Neuer Anzug [OPEN]

[Alaric von der Marck]

The girl explained, and Alaric laughed. The normally serious elder was so thoroughly amused, though it was gratifying to know that his age did not show. Sometimes he felt like it should; sometimes he felt like his face was lined with sagging wrinkles, his eyes spelling a message to all those who encountered him. Unable to see himself in mirrors – in fact, having forgotten what he even looked like beyond the portrait that hung on the wall somewhere in some dusty corner of the manor, he was always surprised when someone commented on his age, or lack thereof.

He shook his head, the laughter dying away. ”I am older than you think,” he said, vague. ”The comparison is lost, but I am in agreement. I will prefer the wood, to the electric. Electricity can be cold, and harsh,” he said. The instruments could be compared to lighting – there was clarity in electric light, and it was not to be mocked. But there was a passion in traditional light, in fire, both controlled and uncontrolled. The latter, of course, he would prefer to avoid.

”But not in here,” he said, gesturing to the domed roof. His eyes narrowed, lips pressed together momentarily before he continued. ”Your electric violin, not the lights. The lights could be less. Your playing was beautiful,” he said, uttering the compliment for the second time. Again, he glanced over his shoulder; he was keeping the young woman from her work – or her past time. And every time he turned from her he was reminded where he was, and aware of the crowds and the noise, of the electricity that he preferred to avoid. Soon, he would have to take his leave.

[Piper (DELETED 9604)]

The idea of shopping was the perfect antidote to unsettled nerves. Yes, retail therapy combined with some lunch was definitely the prescription needed. The consuming thoughts of meeting her father and how things might go with her introduction to his world, constantly tormented her and her stomach. It had been days since Piper had been able to really consume an entire meal. Instead, she would sit and pick at her food, shuffling it about on her plate with the end of her fork.

The mall would fit her needs perfectly. There, one could kill two birds with one stone; she could buy some new sunglasses and get something to eat in the food court. Another added bonus was that the mall was not far from the Hotel, where she was staying, and she would be able to walk to it.

Happy to be away from the walls of her room and among other people, Piper walked with a smile. She took in fresh breath and looked around the inside of the mall. It seemed cheerful and inviting with it's decor and the sound of a violin echoing from the walls inside of the building. The music was enchanting and seemed to call to Piper, like a siren. Following the music, she made her way to a courtyard with a fountain at it's center. There she saw the woman, who was playing an electric violin, already had a small crowd gathered around her. As she made her way past the violinist, Piper dropped a few dollars into an open case on the ground and continued walking.

Already she was feeling better and the nagging thoughts began to give her a break. Piper made her way to a nearby sunglass kiosk. The process of finding the right pair, took about twenty minutes, of her trying on pair after pair and looking at herself in the mirror. Finally, she settled on a pair of ray bans and paid for her purchase. The salesperson boxed and bagged her sunglasses and handed them to her with a smile.

"Thanks." Piper turned and started to head toward the food court. She had to admit, she was a little disappointed when she realized that the violinist was no longer playing when her path took her back in the direction of the fountain.

As she got closer, she could see that the woman was taking a break and chatting with a man. Keeping to her own business, she looked forward and kept on track to get some lunch. Unfortunately, her feet didn't do the same. Just as she got close to the pair, the heel of her shoe got caught on a cord and tripped her. Her purse went one way, her bag another and she ungracefully fell on the ground in front of them. Piper felt as if she would die of embarrassment, never mind the sharp pain that she felt in her ankle.