Saint Joseph School

OOC:

Just to give a rundown on the music so far.

the first song is Where's the Girl, from the show Scarlet Pimpernel
The second song is an original by yours truly
The third is Johnny Tarr, by Gaelic Storm

Lucia listened intently as Jason began to sing, focusing more on the sound of his voice and the tune of the song than on the actual lyrics. She smiled slightly as the energetic music washes over her.

During the second stanza, she started catching snippets of the lyrics, and her smile widened, and her eyes gleamed as she fought to hold back laughter. After all, it would be rather rude to laugh during the middle of a song...

The song finally ended, and Lucia chuckled, still grining widely.

Jason looked over at Lucia, "Hey, she does laugh. I was beginning to wonder."

He idly played some music on the piano, "So, tell me something about Lucia, or the storied Q5."

"Hmm..." Lucia leaned against the side of the piano, thinking. "There's really not that much interesting about me. I'm from northern Maine. I came to the school here in March. I heal. Nothing too special."

"If I wasn't in Q5, I don't think anyone would even know who I am," Lucia shrugged slightly. "But because I am, I've had a few exciting things happen to me, mostly by extention."

You better not tell him the rest, girlie...he'll never believe you. He's probably fed up with you hanging around already. Don't make him think that you are nuts, too.

Jason smiled at her. "Hey, just by the nature of the school, your being here marks you as special. So, tell me about the exciting things." He plays the piano idly, keeping the notes soft, so he can still hear.

The smile on Lucia's face slipped, as thousands of images flashed through her mind. The Isles. Being captured. Being rescued. Dealing with the loss of powers. The stress of Stasis leaving the Quad. The ritual.

Too much.

No.

Lucia sighed. "I- I'd rather not talk about it..." She was going to stop there, but...

He deserves some kind of explaination, Lucia.

"It's...it's just that they weren't very pleasant experiences...and, well..." she shrugged, helplessly.

"Sorry to hear that, Lucia." Jason sympathized with the girl, but didn't really know where to go after that. "I figure we've got a little time till dinner. You're welcome to stay while I practice." He smiled, "let me know if there's anything you'd like to hear."

Jason turned back to the piano and started playing some of his older tunes, mixed with a few oldies, and showtunes.

Music.

She heard it as she walked down the hallway, really only listening to the sound of her boots. Step. Step. Step. She was trying to match her heartbeat. She was only having limited success but the attempt was taking big time concentration. Step.

She really didn't want to be thinking right now. Thinking was bad. Thinking just made her heart squeeze tighter with a flutter of panicky wings underneath. She wasn't interested in higher thought processes right now, so counting her footsteps seemed like a perfectly grand idea.

Step. Was Jai still upset? Frustrated? She didn't know, hadn't seen him for days now. Maybe or maybe not. She'd really hurt him this time, for all that she hadn't meant to. Hadn't understood, and when she had, hadn't known what to do about it. She'd never had a boyfriend before. Who knew you could mess it up so fast?

Ayuh, she thought angrily, count already. Don't think. He's just been busy, that's all. He still loves you, he said so.

Step. Step.

She was nearly level with the door when she realised that it wasn't an orchestral sound track in her head, underpinning her determined un-focus. A scattering of basso piano wound itself around her ears, tugged her curiosity, teasing with familarity. She knew that song, she did. Didn't she?

She slowed to listen but before she could pin it down it morphed into something faster that she didn't recognise at all, a light spray of notes like somebody laughing for a few bars. Then it slowed into a martial air and ponderously crawled into the hallway. Whoever was playing made the music dance, one piece after the other like water over stepping stones.

She drifted towards the door and then grinned suddenly. Yeah, that had to be Jase. She hadn't heard him play yet but who else could it be? Probably doing that practicing thing he'd told her to listen in on sometime, his eyes warm enough but tentative. She'd put it off, feeling a little strange about it. He was famous, or something. You weren't supposed to just drop in on celebrities she was pretty sure. Even if they asked.

Yet she knew what it was like to be the new kid, she remembered well enough. Not so long ago really but if Jase needed a friendly face to look at, she was willing. She liked him too, in that instant assessment that always got her into trouble, that made Jai shake his head and laugh. That used to make him laugh anyways.

She shook her head abruptly. No, she wasn't going to second guess things. She could always use another friend. If it was something else other than friendly... well, that's what the pom poms were for.

Decided, she pulled the door open and poked her nose in.

"Heyla you! I said I'd make it, didn't... oh." Two faces turned to look, one lighting up with an answering grin. It looked pretty cozy on that piano bench from where she was standing. "Uh, hey Lucky. Didn't know you were in here too." Whatever expression was on Lucia's face, it wasn't exactly a smile nor exactly welcoming.

Ayup. Awkward. Should she finish walking in or beat a hasty retreat? Caught out, she hesitated in the doorway.

Lucia had been so absorbed into Jason's music that she hadn't heard the footsteps approacing the music room, didn't even see Stasis walk in the door. The music was beautiful, and she was spending the evening with someone she admired. And the fact that he was genuinely nice made it even better.

"Heyla you! I said I'd make it, didn't... oh." Lucia turned towards the doorway to see Stasis there, fighting to keep her expression friendly, but most likely failing at that. "Uh, hey Lucky. Didn't know you were in here too."

It had to be Stasis. She's got all the other boys in this school wrapped around her finger, why not Jason as well? However she does it, you'll never stand a chance against it. Might as well get out of here now, spare yourself the pain.

She's got Jai. She probably only wants to be friends.

Doesn't matter, once Jason gets to know Stasis, he'll never give you a second look. You aren't anything special...

"Jason, I take it you've met my-" Roommate wasn't the word anymore, not since Stasis stormed out weeks ago over something completely stupid. She'd barely been back since. Friend? Were they still friends? Lucia didn't know. She'd never been that close to her, not like she was with Kris.

"...you've met Stasis," she amended, lamely. She pushed out her end of the bench, so that she could stand up. She was fighting to hold back tears of frustration. Why was it so hard?

She had to get out of here. Now. Before either of them could see her like this. She stood up and went to gather up her bag.

"Well, I-I'll leave you two alone. I've bothered you long enough, Jason." She couldn't even face him, face them. She walked out the door, maybe too quickly, and turned down the hallway.

She found a bench, set into an alcove along the wall. It wasn't far from the practice rooms, but she doubted that either of them would be coming out to look for her. She sat down on it, back against one of the walls, feet up on the bench, and wrapped her arms around her knees. Tears slid almost silently down her face.

Jason watched as Lucia got up to leave, and wrinkled a sad sort of grin. He'd seen this before. "Lucia, you don't have to go," He said at the retreating form, and sighed as he noticed she wasn't going to stop. "I'll catch up with you later, then."

He looked to Stasis, with a grin and windmilled an arm, beckoning forward to have a seat. "Come on, you, come have a seat." He looked slightly over her shoulder, expecting more company. "Nuts, I thought Jai would make it too. It'd be interesting to get his take on some music. I've never been able to catch that Carib style."

He noticed her hesitation, and smiled "You know if you walk out on me too, I'll start to think that maybe I'm not cut out to be a musician."

Stasis turned to leave, and Jason barked out "HEY!" Stasis turned around and stuck her tongue out as she walked back into the room. Jason rolled his eyes with a laugh.

Jason turned back to the piano and started to play a hard, moving rock phrase, moving to a lower register, slowing it down and transitioning into a jazz piece. He'd stayed off centered on the bench leaving a spot open. He didn't want to move over to make her feel like she wasn't welcome, but didn't want her to be uncomfortable by pointing out the seat. He chuckled a bit, realizing that it didn't matter, really, his newfound friend would find her own spot. As she moved closer he started to play "Merry-go-round Broken Down", Stasis stopped and arched a brow, with a smirk, and Jason fell back into the jazz piece, holding back a laugh. "Grab..." Jason stopped, visions of Stasis grabbing a seat and coming after him with it flashing through his head, "have a seat."

Ayuh, she won’t even look at me, Stasis thought as Lucky brushed past her in the doorway. The other girl’s movements were stiff, jerky and it was obvious she’d interrupted something. What, she didn’t know, but Lucky was acting like she’d walked in on them… well, kissing. Maybe? She blinked and stared after her quadmate’s swiftly retreating back. Glanced suspiciously at Jason. He didn’t look guilty or anything. Maybe it was nothing? Boys. It was so hard to tell.

He motioned her forward into the room though, an easy grin on his face. If he’d been busy smooching it wasn’t apparent. “Come on you, have a seat.” He looked happy to see her which was sort of gratifying. He made a production of looking over her shoulder though. "Nuts, I thought Jai would make it too.” That made her falter a half step. Jai. “It'd be interesting to get his take on some music. I've never been able to catch that Carib style."

What could she say? She hadn’t asked Jai to come. Too afraid to see him, maybe? To scared to know if he was still disappointed in her. Jason’s eyes sharpened a little, catching something on her face perhaps. "You know if you walk out on me too, I'll start to think that maybe I'm not cut out to be a musician." Teasing a little. Light. Just what she needed. This she knew how to react to.

She laughed soundlessly and spun on one heel.

“HEY!”

She looked back and Jason gave an exasperated glance at the ceiling. She stuck her tongue out. She felt a little strange, still fumbling with friends and I like you and let’s whump stuff. She suspected he did this a lot though, did that charm thing to make everybody feel good. Maybe that was why Lucky had charged out of here, annoyed at not being in the center of it.

She was okay with that. At least one of them knew how to be charming which took the pressure off.

The space where Lucky had been sitting was open. She took two veering steps towards it and then decided no. Charming or not, friendly or not, she wasn’t okay with sitting next to the guy, not that close. She was going to try very hard from now on not to be oblivious to the things that Jai seemed to notice for her. She came to an uncertain halt again.

He played a tune as she waffled which made her laugh. “Grab…" He corrected himself. "Have a seat.”

There wasn’t a lot else in here. She shrugged and decided. Strode forward, her heels clicking on the floor to fold herself next to the bench near his feet. Grinned up at Broadway and loosely hugged her knees.

“Ayuh. I am seated. Anything else, sa’hib?”

He blinked and then a smile creased his handsome face, lit the corners of his eyes. “I’ll let you know? Sure you wouldn’t .. uh, rather sit on the bench? It’s probably more comfortable.” His feet pressed the stop pedals, switched gears with his fingers to something meandering.

She blew air through her lips. “Ever been in Faultline?” she asked out of the blue. “No? Then trust me, this is good.” She patted the lino fondly. “Flat. No vertical.”

A thousand foot drop, so far she couldn’t see bottom and had to guess trajectory, the wind howling past her ears. There was nothing easy in Faultline. Not even falling.

“Well then, you. What do you want to hear, if the floor acoustics are so good? I am a jack of many talents, some of them even useful. And I play piano too.”

She scratched her head. “It is music Broadway, I just sort of listen to it. How about .. you play me your favorite thing.” She waved a hand in the air. “No. I take that back. Play me something that makes you happy. Play me something joyous.”

She nodded her head emphatically but spoiled the effect by nibbling her lip. Ayup, that was a good idea. Happy was good. Maybe Lucky would hear it and come back.

And if not, she liked it when he smiled. It was a good way to start.

She scratched her head. “It is music Broadway, I just sort of listen to it. How about .. you play me your favorite thing.” She waved a hand in the air. “No. I take that back. Play me something that makes you happy. Play me something joyous.”


Joyous? Not sure about that. Fun, sure He looked down at Stasis as she nodded, nibbling at the corner of her mouth and smiled. For someone that came off as crazy confident, she showed moments where she wasn't sure at all. All in all, it was one of the things he liked about her. "You'e going to want to watch that." He nodded indicating the nibble, "You'll look funny with the corner of your mouth gone." He laughed and covered up from the slap to his arm that followed.

"Just play the song, Jase." The merriment in her voice was evident despite the blow. Good, she seemed a little on edge when she came in.

He stopped playing for a second, then chuckled low, to himself, and looked at her out of the corner of his eye, and laughed, smiling at her. "Okay, you asked for it. I'll be really impressed if you can name where this came from."

The song started with a back and forth melody, very light. he grinned at her, that crooked grin that almost said he was up to something. "Usually this is a duet. I'll do my best." He chuckled.

Did I abuse her
Or show her disdain?
Why does she run from me?
If I should lose her.
How shall I regain
The heart she has won from me

Agony!
Beyond power of speech,
When the one thing you want
Is the only thing out of your reach.

High in her tower
She sits by the hour,
Maintaining her hair.
Blithe and becoming,
and frequently humming
a light hearted air:
ah-ah-ah-ah-ah -ah.

Agony!
Far more painful than yours,
When you know she would go with you
If there were only doors.

Agony!
Oh the torture they teach!

What's as intriguing-

Or half so fatiguing-

As what's out of reach!

Am I not sensitive,
Clever,
Well-mannered,
Considerate,
Passionate,
Charming,
As Kind as I'm handsome
And heir to a throne?

You are everything maidens could wish for!

Then why no--?

Do I know?

The girl must be mad!

You know nothing of madness
Till you're climbing her hair
And you see her up there
As you're nearing her
All the while hearing her
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-

Agony!

Misery!

Woe!

Though it's different for each

Always ten steps behind

Always ten feet below

And she's just out of reach
Agony
That can cut like a knife!

I must have her to wife

Jason brought the song to a close and giggled. "That song always cracks me up. It's just a total farce!"

He looked down to see the bemused look on Stasi's face. Then he got a serious look on his face. "Of course there is on other song..." He pulled out a piece of paper and shook it at her with a knowing look, and grinned that lopsided grin. "But then, you probably wouldn't want to hear this." He started to put the paper back in his book...

She clapped her hands when he was finished, trying not to eye the other piece of paper too obviously.

"Well done, you!" She shifted to place her back against the corner of the piano and grinned up at him. Half folded one leg underneath the other. "You sound kind of pretty. I bet you could like, get paid to sing or something." He laughed at that. "And of course I want to hear the other song! Did you finish it already?"

Really, she wasn't being greedy. He was the one who'd brought it up after all, even if he was pretending to tuck it back into his music notes now. He would have been disappointed if she'd ignored it.

"Of course." He sat back on the bench and looked mildly offended for a moment. "Some of us do our homework, you know. And we musicians are nothing if not disciplined in the performance of our craft." He was able to maintain the facade for a couple more seconds before one eyebrow lurched out of position, the second following suit a heartbeat later. "Well, mostly done anyways. Sort of?" Uncertainty flashed across his face, the look of presence falling away. The change was kind of startling.

She waved one hand in an expansive gesture, staring up at him. "I am all for 'sort of'. C'mon, Broadway. Jason. Let's hear it already; you know you wanna."

Jason arched a brow looking down at his newfound friend, enjoying the banter which seemed to be all too dificult for people when they were around him. He reached into his music book, fingers tickling along the scraps of paper, consisting of napkins, torn notebook pages, anything that had a writable surface that sufficed when he was inspired. His fingers lightly played with the music he'd written, and he viewed Stasis askance.

She played the anticipation off well, he thought, but despite teasing tone, and the gesture, he could see the eagerness to hear the music in her eyes, and the unconscious tapping of the fingers of the hand that rested behind her was a sure giveaway.

His fingers rested briefly on the song that he'd completed. Talking with Stasis had given him easy fuel for the song, but damned if he was going to let her know that it came that easy. Hey, he had to at least make it seem like he'd worked hard at it. It was, in his mind a testament to someone that could become a good friend. He hoped it would extend to Jai as well. He was slightly disappointed that Jai hadn't shown. He thought the Carib boy would have liked the song as well, and could have told Jason if he'd captured it correctly.

Seeing her anticipation, Jason's grin creeped up the side of his mouth, and his fingers danced past the song he'd written and pulled out another sheet. He set it on the stand in front of him, hoping she'd not realize that the paper was slightly more aged than the one he'd shown her earlier.

"Alright, Stasi, you asked for a song."

The music he started to play was haunting, with low chords played softly and sustaining the melody on the upper register. As quickly as he'd started, he stopped. "Hmm...something's missing."

Jason got up and looked around the music room and found the synthesizer. He was pleased to find that it was a state of the art model, much like the one he'd moved into his room in Q4. 'Wow...this'll do nicely!" His smile grew, and he started to gather the components together, pulling out disks from his backpack to plug into the keyboard with the proper arrangements on it.

He looked back at Stasis who's brows knitted, and then one platinum eyebrow arched gracefully upwards, the grin on her face arching upwards with it as she watched the boy fly about the room preparing the music system. She could see now why he did what he did. Lost was the music room. Lost was the fact that he was in a school for superpowered students. Her mouth quirked as she wondered if she was lost in his rapture over the music. He stopped and threw a beaming smile over his shoulder eyes lit with an unmistakable fire. Ayuh, this is what he was talking about earlier. The rush he gets from it all

Jason came back to the bench and set the synthesizer down and played a few cautious notes. The speakers in the room let out a low, soft diffused note, reminiscent of an organ, blended with strings. Jason closed his eyes and smiled. "Perfect."

He began to play again, the notes slow, and with the new sound almost otherworldly. He looked at Stasis with a wink, and started to sing.


Chaidh mi 'n-dé dhan choille challtainn
Shireadh chnòthan airson bladh
Ach 's e bh'air a h-uile geug ach
D'aodann-sa gam thriall
Chaidh mi 'n-dé gu tràigh a' mhaoraich
Lòn de choilleagan a bhuain
Nochd a h-uile slige neamhnaid
D'àilleachd-sa a luaidh

Chaidh mi staigh dhan aon taigh-òsda
Son do sgiùrsadh as mo cheann
H-uile glainne thog mi thaom do
Mhaiseachd aist' na deann
Chiaon mi tràth a-raoir dhan leabaidh
Thusa ruagadh as le suain
Ach cha tug thu cead dhomh cadal
Gus an dèanainn duan

Dh'iarrainn-sa bhith saor od thòireadh
Ach gu bheil sinn roinnt o chéil'
Do chumadh bhith an àit' do shamhla
Agam bhios an fhèill
Dh'fhàg thu mi 'nam bhaothair gòrach
Bòdhradh chàirdean le do chliù
Nuair a thig thu chì iad nach eil
Mearachd ann am fhiù

Chì iad sgurr a' danns le saobh-shruth
Famh is iolair' anns an ruidhl'
Stamh gu caomh ag altram sùbh-làir
Mireadh mu an sùil
Chì iad mis' is thusa sùgradh
Bil ri bil ar n-anail aoint'
Cniadachadh mar seo gu sìor le
Chéile b' e ar maoin



The lyrics spilled out of Jason's mouth, matching the haunting tune, until he stopped, looked over to Stasis, who had a somewhat confused look on her face. He grinned at her "Ohhhh...you wanted to hear the other song, and in English!" He watched her eyes narrow a bit and her head tilt.

Stasis began the hints of a smile before she spoke "Very cute, Jase. Now unless you want to eat a pom pom..."

He held up his hands towards her in a defensive gesture. He reached back to his music book, and Jason pulled a slightly wrinkled piece of paper, and put it on the keyboard stand. Looking over at Stasis, who was looking at him with a mock stern look and one eyebrow arched. "I promise, this is it."

Jason started to play, his fingers tickling out a moving ballad, and he stopped, feeling inexplicably nervous, he stopped. "Umm...just remember it's just written, and I took a lot of license with things. Hope you enjoy it" He hoped his friend would like the song.

~Hoarfrost Dreams, and Frozen Past
Two lives headed places fast.
Out of control, spinning headlong
To outcomes both loud and strong.
Friends hard to find amidst the masses
Promises from people dashed like shattered glasses.

Show me how a friend really cares
Pick me up when I've fallen to despair.
When I need a shoulder, promise you'll be there
Come spread your warmth over me
Teach me that true friends never part
Do that and win your way into my heart.

Friends find each other in ice and song
None suspecting a bond comfortable and strong
Wary of the game of busted dreams
Of friendships torn asunder at the seams
Putting pieces together from Icy pasts
Neither finding anything that lasts

Show me how a friend really cares
Pick me up when I've fallen to despair
Whin I need a shoulder promise you'll be there
Come spread your warmth over me
Teach me that true friends never part
Do that and win your way into my heart.

Step by step pieces fall into place
Each held together by a smiling face
Day by day trust lights a spark
Showing the way through piercing dark
A warmth that grows casting off the chill
Finally another who cares for more than the facade.

You've shown me how a friend really cares
Picked me up when i've fallen to despair
When I needed a shoulder you were there
You've spread a warmth over me
Taught me true friends never part
You've done that and won your way into my heart.

He played the last few notes, letting the final chord linger and fade like a memory of long ago.

He let the music still from the room and grow quiet before he turned to look at his friend, with a smile, "So, what do you think?"

Of all the things she might have expected, this was nowhere close.

The music was eerie, rising and falling in a cadence she didn't recognise, like a tide pulled from a different moon. She didn't understand the words but Jase sang them with assurance, his fingers gentle on the keyboard. The synthesizer spoke in undervoices, threading the air with conversation.

Croatoa, she thought suddenly, feeling the prickles run along her skin. This sounds like witch music. She hugged her knees and listened. Was it magic? A spell or something? She didn't think so but how would she know? It didn't even sound like people had written it; more like ghosts or something.

Her nose wrinkled as she considered then rejected the notion. Neh. Not Jase. She stared up into his face, his eyes half closed with concentration. He's about as magic as well... me. And ghosts don't write music. Not even the ones that won't stay safely dead.

Still the urge to thicken the air in protection twitched along her nerves.

When it ended she was almost sad. It had been really beautiful. Fey. She didn't clap like she had with the last one, because it sort of demanded a higher respect.

But it hadn't been the song she'd thought he'd sing.

As the melody trailed away, his far away eyes focused again and he grinned down at her expression. "No? Ohhh... you wanted the other song?" His hands carried a few more whispers. "In english?"

The laughter in his eyes dispelled the frisson. No spell, not here. Just a boy showing off his skill. "Very cute, Jase," she growled, weirdly pleased. "The one in english." He actually had written a song just because she'd asked him too. That sort of made it her song, didn't it? Even just a little bit? That was pretty nifty. Not an every day occurrence, that. "Now, unless you wanna eat a pom pom... " She raised a fist as if to demonstrate.

He held up his hands and produced another sheet from the raft, making a production of rustling it enticingly. "I promise this is really it this time. Just remember it's just written and I kind of took a lot of license with things. So I, uh... hope you enjoy it."

He started to play even as she blinked. What? That was a silly thing to say. Even if it was truly horrible she was still going to enjoy it, and somehow she doubted that it would be that bad. She opened her mouth to tell him so.

And closed it as the words began.

___


When the last chord sounded she felt hot. Flushed. Embarrassed. She'd better not be blushing or she'd have to whump something. Or run. She stared fixedly at the floor between her boots.

What did you say to something like that? What could you say? Ayuh, he'd written a song. He'd written a song about them.

That didn't happen every day at all.

"So. What do you think?"

It was just a question. It didn't sound like his entire bubble of self esteem was riding on the answer or anything. He just wanted to know what she thought.

She looked up, fiercely willing any betraying color to hell and back.

"I think. I mean. Well, uh ... woah? Nifty?"

He laughed, really laughed. That made her angry and relieved at the same time. Not fair! So she wasn't good at figuring these things out. He didn't have to laugh like that.

"Nifty? That's your final word?"

"Ayuh. Nifty." She shifted her position minutely. "You know, like really cool? Thank you? I am totally not knowing what to say." She frowned. "Okay. No, that is not precisely true."

She took a breath and felt her temperature settle to something a little more stable. She was proud that her breath didn't frost in the air. "Thank you. Very much. That was a wonderful song. I am not sure what else to say but... I am pleased to have met you as well, Jason-known-as-Broadway. I like you too."

His eyes widened fractionally at that. As if by mutual agreement they both found other things to look at. Stasis found a speck of lint on her boot to flick away. Jason seemed to be finding something interesting on the ivory keys, idly echoing the underpinnings of the music in a minor key.

"Does it," she started again after a section of silence. "I mean, is it hard to write songs? Where did you learn?" She managed to get her eyes up to about chest height. "Did you just like, wake up one morning and to yourself... 'self, I'm going to write a song today?'" She wrinkled her nose and dared his chin. "C'mon, you! What's it like to be a world famous pop star, or whatever?"