InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Nevermore."

Josh Foley (fatedtouch) wrote in tensor,
@ 2011-05-16 20:03:00

Entry tags:

josh_foley, sam_guthrie, tj_darkhoelme

Sam (and a couple of Kindergartners) [Backdated to Saturday 5/14]
Josh was still reeling from being handed the Nagyvary. Sure he had owned instruments before that had cost a few thousand and maybe his entire collection was worth a couple more, but to have a single instrument be worth so much was highly unnerving. Kevin was helping him cope, and he was getting more comfortable with handling it, but he still felt compelled to carry it around everywhere for its safety and his own peace of mind.

As it was Saturday, he was on his own. By his own contract damned to spend it alone. And as it was a beautiful day out, he'd decided to take a walk. The Nagyvary sidling along for the ride.

(Post a new comment)

after_burners
2011-05-17 02:31 am UTC (link)

Sam was sitting on the back of a bench at the edge of one of the playgrounds, feet propped on the seat and watching as Lew and Annie and a few of their friends clambered around on the equipment. TJ, of course, was putting them all to shame with powers-enhanced climbing skills, but they were all used to it and none of them seemed to particularly mind as the scrambled after her.

When he caught sight of Josh wandering past, violin case slung over his shoulder, Sam raised a hand and flagged him down, grinning. "Hey, Josh. You headin' t'practice or just wanderin'?"

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	fatedtouch 2011-05-17 02:59 am UTC (link)
	"Just going for a walk," he told him, pausing. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	after_burners 2011-05-17 03:06 am UTC (link)
	"Just thought th'violin needed some fresh air too?" he teased. Not that it was all that odd to see Josh just...wandering around with an instrument. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fatedtouch 2011-05-17 04:24 am UTC (link)
	"This is a Nagyvary," he told him, tapping the base lightly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	after_burners 2011-05-17 04:39 am UTC (link)
	"An' here I thought it was a violin." Sam grinned, well aware there had to be some significance to the name and that Josh would tell him what it was. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fatedtouch 2011-05-17 04:42 am UTC (link)
	"A thirty-thousand dollar violin." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	after_burners 2011-05-17 04:46 am UTC (link)
	"Holy shiiiii-" Sam didn't finish that syllable, remembering in time that he was at the age of a playground full of little kids. "Your folks win th'lottery or somethin'?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fatedtouch
2011-05-17 04:53 am UTC (link)

Josh gave a short laugh. "No, I got it through the school. The Worthingtons donated a whole collection, and the Director hand picked every recipient. I can't set it down. I get nervous every time it's not with me. Honestly, I get nervous if I can't feel the case against my body. At least then I know where it is. You know how it gets." His hand slid up the case and paused. "Want to see it?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	after_burners 2011-05-17 05:02 am UTC (link)
	"Oh hell yeah, I think I might give myself a nervous condition if I had to take care of somethin' worth that much," he admitted, eying the case with considerably more interest now. "An' yeah, if you're sure you feel comfortable takin' it out out here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fatedtouch
2011-05-17 05:18 am UTC (link)

"Yeah, it's fine." He had to keep reminding himself that while precious and irreplaceable, it was still an instrument. And it had been given to him specifically to be played.

Setting the case down on the bench, he removed the velvet and satin blanket, folding it up and tucking it aside. Freeing it from its case stabilizers, he turned it around in his hands and showed it to Sam.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	after_burners 2011-05-17 05:21 am UTC (link)
	Sam watched in silence as Josh carefully lifted the violin out. "Gotta admit I don't know nothin' 'bout violins, but that sure is a pretty piece of work," he admitted, admiring the fine grain of the wood and the expertly turned and beautifully carved tuning pegs. "Someone who knows what they're doin' an' gives a damn made that." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fatedtouch 2011-05-17 05:30 am UTC (link)
	"Every last piece is handcrafted." He looked down at it. "It's probably the closest I'll ever come to a Stradivarius. But the sound is something else." He freed his bow and lifted the violin to his shoulder, playing a few notes so Sam could get a taste for the quality of the instrument. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

after_burners
2011-05-17 05:37 am UTC (link)

The sound was mostly wasted on Sam. Not that he didn't like and understand and appreciate music, he'd just be hard pressed to tell a good violin from an amazingly good violin even if they were both being played right in front of him. He just didn't have that kind of ear. He could appreciate the beauty of the sound regardless, though...and so could a passel of littles, who'd suddenly taken notice as the sweet notes of the violin had drifted across the playground.

"Joshy!" It was almost a chord, three little voices squealing it at once as Lew, Annie and TJ all ran over, the last three left on the playground as the others had drifted away. "Are you going to play for us? You wouldn't at Easter you have to now!" Annie demanded, speaking for both of the twins, as TJ simply climbed right up to Sam's shoulder and looked at Josh from - somewhat significantly above - eye level. "Pleeeeease?" she added.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fatedtouch 2011-05-17 05:40 am UTC (link)
	Josh smiled at her and tapped her on the nose with the edge of his bow. "Something to dance to," he commented, before playing. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

tensor_mods
2011-05-17 05:50 am UTC (link)

"YAAAAY!" She didn't even bother climbing down off Sam's shoulder, just flipped down tot he ground and landed in a crouch next to Lew, her tail swaying along the ground behind her for a heartbeat before she popped back up to her feet and all three kids joined hands and started in on something that could only charitably be called dancing. There was no question they were enjoying themselves, though, and Sam grinned at Josh over their heads, his own foot tapping in time with the music.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

fatedtouch
2011-05-17 06:04 am UTC (link)

It was no secret Josh loved children. He habitually spent time at the elementary school, he visited every pediatric center and NICU at every hospital he went to, he'd stop into clinics when he had free time, and he paused to indulge them often. It was no small secret either that children tended to love Josh back.

It had been a while since Josh had spent any time with the kids on campus. He used to visit at least two to three times a week if not daily. He'd bring his violin and play. Or join them in their games. Occasionally healing an owie or two, even superficial and non-existent ones. But with the mess his life had become, he hadn't wanted to expose them and had kept his distance.

Being back with them again was like walking into his mother's kitchen. Warm and secure and welcoming. He shifted his stance and redirected the tune to one of TJ's personal favorites, as it was ideal for spinning until dizzy. Thankfully the campus was covered in thick, healthy grass, which made it all the more enjoyable a pasttime for them.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

tensor_mods
2011-05-17 06:16 am UTC (link)

They spun together and apart and together again, joining hands and letting go, staggering almost drunkenly then regaining their balance and the beat. And through it all there was high pitched laughter and occasional sing-song attempts to create lyrics to go with the music. When Josh switched to one of TJ's personal favorites she cheered at the top of her lungs, and the twins joined her even though they didn't actually know what the cheering was for. Then suddenly little hands were grabbing Sam's, tugging insistently, and he laughed and obligingly swung TJ, and then Annie as well, up into his arms to spin them round and round and round to the music while Lew chased after.

(Reply to this) (Parent)