GreyLord wrote: ↑2 years ago
Caesar73 wrote: ↑2 years ago
... What will she do? Who is the Mystery Woman? Stay tuned
I am going to take a long shot and guess that the Mystery Woman is Crawford.
Dear [mention]GreyLord[/mention] this Update will give you some clues
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Chapter II:
The other Morning, the Adlernest, Chris’ Suite:
When Chris awoke she was disoriented at first. She waited a few minutes before she opened her eyes. She lay on something soft: A Mattress? Something smooth and soft covered her. Her head rested on something soft too, a Pillow of sorts? To her surprise she was not restrained. The Pillow was incredibly soft and comfortable she wore some PJ´s. Silk by the feel of it. Chris enjoyed the soft caress of the Silk, for just a moment longer; she just wanted not to face reality.
Then everything came back to her: When she had awoken in the Van, tightly but comfortably restrained to her surprise – and the strange Conversation with Hayley King … She opened her eyes and looked at a coiffed ceiling. The room was dimly lit, by sunlight filtering through the closed curtain. Chris took another moment to get her bearings, listening intently, but there was just silence
After two minutes Chris sat up very slowly, sat still for a moment, pulled the blanket away and looked down: She wore PJ´s in an emerald green. She swung her legs out of the bed. The Carpet felt soft under her bare feet. Chris yawned, stretched, got up and tapped slowly to the window and pulled the Curtains away:
The sight of the Alps greeted her; the Adlernest was located somewhere near the Brenner as she knew. Chris could not help but taking in the imposing sight. It was one of those beautiful mornings in the Mountains, they day had barely begun and the Sun touched only the tips of the Mountains. The Valley below lay still in shadow. The View calmed her somewhat.
“What will this day bring?” she sighed. Then she surveyed her Quarters closer:
The room was very spacious, more a very large suite, the walls were painted green. “What a beautiful golden Cage” The Pianist thought bitterly.
Besides the King Size bed she saw: A Couch, two Chairs and a round table, a TV, a High End Sound System and several wardrobes – and a spacious working desk. “At least I am not in a cosy cell, but a five Star Prison”
On the round table stood a bottle of Mineral Water and two glasses, which reminded her how thirsty she was and so Chris helped herself to a drink of Water first.
Curiously she walked across the room to the Wardrobes: Inside Chris found dresses and clothes and shoes for all occasions: Sports Gear, casual and a large assortment of Evening Gowns.
By now she was not surprised in the slightest, that all Garments seemed to be exactly her size, even the underwear. She still found it creepy that someone had undertaken the Effort to get her Measurements, all of them.
A chipper female way too cheery voice broke her out of her dark thoughts.
“Good Morning Christine! I hope you slept well!” “Of course” Chris fumed inwardly “As heavily as I was sedated. What would I give to return the favour to Hayley King” But that would not happen in the foreseeable future she knew.
The Voice continued:
“It is 0700 Hours. At 0800 Hours breakfast will be served. At 0830 Hours the Chief of Security will meet with you. You will assume the Position at 0828: You will stay at the Window, Hands behind your back and only move when ordered to. You will find suitable clothes in the wardrobes. Have a good day! That will be all.”
The Intercom fell silent.
Christine sighed and went to the bathroom. She felt not well rested at all, neither in body nor in mind: “I feel like 60 years old” she thought. Probably side effects of the Sedative, King had spoken about. Obviously Hayley King had injected her a second time, after she had been chloroformed. She showered as long and as hot as she could bear it.
The steaming hot water drummed on her body, she leaned her forehead against the shower walls, closed her eyes, and pressed her palms tightly against the tiles, as if she wanted to crush them, the water drumming on her back. "How will I play this?" she pondered, “I must not despair, I will not despair!” But that was easier said than done. Chris regarded herself as an optimist, but at the moment she had not much going for her.
She admonished herself: “Kate, Anna and Sara will come for me. They will.” She told her that over and over again. And that thought gave her some solace.
“And no, I will not strive to hit von Winterfeldt between the eyes.” Chris knew though it would require all the will power she possessed not to jump at von Winterfeldt´s throat when she finally would meet him.
She had to learn more before she would act. Would her time for revenge come? At least the hot water helped her to relax to an extent, but Chris had to fight hard to keep herself together.
It was 20 Minutes to Eight now:
Christine had opted for a white blouse, black slacks and medium black high Heels. “The Head of Security must be Sieglinde Gablenz. So it is that the tables have turned again. But I will prevail in the end!” Chris told herself firmly but there was that voice in her head which told her persistently: “There is no way out of this for you.” Another thought crossed her mind "But there is Sophie. She must be here too. I must be strong for her too. I simply must”
The continental breakfast was served by two Maids and a Detail of the Valkyries. It was marvellous. And the Green Tea was perfect; her host had even provided her with her preferred blend and it helped Christine for a moment to forget the dire nature of her situation. So she dug in. Chris knew that she was probably being watched by cameras but she could not care less. Christine had assumed the Position at 0827.
“Christine it is 0828. Assume the Position please.” Christine spoke in the empty room, looking firmly at the Eye of the Camera at the Wall: “I am already standing there as you know.”
A cheap victory but at victory nevertheless and she would use all she could get.
At precisely 0830 the Door opened and Sieglinde Gablenz entered, looking extremely pleased even smug. She was accompanied by a detail of four Valkyries. The Chief of Security wore a black Power Suit and ankle boots.
Christine could not hide a chuckle: “Four Guards? My dear Sieglinde, are you afraid of one unarmed woman?” The remark had hit a nerve, Christine could tell.
The two women regarded each other for a moment, each of them striving for dominating the other. And to her Chagrin it was Sieglinde Gablenz who broke eye contact first.
“It is good to see you again Christine! It is even better to have you in my care.” She retorted sweetly.
“Well, for the time being” Christine agreed evenly. Something Gablenz said had sounded off, she thought, the way she had said that about having her in her Care, is there a hidden meaning to it” “Or is this just my hyperactive Mind playing tricks?” She looked her Counterpart firmly in the Eye:
“We had a good time in Munich, too bad you cannot remember a thing.” The pianist returned smiling sweetly too. Another hit as Christine could tell.
It was a risky game. Antagonizing Gablenz any further would get her nothing, so she conceded: “Let´s get to business: What do you want to tell me?”
Another exchange of looks, then a nonverbal agreement: Both Women sat down, minding their distance.
Sieglinde thought that Chris looked very tired, dark smudges under her eyes. “No wonder” she thought. Who would not be tired in such a situation? And she had been very heavily sedated, the Medics had told her. The Dose would have rendered an Elephant unconscious.
Gablenz explained: “You should be aware of your Situation Christine. You are here because my employer sees something in you. So you will be granted some privileges. But that will change if you do not play ball.”
“Which means?” Christine asked guardedly.
“Be aware that for any transgressions of yours, Sophie Reichenbach may pay the price.”
Christine raised her eyebrows: “That is cheap Sieglinde. You hold all the Cards there is no need to threaten an innocent bystander, so do me a favour: Just tell me: What do you need me to do?” She could not hide her irritation and she made no effort to.
Gablenz decided to change the Subject: “For the time being whenever you will leave this lavish Suite you will be restrained.” Christine nodded her agreement, looking at her expectantly.
“You will exercise before breakfast and after breakfast you will rehearse at the Piano. I am afraid; you will be shackled to the Piano while playing.”
“No.” Chris replied simply.
Gablenz was irritated. “What do you mean by “No”?
“I mean that I will not play shackled, Sieglinde. Any restriction of movement impedes my ability to play. You can transport me tied up and gagged to the piano in those comfy restraining bags, but I will only play unrestrained. Or you can explain your employer why my performance is flawed. Maybe he will be happy with that, after all the trouble he has taken to bring me here?"
Another battle of wills ensued; and grudgingly Gablenz conceded: “Fine, have it your way then” and continued business-like:
“You will have Lunch at 1200 and at 1400 you will have Tea with the Boss. At 1330 two Maids will assist you to make you presentable.”
“That will be all.” Gablenz stood up but stopped then dead in her tracks. She made a gesture to one of the guards who gave her a large rectangular box, made of metal.
“This is your homework Christine. This Box contains … “
“The Autograph von Winterfeldt wants me to play.” Christine completed the Sentence calmly.
“Indeed” Gablenz replied and turned again to leave. “Wait, one moment!” Christine called her back: “I need cotton gloves, a facemask, a magnifying lens and a daylight lamp, I surely will not touch a 200 year old Autograph with my bare hands.”
Sieglinde turned and gave Christine an appraising look but saw no jest, no provocation in the face of her opponent and for a fleeting moment the Pianist looked again very tired and she sounded fatigued as she spoke:
“Listen Sieglinde, I am a Professional and if I am to bring this Music to life then I will need the necessary tools. It is as simple as that. And excuse me if I ask for a something else, please?” Chris asked politely.
“What else?” The Head of Security was slightly irritated by now.
Chris sighed, before she answered: “I will have to transcribe the Music from Autograph to Paper. So I will need music paper, some Pencils and a Lineal. And something else, if we are at it: I will need the necessary tools to adjust the Mechanic of the Piano to my touch, I do that always myself. You can ask Herrn von Winterfeldt he knows that habit of mine.”
They looked each other in the Eye for seconds. Then Gablenz turned to one of the Guards: “You heard, what Frau von der Marwitz said, see to it immediately."
“Thank you” Christine said sincerely and meant it.
“Okay Christine, that will be all for now. Follow the rules and everything will be fine. We will see each other soon.” The Valkyrie smiled enigmatically. “If I could I would decline that Invitation” Chris thought, but kept her silence.
Gablenz turned and left the Room.
As soon as the Door had closed behind Gablenz and the Guards, Christine kicked her Heels off her Feet and threw herself on her back on the Mattress. Blindly she stared at the ceiling, all the stress of the last six Weeks washed over her like a Tsunami. But she would not cry. Not here, not now – but it was very hard not to give in to the temptation, to let go. Her eyes welled.
The meeting with Gablenz had gone well and that small Triumph was important for Chris to keep herself together. She would need every Victory she could get to survive this. She trusted her friends that they would come for her, but till an opportunity presented to act, she decided to play along, she had no other choice she corrected herself; even if that meant to be polite to von Winterfeldt. The thought made her clench her teeth.
She hated the man to the core, true, she knew though that antagonizing him could land her into a cosy cell in the dungeons fast and then escape would be even more difficult as it already was.
And they had learned the hard way what the man was capable of. Chris did not know how long she lay there, just staring blindly at the ceiling, thoughts racing through Chris´ mind like a spinning wheel. A crisp knock at the Door jolted her out of her dreams: Chris quickly got up and assumed the Position.
The Door opened and three Valkyries appeared with the Items she had requested. Christine thanked them politely. One of the Guards explained: “The Tools to adjust the Mechanic you will find in the Musikzimmer, be ready a quarter to 10:00 to be escorted there.”
Chris nodded “Thank you, I will.” And she was alone again. Chris looked at her watch: It was 0915 now: she would rest for another 15 Minutes and get ready for the rehearsal then. And somehow she looked forward to the chance to play the Piano, any Piano, just to concentrate on something different.
0940:
Chris had changed into a white tank top, a red fleece Jacket loose fitting red yoga pants and running shoes. When she practiced, she always went for comfort. Now she awaited her Guards. Precisely at 09:45 a guard of six Valkyries entered. Without waiting for the Command, Chris presented her Arms to her Handlers.
One of them applied the Bondage Mittens and another cuffed her Hands together in front. Two heavily padded leather straps around her upper body held her Arms in Position. The third guard held her blond mane up, while the fourth applied a heavily padded gag with a large foam ball in its centre.
The Gag was tight but not too tight. A heavily padded sleep mask and ear buds and Christine was blind, deaf and mute. Chris heard a voice in hear ear buds: “You need not to be afraid; we will lead you carefully by your upper Arms."
Chris followed her Guards.
The only senses she could rely on where her senses of touch and smell. The floor under her soles felt like Marble, the Air was fresh. Obviously they followed a long Corridor. Chris counted her steps, to get a rough guess of the Distance. She had counted till 100, when they halted, a door clicked open and she was guided inside the room. The Door closed behind her.
Chris felt the blindfold and the ear buds released. Her eyes had to adjust to the sudden brightness. Next was the gag. When her hands were free at last, she scanned the Room. It was a large room in the Style of Louis XV. The Curtains were closed. On a lush Carpet stood a black Grand Piano a Fazioli as Christine could tell.
The Leader of her Guard Detail addressed her respectfully. “You have 90 Minutes for Practice then you will be escorted back to you Suite. Remember that this room is under Surveillance permanently.
Chris nodded: “I guessed as much, thank you”
Her Guards left and she was alone. She walked to the Piano and opened its lid, but did not start to play. Instead she slipped her shoes off and her fleece Jacket too, so that the stood barefoot on the lush carpet. The Floor felt warm and soft under her soles. She did savour that feeling for a moment. Then Christine did her usual routine before playing, stretching movements and warming up, her body ached still.
“I will play horribly at least to my standards” Chris thought ruefully “In the last six or seven Weeks I did not exactly exercise regularly.”
When she felt sufficiently warmed up, Chris sat down, adjusted the height of the Chair and laid her hands on the keyboard and closed her eyes. For full two minutes, she just sat there, took slow deep breaths, to calm her mind; to focus. She felt the cool metal of the Pedals under her bare soles.
In the Control Centre, Sieglinde had followed Chris Preparations with keen interest. She never had seen a musician of Chris' calibre at work but Gablenz recognized a Professional when she saw one. Von der Marwitz was a Professional. She was intrigued by the precision of Chris´ movements and had enjoyed the View:
The long trained legs, the ample bossom and her beautiful feet. She remembered when she had played for a spell with the Musicians feet in her flat at Sylt. Sieglinde felt the heat between her legs rising and in that moment she made a decision and a devious smile curled her lips, even if that meant playing with Fire, the luck favoured the bold. She thought
Every time, when Chris felt stressed or needed to calm herself she played Bach. For her there was no other Composer which helped her to concentrate, to clear her mind better – and she needed a clear mind now more than ever. This day would demand all of her.
Chris stroked the first key and began to play the simple Prelude in C-Major of the WTK, Book I. Every first year could play the piece, but that made it even more demanding: Taking the Music seriously she took the hands of the keyboard before playing the Fugue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLSz55UXOLU
Andras Schiff plays the Fugue in C-Major of the Well-Tempered Piano
Sieglinde Gablenz was now truly fascinated: She watched with rapt attention, as the Pianist played with deep concentration, moving her body in the rhythm of the Music. She switched to a close up of Chris´ Face: The beautiful features were calm and serene; they bore a look of deep concentration – and Peace. So far Sieglinde had von der Marwitz never seen so relaxed. The woman began to fascinate more and more: no it was not mere fascination, she decided.
She switched to another close up: This time one of those beautiful feet. The red nail polish was perfect, those strong beautiful feet manipulating the Pedals ever so slightly, subtly. The Toe rings – oh how she would love to play with those feet. “And I have already a Pair of your Toe Rings Christine! But I would not mind a second pair!”