The Store

[Administrator]

Here is the music display room you can find what you are looking for.

[valerie]

Valerie hummed the movement quietly to herself, thumbing looking through the various selections of sheet music. She taught piano, but there had been a few instances where she would find a violin player or some such that just wanted someone to play along with. She'd like to have a few more piece of music for such an occasion.

Her new favorite piece, which Mother would not find funny at all, was called "Danse Macabre". It wasn't meant to be funny, but Mother never was known for her open mind. She would no doubt describe the piece as morbid for the title alone. Valerie smiled quietly to herself and shook her head, thinking of how outraged her mother would be over just such a silly thing.

It was a perfectly lovely piece. Unfortunately the shop didn't seem to have it. It was only twenty years old or so... How popular it was then, Valerie wasn't sure.

[Eddi Kiersted]

((New Day-for anyone))

Eddi walked through the front door of Mason's Music, his classic guitar hung carefully on his back. The bell over the door chimed making his presence known to the shop workers and anyone else in the store. He looked around for the section he was interested in and made his way over to where the guitars and accessories were located. He began to rummage through the different types of strings trying to find the right one to replace his broken E-string.

Eddi had a great passion for music so whenever he wasn't working he was strumming his guitar, piecing together his next piece of music or playing tunes he heard as a child. It had been a while since the last time he had changed out the worn strings on his guitar. So, the moment his E-string snapped while he was playing his newest work, he hadn't been surprised. Just annoyed that he had to wait til morning to buy a new one.

Eddi picked through the strings and decided on buying one of each; he might as well change out the others while he was at it. Turning to head up to the counter, he came face to face with an array of guitars. He took the one he owned off his back and set it gently on the floor, before picking up the closest one to him. Running his fingers over the smooth body of the guitar, he admired the craftsmanship. Then, he pulled his worn pick out of his pocket and he began to play--letting himself get lost in the music of his song 'The Island'. He was so focused on the music he hadn't noticed anyone listening to him.

_{((Occ: here's what the song sounds like~ The Island by Keith HarkinJust click the title.))}

[Gianna Mancini]

Gianna didn't venture out of Queens often, choosing instead to stick to the places she knew and where she knew others - but the music store in Manhattan was the one true exception. It was like a beacon for her, something familiar that felt like home even when it wasn't. She had stumbled across it during her first days on the street, found a solace in it and after having found a place in Queens she returned as often as she could - soaking up as much as the atmosphere and the music as she could. Here, like when she was watching the girls on stage at Caprice, she felt a little tug on a piece of her soul.

She'd been running her fingers over the sheets of music towards the back of the store, seeing that there was nothing new since her last visit, when the music started. It was a soft sort of melody with an almost sad and haunting tone to it that called to her and Gianna couldn't help but drift towards the source. She found it in the middle of the guitars, a handsome young man tucked in between the instruments and strumming the song and lost in the music in the way that Gianna herself was prone to do when she sang.

To shy to say anything and not wanting to interrupt the beauty of the music, Gianna simply stood there and watched, half hidden by the wall of guitars. She watched his fingers fly over the strings and felt a yearning and a smile tugging at her lips. Gianna had never learned to play an instrument - her real talent and love of music was in her voice - but she did so love to watch someone else play. Especially if it was something beautiful like this tune, lifting a hand she brushed a stray piece of dark hair out of her face and inched a bit closer.

[Eddi Kiersted]

Eddi continued to strum the strings of the guitar in his hands. The tone that emitted from the instrument was clear and pure--that of an instrument that had rarely been played before. Compared to his old classic guitar that was sitting nearby on the floor, it didn't have sentimental value and he didn't know every single piece like the back of his hand but it was beautiful instrument.

A contented smile found its way onto Eddi's face as he let the music permeate down into his soul and every part of his being. He began to quietly sing the words he had written to accompany the chords being played. He loved how music could help someone--who was a fumbling mess when trying to come up with the right words to speak--convey what they were feeling.

Eddi was nearing the end of his song when he felt himself being watched. He opened his eyes and lifted his head, catching sight of a dark-haired beauty trying to blend in with her surrounding. He finished off the last notes of his song and put the guitar in his hands back in its spot on display, and picked up his own. "Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb anyone. I couldn't help myself," he gently swung his guitar back onto his back and picked up the guitar strings he wanted to purchase.

Eddi stopped and actually looked over the girl standing before him. Judging by the innocence he saw in her beautiful brown eyes and her meek demeanor, she was probably a bit younger than him and probably wasn't a Brooks girl. Which would explain why he had never seen her before... Being as Mason's was in Manhattan, she was probably a 'Hattan girl. A newsie if her clothes were any indication. He gave her a smile and held out his empty hand, "What's your name, smuk? I'm Eddi."

_{((Danish lesson
Smuk: beautiful))}

[Gianna Mancini]

"Oh!" Gianna said softly when the young man caught sight of her and stopped playing and she felt a little guilty for having been caught and a touch sad that it might have caused him to stop playing. "Oh...no, you didn't disturb me. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude it was just so...beautiful," She said softly, now stepping out from behind the display of guitars and watching as he moved with ease, replacing the instrument with care and picking up his own. He held the instruments with a familiarity and ease that suggested he cared for the music he played in much the same way she treasured the songs that she gave voice too and for that reason she offered him a small smile.

Gianna was a little surprised when he moved forward and offered her his hand and his name, an unexpected gesture from someone who seemed so at ease with themselves. She wished she had that sort of confidence, that some of the uncertainty she felt would melt away with just a movement like it did when she was singing. "I'm Gianna," She said taking his hand and giving him another smile, hoping that perhaps he really didn't mind that she had been listening. "I really didn't mean to stare or bother you I just...you played so lovely and I always love listening to someone play..." She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and chewed on it thoughtfully for a moment, unsure on how to continue.

For not the first time in her life Gianna wished she was better with words, like Prince or some of the others at the lodging house who always knew the correct thing to say or just how to shout out the headlines to get people to buy their papers. Gianna had long ago learned she was better served to toss the papers aside and start singing a tune if she had a hope of coming out square at the end of the day, plus she liked it a whole lot better. But now she was here with this handsome young man who knew how to play and sing and she couldn't think of a single thing to say short of, "Have you played long?"

[Eddi Kiersted]

Eddi smiled watching the girl chew on her bottom lip. A sure sign, she was a bit nervous and timid. It was actually quite endearing and rather refreshing. The girls he usually encountered were Brooks girls and by no means were they shy and quiet. Maybe he needed to get out of Brooklyn more often, if the other girls inhabiting the other boroughs were as beautiful as the one standing before him; not that the Brooks girls weren't beautiful and endearing in their own ways. It was just refreshing to meet someone different for once.

Eddi chuckled at the girls comment. "Oh, trust me. If I had known you were there, in no way would it have been a bother." He might have actually played her her own tune. Whatever popped into his head when he caught sight of her. He just thought she worked there and since he had never been to Mason's music before he thought it might upset the owner that he was playing the displays.

Eddi leaned up against a shelf holding a couple of music boxes, and shot her a smirk. "A man would be stupid to be bothered or angry by a little beauty like you staring at him. It's actually quite flattering." He was flirting with her but seeing as she seemed to be the timid sort, he reminded himself to keep it light. He didn't want to scare her off.

Eddi moved on to look at what was on display in the violin section right beside the guitars. He picked up one of the more expensive looking violins, before turning to her to answer her question. "Yeah, I've been playing since I was a kid..." He picked up the matching bow and softly played a few notes before placing both back in their spot. He turned back to Gianna, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and smiled wistfully. "My parents worked in the theater back in Denmark, and they always brought my brother, sisters, and I with them when they worked. I spent all my time with the orchestra, watching them practice and learning to play every instrument I could. Conductor said I had a natural talent and I was a quick study, so I learned in no time..."

Eddi looked Gianna over briefly before deciding he was probably in the presence of a fellow music proficient. Why else would she be in a music store, right? "What about you? I know a fellow musician when I see one. What do you play?"

[Gianna Mancini]

She smiled a little as he claimed he wouldn't have found her a bother and for that she was pleased, perhaps if she had the boldness of her friend Luna she might even have found it in her to ask him to play some more. But as it was she was simply thrilled with the tiny bit she had managed to enjoy and she rather liked that she had caught him unawares, getting to see him enjoy the music and the moment in perhaps a way that he may not have had he known she was watching. Gianna felt a blush staining her cheeks at his next words, she'd been called beautiful before, usually by passerbys on the street while she sang - sometimes leering men and other times the cheerful comments of friends. But somehow it seemed a little different coming from him; handsome as he was and Gianna could tell he was a bit older but there was a kindness to his voice and she sensed a kindred spirit, at least when it came to music.

She watched as he idly played with a violin, drawing out a musical tone before setting aside as he explained how he had learned to play. Passed down through his family, surrounded by the lifeblood of music and theater in a way that Gianna might have only dreamed of. She smiled at his explanation, nodding a little when he said the conductor claimed he had a natural talent for it. "It would seem so," Gianna agreed softly, moving a little closer to brush her fingers over the strings of one of the violins closest to her. "You play wonderfully, so....effortless."

She shook her head when he asked if she played, stepping along the line of violins to caress the lines of smooth wood on another, wishing she had the skill in her fingers to make music dance in the air. "I don't play," Gianna explained softly, turning to look over at him and smiling shyly. "I sing."

[Eddi Kiersted]

Eddi shot her a quick smile as a silent thanks for the compliment. He was used to receiving such compliments from most people who heard him play, but it was always nice to hear them. Especially from someone who appreciated music the same way he did. And she was right. Playing was effortless for him. Starting at such an early age and being surrounded by music, it was only natural.

Eddi turned towards her, crossing his arms over his chest. "And, I bet your voice is just as lovely as your face," he replied with a wink and a smile. "Would you honor me with a demonstration? I'd love to hear. It's just you and I in here... besides the shopkeeper who's around here somewhere." Judging by her timidity, he didn't think she would be comfortable giving a private concert in the middle of the store, but he had to ask. He truly wanted to hear her sing.

[Gianna Mancini]

Her face flushed even more at his next compliment, there was no doubt a sincerity to his voice and she couldn't help but smile even as her gaze dashed away from his. It flustered her a bit how easy he was with charm, how his smile made him look handsome and that he seemed to be watching her with eyes that appreciated what he saw. But above all that, Gianna could sense a general respect for both her and the music that it appeared they both loved and it was that which made her turn to look at him again as he made his request.

Her eyes darted around the store, confirming his words about their status, they were indeed alone and the shop keeper was paying them no mind. She loved to sing and the prospect of perhaps sharing a bit of something with him after she'd caught him playing was enough for her to nod her head slightly. When she started to sing, it was softly at first, the words of the church hymn 'Amazing Grace' rolling easily off her tongue. After a moment she grew into the moment, embracing the words on the song, closing her eyes as the tune overwhelmed her and Gianna's voice became more powerful as she sang.

This was always how she had felt most comfortable, singing the songs that had been such an indelible part of her youth. But mostly it was the freedom of the music that she loved - it made her feel strong and certain and sure in ways that she never managed at any other time. When her eyes blinked opened as she found her way into the second verse, she found them wandering to his face and watching him still, even as she sang.