It's How to Kill a Piano. My name's George Tait, and welcome to
another episode, perhaps maybe unexpected and a little bit of a Halloween treat,
since today is Halloween twenty twenty three. Now. In the last episode,
I did say these were going to come out every two weeks, but I
figured, what the heck, It's Halloween and it's been a while, so
I thought, let's release three episodes in one evening. Whether that's a trick
or a treat, we'll be up to you to decide. Without further ado,
Here's How to Kill a Piano, Chapter twenty three, Halloween's Past.
Sharon sat in the middle of the calm waters as they gently rocked the size
of the ferry boat of the in between, like a mother rocking a cradle
to soothe an infant. The water's calm to share. Sharon was unsure what
to do with themselves on this Halloween evening. They always kept so busy they
rarely had time for anything, let alone anyone else. Cordiva was often the
only contact they had with anyone that wasn't already dead. They carefully touched their
left paw to their forehead, and with closed eyes, began to speak out
into the darkness. What should I do with myself tonight, Sharon pondered.
Cordiva's voice began to speak back from the moments ago empty fairy, though it
was too dark now to be sure. We really need to stop meeting like
this, Cordiva purred, first licking her paw and then running the saliva up
over her head, across her ears, dragging it through her fur. She
continued to groom herself as she materialized, sitting calmly in the center of the
fairy, otherwise ignoring Sharon's physical existence. I don't mean to bother, but
it's Halloween and there isn't much to do with the dead not needing my services.
I don't know what to do with myself, Sharon barked. I thought
maybe you and I could. We could do what Bordiva responded, cutting Sharon
off with annoyance, spend some time together. Sharon dared, not make eye
contact at the request. You assume that I get the day off. I'm
spending my time between different realms, and while I might not be bringing you
clients to shepherd, I have enough on my plate as it is. One
of the Athenians has been sick. His mind is going Gordeva hissed, the
Athenians, I don't know much about them. Why haven't I had the privilege
of any Athenians on my ferry, Sharon questioned, confused, they don't exactly
transition the way the others do, Gordeva explained, immortal. Then, Sharon
said, matter of factly, not exactly. When their vessels reached the end
of their time, they passed themselves into a new form. Sharon listened attentively,
their curiosity piqued. This was a world they had only glimpsed but never
truly understood. Cordiva's tasks were vast and complex, far beyond the scope of
their own role. You speak of fascinating things, Cordiva, Sharon mused,
their gaze, finally meeting the glowing azure eyes of the feline form in front
of them. I sometimes forget how vast and intricate the realms beyond can be.
It's not just the dead souls I ferry across. There are entire worlds,
immortal beings and mysteries that I never encounter. Cordiva momentarily ceased her grooming
and regarded Sharon with a mix of condescension and something resembling sympathy. Of course
you do, dear Sharon. Your work may be singular, but it's a
dentil new guide souls to their final destinations, providing a surface that brings closure
and peace. Sharon's inquisitiveness wasn't satisfied. But what is this connection with the
Athenians? How do they pass into new forms? Cordeva extended her clawed paw,
blazily swatting a spectral fish that had ventured too close to the boat.
Athenians believe in the cycle of existence. When they sense their bodies have reached
the end of their journey, they willingly let it go, allowing their consciousness
to merge into a new form that they themselves groom into being. In doing
so, they gain new perspectives, new experience, answers, and a new
life in kind. Sharon nodded, taking in this newfound knowledge, so they
become one with the cosmos and are reborn in a different form. That's beautiful.
Cordiva's expression softened her eyes, betraying a touch of nostalgia. Yes it
is, and on this holloween night, as the boundaries between the living and
the dead blur, It's a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things. It's
a night of transitions, not just for those that come to your fairy,
but for the entire universe. Sharon gazed at the dark waters, pondering the
mysteries of existence and the unexpected wisdom they had gleaned from Gordiva. Thank you
for sharing this with me, Cordiva. I may not fully grasp the scope
of your work, but I appreciate your presence and your willingness to bridge the
gap between our duties. Gordieva resumed her grooming, her voice gentler as she
purred, You're welcome, Sharon. We may have different roles, but we
share a purpose in guiding souls on their journey in that we are bound together
like the threads of existence that weave through the universe. As the night unfolded
and the in between Fairy sailed on the calm, dark waters, Hordiva received
a message from the Athenian world. The message came from Scruteous. It was
about Charlie, the Athenian, who had been contemplating the cycle of existence and
the traditions of his people. Scrutious reported that Charlie made a momentous decision.
He no longer wished to imprint his memories upon another vessel and prolong his existence.
Instead, he had chosen to allow his current form to come to an
end, with his consciousness dissipating into the vast expanse of the universe. Cordeva,
with a sense of urgency, called Charon in closer to her side.
Charon, the time has come for you to fulfill your duty, she said,
her voice solemn. There's an Athenian that has made a choice, and
it's your responsibility to guide him onto your fairy. Take this night to walk
alongside the dead and demons with delight. Go experience their world and fetch Charlie
Sepharic and ferry him across, and I will take care of being sure that
Charlie befills is Athenian duties. Charon nodded as Cordiva's form vanished from the fairy,
leaving Charon alone once again. The waters gently tapped the sides of the
boat as it began to move through the waters. As Charon moved it along,
sculling the water with the rowing oar. While Sharon intended to obey their
instructions, they couldn't ignore the gnawing unease deep within. Sharon soon found themselves
venturing through the moonlit streets of the Athenian Realm. Their paws led them to
a quaint part of town where the soft strains of music floated into Halloween's night
air. The street lit by the flickering candles that breathed out like fire from
the mouths of jack o lanterns that lined the path. The glowing gourds soon
guided them to an enchanting melody that flowed from inside one of the dwellings.
Sharon found themselves sitting out front of the only one not decorated for Halloween.
One window glowed out into the darkness yes and inside you could see a woman
sitting gracefully at a piano, with a man sitting silently on the couch next
to her, as her fingers glided across the keys with ethereal skill. This
was the first moment that Sharon laid eyes on Sarah, the Goddess of music
herself in her earthly like form as a piano teacher. Sharon was so captivated
by the enchanting melody that they almost didn't notice Charlie sitting beside her, but
as the melody progressed, Charon slowly began to notice Charlie and then the tears
running down both of their faces. Sarah spoke softly to Charlie as she played.
Charon turned their ears towards the window, adjusting them to amplify their conversation.
As they continued to eavestrop an he regrets. Sarah asked that I didn't
make this decision sooner, and that I likely won't be there when it comes
to be your time. Charlie responded, You'll always be with me, Charlie,
do you have any last requests before we start. I'm happy you're here
with me, Charlie reassured. Sarah began to sob, saying goodbyes so hard.
Goodbyes don't have to be sad, Charlie comforted, wrapping his arms around
Sarah. Almost every goodbye means that we simply get to look forward to saying
hello again. Charlie. You know you can't remember any of this. I
might not remember, but we'll be saying Alloa for the first time all over
again. But it won't be the first time, Charlie. We've said hello
countless times. Eventually it'll be our last, and neither of us will know
it. Charlie choked back his own tears. I hope in this new life
I can repay your kindness, Sarah. You already have, Charlie, just
by being yourself. Well, then, Charlie wiped his face. We'll simply
have to live each day like it's our last from now on. They shared
a quiet, heartfelt moment, understanding that this was not a farewell, but
a new beginning for both of them. There his fingers paused briefly on the
keys. Don't make me play the last few chords. You'll forget all about
us. Charlie suddenly became wistful. You know I have to or my mind
will continue to erode. Take care, Sarah. I love you. I
hope your life is filled with love, happiness, and music. Tears streamed
down both Charlie and Sarah's face. And you, Charlie, may your days
be filled with wonder and discovery. As the music resumed and the chords continued
to weave their magic, they resonated with the very essence of Charlie's existence,
unlocking a deep and sacred connection. It was a connection that went beyond the
physical realm. It was a connection that reached into the core of his being.
Is a connection where his memories, experiences, and identity were entwined.
Were feeling his very unique time signature. Look out for George, for me,
will you, Charley begged Charlie. You'll be raising him yourself. You'll
still be here in some way. I don't want to go, Sarah.
I wish I could stay with you forever, but the cost of that forever
is too great. Scrutinous may think he found a way to cheat this process,
but at what cost. I'm losing it. I'd rather take all of
this away and start with a blank slate one last time, before it's taken
from me and I'm forced to imprint myself into a new form. George doesn't
deserve that. No one deserves that. We didn't deserve that. Charlie's eyes,
once clouded with uncertainty and fear, began to clear. The musical notes
emanating from the piano seemed to pull at his very essence, gently releasing the
tendrils of his Athenian memories that had been slowly unraveling his mind. With each
chord, he felt a sense of liberation, as if the weight of countless
lifetimes was slowly being lifted from his shoulders. The room began to pulsate with
a soft glow, and Sarah continued to play. Her fingers danced gracefully across
the keys. The magical chords were not just melodies. They were a bridge
between realms, a conduit to the vast cosmic web of existence. As Charlie's
consciousness started to disperse, he saw fleeting glimpses of his past lives, the
wisdom and knowledge he had accumulated over centuries, fading away like whispers in the
wind. Sharon watched with curiosity. In the final moments, as Charlie's presence
grew increasingly translucent, he turned to Sarah, who had become his anchor in
this profound transition, and with a smile filled with gratitude, he whispered,
thank you, Sarah, thank you for showing me this path. Sarah closed
her eyes, her hands resting on the piano keys, and the enchanting music
ceased. The room fell into a gentle, contemplative silence. It was a
bittersweet moment, a profound farewell to an Athenian who had chosen to defy tradition
and to embrace morality for one last meaningful experience. The room was filled with
a serene ambience, The gentle resonance of the piano's final notes still hung in
the air. Charley, now a mere mortal, looked into Sarah's eyes,
filled with a mixture of emotions that he didn't understand. They exchanged that one
last lingering look, an echo of the profound connection between the two that had
crossed paths in a world where boundary is dissolved. Sara's fingers trembled, and
Charley suddenly had no idea where or who he was. Excuse me, I
don't mean to trouble you. I don't seem to know where I am Charlie,
Sarah gasped, Yes, I'm Charlie, and you are. Sharon watched
from just outside the window in the darkness, realizing that the time to take
Charlie had passed, Charlie had taken himself, and now Charlie was neither mortal
nor immortal. Charlie was simply Charlie of being in charge of themselves outside the
realm of a storyteller's pen, Sharon felt moved by Charlie and Sarah. They
didn't want to take Charlie and now they couldn't, but Sharon didn't know what
to do, so they ran up to the door of Sarah's music studio and
barked check her trate it was Halloween after all. Sarah, startled by the
unexpected visitor, jolted at the sudden new sound. Her hands thrust down nonsensically
on the keys in front of her, followed by three cords that froze the
room in time. She gently kissed Charley's forehead and whispered, Charley, wait
right here, You're safe here, We'll be done soon. I love you.
Sarah walked to the door, peeked through the window and saw a stray
dog sat panting and looking back at her. She opened the door and greeted
the puppy, Hello there, little one, She whispered, her voice a
gentle caress. Are you lost on the spooky night? Sharon let out a
soft, almost understanding bark, as if in response. In this moment,
the two of them communicated far more than words ever could. Sensing the stray's
profound presence, Sarah smiled warmly and invited Sharon in. She walked back to
the music room, where Charlie stood frozen, Sharon walking quietly behind. I
want you to meet the love of my life. This is Charlie, although
he no longer knows who he is, and I suppose we won't be in
love anymore. Look at me, I'm talking to a dog. You probably
don't understand what I'm saying, Sharon barked in acknowledgment. Sarah gasped in astonishment
that the stray dog seemed to understand her. Sharon barked back again and again,
and then with words that said, it's okay. I can protect both
of you. Sarah's eyes widened as Sharon slowly morphed into human form, but
instead of fear, she felt an inexplicable sense of ease and comfort. Something
about them felt familiar, like a long lost friend returning home. Sharon and
Sarah embraced and held each other for what seemed like forever. You're not an
ornary dog, are you, she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Sharon broke the embrace and took a step back, offering a warm smile,
their eyes glimmering with secrets untold. No, my dear Sara, I'm Charon,
the loyal servant of death. But tonight, I am but a humble
observer, drawn to the magic of your music and the power of your love.
Sarah nodded in understanding, sensing the gravity of his words. Are you
here to take Charley? No? No, I wouldn't dream of it.
I wouldn't dream of taking Charley from you? Then what brings you to my
humble studio? Sharon? The Ferryman's heart pounded within their chest, torn between
revealing the truth and maintaining the masquerade, But they found themselves unable to resist
the pull of honesty with this enchanting goddess of music. I was drawn here
by the magic of your music, Sarah, they confessed, their voice,
gentle and vulnerable. It resonates with something deep within me, a connection I
can't explain. And on this night of all nights, when the boundaries between
worlds blur, I felt compelled to seek you out. Sarah's eyes softened,
touched by the sincerity of their words. She sensed the weight that they carried,
the burdens of their role as Death's servant, And yet there was a
longing in their gaze, a desire for something beyond their duty. Perhaps there's
a reason our cross path to night, She mused, her fingers began dancing
across the keys of the piano in a soothing melody. Music has a way
of transcending barriers, abridging the gap. To be honest, Sarah, I
was sent here to take Charley before he transformed. I was sent here to
punish him for diverting from the path of your people. But there's so much
more to this story than I was told. I can't simply take blindly any
more. Please allow me to help you, Allow me to help Charlie.
Sarah Swathy, the Goddess of music, stood before her piano, its rich
mahogany wood gleaming under the soft glow of the moonlight through the window. Her
heart ached with a bittersweet resolve as she gazed upon the instrument that held the
power to shape destiny. The time had come to make a choice that would
forever alter the course of both her and Charley's life forever. Charley had willingly
embraced mortality, desiring a life of growth and change. But to achieve this
he had to sever the ties that bound him to his past, sacrificing his
memories for the promise of a fresh start. Sara understood this, She also
yearned for a new beginning, Yet the weight of their shared history weighed so
heavily upon her in this moment. With trembling fingers, Sarah traced the intricate
carvings on the piano's lid, the echoes of countless melodies reverberating through her touch.
The piano was an heirloom passed through generations, that held the power to
shape reality, to shape the very essence of existence. All you have to
do is play, Sharon encouraged, keep playing, don't stop, and we
can get through this together. You don't have to do this alone. I
can be here with you, and I can keep Charley safe. Sarah took
a deep breath, summoning her divine energy, and began to play. The
notes flowed from her finger tips, carrying within them the weight of a thousand
emotions. The melody swelled and cascaded, filling the room with resonance. Each
note held a fragment of their shared past, a memory that would soon fade
away. Sara's gaze never wavered from the piano keys. As her playing intensified,
their room seemed to come alive with the magic of the moment. A
hushed anticipation hanging in the air, she mustered the strength to speak, her
voice laced with both sorrow and determination. Charlie, my love, she said,
her voice catching on the weight of her words. I made a choice,
one that will set you free to live a life untethered to the past.
This melody, this act, it is meant to grant you the gift
of forgetfulness. Confused, usion flickered in Charley's eyes as he remained frozen in
time, his brow furrowing in the mixture of surprise and concern. His lips
goold, barely muster the words forgitfulness. But why what is the purpose of
forgetfulness? Tears welled in Sarah's eyes as she continued to play Our love,
Charlie will forever reside within the depths of my being. Though you may forget,
my heart will always remember. This is my sacrifice, my gift to
you. As the final notes of the melody resonated through the room, Sarah
watched as Charlie's gaze softened, his expressions shifting from confusion to acceptance. He
closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the power the enchanting tunes. The room
fell into silence once again, save for the echo of the piano's final vibrations.
Charlie opened his eyes, a new found lightness in his gaze. The
weight of his memories had been lifted and replaced by a blank canvas upon which
he could paint his new life. Sarah took a step back, her heart
aching but filled with hope. Go now, Charley, she whispered, Go
home to the child. He's waiting for you for the first time, sleeping
in his bed. Tell him tales of the world and set him free like
I've set you free. Now. Her voice was barely audible. Embrace the
unknown, and may life unfold before you like a symphony of endless possibilities.
Charlie slowly nodded, a smile playing upon his lips. He took Sarah's hands
in his own, feeling the warmth of their connection. One last time.
With a lingering glance, he turned and walked away, stepping out the front
door and into the vast expanse of the unknown. As Charon watched in silence.
Sara's fingers rested on the keys of the magical piano. She couldn't bear
to watch him walk out that last time. The music of their love would
forever resonate within her soul as a reminder of the sacrifice she made for his
happiness. Charon had been prepared to guide Charley to the after life, but
found themselves strangely moved by these course of events. They felt an unexplainable connection
to Sarah, who offered an alternative to the customary path that they were there
to fulfill. Over time, as the days turned into weeks and months,
Sharon found themselves spending more time in the realm of the Athenians. They helped
care for Charlie, who now lived as a shadow of his former self and
looked after me, guiding me as a mentor and a father figure. Sharon
worked as a guardian, although I didn't know that at the time. Sharon
couldn't help but notice the enchanting beauty of Sarah, who had shown compassion and
understanding to all eternal beings, and Sarah and Charon slowly fell in love.
As the lines between the worlds continued to blur, Sharon realized that they had
fallen head over heels. They no longer felt bound by their eternal duty,
but bound by a new found purpose in protecting and caring for those who dared
to challenge the traditions of existence. With each passing day, the in between
fairy became less relevant to Sharon. Though they never skipped out on their duties,
they did prefer to remain by Sarah's side and vowed to be there until
it was time for Sarah to make the same choice as Charlie. As the
mysterious and ever evolving story of existence continued to unfold, Sharon's role in it
had transformed, guided by the power of love and a newfound appreciation for the
beauty of the living world. That it would take those who are immortal to
open their eyes that those who aren't. With each passing Halloween, Sharon and
Cordiva continued to gather on Sharon's ferry, though was time progressed, they had
less and less to speak about. As the waters rocked gently beneath them,
Cordiva became more and more impatient that Charlie was never collected. This has been
How to Kill a Piano as always. You can reach us at how to
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Till next time, I'm George Date