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Post by Julian on Sept 23, 2008 10:18:27 GMT -5
*Julian frowned, wincing slightly. He moved gracefully to retrieve some papers, buried and dust-covered. Pulling them out, he dusted them carefully and offered them to Erik.*
"Here. I believe...this is what you were last working on."
Before. Before Pina and Christian and...
*He lowered his eyes, the smallest hint of shame pinching his chest.*
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Post by Erik on Sept 23, 2008 10:33:12 GMT -5
Erik stared, his eyes tracking back and forth between the dusty sheets and Julian's downcast face.
"No, no. The last thing. Most recent."
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Post by Julian on Sept 23, 2008 10:46:17 GMT -5
*Julian's eyes flickered up to Erik's.*
"This...this is the last thing." *He tried to keep his words soft. Sometimes Erik just didn't realize that...well...he could get rather focused. And recently, it hadn't been on work.*
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Post by Erik on Sept 23, 2008 11:27:15 GMT -5
Erik frowned.
"But this is..." He cast his mind back, trying to recall... He'd been sick, he'd been invisible, he'd been... obsessed. With Christian. He'd been distracted by Megan and Pina. He'd been... all over the place. The life that was now denied to him flashed before his eyes, and it seemed to belong to another person. Had he really... with Nadir?
The proof stood before him, the only light now in this descent back into darkness, and he knew Julian must be right. But it stung.
"Erik has been neglecting his calling," he said. "But no longer. Julian. Mephisto."
Erik strode to the piano, coattails flying as he sat and began straight into Mephistopheles' entrance.
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Post by Julian on Sept 23, 2008 11:40:34 GMT -5
*Erik's new focus was invigorating and Julian took it to heart as the song burst free of his lips, rattling deep in his chest. He sang of temptation...of offering. Something a bit too close to his own heart. His voice was strong and pure, but he seemed...a touch distracted.*
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Post by Erik on Sept 23, 2008 11:57:05 GMT -5
((Erik totally has sexyfocus.))
Erik's fingers stopped with a pounding chord on the keys.
"What is it?" he demanded. "You sing like a demon from hell ought to, but without his single-mindedness."
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Post by Julian on Sept 23, 2008 12:09:33 GMT -5
((Totally.))
*Julian's brow furrowed in frustration. It wasn't as if he wasn't trying.*
"Forgive me." *He murmured, setting his face to try again.*
"I will try harder."
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Post by Erik on Sept 23, 2008 12:22:38 GMT -5
Erik held out his hand to Julian.
"No, I should not be so harsh. Let me explain. Your singing, your technique, is perfection. It is as if I have already taught you that which I know about the physical requirements. But you must also feel what the music, the words, are trying to convey. I do not think you aren't trying. Perhaps you are trying too hard. What are you thinking of, Julian?"
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Post by Julian on Sept 23, 2008 12:42:14 GMT -5
Christian.
"Temptation." *Julian answered honestly, even as he tried to push said thought away. He took Erik's hand, comforted in the touch.*
"I just...don't know how to focus it."
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Post by Erik on Sept 23, 2008 12:51:54 GMT -5
Erik tilted his head, regarding Julian.
"Faust's own desires give form to his temptation," Erik said. "His lust for power, for Marguerite--these things are not brought by the Devil. You are merely giving him license to do that which he desires anyway. You do not need to tempt him; you need to be temptation. But not any specific kind; you need to make every member of the audience believe that they would sell their souls for what you offer. This is not as hard as it sounds, Julian; you merely need to offer possibility without specifics. Confidence. Knowledge. Power."
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Post by Julian on Sept 23, 2008 13:11:54 GMT -5
Power.
*Julian could do that. He swelled slightly, nodding to Erik to show that he was ready to try again.*
"Please...let me try."
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Post by Erik on Sept 23, 2008 13:13:28 GMT -5
One corner of Erik's mouth lifted into a subtle smile.
"Always," he said, and launched into the introduction again.
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Post by Julian on Sept 23, 2008 13:31:25 GMT -5
*Julian fought to quiet his mind, to surrender to the music. To Erik. His voice was sure and strong, more haunting than before.*
Be the vessel.
*The words dripping in invitation and longingly. He could almost feel Erik's touch on his skin.*
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Post by Erik on Sept 23, 2008 13:43:39 GMT -5
Erik rose as the piece came to its close, standing before his son far too close for the comfort of normal people.
"Yes," he hissed in pleasure. "Yes, Julian, they will eat from your hand!" He laughed and touched Julian's face lovingly. "Now you need only be careful they aren't doing so literally during your performance..."
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Post by Julian on Sept 23, 2008 14:01:47 GMT -5
*Julian's smile twisted his face as he pressed his cheek into Erik's hand. That was what he wanted. Praise. Recognition. From Erik. If it pleased him to win over the hearts of the masses, Julian would serve him thus. The song still hung about him like a cloud, filling his head with thoughts. Urges. He took a small step, closing the gap between them.*
"Erik." *He breathed, savoring the smell of him, his senses alight.*
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