[Voice/Action] Forward-dated to Tuesday afternoon

[skulljokelol]

While this may not be the best time for it, for those of you who have agreed to piano lessons, I have one of my own now if you would rather practice on it instead of the one at the Seventh Heaven. [Some people aren't fond of practicing in such a public place, after all.] Thank you again, China-san, for crafting it. It plays beautifully!

Oh, and

Comments

[ Voice ]

[markofthebrave]

[Later in the afternoon, Katara is lying in bed. Sokka's in the room, and her eyes are still hurting and just... lying there. Feeling the mushi move is really... really lousy. Yay for voice posts in journals. Her voice is a little weak, but the tone is regular - her eyes are closed, after all. The pain is not so bad that way, even if she refuses to cover them with anything else. She won't help the blasted things trying to feed in her.]

Some music would be really nice, Brook.

[ Voice ]

[skulljokelol]

[Brook's tone of voice takes a very gentle turn for Katara - he's glad to hear from her.]

Anything that you would like, Katara-san. How are you feeling?

[ Voice ]

[markofthebrave]

[A pause in which there is a brief war between her innate communication patterns of honesty and optimism.]

I'm going to be fine.

[...]

How are you?

[ Voice ]

[skulljokelol]

[That's not quite what he asked, is it? He's not going to press though. Having mushi swimming in your eyes can be nothing but painful, he's sure. So he'll just encourage that optimism briefly before changing the subject.]

Of course. Ginko-san seems to know what he's doing, after all.

And I'm quite all right - thank you for asking. Do you have a preference for the piano or the violin?

[ Voice ]

[markofthebrave]

He does. [She speaks firmly. '...that's when you need an expert.']

What's a violin?

[ Voice ] 1/2

[skulljokelol]

[ Voice ]

[skulljokelol]

[He could cry. And thus a whiny voice that is trying not to be whiny.] Katara-san, is your world completely lacking all of the instruments I know how to play?

It's the one that I played at Sokka-san's birthday celebration. Do you remember it?

[ Voice ]

[markofthebrave]

I don't know? Do you know how to play a sungi horn?

Uh... [Does she remember it? That seemed so long ago.] Not very well, Brook. I'm sorry.

[She'd kind of be under the influence of a love experiment at the time.]

Re: [ Voice ]

[skulljokelol]

[Those damned Malnosso. He played Secret Tunnel, man. ;;]

...Sungi horn? [What do you know. An instrument he hasn't heard of.] I can't say that I have.

Ah, but it's no matter! I will simply have to play it for you again!

[ Voice ]

[markofthebrave]

Okay.

[...too faint. Try again.] That would be nice, Brook. Thank you.

[ Voice ]

[skulljokelol]

It is my pleasure. [There's a pause as he adjusts his violin. And then he plays this.]

[ Voice ]

[markofthebrave]

...

[Somewhere towards the middle of his song, Katara turns her head away from the journal. It's so beautiful... and she is so tired, and hurting, and miserable, and is trying so hard not to be scared... she can't help but let a few tears out. When he finishes, there's a pause before she turns back to the book, eyes sill closed.]

That's beautiful, Brook. Just - really beautiful.

[ Voice ]

[skulljokelol]

[This is why he plays. He's not a doctor or an expert on how to heal the body's aches and pains, but he knows music can be just as soothing to the soul. He figures those effected by the mushi could use it the most right now.]

[He's also noting how tired you sound.] I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Would you care for another?

[ Voice ]

[markofthebrave]

...

All right.

[No 'Yes, please,' no 'If you're not too tired,' just simple acceptance of what Brook has to give. And she takes it gladly.]

[ Voice ]

[skulljokelol]

[Good. Because he thinks she needs it.

And thus wordlessly, he'll begin to play a lullaby.]

[ Voice ]

[markofthebrave]

[The music doesn't put her right to sleep - but she begins to relax her tightly closed eyes. Her breaths even. And when she speaks after he finishes, her voice is sleepy.]

Thank you, Brook.