After a moment of silence, Neil glares up at the stranger who's standing perfectly still. Neil: ...What're you grinning about? You think this is funn- Suddenly the stranger slams his hand into the back of Neil's head and sends his face back into the puddle hard. So hard that a bit of blood leaks from his nose and into the water. The stranger is wearing black gloves that are just as shiny as his shoes. As Neil struggles to breathe in the water with a "blrbl" noise, the man keeps his hand firmly planted on the back of Neil's head so that he can't lift his face out of the water, and also kneels down on top of his back, keeping Neil from getting up. A closeup of Neil's horrified eye as he realizes what's happening. His panicked voice only comes out in underwater form. Neil: GBLH?!

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Neil now lies unmoving with his face submerged in the puddle's water. Bubbles are popping out in droves, signifying his attempts to breathe. Neil suddenly pulls his head out of the water and takes a deep breath. Neil: PFHAHH! He was apparently unconscious for a moment whilst under the water, and had just awakened before drowning. In the background, we a see a man, or just his lower legs, walking towards Neil. Neil, now coughing and still lying on the ground over the large puddle, appears to be gaining some sense back, while the unknown man walks up on to the sidewalk behind him. We see only the stranger's legs with black pants and shiny black shoes, and the bottom tip of a long, black coat. Neil: *koff* *huff* Can't-*koff* sleep here. The man is now standing beside Neil, who hadn't even heard him, but now notices his leg. Neil looks up towards the man, but we don't see what he sees. His expression tells of mild annoyance at the individual, too out of it for a stronger reaction. Neil: Oh... it's you. Didn't ye leave the club earlier on?

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Neil, now alone, is shakily walking down the street as rain continues to pour down. Street lights keep the area hazily illuminated, and there appears to be a silhouette of someone in the distance behind him. From Neil's point of view, we see that his vision of the street is beginning to double and blur. A closeup of Neil's face as his eyes roll into the back of his head, struggling to stay conscious. With a "flump", Neil falls face first into a large crevice full of water on the sidewalk. His hat flies off his head in the process, but he somehow keeps a slight grip on his cane.

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A shot of a gentlemen's club (not that kind). A place for upper class men to converse, gamble, etc. Two men are standing outside of it talking, one is holding an umbrella that's protecting them both from the rain. Another man is descending the steps to the entrance of the building. The man exiting the building is in fact Neil Cunningham, who he appears to be very inebriated. He's in outdoor attire a wearing a top hat and overcoat that's not quite pulled on all the way, and is carrying a cane. He appears to miss the last step and barely stops himself from falling face first into the sidewalk. Neil: Guh! The two men taking shelter under the umbrella notice Neil's predicament, and one of them, a man with a mustache, comments on it. Man1: You hold your liquor as well as you gamble, Neil. Neil points a finger at him, still staggering. Neil: Ugh, yer a dunderheid. Roulette's my game anyway. I'll sh... show ye next time! The other man with grayish brown hair shows a bit more empathy. Man2: Haha, do you need help getting home, Cunningham? Neil walks away (wobbily). Neil: Nahh, iz just *hck* few blocks from 'ere.

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The chapter 3 cover art of The Devil's Trill. The title text says "Chapter 3: I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls". On this mostly black page, there's a small art inside a fancy, heart-shaped purple border that features a dinner consisting of duck l'orange, raised game pie, a tray full of fresh fruit, and some other meat towards the back. Steam is everywhere, indicating that it's all still hot.

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When Florian and Miriam straighten back up, Florian adjust his hold on her by moving both of his hands to her waist. He has a mischevious grin on his face. Their environment appears to be becoming bright and multicolor as Joseph resumes playing the song. Florian: In fact, I insist we botch it! Let's twirl all around until we're sick. Miriam smiles at him, still with tears of relief in her eyes. Miriam: Heh... heheh, aye, let's! Florian and Miriam hold each other close while spinning in careless circles. Florian: It's the Polka-Nausea! Miriam: Hehahah! Florian: That's more like it! A closeup of Miriam's face. She's laughing with her eyes closed as they twirl, her tears flying away on the wind. Miriam narrates: Perhaps the tea and cakes had just made me giddy... A shot of the music room. Joseph plays the song on the piano without much of a care, while Miriam and Florian continue to twirl around. Bright colors of various shades seem to engulf everything. Miriam narrates: But as our dancing went on, the world seemed to become more colorful and vibrant. A whirlwind of delirious euphoria. Freedom... at last. End of Chapter 2

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Florian and Miriam are twirling along. Florian: Slide... cut... lift... But Miriam loses her footing... Florian: Step-- ...and falls into Florian, who manages to catch her with a bemused expression. Miriam: Ghh! Miriam, still leaning against Florian (who we can see is grinning), is now red-faced and in such a panic that she forgets to pull herself off of him. Miriam thinking: You clumsy idiot! Florian looks down at her, having noticed she's gone rigid. Florian: Let go of your tension. Miriam pulls back (off-screen) to look at Florian, who's smiling at her and completely unbothered by the mistake. Florian: I'm not judging your dancing. Botch it for fun, if you like! Miriam stares at him in surprise, eyes welling with tears from the relief. Florian: If you fall, then I'll fall with you... and then we'll get up and dance like fools some more!

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Florian moves Miriam's hand lower so that it's sitting more on his upper arm. Florian: It's best to just let your hand sit wherever it's comfortable. And fortunately we'll be looking towards where we're going... so you needn't give yourself a neck injury trying to keep your eyes locked with mine. Miriam can't help but laugh at loud. Miriam: Hahaha! Florian: Now let's begin, shall we? A closeup shot of Joseph's hands starting to play the piano. He's playing "La Viennoise" by Johann Strauss II. Florian (off-screen): Try to match my footwork. Aaand... slide... cut... lift... step... step... step. A shot of Florian and Miriam dancing the polka-mazurka. Florian is smiling at Miriam as the motions seem to be second nature to him, while Miriam seems to be concentrating hard on the steps while also being riddled with embarrassment. Florian: Slide... cut... lift... step... step... step. See, you do remember! Miriam: Mhmph...

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Florian has gotten a hold of Miriam by the shoulders and turned her around, smiling. Miriam mostly complies but looks very timorous. Miriam: I hardly practiced that dance! Nor am I very good at the regular polka. Florian: Don't worry, it isn't difficult! After getting to more open floor, Florian moves in front of Miriam, getting in position for the dance. Miriam looks away solemnly. Miriam: Oh, this is going to be a disaster... Florian: Then we'll call it the Disaster Mazurka. Joseph speaks from at the piano (off-screen). Joseph: Sir, is Strauss' "La Viennoise" adequate? Florian turns his head to look at him, at first not noticing that Miriam is shakily trying to position her hand on the back of his shoulder. Florian: Oui! Merci, Joseph. Florian realizes what Miriam's doing and looks at her. We see just how opposite their height differences are as Florian towers over Miriam. Florian: Something wrong? Miriam pulls her hand back and blushes furiously. Miriam: I'm sorry! It's just... you're so tall, I can hardly reach-- Florian grins and does a shrugging gesture with his hand. Florian: Oh, haha, indeed! I've been told my great grandfather was a giant Dutchman! Miriam is still blushing and looking embarrassed but chuckles at his quip. Miriam: Heheh...

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Miriam stares up at Florian with a more audacious expression as he puts his hand out to her once more. She takes his hand with a defiant smile. Florian leads Miriam (now also standing) by the hand to the open floor. Florian: That's the spirit! Florian continues to lead Miriam as he looks to the side, raising an eyebrow. Florian: I believe our dance would've been the quadrille at the party... but seeing as we're short a few people, I don't think that's feasible now. Miriam smiles at him. Miriam: Heh, the waltz then? Florian looks at her and uses his free hand to do an upwards pointing gesture with his finger. Florian: Well, I was thinking of the polka-mazurka. Miriam's eyes go comically wide with dread. Miriam, still looking stressed, suddenly turns around. She's seemingly about to head back to her seat. Florian laughs and puts a hand on her shoulder, trying to stop her. Florian: Hahaha, what are you doing?!

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Miriam looks over at Joseph at the piano. He's staring at the pair and waiting patiently to see if the next piece he plays will be for dancing. Miriam: Oh, you can't be serious, sir! Florian is smirking but looks determined. Florian: I'm deadly serious. We were robbed of the one thing we both truly desired out of that loathsome night. A silly looking shot of the couple. Miriam looks anxious while Florian smiles a big grin with his hand still held out to her, undeterred. Miriam: But I... I just had three tea cakes! Florian: Energy for the dance! Miriam looks away dejectedly. Florian lowers his hand. Miriam: P-Please don't ask this of me... I did desire to at the party but I've honestly never danced outside of practice at home. I fear I'll... embarrass myself. Florian pulls his hand back to himself to gesture. Florian: You won't even do it out of spite? Miriam smiles but looks confused. Miriam: ...Haha, what? Florian gives Miriam a more devilish grin, raising an eyebrow. Florian: You know how they'd detest the idea of our dancing together, in private, without the need of their approval. Doesn't the thought of that make you feel a little... triumphant?

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Florian sets down his cigar in an ash tray on the table. Florian: Now then... Florian stands up from his seat. Miriam remains in hers, watching him. Florian: Before we part until dinner, there's something I must insist upon. Florian puts out a hand to Miriam. She looks at it, confused. Florian: For as you might know, that party left me feeling... A shot from Miriam's point of view, looking up at Florian with his hand out to her. He has a smile on his face. Florian: Most incomplete. Miriam stares up at him, still confused. Then it suddenly hits her and her eyes go wide. Miriam smiles and furrows her brow. Miriam: You can't mean...

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Miriam stares in shock at Florian's words. She looks away, now a bit anxious. Miriam: I... I see. Miriam looks back at Florian and grins, trying to downplay the discussion. Miriam: With how you speak and as well as you play, sir, one might think you had been taught by the devil as well. Florian takes another puff of his cigar and looks deep in thought. We then only see the lower half of Florian's (still serious) face, smoke all around. Florian: My father was close enough. Miriam looks at him with surprise once again, and also concern. Florian tilts his head back and looks at Miriam with a smile. Florian: Hah, I apologize. There's far too much passion and distasteful jests coming from me all of a sudden. Florian does a sort of shrugging gesture with his hands. Florian: Alas, I've received no such offer from his infernal majesty... but considering Tartini and Paganini, I think he prefers Italians. Miriam still looks a bit uneasy, but does a closed mouth laugh at his joke. Miriam: Hmhmhm...

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Miriam looks away, lost in thought. Miriam: Who could just... sell their soul? Even in a dream? Even the song, as beautiful as he managed to make it, seems like it was hardly worth giving up Heaven for. Almost like it was a cruel tease. Florian shrugs, cigar still in hand. Florian: The sonata became his most famous work still. Maybe he believed it was only his subconscious being creative and he had given up nothing. Florian then looks away with a frown, but his eyes aren't visible. Florian: ...Or perhaps the benign had already left him so uninspired. So it was an easy choice to make. Miriam looks on with a nervous smile, not sure whether or not he's joking. Miriam: You... can't mean what you say. Florian looks at Miriam with a rather grave expression, a rare occurrence for him. Florian: What good is a soul if it stagnates, Mademoiselle Pierce? If a life of so-called "purity" had left it dull and corroded regardless, then why keep it? Florian looks away and smiles haughtily, clenching a fist near his face. Florian: Either way... the song is a testament to the forbidden that I cannot resist.

The Devil's Trill - Chapter 2, Page 34: Soul Stagnation
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Miriam and Florian sitting and speaking together while Florian smokes a cigar. Florian: The Devil's Trill Sonata, to be precise. That piece has a most fascinating tale behind it's creation. Miriam: Oh, aye? Florian motions towards the painting on the wall, behind them. Florian: Oui, the artwork behind us is even based on the story. A closeup shot of a man lying in his bed while the Devil, an impish figure with wings and horns, floats on a small cloud near him and plays a violin. It's a classic art by Louis-Léopold Boilly. Florian: It's said the composer, Giuseppe Tartini, was visited by the Devil in a dream one night. In the dream, he sold his soul, then asked the Devil to play something for him on his violin. The song took Tartini's breath away, but he was only able to hold on to a fragment of it's beauty upon waking. Florian's face, he has a small smirk. Florian: What you heard last night was that fragment. If just that can move you to tears, imagine what Tartini must've heard! A small shot of Miriam's shocked face. Miriam: That's... really true? A silly looking panel of Miriam smiling nervously while Florian smugly takes a puff of his cigar. Miriam: F-Father'd be livid if he knew you played a song with such an origin in his house... Florian: You think so?

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