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Post by Henri Sébastien on Aug 2, 2010 13:10:05 GMT -5
The pianos at the opera house were much nicer than the old grand at home, so Henri often came here to practice. He was quite skilled at the piano, and perhaps a little talented, though none of the Pontmercy children had inherited their mother's passion for music. Henri came the closest. Like all his brothers and sisters, he'd been made to take piano lessons from a young age, but he was the only one who had continued past the age of fifteen.
His fingers danced nimbly over the keyboard as he played a Chopin étude, and he swayed gently with the music as he went.
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Vardalek
- Masterful Virgin -
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot%\0\%
Posts: 39
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Post by Vardalek on Aug 2, 2010 13:18:55 GMT -5
Having no home, yet-- going through them like hermit crabs with their shells, discarding each once it no longer served to shelter him-- Vardalek had no choice but to ease in his practice while he could get it. And where better than a sort of temple to music? Not as intimate as the family hearth, perhaps, but sufficient.
Marceli walked like a ghost, without sound or disturbance, until he came to the music's source. With recognition came a breath of memory-- poor Gabriel. His hands fairly ached to play. When he'd waited long enough, he entered the room properly. Applauding so mildly that it seemed almost sarcastic, and smiling exhaustedly at the pianist-- the boy...
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Post by Henri Sébastien on Aug 2, 2010 13:20:40 GMT -5
Henri turned, not quite startled but certainly not expecting anyone. Out of good manners he stood, brushing golden hair away from his eyes. He smiled.
"Thank you, Monsieur."
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Vardalek
- Masterful Virgin -
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot%\0\%
Posts: 39
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Post by Vardalek on Aug 2, 2010 13:40:22 GMT -5
He smiled more deeply, advancing toward where the piano was situated. "You have a talent."
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Post by Henri Sébastien on Aug 2, 2010 13:49:11 GMT -5
He laughed and ran a hand through his hair, a bit bashful.
"You flatter me, Monsieur. I've been taking lessons since I was young."
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Vardalek
- Masterful Virgin -
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot%\0\%
Posts: 39
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Post by Vardalek on Aug 2, 2010 13:53:41 GMT -5
He leaned lightly on the piano, caressing the instrument like a favorite pet or an enormous king-size creeper.
"As all young men should. So little appreciation for the arts these days-- who is your teacher?"
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Post by Henri Sébastien on Aug 2, 2010 13:56:46 GMT -5
"I used to take with Monsieur Arnaud Girard, but he has lately moved to Frankfurt," he said pleasantly. "I am Henri Sébastien Pontmercy," he added with a bow.
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Vardalek
- Masterful Virgin -
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot%\0\%
Posts: 39
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Post by Vardalek on Aug 2, 2010 14:04:33 GMT -5
Vardalek nodded graciously, halting himself in the motion of extending a handshake.
"How do you do? I am a pianist myself, for the moment without pupils."
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Post by Henri Sébastien on Aug 2, 2010 14:17:05 GMT -5
Henri rose. Vardalek's offer of a handshake struck him as very modern, so Henri, being young and disposed to like all things modern, took it and shook. He had a strong handshake, which his father had taught him was very important in making an impression in any business, though bowing was more polite in social settings. He had never actually had the opportunity before.
"Oh? Mother wants me to keep taking lessons; I'm the only one of us who's really taken to it. She was distraught when Monsieur Girard announced he'd be leaving us. She's taking interviews right now."
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Vardalek
- Masterful Virgin -
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot%\0\%
Posts: 39
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Post by Vardalek on Aug 2, 2010 14:42:52 GMT -5
Vardalek's hands were slightly cool to the touch, but nothing you'd remark upon. He made his own bow as well, rather languidly.
"How convenient. It would be a pleasure to make my services available to you and your family."
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Post by Henri Sébastien on Aug 2, 2010 14:55:27 GMT -5
"Do you have a card, Monsieur... ?" By this, he meant that the other man had not yet given his name. Calling cards were the most common method of exchanging contact information for Henri, so he assumed the monsieur would.
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Vardalek
- Masterful Virgin -
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot%\0\%
Posts: 39
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Post by Vardalek on Aug 2, 2010 15:11:48 GMT -5
Vardalek cast an apologetic glance downward. "I'm afraid I'm newly arrived in Paris. If I might make an appointment in person..."
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Post by Henri Sébastien on Aug 2, 2010 15:43:13 GMT -5
"Oh! Well, Maman will be At Home for visitors from one to four on Wednesday, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you then..."
Henri searched in his pocket for a calling card. His father had taken him to get a set of his own printed for his birthday a few weeks ago. For the first week or so he'd been quite vain of them, and carried them around in their own special case, but eventually had forgotten to do so and now had to hope he'd remembered to put a few in his pocket.
He did manage to find one, a small thing with his name and address on it, and offered it.
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Vardalek
- Masterful Virgin -
In seinen Armen das Kind war tot%\0\%
Posts: 39
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Post by Vardalek on Aug 2, 2010 15:49:20 GMT -5
He took the calling card with all good grace, tucking it neatly in an entirely empty pocket. Pity he couldn't return the favor; a more solid identity might help in Paris, which was after all not some tragic country backwater.
"Count Vardalek. How fortunate it's been to meet you, I do hope I haven't interrupted your playing..."
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Post by Henri Sébastien on Aug 2, 2010 15:58:38 GMT -5
"Oh, not at all; I was just finishing up. Were you looking for somewhere to practice? I was getting ready to leave."
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