Because I'm not who I used to be, no longer easy on the eyes
Holy jumping jacksons, Batman!
...
Yeah, that's all I have for you kind folks after 8 months of nada. o.o My brain is mush. Although I do prostrate myself at your feet and humbly beg your kind consideration. Trying to get back into the writing game. Here's a bit of a sidestory for Aria. (Starring: Edward and his crazy! *cackles*)
AN: This is a companion piece to Aria, Con Amore. Please read that first as this won't make a lick of sense without knowing who Edward is and what his role in Len's life is. That being said, this is karaoke!crack almost. The idea came to me after a string of songs in the radio that reminded me so much of Len's relationship with Kahoko.
Warning: This is going to be riddled with song lyrics like whoa. Please be advised.
Recommended: Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon, Strange and Beautiful by Aqualung, If You're Not the One by Daniel Bedingfield, Never Gonna Let You Go by Sergio Mendes, Against All Odds by Phil Collins, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman by Bryan Adams, If It Kills Me by Jason Mraz
Disclaimer: Kiniro no Corda is the property of its respective owners (Koei, manga by Kure Yuki-sensei, anime by TV Aichi). The OCs Taniyama Haruka, Edward Kaufman, Ken-san the bartender and Yuki-chan the waitress, as well as this story, plot and all, was created by me.
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Love Songs
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It was another day at work. Although the phrase implied nothing unusual, it was actually quite the opposite. Early that morning, small groups gathered together as people started trickling into the studio. Though there were some variations, the talk at each group consisted mainly of the following:
“What? Len finally got laid? Is that why he was so agreeable with having a lax schedule today?”
“About time too! He was really killing us with that backbreaking schedule he had everyone on.”
“Yeah, Edward's strutting around like a proud papa, declaring it for anyone who wants to hear.”
“...You really can't help but hear the guy, though. He's standing right at the reception desk with a damn megaphone after all.”
“Seriously, shouldn't he be worried about spreading gossip? This might leak to the tabloids.”
“Are you kidding me? Do you know how well screened everyone is for their ability to be discreet? Even the janitors have to sign a confidentiality agreement. If you so much as squeak something to the tabloids, they'll find out about it and trace it down to you one way or another. Then you'll be fined and sued down to your socks!”
“...I heard it was actually Edward's idea, and there's a rumor he handpicked everyone in the studio himself.”
“It's probably so he can get away with doing stuff like this. Have you seen the itinerary for today?”
“What, that change in schedule he's passing out to everyone? I know Len's okay with taking it easy today, but I'm not sure he'd approve of the actual changes...”
“Stupid stupid... If I had a choice in the matter, I wouldn't be participating in anything at all today.”
“Well, it's not like we have to do anything, really. 'Sides, it's rare that we can do stuff like this. Might as well enjoy it.”
Silence as they all looked down at the innocent-looking schedule change Edward had maniacally cheerfully handed them at the front door.
“...That man is a monster.” They all shuddered as one.
“Poor Len. Edward's probably the reason the guy's always so high strung.”
No, today wasn't just any other day. There was something special planned for today. And if the poor bastard who was the target of today's events would've known about it, he would have steered clear of the building and stayed home instead.
-----
Len got into the metallic charcoal Mercedes Benz and sat back, sighing. Finally, his own car. Though he was used to driving on the right in Austria, he had spent two years in England where driving was on the left and he can adjust well enough. Nevertheless, he'll have to take extra care and pay attention to his driving until he gets the hang of it again.
He turned the ignition switch and started pulling out of the parking structure. The stereo turned on at the same time, and a CD that Edward had probably popped in when he delivered the car started playing.
And I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear
'A 1980's song?' He was barely paying attention to it, as he didn't really care what song was currently playing, preoccupied as he was with driving. Still, it was a strange song for Edward to have been listening to. He knew the blond agent liked listening mostly to classical music along with a hodgepodge of other genres, but he didn't know he liked such outdated music as well.
And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forev-
Eyebrows lowered in irritation, Len reached over and changed to the next track. He can only take 80's rock ballads for so long, and he'd probably reached his quota for the next few months. The rhythmic beating of the percussion followed by the harmony of the piano and guitar flowed out of the speakers. It was mellow and hypnotic, a more modern song than the one before it, thank god.
I've been watching your world from afar,
I've been trying to be where you are,
And I've been secretly falling apart, unseen.
To me, you're strange and you're beautiful,
You'd be so perfect with me but you just can't see,
You turn every head but you don't see me.
I'll put a spell on you,
You'll fall asleep and I'll put a spell on you.
And when I wake you,
I'll be the first thing you see,
And you'll realize that you love me.
Frown getting deeper, Len immediately switched over to the next track. If his hunch was correct...
If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call?
If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all?...
...I don't wanna run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
If I don't need you then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me then why do I dream of you as my wi-
With a vicious jerk, Len leaned forward and pushed the off button with a vengeance. That blond idiot was pulling pranks again.
“Haha, so funny, let's pick on Len today shall we?” he mumbled grumpily to himself. At least the prank was confined to the car, and he was a few minutes away from the studio. Right now, blessed silence seemed the most favorable option.
Relaxing back into his seat, Len discarded the morning's prank from his mind and concentrated once more on the road. His thoughts were already on the day's schedule. The crew may be taking it easy today, but he still had a lot of practicing to do before they start recording his next album in a few weeks. It would be nice to lose himself in his music after the eventful weekend he'd had.
The thought made his lips quirk up in a minuscule smile, and Len stepped on the gas a little more. He couldn't wait to get the day started and get some work done.
-----
Len strode into the studio building, violin clutched securely in one hand while the other held the day's itinerary. If he hadn't been busy running through today's schedule and mentally shuffling through the list of songs he needed to practice, he would have noticed the strangeness of the entire building right away. As it was, he could only nod absentmindedly in response to the uncharacteristically enthusiastic greetings he was receiving from most of the men, and the 'Good morning, Tsukimori-san's he was receiving from the women that strangely varied between either sad or hopeful.
He got into the elevator with a few other people, all of them members of the crew he worked with, situating himself in the front left corner away from the buttons. After he glanced to make sure that the button for his floor was lit - the practice rooms and recording rooms were situated at the top floor, 25th,, plenty of time to read through any short work-related material - he went back to studying his schedule, making mental notes on how long he needed to make each practice session last to correspond with what needed to be accomplished today. Already going through a few bars of some of the songs in his mind, Len had shut off the outside world, completely ignoring the fact that there was absolutely no chatter from the other people (which wasn't unusual... his personality and reputation made it so people were either awkward around him or awed into silence), or that the elevator music was different from the usual...
I'm never gonna let you go
I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever
Gonna try and make up for the times
I hurt you so
Gonna hold your body close to mine
From this day on we're gonna be together
Oh, I swear this time
I'm never gonna let you go
Someone was looking at him. He could almost feel their stare boring through the back of his skull. Len looked up and behind him, trying to find who was being so rude but everyone else in the cab was looking up, down, or off to the side. Anywhere but at him. He quirked an eyebrow, turning back to face front just as the ping of the elevator signaled they'd reached their floor. He stepped out into the corridor and walked briskly away, not hearing the collective sigh of relief from the people he left behind.
-----
...
Yeah, that's all I have for you kind folks after 8 months of nada. o.o My brain is mush. Although I do prostrate myself at your feet and humbly beg your kind consideration. Trying to get back into the writing game. Here's a bit of a sidestory for Aria. (Starring: Edward and his crazy! *cackles*)
AN: This is a companion piece to Aria, Con Amore. Please read that first as this won't make a lick of sense without knowing who Edward is and what his role in Len's life is. That being said, this is karaoke!crack almost. The idea came to me after a string of songs in the radio that reminded me so much of Len's relationship with Kahoko.
Warning: This is going to be riddled with song lyrics like whoa. Please be advised.
Recommended: Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon, Strange and Beautiful by Aqualung, If You're Not the One by Daniel Bedingfield, Never Gonna Let You Go by Sergio Mendes, Against All Odds by Phil Collins, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman by Bryan Adams, If It Kills Me by Jason Mraz
Disclaimer: Kiniro no Corda is the property of its respective owners (Koei, manga by Kure Yuki-sensei, anime by TV Aichi). The OCs Taniyama Haruka, Edward Kaufman, Ken-san the bartender and Yuki-chan the waitress, as well as this story, plot and all, was created by me.
-----
Love Songs
-----
It was another day at work. Although the phrase implied nothing unusual, it was actually quite the opposite. Early that morning, small groups gathered together as people started trickling into the studio. Though there were some variations, the talk at each group consisted mainly of the following:
“What? Len finally got laid? Is that why he was so agreeable with having a lax schedule today?”
“About time too! He was really killing us with that backbreaking schedule he had everyone on.”
“Yeah, Edward's strutting around like a proud papa, declaring it for anyone who wants to hear.”
“...You really can't help but hear the guy, though. He's standing right at the reception desk with a damn megaphone after all.”
“Seriously, shouldn't he be worried about spreading gossip? This might leak to the tabloids.”
“Are you kidding me? Do you know how well screened everyone is for their ability to be discreet? Even the janitors have to sign a confidentiality agreement. If you so much as squeak something to the tabloids, they'll find out about it and trace it down to you one way or another. Then you'll be fined and sued down to your socks!”
“...I heard it was actually Edward's idea, and there's a rumor he handpicked everyone in the studio himself.”
“It's probably so he can get away with doing stuff like this. Have you seen the itinerary for today?”
“What, that change in schedule he's passing out to everyone? I know Len's okay with taking it easy today, but I'm not sure he'd approve of the actual changes...”
“Stupid stupid... If I had a choice in the matter, I wouldn't be participating in anything at all today.”
“Well, it's not like we have to do anything, really. 'Sides, it's rare that we can do stuff like this. Might as well enjoy it.”
Silence as they all looked down at the innocent-looking schedule change Edward had maniacally cheerfully handed them at the front door.
“...That man is a monster.” They all shuddered as one.
“Poor Len. Edward's probably the reason the guy's always so high strung.”
No, today wasn't just any other day. There was something special planned for today. And if the poor bastard who was the target of today's events would've known about it, he would have steered clear of the building and stayed home instead.
-----
Len got into the metallic charcoal Mercedes Benz and sat back, sighing. Finally, his own car. Though he was used to driving on the right in Austria, he had spent two years in England where driving was on the left and he can adjust well enough. Nevertheless, he'll have to take extra care and pay attention to his driving until he gets the hang of it again.
He turned the ignition switch and started pulling out of the parking structure. The stereo turned on at the same time, and a CD that Edward had probably popped in when he delivered the car started playing.
And I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear
'A 1980's song?' He was barely paying attention to it, as he didn't really care what song was currently playing, preoccupied as he was with driving. Still, it was a strange song for Edward to have been listening to. He knew the blond agent liked listening mostly to classical music along with a hodgepodge of other genres, but he didn't know he liked such outdated music as well.
And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forev-
Eyebrows lowered in irritation, Len reached over and changed to the next track. He can only take 80's rock ballads for so long, and he'd probably reached his quota for the next few months. The rhythmic beating of the percussion followed by the harmony of the piano and guitar flowed out of the speakers. It was mellow and hypnotic, a more modern song than the one before it, thank god.
I've been watching your world from afar,
I've been trying to be where you are,
And I've been secretly falling apart, unseen.
To me, you're strange and you're beautiful,
You'd be so perfect with me but you just can't see,
You turn every head but you don't see me.
I'll put a spell on you,
You'll fall asleep and I'll put a spell on you.
And when I wake you,
I'll be the first thing you see,
And you'll realize that you love me.
Frown getting deeper, Len immediately switched over to the next track. If his hunch was correct...
If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call?
If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all?...
...I don't wanna run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
If I don't need you then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me then why do I dream of you as my wi-
With a vicious jerk, Len leaned forward and pushed the off button with a vengeance. That blond idiot was pulling pranks again.
“Haha, so funny, let's pick on Len today shall we?” he mumbled grumpily to himself. At least the prank was confined to the car, and he was a few minutes away from the studio. Right now, blessed silence seemed the most favorable option.
Relaxing back into his seat, Len discarded the morning's prank from his mind and concentrated once more on the road. His thoughts were already on the day's schedule. The crew may be taking it easy today, but he still had a lot of practicing to do before they start recording his next album in a few weeks. It would be nice to lose himself in his music after the eventful weekend he'd had.
The thought made his lips quirk up in a minuscule smile, and Len stepped on the gas a little more. He couldn't wait to get the day started and get some work done.
-----
Len strode into the studio building, violin clutched securely in one hand while the other held the day's itinerary. If he hadn't been busy running through today's schedule and mentally shuffling through the list of songs he needed to practice, he would have noticed the strangeness of the entire building right away. As it was, he could only nod absentmindedly in response to the uncharacteristically enthusiastic greetings he was receiving from most of the men, and the 'Good morning, Tsukimori-san's he was receiving from the women that strangely varied between either sad or hopeful.
He got into the elevator with a few other people, all of them members of the crew he worked with, situating himself in the front left corner away from the buttons. After he glanced to make sure that the button for his floor was lit - the practice rooms and recording rooms were situated at the top floor, 25th,, plenty of time to read through any short work-related material - he went back to studying his schedule, making mental notes on how long he needed to make each practice session last to correspond with what needed to be accomplished today. Already going through a few bars of some of the songs in his mind, Len had shut off the outside world, completely ignoring the fact that there was absolutely no chatter from the other people (which wasn't unusual... his personality and reputation made it so people were either awkward around him or awed into silence), or that the elevator music was different from the usual...
I'm never gonna let you go
I'm gonna hold you in my arms forever
Gonna try and make up for the times
I hurt you so
Gonna hold your body close to mine
From this day on we're gonna be together
Oh, I swear this time
I'm never gonna let you go
Someone was looking at him. He could almost feel their stare boring through the back of his skull. Len looked up and behind him, trying to find who was being so rude but everyone else in the cab was looking up, down, or off to the side. Anywhere but at him. He quirked an eyebrow, turning back to face front just as the ping of the elevator signaled they'd reached their floor. He stepped out into the corridor and walked briskly away, not hearing the collective sigh of relief from the people he left behind.
-----