CHAPTER 7: A lovely evening
'The party room' was quite full when Katelin came in. Quickly she straightened her dark green, tight dress and took a look around the room. Beside the Avengers, who were sitting with Tony Stark there were some S.H.I.L.E.D agents. Most of them she saw for the first time, but she managed to spot Clare in the crowd. Some agents were at the bar, making some drinks and chatting. There was some jazz music playing and the atmosphere was generally happy and warm. From the first second Kat knew, she didn't fit in here.
Please, don't stop talking. - Kat begged inside when she walked in. They did. Every conversation stopped and the only sound that could be heard was the music. She was tired of complaining on her life.
-Hi! - Kat tried to sound as cheerful as she could trying to stifle her grumpy face.
-Raven - Tony Stark got up from his seat, and came towards her with a big grin upon his face. - It is wonderful to meet you. I'm Tony Stark.
-Oh, that's a surprise - she giggled. - I'm Kat Ravenwood. I'm really - before she could even finish, Stark leaded her to the rest of the team. He was so direct and intimidating. Before she could even realize, she was drinking violet mojito and answering all of the questions, she'd been asked. Alcohol worked miracles and after a short while she got used to being the center of attention. She still felt uncomfortable and odd but she did everything she could for Avengers not to notice that. It wasn't their fault after all. They were acting as normal people would do.
I'm just the weirdo here. Please, Kat, do your best and pretend to be a normal human being for just a few hours more...
-Hey, look, who came! - Natasha said and Kat saw Wanda and Pietro entering the room. But there was someone else with them, but he didn't really look like a man. His skin was purple-red with some silver elements. He was wearing a black suit, which looked quite hilarious on him. Despite this, Kat felt a little bit better. Now, she wasn't the only freak that pretended to blend in. And judging bu his expression, he wasn't really happy to be here either.
-Kat, come over here, I want you to meet someone! - Wanda cheered and grabbed the red skinned man's hand.
-Good evening, Katelin - the man said with a very soft and pleasant voice. - We haven't met before, I am Vision.
Than Kat remembered when Stanley told her something about him, but she wasn't paying much attention to what he was saying. Meeting him was quite funny, he was acting very firmly and maturely, yet in his eyes Kat saw a little, lost child. Well, technically he was few weeks old... But it didn't prevent Kat from finding a common ground with him. All three joined the rest of the team and so Kat was forced to answer even more questions. But what amazed her, was that Pietro was silent and didn't say a word. Katelin really hoped to talk to him again, but apparently, he had different plans. She buried herself in her thoughts so deep that she didn't realize she was asked another question.
-Hello? - Nat shook her arm with impatience.
-Oh, sorry. What was that again?
-I asked - said Sam - have always been into music?
-Oh yes. It's my deepest passion. I've graduated from the music school, actually.
-Really? What instruments do you play? - Wanda seemed really interested.
-A lot of them - Kat beamed but she never liked to brag about her abilities so she just cut the big list of her instruments - but preferably piano, violin and western concert flute.
-Can you play us something? - Wanda asked with an eager smile.
No. No no no no. What did I do?
This one question absolutely terrified Kat. She always hated to perform in front of people. She always got stressed and messed whatever she could.
-Oh, no please! I haven't played for a year at least.
-Oh no, no! Don't even try to talk your way out of it - Tony laughed and stood up. He grabbed Kat by her arm and leaded her to the piano. Kat was really weak at the knees. - And don't forget your powers - he whispered to her ear - you can always cheat a little bit.
You are freaking Raven. You can kill a man so you also can go out there and play! Uh, why don't I believe in this?
-So, ladies and gentleman, welcome on our stage miss Ravenwood! - big entries were definitely in his style. Tony turned off the music as Kat sit beside the piano.
Touching all the ivories trying to feel the instrument, she gently pressed a few keys. Kat was taken aback with the amazing sound that. She looked at the brand. Bechstein, one of the best piano brands in the world. She felt like in haven and took one more minute to think what could she play. Tony was right, she could help herself with her powers so the difficulty didn't matter. Suddenly she felt an urge to impress them, especially Pietro.
On, it's about freaking time - Kat convinced herself - I will knock him out of his feet.
And so she started slowly. From the moment that her fingers touched the keyboard she forgot about any jitters and drowned in the music. Her fingers were swiftly and very precisely touching the keys. She played with a great love and care for every sound to be perfect. Kat turned thinking off and just let her body do what it did best. But then the real music started. The tempo got faster but to Kat's surprise she didn't need her power's help. For the first time in her life she felt so confident. Once she focused on the piano and forgot about all this crowd that was watching her the tension dropped and smiling to herself she played on. She realized that this is just a temporary feeling that lasted as long as she played and, unfortunately the piece was coming to an end.
Kat finished in a great style putting her remaining confidence in the last sound and when it faded she raised slowly from the piano. And then she saw all these people staring at her and wanted to leave this room as fast as possible. Before she could make another step, everyone in the room started applauding and cheering.
-Will you honor us with one more piece, Kat? It was magical! - Steve approached blushing Kat.
-Oh no, forget it. Maybe later...
-A drink for our virtuoso than! - shouted Rhodes, pretty drunk right at that moment.
A group of people gathered by the bar, music was turned on and the crowd started to take care of their own business again. But not all of them, obviously. Kat was getting really tired of being in the center of attention. She didn't have to come up with a super creative idea.
-Hey, Claire! You remember when you told me told me that you had to learn playing the piano for a mission? What was that about? - Kat quickly asked. And than it started. Claire, after a few drinks, started talking but wasn't going to end really soon. Katelin took the opportunity and moved a bit to the side. She sighed and took a sip of her drink. It was so nice to be aside for a moment.
-I really liked your performance - a familiar voice sounded from behind. She turned just to see Pietro, leaning on the bar with a glass of some blue liquid. He was dressed in a light grey suit and a blue bow tie. - La Campanella, hmm? Impressive.
-Oh, thank you - Katelin was really taken aback with his knowledge - I didn't suppose anyone would recognize.
-And why is that? Franz Lisz was a genius.
-I'm glad that I hit your tastes - Kat began to deliquesce under his adorable smile.
-Who is your favorite, if you don't mind my asking?
-This is always a hard decision, but I think Bach. I absolutely adore his music, especially when he joins organs with a harpsichord.
-Oh, I agree. But when it comes to baroque music, I prefer Händel.
-No way! Don't be offended, I mean, he was a genius too but I would have never thought that someone would choose Händel over Bach.
-I know, it's unusual, but... - Pietro couldn't finish, because their conversation was interrupted.
-Hello, Kat! Howe are you doing?
-Jimm Stanley? I really didn't suppose to see you here.
-I came a bit late, but Stark made sure that kept up with their level of binge. Come, dance with me - this wasn't really a question. Kat had no idea how to make Jimm aware of the fact that she didn't wanted to. Before she came up with an idea, she was dancing a slow dance with Stanley. It's not that she didn't like him. He was really handsome with his hair a bit riffled and green eyes looking straight at hers. He was charming without doubt. Kat couldn't complain, she felt wonderful, after all. Everything would be perfect if only she had been dancing with Pietro in stead of Jimm.
Pietro and Stanley never get along really well. They hated each other actually. And when he took Kat on the dance floor, Pierto saw a triumphal smirk on Jimm's face. That was it. The Maximoff boy was really quick tempered and even such a small thing as a stupid smile could piss him off. But not only was he mad with Jimm.
No, sure. Why should you listen to me? Go dance with him, why would'n you? I'll finish another time... or not - Finishing his drink, he headed towards exit.
-Where do you think you're going? - Wanda accosted him.
-I'm tired - Pietro responded in not a very nice tone. In a split second he was no longer in the room.
-Tell me, Vision, what am I supposed to do? - Wanda asked with resignation.
-The meeting in the forest didn't work?
-It did! I feel bad for messing in my brother's head, but he even talked to her and for a moment they really seemed to get along really well.
-I am not sure if I am the right person to give advice, but maybe you should stop trying to force your brother to be happy with her?
-No, you don't understand. I'm not trying to serve as matchmaker. Look, Pietro at the beginning has a negative attitude to every girl that he has a crush on. The same was with Anastasia five years ago, remember? I told you. At first they were fighting for everything and later on they ended up in a relationship.
-Yes, probably you are right as always. But what makes you think that he wants to be in relationship? And why you want it so much? - Vision was very emphatic and always tried to help. Especially when it was Wanda who needed help.
-He keeps spending days locked in his room, leaving it to eat or for a training. Sure, he has me, but I can't help him with everything. He needs someone... But you're right. I'll talk to him for the last time and leave it. It's time for him to make decisions on his own - she said after a while. Wanda, though she was actually younger, always took care of Pietro, like a mother. But at this moment, things were a bit different and she had plenty of things to take care of and so did he. - I just hope that he won't ruin this...
So, he left. He left. Why would he leave? - Kat was asking herself not really enjoying her dance. She was so happy when the song ended and ready to finally sit down and rest from being the center of attention.
-Oh, come on Kat! You can't sit all the time. Let's go - she heard Tony's voice. And that's how a calm evening gone wrong. She spent the rest of the night dancing with Tony, Jimm and Sam. And so the party went on and she lost hope to see Pietro again that night.
-Tony, you can't leave now! - Kat heard some screams near the door. She hurried out there to see Tony, ready to leave.
-You were going to leave without a goodbye? - Kat asked, grotesquely making a sad face.
-Shit, I hoped you wouldn't notice - he quipped and they both laughed. - I had a lovely time here, thanks to you, Kat - Tony gave her a hug before leaving. - I'll make sure to pop in here some time or maybe save your ass from time to time.
-Nah, don't bother. Inviting me to your super cool residence would be enough - Kat joked. Tony laughed again and left saying goodbye to everyone once again.
As Kat might have expected, after Tony left the party died. 30 minutes have passed and the 'party room' was almost empty. Surprisingly, Kat was among the ones who stayed. She was having a great conversation with Steve and Sam. Well, Steve only, actually. It seemed that Sam has fallen asleep.
-Hey, I know that I always play the party popper but it's 3AM. I think that it's time for us - Steve interjected.
-I was afraid that you'll never going to say that! - Kat cheered - And by the way, if you didn't notice, this 'party' is just us two.
-Right - Steve looked around the room and his sight rested on Sam. - Should we wake him up?
-Nooo, look at him. He looks so cute - both Kat and Steve giggles - But it would be nice if we took him to his room, though.
-I'll handle this, you go. I can see that you're tired.
-Than you're not mistaken - laughing Kat left the room.
Shutting the door to her room behind her, she fell to her knees with a moan.
-NEVER. AGAIN.
Kat was about to go to sleep but she remembered about one thing. Morning training. She was too scared to take a look on the training schedule, pinned to the wall. She stood in place, calculating how much her would like to end her life if she would have to get up in three hours. She counted to three and...
-OH! God, thank you! I see that you haven't forsaken me yet...- she laughed jumping on the bed. First training - 3:30 PM.
Here's my favorite performance of "La campanella" watch?v=ig-krA_gG7Y . By the way, I have no idea how a human being can play it. This is just crazy :p Hope you enjoyed it, stay tuned, next chapters are coming!
Also, sorry for the weird links, but that's the only way they can be added :/ (I mean the only way I can add them :pp )
