A Private Show

[nyandereneko]

Word Count: 1,340

Summary: Nova hears peculiar notes floating through the halls one afternoon and decides to investigate their origin.

*Author’s Note*: This fic was born solely out of me listening to the OT Break&Boost soundtrack, which just…HOO BOY. If you get a chance you should definitely check it out, this piece was specifically inspired by the remixes of Primrose’s Theme and A Settlement in Red Bluffs. I still get teary just thinking about how beautiful they are jgilejslgs I love OT so fucking much, and its soundtrack is a genuine masterpiece. Cleary I also love Cyrus a bit too much, too. It takes place before this fic, so I figured it would be best to stick to my own chronology and not mention it retroactively lol. It takes place a short time before one of the events I’ve speculated about as a confession event for us, a ball in Goldshore where ofc he’d offered to perform part of the time. Idk if he’s actually musically inclined but if that one official art and his demeanor in general don’t afford me the freedom to make content based on this headcanon it doesn’t matter because nothing can stop me at this point lol. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!

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A stream of soft sweet notes danced through the air, nestling in her ears like a cat curling up to sleep. They were meaningful and poetic, smooth and pleasant as one rolled off another like gentle waves against still sand. This was violin music, or at least that was the conclusion Nova came to based on the distinct sound produced by the strings. Was that even the appropriate way to describe this kind of thing? She didn’t know, she wasn’t exactly knowledgeable about the technical jargon that existed between both casual and esteemed music aficionados. But she could sense something familiar about this melody, the rhythm of the music…or perhaps it was more accurate to call what she was recognizing the soul of the song. A language, an impression that tugged at her heart in a way no other piece or player ever did.

As she neared the room the notes seemed to be coming from, she peered through the slit in the door to conduct a preliminary examination of the source. Her heart tingled in her fingertips the moment she glimpsed the culprit, the pieces automatically falling into place as to why she was so drawn to this particular style. She was frozen in place, limbs trembling slightly in both excitement and appreciation as she watched the talented man work his magic in a less literal way than could usually be expected of him. He appeared to be alone, and she wondered if he was only able to produce sounds like this when he knew there was no one watching—or was under that impression, in this case. The spirit was unmistakable, the ambition and drive of the song as true to him as any other artistic display of his that she’d witnessed.

The way the notes rose and fell, their volume ebbing and flowing like a carefully conducted current, entranced her. It didn’t take much to captivate her when he was involved; she was starting to feel like she’d never stop discovering new and amazing things to love about him. She wanted to enter the room, to tell him just how impressed and enthralled she was, but her fear of displacing whatever was enabling him to play like this was greater than her desire to communicate her praise. And as much as she wanted to stay and listen, she was sure eavesdropping like this was probably a rude thing to do; if he’d come here to be alone, it would be better for her to respect that wish.

A loud, unexpected noise rang through the halls from somewhere else in the vicinity. Both Nova’s and Cyrus’s attention instantly snapped to the racket, which also meant that Nova’d been inexplicably caught in her little act. She’d allowed the crack in the door to widen a little bit more than she should have, and Cyrus found himself facing a double reaction of confusion and being caught off guard. Her instinct was to run, but she knew that was unnecessary and immature. Apologizing was definitely the first thing to do, and after that she’d leave him to his devices, the way he’d intended to be before she’d so impudently started spying on him.

“Um, I’m—”

“You don’t have to keep lurking out there, you know.”

An expected response; he wasn’t in the habit of being dismissive or rude in a circumstance such as this. But she still wasn’t quite sure how to follow it up. Sensing that he had taken her aback now, the artistically inclined mage approached the door and opened it properly for her. His lips displayed a warm and welcoming smile the whole time, and Nova was starting to feel even more frozen than before.

“I was just practicing for the ball. You’re welcome to stay and listen if you wish.” His words were still a tad difficult to process. “I can’t promise it’ll be anything that suitable or enjoyable, but—”

“I love it!” she confessed bluntly, involuntarily drawing her fists against her chest in conviction. “I love your playing so much! You do it so beautifully, so wonderfully, you make the most remarkable music I’ve ever heard! I’m sure the technique you use isn’t even teachable, it’s so uniquely you, and you do it so well! I was just as impressed with your piano playing the first time I heard it, but I didn’t know you could play the violin too. You’re so talented, it’s absolutely incredible. I know sometimes people say that something sounds like music to their ears, but the sound you produce is even more than that, it’s an experience. One of the best experiences I’ve ever had the pleasure to encounter!”

He blinked a few times in pure astonishment, completely disarmed by her vehement and heartfelt words. The same warmth he’d felt when she’d expressed enthusiasm and interest in his demonstration of magic for the first time blossomed in him again, enveloping him from head to toe. Her gaze was fixed on him with such earnestness; if she was lying, it would have been the most convincing and masterful lie he’d ever been told. Her fur was even puffed up in a perfect complement to her sincere and passionate fervor, and as the thought that such a reaction was adorable flitted through his mind, he subsequently found himself utterly at a loss for words.

The most Nova could do was stand there and internally berate herself at the top of her lungs. What was she thinking? No, of course she hadn’t been thinking, it had just been a childish and outlandish reaction born of her impatient and overzealous emotions. She felt her face slowly being engulfed by the heat of embarrassment, and she deliberately held her tongue, waiting to see what kind of response he was going to give her, if any. If he just retreated back into the room and shut the door in her face, she’d certainly understand.

“Um. Well, I—” Stuttering; what a novel response from the silver-tongued professor. He cleared his throat and attempted to continue more succinctly. “Thank you. Your flattery is certainly appreciated. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anyone express that my playing has affected them in such a profound way.”

“Actually, I just, I—”

“I would very much enjoy your company if you were truly interested in giving up a bit more of your time,” he cut her off, seeming much more flustered than she was ever used to seeing him, than she ever even really expected of him. The rosy flush that bled into face only served to intensify her own. “You’re not obligated, of course, but if you would like—”

“Yes. Yes,” she replied abruptly, mostly unaware of herself as she absently patted down the fur on her ears. It was an unconscious action that came about as a result of her frayed nerves. “I’d like to hear more, as much more as you’re willing to share, if you’re really okay with having an audience.”

Cyrus’s heart swelled with happiness and relief, and as such latent emotions began to wordlessly shine through his eyes, Nova felt her heart attempting to escape her chest. Without delay, she shuffled into the room and found an acceptable place to seat herself while he performed. A private show comprised solely of the man she loved more than anyone in the realm…she’d definitely made a fool of herself getting to this point. But she was happy, endlessly so, to be able to share this moment with him at all. Even if she couldn’t quite get a handle on her erratic emotions, just being in his presence was pleasant, comforting. Strangely enough, even as he expertly strung note after note together in a soothing, melodic swell, the young girl swore she occasionally caught sight of his fingers trembling, eyes blazing with a passion she couldn’t quite comprehend. And somehow, something about his playing indicated that none of it was a consequence of the way he was deftly commanding the delicate strings in his grasp.