The Beating of a Metal Heart [On Hold]

Chapter Twelve: Livrer Bataille

Mathilde's Point of View

This is it. 

My battle. My challenge.

This decides my fate. . . . . .

I was to go first. We were in the school chapel. It was the perfect place. Serene, peaceful... It reminded me of my grandfather. There were only four of us there: Lothaire, Kyle, Hilda, and me. I decided to play "Scarlet Ballet". I had second thoughts about what to play. I had wanted to play my grandfather's song. Our song. . . . But I just can't. . . . .

Because it would break me, once more. Because it would remind me so much of the pain of solitude. Because I don't know what to do.

Because I don't want to feel anything anymore.

Kyle's Point of View

The girl Mathilde went on to the piano and began to play. 

Whoa. Is this girl a demon or something? . . Lightning fast hands. Flawless playing.

But lacking in emotion. . . . It was as if she just thought of the fastest piece she could play.... the best one she could play, and the song had no emotional attachment to her. Sometimes when the musician feels what he is playing, it shows. It was as if... the girl was holding back. 

She looked like she could do better than that. Soon her performance ended. She stood up and bowed, then nodded at the boy beside me. 

The boy took out a violin from his case.

Oh, the second performer. A violinist. . . . . . Let's see then, if he can dance with that violin as does the greatest musicians. . . . .

Oh, I can endure this. I'm kind of enjoying myself anyway.

Lothaire's Point of View

Meditation de Thais. The heavenly composition by Jules Massenet. The song I'm going to play. I had wanted to play this because.... . . . It was like a story. A beautiful tale. . . . It reminded me of what had come to pass in my life.

Of the joy of triumph. Of breaking free. I slid my bow through the strings, and carefully moved my fingers back and forth on the fingerboard, in a majestic vibrato.

"Meditation from Thais". I smiled.

More than anything, I did want to win. I want to gain the favor of this girl that I liked.

Hildegarde's Point of View

It was true. . . . . . He could play the violin. He could play well.

There is definitely a chance, a possibility of him winning. He played with such emotion, such fervor. Ang galing nya. He had what Mathilde lacks in her performances. The passion was evident in him. I'm not exactly saying that Mathilde was passionless. . . . Lagi lang siyang nagtatago. There was no doubt. He would win. Like the Greek tale, he shall win. . . . Atalanta.