Eric nodded and gave his full attention to completing the rest of his task. It wasn't too much longer before the strings were back on, tightened and it was tuned to perfection. Plucking the instrument from the cart, Eric set the guitar down on to a stand for the time being.
The hybrid pushed the small cart out of the way, taking it out of the room and stowing it back where it belonged for next time, before returning to the booth. Sweeping the Les Paul up, he pulled the strap over his shoulders and let the weight of the guitar embrace him fully.
Strumming the strings, almost in response to John's own careful resonation, he turned to his friend, "Alright, Songbird. When you're ready..." It was a hint of a challenge, a welcome invitation to create something that was theirs, together, as if nothing between them at all had changed.