Closed Log: (YES ANOTHER ONE!) Chrome + Reborn (then Tamaki)
Chrome clutched onto her book-bag tightly, arms wrapping around it as she trailed behind Reborn, preoccupied with her thoughts. Ever since she lost her ability to create illusions, feeling of emptiness haunted her. A crucial part of her was missing and her connection with Mukuro-sama weakened. At the very least, his trident remained safely with her, inside her book-bag, keeping her at ease.
She continued to follow him, walking at her own pace with her fingers drumming softly against the surface of her book-bag. As of lately, this became habit of hers, each time her mind has wander off.
Reborn led the two of them out onto the deck. Chrome was worrying him; ever since the first day when she'd realized that she couldn't call illusions anymore she'd been listless. In vain did he try to assure her that it was temporary (because these things always were), and that it wasn't a problem, she'd be just fine... And now this, which he hoped was her half of the little game that seemed to be playing out on this ocean... "I think the music room at the S.S. Haruhi should be free now; if nothing else they have instruments there..." He stopped and waited for her to catch up, holding out a hand. "I haven't really tried this yet," he warned her. "I can usually manage just fine with just myself..."
She stared at his hand momentarily, confused by his words. "Ah..." Seeing that there was no boat around to use, she took his hand hesitantly with a blush slowly creeping onto her face upon the contact..
He tugged her closer, resting one arm across her shoulder a bit protectively. "Hold on," he cautioned her, and concentrated for a moment... And a blink of an eye later, they were on the S.S. Haruhi.
A small incomprehensible sound escaped her mouth from the sudden proximity between them. Before Chrome had the chance to respond Reborn-san, their surroundings changed. How...? Was it an illusion? "Mmm... " She blinked; it wasn't. "The S.S. Haruhi." She glanced over at Reborn-san, waiting for his lead.
At least Chrome had regained her balance quickly enough. "Yes," he said, and lead her confidently along the halls until they reached the music room, miraculously not running into any of the ship's inhabitants on their way. The door was locked, but easily picked, and soon he is closing the door behind them. It is a beautifully appointed room, as most everyone on the S.S. Haruhi was, that stunning and rare combination of both money and taste...
Chrome's eye immediately fell to the grand piano and walked over. She carefully placed her hand on top of the surface, tracing it with her fingertips as she breathed in carefully. "Mmm." She rested her fingers on the keys, biting her lips as her fingers tapped the keys lightly. "Ah... " The emitted sound was loud and clear. Her lips curved upwards as she tapped on more keys, playing easily recognizable tunes at the beginner's level.
Reborn had to smile at that; it looked as though his intuition had paid off. He leaned against the side of the piano and closed his eyes, one hand tapping in time to the beat...
"Ah..!" Chrome stopped, becoming flustered at herself. She have forgotten about him and possibly embarrassed herself with what she had played. "Reborn-san."
He glanced up slowly, the shadow from his hat shifting over his face. "Why did you stop?"
"I..." Unsure what to respond, she decided to ignore it and turned back to face the piano. She placed her bag next to her after sitting down. With both hands resting on the piano keys, she began to play something; searching for the right notes and tones at first, and then her fingers and her emotions guide her.
Her music was...freer now somehow, which confirmed his suspicions. "Feeling any better?" He asked, but softly, under his breath, just a question that she didn't need to acknowledge or answer...
It was odd how the instrument could affect her. A simple touch, melody, and sight of it have lifted her mood from earlier, even if was a tiny one. Chrome didn't know how to played the piano, at least, not this extensively... perhaps this was what she gained at the expense of her illusions. She closed her eye, inhaling sharply, and continued to play something - something more powerful which coincided with her current feelings. Confusion, Insecurities, fear, and...
And then Reborn was standing behind her, letting a hand rest on her shoulder, in reassurance, a desire to calm her down... "Keep playing," he suggested.
Pausing, she glanced at Reborn's hand and lifted her head until her eye met his, giving him a nod. The emptiness was dwindling. She let out a small sigh of relief upon the completion of the song, bringing her hands together over her chest.
"Do you feel better now?" He asked unnecessarily, a soft smile on his face.
"... Yes," she responded softly. It helped.
"If you want, you can keep playing," he pointed out. "I'm sure no one will mind."
She pondered at his words. She wanted to play something else, something cheerful or upbeat. Giving it another go, she tried. The melody sounded right, but if felt odd. Chrome paused every so often, starting over from the beginning with the hope it would flow better. It didn't.
"What are you thinking about right now?" Reborn asked, apparently randomly.
"Mmm. It's difficult to play something... nicer." She trailed off, having deliberately replaced the word 'happy' with "nicer' while staring at the keys, and then her hands.
"I see," Reborn said, the very slightest hint of amusement in his voice. "Can you think of anything else you'd like to play?"