I would like to just ramble for a moment about one of my favorite Nicki & Lestat moments in the book, as I remember absolutely melting when I read it for the first time-- which was the tail end of the first proper Conversation that the two of them had. One where they spent hours and hours doing nothing but talking and drinking together, and by Lestat's own description:
"We were very drunk. We had never ordered supper. And I think I was happier than I had ever been in my life."
As the sun was starting to set, Lestat then begged Nicki to play his violin for him, as he lay back and listened, and Lestat is absolutely enthralled.
When Nicki was finished playing, Lestat looked shocked with emotion, Nicki inevitably asked him what was wrong,
This was pretty much the end of their night, but as Lestat recounts, most definitely not the end of their companionship.
There are many things that I love about this moment, even though it consists of just a page or so. First of all, is how much Lestat is so moved by Nicki's violin playing. Which I have no doubt might have been plenty exceptional, but with them having four bottles of wine between them-- there's also a chance it may have been a blissfully drunk version of something Nicki may have memorized. And yet Lestat still gets so emotional over it to the point of crying. I think it's partly because he saw the passion, the light showing through when Nicki plays from his heart, but in that moment Lestat also felt like he was falling in love.
The gentle closeness of saying "call me by my name" just stabs me in the heart.
Secondly, is Nicki's reaction which is both bittersweet and also rather amusing. Imagine playing a song in front of a man and he just starts crying in front of you haha-- in some strange way it's a compliment? But also please don't cry.
"There was no sarcasm or bitterness in him now." oh poor Nicki...
And finally, the aftermath. Not only is the idea of Nicki seeing Lestat cry and just being like 'ah. let's take you home.' such a nice thought-- but Lestat tossing pebbles at Nicki's window the next day to ask for attention like a swooning love interest?? He was like I want to hear that sweet music again!!
Goodness it's just so nice to look back on moments like this when they were just content. It doesn't even have to be happy. Just wholly content, and not alone.
