While drawing requiem for a dream started playing and I just had to write this. Warning: music puns. # would refer to number (as in phone number) but also is a sharp note.

And yes, it seems like I'm back.

Requiem For A Dream

Chatter increased when Annie entered the main room of the theatre, and she was met with rows upon rows of red seats, sloping downwards towards the stage. There were four stories of balcony seats near the walls, decorated with golf foil. Ticket in her hand, Annie made her way down to the third front row on the left and found her seat. She looked up at the stage, where most of the musicians were tuning their instruments before the show started. Most of them wore a suit, some of the women preferring to wear a dress, either in black or a dark blue so as not to stand out too much.

Annie quite enjoyed these concerts, and she recognized most of them by face, knowing a couple by name. It wasn't unusual for her to head to a nearby café after the concert, where she'd meet up with the artists and have a chat. But today her attention was on the pianist. She had heard the previous retired and was curious to see who took his place. A young woman, with hair as black as the piano she sat behind, chatted with the musician next to her. Annie raised her eyebrows lightly in surprise, for such a young artist to obtain a place in this orchestra, she had to be extremely talented. And as far as Annie could tell from the angle she sat, she was also extremely beautiful.

Soon both the lights and the chatter dimmed, completely dying out when the conductor stepped onto the stage. The musicians shifted in their seats, ensuring they were in a comfortable position to start playing. The conductor bowed to the audience, then turned around and greeted the musicians with a short nod. He raised his arms, pausing for a moment. Instruments were held ready, and as he moved again, they started to play.

Annie closed her eyes when the first notes reached her ears. No matter how good the artists were that recorded cd's, nothing ever compared to the pure tones of live music. She inhaled deeply, feeling the sounds touch her heart in a way only true music could. As she exhaled she opened her eyes again, her gaze landing on the new pianist. Her body moved in sync with the music, allowing herself to be carried by the tones her talented fingers produced. The emotion, the passion in her beautiful face entranced Annie, leaving her unable to look away for the rest of the evening.

A light breeze played with Annie's hair as she walked through the dark streets to the café. It wasn't far from the theatre, and on evenings like these, it was a rare sight to see someone in casual clothing. Most people liked to dress up for a concert like this, and Annie fit right in with her deep blue dress. Soft music played in the background while she ordered a drink and let her eyes wander over the people seated in the room. She smiled as she spotted the pianist, who was now wearing a thin red shawl, which somehow made her even more beautiful in Annie's eyes. She made her way through the tables and greeted the musicians. "Hello, everyone."

"Annie!" Berthold said happily as he saw her. "I was wondering when you'd show up." He stood up and offered her his seat, then continued to steal a chair from another table for himself. Several of the other artists asked her what she thought of their performance, some even asking for details about specific compositions. It took her a good twenty minutes of answering questions and exchanging news before the conversation moved away from her, and she could finally take a close look at the new pianist.

She was even more beautiful now than she had been on stage, and Annie felt her heart flutter when their eyes met. "Hi. I don't believe we've met before. I'm Annie." she held out her hand, which the other woman shook.

"I'm Mikasa." Her voice was warm and soft. "I must say I wasn't expecting someone from the audience to join us here."

"I'm good friends with Berthold, and he always invites me to chat with them after a concert." Annie shifted in her seat, wanting to direct the conversation in a different direction. "And I must say your performance tonight was brilliant, Mikasa, I was completely captivated."

Mikasa chuckled. "I'm sure the rest of the orchestra played some part in that as well."

"All I mean to say is that I C Major potential in you."

There was a short pause before Mikasa replied, as if she wasn't sure if the pun was intentional. "That's very kind of you." She smiled softly. "Do you play any instruments yourself?"

"I can sing quite well, if you ever want to duet with me, just let me know." Annie winked, and leaned back as she sipped from her drink.

"That sounds lovely, but I'm not too sure about my voice. I could just play the piano while you sing though."

"Don't worry about that, one night with me and you'll be hitting all the high notes." Annie's tone was casual, so she could still use the excuse of having picked the wrong wordplay in case Mikasa was straight.

Mikasa blushed lightly. "You're going to give me singing lessons?" she asked unsure, wanting to know how Annie had intended her words.

"Whenever you want." Annie said, not really giving an answer to the underlying question. "And if you don't mind giving me your sharp notes, maybe we can grab some tchaikoffee sometime?" Annie quirked her eyebrows.

Mikasa chuckled and opened her purse, holding out her card for Annie. Annie took it, but paused when Mikasa didn't let go. "I take it your play with words will come in handy during our 'singing lessons', if that's what you're really after."

In her dark eyes laid a challenge, one Annie was happy to take. She leaned closer to Mikasa, voice sultry as she spoke. "You might be used to playing piano, but I'll make you come in double forte." Mikasa released her card, and Annie tucked it in her back pocket.

Mikasa emptied her drink and stood up, earning a questioning look from Annie. "You coming? I have some very interesting sheets I'd like to show you." A playful smile tugged on Mikasa's lips. Annie quickly chugged down her drink, and followed Mikasa outside, to her car.

"Very interesting sheets, huh?" Annie teased.

Mikasa glanced at her. "They'll requiem your dreams."