#lmsita (ibe)

[the-hidden-writer]

maestro sigma wip snippet

I do actually have to focus on my exams for the next few days, so have a snippet of that “canon sigma becomes maestro sigma” fic

Hope you enjoy!

(no romance in this fic, Julia is an oc used to show sigma from an outsider pov)

like music shifting in the air (invisible, but everwhere)

What Julia quickly learned after catching moments of Visscher’s rehearsals, was that despite the man’s size, stature, and stern (often imposing) tone of voice… he was actually very kind and gentle in nature.

The rehearsal was running overtime, and another group was booked in immediately afterwards. Problem was that twenty minutes later, Visscher’s orchestra were so engrossed in perfecting a piece that they didn’t seem to be any closer to leaving. The second problem was that it was her job, being assistant building manager, to kick them out.

It was after Visscher stopped the orchestra when the trombones came in late (poor trombones, Julia was surprised they didn’t start crying at the stone-cold glare they received from the conductor) that Julia sucked in a deep breath and made use of the quiet window made available to her.

“Excuse me!” She called out just as Visscher opened his mouth to scold the trombone players.

Julia herself startled when the man’s head snapped towards her, carrying its irritation to her direction too. She immediately lost any courage she had built up before, and could do nothing but stare in fear.

To her surprise though, the maestro’s gaze softened after a moment, and he even put out a hand to calm her nerves, as if he knew exactly how much he’d inadvertently petrified her. 

“Oh! My apologies. We need to leave, yes?”

Julia nodded, slightly dumbfounded, as Visscher turned back to his orchestra with a small smile. He had some odd angular scars running from his ears to his eyes, she realized for the first time.

“Apologies everyone, we have run out of time. Pack your things quickly and please practice your sections so that we don’t waste time doing this again next session. Dismissed.”

The orchestra didn’t need to be told twice, and they had packed up and put their stands away within five minutes. As they left the rehearsal hall, Julia sighed in relief at how easy and non-confrontational this encounter had been, unlike the experiences she’d had with many more… egotistical music directors.

Visscher himself was the last to leave, and as she escorted him out (and signaled to the dance group waiting outside that they could go in) he did what was practically unheard of with other conductors she knew and actually made conversation with her.

“I’m truly sorry for running overtime.” He said as they walked side-by-side to the entrance hall, meaning that she had to crane her neck upwards to look at him. He did the same but downwards. “I… sometimes lose focus on things, and other times get so focused on one thing that I lose track of other things, such as time.”

Well, that was a familiar feeling to Julia.

“I’ll try my best,” he continued, “but… it will most likely happen again, so don’t be afraid to tell me so earlier next time.”

Julia didn’t know what to say. Not only was there a swift and peaceful resolution to the issue, but she got an apology too? A genuine one?

“Don’t worry about it.” She said after maybe a moment too long of trying to comprehend the civil interaction between a distinguished conductor and a lowly assistant. “It’s normally not a problem and we leave spaces between booking slots to account for running late, but things are busier this season so we’ve had to try and make more time. I can give you a heads up next time there’s someone coming in after you if that will help, though?”

The relief-filled, grateful expression that crossed his face at her offer was something that relinquished any doubts she may have had that this was an honest, kind man.

“Yes, please. That would be very useful. Thank you.”

“No worries.”

They reached the entrance hall very quickly (Julia had to walk more briskly than normal to keep up with Visscher’s long legs) when the maestro addressed her again.

“Sorry again for the trouble, miss..?”

Again, with past experiences of musical directors, it took her a second to realize that he was asking for her name.

“Oh! Julia, just Julia, sir.”

He extended a hand for her to shake, which she did, trying not to feel embarrassed that her hands looked like a child’s compared to his.

“S-Sander Visscher.” He said in return, as if he wasn’t the subject of most conversations in this building. “It was lovely to meet you Julia, I presume you’ll be here again on Thursday?”

“I’m here every day, sir.” She answered with just a little snark.

“Ah, yes, of course.” He had the decency to look embarrassed. “I suppose I shall see you again then.” 

He left through the main entrance with little fanfare, and Julia watched him go, still thinking about their short conversation.

She decided to put down the hesitation of saying his own name to embarrassment over running late again, or maybe he was just more introverted in nature. It was odd for someone with his rapidly growing reputation, but there was no reason to dwell on it.

Thanks for reading! I’m aiming to finish this sometime this week :D