Lost in Stereo, Lost in Sheet Music

"From the beginning, I knew intuitively that if nothing else, music was safe, and that nobody could tell me anything about it. Music didn't need a middleman, whereas all other things in school needed some kind of explanation." -Eric Clapton

[mawarhati-blog]

[its-macie-royce]

I associate with everyone. I’m just really shitty with names. It’s why I give people nicknames, helps me remember who is who. Plus its fun! 

[always-lost-in-stereos]

Tis one way to remember, yes. Not a method I've used before, though, but if it helps, it helps.

[yevabelitrov-deactivated2015042]

Yeva watched the girl quietly and smiled softly as she took the pen. “Thank you. My own ran out of ink. I’m sorry to disturb you.” 

[always-lost-in-stereos]

"You need not thank me nor apologize, it happens to everyone," her eyes caught the smile, but she only nodded in response again, eyes flickering upwards in an attempt not to be rude. There was an awkward pause before Erin managed to find words again. "Lots of note taking, I'm guessing?"

[its-macie-royce]

No pardons necessary here, darling. I am that person yes. I also go by the title Queen of the Misfits, sometimes just Queen. Depends on my mood. I’m Macie Royce and I would say I’m just as important as a sorority president, if not more since I deal with more than just sorority members. 

[always-lost-in-stereos]

I'm well aware, as I'm a junior myself; one would be surprised how easy it is to not miss such details at this school of all places. Tis... quite populated at its best and unbearably noisy at its worst. And... if introductions are in order, I'm Erin Rose Foster, whether you've heard about me or not truly depends on the people of whom you associate yourself with.

[yevabelitrov-deactivated2015042]

“Der’mo. You don’t happen to have an extra pen, would you?”

[always-lost-in-stereos]

At the question, Erin slowly nodded in an almost hesitant manner and reached into her messenger bag, her fingers delicately (somehow) holding the pen as she held it out to the woman. She only looked up at them for a brief moment before looking back at the object in her hand.

"Here," was what she spoke. "Keep it if you wish; I have extra."

[its-macie-royce]

Personally I would be jumping at the chance for new blood but I’m trying to let them settle in first before that. Apparently I’m very intense and can be intimidating. Which is poppycock since I am a charming individual. 

[always-lost-in-stereos]

I believe to the initiative-lacking populace, friendly and outgoing can translate to intimidating and intense. Pardon me if this is blunt, but you're the junior class president, are you not? Be it you're not a sorority president, that title might hold some weight to newbies.

[djsamterrafino-deactivated20150]

Sam nodded. “The day after then.” they said, smiling. “This is going to be great, I just know it.” they remarked. With that, they picked up the case to their banjo and went to the doorway. Before they left, they turned back to look at the blue-haired girl. “See you soon, Mozart.” they said, shooting a dazzing grin framed by crimson lips to her before leaving, Laverne giving a snuff of goodbye before trailing behind her owner.

[always-lost-in-stereos]

Erin just stared at the door until it closed with a gentle click, only to let out a long groan at the nickname. Yet another person she's encountered in her twenty years of living who decided to give her a nickname; as if her brother wasn't enough. Still, and again, it wasn't the worst she's ever experienced, but the blunette could really make do without them. Oh, whatever, she thought, dismissing the exasperation and turning back to her music, ready to focus on it once more as she picked up the pencil and drew the notebook to her lap, making quick work of the piece since she was left to her beautiful solitude once again.

[its-macie-royce]

I have no fucking idea. I’m roaming because I’m bored.

[always-lost-in-stereos]

My... sincerest apologies at the fact you're bored; tis quite the terrible predicament if you've found yourself wandering. I'm... guessing nothing horribly interesting has happened on campus just yet despite the influx of new students?

[its-macie-royce]

Whaattt are you doing?

[always-lost-in-stereos]

...Just composing, I guess. [There was a tiny pause.] What are you doing?

[djsamterrafino-deactivated20150]

"I’ve never done a collab with a piano before." they admitted, giving her a big smile. "But it’ll be awesome. So you know, I’m genderfluid, and I go by they/them pronouns. Just letting you know so you don’t accidentally use the wrong ones. Prevent it before it happens." they shrugged, smile still on their lips. Erin might seem a bit grumpy, but Sam didn’t think she’d be the type to use the wrong pronouns after she knew the right ones. They could spot those a mile away.

"So, meet up here tomorrow or something?" they asked, raising an eyebrow. They was excited to get started, but they wanted a little bit of time to think of melodies to fit in with the piano before they began.

[always-lost-in-stereos]

Erin wouldn't necessarily agree to such a strong adjective, but she would agree to saying it would be different; she would probably have to dab her fingers in ragtime and jazz and blues again or arrange something depending on what Sam was into playing. And she needed to find time to do these things, as classes were going to start cracking down tomorrow (she guessed) and she was absolutely looking forward to being swamped with school work and essays and projects. At least she had the studio to escape to. Or the library; both usually worked as long as Erin ventured to the top floor of it, away from the people.

She did take note of their gender, nodding in confirmation only to shake her head at the question. "I'm not able tomorrow, but I can do the day after, if you wish." Instrument duties call, after all; at least the band director trusted her enough to look for any repairs that need to be done.

[djsamterrafino-deactivated20150]

Sam smiled very softly at her reassurance, then slowly rose, packing away their banjo and re-leashing Laverne. “I’ll leave you to your music, Erin.” they said, smiling softly. They had a slight feeling that they were annoying the blue haired girl, and they knew when to leave. Before they left though, they came over to stand by the piano.

"Maybe you and I could collaborate sometime?" they asked, having gathered up their bravery before they asked. "The banjo and piano sounded nice together, and I think we’d make good music together." they commented, Laverne shuffling off to the door to wait for her owner.

[always-lost-in-stereos]

Erin blinked, obviously surprised by the invitation, more so out of confusion, since she wasn't stunned by disgust in any way; it was just... different. Normally people would only ask if she was the last person they had to, or if they just wanted to try and cop out since she usually got top marks in her music comp class, because it was clear as day Erin wasn't the sunshine of the school. 

To be honest, she almost replied with an 'I'm usually really busy, I don't have the time' or 'Sorry, it's not my thing,' but she found herself sincerely pondering the offer. It wasn't as if Sam was asking her to join a sorority or anything (that thought made her shiver a little in acrimony) and plus, they had a point. While unorthodox, the duet didn't sound horrible at all; obvious refinement was needed and proper sheet music and the right genre of music, but overall, it wasn't bad.

"Sure," she agreed, nodding as prototype melodies already began to flow through her mind. "I've never done a collab with a banjo before." She had a hunch her brother was smirking at her right now. Annoying little shit.

[djsamterrafino-deactivated20150]

Sam nodded. “Child musician, cool.” they smiled. “I only took up playing when I was a teenager, but I always loved music. The first song my grandmamma ever played for me was ‘White Rabbit’. Music was always really important in my family, it was something we always turned to whenever the world decided to smash its fist in our faces. Music was like coming home.” they reminisced, a gentle smile on their lips.

Then they realized that they were rambling and they frowned. “Sorry for rambling. I do that sometimes when I’m really into something.” They plucked at the strings, trying to think of what to say next.

[always-lost-in-stereos]

There was a very slight wince at the words that was easily masked when she reached up to twirl her hair around her finger for a quick second, but otherwise there was no reaction to it what so ever. She'd definitely heard her mother flaunt worse. 

Instead, she quietly listened to Sam talk in silent agreement, but there was a color of jealousy that danced around in her heart when the person spoke of music being important to their family. That was one of the very few things Erin wished was important to her immediate family, not status or money, but wishing on such things was a habit she gave up a long, long time ago. People don't change in such drastic ways. But she truly, truly understood in a way what they meant by music was home. Except to Erin, it was a lot more than just that...

At the apology, she shrugged again, this time in reassurance because Lord knows she's been the wall a certain someone always talked to about (literally) anything. "Don't be; I have... I know of someone who does the same thing. I'm used to it."

[djsamterrafino-deactivated20150]

Sam smiled gently, turning to the girl. “My grandmother taught me. It belonged to her father. It was my coming-out gift.” they explained, legs swinging as they looked at the girl. “Grandmama was very proud that I was brave enough to tell her, so she decided that I was mature enough to have it. It’s my prized possession.”

"I’ve been playing since I was a teenager. It was a big solace to me when I was growing up." they confessed, setting the banjo down. "Where did you learn how to play?" they asked, fishing a little treat out of their bag and feeding it to Laverne when she made a hungry snuff.

[always-lost-in-stereos]

"I..." Erin began slowly, trying to chose her words carefully as they formed adequate sentences in her head. "I've been playing since the age of six; tis just something I've always known how to do." The more explained truth was that her brother would always feel better if she picked out the melody to 'Twinkle twinkle' on the piano she had back on the east coast; he was always the more emotional of the two, after all and it was more than an exciting discovery to find something different in the seemingly large house they grew up in. She still vividly remembered the expression of sunlight on her brother's face when she played, as if it were their little secret. And it was. It was a real shame when her mother found out.

Yet, even at this fact she only shrugged in absolute modesty. "Twas not till the age of ten did I officially start lessons, though, per my mother's insistence at the discovery." There was a slight curve that formed at the corner of her mouth, creating a ghost of a frown. Needless to say, it was not the happiest of moments in her twenty years of living, but Erin understood what Sam meant by solace. Music was a world Erin knew all too well.

[eliz]

Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Rhapsody Magazine

[jackpotsandtigersohmy]

Post Ranch Inn realness with @rileystearns

[always-lost-in-stereos]

meet-moi-halfway:

almost_uncharted: i kinda miss my sis' old hair tbh

[djsamterrafino-deactivated20150]

The music the bluenette was playing was lovely to Sam’s ears, and they swayed gently, still plucking their banjo to the song they was singing. “Prodigal son, wants to return to where the dogs play pool, I love you all..” they continued, voice low and sweet, trying not to interrupt the other’s song, red painted fingernails twanging the strings, boot tapping against the floor. “I love you all, I love you all, I love you all..” they continued.

When the song they was playing finished, they hooked onto the song Erin was playing, slowly picking it up and playing with her, Laverne gazing at them both with drooped, lazy eyes. Sam could see themself and the girl collaborating sometime, but didn’t want to ask until they knew her better.

[always-lost-in-stereos]

Eventually, the impromptu duet came to a close and Erin took a breath as if she were easing back into some other state of mind; in an honest truth, she was. The only way she could describe the feeling after playing a piece was a pull of slight dread that slowly led her back to another reality that she continuously disliked. 

There was a pause in her movements as she debated on whether to comment about the duet; normally she would never dream of starting a conversation, but the banjo-player did earn points in Erin's book for (at the very least) musical respect. Plus, she realized she didn't exactly amend for snapping at the other person's entrance, too, and it was then she was at it, tugging on her sweater paws and sighing at herself. Would one question really kill her? Probably not.

"... where'd you learn how to play?" she questioned, her hands drumming against her leg in an oddly twitchy manner. "You seem to know your stuff."

[djsamterrafino-deactivated20150]

Sam nodded and got their banjo out of its case, putting it into their lap as Laverne curled up alongside them. Carefully, they tuned it, looking at it like it was the Holy Grail. To them, it was. It had been a gift from their grandmother after they’d come out. something passed down. They treated it gingerly, not wanting to damage it.

Testing it, they plucked the strings, then began to softly play a song, tapping their foot to keep rhythm. “El Madrid, it’s nice to see you, it’s really nice to be here. I love you all.” They sang very softly, not wanting to interrupt the other’s practice. They just wanted to play their music, not to start a conflict with a person they barely knew.

[always-lost-in-stereos]

There was a quiet note being made in the back of her mind that commented on the fact the person playing was really good, but like anything else that wasn't already turned into compositions in her mind, it was dashed away to the back of her head as she adjusted something in her music again and took a deep breath. The melodies in her mind were mellowing out now, calmed after being brought into a duller, more tangent world in the gentlest way Erin could. It really was strange, how differently she thought and treated music compared to everything else around her. Her brother really put it best, she really only could speak one language and she always seemed to live in a completely different world.

Sadly, most people just saw a weird, grumpy and extremely introverted musician who just happened to have a knack for composing; not that Erin cared as she stared at the keys, her fingers drifting over them lightly as she began to play again. She was mindful not to play too loud, not wishing to disturb the other as she assumed they felt the same way. Oh, if her brother could see her now, he'd probably be talking up a storm with the banjo-player. Still, Erin had to admit this wasn't horrible; she could already hear the pieces merging slightly to create new, different harmonies and melodies. Or maybe it was just her being her again, hearing music at every turn, every tick, every breath.