ext_158887 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
seta-suzume.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
31_days2008-08-18 02:56 pm
seta-suzume.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2008-08-18 02:56 pm
[August 18, 2008][Original] Musicial Ability
Title: Musical Ability
Day/Theme: Aug. 18, 2008 "Centuries before I come to where you are."
Series: Original
Character/Pairing: Jin, Saraki
Rating: G
Not really a true continuation of Aug. 16th's "Think What You Want," but Jin is still narrating. (I was inspired to write something related due to kind comments.)
"Jin! ...Jin!" the prince spoke pointedly. His words were sharp, but without any intent to harm. Ever since we met on that night when I wandered the halls of the palace insecure in my new appointment... Yes, ever since that night he was always watching me. I did the same, but pretended I wasn't.
"Cute kid," I had told his adoptive mother. It was too strange to show much interest, after all, I barely knew them. The only children to have ever been worth noticing to me were my nieces, but my intentions as far as they were concerned were much different. Due to the differences Cheisian and I had, I was always thinking of how to make them allies, so we wouldn't end up enemies. From the beginning, I never faced the same challenge with Saraki.
"What is it?" I asked, turning away from my desk to look down at his round face. He held out the small violin and bow I had seen him practicing with before. Why had I chosen to be such a show-off that night? I was not one to usually parade my talents out in public, particularly those useless abilities one tends to pick up over the course of acquiring a full education. Of course, I shouldn't allow myself to complain. This violin became a bridge between us.
"Please play for me," Saraki urged. "I've been practicing more and more, but I still don't have any luck. I'm not as good as you."
I felt myself wincing slightly at his request, knowing quite well that having heard my playing was the main reason the prince now viewed his skill level as deficient. From what I heard from those who had proceeded me in the palace, he had always been viewed as significantly talented and happy to perform proudly for his mother's guests. It was a shame for my ability- better only for my longer years of practice- to wound his self-esteem.
"Fine," I agreed, "Just a bit for your amusement, but don't say another word about your luck or your skill. When I was your age, I hadn't even touched an instrument yet, let alone showed the aptitude that you have. Saraki, at the rate that you're going, you'll be a professional musician instead of an emperor."
I put the small violin to my chin. Saraki seemed encouraged by my words. I stood up and we switched places as he hopped onto the chair to watch. For many years I hadn't cared to play at all, but Saraki's dark eyes following each movement of my fingers encouraged me to work harder and play more smoothly than I had since before my father died. The prince knew the piece just as well as I did, and the tilt of his head and the concentration in his eyes showed that not only was he enjoying my playing, but that he was appraising it as well. Saraki had always struck me as someone with exceptional judgment for his age. I think I saw a lot of things in him that I saw as missing in myself.
"I'll be that good someday," Saraki declared, or perhaps vowed, when I was finished.
"You'll be better," I laughed. It wasn't as if I was doing much to practice.
Day/Theme: Aug. 18, 2008 "Centuries before I come to where you are."
Series: Original
Character/Pairing: Jin, Saraki
Rating: G
Not really a true continuation of Aug. 16th's "Think What You Want," but Jin is still narrating. (I was inspired to write something related due to kind comments.)
"Jin! ...Jin!" the prince spoke pointedly. His words were sharp, but without any intent to harm. Ever since we met on that night when I wandered the halls of the palace insecure in my new appointment... Yes, ever since that night he was always watching me. I did the same, but pretended I wasn't.
"Cute kid," I had told his adoptive mother. It was too strange to show much interest, after all, I barely knew them. The only children to have ever been worth noticing to me were my nieces, but my intentions as far as they were concerned were much different. Due to the differences Cheisian and I had, I was always thinking of how to make them allies, so we wouldn't end up enemies. From the beginning, I never faced the same challenge with Saraki.
"What is it?" I asked, turning away from my desk to look down at his round face. He held out the small violin and bow I had seen him practicing with before. Why had I chosen to be such a show-off that night? I was not one to usually parade my talents out in public, particularly those useless abilities one tends to pick up over the course of acquiring a full education. Of course, I shouldn't allow myself to complain. This violin became a bridge between us.
"Please play for me," Saraki urged. "I've been practicing more and more, but I still don't have any luck. I'm not as good as you."
I felt myself wincing slightly at his request, knowing quite well that having heard my playing was the main reason the prince now viewed his skill level as deficient. From what I heard from those who had proceeded me in the palace, he had always been viewed as significantly talented and happy to perform proudly for his mother's guests. It was a shame for my ability- better only for my longer years of practice- to wound his self-esteem.
"Fine," I agreed, "Just a bit for your amusement, but don't say another word about your luck or your skill. When I was your age, I hadn't even touched an instrument yet, let alone showed the aptitude that you have. Saraki, at the rate that you're going, you'll be a professional musician instead of an emperor."
I put the small violin to my chin. Saraki seemed encouraged by my words. I stood up and we switched places as he hopped onto the chair to watch. For many years I hadn't cared to play at all, but Saraki's dark eyes following each movement of my fingers encouraged me to work harder and play more smoothly than I had since before my father died. The prince knew the piece just as well as I did, and the tilt of his head and the concentration in his eyes showed that not only was he enjoying my playing, but that he was appraising it as well. Saraki had always struck me as someone with exceptional judgment for his age. I think I saw a lot of things in him that I saw as missing in myself.
"I'll be that good someday," Saraki declared, or perhaps vowed, when I was finished.
"You'll be better," I laughed. It wasn't as if I was doing much to practice.