With much excitment and for two hands I awaited the day of Marius' return. But all along I was in self-denial as to the real purpose of his return. For it was to see whether or not I could play my instrument. No.. actually it was to see whether I could play my instrument well. The way that I used to play her.
Marius and I were both disappointed for the exact same reason: I failed miserably. My Kalika sings as beautiful as ever, but she no longer yields to her Master. It is as if she is now my Mistress, and I am her unworthy slave. My beggance that she sing so beautifully for me went unrequited.
My Master left with only a parting word to Asia, that she pay him a visit within three day's time at the Inn where he stays. He said nothing to me, however. He did not even acknowledge me when he left. Afterward, it was the Storyteller, Tasta who consoled me with her tales of Pirates and Mutiny aboard a ship called the Serpent. I played the accompanying score to aid in the drama of her yarn between breaths.
I believe it was her initial desire to audition for Marius. Yet not for herself, but to distract him somehow from my own failure. She too, failed as miserably as I did. And later, we consoled one another with our passion. She is much the same as I am.
