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

[longwinded]

[John is taken aback. This is the first time Dave has ever really shown true frustration. So he is going to try his best to be understanding. He doesn't know how to handle this right now.]

We don't have to stop.

[He takes a long face though, he looks a little disgruntled.]

I'm just worried about your health is all. You're tired all the time and we basically have this down. You know full and well concentrating is hard when you're tired.

[knightime]

[He kind of shakes his head a bit.

He wants to keep practicing. Even if his body rather want the rest, he can't just stop now. If he doesn't practice, he won't get better. Or at the very least, what's the point in being here?

Dave's entire body language is really something though. He looks frustrated and upset, but it's so obvious his body is pushing itself.]

[longwinded]

[John doesn't look comfortable continuing. But he sits down at the other piano again and kind if worries at his lip. He doesn't know how to tell Dave to stop- nicely.

He'll just let the other take the lead so they can finish.]

[knightime]

[When Dave starts up, it's very obvious that John wouldn't be able to play the notes like Dave. He'd have to be just as angry. Just as frustrated.

It's as though the voice Dave lost isn't really gone at all. The Piano was practically screaming for Dave. Every note there's a piece of his pent up frustration being played.

Yet, underlying it all seems to be some melancholy. A tired resignation.]

[longwinded]

[Anger, anger, anger, frustration. There was no way that John kept up this time. In his mind it goes: worry, worry, worry, I am too fucking concerned right now. For the guy that he was practically on the edge of being a huge ass to a few weeks ago.

The power of music brought them this closer.

He puts his hands in his lap. The iridescent ivories don't deserve his fingers right now. Right now...all they needed was Dave. They were there to comfort him more than John ever could.]

[knightime]

[Dave just kind of keeps playing. Even when his fingers start to sting. Even if he was aware John had stopped. He kept playing because he couldn't get himself to stop.

Not until he's exhausted himself and his playing starts slowing down and sometimes he hits a wrong key. He tired himself out. Oops.]

[longwinded]

[It was a sight. It was passionate and angry all the same. It was scary. Beautiful yet extremely terrifying.]

Dave?

[knightime]

[He kind of just...presses his face onto the keys. Bye. He's exhausted and he's not sure why he wasted John's time practicing with him only not to practice with him.]

[longwinded]

[John understands. Dave was going through something right now. He had to have a moment. John isn't mad or anything. That time when they first started, John had been so rude to Dave. A spoiled brat, rather. All of that came crashing down on him and he felt a pang of guilt.

Why would he do that? He wasn't raised to be such an asshole. Here was a legitimately good guy who is having a legitimate moment, and he had been an asshole to him in the not so far away past.

If Dave was good at something with those keys, it was invoking emotion.

Was that the point of this whole partnership? To teach the both of them patience and understand?]

It's okay, Dave.

[knightime]

[Dave kind of just...slinks to the ground. Yep. Bye. He is very tired right now and he's completely outplayed himself for the day. Bye John, he is gone. He is dead. Dave is no longer in this world for he is dead.

He really does look like he needs some sleep though. Seriously.

uses a dumb icon

[longwinded]

I'll walk you home?

[Just an offer here. Because Dave looked tired. Dave just needed to go home right now.]

[knightime]

[Dave just kind of gives him a thumbs up. Give him a minute. He'll get of the ground in a minute.]

[longwinded]

[John offers him a hand whenever he is ready. Pft, Dave.]

[knightime]

[Dave finally takes John's hand. Okay. Going home. That's cool.]

[longwinded]

[Gathering his and Dave's stuff. Yup. Time to walk Dave home. Does he mention anything about what just happened?? He's worried...]

[knightime]

[Dave just kind of drags his feet the entire time.

Dave doesn't live in a terrible area or anything. It's a decent apartment complex too. Usually he takes the stairs up, but Dave just hits the elevator button and leans against the wall and waits.

He also lives all the way on the top.]

[longwinded]

[John follows until they get to the elevator. He really doesn't want to invade Dave's space. So John just stands there with a look on his face.]

Do you want me to go up with you?

[knightime]

[Dave shrugs in response. He doesn't care. He's tired. If John wants to, he can. God, who cares John. Only you care.]

[longwinded]

[OKAY HE IS AT LEAST GONNA FOLLOW HIM TO THE DOOR. Just to make sure. :|]

[knightime]

[Maybe helping him with the door would help. When they get to Dave's door, he's fumbling with the keys and doesn't look to be having much success with them honestly.]

[longwinded]

[John kind of drapes on Dave, taking the keys from his hands.]

Which one?

[knightime]

[Dave just tries to point to one of them but he leans back against John, and god, he probably might just fall asleep right then and there.

His keys all got cute little key heads and they have letters on the back in sharpie. The one that is labeled H is probably his house key.]

[longwinded]

[Oh...well. John doesn't actually mind this. They are buddie safter all, right? John will let Dave lean on his as he reaches forward to unlock the door.

Kawaii keys, wowowowowow.]

[knightime]

[Dave's place is pretty bare. It looks like only the essential items needed to survive were in his apartment. The only exception is the plethora of music equipment he has. Otherwise, simple tables and chairs. Maybe one or two tables and a two chairs. It looked like Dave lived to survive and avoided spending in excess.

It's kind of sad looking.]

[longwinded]

[It is kind of sad looking, but this is home for Dave right? John couldn't insult his home. John belatedly realizes he's still draping all over Dave. Yikes, er, well he should probably back off- right?]