please hurry up and finish this business. I want to go home and sleep already. Off you go.
Riquet: Huh?!
Akira: M-Mithra, gentle, be gentle…waugh!
He grabbed us by the scruff of our necks, and threw the rest of us inside the door without any moment to resist.
Akira: Owie…
Pitch black darkness. As anxiety creeped up my spine I could hear Snow say his spell.
Snow: Noscomnia!
I strained my eyes to the sudden brightening of our surroundings. Snow had summoned a fireball to act as our torch.
Rustica: It appears we are inside the museum.
Hearing that, I look around me, and notice the paintings we saw earlier in the day sleeping peacefully.
Mithra: Alright. What were we here for again? End the museum curator’s life, was it?
Akira: No, no. We’re here to find the owner of this paintbrush. Though we do have some business with the museum curator in a way…
I figure it would be best to hear what the curator has to say.
Remembering the harm it may cause him though, hesitation showed in my voice.
Mitile: So…is it really okay for us to be in here? Maybe we should leave…
Chloe: You have a point…but, the customer who dropped this brush isn’t the museum curator, right?
So why would he be here in this museum, where the curator alone is said to manage…
Rutile & Heathcliff: …Ah.
At Chloe’s words we all look to each other with shock.
Heathcliff: Assuming that the paintbrush’s owner is inside this museum the same as us…could he be…a thief?
Snow: We don’t know that for sure, but as of now he is most certainly involved with something. Proceed with caution.
Mithra: I don’t care about the details, just finish it up quickly.
In the meantime I will be here resting. I worked hard enough, so it’s time for my after-dinner dip.
Over here, Master Sage. Lend me your hand now.
He said as he sat down on the floor, casually extending his hand to me.
Akira: Uhh, well. I actually wanna go and find the paintbrush’s owner too…
Rutile: Come on Mithra. How about I stay behind instead?
Mithra: Hum…well I guess that’s fine.
Akira: Thank you, Rutile. I know he’s in good hands.
Mitile: …Ah. The paintbrush flew down that hall! Let’s catch up!
< Index >