xp_logs | Billy and Hope: A shared hobby

Billy and Hope discover they have something in common.

Billy hurried back back to his room after class ended. He wasn't exactly sure why, it was just the normal sort of hurry on to whatever life might bring next. Textbooks in hand, backpack over shoulder, he headed through the halls back to his room. When a few strains of...something familiar caught his ear. He stopped, tilting his head, trying to catch the rest of the melody. It paused a moment, and when it started again, he followed the sound, poking his head into one of the open doorways,

No... that did not quite sound right. Hope frowned a little at the sheet music, before lifting the violin to her shoulder again and starting the passage again, a little faster this time. The first notes were hesitant, but they quickly became more confident when it was clear that she seemed to have found the right tempo. A small smile blossomed on her face as she made her way through the piece, glad she was finally making progress.

Billy's head peeked in at first, and the on seeing Hope's practice, he paused inside the doorway. A moment later, as she continued with the passage, he braved a further step in, leaning against the wall just inside the doorway. He couldn't quite place it, but the piece was familiar. Very familiar. He watched her, his fingers starting to tap against his leg, picking out the harmony.

Hope's eyes shot up from the sheet music as she became aware of sounds in the background that had not been before. The last notes died away as she met Billy's eyes seemingly enjoying the music. Not quite sure what to say, she fell back to familiar courtesy: "Afternoon Billy."

"Heya, Hope," Billy replied, offering a small wave. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." He pushed off from the wall, debating a moment whether to stay or leave. "That's really good. I didn't know you played."

"Thank you." Hope nodded politely. "I am glad you liked it. I have played the violin since I was very young." She smiled for a moment as she looked at her instrument. "It is a lovely instrument to play."

"Well, some people make it sound good. Most people just make it screech," Billy shivered, imagining the sound. "Not you!" he added quickly. "My kid brother tried it for a couple weeks once. Not pretty."

"Oh... believe me when I say that I managed to create a wide variation of strange sounds before something resembling music came out. I am sure if your brother kept up he would have been able to manage eventually. Much of it is hard work and practice."

"I'm not sure either of us would have lived to find out," Billy grinned. "Thankfully, he's got the attention span of a gnat, and my parents didn't force him to keep it up, unlike me."

Tilting her head, Hope sorted through the words for a moment. "You also play or played the violin?" Just like Simon did...

"Clarinet," Billy replied. "Or I used to. I don't play very much. Not even sure if I brought it with me."

"The clarinet? Oh, but that is also a beautiful instrument." Hope reacted, her eyes glistering with just a little enthusiasm. Here was someone who could potentially really appreciate making music, but without the memories of Simon... "May I ask why?"

"Beautiful?" Billy sounded skeptical. "Not like the violin. I think it's kinda...boring. Now tuba, THAT would be exciting. Or maybe a didgeridoo. Mostly, though, it's just kinda been busy."

"Hmm... I am not really familiar with the didgeridoo, but a tuba often comes across very heavy. Almost like it is 'shouting'. I believe the clarinet is... lighter. It speaks instead of shouts..." Hope replied thoughtfully. "But to really master an instrument, any instrument, costs much time and hard work and I can see why people might choose different activities."

"It's from Australia. And somehow they get termites to make them," Billy said, unconcerned with the specifics."They just sound really cool. This long Bwuuuuh." His attempt to mimic it was more comical than successful. "But yeah, I guess you've put a LOT of time into that," he nodded toward her violin.

Hope had to smile at his attempt to mimic. "The didgeridoo sounds like an interesting instrument. How old were you when you started playing the clarinet, if I may ask?"

"Oh, I dunno," Billy frowned, trying to recall. "Six? Seven? Somewhere around then."

"I think I was only a year younger or so when I started the violin." Hope frowned for a moment, then her face cleared and she took out a large binder from her bag and open it to reveal a large collection of sheet music. She paged through them and then handed it him. "Have you ever heard of this piece?"

Billy took the music and flipped through the pages quickly, then back to the beginning. He scanned the notes, humming the first few, then shrugged. "I don't think so. Something you're working on?"

"It is something I found in music section of the library. I haven't been working on it yet. I do like it a lot, but the part I just showed you is a duet..." Hope's voice trailed of as she was not quite sure what to say, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"Oh, you're crafty..." Billy looked up over the paper at her, giving her The Look. "Let me guess, a clarinet and violin duet." His eyes went back to the music, and he continued to hum along his part, his fingers starting to drum out the notes in the air. "That's pretty," he finally decided, looking back at her. "And yeah, I could probably play it."

Hope lowered her eyes. "Only if you are truly willing..." Her voice trailed of for a moment before picking up again. "But sometimes a new challenge can renew interest in an old hobby." Not to mention that Hope would enjoy working with someone again.

"Well, you can just owe me a favor later," Billy shrugged. "My mom will be so happy. You have another copy?" he waved the music in the air. "I'm a bit rusty. Might be a bit before I'm ready to practice together."

"Hmmm... I think I had another one." Hope went to the back of the binder. "Here you go. That are the other parts of the piece. I have another copy of my own. And please do not worry... I have to start mastering the music of the duet myself."

Billy took the rest of the song and tucked it under his arm. "You know, you're pretty cool, Hope. You shouldn't worry so much what everyone else thinks."

"Uhm..." Having no idea what to say, Hope just lowered her eyes again, a blush spreading over her face.

"Well, anyway" Billy quickly changed the subject back to to the music in hand, as he rolled it up. "Give me a bit to work through this, then we can start trying to put it together. It'll be amazing. We might have to put on a concert."

Hope gratefully accepted the change of subject. "A small recital might indeed be very pleasant. I am sure a number of the other inhabitants would also enjoy it." She remembered that suggestion Mr. Espinosa had made after she had just arrived. And to do it together would be a lot less unnerving.

Well, that had been more or less a joke, but Billy simply shrugged at her response. "We'll see, I guess. Anyways, nice chatting. I'll let you know when I'm getting a hang of it and ready to put it together," he said, as he tucked the music back under his arm and headed out the room.