Re: Just Another Heist (Tsumiko/Open)

[Tsumiko]

Tsumiko chuckled lightly. “You’re not intruding at all, Raziel.” She’s say to him with a soft smile. The woman could help but giggle at his nervous ramblings as he addressed her children, both of which were polite in their greetings, despite the awkward comment on their eyes. “Their eyes are a marvel, aren’t they? It was unexpected, but accepted and loved none-the-less.” The songstress tried to soften what she felt was Raziel mentally kicking himself.

As for the twins, it wasn’t a comment that they hadn’t heard before. When they were younger, they were indifferent to the fact, thinking only that it was what made them, them. As they grew older, Destinie became a little more conscious of the fact, and had even went through a phase where she attempted to hide one eye. But with her brother constantly displaying both eyes, proudly and uncaring of what others thought, and with a certain boy there on the island having unusual eyes as well, Destinie became more confident in the matter, and was proudly displaying both. They were a reminder that she was her parent’s child.

With the twins settling down, Tsumiko turned her attention to Raziel, who had taken a seat beside her. He seemed excited. Excellent. “I did indeed finish it, and added a few things here and there for an accompaniment of the… masculine sort. I was going to add my violin in as the instrumental, but I think your guitar would do much better, if you’re feeling up to the challenge.” Tsumiko spoke as she pulled a few folded sheets of paper from the pouch at her thigh. Turning her silver-blue eyes up to the rogue, she grinned at him and looked him up and down as if she were analyzing his competency. But it was all in good spirits simply to tease him.

Handing Raziel the sheet music to see if he believed he could handle multitasking, Tsumiko then stood to retreat down the hall. When she returned, she was holding an empty sphere that appeared as nothing more than just a glass orb. “Well? Think you can handle it?” She asked with a playful grin, setting the sphere on a small pillow on the coffee table that sat in front of the couch.

[Raziel]

The Nobody caught the woman's eyes roaming over him, perhaps sizing him up to see if he really had the threads of a musician. Or maybe she was checking him out? He kind of wished that she was... Raziel bit down on the inside of his cheek the moment that thought crossed his mind. That is not what is happening here, and never will. This is just a simple session between friends. his words sat firm in his head and those thoughts recoiled into the recesses of his mind.

He kneeled down, fumbling with the buckles on his guitar case to distract himself. The instrument he had brought was one that he treasured. It had also been one of his first steals, but he would keep that information to himself. When he had found it, the poor thing had been sitting against a wall covered in dust. It's owner hadn't even touched it and probably wouldn't miss it anyways. It brought joy to Raziel and his friends and that's what mattered. Gently, he set the white guitar on his lap, tracing the intricate cresting waves designed on the body. It was a nervous habit he made before he played, hoping for good luck.

While she went down the hall, he studied the sheet music until she returned with a crystal orb. It reminded him of the ones she had given him, but these were lifeless. They must have been empty vessel for music. Raziel nodded, finding it hard not to smile when she did. Kaden had that same affect on people too. He wished that he could be that comfortable around people. "Yeah. I'll give it a shot." he positioned the paper on the coffee table, and gave the guitar a few test strokes. Once he was confident with how everything sounded, he began the first line. His fingers moved swiftly from one cord to the next, easily adjusting from one note to the next to coax out the next beautiful sound. He glanced up at Tsumi briefly as he played. It was a lovely song and coming upon the parts that were familiar to him, he smiled a little. That must have been his contribution.

[Tsumiko]

There was a bit of what the songstress perceived as nervousness in Raziel’s demeanor as she looked him over. It was mildly cute to see, and caused Tsumiko to chuckle softly. Watching him as he began to unlatch his guitar case and pull out the instrument within, she was rather impressed with it. The design was beautiful, and it likely made an equally beautiful sound.

Coming back, it seemed that Raziel’s smile was infectious. Tsumiko couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips due to his excitement. Hearing the young man agree to attempt his dual role in the song, she waited patiently for him to get familiar with the piece before jumping in herself.

There were lines for him, lines for her, and some where they sang together. Raziel did well, much to the songstress’ pleasant surprise, and was growing ever more eager for their collaboration. Though with hearing the song being sung aloud by the two of them, she made small edits here and there to make it flow a little more, and create a more in depth harmony. After a few runs of the lyrics and accompaniment from Raziel’s guitar, Tsumiko nodded with confidence, smiling wide. “Alright, I believe we’re ready for recording. What do you think?” She asked, turning bright eyes over to the young man and smiling wide. Listening for his answer, the woman stood and moved to pick up her own instrument from near the grand piano off to the side. Returning, she stood near the coffee table which had become their makeshift base of operations, holding the very violin that the young man had attempted to steal days before.

[Raziel]

Raziel nodded, feeling a little nervous to actually do the recording. What if messed up and did something stupid. It'd be there for years to come unless the evidence was destroyed. He knew he should't have been thinking of something so ridiculous, but it was just in his nature to doubt himself. As Tsumiko returned with a familiar instrument, he nodded, trying to hide the sheepish grin trying to take form on his face. "Yeah. Let's give it a shot." he took a deep breath and waited for Tsumiko to begin, taking quick note of the small changes she had made to the song.

[Tsumiko]

It was always a wonder to see their mother at work. Destinie watched from the recliner, a juice box hanging from her lips. When the music played, she’d close her eyes and envision the sounds coming to life. “The color of sound”, as her mother called it, painted the back of her eyelids with every note that played. With each rerun, the music evolved into something more and more grand. Fayt thought very much the same. His book had long since closed, as it was difficult to read when such music demanded to be listened to with one’s complete and undivided attention. Such was the allure of his mother’s music. The duet was unusual, and the young man would hear the self-doubt and hesitation in Raziel’s playing, but he did better than most.

The orb glowing, pulsing with light as it began to ‘record’, the twins knew to stay silent. Beginning with an unwritten violin solo, Tsumiko played not with just her hands, but her whole body, her heart, and her soul. Opening shining, happy eyes, she’d look to Raziel and cued for him to begin, her notes leading into ones that would sound familiar. When it came time, she’d sing loud and clear. The songstress couldn’t help the smile that played her lips as she played alongside the young man. They made beautiful music together, and she couldn’t have been any happier.

[Raziel]

For a moment, Raziel forgot that he was supposed to start playing soon. When he was listening to the music sphere at home, time didn't seem to have any meaning and the same could be said here. Voice or instrument, Tsumiko definitely drew attention--almost hypnotically so. Not to mention, he was more than a little self conscious. He'd heard the woman singing many times from the sphere and he was convinced he would never hold a light to her. Tsumiko's talents were on what he considered a heavenly level. There was no other way he could explain it. Well, there wasn't much he could do about it now. Just do the same thing you do in front of the guild. The Nobody took the cue from the songstress and began to sing along with her as best as he could as he continued to strum the guitar. Raziel's voice flowed upon the notes, smooth and clear, but with a little something obviously lacking deep down. Like Fayt had observed, it was his confidence that held him back from letting his words transform into the true beauty they could be. Regardless, it was still in his blood to carry a song well at least. Even if he wasn't aware of it.

[Tsumiko]

It went seamlessly. Raziel began to play, and eased into it perfectly. Tsumiko showed her elation with a bright smile which she cast in the Nobody’s direction. She drew the bow of her violin over the strings in a fluid motion, singing with a similar quality. It didn’t take much for her to heard that little bit of uncertainty, but let it slip for the moment as his voice carried more than well enough.

A little over a minute later, they came to an end, and Tsumiko let out a content sigh. Taking the violin from her chin, she’d end the recording and turn to the red-eyed young man. “You did very well.” She’d say to him with a soft giggle, petting the top of his head. “Wanna hear it? If you don’t like it, we can always try again.” Tsumiko said, taking the sphere into her hands, and rolled it within her palms. Carefully, she handed it to Raziel.

Off to the side, the twins stirred. Destinie got up to go throw out her juice box before the soothing sound of their music lulled her to sleep in the recliner. It was incidentally named the Chair of Doom, due to the fact that most anybody left sitting in that chair long enough had their soul sucked out of their butt and pulled into a deep sleep. It’s happened… Fayt sat up and stretched out. With his book situated neatly on his lap, the young man rest his chin on his palm and watched his mother and her companion with lazy eyes.

[Raziel]

When they finished, Raziel let out a little sigh himself, but one more of relief than content. That wasn't half as bad as he thought it would be. His fingers and voice had held out for the entire song without any trouble. Everything went decent enough, and he didn't feel like he made any mistakes. Tsumiko had been flawless just as he had expected from listening to the music sphere she had given him. He hoped his singing alongside her didn't dull down the song. Her hand touched the top of his head, and he winced slightly at the motion. I guess she just saw him as a kid. That was natural, he guessed. She was a mom after all and he didn't exactly give off the image of the most mature adult. Most people compared him more to a cute puppy than someone his age.

Hearing the compliment, his face began to heat up. "Huh? I-I don't know. It wasn't much compared to you. Umm I hope I didn't lower the quality that much." he accepted the sphere, holding it gently between his hands. "Yeah, I'll give it a listen." he willed the musical orb to play and it the song they had just finished filled the room once more.

[Tsumiko]

There was a soft smile that played the songstress’ lips, and she did notice how the young man winced. Perhaps the gesture was to intimate for him? Or perhaps it sent the wrong message to him. It was one that she used to show approval with her own children, but maybe… Ah, that was it. Giggling lightly, Tsumiko took a hand and pinched at his cheek. “Don’t be silly. You were superb. Maybe my children would be half as good if they put as much effort into their lessons as they did their training..!~” She called out loud enough for all those in the house to hear.

Fayt looked off to the side before coughing into a fist and standing to excuse himself. Destinie, who was on her way back, decided to linger in the kitchen for a moment longer. Who knew? She could be hungry again in the next couple seconds.

Giggling with a light sigh, Tsumiko returned her attention to the red-eyed boy and smiled. He’d began playing the recording, and the woman was pleased to hear that it sounded much like how she hoped it would. The tune filled the room, and for that moment, her heart swelled with joy. It sounded wonderful. “Ahh… Wonderful.” The songstress would state after it had finished. “One work of art, just for you, as promised.” Tsumiko would say as she leaned back into the couch. “Hmhmm… But I wonder what you did with the others.”

[Raziel]

The cheek pinch... he was not expecting that, nor did he really know how to react to it. No one had ever done that to him before. It was obviously a sign of affection, not to mention a bit awkward. This was something you'd do to a little kid. Dang it! Now his face was going to get twice as red. A groan was building up in his throat, but he managed to push it down and let out a nervous chuckle instead. Once he was freed, he rubbed his cheek, hoping by some miracle some of the redness would fade. Maybe in time his blushing at every little thing would stop in time. Until such a time came, he would have to deal with it.

Raziel focused back on the sphere, taking in the music that he and Tsumiko had just finished. He listened intently to his part, silently criticizing himself on what he could have done better. When the song ended, he was pleased to hear the woman's approval, giving her a nod. Next time, he promised himself that he would do better. If only he could get some confidence built up. The Nobody wasn't unaware of what his problem. Getting around it was the issue. Anxiety hardly left without a fight.

"The others? Oh, right." he drummed his fingers gently against the orb. "I kept one and had to give the other away. It was hard to choose between them. I really wanted to keep them both." he remembered being back in his apartment, looking from one music sphere to the other. It took him an entire day to decide which one to hand over to Yumi, and even then he was reluctant. It had to be done. There was no way he could explain how he went out on a job and came back with nothing. They would know something was up, and how could he not give those who had taken him in their due? They were the ones who taught him how the world worked. He trusted them. Thankfully, since he was technically off the clock, this music sphere was his to keep. "That's how it goes..."

[Tsumiko]

The reaction she’d gotten from Raziel confirmed her suspicion, what with the blush and how he rubbed at his cheek with a nervous chuckle. The songstress wouldn’t deny that it was cute. But for a growing young man like him, being told that he was ‘cute’ might have been a blow to his pride as a man. So Tsumiko kept her comment to herself and allowed him to finished listening to the piece in peace.

She didn’t need him to tell her what he thought. Raziel’s insecurity was riddled into the vibe he exuded. But that was something they could work on. Even the best of them had something to criticize themselves over. Tsumiko, herself, was no exception. There was many a thing that she’d hear herself singing and think it no good, despite the positive reinforcement from her family and fans.

Listening to what he had to say about the spheres, Tsumiko was curious as to why the one had to go. Figuring that he was stealing for a reason, it might have went to his source of income, and was how he paid for his day-to-day things. Smiling at him, the songstress would nod. “Well, now you have two in your possession. Hopefully you’ll get to keep these ones, hm?~” She’d say, standing up and stretching out. Taking with her the sleek, black violin, she’d return it to the case that was situated near the grand piano on the other side of the room. Tsumiko’s long silver-blue locks swayed from side to side as she walked, shimmering in the bright sunlight that was cast in through the windows that surrounded them.

Stretching once more, Tsumiko turned a soft smile to Raziel. “What do you say to some lunch? My treat.”

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