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With a final flourish, he lifted his hands away from the piano keys that were shining with sweat. Thunderous applause reverberated around the auditorium. The stage lights were blinding his vision, but he stood up anyway, taking a well-rehearsed bow as a thank you to the loving audience. He felt rather light-headed, but this was always the case when he performed.

He hobbled off the stage, hands shaking slightly. The minute he was past those thick, velvet curtains, he heaved a long, long sigh of relief.

The final recital was over, yes, but there was still so much left to do. Pack, of course. Maybe enjoy one last delicious meal here in Italy. And tell the friends he had made that he'd be leaving for a research project at the new, state-of-the-art International Space Research Centre... in the United States.