Re: adrian's place; dietre & hugh
The only praise Dietre could fully accept was for his playing. He shied away when he was given too many compliments for other things about him. That had been his issue once, long ago, with one of the first friends he made in Repose; Nilus. Aleksi, too, had a tendency to talk him up more than Dietre felt comfortable with. He couldn’t help but think that he was being viewed through rose colored glasses, that he wasn’t being seen for who he actually was. It made him feel like they didn’t understand him. If Aleksi hadn’t left for other reasons, it might have eventually driven a wedge between them.
“Oh Hugh, you’re tempting me to really show off,” Dietre responded when called incredible. “And if I do that then we’ll never get to dancing…” He was beaming as well, and from the look in his eyes it was obvious he was more than tempted to keep playing. He couldn’t resist.
“I’ll do one more. Just one more, and then we’ll dance.” This was said almost more to himself than Hugh. “I have to confess, though, that I don’t often play these pieces. I prefer something more moody, but…” He shrugged. “I’m not done impressing you yet.”
Chopin yet again. Polonaise Op. 53, played with more power than the little upright probably ever expected to sing with. This was not a cheerful ragtime or endlessly repeating scales practiced by a bored child. Once abandoned, it could now stand proud. Dietre made it sound as fine a grand, the air full of vibrations.
Dietre took his eyes off the keys to watch Hugh’s face, taking in every nuanced shift as he reacted. When he was done he sat back with a deep breath like he had just finished a workout. “Alright. My hands need a break after that one.”