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Post by Elcie on Oct 25, 2014 17:17:54 GMT -5
Xavier did not have many personal possessions, so moving from the King's Arms to Marson Manor had not been very difficult. It wasn't that Ilsa hadn't paid him well enough for his position as her cook, but he'd never been entirely sure what to do with the wages; even after over two years of freedom, it still felt strange to even be allowed to earn money and own property. With enough to eat, a safe roof over his head, and people who cared about him, Xavier never felt like he really wanted for much. There was one thing he owned, however, that he was rather attached to. Long ago, after Ilsa had noticed he hadn't even spent the first few months' worth of wages she'd paid him, she'd encouraged him to get something for himself, something fun. And browsing the market in town, Xavier discovered that he'd saved up enough to buy a simple wooden lute. Something about the instrument caught his attention, and so he'd bought it, taken it back to his room in the inn, and spent many of his off hours quietly teaching himself how to play it. He had a good ear for music and was getting better, though he didn't think his skills amounted to much. It wasn't like he ever intended to play for people, though, and he enjoyed the simple challenge of figuring out chords and simple melodies. So even as Xavier opened up more to his friends in Medieville and became more comfortable in his role as a member of House Jade, he didn't think to mention the lute to anyone. It wasn't a secret; it just wasn't all that important. He hadn't had much time to play since the coronation, but today was rather dull and most of the people he might have otherwise sought out were occupied - Elin with Shadow business, and he was fairly sure Leif was off with Kirin somewhere. It still felt deeply strange to have leisure time in the middle of the day, but neither his reading nor his magic was good enough yet to pursue his magic studies on his own, and the servants tended to give him strange looks when he offered to help them with their duties. So Xavier tried to let himself relax and got out his lute, sitting in a chair by his bed and picking out a sequence of chords without any real song in mind. Xavier is totally minding his own business. |
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Post by PFA on Oct 25, 2014 18:45:29 GMT -5
" Hope shines brightly here today
Your smile takes my cares away..." Joffery was pacing the halls of Marson Manor, repeating song lyrics to himself. Ever since meeting the love of his life, Princess Hope Crane, he was determined to compose the perfect song to express his feelings for her. It would be a few months before she was marrying age, so that should be plenty of time to have the song ready by their wedding day! Suddenly, a beautiful sound caught his ear. Why, it sounded like music! Someone was playing an instrument! A lute, from the sound of it? Joffery was excited. He didn't know anyone had played the lute in this House! Why didn't he know sooner? He just had to find where that sound was coming from... He moved quietly through the halls, listening carefully for the sound of music. He discovered the source before long, carefully pushing open the door to find the vigilante—Xavier, was it?—sitting beside his bed, playing the lute. Joffery grinned. He didn't know their vigilante played the lute! This changed everything! "You're a musician, Lord Xavier?" Joffery asked, pushing open the door the rest of the way. "Perhaps you could help me with a song!" Joffery is working his song for Hope when he overhears Xavier playing the lute. Perfect, someone to help him with his music! He bursts into the room, asking for Xavier's help with a song. |
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Post by Elcie on Oct 25, 2014 22:19:48 GMT -5
Horribly startled by Joffery's sudden arrival, Xavier jumped so badly he nearly dropped the lute. He managed to catch it just in time, and carefully set it on his bed before getting to his feet and bowing to Joffery. It wasn't as deep a bow as he would have once given a Jade, but he was being cautious. He hadn't spoken much with Joffery and didn't know how the young man viewed Xavier's position in the House. And given who his father was... Xavier was braced for something intimidating. But Joffery seemed friendly enough, grinning broadly at the sight of Xavier playing his lute, even though he'd burst into the room rather suddenly. Xavier tried to smile back. "Um," he said. "Good... good afternoon, Lord Joffery. I'm not really a musician, I'm not that good, I just..." He shrugged, helpless. "I taught myself, I don't know any songs." It registered, belatedly, that Joffery had used his title. It was odd enough being addressed that way by peasants and servants, but from someone like Joffery who outranked him even now it was downright weird. "You really don't have to use my title, m'lord," he added, with a respectful nod. "You're the son of the Lord of Embers, after all..." Xavier's still convinced there's a mini-Everett lurking somewhere within Joffery. He is going to be disappointed. |
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Post by PFA on Oct 26, 2014 22:06:21 GMT -5
Xavier seemed nervous. Ah yes, their famed timid vigilante. Joffery wasn't entirely sure how that worked, but apparently he was good at his job, so he wasn't going to question it. "Not very good? Nonsense! Your playing sounded lovely!" Joffery insisted. "Besides, only a true musician knows how to write his own songs and make them sound good." He nodded sagely. Joffery paused for a moment at Xavier's other request. He preferred to use people's titles where applicable to be polite, but Xavier seemed to be uncomfortable with it, mentioning Joffery's father. What did his father have to do with it? But he decided not to dwell on it for now, giving a polite nod. "Alright, if that's what makes you comfortable, Xavier," he said. After a pause, he added, "Alright, well... keep up the good work! If you decide you'd like to help me, just let me know!" Joffery insists that Xavier is totally a good musician, oblivious to the fact that Xavier finds him kind of scary. |
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Post by Elcie on Oct 30, 2014 0:00:14 GMT -5
"Um," Xavier said, not entirely sure how to handle this flattery. He didn't even really think of his playing as songs - it was just something he did to pass the time, surely not something anyone else would care to hear. But Joffery seemed to appreciate it. In spite of himself - and in spite of his face being so embarrassingly red - Xavier gave a small smile. Fortunately, Joffery didn't kick up a fuss about calling Xavier by his name, the way some did. Xavier knew he would have had no idea how to handle it if Lord Everett's son had insisted on treating him with deference like that. Equal parts relieved and curious, he tilted his head slightly at Joffery. "If you don't mind the question, m'lord, what do you need help with?" he said. "I was under the impression that you're, er, rather an accomplished musician." (Accomplished was not exactly the word he'd heard; Lord Everett had always seemed more irritated than anything else - but then, he always seemed irritated at something, and what Xavier had heard of Joffery's singing really was quite good.) Flattery! But 100% sincere flattery. Xavier wonders what such a great and musical lord could want with his silly lute playing. |
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Post by PFA on Oct 30, 2014 23:37:10 GMT -5
Joffery beamed from ear to ear as Xavier complimented his musical ability. Someone who appreciated his talent! Sometimes it felt like there weren't enough of those in this House. "Thank you! But truly, even a great musician needs inspiration from time to time," Joffery said. "You see, I need to compose the perfect song for my dearest Hope, but I'm not sure what I should do for the melody. I have a few ideas, but—what do you think?" He sung part of his song for Hope, with a few different variations on the melody. When he was done, he smiled expectantly at Xavier. "I don't know, which do you think sounds best? Or should I go with something else?" Joffery sings at Xavier. |
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Post by Elcie on Nov 5, 2014 23:41:42 GMT -5
Xavier listened attentively, and when Joffery had finished he absently picked up his lute and began plucking at it, experimenting with chords until he hit on one that was in harmony with what Joffery had sung. For a moment, he nearly said out of habit that all of the variations were good, of course they were, because Joffery was the lord and anything he made had to be perfect - but he caught himself. No, the question wasn't a trap, not here. And Joffery was waiting expectantly for his answer - genuinely asking his help. "Um," Xavier said. "I think... I like how the last one sounded. How did it go again?" He plucked experimentally at the lute, trying to approximate the melody, and coming quite close. Xavier reminds himself that he doesn't have to suck up to Joffery and gives his opinion on the song. |
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Post by PFA on Nov 6, 2014 13:22:31 GMT -5
Joffery smiled when Xavier played his song back to him. He heard himself singing his songs all the time, but hearing someone else performing it was a unique and thrilling experience. Perhaps one day, people all throughout Kyth would be singing his songs? Ah, he could dream. "Yes, I think you're right. Thank you!" Joffery replied, before continuing to sing the song with the preferred variation. He continued until he ran out of lyrics, at which point he paused thoughtfully. "Hm, how else shall I describe my love..." Suddenly, a thought came to mind. Yes! If Xavier was any good at music, then maybe he was good at lyrics, too? It was worth a try. He turned again to Xavier, his usual eager grin on his face. "Xavier! What sort of lyrics would you use to describe the love of your life?" he asked. Joffery fantasizes about his songs becoming famous, then asks for Xavier's advice on lyrics. I'm not sure whether or not he's aware that Xavier has a love of his life. :'B |
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Post by Elcie on Nov 14, 2014 20:26:43 GMT -5
Xavier blinked. "Oh, u-um--" His whole face reddened. That was a question he hadn't expected Joffery to ask. Did he... did he know about Elin? Of course, now that their factions weren't in conflict, it didn't particularly matter if he did... but it still threw Xavier off. "I don't really sing," Xavier said apologetically. "B-but I guess I would talk about... um... that she's really kind, and brave and smart..." Looking down at the floor self-consciously, Xavier couldn't help but smile a little as he thought of Elin, an image of her coming to mind. "She's beautiful too. Sometimes I look at her and I just... I don't want to stop." His voice had grown quiet and thoughtful. Suddenly catching himself at his musing, Xavier hunched his shoulders. "I-I'm sorry, those wouldn't make very good lyrics. I guess I don't know what I could even say that would be... be good enough for her." Xavier waxes poetic about Elin, and then feels inadequate about it. |
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Post by PFA on Dec 1, 2014 18:47:06 GMT -5
Joffery listened thoughtfully as Xavier described his girlfriend. That's right, he had a girlfriend, didn't he? She sounded like a lovely lady, Joffery thought. Perhaps he'd like to meet her someday! "Nonsense! Those would make wonderful lyrics if you arrange them right," Joffery insisted. "Maybe I can draw inspiration on that for my song for Hope... how would I describe my lovely Hope? Lovely, that's a good start... and smart! Yes, very smart." At this point, he chose to take a seat on the bed next to Xavier. "You know, it really is hard to fully capture true love in words, isn't it? Even in a song, which conveys emotion so much stronger than words alone! I don't think any one song could ever express all my feelings, which I guess is why I write multiple songs." He was more speaking to himself than to Xavier at this point, lost in his own thoughts. "But I want this one to be perfect, for our special day... perhaps I should sing multiple songs? I don't know if I have the time for that, but I want to show her how much I care..." He trailed off into silence, contemplating this. After a while of this, he smiled, returning his attention to Xavier. "Oh! Perhaps you should perform a song for your love, as well! Something on your lute, perhaps. I'm sure she would love it!" Joffery remembers that Xavier has a girlfriend, gets vaguely profound, then suggests Xavier play a song for Elin. |
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Post by Elcie on Jan 1, 2015 21:35:04 GMT -5
Xavier found himself with a small smile on his face as Joffery mused about his beloved. He didn't know the Princess personally, of course, but it was clear that Joffery adored her. Wanting to show how much he cared... Xavier could relate to that. He didn't know if he could ever completely communicate to Elin how much she meant to him. "Whatever you choose, Lord Joffery, I think it will show," he said softly. "Her Highness means a great deal to you, doesn't she? I don't think you could hide it if you tried." At the suggestion that he should play his lute for Elin, Xavier's eyes went wide and he blushed. "D-do you really think so?" he stammered, completely caught off guard by the idea. "My... my playing isn't very good, she deserves something better than that." He sighed, staring down at the instrument in his lap and fidgeting with it restlessly. "I just... want to make her happy. Even though I'm not good at a lot of things..." He trailed off, gazing off to one side pensively. Even though he'd technically been a noble for a while now, as a member of House Jade, it was still hard to believe that Elin could want to be with someone like him. He was nothing special, and Elin... Elin was amazing.Suddenly something occurred to him, and he looked up at Joffery. "M-maybe... maybe you could help me? You know a lot more about music than I do, Lord Joffery." And, when Xavier thought about it, probably more about courting, too. Xavier felt even more clueless about that - at least on his lute, he'd had practice. Xavier tries to reassure Joffery that his songs will show Hope how he feels, and feels inadequate about his own romancin' - then gets the bright idea to get Joffery's help on a song for Elin. |
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Post by PFA on Jan 3, 2015 19:44:01 GMT -5
"Of course! Hope means everything to me," Joffery replied enthusiastically. "She's my precious princess, my sun and my moon... ooh! Maybe I should include those as lyrics?" He mused on this. At Xavier's next question, Joffery beamed. Someone was asking for his opinion on music! Music was what he was best at, and he was always happy to offer his musical talents. And it was to impress a girl, too! That was always a worthy cause. "I would be more than happy to offer my assistance," Joffery said proudly. "What would you like help with? Though I do think your playing sounds good as it is!" Joffery goes 8D a lot. |
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Post by Elcie on Jan 10, 2015 20:08:35 GMT -5
"Well - I don't usually make up songs like yours," Xavier said. "So I play things I've heard, and... I don't always remember the lyrics well. There's a song from Courdon that I know, though..." It was clear that he'd played it before - he didn't fumble over the fingering much, and he was easily able to remember the chords. Haltingly he sang a few lines in a quiet, tentative tenor. It was a soft, melancholy tune. Then he stopped short, looking self-conscious. "It's... in Courdonian," he said, rather unnecessarily. "She wouldn't understand it. I'm not sure I could translate it and keep it sounding right. The... the rhythm is different." He sighed. "I don't know. What would you do, if you were singing something like that for the Princess? I just want to get it right." Xavier shares part of a Courdonian song he knows, but he's not sure if he should sing Elin something she can't understand or try to translate it. |
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Post by PFA on Feb 6, 2015 17:46:15 GMT -5
"That was great!" Joffery replied cheerily. "I mean, I think she'll appreciate the sentiment in any language, but it's nice being able to pick the right lyrics... hm." He thought on this for a while. Xavier said he didn't write his own songs often, so he probably didn't have much practice with it. But he'd asked for Joffery's help, and Joffery loved writing songs. And there was no saying he had to perform only one song... oh! "Maybe you can play her two songs!" Joffery suggested. "Or more!" Joffery wants Xavier to sing ALL THE SONGS for Elin \ o / |
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