Insane Asylum

Rebecca never once left the scene before her, completely transfixed on the passionate man and his expressive dancing of long fingers. The notes teased out of the submissive beast which was the piano filled the room, until Miss Burns swore that she was no longer breathing in air, but a sweet, emotional mix of sharps, flats, and naturals, all hanging from thin threads, or collected in fragile bubbles that, if one was not careful, would pop, and ruin the display forever. Her every breath was controlled by the German man's little plot of wordless song, afraid of it trampling over the more delicate notes that took your full attention to truly savour with the clumsy rasp of inhalation.

Only when the last trembling note had sank away did Rebecca dare to move, limbs slightly stiff at the long time spent in total stillness. Like a mouse approaching a sleeping lion, she timidly padded over to the now-calm Conrad, hesitating before sitting down next to him. Her gaze was stuck on the keys before them both for a moment as she tried to get up the guts to talk to such a talented man. "Wow," she finally breathed, bluish eyes turning in the slender man's direction shyly. "Conrad, that was beautiful."

'Dankeschön,' murmured Conrad, offering his new friend a small, nervous smile as his hands - oh, such beautiful, tapered fingers - folded carefully in his lap, earning his full attention now the last echo of his past turmoil of emotion faded from the piano's memory. He was certain now, Rebecca was as innocent as he was; no demon could outlast his precious music for very long. It was his shield against them, his sword as well, helping him to conquer day after day in this blank, silent place. He actually felt... Well, better, now that he'd shared it with someone. He hadn't felt that in a long time. 'Conrad, he title it "Ende".' He paused, shying away slightly as he wondered how to word his next statement in his clumsy English, ashen cheeks pinking with a rare sign of colour upon his angular features. 'Rebecca, does she want piece written? Special, for her?'

Rebecca's eyes widened at the notion, and then she flushed with embarrassment, her own cheeks' colour easily overtaking that of Conrad's. Oh, she'd never had anyone do that for her before.. then again, she'd never had a friend like Conrad before, either. She had no idea what to say. What a lovely man. Rebecca felt honoured that such a fantastic piano player would even consider writing a song for someone like herself; after all, just a few hours ago, the German man thought that she was one of those demons that, apparently, were all around them.

Oh, right, she'd just spent the last few seconds staring at him in a stunned silence. The red in her cheeks deepened, and she offered her friend a little, delighted smile that lit up her features. "I'd like that," she murmured, and her smile grew, wondering why she couldn't have met a man, a friend, like him when times had gotten tough. "I'd like that very much."

Korra heard the familiar sound of a piano and was drawn to it. She pulled a chair over to the boy and the girl and sat down. "Um can I listen?" She asked awkwardly.

Conrad nodded slowly, momentarily contented that he'd be able to expression his confusion, and fascination, with this new, fragile friendship which had bloomed so tenderly like a beautiful white rose rooting in his decaying heart. Who said nothing of worth could grow from the deceased? Well, he had, especially in his darker, more cryptic moments when even his own thoughts terrified him. He'd spend many a night trying to work out what had happened to the promised paradise, where his small family where while he was left to suffer. Perhaps he was in Hell? No, no, this was simply a limbo to test those too neutral to enter either netherworld. Like himself. Like Rebecca. Like that girl who'd just spoken... Wait.

The German froze in utter horror, dark eyes pinned to this newcomer as he swallowed fitfully. He was uncomfortable with everyone listening to his music, as it was so raw, so him, and now a total stranger had stumbled upon the aftermath so casually it almost burned. With an awkward cough, he stared down at his fingers, twisting them nervously in his lap as he tried to ignore this demon and her prying. It was rather difficult, seeing as she'd seated herself so close. Too close. Calm down, Conrad, she won't come any nearer. Why did the damn beings have to keep harassing you?!

Korra saw how nervous he looked and stood away from the piano nodding that if she were to listen she would have to listen from afar. She stood up and left from piano out the door. Instead she leaned up against the wall outside waiting for music to be hard. She remembered when she used to play piano as a young girl. Innocent and sweet, did what her parents tol dher too. She'd listen contently and play the notes swiftly. But she stopped playing about two years ago and only burshed her fingers along the piano still unsure of what to play.