Symphony of a Spirit

Authors note: hey again! Like I said- super excited over this one cos it's been so long! Congrats if you guessed it was inspired by "your lie in April" (only seen the first few episodes, but my sisters already spoiled the whole thing XD sounds good at least) anyways to get a real sense of the story check out snakes your lie in April medley (girl voice Jack, boy voice hiccup- you'll get what I mean ;-D) that's all for now! Enjoy! I'll see you guys tommorow^^ ooh- and please let me know what you think^^

He drummed his fingers across the tops of the false ivory keys laid out before him- dozens of thoughts racing round his head, and not all of them focussed on the motionless black and white bars he stared at helplessly. Without warning, his fingers suddenly stabbed down, flying across the keys in a tangled mess of chords and notes- as if, by aimlessly scattering his nimble hands up and down the same length of piano, he would somehow come up with a miraculous work of composition. His fingers moved with the ease of someone who'd played the instrument their whole life. But, no matter what he did, he just couldn't seem to make any form of music come from the grand piano- decent or otherwise. He sighed, a discordant complaint issuing from the piano as he slammed his elbows into the useless row of colourless bars- burying his face in hands. He groaned his pent up frustration into the little self created cave, letting his hands attempt to drown out the noise.

He stayed there like that for a moment... If nothing else, it hid how close to tears he was from the sheer stress that was laid upon him. It was half seven- the concert started at nine- and he was still yet to even start composing the ten minute piece required for the elite competition (and it was the finals to boot). The winner got a trophy, and a cash prize, but it wasn't that he was interested in. He, like all the other competitors, knew that ambassadors from the top academies all around the country would be attending the concert hall tonight- scouting for the newest talent to let into their prestigious courses.

That was the real prize of the performance. An opportunity to grab one of those scouts attention, and- if they were lucky- earn place at their elite schools. Rumours that had been floating round had everyone particularly excited... and they had recently been confirmed. The biggest, most famous, most successful school of the entire industry- Arendelle Academy- would indeed be sending scouts to attend today's finals. All the best musicians of the last century had come from Arendelle. It was a place where only the best were let in and only the best came out. For Hiccup, attending such an establishment would be nothing short of a dream come true... and now he had his chance.

This concert was his ticket in- this was his shot at success... If only (he slammed his hands in frustration against the unyielding keys, once again drawing another toneless moan from the instrument) he could get this damn piano to work!

This wasn't helping, he thought, trying to gather his thoughts again- he lost track of the amount of times he'd done this over the course of the evening. He bridged his fingers over his nose, and took a few deep breathes. It wasn't like he was a bad player- he was actually pretty good, and he was even a half decent composer given the right inspiration... But, it had to be today. Of all the hundreds of days in the year, it had to be the day that she-. He tried to stop his thoughts there, but it was too late.

His head bowed down as every last dark thought and emotion he'd been trying so hard to hold back assaulted him- and suddenly his head seemed to weigh twice as heavily as it normally did. His heart felt like a hollow stone.

He didn't want to be like this. He never wanted to be one of those people who just couldn't seem to let go of the past. He really did want to be able to say he'd put it behind him... But now, it seemed no matter what he did, he just couldn't stop the flow of bittersweet memories pouring out through the scars in his heart. He wanted to be able to stand tall and say he'd let it go- time had healed the wounds- he was over it... But it had been seven years since she-... since his mother passed away... and still she haunted him as though it had happened yesterday. He'd only been eleven years old, but it looked as though the pain would last a lifetime. He just couldn't seem to let her go. Every time he looked at those monotone keys...

He just hadn't been able to play the same since the day she... left. He could still play. He could go through Mozart and Beethoven without a single flaw or mistake... and yet... it never sounded right to him. The music now was just as colourless to him as the piano keys- as lifeless as it's stiff, wooden legs... and the rhythm was all wrong. It was as if the chords that were supposed to resonate with a musician's heart as they played had nowhere to touch... or maybe they had reached his grief stricken heart, but had no way to shake it out of its depressed stupor.

He considered himself lucky if he managed to compose anything- but tonight, on the anniversary of her death? He stood no chance. Ever since she left, he'd gone deaf to the true beauty of music... He heard it... But it was always just a meaningless mashup of notes and chords- devoid of any feeling or emotion that separated the good music from the great.

He tried to be good- he really did- but every time he touched those keys, all those memories of her just came flooding back, tearing open the sorrow again. Memories of her sat by his side- her patient smile as she guided his hands along the shiny, brand new keys. The piano had almost seemed to have colour back then. He swore the whites had become almost golden in hue- and the blacks had held the blue of the deepest ocean trenches. She just had that kind of effect on everything. She made it bright and colourful- even something as monotone as a piano, she'd still found a way to bring out its colour. That was just the person she was. The most brilliant person ever, to him, and the first and only one to believe in him. His father tried, but he couldn't wrap his head round the delicate, fine art that piano was.

He supposed he did his best to support him, but he could tell he disapproved of his desicion. His dad had been against the piano from the beginning- he wanted his son to choose a much more stable or noble profession. Policing? Even something as simple as store manager. Not a musician. His dad was old fashioned in his ideals. He just couldn't get over the fact that his son wanted to play the dainty instrument that was meant to be reserved for girls. Working hard to bring men to tears through music. Inspiring emotion- the one thing his father was just too stubborn, and too proud, to ever let himself feel. His dad doubted he could make a living from this- his dad didn't believe in him- but his mum had... And she was gone.

His dad would want nothing more than for him to give up and get himself a 'real' job. This concert was a chance to prove it to him. He could do it. He could make it as a musician- and he could make a living off it. Maybe, it would even make him proud if he came home carrying that trophy. But now, of course, when he needed it most, his ability to play just seemed to have abandoned him. He couldn't even play a single note right now.

He took a long breath and drew himself upright once again- placing the tips of his fingers lightly across the keys as he ran through his posture check. Straight back, middle of the stool, feet on the floor, fingers loose and with a slight curve as though he was holding an invisible apple... Okay. He could do this. Everyone had to start somewhere, he reminded himself. He just had to think of something...

think...

Think...

THINK!

He slammed down the cover back over the keys. Useless brain! He thought, as he got up and pushed his feet into some shoes. Shoving his arms into a coat as he wriggling his heels into the worn, black shoes- forcibly ignoring the fancy, new, well polished ones that sat, all shining and black, next to them... Hollow and black- just like the piano. The world of the pianist was a very dark and colourless place, he noticed, closing and locking the front door behind him. His dad was out working late as always. He barely ever saw him home, so he was used to locking up and looking after himself. His dad didn't care whether he went out or not- he could do whatever he wanted so long as he saw himself to bed at an appropriate time.

He just needed a walk, he convinced himself. That was all. He just needed to clear his head a little. Maybe it would help... Although, if he was being honest, he was using any excuse to get away from that old piano at this point. He just couldn't stand her lingering presence there. Some would've took comfort in feeling that their loved ones were still with them- but to him it was just a painful reminder of what never was, and what could've been.

He strode along the path quickly, hands tucked into his pockets as he tried to force his emotions out onto the open, cool air- walking his overly crammed thoughts out onto the pavement with every step. He thought it would help. It didn't seem to be doing anything.

His legs started taking him up towards the park, the only place he ever went outside to. Why did it have to be today? He thought, oblivious to everything around him. The occasional hum of a passing car on the almost silent street. A distant wail of sirens. Ambulance? Or, more likely, the police.

He crossed over the road, a quick glance confirming what the silence already said about the traffic (or lack of it), and wandered straight through the park's entrance. Maybe the trees and the grass would give him some inspiration... Nature did that, right? Maybe it would work... or maybe he could just get lost in the woods so he'd never have to worry about performing again.

The crunch of gravel went quiet as he walked off the laid track. Not that he was going anywhere- he was still followed the grey path, but the noise was just annoying him. He was so lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the strange silver figure at the heart of the park's main attraction.