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]

[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.]

[longwinded]

I'm glad you're just as stubborn as I am, you're honestly the only person to ever buck up to me even after I threw a tantrum.

[He broke Dave's spirits. Threw his pen, shoved his notebook. Told him how worthless he was. Only a few weeks later, here they were, sitting alone together without the threat of a fight breaking out between them.]

Why do you say that?

[knightime]

[Dave just shrugged. Now he was being all vague again. He didn't really want to talk about it though, and the best part about being mute is that he doesn't have to answer because he can't.

Even if that's a cop out.]

[longwinded]

[Fine Dave, be stubborn. John will just sit here and observe nature, because wow nature is pretty amazing. If Dave wants to just write something he totally can at this point.

Yup.]

[knightime]

[Dave doesn't write anything back and just stands there awkwardly. Most awkward teenager to date.]

[longwinded]

[They could sit here and do this all day. But. That would be boring.]

Are you hungry? Do you just wanna walk around? We could do anything right now.

[knightime]

[Dave shrugs. He's never really had an option to do these kind of things with other people. It's a little surprising and weird for him.]

[longwinded]

[Hanging out with people is not typically something John does either. He doesn't know how to social skill. He gets up and offers Dave a hand. They can go see the waterfall!]

[knightime]

[Dave looks at John's hand before finally taking it in his own. Oh. Ok.]

[longwinded]

[John tugs him a long deeper into the woods. This time they were following the stream. It would take them about ten minutes before they reached their destination. A waterfall!]

Nature is full of some pretty cool stuff.

[knightime]

[Oh yes. Take the mute kid who can't swim to a location with a waterfall. Are you sure you're not trying to kill him?

But Dave wishes he had a camera. This is nice. Maybe if he saves up for a good one...

He nods at John though.]

[longwinded]

[Okay, not like John knows he can't swim. He is totally trying to impress his new friend with nature.

If only John knew that too.]

So, regarding our performance in a few weeks. Do you want to perform what we have going on? I'm kind of starting to like the mojo we had going on there. It's not classical music anymore, but that's okay.

[knightime]

[Well, don't push him in and you'll never have to find out that he can't swim.

Dave tilts his head thoughtfully then just shrugs at John. The worst thing about Dave is how fucking laidback he can be. Even about a performance.]

[longwinded]

[Why would he even want to do that?

John just gives a casual smile. He knew their performance would keep changing, and would probably change on stage too. It's just whatever they felt, right?]

You're such a chill guy. How do you manage that?