The island’s main town, Luthier, is at the base of the great tree. While music can be heard at all times in Caelum, the majority of it is being played here, in the main square, before it’s carried out by the winds. With the belief that musicians are able to “resonate” with the great tree’s crystals, most musicians will play facing the tree in hopes of reaching its “heart”. What few inns exist on Caelum are here; housing visitors from the further reaches of the island on days of celebration. Festivities and feasts are common, though overindulgence is frowned upon; many bring in items or food to trade for what their village or home may find lacking.
A new day came and so did Noel. To the main square. The Goddess said it’s his turn on the musical instruments!
Having the sidequest in mind, Noel stops a fair distance behind the orchestra as to not disturb them and scans them for what type of instruments are being played, both trying to satiate his curiousity as well as locate the two string instruments that are in dire need of repair. Also, are they playing from memory or reading music sheets? Also also, would he recognize the melody being played?
Don’t worry, there’s always a few folks sitting around listening, and with his hair colour Noel blends right in with the other people resting on nearby benches or under awnings of shops as they listen.
The musicians seem to play from memory, but as Noel stands there a bit longer, he starts to realize that they’re actually improvising, and consequently following after whoever leaves the melody first to a new part. While he can recognize some little trills or melodies, they’re from exceptionally old pieces, and those sections are brief before they meld into something new. In terms of instruments, it looks like today there’s a number of woodwinds (wooden flutes of varying shape and size, as well as clarinets and one or two metal flutes. I just decided theres reeds after all), some percussion instruments, and a harp.
His brethren..? If that’s the case then Noel probably has taken notice of all the people with similar-ish hair colours to his, considering his one insecurity.
And speaking of having taken notice… the tidbits of melodies not continuing as he expects them to is starting to fuck with his brain massively the more he listens, which is pretty noticeable by the intensifying scowl. As such he has to grab the sides of his head, rolling it around dramatically as he groans like he’s that baby kitten gif. It’s taking all his self-restraint not to yell at them to correct them, but that doesn’t stop him from muttering a snobbish complaint to Ezekiel or whoever else is near enough to hear.
“This is all wrong..!! That should have led into a romanesca..!” READ THE SHEETS IF YOUR MEMORY IS CLEARLY UNRELIABLE!!! He just needs some time or appeal to get used to the improv and to begin seeing the genius in the medley style composition, but for now he’s stuck in purgatory like a kid in a car with a parent singing along to a song off-tune.
I’m sorry Noel…. I meant it’s mostly old people sitting around listening to music on a quiet day….
The music settles as the wind changes, it seems; the medley mellows into a lilting tune, one entirely unfamiliar to Noel, as it primarily uses the unfamiliar instruments and the harp. The legato tune is like a balm over your frayed mood, as though the dissonance in the air was somehow palpable to the musicians. There was supposed to be an ar tonelico song here but i’m still in the car so i cant listen and trust if it’s right
You want Ezekiel here? 🫡 He’s just as confused as Noel, bumping his shoulder with his own. “Hush, they probably don’t have the full sh-sheets anymore. It’s been 200 years, remember?” That being said, it’s still clear on his face that he doesn’t see the appeal yet either, until it changes and his face softens in turn.
Thanks to Ezekiel’s wise reminder, Noel’s tantrum ceases and his posture slowly returns to normal. Maybe over the eternity they’ll be spending here he should try writing down all the compositions he’s memorized… they’ll just have to go back down to fetch a lot of paper. ..Which I guess means they can just get sheets that have already been printed instead.
Noel crosses his arms in patient resignation, quietly listening for a bit to give the musicians of Caelum a chance. “Hm… You are correct…” He should spare them the lecture and just open his mind to be receptive to a different culture’s method of expression.