A/N: Hey guys, sorry I know it's been a while. I got writers' block and then I've been extremely busy. Not sure when the next chapter will be either. P.S. I don't own the song included in here!

CHAPTER SEVEN – MUSIC

Vitani slowly opened her eyes and gazed upon the spiked shell that was sitting at the desk still scribbling away. "Morning… Did you sleep at all?" she asked Ludwig.

He shrugged. "Couple hours. I'm used to it."

"You really should get more rest."

Ludwig turned to face her and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you concerned about my sleeping habits?"

"…I don't know…"

He gave her a disbelieving look. "Anyway, would you like to get out of this room for a little while?"

"I guess."

He stood up. "Let's go."

Vitani's eyes widened. "Now? I just woke up…" She grumbled and swung her feet over the edge of the bed and walked to where he was waiting. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," he said. Ludwig reached up to the torch on the wall and pulled it sideways. Something clicked and the stone wall began to move revealing a stair case. He gestured for her to go first and she took a few steps and watched as he hit a switch on this side of the wall and the secret door closed. He brushed past her and began to ascend the dark stairs.

Vitani followed closely, not liking this strange atmosphere, which was saying a lot considering she was in a castle filled with Koopas. They soon reached the top and Ludwig triggered another switch which moved the wall at the top and granting them access. Vitani stepped inside and gasped. They were in a large room filled with many musical instruments, but what caught her attention most was the black, glistening grand piano in the middle of it all, and she yearned to touch the ivory.

Ludwig chuckled at her reaction. "I'm guessing you like?" Vitani nodded. "Look out the window."

Vitani went over to the window and looked out. They were very high up in a tower that over looked the surrounding valley and other parts of the castle. For the valley being shrouded in shadow, it still held a stunning view. "Oh, wow…" she breathed.

"I come here to get away from my siblings," Ludwig said. "The way we came up is the only entrance to this tower." He sat on the bench in front of the piano and ran his fingers over the keys lightly. He began to play a soft melody.

Vitani approached him and sat on a nearby chair and watched how his hands effortlessly glided over the keys. The melody took a darker turn and increased in speed and volume. Ludwig's hands became a blur as he played the tune and then abruptly stopped. The previous slow melody returned for a few moments then finished. "That's beautiful," Vitani praised. "Who wrote it?"

Ludwig smirked at her. "I did, of course."

"How long did it take you to write it?"

Ludwig laughed. "I wrote it all yesterday after you got here."

Vitani's jaw dropped. "Wow… What was the inspiration behind it?"

"Things being out of reach."

Vitani was going to question further but decided not to push it. She got up and placed herself beside him on the bench. "May I?" He nodded and she ran her fingers over the keys. Something about it made her feel comforted; it felt familiar. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began to play.

Ludwig watched in awe as her own melody poured from her fingers and expressed herself through the keys. He placed his fingers back on the keys and began to compliment her melody with his.

The two songs blended together without effort. Vitani continued to let her song escalate until she came to the end. She rested her hands in her lap and smiled at Ludwig.

Ludwig smiled back. "Now you get to answer the same questions you asked me: how long did it take to write and what was your inspiration?"

Vitani gave him an apologetic look. "I'm not sure… It just came to me as I played."

Ludwig look perplexed. "So technically speaking you wrote that just now? Amazing…" he breathed and looked into her eyes. "I have never met someone who understood and felt music the way I do…"

"Neither have I," Vitani said softly. "It's amazing how you can find the one who understands you when you're not looking for them." She realized what she said and apologized. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like I completely understand you…"

"It's alright," he said and chuckled.

Vitani sighed and looked around the room at the other instruments. "You can play all those?" she asked.

"Yes, but I've always found piano to be my favorite," he said and played a couple quick notes. "For me, it's just more effortless and I feel like I can better express myself."

Vitani smiled. "Can you play another song for me?"

"Sure," he said and positioned his hands on the keys.

This song was a bit more upbeat and Vitani closed her eyes and fully listened to the notes as they rang through the air. Her hands found their way to the keys and this time she accompanied his song.

Ludwig eyed her and smirked. He began to mix up the melody and blend some of his other songs together. "Think you can keep up?" he teased.

"I think the better question is if you can," Vitani said.

The two went into a battle of melodies. One would play a strong melody while the other accompanied, then the latter would switch it up and the first had to catch the change.

The battle continued for a while and then Vitani raised her hands up off the keys. "Alright, you win… This time anyway," she added and laughed. "You ever sing?"

Ludwig blushed. "I'm not the greatest… I envy those who can express with both music and vocals. I was only strongly gifted with music. Can't complain that much, I suppose. What about you?"

Vitani shrugged. "I'm alright at it, but I don't like to sing in front of people."

Ludwig nudged her. "Well now that you mentioned it, you can't back out now."

She sighed and bowed her head lightly. "I guess…" Vitani touched her hands to the keys and began another melody and began to sing with it.

I can understand how when the edges are rough

And they cut you like tiny slivers of glass

And you feel too much

And don't know how long you're gonna last

But everyone you know

Is trying to smooth it over

Find a way to make the hurt go away

Everyone you know

Is trying to smooth it over

Like you're trying to scream underwater

I won't let you make the great escape

You're not gonna watch me check out of this place

You're not gonna lose me

'Cause the passion and pain

Are gonna keep you alive someday

Ludwig stared at her with awe. "Wow…"

Vitani blushed. "It's not that great…"

He eyed her. "Are you kidding me? For someone such as I who appreciates music, it was amazing! And the song you picked, quite deep. What's it called?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well, did you write it?" he asked.

"I don't think so," she said. "It just came to me, but it seems familiar, like I've known it forever."

"Hmm…" Ludwig turned and glanced at the clock on the wall and laughed. "Would you believe we battled it out for two hours?"

Vitani laughed with him. "It didn't seem like much at all, though! I guess that's what happens when you get into playing."

"You don't have to tell me," he said. "There's times I'm up here all night and I don't notice until the sun starts blinding me."

She laughed. "Wow, you're such a nerd…"

He faked being hurt. "Ouch…"

"There's nothing wrong with being a nerd," she said.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said. "We should probably head back down."

"Yeah," Vitani said. "I was kind of hoping I'd get to eat soon anyway."

Ludwig opened the door. "Hey, you saw how I got in here right?"

"Yeah, what about it?" she asked.

"Feel free to come up anytime you like and play."

Vitani was a bit surprised. "Thank you." Ludwig stepped aside as she walked back into his room and he sealed the wall shut.