Part 7: Breaking Ice
**note: Thanks for all the lovely reviews, guys! There's plenty more to come! :3. I'm sure you'll love it.
It was a few of days later.
Things had been fairly slow, but there was much discussion on beginning their newest album with a brand new member.
Ess stretched out on her bed. She and Noodle had been hanging out quite a bit lately, and Noodle was currently sitting on the foot of her bed, scribbling down things onto a piece of paper. Sitting up, Ess peered over her shoulder to have a look. "Working on Demon Days some more?"
"Yes," Noodle nodded, still jotting some things down, then bringing the pencil to her lip thoughtfully. "Still needs lot of work though..."
Back in the kitchen, 2D beamed at his masterpiece—a green glop of jello! I bet this is the best way to get her to notice me a bit more. 2D always noted how Ess would defend him, but she still would not associate with him so much. It was getting quite a bit aggitating, so he had to do something about it.
There was suddenly a light knock on Ess's door. Before Ess could get to it, Murdoc strutted past 2D. "Out of the way, Nimrod." Shoving 2D's forward, the plate in his hand tipped forward against Ess's door, his head slamming directly into the green goop. The plate crashed to the door when Ess opened it. She stared at him in disbelief.
"Uhm... I made some jello..." 2D laughed nervously. He hoped the goop was covering the blush burning his cheeks. Ess rose an eyebrow. "Sorta... ended up on my face though. Heh-heh." Ess grinned, looking like she wanted to laugh. Shaking her head a bit, she smiled again, and shut the door. 2D lowered his head hopelessly. He still didn't have this down quite right.
"Now, the way you're going about things... you may be creeping her out even more," Russel explained to 2D. He realized that considering just how much 2D was asking him these questions, that he really must have a good feeling about Ess. Russel, of course, believed Ess to be someone that could be well-suited for 2D. But he just couldn't wrap his head around why she was so afraid of him. "Don't throw things at her," 2D nodded several times, listening carefully. "Either let her come to you, or be smooooth about it." He grinned, thinking his advice was pretty well. Russel hadn't known he'd make a good "Doctor Love."
"Er... 'smooth'?" Russel chuckles at 2D's simple-mindedness.
"Well, when we start workin' on the album later today, I got yuh back."
Later that day, everyone was gathered in the recording studio, voices all mixed together as they discussed the first song they were going to start recording; "Last Living Souls."
"There's a lot going in this tune, so there's plenty room for Ess to kick in a beat." Russel said as he scanned over the music sheets for their song.
2D peers over at the sheets as well with a thoughtful look. The agreement was that Ess would not only play keyboard along with 2D, but sing back up with Noodle as well, if they needed it. Soon, every one was finished practicing their parts. But for whatever reason, Ess had to sit and listen in. She couldn't figure out why, but she figured it was because they had to figure out what part she would have to play.
While Ess was busy fiddling with the hem of her shirt, Russel flailed his arms a bit, which was apparently his 'signal' to 2D, then stated with poor acting, "Well guys, guess that's it for today. 'Ds just gotta show Ess her part, so c'monnowlet'sgo!" Grabbing Murdoc and Noodle, he dragged them outside.
"Hey, what's the deal?" Murdoc said as they entered the corridor.
"I'm helpin' him out, gimme a break, man," Russel stated as Noodle clapped her hands happily.
Ess hadn't noticed everyone had gone, until the room got very dormant. Glancing from her shirt, she noticed 2D seated near her, his back to her as he went over his solo within the song. He seemed to be lost in what he was doing after a moment, then began singing a verse.
As the words flowed from his lips, Ess stood slowly and listened in awe. His voice seemingly sank beneath her skin, gripping her soul; moving her, making her skin tingle. Whilst being stuck in that very moment, 2D turned slowly to her, those pure black orbs regarding her. The feeling of being so drawn to him vanished as quickly as it materialized. Swallowing, she shifted her weight, discomfort arising. 2D smiled gawkily, scooting over in his seat and turning to her timidly. Ess took a seat, trying hard not to brush against him in any way. 2D cleared his throat, "So first," he glanced at Ess a moment. "Have you ever used a synth board before?" Ess simply shook her head. "All right then. Here..."
2D went through explaining all the different knobs and buttons. Ess leaned forward and listened to him carefully. She twisted some and pushed some, getting familiar with it. Then she pondered a few tunes she was familiar with. All the while, 2D peered over at her curiously. The feeling her gave her was one he hadn't had in some time, and even then it was different—fresher, realer. Seeing him from the corner of her eye, Ess's hand twitched slightly as it hovered over the keys. She began playing tune called "All We Are". The sound was the slightest bit off, but she had the melody down precise. 2D nodded his head slowly to the tune, closing his eyes before realizing it.
"Looks like you got it!" His recent stiffness melted away, as he transitioned back into his usual bright, vacant self. "Now, I'll tell you how to adjust it for our song." The sound of the word 'our' sounded nice to Ess. 2D would strike keys continuously until the sound was to his liking. "Okay," he started once again. "Play your part."
Recalling the keys, she started. 2D took notice of a small error she made. "Oh. Here-" Reaching for the keys was a sort of impulse, his fingers brushed Ess's lightly. The two immediately froze in place. An unfamiliar chill crept up to Ess—but it was unlike the chill 2D had always given her. Was it fear...? Moving her hand away slowly, she stood.
"Uh," Ess stumbled, looking very apprehensive. "It's getting late. Perhaps tomorrow..." Words trailing off, Ess stared back at his hurt face, and actually felt very terrible for some reason. Had she done something wrong?
"Sorry," 2D's tone dropped a bit, making him sound astonishingly serious. "I can tell I make you uncomfortable..."
"No," she didn't sound very convincing in 2D's ears. He stared at the ground, blank once again. Ess sat slowly beside the strange, yet intriguing man. To 2D's amazement, Ess hesitated, but she lay a gentle hand on his own. "You haven't done anything wrong," pitch eyes stared deeply back into pale-yellow for the first, truest time. 2D couldn't help the warm smile that arose on his face. Ess removed her hand. "It's only me, being selfish and not taking the time to know you more." The brightness was beginning to return to 2D's face. It made Ess feel better—seeing him sad made her feel dreadful. It was so uncharacteristic for him, as well. For a while, she was sure she'd never bother with 2D, that she'd simply be too afraid of him to ever talk to him. Although, he was truly an interesting person. So many things were unique about him. She was once so ignorant, but she knew better now. And so, they sat there in the studio, breaking down barriers that should have never been built in the first place. The spoke of music, and came to find their taste was similar in a lot of ways. They spoke of their past hardships, and even confessed their addictions to each other. It took Ess a few moments to say it aloud, but as soon as she did, she realized it were true. Right afterward, 2D cheered, "Let's go get a cup o' jo!" or "I'm the same way, Ess. I can totally relate." It felt good to fill the voids Ess once had. It was amazing to finally see 2D for who he truly was, rather than being too selfish to dig a bit deeper.
It felt good to make another friend.
