Viego’s words and voice sounded like silk, but the look he studied Aphelios with did little to warm the young man. Shivers were unavoidable when he detected something akin to a hunter’s glimpse in the other musician’s eyes, but he made no attempts to back away just yet.
There was a moment of silence and Aphelios allowed the rock star’s words to sink in. His brow was raised in his otherwise impassive face, albeit, if Viego looked closely (which he was sure the other did anyhow), he’d see how his thoughts raced.
He and Alune worked hard on their craft, but unlike many other singers, they did not necessarily aim for the fame and glamour. The twins wanted to share their songs, their ethereal melodies combined with energetic and powerful tunes from metal and symphonic rock. It was not everyone’s niche, but they gathered their audience and critics thanks to the carefully sought out and perfected balance.
Regardless of the evidence he had with him, Aphelios remained silent, though even that could serve as an answer for the ever so perceptive man. Then he froze; Aphelios had never been a big fan of physical contact. His family knew that, his band mates knew that and even his fans knew that. The young man held himself carefully and always avoided getting far too close to others. So when Viego leaned in and held him, the guitarist was stunned by both surprise, confusion and, admittedly, respect.
When he was finally left to his own devices and he escorted Viego’s distancing form with his eyes only, Aphelios inhaled deeply and shook his head. This was certainly something. He took a moment to calm himself, to somehow force down the blush that had heated up his face before returning to his sister. Alune would certainly be very interested in meeting up with their new contact.
And so it was, a few days later, that they’d contact the other man – namely Alune was doing all the talking whereas Aphelios remained on the background, though just as invested.
The studio was reserved just for them now and the twins arrived there earlier than anticipated.
He was quite cryptic in regards of his expectations other than saying that he’d help us ‘unlock the transcendent music’. His anxiety had deemed it a bit difficult to speak and thus Aphelios had to rely on the sign language. Alune watched his hands move and then glanced up, anticipating a follow-up. Do you think this will mean we’ll change our course again, sister?
“Could be. I have seen him perform and I have kept an eye on his doings. Viego has orchestrated the first waves of change in the music industry, and I think we could learn something from that.” Benefit, Aphelios thought, but his hands remained on his lap, and he picked at the loose strands of his shirt. Everyone was seeking acknowledgement these days. “This could be our opportunity to learn something new, brother. See where the tides will take us. I think it is about time we’d expand our horizons.”
I. Aphelios looked up at Alune, noting her hopeful and excited gaze and then gave a nod. She smiled and he smiled back. Yes. I agree.
“I know changes are hard for you, Phel, but we got this. And think of it that way: we can finally work with your favourite musician. I know I’d be fainting if I’d get to be on stage with Evelynn or Yasuo. You’re holding yourself up quite well. Anyway, I’ll prepare us all some tea before he arrives.”
◈◇◈ ― It was not long before their long awaited guest had finally arrived at the studio in a discreet white vehicle. The hush that came over the building’s reception staff and the distinct sound of his boots would be the herald of his arrival.
“I do hope I am not fashionably late?” He humored them, catching the twins just as they were about to pour some tea.
The man’s presence was… arresting. Just by the way he carried himself oozed with charisma and dominance, one can never put a finger on the kind of allure he gave off. His presence demanded your full attention where you can never seem take his eyes off him.
Viego smiled at them by the doorway, casually taking his sunglasses off before sauntering into the room towards the two. He has something slung over his shoulder, a large and hefty thing shaped oddly like a shaft that was tightly wrapped in cloth, which could only be his concealed legendary instrument.
He makes a beeline for Alune, gently lifting one of her delicate hands to his lips.
“I do not believe I have been formally aquatinted with your sister.” He says to Aphelios, whilst not taking his eyes off her. Though it was Alune that had gotten in touch with Viego’s… management.
“Your brother must have told you all sorts of things about me.” He now addressed her while clasping her hand between two claws in a gesture of sincerity.
The smirk he gave them carried promises. But one can never be too sure to trust, agent of chaos that he is. A wildcard. In all honesty, Viego was not expecting them to take the bait and reach out to him as soon as they did.
Once settled, the rock star sat quite regally upon his chair as they drank soothing tea. He again praised the two of them for their dazzling performance a few nights ago the first time he had seen them perform live on stage.
“Your ethereal sounds… I believe that it is something I have been looking for, for a long time.” Viego confessed, “I love that you do not follow the forces of Trend. You have transcended them. Which is exactly the type of music that dabbles into innovation and musical counterpoints that this world so desperately desperately needs. For how can one appreciate the brightness of day when one cannot appreciate the gentle embrace of the darkness of night?”
He then sets his tea cup down, and takes on a more somber note.
“If you truly want to know my deepest and sincerest thoughts about your music, I do feel that something is missing from your beautiful harmonics that I think would make your sound, hm… more FULL and in depth. For we must bring of two halves of one whole.” Viego’s smoldering eyes then catches Aphelio’s gaze from across the table. “…Did I not say I would help you unlock your full potential?”