-|*Ordinary Day*|-
"Do re me fa so la ti do." Lala sang softly, her fingers running over the ivory keys for the black piano. "Now you try, Lenalee."
"Do re me fa so la ti do." Lenalee copied quietly and dryly, earning a quizzical glance from Lala.
"Please repeat that." she said.
"O-oh, sorry... Do re me fa so la ti do." Lenalee sang again, but a little too high, so she repeated the process... For the millionth time. "How come I'm only doing this do-re-me stuff?"
"Allen wants to see your voice range. We need to know your highest and lowest notes, I mean, the notes you can sing, and how well controled they are. Like... for how long you can hold a note or how often you're able to quickly shift from low to high, how easily you run out of breath, or if you can move from one note to another while singing with either one phrase or even one word. Do you understand?"
"A little... But haven't we been doing the same stuff for the last few days?" Lenalee asked.
"It's like a science experiment, Lenlaee. Think of it in that ray of light." Lala explained, jotting a few notes down on a piece of paper.
Lenalee sighed, scratching her cheek. She hasn't seen Allen since Monday, but Lavi was constantly stopping by to see what was happening and if she was doing alright. Lenalee didn't even know what she's supposed to be doing, honestly. She's sang only a few songs and her throat was getting dry and scratchy and someone was tearing at her esophagus. She's been singing little notes and children songs since this morning and she hasn't had lunch either. She was starting to feel sick... Maybe this wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Even so, she wasn't going to give up.
"Try again, Lenalee, but at the lowest note you can sing." Lala instructed, tapping a few piano keys.
"Do re me fa so la ti do."
"Now hold each note."
"You mean the words in this case, right?"
"Yes."
"Doo-ooo-ooo." Lenalee sang, her pitch going all over the place. Lavi, who sat on the mini stage, flinched. "Re-eee-eee me-eee-eee fa-aah-ahh-"
"You're still at that shit?" Kanda bellowed, walking in the room, irritation written on his face.
"Yes, Kanda, they're still at it." Lavi said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Kanda rolled his cobalt eyes and sitting discretely on a stool in front of an average drum set. He gentle tapped the bass, causing the beat to lift in the air and drown Lenalee's voice out a little. In Lavi's opinion it gave Lenalee's training a lot more and very much needed. Lala, though, did not appear to agree, but she didn't tell Kanda to stop. She knew it would only make him angry and he'd play it louder.
"Do re me fa-"
"Pardon my interruption, Lala, Lenalee, but Allen would like to speak with you in the conference room for a few moments." Won said, entering the room.
"Can I come?" Lavi asked.
"He didn't mention you couldn't."
"Yes!"
Lenalee nodded, standing up and following Won. Lala and Lavi, and even Kanda, trailed behind them. There wasn't silence, far from it. Lavi was "talking" to Kanda and Lala was commenting on Lenalee's beautiful voice. Won listened, but didn't speak at all. It wasn't long after they left the Music Lounge that they arrived at conference room. There was some voices in the room already and Lenalee was suddenly very nervous. She hesitated, but before she could turn around, Lavi gave her a boost, gently pushing her in. Upon arriving she saw several recognizable faces. Bak Chang, Noise Marie, Miss Anita, and, of course, Allen. Komui was, surprisingly, sitting two seats away from Allen. Lenalee was shocked just to see him there. She bet Allen called him and asked him to come.
"Welcome, everyone. Please take a seat, and if you don't mind Lenalee, I would like you to sit here beside me." Allen immediately greeted, smiling angelically. By the way, Lenalee noticed he was chewing gum again. Must be he really likes his gum.
Lenalee sat beside Allen. He was organizing a few sheets of paper and stapling them together. Lenalee waited for him to speak, because she had no idea what she was supposed to say or do in this situation. All she knew was that she felt very comfortable in her chair and something smelled extremely nice. Her nerves had been eased when Allen looked at her from the corner of his eyes and he slid a packet in her direction.
"Before anyone else reads the contract I have written, I want Lenalee and Komui to read over it, unless I have your permission to let the other occupants to read as you do. Any questions or thoughts you may have we'll discuss them. For both you an my employees. So, please read. It shouldn't take long." Allen said.
"It's a contract, so your employees would eventually read it. They can read it. I don't mind." Lenalee said, picking up the contract. She took note of how she had the real contract and everyone else had copies. Allen didn't. He had the original, the one he wrote by hand, and even though he wrote the contract, he was skimming through it.
When Lenalee got to the last page, her eyes bulged. She read and reread and re-reread. Was she dreaming Because her life seems too good to be real anymore. Looking around, she noticed all the shocked expressions on everyone else's faces, too. They were all reading the last page and probably rereading and re-rereading like she did. Lenalee put the packet down and her action caused Allen to look at her and it made everyone else put their copies down. Bak coughed into his fist, studied Lenalee with a deep blush on across his face and admiration in his eyes, then he stared at Allen warily.
He cautiously approached the situation. "Walker, are you serious about all this? It is her first contract and you're laying a bunch of risks on the line."
"Yes, I thought you gave up working so closely with your... clients. The last time you worked with anyone closely was with Lavi and Kanda, and that was two... three years ago? More?" Lala added.
Lenalee's widened further. "Really?" she asked, not able to look away from Allen's gray eyes.
Allen nodded, lacing his fingers together and resting his chin on his gloved knuckles. "I've watched Lenalee with a keen eye since she first sung in front of me." Allen said casually, and for some reason, it set Lenalee's face on fire and she finally turned away from him. "Indubitably, she has pure, qualitative potential that I would love to work with. I'd love to guide Lenalee through all this and I would most definitely enjoy improving Lenalee's voice." Allen glanced at Lenalee "My impromptu decision is hereby laid on paper and on the contract. If Lenalee so desires to have me work with her until her debut or longer, then all she must do is sign the contract. I'm dutifully inclined to work with Miss Lenalee. I may not have worked with anyone closely in awhile, but... this is a fantastic chance for both of us. On the other hand, you've all been nagging me about becoming more inclined to my work again."
Allen slid a pen in Lenalee's direction, his pearls gleaming, his eyes sincere, as he pointed at a line at the bottom of the page. "If you agree with the terms then please sign here. Komui doesn't have to sign since you're over the age of 18, but he can if he wants to."
Lenalee didn't have a single problem with the contract. It was perfect for her, but she could infer the many risks Allen was putting on the line.
"But Allen, did you bother to ask if Lavi or Kanda agree with working with her?" Marie asked.
"Lavi and I discussed this last night. He'd love to sing a duet with Lenalee, once we polish her skills a little more. Kanda... Do you have any objections to being Lenalee's drummer until further notice? You will still be working with Lavi, but with Lenalee as well. Are you alright with that?" Allen replied, eyeing the raven-haired drummer.
Kanda stared at the contract. His gaze wasn't tense or iced, but they were almost defiant and bitter. Then, that's how they always are.
"I don't give a shit."
"Thought so. Any other questions?"
"How are you funding this, Allen? This month we don't have any extra money for a recording contract." Bak questioned.
"That has been taken care of. I've prepared everything, don't worry. Now, Lenalee, if you don't want to sign this contract, I have a second one... After some consideration and observing, I believed the one in your hands would be the justified contract to use."
Lenalee glanced at Komui. He was pensive. There wasn't any complaining or deliberate sabotaging commencing on his part. He must agree with the contract. It was so befitting and generous. In all sense, it was absolutely perfect. What could be better than working alongside Allen Walker, her ultimate idol? He'd improve her singing, he's teach her new things, he'd help her record her songs, and he'll... he'll be writing songs for her! This was a miracle! A dream come true! How could she say no to this contract?
Shakily, she picked up the pen and the tip hovered over the paper. It was hardly touching, but there might be a black blotch later on. Taking a steady breath, Lenalee signed her name carefully, gleefully, and proudly. Allen took the pen from her and almost as nervously as Lenalee, he gingerly wrote his name with Lenalee watching every lovely stroke. His calligraphy was wonderful. She wished she could write that neat, but now... she wanted to explode with... with... with... pure excitement and felicity!
"I need everyone's signature. Please pass it around until it comes back to me. I would also like Lala's notes and thoughts about the last few days she's spent with Lenalee. And Lenalee?" Allen said enthusiastically. "You and I will meet in music room number one in building B at approximately 10:15 tomorrow morning. Does that sound good?"
"Uh-huh!" Lenalee hummed.
"Marvelous."
It was at that moment Lenalee felt a connection with Allen Walker, as he looked at her with those gems in a near-affectionate way and with that brillant, genuine smile he wore. Lenalee knew that this connection would be more than subtle and brief. She had a strong feeling that a bright new friendship was beginning. All she wanted to do was hug him for what he was doing.
The first thing Lenalee saw in the music room was a big white wall that was a huge white board-cleaned and fresh. There hardly was any marker stains or dusty streaks from past usage. There were small steps or platforms like what you would see at a school's music or band room. There were two or three closet-like rooms at the top of the, er, platform steps. The doors were closed, therefore, she couldn't get a good visual of the inside, but the windows hinted there were instruments behind those doors and more. Along the walls were many different instruments, all ranging from violins to electric guitars. The room was vast and expanse, filled with amps, chairs, blank music sheets, and a lovely mural on the side walls about-drum roll, please-muscial scenarios! She had a an eye on the microphones in one corner of the room.
"Well, I'd say this is definitely a music room." Lenalee uttered.
"Indeed."
Lenalee yelped, spinning around and throwing her fist up in the air, ready to swing. Allen latched his fingers around her wrist quickly before she decide to actually take a shot at him and he laughed delightfully. Lenalee's stiff body lost all tensity and she released a breath of relief whilst Allen released her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Allen said, amusement evident. "Oddly enough, your yelp is very cute, Lenalee. On a scale of one to ten I'd say your yelp is an eight. You sure did hit a high note there. Now to add that into your smashing singing." When did Allen's accent become so thick? Now that was cute, but Lenalee felt embarrassed about the whole thing that recently happened.
"A yelp isn't supposed to be cute." Lenalee replied, pushing her hair out of her face.
"No, I suppose not."
Allen closed the door and pulled a chair up to the whiteboard-wall, signalling Lenalee to come and sit down. The Chinese girl did so, sitting in her new assigned seat as Allen took a light green marker from a murky box hanging on the wall with velcro or a sticky foam. Allen wrote in big, bold letters GOALS, then faced Lenalee, handing her a sheet of paper.
"Tell me, Lenalee, what is your goal? What is the greatest wish you desire to accomplish in your career as it stands now?" Allen asked, giving her a pencil. "Please write it down. Write two."
For minutes Lenalee was stumped. Two goals she hopes to achieve in her ideal career? How could she chose just three? She couldn't even remember all of her goals she's created over the years! It was like.. that question put pressure on her. Thoughtfully, she hesitantly wrote two goals. When she was done, Allen took the sheet and read it, smile broadening as he wrote her goals on the board in short terms.
GOALS
Goal #1: Be able to write/compose my own music/lyrics in 1 year's time.
Goal #2: To become as good as Road Camelot.
Lenalee now thought about how she could have changed good to famous or popular or something other than a second grade word, but she didn't. Oh well. It doesn't really matter. It was a goal, that doesn't mean it was supposed to sound fancy, just achievable.
Allen turned around as he put the paper in his pocket and put the green marker back, taking out a red, blue, and purple marker. He gave her a sympathetic glance before he drew a purple spikey-haired smiley face near the top of the board, or at least as far as Allen could reach, and then placed a blue semi-smiling face with pigtails near the bottom of the board, about knee-high... Nah, around mid-thigh high off the floor. In red he wrote Road's name beside the top smiley face and Lenalee under the second one, then drew a long line rising upwards to "Road". He kept drawing a few minor details on his little scale of some sorts, but when he finished, Lenalee understood what it meant. Allen took one marker-placing the rest back in the box-and he pointed at "Lenalee".
"You wish to be as great as Road Camelot, but Lenalee, as gifted as you are, you've got far to go. You've got many celebrities to pass, including Lavi and Lala and a whole lot of other people. There's many differences that separate the both of you. You've set a near-bloody-impossible goal." Allen said, and Lenalee dunked her head, sullen. "However, that's why I'm here to help you. I believe you can accomplish your goal, but you must be willing to complete difficult tasks."
Lenalee couldn't describe what she felt. Such little words that meant so much, and they came from Allen. Someone she's looked up to since she was a child. He's been famous for so long and he's a star, adored by many, and an inspiration to many more. Everyone who wants to be anyone wants to meet him or be part of his Agency. The name Walker goes far in the music industry. He was the guy to meet to become somebody... And Lenalee was now his student. In addition, he thinks Lenalee has potential, he thinks Lenalee is talented. Oh, how she wanted to desperately hug this white-haired musician. With him as her aide and friend, she knew her dream coming true would be definite.
"I don't know what to say, Allen..." Lenalee whispered.
"How about: Where do we begin? Or I'm ready?" Allen suggested.
"Okay."
Allen paced to the black piano, patting the empty space beside him to signal Lenalee over. The girl rolled her eyes at his methods. He was making it seem like she was a dog or a pet. Lenalee walked over to the piano and when she was close enough, she could smell something very distinctive and amazing. She's smelled it before. Several times, but it now occurred to her that it was Allen.
"I'm going to play a few keys and I want you to sing the song or tell me you don't know it and we'll move on. Is that simple enough?"
"Yeah."
Allen's fingers glided over the ivory keys. The first one she easily recognized despite being played with a piano.
"Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take." Lenalee sang, eyeing Allen curiously as he switched songs after that small verse.
"Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train, going anywhere."
"Good, very good." Allen commented, pausing the music and a few notes hummed in the air. "Let's raise the bars a little, hmm?"
Lenalee nodded and Allen began to tap the piano keys again. They were faster and more upbeat, and they were songs Lenalee had never heard before. It was slightly embarrassing, but Allen said that it was okay, that the songs don't normally have a piano version. People use synth more often than not, so the tuning would be very different. But instead of switching instruments, Allen stayed at his piano with Lenalee at his side. Another song drifted into the air, but Lenalee didn't recognize that either. It sounded... old fashion... mostly jazzy or blues-y. After many notes, she felt like she knew the song. Lenalee could bet her paycheck that it was one of Allen's songs, but not one of the most popular...
"I know the song, I just can't think of it."
"Let me help you then." Allen smiled, restarting the song.
"The question that I pose is really easy
It came to me the moment you walked by
It seemed to you looked at me so sweetly." the soft sound echoed and Lenalee saw Allen sit up straighter with a special shine in his eyes. The music got a fancier and Allen's soft, smooth voice filled her ears, giving her chills and goosebumps. Allen was singing to Lenalee! For her!
"The moment that I stared into your eyes
Are you the one, to steal my heart completely?
Are you the one that I am-m to adore?"
Lenalee laughed. How could she have not known it was this song? It was pretty cool for the present-time. Allen looked like he was having so much fun singing this song to. Lenalee ought to learn it.
Whilst Allen was performing for her, she took his image in. He had his cute white fedora on again. It was merely a shade darker than his silky-looking hair. His eyes sparkled, but they always do. Those irises were full of life and wisdom and... love and fun... Lenalee could just stare into them endlessly and allow herself to be lost or consumed. Then, she saw he had white cotton gloves on. He had a long-sleeved button up shirt with a gray vest over it, also button up, but with a pocket. It wasn't the in-style trend nowadays, but damn he pulls that look off so well. It even hugs his body enough to give you a good idea how slim and fit his frame was. He had black, tight-looking jeans. She couldn't help but stare, especially at his scarred face. It was strange, but it fit him so well, she couldn't imagine him without that red scar... or tattoo. Whichever it was. But her eyes focused on his lips as they parted and his silky voice rang out and his gray eyes that eased any nerves she may have had, the eyes that seemed to soothe the situation every time... Allen was not cute, but... attractive. And she could smell his sweet scent. Another thing she'd love to get lost in.
But Lenalee wasn't stupid. It didn't take much longer for her to come to a conclusion.
Lenalee was crushing on her idol.
Lenalee was crushing on Allen Walker!
How many of you kenw the last song? Hmmm? Anyways, thanks for reading! I don't knwow hat to really say here, so I'll just list the songs.
In Order:
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Are You The One? - Peter Cincotti
Hey, you should check out that last song by Peter. It's really cool and I think a lot of you will agree with me that it matches Allen perfectly!