Chapter Text
Outside of the opera house, swarms of people lined up behind a set of large double doors. They clutched their tickets as their bags were searched by a team of overworked employees.
Beyond these doors, a pair of teenagers quietly conversed as they made their way to their seats.
“Really, Claude! You’d think with your status you could score us killer seats. Now we’re stuck towards the back,” a young woman pouted.
“Sorry Hilda, but I don’t feel like getting the press involved today,” the other responded. Currently, he was scrutinizing the program one of the concierges had passed to him. His eyes scanned a column of names until he found what he was looking for.
“Sure enough, Eisner’s playing tonight,” he remarked, a grin crawling on his face.
“Eisner?” Hilda said, an eyebrow raised. “You mean Jeralt Eisner? ”
Claude pointed to the program. Sure enough, Jeralt Eisner’s name was inked in the center.
Hilda smirked. “Does this have anything to do with what you heard while snooping outside Seteth’s office?”
Although Hilda was a natural for playing dumb, even Claude had to admit there was a silent intelligence hiding beyond her puppy-dog eyes.
“No wonder you insisted on coming here so badly,” she said thoughtfully. “Remind me what the rumor is again?”
“Eisner is supposed to be the assistant band director this year.”
Hilda’s eyes widened. “No way! You sure it’s this guy? Not a cousin, or something?”
“The one and only.”
Hilda opened her own program, checking Eisner’s name once more. “How did Seteth manage to get a guy like him on the staff?”
Claude shook his head. “Rumor is, it wasn’t Seteth who got him on board.”
“Then who?”
“Rhea.”
Hilda sighed. “She sure knows how to get what she wants, doesn’t she?”
The pair had finally found their seats, and settled into the red, velvet cushions that lined the rows of the opera house.
“Hey Claude, check out who plays later this evening.”
Claude leaned over Hilda’s shoulder. “What am I looking for?”
Hilda’s painted nails tapped a familiar last name.
Eisner.
Was Jeralt playing twice today?
Hilda moved her finger to reveal the first name.
Byleth Eisner.
Something about the name seemed familiar, as if Claude had heard it in a conversation a couple years back.
“Do you think they’re related?” Claude asked.
Hilda smiled. “Don’t know. But I guess we’re about to find out, aren’t we?”
***
In Dimitri’s opinion, the performance tonight had been intriguing. He couldn’t put into words how excited he was, finally getting to hear Jeralt Eisner play the piano. The man was so talented that the orchestra didn’t dare to accompany him. The music alone was powerful enough to sway the entire audience.
Next to Dimitri sat his closest friend, Dedue. He watched the spectacle with equal awe.
The conductor of the orchestra approached a microphone in the center of the stage.
“I’d like to thank all of you for attending tonight’s performance,” he began. “Remember, video recordings of tonight will be available for purchase during intermission. Additionally, here at the Mittlefrank Opera House, we’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to Jeralt Eisner for coming down to play for us all.”
The crowd erupted into applause, and Jeralt Eisner bashfully waved to the audience.
“For our next piece, we are blessed to present his daughter, who will also be performing tonight.”
A young woman was warmfully welcomed as she walked onstage. She seated herself on the piano bench.
Dimitri furrowed his eyebrow. “She can’t be much older than you or me, can she?” he whispered to his friend.
“Apparently she’s also a senior, and a talented pianist at that.”
Silence fell over the audience as Byleth began to play.
Dimitri found himself analyzing her performance.
To start, her technique was unparalleled. With each arpeggio, her fingers soared across the piano keys with a precision few possessed. Unlike those who pounded the piano for volume, she was able to create sounds that filled the opera house in a way that seemed effortless. As the piece progressed, the tempo quickened. And yet, Byleth never faltered.
Still, there was something unusual about the way she played…
Dedue leaned over. “Impressive, isn’t it?” he whispered.
Dimitri nodded. “Clearly. But something’s off. Can you hear it?”
Dedue thoughtfully listened as Byleth Eisner finished her piece. The audience rose to their feet as they congratulated her performance. “She has a masterful understanding of volume, and knows how to pace her crescendos and decrescendos. But she’s using a variance in dynamics to cover her lack of emotion while playing.”
“Lack of emotion?” Dimitri questioned.
“It’s something commonly seen among child prodigies. They have the technique to play advanced pieces, but their lack of life experiences limits them from playing with the same emotion used by professionals.”
Dimitri furrowed his brow. “I was told I played the same way when I was younger. That’s why I was curious.”
“You mean when you still played violin?”
Dimitri nodded. “I never connected with that instrument. It’s why I switched to saxophone.”
“You made the right choice.” Dedue turned his head to look over at the orchestra, who were prepping for the next piece. “It’s a shame that saxophones are one of the only instruments to be excluded from a full orchestra.”
Dimitri sighed.
“It sure is.”
***
“I finally managed to get rid of the press. The rest of the night should continue smoothly, Miss Edelgard.”
A young woman wearing a crimson jumpsuit nodded in response. “Thank you, Hubert. Has anyone else of significance been spotted at the performance?”
“Dimitri of the Fraldarius family has already been spotted tonight. Rumors are circulating that Claude of the von Riegens attended as well,” Hubert stated.
“Interesting.” Edelgard put a finger to her chin. “Do you have an idea of where Byleth Eisner is currently located in the venue?”
“Her father was last seen at the bar near concessions. It’s likely she’s somewhere nearby.”
“Then let’s be off.”
Hubert placed a hand on Edelgard’s shoulder. “Miss Edelgard, if you wish to avoid the press tonight, I strongly recommend against getting anywhere near Mr. Eisner.”
“I’m afraid this is a matter that can’t be avoided,” Edelgard said, shaking her head.
“If you’d like, you can tell me what you wish to say, and I will deliver the message for you.”
“Hubert. This is something I’d like to do in person.”
Hubert frowned. “I just don’t see why you’re willing to take the risk.”
“Maybe,” Edelgard sighed, “It would help if I told you the story behind all of this.”
For a moment, Edelgard’s eyes glazed over as she looked off somewhere in the distance. She quickly turned her attention back towards Hubert.
“Although her talent was recognized only recently, Byleth was good with a piano even at a young age. As a child, my parents were quick to compare our skills, being so close in age. Every time she played something new, my parents would be quick to show me. They would scold me on how little I had accomplished. I began to resent her music, because it was a painful reminder of everything I wasn’t.”
“If this is a matter of revenge, I will happily take care of it for you,” Hubert said. His voice was unusually soft.
And yet, a small smile surfaced on Edelgard’s face.
“After I became first chair in band, my parents stopped comparing me to Byleth. You can only make comparisons between a piano and a trumpet for so long,” Edelgard said with a laugh. “On a whim, I decided to listen to recordings of her performances again. The second time, I was able to appreciate the talent behind her music. Something had changed inside of me. I had gone from wanting to play better than her, to wanting to play with her.”
Hubert was still quiet. “Is this why you so easily accepted the decision Principal Rhea made a couple months back?”
“I may have my own disagreements with the principal, but the decision she made was something at least both of us could agree on.”
Hubert’s attention was directed to something past Edelgard’s shoulder. “It seems we won’t have to worry about the press,” he remarked.
Walking towards them was Byleth Eisner herself.
“Your performance tonight was splendid,” Edelgard complimented. “I’ve been listening to you play for some time now, and it’s an honor to watch you perform live.”
Byleth did not smile. She only nodded her head politely and gave a quick thank you. Edelgard could feel Hubert tense behind her.
“Garreg Mach Highschool is lucky to welcome your father as our assistant band director,” Edelgard added. “However, we’re even more pleased to welcome you as our drum major.”
Byleth’s eyes widened. “Come again?” she asked. This was clearly news to her.
Edelgard cleared her throat. “Principal Rhea has appointed you as Garreg Mach High’s drum major this marching season.”
———
~Director’s Seteth’s Guide to Marching Band~
Drum Major: In charge of conducting the field show. The band relies on them for tempo as well as some visual cues. Some high schools have three, while others only have one.