fiddlestick | IC Inbox (Kaisou)

Well, you do a good job. Fugo seems to hold you in high regard!

[Morgan he's still getting to know, but it's clear Fugo has affection for Jusis]

Perfect! I've been wanting to hear you sing ever since I remembered some of our concert. This should be a lot of fun.

Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say so.

[It really does. Elliot he can trust to have told him point blank if he's been a terrible parental figure for them.

Jusis remembers the concert for different reasons, but that's okay....]

Then I hope I'm even better than what you remember. I'll meet you out in the courtyard when it's time.

Of course! I'm all too familiar with my brain telling me I'm screwing everything up with the kids, even when I'm not. So it's good to hear reassurance.

[Especialy when your own parental role models were...well, not the best. Elliot knows that mind trap all too well]

Great! I'm excited now. So thanks Jusis!

Absolutely.

Of course. I'll see you soon.

[Yeah, Jusis is going to be waiting in the courtyard only a minute or two earlier than their agreed time. He's managed to borrow a couple of lawn chairs for the two of them. The blond isn't about to expect Elliot to just stand around the entire time. They're not putting on a concert.

At least, he sure as fuck hopes they're not. Jusis isn't anywhere near emotionally prepared to deal with Elliot whipping him into concert form.

Still, the blond's more lost in thought as he looks at the flowers. It's difficult to tell what he's specifically thinking about, though.]

[Elliot arrives pretty close to the arranged time. He just had to find a place to park and head over into the courtyard. It's a small enough place that it's easy to find Jusis. With him, he's got his violin case with him]

Eheh, hey Jusis. I'm not interrupting anything am I?

[Jusis looks over at the redhead and nods at him in greeting. He waves aside the question.]

Good evening, Elliot. No, my thoughts have simply been wandering lately.

[Still, there's a small smile on his face.]

I don't believe I've had the pleasure of hearing your violin yet, other than in memory.

Haha, I see. I hope the wanderings took you somewhere good this time.

[Because boy he knows that can easily not be the case]

You know, now that you mention it- you're right! [He laughs nervously and scratches his chin] Hopefully I'm not a let down. It's not like I've gone pro like my past self.

[Honestly, the momentary look of sadness that flickers across Jusis's expression is probably enough of an answer. He'd love if he could say otherwise, but... he doesn't want to get into it right now. He has to keep going on his own two feet. Jusis can't rely on Elliot or Class VII as a pillar forever. At least, not in the same way he could when he was younger.

Soooo... he won't answer that, but he will talk about Elliot's musical skill.]

I'd argue that being a music teacher is still professional, but I understand what you mean. However, I'm under the impression that the real thing is generally better than what my memory tells me. It's been true so far.

[That sad look and avoiding of his question doesn't go unnoticed by Elliot. If anything, it tells him a lot more than Jusis thinks it does. Something was bothering Jusis, but whatever it was...he didn't want to tell Elliot about it. Or maybe he didn't think Elliot could handle it, despite all the times Elliot insisted otherwise.

It was a conclusion that hurt to reach. Were he more a confrontational person, he'd question if Jusis really meant that last part, because it really didn't seem like he was all that willing to fully see the real Elliot that was standing in front of him. He's looking for a fantasy of Elliot. A sweet and soft person that's warm and plays delightful music. Not that none of those were untrue, but...]

[...Luckily. Elliot is not a confrontational person. Whatever is going on with Jusis, it's clearly hurting him. Enough that in some way he is reaching out for comfort. So Elliot will swallow his own ego and placate it.

For once.

So he smiles, scratching his cheek]

Haha, that's sweet of you to say. I hope it's true.

So, did you find time to warm up your voice? I've been looking forward to hearing your singing all day!

[Hm. That sounded pointed, and he doesn't need to try hard to guess why. Perhaps this is just another mistake, of many, that he's been making so far, but as usual it's too late to do anything about it. Jusis is just going to have to take a month off to sort himself out before he really fucks up at this rate.

He takes the slap for what it is, but he'll at least have the decency to not ignore it.]

It's something I believe, at least.

I did, and I have some tea for it once we're done to help it recover. It's been so long that I might accidentally overextend myself. How shall we do this impromptu concert, maestro?

[My man Jusis here real good at noticing a potential fire only to think the solution is pouring gasoline on it]

Oh, you brought tea? Hehe, that's some good thinking! Definitely a good way to soothe your throat.

As for the concert...how about you tell me a song you'd like to seem and I'll see if I can accompany it?

It's a far more pleasant way than using throat spray.

[Ugh, the one time he got sick with strep as a child....

Jusis gives that idea some thought.]

Is there a particular genre or time period I should keep it to? And, perhaps, a country as well.

[As well-versed in music as Elliot is, Jusis isn't going to really expect him to know what Germany considers to be their Top 10.]

[He snorts] I'll say.

[He heads over to a nearby bench to set his violin case and pull out his violin. ]

Preferably songs you'd find in the english speaking sphere, I know a lot of song but I'm not spotify. Whatever time period is fine.

[Jusis can't help smiling in amusement and teases his friend lightly.]

And here I was thinking you knew some German songs. Clearly, I need to send you a few.

[He will send the songs Elliot's way, of course. Anyway, he does take some time to think about what songs they could play together that both of them know.]

Well... I'm confident I could sing Frank Sinatra's Fly Me to the Moon. My range is also compatible with Taylor Swift songs generally, especially her most recent album. [Please don't ever tell Ash that, Elliot.] I can also take a stab at Sir Elton John's songs, but my Broadway repertoire is quite small.

That said, how would you feel about us taking turns choosing songs to play?

[he laughs a little]

Haha, sorry! I think I'm part German, but I can't say I know all that much about the German music world. But please send me some! I'd love to hear it.

[The world of music is so deep and vast and he'll never tire of it. ]

You like Tswift? Good tastes! [no shame here!!] Taking turns sounds good to me. And I'd say starting off, Fly Me to the Moon is a classic. So how about that?

[That gets a rare chuckle out of Jusis.]

Heh, I'd frankly be surprised if you did. Unless you're an avid Eurovision fan, our music hardly ranks in America's Top 100. I believe the closest we've gotten is with Rammstein, and honestly you can do much better than that.

[Imagine that, Jusis has opinions on bands that are within this century! At Elliot's question, the blond gives him a nod.]

As you wish. If you're ready, I'll follow your lead.

[He'll playfully roll his eyes. Unlike Jusis, he is not a music snob]

C'mon now, Rammstein has it's place. Sometimes you're in a mood where you need angry german yelling music.

[It's cathartic! Elliot's definitely been there when he was a teenager and dealing with his dad. He gets himself ready, pulling his violin out of his case and testing to make sure it's in tune (perfect, he already tuned it before he came here)]

Alright, let's get started! A one, and a two, and a three-

[He'll start playing his violin. Despite his earlier talking down about himself, his music playing is as incredible as always. The flowers and everyone the apartment complex is going to get treated to a beautiful violin rendition to Fly me to the Moon.]

[That highly amuses Jusis, but it makes sense from an American perspective.

Elliot's music is definitely better than his memories of it. Mostly because this is real and tangible, a more genuine memory he can make rather than something from a life he once lived. Jusis doesn't let it distract him too much, though. When it's time for his voice to join the violin, the blond gives nothing less than his best. Though still a bit rusty, it's clear that he's had training in both voice and song. Jusis puts himself into his singing, all of his soul and skill, as it used to be one of the few enjoyable outlets he had. Perhaps he can make it so again.

The lilies clearly enjoy their performance as they bloom brilliantly. He flows from one song to the next, even one genre to the next, without breaking his stride. Jusis can keep up with Elliot to a point, but he doesn't have the vocal stamina he used to. It's something he'll need to work on, but at least it means he's not going to take any risks with his voice for anyone or anything, no matter how much joy he takes from it. The blond signals a break at the end of the current song, and waits for the last notes to fade before looking over to his friend with a small smile.]

I can now definitely say that the real deal is better than my memories.

[His voice is slightly hoarse when he speaks, just another sign that it needs a break. Jusis goes to retrieve a thermos, and takes a cautious sip. The tea inside is pleasantly warm, which helps to soothe it, but he'll definitely need to brew a fresh pot when they're done. At least it doesn't hurt to drink, which is what he'd really been afraid of.]

The Glaze Lilies seemed to enjoy our performance, judging by how they're blooming. But I can't claim to be an expert on flowers.

[For Elliot, it's all too easy to get lost in the joy of the performance. From the moment the first string is plucked, he's in his own little world where only the music matters. It's a blissful world for him, and there's a smile on his face. One that only grows brighter as Jusis joins in with his singing.

Maybe Jusis is rusty, but to Elliot he has a beautiful singing voice. And honestly, the only thing better than performing music is performing it with a loved one. Jusis's singing and his violin combine to make a sound that no one else could ever hope to replicate- just like what happened when you play with any duo.

It's definitely had to been Jusis to call it quits first, because Elliot was more than willing to keep going. But he won't push the other when he signals for a break. Instead he lowers his violin and smiles up at Jusis. ]

Hehe, aww! I'd have to say the same about your singing. We had a couple mistakes here and there, but overall I think we really nailed that one out of the park.

[Yeah that's right, in the bright spirits in mind, the perfectionist is mindful on ways to improve. It's just how he is.

When Jusis mentions the glaze lilies, he'll cheerfully turn to them and give them a bow, like he would after performing for a human audience. It's only then does he'll go to retrieve the tea that Jusis brewed]

I think they did too! I mean, they certainly seem brighter than they were before. They're a bit quieter than my usual audience, but I enjoyed giving them a show!

[Though Jusis may not admit it out loud, in his heart he'll concede that this duet they performed truly lifted his spirits. It's given him far more catharsis than singing alone to the lilies in the courtyard. However, that feeling is tainted with a bit of guilt. A small voice in the back of his mind that wonders....

No, that's a thought that's going to have to wait. With how intrusive such thoughts have been lately, perhaps Jusis will more seriously look into booking an appointment with a therapist. If nothing else, it'll be nice to just... talk to someone without feeling too guilty or ashamed about it.

Elliot's bright smile is met with a smaller, though no less cheerful, one from Jusis.]

I'm inclined to agree, especially with the little preparation I gave you. [He hands his friend a second thermos of tea.] I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoyed singing with someone else.

[Though, in fairness, there's only a handful of people Jusis will feel that with. When he sees the redhead bow graciously to the lilies, it sparks a certain fondness in his heart. Maybe it's seen in his eyes.]

Quieter, but no less attentive. [The blond hesitates slightly.] Did you enjoy yourself?

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