[ota] rocking out

[fiddlerjohnny.livejournal.com]

Johnny can be found, playing for himself, in one of the emptier rooms in Heart Castle with very good acoustics.

So if you hear the sounds of Sweet Child 'o Mine as played on fiddle echoing down the halls, it's just him.

He's so engrossed in the music, he might not notice right away if he attracts an audience.

Comments

[fiddlerjohnny.livejournal.com]

"Ah, I see. Nothing wrong with being sociable."

And then he rather stared at her, "you don't know Guns 'n Roses?" Sigh. "Sometimes I really wonder about this place." And yet she's heard of Apocalypta, "but yeah, I've heard of them. Cellos, right?"

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

"Trust me, sociability is far easier when you're naturally outgoing." There's the entire mystery of knowing what to say to someone that extroverts never wonder about. She smiles to herself. Perhaps they become stymied by the thought of sitting quietly, not talking. Probably not, but amusing just the same.

"That's right. Cellos. Horrible, isn't it? Most Deck babies get trained in all sorts of classical--ad nauseum I might add--but only the lucky ever learn anything else. My knowledge is spotty--everything from blues to country to folk to rock to big band--but it's all music I heard from Outsiders." She dimples. "My bo--um, friend--had us performing Queen at the Diamond's Festival. I'd never heard of the group before that."

[fiddlerjohnny.livejournal.com]

That's because he's usually already spoken before he's really thought about what he's going to say. Which might be both a blessing and a curse since it has landed him in hot water more than once.

"Ahh, I see." He shakes his head, tsking, as he goes about putting his violin back in it's case, "someone really ought to do something about that. You ever go to Youtube?"

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes? I went to Youtube first when I started my folk music project and I check out artists I hear about. I'm hopeless, I know."

What would he say if she confessed there had been a time when she'd hated music and all its reminders of what a failure she was? She can see now how silly that was. It's like hating books because you'd only ever read them for lessons.

"I...I'm considering making my next challenge with the piano." The hated Rachmaninoff has the difficulty and will be a good test of herself.

[fiddlerjohnny.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah? Something classical, then?"

To follow the theme.

Though if she did something rock-inspired on the piano, he'd say more power to her.

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

"Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. It was my nemesis growing up. My knuckles hurt just to think of it. It needs to be a difficult piece. I'd far rather play Gershwin's Rhapsody. You might say this a challenge for me as well as my opponent."

She's exorcising demons, Johnny, but willing to listen to suggestions. Just thinking about Rachmaninoff makes her want to wear her celery face.

[fiddlerjohnny.livejournal.com]

"I see." That has him thoughtful. "I'd say I'd over to help? But I'm not sure how much I'd be...piano and I aren't a thing." Even if piano also involved strings. "Could probably accompany you sometime though while you practiced, if you wanted."

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

Sophie stares at him, slowly turning red. "Oh, no! No. I didn't mean--oh, goodness. That wasn't a hint." She covers her warm cheeks with her hands. "How embarrassing. I--if you wanted to hear me play, that would be fine." She'll need to grow accustomed to spectators if she's to succeed in her challenge. "I'm afraid I'm nowhere near your level of skill."

[fiddlerjohnny.livejournal.com]

He smiles slightly, "I can offer to help without getting a hint, can't I?" Pause. "But if you'd have me, I'd be glad to hear you play."

Johnny makes a pretty comfortable, non-judgemental audience, at least. He appreciates anyone's effort with music.

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

She laughs. "Fair enough. I'd love to have a musician's input. The piece is something of a personal challenge. You have no idea how many mornings afternoons and evenings I spent trying to master it for my tutors. I came to loathe playing--gave away the grand as soon as I reached my majority--gave up music altogether." The thought saddens her.

"It took several years before I realized I could enjoy music without having to be...perfect. I have a small upright stuffed into a spare room at my place. I like to think we're friends."

That probably sounds odd. She steals a glance at Johnny. Well, perhaps it doesn't sound so strange to a man who can play a violin--fiddle? Which does he call it?--the way he can.

[fiddlerjohnny.livejournal.com]

No, it doesn't sound strange to him at all. In fact, he doesn't even give it a second thought.

"I'd be glad to hear you and your friend play sometime."

Grin.

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

"Deal. My friend's easy to get along with. I'm sure she'll like you."