@thelonelypianist
Ballet rehearsals were tough, not only for the dancer, but the pianist as well. Every mistake had to be rectified, and the music would have to restart from that point. But it was all necessary to get into performance shape.
This time, however, Erzsébet couldn’t concentrate on her dancing–not when the pianist was looking more and more pale as time went by. It didn’t feel right to continue like this.
She’d barely exhausted herself, but she stopped in the middle of a song. “I think that’s enough. Thank you, Roderich.”
Roderich didn’t mind these sort of rehearsals. It was a good change of pace, and it helped him to make sure he knew all the aspects and parts of a new song. If he couldn’t play any part of it on command, then he didn’t know the song well enough, or at least, that’s what he thought.
Usually he could spend hours playing and practicing with individual dancers to help them master their routine, but lately, with his illness, it was becoming more and more difficult. Of course, he was loathe to ever admit it, so often said nothing, simply pushing through, taking breaks when needed if a coughing fit decided to render him useless for a few moments.
When Erzsébet though called for the rehearsal to end, he paused his playing, glancing at her with a look of slight surprise. “Oh? Has it been that long already? I thought you had wished to practice a bit longer…” He paused, frowning, not realizing it might be due to his own health, even as he ignored the dizziness in his head. “Are you feeling alright?”
...Oh dear. Just how dense was this man?
Well, if he thought she was finished then at least he wouldn’t insist on resuming.
“Yeah, I think I pushed myself..a bit too hard this time.” She ran a hand across her brow, which was admittedly slick, but she was still telling a white lie and could probably go on for a few more hours if it were only her being considered.
“More importantly though, how about you?” She frowned, “You’ve been really pushing yourself and you’re really dedicated. I’m sure everyone appreciates it, for I sure do; but you haven’t been doing well since I got here and since then you haven’t exactly...gotten better.” She moved closer and noticed the dark circles under his eyes. “Are you..sleeping well?”










