At long last... Chapter 2 is here! Sorry for keeping you guys waiting; I've been having lots of homework and tests and everything.
Oh, and I broke my [somewhat new] reed that day when I tried to stick it into my water container, missed, and smashed it instead against the side of the container. It split perfectly in two, and I went around showing everybody... my oboe tutor wasn't exactly impressed. Heehee...
The Reed Part 3: Chapter Two
It was perfect, Janson thought, examining his newest possession from all angles. It was the most beautiful reed he had ever set his eyes upon. True, the standard plastic reeds were better in many ways - for one, they had the ability to mould themselves to fit the player's embouchure, for another, they were durable and could last up to a year, and they were way more hygienic than the traditional wooden reed - but the cold impersonality of the plastic reeds had never been something Janson liked. He enjoyed feeling connected with his instrument when he played, something the plastic reeds did not allow. But this reed...
Janson grinned. He had ample time to try it out. The rest of the band were having their sectionals, but since he was the only oboist in the band, it didn't really matter what he did with the time - there was no one to notice and scold him for not practicing.
And another advantage of being the sole member of his section was the fact that he had the whole oboe practice room all to himself. From its soundproof walls and ceiling emanated a warm glow of light that filled the room with a peaceful aura, and its relative smallness - it was meant for only two to four people - just added to the cosy feeling. Both the brightness and the temperature of the room could be adjusted by means of a small control panel by the door for the optimum practice atmosphere.
No one could get in except him. The door was protected with a fingerprint identification system. Inside, Janson kept all his personal band-related belongings on a small shelf set into the wall adjacent to the door - his oboe, a few plastic reeds meant to last him through band life, datachips containing digital music scores, and several snacks for times when he was hungry and felt like munching on something. Perpendicular to the shelf on its left was a sink-cum-water cooler if he ever got thirsty.
The rest of the room held a single chair, and a small LCD screen set into the wall next to the sink that was situated conveniently at eye level for anyone sitting in the aforementioned chair. This screen served the same purpose as music stands in the old days; it displayed the contents of the music score datachips and responded to both voice command and touch.
Going over to the shelf, Janson opened his oboe case and assembled the instrument inside. About to push the reed in, he suddenly remembered reading somewhere that wooden reeds needed to be soaked first before they could be played. He stuck the reed under the tap, letting the water flow over it for a few seconds before deciding that it was soaked enough. Janson placed the reed in his oboe, lifted it into his mouth, and blew a B-flat note.
It was the most beautiful note he had ever played. Encouraged, he joined the first note with others, filling the room with sounds that echoed over the centuries.
Hours passed. He just played on.
~8~8~8~
Something had awakened it.
For years The Reed had slept... decades, centuries.
And now, something stirred in it - a memory of long ago, still embedded somewhere in its artificial consciousness.
Someone had awakened it.
The Reed hovered slightly off the surface where it had been placed and surveyed its surroundings. It was in a room of sorts, devoid of people and therefore its awakener.
Memories started to flood in. Memories of being trapped. Memories of humans: his enemies, trying to stop it from taking over the world. Where was it? When was it?
How much time had passed, exactly? How long had it been?
The Reed would find out. It would find out everything, and those pitiful humans would be powerless to stop it when The Reed continued on its great ambition to world domination.
Resistance was futile.
TO BE CONTINUED... as usual, please review!
Evil Scientist: Sorry, can't seem to find your story...
Wildmage42: Yep, I've seen ROTK. Yeah, oboes are the instruments of Sauron... he plays them.
Lady Amakakeru: "All the people are idiots therefore this is a realistic story". 0.0 Right... Thanks a lot for your seven reviews!
g21lto: And the bassoon, and the oboes. ^_^ Thanks for reviewing!
MelodicVixen: Uh, were you 'Vixen' earlier? It sounds like you... the same kind of crazy. I used to play the floote. And what d'you mean, 'u's are very overrated?
a horn player: No, horns don't have special powers. *glares* Oboes do.
neli: My reeds are more expensive because my oboe tutor handmakes them. It's not fair. Thanks for your review!
Assam: *blinks* You mean there are D and G Alto flutes too? Never heard of them... and yeah, the F-flute is a funky new future flute. Funky Future Flute. Three 'F's! Wooh! =D
Merrique: You have evil reeds too? Ooh... be careful.
Sharnay: Ask them to review too! =D
Lady Jade Green: My parents got grossed out after the first chapter, so they haven't read it... sigh. Yeah, band people rule!
Brianne: I dunno... didn't French horns come from France? And do English horns come from England, for that matter?
tina-flute: One day I'll get hold of a piccolo, try a high 'C' and see how many people go deaf. ^^