Week Eighteen: Sunday
Who: Vallis, and Vivian Where: The Music room When: Early, early Sunday morning What: A performance interrupted
Some evenings after returning home from work, when the sun was too close to risk spending much longer outside, she found herself wandering the castle halls. It gave her time to think in an environments that wasn't nearly as constricting as her dorm room. The previous night had been no different. Friday had been extremely busy, and tiring. So when her shift ended, in the early hours of Saturday morning, she returned promptly to the castle. If it hadn't been for her catching sight of the grounds keeper tending to a few matters not far from the school entrance on her way in, she likely would have retired. For a moment she had considered walking over, and speaking to him, or just doing something that might have drawn his eye to her. He probably knew she was there regardless. The truth was, she had no idea what she might say to him. For once, she knew that she was in the wrong. She almost felt as if she should apologize to him, but her pride wouldn't allow her to do so. So, when she walked up the lawn that morning, it was no surprise that her eyes had searched the area, for even the smallest sign that she wasn't alone. She found nothing.
Even with that small disappointment, she did not head for the Terrene common room. No, her feet carried her own, without much guidance, or directly. They moved on their own, while her mind danced between the beautiful little muse she knew would be sleeping at that moment, and the father she had abandoned. Her Jaida. The thought alone brought a soft smile to her lips. That was one thing that she did love, waking up next to the girl. Seeing her in those last few moments of sleep, when she was peaceful, and serene. No matter how much she adored that mouth, it was nice to see it at rest from time to time. Henry.... she couldn't even begin to imagine where he was at that moment. Nor what he might be doing, or thinking. Yes, he had been very angry with her the last time they spoke, but it was so hard to predict an outstanding reaction when it came to him. How long would the anger last? Or had it perhaps already left him, along with she from his mind. Her feet slowed, as her ears were met with the soft, distant tinkering of piano keys. They were quite aways off, but still crisp. It was not a radio of any sort, it was the instrument being played aloud. Vivian followed the sound, until she came across a section of hallway, dissected by a thin, stream of light. The door to the music room was open by a hair, and she could not recall having ever been side of it before. Whomever was at the keys had quite a steady, graceful hand, as they played.... well, it sounded to be a version of 'The Day the World Went Away'. Perhaps it was something else, something they themselves had written. Silently, she pulled the door open further, so that she could spy the talent. She had not been expecting him. Never would she have thought he was capable of playing in such a delicate, and emotional fashion. It just... didn't suit him. It was almost like seeing his soul.
Even monsters had something that they allowed to completely touch them. His was, and always had been the piano. It was the only time he really let his guard down, allowed his emotions to flow openly, and without restriction. There had always been something about the instrument, and it's sound that drew him in. Nero had happily indulged his desire to learn, as he had everything else the children showed an interest in, when an early form of the ivory keys had been available. Now, with centuries of playing, and practice under his belt, it all came effortlessly to him. It was true when people said that these objects became an extension of those who played them. He certainly felt it was the case for him. Even now, he hadn't noticed that he was no longer alone in the large room. He wasn't aware that his playing had drawn an audience.
It was only when the song began to slow, that he had the sensation of being watched. His hands came down harshly on the keys, ending the song abruptly, as he turned to gaze at her. "Ms. Roth, you've managed to startle me. Not something one has been able to do for quite some time." He said, his wavering French accent set off by the softness of his voice. "Come, you do not need to linger so far away. I shall not bite you, I promise." She was one of the few people to which such a promise could be made, and it would likely remain true. His fingers moved idly across the keys, as she approached. "You are returning from work, no? Or do you make a habit of gracing the halls with your presence all hours of the day?" He smirked lightly, his brow raising as his eyes moved to her, standing just to the side of the piano.
"I'm sorry if I interrupted you, sir. I heard the playing from aways off, and was curious to see who else was awake at this time. I suppose I should have known it was another vampire." Vivian smiled lightly, reaching up to tuck the short brunette bob behind her ears, while her eyes focused on the movements of his hands. She wanted to say more, but the playing was far too beautiful to bother with idly chattering. But, the longer he starred at her, with that look of knowing something she did not, the more uncomfortable she became, the more she felt it was neccisary to speak. "Professor Besson..." She began, pausing when he stopped playing, but only for a moment. The keys he played became more pronounced, and hurried, as if rushing her to speak. "I'm sure this is likely less than appropriate for me to ask, but... we all have gifts. We vampires. Is there any way, other than just practicing, that might help them developed more quickly?"
Once more the tune ended with a slamming of the keys. "That would all depend of the gifts which you posses, mon cher. There are certain things that one can do. But, practice is key. To everything." Scooting down on the piano bench, he gave the spot next to him a small pat, requesting that she join him. He could have smiled at her hesitation, but he did his best to keep his expression passive when she finally did join him. "I do not understand why you are asking me. You have your sire here, he should be teaching you, no?" It seemed to the only plausible reason for Henry having followed her here. Well, other than to keep an eye on his envestment. In his opinion, far too much interest was being shown in the girl. Well, perhaps not. Too much freedom, maybe? She should either be here by herself, not not here at all. He felt that if you were going to hold onto a pet, you did so tightly. But when it came time to release them, let go lightly.
At first she thought to ask how it was he knew her sire to be present on the island, but it might not exactly be a secret. Several of the staff members knew, so why should he be any different? "He, and I have had a bit of a falling out, you could say." Clasping her hands together, she placed them atop her thighs, her head hanging forward slightly, while her eyes remained unfocused, and distant.
"A falling out... a disagreement. In other words, you've angered him." Had it been the other way around, she wouldn't be speaking with a touch of disappointment in her voice. "What did you do to Henry, mon cher, to make him so angry with you, that he would no longer do as your sire?" He questioned, his head inclining in her direction. "It has been many years, since he, and I last spoke... I am sure he had changed quite a bit, as I have, but he is not a bad man." Misunderstood, most likely. All the elders were. He couldn't help himself, the look of surprise upon that pretty face was far too amusing. "Yes, mon cher, I know him. I have known him for many, many years. As I am sure there are nearly a dozen, if not more questions running through your head at this moment, I must say I could not answer most of them. When I say it has been a long time, I mean just that. Centuries of silence between us."
Oh, you couldn't tell her something like that, and not explain further. For the moment, she wouldn't push the matter. "I've left him, more of less. I can't trust him, so... I've got to leave him be." At least, that's what she'd been telling herself. "How do you know him? You haven't spoken to him since you arrived?" There was so much more she wanted to ask, but, he said there was a large chance her questions would be in vain. Then again, how often did you come across a person from your sire's past? "Has he always been so arrogant?" Of course, that question above all others would be the first to come to mind.
Vallis' eyes moved from the girl, thinking about what she had said. She'd left him... now he could understand why the man was likely angry. "It is late, mon cher. My bed will soon be requesting my presence, and I'm sure your own will be doing the same for you." He smiled lightly, standing, and swinging his legs, one by one across the top of bench. Her questions would reveal too much, if he were to answer them. Therefore, he simple wouldn't. Well, not all of them, "Did you ever consider that he is arrogant, because you are as well? Sometimes countering arrogance is the only way to make it tolerable. Good morning, Ms. Roth."