tampered | goodnight trouble

goodnight trouble

When; Tonight (Saturday, 12/06) after Gren's set at Lux
Rating; PG-13
Characters; Machi Tobaye (

vampbratprince)
Summary; Machi always goes to see Gren's set on Saturdays.
What kept him?

(posting order: Machi, Gren, Lestat)

Log;

Actually, he didn't forget on purpose.

Not that he's been in the mood to see anyone, even Gren, but it wasn't that he intentionally skipped Gren's set. It's more that he curled up on the couch, half-wrapped in a blanket, headphones blaring. The glass on the coffee table drained, the bottle left open and inviting. It's more that the song's on repeat and he has his eyes closed and well, if he's not sleeping it's something like that, it's something like a coma, it's something like not feeling.

He's in the habit of leaving the door unlocked for Armand even if the vampire could get in if he locked it. A gesture of trust, maybe - an acceptance of interruption - an inconsideration. He's not playing tonight and he expects none such grievance, happy enough in blurry misery.

The door knocks, he sits up suddenly. "J-just a moment!"

Stumbling over his own feet, he tucks the bottle under the sink, tosses the glass in the sink before smoothing himself out and answering the door.

"Gren!" he smiles. "And... Lestat. What bring you by so late?"

No longer smiling.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"It was getting there. By the time I was seventeen it was almost as long as it is now." He never knew his hair would be the subject of as much fascination as it's been at this City. He went three years on Callisto without it even being mentioned, so he's hardly used to the compliments it receives here.

"And what I really meant was closer in age. I'm more than twice as old as you, though there's really no such thing as a right age or a wrong age. I guess I'm still thinking societally. Where I grew up, you could be arrested for being intimate with anyone under eighteen. That didn't stop it from happening, though." The first time he slept with another man, he wasn't even sixteen.

So much for the laws. And they might have had this conversation before; it feels a little familiar.

"Right, you mention this before. I wonder how people are feeling about it, here." Machi has never thought to ask. He'd have to at least land a guy's interests before that happened. "I don't think I want Gren as a boyfriend anyway. Even before he taken... just... the smile and music of Gren is enough for me." Machi smiles a little. "But Mr. Edgeworth, he 24. Klavier is 23. Puppy is 19... it is a matter of who can keep up with me, not vice-versa. You know?"

That's actually a pretty adorable way of putting it; his smile's broad and genuine. "And I'm 29." And will be forever, but that's pretty irrelevant. "And sometimes, being just friends with someone is a greater gift than anything. Besides, you can't have a brother as a boyfriend."

That's not okay in any culture that he's aware of, not that he's a student of sociology or anything. "But I'm really glad we're friends, and you're right. Age isn't the important factor. When you meet the right person, you just know it." He's a fine one to talk about age differences anyway. Lestat's either eight years younger or 203 years older than he is, and it isn't stopping them.

"No. That is a bad crime in Borginia. Another one punishable by death." Apparently, in Borginia, a lot of things get the death penalty. "I... I feel like that a lot, though, like my heart is full! Just... not with the right person, I guess." Machi sighs a little, then attempts to cheer himself up. "I meet some nice new people on the Network lately. Maybe one of them, someday..."

"Are you going to the music festival?"

If Machi wants to meet music lovers...

"It's Christmas Eve."

"Ah, right! I was thinking about performing... but then I got sick. I wonder if they would still let me. I think there are already so many pianist, though, they not needing me." Machi scoots away a little bit, fidgety, weaving and unweaving his fingers and staring at the diamond shapes the space between makes.

He hasn't played for a public audience since he came here. When he arrived, he was adamant about his disinterest in doing so. Now he's almost got the courage, but he might shoot himself down if he can.

"Oh, you should if you want to. And if you don't want to, you could still go. It would be a good place to scope out the crowd and see who around here likes the same types of music you do."

Or it could be a terrible idea and Machi will hate him forever for suggesting it.

"And I don't think it's a question of needing a certain type of music or a certain instrument. It's just for fun, for the love of performing. I still think you and I should play together some day, somewhere. That would be fun."

It doesn't even have to be in public. He knows Machi's shy about doing that and it's not his place to push.

"Maybe I will. I have been playing for Armand many nights and it make me recall... I am missing an audience for a long time now. To share a passion. You know?" His smile goes small and shy when he talks about Armand. No one has ever made Machi feel quite as... admired as Armand does. While he's aware that Armand is the same as Lestat, he doesn't feel threatened by him.

Maybe because it's Machi who's of interest to Armand, rather than the one Machi cares so dearly for.

"Armand is..." What's he going to say about him? That he's an even presence? That if Machi reads the books, he'll learn that Armand never really learned how to live? That he's been dead in spirit for years? He can't put voice to any of those suspicions; they're just his own opinions. "...very nice."

He doesn't feel as strongly about Armand as Machi does about Lestat, but there have been times when his dislike has gotten pretty close to that. "Someone told me once that all vampires are liars, but I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. Sometimes their accolades are few and far between, but I've found they're usually genuine. So if he keeps coming back to hear you play, that's quite the compliment."

Biting his tongue, it takes a lot not to warn Machi away from Armand. That's not his place and it's not his business. He would tell him to exact a promise of safety from him: this is the same person who cut off Nicki's hands as punishment. If he messes with Machi at all, there will be hell to pay. Merely human or not, he'll find a way.

But enough of that.

"When you're ready for a wider audience, you know I can help you set something up, right? I would love an accompanist at Lux on Saturdays, to start with. And I can't think of a pianist who plays with more heart than you do."

It's good that Gren doesn't warn Machi away from Armand. The way the boy's been lately, it would probably just drive him closer to the young-looking vampire.

"That may be good. I would like to make a little more money." Actually, Machi makes a killing with his piano lessons, considering he has virtually no living expenses. "But... I always accompany Lamiroir. I am not sure if I am ready for that step. Or rather... I may want to play for myself only, for now on."

"Of course. It was just an offer. You should do whatever makes you happy."

Even if it's drink and be rude to a good friend's partner: Machi has to learn and he has to learn his own way. There's very little a fourteen-year-old needs to be told but plenty he needs to discover.

Gren's glad he's not a parent. That would be way too much hard work, and he still marvels over the job his own mother did and how effortless and graceful she made it all look, but maybe that's just looking at it through rose-colored glasses. At any rate, he's not in the advice business.

He's just the one who listens to everyone's confessions.

"There are other nights there without music, you know. Sunday and Tuesday and Wednesday. Maybe Niko's looking for someone to fill in solo on one of those nights too. When you're ready -- and if you want my help -- just let me know and we can find out."

Now, though, he stands. It's probably more than time to get going and he doesn't want to keep Lestat waiting too long, even though he knows he's probably been privy to everything said here.

But that's why he invited him to stay in his thoughts in the first place.

Gren's leaving, and Machi's both relieved and disappointed. He takes Gren's hand and squeezes them and lets go. "I'll do that. Soon. Please be safe."

"Don't forget about the piano. During the daytime, it's always just going to be you and me. Or if you want to, we could hang out in my apartment. Or go to the tea house, or anything you want." What he's trying to get across is that he'll always make time for Machi.

Like he's done tonight.

"So you take care, and come by the club if you're thinking about it next Saturday. I've missed seeing you there." Machi gets a one-armed hug. Nothing too close or tight; he's not in the mood for making excuses or explaining it all right now.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

goodnight trouble

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject