Hunter and Eun chatted for a while about different topics, from Willow herself to her friends, different interests Hunter had, similar interest Eun had. The two were getting along very well! It made Hunter feel relieved knowing that one of Willow's fathers actually seemed to enjoy his company. Hopefully he can have a similar chat with Gilbert and have two for two in the future!
After about an hour, Willow and Gilbert returned carrying plants of spaghetti. Willow sat a plate in front of Hunter, giving him a smile before taking her seat next to him while Gilbert sat a dish in front of Eun and did the same. After the two sat, they joined in on the conversation. Even after they had all finished the meal, they sat there talking for hours. Hunter, once again, in the back of his mind found slight bafflement about how easy it was to talk. Perhaps it was something about Willow's presence? The chiming of a clock knocked the conversation, however, as Hunter realized the hour it was.
" Has it really gotten this late already?" Hunter asked, turning to look through a window to see the dark sky made darker by the clouds still hanging over the city. The boiling rain was still pouring buckets, meaning Hunter was, thankfully, still 'stuck' in the Park's household. He knew he should feel bad for intruding and avoiding going back to the palace, but he found himself really not...caring?
" It is alright, Hunter! If the boiling rains last we can set you up in the spare bedroom we have!" Gilbert said, standing as he collected the empty dishes from the table and turning to head into the kitchen. Eun stood up as well, turning to head into the living room before hesitating and looking back at Hunter and Willow who went to follow him.
"Hunter, you said you dabbled in bard magic, right? Mind if I ask which instruments you play?" Eun asked back to the lad, smiling.
"U-uh...Well, I play a few different things. I know guitar and piano the best, though." Hunter shrugged as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Very good! Wait here for a moment." Eun turned, heading up a staircase and disappearing out of sight. Hunter looked to Willow for direction, who shrugged and led him over to the couch in the living area. The two sat down, smiling at one another.
" How are you doing?" Willow whispered to Hunter, smiling up at him. He smiled back, giving her a nod.
"They are really nice. I am honestly kind of glad the boiling rains are keeping me from leaving." He admitted.
"You know, they are not joking. If you do want to spend the night we can offer you the spare bedroom."
"I-I know…" Hunter rubbed the back of his neck, feeling his cheeks flushing a bit. " Honestly the offer is...tempting. We will have to see about the boiling rains, though. If I stay out here too long after the rains stop, people will get...suspicious." Hunter thinned his lips, though he had Belos' favor, which came with more freedoms, he still had to be on egg shells. Kikimora would be trying everything in her power to drag him out of the spotlight, after all.
"Well...just know the offer is always open to you, Hunter, even if there are no boiling rains." Willow put her hand over his and gave it a squeeze. He felt his face light up at the motion, if only for the fact that her parents were just around the corner and could see her doing so. Should he be worried, though? Eun said he had their blessing, after all. Hunter flicked his ears, smiling to Willow before he heard the steps descending the stairs behind them. Turning to look, Hunter couldn't help but feel his eyes widen.
Eun smiled as he held up a beautiful guitar, showing it off to the two on the couch, but mostly to Hunter. Willow had seen the guitar dozens of times already, but she still couldn't help but smile at her father before looking at Hunter who had a look of awe on his face. The guitar was a dark red, the wood pattern of it along with its edges black, Hunter couldn't help but think of how it looked like Lil' Rascal's coloring. Gilbert appeared at Eun's side, smiling at the guitar before turning to Hunter.
"This actually used to be my sisters." Gilbert explained. " Before she passed away she wanted to make sure her prized possession was well taken care of. I know how to make sure it stays up to quality, but other than that I have no idea how to play….it would be nice to hear it again, though." Gilbert hinted at the boy, who flicked his ears.
"A-are you sure?" Hunter looked over at the two men, who nodded. The two went over to sit, Eun passing the guitar to the still baffled teen who carefully looked it over in admiration. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he set it on his lap, "I...I am honored." Hunter smiled at the men, giving Willow a glance before playing a few chords and began tuning it.
" I assume your Uncle taught you how to play?" Eun asked as he sat back in a love seat, arm wrapping around Gilbert's shoulder.
"Actually, no...I am more self taught than anything, so I apologize if this doesn't sound the greatest." Hunter said. He was aware of his ears flicking around as he tuned the instrument, but was unable to stop them as he worked.
"I am sure you will play wonderfully." Willow said from next to him, making Hunter glance at her with a smile, trying to control the blush on his face. Soon enough he found the guitar tuned, he cleared his throat before looking at the other three.
"I uh...don't know too many songs, so I can't really make any request." Hunter felt unsure of what to actually play. He never actually played for anyone before, and the sudden stage fright was catching up to him, until he looked to Willow. She smiled at him, her ears flicking as she gave a nod of encouragement.
"Just play what you want, Hunter. It doesn't have to be an established song." Eun prompted. Hunter looked to the other men, before nodding lightly and glancing back to Willow, then down at the guitar. He swallowed, before he started to strum the string, playing a few different notes before he started to feel the want to play a particular song. He forced himself to learn at least a few human realm songs, he practiced them a lot in his little free time when he felt his only escape was the music he made in his small, cold room. But as he sat here, he could only think of the song he always turned to for comfort.
As Hunter played, he soon felt himself losing himself in the moment of playing the guitar as he had done many times in the past. But this time it was different, though his focus was on the strings and the sounds, he couldn't help but feel the girl sitting next to him. Hunter could practically feel her aura, her beautiful smile, her dazzling eyes...he knew deep down that though he was playing for her family, he was really only playing for her. Soon he finished the song, drawing himself out of the trance he was in to look at Willow, her eyes wide in awe with a big smile on her face. Hunter was struck with the urge to kiss her, and he felt himself about to go in to do so.
"That was beautiful, Hunter!" Oh..Oh yeah, her parents are here- OH YEAH HER PARENTS ARE HERE! Hunter looked over to Eun and Gilbert, the latter of which had his hands clasped together before his mouth and looked almost like he was about to cry? " I'd say you are a natural!" Eun smiled.
"T-Thank you, Mister Park." Hunter rubbed the back of his neck, sitting up straight as he let the guitar rest on his lap.
" You know, it is refreshing to see kids playing just to play instead of channeling magic into the instruments." Eun commented, making Hunter freeze slightly. " Nowadays I feel a lot of people forget that music can just be enjoyed without needing a bard to play."
"Y-yeah." Hunter cleared his throat, nodding as he looked back at the guitar. He had forgotten that as well, admittedly. Since he never had magic to channel, he thought he wouldn't be able to actually play at first, but he did anyway and taught himself with the help of books.
"Would you like to play more for us, Hunter? It is ok today no." Eun reminded, but smiled in encouragement to the boy. Hunter felt his ears flick again as he looked to Willow, who gave him an encouraging smile and nod.
"Yeah, I can play more." Hunter smiled at Willow's fathers, before looking back down at the guitar.
_AN_
Wow, it feels like its been so long since I started this story...then I realize it has been less than a month. Thank you guys so much for reading and coming back to enjoy! I love writing 'Of Balanced Stones' and look forward to sharing more of it, and its future SECOND HALF with you guys! That is right! Of Balanced Stones is just part 1 of what I think will turn into a 3 part series! When the time comes to label this story as completed, do not fret...For the already named second half will be coming shortly!