distressedude | 012 ~ [Action]

[Anise hadn't even been gone a full day yet and Ion already didn't know what to do with himself. It hurt to look across the hall and know that the room was empty. It hurt knowing he wouldn't see Anise's smiling face as she cooked breakfast in the morning. It hurt knowing he wouldn't get to spend another day with her around the village. It hurt knowing he still had so many things he wanted to talk to her about, things he needed to say to her, and now he couldn't.]

[Too many things were hurting and he didn't know how to handle it. He'd never felt something like this before.]

[And the only thing he could think of right now was to try not handling it. He needed time. This was different from the kidnappings; he may not have been able to know when, but he always knew she would come back eventually. And he would be there waiting for her. Now? He wasn't sure he could wait. Naturally, the thought that he might never see her again had already crossed his mind. Even if she were brought back to Luceti, he could be sent back before then...]

[He needed to get his mind off of things. Even if just for a day. Even if just for an hour.]

[Which is why Ion will be making his way around the village today, first stopping at the library and trying in vain to lose himself within the pages of a good book. Or a few books. From there, he wanders the areas around the plaza for awhile, perhaps grabbing something to eat at one of the restaurants despite his lack of an appetite. Eventually he'll give up on this and settle for walking the paths of the village until it gets too cold to do so anymore. By the time the sun has set, he'll be sitting on the front porch of House 1 and looking up at the starry sky, still not quite ready to head back inside.]

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[The fact that Ion makes no effort to convince Dist otherwise by insisting his playing sounds good should let him know just what sort of mood he's in right now.]

[He takes a seat nearest the piano, for now just staring silently down at the table and listening.]

[And the fact that Dist doesn't even argue or scoff or anything shows he's feeling just the same, or at least respecting the Fon Master's somber mood. He continues practicing, reading over the sheet music and frowning each time he messes up.

Finally, after a good few minutes, he gets the tune down fairly well, with only a few breaks in between. He'll keep the silence though, for as long as Ion needs it.]

[The music is very soothing, calming. Something Ion really needed right now. He doesn't say a word, or even move really, as Dist continues playing. After those initial few minutes pass, Ion finds his voice. Yet he still doesn't look up from the table.]

Your playing is really coming along well, isn't it.

[Dist doesn't meet Ion's gaze at all, keeping his eyes on the keys, the sheet music, anything else. He doesn't want to give anything away that he was a little upset that Anise was gone now, and he most certainly didn't want to explain himself.

He tries a different tune, just a few keys, but then folds his hands in his lap with a sigh.]

Mm...I suppose. With my instructor, I learn more of course, but there is also work I must do on my own. Practice.

[Ion wouldn't expect him to explain anything, but he would like to think Dist misses Anise, too. Even if only a little.]

...practice, hm.

If you wouldn't mind... perhaps I could come listen to you practice sometime? [Sometime aside from right now, of course.]

[He half misses her. Dist still isn't entirely certain what to think of Anise, really. He had tried to convince himself she was him enemy; a thorn in his side. The annoying little brat, and all the noise she makes, and how she always bothered and teased and mocked him... The house will be quieter, but not the same.

Casting a sidelong glance at Ion, Dist observed him queitly, then looked back down at the piano.]

If you wish, Fon Master... I can't say I'll be any good, however. These things take time to master, of course.

Of course. [He echoes, but doesn't really agree with, the sentiment. Dist wasn't anywhere near being a master just yet, yes, but from what Ion had already heard, he sounded good.] Thank you.

[For a moment it looks as though Ion is about to say something, about to try looking up... but he keeps his gaze locked on the table.]

...is there another song you know how to play?

[Dist remained silent for a moment, after the question was posed, then reached up to the book of sheet music and flipped through it several times. Once he finds what he's looking for, Dist reads over the music for a moment, thn down at the keys, and begins playing a different song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUjUpy2yn8M&feature=related).

It's much, much more difficult than the first, and he messes it up a lot more, grimacing each time he does, but Dist presses on. Brook played this one for him while at one of their lessons, and it was one he thoroughly enjoyed. He wanted to learn to play this one. Once finished, he sighs.]

My apologies...I had not been practicing this song as much as I would have liked.

[Ion doesn't even register the mistakes in his playing as he silently listens. When the song ends and Dist make his apology, Ion shakes his head.]

Please don't apologize. [His voice is quiet.] That sounded beautiful, Dist. Thank you.

[Dist isn't really going to say anything more to argue that his playing was very poor indeed - he needed months of practice, he'd only been at it for a few weeks - and instead gave Ion another long, sideways glance. It was about time that at Least Ion was honest about why he was here.]

...I can only guess you hadn't come here to hear me play initially, Fon Master. I'm afraid I'm not the best company to be in for emotional support, you see.

[Ion stays silent for a few moments before finally looking up at Dist with a sad smile.] I wasn't looking for emotional support. I was only hoping for some company...

[The smile drops off his face as he looks down at the ground, eventually turning away again.] ...it's too quiet, staying in the house all day.

[Dist looks away from Ion the moment he smiles, gazing instead at the piano's keys as he taps a few absently, the hollow notes lingering through the open space around them. That was half the reason he came out as well, other than to practice. Dist had grown used to the noise in the house, even when he was working or reading and needed the quiet. He'd even grown to almost like it, especially when Anise hummed to herself in the kitchen.]

That is something we'll all have to adapt to, I suppose...