“As promised, Arrhazon, with me live in our stealth studio is llhaesa ahrella t’yaeli, graciously agreeing to this interview without preconditions. Thank you, llhaesa!”

“Thank you for the invitation, J’saera! I really like your stealth studio; I have never been in an invisible building before. Of course, it does take a bit of effort getting used to my clothing being invisible as well!”

J’saera laughed at the unexpected line on invisibility, which llhaesa meant as a taunting of Brellian over his inability to find the illegal broadcasters, and not an actual statement of any actual invisibility.

“Llhaesa, your first release Equality was a huge success. When can we expect a follow up?”

“I finished writing for a new release some time ago, and plan to actually record the material in the next few months. I am pretty happy with the writing, now if only I can find similar happiness with the music in the recording stage!”

“Will the music be of the same style as Equality?”

“When I write or play, the music most often reflects my mood and outlook in that moment. I might be upset with our current mis-leader, smiling and relaxed after sex with Jahrae, feeling wicked in my lustful horniness, mischievous for the teasing, sad over some unexpected loss or hurt of another. Most often, music leaves me playful, no pun intended.

Answering your question more directly, I love all forms of music, and this recording will reflect that love, though I may incorporate more than one genre into individual songs – I like pushing the envelope.”

“Of that we are certain! Will you tour after this new release?”

“Yes, I intend an extensive world tour, one on a much larger scale than the limited eight city tour for Equality. At that time, I was fresh out of college, and toured just to get my feet wet, to take away the uncertainty. Now I have a much better idea of what I would like to do, where I would like the music to go.

With regard to the tour, it will work around Jahrae’s school schedule, since she intends to accompany me as much as possible through the tour.”

“Some say you are the best pianist this world has ever produced. To what do you ascribe mastering of this skill?”

“That is a most kind thing to say, though I rather frown upon comparisons – comparisons might uplift one, but they also leave another as diminished by the equation; it is not my intent to render another lesser through my playing. I play for the pure unadulterated joy of letting my soul create music.”

“Where did you learn your incredible moves?”

“Has Jahrae been sharing our bed-stories again?”

J’saera bursts out laughing, while llhaesa sat with just a hint of a mischievous and playful twinkle in her eye, knowing at home, Jahrae was likely uttering her own comeback lines.

“Since you mentioned Jahrae, would you share how you two met?”

“Fate intervened. Her parents invited me to their home to discuss business – the Nenseru Woods concert. Jahrae was a nouveau adult who still spent her time attempting to counter the lessons her parents wished to teach. I rather changed that, funny how love can change our paths.

A couple of weeks later, she visited the home of my parents and on her entrance into their home, tripped. The subsequent rather spectacular fall landed her at the feet of my mum, and Jahrae, to her credit, had the witty presence of mind to utter, “Hi mum!” to my mother. I knew right then the two of us would be one through life.”

“I keep hearing stories of how the two of you bring humour, lively banter, and competitive and witty exchanges to your relationship. Is this truth, or is it exaggeration?”

“It is no exaggeration. People can bog down in the stresses of life, that is no different for us than anyone else. Both of us recognise that life needs to balance, to have an element of fun, of enjoying each other on various levels, from physical love to serious discussions to playful interplay. The key is balance in all things.

With the playful interplay, we really love fashioning formal exchanges that sound as if of another age, where there is an element of stoicism, a sense of rigidity, yet with zingers tucked in the gentle fabrications of words – not quite subliminal zingers, but one level above this, where they are visible, if only one thinks for a moment.”

“You mentioned bed-stories. Would you share one in retribution?”

“Har! Not on your life, or rather my life, because that is likely what is at stake here if I do. However, Jahrae’s hands to lovemaking are what my hands are to playing piano. I wonder if she might consider a trading of hand-skills.

And that is as far as this tangent will go!”

“Aww. I heard you were more risqué in your answers. Was I deceived?”

“Not something I wish to confirm or deny, though I will say we all would be better off tossing Brellian, building an equal society, and refocusing our attention to love.

In all honesty, I can be candid on the subject, because there is no shame found with our bodies. This notion that we cover what is filth is an asinine view, and neither I nor Jahrae subscribe to that philosophy.”

“Since you mentioned Brellian, at the old age of 25, you are a formidable presence on the political scene, or more specifically, as a political activist. Some clamour for you to rise to leadership. What say you to this?”

“It is difficult to string together words such that they are devoid of aloofness or some lack of responsibility. After all, I encourage people to think on this, encourage people to look to cast aside this government, and to then back away, even though that is what I feel inside, is probably a mistake of my past.

To the depths of my soul, I am a musician, who loves moving through life on that level. Activism comes to me by necessity, because as an idealist and a decided optimist, I see what can be. When I contrast that with what we have, the injustices, the disappearances, the murders, the lack of rights…

Our laws do not recognise women as equal. Women who work frequently can only find menial positions, at a horrid pay scale. Domestic violence is on the upswing, and rape is never far away from us.

Our current leader is a disgrace to the office. He is culpable in many a crime, including the death of Zreltian. He needs removal, and when I tour post release, each performance will feature an extended interactive political element. It is time to do more; it is time to set our world right.

My thoughts on leadership have shifted, in no small part thanks to Jahrae, and our dear friend M’traliel. Accordingly, if the people wished it, I would accept a leadership role, but only for a limited period.

Our world would better be governed by the likes of Gl’nsiel, of whom I am a great admirer.”

“Are you suggesting a popular uprising?”

“Not necessarily; there are many ways for the people to change a government. Well, that is a rather insipid statement, is it not?

For clarity: my preference is for change to flow through the electoral process. If he fails to permit elections, we have on our hands a budding dictator; and a budding dictator needs to have his arse tossed out forcibly, if that is what he brings us to.

“Are you advocating violence?”

“Thank you for asking this question. No, I do not advocate violence –“

“Yet you said forcibly.”

“Yeah, sigh…I did. My intent – and guess I have to choose words more wisely – but my intent is change through peaceful means. If denied the electoral process, then I would advocate an arrest-like method of change, removing a leader holding office illegally, not change through violent revolution.

I am in favour of public demonstrations of sentiment, done peacefully. I wish to see a peaceful world, one with full equality for Arrhazonans. And I hope Brellian sees the light, and comes to embrace this vision, though at this point, I believe it better he embrace it as ordinary citizen, rather than as Chief of Government.”

“What do you see of our future – the future of this world?”

“What I advocate for, I see. All of it is possible. We are reaching out to other worlds now, and new discoveries come yearly. We are living in an exciting time, and the future, that of our children, and their children, is the stuff of dreams. We have this roadblock, but we will remove it, and soon.”

“You spoke to a group recently – teachers as I recall – and promised to begin a foundation on domestic violence. Has this been established?”

“Yes, the foundation is in its nascent stages, and now is fully funded for its start up. Jahrae oversees this, though she has much help due to her current school requirements. She will oversee this foundation and the four others, while I will sit on the board of each.”

“What other foundations are there?”

There is one for advocating equal rights – amending our law to recognise women as equals. There is one for education; to help young women access education otherwise denied to them. A third promotes the training of our young in the arts, and the final foundation deals with protecting our environment.”

“We are nearing the end of our time. Is there anything you wish to add?”

“Yes, and thank you for extending this courtesy to me. People sometimes think I am larger than life, simply because I play music and advocate for change. I am no different from anyone else and do not hold myself above. If I ever do this, please cut me down to size, such boorish conduct would be unconscionable.

When I speak of rising against this government, it is as one of you. This is why the leadership calls bothered me so. I am of you, not above, and wish more than anything to be one of an entire world who sees an injustice, and simply wishes to set it right.

Thank you, J’saera, and thank you to your fine broadcast centre – all of you perform an invaluable service for the people or Arrhazon. Be well, be free, and be equal!”

The interview ended, and the studio where J’saera and llhaesa sat went off air. The two talked privately for some time after, both not knowing that this interview was the final catalyst that would send government forces into llhaesa’s flat three days hence.