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 Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 7:50 pm
“Good, because I don’t know good from bad music. Though I do know when something sounds off, like a bad sort of off.” He couldn’t explain it but he knew if something was wrong and didn’t fit, didn’t sound right. “But anyone can tell when something sounds off.” At least he was certain everyone knew when something sounded wrong and bad, it was easy to tell.
Taking the offered seat he couldn’t help but stare up at the other, having been previously eyeing up all the food on offer. “You’ll get there, and left overs aren’t always a bad thing. I typically make food for three days at a time.” Whether he remembered to bring them with him, and reheat and eat them, was an entirely different story however. “I know you aren’t likely to leave me high and dry, or just vanish, but I have to say I don’t typically make connections to people. I don’t because if I do I’ll get attached…and if they leave that will wreck me…like self destructive sort of wrecking. I’ve worked on it a bit, I had to since I have the dark mirror court. But I sabotaged finding an adoptive family - every time. I was waiting for my actual family.” He was too loyal and to those he got close to he clung…in his own sort of way. He might not physically cling to someone, and he might not show it all the time, but he would show it when need be.
That said, and without waiting for a response, he went to grabbing himself some food to try, it did all sound and smell good. He just needed to put that out there…because this whole thing was new to him and unusual, he still didn’t understand just why or how he’d jumped right into helping someone and the lead up to this. It wasn't usual or even normal for him. Perhaps everything else going on in his life right now and threw him off kilter and left him open to this, not that he was going to complain though. This wasn’t a bad thing.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 7:51 pm
“I tend to do that as well, but I also would bring them to students who would come to the after-school program that might not otherwise have a warm meal when they arrive home. I enjoy cooking as well and I feel I have a good bit of experience in it from my grandparents. They did not believe in most processed or fast food so every meal was home-cooked and took a lot of work. I take pride in it when I see others enjoy what I cook.”
Aloysius frowned for a moment as he was about to raise the next forkful of food to his mouth. Placing the fork back down he took a moment to collect himself and then spoke. “I would never leave unless you told me to and even then I would still be there to make sure you remain unharmed. I have lost so many people over the years, most of who I have met no longer walk this earth. I know I have been a bit clingy since you offered to help me, I was so worried about things because in the past I would have been scolded for being weak for getting attached. You saw Melody and how she acts, that is just a glimpse of how things were with my parents. Even now I am afraid that you will be taken from me though, you are much more physically prepared than I am in a fight. I just have the advantage of distance and deadliness now that I have grown since the majority of my losses.”
A slight shudder went through him like an electric zap thinking about the past like that again, he shook it off before continuing. “I will remain so you need not fret. I have your back and you have mine, I also have a few others who would come to aid us if needed when things are dire. Just remember, I have seen the pits of hell and crossed through them and I will do more than that to keep you safe and stay with you.” He reached forward and took Liam’s free hand, a deadly serious shine in his icy blue eyes.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 7:52 pm
That was similar to how he’d grown up, in a way, in that he’d always had a warm meal that was made from scratch. The orphanage didn’t buy tv dinners or things you just heated up and tossed together. Everything had to be prepared and made before each meal…it simply was how it was. He’d learned to cook, at least enough to get by, as he’d grown up so that he could help out. He hadn’t been the only one to learn to cook and help out, several of them had in fact learned, but the others had all found families in time.
The others words, almost like a vow, a promise had him nodding slowly. He needed those words..that promise. He gave his loyalty to those he let himself get close to and he knew it could bite him in the a**, he knew it was a weakness, but he’d allowed it with Aloysius. He had to be sure he’d be safe, he’d been hurt so bad already. He’d waited for his family, dreamed about them, and then when he was on his own they turned up. They turned up and wanted to use him and didn’t care about him…he was an object to them. He’d wasted so much on just the imagined image of them that the reality hurt - a lot. He didn’t need that happening again.
That shine in the others eyes had him shivering, remembering the other was in fact a General. “I’ll have your back in a fight. My magic might not be as deadly but it’s not without use.” Though he’d rarely ever used it; he knew it worked.
“Good, I just had to say it. I’ve lost a lot of my life due to my own damn loyalty to people.” To imagined people no less.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 7:53 pm
“I understand, I know a little about magic but I am sure together we will be alright. I also know how you feel, I lost a lot to the memories of things and time that never really were with Bischofite. As I have realized, he was a poison that I took to my core and kept hurting myself with long after they were gone. You have at least seen that and I know at least some of your history. I think we can make much better and longer lasting memories together now and we can both revisit our pasts over time to each other.” Carefully caressing Liam’s hand he pulled back to keep eating small bites of food, making sure he was careful about how much he ate and also the contents of what he ate until his system would eventually return to normal. Without his stomach and blood being filled with poison, food tasted as it had in the past which was something he hadn’t even realized he had lost.
“But back to another topic, how are you liking the food? If there are any things you like specifically I can always make them again or try making things you like to eat. I think I have had all I can of dinner but you can feel free to have more, I think I will have one cannoli and call that the end of my meal.” He carefully got up and walked to the fridge to retrieve one of the desserts, eating it carefully so as to not make a mess as he sat back down next to Liam. They were one of his comfort foods even if they were sickeningly sweet and it was hard to hide the joy on his face as he ate it.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 7:59 pm
He’d tried a bite of everything, to get an idea for what he liked. He already figured the pasta dishes would be fine, though sauces were always hit or miss, the sauce was good as well. Pasta was one of those things which was hard to mess up, even if it was a bit under or over cooked, it was the sauces which could be easily made bad. It all depended on taste really.
“I think the only thing I’m not big on is the fish.” Blue eyes glancing to where the fish lay, a bite or two taken from it, on his plate. It hadn’t really been something he’d liked but he could also admit to never having had fish before, he’d never gone and tried it. He might be free and an adult now but he still stuck to foods he was familiar with typically, venturing a bit here and there, but fish had never been a part of his diet before and he’d not been that adventurous. Now at least he knew he wasn’t big on it, or at least not this fish?
“The rest was good, I figured the rest would be though.” And the other seemed to really be enjoying the desert he’d made, it didn’t look bad either though.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:00 pm
The look Liam gave the fish made him laugh, almost spewing the filling out of his cannoli. “Not a fan of fish? I figured it might be something new to you but I can cook pretty much any protein, I always ate sort of lightly on the protein front, to begin with. Well since you tried everything you can have one of these too.” He finished his cannoli and grabbed another from the fridge for Liam. They were just standard with chocolate chips and powdered sugar in the filling, Aloysius’s favorite to make and to eat. He would have had another one if he knew he could handle it but at the same time, he was excited to play music and then get a shower to calm the rest of his nerves down. He knew he didn’t have to have everything perfect for the other, he was still a work in progress as Liam had said. But, he wanted things to be perfect if he could handle it.
With a smile, he went over to the piano in the living space and grabbed his viola and bow from its stand. It was a part of his soul, made by his great-grandfather and passed to him to play on since he could even play. It was another thing that made him feel confident, made him feel complete. With a bit of a goofy smile, he walked back over to the table. “Dinner and a show?” With that he began to play, pulling the freshly rosined bow across the strings. Any thoughts or anxieties were gone from his face and from his posture. This was his element, his original comfort when things were bad. It was an elegy, fitting for the serious reflection he had as the past drifted between notes in his mind. This composition was in itself, a way to recover and return to his roots in music. Something that could never be taken no matter who tried, there would always be music in every fiber of his being and his soul.
With his eyes closed as he played, the air around him vibrated as he lived and breathed his song. Sharing it with Liam first was his own way of confessing his feelings in addition to the more direct method he had taken before. It might be corny to others but he didn’t care and still wanted to share that part of his heart with Liam.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:01 pm
“Yeah, I never had seafood before and never bothered to try it once I could.” There had never been a reason and he typically went for beef when it came to his protein needs. He knew it wasn’t the best but he found turkey and chicken to be too dry, he didn’t like white meat really, and pork tended towards the dry end of things also for him. Those three also just lacked when it came to flavor when compared to beef. He’d seen elk and bison mentioned online as well, on various sites, and he’d considered trying bison to see if it was good. It was interesting and it seemed to contain more than beef.
Nibbling on the cannoli, having not had one before, he watched as Aloysius went to get his viola and returned to the kitchen. Listening to the other play he could see why the other was a teacher, he had an obvious passion for his music. Not just that but skill…a lot of skill. He’d get back to teaching soon, he was certain of it, and he’d get to help more children find a love for music.
The crunch of the cannoli shell was satisfying, it wasn’t even that bad in taste, but the filling was better. It wasn’t too powdery, from the sugar, either. The chocolate chips weren’t bad, adding an interesting flavor.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:01 pm
After a few minutes, the piece slowed and reached its end softly with a quiet vibrato. He opened his eyes and looked back at Liam and bowed a bit as he was used to after a performance. “What do you think?” He went carefully put it away before returning and taking his seat next to Liam, gently resting his head on their shoulder. “ I can understand that, there are a few things I never had that I have yet to try even now that I could purchase if I wanted to. He hoped Liam didn’t mind but he wanted to just rest a bit after playing, letting his mind wander to other ideas of what else they could do with their time. He thought back to the other’s homework and felt a bit guilty but wanted to selfishly keep pining for Liam’s attention.
“This is nice I think, I hope you are ok with it. I like being close like this.” He looked up with his blue eyes, bangs slightly in his face, at Liam while he nibbled on the cannoli.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:02 pm
A nearly finished cannoli was set down as his attention turned to Aloysius, who was leaning on his shoulder. “I don’t mind, though it is terribly distracting. As for the playing it was good, at least as far as I noticed. Nothing sounded bad.” Nothing clashed and sounded misplaced or out of sorts. It had sounded good, he was certain other people would like the piece as well. It wasn't his usual taste in music, he liked his rather loud and heavy, but this wasn’t too bad either.
“That’s the composition so far?” He questioned while reaching up to touch the others cheek gently, poking him.
“Now, want to watch me do my homework?” Liam questioned as he shifted topics, because it did need to get done. Much as he disliked the subject, and homework, it did need to get done and he knew it needed to.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:02 pm
Aloysius smiled slyly for a moment before sitting back up straight. “That was the entire viola section of it, there is also a piano accompaniment for it as well and a few sections for other stringed instruments. It is a whole affair as some might say, I am glad you liked it so far. I will watch you do homework after I clean up the table then we can spend more time together after. I am sorry if I was distracting you.” He chuckled a bit as he went on his way to start picking things up. Touching his cheek softly as he waited for the sink to fill with water, he smiled more.
“I am glad you can keep your mind on important things like school and homework, I do not wish for your grades to drop. I can work on filling out my sheet music at the table as well for the other parts. I know I need to make a few copies for each section so there are enough to go around for performers.” He made quick work at the sink before putting the dishes up to dry and packing the leftovers away in the fridge. Pulling out another cannoli, he walked over to the piano and grabbed blank sheet music pages and his pen to start his work alongside Liam. “After we finish there should be plenty of night left to enjoy right?” Looking up at Liam teasingly as he held the tip of his pen to the side of his lips in thought. Even his pen was covered in a music note pattern.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:03 pm
“I don’t mind the distraction, I hate doing homework.” Though it did need to get done, and he knew that. He tried to take his classwork seriously, both inside and outside the classroom, but he still couldn’t help dislike the homework. He would get it done though, he was serious about his studies, he’d need to do his homework in order to pass his classes and make a future for himself. He wasn’t going to live as he once had - never again.
“Mmm, I think I’m driven more than most because I know what it’s like to have nothing. I don’t want to return to that so I have to work hard.” If he didn’t than what did he have? He’d earned everything so far, he didn’t just get it handed to him…no really. Rhona might have given him an apartment but he worked to maintain it. She’d given him a job but he worked hard, and he thought of it like anyone else applying for a job, she could have said no and not hired him. He didn’t let any of it get to his head. He had to plan out a future so he could set himself up for a home one day…and being able to afford things he needed, and wanted.
Finishing the cannoli he had set down on the table, it really wasn’t bad, he went to get his school bag and fish out his homework and books. A pen, a simple black fine tipped pen, was plucked from his bag and set down next to a spiral notebook.
“I-ummm yes, there should be. It shouldn’t take me too long. I only had two classes today.” And he didn’t leave homework for the next day; ever. So tonight's homework was from today's classes only.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:04 pm
“Good good.” He nodded and got to work transcribing his music one part at a time. Quietly humming each section of melody and harmony as he went to keep track of an invisible orchestra. He made quick soft strokes with his pen on the paper, each note was drawn perfectly yet also beautifully as he went. There would be no room for interpretation for the players as every note was laid out and notated clearly for them with how they were supposed to be played and how the singer’s lyrics aligned with the music to keep everyone in sync.
“I was lucky financially but I worked hard on music nonetheless. I have different things I do not wish to return to but at least I am here to help if needed. Though I will say math in a financial application is a weak point for me. I have a CPA and lawyer in charge of my assets and tax filings for the moment. It is one of the few things I did not have time to learn between all my responsibilities.” Page by page, Aloysius continued to write, with almost a copy machine’s efficiency. He dared not lay them on top of each other until the ink had dried so there was a small assembly line of packets that began to take over the edge of the large circular table.
He periodically looked over at Liam’s homework, thoroughly confused by the formulas and information both in the notebook and in the textbook. Occasionally he would just gaze at the other in general, wondering how things would go and what they would do. Aloy had a bit of experience in some ways and would lead when needed but wanted to mainly enjoy things as they came and went with the flow of things.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:05 pm
Glancing ever so often at the other, trying to keep focused on his own work, he couldn’t help but notice the pile of sheet music the other was producing at a near alarming rate. “I’d like, I think, to understand money better and to make sure I’m in a stable job..where it’ll always be needed.” It would be secure for him and a good source of income, he wouldn’t need to worry. He knew there were other fields, a few he could think of off the top of his head, which would always be needed.
“”I wonder…if I ever need help if your people could help me with studies for understanding things.” He said in an off handed manner before glancing up at the other, who was looking at his own work. “Does it look confusing to you?” He questioned with a bit of a smile. “Trust me, at first it confused me as well. Once I’m done perhaps we could find a movie and wind down for the night?”
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:05 pm
“I really do think that is a great idea. Everyone does taxes and they often have questions about money. Also, the family lawyer would maybe be able to answer questions but my CPA is a very quiet and efficient person. It looks like a whole lu different language to me. Much as my sheets here probably do not mean much when you first give them a glance?” He smiled back at Liam, in his own teasing way.
“I think a movie would be nice, we can look through the streaming service together and pick one. The TV is upstairs in the guest room though, I do not really keep one down here since I teach lessons and do not want them distracted.”
He got up after finishing a while later and kissed Liam on the top of the head before gently grabbing their hand and moving towards the stairs. “Let us go chill? As they call it.” He chuckled to himself for a while flashing a smile at Liam, this was a nice change of pace from his little cot and the small space he called his bedroom. Tonight, if it was ok with Liam, would be the first time he ever slept in a decent bed since he moved into Destiny City.
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