3rd Orb - 19th of Rebirth's Decline; Evening

[shadedsunlight]

[It's been a long day. Too many long days, but today was particularly taxing between being set free from a curse and injuring the two people she loves most in the process, briefly attending a farce posing as a wedding, and returning as many of her ill-gained goods as possible.

That Ginia happened to find a piano in one of the rooms of the castle was perhaps one of the best things to happen all day. So seated at the piano, having traded her armor and dark clothes for a dress and the only jewelry a beautiful emerald and silver necklace, Ginia sets the orb on the piano, offering the briefest of smiles, being she begins to play.

After she finishes the first song, she pauses before she begins playing her next song.

There's another pause before her third song. It's one that takes a bit of thought and she's not even sure if the person who she wants to hear it is listening, but even if he isn't, maybe someone else will get the message for themselves. So taking a deep breath, Ginia begins to sing and play.

Her fourth, and final song, may be a little strange to anyone familiar with it. However, as Ginia sings and plays Silver Bells, it's intended for one recipient only. Everyone else can simply enjoy it.

Once she's finished, she bows her head modestly and smile as the orb.]

I hope you all enjoyed that. If... you'd like to hear more, I'd be happy to oblige.

((ooc; Yes, that's right, Ginia is talking. As per this log, Helios enchanted a necklace (picked out by Giles) that allows her to talk. The necklace only works if she's wearing it, magic-canceling abilities will prevent the necklace from working.))

Comments

[shadow_sage]

That is a lovely dress.

[Understatement is understated.]

[shadedsunlight]

Thank you. It's surprisingly comfortable.

[shadow_sage]

[A pause.]

Your notebook has...gained a surprising amount of versatility.

[shadedsunlight]

A talking notebook? [She laughs quietly. Things were far easier when she had her cellphone and text-to-voice programs.] No, no such thing.

[Ginia's hand goes to the necklace around her neck. Her smile is mixed; fond, touched, loving, apprehensive.] A friend made this for me. It allows me to speak as long as I'm wearing it.

[shadow_sage]

That's what I would have said about a necklace that allows a mute to speak. If the notebook could talk, I wonder if it would want to be treated like a person, too.

[A little smile.]

I didn't know you were musical.

[tatra]

[ Have some applause! ]

That was quite lovely!

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia gives a polite bow of her head.]

Thank you. Is there else anything you'd like to hear?

[tatra]

Oh, I don't think you'd be familiar with any of the songs from my homeland. But if you'd like, I would love to hear another song from yours!

[shadedsunlight]

Of course. Let me think.

[Another song from her world. There are so many Ginia hardly knows where to begin. But in light of all the weddings of the day - or at least all the attempted weddings, goodness knows if anyone was actually wed in the mess - Ginia goes for something a little classical and cheerful]

[tatra]

[ Tatra is delighted, and she listens respectfully. When the song is finished she sighs happily, then giggles. ]

You have a gorgeous voice.

[consultmybooks]

[...oh, boy.

Oh, boy.

Giles refuses to cry over the orb. He absolutely refuses, and yet...when he appears in the image, his glasses are off, and he has one hand over his eyes. And he's very obviously in tears.

He was not expecting that. He was not expecting all his emotional defenses to suddenly be rendered absolutely worthless in the face of that song. And he hadn't realized until just now how much he'd missed her singing.

Or how much he'd missed her.]

...wonderful, Ginia.

[shadedsunlight]

[So Giles had heard, and it pleases Ginia to know, but when she sees him in tears, it takes all her will to not shed a few herself. She glances away, takes deep breath to compose herself, takes a second one to balance out the shakiness of the first, then looks back at the orb.]

It's much more wonderful as a duet. [In the snow, an intimate moment between two blossoming with love and reveling in it.]

[consultmybooks]

[Understanding and closeness and an acceptance of growing love between two people who thought they'd never feel it again.]

Yes, it was.

...but, um...don't sell yourself short, of course. Gotten any positive response?

[shadedsunlight]

A few compliments. The castle staff keeps wandering in and out, at least one local lord flirted with me.

[But the one that matters the most to her is his comment, his response, his approval. She looks away from the orb, fiddles lightly with her sleeve, suddenly unable to look at him again. ]

Rupert? Can I come home? [Her voice doesn't dare rise above a whisper out of lingering fear he'll still reject or cast her aside.]

[consultmybooks]

[...Giles lets out his breath in a long, tired sigh. It's a question he's hoped to hear for a few days, now, and for all that he still hadn't been expecting it, and for a moment he doesn't know what to say.

Not because he'd ever reject her or cast her aside. But because he wants to dispel those lingering doubts, and has never been good at that.]

I've...I've missed you.

And we...I've wanted you back, more than anything.

S-So, um...yes, Ginia. You can.

You always could.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Ginia sings nice. [Faolan is appreciative of music. Had he been a puppy, he would have howled along.]

[shadedsunlight]

Thank you, Faolan.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Can play lullabies? Mutti used to sing lullabies.

[shadedsunlight]

Yes, I can play lullabies. My mother used to sing them too.

[Ginia obliges and begins to play one of her favorite songs, Lullaby for a Stormy Night.]

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[Faolan sways to the music, a small smile in his face.]

Ginia miss your Mutti too?

[folklorist]

[ It had been a lovely evening with the two people he could safely call family here. It was nice, peaceful, quiet even. Everything went well and nothing pulled them away from each other. The dinner was absolutely perfect and Helios couldn't ask for anything better.

So when Ginia comes downstairs the next day there will be the sweet smell of sweet buns, bacon, and perhaps even pancakes and eggs cooking in the kitchen. Helios will be humming happily and fixing up breakfast, which is almost done, when she comes in. He's a bit preoccupied at the moment so he doesn't hear Ginia when she enters. ]

[shadedsunlight]

Goodness, Helios, what is all this?

[Ginia could smell the food cooking long before she came down the stairs, which was only further motivation to come down. The previous night was wonderful, the perfect reunion between the three of them, and even if Ginia felt she still had a long way to go to make things up to them, they were all in a good place.

She stops in the doorway and admires the sight, slowly shaking her head.]

I should be the one cooking for the both of you.

[folklorist]

[ Helios might jump actually when Ginia speaks. It had been so quiet...he didn't even notice. He'll turn and give Ginia a warm smile. He'll wave her off with his good arm. ] N-Nonsense. I-I just...had the urge to cook.

[ He also couldn't sleep but that's not important. ] I hope you're hungry, I think made a bit too much...

[shadedsunlight]

Still far too much, though I can understand that urge. [Ginia comes into the room proper and laughs lightly. Just... ignore the fact she's wearing Giles' shirt, okay? Okay.]

You certainly did. Maybe we can share with the neighbors. Well? Anything I can help with?

[folklorist]

I suppose the dinner last night just go to me. [ He laughs sheepishly as he rubs the back of his head. ] Ah! That's a wonderful idea, actually. I-I made enough at least to share with probably both neighbors.

[ Helios looks at the food cooking and then the table and then Ginia. He is totally ignoring the shirt, okay. ] Help me set the table, if you don't mind?