[Mushverse (I'm assuming)] The Famous Kurenai Violin [open to anyone]

[lady_isana]

It's the same all over again... well... sort of. I peek out from behind the curtain as the orchestra files out on stage to take their positions. I don't get a seat, since I was invited as a guest violinist. Instead, there's a microphone and music stand set up for me near the conductor. I don't really need the stand... I'm only playing one song, and it's my father's song that I've been playing for years.

Maybe it's worse that it's only one song... what if I screw up playing the one melody that's nearest to my heart? I can see my friends in the front row - Nago-san, the cafe owner, Megumi-san, Shizuka-chan, and Kengo-kun. I know it's not Kengo-kun's taste in music, but I'm glad he's here. And then there's the rest of the audience. This isn't like the time Shizuka-chan invited the ladies from the neighborhood to hear me play. Aside from my friends, I'm not sure I know anyone else in the room.

I suddenly hear the conductor call my name. I was agonizing so much over my performance, that I didn't notice the orchestra had already played through the pieces leading up to mine. I walk out slowly, trying desperately to mask my nerves and block out the modest applause. I watch the conductor as I make my trek, and he nods when I get to the microphone. "I'm Kurenai Wataru," I carefully say into it.

I bring the violin up to my chin, and ready the bow. I momentarily catch my friends' eyes, and it's the best I can do to keep the feeling of panic off my face. I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and begin to play.

When I finish, the applause is stronger. I smile, relieved that it's finally over, bow to everyone in the hall (including the conductor and the rest of the orchestra), and quickly make my way back to my green room.

~

After the concert ends, I notice my friends waiting by the exit. They're all full of smiles and hugs and handshakes. But what's surprising is how many other people are also waiting.

Comments

(Mun doesn't know where your Wataru's from, so being vague)

[crownedfang]

I had to take a call, so I don't know who's playing now. I'm not fond of music all that much, but Bishop says that I should attend a few performances. So, I'm here.

I have better things to do.

Re: (Mun doesn't know where your Wataru's from, so being vague)

[lady_isana]

[OOC: I'm very new, please forgive me... my Wataru is from after meeting Rook, but before learning of the rest of the Checkmate Four]

I try to greet the other bystanders while Shizuka-chan and Megumi-san complain about the man who left the hall before my segment of the concert. I don't know how they could have possibly noticed, though, since he must have been outside their field of vision.

"It's okay," I tell them. "I only did this because the conductor asked me to. You both know I'd rather be in the wood shop. I'll be fine."

(I think we're going to blow canon to bits then)

[crownedfang]

I get back just before the solo violin's done. Somehow getting through the rest of the concert, I'm heading out when I spot the violinist again. Normally, I wouldn't care about the musicians, but he looks familiar somehow.

So, I go up to him. I don't know his name, but that's never stopped me. "I liked your performance."

He doesn't need to know I missed most of it.

(I had a feeling going in... if you're okay with it, then so am I)

[lady_isana]

My head whips around when I hear a new voice, causing the rest of the group to fall silent. Nobody speaks for a good ten seconds, and I realize I've started picking out bits from other people's conversations. Megumi-san pushes at the back of my neck, forcing me to bow, and I remember that I need to thank this person for his kind words.

"The piece is very precious to me," I explain. "My mother told me it was the first melody my father ever played for her."

On the way back up, I notice that he's wearing a glove on one hand, triggering a memory I can't quite place. I start to watch his face, trying to figure out what kind of person would make that decision.

(I'm good!)

[crownedfang]

I nod. It doesn't make any difference to me, really, but it's polite. He's watching me too, like I'm watching him, as if we're faintly familiar to each other.

Then I spot the mole pattern under one side. "Kurenai Wataru-kun?"

Is it the only friend that I ever had?

Re: (I'm good!)

[lady_isana]

He knows my name.

Wait... of course he would know my name, I announced myself before I played. But he asked it, rather than saying it. "Yes, that's me."

I try to avoid thinking too hard on it, and instead fill the rest of the void by introducing my friends to him. I don't know if he got their names, though, because I noticed a change come over him the instant I acknowledged my identity. I'm definitely supposed to know who he is.

It's embarrassing, but I intentionally falter when I turn to introduce him to the group. The instant he says his name, I know I'm going to feel like an idiot.

[crownedfang]

As Wataru-kun introduces me - and I'm not sure he knows who I am - I bow slightly to each one in turn. Not too much, because these are humans, but enough to be polite and not stick out.

"Nobori Taiga," I tell each of them, because it would mean nothing to them and everything to him.

[lady_isana]

I feel myself mumbling his name, just to make sure I heard it right. The glove... it all fits, and I suddenly remember those days building mounds in the playground sandbox. I can't help but smile, so I decide to do a proper introduction again to fill in the gaps.

And then I turn back to him. "It's been a long time, Taiga-san. How have you been? We were planning on getting food after this, would you like to join us?"

[crownedfang]

I don't want to eat, but this is Wataru-kun, my best friend, and for him I'll put up with almost anything. "Certainly. Let's all talk." Then I'll meet up with him some other time so we can get to know each other again without all these other people around.

[lady_isana]

As we walk down the sidewalk, I can't help but steal glances at the man that walks beside me. How is it that I've crossed paths with him again after so long?

We approach a railroad crossing, and the cafe owner interrupts the girls' idle conversation. He looks pointedly at them, Nago-san, and Kengo-kun, and says something about getting food at home. Megumi-san begins to protest, but Shizuka-chan stops her. I think I know what they're trying to do, and I hope Taiga-san appreciates it. After they leave, I guide him to a small restaurant that's only a little further down the road.

"So... what have you been up to all this time?"

[fwiw blowing canon to bits in Mushverse is so okay. The Fourze pups have already proved that ;D]

[breakthelimit]

[suggested order? Hiroto -> Miu -> Sousuke -> Wataru?]

Miu and I like to bring Sousuke out to places that are far more cultured that his race tracks and ramen carts. Even now, after he's traveled a good chunk of the world with his racing, he's still so sheltered.

Honestly? It was mostly her idea at first. I could care less about Sousuke when we began with him, but now... now I like seeing him fight to understand new things. I like to see him finding the meaning in a gentle bit of sculpture at an art museum, or try and hear the song in a wordless piece of music.

This is all in my honest mind, not in my spoken words.

We always sit him between us when we do these things. Originally it was so he couldn't escape, now it's just old habit. But I like feeling him at my side, and hearing Miu's gentle thoughts between us through our link.

The young soloist comes out, and he's such a twitchy little wisp of a thing. I don't know whether to scoff or feel sorry for him. He looks like a child given a big kid's toy for this first time. He announces himself, and I clap lightly, politely, because it's the proper thing to do.

Once he starts though I... I am caught up in the emotion of his work. The intensity of his playing. It's really quite moving. Dense; deeply rooted in personal emotion. But not so much that it distracts from the piece itself.

It's as he's walking off that my senses ring, that old familiar psychic twinge pinging. I glance at my sister, knowing she will have felt it too - someday Sousuke will share our link as well, we just need to spend more time together, or maybe he already shares it? - through our bond. "Miu..."

There is power here...

[sparklingworld]

I squeeze Sousuke's hand at times during the performance, enjoying the way the colours of our various formal attire complement each other. I know Sousuke finds this strange, sometimes, but it's good for him to get more exposed to this kind of world. I like dressing up, and my two boys look ridiculously handsome.

And it's not so bad, going to the track with him.

This violinist has definite talent. His phrasing, his fingering, are superb.

A rose petal flutters to the ground from a vase next to the stage as he walks out, and I gasp, head turning to Ani immediately. "Yes," I murmur.

[machfullforce]

I don't mind going out and doing high culture things with Miu and Hiroto. It's fun for them, after all, and as long as I don't have to pay I might as well play along.

The tie will always be annoying, though, even if it is a very nice shade of red.

I fall asleep through most of the orchestra, though. I can't help it, it's not like anything exciting is happening down on the stage, just really beautiful music, the kind of which usually... well, lulls me to sleep.

I wake up when the music pauses for the soloist to introduce himself though. I'm not entirely sure why, but his song doesn't have the same effect on me. I'm completely focused on his every motion, every note, and a moment later the way Hiroto's hand tightens on the arm rest, and the tone in his voice when he says Miu's name.

"Can we meet him?" I ask quietly. Is that a thing that's done?

[lady_isana]

As the hall empties, I exchange a few words with some of the patrons. I hadn't performed in such a place before, but I can tell that it seems like the thing to do.

The lobby gradually empties, people exiting onto the street in search of their next destination, and I can't help but notice three people whose clothing was very... coordinated. They were clearly attending together. One of them keeps glancing in my direction, before returning his gaze to his companions. He looks as anxious as I felt earlier, so I try to make myself seem as approachable as possible.

[breakthelimit]

Sousuke is a fluttery thing between us as we wait to meet the soloist, I've honestly never seen him so excited about something so beyond his normal daily experience. Part of me wants to take pride in the thought that maybe he's becoming more cultured. But most of me knows he's probably just feeling the electric hum of the bond Miu and I share. These days he always seems to react when we share one of our... moments.

I watch the young violinist, in between glances at my sister, once he seems readily available to us I catch her eye and gesture with a tip of my head toward him. "Miu."

She's the more sociable one between us, I will let her approach the violinist first. Break the ice. I've been told I'm rather standoffish, and I know for a fact Sousuke is often unpleasantly energetic.