Haji

[Afternoon light streams through the window as Haji sets the camera up, showing the chair sitting in the middle of the kitchen. His cello case is open, but before he takes it out he goes to the sink and opens one of the taps. It's the Transiberian Orchestra and he frowns slightly before turning it off and opening the other. The sound of piano music begins and after a moment, he nods his head and settles in the chair, picking up the cello and beginning a nice accompaniment to the piece as he speaks.]

This does not seem to be such a bad curse.

[He pauses, listening to the music play as he picks up the tempo to follow along.]

The kitchen has been playing this piece for most of the afternoon, a lamp in my bedroom is playing of the Carol of the Bells.

[He pays for awhile again, complete with a key change that has his wrapped hand dancing the bow over the strings before the piece comes to an end.]

There are worse ways to spend a day.

[With that, he puts the cello away and turns off the recorder.]

[The camera is laying on its side, showing Haji, seated near the fountain in the morning light, his cell out and playing the third movement of the Cassadó Cello Suite. It's nearly flawless, save for the section where it's required to manually pluck the strings with his bow-hand, a little difficult when one considers his bandages covering it. Still, he manages, decades of practice compensating for the handicap.

He's gathered a small audience of onlookers, perhaps they're on their way to work, or to play - it is the weekend, after all - and when he's finished, they all clap. Some do it to be polite, but some seem genuinely moved and those individuals toss coins into the open cello case near his feet. To those people, he speaks in his usual, calm voice.]

Thank you for the kind donation. I'm certain it will go far towards the contribution I'm expected towards my lodging. While my [there's a slight pause] brother made it clear that he would take what I could manage in terms of rent, I certain he would not be put out should I come up short and he had reason to evict me. [Pause.] Not that I really believe he would, Saya would not allow it and the one thing we do agree on is that her needs and wishes come first. But the thought would cross his mind at least once, if not more. In fact, he will no doubt be pleased that I have decided to spend today out here, playing for all of you. It gives him more time to devote to her without worry of being interrupted by me, something I understand he must have gotten quite used to before my arrival. Which begs the question, should I call her and invite her to join me for a time? It would be nice to play with her, we could start working on some duets I found and it has been a long time since I've heard her play. But Solomon would no doubt consider it another attempt to keep her away from him when in truth I just miss spending time with her and the music she taught me, without worrying about other things. Perhaps if I invited him to join us? I have no idea if he is musically inclined, but it would be polite and I'm certain Saya would appreciate the effort for her sake. I should call her. But perhaps later, she might like to sleep in later and I don't want to disturb her needlessly. After lunch, I can call her after she's had lunch. [Pause.] I wonder if she received the note I left...

[He keeps talking while his audience walks away, wondering what sort of malady might have afflicted the poor mad musician. In fact, considering his apparent madness a few double or even triple their donations. Haji, for what it's worth, doesn't stop talking until he starts playing again, this time the familiar Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite no. 5.]




[ooc: No Inner Monologue. For a guy who likes to leave a LOT of things unsaid, this should be interesting.]