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]

[Okay Dave you are really about to get on his nerves with this. So he starts again, and this time he is a little sassy when he plays because he really doesn't want to play this over and over again.]

[knightime]

[This time though, Dave moves to pick up his bag. He brings out his laptop and large headphones and what Dave digs out of his pocket looks like a recording device. He had been recording John playing. Once John is finished, Dave just motions John to come sit by him as he transfers the recording to his laptop.]

[longwinded]

[John raises his brow and goes over to sit by Dave, uh, what was that recording device there Dave? What exactly is Dave planning here and why.]

[knightime]

[Dave is completely silent, other than the click clack noises coming from his laptop as he fiddled about. Once he seems satisfied, he takes his headphones off and hands it to John to put on and listen.

Dave just edited the file so John can hear all three of his plays without any pauses or other distractions. He wanted to see if John could hear the differences between each play.]

[longwinded]

[He watched for the next couple of minutes, and then put on the headphones. Within a few moments he realized that Dave had mixed his three plays together.

It's like John had played it differently each time, well duh, that is what musicians did- right? Nothing was ever the same twice.]

That's amazing.

[knightime]

[Well, it was obvious John was getting more annoyed with each playing. That was the point though. Because it meant they sounded different.

Dave just shrugged. He was just trying to prove something. Or at least make John understand. Maybe this might help. He doesn't know.]

[longwinded]

Do you want to play again, Dave? I think I understand what you were getting at. Maybe. Er, honestly we'll have to see if this works out or clashes completely.

Not that I think clashing would sound bad, that might actually sound cool...

[John got off on another tangent as he moved back to his piano. He thinks he has an idea. What if they didn't play this fugue at all and took the fugue's melodies and made their own damn creation here.]

[knightime]

[Dave shut his laptop and got back up to put it all back in his bag. He walked back over and sat at the piano he was practicing on before glancing at John.

Hands gently laid themselves over the keys, but not yet playing. Just waiting.]

[longwinded]

[John look back at Dave. Did he want John to start? Was that what he wanted? Okay. That is what John does. He starts. Just for Dave. But warning him with the of his foot on the pedal.]

[knightime]

[Dave started to accompany the other. Dave's playing was a little sloppy. His timing was a bit off even if he was at least playing all the right keys. But it wasn't Dave really going off but he was actually concentrating on how John's piano sounded and trying to mimic it. Dave was trying to figure out how John's mind worked. Dave was no stranger to music theory and history. There must be ways to figure out how John played and when he chose to do certain things versus other ways.]

[longwinded]

[It was a little sloppy at first. But he didn't want to get frustrated as fast as he did the first time. That would get them no where. It would get them back to square one if anything.

John stops, and smiles at the end of the piece. He turns towards Dave and raises his hands. "You did good." is what John tried to sign at him, but it came out more like "Good you."]

Maybe next time we can try a slower tempo.

[knightime]

your signing is fucking atrocious dude

[Dave shoved the notepad in his face, but he was...laughing. At least it seemed like he was. His shoulders shook and there was a shit eating grin on his face. But the only noises that came out was air passing through.]

whatever you want man

[longwinded]

[John was baffled by the state Dave was in for sure. But after he read the notepad he was lead to assume the other was laughing at him. He pulled a frown, but it didn't hold for long because he laughed along with Dave.]

We'll take a break and come back to it.

[he was still snickering.]

My signing isn't that bad!

[knightime]

[Dave stuck his tongue out childishly.]

no way dude
its fucking atrocious as shit
you cant even sign full sentences

[It's pretty bad. Kind of amusing too. He can't wait to see you sign words wrong and make atrocious sentences.]

[longwinded]

Yes I can!

[The only full sentence he can sign is, "My name is John." Except that may or may not be what he actually just signed.]

See, I can sign a completely sentence.

[knightime]

i already know who you are
you loser

[Dave shoves at you lightly, scattering his notebook paper everywhere. Welp. Whatever.]

[longwinded]

I am not a loser!

[He shoves back, just as lightly. Oh boy what even are they doing now? Playing?]

I am the biggest not loser ever! [HE STANDS BY THIS.]

[knightime]

[Dave sticks his tongue out and holds his hand up to his forehead in the shape of an L. Only losers need to say they are the biggest not loser obviously. You are so obviously a loser John.]

[longwinded]

[W h o a, Strider! Why are you even doing that? He sticks his tongue out right back, but he can't for long. Because he's laughing. No one has really brought this side out of John in the longest time.]

That isn't even cool, dude! We're both losers.

[knightime]

[Dave folds his arms and let's out a silent little huff. The only loser is you, obviously. He is the total opposite of loser.]

[longwinded]

[John looks amused. He sticks his tongue out at Dave. Taking out a blue pen and going over to his Dave's notebook.]

tomorrow @ noon.
meet me here.
:)

p.s. i know it's a saturday, but just roll with it.

[knightime]

[Dave looked up at John, eyebrow slightly raised. Why did the other want him to go?]

i work on saturdays dude

[longwinded]

[He shakes his head. John doesn't know the first thing about wor. His dad likes to make him practice all weekend. But this weekend Father Egbert will be out of town, and John can do as he pleases.]

Dude, it's really important that you come with me. What about right after you get off?

[knightime]

i work all day
gotta work if i want to keep my little place

[He kind of lives on his own, John. Or did you not know that?]

[longwinded]

That's cool, I just thought noon was a good time. But I can show it to you any time. So the question stands, when do you get off of work?

[He is painfully unaware.]