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

[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.]

[knightime]

[Dave gives John a casual shrug. He wasn't going to elaborate so he was gonna dismiss it.

Where are you taking him John? Are you going to kill him? He can't scream so he makes for an easy target. Except his Bro taught him better, so that's pretty invalid to be honest.]

[longwinded]

[Good enough for him. He doesn't question Dave.

John leads him to a clearing. There's a little stream back here, and a place to sit. John kind of made this place like a second home. In terms of the outdoors.]

I don't share this with a ton of people. But I go here when I get frustrated, or I need to think. When I was mad at you, constantly, I would come out here and try to put logic behind why I was angry at you.

I've concluded that it was only because I was jealous.

[knightime]

[Dave continues to stand, looking around them quietly. He looks down at John when he starts talking.

He isn't sure how to respond to that. The fact that John was showing this place to him and then admitting that he was jealous of him. He actually flushes a slight red. It's quite noticeable given his pale complexion.]

[longwinded]

I was never sure how you were so talented. Why I couldn't do things like that. It's not that I fault my dad for wanting me to be a classical performer. But, I never understood how to just enjoy playing the piano.

[Plus they're still holding hands. What do you know.]

So I guess I'm actually apologizing to you again. For being such a douche.

[knightime]

[Dave sighs and moves a bit before he's giving John a noogie.

He finally sits down though and digs up his notebook and pen so he can start writing.]

harley had to full on teach me the basics to advance techniques until i was dreaming music theory
i never grew up with knowing the technical way of things
i just messed around before deciding it was a thing i wanted to do
it was more of a way to vent and i just happen to have a thing for it

[Dave kept his gaze down at the notebook.]

its cool dude

[longwinded]

[Oh hey, hey hey hey no not his hair. John squirms until he is let go. Dave has quite a damn grip there.

John sits with him and peeks over at the notebook.]

Your Theory is pretty solid, she taught you really well dude. No one could improvise and harmonize that perfectly without it. Unless you had perfect pitch or something.

[John lightly punched Dave's shoulder.]

So this means we can actually be friends, right?

[knightime]

it took a lot of jamming crap into my head first

[It's weird that John was even asking if he wanted them to be friends.]

if you want
i guess

[longwinded]

[Now that John is actually learning about Dave and where he comes from in terms of musical ability. It seemed that John had him mapped out wrong the entire time. Right now John was still feeling this huge twinge of guilt for being so overbearing.]

That would be the plan here. [He chuckles.] Dad will something like "Oh Son I am so proud of you for making friends", and then he'll try to prevent me from hanging out with them because I need to be successful at the piano. He's a pretty cool Dad, just overwhelming.

Maybe if I convince him you can come over while. [John: Sheltered boy ever since his mother passed.]

[knightime]

im not that fun to hang out with anyways

[Dave does school and works. School and work. To some extent, he doesn't actually do hanging out stuff. It was school, music, and work.]

i dont usually have time to usually come over anyways

[longwinded]

I'm having a better time right now than I've had in the longest time.

[That's definitely something. A step for both of them.]

We'll make time eventually. For now I really like spending time with you at school, and here.

[knightime]

why?

[Dave still doesn't look at John. But he doesn't understand how John could honestly enjoy his company. It's weird. He knows he isn't a terrible guy or anything. But he doesn't really imagine himself at the life of the party either.]

[longwinded]

Because we're so different, yet we're nearly the same. Not in terms oof how we grew up. Just our thought processes can be shockingly similar at times.

[He grins.] Plus, you stuck around even after I was a douchebag to you. I don't even fucking comprehend why people put up with me.

[knightime]

sometimes you have to work with people who act like a complete ass to you
not everyone is going to bend over backwards for you out there

its probably better you didnt grow up the same

[The last part was written rather quickly and he shoved the paper in John's lap as he got back up to his feet.]