003 - White and Black

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Misaki appears on the Plane, this time with a grand piano in tow. For a cop, she certainly seems to enjoy stealing things.

She looks around for a long time, making sure she can see no one within shouting distance, and then lays her hands tentatively on the keys.

The song comes out clumsy at first, her fingers stumbling on the keys, trying to remember old positions. She pauses constantly to check and make sure no one is around before continuing.

Finally, it starts to get easier. The keystrokes come faster. Fiercer. Her fingers flash across black and white like spider legs winding a cocoon. She closes her eyes and forgets to look around, losing herself in the sweep of Rachmaninoff.]





[[ Edited about FIFTY TIMES to try and get the link to work. DX ]]

Comments

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Stops twiddling.] ...I suppose he is.

He's Superintendent Supervisor of the NPA, yes. Less of an officer than a bureaucrat at this point.

[contract_star]

[Quiet for a moment.] Is that why you joined the force? To follow your father?

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Starts playing a song that sounds like a lullaby.]

Not in the least.

[contract_star]

[Listens to the song, a soft look on his face. He's watching Misaki. There's a silence as he decides not to pry further and decides on a different subject.]

Where did you learn to play that well?

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

Kanami's mother taught me. My friend, Kanami Ishizaki. The first time I went to her house, I fell in love with her piano. I'd seen them in shops before. Never had a chance to play. I would just sit there, plunking away while she painted her nails.

Her mom came home early one day and asked if I wanted to learn. Apparently Kanami was never interested. [She grins at the keys.]

This is one of her songs, actually. She used to write. Little things, simple things. I always loved them.

[contract_star]

[Smile broadens as he listens to her.] She must be an amazing woman. She taught you quite well. [Pauses. Soft, distant smile.] I'm not really an expert on piano playing, but a friend of mine also plays quite well. I can at least recognize talent.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Gentle, nostalgic look.] She was. And an excellent teacher.

[Interest.] Oh? One of your house-mates?

[contract_star]

[Notices the "was", but decides not to comment.]

[Smiles and nods.]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Starts playing bits of songs at random, drifting from bits of classical music to lullabies to jazzy bits that don't really fit with the rest.]

Does he play for you often?

[contract_star]

She, actually. And no--she doesn't have a piano, so she doesn't often get the opportunity.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Awkward face at "she".] Oh... That's too bad. Have you known her long?

[Patters away innocently at the keys. She's not jealous, oh no.]

[contract_star]

[Smiles.] Awhile, I suppose. A little over half a year, I think. [Yes, he's oblivious.]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Plinkity plink plink.] You're close, then.

[contract_star]

We...are, I suppose. She's a good friend. She kind of...[Long pause as he debates whether to tell her.] She kind of reminds me of my sister, in some ways.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Her playing becomes more fluid again.] Oh... It must be hard for you, sometimes.

[contract_star]

[Blinks, a bit confused by the statement.] I don't know...what do you mean?

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

I... [She stops playing and frowns.] That's right. Um... Never mind.

Is there something I could play for you? I might not know it, but I can try.

[contract_star]

[Frowns a little but says nothing.]

Oh, I don't really know any songs...[Makes a note to ask Yin what that one piece was next time he sees her.]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Ponders.]

Well then... Tell me what sort of things you do like. I'll try to find a song to match.

[contract_star]

[Shrugs.] I don't know what kind of songs I like...[He's not even being difficult.]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

Not music, then. Just things.

[contract_star]

...Stars...I guess. No one's really asked me that before. Not when they know what I am, anyway. [No bitterness, he's just stating facts.]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[She starts playing a song written after the Gate's appearance, a slow, wistful tune.]

[contract_star]

[He goes quiet and listens, a small smile spreading across his face.]