Stuck in one's musings(Open)

[Sinclair]

Oh, so he just bit his tongue. Nathaniel sighed. He thought it had been something more serious, but he found himself relieved that it was not. It did make Cecil speak funny, though, and it seemed to take him as moment to finally be able to speak properly again.

“Ah, yes we were conversing about the piece ‘Sweeney Todd’. I must say it is a very interesting piece, but also a rather bloody one indeed. You didn’t like performing it? Though my mother is not normally interested in pieces such as ‘Sweeney Todd’ she did like the way you performed it and that means a lot. She would be thrilled to get the opportunity to speak with you one day, if you are interested?” The way Nathaniel saw it his mother liked the theatre as well as its actors more than her own son. She would indeed enjoy having a conversation with Cecil if it was possible. At least she would not have to pretend that she liked the actor, which was the case whenever she was around Nathaniel. He almost laughed at his own pathetic relationship with his mother.

When Cecil mentioned the piano, Nathaniel arched an eyebrow. How does he know that we saw the piano? I don’t recall mentioning it to him. It was possible that he had overheard their conversation from earlier, but the earl did not think that they had spoken loud enough for him to able to do so. He could be wrong of course but since it did not really matter anyway, Nathaniel decided to just ignore it.

Nathaniel chuckled – the first sign of laughter that had come from him the whole day. “I appreciate your offer but I doubt it will be necessary. As stubborn as my uncle might be he will eventually give in. I’ll make sure he does. Nevertheless I will keep your offer in mind, should I ever need it. Thank you.” Nathaniel truly believed it. His uncle would at some point be forced to give in and Nathaniel would not hesitate to crush him if that was what it took. He would do it with pleasure.

“You seem to have a very good relationship with your servants,” Nathaniel stated with a smile on his face. Little did he know how a pained expression seemed to cross his hosts face. But he felt something else. It was like the atmosphere was changing and Cecil’s sudden silence made it clear to him that something was wrong. He turned to his nanny, his face looking like one big question mark.

“I’m not sure how to say this, Young Master, but it appears that the young actor is… crying,” Hannah whispered with a very soft voice, explaining the situation to the young earl. Nathaniel almost opened his eyes as shock suddenly marked his face. He quickly turned towards Cecil. Crying?! He had not expected that and now that it had happened he was unsure how to respond to it. He was not used to see other people cry in front of him. The only ones he could actually remember had done it were his mother and his younger stepsister. In those situations his mother did not want his help or comfort and he was often the source of her tears. Madeleine was easier to handle. She was also a girl and Nathan found it easier to give such a close relative a hug and words of comfort rather than giving them to a stranger and fellow male at that.

Nathaniel had usually been the one crying at home and Cedric had been the one to comfort him in those situations. Ever since he died he had coped with it on his own and he never allowed himself to cry in front of other people. The only exception there had ever been was his nanny – and she was after all the person who had looked after him during all his years in the Sinclair household. He simply could not allow himself to cry. Neither could he allow himself to rise from his chair and give Cecil a comforting hug like Cedric used to do when they were alone. It was simply out of question.

“There is no need to apologize. Go ahead and take your time to get your emotions under control. We are both very sorry if our words have caused this. We can change the subject if you like?” He did not intend to be cold, though his words might have sounded harsh. He had no chance of knowing what sad memories their conversation might have caused to surface and so there was little he could do about it. Nathaniel had said what he had out of respect for the actor in front of him. If Cecil wanted any further help he would have to actually ask for it.

Nathaniel decided to remain silent until Cecil was prepared to talk again. Therefore he just focused on consuming the dinner in front of him. Hannah did not seem satisfied with the way the situation had turned out, but she also knew that the earl could not have acted otherwise. This was the way that he had been raised by his mother.

[Cecil]

Ah his friends yes. A very good direction!

“ Yes they are very important to me. I guess that’s why er have such a good relationship. To be honest we’ve all saved each other many times so… Its kind of complicated to explain at times. Just know that he always look out for one another.” Cecil said as he picked up his fork and began eating once more.

He was still kind of mad that he had broken character! That had never happened in front of people he didn’t fully know yet!

‘I think she’s still here, trying to tell me something.’ Cecil thought as he shivered at the slight silence.

Okay… It had never been that quiet in here. Ever. He put on a thinking face and thought about what to do… He switched over to “mischievous guy”. He smiled wider and this one almost shut his eyes.

“So Hannah how long have you been working as Nathaniel’s maid? I bet its fun. You get cute Nathaniel to hang around with all day!” Cecil said as he tried to probe a reaction from him.

Had his friends been in here, they would have been laughing. He always pulled this one. He was trying to see if Nathaniel could take a joke. He snickered a little. He looked towards Nathaniel, not even waiting for Hannah’s reaction.

“ And you Niel, are you always with Hannah? I understand though. A good looking boy like you is a sweet catch for those who run a black market.” HE said.

His face might have rivaled that of a fox because inside, he was cracking up! He thought for sure he was going to go into a fit of seizures! Hopefully he didn’t die. He didn’t want a repeat of “Sweeny Todd”.

[Sinclair]

(OOC: had Cecil’s friends been in there laughing, Nathan would have committed murder^^)

Nathaniel had been sitting quietly enjoying his meal without paying any attention to Cecil just like he had said he would. He had finished half of the spicy curry just like he had wanted to and now thankfully allowed himself to start finishing half of the sweet curry. Nathan’s mouth was burning from the hot spices but his pride prevented him from emptying the cider in one swallow, as he did not intend to show how much he was struggling with the spicy flavor. The meal had made him aware of why he disliked spicy food – it just made it that much more difficult for him to keep his cool. His cheeks felt hot and had become slightly rosy, yet another disadvantage from eating spicy food.

When Cecil first started speaking to Hannah, Nathaniel did not pay much attention to his words. He was not the one being spoken to so alas he just continued consuming his meal with a calm expression on his face. That was until Cecil mentioned the word cute. Nathaniel suddenly froze to the spot, stopping all movement at once. His face was still as calm as ever, yet on the inside he felt as though he had been struck by lightning. Cute? His right eyebrow twitched. He was not sure if he had heard right. Or more correctly he did not want to believe what he had just heard.

“Ah, umm, you see…”

The rather confused nanny started speaking, but stopped as soon as she saw Nathaniel’s raised left hand. He wanted to hear what Cecil had to say to the end without any disturbances from her side. She understood as much but was becoming more and more nervous by each passing second which clearly showed on her face. While Cecil continued speaking Nathaniel carefully and very slowly put his cutlery down as if was made of porcelain and would break by even the slightest touch of the table’s surface. He pushed his plates aside still very carefully and slowly as if he had all the time in the world. Finally he placed his two delicate hands on the table, folding them as he lifted his head to look at Cecil with his closed crimson eyes, giving the young actor his unconditional attention. His eyelids were trembling from all the activity going on behind them. Though his face looked absolutely expressionless his eyes would clearly have shown the simmering anger within him. Cecil had crossed the fine border between what Nathaniel could accept as a joke from an acquaintance and what he simply saw as an insult from someone who intended to make fun of him. In short Cecil had unknowingly chosen a very sore subject.

Had Nathaniel been able to see Cecil’s face, he might have been able to realize that what the actor had said was really nothing more than a joke. But even if it was just a joke Nathaniel could not let it pass that easily and neither did he intend to do so. He had tried to be kind to Cecil before when he had his emotional moment and this was how he had chosen to thank him?! What the actor had said was downright rude and Nathaniel was not going to put up with it. He neither could nor did he want to. As he finally spoke a smile crossed his beautiful lips, though it was of the kind that would send shivers down the spines of most people.

“Oh, I’m sure they would be delighted to have someone as gorgeous as me added to their collection. But I am afraid that you have misunderstood something, Mr. Actor. I am not your friend neither do you have my permission to call me whatever you want. You will address me as Young Master, Earl, Mr. Sinclair, Lord Callahan or Nathaniel. If you ask me nicely I might give you permission to call me Nathan, but as the situation is right now that is very unlikely.” Nathaniel spoke with a velvet voice that carried with it a coldness that could literally freeze to the marrow, making it clear that his tolerance had its limit and that Cecil was dangerously close to reach it. Nathaniel bended slightly closer to Cecil. “Have I made myself clear?”

After finishing the sentence the earl leaned back once again. “To answer your question then yes I do need to have someone to look after me twenty-four-seven and though Hannah is certainly the one who is with me most of the time, then that it is not always the case.”

[Cecil]

Cecil watched as Nathaniel had gotten angry. He was only playing around. His smile widened more.

‘I meant no harm Young Master. I play that game with those whom I consider friends. Its also a way to tell your personality.’ Cecil thought as his smiled almost split his face in two.

As an actor, he had to change up his voice and use different emotions. Anger, he learned, was the best way to test someone’s personality. Right now, he was guessing that Nathaniel was very insecure when it came to certain things. He didn’t like to be called cute… Then again, what guy would? Wait, he would.

“ Listen Young Master, I meant no harm. You see, It’s a way to see your true nature in a way. I pulled that with Clyde the most, it took a while to break him. Its an acting exercise my mother used. It really works, especially when you want to get in character. I’m very sorry if I offended you.” Cecil said using his ‘Caring guy’s ‘voice.

After that, he laughed. He just couldn’t help it! It was just funny to see his reaction! His eyes were almost tearing up! He cleared his throat, a few laughs still getting out. AT his next sentence, his eyebrows shot up.

“Oh, so Hannah is to you what Clyde is to me? Clyde’s like the father in this house. Even though I own it, he’s like to head.” Cecil smiled. “ That and he was my first friend. I’d say that was about… Oh I don’t know… a good eleven years we’ve been buddies with each other?” Cecil said as he smiled even wider.

Something struck him. When he had broken out of character, Nathaniel had tried his best to make him feel better by paying attention to him. He guessed that was the wrong time to do his game. Great… He just had a guilt trip. That sucked. Now he felt bad. Everyone would be laughing at him if they knew he felt that way. “CC?” They’d say. “ You feel GUILTY?!” They’d ask. “ It’s the end of the world!” They’d joke. But it would probably be true. Though, that game was…

“ Its tradition for me. I’m sorry once more,” he stood up and bowed, a hand on his chest, “ I beg your forgiveness Young Master.” Cecil said, his body in ‘servant’ mode.

He really didn’t mean for Nathaniel to get mad at him. It was all in fun and games.

[Sinclair]

For good reasons Nathan had no idea what expressions went across Cecil’s face, but he did manage to figure out a great deal just by the sound of his voice. Though Cecil might have honestly tried to make up with Nathan, his words somehow only added more fuel to the already burning fire within him.

“Are you implying that you have broken me?” Nathaniel definitely did not like the sound of that. He knew what it meant to be broken and to break someone and this was not what he would consider breaking. Still just being accused of being broken was enough to worsen his already foul mood. Nevertheless Cecil’s apology managed to calm down the earl just a bit and he had even planned to act sophisticated and accept the apology. That was right until Cecil started to laugh. Not a very wise move to pull if you wanted someone to forgive you.

“Oh, so that’s what you call it? Acting rude and then trying to cover everything up by calling it a simple game? Well, I’m glad that you had a very good time but I’m afraid that you have failed as a host.” Nathaniel said, his with a sharp tone in his voice. That was it. Cecil had just managed to add himself to Nathaniel’s list of people that he had to take revenge on, and it was not going to be pretty. Coming up with this solution somehow seemed to calm Nathaniel a great deal and a ‘normal’ friendly smile spread across his lips as he listened to the actor’s words, though his voice still carried with it a certain degree of coldness.

“Well, that’s really good for you, having such close friends around you all the time. It must be very comfortable for you.” Nathan could not have cared less. For the time being he was only interested in scheming and his brain was already working at full stretch with the various ideas that were forming in his head.

The earl listened to Cecil’s second apology, but as sincere as it might have sounded it was becoming very difficult for Nathaniel to believe in it. Needless to say, Cecil was gradually starting to lose the small amount of trust that he had managed to gain.

“I accept you apology.” But it doesn’t mean that I forgive you!! “Now the food is getting cold and I’m afraid that I have lost my appetite. Shall we move to somewhere else or perhaps you have not yet finished eating?” As calm as he might have sounded, Nathaniel was still pissed and would probably remain so for a while unless something unexpected happened.

[Cecil]

Cecil heard Nathaniel’s comment. He stood straight up and smiled. He had forgiven him hunh?

“I didn’t mean to imply that I have ‘broken’ you Young Master… Its… Well… I can’t explain it… Clyde can though. He was the one who had told me. ‘Broken’ was the only word her could come up with a the moment of that time.” Cecil said as began to take up the plates.

He took then all to the kitchen and put the left-overs in bags. He couldn’t bare the thought of just throwing away food. This reminded him how he’d survive nights on the streets. He had to dig in garbage to eat. You’d be surprised what some people threw away. He ate pretty good for an orphan. He wrapped it up and put it outside. One of his friends would get it and take it to the kids in town. HE was actually generous wasn’t he? He shook his head and went back out.

“Now then…Even though it make not look like so, this house has many ways to entertain one’s self…” He looked at the clock, “ Ah, Its that time already?” He asked him self.

It was the twin’s set time for him to play the piano. He smiled and walked over to the door, holding it open for Hannah and Nathaniel to go through.

“If you will? I have to play a piece for the twins.” He said.

'Now which piece shall I play? A sad one? A happy one? One that will tell a story? Oh well, they always pick any way.’ Cecil thought as he went to the Piano, propping the door open.

He didn’t have too much time to wait, they would be there before he would… Crap… They beat him. In fact, everyone had beaten him. He sat at piano and lifted the covering.

“CC, why don’t you sing this time too?” Clyde asked.

“Why so you can laugh?”

“Yes, we all need a good laugh… I’m joking. But it would be nice to hear a song this time.” Clyde said.

“Yes…” Said Jay.

“Preferably…” May said.

“One that you made.” They said.

Cecil for the first time that night rolled his eyes. Honestly. What was this a piano recital? He sighed and began to play one of his many melodies.

Day to night, Dark to light
Fall the sands of time
Let the years
Like the gears
Of a clock unwind
In your mind
Walk through time
Back to better days
Memories like a dream
Wash your tears away
Like a star in the sky
Darkness can’t reach you
Light the night
Joy is bright til the new dawn
Cast away your old face
Full of glum and spite
With this song I’ll ask
To borrow your light~


When he was done, he looked at everyone to see that they had big
Anime eyes. He sweat dropped. Oh boy…

“That was awesome CC!” Flandre said.

“Yes it was!” Ron said.

“We liked that one.” Both twins said.

“I didn’t think you had it in you CC.” Clyde said.

If you look deeper into the song, you could pick up bits and pieces Of Cecil’s life.

‘The only reason I know that is because I witnessed it.’ Clyde thought.

“Yeah. Yeah. Don’t have a cow. It was only a song… Any more?” Cecil asked.

(OOC: If you're wondering, It goes it The song of Healing form Majora's mask... Sorry I'm a Zelda fan~)

[Sinclair]

Nathan listened to Cecil’s footsteps and his clattering with the dishes as he went around the table to collect the plates. The sound of his footsteps became lower when he went out into the kitchen with the plates and Nathaniel faintly heard him rummaging around out there. Hannah was about to rise from the chair and go out and help him but the young earl stopped her by placing his hand on her arm. When Cecil finally returned they both rose from their chairs and Nathaniel let Hannah guide him as Cecil showed them the way to the living room where the piano was. As Clyde had taken Nathaniel’s cane, the young noble walked with his left hand under Hannah’s arm and with his right hand on the wall. By keeping a hand on the wall it would help him to find his way around the house later if needed.

Nathaniel had been thinking that one of the best ways to get his revenge on Cecil would be to destroy his acting career. It was of course going a bit far just because of a prank, but Nathaniel liked to make sure that something like it would never happen again and setting examples was a good way of doing that. There was just one major problem with this plan – his mother. She would be absolutely furious if her beloved actor was to be harmed, and that would definitely not help their already bad relationship. He could of course just ignore it as it was close to impossible to make her like him anyway, but something still made him hesitate. He had to see if there was not something that he could do to take his revenge. Something that would not make his mother hate him – well at least not more than she already did.

Nathaniel barely paid any attention to the small chit chatting that was going on between Cecil and his servants, as Hannah lead him to one of the armchairs in living room. It was big and very soft and as he sat down he could feel how he sank deep into the cushions. A very good chair indeed. He leaned back, crossed his legs and folded his hands in his lap ready to listen to whatever Cecil decided to play. His plans for revenge would have to wait till later to be thought out thoroughly. Now it was time to listen and if there was something that Nathaniel enjoyed, it would be the sound of the piano. His anger was slowly replaced with curiosity. What kind of song would Cecil play? How did he play the piano? Was he any good at it? Was he better than him? Nathaniel would surely like to know.

It turned out that Cecil had been talked into singing as well while he played the piano. Well, that was surely something that he would be able to do better than Nathaniel. He had always been a lost case when it came to singing and he had never really enjoyed doing it either. In order not to embarrass the name of the Sinclair household he had therefore decided to stay away from singing entirely. But he still liked to hear other people sing especially if they were any good at it.

Then Cecil started to sing and Nathaniel emptied his mind, letting the sounds from the piano and the actor’s voice fill him. He closed his mind off from the people around him, engulfing himself entirely in the magic of the piano. Light tones spread from the piano and out in the living room as a simple melody took form under Cecil’s hands. Simple, but nonetheless a very fine piece indeed. It was calm and had this soothing sound to it that caused Nathaniel to sink even deeper into the armchair as he completely relaxed his body. He was not even aware of how close he was to fall asleep – music simply had that magical effect on him. He had never been properly allowed to see the beauties of the world. But he very much enjoyed exploring the beauties of its sounds. Then slowly but gradually the earls head started sinking to the side as he entered a state between reality and dream. The music did not bore him. He liked it. The song sad as the lyrics might have sounded also carried with it hope. Though it was the kind of hope that never seemed to occupy Nathaniel’s mind it still managed to reach his heart, which at all other times was closed behind a huge wall of self-awareness.

The song ended, but not in Nathaniel’s mind. It was still repeating over and over, however, the tones were getting softer by the minute. He did not seem to notice the sound of the voices from the servants as they praised Cecil’s playing. Though the others had not yet noticed how absent Nathaniel was in his mind, Hannah fortunately had. She had been standing next to his chair the entire time and now bended down to whisper in his ear.

“Young Master?” There was no reaction from Nathaniel’s side and it did indeed look as if he had really fallen asleep. The old nanny lifted a wrinkled hand and gently placed it in front of the earl’s eyes as a shield. Then she whispered again.

“Nathan?” The earl’s eyes flashed open and had it not been for Hannah’s hand, his crimson eyes would have been fully visible to the people around them. Seeing Hannah’s hand in front of his eyes, Nathaniel quickly closed them once again. Cecil’s playing might not have been perfect but his singing had clearly made up for it. Nathaniel was actually impressed which did not happen often when it came to music. His own playing was probably better than the actor’s but the sound of his voice was clearly not and would most likely never be. The earl lifted his head and turned it towards the actor at the piano.

“Why don’t you play another piece? Maybe one of your own creations once again?” Nathaniel had no idea what kind of music Cecil was used to play and would therefore not go as far as to ask him to play one of the more complicated pieces that he knew. He did not want to embarrass the actor – a drastic change from his attitude just a few minutes earlier. Once again the effect of music.

[Cecil]

Cecil looked around, searching for something to play. It seemed as though he was lost. He looked towards Clyde and saw him wave. That was Clyde, he always waved Cecil away when he had needed him. He sighed.

‘Some friend.’ Cecil thought as he ran his fingers lightly across the keys.

He struck one and listened to it. That was a rare one to be played by him. He set his fingers once more and began to play.

This mask, This mak
This beautiful mask
It hides the real me
From your eyes to see
Me, its me
No it’s the mask
It deceives
It lies
It cries
It smiles
I smirks
Sometimes I wonder
Who’s in control
Me or this mask?
Please help me to be free
Help please help
Break my mask
Let me show you the real me
I do not deceive
I do not lie
I am not you enemy
Friend oh friend please help me
Break this mask and set me free
I shall be
Not your enemy
But your aid
Your cane
Your guard
This mask?
Or me?
Which do you see?

Cecil ended the song once more, looking at his friends… Yes he considered Nathaniel a friend, until he hurt him that was. The room was silent, well his friends were silent for a while…

“Ceil-san, do the other song!” Jay said.

“Yes the other!” May said.

“Path!” They both said.

Cecil smiled. That song had gotten him a little too well hunh? But Path? That was his Mother’s song! He looked towards the Twins. Maybe they had noticed that the song seemed to calm him down.

Even if you embraced me to the limit of suffering
We’d never be able to become one
And at a place deeper than kindness
Touching each other is only pain
Please tie us together
We won’t dream anymore
While you hesitate, I take your hand
And start walking
In the direction of the cruel daybreak
The real words are surely
Somewhere in the real world
Lurking
In our silent night
Surely, even now
Until we exchanged a kiss, I didn’t know
That we met so that we would know loneliness
Nevertheless, please support my heart
That’s trembling in joy now
From having been able to meet you
We won’t dream anymore
We won’t flee to the warm place
Surely we’ll overcome
The cruel daybreak
In the silence of having given up
Surely I’ll search out
The real words
For the sake of loving and hurting each other
Surely, someday
Even if you embraced me to the limit of suffering
We’d never be able to become one
And the cold stars before daybreak
Please shine upon us
As we go down our own road

Cecil’s hands almost, but not quiet, slipped off the keys as he played the last note. The first and last song he had ever written with his mother. But it had done its job and made him relax a little bit.

“Cecil, you okay?” Clyde asked.

“Yeah fine never better! Now does anyone want another song?” Cecil asked.

The twins looked at each other and nodded after a moment’s time.

“Though, Let’s let Nathaniel give us a suggestion once more. He is the guest, ne?” Cecil said as he smiled in Nathaniel’s direction.

[Sinclair]

Nathaniel sunk back in the chair as soon as he heard the first tones from the piano, preparing to enjoy himself once again. As the song started he tapped the fingers of his right hand on his knee as if he was actually the one playing. He used small movements and doubted that anyone noticed it, as they were too engrossed in listening to Cecil’s playing just like he had been and was starting to be as well. As the lyrics went on Nathaniel’s forehead wrinkled and he stopped his tapping. The song about a mask. It pretty much seemed as if it was supposed to be a song about Cecil’s life and as the song continued, Nathaniel could not help but feel as if the song was dedicated to him. The mask that Cecil mentioned fit very well with the masks of an actor. Actors had many roles to play and each of the roles carried with them their own specific mask. Had Cecil been acting for so long that he no longer knew which was the real him? Had his personality been mixed up with the personalities of the roles that he played? Had Nathaniel known Cecil before he had actually started acting, he might have been able to tell but now as a stranger he could only guess. Either way Nathaniel found it unprofessional for an actor to not be able to tell his roles and his own personality apart no matter what the reason was. Everybody wore masks from time to time to create their ‘appearance’ – the way they wanted to be seen by the rest of the world. This ‘mask’ would change according to the situation, but people would still always know that they were wearing a mask. Nathaniel would.

According to the song, Cecil wanted to break free from the mask and show the world the real Cecil. But he needed help to do that. Was this song a cry for help? The wrinkles on Nathaniel’s forehead got even deeper. If this song was really about Cecil it revealed quite a lot about him, and Nathaniel found this to be another reason why he personally always stayed away from singing. He already revealed enough by playing the piano but to make your feelings this obvious by singing was simply a not an option. Nathaniel could not help but wonder if Cecil had made up the song on the spot as a way to once again ask for Nathaniel’s forgiveness – as if the song was supposed to explain his actions. It was especially the lines ‘not your enemy’ and ‘your cane’ that made him think like this.

As the song ended with the rhetorical question, silence struck the room. Cecil’s friends did not seem like they knew how to respond to it. Which do I see? A mask that is slowly crumbling before me it seems, the young earl thought, but refrained from speaking his answer out loud.

“Yet another interesting song,” Nathaniel said and was then cut off by the twins, who wanted to hear another one.

The next song was something entirely different. It was as if it carried with it another atmosphere. Nathaniel could hear it in the way Cecil was playing the piano as well as in the sound of his voice. It felt as though the song was affecting Cecil in a whole other way than the previous songs had. Cecil’s small and barely noticeable mess-up in the end only further added to this theory. Had Nathaniel not been trained in using the piano as much as he had he probably would not have noticed it. Instead of actually request another song, the young earl decided to ask a question.

“Is there a story or perhaps an explanation behind that song?” The question could have been personal, but it was Cecil’s own choice whether he wanted to answer it or not.

[Cecil]

Before the twins could speak, Nathaniel’s voice crossed his ears. Was the song a story or perhaps something between the lines? Cecil thought about it for a while.

“It was a song both my mother and I wrote. It had some elements of a story, but at the same time, it does not, but had an explanation.” Cecil thought as he rewound the song in his head.

The first five lines… Those were his mother’s.

“Lines one through five were… are, mother’s. It was when she first met Father, she couldn’t be with him for a while. Her career wouldn’t allow it. It was like they could never get a second together, they would always be snatched apart. She’d cry for hours on end though.” Cecil said as his head cocked to the side.

Were all women so dramatic? His mom was an actor so she had an excuse. No one else did.

“The next eight lines are mine. They were for my first crush. She was a cute one or sure. She was a noble though, “Cecil said.

He was not going to say that he was once one also.

“Her father didn’t like me so… There are the lyrics. We always thought that one day we could marry, but she was betrothed. I couldn’t do anything about it.” Cecil said.

His eyes closed even more as he thought of the song once more.

‘Cecil…You’re actually telling him? You’ve never explained that song. You’re softening up. Maybe your mask is starting to crumble, just maybe.’ Clyde thought as he looked at Cecil’s expressions.

They were kind of all over the place.

“The rest of the lines were both of us combined. We both wanted to be with them so badly. Maybe a ray of hope to help us get away from the abyss that was separating us. Just maybe. But in the end, only one of use got our loved one. My Mother. I’m happy for her. So the last few lines are more myself then her. I’m still wondering in the abyss trying to find a path that I can take.” Cecil said.

Each of his friends eyes were wide eyed and staring at him. He had just told Nathaniel about his Mother! He had mentioned a little of his life! The world was surely coming to an end now! They all looked back at Nathaniel. How could he do what took them months in just a few minutes?!

“H-H-H-how about you just play a song? Not sing… maybe ‘Lost woods” or..” Clyde stopped.

‘Crap. Lost woods leads to song of storms and the Song of storms leads into…’

“Great Fairy fountain!” Jay and May said, their childish side now out.

They had learned that this way, was the best way to distract Cecil after he’d explained some part of his past.

Clyde fell out of his chair as did Cecil. Really?

“Its for higher toned people though. There is no way Cecil can reach that high!” Clyde said.

“Fine…”

“Then..”

“Do Song of storms.”

Cecil jumped. Ah oh. Clyde had gotten them angry.

“Maa,maa. Why don’t you two do the lyrics you-“

“No, we want yours!”
He sweat dropped.

“Okay, okay… Na- I mean Young Master, would like a particular song after this? Please think on it while this one is playing.” Cecil said as he positioned his fingers once more.

Calm down
Listen to
This song
Come right here
Sit right there
Listen to this sadly song
Now you will know bits of past
My love did not last
I do not want this past
It washes my smile away
With friends like mine
Who would want a past
They help you leap when
The distance is vast
They make me think twice
Shall I roll this dice
Of fate
Shall I hate
Love
Despise
Care for
They calm the storm
With in my body
Soothe it
The eye of my hurricane
Are my friends
The outside destruction
My enemies
Which will you be
My destruction
Or my eye
In this Song of Storms?

Cecil stopped once more. He flexed his fingers. How did he do this when he was younger? He looked at the twins and saw that they were close to falling asleep. That was good. It was pass their bedtime anyway! Clyde clapped.


“Brava!” He said.

Cecil’s eye twitched.

“Brava is for girls! Bravo is for guys!” Cecil said.

“I know.”

Cecil’s eye twitched once more. Was Clyde saying he was a girl?!

‘He’d better sleep with an eye open tonight.'Cecil thought.

‘I think I’d better not go to bed tonight.’ Clyde thought as he saw the look on Ceil’s face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(OOC: I don't know what's up with me. I'm writing songs like there's no tomorrow... Oh and I'm srry once more. I had a lot of things to do.)

[Sinclair]

(OOC: No, no! Don't worry about it! I mean I haven't even waited a week for a post yet, so I have no right to complain at all^^ About the lyrics I was actually about to ask if you wrote them yourself. I think they fit Cecil really well )

Nathaniel sat quietly listening to Cecil’s explanation, being amazed how much Cecil actually told him. He sounded very honest about it as well, but it could just be the actor speaking. ’Path’ was a song that Cecil had written together with his mother, combining both of their life experiences. Singing did indeed tell you too much about yourself. Nathaniel arched an eyebrow. He spoke in past tense and then changed his mind? It did not take long for Nathaniel to put two and two together.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said and bowed his head slightly, just enough to cause fine locks of raven black hair to fall down in front of his face.

The story went on. Now it was no longer Cecil’s mother who had a problematic love life but Cecil as well. Nathaniel thought that it could not be helped. He clearly understood how the girl’s father would have second thoughts of allowing his daughter to get married to an actor. Nathaniel would most likely have felt the same way had he been in her father’s shoes. He definitely did not plan to let his stepsister, Madeleine, be married to just anybody. Her happiness was of course important but so was the name of the Sinclair household. Keeping up a good appearance might hurt but she would have to learn to cope with it just like he had. He would be willing to teach her how to do it. Nathaniel’s hands clenched just by the thought of it. Yes, he would definitely teach her if it was necessary.

Cecil finished his story and seemed to have gotten into a bad mood after telling it. Nathaniel felt how some of his own gentle side started to shine through and a cheerful smile spread across his face. “You should be happy for your mother. Had she not met your father, you would never have been born. This very fact makes you eternally indebted to your parents, just like I am to mine. And stop being such a pessimist. There are more flowers out there waiting to be picked by a charming young man such as yourself. Besides, if you are still regretting what happened you can only really blame yourself for not fighting hard enough to get what you wanted. Maybe you just did not want it enough?”

Nathaniel finished speaking and his smile had still not faded. Cecil had actually handed Nathaniel the perfect way to hurt him and had probably not even realized it. Fortunately for him the young earl had deliberately decided not to take advantage of this – or well not yet. Somehow Cecil’s servants did not seem to like the way the conversation was going and Nathaniel heard how they desperately tried to change the subject. Another song was coming up. Nathaniel’s smile turned into a smirk. The next song was not exactly a happy one either and Nathaniel found it amusing how Clyde had managed to make the situation worse for Cecil. So clueless. He even chuckled at their small argument following the song.

Nathaniel straightened his back and folded his hands on his knee. “Hmm… why don’t I play a piece for you? Or I can accompany you on the piano instead if you like, Cecil?”

[Cecil]

He smiled. Another soul sorry fro his parents’ deaths. He was though, eternally grateful to them. Nathaniel was correct, without them, he would not have been there at that moment. Though he noticed an undertone somewhere in Nathaniel’s voice. Had he not heard it before? It reminded him of that Chinese merchant he met at one point. Cunning, but secretive about it, ne?

“CC, let him play! Play with him!” Flandre said.

Cecil smiled and nodded. He got up and walked over to Nathaniel.

“Yes, please accompany me on it Young Master.” Cecil said as he guided Nathaniel to the piano.

He sat Nathaniel so that he was on the medium high half of the piano and that he(Cecil) was at the medium low half of it. He could never play all of those high notes.

“Young Master, you are on the left of the piano, I’m on the right, Is that suitable for you?” Cecil asked.

‘Careful now CC, don’t over do it.’ Clyde thought as he saw a slight change in Cecil’s character.

He was breaking it! Clyde could tell that everyone else was as worried as he was. This had never happened. Why did he trust Nathaniel so?

‘I don’t know, but if something bad happens to Cecil, I’m blaming it on Nathaniel until he had proven that he was in no way-‘

“Clyde, stop thinking bad things about Nathaniel. Its bad luck.” Cecil said.

Clyde’s mouth flew open. Cecil could guess what he was thinking just from looking at his face.

“Che, Darn actor’s.” Clyde mumbled under his breath.

“ I heard that.” Cecil replied back as he looked Clyde in the eye,

Clyde sighed. This was one thing he hated about actor’s. They could read people’s face so well. But they take forever perfecting their own for the stage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(OOC: Sorry its short. my muse bunny hopped off somewhere, but I'll catch it... I hope.)

[Sinclair]

(OOC: if Nathaniel is playing the high nodes, shouldn’t he be on the right side of the piano?)

Nathaniel took Cecil’s hand and allowed the young actor to guide him to the piano. Behind him Hannah was growing a pair of big sparkling eyes that followed the both of them carefully. She had always liked Nathaniel’s playing and was excited to see what would happen when the two of them combined their skills. He held out a hand as he tried to find the seat and sat down, striking a few keys in order to get a feel of the piano.

“Yes, I’m fine with either.”

He felt the surface of the glossy keys. Though they had been used often they were also well kept. He could not feel any dirt on them, which could easily have been the case as the contact with human skin always left something behind not matter how clean the hands were. The piano also had a very good sound to it. He knew this already from when he had heard Cecil play earlier. Now he would have the chance to try it out himself, which he had been itching to during all three of the actor’s songs.

He had not been paying much attention to his surroundings as he studied the qualities of the piano, but Cecil’s words to Clyde suddenly caught his attention and he turned his head towards the servant. He held back a smirk. So this Clyde was thinking ill of him? That meant he was not as stupid as Nathaniel would have expected any other ignorant servant to be. Nathaniel had after all been planning to hurt Cecil one way or another. Seems like I have to be careful of this one.

Nathaniel once again turned towards the piano, deciding to ignore the conversation between Cecil and Clyde. Cecil had already defended him, so he saw no need to go ahead and do the same. When he thought about it, backstabbing Cecil after learning all of his secrets and gaining his trust would definitely be a good way to crush the young actor.

“So Cecil, what do you want to play? We can play one of the songs you have already played once? I think I have an idea of how to do them,” the young nobleman said, turning his head towards the actor as he spoke and waited for his reply.

(OOC: okay, this is a very short post as well and there is really not that much to respond to. Sorry^^; )

[Cecil]

(OOC: Sorry It was my fault. T.T*Cries* I can't find Cecil's profile! *Feels like an epic failure...*)

Cecil watched as Nathaniel ran his fingers across the keys’ surface. Maybe he was surprised that they were still in tact or still had that glossy feel about them. They should! HE made sure it was dusted and polished everyday. He even tuned it himself. At first glance, it may look as though he couldn’t even use his hands for something other than carrying someone or acting. That was a muse in it self. He was actually more capable of other things.

‘ But it takes forever to tune this thing~. I’m surprised I have the patience for it.’ Cecil thought as he hear Nathaniel speak to him.

They could indeed play a song he had once played couldn’t they? Cecil thought about it for a second. This Mask wouldn’t do, he just couldn’t see Nathaniel playing it. Song of storms would not do either… Well it could. Path… It’s an opinion… Them that basically left…

“How about the song of healing? It’s simple and will get you accustomed to the keys.” Cecil said.

“Sure, don’t ask what we think.” Clyde said sarcastically.

“ I wasn’t… Ready Young Master?” Cecil thought before he played his half, his other hand itching to play Nathaniel’s half.

This was weird. He hadn’t played like this in a while. He wanted to know if Nathaniel learned bits of the lyrics though.

“ How about you try the lyrics also Young Master. It would be fun and it may make the song better, no?” Cecil said his smile widening.

Day to night, Dark to light
Fall the sands of time
Let the years
Like the gears
Of a clock unwind
In your mind
Walk through time
Back to better days
Memories like a dream
Wash your tears away

Cecil played it slowly at first, letting Nathaniel get the jest of the keys and the song’s flow.

[Sinclair]

Nathaniel pondered over Cecil’s suggestion for a while. As far as he remembered the Song of Healing was the easiest one of the three pieces. It was also the one that had nearly caused him to fall asleep. He could still feel the soothing melody in his body and felt how his fingers longed to play exactly this piece. Gradually the notes were taking form in his head and he started considering various possibilities for how he could change and add to the melody without changing its essence.

“The Song of Healing was the first piece you played, right? That one will do just fine,” the young earl said, a smile forming on his lips. In truth Nathaniel would probably have been able to play the other melodies as well and with ease. The way he had learned to play the piano was by listening to other people’s playing as he could not just read the score himself. Over time it had made him quite the expert in copying other’s playing – the real challenge was to make the pieces his own. This particular song did not provide much of a challenge but it gave him some opportunities to experiment and test his own abilities. He knew that Cecil had suggested it exactly because it was easy, and he did not hold any grudge against him for it. He would most likely have done the same if he had been in his shoes.

When Cecil suggested that Nathaniel joined the singing as well, however, the young earl’s right eyebrow started to twitch. “Ah, I apologize but I don’t sing – I will let you handle that part.” No, he definitely did not sing no matter what the circumstances were. He was especially stubborn about exactly this topic, and no matter what Cecil would say he would not do it. Not even if he got down on his knees to beg him.

Nathaniel let Cecil start of by playing the first few notes before he joined in, starting to play the new song that he had spend his time forming in his head. He let Cecil play the basic for the song, the actual melody, while he added another voice to the piano that responded to the sound of the first. He had not made any drastic changes out of respect for the one who had written it but it was still enough to make the difference obvious. Nathaniel’s fingers was were literally dancing over the keys as his skilled hands started to perform the magic that had made people call him a genius in the first place. Hannah had a reason for thinking so highly of her master’s playing – a very good one indeed.

As they both continued playing the music from the piano gave of the feeling that a duet was being played, and that was exactly Nathaniel’s intention. His own playing was a respond to Cecil’s and it was as if you could actually hear two people singing together in perfect harmony. Had Nathaniel actually been singing it would have been perfect, but in his own opinion he would just end up ruining the song. Singing was definitely not his forte.