2 Jan 2020, 21:45
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
@Primrose McarthyThis thread is open to 2-3 new people. Feel free to join!
UPDATE: Closed to new members. If really interested, owl me!
[font=Segoe Print]….is singing loud for all to hear.
Right?
At least, that was how the saying went. He’d forgotten exactly where he had heard it – probably in some corny Christmas movie or other. It was rather silly, the idea that a song could make someone happy. But, as embarrassing as it was for him to admit, the words definitely held some meaning to him. Perhaps he wouldn’t be singing around for other people, but that wasn’t the real meaning, was it? Perhaps carols were a way to commemorate the holiday. To decorate the open air, to ensnare the senses. Holly and tinsel wasn’t the only way to set the mood for the holiday.
He wasn’t proud for it, but with all the seasonal stuff going on, he hadn’t exactly taken a moment to stop and sing a Christmas Carol. It made him feel a bit guilty, if he were completely honest, having missed out on one of the best parts of the season. He tried not to think about it too much – he’d definitely had fun with other things, right? Like a good-natured snowball fight. He’d done a bunch of decorating. Even joined a Secret Santa. All the while, his uncle was sending him ridiculous Christmas Cards from their home in Barking, complete with comic material that would make anybody cry with laughter. So really, what did he have to complain about?
It was funny, because as he made his way to the Rehearsal Room, he could not for the life of him make himself forget the guilt he now felt. Singing was part of him, right? He wouldn’t have joined a bloody band if that weren’t the case. He felt guilty, yes. No justification could take that feeling away from him. The reminder had come as a shock, after one of his most recent band practices. Now, it was fresh on his mind as he went to retrieve his Adidas Jacket – he had learned the hard way that your belongings seemed to disappear if left alone too long. Given that the jacket held significant value to him, he wasted no time, practically sprinting down the hall at the first indication that he had ever left it behind.
Upon entering the Rehearsal Room, the musty smell hit him head-on. While most people may have found discomfort in this, Rafa found it to be quite comforting, cozy even. Every music room should smell like this, he absently thought. Classic. It wasn’t long before his eyes quickly brushed his missing jacket, and he quickly walked over towards it, picking it off the piano bench.
Ah, the piano. Should I? he pondered. Yeah, I should. He sat down, his index finger bouncing on the F key lazily. He wasn’t sure why he had picked piano, of all instruments, to learn all those years ago. Maybe it was the comforting sound it made, they way it could portray brightness and sadness, or maybe it was just the general grandness of it all. Whatever the case, it was a grand instrument, one that he genuinely enjoyed playing. He set his fingers on the key deftly, playing a quick little trill just for the fun of it.
Though, given that it relieved none of his caroling disappointment, he sighed, picking himself off the bench. He really needed to stop kicking himself for this– self-pity wouldn’t get him anywhere. It was already the New Year, for crying out loud. So why was this still such a big deal? Oh well, he reasoned. I guess there’s always next year.
He gently pushed the bench back under the piano, careful to avoid the piano legs. It would do him no good to make a mess of the grand room, or disturb the already tranquil environment. Deciding it was time to leave, he picked up his jacket once more, turning towards the exit. That’s when he saw her.
The sight of the Slytherin girl had severely startled him. She was the same girl he had met on the train, and the same one he had gone to the hospital wing with – long brown hair, deep brown eyes, pretty, porcelain face. He wasn’t really sure what to say, being so shocked by the sight of her. Shouldn’t she be on break still? Part of him felt a pang of anxiety – she had seen him in action, playing the piano. His sacred secret, one that he loathed sharing. Wasn’t that just lovely.
“Prim?” he sputtered, rubbing his neck. “Uhm, what are you doing here?”
[/font]
Last edited by Rafael Waincroft on 14 Jan 2020, 23:02, edited 1 time in total.
I probably haven't collected my allowance yet.
8 Jan 2020, 14:46
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
Interactions: @Rafael D'Spacito
It was beautiful. The music that filled her ears was beautiful. She never knew that Rafa could play piano, but what he had just played...made her speechless. She saw that he was finishing up and decided why not play around a bit? His surprise only made it a little but better.
"Prim," he said quickly. "Uhm, what are you doing here?"
Prim immediately had her response. She knew what she was doing here and she wasn't going to lie to Rafa. I was here to sing some songs," she responded shrugging. "Cheer myself up. But instead I learned something new. I didn't know Birds played the piano."
The sound of his new nickname made Prim smile. The last time Prim had actually seen Rafa his nickname hadn't been in place. The last time she saw Rafa was actually in the Hospital Wing, after the library....but Prim didn't want to think of that now. It was the past and she was happy to be here with Rafa now. "That song you played was amazing.," Prim said. "I actually play the piano too, but I can't play like that." She motioned toward the piano, which seemed as if it were vibrating either from playing so beautifully or as if it were asking for more.
"Hey Rafa," Prim said all of the old nervousness back in her voice. "I wasn't lying when I said what you played was beautiful." She was playing with the little bracelet she was wearing, like she did when she was nervous. "Um... Could you play another one?"
It was beautiful. The music that filled her ears was beautiful. She never knew that Rafa could play piano, but what he had just played...made her speechless. She saw that he was finishing up and decided why not play around a bit? His surprise only made it a little but better.
"Prim," he said quickly. "Uhm, what are you doing here?"
Prim immediately had her response. She knew what she was doing here and she wasn't going to lie to Rafa. I was here to sing some songs," she responded shrugging. "Cheer myself up. But instead I learned something new. I didn't know Birds played the piano."
The sound of his new nickname made Prim smile. The last time Prim had actually seen Rafa his nickname hadn't been in place. The last time she saw Rafa was actually in the Hospital Wing, after the library....but Prim didn't want to think of that now. It was the past and she was happy to be here with Rafa now. "That song you played was amazing.," Prim said. "I actually play the piano too, but I can't play like that." She motioned toward the piano, which seemed as if it were vibrating either from playing so beautifully or as if it were asking for more.
"Hey Rafa," Prim said all of the old nervousness back in her voice. "I wasn't lying when I said what you played was beautiful." She was playing with the little bracelet she was wearing, like she did when she was nervous. "Um... Could you play another one?"
You never realize that when you're with your people your inner star is shining
-Josie Burke
11 Jan 2020, 22:19
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
Opeila hadn't intended to enter the music room. She had just bee wandering through the corridors when she found the door again. She knew that is was a musicroom, she had seen the piano and a violin in there before. The last time she had entered it she walked in on another girl- Opeila had forgotten in which house the girl was in- playing the piano but when Opeila spoke to her, the girl simply wouldn't answer.
Now when she walked past the door, she heard the piano again. She stopped in the middle of the corridor. Would it be the girl again? Or the self-destructive Gryffindor boy Dracos Kaida who she met in the ball room? She smiled when she thought of the first year Gryffindor. He was a good with the piano but also a dangerous person to be with after curfew. Then the music stopped.
Opeila was torn. Should she enter the room? Maybe it really was the girl and it would be weird walking in on her again. But then she really was curious who was playing. Maybe she would meet someone she could share her own passion for music with!
Opeila stepped closer to the door and then entered the room. As she opened the door, she heard a boy's voice.
"Prim. Uhm, what are you doing here?"
Damn. She really did walk into some conversation again.
Now when she walked past the door, she heard the piano again. She stopped in the middle of the corridor. Would it be the girl again? Or the self-destructive Gryffindor boy Dracos Kaida who she met in the ball room? She smiled when she thought of the first year Gryffindor. He was a good with the piano but also a dangerous person to be with after curfew. Then the music stopped.
Opeila was torn. Should she enter the room? Maybe it really was the girl and it would be weird walking in on her again. But then she really was curious who was playing. Maybe she would meet someone she could share her own passion for music with!
Opeila stepped closer to the door and then entered the room. As she opened the door, she heard a boy's voice.
"Prim. Uhm, what are you doing here?"
Damn. She really did walk into some conversation again.
Reducio
@Primrose Mcarthy @Rafael D'Spacito
12 Jan 2020, 01:54
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
@Primrose Mcarthy @Opeila Seilun
[font=Segoe Print]"Um... Could you play another one?"
It humored Rafa a bit, the whole situation – Prim was, of all places in the school, here, right in front of his very eyes. It seemed as if the universe were working against him, yet again, trying to come up with new and ever-creative scenarios of screwing him over. And, in this case, Rafa didn‘t mind too much. Seeing Prim was a bit relieving, actually, given that their last meeting hadn’t gone too well. While it had been none of their faults, he hadn’t exactly been sure of what ground they stood on. Though, she didn’t seem mad at him, or anything. It was quite relieving, knowing that their friendship was still intact – perhaps everything had been in his head.
However, there was no ounce of will in his body that pushed him to play for the other first year. His musician skills were his secret, only few ever having heard his playing. And there was a good reason for that. He simply did not want to advertise his singing, as most people seemed to stop taking him seriously after seeing them in action. While he had never viewed Prim as a judgy girl, he had no intention of losing his reputation. “Yeah, um,” he started, chewing his lip. His hand traced the piano keys tentatively, a searching look on his face. What to do? After a quick moment, he stood up, shoving his hands in his pockets quickly. “Why don’t you play something?” he offered. It was a weak ploy to get the attention off him – in the act, he realized, he had completely disregarded her request. Though, Prim was smart. Hopefully, she would get the idea and leave it be.
Right about then, he noticed a different girl standing in the doorway of the Rehearsal Room. He had never seen her before – he liked to believe that he had seen everyone around the school, but the truth was, he hadn’t. Not even by a long-shot. Which was amusing, because during his classes, he seemed to look everywhere but the board – this had resulted in a large database of faces, all in his head. Despite this cultivated collection, he was drawing a serious blank on this girl. “Oh, hey,” he said in slow realization, his smooth, confident nature flooding back to him in a moment. “Uh, you wanna come in, or something?” He was being friendly, trying to keep his enemies list low. Though, while his face carried a warm look, his insides were slowly filling with dread. The mere idea of another person hearing his playing – a stranger, no less – gave him a sick feeling in his stomach, the same feeling you got when you were about to hurl. He tried to ignore it, push it down – to no avail. Hs countenance maintained, he looked on, carefully suppressing his true feelings. “Hate to leave you out.” [/font]
[font=Segoe Print]"Um... Could you play another one?"
It humored Rafa a bit, the whole situation – Prim was, of all places in the school, here, right in front of his very eyes. It seemed as if the universe were working against him, yet again, trying to come up with new and ever-creative scenarios of screwing him over. And, in this case, Rafa didn‘t mind too much. Seeing Prim was a bit relieving, actually, given that their last meeting hadn’t gone too well. While it had been none of their faults, he hadn’t exactly been sure of what ground they stood on. Though, she didn’t seem mad at him, or anything. It was quite relieving, knowing that their friendship was still intact – perhaps everything had been in his head.
However, there was no ounce of will in his body that pushed him to play for the other first year. His musician skills were his secret, only few ever having heard his playing. And there was a good reason for that. He simply did not want to advertise his singing, as most people seemed to stop taking him seriously after seeing them in action. While he had never viewed Prim as a judgy girl, he had no intention of losing his reputation. “Yeah, um,” he started, chewing his lip. His hand traced the piano keys tentatively, a searching look on his face. What to do? After a quick moment, he stood up, shoving his hands in his pockets quickly. “Why don’t you play something?” he offered. It was a weak ploy to get the attention off him – in the act, he realized, he had completely disregarded her request. Though, Prim was smart. Hopefully, she would get the idea and leave it be.
Right about then, he noticed a different girl standing in the doorway of the Rehearsal Room. He had never seen her before – he liked to believe that he had seen everyone around the school, but the truth was, he hadn’t. Not even by a long-shot. Which was amusing, because during his classes, he seemed to look everywhere but the board – this had resulted in a large database of faces, all in his head. Despite this cultivated collection, he was drawing a serious blank on this girl. “Oh, hey,” he said in slow realization, his smooth, confident nature flooding back to him in a moment. “Uh, you wanna come in, or something?” He was being friendly, trying to keep his enemies list low. Though, while his face carried a warm look, his insides were slowly filling with dread. The mere idea of another person hearing his playing – a stranger, no less – gave him a sick feeling in his stomach, the same feeling you got when you were about to hurl. He tried to ignore it, push it down – to no avail. Hs countenance maintained, he looked on, carefully suppressing his true feelings. “Hate to leave you out.” [/font]
I probably haven't collected my allowance yet.
12 Jan 2020, 18:59
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
@Rafael D'Spacito@Opeila Seilun@Primrose McarthyKatrina entered the Rehearsal Room. She almost left when she saw other people already in there. It wasn't a normal thing for her to just walk into. She was honestly just doing a look around the castle. There were still a lot of rooms that she hadn't seen.
"I would love to," She realized after she said that that the question wasn't actually directed to her at all. But to another girl who had just walked in. She recognized the boy at the piano from someone she met in the common room. She walked in and tucked the chunk of recently teal-dyed hair behind her ear. It had only been a few hours since she had done it.
Katrina's mind was all over the place. Christmas cheer was something that was a lot to think about. It was odd that she hadn't listened for hours on end of happy Christmas songs. She made her way over to the high end of the piano and set her hands lightly on the keys.
The quickly played a complicated version of Jingle Bells. Without noticing, she had sung along for the last verse. Her cheeks quickly reddened themselves in embarrassment. She knew her voice was off-key, but she had taken lessons back way-back-when. The teacher said she had a lot of potential, she had also said it would probably improve with age. Katrina was curious if it sounded even better.
Katrina paused and her hands drifted down. The lion took a step back. "We should sing Christmas carols," the thought just popped into her head and it was random that she just popped up and said something.
Katrina dug into her bag and found a random journal that she had written down the lyrics. "I have lyrics if you don't know them" she smiled and lifted the book, gesturing for the others to come over. It felt odd leading the others. "Do you know Let it Snow?" Katrina quickly asked Rafa.
>Stats: Sta 9, Evas 8, Str 3, Wis 11, ArcP 9, Acc 6<
>Healing Sage | Perfectionist | Charmer || Leader of SHC| Owner of The Kat Shop<
>Healing Sage | Perfectionist | Charmer || Leader of SHC| Owner of The Kat Shop<
12 Jan 2020, 19:38
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
Interactions: @Rafael D'Spacito @Katrina Walker @Opelia Seilun
So many people had walked in on her and Rafa, not that it was a private room or anything. It just surprised her that in the three minutes Rafa and her had been talking, that several more people had come in. Well just two.
A girl walked right over to the piano and started playing a jolly, experienced sort of version of jingle bells. It was so good that Prim would have thought she was showing off, if her cheeks hadn't reddened in embarrassment once she finished.
She then said something about Christmas carols that made Prim listen immediately as she dug through her bag. "Do you know Let it Snow," she asked the question obviously directed toward Rafa. "I do!" Prim said peppily as she walked toward the piano stool where the girl was sitting. "And I know Rafa does," she said with a teasing pointed look towards the male Gryffindor. "Come on! If you play I'll sing or vice versa!"
Prim was incredibly nervous about putting herself out there, though she made sure it didn't show in her face or voice. She could tell Rafa was already uncomfortable so if Prim showed a hint of nervousness Rafa wouldn't play. And Prim was desperate to hear the sweet melody of the notes played by Rafa's nimble fingers.
Prim walked over to the new girl sitting on the piano bench. Maroon robes, boldness, bravery. Definitely Gryffindor. "My name's Prim by the way. Nice to meet you!"
It was only then did she realize that the first girl that arrived was still standing in the doorway. Prim immediately grabbed the girls arm running her over to where Rafa was standing. "You can sing right? Whatever! It doesn't matter.
"Come on guys! What are we waiting for? There's a piano and we aren't singing!"
So many people had walked in on her and Rafa, not that it was a private room or anything. It just surprised her that in the three minutes Rafa and her had been talking, that several more people had come in. Well just two.
A girl walked right over to the piano and started playing a jolly, experienced sort of version of jingle bells. It was so good that Prim would have thought she was showing off, if her cheeks hadn't reddened in embarrassment once she finished.
She then said something about Christmas carols that made Prim listen immediately as she dug through her bag. "Do you know Let it Snow," she asked the question obviously directed toward Rafa. "I do!" Prim said peppily as she walked toward the piano stool where the girl was sitting. "And I know Rafa does," she said with a teasing pointed look towards the male Gryffindor. "Come on! If you play I'll sing or vice versa!"
Prim was incredibly nervous about putting herself out there, though she made sure it didn't show in her face or voice. She could tell Rafa was already uncomfortable so if Prim showed a hint of nervousness Rafa wouldn't play. And Prim was desperate to hear the sweet melody of the notes played by Rafa's nimble fingers.
Prim walked over to the new girl sitting on the piano bench. Maroon robes, boldness, bravery. Definitely Gryffindor. "My name's Prim by the way. Nice to meet you!"
It was only then did she realize that the first girl that arrived was still standing in the doorway. Prim immediately grabbed the girls arm running her over to where Rafa was standing. "You can sing right? Whatever! It doesn't matter.
"Come on guys! What are we waiting for? There's a piano and we aren't singing!"
You never realize that when you're with your people your inner star is shining
-Josie Burke
12 Jan 2020, 19:54
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
“Uh, you wanna come in, or something? Hate to leave you out.”
Opeila chuckled as she could see that the boy obviously didn't mean that. "Is that so?" It didn't stop her from entering the Rehearsal Room. "I've got a different impression, also because you don't want to play anymore. Does it make you feel uncomfortable if people hear you playing? Well, let me tell you that you have no reason for that. You play really good." She smiled, trying to comfort him a little.
When the other girl entered, everything went a little fast. Before she could get thet situation, the new girl sat in front of the piano playing christmas song, and the girl that had introduced herself as Prim grabbed her arm and pulled her over to where the boy was standing.
"You can sing right? Whatever! It doesn't matter.
Come on guys! What are we waiting for? There's a piano and we aren't singing!"
Uhm... What? Singing? She wasn't really eager to embarass herself like that. She did have talents, but they don't involve singing... "Yeah... you don't really want to hear me sing. But there is a violin over there, why don't I just support the piano?"
She felt a little bad for the Gryffindor boy, who really seemed to feel uncomfortable, but at thr same time it was just funny.
Opeila chuckled as she could see that the boy obviously didn't mean that. "Is that so?" It didn't stop her from entering the Rehearsal Room. "I've got a different impression, also because you don't want to play anymore. Does it make you feel uncomfortable if people hear you playing? Well, let me tell you that you have no reason for that. You play really good." She smiled, trying to comfort him a little.
When the other girl entered, everything went a little fast. Before she could get thet situation, the new girl sat in front of the piano playing christmas song, and the girl that had introduced herself as Prim grabbed her arm and pulled her over to where the boy was standing.
"You can sing right? Whatever! It doesn't matter.
Come on guys! What are we waiting for? There's a piano and we aren't singing!"
Uhm... What? Singing? She wasn't really eager to embarass herself like that. She did have talents, but they don't involve singing... "Yeah... you don't really want to hear me sing. But there is a violin over there, why don't I just support the piano?"
She felt a little bad for the Gryffindor boy, who really seemed to feel uncomfortable, but at thr same time it was just funny.
13 Jan 2020, 04:01
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
@Opeila Seilun@Primrose Mcarthy@]Rafael D'SpacitoKatrina smiled brightly as the group assembled itself. "Ok, then you can take the violin." she smiled and realized there had been no introductions, "I'm Katrina Walker. Not sure what in the world I am doing, but here goes." she put her hands on the keys, "Bird, back me up, play in the key of G if you want to accompany me," Katrina began playing pretty slowly. "Now you can join in if you want."
Katrina grinned as she began playing. She played with a bounce and waited for everyone to join in. It was happy and bright and the tune seemed to fill the room with joy. The smile on her face, she was unable to suppress. The Christmas cheer was catching on and Katrina found herself singing along quietly.
It was hard as it was the first Christmas without her parents. They had died in a fire last March. She assumed the girls already knew as her last name was usually associated with a fire or fire-related joke. Now that she was beginning to make friends it was hard with people joking around as well.
She focused on the music. She played again and repeated the song. It was bright and cheery and lifted the mood.
>Stats: Sta 9, Evas 8, Str 3, Wis 11, ArcP 9, Acc 6<
>Healing Sage | Perfectionist | Charmer || Leader of SHC| Owner of The Kat Shop<
>Healing Sage | Perfectionist | Charmer || Leader of SHC| Owner of The Kat Shop<
14 Jan 2020, 03:58
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
Sylvie had started off her little trip by sprinting as soon as she heard there was a music room. Unfortunately, she had the directional awareness of a goldfish, and had been wandering for about fifteen minutes before she heard the tell-tale sound of a Christmas carol radiating from inside a large room. She could hear voices through the door, singing and talking and laughing, and for a moment she worried about intruding and souring the mood of their meeting. But Sylvie was no stranger to talking with strangers (to her parent's absolute horror) and she pushed the large door open before her nervousness could get the better of her.
There were four people in the room, but their uniforms all had different colours than hers did. She figured they were from the other houses - and she guessed houses were like school teams? - but she couldn't really remember anything else about what they were supposed to mean. Everything that happened from when she was told she was a wizard to this very moment still felt like a dream, so Sylvie wasn't exactly holding on to all of the information suddenly thrust upon her. Still, she hoped that if she just winged it and pretend she knew what she was talking about, the others would accept her and not think anything was out of hand.
Then she spotted the violin, and the girl holding it.
All previous worries were banished as Sylvie practically vibrated with excitement. Another violin player?! Her parents had always forced her to go to lessons, but Sylvie thought anything that couldn't make friends was a waste of time. But oh, how wrong she was! Here was a girl around the same age as her who also plays violin, and now Sylvie has a segue into the conversation without having to awkwardly introduce herself!
"You play Violin, too?" Squeaked Sylvie. Whoops. She probably should have started with her name, or whatever.
Interactions: @Opelia Seilun
14 Jan 2020, 23:08
The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer....
@Katrina Walker @Primrose Mcarthy @Opeila Seilun @Sylvie Kang
[font=Segoe Print]"I've got a different impression,” the girl from the doorway had said.
Her remark had taken him by surprise – immediately, his cheeks heated up, his shoulders tensing. How did she read me? Typically, Rafa was pretty good at masking his emotions – he had to have been, to survive where he had grown up. However, it seemed to have not fooled the Slytherin girl, as she had seen right through his façade. This realization left him very unsettled, his whole demeanor in a tensed position. “Also, because you don't want to play anymore,” she continued. “Does it make you feel uncomfortable, if people hear you playing?”
She had certainly called him right out, that was for sure. It was as if his thoughts were see-through. Either this girl was good at reading people, or his acting was failing him miserably. Whatever the case, his acting skills were definitely not in use now, his whole being ruffled and put-off. “Um, uh…” Rafa’s mouth suddenly dry, he felt a surge of anger spark in his chest. What is she playing at, eh? Messing with me? “Why’s it any of your business?” he sputtered out the first words he could think of. He hated this feeling of embarrassment – it had a sort of exposed air to it, leaving him tense and uncomfortable. He wished it would stop – he needed an out. Yes, an out. His hands shoved in his pockets, he looked around for his quick exit, any way to escape the situation at hand.
To no avail. Little did he know, the situation had only gotten worse. In the midst of his inward turmoil, two other girls had entered the room, both already having caught on to the musical air in the room. One face he did not at all expect to see – Katrina Walker, the second year from the common room – was now among the small group. He hadn’t known she could play piano, but apparently she was quite apt in the skill, sending beautiful melodies through the air, not unlike the ones he typically played. The other one, a Hufflepuff girl he had never met before, seemed to find the entire quite interesting, though it was a bit hard to focus on her at the moment.
"We should sing Christmas carols."
"Come on! If you play I'll sing! Or vice versa!"
“Why don't I just support the piano?"
"You play Violin, too?"
"Bird, back me up, play in the key of G if you want to accompany me."
Rafa’s head was spinning with the ongoing dialogue of the small group. It must have been quite the funny scene, actually – to the average onlooker, the young Quidditch Player had taken on a sort of guarded look, his head bowed slightly and his eyes darting carefully around the room. Though, to Rafa, the situation was anything but funny. In fact, Rafa felt more and more anger pass through him as the moments wore on. He felt like a caged animal, slowly being pushed to do something he didn’t want to do. Granted, he did have anger issues – they tended to explode and make a mess out of things, as Prim had previously learned in the library. His danger-mode was burning inside of him, the red lights going off in his brain. He was sure to do something dangerous, explode…
In any normal case, Rafa might have snarled, fought back, snapped – however, among two of his closer friends, he couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing. Instead, he painfully willed down his danger-mode, leaving him standing in the midst of the group of females rather awkwardly. With a dejected sigh, he submitted to the pressure of his peers – it would be the first time in a very, very long time. The last thing he needed to do was scare off his close friends. As far as he knew, Katrina hadn’t seen him lose his cool, and Prim didn’t need to see it twice. It pained him to say it, but their opinions meant something to him. Perhaps they’ll still take me seriously, he willed himself to believe. Or, in the least, not tell anyone.
“Yeah, okay,” he finally muttered to Katrina, a dejected tone to his voice. With that, he sat himself down beside the second year, taking the left side of the piano bench. His hands rested on the keys la bit tensely, his lip bit in concentration. His discomfort was only growing, but now, he could at least find peace in the fact that he was overcoming his fear and discomfort. "After you,” he told Katrina lamely, pushing his hair out of his face in a nervous air. The four girls would be of the only people at Hogwarts to hear him play the piano, he decided. Because, he swore to himself right then, he would never be pressured into playing for anyone ever again.[/font]
[font=Segoe Print]"I've got a different impression,” the girl from the doorway had said.
Her remark had taken him by surprise – immediately, his cheeks heated up, his shoulders tensing. How did she read me? Typically, Rafa was pretty good at masking his emotions – he had to have been, to survive where he had grown up. However, it seemed to have not fooled the Slytherin girl, as she had seen right through his façade. This realization left him very unsettled, his whole demeanor in a tensed position. “Also, because you don't want to play anymore,” she continued. “Does it make you feel uncomfortable, if people hear you playing?”
She had certainly called him right out, that was for sure. It was as if his thoughts were see-through. Either this girl was good at reading people, or his acting was failing him miserably. Whatever the case, his acting skills were definitely not in use now, his whole being ruffled and put-off. “Um, uh…” Rafa’s mouth suddenly dry, he felt a surge of anger spark in his chest. What is she playing at, eh? Messing with me? “Why’s it any of your business?” he sputtered out the first words he could think of. He hated this feeling of embarrassment – it had a sort of exposed air to it, leaving him tense and uncomfortable. He wished it would stop – he needed an out. Yes, an out. His hands shoved in his pockets, he looked around for his quick exit, any way to escape the situation at hand.
To no avail. Little did he know, the situation had only gotten worse. In the midst of his inward turmoil, two other girls had entered the room, both already having caught on to the musical air in the room. One face he did not at all expect to see – Katrina Walker, the second year from the common room – was now among the small group. He hadn’t known she could play piano, but apparently she was quite apt in the skill, sending beautiful melodies through the air, not unlike the ones he typically played. The other one, a Hufflepuff girl he had never met before, seemed to find the entire quite interesting, though it was a bit hard to focus on her at the moment.
"We should sing Christmas carols."
"Come on! If you play I'll sing! Or vice versa!"
“Why don't I just support the piano?"
"You play Violin, too?"
"Bird, back me up, play in the key of G if you want to accompany me."
Rafa’s head was spinning with the ongoing dialogue of the small group. It must have been quite the funny scene, actually – to the average onlooker, the young Quidditch Player had taken on a sort of guarded look, his head bowed slightly and his eyes darting carefully around the room. Though, to Rafa, the situation was anything but funny. In fact, Rafa felt more and more anger pass through him as the moments wore on. He felt like a caged animal, slowly being pushed to do something he didn’t want to do. Granted, he did have anger issues – they tended to explode and make a mess out of things, as Prim had previously learned in the library. His danger-mode was burning inside of him, the red lights going off in his brain. He was sure to do something dangerous, explode…
In any normal case, Rafa might have snarled, fought back, snapped – however, among two of his closer friends, he couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing. Instead, he painfully willed down his danger-mode, leaving him standing in the midst of the group of females rather awkwardly. With a dejected sigh, he submitted to the pressure of his peers – it would be the first time in a very, very long time. The last thing he needed to do was scare off his close friends. As far as he knew, Katrina hadn’t seen him lose his cool, and Prim didn’t need to see it twice. It pained him to say it, but their opinions meant something to him. Perhaps they’ll still take me seriously, he willed himself to believe. Or, in the least, not tell anyone.
“Yeah, okay,” he finally muttered to Katrina, a dejected tone to his voice. With that, he sat himself down beside the second year, taking the left side of the piano bench. His hands rested on the keys la bit tensely, his lip bit in concentration. His discomfort was only growing, but now, he could at least find peace in the fact that he was overcoming his fear and discomfort. "After you,” he told Katrina lamely, pushing his hair out of his face in a nervous air. The four girls would be of the only people at Hogwarts to hear him play the piano, he decided. Because, he swore to himself right then, he would never be pressured into playing for anyone ever again.[/font]
I probably haven't collected my allowance yet.