Zeal’s apartment was very different from the vibes he gives off. Wooden floorboards and furniture, filled bookshelves, dark colored furniture, and a dusty piano. Clean and simple, without much decoration other than the two snake plushies. Perhaps this was who Zeal truly was, and his everyday self was merely a facade.
“You have a favorite animal too!”
“Yeah, I think I’m much like a snake.” Zeal replied.
“Do they have names?”
“They do.”
“What’s this little guy’s name?” Kaelix points to the green cartoon snake plush with a top hat.
“Zerpent.”
“Ooh, as in snake but with a z, fitting. How ‘bout this one?” Kaelix pointed to the other life-like snake plush next to it.
“Zerpent.”25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuDtlmOKkk
Kaelix looked at Zeal, confuzzled, thinking that he might have heard the delinquent wrong, or if he was joking. But the latter showed no signs of teasing, expression blank as if he’d just stated gravity exists. Kaelix opened his mouth to say something, but only to close it once more.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1w6a0WoE1
“Okay. Hi Zerpents!”
“You can wander and look around if you'd like, I’m going to get some water. Do you want anything to drink?"
"No, thank you."25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IXGeLKcbv
Kaelix walked towards the bookshelf to get a closer look, it was filled with sheet music and other music knowledge and theory books. Next to it, the lit computer screen caught his attention. Although not as well versed, Kaelix could see that it was a music producing tab. Zeal returned as Kaelix was looking at the screen, two glasses of water in hand.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQhG1KtWsv
“You make music?”
“Yeah, it’s more of a passion than anything serious” Zeal replies as he hands one of the glasses to Kaelix.
“Can I listen to it?”
“Sure.” Zeal opens a file, adjusts the volume before handing the headphones to Kaelix. He watched as the prep’s expression light up and lightly sways to the music.
“This is so good! Grand, Did you do the vocals yourself as well?” Kaelix’s eyes lit up even more in admiration as Zeal nodded.
“My raw vocals are a mess though, I need to be tuned.”
“You, this whole thing, it’s amazing. You should post it online, I bet that it would go viral.”
In which Zeal responds with a smile, thanking Kaelix in his heart.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzg9RYdDut
“Is there a story behind this song?”
“What do you think the story is?”
“Umm…” Kaelix was hesitant in speaking his mind. He looked up to see Zeal’s eyes gleaming in anticipation and encouragement, which gave him the courage to vocalize his thoughts.
“I think that it’s telling the story of a traumatic event in the narrative of a spectator. The narrator isn’t confident of knowing how things would go, so he could only say things would be alright with the help of time.”
“Hmm, that’s a good take.”
“What’s the real story then?”
“I can tell you after its performance has ended.”
“Didn’t the song just end?”
“Yes, but not it’s performance. A song’s influence can be longer than you may think.”
“This is very philosophical.”
“Also, I believe that the story behind a music piece isn’t, and shouldn’t be limited to a definite answer. We can all have different answers to the same song, as it would not sound the same for everyone. These interpretations aren’t wrong, on the contrary, they are all correct. My own interpretation as an author is only one of so many possibilities, and merely for reference.”
Kaelix didn’t know that there was this other perspective of looking at music, which made him admire Zeal even more. It was an inclusive take, also a comfortable one.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhLTqsKxcB
“Speaking of music, do you play any instruments?”
“I did play the violin and piano, but not anymore.” Kaelix recalled the dusty piano he saw a couple minutes ago.
“Why did you stop?”
“It wasn’t as fun. Also, you can do a lot more with synthesizing music.”
“Ah, I can play the guitar and a bit of piano. We should do a strings duet or something, guitar and violin.”
“Sure.”
“Then it’s settled, a day for a duet before you go.”
“I’m fine with anytime other than tomorrow, I need a bit of practice before we play together.”
“It’s fine, I have a photoshoot tomorrow anyways. How about the day after that?”
“Sure. My place? I have some music sheets we could try.”
“Okay.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPaZtm8s0J
-11 days until Zeal leaves for uni
Thank’s to Kaelix, the dusty violin had a chance to see daylight once more.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0afAFlBnPB
Zeal pulled out a few sheet music files from the bookshelf for the two of them to play, all of which were modern songs. He was in charge of the vocals, while Kaelix played the melody. The strong violin and soft guitar played together in harmony, as if there was actually someone humming the song. After a few songs, the two started playing around with their instruments. Zeal would play a series of notes, then Kaelix would repeat that while adding some modifications, then it would be Zeal’s turn to do so. To and fro, taking turns, as if they were conversing through music, or perhaps starting a competition. The two played a couple rounds before deciding to take a break.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41dJ996HEQ
“Do I have the privilege of having a song written for me by the great Zeal Ginjoka?”
“If there’s a special occasion.”
“My B-day!” Although Kaelix doesn’t celebrate holidays, the birthday card was always something worth pulling out.
“Isn’t that in November?”
“Ah, you got me…”
“I promise I’ll write something for you on the next special occasion we have, okay?”
“Really? Oh Zeal Ginjoka you’re so nice to me! The nicest in the world!”
“Will you tell me the true story behind the song?” Kaelix followed up with a question.
“After its performance, sure, yeah.”
“Can I make a request?”
“Okay?”
“Can it be jazz?” Kaelix sees Zeal’s brow furrow at the mention of the word.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m… not great at composing jazz.”
“It’s okay if it isn’t! I’m cool with anything! But I just want you to know, I know that you’ll do great considering the piece you’ve made, you’re just humble.” Kaelix said, referring to the sample he listened to the other day. He’s sure that Zeal has enough potential, even if he says that he wasn’t skilled.
“Thank you for the flattery.”
“See, humble.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFQDwKSM2g
“I think I’ve had enough rest. How ‘bout you?” Kaelix says as he stretches.
Out of Kaelix’s vision, Zeal silently pressed the voice recording button on his phone.
“Shall we start from the beginning?”
“Yeah.”
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRyJmKZJpw
-9 days until Zeal leaves for uni
ns216.73.216.186da2
and then Add to home screen.