fiddlestick | aefenglom IC Inbox

[ Elliot had been very clear, in his note to the network, that the first music lesson was free, and that there was no need for Reynir to bring his own recorder. But it feels just plain rude to show up empty-handed! At first, he had thought about bringing a gift of food, but people's taste in that they like to eat are too difficult to predict. A lot of other gifts that seem perfectly lovely to Reynir have unfortunately romantic connotations, and he definitely doesn't want to give the wrong idea, or come across as creepy.

But then, he figures out the perfect item.

So when he shows up at the appointed time for his first lesson, the first thing Reynir does, besides grin of course, is hold out his hands, offering Elliot a fancily-braided bracelet. It had been quick work for Reynir to make, and he'd had a little scrap of leather and some shiny thread around from various little repairs he'd been making to his clothes (which had taken somewhat of a beating, before he arrived in this place). ]

Hello, Elliot. Nice to meet you. This for you!

[Like with any new student, Elliot was looking forward to meeting with Reynir and getting to know him. From what he gleamed from the conversation, Reynir seemed like a sweet and thoughtful guy. If that was the case, it should be a pretty pleasant experience.

The lesson takes place in Elliot's office in the barracks. It's nothing too fancy, a simple barracks dorm converted to be a music studio. Instruments were stored all over the place, and the walls were lined a soundproofing barrier to help with the noise. It's a small operation, what with Elliot being the only staff of his business, but it was a business.

When Reynir shows up. he's got some chairs set up and a small collection of recorders for Reynir to choose from. He smiles when he enters the room]

Hey Reynir! Nice to meet you too- [Oh he wasn't expecting anything. He looks a little surprised when the bracelet is offered to him, looking it over] - Oh thank you! It looks beautiful! You didn't have to get me anything though.

[ Pushing the bracelet into Elliot's hands insistently, Reynir says: ]

I know, but I wanted to!

[ Reynir doesn't have much experience with this kind of first meeting, where he has had a whole conversation with someone but never actually seen them in person, before. So he's got no precedent for it. And he is also someone who, unfortunately, doesn't always think things through before he speaks.

So when he is actually standing beside Elliot, he says what pops into his mind. ]

Oh, wow, you're small, huh?

[ It could be argued that, in fact, Reynir is just unnecessarily tall, but it's all a matter of perspective. And if his words are a bit rude, there doesn't seem to be any malice behind them. ]

I'm really glad you're willing to teach me, even though I'm probably way older than most people are when they start...

[ Reynir drifts over to the recorders, looking them over and asking: ]

Is there... a big difference, between these?

[ He doesn't want to screw things up right away by choosing the wrong one. ]

Well it's still sweet--- [He freezes when he gets called out on his height. Bruh. BRUH. YOU JUST DIDN'T. he takes a deep breath] Aha...I hadn't noticed.

[He says a little dryly. But he'll still put that bracelet on, clearing his throat as he moves on with the lessons]

You're never too old to start learning music. [That much was true, even if he himself start as a child]

Not exactly...the larger ones have a lower sound, but they will all handle more or less the same. Just pick one that speaks to you.

[ Oh, no. Reynir might not always pick up on social cues, but this one he definitely does not miss. Two seconds in and he's said the wrong thing and offended someone, that has to be a new record for himself. He bites the inside of his cheek, wondering if apologizing to Elliot would only make it worse. He should probably just leave it.

Except that resolution crumbles in a moment, and he can't not. ]

Right. Sorry, um. Sorry.

[ So much for not screwing things up right away!

Reynir keeps his eyes down on the recorders, fussing around and picking one or two up, though it takes a second or two to really redirect his attention from his own embarrassment to actually comparing them. In the end, he drifts towards one of the larger ones that looks to be made of rosewood. ]

So- so I can just... borrow this? Are you sure?

[ Elliot has a lot to spare, but even so, it's such a beautiful thing... ]

[Oh...this guy is easily anxious isn't he? Between that and a bit socially oblivious ... that's a rough combo. so he'll smile and throw him a bone]

I-It's okay! Really. Though usually opening up with a comment about a person's height isnt' ideal...

[He can roll with it better than a lot of short people out there.

But focusing on the recorders once more, he looks at the one Reynir is eyeing. That one is a good choice. He nods]

Yep, I'm sure! That one's a good choice for your hand size I think.

[ Reynir is relieved that, at the very least, Elliot seems willing to let his little blunder slip so easily. A small part of him wants to clarify that he hadn't meant it as an insult, talking about his height. Of course, he knows better than to meet an ugly person and greet them with, 'wow, you're ugly' or anything like that. He had thought it was value-neutral... but perhaps not so much, cross-culturally. ]

Ah, that's good to know.

[ Hopefully, he isn't going to do anything worse than that for the rest of the lesson, and in a weird way, getting that out of the way helps him to relax a little and focus. He picks up the rosewood recorder, turning it over in his hands, not entirely sure how to hold it.

Well, he is only a beginner... ]

Do you know if they have kantele, in your world? My friend plays, and he brought his with him through the mirror.

[ It might seem like a fairly strange thing for Reynir to share, and it's not that he's above the odd ramble about something completely unconnected... but there is a reason for him bringing it up. One that becomes clearer as he keeps talking, a small smile tugging at one corner of his mouth. ]

See, I'm hoping that if I can learn to do this well enough, he and I could play together sometime. But I haven't told him I was going to start lessons. I'm sort of... hoping to make it a surprise. And this way, if I'm really terrible, it won't be a letdown.

A Kantele?

[His eyes light up a little with interest. He's not familiar with the word, but it definitely sounded like a type of instrument- which immediately draws Elliot's attention]

I can't say I've heard of one. What is it exactly?

[GIVE HIM THE SECRET KNOWLEDGE]

But hehe, I get it. I say that's a good goal to work towards. And don't worry, I won't tell him about your lessons either so you can surprise him. I know I'd be swept off my feet if someone surprised me with that.

[ Reynir might not know much about playing music (yet), but he does have a few other skills that are useful from time to time. He holds up a finger, bidding Elliot to wait just a moment, and fishes for a little pad of paper in the pouch on the belt slung around his waist. He does a quick, but relatively accurate drawing of Onni's kantele, holding it out for Elliot to see. ]

I don't know a lot about them, they're Finnish and I come from Iceland, but it's about... this big?

[ He indicates the size with his hands in the air. Later, he will kick himself for not having just thought to take a photograph. Adjusting to having technology at his fingertips is taking some time. ]

And the strings are plucked and it sounds... sound of like bells? I'm sure Onni would show you, if you wanted. In Finland, they use them for magic, to communicate with their gods.

[ Reynir is grateful when Elliot promises not to mention his lessons to Onni. He hadn't even thought about asking for that, but it's a good idea. The less people who know, the less likely the surprise will be spoiled. ]

Thank you! I don't really know what he's going to think but... I'm hoping he won't mind.

[Elliot looks at the drawing with interest. None of the names ring any bells to him, since he's not from Earth. His focus is solely on the drawing, trying to piece together what it is]

Huh....it reminds me a little of a lyre, or a small harp. I'd love to try my hand at it sometime, if Onni would let me.

[But awww, Elliot will give him a reassuring smile]

I'm sure he won't mind at all. We'll just work hard to make sure it sounds really good when you show him!

Ah, I bet he would! Especially if you tell him you're a musician and you know how to handle instruments and all that. He's one of those people who seems grumpy and intimidating when you first meet him, but he's actually kind, even if he tries to hide it.

[ Reynir is blissfully unaware of how obvious it is, when he speaks about Onni, that he is extremely fond of him.

He nods eagerly when Elliot says they should work hard so that the surprise for Onni is a good one. ]

Yes, let's!

[ And he settles himself down with the recorder, full of optimistic energy and ready to learn. ]

Hehe, oh I know that type. I'll keep that in mind!

[So much like his friend Jusis in other words. He can deal with that]

Alright, then let's get started!

[Annnd the rest of the lesson will have to be handwaved because the player has not played the recorder in over 20 years and was never good at it!]

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