It was Friday. Which meant three things for Octavia Philharmonic;
Her mom setting up her schedule for the weekend, burgers for lunch at school, and very likely, taco’s for an afternoon snack with her new best friend, Sonata Dusk, at the park after school.
The third somewhat becoming a new ritual for the cellist and former siren. Which, as Sonara had said when they first started, she was always free on Fridays, and sometimes Tuesday’s. Also, in the handful of weeks they had know each other, Sonata would always bring them some leftover tacos from work.
Octavia arrived at the park as she always did; an hour before Sonata’s shift at Taco Horn would end. To which, she would play whatever reflected her state of mind with her violin, rather than her cello. Not to say she despised the cello, stress it caused at all. More than it was easier to carry a violin to the park, and stood out less.
While she waited for her friend, Octavia took out her violin, placed the open case forwards for people to tip. She didn’t need the money, it was something she had found was easier than to fight it. With that, she started to play how she felt on her mind.
This time around, it was about how her mother talked about some of her peers tutoring the next generation of musicians in their free time. How generous of them, able to deal with all their other life stresses, grades, and some kid while at it.
“Despite the fact most of my ‘peers’ are college students with education at least as a minor and in it for the credits,” Octavia grumbled, as she played to match her mood. “As if I don’t have enough on my plate.”
Which wasn’t entirely true. She knew of one or two a grade lower who had elementry school kids they taught.
“Hey, Octy!” Sonata called, right on time.
Octavia’s foul mood diminishing, she smiled, “Hello, Sonata, how was work?”
“It was.” Sonata waved off, setting the brown bag down next to them. “Things alright with you?”
“I guess.” Octavia said.
“More mama drama llama?” Sonata ventured
Octavia cringed.
“Sorry!” Sonata frowned. “Too much?”
Octavia allowed a smile. “No, it was accurate, and cute.
Sonata let out a giggle. “That’s a relief. But seriously, want to talk more about it?”
Octavia did want to talk about it. However, before she could, a male voice called out her name.
“Octavia Philharmonica?” an all too familiar male voice said that made Octavia’s blood run cold, said. “Fancy seeing you here.”
Face in a forced smile, she turned to the boy. “Oh, hello Fiddle,” she she, although inside was wondering what the fuck he was doing here. Then again, she should of know by being so regular to this park, it was only a matter of time before someone she had to worry about would recognize her.
Why did it have to be Fiddle Sticks though?!
Sonata looked between them. “Friend of yours?” she asked with a tilt of her headZ
Octavia gripped the bench. “You could say that.”
“Well,” Fiddle Sticks began, “I was just on my way to mentor an apprentice I took on.”
“Do tell,” Octavia gritted.
“Oh, what’s wrong?” He mocked. “Nobody looks up to your second rate talent?” He looked to Sonata. “Who’s this? Some deaf hoe you had to pay to listen to your music?”
“If she wasn’t trained on being a ‘proper lady,’ Octavia would of likely jumped from that bench and rip his head off. Then again, she was also more worried about what her mother would say, when he told his parents, who would tell her she was in the park with-
In a moment of inspiration that sliced two problems in one, she looked to Sonata, back To Fiddle, and said. “Actually, you caught me. I was just about to give my own pupil her weekly lessons right now?”
“You are?” Sonata blinked, looking around for some unknown third party. When she looked back at Octavia’s stern, but pleading face, Sonata let out an ‘O’ and fortunately caught on quickly.
“Oh… Oh yeah!” She added with a sly smile. “Yes indeed! We were just about to, um, get started. Yeah.”
“Yes,” Octavia gulped. “So, if you would be so kind as to let us be,” she spat at Fiddle. “Didn’t you have somewhere to go?”
“My kid can wait.” Fiddle smiled, leaning against a tree. “This I got to see.”
The two girls gave a nervous chuckle and then looked at each other.
“Right, so,” Octavia fighted. “Where did we leave off.” She added, tapping her violin nervously as she slowly started to hand it to Octavia, before she held back. Sure she trusted Sonata enough, but this was still her instrument in question. “Oh! You wanted me to hear you sing vocally today?”
Sonata paled, and said through her teeth, “Bad idea.”
“You’re learning, remember?” Octavia said through her own teeth. Nervously looking back to fiddle, she added, without the teeth, “Just, show me what you know. I am here to, teach, you, and nobody’s perfect on the first try. Not even me.” She held up her violin. “Here, we’ll start with a simple nursery rhyme and go from there.”
“I,” Sonata started, then sighed. “Okay. I’ll try.”
“Thanks,” Octavia said, patting Sonata’s hand before taking to her bow.
Blushing, as Octavia started her tune, Sonata started to sing, and stopped as Octavia’s violin screeched at Sonata’s singing.
“Oh dear,” Sonata said as Fiddle laughed. “I told you it would be a bad idea.” She added with a whisper.
“No, no,” Octavia said, trying to compose herself. “You're just a little rusty. I’m… Actually, I think I did hear somewhere in there an actually singing voice. If I may,” she picked her violin back up, “maybe we should start with some warm ups? Which, while we’re at it, we can try to figure out your range.”
Sonata raised an eyebrow. “Singing has warm ups?”
Octavia stared. “Weren't you in a band?”
“Well, I guess magic.” Sonata answered, the two forgetting their audience.
“Right, well, okay then.” Octavia breath. “It’s fine. Here, I’ll show you some of my favorites. Now: Repeat after me. Also, see if you can’t sing a little higher too, and we’ll work our way backwards on what your ideal pitch isl.”
So they did. It took about ten to fifteen minutes, but to their surprised delight, they found a good pitch for Sonata to work with, and once the warm up was done, Sonata was singing, while far from a professional level, she might have passed off as, not bad. By which time, Fiddle had walked off, likely bored from the lack of terribleness. He’s still tell his parents, and then-
“So who was your friend?” Sonata asked when she noticed.
Octavia turned to see the boy gone and sighed. “Long story… Oh no.”
“What?” Sonata inquired. “Was my singing that bad?”
“No!” Octavia assured with a warm smile. “It’s actually good. You honestly have some natural talents.” She paused and cheered up at Sonata’s blush, only to frown and slump on the bench. “It’s just that, he’ll tell his dad, who will tell my mom, and, well…
“Is that bad?” Sonata asked.
“Maybe,” Octavia said, running the pro’s and con’s over in her mind. “Depends,” she decided, the fact it might mean spending more time with Sonara being the pro that pushed her over. “You me to be your musical mentor full time?”
Sonata perked up. “For realizies?”
Octavia giggled. “For realizes.”