Elio Perlman (lyricalelio) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2020-03-29 20:49:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !partner thread, elio perlman, tamaki suoh |
Who: Elio Perlman and Tamaki Suoh
What: Random encounter
Where: Coffee shop
When: Recently
Rating: G
Status: Complete
Tamaki wasn’t ashamed to admit that he had gotten stuck with the composition he’d been working on for his classes. It had started off as Haruhi’s birthday song and then he’d made changes to it so that he could turn it in. Without feeling like he’d stolen her present from her. He still liked the direction he’d taken it in but he couldn’t figure out how to finish it without making it sound harsh and abrasive with the progressions. He closed his notebook with a sigh, laying his head on top of it as he let out a string of French curse words in a muffled voice. He’d thought a change of scenery would help him which is why he’d come to the cafe to work but no luck.
***
Elio had stopped by the cafe to get a pick-me-up for the rest of his day. He was a little tired and definitely needed the extra boost of energy if he was going to finish up his homework in the evening. He had just picked up his drink from the counter and was making his way out of the cafe when he heard a bunch of muffled curse words - in French - coming from somewhere. It was even more amusing to him that it was in French because curse words were the majority of the French he knew. He let out a laugh as he looked around and noticed the guy with his head down. Obviously something must have happened and Elio couldn’t just walk away. He made his way over to him. “You okay?” he spoke softly trying not to spook the guy since he didn’t see him wander over.
***
Tamaki hadn't noticed anyone approaching so when he heard someone talking to him quietly it did startle him and he jerked his head up, looking at the man opposite him and trying to figure out if he'd met him someplace before. If so he couldn't place him. But with everything going on that might be okay. Or at least understandable. "I'm fine. Just stuck on my song. I didn't mean to disturb anyone. I'm sorry."
***
“Oh crap, sorry to spook you,” Elio quickly started to apologize. It was hard to do anything without scaring someone when they were lost in their own thoughts, “And no, you didn’t disturb anyone. I just noticed you swearing in French and wanted to check on you. And I can try to help you with the song if you want, I’m a music major.” Elio hadn’t reached that point yet where he could call himself a musician without sounding conceited.
***
Tamaki felt a little self conscious as the other man started to apologize. “It’s fine. I should have been paying more attention to what’s going on around me. Maman would have a field day if I told her about this.” He gave the guy a hesitant smile. “You wouldn’t mind? I’m supposed to turn it into my professor soon but it doesn’t feel right yet. And I don’t want to turn it in until it’s right. This might end up being the piece they use for this year’s student showcase from me.” He realized he hadn’t introduced himself and held out one hand. “I’m Tamaki Suoh.” He was still occasionally idly toying with the idea to go to get his name changed - to start going by his mother’s maiden name and Rene again.
***
“Well, we can keep it as our little secret,” Elio answered conspiratorially with a grin as he listened to the man explain what was going on with the song he was working on and Elio gave him a serious nod, “Okay, then I definitely want to help you out especially if it’s something that could be used in a showcase. I know how scary that can be and how difficult it can be to get some perfect. I’m Elio Perlman and it’s nice to meet you.”
He grabbed the extra chair at the table after he shook Tamaki’s hand, “So, what can I help you with?”
***
Tamaki slid his notebook and cell phone across the table. “The audio file is on my phone but the sheet music is in there. I started this for Haruhi’s birthday and I am happy with the way it starts but at about 2:30 that’s where I start...not liking the direction and I cannot figure out how to fix it. It feels like it’s disjointed from the beginning there.”
***
“Makes sense. Okay, give me a chance to listen a few times and hopefully I can pick up something to help,” sometimes you just needed someone else to listen that understood what you were making. Elio reached over to take the cell phone and started playing the song. It was really lovely, but he did pick up on where Tamaki pointed out the disconnect. Elio read along with the sheet music before grabbing a pencil and started to try to write out something to fix it, “It may need a bit of a chord change and maybe fix up some of the notes.”
***
Tamaki tried to wait patiently while Elio listened to the song but the way he fidgeted in his seat probably destroyed that image. He couldn’t help it - he just felt wired today. And that was after taking his medication. “Major or minor chord change?” Tamaki asked, there was a bonus to having input from another musician. And if he didn’t think his classmates were the type to take advantage of a viewed ‘weakness’ in asking for help with a piece he’d have gone to one of them. But he didn’t trust them.
***
“I think a major change. Your song sounds happier, so I don’t want to throw in any minor chord changes to mess with that,” Elio commented as he hummed to himself for a moment as he wrote out a few new notes. It was harder to do without a piano on hand, but he didn’t mind it, “Hope you don’t mind me trying to change this small part around. I know how weird it can be to have other people listen to your stuff.” Elio didn’t often ask for help with things either because he didn’t know a lot of musicians, but he did enjoy listening to other people’s stuff.
***
"I think it's because I was happy when I started it. Things have been going good lately and I like to think my compositions reflect that." Tamaki grinned and shook his head. "Non. I don't mind at all. I appreciate the help. I get too in my head at times to see what can be changed easily I know. And this saves me having to start over."
***
“I definitely get that with my compositions as well. They all tend to reflect whatever mood I was in when I wrote them, which makes it hard to write any super angsty ones because I’m usually in a good mood,” Elio admitted with a soft laugh. He was definitely in a good mood a lot lately thanks to Oliver, “And hopefully my stuff helps you out. I might need to pull out my piano app and play this out for you to see what you think.”
***
"Do those apps actually work like a piano? I keep thinking about downloading one but I'm not sure if it would actually work the way i want." Tamaki said quietly, looking curiously at his new friend.
***
“It’s not perfect, but you can get enough of a sound out of it to help you figure out if you’re on the right track,” Elio admitted, “I can’t carry a keyboard around all the time. It could sound a lot better, I’m sure, but it gets the job done in a pinch.” He opened up the app and started playing out what he had written down, adjusting it, and then turning to Tamaki, “Alright, listen and let me know what you think.”
***
"I know that feeling. It was what made visiting Japan so hard some summers - no piano at the house I was staying in." No reminder for his father of his exwife was the explanation Tamaki had come up with for himself. He reached out for Elio's phone, listening to the song, smiling as he heard the change. His mind raced ahead to play through the song in his imagination. There wasn't any of that disconnect he'd been struggling with. "This is exactly what it needed Elio. Thank you."
***
“Oh man, I would probably go crazy if I couldn’t access a piano at least once a week,” Elio admitted with a bashful smile. He was addicted to making and performing music and it helped get his head straight when he needed it. He watched as Tamaki listened to the song and then his smile brightened when he was praised, “Oh perfect! I’m so glad you like that. Feel free to mess with it as you need to, but hope it works for you. I should let you finish up then.” He grabbed his coffee as he moved to head out.
***
"One reason I always loved coming home to France - pianos. And access to them as much as I wanted. Thank you again Elio. I was lucky to meet you." He said standing up and holding out his hand for the other man to shake.
***
“Happy to help, Tamaki,” Elio commented with a smile as he shook the other man’s hand, “Hope you get everything sorted with the song. Have a great day!” He gave the man another smile before he gave a wave to head out.
***