This man moved unlike any other. The utter stillness could have unnerved some; it seemed Mr. Northman didn't even breathe, for that extended time he spent in silence. Erik had experienced many reactions to his music before; this was new, indeed. But when his eyes returned to the present, the strangeness of the man faded. As Erik listened, he bowed his head once, slightly, to acknowledge the compliment he never needed to hear. And then he nodded again when Mr. Northman made his selection.
"That is what she shall have," he said. "I will require two week's time for preparations. You must understand, this music has never been performed for any audience. But my orchestration will be pleased to play something new. What day shall we set?"
As they began the preparations, Erik considered what his own wife would say to this. He imagined she'd be charmed. Perhaps a touch jealous that something of his was being performed before she could hear it herself. This made him smile. His little wife would have to hear the composition in its entirety first, then. And that was a pleasure to think about as well.