Closed Winter Music PV Ophelia Northwell

@Ophelia Northwell

Reducio

Viva smiled. She liked holiday themed music. She nodded slightly, trying to breathe. "Okay," she said, her voice shaking a little bit. She finished unpacking her violin and stood up, raising the violin to her chin in one fluid movement. The wood felt comforting against her skin, like it belonged there. Viva suddenly stopped shaking. She could do this.

Filled with a strange sense of courage, she turned to look Ophelia in the eyes. "Do you mind if I count us in?" Viva asked softly, raising her bow as well. She took a deep breath, and raised her head in a count: one, two three. Viva hadn't played her violin for someone for years. She had expected to be terrified, but as soon as the first note rang true, she relaxed. This was right. This was what she was meant to do.

The sweet and jolly melody sang from the wooden instrument in her arms. She gently shook her wrist a little, to mimic the bouncing on the sleigh and the bells. The notes seemed to slide off on their own as the bow moved smoothly up and down. Viva closed her eyes, and moved her body in time with the music. Starting to really enjoy herself, she opened them to see what Ophelia was doing.

☽ •----------------------------------------• ☾

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

2024 • date rehearsal room • location winter music • thread

Ophelia sighed in relief as the girl in front of her agreed to play Jingle Bells. It had been a spur of the moment idea, and she'd regretted saying it almost immediately. Who decided to play Jingle Bells as their first song? When it wasn't even close to Christmas?

As Viva picked up her violin and began playing, however, Ophelia's worry dissolved. The music was beautiful, and there were no faults in her playing. For a moment, the Ravenclaw watched in wonder as the girl's fingers deftly moved, making such beautiful music.

Then realising that she was supposed to sing, she began to hum. Ophelia hadn't practised at all today, so she was sure that her singing wouldn't be her best yet. But if she hummed for a bit, maybe her notes would at least hit their mark. Then, she listened to the music, ready to listen for her cue.

"Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, hey
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!"

Ophelia knew the phrase "sing your heart out" well since it was what she did every time she sang. She put her heart and her emotions into it, even into a fun, jolly tune like Jingle Bells. She closed her eyes, swaying to the violin music as she sang. Slowly, she added in embellishments. Pausing and adding in "oh" and "hey" in random places. She smiled to herself, her eyes still closed.

That was when she remembered that she had an audience of one. Ophelia's eyes flew open and she sang off key once, before recovering. Wincing, she peered curiously at Viva, who was bobbing to the music and bouncing her violin. Ophelia couldn't help but smile as she saw that they both had ways to enjoy their music.

"Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, hey
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!"

They ended and the room fell silent again. Ophelia blinked at the difference. It was like all the merry, jolly feelings that they'd created had just disappeared, returning back to normal.

I hope Viva doesn't want to stop. I definitely don't! Ophelia grinned at her music-making partner. "Well, it's your turn to choose a song now!"

interactions • @Genevieve Delacourt mentions • @ stats • sta 6 | eva 5 | str 6 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 5

324 • word count x x • outfit perfectionist • abilities

☽ •----------------------------------------• ☾

@Ophelia Northwell

Viva finished the song with a flourish, lifting her bow off the string dramatically. She looked at Ophelia with a smile. "That was beautiful," she said wonderingly. Ophelia's voice had truly sounded magical, and it had sounded like she really loved to sing. That was what made it truly lovely, the fact that Ophelia obviously enjoyed making music so much. It showed in her voice, and enhanced the song.

"My turn?" Viva asked, adjusting her violin nervously. She tried to think of a pretty song she could play. Suddenly, one popped into her head. "Hmm. This is a really different style, but what about 'My Heart Will Go On' by Céline Dion? Do you know that one?" Viva asked curiously, tilting her head a little. She looked at Ophelia, waiting for an answer. "If you want to do the song, you can start," she said. "I'll join in."

She really liked that song. It was beautiful, and sincere, and a very good song to play on the violin. Viva had first heard it a number of years ago, and enjoyed it ever since. She just hoped Ophelia would know which song she was talking about, and that she would be able to sing it. There were some tricky parts.

☽ •----------------------------------------• ☾

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

2024 • date rehearsal room • location winter music • thread

Ophelia grinned as Viva said that their music was beautiful. She agreed, and showed this with a nod of her head. Hopefully, the girl hadn't heard the moment when Ophelia had messed up because of her nerves.

As Viva racked her brain for a song, she seemed to descend into her nervousness again. Ophelia, though she too was jittery, wanted to calm those nerves. She took a deep breath. Maybe the more they played together, the more they would come to trust each other with their hidden musical talents. Finally, Viva chose a song, and when she said it, Ophelia let out a gasp.

Céline Dion was not even close to Ophelia's favorite artist. But the song that Viva had chosen, "My Heart Will Go On," that was one of her all time favorites. She'd been obsessed with it when she'd been younger, listening to it on repeat and singing it, when no one was listening of course. She'd slowly fallen out of love with it, but that didn't mean she didn't remember every single word and the intense emotion in the song.

"I know that song! I haven't sang it in a while though." She took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing, then."

When Ophelia began singing, she felt the burst of emotion rise through her. She felt it every time she sang, but especially with extremely emotional songs. It was the reason she'd started singing in the first place. Because it let her show her emotion.

interactions • @Genevieve Delacourt mentions • @ stats • sta 6 | eva 5 | str 6 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 5

232 • word count x x • outfit perfectionist • abilities

☽ •----------------------------------------• ☾

Speech: #A0522D

Playing violin with @Ophelia Northwell

Viva jumped a little as Ophelia gasped, startled. She relaxed and smiled, though, when Ophelia said that she liked that song. "Yay!" Viva said a little quietly. "Perfect." Viva lifted the violin to her chin as Ophelia took a breath and began. Viva's smile grew as the first pure notes of Ophelia's voice rang out through the rehearsal room. She really is such an amazing singer and musician, Viva thought happily. She could really tell all the emotions Ophelia was expressing through her voice.

After a few beats, Viva took a breath as well and lifted her bow with a flourish, coming down on the strings with the first melodic note. The two girls seemed to breath as one as they made music together. The melody swelled, and filled the room. Viva closed her eyes once more and leaned into this song. It was beautiful.

All too soon, the song ended. Viva gently drew her bow away, letting the last note reverberate. She opened her eyes. "That was amazing," she said in awe. "You're amazing." She was beaming now, looking at Ophelia with joy dancing in her eyes. Who knew that she would have become this comfortable sharing her music this quickly?

☽ •----------------------------------------• ☾

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

2024 • date rehearsal room • location winter music • thread

Their music was moving and beautiful, something that Ophelia would never be able to achieve on her own. She usually sang with a background track, something instrumental that wouldn't drown out her singing. She'd never before sang with someone playing a real instrument, and she realised that she liked this much better. Now, it was as if the music connected the two girls' souls, invisibly linking them so they played to the same rhythm and timing. The audio track that Ophelia was used to didn't feel the same. It was void of emotion, just a recording to be played over and over and over again.

When the short song ended, Ophelia opened her eyes to see the awe that she felt mirrored in Viva's eyes. "That was amazing. You're amazing." She breathed, her face bright with the elation of playing such an emotional piece. Before, they'd lapsed right back into the awkward silence, but after playing the second time, it seemed that they'd grown more comfortable with each other.

Ophelia grinned. "Not just me. You're amazing too. Have you heard yourself play?" She wasn't kidding. Viva played the violin like any normal person breathed. It was so natural and elegant and graceful, the Ravenclaw girl didn't have the right words to describe it. She'd been told by her mother that she had the voice of an angel, but looking at Viva, she saw that the girl in front of her had the most gifted fingers. Long and thin, they deftly pressed on the strings as she played, practically bouncing.

The Ravenclaw hesitated. She wanted to say something to Viva, but she didn't know how it would be received. It was something that she'd been told time and time again by her mother, and she knew that she had hated hearing it. Still, she wanted Viva to know how much she meant every compliment. That they weren't just false words for a new friend.

"I know that performing is hard, especially since people really do judge harshly. But with your talent, I don't know how anyone could dislike your music. I really hope you consider even just playing a single song for someone." Ophelia paused, wanting to say more but not knowing how. "Maybe we could do it together?"

interactions • @Genevieve Delacourt mentions • @ stats • sta 6 | eva 5 | str 6 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 5

317 • word count x x • outfit perfectionist • abilities

☽ •----------------------------------------• ☾

Speech: #A0522D

Thinking about @Ophelia Northwell's suggestion

Viva felt her heart grow warm as Ophelia complimented her. She really, truly, believed that Ophelia meant them, and that meant the world to Viva. She already felt very close with her new friend, sharing something personal and special to you will do that to someone. She felt like she had bared her soul through her music, and Ophelia had welcomed it wholeheartedly. Viva appreciated that. She felt a smile cross her face yet again. She tilted her head slightly as she listened to Ophelia's suggestion, furrowing her brow in thought. Her violin was still propped up against her chin and her bow was still in her hand.

She felt herself blush as Ophelia said she didn't think anyone could dislike her playing. Really, it was the same for Ophelia's singing, she sounded just like a lovely songbird when she sang. "Together?" Viva repeated very quietly. She thought for a moment. Her brain was telling her: No. No! Don't do it, you'll regret it. You're not ready. You're not good enough. All your life you've been scared of this. But her heart was saying something else. Yes. Yes, do it. You've got this. Take the chance, do it with Ophelia! She bit her lip, lowering her instrument a little. Without giving it any more thought, she gave her answer. "Yes," she breathed.

☽ •----------------------------------------• ☾

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

2024 • date rehearsal room • location winter music • thread

Ophelia squeezed her eyes shut as Viva thought about her answer to the Ravenclaw's blunt albeit honest question. She hadn't meant to blurt out that she'd be willing to perform with the girl that she just met, even though she most definitely was.

This willingness should've surprised Ophelia, who rarely trusted someone whom she'd just met. Oddly, it didn't though. Music had a way of conveying feelings that words and actions couldn't. Even those who didn't listen to Muggle music could understand the lyrics of a song, could feel the vibrations in the air. Music connected all, and when one soul played music with another, those souls were connected. Hopefully Viva feels the same. Hopefully she considers me a friend.

A few heartbeats later, Ophelia heard Viva's answer. Soft, uncertain, hesitant. Like she knew what she wanted to say, but wasn't sure if she should say it. "Together? Yes." Even after giving her answer, she seemed reluctant.

But Ophelia didn't mind. How could she when her entire world had just shifted? She'd just agreed to something that she'd never done before. Singing in front of an audience. Excitement and nerves bubbled in her stomach, ready to blow. "Really? You'll do it?" It wasn't what she'd meant to say, but she did want a confirmation.

interactions • @Genevieve Delacourt mentions • @ stats • sta 6 | eva 5 | str 6 | wis 7 | arc 6 | acc 5

208 • word count x x • outfit perfectionist • abilities

☽ •----------------------------------------• ☾