Thursday, May 04, 2006

Formal piano lessons

Previously I had only a few piano lessons before Lestat went to hospital. It had been on and off, because I was not keen and didn’t stay serious. Tonight, I had to do some exercises on the book and forgot most of the basics. My teacher had left the notion of the invalid.

“Bianca, let’s have a formal lesson schedule. Twice a week. When you feel you can learn. I understand you’ll be tired after school sometimes,” he said brightly. I scratched my head, question 11 and 15 blank. I showed them to him.

He did not yell at me. That was the key thing in our bargain, I was not going to be hit or scolded. “You have returned everything to me, huh? That’s the F, remember, in treble and bass clefs, the notes are counted differently.”

“Oh. Lestat, why must we be formal? We’re best buds. Don’t need.” I wrote down and counted line- space- line- space.

“Non, it is better to have a regular schedule or this happens, you forget. Let’s start at 7 pm and 1 hour first? Later it will go to two or three.” Penciled on the paper. Louis’s idea-------- he treated me as an equal, so whatever pre agreements or suggestions should be first discussed on the paper. ‘Talking is pointless.’ This wasn’t like the spoilt rich kid at all. I stared at him.

“Well? Bianca, if not I will start with 2 hours straight.” I moaned., ok, I said I would choose the first option. “Good. Yes, breaks. What? Half an hour? By that time you’ll be too lazy. 15 minutes.”

“Nooo,”I covered my face. Lestat sighed-------- you make me so sad. Please try. I want to teach you stuff. It won’t be like what you have been through. I’m not strict. Give it a shot ok? I don’t want to think about being sick and helpless.

I realized that Lestat needed something to occupy him. He smiled pleadingly. “Fine fine. But we could do something else, not piano. I want electric guitar. It’s cooler.” I was cranky and turned my back to him.

“Cherie, I don’t know how to play electric guitar.”

“That’s not true. You were a mega rockstar. I remember,” I answered.

My teacher was quiet, “My band members were adept at it. I just pretended to. I sang, that’s all. My forte is in the classical piano and a bit of violin.” I analysed his tone, all somber and patient, very unlike his usual hyper mode. Before he was poisoned and outside, he was noisier. This side of Lestat was practically unknown to me. I still don’t know what to make of this. I suppose Scorpio’s nature is very mysterious. “Piano is more aristocratic, sweetie. You have status. Even if you’re poor, you are recognized for this talent. I can make it interesting for you. No tests as promised, you don’t want stress. All right. how about this, I’ll try to pick up electric and when we’re finished, we’ll move to that.”

I turned to face him and looked at my new nail extensions, white tipped with black and green stripes. “Um, okaaay. I don’t care about the status. I just want fun. We have fun without any activity.” Louis admonished my bluntness. The blond guy was quiet for a long time.

“Bianca, I make you bored? It seems that is the case, none of my friends like music. This isn’t to make you guilty, it’s something I noticed…. Except for Nicky. Nobody has the passion or the thrill in music and drama. I feel quite alone.” Louis clasped him by the shoulders and stroked the bouncy curls.

“Krystal, don’t be cruel.”

“It is alright. I’m fine,” Lestat spoke up briskly. Do the right thing. I kissed his cheek and moved to his nose and forehead.
I consent to your romantic gesture. Don’t be depressed, it’s bad for your health. Do not expect me to ace in stuff.------- I told him.

************



Friday night, six thirty. I called Lestat, “Hi! What’s up? I’ve got no homework, yay!!!”

“Cool. I’m happy for you, darling. Are you ready? Shall I come fetch you? I’m deciding what to wear, should I wear modern?”

I said modern was better, how about the soft green Polo I chose.

“Hmm. All right. Louis is faster than me tonight. So shall we come to your place?”

I smiled, he’s always so considerate, not wanting me to run around unescorted. I hollered to mom I was going out and then we said goodbye. I flung on my crisp white tshirt, my tailored birthday red pants. The pants have studs along the pocket rims which make it have a vintage look. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and sat down to wait.

Lestat was super childlike and kept exclaiming at the patterns appearing. He had missed out on outdoorsy stuff in the hospital. “Wow, ice-cream? You want any? My treat.” Lestat said, watching the cart guy. Louis shook his head and told him that he would pay. “How could I do that?”

“You always pay. Save some money, we’ll go shopping next week. At this rate we’re living off you, highness.”

The marquis grumbled that he was no pauper, Magnus’s jewelleries were still ‘pawnable’. I was curious, “A whole roomful of them? So you’re still rich?”

“Uh huh.” I burst out giggling at his indignant expression. “Hey. What’s so funny? Lemme pay. Pllleeeease. I don’t mind.”

I frowned and hooked his arm. “I mind. Please don’t. Let Louis do this k? You make us feel bad. Now, let’s sit down and I want to see the light reflect your blondie hair.” Louis came back after some time with a high cone. Yay! But I couldn’t finish licking the frost biting my tongue. The vampires helped. Isn’t it sweet, not blood but cream? I don’t know if there’s side effects from eating cream. Louis gets sick everytime he eats beef at the restaurants his fans book. He hates the beefy smell. Um cream should be ok right? Don’t kill me if you throw up. Anyway, nothing like that happened and we thoroughly spent the time!! Lestat was miffed we hadn’t let him treat us, his reasoning was he is one of the richest brat boys among the preters and he loses face if he doesn’t pay. So I would be hurting his feelings if I did not accept the golden Sagittarius earrings. I had spotted it still on display but cost was higher. Lestat read my intentions and came out with them.



I liked the lessons my teacher prepared. Often he began with playing a short piece or a recording. I would guess which era it was from, and what composer. If I got it right, I got ice cream. But it wasn’t a fiery heart of love for the piano. My favourite activities are wakeboarding and taking to the air. I’m not much of a sitdownstudy type, which is why I plan to defer college. I may want to become a PE instructor. Or I could coach other Flyers to improve their skills! I kept these potential hurting stuff to myself, so Lestat was wondering why my mind was obstructive most of the time.

Another mistake was payment. He was affronted when I produced a cheque. Dad’s idea. “It is all right. You are totally qualified to teach me. Please, Lestat.”

“No, I won’t accept this. Take it back. Teaching is my hobby, and I am surviving on my own. No known vampire lives by payment from mortals. I have a huge inheritance.” Lestat said. His tone was no-persuasion.

It’s all right. Don’t insist. He will be angry. I took Louis’s cue. My teacher was moody that Friday night. He’s been having a migraine. Construction noise just this afternoon.

I Sent a soothing seawater image, clownfish, angelfish. This picture helps with migraines. Lestat nodded his thanks.

I did not mean that he was poor by paying him. I just wanted to contribute because of the expenses he incurred, now that I stayed over most of the time when my folks were away. Babysitting by my friends counted as service, my own room, food, medicine. Louis accepted my cheques. I forgot their way of thinking is way broader.

I preferred the concerts. I could not help falling asleep at the classical music but if it came to Bond, I perked up. This weekend, Lestat had bought nice seats for us! I showered him with my extremely enthusiastic whooping and hugs. “Thank you! Merci beaucoup!”

“Wow, I’m much rewarded this time. I’ll go shower first. need to smell pleasant,” Lestat grinned and flew upstairs.
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