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]

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.]

[knightime]

i work one job in the day and i work a grave yard shift for another.
i dont really have time over the weekends

[He has to budget pretty carefully to make sure he can get through each month. He knows that he can ask Bro for help, but he only considers it when he really needs it. He was kind of a stubborn, independent guy.]

[longwinded]

[Dave, why do you do this to him. John had other things to do. But he guesses this can happen today. Dad should already be gone anyways.]

then come with me now.

[knightime]

[Excuse you. He kind of has to work to be in this school. It's not exactly fun and games.

Dave raises an eyebrow but nods at John. Ok...?]

[longwinded]

[John will understand one day. He really will.


John kind of holds out his hand. Take the hand Dave. It is a tihng you need to do.]

[knightime]

[Dave kind of quickly shoves all his stuff back into his bag before taking John's hand.

Ok. Whatever you want, dude.]

[longwinded]

[His hand curls around Dave's and he pulls him towards the exit. They're definitely going somewhere. This shit will be so amazing. They will have fun.]

I kind of wanted to spend all day tomorrow doing this. But I think this is cool too.

[knightime]

[Dave doesn't say anything (haha he can't) and just let's John drag him to wherever they're going. Does this count as being kidnapped? Ironic kidnapping?]

[longwinded]

[Friendly kidnapping. Honestly. John will return him at a good hour. well first they're going to John's house. It looks pretty average. It's two level and looks pretty homely.

He takes Dave here first because Dad is gone, and he never gets to have his friends. Ever.]

I just need to stop by here really quick.

[knightime]

[Homely isn't a word Dave is very familiar with, so he kind of just stares curiously around. Maybe wander around the living room while John does whatever he came here for.

He turns to John and gives him a nod and a quick shrug of his shoulders.]

[longwinded]

[John does point towards the living room.] There's a piano in there if you feel compelled.

[He has disappeared upstairs to change into something more normal. If Dave feels the need to play the piano, or just look around the bench he will see where John spends most of his nights and weekends. The bench is worn. The pedals have finish missing and some of the keys look like they've been played over and over.]

[knightime]

[Dave wanders around the place instead. He's mostly standing around the fireplace though, looking at the photos lined on the mantle as he waits for John to come back down.

He's so not used to things like this. It's like those movies with the perfect little families that have photos of everyone lined up in some jovial state.]

[longwinded]

[John comes back downstairs, dressed in clothing he saved up money to buy himself. Some jeans, a tshirt, and a jacket. Instead of his regular dressy shoes he's wearing a pair of beat up old converse.

He holds out his hand for Dave's again. He pays no mind to the fireplace. The pictures are just a thing that John doesn't talk about. The very first picture is of his Dad, his mom, and John when he was first born. His mother is a touchy subject he will never wish to touch on. Past that picture is a bunch of pictures of other family, John and his Dad. Really depended.

But that doesn't matter. John has something to show Dave. Right now.]

[knightime]

[Parents are a sore subject with Dave in general. But no one really knows anything about Dave's history. He's gonna keep it that way.

He takes John's hand again, glancing back at the mantle before looking forward again. There seemed to a slight longing feel coming from that glance. Like he was looking at something he didn't understand, but wanted too.]

[longwinded]

[John does notice this and squeezes his hand a little.]

Everything alright? [John is not leading Dave behind the house and into the surrounding woods. No he is bot going to kill Dave. Though this is a strange location to take someone.]