Their Song Finished

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november 14th, 2023 • date rehearsal room • location their song • thread

Ophelia winced as the boys' emotions grew heated. When she'd decided to take a stop in the Rehearsal Room, she hadn't wanted to take part in something like this. When she'd decided to call out to Archer, she hadn't meant for it to turn into an argument. She'd hoped that they would get to share their passion for music. Together. Not for this.

In the beginning, it was easy for Ophelia to blame herself. Why had she called out to the boy who'd so clearly wanted to leave? Then it became Archer's fault, for saying something that ignited a fire. After that, it felt as if it was Matthew's fault, for reading too much into a simple comment. And now? Now it felt as if everyone was guilty, everyone except for Rowan, the redhead girl who barely spoke. Who really was at fault here? Or was it no one?

As Archer left the room, Ophelia lifted a hand, ready to call him back, but then thought better of it. The boy had wanted to leave before, and now he wanted to again. The first time she had interrupted him and caused this scene, she wouldn't interrupt his retreat again. Her arm came down, silently at her side. She watched him go, her eyes staying there for a moment before shifting to Matthew.

The other boy, the one still in the room, seemed to ignore Archer's departure. Instead, he began showering Ophelia with compliments. She'd been told that she had a beautiful voice on multiple occasions, mostly by her mother, Cecelia, who accidentally caught snippets of her daughter's solos at home, but she'd never heard these many strung together.

"Oh, um, thank you." She murmured quietly. Ophelia didn't know what else to say. She suppressed a giggle. Maybe it wasn't just Matthew, she wasn't good at taking compliments either. "You're piano playing was amazing as well." She hesitated before adding, "I'm guessing it would've been much better had you not been distracted."

The hint was subtle, but she knew that Matthew would know what she meant. Archer's presence and his own anger had been his distraction. If he'd let himself get lost in the music and the feeling in it, as Ophelia had, maybe their heated discussion would've gone a different way. Maybe Archer would still be here and Ophelia wouldn't have felt this weighing guilt.

interactions • @Matthew Campbell @Archer Duncan mentions • @Rowan Bellegno stats • sta 6 | eva 5 | str 6 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 5

372 • word count xxx • outfit perfectionist • abilities

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OOC:

Reducio

Sorry that it took me so long to reply to this. With the ball I focused on that but I didn't want to leave it abandoned!

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november 14th, 2023 • date rehearsal room • location their song • thread

Ophelia watched Matthew carefully. The boy seemed to have a thousand thoughts flickering through his mind, about Archer, about his words, about Ophelia. She couldn't tell if he regretted what he'd said, or if he was convincing himself that what he had said was perfectly fine. All she could do was wait, for him to remember that she was standing there.

As Matthew finally responded to her loaded comment, one that Ophelia sort of regretted now, she didn't know what to think. This boy, who'd seemed so nice in the beginning, who'd flared up at Archer so quickly, who'd kindly offered to play the piano as she'd sang. He was now apologising to her, for getting distracted, for the unfriendliness between himself and Archer.

Suppressing a sigh, Ophelia gave him a small smile. She usually had a strong need to protect the victim in scenarios like these, even if it was just by offering silent support, but in this exact situation? She couldn't even tell who the victim was. Was it Matthew, who'd felt threatened because someone who he'd previously had a negative encounter with was near him? Or was it Archer, who'd continuously gotten loaded looks and comments? Ophelia just wanted to get out of this mess and forget about it, not wanting to make a big scene.

"It's alright." Her voice sounded meek and soft, as if she didn't believe her own words. Clearing her throat, Ophelia tried again. "It wasn't a problem, really. If you couldn't tell, I'd been nervous to sing in the first place." She added a small laugh to go with her small smile.

Believing that their conversation was over, Ophelia began to back away slowly. She didn't want to run away from Matthew, but if he needed space to think about whatever had happened between himself and Archer, before and today, then she'd give it to him. But the boy began to speak again, and the young Ravenclaw paused, respectfully listening to what he had to say.

As he spoke about the meaning behind the original song and apologised, Ophelia couldn't help but feel bad. "Your father must be very proud of your playing skills. Your piano accompaniment was brilliant. And, I'm sorry. For intruding on your playing."

As for Matthew's question, the response didn't have to be thought upon. "I've always been connected to music, but singing become an interest later on. My family isn't into making music, but they value it greatly. My passion started with me liking song lyrics and memorising them to use in my writing, and then to becoming obsessed with being able to sing it correctly." She added another laugh. "I love the feeling of singing, of recreating with my voice the beautiful meanings of each song."

Ophelia smiled, wistfully wondering how lovely the afternoon spent together would've been if all they'd spoken about was passion for music. She waited for Matthew, watching him intently once more. If he made any sign that he was tired of her company, she would surely leave. But if he wanted to keep talking, then she would.

interactions • @Matthew Campbell mentions •@Archer Duncan stats • sta 6 | eva 5 | str 6 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 5

403 • word count xxx • outfit perfectionist • abilities

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speech • #427c9a thoughts • italics others • #ffffff

november 14th, 2023 • date rehearsal room • location their song • thread

She didn't know what it was, but something about this boy in front of her called out to Ophelia. From the moment that she'd stepped into the room, he'd been welcoming and kind, full of laughter and warmth as he greeted not only her but also the companions that had come afterwards. He'd been quiet and calm and sweet, thoughtful and gentle and supporting, and Ophelia felt that she had no reason to judge him after this one encounter. She didn't even truly know what had transpired between the two boys, and she decided that she wouldn't ask. It wasn't her place. She would just enjoy these last moments with Matthew before leaving the room whenever she deemed it right to do so.

And right now was not that time, not yet. Her conscience wanted her to stay, here in this comforting room with this boy who'd already apologised profusely for every interruption and heavy comment. Ophelia nodded her acceptance of his comments, a little smile accompanying the gesture.

Ophelia was about to open her lips and begin to tell Matthew that she would stay if he'd like her to, when the boy began his fourth piece of the day, a song that the Ravenclaw girl didn't recognise at all, but found immensely beautiful all the same. She could see the tears forming in his eyes, the wetness and sorrow balling up there that was neither hers to share nor hers to witness. She barely knew this boy, and she knew that he felt the same way as he wiped his welling tears with the sides of his palms as he continued to play.

As Ophelia had noted earlier, his voice was beautiful, as was his playing, and the soft melodious quality of the song, as well as the rough emotional tone in Matthew's voice as he sang it only complimented it further. She didn't know what to do as the boy shimmied down the piano seat, silently inviting her to sit next to him.

Taking a breath, the girl gave him another accepting smile, before joining him. Once there, she found the music sheet that he was using to play, noting the strokes of the handwritten music and realising that this song must mean much more to Matthew than just its pretty lyrics. If the boy seemed to be comfortable enough, Ophelia would take a deep breath, catching the tune in her ears, memorising it with the whole of her body, before joining in, eyes open to read the lyrics off the sheet.

Her tune would be off and her words sometimes said a beat too late, but Matthew's singing and playing more than made up for it, and it was the thought that counted, right? She hoped he wouldn't be angry for her joining in.

When they were done, Ophelia would hop off the bench, embarrassed but also semi-proud at herself.

interactions • @Matthew Campbell mentions • stats • sta 6 | eva 5 | str 6 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 5

483 • word count xxx • outfit perfectionist • abilities

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Relief was a calming wash that eased the pain of Matthew's heart as Ophelia joined him on the stool. Holding back the release of his tears a smile began to tug at the side of his mouth as he continued to pour his soul into the piece that was so dear to him. It was like all of the emotion of the day suddenly burst free from him and the world was destined to answer his call.

It started as nothing more than a gentle humming but soon the music was overcoming the girl next to him too. The music that was so cherished between himself and his father had managed to touch the heart of another. It was a moment more magical than any spell. Soon she was attempting to join in fully and with every stumble he was quick to calm the melody slowing his pace and pitch to help instruct her. In truth he hardly had to do anything as she proved just now natural a talent she was and the impressive depth of her ear to pick up music.

What was a simple crook of a smile now beamed as he sung and the eyes filled with tears began to be filled with a deep admiration. Not only was this young girl capable of forgiving him but her heart sang along with his own and made a melody even greater than the original. She hadn't just accepted his mistakes with grace but proven to him that they didn't have to define him and wouldn't corrupt their potential friendship.

Finishing the melody together he took his hands slowly from the keys and placed one on the others if she would allow. With a steady voice that was full of conviction he simply said, "Thank you. Please let us meet again in better times." By the look on Ophelia's face as she jumped up he could see she was embarrassed and yet still she glowed with a subtle pride. As he took his sheet music and placed it in his bag he faced her one more time before leaving the room, "I'm glad we got to share that together, it was inspiring, you were inspiring."

Blush staining lightly his cheeks he gave a quick bow of his head and began to leave the space hoping that one day they would reunite so he could show her the inspiration she had bloomed within him that night.

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november 14th, 2023 • date rehearsal room • location their song • thread

Ophelia felt herself blush in embarrassment as Matthew took her hands in his own. She hadn't done anything worth noting, just sang along with the boy as he'd poured his heart and soul out through music, but it seemed that she'd gotten through to his heart, and that was all that mattered. The position that they were stuck in was awkward, her half-standing and a bit farther away from the piano bench while he was sitting on the far edge, but the gesture was meaningful and powerful. Maybe the raw emotion present in the song's beautifully written lyrics and in Matthew's melodious voice had affected the Ravenclaw girl more than she'd realised.

The girl nodded mutely as Matthew gave his thanks, though for what she didn't know. Ophelia just knew, in that moment, that she couldn't trust her voice. She couldn't even trust her lips, to bring forth the correct words needed in the moment. So she nodded and hoped that Matthew understood that she had felt the emotion circling in the room, that she had felt it and knew that he had not meant for all the hurtful words to come out just minutes before.

The boy let go of her hands, switching to holding the sheet music and tucking it carefully in his bag. He called her inspiring. "I-" Ophelia stopped abruptly, unsure how to continue. The Ravenclaw girl watched as the boy in front of her dipped his head to her once before turning to leave the room. "I- You were inspiring too!" She winced as the words came out, squeaky, improper, and not the way she'd wanted them to. But by the time she looked up to see his reaction, the Slytherin boy was already gone.

Maybe he didn't hear. Ophelia told herself, staring at the doorway through which both her male companions for the evening had left after hearing her sing. Intentionally or not, they'd both left with a piece of Ophelia within them, whether it be positive or negative, small or large, easy to forget or crucial to remember.

Perhaps, one day, the threesome would meet once more and Ophelia would get to see the two boys stitch their broken relationship back together.

interactions • @Matthew Campbell mentions • @ stats • sta 6 | eva 5 | str 6 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 5

363 • word count xxx • outfit perfectionist • abilities

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