InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Have you eaten yet?"

Dietre Abendroth (silentsonata) wrote in badwater_rpg,
@ 2009-01-11 16:45:00

Entry tags:

claire hunter, dietre abendroth, january

WHO: Dietre Abendroth and Claire Hunter
WHAT: D is hired, and gets a surprise?
WHERE: Claire's home.
WHEN: Sunday afteroon?
RATING: PG

Finally. Oh, finally! When he had lost hope and began to think that his father had been right, that he'd never make anything with music, he found work. Possible work. That pessimistic voice in his head reminded him that this wasn't yet written in stone. The man on the phone had told him his demo was good, and that he was hired, but wanted to see him in person first. Dietre understood that even if they were the best of players, if they were not compatible as partners, then it would never work. They had to have harmony together or it was pointless. And seeing how he had never actually played as accompaniment, Dietre was doubting himself quite a bit.

He wore his best suit, the one previously set aside for those horrible parties his father forced him to attend, a new white shirt, starched and perfect, destined to get downgraded to Olive Garden work wear if this new job fell apart. He wore gloves as well, something he normally neglected, but he didn't want his fingers to be cold and stiff if he was asked to play right away. The boy, paranoid of being late, called a taxi too soon and arrived much earlier than he should have. He was left to fret and pace outside the building, wondering if it would reflect badly on him to be this early, or was it just early enough to give a good impression?

Walking up to the house he was reminded of what his old life was like. So manly lonely hours he had spent in the endless rooms of a place like this...Yet, there was something almost comforting in its familiarity...Eventually he stopped his musing and pressed a finger to the doorbell, adjusting his tie and trying not to clench his jaw in nervousness.

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illusionary_
2009-01-11 04:18 pm UTC (link)

Frank Hunter was an intimidating man. Standing at over six feet tall, he possessed the blue eyes and blonde hair that had been passed down to both of his children and was dressed in clothes befitting of his rank as a wealthy businessman. Even though it was the weekend, he was still swathed in an expensive sweater and a pair of slacks; everything about the man seemed tailored and made to impress. It was he who answered the door, acknowleging the young man standing on the steps with a piercing gaze that was briefly lowered to adress his watch.

"Mister Abendroth, I presume? A bit early, aren't we? That's fine. Do come in."

Without bothering to take the boy's coat, he ushered him in and closed the door behind him and promptly began to lead him further into the enormous recesses of his home. "We were quite impressed with your CD. You're quite good, though I'm sure you know that." As they approached the rear end of the house, the haunting lilt of a lone violin began to permeate the air; the one playing, though unseen, was obviously quite advanced in terms of skill and talent.

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silentsonata
2009-01-11 04:31 pm UTC (link)

When the door opened, Dietre felt as though it was to some alternate reality, the man standing before him was like a blonde version of his father. The stare he was met with was the same as the one that had judged him all his life, and being thrown in front of it again brought a hard lump in his throat, and a sinking feeling in his gut. He could only hope his face was smoothly blank enough to hide the sudden turmoil of his emotions. Though he completely failed in his attempt to not clench his jaw, a muscle there twitching as he nodded to affirm who he was. Nodding because he knew he wouldn't be able to speak for a moment.

He entered when beckoned, silent as the grave as Mr. Hunter spoke, complimenting his playing. Dietre's horror soon turned to relief when he heard the violin in the distance. This man wasn't his partner! Thank God! The knowledge was enough to still the shaking of his hands, but not the pounding of his heart. This could still go wrong. There could be some one worse at the end of the hallway. But the playing...it was beautiful...Could a monster make music as sweet as that? Of course not...

Dietre couldn't help but crane his neck ever so slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of the player, not usually so overcome by curiosity.

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illusionary_
2009-01-11 04:48 pm UTC (link)

They came to a stop just at the end of the long hallway; a sunroom was visible just behind Frank's broad frame, but the player was still obscured. He lowered his voice some so as not to disturb, but made quite certain that Dietre was able to hear his every word. "You'll be playing with my daughter, Mister Abendroth. As you can see she's quite good... I think it goes without saying that she's to be treated professionally." Of course, by looking at the boy he didn't assume such a warning was necessary, but one could never be too careful, now could they?

He finally stepped aside and allowed Dietre to preceed him into the brightly lit room. Claire was perched on a chair before a music stand, a violin tucked under her chin. However, the written music went entirely ignored, as the girl's eyes were closed; were it not for the fluid movement of the bow across the strings, the girl could have passed for a life-sized doll, all golden ringlettes and porcelain skin.

"Claire. Your accompanist is here to meet you."

The music came to a sudden halt, and the girl visibly started as though drawn from some sort of dream. Brilliant, saucer-shaped eyes flew open to acknowlege the two men, a slight flush tainting her pale complexion.

"O-oh," she stammered, and immediately rose to greet them, violin lowered to her side. She was even dressed like a doll; a pale blouse and skirt graced her girlish frame.

"Mister Abernoth, this is Claire Hunter. Claire, this is Dietre Abernoth. I'll leave you two to your work." Frank nodded once more at Deitre and then departed, leaving Claire staring awkwardly after him. Finally those large eyes turned to regard her company, and she smiled weakly. "...It's... nice to meet you." Her voice was incredibly soft.

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silentsonata
2009-01-11 05:10 pm UTC (link)

Dietre could barely process the things he was being told, still unnerved from his first impression of Frank Hunter. Daughter? Daughter...That was good, that was better, Dietre found women to be far less intimidating than men. Unless, of course, it was Rue. The boy nodded again, maybe with a bit too much energy, like a nervous child being spoken to by an angry principal.

The man moved away, and Dietre was finally allowed to see into the room. What he saw was as unexpected, and surprising as his first look at the man who had hired him, but in a completely opposite way. A completely good way. D's brows shot up, eyes widening as they fell on the dainty girl standing before him. She was so young! And as beautiful as the music she played. She was as perfect as an angel.

Claire wasn't the only one who blushed, and Dietre found himself watching Mr. Hunter walk away with dismay. As much as his nerves were frayed by the man, he didn't like to be left alone to make introductions by himself.

"Uhm...Y-yes, its a pleasure.." The boy's voice was equally soft, slightly husky, and touched with a German accent. After an awkward moment, he reached out and offered his hand, remembering his manners.

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illusionary_
2009-01-11 05:20 pm UTC (link)

She couldn't help but notice that her new accompanist was... well... beautiful. That wasn't a word she would normally associate for someone of the opposite gender, but there really wasn't any other word she could think of to describe him. She was so preoccupied with staring at him that there was a noticible pause before she moved to take his hand, looking quite mortified when she finally extended her own to grasp it with delicate fingers.

Now that introductions were out of the way, it seemed that Claire was at a complete loss. She even gave him a helpless little shrug before moving her eyes away to gaze around the room, perhaps in search of something to talk about. Ah yes! The piano! Gesturing to the grand piano in the corner, she smiled timidly. "My father said that your CD was wonderful."

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silentsonata
2009-01-11 05:37 pm UTC (link)

His handshake was loose and gentle, as if he thought that if he grasped her hand any tighter he might break it. Dark brows came together in an endearing look of confusion, the boy suddenly much more expressive now that Claire's father had left. He was about to ask if she was alright, but then she spoke.

A blink. She said her father said it was wonderful.

"..You didn't..listen to it?" He wasn't exactly hurt, but scared. If she hadn't heard it herself..what if she didn't like his playing style? He moved towards the piano, that concerned expression still lingering on his face as he removed his gloves, glancing at his reflection in the instrument's lacquered surface. It was a fine piano, larger than his at home, he would love to be able to play it as if were his own.

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illusionary_
2009-01-11 05:47 pm UTC (link)

She watched his facial expressions shift into one of bewilderment, and realized that her statement probably wasn't something he wanted to hear as her accompanist. Watching him approach the piano, she nervously wrapped both hands around the neck of the violin, standing there quite awkwardly as she observed his movemnts. "I'm sorry... My father was the one who advertised for the accompanist," she admitted weakly. "I... I didn't even know about it until this morning, when he said you would be coming by. But I... I would love it if you would play something, now? If you don't mind, of course..."

She was perfectly still then, anxiously awaiting his response, secretly marveling over his perfectly sculpted features.

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silentsonata
2009-01-11 06:07 pm UTC (link)

"..Oh."

He understood. It wasn't her fault. He knew perfectly well what it was like to have a father like that, to be at the whim of the man's decisions. In that moment, he was her fool, filled with sympathy for her, wanting to protect her. He had finally met an equal, and though he should be glad, he was pained to see so much of himself in her behavior. They hadn't even been in the room together for ten minutes yet!

"It's alright, don't worry about it.." Compelled to assure her, he managed to force the barest hint of a smile on his lips, but it faded all too quickly. Well, that was one difference between them, she could smile that sweet smile at a stranger, but he couldn't, there were many times when he couldn't even muster one for Robin, and there was no one in the world who made him want to smile more.

"I'll play, of course." He lowered himself to the bench, pressed a key, pausing as its note rang through the room. A moment passed, and he began to play Chopin. Raindrop Prelude.

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illusionary_
2009-01-12 03:17 am UTC (link)

She nodded once and afforded him a soft smile as he took a seat on the bench. As for her, she took the seat she had been sitting upon when he'd entered and moved it a bit closer to the piano before lowering herself onto it, violing carefully positioned across her lap.

She was properly enchanted with the music he played... the dynamics, the tempo, everything was perfect and played with such talent, precision and passion that she knew immediately why her father had picked him. As his fingers danced across the ivory keys, her eyes slowly closed as though she was savoring every note... moments after the piece had ended, she finally opened them again.

"...Chopin," she breathed, almost a whisper. "You're... incredible, Mister Abernoth. I would love to duet with you, if you'd like to stay for a bit longer?" The way her body inclined towards him as she said it, the way her fingers came to wring themselves against her abdomen... why, it was almost as though she was pleading with him not to go. And she wanted to, if only to hear him play again. "We can play anything you like... I know quite a few pieces myself, and I'll try to keep up with you."

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silentsonata
2009-01-13 08:09 pm UTC (link)

The Raindrop Prelude had been the first piece he had played in Robin's presence. It also happened to be one of his favorites (though nothing could top the Moonlight Sonata). Dietre had a taste for music with a touch of sorrow, even if they were meant to be light. 'Play what you know'. He knew more than he cared to about pain and loneliness, it was no surprise that his playing would be tainted.

The boy had been unaware of Claire's gaze on him, her rapt attention, until after he had finished and the last note faded from the air. He looked up just as she opened her eyes, and oh how red he went when she half whispered her praise. He wasn't used to such compliments, let alone from someone who actually knew about music. He hadn't a clue how to act aside from getting flustered, ducking his head a bit as he mumbled a 'thank you'.

"I'll stay..." He cleared his throat, composing himself though he kept his eyes averted. wishing he wasn't so terribly shy.

"...Do you know Pavane? Uhm..Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte?" Pavane For A Dead Princess, another piece full of beautiful melancholy, Dietre was fond of the violin arrangement. He played a bit, as if to jog Claire's memory.

[ooc: forgot how to insert links! oops!! here is the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ6cyBzP0IE]

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illusionary_
2009-01-19 07:30 pm UTC (link)

Her eyebrows drew together as she allowed the notes he played to sink into her memory... Finally, she bowed her head and lifted the violin to her shoulder, raising her gaze to meet his across the glossy surface of the piano as she poised the bow against the strings. As she drew it down, her cheek seemed to lean into the instrument as one would tilt into a fond caress, her fingers skillfully drawing from it the notes required to create the duet.

Her timing was effortless and perfect, and she fell into sync with him almost instantly. It was not until the piece had ended that she dared to speak, carefully lowering the viling back to her lap. "I've... never played with anyone as good as you before."

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silentsonata
2009-01-20 04:42 pm UTC (link)

Dietre was caught up in the moment, everything was perfect, absolutely perfect. He had never played with another person before, had never experienced the power of two instruments singing in harmony, and he was simply blown away by it. Of course, he could not really admit this to Claire, not yet anyway, he didn't think it would be very professional to let an employer know just how unprofessional you were. All he could do was try to handle her praise without making too much of a fool of himself.

"Thank you...really.." Was that all he was going to be able to say? A broken record of 'thank you's. What he really wanted to do was ask Claire if she meant it. Dietre knew he was good, but not aware of how good. His father had instilled too many doubts in him over the years.

"I...look forward to...Uh...I hope we'll play together often?" He looked a little sheepish.

"..I'm not actually sure what we'll be doing. You father did not give me details...Is this a private arrangement or...Will we be doing concerts? Publicly?"

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illusionary_
2009-01-21 01:56 pm UTC (link)

She sighed and gave the door a weary look that was clearly intended for her father. Of course he would do this behind her back and then leave her to explain everything. Looking rather embarrassed, she looked back at Dietre and shrugged her shoulders a bit. "I perform at the theatres sometimes, you know, for... well, sometimes for the ballets, in the orchestra, and sometimes just alone... and I've been propositioned by a local gallery that wants me to play at their showings on weekends." She grinned bashfully. "But the real reason that my father hired you is because he wants us to play at some of his business gatherings. Which are more like... well, they're really very elaborate parties." Boring parties, she thought to herself, but would never dare vocalize that.

"But," she continued earnestly, "If you would like to, I'd love it if you could play with me at some of the other performances, too. Well, if you want to, of course..."

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silentsonata
2009-01-21 05:07 pm UTC (link)

Had she really played in so many places? Well, of course she had, her talent was answer enough. Just the thought that he too could now perform for such an array of audiences was something he could hardly wrap his mind around. But he was excited, a strange sort he wasn't very experienced with, the only feeling he had to compare it with was to how he felt around Robin, though of course it wasn't quite the same. It was a good excitement, and that was all that mattered.

What she said about her father provoked another faint smile. He nodded in understanding.

"..You're lucky he wants you to perform at his parties, not mingle. My father always forced me to meet his business partners during his...'Preparing for the future', I suppose." Now it was his turn to shrug. Dietre had only been allowed to play at the parties after he spent one hiding in the bathroom vomiting in anxiety. He couldn't stand meeting people, but he had no problem at all with performing. He felt strangely safe on the stage.

"I'd love to play whenever, and wherever you'd like me to."

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