Angus didn't sleep much that night. His mind tumbled over his decision to stay or leave Benthos. He loved the city but felt like an outsider; not only had he become very unpopular, but he couldn't sing and still needed to be found by an Instrument. His father’s invitation was an appealing alternative.
Angus met Veronica and Trevor at breakfast the following day in the Grand Dome. Dirty looks were thrown in his direction, and most people gave him a wide berth.
"Feeling better?" asked Trevor as he sat down.
Angus shrugged.
"You look like crap, Tappy Magoo," said Veronica, "I'm guessing you didn't sleep well?"
"Not a wink," he grumbled in a sullen voice.
"Don't mind him," whispered Veronica to Trevor, "I think someone peed in his cereal."
Angus glared at Veronica, and they occupied themselves with chewing.
She was first to break the silence, "I was thinking, if it’s true, those jerks probably found your birth certificate in the Library."
"So?" Angus grunted.
"Well," said Veronica. “We could also go to the Library and dig for treasure.”
Angus understood what she was hinting at.
"What am I missing?" asked Trevor, "Why would we dig in a library?"
"Dig for dirt on Zach, dummy. And I thought you were the smart one." Veronica crossed her arms and grinned smugly.
***
The trio admired the Library’s vaulted ceilings and intricately carved panels, noticing the pipes that seemed to weave into every nook and cranny.
They approached the front desk to find Agrona making paper airplanes from book pages.
"Hello, may we please see any materials to do with Zach Hendrik?" asked Veronica in an uncharacteristically polite tone.
Agrona narrowed her eyes at them suspiciously. "Johann, something is out of tune," she whispered to her pipe organ.
She played the bank of Johann’s manuals, sounds reverberating as before, and a few papers fluttered through the aisles to land on a table.
"I don’t see anything interesting," Trevor spread the documents, "it’s not like he’s won citizenship awards or robbed a bank, for that matter."
"Yeah," said Veronica, "and he's too young to have a public criminal record, so even if he has broken the law, we wouldn't have access."
"Nothing about his father," said Angus, "On his birth certificate, it says Ella Hendrik, and where the father's name is supposed to go, it's blank. He's lucky. He doesn't even have a father to ruin his reputation."
As they continued reading, Veronica felt something poke her in the bottom.
"Hey!" yelled Veronica. "Who's asking for a knuckle sandwich?"
She spun with fists raised but saw no one. Veronica glared around, then glanced down. A spidery thing with a plaid body hopped urgently from side to side. And while Veronica was pretty much afraid of nothing, that pretty much did not include spiders.
She shrieked.
"Oh, would you look at that," Agrona bustled over, "Baggins thinks you're another bagpipe because of your plaid kilt. Isn't that cute?"
"THAT is NOT cute." Veronica pointed at it.
"Now, now, it's OK," said Agrona. "Baggins, who let you out of the basement? Now skedaddle!"
Baggins turned to Agrona, then Veronica. It whined and slowly went back to the basement stairwell.
"Sorry about that; he can be a little nosey sometimes."
"I would call that more than a little nosey," said Veronica. "I see why you keep him in the basement."
"He's never been good with manners," Agrona shook her head sorrowfully. "Well, I better get back to it and leave you to your studies," She wandered off just as suddenly as she had appeared.
When the three of them returned their attention to the table, Angus noticed a book he was sure hadn’t been there before. On the cover was written 'The Truth About Wagner Records.'
Trevor and Veronica looked at each other in surprise, and for once, Veronica was at a loss for words.
"Did one of you find this?" asked Angus.
"No, we were here the whole time," said Veronica, "I swear I wouldn't mess around with something like that."
Is it a bunch of lies? Is this a trick?
"I don't think you should read that," suggested Trevor, "you've heard enough about your father for now."
Even if it's all lies, I still need to know what people say about my family.
"No," said Angus, "We can read this. It's probably just a bunch of boring business numbers anyway." He opened the slim book and read haltingly.
"Wagner Records is a sole proprietorship focused entirely on the music entertainment industry. It employs hundreds of managers, agents, talent scouts, producers, and lawyers who operate on the assumption that music can be bought and sold like any other product. To them, composers and artists are simply resources to be exploited for profit."
Angus took a deep breath and continued.
“Wagner Records is owned and controlled by Lucas ‘Mendax’ Wagner, known for many unethical practices. He claims to be related to the great composer Richard Wagner, yet no proof has ever surfaced.”
Great, now who do I trust?
"Lawyers are Wagner’s backbone as they make binding runes, or ‘contracts’ as they call them. These are not just legally enforceable but also physically and metaphysically binding."
"Metaphysically binding?" said Angus, "What on earth does that mean?"
"Let's see," said Veronica. "If someone signs one of these contracts, they cannot defy it without full consequences unless the original contract is destroyed, or a loophole is found."
"It’s kind of like how our mentors and us can't talk about each other’s personal stuff," said Trevor. "How interesting."
"They call it ‘bitten by the vampire’ because, once someone signs, they’re under the power of Wagner Records forever," said Veronica. "What a bunch of slimeballs,” she added.
“That's my father you're talking about.” Angus glowered at Veronica.
"Oh, sorry, I meant the lawyers. They’re slimeballs."
This must be a conspiracy, thought Angus. Proof, I need evidence.
Angus approached Agrona at the front desk and asked, "Are there contracts stored in this library?"
"There are many contracts here, but most of them are just copies," replied Agrona, "People usually keep the originals in vaults or safes. Any particular ones that you are looking for?"
"Can you find me contracts with Wagner Records?" asked Angus.
"As you wish," Agrona played Johann, and a few papers flew to their table from the depths of the Library.
"Is that all of them?" asked Angus. "There doesn't seem to be that many."
Agrona nodded, "Sometimes people don't file their contracts, which causes all kinds of inconvenience, but it’s not against the rules. I'm afraid the company you are looking into is very secretive."
"Thanks, ma'am," said Angus and returned to the table.
He pored over the contracts, which were incredibly hard to read. Sentences like, "All masters produced hereunder from the inception of the composition hereof, and all performances made therefrom, therein and thereto, and all associated renewals and extensions thereof, shall be the sole and proprietary property of the Company..."
"Argh," exclaimed Angus, "This is like trying to read Cretan Hieroglyphics, and they haven’t even been deciphered yet!"
"I think they make it hard to understand on purpose," said Veronica, "Nobody would sign otherwise. Like I said, slimeballs… the lawyers, I mean… pure slimeballs."
Maybe my dad is as bad as everyone says.
"Ah, there you are," said a voice behind them.
All three turned to see Clavis enter the Library.
"This is one of my favorite places," said Clavis as he walked over to the children’s table, "Why are you reading those boring contracts?"
"I need to find out if a certain person is as bad as everybody seems to think," said Angus.
"Who…," Clavis paused, then spoke carefully. "I'm afraid you won't find it here. You see, good and bad are subjective. Everyone has their side to a story; no matter how much you read, you will only find opinions."
"So how do I know who to trust?" asked Angus.
Clavis bent down and looked Angus in the eye. "Listen to Thrum. That's all we can ever do, I'm afraid."
I knew he was going to say that.
Clavis straightened with a mournful look on his face. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Angus stood in anticipation of what was coming next, "I know, I have to leave because my father is Mendax. Don't worry; I'll go get my things."
"Oh no," said Clavis, "One does not get kicked out of Benthos because of who they are related to. If that were so, I wouldn't be allowed either. I'm afraid I'm here about something else, and it isn't to do with you."
Clavis turned and faced Veronica, "I'm so sorry, Veronica, but your mentor, Pascal, passed away in his sleep last night."
Her face paled, and she hunched as though she’d been punched in the gut.
"Oh no," Veronica’s bottom lip trembled, "I was starting to like him." Tears gathered in her brown eyes.
"Yes," said Clavis, "bonds form quickly with a mentor and apprentice. Even though you did not know him very long, it is customary for apprentices to attend the transposition ceremony, which is held promptly following a death."
Trevor tried to hug Veronica, but she pushed him away.
"I think you should attend as well," Clavis told Trevor and Angus, "It will be very informative, and Veronica could use the support."
"Yes," Angus nodded, "of course, we'll go."
"On your watches, you will find a selection that says Formal Persona," said Clavis, "It will dress you in a tuxedo, which is appropriate for events such as this."
Veronica sat woodenly, wetness trailing silently down her cheeks.
"The observance will begin in an hour. Please meet me at the Amphitheater. Until then, be well." Clavis patted Veronica’s shoulder and departed.
***
Angus, Trevor, and a very shaky Veronica arrived at the main entrance in their formal Personas. Clavis guided them to places on stage, arranged around Pascal's body, which was covered by a white satin sheet. The massive orchestra pit quietly filled with string players, and somber mourners occupied almost every seat in the house. They waited respectfully, Trevor on one side and Angus on the other, with Veronica between. Occasionally, she reached out, lightly touched the two boys, then quickly withdrew. It was as if she was making sure they were still there.
Clavis stepped to the podium and signaled the conductor, who slowly waved her baton.
"Today is sad yet celebratory as we mourn our brother Pascal's passing." said Clavis, "We are here to witness his transposition." The players softly began Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. "Pascal came to us more than sixty years ago. He chose to become an explorer in the Caverns, a dangerous and isolating job."
The strings played a little louder.
"As we know, in life, we are simply vibrations," continued Clavis, "and eventually, those vibrations transfer from one medium to another, but they do not cease to exist."
Veronica stood, transfixed. Angus tugged on her jacket and whispered for her to sit down. She ignored him and started walking forward. Clavis noticed and paused his speech while the string players gently stopped.
"It's all right, Veronica," said Clavis, "come on forward."
Veronica walked to the body, withdrew Pascal's hand, and gently pulled a ring set with a brilliant red crystal from his finger. She transferred the metal band to her own, closed her eyes, and cradled the viola that immediately materialized.
"I see his Viola Anastasia has chosen you," Clavis nodded thoughtfully. "She is the oldest known Viola in existence. You are fortunate, my dear."
Veronica, still trance-like, started playing. The orchestra smoothly joined in, and the music continued.
"Let the Transposition of Pascal commence," said Clavis.
Pascal's body gently rose in the air. The strings, along with Veronica, played louder and with more emotion. The shrouded bundle glowed, emitting a dull light that brightened with the melody’s rising passion. The air distorted, a light flashed, and the sheet floated to the ground.
Pascal's body was gone.
The musicians stopped playing, and the room fell silent.
Veronica snapped aware and fell sobbing to her knees. Angus and Trevor ran to give comfort. Given her pert, brassy exterior, the display of emotion was startling. It made them appreciate her in a completely different light.
"Let's go for a walk," whispered Angus. Veronica nodded and leaned heavily on her friends as they led her away.
The trio walked down a winding path; their silence broken only by Veronica’s quiet weeping.
After a long while, she finally spoke. "You know, you're the first people outside my family that've ever seen me cry. Please don't tell anyone."
"Of course, I won't," said Trevor.
"Not in my life," said Angus.
"To tell the truth, I don't know what came over me," Veronica sighed. "It was this wave of loss like I knew him my entire life, but I only met him a few days ago."
"Maybe it's your new Instrument," said Trevor. "It's pretty cool how such a unique Instrument chose you."
Veronica shrugged, "Yeah, maybe you're right. It could be Anastasia affecting me. She feels powerful. It's like there are so many layers to her somehow."
They continued in silence for another half hour, and Veronica stopped again. She slowly turned to Angus, her eyes puffy from crying, yet there was an emotion other than sadness written on her face.
"Angus," Veronica scowled, "I know what you're up to."
Angus and Trevor looked at each other, completely confused.
"I'm not up to anything," Angus innocently replied.
"Yes, you are," Veronica's voice became raspy, and her tears started to well again.
"Angus hasn't done anything," said Trevor, "Anastasia must be affecting you again."
"SHUT UP, YOU STUPID BOY," Veronica snapped, not taking her eyes off Angus. "YOU TRICKED ME!"
Veronica lunged, tackled Angus to the ground, and repeatedly punched Angus in the chest. "YOU ARE PLANNING TO LEAVE US! I KNOW YOU ARE. I KNOW THAT LOOK; I'VE SEEN IT BEFORE. I HATE YOU!"
Trevor tried as hard as he could to pull Veronica away from Angus, who had his arms up, shielding himself from the onslaught. Snot and tears poured down her face, and her body convulsed with a fresh round of howls.
"Veronica," pleaded Angus, "Let me explain."
Veronica made a strangling sound and then smacked Angus in the face.
"Please, Veronica," cried Angus, "You're right; I'm sorry."
"You were my friend; I thought you liked me; people never like me, but I thought you did. It's because I'm mean, isn't it? It's because I'm sarcastic all the time. I thought this time I'd actually keep my friends. YOU WERE MY FRIEND!"
Veronica buried her face in her hands and cried uncontrollably.
"Is this true, Angus," asked Trevor in shock. "You're planning on leaving?"
"Yes, but let me explain," said Angus, "I was planning on leaving, but I changed my mind."
Veronica's wailing toned down slightly, but she kept her face covered.
"My father sent me a message and said he could help get revenge on Zach and stuff. All I had to do was meet him by the Caverns, and he would take me away from here."
"You're going to leave us to go with your father?" asked Trevor. His eyes also welled with tears, and his ears turned bright red.
"NO!" Angus shouted in defense, "I'm staying, I swear!"
"Prove it!" snarled Veronica as she wound up for another punch.
"It's 1:00 pm," said Angus, "I was supposed to meet him at noon. I only had one chance, and I didn't go."
Veronica collapsed on Angus, hugging him as Trevor jumped on her back.
"Group hug," said Trevor between sniffles.