Day 14 - Music

This one had to come at some point. It just had to. Haha.

Because Leonardo playing cembalo/piano/harpsichord/organ is a must, really. Harpsichord here, though, Organ would be too loud and pianos didn't exist back then. Him raging at the thing would also be kind of fun to imagine.

Calloused fingers danced across the ivory keys, before stopping briefly. And then slamming against the instrument in frustration, creating a horribly loud clanging sound. The archer laid his head on the harpsichord with a groan. How was he supposed to play for Micaiah's celebration and the ball afterwards if he was so rusty at this? He should've known not to mention that he used to play. Keyword used to, because it was such a long time ago. Leonardo straightened back up and began once more, slightly slower than the last time.

The war had taken a toll on him, it seemed, especially his former hobbies. And being shoved into a high position of the army had, as well.

would do this, he promised after all.

But still, it was easier said than done. There was no way he would get it perfected before the ball came. Or so he thought.

The melody echoed throughout the otherwise silent chamber, ending in a frustrated keymash again.

This would really take a while.

Just when he decided to drop Leo a surprise visit, he wasn't there. Just great. Edward huffed and kicked a rock as he strolled though the courtyard, where several young soldiers were sparring or loitering around. The trueblade gave them a thumbs-up and mouthed for them to keep going, before approaching one archer (who must've only enrolled a short while ago, but seemed to have learned from Leonardo himself, from the stances he took).

"Hey, do you know where your tutor went?"

"Oh! Are you Sir Edward?"

The brunet's brow furrowed at the title slightly. He wasn't anywhere close to a noble or anything, yet he was being addressed to as if he were one. Didn't he live a completely normal life without formal stress and stuff? Last he checked, he did.

"Uh, yeah, but can you drop the titles? I'm no noble."

The young man's eyes widened as he began apologising profusely. The trueblade waved it off with a laugh.

"Anyways, as I said, can you tell me where Leo- nardo is?" he asked again, tripping over the nickname he usually used for his partner. He doubted the blond would appreciate the students calling him Leo, so...

The young archer fumbled with his bow, avoiding eye contact and mumbled something under his breath, before actually speaking out loud.

"Sir Leonardo wished to have some time to himself for the day, I believe to finish a project for the Queen herself. I'm not quite sure, r-really-"

Edward gave the teen a firm pat on the head with a grin. "Thanks. I'll be off then." The boy froze, then went slack is surprise, only staring after the older brown-haired male in awe. As he was leaving, he could distinctly hear the student running to the others and excitedly talking about the fact that the myrmidon of the Dawn Brigade had just visited. Said trueblade snickered quietly to himself, before going inside. Trainees were just so fun to talk to!

After wandering around the halls of the keep for what seemed like hours (but in reality was just a few minutes at most), he heard the sound of some kind of instrument. And a melody he semi-remembered from his days in the streets of Nevassa. Ah, good times. (Not really.) Curious, he approached the nearest door, to a hall if he remembered correctly. Edward hadn't been here in forever.

Turning the knob slightly, he opened it slightly, almost unnoticeably. The trueblade only got a glimpse of the instrument, a... happywhatsit? Before the music was interrupted by and angry snort and a quiet curse. From a familiar voice, at that.

He threw the door wide open to confirm his suspicions. So apparently this 'project for Micaiah' was making music. Leo was taking a day off for this? The blond didn't look like he noticed the other entering the room and was resting his head against the harpsichord, eyes closed tightly and face contorted into a grimace. It wasn't perfect yet, and that frustrated him to no end.

Edward trotted over to the distressed marksman and put his hand on the latter's shoulder.

"You okay there?" No answer. So, obviously not okay. The blue-eyed male just sighed loudly, bordering a groan.

Then straightened up and began playing again, eyes opening and squinting at his hands. The other just loitered around at his side.

"So, what exactly are you up to?"

A loud clang came from the harpsichord as the marksman slammed his fists against it. His lips were pressed into a thin line.

"My apologies about that. I'm supposed to be playing a piece or two for the upcoming ball that her Majesty has planned for next week."

Wow, stuffy. Edward frowned and leaned over his shoulder to get a better look. then cautiously put a hand out to press down a key. A single 'twang' resounded through the hall.

"Oh, okay. There was a ball for this week?"

"Why are you so surprised- You didn't know?"

"Nah."

"I thought so. You want to come?"

"Yeah, sure. Why not? After all, free food."

Leonardo hummed in response. He could sure use a break at the moment, and Edward seemed to be giving him exactly that. The brunet then popped a question that completely threw the blond off. "Hey, you know any folk songs? Y'know, commoner stuff?"

"Er, perhaps. Are there any in particular that you know?"

The trueblade just shrugged. Well, that helped. "Maybe I can kind of sing along to something?"

"I don't see why not."

The archer once again began playing, his companion quickly catching on to the melody and singing along quite well. No lyrics, however, which the blond found too bad.

At some point, the brunet fell silent, but Leonardo continued playing. A minute later, Edward joined in once more, mumbling lyrics incoherently to himself. Again, he stopped playing for a moment.

"Where did you learn to sing like that?"

"Had to find some way to scrounge money. Street performing, you know?"

"Oh."

Silence passed between the two as the marksman sort of stared at his companion, before standing up and brushing off invisible dust particles from his tunic. "Either way, I believe I've had enough for today." He began walking towards the double doors, when Edward grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Don't stress yourself too much." Leonardo brushed him off with a smile.

"Alright. And are you going to come to the ball or no?"

The trueblade grinned in reply. "Course I am. Gotta watch you play, right?" The other's smile grew a bit more genuine.

"There's still time for you to come over. Are you up for it?"

"Why would I not be?"

And so the two exited together, joking and laughing all the way.