Antonio, the Violinist (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
infernosonata) wrote2020-07-24 03:35 am
infernosonata) wrote2020-07-24 03:35 am
Information
Antonio
Identity V
| alias: The Violinist | age: 30's-40's (appearance) |
| species: Undead? | gender: Male |
| faction: Hunter | voice: Link |
"He can see the rhythms of the whole world, which are controlled by the ubiquitous strings.”
personality
Traits
|
Antonio takes pride in his mastery of the violin, to the point where he's convinced no one else can play quite as well as he can... So he tends to hold himself up to higher standards of music than anyone else.
Unfortunately, the stress of fame and meeting everyone's expectations wore him down both physically and mentally. He turned to hedonistic vices to cope. Alcohol, gambling, sleeping around... He's still got those terrible habits, even though they've gotten him in trouble before. Especially his gambling addiction. He's been known to rack up a huge debt from that alone.
When he was a court musician for the royal family, he enjoyed the fame and fortune that came with it. However, he quickly came to resent how the royal family viewed him as nothing more as a plaything, a mere status symbol to be kept in a gilded cage. He still has a lingering distrust for the upper class, seeing them as greedy snobs who don't respect his music at all.
On the other hand, he is grateful for people who value his music… Or better, himself as a person. He will tell them they have a talent for listening, a talent he believes is essential to being a musician. He even claims one should be good at listening to their own heart… But alas, he doesn’t think he can hear it clearly anymore.
Ever since he forsook his own heart, he’s so in love with his music he gets intoxicated with it. He’s happy to play music on his own terms, to the point where his hands get worn out and his hair takes over. And yet, when he’s so enchanted that he loses control of himself, he has to wonder exactly who is playing the devil’s melody… A curiosity at best. He doesn’t really care who or what is pulling the strings as long as he gets his music.
In spite of his own remarkable talent and employment history, he is not above performing on the street for tips. That way, he gets up close and personal with his audience, and perhaps he might hear their stories if they stick around long enough.
Unfortunately, the stress of fame and meeting everyone's expectations wore him down both physically and mentally. He turned to hedonistic vices to cope. Alcohol, gambling, sleeping around... He's still got those terrible habits, even though they've gotten him in trouble before. Especially his gambling addiction. He's been known to rack up a huge debt from that alone.
When he was a court musician for the royal family, he enjoyed the fame and fortune that came with it. However, he quickly came to resent how the royal family viewed him as nothing more as a plaything, a mere status symbol to be kept in a gilded cage. He still has a lingering distrust for the upper class, seeing them as greedy snobs who don't respect his music at all.
On the other hand, he is grateful for people who value his music… Or better, himself as a person. He will tell them they have a talent for listening, a talent he believes is essential to being a musician. He even claims one should be good at listening to their own heart… But alas, he doesn’t think he can hear it clearly anymore.
Ever since he forsook his own heart, he’s so in love with his music he gets intoxicated with it. He’s happy to play music on his own terms, to the point where his hands get worn out and his hair takes over. And yet, when he’s so enchanted that he loses control of himself, he has to wonder exactly who is playing the devil’s melody… A curiosity at best. He doesn’t really care who or what is pulling the strings as long as he gets his music.
In spite of his own remarkable talent and employment history, he is not above performing on the street for tips. That way, he gets up close and personal with his audience, and perhaps he might hear their stories if they stick around long enough.
appearance
hair: Black
eyes: Completely black
height: 6'3"?
build: Lanky
features: Stitched up body, constantly grinning
eyes: Completely black
height: 6'3"?
build: Lanky
features: Stitched up body, constantly grinning
Description
|
Antonio is a horrible sight to see. Here is an exceedingly lank man in a tattered suit, with a sickly color to his skin and stitches all over his body. His arms in particular are heavily scarred, like they're barely clinging onto his torso. His empty black eyes and prominent nose sit above a mouth almost constantly twisted into a nightmarish grin.
His long, sleek hair seems to have a mind of its own. It can split itself into tendrils to carry objects. It also seems to betray his emotions when his face cannot. Perhaps this, like the rest of his body, is what becomes a man who sells his soul for his music?
His long, sleek hair seems to have a mind of its own. It can split itself into tendrils to carry objects. It also seems to betray his emotions when his face cannot. Perhaps this, like the rest of his body, is what becomes a man who sells his soul for his music?
First Impressions
|
Is this man a walking corpse, or a giant marionette wandering about? He lurches forwards, arms usually hanging limp at his sides as his wild hair curls and twists in the air. He seems to be in some sort of blissful trance, stumbling about to the sound of his sweet violin he usually has on him. If the instrument's not in his hair, it's in his hands. He's absolutely consumed by his own preformance, and won't hesitate to share the Devil's Melody with anyone in earshot...
history
Initial Description
Even at the height of his fame and skill the Violinist Antonio did not abandon his unrestrained desire for music. His skill on the violin exceeded its peak when he was able to play on stage on a single string, and this greatly shocked the audience! In addition to the unheard-of melodies, his appearance and almost inhuman figure caused many legends: the audience claimed that during Antonio's performance, the devil himself appeared behind his shoulders, who manipulated his hands to perform an amazing technique. Moreover, some saw the violinist in a trance, when his entire body was connected to the bow and strings, and his hair could play a rhythmic melody.
But what is the truth, and who cares?
As long as Antonio can play the melody of the whole world, he does not care who controls his body - he is a puppet of music.
Even at the height of his fame and skill the Violinist Antonio did not abandon his unrestrained desire for music. His skill on the violin exceeded its peak when he was able to play on stage on a single string, and this greatly shocked the audience! In addition to the unheard-of melodies, his appearance and almost inhuman figure caused many legends: the audience claimed that during Antonio's performance, the devil himself appeared behind his shoulders, who manipulated his hands to perform an amazing technique. Moreover, some saw the violinist in a trance, when his entire body was connected to the bow and strings, and his hair could play a rhythmic melody.
But what is the truth, and who cares?
As long as Antonio can play the melody of the whole world, he does not care who controls his body - he is a puppet of music.
Known History
Antonio never seemed to be in control of his own life. Even though he possessed extraordinary talent with the violin, his frail body, poor health, and high expectations never allowed him to feel truly happy. He turned to hedonistic tendencies to alleviate the emptiness, squandering his earnings on whores and gambling. Unfortunately, Antonio lost a good deal of money and nearly had to forfeit his instrument thanks to his gambling habit. To clear his debts, he wound up joining the royal orchestra for what was supposed to be three years. The court had their doubts, but once the royal family heard him play they couldn't get enough of him. For a while, Antonio enjoyed fame and fortune in the role of a royal musician.
It's such a shame that fame was a double edged sword. The royal family wanted his music to remain a symbol of their power and tried to keep him in the palace for as long as possible. Antonio complained this sort of restriction was a waste of his time and abilities, so they eventually allowed him to leave on one condition: He must play an entire song on a single string to prove his worth.
It was a ludicrous challenge meant to keep him restrained, but he somehow managed to write a song to be played with only a G string. Yet, it's unclear how he managed to do so, or if he actually played it. All we know is he left a note to remind himself never to play it again.
The artist reached his peak. Antonio was exiled from the palace and lost all the fame and success he had within. People would vandalize posters announcing his concert at the national theater... Perhaps less proud ears would better appreciate his talent? Who knows what might have happened if his performance went as planned, but there were those who wished to hear him play that one note song and went as far as to sabotage his violin to make him do so.
That may have been a fatal mistake.
The concert was a resounding success, no doubt about it. The audience was entranced by his music as he proceeded to play on that single string. With his hair holding the violin! Such strange sounds played in such strange ways... They began to spark rumors. Some who attended claimed to have seen the devil over his shoulder, guiding his hand. Others swore the violinist fell into some sort of trance as the melody overtook him.
Perhaps it didn't really matter what happened to Antonio after that. After all, he's already lost himself to the devil's music.
Antonio never seemed to be in control of his own life. Even though he possessed extraordinary talent with the violin, his frail body, poor health, and high expectations never allowed him to feel truly happy. He turned to hedonistic tendencies to alleviate the emptiness, squandering his earnings on whores and gambling. Unfortunately, Antonio lost a good deal of money and nearly had to forfeit his instrument thanks to his gambling habit. To clear his debts, he wound up joining the royal orchestra for what was supposed to be three years. The court had their doubts, but once the royal family heard him play they couldn't get enough of him. For a while, Antonio enjoyed fame and fortune in the role of a royal musician.
It's such a shame that fame was a double edged sword. The royal family wanted his music to remain a symbol of their power and tried to keep him in the palace for as long as possible. Antonio complained this sort of restriction was a waste of his time and abilities, so they eventually allowed him to leave on one condition: He must play an entire song on a single string to prove his worth.
It was a ludicrous challenge meant to keep him restrained, but he somehow managed to write a song to be played with only a G string. Yet, it's unclear how he managed to do so, or if he actually played it. All we know is he left a note to remind himself never to play it again.
The artist reached his peak. Antonio was exiled from the palace and lost all the fame and success he had within. People would vandalize posters announcing his concert at the national theater... Perhaps less proud ears would better appreciate his talent? Who knows what might have happened if his performance went as planned, but there were those who wished to hear him play that one note song and went as far as to sabotage his violin to make him do so.
That may have been a fatal mistake.
The concert was a resounding success, no doubt about it. The audience was entranced by his music as he proceeded to play on that single string. With his hair holding the violin! Such strange sounds played in such strange ways... They began to spark rumors. Some who attended claimed to have seen the devil over his shoulder, guiding his hand. Others swore the violinist fell into some sort of trance as the melody overtook him.
Perhaps it didn't really matter what happened to Antonio after that. After all, he's already lost himself to the devil's music.
Headcanons; Filling in blanks
In desperation, Antonio sold his soul to be able to play a song with one string. He might have been visited by the devil in a dream, and maybe he wrote down a song he heard in his sleep. However, it seems the devil wasn't able to claim Antonio's soul unless he actually played the song, hence the violinist's refusal to do so.
Antonio might have tried to play another song on that one string and failed, purposefully or otherwise. Whatever he did, he was finally free of the court at the cost of his reputation.
deductions
1. Prodigy
|
"I grew up with my musical talent, yet it never made me happy."
A young man's medical report: Malnourished, catalepsy... Over-Stressed... Neurasthenia... Scarlet Fever... Pneumonia... Spasticity...
A young man's medical report: Malnourished, catalepsy... Over-Stressed... Neurasthenia... Scarlet Fever... Pneumonia... Spasticity...
2. Seductive Tune
|
"How much of the joy that was missing can be reclaimed with this talent?"
A music score stashed under a windowsill: "I want you to know I had a wonderful night. This is something to remember me by."
A music score stashed under a windowsill: "I want you to know I had a wonderful night. This is something to remember me by."
3. Gambling Debt
|
"How much is a musician's dignity worth?"
A collateral receipt from a casino: The violinist Antonio's musical instrument is hereby pledged, with an outstanding amount...
A collateral receipt from a casino: The violinist Antonio's musical instrument is hereby pledged, with an outstanding amount...
4. Invitation
|
"Three years of freedom to clear off your debts and sorrows."
An exhortation letter: "... I am of the opinion, given Master Antonio's gambling addiction, your highness should consider the effect on the royal family's reputation before recruiting him as a member of the royal orchestra."
An exhortation letter: "... I am of the opinion, given Master Antonio's gambling addiction, your highness should consider the effect on the royal family's reputation before recruiting him as a member of the royal orchestra."
5. Fame
|
"They treated me with courtesy and respect. They looked up to my talent and music."
A confidential letter: "Antonio's music must remain exclusive to the royal family. Ordinary people don't deserve it. We must do everything we can to make him stay so he can serve as a symbol of the royal family's superiority."
A confidential letter: "Antonio's music must remain exclusive to the royal family. Ordinary people don't deserve it. We must do everything we can to make him stay so he can serve as a symbol of the royal family's superiority."
6. Toy
|
"They put me in a tower and kept me in a cage. They tricked me and took away my violin."
A torn letter: "... If you insist on leaving, please play a song on a single string. You can only prove that it's 'a waste of your time and abilities' to stay in the palace if you possess such extraordinary skill.
A torn letter: "... If you insist on leaving, please play a song on a single string. You can only prove that it's 'a waste of your time and abilities' to stay in the palace if you possess such extraordinary skill.
7. Apprehension
|
"Turns out my talent is a prison. Outside this prison, however, I'll have to give up materialism and fame... And lose myself...
A messed up music score for a single string song with a note: "Don't play it!"
A messed up music score for a single string song with a note: "Don't play it!"
8. Revisit
|
"The high and mighty ears can't detect the musical notes which should be revered."
A poster of a violin concert in the national theater covered in red graffiti: A failure who's been exiled by the palace at his peak.
A poster of a violin concert in the national theater covered in red graffiti: A failure who's been exiled by the palace at his peak.
9. Trap
|
"So long as I don't touch it, there won't be an echo."
A confidential letter: "He's proud as he's always been and refuses to preform that music score on stage. But I have an idea. We just have to make his strings..."
A confidential letter: "He's proud as he's always been and refuses to preform that music score on stage. But I have an idea. We just have to make his strings..."
10. Finale
|
"If the peak is the end of the road, who's playing the world's melody on the way down?"
A newsletter: "The renowned violinist, Antonio, has returned! His extraordinary performance in G took over the concert hall like a demon's descent. The entire audience was deeply entranced by his enchanting music!"
A newsletter: "The renowned violinist, Antonio, has returned! His extraordinary performance in G took over the concert hall like a demon's descent. The entire audience was deeply entranced by his enchanting music!"
abilties
Terrifying Melody
|
Thanks to his infernal pact, Antonio can weaponize his music. Anyone who gets hit by his Demon Notes will be unable to escape the tunes ringing in their ears, which will slow them down and make them lose focus. The more demon notes affecting them, the worse it gets. Their only hope of finding peace from this cursed music is to find a quiet spot at least 24m away from everyone else and meditate for a few seconds.
Sonata
|
By carefully placing two notes in a line, he can create a strand of Terrifying String Music that lasts for about 13 seconds. Not only does it inflict one instance of Demon Notes when someone passes through it, but anyone caught in the string when it's made will be physically wounded.
That's right. His music actually does damage.
A more powerful version of this attack is known as Infinite Movement. Once the string is formed, he can send a wave of String Music in ten parallel bars. This also causes physical damage, but one can avoid it if they stay between the bars. He can only create Perpetual Motion once per string, and it takes quite a bit of energy to cast.
That's right. His music actually does damage.
A more powerful version of this attack is known as Infinite Movement. Once the string is formed, he can send a wave of String Music in ten parallel bars. This also causes physical damage, but one can avoid it if they stay between the bars. He can only create Perpetual Motion once per string, and it takes quite a bit of energy to cast.
Rhapsody
|
Antonio goes into a musical frenzy and starts flinging Terrifying Music Notes at his targets. These visible notes of glowing red music do a minor amount of damage as well as inflict one instance of Demon Notes when they hit any being capable of hearing. If nothing is hit, the note just keeps sailing on through terrain until it fades into silence. Antonio's only able to keep up this mad preformance for about 9 seconds before he wears himself out.
Antonio's Hair
|
Antonio's hair can function as extra limbs, but even it has its limits. For starters, the strength and grip of a tendril is dependent on how thick of a lock he's using. That means he can't use a single strand of hair to pick up anything, let alone an entire violin. The strength and grip also cannot exceed his own human strength, and it's actually rather uncomfortable for anyone to pull heavy things with their hair. Plus, although it's dexterious enough to manipulate a violin's strings, his hair isn't exactly dexterious enough to do things like type on a keyboard or open a pickle jar.
Look, the point is sometimes he's just gotta use his hands like everyone else.
Look, the point is sometimes he's just gotta use his hands like everyone else.
music
Puppet Loosely Strung - The Correspondents
Let me put myself in your shoes as a puppet loosely strung.
Did you feel the weight of other's views, or was their ignorance a source of fun?
I hated the whispers in the street
Do you oppose a greeting, pulling the rug beneath their feet?
I'm tied to so many things I don't need to do.
I'll loosen my strings to feel more like you.
I'm tied to so many things I don't need to do.
I'll loosen my strings to feel more like you.
In the past you would have been seen as a family's disgrace,
Now they think you're putting on a brave face
They might fear that one day they'll wear your shoes
But you're the one who's laughing, you had nothing to lose
They just couldn't see, that it was me needing you, and not you needing me
They just couldn't see, that a puppet loosely strung is not who I wanna be
Did you feel the weight of other's views, or was their ignorance a source of fun?
I hated the whispers in the street
Do you oppose a greeting, pulling the rug beneath their feet?
I'm tied to so many things I don't need to do.
I'll loosen my strings to feel more like you.
I'm tied to so many things I don't need to do.
I'll loosen my strings to feel more like you.
In the past you would have been seen as a family's disgrace,
Now they think you're putting on a brave face
They might fear that one day they'll wear your shoes
But you're the one who's laughing, you had nothing to lose
They just couldn't see, that it was me needing you, and not you needing me
They just couldn't see, that a puppet loosely strung is not who I wanna be
Le Veau D’or - Gounod
The calf of gold is still standing!
One adulates his power,
From one end of the world to the other end!
To celebrate the infamous idol,
Kings and the people mixed together,
To the somber sound of golden coins,
They dance a wild round
Around his pedestal
And Satan leads the dance...
The calf of gold is the victor over the gods!
In its derisory (absurd) glory,
The abject monster insults heaven!
It contemplates, oh weird frenzy!
At his feet the human race,
Hurling itself about, iron in hand,
In blood and in the mire,
Where gleams the burning metal,
And Satan leads the dance...
One adulates his power,
From one end of the world to the other end!
To celebrate the infamous idol,
Kings and the people mixed together,
To the somber sound of golden coins,
They dance a wild round
Around his pedestal
And Satan leads the dance...
The calf of gold is the victor over the gods!
In its derisory (absurd) glory,
The abject monster insults heaven!
It contemplates, oh weird frenzy!
At his feet the human race,
Hurling itself about, iron in hand,
In blood and in the mire,
Where gleams the burning metal,
And Satan leads the dance...
I'm a Marionette - ABBA (Cover by Ghost)
"You're so free, " that's what everybody's telling me
Yet I feel I'm like an outward-bound, pushed around, refugee
Something's wrong, got a feeling that I don't belong
As if I had come from outer space, out of place, like King Kong
I'm a marionette, just a marionette, pull the string
I'm a marionette, everybody's pet, just as long as I sing
I'm a marionette, see my pirouette, round and round
I'm a marionette, I'm a marionette, just a silly old clown
Like a doll, like a puppet with no will at all
And somebody told me how to talk, how to walk, how to fall
Can't complain, I've got no-one but myself to blame
Something's happening I can't control, lost my hold, is it safe?
Yet I feel I'm like an outward-bound, pushed around, refugee
Something's wrong, got a feeling that I don't belong
As if I had come from outer space, out of place, like King Kong
I'm a marionette, just a marionette, pull the string
I'm a marionette, everybody's pet, just as long as I sing
I'm a marionette, see my pirouette, round and round
I'm a marionette, I'm a marionette, just a silly old clown
Like a doll, like a puppet with no will at all
And somebody told me how to talk, how to walk, how to fall
Can't complain, I've got no-one but myself to blame
Something's happening I can't control, lost my hold, is it safe?
Mephistopheles - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
All of your life now you have denied
There'd be a time when you'd ever die
Still it's been rumored this thing must be
Why is it then that you act surprised
When I appear now to be your guide?
Why do you hesitate to follow me?
See it rising, stare and wonder
Hear it beckon you to dance
Feel it hold you, take you under
I'm your god of second chance
There'd be a time when you'd ever die
Still it's been rumored this thing must be
Why is it then that you act surprised
When I appear now to be your guide?
Why do you hesitate to follow me?
See it rising, stare and wonder
Hear it beckon you to dance
Feel it hold you, take you under
I'm your god of second chance
Under Your Spell - The Birthday Massacre
You're a story that I hoped I'd never have to tell
You're a lesson that I wish I'd never learned so well
After all my years of giving up and letting go
All I wanted was to give you what you've never known
I know now
You can only hurt me cuz I let you get to know me so well
I know now
I love you cuz only you can turn my heaven to hell
I know now
I want out from under your spell
Under your spell
I'm under your spell
Under your spell
I'm under your spell
You're the promise that degraded every hope and dream
You're the whisper at the end of every hopeless scream
After all the years of turning love to empty rage
All you wanted was for me to help you turn the page
I know now
I didn't see the bruises that I should have seen the first
time I fell
I know now
No one will listen to the story that I have to tell
You're a lesson that I wish I'd never learned so well
After all my years of giving up and letting go
All I wanted was to give you what you've never known
I know now
You can only hurt me cuz I let you get to know me so well
I know now
I love you cuz only you can turn my heaven to hell
I know now
I want out from under your spell
Under your spell
I'm under your spell
Under your spell
I'm under your spell
You're the promise that degraded every hope and dream
You're the whisper at the end of every hopeless scream
After all the years of turning love to empty rage
All you wanted was for me to help you turn the page
I know now
I didn't see the bruises that I should have seen the first
time I fell
I know now
No one will listen to the story that I have to tell
Limelight - Rush
Living in a fish eye lens, caught in the camera eye
I have no heart to lie
I can't pretend a stranger is a long-awaited friend
All the world's indeed a stage and we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each anothers audience outside the gilded cage
Living in the limelight, the universal dream
For those who wish to see
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation, the underlying theme
I have no heart to lie
I can't pretend a stranger is a long-awaited friend
All the world's indeed a stage and we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each anothers audience outside the gilded cage
Living in the limelight, the universal dream
For those who wish to see
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation, the underlying theme
My Dark Disquiet - Poets of the Fall
So white, so still, so bright
It's almost too painful now
I'm ready to fight
To run from the light
And here now comes the sweet
Corrupting reality
While now I'm free
Will I once cease to be
Will I awake
Will I get a ride with you
In this race of two
We are momentary masters
We're false kings and bastards
Without names we're fantasising
Dancing like flames, mesmerising
My dark disquiet playing such eerie harmonies
Making waves and diving under
Lightning to the sound of thunder
My dark disquiet singing such haunting melodies
We are marionettes by strings animated
Yet like lovers of strings liberated
It's almost too painful now
I'm ready to fight
To run from the light
And here now comes the sweet
Corrupting reality
While now I'm free
Will I once cease to be
Will I awake
Will I get a ride with you
In this race of two
We are momentary masters
We're false kings and bastards
Without names we're fantasising
Dancing like flames, mesmerising
My dark disquiet playing such eerie harmonies
Making waves and diving under
Lightning to the sound of thunder
My dark disquiet singing such haunting melodies
We are marionettes by strings animated
Yet like lovers of strings liberated
Shatter Me - Lindsey Sterling ft. Lzzy Hale
If only the clockworks could speak
I wouldn't be so alone
We burn every magnet and spring
And spiral into the unknown
Somebody shine a light
I'm frozen by the fear in me
Somebody make me feel alive
And shatter me
So cut me from the line
Dizzy, spinning endlessly
Somebody make me feel alive
And shatter me!
Shatter me!
Somebody make me feel alive
And shatter me!
If I break the glass, then I'll have to fly
There's no one to catch me if I take a dive
I'm scared of changing, the days stay the same
The world is spinning but only in gray
I wouldn't be so alone
We burn every magnet and spring
And spiral into the unknown
Somebody shine a light
I'm frozen by the fear in me
Somebody make me feel alive
And shatter me
So cut me from the line
Dizzy, spinning endlessly
Somebody make me feel alive
And shatter me!
Shatter me!
Somebody make me feel alive
And shatter me!
If I break the glass, then I'll have to fly
There's no one to catch me if I take a dive
I'm scared of changing, the days stay the same
The world is spinning but only in gray
House of the Rising Sun - The Animals (Cover by Five Finger Death Punch)
And the only thing a gambler needs
Is a suitcase in the trunk
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk
Oh mother, tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Don't spend your life in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun
I got one foot on the platform
And another on the train
And I'm goin' back to sin city
To wear that ball and chain
Is a suitcase in the trunk
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk
Oh mother, tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Don't spend your life in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun
I got one foot on the platform
And another on the train
And I'm goin' back to sin city
To wear that ball and chain
Mephistopheles' Return - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
All these things are now before me
Endless death or timeless glory
On this night of ghosts returning
To the light of bridges burning
Now it is too late
This path to take
Don't want to see my life be...( trayed )
Tell me what you think
Tell me what you know
Did you really think
That there would be an ever after
Do you think I'm scared
Tell me does it show
When inside this deafness
I can always hear his laughter
I don't know what I'm thinking
Because all that I see
Is his face grinning
Mephistopheles
I need to find an answer
For this one cannot be
Within the words of Mephistopheles
The cost of patience
When there's no time before me
Of hesitation
All for this twisted glory
And my salvation
The cost of how it's gotten
The cost of what's gained
All forgotten
All forgotten
Endless death or timeless glory
On this night of ghosts returning
To the light of bridges burning
Now it is too late
This path to take
Don't want to see my life be...( trayed )
Tell me what you think
Tell me what you know
Did you really think
That there would be an ever after
Do you think I'm scared
Tell me does it show
When inside this deafness
I can always hear his laughter
I don't know what I'm thinking
Because all that I see
Is his face grinning
Mephistopheles
I need to find an answer
For this one cannot be
Within the words of Mephistopheles
The cost of patience
When there's no time before me
Of hesitation
All for this twisted glory
And my salvation
The cost of how it's gotten
The cost of what's gained
All forgotten
All forgotten
Birthday Letters
2021: A Note from the Court Maestro
Despite the sporadic pauses, it was the most evocative song that I have ever heard. It gave me license to wander in an indescribable world, to cast off the shackles of the world and its rules and do as I please in absolute freedom
[ Here the writing became too blurred to read. ]
Just now, the servant who delivered his food ran out of the room in fright, screaming about the sight they had just beheld: a menacing demon mask dropped on the floor... Master Antonio being pulled to the wall by his hands and feet, as though drawn by invisible strings... And his beloved violin, playing itself before his body...
With God as my witness, I have never heard such nonsense! I refuse to believe such an outlandish farce, much less humor it with investigation. After all, how could I possibly interrupt the master's work out of petty curiosity?
Wait, wait, wait! The music... It has completely stopped. Does this mean his masterpiece is finally complete?
I could never reach the heights of a musical virtuoso such as Master Antonio. I can only hope that someday, the master will grace me with the honor of listening to his finished work...
2022: A Message on the Back of a Messy Sheet Music (CW: Assault)
It's been months since we last saw each other. How have you been?
There were numerous times when we were grateful that the aria managed to overcome the barrier in your ears. Unlike those with normal hearing and self-claimed elegance, you were able to resonate with me over the words written by the bow, the language spoken among the strings, and the memories carved by the music sheets.
"I miss you, my dearest.
As the sunlight danced upon the ocean,
as the moon shone over the clear spring,
as the stars embellished the galaxy..."
As the strings quivered, your voice opened the door to my heart with the lyrics, filling up every inch inside.
Yet today, the door was closed once again and I became the deaf who wouldn't hear about anything happening in the world.
As you know, I am an indulgent man.
As you also know, I feared that song and used all my willpower to resist its charm.
No matter how much you pleaded or even threatened to break up with me, I would never... and I should never...
... Alas! I gave in.
As I played that single-string song once more, all the bones in my body no longer belonged to me. Caught in the riptide of the devil's music, the bitter and briny melody pierced my face and blurred the lines between my senses.
The puppet, captured by the strings, was once again seduced by the long-lost joy and pleasure of gambling in the Casino.
It wasn't until the distant cries penetrated everything — seeing how the bow gradually came swinging down with inertia, that my heart burst with fear and regret.
Crouching in a mess, you cried and escaped from the room.
The sunlight, the moonlight, the starlight... At that moment, all the music notes became dark.
...
I'm sorry for the trauma you endured.
I'm sorry for everything.
I'm sorry for what I've done and didn't do.
After that day, I performed in different places in search of your warm gaze and voice, which resonated with me in the crowds.
... Yet you never showed up.
Until someone who claimed to be the owner of a theater directed me to the Oletus Manor,
"In here, not only will you see her, you can even get rid of 'him' once and for all."
There is no turning back with this gamble, yet I'm sure I'll get what I came for.
I truly believe you're looking forward to the next chapter of this story, or perhaps, a coda that complements the prelude.
This song is called "Andrea."
With love,
Antonio
2023: A Page from Antonio's Experiment File (CW: Alcoholism, drug use)
Name: Antonio
[Test Indicators]
1. Histrionic personality disorder
2. Under manipulation
3. Narcissistic
[Test Tendencies]
A "puppet" being manipulated
[Test Results]
1. Overall Assessment:
When threatened, 3-1-3 has a tendency to activate a peculiar defense mechanism: entrusting his entire body to a "demon" from his youth, one that he fully trusts. While this does afford him enough protection to avoid danger, the so-called "demon" in his body is becoming harder and harder to control. During the experiment, this "demon" was coerced into taking over 3-1-3's body through medication.
2. Experiment Process:
During the initial phase of the experiment, 3-1-3 refused to disclose his reasons for arriving at the Manor. He also seemed entirely uninterested in the activities of the other test subjects. Due to his over-reliance on his "demon," he was extremely wary of other test subjects who possessed powerful convictions. Despite being consciously approached by 3-0-1 and 3-1-4, he showed much more affability towards 3-?-2 and 3-1-5, even when 3-?-2 appeared quite distressed. 3-1-3 spent the majority of his time locked in his room and showed signs of severe alcohol dependency. Strange laughter can be heard on occasion from within his room, and he was rarely sober during the course of the experiment.
A bottle of laced wine ultimately provided the necessary data. During a dinner party, 3-?-2 and 3-1-4 felt the effects of the drugged wine first. 3-1-3, who had already retired to his room, removed his trademark mask and began to exhibit strange symptoms. His limbs curled unnaturally, his muscles stiffened, and his entire body appeared to be in an extremely tense state; this clearly did not happen out of 3-1-3's own volition. In the end, 3-1-3's behavior stood in stark contrast with his previous statements and far exceeded any of the experiment's expectations. Shortly after exiting his room, he began to play a solo arrangement on the G string. His heavy consumption of laced wine resulted in his overmedication: he played frantically and without rest, and did not stop until his limbs contorted and ultimately went limp from exhaustion. His reaction to the drugs was notably different from that of any other test subject.
As a "staff" who had been placed on-site in advance, 3-0-1 was forced to carry 3-1-3 away when the situation grew out of control. Worthy of noting is that at this time, yet another interesting and unexpected phenomenon occurred: while being transported away, 3-1-3 flailed his arms in a desperate struggle and refused to let anyone touch him. As the "demon" had taken full control of his body, 3-1-3 continued playing his violin with no indication of stopping; even after he and his instrument were forced into a pre-arranged wooden casket, he refused to stop playing. From within the casket, that same strange laugh could be heard ringing out.
3. Analysis and Conclusion:
Due to the nature of their experimental environment, every test subject in this group suffered substantial damage to their ego and sense of agency; this resulted in an imbalance of their personality structures. The purpose of this experiment was to observe and analyze the reactions of various test subjects with similar personalities while under the influence. The defining characteristic of this test group is that each subject possesses "refined" acting skills. Some found fame and fortune in the spotlight, while others had their souls crushed in obscurity.
3-1-3's personality was shaped largely by his childhood experiences. With both body and mind engrossed in music, he devoted his entire youth to rigorous practice and became a master of the violin. However, he was left completely incapable in all other regards and thus could be easily corrupted. Even after acquiring fame, his desire for even greater musical inspiration led him to sacrifice his entire being, and he became a puppet at the mercy of a "demon."
3-1-3's true purpose for coming to the Manor still requires investigation. Upon his arrival, he was neither eager to find the person mentioned in his invitation, nor willing to explore the Manor like the other test subjects.
In the early phases of the experiment, 3-1-3 showed disdain for the other performers, but was also unable to fully resist his ""demon's"" possession. Under the influence of the aforementioned drugs, 3-1-3 finally embraced his "demon" with open arms and became a violin playing puppet who could perform indefinitely.
3-1-3's experimental results confirm the efficacy of this drug in regulating personality structures. During 3-1-3's trials, the drug helped to stimulate his long-suppressed superego, but a quantitative analysis on the appropriate dosages still requires confirmation.
A drug overdose and a subsequent loss of control resulted in 3-1-3's disqualification from the experiment. Due to similar outcomes with the other subjects, none of them were able to reach the game phase of the experiment, and the entire group was deemed a failure. A third group of new test subjects must be acquired in the near future.