Cohkka Story for Chrysariel

[p]His studio apartment is right in the heart of downtown Centropolis. The deco is a mingling of black and silver contemporary furnishings with the occasional flash of red for accent. The effect, when viewed from a distance, gives one the feel of being a loose musical note. One wanders the narrow halls of a sheet of music, daring to boldly challenge the placement of sharps and flats without ever quite going far enough to fall off the page.

[p]His love of music is apparent in everything he owns. His stereo equipment is top-notch, with speakers that nearly take up a full wall. The stools at the bar are clever creations of iron shaped into treble clefs. The carpet gives one the impression of dancing on piano keys and wide picture windows look out directly on Subetan Central Records, the premier recording studio for all of today's hottest musical talents.

[p]Cohkka practices his cello in the early light of dawn, eyes half-closed in pleasure. He's always had a talent for [i]feeling[/i] the music. It's not merely a matter of listening...it's a subtle vibration in his joints, his bones, just under his metal skin.

[p]The selections that will be played in today's concert are all songs he knows well but his perfectionist nature will not allow him to skip a day of practice.

[p]Rhikka is waiting by the door, batting his keys into his direct line of sight and growling when he tries to leave without eating breakfast. He flips on the radio as he chews, patting her head in thanks. He has to flip through a few stations before he settles on a symphony he particularly likes. He'll listen to just about any genre with the exception of rap. The lack of true musicality and the tendency of artists who use language fit for no chibi pet always makes him gag.

[p]When he gets to the concert hall, he finds the other musicians in his row in various stages of setting up. Some are assembling their instruments while others study the more complex passages in the sheet music. Once his cello is in place and ready, he closes his eyes and simply listens. The sounds of daily life are their own kind of music.

[p]"I hear we're doing the usual "Lain Lake" for the spring set and that our Luminaire concert will be a new take on "The Princess and the Xotl. At least it's not "The Steadfast Cadogre Soldier again."

[p]"You would not [i]believe[/i] these new neighbors of mine, always complaining that I play my music too loud when they've six noisy youngsters bouncing off the walls at all hours of the night."

[p]"That new bistro on Ruffie Street makes the [i]best[/i] macrons I've ever tasted...even better than Fantine's. Just don't tell her I said so!"

[p]Silence falls once the conductor takes his station.

[p]The Subeta Philharmonic Orchestra opens with a flourish of triumphant notes. Their current program, Lands of Subeta, has moved even the hardened denizens of Darkside to tears at each performance.

[p]Indigo Flame plays piano, earning a few red roses at the end of the hour. The legendary pianist was one of Cohkka's first teachers at the Centropolis Academy of Performing Arts and though he is in a sense her equal now, he will always be in awe of her talents and grateful of the time she took to make him the masterful musician he has become. He is one of half a dozen former students occasionally selected to join her in instrumental duets at the annual CAPA Holiday Fundraiser.

[p]The musicians gather for complimentary tea and biscuits after they've greeted fans and well-wishers. A few bold young celinoxes even collect signatures on CD cases they've purchased from the gift shop. Cohkka has a bold green marker he chose specifically for such tricky autographs. He always keeps it in his pocket, even when he's off duty.

[p]Though in truth, his biggest fans tend to recognize him when he's on a stage of a different kind. For many years, he has been both member of and muse for the symphonic metal rock band called Apocalyptica.

[p]He does sets with the band two to three nights a week as time allows, rocking the house from sunset to sunrise. Gone is the sheen of polish that gives him a refined look. He becomes one with the rebellious, letting them know that he feels their pain and desire for redemption as surely as he feels the music.

[p]The band has even named a song in his honor. "Cohkka" has stayed on the top 100 list for three years running.

[p]He delights in the post-concert parties, sharpening his wits on those unsuspecting youths who want to look cool without really knowing anything about music. His comments are uproariously funny but woe to you if you ask him to repeat one. Because his livelihood depends on skillful listening, he is not tolerant of those with short attention spans.

[p]When he powers down for the night, whether in his posh apartment or in the back room of a club, he still hears the music of the day in his dreams.

[p]Story by [user=Pureflower]