Chapter 9: Theodore Shawn

Chapter 9: Theodore Shawn

Steam quickly filled the shower, enveloping the figure within.

'What is it? Perhaps the fifth time that I'm showering today, eh?' 

Every shy person could have a full-blown conversation with themselves alone, could pretend to be another person and argue with themselves. Could win the argument 100 times.

After staying in for twenty minutes, Theodore finally exited the shower, grabbing his brush and picking up the toothpaste 'Chilli fish chips meatball lobster salt pork and rice bread' flavored. A greenish-black paste spread over the brush, after which he proceeded to do the job.

It took Theodore another 30 minutes to get ready. Donning a hoodie and wearing a face mask with different colored spectacles, he straightened his brown hair.

With the way he dressed and looked, it would be hard to notice, but if one focused hard enough, they'd be able to find his foreign features, features that only foreigners possessed.

After putting on the hood, he wore two fingerless gloves.

'Haa, I'm somewhat excited.' Theo could feel his heart pounding within his chest but then once again tried to calm himself down. After all, this was his favorite author, about to compose music.

Theo loved music, and in fact, he hated books. Nowadays, these so-called books didn't have any literary value or deep meanings behind them. Those authors just followed the market and wrote to earn more.

In actuality, it was just "Coin" who managed to hook him up with his unique writing style and world. Even if his skills were somewhat unpolished.

Being the Theo he was, he even had a weird taste in the music section.

The composer was his father, and he could back up two to three vocalists at once. Even the public had started to recognize this. But these so-called composers never focused much on the lyrics.

He was someone who believed that lyrics had deep meanings and added to the charm of the song. 

As a result, when an author like "Coin" was to compose a piece of music, it would definitely have literary charm.

To Theo, this was akin to a badge of honor.

Shaking his head and getting rid of such thoughts, he plugged in his earphones, listening to the tune sent by Coin.

Although somewhat mechanical, this tune actually gave him another rush of excitement. He was anticipating the kind of lyrics his favorite author would write.

What kind of masterpiece would it be?

The theme is filled with mystery and sadness... If polished properly and paired with good lyrics, then...

It would be a hit in the world of music...

Determination flashed through Theo's eyes. He would give everything he had to put emotion into the song.

With this thought, he finally left the room. The orangeish hue was slowly darkening.

Looking at the stars slowly appearing in the sky invoked a sense of peace.

"Falling Star." He muttered.

In the famous play by the master writer of the Food Empire, these two words signified a new beginning.

It signified the death of the previous generation and the rise of a new one. 

It signified the fall of a Phoenix, something that set up the stage for resurrection.

Fate appeared unpredictable.

***

Eden, seated comfortably on the chair, lit another cigarette.

An unhealthy way of getting rid of stress...

Grabbing his diary, he continued scribbling, constantly editing some parts of the lyrics.

"...In the quiet of the night, where shadows play, I walk a lonely road, led astray. Stars above, they whisper and fade, a destiny written, a cruel masquerade..."

"...Helpless against fate's cold, relentless hand, lost in the current, swept from the sand. No matter how I fight, I can't escape, bound by the chains of an unyielding fate..."

"Hmm, if piano is played in the background, then it would give an amazing feel to the song..."

"The nights are chaotic..."

"Here, here, and here."

"And here too..."

"Man, this is so tiresome."

When he looked at the time, a frown appeared on his face.

It was already past 9.

Damn, how can someone be so late?

What was this guy doing?

Why so late?

I knew that his sense of direction was bad, who knew it'd be to this extent.

Did he become the green-haired right-hand man of a rubber man?

Just as Eden was guessing, a knock resounded throughout the room.

The man he was thinking of had finally appeared.

Opening the door, he spotted Theo.

"Hey, why so late?"

"Ahem, lost my way."

This was how the conversation went.

A few seconds passed as he stood there frozen. Eden sighed. "Come, have a seat."

Theo nodded, still nervous, as he took his shoes off.

"You can have your shoes on."

"No, it's alright, sir."

Seeing Theo, even Eden wasn't sure how to continue the talk.

"Alright, suit yourself," he shrugged as he handed Theo the diary before sitting on the chair.

Theo sat on the opposite one, looking at the song.

"Go on, sing."

No formality, no talk, no beating around the bush. Just straight to the point. 

Doing that might seem to be a norm, but if he did that with Theo, then the poor lad would just be more uncomfortable.

Listening to what Eden said, Theo nodded his head before removing the face mask.

With a few clicks, the music started.

Theo's lips parted.

"In the quiet of the night, where shadows play, I walk a lonely road, led astray. Stars above, they whisper and fade, a destiny written, a cruel masquerade..."

"Helpless against fate's cold, relentless hand, lost in the current, swept from the sand. No matter how I fight, I can't escape, bound by the chains of an unyielding fate..."

"Dreams of love and light, they slip away, like echoes of the dawn at the break of day. In every whispered breeze, in every silent tear, I feel the weight of time, and it draws me near..."

As he continued singing, Theodore felt a rush within him as his body became hot. As he finally looked at Eden, a look of confusion appeared.

Eh?