recolle | [OPEN] Harp playing

[OPEN] Harp playing

WHO: Snake/Light and you!
WHERE: College campus courtyard
WHEN: Mid to end of October
WHAT: Snake playing the harp outside like the overachiever he is
WARNINGS: n/a

[Trying to deal with nightmares and a continual lack of decent sleep is beginning to have their toll on Snake. Why did a car keep trying to chase him? What did it want?

He has papers to write, but he's finding that the continued problems are forcing him to turn to music to cope. So you might find one blind gentleman playing a large harp on the college campus when the weather allows. He's actually quite good, ranging from classical pieces to what sounds like his attempts to play modern music. As much as one can do with a harp, anyway.

He does seem to take requests, as some curious onlookers are doing. Are you one of them? Or are you just curious how someone who can't even see can play a harp?]

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[The prospect of walking to a cafe together seemed a little too much like a date, so Kouhei suggested that they meet up there. Nice and easy.... or so he thought, but now that he's here and waiting for Light to arrive, he's beginning to wonder if this doesn't seem more like a date. Seriously, there's nothing wrong with wanting to eat cake with a friend! Even if it's the first time he's done something like this.... Here's to hoping he doesn't make it awkward.

When Light does turn the nearest street corner (how does he always find places like this so easily on his own?), Kouhei approaches him a little apprehensively, calling out to him in the hopes of not startling him too badly.]

Hey.... It's me. You got here okay?

....Are you sure you didn't have anything planned today? [As if he hasn't already asked three times already. It's far too late to ask now, considering that Light is already here, but Kouhei can't help himself.]

[Light has memorized a lot of the streets and what goes where, even without applications to help him along. An application cannot replace his own instinct to find things, just aid him a bit.

His default expression is usually one of polite boredom, but as soon as he hears Kouhei's voice, his expression changes. He is all gentle smile.]

I made sure to take care of all my important coursework before coming here so I'd have nothing to disturb our time together.

As long as you're positive, I'm happy to hear it.

[Light may not be able to see the timid smile that graces Kouhei's face in return, but it's likely audible in his tone. Right, this is fine.... this is totally fine. He knows how to be social! It's just putting it into practice that's a challenge.]

It's probably easier to get here when you don't have to drag your harp around town. [Unlike the time they met.] So, tiramisu?

Of course. We should get some coffee to go along with it.

[Which is a simple enough task to do. All they had to do is wait at a table and it would be brought to them.]

Are your classes going well, Kouhei?

Coffee sounds great. Um.... Come on, let's go inside. I'll get the door.

[And so he does, holding it open for Snake to go in first. Come on, Kouhei, don't be awkward! Thankfully, the little shop isn't very busy, so it shouldn't be very hard to hear Light if they sit across from each other.]

I have a lot of writing this semester, but I don't mind it. The work load isn't too bad overall, even with my tutoring job. How about you?

I get to work on some labs and an especially tricky project with a colleague. All while also tutoring and I've started going to the gym for exercise.

[It is indeed just the right amount of background noise without being too overwhelming. Their treats and coffee arrive in a short amount of time.]

Out of idle curiosity, is there a sign for tiramisu?

You're a tutor too? I'm surprised we haven't run into each other. We're in different fields, but still. I'm impressed you can do all of that and still find time to exercise. The most I do is just walk around campus and places nearby.

[Naturally, coffee and tiramisu pair perfectly together, and Kouhei's already more than pleased before doing anything beyond stirring milk into his coffee.]

I've never heard of one. I think you'd just fingerspell it.... That's signing out the letters one by one. But I know the sign for cake and small desserts, if nothing else.

Oh really? That's interesting. Is there any difference or rule to what words are expressed by one sign and which are spelled out?

[This treat and coffee are paired perfectly together. Light sips his coffee, looking perfectly content and Kouhei is right. Light is the sort of person that looks at home in place like this.]

You can spell just about anything, but most signs are for pretty basic things. But just like there are synonyms in any spoken language, you can clarify things by using multiple signs. So if I didn't want to spell it out, I could probably get tiramisu across by signing "coffee cake from Italy." Though grammar works differently too....

[Is he rambling? Kouhei shrinks back in his seat a little, laughing somewhat sheepishly before taking a sip of his coffee.]

Um, if you still want me to teach you how to sign your name, I can do that.

Of course I do. Do you need both hands to form the letters or is that only for more complex signs?

[Basically, how challenging will this be for Snake to learn?]

For letters, all you need is your right hand. So....

[Now he's hesitating again. Is it stupid to teach this to someone who can't use a visual language? But Light seems interested enough.... most people are at least a little curious.]

I can either describe the signs, or move your fingers for you. The ones for your name aren't too hard. I bet you can guess L already.

It's probably easier if you just move my fingers. I imagine describing it would take too long.

[He ate a bit of his treat and sipped coffee before holding up his hand. He formed an L with his thumb and index finger.]

I assume this is what you're talking about.

Yeah, you got it. That's the first letter, so next is I. That's just your pinky finger straight up with all of your other fingers closed. Another easy one to remember.

[It's probably polite to mention it. There's a clear nervousness in his tone, and when he finally does reach forward after a moment of hesitation, his touch is almost too gentle. But he does move Light's fingers into place, slowly and carefully.]

Like this.

Ah, I understand.

[He also enjoys that little shiver down his spine from Kouhei's touch. Really, he'd date this man if he could figure out if Kouhei liked him back.]

G is probably a bit more complicated.

Some of the signs look like the letters, like L and C and O, but others don't. G is a little harder....

[It's probably for the best that he doesn't take note of Light's shiver, given that he'd blush even more and likely stammer over his words or tremble in embarrassment. One good thing about this is that Light can't see his face.... that's his saving grace as he carefully curls Light's pinky finger down and tilts his wrist to the side, followed by bringing his index finger and thumb up with the same gentleness as before.]

G. And for H, you put your thumb back down and uncurl your middle finger.... Like this. It's like pointing, but with two fingers instead of one.

[He admits that as much as he likes the gentle touches that he's also enjoying the lesson, trying to memorize the hand positions for each letter. It's an obvious challenge for him, but Light tends to thrive on those.]

Then how to you shape the letter T? Is that one of the hard ones?

It's kind of hard to describe. First, you make a fist. Then you take your thumb, and....

[Rather than keep explaining it, he brings Light's index finger over his thumb, closing the tip of his thumb between his middle and index fingers.]

T. It's the most difficult of the five letters, but it's not critical that you learn it or anything. This is just for fun.

Well, I want to learn it. Even if listening to you involves my hands to read what you have to say.

[It's admittedly frustrating that this will be so much more difficult, now that he's really understanding how letters are formed.]

The only equivalent for what I could teach you is Braille.

You only mean your name, right? I mean, I can teach you more if you really want to learn, but there's no reason to....! I just thought you might find it interesting to learn your name.... or something.

[But really, wouldn't that be like teaching him a spoken language without his hearing aids? There's no need for Light to learn a visual language, especially since he wouldn't have any reason to use it!

Suppressing a sigh, Kouhei finally lets go of Light's hand, backing up just a bit to sit straight in his seat once more.]

Braille is interesting, but I'd rather hear you play the harp, if I had to choose.

Well, we can certainly do that after we're finished here. And...I don't know, Kouhei. Maybe if I could at least learn all the letters, I could spell out words and talk to you that way.

It's just something I've never thought about before and now that I'm facing it, I want to learn.

I don't mind using my voice. But if you're sure you want to, I.... I'll teach you the letters, or whatever else you want to know.

[A tiny part of him is touched that Light would go this far for someone like him, but he also isn't quite sure how to deal with it.]

Thanks....

Edited 2017-11-05 08:45 (UTC)

I appreciate it, Kouhei.

[Sipping his coffee and eating the rest of his tiramisu settled Light back into calm confidence. It just really took him aback how much he wanted to learn something that would be so very helpful for Kouhei.]

I'm glad you wanted to share time with me.

[In his nervousness, he downs the rest of his coffee a little too quickly, and takes to tracing his finger around the rim of the empty cup.]

No, I like doing stuff like this.... I didn't have anything else planned today, so I wanted to spend it with a friend. I should be thanking you for coming with me, not the other way around.

Well then, since you don't have any prior engagements, I can show you my harp at the college and I'll play for you.

[The first half of the sentence is a touch lost on him, but as he finishes the last few bites of his tiramisu, the second is clear enough to not warrant repeating.]

Really? It isn't too much trouble? I don't want to rush you or anything. You seem right at home in a little cafe like this.

No, not at all. Whenever we get done with our treats, I'll take you over to the college. I can't wait to show it off to you.

Since you mentioned it before, I want to see what it's like to put my hand on the harp and feel the vibrations.

I think you'll be able to appreciate the music in your own unique way. I don't think it should affect how I play.

[When they were finally done with their little treat, Snake paid for them both before Kouhei could do anything.]

Wait, Light, I can cover my own share! Seriously, you don't have to!

[It isn't like tiramisu and coffee adds up to that much, but he feels bad! Even though it is his birthday.... he wasn't planning on mentioning that part.]

It's fine, Kouhei. You can cover us both next time to be fair.

[Because there definitely would be a next time, he'd guarantee that.]

So. Shall we go?

[....Wait, next time? Kouhei's eyes widen just slightly as he registers the words, staring rather incredulously at Light for perhaps a moment too long. This whole time, he'd been so concerned that he'd accidentally slipped into awkwardness or been wholly uninteresting (or perhaps insulting? Was it stupid of him to try to teach the barest amount of sign language to a blind man?), but then....

He has to keep himself from responding too abruptly after his moment of silence, but before long, he manages to nod (out of habit, he soon realizes) as a touch of warmness slips into his expression.]

Okay.... Yeah, let's go.

[It's a bit of journey back to the school, but it's not so bad with Kouhei to talk to.

Snake's almost eager to show off the harp. He's quite confident in his playing ability and he's certain because of the nature of the shape of a harp that this little experiment will work.]

Let me just tune it and get it ready. Once I've done that, just place your hand on the frame. Probably the furthest from me so I'm not interfering with you while I play.

[Honestly, walking side by side with someone is still something Kouhei is getting used to, but it's pleasant. Far more so than simply walking alone with his head down, hands in his pockets. It's almost shocking how much more quickly the time passes by when he's talking to a friend along the way.]

Take your time. I don't have anywhere to be today, so there's no rush. [Smile tinging his tone, he looks on in curiosity, watching as Snake tunes the harp.] So I just put my hand on top of this straight part at the end?

Yes. That should be good. All right. Just let me know how this feels for you while I play.

[He sits himself properly and begins to play this, which seems to accelerate into song right away. It seems as though parts should be a little faster but it is physically limited by the mobility in Snake's prosthetic left hand. He tries to make up for it by attempting every speedy part with his right.]

Okay. [With a slight (yet unnecessary, he realizes a little too late) nod, Kouhei does as instructed and gingerly rests his hand against the harp's smooth wooden frame.

In spite of everything, there's a part of him worried that having his hand here will affect the sound, but as soon as Light begins to play, Kouhei can't help but be stunned into silence. There's something so beautiful about the way his fingers move, and just as he'd said, Kouhei can feel the vibrations through the wooden body of the harp.

He won't dare say anything, not until the song has finished, but he hopes there's some magical way for Light to sense how impressed he is without words or sight.]

I could have done a few of those parts better.

[Because his sense of hearing is much keener, he can tell when the notes aren't as perfect as they should be.]

What do you think, Kouhei? A good way for you to listen to music?

[For just a moment, he's left nearly speechless. But he did hear Light's words, given their close proximity, and snaps out of his momentary stupor rather quickly.]

N-No.... No! I think it was beautiful! Really! It's even better than the first time you played for me!

[Not quite idly, he runs his fingers along the polished wooden frame.]

It was a unique experience. Even with my hand so far from most of the strings, I could feel the vibrations.

Good, I'm glad my theory worked and you could listen along.

[That part makes him feel quite pleased indeed.] Next time I'll play something different for you.

I've heard deaf people say that they listen to music through vibrations, but I never thought it would be like this. It's.... visceral, in a way.

If you'd be willing to, I'd like that a lot.

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[OPEN] Harp playing

10/17 wildcard, as discussed!

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He's so adorable

Don't tell him that, he'll actually die of embarrassment.

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