Fic: Chopin
Jul. 24th, 2011 01:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meridian_roseTitle: Chopin
Fandom: Original work – part of the c: aura verse
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 196
Prompt: For the 30 days of fiction meme, prompt #10 Write a scene focused around a musical instrument
Summary: "He does so love the piano. Love like that will always bring some measure of depth, regardless of natural talent or honed skill"
Warnings: None
Nikolai was playing the piano. This was an accurate description but one that was utterly lacking. Carter watched as Nikolai's fingers stroked and hammered at the keys, feet at the pedals, eyes not on the sheet music in front of him but gazing at something only he could see.
Nikolai wasn't just playing, he was performing - no, he was living the music. Every fibre of his being was involved in the act of bringing the music to life. It was passionate and furious and both skilful in execution and also raw with emotion.
Aura touched Carter's elbow.
"He won't even notice you're here," she said softly. "Not for a while." She gestured and they moved to the kitchen.
"He plays well."
Aura smiled wryly. "He's had plenty of practice." One of the many benefits of being a vampire, Carter thought. "And he does so love the piano. Love like that will always bring some measure of depth, regardless of natural talent or honed skill. Coffee?"
Carter nodded, watched her prepare the drink. "I think I recognise the tune."
"Revolutionary Etude. Chopin. He only plays it when he's angry." Aura sighed. "Today, he is very angry."
One video example of Chopin Revolutionary Etude op 10 no 12.
I think this needs work, but it was a scene I'd had in my head for a while, so this was a good excuse to get the essence of it written out.
Fandom: Original work – part of the c: aura verse
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 196
Prompt: For the 30 days of fiction meme, prompt #10 Write a scene focused around a musical instrument
Summary: "He does so love the piano. Love like that will always bring some measure of depth, regardless of natural talent or honed skill"
Warnings: None
Nikolai was playing the piano. This was an accurate description but one that was utterly lacking. Carter watched as Nikolai's fingers stroked and hammered at the keys, feet at the pedals, eyes not on the sheet music in front of him but gazing at something only he could see.
Nikolai wasn't just playing, he was performing - no, he was living the music. Every fibre of his being was involved in the act of bringing the music to life. It was passionate and furious and both skilful in execution and also raw with emotion.
Aura touched Carter's elbow.
"He won't even notice you're here," she said softly. "Not for a while." She gestured and they moved to the kitchen.
"He plays well."
Aura smiled wryly. "He's had plenty of practice." One of the many benefits of being a vampire, Carter thought. "And he does so love the piano. Love like that will always bring some measure of depth, regardless of natural talent or honed skill. Coffee?"
Carter nodded, watched her prepare the drink. "I think I recognise the tune."
"Revolutionary Etude. Chopin. He only plays it when he's angry." Aura sighed. "Today, he is very angry."
One video example of Chopin Revolutionary Etude op 10 no 12.
I think this needs work, but it was a scene I'd had in my head for a while, so this was a good excuse to get the essence of it written out.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-27 10:18 am (UTC)In fact, I had in mind that Nikolai is angry because of something that has happened to someone he knows, and it reminds him of a earlier time. He feels it's his fault that his friend died long ago, and what has just happened now has brought back his anger and guilt over it.
It was really important I name him something that I loved, and I was going for 'not English'. Nikolai just fitted; Kolya would be the traditional diminutive, I think - you would know better than me! - but also Nikki would fit nicely when trying to blend into modern American society.
[as an aside, there's a song I found in very random circumstances by searching for 'Nikolai'. The lyrics and humour fitted somewhat, so I keep it in my playlist for vampire fic :D there's a video of sorts. Not that my Nikolia is necessarily 'fake Russian' but who knows; he's certainly not above deceit or charm to get what he wants.
Aura in the original version is Cecilia, who becomes Aurelia - there is a reason she chooses it. But Aura would fit as a nickname/diminutive for Aurelia too.
Yes, Cater is the detective from Violets; I hadn't named him, so had to choose something a bit random for this piece :D
no subject
Date: 2011-07-27 11:58 am (UTC)I love the idea that he would express his anger through music. :D
Yes, Kolya is the traditional diminutive. It can also be shortened to Kol' (soft L in the end) when you say something like "Hey, get over here" or "But, honey, I want those shoes so badly!" XDD
Nikki makes me giggle, too. Just to think that someone would call an old powerful vampire "Nikki" - LOL :D
How old are Aura and Nikolai btw?
The video killed me! XDD And it's not just the lyrics... The sign on the box says "Electro-musical distortion device" where "distortion" is just spelled in Cyrillic. And the wording is wrong in Russian but kind of deliberate, too, which makes it really funny. Also "fraternal jingoism" - ROFL. :D
Thanks for the link. :D
Not that my Nikolia is necessarily 'fake Russian' but who knows; he's certainly not above deceit or charm to get what he wants.
Ooh, I like him already! =)))
When you're so very old and you've been traveling everywhere for hundreds of years - the place of birth becomes less and less relevant IMHO. You can be anyone really. You might even forget who you were originally. The memories all blend into one and it's getting hard to tell them apart. Well, that's the way I see it.
Aww)) Aurelia is a very beautiful name! :D It means "golden" in Latin, right?
Carter is a great name, too. In my mind it clearly says "Warning! Badass homicide detective. Proceed with caution." :D
no subject
Date: 2011-07-27 12:38 pm (UTC)I'll add 'Kol' to my notes, thank you :D And old and possibly powerful they might be, but they definitely use pet names for themselves :D
Glad you liked the song; lol, I'm glad you got a kick of the bad - deliberately bad? - Russian.
Aurelia is indeed golden. Bonus points for you :D And yay, Carter fits the right image :D
Exactly; some things from your past would stand out, but so much would fade away into insignificance.
I'm not sure precisely how old they are, or where they're from. In the backstory, Aurelia mentions it was hundreds of years back when she was human. Books were rare, and that Nikolai could read and read widely showed he must be rich. She says she was from a country that probably doesn't exist anymore; somewhere in Europe where the boundaries have changed a lot over the years :D
no subject
Date: 2011-07-27 02:01 pm (UTC)That's just a perfect description for this! :D You have nothing to worry about!
(Oops! Just noticed... "Skillful" - double L, y/n? O_O)
And it's true when you see someone really playing an instrument, forgetting everything around them - it's an amazing sight to behold! I've seen a lot of musicians in my life already... But Tuomas Holopainen performing live in his hometown of Kitee, Finland, back in 2004... I still can remember it so vividly! It was truly thrilling. He wasn't just playing - he was making love to music. There are no other words for it. Incredibly beautiful!
So Yay! for music!fic :D *flails*
As for pet names - sure they do! :D I meant it in a good way. :D
Aww)) Nikki - so cute! XDD
And no, Russian isn't bad there at all! It sounds wrong in a fashion... but I would say one has to know Russian pretty good to come up with something like this.
BTW if you ever need any help with something Russian-related I'll be glad to help. ^_^
In the backstory, Aurelia mentions it was hundreds of years back when she was human.
Did I miss it somehow? Or you just haven't posted it yet?
Who's older - Aura or Nikki? :D
BTW - One of the many benefits of being a vampire, Carter thought. - I like it how cool Carter is about this whole vampire stuff. :D
I would love to read "Turning the Tables" from his POV ;D
no subject
Date: 2011-07-27 06:17 pm (UTC)Thank you - I'll definitely run any Russian questions, especially about language, past you :D
Backstory I haven't posted yet, sorry :D Nikolia is much older than Aura.
Now you're giving me ideas :D