♬ the pianoman's twenty-first song ♬

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

[Larry's been feeling like the castle's playing hot and cold with him lately. Things were good, then not so good, then better, then he was kidnapped and...just when he was feeling better...Christmas shows up. He wanted to ignore the whole thing, but the castle isn't making that easy. Especially not with the clothes and the snow and everything.]

[oh, and when he woke up this morning, not only were his clothes different, but his piano was gone.]

[so he's not a happy Larry. And he doesn't want to mix and mingle with people, so late in the evening he will find his way to the music room and take over the piano. First he'll sit there with his journal for a moment]

private.
First snowfall. Sam and I always spent all day outside at first snowfall. Snowmen, snow angels, snowball fights, and breaks between for hot chocolate and Christmas music at the piano...

Christmas isn't Christmas without him.
.private

I'll be happy to have my own clothes back tomorrow, and even more happy when all of this snow melts.

[and he'll slam the journal shut and get back to it in a bit. He doesn't want to broadcast his music right now. So...he'll slowly start to play this, as he thinks about the holiday without his kid. It's sad and if you're passing the music room feel free to overhear or walk in. He'll reopen his journal a little later to respond to anyone who wants to talk to him....but right now, this is him thinking he can get away with playing depressing music alone. Please prove him wrong.]


{backdated to last night}

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[she still just shakes her head at the idea of it]

It's just a really, really big dress. I see they got to your closet too today?

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

Seems that way. [nods]

But I have a feeling my piano was the only one to go missing.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[her brow knits up in confusion]

What happened?

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

Nothing. I'm....enjoying the holiday cheer.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[her eyes narrow a bit]

Don't make me smother it out of you with this dress. In case you haven't noticed there's a lot of it.

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

[raises a brow]

Do I look easily intimidated?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[a eyebrow quirks right back]

And do I look like a pushover?

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

I'm fine, Fred. Really. [even gives her a smile]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[she just scoots closer, past her skirts and even that first bit of Larry's smile]

I told you already. I'm not a pushover.

[it's her turn to smile]

Or sweet. What's wrong?

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

[shrugs and turns his focus back to the piano keys, but not playing them]

I hate Christmas, no big deal. [said quiet and flat]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[she takes that in]

for a long time I forgot what it even was. I forgot about feeling and knowing most things really. But I found it again.

[she looks at him]

Have you always felt that way?

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

[shakes his head]

No, not always.

Are you glad you found it again?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

I don't think it was just about finding it? It was about finding myself again. The rest all came after.

[she looks back to Larry]

But yes, I'm glad.

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

[he hears that, but chooses not to. He just nods]

That's good.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[and she can't help but shake he still isn't really listening]

Is it?

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

[now he'll headtilt and look at her] Why wouldn't it be?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[her gaze clouds for a moment, and she seems to be thinking backwards. Which in a way, she is]

One day, Larry. I think you'll realize you can really talk to me. But I can't force you to come out of your room any faster than I did.

[She knows what she means. Standing, Fred puts a hand on her shoulder]

I'm here. If you need me.

[and with the rustle of skirts behind, she lets herself out of the room]

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

[sighs. Good job, Larry.]

[he turns]

Wait. Fred.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[she catches herself in the doorway and turns to look at him]

It's ok, Larry. I'm not angry. I actually understand it more than you know.

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

[watches her and thinks how he wants to talk about it, but...just doesn't have the words. Instead he nods with a small, maybe slightly sad smile on his lips]

Thank you Fred.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[the corners of her mouth tilt, and transforms it into a small smile in return]

Why don't you save that for a while, until I've actually done something. What if we just agree on 'good night'?

[lawyerlarry.livejournal.com]

Goodnight, Fred.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_fredless/]

[the smile settles more solidly over her face]

Goodnight, Larry.

[and then she's gone]