Sonata for Two Pianos.

[longwinded]

["We're going to have you do a recital with another student on campus, very talented, just as talented as you. He's different but we know you'll work together just fine." Said your private piano teacher. You knew who he was, and what he was all about. You two were practically the most often praised musicians on campus. But you had never spoken with him, or given him the time of day. You were always holed up in your practice room before you went home to perform your songs for Dad, who lived close to campus to make sure you were doing your work. You're sure you're way over your amount of practice hours for the semester- what could one recital hurt?

So you agree. You, John Egbert, are going to perform a recital with another pianist you've never met face to face with until now. A first year student at that, as if you have so much seniority over him.

Your fingers rest easy over the keys, you let your fingers do what they've always done. Glide over the ivories to finish off yet another practice session- Chopin was your composer of choice today. Bach was yesterday, perhaps Beethoven tomorrow if you've been good. Your day isn't done, you have to meet him somewhere. You gather your music and clock your time, your instructor said to wait in the practice hall. Your new duet partner would bring the music for you to play today.

So here you stand.]

Comments

[barktier]

[Once the two are settled and can look down at the piano on the stage. There will be sitting Dave, he looks just as confused as he did in the practice rooms. He's trying to play by the sheets and this shit is not fucking flying with her.

She puts her hand on Dave's shoulder gently, squeezing.]

Dave, stop. What are you trying to do right now? Turn to me and tell me exactly what is going on. [This was his chance to rat on John. She takes a red pen from her hair and slides a piece of paper in front on him.]

Go on, tell me.

[knightime]

[Dave just looks at the piece of paper. He doesn't know.]

i dont know
playing exactly by the sheet
i guess thats what im doing
yea

[Which was obviously working wonders for his creative process. Except not.]

[barktier]

This again? Dave, didn't I tell you this school picked me to be your teacher because you and I are very alike. In the respect that we love to entertain, and we love to be unique.

[She picks up the sheet music and throws it clear off the stage.]

Playing by the sheets isn't being unique, and if that John Egbert fellow is the one making you do that then perhaps you need to inspire him someday. Now let's get back to where we were in our last lesson?

[Not that she remembers.] Play me a melody in E minor. Play whatever comes to you. Play as if you've never met a control freak in your life and it's just you in the room.

[knightime]

[Dave watches all the sheet music fly everywhere around them, most being too far for him to even consider pick back up. He looked back at Jade before turning himself back at the piano. All that was there was now him and the piano. There was no sheet musics. There wasn't anything to follow. Just whatever his fingers wanted to play.

He slowly folded his shades and had them hang from his shirt. He didn't play anything for a moment. Maybe even a minute.

But he started playing this. But there was a lot more energy behind it than what usually is required in a Waltz.]

[barktier]

[Jade looks up to the box, nodding an almost success to her colleague. There was just one last step after this. It was going to be so simple. She had literally just unwound his strings again. Dave was playing in and out of E minor and it sounded the way it should when Dave played.

She was pleased at the progress. She wasn't letting some kid dictate how her student played. He was getting so lost in the music. She wouldn't speak a word to her student until he was finished playing.]

[knightime]

[Dave continued to play until the waltz finally came to an end. He had no idea that anyone else was here. He knew the auditorium was open to other people, but most usually didn't disrupt others when someone was using it.

He looked back at Jade as soon as he was done.]

[barktier]

You tell that boy if he ever messes with my work on you ever again, I'll personally see that his teacher, Miss Rose gives him a verbal lashing he'll never forget.

You know, that Waltz was so loud. I bet you inspired some people in the hallway.

[She hopped off the stage. Picking up his sheets and setting them back on the stage.] Remember, these are just a road map full of suggestions. Playing by the book isn't your talent. Good lesson, I'm proud of you.

[knightime]

[Dave just takes the sheets from her, slowly putting them back in the right order.

But Dave breaks out into a relatively happy grin. Something he didn't do very often.]

[barktier]

[She just gives him a small pat on the back, he had such potential.]

Now go on, someone is waiting for you outside.

[longwinded]

[Indeed someone was waiting for him outside. Rose had sent John on his merry way after giving him another verbal lashing about needed to understand why she paired them together.

He stood outside, anxious as ever. He wanted Dave to understand how amazed he truly was. How talented he was. Dave could do things John never would be able to do.]

[knightime]

[Dave raised an eyebrow, but just picked up his stuff and headed out of the auditorium.

He's not sure who to expect or what she's implying. Who was waiting for him?]

[longwinded]

[John was standing there, right outside the door. Hands behind his back, and an awkward smile crossing his face. He felt really bad for everything he had said earlier.]

[knightime]

[Oh. Dave just immediately stares back and kind of...doesn't know how to feel about this. Why was John here? What do.]

[longwinded]

Rose had me watch your lesson today. I can see how frustrated I was making you. Then you played that waltz, and I was completely blown away. I wasn't even taking any time to appreciate how wonderful you actually do play.

[He grinned.]

Teach me how to keep up with you, alright?

[knightime]

[Dave just makes a silent 'oh' when he realizes that John had seen that. And...he actually kind of just turns a bright red. Even his ears are red, and wow. This is kind of really embarrassing. He didn't even think anyone else was in the room at that moment.]

[longwinded]

I didn't even plan on watching, I was so flustered on how to communicate with you, and how to work with you. In the end, it seems you need to work with me.

[John looks like he's finally trying to let down his shoulders. It's really endearing how Dave is blushing though.]

Your performance was wonderful.

[knightime]

[Oh no. He's been wanting to try and impress John, and now that he is...he's like freaking the fuck out. Freaking out enough that he forgets to take out his pen and paper to reply.

Instead...he kind of drops what he's holding and flails a bit. But there's a pattern to what Dave is doing. And then he stops and realizes that he just dropped everything. oh my god. He's the most embarrassing right now.

[longwinded]

[John puts a hand on Dave's shoulder. Shh, shhh. It's okay don't even be surprised. John is smiling just as wide as he was before, even as he's going to pick up Dave's things. Because that is what friends do, right?

If only John could make out what this pattern meant.]

Are you okay?

[knightime]

[Dave just stands there, shoving his hands in his pockets. It looks like he's trying to make himself as small as possible without being obvious about it. Dave is so glad for his shades right now. They are his lifesavers.

He just nods.]

[longwinded]

[He now has John's approval. What more does John have to say. Jesus he doesn't get Dave at all. But that was what sticking with him, and working together was going to help with.

Hm.]

Noon tomorrow?

[knightime]

[Dave just nods again and takes his sheet music from John.

He's just...gonna leave. Because there's nothing else the other wants to say to him right?]

[longwinded]

[John wants to say a lot to him. But he won't overload Dave right now. John has to get his words all in order. He just wants to learn from Dave now, how does one even let unholy fury go on a piano like that and it sound like heaven.

He just doesn't know.


So...Noon tomorrow is when they will come together once again.]

[knightime]

[Dave is there before John. He's just practicing on the piano he's sitting at. Warming up is always good.

He's playing a Chopin medley while he waits for John.]

[longwinded]

[John almost ran over in his eleven in the morning class, but he's busted his ass to get to the practice rooms on time! But before he goes in he presses his ear to the door, and grins.

A melody on Chopin. Different and it sounded...good. John was still getting used to the way Dave played.

He opened the door unannounced, when Dave looked up John would actually be signing him 'Hello', shakey and maybe the hand sign was a little crooked. But he had done his research online and this was what it said!]

[knightime]

[Dave looks up and just sits there with a blank look. Not that it's really easy to read Dave, shades and all.

He's kind of shocked though. A little taken aback that the other signed to him.

Also not sure how to respond other than to keep staring at John.

So staring he does.]