STABBED THROUGH THE HEART

[nikkernoodle]

[It's late Thursday night, and the school is far darker than normal. The Band Room is now lit by candle light; far dimmer than electricity, but something that Salieri is fairly used to.

He's there now, seated at the piano, a candle resting in a dish on the edge of the lid as he works, plunking out chords and tinkering with melody and harmony, making notes on the paper, going back, trying again.]

Comments

[disharmonizes]

[Hi.]

I was attempting to not interrupt your work. Now you've gone and ruined it.

[violentenvies]

Oh, is that what you were attempting? [the corner of his mouth quirks upward into a smirk]

Well, I'm afraid I must inform you that it was about as effective as a bull in a China Shop.

[disharmonizes]

You're just too perceptive for me. Alas, I've been thwarted. Ah, well, this is still effective for what I want, anyway.

[Which is... not something he's going to elaborate on.]

You just take a look at that when you can tear yourself away from your work, hm?

[violentenvies]

[at that, he rolls his eyes good-naturally] I will, I will. I'm not so ensconced that I'm unaware of time, this time.

[disharmonizes]

This time. Yes, so encouraging, when you put it that way.

[Maybe smiling a bit too soft at him. Just... lingering a moment, before he remembers himself. And what he still has to do.]

Though as much as I'd love to stay here and mock you for it some more, I have some things to get done, I'm afraid.

[violentenvies]

[that'll earn him an arched eyebrow] Busy, busy, hm? And just what are you up to, then?

[disharmonizes]

[Look at that, the one question he wants to avoid. Really, he'd rather avoid all of this in general, but... He's not an idiot. This isn't going to work if he tries doing it all alone.]

Oh, just... working on something. [He's trying to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in his stomach as he says that.] We'll talk about it later.

[violentenvies]

You're working on something. [sarcastic, but with humor] That doesn't sound ominous or anything.

[he's teasing]

[disharmonizes]

[He has to work not to physically recoil from that, forcing himself to instead shrug casually.]

My plans are always ominous, I can't just go changing things now.

[violentenvies]

Of course not. In that case, I'll let you get back to your ominous, likely chaotic plans, and prepare myself for whatever chaos ensues, I suppose.

[disharmonizes]

My, you can prepare for my chaos now? I've been going too easy on you.

[violentenvies]

Natural disasters are unpredictable, but one can still prepare for them, Monsieur Discorde~

[definitely teasing, and that drawl of his name was absolutely, blatantly flirty]

[disharmonizes]

I am a force of nature, so the comparison is very apt.

[He really would much prefer just continuing this conversation. Maybe sit down next to Salieri, make fun of him a little more, listen to some of that music. Just forget this whole thing.

But then he thinks back to that photo, thinks about everything at stake, thinks back to the last thing he remembers--

"Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends!"

...and he backs up, starting to turn away.]

Well then, do make sure you don't get lost in yet another obsession.

[violentenvies]

I'll do my best. [idly--then his hand snaps out, grabbing onto Discord's wrist halting him] Ah, just one moment, before you go--

[disharmonizes]

[And he stops, instantly, turning back to look at him.]

Hm?

1/2

[violentenvies]

[he frowns, studying his face very intently]

You...

2/2

[violentenvies]

You have something on your face.

[disharmonizes]

[................sir--]

And what's that?

[violentenvies]

I'm not sure. Some kind of smudge on your cheek. Just here. [he indicates on his own cheek]

Bend down some, and I'll get it for you.

[disharmonizes]

[...Fine, he'll lean down, gosh.]

1/3

[violentenvies]

Thank you. [and he's reaching out to press a hand to his cheek--]

2/3

[violentenvies]

[before leaning in as he pushes up a bit from the bench so he can kiss him, gently, sweetly, lingering]

3/3

[violentenvies]

[He then pulls back, shifting his hand as he pulls away so his thumb just rubs against Discord's cheek before he drops his hand]

Got it~ [he's smirking like anything, though]

1/2

[disharmonizes]

[For a moment there Discord freezes up, even though it was easy to see Salieri was up to something there, because... oh.]

2/2

[disharmonizes]

[Then he leans back again, smiling in the most casual and relaxed way he can manage right now.]

Such trickery. I've rubbed off on you too much.

[And he... takes a reluctant step back.]

I see I'd best be going now, before you trick and trap me again.