Love's Requiem (ENG)

Chapter 9 : Feathers

 So I take my lot of a few feathers from the sky
Into a ritual and let my spirit fly

Simple pleasures
Falling feathers  
(Kidneythieves - Feathers)

Ville's apartment in the center of Helsinki was a small place. A small kitchen and even smaller bathroom, a messy bedroom next to a messy living room with a French window and a barrier pretending to be a balcony. Though that was a far cry from her huge, neat mansion with a bohemian atmosphere, Kim felt reassured by Ville's mess. Because it was his, he was all over this place. She concluded that at least he had not been living with his girlfriend before her. She also noticed the stacks of books instead of a TV, as well as the guitars and the tons of CDs he kept all over his bedroom. This would keep her busy while she tried to hide her presence in the Finnish capital.

Highnesses recording sessions were over. Ville had taken a few days break, not knowing what he would find in L.A. He dared not admit it to himself, but he had came back with what he had hoped for. But now he didn't know what to expect. He had other priorities : mixing the album, releasing it, then touring. He could not see beyond that.

They were just content what that. Just being together, managing to keep it quiet, to not be seen, recluse in Ville's apartment.

***

- You should definitely not be wearing that. How am I supposed to make it through the night without being all over you if you wear this. Why the fuck did you pack such a dress anyway?

- You should have listened to your record company execs and kept me out of your releasing party.

She laughed and readjusted her black bodycon dress before heading out of the apartment to get her own taxi.

Highnesses's second album was set to be released but Kim and Ville's duet had not made the cut, so the record company did not want her at the party for the release of the album. It was not Kim herself they did not want, but anything that could potentially be seen as a girlfriend for Ville. Of course Ville managed to get her invited anyway.

She arrived alone as to not raise suspicion. The smaller room of the Tavastia, the Semifinal club was full and Kim sensed the dynamic right away. Guest musicians on one side, press on the other, executives trying to mix them both unsuccessfully. She sat at the bar and the band was here before she could order her first drink.

They headed to the stage to play a few songs from the album. Kim leaned against the bar to watch the performance. She was so absorbed by « Gone With The Sin », the slow, humming bass line soothing her, invading her mind and thoughts.

A glass knocking on the counter interrupted her daydream. A tall, blue-eyed man with medium black hair stood next to her. His eyes were as clear as his hair were dark, clearer and darker than hers. He caught her so off guard she had not realized he was offering her a drink. She had not realized her glass was empty either. Kim was really distracted by this man's ice blue eyes. She regained composure by taking the glass in front of her. She stepped back. He was really tall and this allowed her to get a better view. He was handsome too. She smiled back at him and the band started playing « Razorblade Kiss ». Kim stepped closer to the stranger again but turned to watch the band. She knew this was their last song and that the rest of the night was going to be fun.

- A pleasure and a surprise to see Kim Lowell here, he started after the band finished playing.

- Thanks for the drink. I'm sorry I'm afraid I do not know who you are.

- Jyrki. You may not have heard of my band.. yet.

He said that with an arrogance that amused Kim even more.

- Then thanks Jyrki. You seem to know me well, at least my tastes in cocktails.

- I remember an interview where you said you loved Cuba Libre and would never get tired of them since you could never find good rum on tour.

- Damn, you're actually a fan... or a stalker, I do not know.

Ville popped in between them, out of nowhere.

- Jyrki, he greeted the man who seemed to be his friend with a handshake. And Kim...

She purposely left her eyes stuck on Jyrki when Ville pretended to greet her.

- Nice to see you're getting to know each other... Ville hesitated.

Jyrki gave Kim a wide smile, to which she answered back.

- Kim, some journalist wanted to talk to you too, Ville went on.

- Good, then I guess I'll let you go Jyrki.

Kim followed Ville a few meters away, to the back of the room, still enjoying her little taunt. He stopped, grabbed her waist then kissed her.

- Damn Mr Åkers... Are you jealous? She giggled. Are you aware that we could be seen?

- Yes, I am jealous and yes I fucking hope everybody saw this.

***

- Kim, I have lots of other great albums. Stop listening to this.

She couldn't make up all his words through her headphones, but she understood what he meant. She loved listening to his voice on « When love and death embrace », even though she could hear it live saying whatever the hell she could dream of.

- I'm preparing for you going on tour, she said while removing the headphone.

- Come with me, I want to show you something.

Kim let Ville lead her out of the dark bedroom, which they had refused to leave for days, to the window of the living room.

- I thought you Californians must not see this very often.

The snow was falling heavily on Helsinki. The first snow of the year. Flakes slowly landed on her black hair like little stars on a deep night sky. She raised her hands like a child, trying to catch some. Even on tour she could not remember seeing so much snow or enjoying such a view. She closed her eyes to feel the snowflakes on her skin. She smiled. Still she felt a bit stupid to enjoy something so common so much. But that's what she liked with Ville. Simple moments like these.

He pulled her closer to him, his cheek against hers, burning with the cold. He could feel her heart beat under his hand on her back.

- Happy birthday, he whispered.